The 2014 AFL National Draft

[Whispering_Jack 30,169]

The Saints would have to be rope-able if the news and the circumstances in Sam McClure's tweet have been leaked by a club insider. It's not a good look for the club to be taking pot shots at a high draft choice and, as I mentioned elsewhere it could also backfire badly on them. I don't believe the AFL would be happy about it either.

The fact remains that for at least the past 6 to 8 weeks there's been a familiar tone in draft circles suggesting the Petracca will go at # 1 and he will be followed by Brayshaw. If the latest rumour is fact then we get both of them. I was just getting used to the thought of us getting Brayshaw and McCartin and now this. To have two strong mid sized players of this calibre coming onto the list really gives our midfield stocks a major boost and it's also a major game changer in terms of what the club will do with the two later picks at # 40 and 53.

It would be interesting if Reece McKenzie was still available at 40.

[Demon 16 213]

Petracca and Brayshaw will certainly have a bigger short term impact than McCartin and Brayshaw.

I actually don't mind which combo we take to be honest, although I do think Brayshaw is the type we need to start with.

[sydneydee 687]

The Saints would have to be rope-able if the news and the circumstances in Sam McClure's tweet have been leaked by a club insider. It's not a good look for the club to be taking pot shots at a high draft choice and, as I mentioned elsewhere it could also backfire badly on them. I don't believe the AFL would be happy about it either.

The fact remains that for at least the past 6 to 8 weeks there's been a familiar tone in draft circles suggesting the Petracca will go at # 1 and he will be followed by Brayshaw. If the latest rumour is fact then we get both of them. I was just getting used to the thought of us getting Brayshaw and McCartin and now this. To have two strong mid sized players of this calibre coming onto the list really gives our midfield stocks a major boost and it's also a major game changer in terms of what the club will do with the two later picks at # 40 and 53.

It would be interesting if Reece McKenzie was still available at 40.

Getting Reece McKenzie would be amazing at 40

Edited November 24, 2014 by sydneydee

[Redleg 40,926]

_{I think the leak could be a deliberate false one, instigated by the AFL, to keep the suspense up for the draft.}

[Red and Bluebeard 2,084]

_{I think the leak could be a deliberate false one, instigated by the AFL, to keep the suspense up for the draft}

Presumably all a waste in your case, Redleg ...

[Redleg 40,926]

Presumably all a waste in your case, Redleg ...

Yep.

[ChaserJ 5,096]

Pretty good descriptions of the players on Rahul Satish's phantom draft on the Mad Monday Show site:

http://madmondayshow.com/2014/11/25/rahuls-phantom-draft/

[ben russell 764]

2. Christian Petracca

3. Angus Brayshaw

40. Reece McKenzie

53. Dean Gore

That would be magic.

[Goodvibes 3,596]

Pretty good descriptions of the players on Rahul Satish's phantom draft on the Mad Monday Show site:

http://madmondayshow.com/2014/11/25/rahuls-phantom-draft/

Awesome, looks like we're picking up Dangerfield and Sam Mitchell. Handy draft.

[Whispering_Jack 30,169]

It's probably worthwhile at this stage to take a look at Knightmare's latest power rankings*:-

KNIGHTMARE 2014 DRAFT POWER RANKINGS:

Best few on list quality

1. Christian Petracca (VIC Mid/Fwd)

2. Angus Brayshaw (VIC Mid)

3. Isaac Heeney (Syd Academy - NSW Mid)

4. Darcy Moore (Coll - F/S VIC KPF/KPD)

5. Patrick McCartin (VIC - KPF)

6. Reece McKenzie (VIC KPF)

7. Connor Blakely (WA Mid)

8. Peter Wright (VIC - KPF/Ruck)

9. Jarrod Pickett (WA Mid/Fwd)

10. Jake Lever (VIC KPD)

11. Jayden Laverde (VIC Util)

12. Kyle Langford (VIC Util)

High level difference makers

13. Jack Steele (GWS - Academy - NSW Mid/Fwd)

14. Lachlan Weller (QLD Util)

15. Nakia Cockatoo (NT Util)

16. Hugh Goddard (VIC KPD/KPF)

17. Jordan De Goey (VIC Mid/Fwd)

18. Sam Durdin (SA KPD/KPF)

19. Jarrod Garlett (WA Mid)

20. Liam Duggan (VIC Util)

Capable contributors

21. Connor Menadue (VIC Mid/Def)

22. Corey Ellis (VIC Util)

23. Caleb Marchbank (VIC KPD)

24. Oscar McDonald (VIC KPD)

25. Toby McLean (VIC Fwd/Mid)

26. Dean Gore (SA Mid/Fwd)

27. Alex Neal-Bullen (SA Mid)

28. Paul Ahern (VIC Mid/Fwd)

29. Billy Stretch (Melb F/S - SA Mid/Fwd)

30. Damien Cavka (VIC Mid/Fwd)

31. Peter Bampton (SA Mid)

Best of the rest

32. Brayden Maynard (VIC Util)

33. Liam Dawson (Bris Academy - QLD Util)

34. Caleb Daniel (SA Mid/Fwd)

35. Josh Glenn (SA Util)

36. Tom Lamb (VIC Util)

37. Touk Miller (VIC Mid/Fwd)

38. Daniel McKenzie (VIC Def/Mid)

39.Harris Andrews (Bris Academy - QLD KPD/KPF)

40. Jeremy Finlayson (GWS Academy NSW KPD/KPF)

41. Jack Hiscox (Syd Academy - NSW Util)

42. Daniel Howe (VIC Util)

43. Clem Smith (WA - Util)

44. Edward Vickers-Willis (VIC Util)

45. Mason Cox (USA Ruck/KPF)

46. Conor McKenna (IRE Fwd)

47. Will Fordham (VIC Mid)

48. Brett Turner (SA Mid/Fwd)

49. Nic Newman (VIC Def)

50. Blaine Boekhurst (WA Util)

The Next 10

51. Pat McKenna (VIC Fwd)

52.Billy Evans (VIC Mid/Fwd)

53. Brett Eddy (SA KPF)

54. Edward Langdon (VIC Fwd/Mid)

55.Nathan Drummond (VIC Mid/Def)

56.Brenden Abbott (WA Util)

57. Garrett McDonagh (VIC Def)

58. Billy Gowers (VIC Util)

59. Jaden McGrath (VIC Mid/Fwd)

60. Aidan Anderson (WA - Fwd)

* for an early version of Knightmare's power rankings refer to the first page of this thread.

*

[CBDees 3,167]

It's probably worthwhile at this stage to take a look at Knightmare's latest power rankings*:-

KNIGHTMARE 2014 DRAFT POWER RANKINGS:

Best few on list quality

1. Christian Petracca (VIC Mid/Fwd)

2. Angus Brayshaw (VIC Mid)

3. Isaac Heeney (Syd Academy - NSW Mid)

4. Darcy Moore (Coll - F/S VIC KPF/KPD)

5. Patrick McCartin (VIC - KPF)

6. Reece McKenzie (VIC KPF)

7. Connor Blakely (WA Mid)

8. Peter Wright (VIC - KPF/Ruck)

9. Jarrod Pickett (WA Mid/Fwd)

10. Jake Lever (VIC KPD)

11. Jayden Laverde (VIC Util)

12. Kyle Langford (VIC Util)

As Heeney and Moore are not available [going to Sydney and Collingwood respectively], let us hope that we end up with the two top ranked players [viz. Petracca and Brayshaw] however No. 5 (McCartin) is effectively No. 3 of those available for selection and would still be a great get if the Saints opt for Petracca. Our list will be considerably strenghtened out of this draft, particularly with Roos, Goodwin and Mccartney all on board to develop them!

[Nasher 33,616]

I can't remember a draft where the #1 wasn't settled, even as late as the day before the event. It's certainly made it intriguing, especially since we're the holder of the next two picks!

[Akum 2,660]

I can't remember a draft where the #1 wasn't settled, even as late as the day before the event. It's certainly made it intriguing, especially since we're the holder of the next two picks!

Seems that #1 is settled as far as the Saints are concerned.

Just that nobody else can predict them with any degree of certainty.

[Bearthor 9]

_{I think Petracca will go #1 and the Saints will take Reece McKenzie #21.}

_{I'm not sold on McCartin I don't think he'll be the player they say he'll be, would like the Dees to look at other options}

[CBDees 3,167]

_{I think Petracca will go #1 and the Saints will take Reece McKenzie #21.}

_{I'm not sold on McCartin I don't think he'll be the player they say he'll be, would like the Dees to look at other options}

I think that you may be in the minority but if you are privy to information that all the Country's leading football journalists don't seem to know, you might like to share you reasoning with the MFC Recruitinters before they make a mistake tomorrow. Who are the other options that you specifically wish the Club to look at?

[Whispering_Jack 30,169]

The Clark/Landsberger Phantom Draft

The Emma Quayle Phantom Draft

The Brett Anderson Phantom Draft

The Paige Cardona Phantom Draft

The trend seems to be going in favour of the Saints picking McCartin and, as many have commented both here and elsewhere, we are going to end up with two of the best three young talents on draft day. We don't know how it will end up once the players drafted join their clubs but the vibe and the Mabo in me are saying it will be a good result for us. The ones we need to nail now are 40 and 53 and of course, a couple of handy rookies next week.

[CBDees 3,167]

Roos has as good as confirmed on the radio this evening that we will be drafting Brayshaw and Petracca tomorrow. He made this claim on the basis that the interviewers were adamant that McCartin would be picked by St. Kilda. A decent midfield at last? Now all we need is to focus on another tall that might slip through to pick 40!

[dees189227 12,394]

Excuse my dumb question but what time does the draft actually begin?

[Demon Disciple 12,132]

Excuse my dumb question but what time does the draft actually begin?

Apparently 7pm Melbourne time. Though i'd be listening in from 6.30pm just in case.

[spirit of norm smith 16,461]

2. Christian Petracca
3. Angus Brayshaw
40. Oscar McDonald
53. Dean Gore

pop the champagne

[CBDees 3,167]

2. Christian Petracca

3. Angus Brayshaw

40. Oscar McDonald

53. Dean Gore

pop the champagne

SoNS if we get Petracca and brayshaw with picks 2 & 3 you buy the champagne, if we get McDonald and Gore I will buy Dom Perignon!

[Whispering_Jack 30,169]

Early in this thread I cited one of the leading draft watchers Knightmare and we've done well based on his assessments:-

Our five new players tonight all feature prominently in his 2014 draft power rankings. There are 18 clubs in the competition and we have 5 in Knightmare's top 30 including the top two:-

Best few on list quality

1. Christian Petracca (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

2. Angus Brayshaw (VIC – Mid)

Capable contributors

23. Oscar McDonald (VIC – KPD)

27. Alex Neal-Bullen (SA – Mid)

29. Billy Stretch (Melb – F/S - SA – Mid/Fwd)

Knightmare also had Brayshaw and Petracca at 2 & 3 and Neal-Bullen and McDonald at 21 & 22. Stretch was a father/son.

[Whispering_Jack 30,169]

Knightmare on Christian Petracca ~

Christian Petracca (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

Height:186cm, Weight: 92kg, DOB: 04/01/1996

Recruited from: Eastern Ranges

Draft range: 1-2

Best position/role: Rotational midfielder/forward.

Strengths:

Front half talent –Petracca can play both deep in the front half as a marking target and off a forward flank to a high standard when playing forward. Deep in the front half Petracca provides strong scoreboard impact and is an imposing marking presence with his 1v1 strength, overhead marking ability, marking on the lead and superior ability to read the drop of the ball. He can deep in the front half also win the ground ball. Petracca can also play off a forward flank and have a big impact, he can on a forward flank accumulate the footy in bunches, do damage with his footskills, present as a strong marking target, provide strong scoreboard impact and push up the field.

Midfield talent – Petracca is an improved midfielder this year having improved his endurance and decreased his skinfolds. He has a nice mix between inside and outside game. He is a very good contested ball winner and stoppage player and these areas of his game can continue to improve given his size and strength. He is a strong ground ball winner. He is a strong tackler. He also has a rare power to him not only with his strength to bully guys inside the contest but some real explosive power where he can burst through a contest, come up with the ball and break away from the contest at speed. He also has excellent evasiveness and can sidestep guys and burst away with some real explosiveness. Some of his work inside by hand finding targets also is impressive. Outside the contest Petracca shows that he can find the footy but also use it really well utilising his damaging footskills and vision allowing him to find damaging targets up the field.

Scoreboard impact – Forward or through the midfield Petracca provides strong scoreboard impact and is capable of kicking multiple goals and breaking games open with his scoreboard impact in any given game whether that be from set shots or in general play.

Strength and power – There are not many 92kg midfielders going around and even fewer with the explosiveness and power of Petracca. He wins his own ball and can either burst through the contest or run around you with ease. He stands up through tackles and has the strength through his core and hips, he can shrug tackles and give a strong don’t argue. In the 1v1 contests he can take advantage of anyone who is not key position sized making him a matchup nightmare.

Versatility – Petracca because he can play not only through the midfield but also on a forward flank or deep in the front half as a marking target gives you options and this versatility should also help him receive immediate senior games on any team.

Footskills – Has an excellent mix between footskills hitting his targets around the ground with consistency, vision allowing him to find some really damaging targets in great position but also he has the finishing ability and set shot goalkicking to allow him to make the most of his opportunities in front of goal. I have also enjoyed some of his kicks to target while tackled showing that even when tackled he can still execute and find his targets.

Marking ability – Few if any medium size types have the marking ability of Petracca. He has the 1v1 marking ability, contested marking ability and ability on the lead to take his marks and he has the strength overhead to take them consistently. He also reads the drop of the ball exceptionally well and uses his body well in the contest allowing him to effectively protect the drop zone making him incredibly hard to defend particularly if he can isolate a smaller player defender deep in defence.

Weaknesses:

Endurance – His endurance is building and has improved significantly this year to an extent where he can play the majority of game time through the midfield, and his endurance testing at the combine was good but if he hopes to eventually become a full time midfielder he will still need to put a further few seasons of work into building that endurance base.

Skinfolds – Like with his endurance his skinfolds have reduced but his skinfolds still appear relatively high and also need to decrease further.

Decision making ability – Petracca’s decision making ability while good most of the time can at times can leave something to be desired. Both by hand and foot Petracca with his touches generally looks to do as much meaningful damage as he can but at times as a result of this he can fail to recognise his limitations which can lead to a poor kick or handball and an overall lower disposal efficiency than he might otherwise have.

What I expect will improve:I expect Petracca to continue to improve his contested ball winning and stoppage work and take that area of his game from good to eventually excellent. I also expect his endurance and skinfolds to improve. I also imagine his disposal efficiency to increase as he improves his decision making ability and better learns when he can do damage and when he needs to go the safe option.

Who he can become?

I anticipate Petracca to develop into a player largely similar to Dustin Martin but without the personal issues. I see Petracca mostly playing as a damaging forward flanker at first who will at times push deeper into the front half splitting his minutes between playing through the front half and midfield with those midfield minutes increasing as he improves his ability up the ground.

When will he be ready to play?

Petracca is season one, round one ready to play. He I imagine will start off season one mostly playing in the front half and by season two or three likely play more a split between forward and midfield minutes.

How to best utilise him?

Petracca today is best utilised at the moment in the front half because he is just so damaging forward of centre. The hope will be that he becomes more a midfielder but I would look for him to split his minutes between the midfield and front half long term as he is a rare weapon forward of centre. Interpretation of his numbers:

Petracca well and truly has the performances on the board and is one of if not the best performed player in this draft class based on his form these past couple of seasons through the TAC Cup and U18 championships. He is finding the footy but also providing heavy scoreboard impact at both levels which such suggests he will provide both a strong immediate impact at AFL level but also that he will become one of the best to come out of this draft with those high production power midfielders who can provide heavy scoreboard impact of strong value to teams.

Knightmare on Angus Brayshaw ~

Angus Brayshaw (VIC – Mid)

Height: 187cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 09/01/1996

Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons

Draft range: 1-3

Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.

Strengths:

Inside game – Brayshaw has shown dominant contested ball winning ability through both the TAC Cup and U18 Championships. His stoppage work is excellent and he is a strong clearance winner. He has clean hands and is clean below the knees and by hand. He stands up through and shrugs tackles well and has real strength over the ball. Brayshaw is a strong tackler and can really bury guys with aggression when he tackles. His inside game is at a level where he can play right away. He accumulates strong numbers through the midfield and excellent tackle numbers. He is also an excellent height and size for an inside player at 187cm, 87kg.

Footskills – Brayshaw is a very damaging user of the footy on both his right and left sides and is one of the rare few on-ballers who can use it cleanly and consistently on both sides by foot. He is an excellent decision maker with ball in hand and has the vision to find targets in dangerous positions making him a real playmaker through the midfield. He is capable of executing his kicks while getting tackled and still hit his targets. From the midfield both in space and in traffic he also has a rare ability to find and hit the leading forward 50 targets and get it to where they want it. He is also an excellent finisher around goal and can convert from his set shot opportunities.

Marking ability – He is a strong mark overhead. He has the size and strength to beat his opponent in the 1v1 contest but he also reads the flight of the ball exceptionally well and has shown that he can either push back behind the play to take an intercept mark or push forward and be a marking threat on the lead or 1v1.

Work ethic – Brayshaw is a hard worker and has put the time and effort into his game. He has developed the ability to use both sides of his body by hand and foot. He has developed his strength and inside game and this past offseason has put the work in athletically to improve his endurance and pace and I anticipate he will continue from year to year to put the work into his game to achieve that continued improvement and development of his game.

Leadership potential – Brayshaw in 2014 captained Sandringham Dragons demonstrating strong on field leadership and instruction. Given this it is within his capabilities to down the track become either a component of a team’s leadership group or possibly even captain a club.

Weaknesses:

Endurance – While Brayshaw’s endurance is improving it has been a slow build and still requires work before he has the endurance of a full time midfielder at AFL level. Even in the TAC Cup too often he will be out on his feet and unable to cover the ground an AFL level midfielder needs to cover and it will likely take a few preseasons to completely get his endurance up to where it needs to get to.

Athleticism – Overall Brayshaw is an only average athlete by position. To his credit he has an improved burst of speed which he uses reasonably well in game over 10-15m with ball in hand at times and he can also occasionally provide some run and carry but other than that occasional burst with ball in hand Brayshaw is only average athlete by position. He is not likely to do too many eye-popping things athletically and he is not going to run around or sidestep all that many players with not a great deal of agility, evasiveness or spring in his step but none the less I do not anticipate any significant problems with his athleticism still good enough by position.

What I expect will improve:

I expect continued improvement in Brayshaw’s endurance to allow him to cover more of the ground so that at AFL level he can be a full time midfielder. I also expect Brayshaw to continue to improve and expand his inside game and become a more dominant contested ball winner and clearance winner than he already is. Brayshaw I also see continuing to improve as a leader.

Who he can become?

Brayshaw with his dual sided kicking has a feel not completely unlike a taller, bigger bodied Sam Mitchell but I see Brayshaw becoming a slightly less dominant Oliver Wines. He is that similar tall, strong bodied midfielder who can do damage by foot and have an impact immediately and be a key pillar through the midfield long term but his production I feel in looking at his numbers will be slightly but not significantly lower than the production of Wines.

When will he be ready to play?

Brayshaw is round one, season one ready to play. He has the size and production to suggest he can have an impact right away. He can also be a starting midfielder right away but I can see him also receiving some minutes on either a forward or back flank during games as his endurance is not yet quite be up to a level that would allow him to sustain full games at AFL level through the midfield from the outset.

How to best utilise him?

Brayshaw is best utilised on the ball through the midfield.

Interpretation of his numbers:

Brayshaw is arguably the best performed midfielder in this draft class. He is finding the footy both inside and outside the contest. Providing good scoreboard impact. Good tackle numbers and is taking plenty of marks. Has performed strongly through both the TAC Cup and U18 championships. So the indicators are strong and suggest he will play right away and have a long, strong career in our game.

Knightmare on Alex Neal-Bullen

Alex Neal-Bullen (SA – Mid)

Height: 182cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 09/01/1996

Recruited from: Glenelg

Draft range: 20-50

Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.

Strengths:

Work by hand –What most stands out with Neal-Bullen is his awareness in traffic to find the best player by hand, he will at times gamble looking for the opening but he typically finds the most damaging target.

Inside game – In addition to what Neal-Bullen does by hand he at stoppages is consistently in close, in the best positions to either win his own contested ball or to receive the inside ball to win the clearances. He had the highest clearance winning total through the U18 Championships and has shown at SANFL League level that he can also win the clearances. He has excellent contested ball winning numbers and is a terrific contested ball winner showing hardness at the footy, and a real cleanness at ground level.

Endurance – Neal-Bullen has among the best endurance of the midfielders in this draft and it is obvious watching how much ground he covers in game and how many contests he gets to. He is someone who just never seems to stand still in game really showing in game a terrific work rate.

Season one ready – Neal-Bullen has played and played very well at SANFL League level showing that he can compete against men and find and win his own footy against men which suggests that he can from season one play senior games if the opportunity presents.

Versatility – Although he by far and away is best suited on the ball through the midfield he has also spent time in the back half this season so while he probably will be more a pure midfielder he can as required be played in the back half.

Pace - Neal-Bullen is not a plodder and can at times use his pace in game. He can provide some run and carry with ball in hand or break away from the contest and occasionally can get himself out of trouble in traffic to then get a handball off to a target or a quick kick away.

Weaknesses:

Footskills under pressure and decision making – Neal-Bullen in traffic by foot will often just get the ball onto his boot hoping it hits a target, really at this stage just lacking composure. Because he gets so much ball in close making it a reoccurring theme and a constant frustration with his game but at times he can hit a meaningful target from these situations so he is someone who will go for damage over efficiency and it will be a learning process to know when to hit the meaningful target and when to go safe. Give him time and space through and his footskills while still slightly inconsistent are on the most part generally good mostly hitting his targets over a variety of distances, making better decisions and occasionally doing damage and even at times lowering his eyes, but on the inside he just needs that bit more composure and needs to take more time on his kicks than he does at the present time.

Outside game – At this stage Neal-Bullen finds a high proportion of his ball inside the contest and surprisingly despite his endurance and work rate he finds limited outside ball as someone who is very much an inside midfielder first at the moment.

What I expect will improve:

I mostly with Neal-Bullen anticipate the natural and continued improvement in the areas that he performs strongly in and specifically his inside game.

Who he can become?

Through the midfield Neal-Bullen is of similar quality and production to Anthony Miles.

When will he be ready to play?

Neal-Bullen has the ability to play as soon as season one and fit in at AFL level given his strong SANFL League performance.

How to best utilise him?

Neal-Bullen is best utilised on the ball through the midfield.

Interpretation of his numbers:

Neal-Bullen’s numbers have been exceptional both through the U18 Championships and at SANFL League level this season and is among the best performed players in this draft class. Through the U18 Championships he led all participants in clearances and was also one of the dominant contested ball winners throughout. What was troubling was troubling through the U18 Championships his low disposal efficiency of 54%. Through the SANFL at league level Neal-Bullen has shown that he can not only play at the level but also find strong numbers suggesting that he will be able to make the adjustment to playing at AFL level and if opportunity presents from season one.

Knightmare on Billy Stretch ~

Billy Stretch (Melb – F/S – SA – Mid/Fwd)

Height: 182cm, Weight: 71kg, DOB: 8/09/1996

Recruited from: Glenelg

Draft range: 3rd round

Best position/role: Midfield – outside

Strengths:

Footskills – Stretch is an excellent user of the ball by foot and can find his targets over a variety of distances. What has also impressed me is his execution by foot while under pressure, showing that he can at times while getting tackles or when under pressure he can at times lace out hit his targets. With ball in hand Stretch makes good decisions quickly and has the vision to find good targets long up the field.

Pace and endurance – Stretch has excellent straight-line speed and an excellent line breaker, breaking the lines frequently each game. He also has excellent endurance as someone who gives many of those high speed efforts in game but then also covers substantial ground over the court of a game.

Evasiveness – Stretch is not so much someone who will sidestep guys but he uses his pace to run around opposition players and avoid tackles routinely.

Outside game – Stretch has the right mix of footskills, pace and endurance on the outside to experience success. On the outside he runs to the right positions and works hard to get into good positions to link up as well as be involved in running chains forward.

Versatility – Stretch while best suited on a wing does have the ability to play on a forward flank and given his pace and footskills could also likely as required play of a back flank.

Ready to play – Stretch while light bodied was one of SA’s best through the U18 Championships. At SANFL League level he played some excellent football and produced some excellent numbers. At both levels he has shown an excellent ability to accumulate the footy, use it well and at SANFL League level he has shown that he can still do what he does against stronger bodies and have a strong impact on games. Given his performance and already proven ability against more mature bodies Stretch light bodied as he is, is capable of playing at AFL level from season one.

Weaknesses:

Marking ability – I have found Stretch at times with his marks to be very two and three grab. He generally takes his marks but he just needs to become cleaner and more one grab. What I do like with his work overhead is his ability to read the flight and read the drop of the ball to consistently get to the right places to take the mark.

Inside game – Stretch while not a soft outside player and at times capable of winning his own ball is likely not going to become an inside player. He is a smallish, light body and his contested ball numbers are mild at best. He is not a particularly strong or aggressive tackler, not tackling all that often and is not someone who can forcefully win his own ball. What he can do is use his smarts to opportunistically be in the right place to get the ball but that is about the extent of his inside game.

Light body – At this stage Stretch only weighs 71kg and has a thin frame that suggests he will likely always remain relatively on the light side and remain an outside player.

What I expect will improve:

With Stretch I anticipate mostly natural and continued improvement of his outside game. I expect he puts on some weight but I still expect he remains a light bodied but very good and productive outside player.

Who he can become?

I see Billy Stretch developing into a lower level Bradley Hill as that outside type with elite endurance, pace, a high level skillset but then also the excellent numbers, just perhaps without the same level of flash and hurt-factor.

When will he be ready to play?

Stretch given his proven ability to play well at SANFL League level has the ability to play from season one.

How to best utilise him?

Stretch is best utilised on a wing.

Interpretation of his numbers:

Stretch’s numbers and more specifically his uncontested ball numbers have been excellent both through the U18 Championships as one of SA’s leading disposal getters, and using it well but then also at SANFL League level also showing that he can find the uncontested footy to a high level and use it well and take plenty of uncontested marks around the ground. Given this Stretch has the ability to play from season one and develop into a quality, high production outside midfielder.

Knightmare on Oscar McDonald ~

Oscar McDonald (VIC – KPD)

Height: 196cm, Weight: 88kg, DOB: 18/03/1996

Recruited from: North Ballarat

Draft range: 30-70

Best position/role: Centre half back.

Strengths:

1v1 ability – McDonald has the strength to hold his position in the contest and consistently win the 1v1 contests, often outbodying opponents in the contest and generally reading the flight of the ball better. He often takes 1v1 marks and makes the right choices as to whether he can take the mark or needs to get the spoil in.

Ability to read the flight of the ball – McDonald is excellent at reading the flight of the ball anticipating where the ball will go and getting there for the easy intercept mark. He makes good decisions as to when he can leave his direct opponent for the intercept mark or when he needs to stay with them. He also in the 1v1 contest reads it superbly, reading the drop of the ball and protecting the drop of the ball for the easy mark.

Movement and athleticism – McDonald for a tall moves very well. He is very mobile for his height and has very good agility. He has very good closing speed and can stay with opposition forwards. His endurance is excellent, staying with his opponents and covering the ground well over the course of games. He also has a good leap on him and is competitive and able to get stops in the air whether that be a spoil or mark.

Ability to limit the influence of direct opponent – He is a good height, has the strength to beat his opponents 1v1 in the contest, is good in the air and can shut down his opponents on the lead. The one knock defensively from a shutdown perspective is his second and third efforts can at times be slow and mean he can at times get exposed against if the ball goes to ground and his opponent is quicker following up the ball at ground level.

Rebounding from the back half – McDonald is generally a relatively efficient user of the ball from the back half. He can hit his targets up the ground and at times will kick low, long passes up the ground and be the one starting the offense himself with his drive out of the back half. He is also at times willing when the opportunity is there to provide some run and carry out of the back half.

TAC Cup form – McDonald has had a terrific season at TAC Cup level and was rightly awarded the TAC Cup coaches award. He had a consistent season and has the performances on the board as one of the best performed if not the best performed key defender this year between his ability to negate the influence of his direct opponents and to take intercept marks and provide rebound himself.

Versatility – While McDonald is best suited as a key defender he has also shown that he can go forward and as required kick a goal. He is relatively clean with his pickups at ground level, tackles strongly and reads it well coming into the front half so while it is not something I would necessarily want him to have to do regularly at AFL level it is something as required he can do.

Weaknesses:

Slow when it hits the deck and slow second and third efforts – The main time McDonald gets exposed is when the ball hits the deck, he can at times be slow reacting and if his opponent is a quicker ground level player he can get exposed. Also his second and third efforts are not up to the expected standard at this stage; as good as he moves he lacks that quickness reacting at times to get to that next ball and then move onto that next play quickly enough.

No U18 Championships games – McDonald as terrific as he has been through the TAC Cup has not received the opportunity to play through the U18 Championships and missed that opportunity to play against the better competition in the country and as a result his form may be less exposed compared to some other draft prospects.

What I expect will improve:

I expect McDonald largely will continue to improve his two way game as a stopper and rebounder and to continue his natural development.

Who he can become?

I see McDonald developing into something like a poor man’s Alex Rance as someone who can beat his direct opponent but also be involved as a rebounder from the back half.

When will he be ready to play?

McDonald could receive senior opportunities as early as season two but I anticipate in season three if the opportunity is there that he establishes himself as a regular best 22 player for a team.

How to best utilise him?

McDonald is best utilised at centre half back.

Interpretation of his numbers:

McDonald’s numbers have been excellent at TAC Cup level by position. He finds plenty of the ball. Takes his mark per game and contested mark per game numbers are excellent by position. His ball use has generally been relatively efficient. He has also done a terrific job limiting the influence of his direct opponents and stopping them from achieving their usual numbers and influence on games.

[Carlos Danger 380]

Getting Neal-Bullen at 40 comes across as being a reverse-Gysberts and Oscar not only still being available at 53 but actually selected is a fantastic result.

Petracca and Brayshaw always looked to be the best combination of the 'big 3', as far as I could tell anyway.

I can't see how the draft could've played out any better than what it did.

[pantaloons 2,019]

I don't know if this has been mentioned, but how good was the Frost trade taking into account draft night? Going by the AFL site's phantom draft, we effectively traded pick 23 for Frost, pick 21 and pick 25. Bonzer.