2014 National Under 18 Championships

[SaberFang 7,151]

Still think Roos will be more interested in getting players that already have the 3 or 4 years of development under their wing, rather than draft and develop from the ground up.

Let other clubs do the hard work then spend the money to bring in the fruits of their labor.

[Ted Lasso 19,513]

I think our first pick will go on Petracca unless a really good trade deal is on the cards, he is big, powerful, wins his own ball, dangerous on the outside, ready to go round 1 2015 and could extremely easily be the best player than comes out of this draft, exactly what the doctor ordered

If we lose Frawley and only go to the draft my ideal draft period would be

4. Petracca

5. Brayshaw

24. Ellis ( hopefully a slider )

42. Stretch

60. Upgrade Jetta

78. Upgrade Georgiou

[whatwhat say what 22,747]

based on currently ladder position, i expect petracca will be gone by our pick - i think he'll be third player picked by gws, behind mccartin and wright. gws have no need to go for another tall.

i also can just as easily seeing us push further up the ladder given carlton's draw in particular. but they're more likely to go for kpps than a mid.

there's also the (very outside) chance that darcy moore elects not to go to the filth as a father-son, and then he'd probably go #1.

edit: there's also no need to upgrade georgiou. he can be a rookie for two seasons before being upgraded, i believe?

[Ted Lasso 19,513]

based on currently ladder position, i expect petracca will be gone by our pick - i think he'll be third player picked by gws, behind mccartin and wright. gws have no need to go for another tall.

i also can just as easily seeing us push further up the ladder given carlton's draw in particular. but they're more likely to go for kpps than a mid.

there's also the (very outside) chance that darcy moore elects not to go to the filth as a father-son, and then he'd probably go #1.

edit: there's also no need to upgrade georgiou. he can be a rookie for two seasons before being upgraded, i believe?

I reckon GWS will pick Durdin, as I still feel they lack one more real quality defender, they have plenty of mids, Pickett is another I could see them pulling the trigger on early

[whatwhat say what 22,747]

gws have a bit of history of not picking south / west aussies tho - go-home factor clearly at play.

ironic, really, given that they picked davis up.

there is that (apparently true) rumour that their preference is to go for mates at under 18 vic clubs to stave off the go-home factor.

[Ted Lasso 19,513]

gws have a bit of history of not picking south / west aussies tho - go-home factor clearly at play.

ironic, really, given that they picked davis up.

there is that (apparently true) rumour that their preference is to go for mates at under 18 vic clubs to stave off the go-home factor.

I think that rumour came up when they overlooked Toumpas for O'Rourke and Plowman, interestingly enough I would have thought that Wines and Menzel would have been the two to pick with that strategy, Menzel imo is clearly the most talented player from that draft but the injuries caused him to slide

I don't think that's so much of an issue this year given they won't have multiple top end picks unless they do some trading, I reckon they will just look at what their side needs, key defence, outside pace and more experienced bodies, I reckon they will make a play for Brad Sewell

[DeeSpencer 25,687]

gws have a bit of history of not picking south / west aussies tho - go-home factor clearly at play.

ironic, really, given that they picked davis up.

there is that (apparently true) rumour that their preference is to go for mates at under 18 vic clubs to stave off the go-home factor.

Even if that was their strategy though I think they'd be looking to wind down that strategy knowing they should climb up the ladder and go from being a place where kids might be keen to leave to place where everyone will want to stay for finals action. Gold Coast are going to go awfully close to finals this year. GWS have always been 1 year later and 1-2 years behind, but anyone picked now may well be close to seeing finals action in the second year of their contract. Playing finals in a ridiculously talented young team would be a draw card that would be hard to be matched by any clubs besides the top 4 really.

If they are drafting for needs it will be either key defender, midfield with a high risk/high reward ceiling or a ruck (for the eventual replacement of Mumford).

I see them being keen on Wright, Durdin, Pickett and Petracca but not so keen on McCartin and Brayshaw. Lamb as a super tall mid would interest them as well. Coniglio, Shiel, Whitfield, Treloar are more traditional size. Hoskin-Elliott is a bit taller and good in the air but they could do with another tall mid if Haynes and Hampston stay at half back.

[ChaserJ 5,090]

gws have a bit of history of not picking south / west aussies tho - go-home factor clearly at play.

ironic, really, given that they picked davis up.

there is that (apparently true) rumour that their preference is to go for mates at under 18 vic clubs to stave off the go-home factor.

This also gives them more trade options if go home factor is cited by the player. Only two potential trade partners of your draft out of SA and WA. Lions found this out the hard way with Polec.

[rolly 149]

who is the best play maker across half back?

[dazzledavey36 54,889]

Was the last game of the championships on today??

[whatwhat say what 22,747]

who is the best play maker across half back?

I reckon it's Wigg, from SA. Lovely left foot kick.

[KingDingAling 3,757]

who is the best play maker across half back?

Lamb was ok, I thought he was better than Goddard.

McCartin looked better today than last week.

Lucas Webb clearly BOG today though, classy midfielder.

I think we go for Webb in the second or third round, depending on FS.

[whatwhat say what 22,747]

Was the last game of the championships on today??

No, the big game is tomorrow - Vic metro vs SA.

Former has to win by more than two goals to get the championships.

[ChaserJ 5,090]

Was the last game of the championships on today??

Last game of Div 1 IS tomorrow arvo at Simonds Stadium.

[Ted Lasso 19,513]

who is the best play maker across half back?

Corey Ellis is pretty handy

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Petracca is a beast.

[KingDingAling 3,757]

Petracca is a beast.

Absolute beast I agree. Be happy to land a kid like that.

Richmond, St Kilda, Brisbane and Bullies all screaming out for key position players.

So Petracca would be some chance of falling our way.

[dazzledavey36 54,889]

Absolute beast I agree. Be happy to land a kid like that.

Richmond, St Kilda, Brisbane and Bullies all screaming out for key position players.

So Petracca would be some chance of falling our way.

Bloody hope so!

[Jerry Lundergard 420]

We need to get Clem Smith in our team. Hardest player I have seen in the champs for a few years. He's like a young Byron Pickett.

I know his stats won't read that well, but he has as much influence in that game today as anyone. I reckon the Vic Country players would've been a little scared when he was in the area.

I also like Webb. Classy, taller midfielder. Reminded me a little of a left-footed Mundy.

Aidan Andrrson from WA was another who looked prett lively as a small/medium forward. Pretty hard at it with a nose for the ball.

[KingDingAling 3,757]

We need to get Clem Smith in our team. Hardest player I have seen in the champs for a few years. He's like a young Byron Pickett.

I know his stats won't read that well, but he has as much influence in that game today as anyone. I reckon the Vic Country players would've been a little scared when he was in the area.

I also like Webb. Classy, taller midfielder. Reminded me a little of a left-footed Mundy.

Aidan Andrrson from WA was another who looked prett lively as a small/medium forward. Pretty hard at it with a nose for the ball.

I agree in regards to Webb and Anderson.

But Smith lacks discipline and apparently has a few question marks over his behavior outside of football.

He might be hard at it, but physically - you can see he lacks work ethic. Not a well conditioned kid.

[ChaserJ 5,090]

Clem Smith had 14 disposals, 9 contested poss and a game-high 10 score involvements. Champion Data had him with 149 ranking points tonight in probably his most eye catching game of the championships.

He can be undisciplined at times, but some of his tackling and pressure noticeably lifted his team to run over the top of Country. Pickett and Garlett were eye-catching tonight too. Garlett wasn't ranked all that highly coming into the carnival, but he's done some very good things in the last two games. Creeper might be an option as a low cost defender to develop.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Petracca seems like the Wines we never had.

[Ted Lasso 19,513]

Petracca seems like the Wines we never had.

Petracca at this stage looks much better than Wines did imo

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Petracca at this stage looks much better than Wines did imo

[Pennant St Dee 13,173]

Didn't know much about Petracca until I saw him live against WA - loved everything I saw about him outshone Brayshaw, Cavka and Ahern were also good. If I was picking mids Petracca, Brayshaw would be my choices

Connor Blakley from WA'S stocks are rising with his form for Swan Districts Colts and standing up in a side that has been towelled up on several occasion through the champs. Hardisty is a terrier, good in close and very clean hands.

Clem Smith is doing well off field, can be undisciplined on field but love players who are nasty and love to hurt opponents (legally) and make them earn it