2014 National Under 18 Championships

[spirit of norm smith 16,589]

Petracca will be a star gun. A cross between Jobe Watsons size, Chris Judds kick and Pendlebury poise.

I think he is our obvious choice (but I was wrong about Wines, Freeman as our choices). Maybe we dont like mature tough midfielders.

[DeeSpencer 26,083]

Can't help but think I don't want the number 1 pick in this draft after watching more today.

Wright - looks good but using first round picks on rucks is looking more and more dicey, and can you really be a key forward at 203cm?

McCartin - at 193cm without amazing athleticism he's the opposite. He reminds me of Fev both in a good and bad way. I'm not sure he's big enough to be a Cloke or Tipett key forward or agile enough to be a Franklin or Cameron. Not overly impressed

Brayshaw - he's good, but is he special? At AFL level will his complete game stand out or will his lack of damaging traits make him plain?

Petracca has the x factor but compared to how Dustin Martin dominated these games it's a whole nother league

Haven't seen much of Durdin but just on stats he's not looking great

Darcy Moore and Heeney look as good as any and they aren't eligible

I'd feel a lot more comfortable picking whoever is left at pick 4 rather than spending pick 1 on one of these guys.

I'd probably feel even better doing another Salem/Tyson trade and getting out of the top 5 and back towards pick 10 or even out of the first round. I do wonder if there's a Stephen Hill style bolter to come up to the top 5 of this draft because the 2 big guys and 2 mids don't jump out at me.

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

Can't help but think I don't want the number 1 pick in this draft after watching more today.

Wright - looks good but using first round picks on rucks is looking more and more dicey, and can you really be a key forward at 203cm?

McCartin - at 193cm without amazing athleticism he's the opposite. He reminds me of Fev both in a good and bad way. I'm not sure he's big enough to be a Cloke or Tipett key forward or agile enough to be a Franklin or Cameron. Not overly impressed

Brayshaw - he's good, but is he special? At AFL level will his complete game stand out or will his lack of damaging traits make him plain?

Petracca has the x factor but compared to how Dustin Martin dominated these games it's a whole nother league

Haven't seen much of Durdin but just on stats he's not looking great

Darcy Moore and Heeney look as good as any and they aren't eligible

I'd feel a lot more comfortable picking whoever is left at pick 4 rather than spending pick 1 on one of these guys.

I'd probably feel even better doing another Salem/Tyson trade and getting out of the top 5 and back towards pick 10 or even out of the first round. I do wonder if there's a Stephen Hill style bolter to come up to the top 5 of this draft because the 2 big guys and 2 mids don't jump out at me.

Brayshaw is your Jarrod McVeigh, Petracca is your Josh Kennedy, both will be dangerous in different ways, Brayshaws consistency will compliment Petraccas X factor

[DeeSpencer 26,083]

Brayshaw is your Jarrod McVeigh, Petracca is your Josh Kennedy, both will be dangerous in different ways, Brayshaws consistency will compliment Petraccas X factor

I don't know. Brayshaw is consistent. But is he going to be silky skilled at AFL or a super clearance player at AFL? How much better is he than someone like Dom Sheed who went pick 11 last year. Petracca I don't think has near the footy IQ of JK and I don't think his height or athleticism really would stand out at AFL. I worry he'd be more of a Jack Ziebell.

My point put simply is I just don't think it's an amazing draft at the top end. And if that's the case I'd rather trade backwards.

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

I don't know. Brayshaw is consistent. But is he going to be silky skilled at AFL or a super clearance player at AFL? How much better is he than someone like Dom Sheed who went pick 11 last year. Petracca I don't think has near the footy IQ of JK and I don't think his height or athleticism really would stand out at AFL. I worry he'd be more of a Jack Ziebell.

My point put simply is I just don't think it's an amazing draft at the top end. And if that's the case I'd rather trade backwards.

I don't think it's too fantastic in terms of the talls, I don't think McCartin and Wright even compare to Boyd and Hogan but I like the look of Brayshaw and Petracca, I wouldn't mind drafting Petracca and trading the other pick on, for a Tyson like deal, would love young Corey Ellis, has beautiful skills and is a really good half back

[jayceebee31 761]

Agree with Brayshaw & Petracca - both do compliment each other with skills that match our requirements.But we also need a tall to develop.Membrey from the Swans or Briggs would also be added bonuses to compliment our early picks if,indeed Chips leaves

[rjay 25,093]

Petracca will be a star gun. A cross between Jobe Watsons size, Chris Judds kick and Pendlebury poise.

I think he is our obvious choice (but I was wrong about Wines, Freeman as our choices). Maybe we dont like mature tough midfielders.

So he's (Petracca) not a very good kick then?

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,234]

Keen to know what Petracca's endurance is like. Does he have the potential to be able to run hard both ways. Seemed to have a burst from the contest but struggle to get to the next contest. Keen to watch him again today but must admit have found this talent pool all a bit beige so far. From yesterdays game I did like the look of Blakely, Garlett and Howe.

[ChaserJ 5,157]

Can't help but think I don't want the number 1 pick in this draft after watching more today.

McCartin - at 193cm without amazing athleticism he's the opposite. He reminds me of Fev both in a good and bad way. I'm not sure he's big enough to be a Cloke or Tipett key forward or agile enough to be a Franklin or Cameron. Not overly impressed

Brayshaw - he's good, but is he special? At AFL level will his complete game stand out or will his lack of damaging traits make him plain?

Haven't seen much of Durdin but just on stats he's not looking great

McCartin's probably the best forward of the bunch, he's leading patterns and forward play is quite advanced for an under 18, but it's safe to say Hogan, Boyd, Daniher and Patton would have been rated higher by comparison.

Brayshaw is a very good, very consistent player, but between he and Petracca I prefer Petracca. Both win clearances, but Brayshaw tends to scout the ball and is more of an inside receiver, Petracca is bash and crash, and excellent in the contest.

Can't use stat's to judge Durdin. He came into the champs underdone after months out with injury, and then split his time between ruck and defence. Coming off a low base, his performances have been solid if unspectacular. He's shown very good agility and mobility for a big man, clean hands and good awareness. I like his traits more than those shown by the other falls at this stage. He will likely go back and play senior footy in the SANFL, so there's a fair bit of time to judge him before the draft.

[Whispering_Jack 30,674]

U18 champs: Last-gasp goal sinks Vic Country and snaps WA's losing streak

Vic Country 4.3.27 9.3.57 10.4.64 10.5 (65)

Western Australia 2.1.13 5.4.34 8.7.55 9.13 (67)

GOALS

Vic Country: Webb 4, McCartin 2, Dixon, Evans, Wilson, Lonie

Western Australia: Cripps 2, Creeper 2, Anderson 2, Palfrey, Pickett, Smith

BEST

Vic Country: Webb, Butler, Mathieson, Goddard, Cunico, Howe

Western Australia: Blakely, Hardisty, Keitel, Smith, Giblett, Garlett

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

Keen to know what Petracca's endurance is like. Does he have the potential to be able to run hard both ways. Seemed to have a burst from the contest but struggle to get to the next contest. Keen to watch him again today but must admit have found this talent pool all a bit beige so far. From yesterdays game I did like the look of Blakely, Garlett and Howe.

Its a good point. I question whether or not Petracca is going to have to shed 10kgs to play midfield and what impact that will have on the contested side of his game when he steps up to AFL. Very good midsize marking forward and he's shown versatility to be an impact midfielder against his peers, but its a very important question that needs to be answered.

I really liked what I saw of Jayden Laverde in terms of his decision making, spacial awareness and lateral movement in that desirable 190cm-ish light framed midfielders body. Most mock drafts seem to have him low-teens, early-20s but I'd be surprised given the popularity of Bontempelli types if he isn't a bolter, albeit he probably needs to win more of the footy. He'd be a good drop-drown trade option for us, so keep a look out for him.

[Arrow 1,257]

Really liked number 9 from Vic Country as a later pick.. Can't remember his name, potentially Butler

[ChaserJ 5,157]

Petracca shed a fair amount of weight coming into this year. His body type would suggest he’ll always be big enough to have an impact in contested situations.Credit to him, he’s worked hard in the offseason to get himself prepared to play in the midfield and to date has ticked all of the boxes. He’s been very consistent with his play in midfield throughout the championships and is probably the Larke Medallist for this year. Endurance looks improved, and has shown decent burst speed.

Whilst there’s a fair amount of conjecture at the top of the draft, the depth this year looks pretty good. There are a number of mid-range midfielders like Laverde (Ahern, Ellis, De Goey, Duggan) who look like they’ll be very good midfielders. I expect rankings for these players will be quite fluid and anyone of them could move right up into the top 10 with some good performances in the TAC Cup. At this stage last year Bontempelli was very much in the lower reaches of the 20, before some very good performances as an inside mid for Northern pushed him up.

[Brayshaw Self 847]

Considering Petracca played basketball for Australia, I doubt that he relies solely on his big body to dominate games of footy.

[whatwhat say what 22,949]

jason taylor talking on the coverage right now.

[whatwhat say what 22,949]

was literally on for less than a minute.

Confident Jesse Hogan is over injury and is going to be a good player.

Each State has a strong contingent of midfielders – made mention of Heeney and Brayshaw.

Will be aggressive in working the draft and free agency going forward.

[Machsy 2,858]

Brayshaw has been quiet today though.

I think he has spent most of the game in defense.

Jayden Laverde has pushed himself into the 1st round if he wasn't already there.

Great pace and size.

[Machsy 2,858]

McCartin and Petracca would be fighting it out for pick 1, if I had it.

[whatwhat say what 22,949]

brayshaw and petracca worked their way into the game, but south australia won the game, and the championships.

some impressive players, including sos.

caleb daniel is tiny but geez he can play.

[whatwhat say what 22,949]

petracca won the under 18 larke medal for best player in the championships.

previous winners include dom sheed, lachie whitfield, steve coniglio, harley bennell, andrew hooper, david swallow, jack watts...and cale morton.

[rjay 25,093]

Dean Gore looked good to me, have only seen him in this game so if anyone else has any more info I would be interested.

It was how he worked the contest and used the ball that impressed me. Strong at it and a good decision maker on todays game. The pick of the mids.

[Deemotivated 550]

petracca won the under 18 larke medal for best player in the championships.

previous winners include dom sheed, lachie whitfield, steve coniglio, harley bennell, andrew hooper, david swallow, jack watts...and cale morton.

Andrew Hooper... A household name.

[Arrow 1,257]

Petracca is so so good overhead. He is like a built Nathan Fyfe and I can't think of a better comparison so anyone who's watched him more can override me.

He's both inside & outside, as mentioned he is exceptional overhead both on the lead but more so in congested marking situations, and has a great eye for goal. I know the body shapes are completely different but I think he's a built prototype of Fyfe.

I'll be so so disappointed if we overlook him.

Edited July 3, 2014 by Arrow

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

I'll be so so disappointed if we overlook him.

Overlook him? I'm just hoping he'll still be there come our first pick.

[whatwhat say what 22,949]

petracca looks more like jordan lewis than fyfe.

and i think he'll go top three.

the much ballyhooed phalanx of talls has failed to arrive at this championships. they all look pretty average.