It's interesting that an article on the AFL site today has a quote with regards to who the saints will pick, Finnis says the only instruction he has for the recruiting department is that they should pick a player with the next 10 years in mind. In terms of the Saints, Petracca will give them an immediate boost in the next few years, but I think that the longer term view would be McCartin for the saints.

Also saw that they mentioned that if they go with Petracca then they need to realise that they will need to stump up at least 500k for a quality forward in the future. (Given what happened with Boyd and Franklin over the last couple of years)

TBH I don't think we can really lose out here, and neither can the saints really given that they drafted strongly last year with their midfielders and can afford to go with McCartin if they have an eye for the future.

Looking forward to how it plays out on Thursday!!

Yeah I read that. I thought Richardson let slip a bit as well. He mentioned that taking McCartin removes the risk of not being able to find that forward down the track - and also says the Saints are keen to get a forward in besides Riewoldt. First solid indication I've heard that there might be substance to these rumors about McCartin going 1.

The saints know they need to pay $1m or so a year to get a power forward to their club. The cheap option is obviously go for Paddy and hope that he develops into one of those million dollar forwards, preferably one that they wants to stay with the Saints. Problem is that if he does develop then other teams will be throwing $1m offers at him at the end of his first contract.

Also, the best half backs across the last twenty years haven't been half backs who've played their careers there.

They've been mids who've been slotted into HB to play that role because of their skills.

It's part of the reason why you need a surfeit of midfielders - inevitably every year two get injured for the year, others become flankers.

Watched his highlights again today and his in close pack work is sublime plus he has grunt, burst and can mark.

If the Saints pass, happy times.

Agreed. Anyone who thinks his kicking is poor should watch again.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2014-11-24/draft-profile-christian-petracca

This kid models himself on Ollie Wines and Dusty Martin. I reckon in 3 years those two might just re-model their game on his.

A big bodied, explosive, ready to go mid who can kick goals and seems driven to succeed. What's not to like?

The fact that he backs himself in every single time....................................oh wait

We are in a good position.

If we get Petracca i vote for him to get number 33. CP33

Agreed. Anyone who thinks his kicking is poor should watch again.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2014-11-24/draft-profile-christian-petracca

This kid models himself on Ollie Wines and Dusty Martin. I reckon in 3 years those two might just re-model their game on his.

I watched again - from this vision provided his kicking is far from a highlight. Have a look at the Brayshaw footage and compare.

(big disclaimer - I am only judging on the footage provided - I have not seen any of these kids in the flesh)

If we get Petracca i vote for him to get number 33. CP33

and Brayshaw would look good in the number 10

If we get Petracca i vote for him to get number 33. CP33

might have thought CP30 !!

might have thought CP30 !!

He's a machine!

I'm not overly excited by his highlights it must be said. However, I wasn't overly excited by Scully's or Fyfe's so it's still very much a lottery.

I'm still not excited by Scullys highlights package

I am only judging on the footage provided - I have not seen any of these kids in the flesh)

Not an issue. This still qualifies you as an expert under Demonland law. Section 5.3(a) of the Act stipulates that "any poster who judges a potential draftee using online video footage only is to be deemed an expert in the field of draft selection".

It's all there in black and white.

I'm still not excited by Scullys highlights package

That's the point, both Scully's and Fyfe's weren't all that exciting but one is now a star and one is a plodder.

Agreed. Anyone who thinks his kicking is poor should watch again.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2014-11-24/draft-profile-christian-petracca

I have just watched again and he doesn't hit a target by foot in that footage bar kicking goals.

I have no doubt he is a gun, however, I just haven't seen him hit targets by foot in the limited footage I have seen and the above link doesn't disprove that.

I have just watched again and he doesn't hit a target by foot in that footage bar kicking goals.

I have no doubt he is a gun, however, I just haven't seen him hit targets by foot in the limited footage I have seen and the above link doesn't disprove that.

funny was watching some highlights of his earlier and he was doing just that...great kicking which lead me to comment upon it....can I find that vid now? Of course not

I have just watched again and he doesn't hit a target by foot in that footage bar kicking goals.

I have no doubt he is a gun, however, I just haven't seen him hit targets by foot in the limited footage I have seen and the above link doesn't disprove that.

watch his highlights on http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-machine as he hits many targets lace out, long and low or well weighted...

watch his highlights on http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-machine as he hits many targets lace out, long and low or well weighted...

thats the one...pretty good kicking really... imho

Not only can he kick...but he knows where to kick it.. He has good footy vision ( well to me ) . He can roost it over 50m ( and should get better ) or stab it in over 25.

Be quite happy if he 'slips' to us .

Not the 'stab' of old but a low hard drop punt today

I am now seeing myself as the " grass is always greener" type of guy, because of this ND.

I had accepted for quite a while that Petracca was the best player in the draft and that the Saints would naturally draft him. GWS are in love with him and wanted to give multiple early picks to get him.

I then accepted that we would draft Brayshaw and McCartin and have come to look forward to this scenario. A KPF and a mid.

Today in an AFL article, Saints Coach Richardson says that Petracca is the best player in the draft, but that a KPF is hard to come by and that they should look at taking him.

If that happens, then we can pick arguably the best player in the draft, with pick 2 or 3 and have arguably the 2 best players in the draft with picks 2 and 3, yet somehow that is making me feel uncomfortable.

I think I need this to be over, so I can move on with whoever we get.

watch his highlights on http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-machine as he hits many targets lace out, long and low or well weighted...

Thanks PaulRB. He hits more targets in that one than any other of the highlights I have seen.

I am now seeing myself as the " grass is always greener" type of guy, because of this ND.

I had accepted for quite a while that Petracca was the best player in the draft and that the Saints would naturally draft him. GWS are in love with him and wanted to give multiple early picks to get him.

I then accepted that we would draft Brayshaw and McCartin and have come to look forward to this scenario. A KPF and a mid.

Today in an AFL article, Saints Coach Richardson says that Petracca is the best player in the draft, but that a KPF is hard to come by and that they should look at taking him.

If that happens, then we can pick arguably the best player in the draft, with pick 2 or 3 and have arguably the 2 best players in the draft with picks 2 and 3, yet somehow that is making me feel uncomfortable.

I think I need this to be over, so I can move on with whoever we get.

Its new and scary when something good happens to the MFC...

Like, what's the catch?

Edited November 25, 201411 yr by PaulRB

I have just watched again and he doesn't hit a target by foot in that footage bar kicking goals.

I have no doubt he is a gun, however, I just haven't seen him hit targets by foot in the limited footage I have seen and the above link doesn't disprove that.

THE INSIDE WORD

Powerful inside midfielder/forward who is strong overhead and a clearance star. Motivated and determined, he breaks tackles with his agility and strength, tackles well and his kicking is an asset.

watch his highlights on http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-machine as he hits many targets lace out, long and low or well weighted...

watch his highlights on http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-machine as he hits many targets lace out, long and low or well weighted...

Just watched the vid and he nails very kick in it, including a bunch of goals, with one from the boundary line about 50 meters out. If he is a poor kick then the majority of MFC players are not even on the scale

thats the one...pretty good kicking really... imho

Thats why we are experts- I was completely underwhelmed by his kicking - that's because I saw a different video package. If you watch the package early on in this thread you will be unimpressed.