Rating our draft period - so far

[SaberFang 7,141]

So where do we pick up these A grade midfielder from??

According to Mahoney....we tried to off load 2 and maybe 3 but either clubs didn't want to let them go or the player concerned didn't want to come to us....Just wondering

How did we go from scoring 5 midfielders in one trade period, to zero in the next? Have no idea what went wrong but after trumpeting about how pathetic our disposal was for the second half of the year in every presser, I'm staggered we've done nothing significant to fix it. Does Roos just expect this list to magically improve their skills and disposal over another off season? Didn't he say that our players were "scarred" and said that tanking had irreparably damaged some players who are might be incapable of moving on from the past?

I find it so hard to believe that Roos couldn't find a single disenchanted midfielder at GWS playing out his AFL career in the NEAFL, that wouldn't jump at the chance to come home and play for us. And if that is the case... that paints a frightening picture of just how low the opinion is of our club in AFL circles.

[timD 994]

F+ for me. Our record with high draft picks inspires zero confidence, so you could hardly claim that picks 2 and 3 will replace Frawley's contribution in the short term. Stretch is miles off being ready for senior football. None of Lumumba, Garlett and Frost help the midfield, which is where 99% of games are won.

Given the deals involving picks 19, 21 and 25 this year, I'm bitterly disappointed we haven't been able to utilise pick 23. We were never going to land a big fish, but not using 23 for something more significant than a mid range draftee is a real shame.

I agree poita. Stinking off season. We still have a midfield that sucks and still lack disposal class off half back. Our ability to pick players and develop them is awful and we are relying on it improving...

For all of Roos' charisma, Neeld had better success with trading.

This club has a singular ability to be underwhelming.

[The Reverend 1,704]

I think, on the whole, the trade period has been extremely gratifying. It has not raised my blood pressure one bit and I'm feeling fine. I haven't lost a minute's sleep and I've managed to stay reasonably in control of my workload at work. What more could one ask?

To all who wanted/expected big things - relax, it's just football! Well, maybe it's a little bit important but for me and Old Dee, a quiet life is best.

[rpfc 27,449]

I agree poita. Stinking off season. We still have a midfield that sucks and still lack disposal class off half back. Our ability to pick players and develop them is awful and we are relying on it improving...

For all of Roos' charisma, Neeld had better success with trading.

This club has a singular ability to be underwhelming.

Excuse me?

Did Vince, Tyson and Cross appear in spite of Roos?

Pedersen, Byrnes, Clark, Dawes, et al.

I am disappointed but if you were to take the two lists of players attracted by Neeld and then Roos - there would be little argument as to who recruited the better players.

[drdrake 3,037]

We are all hanging out for that star that some on here are blinded by what has been a good two weeks.

You assess our list, our Midfield was OK last season, tired in the last 6-8 weeks and doesn't go deep but OK.

We all sit in the stands crying out for a running HBF and a small forward, guess what we got a running HBF and a goal kicking small forward. You add Frost to this there is you tall defender.

OK we want mids, Salem, Toumpas, JKH and in the players we pick with 2,3 and 23 you start to get that midfield depth.

It was a good period.

[baysidedave 246]

Hope we get Petracca but probably won't, looks like it will be Brayshaw and McCartin??

Edited October 15, 2014 by baysidedave

[ILLDieADemon 804]

At least it was better then our "scatter gun" trade year.

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

Would love to have brought in a star midfielder, but all hope of that went with Trenners' navicular. Two very good trades and we retained 2, 3 and 23 in a deep draft. Roos will have plenty to work with; our younger players and blokes like Michie and Pigdog will certainly benefit from the pre-season, and Hogan is virtually a new recruit. Bound to be a better 2015.

[wizardinoz 2,015]

So far I like the exerience we've drafted in Jeffy & H. If no Petracca, I'd be happy with Brayshaw as a mid & Wright for a future ruck prospect to replace Jamar.

[praha 10,270]

GWS gets Griffen and [deleted]. Melbourne gets…Garlett and Lumumba.

On its own, it's a solid outcome for Melbourne.

Comparatively? Those either just below, even or slightly above Melbourne just leapfrogged us.

Edited October 15, 2014 by praha

[Guest]

So far I like the exerience we've drafted in Jeffy & H. If no Petracca, I'd be happy with Brayshaw as a mid & Wright for a future ruck prospect to replace Jamar.

He wouldn't go for pick 2 as a ruckman. Below average skills in that department, his value is as a forward.

[dazzledavey36 48,731]

GWS gets Griffen and Nick Malceski. Melbourne gets…Garlett and Lumumba.

On its own, it's a solid outcome for Melbourne.

Comparatively? Those either just below, even or slightly above Melbourne just leapfrogged us.

GWS has comprehensively knocked this out of the park. Melbourne could have done with those two ahead of what we got.

Malceski went to Gold Coast.

[praha 10,270]

Malceski went to Gold Coast.

My mistake.

[Toorak 108]

How did we go from scoring 5 midfielders in one trade period, to zero in the next? Have no idea what went wrong but after trumpeting about how pathetic our disposal was for the second half of the year in every presser, I'm staggered we've done nothing significant to fix it. Does Roos just expect this list to magically improve their skills and disposal over another off season? Didn't he say that our players were "scarred" and said that tanking had irreparably damaged some players who are might be incapable of moving on from the past?

I find it so hard to believe that Roos couldn't find a single disenchanted midfielder at GWS playing out his AFL career in the NEAFL, that wouldn't jump at the chance to come home and play for us. And if that is the case... that paints a frightening picture of just how low the opinion is of our club in AFL circles.

I'm sure Roos has looked at all of the available trade picks and maybe he has decided to run with our current draft picks. This may just be the best draft for some time, so why trade them away.

[Pennant St Dee 11,257]

So you all have faith in Roos but don't back him to use picks 2, 3 & 23 wisely

Yep sounds right FMD

Not everything was bad about season 2014, say what you like we did improve and there were many good signs

Toward the end Viney looked cooked and Tyson was tiring somewhat, they will continue to improve their tanks next season

Toumpas - whipping boy to many but good decision maker and has nice skills

Kent - improved tank and will get some rotational stints through the middle along with Salem ( i have no worries on this kid)

Garlett - going to be a big bonus not only his crumbing skills, but his ability to provide forward pressure JKH has some talent but forward pressure not at the same level as Garlett at this stage

We will get Brayshaw will get some game time next season but will be managed, who we take with the other pick no idea but I think Petracca will be gone as I expect pick 4 & 7 to the Saints now for Pick 1

Riley showed signs wont judge him until the end of next season, Michie who I don't mind is in the same boat

Lumumba whilst not my favourite person provides some run off half back

Hogan any time out on the park will be an improvement and anyone who has seen this kid knows we have something here

When trade period ends we will off load some more and some delisted free agents will be brought in, don't discount Robinson being brought in as a short term fix for midfield depth, DH he maybe but he knows how to hit a contest hard and opposition players are aware when he is hovering

[Thehardtackler 785]

We need to take 2 midfielders with 2 & 3. McCartin and Wright look pretty average as footballers in terms of skill and movement. I would be looking to use 23 as a speculative pick for a player who can play key position. I cannot imagine that the top 2 forwards are that much better than another tall that we might pick up speculatively if we do our homework. You can never have enough midfielders and we have a lot of support for our established forwards with players like Garlett & Lumumba who can kick a goal too.

[Pennant St Dee 11,257]

We need to take 2 midfielders with 2 & 3. McCartin and Wright look pretty average as footballers in terms of skill and movement. I would be looking to use 23 as a speculative pick for a player who can play key position. I cannot imagine that the top 2 forwards are that much better than another tall that we might pick up speculatively if we do our homework. You can never have enough midfielders and we have a lot of support for our established forwards with players like Garlett & Lumumba who can kick a goal too.

Mcartin and Wright are only rated highly because this years draft is not great on talls, there is plenty of depth with midfielders but very few standout A- grade mids at this point.

But as history tells us there will plenty of good players from this draft in the 2nd and 3rd rounds

[old55 21,295]

There's still tomorrow to package Blease, Strauss and Tapscott for something amazing!

[Wilson7 2,474]

There's still tomorrow to package Blease, Strauss and Tapscott for something amazing!

pick 154 ?

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,151]

In answer to the op's original question - underwhelming.

[Deespicable 2,545]

With the Griffin deal done and Giants looking to get Petracca via a swap of pick 1 for 4 and 7 with St Kilda, perhaps it's time for us to give getting Dylan Shiel one last shot as their midfield is now pretty stocked up.

Given they have lost Boyd, may lose Giles, they would have to be a little interested in talls - namely Jack Watts (even though he plays small) and Jack Fitzpatrick.

We now have Lumumba's pace to cover Watts and to play his wing with more panache and Fitzy would not be required if all our bigs are fit. Throw in pick 23 and we'd get the deal done without losing pick 2 or 3.

[Wormburner 674]

There's still tomorrow to package Blease, Strauss and Tapscott for something amazing!

Bahahaha....you're so funny!

[deanox 8,582]

Solid.

So far we have lost Clark (which we knew we were losing) and a late draft pick.

We have brought in 2 best 18 players (Garlett and Harry) which address specific needs.

Up until that point it has been definitely in our favour.

We got stretch for under market value. Another small win.

Would we have liked to land other trades? Yes. But I bet after the Tyson deal other cubs were wary to deal with us regarding young midfielders. They now knew precisely what we were doing.

Also it seems like we had worked hard on both Dangerfield and Kennedy. Neither have landed but either could have. Our planning had been thwarted by Collingwood holding up the world and Trengove's navicular. I suspect other than those we would have landed something.

There is still a day to go and we may pick up frost and our another mid. And get to play with 2 and 3. If one of those works out, it will be a successful year period.

[Thehardtackler 785]

Do not forget that we are getting Jack Viney mark 2 and possibly an Ollie Wines next year in our next Father Son pick, Jake Lovett. That with Brayshaw and Stretch this year will add some depth to our midfield once they have 50 odd games in them.

[SaberFang 7,141]

Do not forget that we are getting Jack Viney mark 2 and possibly an Ollie Wines next year in our next Father Son pick, Jake Lovett. That with Brayshaw and Stretch this year will add some depth to our midfield once they have 50 odd games in them.

Way to keep the pressure off the kid.

This injection of youth just further emphasizes how desperately this trade period needed to be about injecting senior, ready-made players into our list. We already had more than enough quality youth developing in the wings, with Stretch and Lovett coming in as well.