AFL National Draft 2014 Picks 2 & 3

[dazzledavey36 48,912]

Yep correct. That's what this time of year is, final version time.

No thats about two weeks before the draft.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,078]

Heard from my golf club mate that petracca will be taken at pick one.

[PaulRB 5,974]

Recon we should pick Laverde over McCartin, there is seems to be a lot to work with given his height 190cm, movement (agile and athletic) and footy skills (silky)...

From Paige - One of the most exciting players of the draft with arguably the best highlights reel, Laverde is blessed with traits AFL clubs struggle to find across two or three players, let alone have them all in one. The epitome of an athletic and speedy midfielder who can play every position well, Laverde is a sublime mover. He glides through the wings with poise and speed, and loves to cut through congestion with long strides where he can burst out from a contested situation and run the ball. Laverde is another tall midfielder with a thumping yet accurate kick, and is one of the more damaging players available in this years draft. His agility and almost arrogant sidestep means he dances around opponents with ease. Laverde has shown a propensity to take the game on and is a natural goal kicker, whether from a set shot or on the run. His disposal efficiency ranks among the elite in the AFL, and hes been known to fly for a few hangers throughout his journey, coupling a distinct x-factor with an already impressive skill set. He loves the ball in his hands. He is often the instigator in attacking forays, and has the rare ability to swing momentum into his teams favour. His versatility is highly favoured, but he looks his best playing through the midfield or on a wing. That being said, he can just as easily be sent to rest forward or back. where he can use his strong marking game and elite endurance to cut games open.

Lots to like!!! My suspicion is that the impact of McCartin's strength, aggression and footy smarts (pattern running) will be muted at AFL level.

[Demon Disciple 11,035]

Outside i heard a bird chirp 3 times, which my dog barked at once. The bird then responded with 2 more chirps, which were met with 2 further barks from my dog.

From this i can deduce that either Pe-tra-cca or Mc-Car-tin will go at pick 1. Bray-shaw will go at pick 2.

There were no further draft whispers between the bird and my dog, so i am unable to decipher who we will pick at #3.

[binman 38,588]

Heard from my golf club mate that petracca will be taken at pick one.

Good. I'm happy with my avatar

[Machsy 2,858]

Hawkins is probably the best KPF in the game and he doesn't go anywhere.

Riewoldt, Kennedy, Walker, Gunston, Schulz etc don't stray too far from the forward 50 either...

I don't know if I can take you seriously when you say this sort of stuff.

All of them, including Hawkins, get on their bike, and often.

But it's not just leaving the F50, it is repeat leads, over and over and over again.

It's the ground covered, not how far they stray from the goalsquare.

Btw I would easily rank Roughead and Franklin as the best KPFs in the game.

But the one thing about McCartin I have an issue with... If he's that good, why would St Kilda overlook him for Petracca?

Petracca is not that good that you'd overlook a KPF who is as good as he is being hyped up to be.

If he was, any team needing a KPF would fight tooth and nail to take him.

Like has happened with Boyd.

[jnrmac 19,088]

Brayshaw and Leverde. Lock it in.

[rpfc 27,534]

So what are you saying, that because recruiters inevitably don't get every pick spot on that we should steer clear of those rated in the top 3 for the sake of it?

Of course it's an inexact science but those picked higher in the draft are done so because they have the highest chance of becoming the best footballers from all available evidence.

That isn't what I am saying at all - I am saying that your utter rejection of players a 'phantom' picked 2 WHOLE PLACES LOWER is utterly ridiculous and maddening.

The MFC gets to choose any player bar whoever is taken at Pick 1 and we are not confined to the 2 or 3 players these Phantoms say we should select.

Edited October 28, 2014 by rpfc

[Lucifers Hero 37,174]

That isn't what I am saying at all - I am saying that your utter rejection of players a 'phantom' picked 2 WHOLE PLACES LOWER is utterly ridiculous and maddening.

The MFC gets to choose any player bar whoever is taken at Pick 1 and we are not confined to the 2 or 3 players these Phantoms say we should select.

Totally agree! In fact the only real interest for me in the draft is to see what 'rabbit we pull out of the hat' at 3. Will be surprised if it is not a surprise!

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,078]

I must admit laverde is my favourite based on highlights.

[rpfc 27,534]

I must admit laverde is my favourite based on highlights.

He does look impressive.

I don't know junior footy, but I do see players in the AFL, that I have been told were flankers at TAC Cup level, turn into very good midfielders.

These players are invariably taken later than their talent otherwise should because of the fact that they are not played in a position of importance.

Is Laverde one of those players?

[TheoX 1,218]

He's good. A solid prospect as a KPF.

Maybe I'd be happy with him as a pick 15-20.

But a KPF is a luxury, not a necessity, and I think there are better prospects available.

He's not as fast as I'd like, doesn't have an exceptional tank or workrate, is a horribly average kick, and I think lacks a bit of agility.

He's a brute and will take a lot of contested marks. I don't know if he'll cover enough ground to be as good as we'd like.

I don't see much difference between him and Levi Casboult.

Could have been a champion if born 25 years earlier.

McCartin's quick, and all the experts say so. Why do you like Lever who we know is slow as [censored]?

[PaulRB 5,974]

Like that both Brayshaw and Laverde are tall, goal kicking mids who seem comfortable and capable resting up forward.

Both seem similar in this way to Dom Tyson in the front half.

Given Laverde is only 4 cm smaller than McCartin and brings midfield potential, speed and endurance as well as a goal sense (and nice leap)...

So much rests on Hogan coming back fit and firing.

[BIG JIM 508]

I'm no draft expert but one thing I have learned from my time in football is to always go for the bulls. Macartin and brayshaw tick that box.

No skinny frame kids please go for the big strong guys. Pick 2&3 are a must get right this draft

[Members' Wing 1,106]

I don't know if I can take you seriously when you say this sort of stuff.

All of them, including Hawkins, get on their bike, and often.

But it's not just leaving the F50, it is repeat leads, over and over and over again.

It's the ground covered, not how far they stray from the goalsquare.

Btw I would easily rank Roughead and Franklin as the best KPFs in the game.

But the one thing about McCartin I have an issue with... If he's that good, why would St Kilda overlook him for Petracca?

Petracca is not that good that you'd overlook a KPF who is as good as he is being hyped up to be.

If he was, any team needing a KPF would fight tooth and nail to take him.

Like has happened with Boyd.

None of those forwards I mentioned are aerobic beasts in the mode of N Riewoldt, Brown or Richardson is what I meant and are more stay-at-home types.

And from what I've seen and read Petracca is absolutely outstanding. Not many players are genuine inside and outside guns like he is, able to win their own footy and deliver and finish.

[Machsy 2,858]

McCartin's quick, and all the experts say so. Why do you like Lever who we know is slow as [censored]?

Hahaha all the experts say so...

I think Lever will possibly be the best of the lot.

[Redleg 37,780]

I'm no draft expert

Either was our last recruiting manager.

[Jarka 767]

There's a lot of follow-the-leader involved in talent projection.

Emma Quayle & Twomey are both very good at knowing who will be taken where, but I put that down to maintaining good relations with recruiters to get an inside word. Neither have shown any ability to accurately predict who will/won't be able to succeed at the next level.

Paige is a supercoach guru, little more at this stage as far as I'm concerned.

Knightmare has had his share of misses, and whilst it's admirable he forms his own opinions, I've seen nothing to suggest he's a great indentifier of future AFL talent.

Not that I'm any better, but I think it's folly to put such trust in these sources.

The BF posters who do the mocks (like Knightmare, Quigley & Snoop) are amateurs who do it as a hobby although some of them do see a lot of footy. They're a good source to find out what a certain player is like, they understand that it's an inexact science.

[TheoX 1,218]

Hahaha all the experts say so...

I think Lever will possibly be the best of the lot.

Yeah you keep saying so but not why you think he'll be the best. What's so funny about everyone saying McCartin's fast? He is.These are people who have actually watched him play.

Edited October 28, 2014 by TheoX

[Dee tention 611]

I like Brayshaw & Lever for 2 & 3.

If we had Pick 1. I would still take Brayshaw.

[dazzledavey36 48,912]

Yeah you keep saying so but not why you think he'll be the best. What's so funny about everyone saying McCartin's fast? He is.These are people who have actually watched him play.

I have watched him play aswell.

He isn't fast. Good at getting those first couple of steps off his man but definitely not fast.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Watch the Laverde highlights if you haven't already.. There is something special about him. I know they're highlights and its a lottery and everything, but you have to imagine if we can develop him, he could be elite. Anyone see him play live much?

[deeflog 679]

Heard from my golf club mate that petracca will be taken at pick one.

which golf club are you a member at?

[TheoX 1,218]

I have watched him play aswell.

He isn't fast. Good at getting those first couple of steps off his man but definitely not fast.

So would you say he's fast off the mark then? That's the kind of 'fast' you probably want a leading forward to have isn't it?

[picket fence 15,299]

Nup, assuming the aints take Petracca, its gotta be Brayshaw at 2 and Mc Cartin at 3

I am an universally regarded as an "Astute" judge am I not ?? After all I did pick Ollie Wines !!