Who's your pick three?

[Guest]

Thought we could do with a poll/thread for this. At this stage, the safest assumption is that St Kilda take Petracca with pick one, and we take Brayshaw with pick 2. Should St Kilda pass up Petracca, we will almost certainly draft him and Brayshaw. So that leaves the question: In the likely event that Petracca goes at pick 1, who would you like to see us pair with Brayshaw? The in-depth profiles below are from 'Knightmare's' Phantom Draft, and I have included the four 'favourites' to go with the pick at this stage. Videos are the best I could find on YouTube.

1. Patrick McCartin (VIC - KPF)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 95kg, DOB: 19/04/1996
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Profile: Dominant key forward.

Best position/role: Full forward

Strengths:

Go to forward talent – McCartin is one of a small number of key forwards who at AFL level has the scope to be a genuine go to forward. He has the proven performances on the board with dominant performances in the TAC Cup and U18 championships for the past couple of seasons but also has the strong marking ability both on the lead and 1v1 as well as excellent ground level ability.

Marking ability – McCartin has rare marking ability on the lead. His trademark mark is his rare ability to take the mark down low over his toes on the lead with cleanness like you have never seen. He has excellent acceleration on the lead allowing him to create separation and he has clean, strong heads overhead and when taking his marks and out in front and has a real power on his leads where he will knock you out of his way and really launch at the footy at full pace. McCartin is also an excellent 1v1 mark and has the strength, excellent bodywork and superior ability to read the drop of the ball and protect the drop zone which allows him to take advantage of his opponent in the 1v1 contests. He can take you into the goal square and take advantage of you there with his 1v1 ability. He is also a very capable pack mark and if he does not take it he will bring it to ground.

Ability below the knees – McCartin has rare ability below the knees. He takes his trademark mark on the lead over his toes. But he also has rare ability as a key forward to pick up the ground balls and bouncing balls clearly with consistency and without fumbling making him a real threat not only as a dominant marking threat but equally so with his ground level game. After picking up the ground ball McCartin can get it onto his boot quickly or sometimes turn you around and go into an open goal or at other times create enough time and space for himself to execute a shot at goal or a pass off to someone else by hand or foot as applicable.

Power and strength - On the lead McCartin has a real power to him and will knock anyone in his way out of his path with force, particularly when on the lead at full pace. When McCartin leads he goes on really explosive leads and uses his pace effectively to create separation and also really times his leads well, he leads well finding the best spaces to lead to often electing to lead down the middle when the opportunity is there really reading the play well up the field and anticipating what is going to happen perfectly to then determine where best to lead. He also has a real strength and presence to him in the marking contest to take advantage of his direct opponent. He has the strength through the hips and core to stand up strongly and execute a handball to a target while tackled.

Field kicking and vision – McCartin is a very good field kick and has shown that he can at times lace out hit leading targets in the forward 50. He displays rare vision and a real unselfishness in the front half for a key forward often looking for players in better position.

Weaknesses:

Diabetes – McCartin has diabetes which complicates the evaluation slightly. It is an unknown if it will limit him or if so then to what extent he will be limited whether that be with his training or ability to become better aerobically or whatever the case may be. Because he has diabetes it has meant he has needed to approach his footy and diet from a young age more professionally than everyone else which has created the right habits earlier on which is a positive but his diabetes is something that will have to constantly be managed throughout his playing career.

Excess weight – McCartin while he is strongly built and very explosive he visibly seems to be carrying more weight than you would like of an elite draft prospect. From everything I hear he is professional and approaches the game with a great attention to detail with his diet and training so it will be interesting to see whether he can decrease his skinfolds and how he goes about maintaining a healthy playing weight. Whether that has any link to his diabetes or management of it I cannot help but suspect it does and while weight loss with work is very achievable in the AFL system generally for almost all draft prospects I do have concerns as whether this is something McCartin can achieve with his skin folds to remain healthy possibly needing to remain relatively high.

Set shot goalkicking – McCartin’s conversion from set shots is below average. He is prone to shanking his set shot attempts and can lose confidence in his set shot goalkicking. It seems to be a really mental thing for him but something given his excellent field kicking I feel can improve to a strong standard. McCartin’s tendency when he starts to lose confidence in his set shot goalkicking is he often will either elect to find a target in better position or will play on or attempt a snap shot at goal, and while I have no issue with this tendency my hope would be that he can get his set shot goalkicking up to a standard where he does not experience that same waver in confidence he seems to experience at the present time and has experienced in years past.

Versatility – While McCartin has some traits to suggest he could play other positions and further up the field in the future at this stage he is very much a full forward only and until he greatly improves his endurance he will remain a full forward only. What I expect will improve:In the most part I expect natural progression in his areas of strength and continued upward growth but the deficiency I feel McCartin can address is his set shot goalkicking and given his generally very good footskills his set shot goalkicking with further work can get up to a strong level and with time develop.

If McCartin can improve his endurance and reduce his skinfolds I also would not rule out given his ground level ability, good overall skillset, size, strength and ability to stand up while tackled to become capable of pinch-hitting through the midfield as he does have that right mix of traits to spend periods on the ball.

Who he can become? McCartin reminds me most of Brendan Fevola without the personal issues as a talented but dominant full forward who looks most dominant and best utilised close to goal.

When will he be ready to play? McCartin may be ready to play some games from season one but expect him to start to get regular games from season two and start to really establish himself as a go to guy in season three.

How to best utilise him? McCartin is best used out of the goal square or as the go to target in the forward 50.

Interpretation of his numbers: Best performed and most dominant key forward in this draft class based on his 2013/2014 TAC Cup and U18 championships stats. Scoreboard impact and marking numbers, both uncontested and contested strong.

2. Jake Lever (VIC –KPD)

Height: 192cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 05/03/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Profile: Key defender who will go early despite missing 2014 through injury.

Best position/role: Centre half back. 


Strengths:

Terrific 2013 season – In 2013 Lever performed very strongly and was by position one of the standout performers in the TAC Cup. While he has not got the performances on the board this year his strong performances from 2013 are more than enough to suggest he should get drafted and drafted early draft.

Ability to read the flight of the ball – Lever does a terrific job of consistently reading the flight of the ball off the boot and knowing where it will go before it gets there. With this ability it helps Lever determine when he can or cannot leave his direct opponent and it helps Lever significantly as an intercept marking threat down back. With the ability to read the flight of the ball it also helps him in the 1v1 contests to protect the drop zone and take some 1v1 marks in the back half. Lever is also terrific in the air and can get the spoil in but is also a significant marking threat in the air and is willing to fly for it and aggressively go at the marking contested and attack it like a forward when the opportunity is there showing strong hands overhead and great timing of his jumps for the mark, more often than not coming down it with.

Rebounding ability – Lever is a significant intercept marking threat down back but he also gets very involved in the play out of the back half. Lever for a tall is a very good run and carry player and is willing to take on games with his run. He looks comfortable with ball in hand and he will get involved in linkup chains out of the back half and is willing to run both ways and be involved in transition. He is not afraid to take on the game and push up the field and be a part of linkup chains as essentially another running defender. Lever moves well with ball in hand and looks very much at ease when he has the ball, rarely getting caught and good evasive movement and agility. By hand Lever looks for the most damaging running. By foot Lever demonstrates good vision finding some good targets and in the most part hitting his targets.

Competitiveness – Lever is a strong bodied key defender who seems to enjoy and win the majority of his 1v1 contests. He has the core strength to hold his position in the contest and has a good feel for when he can take the mark and when he needs to get the spoil in. While Lever is a very good rebounder by position he is also a capable stopper and can as well as beat them 1v1 also stick with his opponents on the lead and in the air.


Leadership and work ethic – Captained VIC Metro in 2013 as an underager which is a significant endorsement of his leadership ability and suggests he is if not captain material in the future then certainly leadership group material. He is also considered a hardworking, high character guy so it is highly likely he will get the best out of himself and in the future. He is capable of giving on field direction in the back half. Lever this season while working diligently on getting his body right this season on the sidelines has also shown a commitment to the game by getting involved in the coaching side of the game which demonstrates his maturity and interest in furthering his knowledge about the game.

Midfield potential – I cannot help but think there could be some scope to possibly pinch-hit through the midfield down the track if a club wants him to. He seems to have the cleanness below the knees, aggression and attack on the ball and also some reasonable evasiveness. He can run and carry the footy and use it cleanly and offensively by hand, looking comfortable with ball in hand. So he ticks the boxes from a trait standpoint and at his height if he can put all those things together then he could have an impact.

Weaknesses:

No 2014 form to reflect on/evaluate – As Lever has missed the 2014 season with injury it is difficult to evaluate where he is at and what if any improvement he has made. 


Height – At 192cm Lever is relatively on the short side for a key defender and may struggle with some of the super tall key forwards but he is still a more than acceptable height by position to experience success at AFL level. 


Lack of an x-factor – While Lever is an exceptionally well rounded footballer by position he lacks that one thing that separates him from every other backman.


What I expect will improve: Lever will continue to put size onto his frame and develop both down back as a rebounder and stopper. I also anticipate his leadership ability to continue to grow. 


Who he can become? Lever looks like another Tom Harley down back as a quality key defender who can really lead and possibly captain a team down the track.

When will he be ready to play? Lever likely will take a couple of years to develop but he has the talent to be ready to play regular senior AFL footy in season three.

How to best utilise him? Lever is best utilised at centre half back.


Interpretation of his numbers: Lever’s 2013 numbers were exceptional and demonstrate that by position he is an excellent rebounder and willing to get involved in the play down back. His strong contested and uncontested marking numbers suggesting that he is not only involved as a rebounder from the back half but one of the central reasons for the ball getting rebounded.

3. Peter Wright (KPF/Ruck)

Height: 203cm, Weight: 102kg DOB: 08/09/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons

Best position/role: Centre Half Forward

Strengths:

Key forward talent – Wright has extreme height at 203cm and already has a strong frame at 102kg which is a major point of difference by position but unlike most other 200cm+ types the key with Wright is he is one of the rare few with front half talent and the ability to take over games with his influence.

Athleticism/movement – Wright has excellent endurance. Repeat speed good allowing him to go on multiple leads. Has excellent acceleration on the lead and the ability to create separation on the lead. Good mobility for his size. Lift on his jump above average also. All terrific signs for a big already playing at near his AFL weight.

Marking ability – Wright most stands out from a marking perspective with his work on the lead where he shows he can lead explosively up at the ball, pushing off his man and go on a powerful lead. He leads to the right spots and open spaces. He reads the flight of the ball well, generally getting to and protecting the drop zone better than his direct opponent or other opposition defenders. His marks are clean one grab marks and he has the ability to take it out in front or at the highest point as required. He is a capable mark in the air and can leap and grab his marks. Wright also has some contested marking ability with the ability to occasionally take some pack marks and 1v1 marks.

Footskills – Has penetration up to 60m and is a reliable set shot goalkicker. Damaging field kick over a variety of distances and would be among the best few kicks in the competition at his considerable height. At times Wright has demonstrated good vision and is capable of finding some damaging targets around the ground and over distance. He also has shown at times that he has the ability to execute his kicks and still hit his targets while getting tackled.

Tap ruck work – Effective tap ruckman who can hit it down to the advantage of his midfielders frequently both around the ground and at centre bounces. He has the size and strength to physically impose himself at centre bounces and ruck contests around the ground.

Ground level ability and followup work – Wright below the knees is dexterous and clean with his pickups for someone at his height. His followup work also is relatively good as someone who can follow-up and win his own footy from those centre bounces and get the clearance himself by getting it onto his boot to a target up the field or off to a running midfielder by hand.

Weaknesses:

In and out of games –He can look unstoppable for periods of games and have a dominant quarter where he is clearly best on ground but also has his quiet periods in games where he is not involved enough or imposing his influence on the game.

Strength of hands overhead – Wright while he has clean hands does not have strong hands overhead and in the marking contest while he has clean hands overhead he does not have those strength of hands to clunk his marks which is the primary thing for me that is keeping Wright from being that dominant key forward he threatens to be at this stage and that primary thing stopping him from being a dominant 1v1 mark and dominant contested mark.

1v1 ability – Wright can struggle to take advantage of capable 1v1 defenders who can match him for strength. He has the size on his frame but needs to improve his body work and become stronger in those 1v1 contests because at this stage if you get a body on Wright and if they can keep their body on Wright in the marking contest, at this point he will rarely take the grab.

Struggles in big games – Wright has struggled in TAC Cup finals games to have his regular impact both in 2013 and 2014 and no suggestions can be made that this will change until he shows us he can elevate his game during finals.

Ability to find the footy around the ground – Wright’s numbers are sufficient when played through the ruck but I would argue that his numbers around the ground should be better than they are. Wright has excellent endurance by position and is a terrific user of the footy so he should be finding and attracting more of the footy than he does at present around the ground. I get the sense through the ruck that Wright does not know where best to be whether it be pushing forward, pushing back or being in position to link up and his running patterns and awareness of where he should be on the field in different situations will need to improve to get more involved in general play.

Aggression - Wright big as he is at this stage for me lacks some aggression. When he tackles at the moment it feels to me like he is gently rolling guys. I would like to see him start to bury guys into the ground with more venom rather than gently rolling them over as he mostly does at the present time almost looking like he wants to not give away free kicks. If he starts to eliminate that caution from his tackling I also feel like it will help to increase his tackle numbers as he will go for his tackles more. Additionally when packs forms Wright does not look to physically look to exert his presence on the contest as much as he could and I would like to see him hit packs harder and attack packs with greater force than he does at the present time. With improved aggression I expect it will help Wright feel like he is impacting games more often and more consistently over the course of games.

What I expect will improve:In the AFL system I expect given Wright’s excellent endurance by position to become a more consistent performer and to be less in and out of games as he better learns how to stay involved in the contest when things are not going his way. I also expect Wright becomes more dominant 1v1 than he is at present with his bodywork in the contest something clubs will work with him on given his significant height and size advantage and I also anticipate he improves the strength of his hands overhead given he is a sound technical mark overhead.

Who he can become? I see Wright becoming something like Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch as a tall but athletic key forward who can be built around but a slightly less dominant version. If Wright develops into more a ruckman, while not yet established as still a developing player I see him as being of comparable talent to Billy Longer.

When will he be ready to play? The first couple of seasons we will see glimpses but it will be season three that I anticipate he will start putting some strong performances together and season four when he establishes himself as a very good key forward at AFL level.

How to best utilise him? I see Wright as being best utilised as a key forward and I would strongly recommend regardless of the vision of the club who draft him that in those first four seasons for Wright only to be played as a key forward. Historically we see those who are thrown into the ruck at AFL level from season one break down with injury and have shortened careers. It is a trend we have seen consistently with those ruckman who have been selected early draft over the years with Naitanui, Kreuzer and Leuenberger all having their issues dealing with injury most years and Josh Fraser also towards the end declining before the age of 30 after carrying the Collingwood ruck division in his early seasons. With key forwards and also those ruckmen who play as key forwards initially in their careers we see no such trend relating to injury or durability concerns and instead often a fast-track of their development. Paul Salmon and Simon Madden are two famous examples of ruckmen who started their careers forward and experienced great success and long careers in doing so. So for this reason regardless of the vision with Wright whether that be to develop him into a key forward or ruckman it is essential to his long term success and essential to maximising his talents that he starts his career as a key forward.

Interpretation of his numbers:Well performed both as mostly a key forward in the TAC Cup playing with some relief ruck minutes and through the U18 Championships playing mostly through the ruck with varying minutes up forward. Contested and uncontested marking numbers strong when played forward. Scoreboard impact strong when played forward. Hitout numbers and hitout to advantage numbers strong. Statistically Wright is among the best performed key forwards and ruckmen overall in this draft class. The main statistical cause for concern is his relative lack of performance in big games and specifically the TAC Cup finals.

4. Jayden Laverde (VIC – Util)

Height: 189cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 12/04/1996

Recruited from: Western Jets

Best position/role: Rotational forward/midfielder.

Strengths:

Evasiveness – Laverde has rare ability to create time and space for himself with his well-timed evasive sidesteps, body movements, ball fakes among other moves with ball in hand that give him more time and space than anyone else out on the field. He avoids tacklers easily by anticipating what they’ll do before they do it making him look that class above with ball in hand.

Athleticism - Laverde in addition to his evasiveness has excellent explosiveness and athleticism. Laverde uses his pace effectively in game and can break the lines and taking on the game with ball in hand and plays on when the opportunity is there and has some real breakaway pace and instant acceleration making him hard to catch. Laverde is a good leaper and is a strong mark in the air. He also has the strength and power to win the 1v1 contests and to win his own ball around the ground.

Ball use - Laverde is an excellent user of the footy with his vision allowing him to find the most damaging targets up the field and his ability to execute by both hand and foot also is excellent. When within range from goal Laverde is also an excellent finisher both from general play and set shots and has shown that he can provide heavy scoreboard impact. He can at times make some poor decisions with ball in hand and choose the wrong targets but that has improved as the year has progressed.

Versatility – Can play forward or back well and has the scope to develop the ability to play more through the midfield.

Front half talent – Laverde in the front half has the ability to do major damage and has that natural intuitive front half talent so few have. He is a capable finisher from his set shots and in general play will run around defenders and run into goal for an easy finish. He keeps his feet in the contest, has a real natural balance to him and can take advantage of guys 1v1 for marks and is also capable in the air and on the lead. He has excellent evasiveness and is hard to lay a finger on. He can win the ground balls and contested footy. He also has the vision to find targets in better position inside 50.

Marking ability – Laverde is a strong mark overhead. He will take marks 1v1, in the air and on the lead. On the lead he can create separation effectively for the easy marks. In the air he is strong and has a good leap making him hard to stop. He also has excellent 1v1 strength in the contest and will take advantage of his opponent’s 1v1 taking strong marks against them. When played down back he also shows that he can read it well and be an intercept marking threat.

Weaknesses:

Decision making ability - At times with ball in hand Laverde can try to do too much and can at times make the wrong decisions but when he can do what he does I would be giving him the benefit of the doubt on most occasions and let him just play his natural intuitive football, it is something I have seen him improve as the year has progressed so it is not something I am overly concerned by.

Ability through the midfield? - The next stage in Laverde’s development is playing more through the midfield and it is something with time given his attributes that he has the scope to develop. With his evasive movement, skillset, size, strength, explosiveness and his contested ball winning ability he has the right mix of traits to play through the midfield but until he becomes a regular midfielder he is not and the question will remain.

What I expect will improve: Given Laverde’s traits I see him making the jump into the midfield and gradually with time increasing his minutes. I also expect his strong general improvement to continue over coming seasons.

Who he can become? I see Laverde as something similar to Crameri as a powerful but athletic forward. Laverde is a more evasive less heavy version and may become more of a midfielder later on but I see Laverde as being overall a similar quality player to Crameri and likely to play a similar role as primarily a forward with eventually some midfield minutes down the track.

When will he be ready to play? Laverde should get some opportunities in season one but season two is when I see him most likely establishing himself as a regular for a team.

How to best utilise him? Laverde is best utilised in the front half given his talent and ability to do damage up forward but later on in his career I would like to see him increase his midfield minutes and split his time between the front half and midfield.

Interpretation of his numbers:Laverde this year has shown strong improvement as the season has progressed improving his disposal efficiency, increasing his overall numbers and taking more marks and contested marks. With his numbers trending upward it is a positive indicator that he will continue his strong development over coming seasons. He also had a very strong and productive U18 Championships where he also displayed an excellent disposal efficiency which was an encouraging sign of progress.

EDIT: The third and fourth videos don't want to embed for some reason. Just follow the links.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Guest

[Dee tention 616]

Watching Sam Frost's highlights I would take him at Pick 3 if he was in the draft...

Pick 3 = Best midfielder available...

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

I like the look of Lever. His size can make him a standout midfielder. Petracca and Lever would make me happy.

[Guest]

For me, at this stage Lever is the least desirable. Despite the calls that he "could become a midfielder', the fact is that he remains an undersized KPD. One that has already had a knee reconstruction and missed an entire year of footy. That being said, if Roos think he's a midfielder at the next level, I'm sure I'll come around.

Right now, despite my cries for midfield help, I actually hope we pick Wright. I've never seen a bloke that big with those kind of skills... Just an incredible kick of the footy for a kid who's 6'8. Pair that with his speed and elite endurance, and I feel like he has the most potential of the lot.

Edited October 16, 2014 by Guest

[Tyson_Viney_Toumpas 269]

For me, at this stage Lever is the least desirable. Despite the calls that he "could become a midfielder', the fact is that he remains an undersized KPD. One that has already had a knee reconstruction and missed an entire year of footy. That being said, if Roos think he's a midfielder at the next level, I'm sure I'll come around.

Right now, despite my cries for midfield help, I actually hope we pick Wright. I've never seen a bloke that big with those kind of skills... Just an incredible kick of the footy for a kid who's 6'8. Pair that with his speed and elite endurance, and I feel like he has the most potential of the lot.

I've done the full circle and he is the one I keep coming back to now.

[Guest]

I've done the full circle and he is the one I keep coming back to now.

Wright or Lever?

[dazzledavey36 55,000]

McCartins highlights are quite poor actually.

Were they seriously the best ones they could come up with.

[rjay 24,981]

For me, at this stage Lever is the least desirable. Despite the calls that he "could become a midfielder', the fact is that he remains an undersized KPD. One that has already had a knee reconstruction and missed an entire year of footy. That being said, if Roos think he's a midfielder at the next level, I'm sure I'll come around.

Right now, despite my cries for midfield help, I actually hope we pick Wright. I've never seen a bloke that big with those kind of skills... Just an incredible kick of the footy for a kid who's 6'8. Pair that with his speed and elite endurance, and I feel like he has the most potential of the lot.

The only thing Wright lacks is the ability to get the footy.

As for Lever being undersized he is 194cm, pretty much on a par with most KPB's...

[rhaz 342]

Brayshaw after we take Petracca at two!

[Guest]

The only thing Wright lacks is the ability to get the footy.

As for Lever being undersized he is 194cm, pretty much on a par with most KPB's...

Ok I had him down at 192, but if he's 194 that's a more traditional size. The question remains though, do we really want to spend pick 3 on another defender?

[rjay 24,981]

Ok I had him down at 192, but if he's 194 that's a more traditional size. The question remains though, do we really want to spend pick 3 on another defender?

There's something about this kid. I called it with Tyson around this time last year and I wouldn't be unhappy if we picked up Lever.

I'm interested to see which way we go and am not to fussed, I think we have some good choices and good people making them.

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

We should be taking a mid with pick three and none of those boys are true mids. Both the J.L's could be midfielders (apparently) although Lever is getting silly big to play out of the square.

From Roos' past comments he is unlikely to pick Wright and McCartin being speculative talls. Also whilst Lever would possibly be the likely number 1 if he had of played all year, he hasn't played all year.

So with no great conviction I'll go with Laverde but only due to him playing some midfield and being a good Roos size.

I wouldn't be surprised however if the people who will make the actual choice will choose none of the above and go for someone completely different

[Wiseblood 24,637]

I have no idea where people are getting this idea of Lever playing in the middle from. The bloke is 194cm and has been likened to a variety of backmen. I don't see him being a mid at all.

McCartin would look good next to Hogan and Dawes, although I'm still hopeful that the Saints bugger it up and let Petracca slip through to us.

[CBDees 3,167]

I see Wright as having more upside thay Boyd for a fraction of the price. if we get him and Brayshaw we have an excellent basis moving forward, with a top midfielder and KPF. To me there is no question. Just leave it to Roos, Goodwin and Stone and we will have two champions!

[thevil1 421]

Lever is a footballer, plug in & play him anywhere, he's not just a kpb, his skill set can impact all over the ground imo. Clearly our 2 picks come from Petracca, Brayshaw & Lever for mine, but if we go tall, Wright makes more sense for us than McCartin surely? Hell, I like Laverde better than McCartin, I think he's a NQR key forward, not a star one.

[thevil1 421]

I have no idea where people are getting this idea of Lever playing in the middle from. The bloke is 194cm and has been likened to a variety of backmen. I don't see him being a mid at all.

McCartin would look good next to Hogan and Dawes, although I'm still hopeful that the Saints bugger it up and let Petracca slip through to us.

He's versatile & I believe it came from an interview at the combine with Jake, he said he saw himself as or was working to become a tall midfielder eventually, but I'm having trouble tracking it down so far.

http://www.sen.com.au/news/jake-seeking-leverage-in-the-draft

"At 194cm, Lever is a genuine key defender height, though he is a very good user of the ball and rebounder out of the backline, giving him some flexibility in what his role may be at AFL level.

A highly-competitive player with an impressive game nous, he plays similarly to Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson, though he has an extra five centimetres on the Peter Crimmins Medal winner."

If you ask me his more Hodge than Gibson, much taller than both those handy premiership type players.

[What 18,810]

Still hoping the Saints take McCartin

We must take the 2 best midfielders available since we did nothing to address the midfield via trade

[rjay 24,981]

Still hoping the Saints take McCartin

We must take the 2 best midfielders available since we did nothing to address the midfield via trade

Well that's not quite right, Garlett has been brought in not just as a small forward but to add some run & carry through the midfield and H is good for a run on the wing. So 2 of the 3 players we traded in will run in the midfield at times.

[CBDees 3,167]

Well that's not quite right, Garlett has been brought in not just as a small forward but to add some run & carry through the midfield and H is good for a run on the wing. So 2 of the 3 players we traded in will run in the midfield at times.

So might young Stretch!

[dee-tox 4,835]

Posted this in the 2&3 thread. There has been plenty of work apparently put into Corey Ellis.

[What 18,810]

Posted this in the 2&3 thread. There has been plenty of work apparently put into Corey Ellis.

"Ellis missed the end of the season with a foot injury, which he recently found out was a little more serious than first thought. Although he watched on at the combine wearing his moonboot/"

Will fit in perfectly at the MFC

[Lucifers Hero 39,966]

I had thought Lever but having seen Frost video I don't know if we need 2 new big defenders. Unless Lever can also play forward or pinch hit in ruck I would go another midfielder.

Every chance Petracca/Brayshaw for 2 and 3

[dazzledavey36 55,000]

He's versatile & I believe it came from an interview at the combine with Jake, he said he saw himself as or was working to become a tall midfielder eventually, but I'm having trouble tracking it down so far. http://www.sen.com.au/news/jake-seeking-leverage-in-the-draft

"At 194cm, Lever is a genuine key defender height, though he is a very good user of the ball and rebounder out of the backline, giving him some flexibility in what his role may be at AFL level.

A highly-competitive player with an impressive game nous, he plays similarly to Hawthorn defender Josh Gibson, though he has an extra five centimetres on the Peter Crimmins Medal winner."

If you ask me his more Hodge than Gibson, much taller than both those handy premiership type players.

Nail on the head.

Luke Hodge like in the way he controls the backline. A kid that would command respect and set up our players.

If Petracca slips to 2 grab him and Brayshaw and thats our midfield for the next 10 years.

If not grab Lever at 3.

[Adzman 2,154]

I have been big on Wright for a while now. Don't think we will take him, but I will be interested to see how he is developed and if he ends up being a dominant tall. Very intriguing prospect.

[whatwhat say what 22,783]

If Petracca has gone, I expect it'll be Brayshaw and Wright.

Cal Twomey on afl site is still of the opinion that Wright could go #1.