If Martin check sided on his dominate foot, it has more to do with the angle - and less to do with his competency on his opposite foot.

From memory it was directly in front.

Martin wouldn't know his left foot if it hit him in the face.

From memory it was directly in front.

Martin wouldn't know his left foot if it hit him in the face.

Not only is Dustin dual sided by foot - but also by movement. He spreads to both sides, tackles to either side, his running patterns are that of a dual sided player. This is what makes Martin exception, and although Joel Selwood isn't known for his brilliance on his opposite foot, he consistently breaks to the left regardless. In Dustin Martins case, it would be naive to assume that just because he is dominant on his natural foot - that he does not have an opposite foot. Martin would comfortably sit in the top 20 in the AFL by competency with his opposite boot.

The academy bidding is going to be extremely interesting this year. GWS have 8 or 9 and Wagner looked terrific from the Brisbane academy. Looked close to first round quality in addition to Keays and Hipwood who they will want too.

Isn't Lovell only rated a rookie chance because he is so small?

The academy bidding is going to be extremely interesting this year. GWS have 8 or 9 and Wagner looked terrific from the Brisbane academy. Looked close to first round quality in addition to Keays and Hipwood who they will want too.

It's just a joke. Grossly unfair these academies. All in the name of a $$, that's why these academies exist, not in the best interest of the game - and the fairness of it.

Isn't Lovell only rated a rookie chance because he is so small?

I don't know, but he is one of the most talented footballers I watched over the carnival.

He is a rich mans Brent Moloney with a better inside game and more effective by foot.

It's just a joke. Grossly unfair these academies. All in the name of a $$, that's why these academies exist, not in the best interest of the game - and the fairness of it.

Well they have to pay in close to market value in draft picks now so its going to be less unfair but it will be very interesting what these clubs do to get them all.

Well they have to pay in close to market value in draft picks now so its going to be less unfair but it will be very interesting what these clubs do to get them all.

With the NSW/QLD clubs having the potential to use next years draft picks and having so many prospects in a shallow draft they are really get an unforeseen advantage this year.

They close the obvious loophole with the bidding system but now another market advantage has popped up.

In other words they've taken out a bunch of finance where no one else has money and can hoard a bunch of assets.

I'm thinking most clubs will exit the draft after pick 50 or so this year with 2-3 new picks max, whilst the northern clubs could make up to 4 or 5 picks and get really good value in the later rounds.

With the NSW/QLD clubs having the potential to use next years draft picks and having so many prospects in a shallow draft they are really get an unforeseen advantage this year.

They close the obvious loophole with the bidding system but now another market advantage has popped up.

In other words they've taken out a bunch of finance where no one else has money and can hoard a bunch of assets.

I'm thinking most clubs will exit the draft after pick 50 or so this year with 2-3 new picks max, whilst the northern clubs could make up to 4 or 5 picks and get really good value in the later rounds.

The only value they will get is the 25% concession. If clubs nominate pick 8 for Keays pick 14 for hipwood and pick 20 for Wagner, Brisbane will need to stump up pick 12 20 and 25 for those kids, its not that much of a rort. GWS have at least 5 academy kids they will want to draft next year too so they cant have them all and they will pay close to market for them anyway.

Twomey's take on the pool post champs:

2015 draft pool looks shallow but there's talent there to take

Wines, Martin and Brayshaw - all dual sided. That is why they are so damn good.

Because they are effective on both sides of the body, they also spread either side, it really opens the game up for them.

I haven't seen any player this year in that mould.

MFC is well positioned in the draft, we either take the best KP who slips through the net - given that KPs are touted top 3 picks (Schache, Weitering and Francis), or.. We instead decide to take the best mid in the draft - whoever that may be. Personally, I would take the best KP early, then take Lovell - or Gresham if he slipped - with our next pick.

Wines and Martin are not dual-sided at all...

Martin will kick checksides if he can't kick a right footed drop punt. He's one of the players that Dunstall bangs on about who lacks the skill to kick on his opposite side.

Edited July 2, 201510 yr by AdamFarr

Twomey's take on the pool post champs:

Mathieson didn't even get a mention ...

Not only is Dustin dual sided by foot - but also by movement. He spreads to both sides, tackles to either side, his running patterns are that of a dual sided player. This is what makes Martin exception, and although Joel Selwood isn't known for his brilliance on his opposite foot, he consistently breaks to the left regardless. In Dustin Martins case, it would be naive to assume that just because he is dominant on his natural foot - that he does not have an opposite foot. Martin would comfortably sit in the top 20 in the AFL by competency with his opposite boot.

Disagree. Martin will only kick on his left as a last resort. Check-side on the right is his preference, even in play. Agree he is an exceptional player though.

Just as a slight aside KDA, how does a player tackle to either side? Is tackling 'sided'? Don't players just tackle where ever the opponent is? Or are you refering to leading into the tackle with your preferred shoulder?

Twomey's take on the pool post champs:

2015 draft pool looks shallow but there's talent there to take

Very happy to take one of Parish, Francis or Weideman.

Dream result. Gets very thin after those 3.

Disagree. Martin will only kick on his left as a last resort. Check-side on the right is his preference, even in play. Agree he is an exceptional player though.

Just as a slight aside KDA, how does a player tackle to either side? Is tackling 'sided'? Don't players just tackle where ever the opponent is? Or are you refering to leading into the tackle with your preferred shoulder?

Yes because it involves jumping off either foot. At a stoppage, if a player breaks left or right he forced the tackler to do the same.

In this regard, it is similar to ruckman using both hands at stoppages. Both involve jumping off either foot.

The only value they will get is the 25% concession. If clubs nominate pick 8 for Keays pick 14 for hipwood and pick 20 for Wagner, Brisbane will need to stump up pick 12 20 and 25 for those kids, its not that much of a rort. GWS have at least 5 academy kids they will want to draft next year too so they cant have them all and they will pay close to market for them anyway.

Did you read what I said? In a shallow draft that scenario is a pretty good situation. They will use this years 3rd round pick to upgrade it where as many other clubs will not even use 3rd round picks. The state of the draft is giving them an extra advantage by making currency for them when it's not there.

2013 was a similarly shallow draft with not a lot of talent after the top 40 picks. Imagine if instead of drafting Jayden Hunt we got to combine that years and the next years 3rd round picks for a player rated at pick 20.

I like the new bidding system, but it's very generous to allow multiple bid matches per year which in a shallow draft really doubles the advantage.

Did you read what I said? In a shallow draft that scenario is a pretty good situation. They will use this years 3rd round pick to upgrade it where as many other clubs will not even use 3rd round picks. The state of the draft is giving them an extra advantage by making currency for them when it's not there.

2013 was a similarly shallow draft with not a lot of talent after the top 40 picks. Imagine if instead of drafting Jayden Hunt we got to combine that years and the next years 3rd round picks for a player rated at pick 20.

I like the new bidding system, but it's very generous to allow multiple bid matches per year which in a shallow draft really doubles the advantage.

Yeah but they still have to match the picks, if clubs bid pick 5 for hopper, pick 8 for kennedy pick 20 for flynn pick 22 for cornell and 25 for Himmelberg, what do they do then? And then next year they will want to get Macreadie, Setterfield and Sproule onto their list and what if it is a strong draft then they have given away a useful pick.

Francis or Weidman look to be the go at this stage, could do with more tall forwards/defenders. May have to replace (trade more like it) Watts, both have heart. Also Dawes may not be safe. By the end of the year I may change my opinion.

Two years ago I thought Cripps and Sheed would be good pick ups. Does anybody know about Brett Lovetts young son i.e Ht,Wt,preferred position and what about the younger Viney brother…..

Francis or Weidman look to be the go at this stage, could do with more tall forwards/defenders. May have to replace (trade more like it) Watts, both have heart. Also Dawes may not be safe. By the end of the year I may change my opinion.

Two years ago I thought Cripps and Sheed would be good pick ups. Does anybody know about Brett Lovetts young son i.e Ht,Wt,preferred position and what about the younger Viney brother..

Watts is a keeper and Roos regards Dawes highly. Can't see them going. Not fussed if Dawes does, would be disappointed if Watts was traded. Has had a good month and I think he will get better and better over the next couple of years.

Weidman looks good as does Tucker. We have good coaches and recruiting staff so it's great to trust them and not expect to be disappointed, like 2006-2012.

Terry Wallace's first post Championships Top 20 on TAC Cup Future Stars and Balic is still the man for Melbourne according to Plough:

1. Brisbane - Joshua Schache

2. Gold Coast - Jacob Weitering

3. Carlton - Aaron Francis

4. GWS* - Jacob Hopper

5. Sydney* - Callum Mills

6. Melbourne - Harley Balic

7. St. Kilda - Rhys Mathieson

8. Essendon - Charlie Curnow

9. Port Adelaide - Sam Weideman

10. North Melbourne - Darcy Parish

11. Geelong - Harry McKay

12. Adelaide - Luke Partington

13. Western Bulldogs - Darcy Tucker

14. Richmond - Riley Bonner

15. Brisbane* - Ben Keays

16. Collingwood - Kieran Collins

17. Hawthorn - Callum Ah Chee

18 Sydney - Jade Gresham

19. Brisbane* - Eric Hipwood

20. West Coast - Josh Dunkley

* Academy bid

I'd take Parish ahead of Balic, but if we ended up selecting him (assuming we have the pick after trade week), still would be a good result. More quality for the midfield is never a bad thing.

Is suntan set on Balic because he played with Brayshaw and Roos Jr last year, plus had time at the Dees as did Brayshaw the year before?

Similar link was made to Brayshaw all of last year.

I'd be pretty happy for the same sort of thing to play out this year.

I think Balic would be a good selection at that stage of the draft.

Balic aye, someone please describe him and his football ability please...

In terms of style (not ability), maybe a combination of Pendlebury & Jake Stringer?