National Under 18 Championships - 2015

[ChaserJ 5,157]

I think I'd like us to pick up Weideman personally.

Hogan can't do it on his own forever, and Dawes & Pedersen are on borrowed time.

If it's a mid, Parish, Tucker or Mathieson maybe, based on who is expected to be there.

Probably prefer to move the pick for Coniglio, but I'm not sure picks have a lot of currency for GWS considering what they'll have to fork over for Hopper & Kennedy.

Probably need some clarification on how these bidding rules work, but there's no point trading in early picks then having them taking away for your academy selections - much better to use your accumulated late picks.

I wouldn't be opposed to Weidemann at our pick. Also hope Charlie Curnow gets back on the park and presents himself as an option. A lot of recruiters had him very high on their boards before he went down. Nominally a key forward, but has the capacity to run through midfield.

[Older demon 2,779]

Note on O'kearney I know his uncle who tells me he has already been spoken to by 3 clubs, but would not tell me who. Surprised I could not find his name in the original lists posted here but he is a gun and got in the best in 2 games and is being rested. Expect hime to be drafted as Nick is a ball magnet. A Calder Cannon he is 180 cm tall and highly rated

[BAMF 4,385]

I wouldn't be opposed to Weidemann at our pick. Also hope Charlie Curnow gets back on the park and presents himself as an option. A lot of recruiters had him very high on their boards before he went down. Nominally a key forward, but has the capacity to run through midfield.

He would be a top 3 pick at this stage wouldnt he? Weidemann that is.

[rjay 25,088]

I think I'd like us to pick up Weideman personally.

Hogan can't do it on his own forever, and Dawes & Pedersen are on borrowed time.

If it's a mid, Parish, Tucker or Mathieson maybe, based on who is expected to be there.

Probably prefer to move the pick for Coniglio, but I'm not sure picks have a lot of currency for GWS considering what they'll have to fork over for Hopper & Kennedy.

Probably need some clarification on how these bidding rules work, but there's no point trading in early picks then having them taking away for your academy selections - much better to use your accumulated late picks.

I'm with you 'Machsy', I think we need to look at a 2nd forward. A forward/ruck might be handy but this could change if the sub goes and we're back to 4 interchange.

If we were to trade the top pick then Coniglio or Tomlinson are 2 I would look at, otherwise use the pick to advantage.

On the points system maybe they would need to accumulate some high picks, I would guess late picks carry next to no value. They may well be in the market for picks.

[ChaserJ 5,157]

He would be a top 3 pick at this stage wouldnt he? Weidemann that is.

I'd have thought he was rated anywhere from 5-15 before he got hurt. Was always clearly behind Weitering, and a bit of a line ball call between he and Schache at the start of the season. I probably had Schache ahead at the time, but he's obviously gone up the rankings after an excellent carnival.

At this stage I'd say there's a good chance Weidemann goes in the top 10.

Think I read that Derek Hine believes that 7 of the top 10 could be talls. Others who he could be referring to are Collins and McKay, who've impressed at the championships.

Edited June 28, 2015 by ChaserJ

[BAMF 4,385]

I'd have thought he was rated anywhere from 5-15 before he got hurt. Was always clearly behind Weitering, and a bit of a line ball call between he and Schache at the start of the season. I probably had Schache ahead at the time, but he's obviously gone up the rankings after an excellent carnival.

At this stage I'd say there's a good chance Weidemann goes in the top 10.

Think I read that Derek Hine believes that 7 of the top 10 could be talls. Others who he could be referring to are Collins and McKay, who've impressed at the championships.

Ahh... I'm getting them confused.

Weitering is the one I was thinking of.

Weitering is the likely top 3 pick and he is a key defender.

Weidemann is a key forward who will likely be a first round pick.

Gotcha!

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

Just to repeat myself, we need a big bodied midfielder about 188cm 88kg who accumulates a lot of ball tackles hard and loves the contested situation..pretty simple ..apparently Rhys Matheison is the player for us at about pick 5 ..would love to hear other peoples views on him or other players suitable..

[DemonDing 56]

I hope we go after my man Jade Gresham this draft, the kid is absolute freak, ive watched him play since he was 8 years old as i used to play footy with his old man and let me tell you the old man was the hardest footballer ive ever seen! Jades a bit smaller then him but is crazy hard at it, gets his head ripped off every game by the bigger blokes and just gets back up.

think jack viney but quicker and with terrific skills! he has also had an amazing carnival too being in the best in every game his played plus also being the first northern nights indigenous captain

heres the only footage of him on youtube where there is a few skill errors (which is normal when your getting 30+ most games!) but hes work rate and speed and absolute passion for the game is second to none!!

his got a little bit of gavin wanganeen about i reckon, what are your thoughts?

Edited June 28, 2015 by DemonDing

[Pennant St Dee 13,304]

I honestly hope we don't end up with Mathieson.

I know he has a lot of ability, but I know someone who has had a bit to do with him in juniors, and I'm told he's prone to taking shortcuts.

He could also grow out of it, and he has achieved a fair bit in spite of this perception, but it's not a great starting point.

In the right programme and the right culture this can be sorted out and we need look no further than Jack Darling

[What 18,810]

Just to repeat myself, we need a big bodied midfielder about 188cm 88kg who accumulates a lot of ball tackles hard and loves the contested situation..pretty simple ..apparently

So another Brayshaw, Petracca and Vandenberg then?

I wouldn't say no to that

[ChaserJ 5,157]

Just to repeat myself, we need a big bodied midfielder about 188cm 88kg who accumulates a lot of ball tackles hard and loves the contested situation..pretty simple ..apparently Rhys Matheison is the player for us at about pick 5 ..would love to hear other peoples views on him or other players suitable..

I don't disagree with you, but you also largely have to take what the draft crop gives you. If the recruiting staff think there is a better player available than Mathieson at their pick, then I think we can trust this current team to pick the right player. After Mathieson (he may not be around at our pick anyways) the draft is light for big bodied inside mids. Balic and Clarke are probably next in line. Balic still transitioning from being a hff, and I'm not sure on his running capacity, and Clarke still needs to tidy up his kicking to move up into the top 10 IMO.

Hopper, Mills and Kennedy are probably exactly the type you're looking for, but all can be matched by Sydney and GWS. Dunkley's the other one, but he may nominate as F/S to Sydney, and needs to get some form in the back half of the season after injury. Minogue is another one to monitor as the season rolls on.

I hope we go after my man Jade Gresham this draft, the kid is absolute freak, ive watched him play since he was 8 years old as i used to play footy with his old man and let me tell you the old man was the hardest footballer ive ever seen! Jades a bit smaller then him but is crazy hard at it, gets his head ripped off every game by the bigger blokes and just gets back up.

think jack viney but quicker and with terrific skills! he has also had an amazing carnival too being in the best in every game his played plus also being the first northern nights indigenous captain

heres the only footage of him on youtube where there is a few skill errors (which is normal when your getting 30+ most games!) but hes work rate and speed and absolute passion for the game is second to none!!

his got a little bit of gavin wanganeen about i reckon, what are your thoughts?

Really liked Gresham's game on Friday, and think the Viney comparison's a good one. I think he may have played himself into the lower half of the first round, but wouldn't mind taking a flier if he's around at our second round pick. If he was taller I think he'd probably be in the higher reaches of the first round. He's performed extremely well at every level so far this season, so he's giving himself every chance.

In the right programme and the right culture this can be sorted out and we need look no further than Jack Darling

The positive with Mathieson is that I've seen improvement in question mark areas over the last year or so. His kicking is tidier and his awareness in close quarters is also on the improve (for a clearance specialist he probably wasn't as strong in that area).

Edited June 29, 2015 by ChaserJ

[rjay 25,088]

I don't disagree with you, but you also largely have to take what the draft crop gives you. If the recruiting staff think there is a better player available than Mathieson at their pick, then I think we can trust this current team to pick the right player. After Mathieson (he may not be around at our pick anyways) the draft is light for big bodied inside mids. Balic and Clarke are probably next in line. Balic still transitioning from being a hff, and I'm not sure on his running capacity, and Clarke still needs to tidy up his kicking to move up into the top 10 IMO.

Hopper, Mills and Kennedy are probably exactly the type you're looking for, but all can be matched by Sydney and GWS. Dunkley the other one, but he may nominate as F/S to Sydney, and needs to get some form in the back half of the season after injury. Minogue is another one to monitor as the season rolls on.

Really liked Gresham's game on Friday, and think the Viney comparison's a good one. I think he may have played himself into the lower half of the first round, but wouldn't mind taking a flier if he's around at our second round pick. If he was taller I think he'd probably be in the higher reaches of the first round. He's performed extremely well at every level so far this season, so he's giving himself every chance.

The positive with Mathieson is that I've seen improvement in question mark areas over the last year or so. His kicking is tidier and his awareness in close quarters is also on the improve (for a clearance specialist he probably wasn't as strong in that area).

'Chaser' if this is a problem area I would leave him. It's something that is not really open for much improvement, awareness is something you have or don't have. We don't need another big body like Col Silvia.

[ChaserJ 5,157]

'Chaser' if this is a problem area I would leave him. It's something that is not really open for much improvement, awareness is something you have or don't have. We don't need another big body like Col Silvia.

I don’t think it’s at Colin Sylvia levels ( ), but something he’s had to work on.

My gut feel is that Mathieson’s somewhere in that 8-14 range. He’ll be a good to very good AFL player, but Parish is the one (non-northern academy) midfielder I’m really strong on higher up. Key position players will be prominent in the top 10 this year.

[rhaz 342]

Dunkley isn't a lock to go to Sydney. Could be interesting if he chooses not to go F/S. 189cm contested ball winning mid.

I'd love another KPF to go alongside Hogan too... Curnow looks like one that is more likely to be available. Jake Stringer type?

[ChaserJ 5,157]

Dunkley isn't a lock to go to Sydney. Could be interesting if he chooses not to go F/S. 189cm contested ball winning mid.

I'd love another KPF to go alongside Hogan too... Curnow looks like one that is more likely to be available. Jake Stringer type?

Yep, that’ll be an interesting one to keep an eye on. If Dunkley gets picked up with a pick outside the first 10 or so, he’ll be a steal.

Stringer’s not a bad comparison. Think Curnow’s a better athlete, and might get to 194-195 cm’s by the time he stops growing (started the season at 191, but have heard he’s already grown past that figure). He has his brother’s running ability, which is why his midfield potential would be intriguing. Looks like he goes pretty well in traffic when played in midfield and he’s strong overhead.

[SaberFang 7,151]

Need a goalkicking mid (Vince) who can run all day (ANB) and loves the contest (Brayshaw).

I'm not asking for much, am I?

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,227]

Curnow seems like the most interesting prospect.

Since he has been injured he will likely slide, but he sounds like he could be a very good player with his height and athletic ability combining with a large tank.

Seems like a player Roos and co. would have their eye on.

[Return to Glory 8,448]

This under 18 Championship will probably be remembered for those who didn't play or played reduced game time (and out of position). By all accounts it's a weaker draft but a couple of Academy kids have been spirited away so it's hard to get a real line on it imo

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

I hope we go after my man Jade Gresham this draft, the kid is absolute freak, ive watched him play since he was 8 years old as i used to play footy with his old man and let me tell you the old man was the hardest footballer ive ever seen! Jades a bit smaller then him but is crazy hard at it, gets his head ripped off every game by the bigger blokes and just gets back up.

think jack viney but quicker and with terrific skills! he has also had an amazing carnival too being in the best in every game his played plus also being the first northern nights indigenous captain

heres the only footage of him on youtube where there is a few skill errors (which is normal when your getting 30+ most games!) but hes work rate and speed and absolute passion for the game is second to none!!

his got a little bit of gavin wanganeen about i reckon, what are your thoughts?

Just quietly that was a pretty impressive highlights package...showed a lot of versatility for a midfielder, to me he resembled more a Tom Scully with his quick disposals in a tight contest, couldnt compare him to Viney because there wasnt much tackling and breaking free from stoppages into space like viney does, just from the highlights would love to see him at the dees.

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

'Chaser' if this is a problem area I would leave him. It's something that is not really open for much improvement, awareness is something you have or don't have. We don't need another big body like Col Silvia.

Chaser, you think we will take a midfielder with our first pick, in your opinion at this stage who do you think we will choose with pock 4 or 5...?

[ChaserJ 5,157]

Pretty sure if we somehow ended up with a crack at Schache, Weitering or Francis, we'd jump at any of them. They clearly stand out as the best I've seen from this years crop.

I've heard we like Parish, so as far as mids go I think he's the one we like, and may be around the mark.

Beyond that, I think the 'best available mantra' will be used. We arguably still could use quality in every area of the field, so don't think it'll be a straight mid or tall question.

Invariably there are guys that jump up with strong finishes in TAC Cup finals, etc., so I look forward to seeing who might bolt at the back end of the season.

[Whispering_Jack 30,641]

Final game for Vic Metro

[KingDingAling 3,758]

Pretty sure if we somehow ended up with a crack at Schache, Weitering or Francis, we'd jump at any of them. They clearly stand out as the best I've seen from this years crop.

I've heard we like Parish, so as far as mids go I think he's the one we like, and may be around the mark.

Beyond that, I think the 'best available mantra' will be used. We arguably still could use quality in every area of the field, so don't think it'll be a straight mid or tall question.

Invariably there are guys that jump up with strong finishes in TAC Cup finals, etc., so I look forward to seeing who might bolt at the back end of the season.

Absolutely, Francis is the player of the draft this year. If we could land him, would be a great result.

Not often I go early, but Francis looks an absolute stand out for mine.

[KingDingAling 3,758]

What a great game - Tas Vs NT.

Lovell absolutely dominated this game. I have no idea where this kid is touted to go in the draft - but he'd surely be coming into calculations for the first round.

Gresham (VM) and Lovell (Tas) are 2 players who have taken my eye of late. Gresham goes around in the next game.

[Deestroy All 14,266]

Nice finish to Metro v SA.

Gresham looks quite good.