Agree with all of this.

Having watched these highlights it reinforces how brilliantly Mahoney & Co performed in trade week. It was genious doing those deals to get 3. These highlights show Parish is the best pure midfielder in this draft. After that you have to probably go to Mathieson and you wouldn't call him an elite top 10 player. We wouldn't have got a top 10 quality midfielder at pick 6, that's for sure. IMO no way in the world would you use 3 on a decent half forward flanker like Curnow and not get the best midfielder. Essendon must have been spewing when we got 3. What a pleasure.

Not sure why Curnow keeps being called a KPF. At 191 he's a flanker. Nowadays a KPF is 194+. Darlings the same height, is a great HFF, kicked 39 goals this year but he's not a KPF as was proven in the GF where he wasn't tall enough to win contested marks.

You can see why this draft is rated as a weak one. Everyone other than the top 2 have issues. Parish short and slight compared to say Brayshaw who was the best pure midfielder last year. I really don't know who'll be available at 7 but have confidence Taylor & Co will pick the best available for our needs. Would be happy with Curnow and from what I've heard Weideman if either is still there. Fact is that pick is going to have an element of speculation no matter who it is, as there aren't any standout's after Parish.

I understand what you're saying, but Curnow isn't built like a flanker. Contested marking is one of his strengths and I reckon he and Hogan would make a great pairing.

OK, I probably look stupid, I haven't seen him before. What no. is he. Bit difficult without commentary. I thought he might have been 42 but then I realised he is rucking.

Yep, he was played in basically every position on the ground, including ruck as the Falcons were lacking in quality talls (including time at full back).

The footage doesn't look like it includes footage of his games post injury at the back end of the season. That's when he was stationed as a permanent forward and got a few more goals under his belt.

His best game was probably the qualifying final against Nth Ballarat where he finished with 4.5 and pushed himself right up into the conversation as a top 5 pick.

I take on board the point about his height as a kpf, but I can see him playing as a second forward for us. His overhead marking and bodywork is good enough and he has the endurance to work over defenders.

Yep, he was played in basically every position on the ground, including ruck as the Falcons were lacking in quality talls (including time at full back).

The footage doesn't look like it includes footage of his games post injury at the back end of the season. That's when he was stationed as a permanent forward and got a few more goals under his belt.

His best game was probably the qualifying final against Nth Ballarat where he finished with 4.5 and pushed himself right up into the conversation as a top 5 pick.

I take on board the point about his height as a kpf, but I can see him playing as a second forward for us. His overhead marking and bodywork is good enough and he has the endurance to work over defenders.

Purely based on that footage, he looks like a much better natural forward than midfielder. He didn't seem to read the game nearly as well in the midfield and he doesn't have pace, something we're desperate for in the midfield. I could see him going in their in bursts like a Roughead but not as a starting midfielder. On the other hand he looks like a natural forward. Seems to read the ball well and know where to run.

Would that be a fair assessment?

I can clearly see why they would draft Weideman and Curnow. Curnow would be the ideal replacement for Watson when he retires and the fact he can play up naturally is definitely an exciting prospect.

Drafting Weideman would set their forward line up for the next 10 years next to Daniher. A lead up CH would work well with Daniher/Hogan..

I can sort of see why they might take Curnow and Weideman. What I struggle to see is why they wouldn't take Francis. But if that IS what they do, what are the chances of GCS not taking Francis and us getting him at 7?

I can sort of see why they might take Curnow and Weideman. What I struggle to see is why they wouldn't take Francis. But if that IS what they do, what are the chances of GCS not taking Francis and us getting him at 7?

There is a big factor that Francis would be huge risk due to homesickness. Especially with the death of his brother that's rocked the family and being a pretty quite young boy there is a big chance who could slide all the way out to Adelaide at pick 9.

Purely based on that footage, he looks like a much better natural forward than midfielder. He didn't seem to read the game nearly as well in the midfield and he doesn't have pace, something we're desperate for in the midfield. I could see him going in their in bursts like a Roughead but not as a starting midfielder. On the other hand he looks like a natural forward. Seems to read the ball well and know where to run. Would that be a fair assessment.

Yeah, he's not superquick at this stage, but I think there's scope for improvement, especially once he loses a bit of extra weight that he's carrying. There's a fair amount of power in his game, and I think he could be effective in the stoppages. Was purely a midfielder before his growth spurt took him past 190 cms.

Overall a fair assessment, and I'd say we'd be taking him as a fwd (if we do take him).

Poor kicking, a lack of clean hands and the fact that his biggest attribute as a mid is breaking feeble tackles and dishing it off makes me think that he won't cut it as a mid at AFL level.

His contested marking is very good and is a big body so I think Darling-lite is what he will end up like.

He reminds me of Anthony Bennett with worse hair.

Anyone? Anyone?

Probably why I'm not so high on him.

Poor kicking, a lack of clean hands and the fact that his biggest attribute as a mid is breaking feeble tackles and dishing it off makes me think that he won't cut it as a mid at AFL level.

His contested marking is very good and is a big body so I think Darling-lite is what he will end up like.

We always bring out the best in Darling. West Coast beat us by ten goals+, he's too strong for Garland, too quick for McDonald and has a field day with his defensive pressure against our under pressure and poorly skilled backline. Combined with his draft position and Lucas Cook I doubt there would be a group of supporters who ranks Darling higher than we do!

So whilst he's a very good footballer (despite his poor grand final) I think Curnow has a few aspects better than Darling. He looks like he has long reach in the air. His endurance could become first class given the families athletic ability and he just seems to have an x factor with the way he reads the play as a forward and in his decision making.

No doubt he has more rough edges than Darling as well and I'd gladly settle for a Darling start to his career for Curnow as pick 7 (a marking forward capable of 40 goals next to Hogan would do wonders) I see enough potential for Curnow to be every bit as good as Darling if not better.

He reminds me of Anthony Bennett with worse hair.

Anyone? Anyone?

Probably why I'm not so high on him.

A worse no.1 draft pick since Jack Watts Richard Lounder.

Which player will be the next Lucas Cook? The draft is a lottery. All the so-called experts on here: what a joke! How many times have you actually seen any of these junior players play apart from a few highly selected highlights on YouTube and other highlights reels? At least the MFC seems to know what they are doing after many years of hopeless recruiting.

Hey Diamond (you aren't Diamond Jim by any chance, our first in the great multitude of saviours since the departure or RDB, are you?) you and I can be absolutely certain that many of our expert contributors here will just know, 100% (or maybe 120%, whatever that actually means) that player x "is / will be an absolute gun" and player z "is / will be a total dud / spud / <insert any other offensive judgemental term>".

Watched most of that video. Think it's important to realise it's seemingly lost of his disposals not just highlights.

I'm still a fan. He makes things happen. His athleticism is obvious, he seemingly has go go gadget arms and has strong hands in a contest, which of course is what you need at TAC level to be any chance at AFL level.

He's certainly a long way off as a midfielder, the repeat efforts around a contest are lacking and his play below his knees is poor.

His kicking is interesting. He takes risks and pulls a lot of them off. Ball drop is a bit high and therefore he doesn't lace it out but he certainly makes things happen and doesn't blaze away.

Yeah he's a bit of a risky prospect with plenty of development to do but at the same time I think he has a heap of potential and natural ability. We've got Brendan McCartney for a reason and if he can't sink his teeth in to this bloke and make him a footballer then no one can.

Pick 3 might be too high, but if he's still there at pick 7 I'd be keen.

Agreed, he has the tank, strong hands and can play ruck.

Definitely worth a crack at pick 7 to develop him into that CHF/ Ruck role we desperately need to compliant Hogan in The forward line.

Agreed, he has the tank, strong hands and can play ruck.

Definitely worth a crack at pick 7 to develop him into that CHF/ Ruck role we desperately need to compliant Hogan The forward line.

He won't be a 2nd ruck at AFL level. Much too short.

But his endurance and mobility means that alongside Hogan there's room for him and a 2nd ruck.

If you have 2 tall forwards who can both play inside 50 and up the ground then they can play big minutes in Time On Ground and you can rotate 2 proper rucks through the ruck, bench and 10-20% each sitting in the goal square.

He won't be a 2nd ruck at AFL level. Much too short.

But his endurance and mobility means that alongside Hogan there's room for him and a 2nd ruck.

If you have 2 tall forwards who can both play inside 50 and up the ground then they can play big minutes in Time On Ground and you can rotate 2 proper rucks through the ruck, bench and 10-20% each sitting in the goal square.

Peterson and Dawes are both 193cm and they are both used as a second ruck.

I don't think 191cm is really to short as a second ruck, it's only for around 10% of the game to give the Ruckman a chop out.

Peterson and Dawes are both 193cm and they are both used as a second ruck.

I don't think 191cm is really to short as a second ruck, it's only for around 10% of the game to give the Ruckman a chop out.

They are used as a 2nd ruck because we don't have any better options and they are also too slow and cumbersome to play forward as 2nd rucks.

It's going to have to be more than 10%. Gawn can't do 90%. Goldstein and Jacobs are the only 2 who can do 90% and even then I don't think it's ideal. With the sub going and the extra bench spot I don't think clubs will play 2 dinosaur rucks but I do think if they have 2 good rucks who can pinch hit forward they'll play them and play them longer spells on the ground before rotating.

Also Curnow will be starting his career at the 191 (or apparently 193) mark. With players heights growing over time the average ruckman will get bigger and bigger.

Naughty boy

Naughty boy

?

"TOP draft prospect Charlie Curnow spent the night at a Geelong police station last night after refusing a breath test.
He was released about 6am today.

The Geelong Falcon was considered a likely top-five pick but the incident could prompt clubs to reconsider him before next Tuesday’s national draft in Adelaide.
Clubs will likely request more information and possibly another interview with Curnow to discuss the incident before Tuesday.

The AFL has been made aware of the incident.

Curnow was in Melbourne’s sights at pick 3, while Essendon also has a strong interest with picks 4 and 5.

His brother, Ed, plays for Carlton.

The 191cm marking forward has been likened to Hawthorn superstar Jarryd Roughead and some recruiters believed the hard-running big man could become the best player from this year’s draft.

A dislocated kneecap ruled Curnow out for three months this year, cruelling any hopes of being the No. 1 draft pick.

Curnow blitzed the 3km time-trial at the draft combine to underline his strong athleticism and give hope he could develop into a fulltime AFL midfielder."

MORE TO COME

Not the first or last to do something stupid at this schoolies time of year.

To be honest I'm more disappointed that he didn't just take the breatho and take his medicine.

Why compound the problem by refusing the test?

1 mistake I can live with, but the decision making to compound the mistake is not wise.

Perfect fit for Hawthorn.

Jack Darling thread

Draft order shennanigans.

TOP-FIVE draft prospect Charlie Curnow has been held by police after refusing a breath test.

The 18-year-old, from the Geelong Falcons, had been linked to Melbourne (pick No.3) and Essendon (picks four and five) ahead of Tuesday's NAB AFL Draft in Adelaide.

It is understood he was released from Geelong police station early on Friday morning.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-20/top-draft-prospect-charlie-curnow-held-by-police-after-refusing-breath-test

Anyone suspect a case of the Jack Darlings? May slip out a bit maybe us at 7

Edit:- Sorry stuie didn't see your post. ^^

ok just changed my mind.... i now want this kid!

Didnt want him to start with.

Now he's given me another reason to not want him.