NATIONAL DRAFT PICKS 3 & 7

[ManDee 7,343]

I'd qualify my post by saying that I would take the key forward if I felt they were a class above the best mid.

While I agree with your point on evolution to some degree, it is very hard to plan for. And I don't think the current AFL administration has it in them to make radical changes.

On Tommy McDonald, he is a very good mark and runs like Nick Riewoldt or Matty Richardson. I feel we aren't using his athleticism to its full extent in defence.

And on recruiting key forwards, clubs like North Melbourne (Jarod Waite), Geelong (Mitch Clark) and Sydney (Tippett and Franklin) have been able to get key forwards for little in terms of draft picks (or salary in Waite and Clark's case).

I am still keen on Curnow at 7 if he is still available. He is that big bodied midfielder come KPF, maybe a Cripps type.

[Clintosaurus 7,936]

really interested to see who gold coast take, they may want another key forward to replace dixon

I'm thinking they will take Milera, who is a bit of a Harley Bennell type.

Listening to Jason Taylor, I'm now fairly confident Darcy Parish will be called out at Pick 4, after we bid on Callum Mills, forcing Sydney to burn a whole heap of picks to take him at 3. At pick 7 (or whatever it ends up being - Hopper and maybe Hipwood will be bid on by then) I hope it's Weideman but either Francis or Oliver would be just as good. Not sure about Curnow.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 17,071]

I know it's a bit curmudgeonly, but I'm sick of reading posters describing players as "a lock". Can't we have a bit of descriptive variation?

And for what it's worth, I don't care who we choose at 3 and 7. I assume that anyone picked in the top dozen will have the makings of a good player if developed properly.

[Dockett 32 1,239]

I hope its Parish and a big tall forward who can get the ball and kick goals as we don't kick enough. End of Christmas wishes.

[Return to Glory 8,477]

I know it's a bit curmudgeonly, but I'm sick of reading posters describing players as "a lock". Can't we have a bit of descriptive variation?

And for what it's worth, I don't care who we choose at 3 and 7. I assume that anyone picked in the top dozen will have the makings of a good player if developed properly.

Captive? Hostage?

[daisycutter 29,909]

a while back i would have said get the best two midfielders

now i'm inclined to think best mid at 3 and best tall (preferably) forward at 7

we are pretty exposed for good talls on fwd line and if hogan is injured we'd be in deep poo (yes i know we beat the [censored] sans hogan)

[DistrACTION Jackson 10,402]

I'm predicting Parish at 3 and McKay at 7.

[rjay 25,345]

I hope we get two of Parish, Oliver or Francis. They may not have the upside of Weideman or Curnow, but they all look reasonably safe selections and the draft is too much of a gamble. My rationale:

• Rating how key position players will transition from junior football to the AFL is particularly difficult.

• Inside midfielders are now much more important than key forwards in AFL footy given the congestion.

• Midfielders have a more immediate impact, which is now more important given the introduction of free agency.

• We can build a forward line around Hogan and recruit a key forward (if we need it) down the track when we are in contention.

• I would play Tom McDonald forward next year to exploit his running capacity.

Given that the AFL are making moves to rid the game of congestion I wouldn't be using this as the basis for selecting a player...

Oliver reminds me a lot of Patrick Cripps.

Cripps was a good player for WA in u18's, unfortunately we haven't seen Oliver at this level or playing at senior level. He would be a spec pick and I don't think we will take him.

[DeeSpencer 26,478]

Given that the AFL are making moves to rid the game of congestion I wouldn't be using this as the basis for selecting a player...

Cripps was a good player for WA in u18's, unfortunately we haven't seen Oliver at this level or playing at senior level. He would be a spec pick and I don't think we will take him.

I think this year you'll actually have to deduct from some of the Vic Country boys considering how easily they won all the 6 games. Could be like trying to evaluate a Hawthorn fringe player.

They would've liked to see Oliver play at the state junior level but the TAC level is good enough to make judgements IMO.

He played 3 games for Richmond VFL and averaged 15 disposals.

[Dee-licious 1,954]

I was sold on Parish and sure we were going to take him. But the last few days I have found myself thinking about all the moves we have made. What we are building, what we want and what we have given up. One name seems to be coming to mind for pick 3 and its not one I ever thought we'd take there.

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-10-13/draft-prospect-sam-weideman

[Yossarian 1,820]

Well, Parish is out. He's a Collingwood fan.

Only Dees fan was Weitering so we'll just have to take him. Unlucky Carlton and Brisbane.

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,765]

I still think we'll go for two midfielders.

Taylor's interview suggests to me that Parish is a lock at 3.

Are Mathieson and Oliver the only other mid options for 7??

[beelzebub 23,390]

I think a lot of people are buying into the deceptions as being propagated by Taylor and Co.

So..the whole FD and recruiting staff spend years..and in particular to any draft the 12 months on from the last one forming their list and honing it.

Do we really think it comes down to the wire, save a last min item of intelligence unearthing an ijury or such that was unknown ?

No... they know who they want. Its a little dance...to keep others guessing...They arent..They know

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Cripps was a good player for WA in u18's, unfortunately we haven't seen Oliver at this level or playing at senior level. He would be a spec pick and I don't think we will take him.

He's a risk, but I like him.

[rjay 25,345]

I think this year you'll actually have to deduct from some of the Vic Country boys considering how easily they won all the 6 games. Could be like trying to evaluate a Hawthorn fringe player.

They would've liked to see Oliver play at the state junior level but the TAC level is good enough to make judgements IMO.

He played 3 games for Richmond VFL and averaged 15 disposals.

I would rate Parish as much if not more from his performances last year in the Champs...some good players have already come from that batch and he made AA.

[Mach5 4,768]

He's a risk, but I like him.

I don't believe a good club would take such a risk with pick 3.

[dazzledavey36 55,983]

I don't believe a good club would take such a risk with pick 3.

He is not pick 3 material let alone top 5.

I too was sold on Parish but for some reason I think we could be seriously considering Charlie Curnow at 3.

[Demon Disciple 12,489]

He is not pick 3 material let alone top 5.

I too was sold on Parish but for some reason I think we could be seriously considering Charlie Curnow at

The thing that kept coming out during JT's interview was that we will pick based on best available. Now how the recruiting team interprets that i haven't the slightest. I take it to mean the best player (funny that). If that's the case, i would of thought that Parish will be chosen at 3 with pick 7 coming from the likes of Curnow, Weideman, Francis, possibly even Oliver, but not McKay.

[DeeSpencer 26,478]

The proper highlights video of Curnow is up on the AFL draft machine now.

Strong marking on a lead and one on one. Protects the drop of the ball. Long arms.

There are certainly knocks but you can see why clubs would rate him very highly. His best is a contested marking, goal kicking forward. If we think we can develop him I can see why he'd be pick 3.

[Ted Lasso 19,564]

The thing that kept coming out during JT's interview was that we will pick based on best available. Now how the recruiting team interprets that i haven't the slightest. I take it to mean the best player (funny that). If that's the case, i would of thought that Parish will be chosen at 3 with pick 7 coming from the likes of Curnow, Weideman, Francis, possibly even Oliver, but not McKay.

How do you define best available?

best on exposed form: Darcy Parish

Highest ceiling on talent alone: Charlie Curnow

I don't think we would have done the trading we did unless we had a player in mind.

[Bitter but optimistic 22,289]

As I posted earlier, my Junior football/TAC contacts reckon Parish is the go. "The Weid" is their bet for our second pick.

[Ted Lasso 19,564]

As I posted earlier, my Junior football/TAC contacts reckon Parish is the go. "The Weid" is their bet for our second pick.

Interesting, so Essendon and GCS will pass on Weiderman?

[Bitter but optimistic 22,289]

Interesting, so Essendon and GCS will pass on Weiderman?

Don't know. My info is that Parish and the Weid would be top pick ups - we have no control over who who picks whom.

[Moneider96 1,045]

Interesting, so Essendon and GCS will pass on Weiderman?

Not impossible. Either Essendon or Gold Coast could prefer Oliver as the former needs a replacement for Jobe Watson and the latter seriously lacks big bodied mids. Could leave us with Curnow or Weiderman.

[Ted Lasso 19,564]

Not impossible. Either Essendon or Gold Coast could prefer Oliver as the former needs a replacement for Jobe Watson and the latter seriously lacks big bodied mids. Could leave us with Curnow or Weiderman.

I could see something like

Ess: Curnow

Ess: Francis

GCS: Milera

something like that seems possible