NATIONAL DRAFT PICKS 3 & 7

[Mach5 4,483]

It's all talk and promise.

I no longer take the 'word' of supposed experts on here and out there - I want to see it before I believe it.

Viney and Brayshaw.

They are the proven long term answers without question marks of injury or whether they can play in the midfield at AFL level.

They are the only ones.

I was convinced that Toumpas and Aish were going to be elite classy mids.

Might still happen, but my judgment clearly can't be trusted.

Still, I'm happy to form and give opinions and I'm under-enthused about the KPFs available, but I want Parish.

He's different to what we already have and would add a level of polish that would really help to elevate our midfield.

[jnrmac 19,253]

Who says our midfield or any part of our team is locked and loaded, that would be a recipe for disaster to think that as would your call about best available being favoured towards a mid.

As for the role player argument, we are less than adequate in that department. Spin it any way you like...

We are less than adequate in every department!

[beelzebub 22,271]

I was convinced that Toumpas and Aish were going to be elite classy mids.

Might still happen, but my judgment clearly can't be trusted.

Still, I'm happy to form and give opinions and I'm under-enthused about the KPFs available, but I want Parish.

He's different to what we already have and would add a level of polish that would really help to elevate our midfield.

a decent sentiment ( cant agree about the Toump...Ais h may/mightn't )

Totally agree about opinions

Ill probably be happy enough if we take parish...he's different as you suggest and its that difference we crave...as to 7 ...ah well....Agree kpps on offer ( that we can get ) are a bit suss this or ho hum that. Still we might end up with one..

[jnrmac 19,253]

Jones is very close surely

He is getting there but he gets tagged out of the game too often. The elite mids don't. I think thats what stops him at this point from being called elite

Judd, Ablett, Pendlebury, Fyffe, Boak - they perform mostly despite being tagged.

[DeeSpencer 23,377]

I'm guilty of it as much as anyone but there's way too much talk of needs going on here for 2 top 10 picks.

Best available is the way to go. We need 2 high end talents no matter the position.

Of course we need a 2nd tall forward and that's a priority. You are kidding if you don't think that.

But it's still best available unless we rate 2 prospects as equal, then we go the tall. Taylor has already said that.

[olisik 4,060]

Some of the Phantom drafts are ridden with an agenda to influence.

Not having Ollie in top 18 is ludacrous and the only reason he did that is for the outside chance that Ollie slips to the Hawks

[DeeMfc 621]

As far as Parish is concerned, other than physical attributes (height, weight etc.) I'd like to know what the knocks are on him?

If I was going to be real knit picky the only thing I can see is that his ball drop (at times) is a little high. With the step up in speed and intensity at AFL level this may leave a few kicks sprayed.

Other than that, all other aspects of his game point to him having elite capabilities at AFL level.

I wouldn't be disappointed if we took him at 3.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

Some of the Phantom drafts are ridden with an agenda to influence.

Not having Ollie in top 18 is ludacrous and the only reason he did that is for the outside chance that Ollie slips to the Hawks

Unless Oliver is included in a phantom draft Top 10, in which case there is no agenda to influence and it's spot on.

[beelzebub 22,271]

Some of the Phantom drafts are ridden with an agenda to influence.

Not having Ollie in top 18 is ludacrous and the only reason he did that is for the outside chance that Ollie slips to the Hawks

A bit like looking at the form guide to the cup I'd say.

The writers have their perspectives and their own hunches. Invariably apart from the first picks very few drafts go according to anyones script.

[wattsindawes 57]

Probably cop flak for throwing this up - but Francis at 3 wouldn't be all that stupid. Natural footballer - big body - competitor - versatile. Seems good to go with elite skills. Could be awesome with Tracca one rotating foward while other is in midfield to help out hulk. Especially with the new interchange cap.

[olisik 4,060]

Unless Oliver is included in a phantom draft Top 10, in which case there is no agenda to influence and it's spot on.

His featured in almost all phantom drafts in the top 10....

[DeeMfc 621]

A bit like looking at the form guide to the cup I'd say.

The writers have their perspectives and their own hunches. Invariably apart from the first picks very few drafts go according to anyones script.

The first 10 picks will be very interesting. This year may throw up more surprises than expected.

If you look at Carltons list the midfield is by far the worst in the league. If Bolton follows Clarksons lead then he will trade KPDs in. What if they pinch Schache off Brisbane or go for a mid???

IMO they would have rocks in their heads if they didn't take Weitering.

Surely Weitering would be a lock at 1 though. Surely....

[DeeSpencer 23,377]

Probably cop flak for throwing this up - but Francis at 3 wouldn't be all that stupid. Natural footbaIller - big body - competitor - versatile. Seems good to go with elite skills. Could be awesome with Tracca one rotating foward while other is in midfield to help out hulk. Especially with the new interchange cap.

I just don't seem his a forward or midfielder. He looks much more settled in the backline and when he jumps up from kids or SANFL to AFL footy I think he'd struggle in other positions.

He reminds me a lot of Jared Rivers. If we drafted him I think he'd take that 3rd defender role and play 10 years there, which would be pretty handy. It's just I think we can fill that role through later picks and need elite forwards and midfielders if available. If not, that's fine, get him.

[Wiseblood 24,636]

His featured in almost all phantom drafts in the top 10....

Exactly, so to you those ones have no hidden agenda, but anyone who rates him outside it does.

[wattsindawes 57]

I just don't seem his a forward or midfielder. He looks much more settled in the backline and when he jumps up from kids or SANFL to AFL footy I think he'd struggle in other positions.

He reminds me a lot of Jared Rivers. If we drafted him I think he'd take that 3rd defender role and play 10 years there, which would be pretty handy. It's just I think we can fill that role through later picks and need elite forwards and midfielders if available. If not, that's fine, get him.

Can see you point and agree - he just looks good to go compared to parish weid cc we need players who can come in and have an impact

[ManDee 7,092]

Curnow at 3 rotates forward / midfield with Petracca > Both strong bodies can do both roles pick next best midfielder at 7.

Hang on, he may slip to 7 and take Parish at 3

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

[DeeSpencer 23,377]

Can see you point and agree - he just looks good to go compared to parish weid cc we need players who can come in and have an impact

We do and we don't. For example in Francis' best position Garland and Dunn can keep us in games. If Francis significantly out played those 2 in year 1 I'd be surprised.

The squad we have now with the addition of Petracca and the 3 trade ins has to be good enough to at least back up 7 wins and hopefully push towards finals next year (8-10 wins would be satisfactory).

We need unexpected guys to improve to help keep momentum, but it could come from the late picks (another Neal-Bullen) or the rookie draft (like a Vanders) or someone like Jayden Hunt or Mitch White really lifting.

[wattsindawes 57]

We do and we don't. For example in Francis' best position Garland and Dunn can keep us in games. If Francis significantly out played those 2 in year 1 I'd be surprised.

The squad we have now with the addition of Petracca and the 3 trade ins has to be good enough to at least back up 7 wins and hopefully push towards finals next year (8-10 wins would be satisfactory).

We need unexpected guys to improve to help keep momentum, but it could come from the late picks (another Neal-Bullen) or the rookie draft (like a Vanders) or someone like Jayden Hunt or Mitch White really lifting.

Sometimes a known quantity is better than 'potential' in saying that 100% trust the development and recruiting team we have now Edited November 20, 2015 by wattsindawes

[mo64 5,231]

Probably cop flak for throwing this up - but Francis at 3 wouldn't be all that stupid. Natural footballer - big body - competitor - versatile. Seems good to go with elite skills. Could be awesome with Tracca one rotating foward while other is in midfield to help out hulk. Especially with the new interchange cap.

What elite skills are you talking about? He reads the play well down back, that's about it. His disposal is ok/average. I think he'll be a good AFL player, but not the player I'd be looking at at pick 3. Jared Rivers is a good comparison.

Versatlility is the most overrated quality in a footballer if they can't master one position.

[jnrmac 19,253]

Curnow at 3 rotates forward / midfield with Petracca > Both strong bodies can do both roles pick next best midfielder at 7.

Hang on, he may slip to 7 and take Parish at 3

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

Gold! Jack Darling here we come.....we will get him with pick 46....

[binman 38,994]

Curnow at 3 rotates forward / midfield with Petracca > Both strong bodies can do both roles pick next best midfielder at 7.

Hang on, he may slip to 7 and take Parish at 3

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

Refused a breath test? That's serious. A positive reading would be bad but now everyone will be guessing as to why he refused the test. Worried about a positive to drugs? Way over? ? etc etc

Could not happen at a worse time for him, a life changing stuff up. Five days before the draft. How stupid can you get? Fails the no dh rule for sure. I can't see us taking him at all now.

[ChaserJ 3,984]

As far as Parish is concerned, other than physical attributes (height, weight etc.) I'd like to know what the knocks are on him?

If I was going to be real knit picky the only thing I can see is that his ball drop (at times) is a little high. With the step up in speed and intensity at AFL level this may leave a few kicks sprayed.

Other than that, all other aspects of his game point to him having elite capabilities at AFL level.

I wouldn't be disappointed if we took him at 3.

Not many, but (lack of) top end speed, defensive work (running and volume of tackles) would be the main ones. Both can be worked on to varying degrees and wouldn't consider them deal breakers.

You could also speculate on how much improvement he has left In him. Is he like Daniel Rich, who comes in almost straight away, but doesn't significantly improve beyond entry level?

I think he has some decent tricks in the kit bag though, so I'm not overly concerned on how high is ceiling is.

[beelzebub 22,271]

Courtesy of that luminary . the one the only, lets hear it for....TITUS O"REILLY

Easily the worst AFL draft Preview ( reckon hes done ok actually )

Highlights :

PICK 4: MELBOURNE — DARCY PARISH (Geelong Falcons)

Parish is a midfielder who is known for using the ball well. That’s something new the Demons are really keen to try after a decade of recruiting players who thought ‘accuracy’ was some sort of accounting software.

Darcy says he can’t wait to play for Paul Roos for a whole year.

PICK 10: MELBOURNE — HARRY McKAY (Gippsland Power)

A forward who the Demons need to take some of the workload off Jesse Hogan. Melbourne remind me of a guy who is dating someone they know is out of their league. They’re just doing anything to keep them.

You want another key forward? Sure. You don’t want to commit long-term yet? That’s cool I say, even though I cry myself to sleep because you haven’t.

Thanks Titus,

could live with that

[beelzebub 22,271]

Id prefer two mids... Id happily take Parish and Mathieson

but if we take a tall developing fwd then I wouldn't be adverse to us drafting Mckay at 7

Hes a bit raw...he young hes very good coming off a late start to footy really. This suggests there's a hell of a lot of growth in his game to come.. He can mark, he can kick, hell that's better than a lot of our previous fwds !! by game 1 2017 I think he'd be a great foil ( if not a target in his own right ) to Hogan. if that's what we're thinking with pick 7/10

[DeeSpencer 23,377]

Emma's latest thoughts.

Which players will help shape the AFL draft order?

Sounds like Weideman and Oliver would be our picks if we had 3 and 4 and confidence in Sam's ankle and fitness. But it's not like she's definitive.

Essendon's priorities seem to be Oliver, Francis/Curnow. That makes sense to me.

As much as I want to know who we are picking I love that the club is holding it's cards so close.