Not long it would seem.

Would be [censored] if we took Curnow at 3.

Pure speculative pick. We would regret it big time. Can't play as a key forward, can't play as a mid.

He only averages 14 touches a game, is not worth a pick 3.

Pick 3s belong to game changes and players who can really rip a game open. Not a 2 goal 3rd tall who doesn't even know his own position

Entitled to your opinion, though I think picking 18 year old prospects is a speculative business by definition.

There's only so much reliable data that you can have at this stage anyway, and that can be greatly reduced when a prospect misses time with injury. A lot of what recruiters look for is how good will they be, not how good are they right now.

Theres a number of them that think Curnow could be the best of the crop.

Very few would have picked guys like Fyfe and Bontempelli to shine brightest in their draft crop. Purely on what theyd produced at under 18s level, there was little to suggest they would develop into anything approaching the players theyve become.

You have to look beyond figures (not saying they arent helpful) sometimes and work out what sort of player they'll be in three or four years time. That's not particularly easy.

I've seen Curnow play a few times and seen him play some good games and some bad. There aren't many kids who I would call 'can't miss' prospects this year (the high end academy kids and Weitering maybe) and there is an element of risk with Curnow. I will say there are parts of his game up forward that remind me of Paddy McCartin (who is at last check the same height), and I think he can perform similarly up forward. Ultimately I think he has greater scope for development than Paddy, who went number 1 last year ahead of Brayshaw and Petracca. That's pretty appealing in my eyes, and I can see why he's in the mix with Parish.

Paddy
McCartin

Height 194 cm DOB 19-04-1996 Weight 94 kg Debut 2015

Charlie Curnow

Height: 191cm
Weight: 95kg

DOB 03/02/1997

I like Curnow but would prefer to take him at 7.

OK, McCartin started his 18th year closer to Curnow's height, and has grown a couple of cm's. Curnow was exclusively a midfielder before a growth spurt, may have further growth to go.

PATRICK MCCARTIN Geelong Key Fwd 192cm Resembles: Taylor Walker

McCartin played all three NAB AFL Under-16 Championships matches in 2012 for Vic Country, averaging nine disposals, five marks and two goals, with his best performance against South Australia booting five goals straight. In 2013 he played four NAB AFL Under-18 Championship matches where his marking was again a highlight, grabbing 28 marks including 12 contested - ranked second in the competition. He also scored eight goals in this carnival including five against Western Australia. At TAC Cup level for Geelong in 2013, he played eight matches, booting 21 goals.

FREAKO: A strong and powerful key forward who should dominate TAC Cup and Championships in 2014.

Middymalt has sent you a new personal conversation entitled "Lol".

Middymalt said:

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People take notice of you twit

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You do realise that I am a troll. No sane person takes notice of a troll.

Please check my avatar and signature you could even google my name for a clue.

It's all in fun we all follow the same club I hope

It's all in fun we all follow the same club I hope

You bet.

You bet.

That looks like successful trolling, set out for one target and get another.

What I do know (besides the speculative nature of drafting) is that many are basing opinions on youtube and other footage.

All the early "experts" to a man have Parish going before Francis.

I would ask you then to look at the video's of both Francis and Parish and I don't think any judge of football would put Parish in front of Francis based on the footage I've seen.

What it tells me is not that Francis is a better proposition than Parish but rather to take the clips of these players with a grain of salt - fun viewing but hardly something to formulate a concrete opinion on draft choices.

Would be [censored] if we took Curnow

Pure speculative pick. We would regret it big time. Can't play as a key forward, can't play as a mid.

He only averages 14 touches a game, is not worth a pick 3.

Pick 3s belong to game changes and players who can really rip a game open. Not a 2 goal 3rd tall who doesn't even know his own position

Its just Anderson's opinion, it doesn't mean a lot. Our football department would've seen A LOT of these kids, and Paul Roos is one of the better talent scouts in the business.

We dont get enough goals from our midfield!

Hopefully, we get more when Petracca plays, Harmes, Salem and Brayshaw develop.

Viney, Tyson, VanD will grow into replacements for Vince and Jones (30 and 28 at start of 2016 season) over the next few years

Also, good clubs have 10-12 on-ballers in their starting 22 each week. Allowing for injuries and that some of our young brigade (those not listed above) won't make it we dont have anywhere near enough on-ballers to get deep into the finals.

So for mine, mids-on-ballers-that-go-forward-and-kick-goals is the way to go at #3 and #7simply we need more (midfield) avenues to goal which will also take the goal kicking pressure off Jesse and Jeffery.

What I do know ( besides the speculative nature of drafting) is that many are basing opinions on youtube and other footage.

All the early "experts" to a man have Parish going before Francis.

I would ask you then to look at the video's of both Francis and Parish and I don't think any judge of football would put Parish in front of Francis based on the footage I've seen.

What it tells me is not that Francis is a better proposition than Parish but rather to take the clips of these players with a grain of salt - fun viewing but hardly something to formulate a concrete opinion on draft choices.

*claps*

I don't care who we pick as long as they are A graders.

I don't care who we pick as long as they are A graders.

Just a minor tweak... I don't care who we pick as long as they become A graders.

We dont get enough goals from our midfield!

Hopefully, we get more when Petracca plays, Harmes, Salem and Brayshaw develop.

Viney, Tyson, VanD will grow into replacements for Vince and Jones (30 and 28 at start of 2016 season) over the next few years

Also, good clubs have 10-12 on-ballers in their starting 22 each week. Allowing for injuries and that some of our young brigade (those not listed above) won't make it we dont have anywhere near enough on-ballers to get deep into the finals.

So for mine, mids-on-ballers-that-go-forward-and-kick-goals is the way to go at #3 and #7simply we need more (midfield) avenues to goal which will also take the goal kicking pressure off Jesse and Jeffery.

Agree. We have the best young forward in the game. And for the next 2-3 years pederson and Dawes to support him (sounds crazy but reflects the relative talent of all 3) with king and maybe Smith coming through

What I do know ( besides the speculative nature of drafting) is that many are basing opinions on youtube and other footage.

All the early "experts" to a man have Parish going before Francis.

I would ask you then to look at the video's of both Francis and Parish and I don't think any judge of football would put Parish in front of Francis based on the footage I've seen.

What it tells me is not that Francis is a better proposition than Parish but rather to take the clips of these players with a grain of salt - fun viewing but hardly something to formulate a concrete opinion on draft choices.

Fully agree "nut"......If I put up my "Highlights" reel on Youtube, I would have all clubs chasing me.....If they saw me play in the flesh....Well maybe pick #1001 I never watch the reels for this reason.

We dont get enough goals from our midfield!

Hopefully, we get more when Petracca plays, Harmes, Salem and Brayshaw develop.

Viney, Tyson, VanD will grow into replacements for Vince and Jones (30 and 28 at start of 2016 season) over the next few years

Also, good clubs have 10-12 on-ballers in their starting 22 each week. Allowing for injuries and that some of our young brigade (those not listed above) won't make it we dont have anywhere near enough on-ballers to get deep into the finals.

So for mine, mids-on-ballers-that-go-forward-and-kick-goals is the way to go at #3 and #7simply we need more (midfield) avenues to goal which will also take the goal kicking pressure off Jesse and Jeffery.

Agreed, good midfielders kick goals but good full forwards don't play midfield.

Agreed, good midfielders kick goals but good full forwards don't play midfield.

Roughhead? Leigh Mathews, Gary Ablett.....

Our football department would've seen A LOT of these kids ...

Not just seeing them, meeting them, talking to their coaches, etc. etc.

The whole 9 yards.

Just going from what I've read I would be shocked if we didn't take Parish at 3. Not disappointed as I don't really know any of these kids from a bar of soap, just shocked.

What I do know (besides the speculative nature of drafting) is that many are basing opinions on youtube and other footage.

All the early "experts" to a man have Parish going before Francis.

I would ask you then to look at the video's of both Francis and Parish and I don't think any judge of football would put Parish in front of Francis based on the footage I've seen.

What it tells me is not that Francis is a better proposition than Parish but rather to take the clips of these players with a grain of salt - fun viewing but hardly something to formulate a concrete opinion on draft choices.

Beg to differ and in fact am happy to know that Melbourne's recruiters won't be deciding who to select at the national draft on the basis of highlights packages and you tube videos which are in essence one or two minute grabs designed to highlight the good aspects of a player, most often when he has the ball in hand and/or disposing of it. Therefore, you generally see the spectacular stuff but don't learn much about the player himself.

Things like what he's doing when he doesn't have the footy, whether he's inclined to chase and put pressure on his opponent.

And I bet you won't see a player's weaknesses. You won't see the dropped marks, fumbles or when he doesn't (or can't) chase an opponent. You don't necessarily tell whether a player's fit or lazy. All you see is highlights.

Which means you can't tell whether a player is consistent and, without detracting from Francis who I like for his versatility, my viewing of games of Under 18 championships and other games in full tells me that he has nothing like the consistency in performance of a Darcy Parish. From what I've seen of the latter, he consistently produces high quality performances even when his team is being badly beaten. He's all class in the midfield, solid on both left and right sides and a quick thinker.

My reviewing of a couple of Vic Country matches also convinces me that Rhys Mathieson would be a value pick if available at 7. The knock on him from some of those who must be working off highlight reels is that his decision making and disposal are supposed to be poor. I disagree and if you care to check out the game between Vic Country and SA played 26/6/15 at Simonds Stadium and televised live on Foxtel you will see why Weitering, Schache and Parish are strong favourites to take off the draft trifecta and why Mathieson will be a top 10 draft pick. You can also check out Francis playing for SA. He had a bad day and very few highlights.

Incidentally, both Parish and Mathieson were All Australian Under 18s in both 2014 and 2015.

I would be delighted if we could add them both to our midfield stocks.

Incidentally, both Parish and Mathieson were All Australian Under 18s in both 2014 and 2015.

I would be delighted if we could add them both to our midfield stocks.

Refreshing having someone agree with me. Do you think Oliver could get a look in at 7 too?

I agree with Parish/Mathieson double however would also be happy with Oliver. Don't understand the hype around Curnow.

Consistency is the key.

I reckon our fd have this covered. They worked clever to get 3 and 7. They know who they want and why. I haven't a clue really. Parish seems the goods. I would rather import a kpp. If our engine spins right we have 66% of the game covered. I'd go there.

Surely we won't pass in a tough inside midfielder whose built like a bull, is named Ollie and from Echuca again.