Emma Quayle's Melbourne Draft Guide

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Worth a look - she throws in a few names that we have supposedly been linked to, but at this point there isn't a whole lot here that is new.

MELBOURNE

In: Jake Melksham, Ben Kennedy, Tom Bugg, Joel Smith

Out: Jack Fitzpatrick, Rohan Bail, Aiden Riley, Jordie McKenzie, Daniel Cross, Mark Jamar, Jeremy Howe, Jimmy Toumpas, Viv Michie

Draft picks: 3, 7, 45, 49

TALL FORWARDS: Jesse Hogan, Chris Dawes, Jack Watts, Sam Frost, Cameron Pedersen, Max King (rookie)

TALL DEFENDERS: Tom McDonald, Colin Garland, Lynden Dunn, Oscar McDonald

SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS: Jeff Garlett, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Dean Kent, Ben Kennedy, Jayden Hunt, Joel Smith (rookie)

SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS: Heritier Lumumba, Neville Jetta, Dean Terlich, Jack Grimes, Mitchell White (rookie)

MIDFIELDERS: Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince, Jack Viney, Angus Brayshaw, Christian Salem, Jake Melksham, Tom Bugg, Jack Trengove, Ben Newton, Billy Stretch, Christian Petracca, Aaron Vandenberg, Alex Neal-Bullen, James Harmes

RUCKS: Max Gawn, Jake Spencer

Melbourne and Essendon will play the biggest role in determining how the top 10 pans out, and the Demons get to go first. They seem set, first of all, to bid for Swans Academy player Callum Mills. From there? When you consider Melbourne have traded out their 2016 first-round pick and will be keen to move up the ladder and avoid making top five picks from here, it would make sense for them to take one of the key forwards. They might not get a look at another top-quality one for a while, but top quality is, of course, in the eye of the beholder. Sam Weideman was seeming more likely than Charlie Curnow this week, but the player linked strongly to both Melbourne and the Bombers is Clayton Oliver. His stocks have risen dramatically in the second half of the year and it would not be a huge shock if the Demons went ahead and grabbed the powerful midfielder at 3. Him, Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca would make a strong quartet. Weideman may still be there for them at 7 anyway - if they want him, and haven't been scared off by his injury history - and Harry McKay is another big possibility. Wayne Milera would be a chance at either pick too - the Bombers like him as well - and either Aaron Francis or Darcy Parish could also make it to 7. There's also been some talk linking them to onballer Harley Balic and, to a lesser extent, Sydney father-son Josh Dunkley and key back Kieran Collins. Pick 7 might end up being a touch too high for any of those last three players, though, particularly if Milera, Parish or Weideman sneak through. The Demons are one club who could look for a developing ruckman late, with Gach Nyuon and GWS player Matthew Flynn the pick of those available.

[DeeSpencer 25,678]

No Matt Jones. Poor bloke.

She's leaning towards Oliver and hedging her bets with the rest of the top rated prospects and I can't blame her. It's clear we haven't leaked. A lack of names for the late round picks as well.

Agree we need a ruckman, but it might be in the rookie draft.

Besides that the main list needs are definitely a 2nd key forward, more outside run/skilled kicking and then we could probably do with starting to develop some 3rd tall types at either end if we think Dunn and Garland are moving towards the end of their careers and Watts isn't ever going to be the forward.

[faultydet 7,594]

No Matt Jones. Poor bloke.

She's leaning towards Oliver and hedging her bets with the rest of the top rated prospects and I can't blame her. It's clear we haven't leaked. A lack of names for the late round picks as well.

Agree we need a ruckman, but it might be in the rookie draft.

Besides that the main list needs are definitely a 2nd key forward, more outside run/skilled kicking and then we could probably do with starting to develop some 3rd tall types at either end if we think Dunn and Garland are moving towards the end of their careers and Watts isn't ever going to be the forward.

Looking at the list, I was alarmed at our lack of tall defenders. (yeah I know I shouldn't have been, but wow, it stands out)

Any chance of Collins coming to us? Big, strong, brutish. Follows the Roos path.

Whichever way it goes, I'm going to suffer a letdown, as we have been talking about so many names, it just seems like we will get them all.

[Gator 17,332]

Looking at the list, I was alarmed at our lack of tall defenders. (yeah I know I shouldn't have been, but wow, it stands out)

Any chance of Collins coming to us? Big, strong, brutish. Follows the Roos path.

Whichever way it goes, I'm going to suffer a letdown, as we have been talking about so many names, it just seems like we will get them all.

Frost should have been included as a defender.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

Frost should have been included as a defender.

And Cam Pedersen can play down there as well if need be.

[faultydet 7,594]

Frost should have been included as a defender.

Ah yes, I should have known that.

[Gator 17,332]

Ah yes, I should have known that.

That said, I've a sneaking suspicion Dunn may play more forward this year, but it's only off the back of round 23 against GWS.

[DeeSpencer 25,678]

That said, I've a sneaking suspicion Dunn may play more forward this year, but it's only off the back of round 23 against GWS.

That was a glorified VFL game given the crowd and how many good players both teams had out. I'd be careful reading too much in to it. Dunn may go forward, but otherwise he, Tom McDonald and Garland will be the starting defenders. With Frost and Oscar Mc providing depth. Lumumba can play 3rd tall as well on the right match up.

Given Frost and the 2 McDonald's are both pretty young I think the priority for adding a defender would be a 3rd tall type who provides rebound as well. No point turning in to Essendon this year with 3 key defenders but no versatility and pretty much forcing one out of the club.

Francis is the best option if he fits at 3 or 7, not sure who else is in the draft. Brandon White looks like a good type who might be available.

I think the club rates Mitch White's ability to play tall as well, but at 188cm he'd be pushing it as a 3rd tall.

[faultydet 7,594]

That said, I've a sneaking suspicion Dunn may play more forward this year, but it's only off the back of round 23 against GWS.

Always liked Dunn as a forward, except he can't mark over his head.

The more I think about it, the more I believe we need more quality KPP's, at both ends. Certainly Frost will help if he comes on, although I only see him as a defender.

[Demon Disciple 12,119]

Frost, T Mac and O Mac. There's your 3 KPD's right there.

Then there's the likes of Dunn, Pedersen and to a lesser extent Garland. We have bigger holes to fill before we worry about our tall backs.

Edited November 21, 2015 by Demon Disciple

[ILLDieADemon 804]

Clayton Oliver has all of a sudden bobbed his head up as a chance for our pick 3 in the past day, something has definitely leaked out considering most of the month leading up to the draft everybody had Parish locked away as our pick 3.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

Frost should have been included as a defender.

Whilst you continue to make this assertion, all the evidence points to him being played as forward/ruck.

I personally think that he will continue to be used in this position, his speed and athleticism make him a perfect players not this position and I doubt they will move much of the the key defenders from what it was last year.

His footy smarts are not the greatest and he is not a natural footballer but more and athlete and that typically would suggest him becoming a defender but his ability to jump, pressure in the forward half but also create space through speed will be a major asset up forward.

[Ted Lasso 19,507]

If we are going to take Oliver at 3 ahead of Parish the recruiters must have seen something amazing in Oliver, from what i've seen he's been pumped up way more than his actual ability as a player.

[Gator 17,332]

Whilst you continue to make this assertion, all the evidence points to him being played as forward/ruck.

I personally think that he will continue to be used in this position, his speed and athleticism make him a perfect players not this position and I doubt they will move much of the the key defenders from what it was last year.

His footy smarts are not the greatest and he is not a natural footballer but more and athlete and that typically would suggest him becoming a defender but his ability to jump, pressure in the forward half but also create space through speed will be a major asset up forward.

You may be right, but I "continue to make this assertion", because he's not a forwards you know what. He's a much better defender.

I agree that there's every chance he plays forward due to a somewhat settled backline.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

You may be right, but I "continue to make this assertion", because he's not a forwards you know what. He's a much better defender.

I agree that there's every chance he plays forward due to a somewhat settled backline.

The main reason I'm intrigued by it is I think he has all the attributes to develop into a fairly handy ruck/forward. Whilst I think his athleticism suits playing a key defender role, he also has the skills to be a handy asset and fill the gap in our forward line.

It isn't just you who disagrees with him being a forward, but you are the post I just saw.

[Redleg 40,895]

If we are going to take Oliver at 3 ahead of Parish the recruiters must have seen something amazing in Oliver, from what i've seen he's been pumped up way more than his actual ability as a player.

Think Todd Viney when you look at the Oliver highlights. He would be our Ollie Wines, which would stop a lot of heartache for some.

He is a bull, but bigger than Todd and who can break tackles from the middle and set up play. He can take a good mark and kick goals. Doesn't have the speed of Parish who is more in the Cotchin/Gaff mould.

It is starting to sound like if we take Oliver, Bombers take Parish. They need mids badly. That would mean two of Francis, Milera, Curnow and Weideman are left at 7.

GC have long liked Milera and also Francis.

I think the Bombers have more need of a Francis ( a Bombers supporter ) than say Weideman, who will take time, but we will see. Can't see GC taking Weideman. So Sun might have it right up to 7.

Edited November 21, 2015 by Redleg

[mo64 5,874]

The main reason I'm intrigued by it is I think he has all the attributes to develop into a fairly handy ruck/forward. Whilst I think his athleticism suits playing a key defender role, he also has the skills to be a handy asset and fill the gap in our forward line.

It isn't just you who disagrees with him being a forward, but you are the post I just saw.

Other than athleticism, I'd like to know what skills you see in Frost to suggest he can be a handy forward?

As for EQ's draft analysis, she's basically covered every likely scenario for picks 3 and 7. Hardly informative, but also suggests that the club hasn't given her any inclination as to who we're likely to pick.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

Other than athleticism, I'd like to know what skills you see in Frost to suggest he can be a handy forward?

He played a fair bit of his football at younger ages as a utility playing all over the ground, so he has some experience there. Whilst his field kicking is not the best, his ability to find space on the lead and compete in the air is something that we need in the forward line. He adds something similar to Pederson in terms of competing well in the air and in the ruck and he's much younger so a much more viable option. I think that an athletic forward who can not only push up the ground but take advantage of the space behind is pivotal for future teams as he would be an incredibly hard match up due to his height and athleticism.

I guess I haven't seen enough to have a 100% confident view on his ball work, but the fact his ruck work is relatively solid and that we would definitely be able to use him with leading patterns and game style up forward suggests to me he would be handy up there.

I also think I'm more optimistic towards it because Roosy specifically targeted him for this role.

[Gator 17,332]

It wouldn't surprise me if we take Weideman at P3 and who's left out of Parish and Oliver at P7.

I think the key in all of this is getting the key forward we want. I appreciate some here want the mid first, but if we set that aside for one moment...

Let's assume for the sake of this debate that outside of Weitering or Schache they think the 196 cm Weideman is the best foil for Hogan. How do they get him ? Quality key forwards are very hard to come by and when you get a chance you've got to pull the trigger early. We know the club has him in their sights with Curnow being the other option. Do they rate the two talls equally ? Is Weideman the preferred choice by some margin ?

As much as I'm warming to Oliver and like Parish, mids are far easier to come by. If the club is bullish on Weideman I reckon they have to take him with P3.

P3 Weideman

P4 Parish/Oliver

P5 Francis

P6 Milera

P7 Oliver/Parish

P8 Curnow

(Not taking into account academy picks)

[Gator 17,332]

He played a fair bit of his football at younger ages as a utility playing all over the ground, so he has some experience there. Whilst his field kicking is not the best, his ability to find space on the lead and compete in the air is something that we need in the forward line. He adds something similar to Pederson in terms of competing well in the air and in the ruck and he's much younger so a much more viable option. I think that an athletic forward who can not only push up the ground but take advantage of the space behind is pivotal for future teams as he would be an incredibly hard match up due to his height and athleticism.

I guess I haven't seen enough to have a 100% confident view on his ball work, but the fact his ruck work is relatively solid and that we would definitely be able to use him with leading patterns and game style up forward suggests to me he would be handy up there.

I also think I'm more optimistic towards it because Roosy specifically targeted him for this role.

Pedersen is a much better contested mark than Frost. Frost is a line breaking tall. He's a spoiler, who can then mop up and take the game on or dish off. He's not a smart key forward, who dictates play.

[jumbo returns 6,741]

Am I the only one who's worried about Weideman?

Injuries?

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

It wouldn't surprise me if we take Weideman at P3 and who's left out of Parish and Oliver at P7.

I think the key in all of this is getting the key forward we want. I appreciate some here want the mid first, but if we set that aside for one moment...

Let's assume for the sake of this debate that outside of Weitering or Schache they think the 196 cm Weideman is the best foil for Hogan. How do they get him ? Quality key forwards are very hard to come by and when you get a chance you've got to pull the trigger early. We know the club has him in their sights with Curnow being the other option. Do they rate the two talls equally ? Is Weideman the preferred choice by some margin ?

As much as I'm warming to Oliver and like Parish, mids are far easier to come by. If the club is bullish on Weideman I reckon they have to take him with P3.

P3 Weideman

P4 Parish/Oliver

P5 Francis

P6 Milera

P7 Oliver/Parish

P8 Curnow

(Not taking into account academy picks)

I really hope that this is how it turns out. I understand the argument of drafting the "best available", however given that Essendon has similar needs to us and will have two shots before we get our second, strategy has to come into play.

[Good Times Grimes 2,396]

Am I the only one who's worried about Weideman?

Injuries?

You're not, but I'm certain that the club has done its due diligence and won't draft him if they believe that the risk is too great.

[Gator 17,332]

Am I the only one who's worried about Weideman?

Injuries?

That's the thing. We don't know what the club knows, i.e. medicals, etc..

If the Dees are worried or have any concerns I reckon they'll take the best mid at P3. But if they really rate the tall I can't see how they don't go tall at 3.

I reckon it all gets down to how we rate Weideman and the risk factors involved.

[rjay 24,917]

Think Todd Viney when you look at the Oliver highlights. He would be our Ollie Wines, which would stop a lot of heartache for some.

He is a bull, but bigger than Todd and who can break tackles from the middle and set up play. He can take a good mark and kick goals. Doesn't have the speed of Parish who is more in the Cotchin/Gaff mould.

It is starting to sound like if we take Oliver, Bombers take Parish. They need mids badly. That would mean two of Francis, Milera, Curnow and Weideman are left at 7.

GC have long liked Milera and also Francis.

I think the Bombers have more need of a Francis ( a Bombers supporter ) than say Weideman, who will take time, but we will see. Can't see GC taking Weideman. So Sun might have it right up to 7.

Highlights don't show enough, he could also well be our new Moloney.

I'll leave it to our experts to make this call...