EIGHTY-FOUR - THE NEWSPEAK VERSION by Whispering Jack 

I was down at the Ministry of Truth the other day to find out how things were going with the government enquiry into the AFL's integrity department and the person at the desk asked, "What enquiry?"

I told her that I really wanted to know what the value  was of draft pick # 84 and she looked at me, staring dismissively and sneered, "there is no pick # 84!".

"Well, er ... that's not quite correct. It says on the AFL website that Melbourne has pick # 84 and I want to know if the club will use it or will they upgrade a rookie like Wagner?"

Now she was angry.

"If you want to know about Wagner, try next door at the Ministry of Music!", and with that she slammed the window of her compartment shut in my face. She was gone.

There isn't much more that can be said about Pick 84 at this year's AFL National Draft. People usually quote the exceptional examples from draft history like a few of the "inspired" early West Coast selections, Chris Grant and James Hird to suggest that there's still value to be had this deep in the draft but the odds of picking up a rare gem with draft pick #84 are not good.

AFL clubs are forced to use three picks at the AFL National Draft meeting next month but they can use fewer by allocating list spots to upgrade rookies. Therefore, my bet is that the Demons' last pick will be either Josh Wagner or Joel Smith - either one of them would not be a surprise selection.

One thing I don't understand is why we would promote Wagner or Smith off the rookie list instead of using the choice in the draft when those two could stay on as 2nd year rookies anyway?

Aren't you entitled to lift one player automatically at the start of the season and then others if you have long term injuries? If you elevate one of these players, you would be dropping down in selection order and miss a late choice.

12 minutes ago, Rolling Stone said:

One thing I don't understand is why we would promote Wagner or Smith off the rookie list instead of using the choice in the draft when those two could stay on as 2nd year rookies anyway?

Aren't you entitled to lift one player automatically at the start of the season and then others if you have long term injuries? If you elevate one of these players, you would be dropping down in selection order and miss a late choice.

Rookies don't cost as much as a senior listed player. When the Club elevates a rookie they have worked out he actually can play football, and is worthy of further financial investment.

Last year there were 70 picks made in the main draft. The next pick is in the rookie draft i.e pick 71. So by that stage the difference in quality is minimal. Nothing lost.

16 hours ago, george_on_the_outer said:

Rookies don't cost as much as a senior listed player. When the Club elevates a rookie they have worked out he actually can play football, and is worthy of further financial investment.

Last year there were 70 picks made in the main draft. The next pick is in the rookie draft i.e pick 71. So by that stage the difference in quality is minimal. Nothing lost.

That, and you have to contract a new draftee for two years. Rookies can be delisted after one year. When your picks a so low I think it is a good use of the rookie list.

I think the club would be comfortably convinced that Wagner deserves a primary list spot anyway. Could you say the same about the players available at 84? If not, better to consider such players in the rookie draft.

On 29/10/2016 at 6:37 AM, Demonland said:

EIGHTY-FOUR - THE NEWSPEAK VERSION by Whispering Jack 

I was down at the Ministry of Truth the other day to find out how things were going with the government enquiry into the AFL's integrity department and the person at the desk asked, "What enquiry?"

I told her that I really wanted to know what the value  was of draft pick # 84 and she looked at me, staring dismissively and sneered, "there is no pick # 84!".

"Well, er ... that's not quite correct. It says on the AFL website that Melbourne has pick # 84 and I want to know if the club will use it or will they upgrade a rookie like Wagner?"

Now she was angry.

"If you want to know about Wagner, try next door at the Ministry of Music!", and with that she slammed the window of her compartment shut in my face. She was gone.

There isn't much more that can be said about Pick 84 at this year's AFL National Draft. People usually quote the exceptional examples from draft history like a few of the "inspired" early West Coast selections, Chris Grant and James Hird to suggest that there's still value to be had this deep in the draft but the odds of picking up a rare gem with draft pick #84 are not good.

AFL clubs are forced to use three picks at the AFL National Draft meeting next month but they can use fewer by allocating list spots to upgrade rookies. Therefore, my bet is that the Demons' last pick will be either Josh Wagner or Joel Smith - either one of them would not be a surprise selection.

Whoever gets taken at pick 84 should be asked about his big brother ...

1 hour ago, Red and Bluebeard said:

Whoever gets taken at pick 84 should be asked about his big brother ...

Actually, it looks like it's going to be Josh Wagner and he is the Big Brother of North Melbourne's Corey Wagner. I'm not sure if the family has an Animal Farm.

2 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Actually, it looks like it's going to be Josh Wagner and he is the Big Brother of North Melbourne's Corey Wagner. I'm not sure if the family has an Animal Farm.

So Big Brother already knows that we are training the house down? Double plus good!

4 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Actually, it looks like it's going to be Josh Wagner and he is the Big Brother of North Melbourne's Corey Wagner. I'm not sure if the family has an Animal Farm.

WJ you are mixing up your Orwells there. Careful you could end up in the Ministry of Love and room 101!

So Corey Wagner gets a 2 year contract and goes onto the senior list. 

This leaves us with two picks in the draft. Hardly worth sending people up to Sydney for the draft meeting and certainly not worth tuning in to the telecast if you support Melbourne.