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THE 2018 AFL NATIONAL DRAFT


Dr.D

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2 hours ago, Demonland said:

I looked great in my 2 minutes of highlights. *

* 2 mins might be an exaggeration. 

I took one specie, and also kicked a great goal crumbing in the Under 16 Ds. .... pity it wasn't filmed (no video then) or I may have been able to make a highlights reel.  I think I may have laid a tackle too.  And was never subbed out.

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And other than Darling, none of them have had consistent impact as a tall forward. McGovern jnr is very overrated and was fourth in line at the Crows. Membrey is a cast off and legitimate spud getting a game as a tall forward because the only competition he has is P Mccartin and Bruce. Wood and T Mccartin might still make it, but have only shown flashes thus far.

If we wind up having to play Smith as a tall forward option next year then it means we’re not playing finals.

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23 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

And other than Darling, none of them have had consistent impact as a tall forward. McGovern jnr is very overrated and was fourth in line at the Crows. Membrey is a cast off and legitimate spud getting a game as a tall forward because the only competition he has is P Mccartin and Bruce. Wood and T Mccartin might still make it, but have only shown flashes thus far.

If we wind up having to play Smith as a tall forward option next year then it means we’re not playing finals.

We have Bradtke 205cms tall enough?

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3 hours ago, Lord Travis said:

Smith is 192cm. Not tall enough for AFL tall forward and has produced nothing of worth as a forward there. He’s played well up the ground on ball using his frame there, but at 28 years old and not getting taller he’s a medium tall or another position/delist material.

I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both of Declan Keilty and Harry Petty are tried as key position forwards next year. Keilty has played there before at Casey while Petty played both key defence and key forward in his Under 18 year in SA.

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36 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both of Declan Keilty and Harry Petty are tried as key position forwards next year. Keilty has played there before at Casey while Petty played both key defence and key forward in his Under 18 year in SA.

Keilty is very lucky to have received an extension, he shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as Petty who will be a champion.

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Apologies if this has already been covered, but does anyone who has seen a bit of our draftees play, have any idea whether any of these kids will be able to step straight into the big time?

Or are we looking at a group of kids who will need a few seasons at VFL level before they can step up?

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Sparrow could play in 2019 but should have 12 months to develop at Casey.  Tough contested midfielder. Likely see him in 2020. Like his style. Reminds me of a Viney type player.

Jordon and Nietschke will need 1-2 years development.  Speculative picks.

Hore could play round 1 2019. But his position already has 3-4 ahead of him so unlikely to get a game unless we get injuries. 

Bedford unlikely in 2019. Still very very light. But he has the pace to excite. Maybe 2020. 

Chandler is far far away.  

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5 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I wouldn’t be surprised if one or both of Declan Keilty and Harry Petty are tried as key position forwards next year. Keilty has played there before at Casey while Petty played both key defence and key forward in his Under 18 year in SA.

You forgot Joel.Smith played forward against West Coast he has a leap like his old man. Keilty and Petty were a fine duo down back in the VFL add Frost and Hore and the backline will be impossible to penetrate.

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3 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Sparrow could play in 2019 but should have 12 months to develop at Casey.  Tough contested midfielder. Likely see him in 2020. Like his style. Reminds me of a Viney type player.

Jordon and Nietschke will need 1-2 years development.  Speculative picks.

Hore could play round 1 2019. But his position already has 3-4 ahead of him so unlikely to get a game unless we get injuries. 

Bedford unlikely in 2019. Still very very light. But he has the pace to excite. Maybe 2020. 

Chandler is far far away.  

A bit harsh on Chandler he is a tackling machine.

I agree with you though Sparrow the only youngster who could debut next year.

Hore could play Lever's role until he comes back?

The rest are no chance in 2019.

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8 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Sparrow could play in 2019 but should have 12 months to develop at Casey.  Tough contested midfielder. Likely see him in 2020. Like his style. Reminds me of a Viney type player.

Jordon and Nietschke will need 1-2 years development.  Speculative picks.

Hore could play round 1 2019. But his position already has 3-4 ahead of him so unlikely to get a game unless we get injuries. 

Bedford unlikely in 2019. Still very very light. But he has the pace to excite. Maybe 2020. 

Chandler is far far away.  

No one had spargo picked to debut this year even based on vfl form for first month or 2. Many wanted him to debut, but only because we were so desperate for a small forwards with pace at the time, not because he was banging door down. Looking at Bedford, I can see him getting a look in, similar speed and frame as Garlett. Might seize an opportunity like Spargo did, as he's such a contrasting forward to all others in 22, like Garlett is 

Edited by John Demonic
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17 hours ago, Redleg said:

While I am not stupid enough to challenge JT, just on the look of him, I agree, I also would have liked to get Williams.

I had him in my sights the whole way. It's odd seeing how well WC are doing for tall players (albeit with Lycett leaving and NN hurt) and yet they went for him. I was sure we'd look at another backup ruck to replace the two we delisted. Seemed a no brainer to me. They must have seen something they didn't like.

13 hours ago, chook fowler said:

a very impressive list, probably the best in my time as a fan.

I don't reckon people are saying this enough. The list going into 2017 I thought was as good as I'd seen it. 2018 we had success, but also had some dead wood lying around in the back end of the list. I reckon we've been spoiled having been able to draft so heavily, in a deep draft, while we're currently a top-4 team. Even if only 50% of the picks we took work out, that improves us a lot.

12 hours ago, Tram 74 said:

Keilty is very lucky to have received an extension, he shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as Petty who will be a champion.

Whoa. Really? I thought the general view was that Keilty is a beauty?

12 hours ago, MurDoc516 said:

Sparrow will be like a duck to water i reckon, just screams Goodwin type player. However, unless he goes forward he will find it tough to get a game.

Interesting. He's the most match-ready, and I reckon looks exactly like a Nathan Jones type to me. I reckon every year Goodwin coaches he'll debut kids regularly. Not sure that's a good thing tbh, I'd love to get to the level the Swans were at under Roos where they use only 29 players in a season. Still... it means pressure will be on for your spot which is healthy. As long as he comes in for 3-5 games, that'd be super. I know everyone's highlights look good, but looking at his objectively, I reckon he's a beauty.

12 hours ago, A F said:

Apologies if this has already been covered, but does anyone who has seen a bit of our draftees play, have any idea whether any of these kids will be able to step straight into the big time?

Or are we looking at a group of kids who will need a few seasons at VFL level before they can step up?

Sparrow I reckon will get in, maybe as early as round 1 depending on what our other mids are doing with injury etc. Looks the closest thing to a ready-made mid, and does everything our big boys do in regards to spread, quick hands, ferocious tackling. Don't forget we had Maynard playing round 1 this year, so Goody isn't  against putting a young kid in early.

Hore obviously could easily slot in with Lever hurt, and a kp defender group that's hardly breaking the door down. Good user too which will keep him in the side once he debuts. You'd feel he would struggle to keep his spot though, once Lever settles.

Other ones, wait a year or two, or go to Casey games I reckon.

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I think Bedford might surprise a few. I watched him in the TAC Cup Grand Final and I wasn’t that greatly impressed although he showed that he clearly has some tricks, particularly in running down opponents and aggression at the football. However, I had him pegged as a late draft pick or even rookie selection because he took a long time to get going and then, he also faded out late in the game when the opposition made a late charge to steal the flag. I think there’s a bit of a question mark on his endurance which I’m sure that a couple of preseasons at the club will iron out of him.

 Later, I also watched his game for Vic Country against WA and thought he was his team’s  best in the first half and though not as effective in the second half, still finished in the best two or three in a losing team (best was Sam Walsh, the other who I thought was on even terms with Bedford was Ely Smith so both others were first rounders. I rated him better than Ned McHenry who was a bolter and picked up early as well). That performance included some extra tricks like a nifty side-step and some clever use of the ball by hand and foot lifted him up in my estimation. I would think the club’s decision not to rookie him was vindicated. They expected to draft him, probably told him so unless there was an unrealistically low bid and followed through with their promise. I have no issues at all with that.

 Incidentally, James Jordon played for Oakleigh, the losers in that TAC Cup Grand Final and his first quarter was worth watching. It was obvious at the time from his low jumper number that he wasn’t a regular in the team (we know now that he played only seven games for them during the season due to school commitments). He appeared to run out of steam after his early burst but, on reflection, I should have taken more notice of him. He hasn’t had the development or the fitness base of the more heralded regulars at TAC Cup or other state under age levels but I suspect that the selectors were on to something with Jordon and that, with development, he might well rush past some of the blokes who are getting the accolades for first round draft selection. He’s also played country football for Yarrawonga  - they make them tough there  (well they used to based on a game I witnessed in the 80s). That he played for them speaks volumes to me. He’s still just 17. You know what I mean?

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2 hours ago, Dappa Dan said:

Whoa. Really? I thought the general view was that Keilty is a beauty?

He's a quality mark and very good VFL defender.  My query is whether he's athletic enough for AFL footy.

Oscar, Lever, May, and Frost are clearly ahead in the key defender stakes and I'd say Petty is too.  That puts him a long way back.

I'm not seeing an AFL career.  But I've been wrong plenty of times and will be again. 

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21 hours ago, Lord Travis said:

And other than Darling, none of them have had consistent impact as a tall forward. McGovern jnr is very overrated and was fourth in line at the Crows. Membrey is a cast off and legitimate spud getting a game as a tall forward because the only competition he has is P Mccartin and Bruce. Wood and T Mccartin might still make it, but have only shown flashes thus far.

If we wind up having to play Smith as a tall forward option next year then it means we’re not playing finals.

How many reverse gears have you got? First Smith doesn't even exist, then he's not tall enough for the role, then half of the six players off the top of my head the same size are "not having consistent impact" so he's no good.  Maybe shift into R4 and tell me again that Bailey Williams would have been a better option than Smith in season 2019.

The FD rate him as depth for the role and he hasn't had a straight run at consecutive AFL games.  It's guaranteed he'll provide aerial and ground contest and help us play our style of locking it in our half. Not many clubs have ready-made quality tall forward depth in their squads, we were fortunate to have Weed last year but that was a special and unsustainable situation.  Quality KPF aren't hanging around in the lower leagues.

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15 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

You forgot Joel.Smith played forward against West Coast he has a leap like his old man. Keilty and Petty were a fine duo down back in the VFL add Frost and Hore and the backline will be impossible to penetrate.

He's no good.

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1 hour ago, A F said:

He's no good.

A bit harsh he showed promise before he got injured against the suns. He was no good against West Coast but neither was anybody else. 

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