An assessment of Melbourne’s 2018 draft picks from AFL Draft Central

AFL Draft review: Melbourne

“With his run and endurance Sparrow will be of great value to the Demons who already have a star midfield with Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Nathan Jones in the middle”

Unrelated but these kinds of statements intrigue me. In naming our top three midfielders they’ve managed to leave out two of the top three in Brayshaw and Viney.

Jordon sounds like a real prospect:  "... will provide some great outside run to the Demons with his best work done on the outskirts of the ground and delivering the ball into the forward 50. Jordon is renowned for his accuracy by foot and good decision making with ball in hand which will be beneficial to Melbourne who at times lacked composure when entering their forward half. He can often play as that link-up player who can connect passages of play and impact the contest with his high footy IQ".

Still only 17 but what an asset he will be if all those attributes are developed.  Imagine:  Salem and Jordon with good decision making, high footy IQ and accurate kicking to our forwards.  Happy days!  ? 

He may turn out to be the gem of the draft!

5 hours ago, P-man said:

“With his run and endurance Sparrow will be of great value to the Demons who already have a star midfield with Clayton Oliver, Christian Petracca and Nathan Jones in the middle”

Unrelated but these kinds of statements intrigue me. In naming our top three midfielders they’ve managed to leave out two of the top three in Brayshaw and Viney.

...... and Harmes, whose last third of the season was outstanding by any measurement. Unfortunately, key omissions like these make me wonder about the credibility of everything else contained in the article.

Refers to Aaron Nietschke – Tall Utility at 183 cms. Interesting, I would have said mid sized.

Something tells me that the author is a 'glass half-full sort of person'.

 

I wonder if they are ever critical of any club's choices.  These reviews are always GHF.

 

9 hours ago, Salems Lot said:

I wonder if they are ever critical of any club's choices.  These reviews are always GHF.

 

GHF... he’s over poured the beer with a huge frothy head.

I agree with the overall comments.  Like the competitor style that JT brings in.  The “addition  of youth” is true about swapping out picks and trades for 21-22 year olds last year

I am an old cynical person about this now - if any one of these players plays more than half a season in 2019 (or even 2020) I would be surprised...

We really should do a draft review of 2013.

Wait.

Wait...

Nah, let’s wait a year to do 2014...

1 hour ago, rpfc said:

We really should do a draft review of 2013.

Well now, let’s do a draft review of 2013. These were the top 20 draft picks of 2013 -

1. Tom Boyd 
2. Josh Kelly 
3. Jack Billings 
4. Marcus Bontempelli 
5. Kade Kolodjashnij 
6. Matthew Scharenberg 
7. James Aish
8. Luke McDonald
9. Christian Salem
10. Nathan Freeman 
11. Dom Sheed 
12. Ben Lennon 
13. Patrick Cripps 
14. Cam McCarthy 
15. Zak Jones 
16. Darcy Lang 
17. Michael Apeness 
18. Luke Dunstan 
19. Blake Acres 
20. Jack Leslie

How do you think these guys - the top 20 of their year - turned out? 

There are only a few stars in the group, some good footballers there but there are many who have failed at their first clubs and others are already finished. Even the number 1 pick has played one good game in his career (fortunately for him it was a grand final) and is at his second club. 

Would love to see the stats of say the last twenty years correlating the top fifty draft picks with those who played one hundred senior games.

One hears anecdotal comment that they are getting better but I wonder.

It's a tough step from starring in junior football to being successful in the split second pressure of the AFL.