AFL Mid Season Draft 2021

[Tarax Club 2,910]

As opined by a previous poster  ?,  there possibly is no need to cast the net too widely. When it appears there may be a potential mid-season draft prospect or two in our own backyard. The Casey Demons VFL alignment has already some runs on the board. With Bayley Fritsch and Jay Lockhart and one other? on AFL lists. 

A number of relatively unheralded young blokes have been displaying their football prowess at a resurgent Casey this season. Including according to Dwayne Russell,  “Kade Chandler” ?,  but besides Ryan Sparkes, Zac Foot and George Grey may also have some appeal.

ps. #39 is also not harming his chances of a call up.

Edited April 30, 2021 by Tarax Club
Nev is still nifty

[Turner 1,482]

12 hours ago, Tarax Club said:

As opined by a previous poster  ?,  there possibly is no need to cast the net too widely. When it appears there may be a potential mid-season draft prospect or two in our own backyard. The Casey Demons VFL alignment has already some runs on the board. With Bayley Fritsch and Jay Lockhart and one other? on AFL lists. 

A number of relatively unheralded young blokes have been displaying their football prowess at a resurgent Casey this season. Including according to Dwayne Russell,  “Kade Chandler” ?,  but besides Ryan Sparkes, Zac Foot and George Grey may also have some appeal.

ps. #39 is also not harming his chances of a call up.

how could you forget THE BIG O

[spirit of norm smith 12,888]

On 4/29/2021 at 9:17 PM, goodoil said:

Last year's list size reductions wouldn't have helped him at all, but he's small and he plays a game style that you would like him to be a bigger body, but he is a class above in traffic and with hands in close at WAFL level.    The issue with mature agers is clubs don't really have much use for them lurking on their list playing 8 games in two years and then being delisted.  Taking a chance on a kid is a better use of list real estate with more upside.   There are plenty of players who could play capable senior footy for a game or two, but theres not much point listing a player to play five games and then be done.

Yes I generally agree and think there is some undrafted youngsters from last year who will get a call up.  But guys like Mihocek, Lambert, Barlow, Gibbons, Hind, Fritsch, Ryan, Aarts etc all remind you that very good state league players (even the 21-22 year olds) can progress and be successful regular AFL players. 

[FireInTheBennelly 4,024]

The other thing that hasn't been considered much about this mid season draft, with Casey ripping teams apart, they're likely to lose a few players. How will that impact us moving forward?

[Freddy Fuschia 661]

OMG. With potentially another ACL, it opens up another spot in the mid season draft. Perhaps we secure one of the better performed Casey players and Werribee’s Declase plus a good under age junior?

[dazzledavey36 48,707]

Definitely think now this is worth a good discussion.

The biggest hole right now is our depth down back which is starting to become a concern. Hore and Tomlinson have ACL's which will be long term. Joel Smith is out for the next 7 weeks with a knee. We pretty much have Petty and Tom McDonald as back up. Do we look for a mature age here?

I think another one is maybe midfield depth. The Jack Viney setback, while not alarm bells ringing stuff, it's certainly not ideal. I think a mature age body who can come in and bring some hardness and grunt around the ball. I know we have Sparrow but he's still a bit inexperienced. 

Nathan Freeman is one I've been keeping an eye on. Currently playing for Frankston in the VFL and is putting on a very impressive start to the season.

In all 3 games he's had 42, 40 and 35 disposals in all his games. Still only 25, and could come in to provide some real depth if need.

 

Edited May 3, 2021 by dazzledavey36

[Left Foot Snap 1,875]

Bring back Dec Keilty to cover in defence. 

[Left Foot Snap 1,875]

6 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Definitely think now this is worth a good discussion.

The biggest hole right now is our depth down back which is starting to become a concern. Hore and Tomlinson have ACL's which will be long term. Joel Smith is out for the next 7 weeks with a knee. We pretty much have Petty and Tom McDonald as back up. Do we look for a mature age here?

 

I agree DD, but don't know who is realistically available and ready to go if needed. Maybe we also need to look at re-roling Mitch Brown.

Anyone know of a capable KPD in the SANFL or WAFL?

[dazzledavey36 48,707]

3 minutes ago, Left Foot Snap said:

I agree DD, but don't know who is realistically available and ready to go if needed. Maybe we also need to look at re-roling Mitch Brown.

Anyone know of a capable KPD in the SANFL or WAFL?

I don’t have a grasp on mature age defenders out there to be honest. 

I would like to think there is a Sam Collins type out there that Melbourne are keeping tabs on currently.

[Redleg 37,556]

21 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Definitely think now this is worth a good discussion.

The biggest hole right now is our depth down back which is starting to become a concern. Hore and Tomlinson have ACL's which will be long term. Joel Smith is out for the next 7 weeks with a knee. We pretty much have Petty and Tom McDonald as back up. Do we look for a mature age here?

I think another one is maybe midfield depth. The Jack Viney setback, while not alarm bells ringing stuff, it's certainly not ideal. I think a mature age body who can come in and bring some hardness and grunt around the ball. I know we have Sparrow but he's still a bit inexperienced. 

Nathan Freeman is one I've been keeping an eye on. Currently playing for Frankston in the VFL and is putting on a very impressive start to the season.

In all 3 games he's had 42, 40 and 35 disposals in all his games. Still only 25, and could come in to provide some real depth if need.

 

Agree Daz. A lock down key defender is looking a possible target.

However, atm we have Petty and Tom Mac as the only real viable ones until maybe Joel Smith returns.

Majak is killing them in the VFL, but is probably more a key forward or loose key Defender than a lock down one. Of course he can also pinch hit in the ruck. M. Brown is around and maybe could be one for a few games if needed.

So it would seem that we may need a lock down key defender in the mid season draft, more than some other types.

I would imagine there is a mature one somewhere who could play the role.

With Tommo down, it seems we now have 3 spots, so we could grab a few extra players that we could develop and then keep next year,  if they show promise.

[dazzledavey36 48,707]

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

Agree Daz. A lock down key defender is looking a possible target.

However, atm we have Petty and Tom Mac as the only real viable ones until maybe Joel Smith returns.

Majak is killing them in the VFL, but is probably more a key forward or loose key Defender than a lock down one. Of course he can also pinch hit in the ruck. M. Brown is around and maybe could be one for a few games if needed.

So it would seem that we may need a lock down key defender in the mid season draft, more than some other types.

I would imagine there is a mature one somewhere who could play the role.

With Tommo down, it seems we now have 3 spots, so we could grab a few extra players that we could develop and then keep next year,  if they show promise.

Forgot about Maj..

Seem though the club is hellbent on having him as that ruck/forward. Hasn't been mentioned by Goodwin as a player that could be back up. Petty has obviously been embarked by the looks of it, but I think it's still handy to have a bit of depth still.

[Dwight Schrute 16,749]

In terms of key backs i reckon we're okay. we've got Petty, and worst case Tommy mac. 

we could use another inside mid to add depth if JV's injury is worse than first thought, and Nathan Freeman has definite quality, former top 10 draft pick who's finally got his body right. could not only add depth now but potential upside long term. 

Maybe we could get on the phone to a recently retired key back and see if we could start them training right away, wonder if Harry Taylor or someone like that might wanna have one last crack at a flag? 

[Redleg 37,556]

6 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Forgot about Maj..

Seem though the club is hellbent on having him as that ruck/forward. Hasn't been mentioned by Goodwin as a player that could be back up. Petty has obviously been embarked by the looks of it, but I think it's still handy to have a bit of depth still.

Hore or Smith could have probably helped out, but they can't, so unless M. Brown or Daw are seen as next after Petty and Tom, that may be the way we go.

Tom actually looked better yesterday when he went back.

It will be interesting to see which way we go in the mid season draft.

It really is a free hit to secure some players who may be maturing as footballers, rather than relying on 18 year olds.

[Sydney_Demon 1,175]

On 4/23/2021 at 2:07 PM, Nascent said:

Can anyone that keeps tabs on junior footy give any insight to potential mid-season draft prospects? 

I reckon we've been smart to hold over a pick for the draft (we now have two I believe) in case an over aged player kicks on after limited exposure last year.

I can't pretend to have any real knowledge in this area but I think we should be looking at Casey players first. They know our playing system. Maybe Jimmy Munro. I think we did pretty well in the pre-season draft with Majak Daw and Deakyn Smith.     

[dazzledavey36 48,707]

38 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Hore or Smith could have probably helped out, but they can't, so unless M. Brown or Daw are seen as next after Petty and Tom, that may be the way we go.

Tom actually looked better yesterday when he went back.

It will be interesting to see which way we go in the mid season draft.

It really is a free hit to secure some players who may be maturing as footballers, rather than relying on 18 year olds.

I honestly thought Tom going back changed the game for us in terms of getting our structure back to normal. It freed Lever back up again as well.

[WA Demon Boy 966]

Would throw Freeman a bone for sure 

Does he still have a bit of toe? 

[Nascent 7,234]

30 minutes ago, Sydney_Demon said:

I can't pretend to have any real knowledge in this area but I think we should be looking at Casey players first. They know our playing system. Maybe Jimmy Munro. I think we did pretty well in the pre-season draft with Majak Daw and Deakyn Smith.     

It's worked for us before and Zac Foot and Ryan Sparkes could be two names to keep an eye on.

I'm more curious to see if there have been players that missed out on last year's draft that may have pushed their credentials this year. With a lack of footy last year there's a chance of some u19s could be showing 1st or 2nd round quality now they have a chance to play.

Zavier Maher is the first one off the top of my head that seemed unlucky not to get drafted last year. Have no idea how he's gone this year though.

Will Bravo, Liam Kolar and Zac Dumesny are others I remember being talked about for last year's draft.

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

How many picks will we use?  We have a few players gone for the year and this season seems like it will be a war of attrition.

[Nascent 7,234]

32 minutes ago, Pickett2Jackson said:

How many picks will we use?  We have a few players gone for the year and this season seems like it will be a war of attrition.

I believe we have 3 picks available to us but how many we actually use is a question only the club will know.

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

56 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I honestly thought Tom going back changed the game for us in terms of getting our structure back to normal. It freed Lever back up again as well.

TMac plays like an interceptor. It might work while the opposition has no bigger bodied forwards to worry about but Tomlinson was excelling in those 1v1s, so it's certainly debatable whether having TMac back is sustainable.

Edited May 3, 2021 by Cheesy D. Pun

[Redleg 37,556]

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I honestly thought Tom going back changed the game for us in terms of getting our structure back to normal. It freed Lever back up again as well.

Agreed. Tom also played better sunday back than forward.

Not saying it is a permanent solution though, but rather an option to use.

Edited May 3, 2021 by Redleg

[Chook 14,467]

3 hours ago, Cheesy D. Pun said:

TMac plays like an interceptor. It might work while the opposition has no bigger bodied forwards to worry about but Tomlinson was excelling in those 1v1s, so it's certainly debatable whether having TMac back is sustainable.

Tom McDonald would outbody Harrison Petty surely.

[The Third Eye 212]

Podcast discussion coming up -

Who's in the mid-season draft mix? Watch LIVE from 6.10pm AEST

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,762]

6 hours ago, Chook said:

Tom McDonald would outbody Harrison Petty surely.

Yeah, that's fair.

Tomlinson is a big out. He's been beaten once this season in a 1v1, winning 21 of 22 contests - that is elite. 

[spirit of norm smith 12,888]

I think Will Bravo is probably one youngster who could still add to our squad with his pace and attack on the footy. Loves to score a goal which is always a need for any team. 
 

I agree a key back as a backup now might be considered. Obviously there are Tom mcd and Mitch Brown as other versatile types already on the books. If we did seek a plan C type, options for me are Nick Coughlan at Werribee and as a wildcard Ryan Morrison.  Coughlan is a top key back in the VFL and has the height and physical strength to fit straight in if required. I think he’s 23-24 now.  He’d be good cover and had worked under Mark Williams at Werribee. Morrison is also 23-24 and is back at suburban footy at Noble Park.  Had a good year in 2018 at Casey and was snapped up by the Kangas VFL squad in 2019. I thought his form at Casey warranted a permanent spot and he was excellent when Casey played the Kangas two years ago.