Jump to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Demonland

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Featured Replies

Genius recruiting in 2019, I wondered at the time why we didn't protest having our pick 2 taken away from us. Now in hindsight I realise it's because we were always going to select Luke Jackson.

 

For context - a screenshot during Hell & Back, difficult to read but Jackson listed at #2, with what appears to be Anderson #5

2136088921_Melbourne2019DraftRankings.thumb.jpg.24b925a56f4b3fc3d8eb7ba593f1f20d.jpg

Edited by adonski

  • Demonland changed the title to 2019 Genius Recruiting

Wow that draft board is interesting. Would love to know where Rivers, Serong, Day, Georgiades and some others are. Sparkes and Baldi at Casey for a good reason I'd imagine, there's 2 worth watching. 

I'd also be a bit cautious on any Anderson gloating. He's a star and he was a lock to go to the Suns. It's a pretty easy bias to have when someone is out of contention to start to downplay them. 

The difference between Anderson and Tom Green is that Tom Green was genuinely in play for us. And I reckon our recruiters would've loved to pick him, he was such a solid player. Jason Taylor seemed very sold on Jackson though.

2019 draft is looking very good. The first round has a bunch of special players. The second round has quality and even the 3rd and 4th rounds have some interesting young players.

 
3 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Wow that draft board is interesting. Would love to know where Rivers, Serong, Day, Georgiades and some others are. Sparkes and Baldi at Casey for a good reason I'd imagine, there's 2 worth watching. 

I'd also be a bit cautious on any Anderson gloating. He's a star and he was a lock to go to the Suns. It's a pretty easy bias to have when someone is out of contention to start to downplay them. 

The difference between Anderson and Tom Green is that Tom Green was genuinely in play for us. And I reckon our recruiters would've loved to pick him, he was such a solid player. Jason Taylor seemed very sold on Jackson though.

2019 draft is looking very good. The first round has a bunch of special players. The second round has quality and even the 3rd and 4th rounds have some interesting young players.

Not a knock on Anderson just doesn't offer a point of difference 


10 minutes ago, adonski said:

Not a knock on Anderson just doesn't offer a point of difference 

He lacks a point of difference or he wouldn't give us a point of difference? I reckon both of those aren't true. He can play inside, outside or forward and has a booming kick. I reckon his disposal can be a bit iffy but is definitely ok and I wonder if we thought he was benefitting a lot from Rowell getting the opposition attention. 

  • 4 months later...
29 minutes ago, Demonland said:

 

On points differential, we also get the equivalent of about pick 70, or a bonus Ham (Brayden). 

 

2019 was a fantastic effort by our recruiting team not only that they got it right but Jackson and Kossie were gutsy calls.  There were question marks over each but both have proven outstanding.

And it's not only 2019, it's what JT has done in the last 4 years.  Games played is from a couple of weeks ago:

This has been our drafting since 2017 with picks in the top 50:

2020 Bowey P21 4
2020 Laurie P22 0
2020 Rosman P34 0
2019 Jackson P3  27
2019 Pickett P12 36
2019 Rivers P32 31
2018 Sparrow P27 20
2018 Jordon P33 21
2017 Spargo P29 56
2017 Fritsch P31 82
2017 Petty P35 27
2017 Baker P48 13

 

Nine of twelve picks are now regulars in the team.  Two are untried and one is probably a fail.  I reckon that's pretty incredible.  Of that group only Spargs played against WCE in 2018 final although Fritta played in the previous two finals.

That's pretty amazing.

26 minutes ago, Baghdad Bob said:

2019 was a fantastic effort by our recruiting team not only that they got it right but Jackson and Kossie were gutsy calls.  There were question marks over each but both have proven outstanding.

And it's not only 2019, it's what JT has done in the last 4 years.  Games played is from a couple of weeks ago:

This has been our drafting since 2017 with picks in the top 50:

2020 Bowey P21 4
2020 Laurie P22 0
2020 Rosman P34 0
2019 Jackson P3  27
2019 Pickett P12 36
2019 Rivers P32 31
2018 Sparrow P27 20
2018 Jordon P33 21
2017 Spargo P29 56
2017 Fritsch P31 82
2017 Petty P35 27
2017 Baker P48 13

 

Nine of twelve picks are now regulars in the team.  Two are untried and one is probably a fail.  I reckon that's pretty incredible.  Of that group only Spargs played against WCE in 2018 final although Fritta played in the previous two finals.

That's pretty amazing.

Pretty amazing. Only Baker a fail from that list. Obviously too early to tell for Laurie and Rosman.


Obviously Jackson, Pickett and Rivers are guns. That's the obvious one. However you could look at 2017 as being the more important one to our performance at the moment, especially considering that we traded out our first rounder for Lever and then nailed 3 picks in the 30s on Spargo, Fritsch and Petty, each of whom are deeply entrenched in the team. That's an extraordinary set of hits with picks that low.

Often people look back at a draft and say "Yep, that's the one that made that team", like you look back to Geelong's 2001 draft as the reason why they were so good (Bartel, Kelly, Johnson, Ablett), or Hawthorn's 2004 draft (Buddy, Roughy, Lewis). The reality is that these teams had mulitple great drafts and the club's 'superdraft' was built on an equally impressive draft a few years earlier. In 1999, Geelong drafted Joel Corey, Paul Chapman, Cameron Ling and Corey Enright, whilst in 2001 Hawthorn drafted Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Campbell Brown and Rick Ladson. 

On 4/25/2021 at 12:21 AM, adonski said:

For context - a screenshot during Hell & Back, difficult to read but Jackson listed at #2, with what appears to be Anderson #5

2136088921_Melbourne2019DraftRankings.thumb.jpg.24b925a56f4b3fc3d8eb7ba593f1f20d.jpg

Think we've got great recruiters -  but jesus they got the doggies Bailey Smith wrong -  rank him 18th on this screen -  most people at the time thought dogs got a steal at pick 6.

34 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

Obviously Jackson, Pickett and Rivers are guns. That's the obvious one. However you could look at 2017 as being the more important one to our performance at the moment, especially considering that we traded out our first rounder for Lever and then nailed 3 picks in the 30s on Spargo, Fritsch and Petty, each of whom are deeply entrenched in the team. That's an extraordinary set of hits with picks that low.

Often people look back at a draft and say "Yep, that's the one that made that team", like you look back to Geelong's 2001 draft as the reason why they were so good (Bartel, Kelly, Johnson, Ablett), or Hawthorn's 2004 draft (Buddy, Roughy, Lewis). The reality is that these teams had mulitple great drafts and the club's 'superdraft' was built on an equally impressive draft a few years earlier. In 1999, Geelong drafted Joel Corey, Paul Chapman, Cameron Ling and Corey Enright, whilst in 2001 Hawthorn drafted Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Campbell Brown and Rick Ladson. 

Continuing the theme where a club pushed itself up to the peak through a series of draft boosts; both Hawthorn (Rioli) and Geelong (Selwood) had that one last super pick right before their premiership breakthrough who played most of the season with real impact. Not sure Bowey quite counts as that for us but it is an interesting pattern.

12 minutes ago, Canplay said:

Think we've got great recruiters -  but jesus they got the doggies Bailey Smith wrong -  rank him 18th on this screen -  most people at the time thought dogs got a steal at pick 6.

I think that B. Smith is actually Brock Smith - yet to play a game after being taken at 33 by Brisbane. The B.Smith of fame and fortune was in the 2018 draft.

10 minutes ago, Little Goffy said:

Continuing the theme where a club pushed itself up to the peak through a series of draft boosts; both Hawthorn (Rioli) and Geelong (Selwood) had that one last super pick right before their premiership breakthrough who played most of the season with real impact. Not sure Bowey quite counts as that for us but it is an interesting pattern.

I think it's more that they were able to selectively add talent when they had a chance but didn't have to add in bulk like they did in those drafts. We are also a little different in the core of our team was taken in the Petracca, Brayshaw, Oliver drafts, which preceded this. We did it a little more slowly and methodically, rather than just smashing one draft out of the park as the article suggests. 2019 was just a bit of a free hit after an unexpected down year.

 

17 minutes ago, Canplay said:

Think we've got great recruiters -  but jesus they got the doggies Bailey Smith wrong -  rank him 18th on this screen -  most people at the time thought dogs got a steal at pick 6.

Wrong B Smith. Bailey was the year before. (Snap @grazman!)

Also the 5th player on the list definitely appears to be Deven Robertson rather than Noah Anderson. The height is after the name, and Anderson is taller than 185cm.

Edited by Axis of Bob
Snap!


  • Author
3 hours ago, Axis of Bob said:

I think it's more that they were able to selectively add talent when they had a chance but didn't have to add in bulk like they did in those drafts. We are also a little different in the core of our team was taken in the Petracca, Brayshaw, Oliver drafts, which preceded this. We did it a little more slowly and methodically, rather than just smashing one draft out of the park as the article suggests. 2019 was just a bit of a free hit after an unexpected down year.

 

Wrong B Smith. Bailey was the year before. (Snap @grazman!)

Also the 5th player on the list definitely appears to be Deven Robertson rather than Noah Anderson. The height is after the name, and Anderson is taller than 185cm.

Noah Anderson was at 3 on our board, we have Dogga at 2. That's why we didn't kick a fuss when Gold Coast got a freebee at 2.

  • Author
4 hours ago, Nelo said:

Pretty amazing. Only Baker a fail from that list. Obviously too early to tell for Laurie and Rosman.

Baker was also the lowest pick @ 48. Probably a speculative pick. I remember Jason Taylor was rapt to get Petty at 35 our next lowest pick.

  • Author
4 hours ago, Nelo said:

Pretty amazing. Only Baker a fail from that list. Obviously too early to tell for Laurie and Rosman.

Reckon Laurie will be a mainstay in the side in the next couple of years, think ANB but a much better kick. Rosman could be anything.

I don't think Baker is a fail. You can't play everyone on your list. Baker and Weid will both get 2nd goes at another club after not being able to hold a spot in a near injury free season from the top team in the league.

 

On 9/6/2021 at 4:59 PM, cantstandyasam said:

Reckon Laurie will be a mainstay in the side in the next couple of years, think ANB but a much better kick. Rosman could be anything.

Possibly, probably, hopefully?
But seriously Laurie and Rosman, given the absolute debacle of the VFL season, remain optimistic but unknown and unproven. 


On 9/6/2021 at 1:31 PM, Canplay said:

Think we've got great recruiters -  but jesus they got the doggies Bailey Smith wrong -  rank him 18th on this screen -  most people at the time thought dogs got a steal at pick 6.

Different B.Smith, that would be Brock Smith. Bailey Smith was in the 2019 Draft

Edited by DavidNeitz9
Didn't see earlier post

On 4/24/2021 at 7:03 PM, DeeSpencer said:

He lacks a point of difference or he wouldn't give us a point of difference? I reckon both of those aren't true. He can play inside, outside or forward and has a booming kick. I reckon his disposal can be a bit iffy but is definitely ok and I wonder if we thought he was benefitting a lot from Rowell getting the opposition attention. 

I think the point was that there is no other player like Jackson. He is a nightmare match up for every other team.

 
On 9/6/2021 at 12:55 PM, Axis of Bob said:

Obviously Jackson, Pickett and Rivers are guns. That's the obvious one. However you could look at 2017 as being the more important one to our performance at the moment, especially considering that we traded out our first rounder for Lever and then nailed 3 picks in the 30s on Spargo, Fritsch and Petty, each of whom are deeply entrenched in the team. That's an extraordinary set of hits with picks that low.

Often people look back at a draft and say "Yep, that's the one that made that team", like you look back to Geelong's 2001 draft as the reason why they were so good (Bartel, Kelly, Johnson, Ablett), or Hawthorn's 2004 draft (Buddy, Roughy, Lewis). The reality is that these teams had mulitple great drafts and the club's 'superdraft' was built on an equally impressive draft a few years earlier. In 1999, Geelong drafted Joel Corey, Paul Chapman, Cameron Ling and Corey Enright, whilst in 2001 Hawthorn drafted Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Campbell Brown and Rick Ladson. 

Great point.

The 2017-9 period has been first rate. Draft and trade. 

But the 2013-5 of Petracca, Oliver, Brayshaw, Salem, Hunt, Harmes, and ANB, is a lot of the fuel for 2021. 2 AA mids, a star HBF, and 4 excellent role players on all lines; with 4 of them in the leadership group.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Featured Content

  • 2026 AFL Fixture

    The Demons 2026 AFL Fixture is as good as can be expected considering their performances and finishes the past two seasons. Sunday games and late afternoon starts are on the menu with only 1 Friday night fixture until Round 15. They will travel 8 times including their home game in the Alice, their Gather Round game as well as a match against the Hawks in Tasmania. They will face, the Bombers, Bulldogs, the Suns, the Tigers, the Hawks and the Dockers twice.

      • Clap
      • Like
    • 271 replies
  • TRAINING: Wednesday 12th November 2025

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's paddock to give you their brief observations on the second day of preseason training in the lead up to the 2026 Premiership Season.

    • 1 reply
  • TRAINING: Monday 10th November 2025

    Several Demonland Trackwatchers were on hand at Gosch’s Paddock to share their observations from the opening day of preseason training, featuring the club’s 1st to 4th year players along with a few veterans and some fresh faces.

    • 1 reply
  • AFLW REPORT: Brisbane

    Melbourne returned to its city citadel, IKON Park, boasting a 10–2 home record and celebrating its 100th AFLW matchwith 3,711 fans creating a finals atmosphere. But in a repeat of Round 11, Brisbane proved too strong, too fit, and too relentless.  They brought their kicking boots: 9 goals, 2 points.

    • 0 replies
  • AFLW PREVIEW: Brisbane

    Forget the haunting of Round 11 — we’ve got this. Melbourne returns to its inner-city fortress for its milestone 100th AFLW match, carrying a formidable 10–2 record at IKON Stadium. Brisbane’s record at the venue is more balanced: 4 wins, 4 losses and a draw. 

      • Like
    • 11 replies
  • AFLW REPORT: Geelong

    Melbourne wrapped up the AFLW home and away season with a hard-fought 14-point win over Geelong at Kardinia Park. The result secured second place on the ladder with a 9–3 record and a home qualifying final against the Brisbane Lions next week.

    • 2 replies

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.