Jump to content

Featured Replies

Posted

The debate about draft smokies was supposed to have ended some time ago. Back in the early days of the draft some thirty plus years ago, it sometimes happened that players were hidden from the sight of other clubs enabling them to be snapped up deep into the draft — they were the smokeys who’s selection left club recruiting officers grinning with excitement. 

Some examples of smokies -

• Hawthorn recruiter John Turnbull used his close contacts in Western Australia to draft East Fremantle’s Luke McPharlin in the first round with pick number 10 in 1999. McPharlin had played only a handful of games with the Sharks’ Colts team. 

• Legendary St Kilda recruiting officer John Beveridge (father of Luke) was so desperate to draft Noble Park’s James Gwilt that he didn’t sleep the night before the 2004 National Draft out of concerns that other clubs might have been aware of him. Gwilt was taken with pick 63.

• Jayden Hunt was better known as a schoolboy sprinter than a footballer and had missed a great deal of football due to injuries while undergoing a growth spurt. When drafted by the Demons at 57 in the 2013 National Draft, he was the only player in the draft to not play any football at under 18 level. Herald Sun journalist, Sam Landsberger, labeled him a “draft smokey”, noting he was "plucked from relative obscurity".

Over time however, with more sophisticated recruiting methods and clubs throwing more money and staff into the arena, it became progressively much more difficult to hide away that special player from the rest of the world. 

About seven years ago, long-time AFL list manager Chris Pelchen declared that there was “no such thing as a draft smokey”.

“While players may sometimes slip under the radar of various clubs, the extensive recruiting networks operating in 2014 make it extremely unlikely that any player is known to only one team. Obviously, a player's ranking will vary from club-to-club in each year but the need for players to nominate for the draft, combined with full-time AFL staff managing the talent pathway throughout Australia, means that the likelihood of a "smokey" in the draft has all but disappeared. You just can't hide talented players any more!”

Thar was before Covid19 came along. Over the past two seasons, the entire football scene has been dumped on its head. While Western Australia and South Australia have been able to weather the storm, it’s been a different story in Victoria, the sport’s heartland which normally provides more than half of the nation’s draftees in the National Draft.

This year, we saw a limited number of games in the NAB Boys League level and a couple of practice matches at Country vs Metro level this year. There’s every chance that recruiting scouts might have missed on seeing some players with future AFL potential. 

I wonder whether we might see one or two of them picked as smokies that are truly rare hidden gems in a month or so’s time?

 
2 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

The debate about draft smokeys was supposed to have ended some time ago. Back in the early days of the draft some thirty plus years ago, it sometimes happened that players were hidden from the sight of other clubs enabling them to be snapped up deep into the draft — they were the smokeys who’s selection left club recruiting officers grinning with excitement. 

Some examples of smokies -

• Hawthorn recruiter John Turnbull used his close contacts in Western Australia to draft East Fremantle’s Luke McPharlin in the first round with pick number 10 in 1999. McPharlin had played only a handful of games with the Sharks’ Colts team. 

• Legendary St Kilda recruiting officer John Beveridge (father of Luke) was so desperate to draft Noble Park’s James Gwilt that he didn’t sleep the night before the 2004 National Draft out of concerns that other clubs might have been aware of him. Gwilt was taken with pick 63.

• Jayden Hunt was better known as a schoolboy sprinter than a footballer and had missed a great deal of football due to injuries while undergoing a growth spurt. When drafted by the Demons at 57 in the 2013 National Draft, he was the only player in the draft to not play any football at under 18 level. Herald Sun journalist, Sam Landsberger, labeled him a “draft smokey”, noting he was "plucked from relative obscurity".

Over time however, with more sophisticated recruiting methods and clubs throwing more money and staff into the arena, it became progressively much more difficult to hide away that special player from the rest of the world. 

About seven years ago, long-time AFL list manager Chris Pelchen declared that there was “no such thing as a draft smokey”.

“While players may sometimes slip under the radar of various clubs, the extensive recruiting networks operating in 2014 make it extremely unlikely that any player is known to only one team. Obviously, a player's ranking will vary from club-to-club in each year but the need for players to nominate for the draft, combined with full-time AFL staff managing the talent pathway throughout Australia, means that the likelihood of a "smokey" in the draft has all but disappeared. You just can't hide talented players any more!”

Thar was before Covid19 came along. Over the past two seasons, the entire football scene has been dumped on its head. While Western Australia and South Australia have been able to weather the storm, it’s been a different story in Victoria, the sport’s heartland which normally provides more than half of the nation’s draftees in the National Draft.

This year, we saw a limited number of games in the NAB Boys League level and a couple of practice matches at Country vs Metro level this year. There’s every chance that recruiting scouts might have missed on seeing some players with future AFL potential. 

I wonder whether we might see one or two of them picked as smokeys that are truly rare hidden gems in a month or so’s time?

Jayden's uncle was Andy Moir #29 who was a leaping forward.

Whilst not exactly a “Smokey”, I’d like nominate Connor Macdonald as a player to note.  Played excellent schoolboy footy for Haileybury in the APS competition and in limited games also showed plenty for Dandenong Stingrays.  He’s the sort of midfielder that is really good at run and carry but also can win his own footy.  His versatility to play across midfield, half back or half forward presents as a good draft option. Probably our 2nd round pick could see him shoot up into contention to become a Demon. 

 

I think Jake Bowey, if not a smokey was probably the steal of the draft.

He's been the best performed player from that draft to date.

Having AA teammates around hasn't hurt.

I would think if it wasn't for COVID he would have gone a lot higher in the draft and we would have missed out on him.

Another one of these would be good.


5 minutes ago, rjay said:

I think Jake Bowey, if not a smokey was probably the steal of the draft.

He's been the best performed player from that draft to date.

Having AA teammates around hasn't hurt.

I would think if it wasn't for COVID he would have gone a lot higher in the draft and we would have missed out on him.

Another one of these would be good.

A 6ft 1 midfield version would be ideal

Mac Andrew would have been a smokey if not for the fact that everyone made a big deal about him. 😀

  • Whispering_Jack changed the title to The comeback of draft smokies?
 

Max Gawn didn't mind a smokey.

I really think this draft is to our advantage. We draft competitive players and we know who they are without watching them play for the last 2 years.


Max was a smokie out of the draft... then Junior McDonald caught him whilst driving to training and it put a stop to that habit.

1 minute ago, Wrecker46 said:

Max Gawn didn't mind a smokey.

I really think this draft is to our advantage. We draft competitive players and we know who they are without watching them play for the last 2 years.

Hahahaha. You literally beat me by 10sec I think.

Brett Heady (92) and Dean Kemp (119) in the days when WCE told their future prospects to keep a low profile.

Historically the ultimate smokey is James Hird, tucked away in Canberra and taken at woopwoop pick.

Unfortunately people are now aware of the existence of Canberra. Even Tuggeranong (Aaron Hamill) which is technically Canberra I suppose.

Now, to be 'invisible' you really have to be from woop woop and beyond.

It hurts a little to remember but, wow, what a thought it would be to have someone like Liam Jurrah arrive in the system and supports we have now.

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

  • PREGAME: Port Adelaide

    The Demons are set to embark on a four-week road trip that takes them across the country, with two games in Adelaide and a clash on the Gold Coast, broken up by a mid-season bye. Next up is a meeting with the inconsistent Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Who comes in and who goes out?

    • 37 replies
  • PODCAST: Collingwood

    I have something on tomorrow night so Podcast will be Wednesday night. The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Wednesday, 11th June @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect the Dees heartbreaking 1 point loss to the Magpies on King's Birthday Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/

      • Like
    • 6 replies
  • POSTGAME: Collingwood

    Despite effectively playing against four extra opponents, the Dees controlled much of the match. However, their inaccuracy in front of goal and inability to convert dominance in clearances and inside 50s ultimately cost them dearly, falling to a heartbreaking one-point loss on King’s Birthday.

      • Shocked
      • Love
      • Like
    • 342 replies
  • VOTES: Collingwood

    Max Gawn has an almost insurmountable lead in the Demonland Player of the Year Award ahead of Christian Petracca, Jake Bowey, Clayton Oliver and Kozzy Pickett. Your votes please; 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

      • Vomit
      • Sad
      • Like
    • 29 replies
  • GAMEDAY: Collingwood

    It's Game Day and the Demons face a monumental task as they take on the top-of-the-table Magpies in one of the biggest games on the Dees calendar: the King's Birthday Big Freeze MND match. Can the Demons defy the odds and claim a massive scalp to keep their finals hopes alive?

      • Sad
      • Like
    • 720 replies
  • CASEY: Collingwood

    It was freezing cold at Mission Whitten Stadium where only the brave came out in the rain to watch a game that turned out to be as miserable as the weather.
    The Casey Demons secured their third consecutive victory, earning the four premiership points and credit for defeating a highly regarded Collingwood side, but achieved little else. Apart perhaps from setting the scene for Monday’s big game at the MCG and the Ice Challenge that precedes it.
    Neither team showcased significant skill in the bleak and greasy conditions, at a location that was far from either’s home territory. Even the field umpires forgot where they were and experienced a challenging evening, but no further comment is necessary.

      • Like
    • 4 replies