2022 AFL National Draft prospects: The next batch

[Pennant St Dee 13,173]

10 hours ago, Nascent said:

Any insights into Sam Gilbey @Pennant St Dee?  I've liked what I've seen with his intercepting and kicking but not sure if he can play a lockdown defender role. My viewing of WA talent has been limited outside of the champs. Very unfortunate to end his season with a broken leg.

Not sure Nascent, I only seen him play PSA footy and on both occasions he played as a loose rebound defender. He was pretty impressive and it’s what he’s good at so he’s never been required to when I watched. He tackled well, was strong in contests and reads the play so I think he would be able to play it with some coaching but his asset with intercept marking and his kicking is why he will be drafted 

[Nascent 9,213]

Highlights of Elijah Hewett from his game against Vic Metro for those that are interested. 

[Davos 921]

11 hours ago, Nascent said:

Highlights of Elijah Hewett from his game against Vic Metro for those that are interested. 

Looks like a Melbourne midfielder.

[ChaserJ 5,096]

While we’re on the topic of powerful midfielders:

TWOMEY: In-demand powerful mids dominate draft crop

[The Great Pretender 463]

I think the big fix is in for two players in this draft.

Elijah Hewitt - originally though of as a likely selection in the top half dozen and now sliding on everyone’s lists. Why is this? Has he been a naughty boy? Is he considered to be a flight risk? He’s played well at senior WAFL level and impressed playing for WA at National Carnival level - if he’s there at #14 (where our first pick is likely to be) do we pick him? 

Anthony Munkara - impressed early this season and suddenly withdrew from sight to deal with “personal issues”. He’s an Essendon NGA and represented the AFL Academy v Collingwood VFL. If he’s still there at #37, I say we grab him. 

[Matt 424]

40 minutes ago, The Great Pretender said:

I think the big fix is in for two players in this draft.

Elijah Hewitt - originally though of as a likely selection in the top half dozen and now sliding on everyone’s lists. Why is this? Has he been a naughty boy? Is he considered to be a flight risk? He’s played well at senior WAFL level and impressed playing for WA at National Carnival level - if he’s there at #14 (where our first pick is likely to be) do we pick him? 

Anthony Munkara - impressed early this season and suddenly withdrew from sight to deal with “personal issues”. He’s an Essendon NGA and represented the AFL Academy v Collingwood VFL. If he’s still there at #37, I say we grab him. 

Just going off highlights, Hewitt looks like he could potentially become a gun, imo

[Lord Travis 10,730]

18 hours ago, Nascent said:

Highlights of Elijah Hewett from his game against Vic Metro for those that are interested. 

Probably the best highlights package I’ve seen from this draft crop. His agility and ability to create space and time for himself is very good. He’s got a good burst of pace and plays aggressively. Looks competent inside and outside, could start as a half forward flanker who hits the scoreboard and provides defensive pressure or link up. If he’s available at 13, he’d be a great get IMO.

Only downside to drafting him is he’s from WA, so no idea if he’ll be a flight risk!

[Caligula's cohort 1,014]

I think Hewitt is our best option at our first pick even though he is a WA boy. There is something about him that looks to be a star in the making and compliments our midfield so well. However I imagine West Coast will probably take him and Busslinger... as Gold Coast are by all reports favoured to take Ginbey. If all that happens, I would look to trade out our pick 13 + 37 and grab West Coasts 20 + 26 so we can take Brayden George and one of Lachie Cowan, Harry Barnett or Max Gruzewski. 

[Demonstone 22,526]

1 hour ago, Lord Travis said:

Only downside to drafting him is he’s from WA, so no idea if he’ll be a flight risk!

I reckon, in the wake of Jackson going home, that the whole "WA flight risk" thing has been overblown.

Apart from Jesse Hogan, who we weren't sorry to see leave the club, I can't think of any other Demon who has asked to be traded back to WA since Jeff Farmer twenty years ago.

[Whispering_Jack 30,140]

3 hours ago, The Great Pretender said:

Anthony Munkara - impressed early this season and suddenly withdrew from sight to deal with “personal issues”. He’s an Essendon NGA and represented the AFL Academy v Collingwood VFL. If he’s still there at #37, I say we grab him. 

Is this based on his ability or just to grab an NGA from another club?

[spirit of norm smith 16,459]

1 hour ago, Demonstone said:

I reckon, in the wake of Jackson going home, that the whole "WA flight risk" thing has been overblown.

Apart from Jesse Hogan, who we weren't sorry to see leave the club, I can't think of any other Demon who has asked to be traded back to WA since Jeff Farmer twenty years ago.

Just have to talk about all the WA boys drafted since 2001 when Farmer left. 

2003 Chris Johnson - showed good signs but faded and was delisted. Went to the Blues but ultimately missed out 

2008 Nev Jetta - from 2-3 years of injuries and trying to find his spot, Nev was delisted and then put on the rookie list … my how lucky and fortunate we were that we kept Nev. Loved his spirit and ability to win man on man contests. 

2012 Jesse Hogan - our messiah. Too much pressure and always talk about him going home. He played some great footy and we saw the talent. Yes he returned home but without success. Glad he’s now making a go at the giants. 

2012 Dean Kent - a punt in the third round.  Definitely could play and kicked some great goals. His 2018 match winner sealed our 2018 finals. Injuries killed his career and traded to the Saints. 

2019 LJ and Riv

2021 JVR and Woey jnr amd Mcvee

 

Do I think we should take a WA boy? Well yes if he’s the best available, fits our culture and is a need for the team.  Ultimately I was worried about LJ given him playing second fiddle to Gawn. I actually thought the Eagles would be his destination given Natanui is on the downward cycle. Good luck to him at Freo.  His need for family and surfing won the day.  
 

I would happily take a Hewitt, Ginbey, Gilbey or Allan if they were the right player.  Sure it’s a risk but drafting any kid is full of many risk-versus-reward decisions. 

Edited October 30, 2022 by spirit of norm smith
P

[The Great Pretender 463]

50 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Is this based on his ability or just to grab an NGA from another club?

Definitely on what he showed early in the season. If he’s still available for selecting at #37 he would present value based on that form alone.

[Stiff Arm 4,419]

2 hours ago, The Great Pretender said:

Definitely on what he showed early in the season. If he’s still available for selecting at #37 he would present value based on that form alone.

Do you think the standard of footy in the clips on his thread do justice to showing his ability for us to take him at 37? Its easy to get sucked into a flashy prospect playing in a lower standard

Can you show a table of his stats?

HST, I have not seen him live or watched more than his highlights, but I consider him a late pick or rookie. I trust Lamb and Taylor to be all over it and make the right call based upon best available at 37, regardless of whose NGA he is tied to

Edited October 30, 2022 by Stiff Arm

[Nascent 9,213]

Herald Sun online has an article, which I can't access, about the Dees and Saints having interest in Isaac Keeler.

It seems unlikely that he would be selected early at pick 9 or 13 which means Saints have picks 28 and 32 ahead of our 37. He needs to be selected prior to pick 40 as he is an Adelaide NGA prospect.

Edited October 30, 2022 by Nascent

[Gawndog98 364]

20 hours ago, The Great Pretender said:

I think the big fix is in for two players in this draft.

Elijah Hewitt - originally though of as a likely selection in the top half dozen and now sliding on everyone’s lists. Why is this? Has he been a naughty boy? Is he considered to be a flight risk? He’s played well at senior WAFL level and impressed playing for WA at National Carnival level - if he’s there at #14 (where our first pick is likely to be) do we pick him? 

Anthony Munkara - impressed early this season and suddenly withdrew from sight to deal with “personal issues”. He’s an Essendon NGA and represented the AFL Academy v Collingwood VFL. If he’s still there at #37, I say we grab him. 

I don't know if he is a flight risk but from my understanding his form has been quite inconsistent all year across WAFL and the under 18 champs. He definitely has some great AFL traits with his explosiveness which he showcased in his great games at both levels but maybe there's questions on his application leading to poor games would be my guess. 

[Gawndog98 364]

8 hours ago, Nascent said:

Herald Sun online has an article, which I can't access, about the Dees and Saints having interest in Isaac Keeler.

It seems unlikely that he would be selected early at pick 9 or 13 which means Saints have picks 28 and 32 ahead of our 37. He needs to be selected prior to pick 40 as he is an Adelaide NGA prospect.

Article mentioned he's more in the frame for dees and saints picks in the 30s. It also mentions his draft range will be from late teens to 40s and that Adelaide "may consider" matching a bid if he falls past 40. Doesn't really speak glowingly to him that the club who have watched over him aren't even a certainty to match a bid and the quotes from anonymous recruiters in the article don't seem that impressed with him.

[dazzledavey36 54,944]

8 minutes ago, Gawndog98 said:

Article mentioned he's more in the frame for dees and saints picks in the 30s. It also mentions his draft range will be from late teens to 40s and that Adelaide "may consider" matching a bid if he falls past 40. Doesn't really speak glowingly to him that the club who have watched over him aren't even a certainty to match a bid and the quotes from anonymous recruiters in the article don't seem that impressed with him.

Keeler is a hard pass for me.

[BangBnagBang 694]

19 hours ago, Lord Travis said:

Probably the best highlights package I’ve seen from this draft crop. His agility and ability to create space and time for himself is very good. He’s got a good burst of pace and plays aggressively. Looks competent inside and outside, could start as a half forward flanker who hits the scoreboard and provides defensive pressure or link up. If he’s available at 13, he’d be a great get IMO.

Only downside to drafting him is he’s from WA, so no idea if he’ll be a flight risk!

Yes agree, dual sided, kicks well to advantage without trying to drill it. nice side step to give himself more time and chooses the right option with time and under pressure.

[Turner 1,514]

was reading the pocket profile stuff on the HS article, and these supported teams stood out mainly due to draft position of clubs and where they're expected to fall. i wonder if it influences club decisions. particularly have noted that hawkthorn have a growing number of junior hawks fans joining their ranks recently, could be related to minimising the go-home factor. hunphreys being a cats fan could be the play over jhye clark as well potentially

[Lord Travis 10,730]

Bit of chatter that Hewitt could be the slider this draft. Looked a bonafide top 10 pick all year, but reports he could slide into the teens or early 20s. Does anyone have any insight as to why he's possibly sliding? Is it behavioural issues? Consistency?

On my limited viewing and reading, he's got the physical assets to be the best player in the draft. His agility and composure are next level. He's like Pendlebury in the packs, dances through traffic, creates space, always makes good decisions, then bursts away to be a linking option. His agility, speed, power, skill and flexibility make him an intriguing prospect. I really hope he's an option for us at 13. 

[ChaserJ 5,096]

52 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

Bit of chatter that Hewitt could be the slider this draft. Looked a bonafide top 10 pick all year, but reports he could slide into the teens or early 20s. Does anyone have any insight as to why he's possibly sliding? Is it behavioural issues? Consistency?

On my limited viewing and reading, he's got the physical assets to be the best player in the draft. His agility and composure are next level. He's like Pendlebury in the packs, dances through traffic, creates space, always makes good decisions, then bursts away to be a linking option. His agility, speed, power, skill and flexibility make him an intriguing prospect. I really hope he's an option for us at 13. 

Reckon PSD is pretty close to the mark a bit further up the page.

Others have jumped up into the space rather than any red flags on Hewitt. Still a good prospect.

[Gawndog98 364]

57 minutes ago, Lord Travis said:

Bit of chatter that Hewitt could be the slider this draft. Looked a bonafide top 10 pick all year, but reports he could slide into the teens or early 20s. Does anyone have any insight as to why he's possibly sliding? Is it behavioural issues? Consistency?

On my limited viewing and reading, he's got the physical assets to be the best player in the draft. His agility and composure are next level. He's like Pendlebury in the packs, dances through traffic, creates space, always makes good decisions, then bursts away to be a linking option. His agility, speed, power, skill and flexibility make him an intriguing prospect. I really hope he's an option for us at 13. 

I mentioned it just before but I believe that consistency has been his biggest knock as a prospect which might be why we question why he might slide as we don't know why his form was so inconsistent. At the under 18 championships his first game vs Vic Metro he was WA's best player however after that he was pretty sub-par without featuring in the match report for any of the other three games. 

It was a great effort for him to be playing WAFL seniors but saying that his form was up and down without really ever dominating a game, albeit being played a bit out of position at half forward which showed his ability to be flexible but not really impacting much at half forward might be a knock on his ability to contribute outside of being an inside mid. Physical and skill traits are all there, if he can put it all together consistently he will easily be a top 10 player from the draft, it's just that matter of if he can turn around those consistency issues that have plagued him for whatever reason. 

Edited October 31, 2022 by Gawndog98

[spirit of norm smith 16,459]

4 hours ago, Turner said:

was reading the pocket profile stuff on the HS article, and these supported teams stood out mainly due to draft position of clubs and where they're expected to fall. i wonder if it influences club decisions. particularly have noted that hawkthorn have a growing number of junior hawks fans joining their ranks recently, could be related to minimising the go-home factor. hunphreys being a cats fan could be the play over jhye clark as well potentially

Yes from “top 16”, no Dees supporters.  Not that it makes much difference.  Judd. Franklin.  Not even gave us a look in when they moved.  Prestia’s family was fanatical Dees supporters and he chose Tigers in his return to Victoria.  Gaff also a Dees fan but happily staying in WA.  

[Whispering_Jack 30,140]

The story of a player who was riding high in April but cut down in May. I guess that’s life but he’s fighting on to get drafted.

‘Whatever it takes’: The rollercoaster AFL draft year of Harry Lemmey - and why he’s as ‘driven’ as ever

[Pennant St Dee 13,173]

18 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Yes from “top 16”, no Dees supporters.  Not that it makes much difference.  Judd. Franklin.  Not even gave us a look in when they moved.  Prestia’s family was fanatical Dees supporters and he chose Tigers in his return to Victoria.  Gaff also a Dees fan but happily staying in WA.  

As a father of two boys born in 2006 and 2007, I’m not surprised the potential draftee’s don’t follow the Dees, their footy interest would have started between 2009 and 2017.

We couldn’t attract much support back then