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51 minutes ago, Caligula's cohort said:

If we couldn't get Phillipou or Hollands at pick 13 I wouldn't mind going after Brayden George. Many recruiters had him in top 10 calculations prior to doing his ACL recently, so he'll be out for most of next year. They say he's like Petracca in size, power and skill so I think he'll be worth the wait and can learn in his first year what it takes to be a professional footballer and be ready to have an immediate impact in 2024.ย 

If he was anything like Petracca heโ€™d be going top 5 easy

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2 hours ago, djr said:

Is there any chance we could take Brayden George at p13 knowing that he won't be playing next year? I like his size as a power forward - 185 cm/ 87kgs. Rated top 10 before his injury. I know that he might slip to the mid twenties but I cannot see him slipping to p37. Does anyone have info on him?

Well I can definitely say we have an interest in George and have done some thorough due diligence work as we would with a lot of players around this mark.

My thought around this is a club like Melbourne would be ideal to take George because the club would have zero expectation or pressure in him needing to play next year.

George could then put all his focus and attention towards his rehabilitation and come back bigger and fitter for 2024 bit like Petracca did when he was drafted.

If this was the case, then in a roundabout way you're looking at 3 first round picks coming all ready to come theย  2024 season.

ย 

 
3 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Chris Doerreโ€™s early 3 rounderโ€ฆ

ESPN's early three-round phantom draft for 2022 - every pick of the first three rounds

ย 

ย 

Knight mare is way off the pace and think he may have been found out

No way Hawks are taking McKenzie before Jhye Clark if they are taking a midfielder, yes Knightmare May have got wrapped up in the Falcons kid staying down there but the Hawks arenโ€™t letting that happenย 

Eagles arenโ€™t taking Kaleb Smith at 28 if Ed Allan is available. Smith is another Wesley boy, has really good pace, maybe 6ft just, so not key position, foot skills are not great and thereโ€™s penetrating kicks which go long and deep without direction and thereโ€™s penetrating kicks like Daniel Rich which come off the boot sweetly which stay low, move quickly through the air, go where theyโ€™re intended and canโ€™t generally be intercepted. Smith is in the former. Heโ€™s a great kid, talented cricketer who could go far in the white ball game but Iโ€™m not sure heโ€™s getting drafted and not sure how his name comes up. Two best players in the Wesley side are Ginbey and Oโ€™Driscoll(23 draft), most likely to be talked about for next years draft from Wesley outside of Oโ€™Driscoll is Austin Chapman who is an endurance machine and big time accumulator in the Lachie Neale mould, but heโ€™s coming off an ACL and lacks size. Eagles I think at 28 take best available and if Allen is gone and they are staying local Baxter Phillip, Conor McDonald, Sam Gilbey, Darcy Jones all come into consideration before Smithy

Back on topic though with Knightmare and IMO heโ€™s often off the mark uses buzz drafting words when talking about players but IAH really just changes up the Phantom drafts and player watch done up by Cal Twomey. And Iโ€™m not sure weโ€™ll take Jefferson, think they see our forward line struggles and lazy option is to say we need a forward, without assessing poor delivery, Brown being forced to play a role which doesnโ€™t suit him, Turner coming in or Tomo (2nd year off a knee and back early 21 form - yes Deelanders he was reliable and important then) coming back in and Petty moving forward, JVR all into calculations along with 2 1st Rounders next year.

ย I think we take best available to fill roles of elite kick, mid who can impact the scoreboard, rebounding half back or line breaking runner with good foot skills

Edited by Pennant St Dee

9 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

ย I think we take best available to fill roles of elite kick, mid who can impact the scoreboard, rebounding half back or line breaking runner with good foot skills

Completely agree, we need a quality ball carrier that can hit a kick, kick a goal and a mid size defender who can lock on the small and centre forward types (the Hibbo replacement). I would look to solve longer term key position forward needs next year unless someone we rate super high falls in our lap at 37. Jefferson would need 2-3 preseasons to have any impact with his frame we are in the now and have other needs. The other option is we target a quality key defender with a view to give further flexibility to free Petty. ย  ย 

Edited by Lil_red_fire_engine


10 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Knight mare is way off the pace and think he may have been found out

No way Hawks are taking McKenzie before Jhye Clark if they are taking a midfielder, yes Knightmare May have got wrapped up in the Falcons kid staying down there but the Hawks arenโ€™t letting that happenย 

Eagles arenโ€™t taking Kaleb Smith at 28 if Ed Allan is available. Smith is another Wesley boy, has really good pace, maybe 6ft just, so not key position, foot skills are not great and thereโ€™s penetrating kicks which go long and deep without direction and thereโ€™s penetrating kicks like Daniel Rich which come off the boot sweetly which stay low, move quickly through the air, go where theyโ€™re intended and canโ€™t generally be intercepted. Smith is in the former. Heโ€™s a great kid, talented cricketer who could go far in the white ball game but Iโ€™m not sure heโ€™s getting drafted and not sure how his name comes up. Two best players in the Wesley side are Ginbey and Oโ€™Driscoll(23 draft), most likely to be talked about for next years draft from Wesley outside of Oโ€™Driscoll is Austin Chapman who is an endurance machine and big time accumulator in the Lachie Neale mould, but heโ€™s coming off an ACL and lacks size. Eagles I think at 28 take best available and if Allen is gone and they are staying local Baxter Phillip, Conor McDonald, Sam Gilbey, Darcy Jones all come into consideration before Smithy

Back on topic though with Knightmare and IMO heโ€™s often off the mark uses buzz drafting words when talking about players but IAH really just changes up the Phantom drafts and player watch done up by Cal Twomey. And Iโ€™m not sure weโ€™ll take Jefferson, think they see our forward line struggles and lazy option is to say we need a forward, without assessing poor delivery, Brown being forced to play a role which doesnโ€™t suit him, Turner coming in or Tomo (2nd year off a knee and back early 21 form - yes Deelanders he was reliable and important then) coming back in and Petty moving forward, JVR all into calculations along with 2 1st Rounders next year.

ย I think we take best available to fill roles of elite kick, mid who can impact the scoreboard, rebounding half back or line breaking runner with good foot skills

Great post.

18 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Well I can definitely say we have an interest in George and have done some thorough due diligence work as we would with a lot of players around this mark.

My thought around this is a club like Melbourne would be ideal to take George because the club would have zero expectation or pressure in him needing to play next year.

George could then put all his focus and attention towards his rehabilitation and come back bigger and fitter for 2024 bit like Petracca did when he was drafted.

If this was the case, then in a roundabout way you're looking at 3 first round picks coming all ready to come theย  2024 season.

I have only saw a little of him playing earlier in the season and it must be hard to determine his value at the draft given a serious injury to each knee, the most recent requiring ACL surgery which will keep him out of action for at least half, if not all, of 2023.

Heโ€™s likely to be taken in the early to mid 20s. If we really have an eye on him, Iโ€™m wondering if a swap of picks 13 and 37 (1695 points)ย to West Coast for 20 and 26 (1651 points)ย would be considered?

There are no guarantees of course but if George is the player we want, we could still possibly get him at 20 and be in an improved position with our second selection at 26.

Just thinking outside the square.

On 10/14/2022 at 10:06 AM, WalkingCivilWar said:

C54EDB44-F68D-4FC7-ACC6-824108DD24E4.thumb.jpeg.ad1fb58fc13fd6110f02e28d189e8717.jpeg

Jeebus. Donโ€™t tell me it takes the best part of two days. How many minutes does a club have for its selection?

ย 
5 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I have only saw a little of him playing earlier in the season and it must be hard to determine his value at the draft given a serious injury to each knee, the most recent requiring ACL surgery which will keep him out of action for at least half, if not all, of 2023.

Heโ€™s likely to be taken in the early to mid 20s. If we really have an eye on him, Iโ€™m wondering if a swap of picks 13 and 37 (1695 points)ย to West Coast for 20 and 26 (1651 points)ย would be considered?

There are no guarantees of course but if George is the player we want, we could still possibly get him at 20 and be in an improved position with our second selection at 26.

Just thinking outside the square.

The reason heโ€™s dropped down the pecking order into the mid 20s is the fact that at 18 he already has two wonky knees. Iโ€™d steer clear.

3 hours ago, rumpole said:

The reason heโ€™s dropped down the pecking order into the mid 20s is the fact that at 18 he already has two wonky knees. Iโ€™d steer clear.

Joel Selwood had 1 dodgy knee, won 4 flags and played 300+ Games, so with 2 dodgy knees Iโ€™ll except 2 flags and 150+ games


5 hours ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Joel Selwood had 1 dodgy knee, won 4 flags and played 300+ Games, so with 2 dodgy knees Iโ€™ll except 2 flags and 150+ games

Selwood was a candidate for a top five spot before his injuries and was fairly regarded as a solid top ten at the national draft. George, on the other hand was never in that conversation to start with.

1 hour ago, rumpole said:

Selwood was a candidate for a top five spot before his injuries and was fairly regarded as a solid top ten at the national draft. George, on the other hand was never in that conversation to start with.

The risk would be well worth it if we swapped out 13 and 37 for, what WJ suggested, 20 and 26, and use p20 for George. He is a special talent and is obviously just what we need. We are in a situation, as Dazzle previously stated, where we don't need to bring on these draft picks before they are ready, unlike the lower clubs. He is a Petracca type player and they are rare. That said, I would be quite comfortable if we selected him at p13. I really hope we are serious about drafting him.

Edited by djr

87kgs at 185cms is chonky for an 18yo - does George's size give him an advantage at U18 level that may not translate at AFL level?

1 hour ago, old55 said:

87kgs at 185cms is chonky for an 18yo - does George's size give him an advantage at U18 level that may not translate at AFL level?

Not sure how you define โ€œchonkyโ€ but I recall one Luke Hodge who fitted that description when he was drafted and I reckon it didnโ€™t do him any harm (although he did tone his body a bit once he got into the AFL).

1 hour ago, old55 said:

87kgs at 185cms is chonky for an 18yo - does George's size give him an advantage at U18 level that may not translate at AFL level?

Sparrow when recruited was 183 and 83kgs which makes Georgeโ€™s physical stats appealing.


2 hours ago, old55 said:

87kgs at 185cms is chonky for an 18yo - does George's size give him an advantage at U18 level that may not translate at AFL level?

Hasn't stopped Clayon Oliver who came into the system fat and overweight.

16 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Hasn't stopped Clayon Oliver who came into the system fat and overweight.

Oliver scenario was rare.ย 
ย 

edit: he was clearly out of shape. ย I read this scenario as being โ€˜he is a already man - has he reached his ceiling earlyโ€™

Edited by The Jackson FIX

41 minutes ago, djr said:

Sparrow when recruited was 183 and 83kgs which makes Georgeโ€™s physical stats appealing.

The other one in this category I roughly remember was people being worried that Caleb Serong physical ceiling was low because he was very strong at a young age

19 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Hasn't stopped Clayon Oliver who came into the system fat and overweight.

Jordan Lewis wasnโ€™t exactly in super condition when drafted eitherย 

Todayโ€™s Herald Sun at page 44 has its October Phantom Draft โ€“ (paywall)

Phantom Draft: Early look at how first 25 picks will fall

1. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Aaron Cadman 194cm Forward, VIC
2. BRISBANE (MATCH NORTH BID) Will Ashcroft 183cm Midfielder, VIC
3. NORTH MELBOURNE George Wardlaw 182cm Midfielder, VIC
4. NORTH MELBOURNE Harry Sheezel 183cm Forward, VIC
5. ESSENDON Elijah Tsatas 188cm Midfielder, VIC
6. GOLD COAST Reuben Ginbey 189cm Mid/Defender, WA
7. HAWTHORN Bailey Humphrey 184cm Mid/Forward, VIC
8. GEELONG Jhye Clark 180cm Midfielder, VIC
9. WEST COAST Jedd Busslinger 196cm Defender, WA
10. ST KILDA Cam Mackenzie 187cm Midfielder, VIC
11. CARLTON Oliver Hollands 183cm Midfield, VIC
12. WESTERN BULLDOGS Mattaes Phillipou
190cm Fwd/Midfielder, SA
13. WEST COAST Ed Allan 194cm Midfielder, WA
14. MELBOURNE Matthew Jefferson
195cm Forward, VIC
โ€œThe second-best key forward in the draft behind Cadman, Jefferson is firmly in the sights of the Demons if he is still available. Key forwards are the weak spot in Melbourneโ€™s list. Jeffersonโ€™s marking ability is his weapon and he has improved his goal kicking this year. Likened to Essendonโ€™s Harrison Jones, he booted seven goals from eight kicks against WA.โ€

15. SYDNEY Lachlan Cowan 188cm Defender, TAS
16. GWS GIANTS Lewis Hayes 197cm Defender, VIC
17. BRISBANE (MATCH BID FROM COLLINGWOOD) Jaspa Fletcher
184cm Midfielder, QLD
18. COLLINGWOOD Henry Hustwaite 194cm Midfielder, VIC
19. SYDNEY Olli Hotton 181cm Forward, VIC
20. GWS GIANTS Charlie Clarke 182cm Forward, VIC
21. GWS GIANTS Coby Burgiel 183cm Utility, VICย 
22. ESSENDON Darcy Jones 175cm Mid/Forward, WA
23. WESTERN BULLDOGS Brayden George
185cm Forward, VIC
24. ESSENDON Josh Weddle 191cm Defender, VIC
25. NORTH MELBOURNE Max Gruzewski 192cm Def/Forward, VIC


IMO Matthew Jefferson's highlight reel is quite underwhelming. I didn't notice any contested ball involvements and a lot of those goals in his 7-goal game were gifted. Unlike JVR he came across as quite passive. But of course JT would be over all these things.

11 minutes ago, djr said:

IMO Matthew Jefferson's highlight reel is quite underwhelming. I didn't notice any contested ball involvements and a lot of those goals in his 7-goal game were gifted. Unlike JVR he came across as quite passive. But of course JT would be over all these things.

100% agree and I hope JT and the team do as well.ย 

Can't see much that will translate into AFL level and it will take years before he's even close to a game.

With the way player movement works these days, surely we are better to draft the best possible mid and use free agency/trade to go for experienced key position players.ย 

1. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY Aaron Cadmanย 
2. BRISBANE (MATCH NORTH BID) Will Ashcroftย 
3. NORTH MELBOURNE Sheezel
4. NORTH MELBOURNE Wardlaw (watch for a trade up by Sydney for Humphrey)
5. ESSENDON Humphreyย 
6. GOLD COAST Reuben Ginbeyย 
7. HAWTHORN Allan/Clark
8. GEELONG Clark/Allan
9. WEST COAST Mackenzieย 
10. ST KILDA Tsatasย 
11. CARLTON Oliver Hollands
12. WESTERN BULLDOGS Mattaes Phillipou
13. WEST COAST Busslingerย 

Hayes, George, Weddle and Burgiel stand out from whatโ€™s left to me.ย 

Edited by DeeSpencer

ย 
On 10/22/2022 at 9:19 PM, rumpole said:

The reason heโ€™s dropped down the pecking order into the mid 20s is the fact that at 18 he already has two wonky knees. Iโ€™d steer clear.

ย 

On 10/23/2022 at 1:17 AM, Pennant St Dee said:

Joel Selwood had 1 dodgy knee, won 4 flags and played 300+ Games, so with 2 dodgy knees Iโ€™ll except 2 flags and 150+ games

You've got your sums wrong 'Pennant'...

Surely with 2 dodgy knees it's 2x4 flags and 2x 300 games.

So I'll be expecting 8 flags and the first player to reach 600+ games.

2 hours ago, djr said:

IMO Matthew Jefferson's highlight reel is quite underwhelming. I didn't notice any contested ball involvements and a lot of those goals in his 7-goal game were gifted. Unlike JVR he came across as quite passive. But of course JT would be over all these things.


We don't have a good track record of drafting the second best key forward in the draft just because we were desperate for key forwards at the time. I haven't seen any Jefferson footage - does it remind of Lucas Cook at all?


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