10 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

I think it is Top 10?

They do the entire 1st round on night one. They just make a big deal about the top 10.

Edited November 15, 20222 yr by Matt

18 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

I had thought that if a certain number of clubs (3?) ask the AFL to invite a player to the first night (ie round one) they would be invited. But that could have changed post covid.  Twomey would be more up to date than yours truly.

His comment on Jefferson suggests there hasn't been enough high level interest whichever way the AFL determines the invitees.

Not sure about night 2.

I think they try to invite everyone who will go top 10, so they can have the group photo of the top 10. But they don’t want anyone there who won’t get picked in the first round because it makes it very awkward for them left stranded without a club.

I’d assume Jefferson is still a strong chance to go first round but seems very unlikely to go top 10, so there’s little reason to invite him. 

I don’t know if there’s a list published of who’s attending but I’d say Ashcroft, Cadman, Sheezel, Wardlaw, Phillipou, Humphrey, Tsatas, Clark, Ginbey, McKenzie, Hollands, Busslinger are 12 who are all just about first round locks and will satisfy most of the top 10.
 

They’ll probably sit back and wait for the phantom draft mail to see if they need any last minute invites. 

 

 

Has Melbourne linked to Jefferson, Allan, Barnett, George with our 1st pick and Gruzewski with our 2nd if he makes it that far (sounds like he won't.)

Edited November 19, 20222 yr by Nascent

Less and less keen on having pick 14 in a draft with a fairly strong top 12 then a drop off. 

Im keen on Allan but pretty confident he’ll be gone. Barnett, George and Jefferson all seem risk/reward and long term prospects. As is Allan.

In many ways that’s what the draft is for and patience can be rewarded but it sure would be nice to get someone who can impact early. 

12 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

In many ways that’s what the draft is for and patience can be rewarded but it sure would be nice to get someone who can impact early. 

Why.

These are the regular best 22 players not in the QF team:  JJ, Tmac, Bowey

These players are best 22: Grundy, Hunter

These are the players with likely "best 22" quality:  Chandler, Turner, JVR

These are good quality backup:  Dunstan, Tomlinson, JSmith

These are players with potential and 12 months MFC development:  Howes, Laurie (24 months), AMW

Now you may disagree with some of the classification but it's highly unlikely that someone at P13 is going to make an impact early.

These are the 11 - 20 players picked last year.  How many would have played and made an impact for us last year? (Sorry for the formatiing).  In my view we've got 2 free hits this year and can go for high reward options.  We really don't need a "nice player".

11        Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera	St Kilda	Glenelg	2021
12	Josh Sinn	Port Adelaide	Sandringham Dragons	2021
13	Ben Hobbs	Essendon	GWV Rebels	2021
14	Campbell Chesser	West Coast	Sandringham Dragons	2021
15	Leek Aleer	Greater Western Sydney	Central District	2021
16	Darcy Wilmot	Brisbane Lions	Northern Knights	2021
17	Tom Brown	Richmond	Murray Bushrangers	2021
18	Angus Sheldrick	Sydney	Claremont	2021
19	Jacob van Rooyen	Melbourne	Claremont	2021
20	Kai Lohmann

Edited November 19, 20222 yr by Slartibartfast

6 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Why.

These are the regular best 22 players not in the QF team:  JJ, Tmac, Bowey

These players are best 22: Grundy, Hunter

These are the players with likely "best 22" quality:  Chandler, Turner, JVR

These are good quality backup:  Dunstan, Tomlinson, JSmith

These are players with potential and 12 months MFC development:  Howes, Laurie (24 months), AMW

Now you may disagree with some of the classification but it's highly unlikely that someone at P13 is going to make an impact early.

These are the 11 - 20 players picked last year.  How many would have played and made an impact for us last year? (Sorry for the formatiing).  In my view we've got 2 free hits this year and can go for high reward options.  We really don't need a "nice player".

11        Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera	St Kilda	Glenelg	2021
12	Josh Sinn	Port Adelaide	Sandringham Dragons	2021
13	Ben Hobbs	Essendon	GWV Rebels	2021
14	Campbell Chesser	West Coast	Sandringham Dragons	2021
15	Leek Aleer	Greater Western Sydney	Central District	2021
16	Darcy Wilmot	Brisbane Lions	Northern Knights	2021
17	Tom Brown	Richmond	Murray Bushrangers	2021
18	Angus Sheldrick	Sydney	Claremont	2021
19	Jacob van Rooyen	Melbourne	Claremont	2021
20	Kai Lohmann

Ironically perhaps JVR would have if we played him! 

Edited November 19, 20222 yr by adonski

1 hour ago, Nascent said:

Has Melbourne linked to Jefferson, Allan, Barnett, George with our 1st pick and Gruzewski with our 2nd if he makes it that far (sounds like he won't.)

Again, with the potential of switching to 20 & 26 it might bring Gruz into our calculations. If it’s clear we won’t get a preference, I could see us being happy with a combination of Weddle, Hayes, Clarke & Gruzewksi.

Edited November 19, 20222 yr by Mach5

11 minutes ago, Slartibartfast said:

Now you may disagree with some of the classification but it's highly unlikely that someone at P13 is going to make an impact early.

I’m not a fan of our depth but let’s not rehash that.

Jackson, Rivers, Pickett and Bowey played in a flag in years 2 and 1!

Forget year 1. That’s a bonus. But year 2 is realistic for good draftees who have the physical tools and traits to play roles. 

JVR might contribute next year. Not saying I’d swap them but a lot of that list in his draft would play for us next year too. Nas, Lohmann, Wilmot, Chesser.

Barnett, Jefferson and George after a year out are odds against to be best 22 in 2024 IMO. They’re 2025 guys. If they’re the best player and likely to be guns when they’re 23-30 years old then go for it, but it would be ideal if we get the best player on our board and that is someone who can play early. 

 

It’s still likely to have 

1- Lions (f/son) Ashcroft 

2- GWS :Cadman 

3- Kangas : Wardlaw 

4- Kangas : Tsatas 

5- Bombers : Sheezel

6- Suns: Humphrey 

7 - Hawks : Ginbey

8- Cats: Clark

9- Eagles: Busslinger 

10- Saints: Mckenzie 

11- Carlton: Phillipou 

12- Bulldogs: Hollands

13 - Eagles: Allan

14- Dees… leaves us with a Hewitt or Jefferson choice.

(we should bid on Davey or Fletcher if no other clubs have pushed that button) . 

I’d prefer Phillipou, Hollands or Allan but I’m thinking they’ll be gone.  

Hewitt is that tough skilled midfielder who is ready to play. His inside determination and good speed are AFL quality already.  Sure we have a strong midfield but this kid adds more strength.

Jefferson is the type of player we need but he’s a few years away in terms of physical readiness. Plays like the King brothers as the tall gangly key forward. May be tempting as a local lad.  
 

Brayden George and Gruzewski are the probably the wildcard options for our 1st pick. 

 

If Jefferson goes before our pick I can see us trading down into George territory and pick up an extra pick which could be another future pick. 

Edited November 20, 20222 yr by djr

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

It’s still likely to have 

1- Lions (f/son) Ashcroft 

2- GWS :Cadman 

3- Kangas : Wardlaw 

4- Kangas : Tsatas 

5- Bombers : Sheezel

6- Suns: Humphrey 

7 - Hawks : Ginbey

8- Cats: Clark

9- Eagles: Busslinger 

10- Saints: Mckenzie 

11- Carlton: Phillipou 

12- Bulldogs: Hollands

13 - Eagles: Allan

14- Dees… leaves us with a Hewitt or Jefferson choice.

(we should bid on Davey or Fletcher if no other clubs have pushed that button) . 

I’d prefer Phillipou, Hollands or Allan but I’m thinking they’ll be gone.  

Hewitt is that tough skilled midfielder who is ready to play. His inside determination and good speed are AFL quality already.  Sure we have a strong midfield but this kid adds more strength.

Jefferson is the type of player we need but he’s a few years away in terms of physical readiness. Plays like the King brothers as the tall gangly key forward. May be tempting as a local lad.  
 

Brayden George and Gruzewski are the probably the wildcard options for our 1st pick. 

 

I still think one of the 13 will slip, and we will pounce. Maybe Hewitt gets picked up before our pick, or the Saints grab Jefferson (they have been linked). 🤞anyway.

34 minutes ago, Matt said:

I still think one of the 13 will slip, and we will pounce. Maybe Hewitt gets picked up before our pick, or the Saints grab Jefferson (they have been linked). 🤞anyway.

Can’t see the Saints missing Cam Mckenzie if he’s available.  Local boy who is a simple choice for them.  Has the class and running ability to be an excellent midfielder and not too far behind Ashcroft this year.  

Because everyone loves mock drafts, Zero Hanger has come out with a second edition:-

2022 AFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-21 (second edition)

The Demons make a bid for Brisbane father-son gun Jaspa Fletcher which is matched by the Lions so they nominate Matthew Jefferson with what has become pick 15.

 

Rookie Me Central’s 2022 Mock AFL Draft

Pick 14 (Melbourne) – Matthew Jefferson
Key Forward | 194cm | 76kg | 08/03/2004

Melbourne has often been linked with Jefferson and he could be the long-term key forward the Dees are after. Though some recruiters aren’t as high on the remaining talls in the field draft crop, Jefferson is one with undeniable talent and first round potential. He looms as more of a project player who Melbourne have the capacity to be patient with, and has terrific aerial assets to exploit once he adds a bit of mongrel and size.

Pick 37 (Melbourne) – Sam Gilbey
Medium Defender | 187cm | 73kg | 14/05/2004

Justification: Potentially a case of best available, Gilbey has the weapons to become much better than this ranking suggests.

If I was a betting man I think we will pick up George with our first pick. He's an already made player. Jefferson is too much of a project player. Our premiership window is open now not in 5 years time.

1 hour ago, WERRIDEE said:

If I was a betting man I think we will pick up George with our first pick. He's an already made player. Jefferson is too much of a project player. Our premiership window is open now not in 5 years time.

Don't forget George did his ACL in August and won't play in '23. It would be a big ask of him to be firing in '24 off that injury. Maybe they both will be truly AFL ready around the same time eg '25?

11 hours ago, WERRIDEE said:

If I was a betting man I think we will pick up George with our first pick. He's an already made player. Jefferson is too much of a project player. Our premiership window is open now not in 5 years time.

You know that George will probably miss most of 2023, but yes it’s possible and if we can trade into 19, we could still get Jefferson.

Chris Doerre (Knightmare) has come up with his 2022 AFL Phantom Draft. It makes interesting reading. 

ESPN's full 2022 AFL Phantom Draft: Every club, every pick

When every single phantom draft has us selecting Matt Jefferson because key forward etc etc..

 

28 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Chris Doerre (Knightmare) has come up with his 2022 AFL Phantom Draft. It makes interesting reading. 

ESPN's full 2022 AFL Phantom Draft: Every club, every pick

 

Yes it’s Jefferson Jefferson Jefferson to the Dees.  JT was quite cagey on our strategies and that we have needs  - primary needs and secondary needs.  He said whilst we might need a KPF, it may be in a player in our first or second pick.  
 

the knightmare picks 

15. Melbourne - Matthew Jefferson - Oakleigh Chargers (VIC) 

An athletic, high-flying key forward, Jefferson is one of the best readers of the ball in flight in this draft and is a marking force forward of centre. Providing heavy scoreboard impact during the Under-18 Championships headlined by seven goals for Vic Metro against Western Australia, Jefferson does not need to find much of the football to put points on the board.

👍🏻👍🏻

39. Melbourne - Harvey Gallagher - Bendigo Pioneers (VIC) 

A versatile overager who plays his best football across half-back, Gallagher displays a burst of speed, good agility, and evasion, regularly takes on the game with his run and generates meaningful drive by foot. An impressive intercept mark for a small, Gallagher reads the play early to get into position for intercept marks.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

53 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

Chris Doerre (Knightmare) has come up with his 2022 AFL Phantom Draft. It makes interesting reading. 

ESPN's full 2022 AFL Phantom Draft: Every club, every pick

I bet we would take Allan before WC, and I’d be happy with the result.

Edited November 24, 20222 yr by Matt

i know all the talk is jefferson, but i'd rather get rid of 13 and a first rounder in 2023 to work our way into the pointy end of this draft and get a high quality mid