A midfield option around our first pick, should Norf not get access to him that is

 

Fair bit of Lewis Taylor about him in that clip with a bit more explosiveness.

As always, I'll back in JT and co.

north want him as a 'freebie' by dint of his aboriginality putting him into their nga and them being garbage for an extended period of time

I really like the look of Sanders.  Reminds me a little of Tim Watson.  Great football brain combined with oodles of power and some finesse coming inside 50 as well.  He's within reach for us yes?

However looking like the Norf are going to shift the draft posts with the help of the AFL bah!

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1036986/top-draft-prospect-ryley-sanders-approved-as-member-of-north-melbourne-kangaroos-next-generation-academy

On 9/3/2023 at 2:21 PM, adonski said:

A midfield option around our first pick, should Norf not get access to him that is

 

JHF that you? Similarities are crazy!

On 9/3/2023 at 2:21 PM, adonski said:

A midfield option around our first pick, should Norf not get access to him that is

 

He’s good. No.
He’s actually very very good.

Reminds me of Will Ashcroft or Sam Walsh as highly skilled running Mids.  All class.  Definitely a top 6/7 pick. 

40 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

He’s good. No.
He’s actually very very good.

Reminds me of Will Ashcroft or Sam Walsh as highly skilled running Mids.  All class.  Definitely a top 6/7 pick. 

Looks like he doesn’t waste the ball. 

In a recent podcast, Cal pretty much said North won't get special access to him. Good news for us, another good player to potentially draft with our first pick.

For those who know this years draft, if you had a choice between of Sanders or McKercher at Melbournes first pick who would you choose?

I wouldn't proclaim to knowing this year's draft, but watched a bit of the U/18 and mcKercher for me. Racks up possessions is quick and is so clean, kicks goals as a midfielder and his left foot kick hits targets, stays low and moves quickly through the air. Genuine elite much which we don't have many. I could see him playing on wing in our team in 2024 with some midfield minutes.

 

Very impressive highlights video. Kid’s got very good composure, acceleration out of contest, vision and clean skills. Can totally see why he’s a top ten pick.

With Duursma and McKercher likely gone before pick 5, you’d have to take Sanders over Watson, surely? Looks too good to pass up. 

This is a pen picture from the Herald Sun’s on line subscription article by Chris Cavanagh on the ten top prospects to watch in this weekend's Coates Talent League grand final -

“RYLEY SANDERS

186cm Midfielder

Club: Sandringham Dragons

Draft Range: 1-10

Sanders has been Mr Consistent across all his football programs this season and will be looking to cap of his year with another title.

Originally from Tasmania, he helped lead the Allies to victory in the under-18 national championships and won the Larke Medal as the best player of the tournament. A prolific ball winner who plays as a traditional centreman and has a strong appetite for the contest, Sanders has averaged 31.3 disposals, 6.5 clearances and 5.3 tackles across his eight games for the Dragons this year. He was named as a starting midfielder in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year this week. Sanders is a player to watch for North Melbourne fans, with the Kangaroos still hopeful of receiving some form of priority access to him in this year's draft as part of an AFL assistance package.”

The Kangaroos can be as hopeful as they want but if the AFL compromised it’s rules and the draft system itself by gifting this NGA player to them, it would be a major scandal.

11 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

The Kangaroos can be as hopeful as they want but if the AFL compromised it’s rules and the draft system itself by gifting this NGA player to them, it would be a major scandal.

They answer to no one Jack.  The other clubs might jump up and down a little but in the end they just do what they like and change things to suit their preferred narrative (at that time).

Edited September 21, 20231 yr by Demon Dynasty

5 minutes ago, Demon Dynasty said:

They answer to no one Jack.  The other clubs might jump up and down a little but in the end they just do what they like and change things to suit their preferred narrative (at that time).

This 

 

Maynard was a major scandal

Will be annoyed if Nth got an exemption to match him in the first 40 places. They sound like they will land 2 and 3 with the McKay deal, I get that they have not won a lot of footy, but look at their list as it stands... they have some seriously elite talent coming through. But to allow Sanders onto the NGA (when he's had bugger all to do with them or their academy, he has trained with the Pies more than Nth!) It's wrong because Nth has put NO investment into this player's development. 

I remember watching his dad play for Nth Launceston when I was a kid. His old man was tough as nails, Ryley won't be a lot different.

Personally there are a couple of things I like with Sanders over McKercher, bigger body (186cm) but honestly like both and wouldn't be disappointed with either of them if they were available.
Very interested to see how our draft and trade period goes given where we landed, the picks that we have landed, and the creative way Taylor and Lamb have managed to trade up picks over the last couple of years.... very confident that we can end up with the player at the top end of the draft that we are targeting.

Reminds me of a bigger and taller Lachie Neale.

So if as is seeming increasingly likely we end up with a choice of Sanders, Watson, O’Sullivan or Caddy at pick 5 … who should we take?

Sanders does look a beauty but is Watson a bigger need? Is O’Sullivan too big a KPD talent to pass up? Huge decisions loom for Jason Taylor.

Edited September 22, 20231 yr by BaliDemon

geez, if north get pick 3 as mckay compo, a mid 1st rounder (pick 11), a future end of 1st rounder, and free dibs on sanders...

that would be HUGE

Look I just want these nuisance last 3 finals finished so we can get to draft period 😂😂💤💤💤💵💵

Assuming North don't get access to him, you would have to think he would be available at our pick.

Likely draft outcome will be:

1 - Harley Reid (WC)

2 - Jed Walters (GC)

3 - Colby Mckercher (NM)

4 - Zane Duursma (Haw)

5 - Ryley Sanders (Mel)

With the loss of Jordon, Dunstan & Harmes we really need more midfield depth coming in and he is a high end one.

Even if North get pick 3 for McKay, it is hard to see them taking both McKercher and Sanders given the amount of midfielders they have. Think they would be more interested in either Curtin or Caddy with that pick.

If we can get another pick around 10 and take O'Sullivan I would be very happy with those two.

Sanders is probably the most rounded midfielder in this crop. Finds ball inside, applies pressure, good burst of pace, great decision maker, clean disposal, always looks to his teammates advantage, good size. Would be happy with him with our first pick if he’s available. 

Ideal outcome IMO is trading up so we have two top ten picks and landing Sanders and O’Sullivan.

I find him a confusing onballer. He does this thing when he gets the ball. He kicks it to teammates so they mark it. Haven't seen that before. Not at MFC anyway. 

12 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

For those who know this years draft, if you had a choice between of Sanders or McKercher at Melbournes first pick who would you choose?

McKercher more damaging by foot and has a bit more run and carry to his game. More of a factor offensively, so he’d be my pick.

Sanders does a lot really well, just that little bit below Colby on the rankings, but still been an excellent performer this year. Super consistent, I did question whether he had any flexibility to play in other positions. He has had a few stints up forward over the course of the season, but I still reckon it’s midfield or bust for Sanders.

The rider here is that neither were competing against any/many midfields with top end talent, so maybe both their numbers were inflated, but their ability will translate at the next level.

Wouldn't be bad, however Mckercher would be more upside for me.

There's a lot to like about Sanders but from what I've seen so far I'm more impressed with his hand distribution that foot.

Mckercher has great acceleration and that left foot is brutal, would really help with linkup play. 

A must have: our first pick needs elite foot skills and good vision going i50

If that's Sander or McKercher, I don't mind.

We have zero elite kicks beyond the back 50, and a high number of poor kicks in our midfield

This is a high priority