2024 AFL National Draft prospects: The next batch

[dazzledavey36 53,971]

31 minutes ago, Melonmonster said:

smilie has a good kick but can just jam it on the boot and cough it up when under pressure .

very agile and has a frame  that will grow to become beast like in years to come .

 

can’t wait to see who we end up with. 

If you remember back to when Petracca was in his just for days he was very similar in terms of just banging it on the boot as well.

His disposal was sloppy but he showed he had all the basic fundamentals of being a superstar once he entered an AFL environment. I see that with Smillie.

34 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Much prefer Langford’s boot over Smilie’s

Langford is a serious gun. Either way I'd be happy.

Langford being able to also be as dangerous up forward is why I have him.ahead.

[Adam The God 29,937]

1 hour ago, Ted Lasso said:

Taj Hotton is really interesting given he's missed so much footy with injury, but when he has played he's looked incredible.

I think he's one that would definitely be top 10, if not top 5 if not for his injury, but likely to slide into the teens instead, could be a bargain pick up. 

If we split 9 into 2 mid to late first rounders, I'd love Hotton and Hynes. 🙏

[Adam The God 29,937]

9 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

If you remember back to when Petracca was in his just for days he was very similar in terms of just banging it on the boot as well.

His disposal was sloppy but he showed he had all the basic fundamentals of being a superstar once he entered an AFL environment. I see that with Smillie.

Langford is a serious gun. Either way I'd be happy.

Langford being able to also be as dangerous up forward is why I have him.ahead.

I'd have Smith and Draper ahead of Langford for what they can do out of stoppage with leg speed, but Langford's disposal makes up for his leg speed I reckon. 

[dazzledavey36 53,971]

32 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

I'd have Smith and Draper ahead of Langford for what they can do out of stoppage with leg speed, but Langford's disposal makes up for his leg speed I reckon. 

I've got Smith and Draper gone before our pick hence why I have Langford as our number one choice.

[Where Demons Dare 145]

I'd imagine Lalor, Smith, Draper or Langford would be one of our first selections at pick 5, each with their own exciting traits that would be a great addition to our team. 

With pick 9 it gets very interesting... do we go for another mid with forward or defensive skills like Reid or Travaglia or do we go tall and chase Armstrong, Tauru or Trainor? 

I like the idea of Sam Lalor at pick 5 as a Dusty/Petracca clone. That would be pretty scary for opposition teams. 

I would love to select Alix Tauru with pick 9. He's been compared to a Sicily/Stewart as an intercepting defender. He'd be an amazing addition for us and with May getting on he'd be a handy replacement. 

[Melonmonster 108]

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I've got Smith and Draper gone before our pick hence why I have Langford as our number one choice.

How damaging can Jagga be ? He seems to look very good in tight , great footwork , footy smarts , strong through the hips considering his size . What’s his kicking like ?

[Pennant St Dee 12,965]

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I've been a big Langford fan, but Jeez I'm slowly coming around to Smillie.

I loved him last season wasn’t a good championship for him this year, but there can be many factors for that, which aren’t long term concerns 

[layzie 33,677]

12 hours ago, Adam The God said:

I'd have Smith and Draper ahead of Langford for what they can do out of stoppage with leg speed, but Langford's disposal makes up for his leg speed I reckon. 

'Mid' Draper. I do think he's going to go top 4, he's got everything you want in a modern day midfielder. 

I'll be very happy with Langford if it comes to that, his left foot could be a game changer and more than makes up for the yard of pace he's missing. 

[Pennant St Dee 12,965]

1 hour ago, layzie said:

'Mid' Draper. I do think he's going to go top 4, he's got everything you want in a modern day midfielder. 

I'll be very happy with Langford if it comes to that, his left foot could be a game changer and more than makes up for the yard of pace he's missing. 

Can’t see Draper getting past the Crows

[layzie 33,677]

11 hours ago, Melonmonster said:

How damaging can Jagga be ? He seems to look very good in tight , great footwork , footy smarts , strong through the hips considering his size . What’s his kicking like ?

Yeah I haven't seen enough of his field kicking either but there's no doubt he's the 'extractor' of this draft. If a club is looking for a player to give you 30 touches a week to take to the bank it's him. 

His agility is pretty much elite as well, able to evade tackles and make guys miss. I can see this being pretty useful the way the game is at the moment.

[spirit of norm smith 16,044]

 

@58er”Would love to give JT a free throw at the stumps in a Round 4,5 or 6 for a genuine diamond in the rough!! “

I agree. With picks being used in all the father son and academies picks, we might see the last round being again around 60-65.  That’s where I’d like to see the Dees give an opportunity to at least one more youngster (as well as to 5&9).  There’s talent right through this draft. Here’s 10 late draft pick options 

Will Hayes. Mid. Claremont.
Gabriel Stumpf  CHF . Northern
Patrick Retschko. Hbf/mid. Oakleigh 
Oliver Depaoli-Kubank. Running mid. Tassie.
Noah Mraz. CHB. Dandenong.
Luke Kennedy . Mid. Sandringham
Cody Angove. Running mid. WA Claremont
Kade Herbert. Mid/hff. SA WWT eagles 
Oliver Warburton. Hbf. Murray
Jett Hasting. Hbf. SA WWT eagles

Edited October 16 by spirit of norm smith
O

[layzie 33,677]

18 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

If you remember back to when Petracca was in his just for days he was very similar in terms of just banging it on the boot as well.

His disposal was sloppy but he showed he had all the basic fundamentals of being a superstar once he entered an AFL environment. I see that with Smillie.

Yeah remember when he would be running with the ball then as he kicked he'd raise the ball up before dropping it like some kid at Auskick? Was not a sight for sore eyes.

Some team will reap the benefits with Smillie if they put he resources into him. 

[adonski 11,496]

Harrison Oliver is a Melbourne supporter....up to 1st on my rankings now

[spirit of norm smith 16,044]

5 minutes ago, adonski said:

Harrison Oliver is a Melbourne supporter....up to 1st on my rankings now

@adonskithat’s tough to hear. He’s a quality youngster  Does not take a backward step   He would be in to defend his teammates in an instant (aka next to Viney to get into Maynard)  Showed elite skills at Sandringham and at Brighton Grammar   Beautiful kick in smarts as well  All the things MFC need   He’s a small-midsized defender   I think MFC would have had to be in around pick 22-25 to get him though.  I do not think he’s pick 9 quality.  Dees need to monitor him and see if we can snag him down the line  

Harrison Oliver
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Sandringham Dragons
Community Club: St Bedes/Mentone
Date of Birth: 15/06/2006
Height: 181cm

A composed and hard running medium defender who helped set the play up for Victoria Metro with his great decision making and precise left-foot kicking. He averaged 16.2 disposals at 83 per cent efficiency and 3.2 tackles across four matches at the National Championships, with his speed also a weapon in breaking the lines. Was rewarded with All Australian honours and capped a great year with a premiership win for the Sandringham Dragons, where he was also selected in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. Didn’t take part in physical testing at the Draft Combine due to illness.

[ChaserJ 4,943]

On the topic of small/medium defenders, Shifter Sheehan’s profiles for this year’s crop of defenders:

https://www.afl.com.au/draft/u18s?webview=true

[adonski 11,496]

A few thoughts on our P5/P9 midfield options, from someone who isn't qualified (note: I am not a doctor)

Harvey Langford: Looks a bust-proof, plug and play option for round 1. Looks like a ready made AFL player amongst boys in some of his highlights. Pace is a worry.

Xavier Lindsay: Brayshaw replacement? Half back, wing or inside mid all options. Good pace, good skills, accumulates, willing tackler. Left footer which is fun. Could be accused of being a bit vanilla? 

Murphy Reid: Hands of God (HoG). Class, poise, accumulates well. Not much speed, on the smaller side for a mid. Can get a bit Hollywood with his disposal. Does he get stuck as a flanker at AFL level?

Josh Smillie: Excellent movement and agility for a guy his size, kicking seems a bit hit or miss, a bit Petracca like. Rag dolls opponents his own age, will probably continue at AFL level given his size. Could be anything if it all comes together. 

Jagga Smith: Probably the style of midfielder that we lack. Nice speed, agility, movement, disposal. Buzzes round. Averages 58 touches a game, probably weighs 58kg too. Bit of N Daicos about him.

FOS: Slick looking midfielder that kicks goals. Good mark, excellent agility and speed. I'm not as enamoured with him as most seem to be. Not that that means anything.

Sam Lalor: Powerfull mid/fwd, built like a brick shizenhausen. Clean & powderful at the footy - internet reckons Richmond are keen at pick 1.

Sid Draper: Great speed & explosiveness. Maybe a quicker Serong style mid? Sometimes looks a bit indecisive with ball in hand.

Conclusion: Stuffed if I know

[Ungarieboy 428]

Is there so.eone I could name drop a potential rookie to the club (a kid who was considered best on ground by many in AFL first grade grand final as a 17 year last year - but injured since)

[spirit of norm smith 16,044]

2 hours ago, Ungarieboy said:

Is there so.eone I could name drop a potential rookie to the club (a kid who was considered best on ground by many in AFL first grade grand final as a 17 year last year - but injured since)

Noah Mraz.  Dandenong Stingrays.  Tall interception type defender. Missed this year with navicular fracture.  Part of National academy. Rated highly.  Might be unlikely/unlucky to be drafted.  

[spirit of norm smith 16,044]

from the Code sports

THE ‘BORN LEADER’ LEANING ON ADVICE FROM CRIPPS 

Big-bodied midfielder Josh Smillie has revealed he leant on advice from a two-time Brownlow Medal winner this year as he battled “some challenges” after entering the season as a highly-touted No. 1 draft pick contender.

Smillie met with Carlton star Patrick Cripps earlier in the year and made notes from the conversation, which he continually went back and reflected on. 

A 195cm onballer, the 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to Cripps and Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Green, two players who he watches closely. 

“I’d want to be half the player Patrick Cripps is now,” Smillie said.

“He’s the best player in the game at the moment. I really look up to those two (Cripps and Green) just because they’re big-bodied midfielders and I watch all the work that they do and try and implement it in my game.”

Smillie’s form was a little up and down at times this year, not helped by some minor injuries and illness.

 

He was required to spend significant time outside of the midfield during the under-18 national championships with Vic Metro, including roles in attack and defence.

“I’m very versatile so I can play any position and I grew up playing any position,” Smillie said.

“I can go forward or play across half back, but the midfield is my primarily position.

“The year’s done and you reflect on your year. You take out some negatives but you also want to look at the positives. If you said last year I’d be in the position I am now, I’d be pretty proud of this year so far.”

Smillie captained the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League this year as well as serving as skipper of the AFL Academy team in two exhibition matches earlier this season.

Alongside his power and ball-winning abilities, leadership is another key trait that he prides himself on.

“I was raised from my parents being a real leader and a careful person to others,” Smillie said.

“Leadership is something I take pretty seriously. I’m a very caring person that likes to put others before me and see them succeed. It’s just something I’ve grown up with and it just comes natural.”

[dazzledavey36 53,971]

20 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

from the Code sports

THE ‘BORN LEADER’ LEANING ON ADVICE FROM CRIPPS 

Big-bodied midfielder Josh Smillie has revealed he leant on advice from a two-time Brownlow Medal winner this year as he battled “some challenges” after entering the season as a highly-touted No. 1 draft pick contender.

Smillie met with Carlton star Patrick Cripps earlier in the year and made notes from the conversation, which he continually went back and reflected on. 

A 195cm onballer, the 18-year-old has drawn comparisons to Cripps and Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Green, two players who he watches closely. 

“I’d want to be half the player Patrick Cripps is now,” Smillie said.

“He’s the best player in the game at the moment. I really look up to those two (Cripps and Green) just because they’re big-bodied midfielders and I watch all the work that they do and try and implement it in my game.”

Smillie’s form was a little up and down at times this year, not helped by some minor injuries and illness.

 

He was required to spend significant time outside of the midfield during the under-18 national championships with Vic Metro, including roles in attack and defence.

“I’m very versatile so I can play any position and I grew up playing any position,” Smillie said.

“I can go forward or play across half back, but the midfield is my primarily position.

“The year’s done and you reflect on your year. You take out some negatives but you also want to look at the positives. If you said last year I’d be in the position I am now, I’d be pretty proud of this year so far.”

Smillie captained the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League this year as well as serving as skipper of the AFL Academy team in two exhibition matches earlier this season.

Alongside his power and ball-winning abilities, leadership is another key trait that he prides himself on.

“I was raised from my parents being a real leader and a careful person to others,” Smillie said.

“Leadership is something I take pretty seriously. I’m a very caring person that likes to put others before me and see them succeed. It’s just something I’ve grown up with and it just comes natural.”

 

Reeally starting to warm to Smillie for our first pick.

[Adam The God 29,937]

Smilie, Oliver and Viney is pretty powerful.

[Ted Lasso 19,132]

Just now, Adam The God said:

Smilie, Oliver and Viney is pretty powerful.

I probably still take Langford over Smillie, but i definitely see the appeal. He's definitely one that makes us better in 2025 and would have to be a favourite for the rising star next year given how ready to go he is.

[adonski 11,496]

[demoncat 1,218]

5 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Reeally starting to warm to Smillie for our first pick.

Same here 

He’s clearly the wild card of the top rated players, and if JT rated him enough to take him at 5 I’d have high hopes that he could be looked back on as the steal of the first round considering where he was rated at the start of the year 

[Axis of Bob 11,563]

As a casual observer (who isn’t an expert), I’m wary of Smilie. The game he’ll need to play at AFL level is different to the one he plays now, so there’s a lot of risk.

He’s currently an outside midfielder trapped in a tall’s body being asked to play as an inside midfielder. He’s not a great stoppage player and he struggles to release the ball in traffic, instead trying to bust out of tackles with his arms down. He wants to receive the ball out in space to use his good kicking but he doesn’t run well enough to do that at an AFL level. He also doesn’t mark the ball well for his size.

He has a bunch of really great traits that read incredibly well for a recruit. But his work rate and ‘football’ ability mean that a lot of these skills are mismatched and there’s a lot of risk that he’ll be a constant ‘almost’ player. If the inside work clicks and he discovers AFL work rate then he’ll be a gun. Personally, I’d take that risk at 9 but I’d be very nervous at 5.

Edited October 20 by Axis of Bob