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2024 AFL National Draft prospects: The next batch

Whispering_Jack
in Melbourne Demons

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26 minutes ago, ChaserJ said:

Parts of his game remind me of Chad Warner. A lot to like about Hynes.

Bit quieter today but his partner in crime in Langford had another monster game with 33 touches and 4 goals. Ah-Mu bagged another 3 goals and Riak Andrew was pretty good down back (apart from one shocking kick in the back half).

For Gippy, Mentha looked really smooth coming out of defence and think there’s something worth investing in there.

His stats don’t look much but is Riak the kind of elite athlete and competitor who could be groomed as a back pocket specialist? We could really do with one. 

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    21 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

     

    1 Tigers. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh

    2.*Brisbane match bid. Levi Ashcroft Father son.

    3. Roos. Luke Trainor - Sandringham

    4 Eagles. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh

    5. Crows.   Sid Draper - Sth Adel 

    6. Saints.  Josh Smillie - Eastern

    7. * Suns match bid Leonardo Lombard 

    8. Dees … either of 
    Harvey Langford - Dandenong⭐️

    Sam Lalor- GWV⭐️

    Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland⭐

    I thing Langford has to go pick 1 (of the non Ashcroft draft) just too much good footy from a big explosive mid.

    Will be interesting to see if the Roos do go tall, trade down or just keep adding to this crazy midfield. They don’t have a monster big body like Smillie - but LDU, Wardlaw and Sheezel will be fine more often than not. O’Sullivan would give them extra half forward/midified run and class too.

    Eagles and Crows would both be suited by Draper and Jagga.

    Geez the Saints winning would do us a nice favour tomorrow.

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    45 minutes ago, ChaserJ said:

    Parts of his game remind me of Chad Warner. A lot to like about Hynes.

    Bit quieter today but his partner in crime in Langford had another monster game with 33 touches and 4 goals. Ah-Mu bagged another 3 goals and Riak Andrew was pretty good down back (apart from one shocking kick in the back half).

    For Gippy, Mentha looked really smooth coming out of defence and think there’s something worth investing in there.

    Cooper coming back from a rolled ankle

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    1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

    His stats don’t look much but is Riak the kind of elite athlete and competitor who could be groomed as a back pocket specialist? We could really do with one. 

    Is Riak in our academy ? Just like Mac was…. 🥲

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    2 minutes ago, Melonmonster said:

    Is Riak in our academy ? Just like Mac was…. 🥲

    yes i believe so; he's playing as an 'overage' player this year

    i'm presuming we will look to add him, ricky mentha, and noah yze as late / rookie selections if they warrant selection

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    41 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

    yes i believe so; he's playing as an 'overage' player this year

    i'm presuming we will look to add him, ricky mentha, and noah yze as late / rookie selections if they warrant selection

    Marcus Prasad's another in our NGA ('26 draft?) that got a game today. Got himself a goal too.

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    5 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

    His stats don’t look much but is Riak the kind of elite athlete and competitor who could be groomed as a back pocket specialist? We could really do with one. 

    Similar athletic traits to his brother, has a bit of bounce to his game, but not as tall (193ish cm) and raw. Would happily rookie as I think he has upside.

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    Both Riak and Mentha have at least had one nomination to attend the state combine draft.

    I actually wouldn't be surprised if that was the Dees nominating both lads. Riak Andrew would add further depth and development down back and whilst he is still pretty raw, he's got the athletic build similar to his brother.

    Mentha is proving his versatility playing down back as this is a big mantra of Jason Taylor and Simon Goodwin when it come to recruiting. Hes always been pigeoned hole as a small forward but seems hes having success as a running half back.

    im pretty sure we'll gave the rookie spot to fit both on our list come November.

    Though I believe Noah Yze didn't get an invite to the draft combine which to me doesn't come as a great deal of a surprise. 

    I've seen nothing that stands out to me in terms of having AFL weapons that could step up to elite level. His form in the Coates League level has been so so.

    On another note, Tarion Ah-Mu just continues to excite me.. The kid is a monster and he kicked another 3 goals yesterday which takes his tally to 18 from just 8 games.

     

    Edited by dazzledavey36

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    Also, I can guarantee there would have been Melbourne recruiters watching the Dandenong vs Gippsland power game yesterday. 

    Not only have both teams got Melbourne NGA kids playing in Mentha, Andrew, Ah-Mu and Prasad, but top end talent in Cooper Hynes and Harvey Langford. Langfords stocks are certainly rising so I have no doubt he's be right on our radar come pick 5/6. Honestly would be another that the club would like. 

    Nothing are bid bodied midfield bulls who would certainly add much needed talent and depth. Though, I think Hynes would probably more likely be in the teams whereas Langford is certainly a top 10 prospect. 

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    Yze Jr may have tagged Levi Ashcroft yesterday?

    Sam Lalor looks a ripper.

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    5 hours ago, Clintosaurus said:

    Yze Jr may have tagged Levi Ashcroft yesterday?

    Sam Lalor looks a ripper.

    Yep, heard Yze had that job. Ashcroft finished with 17 touches, which would be close to his lowest possession count in the CTL this season.

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    22 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

    PICK 5 BABY COME ON DOWN

    JT goes to work with pick 5 👏👏👏

    Edited by spirit of norm smith
    G

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    20 minutes ago, Demongirl35 said:

    Josh Smillie 

    He could have his own song after every goal he kicks!

    (Younger readers would be more familiar with Ronnie's daughter Lauren Burns, who won Australia's first Gold Medal in taekwondo at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.)

     

     

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    Simply must take that pick 5 to the draft. I’d even be willing to try and bring in another top 10 pick to try and speed up our ‘rebuild’, much in the same way we did in 2019 with Kozzie and Dogga

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    6 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

    He could have his own song after every goal he kicks!

    (Younger readers would be more familiar with Ronnie's daughter Lauren Burns, who won Australia's first Gold Medal in taekwondo at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.)

     

     

    literally listening to the new compilation of the twilights right now!

     

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    On 23/08/2024 at 23:19, spirit of norm smith said:

    Message for JT. We need a type of player.  Look for more competitive players. Hard nuts.  Skilled footballers yes. Ones who will defend their teammates. Ones with spirit.  They might now all be the elite youngster but you cannot build the spirit in that hard grit.  Thoughts? @Whispering_Jack @layzie. @dazzledavey36

    Here is some within the 2024 list 


    Sam Lalor

    Tom Gross

    Cooper Hynes 

    Harrison Oliver 

    Zak Johnson 

    Kade Herbert 

    Nat Sulzberger 

    Youngsters who could stand up when the heat comes !!! Not physically pushed aside. 


     

    You guys would know better than me with most of these but I'm a fan of Sam Lalor. Solid but also dynamic mid who has the size to play as a resting forward if needed. 

    But to your point, he seems to love the physical side of the game and tackles like he means it. Something we could use definitely use more of. 

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    On first glance Lalor looks like more of what we’ve already got, a big bull in the Trac Viney Tholstrup mould. The more you see of him though, he’s really quite quick, has good burst out of stoppage, and seems to be a really clean field kick who hits his targets. Could be a ripper, has played through injury this year and is only just scraping the surface of his talent. 

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    I think the Roos would be crazy to take another midfielder in this draft, given they already have LDU, Sheezel, Wardlaw, Simpkin, McKercher and Powell. I'm guessing they may be looking at Luke Trainor, as a gun key position player is an absolute must for them. 

    With that in mind the draft could look like (note I've left out Ashcroft because we all know where he is going:

    1. Jagga Smith (Tigers)

    2. Luke Trainor (North)

    3. Finn O'Sullivan (Eagles)

    4. Sid Draper (Crows)

    5. Harvey Langford / Josh Smilie / Sam Lalor / Murphy Reid

    I also wouldn't be surprised to see North try trade back to take two picks inside 12-15 as well.

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    1 hour ago, Gawndy the Great said:

    How do the top 5 stack up in terms of agility and speed? We not only need good kickers but players with great athletic ability. 

    O’Sullivan seems the standout athlete for mids with run and some decent pace, Draper the most zip, Lalor the power burst, Jagga Smith the clean link running.

    It’s very tricky because they all have different strengths and weaknesses. 

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