Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

if we rate kako as the best player at pick #6, then might as well nominate him and force the peptides to pay, as their good fortune in the change to the nga academy came conveniently when they stood to benefit

this would mean we'd take finn o'sullivan if that pick thus pushes back one spot

there really doesn't appear to be any consensus on the first round this year, whereas in other years it's all been more firm - and all the afl media scribes have wildly fluctuating predictions on who might go where

almost like they (shock! horror!!) don't know the inner workings of 18 professional football clubs

Posted

It would be quite fascinating to be there while Jason Taylor and the rest of the recruitment staff discuss all these hypotheticals about who they think will be drafted where and what their strategies would be.

  • Like 3

Posted

Interesting article from today’s Melbourne Age with the players nominating their expected number 1.  

The players' pick

We asked 10 of the best junior players in Australia who they thought (not including themselves) would be taken at No.1 in this year's AFL national draft. Here's what they said.

Jagga Smith Nominated: Josh Smillie

“When he’s at his best, I think Josh Smillie is the best player in the draft. It’s his ceiling, and what he could be. But if you want a sure player, I think you can go Levi Ashcroft – he’s as good as anyone.”

Isaac Kako Nominated: Jagga Smith

“He’s really consistent. Someone’s got to do it, and it’s always him. I love watching him play and love playing with him – great player.”

Harry Armstrong Nominated: Jagga Smith

“I think he’s got the work-rate and attitude, and it comes off in games.”

Alex Dodson Nominated: Sid Draper

“He’s an extremely hard worker, a great leader, and I think he’s going to forge a really good AFL career.”

Josh Smillie Nominated: Jagga Smith

“Just his professionalism and the way he goes about it. He’s everything you want in a player as well. You could just see him being the perfect AFL player.”

Jack Whitlock Nominated: Finn O’Sullivan

“Country boy, he’s just got that resilience about him. He hasn’t had the best year this year with injury, but his talent is through the roof. That was shown through his unreal bottom-age year, and even his 16th year, when he took out the medal as the best player of the championships.”

Matt Whitlock Nominated: Finn O’Sullivan

“I think it’s going to be hard to pass on him, even though he hasn’t had the best year with injury. I feel like he’s such a special player, and he’s definitely someone who’s going to be a premiership player [in the AFL].”

Sam Lalor Nominated: Finn O’Sullivan

“I reckon he’s got the highest ceiling. He hasn’t been at his best this year [because of injuries], but when he’s on, he’s the best player.”

Harvey Langford  Nominated: Finn O’Sullivan

“I think he’ll suit a club really well, just with how he’s able to interact with the other boys and get around everyone. He’s a great leader, and an amazing player.”

Finn O'Sullivan Nominated: Sam Lalor

“I think he should be one. He’d be an awesome fit for Richmond. He’s got a great mindset, and is a really powerful and explosive player. His footy talks for itself, and he’s also a really social person, so he will form some good relationships with coaches and players.”

  • Like 1
Posted
7 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Interesting article from today’s Melbourne Age with the players nominating their expected number 1.  

“The players' pick

We asked 10 of the best junior players in Australia who they thought (not including themselves) would be taken at No.1 in this year's AFL national draft. Here's what they said.

Jagga Smith Nominated: Josh Smillie

“When he’s at his best, I think Josh Smillie is the best player in the draft. It’s his ceiling, and what he could be. But if you want a sure player, I think you can go Levi Ashcroft – he’s as good as anyone.”

Isaac Kako Nominated: Jagga Smith

“He’s really consistent. Someone’s got to do it, and it’s always him. I love watching him play and love playing with him – great player.”

Harry Armstrong Nominated: Jagga Smith

“I think he’s got the work-rate and attitude, and it comes off in games.”

Alex Dodson Nominated: Sid Draper

“He’s an extremely hard worker, a great leader, and I think he’s going to forge a really good AFL career.”

Josh Smillie Nominated: Jagga Smith

“Just his professionalism and the way he goes about it. He’s everything you want in a player as well. You could just see him being the perfect AFL player.”

Jack Whitlock Nominated: Finn O’Sullivan

“Country boy, he’s just got that resilience about him. He hasn’t had the best year this year with injury, but his talent is through the roof. That was shown through his unreal bottom-age year, and even his 16th year, when he took out the medal as the best player of the championships.”

Matt Whitlock Nominated: Finn O’Sullivan

“I think it’s going to be hard to pass on him, even though he hasn’t had the best year with injury. I feel like he’s such a special player, and he’s definitely someone who’s going to be a premiership player [in the AFL].”

Sam Lalor Nominated: Finn O’Sullivan

“I reckon he’s got the highest ceiling. He hasn’t been at his best this year [because of injuries], but when he’s on, he’s the best player.”

Harvey Langford  Nominated: Finn O’Sullivan

“I think he’ll suit a club really well, just with how he’s able to interact with the other boys and get around everyone. He’s a great leader, and an amazing player.”

Finn O'Sullivan Nominated: Sam Lalor

“I think he should be one. He’d be an awesome fit for Richmond. He’s got a great mindset, and is a really powerful and explosive player. His footy talks for itself, and he’s also a really social person, so he will form some good relationships with coaches and players.”

Something a little unsettling about this article.  

Posted
24 minutes ago, Nascent said:

@Pennant St Dee

Highlights of Cody Angove, believe you said we may have shown some interest in him earlier in the year?

 

 

Yes we interviewed him earlier in the year and not sure if we did again during the combine. Angove didn’t have as good a season this year as his underage year. Injured in preseason which caused some interruption.

He has very good lateral movement, acceleration, vision and can impact the scoreboard.

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Nascent said:

@Pennant St Dee

Highlights of Cody Angove, believe you said we may have shown some interest in him earlier in the year?

 

 

Agreed. @Nascent @Pennant St Dee like Judd McVee a few years ago, Cody could be late pick that really develops.  He’s got the pace, skills and smarts. I think he’s probably 4th round or a rookie pick.  I had him at 68 in my phantom draft (Sept 19th). Hope he gets a spot on a list.  

Edited by spirit of norm smith
I

Posted
15 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

 

Is anyone actually spending a single cent on having access to the frauds creating content at the Herald Sun?

  • Haha 1
  • Clap 1

Posted
40 minutes ago, layzie said:

Kako has been a massive bolter, even before the combine. Why?

Because internet experts are not real experts. 

Every year there are players that jump up the order and everyone is surprised. Usually these are players that have low stats but show traits that will translate well into AFL. Windsor was one of those. Tholstrup was one of those. Tauru is another that has popped up late this year. There are a few players that I think will do the same this year that people are barely speaking about. It happens every single year that internet experts overrate players that get a lot of the ball over players that exhibit AFL level traits at lower volume. But internet experts are not real experts.

  • Like 9
  • Thanks 1
  • Love 1
Posted
5 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

Because internet experts are not real experts. 

Every year there are players that jump up the order and everyone is surprised. Usually these are players that have low stats but show traits that will translate well into AFL. Windsor was one of those. Tholstrup was one of those. Tauru is another that has popped up late this year. There are a few players that I think will do the same this year that people are barely speaking about. It happens every single year that internet experts overrate players that get a lot of the ball over players that exhibit AFL level traits at lower volume. But internet experts are not real experts.

Appreciate the explanation Axis, didn't mean for it to sound jarring just curious. 

Posted (edited)
21 minutes ago, layzie said:

Appreciate the explanation Axis, didn't mean for it to sound jarring just curious. 

It didn't sound jarring at all. It's a perfectly reasonable question, and that's just my own explanation for it rather than the gold standard answer.

I think there are some players that are being highly underrated because they haven't been playing in the midfield or have been absent. Players like Travaglia and Hotton, the former because he played a lot as a half back and the latter because he was injured. Even a player like Finn O'Sullivan, who has struggled with injury all year, has been seen by some on the internet to slip down to the latter half of the top 10 and ranked behind some fairly middling talents due to lower possession numbers, despite probably being the best player in the pool. 

But recruiting is difficult and I'm certainly no expert to listen to. I've just seen the same trends every year on the internet whilst following it for the past 20 or so years. 

Edited by Axis of Bob
  • Like 6
  • Thanks 1

Posted
20 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

i imagine kako has shot up the draft reckoning because the value of 'speed and pressure' forwards has gone up more and more in the last few years and he appears to be the top player of that type available in this draft cohort


I’ll say. Imagine the stress on opponents trying to clear a ground ball from defense with Kossie & Kako buzzing around.

Also don’t forget we were very keen to trade up for Watson last year.

  • Like 1

Posted

Keep an eye out for the name Tye Hourigan from Traralgon Football Club

23 year old smokey defender in the same mould as Tom Stewart and we have strong interest in him.

One to watch.

  • Like 6
  • Thanks 6
Posted
5 hours ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Good write up. I found some of the “best traits similar to” part quite interesting.  Some I agree. Others not so.  Murphy Reid … similar to Gryan Miers.  No. That’s not correct in my view.  Miers is a small forward scrubber who specializes in goal assists.  Murphy Reid is an accumulation mid with quick hands and smart decisions.  If he builds up, he could be more the Lachie Neale type who seemingly is creative and before you know it he has 20 possessions.  
Thanks @Supreme_Demon

  • Like 1

Posted

Alix Tauru’s highlights look as good as any prospect in the draft. If recruiters think he will develop into a midfielder, he looks to be the full package.

Tauru and Smith might be the players with the fewest weaknesses. 

  • Like 1
Posted
20 minutes ago, Fat Tony said:

Alix Tauru’s highlights look as good as any prospect in the draft. If recruiters think he will develop into a midfielder, he looks to be the full package.

Tauru and Smith might be the players with the fewest weaknesses. 

Agree, the more I see the more I like Tauru - love to get him into our list 

Posted
36 minutes ago, fr_ap said:

Lalor clearly the best player in the draft. Clearly. 

The huge upside with him is that he's never really completed a pre season which why clubs have him really high up in the draft.

The scope around his potential is incredibly high.

There's a bit of Clayton Oliver 2017 element in terms of the upside with his conditioning and stripping down weight to an elite athlete type body to play more midfield minutes. 

I would be stoked if he fell through to our pick.

  • Like 2
Posted

Not sure why there isn't more talk of Josh Smillie at 5, he looks a bit of a unicorn no? Interviewed on SEN and said he models his game on Cripps - the similarities are uncanny.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    TRAINING: Wednesday 22nd January 2025

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force for training at Gosch's Paddock on Wednesday morning for the MFC's School Holidays Open Training Session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS REHAB: TMac, Chandler, McVee, Tholstrup, Brown, Spargo Brown might have passed his fitness test as he’s back out with the main group.  Sparrow not present. Kozzy not present either.  Mini Rehab group has broken off from the match sim (contact) group: Max, Trac, Lever, Fullarton

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 20th January 2025

    Demonland Trackwatcher Gator attended training out at Casey Fields to bring you the following observations from Preseason Training. GATOR'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS There were 5 in the main rehab group, namely Gawn, Petracca, Fullarton, Woewodin and Lever.  Laurie was running laps by himself, as was Jefferson.  Chandler, as has been reported, had his arm in a sling.  Lindsay did a bit of lap running later on. Some of the ''rehab 5'' participated in non contact drills and b

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Wednesday 15th January 2025

    There were a number of Demonland Trackwatchers at Gosch's Paddock this morning to bring you their observations from Preseason Training. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS They were going hard at each other. The sims were in two 15 minute blocks. The second block finished a few minutes early, they gathered and had another 7 minutes at it. I think they were asked to compete, as they would play against an opposition. There was plenty of niggle, between some of them. At the end o

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 13th January 2025

    Better late than never … and quite frankly, there’s very little to report other than that training took place at Casey Fields this morning, that Tracc was there nursing his rib injury and that some photographs are on the club’s social media including this one of Clarrie in Raging Bull stance that gives rise for confidence. The other news is that the club has a new train on player in 185cm Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves (love the hyphenated name which is just so fitti

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Thursday 9th January 2025

    Welcome back to Demonland for those like me who have been on vacation. I’m posting this with some trepidation because of a certain amount of uncertainty surrounding the return of preseason training in 2025 after a flurry of weddings including those of our coach, one of our superstar players and a former premiership champion player and bloke, not to mention the recent mysterious incident that occurred on the Mornington Peninsula.  I believe that the team reassembles this morning at Casey Fie

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Wednesday 18th December 2024

    It was the final session of 2024 before the Christmas/New Years break and the Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force to bring you the following preseason training observations from Wednesday's session at Gosch's Paddock. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS TRAINING: Petracca, Oliver, Melksham, Woewodin, Langdon, Rivers, Billings, Sestan, Viney, Fullarton, Adams, Langford, Lever, Petty, Spargo, Fritsch, Bowey, Laurie, Kozzy, Mentha, George, May, Gawn, Turner Tholstrup, Kentfi

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 16th December 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers braved the sweltering heat to bring you their Preseason Training observations from Gosch's Paddock on Monday morning. SCOOP JUNIOR'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I went down today in what were pretty ordinary conditions - hot and windy. When I got there, they were doing repeat simulations of a stoppage on the wing and then moving the ball inside 50. There seemed to be an emphasis on handballing out of the stoppage, usually there were 3 or 4 handballs to

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 1

    TRAINING: Friday 13th December 2024

    With only a few sessions left before the Christmas break a number of Demonlander Trackwatchers headed down to Gosch's Paddock to bring you their observations from this morning's preseason training session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS PLAYERS IN ATTENDANCE: JVR, Salem, McVee, Petracca, Windsor, Viney, Lever, Spargo, Turner, Gawn, Tholstrup, Oliver, Billings, Langdon, Laurie, Bowey, Melksham, Langford, Lindsay, Jefferson, Howes, McAdam, Rivers, TMac, Adams, Hore, Verrall,

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Wednesday 11th December 2024

    A few new faces joined our veteran Demonland Trackwatchers on a beautiful morning out at Gosch's Paddock for another Preseason Training Session. BLWNBA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I arrived at around 1015 and the squad was already out on the track. The rehab group consisted of XL, McAdam, Melksham, Spargo and Sestan. Lever was also on restricted duties and appeared to be in runners.  The main group was doing end-to-end transition work in a simulated match situation. Ball mov

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...