11 hours ago, Axis of Bob said:

Big bodied, power player.

From that little "highlight" package looks like everything we need to go with the bigger physical mids of Adel, Bris & nth

10 hours ago, Nascent said:

Didn't get to watch the whole draft, how did Geelong get pick 22 ahead of us?

Was there a live trade (do they even have that in the AFLW draft)? Doesn't appear to be an Academy or f/d player. Was the draft order simply wrong?

Was a Father / Daughter, Dad played 2 games for Cats in 1969 with Saw Newman!!!

Four ACLs between our first four draft picks is a real concern, particularly given that one of those has barely started working through her second ACL. Losing four best 21 players, and replacing them with a group that hasn't played a lot of football in recent years doesn't bode well for our depth next season.

 

Nevertheless, hopefully we have added some serious talent to the list who will help take the team back into premiership contention in coming years.

what's interesting to me is that this crop of girls coming thru is the first lot that have seen aflw as a pathway for their sporting careers

good luck to all!

2 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

what's interesting to me is that this crop of girls coming thru is the first lot that have seen aflw as a pathway for their sporting careers

good luck to all!

So true, these are the 12 year olds of 2017 that were a big focus at that time - choosing in greater numbers to keep going with footy rather than give it up, having continuous access to youth girls teams, etc. (albeit pandemic interrupted for some). You could tell from the way they spoke that their idols are very much AFLW players and that AFLW was a career choice for them.

 

 

 

The above article in video format. Seems like there were decisions made mid-season that prompted some of the player movement.

Says that a few of our incoming draftees will allow for some positional changes in the existing list and a change in our game style.

Reading between the lines, Pisano, Wotherspoon, Rigoni and Madigan are all considered ready to play at some stage next season. Hose a very long-term prospect, not surprisingly.

Also some pointed remarks about the 11-club trade on the last day of trade, referring to "different sophistication levels at different clubs" in how trades are done, so a bit going on there...

 

Todd Patterson very impressive, honest and candid about what the club needed to do to stay in the window.

 

After the extraordinary 'stability' in recent drafts, it's kinda weird experiencing all the stuff associated with getting new players, especially them being comparatively unknown, and so many.

But nice!

 

I'll put this here...congratulations Goldie and David

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=794878449345693&set=a.605499274950279

4 hours ago, rjay said:

I'll put this here...congratulations Goldie and David

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=794878449345693&set=a.605499274950279

And for the non-social-media'd?...

51 minutes ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

And for the non-social-media'd?...

Engagement!

9 hours ago, deanox said:

Engagement!

Aussie?

Ins: Lily Johnson (Port Adelaide), Alyssia Pisano, Ryleigh Wotherspoon, Jacinta Hose, Jemma Rigoni, Delany Madigan (draft), Grace Hill (Greater Western Sydney, injury replacement)

Outs: Libby Birch (North Melbourne), Maddi Gay (Essendon), Casey Sherriff, Eliza West (Hawthorn), Charlotte Wilson (Gold Coast), Georgie Fowler (retired), Jordi Ivey, Sammie Johnson* (delisted)
 

AFL WEBSITE COMMENTS 

Melbourne may take a short-term hit to its tall defensive stocks, losing both Birch and Wilson, as well as Gay across half-back, but injury replacement player Hill provides a bit of depth. West had been squeezed out of the midfield late in the year, while the loss of Sherriff will hurt across half-forward. The Dees may have taken one step backwards in order to go two steps forward, hitting the draft hard for the first time since 2020. Pisano could play straight away in the forward line, the Demons pushed hard to lock away raw but exciting half-back flanker Wotherspoon, and father-daughter pick up Rigoni will provide plenty of pace on the wing or flanks. Hose will sit out the year with a torn ACL.

We lose 4 best “21” players in my view.  Gay. Birch. West.  Sherriff. Wilson was on the fringe but still a loss. Opportunity now for some others to push through. Yes I think Pisano plays straight away. She’s a talent and will play half forward role.  Others are 2025. Rigoni has great pace but skills need improvement (kicks like Ingo!!) But huge future ahead and will bring excitement.  

Edited December 22, 20232 yr by spirit of norm smith
P

6 hours ago, Timothy Reddan-A'Blew said:

Aussie?

Pretty sure Goldie made the move to Australia with her partner earlier this year, so I'm guessing Irish. I think they intend to return to Ireland eventually though, hopefully that's a few years away.

On Patterson's comment on existing players in new roles, could they have someone in mind to replace West? Can't say anyone we've rotated through really stands out as a more permanent option there. But none of the ins fill that gap in an immediate way, possibly Wotherspoon but yeah, she's a pretty raw (though the same could be said for West originally).

Apparently Saraid Taylor will be played back, so she might break into the team. Gillard also mentioned for more ruck time. Hopefully we'll be able to try some stuff out in VFLW.