Not sure they can continue with the stay at home or national option in the draft. Highly compromised even with other concessions. Top prospects in WA or SA can elect to stay at home. Piper Window (great name) is probably a top 3 pick but choose to stay in SA so nominated state and not National.  Port gets a free hit as long as they stay in the draft ahead of the AFLW crows.
Time to equalize the rules!!! (Oh sorry it’s the AFL way!!!) 

47 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Not sure they can continue with the stay at home or national option in the draft. Highly compromised even with other concessions. Top prospects in WA or SA can elect to stay at home. Piper Window (great name) is probably a top 3 pick but choose to stay in SA so nominated state and not National.  Port gets a free hit as long as they stay in the draft ahead of the AFLW crows.
Time to equalize the rules!!! (Oh sorry it’s the AFL way!!!) 

Not to mention the pre-signing of a bunch of the top 10 talent before the draft even began. And the arbitrary compensation picks for teams who lost talent to expansion last trade period. That was real rules on the run stuff, luckily we weren't affected, but seriously there was zero transparency about it and the AFL just did whatever after the fact.

I really hope there's only a couple of state-based drafts left. It was necessarily in the previous phase of the competition due to the financial burden of moving interstate and the difficulty in terms of employment for the higher percentage of older players with established careers. But it's getting closer to the point where a possible interstate move should just be part of it, with most draftees being 18-20 and choosing AFLW as their career path. Like you say, it's just too easily manipulated in the two-club states. It actually might even be impeding equalisation in some instances, with bottom teams being blocked from the most needed top players they might otherwise have drafted.

23 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Dees will be boosted by the addition of Jemma Rigoni.  She’s got real pace and plays like a youngster who’s grown up with footy skills built up over many years.  
AFL website write up… 

Position: Winger
Height: 172cm
State: Victoria, Oakleigh Chargers/Ashburton
Nomination: Victoria

Slightly older at 19, Rigoni missed out on her draft year after suffering a torn ACL in 2021. She's returned to both under-18 and VFLW level (with Casey Demons) in fine style, providing plenty of pace and neat kicking skills on the wing. Can also play off the flanks if needed.

Saw Jemma and Guy on ABC news last night. She wants to continue the family name at the Dees but wants more to be drafted for what she can bring to any team. Right attitude.

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Not sure they can continue with the stay at home or national option in the draft. Highly compromised even with other concessions. Top prospects in WA or SA can elect to stay at home. Piper Window (great name) is probably a top 3 pick but choose to stay in SA so nominated state and not National.  Port gets a free hit as long as they stay in the draft ahead of the AFLW crows.
Time to equalize the rules!!! (Oh sorry it’s the AFL way!!!) 

Hard one, they aren't full time players, big commitment to leave home for 20 odd weeks a year.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2023/12/18/2023-rmc-aflw-phantom-draft-and-qa/

AFLW Phantom Draft for anyone interested.

Has us picking

5. Alyssia Pisano

13. Georgia Stubs

20. Rigoni (matching bid)

 

PICK 5 – Melbourne – Alyssia Pisano (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)

Melbourne recruiters would be rubbing their hands together knowing they have a huge opportunity to select the most damaging small forward in the draft pool. With a potent left foot and elite goal sense, Pisano will only make the Demons’ forwardline stronger and has enormous potential. A genuine steal at Pick 5, helped by her state nomination.

If not, who else?

The Demons are looking for that game-breaking player, with Williamson another chance to go here. The Stingrays midfielder could also run off half-back and is that natural leader the Demons enjoy.

PICK 13 – Melbourne – Georgia Stubs (Eastern Ranges / Vic Metro)

Another potential AFLW Draft bolter who has had plenty of interest, Stubs has explosive speed and is not afraid to take the game on. Able to play off both half-back and through the middle, the Eastern Ranges talent has some big fans and should land inside the top 30, with this region being the top end of her range.

If not, who else?

The Demons might look to Whiley as another suitable replacement, while Gough and Bacon could be choices depending who is on the board.

PICK 20 – Melbourne – Jemma Rigoni (Oakleigh Chargers / Vic Metro) – BID MATCHED

It is difficult to work out when the Rigoni bid will come, and Melbourne will hope it is after Pick 23. However the likelihood is it comes just before, with the selection fair value for the explosive over-ager. The daughter of 100-gamer Guy will fit in nicely off half-back for the Demons, but can also play in other positions.

Draft is under way, live picks dropping here and telecast through the afl app is available.

Every pick of the AFLW Draft as it happens - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1072224

Here we go, pick 5, Alyssia Pisano.

I think she was a little star struck receiving her jumper from Kate and seemed pretty happy with the idea of playing for the Dees.

Four goals in her return from an ACL, then backed it up with 6 the next week. Hopefully that genuine small forward we all want!

As mentioned in another thread, we have selected small forward Alyssia Pisano with pick 5.

Pick 12: Ryleigh Wotherspoon

Draft bolter: Dees swoop in on freakish multi-sport athlete - https://www.afl.com.au/news/1072208

 

https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1072208/aflw-draft-ryleigh-wotherspoon-multi-sport-athlete-cricket-soccer-softball-melbourne-brisbane

Classic Smokey play at 12. Rayleigh Wotherspoon wasn’t even on Sarah Black’s late mail names for consideration!

Immediately nicknamed "Reese", surely?

Was mentioned in the broadcast that clubs were requesting footage of her today so clearly garnered some attention late. Previously a train-on with Brisbane. We must've done our homework on this one.

Big bodied, power player.

Edited December 18, 20231 yr by Axis of Bob

My guess is Brisbane had Wotherspoon lined up at 15 (or 21 or 22) and we knew she wouldn't be there at 23.

 

Most critical part of the draft now, hoping that Rigoni slips past our next pick.

Pick 23 Jacinta Hose

Big cheer in the room - looks like she was there for a teammate so a happy surprise.

Has done two ACLs, 3 months out from most recent.

Edited December 18, 20231 yr by Dees_In_October

Rigoni ❤️💙

#43 jumper is ready and waiting - if she wants it!

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1478752/aflw-draft-pick-no29-rigoni-legacy-continues

Pick 55 Delany Madigan. We raided the Esstern Ranges.  Huge draft night.  Missed out on Mikayla Williamson at pick 12 but otherwise very good picks.  

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?

4 minutes 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?

We put a bid on Bryde O'Rourke, and Geelong matched the bid. 

Now that the trade and draft period is done and dusted it's time to do my best 21.

B: Heath, Gillard

HB: Goldrick, Colvin, Lampard

C: McNamara, Purcell, Mithen

HF: Hore, Harris, B. Mackin

F: Bannan, Zanker

FOLL: Pearce, Paxman, Hanks

IC: A. Mackin, Campbell, Rigoni, Pisano, Wotherspoon

EMERG: Chaplin, Fitzsimon, Johnson

1 hour ago, Storm Boy said:

We put a bid on Bryde O'Rourke, and Geelong matched the bid. 

Cheers, the live draft blog didn't list O'Rourke as a matched bid like others were.

Edited December 18, 20231 yr by Nascent