2024 Phantom Drafts

[layzie 33,991]

2 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Langford.  He’s not perfect.  He’s a contested ballwinner inside mid with good distribution by hand and foot.  Btw Cripps kicking is not perfect.  Trac’s kicking is not perfect.  Clarry kicking is definitely not perfect.  Bont kicking is not perfect.  I’ve seen Langford twice live for Stingrays and kicking is good for distance (covers over 50 easily) and he can hit a target. 

I agree with all of those.

Doesn't have to be perfect, just a good enough kick.

[manny100 1,595]

ROOKIEME Sept'24 power rankings out 

[spirit of norm smith 16,588]

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/power-rankings/afl-draft-power-rankings-september-2024/

thanks @manny100

Overall ratings are excellent however quite a few are “interesting”…

Murphy Reid 3, Bo Allan 5, Kako at 13.  Wow. That’s well above my thoughts.  Reid especially.  I saw him live only twice but wasn’t super impressed.  Yes had a good Vic metro performance and deserves 9-10 rating.  I’m happy if Eagles grab him 🤣🤣
 

Finn O’Sullivan drops to 7 (shades on the Joel Selwood year where he dropped after injuries impacted his last underage year … the rest is history). Really. He is class and so versatile.  Would play round 1 2025 with solid injury free pre season   

Sid Draper drops to 9. Staggering.  He has class and pace and smarts and goalkicking.  Equal to Levi Ashcroft in my view.  If Crows pass on him, then Dees have to strongly consider. 

Xavier Lindsay at 15. Winner of Morrish Medal. Best on ground in Vic country v metro.  Elite skills. Left footer who plays in or out midfield.  Absolutely a steal. 
 

No “Ben Camporeale”.  He’s rating should be 13-15. Is he being forgotten? SA MVP. Gun midfielder.  wtf.  Blues will be laughing.  

Finally , again Sam Marshall at 22.  Lions will be doing high fives.  Equal BOG in Coates league GF (I actually thought he was BOG ahead of Ashcroft). WTF.  He’s the 12-15 rating. 
 

 

[Lord Travis 10,763]

Really like Cooper Hynes. If we can get another late first rounder like 18 from Brisbane, then drafting Draper/Lalor and Hynes would be such a good midfield combo to build our future around. Speed, skill, contest.

[drdrake 3,187]

On 25/09/2024 at 21:12, layzie said:

I agree with all of those.

Doesn't have to be perfect, just a good enough kick.

No, we need elite kick our midfield is full of average or below average kicks.

Brisbane tore Sydney apart with elite kicking through the corridor.  Clubs have worked out to beat the zones you need to hit that 20 to 35m kick, we just don't have enough players on our list that can hit that kick.

[layzie 33,991]

43 minutes ago, drdrake said:

No, we need elite kick our midfield is full of average or below average kicks.

Brisbane tore Sydney apart with elite kicking through the corridor.  Clubs have worked out to beat the zones you need to hit that 20 to 35m kick, we just don't have enough players on our list that can hit that kick.

Preaching to the choir mate, I've only ever talked about needing better foot skill in the middle and agree. 

What I mean by good enough kick is someone that can hit a target 7 or 8 times out of 10. If the kids we choose have an elite kick that's a bonus but there's no point drafting someone with a suspect tank who will 9 possessions a game just because they have an elite kick. We've already got Spargo. 

[spirit of norm smith 16,588]

@drdrake
Highly skilled , high disposal efficiency kicks.  

Levi Ashcroft  - draft range 1-2 

Sid Draper 3-7

Xavier Lindsay 8-15

Jesse Dattoli 21-27

Harry Oliver 21-27

Blake Leidler 55-rookie 

Mitch Kirkwood-Scott 55-rookie

Will Hayes 55-rookie

Edited October 3 by spirit of norm smith
L

[DubDee 26,117]

Ahhhhhh

The warm, comforting bosom of the Draft thread

[seventyfour 1,177]

We absolutely need to find another top 15 pick in this draft

[Davos 923]

On 01/10/2024 at 11:09, drdrake said:

No, we need elite kick our midfield is full of average or below average kicks.

Brisbane tore Sydney apart with elite kicking through the corridor.  Clubs have worked out to beat the zones you need to hit that 20 to 35m kick, we just don't have enough players on our list that can hit that kick.

Brisbane has one midfielder who you'd classify as an elite kick (McCluggage), and even then he is probably still more of a wingman than an out and out mid. The Brisbane mids are all stoppage guns, and that's where they killed Sydney on Saturday.

Having said that, we do need better users in the back half. They're the guys pulling the trigger on the 20-35m corridor kicks, and outside of McVee we are devoid of talent in that area. Bowey hasn't developed, Howes has yet to prove himself, Salem is practically a corpse at this point and Rivers is an overrated user who is now probably a full time midfielder anyway. 

I'd say the club has identified this, hence the pursuit of Houston. Not sure if anyone fits the bill in this year's draft - seems to be a lot of mids, small forwards or key position players.

[Supreme_Demon 3,899]

Elite kicking skills should be a non-negotiable for any players we draft to the Demons.

Centre clearance ability is also crucial.

 

[drdrake 3,187]

1 hour ago, Davos said:

Brisbane has one midfielder who you'd classify as an elite kick (McCluggage), and even then he is probably still more of a wingman than an out and out mid. The Brisbane mids are all stoppage guns, and that's where they killed Sydney on Saturday.

Having said that, we do need better users in the back half. They're the guys pulling the trigger on the 20-35m corridor kicks, and outside of McVee we are devoid of talent in that area. Bowey hasn't developed, Howes has yet to prove himself, Salem is practically a corpse at this point and Rivers is an overrated user who is now probably a full time midfielder anyway. 

I'd say the club has identified this, hence the pursuit of Houston. Not sure if anyone fits the bill in this year's draft - seems to be a lot of mids, small forwards or key position players.

Bailey, Ashcroft, Neale, Zorko, Rayner, Lyons, Ah Chee, McCluggage, Fletcher if any of these players joined MFC they would be amongst our top 5 ball users.

[Davos 923]

39 minutes ago, drdrake said:

Bailey, Ashcroft, Neale, Zorko, Rayner, Lyons, Ah Chee, McCluggage, Fletcher if any of these players joined MFC they would be amongst our top 5 ball users.

Bailey is a forward who can run through the middle a la Kozzy. Ashcroft and Neale are fine kicks, not elite. Rayner is a Petracca level user, capable of the sublime but rarely pulls it off. Lyons sucks. Ah Chee ain't a mid. Neither is Zorko. McCluggage and Fletcher are wingers. 

Point is if it's pure mids that we're after (it should be), being an elite user shouldn't be the make or break attribute that determines who we draft at 5.

[Roger Mellie 4,102]

Eth-dog's Phantom Draft:

Round 1:

Pick 1. Richmond: Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels, 187 cm, Inside Midfielder/Medium Forward). Who goes 1? I went Lalor as in the past few weeks it's felt as if there's more and more people thinking it'll be the powerful mid/forward for Vic Country. Some are comparing him to Martin and I think the Tigers won't pass that up.

Pick 2. Brisbane: Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons, 179 cm, IM). North Melbourne bid pick 2, Brisbane match the 2013.6 with picks 27 (703), 34 (542), 42 (395) and 43 (378) and add a 4.4 point surplus. Brisbane probably live trade 27 at this point for more points but to win the flag and then secure arguably the best prospect of the year is great for the Lions, Levi will add to their forward rotation until he breaks into that midfield.

Pick 3. North Melbourne: Finn O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers, 182 cm, IM). Smith or O'Sullivan? The pair make a deadly combination and I struggled to separate the two here so essentially went with my gut on who was going to be taken first of the pair.

Pick 4. Carlton: Jagga Smith (OC, 182 cm, IM). I honestly almost had him going at 1, but make no mistake, Smithnis a star of the future. His best is absolutely lethal and will likely impact for Carlton in round 1 if he ends up here.

Pick 5. Adelaide: Sid Draper (South Adelaide, 180 cm, IM). I know it's a bit cloche for Adelaide to take the SA product but he's also the best player available at this point in a position of need. Rumours of him not wanting to play for Adelaide are exaggerated apparently but they may cause the Crows to look elsewhere.

Pick 6. Melbourne: Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges, 194 cm, IM). Where to go for Melbourne? They have some quality Young key forwards coming through, same with their defence. Given the tumultuous off season over Oliver and Petracca, adding a replacement could be wise.

Pick 7. Richmond: Alixzander Tauru (Bendigo Pioneers, 194 cm, Key Position Defender). I ummed and ahhed over this one a bit. I think Richmond have a really good chance at setting up their spine over the next couple of drafts and Tauru as someone who is primarily a defender but can go forward as well is a prime xandidate for them, and I don't think he gets past the Saints

Pick 8. Gold Coast: Leo Lombard (Burleigh Bombers, 178 cm, IM/SF). St. Kilda bid with pick 8, Gold Coast match 1240.8 points with picks 38 (465), 40 (429), 48 (302) and 58 (170) and gain a 125.2 point surplus. I think the Saints bid here because they need the midfielders to rise up the table and obviously Gold Coast traded out a raft of picks because of this guy so will definitely match.

Pick 9. Essendon: Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons, 175 cm, Small Forward). St Kilda bid with pick 9, Essendon match 1175.2 with picks 29 (653) and 32 (584) and gain a 61.8 point surplus. I think St Kilda bid here because everyone knows Essendon match. Kako is tailor made for the bombers, the best small forward in the draft. I do think Essendon likely trade 28 and 31 out for a F1 at this point to trade back into the draft at some point around pick 15-20 as the rest of their picks can match this.

Pick 10. St. Kilda: Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power, 183 cm, Outside Midfielder). Saints get a midfielder that has received multiple comparisons to Essendon captain Zach Merrett. St Kilda need to add class to the midfield and he's the classiest mid left.

Pick 11. St. Kilda: Luke Trainor (SD, 194 cm, KPD). I think St Kilda need some Young key defenders coming through and Trainor is probably the best of this draft class alongside Tauru, who they were probably be hoping for here.

Pick 12. Melbourne: Murphy Reid (SD, 180 cm, IM/SF). Reid and Langford was a genuine 50/50 at this point, Reid I simply think is the better player and adding the big bodied Amillie already makes me lean more Reid.

Pick 13. Richmond: Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays, 190 cm, IM/MF). I almost pulled the trigger on Langford at pick 7 but thought he was more likely to last than Tauru for the Tigers. Langford adds height and power to the Rixhmond midfield and forward line and is probably the perfect rotational piece for Lalor.

Pick 14. Richmond: Harry Armstrong (SD, 195 cm, Key Position Forward). The best key forward of this class, I think taking Armstrong here is the obvious choice, he can take a mark, solid set shot and is the man for them in my opinion.

Pick 15. West Coast: Bo Allen (Peel Thunder, 191 cm, Half Back/IM). More class is needed off half back for the Eagles and Allen more than provides that, and he could well end up in the mids down the track too.

Pick 16. Port Adelaide: Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers, 199 cm, Key Position Utility). Hard to say when Whitlock goes but I think Port really really need to bring in a key defender and that's honestly where I see Whitlock ending up.

Pick 17. Brisbane: Sam Marshall (SD, 185 cm, HB/OM). Fremantle bid with pick 17, Brisbane match 820 points with picks 44 (362), 54 (220), 59 (158) and their 4.4 Point surplus, go into a 75.6 point deficit for 2025. I think Freo bids because a classy half back who can impact straight away will help in their September push but Brisbane probably get a pick upgrade here to cocer off this small deficit.

Pick 18. Fremantle: Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers, 187 cm, HB). Travaglia is the perfect guy for Freo as a half back who can run and carry and kick the ball really well, so I feel like if he lasts to this point he's not gonna get passed up here.

Pick 19. Greater Western Sydney: Tom Gross (OC, 181 cm, IM). The next mid off the ranks, and the area the Giants most need. Mids are really important for GWS, having lost Peatling without a direct replacement.

Pick 20. Greater Western Sydney: Hamish Davis (Claremont, 190 cm, MF/IM). Davis is an interesting one, he is very talented but is he a forward or mid? I lean forward but he could well end up as a very food mid.

Pick 21. Western Bulldogs: Joe Berry (MB, 180 cm, SF). Late? Yeah, but the only spot I honestly see him going earlier than this is the Tigers last brace of picks.

Pick 22. Richmond: Jobe Shanahan (BP, 194 cm, KPF). Jobe Shanahan can seriouslymplay, as shown by his 11 VFL games in 3 games. He and Armstrong could make a very dangerous combination in the future if it works out this way.

Pick 23. Sydney: Jack Whitlock (MB, 199 cm, KPF). I think this probably gets traded but Whitlock is a very good player and if they keep the pick, he'd be the right one to pick.

Pick 24. Richmond: Taj Hotton (SD, 182 cm, SF/IM). Hotton here allows the Tigers to somewhat replace Bolton but not as good, the kid can add a lot to their side if they haven't traded out.

Pick 25. Greater Western Sydney: Harrison Oliver (SD, 181 cm, HB). I think more class off half back is something they need to address, plus he's probably the best available at this pick too.

Pick 26. Sydney: Angus Clarke (Glenelg, 188 cm, HB). Again, I think this pick gets traded but Clarke adds some class off half back for the Swans.

Pick 27. Richmond: Alex Dodson (Sturt, 203 cm, Ruck). How do you cap it off? The best ruck in the class is a nice way to round out day 1 with two key forwards, a key defender and plenty of mids, this seemed the natural choice.

Edited October 16 by Roger Mellie
Apostrophe

[Dee Boys 698]

15 minutes ago, Roger Mellie said:

Eth-dogs Phantom Draft:

Round 1:

Pick 1. Richmond: Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels, 187 cm, Inside Midfielder/Medium Forward). Who goes 1? I went Lalor as in the past few weeks it's felt as if there's more and more people thinking it'll be the powerful mid/forward for Vic Country. Some are comparing him to Martin and I think the Tigers won't pass that up.

Pick 2. Brisbane: Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons, 179 cm, IM). North Melbourne bid pick 2, Brisbane match the 2013.6 with picks 27 (703), 34 (542), 42 (395) and 43 (378) and add a 4.4 point surplus. Brisbane probably live trade 27 at this point for more points but to win the flag and then secure arguably the best prospect of the year is great for the Lions, Levi will add to their forward rotation until he breaks into that midfield.

Pick 3. North Melbourne: Finn O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers, 182 cm, IM). Smith or O'Sullivan? The pair make a deadly combination and I struggled to separate the two here so essentially went with my gut on who was going to be taken first of the pair.

Pick 4. Carlton: Jagga Smith (OC, 182 cm, IM). I honestly almost had him going at 1, but make no mistake, Smithnis a star of the future. His best is absolutely lethal and will likely impact for Carlton in round 1 if he ends up here.

Pick 5. Adelaide: Sid Draper (South Adelaide, 180 cm, IM). I know it's a bit cloche for Adelaide to take the SA product but he's also the best player available at this point in a position of need. Rumours of him not wanting to play for Adelaide are exaggerated apparently but they may cause the Crows to look elsewhere.

Pick 6. Melbourne: Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges, 194 cm, IM). Where to go for Melbourne? They have some quality Young key forwards coming through, same with their defence. Given the tumultuous off season over Oliver and Petracca, adding a replacement could be wise.

Pick 7. Richmond: Alixzander Tauru (Bendigo Pioneers, 194 cm, Key Position Defender). I ummed and ahhed over this one a bit. I think Richmond have a really good chance at setting up their spine over the next couple of drafts and Tauru as someone who is primarily a defender but can go forward as well is a prime xandidate for them, and I don't think he gets past the Saints

Pick 8. Gold Coast: Leo Lombard (Burleigh Bombers, 178 cm, IM/SF). St. Kilda bid with pick 8, Gold Coast match 1240.8 points with picks 38 (465), 40 (429), 48 (302) and 58 (170) and gain a 125.2 point surplus. I think the Saints bid here because they need the midfielders to rise up the table and obviously Gold Coast traded out a raft of picks because of this guy so will definitely match.

Pick 9. Essendon: Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons, 175 cm, Small Forward). St Kilda bid with pick 9, Essendon match 1175.2 with picks 29 (653) and 32 (584) and gain a 61.8 point surplus. I think St Kilda bid here because everyone knows Essendon match. Kako is tailor made for the bombers, the best small forward in the draft. I do think Essendon likely trade 28 and 31 out for a F1 at this point to trade back into the draft at some point around pick 15-20 as the rest of their picks can match this.

Pick 10. St. Kilda: Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power, 183 cm, Outside Midfielder). Saints get a midfielder that has received multiple comparisons to Essendon captain Zach Merrett. St Kilda need to add class to the midfield and he's the classiest mid left.

Pick 11. St. Kilda: Luke Trainor (SD, 194 cm, KPD). I think St Kilda need some Young key defenders coming through and Trainor is probably the best of this draft class alongside Tauru, who they were probably be hoping for here.

Pick 12. Melbourne: Murphy Reid (SD, 180 cm, IM/SF). Reid and Langford was a genuine 50/50 at this point, Reid I simply think is the better player and adding the big bodied Amillie already makes me lean more Reid.

Pick 13. Richmond: Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays, 190 cm, IM/MF). I almost pulled the trigger on Langford at pick 7 but thought he was more likely to last than Tauru for the Tigers. Langford adds height and power to the Rixhmond midfield and forward line and is probably the perfect rotational piece for Lalor.

Pick 14. Richmond: Harry Armstrong (SD, 195 cm, Key Position Forward). The best key forward of this class, I think taking Armstrong here is the obvious choice, he can take a mark, solid set shot and is the man for them in my opinion.

Pick 15. West Coast: Bo Allen (Peel Thunder, 191 cm, Half Back/IM). More class is needed off half back for the Eagles and Allen more than provides that, and he could well end up in the mids down the track too.

Pick 16. Port Adelaide: Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers, 199 cm, Key Position Utility). Hard to say when Whitlock goes but I think Port really really need to bring in a key defender and that's honestly where I see Whitlock ending up.

Pick 17. Brisbane: Sam Marshall (SD, 185 cm, HB/OM). Fremantle bid with pick 17, Brisbane match 820 points with picks 44 (362), 54 (220), 59 (158) and their 4.4 Point surplus, go into a 75.6 point deficit for 2025. I think Freo bids because a classy half back who can impact straight away will help in their September push but Brisbane probably get a pick upgrade here to cocer off this small deficit.

Pick 18. Fremantle: Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers, 187 cm, HB). Travaglia is the perfect guy for Freo as a half back who can run and carry and kick the ball really well, so I feel like if he lasts to this point he's not gonna get passed up here.

Pick 19. Greater Western Sydney: Tom Gross (OC, 181 cm, IM). The next mid off the ranks, and the area the Giants most need. Mids are really important for GWS, having lost Peatling without a direct replacement.

Pick 20. Greater Western Sydney: Hamish Davis (Claremont, 190 cm, MF/IM). Davis is an interesting one, he is very talented but is he a forward or mid? I lean forward but he could well end up as a very food mid.

Pick 21. Western Bulldogs: Joe Berry (MB, 180 cm, SF). Late? Yeah, but the only spot I honestly see him going earlier than this is the Tigers last brace of picks.

Pick 22. Richmond: Jobe Shanahan (BP, 194 cm, KPF). Jobe Shanahan can seriouslymplay, as shown by his 11 VFL games in 3 games. He and Armstrong could make a very dangerous combination in the future if it works out this way.

Pick 23. Sydney: Jack Whitlock (MB, 199 cm, KPF). I think this probably gets traded but Whitlock is a very good player and if they keep the pick, he'd be the right one to pick.

Pick 24. Richmond: Taj Hotton (SD, 182 cm, SF/IM). Hotton here allows the Tigers to somewhat replace Bolton but not as good, the kid can add a lot to their side if they haven't traded out.

Pick 25. Greater Western Sydney: Harrison Oliver (SD, 181 cm, HB). I think more class off half back is something they need to address, plus he's probably the best available at this pick too.

Pick 26. Sydney: Angus Clarke (Glenelg, 188 cm, HB). Again, I think this pick gets traded but Clarke adds some class off half back for the Swans.

Pick 27. Richmond: Alex Dodson (Sturt, 203 cm, Ruck). How do you cap it off? The best ruck in the class is a nice way to round out day 1 with two key forwards, a key defender and plenty of mids, this seemed the natural choice.

Who is “eth-dogs”?

[adonski 12,427]

4 minutes ago, Dee Boys said:

Who is “eth-dogs”?

One of a few BigFooty draft watchers

[DubDee 26,117]

So many typos and spelling errors

@Demonstone please look away!

[Viscount Cardwell 185]

3 hours ago, DubDee said:

So many typos and spelling errors

@Demonstone please look away!

Eth has gone to a lot of hard work for his phantom draft and your comment has no worth 

[The heart beats true 18,145]

Richmond’s recruitment team are basically going to have to meet 25 players before the draft. It’ll be an absolute mountain of work to run every possible scenario, which they’ll need to do as they have so many picks at the really pointy end.

I actually feel sorry for their recruitment staff after losing one of their own this week, and then coming into a once in a lifetime tsunami of work.

[Demons11 7,051]

9 minutes ago, The heart beats true said:

Richmond’s recruitment team are basically going to have to meet 25 players before the draft. It’ll be an absolute mountain of work to run every possible scenario, which they’ll need to do as they have so many picks at the really pointy end.

I actually feel sorry for their recruitment staff after losing one of their own this week, and then coming into a once in a lifetime tsunami of work.

They would have met the kids already multiple times 

[Sydee 4,529]

5 hours ago, Roger Mellie said:

Eth-dog's Phantom Draft:

Round 1:

Pick 1. Richmond: Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels, 187 cm, Inside Midfielder/Medium Forward). Who goes 1? I went Lalor as in the past few weeks it's felt as if there's more and more people thinking it'll be the powerful mid/forward for Vic Country. Some are comparing him to Martin and I think the Tigers won't pass that up.

Pick 2. Brisbane: Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons, 179 cm, IM). North Melbourne bid pick 2, Brisbane match the 2013.6 with picks 27 (703), 34 (542), 42 (395) and 43 (378) and add a 4.4 point surplus. Brisbane probably live trade 27 at this point for more points but to win the flag and then secure arguably the best prospect of the year is great for the Lions, Levi will add to their forward rotation until he breaks into that midfield.

Pick 3. North Melbourne: Finn O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers, 182 cm, IM). Smith or O'Sullivan? The pair make a deadly combination and I struggled to separate the two here so essentially went with my gut on who was going to be taken first of the pair.

Pick 4. Carlton: Jagga Smith (OC, 182 cm, IM). I honestly almost had him going at 1, but make no mistake, Smithnis a star of the future. His best is absolutely lethal and will likely impact for Carlton in round 1 if he ends up here.

Pick 5. Adelaide: Sid Draper (South Adelaide, 180 cm, IM). I know it's a bit cloche for Adelaide to take the SA product but he's also the best player available at this point in a position of need. Rumours of him not wanting to play for Adelaide are exaggerated apparently but they may cause the Crows to look elsewhere.

Pick 6. Melbourne: Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges, 194 cm, IM). Where to go for Melbourne? They have some quality Young key forwards coming through, same with their defence. Given the tumultuous off season over Oliver and Petracca, adding a replacement could be wise.

Pick 7. Richmond: Alixzander Tauru (Bendigo Pioneers, 194 cm, Key Position Defender). I ummed and ahhed over this one a bit. I think Richmond have a really good chance at setting up their spine over the next couple of drafts and Tauru as someone who is primarily a defender but can go forward as well is a prime xandidate for them, and I don't think he gets past the Saints

Pick 8. Gold Coast: Leo Lombard (Burleigh Bombers, 178 cm, IM/SF). St. Kilda bid with pick 8, Gold Coast match 1240.8 points with picks 38 (465), 40 (429), 48 (302) and 58 (170) and gain a 125.2 point surplus. I think the Saints bid here because they need the midfielders to rise up the table and obviously Gold Coast traded out a raft of picks because of this guy so will definitely match.

Pick 9. Essendon: Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons, 175 cm, Small Forward). St Kilda bid with pick 9, Essendon match 1175.2 with picks 29 (653) and 32 (584) and gain a 61.8 point surplus. I think St Kilda bid here because everyone knows Essendon match. Kako is tailor made for the bombers, the best small forward in the draft. I do think Essendon likely trade 28 and 31 out for a F1 at this point to trade back into the draft at some point around pick 15-20 as the rest of their picks can match this.

Pick 10. St. Kilda: Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power, 183 cm, Outside Midfielder). Saints get a midfielder that has received multiple comparisons to Essendon captain Zach Merrett. St Kilda need to add class to the midfield and he's the classiest mid left.

Pick 11. St. Kilda: Luke Trainor (SD, 194 cm, KPD). I think St Kilda need some Young key defenders coming through and Trainor is probably the best of this draft class alongside Tauru, who they were probably be hoping for here.

Pick 12. Melbourne: Murphy Reid (SD, 180 cm, IM/SF). Reid and Langford was a genuine 50/50 at this point, Reid I simply think is the better player and adding the big bodied Amillie already makes me lean more Reid.

Pick 13. Richmond: Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays, 190 cm, IM/MF). I almost pulled the trigger on Langford at pick 7 but thought he was more likely to last than Tauru for the Tigers. Langford adds height and power to the Rixhmond midfield and forward line and is probably the perfect rotational piece for Lalor.

Pick 14. Richmond: Harry Armstrong (SD, 195 cm, Key Position Forward). The best key forward of this class, I think taking Armstrong here is the obvious choice, he can take a mark, solid set shot and is the man for them in my opinion.

Pick 15. West Coast: Bo Allen (Peel Thunder, 191 cm, Half Back/IM). More class is needed off half back for the Eagles and Allen more than provides that, and he could well end up in the mids down the track too.

Pick 16. Port Adelaide: Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers, 199 cm, Key Position Utility). Hard to say when Whitlock goes but I think Port really really need to bring in a key defender and that's honestly where I see Whitlock ending up.

Pick 17. Brisbane: Sam Marshall (SD, 185 cm, HB/OM). Fremantle bid with pick 17, Brisbane match 820 points with picks 44 (362), 54 (220), 59 (158) and their 4.4 Point surplus, go into a 75.6 point deficit for 2025. I think Freo bids because a classy half back who can impact straight away will help in their September push but Brisbane probably get a pick upgrade here to cocer off this small deficit.

Pick 18. Fremantle: Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers, 187 cm, HB). Travaglia is the perfect guy for Freo as a half back who can run and carry and kick the ball really well, so I feel like if he lasts to this point he's not gonna get passed up here.

Pick 19. Greater Western Sydney: Tom Gross (OC, 181 cm, IM). The next mid off the ranks, and the area the Giants most need. Mids are really important for GWS, having lost Peatling without a direct replacement.

Pick 20. Greater Western Sydney: Hamish Davis (Claremont, 190 cm, MF/IM). Davis is an interesting one, he is very talented but is he a forward or mid? I lean forward but he could well end up as a very food mid.

Pick 21. Western Bulldogs: Joe Berry (MB, 180 cm, SF). Late? Yeah, but the only spot I honestly see him going earlier than this is the Tigers last brace of picks.

Pick 22. Richmond: Jobe Shanahan (BP, 194 cm, KPF). Jobe Shanahan can seriouslymplay, as shown by his 11 VFL games in 3 games. He and Armstrong could make a very dangerous combination in the future if it works out this way.

Pick 23. Sydney: Jack Whitlock (MB, 199 cm, KPF). I think this probably gets traded but Whitlock is a very good player and if they keep the pick, he'd be the right one to pick.

Pick 24. Richmond: Taj Hotton (SD, 182 cm, SF/IM). Hotton here allows the Tigers to somewhat replace Bolton but not as good, the kid can add a lot to their side if they haven't traded out.

Pick 25. Greater Western Sydney: Harrison Oliver (SD, 181 cm, HB). I think more class off half back is something they need to address, plus he's probably the best available at this pick too.

Pick 26. Sydney: Angus Clarke (Glenelg, 188 cm, HB). Again, I think this pick gets traded but Clarke adds some class off half back for the Swans.

Pick 27. Richmond: Alex Dodson (Sturt, 203 cm, Ruck). How do you cap it off? The best ruck in the class is a nice way to round out day 1 with two key forwards, a key defender and plenty of mids, this seemed the natural choice.

Hope Eth-dog is barking up the wrong tree 🐕 🌲 

[Young Blood 2,634]

Eth-dog is pretty spot on with how I see it going. Except I'd pick Langford over Reid for us with our second pick. 

Edited October 17 by Young Blood

[spirit of norm smith 16,588]

Agree. Best mids is our policy.  Love to see combo of Lalor/Langford/Smillie and then Lindsay/Travaglia.  

[Colm 2,183]

5 hours ago, Roger Mellie said:

Eth-dog's Phantom Draft:

Round 1:

Pick 1. Richmond: Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels, 187 cm, Inside Midfielder/Medium Forward). Who goes 1? I went Lalor as in the past few weeks it's felt as if there's more and more people thinking it'll be the powerful mid/forward for Vic Country. Some are comparing him to Martin and I think the Tigers won't pass that up.

Pick 2. Brisbane: Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons, 179 cm, IM). North Melbourne bid pick 2, Brisbane match the 2013.6 with picks 27 (703), 34 (542), 42 (395) and 43 (378) and add a 4.4 point surplus. Brisbane probably live trade 27 at this point for more points but to win the flag and then secure arguably the best prospect of the year is great for the Lions, Levi will add to their forward rotation until he breaks into that midfield.

Pick 3. North Melbourne: Finn O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers, 182 cm, IM). Smith or O'Sullivan? The pair make a deadly combination and I struggled to separate the two here so essentially went with my gut on who was going to be taken first of the pair.

Pick 4. Carlton: Jagga Smith (OC, 182 cm, IM). I honestly almost had him going at 1, but make no mistake, Smithnis a star of the future. His best is absolutely lethal and will likely impact for Carlton in round 1 if he ends up here.

Pick 5. Adelaide: Sid Draper (South Adelaide, 180 cm, IM). I know it's a bit cloche for Adelaide to take the SA product but he's also the best player available at this point in a position of need. Rumours of him not wanting to play for Adelaide are exaggerated apparently but they may cause the Crows to look elsewhere.

Pick 6. Melbourne: Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges, 194 cm, IM). Where to go for Melbourne? They have some quality Young key forwards coming through, same with their defence. Given the tumultuous off season over Oliver and Petracca, adding a replacement could be wise.

Pick 7. Richmond: Alixzander Tauru (Bendigo Pioneers, 194 cm, Key Position Defender). I ummed and ahhed over this one a bit. I think Richmond have a really good chance at setting up their spine over the next couple of drafts and Tauru as someone who is primarily a defender but can go forward as well is a prime xandidate for them, and I don't think he gets past the Saints

Pick 8. Gold Coast: Leo Lombard (Burleigh Bombers, 178 cm, IM/SF). St. Kilda bid with pick 8, Gold Coast match 1240.8 points with picks 38 (465), 40 (429), 48 (302) and 58 (170) and gain a 125.2 point surplus. I think the Saints bid here because they need the midfielders to rise up the table and obviously Gold Coast traded out a raft of picks because of this guy so will definitely match.

Pick 9. Essendon: Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons, 175 cm, Small Forward). St Kilda bid with pick 9, Essendon match 1175.2 with picks 29 (653) and 32 (584) and gain a 61.8 point surplus. I think St Kilda bid here because everyone knows Essendon match. Kako is tailor made for the bombers, the best small forward in the draft. I do think Essendon likely trade 28 and 31 out for a F1 at this point to trade back into the draft at some point around pick 15-20 as the rest of their picks can match this.

Pick 10. St. Kilda: Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power, 183 cm, Outside Midfielder). Saints get a midfielder that has received multiple comparisons to Essendon captain Zach Merrett. St Kilda need to add class to the midfield and he's the classiest mid left.

Pick 11. St. Kilda: Luke Trainor (SD, 194 cm, KPD). I think St Kilda need some Young key defenders coming through and Trainor is probably the best of this draft class alongside Tauru, who they were probably be hoping for here.

Pick 12. Melbourne: Murphy Reid (SD, 180 cm, IM/SF). Reid and Langford was a genuine 50/50 at this point, Reid I simply think is the better player and adding the big bodied Amillie already makes me lean more Reid.

Pick 13. Richmond: Harvey Langford (Dandenong Stingrays, 190 cm, IM/MF). I almost pulled the trigger on Langford at pick 7 but thought he was more likely to last than Tauru for the Tigers. Langford adds height and power to the Rixhmond midfield and forward line and is probably the perfect rotational piece for Lalor.

Pick 14. Richmond: Harry Armstrong (SD, 195 cm, Key Position Forward). The best key forward of this class, I think taking Armstrong here is the obvious choice, he can take a mark, solid set shot and is the man for them in my opinion.

Pick 15. West Coast: Bo Allen (Peel Thunder, 191 cm, Half Back/IM). More class is needed off half back for the Eagles and Allen more than provides that, and he could well end up in the mids down the track too.

Pick 16. Port Adelaide: Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers, 199 cm, Key Position Utility). Hard to say when Whitlock goes but I think Port really really need to bring in a key defender and that's honestly where I see Whitlock ending up.

Pick 17. Brisbane: Sam Marshall (SD, 185 cm, HB/OM). Fremantle bid with pick 17, Brisbane match 820 points with picks 44 (362), 54 (220), 59 (158) and their 4.4 Point surplus, go into a 75.6 point deficit for 2025. I think Freo bids because a classy half back who can impact straight away will help in their September push but Brisbane probably get a pick upgrade here to cocer off this small deficit.

Pick 18. Fremantle: Tobie Travaglia (Bendigo Pioneers, 187 cm, HB). Travaglia is the perfect guy for Freo as a half back who can run and carry and kick the ball really well, so I feel like if he lasts to this point he's not gonna get passed up here.

Pick 19. Greater Western Sydney: Tom Gross (OC, 181 cm, IM). The next mid off the ranks, and the area the Giants most need. Mids are really important for GWS, having lost Peatling without a direct replacement.

Pick 20. Greater Western Sydney: Hamish Davis (Claremont, 190 cm, MF/IM). Davis is an interesting one, he is very talented but is he a forward or mid? I lean forward but he could well end up as a very food mid.

Pick 21. Western Bulldogs: Joe Berry (MB, 180 cm, SF). Late? Yeah, but the only spot I honestly see him going earlier than this is the Tigers last brace of picks.

Pick 22. Richmond: Jobe Shanahan (BP, 194 cm, KPF). Jobe Shanahan can seriouslymplay, as shown by his 11 VFL games in 3 games. He and Armstrong could make a very dangerous combination in the future if it works out this way.

Pick 23. Sydney: Jack Whitlock (MB, 199 cm, KPF). I think this probably gets traded but Whitlock is a very good player and if they keep the pick, he'd be the right one to pick.

Pick 24. Richmond: Taj Hotton (SD, 182 cm, SF/IM). Hotton here allows the Tigers to somewhat replace Bolton but not as good, the kid can add a lot to their side if they haven't traded out.

Pick 25. Greater Western Sydney: Harrison Oliver (SD, 181 cm, HB). I think more class off half back is something they need to address, plus he's probably the best available at this pick too.

Pick 26. Sydney: Angus Clarke (Glenelg, 188 cm, HB). Again, I think this pick gets traded but Clarke adds some class off half back for the Swans.

Pick 27. Richmond: Alex Dodson (Sturt, 203 cm, Ruck). How do you cap it off? The best ruck in the class is a nice way to round out day 1 with two key forwards, a key defender and plenty of mids, this seemed the natural choice.

He clearly sees it a bit different than a few others which is not surprising given the evenness of it. 
I did take note of North list manager saying they went for Daniels so that Mckercher could spend more time in the middle, you’d imagine Sheezel will spend more time in there too this year so I’m thinking the will spilt or take the flying Viking with pick 2 rather than another mid. 
 

Also with their history of MaCartin and concussion I can’t see the Saint going for Trainor with their first pick. 

[Nascent 9,283]

Nascents 1st round phantom draft post trade period.

This is going to be wildly inaccurate and I'm not factoring in pick swaps that will inevitably happen in the lead up to, and on, draft night. This is largely based of my rankings, some speculation and my rudimentary knowledge of club needs to a degree. I'll do two rounds with write ups closer to draft night.

 

#1. Brisbane - Levi Ashcroft (matched bid)

#2. Richmond - Sam Lalor

#3. North Melbourne - Alix Tauru

#4. Carlton - Finn O'Sullivan

#5. Adelaide - Sid Draper

#6. Melbourne - Harvey Langford

#7. Gold Coast - Leo Lombard (matched bid)

#8. Richmond - Jagga Smith

#9. St Kilda - Harry Armstrong

#10 Essendon - Isaac Kako (matched bid)

#11 St Kilda - Murphy Reid

#12. Melbourne - Joe Berry

#13. Richmond - Josh Smillie

#14. Richmond - Toby Travaglia

#15. West Coast - Bo Allen

#16. Brisbane - Sam Marshall (matched bid)

#17. Port Adelaide - Xavier Lindsay

#18. Freemantle - Hamish Davis

#19. GWS - Cooper Hynes

#20 GWS - Jack Ough

#21. Bulldogs - Oliver Hannaford

#22. Richmond - Jobe Shanahan

#23. Sydney - Taj Hotton

#24. Richmond - Harrison Oliver

#25. GWS - Jesse Dattoli

#26. Sydney - Jonty Faull

#27. Richmond - Jack Whitlock

 

 

 

Edited October 17 by Nascent