Jump to content

2024 Phantom Drafts

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

  On 16/11/2024 at 22:48, Palace Dees said:

We must be looking at a different player. In the u18 Championships, he took every mark one grab. It really stood out. 

His school coach, Matthew Lloyd, says he's the best one grab mark he's ever seen as a junior.  

Whatever knock you want to put on Armstrong, marking is not it.

He’s clean at times but there’s a lot of two grabbing or the ball going off his hands.

If he was an exceptional mark to go with his rare athleticism for a tall and straight set shot kicking he’d be a sure thing top 5 pick. 

Lloyd is pumping up his guy, not really an unbiased opinion.

  • Quote
    • Like 3
     
      On 17/11/2024 at 01:23, joeboy said:

    Luke Jackson says hi 

    If Armstrong has Jackson's hands, he may never play a game!

  • Quote
    • Haha 1
     

    For me: 

    Pick 5: Langford, Smith, FOS, Tauru (in order)

    Pick 9: Tauru, Travaglia, Reid, Hotton, Armstrong, Shanahan, Allan (in order)

    Edited by Willy's Warriors

  • Quote
    • Like 4

    Our draft hand has a direct connection as to whether Petracca & Oliver stay or go, post 2025.  And there's a good chance that the club won't know for sure, either way

    And then there is the form of both players and whether either or both get back to their best

    A safety first attitude would be to draft 2 mids and then if everything works out well, we find a way to manage 5 or 6 dynamic mids

    Nice problem to have and it should be remembered that Viney only has a few years left and Petracca can play various roles in the forward line (with stints in the midfield) And we'll be looking to cover for the loss of Brayshaw & ANB 

    All things considered, I reckon we'll draft 2 mids and hope that a forward line line that contains 2 or 3 of JVR, Petty, Turner & Jefferson can somehow work to a high standard

    Looked at in another way, we probably won't be wanting to risk having a B- midfield in the future

    Our chance to rebuild a stellar midfield is right now

    Edited by Macca

  • Quote
    • Like 11
    • Clap 4
      On 17/11/2024 at 01:53, dazzledavey36 said:

    Hears anything from your end @goodwindees?

    Draft night is like Christmas, once you open the presents all the mystery is gone.  I love the speculation and this year is special.  Don't ruin it @goodwindees, we can all wait and enjoy the suspense.  And if you do have quality mail, keep it to yourself, it can't do any good by releasing it but there is a very small chance it could do some harm. We'will know soon anyway!

    Patience grasshopper.

  • Quote
    • Like 6
    • Haha 2
     
      On 17/11/2024 at 01:48, Macca said:

    Our draft hand has a direct connection as to whether Petracca & Oliver stay or go, post 2025.  And there's a good chance that the club won't know for sure, either way

    And then there is the form of both players and whether either or both get back to their best

    A safety first attitude would be to draft 2 mids and then if everything works out well, we find a way to manage 5 or 6 dynamic mids

    Nice problem to have and it should be remembered that Viney only has a few years left and Petracca can play various roles in the forward line (with stints in the midfield) And we'll be looking to cover for the loss of Brayshaw & ANB 

    All things considered, I reckon we'll draft 2 mids and hope that a forward line line that contains 2 or 3 of JVR, Petty, Turner & Jefferson can somehow work to a high standard

    Looked at in another way, we probably won't be wanting to risk having a B- midfield in the future

    Our chance to rebuild a stellar midfield is right now

    Yeah absolutely agree.

    In my eyes it's incredibly simple; we've lost Brayshaw, Harmes, Jordan, ANB- we have Viney in his twilight, question marks over Oliver's psyche and Petracca's commitment. These issues outweigh and are far more pressing then any concerns over our forward depth. 

    We need midfield doggedness before prospective KPPs. 

    Langford/Smith and Allen/Travaglia/Reid like combo is an absolute must. 

     

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    • Love 1
      On 17/11/2024 at 01:48, Macca said:

    Our draft hand has a direct connection as to whether Petracca & Oliver stay or go, post 2025.  And there's a good chance that the club won't know for sure, either way

    And then there is the form of both players and whether either or both get back to their best

    A safety first attitude would be to draft 2 mids and then if everything works out well, we find a way to manage 5 or 6 dynamic mids

    Nice problem to have and it should be remembered that Viney only has a few years left and Petracca can play various roles in the forward line (with stints in the midfield) And we'll be looking to cover for the loss of Brayshaw & ANB 

    All things considered, I reckon we'll draft 2 mids and hope that a forward line line that contains 2 or 3 of JVR, Petty, Turner & Jefferson can somehow work to a high standard

    Looked at in another way, we probably won't be wanting to risk having a B- midfield in the future

    Our chance to rebuild a stellar midfield is right now

    I think that is right for pick 5.  At 9, I am not so sure. 

    The mids still there are likely to be Allan, Reid, Hotton, and Lindsay.   Allan (disposal and decision making), Reid (speed and contested ball) and Hotton (ACL) all have questions marks over them.  Lindsay seems to be less risk, but also doesn't have the same damaging traits as the others.  

    Travaglia, for example, would be a safer pick. 

    I am happy to trust JT at pick 9 - if he thinks the best player is Reid, or Hotton, or Armstrong, I wouldn't have any issue with that.  

  • Quote
    • Like 3
    • Love 1

      On 17/11/2024 at 01:59, Mouseymoo said:

    Yeah absolutely agree.

    In my eyes it's incredibly simple; we've lost Brayshaw, Harmes, Jordan, ANB- we have Viney in his twilight, question marks over Oliver's psyche and Petracca's commitment. These issues outweigh and are far more pressing then any concerns over our forward depth. 

    We need midfield doggedness before prospective KPPs. 

    Langford/Smith and Allen/Travaglia/Reid like combo is an absolute must. 

     

    But for every argument about our declining midfield depth and future doubts on current guys I think you can make the exact same argument for our talls. BBB gone, May, Max, McDonald not much left. Even Lever not a consistent force any more.

    The top line midfielders available at 5 are seen as very high level prospects. Personally I think the reason no one can decide who goes 2 and who goes 6 is because they’re all good without being great.

    The second tier mids are obviously considered by consensus another level lower.

    At some stage if they aren’t rated all that highly and one of the talls are then we should go the better rated tall. Even more so if we can get a sneaky trade back too.

    I believe the club are super high on Rivers. Add in Windsor and pick 5 that’s the basis of the next wave of mids. Plus Kolt. Depth is iffy right now but rebuilding midfield depth isn’t as difficult as finding stars. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2
      On 17/11/2024 at 01:57, Slartibartfast said:

    Draft night is like Christmas, once you open the presents all the mystery is gone.  I love the speculation and this year is special.  Don't ruin it @goodwindees, we can all wait and enjoy the suspense.  And if you do have quality mail, keep it to yourself, it can't do any good by releasing it but there is a very small chance it could do some harm. We'will know soon anyway!

    Patience grasshopper.

    But it's okay for guys like Cal Twomey and 50 other journalists to do so? Have you emailed them and advised them to keep their mail and information to themselves as well? Probably best not to read Cals phantom draft tomorrow. 

    It's all a bit of fun. That's why the draft has become a popular spectacle. Now we're seeing heaps of YouTube channels trying to get one up with phantom drafts and information. 

  • Quote
    • Like 5
    • Love 1
      On 17/11/2024 at 02:14, dazzledavey36 said:

    But it's okay for guys like Cal Twomey and 50 other journalists to do so? Have you emailed them and advised them to keep their mail and information to themselves as well? Probably best not to read Cals phantom draft tomorrow. 

    It's all a bit of fun. That's why the draft has become a popular spectacle. Now we're seeing heaps of YouTube channels trying to get one up with phantom drafts and information. 

    The afl probably shouldn’t pay for Cal to fully ruin the draft. Honestly he should get a few in the top 10 and more in the top 30 wrong just to make it more interesting!

    That said, I’ll read every bit of it and I’m happy for any classic demonland mail!

  • Quote
    • Like 1
      On 17/11/2024 at 02:00, Willy's Warriors said:

    I think that is right for pick 5.  At 9, I am not so sure. 

    The mids still there are likely to be Allan, Reid, Hotton, and Lindsay.   Allan (disposal and decision making), Reid (speed and contested ball) and Hotton (ACL) all have questions marks over them.  Lindsay seems to be less risk, but also doesn't have the same damaging traits as the others.  

    Travaglia, for example, would be a safer pick. 

    I am happy to trust JT at pick 9 - if he thinks the best player is Reid, or Hotton, or Armstrong, I wouldn't have any issue with that.  

    Yes, it's one thing having our own opinions but the MC & JT may well be happy with a mid and a position player with the 2 picks

    In the 12 years with us, Taylor's track record is fantastic with draftees, so if there is a left-field pick, I'm quite happy to back JT in

    But if it is 2 mids, we will need Turner and/or Jefferson to come on.  Injury-free, Petty is an excellent target and JVR should keep getting better 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
      On 17/11/2024 at 02:19, Macca said:

    Yes, it's one thing having our own opinions but the MC & JT may well be happy with a mid and a position player with the 2 picks

    In the 12 years with us, Taylor's track record is fantastic with draftees, so if there is a left-field pick, I'm quite happy to back JT in

    But if it is 2 mids, we will need Turner and/or Jefferson to come on.  Injury-free, Petty is an excellent target and JVR should keep getting better 

    We certainly need something in our forward line, that is for sure.  

    One thing I have noticed is that in the last few years we have been really keen to trade up to secure a forward who would make immediate impact.  We went pretty hard at Bailey Humphrey in his draft year in 2022, then Harley Reid and Nick Watson in 2023, before trading up to take Kolt.  All mid/forwards. 

    There are quite a few in this draft: Lalor, Langford, Reid, FOS, and Hotton.  

    I wouldn't be surprised if we take, say, Langford and Reid, in the hope that one of them develops in the mid/fwd we have been searching for.  But if the last few years is any indicaiton, I don't think we will draft for need if there isn't a player at our pick that we consider good enough to warrant it. 

    Edited by Willy's Warriors

  • Quote
    • Like 3

      On 17/11/2024 at 02:10, DeeSpencer said:

    But for every argument about our declining midfield depth and future doubts on current guys I think you can make the exact same argument for our talls. BBB gone, May, Max, McDonald not much left. Even Lever not a consistent force any more.

    The top line midfielders available at 5 are seen as very high level prospects. Personally I think the reason no one can decide who goes 2 and who goes 6 is because they’re all good without being great.

    The second tier mids are obviously considered by consensus another level lower.

    At some stage if they aren’t rated all that highly and one of the talls are then we should go the better rated tall. Even more so if we can get a sneaky trade back too.

    I believe the club are super high on Rivers. Add in Windsor and pick 5 that’s the basis of the next wave of mids. Plus Kolt. Depth is iffy right now but rebuilding midfield depth isn’t as difficult as finding stars. 

    Yep I also agree with you. I guess we can flip a coin as to what the more pressing needs are. 

    If we took Tauru/Armstrong at 9 or split that for a Hynes/Armstrong combo I'd I have to back the man JT. Passing up on the mid that slides to 5 would be a travesty. 

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Love 1
      On 17/11/2024 at 02:36, Mouseymoo said:

    Yep I also agree with you. I guess we can flip a coin as to what the more pressing needs are. 

    If we took Tauru/Armstrong at 9 or split that for a Hynes/Armstrong combo I'd I have to back the man JT. Passing up on the mid that slides to 5 would be a travesty. 

    I can only justify passing on a mid at 5 if they think Tauru is a cut above the mids AND they think the selection of top bracket mids stretches to 9 - which is possible if you think Smillie, Travaglia, Allan, Reid etc are on the same level as the top guys.

  • Quote
      On 17/11/2024 at 02:14, dazzledavey36 said:

    But it's okay for guys like Cal Twomey and 50 other journalists to do so? Have you emailed them and advised them to keep their mail and information to themselves as well? Probably best not to read Cals phantom draft tomorrow. 

    It's all a bit of fun. That's why the draft has become a popular spectacle. Now we're seeing heaps of YouTube channels trying to get one up with phantom drafts and information. 

    You missed Slarti’s point.

    If Goodwindees has inside mail it can only harm us to release it. Surely you understand that.

    The media are guessing from bits of info that could be correct or not, even planted by other clubs as well, or just using their assessment of clubs needs.

    The media speculates and that is fine.

    We don’t need to harm our chances by spilling the beans to the whole AFL world.

  • Quote
    • Like 7
      On 16/11/2024 at 23:45, adonski said:

    Wishful thinking or something more, D11?

    Just a whisper I’ve heard.  I’ve heard we want a combination of either Langford, Allan or the Viking

    Edited by Demons11

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Thanks 2
      On 17/11/2024 at 03:32, Redleg said:

    You missed Slarti’s point.

    If Goodwindees has inside mail it can only harm us to release it. Surely you understand that.

    The media are guessing from bits of info that could be correct or not, even planted by other clubs as well, or just using their assessment of clubs needs.

    The media speculates and that is fine.

    We don’t need to harm our chances by spilling the beans to the whole AFL world.

    Yeah I'm sure recruiters are falling over themselves to get inside information off demonland..

    Look, you've got a well respected journo who is well connected to the draft and has the best draft intel going around in Cal Twomey who's literally about to release a phantom draft tomorrow to the whole of Australia outlining the inside mail coming out of the dees camp on who they may take at pick 5 and 9.

    Marc McGowan from the AGE literally did the exact same thing last week. This is literally no different. 

    You also do realise that even if the club has a particular player in mind for both our picks, it doesn't mean it set in stone now. There are always last minute decision changes or that particular player gets taken early or slips through.

    As I said, it's all a bit of fun.. 

  • Quote
    • Like 5

      On 17/11/2024 at 03:37, Demons11 said:

    Just a whisper I’ve heard.  I’ve heard we want a combination of either Langford, Allan or the Viking

    Langford at 5 and one of Allan/Tauru at 9 would be ideal

    No Tauru at 5 though pls 

    Edited by demoncat

  • Quote
    • Like 3
      On 17/11/2024 at 03:55, demoncat said:

    Langford at 5 and one of Allan/Tauru at 9 would be ideal

    I reckon the top 5 looks like this (excluding Ashcroft)

    1. Lalor 

    2. FOS

    3. Jagga

    4. Draper (I think there is a chance Crows take Langford)

    5. Langford or Allan (depending on the above) 

  • Quote
    • Like 1
      On 17/11/2024 at 03:59, Demons11 said:

    I reckon the top 5 looks like this (excluding Ashcroft)

    1. Lalor 

    2. FOS

    3. Jagga

    4. Draper (I think there is a chance Crows take Langford)

    5. Langford or Allan (depending on the above) 

    Surely we wouldn’t pass on Draper at 5 if Crows take Langford? 😱

    Edited by demoncat

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    • Thanks 1
     
      On 17/11/2024 at 03:41, dazzledavey36 said:

    Yeah I'm sure recruiters are falling over themselves to get inside information off demonland..

    Look, you've got a well respected journo who is well connected to the draft and has the best draft intel going around in Cal Twomey who's literally about to release a phantom draft tomorrow to the whole of Australia outlining the inside mail coming out of the dees camp on who they may take at pick 5 and 9.

    Marc McGowan from the AGE literally did the exact same thing last week. This is literally no different. 

    You also do realise that even if the club has a particular player in mind for both our picks, it doesn't mean it set in stone now. There are always last minute decision changes or that particular player gets taken early or slips through.

    As I said, it's all a bit of fun.. 

    Who are you hoping for?

  • Quote

    • 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...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • CASEY: Geelong

      There was a time in the second quarter of the game at the Cattery on Friday afternoon when the Casey Demons threatened to take the game apart against the Cats. The Demons had been well on top early but were struggling to convert their ascendancy over the ground until Tom Fullarton’s burst of three goals in the space of eight minutes on the way to a five goal haul and his best game for the club since arriving from Brisbane at the end of 2023. He was leading, marking and otherwise giving his opponents a merry dance as Casey grabbed a three goal lead in the blink of an eye. Fullarton has now kicked ten goals in Casey’s three matches and, with Melbourne’s forward conversion woes, he is definitely in with a chance to get his first game with the club in next week’s Gather Round in Adelaide. Despite the tall forward’s efforts - he finished with 19 disposals and eight marks and had four hit outs as back up to Will Verrall in the second half - it wasn’t enough as Geelong reigned in the lead through persistent attacks and eventually clawed their way to the lead early in the last and held it till they achieved the end aim of victory.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • REPORT: Geelong

      I was disappointed to hear Goody say at his post match presser after the team’s 39 point defeat against Geelong that "we're getting high quality entry, just poor execution" because Melbourne’s problems extend far beyond that after its 0 - 4 start to the 2025 football season. There are clearly problems with poor execution, some of which were evident well before the current season and were in play when the Demons met the Cats in early May last year and beat them in a near top-of-the-table clash that saw both sides sitting comfortably in the top four after round eight. Since that game, the Demons’ performances have been positively Third World with only five wins in 19 games with a no longer majestic midfield and a dysfunctional forward line that has become too easy for opposing coaches to counter. This is an area of their game that is currently being played out as if they were all completely panic-stricken.

      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: Essendon

      Facing the very real and daunting prospect of starting the season with five straight losses, the Demons head to South Australia for the annual Gather Round, where they’ll take on the Bombers in search of their first win of the year. Who comes in, and who comes out?

        • Like
      • 182 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • NON-MFC: Round 04

      Round 4 kicks off with a blockbuster on Thursday night as traditional rivals Collingwood and Carlton clash at the MCG, with the Magpies looking to assert themselves as early-season contenders and the Blues seeking their first win of the season. Saturday opens with Gold Coast hosting Adelaide, a key test for the Suns as they aim to back up their big win last week, while the Crows will be looking to keep their perfect record intact. Reigning wooden spooners Richmond have the daunting task of facing reigning premiers Brisbane at the ‘G and the Lions will be eager to reaffirm their premiership credentials after a patchy start. Saturday night sees North Melbourne take on Sydney at Marvel Stadium, with the Swans looking to build on their first win of the season last week against a rebuilding Roos outfit. Sunday’s action begins with GWS hosting West Coast at ENGIE Stadium, a game that could get ugly very early for the visitors. Port Adelaide vs St Kilda at Adelaide Oval looms as a interesting clash, with both clubs form being very hard to read. The round wraps up with Fremantle taking on the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in what could be a fierce contest between two sides with top-eight ambitions. Who are you tipping this week and what are the best results for the Demons besides us winning?

        • Like
      • 273 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Geelong

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 7th April @ the all new time of 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we dissect another Demons loss at Kardinia Park to the Cats in the Round 04. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human.

        • Like
      • 40 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • VOTES: Geelong

      Captain Max Gawn leads the Demonland Player of the Year in his quest to take out his 3rd trophy. He leads Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver who are in equal 2nd place followed by Kade Chandler and Jake Bowey. You votes please. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 & 1.

        • Like
      • 30 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All