Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted
30 minutes ago, fr_ap said:

Can anyone explain why we're not into Sid Draper at all?

He is literally everything we need - fast, agile, skilful, run and carry between the arcs, hit targets in transition, tough as nails, creative, good character, in and out midfielder.  

Looks like a combination of Lachie Neale and Zach Merrett but with even more speed and agility.

 Langford looks ok, but I don't feel he will change anything with the way we play. 

It's a big call but Draper could, like Naicos for Collingwood. 

Maybe it's a given that the Crows take him or maybe he has a big go home factor. Not sure, but there is no player more suited to us in this draft.  

Stop watching highlight videos, watch a full game clip and count the disposals that are good, ok and ugly. 

  • Like 3

Posted
1 minute ago, DeeSpencer said:

Stop watching highlight videos, watch a full game clip and count the disposals that are good, ok and ugly. 

To be fair not many of us have the time. The majority of us on here (myself included) and basing our opinions purely on highlight reels.

  • Like 2

Posted

Draper of the top bunch of mids looks the most indecisive with ball in hand

Pretty daring to take a mid with a top 5 pick if you don't rate the boot AND the brain

Posted
Just now, Bombay Airconditioning said:

To me his kicking looked better that Allan’s, and from what I’ve read Draper can’t kick and Allan is elite.

Pretty sure everyones in agreeance that Allans kicking is pretty dodgy

Apples & oranges too comparing a pick 5 mid versus one selected likely outside the 10

  • Like 2

Posted

Yeah it seems a bit strange to me that we have no interest in Draper, but if we pass on him that means the other teams did too. Including hometown club Adelaide and maybe even Richmond twice! What does that say? Probably there’s something there most of us can’t see. Or maybe he interviews poorly, is a flight risk etc. 

I remember almost an identical discussion with Curtin this time last year. I was personally miffed we overlooked him for Windsor who was considered in the 12-20 range. Not anymore.

That being said, I’ll still be a little miffed if we spend our prized pick on an intercept defender. 

  • Like 1
Posted
10 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

To be fair not many of us have the time. The majority of us on here (myself included) and basing our opinions purely on highlight reels.

I’m not saying watch the full game, just watch a few of the footy stuff clips that compile most of a guys touches for a game and tally up (either by hand or just roughly in your head) the quality of his disposals.

Draper had a couple of good sanfl games but also a lot where he struggled to get out of congestion or do a lot of damage.

  • Like 1
Posted

Dan Gorringe had Dylan Alexander on his podcast earlier today (I believe that some of his phantom drafts have been posted on this thread. The bloke seems very knowledgeable in terms of draft prospects.) 

He has us taking Jagga Smith with our first pick, and Harvey Langford sliding to our second pick (because of his lack of pace).

Highly doubt this happens, but it would be almost the perfect result. 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1

Posted

I'd be surprised if Twomey is wrong about his top 5. He'll have been doing little else other than ringing people for the last few weeks to suss it out.

It therefore seems like Lalor, O'Sullivan and Smith are the first three, and the only issue up for debate is whether Adelaide decide to go with Langford over Draper.

I'm personally surprised to read that if Adelaide take Langford, we're apparently going to take Tauru over Draper. 

However, I suspect in the end we get Langford and 5 and then one of Allan, Lindsay or perhaps even Tauru at 9.

Also, this will have been debated before, but why the [censored] are Richmond, North, Carlton and Adelaide leaving it to us to bid on Ashcroft?

  • Like 3
Posted
1 minute ago, titan_uranus said:

Also, this will have been debated before, but why the [censored] are Richmond, North, Carlton and Adelaide leaving it to us to bid on Ashcroft?

Richmond I'm not surprised about as they did a deal for Brisbane's first rounder during the trade period. They probably have an understanding, similar to us with Essendon re Kako, to not bid. At least I'd imagine there would be an informal understanding.

As for the other clubs, stuffed if I know.

Posted

Out of the 4 we are apparently got our sights on I'd go Langford, Tauru, Allen, Lindsay in that order. I thought we needed mids and a key forward not a flanker like Lindsay.

  • Like 1
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

To be fair not many of us have the time. The majority of us on here (myself included) and basing our opinions purely on highlight reels.

 

I know everyone hates these for Jagga but now you get to hate it for Sid too. Good stuff in bold, critical errors in italics, neutral stuff for the rest.

 

0:00 excellent clean clearance at pace, kick is a bit of a mongrel and falls short in front of the defender
0:15 backwards handball
0:22 sprints backwards for 2 backwards handballs
0:41 dives on the ball, htb
0:52 gets a one two, gives it back again! You're the star mate, turn and kick it!
1:02 nothing handball
1:10 great spin and step, but up and under kick
1:29 boundary chip
1:40 great contest win, but handball gets knocked down
1:44 cracks back in, handball to no one!
1:55 ok kick from stoppage under pressure
2:05 short kick under no pressure bounces in front of opponent, helps clean up the mess by conceding a backwards kick to his full back
2:25 takes nice safe diagonal kick
3:00 moon ball kick down the line
3:09 off balance handball goes straight to the opposition
3:22 fast hands, nice
3:45 skips around a couple, picks out his brother with the aggressive loopy corridor kick. Result is nice, but still don't love the process
3:58 wins a nice clearance, kicks the ball wrong way and half way to the moon, bizzare
4:04 sneakily nice over the top handball
4:20 wins a clearance, isn't sure what to do with it, gives it backwards to someone under pressure

He's playing seniors after missing a good chunk of the year with a bad stress injury. So you have to give him some credit for getting out there and having 20+ touches and a number of clearances. Plus he isn't afraid to crack in.

But at the same time the best of his ball use was a couple of nice handballs and 1 kick that was anything other than a hack forward (which midfielders have to do at times) or a short chip kick. And it hung in the air in the corridor looking pretty risky too.

Again, hard to know just how much he was impacted by the injury but I wanted to see his pace result in good things happening even if he's not lacing out kicks.

 

Edited by DeeSpencer
  • Haha 1
Posted
1 hour ago, Nascent said:

I've seen Draper the least out of this years reported top 10 so my opinion is less informed. 

But reading up on his weakness it sounds like he's a poor user of the footy.

So is Langford though...

Posted
1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

I’m not saying watch the full game, just watch a few of the footy stuff clips that compile most of a guys touches for a game and tally up (either by hand or just roughly in your head) the quality of his disposals.

Draper had a couple of good sanfl games but also a lot where he struggled to get out of congestion or do a lot of damage.

Fair enough. For what it's worth, longer clips of Langford show he's hardly a good kick either 

Posted

Reading all the negatives on Draper, you have to wonder whether Adelaide will in fact take him or not. Surely they'd give serious thought to going for Langford, which upends the apple cart somewhat.

Posted
10 minutes ago, fr_ap said:

Fair enough. For what it's worth, longer clips of Langford show he's hardly a good kick either 

Yeah he's not great, he gets a bit scrubby at times but the one thing he does seem to do is make quality and quick decisions with the ball. I reckon most Melbourne forwards would rather take their chances with the footy bouncing in front of them but delivered quickly than mucked around and then sat on their heads.

  • Like 2

Posted
6 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Marc McGowan from the Age has updated his phantom draft and has Melbourne taking Langford and Allan. 

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/we-surveyed-13-afl-recruiters-this-is-how-we-predict-the-draft-will-unfold-20241113-p5kqdv.html

Mail is Richmond super tight lipped on Pick 1 LALOR/SMITH.

If SMITH goes 1 it changes a lot IMO

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 3

Posted

According to The West Australian:

6. Melbourne – Josh Smillie (Eastern Rangers/Vic Metro)

Midfielder, 195cm

A massive midfielder who was dominant in the early part of the season and was linked to the No.1 pick. Can play forward as well given his height.

11. Melbourne – Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)

Key Defender, 193cm

One of the bolters who could well end up in the top-10, Tauru is a strong athlete who could be a great long-term replacement for star Steven May.

 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 2
Posted
26 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Marc McGowan from the Age has updated his phantom draft and has Melbourne taking Langford and Allan. 

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/we-surveyed-13-afl-recruiters-this-is-how-we-predict-the-draft-will-unfold-20241113-p5kqdv.html

If not Langford, Tauru. For 9, if not Allan, Lindsay, while we've been linked with Shanahan.

He has Tauru going one pick before ours to St Kilda.

  • Thanks 2
Posted
11 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

According to The West Australian:

6. Melbourne – Josh Smillie (Eastern Rangers/Vic Metro)

Midfielder, 195cm

A massive midfielder who was dominant in the early part of the season and was linked to the No.1 pick. Can play forward as well given his height.

11. Melbourne – Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)

Key Defender, 193cm

One of the bolters who could well end up in the top-10, Tauru is a strong athlete who could be a great long-term replacement for star Steven May.

 

would be more likely that we get Tauru at 6 and Smillie at 11

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: Friday 22nd November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers were out in force on a scorching morning out at Gosch's Paddock for the final session before the whole squad reunites for the Preseason Training Camp. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS It’s going to be a scorcher today but I’m in the shade at Gosch’s Paddock ready to bring you some observations from the final session before the Preseason Training Camp next week.  Salem, Fritsch & Campbell are already on the track. Still no number on Campbell’s

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    UP IN LIGHTS by Whispering Jack

    Those who watched the 2024 Marsh AFL National Championships closely this year would not be particularly surprised that Melbourne selected Victoria Country pair Harvey Langford and Xavier Lindsay on the first night of the AFL National Draft. The two left-footed midfielders are as different as chalk and cheese but they had similar impacts in their Coates Talent League teams and in the National Championships in 2024. Their interstate side was edged out at the very end of the tournament for tea

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Special Features

    TRAINING: Wednesday 20th November 2024

    It’s a beautiful cool morning down at Gosch’s Paddock and I’ve arrived early to bring you my observations from today’s session. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Reigning Keith Bluey Truscott champion Jack Viney is the first one out on the track.  Jack’s wearing the red version of the new training guernsey which is the only version available for sale at the Demon Shop. TRAINING: Viney, Clarry, Lever, TMac, Rivers, Petty, McVee, Bowey, JVR, Hore, Tom Campbell (in tr

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    TRAINING: Monday 18th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers ventured down to Gosch's Paddock for the final week of training for the 1st to 4th Years until they are joined by the rest of the senior squad for Preseason Training Camp in Mansfield next week. WAYNE RUSSELL'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS No Ollie, Chin, Riv today, but Rick & Spargs turned up and McDonald was there in casual attire. Seston, and Howes did a lot of boundary running, and Tom Campbell continued his work with individual trainer in non-MFC

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #11 Max Gawn

    Champion ruckman and brilliant leader, Max Gawn earned his seventh All-Australian team blazer and constantly held the team up on his shoulders in what was truly a difficult season for the Demons. Date of Birth: 30 December 1991 Height: 209cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 224 Goals MFC 2024: 11 Career Total: 109 Brownlow Medal Votes: 13 Melbourne Football Club: 2nd Best & Fairest: 405 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 12

    2024 Player Reviews: #36 Kysaiah Pickett

    The Demons’ aggressive small forward who kicks goals and defends the Demons’ ball in the forward arc. When he’s on song, he’s unstoppable but he did blot his copybook with a three week suspension in the final round. Date of Birth: 2 June 2001 Height: 171cm Games MFC 2024: 21 Career Total: 106 Goals MFC 2024: 36 Career Total: 161 Brownlow Medal Votes: 3 Melbourne Football Club: 4th Best & Fairest: 369 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    TRAINING: Friday 15th November 2024

    Demonland Trackwatchers took advantage of the beautiful sunshine to head down to Gosch's Paddock and witness the return of Clayton Oliver to club for his first session in the lead up to the 2025 season. DEMONLAND'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Clarry in the house!! Training: JVR, McVee, Windsor, Tholstrup, Woey, Brown, Petty, Adams, Chandler, Turner, Bowey, Seston, Kentfield, Laurie, Sparrow, Viney, Rivers, Jefferson, Hore, Howes, Verrall, AMW, Clarry Tom Campbell is here

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!

×
×
  • Create New...