2024 Phantom Drafts

[2021 301]

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

See for yourself.

Played more forward then mid this day and could have easily kicked a bag had it not been for inaccurate kicking.

Took some big contested grabs which shows that he could be as dangerous up forward when needed.

 

Hopefully he slips to 5, because of his lack of speed.

Edited October 28, 2024 by 2021

[Axis of Bob 11,875]

35 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

20 goals from 15 Coates League games this year including one game where he kicked 4 goals and 33 disposals against Gippsland Power..

Nah, recruiters won't even need to ask the question. 

You’re very sensitive about any perceived criticism about Langford. It’s odd. I’m almost tempted to start doing so just for the amusement of watching you leap in each time like an unrequited high school crush.

[FrothiesLiam 63]

I'd say we are going mids with both picks especially if our pursuit of Wade derksen continues unless tauru available at 9, 

My thoughts on who we might select in order of preference

5, Lalor,Smith,Langford,Smilie

9, Bo Allan, Reid, Tauru, Hotton,Lindsay , Travaglia

[dazzledavey36 55,473]

36 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

You’re very sensitive about any perceived criticism about Langford. It’s odd. I’m almost tempted to start doing so just for the amusement of watching you leap in each time like an unrequited high school crush.

Knock yourself out.

Funny part is he's not even my first preference if I had my choice, so you can keep chipping away if you'd like.

 

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

You're arguing different things here I think. Bob is asking about his overall attacking game being good enough to counter defensive speed issues. His ability to go forward is part of that but only one part.

He looks natural jumping for marks and can present at the ball. It's a very nice string to the bow, but I'm not overly enamored with the idea of him spending too much time in the forward line (once he's in his prime). Carlton have tried it with Cripps and often he just gets in the way and the lack of forward pressure doesn't help. Mattaes Phillipou is a little bigger and more athletic and has often struggled to really impact forward too.

I like Langford's height and aerial for what it can be combined with a tank all over the ground and his versatility that should see him be able to rotate to a wing, to half back/3rd tall back and of course half forward or deep forward. There's some Jimmy Bartel or younger Jordan Lewis about him.

But Bob's right, the main determination will be does he look like he'll be a 30 high quality touches and goal a game attacking midfielder. Because if you get one of those guys you can find others to do the defensive work.

He'd be no different to a Petracca, Dusty, Cripps when they've rested up forward. When teams have gone on the defensive transition from defence they arent exactly sprinting to their defensive position point.

Star players, but not exactly known for being defensive minded on transition. As you say, they have soldiers that cover for them in that instance.

Langfords literally shown he can be an attacking mid first but also get into a defensive starting point on the counter attack. With his high end work rate and endurance, he makes up for it by being able to put himself into a position where he can defend and cover off his opponent without any issues. 

He's a very disciplined individual with high footy IQ that gets underestimate. 

[DeeSpencer 26,094]

13 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

He'd be no different to a Petracca, Dusty, Cripps when they've rested up forward. When teams have gone on the defensive transition from defence they arent exactly sprinting to their defensive position point.

Star players, but not exactly known for being defensive minded on transition. As you say, they have soldiers that cover for them in that instance.

Langfords literally shown he can be an attacking mid first but also get into a defensive starting point on the counter attack. With his high end work rate and endurance, he makes up for it by being able to put himself into a position where he can defend and cover off his opponent without any issues. 

He's a very disciplined individual with high footy IQ that gets underestimate. 

I don't think he's nearly as explosive as a Dusty/Tracc or as strong as even a young Cripps but I definitely agree on the footy IQ, that's a big reason why I think he can be versatile in more than just a mid/forward.

 

The strong marks and nice kicks are great but I love this run from half back, mind you it's 4 on 1 so it's not exactly the worlds toughest decision making test but the way he fakes the handball then puts it perfectly out to space. Then caps it off by hustling and taking out the Vic Metro player. That's a combination of skills, smarts and selflessness that recruiters will love.

[spirit of norm smith 16,596]

I’m comfortable sitting on 5 & 9 thanks very much. We will get two future “aces”  for the midfield 

#5 I think it’s a choice between Lalor , Langford, Smith or FOS.  All are future stars imv and MFC will probably have at least one available at 5 (assume Crows get Draper)   

#9 again I think it’s another midfielder or running type … likely choice between Allan, Lindsay, Travaglia, Smillie 

I think Armstrong and Tauru are very good youngsters and will be very good footballers.  I am preferring to prioritize the need for potential elite next gen midfielders with two picks inside top 10.  

[No10 461]

12 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I don't think he's nearly as explosive as a Dusty/Tracc or as strong as even a young Cripps but I definitely agree on the footy IQ, that's a big reason why I think he can be versatile in more than just a mid/forward.

 

The strong marks and nice kicks are great but I love this run from half back, mind you it's 4 on 1 so it's not exactly the worlds toughest decision making test but the way he fakes the handball then puts it perfectly out to space. Then caps it off by hustling and taking out the Vic Metro player. That's a combination of skills, smarts and selflessness that recruiters will love.

That handball and block is a nice section of play.

The 2:40 mark has Lalor marking that I see every time he’s mentioned. Interesting that the kick came from Langford, nice entry, well placed into the space.

At 4:20 Langford takes a better mark.

I really don’t think Labor goes at #1. And I don’t think Langford lasts until #5

[DeeSpencer 26,094]

2 hours ago, No10 said:

That handball and block is a nice section of play.

The 2:40 mark has Lalor marking that I see every time he’s mentioned. Interesting that the kick came from Langford, nice entry, well placed into the space.

At 4:20 Langford takes a better mark.

I really don’t think Labor goes at #1. And I don’t think Langford lasts until #5

I can see Lalor at 1, he has a combination of skills and power that is so rare. 

Tauru at 2, Adelaide getting spooked by go home factor and taking Draper at 4 is the very limited path to Langford at 5. 

[2021 301]

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

I can see Lalor at 1, he has a combination of skills and power that is so rare. 

Tauru at 2, Adelaide getting spooked by go home factor and taking Draper at 4 is the very limited path to Langford at 5. 

Who do you have at 3? FOS?

[DeeSpencer 26,094]

2 minutes ago, 2021 said:

Who do you have at 3? FOS?

Yep, Carlton might have a surprise in stall (I suspect they’ll consider Tauru if he’s available) but FOS is such a perfect fit for what they need. 

[manny100 1,613]

A point made by a keen draft follower.

With all the KPF's finishing up, Hawkins, Daniher, Dixon, BB, Casboult we can expect clubs from here to be overpaying in the draft and trading for KPF's.

The Tigers Lynch is looking a bit beaten up as well.

Might see overs for KPF's in this draft for Armstrong, Shanahan and Whitlock in this draft.

 

[Adam The God 30,542]

7 minutes ago, manny100 said:

A point made by a keen draft follower.

With all the KPF's finishing up, Hawkins, Daniher, Dixon, BB, Casboult we can expect clubs from here to be overpaying in the draft and trading for KPF's.

The Tigers Lynch is looking a bit beaten up as well.

Might see overs for KPF's in this draft for Armstrong, Shanahan and Whitlock in this draft.

 

Or the game shifts to hybrid mid sized players forward of centre. Who knows.

[Axis of Bob 11,875]

Assuming that we take Armstrong at 5, it does beg the question about who is available and who we’ll target at 9. 

With Tauru and Armstrong in the top 8, my guess is that it will depend on who St Kilda are looking at with 7 and 8. There’s a chance that they’ll want to split the player types (small and tall, or midfielder and flanker), or maybe just go with two of the established midfield group - particularly if they have to choose from multiple midfielders who aren’t great defenders like Smilie and Langford. My guess is that they’ll have a choice of whoever is left of the midfield group of Lalor, O’Sullivan, Draper, Smith, Smilie and Langford. If St Kilda opt not to select two players from that group then we’ll get whichever one is left over. Alternatively, there are interesting players who are not necessarily pure midfielders that may be available. Travaglia and Hotton are two of the more interesting.

What would the reaction be here if we picked a key forward and a flanker?

Edited October 29, 2024 by Axis of Bob

[adonski 12,626]

4 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

Assuming that we take Armstrong at 5, it does beg the question about who is available and who we’ll target at 9. 

With Tauru and Armstrong in the top 8, my guess is that it will depend on who St Kilda are looking at with 7 and 8. There’s a chance that they’ll want to split the player types (small and tall, or midfielder and flanker), or maybe just go with two of the established midfield group - particularly if they have to choose from multiple midfielders who aren’t great defenders like Smilie and Langford. My guess is that they’ll have a choice of whoever is left of the midfield group of Lalor, O’Sullivan, Draper, Smith, Smilie and Langford. If St Kilda opt not to select two players from that group then we’ll get whichever one is left over. Alternatively, there are interesting players who are not necessarily pure midfielders that may be available. Travaglia and Hotton are two of the more interesting.

What would the reaction be here if we picked a key forward and a flanker?

I'd be surprised if we didn't take at least one 'proper' midfielder.

With that being said, I have a lot of faith in Rivers being a big part of our 2025 midfield group and beyond. I thought what he showed in the middle in the last 6-8 or so weeks of the season, when our team as a whole was pretty much cooked, was very encouraging.

[demoncat 1,534]

10 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

Assuming that we take Armstrong at 5, it does beg the question about who is available and who we’ll target at 9. 

With Tauru and Armstrong in the top 8, my guess is that it will depend on who St Kilda are looking at with 7 and 8. There’s a chance that they’ll want to split the player types (small and tall, or midfielder and flanker), or maybe just go with two of the established midfield group - particularly if they have to choose from multiple midfielders who aren’t great defenders like Smilie and Langford. My guess is that they’ll have a choice of whoever is left of the midfield group of Lalor, O’Sullivan, Draper, Smith, Smilie and Langford. If St Kilda opt not to select two players from that group then we’ll get whichever one is left over. Alternatively, there are interesting players who are not necessarily pure midfielders that may be available. Travaglia and Hotton are two of the more interesting.

What would the reaction be here if we picked a key forward and a flanker?

[DubDee 26,191]

Who do we have under the age of 27-28 that is a good quality midfielder? That can extract the ball

Arguably Rivers and…?

It is a gaping hole and if we dont recruit two mids i’ll be staggered. The list will be in bits in 2-3 years

Not saying we need two inside mids

 Ideally

1 inside/outside

1 power mid can go fwd 

[spirit of norm smith 16,596]

@Axis of Bob

“What would the reaction be here if we picked a key forward and a flanker?”

Surprise. Shock. Dismay.  All of these.  

 

Need to look at two aces, being a combination of

an inside contested ball winning mid

and

an outside running mid/half back.  

[manny100 1,613]

I think we will go for a mid and a KPP. Not sure what order.

I suspect the Saints will do the same. North allegedly are chasing Tauru and if they do not trade back may throw the dice at pick 2.

If for example Clarry wanted to go to the Cats at season's end we would demand their 2025 and 26 1st rounders.

Potential mids coming through on our list:

Rivers, McVee, Brown. JT said Kolt has the skill set to move to mid later.

 

 

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

The comparison between Langford and Matt Crouch isn't accurate, Langford is already a more damaging player than Crouch is, and he can play forward. 

[DeeSpencer 26,094]

1 hour ago, Axis of Bob said:

Assuming that we take Armstrong at 5, it does beg the question about who is available and who we’ll target at 9. 

 

What would the reaction be here if we picked a key forward and a flanker?

Assuming the best 3 mids are gone I’m happy to take Armstrong at 5 if JT sees it that way.

9 would have to be a runner, but there’s more ways to find a runner with midfield potential than a pure mid. 

[Older demon 2,796]

The latest from the Age is Richmond doesn't want to trade their pick-six and is less likely to do a pick swap with North. Most experts believe the Tigers will take Lalor at one, and the North will take Tauru. Carlton traded up to get FOS, and I cannot see Adelaide letting Draper go. Come on down, pick and go for the best Langford, Smith or Smillie.

In Taylor we trust.

 

[adonski 12,626]

Norf forced to grab a tall at 2 would be such a good result

[Mickey 4,752]

7 minutes ago, Older demon said:

The latest from the Age is Richmond doesn't want to trade their pick-six and is less likely to do a pick swap with North. Most experts believe the Tigers will take Lalor at one, and the North will take Tauru. Carlton traded up to get FOS, and I cannot see Adelaide letting Draper go. Come on down, pick and go for the best Langford, Smith or Smillie.

In Taylor we trust.

 

If this is the case, it simply has to be Smith or Langford. Neither will last til 9

[adonski 12,626]

9 minutes ago, Mickey said:

If this is the case, it simply has to be Smith or Langford. Neither will last til 9

Langford sure could. Saints may elect to grab Armstrong and Smillie.

 

[bing181 9,348]

1 minute ago, adonski said:

Langford sure could. Saints may elect to grab Armstrong and Smillie.

A lot of what we do at 5 will depend on what the Saint do with their later picks. Hope we have good intel!