Im a rap for Sam Lalor. Can win his footy and control things in the 50 as well. 

We're likely going to need a dynamic player if you know who goes. 

Unless we can get two top 10 picks, we won't be able to land players like Langford and Lalor, but if we can land a top 15-20 pick, I reckon Cooper Hynes has a lot of the attributes that Lalor has, but is likely to go later.

Then there's Murphy Reid who might provide us something a little different, but I don't see him as a Melbourne type player.

However, if we could nab one (or two - fingers crossed) of Langford, Lalor or Hynes, I think we'd be rapt.

If we can somehow manufacture three picks in the top 20, it completely changes our list profile.

And I hope we'd want to complement this with some experienced faces too, whether it's a Jack Macrae, Cumming or someone else of that 26-30 age range that gives us more options through the midfield and half back.

Edited August 27, 2024Aug 27 by Adam The God

Who are the top 8 midfielders likely to be drafted within the top 20 picks (not including Academy picks)

I ask the question because if we end up with 3 picks* inside the top 20, will we draft 3 midfielders?  (Brayshaw and possibly Petracca will need to be replaced)

Also, In 2015 we managed to move our pick 6 up to pick 3 (Oliver) ... might we do something similar?

There's probably more than a few (like myself) who know very little about draft prospects

*We could snare at least a couple of first round picks for Petracca if a trade results

According to rookie me the top 8 mids are;

Smith

O'Sullivan

Smillie

Draper

Reid

Lalor

Allen

Langford

Will pick #6 to wear jumper #5?

Edited August 27, 2024Aug 27 by Ethan Tremblay

11 minutes ago, Nascent said:

According to rookie me the top 8 mids are;

Smith

O'Sullivan

Smillie

Draper

Reid

Lalor

Allen

Langford

Let's say we got 2 top 10 picks for Petracca and managed to move pick 5 up to pick 3

If we could get them, would you be happy with say, O'Sullivan, Reid & Lalor

1 hour ago, Adam The God said:

 

Then there's Murphy Reid who might provide us something a little different, but I don't see him as a Melbourne type player.

However, if we could nab one (or two - fingers crossed) of Langford, Lalor or Hynes, I think we'd be rapt.

If we can somehow manufacture three picks in the top 20, it completely changes our list profile.

.

I think I know a way 👀

would love to get st kildas picks 6 and 7 

send him !

1- Tigers.  O’Sullivan or Smith

2- Kangas. Trainor

3- Eagles.  O’Sullivan or Smith 

4- Crows. Draper 

5- Dees. Langford 👍🏻

 

9 hours ago, Adam The God said:

Unless we can get two top 10 picks, we won't be able to land players like Langford and Lalor, but if we can land a top 15-20 pick, I reckon Cooper Hynes has a lot of the attributes that Lalor has, but is likely to go later.

Then there's Murphy Reid who might provide us something a little different, but I don't see him as a Melbourne type player.

However, if we could nab one (or two - fingers crossed) of Langford, Lalor or Hynes, I think we'd be rapt.

If we can somehow manufacture three picks in the top 20, it completely changes our list profile.

And I hope we'd want to complement this with some experienced faces too, whether it's a Jack Macrae, Cumming or someone else of that 26-30 age range that gives us more options through the midfield and half back.

Agree with all you’ve said. Want to highlight the Murphy Reid comment, that is exactly our problem. We need to diversify and get away from the “Melbourne Type of player”. The game has changed and evolved since 2021…………we haven’t as a club. 

13 minutes ago, Dee Viney Intervention said:

Agree with all you’ve said. Want to highlight the Murphy Reid comment, that is exactly our problem. We need to diversify and get away from the “Melbourne Type of player”. The game has changed and evolved since 2021…………we haven’t as a club. 

I reckon Langford is already that player though. He gives us ball use, whilst still being able to win his own ball and take a contested mark.

26 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

 

Stopped reading when they talked about our midfield strength

On 25/08/2024 at 18:13, ElDiablo14 said:

Is any of those kids Cripps size mid?

Seems midfielders are being picked with speed and ball skill rather than bulk. 

1 hour ago, DistrACTION Jackson said:

Stopped reading when they talked about our midfield strength

Yeah it annoys me that some of these called journo's clearly don't do their research. 

Midfield depth this year has been a significant issue for us. Stock piling on talent is a big need especially if Trac goes.

1 hour ago, Oxdee said:

Seems midfielders are being picked with speed and ball skill rather than bulk. 

this is what we need

the game has transitioned from 'contest and defence' - the mantras of premiership sides like richmond, melbourne, geelong, and wannabes like carlton - to 'speed and skill' like the filth executed last year for premiership success, and like bloods, Gw$, footscray, and dingley are trying to utilise successfully in 2024

you simply must have players who are good ball users - it was the hawthorn under clarkson mantra

On 25/08/2024 at 18:08, Swooper1987 said:

Don't trade it! With Levi Ashcroft a likely number 1, we will have a choice of one of Jagga Smith, Finn O'Sullivan, Murphy Reid, Harvey Langford, Sid Draper or Josh Smillie.  All should be excellent AFL players.

Which one is going to be the biggest XXXX?

3 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

1- Tigers.  O’Sullivan or Smith

2- Kangas. Trainor

3- Eagles.  O’Sullivan or Smith 

4- Crows. Draper 

5- Dees. Langford 👍🏻

Praying for Langford 🙏 he just looks like a mini Bont to me 

Edited August 28, 2024Aug 28 by demoncat

4 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

 

Thank you for the link.

Some fascinating reading there.

While the Demons need to consider the long-term replacement of May (and Lever).

I think midfield talent is the priority. Especially after losing Angus Brayshaw (and possibly losing Christian Petracca).

The loss of Angus Brayshaw has probably made the most significant difference to us unfortunately missing the finals this year. People might have underestimated this factor, but I certainly didn't.

We desperately need more high-end elite talent in our midfield.

Particularly young players who are excellent kicks and decision makers.

If we can somehow get 2 picks in the top 10 of this year's AFL national draft I will be over the moon!

We can then allow Jason Taylor and the rest of the recruiting team to work their magic.

Edited August 28, 2024Aug 28 by Supreme_Demon

I know we're after quicker mids but Smillie is so intriguing. He is a huge mid who makes great decisions with the ball. At the moment he's relying on his strength to get separation from opponents but I think with a developed fitness base and work on his burst pace he might become a Cripps/Tom Green type player.

I know its just highlights but this really shows how imposing he can be.

 

And this is a great little analysis into bigger size mids and their effectiveness. Focusing on Smillie and his similarities to Cripps in his current development.

 

4 minutes ago, Young Blood said:

I know we're after quicker mids but Smillie is so intriguing. He is a huge mid who makes great decisions with the ball. At the moment he's relying on his strength to get separation from opponents but I think with a developed fitness base and work on his burst pace he might become a Cripps/Tom Green type player.

I know its just highlights but this really shows how imposing he can be.

 

And this is a great little analysis into bigger size mids and their effectiveness. Focusing on Smillie and his similarities to Cripps in his current development.

 

one thing... can you 'work on burst pace' or is it something that you innately have as part of your natural athletic gifts?

we've tried to train clayton to 'use his legs' to power out of the contest and it worked very well in that 2021-23 inclusive period, but before that his fitness base didn't allow him to do it and this year was a write-off in that regard as well due to him not being able to do so as he did in his peak years

you also don't want to do away with a player's core assets - such as smillie's strength in the contest - while ultimately harming what makes him so valuable

i look at the way gc17 have tried to re-tool matt rowell to get him to burst away from stoppages and he's not particularly effective at it - yet - cos it's not in his natural footballing make-up

10 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

one thing... can you 'work on burst pace' or is it something that you innately have as part of your natural athletic gifts?

we've tried to train clayton to 'use his legs' to power out of the contest and it worked very well in that 2021-23 inclusive period, but before that his fitness base didn't allow him to do it and this year was a write-off in that regard as well due to him not being able to do so as he did in his peak years

you also don't want to do away with a player's core assets - such as smillie's strength in the contest - while ultimately harming what makes him so valuable

i look at the way gc17 have tried to re-tool matt rowell to get him to burst away from stoppages and he's not particularly effective at it - yet - cos it's not in his natural footballing make-up

I guess you answered your own question. Sometimes you can improve a players speed over their first 5-10 steps and sometimes you can't. Clayton and Cripps good examples of players who had poor fitness and low speed going into the draft, but with better fitness base were able to really work on that burst speed to go along with their strengths to become two very powerful mids. The second video highlights this and is an example of why Smillie could potentially be the best player in this draft if he could continue to develop. Huge upside

Edited August 28, 2024Aug 28 by Young Blood

On 26/08/2024 at 07:03, Kent said:

Definitely  Smillie for me!

Smillie is full of himself though. Proud as a peacock he is

 

Oh sorry, I was confusing him with Simile

 

#grammagags

Riley Beverage went through the weekend performances of 5 players when answering an audience question re: pick 1 contenders.

They were Jagga Smith, O’Sullivan, Langford, Lalor & Smillie. I’d have any one of them (or Draper, who you’d think the Crows or Eagles would consider). All have either built cases over time or are building their cases to be the best in the crop.

We’re in a great spot at 5. Right now I reckon Jagga’s leading the race for p1. Has been so good and so consistent at multiple levels for a long time.

We might be able to swap our 1st round pick (next year) with another club's 1st round pick this season

I'm thinking we might go all-in on a raft of draftees ending up with maybe 6 picks in the top 30

Pick #5

2 first rounders- preferably in the top 10 if HWSNBN (II) ends up being traded

We'll get a 2nd rounder for ANB

And the 2nd rounder due from Sydney could somehow be moved up

Swap next year's 1st round pick for another club's 1st round pick (this season) 

I'd just load up on mids with maybe 1 or 2 picks for particular positions

What could be an issue is filling our salary cap with Gus and the other person's salary no longer on the books

We need to add lots of young talent to the list.  We've got enough experience, enough small forwards, plenty of HBF's and our bigs should be ok although another decent KPF (allowing Petty to go back) would be ideal

Edited August 28, 2024Aug 28 by Macca

Rumour has it Pick 5 asked to be traded at its exit meeting this week