Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted
38 minutes ago, Where Demons Dare said:

Depending how our cards fall, I see us taking one of Smith, Langford or Draper with pick 5. If we pick Langford I don't see the need to go for Smillie with pick 9 as they are like for like players. I also don't see St.kilda taking Smillie either, as they got Phillipou last year who is a 194cm mid, which many on here have predicted St.kilda will select. 

Reid I'm not sold on with pick 9. I get Toumpas vibes from him... skilful player yes, but doesn't like the contest.

Richmond and St.Kilda will probably take one of Armstrong or Tauru with their selection before our next one so that leaves us with Allen, Lindsay, Travaglia, Hotton or Trainor. My gut feel is we go with Trainor, who is an excellent key defender but will be watchful of as he has already had concussions recently. 

Either way we will get 2 fantastic players and will help us contending for years to come. 

No way we'll go with Trainor. Bookmark it. We just had a Gus experience with concussions.

  • Like 5

Posted
On 03/11/2024 at 06:11, The Jackson FIX said:

Many here seem to think Kolt was a huge tick last year… he’s still a wait and see for me.  Windsor ENORMOUS tick, yes, but I didn’t see anything from Kolt which suggested he’s a guaranteed star. 

I think when you get a GUN pick who seems to perhaps be even better than you hoped like the Duke it’s always harder to rate another player based on a low key first 10/15games.

What I do think is Melb were very pleased with the Kolt’s season as he improved as the year wore on. As he was 18 years for a long part of the year we should be positive about his start and believe that he will make great strides in 2025.

His room for upside is perhaps greater but let’s judge him separately not vs Caleb who yo be fair looks like an absolute superstar the way he adapted and showed his class and style. Purists that are comparing him to the late great Robbie Flower who is one of our top 10/15 greats are IMO not far wrong. So smooth and fast plus tougher than many opponents realise.

So much so I would like Goody to change Windsor to the centre from the start of the season to get the extra benefit of his direct and straight ahead style that could also net him a handy 15/20 goals for our total even in only his second year. 

Can’t wait for all our youngsters to improve and surprise the experts in our bounce back up the ladder. 

  • Like 6

Posted

What's this whole attitude we can't draft 2 of the same type of players?
Langford and Smillie for example.
What height gives them is flexibilty to play anywhere on the ground if they don't turn out best in the midfield.
In juniours the best players play midfield and it's not until there last couple of seasons they may be moved forward or back as they join the best of the best of their age.
If there was a Pettracca clone we would draft him etc.
 

  • Like 2
Posted

If we can somehow get Langford at our first Pick i won't complain who we get at our Second as there is going to be plenty of options. Would gladly take Smillie as well. My preference is 2 Mids. 

  • Like 1
Posted
12 hours ago, kurtneverdied said:

What's this whole attitude we can't draft 2 of the same type of players?
Langford and Smillie for example.
What height gives them is flexibilty to play anywhere on the ground if they don't turn out best in the midfield.
In juniours the best players play midfield and it's not until there last couple of seasons they may be moved forward or back as they join the best of the best of their age.
If there was a Pettracca clone we would draft him etc.
 

We can, but I don’t think height alone makes a guy able to play anywhere.

I haven’t seen an aerial game from Smillie worthy of saying he’s a marking target /interceptor and I don’t think he runs like a flanker. To me he’s a fairly pure midfielder aside from filling in certain roles in case of emergency. Langford has a marking and more natural outside run game that I think translates better to versatility but the speed will limit that too.

The game has also sped up and spread out and smaller mids ripped us apart some times at stoppages and absolutely in space. We had to put Nibbler on ball to take away Daicos, Merrett etc.

I suspect if we draft Langford and go a second bigger mid it will be Travaglia or Bo Allan who are proven flankers and move like it.

  • Like 2

Posted (edited)

Bouncing between here and Bigfooty I feel like, at least before Cal comes out with his phantom, these are THE outcomes for us at 5;

North pick Tauru and our options are; Langford/Smith or other. 

North take a mid and our options are; Tauru or Smith (Carlton and Adelaide into Draper and Langford) 

Lawlor/FOS/Draper will be gone. 

Edited by Mouseymoo
  • Like 3
Posted
3 minutes ago, Mouseymoo said:

Bouncing between here and Bigfooty I feel like, at least before Cal comes out with his phantom, these are THE outcomes for us at 5;

North pick Tauru and our options are; Langford/Smith or other. 

North take a mid and our options are; Tauru or Smith (Carlton and Adelaide into Draper and Langford) 

Lawlor/FOS/Draper will be gone. 

What about the middle ground? North take Tauru. Carlton are in to Draper. Crows take Langford.

No one seems to be predicting FOS getting through to us? Is he a lock 2, 3 or 4 despite those teams all getting linked to other players?

  • Thanks 1
Posted
On 05/11/2024 at 23:39, 58er said:

I think when you get a GUN pick who seems to perhaps be even better than you hoped like the Duke it’s always harder to rate another player based on a low key first 10/15games.

What I do think is Melb were very pleased with the Kolt’s season as he improved as the year wore on. As he was 18 years for a long part of the year we should be positive about his start and believe that he will make great strides in 2025.

His room for upside is perhaps greater but let’s judge him separately not vs Caleb who yo be fair looks like an absolute superstar the way he adapted and showed his class and style. Purists that are comparing him to the late great Robbie Flower who is one of our top 10/15 greats are IMO not far wrong. So smooth and fast plus tougher than many opponents realise.

So much so I would like Goody to change Windsor to the centre from the start of the season to get the extra benefit of his direct and straight ahead style that could also net him a handy 15/20 goals for our total even in only his second year. 

Can’t wait for all our youngsters to improve and surprise the experts in our bounce back up the ladder. 

Robbie Flower is number 1, there’s no mixing with 10/15 others. For pure class, skill and a player with no apparent weakness. 

  • Like 3

Posted
31 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

What about the middle ground? North take Tauru. Carlton are in to Draper. Crows take Langford.

No one seems to be predicting FOS getting through to us? Is he a lock 2, 3 or 4 despite those teams all getting linked to other players?

General consensus amoungt the amateur draft gurus is FOS goes 1 - 4. Most likely Carlton because he's Walsh's cousin, if that means anything. Think there's a red herring out there that Carlton into Draper to force Adelaide to trade with North so North can take Tauru at 4 instead of "reaching" and get some steak knves - I thin k that scenario is a stretch though 

Posted
21 minutes ago, Nascent said:

Would love to know what North's intentions are.

Take another S.A midfield and lose him after 12 months presumably

  • Love 1
Posted

 

16 minutes ago, adonski said:

Take another S.A midfield and lose him after 12 months presumably

Draper and Horne-Francis are very different people with very different backgrounds. I don’t think equating the two is fair.

Posted
3 hours ago, Roost it far said:

Robbie Flower is number 1, there’s no mixing with 10/15 others. For pure class, skill and a player with no apparent weakness. 

You forgot heart, Roost

Posted

I wonder if Richmond do 6 & 20/23/24 for North's pick 2.

Feel Richmond would love to pair up Lawlor and one of Smith/FOS and also we know North desperate af to split and 6 is prime to get Tauru and not be seen as reaching..

Posted
3 hours ago, Mouseymoo said:

I wonder if Richmond do 6 & 20/23/24 for North's pick 2.

Feel Richmond would love to pair up Lawlor and one of Smith/FOS and also we know North desperate af to split and 6 is prime to get Tauru and not be seen as reaching..

I doubt it. If North take Tauru as many have suggested then Richmond will have access to one of the "top 5" open draft mids at 6.

  • Like 2
Posted

Speaking of the Draft night, what time will it be on during the 20th of November?

Will it be live on TV? I know in the past it has been on Fox Footy. Will it on the AFL Live App?

Anyway, I am looking forward to watching it on TV or online.

 

  • Like 1

Posted
34 minutes ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Speaking of the Draft night, what time will it be on during the 20th of November?

Will it be live on TV? I know in the past it has been on Fox Footy. Will it on the AFL Live App?

Anyway, I am looking forward to watching it on TV or online.

 

Yep. 7pm start.

  • Like 2
Posted (edited)

Draft is live on Kayo from 7pm - both nights.

It's been really interesting to see how much variance pre-draft prognostications have this year and clearly clubs are busy handing out misinformation to AFL journos because it may assist their chances of getting the player they want.

To me it's pretty clear that there are seven elite midfielders and one exciting tall - who are the so-called cream of the draft - although there are plenty more players who may end up being bargain buys after that.

Of the seven mids - that figure includes Ashcroft (Brissy) and Lombard (Suns), wile Tauru is clearly an excitement machine - albeit a flawed one at this stage with his kicking skills. Of the five available mids all have potential flaws - Langford (pace), O'Sullivan (poor 2024 output), Smith (size and scoring ability), Draper (kicking skills) and Lalor (injury prone).

But I reckon given North is clearly into Tauru (the fact that they are willing to consider a fall to pick 4 with Adelaide tells you that), then we have an interesting decision to make on our pick 5, as there will be two gun mids left and Richmond will want whoever is left at pick 6.

As I said in my original rant, I still think the Tigers are mega keen on Jagga Smith - I suspect they have been playing the game of seeing whether other clubs are deadset keen on him to determine if they can get him at pick 6 or not. And i still believe that if we are keen on him then we should take him at pick 5 - obviously if North didn't go Tauru, then I'd take hime before Smith - as I reckon we need excitement and unpredictability that he provides in the air, more than anything else.

But in the most likely scenario we get a  choice of Langford or Smith and hopefully Armstrong with pick 9. I've watched enough of Armstrong's video and he clearly is an elite kick and his agility rating is high, which means that we will just have to drill him hard on tackling and pressure. 

If we do get a choice of Langford or Smith, then I'd hope our interest in Smith is such that we can illicit Richmond to offer us picks 6 and 23 for 5 (ie Smith) - thereby giving us Langford, Armstrong and another slider - or should the Saints throw a spanner in the works and take Armstrong, give us Langford, Allan or Travaglia and the best tall slider - I still really like what I saw of Jonty Faull.

Langford will not provide us with pace, but he still looks almost a complete player - a great mark, a lovely clever kick and courage. He has a huge tank, so as long as we have pace around him, he will do fine.

As stated earlier, I suspect Carlton has just given out the misinformation of being interested in Draper to reduce O'Sullivan interest and ensure he gets to pick 3. The Crows in return are mooting moving to pick 2 in return and going for O'Sullivan - but I suspect that's just a tite-for-tatt play - they are both comfortable with O'Sulllvan (Carlton) and Draper (Adelaide) I reckon because they are both exciting players based on what they've shown thus far. 

The biggest unforeseen spanner in the works now would be if the Tigers took Jagga at No.1, leaving Lalor to fall. I hope we have done our homework on him as well just in case of this eventuality as he could also fall to 5. He looks a ripper, but once clubs have a fixation on a certain player, it's hard to get them to reconsider their pre-draft night rationale. 

Edited by Deespicable
  • Like 6
  • Thanks 2

Posted
1 hour ago, Deespicable said:

Draft is live on Kayo from 7pm - both nights.

It's been really interesting to see how much variance pre-draft prognostications have this year and clearly clubs are busy handing out misinformation to AFL journos because it may assist their chances of getting the player they want.

To me it's pretty clear that there are seven elite midfielders and one exciting tall - who are the so-called cream of the draft - although there are plenty more players who may end up being bargain buys after that.

Of the seven mids - that figure includes Ashcroft (Brissy) and Lombard (Suns), wile Tauru is clearly an excitement machine - albeit a flawed one at this stage with his kicking skills. Of the five available mids all have potential flaws - Langford (pace), O'Sullivan (poor 2024 output), Smith (size and scoring ability), Draper (kicking skills) and Lalor (injury prone).

But I reckon given North is clearly into Tauru (the fact that they are willing to consider a fall to pick 4 with Adelaide tells you that), then we have an interesting decision to make on our pick 5, as there will be two gun mids left and Richmond will want whoever is left at pick 6.

As I said in my original rant, I still think the Tigers are mega keen on Jagga Smith - I suspect they have been playing the game of seeing whether other clubs are deadset keen on him to determine if they can get him at pick 6 or not. And i still believe that if we are keen on him then we should take him at pick 5 - obviously if North didn't go Tauru, then I'd take hime before Smith - as I reckon we need excitement and unpredictability that he provides in the air, more than anything else.

But in the most likely scenario we get a  choice of Langford or Smith and hopefully Armstrong with pick 9. I've watched enough of Armstrong's video and he clearly is an elite kick and his agility rating is high, which means that we will just have to drill him hard on tackling and pressure. 

If we do get a choice of Langford or Smith, then I'd hope our interest in Smith is such that we can illicit Richmond to offer us picks 6 and 23 for 5 (ie Smith) - thereby giving us Langford, Armstrong and another slider - or should the Saints throw a spanner in the works and take Armstrong, give us Langford, Allan or Travaglia and the best tall slider - I still really like what I saw of Jonty Faull.

Langford will not provide us with pace, but he still looks almost a complete player - a great mark, a lovely clever kick and courage. He has a huge tank, so as long as we have pace around him, he will do fine.

As stated earlier, I suspect Carlton has just given out the misinformation of being interested in Draper to reduce O'Sullivan interest and ensure he gets to pick 3. The Crows in return are mooting moving to pick 2 in return and going for O'Sullivan - but I suspect that's just a tite-for-tatt play - they are both comfortable with O'Sulllvan (Carlton) and Draper (Adelaide) I reckon because they are both exciting players based on what they've shown thus far. 

The biggest unforeseen spanner in the works now would be if the Tigers took Jagga at No.1, leaving Lalor to fall. I hope we have done our homework on him as well just in case of this eventuality as he could also fall to 5. He looks a ripper, but once clubs have a fixation on a certain player, it's hard to get them to reconsider their pre-draft night rationale. 

Yep. Depending of the ranking of picks by the Dee's and Tigers we may get an offer by the Tiges for our pick 5.

Also we have pick 9 and the Tiges pick 10 and 11. It's also possible we may get an offer for pick 9 for pick 10 or 11 plus pick 20 or more. Depends on the Tiges rankings and our rankings.

We need quality over quantity so we would have to get a way to good to refuse offer before dropping lower in the draft que.

  • Like 1
Posted
8 minutes ago, Gator said:

Draper was spotted with Todd Viney at North training this morning.

1731717758554.thumb.jpg.af5366a7795ac6f6598138f5e5f8f3c9.jpg

Need to wait for the DNA tests to come back to confirm it's actually him

  • Haha 1
Posted
22 minutes ago, adonski said:

Need to wait for the DNA tests to come back to confirm it's actually him

Might be his twin brother.

 

1731727878014.png

1731727967722.png

  • Haha 1

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...