4 minutes ago, Adam The God said:

There's a contest in one of the Draper reels where the ball is in dispute on the ground. Draper vs Smilie. Draper wins it easily, and Smilie ends up looking like Jack Watts (sorry Jack, contest was never your strong suit).

Poor Wattsy

I don't think anyone has mentioned it so far, but from what I've seen of the footage I get a real Pendle's vibes from Smillie. The way he is able to get out of heavy traffic with ease and then dispose of the ball to advantage is brilliant. Not the fastest player, but has good evasion skills and footy IQ. I would be happy to take him at pick 9 if we weren't able to get Langford with pick 5. Smillie mentioned he can also play forward or back which is handy, he could rotate with  Petracca or Rivers when resting forward or back. 

Smillie’s footskills are nowhere near the level of Pendlebury’s

3 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I agree.

I am not all that enamoured with Taura to be honest and pick 5 is a ridiculous reach for an intercept 3rd tall intercept defender who's a poor kick of the footy. I do love his competitiveness though.

Even if it's not Smillie at 5, to me it's gotta be an elite young midfielder whether that's Langford, Draper or Smith.

The intercept defender might be the second most valuable position in footy, only behind gun forward half mid. I’d love it if Tauru kicked the ball a little smoother and he does have a few howlers, but he also takes the game on with quick attacking run and decision making. If you thought you could smooth out the kicking he’d be an attacking weapon. 
 

Midfielder is such a priority but I find it hard to believe JT would rate them all equally and ahead of the talls and flankers. 

On 30/08/2024 at 16:31, spirit of norm smith said:

I prefer Langford over Smillie, no doubt.  However some foreboding that Langford may be on the Eagles radar.  
If so and he’s gone, it’s then a choice of Smillie or Lalor, which I am more 50/50 on the choice.  

Smillie has excellent foot skills and can kick 50metres easily.  He wins the contested footy.  He can distribute.  All of these are demonstrated.  The challenge is his defensive skills. He has been so good at winning the footy through his junior years, the AFL challenge is how you manage against other stars and “defend the footy”.  Will he work hard without the ball.  That’s his unknown for me. 

We have BOTH choices before WCoast so why will they prevent us from selecting Langford? 

8 minutes ago, 58er said:

We have BOTH choices before WCoast so why will they prevent us from selecting Langford? 

I believe WC had pick 2 when that post was made

9 minutes ago, 58er said:

We have BOTH choices before WCoast so why will they prevent us from selecting Langford? 

Can you learn to read dates if you’re quoting stuff from months ago. 

21 minutes ago, 58er said:

We have BOTH choices before WCoast so why will they prevent us from selecting Langford? 

My post was from 30 August prior to the pick swaps. Eagles had pick 3 at that date   

  On 30/08/2024 at 16:31,  spirit of norm smithsaid:

I prefer Langford over Smillie, no doubt.  However some foreboding that Langford may be on the Eagles radar.  

Full season highlights for Smillie, I'm a fan

 

He's an interesting one for me. Despite being labeled the big inside bull, on my viewing he's at this best on the outside using a side step and driving the ball forward with nice kicking when he has time. His contest work could use improvement. He doesn't have the same natural ability of a Smith or Langford to get his hand free and nail quick handballs. He's also not strong or clean enough in aerial contests to develop into a key position player instead despite his decent size if he's still growing.

If his inside work could be improved with good coaching, he could be an absolute weapon. His ceiling is Patrick Cripps then basically. My fear is his floor is a tall average paced rebounding halfback flanker.

I won't be disappointed if we draft him due to potential ceiling, but he's definitely a more risky prospect than others around the same projected draft position.

If available at 9, maybe. Not at 5 (or whatever the pick ends up being)

He looks unreal with ball in hand . So natural and that kick is elite.

 

the issue is contest and defensive ability and effort from some of the matches I’ve seen. 
was he carrying an injury ? 

Is his fitness lacking therefore when he gets to contests he has no energy ? 
 

 

I reckon he'll be a St Kilda or Melbourne player.

10 hours ago, adonski said:

Full season highlights for Smillie, I'm a fan

 

The tackles have JT written over it