I was surprised that Cal didn't link to us to Grlj, this week or last.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by 2021

Herald Sun Phantom Draft (Chris Cavanagh) - probably only available to subscribers.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-phantom-draft-who-every-club-will-pick-in-the-first-two-rounds-of-the-2025-draft/news-story/6a2eb3e6c910d247ce77e4a76d8d3c79

11. SAM CUMMING

184cm Midfielder/Forward, North Adelaide

Drafted: MELBOURNE

We say: There is a question mark over whether Cumming gets past Essendon, with the Bombers also believed to be keen. But the Demons would be delighted if he does slip through, with rival clubs believing he is Melbourne’s No. 1 target. A fierce competitor who has been likened to former Crow Rory Sloane, Cumming has power, speed and plenty of class. Originally from Wentworth in New South Wales, he moved to Adelaide for school and served as a vice-captain of South Australia at the under-18 national championships. Cumming looks to be an ideal pick for the Demons as the club seeks to rejuvenate its midfield after the off-season departures of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver. He would be a third high-end midfielder drafted in the past two years, following Harvey Langford (pick 6) and Xavier Lindsay (pick 11) last year.

12. LACHY DOVASTON

178cm Forward, Eastern Ranges

Drafted: MELBOURNE

We say: While the Demons are all over Cumming, what they do with their second pick is a touch less clear. They have been linked to a tall and have done their work on Schubert, while Archie Ludowyke has been another name floated. But if Essendon get to Schubert first, Melbourne might change tact. The Demons have been linked to small forward Latrelle Pickett, who is a cousin of Kysaiah and a player they would love in their line-up. But it might be a bit early for that. It is not too early for Dovaston, though, who is the best small forward in the draft class. Compared to Nick Watson, he applies good pressure, works hard up the ground and has great forward craft to hit the scoreboard in different ways. Dovaston kicked 38 goals from 16 games for the Ranges — the second-most in the Coates Talent League — and took out the agility test at the draft combine. He has also been linked to other clubs including Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs, but the Dees have the chance to get in first.

34. CAMERON NAIRN

188cm Forward, Central District

Drafted: MELBOURNE

We say: The Demons would love if Latrelle Pickett slipped through to this pick, but that doesn’t look likely. They may still be able to add a quality forward in Nairn, though, who has drawn comparisons to Bayley Fritsch. At 188cm, Nairn measures exactly the same height as Fritsch and similarly possesses vice-like hands overhead, a big leap and an accurate boot. The South Australian recorded one of the best individual performances at the under-18 national championships with a seven-goal haul in a match against Western Australia. Along with his strong hands, he also has strong endurance to outwork opponents and finished fourth in the 2km time trial at the national draft combine.

The more that comes out I reckon at this stage Cumming & Farrow are the front runners. Plenty to play out in the next couple of weeks of course.

5 minutes ago, Roddog said:

The more that comes out I reckon at this stage Cumming & Farrow are the front runners. Plenty to play out in the next couple of weeks of course.

Freo will be happy with that

On 02/11/2025 at 19:14, rpfc said:

Utter cope from DD and a few others.

Laughable.

We may be worse so that we can be better.

A few are going to be moping in their Carlton Draughts I think come May.

Placing May in the same sentence as Carlton Draught must have the media’s giblets all aquiver

4 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

@Turner Grlj at 7, Josh Lindsay at 8. We instantly improve our pace & run, and instantly improve our half back distribution. We can use speed on the ball or creativity to move it. Does that align with the King philosophy? I would think so

I know it was a later pick duo but why does Grlj/Lindsay feel like Blease/Strauss to me?

35 minutes ago, Lil_red_fire_engine said:

I know it was a later pick duo but why does Grlj/Lindsay feel like Blease/Strauss to me?

G

🤣🤣 those dark Prendergast days are well past us

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by spirit of norm smith
O

8 hours ago, Roddog said:

Essentially put a line through Schubert and pretty confidently asserted we’re after midfielders. Specifically mentioned Robey (unlikely to make it), Sam Cumming, Jacob Farrow and potentially Xavier Taylor.

I know that there has been talk of this being a shallow draft, but at least some of the draftees will eventually turn out to be gems. Here's hoping it's one of ours. Targeting best available mids would seem to be a fairly solid strategy.

57 minutes ago, bing181 said:

I know that there has been talk of this being a shallow draft, but at least some of the draftees will eventually turn out to be gems. Here's hoping it's one of ours. Targeting best available mids would seem to be a fairly solid strategy.

For such a shallow draft, some of these later picks have amazing right -ups.