7 minutes ago, FrothiesLiam said:

https://youtu.be/Iv2nTWXkwcw?si=_boD4pkxeWTx_b0g

Has us taking Dyson Sharp and Josh Lindsay

Hmmmm. Sharp is a tough contested ballwinner … no doubt… but his pace, disposal and are all questionable whether they transform or can be capable at AFL level. Dees would have to consider him.

BUT with his pros & cons, I’d add that I also would be reluctant, with the potential “go home” factor that perhaps makes the Dees hesitant to pickup the SA/WA boys.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/2025-afl-mock-draft-who-will-your-club-target-code-afl/video/63b1059c9fd56c5c4aa550a536d4c720 for the paywall peeps its

1. duursma -wce

2. CDT -wce

3. uwland matched gcs

4. patterson matched gcs

5. xav taylor -rich

6. annable matched bris

7. grjl -rich

8. dean matched carl

9. robey -ess

10. sharp -ess

11. schubert -dees

12. lindsay -dees

13. o taylor -hawks

14. cumming -gws

15. farrow -wce

16. phillipou -wbd

17. greaves -adel

18. ludowyke -geel

19. dovaston -carl

20. hibbins-hargreaves -frem

21. marsh -ess

22. sweid matched ess

23. nairn -hawks

really hope this isnt the way we go

Herald Sun article today has us taken Schubert and Lindsay fwiw

Really hope Schubert isn’t actually on our radar

4 hours ago, Turner said:

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/2025-afl-mock-draft-who-will-your-club-target-code-afl/video/63b1059c9fd56c5c4aa550a536d4c720 for the paywall peeps its

1. duursma -wce

2. CDT -wce

3. uwland matched gcs

4. patterson matched gcs

5. xav taylor -rich

6. annable matched bris

7. grjl -rich

8. dean matched carl

9. robey -ess

10. sharp -ess

11. schubert -dees

12. lindsay -dees

13. o taylor -hawks

14. cumming -gws

15. farrow -wce

16. phillipou -wbd

17. greaves -adel

18. ludowyke -geel

19. dovaston -carl

20. hibbins-hargreaves -frem

21. marsh -ess

22. sweid matched ess

23. nairn -hawks

really hope this isnt the way we go

These spuds have no idea

6 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Hmmmm. Sharp is a tough contested ballwinner … no doubt… but his pace, disposal and are all questionable whether they transform or can be capable at AFL level. Dees would have to consider him.

BUT with his pros & cons, I’d add that I also would be reluctant, with the potential “go home” factor that perhaps makes the Dees hesitant to pickup the SA/WA boys.

From the videos I watched his disposal was great. They where highlights though.

He made some very good decisions and took on some risky kicks and nailed them.

Really getting sick of the 'Melbourne need a key forward' narrative that's being regurgitated by the media.

If any of the 'experts' out there actually watched us this year (although to be fair, I can understand why they probably didn't), they'd see that we need more midfield depth, outside run and probably another small forward.

Our scoring woes have much more to do with our midfield connection than it does with anything in the forward half.

Unless the club has totally given up on the likes of JVR and Jeffo, drafting another young key forward would only stall the development of the ones we already have on the list.

Edited 19 hours ago19 hr by Demon Jack

3 minutes ago, Demon Jack said:

Really getting sick of the 'Melbourne need a key forward' narrative that's being regurgitated by the media.

If any of the 'experts' out there actually watched us this year (although to be fair, I can understand why they probably didn't), we need more midfield depth, outside run and probably another small forward.

Our scoring woes have much more to do with our midfield connection than it does with anything in the forward half.

Unless the club has totally given up on the likes of JVR and Jeffo, drafting another young key forward would only stall the development of the ones we already have on the list.

This this this this this

And to think half these the guys get paid for these takes

8 hours ago, Turner said:

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/2025-afl-mock-draft-who-will-your-club-target-code-afl/video/63b1059c9fd56c5c4aa550a536d4c720 for the paywall peeps its

1. duursma -wce

2. CDT -wce

3. uwland matched gcs

4. patterson matched gcs

5. xav taylor -rich

6. annable matched bris

7. grjl -rich

8. dean matched carl

9. robey -ess

10. sharp -ess

11. schubert -dees

12. lindsay -dees

13. o taylor -hawks

14. cumming -gws

15. farrow -wce

16. phillipou -wbd

17. greaves -adel

18. ludowyke -geel

19. dovaston -carl

20. hibbins-hargreaves -frem

21. marsh -ess

22. sweid matched ess

23. nairn -hawks

really hope this isnt the way we go

Ah yeah. Melbourne take the developing tall forward because thats what lack and Farrow conveniently makes it through to west coast.

I cant wait for this draft to be over.

Edited 17 hours ago17 hr by BAMF

14 hours ago, Turner said:

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/2025-afl-mock-draft-who-will-your-club-target-code-afl/video/63b1059c9fd56c5c4aa550a536d4c720 for the paywall peeps its

1. duursma -wce

2. CDT -wce

3. uwland matched gcs

4. patterson matched gcs

5. xav taylor -rich

6. annable matched bris

7. grjl -rich

8. dean matched carl

9. robey -ess

10. sharp -ess

11. schubert -dees

12. lindsay -dees

13. o taylor -hawks

14. cumming -gws

15. farrow -wce

16. phillipou -wbd

17. greaves -adel

18. ludowyke -geel

19. dovaston -carl

20. hibbins-hargreaves -frem

21. marsh -ess

22. sweid matched ess

23. nairn -hawks

really hope this isnt the way we go

Zero chance Robey is available at 9. That's the stuff of absolute fantasists, even with the bids in the top 6 or so.

9 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

Really getting sick of the 'Melbourne need a key forward' narrative that's being regurgitated by the media.

If any of the 'experts' out there actually watched us this year (although to be fair, I can understand why they probably didn't), they'd see that we need more midfield depth, outside run and probably another small forward.

Couldn’t agree more. The only type of forward we need is one who’s mother was a pack a day smoker and stunted his growth.

We also need that connector upfield that can hit that most important kick in football, the kick into the forward 50.

Hope we get Dovaston very creative by foot and hand with a good work rate and gets to the right spots. I really like his soft hands, nicely weighted handballs to the advantage of a teammate. Nothing like the rockets that we fire at the feet.

3 hours ago, BLWNBA said:

Zero chance Robey is available at 9. That's the stuff of absolute fantasists, even with the bids in the top 6 or so.

If we rate Robey, i wonder if the Dons would do 8 and the future first from the Suns to move up a spot if Robey is on the board.

It's a big price to pay but if we think he's a difference maker it might be worth a thought.

9 hours ago, BAMF said:

Ah yeah. Melbourne take the developing tall forward because thats what lack

Goes without saying you take these phantom drafts with a grain of salt. Looking beck through November ones last year clubs had us tied to Bo Allan, Murphy Reid and Armstrong. Most had Jobe Shanahan a couple picks later. The latter two slid whilst XL was mid teens and JT nailed it. Good chance he'll do similar with the Dove for our second pick.

10 minutes ago, Ted Lasso said:

If we rate Robey, i wonder if the Dons would do 8 and the future first from the Suns to move up a spot if Robey is on the board.

It's a big price to pay but if we think he's a difference maker it might be worth a thought.

Depends if clubs are willing to slide which there is reportedly no indication of. If JT wants him you can be assured he'll be making inquiries big time. Works in our favour if WCE and Tiges are set with their picks as it'll undoubtably be easier to turn Essendon's heads to slide a pick or two.

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by shakeandbake

1. WILLEM DUURSMA

WEST COAST

---

193cm Midfielder/Forward, Gippsland Power/Vic Country

Chris says 🗣 His siblings have long said that Duursma is the most talented footballer in his family and he shapes as a perfect fit for the Eagles as a damaging midfielder-forward. Duursma already has a relationship with former No. 1 pick Harley Reid and the two have the potential to spearhead West Coast’s onball brigade for the next decade. 

2. COOPER DUFF-TYTLER

WEST COAST

---

201cm Ruck/Forward, Calder Cannons/Vic Metro

Chris says 🗣 The Eagles’ list lacks some height, which Duff-Tytler provides as a Luke Jackson-type mobile ruckman who can also rotate forward and hit the scoreboard. The former junior basketball star has been a long-time opponent of Duursma on both courts and ovals, which would help make any move west a little easier. 

3. ZEKE UWLAND (MATCHED RICHMOND BID)

GOLD COAST

---

180cm Midfielder, Gold Coast Academy/Allies

Dan says 🗣 I have Uwland at No. 2 in my draft rankings behind Duursma after a massive bottom-age year. We didn’t get to see much of Uwland’s lethal left boot this season due to injury, but expect the Errol Gulden-like prospect to slot into Damien Hardwick’s side next year, most likely off halfback. The Suns require 1960 points to match this bid — and they will need more where that came from. 

4. DYLAN PATTERSON (MATCHED RICHMOND BID)

GOLD COAST

---

183cm Midfielder/Defender, Gold Coast Academy/Allies

Dan says 🗣 Gold Coast has nabbed Damien Hardwick and Dan Rioli in recent years, now ‘Bidmond’ is going to keep the Suns honest. Richmond need line-breaking speed off halfback and Patterson provides that in spades, so a bid on Patterson wouldn’t be surprising. Back-to-back bids is far from ideal for Gold Coast, forcing the Suns to give up 3791 in total — their selections 15, 18, 24, 28 and 51 add up to 3805. 

5. XAVIER TAYLOR

RICHMOND

---

192cm Defender, Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Dan says 🗣 Richmond stocked up their forward line last year, but the selection of Taylor doesn’t just fill a need. The quietly confident talent is a complete package as a defender with his ball-use, reading of the play and one-on-one work, but he has the scope to blossom into an exciting utility like Josh Weddle. Taylor showed he is a big-game player with his best-on-ground display in the Ranges’ premiership win. Plus, he is a Tigers’ fan. 

6. DAN ANNABLE (MATCHED RICHMOND BID)

BRISBANE LIONS

---

184cm Midfielder, Brisbane Lions Academy/Allies

Chris says 🗣 I’m not sure who Annable squeezes out of the Lions’ midfield in the near future, but there’s no doubting he’s a serious talent who Brisbane can’t pass up. A balanced onballer who can be dominant around clearances and brings strong leadership traits, it is a luxury for the Lions to have such another highly-talented player come through their Academy. This will cost the Lions 1493 points, effectively wiping out picks 17 and 23. 

7. SAM GRLJ

RICHMOND

---

182cm Midfielder, Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro

Dan says 🗣 The Tigers can afford to pick on upside here after a monster draft haul last year. It was a toss-up between Grlj and Sullivan Robey, but the game-breaking running of Grlj won out. He is low production, high-impact and there is plenty of Max Holmes in Grlj, who always turns up the heat. He has already impressed in the yellow and black in 2025, averaging 16.5 touches in his two VFL games. 

8. HARRY DEAN (MATCHED ESSENDON BID)

CARLTON

---

194cm Defender, Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country

Chris says 🗣 The Blues would be thrilled if a bid on father-son prospect Dean comes this late, given some rate him as a top-five prospect in this year’s draft. A strong one-on-one and intercept defender, Dean shot up draft boards this year after starring for Vic Country during the under-18 national championships and he’s capable of playing a role in the Carlton backline early next year. Matching this pick will cost the Blues 1299 points, swallowing up pick 13 and seeing their second selection slide back a few spots.

9. SULLIVAN ROBEY

ESSENDON

---

192cm Forward/Midfielder, Eastern Ranges

Chris says 🗣 It is Christmas come early for the Bombers if draft bolter Robey gets to their first selection. A powerful forward or midfielder who kicks goals, Robey is exactly the type of player Essendon is crying out for and would add some instant excitement next year. He looks likely to begin his AFL career as a forward but could develop into a big-bodied midfielder in time. It’s been some rise from a player who was playing local football for Rowville under-19s in the first half of this year. 

10. DYSON SHARP

ESSENDON

---

187cm Midfielder, Central District/South Australia

Chris says 🗣 The Bombers could do with another star onballer and are also in desperate need of some leadership. Sharp brings both. A hard-at-it midfielder who can also rotate forward and impact the scoreboard, Sharp captained South Australia to a title at the under-18 national championships this year and collected the Larke Medal as the best player of the tournament in the process. He’s a ready-made prospect, having already played significant senior SANFL this year.

11. AIDAN SCHUBERT

MELBOURNE

---

197cm Forward/ruck, Central District/South Australia

Dan says 🗣 Melbourne has lacked marking options up forward for several years and Schubert has the stickiest hands in the business along with being super athletic. The former state basketball representative only fully committed to footy this year and should develop into a formidable forward-ruck option for the Dees into the future. He dominated the national championships with 10 goals, where his contested marking and mobility stood out. 

12. JOSH LINDSAY

MELBOURNE

---

183cm Defender/Midfielder, Geelong Falcons/Vic Country

Dan says 🗣 Blind Freddy can see that Melbourne has struggled with their ball movement over the years. Lindsay is the best kick in the draft, with his left-foot laser hitting targets all over the ground this year. The ultra-professional prospect is capable of playing right away at the Dees off halfback and is a big watch for SuperCoach in 2026.

13. OSKAR TAYLOR

HAWTHORN

---

183cm Defender, Eastern Ranges

Dan says 🗣 Hawthorn doesn’t want for much, but a blistering halfback would be the cherry on top of an impressive defensive unit. Taylor brings breakneck speed, agility and daring kicking to the table, a game-changing combination in the modern game. A literal draft bolter, Taylor didn’t feature at all for Vic Metro at the national champs but surged up draft boards in the back-half of the year, finishing his campaign with the best 20m sprint (2.823sec) time at the draft combine and the second-best agility test (7.840sec).

14. SAM CUMMING

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

---

184cm Midfielder, North Adelaide/South Australia

Dan says 🗣 GWS love a first-round shock, but the only surprise here is that Cumming remains on the board. The quick midfielder-forward has blistering speed and is great overhead, showing he can impact right away with an eye-catching SANFL stint this season. The Wentworth product has boarded in Adelaide the past couple of years. For a team which carefully considers the go-home factor, that is a huge tick. 

15. JACOB FARROW

WEST COAST

---

188cm Defender/Midfielder, West Perth/Western Australia

Chris says 🗣 The Eagles haven’t been afraid to pick players from interstate in recent years, despite their continuing struggles. But if you have a gun homegrown talent like Farrow still on the board, it just makes sense to take him. Likened to current AFL stars Hayden Young and Jordan Dawson, Farrow is a strong-bodied rebounding halfback who could develop into an AFL midfielder in time. 

16. JEVAN PHILLIPOU

WESTERN BULLDOGS

---

183cm Midfielder/Forward, Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia

Chris says 🗣 He was unseen at the under-18 national championships due to a broken arm, but that doesn’t mean this South Australian has been forgotten. The younger brother of St Kilda’s Mattaes would be a good fit for the Bulldogs as a midfielder-forward with an elite athletic and aerobic profile and a nice skillset. 

17. OLIVER GREEVES

ADELAIDE

---

191cm Midfielder, Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Chris says 🗣 Perhaps finding a home a little later than some might have tipped, Greeves is the type of player you can just picture in an Adelaide jumper. While he’s not as strong a runner as some other midfielders in this draft class, Greeves certainly knows how to find his own footy as a big-bodied onballer and is a consistent performer. 

18. ARCHIE LUDOWYKE

GEELONG

---

197cm Forward, Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

Dan says 🗣 Electric small forwards Lachy Dovaston and Latrelle Pickett were considered here, but we have settled on a long-term proposition in Ludowyke. Jeremy Cameron turns 33 next year, and the 197cm key forward can be given time to develop in their VFL program before partnering with Shannon Neale. Ludowyke was a top-10 contender earlier in the year before his PCL blow at the national championships and could prove to be the best key forward in the pool. 

19. LACHY DOVASTON

CARLTON

---

178cm Forward, Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Chris says 🗣 The small forward positions have been a problem for the Blues for a number of years now, but Dovaston could be the solution. Likened to Hawthorn’s Nick Watson, he is the best small forward in this year’s draft pool and was a regular goalkicker at every level he played this year. He booted 38 majors from 16 games in the Coates Talent League, while also leading Vic Metro’s goalkicking with nine majors from four games at the under-18 national championships.

20. NOAH HIBBINS-HARGREAVES

FREMANTLE

---

186cm Forward/Midfielder, Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country

Chris says 🗣 The Dockers ranked eighth for inside-50 differential this year but 12th for scores per inside 50. This X-Factor half-forward could help improve the connection and keep the scoreboard ticking over. Hibbins-Hargreaves has some speed and can also play a role on a wing if required. He showed this year that he can be a matchwinner when he’s on. 

21. MITCH MARSH

ESSENDON

---

191cm Forward, West Adelaide/South Australia

Chris says 🗣 It’s another big win for the Bombers if they snag Marsh in the early 20s. Nate Caddy needs some support long-term, with Peter Wright and Kyle Langford both set to turn 30 next year. Marsh would complement Caddy and the rest of that group nicely as an incredibly athletic medium-sized marking forward with an accurate boot. 

22. ADAM SWEID (MATCHED HAWTHORN BID)

ESSENDON

---

176cm Midfielder/Forward, Calder Cannons/Vic Metro

Chris says 🗣 Coming off an ACL injury last year, Sweid entered his top-age season as an unknown quantity. However, he made an immediate impact from round 1 for the Calder Cannons, after which he was quickly being discussed as a top-25 prospect. The Essendon NGA prospect is explosive around clearances when in the middle but can also impact as a half-forward, setting up teammates for goals when he’s not kicking them himself. This will cost the Bombers 617 draft points, effectively consuming most of what would be Essendon’s pick 27 at this point.

23. CAM NAIRN

HAWTHORN

---

188cm Forward, Central District/South Australia

Dan says 🗣 Jack Gunston took out Hawthorn’s best-and-fairest, but he turned 34 this month. Nairn shapes as a like-for-like replacement in the future with his huge engine (fourth in 2km time trial at the draft combine with 6min 14 sec), vice-like hands and pinpoint goalkicking. The medium forward stunned recruiters with a seven-goal haul against Western Australia and also showed he can impact games in midfield roles. 

24. HARLEY BARKER

NORTH MELBOURNE

---

188cm Midfielder, Sturt/South Australia

Chris says 🗣 He won’t be available until the middle of next year as he recovers from an ACL injury, but Barker looks a good long-term option for the Kangaroos as an impactful wingman who brings elite running and skills. North Melbourne didn’t have a dominant winger this year, but Barker could be that in the not-too-distant future. 

25. MAX KING (MATCHED NORTH MELBOURNE BID)

SYDNEY

---

192cm Forward, Sydney Swans Academy/Allies

Dan says 🗣 If you had told Sydney at the start of the year that King would be getting a bid at pick 25, they would have taken that every day of the week. King has upside and athleticism in abundance, finishing first in the standing vertical jump (80cm) at the draft combine, equal-fourth in the running vertical jump (89cm). He was unable to have the impact expected on the field this year but the exciting forward could be anything.

26. HUSSIEN EL ACHKAR (MATCHED NORTH MELBOURNE BID)

ESSENDON

---

171cm Forward, Calder Cannons/Vic Metro

Chris says 🗣 It’s not surprising that the two Essendon NGA prospects in Sweid and El Achkar have received bids inside the top-30. The good mates will join another mate of theirs in Isaac Kako at the Bombers, where they should transform the forward line. El Achkar is a quick and agile small forward who racked up goals and score assists at every level this season, including one VFL appearance for Essendon. Along with the Sweid pick, Essendon’s two second-round picks are gone.

27. BLAKE THREDGOLD

NORTH MELBOURNE

---

194cm Defender, Sturt/South Australia

Chris says 🗣 The Kangaroos need to add some more strength in their key defensive posts and Thredgold is the next best available behind top-10 picks Harry Dean and Xavier Taylor. The South Australian is a good size, has a nice leap, reads the play well and can take a strong overhead mark. 

28. LATRELLE PICKETT

WESTERN BULLDOGS

---

170cm Forward, Glenelg

Chris says 🗣 Similar to the Bulldogs’ first pick of Phillipou, adding another smaller type in the front half looks like it would suit here. A 19-year-old prospect, Pickett is the cousin of Melbourne’s Kysaiah and brings some similar traits to the table with his speed, agility, leap and smarts in the attacking half. 

29. JACK ISON (MATCHED HAWTHORN BID, WHICH TRADED A FUTURE THIRD-ROUND PICK FOR WEST COAST’S PICK)

CARLTON

---

191cm Forward/Midfielder, Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro

Dan says 🗣 After bidding on an Essendon NGA player earlier, now the Hawks have bidded on a Blues NGA talent after trading back in. Bids at 8 and 29 for Dean and Ison would be a dream result for the Blues, completing a handy mock draft haul with Dovaston. Carlton is crying out for Ison’s pinpoint kicking and decision-making. The Blues will be a few draft points short to match this bid, so may need to trade a 2026 pick into this year to ensure they are covered. 

30. HUGO MIKUNDA

HAWTHORN

---

180cm Forward/Midfielder, Geelong Falcons/Vic Country

Dan says 🗣 Along with Taylor and Nairn, Mikunda can add to the Hawks’ exciting transition game. A prototype half-forward, Mikunda is quick, creative with ball in hand and can also be used on a wing or through the midfield.

Twomey on Gettable today seems to think it’s mids we’re after

Just now, Roddog said:

Twomey on Gettable today seems to think it’s mids we’re after

Thank God. You'd think that after we just moved on Oliver and Tracc, have an ageing Viney and for the most part unproven kids as depth..

Twombstone on Get Table

Eagles; Duursma and maybe CDT or a mid.

Richmond: bid like mad, CDT doesn’t get past them, mids and Taylor.

Essendon: sit back and take the remaining out of Duursma, CDT, Taylor, Robey, Sharp, Cumming. Maybe Farrow

Melbourne: Robey probably doesn’t get to here, midfielders, maybe Farrow, maybe Cumming, maybe Sharp. Have to consider X Taylor if available. Or do they go one mid and Schubert/Dovaston.

Really not a lot of mail from Cal at this stage.

Maybe a hint of suggesting Cumming and Farrow are towards the top 10 and not as high on Grlj.

2 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Twombstone on Get Table

Eagles; Duursma and maybe CDT or a mid.

Richmond: bid like mad, CDT doesn’t get past them, mids and Taylor.

Essendon: sit back and take the remaining out of Duursma, CDT, Taylor, Robey, Sharp, Cumming. Maybe Farrow

Melbourne: Robey probably doesn’t get to here, midfielders, maybe Farrow, maybe Cumming, maybe Sharp. Have to consider X Taylor if available. Or do they go one mid and Schubert/Dovaston.

Really not a lot of mail from Cal at this stage.

Maybe a hint of suggesting Cumming and Farrow are towards the top 10 and not as high on Grlj.

From that you've got to think it's either 2 mids, or a mid and a "need" (best small or Tall Dovaston/Schubert).

Was all suppositions from Cal. We're gonna have to wait for more water to go under the bridge.

13 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

Really getting sick of the 'Melbourne need a key forward' narrative that's being regurgitated by the media.

If any of the 'experts' out there actually watched us this year (although to be fair, I can understand why they probably didn't), they'd see that we need more midfield depth, outside run and probably another small forward.

Our scoring woes have much more to do with our midfield connection than it does with anything in the forward half.

Unless the club has totally given up on the likes of JVR and Jeffo, drafting another young key forward would only stall the development of the ones we already have on the list.

What we lack, though is really tall forwards. We have plenty in the 193/194cm range, but no-one that's around 200cm+. Max Heath might help to resolve that deficiency, but I could see the club drafting a really tall forward if there is anyone good enough.

46 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

What we lack, though is really tall forwards. We have plenty in the 193/194cm range, but no-one that's around 200cm+. Max Heath might help to resolve that deficiency, but I could see the club drafting a really tall forward if there is anyone good enough.

Aidan Schubert will come in to calculations for that reason. 198cm and born in December so probably ends up 200+ and you can see he enjoys rucking.

It will mean a glut with JVR, Jeffo and Kentfield but they’d be competing for 2 tall forward spots just as they probably are this year besides Mihocek.

54 minutes ago, Mouseymoo said:

From that you've got to think it's either 2 mids, or a mid and a "need" (best small or Tall Dovaston/Schubert).

Was all suppositions from Cal. We're gonna have to wait for more water to go under the bridge.

I’m a fan of both Schubert (see above) and Mitch Marsh (who I think clubs are trying to talk down to steal him in the teens) but just through needs and weight of numbers we go 2 midfield type players.

If King brings a more Geelong approach to our drafting I’d expect we consider most of the top prospects as some form of midfield option and aren’t too worried about who plays in the centre square early in their careers.

Chances are we take a forward/mid (Robey, Sharp, Dovaston, Cumming, Phillipou) and balance it out with a back/mid (Farrow, either Taylor, Grlj, Lindsay, Barker)

1 hour ago, Mouseymoo said:

From that you've got to think it's either 2 mids, or a mid and a "need" (best small or Tall Dovaston/Schubert).

Was all suppositions from Cal. We're gonna have to wait for more water to go under the bridge.

When you lose arguably your two best mids you have't got a choice. We have to go for mids this year and next. We won't get it 100% right so if 2 of the 4 are OK then that is a good result.

14 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

Really getting sick of the 'Melbourne need a key forward' narrative that's being regurgitated by the media.

If any of the 'experts' out there actually watched us this year (although to be fair, I can understand why they probably didn't), they'd see that we need more midfield depth, outside run and probably another small forward.

Our scoring woes have much more to do with our midfield connection than it does with anything in the forward half.

Unless the club has totally given up on the likes of JVR and Jeffo, drafting another young key forward would only stall the development of the ones we already have on the list.

I agree that our ball movement and commitment to a coherent plan in transition is the genesis of our problems. But our lack of forward structure didn’t help and exacerbated the issue as what we they to move quickly to? JVR not leading into the right spots, Jefferson not being ready/right, and the others being nowhere.

I also don’t want to solve the issue with middling first round picks as reaching for talent is the last thing we should do.

But we should not just wave away our tall forward issue - Brody Mihocek will be a walking example of what we have missed the last 4 years and what we need to have a succession plan for pretty soon.

33 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

Aidan Schubert will come in to calculations for that reason. 198cm and born in December so probably ends up 200+ and you can see he enjoys rucking.

It will mean a glut with JVR, Jeffo and Kentfield but they’d be competing for 2 tall forward spots just as they probably are this year besides Mihocek.

Heath can play that role for a couple years as fwd/back up ruck to help Max, before eventually taking over. JVR, Kentfield and Jeffo likely competing for one spot. Competition should be good for their development. We'll be getting mids and small fwds. Kalani can develop in this space as well.

20 minutes ago, rpfc said:

But we should not just wave away our tall forward issue - Brody Mihocek will be a walking example of what we have missed the last 4 years and what we need to have a succession plan for pretty soon.

Tairon Ah Mu could be a good project player in this space as a later pick.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by shakeandbake

I think the philosophy in drafting remains “best player available” and therefore, if Sharp’s still there at pick 11 he’s likely going to be in that category and would be picked up. Personally though, I suspect he will be taken before our pick.