The first day of the 2025 AFL National Draft is over and I have some mixed feelings about Melbourne’s selections to date. Xavier Taylor is a dream selection for the club but Latrelle Pickett is something of an unknown quantity for such a high pick. If he can translate his form at SANFL level into AFL standards then his selection will go down as another inspired Jason Taylor selection. If not, the risk is that it could well and truly bite the club in the rear end given the players who were overlooked, notably Dyson Sharp, Lochy Dovaston, Cameron Nairn and a handful of others who staked their claims at the elite Under 18 National Championships level.

The pointy end of the draft is where you go for best available and not necessarily your needs but given the club has just parted ways with two of its best midfielders, it was expected that the Demons would pick up some midfield talent on day one.

The good news is that there’s still some very talented midfield potential left out there. The other good news is that the club is five picks away from its next selection so the possibility remains that its need to fill midfield spots can still be satisfied.

Not only that but Melbourne has two later selections left in the draft. One of them will no doubt be held to take Kalani White as a father/son, the other to possibly pick up a value selection or a smokey.

Here are some of the players left in the field. I’m sure the list can be added to over the next 20 hours or so;-

Jack Ison* 191cm Fwd/Mid VIC

Blake Thredgold 194cm Def SA

Oliver Greeves 191cm Mid VIC

Archie Ludowyke 197cm Fwd VIC

Jevan Phillipou 183cm Mid/Fwd SA

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves 186cm Fwd/Mid VIC

Tylah Williams* 175cm Fwd WA

Max King* 192cm Fwd NSW

Louis Emmett 199cm Fwd/Ruck VIC 

Rory Wright 182cm Def/Mid VIC

Riley Onley 195cm Mid VIC

 Matthew Leray 188cm Utility SA

Zac McCarthy 199cm Ruck/Fwd VIC

Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier 181cm Mid SA

Sam Swadling 189cm Mid/Fwd WA

Fred Rodriguez 184cm Mid WA

* nga

This from Zero Hangar ~

It seems to me that the opportunity is definitely there to snaffle a couple of players to add to the mix. Thredgold who is thought of highly by many is not too far away and there are some good midfielders still out there.

I like the idea of taking two picks and using the last available place to take White, possibly as a rookie. There might not then be any space available for Toby SInnema.

add Sam Allen to the list

@Whispering_Jack Agreed. Good list very similar to mine in the AFL draft thread. Thinking that JT might use the next pick on a midfielder to help with the continued refresh and the post Trac /Clarry midfield. There’s some talent still there

Not sure we will use pick “56” but it’s perhaps tempting. If there’s a young gun who slipped through, JT might stake a claim. Taj Hayes might be one to watch at this draft range as he has the pace to really add to our future midfield plus his kicking is very very good

(retain rookie spot for Kalani White)

Pickett was most likely getting picked around the 14-20 mark by the sounds of it.

In what they have called a poor draft I’m not surprised we took a risk with him. The fact we could still get someone like HH or Greeves at our next pick is pretty decent for us.

In a different draft maybe he is a later pick and maybe in this draft recruiters rated him higher compared to follow draftees.

Let’s back him and show support, he is one of us now.

Nothing surer than JT selecting some bloke from obscurity, without a media profile photo.

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

@Whispering_Jack Agreed. Good list very similar to mine in the AFL draft thread. Thinking that JT might use the next pick on a midfielder to help with the continued refresh and the post Trac /Clarry midfield. There’s some talent still there

Not sure we will use pick “56” but it’s perhaps tempting. If there’s a young gun who slipped through, JT might stake a claim. Taj Hayes might be one to watch at this draft range as he has the pace to really add to our future midfield plus his kicking is very very good

(retain rookie spot for Kalani White)

interestingly if we do go the Taj Hayes path it does actually circle back to JT and co not rating this draft, 4 picks 2 overagers and 1 FS meaning only 1 maybe a second as a rookie live pick

There's still a couple of Sams available, and this round we pick before Richmond so might even get one.

Sam Swadling is clearly a suitable hard worker and accumulator in the midfield.

Jevan Phillipou is the best non-Sam midfielder still available, and I suspect would benefit immensely from both the freedom provided by having Viney and Steel taking responsibility in midfield, and also from the mentorship towards accountability alongside his attacking power.

I'm very keen on Thredgold because you need a focal point of solid reliability in defence even if your overall game style is built on dynamism, and I've always hated seeing us lose games because an opposition tall simply dominated every available match-up.

Ludowyke is there if we decide we really want to stack up young tall forwards (Van Rooyen, Kentfield, Jefferson) and see which ones can make it.

Speaking fully rationally, I think my preference goes;

Phillipou, Thredgold, Swadling.

Be very interesting to see if we use 2 picks tonight or just 1. We know White will be coming hopefully as a F/S rookie pick, and we have the potential to pick Sinnema as a NGA, but it looks like he has been offered a training spot rather than being picked up tonight or in tomorrow's rookie draft.

So will there be 2 picks tonght - 30 & whatever 56 becomes. Will we take another slider and risk Sinnema being picked up elsewhere?

10 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

The first day of the 2025 AFL National Draft is over and I have some mixed feelings about Melbourne’s selections to date. Xavier Taylor is a dream selection for the club but Latrelle Pickett is something of an unknown quantity for such a high pick. If he can translate his form at SANFL level into AFL standards then his selection will go down as another inspired Jason Taylor selection. If not, the risk is that it could well and truly bite the club in the rear end given the players who were overlooked, notably Dyson Sharp, Lochy Dovaston, Cameron Nairn and a handful of others who staked their claims at the elite Under 18 National Championships level.

The pointy end of the draft is where you go for best available and not necessarily your needs but given the club has just parted ways with two of its best midfielders, it was expected that the Demons would pick up some midfield talent on day one.

The good news is that there’s still some very talented midfield potential left out there. The other good news is that the club is five picks away from its next selection so the possibility remains that its need to fill midfield spots can still be satisfied.

Not only that but Melbourne has two later selections left in the draft. One of them will no doubt be held to take Kalani White as a father/son, the other to possibly pick up a value selection or a smokey.

Here are some of the players left in the field. I’m sure the list can be added to over the next 20 hours or so;-

Jack Ison* 191cm Fwd/Mid VIC

Blake Thredgold 194cm Def SA

Oliver Greeves 191cm Mid VIC

Archie Ludowyke 197cm Fwd VIC

Jevan Phillipou 183cm Mid/Fwd SA

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves 186cm Fwd/Mid VIC

Tylah Williams* 175cm Fwd WA

Max King* 192cm Fwd NSW

Louis Emmett 199cm Fwd/Ruck VIC 

Rory Wright 182cm Def/Mid VIC

Riley Onley 195cm Mid VIC

 Matthew Leray 188cm Utility SA

Zac McCarthy 199cm Ruck/Fwd VIC

Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier 181cm Mid SA

Sam Swadling 189cm Mid/Fwd WA

Fred Rodriguez 184cm Mid WA

* nga

Actually Latrelle Pickett has only shown good form in the SANFL Reserves (Glenelg Reserve Team) and has shown little form when playing at the SANFL level for Glenelg . I was surprised they used such a high draft pick . I’m a South Australian but have to admit few quality SANFL players make it an AFL level , let alone a player mostly playing in the Reserves. But then again he may have unrealised talent . We will have to wait and see.

Im a Tom Burton fan, quick good skills, if he is around for our 4th pick he would be good value.

Dees might test the water tonight and bid on some academy types

Noah Chamberlain (Swans academy) , SKILL⭐️ He was the best player for the Swans academy in my opinion. Alongside Josh Lindsay & Jacob Farrow, Chamberlain is the best kick in the draft. Plays tall mid or sweeping half back. If we’re after skill, let’s see if the Swans buckle or not

Jack Ison (Blues NGA) STRENGTH & POWER He really impressed in Chargers games with power and strength in the contest and kicked some very good goals. Has the potential to play early across half forward and then move on ball. Petracca's like power through congestion. Blues likely match but worth the push.

Kye Fincher (Saints NGA) . RUN & CARRY. He played half back for the Sandy Dragons then moved into midfield and was very good as a ruck rover role, using foot skill to create. Strong at the contest. His kicking decision making really shown out this season. He played a game in the VFL late in the year for Sandringham and his run and carry even in senior footy was on show. Like to test the Saints on this youngster.

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by spirit of norm smith
T

10 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

The first day of the 2025 AFL National Draft is over and I have some mixed feelings about Melbourne’s selections to date. Xavier Taylor is a dream selection for the club but Latrelle Pickett is something of an unknown quantity for such a high pick. If he can translate his form at SANFL level into AFL standards then his selection will go down as another inspired Jason Taylor selection. If not, the risk is that it could well and truly bite the club in the rear end given the players who were overlooked, notably Dyson Sharp, Lochy Dovaston, Cameron Nairn and a handful of others who staked their claims at the elite Under 18 National Championships level.

The pointy end of the draft is where you go for best available and not necessarily your needs but given the club has just parted ways with two of its best midfielders, it was expected that the Demons would pick up some midfield talent on day one.

The good news is that there’s still some very talented midfield potential left out there. The other good news is that the club is five picks away from its next selection so the possibility remains that its need to fill midfield spots can still be satisfied.

Not only that but Melbourne has two later selections left in the draft. One of them will no doubt be held to take Kalani White as a father/son, the other to possibly pick up a value selection or a smokey.

Here are some of the players left in the field. I’m sure the list can be added to over the next 20 hours or so;-

Jack Ison* 191cm Fwd/Mid VIC

Blake Thredgold 194cm Def SA

Oliver Greeves 191cm Mid VIC

Archie Ludowyke 197cm Fwd VIC

Jevan Phillipou 183cm Mid/Fwd SA

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves 186cm Fwd/Mid VIC

Tylah Williams* 175cm Fwd WA

Max King* 192cm Fwd NSW

Louis Emmett 199cm Fwd/Ruck VIC 

Rory Wright 182cm Def/Mid VIC

Riley Onley 195cm Mid VIC

 Matthew Leray 188cm Utility SA

Zac McCarthy 199cm Ruck/Fwd VIC

Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier 181cm Mid SA

Sam Swadling 189cm Mid/Fwd WA

Fred Rodriguez 184cm Mid WA

* nga

I’m hoping for Greeves or Noah Hibbins but a bid on Ison or King is possible! Still riding high on the gut feeling we’d take Latrelle — despite the better judges saying we wouldn’t.. suspect fact that North had him marked down for their pick which wound up being #16 convinced us to take the gamble (albeit a small one and no more a gamble than Nair imho)

Edited 10 hours ago10 hr by Tolstoys Nudge

10 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

The first day of the 2025 AFL National Draft is over and I have some mixed feelings about Melbourne’s selections to date. Xavier Taylor is a dream selection for the club but Latrelle Pickett is something of an unknown quantity for such a high pick. If he can translate his form at SANFL level into AFL standards then his selection will go down as another inspired Jason Taylor selection. If not, the risk is that it could well and truly bite the club in the rear end given the players who were overlooked, notably Dyson Sharp, Lochy Dovaston, Cameron Nairn and a handful of others who staked their claims at the elite Under 18 National Championships level.

The pointy end of the draft is where you go for best available and not necessarily your needs but given the club has just parted ways with two of its best midfielders, it was expected that the Demons would pick up some midfield talent on day one.

The good news is that there’s still some very talented midfield potential left out there. The other good news is that the club is five picks away from its next selection so the possibility remains that its need to fill midfield spots can still be satisfied.

Not only that but Melbourne has two later selections left in the draft. One of them will no doubt be held to take Kalani White as a father/son, the other to possibly pick up a value selection or a smokey.

Here are some of the players left in the field. I’m sure the list can be added to over the next 20 hours or so;-

Jack Ison* 191cm Fwd/Mid VIC

Blake Thredgold 194cm Def SA

Oliver Greeves 191cm Mid VIC

Archie Ludowyke 197cm Fwd VIC

Jevan Phillipou 183cm Mid/Fwd SA

Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves 186cm Fwd/Mid VIC

Tylah Williams* 175cm Fwd WA

Max King* 192cm Fwd NSW

Louis Emmett 199cm Fwd/Ruck VIC 

Rory Wright 182cm Def/Mid VIC

Riley Onley 195cm Mid VIC

 Matthew Leray 188cm Utility SA

Zac McCarthy 199cm Ruck/Fwd VIC

Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier 181cm Mid SA

Sam Swadling 189cm Mid/Fwd WA

Fred Rodriguez 184cm Mid WA

* nga

Also — seems like Kalani will be Rookie draft barring a late bid from another club

48 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

Be very interesting to see if we use 2 picks tonight or just 1. We know White will be coming hopefully as a F/S rookie pick, and we have the potential to pick Sinnema as a NGA, but it looks like he has been offered a training spot rather than being picked up tonight or in tomorrow's rookie draft.

So will there be 2 picks tonght - 30 & whatever 56 becomes. Will we take another slider and risk Sinnema being picked up elsewhere?

Correct on Sinnema — will be good to see him at training and if he can earn that spot

For me, Philippou, Greaves, NHH, Fincher or LeRay would be good results - think we need to go midfielder with pick 30

I can't see Greaves transitioning to AFL.

The magic of two "bros" working together in the forward lines adds a little magic to the mix. Brodie Mihocek may get that silver service after all.

B.O.B 😍

Allen for me.

Emmett or Ludowyke if we go tall.

+1 for Sam Allen

2 hours ago, Roddog said:

For me, Philippou, Greaves, NHH, Fincher or LeRay would be good results - think we need to go midfielder with pick 30

Plenty of talented youngsters still available

Jevan Phillipou, Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves, Blake Oudshoorn-Bennier (BOB), Noah Chamberlain, Sam Allen, Matthew LeRay, Sam Swading, Fred Rodriguez, Jack Ison, Riley Onley, Archie Ludowyke, Rory Wright, Kye Fincher , Koby Coulson and a few more !!

Maybe if no bid comes for Kalani, the Dees might be tempted to use the extra pick and then be able Kalani as a rookie !!

Cal Twomey is still working on Day Two.

• South Australian defender Blake Thredgold right in North Melbourne's mix if they hold at opening pick tonight.

• Carlton considering trading back again from pick 28 even though bid for Jack Ison won't precede it.

• Louis Emmett, Marcus Krasnadamskis among Dogs' options.

I have a feeling we will be getting the younger Holmes. We were very big into max in his draft year and if it wasn’t for Geelong trading up in front of us there is a good chance he would be on our list instead of Laurie and a Melbourne premiership player