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Clarry in the house!!

Clayton looks trim!

Please tell ghostwriter that her reports are greatly appreciated by virtually everyone still on DL. Hope she is doing well.

Ghostwriter Report: Observations: We have a new member of staff: a strength and conditioning coach named Tom Couch who’s the son of (the late) Paul Couch. Seems many thought he was Harry Sharp despite being significantly older. Tom Campbell was on the track very early, one-on-one with a trainer. He’s “a little behind the rest of the boys” in terms of training. Mitch Cleary received a tweet telling him Clarrie was here so he hotfooted it down. He was flustered and asked the slightly deranged regular if Clarrie was out on the field yet. She told him yeah. He said isn’t it great to see Clarrie back? She replied “Yes and even better that he’s in great spirits, he’s fit and firing and can’t wait for the season to start.” Mitch said, “Oh, then I suppose there’s no need for me to be here” and he turned and pretended to walk back from whence he came. He laughed and said “Just kidding, just kidding!” This goes to show you even the media know the media suck. The boys were running laps in small groups. Sesto wasn’t participating. Nothing to worry about though. It’s just that he felt something in his hammy. On one of the drinks breaks, after a particularly strenuous drill some of the young guys were sitting on their haunches, namely Pup, Howesy, and AMW. Tommy Sparrow approached them and said, “Come on boys. Body language, remember? Get up, get up, get up!” They promptly stood up. The young brigade are training at AAMI Park early tomorrow morning. The older guys have the weekend off. Selwyn asked Clarrie if he had plans for the weekend. Clarrie said, “Yeah I’m hittin’ the [censored] hard for two days. Yourself?” LOLS all round. Lucky Cleary wasn’t there to hear it. 🙄 Kolt’s girlfriend plays for the Hawks. He’ll be at Ikon tomorrow night and was pleased to hear that a few of us from the DA will be there to cheer on the Hawks (Loveya Westy and Casey). Leb spent a lot of time running around the boundary. Nothing to worry about. Tom Couch has had input there, he likes to “mix it up.” AMW was wearing #34 but only because his own jumper was ripped during training on Wednesday. They’re training at Gosch’s on Monday morning, they leave to attend the camp in Bright the following Monday and at this stage (because of the draft next week) there won’t be any sessions for the remainder of next week. Ghostwriter out 👋

Tom Morris reporting Clarry popped in to training on his way home from Revolver with Blues players

Is he training with the forwards or backs?

Clarry had only 1 Month of training last year He now has the opportunity to have a 4 MONTH preseason (especially after returning a week and a half early) Could make a huge difference!

Can't add much to what Demonland has already posted. Clarrie cruise through some early drills, but when they moved to the full ground activity, he showed he still has that burst speed. On one occasion he ran with the ball from the centre through to the 50-metre zone, being hotly pursued all the way by Riv, who couldn't quite catch him. Another highlight for me was seeing Tholstrup leading to a high kick, being shadowed by AMW. Tholstrup leapt high and almost grabbed the mark on the second attempt, however, AMW got a hand in to spoil in the air then mopped up the loose ball. All of this at top pace. Viney was Viney! Hard as nails, bouncing up like a rubber ball when taken to the ground. Howes continues to excite with defensive run and fine spoils in the air, much like Jud when he burst into the team. Riv looks great and seems ready to build on last year's excursion into the centre square. Marty Hore is another who looks to be at peak fitness levels already. Sestan looks comfortable in his role linking with the forwards. Another who has returned looking in better physical shape than last season. Browny gets a lot of it and has genuine pace. One rapid run on the Punt Road wing, bouncing the pill, was scintillating until the ball refused to come back up and he stuffed it. Got caught! Disco is not quite as tall as Roo or Jefferson, but he makes up for it with timing and those great hands.

Got down for a quick look. Had a tennis game to go to so only got a glimpse. One particular drill involved a keepings off via kicks. They were looking for space and accuracy. One of Choco's gems was "see the space before you get the ball, so you know where to move to" Saw some sims. They players love it. Once into the bibs and no bibs, I could see the joy on their faces (let's get into it kinda joy). The backline passed it around until a lead up field was "on". Goody was hanging in this area. Then they were getting a flood going. Often finding another pass or an outside run. Bowey was doing some beautiful passes. Looks like he has really matured in his execution, good vision and decision making. The ball went quickly into the forwards. There were three of them and doing hard leads in all directions, though with the pattern that Chaplin wants. I get the impression that they may resort to getting as many mids around the contest as possible and having a very high forwrad set up. Petty is strong, healthy and having plenty of involvement. Rivers has filled out, looking big and fit. JVR is working on creating separation, seems to be getting off the blind area of defenders, as he makes leads towards the goal from a high up field position. I thought Tholstrup's kicking is improving. His greatest assets are the intensity, the leadership and support. When Kentfield had a error he was the first and only one to get over to him with reassurance. Laurie is moving and executing those disposal well, AMW is the same. Woey is playing very sturdy footy. K.Brown has lots of upside, speed and a natural footy brain. Unsure about Sestan. Good skill set but is he going to be able to get to the ball and perform when the speed increases from VFL to AFL. He was getting rushed. Would really like to him develop some explosive 5/ 10 meters runs. I've only seen the one gear. Going to be lots of pressure for spots, as I reckon the the second tier of players are looking great.

Last day of annual leave so made it down for the entire session. Just a couple of impressions Clarry - Engaged and connected. Very playful with teammates, knocking ball out of Roo's hands & laughing, Volunteered to act as key forward, chat and a hug with Goody. Any thought of him not wanting to be here was put to rest in my mind. Roo - Looked a class above in contested situations. Great use of body. Good hands and found space. AMW - Clean skills and a touch of class. In 1:1 drill with Chin, beat him 5 times in a row. Disposal good all session. Jeffo - Looked smooth. Led well, made good position and was dangerous in contested situations. Also a couple of great shots at goal including one in general play from about 60 meters out. On todays session I would have Roo, Disco & Jeffo as my key three forwards. Petty also had great body positioning playing in defence (as previously mentioned). He came to the fore in 1:1 contents. Kentfield - Was very impressed with his general play, leading and kicking. Looks a great size and has talent. Struggled a bit when the running started. A good prospect. Verrall - More skilled than I had previously thought. Showed some ability forward and as a link in play. Bowey - Lethal by foot, kicking darts.

No it is not. Demonland is the sacred realm where paranoia meets passion, and every preseason training update becomes a 50-page saga of hope, dread, and wild speculation. It’s where rumours run rampant, sometimes turning an off-hand comment from a boot-studder’s cousin into tomorrow’s headline. Double-speak thrives here as well, with phrases like, “They’re tracking well” secretly meaning “someone’s ankle is in six pieces.” In short, it’s where the heartbeat of the red and blue beats erratically, as any good Demon fan would have it

Reporting the house down

Clarry looking sharp and a lot fitter and trimmer than last preseason.

This sort of rubbish is what I was talking about saty. Why the angst? Was a perfectly reasonable question. And a reasonable response is tom didn't make it as a player, but not because of effort. He was extremely well regarded at the dees in terms of his commitment to training and preparation and was extremely fit. Also was respected for his attitude and made a positive impact on culture. A great get to have him back at the club.

When are the senior players required to be back for preseason? (*hoping Saty doesn't yell at me for not doing my own research as this is actually me doing research)

He was a high performance trainer for US tennis player Danielle Collins circa 2019-2022, Playing Coach for Nth Launceston in 2017, played 3 Games for MFC as a Rookie in 2012 won Casey Scorpions B&F and came 2nd in Liston Trophy same year. Asst midfield coach Carlton AFLW team July ‘23, also DeLa Sal GM around that period as well. 15 years in high performance, really hoping this happens, no nonsense coach Son of Paul Brownlow Medalist.

Clayton has already given big bear-hugs to most of the coaching staff!

C'mon mate that's a bit harsh. I DID do a google and didn't find a heap. Some posters seemed to think he's a great addition and if I'm asking the question then maybe some others on here would also benefit from knowing a bit more about him. Isn't that what Demonland is for?

Kalani White wants to play for Melbourne

They inform me WCW is waiting to catch up with you. I’d stay on the other side of the ground if I were you.

Demonland pretty much has got it all covered but... Arrived at 9.45 and cones and coaching staff were in position, awaiting the players. Big news obviously was Clarry in attendance; he was greeted enthusiastically by Goody. I thought one of the players might have been Sharpie, but the Ghost Writer sorted that out for me. It was Tom Couch who has taken up a conditioning coaching role. The boys looked very sharp, carrying the ball through the center for a long kick to JVR, Jeffo for a goal. Some of the boys have that AFL walk, or strut, that appears as arrogance but more likely simply ther affect of all that lower body conditioning. Sprinting back to the boundary line after a drill was noticeable. Choco was in strong and demanding voice. One of the coaches light heartedly called out 'F... Cheat' during one of the competitive drills. Viney was the most senior player training.

Players doing sprints along the square line of the wing. When the whistle blew they were instructed to get water and as per my previous post they had to sprint to the boundary. Few players were gassed and on their haunches and a few players yelled to get up saying “body language”. Player quickly bounced up. Obviously a standard is being set.

Clarrie, looking good, moving well! 😍 That little clip should make @picket fence ecstatic!!!

Not Harry Sharp. The guy we thought was Harry Sharp is Tom Couch who is coming on board as a conditioning coach.

I've seen this elsewhere as the reason Carlton take FOS, that has to be the dumbest reason ever put forward for a draft selection.

Those hands of Clarry are working well again.

This! Not to mention, Petty was exactly the same. Both had horrific pre seasons. Think it’s a bit lost with HP how much he *didnt* do during the weeks leading up to the season this year. Two extremely important players and with full preseasons for both, look out.

Looks like Chandler might be doing some more midfield/high half forward this season perhaps replacing Nibbler’s role.

10 of 14 games on FTA so even though we've been largely relegated from Prime time, we are still going to be quite visible to the masses. Helps our sponsors too And the overall match-ups aren't difficult at all. So in effect, finishing 14th gave us a much easier draw and set us up for 2 picks inside the top 10 in the draft We play the following teams once only ... Sydney, Brisbane, Geelong, Port, Freo, GWS, Carlton, Essendon & Doggies (all of whom could be described as finals contenders) So, considering that our list is still in quite good shape (injuries aside), we've been gifted a golden opportunity ... especially if those 2 draft picks have an impact in their first year. One draftee (at least) might be a plug-in-and-play type And despite all the other issues we've had, that stuff will be forgotten quickly if we start winning from the get-go. Flying under the radar with an underdog status can be a real advantage as well as an us-against-them mentality The MC need to use every means possible for a top 4 finish But much will depend on Petracca & Oliver. If both get back to their best, the sky is the limit Top 8 at a minimum but if we have a 2021 type year with regards to injuries, we can contend again Bring on the draft and let JT work his magic

I'd like to know just how people can see the fitness of Clarrie in photos. He's always had that pale complexion and solid build that never photographs well. I'm glad to see some strength back in his legs. If you look across the group there's clearly a focus on building muscle for power and speed over the offseason

What we can say is he's in much better shape than when he turned up this time last year. He is also in better shape than he was in the first half of last season. If he attends all organised training sessions this pre-season, he will be tip-top by round 1.

Based on these reports I'm going out to get 2025 added to my existing premiership tattoo.

Jefferson is getting in good spots as deep forward

Can you please ask him if he thinks Clarrie is lost. Geelong is an hour south west of Gosch’s.

Thank GOD this [censored] is over in a week

I'm not too clued in with the draftees but what I read that stood out for me (paraphrasing): Smith (smallish mid 182 cm) - excellent prospect, ready to go but doesn't have the ceiling of other top draftees. Langford (tall mid 191cm ) - excellent prospect, often compared to a Bontempelli/Cripps type. While maybe not as talented we have other players of the Smith type: Rivers, Windsor and plenty of depth: Billings, Laurie Sparrow etc. Langford gives us a different type in the midfield and would be a great paring (or replacement) for Petrecca and maybe Oliver should either leave. So my preference would be Langford

check out his record as a fitness coach - it's excellent he has coached his own side down in tasmania, but it's more his development as a global fitness guru in tennis that sets him apart his record as a fitness coach with tennis players has been exemplary ash barty was the fittest player on the circuit til her retirement i believe he was working with the american, danielle collins, who was another super fit top 10 player who didn't seem to have any major injuries that i can recall i didn't realise he was back involved at afl level - i wonder if it's just between the wta seasons?

Sprinting and running finished. Now goal kicking practice. I have to leave so I guess we’ll have to wait until Round 1 to see if they’ve improved.

Something new from a “discipline” perspective as opposed to previous preseasons. Whenever a drill is finished and they go to get water on the boundary. They have to sprint to the boundary. Nothing groundbreaking but reckon it sets a standard.

I was going to ask him how he can see through the egg on his face....

The media will describe it as ‘gaunt’. So great to have Clarry back - he’s going to make a lot of people look very foolish next season!

I’ve headed down to Gosch’s Paddock today to bring you some observations from Preseason Training.

Turner, JVR & Jefferson are the targets up forward.

Petty playing as a defender. Whether that is because there are no other senior defenders training (TMac, May, Lever) is anyone’s guess.

Bad draft choices are always a chance when Stephen Silvagni is your list manager

That to me sounds like that if we had to choose between Langford and Smith, we'd obviously select Smith?

The draw is fine. We were going to travel and play with red footys as soon as we tumbled. And boy did we tumble… And 3.20 Sunday is not ‘the bad old days’ - that slot is on C7 and leads into the news. The bad old days was 1.10 on Sunday when no one cared you were playing. My advice to fans in Melbourne - get to games, don’t boo Petracca, and if you’re upset about only 12 games at the G, you know how you can get more games at the G next year???

Saw this on Bigfooty - some excellent analysis This year extremely tough with such a deep even pool. There will be quite a few trades and Richmond's haul like never before makes things certainly very interesting. I think more picks will be taken than thought. A lot of clubs have freed list spots and have more flexibility than seems to have been noticed - 5th and 6th and perhaps even a 7th rounder could come into play. Either way it's a fatter mock draft than the likely reality, but with more concepts and more players under consideration, it's a bit more interesting. Richmond - Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels) Brisbane - Levi Ashcroft (Sandringham Dragons) North Melbourne - Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power) Carlton - Sid Draper (South Adelaide) Adelaide - Harvey Langford (Dandendong Stingrays) Melbourne - Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) Richmond - Finn O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers) Essendon - Isaac Kako (Calder Cannons) St Kilda - Jobe Shanahan (Bendigo Pioneers) St Kilda - Tobie Travaglia (Gippsland Power) Melbourne - Bo Allan (Peel Thunder) Gold Coast - Leo Lombard (Suns Academy) Richmond - Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons) Richmond - Harry Armstrong (Sandringham Dragons) West Coast - Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons) Port Adelaide - Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges) Fremantle - Joe Berry (Murray Bushrangers) GWS - Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons) GWS - Xavier Lindsay (Gippsland Power) Western Bulldogs - Angus Clarke (Glenelg) Richmond - Harrison Oliver (Sandringham Dragons) Brisbane - Sam Marshall (Sandringham Dragons) Sydney - Jack Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers) Richmond - Cooper Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays) GWS - Tate Delmenico (Woodville/West Torrens) Sydney - Matt Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers) Richmond - Jesse Dattoli (Northern Knights) Richmond - Noah Mraz (Dandenong Stingrays) Western Bulldogs - Hamish Davis (Claremont) West Coast - Jonty Faull (GWV Rebels) Port Adelaide - Kayle Gerreyn (West Perth) Fremantle - Tom Sims (Northern Knights) St Kilda - Luke Urquhart (East Fremantle) Hawthorn - Alex Dodson (Sturt) Western Bulldogs - James Barrat (Bendigo Pioneers) Port Adelaide - Christian Moraes (Eastern Rangers) GWS - Jasper Alger (Oakleigh Chargers) GWS - Logan Smith (Giants Academy) Sydney - Oliver Hannaford (GWV Rebels) Carlton - Ben Camporeale (Glenelg) Geelong - Lachlan Jaques (Geelong Falcons) St Kilda - Clancy Dennis (Claremont) Western Bulldogs - Rhys Unwin (GWV Rebels) St Kilda - Adrian Cole (Sandringham Dragons) Port Adelaide - Charlie Nicholls (Central Districts) Sydney - Joel Cochran (Swans Academy) Collingwood - Harry O'Farrell (Calder Cannons) Essendon - Floyd Burmeister (GWV Rebels) Essendon - Ned Bowman (Norwood) Collingwood - Josh Dolan (Sandringham Dragons) Geelong - Sam Davidson (Richmond VFL) Collingwood - Jack Ough (GWV Rebels) Adelaide - Tyler Welsh (Woodville/West Torrens) North Melbourne - Josh Murphy (Murray Bushrangers) Essendon - Hugh Boxshall (Claremont) Collingwood - Doug Kerr (Oakleigh Chargers) Fremantle - Jaxon Artemis (South Fremantle) GWS - Cooper Bell (Giants Academy) Carlton - Will Hayes (Claremont) Carlton - Charles West (Woodville West Torrens) Brisbane - Ty Gallop (Maroochydore) Gold Coast - Thomas McKay (Glenelg) Hawthorn - Tom Gross (Oakleigh Chargers) Carlton - Lucas Camporeale (Glenelg) Gold Coast - Aiden Riddle (Claremont) West Coast - Cody Angove (Claremont) Geelong - Gabriel Stumpf (Northern Knights) Hawthorn - Archer Day-Wicks (Bendigo Pioneers) Richmond - Bailey McKenzie (Sandringham Dragons) North Melbourne - Ben Kennedy (Murray Bushrangers) West Coast - Riley Bice (Werribee VFL) Adelaide - Jacob Molier (Sturt) Melbourne - Jay Polkinghorne (Norwood) St Kilda - Lachlan Blakiston (East Fremantle) West Coast - Malakai Champion (Subiaco) Essendon - Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott (Sandringham Dragons) Fremantle - Charlie Burke (Subiaco) Essendon - Jayden Nguyen (Calder Cannons) Western Bulldogs - Patrick Retscko (Oakleigh Chargers) GWS - Sam Toner (Narre Warren) Geelong - Xavier Ivisic (Geelong Falcons) Port Adelaide - Harry Charleson (GWV Rebels) Sydney - Oliver Warburton (Murray Bushrangers) Richmond - Isiah Winder (South Fremantle) North Melbourne - Max Rohr (Fremantle) Melbourne - Boyd Woodcock (Southport VFL) Essendon - Will Hoare (Essendon VFL) West Coast - Tom Bell (South Fremantle) Brisbane - Keighton Matofai-Forbes (Westen Jets) Adelaide - 5. Harvey Langford 18, 190cm - midfielder/forward - Dandenong Stingrays 53. Tyler Welsh 18, 191cm - forward - Woodville/West Torrens 72. Jacob Molier 18, 201cm - ruck - Sturt It's a possibility Carlton vaulted ahead of the Crows so that it had access to the best South Australian in the pool, midfielder Sid Draper, and in that scenario, Adelaide would probably be left to choose between Harvey Langford and Jagga Smith. In this scenario, the size and physically of Langford wins out, with his thumping left foot and ability to play as a marking forward winning out. Father/Son Tyler Welsh also helps in that regard. With a powerhouse build, the son of former Kangaroo and Crow leading forward Scott, is a ready-to-go third tall forward with some X-factor. If the Crows take a third selection (they cleared some list space pre-draft), the extremely athletic Molier could be an option as a developmental ruckman. Brisbane - 2. Levi Ashcroft 17, 179cm - midfielder - Sandringham Dragons 22. Sam Marshall 18, 185cm - midfielder - Sandringham Dragons 61. Ty Gallop 18, 194cm - key forward - Maroochydore 87. Keighton Matofai-Forbes 18, 188cm - forward - Western Jets Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall are matched at their likely spots, giving the Lions a tremendous leg up on the competition before new bidding rules take place. Levi I have rated as a slightly lesser prospect than brother Will but he is a ready-to-go future top line midfielder. Marshall is a hard-working midfielder who may take time to break through such will be the density of Brisbane's midfield, but he is a player. Brisbane may have to absorb a bid at some point for bullocking 194cm key forward Ty Gallop who has something about him and covers the ground well for a player of his robust physique. Keighton Matofai-Forbes is raw but there is some Cam Rayner about his game which may entice the Lions to expend with a list sport if they don't receive any more NGA bids - ruckman Tom Gillett being a possibility along with defender Fergus McFadyen. Carlton - 4. Sid Draper 18, 182cm - midfielder - South Adelaide 40. Ben Camporeale 18, 185cm - midfielder - Glenelg 59. Will Hayes 18, 178cm - small forward - Clarememont 60. Charles West 18, 195cm - key forward - Woodville/West Torrens 64. Lucas Camporeale 18, 186cm - wingman - Glenelg The Blues trade up and get a premium talent in Draper - a ready-made breakaway midfielder who brings different ingredients to the table than Carlton's incumbent centre square stars. The Camporeales join as father-sons, Ben's inside game will work well the Blues current midfield mix, while Lucas brings a more outside game to the table. South Australian West is a big, strong-bodied key position player/emergency ruckman who will bring a point of difference to Carlton's spine with his bullocking style and thick physique. Small West Aussie Hayes will add some speed and agility around the packs and some goalkicking bite, something the Blues will covet at some point having lost Matt Owies and Jack Martin in the off-season. Collingwood - 47. Harry O'Farrell 18, 196cm - key back - Calder Cannons 50. Josh Dolan 18, 178cm - small forward/midfielder - Sandringham Dragons 52. Jack Ough 17, 194cm - wing/midfielder - GWV Rebels 56. Doug Kerr 18, 192cm - medium defender - Oakleigh Chargers The Pies look to the loing-term future and select O'Farrell as their primary key defensive prospect, before drafting Jordan De Goey mini-me Dolan, a blond-locked 178cm midfielder/half forward, in this scenario. Ough is a tall 194cm midfielder/wingman who has a good feel for the game with neat disposal. The game slows up for him a bit when he has ball in hand. Had Kerr not torn an ACL this year, he'd be ready to go in 2025. The St Kevins captain is a strongly built utility, primarily a midfielder/forward now but once played a promising game on Logan Morris as a 15 year old at Coates League level quite a few years ago. Kerr tested well in early screening and I'm sure the Pies match to retain him or as in this scenario protect him by selecting him with their final pick recently acquired in a pick trade with Brisbane. Essendon - 8. Isaac Kako 18, 175cm - small forward - Calder Cannons 48. Floyd Burmeister 18, 198cm - ruck/forward - GWV Rebels 49. Ned Bowman 18, 186cm - wing/forward - Norwood 55. Hugh Boxshall 18, 187cm - midfielder - Claremont 76. Mitchell Kirkwood-Scott 18, 181cm - small defender - Sandringham Dragons 78. Jayden Nguyen 18, 177cm - small forward - Calder Cannons 87. Will Hoare 24, 198cm - key defender - Essendon VFL Bomber fans will love their NGA additions, Kako and Nguyen. Kako is an incredibly tricky small forward and an elite talent. Nguyen is a lesser ranked player but an exciting, diminutive player who who can play in a range in a positions with an abundance of speed and nimbleness. In Burmeister, Essendon has added an incredibly athletic long-term ruck/resting forward prospect. Bowman gives Essendon some X-factor as a quick, high-leaping medium marking forward or wingman. Hugh Boxshall become a spruik player leading into the draft after some terrific combine results added to some good tape coming out of the West. He is the type of inside bull the Bombers will covet. Kirkwood-Scott is a line-breaking transition defender with pace and a penetrating kick. Hoare has impressed for Essendon's VFL program as a tall key back will good interception skills. I fully suspect Essendon to trade back into the draft at some point, looking for a key forward, with Jobe Shanahan being one of their primary targets if he is somehow attainable. Fremantle - 17. Joe Berry 18, 180cm - small forward - Gippsland Power 32. Tom Sims 18, 199cm - key forward - Northern Knights 57. Jaxon Artemis 18, 180cm - half back/wing - South Fremantle 77. Charlie Burke 18, 183cm - wing - Subiaco The rumours flow that Freo are interested are interested in Berry and I think one of the reasons for that is that they see some Caleb Serong in his play. Berry is quite similar to a bottom age Serong and if the Dockers project a similar outcome then they would be out of their mind not to go in this direction and try a re-print of their star rover. Comparisons aside, Berry is a very sold high half forward prospect at this stage with upside to play higher up the ground in time. Sims is a close-to-200cm key forward who launches at the ball and reaches it at its highest point. He may take a bit of time to be AFL ready but he is an exciting talent who will be hard to defend and a likely steal at pick 32. Artemis would be a steal at 57, he is a neat kicking half-back/wing type who plays with composure. The Dockers round out their draft with another local West Australian prospect in Charlie Burke, a wing/utility with a well-rounded game. Geelong - 41. Lachlan Jaques 18, 184cm - defender - Geelong Falcons 51. Sam Davidson 22, 191cm - forward - Richmond (VFL) 67. Gabriel Stumpf 18, 194cm - key forward - Northern Knights 81. Xavier Ivisic 18, 180cm - midfielder - Geelong Falcons The Cats bookend their draft with two local products. Lachlan Jaques is a medium-sized intercept marking defender who has the potential to be an excellent third or fourth tall defender in the Nick Haynes-mould if he can wash away his penchant for the odd goal-conceding moment of madness. He does do plenty of good things though and has controlled junior games from the back half this year. Ivisic is a hard-working local midfielder. He is on the small side and that threatens his draft standing. I think the Cats could use a ready-made forward option and Richmond's VFL star Davidson fits that bill as a would-be complement to Shannon Neal and Jeremy Cameron. Stumpf is a tall, lean key forward who shone at the combine but is a project player. The Cats could also look to local Daniel Lowther as another key forward option in the Rookie Draft. It's an area they are thin on for depth. Gold Coast - 12. Leo Lombard 18, 178cm - midfielder - Gold Coast Suns Academy 62. Tom McKay 18, 191cm - tall swingman - Glenelg 68. Aiden Riddle 19, 199cm - ruckman - Claremont Lombard is one the most pedigreed juniors for a long time and has seemingly been playing under 18 championships football for a decade. He's a good player, a tough and skilful small midfielder who should play straightway. McKay will take some time as he's very skinny but he's a talented 190cm-plus swingman, able to play as a matchup defender but also showing some forward craft at junior level in SA. He's not getting much buzz but is a highly promising player. Riddle is one of the better ruckmen in the pool and has used his 19th year on Earth adding the ability to play forward to his game, but also improving his hands in close and his kicking touch. It's possible a bid may come for rangy utility Caleb Nancarrow but he's more likely a category B option at best. Not so classy half-back/midfielder Zeke Uwland, a likely top 5 pick in the 2025 draft, one of three of four exciting NGA prospects the Suns have on the way in 12 months' time. GWS - 18. Taj Hotton 18, 182cm - midfielder/forward - Sandringham Dragons 19. Xavier Lindsay 18, 183cm - wing/half back - Gippsland Power 25. Tate Delmenico 17, 190cm - defender - Woodville/West Torrens 37. Jasper Alger 17, 182cm - small forward - Oakleigh Chargers 38. Logan Smith 18, 204cm - ruckman - GWS Academy 57. Cooper Bell 17, 198cm - full back - GWS Academy 80. Sam Toner 19, 186cm - forward - Narre Warren It's been an eventful off-season for the Giants, losing some key ingredients and they look to offset that with a big draft here. Taj Hotton could have gone in the top 3 if he hadn't done an ACL and could well go much higher than this. He is a supremely talented mid/wing/half-forward that will obviously take time now but will be a terrific pick for the patient club that gets him with a bit of luck. Lindsay gives them a ball-user on the outside to help offset their off-season departures. He's highly-rated by many but I worry about his physicality and that he won't be freely given the space he's been blessed with at junior level. I'm clearly a big fan of Delmenico, a 190cm third tall defender with a lovely pair of hands who reads the game well. He's one of the youngest players in the pool and one of a few South Australians I rank much higher than consensus. Check Melbourne's summary for the main one. Jasper Alger is an agile small-to-medium forward who is good at ground level but also a clever aerialist for his size. He likes to play close to goal and will have a great mentor in Toby Greene. GWS' Academy selections are good building blocks for the future - Smith being a long-term ruck prospect with a tremendous frame for the position and Bell a rude-haired, key defensive pillar who is a hard to beat one on one. Sam Toner has become the nominal smokey of the draft having spent most of the year playing suburban football. He's a do-it-all forward, dangerous in the air but also in transition and a good finisher. Another late pick contender for the Giants is Connor Evans who could appeal to clubs late in the draft as rebounding medium defender and the Giants might look at this type of player to offset the loss of Isaac Cumming and Harry Perryman in particular, although Delmenico will help in this regard. Rover Josiah Delana is a likely Category B rookie. Hawthorn 34. Alex Dodson 18, 203cm - ruckman - Sturt 63. Tom Gross 18, 181cm - midfielder - Oakleigh Chargers 67. Archer Day-Wicks 18, 186cm - forward - Bendigo Pioneers Having heavily invested in its defence already, the Hawks use the draft to address other areas. Dodson falls them here at 34, giving the Hawks their ruckman of the future. With a basketball pedigree, he has the tools to one day be a premier AFL ruckman. Gross is small midfielder and defensive forward who lacks size but brings a high pressure rating and workrate. Day-Wicks is a medium forward who has an excellent aerial game and plays a lot taller than his described height. Nuggety midfielder Cody Anderson will be a likely Category B option for Hawthorn under this scenario. Melbourne - 6. Jagga Smith 18, 181cm - midfielder - Oakleigh Chargers 11. Bo Allan 18, 190cm - midfielder/half-back - Peel Thunder 73. Jay Polkinghorne 18, 192cm - key forward - Norwood 86. Boyd Woodcock 24, 179cm - rover/small forward - Southport (VFL) It's probably a case of sit back and see what falls for the Dees with their first pick and in this scenario, with Harvey Langford off the table, I have them taking Jagga Smith, who is probably one of the more solid picks in the draft and a nice counterpointing fit for Melbourne's existing midfield and their likely next pick. Allan is a tremendous athlete with the protypical modern AFL body who plays at a manic pace and embraces collision. There is some Beau Waters characteristics (Waters being the most courageous player I've seen come through the system with the highest rated intangibles) and leadership appeal with this West Australian. He'll be ready to go as a half-back before becoming a big-bodied mid and with some added polish, should be a very good player. Interestingly, with Allan, the Dees will now have a war-chest of WA talent to potentially throw at the Eagles if Harley Reid ever wanted to return to Victoria. Jay Polkinghorne is my fantasy pick for the Dees. Believe it or not I have him rated in my top 25. He's a key forward with very good marking ability and a solid set shot for goal. Injury robbed him of most of his season but he came home strong featuring in Norwood's SANFL reserves premiership before being BOG in Adelaide's private school grand final. He hails from a country town five hours from South Australia's capital so let's hope Jason Taylor wants to bring in another country SA kid to add to Harry Petty and Kade Chandler. In my opinion, it's a mistake we haven't held a midrange pick to collect at some point in the 40s to try to guarantee his acquisition. 24 year old Former Power rover/small forward Boyd Woodcock has developed into one of - if not - the best players in the NEAFL, with some added strings to his bow, and deserves another chance at AFL level. The Dees could use some crumbing depth and nip around the packs. Rebounding third tall defenders Ben Kennedy and Connor Evans were in consideration also for this pick. I couldn't manipulate Kennedy to last long enough - another one of my favourite prospects that no-one talks about. North Melbourne - 3. Alix Tauru - 17, 193cm - key defender - Gippsland Power 54. Josh Murphy 17, 190cm - forward - Murray Bushrangers 70. Ben Kennedy 18, 186cm - defender - Murray Bushrangers 85. Max Rohr 19, 197cm - key forward - Claremont The Kangaroos are in a pincer movement whereby their pick doesn't suit the flow of their list, even more so after their trade period. In a mock without trades, I have to have them taking Tauru here, even though I think holding and picking up a midfielder might make more sense and then trading their future first to get a Tauru, Trainor, Armstrong or Shanahan. In this setup they get the 'Flying Viking' Tauru, a pack-marking defender with a lot of upside. The pick just doesn't marry the talent rating in this draft in my opinion, which is why North has a dilemma on its hands and needs trade bedfellows. Murphy is one of the youngest players in the pool and a third tall forward with a diverse skillset. Rohr is a 197cm ruckman from WA, who looked promising as a key forward at the National Championships, something he hadn't shown much of before, and the Roos will likely see him a as forward/ruck hybrid for the future. Ben Kennedy is a third to fourth tall defender who intercepts well but can also carry the footy with a burst of pace. His season output doesn't equate to the quality of the player - no shock if his name called out at some point. Port Adelaide - 16. Josh Smillie 18, 194cm - midfielder/utility - Eastern Ranges 31. Kayle Gerreyn 18, 199cm - ruck/forward - West Perth 36. Christian Moraes 18, 182cm - wingman - Eastern Ranges 45. Charlie Nicholls 18, 197cm - tall forward - Central Districts 82. Harry Charleson 18, 182cm - small defender - GWV Rebels Smillie would is a great slider pick here for the Power and certainly a contrast for their midfield. He could easily go at Pick 3 without surprising, but as a I worked my way through and you have player v player discussions, other options seemed to win out. He's got a bit of David Mundy about him and if he can nuance his way around AFL players like he does juniors he will likely end up the best player from the pool. Gerreyn is a big backsided forward/ruck who has had a very productive season and could likely play straightaway for the Power as its back up ruckman/third tall forward. He will add an extra dimension to Port's big man stocks and help cover for the loss of Charlie Dixon. Moraes is a hard-running wingman and the long-term replacement for Travis Boak. He could easily go much higher. As could small defender Harry Charleson, who links up with his brother Lachlan at Alberton and has shown an ability to stand up in pressure cooker situations through his top age year. Charlie Nicholls is a South Australian 197cm key position prospect who can play at both ends, either as a matchup key defender or a rangy, ground covering key forward - he has the raw tools to be a good long term prospect. Richmond - 1.Sam Lalor 18, 187cm - midfielder/forward - GWV Rebels 7. Finn O'Sullivan 18, 182cm - midfielder - Oakleigh Charges 13. Murphy Reid 18, 181cm - midfielder - Sandringham Dragons 14. Harry Armstrong 18, 193cm - key forward - Sandringham Dragons 21. Harrison Oliver 18, 181cm - small defender - Sandringham Dragons 24. Cooper Hynes 18, 190cm - wing/forward - Dandenong Stingrays 27. Jesse Dattoli 18, 178cm - small forward - Northern Knights 28. Noah Mraz 18, 198cm - key defender - Dandenong Stingrays 69. Bailey McKenzie 18, 191cm - forward - Sandringham Dragons 84. Isiah Winder 22, 180cm - wingman - South Fremantle Incredible draft haul. Lalor looks and plays like Dusty, but is not as good a player coming out. That said he has all the tools to be a fine AFL player - neat disposal, courage, work-rate, power and nice marking hands. He's the right pick, right time for the Tigers. They will be delighted to get O'Sullivan, a nimble inside/out midfielder who is good overhead and will add a point of difference to their midfield and is a nice counterbalance to Lalor's traits. His APS tape in 2024 is better than his Coates League and National Champs stuff. Murphy Reid has the best inside footwork, the best 360-degree handballing range and the best short-to-intermediate kicking range in the class. There is a bit of Travis Johnstone about the way he plays and he will likely make clubs who pass him up cry down the road. I rate him extremely highly. Armstrong is one of the better forwards in the draft and is a nice rebuilding cornerstone. He's a competitor with a booming kick on him and with Hynes and Dattoli, long term, in their different ways, will help replace the X-factor lost in the trade period. Hynes is a 190cm forward/wingman who almost has a Jake Stringer type impact on games. Dattoli is a small forward, with clever hands who can pinch hit through the midfield. Harrison Oliver is a Liam Duggan-type small defender who runs in straight lines and uses the ball well. Noah Mraz is a hulking 198cm defender who is a prodigious talent but had his season cruelled by injury. There aren't many players of his size/type who are relevant at ground level like he is. McKenzie is a dangerous third tall forward, who is particularly dangerous on the lead. Isiah Winder has returned to the WAFL after an ill-fated AFL stint at the Eagles and is interesting Richmond as a possible wing/half forward option to replace some of what has been lost after the trading of Liam Baker and Shai Bolton. There is much conjecture about the Tigers trading some picks into to the future to balance out their rebuild. Victorian talls Archie Ludowyke and Riley Onley have already put their hands up as potential target options in 2025. St Kilda - 8. Jobe Shanahan 18, 194cm - key forward - Bendigo Pioneers 9. Tobie Travaglia 18, 187cm - half-back/wing - Bendigo Pioneers 33. Luke Urquhart 18, 183cm - midfielder - East Fremantle 42. Clancy Dennis 18, 194cm - key defender - Claremont 44. Adrian Cole 18, 197cm - defender - Sandringham Dragons 73. Lachlan Blakiston 26, 204cm - ruckman - East Fremantle The Saints need a key forward and the best of them in the pool in my opinion and also the best fit here is Jobe Shanahan. If he was a touch quicker, I think he goes top three, but all the same I think he's a very, very good player. Travaglia could easily surprise and go even higher than this He's a very, very good tallish half-back flanker but has also shown himself to be a quality wingman and makeshift forward. The blend of running capacity, marking ability and leadership points to him being a 200-plus game player. Ross Lyon will love him. Luke Urquhart is a big-bodied clearance beast from the West whose stock in my estimation has risen following an excellent combine - an Andrew Swallow type. Another West Australian, Clancy Dennis is a cagey centre-half-back with a knack for being in the right place at the right time and forms with NGA acquisition Adrian Cole the nucleus of St Kilda's backline long-term. Cole is a 197cm full back who is close checking but needs to improve his ball-in-hand game. 26yo 205cm ruckman Blakiston has been earmarked as Rowan Marshall's deputy, leaving third tall back Lennox Hoffman, Justin Peckett's son Elwood and possible close checking back pocket Sam Linder to fall through to the rookie system under this scenario. Sydney - 23. Jack Whitlock - 18, 200cm - key forward - Murray Bushrangers 26. Matt Whitlock 18, 197cm - key back/forward - Murray Bushrangers 39. Oliver Hannaford 18, 180cm - small forward - GWV Rebels 46. Joel Cochran 18, 195cm - key defender - Sydney Swans Academy 83. Oliver Warburton 18, 185cm - defender/wing - Murray Bushrangers The Swans unite the Whitlock twins over the span of four picks giving them their key position bookends for the future. Both are steepling raw 200cm or so project players but both are terrific mounds of clay to work with and each could go higher. Jack will almost certainly play as a deep key forward with the ability to pinch hit in the ruck. Matt has spent a lot of time down back where his long cephalopodous arms make him an effective spoiler. He is adept as a forward but it is likely the Swans recruiting network dream of one at each end of the field when gazing into the future. Hannaford is a small forward with an appetite for the contest who can also play in other areas of the ground and put his name in lights with some starring displays at the backend of the GWV Rebels' excellent Coates League season. NGA Academy defender Joel Cochran could pair down the track with Matt Whitlock to give Sydney a defensive reboot. Cochran likes to dash out of defense with his athletic 195cm frame, but is also a promising contest defender for the future. Swans fan Oliver Warburton is a rebounding medium-sized defender with a well-rounded game and a sound decision maker. West Coast - 15. Luke Trainor 18, 195cm - key defender - Sandringham Dragons 30. Jonty Faull 18, 195cm - key forward - GWV Rebels 60. Cody Angove 18, 182cm - wing/forward - Claremont 71. Riley Bice 24, 185cm - rebound defender - Werribee 75. Malaki Champion 18, 176cm - small forward - Subiaco 88. Tom Bell 18, 195cm - key defender - South Fremantle The Eagles need to shore up their key defensive stocks and they use two picks here to that end. Trainor is a classy, intercept marking key back who can also go forward. Faull is a bullocking key forward and the long-term Jack Darling replacement. Both the top picks could be in Andrew McQualter's first side. West Australian Cody Angove is a hard-running, evasive wingman/forward who loves a goal. Tom Bell was one of the stars of the 2024 WAFL colts competition and will act as a development key back for West Coast, an obvious area of need. Riley Bice has had a terrific season for Werribee and the West Australian tundra will suit his ball carrying style and piercing kicking. The Eagles will love his ability to drill targets from the back 50 if his VFL form can translate to the higher level. With their second last pick, they match a bid for the pint-sized indigenous crumbing forward Malakai Champion, who will be a fan favourite if he makes the grade as a Charlie Cameron type. Western Bulldogs - 20. Angus Clarke 18, 188cm - defender - Glenelg 29. Hamish Davis 18, 190cm - midfielder/forward - Claremont 35. James Barrat 17, 193cm - key defender - Bendigo Pioneers 43. Rhys Unwin 18, 178cm - midfielder/small forward - GWV Rebels 78. Patrick Retschko 18, 188cm - midfielder - Oakleigh Chargers As the draft draws closer, Angus Clarke will be a riser. A third tall defender, he loves to run and carry and has a penetrative kick and terrific character traits. He can also play forward, but his recruitment will likely continue to free up fellow redhead Ed Richards long term. Hamish Davis late season work at WAFL senior and colts level proved he was a big game performer and the Doggies knife in early to take him - an attacking wingman/half-forward - from the West. James Barratt fills a need as an extra tall defender who's got a very well-rounded game. That well-roundedness involves the ability to go forward as a marking option. Unfortunately, a skill unlikely to ever need to be utilised by Luke Beveridge. I like Unwin as a versatile small who can play in any quadrant of the ground without fuss. Retschko is a strong bodied midfielder with an enormous tank but a worrisome injury record. Like many, he could be drafted much higher or not all. Closing Thoughts - I'm very keen on Polkinghorne and some of the other South Australians, like Clarke, Delmenico and McKay, are criminally under-rated by the various. I think basically much of what is out there is group think. It's an incredible draft to decipher, I can make a case for 12 out of the top 18 picks as the number one pick with players like Shanahan, Reid and Travaglia very highly rated personally and Hotton would have been a top 5 pick and top overall pick candidate if uninjured and staying on his early season trajectory. There are players in the 50-80 range who could easily go top 35 and there should be more picks than originally forecast. Lindsay, Gross and Faull are the three most over-rated players in the draft for me but still AFL prospects. Anyone promoting Lindsay as a top 10 pick or similar, I basically check off. He went to ground too much in the Champs - clubs won't like that. Richmond have two category B ruckmen and Samson Ryan, couldn't see them taking Dodson, hence why he fell. Hard for clubs to choose to draft an investment that will take 2-3 years with so much instant gratification out there. He's probably a top 20-25 talent. From a Demons point of view (my club) - any two of Lalor, Draper, Langford, Smith, O'Sullivan, Travaglia, Shanahan, Allan, Reid or Hotton I would be happy with. I would probably order them - in a blanket finish - TIER A - Lalor, Ashcroft, Reid, Shanahan, Draper, Langford, Smith, Travaglia, O'Sullivan TIER B - Allan, Tauru, Hotton, Smillie, Lombard Players like Armstrong, J.Whitlock, Trainor aren't far away but I don't consider them as options for Melbourne with either of the two picks. Most under-rated well-known players : Jobe Shanahan, Angus Clarke Most over-rated players: Xavier Lindsay, Tom Gross Best Smokeys: Jay Polkinghorne, Ben Kennedy Most unlucky to miss out: Connor Evans, Damon Hollow, Jacob Newton