Machsy

Yes, well we're all aware of your opinions... How's Serhat Temel tracking? Coniglio is a gun.

Yes, it's "get them for nothing" in the sense that we got Dom Tyson for nothing.

That's why I mentioned it. He was listed along with about 5 other names, but I expected him to be under contract. This may lend some credence to the rumour. Some.

The Hun today saying that Coniglio is among one of the GWS players OOC at the end of the season. Surprising. But promising.

This is true, but it's partly by virtue of the type their father-son selections developed into. In a funny way they didn't have a choice... although getting Liberatore as a 2nd rounder and Hunter in the 3rd would dull the pain. And at the same time, not much line breaking youth compared to ball-winners, but what exactly have Cooney and Griffen been doing? Macrae and Dahlhaus are handy at breaking lines too. I think their problems run deeper.

So? You think that's enough?

Yes, they will, conditional upon the calculable risk being acceptable. It is no fait accompli that we will select Stretch if we have to pay too high a price.

I think that might be a wish for their president, but not the club as a whole. Heck, the kid supports Freo anyway.

Knightmare's mock drafts are detailed, but I think the accuracy of that detail is highly questionable. Yeah, he gets some of them right, but a lot of them wrong too. Yes, I know, "you do better." I can't. But I've gotta laugh when I see some of his player comparisons, such as Peter Wright compared to "Joe Daniher / Charlie Dixon". It's like saying cauliflower is comparable to "chalk / cheese."

At the same time, that team has to be happy to live with getting Stretch for pick 20-ish if we call their bluff. Chances are that they'll be ok with that though.

I think one thing that will work in our favour (think I've said this before) is how desperately GWS needs decent key defenders, how desperately the Bulldogs needs KPPs and how desperately the Lions, Blues and Saints need KPFs. It means the best mid option should be left for us, even if we manage to finish above all of them. Petracca, Brayshaw, Pickett, Smith. One of them will fall into our lap.

If Petracca can show an ability to consistently go in the midfield, I'd be picking him as a big-bodied explosive mid. Explosive athlete, high level basketballer, a dunking point guard at that. I'm not a fan of him if we're going to play him as a forward.

Josh Kennedy?

They're nothing alike. It's almost as confusing as the Beau Waters/ Sam Mayes comparison. Might as well say the kid is a combination of Matthew Scarlett and Darren Kowal.

If Roos is good enough, he's a possible father-son to the lions anyway... But yes, massive conflict of interest I think Roos would prefer avoid.

You're right, I forgot about that. He did limp off. Was a willing combatant, but I still didn't see any of the Cyril-Rioli-like magic that he'd need to get a top 5 guernsey. Was a bottom-aged however. I do recall at that stage having heard of Clem Smith and was looking out for him on the day, but I think I noticed Pickett more, as a small speedy indigenous type.

Not sure about Pickett. Pretty small and thin. I don't think you use up a top 5 pick on his type. Saw him at Simonds Stadium last year almost get killed in a tackle by Matt Crouch. Heard it from 100m away. Pickett got up, but was very groggy and went off. Saw some promising play before that, but nothing indicating he'd be worth going this early. I'm happy to trade out of this draft.

Like us last year, they'd likely be deemed to have a lot of talented youth that just needs time, not more picks. I'd say that if they did, we'd be pretty annoyed. And come on, with the Fevola trade, sacking Voss and not looking after the kids... They brought it on themselves. (Intentionally ironic)

Palmer and Sheppard have given weak returns too.

Heeney catches the eye immediately, looks a great prospect, but at least the F/S bidding system applies with this kid and they won't just get him as a rookie.

I forgot about that. Should give us some great insight.

Brayshaw is an interesting case. He doesn't seem to me to be a clear cut top choice. Although his name is often put forward as the best midfielder in this crop, I'm not sure how he'd compare with last year's mids, for instance. I also wonder about how much influence comes from the privileges he has being a Brayshaw. Obviously in the AIS/AFL squad they all spend time at an AFL club, but few would have his dad's mate (premiership coach Clarkson) writing up a program for him before preseason to prepare him for AFL footy. I'd say he has some distinct advantages over other kids his age. How might their form benefit from having the same such opportunities? Will it limit his scope for improvement when immersed in the AFL environment compared to others? Or is it an early indication that he will respond positively to being in the AFL environment (when others might not) and has the right attitude to see him succeed? I've got no bloody idea. Just some things to ponder.

Agreed. It doesn't really concern me at all, especially if we manage to snag another kid like Salem. I was just being flippant.

Mind you, I can't wait for the kid to get a game and perform big on the big stage. I can see the headline now... IN HARMES' WAY

If we keep this up, we may not even have a top 5 draft pick...