Gator

I think those traits transition well. At any level the element of surprise, aggression and speed holds you in good stead. Having read lots of old bios recently it's quite common to see queries on stronger body types (see Wines and Martin) and whether they'll stand up against the bigger bodies at the next level. The good ones invariably do.

You know me more than me. But yes, it changes as more information comes to hand.

Of course we had players in mind, afterall, Taylor has been following these players for years. But we traded up to improve our draft position to maximum control and reduce impediments. When we made that trade we would have had a list of preferences, but that list (pre combine) would have been fluid and subject to change. I don't believe it would have been set in concrete.

Oliver isn't explosive, but he's got a great dance/sidestep that gives him time and flatfoots his opponent. Combined with good speed it creates an impressive image of him darting away. So it's not just good speed for an inside mid, it's an evasive quality and preparedness to take the game on that most inside mids don't have.

Neither Francis and Curnow are mids and they have are desperate for mids. They need tall forwards too, but at least one of 4 or 5 will be a genuine mid, not a mid on a hope and a prayer. Stanton and Watson are geriatrics. The utility Goddard is old too. Cooney is a crock. Hocking's a tagger. Myer a scrubber. Zaharakis has been disappointing the last two years and presents best as a high half-forward/mid. Merrett is a quality small mid/forward. The older Brother's ordinary. Colyer is a pygmy. Heppell is very good and that's about it.

We didn't "trade up" to take Oliver. A month out from the draft nothing was set in concrete. We traded up to improve our position in the draft. We traded up to get the highest position we could and ultimately secure the best talent, as deemed by us, on draft day. No-one is leaking, but my educated guess from a couple of private things is that we'll take Oliver.

I've waxed and waned, but I reckon we'll go the mid at 3, because there just seems some queries over the talls. We need another quality mid and there are less queries. I'd love Parish, but when in doubt go for the big bodied beast. The fact that Oliver also has good speed tips it his way. So for me it looks like 3 Oliver/Parish 7 Weideman/Curnow or Francis

It certainly wouldn't have been Taylor. It may have been Derek Hine, or the one before Hine.

If you've seen Frost play you know he's not a forward. It's one of those things you don't need to be told.

Some more info from a Richmond supporter who knows a fair bit about him: He didn't test well at the start of the year because it was his first true year in the TAC system and came off zero pre season and I mean zero . He has always had a elite football ability however has had to learn to be more than just a turn up Thursday night play Saturday player which he has done admirably . His ability to perform against men has been the key for me . Played in the midfield in the strong GVFL comp as a 17 year old and was getting BOG's . Likewise stood up and got plenty of it in the VFL when playing as 23rd man for us this year . If he is available we take him and he becomes a instant best 22 inside mid . Wouldn't be surprised if he went past the likes of redden in his first year . Been on him for a while and ain't jumping off. he has been on some peoples radars for 5-6 years it was put to him at the start of the year he needed to play like Rockcliffe who was also a bushranger and then later in the season like Cripps . Oliver has been on the radar for almost 10 years he was encouraged by his fav club to play like that and this comes from being directly privy to some of these events or conversations with his father , Steve . I don't h believe that a 17 / 18 year olds career is moulded in 8-9 months .

I think we're searching for information that makes sense of who we're connected to and why. Besides, what's the alternative ? And if the draft is as you say, let's be thankful we turned pick 6 into picks 3 and 7.

That's the thing. We don't know what the club knows, i.e. medicals, etc.. If the Dees are worried or have any concerns I reckon they'll take the best mid at P3. But if they really rate the tall I can't see how they don't go tall at 3. I reckon it all gets down to how we rate Weideman and the risk factors involved.

Not so sure he'll go at 3.

Pedersen is a much better contested mark than Frost. Frost is a line breaking tall. He's a spoiler, who can then mop up and take the game on or dish off. He's not a smart key forward, who dictates play.

It wouldn't surprise me if we take Weideman at P3 and who's left out of Parish and Oliver at P7. I think the key in all of this is getting the key forward we want. I appreciate some here want the mid first, but if we set that aside for one moment... Let's assume for the sake of this debate that outside of Weitering or Schache they think the 196 cm Weideman is the best foil for Hogan. How do they get him ? Quality key forwards are very hard to come by and when you get a chance you've got to pull the trigger early. We know the club has him in their sights with Curnow being the other option. Do they rate the two talls equally ? Is Weideman the preferred choice by some margin ? As much as I'm warming to Oliver and like Parish, mids are far easier to come by. If the club is bullish on Weideman I reckon they have to take him with P3. P3 Weideman P4 Parish/Oliver P5 Francis P6 Milera P7 Oliver/Parish P8 Curnow (Not taking into account academy picks)

Popularity.

I tell you what Oli, you'll come out smelling roses this draft period if we land your man at 3. You'll have bragging rights for years to come.

That's one reason I have issues with Knightmare. As you say, Oliver is nowhere to be seen in his "Power Rankings", but as soon as the media starts reporting he's a late comer to the top 10 Knightmare thinks he better get with the program and put him high up in his rankings.

You may be right, but I "continue to make this assertion", because he's not a forwards you know what. He's a much better defender. I agree that there's every chance he plays forward due to a somewhat settled backline.

That said, I've a sneaking suspicion Dunn may play more forward this year, but it's only off the back of round 23 against GWS.

We won't have a "linebreaker", but Viney, Petracca, Brayshaw and Oliver all have decent speed. Harmes, Stretch and especially Hunt have good speed. I've always liked speed, but it in reality it's the last and probably least important ingredient. I can think of premiership teams that didn't have a Lewis Jetta, Brad Hill or Isaac Smith. It's nice to have it, but you're not going to compromise more important elements to manufacture it.

Frost should have been included as a defender.

He's a big bodied competitive beast that Taylor apparently loves. Jones, Viney, Brayshaw, Petracca, Tyson, Salem, vandenBerg and Oliver. They're all different. Some have pace and others play a different game. They won't take crap from anyone in a couple of years.

As much as I wanted Parish I'm almost convinced we're taking Oliver at P3.

It was a "nothing" article.