ChaserJ

Carlton (even though he’s Richmond NGA, won’t go there) have a beauty in Cody Walker and Cochrane looks a star as well. Of interest to us, Marcus Prasad has been attached to our NGA program, quick and skilful small forward/mid.

Given the quality of his kick inside 50 I wonder if we’d offer Houston midfield minutes? https://www.sen.com.au/news/2024/07/23/the-10-best-and-worst-kicks-inside-50-in-the-afl-in-2024-according-to/

That stat line for Downie...

Like this aspect of the extension:

Yeah, can’t see the Crows doing that deal. Thilthorpe looks like he’s ready to take off.

This one is Cal Twomey/Riley Beverage

ESPN’s draft rankings, again some differences in order. Jasper Challopah’s variances are entirely defensible: July 2024 Draft Power Rankings: New No. 1 emerges after U18 National Championships

Cal talking through some of the players in the guide and reason for ranking:

Looks a super crop. That top 13 is super strong.

First game of footy I saw live was Dees v Eagles in '93. We were down by 4 goals to the reigning premiers in the third. Up steps a hitherto unsighted Jako to kick 6 in a half (and plant a kiss on Glen's cheek after one of them) to help the Demons storm home to win. Hooked on the Dees ever since. Extraordinary that he kicked 8.1 in his last game for the Dees before his back put him out for the season and our finals tilt. Off the list by seasons end.

You're not the only one that's happy @dazzledavey36, I think this is a change AFL had to make lest clubs withdraw any investment and support for NGAs. I'm very excited about Ah-Mu next year, the type of player we need on the list and now we have the incentive to keep supporting his development. I've seen AFLW NGA programs and outcomes first hand and know that some clubs invest more in the programs and do it better than others (and most clubs at large provide more resources toward the boys programs than AFLW), from what I've seen the Dees do a pretty good job investing across both boys and girls programs. Clubs deserve to be rewarded by getting access to the talent that comes through. FWIW AFL flagged review of all things draft and academy last year (was mentioned before the draft IIRC, gathered further steam after Suns cleaned up due to their own academy access) and despite what certain clubs say, there was a good chance that changes were going to come in this year. Andrew Dillon mentioned the potential for change in one of his first interviews with Cal Twomey & Riley Beverage. Any public commentary that clubs engage in will always be informed by self interest. I do wonder if this means that some (if not all) changes to the points system (DVI) will also be implemented this trade and draft period.

That’s a pretty good summation @Whispering_Jack. Cal Twomey will likely release his phantom form guide this week now the Champs are done, wil be interesting reading. I think we’re well placed to use that 2nd rd pick & two 3rd’s to pinch a first rounder from either Carlton, Brisbane or Gold Coast who all have first rd f/s or academy players coming through.

That’s him trying to Americanise the conversation. Substitute Clayton & Melbourne for Zach Lavine at the Chicago Bulls and the thinking all of a sudden makes perfect sense in that marketplace and what a team like the Bulls is trying to do with list and cap management. FWIW I don’t think Morris reported anything controversial there, sounds like Clarry’s agent has had some chats with clubs (might be just covering bases in case things go south again) and Kane’s run with his pick purchasing tangent all the while ignoring Tom saying Melbourne aren’t putting Clarry up for trade.

That’s horrible @Pennant St Dee, thoughts with all affected. Terrible news.

The article was originally written in December last year. They’ve lazily reposted for clicks without bothering to review any content that’s changed. They rate other sides based on last year’s draft but said our draftees can’t be counted because it’s effectively too early. Think Windsor & Tholstrup would push our rankings up if the article was updated properly.

It’s funny to think that WC have been in rebuild mode for 2-3 years and we (in a phase of contention) fielded the younger team on Sunday. The Eagles still have depths to fall to yet. The turnaround could still be 3-5 years away, genuine contention even further off, by which point Allen will be in his 30’s. Unfortunately for Allen, he didn’t earn a regular spot in the team until after their premiership and I could believe that being so close to success once and being so far away now could prompt thoughts of a move.

He’s one of the few that played like he gave a damn on Sunday, so not sure it would be a major hindrance. Some of the more experienced players though…

Thank you for the training PSA @WalkingCivilWar, I had intended to bring the kids to training today, I may not have made it home in one piece if I hadn’t have read your post before dragging them out!

The concession to clubs livid about northern academies is that NGA bid limitations could drop away from next season. Getting access to Tairon Ah-Mu might be a nice square up for losing Mac Andrew to GC.

Foxsports with a decent summary of the draft state of play with 2 weeks of Champs play remaining: https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-draft-prospects-2024-date-national-under-18-championships-results-power-rankings-murphy-reid-isaac-kako-levi-ashcroft/news-story/f5aead6ac91a5ed5da0bc3a4016c9b37

Injury/body concerns or other?

Has played the last couple of CTL games with a lot of the metro players missing for Oakleigh. Looks like he played back on the weekend, numbers don’t jump off the page.

If you can access on a laptop or another device with a web browser, the AFL website has full match replays up on the u18’s page: https://www.afl.com.au/draft/u18s

He’s been very good for Metro. Does well in one one one’s, competitive and hits targets. Really like him as a small or medium defender, can see him playing on a wing as well, probably not big enough to go inside. Defends and rebounds equally well. Oliver could land in the first round, I’d lean toward pure midfield options for Dees in the first round BUT if Riv were to star as a mid the rest of the way through the season and our recruiting focus lands on a back six backfill for Riv, Oliver would be high up the preference list. And Luke is a massive North fan. If his form holds the rest of the way through the season, I def could see North either taking Trainor or splitting the pick with a view to taking him. Don’t think they have a need for Smillie or any of the other top rated mids.

Has gone from a 15-20 range player to busting into the 10 on the back of his Championship form. Harry Armstrong caught the eye too, this year’s Metro v Country clash should be another ripper.