ChaserJ

Been a while since Ricky Mentha's come up anywhere. Gippsland have moved him to half back and looks like the switch paid off last weekend: Stats: 22 disposals, 5 marks, 7 rebound 50s Mentha had perhaps his best performance of the season to date for the Power, constantly providing dash and drive coming out of his side’s defensive 50. On numerous occasions he showed great speed and composure under pressure to get the opposition off guard on their transition. His silky skills, pressure acts and decision making were all features although at times his disposal by hand missed targets. Mentha showed great pace especially when it came to reading the play with loose ground balls and at times stood at the last line of defence where he saved a certain goal in the second quarter getting a hand to it before going over for the score. * from Rookie Me's CTL scouting notes https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2024/07/31/scouting-notes-2024-coates-talent-league-round-16/

I think we've both mentioned him @Binmans PA! Tairon Ah-Mu. Has been very good for Haileybury this year and shown a bit when given a run at the Stingrays.

Houston’s not out of contract so can’t imagine the leaking is a tactic to squeeze more out of Port. WC on the other hand didn’t include TPP uplifts in their contracts to players, so a lot of the guys signed before the last CBA have fallen behind the rest of their AFL peers pay wise. That’s the reason Barrass’ name keeps coming up, he’s getting paid a decent amount below market value r/n. Some of these Eagles may be using oppo interest to drive up WC offers, BUT maybe someone can have their head legitimately turned.

Worth keeping in mind that AFL are a good chance of approving draft picks from up to 2 future drafts from this years trade period. Our solution might be 1st rounders from ‘25 & ‘26 drafts.

The obvious ones are Sid Draper and Sam Lalor, but the guys that kept drawing my eye were Tobie Travaglia and Joe Berry. I think Travaglia is one of those guys that lifts when the game is on the line and finds a way to impact. Good all round game and think he can go through midfield in time. I view Bo Allan similarly. Berry’s not just good around goals but uses the ball well up the ground and was pretty handy around clearances for Vic Country. Smart, quick and efficient around 50. The current game is accommodating to teams that have a fleet of small, skilled forwards and Berry’s a v good one.

Thanks @WalkingCivilWar, feeling human again now, which is a win. Will make sure I get him to Marvel next week!

Food poisoning and spent most of the day throwing up. Little bloke was shattered, first game at the ‘G we’ve missed for a while.

I’m REALLY hoping we have a first round pick to use in this draft!

Yeah, saw it. Feasibility study will move to a ‘full on business case assessment’ with an aim to be complete by end of finals. Glenn McFarlane thinks it will get up and ‘it has to get up for Melbourne’ (as they have the worst training facilities in the AFL).

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.