ChaserJ

I guess all of that still applies to us if Martin isn't delisted prior to the draft. If we keep working away in the background (which I'm certain we are still doing, but not in the open), it would be negligent of Dover to ignore us IF we could clearly match salary demands. With player salaries still being private, I think there's a fair amount of 'best guess' scenario's being thrown around in these conversations (ie Carlton should have more cap space than Melbourne), but there's still a relative lack of certainty there for all involved. How good is our poker face?

Dover's got a history of this. In the lead up to the 2012 mini draft this is from an article in relation to Martin nominating for the mini draft. I'd like to know Jason's thoughts on the 'wrong club' and the 'right environment': It is a system that Martin's manager, Jason Dover, said could work for the teenager if he is recruited into the right environment. However, it is possible he would remain in WA for the first 12 months of any deal if that didn't happen. "We need to make a decision by Wednesday as to whether Jack nominates or not and part of that decision is weighting up which clubs are likely to figure for this," Dover told AFL.com.au. "If it looks like the deal is done with the wrong club and we don't believe it would be best for Jack's development, then there is every chance that he'll stay in WA for that 12 months. "Having a year in the system and developing a lot of the positive habits would be perfect for him in the right environment and with the right plan around him. "I can see it working really well for a player like Jack, it's just trying to get him into the right environment."

We've done so much work in promoting the game in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island communities in NT, and Nev's consistently been recognized for his work outside of club time, if that's of any importance to Martin we should be well ahead of Carlton on that score at least.

Dees have a month to keep pestering Martin and his management. Martin currently in Europe, so Dover is handling everything and currently batting away any other offers. Carlton offer is generous and a lot of groundwork already done. If the path to Carlton starts to look unlikely, he’ll have to switch tact, but no surprises with what’s been said so far. If Melbourne are genuinely keen they’ll persist.

Why are ‘well placed sources’ leaking now?

Josh Kelly was also in the pool for the 2012 mini draft. Was the first time we snubbed Kelly...

Apparently Dogs identified an injury that required surgery that Crows knew about (but their docs said surgery not required). Injury flared up and he's gone in for surgery and will miss first part of the year. Dogs didn't want to pay original trade price, and deal has fallen over. Could be quite a cheap pick up for someone.

Don’t mind this. We were steadily building before this years horror show. I’m prepared to call this year an aberration, so may as well capitalise on position and maximise draft capital. Next years draft looks messy and compromised with some of the best kids already attached to clubs. Didn’t think splitting the pick wouldn’t involve pick 3!

Serong is more and more likely to be the one at 3.

ACL's were pre-draft, he managed to get back from his second to play some decent TAC Cup footy. Impressed with his speed and power at draft combine and there have been no injury issues in his two years on the GWS list.

I would. Could be two picks inside 10. If King (or someone else) is up for grabs next year, it's a handy chip.

Would be interesting to see how they’d go about getting King in whilst spending a high pick on Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

So we've effectively traded Frost for Langdon? Nice work.

There hasn't been anything in the media re: Caldwell. General feeling is that Bonar is the one most likely to leave GWS this year.

Predominantly inside, but has very good power and acceleration. Can get on the outside, Giants rate him highly. Would be a great get.

Yep. Throw a blanket over players ranked 3-7. Not sure whether there's much incentive there for Sydney or Adelaide.

They would match the value of whichever pick was used to bid on Maginess. The later the bid, the better the value for Hawks. Their first pick just happens to sit around where Maginess is valued my (non-clubland) draft watchers. Yep, they would potentially get two first round quality players.

Stephens is pretty close to the mark in terms of what our midfield needs. if we split the pick, he'd be target no 1. I'd almost take him at 3 (would take him before Serong). Maginess has had an excellent season and has slipped under the radar. I reckon he's borderline top 10 right now and he may develop into one of the best mids in the draft. Would bid for him at pick 7 onward, but pick 3 feels to high. His combine performances were eye opening. Has the potential to be more than just an inside accumulator. Hawks are laughing if no bid comes in before pick 11. North should be all over him.

Robbo just tweeted that Elliott has said no to Brisbane, will re-sign with Pies

Came through as a basketballer/athlete who was a bit of a 'see ball, get ball' type. Could win the ball in the contest and do spectacular things, but needed to learn how to run in midfield, so probably would need to learn how to play as an outside mid. Has the speed to play the role, not sure on endurance at this stage. WC used his pace well up forward, and may be reluctant to trade him with the Rioli suspension. Liam Duggan may be an interesting one as part of a package for pick 3.

Kelly's nominated West Coast, so can't see Freo becoming part of the equation. Looks like we're trying to keep splitting pick 3 separate to the Langdon deal.

HIghlights from Sokol's draft year. Had Charlie Cameron keeping him company in the forward line and Paddy Cripps pops up in there somewhere as well: https://www.afl.com.au/video/2013-07-17/draft-prospect-ben-sokol

They did ok with Martin, Cotchin and Rance. Topped them up with some former GC high picks in Lynch, Prestia and Caddy.

Liked Sokol in his draft year and good to see he's performing for Subi. Had a few years playing alongside Pickett and Smith at South Freo, so not a bad place to be looking for talent that has fallen outside the usual pathway. Wrote this about him in a draft blog piece I wrote at the time (had him ranked at 45 that year). I thought if he developed well enough, he might've been capable of doing some Dane Swan type things in midfield. Ben Sokol – Tempted to have him higher. Big bodied medium forward who is very strong over head, uses the ball well and tackles strongly. His decision making is sound and I believe he has the capacity to play in the midfield in the future.

His brother might give it a nudge.