Gawndog98

I don’t think there’s one simple fix, I think it needs to be a blend of our gameplay needs to adapt with more attacking flair, as a team they need cover defensively to make up for ANB, and obviously ANB has left the club someone does need to step into the defensive mid role (I consider the role a defensive mid as that what it was rolling into the midfield when trac rolling forward). I do think Riv is a permanent mid will help cover as he is defensively sound, he can be accountable defensively and provide that attacking flair at the same time, you could make an argument he takes ANB spot where he starts at half forward but then plays as a permanent extra mid, a modified version of ANB role where we always have an extra mid around stoppages. I think Riv though takes Gus’ old role that 4th mid who does everything (defence & offence, inside & outside) which I actually think having Trac, Clarry, Viney there with him will be great for his development as a mid as he gets to be more of a supportive role rather than needing to do everything himself which is when it felt like he tailed off as a mid end of last year. ANB’s role needs to be taken by someone who can play as a mid as it’s a lot of important work around stoppages. I think Kolt is being groomed to take ANB’s spot as he has that sacrifice for the team mentality and ability required to fulfill it. Whilst he won’t have the same running capacity next year as ANB, he does have more x-factor which allows for that attacking flair. Sparrow is the other one I think who could do it but I don’t see him being in the best 22 if Langford (and Kolt) are going to play. I don’t think all 3 of Kolt, Langford, and Sparrow can all play in the same forward line, for me sparrow will be a clear 3rd choice out of those 3. My midfield and hf mix would be: C: Langdon, Clarry, Windsor R: Max, Trac, Viney HF: Kolt (defensive HFF), JVR, Langford (attacking HFF) I: Riv (4th mid)

For me the player he actually reminds me the most of is Salo (prime Salo) with maybe a bit more penetration in his kicking which would still be a great get. Think he can have a pretty decent impact next year off half back which was great to see us take 2 ready made players.

Sorry do you mean they are looking to move one of their later picks down so they can move 10/11 up ahead of us to get Allan? Like for example they trade 10/11 & 20/23/24 to Saints for 8 & 32? Feels like a win for both teams as Tiges get their guy with Allan and still maintain 8 picks inside the first 2 rounds, Saints will still get their guy might’ve been picking anyway in Lindsay or Berry and move up to put themselves in the range to grab a mid like Hynes or a tall like Trainor who is similar to Tauru.

My biggest takeaway from Marc (the age) is that there seems to be more momentum building on Adelaide going Draper over Langford, he said it would be a surprise if it went the other way. He also is under the impression Allan won’t get past our second pick which is quite interesting comparing it to Twomey saying Allan and Lindsay is a 50/50. My gut feel is someone is going to trade for saints pick 8 to take Allan whether that be Freo or Tiges to jump ahead of us which would leave us with Tauru at 9.

If Jagga is available he won’t get past our pick but he’s not going to be available because he won’t get past Adelaide. Which means what it comes down to is if Langford is available he will be a Dee, if Adelaide take him over Draper Tauru will be a Dee. As long as Draper is picked before our pick we will get Langford, if not it will be Tauru.

Cal would’ve linked us to Smilie with either pick if we were interested in him, I think it’s pretty safe to say we aren’t going to pick him hence why Richmond is thinking about locking in Allan with 6 knowing Smilie just has to get past the Saints. Which I am happy we’ve got no interest in Smilie he screams bust potential to me, he just doesn’t do the team things and tries to play hero ball way too much, for me I like Allan much more than Smilie.

Would be super happy with Langford & Allan, if we somehow landed Langford & Tauru (might need someone to trade up for Allan at 8 or saints take another mid like Lindsay) we will have won the draft by a landslide IMO. Doomsday scenario for me would be if Adelaide take Langford meaning we would take Tauru and then Tiges play funny buggers and take Allan with 6 betting on Smilie making it to 10 (we aren’t going to touch him) would result in us likely ending up with Lindsay who I don’t love because I don’t think he has the capacity to be in an inside mid meaning we leave the draft without a future inside mid. Langford & Lindsay is he fine with because that’s a nice inside/outside balance.

Went very under the radar because he ran a great 2k time trial. I think because of his competitiveness he doesn’t look slow on the field but yep doesn’t have lightning speed.

Cal doesn’t seem to think we have much interest in Draper. Says will likely pick which one of Langford or Tauru is available.

I’d be super happy with an outcome of Tauru & Allan. Tauru has absolute A+ potential, his rate of development in the back half of the year has been rapid and there’s nothing he can’t do athletically, personally I think he can actually be a 50+ goal a year forward and would perfectly compliment our other forwards. Happy to overlook Draper at 5 for him, I don’t think Draper’s cieling is an A-grade mid due to his scrappy skills, he’s definitely more of a sure thing but cieling doesn’t compare to Tauru. Allan is actually a pretty similar player to Draper except he’s 10 cms taller and can play half back very well. Both Allan & Tauru could easily play R1 next year with their athleticism & competitiveness two of their strongest strengths.

It’s interesting comparing Travaglia to Hunt because Travaglia doesn’t have Hunt’s top end speed either. He ran a 3:19 20m sprint compared to Langford 3:24 which everyone freaked out about him being slow.

Prior to his official phantom draft he posts a few days before the draft, he usually posts a November form guide a week or two before the draft which is his rankings but includes a “where they could go” section for each player which the club links are usually pretty spot on. Would assume it would be coming out tomorrow or Wednesday in line with his weekly gettable show.

I really like the idea of a combo of a tall and small mid with the 2 picks with both also offering flexibility to play other positions well until their time comes to play full time inside mid. My preference would be Langford at 5, Reid at 9 which I think perfectly compliment each other. Langford might have the highest cieling out of any player and floor projects as a solid big body inside mid. Reid has probably the best skills and footy IQ out of any player in the draft and knows how to find it in dangerous spaces, I think he starts at half back before working his way into the middle. id also be very happy with Jagga & Allan combo.

I would throw in Murphy Reid to that bucket too, I think that rounds out top 3 kicks in the draft. Jagga & Reid are both fantastic users just the only thing is they struggle to kick the ball over 40-45 metres at this stage so their kicking lacks a bit of penetration. Both make up for it though with elite decision making always looking to lower their eyes hitting that target 30-40 out from goal rather than bombing it to the square.

IMO Armstrong is actually a pretty good key forward prospect, the issue is more so that he’s a very similar style of prospect and player to MJ (and JVR) for that matter. He also doesn’t help us contend for the next year or 2 which might play a factor to try keep the group together and maximise the time left for the vets. Armstrong’s one wood is his set shot accuracy, he just doesn’t waste any chances which never looks flashy on a highlights reel but is obviously one of the most important traits for a key forward. In that way he reminds me a lot of Larkey as a player and in the way he plays as a low possession high scoreboard impact player.