FreedFromDesire

I think it will depend on how the night plays out, that's my guess anyway. I don't follow the draft very closely, but it seems like perhaps the range from about 6-15 is reasonably even and there's no absolute lock in terms of consensus? Others who know more would be more clear on that than I. So for example, if we were to split with someone like Port Adelaide, we could potentially still get the player we wanted with pick 13 (or however far back it goes) and then pick up a 'bonus' pick 29 to go with it. That would be pretty smart dealing IF it was looking like a possibility on the night I think.

We've apparently very much cooled on Armstrong after interviews. Unlikely to take him now. Jagga still the favourite with Lalor and Langford also around the mark in terms of who the club likes. Reid and Tauru also being considered. Still a chance Melbourne split pick 9, but I get the impression it depends who is left on the board on the night. This is all rumour as it stands, and these things can change rapidly as it is, so if someone like goodwindees or DannyZ post otherwise then I would rely on their information more.

Twomey also had Armstrong going at 10 in his September ratings and 9 in his October ratings.

I like Jefferson and think he came a long way this year, but he's always been a longer term project - From what I can tell, if we drafted Armstrong he would already be ahead of Jefferson in terms of being ready to play. Pick the best available, regardless of position - not only is that when we've done our best drafting, but it's also reflective of a team that finished 14th this year.

Definitely agree with this. Best available is where we're back to with adding to our list in my view also. I think if you look at our list profile, and taking into account what we did last year, it seems we know we have a 'solid' group of under 22s coming through but it's somewhat lacking in the really top end talent. It does seem doing what we've done this year to get 2 picks in the top 10 with only a very small chance of us using another pick (outside of rookie upgrades) is more evidence of that. Quality over quantity. In saying that, I'm not draft watcher so I have no idea personally if Armstrong is that, but I do believe he's been likened to Luke Jackson by Jason Taylor in terms of being able to make an immediate impact, and I think by now, even on Demonland, most would agree he has earned considerable trust for what he's been able to produce in his time with Melbourne. I do recall there was lots of supporters and other football pundits shaking their heads when we took Jackson as well, but he turned out a fantastic selection (albeit with the go home issue of course).

My apologies if I haven't done this correctly. I had a check and couldn't see a thread for him already. Fairly good mail we like this guy a lot. If Jagga Smith is selected before our first pick I wouldn't be surprised to see us take Armstrong, that's how much Jason Taylor likes him apparently. Expected to make an immediate impact, and said to be very versatile and good below his knees. I will defer to others who watch the potential draftees closer, as it's not something I take a great interest in. Please take this as reasonably reliable gossip as opposed to absolutely rock solid intel like others post here at times. Again, will defer to others opinions, but passing along what I've heard in terms of where the club rates him.

I'm not really sure if I've worked it out properly, and it can be tricky as the make up of numbers between senior list and rookie list are somewhat flexible, but as it stands I think we will have 3 spots to fill through either the rookie draft or with delisted free agents. McVee needs to be upgraded due to the 10 game clause I think, so that could be done with that really late end of the draft pick (we don't have to do it that way, but it would mean we meet that 3 pick minimum criteria). The other rookies I assume will stay as rookies, meaning we will have 6 (if Hore is retained). From what I can gather, 6 is the maximum number of category A rookies you can have. It's a bit messy, and I may not have worked this out correctly, but my guess for our offseason is something like this: Brayshaw - Kentfield (R) Schache - Campbell ANB - Sharp Hunter - Pick 5 (Smith?) Brown - Pick 9 (Armstrong?) Tomlinson - DFA (Ethan Phillips?) Smith (not yet delisted, but surely?) - DFA (Parfitt?) KFW (Cat B) - Mentha (Cat B) Hore - Retain McVee upgrade to make up the required 3 picks.