Whispering_Jack

Fake news.

Wonder if a deal’s been done whereby the club will pick him up in early November as a delisted free agent?

Some snippets to add to the situation at Gold Coast. The stories about the Suns considering trading one or both of their top two draft selections are bad enough but now more information is emerging about the possibility that two of last year’s early draft picks will be flying the coop at the end of 2020. St Kilda is supremely confident that it will secure Ben King after he serves out the second year of his contract. Apparently, the King family are staunch supporters of the Saints and they want Ben and Max at the club. Now this - SEVERAL VICTORIAN CLUBS FEEL PRIZED SUN IS OBTAINABLE: TWOMEY This highlights the folly of the AFL’s comprehensive draft concessions which fly in the face of previous policy and which are unlikely to help the club retain their prize recruits. I think the days of an AFL club on the Gold Coast are numbered.

PART FOUR - MAKING LIKE BUSHRANGERS Tim Kelly will join a stellar West Coast Eagles midfield in 2020 leaving pundits debating as to the extent of the cost to the club. The first done trade deal delivered picks 14, 24 and 37 in this year’s draft as well as their first pick in the 2020 AFL draft in return for Kelly, pick 57 and the Cats’ third round pick in 2020. The Bombers got themselves involved in the deal using picks 37 and 52 to get picks 33 and 57 back because they wanted to “sharpen up their position in the 30s.” The Cats drafted Kelly in the 2017 Draft with pick 24 so they’ve done pretty well out of him. In fact, it looks like they’re making like the bushrangers of old in an earlier era involving another gentlemen named “Kelly”. Oh, and by the way, the pick 24 that got Kelly to the Cats was a compensation pick for a restricted free agent Steve Motlop who left them to join Port Adelaide. Motlop anyone? Meanwhile, the Bombers are not only battling to retain two important forwards in Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia but also their credibility. They deny pursuing a surprise trade deal for Magpie ruckman Mason Cox but the Age’s Sam McClure, one of the reporters who broke the story, has declared the the conversation “1000 per cent” happened. The question is why they’re denying it and why they’re taking it personally? Those who have been following the trades and drafts over the years would be wondering why indeed? Has Dodoro or someone else at Bomberland overstepped the mark in pushing up the big Magpie’s name? Apart from the Kelly deal, no other deals were made on the third day of trades and very little new information came to light other than that fringe GWS midfielder Aiden Bonar has a name to keep an eye on as the trade period unfolds. Multiple clubs are reported to have shown an interest in Bonar who has played just six games in two years at the Giants. I’m going outside to watch the grass grow. It’s more exciting! DONE DEALS SATURDAY OCTOBER 5 • Brandon Ellis joins the Gold Coast Suns as a restricted free agent. Richmond receives a second-round draft pick as compensation (at the time, #39). • Cam Ellis-Yolmen joins Brisbane as an unrestricted free agent. Adelaide receives a third-round draft pick as compensation (at the time, #47). MONDAY OCTOBER 7 • Adam Tomlinson joins Melbourne as an unrestricted free agent. GWS Giants receive a second-round draft pick as compensation (at the time, #40). WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9 • Tim Kelly joins the West Coast Eagles for picks 14, 24 and 37 in this year’s draft as well as the Eagles’ first-round pick in the 2020 AFL draft. The Eagles receive pick 57 and Geelong’ third round pick in 2020.

PART FOUR - MAKING LIKE BUSHRANGERS Tim Kelly will join a stellar West Coast Eagles midfield in 2020 leaving pundits debating as to the extent of the cost to the club. The first done trade deal delivered picks 14, 24 and 37 in this year’s draft as well as their first pick in the 2020 AFL draft in return for Kelly, pick 57 and the Cats’ third round pick in 2020. The Bombers got themselves involved in the deal using picks 37 and 52 to get picks 33 and 57 back because they wanted to “sharpen up their position in the 30s.” The Cats drafted Kelly in the 2017 Draft with pick 24 so they’ve done pretty well out of him. In fact, it looks like they’re making like the bushrangers of old in an earlier era involving another gentlemen named “Kelly”. Oh, and by the way, the pick 24 that got Kelly to the Cats was a compensation pick for a restricted free agent Steve Motlop who left them to join Port Adelaide. Motlop anyone? Meanwhile, the Bombers are not only battling to retain two important forwards in Joe Daniher and Orazio Fantasia but also their credibility. They deny pursuing a surprise trade deal for Magpie ruckman Mason Cox but the Age’s Sam McClure, one of the reporters who broke the story, has declared the the conversation “1000 per cent” happened. The question is why they’re denying it and why they’re taking it personally? Those who have been following the trades and drafts over the years would be wondering why indeed? Has Dodoro or someone else at Bomberland overstepped the mark in pushing up the big Magpie’s name? Apart from the Kelly deal, no other deals were made on the third day of trades and very little new information came to light other than that fringe GWS midfielder Aiden Bonar has a name to keep an eye on as the trade period unfolds. Multiple clubs are reported to have shown an interest in Bonar who has played just six games in two years at the Giants. I’m going outside to watch the grass grow. It’s more exciting! DONE DEALS SATURDAY OCTOBER 5 • Brandon Ellis joins the Gold Coast Suns as a restricted free agent. Richmond receives a second-round draft pick as compensation (at the time, #39). • Cam Ellis-Yolmen joins Brisbane as an unrestricted free agent. Adelaide receives a third-round draft pick as compensation (at the time, #47). MONDAY OCTOBER 7 • Adam Tomlinson joins Melbourne as an unrestricted free agent. GWS Giants receive a second-round draft pick as compensation (at the time, #40). WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 9 • Tim Kelly joins the West Coast Eagles for picks 14, 24 and 37 in this year’s draft as well as the Eagles’ first-round pick in the 2020 AFL draft. The Eagles receive pick 57 and Geelong’ third round pick in 2020.

If the next best candidate is a GWS Academy member who plays like Patrick Cripps then why wouldn’t Melbourne make a play for him?

You would have to be asking the question why he has played so few games at AFL level when the Giants had a poor run with injuries during the season?

With the the Suns virtually certain to select Rowell and Anderson with picks 1 & 2, Melbourne has the effective #1 selection remaining after them. Who will the club pick? Knightmare’s latest draft power rankings could have the answer to that question. AFL Draft Power Rankings: Rowell back on top as AFL Draft nears

Problem is that if you follow the machinations of the trade period it should become fairly obvious that in the language of the AFL, a binding contract isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on to many players and their managers. In the case of Angus Brayshaw, we’re taking him as a person of higher quality and better standards than the pack and therefore moving this thread out of the trading and drafting board. And given that he’s next cab off the rank for our 2019 player reviews, it will shortly be closed altogether.

There you go ... Pies star Elliott snubs Demons and Lions, opts to stay at Collingwood

AFL Phantom Draft: Who goes where in the first round?

From AFL Draft Central - Power Rankings: October 2019 #8 Dylan Stephens Norwood/South Australia | Balanced Midfielder 08/01/2001 | 182cm | 70kg Stephens is another lightly built midfielder who despite being just 70kg has forced his way into the SANFL League side for Norwood already in season 2019. Given the Redlegs’ tendancy to restrict kids from being exposed at the top level – see Luke Valente last year – it is a credit to Stephens – and teammate Taheny, to already earn their stripes. He has held his own too, admitedly playing a very outside game, but with many bigger bodies at the Redlegs, Stephens has terrific skills and moves well in transition, able to win the ball in midfield, take off and kick perfectly inside 50. He still has to add bulk to his frame, but he showed when taking on his peers he is capable of playing an inside role as well. Expect him to be the prime mover for South Australia at the Under 18 Championships and raise his stocks with a big couple of months. Last month: After his League side was eliminated from the SANFL premiership race, Stephens was brought into the Redlegs’ Reserves Grand Final side where he had 26 disposals, three marks, five clearances, five tackles, two inside 50s and three rebounds on his way to a premiership medal. He also tested strongly across the board at the National Draft Combine.

Draft Central Power Rankings: October 2019

PART TWO - THE LANGUAGE OF THE AFL Speaking today on Telstra AFL Trade Radio, Essendon General Manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said: “Our intention is for Joe Daniher to play for the Essendon Football Club not only in 2020 but for a long time after that”. Those words translate into plain English as: “Two first round draft picks will do the trick”. I look forward to nine days of argy bargy before the Joey dons the red and white of the Sydney Swans at 7.28pm on Wednesday week. The machinations involved in reaching that outcome will be well worth following, not to mention the cost of the popcorn. The key to this could well be the Sydney Swans’ small forward Tom Papley who has requested a trade back to his home state of Victoria. According to Swans CEO Tom Harley: "Now, there’s been the link to Carlton, we understand that, we know that, but what we don’t know and what will probably evolve over the next little while is Tom’s keenness to get to Melbourne, but from where the club sits, he’s a contracted player and we will do what is best for the footy club." Those words translate into plain English as: “Carlton needs to hand over pick #9 and then we’ll talk”. Dodoro also had his hands full with speculation that Orazio Fantasia has requested a trade to leave the Bombers: “Orazio has not expressed any interest in leaving the club,” Dodoro said on Telstra AFL Trade Radio this morning. Those words translate into plain English as: “He’s halfway out the door and a late first rounder should see him return to SA”. Now that you get my drift, it’s easy to work out the language Jamie Elliott’s management was speaking when it prized out a three year offer from Melbourne when the Pies were only prepared to offer their injury-prone player two years. Demons football boss Josh Mahoney told reporters that Jamie Elliott has informed the club that he won't be seeking a move there. The race is down to Brisbane and current club Collingwood, with the Magpies confident he will stay. Which could translate into anything. Other highlights of the day were - • No trades as such but that’s not unusual because in 2017, it took until the Thursday morning for the first deal (Jake Lever) to go down. Last year, it happened at mid-morning on day one (Lincoln McCarthy) and in 2016, it was late on Tuesday (Cam McCarthy). With Dodoro heavily involved this year, don’t hold your breath. • Not much happening on the Tim Kelly front. • No offers yet premiership-winning Hawk Grant Birchall as several clubs – not just Brisbane – circle the the unrestricted free agent. • St Kilda football chief Simon Lethlean revealed his club has spoken to the management of Gold Coast youngster Ben King about reuniting him with his twin brother Max at the end of next year. • ... and in late news, a done deal as the paperwork has been officially lodged for Melbourne to receive unrestricted free agent Adam Tomlinson. The GWS Giants will be compensated with an end of second round pick, currently #40. The Demons are said to be intent on playing Tomlinson on a wing next year. Translated into plain English, that means we should expect him to line up in a forward pocket as a relief ruckman for Max Gawn.

PART TWO - THE LANGUAGE OF THE AFL Speaking today on Telstra AFL Trade Radio, Essendon General Manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said: “Our intention is for Joe Daniher to play for the Essendon Football Club not only in 2020 but for a long time after that”. Those words translate into plain English as: “Two first round draft picks will do the trick”. I look forward to nine days of argy bargy before the Joey dons the red and white of the Sydney Swans at 7.28pm on Wednesday week. The machinations involved in reaching that outcome will be well worth following, not to mention the cost of the popcorn. The key to this could well be the Sydney Swans’ small forward Tom Papley who has requested a trade back to his home state of Victoria. According to Swans CEO Tom Harley: "Now, there’s been the link to Carlton, we understand that, we know that, but what we don’t know and what will probably evolve over the next little while is Tom’s keenness to get to Melbourne, but from where the club sits, he’s a contracted player and we will do what is best for the footy club." Those words translate into plain English as: “Carlton needs to hand over pick #9 and then we’ll talk”. Dodoro also had his hands full with speculation that Orazio Fantasia has requested a trade to leave the Bombers: “Orazio has not expressed any interest in leaving the club,” Dodoro said on Telstra AFL Trade Radio this morning. Those words translate into plain English as: “He’s halfway out the door and a late first rounder should see him return to SA”. Now that you get my drift, it’s easy to work out the language Jamie Elliott’s management was speaking when it prized out a three year offer from Melbourne when the Pies were only prepared to offer their injury-prone player two years. Demons football boss Josh Mahoney told reporters that Jamie Elliott has informed the club that he won't be seeking a move there. The race is down to Brisbane and current club Collingwood, with the Magpies confident he will stay. Which could translate into anything. Other highlights of the day were - • No trades as such but that’s not unusual because in 2017, it took until the Thursday morning for the first deal (Jake Lever) to go down. Last year, it happened at mid-morning on day one (Lincoln McCarthy) and in 2016, it was late on Tuesday (Cam McCarthy). With Dodoro heavily involved this year, don’t hold your breath. • Not much happening on the Tim Kelly front. • No offers yet premiership-winning Hawk Grant Birchall as several clubs – not just Brisbane – circle the the unrestricted free agent. • St Kilda football chief Simon Lethlean revealed his club has spoken to the management of Gold Coast youngster Ben King about reuniting him with his twin brother Max at the end of next year. • ... and in late news, a done deal as the paperwork has been officially lodged for Melbourne to receive unrestricted free agent Adam Tomlinson. The GWS Giants will be compensated with an end of second round pick, currently #40. The Demons are said to be intent on playing Tomlinson on a wing next year. Translated into plain English, that means we should expect him to line up in a forward pocket as a relief ruckman for Max Gawn.

The likelihood is that this was always a case of a player manager using another club’s willingness to bargain in order to get the best possible deal for a 27 year old client who has been injury prone for the last two years. He wanted to prize out the extra year for Elliott and found us agreeable to the three year term. I was never convinced about Elliott and am fine with the situation. I don’t believe this has an ramifications about us being a destination club either. I’m sure Josh Mahoney is moving on.

I was looking through some of the early phantom drafts and power ranking lists and noticed that there was a definite leaning or bias towards players from Victoria. This is despite the fact that the Under 18 NAB AFL Championships were won this year by Western Australia. In Cal Twomey’s September Draft Rankings, not a single player from the winners made the top ten. Last year, it was South Australia that won the championship and that state provided three of the top five draftees. On that basis it might be worthwhile to take a closer look at the talent from WA given that state’s strengths in the national competition. The Croweaters also did well this year and one player from their team who has attracted my eye because he has all the attributes we need in a young midfielder - a good mix both inside and out, endurance and pace and a good user of the ball. I think Dylan Stephens who has been mentioned by a few posters might be a player who could be in line for selection, more so if the club manages to split pick 3. AFL Draft Wrap: SA midfielder Dylan Stephens firms as top-10 selection

Can’t see that it would make that much difference. Splitting the pick could help the club secure Langdon and further, if the club decides on taking an extra player, a further delisting could happen to accommodate it.

One door closes and another one opens. If Elliott chooses Brisbane or stays at Collingwood, it means that we can use the salary cap room that would otherwise have been available for him to chase other fish. I’m not fussed - it’s the nature of this time of year.

So the first of the free agents in both categories has been decided. 2019 Restricted Free Agent Brandon Ellis (Richmond) is now a Gold Coast Sun after the Tigers declined to match the Suns' offer. Jack Newnes (St Kilda) 2019 Unrestricted Free Agent Adelaide's Cameron Ellis-Yolmen has moved to Brisbane.

The incredible Freddie Clutterbuck!

Well, he’s nominated Sydney and the Bombers want sheep stations for a player who some believe might not play too much football in the future. Get the popcorn ready and watch this play itself out.

Combine wrap: Who starred? Who missed? Does it change the top order? And AFL Draft Guru on TALL FORWARDS/RUCKMEN Tall Forwards/Ruckmen grouping for the 2019 NAB AFL Draft Combine below. JACK BELL (Sandringham Dragons) 200cm, 73kg Lean ruckman/tall forward who is still developing physically but can impact the game going forward with his leading and marking. He has excellent endurance and clean hands below his knees and is very coachable. He played two matches for Vic Metro in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, giving him the opportunity to progress his ruck and body work at a higher level. As a prominent player for the Sandringham Dragons, he averaged 9.4 disposals, 3.6 marks and 11.3 hitouts in 14 NAB League matches. NICK BRYAN (Oakleigh Chargers) 202cm, 87kg A developing young ruckman who does not turn 18 years old until October this year, his agility and natural leap at centre bounces are impressive assets of his game. His willingness to compete in the air for marks, bring the ball to ground and follow up by providing support for his teammates is also notable. He has an effective kick for a tall player and showed his potential playing with Vic Metro, particularly in their win over South Australia in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. He averaged 9.2 disposals, four marks and 22 hitouts overall in his four matches. After an impressive start to the year with the Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League, he was included in the Under-18 Australian team that played against the Casey Demons earlier in the season. CHARLIE COMBEN (Gippsland Power) 199cm, 82kg Tall forward/ruckman who has improved in leaps and bounds this year. Agile and strong overhead, he can provide a great marking target up forward. He excelled for Vic Country in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in his three matches. With thin slices of his natural talent on display, he averaged 8.7 disposals, 3.7 marks and 16 hitouts. He has also been a key player for Gippsland Power in the NAB League, providing mobility around the ground and a marking target up forward. EMERSON JEKA (Western Jets) 197cm, 87kg Tall forward/defender who has solid speed and agility for his size and presents well as a leading target when forward. He has very quick hands, showing good team orientation in passing quickly to teammates on the move. He suffered a knee injury playing for the Under-18 Australian team against the Casey Demons earlier in the year which set him back, restricting him to just two games for Vic Metro in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, where he averaged 9.5 disposals and five marks. A very neat kick for a 197cm key-position player who turned 18 years old in September. HARRISON JONES (Calder Cannons) 194cm, 75kg Tall forward who is very lightly built and has massive upside physically. He has a safe set of hands overhead and he presents well as a marking target up forward. He is an accurate set shot for goal and showed this skill with four goals in a Vic Metro trial game in April. He then played all four games for Vic Metro in the 2019 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 9.2 disposals, 3.2 marks and a goal a match. He has been a highly promising player all year, playing College football at Essendon Grammar and in the NAB League with the Calder Cannons. COOPER SHARMAN (Oakleigh Chargers) 194cm, 80kg Tall forward/midfielder who emerged from relative obscurity mid-year to become a draft prospect after impressing at Balwyn Football Club in the Eastern Football League in June. Hailing from the Riverina of New South Wales and moving to Melbourne to study at Deakin University, this former GWS Giants Academy member showed he had a vice-like grip on the ball overhead and innate goal sense in eight matches with the Oakleigh Chargers. He is a late developer who is mobile and agile. He kicked 14 goals in the NAB League, including four goals against the Eastern Ranges in Round 14.

The first domino has fallen.

Melbourne keeps an eye on Draft Combine "Excitingly, the Dees currently hold pick No.3 in the 2019 National Draft and will be looking to bolster their list when it gets underway on the 27th of November." Is that suggesting that we'll keep pick No 3?