whatwhat say what

We shall see whether that's true or not. There's class to be plucked at 2 and 3 - be it two midfielders (of Brayshaw, Petracca or Laverde) or grab a key position player (Wright or McCartin) - we're hopefully setting ourselves up with class. Just gotta develop em into afl players!

Don't be silly! Northern markets need protection!!

Ah, the new Gary Lyon. His game against the Pies was scintillating. And then...

Hrovat and their pick 5 for pick 2.

Rumours going around are that Beams wants out, but up home to Brisbane obviously. If they don't trade him out this off-season they seriously risk losing him for naught at the end of 2015 when he's a free agent.

fairly solid i would expect, their midfield is just as parlous as ours.

no, it really wouldn't. but i could definitely see it happening. the waite to north rumour has been around since the start of the year. it makes sense - for whatever reason, they think they're a smidge off premiership contention with their aging 30+ year olds still the core of their team, so why not continue to top up? i can't see it ending well... and saints have been quite clear that pick 1 is on the table, and boyd has been rumoured to be unhappy up north since january. it'd make sense, and give gws ANOTHER top pick. it's just ridic, really. there's also the story in the oz today that footscray are throwing a fortune at patton to get him to leave.

Wright loves a physical contest. He has a massive frame too. My big concern is how's he going to go against men rather than boys?

I think the thing is, getting a rare tall talent is harder than 'fixing' the midfield. Look at this year - astute trading netted us Tyson and Vince who were able to improve our midfield from the get go. Whereas we had no one to replace Hogan and Clark, other than taking ostensibly out best defender and turning him into (I believe) our most effective forward. Perhaps that's why Wright appeals - someone who is capable of playing key forward and going into the ruck is pretty rare. And he has a lovely kick on him. That being said, our midfield is just so lacking in skill and speed...

Hahaha.

Ahern too. Both he and Laverde are tipped to be late first rounders at this stage - would expect them to tighten to top 10 a la Salem and Freeman. Goddard and Lamb slipping big time.

Cal Twomey reckons Petracca is firming as #1 selection.

Brilliant thread.

Gotta pick up players who can use the ball. We need to nail our late picks too - too often of late they've been good battlers but lacking in required ability to use the ball. The general feeling seems to be that this draft is a bit light on, in terms of quality of players and depth?

has produced a fair few decent players.

fwiw, i don't think either brayshaw or petracca are in cotchin or martin's class.

Brayshaw is more Trent Cotchin, Petracca is more Neck Tatts.

And how do you propose doing that hogan? Magic beans?

i expect gws to pick petracca. we'll be quite happy with brayshaw i expect.

i think it'll all come down to what's on offer as well. whilst if we do get the double-dip of chip leaving and we might look to trade it, offers might not appeal - for instance, i wouldn't want vickery and tigers' second round pick, which they would probably consider 'fair' value. ellis and tigers' second round pick on the other hand...

Harrison Wigg from SA will likely be in that 15-25 group. Classy left footer.

No way GC will give up their Superboot.

I asked my bombers-supporting buddy whether, given our record over the last eight years, we deserved a pp. Even she, who thinks Hird has done nothing wrong and the bombers are doing the right thing by the competition fighting those scurrilous charges of taking peds, agrees that we probably DO! However, we both agreed that the next club to actually get a pp would be one of Brisbane, gc17, gws or the swans. Northern markets, after all, require protection!

No dramas with Sydney having access to Heeney. It's like a father-son selection, ultimately, and they've invested big time in their academy (save for reducing Roos' pay packet by three-quarters - which worked out well for us!). He's probably the best mid in the draft and they'll get him for a late first rounder. We got Viney for a second rounder, Daniher cost a mid 1st round, Moore will likely go to Pies for a late first round. Swings and roundabouts.

Yes, probably, but I expect we will finish above gws in the long run, and they'll pick him.