Demon Disciple

Atley, Caddy and Lynch yes, Smedts and Harper no. My reasoning is that we have plenty of HFF so no need for Harper, and Smedts only averaged 12 disposal at u18 championship (Darling averaged more), plus he's a player of many positions master of none. I'd love him at pick 33, but that won't happen. Of that list i'd love Atley, he has great disposal, strong player, great disposal, plays both inside and out and is great defensively. He would be great coming out of the back line. If we were to draft Atley @ 12 and Mitchell @33 i would be rather happy. If Atley is gone, i'd take the risk of Darling @12, because he'd offer something our forward line has been missing (minus Jurrah), offensive pressure, plus the big body (physically) will help greatly.

I'd prefer Darling in our forward line over Anthony any day of the week. Darling would bring what Anthony lacks - forward pressure. As rightly pointed out in another thread, we will be committed to taking Viney in the 2012 draft with our first pick. Quality talls are bloody tough to find, even more so in the later rounds of the draft. We will only have 2010 and 2011 to find a quality tall, because if we wait until 2013 to draft one, it will be too late. It takes a good 3-4 years for a KPF to really hit their straps in AFL. By 2017, we could have missed the boat with the likes of Davey, Green, Russian, etc either retired or coming into the twilight of their careers. Good midfielders and HBF are a dime a dozen, Quality KPP's are not. As the saying goes - a quality tall over a quality small. We need to make acquiring a KPF our main target over the next 2 years and i doubt we are going to be able to poach a quality forward already in the system.

I'm a little confused. Why wouldn't we be able to use another pick in the ND??? Yesterday was list-lodgement 1, there are 3 list lodgements. So again, how are we not allowed to use an extra pick in the ND???

Along with pick 12, players that we haven't seen much of, but have been with us for a couple of years, should really help lift our club. Players like Blease, Gysberts, Strauss, Tapscott and possibly Maric (will he come good???) will make our team look so much better. Then there's pick 12 and possibly pick 33 that could become good players too (particularly pick 12). We still have so much youth that is supposed quality yet to have a decent run in the seniors, one can't help but get excited with the improvement that will come.

the article states that Prendergast thought that the clear top 3 were Watts, Natanui and Rich. The first 2 at the time were understandable, but he got it wrong with the Rich/Hill pick. Lucky for Freo, they got it right.

Neither is Billie Smedts, going on his u18 carnival form. I'd rather a Brodie Smith or a mid that fell, over a Harper or Smedts. But i'd love a KPF most of all.

I seriously doubt they will take Darling @ 4. Best available. Worsfold states here, that they'll take best available. At pick 4 Darling isn't it and won't be it. He will probably be there at pick 12. Agree with you John, he is exactly what we are looking for, 195 or not 195 it doesn't matter, he plays tall and applies fantastic forward pressure, plus when he makes a contest he will at least bring the ball to ground plus go after it on the deck (he will play 2 roles in our forward line - a tall and a crumber). Plus he's hungry, desperate for the contest, something our forward line is missing and craving. He has the frame to become really solid, if he isn't already and that will more than make up for his "lack of height". Jack Darling come on down (we could do much worse). Lynch will be gone, he has huge upside, but with that comes greater risk. At least with Darling we know what we will be getting. He can bring his mate Jamie Cripps over too, he would fit nicely on a HBF (but i doubt he will be there come our 2nd pick).

The journalist obviously has little idea of what's going on. He talks about Darling at 4 IF GC overlook him. Well it's common knowledge that they're going to select Swallow, Bennell and Day @ 1,2,3.

Yeah, should clarify. I meant Atley/Smith @ pick 12, and draft Mitchell @ 32.

With picks 12 & 32, i reckon we will draft either a tall forward & HBF, or visa versa. A Darling/Lynch & a HBF who drops, or a Smedts/Atley/Smith & Mitchell. Then i reckon we will draft another KPF/ ruckman @ 49 & 52. Maybe a Sinclair. I would love to get Darling, but i'd equally love to draft an Atley/Smith & Mitchell (if his shoulder can stand the rigours of AFL). Probably moreso the latter, as it will address 2 key areas for improvement.

Ok, what about for those whose dreams of playing AFL don't come true??? Years of development and commitment for nothing. I wouldn't want that to happen to me then worry about exams.

The draft is held mid-late november, so that the kids can complete their year 12 exams.

I'm sorry to say, but at this stage Spencer makes Mark Blake look like an AA ruckman. I know he is rather new to the game and raw (being from Queensland and all), but one cannot help but think that part of the reason (if not all of the reason) that he was drafted, is because he is over 200cm tall. Spencer to this stage, has not shown any signs that he will make it as an AFL player. I know he was drafted as a rookie and is tall, but nevertheless, i would have liked to have seen something from him by now (at least 1 quarter of acceptable football). He has been on our list for 3 years now. Once the ball hits the deck, we only seem to have 17 players on the ground, when Spencer is rucking. Harsh, but fair view IMHO. In the words of John Kennedy "Do something" Jake, "do". My patience is wearing thin.

Tell me about it. The guy likes sex......................stop the presses

Right you are HT. Bate can't take an overhead mark to save himself, and you'll never see the words Bate and agility used in the same sentence (apart from this one). Bate is more a lead up forward, Darling, who can lead up, is a much better stay at home forward. They may have similar height's and weights, but the way they play is world's apart IMO.

If he has recovered well from his head injury, i would love to get him to the club. He crashes and bashes, kicks a long ball, takes a great contested grab, and puts on defensive pressure that is rare for a big man. Good on him if he has a swagger, gotta love the self-confidence. I'd much rather a "yes i can" attitude as opposed to a "no i can't" one.

If i was Cale Morton i would be getting very worried. At the rate that we are getting players from the late 80's back to the club, it wouldn't surprise me to see one Robbie Flower running round the 'G, down the members wing come round 1 next season!!!

I wouldn't mind a Pavlich type!!!

Put it this way, if Darling does not make it, it won't be because of a lack of effort. He's a real goer who can get the ball as much as he can physically impose himself on a game (that's a fair bit for those who don't know). He plays with confidence because he believes in his ability. He knows his strengths and looks to take advantage of them. He also thinks he's a good footballer, good on him, self-confidence is probably the greatest thing a footballer can have (look at Travis Cloke and his lack of confidence in front of goal). He's also a teenager, and what do they do most of the time...............well yeah. Maybe leaving WA would be good for him. The only thing that would hold him back, would be his bruising of the brain and how he recovers. His height will not be an issue for a KPF, he has the body, attitude, aggression and determination that will see him become a quality KPF. One that can take a great contested grab, kick a long ball and applies fantastic forward pressure. His hunger and desire alone, would make me want to pick him. We already have our tall, versatile, athletic CHF in Jack Watts. A strong brut that will physically impose himself on games when adjusted to AFL football would complement Jack immensely. Look at Riewoldt and Kosi. Watts will hopefully become a Riewoldt type lead up forward. Darling could be the Brutish FF, similar to Kosi (similar style, not consistency). It just goes to show that height doesn't necessarily mean a good KPF. I would gladly take Darling @12 if he is there. We are at the other side of 'bottoming out' and i feel we can and should target players we need. Best available is great, but look at Carlton. They needed another key forward last year and that's where they fell down in the elimination final against Sydney.

Serves them bloody well right for trying to pull a sneaky on us. Plus there is no love for the crows from the MFC. We will not easily forget that practice match in Elizabeth earlier this year, where they went out to deliberately injure some of our key players. Stick the knife in Dees.

I can't see him playing as a KPF or KPB in the AFL. I see him as a HBF or mid, that's 2 by my count, unless you're including 'ruck' as well.

Not to mention that he is Jurrah's mentor around the club. Take him away and how would Jurrah cope??? I don't want to find out. He is as equally valuable for what he provides for Jurrah and what he gives on the field.

Is that you Chris???

You claim that it will free up Grimes, but why do that. It is well known that we attack from the half back line. Grimes is absolute quality and along with Chip sets up the greater percentage of our attacks. Why take him out when he is so damaging? He just needs to clear up some of his turnovers (which because he is in the backline, can be really costly), but he has only played 26 games. There is a tonne of development and improvement left in him , it's scary what he could become. Keep him where he will be most dangerous.

Not true, cutter. He could always change it to Dee-lusional (it would be a much better fit)!!!