Demon Disciple

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)!!!

We have been crying out for a decent stay at home forward. Sure our game plan is attack from the backline, but too often we slow our transition up between HB and the centre because there is no one in the forward line (we are sometimes too quick for our own good). This is where Robbo would have been fantastic, as he pretty much refused to leave the forward 50. Hale would provide a tall target with half decent hands (automatically goes above PJ), a big body for contests - where if it isn't marked, he'll atleast force the ball to ground and he's a physical big body. So long as we don't give up more than our 2nd round pick, i would be happy to have him come to the Dees. Would we still draft a KPF this draft @ 12??? I think so, given it takes a while for the big fellas to come on. Hale could help us get into the finals, Our KPF at 12 could help us win a premiership. Small steps, but progress will be made.

I understand where you're coming from Jungle Dee. Bate has been pushed down the pecking order this year. The problem with him is that he is as inconsistent now as he was the day he first walked into the club. People forget that he was drafted a year after Sylvia. Had Sylvia not pulled his finger out in '09 & '10 people would have been demanding him to be traded. Bate should be treated no differently. He seems lazy, is extremely slow in terms of both pace and in the head, was rarely sighted taking an overhead mark this year, has poor awareness and the turning circle of Queen Mary 2. When he is on though (which is rarer than a full moon) he can dominate a game. He needs to have a bloody good year next year (for a full year), or his name should be put on the trade table.

If we give up our 1st rounder (even if we swap 1st round picks with the Kangaroos) i will not be happy. North can go forth and multiply as far as i'm concerned. They demand a mid 20's pick (end of 1st round) for a player they barely played this year. GTFO North. If this is the case, then North should be paying all of his contract. GC can have him if that's their asking price. Would be happy to give up a 2nd round pick, but not swap of 1st rounder, we could get a slider, or at worst, a very good KPF.