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Scouting Notes 30/10/2025 "The true bolter of this year's class, this powerfully-built utility looks ready to light up the AFL. Club Eastern Ranges / Rowville State VIC Height 192cm DOB 4/10/07 Clean Hands / Kicking / Overhead Marking / Versatility One of the biggest draft bolters in years, Robey surged from relative obscurity after his performances for the Eastern Ranges in the second half of the Coates Talent League season. Cut by the Dandenong Stingrays as an under-16 player, he had a sizeable growth spurt over the past two years - adding 17cm - and returned to the pathway programs to play a trial match for the Ranges in pre-season. Robey was told to go back to local club Rowville where he played under-19s, before being called back by the Ranges in the middle of the year. After impressing on the training track, he earned a round 12 debut and kicked two goals from 13 disposals as a forward. Robey kicked six goals across his first three games before being thrust into the midfield in a wildcard round game against the Western Jets, where Robey racked up 40 disposals, five clearances, 11 score involvements and kicked three goals. He also starred in the Grand Final in September, kicking four goals from 13 disposals and five marks playing mostly in attack - with a crack in his collarbone which he carried through the finals series. Robey is clean with ball in hand – including at ground level – can take a strong mark in the air, leads well, is a lovely kick, has power in his game and covers the ground well. While he is a handy forward, he is seen as a player who could develop into a modern-day big-bodied AFL midfielder when he gets into a full-time football environment. 2025 Coates League 108 ranking points, 19.7 disposals, 6.2 marks, 0.7 contested marks, 2 clearances, 4.7 inside 50s, 7 score involvements, 2 goals, 0.8 score assists, 2.7 tackles (9 games)"

Scouting Notes 30/10/2025 "The best small forward in this year’s draft pool, Dovaston has often made a hard position look easy. Club Eastern Ranges / Blackburn State VIC Height 178cm DOB 29/05/2007 Scoreboard Impact / X Factor / Pressure / Endurance A creative small forward, there’s definitely a little bit of Nick Watson about Dovaston. He hit the scoreboard on a consistent basis across different programs this year, including in the Coates Talent League and with Vic Metro. Dovaston had a standout game for the Eastern Ranges in round 11, booting five goals from 20 disposals. He went on to lead Vic Metro’s goalkicking at the under-18 national championships with nine majors from four games, highlighted by an 18-disposal and four-goal performance against the Allies. Applying good forward pressure is the key to his game, while he also works hard up the ground to get involved, has great agility and forward craft, can hit the scoreboard in different ways and sets up teammates in better positions inside the forward arc. Dovaston played a key role in the Ranges’ premiership this year and kicked two goals from 24 disposals as one of his side’s best players in the Grand Final win over the Sandringham Dragons in September. The performance saw him finish the season with 38 goals from 16 games in the Coates Talent League – the second-most of any player in the competition. Dovaston was named in a forward pocket in the under-18 All-Australian team and earned a spot in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. He also made a VFL debut for Box Hill in round 20, gathering 18 disposals and kicking 1.3. At the national draft combine in October, Dovaston excited as he finished first in the agility test (7.794 sec) and equal-fourth in both the standing vertical jump (74cm) and running vertical jump (89cm) tests. 2025 Coates League 114 ranking points, 16.1 disposals, 2.3 marks, 5 tackles, 6.9 score involvements, 2.4 goals, 1.1 score assists (16 games) 2025 VFL 78 ranking points, 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 7 score involvements, 1 goal, 3 behinds, 3 score assists (1 game) 2025 National Champs 94 ranking points, 12.8 disposals, 2 marks, 3.5 tackles, 5.5 score involvements, 2.3 goals (4 games)"

Scouting Notes 30/10/2025 "A rebounding defender who uses the ball beautifully, Farrow jumped up during the national championships. Club West Perth / Joondalup Kinross State WA Height 188cm DOB 21/09/2007 Kicking / Run & Carry / Intercepting / 1 on 1 Defending A classy halfback, Farrow has been linked to AFL stars Hayden Young and Jordan Dawson. Like those two players, he is a beautiful kick who went at 86.8 per cent kicking efficiency during his under-18 national championships campaign with Western Australia. Farrow is also a strong-bodied player who can take a nice intercept mark, makes good decisions, is composed under pressure and can provide some run and rebound when he does win possession. He was trialed through the midfield in Western Australia’s first two games, before returning to his natural position in defence and racking up 29 disposals and 803 metres gained in the side’s third game against the Allies. Farrow was named in a back pocket in the under-18 All-Australian team, before returning to West Perth where he has impressed at senior level in the WAFL. In a round 16 loss to East Perth, Farrow racked up 22 disposals, nine marks and six rebound 50s. He also had some big games in the Colts across the year and spent time as an inside midfielder late in the season. Farrow finished seventh in the agility test at the national draft combine in October, stopping the clock at 8.034 sec. 2025 WAFL Colts 132 ranking points, 24.7 disposals, 5.4 marks, 4.2 intercept possessions, 3.2 rebound 50s, 4.4 tackles, 0.6 spoils (9 games) 2025 WAFL 93 ranking points, 17.7 disposals, 5.3 marks, 6 intercept possessions, 3.7 rebound 50s, 3.7 tackles, 0.7 spoils (3 games) 2025 National Champs 108 ranking points, 19 disposals, 4.8 marks, 1.8 intercept marks, 4.5 rebound 50s, 3 score involvements, 3.5 tackles (4 games)"

Scouting Notes 30/10/2025 "A South Australian with Rory Sloane comparisons, Cumming is a genuine workhorse who has starred across different levels this year Club North Adelaide / Wentworth State SA Height 184cm DOB 27/07/2007 Speed / Power / Leadership / Scoreboard Impact A tough and fierce competitor who has been likened to former Adelaide champion Rory Sloane, Cumming also brings power, speed and plenty of class. A vice-captain of South Australia at this year’s under-18 national championships, Cumming spent time rotating between onball and forward roles and performed well in both with his enormous workrate and appetite for the contest. He kicked goals in three of his side’s four matches, including two majors in one quarter against Vic Metro. The performances saw him named across half-forward in the under-18 All-Australian side. Cumming had won the SANFL under-18s MVP award as a bottom-age player with North Adelaide last year and was also dominant in the early rounds this season. He went on to feature at senior level in the SANFL in the second half of the year and starred with 21 disposals, five clearances and three goals in a round 13 clash against South Adelaide. His season ended early, though, due to a shoulder injury. Cumming is originally from Wentworth in New South Wales but moved to Adelaide for school. 2025 SANFL 67 ranking points, 12.8 disposals, 5 contested possessions, 2.8 marks, 3 clearances, 2.8 inside-50s, 3 tackles, 2.5 score involvements, 0.8 goals, 0.3 score assists (4 games) 2025 SANFL U18s 144 ranking points, 24.2 disposals, 13.2 contested possessions, 3.4 marks, 3.4 clearances, 5.6 inside-50s, 1.6 tackles, 6.8 score involvements, 1.6 goals, 1.6 score assists (5 games) 2025 National Champs 89 ranking points, 17 disposals, 1.3 clearances, 3.3 inside-50s, 4.5 score involvements, 1.0 goals, 0.8 score assists, 3.3 tackles (4 games)"

Scouting Notes 30/10/2025 "The best kick in the draft class, Lindsay’s laser-like left boot makes him a valuable commodity in the modern game. Club Geelong Falcons / Newtown & Chilwell State VIC Height 183cm DOB 07/04/2007 Kicking / Run & Carry / Leadership / Ball Winning Lindsay is a very skillful playmaker with a kicking weapon who has shown he can stand up in big games. The Geelong Falcons product's elite kicking was on show in his two medal-winning performances — one as a wingman in the under-17 Futures game last September and the second in defence in the second AFL Academy game against Coburg in April. Lindsay was also an All-Australian at the national championships as Vic Country’s captain and designated kicker out of defence, with his ball-use, run and carry and composure standing out. The Newtown & Chilwell prospect has played most of his pathways football as a distributing defender, but also pushed into the midfield this season with the Geelong Falcons and Geelong Grammar and was able to impact. He was named across half back in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year. Lindsay looks up to Errol Gulden, who he draws similarities to with his left boot, and Scott Pendlebury. Lindsay has taken a leaf out of the Collingwood champion’s book with his ultra-dedicated approach – saving up $1400 for a pair of recovery boots. 2025 Coates League 106 ranking points, 20.5 disposals, 2.7 marks, 3.7 intercept possessions, 2.7 rebound 50s, 1.2 spoils, 3.5 tackles (6 games) 2025 National Champs 94 ranking points, 22.3 disposals, 76.4 per cent disposal efficiency, 3.8 marks, 3 rebound 50s, 4.8 intercept possessions, 0.5 spoils, 1.0 tackles (4 games)"

Scouting Notes 30/10/2025 "A speedster who can break the lines with his run, Grlj can impact off halfback or through the midfield. Club Oakleigh Chargers / Old Camberwell Grammarians State VIC Height 182cm DOB 26/07/2007 Speed / Power / Endurance / Run & Carry A player with excellent speed, power, endurance and a nice step, Grlj has some real AFL traits. He was solid during the under-18 national championships with Vic Metro, without having a breakout game. Grlj spent some time in the midfield but was mostly used across halfback, where he showed he could be an accountable defender and was able to break the lines with his run. The final match of the tournament against Vic Country was Grlj’s best as he gathered 17 disposals, including 12 kicks at 83.3 per cent efficiency. He also showed some clearance-winning ability through the midfield with the Chargers across the year, after being behind the likes of Jagga Smith, Finn O’Sullivan and Tom Gross in the pecking order during his bottom-age season in 2024. Grlj has drawn some comparisons to Geelong’s Max Holmes, particularly given his running power. He made an impressive VFL debut for Richmond in round 19, showing composure and providing some run off halfback as he gathered 18 disposals, six marks and five tackles. That was the first of two strong VFL appearances before Grlj returned to Oakleigh to see out the season. Grlj put his elite running abilities on show during the national draft combine in October, finishing second in the 2km time trial in 5 min 59 sec and placing ninth in the 20m sprint with a time of 2.926 sec. 2025 Coates League 108 ranking points, 20.3 disposals, 2.7 marks, 3.9 clearances, 2.9 inside 50s, 5 tackles, 5 score involvements, 0.7 goals, 0.7 score assists (7 games) 2025 VFL 96 ranking points, 16.5 disposals, 4 marks, 4 intercept possessions, 5 rebound 50s, 4 tackles, 3 score involvements (2 games) 2025 National Champs 73 ranking points, 17 disposals, 2.5 marks, 1.5 rebound 50s, 3 score involvements, 0.3 goals, 1.8 tackles (4 games)."

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Zero chance Robey is available at 9. That's the stuff of absolute fantasists, even with the bids in the top 6 or so.

Lindsay looks good. He's certainly a player I'd be happy with he was available with our picks. I think he would have the ability to augment our backline in a meaningful way and would be supplemental to Bowey, if JL continued to develop as a defender. From his footage he certainly seems to be that 'distributor' type player who can push up the ground and work-in with transition play. I will say, immediately from the footage that it looked like he could replace Salem. Also, he seemed to be more willing to take risker options with some flare, whilst still hitting targets; he definitely didn't seem to merely take part in stagnated distribution across the D50 arc. I guess the knock on him is his lack of contested work. His draft profile was pretty spot on according to the footage I've seen (albeit, limited footage), but I feel that the CTL and National Championships don't always accord themselves to a great deal of contested footy and two way running, in the same way that we see at the AFL level. I'm not entirely dismissing these noted weaknesses, but I probably lean towards this side of the game being able to be moulded on an AFL list and within an AFL system. I think he ticks a lot of boxes for us, particularly with his kicking and ability to transition the footy which are areas we've been relatively deficient in post 2021.

I'm fairly agnostic on whether we should look to trade up in order to obtain Robey, or if we should take both picks to the draft. Taking both would help us address our needs in multiple areas, but Robey probably looks a slight cut above some of the other potential top draftees. If we're taking both 7&8 to the draft, Grlj would be one of the players I'd take, provided he's on the board at that stage. He has a beautiful kick, moves well and would add polish to a side which is significantly lacking ball use and spread. Hibbins-Hargreaves would be the other player I'd take, some very nice x-factor and good athletic traits. I know some may be put off by virtue of his role as a utility, rather than having a defined role, but I could see him adding to our ball movement and F50 finishing in a tangible manner. I really like Xavier Taylor, but he's probably competing for a spot in a list area where we're already pretty stacked. I'm with @Bombay Airconditioning , I'm not sold on Dovaston. Admittedly I've only seen recorded footage of him, so this will likely lack nuance but I'm not particularly enamoured by his ball use or marking and for the most part, I am somewhat sceptical about using high picks on small forwards (cf. Murphy Reid / Pickett). For mine, nothing really stands out about him and I wasn't sold on what I saw. Though if we do pick him up I won't be tearing the place down, but I doubt he'll be able to fix his kicking. Very few average / poor kicks come into the league and tangibly improve. I'm really hoping Pickett will be there with our Pick 37 too. If Robey was available, of course he'd be the player I'd take at 7, hands down. But there's little chance he'll be available.

Personally I don't see May featuring in R1, like some have suggested.

It speaks volumes to how untennable Oliver's position is at the MFC. We want him gone at all costs and are essentially paying someone to take him. There is no Option B of Oliver being at the Club next year.

Yeah, depending on the price I've slightly come around to this. Although, I'm not sure he really improves us on-field so you're effectively bringing him in for 'character' reasons.

Like many things in the AFL landscape with reference to player movement etc, it's self-governing. It won't happen and in fact, the current changes are likely to make it even more self-regulating given you can now only match a bit with two picks, plus discount being reduced to 10%. If a player is projected and ranked to go at Pick 60, no club would match a first round bid and that leaves the bidder to burn a draft selection.

No, off the top of my head this hasn't happened. It is also a massive risk to the bidding club that another club wouldn't match it and they'll burn a pick.

I posted specifically about this in the Florent thread, but he was identified by Melbourne as a potential target of interest for us earlier in the year. No clue on whether that was enduring, fleeting, or more of a scenario based interest; but given we've publicly said we are after another midfielder if the right player is available, I wonder if we may turn out head towards him?

Most likely Fourth Round plus, he's not ranked in the top 50 prospects for this draft. Aware this is a pretty broad answer, suspect there's a few on here who will be able to give a more nuanced answer.

Same with Oliver, but we had Goodwin in self-preservation mode and President who lacked foresight. Not too mention a divided board that didn't help.

Because we want Petracca out, they don't want BH out. It's no different from last year when we didn't release Oliver despite his desire to get to Geelong.

Can you say that again?

You don't think it's merely indicative of just how much we want Petracca and Oliver out of the club?

Exactly how I see it too. Very fair return for Petracca.

Very happy with 7 & 8 and look forward to seeing the final shuffling of the deck chairs. Ideally, I would've liked to have held onto 24 but I'll wait and see what the final outcome is prior to judgement. But as I said, very excited by this. We should still be able to get two very good players at 7 & 8 if we hold those selections.