BLWNBA

Just had a look at this online, magnificent guernsey!

There's some nervous energy today and frankly, I feel like a young child on Christmas morning. I have a list of wants but I'm not sure exactly what I'll be receiving. I've posted about this a couple of times before, but in my own (nuffie) opinion, I really think we should be taking two midfielders. Yes, the forward line is still a concern and frankly, it appears to be something reminiscent of a haphazard construction site for the most part, but we have a very, very good opportunity to get some high level midfield talent and set us up for the next decade. We've lost Lachie Hunter, ANB, Gus and Jordon; while I wouldn't contend that any of them were full-time / staring mids over the course of the last 24 months, they all added to our midfield rotation and provided impetus when required. Moving onto Oliver and Petracca, we don't exactly know where they'll be in 12 months time, both from an on-field perspective and from an output perspective (personally, I'm confident Oliver will be a the Dees as it stands; I'm no where near as certain on Petracca). Even assuming that both the aforementioned are with the Dees and have returned to their lofty levels, Petracca will be 29 before the season starts, Oliver 28 mid way through the season, and Viney 31 in April. While we'll still get some good football out of each of them, we really don't have the 'next wave' coming through like we need. As noted earlier, I can understand some of the angst around the forward and I agree some of it is warranted. But, and this is where I'm leaning on how I think the Club partially views things, is that we have a young brigade coming through the forward ranks that are capable of delivering, in time. JvR, Turner and Petty (although I note he's reportedly been training with the backs), along with Jefferson waiting in the wings, are likely viewed as viable options to take us forward. None of this is ground-breaking and I'm not pertaining to have some level of granular insight in the microcosm of our list, just how I see things and I think we'd be very remiss remiss to not take the best two mids available.

That's my understanding mate. Lot of reporting coming through that Tigers will have plenty of offers for those later picks too, given that there's likely going to be a few sliders this year and depth of the first round is deep. Tigers are in great position this year to get very creative.

Wouldn't be against this as I expect that we can still get a very, very good player with one of their later picks. I think it likely comes down to how much we rate Allan and if we're of the opinion that he won't be there at Pick 9, and we're set on using Pick 5 elsewhere, it makes a fair bit of sense. Of course, the other side of the coin is that Richmond would likely need to be spooked into thinking that Allan could go to us at 5, otherwise surely they'd just use 6 on him?

Tigers are looking to trade lower down the draft order to get Allan.

Yeah, I don’t give much credence to this by The WA.

According to The West Australian: 6. Melbourne – Josh Smillie (Eastern Rangers/Vic Metro) Midfielder, 195cm A massive midfielder who was dominant in the early part of the season and was linked to the No.1 pick. Can play forward as well given his height. 11. Melbourne – Alix Tauru (Gippsland Power/Vic Country) Key Defender, 193cm One of the bolters who could well end up in the top-10, Tauru is a strong athlete who could be a great long-term replacement for star Steven May.

Very fair point and in all likelihood, that's where all this hangs in the balance.

Smith and his family attended the club last week and met with club officials and past players, this was more than just due diligence IMO and from what I've heard is beyond the interaction we've had with other potential draftees. I understand that it's increasingly unlikely that he'll be there at Pick 5 (6), but he is still the number one priority if he's available.

Very true, especially if Smith is also off the board.

It's hard to say and I know that will sound like I'm sitting on fence, but I just think this is the most uncertain first round in recent memory and there's so much dependent on who is taken in the preceding picks. I'd say Lindsay and Reid would be the likely picks IMO and based on what I'm hearing.

There's every chance Bo goes to Richmond at Pick 6, noting their interest and the almost universal belief that Smillie will be available to them at Pick 10.

Reportedly the club met with Lindsay late last week. Unsure of the nature of the meeting and potentially just likely some due diligence, though this accords the reported interest in Lindsay at Pick 9.

We were left unimpressed by a couple of the meetings which occurred between Armstrong and the club. Unsure if there were other complications, such as testing results etc.

To be fair, I’m not sure that Riv will ever be a full time mid. I think this is somewhat overstated on ‘land.

Curious on what your knock on Lanford is? As noted in a pervious post, I haven't really paid much attention to the U18 comps over the past 2 - 3 seasons, so would value your insight. From his highlights / bios and bio-data, he seems an attractive prospect - but happy to divert to those with more knowledge.

Honestly, I can't really speak with enough nuance on this as I haven't seen a lot of either of them IRL and over the past couple of seasons I haven't paid a lot of attention to the U18s. Personally, I really like Langford and I think he has a nice point-of-difference to our current mid-set up. I'm a big advocate for proven bottom-agers in the U18 context too. In addition, I'm of the (strong) opinion we should be taking the two best available mids with our two picks, so if we were able to get say a Smith / Langford / Reid (two of) through, I would be over the moon.

Yep agree on this and Langford and Smith are the most likely picks IMO, pending availability. It's difficult and it seems to be one of the most uncertain years in recent memory. Cal Twomey is also on the money that we won't be taking Armstrong.

FWIW: - Priority is still Smith, though it seems that he may not be available come our first pick. I'd suggest it's safe to say if here's there, his name will be called by Melbourne. Langford / Lalor / Tauru are in the mix for Pick 5 pending Smith being selected. - Murphy Reid in the mix for Pick 9.

Was this on SEN mate? Keen to have a listen if it was.

Apologies for the delay mate, been seemingly getting busier and busier over the past few weeks. Personal opinion based on a few things I've heard. Similar to @picket fence I've also heard that Melbourne are under the belief that Smith will now go at four, no reason to doubt it - but when you're dealing with so many variables and relying on precursor picks it can be hard to reliably judge. I'll be keen to see what Cal Twomey has in his Phantom Draft.

Interesting 🤔

Smith to Adelaide at #4, Langford to Melbourne at Pick 5. Lock it in.

It's definitely still a concern. Particularly noting many of the observations emanating from the club this year regarding Jefferson's disposition and readiness to play senior football. Whilst it's a welcome insight that physically he's seemingly put in the effort over the past 12 months to get where he's at, I wouldn't be hanging my hat on the idea that he'll be changing the dynamic of the forward or playing senior football, as it stands. It's absolutely a 'watch this space' dynamic, as it stands.