MadAsHell

Wow! That's pretty big! Wonder who they'll send out to replace him? The all rounder Woakes, or will they go for another specialist batsman like Compton? I guess if Woakes replaces him, they can then play Pannesar as a 2nd spinner (bar the WACA of course). Bell to move up to 3 you'd think and Root to 5.

I've added footage/highlights for the players I was able to find some of. Spencer looked good for a KPD and I liked the look of Sokol as a mid/fwd option. Ainger looks a good prospect also despite already being 25.

FB: Garland, Frawley, Terlich HB: Grimes, McDonald, Vince C: Cross, Michie, Viney HF: Watts, Dawes, Evans FF: Hogan, Clark, Byrnes FOLL: Jamar, Tyson, N. Jones INT: Howe, Toumpas, Trengove SUB: Blease And out at Casey: FB: Dunn, Matthew Sully*, Clisby HB: Hunt, Pedersen, Strauss C: M. Jones, Reilly, Barry HF: Bail, Fitzpatrick, Kent FF: Spencer, Khan Haretuku*, Kennedy-Harris FOLL: Gawn, Salem, McKenzie INT: Josh Miller*, Nicholson, Ben Sokol*, Tapscott * Marks potential rookie selections.

Haha, always have been keeping the faith Macca, but even I'll admit I wasn't expecting that result in the manner in which it came! Coming into this series I always thought the GABBA & WACA were the most vital tests for us as the conditions would obviously suit us much more then England, and being the 1st & 3rd tests give us an opportunity to grab the advantage. Adelaide & Sydney would probably suit England more and Melbourne should provide the most even wicket. They've only started the drop in pitches this year due to AFL moving in next year and yeah the wickets have been flat. Shield game going on there at the moment and 11 of the 21 wickets to fall so far have gone to spinners, so I wouldn't be suprised to see England bring Panesar in for Tremlett. Whether that means they look to bring Chris Woakes in as the all rounder & third seamer at the expense of Trott and get Bell to bat at 3 I don't know, but spin will play a big part in Adelaide. And you're right I've got concerns for our quicks also, really want them to be fresh to go for Perth, and the last thing we'd like to see is a repeat of what happened against South Africa in Adelaide last year. Lehman's said if everyone's 100% then they'll play, which is the right attitude to take, I just have concerns over it that's all. As P-Man said we may need to look to Smith and possibly Warner to bowl some overs in order to give our quicks a rest when able. Don't want to see Harris getting injured, Siddle & Johnson hitting the wall and us having to go into the WACA with Hilfenhaus, Faulkner and a debutant in Coulter-Nile as our 3 quicks like we did lat year with Johnson, Starc & Hastings! Edit: Furthermore to my comment about keeping the faith, this win has been coming, since the 2nd Test in England at Lords we've actually been the better of the two teams. We were well on track at Old Trafford to pegging the series back to 1-2 until rain ruined our chances on the last day when we had them at 3-30odd. We were the better team in the 4th test and were crusiing to vistory until a spectcular batting collapse saw the end of that. We should have won that no more then about 4 down the way we were going. And again rain robbed us at The Oval. The only reason England got as close as they did was because of Clarke's early declaration to try and force a result. We had a very healthy first innings lead there, and if rain hadn't been a factor, we no doubt would have batted normally in our 2nd dig and set them 400 odd to win. And this also now marks 6 consecutive test matches where England have failed to reach 400 against our bolwers in any innings. It's a great credit to them that against a team with the likes of Cook, Pietersen, Bell, Tott, Prior and co that we've bene able to keep them sub 400 over 6 test matches, where as we've reached 400+ now on three occasions. All of them since that Lords test. The signs are good people!

The Adelaide test is vital. It will be a slower wicket with less pace and bounce which will suit England. If we can just make sure we don't loose and get a draw, it'll mean we can head to Perth where we never loose to England due to the even faster and bouncier wicket and be heading for a 2-0 lead with two tests to go. If Adelaide's a good batting wicket we should just bat, bat, bat and bat and if a draw comes that is almost as good as a win for us heading into Perth with a 1-0 lead!

So to put more detail into the players I think we should look at. Pick 2 being a KPD. Our best options are: Matthew Sully (VIC – KPD) Height: 195cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 15/10/1992 Recruited from: Geelong (VFL) Style: Player comparison: Kyle Hartigan Range: 35-rookie Profile: Good 1v1 defender who plays a strong shutdown role in the back half. He will consistently win his contests getting in the spoil every time or take the mark and has some real body on body strength. He’ll get the job done every week and he has stepped his game up again this year and is ready to take the next step. AFL ready despite his still relatively young age and can step in for a team immediately as a stopper down back. Fraser Fort (VIC – KPD) Height: 196cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 04/10/1995 Recruited from: Geelong Falcons Style: Player comparison: Range: 30-rookie Profile: Fort is one of the better key defenders in the TAC. He’s more your shutdown defender with some real athleticism with his pace and leap both above average. He has in the past also shown that he can play forward to a solid standard and present as a marking target but in a star studded Geelong Falcons team with McCartin and Goddard who both look like top 5 selections next year both as key forwards there is a pretty good reason why he hasn’t played forward as much this season. I see Fort settling as more of a defender with others more talented as forwards but he’ll need to continue to expand his game. He’s generally strong overhead and plays well down both ends of the field. or Alex Spencer (VIC – KPD) Height: 193cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 19/04/1995 Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Style: Player comparison: Range: 30 - undrafted Profile: Spencer is an athletic key defender with some versatility to his game. He has a strong 1v1 game and is a strong contested mark. Behind the play he reads the ball well and has a natural feel for when he can go and take an intercept mark. He also has the ability to play either a shutdown or rebounding role as required. He also isn’t afraid to take the game on with his run and carry or use it by foot as one of the better kicks at his size. He just doesn’t come with any flash to his game as a relatively unexciting key defender. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z004xm4hoYQ Pick 20, a ruckman: Darcy Cameron (WA – Ruck/KPF) Height: 203cm, Weight: 98kg, DOB: 18/07/1995 Recruited from: Claremont Style: Dean Cox Player comparison: Range: 30-rookie Profile: Cameron is one of the better ruckmen this year because he is not only an effective tap ruckman but because he can present as a target up forward and influence games in the front half with his clean hands overhead and ability to take marks, mark on the lead as well as convert from those opportunities. Cameron reads it well in the air and can also push back and take an intercept mark. He has some size on his frame already which is encouraging and he covers the ground reasonably well for a young tall. Josh Miller (SA – Ruck) Height: 204cm, Weight: 94kg, DOB: 07/01/1995 Recruited from: Glenelg Style: Player comparison: Range: Rookie - undrafted Profile: Miller is a tall ruckman who has shown some signs. His taps well directed. Good mover for his size. Relatively skilled for a tall ruckman. Just needs to become more dominant and add some more weapons to his game. Ben Mabon (VIC – Ruck) Height: 200cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 14/06/1992 Recruited from: North Melbourne Kangaroos Style: Player comparison: Range: Rookie - undrafted Profile: From North Ballarat, Ben Mabon is an athletic, running ruckman. With excellent work ethic and technique at stoppages, Mabon is always improving and frequently impressing at VFL level with the Roosters. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1UGGokC3ew Darcy Fort (VIC – Ruck) Height: 203cm, Weight: 90kg, DOB: 06/08/1993 Recruited from: Werribee Style: Player comparison: Range: Rookie - undrafted Profile: Mature ruckman overlooked last year. Has shown promise this year through the VFL. Still as with all young ruckman a work in progress. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ITQafsips or Fraser Thurlow (QLD – Ruck/KPF) Height: 199cm, Weight: 100kg, DOB: 06/01/1993 Recruited from: Labrador Style: Player comparison: Range: Rookie - undrafted Profile: Thurlow is a tall who can play forward or ruck. He’s a couple of years older and his body has matured well. Very strong mark overhead. Competitive in the ruck. Finds plenty of it around the ground. Pick 38, a midfielder who can push forward: James Harmes (VIC – Mid) Height: 184cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 05/10/1995 Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays Style: Player comparison: Range: Late - undrafted Profile: Harmes is an aggressive midfielder who inside the contest really attacks the ball hard on the inside and will go in for it. He’s got above average pace and can also at times push forward and take a mark. http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/591918/draft-prospect-james-harmes/ William Maginness (VIC – Mid/Fwd)Height: 182cm, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 13/01/1995 Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers Style: Player comparison: Range: 40 - undrafted Profile: Highly productive midfielder and a much improved player over this past year. Plays a good two way game and has a nice combination of ability inside and outside the contest. Maginness can win his own footy inside the contest, win the clearances and has some evasiveness and slipperiness to him inside the contest as a really smooth mover. But then outside the contest runs and spreads well. He has a light body but just about everything else. Ben Sokol (WA – Mid/Fwd) Height: 183cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 28/10/1995 Recruited from: South Fremantle Style: Dane Swan (early career) Player comparison: Range: 45-rookie Profile: Sokol is a strong marking forward who can really put his stamp on games. Sokol’s point of difference is his ability marking ability 1v1 up forward for a midfielder. He has Dane Swan type strength 1v1 where no guy can go with him as his strength is just so strong but then also has those strong hands to really take those grabs. He his age he has incredible size and strength. He’s also a very effective leadup marking target. Sokol’s endurance is also excellent for someone with such a strong body making him a hard player to go with and just seems to be one of those players who just knows how to find the footy easier than the next guy. He’s also an excellent finisher around goal. He seems to improve with every game and is a player as a midfield rotation type who can play up forward could be better than most think. http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/592066/draft-prospect-ben-sokol/ Thomas Shanahan (WA – Mid) Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 28/04/1995 Recruited from: East Perth Style: Player comparison: Range: 25-undrafted Profile: Shanahan is someone who has really made a case for selection with some incredibly impressive production. He’s winning his own footy inside the contest but also finding plenty of it outside and linking up well. He’s a strong tackler and plays a solid two way game. He’s got excellent endurance and runs all day. He tested well. He’s just not the most damaging user of the footy. http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/594386/draft-prospect-thomas-shanahan/ Jake Best (VIC – Mid/Fwd) Height: 182cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 20/10/89 Recruited from: Casey Scorpions Style: Player comparison: Range: Rookie - undrafted Profile: Best is a mature ager who has changed his focus from cricket to footy. He’s a strong marking medium midfielder/forward who can take it on the lead and in the air. or Chris Cain (VIC – Mid/Fwd) Height: 181cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 14/07/1987 Recruited from: Port Melbourne Style: Player comparison: Sam Dywer Range: late/rookie Profile: Cain has been one of the better performed players in the VFL these past few seasons and seems finally hot on the radar of clubs this season. Cain is a midfielder with a nice skill set but also strong hands overhead allowing him to be a marking threat when he pushes forward. Athletically he’s above average with a nice combination of pace and endurance at his disposal. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sH6qP-x7l84 Pick 56, a mature age KPF: Mitch Thorp (TAS – Fwd/KPF) Height: 194cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 25/12/1988 Recruited from: South Launceston Style: Jarrad Grant Player comparison: Range: 30-rookie Profile: Thorp is someone who has taken longer than first hoped to develop and mature but he has finally matured this season back home in Tasmania as captain and coach of his club. He’s helped the youth at his club develop and he helped his team to a premiership so he’s the type of person that you want to bring into your club. Thorp is not the key forward he is being advertised as but plays more as a tall half forward with a strong running game and above average marking ability by position. In saying that he’s finding plenty of the footy, taking plenty of marks and hitting the scoreboard as his 78 goals from 20 games suggests. You don’t want him to be the primary target in your front half but he’s someone who could play a part as a 2nd or 3rd target in a forward half. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnEO77lReBg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWl_n6BcyPs Khan Haretuku (VIC – KPF/KPD) Height: 198cm, Weight: 98kg, DOB: 19/10/1989 Recruited from: Frankston Dolphins Style: Player comparison: Range: 30-rookie Profile: ONCE on St Kilda’s rookie list, Haretuku has since made it his own pledge to prove his former club wrong. His former coach Ross Lyon sat him down in his office and told him that he was not good enough for AFL level. It hurt him deeply but soon got back on the track at the Dolphins and has added new strings to his bow under coach Simon Goosey. Not only does he play deep in attack, he has found confidence around centre half forward and further up the ground. Haretuku has the makings of an AFL career and Goosey knows it. He has spruiked his talent to most clubs and knows that one club will get him during the rookie draft. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNKH4yoQpp8 Andrew Ainger (SA – KPF) Height: 197cm, Weight: 96kg, DOB: ? (25 years old) Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens Eagles Style: Player comparison: Range: rookie Profile: Key position big bodied forward who had a breakout year in the SANFL in 2013, kicking more then 50 goals. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpGMqud1wBA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayBgXb3f1Jw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9z7u9vtEoU Aaron Cornelius (Tas via Qld – KPF) Height: 192cm, Weight: 88kg, DOB: 29/05/1990 Recruited from: Brisbane Lions Style: Range: rookie Profile: Aaron Cornelius was recruited from Tasmania as a promising forward who is strong on the lead and has very clean hands. He reads the play very well and has the tools to be an exciting key forward prospect for any club willing to give him a second chance. Kicked 35 goals in 25 games for the Lions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c37Ki9eDZdU Edit: Added footage.

In honour of the 50 year anniversary of the assasination of JFK today, I move that Jay Kennedy-Harris' nickname from this day be: JHK Just switching the K and the H around.

This is the only real info I could find on Sully, and seeing as we missed out on Giles (Carlton taking him at Pick 39!) he may well be worth a punt if still there at Pick 2 in the Rookie Draft. Matthew Sully (VIC KPD) Height: 195cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 15/10/1992 Recruited from: Geelong (VFL) Style: Player comparison: Kyle Hartigan Range: 35-rookie Profile: Good 1v1 defender who plays a strong shutdown role in the back half. He will consistently win his contests getting in the spoil every time or take the mark and has some real body on body strength. Hell get the job done every week and he has stepped his game up again this year and is ready to take the next step. AFL ready despite his still relatively young age and can step in for a team immediately as a stopper down back. If he's already gone, I think out next two best options for a Key defenders post are Fraser Fort and Alex Spencer as listed below. I actually like the sound of Spencer, and he's from Sandringham Dragons which seems to be our flavour of the month at the moment. Fraser Fort (VIC KPD) Height: 196cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 04/10/1995 Recruited from: Geelong Falcons Style: Player comparison: Range: 30-rookie Profile: Fort is one of the better key defenders in the TAC. Hes more your shutdown defender with some real athleticism with his pace and leap both above average. He has in the past also shown that he can play forward to a solid standard and present as a marking target but in a star studded Geelong Falcons team with McCartin and Goddard who both look like top 5 selections next year both as key forwards there is a pretty good reason why he hasnt played forward as much this season. I see Fort settling as more of a defender with others more talented as forwards but hell need to continue to expand his game. Hes generally strong overhead and plays well down both ends of the field. Alex Spencer (VIC KPD) Height: 193cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 19/04/1995 Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Style: Player comparison: Range: 30 - undrafted Profile: Spencer is an athletic key defender with some versatility to his game. He has a strong 1v1 game and is a strong contested mark. Behind the play he reads the ball well and has a natural feel for when he can go and take an intercept mark. He also has the ability to play either a shutdown or rebounding role as required. He also isnt afraid to take the game on with his run and carry or use it by foot as one of the better kicks at his size. He just doesnt come with any flash to his game as a relatively unexciting key defender.

Pick 2 a KPD: Alex Spencer (Sandringham Dragons), Fraser Fort (Geelong Falcons) or Matthew Sully (Geelong VFL) Pick 20 a midfielder/half forward: Jake Best (Casey), Chris Cain (Port Melbourne), Alex Spina (North Adelaide) or William Maginess (Oakleigh Chargers) Pick 38 a ruckman: Darcy Cameron (Claremont), Darcy Fort (Werribee), Josh Miller (Glenelg), Fraser Thurlow (Labrador) or Ben Mabon (North Melbourne Kangaroos) Pick 56 a KPF: Khan Haretuku (Frankston), Andrew Algin (Woodville West Torrens), Mitch Thorp (South Launceston) or Aaron Cornelius (Brisbane Lions)

We'll have to agree to disagree on the forms of the game to play them in. Although I must say I think traditionally the selectors have thought more along my line of thinking. To win a test match you have to take 20 wickets, you can win a ODI or T20 only taking 3 or 4. It's bowlers like Stuart MacGill played so many tests but barely any ODI's (great strike rate/average but poor economy) and others spinners like Doherty play so many ODI's/T20's but barely any tests (great economy but poor strike rate/average). Lyon will play for now but he's not the answer long term and I think Fawad's closer to the answer then Lyon is. There's a reason all the top Australian sides over the years have had leggies instead of off spinners, it's what our conditions favour. With the exception of Trumble of course. Actually they do, you just have to go into them and do the stats manually yourself. I can tell you in the three Shield games each have played this summer Lyon's stats are. 10 wickets for 351 runs @ 35.10 off 142.1 overs. Economy rate of 2.47 with a strike rate of 85.3, so he's taken 14 and a half overs to take each wicket. Fawad Ahmed: 11 wickets for 333 runs @ 30.27 off 90 overs. Economy of 3.70 with a strike rate of 49.09, so just over 8 overs a wicket which is a very good strike rate. Edit: Spelling

Match figures of 4/99 off 33.5 overs in his last Shield match on a wicket in Hobart that traditionally does nothing for spinners is a far cry form impotent. My view on Fawad's Shield season so far is he's had one bad game and two decent games. I can see why some people would like to stick with Lyon, I myself will say that he's a safer option, but he's never going to win us a match on a wearing Day 5 pitch, Fawad has the potential to. He may go for more runs, but if that creates more wickets, more often then I'd take it every day of the week. I'd never play him in the shorter formats, but the long formats, yes every day. True, but as Fawad's never played a test you can only really compare them in the format that both have played.

Here it is: http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/34824-the-christian-salem-or-nathan-freeman-thread/ Just a combined thread. That's all.

Nathan Lyon Fawad Ahmed 49 First Class Matches 21 146 Wickets 67 38.11 Average 31.25 3.15 Economy 3.67 72.4 Strike Rate 51.0 7/94 Best Figures/Innings 6/68 9/165 Best Figures/Match 8/77 Sorry to say TU, but those stats don't back up your opinion. Fawad takes more wickets every game he plays at a better strike rate and better average. Lyon economy is also only half a run better then Fawad Ahmed's to date and although he has better match and innings figures then Fawad, he's had an extra 28 First Class matches in which to do it. I know Lyon will play in Brisbane and no doubt Adelaide. But if he fails to impress in the openning two tests, I can see 4 quicks in Perth followed by a Fawad debut on Boxing Day.

I reckon Collingwood will take McCarthy at Pick 6. Them and Brisbane have been the two clubs linked to him, so I reckon that's why they wanted Pick 6 so badly, so they can beat Brisbane to the punch. They know that at least one of Bontempelli, Freeman or Salem will still be there at Pick 10 (whom they've also been linked to), so they'll grab McCarthy early. Still reckon the Dogs will take Scharenberg at 4 and Aish will drift to the Lions at Pick 7.

Will be a very good player. I think there's a good chance he could drift to Brisbane's Pick 7 which would be a great get for them. I couldn't see them passing him up.

There's no quick fix that's for sure, but as P-Man said, the solution isn't providing military ships to a country that has a shocking history of human rights abuse, and it isn't taking a nothing to see here approach and trying to shield the numbers and the information from the public who have to turn to the Jakarta post to get the full story. I've been impressed, I was half expecting that Abbott would have done something since September that made me think, you know that's no so bad, or that's a good idea. Alas no, and this horrible 3 and a bit years will likely go as I expected. At least it makes the news more interesting!

I'd go with Fawad Ahmed yes. Even as recently as Englands last tour game against that Invitational XI, they showed their famous weakness against leg spin with young Victorian James Muirhead taking 6 of Australia's 13 wickets for the match. Copped some punishment, but he was taking wickets. Watch out for Muirhead in the future as well, has a lot of talent this kid! Lyon's a defensive bowler and we need to take 20 wickets. He's not a bad bowler, but I don't see us getting a lot better with him in our XI, now's the time to roll the dice with Fawad. I'm against 4 quicks almost all the time, except the WACA on the odd occasion when we have 4 quicks in red hot form, no specialist spinner in form and we can use the likes of Clarke, Smith & Warner for part time relief. Watson as the all rounder at 3, but wouldn't want to bowl him much more then 10 overs a day. I think in time Faulkner may become a genuine all rounder, but he's probably not there yet, although I'd play him as a bowler ahead of Johnson myself. My XI would be: C. Rogers D. Warner S. Watson M. Clarke* G. Bailey S. Smith +B. Haddin J. Faulkner P. Siddle R. Harris F. Ahmed 12th Man: M. Johnson But obviously Johnson & Lyon are both going to play ahead of Faulkner & Ahmed.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/mitch-honeychurch Really like the look of Honeychurch. Small goalkicking mid who will start as a forward no doubt and fits our needs. Has a fierce attack on the footy despite his size and from all reports is a fierce trainer. 20.5 possesions and better then two goals a game in the TAC Cup this year and just under 25 possesions and better then a goal a game in the U18's carnival. He's also petty good in the air for his size. Keeping my fingers crossed we land this kid! A 9. Marcus Bontempelli, Nathan Freeman or Christian Salem 40. Cameron Giles & 57. Mitch Honeychurch draft will make my night Thursday night! Edit: First names.

In an ideal world: Pick 2: Sam Bennett (VIC Def) Height: 189cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 22/01/1995 Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels Style: Player comparison: Range: Rookie - undrafted Profile: Bennett is a strong mark overhead taking it at highest point, can win some 1v1s. Nice long kick. Hes relatively quick and a good running defender with good endurance. He also loves sneaking forward for a goal. Pick 20: Jake Best (VIC Fwd/Mid) Height: 182cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 20/10/89 Recruited from: Casey Scorpions (VFL) Style: Player comparison: Range: Rookie - Profile: Best is a mature ager who has changed his focus from cricket to footy. Hes a strong marking medium forward/midfielder with good pace who can take it on the lead and in the air. Pick 38: Ben Mabon (VIC Ruck) Height: 200cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 14/06/92 Recruited from: North Melbourne Kangaroos Style: Player comparison: Range: Rookie - Profile: From North Melbourne, Ben Mabon is an athletic, running ruckman. With excellent work ethic and technique at stoppages, Mabon is always improving and frequently impressing at VFL level with the Roosters. Pick 56: Khan Haretuku (VIC KPF/KPD) Height: 198cm, Weight: 98kg, DOB: 19/10/89 Recruited from: Frankston Dolphins (VFL) Style: Player comparison: Range: Rookie - Profile: ONCE on St Kildas rookie list, Haretuku has since made it his own pledge to prove his former club wrong. His former coach Ross Lyon sat him down in his office and told him that he was not good enough for AFL level. It hurt him deeply but soon got back on the track at the Dolphins and has added new strings to his bow under coach Simon Goosey. Not only does he play deep in attack, he has found confidence around centre half forward and further up the ground. Haretuku has the makings of an AFL career and Goosey knows it. He has spruiked his talent to most clubs and knows that one club will get him during the rookie draft.

From everything I'm hearing Cameron Giles is still likely to be there at Pick 40. 195cm, 93kg KPD who provides a heap of run. With no real back up after Chip, Garlo and Tommy Mac we need to snap this guy up if he's still there at 40!

Bontempelli for me. We need a mid with some size about him and Bontempelli covers the ground well, isn't just a skinny beanpole and can go forward and kick a goal and can win his own ball also. I know we need some pace also, so I wouldn't be disapointed with either of Freeman or Salem, however we can add that speed when we take Mitch Honeychurch at Pick 57, Sam Bennett at Pick 2 in the rookie draft and Jake Best at pick 20 in the rookie draft.

I'd throw him in as a maybe in the rookie draft, but would be putting the likes of Tom Langdon, George Hampson, Nathan Gordon and Brad Dalziell all ahead of him.

I reckon there's 5 players that we could look to draft at Pick 57 that could fill this void, 3 of them midfielders who go forward, the other 2 forwards who we'd need to develop to be able to rotate through the midfield. In order of my prefernce that we draft the, would be: Mitch Honeychurch (VIC – Mid/Fwd) Height: 175cm, Weight: 65kg, DOB: 02/03/1995 Recruited from: Eastern Ranges Style: Player comparison: Range: 30-rookie Profile: Short, light bodied midfielder but provides some real inside grunt and hardness over the ball really winning the contested ball with the best of them. He’s got that real competitive, hard edge to him and from all reports is as hard a trainer as you’ll find. Honeychurch in addition to his ability inside the contest also displays excellent endurance and has that ability to find a combination of inside and outside ball. Has a burst of speed to him. Excellent at ground level as someone who can gather the footy off the ground effortlessly for a clean pickup. Is excellent in traffic and is a very quick thinker. Short kicking excellent and has the vision to find his targets inside 50, my main criticism with his kicking is that he can sometimes try to do too much with his longer kicks but any minor kinks over the medium-longer distances can be ironed out. Dwayne Wilson (SA – Mid/Fwd) Height: 178cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 17/01/1995 Recruited from: Sturt Style: Danyle Pearce Player comparison: Range: 30-rookie Profile: Wilson is a very damaging outside player who you just want the ball in the hands of. Has some genuine linebreaking pace and really takes the game on but then also has the damaging footskills to go with it. Has some penetration on his kick and on a wing any time he gets forward of centre he loves a goal and generally hits the scoreboard really doing some damage. He will need to get stronger and start winning his own ball more as he can really go quiet for stretches of games and lack consistency from game to game but when he’s up and going he can get his hands on it he’ll break games open. Chris Cain (VIC – Mid/Fwd) Height: 181cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 14/07/1987 Recruited from: Port Melbourne Style: Player comparison: Sam Dywer Range: late/rookie Profile: Cain has been one of the better performed players in the VFL these past few seasons and seems finally hot on the radar of clubs this season. Cain is a midfielder with a nice skill set but also strong hands overhead allowing him to be a marking threat when he pushes forward. Athletically he’s above average with a nice combination of pace and endurance at his disposal. Dayle Garlett (WA – Mid/Fwd) Height: 181cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 09/01/1994 Recruited from: Swan Districts Football Club Style: Harley Bennell Player comparison: Range: 20-undrafted Profile: Quality midfielder who can sneak forward and have an impact. Garlett has game-breaking pace and uses it to advantage with regularity and is willing to take running bounces and take the ball as far as the opposition let him. Decision making excellent and even when pressured or in congestion still makes the right decision most of the time. Finishing around goal good. Left footer with some nice penetration and hurt factor on his kick and hits his targets easily over a variety of distances. Can also use his right boot and use it well. Has the ability to really hit the scoreboard and be very damaging with the influence he can have on some games. Also when the ball hits the ground I like how he immediately has that quickness of mind and body to get to the ball quicker than everyone and quickly get the ball onto hit boot for a goal. Garlett is also very capable of winning his own ball and playing on the ball and not just outside. Dayle still needs to build more strength through the hips so that he can stand up in tackles, but there is a fair bit to like about his game. Also defensively can continue to get better to compliment his incredible offensive game. The main questions with Garlett are around his personality and attitude and if he can convince a club that he will keep his head down and not be a problem player he has the opportunity to get drafted. or Jarrod Stokes (NT – Fwd) Height: 173cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 5/12/1994 Recruited from: Darwin Football Club Style: Jeff Garlett Player comparison: Range: 50-rookie Profile: Stokes is an extreme speedster of the Jeff Garlett variety. He has absolutely elite pace which he can use both offensively with ball in hand to burn guys off but then also defensively as that elite pressure player. Footskills and finishing ability around goal have improved making him more of a two way threat this year. Reckon Stokes is certain to be there at Pick 57 and the other 4 are all 50/50 to be there when our pick comes around. They'd all fill our need well IMO.

Pick 2: Any of Nathan Gordon (SANFL Mid/Fwd) Height: 188cm, Weight: 88kg, DOB: 12/02/1990 Recruited from: North Adelaide Style: Player comparison: Range: 40-rookie Profile: Gordon is a former Sydney Swan rookie who has hit back this season and has been excellent in the SANFL. Hes dominated through the midfield and up forward at various stages this season. Up forward hes presented as a strong marking target as a land a goalkicking threat. While through the midfield hes winning a combination of his own ball and uncontested ball which is pleasing. Hes a good size and with the improvement he has shown that he can be someone who could play as a rotational midfielder who can also do damage up forward hes a pretty natural fit for a team looking for an immediate player. Tom Langdon (VIC Def/Mid) Height: 188cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 09/06/1994 Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons Style: Player comparison: Range: 30-rookie Profile: Langdon was a big improver last season and was incredibly unlucky to not get drafted last season and has again produced this season with an even more outstanding season where he has shown the versatility to dominate down back, through the midfield and up forward. As a defender Langdon is an effective rebounder who can take intercept marks but then use it superbly by foot generating meaningful rebound as well as some run and carry. As a midfielder Langdon can read the ruck taps well, be a factor in winning the clearances and use it well by hand and foot as well as linkup on the outside. Then up forward Langdon also is a factor finding plenty of the footy, using it well hitting his targets inside 50 while also showing he can finish. So regardless of wherever you play him hell play some play and find plenty of it. The next stage in Langdons development will be winning more of his own footy. or George Hampson (WA Def/Mid) Height: 188cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 08/02/1990 Recruited from: Subiaco Style: Player comparison: Range: 40-rookie Profile: Classy utility who can play anywhere, find you a heap of the footy but then really do damage with those touches. Hes had his injury issues in the past but has overcome them and seems to have a strong mental makeup really overcoming adversity and coming back stronger. Hampson has elite endurance and also has some real agility to him. Hes just got that rare composure with ball in hand where he can do no wrong. He hits his targets easily and does damage and just makes the right decisions every time. Hampson also has some excellent ability overhead for his size. Pick 20: Rory Taggert (Mid/Fwd) Height: 188cm Weight: 87kg DOB: 22/06/1993 From: Melbourne Demons, selection #36 2011 National Draft Midfielder who ranked third in the vertical leap test at the draft combine before being selected with the Demons first pick in 2011. Start to his rookie season halted by stress fractures to the back, then after returning to play his first games with Casey Scorpions the fractures returned to the other side of the back. The injuries eventually finished his season before he could play a senior match. He managed just three games for Casey. Taggert was named as an emergency and on extended benches towards the end of 2013but could not break through for his first senior game and was delisted in the off-season. He was assigned number 43 in his first two years at the club. or Jason Pongracic (VIC Mid/Fwd) Height: 182cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 21/04/1994 Recruited from: Frankston Dolphins Style: Dustin Martin (less athletic) Player comparison: Range: 50- Profile: Strong body and big bodied inside ball winner who has missed some time last year with injury earlier in the year but then made a strong comeback in the second half of the season. Real in and under type who attacks the footy and more often than not comes out with it. Displays great hardness at the footy and just really attacks it. Seems to really enjoying playing for the contested ball. Excellent by both hand and foot and is one of those few strong contested ball winners who can use it really well. Pongracic is a really early bloomer and has been good for a number of years. The question with Pongracic is because was bigger than everyone else in TAC Cup, was he better because of size or because he was better than everyone else? The other query is on pace and he is not one of the quickest midfielders going around. In any case he had a very good year with the Dolphins in the VFL this year and should be able to step up to AFL level more quickly than the next midfielder. Pongracic also showed since coming back from injury last year the ability to play up forward and have an impact. Pick 38 Ben Mabon (Ruck) Height: 200cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 14/06/1992 Recruited from: North Melbourne From North Ballarat, Ben Mabon is an athletic, running ruckman. With excellent work ethic and technique at stoppages, Mabon is always improving and frequently impressing at VFL level with the Roosters. or Jay Lever (Ruck/Def) Height: 200cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 15/06/1993 Recruited from: St Kilda A lightly built ruckman or key defender, Lever was drafted with pick 60 in the 2011 AFL National Draft. The mobile tall spent most of the 2012 season battling a groin injury, forcing him to play as a key defender in the Sandringham reserves. With a full pre-season and some added size to his light frame, Lever will be looking to further develop his skills at VFL level and remain injury free. And Pick 56: Andrew Ainger (KPF) Height: 197cm, Weight: 96kg, DOB: 25 years old Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens Eagles Key Position forward who had a breakout year in the SANFL this year kicking 50 goals in 21 games. Khan Haretuku (KPF/KPD) Height: 198cm, Weight: 98kg, DOB: 19/10/1989 Recruited from: Frankston Dolphins ONCE on St Kildas rookie list, Haretuku has since made it his own pledge to prove his former club wrong. His former coach Ross Lyon sat him down in his office and told him that he was not good enough for AFL level. It hurt him deeply but soon got back on the track at the Dolphins and has added new strings to his bow under coach Simon Goosey. Not only does he play deep in attack, he has found confidence around centre half forward and further up the ground. Haretuku has the makings of an AFL career and Goosey knows it. He has spruiked his talent to most clubs and knows that one club will get him during the rookie draft. or Aaron Cornelius (KPF) Height: 192cm, Weight: 88kg, DOB: 29/05/1990 Recruited from: Brisbane Lions Aaron Cornelius was recruited from Tasmania as a promising forward who is strong on the lead and has very clean hands. He reads the play very well and has the tools to be an exciting key forward prospect of the future.

I'm going to be greedy Steve and hope he's there at 57. One of him, Garlett, Honeychurch (highly unlikely) or Stokes at 57 will do me fine! I'm sold on Giles at 40.