DeeSpencer

5:13 in this video. They spend all year ranking the 50-60 most draftable players they have, because they never know where there picks will fall. That’s the job. I’m sure in practice they do zero in on guys around the range of their picks. Especially extra research on the top ones and then getting some likely targets at later picks. But the smartest thing to do would be to keep true to the order be flexible about moving up or down when opportunity to maximise talent presents.

PSD Do you have a read on Koby Evans? Obviously has to get his body right and most likely the eagles match any bid but in terms of upside I’m not sure they’ll be another big body explosive mid who will go late in this draft.

He has burst, that’s evident in his sprint time, jumping measurements and he takes good overhead marks for his size. And he has forward and mid ability. But he’s both shorter and less bursty than Rayner. Or Heeney. Or any of the 6’2+ really explosive big mids. I’m trying to think of a mid/forward of a similar size around 6’ and good but not great burst traits. Toby Greene would be similar, but Toby is one of one as a player. Elijah Hewett might be similar, he’s slightly taller but has the same midfielder who can go forward balance and has some decent burst without being a top liner.

Hogan will be 31 soon and aside from Cadman those other guys are all 3rd tall options at best. Would be an ideal time to get a Hogan replacement

He’s a more natural forward than Schubert, much better set shot action too. Missed a lot with injuries and somewhat underperformed after a strong bottom age year and being the star of under 16’s. At times you see the talent, at other times he looks like a chest marker who doesn’t always launch and isn’t a huge threat on the deck. The interview and off the field stuff is always super important (as with every player) for a talented APS kid to work out if they really have the competitive juices for afl footy. And a medical too to see that he’s over his injuries. But I’m not surprised the recruiters aren’t scared away by a down year. Certainly GWS who have a super list and a lot of other talent in reserve makes a lot of sense. We don’t need to draft another young key forward but we better be kicking the tyres on every option because we do need a star key forward and the drafts the best place to look.

How do you think the ruck rules help CDT? I actually think if anything they slightly hurt him. Slightly fewer boundary throws in around the ground probably doesn’t mean much either way. The not crossing the centre line might help a young ruck who can jump early in their career but medium/long term it just increases injury risk, and at 200cm without a great leap he probably ends up as a push and shove ruck more than a jumper.

If he gets to us I bet we snap him up in a flash because the coach will pound the table for a guy who plays the most like Tom Stewart that I’ve seen from a junior defender.

My concern is there’s seekingly plenty of times where he could just give a first option or go more direct. And if the only way he knows is to take everyone on he might end up getting in trouble a lot more than once or twice a game. I understand it’s nitpicking.

I’ve seen reports saying he is 194 but generally reported that he’s 198cm with a December birthday so every chance he ends up 200cm+. Basketball background with a late focus on footy. Pros: He’s not afraid to bang bodies in the ruck, he jumps confidently and extends his big long arms at the ball and he moves very well for his size with a big tank. Finds the pill - 17 disposals in champs, 19 in sanfl 18’s Cons: the decision making with the footy needs plenty of work, his hands look nice but not amazing and his kicking is somewhat effective but looks hideous. To me he fits in the range of super athletic big guys from other sports: Ethan Read, Shannon Neale, Sam Day. Long odds to become a champion goal kicker but can become a crucial part of how a forward line functions. Pick 12 in a normal draft - unlikely. Pick 12 in this years, I wouldn’t be overly enthused but I can see him being a useful player.

I’d much rather a player who tries too much than one who doesn’t try enough and it often works for Butters but is anyone concerned his cuts and steps won’t work nearly as well at afl level? Especially when he goes back in to traffic? Good talent, lots of ticks including the way he tackles and that he kicks goals. Just looks a little bit like he’s running around in the under 10’s at times.

How early is too early for Max Kondogiannis? 7/8 seems too early but no way he gets to 37. Just looks a rock solid footballer.

Similar build, athleticism and baby face as Sparrow but I don't think their games compare. Sparrow's plodder-ness at afl level isn't due to his lack of athleticism, it's caused by his lack of game sense to move proactively both with and without the ball. Sparrow came through with the last great crop out of SA which gave them more options but the SA junior coaches knew this and played him half back in the national champs. I don't think he progressed to SANFL seniors either. With Cumming I see a much more proactive mover at stoppages around the ground, a way better decision maker especially when on the run and whilst not perfect he kicks the ball far smoother than Sparrow. And that greater ability has been showcased by making an impact mid/forward at the champs and at senior sanfl level.

Anyone can still nominate, they've worded this change poorly. Really what it's about is giving the umpire freedom to just ball it up if the rucks are too far behind the play. Rucks will have the freedom to jump, it will help those who do although it's up to each ruck to decide if they wish to risk injury and risk taking themselves out of follow up play by leaping or not. I suspect most of the rucks, most of the time won't bother with too much jumping, the risk isn't worth the reward unless you're Nic Nat.

My reply was to a comment saying we don't need nominations. There's still a need for nominations to top teams getting creative about who the ruck is and drawing free kicks for 3rd man up or blocking players at stoppages.

Imagine this though, round 1 next year, Melbourne vs Collingwood. Throw in deep in the Pies forward line. Gawn's ready for the throw in. Darcy Cameron is hovering about 5m away, not quite committed to the contest but not out of it either. Just as the ball is about to be thrown in Dan McStay runs from the side straight towards Gawn. Disco Turner is tracking McStay because that's what defenders do at stoppages. At the same time Darcy Cameron takes a step away from the contest. McStay's momentum takes both himself and Disco in to the drop of the ball where Gawn is waiting. Disco hasn't actually had any intention to ruck but he's kind of any up there by accident. Umpire penalises him for 3rd man up. Free kick Collingwood. Goal. Players will exploit any rule they can, so even if it sounds a bit farcical it won't be. And whilst nominations look a bit silly I don't think they're sillier than players effectively playing musical chairs about who goes out for the ruck.