DeeSpencer

Stranger things have happened! North did it last year and will be backing themselves to finally climb the ladder this year. But they’d have to be absolutely in love with someone and given their midfield that would have to be either a key tall or a gun small forward. Can’t see them risking what could be a top 5 pick in a much better draft for Schubert or Dovaston.

Harry Kyle looks like he could be absolutely anything once he gets to a club. That combination of athleticism, size and will to run is a good base for a player. Cam Nairn is one of my favourites in the draft. Super clean hands. How often do you see a forward take 16 marks in a game? Just knows where to go to the get the footy.

And every time he gets us

Jin Kim has to be worth a look

Most of the top picks have played at Under 16 nationals, played Coates league (or equivalent) in their bottom age under 18 year, possibly even played under 18’s nationals a year early and then frank that form early in the Coates league season to get Twomey and others attention. Clarry didn’t get much of a look in for Bendigo as a 17 year old, got OP over summer so started his 18 year slow and missed out on the national champs, then produced dominant TAC cup form and good VFL performances to be a top 5 pick. Robey got cut from Dandenong at 16, couldn’t even get included in the initial Eastern squad this year, plays local footy (including seniors) then dominates Coates league from mid year. What changed that had these guys missing squads to dominating? That’s the million dollar question. I think it’s fair to assume there was some maturity and commitment with Clarry. If I had to guess with Robey I’d say it’s a kid who’s grown a lot in a short period of time and just suddenly come in to his body. Neither of them were at APS private schools getting the best coaching and being alongside a lot of other draftable kids through the journey either.

Langford will grow in to a strong inside player but I think that part of his game is a little overrated, at least for now. Happy to hold all Kolt stock and see him trained up as a direct replacement for Steele as a defensive running, tackling mid who can hopefully eclipse Steele sooner than later. So yes, I do think there’s a gap for a Viney type. But is that player available in this draft? Greeves looks similar to Langford to me, does his best work as an accumulator despite his huge frame. Sharp is clearly an inside bull, just a question on how good he is. After him the next truly strong inside guy might be Adam Sweid. Cumming, Phillipou, Dovaston are all guys who can give you something at clearances. Honestly I wouldn’t be against taking 2 of them and just rolling them forward, high half forward and on ball.

Kozzie actually played most of his draft year in sanfl reserves too. Except he was 18, Latrelle is about to turn 20 and 2 years post his draft year (although December born). I’m very suspicious on the idea he’s a top 30 pick when it took him until the last round of the sanfl season to get a senior debut. What were Glenelg waiting for? At the same time he clearly has talent and every team is looking for more forward line talent. Gun smalls are just super hard to find. If I had to bet on it I’d say he probably goes in the 20’s because the alternatives aren’t any safer or more talented.

I don’t like his ball use and he didn’t test all that well but he has a wicked change of direction that is a very fun trait if he can pull it off at afl level.

Neither did I and I got crucified for it. His decision making and skills have always been poor and then the game shifted away from his/our style too. That said, I think he’s actually a fraction undervalued now. Great worker, kind of maybe showed some signs of life the last 3 weeks that he could do a role on the wing (at least in rotations). And if he’s not clear best 22 I’d would like to see him get the 6 weeks getting 30+ at Casey that I feel like he missed going straight from 2020 covid practice games to best 23.

Left footed Rivers. Would I take that with a top 10 pick most years - probably not. This year, maybe.

I’m not sure you can hold it against them with Yasmin moving - the AFLW salaries aren’t really conducive to staying away from home - and Port seemed to push Xavier as much as he wanted to leave. Essendon appear to have some kind of DaniDuurs plan to get 3 or even 4 of them together but I’d still take the chances on a Vic Country guy when the rest of the top 10 options are Vic Metro or South Australians. I’d always go with talent knowing you’ll get quality picks back over sub par talent who could just as easily leave and won’t get you a return.

Luke Jackson made his debut in round 2, came back in the side in round 7 and made us better until he got injured. Was instrumental in a flag year 2. Mac Andrew played 17 games in year 2. Ethan Read played 21 games including finals in year 2. He had 13 disposals and 3 goals in his vfl game. He runs a 6.21 2km and 2.92 20m sprint. There’s a track record of guys that athletic and highly rated being able to play quickly. It’s not the standard ruck who you draft and see in 4-5 years.

We just finished 14th and Essendon and North should improve next year. I’d be surprised if we go a long way backwards and Richmond and WC are probably still closer to no good. But stranger things have happened.

Whilst he played for vic metro and went to school at Pegs he is from Woodend so not entirely a city boy. Eagles have Waterman and a glut of young key forwards so for that reason I’d just lock him in at CHB which could be his best role anyway. But he doesn’t seem a lock to the eagles. With Richmond taking 4 talls last year I wouldn’t be shocked if he fell to Essendon. Although who knows who goes 2/3/4 in that scenario.

WC would surprise me, they have traded down twice already in this rebuild and it’s cost them elite talent. I’d be surprised if they do it unless there’s big go home issues with the top guys and/or they’re super high on Farrow. Richmond would not surprise me. Pick 4 is a bonus for them from North. It kind of makes sense they’d be willing to keep moving that back years and spreading the talent. But 2 issues: will Robey still be available at 4? The deal? I doubt we put our future first in, that’s potentially pick 1 next year! 7 and GC future first for 4 likely doesn’t move the needle. So we might have to split pick 8 with another team maybe for 2 late firsts. Keep one for us this year and send Richmond one next year or vice versa.

They mean other options for places for him to play to get up to vfl speed if required. By KFW wasted time playing at Casey when he needed to be about 6 grades lower. Being a bit older if he’s fit and competitive after a preseason he should be able to play back pocket and survive. But a back up local club would be wise.

Not sure it’s locked In yet but it’s strongly suggested bids will have to be matched with max 2 picks next year. If Walker goes at pick 1 for example Carlton will need picks 5 and 15 just to match.

Touk Miller, ANB, Dunkley, Sparrow (hence why he’s always picked). Look for guys who quickly get to the corridor after turnovers.

Carlton will want 2 or even 3 first rounders next year to insure they get Cody Walker. They’ll want one of 7, 8 or 9 before a Dean bid but not both, as Dean gets them another first rounder. That would be a great deal for us but I doubt it happens.

They mostly gain by getting to keep 9 as well as their points owing taking a nice drop. At the moment if we bid on Dean at 7/8 they lose 9 in matching the bid. They have pick 11 as well but probably trade that pick out until next year and/or for a bunch of points pick if they can. The real question is do Carlton feel threatened by us and Essendon bidding or are they confident we won’t? If we can convince them we will bid there’s a lot of incentive for them to flick us a pick. We could do 8 for 9 and 43. Send 43 and 37 to the Suns for 29. Get back in Latrell Pickett range.

Jack Steele is our midfield experience and he’s the choice because if he has any gas in the tank he runs defensively. Mitchell is out of the Pies because he’s all see ball get ball. Our backline actually has too much experience! Ideally we would’ve moved May on. We have T Mc, Lever, Salem to support mid career guys like Bowser and CJ. Plus Disco isn’t young. All for looking for some mature age finds for the last list spot or so if they have talent, but no need for experience for experience sake.

I'd still like to know if the AFL offsets Goody's Sydney salary against the soft cap for the Dees. Obviously he should get all his money that we owe him but it would be sensible that if he's getting say 200k from Sydney that we don't have to count 200k of the payout in the cap. Aside from that it kind of hints towards us not paying the full cap in 2025 given we didn't have a high priced fitness guy like Burgo, only had Chappy as an in demand assistant and don't seem to have a big recruiting or footy admin team. Certainly good news that we're clear to give King a crack on an even playing field.

“Berry is expected to return to Australia in September to start preparing for pre-season training with Melbourne in November.” Melbourne fc listed in the Insta bio so expect to see him day 1 of preseason but I don’t think cat B are allowed to play prior to signing on. Hopefully he can find his feet right away at Casey.

Played the finals with a crack in his collar bone. My player comparison for him (which only NFL fans will get) is Josh Allen. He’s huge, he’s raw, he’s powerful and will ultimately be a big test of a teams development coaching.

I’m surprised there’s not more love for Hibbins-Hargreaves, yeah he’s got a lot to work on but he has pure class. Good size, looks a good athlete, clean hands and makes really good decisions. Obviously needs a thorough medical and will need to have his defensive game coached up but profiles as a modern midfielder who excels in transition.