Nascent

"For a club that has just gone through a review and found problems in their footy department and distrust from their players this was unnecessarily provocative. Put it this way, it hasn't improved relations with their players," one senior industry source said. 2021 - Welcome to Demonland Zach Merrett

To be honest unless you're in the know then it's going to be a painful exercise trying to predict what could happen. I thought 50 and 28 might get us into hawthorn's pick at 24 if downie hasn't been bid on. But I'm not sure if that benefits us greatly unless we've got mail that a team is going to pinch a player we fancy. And you're correct that we can't trade any future picks because we don't have a 2021 first, however I don't think its that improbable to trade in a future first. For example, Collingwoods pick 14 and future first for 18 and 19. In theory we can trade-in any teams future first next year, it just requires some complex dealing to get it done. By that I mean that as we still have a future 2nd, 3rd and 4th, any club that is missing a future pick in those rounds and in theory "forbidden" from trading their first can be balanced out with us replacing that missing pick. An example of this could be Carlton, who have traded out a 2021 3rd round pick. Perhaps after trading out pick 8 this year to essendon they may want to buy back into the first round. At the moment they can't trade out a 2021 first, however, we could trade them our future third along with pick 19 for their future first. So many different permutations with different clubs that it hurts my brain to work them out. Then we have other clubs dealing amongst themselves both up to and on draft night that it makes putting hypothetical like I've just done somewhat redundant. Then there's the question of holding list spots over for the mid year draft next year (is that a rookie or senior list spot btw?) Finally, we may be happy to take 18, 19 and 28 to the draft and flip the remaining pick 50 or whatever it ends up being for a future pick. Likewise 18, 19 or 28 may be moved on for a future pick. Looking forward to the day when players can be traded on draft night just to complicate things further.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/525567/who-s-paying-what-dogs-pies-in-messy-stand-off-over-treloar-s-4-5m-deal "The Magpies are playing hard-ball on the amount to which they will commit, and are taking the view that this is not their problem. It is believed the clubs are as far apart as $200,000 a year on at least one season of the five-season deal.” So this is getting uglier by the minute. Thank god we didn't get involved in this deal. Also can't believe a deal can be signed off without the remuneration side of things sorted out.

Officially delisted by the lions today and sadly for him it sounds like he hasn't got any interest from the WA clubs.

A little bit concerning that his listed weakness on draft central are cleanliness at ground level and defensive pressure. Should be his bread and butter as a small forward. But how much can we actually read into these assessments with a year out of the game and us arm chair experts not getting a 3minute highlight clip to judge him off. Taylor and co will have done their homework and if we select him I'll back him in rather than [censored] about not selecting a different player I also know nothing about.

Few random thoughts. Last year our draft documentary highlighted our surprise as top 10 fancy Devon Robertson drifted outside of the first round. Our efforts to trade up to the opening pick of the second round to secure him revealed itself to be futile with teams offering future firsts to get it done. With an unknown group such as this one that potentially could see a large variation between club rankings, we are potentially well placed to pick someone we rate in the top 10 despite our first live selection likely to be in the early 20's. Likewise, we are in a fairly powerful position of taking our preferred player and selling pick 19 for a future pick or combination of picks to a team that may want to get into the first round. Collingwood is the obvious example with an already stated desire to add another selection with perhaps added incentive if McInnes hasn't been bid on. Outside the top 5 players, it wouldn't surprise me to see some "bolters" picked earlier than expected and to see a couple players slide further. Well, slide from the best educated guesses we can come up with at this stage anyway. With reduction in list sizes, reduced draftee exposure and some clubs not taking multiple picks, I wonder if we're going to see a larger emphasis on needs than talent earlier than we are accustomed. Conversely the opposite may be true and clubs might want to mitigate risk and take players with best evidence of talent as a means for projecting likely success. I'm finding this draft genuinely fascinating. Finally, Taylor is not afraid of selecting a player from left field. I'd imagine we'll see that yet again, perhaps even with one of our early selections.

We do have 28 though. But since that hypothetical is giving Sydney a free hit at another first rounder + their next academy pick on the cheap, I wouldn't be including 28 in the deal anyway. 19 + 50 for next years first + something else coming back our way could be good for both parties.

Cal had a chat on the draft today on afl.com In relation to the Dees I like what the Dees have done. They're paying for their picks in credit. They should get a nice player at that spot of the draft - would Tom Powell or Brayden Cook get through? Finlay Macrae is probably off the board but is a sneaky chance. Question about Perkins sliding to our first pick Don't think he'll be there then, Perkins. Would be absolutely staggered. Looking more and more like a top-12 pick as we get closer to it. On Cook to Adelaides 2nd round Cook will be a chance if he gets to the Crows. St Kilda also in the mix for him at their pick just before Adelaide gets in at the start of the second round. On O'Driscoll Nathan O'Driscoll has plenty of fans among club land and could be picked inside the first 15 of so as a tall midfielder. he has tested well athletically as well and played some senior footy. For me he probably fits a bit after that but he will play some AFL footy next year and has a body that's ready to go. On Carroll I think Jack Carroll fits in somewhere between 17-25. Midfielder who works through traffic well and also can play across half-back. On Winder in relation to Lions pick 25 Winder would be a bit early for me at that spot, but he did have a good season and put himself on the map in the WA colts competition. His composure has been compared to that of Shaun Burgoyne. Mids around the tigers pick/early 2nd round The midfielders potentially in that mix for the Tigers would be Powell, O'Driscoll, Carroll, Macrae, Trew. Also Zavier Maher and Sam Berry have their fans in the 20s part of the draft and are different players but both with some power. On Cox Nik Cox may struggle to get to the Pies' first pick at 14 although I think he'd be a very good chance to be snapped up then. A few other clubs before that will take a good look at him, including Essendon. And my smokey draftee Conor Stone Stone is definitely one to keep an eye on late in the first round and early in the second. Has some interest at that part of the draft and I dare say he would have played some really good footy this year in the NAB League. Has shown he can be a goalkicker. Link to full discussion here https://www.afl.com.au/news/524882/live-from-1pm-aedt-cal-twomey-answering-your-draft-questions

Wouldn't be surprised to see us take a tall. With May in the back end of his career we only have Lever as a Best 22 key back with Petty developing and Tomlinson and Tom McDonald more stop gap options. Think we'll look to add to our depth there and develop a young key position player. Cox sounds like an interesting prospect if he gets through while if Reid or Chapman somehow slid I think we would snap them up. Mahoney mentioned we believe there is more of a "variety of player" in this years draft, my guess is there after a KPP and a running "outside" midfielder with 18,19 and then they'll pick the next best talent to side through to 28, subject to further trades.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/524401/cal-twomey-s-2020-phantom-form-guide-november-update November update

Yes I'm finding it hard to picture how we trade up further from here with the picks we have and no first rounder next year. If anything I can see us try and trade 28 + 50 for something like Hawthorns pick 24 if a bid comes in for their academy player prior to that pick.

I've read it as we have been impacted by $5,000,000 this year compared to an ordinary year, not that we are now in debt by $5mil. Just highlighting how significant COVID has affected normal business. This is probably made up of the $3mil reduction in soft cap and the result of loss of income from gameday takings, membership, merchandise etc... My understanding is that we have budgeted for this and we're still on target for being unassisted/debt free with approximately $1mil donated. The statement that we have raised over $500,000 is still true, why they haven't said $600,000+ could be a number of things and anyone's guess. Perhaps they want to add a perception of urgency so people are more likely to donate further? Perhaps its just a nice round number.

My random smokey for a later pick is Conor Stone, a 188cm 81kg forward/winger from Oakleigh Chargers. Draft Central has a comparison podcast between him and Cook as well. "The players under our microscope are South Adelaide’s Brayden Cook, and Oakleigh Chargers’ Conor Stone. They measure up virtually identically in terms of size and athletic attributes, with both prospects having also enjoyed steep rises on the back of their on-field performances. Cook has come from the clouds this year to consolidate his standing as a draft bolter, while Stone burst onto the scene with promising showings in the Chargers’ 2019 NAB League premiership team. Their claims to dual-position status as deep forwards who can also play on the wing adds another air of similarity, making them an ideal pair to set alongside one another." EXPLAINER | Pocket Podcast: Brayden Cook vs. Conor Stone The AFL website also mentions he was a candidate to move up the draft boards in his top age year before COVID ground a halt to the Vic U18 program. Could be a good candidate to replace ANB or Melksham as a medium forward with potential to move onto the wing. “Stone made an immediate impression at NAB League level last year, booting five goals in his debut for the Chargers against the Murray Bushrangers. The medium and powerful forward remained a part of the Chargers' line-up from then on, including kicking two goals in their preliminary final against Sandringham and featuring in their Grand Final win a week later. Stone is a natural footballer who could have shot up the ranks this year.”

AFL draft central has a good run down of their top 30 ranked players https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/2020/11/02/draft-central-power-rankings-november-2020/ They have Finlay Macrae, Jack Carroll and Brayden Cook at #22, #23 and #24 respectively which should be within our picks once they've been pushed out for academy picks.

I have a framed Ron Barassi Jr signed jumper. Unfortunately it would next to no value with $cully's signature right next to it ? ?

From AFL website Cal Twomeys top 25 prospects last updated in October https://www.afl.com.au/news/514307/cal-twomey-s-2020-phantom-form-guide-october-update And his next best 15 prospects https://www.afl.com.au/news/515600/phantom-form-guide-extra-the-next-15-prospects Draft resources from alleged informed U18 observers on Bigfooty Knightmares Draft resource https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/knightmare-2020-draft-almanac.1234618/ eDPS Draft resource https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/edps-draft-watch-2020.1237689/

About to head out but here's a link from the AFL website article derived from his interview on trade radio. https://www.afl.com.au/news/524255/it-hurts-jaidyn-lets-rip-on-buckley-messy-magpie-exit

Change that to Treloar and I'd be happier. 18 I think is too much for Phillips giving they're trying to get rid of him. Guess Tmac balances that out to a degree.

Gave collingwood a little clip on the way out. Wonder how some of their remaining players are feeling watching how their now former teammates are being treated.

Somewhat left field suggestion, Pick 18 for Treloar with Pies paying 300K per annum.

Not sure what we're up to but I like it. Don't think we're done yet either, we now have 18, 19 and 28 and 50 in this years draft and we're only missing a first round from next year which we can always trade back into. The good thing about getting this done early is we have more control over our destiny. For an example, if we waited Essendon might have tempted Brisbane with either pick 7 or 8 and the split assets might have been used elsewhere to get other deals done. Now clubs can come to us to negotiate.

Not sure what we're up to but I like it. Don't think we're done yet either, we now have 18, 19 and 28 and 50 in this years draft and we're only missing a first round from next year which we can always trade back into. The good thing about getting this done early is we have more control over our destiny. For an example, if we waited Essendon might have tempted Brisbane with either pick 7 or 8 and the split assets might have been used elsewhere to get other deals done. Now clubs can come to us to negotiate.

What do you mean by gone backwards? Points are really only a value guide for father son and academy players. If you're worried that we have given more points to get to pick 14 or whatever it may be, then you probably just need to remove the points value from you train of thought and simplify it. Kid at 14 is probably better than either at 25 or 28. And we will have a target or two in mind I'm sure.

We're looking at a potentially significant upgrade to the future 4th round pick here. We only have the Lions future 4th while they only have theirs. Could be swapping 72 for 55. Nice little bonus.