Nascent

Agreed. Edit: I don't think we can lose out this year with one of Curtin, Watson, Sanders or Caddy being available.

There was an article yesterday stating we are unlikely to do a deal for West Coast's future 1st due to the risk of them rising next year with an injury free list. With 11 home games at Perth and a clean fit list, its definitely a gamble that we turn pick 6 into something significantly better a year later. They would need to sweeten the pot for us significantly, starting with pick 23 and no return of our future 1st. Perhaps our future 2nd. Even then I don't like it.

Have seen 2 mock drafts that have him going to roos, but state he has a range of 2-6. Most likely wishful thinking, but if Roos opt for McKercher and Curtin, I wonder what the chances are he gets through Hawks and Dogs who like Watson and Sanders respectively. Or would we tempt the Hawks with 6 and a f1st (hopefully 18) for 4. That would then gaurantee us Duursma and Hawks still get their man in Watson.

Hawthorn the risk of taking Curtin at 4. Bulldogs likely to take Sanders at 5. If Hawks go Curtin I wonder if we take Watson at 6 or go a different route.

Love you

Can we get summary of the other clubs as well please?

Names now attached to the picks for the Eagles. Reid Vs Curtin, Tholstrup, Future 1st.

Couldn't see a thread for Curtin so thought I'd pop this highlights video here.

Hawks apparently 50:50 on Curtin and Watson.

Got mail or an educated guess?

I actually quite like Wilson as a prospect and he'll go mid 1st most likely. Has a great blend of speed and endurance as well as a beautiful right foot. Hits the scoreboard regularly spending a lot of time forward yet still averaged mid 20s for disposals. He's had a very consistent year. The knock on him that I can see is that's he's predominantly an outside player and wouldn't have high contested ball numbers. I don't think that's a career killer but for that reason alone I would imagine the club may look at Tholstrup more favourably.

Bluey has spoken.

When you think about it, isn't everything technically made up.

45. Melbourne - Kade De La Rue Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country FWD, 183cm, 79kg ESPN draft rank: 42 A balanced and smart forward-half midfielder, De La Rue weights balls to leading forwards and hits the target more often than not. His ball use is sublime, and it's an area of the ground the Dees were found wanting late in the year. If not De La Rue? Harvey Johnston is a chance here, and Melbourne will eye off small forward talent with Jack Delean and Jack Callinan appealing.

8. Melbourne - Dan Curtin Claremont/Western Australia DEF, 197cm, 95kg ESPN draft rank: 6 Curtin is the slider in this phantom draft, but the highly touted defender could go as early as North Melbourne at picks 2 and 3. He's a proactive interceptor with composure and skill in abundance, able to play on a variety of forwards and nullify their influence. Curtin played great football as an inside midfielder as well where his clean hands come to the fore, but he'll settle down back early in his career. If not Curtin? The Dees will likely pounce on Duursma or Watson if either makes it to this point, while a decision between Sanders and Curtin would be lineball. James Leake and Caleb Windsor are smokies at this point. West Coast could also consider a pitch for this selection if the homegrown product slides, but it would require their coveted future first round selection to entice Melbourne. 13. Melbourne - Caleb Windsor Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro MID, 185cm, 74kg ESPN draft rank: 19 The Dees will consider Windsor at pick 8, but they would be ecstatic to see him slide to 13. The wingman boasts elite speed on the edge of packs, able to use his burst to get forward of centre and hit the scoreboard. He holds his width and is damaging with his disposal, and he is likely to be a high metres gained player at AFL level. Windsor's speed and ball use forward of centre suits Melbourne perfectly. If not Windsor? The Dees are heavily linked to W.A. hard nut Koltyn Tholstrup, and could grab Darcy Wilson if the Crows don't. It's hard to see Windsor making it past them at this point, though

Fair point. But we've been shoved to the Sunday wasteland for decades when only 13000 people bothered to turn up to home games. I'll take some commercial success and relevance in the competition now which will only strengthen the club. I do hope there's enough family friendly games throughout the year so everyone can have a chance to attend half a dozen+ games.

Two Thursday night games is a great outcome for us so far. Start of the season gives us a good break into "round 1" and we get a bye around ANZAC eve game allegedly. More games in prime time are always welcome.

Herald Sun have a top 30 mock draft up online if anyone can access it.

One player that might be available at our first selection.

Cant remember exactly where but was one of these recent phantoms that stated we might have interest if he's still on the board for our 42. Could be without substance though but read like there was a known link from memory.

I'll hold fire until I see the full fixture. As far as I'm concerned it's just an away game in Adelaide and those living in Melbourne won't miss out on a Vic clash. I'm more concerned about the potential for a 5 day break leading into the game.

Not saying this is the case, but perhaps leaking interest in Curtin and Tholstrup is a way of making the Eagles look at our offer for pick 1 again. "This is what you could be getting Eagles, wink wink, nudge nudge..."

The article mentions Sydney and StKilda having interest in Tholstrup who have picks 12 and 13. Maybe not a coincidence we moved ahead of these two. Anyway we've been linked to Curtin, Caddy, Leake, Watson, Sanders, Windsor, Wilson, O'Sullivan, Murphy and now Tholstrup with potential interest in Simpson if he's available late in the draft. Still a bit to play out. What's interesting is I haven't heard any further speculation of us trying to move up for one of the Roos picks.