Nascent

I like this if Lalor is available

That's fair enough, I guess the real question for mine is can we get the same player we want at 9 a few spots back and improve our 3rd pick by 40 odd spots.

Rivers is a genuine mid now and should be considered part of the rotation. I do wonder that maybe with his progress to the midfield and adding two mids in last year's draft (albiet a winger and half-forward/mid hybrid) that it may lean us towards a mid and tall combo for our two early picks. With Tomlinson out, McDonald and May near the end and so far lack of AFL development from Adams and Jefferson, we are in need of more talented KPP. They are much harder to trade in as well. I suspect we will go hard at a free agent or out of contract mid at the end of next year, particularly if one or both of Oliver and Petracca move on.

Guess it comes down to A) 2x Excellent players and a stab in the dark in the 60s 5, 9, 60 or B) 3x excellent players inside the top 20 5, 11, 20 Now that maybe fantasy land to get scenario B to happen but we could get something close to that. This draft is deep and even in the first two rounds. With some intel on other clubs plans, we could potentially target players by safely trading down like we did in the Pickett/Rivers draft. If not possible, we hold 5 and 9.

Basically, the clubs I've mentioned have priority access to players due to either the father/son rule or academy zones. Other clubs can bid on these players but they won't get access to them if the original club the player "belongs" to matches the bid. They do this with their draft picks which have assigned value based on its number. Max value is pick 1 @3000 points with each subsequent pick decreasing in value from there. Clubs have worked around this by stockpiling later selections to match their highly rated kids. It's why we have obtained essendons pick 9 by giving them 28, 40, 46, 54, 65 as well as a future 1st pick. When a bid comes in for kako, at say pick 6 for an example - essendon will then have to burn through 28, 40 and 46 to match that bid. There's others nuances like point discounts for these players. Gold coast and Brisbane have similarly traded out/down for the same reason and will similarly burn through picks, thus bringing 83 down to a rough range I've estimated to be 55 - 65. List sizes will also come into play and some teams may only take 2 players and pass on their later selections.

I hear Adelaide's keen at pick 82.

Found an article on it. "The AFL will introduce a trigger for an additional fourth year on the Rookie List where the Rookie has played less than ten career AFL matches, which will then apply in same way for access to an additional fifth year. Total aggregate years on the Rookie List will be capped at five years (5.5 years for Mid-Season Rookie Draft). This change aims to assist clubs to invest in players who may take longer to develop." https://www.afl.com.au/news/1185312/afl-player-movement-and-list-management-changes

Thanks for that info red and blue flame. Read on here that Riley Bice was also being looked at during the season. Think from @dazzledavey36 maybe?

Looks like we've settled our senior list with 33 players leading into the draft, giving us the option to add 3 more players to our list via the draft. After pick 5 and 9, this leaves 83 as our next live selection subject to potential further trades. Given the amount of picks the Lions, Blues, Bombers and Suns have for their academy & father/son selections, this pick will likely settle on draft night between 55 and 65 give or take. We may also decide to pass and hold one spot over for the ssp period, but given the talk about how deep this draft is, I dare say we may take a late punt on a kid. So, any suggestions at this late part of the draft?

You might be right, I thought it was you could have a 4th year but move from Cat-B to Cat-A? That may not be the case. Pretty sure there had to be a 'less than 10 games played' clause as well to stay on a rookie list for 4 years regardless.

I believe Riak Andrew could potentially be listed as a Cat-B rookie if he goes undrafted due to his previous academy ties though I'm not 100% certain on that.

AMW I'm near certain has to be promoted off the Cat-B list as he's been on it for 3 years. Since he's played less than 10 games he can go to the Cat-A list is my understanding. That gives us 33 senior listed players: 2-3 spots available 6 Cat-A rookies: Max 0 Cat-B rookies: 1-2 spots available

Butters also has a manic and, at times, reckless attack on the footy without thought of safety for himself or others. I don't see that in Jagga.

I've dropped off him a little due to his poor second half of the year and lack lustre championship series against higher level peers. Perhaps he was carrying an injury of sorts as some players do after a long campaign. Looked an absolute star in the making and top 3 lock at the start of the year. What I do like is his ability to hit targets by foot and lower his eyes out of stoppages. Sometimes gets too cute with it but looks to attack the game with his kicking.

If we really wanted to see @Adam The God God happy, we'd take Smith at 6 and split 9 for GWS 15, 16 and take Hynes and Jack Whitlock

It's usually a couple of days or the night before the draft unfortunately.

Has all the tools, just needs to put it together on the park.

With Ashcroft ranked at 1, the first player available in his rankings to us would be Reid, Draper, Smillie, Tauru, Armstrong and Travaglia. Missing out on O'Sullivan, Langford, Lalor and Smith

If Lalor is there at pick 2 I'd give this some consideration.

Fairly certain his upgrade was due for the 2025 season. AMW will have to be upgraded to rookie cat-A list (or senior list) as he's been on the cat-B list 3 years. He can go to the Rookie-A list as he's played less than 10 games Kynan Brown is a Cat-A rookie.

Probably, he might even go pick 1 for all I know. Might just be the draft to have surprises though.

Does anyone think that Smith might slide a bit? He's the hardest one to place currently for mine and with pick swaps on draft night, I wouldn't be entirely surprised to see him available at pick 9. Taking out the academy and f/s players, is this such an unlikely scenario? 1. Lalor (rich) Pick swap with North: 2 for 6 and 18 2. Langford (rich) 3. O'sullivan (carl) 4. Draper (Adelaide) 5. Smillie (Melb) 6. Tauru (North) 7. Travaglia (Saints) 8. Armstrong (Saints) 9. Smith? (Melb) Still have Reid, Lindsay, Allan on the board and there's usually a bolter come draft night that enters top 10 calculations like Windsor. Can't see him as a top 4 lock and not sure we go with him at 5(6).

For @Adam The God

Where are you hearing/reading this? @Pennant St Dee reckons the "go-home" factor is high with him which makes me worried. I know we back in ourselves to select the best talent we like, but we've been burnt recently and spent a lot to get this pick.