Young Blood

This guy's sureness and the consistency he showed this year was probably the biggest positive for the year (alongside Langford showing us he'll be an A grader). About to turn 24 in Jan and hit his prime years. I wouldn't be surprised if he's wearing an AA jacket at the end of next season or the next few.

I personally like the juxtaposition. The brooding walk-out music that suddenly goes into our old twee theme song always makes me chuckle. I imagine the players feel this as well which is good to lighten the mood and relieve pressure that builds up in the rooms. Keep as is I say.

I'd say Logan Morris is already pretty good, kicked 53 odd goals this year at age 20. Daniher was pretty decent in his last season too... But I actually agree with you. A top end forward isn't a requirement to win flags as long as you have a group of 3-4 players that can consistently hit the scoreboard.

The loss of McVee is feeling far less painful now. Our backline is looking the strongest line for us now with our two older AA key defenders potentially being more depth this season. Crazy. The first round starting back group could look something like this: FB: Salem Petty McDonald HB: Bowey Turner Taylor Bench: CJ Depth: May, Lever, Howes, Adams, AMW Under a new coach with a fresh slate approach, this is some serious depth for competing spots. Very exciting.

Correct Binno. This is always a good reference for seeing how successful a draft has been over the years: https://www.draftguru.com.au/years/2019/national_draft

Wow. We get Taylor

Imagine if they pick Sharp here anyway. Imagine we pick Farrow/Taylor. Imagine

Bombers can now take the risk with Sharp. They have the mid with Robey. Now they can pick Taylor and the threat of us trading our pick to someone else for Sharp won't matter so much. They can get him with Carltons pick. Still predicting we draft Farrow.

This is somewhat comforting from Cal in his late mail re the Sharp conundrum: Cumming, Robey, Taylor and Farrow are all in the Bombers' mix for their pair of picks, as well as Dyson Sharp, who could be available at their third pick but the Bombers would run the risk of the Demons snapping him up or trading the pick to a suitor like Adelaide if they do that. Essendon will be waiting to see who the Tigers grab as they remain keen on the same batch of players. Glad to see it spelled out that we would threaten to trade the pick to others keen on Sharp (Adelaide/Pies). First time I've seen Cal mention any possibility that we would consider Sharp when he mentions we might be 'snapping him up' if they don't get him with their first two picks but I think thats just a throwaway line. I will be stoked with Farrow he looks like he could be a gun.

I think Dovaston would be our first pick at 7 if Essendon call our bluff of threatening to trade down so someone else can get Sharp. If thats the case then Essendon gets 5.Taylor 6.Farrow and 9.Sharp. What a combo that would be. Trying to get used to the idea of us ending up with Dovaston/Nairn combo but hoping its not the case.

Perfectly fine. He is a total football head, doesn't follow one club and instead has every AFL team's jersey in his wardrobe. I think he would be STOKED to be playing on the MCG, especially when he hits his peak and we're playing in packed finals games 😜. He can bunk with one of the other WA boys in Rivers, JVR, Kolt, Luker who will help him work through any homesickness.

So could be Schubert to Freo at pick 26. Its an odd fit but if he was still there at that pick, the potential would be too enticing. If he works out they continue their spoiled run of quality tall forwards.

Praying that is true and will force them to pick Sharp. Richmond picking Cumming has worked in our favour with Essendon having to ensure they pick the next best mid in Sharp.

Please let us pick from either Taylor or Farrow. I think they have the highest upside of those left available in the top 10 with some high upside for various roles down the line and both could make an impact right away. If Essendon opt to go Taylor/Farrow with their first picks I will be so disappointed. I can see this happening as they know we're not going to pick Sharp so they can grab him with Carlton's pick. If this happens, I get the sense that the next group of players that we would be picking from are a bit of a drop off in in terms of potential (Dovastan, Schubert, Phillipou, Lindsay etc.)

From AFL website: A reminder that Cal Twomey's famous Phantom Draft will drop later tonight. So it might be a little later this year.

What I don't understand is why we would make it apparent that we're not into guys like Sharp or Grijl. Is it in our best interest to make it that obvious we don't rate them or they don't fit with our side/plans? Wouldn't it make sense for us to at least make it known that those two players are still in our mix so teams get spooked or feel the heat to pick them? I understand draft recruiters would back themselves in and probably don't pay much attention to where other recruiters rate players. But in this instance with Essendon and Sharp they know we aren't likely to pick him so they're looking to do the Carlton Trade so they can grab him later. That means they can use their first two picks to grab higher ceiling players. If it goes as currently planned Essendon could end up with Taylor, Farrow and Sharp. Leaving us to pick from to pick from guys like Schubert, Lindsay and Phillipou. I don't get why its made so obvious whom clubs aren't into. I would have thought creating some mystery might help us being late top 10 picks.

Thats a great call. I think thats why we don't take the risk. Leave that to Essendon hopefully. With Cumming looking likely to go to Richmond now I think Essendon have to take the risk on Sharp as they're desperate for decent mids.

I'm not that surprised we're passing on Sharp if he's there when our first pick is up, which is looking likely with the Bombers potential plan. That Carlton trade as you rightly mentioned is looking a savvy move to get him with that Carlton pick. The knock on Sharp seems to be his lack of versatility due to average kicking, outside game and pace. He might make us better right away but long term we could face a similar issue we've had with Oliver and Viney having a player is only really effective as an inside mid. Doesn't seem to line up with King's likely game plan either or our recent draft prioritese of players with sound kicking skills from the jump. From rookie central: Sharp remains entrenched in the ever evolving footballer vs. athlete debate. He is the type who has a high floor, but arguably lower ceiling than others in the same draft range On pure performance, Sharp was among the best of the crop, but a crystal ball approach may favour others in the draft class. The way top level football is headed leans towards fast transitional play, where leg speed and foot skills are king. Sharp's skillset fits outside that category, but still has a place in the modern game to help enhance those who thrive on that style.

This is definitely the sort of player you would usually draft late first round but obviously JT rates him highly and believes he won't be there at pick 37. Will trigger some here but he really reminds me of Jack Watts in the way he moves/kicks. He's got potentially elite disposal and running capacity, a far better mark and pressure looks good already as well. Every club needs this sort of player that can lead into space, set up goals with good kicking/decision making, decent mark and can certainly get out the back like Fritta does.... I just don't know if this sort of player is worth a top 15 pick. In JT we trust I guess...

It appears we are going to continue to prioritise kicking again with this draft. Unless Essendon don't draft as predicted its looking like we'll be drafting Farrow and Nairn who are both excellent, composed kicks. Last draft we picked two mids (Langford/Lindsay) with A grade disposal and if it goes as predicted this year we will have Farrow/Nairn who have the potential be damaging with their disposal at each end of the ground.

I'll be disappointed if we miss out on Robey, Cumming or Sharp as we really need to bolster our midfield stocks/depth. All three of those guys look ready to play and develop at senior level straight away. I'm coming around to Farrow, though, as it would make sense fit-wise. Now that Judd has left and Rivers will move into more full-time midfield, we're a bit thin down back for medium defenders. Farrow looks solid down back with his intercept marking, smooth skills and potentially damaging ball use (needs to improve visions/decision making). He would hopefully follow Rivers' path of playing across half back and developing hopefully into a big-bodied midfielder.

So no pressure 👹 I agree re the scoring, I reckon he'll kick even more next year. Without Trac playing the similar role of starting in the middle and drifting forward, I think we'll see that more and more with Kozz. We should be playing through him more as well without the other two ball dominant mids. Hoping he keeps building his fitness and has a good pre-season because he can continue to go up another gear next season.

I understand the hype around Doverton but could still just be too much of a reach. Absolutely understand the need for another small forward especially of Kozzy keeps spending more and more time in the midfield. I like Lindsay too and losing Judd it makes a lot of sense. I still think if there's a mid that Taylor likes (because he picks them well) we should take one with 7 or 8. We have to keep building our young midfield stocks because we're pretty thin there. Riv and Langford look like potential A graders but not so sure about X and Windsor yet.

We might have an outside chance at getting one of Grjl, Sharp or Taylor. But its more likely we're going to be choosing from the next batch: Lindsay, Cumming, Marsh, Phillipou, Schubert, Farrow. Have had a look at the rankings and mock drafts that are about and this seems a likely order at this stage 1. WC – Duursma 2. GC – Uwland 3. WC – Duff-Tyler 4. GC – Patterson 5. BRIS – Annable 6. RICH – Robey 7. CARL – Dean 8. RICH – Grjl 9. ESS - Sharp* 10. ESS – Taylor* 11. MEL - 12. MEL - As I say would love if one of Robey, Grjl, Sharp or Taylor drop to us but I think its unlikely at this stage.

By valuing the drafts and signing younger players, this team is in a far better spot than we could well have been in if we went down a different path (like the Collingwoods, Carltons etc.) We're starting to build a really good young core of players. This is our path to the next premiership. I know it probably should be under 25's but I've been a bit cheeky here and made it a list of under 26's to include Petty and a few others. Don't @ me about certain players who you think are clearly not going to make it in your opinion. This is simply to highlight that we have a list of youth with potential. OUR UNDER-26 TEAM B: Adams Petty AMW HB: Bowey Turner Howes C: Lindsay Kozz Windsor HF: Culley JVR Sparrow FF: Luker Jeffo Chandler Foll: Langford, Rivers, Moose Int: CJ, Tholstrup, White, Laurie Depth: Johnson, Henderson, Sharp, Mentha, PLUS add in this year's picks (and potentially next years) this team could really build into something over the next 5-6 years.