Young Blood

Jagga will be fine. It will take some time for the body to develop but when you've got this many tools in terms of pure skill and agility he'll be able to carve out a role pretty early on. I remember Walsh coming in super skinny as a no.1 pick and has filled out well over the years. Jagga's ability to use the ball and relocate quickly as an option are Daicos like. He's going to be a gun.

Whose heading down the Moorabbin this Sunday? Keen to see a bulk of the top 20 or so playing in these two back to back games Sunday, September 15 Sandringham Dragons (1st Metro) vs. Dandenong Stingrays (2nd Country) @ RSEA Park, 11am GWV Rebels (4th Country) vs. Oakleigh Chargers (3rd Metro) @ RSEA Park, 1:30pm I'm not sure of injuries but list wise there's a lot of draftees playing: SANDY DRAGONS Levi Ashcroft Harry Armstrong Murphy Reid Luke Trainor DANDENONG STINGRAYS Harvey Langford Cooper Hynes GWV REBELS Sam Lalor Jonty Faull OAKLEIGH CHARGERS Jagga Smith Finn O'Sullivan Tom Gross

Mckay and the club have stated he's not going anywhere

Its interesting there are question marks on a lot of the players in the top 5-6 that we may be picking from. Smillie - Pretty poor season leading into the draft Jagga - Size will limit his first few seasons until he can build his body O'Sullivan- Injury prone year (luckily not soft tissue but a lot of impact injuries isn't great leading into brutal AFL level) Langford - Lack of speed could limit his ceiling I expect most of these players to come good but for Melbourne we probably do need someone who can play in our best 22 and have an impact their first season. I'm expecting the higher ceiling players that have more class like Jagga, O'Sullivan and Draper to go earlier to teams like Richmond, North and Westcoast who can afford to be patient and develop those guns gradually.

Is this assuming Draper goes to the Crows? Its a shame because in terms of what our midfield is missing he's exactly what we need. However it does seem likely the Crows will keep him home. My current prediction: 1. Brisbane - Ashcroft 2. Richmond - Jagga 3. North Melb - Trainor 4. West Coast - O'Sullivan 5. Adelaide - Draper 6. Melbourne - Langford 7. Gold Coast - Smillie 8. St.Kilda - Lalor 9. Essendon - Armstrong 10/11. - Fremantle - Reid and Allan I think we're going to have to choose one of the three huge mids which is going to be tough as all three I believe have the highest ceiling in terms of being game-changers if they continue to improve.

Had a solid 2023 season where he played predominantly forward kicking 35 goals 17 behinds in 18 games. Presents really well, strong mark, confident, reads the ball in the air and kicks straight. https://www.afl.com.au/video/926874/vfl-showreel-r8-wade-derksen-highlights?videoId=926874&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1684026300001 This year played down back more with some high-possession games. Played the last two games up forward again where he again hit the scoreboard kicking 6 goals in three games. Has had to play behind so many quality bigs. I have no idea about the defensive side of his game which might have question marks but overall at just 23 looks really promising and has had to work hard for an AFL career coming in as a mid season draft.

I'm surprised it doesn't mention his 2023 season where he played predominantly forward kicking 35 goals 17 behinds in 18 games. Presents really well, strong mark, confident, reads the ball in the air and kick straight. https://www.afl.com.au/video/926874/vfl-showreel-r8-wade-derksen-highlights?videoId=926874&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1684026300001

Is this from some medical insight? or just feel/sense based on where he's at currently?

@WERRIDEE maybe reopen the thread on 17th Oct? A lot to happen in that time. Then again with a good chunk of preseason done when we know injuries.

Errol? Really? I mean they're both left footers and use the ball well but can't see much more comparison. Little 1.77m Errol can't take grabs like this big kid. If Langford has or can develop the motor Errol has he'll be and outright star. FWIW I think he goes before our pick. Supports Richmond apparently, the silly boy. Could see him bolting to the top if he keeps up this form heading into draft.

Hey if it helps us sleep at night.. why can't we dream?

Yeah this idea people have of us simply trading him anywhere we get the most value is simply unrealistic. Clubs aren't going to give up multiple first round picks and/or players for a Petracca who doesn't want to be there... This is either going to be a multiple club-involved trade so he can get to Carlton or Collingwood OR he just stays and works it out. As much as people are turning on the guy here I don't think he'd sit out a season over all of this in spite.

This is a good little analysis of the effectiveness big bodied mids using Smillie as primary example and how he could develop. He could be the Patrick Cripps of this draft with so many similarities.

I guess you answered your own question. Sometimes you can improve a players speed over their first 5-10 steps and sometimes you can't. Clayton and Cripps good examples of players who had poor fitness and low speed going into the draft, but with better fitness base were able to really work on that burst speed to go along with their strengths to become two very powerful mids. The second video highlights this and is an example of why Smillie could potentially be the best player in this draft if he could continue to develop. Huge upside

I know we're after quicker mids but Smillie is so intriguing. He is a huge mid who makes great decisions with the ball. At the moment he's relying on his strength to get separation from opponents but I think with a developed fitness base and work on his burst pace he might become a Cripps/Tom Green type player. I know its just highlights but this really shows how imposing he can be. And this is a great little analysis into bigger size mids and their effectiveness. Focusing on Smillie and his similarities to Cripps in his current development.

Offer him Trac's salary

Would love to know the number of times Gleeson was able to use his power to get Collingwood players out of suspensions or shorten the length of suspensions. Its no coincidence that this incident was against his precious Pies. Obviously the Maynard one is the perfect example. I remember him getting Cox out of a one week ban for taking out Grimes 30m off the ball back in 2019. But there must be more...

Same as what we got for Gus

I'd be very happy with Smillie. He's huge and going to be a gun.

Unlike Harry Mckays manager who's simply stated that Harry doesn't want to leave Carlton and is very happy where he is. Simple effective communication. Sigh... I don't see why they don't just put out the minimum which is plainly obvious something like 'Christian is currently recovering from a traumatic period and is not in a position to speak publicly yet. We appreciate the clubs patience with this matter' etc. That would at least get the media off his back. They're going to town on him.

Thats the thing he's looking at two clubs that wouldn't give two [censored] about this tainting of his reputation. They'll take the onfield performance of a top 5 player any day. Carlton and The Filth would just welcome him with open arms. 'Fresh start new Trac' etc. 🤮

Is there a hint of the Judd trade about this if current type of Carlton trade were to come to fruition? Dominating midfielder goes for key forward with picks...

No way... Cerra's soft tissue injuries are a concern. These are way unders for a top 5 player in the league.

Sure Harry would be great (if he somehow changed his mind and was happy to leave which I doubt) But we're now in a position where we have to replace Gus, ANB and now Trac (who knows if Clarry can be Clarry again). Next year could be rough.,..

This would all be so much easier to swallow if he wasn't our best player...