Young Blood

Some bold picks and predictions coming in here with Dylan Alexanders mock draft: Has us picking 5. Langfort and 9. Hotton

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-afl-draft-is-just-weeks-away-here-s-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-top-40-prospects-20241024-p5kl0v.html The Age reporting there's still interest for Cooper Hynes. It would have made a lot of sense when we had the second rounder but I just think reaching for him at pick 9 is a tad too far with the amount of talent we'll have to choose from Re: Pick 12 where the Age has us picking Armstrong: 'The Demons are also big fans of Dandenong Stingrays bull Cooper Hynes' 28. Cooper Hynes (Richmond) Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Metro Midfielder/forward, 190cm, 28/2/2006 Talent League stats (avg): 23.7 disposals, 4.7 clearances, 1.5 goals The Age’s August top 30: N/A October top 30: 27 Agility test: N/A 20m sprint: N/A 2km time trial: N/A This might be far too low for Hynes, who could go as high as Melbourne’s second pick, with West Coast and Port Adelaide among his admirers. The common retort about the powerful Stingrays product is that he has the widest draft range of any player. Formed a great one-two punch with Harvey Langford, and they often switched between the forward line and midfield. There are some lofty AFL comparisons for him, from Cam Zurhaar to even Clayton Oliver. Hynes’ endurance needs to improve, but his forward and clearance craft are rated highly.

If this prediction came to fruition, I'm drooling at the thought of us being able to choose from Draper, FOS or Lalor. Would definitely be picking one of those three ahead of Jagga.

He's going to have to carve out a role for himself now that other mids are pushing for his midfield rotations (River, Koz, Windsor and the top 10 mid(s) we draft). Could be as a tagger who can follow a star mid around all day. Will have to continue to build his fitness and size, not to mention getting a bit more nasty perhaps to get under the oppo's skin and really own the role. We saw with a lot of hard work and dedication what happened with Nibbler in his early 20's when he had to change his primary position from midfielder to high HF. I don't see why at 24 yrs why Sparrow can't do the same. He doesn't have Nibblers attributes but if he can get really fit and just bring consistent intensity I think he can play a role in our best 22.

We see the game very differently and that's perfectly fine. I hope we pick him and you and I will be very happy with the player we picked ☮️

I was a big believer in Petty as a forward. In 2023 he just showed so much promise with his leading patterns and physicality down there not to mention the accurate kicking. I still think while May, Tmac and Lever are around that we should continue with Petty down forward. If he can just play that second tall option as CHF leading up the ground it will be a big advantage. But he will need to hit the scoreboard more that's for sure. We know at some stage he'll eventually go back and I think be one of the best key defenders in the comp. But for now we're still stacked down back and if he can play a role up forward so be it. Praying for a rare full preseason where he can hit the ground running for a change!

Just picked a random game from youtube and had a watch. Not one of the ones I attended. But this kids special. Feel like it really highlights his strengths and impact offensively particularly. Highlight for me at 0:39 where he receives a handball only to quickly pivot and turn away/against the direction of the play to open up the ground, nice burst of pace to get himself open to hit up the CHF down the corridor. Such a small thing but makes such a big impact. We need this type of player. Video shows multiple times Jagga bursts forward out the front of stoppages. He's certainly not a straightline midfielder, he's always looking to change the angles to find the best options in space.

OK so we're now hand picking youtube clips and analyzing every possession. I'll ask you again like I did with Armstrong. Have you actually been to a game and seen Armstrong or Jagga live? I have only seen the two Armstrong games but have been to quite a few Jagga games and each time have found him to be the most impactful player on the ground he has the highest motor I've seen in a long time. His agility/side steps/evasive skills are not so pronounced yes but they're there and he'll most likely improve on this over time.

Definitely agree that the Butters comparison is a poor one. But you keep mentioning that he most often goes sideways or backward with the ball. Why is this such a bad thing? Jagga's first priority is to find players in space which he does incredibly well. He'll draw a few players, use his hip strength and agility to get himself free enough to give the ball off to players in space and generally on the move. Football's not played in straight lines, fluid ball movement is about changing the angles and this kid has terrific vision to find players in space to make the next play. He very rarely throws it on the boot and values his possessions and uses his team mates to link up for forward entries. We're dying for more players like this. I'm assuming you would rather a big-bodied mid to break the lines and run forward with the ball? Thats not Jagga's game, but what he does do is give the ball off and get on the move running forward himself for the next receive. He's got such a great balance and inside/outside game.

haha I thought you would pick out the outliers! I'll add one 2016 - Taranto at 8 (ended up pick 2) Perhaps I should have worded this more carefully. Twomey *generally* gets it right and yes you're probably right he is drip fed info from the true experts as you say. Comparatively in other years a month out he got the top 6 right in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022. So you're right he's not the most accurate. @DeeSpencer you seem to have a very firm understanding of this draft. I trust your judgement of Armstrong as someone who knows his game well. Were you able to get down to see him live? Would be keen to know how you thought he looked in person as opposed to the others on this thread just going off of youtube clips and Lloyds gushing over him in reports. I went down to see two games of his this year for Sandy where he was pretty solid. In those games he played deeper and less involved. Would like to have seen him presenting further up the ground as its been reported. Could be a Jeremy Cameron type player with his elite agility which would be fantastic for us.

Cal Twomey pretty much always gets the top 6-8 players correct (not the exact order, just those picked in this range). You're not considering him an expert which is fine but his record speaks for itself. He certainly ranks the top 8 players in this years draft as mids. But I actually kind of agree that a few of the mids won't be as good as the two KP players picked in that mix. I think Armstrong and Tauru are certainly ahead of Reid who I think should slide into the teens (hoping saints pick him with one of their first picks so he's out of the way). Also possibly ahead of Smillie as well whose work rate I have concerns about. The other 6 best mids though I think should be who we're picking from with our pick 5. Will be very happy with Armstrong, Tauru or Travaglia with that pick 9 as I don't see any of those top 6-7 mids sliding to our pick 9 anyway.

Damn no new info from Cal. Just what we already know...

Depends which way he's facing 😜

Please be Jagga. Such a special player. We need a point of difference mid with pace and agility to work alongside our big bodied mids (Trac, Rivers, Clarry). If we want faster more fluid ball movement then Jagga is the pick. His first option is always to find the open player on the move with space in front of him. I can see him having a positive impact in this regard from day one. For those worried about his size. He will of course need to build his body, but have a look at the youtube videos of his effectiveness at VFL level against mature bodies for the Tiges. His agility and quick clean hands means he can get effective disposal away in tight. He's got such quick feet and strong hips where he can swivel out of pressure (much like Daicos). These attributes mean he will be able to play AFL straight away. I'm all in on Jagga Smith if the cards fall the way they're predicting currently.

Forgot he's only 21! Would be awesome for him to really own his spot down back next season as he showed more then enough this year that he can perform at the level. Looked to have really worked on the defensive side of his game in terms of positioning and providing pressure to go along with his strengths over head and solid decision making. At some stage would love to see him move up the ground in a more attacking role to utilise that athleticism but for now continue to carve out that role down back. Credit to the kid for switching from his junior level positions (Wing/HF) to play a role down back. If he ends up being a Lever type intercept marking defender with that level of consistency then great. He's certainly learning from the very best back there.

I wouldn't be at all opposed to taking him at pick 9. I imagine in the interviews we've already had with him during the combine that there would be a fair amount of querying his intentions as to whether he is open to living and playing on the other side of the country. Of course you might not get a definitive answer but if there were any doubts from him or he even mentioned wanting to play back home one day you would simply take him off the board. I know the Jackson history scares people but we've had some success as SONS mentions with Rivers, McVee, JVR etc signing on and looking like long term dees. His kicking isn't as poor as what his main youtube highlights portray. In the heat of the WAFL finals he played in he definitely made some mistakes by foot. I would encourage other Demon landers not to judge on short highlight clips in this regard and look at draft profile reports as well. From all accounts of friends of mine in Perth who have seen him live at games, he is actually a good user with his kicking. Reports are mainly that he needs to work on his decision making which will come in time. He's going to be a gun. Start him down back and build him up over time with midfield bursts where he'll wreak havoc.

I would be as well. I don't think Lalor drops that far but boy if he did (drooling). Out of interest what makes you pick the smaller HB/Wing players with that second pick over the talls (Armstrong/Tauru) that others are keen on? I actually think Travaglia/Lindsay would be sound picks because they have great versatility and less chance of being a bust (Which Armstrong could be a feel). They both have pace and great foot skills that we desperately need in this size so I'm all for it. That being said if Tauru was still on the board at pick 9 I would love to have him. Looks a very special player and a great Lever replacement at some point to set up our backline for the future (Petty/Tauru/Turner) would be solid. Choices!

This is where I'm at as well. I think Langford is similar to what we currently have in our big bodied mids that use their size and strength to win contests but sans some of the explosiveness (Trac, Clayton, Sparrow, Rivers). Langford will be steady work horse midfielder but I think we need something with more spark. Jagga is that point of difference in many ways and would give us something we're missing in that midfield group. The attributes I like most about Smith is his agility, evasive skills, decision making, quick feet, clean disposal and decision making. He is terrific at winning his own ball and swiftly finding a team mates, only to keep running forward himself to receive again and link up to find the best forward entries he can manufacture. He might be a little handball heavy with his disposal at this stage but what you want see him doing often is throwing it on his boot for easy turnovers. He is always looking to release to players in space using hand balls and uses his pace to keep relocating and a live option. I think he has already learnt that this is what is most effective in the modern game offensively as a strategy for best ball movement. I know people will complain about his small frame but he'll build his body over time and right now can rely on his strong hips and balance to slip his way out pressure and get the hands free. Would be over the moon if we landed this kid. From all accounts he shows terrific leadership qualities and just love his hunger and competitiveness.

Thought he was perfectly fine as a depth player and only cost a future third round pick

This latest Twomey phantom form guide is just ranking yeah? Not who he thinks each club will pick? Anyone know when he releases his actual draft predictions based on intel?

Well said. I see the same things with Smilie. I do wonder about his work rate. He can break tackles and use that body to break lines but more often then not he will back track and end up kicking high off balance kicks under pressure. I've been to a few of his games and its what he does when he doesn't have the ball that worries me as well. Doesn't always stay engaged or work hard for his team mates whether its running hard into space as an option, or defensively, laying sheppards. He doesn't get on the move after disposing the ball and often stands still asking for it back. Not sure if its an attitude thing but time will tell. Hopefully I'm wrong. I think its these little things that will see him slide to the 7-10 range. I do however think a lot of these things are fixable. I don't see him playing midfield his first season (or two) but with his size he could start in a different position and build up to playing AFL midfield.

Are you guys just basing this off this one video? Because that would be silly. The kid is 18 years old playing in a high pressure WAFL grand final. I'm cutting him some slack for some poor disposal in a big game. He's certainly not an elite kick but he's decent and has shown this more at junior levels. A raw prospect at the moment but of my Perth friends who have been to a lot of his games have said he looks like he'll developing into a Nat Fyfe / Jordan Dawson mix of player as a powerful big bodied midfielder who can break lines and a terrific mark. He obviously needs to work on his decision making amongst a few other things. But the kids going to be a gun. His draft combine was super impressive, finishing in the top five for agility and vertical jumps. https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/bo-allan/ A ready-made, powerful midfielder, Allan has plied his trade at the coalface and off half-back for Peel Thunder in 2024. From half-back he offers run and carry, coupled with clean ball use by foot and great vision to pick off targets at speed. Through the midfield, Allan’s one-wood is his contested game. He defends hard, closes opponents down quickly with pace, and tackles with intent. Once his side has won the football he uses his big frame to drive his legs and burst away from stoppages, then launch the ball deep inside 50. Allan plays with confidence and dare that encourages him to break tackles, bust through packs and explode into space. Even at WAFL League level he showed an innate ability to shrug off would-be tacklers, including established senior and ex-AFL players. Allan was consistent at whatever level he played at throughout the year; averaging 20 disposals and six tackles per game for Western Australia, 21 disposals and 5.5 marks for Peel Thunder’s Colts side, and 11.5 disposals for their League side.

What do I know. You probably have more knowledge then me. I also didn't get to see the kid play in person so I shouldn't be judging from his videos. I'll trust JT with that one.

You're right actually. I take it all back

Arguably our most consistent player across the season. Brilliant idea to move him down back where he looks comfortable and performs his role so well.