Young Blood

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.

I see Lindsay similarly to Reid. Terrific in space when he has some time. But you've got to look at what he does when there's pressure because at AFL level the speed of the game and pressure is the biggest difference. I think Lindsay might struggle at least for the first few years. Maybe with a few preseason and a better tank it might help. There is a stark difference between his clean open marking and possessions when he played at state level on HB/Wing and when he player for Gippsland Power as a midfielder. Now I think the below video is a tad unfair as I don't think his position at this stage is as a midfielder. But it does show he's unable to use the ball well in tight or contested situations. Obviously as a HB/Winger this is less important but I would like to have seen more in the contest. I think we saw good signs of this from Windsor and Rivers pre draft. I unfortunately don't see that intensity and mongrel from Reid or Lindsay.

Trainor has slid in drafts substantially throughout the year. Most likely due to multiple concussions, poor kid. I can't see us taking a risk on him at pick 9 especially given the recent history with Gus etc. As a side note I saw it mentioned somewhere that earlier this year a new rule came in where any player that suffers a concussion in games outside the AFL, if they were to get concussed again at the professional level (AFL, VFL) they must sit out 21 days at minimum. Crazy that this Mock Drafter thinks we wouldn't take Tauru at 9. If he's off the board which I think he is most likely to be on the night, I can see us taking Travaglia which is a great backup option.

Isn't Twomeys Phantom Form Guide just how he ranks each player? Not so much what each club will pick? I wish he'd do one based on the intel he's getting from recruitors and how he actually thinks the draft will turn out at this stage.

Yeah I don't participate in this anymore. I get that these forums are meant for the overly dramatic types but some of the infighting these days on here is getting to Carlton/Filth territory.

This thread is so boring

Where did you see that? Or are you just going off of the top 10's and the fact that he's not in it for 20m sprint?

Yep agree 100%. If we were to pick Tauru at 5 and the draft plays out like we all expect, the only mid lift on the table in that top 20 is Reid whom I am strongly against drafting and I think will slide to the 15-20 range. So drafting Tauru at 6 is a no no IMO. Take the best mid available at 6. Most likely one of the big boys (Langford, Smilie or Allan). If North want to take Tauru at pick 2 (which would be silly) it would work for us to snag Jagga at pick 6. We've got good options if we stick to drafting best mid at 5. If Tauru isn't available at pick 9 who do we like? For me atm its between Travaglia or Trainer. I'm not big on Armstrong from what I've seen live or from vision online.

Yep definitely a lot of Will Day about him with a bit more dash I'd say. Will be a terrific rebounding defender with his pace and ball use. But he also marks really well above his height grade as an intercept defender. Super competitive and from all accounts a great leader down back. I think eventually he'll move into the midfield much like Haydn Young and Day with their progression. If we miss out on Tauru this is my preferred next best option at 9.

I realize that for a lot of MFC supporters that 'contest' and 'defense' are a bit triggering with how its talked about from the club, and players and combining that with our boring playing style. Which of course I don't care about if it means winning games and apart from this season those two pillars have had great success for us the last few years. Anyway that's beside the point a bit. I'm just questioning this kids competitiveness and want to win the contest. I've watched a fair few Sandy games and he does tend to panic in contested situations. Maybe this is something he can build on I don't know. I feel he mostly just cruises around. His cute little handbells and floated kicks look great but I don't think it will translate as well at AFL level is just my opinion. Hope I'm proved wrong! So much of AFL is the ability to win one-on-one contests and I think as an MFC player we've drafted so well the last few years finding players who really strive in these situations. (Kolt, Windsor, Rivers, Koz, Jackson). All of these players have skill and great physical attributes with their agility and pace, but they love the physical stuff too.

I will be really disappointed if we draft Reid with either 5 or 9. I'd like to know where this info is coming from about Taylor liking this guy because he doesn't have the one trait both Taylor and Goodwin hold highest which is ability to compete in the contest. Has nice skills and vision. Uses the ball well in space sure. But unlike the other top mids in this draft he doesn't like physicality and often gives quick rushed handbells as soon as someone lays a finger on him. I'm sure he might end up being a decent outside mid/half forward one day but he's got so much work to do on the defensive side of his game and competitiveness in the contest. Below is a particularly average game in Sandy's GF win a few weeks ago. But it highlights just how poorly I think this guy will go with serious AFL pressure in the big leagues. Huge no for me. With out picks. I think he will slide to the 15-20 range.

I just wish he wasn't so slow. I knew he wasn't the fastest and relied more on his strength. But his draft combine was particularly underwhelming.

Why are you so sensitive when it comes to Jefferson? We all want to see him succeed. I'm with you that he's showed some promise at VFL level. I went to quite a few Casey games where he really showed his potential but still struggles staying engaged and doing all the little things like blocking, shepherding etc. Its hard maintaining that intensity. Unlike JVR for Jefferson the competitive intensity doesn't come easily. But much like Fritta I think he can build on this and become AFL standard for sure. He has quite a lot of versatility too which is great.

From all reports there seems to be a pretty clear top 4 now. Richmond are keen to take Lalor at 1. Yes the injuries and tank are questionable but he and FOS have the two highest upsides to be top 5 AFL players Lalor FOS Smith Draper So we're going to be choosing between Langford and Smilie unfortunately. If Smith dropped to us I would take him in a heartbeat. Perfect complimentary piece to our midfield bulls and has similar traits to Daicos.

Every season there always seems to be something that adds to the spice of Dees vs. Filth games. Not that it was needed, but still 2024 - Maynard revenge. Fail on the ground but we supporters held up our end in the stands 2025 - Houston snub. Obviously partly our own doing. But I do hope the players remember this in our first game against them at the G. Would love to beat them with a little bit of Maysie or Gus chatter at Houston afterwards.

Spicy move. I like it!

His 8 games for us this year were very solid. I wish he was staying on but can understand he wants better opportunities. Someones going to pick up a very good key defender.

Tommo gone :( https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1679237/dees-farewell-veteran-defender

Eth-dog is pretty spot on with how I see it going. Except I'd pick Langford over Reid for us with our second pick.

Good point. I'll shut up

Are you wanting to trade for these two players for depth? Because neither would have any interest in playing for Casey. They've gone to a club where they will be guaranteed playing AFL level. Darling is on the decline. Kicked 22 goals from 21 games this season and similar in 2023. Wouldn't want him taking opportunities for our developing forwards anyway. Where are you playing Parker? Whose being dropped? Like I said he won't be interested in being a fringe player.