Young Blood

This is inside goss you're getting? Or its reported?

Would be more funny if it weren't so true... 😪 But I'm not giving up on 25 yr old Fullarton just yet! A lot of 200cm players take time to develop. This is my mediocre half glass full approach.

Answers - Very good - Jesse Hogan

Well for one thing, unlike Smith he'll be available at pick 5 most likely. But I don't rate Reid at all for us at pick 5. I think he will slide to the teens. Lacks pace, agility and contest. He could develop to a Pendles type outside mid who relies on his timing and skills. But I just don't see it. His possessions aren't damaging and doesn't get separation from opponents. At best he'll be a handy flanker.

Fair enough. Physically I see O'Sullivan with elite agility. He has the Kozzy like bounce/footwork and quick lateral movement and burst to get himself free. Long legs with long strides with a booming kick, covers a lot of ground. Makes good decisions and doesn't waste many possessions. He's more of an outside mid/wing at this stage but I think he could develop his inside game over time. Which is why he'd be perfect for us fit-wise at the moment. I will agree with you that he has had an up and down year being in and out with injuries without a clear run. I watched him play a few games including VFL for Richmond where he really held his own and showed some of the pure talent. This kid oozes talent and has the highest upside in the whole draft. I would be thrilled if he dropped to us. He's like a Josh Kelly with more speed and agility. He's listed at 182cm but I reckon that's an old measurement. I'd say he's closer to 184-185cm now.

Curious as to why no O'Sullivan? I think he's the most talented player in this draft and has the highest skill and quick footwork we need as an outside mid. Lalor is very tempting but won't have much impact in his first season (or two maybe). As he mentioned in a recent interview he hasn't had much pre seasons of late because he plays high grade cricket. He mentioned coming into this years season underdone. I think it will take a few pre seasons for him to build a proper AFL level of fitness and conditioning to perform at the level. FWIW my order of preference: 1. O'Sullivan - Shades of Heeney with how complete his all round game is. His ability to get out of traffic is elite 2. Jagga - Definitely has that forward run out of stoppages like Butters. He has super strong hips like a Daicos too 3. Draper - Although I think he'll get snapped up by Adelaide or WC I think he is the exact player we need with his skill and pure speed as a midfielder. He's a jet. I think he's the most like Warner in this draft. 4. Langford - I'm not sure where he will fit in to this current team but long term a solid choice as a midfield workhorse that could develop into a Dawson/Cripps type mid with his size.

Yes and most of these came from precision ball movement from Carlton mids who put it down his throat. Out midfield, ball movement is very different... He's not able to create much himself out of contest. I'm sure there's a few reasons that Carlton is happy to move on from him. I think he's greatly benefited from playing alongside Curnow and Mckay who draw all the attention which has allowed him to play off of them and find space and time He does kick straight I'll give him that and is a decent mark. I'd like to concentrate on other players ahead of him.

Nah Adelaide has pick 25 this draft which has already been talked about coming our way for ANB

All good! Just sharing some quotes from Peatling himself :)

Leaning towards GWS. He's a local Sydney boy and now that he's got proper midfield rotation time he'll most likely stay. As per Fox sports a few days ago: BIG BLOW FOR VIC SUITORS IN RACE FOR VERSATILE GIANT Potential Victorian suitors have been dealt a big blow with Giants utility James Peatling expressing his desire to sign a new deal with the club. Peatling had been linked to multiple clubs across the competition given his versatility but looks increasingly likely to remain in the charcoal and orange beyond this season. “Everything is moving in the right direction,” he said on SEN. “We are just taking our time with it, we wanted to focus on the finals and me playing consistent football because that’s something I haven’t done yet. “Everything is trending in the right direction, and I love where this club is at so, hopefully we can get something done soon.” The mature-age Giant has averaged 14 disposals, five tackles and 3.5 clearances this campaign. Peatling said he “100 per cent” planned to remain at the Giants in 2025 and beyond and looms as a key factor in the Giants’ semi-final with Brisbane this weekend.

Who's the coach who replaces him that is available? Someone with a good proven track record would be good.

Yeah I certainly wasn't comparing Jagga's game to a Daicos. Just that he has the hip strength/shimmy and ability to get out of traffic. He doesn't waste too many possessions and definitely uses handball too often currently but the positive is that its pretty much always to a player on the outside or ahead of the ball who can dispose cleanly in space. He plays the modern getting on the move, drawing opponents and releasing players and with his quick feet he relocates to create another option. Very rarely does he win the ball and hack a kick out, he's clean and goes for quality possessions. Agreed would definitely prefer Draper and O'Sullivan who have more well-rounded games. I'm expecting O'Sullivan to go pick one he's just has all the tools and then some. I think any of these three are going to be excellent players over the next 10-15 years.

With Jagga yes he slight up top of course. But he has fantastic core/hip strength. This is why I liken him to Daicos. He has similar low centre of gravity and ability to twist and shift his hips to get out of tackles/traffic. Have a look at some of his games for Richmond in the VFL and you will see how well he's already performing around mature bodies. They simply can't catch him at times because of his ability to get out of traffic. His ability to get on the move and open up the ground is fantastic On your last statement I would have traditionally agreed with you. But we have the big bodied mids at the moment (Clarry, Trac, Rivers) what we desperately need is what the best midfields have now which is someone with elite agility, pace and accurate damaging ball use. We have the physical contested ball winners. What we need is an outside mid who can get out of traffic and create with excellent foot skills. O'Sullivan, Jagga and Draper are the three highest quality mids in this regard high agility, speed, skills and clean. Unfortunately I think all three will be picked ahead of us. If for some reason one of those slid (or we traded up) that would be amazing.

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?