Young Blood

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?

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...

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

Lets do as yesterday Trac suggested.... We'll obviously never outnumber the filth but I hope we can get some real volume going to stir our lads on!

I was going to start a thread as a call to arms for all Demonland fans to come down tomorrow night (*if you're able) and support the boys to give them a lift for the game but also encouragement for a big off season. COME ALONG....

lol yeah because you'd rather that then get the 5 weeks down to 3 for a chance for your top five player to be available for a possible grand final. Port people are funny people hey.

I think Viney yes. Max has a few business' going and I think will look towards a media role somewhere so I doubt he'll have the time.

Nice. This could get tricky for Port. I still think regardless of latest media that we're still in the race. Could we see Nibbler involved in the trade along with our late or future first pick?

Obviously have zero faith in the AFL but I really don't think they stuff it up this time. As you say 5 down to 4 is all the appeal will achieve. If they lower it any more it will just be so clear they want him for finals (for the ratings etc.) as they did with that p**ck Maynard. He's ignored the ball, elected to bump and caused a concussion. Plain and simple. Look forward to his clean slate lining up for the dees approx. round 2 next season realistically. Although Binmans wish also works.