2014 draft

[Scoop]

Don't mind Weller at all, in fact I put him in the same bracket as the other guys. If it does pan out that way, I suspect we'll need to chase a pacey runner with our second pick, possibly Jarrod Garlett who might be a slight reach but will fill a rather obvious void in our squad. Could see him filling a Jake Neade type role, interchanging on the wing & half forward line. Again, much will depend on his running times but he's quick, maybe not Pickett quick but I would expect a 2.9/20 metre sprint or thereabouts. That would leave us needing an inside mid with our third, reckon Bampton, Blakely & Miller will be off the board but we still might be in line for Alex Neal-Bullen who lead the clearances at the Champs & has senior experience.

If we go Weller first because all of our options for pace are gone, I'd go with a Bampton, Blakely & Miller instead of reaching for a Garlett.

Rather go with best available in the second round then draft just to fill a need. Too early to do that. We still need that type as well. I know I want pace and class but drafting for needs in the first couple of rounds is a dangerous strategy. I still think that Pickett, Laverde and Ahern are better players than Weller but also fill our needs better. I wouldn't be unhappy with Weller.

 

[bullus_hit]

Every phantom draft I've seen so far has us picking Ahern at twelve. Is this some good news or? I'm in able to find any info on the kid other than he could go top 20

Very well rounded footballer, has pace and is very clean with his disposal. Stepped up this year from a predominantly outside type to someone who has a very solid inside game. He's also very dangerous around goals, so for all intents & purposes he's a goal kicking rover. He'll need to hit the weights though, can't see him being strong enough to complete a full season next year, not that this should be a deal breaker. For a player comparison I'd run with Luke Dahlhaus.

 

[PJ in Osaka]

Thanks BH,

Sounds promisi

 

[bullus_hit]

If we go Weller first because all of our options for pace are gone, I'd go with a Bampton, Blakely & Miller instead of reaching for a Garlett.

Rather go with best available in the second round then draft just to fill a need. Too early to do that. We still need that type as well. I know I want pace and class but drafting for needs in the first couple of rounds is a dangerous strategy. I still think that Pickett, Laverde and Ahern are better players than Weller but also fill our needs better. I wouldn't be unhappy with Weller.

Yeah, I see your point, although much will come down to Garlett's running times. If he can produce a solid beep time then he comes into top 30 calculations. I know of one astute judge who places him on par with Pickett, I'm not sure I agree as Pickett's evasive skills are second to none, but he does have many skills which will translate to AFL football.

As for Weller, I just see a little bit of James Aish in him and I was an unabashed fan of Aish last year. His kicking is elite and he's such a smooth mover. It's a raffle with Laverde, Ahern, Pickett & Weller, all have something which appeals.

 

[ToraToraTora]

Dwayne Russell just jotted that down.

skillz said it so it's genius. If donk says it I'll bag the *smile* out of him.

 

[Rfc4Ever]

skillz said it so it's genius. If donk says it I'll bag the sh!t out of him.

;D

 

[spook]

Garlett at our second-rounder would be a bargain, not a reach. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes top-20.

It seems as if our first pick will be one of Ahern, Weller or Duggan. Possibly even Menadue if Frank gets the ok to draft a skinny kid. Pickett and Laverde will go top-10, IMO.

If Garlett's there at our second I'm all over him, even if Bampton's there (which he probably won't be). Otherwise, Aidan Anderson or McLean. Billy Evans with our third-rounder would give us a strong inside player and a well-rounded draft. Any other picks, get the most skilful kid left.

I would trade our second-rounder for James Sicily but it won't happen.

 

[Rfc4Ever]

Garlett at our second-rounder would be a bargain, not a reach. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes top-20.

It seems as if our first pick will be one of Ahern, Weller or Duggan. Possibly even Menadue if Frank gets the ok to draft a skinny kid. Pickett and Laverde will go top-10, IMO.

If Garlett's there at our second I'm all over him, even if Bampton's there (which he probably won't be). Otherwise, Aidan Anderson or McLean. Billy Evans with our third-rounder would give us a strong inside player and a well-rounded draft. Any other picks, get the most skilful kid left.

I would trade our second-rounder for James Sicily but it won't happen.

Ahern would be a good get no doubt I just think that if Melbourne get pick 3 as compo for Frawley, that might mean he won't get to us.

 

[bullus_hit]

Garlett at our second-rounder would be a bargain, not a reach. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes top-20.

It will come down to his running capacity, looking at the recent benchmarks of Smith, Hartung & Hill, he'll go in the 20-30 region (provided he has a decent tank).

 

[tigertim]

I'm no watcher of the under 18s but for the 5 minutes of the GF I saw a kid from Calder giving great run and carry from the backline. Clayton someone? Anyone know of him? He looked like the type you'd love to have off the Hbf.

 

[Smoking Aces]

Garlett at our second-rounder would be a bargain, not a reach. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes top-20.

It seems as if our first pick will be one of Ahern, Weller or Duggan. Possibly even Menadue if Frank gets the ok to draft a skinny kid. Pickett and Laverde will go top-10, IMO.

If Garlett's there at our second I'm all over him, even if Bampton's there (which he probably won't be). Otherwise, Aidan Anderson or McLean. Billy Evans with our third-rounder would give us a strong inside player and a well-rounded draft. Any other picks, get the most skilful kid left.

I would trade our second-rounder for James Sicily but it won't happen.

It will come down to his running capacity, looking at the recent benchmarks of Smith, Hartung & Hill, he'll go in the 20-30 region (provided he has a decent tank).

Is there any risk with Garlett as the previous Garlett(s)?

 

[bullus_hit]

Is there any risk with Garlett as the previous Garlett(s)?

That's the million dollar question, haven't heard anything negative so wouldn't want to jump to conclusions, I guess we'll just have to wait and see how he goes at the interview stage.

 

[Mr Brightside]

Such a massive draft for us, we will most likely have 5 or 6 picks if we can ad an A Grader an 3 B graders at a minimum then we may just be a top 4 in 2-3 years , good a pretty good core of under 25s just need to ad a couple of A graders an fill some holes an bobs your uncle...seriously this draft is huge, other wise we will tread water

 

[bullus_hit]

Such a massive draft for us, we will most likely have 5 or 6 picks if we can ad an A Grader an 3 B graders at a minimum then we may just be a top 4 in 2-3 years , good a pretty good core of under 25s just need to ad a couple of A graders an fill some holes an bobs your uncle...seriously this draft is huge, other wise we will tread water

The one thing going for us is that many clubs will be chasing talls, leaving some decent mids in the process. I'm almost certain we will land one of Laverde, Ahern or Weller. Next pick will be crucial, still don't know if we should pick the best available inside mid or plump with a speedster like Garlett. I guess much will come down to who grab with our first selection.

 

[spook]

The one thing going for us is that many clubs will be chasing talls, leaving some decent mids in the process. I'm almost certain we will land one of Laverde, Ahern or Weller. Next pick will be crucial, still don't know if we should pick the best available inside mid or plump with a speedster like Garlett. I guess much will come down to who grab with our first selection.

GarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlett

Get Billy Evans in the third round and Jared Hardisty in the fourth/rookie. There's your inside mids.

 

[bullus_hit]

GarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlettGarlett

Get Billy Evans in the third round and Jared Hardisty in the fourth/rookie. There's your inside mids.

Yeah, tend to agree we can get a decent inside mid down the order.

 

[Tiger Ghost]

Interested in the opinions of those who watch the underage talent, do you believe we can or will get a ready to go player with our 1st pick? What about our later picks?

I personally believe we need to add at least 1 if not 2 players via the draft who are ready to go, i dont think theres enough improvement in our current top 25 to get us to much further.
I see this year as critical to our immediate success via drafting, trading and FA.

Would love to see us get another pick in the 2nd round

 

[bullus_hit]

Interested in the opinions of those who watch the underage talent, do you believe we can or will get a ready to go player with our 1st pick? What about our later picks?

I personally believe we need to add at least 1 if not 2 players via the draft who are ready to go, i dont think theres enough improvement in our current top 25 to get us to much further.
I see this year as critical to our immediate success via drafting, trading and FA.

Would love to see us get another pick in the 2nd round

Don't think any will be ready to step up immediately and have an impact. Weller is the best chance but he's also very light, about the same as Aish from last year so could potentially play a similar role. Ahern doesn't have a lot of definition at this stage, however may be able to play a dozen games as a small forward. Laverde probably has the athleticism but I question whether he's been drilled enough with running patterns and general awareness, seems to be a bit of a maverick in the way he takes on the game. Bampton is one who is ready to roll, Neal-Bullen looks ready and Touk Miller is a tank and looks like a Prestia clone. If we were to select Garlett I'd be tempted to throw him into the action early, Jake Neade was light when he debuted, same with Charlie Cameron. But ultimately you pick up the juniors for the long term, free agency is the avenue for immediate needs.

 

[spook]

Agree, Bulla.

 

[Tiger Ghost]

Thanks Bullus, whilst i agree you go to the draft for the future i still think we need kids who can put pressure on our bottom 6-8 to warrant games, like Ellis and Flossy.
Dont need to play every game but to add 2 kids who could manage 8-12 games would be a massive benefit.

Potentially we'll see a bit more of Lennon next year and possibly even Beanie so if we could add 1-2 more that would be a huge plus to our depth.