And that’s why Rioli has to go. Comb overs are unforgivable
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IMPORTANT // Please look after your loved ones, yourself and be kind to others. If you are feeling that the world is too hard to handle there is always help - I implore you not to hesitate in contacting one of these wonderful organisations Lifeline and Beyond Blue ... and I'm sure reaching out to our PRE community we will find a way to help. T.
2024 Draft Thread
- Thread starter Mr T.
- Start date
I hear ya!
but its like throwing a rectangular prisms of polystyrene to a seagull
Kal Burns has had 25 TOP TEN picks in the last 15 years and they've never finished higher than 12th
He'd almost certainly take Smilie
The Phantom Form Guide is back for 2024 and what a fascinating pool we have on our hands.
But the quality and spread of this year's group made us want to start with 30, with some exciting players also missing out on this first ranking.
The next 10 weeks will ultimately decide who takes that spot, and you can expect to see the order shuffle as we update the Phantom Form Guide monthly until November's draft.
Remember, this is a ranking of the best prospects and does not take into account where bids on father-son or Academy players will come or where the players will necessarily get selected.
Richmond currently holds picks 1, 21, 34 (tied to Fremantle), 39, 41 (tied to West Coast), 52 (tied to Fremantle), 57, 63 (tied to Collingwood) and 66 (tied to Port Adelaide) in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
The No.1 position is up in the air but across nearly three seasons now, Ashcroft has put together one of the best draft CVs we've seen: he will be a back-to-back under-18 All-Australian, is aiming to be a three-time Coates Talent League premiership player with the Sandringham Dragons by the end of this season and has barely played a bad game. He is a regular goalkicker – he's averaged more than one a game across his three Dragons seasons – and is a very consistent midfielder who has averaged 27 disposals for the Dragons this season as well as 25.5 and three clearances across the four carnival games. The younger brother of Brisbane jet Will and son of Lions champion Marcus, Levi's genes are strong and he is expected to nominate as a father-son to the Lions as well.
Smillie had a solid championships – he averaged 19 disposals and six clearances while also spending plenty of time as a forward – with his Eastern Ranges form more dominant. The best of those games was against Brisbane's Academy, when he was completely dominant with 34 disposals, 10 inside 50s and three goals, and he has averaged 27 disposals and 1.5 goals a game at that level. The 18-year-old's height and size makes him a unique midfield prospect for clubs to consider at the top end.
O'Sullivan has had a frustrating draft campaign, first missing a block of games with a thumb injury and then another seven weeks with a finger injury, which saw him undergo surgery. The midfielder was sidelined for the first two of Vic Country's games but was back for its last two, playing well in the second half against the Allies, where his toughness was on show, but getting seven disposals against Vic Metro. It wasn’t without issue though, with his other hand getting stepped on and cut up by studs in the Metro game. Scans have since cleared him of any breaks. Despite the interruptions, many clubs still see him as one of the best players in it after a bottom-aged season that saw him claim All-Australian honours for Vic Country. O'Sullivan's overhead marking, running ability and skills make him an exciting midfield prospect.
What a prospect Langford has become across the course of the season. The left-footed midfielder has a point of difference in his height and strength and he uses it to be able to mark above his head as well as bust through stoppages then slice teams apart with his kicking. He was a deserving joint winner of the Larke Medal as the best player (alongside Leo Lombard) in the national carnival, where he averaged 25.5 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s for Vic Country. Langford has done what he has liked for Dandenong at stages this season and rocketed right into top-five contention. As a midfielder, he's among the most complete options.
All silk and class, Reid's impact at the under-18 championships was huge. His game against South Australia was his best, when he kicked three goals from 31 disposals and eight clearances, but he was also effective against the Allies with 24 disposals and Western Australia with 24 and a goal. He didn't have as much of the ball against Vic Country but still created opportunities from the midfield, used some dash and set things up across half-forward, including a brilliant passage of two handballs tied up on the boundary line that teed up a teammate's goal. Reid has pushed himself well into the top-10 pick mix across this season and his deft kicking and clever, look-away handballing make him an exciting talent. He is fun to watch.
Smith has as many runs on the board as anyone in the pool. His ball-getting is undeniable – in the carnival, the Vic Metro skipper averaged 29 disposals and seven clearances. For Oakleigh Chargers, Smith had a 50-disposal game in round nine and backed it up with 40 the following week. He's averaged 35 disposals a game at that level and is the draft's biggest ball-magnet. Smith is quick with his hands, happy to dig in and spin out with it in his grasp and has been consistent across the past three years. Some clubs see a bit of Connor Rozee in the way he can find the ball and use his fast feet and wiry frame to step past opponents.
Trainor is a tall defender in the mould of Essendon's Jordan Ridley – he likes to fly for his marks and be an attacking threat with his kicking and he had one of his best games of the season playing for the AFL Academy against Coburg's VFL side when he was named best afield. He shapes as one of the first talls taken in the draft and has versatility to be able to be used in different positions, having been a forward earlier in his junior career. He was the hero for Vic Metro by kicking the championship-winning goal against Vic Country on Sunday with the last kick of the carnival.
There's a watch on Lalor's finish to the season as a potential riser. Scouts have always had strong wraps on the explosive talent but injury issues meant he had a challenging first half of the year. However, he produced some big moments for Vic Country in the latter stages of its carnival, including kicking three goals against the Allies and one against Vic Metro, which came after a flying mark. Lalor has strength, grunt, power and a fend-off he isn't afraid to pull out occasionally and clubs see plenty of upside in him given he has spent most summers and pre-seasons in high-level cricket programs.
Draper couldn't have done any more last season. He won All-Australian and MVP honours for South Australia after his under-18 championships, he was best on ground in South Adelaide's under-18 Grand Final and was also awarded the AFL life members' scholarship. This season has been more of a challenge, with Draper missing the first half of the year with a shin stress fracture. The tough and powerful midfielder still had a solid carnival for SA, averaging 21 disposals and four clearances, and recruiters know of his contested, quick hands, hard running style and leadership qualities. Last week he collected 27 disposals and 10 tackles for South Adelaide's senior team.
A player who brings a different dimension to the draft's top end. Allan missed the start of Western Australia's championships with a back injury but made his mark upon return. His best game came against Vic Metro with two goals and 19 disposals and he showed his capacity as a taller, bigger-bodied midfielder in the style of Adelaide star Jordan Dawson, also a rangy left-footer. Allan started the year as a mobile defender but clubs like him as a taller midfielder.
www.richmondfc.com.au
But the quality and spread of this year's group made us want to start with 30, with some exciting players also missing out on this first ranking.
The next 10 weeks will ultimately decide who takes that spot, and you can expect to see the order shuffle as we update the Phantom Form Guide monthly until November's draft.
Remember, this is a ranking of the best prospects and does not take into account where bids on father-son or Academy players will come or where the players will necessarily get selected.
Richmond currently holds picks 1, 21, 34 (tied to Fremantle), 39, 41 (tied to West Coast), 52 (tied to Fremantle), 57, 63 (tied to Collingwood) and 66 (tied to Port Adelaide) in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
The No.1 position is up in the air but across nearly three seasons now, Ashcroft has put together one of the best draft CVs we've seen: he will be a back-to-back under-18 All-Australian, is aiming to be a three-time Coates Talent League premiership player with the Sandringham Dragons by the end of this season and has barely played a bad game. He is a regular goalkicker – he's averaged more than one a game across his three Dragons seasons – and is a very consistent midfielder who has averaged 27 disposals for the Dragons this season as well as 25.5 and three clearances across the four carnival games. The younger brother of Brisbane jet Will and son of Lions champion Marcus, Levi's genes are strong and he is expected to nominate as a father-son to the Lions as well.
Smillie had a solid championships – he averaged 19 disposals and six clearances while also spending plenty of time as a forward – with his Eastern Ranges form more dominant. The best of those games was against Brisbane's Academy, when he was completely dominant with 34 disposals, 10 inside 50s and three goals, and he has averaged 27 disposals and 1.5 goals a game at that level. The 18-year-old's height and size makes him a unique midfield prospect for clubs to consider at the top end.
O'Sullivan has had a frustrating draft campaign, first missing a block of games with a thumb injury and then another seven weeks with a finger injury, which saw him undergo surgery. The midfielder was sidelined for the first two of Vic Country's games but was back for its last two, playing well in the second half against the Allies, where his toughness was on show, but getting seven disposals against Vic Metro. It wasn’t without issue though, with his other hand getting stepped on and cut up by studs in the Metro game. Scans have since cleared him of any breaks. Despite the interruptions, many clubs still see him as one of the best players in it after a bottom-aged season that saw him claim All-Australian honours for Vic Country. O'Sullivan's overhead marking, running ability and skills make him an exciting midfield prospect.
What a prospect Langford has become across the course of the season. The left-footed midfielder has a point of difference in his height and strength and he uses it to be able to mark above his head as well as bust through stoppages then slice teams apart with his kicking. He was a deserving joint winner of the Larke Medal as the best player (alongside Leo Lombard) in the national carnival, where he averaged 25.5 disposals, six clearances and six inside 50s for Vic Country. Langford has done what he has liked for Dandenong at stages this season and rocketed right into top-five contention. As a midfielder, he's among the most complete options.
All silk and class, Reid's impact at the under-18 championships was huge. His game against South Australia was his best, when he kicked three goals from 31 disposals and eight clearances, but he was also effective against the Allies with 24 disposals and Western Australia with 24 and a goal. He didn't have as much of the ball against Vic Country but still created opportunities from the midfield, used some dash and set things up across half-forward, including a brilliant passage of two handballs tied up on the boundary line that teed up a teammate's goal. Reid has pushed himself well into the top-10 pick mix across this season and his deft kicking and clever, look-away handballing make him an exciting talent. He is fun to watch.
Smith has as many runs on the board as anyone in the pool. His ball-getting is undeniable – in the carnival, the Vic Metro skipper averaged 29 disposals and seven clearances. For Oakleigh Chargers, Smith had a 50-disposal game in round nine and backed it up with 40 the following week. He's averaged 35 disposals a game at that level and is the draft's biggest ball-magnet. Smith is quick with his hands, happy to dig in and spin out with it in his grasp and has been consistent across the past three years. Some clubs see a bit of Connor Rozee in the way he can find the ball and use his fast feet and wiry frame to step past opponents.
Trainor is a tall defender in the mould of Essendon's Jordan Ridley – he likes to fly for his marks and be an attacking threat with his kicking and he had one of his best games of the season playing for the AFL Academy against Coburg's VFL side when he was named best afield. He shapes as one of the first talls taken in the draft and has versatility to be able to be used in different positions, having been a forward earlier in his junior career. He was the hero for Vic Metro by kicking the championship-winning goal against Vic Country on Sunday with the last kick of the carnival.
There's a watch on Lalor's finish to the season as a potential riser. Scouts have always had strong wraps on the explosive talent but injury issues meant he had a challenging first half of the year. However, he produced some big moments for Vic Country in the latter stages of its carnival, including kicking three goals against the Allies and one against Vic Metro, which came after a flying mark. Lalor has strength, grunt, power and a fend-off he isn't afraid to pull out occasionally and clubs see plenty of upside in him given he has spent most summers and pre-seasons in high-level cricket programs.
Draper couldn't have done any more last season. He won All-Australian and MVP honours for South Australia after his under-18 championships, he was best on ground in South Adelaide's under-18 Grand Final and was also awarded the AFL life members' scholarship. This season has been more of a challenge, with Draper missing the first half of the year with a shin stress fracture. The tough and powerful midfielder still had a solid carnival for SA, averaging 21 disposals and four clearances, and recruiters know of his contested, quick hands, hard running style and leadership qualities. Last week he collected 27 disposals and 10 tackles for South Adelaide's senior team.
A player who brings a different dimension to the draft's top end. Allan missed the start of Western Australia's championships with a back injury but made his mark upon return. His best game came against Vic Metro with two goals and 19 disposals and he showed his capacity as a taller, bigger-bodied midfielder in the style of Adelaide star Jordan Dawson, also a rangy left-footer. Allan started the year as a mobile defender but clubs like him as a taller midfielder.
Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide: Top draft prospects' July ranking
AFL.com.au's draft guru Cal Twomey delivers his first Phantom Form Guide ahead of the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft.
SMITH TO GET VFL TASTE
TOP DRAFT prospect Jagga Smith will play for Richmond's VFL side over the next month after a stellar under-18 campaign for Vic Metro.Smith was named skipper of the All-Australian team after captaining Vic Metro to its title win and has averaged 35 disposals for the Oakleigh Chargers this season.
DRAFT HUB Click here for the latest draft news
The 18-year-old finished year 12 at Scotch College last year so is able to play for the Tigers' VFL side for a block of time in coming weeks in a measure to help prepare him for the step up to AFL level.
He is expected to play with the Tigers' VFL side for three games over the next block and then return to the Chargers' side late in the year.
Smith is a local to the Tigers, playing at the Richmond Junior Football Club as a youngster, and clubs see him as a top-10 selection among an even top group. – Callum Twomey
Sun set to stay, Vics watch Port gun, Tiger uncertainty
Check out all the latest trade news from around the League
www.afl.com.au
Is he ready for AFL? Shorter and skinnier than Dicky Naicos.SMITH TO GET VFL TASTE
TOP DRAFT prospect Jagga Smith will play for Richmond's VFL side over the next month after a stellar under-18 campaign for Vic Metro.
Smith was named skipper of the All-Australian team after captaining Vic Metro to its title win and has averaged 35 disposals for the Oakleigh Chargers this season.
DRAFT HUB Click here for the latest draft news
The 18-year-old finished year 12 at Scotch College last year so is able to play for the Tigers' VFL side for a block of time in coming weeks in a measure to help prepare him for the step up to AFL level.
He is expected to play with the Tigers' VFL side for three games over the next block and then return to the Chargers' side late in the year.
Smith is a local to the Tigers, playing at the Richmond Junior Football Club as a youngster, and clubs see him as a top-10 selection among an even top group. – Callum Twomey
Sun set to stay, Vics watch Port gun, Tiger uncertainty
Check out all the latest trade news from around the League
no. hes too skinny and short. massively overrated bust in waiting.
Very keen to see how Jagga and Mcauliffe pair up in the midfield. One is the inside bull and the other zigs and zags out of traffic.
im more excited about Richmond V Williamstown than Richmond V Port this week.
way more.
BTW, whats with FOS's hand bones?
O'Sullivan has had a frustrating draft campaign, first missing a block of games with a thumb injury and then another seven weeks with a finger injury, which saw him undergo surgery .....his other hand getting stepped on and cut up by studs in the Metro game. Scans have since cleared him of any breaks.
Id want to establish there's a German doctor can inject cow femur cells into human hands?
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Draft Power Rankings: New No. 1 emerges after National Championships
A new No. 1 has emerged following the U18 National Championships, while some bolters have also made their move after strong showings, writes Jasper Chellappah. Plus, every prospect's carnival stats, in ESPN's July Draft Power Rankings.
Finally someone recognising the work of Draper.
He's also picked up on Gerreyn.Draft Power Rankings: New No. 1 emerges after National Championships
A new No. 1 has emerged following the U18 National Championships, while some bolters have also made their move after strong showings, writes Jasper Chellappah. Plus, every prospect's carnival stats, in ESPN's July Draft Power Rankings.www.espn.com.au
Finally someone recognising the work of Draper.
Reid at 16 would be great overs.
O'Farrell one of the later smokies for mine. Get him up forward. Boom.
Draft Power Rankings: New No. 1 emerges after National Championships
A new No. 1 has emerged following the U18 National Championships, while some bolters have also made their move after strong showings, writes Jasper Chellappah. Plus, every prospect's carnival stats, in ESPN's July Draft Power Rankings.
Finally someone recognising the work of Draper.
I think thats a more realistic order than Toomey or RmC's.
Im basing my trading and picking fantasies on that order for now, and im not splitting pick 1 anymore.
im gonna semi realistically dream we turn 1, Bakes and/or Danny and 21
into 1, 7, 15, 25
and
reneg on my agreement with GC, bid on Lombard at 1 and swallow GC pick 8, then take Jagga 2, and give the GC table the double bird
then im live trading pick 7 to Freo for 10 and 24 cause Freo want Trainor whose still there and I want Berry
I take Joe Berry at 10
Allen at 15
Tom Gross at 24
Sims at 25
Jagga, Berry, Allen, Gross, Sims
speed and silk, goals, muscle, reliability, tom Lynch replacement
take rucks/FB's late picks and rookies
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Yes, to my eye this is far better than Twomeys AFL rankings. But the variation is unprecedented. Normally you line up all the phantom drafts and they are more or less the same, and thats more or less what happens on draft night.
if you compare the 3 top 10's
- they have no players at the same pick.
- therefore no consensus No.1
- they have 6 players top 3
- they have 9 players top 5
- and Lombard, Travaglia, Langford, Reid and Allan as non-consensus top 10
very unusual and fully reflects what PRE been saying for months
ESPN most align to my preferences in
-smilie lowest (5)
-ashcroift lowest (7)
- Jagga highest (2)
-Lombard highest (3)
I think Toomey is really jumping the shark with Ashcroft and Smilie 1 and 2 and Lombard at 11.
Reid > Jagga is pretty fonzy water skiing too.
he must have only seen Coates games this year?
im gonna take ESPN advice and look closer at their No.1 Draper, who I havnt seen play in 2024
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We'll get a gun player at one, I personally hope its one of Smith, O'Sullivan, Draper in that order.
Then basically any 2 players in the group from 5 to 25, and probably a few beyond that, and thats looking pretty good to me.
Then basically any 2 players in the group from 5 to 25, and probably a few beyond that, and thats looking pretty good to me.
Assuming we get a pick from 7-10 for Baker (obviously we will give something back) but lets keep it simple.
I see a combination of one of Draper/FOS/Jagga plus Lalor or Langford.
Either combo would compliment each other and our current midfield.
If you shuffle around combos of potential picks we might have, best case worst case, medium case scenario, then line those up with whichever phantom draft takes your fancy, you'd be hard pressed to find a bad outcome.
I have gone off course a bit with Lalor ,because of his injuries and lack of game time ,and even pre influence ,but really who would pass up a Dusty/Dangerfield type .
Lalor has played 3 years of coates league ,this being the third ,and he has dominated the midfield as a bottom ager ,has added being a prolific goal kicker as a forward ,has good endurance ,very good overhead ,good kick ,excellent defense ,powerful one on one ,has very strong leadership qualities .
Welcome to Tigerland Lalor .
What's his first 5-10 metres like? I feel we haven't seen that this year. Currently he looks strong in the contest but if he can show a burst from congestion he rockets up into top-3.I have gone off course a bit with Lalor ,because of his injuries and lack of game time ,and even pre influence ,but really who would pass up a Dusty/Dangerfield type .
Lalor has played 3 years of coates league ,this being the third ,and he has dominated the midfield as a bottom ager ,has added being a prolific goal kicker as a forward ,has good endurance ,very good overhead ,good kick ,excellent defense ,powerful one on one ,has very strong leadership qualities .
Welcome to Tigerland Lalor .
