2020 draft watch

[Axe Man]

This is key. It's nice to think we get a FS bargain if MacPherson is there as a rookie, but for me it's only a bargain as long as we are picking him because he is the best player available in his role - not just because he's a father son.

I think we have shown with his brother and Peter Foster's son we won't pick father sons up if we don't rate them.

[azabob]

I think we have shown with his brother and Peter Foster's son we won't pick father sons up if we don't rate them.

BT is still campaigning for Dogs to pick up Foster on the rookie list.

[bornadog]

I think we have shown with his brother and Peter Foster's son we won't pick father sons up if we don't rate them.

Crows doing the same with Edwards son, ie they won't be taking him.

[mjp]

Can I have your stuff?

So. Much. Stuff.

When I first started they gave me a polo shirt.
Now, 4x polo's, 4x training shirts, 3x pre-season singlets, wet-weather gear, 2x hoodies, match-day jacket, training jacket, 2x hats, beanie...EVERY season.

And of course the design and logos have to change every season.

Footy clubs do like to set money on fire. As for the state academies, well...that is a totally other level...

[Mofra]

+1 for McDonald. I know Thilthorpe is from SA, but is it even a contest?

A more intriguing question would be JUH v McDonald.

By rumour, recruiters are split - seduced by Thilthorpe's athleticism.
I thought Thilthorpe has had niggles for two years though so presents as the riskier of the two. McDonald has a higher natural endurance.

[comrade]

Versatile ruckman are flavour of the month and Thilthorpe projects as a genuine 2 position tall. Wouldn't be surprised at all if Adelaide take him to partner with O'Brien for the next 5-7 years.

[Mofra]

Versatile ruckman are flavour of the month and Thilthorpe projects as a genuine 2 position tall. Wouldn't be surprised at all if Adelaide take him to partner with O'Brien for the next 5-7 years.

The two-position thing I find worrying more than helpful. How many "forwards who can ruck" taken at the pointy end of the draft end up good at either of them?
Patton, Boyd, Wright - the Kings may buck the trend but that was a "superdraft" where every team bar Crows had hits in the first round, and even that may be development rather than talent.
Danhier probably would have been one too if he could stay on the paddock.

[comrade]

The two-position thing I find worrying more than helpful. How many "forwards who can ruck" taken at the pointy end of the draft end up good at either of them?
Patton, Boyd, Wright - the Kings may buck the trend but that was a "superdraft" where every team bar Crows had hits in the first round, and even that may be development rather than talent.
Danhier probably would have been one too if he could stay on the paddock.

I think he's seen as a ruckman who can be a menace forward when required, but you make a good point. 200cm+ guys are so hit and miss but when you get it right, it solves A LOT of on field problems.

[Mofra]

I think he's seen as a ruckman who can be a menace forward when required, but you make a good point. 200cm+ guys are so hit and miss but when you get it right, it solves A LOT of on field problems.

There really aren't many. Luke Jackson will be good but he'll end up a first ruck. Rory Lobb is useful as the forward/second ruck. I liked Ballendon but he hasn't kicked on.

[comrade]

There really aren't many. Luke Jackson will be good but he'll end up a first ruck. Rory Lobb is useful as the forward/second ruck. I liked Ballendon but he hasn't kicked on.

Rowan Marshall is probably my favourite non-Bulldogs player. I'd give up the world to get him.

[bornadog]

Kevin Sheehan's top 40 prospects: Meet the gun with traits like Buddy

[jeemak]

So. Much. Stuff.

When I first started they gave me a polo shirt.
Now, 4x polo's, 4x training shirts, 3x pre-season singlets, wet-weather gear, 2x hoodies, match-day jacket, training jacket, 2x hats, beanie...EVERY season.

And of course the design and logos have to change every season.

Footy clubs do like to set money on fire. As for the state academies, well...that is a totally other level...

On the plus side you can be completely pathetic once you've fallen out of favour in WA coaching circles, and at junior football games your kid isn't even playing at wear ill-fitting merch from yesteryear that demonstrates how amazing and connected you used to be!

[The Doctor]

This is great stuff from AFL Draft Central. Better than anything the AFL have done.

https://draftcentral-uploads.s3.amaz...ft%20Guide.pdf

[bornadog]

HOW TOP DRAFT PROSPECT FARED HEAD-TO-HEAD AGAINST BULLDOGS STAR


Top draft prospect Finlay Macrae has given some insight into how a one-on-one battle at training with Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli played out between the pair.

Speaking on SEN's Bob and Andy, Macrae, the younger brother of Bulldogs All-Australian Jack, said the Bulldogs star got the better of him.

“I think he got me,” Macrae admitted.

“I’m not too disheartened. My mates like to remind me of that but he’s obviously a pretty good player, so I was happy to just have the opportunity to go up against him.”

The Oakleigh Chargers midfielder, who trained at Whitten Oval with the Bulldogs for a week late last year, said he and his older brother share similar attributes as players.

“I think we’re both endurance type players and not that short burst sort of player,” Macrae said.

“I like finding the footy and using it reasonably well. For school and for Vic Metro last year, I was used as a winger and then played more of a midfield role at the back of last year and also in the forward line for Oakleigh.

“So I’ve played a bit all over the shop, but I think it’s nice to have that versatility as an option."

Macrae has attracted interest from several AFL clubs with just under a week before draft night.

“I think I’ve had 15 or 16 (clubs) off the top my head get in contact with me this year,” Macrae said.

“Some have shown a bit more interest than others and, I know it’s a bit cliché, but you really don’t want to get ahead of yourself because a lot can change.”

Macrae, who is widely tipped to be a first-round selection in next weeks draft, averaged 17 disposals in seven games for the Chargers in 2019.

[Dancin' Douggy]

One of the phantom drafts had him going to Essendon. Future trade bait for Dunkley?

HOW TOP DRAFT PROSPECT FARED HEAD-TO-HEAD AGAINST BULLDOGS STAR


Top draft prospect Finlay Macrae has given some insight into how a one-on-one battle at training with Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli played out between the pair.

Speaking on SEN's Bob and Andy, Macrae, the younger brother of Bulldogs All-Australian Jack, said the Bulldogs star got the better of him.

“I think he got me,” Macrae admitted.

“I’m not too disheartened. My mates like to remind me of that but he’s obviously a pretty good player, so I was happy to just have the opportunity to go up against him.”

The Oakleigh Chargers midfielder, who trained at Whitten Oval with the Bulldogs for a week late last year, said he and his older brother share similar attributes as players.

“I think we’re both endurance type players and not that short burst sort of player,” Macrae said.

“I like finding the footy and using it reasonably well. For school and for Vic Metro last year, I was used as a winger and then played more of a midfield role at the back of last year and also in the forward line for Oakleigh.

“So I’ve played a bit all over the shop, but I think it’s nice to have that versatility as an option."

Macrae has attracted interest from several AFL clubs with just under a week before draft night.

“I think I’ve had 15 or 16 (clubs) off the top my head get in contact with me this year,” Macrae said.

“Some have shown a bit more interest than others and, I know it’s a bit cliché, but you really don’t want to get ahead of yourself because a lot can change.”

Macrae, who is widely tipped to be a first-round selection in next weeks draft, averaged 17 disposals in seven games for the Chargers in 2019.