Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

[Hot_Doggies]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Never trade away first round picks. People get caught up with this 'premiership window' rubbish, it is a fast track to the wooden spoon.

I think we will end up with pick 16-19 for Everitt, so we should get 2 quality youngsters.

Coupled with 2 quality father sons next year (plus Higgins,Ward,Cordy etc etc) we should have continued success.

[Sedat]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Forget what the outside world thinks of us. We were an inch away from a GF with the current team, which says to me we have got a hell of a lot right in terms of our on-field structural mix of players. We have built up a terrific defensive unit (all of whom will be at the club for the next 3-4 years minimum), a highly competitive ruck division that rarely lowers its colours, a strong group of contested ball winning midfielders interspersed with some quality run and carry types (all of whom are 28 and under), and a fleet of quality mid sized forwards. We also now have a strong defensive tagging option within our midfield ranks, something we haven't had for 8 years.

As I see it, the 3 areas of immediate concern moving forward are a) pacy small forward goal poacher with great defensive pressure skills, b) gut running fast wingman who can run the lines and kick long (preferably with precision), and c) a power forward who can take a strong contested mark when needed, has great endurance to run and present multiple times and has terrific defensive pressure skills. We need to ask ourselves who is currently on the list that can come through and address these concerns in the future, both immediate (2010/11) and longer term. If the answer is nobody, only then should we look at trading to bring in players that can address these specific issues. From my perspective, Lynch addresses point a (and the MC clearly believe this as well, otherwise he would have been delisted already), Wood is a potential option for point b (work on kicking skills notwithstanding - would Andrew Lovett be looked at again by us, or dare I say it, will Eagle get another 12 months), but point c is not going to be addressed in the immediate future - you'd hope at least one of Jones, Cordy and Grant ultimately make the grade but they won't be seriously impacting at AFL level until 2012. Hall fits the bill, will make an immediate impact, and will cost less at the trade table than any of the other options being discussed.

[Mofra]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Excellent summary Sedat, however I'd be tempted to add a D option to the list - a CHB.
I'm not convinced at all of Williams' durability so his ability to reach his potential from a development point of view, and his ability to be available at the right time, is limited.

Do we gamble on Morris doing a job for us, Boumann coming on quickly, or do we target this next draft and trade in a stop-gap option?

[Missing Dog]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Good write up Sedat except I can't see us picking up Lovett. The reason why Lovett wants to leave is because he thinks he's worth more than he actually is. He is a tool and he will only bring troubles to the club.

In regards to Eagleton, I see Hill on the wing next year and also Wood taking over. Rose if rookie, Stack and maybe Lynch to fight it out for Hill's spot.

[Mantis]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Excellent summary Sedat, however I'd be tempted to add a D option to the list - a CHB.
I'm not convinced at all of Williams' durability so his ability to reach his potential from a development point of view, and his ability to be available at the right time, is limited.

Do we gamble on Morris doing a job for us, Boumann coming on quickly, or do we target this next draft and trade in a stop-gap option?

I wouldn't mind drafting in a long term option with a later pick, but I don't think we will go looking for someone via a trade unless that player came very cheaply.

Tom will go into this pre-season injury free so one would hope that he can get his body in tip-top shape for the 2010 season. I also agree that Boumann has shown some real positive signs in the 2nd half of this season and with another pre-season under his belt he will be able to play a role for us at some point in time during the '10 season.

Wouldn't it be great for all of Jones, Boumann, Cordy, Grant & Roughead to all have a bumper pre-season such that we could showcase them to the footy world during the pre-season to give them a look at the young tall talent we have waiting in the wings.

[Sedat]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Good write up Sedat except I can't see us picking up Lovett. The reason why Lovett wants to leave is because he thinks he's worth more than he actually is. He is a tool and he will only bring troubles to the club.

In regards to Eagleton, I see Hill on the wing next year and also Wood taking over. Rose if rookie, Stack and maybe Lynch to fight it out for Hill's spot.

Agree that Lovett is highly unlikely due to his salary demands, but his type is exactly what we need IMO. From memory we did have a close look at him last season.

Josh Hill should study tapes of Ryan O'Keefe over Summer and dedicate himself to become the next O'Keefe of the competition. His hands are that good, his motor is that big, his skills are that exquisite. He just needs to work as hard as he can to become the best possible player he can be.

[lemmon]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Agree that Lovett is highly unlikely due to his salary demands, but his type is exactly what we need IMO. From memory we did have a close look at him last season.

Josh Hill should study tapes of Ryan O'Keefe over Summer and dedicate himself to become the next O'Keefe of the competition. His hands are that good, his motor is that big, his skills are that exquisite. He just needs to work as hard as he can to become the best possible player he can be.

I doubt Hill has that kind of gut running ability to be honest and anyway isnt that role already taken by Murph?

[Mantis]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

I doubt Hill has that kind of gut running ability to be honest and anyway isnt that role already taken by Murph?

When tested at the start of the '08 season Josh had the highest V02 max of any player on our list.

He has the motor, he just needs to learn how to use it.

[Twodogs]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Sorry Gary, I read your post entirely wrong. I've heard the same sort of things about him, too.

I thought you were saying you didn't believe the rumours.

Yeah that's what I thought you meant too, thanks for clearing it up.

[Mofra]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Tom will go into this pre-season injury free so one would hope that he can get his body in tip-top shape for the 2010 season. I also agree that Boumann has shown some real positive signs in the 2nd half of this season and with another pre-season under his belt he will be able to play a role for us at some point in time during the '10 season.

Between Morris, Williams & Boumann one would expect we can cover the 2nd tall defender spot for 2010.
I would still be for the idea of a ready-made defender to take the pressure off these three, considering Morris is out of his weight division, Bou is still developing and Williams is no guarantee.

Rumours have us linked to two tall types who can play back at pick 15 which is a positive.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Agree that Lovett is highly unlikely due to his salary demands, but his type is exactly what we need IMO. From memory we did have a close look at him last season.
.

There are a few speedsters that may be looking to move, other than Lovett. How about a couple from outside of the box:

- Mark Williams (the Hawthorn version -- pretty quick off the mark, and after a couple of nondescript years, would be cheap-ish, Pelchan's pig-headedness notwithstanding)

- David Wojcinski (Geelong fringe player, grass-burning quick, in and out of the team until this year, would have three good years left)

- Andrew Raines (out of favour at Tigerland, not the Flash, but finds the ball and is a reasonable user of it -- relatively okay tank also)

- Ashley McGrath (again, don't know if he's super-speed, but he's got some dash and toughness, a change of environment may do him good)

[lemmon]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

There are a few speedsters that may be looking to move, other than Lovett. How about a couple from outside of the box:

- Mark Williams (the Hawthorn version -- pretty quick off the mark, and after a couple of nondescript years, would be cheap-ish, Pelchan's pig-headedness notwithstanding)

- David Wojcinski (Geelong fringe player, grass-burning quick, in and out of the team until this year, would have three good years left)

- Andrew Raines (out of favour at Tigerland, not the Flash, but finds the ball and is a reasonable user of it -- relatively okay tank also)

- Ashley McGrath (again, don't know if he's super-speed, but he's got some dash and toughness, a change of environment may do him good)

Williams- Another lead up forward, not what we need. I havent seen him play further up the ground or on a wing so I cant really comment
Wojak- Finally broke into the team so I dont think hes going anywhere, skills arent great and has a reasonably small tank, would be battling with Harbrow for a spot.
Raines- Shocking user of the ball and Im not sure his agility is particularly good. Cant push Mcmahon or King out of the Richmond side so no thanks.
Ash McGrath- Once again would be battling with Harbrow and would be over 30 now. Not sure his defensive skills are great.

[Cyberdoggie]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

I wouldn't mind drafting in a long term option with a later pick, but I don't think we will go looking for someone via a trade unless that player came very cheaply.

Tom will go into this pre-season injury free so one would hope that he can get his body in tip-top shape for the 2010 season. I also agree that Boumann has shown some real positive signs in the 2nd half of this season and with another pre-season under his belt he will be able to play a role for us at some point in time during the '10 season.

Wouldn't it be great for all of Jones, Boumann, Cordy, Grant & Roughead to all have a bumper pre-season such that we could showcase them to the footy world during the pre-season to give them a look at the young tall talent we have waiting in the wings.

They are the future of the club. Let's hope the majority of them turn out to be good footballers.

We are fortunate that we have a mix of age groups in our senior side at the moment, this means that it won't be as difficult to prevent a major rebuilding like some other clubs have experienced recently.

Although having said that we are at a crossroads at the moment. We are competing for a flag but have several old players whose form will no doubt start to tail off, and we want to draft a 30 plus player in Barry Hall. That gives us a pretty old forward line. The next group of players are Murphy, Gia, Hahn, Hargrave and Gilbee. Murphy has had a lot of issues with his knees, Gia has also had trouble and Hahn is a human battering ram that will no doubt have a shorter career than most.

The bottom line is we need to make sure that we have something coming through now. Easton Wood, Sam Reid etc need to become regulars next year, and Boumann, Roughead and perhaps Grant or other talls need to get a taste.

I want to see a flag in my life time, but i don't want this club to back in the bottom 4.
We need to maintain a winning culture around our club.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Between Morris, Williams & Boumann one would expect we can cover the 2nd tall defender spot for 2010.
I would still be for the idea of a ready-made defender to take the pressure off these three, considering Morris is out of his weight division, Bou is still developing and Williams is no guarantee.

Rumours have us linked to two tall types who can play back at pick 15 which is a positive.

Who would you be looking at? Maguire?

[Missing Dog]

Re: Draft Pick 15 - What to do?

Agree that Lovett is highly unlikely due to his salary demands, but his type is exactly what we need IMO. From memory we did have a close look at him last season.

Josh Hill should study tapes of Ryan O'Keefe over Summer and dedicate himself to become the next O'Keefe of the competition. His hands are that good, his motor is that big, his skills are that exquisite. He just needs to work as hard as he can to become the best possible player he can be.

Maybe we should look at drafting Jetta if Melbourne get Everitt with a second rounder.