2018 Draft Watch

[Bornadog]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

It's interesting to see the differences in opinion outside of the say top 6. Most draft experts seem to agree on the top 6 (in different orders) being: Walsh, Lukosius, King brothers, Smith, Rankine.

But after that there are some differences in opinion. See Knightmare's (who i rate) June draft here: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/i...w-faces-emerge

It's probably too early to say that having a top 6 pick is vital at this point. There are always late season bolters. As it stands i would love to land Smith or Rankine provided our recruiting team a comfortable with him. But others such as Hatley, Collier-Dawkins, Taylor or Rozzee sound promising too

His update will be interesting following on from the champs.

[Mofra]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

It's interesting to see the differences in opinion outside of the say top 6. Most draft experts seem to agree on the top 6 (in different orders) being: Walsh, Lukosius, King brothers, Smith, Rankine.

But after that there are some differences in opinion. See Knightmare's (who i rate) June draft here: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/i...w-faces-emerge

Knightmare has a couple of interesting ones there - Smith ahead of Walsh may change as the Country vs Metro game Walsh was clearly better. I thought Rylee West was far superior to Bytel during the champs even though Bytel is racking up huge numbers at TAC Cup level.

He changes quite a bit during the year too. Taylor and Rozee rated similarly makes for a tough call. The post-champs guide is always interesting reading.

One opinion I always like is Gary Buckenara. Very, very different to the normal group-think (I think he had Bonti in the first couple after nobody else rated him until the end of the year). He was the only media type to really rate Tom Doedee as well before Adelaide shocked everyone by taking him in the late teens - seems an inspired call now. Doesn't always get it right but I like that he backs his own judgement.

[Mofra]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

Cal Twomey's - Phantom form guide: July edition

Read here

That's really different to what a lot of draft watchers are saying, I like it. Butters was noticeable on the field, seems to be quick of mind and foot.

The Jets captain (and Metro captain) O'Halloran(?) would have to be close to first round too based on what I've seen and his off field praise, ditto Answorth who had some really nice moments.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

Rhylee has made an impression on Twomey. Wasn't in his top 20 for June, and now into 15 for July.

Doerre settling Rhylee at 16 too.

Would be great to land two first round midfielders.

[Mofra]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

Rhylee has made an impression on Twomey. Wasn't in his top 20 for June, and now into 15 for July.

Doerre settling Rhylee at 16 too.

Would be great to land two first round midfielders.

I'm reminded of why we rookied Boyd form Frankston seconds when I look at Rhylee. "Quick hands".

Rhylee would fit in very well in 'handball club", every player in the AFL system needs something they're very very good at and I really can't remember any other player who has that ability to fire a handball out in congestion to a player they can barely see the way Rhylee does. I imagine it's a very AFL-transferable skill (some players have attributes that may not translate to the highest level).

[Bornadog]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

'They're two players of keen interest to us': Bevo


LUKE Beveridge is a big fan of potential draftees Rhylee West and Buku Khamis, with the Western Bulldogs coach saying the Under-18 All Australians are firmly on the club's recruiting radar.

Clubs usual don't like to pump up prospective recruits, but West, a father-son prospect, and Khamis, a member of the Bulldogs' Next Generation Academy, have given the Dogs recruiters plenty to think about after their performances for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.

West, who is a tough inside midfielder and the son of club great Scott, is likely to attract a bid from a rival club somewhere late in the first round on draft night, while Khamis, a rebounding defender, is expected to be selected later in the order.

Beveridge was an interested onlooker as the championships concluded at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, and while he was impressed with what the talented teenagers displayed on the big stage, he said it was too early to tell if the pair would definitely end up at Whitten Oval.

"They both had strong carnivals, and it is really early to speculate on how it might all unfold in the lead up to the draft, but they are two players of keen interest to us," Beveridge said on Friday.

"Both got picked in the All Australian side, which means during the whole carnival they could consistently play against the better players in the land at under-18 level.

"We've had Rhylee and Buku in our program, and they spent some time with us over the pre-season because there is some (draft) concessions there.

"There's no doubt both the boys are going to get picked up in the draft, it's just where and how we manage that.

Currently holding selection five, the Dogs will go into the draft without a second-round pick after they used it in a deal to secure key forward Josh Schache in last year, so they may need to creative in this year's trade period or go into draft points deficit if they need to match bids on West and Khamis.

[The Pie Man]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

Purely based on highlights, and assuming Rankine is gone by our pick, I'd love to take a punt on Ian Hill. He could be really special, and brings attributes no-one on our list has.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

So we are going to end up with three All Australians this draft, with pick 5. Hopefully the club can sell that as a real positive after the season ends.

[bulldogsthru&thru]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

Purely based on highlights, and assuming Rankine is gone by our pick, I'd love to take a punt on Ian Hill. He could be really special, and brings attributes no-one on our list has.

Hill has stated his desire to stay in WA

[The Pie Man]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

Hill has stated his desire to stay in WA

I heard him contradict that in an interview recently but all players are going to say they're happy to go anywhere I guess.

If we stay with a pick before Freo, it'd be nice to nab him and back our culture in. He could be anything

[The Doctor]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

Here are some thoughts on game 2 at Etihad

Vic Metro v South Australia

Sorry for being a bit late but anyhow this was a master class by SA in almost every facet of football at this level. Izak Rankine blew the game apart with 3 goals in the first 15 minutes and by 1/4 time had been involved in 6 of the 7 scoring shots, kicking 3.2 for the term and giving one off. With Rankine running amok it is worth noting he did a lot of his good work running off key forward Hugo Munn. Metro had no answer to them as SA lead by 26 at 1/4 time. More of the same in the 2nd term as SA continued to dominate with multiple scoring options in their forward line. Although Rankine won all the accolades and deservedly so how did the ball get to him so often in the first place? The SA midfield absolutely smashed Metro. Hately, in particular, & Valente were too big, too strong, too fast, too good. SA also rotated Rankine, Rozee & Lewis through the midfield as well, Jacob Kennerley on a wing was fantastic. They got the ball first and kept pumping it forward. Simple as that. Metro tried to mix things up sending West and Riley Collier Dawkins forward but to no real avail. Ben King really looking the only threat to the well organised SA defence. At half time SA led by 43.

Metro to their credit fought back with the first 5 goals of the 3rd term. Ben King led the charge with 4 goals. Bailey Smith lifted and had good support from Xavier O'Halloran, meanwhile Noah Answerth applied a hard tag on Rankine keeping quiet this term. Just as things were getting exciting SA woke from their slumber and kicked away again. Jack Lukosius was sent to Ben King to try and stop Metro's most effective route to goal. The SA half backs Jez McLennan & Martin Frederick were dynamic in stopping Metro forward thrusts throughout the game and provided excellent rebound as well. Rankine broke free again in the last for 2 more goals to put it beyond doubt. One of these goals was an brilliant snap from the pocket after dancing out of a pack that had the entire Bulldogs recruiting committee, including Baines, nodding approvingly. SA winning running away 17.14.116 def Metro 9.7.61 Credit to the SA coaching panel as well.

Special Mention

Can't go past Izak Rankine. Easily the best player afield. 5 superb goals that could have been 7 or 8. Video and assessments of his game will appear all over the footy world but I have a couple of alternative thoughts. What made his performance so incredible was his ability to find space when there appeared to be none. How often he would find himself up to 10m in the clear, when only a moment earlier he had someone mugging him. Rhylie West noticed this in the 1st term and left his man in midfield to run down to stand on him to try and nullify the threat (he already had 3 goals) til help arrived. it was uncanny how this kept happening. it was like he apparated.

Rankine also reads the flight of the ball better than almost anyone. He reads it off the big men so well and knows how to time his run to rove off the packs and take the ball at full steam and then use his evasive skills to get away. He is your perfect front and square small forward to the big men. As mentioned earlier his work in tandem in Munn was brilliant.

Doggies Interest

Izak Rankine SA should be pick 1

Jackson Hately SA would be a worthy candidate for our 1st pick. Was opposed to West in this game and took the honours. A brute of a midfielder

Luke Valente SA SA'S midfield general and captain. Seemed like a coach out there. Doesn't get as much of the ball as the others but knows what to do and when to do it.

Jez McLennan SA probably the best half back at the champs.

Ben King VM a KP who looks the real deal to me. wouldn't hesitate to take him at our 1st.

Rhylie West had his colours lowered today but so did most of the Metro boys. He deserves his All Australian honours for being Metro's best midfielder at the champs

Buku Khamis like West struggled on the day against the marauding SA, however he also deserved his AA honours and he is still developing. Has the tools to make it.

Riley Collier-Dawkins will he do a Bont and have a so so champs but a big finish to the season? Will have to wait and see. I like his skill set. I was hoping to see him do what Hately did, but Hately has exposed good form in senior competition, RCD hasn't. One to watch

[Bornadog]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

Thank you for the updates Doc, good assessment. Looks like a great draft, and no way we should give away our first pick.

[comrade]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

If Rankine is there at our first pick, I hope we take him and run. Exactly what our list needs.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

I couldn't agree more. He's EXACTLY what we're crying out for.

[Remi Moses]

Re: 2018 Draft Watch

Watched the 1st half of the Vic Metro v SA and have to say Rankine is what we’re screaming out for