2021 draft watch

[azabob]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Kinnear Beatson said on AFL Draft countdown yesterday if the it was an open draft he'd select Sam Darcy as number one pick.

Suddenly I have a lot more spring in my step with young Sam.

[divvydan]

Re: 2021 draft watch

GWS and Collingwood have got something going on there is no doubt about it.

Common hatred?

It's certainly possible. The pick 2 GWS has is from Collingwood in a trade last year, so it's possible there was an agreement to not use it to bid on Daicos. Seems strange that they wouldn't have interviewed him at all (assuming that's true) given where their pick is and where Daicos is rated.

[Axe Man]

Re: 2021 draft watch

It's certainly possible. The pick 2 GWS has is from Collingwood in a trade last year, so it's possible there was an agreement to not use it to bid on Daicos. Seems strange that they wouldn't have interviewed him at all (assuming that's true) given where their pick is and where Daicos is rated.

It came directly from an interview with Daicos:

Speaking on 3AW’s Sportsday on Monday night, Daicos said he was disappointed the Giants hadn’t shown more interest in him.

“No I haven’t spoken to the Giants, which has been a bit interesting and a bit upsetting,” Daicos told Sportsday.

“I’ve worked really hard to hopefully be recognised as a top pick, so I would’ve loved to have been picked a little bit higher. I guess we’ll have to see what happens but now my attention turns to knowing I’ll end up at Collingwood.

“I guess the lower I’m picked, the better it is for the club so that’s where my head is at.”

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Kinnear Beatson said on AFL Draft countdown yesterday if the it was an open draft he'd select Sam Darcy as number one pick.

Suddenly I have a lot more spring in my step with young Sam.

Do we have the points (2400) to cover a pick at one? North may want to make us pay like Adelaide.

[Axe Man]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Do we have the points (2400) to cover a pick at one? North may want to make us pay like Adelaide.

North won't bid on Darcy or Daicos, seems highly likely GWS will bid on Darcy and Gold Coast will be left to bid on Daicos.

[SquirrelGrip]

Re: 2021 draft watch

It's certainly possible. The pick 2 GWS has is from Collingwood in a trade last year, so it's possible there was an agreement to not use it to bid on Daicos. Seems strange that they wouldn't have interviewed him at all (assuming that's true) given where their pick is and where Daicos is rated.

Have GWS interviewed Darcy though?

[Axe Man]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Have GWS interviewed Darcy though?

I would think it's very likely they have. If his last name wasn't Darcy he would be wearing orange next year.

[Mofra]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Re: the Jack Avery discussion on the page earlier, the BF phantom draft watchers seem to think he's a mid 30s type pick.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Re: the Jack Avery discussion on the page earlier, the BF phantom draft watchers seem to think he's a mid 30s type pick.

That would probably rule him out for us.

[Mofra]

Re: 2021 draft watch

That would probably rule him out for us.

Yep. There was some talk we may trade back into the second round, although now there are rumours we have a handshake agreement with Geelong to grab two of their picks in the 30s for our pick 23.

Statistically picks from the middle of the second round to the end of the draft have a similar success rate (based on games played) so I'm not sure we should get too desperate to trade back in.

I am a little wary of getting too 'cute' with picks. Grab Darcy, thank our lucky stars, grab a slider or two and run. Going by the players we've interviewed we're considering small forwards and there are often good ones who go late.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Yep. There was some talk we may trade back into the second round, although now there are rumours we have a handshake agreement with Geelong to grab two of their picks in the 30s for our pick 23.

Statistically picks from the middle of the second round to the end of the draft have a similar success rate (based on games played) so I'm not sure we should get too desperate to trade back in.

I am a little wary of getting too 'cute' with picks. Grab Darcy, thank our lucky stars, grab a slider or two and run. Going by the players we've interviewed we're considering small forwards and there are often good ones who go late.

That seems like the best approach, I think there will be some very good players sliding down the order but typically we go in with a shopping list and stick to that.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2021 draft watch

The late mail with the HUN

Western Bulldogs


Picks (pre-bids): 23, 43, 44, 45, 52

The Bulldogs look the most likely suitor for 24-year-old utility Mitch Cox and the Frankston VFL gun looms as a late or rookie chance after a strong season. NGA nominee Cody Raak, a 19-year-old medium defender/forward, is also a potential rookie option. Fellow overage Victorian Corey Preston played two matches for the Bulldogs’ VFL side this year and the dynamic small defender/forward came close to snaring an SSP last pre-season.

I'll add some details about Cox



Mitch Cox (Frankston – VFL)

Age: 24

Position: Utility (190cm, 81kg)

A ready-made player that’s gaining interest from AFL clubs after a breakout 2021 VFL campaign. Cox had a great start to the year in defence, averaging 21 disposals and five intercept possessions from his first five matches. He was then switched forward and, from Round 6 onwards, played as a mid-forward. The move paid dividends as he averaged 23 disposals, four clearances, eight score involvements and two goals per match. That stretch included two monster games: 5.1 from 28 disposals against the Northern Bullants then 4.2 from 20 disposals against Port Melbourne. Cox’s on-field surge came off the back of a strong pre-season where he improved his fitness significantly. His ability to play various roles would appeal to AFL clubs.

[Axe Man]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Prospects in the mix at every club and the latest whispers

Western Bulldogs

Picks (pre-bids): 23, 43, 44, 45, 52

The Bulldogs look the most likely suitor for 24-year-old utility Mitch Cox and the Frankston VFL gun looms as a late or rookie chance after a strong season. NGA nominee Cody Raak, a 19-year-old medium defender/forward, is also a potential rookie option. Fellow overage Victorian Corey Preston played two matches for the Bulldogs’ VFL side this year and the dynamic small defender/forward came close to snaring an SSP last pre-season.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Knightmare has us linked to

52. Western Bulldogs - Ronald Fejo Jr
Height, Weight: 178cm, 70kg
Profile: The nephew of Gold Coast's Joel Jeffrey, Fejo is a human highlight reel who breaks games open with his speed, agility and run. Doing his best work on the outside, Fejo dances around opponents like they're traffic cones, sells the dummy, then leaves them in his wake before hitting a meaningful target.

59. Western Bulldogs - Blake Schlensog
Height, Weight: 199cm, 99kg
Profile: Former Geelong Category B rookie Schlensog has developed rapidly this season and impressed over the first half of the year as a key defender. Mobile, a good kick and one of the premier ball readers behind the play outside the AFL, Schlensog looms as a ready-made option for a club.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2021 draft watch



WATCHING close relative Joel Jeffrey get his AFL opportunity with Gold Coast last year was the eye-opener NAB AFL Draft hopeful Ronald Fejo needed to pack up his life and throw everything he had at his football dream in 2021.

Jeffrey is Fejo's uncle, but the pair grew up like brothers in Darwin, playing senior football for Wanderers and hoping to emulate Joel's father Russell Jeffrey, who played 50 games for St Kilda and the Brisbane Bears.

When Fejo was overlooked by AFL clubs last year and Jeffrey joined the Suns via their Academy, the 19-year-old investigated a move to the SANFL to improve his chances the following year, landing at West Adelaide.

It's a move that has put him on the radar of AFL clubs as a late selection, with the exciting outside midfielder hoping his relocation pays off.

"It's always been an aspiration, but it opened my eyes when Joel got drafted to Gold Coast and it gave me some motivation to get up there with him," Fejo told AFL.com.au.

"That made me want to get in and play in the AFL even more and that's why I moved to SA and tried to give it a crack down there.

"I asked my manager if he could get in touch with a few clubs and West Adelaide said they would take me on, so I moved down for the pre-season and played the whole season with them."

Moving out of home and away from family for the first time was tough, Fejo said, with two younger brothers and three younger sisters all living in Darwin.

But he kept in regular contact with them all and settled into Adelaide, playing 16 reserves matches for the Bloods and averaging 18.2 disposals at 91 per cent efficiency.

A risk-taker with the ball, he earned back-to-back senior matches in rounds 11 and 12 and represented the NT Thunder in NAB League games against the Giants Academy and Tasmania mid-year.

Fejo's season was rewarded in October with his first selection in an Allies team, impressing in the under-19s clash against South Australia and putting his attributes on show.

He was then invited to the SA Draft Combine, where he finished third in the agility test (8.08sec) and second in the standing vertical jump (70cm).

"My three main strengths are my speed, my evasive skills and my kicking skills," Fejo said.

"I liked Lewis Jetta for his run and carry and that lethal right foot, and Brad Hill as well.

"They're my main two idols and I've based my game around those two. Even when the ball is not in their hands, they're always on the move and running up and down all day."

Fejo contrasts heavily with many draft prospects who build their case through the junior development pathway and representative teams.

He was overlooked for NT Thunders 14s and 16s squads, earning his first selection in the 18s team before requiring special permission to represent the Allies this year as a 19-year-old. But he has persisted.

Now back in Darwin with family, he plans to return to SA for pre-season on November 16 and wait for the Draft on November 24-25 where the down-to-Earth teenager hopes his dream of joining Jeffrey in the AFL will be realised.