2021 draft watch

[Bornadog]

Re: 2021 draft watch

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/dra...a043a793ba0703



List state of play: The Dogs couldn’t be better placed for a premiership tilt, with terrific age demographic and balance – yet star factor too – across every area of the ground. It seems this year’s draft for them will be a case of ‘best available’ – and for the second straight season, they’ve got priority access to one of the draft class’ best talents.

Ideal draft prospects: After matching a Pick 1 bid on Academy product Jamarra Ugle-Hagan last year, it’s likely the Dogs will again be forced to match an early play from a rival club on their father-son prospect Sam Darcy – the son of best and fairest and All-Australian Luke Darcy. And there’s every chance the team with Pick 1 makes the Dogs earn Darcy, who’s shot up draft boards in recent weeks after his six-goal haul for Vic Metro in a trial game against Vic Country. If any Dogs fans are concerned about trying to fit another key-position player (204cm) into the best 22, fear not, because Darcy’s insane versatility and athleticism means he can play in any third of the ground. Prior to his six-goal haul as a forward, he played three NAB League games for Oakleigh Chargers as a key defender that pinch-hit in the ruck, averaging 16 disposals and six marks per game. The Dogs, again, have another beauty and will, again, bank points to ensure they can match any bid on Darcy.

Must groom him for CHB

[macca]

Re: 2021 draft watch

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/dra...a043a793ba0703



List state of play: The Dogs couldn’t be better placed for a premiership tilt, with terrific age demographic and balance – yet star factor too – across every area of the ground. It seems this year’s draft for them will be a case of ‘best available’ – and for the second straight season, they’ve got priority access to one of the draft class’ best talents.

Ideal draft prospects: After matching a Pick 1 bid on Academy product Jamarra Ugle-Hagan last year, it’s likely the Dogs will again be forced to match an early play from a rival club on their father-son prospect Sam Darcy – the son of best and fairest and All-Australian Luke Darcy. And there’s every chance the team with Pick 1 makes the Dogs earn Darcy, who’s shot up draft boards in recent weeks after his six-goal haul for Vic Metro in a trial game against Vic Country. If any Dogs fans are concerned about trying to fit another key-position player (204cm) into the best 22, fear not, because Darcy’s insane versatility and athleticism means he can play in any third of the ground. Prior to his six-goal haul as a forward, he played three NAB League games for Oakleigh Chargers as a key defender that pinch-hit in the ruck, averaging 16 disposals and six marks per game. The Dogs, again, have another beauty and will, again, bank points to ensure they can match any bid on Darcy.

They never should have moved him forward. Kept him quietly there until draft day, we could have picked him up for a 3rd rounder.

The AFL need to step in here and give us a 80% discount on a father/son. Its criminal that we have to give up a first rounder for him. No disrespect on Darcy's talent.

F/S players use to be obtained for 3rd or 4th round picks.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: 2021 draft watch

If Darcy is as good as the hype... and we match a very early bid on him, you watch the media and opposition fans cry in their beer over the unfairness of the Dogs securing first JUH and then Darcy, whilst being already a top team....
Boo bloody hoo...

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2021 draft watch

If Darcy is as good as the hype... and we match a very early bid on him, you watch the media and opposition fans cry in their beer over the unfairness of the Dogs securing first JUH and then Darcy, whilst being already a top team....
Boo bloody hoo...

I’m looking forward to it. I’d drink their tears if I could.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2021 draft watch

AFL Draft - August's Power Rankings: Young talls catapult into top 10 calculations

1. Nick Daicos (Collingwood - father-son)

Best position: General midfielder/general forward
Height, weight: 183cm, 72kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 1-2
Plays like: Zach Merrett
July ranking: 1

Rationale: On performance to date, Josh Daicos has been the clear standout without a close equal. The positive improvement from Daicos over the past month has been his defensive application, with his anticipation of who the ball will go to something new he's adding to his arsenal.
Strengths:
Composure in traffic
Decision making under pressure
Draws free kicks from high tackles
Agility
Evasion
Production
Go-to-guy around the ground
Scoreboard impact
Inside-outside midfield balance
Versatility to impact games both through the midfield and up forward
Stoppage work
Contested ball winning
Consistency
AFL ready-to-go game
Anticipation of opposition decisions in traffic
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent application defensively


2. Jason Horne
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 78kg
Recruited from: South Adelaide
Projected draft range: 1-3
Plays like: Isaac Heeney (midfield version)
July ranking: 2
Rationale: Remains a solid No. 2 at this point on performance and has displayed both consistency and gradual improvement in the SANFL. His pressure and application defensively have been staples to his play.
Strengths:
Consistency of application defensively
Pressure applied to the ball carrier
Strong tackler
Aerial marking
Contested marking
Takes on the game with his run
Evasion Impact per possession
Damaging ball user
One-touch ground ball winner
Contested ball winning
Proven against senior state league opposition
Versatility to impact games both through the midfield and up forward
Scoreboard impact AFL ready-to-go game
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent production
Inconsistency of impact offensively


3. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs - father-son)
Best position: Key forward
Height, weight: 204cm, 75kg
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Projected draft range: 1-5
Plays like: Max King
July ranking: 3
Rationale: In a draft lacking in the way of premier talls, Darcy is by far and away the standard of excellence.
Strengths:
Rate of improvement
One grab contested marking
Long reach and takes marks fully extended
Attack on the ball aerially
Early reading of the drop of the ball
Protects the drop zone
Versatility to impact games as a key forward, key defender and through the ruck
Agility
One-touch at ground level
Instinctive finisher around goal
Speed to create separation on the lead
Weaknesses:
Endurance
Work rate
Repeat speed/repeat efforts
Strength
Will require time to develop before he can impact AFL games regularly




See the rest here

[Mofra]

Re: 2021 draft watch

"Speed to create separation on the lead"
Acceleration is Darcy's major weakness rather than an asset from everything I've heard.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2021 draft watch

There are a lot of potential draftees that haven't played a lot of football in the last two years which will impact their development.
With that in mind and knowing Darcy is our main priority this year does this leave us more looking at players from the various state leagues and trading with other teams to address gaps?

How many players at Footscray would be good enough that could we potentially recruit?

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2021 draft watch

There are a lot of potential draftees that haven't played a lot of football in the last two years which will impact their development.
With that in mind and knowing Darcy is our main priority this year does this leave us more looking at players from the various state leagues and trading with other teams to address gaps?

How many players at Footscray would be good enough that could we potentially recruit?

Hopefully Priority Access kids who have played at Footscray have done enough. The club would have a more intimate understanding of them as players, far more than any other club and seeing them also at training, their attitudes, coachability etc. They’re known quantities in uncertain times. Those being Macpherson & Raak, who I’d hope will come for free.

I’ve liked that we reward VFL players and makes Footscray a destination to get their AFEL dream realised. But more recently Cavarra, Hayes, Hannan (via Dees), Gowers, etc. The best are Gardner who needs to get his body right but could be good and Scott needs more time for any call to be made, etc.

Overall, it’s not an inspiring list to generate confidence for the Western Bulldogs. I’d say JGM is the best chance, but I’m not certain he will make the grade.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Hopefully Priority Access kids who have played at Footscray have done enough. The club would have a more intimate understanding of them as players, far more than any other club and seeing them also at training, their attitudes, coachability etc. They’re known quantities in uncertain times. Those being Macpherson & Raak, who I’d hope will come for free.

I’ve liked that we reward VFL players and makes Footscray a destination to get their AFEL dream realised. But more recently Cavarra, Hayes, Hannan (via Dees), Gowers, etc. The best are Gardner who needs to get his body right but could be good and Scott needs more time for any call to be made, etc.

Overall, it’s not an inspiring list to generate confidence for the Western Bulldogs. I’d say JGM is the best chance, but I’m not certain he will make the grade.

My guess is we will once again do our best to hang onto our players and we won't turn the list over enough however, I can see us chasing hard for a ruck man or KP player.

I wonder if Glass-McCasker, Van De Heuvel or MacPherson might be some names on our list.

[macca]

Re: 2021 draft watch

There are a lot of potential draftees that haven't played a lot of football in the last two years which will impact their development.
With that in mind and knowing Darcy is our main priority this year does this leave us more looking at players from the various state leagues and trading with other teams to address gaps?

How many players at Footscray would be good enough that could we potentially recruit?

I really like seeing us pickup some Footscray players. Its a great story of persistence, growth and validates our development in them.

Also the feel good factor, we found him in our 2nds can become stuff of legends like Picken and Morris.

If anyone can write up some profiles of potential candidates would be really appreciated and an enjoyable read. Thanks in advance.

[Mofra]

Re: 2021 draft watch

The romantic in me hopes we pick up Ewan McPherson as a late pick/rookie.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2021 draft watch

The romantic in me hopes we pick up Ewan McPherson as a late pick/rookie.

Same here, with just a bit of improvement we could turn him into a AFL player.

[EasternWest]

Re: 2021 draft watch

Same here, with just a bit of improvement we could turn him into a AFL player.

My only worry with this statement is it applies to a third of our current list.

I get not every pick is a sure thing but I guess I'm wary about this being a value we place on someone before we even pick them up.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2021 draft watch

My only worry with this statement is it applies to a third of our current list.

I get not every pick is a sure thing but I guess I'm wary about this being a value we place on someone before we even pick them up.

We will be picking from the back end of the draft this year because we will have to cough up a bit for Darcy and many of the players in contention at that part of the draft haven't played a lot of football in the last two years.
This is why some of the Footscray boys might be safer bets until we have better picks and a decent form line on the draft players in 2022.

Just a theory.

[Mofra]

Re: 2021 draft watch

My only worry with this statement is it applies to a third of our current list.

I get not every pick is a sure thing but I guess I'm wary about this being a value we place on someone before we even pick them up.

We're been watching him for years as a FS eligible pick. I expect if we do pick him up he'd be far more researched than most kids that come into our system.