Tweet
Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Rhett Montgomerie sounds like if Brett Montgomery was really lazy at making up fake names.
Rhett Montgomerie sounds like if Brett Montgomery was really lazy at making up fake names.
-
I should leave it alone but you're not right -
Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Is there a combo forward and ruckman we could consider? I know we have Darcy but I question if he should be used in the ruck.Comment
-
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
-
Comment
-
Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Which would be madness.
Outside of Darcy who probably isn't a defender long term our key defenders are Jones (32 next season), Keath (31), maybe Bruce (31), O'Brien (29) and Gardner (26).
We need to put someone on the list as a succession plan, even if it is a rookie (which I guess is what you're saying but there really should be a lot of emphasis on getting a good option here).I should leave it alone but you're not rightComment
-
Re: 2022 Draft Watch
I agree Soup but maybe the picks just don't align for us during the this year. We might do something with rookie list spots.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
-
Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
-
Re: 2022 Draft Watch
'It is what he wants': Why explosive NGA talent has eyes set on Dons
IT WAS the perfect experience for Anthony Munkara.
Having been invited to train with Essendon earlier this year as part of the club's Next Generation Academy program, Munkara learnt from a pair of his idols during his week-long stint with the Bombers.
Essendon captain Dyson Heppell took Munkara under his wing, showing him around the training facilities and guiding him through sessions, while he spent the week living alongside Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti.
For the talented mid-sized forward, who is from the Tiwi Islands and is tied to the Bombers through the NGA system, the training was an invaluable experience and kickstarted his football journey.
"It was pretty good with Essendon," Munkara told AFL.com.au.
"I went down there and trained for a week with them. I had a really good session with them, so it was good. But it was pretty hard, doing AFL training. Especially compared to under-18s and school footy."
Essendon is eligible to match any rival bid on Munkara, should it fall outside the top 40 selections in the NAB AFL Draft. That would be the ideal scenario for the 187cm playmaker, who is determined to be recruited to the Bombers.
"It's one that he keeps quiet about, but you can almost tell. He has that look in his face when you talk about it … it is what he wants. You ask him whether that's what he wants and he's very committed to it," Northern Territory talent manager Simon Hargrave said.
During his time training with Essendon, Munkara would start every day with a walk joined by McDonald-Tipungwuti and his dog. They are memories he cherished throughout a campaign decimated by injury.
The pair remain in contact, with McDonald-Tipungwuti often texting Munkara as the draft edges closer, and now a reunion could also be on the cards as the 29-year-old considers coming out of retirement to re-join the Bombers.
"He's definitely learnt from him," Hargrave said.
"Growing up on Tiwi, with the Riolis and some famous names, he's in regular contact with those players as well. They've definitely been able to provide that level of support and understanding of what it's going to take to reach the AFL level."
Munkara endured an injury-plagued year, hurting his ankle early in the campaign and managing only two SANFL under-18 matches with West Adelaide and one appearance at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships with the Allies.
He still caught the attention of AFL scouts when he kicked nine goals in a school match early in the season, before adding six more from his two games for West Adelaide to establish himself as one of the draft's most talented prospects.
But it was when Munkara was invited to play with an AFL Academy side against Collingwood's VFL team in May that the teenager really showed what he was capable of.
Playing as a marking target inside-50 in his side's encouraging 22-point defeat, Munkara finished with 11 disposals and a goal. He took a series of strong marks, and delivered several impressive glimpses of his potential.
"He's just a really hard runner from an attacking perspective," Hargrave said.
"He's very powerful and he's great overhead, but he can also play like a small forward. He likes to say it, but he compares himself to Charlie Cameron. He's definitely got those ground-level attributes as well, in how he attacks the ball.
"I think he's shown across his journey – even though it hasn't been that long – but he's shown what he's capable of. That AFL Academy game, where he played against the Collingwood VFL side, I think he showed the talent that he's actually got."
Given his limited appearances this season, there is great intrigue around where a bid for Munkara will fall on draft night. But his athleticism, mostly exhibited through his elite speed and high-leaping abilities, have a host of clubs interested.
"He's very shy when you first meet him, but as he gets to know you as a person he definitely comes out. He's not afraid to tell a joke and he's certainly a great person to be around," Hargrave said.
"He's bright and bubbly and he's been great to work with over the last couple of months. He gets you up and about. It's actually been energising to be around him. You just hope for the best for him."Comment
-
Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Latest draft news from around the country
Standby for some wheeling and dealing in the countdown to this year’s AFL draft, with the final order anything but settled. See which clubs are looking to improve their position.
Less than four weeks remain until the AFL National Draft.
Here’s the latest news from around the traps.
CATS COMMIT TO TWO LOCAL TALENTS
Geelong has committed to taking a pair of locals in this month’s rookie draft, including the son of a gun.
The Cats will select father-son prospect Osca Riccardi and Next Generation Academy member Ted Clohesy as rookies if they remain available after the national draft.
Riccardi is the son of 288-game Cats champion Peter, who was a 1998 best and fairest for the club and is a member of Geelong’s Hall of Fame.
The 18-year-old played across halfback and through the midfield for the Geelong Falcons in the NAB League this year and also featured in one VFL game for Geelong.
Clohesy was a vice-captain of the Falcons this season and is a hard-at-it midfielder who featured in three games for Vic Country in the under-18 national championships and also played one game for Geelong’s VFL team this year.
“We have followed Osca and Ted closely and have spoken to both players with a commitment to selecting them in the rookie draft,” Geelong recruiting manager Stephen Wells said.
The Cats also have their eyes on another Geelong Falcons midfielder – Jhye Clark – who has been likened to a young Joel Selwood and is favoured to join the club at pick 7 in the national draft.
TALL MID WOULD BE ‘GOOD FIT’ FOR PIES
Collingwood is keeping close tabs on Dandenong Stringrays ball-winner Henry Hustwaite, who shapes as a potential first-round draft pick.
A 194cm midfielder who has some similar traits to Scott Pendlebury, Hustwaite has links to the Magpies as the brother of Collingwood VFL co-captain Campbell.
“He’s one the last couple of years that has come from nowhere with a growth spurt and he’s learned to play inside mid and down back,” Stingrays coach Nick Cox said.
“He doesn’t have the power and the numbers running-wise as what some of the others do, but he just keeps finding the ball and uses it really well, particularly with his hands.”
Hustwaite impressed across four games for Vic Country in the under-18 national championships, averaging 20.8 disposals and 97 ranking points.
“He would be a good fit for Collingwood,” one opposition club recruiter said.
“He’s not overly quick but he’s got classy hands that can release from stoppage and the Pies have got enough running power on the outside now.
“It just makes sense.”
Collingwood currently holds picks 16, 25, 27 and 51 in this year’s draft.
INTRIGUE AROUND PICK SWAPS
Don’t be fooled — the final AFL draft order is not set just yet.
A raft of clubs are still discussing potential pick swaps, which can be made in the lead-up to and during the two-day national draft.
Clubs have until 5pm on November 15 to trade draft picks, but are then still able to complete live trades during the draft.
Sydney has made no secret of its ambition to move up the order in the first round of the draft from its current position of picks 14 and 17.
But it’s not the only club that wants to be on the move.
North Melbourne has put pick three on the table, but only if the price is right.
St Kilda is keen to improve its current hand of picks 9, 28 and 32 and move into the very pointy end of the draft to secure an A-Grade talent.
There is speculation Greater Western Sydney could trade pick 19, given it already holds picks 1, 15 and 18.
It is understood that Carlton — which currently holds picks 10 and 29 — is on the hunt for another top-20 selection if it can find a seller, which could be the Giants.
And Essendon is keen to move on pick 22, which is right in the middle of the range in which father-son prospect Alwyn Davey Jnr could receive a bid from a rival club.
If a bid for Davey came before pick 22, the Bombers would lose that selection matching it.
Essendon’s best case scenario would be a bid for Davey coming after their second draft pick.
The wheeling and dealing is not over yet.
DRAFT NIGHT INVITES
A dozen players considered to be first-round “locks” have been invited to the opening night of the AFL National Draft later this month.
Brisbane father-son prospect Will Ashcroft is among a group of invitees which also includes No. 1 pick fancy Aaron Cadman and expected North Melbourne-bound pair George Wardlaw and Harry Sheezel.
Other players to receive invites are Elijah Tsatas, Bailey Humphrey, Reuben Ginbey, Mattaes Phillipou, Cameron Mackenzie, Ollie Hollands, Jhye Clark and Jedd Busslinger.
The AFL National Draft will be held over two nights at Marvel Stadium on November 28 and 29, with the first round to be completed on the first night and the rest of selections to be made on the second night.
The Rookie Draft will be held virtually online the following day on November 30, with clubs having until December 1 to lodge their final playing lists for 2023.
HAWKS TO JUST MISS ON SON OF GUN
Hawthorn fans should be feeling flat as the son of a club gun looks set to pull on other colours next year.
West Australian Ed Allan has been among the biggest draft bolters this season and is in the mix to be snapped up by West Coast with one of their two first-round picks.
However, it could have been very different.
The 18-year-old is the son of Ben Allan, who was a 1991 premiership player with the Hawks and went on to earn back-to-back All-Australian selections in 1993 and 1994.
But Allan departed for Fremantle at the end of 1994 to be the Dockers’ inaugural captain.
That decision left him stranded on 98 games for Hawthorn — two games short of the father-son threshold.
Ed Allan is a tall midfielder at 194cm, but recruiters expect him to start his AFL career across halfback.
“He’s certainly got some good traits and comes from good stock,” one recruiter said.
“He’s a very good decision-maker so you could see him sitting across halfback early in his career and playing that really well. His ability to use the footy by foot is really good.”
If West Coast doesn’t pounce on Allan early, there are a raft of other interested clubs including Melbourne, Sydney and Carlton.
HOW THE LIONS WILL FIT IN ASHCROFT AND FLETCHER
Brisbane is confident it will find enough draft points to secure father-son prospects Will Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher without having to take a significant points deficit into next year.
Ashcroft is widely expected to attract a bid from North Melbourne at pick 2 on draft night, with Fletcher shaping as a late first-round selection.
The Lions currently have 2,247 draft points up their sleeve through holding picks 34, 35, 36, 38, 55, 73.
Ashcroft alone would cost Brisbane 2,014 points if he attracts a bid at pick 2, after the Lions receive a 20 per cent discount for matching a bid on a father-son in the first round.
If Fletcher was then to receive a late-first round bid at pick 18, he would cost the Lions a further 788 points after their 20 per cent father-son discount is taken into account.
Under that scenario, the Lions currently sit 555 points short of the 2,802 points they would require to secure the exciting pair.
Brisbane is exploring some more pick swaps to find a few more points, but would not be overly bothered if it had to take a small points deficit into next year under a worst-case scenario.
THE MID-DRAFT LOTTERY
Clubs are still working hard to finalise their boards before the national draft later this month.
But what is becoming clear is that after a standout top end, the draft order is somewhat unclear.
“The top-10 looks pretty set but from 11 to 30 it can vary a little bit,” one recruiter said.
“Some people are putting this draft down but there’s plenty of kids that I don’t mind that might be there at the back end of the draft.”
Some clubs have players rated in the top 15 or 20 that other clubs have in the 30s, which will make things interesting come draft night.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
-
Re: 2022 Draft Watch
I mentioned Brandon Leary as a prospect we could consider with our 3rd pick earlier in this thread. He's a very clever goal kicking forward. A natural finisher. Something we lack in our forward smalls.
33 goals in 14 games in the NAB league making him one of the leading goal kickers this year.
5 goals in 2 U/18 national champs matches
Forward thinking: The Tassie draft hopeful flying under the radar
Brandon Leary put together an impressive season, particularly in the NAB League
WHILE Harry Sheezel and Aaron Cadman topped the NAB League goalkickers and are touted as top-five draft picks, this Tasmanian small forward was nipping at their heels and has flown under the radar.
Brandon Leary, playing as an overage player in the under-18 competition, had a magnificent season around goals, helping the Devils get within a point of making the Grand Final.
Leary kicked 33 goals from 14 games, just one less than Cadman and three less than Sheezel.
The 19-year-old was also part of the Allies team that played at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, kicking five goals in two games after overcoming a quad niggle, and he also squeezed in two senior games for TSL club North Launceston.
Wherever and whenever Leary plays, he kicks goals, but the clever 177cm forward says the past year has brought great development in other areas.
"My defensive pressure and tackling was a key focus going into this year, and I feel like in the games I played, that worked well," Leary told AFL.com.au.
"Just making sure I was in every contest, whether I had the ball or not.
"It's not something I focused on as much in junior years, it's easier to run around and kick goals, but as you go through, there's a much bigger focus on the defensive side of things and I felt like I needed to work on that."
The attacking side of the game comes naturally to Leary, who spent the 2021 season impressing for North Launceston, where he helped the senior team to a Grand Final appearance and was named in the TSL Team of the Year.
He then got a call from the Devils to play as an overage player this season, an opportunity he jumped at, deferring the start of an education degree at university to put some extra time into footy.
Leary kicked four goals in an elimination final win over Bendigo to show he could contribute in big games.
"Playing for Tassie was great," he said.
"For us, you have to travel a lot, which was a new experience, but it was great to get away with the group and get closer to my teammates. It was everything I hoped for.
"The experience with the Allies was awesome. I feel like I fitted in well. Sometimes it's hard to play that position, it gets kicked over your head sometimes, but I thought I was up to the level."
Likely to be a later selection if his name is read out on draft night, Leary is realistic about his chances.
He said he models his game on Collingwood high-flyer Jamie Elliott, someone that can compete in the air, on the ground, is quick and agile and can apply pressure.
"That's my ultimate goal really, to play AFL," Leary said.
"I feel like I've played well enough to get a bit of a look, but you never know what's going to happen.
"I feel like the majority of boys in my position are crossing their fingers. It’s a bit of a waiting game."Listening to Brahm's 3rd RacketComment
Comment