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Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool" -
Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Adelaide Crows commit to father-son pick Max MichalanneyFFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.Comment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Would we consider taking a risk on B.George given he may not play next season? Milesi seemed to indicate we take a longer term view.Comment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
That would be a big move, I guess if they're flexible in that regard they really don't see their future is via the draft.
It doesn't make a lot of sense to me because if they miss Clark they should be comfortable the likes of Tsatas, Phillipou or Humphrey.
They really do use a different model than other clubs and it's working.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Darcy Jones on AFL.com
THERE is a steely determination to Darcy Jones.
It's a determination that was evident in the 24 hours before this month's NAB AFL Draft Combine, where the young West Australian set himself some lofty goals to impress onlooking club recruiters.
Sprinting and agility would be his pet events, so Jones wanted to knock them out of the park. But he'd also targeted the 2km time trial, and the vertical leap tests, as areas where he could catch the eye of AFL scouts.
But Jones didn't just catch their eye. He also caught their ear. If the clubs in attendance weren't already monitoring his efforts, then the applause when his time of 7.702 seconds in the agility test was read out over the loudspeaker soon grabbed their full attention.
Jones had smashed a 14-year record, previously set by Fremantle's Stephen Hill in 2008, in the agility test. He also won the vertical jump test, reaching 75cm, and finished fifth in both the running vertical jump (87cm) and the 20m sprint (2.912 seconds).
"I just wanted to do my best," Jones told AFL.com.au.
Standing at a diminutive 174cm, and weighing only 63kgs, Jones' determination has stemmed from having to prove people wrong. Given his slender frame, he knows he has to be tougher, braver and faster than the rest. And, for the most part, he has been.
"People have talked about my height a lot," Jones said.
"I've kind of made an effort to prove that it's not a massive thing, especially nowadays. There are attributes that can help you work around it and make you stand out from the rest, which I try to show off on game days."
Jones has stepped up to every level asked of him this season. Having dominated Colts footy in the WAFL with Swan Districts, he played three senior games – including one against a West Coast side stacked with AFL-listed talent – throughout the year.
He won 19 disposals, seven marks and kicked two goals from five scoring shots against the Eagles, further enhancing the crafty small forward's standing as a likely top-30 prospect ahead of next month's NAB AFL Draft.
It followed a Colts campaign where Champion Data notes Jones averaged 26 disposals, 13.7 contested possessions, 6.2 clearances, 5.2 score involvements, 4.7 tackles and a goal per game. Such impressive numbers ultimately led to his senior debut.
"The only thing that changed for me was the speed and the pace of the game," Jones said.
"I've been playing against bigger bodies my whole life and I've had to adjust to that. I've worked my way around it and used my attributes to help me. But it was the pace of the game that was a bit different.
"I just fit in straightaway. They were so good to me, they treated me like I had been there for five years. They didn't care that I was coming up from Colts, they just welcomed me and made it easy for me to fit in and play my best footy."
A monster 44-disposal game through the midfield against Perth at Colts level back in April was followed by a three-goal display as a forward the next week against Claremont, highlighting his ability to play multiple positions.
Combining the two has also been a strength of Jones' during the year, as evidenced at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships with Western Australia where he averaged 19.7 disposals, 5.3 score involvements and 1.3 goals per game.
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"I probably see myself as a small forward, or potentially on the wing," Jones said.
"I'd say inside midfield would be my favourite position, just because you're always at the ball and you get a lot of it. But, to be realistic, if I was lucky enough to get picked up it would probably be as a small forward or as a wingman.
"I've played in so many different positions, so I try to model myself on someone that plays similar roles to me. I like to model myself around Shai Bolton. Or if I'm on the wing, I look at Bradley Hill. He's so fast and good with his skills."
A big West Coast fan growing up, Jones has admirers from all over the country. Only a handful of clubs didn't meet with him during the Draft Combine, with Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney among those to request multiple interviews.
"Anywhere would be nice, to be honest," Jones said.
"I've come to terms with the fact it's more likely I'll be going over east. But you never know what's going to happen. If I'm lucky enough to go over east, then certainly I'll be over the moon."Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
The draft manoeuvring this year will be fascinating to watch. Sam Power has said we could be active and could use a Future pick to get a good pick in this draft. The machinations are endless on how we could manoeuvre ourselves to improve our position. Some ideas that could be considered;
1. We package our picks 11 & 21 to obtain a single digit pick in the this year's draft to pick up one of the highly rated youngsters. That would then leave us with picks, single digit pick, 39 & 69
2. Trade with the Swans who have 14 & 17. Swans have been open about moving up the order. If they are not successful then trading one of these picks for a future pick of ours may have some appeal as they (Kinnear Beatson) have said they are keen to improve their 2023 draft position.
We therefore have picks 11, 14 or 17, 21.
Pick 39 becomes free to trade off as we are only taking 3 picks to the draft.
3. GWS have picks 15, 18 & 19. They too are keen to move up or trade into the 2023 as I understand it. They would seem the more likely trade partner. We could target picks 15 and one of 18/19 using our pick 21 & a future F1 (F2 would be nice).
Imagine going into the draft with picks 11, 15 & 19. That 3 decent picks to improve our list with & Pick 39 to trade.
Pick 39, which will become a 2nd rounder (maybe 35) once F/S picks have been used, to use as a sweetener or we could offer it to Brisbane (to help with Fletcher points) and get our 2 x F3's back from the pricks. Whichever way it is still a useful exchange pick as we are only taking 3 picks to the draft.
If successful in either scenario 2 or 3 we have the opportunity to bundle a couple of these first rounders to move up. We will be in a stronger position than either Sydney or GWS to do so as we have the higher pick (11) to barter with. Alternatively our pick 11 could very attractive to them in their quest to move and could open up a myriad of possibilities if they are desperate enough.Listening to Brahm's 3rd RacketComment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Doc, thanks for the draft pick maneuvering thought starter but do you have any suggestions on how we could best utilises those revised picks? Which players might strengthen our hand?Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Collingwood keen on Hayes with pick 16Western Bulldogs: 2016 PremiersComment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
He has some areas that he still needs to work on. He's a great prospect and even though he improved his offensive game this year, I feel there's still improvement he needs to make in this area.
I feel Allan's combine will force clubs to have a good look at him. I don't think he'll be there at 21 with clubs too excited over his potential. Classic bolter.Comment
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