2022 Draft Watch

[GVGjr]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

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.

12 players so far have been invited to the draft and given we have pick 11 (12) is it somewhat safe to assume we have indicated that we will select one of the boys from the above list?

I know the order could very well change with the St Kilda and Sydney looking to move up in the order but there may not be many other players from outside of that 12 that are in the mix for us. I think Busslinger is now right on our radar.

[jazzadogs]

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

https://www.afl.com.au/news/863006/forward-thinking-the-tassie-draft-hopeful-flying-under-the-radar

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."

How nervous should we be about drafting young Tasmanians at the moment?

He certainly sounds like he fits our needs otherwise.

[kruder]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Could Cowan become a mid at AFL level in time? We don't need another HBF but that kid has something there is no doubt about it.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Could Cowan become a mid at AFL level in time? We don't need another HBF but that kid has something there is no doubt about it.

It's possible but I don't think it happens that much.
You can convert a junior midfielder into a defender much like we have with Williams and even Daniel but I don't think it happens frequently the other way. It probably does though
Cowan didn't test very well at the combine with his sprints or endurance so there is a bit of work to be done there.

[The Doctor]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

November power rankings from Rookie Me Central.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/power-rankings/afl-draft-power-rankings-november-2022/

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

November power rankings from Rookie Me Central.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/pow...november-2022/

Do you have any suggestions on who we might pick?

[The Doctor]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Do you have any suggestions on who we might pick?

No not really. The club keeps things fairly quiet.

Ive mentioned earlier in this thread that I'd be keen on George or Weddle at our 1st and like Clarke, Barnett or Jones with our 2nd. However I wouldn't be surprised if none of these are among our selections. I really do hope we find a good small forward.

[Jasper]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

No not really. The club keeps things fairly quiet.

Ive mentioned earlier in this thread that I'd be keen on George or Weddle at our 1st and like Clarke, Barnett or Jones with our 2nd. However I wouldn't be surprised if none of these are among our selections. I really do hope we find a good small forward.

Thoughts on Allan and Busslinger?

[The Doctor]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Thoughts on Allan and Busslinger?

Didn't see much of Allan at the champs. Check out MJP's post about him earlier in this thread. He gives some good insight.

I was a bit underwhelmed by Busslinger. He didn't take the key forwards which made you wonder, why? if we are looking to bring in a tall defender I prefer Weddle. He takes on all sizes!

[Jasper]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Didn't see much of Allan at the champs. Check out MJP's post about him earlier in this thread. He gives some good insight.

I was a bit underwhelmed by Busslinger. He didn't take the key forwards which made you wonder, why? if we are looking to bring in a tall defender I prefer Weddle. He takes on all sizes!

Ive see some highlights of Weddle and watched him through the state games and Im getting a bigger even more athletic Easton Wood vibe about him and I think that makes him an exciting prospect. Allan looks like a ready made senior player and he could be used on a wing early on. Id be happy if we got either or both of these boys. Jones would be the backup at pick 21 and could be that small forward and mid that we are after.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Ive see some highlights of Weddle and watched him through the state games and Im getting a bigger even more athletic Easton Wood vibe about him and I think that makes him an exciting prospect. Allan looks like a ready made senior player and he could be used on a wing early on. Id be happy if we got either or both of these boys. Jones would be the backup at pick 21 and could be that small forward and mid that we are after.

I get to see Oakleigh a bit and Weddle is an eye-catching player. He also tested brilliantly at the combine in all facets.
He was right up in the rankings with his vertical leaps and agility plus his sprinting and endurance results were elite.
He measured in at 191.6cm tall and an imposing 90kg.

Most phantom drafts would suggest pick 11 is a bit too early to select him but I could see his range being somewhere between 14 and 20 so pick 11 moving to 12 isn't that much of a reach.

I agree about Ed Allan and I think he is one of the hardest players to predict where he might be picked up. Could West Coast take him at 12 if they miss out on Gibney and Busslinger or will they take the chance he is available to 20 or even 26.

Darcy Jones would be a solid selection and it's his ability to read the game and make an impact that will have clubs looking past his size and is only 62kg so would need some work. He really tested well at the combine and was number 1 for agility.

[Mitcha]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Didn't see much of Allan at the champs. Check out MJP's post about him earlier in this thread. He gives some good insight.

I was a bit underwhelmed by Busslinger. He didn't take the key forwards which made you wonder, why? if we are looking to bring in a tall defender I prefer Weddle. He takes on all sizes!

Interestingly from what I have been told is that back in the day at Dandenong Stingrays, Weitering was allowed free reign to do pretty much as he pleased while Kieran Collins took the key forwards. Weitering has turned out ok, Collins on the other hand not so much.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Interestingly from what I have been told is that back in the day at Dandenong Stingrays, Weitering was allowed free reign to do pretty much as he pleased while Kieran Collins took the key forwards. Weitering has turned out ok, Collins on the other hand not so much.

Yep, Collins got the job to shut down the better performed players while Weitering was given a lot more latitude.
Regarding Busslinger, we can't blame the player for they way the WA coach used him but I'm sure that is a discussion that can be had with the coach.
He's creative intercepting type and I think he will be strongly considered by us if he is available.

Like a lot of youngsters he needs to add some size and strength.

[Missing Dog]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Yep, Collins got the job to shut down the better performed players while Weitering was given a lot more latitude.
Regarding Busslinger, we can't blame the player for they way the WA coach used him but I'm sure that is a discussion that can be had with the coach.
He's creative intercepting type and I think he will be strongly considered by us if he is available.

Like a lot of youngsters he needs to add some size and strength.

The same discussion could be had about Hayes. He is a solid prospect but Weddle took on all the big jobs and allowed Hayes to roam freely. It's quite telling that the coaches preferred Weddle to play on Cadman as opposed to Hayes. I would argue that at least Busslinger appears to be more damaging with the ball coming out of defence, whereas Hayes appears more suspect. Hayes has improved this area of his game but I'm not sure he can pull the trigger like Busslinger, especially at the next level.

Additionally, at least Busslinger has exposed WAFL form. He may not have been matched up on the giants but you can see how he competes against stronger bodies which is another feather in his cap.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

From the HUN

Essendon has nominated West Adelaide forward Anthony Munkara through the Next Generation Academy process.

But the Crows have not committed to North Adelaide forward/ruck Isaac Keeler, who will instead be in the open pool at this month’s national draft.

Munkara, 18, has been viewed as something of a mystery prospect because he has not played since July after returning home to the Tiwi Islands due to a series of family tragedies in a short period.

Clubs had until last Wednesday to decide on their NGA nominees.

The Bombers chose to ensure priority access for the 188cm talent but Adelaide did not do the same with SA under-18 big man Keeler.

Under the system’s rules this year, clubs cannot match bids on nominated NGA players until after pick 40, giving other teams the chance to draft them beforehand.

Essendon will be able to rookie-list Munkara if no one selects him.

Munkara, who tested at last month’s national combine, impressed playing for an AFL academy team against Collingwood’s VFL side in May.

But recruiters did not see much of him this year.

He lined up in just two official under-18 games for West Adelaide in 2022, kicking 4.1 in the first and 2.0 in the second, and sparingly in college ranks for Westminster.

In his sole national under-18 championships match for the Allies, he injured his ankle.

Recruiters rate Munkara’s talent but are split about his draft prospects because of his limited appearances.

Father-son duo Alwyn and Jayden Davey are also tied to the Bombers this year.

Essendon has picks 4, 22, 54, 62, 68 and 72.

There is a reasonable chance Keeler, who has been likened to Paddy Ryder, will not be available after pick 40 anyway, given he is viewed as a potential second-round selection.

Adelaide, which is tipped to make two picks, holds 46, 56 and 59.

It had already nominated Norwood defender Max Michalanney as a father-son prospect.