2024 Draft Watch

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

The last time we took a genuine ruck with a first round pick , Rohan Marshall, Sam Draper and Oscar McInerney were available in the rookie draft.
I'm all for adding a ruck, dead against using our first rounder on one. Development profiles are just so much harder to track for rucks.

Even Sam Darcy was a tall utility projected to go in the 3rd 12 months out from the draft (which all changed in round 1 of his u18 year when he took a ridiculous amount of marks at CHB!)

[Countrydog5]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Clarke certainly displays the ability to take the game on and take space as a running half back, but to me his kicking looks neat at best, and sloppy at worst. Just in that highlights package alone, he missed a number of short kicks under no pressure, and his longer kicking doesn't seem to have much penetration to it. Could be completely wrong, but if we see him as a distributer off half back I'd hope that area of his game improves otherwise he could be a turnover merchant at the next level. Not sure if it's something that will come with strength, but his kicks look loopy and are easily caught in the breeze.

Angus Clarke is getting a few mentions here

From Code Sports

The nephew of former Adelaide ruckman Matthew Clarke, the boy from a dairy farm outside of Mount Gambier surprised with what he was able to do this year. An intercept and rebounding defender who has been compared to Essendon?s Mason Redman, Clarke is good one-on-one but also possesses a penetrating kick and can provide great run and carry from the back half. He impressed across four games for South Australia at the under-18 national championships, including in the side?s final game against Vic Metro where he logged a game-high 618 metres gained from 21 disposals. Clarke was one of Glenelg?s best in its under-18s preliminary final loss to Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL in September, gathering 19 disposals and kicking 1.2 after being pushed forward in the second half. He put his running capabilities on show at the national draft combine in October, finishing third in the 2km time trial in 6min 16sec.

Combine results
Height 188.6
Vertical jump 52
VJ Right 63
VJ Left 76
5mtr 1.11
10mtr 1.85
20mtr 3.12
Agility 8.90
2KM 6.16

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

...but to me his kicking looks neat at best, and sloppy at worst. Just in that highlights package alone...

In the WA game I remember him kicking in quite a bit. Bad kicks don't get that job...without watching the highlights, I'm gonna disagree with you there. Clarke is solid by foot.

[Uninformed]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Wouldn't say any like-for-likes, but Travaglia is maybe the closest thing?

Just read up on him. Sounds perfect, but a bit to high a pick for us. Anyone similar you have come across around our picks?

[Virgin-Dog]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Just read up on him. Sounds perfect, but a bit to high a pick for us. Anyone similar you have come across around our picks?

Yeah unfortunately can't see him getting past the WA sides who I imagine would both be interested (if not the Saints at one of their picks).

In terms of what I've seen players deliver this year, I think Harrison Oliver is arguably better at winning a loose ball in tight congestion than Richards, though he's a little inclined to go the sideways handball at times where Richards would be going the aggressive kick down the line. Richards is also better aerially, and quicker (at least that's my impression), but Oliver plays with great intensity.

The other option is Lachie Jacques. His intercepting is much more advanced than Oliver - looks like he's got springs on his feet at times, and quite a strong grab. His kicking can be a weapon over all distances (like Richards), though his ball drop looks a little weird at times (I don't know if he's dropping it too high? He always looks like he's about to shank it, but doesn't. I don't know, maybe it's just me). My one concern with him is that while he's shown he has pace and can take the game on, I feel he often takes these great grabs then goes back on the mark and looks to kick instead of playing on and using his pace to full effect.

I think in terms of traits, Jacques is the closest thing to Richards.
In terms of actual gameplay, Oliver is the closest.

Both would likely be available at our 2nd pick (currently 25), and Jacques potentially even our 3rd, depending on where that lands post-bids.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Clarke certainly displays the ability to take the game on and take space as a running half back, but to me his kicking looks neat at best, and sloppy at worst. Just in that highlights package alone, he missed a number of short kicks under no pressure, and his longer kicking doesn't seem to have much penetration to it. Could be completely wrong, but if we see him as a distributer off half back I'd hope that area of his game improves otherwise he could be a turnover merchant at the next level. Not sure if it's something that will come with strength, but his kicks look loopy and are easily caught in the breeze.

I think his kicking skills are better than neat but I wonder if we have been a bit spoiled by having someone like Bailey Dale in the side?

Two other options are Harrision Oliver and Lachie Jacques

Here are their write ups from Code Sports

Oliver
A small rebounding defender with a piercing left-foot kick, Oliver loves to take the game on and break the lines from the back half. He’s got good speed and power, he’s combative in the contest, he reads the play well ahead of him and he regularly makes the right decisions and hits targets by foot. Playing for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships, Oliver was particularly impressive in the side’s first match against the Allies where he recorded 25 disposals, five rebound 50s, seven intercept possessions and five score involvements. He went on to be named in a back pocket in the All-Australian team, before finishing the season strongly with Sandringham. Described as a “heart and soul” player at the Dragons, Oliver was part of the club’s premiership-winning side and logged 17 disposals, five marks and seven intercept possessions in the Grand Final, providing some important rebound from half-back.

Unfortunately he didn't test at the combine but he measured in at 180.9. The trade off is that he is a more calculated defender and he doesn't take the game on like Clarke does

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Jacques

Combine results
Height 185.0
Vertical jump 60
VJ Right 75
VJ Left 85
5mtr 1.14
10mtr 1.87
20mtr 3.11
Agility 8.61
2KM 6.36

His write up on Code Sports

Kicking off the season with a strong run of form for the Falcons and then being one of the surprise packets at the national championships, where he was named as an All-Australian. The small defender showed his nice mix of attacking flare and defensive intent in Vic Country’s narrow win over the Allies, tallying 22 disposals, nine intercepts, three intercept marks and 121 SuperCoach points along with laying a goal-saving tackle. The Falcons co-captain has plenty going for him as a rebounding defender: he reads the play nicely, takes the game on, uses the ball well and has a good tank. Jaques is also a highly regarded leader, helping his side through a difficult time during the pre-season after the tragic death of volunteer Kevin Evans, who had worked in the talent pathway for three decades. The St Mary’s product’s top-ranked performance of the year came in round 18, where he took four intercept marks and racked up 27 disposals, 21 kicks and 135 SuperCoach points, but he had more of a defensive focus as the year went on. A member of the Coates Talent League team of the year, Jaques was the only Falcons talent invited to the national combine and grew up a Geelong fan.

[Uninformed]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Thanks for those suggestions. I will read up on them a bit more, but like the sound of Jacques - as perhaps the going back and taking time after marking could be trained out of him.

With Richards it is his combination of size, speed, skill, one touch handing, marking and kicking that make him the prototype for today's game in my eyes. He can play back, wing, mid now, and even forward and add something everywhere he plays.

Adding an Ed clone would be a great upgrade for the team I think. Do you think Jacques could go into the midfield eventually?

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Yeah unfortunately can't see him getting past the WA sides who I imagine would both be interested (if not the Saints at one of their picks).

In terms of what I've seen players deliver this year, I think Harrison Oliver is arguably better at winning a loose ball in tight congestion than Richards, though he's a little inclined to go the sideways handball at times where Richards would be going the aggressive kick down the line. Richards is also better aerially, and quicker (at least that's my impression), but Oliver plays with great intensity.

The other option is Lachie Jacques. His intercepting is much more advanced than Oliver - looks like he's got springs on his feet at times, and quite a strong grab. His kicking can be a weapon over all distances (like Richards), though his ball drop looks a little weird at times (I don't know if he's dropping it too high? He always looks like he's about to shank it, but doesn't. I don't know, maybe it's just me). My one concern with him is that while he's shown he has pace and can take the game on, I feel he often takes these great grabs then goes back on the mark and looks to kick instead of playing on and using his pace to full effect.

I think in terms of traits, Jacques is the closest thing to Richards.
In terms of actual gameplay, Oliver is the closest.

Both would likely be available at our 2nd pick (currently 25), and Jacques potentially even our 3rd, depending on where that lands post-bids.

I missed this when I added the two posts on Oliver and Jacques. Looks like we are on the same page. FWIW I did read a comparison between Oliver and Hodge

[Virgin-Dog]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I missed this when I added the two posts on Oliver and Jacques. Looks like we are on the same page. FWIW I did read a comparison between Oliver and Hodge

I appreciate you sharing the combine results for Jacques, I had looked for them but couldn't find them.

On paper I think Jacques is the "better" prospect of the two based purely on raw talent, but Oliver has the right mindset to be successful (which is absolutely vital to be a successful small defender). If forced to pick, I'd definitely be going Oliver even though I think Jacques is arguably more talented.

Being compared to Hodge is an enormous compliment. It's players like Oliver and Hannaford I want to see us drafting more of. Don't get me wrong, both are obviously talented kids, but talent can only get you so far. Guys who play at their kind of intensity are almost guaranteed to become, at worst, successful role players.

As an aside, I haven't enjoyed following a draft crop this much since 2018. Every week I'm changing my mind on who I want, especially with our later picks. Hannaford is probably the only one my mind is absolutely made up on, I'd be devastated if we don't get him

[kickit2Koly]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

From the footage I like the look of Hynes at one of our first 2 pick. He reminds me a little of Degoey.

[Virgin-Dog]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

One player I’m struggling to see the upside in is Jesse Dattoli.

I don’t know if I’ve missed his good games, or I’m just watching the wrong footage, or missing something that I should be appreciating, but I really can’t see what he offers to an AFL side. Every time I watch him, I just see a relatively slow, lead and mark forward or a handball-happy midfielder with no point of difference. I’ve seen comparisons to players like Rachele, but I’m having a hard time seeing anything from him as a forward that we couldn’t have had from keeping Charlie Clarke. And I don’t see how he’s playing in the middle any time soon.

I even saw one source compare him to Toby Greene lol. I genuinely see more Fergus Greene as a forward.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

From the footage I like the look of Hynes at one of our first 2 pick. He reminds me a little of Degoey.

Just my guess but if we were to wait I think he certainly goes before our 2nd pick.
There are a lot of midfielders in this draft but there isn't a lot of taller midfielder so it's possible teams with multiple picks, Richmond, Melbourne, StKilda, GWS and even Sydney, are likely to take taller/bigger midfielders a bit early.
Does Hynes even make it to our first pick?

[Dogs 24/7]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

One player I’m struggling to see the upside in is Jesse Dattoli.

I don’t know if I’ve missed his good games, or I’m just watching the wrong footage, or missing something that I should be appreciating, but I really can’t see what he offers to an AFL side. Every time I watch him, I just see a relatively slow, lead and mark forward or a handball-happy midfielder with no point of difference. I’ve seen comparisons to players like Rachele, but I’m having a hard time seeing anything from him as a forward that we couldn’t have had from keeping Charlie Clarke. And I don’t see how he’s playing in the middle any time soon.

I even saw one source compare him to Toby Greene lol. I genuinely see more Fergus Greene as a forward.

Same here, Alger a far better option on what I've seen.

[kickit2Koly]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Just my guess but if we were to wait I think he certainly goes before our 2nd pick.
There are a lot of midfielders in this draft but there isn't a lot of taller midfielder so it's possible teams with multiple picks, Richmond, Melbourne, StKilda, GWS and even Sydney, are likely to take taller/bigger midfielders a bit early.
Does Hynes even make it to our first pick?

I guess it depends if teams see him as a mid long term. I read somewhere a few see him only as a forward and there are question marks on his tank.