2024 Draft Watch

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I posted earlier in this thread my concerns around him:

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.


Moraes is an interesting one imo. I see his floor and ceiling as having a pretty sizeable gap. On paper, he sounds great as an inside/outside mid and looks versatile enough that he could play pretty early. At the same time, I can't stop feeling like he could end up another Lochie O'Brien type who is drafted for his traits, but falls to pieces at the slightest hint of opposition attention, and doesn't have a defensive bone in his body.

I think Freijah was a "risky" draftee last year given the apparent gap between his ceiling and floor, and I'd be happy to take a chance with Moraes if he similarly slides into the 3rd round. Not sure how keen I am on him at our 2nd pick after watching more of him

I've seen a bit of Moraes over the last couple of seasons and think he's quite a good prospect especially if he could be added in the 2nd round of a strong draft.
Athletically he's good enough and the same with his skill level and he's just about to turn 18. Given he can play a few positions there appears to be enough upside.
There are a few players I'd have ahead of him ie Berry, Davis, Hannaford and Oliver etc but I wouldn't rule him out if the board thins out.

[josie]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I've seen a bit of Moraes over the last couple of seasons and think he's quite a good prospect especially if he could be added in the 2nd round of a strong draft.
Athletically he's good enough and the same with his skill level and he's just about to turn 18. Given he can play a few positions there appears to be enough upside.
There are a few players I'd have ahead of him ie Berry, Davis, Hannaford and Oliver etc but I wouldn't rule him out if the board thins out.

Hi Gvgjr - Does Moraes have that gritty determination/competitive edge to him? Is he likely to end a midfielder and if so inside or outside or bit of both? Whom in our line, up or even another side, does he remind you of?

Thanks to you & all the woofers who have watched and followed these draft prospects. It?s an exciting time, tempered by fact we?ll all be groaning when ones we like are picked before our turn. Then again once we?ve got our new lot of young ones the excitement builds further right up until we see them participate in training.

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Athletically he's good enough and the same with his skill level and he's just about to turn 18. Given he can play a few positions there appears to be enough upside.

...so...where does he actually PLAY???

I wanted to post some stuff before after I watch the Craft of the Draft or whatever they called themselves thing and I do get that recruiters are there to 'project' - but I hate this thing where we select players with either:

- No really defined position.
- A position that they will clearly (due to physical characteristics) not be suited for at senior level.
- A position that doesn't really EXIST at senior level.

I know the story is that this draft has depth (and I get that) but we don't need it to have depth. We need it to have a few players who can slot into defined roles at our footy club...yes, I get ultimately it's about getting talent to the footy club but if we (for example) draft another tall forward then that's just dumb...and if we draft him with the idea of playing him as a defender, that might be even dumber.

I wonder about Moraes (which triggered this) - I have no idea what he is as an AFL player and I would not draft him on that alone...

When in doubt draft a running defender who can kick and win his own footy...every team in Australia can do with more blokes like that and they will at least win the confidence of the coaches and be able to contribute within 18-months.

[josie]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Just been looking at clips of players touted as possible picks for us, whilst listening to some bargain 2nd hand CD’s I just purchased. Nice way to spend an evening!!

I’m presuming Berry will be taken before our pick, pity as he appears to have all the small forward qualities we are in desperate need of plus it looks like he can kick well both sides of body.

I really like the look of Oliver Hannaford. Tough, tenacious, quick, skilful. Do woofers think he will be available at our pick 17 (or 20 or whatever it is after F/S etc)?

Does anyone get Sam Darcy vibes from Floyd Burmeister? 199cm ruck/forward. I know we don’t need another tall but gee I liked his highlights.

Liked look of Cooper Hynes too but wonder if he looks good because he is so much stronger & taller than his age group and that he’ll be nowhere near as good at AFL level, plus he is not quick which doesn’t fit our need for speed & agility.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Hi Gvgjr - Does Moraes have that gritty determination/competitive edge to him? Is he likely to end a midfielder and if so inside or outside or bit of both? Whom in our line, up or even another side, does he remind you of?

Really hard to gauge that Josie, he seems to be a determined type though. Based on this year he might be more of a forward but still very capable when given runs in the middle.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

...so...where does he actually PLAY???

I wanted to post some stuff before after I watch the Craft of the Draft or whatever they called themselves thing and I do get that recruiters are there to 'project' - but I hate this thing where we select players with either:

- No really defined position.
- A position that they will clearly (due to physical characteristics) not be suited for at senior level.
- A position that doesn't really EXIST at senior level.

I know the story is that this draft has depth (and I get that) but we don't need it to have depth. We need it to have a few players who can slot into defined roles at our footy club...yes, I get ultimately it's about getting talent to the footy club but if we (for example) draft another tall forward then that's just dumb...and if we draft him with the idea of playing him as a defender, that might be even dumber.

I wonder about Moraes (which triggered this) - I have no idea what he is as an AFL player and I would not draft him on that alone...

When in doubt draft a running defender who can kick and win his own footy...every team in Australia can do with more blokes like that and they will at least win the confidence of the coaches and be able to contribute within 18-months.

This year Moraes has played more as a high half forward and he's done well in that role. He's also had a lot of runs in the midfield.
I get the clearly defined role you are looking for but I don't think we should rule players in or out because they've tended to be used in a couple of roles. Players need to adapt. As an example Sanders is a midfielder but when played at the senior level he's often asked to come of the IC bench to play as a forward. He hasn't kicked a goal at the senior level yet and has only kicked 4 goals in the VFL, He will likely line up as a forward at the start of next season.
Good footballers will find a way and we need good footballers. We also need a player or two that will provide a bit of spark and that might be the harder issue for the recruiters to nail.

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

This year Moraes has played more as a high half forward and he's done well in that role. He's also had a lot of runs in the midfield.
I get the clearly defined role you are looking for but I don't think we should rule players in or out because they've tended to be used in a couple of roles. Players need to adapt. As an example Sanders is a midfielder but when played at the senior level he's often asked to come of the IC bench to play as a forward. He hasn't kicked a goal at the senior level yet and has only kicked 4 goals in the VFL, He will likely line up as a forward at the start of next season.
Good footballers will find a way and we need good footballers. We also need a player or two that will provide a bit of spark and that might be the harder issue for the recruiters to nail.

He was touted as a top pick coming into the year but hasn't really progressed as recruiters would have liked. I much prefer we consider guys who improved in their top age year.

And I'd be very comfortable 'reaching' for Harrison Oliver with our second pick. I feel like he actually defends

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

He was touted as a top pick coming into the year but hasn't really progressed as recruiters would have liked. I much prefer we consider guys who improved in their top age year.

And I'd be very comfortable 'reaching' for Harrison Oliver with our second pick. I feel like he actually defends

Oliver is a terrific prospect. Such a good kick and he fits the elite skills half back like Taylor Duryea.
I'm not sure he's much of a reach but I do like this suggestion.

[Axe Man]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Does anybody know much about Toner? I can't see his height listed anywhere, what type of forward is he?

LOCAL FOOTY BOLTER?S 'CRAZY' RISE FROM OBSCURITY

Alix Tauru may be the biggest bolter of this year’s draft class, but no prospect has come from further back than local footy smokey Sam Toner.

The Narre Warren product had never been part of a representative program when he joined the Dandenong Stingrays mid-year as an over-age player, and now he appears destined to be drafted.

Toner, who turned 19 last week, received the call-up to the Stingrays after booting 50 goals in 13 senior games with Narre Warren in the Outer East league, also slotting 53 majors in 19 matches at under-19 level for them last season.

The exciting forward has been linked to several clubs – particularly Fremantle and GWS – after turning heads with five goals in just his second game for the Stingrays against the Eastern Ranges.

Dandenong Stingrays key defender Noah Mraz believes clubs should take a punt on him.

“Crazy, isn’t it. Cool story. Local player, over-ager too and just picked up and just came in and didn’t miss a beat,” Mraz said.

“He’s a great player, great bloke too. Just works real hard as well and you can see, don’t have a big sample size on him but you know what you’ve seen hasn’t been bad.

“I think if someone takes a chance on him I don’t think they’d be disappointed. I think he’s a great player too.”

Stingrays co-captain Cooper Hynes, a potential first-round prospect himself has also enjoyed watching his rise from obscurity.

“He came in about halfway through the year and trained with us and we are like, ‘who is this new bloke?’ This over-ager, didn’t know what to think of him,” Hynes said.

“Then he sort of debuted at Seaford, had some really good moments and was really good. And then the next week against Eastern he kicked five, sort of burst onto the scene a bit. He’s got some tricks.”

The Stingrays have another over-age player who could also be taken as a later draft selection or rookie in Riak Andrew, the younger brother of Gold Coast excitement machine Mac.

Melbourne has first dibs on Andrew as a member of its Next Generation Academy but the Demons only has picks five and nine in this year’s draft.

Andrew is seven centimetres shorter than Mac at 194cm, but has impressed with his lockdown roles this year as a key defender.

He kicked 10 goals in his first three games in the Coates Talent League before suffering a wrist injury in his fourth appearance.

Toner tested at the state combine this month and showed significant improvement in his 2km time trial and ran an impressive agility test of 8.27 seconds.

Clubs are excited by Toner’s upside as an untapped talent who has only spent half a year in the elite talent pathway, with several possible suitors in the back-half of the draft.

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Listed as 184cm

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/1683723/2024-telstra-afl-draft-prospects-small-and-medium-forwards

[Axe Man]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Listed as 184cm

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/n...edium-forwards

Thanks. Could be worth a punt with a late pick depending on our earlier choices.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Listed as 184cm

https://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/n...edium-forwards

Here are Toners state combine results.

Height 184.1
Vertical jump 70
VJ Right 73
VJ Left 83
5mtr 1.056
10mtr 1.780
20mtr 3.046
Agility 8.269
2KM 7.18

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I get the clearly defined role you are looking for but I don't think we should rule players in or out because they've tended to be used in a couple of roles. Players need to adapt.

That's not really what I'm saying - or I'm expressing myself badly.

I agree, players need to adapt - you'll never catch me NOT saying that. But at the same time, players are often played in roles at u18 footy that they WONT fit in senior footy. Medium sized lead up forwards and medium sized intercept defenders are the most notable because those roles dont exist. Small inside midfielders (who project as small forwards) are next on my hit list - don't draft forwards who aren't goal-kickers (and playing Sanders as a forward btw is a touch silly right now).

When I watch Moraes I'm not sure what he is - mid? Maybe. Forward? Possibly. I just see a player with some talent who is going to battle to pin down a role in the VFL side and as a result his development will be curtailed and he wont make it...

I get that showing versatility is good (we all like that) and competitiveness is generally enough to 'fight through' and make a role work even if you're not really suited too it/it doesn't come naturally but unless we have a clear plan - with coaches and recruiters aligned - we should leave the hybrid types to other clubs.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

That's not really what I'm saying - or I'm expressing myself badly.

I agree, players need to adapt - you'll never catch me NOT saying that. But at the same time, players are often played in roles at u18 footy that they WONT fit in senior footy. Medium sized lead up forwards and medium sized intercept defenders are the most notable because those roles dont exist. Small inside midfielders (who project as small forwards) are next on my hit list - don't draft forwards who aren't goal-kickers (and playing Sanders as a forward btw is a touch silly right now).

When I watch Moraes I'm not sure what he is - mid? Maybe. Forward? Possibly. I just see a player with some talent who is going to battle to pin down a role in the VFL side and as a result his development will be curtailed and he wont make it...

I get that showing versatility is good (we all like that) and competitiveness is generally enough to 'fight through' and make a role work even if you're not really suited too it/it doesn't come naturally but unless we have a clear plan - with coaches and recruiters aligned - we should leave the hybrid types to other clubs.

Thanks for the clarification, I guess we view Moraes a bit differently. While he might lack a point of difference I'm still seeing a player with some upside albeit he's likely to play in a position that is a difficult one to fill at the senior level (HFF) unless you have some tricks. In time he's likely to be a handy midfielder as well. There is extra an element of risk when you draft those combo forward flankers / midfielders and I was talking to a mate just yesterday who feels there is a bit of risk for even someone like Hamish Davis because if he doesn't have the ability to hold his marks at the next level he was asking if he still had the skills to make it?
My counter was that we can always find 'valid' reasons not to draft some players especially ones outside of the normal strength of a top 10/15.

Thanks for the response, I really enjoy differing views on prospective players.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

If there are any players from the National Combine or the Vic State Combine where you want to see how they performed I'll see what I can do.