2024 Draft Watch

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Assuming we get some decent picks which players fall with our range and our needs?

It's a hard one without knowing what draft picks we might have but assuming Geelongs first pick is one pieces we get for Bailey Smith then we have a wide range of candidates in the first round and then with our later picks.

A small sample of the ones I rate and who could be available at our first selection include:

Joe Berry - 180cm forward/midfielder - Quick, good defensive skills and kicks goals
Xavier Lindsay - 183cm midfielder - A brilliant kick and gets a lot of the football
Christian Moraes 183cm midfield/forward - A hard working and skilled midfielder who kicks goals when played forward
Harrison Oliver - 180cm defender - Running/Attacking defender
Oliver Hannaford - 181cm forward/midfielder/defender - Hard working and versatile

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

It's a hard one without knowing what draft picks we might have but assuming Geelongs first pick is one pieces we get for Bailey Smith then we have a wide range of candidates in the first round and then with our later picks.

A small sample of the ones I rate and who could be available at our first selection include:

Joe Berry - 180cm forward/midfielder - Quick, good defensive skills and kicks goals
Xavier Lindsay - 183cm midfielder - A brilliant kick and gets a lot of the football
Christian Moraes 183cm midfield/forward - A hard working and skilled midfielder who kicks goals when played forward
Harrison Oliver - 180cm defender - Running/Attacking defender
Oliver Hannaford - 181cm forward/midfielder/defender - Hard working and versatile

I feel like this year is very hard to pick compared to previous years. The top line prospects (especially those who played significant role last year as underagers) haven't quite kicked on as much as people expected, perhaps Sid Draper the exception.
Carlton are said to be quite keen on Xav Lindsay and will try to hold their 2024 R1 pick and trade other assets to get Houston in from Port.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I feel like this year is very hard to pick compared to previous years. The top line prospects (especially those who played significant role last year as underagers) haven't quite kicked on as much as people expected, perhaps Sid Draper the exception.
Carlton are said to be quite keen on Xav Lindsay and will try to hold their 2024 R1 pick and trade other assets to get Houston in from Port.

Carlton might be getting Kade Simpson type vibes from Xavier Lindsay.

[lemmon]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I feel like this year is very hard to pick compared to previous years. The top line prospects (especially those who played significant role last year as underagers) haven't quite kicked on as much as people expected, perhaps Sid Draper the exception.
Carlton are said to be quite keen on Xav Lindsay and will try to hold their 2024 R1 pick and trade other assets to get Houston in from Port.

Interesting point, Mof! Smillie has had a mediocre year and O'Sullivan's been injured, but I think guys like Ashcroft, Jagga, Lalor and Langford have all had good seasons. I've watched a bit of under 18s footy this year and really like those top-end mids. I think if you're a club picking anywhere from 1-8, you'd be pretty confident that you're getting a really good one in.

One player to add to G's list is Alex Dodson - he feels like our kind of ruck and should be just about in our range. More physically mature than what you'd expect from an 18-year old 200cm player, I really like his follow-up work around the stoppage.

[kruder]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

It's a hard one without knowing what draft picks we might have but assuming Geelongs first pick is one pieces we get for Bailey Smith then we have a wide range of candidates in the first round and then with our later picks.

A small sample of the ones I rate and who could be available at our first selection include:

Joe Berry - 180cm forward/midfielder - Quick, good defensive skills and kicks goals
Xavier Lindsay - 183cm midfielder - A brilliant kick and gets a lot of the football
Christian Moraes 183cm midfield/forward - A hard working and skilled midfielder who kicks goals when played forward
Harrison Oliver - 180cm defender - Running/Attacking defender
Oliver Hannaford - 181cm forward/midfielder/defender - Hard working and versatile

I'm liking the look of Berry love to know his speed/endurance mix.

[kruder]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

This CTL grand final performance from Hannaford has to have him bolting. I wanted him at our 2nd but wouldn't be surprised if Geelong's 1st pick isn't even high enough now. Could end up as much a bolter as Pickett was in his draft year (going from being rated 40+/rookie late in the year to being taken at Pick 12)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du1ae4A_rvc

That kid has something, be interesting to see how he and Berry test I reckon they would be perfect for the Kennel.

[Axe Man]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

‘Alarmed’: Reason top AFL draftee doesn’t want to be picked by club

The Adelaide Crows could reportedly lose out on a star local talent in this year’s AFL Draft because of concerns over how the Crows manage their younger players.

Adelaide finished 15th on the ladder this season, missing out on finals for the seventh year in a row.

With the No. 4 draft pick, the Crows are expected to pursue Sid Draper, a 182cm midfielder who plays for South Adelaide. Draper has averaged 22 disposals in his six league games this year.

But according to Seven News’ Josh Money, the teenager could look to be drafted to a Victorian club instead of the Crows.

Money said “those close to Sid Draper are worried about Adelaide’s ability to manage its younger players”.

“With Adelaide holding pick four in the draft and in dire need of young midfielders, many expect the Crows to pursue Draper.

“But it’s understood the Under 18 All Australian star prefers the move to a big Victorian club. “The Draper camp was alarmed by Adelaide’s handling of Josh Rachele at the end of the season, where he was dropped for the club’s final game and called out by a number of the Crows’ leaders.”

[azabob]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

‘Alarmed’: Reason top AFL draftee doesn’t want to be picked by club

The Adelaide Crows could reportedly lose out on a star local talent in this year’s AFL Draft because of concerns over how the Crows manage their younger players.

Adelaide finished 15th on the ladder this season, missing out on finals for the seventh year in a row.

With the No. 4 draft pick, the Crows are expected to pursue Sid Draper, a 182cm midfielder who plays for South Adelaide. Draper has averaged 22 disposals in his six league games this year.

But according to Seven News’ Josh Money, the teenager could look to be drafted to a Victorian club instead of the Crows.

Money said “those close to Sid Draper are worried about Adelaide’s ability to manage its younger players”.

“With Adelaide holding pick four in the draft and in dire need of young midfielders, many expect the Crows to pursue Draper.

“But it’s understood the Under 18 All Australian star prefers the move to a big Victorian club. “The Draper camp was alarmed by Adelaide’s handling of Josh Rachele at the end of the season, where he was dropped for the club’s final game and called out by a number of the Crows’ leaders.”

Axe, you won't believe the lead story on Adelaide 9 news tonight!!!

"Top S.A draft prospect Sid Draper on his journey so far as he prepares to join the AFL ranks. The teenager is a diehard Crows supporter and would love to join Adelaide or any of the other 17 clubs"

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

That would have to be the most 'jumping at shadows' article about a draftee tis year, and there are a few to choose from.
If Draper goes to the Crows I'd bet they move heaven and earth to keep him and make him comfortable.

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Rachele didn't even go to the collective minds camp!

[lemmon]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

That would have to be the most 'jumping at shadows' article about a draftee tis year, and there are a few to choose from.
If Draper goes to the Crows I'd bet they move heaven and earth to keep him and make him comfortable.

Yeah, completely agree - I have him at number 1.

I think the Victorian sides will go with locals considering the evenness at the top of the draft, but every chance the Crows will consider pick-swapping with West Coast just to make sure they get the local boy.

[Axe Man]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Werribee VFL premiership star Riley Bice tops list of medical invitees ahead of AFL draft

Werribee VFL premiership player Riley Bice is one of 10 players invited to the MCG this Saturday for a medical ahead of the AFL draft. See the full list.

It was a VFL season studded with success for first-year Werribee defender Riley Bice.

The stylish left-footer was invited to the AFL draft state combine, to be held this Sunday; was a finalist in the prestigious Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the league’s best Under 24 player and was named in the VFL team of the year; figured in the Bees’ first flag since 1993; and was judged his club’s best-first year player.

He also finished fourth in Werribee’s best and fairest.

AFL interest in the Albury product was reaffirmed yesterday when he was asked to present at the MCG this Saturday for a medical.

Richmond VFL’s Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winner Sam “Doc’’ Davidson was also invited, as were Dandenong Stingrays surprise package Sam Toner, Josaia Delana of the GWS Academy, Oliver Hannaford of the GWV Rebels, Zane Cochrane of Oakleigh Chargers, Asher Eastham of Gippsland Power, Xavier Ivisic of Geelong Falcons, Nash King of Calder Cannons and Jhett Haeata of Sandringham Dragons.

Bice, 24, says it’s good to know AFL clubs had noticed him. He says he couldn’t have imagined what was ahead when he arrived late in Werribee’s pre-season after going on a family holiday to New Zealand.

He got to Chirnside Park in February. He made up for lost time; by early March he was in Werribee’s team for the stand-alone club practice match series at Frankston.

Bice ended up playing every game, averaging 21.8 possessions across half-back.

In the gripping grand final against Southport, he had 23 touches. The Bees had trailed at half-time, prompting coach Jimmy Allan to deliver what Bice called “a pretty big spray, the worst I’ve ever been a part of’’.

“He (Allan) didn’t actually realise Prime was standing behind him, so the whole speech they were in there for would have been beeped out, I reckon,’’ he says with a laugh.

Was he worried at the main break?

“To be honest, no. I don’t think we could have played much worse. Things weren’t going our way. We got that spray and the boys responded.’’

The former Murray Bushranger marvelled at how far he came this year, after being encouraged by his Albury coaches Shaun Daly and Anthony Miles to have a dash at the state league. Bice won the club’s best and fairest in 2023 after having twice been runner-up to former AFL player and VFL Liston Trophy winner Miles.

“I rocked up to Werribee in February not really knowing what was going to happen,’’ he says.

“I sort of went week by week and the group we had there was so committed. The bond we had, players, coaches … that’s something we had over the others teams, I reckon, that connection.’’

Bice says he had “no clue’’ about his prospects of being drafted, but he has spoken to “a couple of clubs’’.

“You hear a few things but you never really know until your name’s called out.

“If nothing was to come of it, I’ve loved every moment at Werribee. You can’t really live and die by it but obviously it would be awesome if it did happen.’’

Bice’s name rang a bell with a few recruiters when it appeared on Werribee’s team sheet.

As a top-age Bushranger, he was invited to the draft combine in 2018. Overlooked for that year’s drafts, he stayed at Albury, but the VFL was never far from his thoughts. He felt the time was right after two full seasons out of Covid.

Bice believes his teammates Jack Henderson and Jack Riding should be in the thoughts of AFL clubs. Henderson won the Norm Goss Medal as best-afield in the grand final and was second in the Bees’ best and fairest, behind Dom Brew, who won everything bar Powerball this year.

“Both of those boys wouldn’t let a club down if they were given an opportunity,’’ Bice says.

Werribee coach Jimmy Allan says Bice took great strides this year, particularly with his defensive skills.

“He’s never really played back, so it was pretty foreign to him,’’ he says.

“By the end of the year his defensive stuff was really good and he complemented the other backs by setting us up with his ball movement and taking the game on.’’

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

“He’s never really played back, so it was pretty foreign to him,’’ he says.

“By the end of the year his defensive stuff was really good and he complemented the other backs by setting us up with his ball movement and taking the game on.’’

How many times do we see this?

Coaches need to lean a little more heavily into experimenting with what they have got rather than simply turning over new rocks looking for solutions. Lobb is a great example (as are Bailey Dale and Liam Jones)

[Bornadog]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

SWANS ACADEMY PROSPECT TAKES MANTLE


SYDNEY Academy prospect Joel Cochran has claimed the first honours at this weekend's Draft Combine, winning Friday's 2km time trial.

Cochran completed the run in 6:05 minutes, beating out Bendigo Pioneers talent Tobie Travaglia, who was second overall in a run of 6:13 minutes.

South Australian defender Angus Clarke and Claremont's Will Hayes both registered times of 6:16 minutes, while Hamish Davis did the endurance test in 6:18 minutes.

Cody Angove and Jasper Alger, who both ran 6:28, and Adrian Cole (6:24) were among the other strong performers in the test, which was broken into groups and completed at Collingwood's AIA Centre.

The rest of the testing will take place on Sunday, with draftees having interviews with clubs across Friday and Saturday. ? Callum Twomey

[kruder]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

MJP just interested in your view on Luke Urquhart, particularly his kicking? Ive only seen a few videos but the kid moves well around a stoppage thats for sure but his kicking looks a level even below a player like Dunkley?