2024 Draft Watch

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I actually see a bit to like with Jack Ough. He's a bit like Gross in that he could move the ball a bit quicker but that could come in time in the right environment.
Interesting that he's been compared to Freijah here - I'd say he's less damaging than Freijah with the ball but has a bit more of a developed contested game.

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/jack-ough/

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I actually see a bit to like with Jack Ough. He's a bit like Gross in that he could move the ball a bit quicker but that could come in time in the right environment.
Interesting that he's been compared to Freijah here - I'd say he's less damaging than Freijah with the ball but has a bit more of a developed contested game.
https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/jack-ough/

Where do you see him playing at the senior level?
Freijah was a winger who we moved with great success to the half back line where he thrived.
Ough appears to be a solid prospect and I'd be interested to get an idea of where he might best fit in at the next level.

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Where do you see him playing at the senior level?
Freijah was a winger who we moved with great success to the half back line where he thrived.
Ough appears to be a solid prospect and I'd be interested to get an idea of where he might best fit in at the next level.

I think Ough would be the type that starts behind the ball and moves into the midfield rotations in time (a la Griffen/Richards). I'd guess if he had genuine forward nous he'd rest there more and be rated higher.

He's probably one of those 'taller' mids that don't tend to use their height enough to be a marking threat around the ground, or at least as much as they should. He also hasn't really had that 'ceiling' game that excites recruiters either (e.g. Freijah's 7 goal game from the wing, or Darcy rising rapidly up the draft boards with a million intercept marks in his first u18 top-aged game)

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

This might be worth a watch

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Boxshall - The only knock on him might be his kick to handball ratio but he played as a inside mid so it's understandable.
If a club was going to use him on a wing or half back then he might thrive. He should be a top 30 player.

He's just not a damaging player mate.

I accept he's a good player but am a bit confused as to what he actually IS as a senior footballer. My concern of course is he's learnt from a young age to be an inside ball winner who isn't great defensively and he's about to come up against a whole heap of guys who do that better than him...and there's only really room for 1 in each team.

I loved Sheldrick coming through (so did Sydney obviously) but I kind of see where Boxshall ends up in a similar spot at AFL level - on the fringes of the 22, racking em up in the state league but never really being able to nail it at senior level because when he gets a shot it's on the fringes...Sadly for me I think Dev Robertson is another example of this (but agree Boxshall kicks it better than Dev).

[azabob]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

He's just not a damaging player mate.

I accept he's a good player but am a bit confused as to what he actually IS as a senior footballer. My concern of course is he's learnt from a young age to be an inside ball winner who isn't great defensively and he's about to come up against a whole heap of guys who do that better than him...and there's only really room for 1 in each team.

I loved Sheldrick coming through (so did Sydney obviously) but I kind of see where Boxshall ends up in a similar spot at AFL level - on the fringes of the 22, racking em up in the state league but never really being able to nail it at senior level because when he gets a shot it's on the fringes...Sadly for me I think Dev Robertson is another example of this (but agree Boxshall kicks it better than Dev).

Don’t tell the AFL media that. There is a puff piece on him today.

From 'gutted' to glory? WA draft bolter looms as one out of the box

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1250973/from-gutted-to-glory-western-australia-bolter-hugh-boxshall-looms-as-one-out-of-the-box

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

He's just not a damaging player mate.

I accept he's a good player but am a bit confused as to what he actually IS as a senior footballer. My concern of course is he's learnt from a young age to be an inside ball winner who isn't great defensively and he's about to come up against a whole heap of guys who do that better than him...and there's only really room for 1 in each team.

I loved Sheldrick coming through (so did Sydney obviously) but I kind of see where Boxshall ends up in a similar spot at AFL level - on the fringes of the 22, racking em up in the state league but never really being able to nail it at senior level because when he gets a shot it's on the fringes...Sadly for me I think Dev Robertson is another example of this (but agree Boxshall kicks it better than Dev).

Thanks, it's a good observation.
His kicking skills aren't fantastic but could the role he's been playing as a inside midfielder be contributing to the lack of damage?
I don't mind us adding a player with a bit of a defensive appetite providing he also has the drive to expand his game.
Projecting forward I think he could fill a few spots.

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

This might be worth a watch

There were a lot of words and I guess I don't disagree with a lot of his projections (though a ruck in the top 30 picks seems not smart for us)...I don't know really. I mean, we just need:

1/. Good players who can run and spread - and will run and spread.
2/. To find ourselves a small forward (but there really isn't one - though Doc is a Reid believer!!).
3/. To start to get a jump start on the midfield evolution (I guess Richards leads the 'next' group)?
4/. To find a small defender who is happy to touch it 8-times a game but can kick it dependably when he does.

As with every year, getting too pinned down by what we need right now seems short-sighted - we primarily just need good players who can run, kick and (hopefully) win their own footy...some with an understanding that they need to hunt to defend would be really helpful.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

There were a lot of words and I guess I don't disagree with a lot of his projections (though a ruck in the top 30 picks seems not smart for us)...I don't know really. I mean, we just need:

1/. Good players who can run and spread - and will run and spread.

Whilst we are selecting later in the draft than others we should be confident we can find players like that.

2/. To find ourselves a small forward (but there really isn't one - though Doc is a Reid believer!!).

Berry could be in play, Hannaford has played a fair bit as a smaller forward. Alger a bit later if we miss on Berry.
Josh Dolan with a later selection and maybe we take a risk and select Hotton although seems unlikely.
Perhaps Moraes could be in the mix.

3/. To start to get a jump start on the midfield evolution (I guess Richards leads the 'next' group)?

To me there are plenty of options to add something to the next phase of the midfield.

4/. To find a small defender who is happy to touch it 8-times a game but can kick it dependably when he does.

Oliver should be in our range, Clarke and Jacques can play smaller if required.

We do need some good footballers and we aren't necessarily in the greatest of spots with our picks position unless we somehow manage to get a trade done and move up the order. That said, we can improve the list and address some of the gaps.

Should be a real test for the recruiting team.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Jesse Dattoli often gets linked to us in the various phantom draft speculations.
To me because he is a marking type small forward he is an almost close match to Cody Weightman so I haven't had a closer look at him.

Here is his write up from Code Sports

A draft riser this year, Dattoli is a clever half-forward who can also push into the midfield and have an impact. He had an injury-interrupted bottom-age year in 2023, but was kicking goals at all levels – and in all areas – this season. Dattoli has had some monster games at school level with Carey Grammar, after starting the Coates Talent League season in fine fashion with the Knights. During the under-18 national championships with Vic Metro he played as a half-forward, before being used as a genuine wingman in the final game against Vic Country. Dattolli gathered 20 disposals and eight marks in that game, showing an ability to read the play, run good patterns and get back to support his defence. He also took one of the marks of the tournament in Vic Metro’s second game against Western Australia, showing off his strong overhead marking as he soared over the top of an opponent at half-forward.
Dattoli is a creative ball user who generally makes good decisions with the footy in hand and can change the momentum of games. In a Wildcard weekend match against the Eastern Ranges in late August, Dattoli was best afield with 35 disposals, seven clearances, nine score involvements and a goal.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I wonder if Weightman follows the Richards move into the midfield rotation if that opens the up a couple of spots for us to bring in small forwards.

[azabob]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I thought the draft was this week, but it is not until next week...

For the love of my sanity, can it just be this week so we can officially close off 2024?

[azabob]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I wonder if Weightman follows the Richards move into the midfield rotation if that opens the up a couple of spots for us to bring in small forwards.

From memory you mentioned Weightman did some training in the pre season with the midfield group?

I do know that jee and mjp are pushing for Weightman into the midfield.

Which is kind of funny as jee was consistent in saying what he loves about Weightman is Weightman wants to play as a forward and not play midfield!

[Axe Man]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

AFL Phantom draft 2024: Chris Cavanagh maps out the top 35 picks on the AFL Draft

With the AFL draft less than two weeks away, Chris Cavanagh fires up his Phantom Draft to see who every club could pick ? and it looks like the Blues could be set to pull off a stunner.

Carlton could swing an early draft surprise as the Blues weigh up selecting South Australian midfielder Sid Draper with their No. 3 pick.

It is understood that Draper met with the Blues on Friday, with any potential play for him set to have ramifications down the order.

Carlton has long been linked to Victorian midfielder Finn O?Sullivan with its first selection, who is a second cousin of Sam Walsh.

However, rival clubs believe that O?Sullivan is no certainty for that selection as Draper firmly comes into calculations.

Draper is rated by some as the most explosive midfielder in the draft pool, drawing comparisons to Sydney star Chad Warner.

After missing the start of the season with a stress fracture in his shin, Draper captained South Australia at the under-18 national championships and went on to impress in six games of senior footy for South Adelaide in the SANFL.

The 18-year-old is the younger brother of ex-Collingwood player Arlo, who was selected in the 2021 national draft.

The Blues? pick has been described by rival clubs as a ?turning point? in the draft, which could start a ?chain reaction?.

Adelaide (pick 4) has had a close eye on Draper and is still considered the favourite to secure him.

However, if the local talent is taken off the board by Carlton, the Crows are expected to instead look to big-bodied Victorian midfielder Harvey Langford.

Melbourne ? which has been strongly linked to Langford ? may then have Finn O?Sullivan and Jagga Smith as options at pick 5.

St Kilda is a good chance to further shake up the top 10, with expectations that the Saints will try and split one of their first two picks for selections further back in the first round.

Greater Western Sydney ? which holds three later first-round selections ? is one club that would be capable of doing a deal with St Kilda, but the Giants say they have not yet been approached.

Any pick swaps must wait for live trading during the draft, after the pick trading window closed last Friday.

Only one deal was done during that window, with Collingwood bizarrely sending pick 58 to the Brisbane Lions in exchange for picks 60 and 66.

The deal leaves the Magpies with four picks in the national draft, but they are only expected to select three players.

1. Sam Lalor
Midfielder/Forward, 188cm, GWV Rebels/Bacchus Marsh
Drafted: RICHMOND

2. Alixzander Tauru
Defender/Forward, 193cm, Gippsland Power/Warragul Industrials
Drafted: NORTH MELBOURNE

3. Levi Ashcroft
***Match bid from Carlton*** Midfielder, 179cm, Sandringham Dragons/Old Brighton Grammarians
Drafted: BRISBANE LIONS

4. Finn O'Sullivan
Midfielder, 182cm, Oakleigh Chargers/Koroit
Drafted: CARLTON

5. Sid Draper
Midfielder, 182cm, South Adelaide/Willunga
Drafted: ADELAIDE

6. Harvey Langford
Midfielder, 191cm, Dandenong Stingrays/Mount Martha
Drafted: MELBOURNE

7. Josh Smillie
Midfielder, 195cm, Eastern Ranges/Park Orchards
Drafted: RICHMOND

8. Jagga Smith
Midfielder, 182cm, Oakleigh Chargers/Richmond Juniors
Drafted: ST KILDA

9. Leo Lombard
***Match bid from St Kilda*** Midfielder/Forward, 179cm, Gold Coast Suns Academy/Broadbeach
Drafted: GOLD COAST

10. Tobie Travaglia
Defender/Midfielder, 187cm, Bendigo Pioneers/Sandhurst
Drafted: ST KILDA

11. Isaac Kako
***Match bid from Melbourne*** Forward, 176cm, Calder Cannons/Northern Saints
Drafted: ESSENDON

12. Harry Armstrong
Forward, 195cm, Sandringham Dragons/Ormond
Drafted: MELBOURNE

13. Bo Allan
Midfielder/Defender, 191cm, Peel Thunder/Halls Head
Drafted: RICHMOND

14. Jack Whitlock
Forward, 200cm, Murray Bushrangers/Shepparton
Drafted: RICHMOND

15. Xavier Lindsay
Midfielder, 183cm, Gippsland Power/Leongatha
Drafted: WEST COAST

16. Jobe Shanahan
Forward, 195cm, Bendigo Pioneers/Moama
Drafted: PORT ADELAIDE

17. Joe Berry
Forward, 181cm, Murray Bushrangers/Wangaratta
Drafted: FREMANTLE

18. Taj Hotton
Midfielder/Forward, 182cm, Sandringham Dragons/Hampton Rovers
Drafted: GWS GIANTS

19. Noah Mraz
Defender, 198cm, Dandenong Stingrays/Narre North Foxes
Drafted: GWS GIANTS

20. Murphy Reid
Midfielder, 181cm, Sandringham Dragons/South Melbourne Districts
Drafted: WESTERN BULLDOGS
We say: There is a widespread feeling now that Murphy could be one of this year?s big draft sliders, after being rated by some as a top-10 selection earlier in the year. He?ll still be snapped up in the first round and is a classy player who Sandringham coach Rob Harding has likened to Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury. However, some scouts have raised questions about Reid?s size and whether he is a little bit one-paced. Interstate clubs have also left interviews with the impression that Reid would prefer to ? or be better suited to ? remaining in Victoria. He has been linked to Port Adelaide a few spots earlier, but if the Power instead grab a tall then Reid could conceivably slip to the Bulldogs. Rivals believe he would complement the Dogs? midfield nicely.

The numbers say: Finished as the No.2 ranked player at the under-18 national championships this year, averaging 24.5 disposals, 3.3 marks, 3.3 clearances, 7.3 score involvements and 131 ranking points.

21. Cooper Hynes
Midfielder/Forward, 190cm, Dandenong Stingrays/Bonbeach
Drafted: RICHMOND

22. Sam Marshall
***Match bid from Sydney*** Midfielder, 185cm, Brisbane Lions Academy/Sandringham Dragons/Old Melburnians
Drafted: BRISBANE LIONS

23. Jesse Dattoli
Forward/Midfielder, 179cm, Northern Knights/Heidelberg
Drafted: SYDNEY

24. Alex Dodson
Ruck, 201cm, Sturt/Payneham
Drafted: RICHMOND

25. Jasper Alger
Forward, 183cm, Oakleigh Chargers/Warragul
Drafted: GWS GIANTS

26. Matt Whitlock
Defender/Forward, 198cm, Murray Bushrangers/Shepparton
Drafted: SYDNEY

27. Tom Gross
Midfielder/Forward, 181cm, Oakleigh Chargers/Old Trinity Grammarians
Drafted: RICHMOND

28. Harry Oliver
Defender, 181cm, Sandringham Dragons/St Bedes-Mentone
Drafted: RICHMOND

29. Luke Trainor
Defender, 194cm, Sandringham Dragons/Old Brighton Grammarians
Drafted: WESTERN BULLDOGS
We say: Rated a potential top-five pick earlier this year, Trainor shapes as perhaps the biggest draft slider despite showing plenty on the field at stages this year. On talent, some recruiters rate him ?the best tall utility in the draft?. However, there are concerns over recent head knocks, as well as question marks over his one-on-one defensive abilities. It is understood that the Bulldogs are one club who have done some late work on Trainor, recognising that he could prove a bargain buy if he slides outside of the first round. Trainor?s biggest strengths are his intercepting and overhead marking and he has drawn comparisons to Geelong?s Tom Stewart as a third-tall type defender.

The numbers say: Rated at the No.2 key defender in the Coates Talent League this year, averaging 19.8 disposals, 5.6 marks, 2.4 intercept marks, 6 intercept possessions and 103 ranking points.

30. Ollie Hannaford
Forward, 180cm, GWV Rebels/Sandhurst
Drafted: WEST COAST

31. Christian Moraes
Midfielder/Forward, 183cm, Eastern Ranges/Knox
Drafted: PORT ADELAIDE

32. Jonty Faull
Forward, 195cm, GWV Rebels/Redan
Drafted: FREMANTLE

33. Ben Camporeale
***Match bid from St Kilda*** Midfielder, 186cm, Glenelg/Brighton
Drafted: CARLTON

34. Thomas Sims
Forward/Ruck, 199cm, Northern Knights/Montmorency
Drafted: ST KILDA

35. Jack Ough
Midfielder/Defender, 194cm, GWV Rebels/East Point
Drafted: HAWTHORN

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

If that was to play out that way, it would be a very good outcome for us.