2024 Draft Watch

[Mofra]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Haha watch the Saints fans go nuts now. They have 2 defenders availabkle as Next Gen picks, and they've now taken 3 defenders in the general draft (and I love the way Barrat plays)

[Bornadog]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Dom milesi says dogs unlikely to pick today in the rookie draft will instead go the ssp or the train on route

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

WA talent manager Adam Jones reflects on dire draft prediction after 10 locals realise AFL dream

Western Australia was tipped to be lucky to have one player drafted. In the end, the state had 10. ELIZA REILLY finds out how it defied predictions of a draft talent wipe-out in 2024.

State Talent Manager Adam Jones has praised Western Australia’s draft crop for exceeding expectations after a recruiting expert declared earlier this year that not one single player would be drafted.

A total of 10 sandgropers made their way onto AFL lists across the national and rookie drafts this week, down from 14 in 2023. That’s despite this masthead reporting in May that WA was bracing for its worst-ever national draft.

“I don’t think there will be a West Australian legitimately drafted this year – that’s how bad WA is at the moment. It’s the worst year for talent they’ve ever seen,” one recruiting expert said.

While disappointed the comments were made in the first place, Jones said the negative publicity worked in WA’s favour.

“We didn’t think they were justified,” Jones said.

“You look back and you question the credibility of the comments at the time.

“You feel for the players who had to read it and the people who put in a lot of work to help the boys get drafted. The timing of the comments as well, being before the national championships had been played, was really disappointing.

“With the players, it could’ve gone one of two ways. They might’ve read the comments, believed them and their form and performances could’ve gone backwards.

“But I think it was a testament to the strength of character of the group that they used it as real motivation. Thankfully the positive outcome was achieved so now we can look back and rubbish those comments.”

The WAFC was realistically expecting 7-8 WA players to be drafted so they were delighted to see 10 players realise their AFL dreams, headlined by first-round picks Bo Allan and Cody Angove. Jones did concede that a lot of players were prospective picks at the start of the year.

“Back in January, we were hopeful that a few guys would develop,” he said. “We had a skinny (Will) Hayes and (Cody) Angove who had talent.

“We knew Bo (Allan) was going to be a good prospect. We needed to develop Kayle (Gerreyn) as a forward and show his ability there. (Hugh) Boxshall wasn’t even in our summer program at that stage.

“The guys who have been drafted have really had to prove themselves this year. As the year went on, we were more confident that there would be some draftable players.

“At the end of the Championships, we had a good level of confidence we’d get to seven or eight. We’re really pleased with how it’s turned out this year.”

Jones believes that West Coast is one of the big winners of the draft, picking up Allan and Claremont forward/midfielder Hamish Davis after both slid further than expected.

Allan, a premiership player with Peel Thunder this season, was strongly linked to Richmond at picks 12 and 14 and even Melbourne at 11. But the Tigers instead opted for Taj Hotton and Jonty Faull.

“Richmond were concerned that who they ended up picking wasn’t going to make it to their next selection so it pushed Bo further down the equation,” Jones said.

“It meant that Bo spilled out but it’s a fantastic result for West Coast.”

Davis was originally predicted to be drafted anywhere from 30-45 after a strong finish to the season at Claremont but he slid all the way to the Eagles at pick 65.

“We thought he might have been a chance with West Coast’s earlier picks,” Jones said. “We thought a number of other clubs were interested as well.

“As he kept sliding down, we were getting a bit concerned for him. But it’s a fantastic result for West Coast to get him where they did.

“West Coast did really well. They had a lot of luck with players slipping.”

Claremont had the most players selected this year with five Tigers making their way onto AFL lists.

Angove and Hugh Boxshall were WA’s biggest bolters, the former landing at GWS in the first round while St Kilda traded up the order to secure the latter.

Jones believes that Clancy Dennis (Claremont), Tom Bell (South Fremantle) and Jaxon Artemis (South Fremantle) are unlucky to have been overlooked.

Dennis, a defender, was an All-Australian at the National Championships but suffered a stress fracture in his foot late in the season. Bell had AFL interest after coming from nowhere this season, while Artemis was named WA’s MVP at the Championships but struggled for consistency.

WA DRAFT RECAP
Pick 16 – Bo Allan (West Coast)

“Richmond were concerned that who they ended up picking wasn’t going to make it to their next selection so it pushed Bo further down the equation. It meant that Bo spilled out but it’s a fantastic result for West Coast.”

Pick 24 – Cody Angove (GWS)

“I was expecting him to go on Thursday night so it was a pleasant surprise to hear him get called out on Wednesday. He was over the moon. I don’t think he was even prepared for it given his mum wasn’t with him. It was a shock for everyone.”

Pick 37 – Kayle Gerreyn (Essendon)

“Clubs have been viewing him all year as a key forward who would be able to back up as a ruck in-game. He played a lot of his footy in that role this year and we saw some fantastic growth in his forward craft. He’s naturally skilled for a big guy and he can almost play as an extra midfielder.”

Pick 45 – Hugh Boxshall (St Kilda)

“He had six weeks off with a quad injury before playing the last three Champs games and then he had a collarbone injury before playing finals with Claremont. To produce what he did off the back of two significant injuries was a fantastic achievement along with the results he produced at the state combine. There was a fair bit of demand for him on that second night.”

Pick 56 – Will Hayes (Collingwood)

“We think he was really deserving. We were hopeful he would go on the second night of the draft without having any strong links to any clubs in particular. It’s a great opportunity for him to go to one of the biggest clubs in Australia. He’s slight in stature but he’s an outstanding runner. He’s got speed, skill and smarts.”

Pick 57 – Luke Urquhart (North Melbourne)

“We thought his best chance might’ve been as a rookie, not knowing that North were really keen on him. They’re super happy they got him where they did. There were a few clubs interested late in him. We’re really pleased for Luke. He’s one of the most driven kids in the group. With a young developing squad at North Melbourne, hopefully he can play some games in the next year or two.”

Pick 63 – Jaren Carr (Fremantle)

“We invited him to play in the WAFL 21s game against our 18s this year. He kicked a couple of goals in that game and looked really good. He was physically underdeveloped the past few years but now he’s started to fill out into his body a lot like his dad. At colts level he certainly showed really good ability to read the play and get into good positions.”

Pick 65 – Hamish Davis (West Coast)

“He’s got a real opportunity to play AFL next year. The character that he is and what he brings with his football ability, I think they’ve got a beauty late in the draft.”

Rookie draft pick 7 – Aiden Riddle (Fremantle)

“He had a really good level of interest throughout the year. Towards the end of the year, we were a little concerned that interest had waned a bit. The clubs that expressed interest picked up other rucks as the draft wore on. It was fortuitous for Aiden that Gold Coast plucked Max Knobel from Fremantle, giving Aiden his opportunity.”


Category B rookie – Malakai Champion (West Coast)

“He could be a real bargain. He had a really good year at State Championships and league level. It’s going to take him a couple pre-seasons to get his running up to AFL level but if he can do that, he’s got all of the tools he needs to succeed as a small forward.”

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

https://youtu.be/C7dK8giSMC8?si=edLnbKT3q-djPO8W

They get to the Dogs at 52.36...

I didn't listen to any of the other clubs.

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YNB00ygy6M

We're at 27.42 - again, haven't listened to the other clubs.

[hujsh]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

https://youtu.be/C7dK8giSMC8?si=edLnbKT3q-djPO8W

They get to the Dogs at 52.36...

I didn't listen to any of the other clubs.

The last second of the video?

45:40 they start talking Dogs

[Jasper]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

We have done okay with our selections. Nice variety of skill sets but surprisingly the most AFL ready player in Sam Davidson is best suited to an already very tall forward set up.
The bigger issue is we have 2 Docs on the list now

[azabob]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Another review of our draft haul

?A sneaky good night?

[Warrnambulldog]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Dom Brew come on down!

[GVGjr]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Dom Brew come on down!

That's great for him and it gives the club a good chance to see him up close.

[mjp]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

WA talent manager Adam Jones reflects on dire draft prediction after 10 locals realise AFL dream

Western Australia was tipped to be lucky to have one player drafted. In the end, the state had 10. ELIZA REILLY finds out how it defied predictions of a draft talent wipe-out in 2024.

State Talent Manager Adam Jones has praised Western Australia’s draft crop for exceeding expectations after a recruiting expert declared earlier this year that not one single player would be drafted.

A total of 10 sandgropers made their way onto AFL lists across the national and rookie drafts this week, down from 14 in 2023. That’s despite this masthead reporting in May that WA was bracing for its worst-ever national draft.

“I don’t think there will be a West Australian legitimately drafted this year – that’s how bad WA is at the moment. It’s the worst year for talent they’ve ever seen,” one recruiting expert said.

While disappointed the comments were made in the first place, Jones said the negative publicity worked in WA’s favour.

“We didn’t think they were justified,” Jones said.

“You look back and you question the credibility of the comments at the time.

“You feel for the players who had to read it and the people who put in a lot of work to help the boys get drafted. The timing of the comments as well, being before the national championships had been played, was really disappointing.

Look - Jonesy can sell this however he likes (and he clearly is) but having just 10x players selected - including a Cat B rookie and one who was a last minute pluck by Freo because of the Gold Coast check-mate move on Knobel is not ideal in a draft when so many kids were selected.

Why he's been so sensitive about it I have no idea. East coast clubs stopped coming over to watch colts games as there wasn't much to watch - that's fine. Not every year is 'the best' year and we have known for a few seasons that the 2006 talent pool was not at the usual level. 2007 birthdays look to be significantly better...

Back to the 2006 players, one player (Bo Allan) is highly regarded. Angove at 24 a huge surprise, Gerreyen talented but no-one knows what position he plays, Urquart can't kick, Hayes is microscopic etc etc. Don't be so sensitive about it.

Trying to figure out why no First Nations players getting drafted anymore (and why most colts sides run out without any in the 23)? Well, that's a question I would love an answer too...

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Dom Brew come on down!

The article from the HS:

The Western Bulldogs are looking at offering Werribee hard nut and inspirational captain Dom Brew a potential list spot after inviting him to train with the club.

The Herald Sun can reveal Brew, 27, will begin training with the Dogs this week in a bid to impress the clubs coaching staff and list management team. It could be the fairytale story of the summer as the mature-age hard and popular skipper has been desperately fighting for an AFL chance for years. But he still faces a fight to secure a list spot as the Dogs are weighing up other players to invite to the club as well.

While there are no guarantees, the Dogs will consider whether Brew could help provide some midfield depth next season after losing Jack Macrae (St Kilda), Bailey Smith (Geelong) and Caleb Daniel (North Melbourne) in the exchange period.
The tough nut enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024, winning the Liston Trophy as the best player in the VFL with 31 votes, nine ahead of second-placed Rory Atkins.

Brew averaged 28 possessions, 10 clearances, nine tackles, and six inside-50s a game in an outstanding season playing onball.
It means he is ready-made and will step straight into competitive match simulation with Dogs brilliant ball winners Marcus Bontempelli, 29 today, and Tom Liberatore, 32, over summer.

Brew, who is one of the most respected and popular players in the VFL, also captained Werribee to the flag, was named captain of the team of the year, and won the coaches MVP this year.
Brew is renowned for his professionalism, such as taking an ice bath every morning of the year, and outstanding character attributes.
Brew said recently he wrote a letter to all 18 club coaches in a bid to try to secure a train-on spot this summer.
He is certain to impress with his dedication, however the Dogs are likely to invite other players to try out for the club's one vacant list spot.

The Dogs will make a decision on who joins the list in the new year as part of the supplemental selection period ahead of the new season.
The Dogs enjoyed an impressive draft last week, landing midfield-forward Cooper Hynes (pick 20), rebounding defender Lachie Jaques (pick 29), half forward Josh Dolan (pick 31), tall forward and medical student Sam Davidson (pick 51) and speedster Luke Kennedy (pick 61). But after taking five players at the draft, the Dogs have the room to add one more, such as Brew, in the new year after a training stint.

I'm lucky enough now that I've played some good footy that I'm able to do that I write a letter to every club to let them know if there is an opportunity there.I'll only suit a couple of clubs because you get clubs that are rebuilding. But at my age and how much good footy I've got left in me, which is about five years, I just thought it was worth a shot.

You never know, and if it doesn't work out then at least I can go to bed knowing that I did everything I possibly could, which was the whole point of my year this year, was just making sure I gave myself the best opportunity to succeed and not leave a stone unturned.
I just reckon that all I need is an opportunity. I just need a foot in the door and the rest will take care of itself. That's where I
m at mentally, but it's out of your hands, you just don't know.

I just feel like I could make a ready impact. There would be natural improvement to come if you're doing it every day in a full-time environment.
I got in that environment where all I was focusing on was footy I'd go to another level. I'm convinced I would anyway.

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

Say wut.

Brew is 27, so.... not sure he's what we are after considering we had someone like Sullivan under our nose for years.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

That's great for him and it gives the club a good chance to see him up close.

He would be the ultimate fairytale style story. It's a shame we only have one spot- sounds like we will have the Liston trophy winner (Drew) and joint Magarey winner (Harry Boyd) potentially battling out for that spot.

Maybe one could get added to Footscray and be "next in line" if there was a mid-season spot available, but that would be a tough sell to a 27 year old and a bloke playing in SA.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2024 Draft Watch

I don?t see us and Brew being any different from others VFL dominant mids who stink it up as a HHF in a few games before being delisted. No way he?s getting midfield minutes over Bont, Adz, Libba, Ed, Kennedy, Sanders and probably West, Harmes or Garcia and Bevo loves Gags too. I just don?t get it.