2014 draft watch

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  • wimberga
    WOOF Member
    • Nov 2007
    • 851

    Re: 2014 draft watch

    Found one - http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-06-3...-academy-medal

    MIDFIELDER Liam Duggan has won the Ben Mitchell Medal as the leading player of this year's AFL National Academy.

    Mitchell, an Academy member striving to be drafted, died when he was 16 in a car accident in 2002. He was a part of the Academy's fifth intake.

    At the end of each Academy program, each player in the level two squad is assigned a team value, such as courage, commitment, trust and leadership, and vote on which teammate best embodies that trait.

    Duggan won the most votes to be named this year's recipient on Monday, at the 2013/2014 squad's final meeting together.

    "For me to be voted in by my peers is a huge honour," the Western Jets prospect said.

    "It's a humbling award to win among a great bunch of blokes. When we went on the European tour (in April this year) we had a booklet and the medal was highlighted, with Ben's unfortunate story.

    "It’s a big honour to have won the medal."

    Academy captain, West Australian Brad Walsh, was second placed, with injured Victorian Jake Lever third.

    Essendon's Joe Daniher received the medal in 2012, while last year's was shared between Greater Western Sydney's No.2 pick Josh Kelly and Sydney Swans midfielder Lloyd Perris.

    Duggan has had a consistent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for Vic Metro, playing mainly through the midfield.

    His balance, left-foot disposal and smarts around the ball make him a highly rated draftee, with the Mitchell Medal confirming his quality off-field character.

    "I haven't been outstanding through the championships but I think I've played my role within the team and have done my bit," he said.

    Comment

    • GVGjr
      Moderator
      • Nov 2006
      • 44645

      Re: 2014 draft watch

      Callum Twoomey has added his thoughts of a likely draft order. Worth a read

      Draft expert Callum Twomey takes an early look at the best kids in the land
      Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

      Comment

      • bulldogtragic
        The List Manager
        • Jan 2007
        • 34289

        Re: 2014 draft watch

        Originally posted by GVGjr
        Callum Twoomey has added his thoughts of a likely draft order. Worth a read

        http://afl.com.au/news/2014-07-04/ph...aft-form-guide
        Thanks G, interesting read.
        Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023

        Comment

        • GVGjr
          Moderator
          • Nov 2006
          • 44645

          Re: 2014 draft watch

          Thought I might add some quick summaries for a few of the players I saw over the carnival.

          Peter Wright - a 203cm giant with a fair bit of upside. Can play in the ruck and up forward but with take a few seasons to develop. For a club like ours where there is limited patience amongst the supporter group it could be a difficult selection if he was somehow available when we have our first pick.

          Patrick McCartin - 192cm key forward who could be the first player selected. Strong mark, accurate kick and I cant see how he would slip past the top 3 picks.

          Christian Petracca - Prior to the carnival he was seen as a half forward who could take a spell in the midfield but now he is seen as one of the premier midfielders who can add value resting in the forward line. Plays a bit like a combination of Stringer and Smith and has a very physical approach. At 186cm he would cause a few match up problems for other sides.

          Angus Brayshaw - Strongly built 186cm midfielder but is deceptively quick. His kicking skills can be a bit untidy but he generally uses the ball well enough. He would be ready to contribute in his first season.

          Sam Durdin - Interrupted carnival due to a thumb injury but showed some glimpses of his potential. One of the more versatile players in the draft because he can play as a key forward or defender plus he can take a turn in the ruck. At 197cm tall he is probably a bit like a more athletic version of Jordan Roughead.

          Paul Ahern - Lightning quick 181cm midfielder with good goal sense. For a team looking to add some pace around the midfield he would be a player to consider.

          Caleb Marchbank - Good carnival for the 193cm versatile defender or forward. Very athletic. In in the series he was played as a HBF before being moved to CHB to cover an injury. His performances as a defender were very good. Later in the series he moved forward and while he was still effective he wasn't as prominent. He has a great leap and certainly quoick enough given his size.

          Jayden Laverde - at 189cm, Laverde is one of those players who can play anywhere. At times he reminded me of Robert Murphy and at other times like Jarrad Grant. He played good football right through the series. Quick and very athletic.

          I'll add a few more names later.
          Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

          Comment

          • chef
            Hall of Fame
            • Nov 2008
            • 14622

            Re: 2014 draft watch

            Who do you want at our first pick Gary?
            The curse is dead.

            Comment

            • GVGjr
              Moderator
              • Nov 2006
              • 44645

              Re: 2014 draft watch

              McCartin for me. Just think he has a lot of potential. Once he gets into the professional environment he will just keep on improving.
              Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

              Comment

              • chef
                Hall of Fame
                • Nov 2008
                • 14622

                Re: 2014 draft watch

                Do you think he'll be available?
                The curse is dead.

                Comment

                • GVGjr
                  Moderator
                  • Nov 2006
                  • 44645

                  Re: 2014 draft watch

                  Originally posted by chef
                  Do you think he'll be available?
                  Not for us. I can't see him slipping past pick 3. The Saints would be keen to snap him up.
                  Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

                  Comment

                  • boydogs
                    WOOF Member
                    • Apr 2009
                    • 5844

                    Re: 2014 draft watch

                    Originally posted by GVGjr
                    McCartin for me. Just think he has a lot of potential. Once he gets into the professional environment he will just keep on improving.
                    Are you concerned by his diabetes? Seems to be managing it well at the moment but an AFL training load is another level
                    If you kicked five goals and Tom Boyd kicked five goals, Tom Boyd kicked more goals than you.

                    Formerly gogriff

                    Comment

                    • GVGjr
                      Moderator
                      • Nov 2006
                      • 44645

                      Re: 2014 draft watch

                      Originally posted by gogriff
                      Are you concerned by his diabetes? Seems to be managing it well at the moment but an AFL training load is another level
                      It's for better minds than mind to work through the impacts on diabetes but from what I'm told, I don't think any club would see it as a huge problem. He has had it since a young age and has matured into a very good junior footballer. I can't see why he can't improve further.
                      Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

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                      • kruder
                        Coaching Staff
                        • May 2011
                        • 3858

                        Re: 2014 draft watch

                        Doesn't seem to be the key position panacea that everyone thought?

                        Comment

                        • wimberga
                          WOOF Member
                          • Nov 2007
                          • 851

                          Re: 2014 draft watch

                          I personally think that Wright is more suited to a forward role than a pure ruckman. Perhaps like a Josh Jenkins but more dominant, maybe Tippet is the better comparison. Has a long, accurate boot on him too.

                          I'm interested in what we do if other clubs view him more as a ruck and he slides like Grundy did a few years ago. I drate him as a top 3 prospect so if he was still available at our first pick, I would want us to take him.

                          Comment

                          • Remi Moses
                            WOOF Member
                            • Jan 2009
                            • 14785

                            Re: 2014 draft watch

                            The club has to go with the best available at our pick.
                            The media will shout up a storm, but it has to be best available.
                            No reaching, and no trying to be the cleverest recruiter in the room.

                            Comment

                            • lemmon
                              Bulldog Team of the Century
                              • Nov 2008
                              • 6522

                              Re: 2014 draft watch

                              Doing some reading and the general consensus seems to be that this is one of the weaker drafts in recent times, what do our draft watchers think?

                              Comment

                              • GVGjr
                                Moderator
                                • Nov 2006
                                • 44645

                                Re: 2014 draft watch

                                Originally posted by lemmon
                                Doing some reading and the general consensus seems to be that this is one of the weaker drafts in recent times, what do our draft watchers think?
                                It's a draft without consensus picks of the likes of Boyd, Patton, Martin, O'Meara or Hogan but I think it's a good draft outside of that. Good balance of tall KP players and midfielders. I'm not sure why some in the media are lowering expectations.
                                Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"

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