List Mgmt. 2011 National Draft

[vivien]

There was someone who said that T.Hunt can play a tagging role along with hogan? Now ling's gone, we can have hogan or T.Hunt?????????????????

 

[meto]

Curran will be around for us as well as Richards who has top mobility for a big guy.
After the initial quality goes, we have the reasonable picks of 32 and 34 to grab the best sliders, and 48 is last 2nd round pick, so not so bad.

Bussey looks a late pick possibility as with Dobosz, Mihocek, so there's lots of potential even with the 2 later picks, 48+66.

I think alot of big guys will slide for our 4 picks, just up to Wells, what and who he wants.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I have never seen Black play but his comment that he was poor overhead was telling I thought. It is one characteristic in drafting mids that Wells seems to rate - an ability to mark overhead. J.Corey, Bartel, Chapman, Enright are all excellent overhead. Even our newer kids in Menzel and Duncan are accomplished in this area.

With regard to your earlier point it will be interesting to see which players Wells targets. Will he go tall with both picks if he has a number of options on the table at 32 and 34? Or will he just take the one tall if there is a mid that he particularly likes? It is hard to see him not taking at least one tall with one of our first 2 picks as you say.

With Horlin-Smith and Shroder still to even debut he may well be satisfied with our list of young mids at the moment. Though with Wells you learn to expect the unexpected.

I think a lot of it will be shaped by what GWS does and how that influences other clubs, including us, e.g. GWS could take a few good talls early, the other clubs might get skittish that the talls are going early and do likewise, meaning by the time we pick Wells feels he needs to go tall tall as there aren't many good ones left, and get the mids later. By contrast this could push a mid to our 32/34 that is clearly so good he's by far the best available player at that pick and can't be overlooked. It's hard to say. The only thing I'd be reasonably sure on, to use a cliche, is that if it's 50-50 on talent between 2 or 3 players, you would think we would preference the tall, but it won't surprise me if at least one of our first two picks is a mid if that player is clearly rated by us as better than the other 2 or 3 we are thinking about at that pick.

One thing I do think is that the trade for the extra 30's pick looks good now (even with the 26 to 32 downgrade) as apart from the fact that we ended up needing to take an extra pick with Ottens retiring late, it gives us great flexibility on draft day to target our needs, more flexibility than 26 and 48 would have.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Curran will be around for us as well as Richards who has top mobility for a big guy.
After the initial quality goes, we have the reasonable picks of 32 and 34 to grab the best sliders, and 48 is last 2nd round pick, so not so bad.

Bussey looks a late pick possibility as with Dobosz, Mihocek, so there's lots of potential even with the 2 later picks, 48+66.

I think alot of big guys will slide for our 4 picks, just up to Wells, what and who he wants.

Bussey is all duck and no dinner for me, loads of talent but very inconsistent this year, I'd be surprised if we go there at least early.

Dobosz and Mihocek tested quite poorly apparently from what I've read so should be around late. Mihocek in particular was close to last in a couple of the categories. Dobosz is raw but has a far bit of potential and is one of the better project players if you're talking 48 and beyond.

We've got 5 picks btw, unless you are assuming we pass on the last for the PSD. The good news is there's only 4 live picks between our 66 and 78, 3 live picks in fact if Freo save 72 for the PSD (Dawson).

Isn't there a similar knock on Boseley? Is this something can can be worked on? Given the Cats' emphasis on foot skills you'd have to think they would consider Schade, or perhaps Blee at pick 48. Don't get me wrong, would be stoked with either Boseley or Talia, but doesn't appear to fit with the Cats usual brief.

Yeah there is a similar ? To a degree you can work on it, you can't turn an average kick into an elite kick but you can certainly make it serviceable enough that it minimises the deficiency, and that can be enough, particularly if the player is above average in a number of other areas. For example Lonergan is a below average kick, but his above average stopping work still makes him a more than viable option, and I doubt anyone would have him outside our best 22. Boseley's kicking can be a bit hit and miss but he has really good closing speed which is essential for a good modern defender, reads the play well and has quite good endurance, so there's more than enough there to work with IMO.

Schade is a good spot, as I said way back earlier in the thread I suggested him as he's got good speed, reads the play really well and has a great kick on the way out, all attributes Wells loves in his defenders. He's gone more under the radar than the others and he's a long term prospect who'll need a while to bulk up, but those attributes plus him being the tallest KPD in the draft, and I can see him going earlier, and maybe even to us.

If we feel we need an immediate option Blee should be in the frame, and it wouldn't surprise me to see us go earlier than 48 if we want and feel we need him.

 

[David the Cat]

Being so far away, I dont know the first thing about any of these boys. But its Schade for me over Boseley because in my book delivery is the #1 attribute needed....you have to get the pill and deliver by both hand and foot and do so at a high skill level.

The rest can be worked on, but as PO suggested, its very hard indeed to turn an average or below average kick into an elite one....

We dont want another Tenace....

 

[magicmarker]

Being so far away, I dont know the first thing about any of these boys. But its Schade for me over Boseley because in my book delivery is the #1 attribute needed....you have to get the pill and deliver by both hand and foot and do so at a high skill level.

The rest can be worked on, but as PO suggested, its very hard indeed to turn an average or below average kick into an elite one....

We dont want another Tenace....

Yeah, I'm with you there. In this draft it seems you could almost throw a blanket over half a dozen pretty good KPD prospects - and I haven't seen a lot of them myself - but all seem to have some degree of perceived deficiency, whether it is disposal, height, etc. For that reason I think there is some conjecture as to which way Wells will go as we should be in the market for a KPD but it is a question of which one and at which pick...

The thing I see being hardest to replace in the backline is going to be Scarlett's composure, decision making and leadership. Although not a KPD, I would love to see Forster land at 32 as he could be the answer on these fronts.

 

[bellpark]

Pure Ownage - you are spot on (as usual). Given where we are with the list - a little behind in key back development and slightly dodgy on Brown's body holding up - I think we will use on of our earlier picks to nab Blee or someone similar who will be ready if required from next year. If Currans foot was not looking like an issue for next year, he would be in the frame too I think. I think we were very smart trading for 33 and 34 as this give us also the option to lock away an older player that we want, and still pick the eyes out of the best quality sliders, then back to the usual for 48, 66 and 78 (if used).

 

[meto]

PO,

I wouldn't be overly surprised the Tassie boys tested poorly as you say, I would've thought their State squad players wouldn't be as drilled as Victorians and Sth and West Australians, it's a slow pace down in Tassie!

Get em up to the club and with their natural talent that's when they'll emerge as footballers, but I'd still like us to go big bodied mid/defender Darrou(late pick), with Kerridge if he's available.

 

[winty]

Just had another look at draft machine, and they now have us going like this:

32. Ben Brown
34. Daniel Markworth
48. Alex Forster
66. Damien Mascitti
84. Jay Lever
102. Jed Bews

Seems a little more likely.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Pure Ownage - you are spot on (as usual). Given where we are with the list - a little behind in key back development and slightly dodgy on Brown's body holding up - I think we will use on of our earlier picks to nab Blee or someone similar who will be ready if required from next year. If Currans foot was not looking like an issue for next year, he would be in the frame too I think. I think we were very smart trading for 33 and 34 as this give us also the option to lock away an older player that we want, and still pick the eyes out of the best quality sliders, then back to the usual for 48, 66 and 78 (if used).

That's a fair point. Certainly we do need further depth in the event of any injuries to Scarlett/Lonergan/Taylor, or simply needing to rotate/rest them to keep them fresh for finals, and we can't afford to have Gillies as the only option if his VFL form is poor like it was at times next year. It would be advantageous to add another option who could step in next year if required for that reason. If we were able to draft one defender who could potentially play now, and then another who is a longer term development prospect (similar to Walker on our rookie list) then it would help stagger the transition as the retirements in the defence start rather than drafting 3 development options now and having to put them all in in three years with few senior players around them. That's my take on it anyway.

My issue with Dalton, who Krisholio has expressed our interest in, is not ability, I get to see a reasonable amount of VFL and he's a reasonably good player, if it was purely a decision for next year and cover in the run to the finals then that would be fine, but longer term he's only a year and a half younger than Lonergan (and Mackie) which means it does little for our succession planning. Someone like Blee has potential for both the short and long term bases because he could play next year but he'll only be 22.

Yeah, I'm with you there. In this draft it seems you could almost throw a blanket over half a dozen pretty good KPD prospects - and I haven't seen a lot of them myself - but all seem to have some degree of perceived deficiency, whether it is disposal, height, etc. For that reason I think there is some conjecture as to which way Wells will go as we should be in the market for a KPD but it is a question of which one and at which pick...

The thing I see being hardest to replace in the backline is going to be Scarlett's composure, decision making and leadership. Although not a KPD, I would love to see Forster land at 32 as he could be the answer on these fronts.

That's a fair assessment, and I think similarly myself. Certainly the defenders who seem to have the least obvious number of deficiencies, for example Lockyer, have questions over their height and whether they could take full sized talls at the next level. Blee probably has similar question marks on height although that doesn't concern me as much as it might some recruiters, neither Taylor nor Scarlett are particularly tall after all.

I would like Forster as a player, threw him up as a possibility in my earlier mocks for us, although I do think we need to try and grab a couple of genuine KPD/KPF types.

 

[Reg Hickey]

Dobosz and Mihocek tested quite poorly apparently from what I've read so should be around late. Mihocek in particular was close to last in a couple of the categories. Dobosz is raw but has a far bit of potential and is one of the better project players if you're talking 48 and beyond.

According to Quigley (in his mock draft on the Drafts & Trading board), Mihocek tested dead last for sprint and repeat sprint, and his times were amongst the worst seen in the last few years (I think) ...

 

[krisholio14]

PO,

I wouldn't be overly surprised the Tassie boys tested poorly as you say, I would've thought their State squad players wouldn't be as drilled as Victorians and Sth and West Australians, it's a slow pace down in Tassie!

Get em up to the club and with their natural talent that's when they'll emerge as footballers, but I'd still like us to go big bodied mid/defender Darrou(late pick), with Kerridge if he's available.

Tassie tend to produce footballers, not athletes in my opinion.

Go to one of their games and it's like being back in the 70's, just with better skills.

 

[Howisthat]

Can not believe the analysis of players on this thread, some potential recruiting staff out there I figure.
Hardest thing for a recruiter is to balance those that have genuine talent and those that will fit the mould.
I say this because I am sure Carlton for instance had to weight up the undoubted talent of Fev and the fact that he is a f*ckwit.
During the missed oppportunities of 89/91/92/94 and 95 perhaps this was the difference between Geelongs players of that time and the dour talents of Hawthorn and WCE (Carlton cheated - doesn't count).
As much as I enjoy this thread the one thing I worry about is that most 16/17 and 18 year old will be surfing threads like this seeing what people have to say of them, something those before them did not have to deal with.
Not only should Wellsy & co (because it is a team effort) be looking at skill, team ethic and coachability (for want of a better word) but also a thick skin because as much as we love our players, cats fans can also be as fickle as they come, just ask the following " premiership champs" of today over their journey: Mooney, Hawkins, Mackie, Blake, Ottens, Milburn, Byrnes, Pods, Lonegran, Ling, Stokes, Varcoe, King and Hunt.
That said, I know Wellsy, one must remeber he was in the recruiting game in the late 80's and early 90's when many were questioning his decisions. Like players and coaches and anyone in any walk of life he has been able to use years of experience to find a place that produces fantastic results, he is perfect for the role and even back in the early 90's was prepared to stand by his decisions right and wrong.
People should note that he was a top line cricketer and footballer in his own right.
Love watching old footage of todays champs as youngsters, who would have thought!!!!!

 

[Pure_Ownage]

According to Quigley (in his mock draft on the Drafts & Trading board), Mihocek tested dead last for sprint and repeat sprint, and his times were amongst the worst seen in the last few years (I think) ...

I did read that, thanks for the reminder though . I think as a solid AA defender who the clubs would have expected more from his testing will hurt him (unless he was carrying injury) more than Dobosz, who the recruiters will expect less from fitness base wise because he's new to the game, and focus on the raw tools that he's got to work with. Both should probably still get taken though even if it's late or rookie.

 

[cats2rise]

Tassie tend to produce footballers, not athletes in my opinion.

Go to one of their games and it's like being back in the 70's, just with better skills.

And thats the way I like it.

You can run as fast as you want, but if you cant kick, you wont win.

 

[meto]

And thats the way I like it.

You can run as fast as you want, but if you cant kick, you wont win.

But if you carn't find your own ball, 'the hard way',you won't have many kicks either!
Tassie kids are generally pretty tough, just bred on pure footy, that's why they lack the athletic side a bit.

Just look at their carnival results, not bad for the smallest state, pure footy.

 

[krisholio14]

But if you carn't find your own ball, 'the hard way',you won't have many kicks either!
Tassie kids are generally pretty tough, just bred on pure footy, that's why they lack the athletic side a bit.

Just look at their carnival results, not bad for the smallest state, pure footy.

The unusual thing with Tassie kids though, look at how many of them have had attitude problems in the last 5 or so years.

 

[CatTricks]

Calum Wilson? Ex Eagle, looked promising fro
The games I have seen

 

[Lager]

Looks like Nathan Ablett has nominated for the ND. Always had the talent, but obviously there are queries about his application and commitment.
Thoughts?

Source: http://www.sportal.com.au/afl-news-display/ablett-nominates-for-draft-148225

 

[winty]

Loving our updated draft on draftmachine:

32. Andrew Boseley
34. Tom Curran
48. Nathan Blee
65. Brody Mihocek
70. Ben Gazzola
73. Jed Bews.

 

[Lager]

Loving our updated draft on draftmachine:

32. Andrew Boseley
34. Tom Curran
48. Nathan Blee
65. Brody Mihocek
70. Ben Gazzola
73. Jed Bews.

It improves every time I see it. At this rate we'll be getting Coniglio and Tyson

 

[Budda 230]

Just had another look at draft machine, and they now have us going like this:

32. Ben Brown
34. Daniel Markworth
48. Alex Forster
66. Damien Mascitti
84. Jay Lever
102. Jed Bews

Seems a little more likely.

Despite DM meaning nothing, this draft looks nice! I'm actually a massive fan of Damien Mascitti. I have him around my top 50. 190cm half forward flanker who proved he could run through the midfield and find the footy. Another over age prospect, finished the TAC Cup season with 37 goals.

Basically no mention of him on Bigfooty at all. Very draftable in my eyes.

 

[Turbocat]

PO and VC , you don't think we will not use all our selections and will save one for the Preseason , who do you have in mind that we would take that wouldn't be available in the National Draft.
As far a kid , surely any pick in the PS draft has to be later than any kid in the National. Just interested in your thoughts.

 

[meto]

The unusual thing with Tassie kids though, look at how many of them have had attitude problems in the last 5 or so years.

I'm not just pumping up their tyres for the sake of it, yeah! you're right, about the attitude thing, might be the convict blood.
But when you find a goodin' you've unearthed a gem!
That Dobosz around goal looks very mobile for a tall.
What did you think of George Berburys' first season?.... looks clever.

 

[thejester]

Emma Quayle's draft preview is up:

DRAFT NEEDS
The Cats have something handy up their sleeve heading into the draft: the mid-round compensation pick they got for Gary Ablett. Geelong would already be thinking about who it could get with that pick in a highly anticipated draft; that thinking will have helped shape its plans. The Cats have Brown and Vardy coming through as forward options and have kept Walker as a rookie, but Brown's history of injuries may tempt them to bring in another young tall, if there's one available. It's worth remembering that Jordan Bourke, son of former skipper Damian, is eligible to be father-son drafted next year; if good enough he'll have a choice of the Cats and his local club, Gold Coast, which could sign him as a zone player. The Cats have Taylor Hunt and Smedts ready to take on running half-back roles, and drafted a bunch of midfielders last year. Their succession planning has been exceptional, but more players for either area would keep the numbers bubbling along. North Ballarat's Sebastian Ross, an inside onballer, has a bit of a Geelong look about him and may get through, as may Sam Kerridge, Jack Newnes, West Australians Brad Hill and Elliott Yeo or even Jackson Merrett, a speedy local. Taller options such as Xavier Richards and Fletcher Roberts should be around too, as should defenders Alex Brown and Andrew Boseley.

Not sure the compo pick or Bourke would be having that much influence on our thinking. Like all the names mentioned although I think Brad Hill is as far away from a Wells-type to be, and we already have a few outside gut-running types.