Player Watch 2021 AFL National Draft - NOT FOR TRADE DISCUSSION

[Strapping Young Lad]

Let’s stick with a basic rule for this thread, that it’s for draft watch and discussion only.

It’s not for trade hypotheticals, who you think needs to be delisted or traded, how many games you think we will win, some other team will win, how many picks you want in the 1st round or discussion of current HFC players.

It’s about youngsters who are eligible for the draft in 2021.


Key dates to look out for:

• NAB AFL Draft Combine: TBC
• NAB AFL Draft: Wednesday November 24 - Thursday November 25
• NAB AFL Pre-season and Rookie Drafts: Friday November 26

 

[TDS7]

I would have thought the flashy x-factor is what the midfield is lacking with Mitchell/O’Meara/Worpel all similar extractor ball magnet types but aren’t as damaging forward or centre like Sonsie is. Now I still rate Ward and Hobbs and both would be fine picks at the hawks range but I feel Sonsie’s outside class better compliments the midfield you have already.

I think what our midfield needs is better delivery inside 50 and a guy who can hit targets up the ground more than anything. I find a common issue with our game is we handball around too much and don't have a player with the run or the kicking to feed off that and translate our possessions into effective inside 50s. Right now we see our half backs do it quite often, but I think someone with the tank of Ward who can run with the midfield group up and down thr ground would give us a reliable initiator. At Sonsies best he is that, a classy and evasive midfielder who can take the game on and hit the scoreboard. At his worst he looks lost and a bit of a liability. With Ward, even if he isn't finding the footy his defensive pressure creates a higher floor that Sonsie can't match. While Ward doesn't strike me as a goalkicker while playing in the mids, but resting forward he seemed to have good goal sense and great vision to know when he was free for the shot and when to pass it off. I've said it before, but the value created from the midfield in clearances and score involvements by Ward (and Hobbs) trump the ability to spark up once in a while and kick a brilliant goal. However, that's just my take, and I haven't watched as much footage as you have so I can see how you might understand the class better than I. Honestly, apart from these two players, I think you're pretty spot on with your analysis. Cheers mate, keep up the good work

 

[Noel Gallagher]

I think what our midfield needs is better delivery inside 50 and a guy who can hit targets up the ground more than anything. I find a common issue with our game is we handball around too much and don't have a player with the run or the kicking to feed off that and translate our possessions into effective inside 50s. Right now we see our half backs do it quite often, but I think someone with the tank of Ward who can run with the midfield group up and down thr ground would give us a reliable initiator. At Sonsies best he is that, a classy and evasive midfielder who can take the game on and hit the scoreboard. At his worst he looks lost and a bit of a liability. With Ward, even if he isn't finding the footy his defensive pressure creates a higher floor that Sonsie can't match. While Ward doesn't strike me as a goalkicker while playing in the mids, but resting forward he seemed to have good goal sense and great vision to know when he was free for the shot and when to pass it off. I've said it before, but the value created from the midfield in clearances and score involvements by Ward (and Hobbs) trump the ability to spark up once in a while and kick a brilliant goal. However, that's just my take, and I haven't watched as much footage as you have so I can see how you might understand the class better than I. Honestly, apart from these two players, I think you're pretty spot on with your analysis. Cheers mate, keep up the good work

There has been some recent mail linking us to Sonsie. I re-watched his highlights at Box Hill, cant deny he is really classy ball user and moves exceptionaly well - reminds me a little of Caleb Serong only a little taller. In his U/16 year he was rated in the top 3. His rankings took a significant hit when the allied u/18 side or similiar took on Geelong VFL and got pantsed. No-one played well that day and Sonsie had sub 10 possessions. Who knows maybe he was carrying an injury or wasn't 100%?? Either way if MM thinks he is worthy of out first pick i'm in. Personally I hope we can somehow trade up to 2 and nab Finn Callahan

 

[BIGHAWK23]

As much as i would Love Callaghan

I dont want to weaken our draft hand next year

When we can get a gun at 5

And Potentially another next year

 

[burner1]

Understand the Sonsie choice - and is more aligned with MM recent picks than a ward/Hobbs etc. I know some posters are relentlessly pushing ward but there are other players out there.

We have been caught out by the changes in the rules and interpretation - starting 6, throws, man on mark etc - that has made a good midfield more important than ever. Some of the midfields we put out in 2013-15 would likely get exposed under today’s rules and tactics as you can’t rely on intercepting from half back iyou’re getting slaughtered out of the centre and on transition. Also compounded by JOM underperforming etc.

We have potentially a dominant ruck in reeves and need the mids around him to take advantage. Guys like ward just seem a bit vanilla (a better and midfield version of Harry Morrison

1

Harry Morrison

Age

26

Ht

184cm

Wt

79kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.1

4star

K

8.5

3star

HB

5.6

4star

M

4.3

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

13.4

3star

K

9.8

4star

HB

3.6

2star

M

4.2

4star

T

1.6

3star

CL

0.8

3star

D

18.4

5star

K

11.4

4star

HB

7.0

5star

M

5.4

5star

T

2.2

4star

CL

2.0

4star

) without elite speed and power to really dominate. I hope we take some risks.

It’s why I keep coming back to explosive guys like Sinn who can cut teams up. Reeves palming down to Nash (who at 197cm will almost always get his hands free) bullets a hand pass to Sinn running past could lead to the midfield domination we need. We may be able to get him later than our current first which makes any trades interesting.

 

[nelk boys]

Understand the Sonsie choice - and is more aligned with MM recent picks than a ward/Hobbs etc. I know some posters are relentlessly pushing ward but there are other players out there.

We have been caught out by the changes in the rules and interpretation - starting 6, throws, man on mark etc - that has made a good midfield more important than ever. Some of the midfields we put out in 2013-15 would likely get exposed under today’s rules and tactics as you can’t rely on intercepting from half back iyou’re getting slaughtered out of the centre and on transition. Also compounded by JOM underperforming etc.

We have potentially a dominant ruck in reeves and need the mids around him to take advantage. Guys like ward just seem a bit vanilla (a better and midfield version of Harry Morrison) without elite speed and power to really dominate. I hope we take some risks.

It’s why I keep coming back to explosive guys like Sinn who can cut teams up. Reeves palming down to Nash (who at 197cm will almost always get his hands free) bullets a hand pass to Sinn running past could lead to the midfield domination we need. We may be able to get him later than our current first which makes any trades interesting.

If we cannot get Ward, we can always trade down to teams moving up. We could identify two players, like Sinn and Draper for example, who both have elite afl traits in speed, agility and work through congestion in Draper's case.

 

[WWSD]

Sonsie at 5? Zero chance.

I would be okay with Sonsie with say pick 21 or 24 if he’s still available, but not at pick 5.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I would have thought the flashy x-factor is what the midfield is lacking with Mitchell/O’Meara/Worpel all similar extractor ball magnet types but aren’t as damaging forward or centre like Sonsie is. Now I still rate Ward and Hobbs and both would be fine picks at the hawks range but I feel Sonsie’s outside class better compliments the midfield you have already.

The thing is we need a new midfield that is classy and balanced, rather than complimenting players that probably won’t be with us by the time we’re challenging.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Agree with all save for Sinn. There’s a whiff of Brony about his game, and we def have the HBF covered for some time.

Understand the Sonsie choice - and is more aligned with MM recent picks than a ward/Hobbs etc. I know some posters are relentlessly pushing ward but there are other players out there.

We have been caught out by the changes in the rules and interpretation - starting 6, throws, man on mark etc - that has made a good midfield more important than ever. Some of the midfields we put out in 2013-15 would likely get exposed under today’s rules and tactics as you can’t rely on intercepting from half back iyou’re getting slaughtered out of the centre and on transition. Also compounded by JOM underperforming etc.

We have potentially a dominant ruck in reeves and need the mids around him to take advantage. Guys like ward just seem a bit vanilla (a better and midfield version of Harry Morrison) without elite speed and power to really dominate. I hope we take some risks.

It’s why I keep coming back to explosive guys like Sinn who can cut teams up. Reeves palming down to Nash (who at 197cm will almost always get his hands free) bullets a hand pass to Sinn running past could lead to the midfield domination we need. We may be able to get him later than our current first which makes any trades interesting.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

I would have thought the flashy x-factor is what the midfield is lacking with Mitchell/O’Meara/Worpel all similar extractor ball magnet types but aren’t as damaging forward or centre like Sonsie is. Now I still rate Ward and Hobbs and both would be fine picks at the hawks range but I feel Sonsie’s outside class better compliments the midfield you have already.

If you think that why give us Sonsie and not a Rachele

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Need a fwd/mid that can win one on ones and do damage.

 

[killerspud]

Hey Hawks fans,

Draft Experts eDPS, ModernArtillery, Pie 4 Life and PMBangers recently took part in a phantom draft for the draftcast! feel free to listen and direct all criticisms to the draftcast thread, specifically eDPS who selected for you

So you have us taking Sonsie while Ward and Rachele and NMW and other serious talents are taken AFTER our pick...yeah nah

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Let’s not poke eDPS too much, he might not have picked the kid that people here think we would take, but that’s what opinions are for.

Still appreciate the work that he and all the Bigfooty and draft central guys are doing to share.

 

[eDPS]

If you think that why give us Sonsie and not a Rachele

Rachele is a small forward who can pinch hit in the middle (Wingard) Sonsie is a midfielder who can go forward

So you have us taking Sonsie while Ward and Rachele and NMW and other serious talents are taken AFTER our pick...yeah nah

Sonsie is a serious talent in his own right, Sonsie is still a real chance to go top 10 in the real thing.

 

[Stratton24]

Rachele is a small forward who can pinch hit in the middle (Wingard) Sonsie is a midfielder who can go forward

Sonsie is a serious talent in his own right, Sonsie is still a real chance to go top 10 in the real thing.

Yep big chance at 7

 

[TDS7]

There has been some recent mail linking us to Sonsie. I re-watched his highlights at Box Hill, cant deny he is really classy ball user and moves exceptionaly well - reminds me a little of Caleb Serong only a little taller. In his U/16 year he was rated in the top 3. His rankings took a significant hit when the allied u/18 side or similiar took on Geelong VFL and got pantsed. No-one played well that day and Sonsie had sub 10 possessions. Who knows maybe he was carrying an injury or wasn't 100%?? Either way if MM thinks he is worthy of out first pick i'm in. Personally I hope we can somehow trade up to 2 and nab Finn Callahan

Tyler Sonsie is a brilliant player, but not a four-quarter performer. I think everyone agrees he has tons of highlights, and when he is on a good run he looks like the best player on the field. But his performances dip, and he is every chance to never work his way into the game and look lost on the pitch. I think this is a flaw that could translate pretty effectively over to the AFL, where he could fail to bring his undeniably dominant skillset to the table and fritter around. He has been injured, but he still has games where he is not as involved as he should be. His games against Tassie and GVW come to mind, I don't really remember the stats but he was off from the first bounce and never really came to make an impact through the midfield (Did kick some goals though, to his credit). I think people who watched his VFL game saw how he can have quarters where he lights up the game, but can also stand around and rack up meaningless handballs. I just think the class and consistent damage a player like Ward provides is better than a player that could have a special day, but could also have no impact. And again, I feel Ward's development forward of the ball has shown promise, although just glimpses and nothing consistent. Overall, I think I still just rate Ward and Hobbs consistency more than I do inconsistent flares of brilliance.

Let’s not poke eDPS too much, he might not have picked the kid that people here think we would take, but that’s what opinions are for.

Still appreciate the work that he and all the Bigfooty and draft central guys are doing to share.

Can't state this enough, for all my long-winded paragraphs I am still just a moron who spent his free time watching u18s footy because he was locked down and bored. Nowhere near the dedication the real watchers have shown.

 

[chopflop]

Darcy Wilmot. One of my favourites this year. Too bad he is currently a HBF. 200 gamer right there imo. Aggressive, quick, great agility, great overhead and neat skills. One of the youngest draftable players.

 

[Billyc]

On most of what I have read about Sonsie from online pundits other than eDPS, he doesn’t sound like a guy you’d take at pick 7. But on what I saw in one full game at VFL level, he looked like one. Just looked a class above. Reminded me of Luke Power

Luke Power

Age

45

Ht

180cm

Wt

79kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.0

5star

K

13.4

5star

HB

9.6

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

3.9

5star

CL

1.9

4star

No current season stats available

D

16.6

4star

K

10.2

4star

HB

6.4

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

2.0

4star

. The primary knock seems to be one of consistency rather than talent. Is that a problem that can resolve when you take out the constant interruptions like he had this season, or is it a chronic issue?

Twomey has him at 16.

 

[Yardie]

Reeves palming down to Nash (who at 197cm will almost always get his hands free)

We can reinvent the clearance and palm sideways!

 

[Dewnior]

Obviously all the talk here is on mids / runners but if TOB and/or Ceglar leave I think it would be prudent to find another tall with a later pick.

No one really knows what the future forward set up is going to to like and whether Jeka becomes a big part of it. And we don't know which end of the ground we'll see Kosi and DGB playing long term.

For those that follow the potential draftees are there any talls from Vic that have had limited opportunities over the last two years but worth taking a punt with a later pick? Or should we leave that to the rookie draft?

 

[CHUBBSS]

Wanganeen-Milera is the type of player we just have to get to the club.
I don't know what his draft order should be, but I'd love a senior player who can dance around congestion and deliver the ball like he does.
Rare ability that trumps "production".

We need to prioritise for x+hurt factor and talent.
We have accumulators.

10000%

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Rachele is a small forward who can pinch hit in the middle (Wingard) Sonsie is a midfielder who can go forward

Sonsie is a serious talent in his own right, Sonsie is still a real chance to go top 10 in the real thing.

Rachele is also better, i don't see Sonsie in that level imo, watching him at BH people plauded while he kicked so many grubbers and played a pretty easy role and didnt do it at a standard you'd like to see from such a high pick. + not what we need, don't complement the stuff we have now, get something that is the best of both worlds or will be a game changer.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Holy crap, that is some Rolls Royce stuff there from Wilmot. Some super high end ability on display in those highlights, shades of the best AFL mids with some of the spin moves and power in the contest. Ditto for reading what's happening around him. Particularly for such a lightly built guy on the former.

I get excited easily seeing a player who is a smooth mover and a high end kick at this age. Based on these highlights and your opinion, he's an AFL quality player without a shadow of a doubt.

Darcy Wilmot. One of my favourites this year. Too bad he is currently a HBF. 200 gamer right there imo. Aggressive, quick, great agility, great overhead and neat skills. One of the youngest draftable players.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Darcy Wilmot. One of my favourites this year. Too bad he is currently a HBF. 200 gamer right there imo. Aggressive, quick, great agility, great overhead and neat skills. One of the youngest draftable players.

Bit of Brayden Maynard about him.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Bit of Brayden Maynard about him.

Change of direction, lateral movement, kicking and balance at 50 and 1:05 are Martin like. So is his movement through the contest a couple of times, where he follows the ball up and makes an impact on multiple contests.

But he's Rolls Royce smooth as well.

There is a lot to like here, have they ever tried him in the middle is a question that comes to mind based on this footage?

 

[PMBangers]

Rachele is also better, i don't see Sonsie in that level imo, watching him at BH people plauded while he kicked so many grubbers and played a pretty easy role and didnt do it at a standard you'd like to see from such a high pick. + not what we need, don't complement the stuff we have now, get something that is the best of both worlds or will be a game changer.

Dom, you once confused Finn Callaghan and Josh Sinn in a game Sinn didn't play in to me, how are we supposed to trust you're talking about Rachele and Sonsie, not Byrne and Soligo