Player Watch 2022 AFL National Draft Discussion - read the pinned post

[Strapping Young Lad]

National AFL draft Monday November 28(first round only).
All other selections to be held on Tuesday November 29.
The pre-season and rookie drafts will then take place at 3pm (AEST) on Wednesday November 30.

 

[SSSSSS]

Are the question marks on Tsatas' defensive game valid?

If he had a defensive game he would be #1.

No questions about it.

 

[MrPremiership]

If he had a defensive game he would be #1.

No questions about it.

Can you teach it? Don't most draftees have that deficiency...i.e. JHF?

Take the talent, and work on the deficiencies

 

[SSSSSS]

Can you teach it? Don't most draftees have that deficiency...i.e. JHF?

Take the talent, and work on the deficiencies

JHF defensive game was arguably one of the reasons why he went #1. Was an absolute competitive animal (against men not kids) and we saw it in his first few games before he had a sook.

Hill and Smith never became tackling machines but they both ran hard defensively and corralled their opponents well which slowed down opposition to allow our backs into position so I think it can definitely be taught. Don't expect Tsatas to rack up massive tackle numbers.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

My gut feel has me wanting us to get Phillipou, but I really haven't followed these kids enough for that to be anymore than a gut feel.

 

[MrPremiership]

JHF defensive game was arguably one of the reasons why he went #1. Was an absolute competitive animal (against men not kids) and we saw it in his first few games before he had a sook.

Hill and Smith never became tackling machines but they both ran hard defensively and corralled their opponents well which slowed down opposition to allow our backs into position so I think it can definitely be taught. Don't expect Tsatas to rack up massive tackle numbers.

My bad, perhaps it was Daicos last year where the comments were he was a gun but had no defensiveness.

 

[matey]

From recent drafting history Sam and McKenzie looking for self driven types ……. that picture a couple of pages back of Matteas, he is cut and shows that he’s a hard worker as well.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

My bad, perhaps it was Daicos last year where the comments were he was a gun but had no defensiveness.

It was definitely Daicos.

 

[Yardie]

A dual sided kick with no penetration. An inside midfielder at less than 6 feet tall worries me. If we pick him i'll trust that our team have done the homework and that they believe he's the one and i'll welcome him. I just want a bigger mid to complement the mosquito fleet that we've been assembling.

Will Ashcroft is 4cm shorter than Clark. Would we pass on Ashcroft if we had the #1 pick?

 

[nelk boys]

Will Ashcroft is 4cm shorter than Clark. Would we pass on Ashcroft if we had the #1 pick?

Ashcroft is taller than Clark.......

Your point is valid though.

 

[SSSSSS]

My bad, perhaps it was Daicos last year where the comments were he was a gun but had no defensiveness.

Tsatas has the Daicos like ability of finding the ball at will. Daicos has him well beat on ball use and vision but Tsatas has speed.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Height obsession with midfielders is bizarre. If he was 181cm and playing KPF okay maybe that's an issue. Plenty of bloody good midfielders at Clark's height. Let's put it this way - if he plays for us next year he will be taller than our coach who last time I checked was a fairly handy midfielder.

 

[RX Hawk]

Take Tsatas is a heartbeat if he's still there.

Absolutely.

 

[burner1]

I know “big bodied midfielders” are fashionable at the moment but that did not stop Lachie Neale becoming a Brownlow medallist and arguably the best midfielder in the AFL. He is circa 178cm tall. Talent over size every time but both is nice also.

But let’s not forget Neale is an elite athlete as well - from a draft profile:

‘Lachie’s testing at the state combine was impressive across the board. His standing VJ of 73 and RVJ of 95 is elite. His 8.24 agility, 14.2 beep and 3.00 sprint are all very good times as well.’

Smaller mids without very good/elite athleticism is the concern.

 

[TheFourPillars]

Its interesting this height obsession with mids. As far as working in contested situations do u use brute strength or do use ure low centre of gravity not only get the ball but to also dodge weave twist and turn on a dime. It can work really well to be tall in center bounces if u get tap outs to advantage however what are the percentages here. I think this height advantage is overplayed especially if the ball is tapped down at the ruckmans feet

 

[KermitJagger]

But let’s not forget Neale is an elite athlete as well - from a draft profile:

‘Lachie’s testing at the state combine was impressive across the board. His standing VJ of 73 and RVJ of 95 is elite. His 8.24 agility, 14.2 beep and 3.00 sprint are all very good times as well.’

Smaller mids without very good/elite athleticism is the concern.

And Clark tested very well for endurance. We don't have any numbers for the other testing he did but there's nothing in his game to suggest it's below average.

The top 10 most prolific contested mids this season were Oliver, Neale, Cripps, Miller, Laird, Liberatore, Parish, Mitchell, Viney and Rowell. Half of those are 180cm or under, and only one is over 190cm. So it's fairly overblown.

 

[SSSSSS]

The same people who fail to rate Clark failed to rate Serong.

Contested beast.
Leadership and drive.
Great overhead.
Both have a powerful first step.

Look past the size + athleticism and see what he brings to the table.

 

[TylerDurden]

Wow. Looks like we're getting Tsatas then, if Dodo is knocking back 2 x F1s for pick 4!!

 

[SSSSSS]

Wow. Looks like we're getting Tsatas then, if Dodo is knocking back 2 x F1s for pick 4!!

We either get Tsatas or the Poo. Can't really complain with either of these.

 

[daniel23]

Wow. Looks like we're getting Tsatas then, if Dodo is knocking back 2 x F1s for pick 4!!

It's a terrible deal I would knock it back too. Likely to be 2× picks 14-18

 

[rei154]

Wow. Looks like we're getting Tsatas then, if Dodo is knocking back 2 x F1s for pick 4!!

I feel like this is something we could make spicy on draft night if we were able to get another first this year.

Don't get me wrong, it'd need to be sweetened hard-core here but if we were able to nab someone like Hewitt this year and improve next year's hand that dramatically I'd be happy.

 

[SunshineHawkCal]

Woulda loved Humphrey if Tsatas wasn't available, as it sounds like Suns will take Humphrey. Phillipou or MacKenzie will do, but I'm leaning more toward Phillipou than MacKenzie

 

[SSSSSS]

When our midfield is as shit as it is anyone is going to look rolled gold.

Poo
Humphrey B Bear
Tsatas
Clark
MacKenzie

Anyone of these players will be best 22 round 1.

 

[peetoo]

Height obsession with midfielders is bizarre. If he was 181cm and playing KPF okay maybe that's an issue. Plenty of bloody good midfielders at Clark's height. Let's put it this way - if he plays for us next year he will be taller than our coach who last time I checked was a fairly handy midfielder.

We put silk or rough in the centre if it became a problem. Club likes coal role players. Kennedy and Sewell who weren’t moved on early

 

[hawkinoz]

Wow. Looks like we're getting Tsatas then, if Dodo is knocking back 2 x F1s for pick 4!!

Melb 13 + these 2 F1's(likely to be late teens) & a swap of their 37 with 63( as others would have been upgraded) should be starting point in any discussion for our pick 6.

 

[smish]

Yep, definitely looking like Tsatas or Pou now.

If we manage to snag Tsatas that would be daylight robbery. We wouldn't get that chance without the combination of Gold Coast wanting a non VIC kid, Phillipou bolting and Dodoro's dubious list management strategy.

Tsatas all year has been rated in the elite four players, imagine that. If not then Pou. Happy days.