Preview 2022 draft prospects

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manicpie said:
LM was better than Cadman in his under18 year and he's now been in the system for 3 years and still looks a way off being a gun FF. Only GWS would be desperate enough to take Cadman at pick one. Taking a KF is a risk at the best of times and Scully just doesn't look like he's got much to offer. Anyway, these are just my observations
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Yeah agree. I watched Logan closely his draft year and some of his WAFL gmaes were outstanding against men. Shown glimpses but hasnt burst on the scene like i thought.
 
Pistol Night said:
Yeah agree. I watched Logan closely his draft year and some of his WAFL gmaes were outstanding against men. Shown glimpses but hasnt burst on the scene like i thought.
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It looks like we'll end up with either Keeler or Lemmey and from what I've seen and been told by those much better than myself is that they both have the ability to be outstanding KF's but it won't happen over night. We won't be in a hurry to rush any tall we pick up because we finally have KP depth
 
manicpie said:
LM was better than Cadman in his under18 year and he's now been in the system for 3 years and still looks a way off being a gun FF. Only GWS would be desperate enough to take Cadman at pick one. Taking a KF is a risk at the best of times and Scully just doesn't look like he's got much to offer. Anyway, these are just my observations
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I was a little shocked that GWS went out of their way to trade up to pick 1 for him tbh, they should have been easily able to get him with pick 3.
 

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Pistol Night said:
Its when the do it in reserves or even seniors at 18 is when people take more notice. Logan McDonald style. He could still be a player
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He played 2 reserves games once U18 season was finished for 3 goals

2.4 goals in a semi final from 11 touches and 8 marks
Then 1.1 from 9 disposals in a losing prelim.
 
For those dreaming of us selecting a key forward prospect with one of our draft selections I thought I'd take a look at what the original price was for the leading tall/key forward goal scorer at each club this season.

Adelaide - Taylor Walker pick 75 (NSW scholarship program) 2007 national draft
Brisbane - Joe Daniher pick 10 (father / son selection) 2010 national draft
Carlton - Charlie Curnow pick 12 2015 national draft
Collingwood - Brody Mihocek pick 22 2018 rookie draft
Essendon - Peter Wright pick 8 2014 national draft
Fremantle - Rory Lobb pick 29 2013 national draft
Geelong - Tom Hawkins pick 41 (father / son selection) 2006 national draft
Gold Coast - Mabior Chol pick 30 2016 rookie draft
Greater Western Sydney - Jesse Hogan pick 2 2012 mini draft
Hawthorn - Mitch Lewis pick 76 2016 national draft
Melbourne - Ben Brown pick 47 2013 national draft
North Melbourne - Nick Larkey pick 73 2016 national draft
Port Adelaide - Todd Marshall pick 16 2016 national draft
Richmond - Tom Lynch pick 11 2010 national draft
St Kilda - Max King pick 4 2018 national draft
Sydney - Lance Franklin pick 5 2004 national draft
West Coast - Josh Kennedy pick 4 2005 national draft
Western Bulldogs - Aaron Naughton pick 9 2017 national draft

Quick summation.

11 out of the 18 players were first round or equivalent selections.
To date 4 out of those 11 players have been part of a premiership winning team.
Only 1 of the other 7 were taken in the 2nd round of a national draft.
To date only 1 player of the 7 not selected in the first round have been part of a premiership.
2016 provided a bumper crop with 4 players taken that year becoming their sides leading tall/key forward goal scorer in 2022.
 
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swoop42 said:
For those dreaming of us selecting a key forward prospect with one of our draft selections I thought I'd take a look at what the original price was for the leading tall/key forward goal scorer at each club this season.

Adelaide - Taylor Walker pick 75 (NSW scholarship program) 2007 national draft
Brisbane - Joe Daniher pick 10 (father / son selection) 2010 national draft
Carlton - Charlie Curnow pick 12 2015 national draft
Collingwood - Brody Mihocek pick 22 2018 rookie draft
Essendon - Peter Wright pick 8 2014 national draft
Fremantle - Rory Lobb pick 29 2013 national draft
Geelong - Tom Hawkins pick 41 (father / son selection) 2006 national draft
Gold Coast - Mabior Chol pick 30 2016 rookie draft
Greater Western Sydney - Jesse Hogan pick 2 2012 mini draft
Hawthorn - Mitch Lewis pick 76 2016 national draft
Melbourne - Ben Brown pick 47 2013 national draft
North Melbourne - Nick Larkey pick 73 2016 national draft
Port Adelaide - Todd Marshall pick 16 2016 national draft
Richmond - Tom Lynch pick 11 2010 national draft
St Kilda - Max King pick 4 2018 national draft
Sydney - Lance Franklin pick 5 2004 national draft
West Coast - Josh Kennedy pick 4 2005 national draft
Western Bulldogs - Aaron Naughton pick 9 2017 national draft

Quick summation.

11 out of the 18 players were first round or equivalent selections.
To date 4 out of those 11 players have been part of a premiership winning team.
To date only 1 player of the 7 not selected in the first round have been part of a premiership.
2016 provided a bumper crop with 4 players taken that year becoming their sides leading tall/key forward goal scorer in 2022.
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There are some average footballers amongst that lot. I’m not surprised they weren’t top 30 draft picks.
 
swoop42 said:
For those dreaming of us selecting a key forward prospect with one of our draft selections I thought I'd take a look at what the original price was for the leading tall/key forward goal scorer at each club this season.

Adelaide - Taylor Walker pick 75 (NSW scholarship program) 2007 national draft
Brisbane - Joe Daniher pick 10 (father / son selection) 2010 national draft
Carlton - Charlie Curnow pick 12 2015 national draft
Collingwood - Brody Mihocek pick 22 2018 rookie draft
Essendon - Peter Wright pick 8 2014 national draft
Fremantle - Rory Lobb pick 29 2013 national draft
Geelong - Tom Hawkins pick 41 (father / son selection) 2006 national draft
Gold Coast - Mabior Chol pick 30 2016 rookie draft
Greater Western Sydney - Jesse Hogan pick 2 2012 mini draft
Hawthorn - Mitch Lewis pick 76 2016 national draft
Melbourne - Ben Brown pick 47 2013 national draft
North Melbourne - Nick Larkey pick 73 2016 national draft
Port Adelaide - Todd Marshall pick 16 2016 national draft
Richmond - Tom Lynch pick 11 2010 national draft
St Kilda - Max King pick 4 2018 national draft
Sydney - Lance Franklin pick 5 2004 national draft
West Coast - Josh Kennedy pick 4 2005 national draft
Western Bulldogs - Aaron Naughton pick 9 2017 national draft

Quick summation.

11 out of the 18 players were first round or equivalent selections.
To date 4 out of those 11 players have been part of a premiership winning team.
Only 1 of the other 7 were taken in the 2nd round of a national draft.
To date only 1 player of the 7 not selected in the first round have been part of a premiership.
2016 provided a bumper crop with 4 players taken that year becoming their sides leading tall/key forward goal scorer in 2022.
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Makes me sick that Hawkins went at pick 41... but different times back then with the FS selection.
 
Mick F said:
There are some average footballers amongst that lot. I’m not surprised they weren’t top 30 draft picks.
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Interestingly only 1 out of the 18 were taken in the second round so it would suggest if we don't think any tall forward is worthy of our 1st round selection this season then we'd have just as much chance taking a long shot on a rough diamond with our final pick in the 3rd round or keeping a spot open for a rookie selection.
 
swoop42 said:
Interestingly only 1 out of the 18 were taken in the second round so it would suggest if we don't think any tall forward is worthy of our 1st round selection this season then we'd have just as much chance taking a long shot on a rough diamond with our final pick in the 3rd round or keeping a spot open for a rookie selection.
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In this scenerio, bit like tossing a coin, prior events have no statistical significance.
 
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Robroy22 said:
I disagree with you all here. Cadman is way more athletic and competitive than McDonald ever was. I'd take Cadman over LM even after McDonald's 3 years of development.
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I can't say I've ever been that excited by MacDonald. He looks a very nice player, but unlike most of standout kpfs, he's nothing special physically.
 
swoop42 said:
Interestingly only 1 out of the 18 were taken in the second round so it would suggest if we don't think any tall forward is worthy of our 1st round selection this season then we'd have just as much chance taking a long shot on a rough diamond with our final pick in the 3rd round or keeping a spot open for a rookie selection.
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Have said it multiple times for 2 years.

The best way to land a gun top forward is with a first round pick mostly early.

Not many get taken with a second round and later, It's the one thing about the draft that has stayed accurate over time, the big guns go early.

I wouldn't even bother with a forward with any of our picks and let's face it talls are not Hines strong point.
 

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Robroy22 said:
I disagree with you all here. Cadman is way more athletic and competitive than McDonald ever was. I'd take Cadman over LM even after McDonald's 3 years of development.
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At 194cm he would want to be more athletic than LM. Mcdonald was making it look easy and he was playing against men most of the time. I think the fact that Cadman is fresh in your mind and LM was 3 years ago that we tend to forget what was. Cadman isn't a contested marking beast and will end up a lead up forward who won't ever be number one KF in any side he plays with. These are just my opinions so don't take them as Gospel
 
Bianconeri said:
I'm starting to beleive Scodog10 is on money that we'll overlook the talls in the draft. Down back we have Moore, Howe, Murphy, Frampton, Dean and Kelly which is 6 players for 3 positions. Up Forward we have Mihocek, Mcstay, Johnson and Kreuger 4 players for 2 positions and in the ruck its sounds like were going to add mature age player with gives us Cox, Cameron, Begg and the added player which is 4 players for 2 positions. Our list will start to get too top haevy if we add any more KPP.

I'd have liked to delist Kelly, move Begg down back and grab someone like Keeler to develop as a ruck/fwd in the VFL but that's not viable now. I think given our delistings in Poulter, McMahon and Murley (re rookie) it seems like we don't want to hold onto to too many project players that are a few years away from being AFL ready. Since it looks like we're commiting to Begg as a project ruck/fwd doubt we'll add others through the draft.
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There is also the speculation of the play at a big name post 2023 and if that were a tall…

Like my earlier post suggested Busslinger was the one for me, but in the space of a week it’s become pretty clear he’s the most highly rated tall after Cadman so he won’t make it to 16 (suggesting he could make it past 15 seems silly in hindsight). In a skinny draft best available is a no brainer and I’d be really happy with a mix of Hewett, Jones and George myself.

I can’t fathom why Hewett’s being slept on myself. His numbers track relatively well with JHF’s of 2021 at senior level, he has the traits and if he gets past WC’s second selection we’d be crazy to overlook him, IMO.
 
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manicpie said:
Not husthwait, surely we take someone better, Ed Allen would be available and a much better player, I'd even take Darcy Jones if it came to that
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I reckon Jones is a player Mcrae would be very keen on. Fits the mould of fast/pressure small with good character. For mine I think we have bigger priorities, but if he was still there at 27, would be happy to take him.
 
CPH12 said:
I reckon Jones is a player Mcrae would be very keen on. Fits the mould of fast/pressure small with good character. For mine I think we have bigger priorities, but if he was still there at 27, would be happy to take him.
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Think he will be gone well before 27. Could zoom up the order like Zak Butters did
 
manicpie said:
At 194cm he would want to be more athletic than LM. Mcdonald was making it look easy and he was playing against men most of the time. I think the fact that Cadman is fresh in your mind and LM was 3 years ago that we tend to forget what was. Cadman isn't a contested marking beast and will end up a lead up forward who won't ever be number one KF in any side he plays with. These are just my opinions so don't take them as Gospel
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There's 2cm difference between the height of the top of their heads, which might make a slight difference if they were soccer strikers who actually use their heads.
 
Pie 4 Life said:
Pick #27 - Collingwood - Harry Barnett (West Adelaide)

Height: 202cm
Weight: 97kg
Position: Ruck

Rationale:

I wasn't expecting for Barnett to be available here, and thought I had to pick between Keeler and Barnett if I'm honest. One might look at picking up two big boys (and potential rucks) as a bit much, but for me Keeler projects as that forward/second ruck and with Barnett they could be a good long-term duo. I think given Collingwood's tendency to pick up semi-KPPs and then the fact our key forward/ruck division is more of a few original key forwards thrown into ruck roles, or a ruck that turned forward and then back into ruck again, it would be good to develop a couple along the way. I thought I'd pick up a mid here, but Barnett was too good to turn down, and I still have a couple of mids on the board, ensuring that regardless of what West Coast does, I would get one.

SNAPSHOT: “A physically developed ruckman who uses his athleticism to have an impact at the contest and around the ground.”

Harry Barnett has put forward his case to be the number one rated ruck prospect in this year’s draft class. He enjoyed a dominant stretch through April-May in the SANFL Under 18 competition, where he averaged 24 disposals and 28 hitouts, earning a call-up to West Adelaide’s League side. The 18-year-old managed 25 hitouts on debut, and earned his first win at senior level in Round 17 against South Adelaide. After missing his state’s opening game of the AFL Under 18 National Championships with COVID, Barnett assumed the primary ruck mantle and was a consistent contributor for a somewhat disappointing South Australian side. His performances were enough to earn a starting spot in the All Australian side, as the primary ruck choice.

Measuring in at over 200cm with a handy leap, Barnett can get up and over the opposing ruckman with relative ease and his strong build makes him difficult to move at stoppages around the ground. His contested marking makes him a valuable commodity in both attack and defence, and although at times unpredictable, he has flashed some ability when wheeling onto his right boot and distributing the ball by foot. A great character off the field, Barnett appears to have the talent and personality that would fit into an AFL environment, should he be given the opportunity.

Likely to be the first ruckman off the board in this year's draft, Barnett ticks a lot of the boxes for a modern day AFL ruckman. Standing 202cm and already quite physically developed, Barnett uses his size and strength to dominate the ruck contest. His vertical leap proves his scope to be a capable tap ruckman and his athleticism allows him to be a clearance threat when the ball is there to be won. It's not uncommon to see Barnett first to the loose ball at stoppage, side-stepping away from defenders and kicking long inside forward 50.

His impact on the game is not isolated to his ruck and stoppage work. Barnett is equally capable around the ground, again drawing on his athleticism to find open space as a marking option and link-up player. He shows good timing and clean hands, which makes contested marking one of his greatest strengths. It's his ability to read the play, particularly when stationed behind the ball, that suggests there could potentially be a role for him in defence at the next level, though ruck seems to be his most likely position.

Barnett has had some really special moments by foot, showing an uncanny ability to turn onto his right foot and deliver a low ball to find a teammate. That quality of ball use is not often seen in prospects of his size and if he can find some consistency with that level of disposal, it would add a pretty special string to the ruckman's bow.

Finishing with four goals to his name from 12 games in the SANFL U18 competition was more a reflection of his role as the primary ruck, rather than his ability as a forward. However, if Barnett can further develop his forward craft, he can become even more impactful. Although already quite physically well-developed, he'll likely need a pre-season or two to refine his body and adjust to the nuances of the AFL game. There's still a rawness to Barnett that suggests there's some untapped potential in him, with the South Australian possibly offering some good value from the second round, onwards.

Barnett presents a great option for a team looking to add to its ruck stocks. His ruck and stoppage craft, contested marking and work around the ground tick a lot of the boxes required from an AFL ruck. Finding some consistency with his kicking would take his game to another level and maximise his ability to impact the game in a number of different ways. Barnett looks a likely selection on draft night, with the South Australian a chance to be selected some time after the first round.


Monocle you're up
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Pie 4 Life said:
Pick #30 - Mitch Szybkowski (Dandenong Stingrays)

Height: 186cm
Weight: 86kg
Position: Inside Midfielder

Rationale:

Mitch Szybkowski is the inside midfielder we could do with at the Pies, similar to Tom Mitchell with his strengths, but also having a bit more about him on the outside for growth. Clean and contested on the inside and a natural leader, Szybkowski is a massive Pies fan, so that helps his appeal. If I was going best available in terms of where they land in the draft, I would have gone Ed Allan, but Szybkowski is a bit more developed (albeit not a freak tall athlete) but still offers a lot, and at this pick is good value going forward.

SNAPSHOT “A big bodied inside ball winner, Mitch Szybkowski is not afraid to use his frame to push opponents around to give himself the best position around stoppages, following up with clean distribution to outside runners.”

Impressing enough as an Under 17 Vic Country representative to earn AFL Academy Selection, Mitch Szybkowski has had a consistent year at all levels as an inside midfielder, using his frame and positioning to devastating effect around stoppages to be a prime first possession winner. Szybkowski has been an increasingly important player the higher level he’s played, being rewarded for his efforts in feeding the ball out from the inside to the likes of Oliver Hollands and Jhye Clark at National Championships level. Representing Dandenong Stingrays and leading the side to the 2022 NAB League Grand Final, the onballer has consistently been among the most productive players in the Victorian competition, and able to adapt to the next level for Vic Country.

An important part of all three of his teams; Dandenong Stingrays, Caulfield Grammar and Vic Country, Mitch Szybkowski has played his role as a bigger bodied midfielder superbly all year. Not the flashiest of ball winners himself, Szybkowski is very much ‘what you see is what you get’ with his current game, using his frame and positioning around stoppages to get to the fall of the ball and win first possession, then handball off to an outside runner well. In saying that, Szybkowski’s outside craft is an area that has seen some rapid development through the season as well, accumulating more and more away from stoppages as the year has gone on, working especially hard to be a handball receiver from teammates who had taken a mark or earned a free kick.

That work rate is a trait that is present in all phases of the game, working hard to accumulate around the ground in offence, but also showing off his defensive accountability with tackles from stoppages, rarely having an opponent shake him off when he had got a hand to them. Szybkowski is one of the better players in the draft for spreading from the contest, or getting to spots that give his defenders an easy option up the ground, often getting free from opposition and moving the ball on quickly.

Complimenting all of this is Szybkowski’s decision making with ball in hand, with his ability to quickly assess his options even under pressure making him a generally damaging player despite winning so much of the ball at the coalface, with his hands in close a standout feature in his game, seemingly knowing where his options are going to be even before he’s fully won control of the ball, often finding options through traffic to fully release his teammates. When in open play and allowed more time to assess options, Szybkowski maintains a good balance between his kicking and handballing, as one that prefers a more precise option he rarely takes the easy kick down the line option when many other players would.

As mentioned, Szybkowski does the bulk of his work on the inside of the contest, with his contested game and stoppage craft two areas he excels at, using his size to his advantage but more than capable of matching it with bigger bodies, as showcased in the AFL Academy game against the Collingwood VFL where he was one of the more reliable midfielders on the day.

Looking towards the future, there are still some areas of Szybkowski’s game that could do with some improvement. His kicking, whilst generally good, has been inconsistent at times, especially when he’s moving at top speed, and if improved will round his game really well. Szybkowski has also flagged his speed and acceleration as an area he wants to improve on to allow him more separation around stoppages and when up forward. Given the strides he has taken in terms of outside running, adding versatility with scoreboard impact and more damaging overall ball use will lift his profile - only adding to his great strengths.

Mitch Szybkowski might not be the flashiest of players, but few are more consistent playing that onball role, and are able to distribute cleanly by hand consistently. A natural leader, the midfielder is capable of influencing the match around the stoppages, and while he still has other areas to improve on outside the contest, has a role at AFL level with his best attributes. Expect the midfielder to be taken in the first half of the draft, most likely in the second round.

TDS7 you're up
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sr36 said:
There's 2cm difference between the height of the top of their heads, which might make a slight difference if they were soccer strikers who actually use their heads.
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Exactly, that's why he will never be a key forward. The best KF's are around the 200cm mark. King bros, Lynch, Hawkins, even Lobb just to name a few. This part is important, he will only ever be a lead up forward. I am talking about Key forwards, not a lead up undersized flanker basicly. The difference between AFL and any other comp is that you don't get a run up when you're going for a mark, you will be blocked and moved aside by the defence. This is reality not fantasy. As I said, only one club is desperate enough for a forward to pick Cadman at 1 and that's GWS.
 
manicpie said:
Exactly, that's why he will never be a key forward. The best KF's are around the 200cm mark. King bros, Lynch, Hawkins, even Lobb just to name a few. This part is important, he will only ever be a lead up forward. I am talking about Key forwards, not a lead up undersized flanker basicly. The difference between AFL and any other comp is that you don't get a run up when you're going for a mark, you will be blocked and moved aside by the defence. This is reality not fantasy. As I said, only one club is desperate enough for a forward to pick Cadman at 1 and that's GWS.
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I reckon GWS will be pretty happy if they end up with a Cameron or Curnow rather than a "key forward".
 
sr36 said:
I reckon GWS will be pretty happy if they end up with a Cameron or Curnow rather than a "key forward".
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It doesn't hide your argument that he is a Key forward. Have you actually been to see him live? I saw him twice this year and I can't recall him taking a decent contested mark. He looked like a player who was too athletic for the undersized opponents he was on. Anyway, that's just my take and i'm pretty confident with what I saw, but that doesn't mean it's Gospel
 
manicpie said:
It doesn't hide your argument that he is a Key forward. Have you actually been to see him live? I saw him twice this year and I can't recall him taking a decent contested mark. He looked like a player who was too athletic for the undersized opponents he was on. Anyway, that's just my take and i'm pretty confident with what I saw, but that doesn't mean it's Gospel
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I'm not commenting on the player, I don't know him from a bar of soap, just the ideas that 2cm difference in the height of the top of the head between McDonald and Cadman is relevant and the idea that you have to play like Hawkins and not Cameron to be a star forward who justifies the Number 1 draft position.
 
Apex36 said:
I think we need to accept that we’re also a list in transition too. We can’t neglect that fact just because we suddenly find ourselves in a window again. I think at least 2 spots need to be used for those types, obviously KPP’s, as Checkers won’t be there forever, and Kreuger/Johnson are no sure things. The last think we want is for McStay to be our main banana in a few years time because we’ve yet again neglected to develop a proper key forward.
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Every list is in transition, with limited list spots and pressure to stay on top I think it’s all the more reason to stay away from speculative players and draft players with a higher chance of making it.

Every year under Wright we’ve added a KPP through trade so I’m not worried about ever running out of them.
 

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Preview 2022 draft prospects

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