Player Watch 2023 AFL Draft Pool Discussion Thread

[Strapping Young Lad]

Same rule applies to this thread as other years, keep it on topic about the kids.
Don’t get bogged down on what other teams might do or where they will finish.

Trade speculation belongs here.
That's also where you can discuss your mock drafts or pick trades.

Any McCabe, Dear or Maginness talk belongs here.

 

[sohsam]

Curtin is a really enticing prospect, but I'm always wary of taking talls as high draft picks. They are just far more speculative than smaller mids & forwards, purely because their development takes a lot longer.

I like our approach at trying to find talls that have a little more development in them, like a Blanck or Sticks Ryan, who we picked up at 21 & 26 respectively. Far less speculative at that point.

We will get McCabe, otherwise there are others to go around 20, like Olie Murphy, that would involve trading down though.

 

[H00t]

Spot on. Mckercher will be a fantastic player, no doubt about it. But it make’s absolutely zero sense for us to take him.

Top 4 in Peter Crimmins were all midfielders. Ward and Mackenzie both top 10 picks developing. Word on the street is we are up to our eye balls in the Bailey Smith pursuit aswell.

We just can’t afford to take another top 10 pick as a midfielder when we’ve taken two in the last two years. Dosent fill a need. 180cm limits him with where he plays on the ground.

Bulldogs a great example. Too many mids, with holes everywhere else. Macrae/Smith playing out of position and in the forward line just never works. Leads to players being unhappy and wanting out.

That’s not a too many midfielders problem. That’s a Bevo can’t coach problem. Despite that he’s won one flag and nearly won a second.

With top end midfielders if you can have a big number constantly rotating in you can wear teams down a lot faster. Plus you better preserve your mids over a whole season.

If McKercher is rated higher I hope we take him. Drafting is risky enough without hamstringing yourself by picking players that the team think won’t be as good.

 

[H00t]

It's never quite that cut and dry.

I have no idea exactly how our recruiters rate or rank players to place them in order, but there are still occasions where it isn't as simple as selecting the 'best available'.

For example, if we have McKercher rated ahead of Watson but it's by a negligible amount, it's entirely possible the frame of mind shifts to selecting the best available FORWARD rather than the best available talent who happens to be a midfielder. You risk screwing the balance of your list if you repeatedly use high picks on players of the same position. It's what we're currently laughing at North about.

If our midfield is currently an 8 out of 10 with scope for it being 10/10 from what already exists on our list, then our forward line is probably around 5/10 with scope for around 7.
Unless we believe McKercher (again, as an example in this scenario) is a talent we just cannot pass up under any circumstances and who we rate the better talent by a long way, then Watson should be the priority.

To be fair most of the laughing at North comes about as they will overlook a better tall talent to pick a small. And then refuse to pick up any talls later in the draft. Leading to a list with only Larkey and Xerri as AFL level talls that are healthy going into next year.

Not to say ignore needs but surely that only comes in as a very last tiebreak with high picks. Later picks can be used to target needs.

 

[projectdingley]

That’s not a too many midfielders problem. That’s a Bevo can’t coach problem. Despite that he’s won one flag and nearly won a second.

With top end midfielders if you can have a big number constantly rotating in you can wear teams down a lot faster. Plus you better preserve your mids over a whole season.

If McKercher is rated higher I hope we take him. Drafting is risky enough without hamstringing yourself by picking players that the team think won’t be as good.

Bevo can’t do much. Where else can you play Macrae or Smith on the ground?

Adopting a too many mids approach is dangerous. Very hard to get your mix right if you’re chopping and changing. Our core is very solid. Also filters down to other parts of the ground as you are playing players out of position.

Macrae and smith are liabilities up forward for the dogs. Stuffing not only their midfield but their forward line aswell.

All the good teams have a great core. They roll out the same midfield just about every week.

 

[H00t]

Bevo can’t do much. Where else can you play Macrae or Smith on the ground?

Adopting a too many mids approach is dangerous. Very hard to get your mix right if you’re chopping and changing. Our core is very solid. Also filters down to other parts of the ground as you are playing players out of position.

Macrae and smith are liabilities up forward for the dogs. Stuffing not only their midfield but their forward line aswell.

All the good teams have a great core. They roll out the same midfield just about every week.

Bevo can’t get his players to defend which is why they are terrible. He also doesn’t rotate his mids into the centre. Macrae and Smith end up with no midfield time. Smith has also played his best footy in 2021 with no mid time.

Getting the mix right is just about getting the players used to playing with each other. It’s also about not having a big drop off between your best and worst mids. Without that drop off teams would be able to throw many different looks at the opposition without losing anything.

Games are won or lost out of the middle. If you can win in there you will always be in with a chance.

 

[matey]

Maybe we can send the Wiz to Turkey

Man with Atlanta and Chicago ties has surgery to grow 7 inches | FOX 5 Atlanta

People all over the world are enamored by a man who just returned from Turkey where he had surgery to grow from 5-feet-5-inches tall to 6-feet.

www.fox5atlanta.com

 

[CoagVex]

Cyril just being in the vicinity made a play. Just ask Sheridan in the 2015 prelim.

I was behind the goals that end, watched it unfold before my eyes, sent shivers down my spine, we went nuts, one of my all time favourite games

 

[projectdingley]

Bevo can’t get his players to defend which is why they are terrible. He also doesn’t rotate his mids into the centre. Macrae and Smith end up with no midfield time. Smith has also played his best footy in 2021 with no mid time.

Getting the mix right is just about getting the players used to playing with each other. It’s also about not having a big drop off between your best and worst mids. Without that drop off teams would be able to throw many different looks at the opposition without losing anything.

Games are won or lost out of the middle. If you can win in there you will always be in with a chance.

Agree with a lot of your points. McKercher will be a good player. But certainly not the end of the world if we don’t land him. Midfield currently isn’t an issue, and we can constantly improve the mix through draft/free agency.

 

[MasterSamurai]

If anyone is worried about the wizards height maybe we send him to Turkey!

Man with Atlanta and Chicago ties has surgery to grow 7 inches | FOX 5 Atlanta

People all over the world are enamored by a man who just returned from Turkey where he had surgery to grow from 5-feet-5-inches tall to 6-feet.

www.fox5atlanta.com

Well, I'm over here in Istanbul for business, so the wiz can give me a call and I'll accommodate. Hell, I just had friends and family all summer (here) that have come over for :
Get their teeth done
A couple of mates as we speak getting their hair done.
A cousin is here currently to get an operation on his stomach to lose weight.
And one friend earlier got her nose done!!
I'm like a motel where people crash during operations . İstanbul is like a haven for humans who want improvements on their bodies.
I'm sure I can help the wiz with some height adjustments.

 

[spudmaster]

Well, I'm over here in Istanbul for business, so the wiz can give me a call and I'll accommodate. Hell, I just had friends and family all summer (here) that have come over for :
Get their teeth done
A couple of mates as we speak getting their hair done.
A cousin is here currently to get an operation on his stomach to lose weight.
And one friend earlier got her nose done!!
I'm like a motel where people crash during operations . İstanbul is like a haven for humans who want improvements on their bodies.
I'm sure I can help the wiz with some height adjustments.

Do they do reductions? I'm getting tired of lugging ol' big spud around every where I go.

 

[projectdingley]

Cyril just being in the vicinity made a play. Just ask Sheridan in the 2015 prelim.

Just reading this comment made me watch Cyril highlights.

Will never be another player like him. Ever.

 

[Tomohawks]

We either take Watson or Curtin. That will be our choice and I'm happy whichever way we go.

 

[Dewnior]

I'll back the team in, but I'm hoping we'd only pick Curtin if he's rated higher than the others.

Never use a top 5 pick on a need. Best available has to be the selection

Sent from my SM-S911B using Tapatalk

 

[Flukey!]

Still a month to go.
Sheesh....

 

[toomanysquibs]

It's never quite that cut and dry.

I have no idea exactly how our recruiters rate or rank players to place them in order, but there are still occasions where it isn't as simple as selecting the 'best available'.

For example, if we have McKercher rated ahead of Watson but it's by a negligible amount, it's entirely possible the frame of mind shifts to selecting the best available FORWARD rather than the best available talent who happens to be a midfielder. You risk screwing the balance of your list if you repeatedly use high picks on players of the same position. It's what we're currently laughing at North about.

If our midfield is currently an 8 out of 10 with scope for it being 10/10 from what already exists on our list, then our forward line is probably around 5/10 with scope for around 7.
Unless we believe McKercher (again, as an example in this scenario) is a talent we just cannot pass up under any circumstances and who we rate the better talent by a long way, then Watson should be the priority.

"Choosing an obviously lesser player is madness no matter how badly you need them"


Didn't want to fill the page with stipulations and explanations. But the devil is the detail, with the #4 selection and even with the post you responded to here.

 

[toomanysquibs]

View attachment 1838002

Aside from Deledio being the consensus #1 in most circles, who was rated better than bud and rough by Hawthorn?

The key part of this story is that Roughead would have been gone if we didn't' pick him first.

These two were the best available to the HFC in that draft. The best available and your needs can actually overlap, just happened to be that we identified it better than the clubs with picks above us, and we knew the Dogs were taking Griffin.

 

[projectdingley]

Quick snippet of Nick ‘The Wizard’ Watson in action at the 13 minute mark. Mind you in Hawks colours.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Bevo can’t do much. Where else can you play Macrae or Smith on the ground?

Adopting a too many mids approach is dangerous. Very hard to get your mix right if you’re chopping and changing. Our core is very solid. Also filters down to other parts of the ground as you are playing players out of position.

Macrae and smith are liabilities up forward for the dogs. Stuffing not only their midfield but their forward line aswell.

All the good teams have a great core. They roll out the same midfield just about every week.

The really deep midfields tend to have players that can excel in other positions as well. We got really good service from Bruest, Rioli and even Poppy in the middle during our Golden era. Hodge was an A grade mid, and defender. Same with Burgoyne.

Hell, Mark Williams was very good at a couple of centre bounces in the 2008 GF.

The trick is to have them play somewhere like Croc can as a very effective HFF, or Day off the HBF, with an eye to them being players like Burgoyne and Hodge were. Then you just break the glass as they're needed inside the square in big or tight games. Worth mentioning Newcombe as a forward here as well.

The better teams always seem have a handful like this, who can give a chop out with much or any drop off in ball winning ability and clearances. Some like Hodge and Burgoyne could even add some more bite. Acker did similar with Brisbane as a BP or FP during their three peat era.

 

[toomanysquibs]

Quick snippet of Nick ‘The Wizard’ Watson in action at the 13 minute mark. Mind you in Hawks colours.

I'd seen that before but had no idea the Wiz was in there. He did not look out of place there. I knew he'd been at the club, but you have to think they're calling his name unless he's gone before our selection.

 

[projectdingley]

The really deep midfields tend to have players that can excel in other positions as well. We got really good service from Bruest, Rioli and even Poppy in the middle during our Golden era. Hodge was an A grade mid, and defender. Same with Burgoyne.

Hell, Mark Williams was very good at a couple of centre bounces in the 2008 GF.

The trick is to have them play somewhere like Croc can as a very effective HFF, or Day off the HBF, with an eye to them being players like Burgoyne and Hodge were. Then you just break the glass as they're needed inside the square in big or tight games.

The better teams always seem have a handful like this, who can give a chop out with much or any drop off in ball winning ability and clearances. Some like Hodge and Burgoyne could even add some more bite. Acker did similar with Brisbane as a BP or FP during their three peat era.

Definitely saw Sam try this in 2023. Sicily and Moore come to mind. Especially when things weren’t going our way in the middle.
Sam not afraid to try new things.

If we draft him, Nick Watson is 100% a player that will go through the midfield in short sprouts like Cyril and Breust in the 3-peat years.

 

[projectdingley]

I'd seen that before but had no idea the Wiz was in there. He did not look out of place there. I knew he'd been at the club, but you have to think they're calling his name unless he's gone before our selection.

Bare in mind this was filmed at the end of 2022/early 2023. Would’ve only gotten better.

 

[Dewnior]

Aside from Deledio being the consensus #1 in most circles, who was rated better than bud and rough by Hawthorn?

The key part of this story is that Roughead would have been gone if we didn't' pick him first.

These two were the best available to the HFC in that draft. The best available and your needs can actually overlap, just happened to be that we identified it better than the clubs with picks above us, and we knew the Dogs were taking Griffin.

At the time, Tambling was rated higher. Go and check every draft board in 2004. But we went into that trade period wanting two tall forwards for positional purposes. We knew Tigers were into Rough but not Buddy so we took Rough first.

 

[ahhhhhh]

Ginni and the Wiz. Make it happen.

 

[FB19]

As things stand
Pick 4 - Forward talent duursma or the wizard.
McCabe
Dear
Rookie a small pressure forward

 

[Rowie6]

The main thing that stuck out to me in commentary about Wiz was Twomey about a month or so ago, in the Gettable podcast, said he was one of the most exciting players to watch in juniors for a long time.

That recruiters literally were excited to go to his games, because he would just be so electric in games.

Would love to have that kind of player around as we grow.

TBH Curtain, Wiz or Big Game Zane would all be awesome additions. I feel like McKercher is probably the worst "fit", purely as we have a lot of players in and around his position.

Wish we had another pick in the top 10, but unlike Norf, we won't resort to free handouts.

You are either young or have a short memory?


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