Resource 2024 AFL Draft discussion thread (Wed Nov 20 to Fri Nov 22)

Which realistically available player SHOULD we pick at #4?

  • Sid Draper

  • Jagga Smith

  • Harvey Langford


Results are only viewable after voting.

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I know it's unlikely Richmond bid on Levi Ashcroft but really they should, form wise he's been the best performed youngster in this draft for the last 2 years and really it's not close in that regard. Interesting to see what club pulls the trigger on Ashcroft to make the Lions pay somewhere like his true draft value.
 


Impressive time from the 196cm Stumpf

Still have Lombard #1 FWIW

Going to be interesting to see what Tyler Welsh puts up at next weekend's SA State Draft Combine. I also have interest in seeing how Jay Polkinghorne tests there too.
 

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Haha, sounds like it. Lots of H Sun contributors

Ultimate trade guide: Every club’s AFL plans and how they will get the targets in the door​

Almost every AFL club is poised to get busy this trade period. See who your club is looking at, who they should be chasing and how they will get their deals done in our ultimate guide.

Josh Barnes, Lachlan McKirdy, Simeon Thomas-Wilson, Callum Dick, Eliza Reilly and Mark Duffield


The final ball has been bounced in the AFL season but now every club has to juggle their trade balls that are in the air.
All 18 teams have been jostling and talking their way to new trade and free agency targets, with some clubs already landing the free agent of their dreams.

With the trade period to kick off on Monday – and run until October 16 – here is where every club sits, who they want and most importantly, how they can get their targets.

Plus, who is the left field player your club should be calling about?

More Coverage​

Defiant Dees pledge to hold Oliver to contract

ULTIMATE TRADE GUIDE​


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ADELAIDE​

2024 FINISH: 15TH (8-1-14)​


DRAFT PICKS: 4, 28, 45, 63
RECRUITING TARGETS: Isaac Cumming (Unrestricted Free Agent), Alex Neal-Bullen, James Peatling
DEPARTING: Elliott Himmelberg (Gold Coast, UFA), Rory Sloane (retired), Lachie Gollant, Will Hamill, Ned McHenry, Patrick Parnell (delisted)
STILL WAITING ON A DEAL: Nil
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: Alex Neal-Bullen is expected to pop straight into Adelaide in exchange for pick 28 but could the Crows instead give up a future second round pick for him? Issac Cumming has signed straight away as a free agent, as has Elliott Himmelberg, who will move to the Gold Coast. His teammate James Peatling has told the Giants he wants to join the Crows. With so many teams hunting Peatling, his value has surely only increased. Do the Crows have to put a future first rounder on the table, or will they have to split pick 4?
TEAM NEEDS: More midfield depth is a must for Matthew Nicks, especially quick and explosive midfielders which is really what the Crows are lacking in their engine room. Peatling is a win to start that process. The Crows have also been on the lookout for a younger ruckman also with that being a gap on its list.
WHY NOT GO AFTER: It may not happen this year but the Crows should be trying to set themselves to break the bank for Roo Luke Davies-Uniacke next year to get the big name onballer fans are craving.
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BRISBANE​

2024 FINISH: 5TH (14-1-8) – WON GRAND FINAL​


DRAFT PICKS: 20, 59, 72
RECRUITING TARGETS: Matt Owies
DEPARTING: Joe Daniher, Jarryd Lyons (retired), Kalin Lane, James Maddin, Carter Michael (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Darcy Craven, Jaxon Prior, Luke Beecken
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: Brisbane’s list strategy swings on Joe Daniher’s retirement: now the Lions will need to find a replacement. And they don’t have much to go shopping with. Levi Ashcroft and Sam Marshall will join through the draft as a father-son and academy selections, while Owies would add to a potent forward line and help an ageing Charlie Cameron. Deven Robertson has fallen out of favour at the Lions and will fall further down the pecking order, with other clubs to come chasing the Western Australian.
TEAM NEEDS: With Daniher is done, a ready-made key forward will be on top of the Lions’ shopping list. They have promised to scour the market for experienced talent up forward but clubs who have been hunting for weeks before the Lions haven’t come up with much.
WHY NOT GO AFTER: Tim Membrey is assessing his options as a free agent and would be the best option for a Daniher replacement, and would even be a strong third tall up forward if he stays on. With minimal draft capital to trade, the Lions will have to target free agents.
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CARLTON​

2024 FINISH: 8TH (13-10) – LOST ELIMINATION FINAL​


DRAFT PICKS: 12, 34, 65, 68, 71
TARGETS: Dan Houston, Nick Haynes (UFA), Jayden Laverde
DEPARTING: Jack Martin, Alex Mirkov, Caleb Marchbank, David Cuningham, Dom Akuei (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Matt Owies, Sam Durdin, Jack Carroll, Matt Carroll
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: The jostling around a Houston trade is poised to go the distance. The Blues don’t want to hand over pick 12 to get the two-time All-Australian but it is hard to see a deal being done without that choice. The Blues may try to prise pick 13 from Gold Coast instead, but several clubs want to take that one off the Suns. A future first rounder surely isn’t that tantalising for the Power. Does Owies get thrown into the mix to grease the wheels? The Blues risk losing Houston to North Melbourne if they don’t stump up enough. Lewis Young and Matt Kennedy are looking at their options elsewhere.
TEAM NEEDS: Nick Haynes has signed and fills a need down back helping out Jacob Weitering. The Blues need more leg speed around the midfield and with Owies in limbo, goalkicking small forwards are still needed.
WHY NOT: A tight salary cap makes player hunting tough for the Blues. But why wouldn’t they put an offer in front of Magpie goalsneak Joe Richards? He has offers elsewhere as he weighs up his future but could a plug-and-play small forward.
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COLLINGWOOD​

2024 FINISH: 9TH (12-2-9)​


DRAFT PICKS: 36, 51, 54
TARGETS: Harry Perryman (UFA), Dan Houston, Ben Hobbs
DEPARTING: Aiden Begg (delisted), Josh Carmichael, Nathan Murphy (retired)
STILL WAITING: Nathan Kreuger, Reef McInnes, Jack Bytel, Joe Richards, Lachie Sullivan, Charlie Dean, Ned Long, Josh Eyre
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: The Pies have already likely had their biggest win of October, with Perryman walking in as a free agent. They have entered the race for another win by courting Houston but any trade there will be heavily reliant on securing Gold Coast’s pick 13 for wantaway backman John Noble, in a deal that would see Collingwood sent another pick back to Gold Coast. Even then, the Pies will have to stump up something else. Could that be unsigned forward Joe Richards? Collingwood has been sniffing around some others – including James Peatling – but missed on Mark Keane. The Suns have the Jack Lukosius deal to handle first and then could flip picks to the Pies.
TEAM NEEDS: For a team that won a flag in 2023 and almost kept the team together, there are a few holes here. Craig McRae declared he wanted a key forward but that market is small. A Nathan Murphy replacement is sorely needed. As is some young legs in the midfield.
WHY NOT: Would a future first open up a conversation with Port Adelaide about Ollie Lord? The young tall kicked four goals in a qualifying final in 2023 but he played just six times this year. You have to get creative to find a young key forward.
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ESSENDON​

2024 FINISH: 11TH (11-1-11)​


DRAFT PICKS: 9, 31
TARGETS: Finn Maginness, Josh Rotham, Tim Membrey (UFA)
DEPARTING: Dyson Heppell, Jake Kelly (retired), Kaine Baldwin, Nick Hind, Jaiden Hunter, Tex Wanganeen (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Sam Weideman, Will Setterfield, Jayden Davey
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: The most interest is in those who may be leaving the Hangar than those potentially coming in. Jake Stringer is available but suitors are thin. Dylan Shiel is perennially courted, Jayden Laverde has interest from Carlton, Ben Hobbs may search for more game time. A pursuit of Finn Maginness may be tricky with the Hawk holding a contract for next season but a future second rounder seems enough if the Hawks let him go.
TEAM NEEDS: The Bombers need better runners through the midfield and a goalkicking small forward with academy prospect Isaac Kako set to fill that void.
WHY NOT: He is a similar type to Mason Redman but why can’t the Bombers get into the Dan Houston race? Every team needs more quality users from the backline.
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FREMANTLE​

2024 FINISH: 10TH (12-10-1)​


DRAFT PICKS: 10, 11, 18, 30, 66
RECRUITING TARGETS: Shai Bolton
DEPARTING: Josh Corbett (retired), Ethan Hughes (delisted), Sbit Kuek (delisted), Ethan Stanley (delisted), Matt Taberner (delisted), Conrad Williams (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Max Knobel, Odin Jones, Tom Emmett
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: Richmond wants picks 10 and 11 for Bolton but the Dockers would rather retain one of their top two picks and part ways with 18 instead. The kicker is that Bolton still has four years left to run of a lucrative contract and the Tigers have publicly declared they are happy to keep him if they don’t get the deal they want. Watch this space on Kysaiah Pickett as well. The jungle drums are beating that he still may want out of the Demons.
TEAM NEEDS: It’s no coincidence that the Dockers are in the market for Bolton and Pickett given both are electric small forwards who can flip games in a flash. Fremantle lacked a touch of class this year after Lachie Schultz left and Michael Walters struggled to recapture his best. The Dockers would also love a line-breaking midfielder who oozes X-Factor. Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young are all immensely talented but they lack a bit of speed and flair.
WHY NOT GO AFTER: Chad Warner. The talk is that the star midfielder wants to come home when his contract expires at the end of next season. But the Dockers won’t have three first round picks unless they trade into the 2025 draft. If the Swans want maximum return for Warner, they’d have to consider a trade now while he’s still got a year to run and Fremantle has the assets.
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GEELONG​

2024 FINISH: 3RD (15-8) – LOST PRELIMINARY FINAL​


DRAFT PICKS: 17, 38, 56, 74
TARGETS: Bailey Smith, Clayton Oliver, Jack Martin (Delisted free agent)
DEPARTING: Tom Hawkins, Zack Tuohy (retired), Gary Rohan, Brandan Parfitt, Phoenix Foster, Mitch Hardie, Emerson Jeka, Oscar Murdoch, James Willis (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Rhys Stanley, Jed Bews, Jake Kolodjashnij, Ted Clohesy
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: Martin is the easy one, he can sign with the Cats immediately. Smith appears tougher but pick 17 is a good starting point in negotiations. Oliver looks virtually impossible, and the Demons are holding firm. We have heard that from Melbourne before though. A future first is surely likely to be in the teens again given Geelong’s track record of success and would be selling low for the Dees. Each of those still waiting for contracts appear set to stay. The Cats will soon sign Irish talent Cillian Burke.
TEAM NEEDS: The Cats need more midfield depth and they are going after it. Smith is a perfect addition for team needs if he is back to his best, which is not an insignificant ‘if’. Ruck has always been a question at Geelong but they have managed to get by with Rhys Stanley and hopes are high about Toby Conway.
WHY NOT: Is it worth looking at a scrap-heap ruck like Braydon Preuss? The Cats don’t have much room to move in more trade targets.
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GOLD COAST​

2024 FINISH: 13TH (11-12)​


DRAFT PICKS: 6, 13, 23, 29, 41, 49, 77
RECRUITING TARGETS: Daniel Rioli, John Noble, Elliott Himmelberg (UFA)
DEPARTING: Brandon Ellis (retired), Darcy Macpherson, James Tsitas, Jack Mahony, Oskar Faulkhead, Will Rowlands, Hewago Oea, Sam Day, Sandy Brock (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Levi Casboult
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: Gold Coast’s main focus will be on haggling over Dan Rioli, who is destined to reunite with Damien Hardwick. Pick 6 looks like it’ll be involved, with other selections swapping hands. John Noble is likely to be a second-round pick, while Elliott Himmelberg is already a Sun. Jack Lukosius will depart for Port Adelaide. The Suns again need draft points for academy prospect Leo Lombard and their pick 13 is being targeted heavily by other clubs.
TEAM NEEDS: The added class of Rioli and Noble off half back will add to Gold Coast’s defensive profile, which struggled in 2024. Some extra midfield grunt could ease the burden placed on Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson.
WHY NOT GO AFTER: They’ll keep pushing after Dustin Martin, if only for his name and branding to help boost the Suns’ profile. But the Tigers legend says he’s “happily retired”.
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GWS​

2024 FINISH: 4TH (15-8) – LOST SEMI-FINAL​


DRAFT PICKS: 15, 16, 21, 37, 52, 55, 73
TARGETS: Jake Stringer
DEPARTING: Isaac Cumming (UFA), Nick Haynes (UFA), Harry Perryman (UFA), Cooper Hamilton, Brayden Preuss (delisted), Adam Kennedy (retired)
STILL WAITING: Conor Stone, James Peatling, Josh Fahey
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: The Giants are set to be very quiet in the acquisition market. They have been linked to Jake Stringer but don’t expect much movement until later in the trade period. However they will still be busy with several players eyeing the door. Isaac Cumming (Adelaide), Nick Haynes (Carlton) and Harry Perryman (Collingwood) have walked as free agents, netting the Giants compensation draft selections, while Xavier O’Halloran is testing the trade waters but has not lodged an official request and James Peatling wants to go to Adelaide. Untried swingman Wade Derksen has also requested a move to Melbourne. Conor Stone has had an offer in front of him to stay but has not yet signed that. The Giants don’t want to see a mass exodus so may dig their heels in on contracted O’Halloran and Derksen. GWS could try and drive a hard bargain for Peatling given his plethora of suitors. Thanks to their departing free agents, the Giants now have three picks in the top 21.
TEAM NEEDS: GWS may need to look at adding some depth to sure up its back six. Cumming, Haynes and Perryman all demanded pretty pay packets, with Haynes pushing $1 million last season, so there’s plenty of flexibility to target a big name recruit. There are depth options out there such as Kaine Baldwin, former Giant Adam Tomlinson and Tom Clurey. But they are back ups for a reason.
WHY NOT: With Toby Bedford moving into the midfield the Giants lacked a zippy small forward. Carlton’s Matt Owies has been told to look elsewhere and could be an option.
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HAWTHORN​

2024 FINISH: 7TH (14-9) – LOST SEMI-FINAL​


DRAFT PICKS: 14, 33, 70, 76
TARGETS: Tom Barrass, Josh Battle (UFA)
DEPARTING: Chad Wingard (retired), Cooper Stephens, Clay Tucker (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Denver Grainger-Barras, Ethan Phillips, Josh Bennetts, Jack O’Sullivan
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: Battle has already started putting stuff in his locker at Waverley. Good news for the Hawks is West Coast’s interest in getting a deal knocked over for Barrass, given they will probably want to flip that pick 14 to Richmond for Liam Baker. Helps the Hawthorn side of the negotiation. Whispers have pointed to Ned Reeves being hunted after he fell behind Lloyd Meek in the ruck pecking order, but Reeves has two years to run on a contract. Finn Maginness has also drawn interest and he has been largely a fringe player. The Swans have been linked to Sam Frost but it’s likely he stays. The Hawks were into Harry Perryman but he chose Collingwood.
TEAM NEEDS: The need that sits in defence will be filled with Barrass and Battle. Tick. Some more midfield class wouldn’t hurt the Hawks but they have promising players across most positions.
WHY NOT: He hasn’t indicated yet that he is looking for a new home but a flyer with Caleb Daniel could add some extra kicking power to the wings at Hawthorn.
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MELBOURNE​

2024 FINISH: 14th (11-12)​


DRAFT PICKS: 5, 40, 48, 53, 64
TARGETS: Wade Derksen, Tom Campbell (DFA), Dan Houston
DEPARTING: Angus Brayshaw, Ben Brown, Lachie Hunter (retired), Kyah Farris-White, Josh Schache (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Adam Tomlinson, Marty Hore, Joel Smith
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: For now Melbourne appears out of the Houston race but have the assets to get Port Adelaide interested, especially if pick 5 is split. Tom Campbell has been photoshopped into a new jumper for his fourth AFL club. The Giants have indicated they want to hold on to Derksen, having already lost a few players. But given he hasn’t played an AFL game and has family reasons for returning to Victoria, surely a deal can be struck. Hovering over all of this is the future of Clayton Oliver, with the Dees adamant he is not leaving. Alex Neal-Bullen should be traded early in the week to Adelaide for pick 28. Adam Tomlinson is expected to depart.
TEAM NEEDS: Melbourne has needed more scoring power for years and there is hope swingman Derksen can help somewhat. Tom McDonald was re-signed but extra height in defence would be useful, particularly with Tomlinson likely gone. The midfield is getting thinner – especially if Oliver gets out – so some more power in there would also be useful.
WHY NOT: He isn’t going to blow anyone away but Conor Stone is a talent and hasn’t signed a new deal at GWS yet. Could be a good buy around the edges.
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NORTH MELBOURNE​

2024 FINISH: 17TH (3-20)​


DRAFT PICKS: 2, 25, 43, 61, 67
TARGETS: Luke Parker, Jack Darling, Dan Houston, Caleb Daniel
DEPARTING: Hugh Greenwood, Liam Shiels (retired), Hamish Free, Bigoa Nyuon, Tyler Sellers, Curtis Taylor, Tarryn Thomas (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Charlie Lazzaro, Cooper Harvey, Blake Drury
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: North will have to dig into the draft picks to get any and all of their targets. Parker and Darling both carry big salaries so Sydney and West Coast will not drive a hard bargain to get the money off the books. Houston wants to get to Carlton but the Roos have much better picks to offer Port Adelaide and if a future first is on the table, the Power have to seriously consider it. Daniel hasn’t demanded a trade, and holds a couple years on his contract so a second rounder would have to be in play to get him. Rumblings have suggested North might split pick 2.
TEAM NEEDS: The Roos could use help almost everywhere but key back and key forward are two glaring needs. Darling fills the forward role, if he is up to standard after a lacklustre finish to his Eagles career.
WHY NOT: The scrap heap doesn’t always help rebuilding teams, but Magpie Nathan Kreuger remains unsigned and can fill roles back, forward and in the ruck. Worth a look.
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PORT ADELAIDE​

2024 FINISH: 2ND (16-7) – LOST PRELIMINARY FINAL​


DRAFT PICKS: 39, 57
TARGETS: Jack Lukosius, Joe Richards
DEPARTING: Charlie Dixon (retired), Trent McKenzie (retired), Tom McCallum (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Travis Boak, Francis Evans, Kyle Marshall, Quinton Narkle, Tom Scully
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: Gold Coast are happy for Lukosius to leave after he was dropped at the end of the season but will still look to recoup something for the former No. 2 pick. The Suns might want a first-round pick but the Power could get a deal done for a second, although their first pick is all the way back at No.39 so a future choice may be needed. Port Adelaide ran second for Harry Perryman, who chose Collingwood. Richards is unsigned so if he does choose the Power a deal shouldn’t be too hard to pull off. Most of the Power’s time over the next week-and-a-half will be taken up by Dan Houston talks.
TEAM NEEDS: If Dan Houston gets his wish and gets a move to a Melbourne club then there will be a big hole in the Power’s defence at halfback. The Power’s forward line could also do with some bolstering after a carousel of experimental forwards failed to provide any consistency.
WHY NOT GO AFTER: Expect the Power to go after smooth St Kilda defender Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera – who is out of contract at the end of next season – next year. But could a Houston departure speed this up in any way?
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RICHMOND​

2024 FINISH: 18TH (2-21)​


DRAFT PICKS: 1, 24, 32, 42, 44, 50, 60, 69, 75
TARGETS: Ben Hobbs
DEPARTING: Dylan Grimes, Dustin Martin, Marlion Pickett, Sam Naismith (retired)
STILL WAITING: Matthew Coulthard, Mate Colina, Thomson Dow, Kamdyn McIntosh, James Trezise
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: It’s a fire sale at Richmond. Liam Baker, Daniel Rioli and Shai Bolton want out. Does this work? Baker to West Coast for pick 14 (secured from Hawthorn in the Tom Barrass trade), Rioli and a sweetener to Gold Coast for pick 6 and Bolton to Fremantle for picks 10 and 18. That’s good business for the Tigers. Jack Graham looks set to depart for West Coast as a free agent. The Tigers have reportedly shown interest in Hobbs and need some ready-made players to avoid being horrendously bad in 2025.
TEAM NEEDS: Picks, picks and more picks. The Tigers know where they are and they need star-level teenagers. Some AFL standard players would help take the pressure off the kids, and they would need those players right across the field.
WHY NOT: Someone like Essendon’s Will Setterfield would help take the heat off the young midfielders and would be a solid citizen for young Tigers to learn off.
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ST KILDA​

2024 FINISH: 12TH (11-12)​


DRAFT PICKS: 7, 8, 27, 46
TARGETS: Jack Macrae, Ivan Soldo.
DEPARTING: Josh Battle (UFA), Matthew Allison, Riley Bonner, Tom Campbell, Seb Ross, James Van Es (all delisted).
STILL WAITING: Zak Jones, Tim Membrey, Ben Paton, Jack Hayes, Olli Hotton.
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: There will be some haggling over Macrae but pick 46 for a fringe player on big money seems fair. And a future second-rounder seems about right for Soldo. The Saints missed out on James Peatling.
TEAM NEEDS: The Saints were so keen for the Battle compensation pick to land at No.8 that Ross Lyon even called on the AFL to “do the right thing” and league HQ did the right thing by St Kilda. The Saints need young midfield talent and those draft picks should provide that.
WHY NOT: Who would say no if the Saints put both picks seven and eight on the table for Andrew Brayshaw? Brayshaw himself might knock it back but the Saints know they have to be aggressive to land a big midfield fish.
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SYDNEY​

2024 FINISH: 1ST (17-6) – LOST GRAND FINAL​


DRAFT PICKS: 19, 22, 58
TARGETS: Sam Frost
DEPARTING: Sam Reid (retired)
STILL WAITING: Aaron Francis, Caleb Mitchell, Cooper Vickery, Harry Arnold, Jacob Konstanty, Jaiden Magor, Lachlan McAndrew, Tom Hanily
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: The Swans have some interest in Hawthorn defender Sam Frost, who looks like he may get squeezed out of the senior side in 2025. Former captain Luke Parker wants to get to North Melbourne after losing him prime midfield role in 2024, while Peter Ladhams is also a chance to move after losing his spot to Brodie Grundy. Parker would need to be traded but with a hefty salary, a later pick might suit the Swans. The Hawks don’t want to lose the contracted Frost and it seems remote that he will move a young family interstate. Jacob Konstanty is without a contract and has rival interest.
TEAM NEEDS: Sydney’s forward line fell down in the grand final, with limited impact from Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald, with the latter substituted out early in the game. But there aren’t many ready-made key forwards available, with ex-Swan Tim Membrey one that would cost nothing as an unrestricted free agent.
WHY NOT: He has struggled to get his body right the past two seasons, but a move to Sydney could be a fresh start for Richmond’s Tom Lynch as the exodus begins. The Swans have almost always had star power inside the forward 50, with Tony Lockett, Barry Hall and Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin. If Lynch can get his body right, he’d be that big name target the Swans crave.
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WEST COAST​

2024 FINISH: 16TH (5-18)​


DRAFT PICKS: 3, 26, 62
RECRUITING TARGETS: Liam Baker, Jack Graham (UFA), Tom Clurey, Deven Robertson
DEPARTING: Andrew Gaff (retired), Jamaine Jones, Zane Trew, Jordyn Baker (delisted)
STILL WAITING: Alex Witherden, Coby Burgiel, Jai Culley, Josh Rotham, Luke Edwards
HOW THE DEALS GET DONE: The talk is that West Coast will get pick 14 from Hawthorn for Tom Barrass and that’ll be enough to secure Baker, even if fans reckon that’s overs for the Richmond vice-captain. The Eagles will get Jack Graham for free but West Coast can’t afford to overpay for depth players like Clurey and Robertson if those deals eventuate. Clurey has played one game in two years so would have to come cheap in a trade. The draft should still be the focus at this stage of the Eagles’ rebuild. There’s also a few rumblings about Tim Kelly given he’s out of contract next year and West Coast hasn’t moved to re-sign him. Hard to see anything but a late pick coming in Jack Darling’s move to North Melbourne.
TEAM NEEDS: Young talent. Everywhere. The Eagles are still in desperate need of top end talent to advance their rebuild so West Coast can’t afford to trade away pick three under any circumstances. There’s also a big hole in West Coast’s list in the mid-20s age bracket which Baker and Graham will help address. Key defensive depth now that Barrass is on the way out will also be important which is where Clurey comes in.
WHY NOT: Shai Bolton. The Dockers and Tigers are likely to haggle over which of Fremantle’s two first round picks form part of the deal so if talks break down, there’s an opportunity for West Coast to enter the picture. Bolton also obviously has a pre-existing relationship with new coach Andrew McQualter.
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Port 7 yrs luko on $1 million per year, second or future second.

Adelaide 5 years Peatling sub 700k (band 2), future first or split pick 4.

Lmao.
 
I’ve only seen highlights but why would a club choose Draper over Smith?

I could understand us because being a SA boy but Smith seems cleaner and more skilful.
I’m with you on that

On talent alone and football ability

But sometimes other factors go into it, especially for a non vic club like west coast
 
Good call man. I think getting this years 3 (esp GWS pair) ins is important from a signalling perspective.we have attracted non SA boys against very stiff competition (6 others with Peatling). Get them releasing the normal PR propaganda during the year about loving the club and city etc and “best move they have made for their footy career” and no reason we don’t take this years strong trade momentum and roll it forward. GWS has so much talent, along with Suns, so a fertile hunting ground still. And easier to attract than VIC teams IMO

Time to keep bringing in good-elite players in FA and trading as we have enough youngsters from the draft.

Time to win now and am quietly confident we win a final next year after “doing a Horks” in 2025
Also don’t forget brisbane

The suns and brisbane probably have the most blue chip academy talent coming through in next 2-3 years and eventually some won’t get opportunities
 
Thanks for the reply.

I suppose I wasn’t thinking more about us but the other 3 teams ahead of us choosing Draper over Smith.

If they were both available I can understand us choosing Draper a SA boy over a Vic Metro boy.

And again it’s only highlights but I was very impressed by Smiths ball use as compared to Drapers. He seemed much cleverer as opposed to just dishing it out. That might be unfair to Draper on a small sample size and I could have it wrong.

But players who are smart and use it cleanly I rate highly, I love Pendlebury as a player for example and if I was going to pick one, I’d choose him over Danger. It’s also why I’m a big fan of Soligo.
Good assessment I think

Smith hates to waste the ball , he has an extremely high disposal efficiency by hand and foot . Would be great to see stats on it but in junior footy it would be well above 80% heading towards 90%

Sometimes it comes at the expense of moving the ball direct and forward

Draper is all bull at a gate with ball in hand , yes a little like danger in that regard . His positive is that he bursts forward of stoppage and is very direct either by hand or by foot . His kicking efficiency stats would be low however , once again you’d love to see stats to back up the eye but I’d predict KE in the 60s to 70
 
Good assessment I think

Smith hates to waste the ball , he has an extremely high disposal efficiency by hand and foot . Would be great to see stats on it but in junior footy it would be well above 80% heading towards 90%

Sometimes it comes at the expense of moving the ball direct and forward

Draper is all bull at a gate with ball in hand , yes a little like danger in that regard . His positive is that he bursts forward of stoppage and is very direct either by hand or by foot . His kicking efficiency stats would be low however , once again you’d love to see stats to back up the eye but I’d predict KE in the 60s to 70
Good news is it doesn’t look like we can miss at 4 unless Hamish does something stupid.
 
I’m with you on that

On talent alone and football ability

But sometimes other factors go into it, especially for a non vic club like west coast
WC have grunt in their aging midfield...Speed not so much and Draper has that in spades?

Yeo 31, Kelly 30, Sheed 29 (injury prone)....would make sense for them to trade down and take Bo Allan with certainty and look at A homegrowns like Hamish Davis, Cody Angove, Luke Urquart (speed) Kayle Gerryen, Hugh Boxhall
 
WC have grunt in their aging midfield...Speed not so much and Draper has that in spades?

Yeo 31, Kelly 30, Sheed 29 (injury prone)....would make sense for them to trade down and take Bo Allan with certainty and look at A homegrowns like Hamish Davis, Cody Angove, Luke Urquart (speed) Kayle Gerryen, Hugh Boxhall
This is definitely the draft to trade down if you were ever going to do it and that’s not even factoring in some of that pretty good WA talent from 2nd round onward

The top 10-15 is just so even

No surprises we are now hearing re Tauru a chance for top 5 and there’s a few others too

Guys like Travaglia, Shanahan , Armstrong , Kako , Lindsay , J Berry and Hannaford might be rated well within top 10 by some clubs
 
This is definitely the draft to trade down if you were ever going to do it and that’s not even factoring in some of that pretty good WA talent from 2nd round onward

The top 10-15 is just so even

No surprises we are now hearing re Tauru a chance for top 5 and there’s a few others too

Guys like Travaglia, Shanahan , Armstrong , Kako , Lindsay , J Berry and Hannaford might be rated well within top 10 by some clubs
Charlie Burke from WA seems to be getting a bit of interest from AFL clubs lately, can't say he jumped off the screen at the Nationals to my eye seems more a winger/outside mid? Clancy Dennis was one that interested me if we had a late pick/list spot too?
 

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Charlie Burke from WA seems to be getting a bit of interest from AFL clubs lately, can't say he jumped off the screen at the Nationals to my eye seems more a winger/outside mid? Clancy Dennis was one that interested me if we had a late pick/list spot too?
I liked Burke ! Played well that day at Alberton against SA but then again they all did

I quite liked Hayes too who could have a bit of Charlie Cameron about him , saw he tested well too , can’t get that intercept mark out of my head he took against the Vics at Optus stadium in a pack , not bad for a small fella
 
How do other teams get their midfielders / ruck? Trade vs Draft vs father-son / academy / nga ?

Looking at the prelim finalists (rough as hell look-up - please let me know what I have left off or got wrong):

Brisbane:
  • McInerney - Rookie DRAFT
  • Neale - TRADE (pick #58 originally)
  • Dunkley - TRADE (pick #25 originally)
  • Ashcroft - DRAFT Father/Son
  • McCluggage - Pick #3 DRAFT

Sydney:
  • Grundy - TRADE (pick #18 originally)
  • Heeney - DRAFT Academy
  • Gulden - DRAFT Academy
  • Rowbottom Pick #25 DRAFT
  • Warner - Pick #39 DRAFT
  • Jordan - TRADE Free Agent (pick #33 originally)

Paer:
  • Sweet - TRADE (Rookie originally)
  • JHF - TRADE (pick #1 originally)
  • Rozee - Pick#5 Draft
  • Butters - Pick#12 Draft
  • Drew - Pick#33 Draft

Geelong:
  • Stanley - TRADE (pick #47 originally)
  • Dangerfield - TRADE (pick #10 originally)
  • Holmes - Pick #20 Draft
  • Bruhn - TRADE (pick #12 originally)
  • Bowes - TRADE (pick #10 originally, came with pick #7)!!
Compared to what we might have to pick from for our mids in 2025 ...

Adelaide:
  • ROB - Rookie DRAFT
  • Dawson - TRADE (pick #56 originally)
  • Rankine - TRADE (pick #3 originally)
  • Soligo - Pick #36 Draft
  • Curtin - Pick #6 Draft
  • Peatling - TRADE (Mid Season Draft originally)
  • Crouch - Pick #23 Draft
  • Berry - Pick #28 Draft
  • Taylor - Pick #44 Draft
  • Edwards - Pick #21 Draft
I just hope we stick to the pick-the-best player rule with pick #4.

I'm not sure if that is Draper or not, I'll leave that to the experts.

I really like Langford, Smillie, Lalor just based on an absolute youtube-only vision skin-deep assessment!!
 
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How do other teams get their midfielders / ruck? Trade vs Draft vs father-son / academy / nga ?

Looking at the prelim finalists (rough as hell look-up - please let me know what I have left off or got wrong):

Brisbane:
  • McInerney - Rookie DRAFT
  • Neale - TRADE (pick #58 originally)
  • Dunkley - TRADE (pick #25 originally)
  • Ashcroft - DRAFT Father/Son
  • McCluggage - Pick #3 DRAFT

Sydney:
  • Grundy - TRADE (pick #18 originally)
  • Heeney - DRAFT Academy
  • Gulden - DRAFT Academy
  • Rowbottom Pick #25 DRAFT
  • Warner - Pick #39 DRAFT
  • Jordan - TRADE Free Agent (pick #33 originally)

Paer:
  • Sweet - TRADE (pick #23 originally)
  • JHF - TRADE (pick #1 originally)
  • Rozee - Pick#5 Draft
  • Butters - Pick#12 Draft
  • Drew - Pick#33 Draft

Geelong:
  • Stanley - TRADE (pick #47 originally)
  • Dangerfield - TRADE (pick #10 originally)
  • Holmes - Pick #20 Draft
  • Bruhn - TRADE (pick #12 originally)
  • Bowes - TRADE (pick #10 originally, came with pick #7)!!
Compared to what we might have to pick from for our mids in 2025 ...

Adelaide:
  • ROB - Rookie DRAFT
  • Dawson - TRADE (pick #56 originally)
  • Rankine - TRADE (pick #3 originally)
  • Soligo - Pick #36 Draft
  • Curtin - Pick #6 Draft
  • Peatling - TRADE (Mid Season Draft originally)
  • Crouch - Pick #23 Draft
  • Berry - Pick #28 Draft
  • Taylor - Pick #44 Draft
  • Edwards - Pick #21 Draft
I just hope we stick to the pick-the-best player rule with pick #4.

I'm not sure if that is Draper or not, I'll leave that to the experts.

I really like Langford, Smillie, Lalor just based on an absolute youtube-only vision skin-deep assessment!!
Not being picky honestly but Sweet was pick 23 in the 2018 rookie draft.
 
Good assessment I think

Smith hates to waste the ball , he has an extremely high disposal efficiency by hand and foot . Would be great to see stats on it but in junior footy it would be well above 80% heading towards 90%

Sometimes it comes at the expense of moving the ball direct and forward

Draper is all bull at a gate with ball in hand , yes a little like danger in that regard . His positive is that he bursts forward of stoppage and is very direct either by hand or by foot . His kicking efficiency stats would be low however , once again you’d love to see stats to back up the eye but I’d predict KE in the 60s to 70
Draper went at 66% disposal efficiency at SANFL League this year.

But having a 182cm kid playing inside mid in the second best comp in the country is a pretty tough assignment. I'd expect his disposal effectively in the AFL to be better than 70% once he gets used to the pace (with his own pace buying him the time to focus on hitting his target).

he looked to have better disposal efficiency at the the nationals, as you'd expext.

But he'll never be as accurate as Smith, whose knock is being a bit safe and not taking the game on as much as he could.

It will be interesting to see which style would lead to more goals/ turnovers/ wins.
 
How do other teams get their midfielders / ruck? Trade vs Draft vs father-son / academy / nga ?

Looking at the prelim finalists (rough as hell look-up - please let me know what I have left off or got wrong):

Brisbane:
  • McInerney - Rookie DRAFT
  • Neale - TRADE (pick #58 originally)
  • Dunkley - TRADE (pick #25 originally)
  • Ashcroft - DRAFT Father/Son
  • McCluggage - Pick #3 DRAFT

Sydney:
  • Grundy - TRADE (pick #18 originally)
  • Heeney - DRAFT Academy
  • Gulden - DRAFT Academy
  • Rowbottom Pick #25 DRAFT
  • Warner - Pick #39 DRAFT
  • Jordan - TRADE Free Agent (pick #33 originally)

Paer:
  • Sweet - TRADE (Rookie originally)
  • JHF - TRADE (pick #1 originally)
  • Rozee - Pick#5 Draft
  • Butters - Pick#12 Draft
  • Drew - Pick#33 Draft

Geelong:
  • Stanley - TRADE (pick #47 originally)
  • Dangerfield - TRADE (pick #10 originally)
  • Holmes - Pick #20 Draft
  • Bruhn - TRADE (pick #12 originally)
  • Bowes - TRADE (pick #10 originally, came with pick #7)!!
Compared to what we might have to pick from for our mids in 2025 ...

Adelaide:
  • ROB - Rookie DRAFT
  • Dawson - TRADE (pick #56 originally)
  • Rankine - TRADE (pick #3 originally)
  • Soligo - Pick #36 Draft
  • Curtin - Pick #6 Draft
  • Peatling - TRADE (Mid Season Draft originally)
  • Crouch - Pick #23 Draft
  • Berry - Pick #28 Draft
  • Taylor - Pick #44 Draft
  • Edwards - Pick #21 Draft
I just hope we stick to the pick-the-best player rule with pick #4.

I'm not sure if that is Draper or not, I'll leave that to the experts.

I really like Langford, Smillie, Lalor just based on an absolute youtube-only vision skin-deep assessment!!
Think this shows it’s gotta be a mix of successful trading/drafting to achieve a complete midfield. We’ve done well in the trading side of the equation, really need to nail pick 4 and continue to develop Soligo and co to get to the point of those competing mid rotations
 
Draper went at 66% disposal efficiency at SANFL League this year.

But having a 182cm kid playing inside mid in the second best comp in the country is a pretty tough assignment. I'd expect his disposal effectively in the AFL to be better than 70% once he gets used to the pace (with his own pace buying him the time to focus on hitting his target).

he looked to have better disposal efficiency at the the nationals, as you'd expext.

But he'll never be as accurate as Smith, whose knock is being a bit safe and not taking the game on as much as he could.

It will be interesting to see which style would lead to more goals/ turnovers/ wins.
The other thing maybe overlooked re Draper in nationals was his kick to handball ratio , he’s a bit of a happy handballer

I initially thought it might have just been this year after coming off shin injury but he had more handballs than kicks in his 17th year too

It’s not ideal for someone with that burst speed
 
I think the big bodied mid thing is now getting overdone, lions best 2 in GF were Ashcroft and Neale. Hardly monsters.

We have Dawson already and hopefully Curtin so think we focus more on the Dangerfield like burst mid…which Draper appears to be. Desperately want at the club
Hmm but they had the monsters in dunkley mcluggage berry there to add the intimadion

But if we get Lalor and have Curtin and Edwards in the wings big body mids is more than covered with super agro Pedlar around the place too.
 
I cant believe we are not leaving ourselves the flexibility of having another pick at the ND in case a player we rate slips and we want to use F1 somehow.

right now we just cant. BUT we must

either laird is traded OR

strachan, burgess, smith is completely chopped (not rookied) and paid out to create a spot
 

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Resource 2024 AFL Draft discussion thread (Wed Nov 20 to Fri Nov 22)

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