Resource 2024 AFL Draft discussion thread (Wed Nov 20 to Fri Nov 22)
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- Oct 11, 2012
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Welsh and the Camporeale twins, what a watch they will be in the next few years given their complete evacuation from top 40 discussions. I'm so hoping Welsh is an all time draft steal after all the drooling we did a couple of years back
I've been giving this a bit more thought. My previous answer was No. My new answer is ****ing HELL NO.
The reason for this is that Delisted players have until 13th November to nominate for the draft. Delistings have to occur before this date, to allow the players a chance to nominate. To do otherwise would be to effectively terminate their careers, without giving them any opportunity for finding a new home. There is no way in this universe, or any other, that either the AFL or AFLPA would allow this to happen.
There appears to be a pretty clear top 5 for me (6 if you include Ashcroft). My preferred picks are:
1. Lalor/FOS
Project as the best 2 mids in it. Lalor has the higher ceiling and FOS the higher floor, but both look low risk, high return players that get the ball, take the game on and hit targets. Also dangerous forward of the ball. Both a bit underdone this year due to injury, but have still shown flashes of who they could become. I doubt either is available at our pick, but would grab them if they were.
3. Draper
He is not as polished as the rest of the top 5, but has speed and agility and finds the ball. He also takes the game on and gets the ball forward, which will suit our (projected) strong forward line up. Injury restricted his year, but I see that as an opportunity for future improvement rather than a risk. Has worked on, and improved, his disposal over the last year. He will never be elite by foot, but neither are many of the top end inside mids. A drop from the top 2, but above the next 2 as well.
4. Langford
Lacks a yard of pace compared with the rest of the top 5, but still gets plenty on the outside and takes on the game. Big game player with booming kick and is very good overhead. Best player at the nationals, without being a finished product. Despite being a big bodied mid, it's probably his contested game that has the most upside. The rapid improvement from last year suggests that there could be significant improvement to come. But the lack of pace isn't ideal.
5. Smith
Gets a heap of it and is really clean, but just doesn't hurt enough with his disposals. Super professional, no injury issues and highly rated from way out. But does this mean he's not got as much upside as those with a more interrupted run or coming from further back? I also think it's easier to improve Draper's kicks and Langfords fend/ baulk, than it is to sharpen Smith's playing style. And is vic metro.
Big gap to the next best.
1. Lalor/FOS
Project as the best 2 mids in it. Lalor has the higher ceiling and FOS the higher floor, but both look low risk, high return players that get the ball, take the game on and hit targets. Also dangerous forward of the ball. Both a bit underdone this year due to injury, but have still shown flashes of who they could become. I doubt either is available at our pick, but would grab them if they were.
3. Draper
He is not as polished as the rest of the top 5, but has speed and agility and finds the ball. He also takes the game on and gets the ball forward, which will suit our (projected) strong forward line up. Injury restricted his year, but I see that as an opportunity for future improvement rather than a risk. Has worked on, and improved, his disposal over the last year. He will never be elite by foot, but neither are many of the top end inside mids. A drop from the top 2, but above the next 2 as well.
4. Langford
Lacks a yard of pace compared with the rest of the top 5, but still gets plenty on the outside and takes on the game. Big game player with booming kick and is very good overhead. Best player at the nationals, without being a finished product. Despite being a big bodied mid, it's probably his contested game that has the most upside. The rapid improvement from last year suggests that there could be significant improvement to come. But the lack of pace isn't ideal.
5. Smith
Gets a heap of it and is really clean, but just doesn't hurt enough with his disposals. Super professional, no injury issues and highly rated from way out. But does this mean he's not got as much upside as those with a more interrupted run or coming from further back? I also think it's easier to improve Draper's kicks and Langfords fend/ baulk, than it is to sharpen Smith's playing style. And is vic metro.
Big gap to the next best.
Ben Camporeale was All-Australian and got the MVP award for SA at the U18 Champs. I reckon he'll prove a decent pickup for Carlton. I don't know much about Lucas but I did see he got BOG in one of the games for SA too.
Might be another factor in why they're (apparently) very strongly considering Draper at 3.
The fact they're out of the Top 40 discussions is another signal on just how strong this draft is IMO.
He feels like Draper did this time last year. But a lot can happen over 12 months (good and bad, for him and for us).
He could be top 5 (Draper) or a potential rookie (Welsh).
If we pick correctly this year, we won't be in the running to get him. If we want to burn our membership cards, we could get him.
I'd hope he's a pipe dream by next year (with a massive go home factor).
FR0GGY
From a cartel villa in Tuscany
He’s playing league a year earlier than Draper isn’t he?
So did James Aish
FR0GGY
From a cartel villa in Tuscany
Still it’s a good sign. Probably not too many duds have done it.
- Aug 9, 2019
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- Panthers, GWV Rebels, Central Augusta
Sharp will be a hell of a player IMO, he already is.
- Aug 9, 2019
- 37,694
- 65,447
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
- Other Teams
- Panthers, GWV Rebels, Central Augusta
Sharp when pitted up against his peers in the recent U17's Futures game was fairly average spending time in defence and the midfield.
Them Academy boys Beau Addinsall and Zeke Uwland were far and away the most impressive, Addinsall especially had a ripper game?
Kids can have average games
Sid played 3 games in 2023 (av 14 disposals at 60% disposal efficiency and 2.3 clearances) v Sharp's 5 games this year (av 16.4 diosposals at 57% disposal efficiency and 4 clearances).
Too early to call, but certainly both project as good prospects.
Not sure Dyson is in the same conversation at Jason. Doesn’t have his power out of traffic. Long way to go until draft.
I said last year he was a bit overrated and nothing I’ve seen changes that. Good young footballer make no mistake but it’s still early days
Bit strange calling a 15-16yo kid overrated, not sure how 'rated' one can be.
A lot of people saying we can improve Draper's kicking skills. I'm not so sure, it's a skill that's ingrained from a young age in terms of technique. I get a few Taranto vibes about Sid.
Taranto isn't as quick as Draper
I think he's more Dangerfield than Taranto. You can add composure to a kids game but you're right as far as technique goes.... you can tweak rather than remodel.
He's got things you can't teach, but hes not as refined as a Smith or even Langford.
Well if he wasn’t rated old mate I’m not he’d make the airwaves here ha haha
$100 says you're wrong. In?
I think Langford is terrific, his marking, endurance and long kicking make up for his lack of breakaway speed. But given we've spent 1st round picks on Dawson (as a trade) Curtin (if he's to be a mid) and Edwards, I just can't see us using another one on an oversized mid. Wouldn't make any sense - if we think Curtin and Edwards have a future, which you'd hope we do a year after we drafted them.
Has to be either speed (Draper) or skill (Smith) assuming Lalor and FOS are gone. Those are the things missing from our mix.
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