Resource 2024 AFL Draft discussion thread

[Trigger13]

I know your game now. You play the mozz dont you. You say the worst thing hoping that because you predict something it wont happen. in what universe would they pick landford having got taller mids in curtin and edwards last year and dawson in his prime. Its all about speed and power now for our midfield.

What? I don’t think getting Langford is the worst thing. Far from it. Has Bont-like/Will Day-like qualities. I don’t rate Draper at our pick. I’ve been saying this all along. His disposal is poor and he panics a lot. There has also been a lot of talk about how Hamish likes Langford. That’s where my suspicion comes from.

For the record, my order of preferred player:

• Lalor
• smith
• Langford
• FOS
• Draper

 

[GreyCrow]

Ok thanks, that’s kind of how I saw Draper too in YouTube highlights.

I find it hard to get enthusiastic about that kind of player. With a top 5 pick you really want (forgive me) “hurt factor”.

Speed and affective clearance is elite

Just work on the disposals in the SANFL for 3 years and voila

 

[Danger in Texas]

For those that have watched these kids, of those around the Crows pick, who is:
1. The most sure fire star
2. The one with the highest ceiling
3. The most consistent performer
4. The biggest risk
5. The best fit for our midfield

1. Hard to say, there’s no real standout #1 prospect like Reid or JHF were. My #1 is Lombard who’s tied to GC
2. Lalor or O’Sullivan have the largest superstar potential I think
3. Jagga Smith, averaged 33 touches at Coates Talent League level
4. Again hard to say. Maybe Smillie, as I’ve seen he has a few character questions compared to the other top prospects?
5. Probably Lalor, although I think any of the top few would add a lot

 

[crow2crow]

What? I don’t think getting Langford is the worst thing. Far from it. Has Bont-like/Will Day-like qualities. I don’t rate Draper at our pick. I’ve been saying this all along. His disposal is poor and he panics a lot. There has also been a lot of talk about how Hamish likes Langford. That’s where my suspicion comes from.

For the record, my order of preferred player:

• Lalor
• smith
• Langford
• FOS
• Draper

I'm not that dissimilar I'm

Lalor
Smith
Draper
FOS
Langford

he might be bont like but definitely not will day

 

[Danger in Texas]

What? I don’t think getting Langford is the worst thing. Far from it. Has Bont-like/Will Day-like qualities. I don’t rate Draper at our pick. I’ve been saying this all along. His disposal is poor and he panics a lot. There has also been a lot of talk about how Hamish likes Langford. That’s where my suspicion comes from.

For the record, my order of preferred player:

• Lalor
• smith
• Langford
• FOS
• Draper

Man, I really don’t trust that lack of athletic ability at the top level though. Langford’s been one of the bigger bodies playing U18 football, so he’s naturally been able to have a knack of obtaining the ball from congestion. But even at that level, I’ve never really seen him as at least somewhat fleet of foot. The fact he was a quite bit less impactful at VFL level (though a small sample size) didn’t really help his case for mine, either

I’m also not a huge fan of Langford’s kicking - got a huge boot on him, but the ability to hit targets? Not on the level of a lot rated about the same as him

I think he’s a very solid prospect if taken around the 10-15 mark, and has a number of genuine AFL traits, but for pick 4? I just don’t see it

 

[Moonwatcher]

The big issue I see here is that Port have courted NWM for quite a while and are bracing for losing Bergman (who I think was a saints fan growing up). Hopefully it’s not as simple as a player swap next year. Would love NWM at Crom. Would be a huge get.

Bergman would be a huge loss. I honestly confuse him for JHF sometimes.

 

[ABAB]

The big issue I see here is that Port have courted NWM for quite a while and are bracing for losing Bergman (who I think was a saints fan growing up). Hopefully it’s not as simple as a player swap next year. Would love NWM at Crom. Would be a huge get.

Port Power also courted Perryman for even longer.

 

[bigman]

Man, I really don’t trust that lack of athletic ability at the top level though. Langford’s been one of the bigger bodies playing U18 football, so he’s naturally been able to have a knack of obtaining the ball from congestion. But even at that level, I’ve never really seen him as at least somewhat fleet of foot. The fact he was a quite bit less impactful at VFL level (though a small sample size) didn’t really help his case for mine, either

I’m also not a huge fan of Langford’s kicking - got a huge boot on him, but the ability to hit targets? Not on the level of a lot rated about the same as him

I think he’s a very solid prospect if taken around the 10-15 mark, and has a number of genuine AFL traits, but for pick 4? I just don’t see it

I think it’s a bit harsh to really judge langford’s vfl form. He didn’t get the same opportunity as Jagga and I thought he still had some great moments against the blues vfl side once he warmed into it.

I would be hesitant to seperate Langford from the other top mids in this draft. He has his drawbacks but all of them do in one way or another. Is he my least preferred of the five? Probably but that’s no real slight on him, it’s a very good bunch.

Tell you what, I’d say hes the best mark for a midfielder in this draft, possibly even slightly edging out lalor. He basically never loses an aerial contest, it’s like clockwork when he gets the opportunity. It also makes him a threat up forward which you can’t really say about smith and Draper, as good as they are.

I wonder if clubs feel that he also has scope to improve give his inside work has some definite flaws. He has very little fend or swivel despite being a big and aggressive guy, which is compounded by his lack of speed. It means too often he either gets wrapped up or at best gets a scrappy disposal away.

it’s surprising he has these issues but if clubs can improve them then he becomes pretty imposing prospect.

 

[Mutineer]

I think it’s a bit harsh to really judge langford’s vfl form. He didn’t get the same opportunity as Jagga and I thought he still had some great moments against the blues vfl side once he warmed into it.

I would be hesitant to seperate Langford from the other top mids in this draft. He has his drawbacks but all of them do in one way or another. Is he my least preferred of the five? Probably but that’s no real slight on him, it’s a very good bunch.

Tell you what, I’d say hes the best mark for a midfielder in this draft, possibly even slightly edging out lalor. He basically never loses an aerial contest, it’s like clockwork when he gets the opportunity. It also makes him a threat up forward which you can’t really say about smith and Draper, as good as they are.

I wonder if clubs feel that he also has scope to improve give his inside work has some definite flaws. He has very little fend or swivel despite being a big and aggressive guy, which is compounded by his lack of speed. It means too often he either gets wrapped up or at best gets a scrappy disposal away.

it’s surprising he has these issues but if clubs can improve them then he becomes pretty imposing prospect.

Beg to disagree on the best mark of the mids, I'd have both Lalor and FOS clearly ahead of Langdord.

 

[bigman]

Beg to disagree on the best mark of the mids, I'd have both Lalor and FOS clearly ahead of Langdord.

Clearly seems excessive but no doubt they’re both very good in that regard as well.

Irregardless, it’s absolutely a strength of Langfords and makes him a more multi-dimensional mid then some of the others around him.

Actually think he would be a good fit for north as none of their mids have a great aerial presence particularly up forward, but I guess you could argue the same for us aside from dawson who is a terrific around the ground mark.

 

[Danger in Texas]

I think it’s a bit harsh to really judge langford’s vfl form. He didn’t get the same opportunity as Jagga and I thought he still had some great moments against the blues vfl side once he warmed into it.

I would be hesitant to seperate Langford from the other top mids in this draft. He has his drawbacks but all of them do in one way or another. Is he my least preferred of the five? Probably but that’s no real slight on him, it’s a very good bunch.

Tell you what, I’d say hes the best mark for a midfielder in this draft, possibly even slightly edging out lalor. He basically never loses an aerial contest, it’s like clockwork when he gets the opportunity. It also makes him a threat up forward which you can’t really say about smith and Draper, as good as they are.

I wonder if clubs feel that he also has scope to improve give his inside work has some definite flaws. He has very little fend or swivel despite being a big and aggressive guy, which is compounded by his lack of speed. It means too often he either gets wrapped up or at best gets a scrappy disposal away.

it’s surprising he has these issues but if clubs can improve them then he becomes pretty imposing prospect.

He's probably a bit like Dawson in the aerial department, very good for a midfielder when in amongst a pack on the wing or a flank, but I'd have Lalor and FOS as more dynamic overhead marks - i.e. capable of really crashing a pack when needed

I agree the idea of what he could be in theory is tantalising, but I'm not sure that with his all-round athletic capabilities and lack of a laser boot that that idea will ever be a reality

 

[bigman]

He's probably a bit like Dawson in the aerial department, very good for a midfielder when in amongst a pack on the wing or a flank, but I'd have Lalor and FOS as more dynamic overhead marks - i.e. capable of really crashing a pack when needed

I agree the idea of what he could be in theory is tantalising, but I'm not sure that with his all-round athletic capabilities and lack of a laser boot that that idea will ever be a reality

Fair enough points.

FWIW, for someone who tests slow he does use his legs when streaming ahead of the stoppage and isn’t afraid to eat up the ground. He makes decent use of what little pace he does have.

His follow up work is also very solid, he’s not a one and done mid. It’s helped by a pretty decent endurance base despite being a pretty big lad. He should fine down a touch in a professional environment too.

Also think he suits the modern game with his propensity to move the ball on quickly and kick long rather than playing kick to kick. If there’s a receiver streaming towards goal Langford is someone you want the ball with. He loves to turn and go quick from a mark.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Fair enough points.

FWIW, for someone who tests slow he does use his legs when streaming ahead of the stoppage and isn’t afraid to eat up the ground. He makes decent use of what little pace he does have.

His follow up work is also very solid, he’s not a one and done mid. It’s helped by a pretty decent endurance base despite being a pretty big lad. He should fine down a touch in a professional environment too.

Also think he suits the modern game with his propensity to move the ball on quickly and kick long rather than playing kick to kick. If there’s a receiver streaming towards goal Langford is someone you want the ball with. He loves to turn and go quick from a mark.

Agree that he's aggressive when running with the ball, I'm just not sure how well that translates against bigger and/or more athletic bodies, especially having generally less time and space at the top level. He's smart in traffic, and that's clear when you watch him play in the CTL, but there is a high increase in defensive reflexes at AFL level. It's why I'm higher on Smillie than Langford - something of an athletic base is ideal to have as a midfielder, even if it's not pure speed

Look, I think Langford has the capability to be a quality, aggressive, balanced mid, but IMO he's got a couple of things standing in his way compared to a number of guys I have above him

 

[FullyBigKPro]

Lalor looks a real beast but just worry about some of his injuries (aware other top prospects have injuries too like Draper etc).

I'll be happy with any of:

Lalor
Smith
FOS
Draper
Langford

Surely we couldn't go wrong with one of those?!?

This pick has to be a 200+ gamer for the club. Please dont stuff it up Hamish.

 

[bigman]

Agree that he's aggressive when running with the ball, I'm just not sure how well that translates against bigger and/or more athletic bodies, especially having generally less time and space at the top level. He's smart in traffic, and that's clear when you watch him play in the CTL, but there is a high increase in defensive reflexes at AFL level. It's why I'm higher on Smillie than Langford - something of an athletic base is ideal to have as a midfielder, even if it's not pure speed

Look, I think Langford has the capability to be a quality, aggressive, balanced mid, but IMO he's got a couple of things standing in his way compared to a number of guys I have above him

Smillie is superior with his grunt work, he’s very good in extracting and releasing the ball and is very hard to tackle but gee he’s otherwise pretty static. There’s not enough urgency in his game and his spread needs a lot of work. He doesn’t test ultra slow either so more likely a mindset thing he needs to address.

Also doesn’t play to his height enough for a huge lad. Doesn’t have the same aerial presence as the other big mids in the draft. Actually similar to Cripps in that regard as well.

His one-wood is great but his adjustment from the hbf this year has been more difficult than I expected. I thought we would see a more dynamic player this year than we got.

Should still go top 10-12 you’d think but not sure he’s for us, I guess we’ll find out more as the draft gets closer.

 

[Mutineer]

Kevin Sheehan’s 2024 Telstra AFL Draft top prospects: Small and medium defenders

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has profiled the top small and medium defenders in the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft pool.

www.afl.com.au

 

[Danger in Texas]

Smillie is superior with his grunt work, he’s very good in extracting and releasing the ball and is very hard to tackle but gee he’s otherwise pretty static. There’s not enough urgency in his game and his spread needs a lot of work. He doesn’t test ultra slow either so more likely a mindset thing he needs to address.

Also doesn’t play to his height enough for a huge lad. Doesn’t have the same aerial presence as the other big mids in the draft. Actually similar to Cripps in that regard as well.

His one-wood is great but his adjustment from the hbf this year has been more difficult than I expected. I thought we would see a more dynamic player this year than we got.

Should still go top 10-12 you’d think but not sure he’s for us, I guess we’ll find out more as the draft gets closer.

Yeah I wouldn’t put Smillie in the basket of being in consideration for our pick, but I think the capability to develop into a more effective midfielder is there, compared to Langford. I think when Smillie develops the muscle to go with his frame, he could well add a greater physicality and urgency to his game

Am concerned with some stuff I’ve read re: Smilie’s character, though (not derailing-type stuff, more attitude), so he’s probably more risk/reward than others in that top 10 or so

 

[FR0GGY]

Who is drapers like for like in the afl?

 

[Sizzlepack]

Who is drapers like for like in the afl?

Treloar (good accumulator with average disposal) with some of Warner's athletic traits?

 

[Mutineer]

Who is drapers like for like in the afl?

Danger in Texas around the mark earlier..

Treloar is the comparison I’d make

 

[rabidcrow]

Port Power also courted Perryman for even longer.

Different though - SA boy family ties


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