List Mgmt. 2024 Draft Thread

Remove this Banner Ad

FYI

Will add a 2024 NAB Draft & Trade tracker thread, stickied.

Tag me when we have a confirmed trade/draft and I will update the thread accordingly
 

Christian Moraes​

State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Eastern Ranges
Community Club: Knox
Date of Birth: 08/11/2006
Height: 183cm

A running machine who is prepared to work deep into defence as well as push forward to create options for his team. Also has clean hands and is composed with the ball. Had an impressive season for the Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League, averaging 23.8 disposals and kicking 18 goals in 12 matches to finish joint runner up in their best and fairest award and earn Coates Talent League Team of the Year selection. Continued his high-level output by averaging 21 disposals for Victoria Metro in a star-studded midfield group, with his best performance coming against South Australia where he amassed 22 disposals and kicked two goals.
Weapon: Clean hands and power running
AFL player comparison: Noah Anderson



Thats Shifter’s opinion.
I can see him being as good as Ollie Hollands
Shifter just talks them all up, god bless him. I'd take his praise with a grain of salt.
 
Shifter just talks them all up, god bless him. I'd take his praise with a grain of salt.

Meanwhile here's Morae's profile on RookieMe

STRENGTHS:
  • Accumulation
  • Clean hands
  • Endurance
  • Run-and-carry
  • Scoreboard impact
  • Versatility
IMPROVEMENTS:
  • Defensive running
  • Kicking technique
  • Strength

Some of the top draft prospects, particularly this year, can hang their hat on hardly playing a bad game. That's something that Moraes did in the back-end of last season and looked like maintaining early in 2024. His numbers are consistently strong at Coates Talent League level, accumulating 25 or more disposals in seven of his 12 games this year, and hitting the scoreboard in eight of them with four hauls of multiple goals.

The trait which allows Moraes to find so much of the ball is his running capacity. Fresh off a 6:25 result in the National Draft Combine's 2km time trial, Moraes has shown he can carve up the opposition with chains of possession and gut running on the attack. His ability to combine with teammates by hand and carry the ball forward is a real asset, and one which often results in score involvements. He's a line-breaker.

Another way Moraes racks up possessions is through his clean hands. He can still add strength to his frame and may not be a full-time inside midfielder at the top level, but holds his own at the contest with slick extraction work. The same attribute is evident around the ground, where Moraes works into space and takes several marks. His ability overhead is quite strong, credit largely to his bravery and basketball background.

While Moraes is well versed in utilising his endurance base in attacking phases, he can certainly work on doing so defensively. Particularly because his frame is suited to the outside more so than an inside role, being able to run hard both ways will be integral. That's not to say his pressure acts are not up to the mark, as he has averaged 3.8 tackles over the last two seasons with a high of eight in 2024.

The other main area for improvement with Moraes is his kicking on the run. He has a relatively even kick-to-handball ratio but tends to favour going by hand at times where he could get a kick away, and can tweak his technique slightly. With so many of his possessions coming in the final third, being as effective a ball user as possible will only make him all the more damaging as the scorer and assister.

A final and important tick for Moraes is his versatility. Given the raft of high-level midfielders available to Vic Metro, he was squeezed out to half-back in game one and was often used either on a wing or at half-forward, with much less time on-ball than usual. He adapted quite well to each role and with such running ability, proved his traits can be adapted to suit what the team requires.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

This is shaping up as a very different draft to most. Usually there’s a clear top 6 or 8 or 10 outstanding prospects and then a progressive, marked decline in perceived potential from there onwards.

This year however it doesn’t seem to taper off terribly much until the mid 20s or maybe even somewhere in the 30s.

That suggests that a club that makes astute picks could really get the jump on its rivals without necessarily having a strong draft hand. Having 3-4 picks under 30 will also help, if for no other reason than that club will have more tickets in the lottery.

As others have said it’s also where we find out if Milesi is any good. There’s a lot at stake for him and the club in getting this one right.

I’m more nervous about this one than most previous drafts.
 
Speaking of RookieMe/Draft Central. Here's our draft preview


2024 RECORD: 6th, 14-9, 125.1% | Eliminated: Elimination Final
2024 PICKS: 17, 25, 35, 48, 83, 90
FUTURE PICKS: WB R1, WB R2, WB R3, WB R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Nil.

FIRST PICK:
Pick 17

There is plenty of competition for talent in the range of the Bulldogs’ first pick, which lands in the back-end of round one. Midfield depth and running power seems to be a priority given the exits of Jack Macrae and Bailey Smith, and best available selections should yield such attributes.

There was talk that silky skilled midfielder Murphy Reid could be a slider, but perhaps 190cm powerhouse Cooper Hynes is the most realistic target. While neither player boasts natural leg speed, they can impact in the forward half and use the ball creatively by hand and foot.

An array of sliders may also be in store. Midfielder-forwards Taj Hotton and Jesse Dattoli will be in high demand with clubs like GWS, Richmond, and Sydney lurking in the late-teens. Likewise, if Xavier Lindsay were to slip through he’d be difficult to overlook with his inside-outside threat and punchy left foot.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 25, 35, 48, 83, 90

Depending on what’s available with pick 17, perhaps the Bulldogs can target a tall with its next selection in Luke Trainor. The grandson of Doug Wade is being slated as one of the crop’s great sliders and may even be available late into the 20s. His intercept marking and distributive skills are high level.

The Bulldogs’ second and third picks will be bunched a little closer together after Academy bids fall. It means they’ll be able to make decisions with the next in mind and package players up. If power and explosive traits are desired, then they can look no further than Oliver Hannaford and Tom Gross.

A utility like Christian Moraes offers great running power, likely to start out as a wingman or high forward with scope to develop as a midfielder. A little further down the order with pick 35, taller mids like Hugh Boxshall and Jack Ough may also be on the radar after strong ends to their respective seasons.

Along similar lines to Moraes, Xavier Ivisic has potential to develop in a few roles on the back of his endurance base. 190cm West Australian forward Hamish Davis connects the lines just as well, while Ivisic’s Geelong Falcons captain Lachie Jaques could be an option for his burst off half-back.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Will the Bulldogs cover their losses by targeting midfield depth?
– Can the Bulldogs add touches of flair and running power?
– Will the Bulldogs lean on their future picks to trade up the order?
 
Honestly, outside of the potential sliders I don't really like anyone that we're linked to and even then I'd probably avoid Reid if only because we don't need a slow high half forward after moving two of them on.
 
Sure crumbing ability is great to have, but is it the 1st thing we need from a small forward? These days, small forwards seem to be there to apply defensive pressure to upset opposition rebounds -> deny outlets or however you want to say it, and offensively spread the defence by running far and wide -> provide targets for their teammates further up the ground, or at least drag their direct oppoennts out of the way. Quick and clever players who make good decisions with the ball in hand. Being a good mark doesnt hurt either.
Well, we have multiple forwards who mark and lead already and none that are pure crumbers so yes, I want a forward who has the skillset that most complements what we have.

I don't recall Dattoli being too defensive either in the vision I've seen, but a lot of the top prospects aren't - and that 's every year.
 
Speaking of RookieMe/Draft Central. Here's our draft preview


2024 RECORD: 6th, 14-9, 125.1% | Eliminated: Elimination Final
2024 PICKS: 17, 25, 35, 48, 83, 90
FUTURE PICKS: WB R1, WB R2, WB R3, WB R4
ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES: Nil.

FIRST PICK:
Pick 17

There is plenty of competition for talent in the range of the Bulldogs’ first pick, which lands in the back-end of round one. Midfield depth and running power seems to be a priority given the exits of Jack Macrae and Bailey Smith, and best available selections should yield such attributes.

There was talk that silky skilled midfielder Murphy Reid could be a slider, but perhaps 190cm powerhouse Cooper Hynes is the most realistic target. While neither player boasts natural leg speed, they can impact in the forward half and use the ball creatively by hand and foot.

An array of sliders may also be in store. Midfielder-forwards Taj Hotton and Jesse Dattoli will be in high demand with clubs like GWS, Richmond, and Sydney lurking in the late-teens. Likewise, if Xavier Lindsay were to slip through he’d be difficult to overlook with his inside-outside threat and punchy left foot.

REMAINING CROP:
Picks 25, 35, 48, 83, 90

Depending on what’s available with pick 17, perhaps the Bulldogs can target a tall with its next selection in Luke Trainor. The grandson of Doug Wade is being slated as one of the crop’s great sliders and may even be available late into the 20s. His intercept marking and distributive skills are high level.

The Bulldogs’ second and third picks will be bunched a little closer together after Academy bids fall. It means they’ll be able to make decisions with the next in mind and package players up. If power and explosive traits are desired, then they can look no further than Oliver Hannaford and Tom Gross.

A utility like Christian Moraes offers great running power, likely to start out as a wingman or high forward with scope to develop as a midfielder. A little further down the order with pick 35, taller mids like Hugh Boxshall and Jack Ough may also be on the radar after strong ends to their respective seasons.

Along similar lines to Moraes, Xavier Ivisic has potential to develop in a few roles on the back of his endurance base. 190cm West Australian forward Hamish Davis connects the lines just as well, while Ivisic’s Geelong Falcons captain Lachie Jaques could be an option for his burst off half-back.

KEY QUESTIONS:

– Will the Bulldogs cover their losses by targeting midfield depth?
– Can the Bulldogs add touches of flair and running power?
– Will the Bulldogs lean on their future picks to trade up the order?
Davis has a better combine 2km time trial (6:12 or 6:18) than Moraes and kicked 4 goals in a WAFL final against men (against the eventual premiers).

He constantly gets picked in the 30s or 40s in phantom drafts - what the hell am I missing?
 
Davis has a better combine 2km time trial (6:12 or 6:18) than Moraes and kicked 4 goals in a WAFL final against men (against the eventual premiers).

He constantly gets picked in the 30s or 40s in phantom drafts - what the hell am I missing?

I think it’s just his weird ball drop when kicking. But I picked him at 21 or so in our board’s mock draft, I think he’s a really good prospect.
 
That is a very optimistic comparison.
I have seen him work all over the ground but it's usually as a reciever rather then actually doing the dirty work. Hopefully at the elite level he rounds out his game, often in juniors players can be to worried about impressing with drive and offence leaving the defensive side wanting, hopefully this is the case with Moraes and not something that will follow him.


That’s a pretty decent game.
Cant see him ever being a defensive beast but he seems to go when its his turn. He wont play if he doesn’t run back, its a mindset thing as you’ve suggested and not an uncommon one at CTL level. That will change pretty quickly when you are playing in the two’s and getting explicit feedback as to that being why.

His numbers are consistently strong at Coates Talent League level, accumulating 25 or more disposals in seven of his 12 games this year, and hitting the scoreboard in eight of them with four hauls of multiple goals.

The trait which allows Moraes to find so much of the ball is his running capacity. Fresh off a 6:25 result in the National Draft Combine's 2km time trial, Moraes has shown he can carve up the opposition with chains of possession and gut running on the attack. His ability to combine with teammates by hand and carry the ball forward is a real asset, and one which often results in score involvements. He's a line-breaker.

Another way Moraes racks up possessions is through his clean hands. He can still add strength to his frame and may not be a full-time inside midfielder at the top level, but holds his own at the contest with slick extraction work. The same attribute is evident around the ground, where Moraes works into space and takes several marks. His ability overhead is quite strong, credit largely to his bravery and basketball background.

While Moraes is well versed in utilising his endurance base in attacking phases, he can certainly work on doing so defensively. Particularly because his frame is suited to the outside more so than an inside role, being able to run hard both ways will be integral. That's not to say his pressure acts are not up to the mark, as he has averaged 3.8 tackles over the last two seasons with a high of eight in 2024.

The other main area for improvement with Moraes is his kicking on the run. He has a relatively even kick-to-handball ratio but tends to favour going by hand at times where he could get a kick away, and can tweak his technique slightly. With so many of his possessions coming in the final third, being as effective a ball user as possible will only make him all the more damaging as the scorer and assister.

A final and important tick for Moraes is his versatility. Given the raft of high-level midfielders available to Vic Metro, he was squeezed out to half-back in game one and was often used either on a wing or at half-forward, with much less time on-ball than usual. He adapted quite well to each role and with such running ability, proved his traits can be adapted to suit what the team requires.
I read that and think there is plenty to work with at pick 29. Fact is the better list fits appear to be gone just before our first and second picks.

I think Hynes and Moraes still improve our depth and fill list needs if that’s how it ends up.
Freijah looks too composed and clean down back to stick out on the wing at the moment, another winger is required and this fella has plenty of runs on the board and good physical profile for the position.

We would all love a small forward/high half forward/pressure forward but if there is no quality option available then so be it. Sort out some other needs. Riley Garcia, Rhylee West, Cody Weightman can hold the fort for a while longer. Not convinced by any of the later options in this position. Anyone like a small forward late?
 
Looks like a really dangerous forward!

I haven’t watched any of Hynes live and only seen a few highlight packages, but I did play against his dad for a number of years so be great to see him in our jumper. Great family and his dad is a cracking fella. If he does get selected tomorrow by us, hopefully he turns into a jet for the red white and blue.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)



That’s a pretty decent game.
Cant see him ever being a defensive beast but he seems to go when its his turn. He wont play if he doesn’t run back, its a mindset thing as you’ve suggested and not an uncommon one at CTL level. That will change pretty quickly when you are playing in the two’s and getting explicit feedback as to that being why.


I read that and think there is plenty to work with at pick 29. Fact is the better list fits appear to be gone just before our first and second picks.

I think Hynes and Moraes still improve our depth and fill list needs if that’s how it ends up.
Freijah looks too composed and clean down back to stick out on the wing at the moment, another winger is required and this fella has plenty of runs on the board and good physical profile for the position.

We would all love a small forward/high half forward/pressure forward but if there is no quality option available then so be it. Sort out some other needs. Riley Garcia, Rhylee West, Cody Weightman can hold the fort for a while longer. Not convinced by any of the later options in this position. Anyone like a small forward late?

Rhys Unwin is one that should be there later who fits the bill

Also Cody Angove to
 
If we want an outside runner, I'd much rather take Will Hayes late than Moraes in the early/mid range. I think there's a lot to work with there, and I get the impression the WA crop is being sorely underrated.

Aside from guys like Hannaford/Reid, I'd really like to see us go balls deep on WA talent this year. Angove, Davis, Hayes and Urquhart (though his kicking is pure dogshit) all look like having traits we sorely need while being gettable in the latter half of the draft. Though I could see Davis being taken early by someone like Sydney.
 
Just on prospective draftee Will Hayes, 7news in Perth tonight had a graphic with his schoolmate also about to be drafted (forget their name), and former Bulldog/Blues Will Hayes was the other face in the graphic.

I was wondering why I was seeing his face lol
 
Am I seeing it wrong or does WA Will Hayes come to a complete stop before he goes to kick the ball?
I’ve seen a few full length WA games during the championship and Hayes would be full sprinting and slow down to a stop before he’d kick it
 

Remove this Banner Ad

List Mgmt. 2024 Draft Thread

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top