2024 Draft Thread.

[Mat Mann]

Draft Period, November 20–21

• Round 1 of the National Draft: Wednesday, November 20
• Round 2–end of the National Draft: Thursday, November 21
• Rookie Promotions: Thursday, November 21, after the National Draft
• Delisted Free Agency Period (3): Thursday, November 21, after the National Draft
• List Lodgement 3*: Friday, November 22, 10am (optional; required for those participating in the PSD)
• Pre-Season Draft: Friday, November 22, 3pm
• Rookie Draft: Friday, November 22, 3.20pm

 

[sauce_head]

What even is a 'genuine mid' these days?

Sometimes I think peoples definition of a mid is way too narrow and not always reflective of how versatile modern midfielders need to be.

Thats probably reflected in the fact that last night 18 of the first 20 picks (or thereabouts) were defined as mids. I doubt that would have been the case in the old days (as opposed to these days).

 

[SteeleSaints]

It must be just a newer generational thing - but Tobie Travaglia doesnt lack any confidence or self belief. I guess that is a good thing given we are constantly calling for alpha male types. Where as Tauru was the complete opposite humble and under stated.

I also notice Alix had a bit of a paunch when being interviewed, Im sure the club will soon work that off. Plenty of room for physical development with both kids, hopefully they arent allegic to the gym like other top 10 lads at the club.

 

[TheJackal]

Confidence isn’t lacking with these two!

Careful, your tongue in cheek post will be taken the wrong way and they'll send the pitchfork gang after you!

 

[Hayes4PM]

Guys the leaked footage of Shanahan and Jack Whitlock's draft interviews got leaked and is explaining a lot…

 

[Nutsngum]

Travaglia is going to be along the lines of Sheezel. Juniors across the flanks but will transition to the midfield much better then people expect.

 

[gringo2011]

Re not picking mids....

Our late games against Sydney and Geelong showed what we're capable of. Later in the season, Brisbane were the only team that really looked on another level.

We've just added a 3 time All Australian mid.

Pou is starting to show what he can be. Another pre season into him will be huge.

I absolutely believe in Windy.

I think Garcia is going to surprise a few here. I see something in him. He'll make it happen.

Coaching improved as the season progressed. I see no reason why it can't continue.

Happy to bring in some real talent to the club. I'll back the vision in.

We were exposed by an incredible run of injury to our midfield. Crouch, Dow, Henry, Windhager, Clark, Jones, Stocker, Sinclair, Hotton, Wood, Ross all spent part of the year or preseason injured. Even Steele was playing restricted after the GWS game. Not many sides in footy could compete with the bulk of their mids injured.

 

[stavro#4]

Travaglia is going to be along the lines of Sheezel. Juniors across the flanks but will transition to the midfield much better then people expect.

Nothing like Sheezel.

The will day comparison is right… long bow comparison if EVERYTHING went right….

Dangerfield.

 

[L_W_P]

Great post there LWP.

It just reinforces the fact there are so so many moving pieces in a football club.......or any sporting club for that matter.

If all those moving pieces click at the same time and your talent base is very strong....and a good dose of luck is thrown in....it sets you up for a shot at the ultimate prize.

The biggest thing I've learned in life is that talent only goes so far.

Getting the development program and training standards at the club to an elite level is far more important than loading up on the "top" players.

 

[L_W_P]

Nothing like Sheezel.

The will day comparison is right… long bow comparison if EVERYTHING went right….

Dangerfield.

I keep looking at the lines of Hodge & Goddard.

He's a better athlete that either of them but the same standard setting leadership is there.

I rekon he releases Sinc to the midfield, maybe Trav on a wing for a bit... He will burst through the midfield and pinch hit forward at times. He will be Mr Fixit for 200+ games.

 

[gringo2011]

What even is a 'genuine mid' these days?

Sometimes I think peoples definition of a mid is way too narrow and not always reflective of how versatile modern midfielders need to be.

I still say you can only really carry two centre square specialists that can't play in a second spot. There was a while there where they were really low value and they have come back a bit with sides like Hawks and Collingwood using them to advantage.

Midfielders in Ross Lyon sides are even more required to have a second set of characteristics. Luke Ball got left out because he couldn't spread and run as well as our other mids. In all of Lyon's years of coaching I never saw anything to suggest that he's had an awakening.

 

[Linton Street Saint]

That is understood, however there were 6 recognised top mids that you could throw a blanket over.
They were all gone by our first pick.

On SM-S908E using BigFooty.com mobile app

Woah slow down, you and Barrels said this was bullshit and group think prior to the draft.

That’s some impressive mental gymnastics.

 

[gringo2011]

The biggest thing I've learned in life is that talent only goes so far.

Getting the development program and training standards at the club to an elite level is far more important than loading up on the "top" players.

Since Bassat has spent up on the footy department we have given ourselves every chance of maximising talent. Our set up is AFL standard for possibly the first time ever. Getting your backroom in order is the first thing required to be successful and he's got that. No guarantees on any player but we at least have the right framework in place.

 

[StCicatriz]

I think you’ll find the club tried to do that but the clubs who had pick 1-6 before us were not prepared to give up there selections.

The only way in my view that we could have possibly traded up to land a “blue chip midfielder” was to trade out both 7 & 8 for 1 pick in the top 6.

we were not prepared to do that & I believe it was the right call.

Imagine the melts on here if we did that.

we picked the best players available at our selections.
& I pray that these boys fill their potential.

Some of those top 6 picks were traded ffs

 

[Saints43]

Boxall reads like a Dalrymple special but we do need a young ruck as I’m just not sure moose is going to cut the grade when push comes to shove.

Rob Harvey thinks Moose can impact next year and as he's going to be the midfield coach he can drive that.

 

[SteeleSaints]

I am just as excited about tonights draft as the first. When you look at who is left some of those kids would be top 10 in other draft years, the depth this year is ridiculous. The remainder of this draft will also be a gold mine. This number of quality of KPP has never been seen before this deep in a draft.

Then we still have midfielders like Boxshall, Moraes, Gross, Ough, Davis who will be looked at earlier, plus the likes of Johnson, Sulzberger, Kennedy and the mature agers Davidson etc later in the night.

There will be players taken tonight who in years ahead we will be astounded at their draft positions IMO.

Its a good time to fill our boots Sainters!

Lets not forget Twomeys later list of players we have shown interest in -

Expect the Saints to grab a ruckman in there somewhere (potentially as a rookie) and they have looked at WA mature-ager Lachie Blakiston and Norwood big man Harry Boyd as well as young ruckman Aiden Riddle. If Alex Dodson is there at 32 he would have to be looked at closely too. West Australian midfield pair Cody Angove and Hugh Boxshall could be in the mix, they have done work on defender James Barrat, while the Saints have also assessed Tom Ryan, a Sydney Academy prospect who is a tall forward and the cousin of Richmond's Samson.

Angove is the only one already taken...

 

[Hayes4PM]

Nothing like Sheezel.

The will day comparison is right… long bow comparison if EVERYTHING went right….

Dangerfield.

I don't think he's got the frame and body type to be Dangerfield, I think Sid Draper would be the most Dangerfield-like comparison out of this group the way he speeds out of stoppages, busts through tackles and evades to get through the front of the stoppages.

If Travaglia turns into Will Day 2.0 that's a win.

 

[StCicatriz]

Never seen the draft recap try so hard to sell a player to a supporter base.

AFL marketing team in overdrive.

 

[Remboy]

I'm thinking of changing my username. Is Melty McMeltface taken?

 

[Patty_vanda]

Some of those top 6 picks were traded ffs

1 was traded & west coast were never gonna deal with us for 1 pick.
12 & 14 suited them so they could get baker in the door.

 

[luca77]

Some teams have gone so mid heavy now. From next year or the year after I reckon there'll be plenty of young mids wanting more midfield time and older mids wanting to secure their futures.

I think we'll either have options there or go hard at the available top mids in the next draft. Mids come on quickly these days, so the list profile will be ok in 2026/7.

We were in a bizarre spot this year where we judged Lindsay/Allan/Reid to be not worth giving up the quality/potential of T and T. imo, they both would have gone pretty much immediately afterwards if we didn't take them.

Gives Windy and Garcia a good chance to prove themselves alongside Macrae, Clark and Steele.

Can't wait to see these boys in action, I reckon Tobie will be in the team early. Good luck holding him back.

 

[St Kilda Death]

What even is a 'genuine mid' these days?

Sometimes I think peoples definition of a mid is way too narrow and not always reflective of how versatile modern midfielders need to be.

The way the game is played these days, the congestion every player is a mid outside of the centre bounce.
Only 3 “genuine” mids per team
center, Rovers.

Mark down Steele and Macrae 2/3
Phillipou we all hope is 3rd
And windy has spent time there.
Henry provides some spark.

Of course you need more players capable of running through, but they need to be versatile.

There is zero point drafting an unversatile “genuine” mid unless you think they will beat out at the least Clark, Dow and Carrol on the depth chart.

If they can’t play a flank then you get a dunstan, bytel. Playing for Sandy.

 

[stavro#4]

The way the game is played these days, the congestion every player is a mid outside of the centre bounce.
Only 3 “genuine” mids per team
center, Rovers.

Mark down Steele and Macrae 2/3
Phillipou we all hope is 3rd
And windy has spent time there.
Henry provides some spark.

Of course you need more players capable of running through, but they need to be versatile.

There is zero point drafting an unversatile “genuine” mid unless you think they will beat out at the least Clark, Dow and Carrol on the depth chart.

If they can’t play a flank then you get a dunstan, bytel. Playing for Sandy.

I think “genuine mids” should be classified as: can they operate at the centre bounce and at stoppages.

As there is a craft to that.


Which is why every midfielder - and I classify wingmen here. Aren’t genuine mids.

They are versatile players who can play plenty of roles.

 

[TheJackal]

No, you spare us

reading this armchair psychologist naval gazing shitpost was a struggle, trav's interview on the other hand was great

Agree. How on earth you could get that from his interview is amazing.

You triggered angry ants do realise what a pisstake is don't you?

I was taking the piss based on everyones ability to become a draft expert and form an everlasting opinion based on watching two minutes of hand picked footage.

You have people, including myself, writing pages and pages of crap based on such a small sample set - then melt when they are selected by guys who watch them in person over a period of 4 or 5 years, interview them dozens of times, interview their schools, family, check if their beds made, etc etc.

Apologies for having a nuanced opinion, perhaps I keep it a bit simpler next time.

 

[SteeleSaints]

Some teams have gone so mid heavy now. From next year or the year after I reckon there'll be plenty of young mids wanting more midfield time and older mids wanting to secure their futures.

I think we'll either have options there or go hard at the available top mids in the next draft. Mids come on quickly these days, so the list profile will be ok in 2026/7.

We were in a bizarre spot this year where we judged Lindsay/Allan/Reid to be not worth giving up the quality/potential of T and T. imo, they both would have gone pretty much immediately afterwards if we didn't take them.

Gives Windy and Garcia a good chance to prove themselves alongside Macrae, Clark and Steele.

Can't wait to see these boys in action, I reckon Tobie will be in the team early. Good luck holding him back.

I've got the felling if Dodson is off the board we take a mid tonight, plus lets not forget Elwood Peckett who has shown plenty of spark this year. He is a late developer I think he may surprise a few particularly with his goal kicking ability.

 

[starcey]

Thats probably reflected in the fact that last night 18 of the first 20 picks (or thereabouts) were defined as mids. I doubt that would have been the case in the old days (as opposed to these days).

Berry Kako Faull Oliver All not mids and taken in the first 20