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

 

[TheJackal]

As long as Armstrong (I doubt Trainor will now), but as long as Armstrong is gone before us we should have two good options. The above scenario with FOS going at 5 hurts like hell though

 

[ScrappyDo]

Starting to feel like we will end up with 7. Reid and/or 8. Smilie.

1. J. Smith - Rich
2. H. Langford - Rich (Nth-P6+17)
3. S. Lalor - WC
4. S. Draper - Adel
5. F. O’Sullivan - Melb
6. H. Armstrong - Nth (Rich-P2), (GC-Rioli)
7. M. Reid - Stk
8. J. Smilie - Stk (B1-Battle)

• WC and Lalor is the best fit being a country lad and is probably that high or higher on most boards.
• Adelaide left with little option but to take grumpy local lad. Would’ve loved to take Lalor.
• I’m convinced Melbourne will go for the best available mid. They need some young quality in there. Already have two promising KPFs on the list.
• Nth trade down and get their KPF and bank an extra pick in a great range for a KPD.
• leaves stk with Reid at 7, Smilie at 8. Wouldn’t be upset but think it’s the least ideal scenario for us. Draper and Lalor seem the most suitable to me

Why would we draft that hack when anyone else at all is still available?

 

[joydivision22]

As long as Armstrong (I doubt Trainor will now), but as long as Armstrong is gone before us we should have two good options. The above scenario with FOS going at 5 hurts like hell though

Nth look very likely to take talls luckily for us and they will go Armstrong or Tauru now I think based on media spec. Trainor may slip all the way down to their would be P17.

Think it would be a coin flip for Melbourne between FOS/Reid in that scenario but think Melbourne are nervy about the game leaving them behind with speed and transition so rightly or wrongly will consider the stronger athletic profile of FOS preferable.

Reid looks very worthy of P7 and Smilie P8 so wouldn’t be all bad with those two.

Freo will want to shift a pick into next year for Warner and may be happy with our F1 for their P11. Reckon Travaglia, Lindsay, Hotton would all be great picks at 11 to pair with a Reid/Smilie combo.

We get B2 for Battle, we’re probably looking at a Hannerford, Hynes, maybe still Hotton instead of Smilie

 

[Barrels]

The latest Rookie Me Central phantom draft (released today) -

AFL Draft Power Rankings: September 2024

With boys pathway seasons coming to a close around the nation, it's time for another instalment of our monthly AFL Draft Power Rankings.

central.rookieme.com

That’s not a phantom draft…

The clue is, funnily enough, in the headline.

 

[Premium]

Don't know anything about this years kids but if there is a standout couldn't we pair up our 2 first round picks and get pick 2 or 3.
Or are they pretty well even.

 

[beside the seaside]

Don't know anything about this years kids but if there is a standout couldn't we pair up our 2 first round picks and get pick 2 or 3.
Or are they pretty well even.

It looks very even in the top ten, so if we have two picks it will be a really good opportunity.

 

[TheJackal]

Nth look very likely to take talls luckily for us and they will go Armstrong or Tauru now I think based on media spec. Trainor may slip all the way down to their would be P17.

Think it would be a coin flip for Melbourne between FOS/Reid in that scenario but think Melbourne are nervy about the game leaving them behind with speed and transition so rightly or wrongly will consider the stronger athletic profile of FOS preferable.

Reid looks very worthy of P7 and Smilie P8 so wouldn’t be all bad with those two.

Freo will want to shift a pick into next year for Warner and may be happy with our F1 for their P11. Reckon Travaglia, Lindsay, Hotton would all be great picks at 11 to pair with a Reid/Smilie combo.

We get B2 for Battle, we’re probably looking at a Hannerford, Hynes, maybe still Hotton instead of Smilie

Surprisingly, North don't have many tall mids - so the concern is that they may prefer one of Smillie or Langford, even Lalor as a point of difference to their midfield stocks.

I know us fans think North need key position talent but even in the mid season draft they went a mid over better key position options.

This draft has very good talls like the Whitlocks, Mraz, Sims etc - they all look like late first early second rounders. If I was selecting for North in this draft, I'd take the elite tall mid then a quality tall a bit later.

I thought Melbourne might be a chance, but they have taken a few talls early of late and probably want mid to replace Oliver and even an aging Viney type. They got the flag, now back to getting better picks than us - bloody frustrating.

I reckon we should try to get excited by someone like Lindsay to not be disappointed on draft night. With Trainor sliding we might not see one of the top mids get through to 8. Lindsay may still end up being a star, all is not completely lost.

 

[SteeleSaints]

Starting to feel like we will end up with 7. Reid and/or 8. Smilie.

1. J. Smith - Rich
2. H. Langford - Rich (Nth-P6+17)
3. S. Lalor - WC
4. S. Draper - Adel
5. F. O’Sullivan - Melb
6. H. Armstrong - Nth (Rich-P2), (GC-Rioli)
7. M. Reid - Stk
8. J. Smilie - Stk (B1-Battle)

• WC and Lalor is the best fit being a country lad and is probably that high or higher on most boards.
• Adelaide left with little option but to take grumpy local lad. Would’ve loved to take Lalor.
• I’m convinced Melbourne will go for the best available mid. They need some young quality in there. Already have two promising KPFs on the list.
• Nth trade down and get their KPF and bank an extra pick in a great range for a KPD.
• leaves stk with Reid at 7, Smilie at 8. Wouldn’t be upset but think it’s the least ideal scenario for us. Draper and Lalor seem the most suitable to me

There are so many variances its impossible to do a predicted draft at this stage. Prior to our pick/s Richmond, GCS, WCE all have wheels in motion. I think the only club we could be 90% sure on is Adelaide will take Draper if he gets through to their pick. If WCE dont use Pick #3 in their trading with Richmond then Draper could very well end up there. If North have eyes on a tall they may very well want to get a pick later in the draft, again depending on which clubs end up in front of them.

The only real certainty in this draft is that Levi Ashcroft is the best player in the draft and its a travesty that we wont be taken at pick #1.

 

[St_Laz]

Need to try to get another first round. Offer our future first to suns (12) and tigers (6 / 10 from freo) and see if they bite.
No reason to wait a yet to draft someone when the options are good now. Get the xtra development into them.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[TheJackal]

Need to try to get another first round. Offer our future first to suns (12) and tigers (6 / 10 from freo) and see if they bite.
No reason to wait a yet to draft someone when the options are good now. Get the xtra development into them.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

100% would be my move as well. Next year go stupidly hard for LDU, De Koning or Brayshaw with an offer they cannot refuse.

Pies did it this year in a way, by getting Perryman, it offsets not having a first rounder.

I'd make it known that 8 and F1 is up for sale in any number of ways. Pick 7 as well as long as it's to get a better pick.

I hope we are being super aggressive with our picks, especially the future F1

 

[TheJackal]

Don't know anything about this years kids but if there is a standout couldn't we pair up our 2 first round picks and get pick 2 or 3.
Or are they pretty well even.

It's something that I'm sure we are looking at. There isn't actually a standout, but that could work in our favour.

There could be someone, for example Lalor or FOS, who we could actually rate as a clear number 1. If we think that way, another club could look at the top 8 and think we can't split them - or for a WA club they may think that Bo Allen is their clear choice.

Best case scenario as per above strategy would be a club like West Coast wanting Allen at 8 and being happy to trade 3 & 13 (from Hawthorn for Barrass) for 8 & our F1.

That's fanciful, and exactly what I'd love to do. End of the day, pick one can come from any number of about 6 or 7 players this year. Pick 8, if we get it, falls just outside of that but usually there are bolters so you just never know who will fall there this year.

 

[HeavenlySources]

Starting to feel like we will end up with 7. Reid and/or 8. Smilie.

1. J. Smith - Rich
2. H. Langford - Rich (Nth-P6+17)
3. S. Lalor - WC
4. S. Draper - Adel
5. F. O’Sullivan - Melb
6. H. Armstrong - Nth (Rich-P2), (GC-Rioli)
7. M. Reid - Stk
8. J. Smilie - Stk (B1-Battle)

• WC and Lalor is the best fit being a country lad and is probably that high or higher on most boards.
• Adelaide left with little option but to take grumpy local lad. Would’ve loved to take Lalor.
• I’m convinced Melbourne will go for the best available mid. They need some young quality in there. Already have two promising KPFs on the list.
• Nth trade down and get their KPF and bank an extra pick in a great range for a KPD.
• leaves stk with Reid at 7, Smilie at 8. Wouldn’t be upset but think it’s the least ideal scenario for us. Draper and Lalor seem the most suitable to me

If Lalor is gone and FOS is still on the board, I would be happy for the club to trade up (if Melbourne or Adelaide are interested) We need a dynamic mid, the only other available would be Hynes and I prefer Lalor and FOS over Hynes.

 

[CursingFijian]

It's something that I'm sure we are looking at. There isn't actually a standout, but that could work in our favour.

There could be someone, for example Lalor or FOS, who we could actually rate as a clear number 1. If we think that way, another club could look at the top 8 and think we can't split them - or for a WA club they may think that Bo Allen is their clear choice.

Best case scenario as per above strategy would be a club like West Coast wanting Allen at 8 and being happy to trade 3 & 13 (from Hawthorn for Barrass) for 8 & our F1.

That's fanciful, and exactly what I'd love to do. End of the day, pick one can come from any number of about 6 or 7 players this year. Pick 8, if we get it, falls just outside of that but usually there are bolters so you just never know who will fall there this year.

I don’t think any of the rebuilders will want to push out of this draft, which is supposedly deeper than usual.

I think we have a better chance getting involved in helping facilitate trades.

 

[akaifu]

Imagine this scenario:

Band 2 for Battle
FOS slides to Melbourne when we could've had that pick if not for one goal
Hynes is off the board for our band 2 pick

Would it even be worth supporting this cursed club anymore?

 

[TheJackal]

I don’t think any of the rebuilders will want to push out of this draft, which is supposedly deeper than usual.

I think we have a better chance getting involved in helping facilitate trades.

Very true, despite the evenness the likelihood would be IF a club traded down, they'd want to probably give a poorer second pick, ie 2 & 22 for 7 & 8 (which I wouldn't be remotely interested in).

I'm struggling to see how we could help facilitate a trade using our 7 or 8, what would be an example?

 

[TheJackal]

Imagine this scenario:

Band 2 for Battle
FOS slides to Melbourne when we could've had that pick if not for one goal
Hynes is off the board for our band 2 pick

Would it even be worth supporting this cursed club anymore?

I think my depressed state of mind has already been entertaining that thought process for a month.

 

[MightySaint]

Imagine this scenario:

Band 2 for Battle
FOS slides to Melbourne when we could've had that pick if not for one goal
Hynes is off the board for our band 2 pick

Would it even be worth supporting this cursed club anymore?

I imagined this in 2021 when it looked like we were taking Nas and I was not delighted. Was desperately hoping Ward would slide. Last year I'd never heard of Garcia. The only one that I can claim is that I hated, hated, hated Tsatas in his draft class.
Point being, **** knows who's going to be good/bad. I like FOS but he might have peaked in his under 17 year Hugh Goddard style. We might take another one with our pick 24 that no one has ever heard of that goes on to become our best player. It's a lottery that's only worth getting upset over after the fact

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Surprisingly, North don't have many tall mids - so the concern is that they may prefer one of Smillie or Langford, even Lalor as a point of difference to their midfield stocks.

I know us fans think North need key position talent but even in the mid season draft they went a mid over better key position options.

This draft has very good talls like the Whitlocks, Mraz, Sims etc - they all look like late first early second rounders. If I was selecting for North in this draft, I'd take the elite tall mid then a quality tall a bit later.

I thought Melbourne might be a chance, but they have taken a few talls early of late and probably want mid to replace Oliver and even an aging Viney type. They got the flag, now back to getting better picks than us - bloody frustrating.

I reckon we should try to get excited by someone like Lindsay to not be disappointed on draft night. With Trainor sliding we might not see one of the top mids get through to 8. Lindsay may still end up being a star, all is not completely lost.

Agree. I can even see us picking a Travaglia over one of the others that slide through. It’s that type of draft though where most of the top group have an issue or two and very possible - even more so than other years - that the best don’t follow the pick order in any way.

I’m now feeling less fazed by us being at the tail end.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Very true, despite the evenness the likelihood would be IF a club traded down, they'd want to probably give a poorer second pick, ie 2 & 22 for 7 & 8 (which I wouldn't be remotely interested in).

I'm struggling to see how we could help facilitate a trade using our 7 or 8, what would be an example?

Probably more likely getting involved in a bickering unresolved trade. They use our F1 as a balance, someone is happy with that (eg Richmond given they will have 27 1st rounders this year) and we’re able to pick up another pick this year.

Say, Rioli or a Houston trade.

 

[Broski]

The handful of Sandringham Zebras VFL players in frame for St Kilda AFL rookie spot​

St Kilda will follow through on its plan for a Sandringham Zebra to become a Sainter this year as part of an initiative to improve their alignment - though it’s slim pickings for a rookie-list option.

It won’t exactly be spoiled for choice, but St Kilda will go ahead with its commitment to rookie-list a player from its VFL affiliate Sandringham.

The Saints confirmed they would follow through on their announcement last October that a Zebra would become a Sainter at the end of 2024 as part of an initiative to improve their alignment.

The decision to draft a VFL player was expected to lead to an influx of AFL hopefuls to Sandy and strengthen their list this year.

But they again missed the finals – jarringly for a club so accustomed to success, they last saw in September in 2016 – none of their players were picked for the state game against the SANFL or the VFL team of the year, and no Zebra has been talked up as a draft prospect (Swan Hayden McLean

2

Hayden Mclean

Age

25

Ht

197cm

Wt

99kg

Pos.

F/R

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.1

2star

K

5.1

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

4.0

5star

G

0.4

3star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.3

4star

G

0.8

4star

D

10.0

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.6

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

4.4

5star

G

0.2

3star

was the last Sandringham prospect to advance to the AFL, in 2019).

It’s left St Kilda with a thin field for the rookie-list position.

Co-captain Darby Hipwell has been a consistent midfielder for Sandringham and averaged 18.9 possessions this year. His best performance came in Round 20, with 33 touches against Richmond.

The 22-year-old left-footer, a Vic Metro Under 16 representative, won the best and fairest last year.

Midfielder-forward Blake Watson, 25, would be a mature-age pick. He’s hard and tough, and could improve sharply with an AFL pre-season.

Tall forward Will Vesely, 22, missed half the season with injury but has showed sparks of potential with his marking. He brought in eight grabs and kicked three goals against the Northern Bullants in Round 5.

Vesely has a link to St Kilda: he is the brother of AFLW Saint Olivia Vesely.

Ollie Lowe, 22, has also at times displayed above-average ability. He kicked 15 goals and averaged 13.8 disposals from 17 matches and, like Vesely, arrived at the Zebras via the Sandringham Dragons.

Hugo Hall-Kahan, a mid-season draft signing with Sydney two years ago, joined the Zebras this year but reached no great heights, kicking 14 goals and averaging 13.3 possessions.

The Zebras signed Old Brighton’s Max Benier ahead of the mid-season draft, prompting speculation St Kilda was keen on him. He played in rounds 8 and 9 but didn’t appear again until Round 21.

The 190cm defender figured in Old Brighton’s grand final team against Old Scotch last Friday. “He’s got a massive leap. He’s really quick, agile and the footy stuff is definitely improving,’’ Old Brighton champion Harry Hill said of Benier.

Lachie Voss, 199cm, caught the eye in his only VFL appearance but unfortunately for the Saints, he is not a Sandringham-listed player; he was playing as an over-ager with Sandringham Dragons.

The Zebras recruited Will Brown and Tarkyn O’Leary after their premiership-winning 2023 seasons with the Dragons but both had little impact, with Brown playing five games and O’Leary eight.

Sandringham and St Kilda must appoint a new VFL coach for 2025 after Jake Batchelor

Jake Batchelor

Age

32

Ht

188cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.2

3star

K

7.6

3star

HB

4.5

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

2.1

4star

MG

171.7

3star

No current season stats available

D

10.2

3star

K

6.0

3star

HB

4.2

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.4

4star

’s departure to Richmond. Former Demon and Cat Jared Rivers is being linked with the role.

 

[gringo2011]

I think my depressed state of mind has already been entertaining that thought process for a month.

If you imagine the worst every year you save a lot of disappointment when it happens.

 

[gringo2011]

Agree. I can even see us picking a Travaglia over one of the others that slide through. It’s that type of draft though where most of the top group have an issue or two and very possible - even more so than other years - that the best don’t follow the pick order in any way.

I’m now feeling less fazed by us being at the tail end.

I'm just not that in love with the top end of this draft. Jagga, Reid, FOS and Langford are all favourites but none of there absolute certain stars. Nearly every player in the front end has at least one question mark over them. I really feel like this could mirror the 2017 draft where the first round had a few hits and misses and then a huge swathe of incredible talent in the 20s who over achieve. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_AFL_draft

Travaglia, Shanahan, Faull, Sims, Whitlocks, Gross, Lindsay types all could be the guys that end up best in the draft types IMO.

I'd rather have plenty of fingers in this pie than bank on a high pick giving us a star.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

The handful of Sandringham Zebras VFL players in frame for St Kilda AFL rookie spot​

St Kilda will follow through on its plan for a Sandringham Zebra to become a Sainter this year as part of an initiative to improve their alignment - though it’s slim pickings for a rookie-list option.

It won’t exactly be spoiled for choice, but St Kilda will go ahead with its commitment to rookie-list a player from its VFL affiliate Sandringham.

The Saints confirmed they would follow through on their announcement last October that a Zebra would become a Sainter at the end of 2024 as part of an initiative to improve their alignment.

The decision to draft a VFL player was expected to lead to an influx of AFL hopefuls to Sandy and strengthen their list this year.

But they again missed the finals – jarringly for a club so accustomed to success, they last saw in September in 2016 – none of their players were picked for the state game against the SANFL or the VFL team of the year, and no Zebra has been talked up as a draft prospect (Swan Hayden McLean was the last Sandringham prospect to advance to the AFL, in 2019).

It’s left St Kilda with a thin field for the rookie-list position.

Co-captain Darby Hipwell has been a consistent midfielder for Sandringham and averaged 18.9 possessions this year. His best performance came in Round 20, with 33 touches against Richmond.

The 22-year-old left-footer, a Vic Metro Under 16 representative, won the best and fairest last year.

Midfielder-forward Blake Watson, 25, would be a mature-age pick. He’s hard and tough, and could improve sharply with an AFL pre-season.

Tall forward Will Vesely, 22, missed half the season with injury but has showed sparks of potential with his marking. He brought in eight grabs and kicked three goals against the Northern Bullants in Round 5.

Vesely has a link to St Kilda: he is the brother of AFLW Saint Olivia Vesely.

Ollie Lowe, 22, has also at times displayed above-average ability. He kicked 15 goals and averaged 13.8 disposals from 17 matches and, like Vesely, arrived at the Zebras via the Sandringham Dragons.

Hugo Hall-Kahan, a mid-season draft signing with Sydney two years ago, joined the Zebras this year but reached no great heights, kicking 14 goals and averaging 13.3 possessions.

The Zebras signed Old Brighton’s Max Benier ahead of the mid-season draft, prompting speculation St Kilda was keen on him. He played in rounds 8 and 9 but didn’t appear again until Round 21.

The 190cm defender figured in Old Brighton’s grand final team against Old Scotch last Friday. “He’s got a massive leap. He’s really quick, agile and the footy stuff is definitely improving,’’ Old Brighton champion Harry Hill said of Benier.

Lachie Voss, 199cm, caught the eye in his only VFL appearance but unfortunately for the Saints, he is not a Sandringham-listed player; he was playing as an over-ager with Sandringham Dragons.

The Zebras recruited Will Brown and Tarkyn O’Leary after their premiership-winning 2023 seasons with the Dragons but both had little impact, with Brown playing five games and O’Leary eight.

Sandringham and St Kilda must appoint a new VFL coach for 2025 after Jake Batchelor’s departure to Richmond. Former Demon and Cat Jared Rivers is being linked with the role.

Schamozzle. If they are any good they get picked up in the national or rookie drafts anyway.

I’d only look at Vesely or Voss. Maybe Hipwell. Slim pickings indeed.

 

[akaifu]

The handful of Sandringham Zebras VFL players in frame for St Kilda AFL rookie spot​

St Kilda will follow through on its plan for a Sandringham Zebra to become a Sainter this year as part of an initiative to improve their alignment - though it’s slim pickings for a rookie-list option.

It won’t exactly be spoiled for choice, but St Kilda will go ahead with its commitment to rookie-list a player from its VFL affiliate Sandringham.

The Saints confirmed they would follow through on their announcement last October that a Zebra would become a Sainter at the end of 2024 as part of an initiative to improve their alignment.

The decision to draft a VFL player was expected to lead to an influx of AFL hopefuls to Sandy and strengthen their list this year.

But they again missed the finals – jarringly for a club so accustomed to success, they last saw in September in 2016 – none of their players were picked for the state game against the SANFL or the VFL team of the year, and no Zebra has been talked up as a draft prospect (Swan Hayden McLean was the last Sandringham prospect to advance to the AFL, in 2019).

It’s left St Kilda with a thin field for the rookie-list position.

Co-captain Darby Hipwell has been a consistent midfielder for Sandringham and averaged 18.9 possessions this year. His best performance came in Round 20, with 33 touches against Richmond.

The 22-year-old left-footer, a Vic Metro Under 16 representative, won the best and fairest last year.

Midfielder-forward Blake Watson, 25, would be a mature-age pick. He’s hard and tough, and could improve sharply with an AFL pre-season.

Tall forward Will Vesely, 22, missed half the season with injury but has showed sparks of potential with his marking. He brought in eight grabs and kicked three goals against the Northern Bullants in Round 5.

Vesely has a link to St Kilda: he is the brother of AFLW Saint Olivia Vesely.

Ollie Lowe, 22, has also at times displayed above-average ability. He kicked 15 goals and averaged 13.8 disposals from 17 matches and, like Vesely, arrived at the Zebras via the Sandringham Dragons.

Hugo Hall-Kahan, a mid-season draft signing with Sydney two years ago, joined the Zebras this year but reached no great heights, kicking 14 goals and averaging 13.3 possessions.

The Zebras signed Old Brighton’s Max Benier ahead of the mid-season draft, prompting speculation St Kilda was keen on him. He played in rounds 8 and 9 but didn’t appear again until Round 21.

The 190cm defender figured in Old Brighton’s grand final team against Old Scotch last Friday. “He’s got a massive leap. He’s really quick, agile and the footy stuff is definitely improving,’’ Old Brighton champion Harry Hill said of Benier.

Lachie Voss, 199cm, caught the eye in his only VFL appearance but unfortunately for the Saints, he is not a Sandringham-listed player; he was playing as an over-ager with Sandringham Dragons.

The Zebras recruited Will Brown and Tarkyn O’Leary after their premiership-winning 2023 seasons with the Dragons but both had little impact, with Brown playing five games and O’Leary eight.

Sandringham and St Kilda must appoint a new VFL coach for 2025 after Jake Batchelor’s departure to Richmond. Former Demon and Cat Jared Rivers is being linked with the role.

It’ll be Vesely, he’s the only player that makes any sense for our list

Voss would’ve been nice if he was eligible

All the other guys are no chance to get a game for the AFL side so may as well pick a development project

 

[Winmar2Lockett]

It’ll be Vesely, he’s the only player that makes any sense for our list

Voss would’ve been nice if he was eligible

All the other guys are no chance to get a game for the AFL side so may as well pick a development project

Haven’t seen much of Vesely but what I have seen was not great.

Shocking decision making & skills that matched.


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