2024 Draft Thread.

[Mat Mann]

 

[MOLTEN GANGLANDS]

Or he’s another Luke Dunstan

does he have a big ego and a killer loopy helicopter punt? an ability to turn it over at inopportune times? does he spread like frozen butter? I don't think he's like dunstan, his bust profile would be more josh caddy or matt kennedy

 

[ScrappyDo]

Langford showed he is a very good aerobic runner in the 2km trial finishing in the top 10. His 20 metre sprint times werent great, but by comparison they were no different to Cripps or Bontempelli in their draft years. It would be interesting to see what Langford's top speed is like as he doesnt seem to struggle running opponents down or getting separation on his opponents when leading during games. He is not a burst player speed wise, but his grunt and willingness to win the ball put him ahead of others. In reality he was only a 0.15 of a second slower than Smillie, I dont think you can write him off on that.

Ive said it before but his competiveness reminds me of a Josh Dunkley, with Langford being a bit stronger over head. I would be happy with either Langford or Smillie but I dont think we need both big bodied midfielders.

I'm basically of the same view. Though l lean (not heavily) toward Smillie as he can just become a battering ram if he doesn't develop into a high level player. Looking at balance with Pou, Windy, Hugo it seems a better fit imo.

 

[SteeleSaints]

I'm basically of the same view. Though l lean (not heavily) toward Smillie as he can just become a battering ram if he doesn't develop into a high level player. Looking at balance with Pou, Windy, Hugo it seems a better fit imo.

I agree. I have come around to the thinking that Smillie might be a safer pick and have a greater upside. Its great to be able to be having these discussions though!

 

[HeavenlySources]

I agree. I have come around to the thinking that Smillie might be a safer pick and have a greater upside.

Early in the year prior to the champs he was pretty well locked in at number 1. He bounced back after his underwhelming performance and looked good to finish the year. Decent combine result for his size. If we can learn to use his size and leap in marking contests he will be a weapon.

 

[akaifu]

Langford showed he is a very good aerobic runner in the 2km trial finishing in the top 10. His 20 metre sprint times werent great, but by comparison they were no different to Cripps or Bontempelli in their draft years. It would be interesting to see what Langford's top speed is like as he doesnt seem to struggle running opponents down or getting separation on his opponents when leading during games. He is not a burst player speed wise, but his grunt and willingness to win the ball put him ahead of others. In reality he was only a 0.15 of a second slower than Smillie, I dont think you can write him off on that.

Ive said it before but his competiveness reminds me of a Josh Dunkley, with Langford being a bit stronger over head. I would be happy with either Langford or Smillie but I dont think we need both big bodied midfielders. It might be that RTB is wanting raw burst speed in the new mids if thats the case we might over look both.

I’m still taking Smillie over him purely because Smillie has a clear specialisation and role at AFL level

Hard to read where Langford plays his footy, a bit slow for midfield and isn’t an absolute contested beast so does he get pushed out to a wing to leverage his aerobic running? Or half forward as another marking target. Plays a LOT like Mason Wood with a bit more midfield craft

Not ruling out midfield, he could certainly succeed there, but just think Smillie is more likely to be the guy we need going forward as the inside beast to feed the ball out to Pou, Wilson, Henry etc

 

[Tommy Wigs]

quick update:
we had a long interview with Dattoli last week. Good to see the team doing due diligence on all potential prospects.

Like him. Clever AF

 

[akaifu]

quick update:
we had a long interview with Dattoli last week. Good to see the team doing due diligence on all potential prospects.

Heard Cal Twomey say a few weeks ago that Dattoli has arguably the highest footy IQ in the crop

Feel like he has a high floor but low upside in comparison to others

 

[Dr Spaceman]

Or he’s another Luke Dunstan

Does he have Dunstan’s renowned accuracy?

We really need to nail our selections!

 

[Tommy Wigs]

The Demons know we're not a real threat to take Armstrong. King, Sharman, Caminiti, even Membrey if he stays are all our tall forward options. Not to mention Ro pushing forward after we trade for Soldo. The Dees will know there's no list need for us to draft Armstrong at 7/8/9, we need mids and we'll pick at least two, then probably a versatile mid/defender or a key defender as the third.

However, I did completely forget that Richmond will have pick 10 after the Bolton trade, and Armstrong seems a pretty good target for Richmond, as they'll get two excellent mids at 1 and 6 and their tall forward options are grim.

There's a lot to play out, but we can only cross our fingers and hope 1) Melbourne don't get pick 11 and 2) they rate Armstrong highly and want to reach a bit instead of taking a mid

Marshall, Soldo and Membrey are no spring chickens. Hammer may go back as hinted. That creates the space for Armstrong. If we had 7,8,9 we should be taking a tall. We will have very few other picks this year and next.

 

[Tommy Wigs]

Two things we’ve lacked for a long time is leadership and alpha.