Preview 2024 National Draft Preview Thread

[cybercrab]

The best small forward performance we've seen at the Champs so far. Kako seemed to be in every productive sequence in the front half for Metro, regularly providing the pivotal touch of class or burst of speed needed. He underlined his potential by snapping two excellent opportunist goals.

We have to draft this guy

 

[The Nostradamus]

Id hope not, but its possible even if we improve a fair bit.

Eagles and tigers will be bottom 2 next year

 

[Harris 10]

Eagles and tigers will be bottom 2 next year

Yeah, I think both these sides have to trade hard to get some picks in otherwise they'll be still rebuilding when Tassie comes into comp.
Richmond should just about being throwing everynbody on the table, Taranto, Lynch, Hopper, Rioli, Bolton, Baker, Short, Balta etc. Some have more value than others, but they need to go hard and do it quickly.

Saints another who are in a shite position.

The worst thing in footbal is not understanding where you're at as a club.

 

[R00StaR]

Yeah, I think both these sides have to trade hard to get some picks in otherwise they'll be still rebuilding when Tassie comes into comp.
Richmond should just about being throwing everynbody on the table, Taranto, Lynch, Hopper, Rioli, Bolton, Baker, Short, Balta etc. Some have more value than others, but they need to go hard and do it quickly.

Saints another who are in a shite position.

The worst thing in footbal is not understanding where you're at as a club.

Its interesting, when we were in Richmond's position this board got very upset with offloading senior types players and ours had little to no market value. Anyone with market value we kept to have experience around the kids.

 

[Sphynx]

Yeah, I think both these sides have to trade hard to get some picks in otherwise they'll be still rebuilding when Tassie comes into comp.
Richmond should just about being throwing everynbody on the table, Taranto, Lynch, Hopper, Rioli, Bolton, Baker, Short, Balta etc. Some have more value than others, but they need to go hard and do it quickly.

Saints another who are in a shite position.

The worst thing in footbal is not understanding where you're at as a club.

Balta would be incredible next to Comben. They really would be a filthy KPD pairing.

BFNAAK also.

Richmond would want the world though and he’s not worth close to our top pick despite how many times Ralph writes it secretly wanting it

If we could split our pick I’d consider it, Richmond would want more than that though.

A Zurhaar compo result in the clubs favour could open up a possibility like this though.

 

[r00boy96]

Updated top 50, with a few additional names added to my draft-able list.

Notable changes include:
- Ashcroft pushes into the top 2.
- Kako, Reid, Langford and Travaglia are pushing their names into top 10 calculations through consistency and body of work.
- Allen and Dodson push into the top 20 for the same reasons as above.
- Urquhart pushes into the top 30 for the first time this year
- Some of the talls (Shanahan, J.Whitlock, O'Farrell) slip back due to other showing more at the championships
- Tom Sims into the top 30.
- Jack Ough, Harry Armstrong and Benny Barrett push into top 35-50 calculations s on the back of championship form.

Pick	Name	Height	Position	Club	Comments
1	Finn O'Sullivan	182cm	Midfielder	Oakleigh Chargers	Courageous midfielder who is strong over head, powerful runner who runs hard both ways.
2	Levi Ashcroft	179cm	Midfielder	Sandringham Dragons	Accumulating midfielder that powers from contest to contest. Balanced inside and outside game.
3	Josh Smillie	194cm	Midfielder	Eastern Ranges	Tall midfielder that finds possession at will and has a long penetrating kick.
4	Leo Lombard	178cm	Midfielder	GC Academy	Combative contested midfielder who has some real zip around the contest.
5	Sid Draper	180cm	Midfielder	South Adelaide	Classy midfielder that has some speed and evasiveness. Well balanced with excellent vision.
6	Luke Trainor	194cm	Key Defender	Sandringham Dragons	Intercepting general defender who can play on smalls and talls. Composed and balanced.
7	Jagga Smith	181cm	Midfielder	Oakleigh Chargers	Well balanced accumulating midfielder who is at home on the inside and outside the contest.
8	Sam Lalor	187cm	Midfielder/General Forward	GWV Rebels	Powerful midfielder, who is explosive and damaging. Can roll forward and have an impact.
9	Matt Whitlock	198cm	Key Defender	Murray Bushrangers	One on one defender who can also swing forward. Strong overhead but equally adept on the ground.
10	Isaac Kako	175cm	Small Forward	Calder Cannons	Dynamic and exciting small who can kick goals from anywhere. Also pushes into the midfield.
11	Murphy Reid	180cm	Midfielder	Sandringham Dragons	Smart and classy midfielder who makes good decisions with ball in hand. One touch.
12	Harvey Langford	190cm	Midfielder	Dandenong Stingrays	Tall and versatile midfielder who is strong overhead and has a booming left foot kick.
13	Tobie Travaglia	187cm	General Defender	Bendigo Pioneers	Intercepting defender who can provide run and carry. Excellent defender with leadership potential.
14	Christian Moraes	183cm	Midfielder	Eastern Ranges	Accumulating midfielder that can roll forward and impact the scoreboard. Strong overhead.
15	Ben Camporeale	186cm	Midfielder	Glenelg	Balanced midfielder who works hard between the arcs. Can find the ball inside and outside the contest.
16	Harry O'Farrell	196cm	Key Defender	Calder Cannons	Lockdown competitive defender that uses his reach and closing speed to advantage.
17	Jack Whitlock	200cm	Tall Forward	Murray Bushrangers	Rangy key forward that marks at the highest point but can also find the ball at ground level.
18	Taj Hotton	182cm	Midfielder/General Forward	Sandringham Dragons	Classy midfielder forward who has plenty of X-Factor. Unfortunately done his ACL.
19	Bo Allen	191cm	General Defender/Midfielder	Peel Thunder	Physical left footer who leads from the front. Uses his speed and long kicking to launch offensive attacks.
20	Alex Dodson	203cm	Ruck	Sturt	Athletic ruckman who covers the ground well and can find the ball. Very balanced for a tall.
21	Jonty Faull	195cm	Tall Forward	GWV Rebels	Goal kicking key forward who works hard to provide an option. Competitive in the air
22	Tyler Welsh	191cm	Key Forward	Woodville West	Undersize key forward who is a strong lead/mark type. Neat set shot goal kicking.
23	Joe Berry	180cm	Small Forward	Murray Bushrangers	Lively small forward who can crumb but also present an option on the lead. Classy goal kicker.
24	Jobe Shanahan	194cm	Key Forward	Bendigo Pioneers	Contested marking key forward who times his leads and jumps at the ball to perfection.
25	Lucas Camporeale	185cm	Midfielder	Glenelg	Natural wingman who keeps his width and can accumulate the ball on the outside.
26	Luke Urquhart	189cm	Midfielder	East Fremantle	Tall midfielder that can also play across half back. Uses his body well in contested situations.
27	Tom Gross	181cm	Midfelder	Oakleigh Chargers	Tough, contested midfielder that has a real competitive streak. Solid overhead.
28	Xavier Lindsay	183cm	Midfielder	Gippsland Power	Left footed midfielder with a damaging kick. Has some speed to break the lines.
29	Sam Marshall	185cm	Midfielder	Brisbane Academy	Elite runner who motors from contest to contest. Creates separation from the contest with his pace.
30	Tom Sims	199cm	Key Forward	Northern Knights	Lead up key forward who has good workrate. Solid at ground level for a kid his size.
31	Noah Mraz	198cm	Key Defender	Dandenong Stingrays	Intercepting defender, who has excellent disposal and decision making. Good closing speed.
32	Cooper Hynes	190cm	Midfielder/General Forward	Dandenong Stingrays	Tall midfielder who is a goal kicking threat when playing forward of centre. Strong over the ball.
33	Kayle Gerryn	199cm	Key Forward/Ruck	West Perth	Unique athletic prospect that has a tonne of potential upside.
34	Malakai Champion	172cm	Small Forward	Subiaco	Flashy small forward who can kick goals from anywhere. Provides good defensive pressure.
35	Harry Armstrong	193cm	Key Forward	Sandringham Dragons	High workrate key forward who is at home on the lead. Excellent set shot routine.
36	Zak Johnson	185cm	Midfielder	Northern Knights	Classy midfielder, who moves well, accumulates the ball and makes good decisions.
37	Pheonix Hargraves	182cm	Midfielder	South Adelaide	Accumulating midfielder who have high work rate. Can also impact the scoreboard
38	Charlie Nicholls	197cm	Key Forward	Central District	Strong contested marking key forward who provides a leading option up the ground.
39	Evan Bradley	174cm	Small Forward	North Adelaide	Classy small forward who is creative and damaging by foot. Natural goalkicking with plenty of X Factor
40	Ben Barrett	174cm	Small Forward	South Adelaide	Lightning quick small forward who has a bucket of tricks and high impact per possession.
41	Archer Day-Wicks	186cm	General Forward	Bendigo Pioneers	X-Factor player who can mark, and be damaging at ground level. Creative and classy ball user.
42	Luca Grego	183cm	General Defender/Midfielder	Western Jets	Workman utility who can play a variety of roles across the ground. Reliable type.
43	Josh Murphy	190cm	General Forward	Murray Bushrangers	Impact player who has plenty of x-factor. Contested marking threat who is dangerous at ground level.
44	Jesse Dattoli	179cm	Midfielder/Small Forward	Northern Knights	High footy IQ, who can play a variety of roles around the ground. Dangerous and smart around goals.
45	Harrison Oliver	181cm	General Defender	Sandringham Dragons	Rebounding defender who uses his composure and good decision making to good effect.
46	Jack Ough	193cm	General Defender	GWV Rebels	Hard working and athletic half back/wing who can play a variety of roles across the ground.
47	Cody Anderson	181cm	Midfielder	Eastern Ranges	Relentless midfielder that tackles hard. At home inside the contest, can also hit the scoreboard.
48	Nathaniel Sulzberger	184cm	Midfielder/General Forward	Sandringham Dragons	Strong contested player who offers a point of difference with his power around the contest.
49	Pat Retschko	188cm	Midfielder	Oakleigh Chargers	Hard working midfielder who can play inside and outside the contest. Strong runner.
50	Lachie Jacques	184cm	General Defender	Geelong Falcons	Defence first defender, who can intercept and provide drive off half back. Reliable ball user.
50+	Oliver Depaoli-Kubank	178cm	Midfielder/Small Forward	Tasmania Devils	Consistent type who can play a variety of roles. Reliable disposal and sound decision maker.
50+	Jayden Nguyen	177cm	General Defender/Midfielder	Calder Cannons	Small defender who can push up the ground. Creative ball user who uses his speed to impact the game.
50+	Zaydyn Lockwood	198cm	Key Defender	Bendigo Pioneers	Raw and athletic key defender who has plenty of upside. Solid defensive craft and in the 1v1's.
50+	Alix Tauru	191cm	General Defender	Gippsland Power	Athletic defender who can play on talls and smalls, excellent closing speed and leap. Sound decision making.
50+	Oliver Warburton	185cm	Midfielder	Murray Bushrangers	Versatile type who can play inside and outside the contest. Consistent with good defensive intensity.
50+	Jasper Alger	182cm	Small Forward	Oakleigh Chargers	Classy small forward who makes the most of his opportunities. Good defensive intensity.
50+	Lucas McInerney	180cm	Midfielder	Northern Knights	Rangy winger who keeps his width and can be damaging forward of centre. Good disposer.
50+	Noah Howes	196cm	Key Forward	South Adelaide	Overage key forward with strong workrate. Good ground level game and has natural forward craft
50+	River Stevens	176cm	Small Forward	Geelong Falcons	Classy half forward that makes good decisions with the ball. Creative left footer.
50+	Charlie West	195cm	Key Forward	Woodville West	Strong marking and physical key forward. Flies aggressively at the ball in contested situations.
50+	Zac McInnes	196cm	Key Forward	Geelong Falcons	Mobile key forward with good forward craft. Uses workrate to present multiple times.
50+	James Barrat	193cm	Key Forward	Bendigo Pioneers	Leading forward with good leap and excellent timing. Elite forward craft and workrate.
50+	Louie Montgomery	184cm	General Defender	North Adelaide	Composed defender who uses the ball well. Solid 1v1 player who can also create off half back.
50+	Bailey McKenzie	191cm	General Forward	Sandringham Dragons	Mercurial 3rd tall type that can impact the game at ground level or in the air. Classy in front of goal.
50+	Gabriel Stumpf	196cm	Key Forward	Northern Knights	Athletic key forward who is at home leading at the ball carrier. Strong workrate.
50+	Lucas Tovey	198cm	Key Defender	Oakleigh Chargers	Intercepting key defender, who uses his body really well in the contest. Reliable ball user.
50+	Xavier Ivisic	180cm	Midfielder	Geelong Falcons	Reliable inside midfielder who can also find the ball on the outside. Good vision in the contest.
50+	Ben Hopkins	190cm	General Defender	Dandenong Stingrays	Overage accumulating defender who can also push up to a wing. Quick and hard running.
50+	Kobe Ryan	183cm	Midfielder	West Adelaide	Mature age inside midfielder that wins contested possessions and has manic defensive effort.
50+	Joe Pike	203cm	Ruck	Geelong Falcons	Overage ruck man who competes at ground level. Solid tap work and follow up effort.
50+	Oliver Dean	201cm	Ruck	Tasmania Devils	Neat tap ruckman that can impact forward of centre.
50+	Waylon Davey-Motlop	171cm	Small Forward	Northern Territory	Classy small forward who has plenty of X-Factor and upside. Can kick goals from anywhere inside fwd 50.
50+	Tallan Rozenweig	197cm	Key Forward	Central District	Tall forward who uses his leap and long limbs to take the ball at the highest point. Neat kick.
50+	Xavier Kardarchi	186cm	Midfielder	Western Jets	Accumulating midfielder who is strong around the contest. Composed with a solid long kick.
50+	Oliver Hannaford	180cm	Midfielder	GWV Falcons	Agile midfielder who uses his side step to create space around the contest. Good defensive intent.
50+	Damon Hollow	180cm	Midfielder	Calder Cannons	Accumulating wingman who can be damaging with his disposal. Long kicking a real feature.
50+	Kade Herbert	184cm	Midfielder/General Forward	Woodville West	High footy IQ, who can play a variety of roles around the ground. Sound decision maker.
50+	Harry Charleson	182cm	General Defender	GWV Rebels	Reliable defender who is composed and can provide some drive off half back.
50+	Liam Kershaw	194cm	Midfielder	Geelong Falcons	Overage wingman who offers a point of difference with his height, marking ability and running capacity
50+	Joel Cochrane	195cm	Key Defender	Sydney Academy	Intercepting defender who can find the ball and provide rebound from the back half.
50+	Loch McTaggert	183cm	General Defender	Perth	Neat defender who has good balance between his defensive application and rebound
50+	Jaxon Artemis	187cm	Wing	South Fremantle	Hard running outside type who can also create off half back, good decision making and skills
50+	Max Rohr	197cm	Key Forward	Claremont	Overage key forward who has natural forward craft. Dangerous in the air and neat with ball in hand.
50+	Hugh Boxshall	187cm	Midfielder	Claremont	Strong running midfielder who can play inside and outside the contest. Good decision maker.

If we traded our #1/#2 pick for 3 players - Forward Whitlock, Travaglia, and Kako. Do we think that's a good outcome? Ticks a lot of boxes for me.

 

[R00StaR]

Eagles and tigers will be bottom 2 next year

Im not sure about the Eagles.

While they were putrid against Hawthorn, their squad isnt that bad. No idea how they got smashed around the midfield all game with a midfield of $1.8m Harley Reid, Ginbey, Yeo, Kelly.

Down back they're solid with Barrass, McGovern and Duggan. Forwards they're better off than most with Allen, Waterman and Ryan. They only need roll players around that lot.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Balta would be incredible next to Comben. They really would be a filthy KPD pairing.

BFNAAK also.

Richmond would want the world though and he’s not worth close to our top pick despite how many times Ralph writes it secretly wanting it

If we could split our pick I’d consider it, Richmond would want more than that though.

A Zurhaar compo result in the clubs favour could open up a possibility like this though.

I might think about swapping 1 & 19* for Balta and 2/3 whatever they finish with.

But I would play him forward.

Logue
Comben
Xerri
Sheezel
Balta
Larkey

That is a decent spine. We still walk away with Trainor, Smillie, Kako or Draper.

 

[Sphynx]

I might think about swapping 1 & 19* for Balta and 2/3 whatever they finish with.

But I would play him forward.

Logue
Comben
Xerri
Sheezel
Balta
Larkey

That is a decent spine. We still walk away with Trainor, Smillie, Kako or Draper.

He’s a way better defender.

This is complete fantasy level stuff.

But in the rare event Zurhaar left and netted Band 1 and we finish 17th:

Send pick 3 to Gold Coast for 8 & 10. They beat the Lombard pick before the rules change next year. We would be one of the few who could offer it.

Send Pick 8 to Richmond for Balta.

Take Kako at Pick 10* (13-14)

Pick one of FOS, Smillie, Lalor at #2

Send a F2 to GWS for Gruzewski.

Take Faull at our R2.

The net loss is Zurhaar, #2, #20, F2 for Balta, Gruzewski, FOS, Kako, Faull.

 

[hoffseason gains 01]

I am of the opinion, that based on the style of play we will have once we have matured, that we will not necessarily need another genuine star key forward, just guys who can get up the ground to clunk marks. I wouldn’t mind us taking the pairing of Sims and Nicholls as genuine contested markers. I view Nicholls as a McStay type, with his contested marking giving him a baseline to be a useful key forward or defender. Otherwise I agree on Gruzewski as a trade target.

 

[giantroo]

 

[Shinboner1]

 

[Shinboner1]

I just don't see us taking a tall defender when we've got so much depth in the position now.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

I just don't see us taking a tall defender when we've got so much depth in the position now.

A real pity that (from the posted footage) Trainor hasn’t got much/any exposed form swinging forward.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Hey Sphynx roos_fanatic08 and anyone else

Sorry if its been discussed before, but how do FOS' and Lalor's numbers compare athletically?

 

[4cunningTonneTruck]

The best small forward performance we've seen at the Champs so far. Kako seemed to be in every productive sequence in the front half for Metro, regularly providing the pivotal touch of class or burst of speed needed. He underlined his potential by snapping two excellent opportunist goals.

Hot take but I wouldn't be mad with Kako over Smilie or Trainor

 

[roos_fanatic08]

If we traded our #1/#2 pick for 3 players - Forward Whitlock, Travaglia, and Kako. Do we think that's a good outcome? Ticks a lot of boxes for me.

If we could gaurantee that outcome I’d do it in a heartbeat. Kako and Travaglia would have to be two of my personal favourites in this draft.

 

[The Dingrel]

Balta would be incredible next to Comben. They really would be a filthy KPD pairing.

BFNAAK also.

Richmond would want the world though and he’s not worth close to our top pick despite how many times Ralph writes it secretly wanting it

If we could split our pick I’d consider it, Richmond would want more than that though.

A Zurhaar compo result in the clubs favour could open up a possibility like this though.

Send em CJ, a bag of twisties (chicken flavour), and Liam Anthony for steak knives. Yeah second rounder I'd have thought but wouldn't satisfy them. He couldn't be too far off free agency??

 

[roos_fanatic08]

I am of the opinion, that based on the style of play we will have once we have matured, that we will not necessarily need another genuine star key forward, just guys who can get up the ground to clunk marks. I wouldn’t mind us taking the pairing of Sims and Nicholls as genuine contested markers. I view Nicholls as a McStay type, with his contested marking giving him a baseline to be a useful key forward or defender. Otherwise I agree on Gruzewski as a trade target.

Thankfully there will be a few potential key forward options available at our 2nd and 3rd round picks.

Sims, Nicholls, Gerryen and Armstrong. All quite strong in the air.

Plus the likes of Stumpf, Rohr, West, Howes, or McInnes who are likely to be available late in the ND or as rookies.

 

[the big lebowski]

Trade Future First to GC for 8,9

Kako
Trevalgia*

* top 10 player from draft certain IMO. My silly statement is he reminds me of James Hird. Worst case you get a solid defender. But best case is amazing.

FOS pick 1 if we get it

If it’s pick 2 then offer it to Richmond for their FF and a later pick. They’ll be all over FOS and Smillie. Should be a top 3 pick next year.

Use all later picks on KPF’s and River.

 

[The Talent Scout]

Depending what happens with our pick and form of Draper the Crows might be happy to trade up to ensure they get the local kid.

The Crow's need an elite midfielder, or one that's going to be very good, I wouldn't be surprised if Hamish Ogilvie has these four players at the top : Finn O'Sullivan/ Josh Smillie/ Sid Draper/ Sam Lalor. I know they have wraps on Luke Pedlar who went pick 11 in the 2020 AFL draft, has had some injuries and been playing on the forward line as well as a little bit of time in the middle, just needs to get a couple of seasons under the belt with no injuries.

 

[The Talent Scout]

If we traded our #1/#2 pick for 3 players - Forward Whitlock, Travaglia, and Kako. Do we think that's a good outcome? Ticks a lot of boxes for me.

Yeah look its an interesting scenario, future first, one word no! Future second, now we're talking, like Kako, like Travaglia and Jack Whitlock , look I think Jack might go a bit later than where some have him on their draft boards, still too much water under the bridge for me, but if you like him, then there's nothing wrong with that!

I'll give my first two rounds after the championships of where I rate them, a July draft edition and then my final draft board about a week from the actual event might look a little bit different but not too much, even at this stage some people know what the majority of players are capable of so I'll back my judgement, though there might be a surprise or two in my draft order which not everyone will agree with but that's fine, its just my assessment.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Balta would be incredible next to Comben. They really would be a filthy KPD pairing.

BFNAAK also.

Richmond would want the world though and he’s not worth close to our top pick despite how many times Ralph writes it secretly wanting it

If we could split our pick I’d consider it, Richmond would want more than that though.

A Zurhaar compo result in the clubs favour could open up a possibility like this though.

Does Logue, Comben and Balta fit together down back? Would be a bit too tall wouldn't it?
Do we send Will Dawson forward if that happened? Not totally against it but seems a bit silly to me.
We do need to add another 198cm plus key defender as depth in this years or next years draft though.

 

[Sphynx]

Does Logue, Comben and Balta fit together down back? Would be a bit too tall wouldn't it?
Do we send Will Dawson forward if that happened? Not totally against it but seems a bit silly to me.
We do need to add another 198cm plus key defender as depth in this years or next years draft though.

Logue is 191cm

He’s an ideal 3rd tall with two big key defenders.

In the same way Josh Gibson was under Clarko

 

[Gasometer]

I just don't see us taking a tall defender when we've got so much depth in the position now.

But wasn’t Chom a Forward?

At that age make them into anything you want.

Cripps was a slow plodder as a junior and lots walked past him early on the Draft