Preview 2024 National Draft Preview Thread

[The Talent Scout]

Listening to the commentary of the last game ‘Shifter’ said Armstrong’s coach said he’s the best contested mark he’s ever seen.

A KPF who takes contested marks for fun and kicks goals would be pretty handy.

More than handy Sherm, I've never changed my mind as far as taking the best talent goes with your first pick but as Roos _fanatic08 said I don't think we can go wrong either way. I'm leaning on getting Harry Armstrong, but that would mean splitting our first, from Alastair wanting a key forward in this years draft, we can assess one thing is going to happen for certain, 1/ On draft night, one of Harry Armstrong, Jack Whitlock, Kayle Gerreyn, Jonty Faull or Tom Sims will have a North Melbourne jumper handed to them.

 

[bringbackboomer]

Post championship rankings

Few comments;

• Langford and Travaglia's body of work this season just couldn't be denied any longer
• Draper's senior form pushes him up onto the edge of the top 3
• Smillie drops a few places due to his championship form
• Hamish David enters the top 35.
• Armstrong jumps the cue of many of the other talls off the back of his excellent recent form
• Xavier Ivisic rightfully enters the top 50.
• Added a couple more profiles.

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	Harvey Langford	190cm	Midfielder	Dandenong Stingrays	Tall and versatile midfielder who is strong overhead and has a booming left foot kick.
4	Sid Draper	180cm	Midfielder	South Adelaide	Classy midfielder that has some speed and evasieness. Well balanced with excellent vision.
5	Leo Lombard	178cm	Midfielder	GC Academy	Combative contested midfielder who has some real zip around the contest.
6	Josh Smillie	194cm	Midfielder	Eastern Ranges	Tall midfielder that finds posession at will and has a long penetrating kick.
7	Luke Trainor	194cm	Key Defender	Sandringham Dragons	Intercepting general defender who can play on smalls and talls. Composed and balanced.
8	Jagga Smith	181cm	Midfielder	Oakleigh Chargers	Well balanced accumulating midfielder who is at home on the inside and outside the contest.
9	Sam Lalor	187cm	Midfielder/General Forward	GWV Rebels	Powerful midfielder, who is explosive and damaging. Can roll forward and have an impact.
10	Tobie Travaglia	187cm	General Defender	Bendigo Pioneers	Intercepting defender who can provide run and carry. Excellent defender with leadership potential.
11	Matt Whitlock	198cm	Key Defender	Murray Bushrangers	One on one defender who can also swing forward. Strong overhead but equally adept on the ground.
12	Isaac Kako	175cm	Small Forward	Calder Cannons	Dynamic and exciting small who can kick goals from anywhere. Also pushes into the midfield.
13	Murphy Reid	180cm	Midfielder	Sandringham Dragons	Smart and classy midfielder who makes good decisions with ball in hand. One touch.
14	Harry Armstrong	193cm	Key Forward	Sandringham Dragons	High workrate key forward who is at home on the lead. Excellent set shot routine.
15	Xavier Lindsay	183cm	Midfielder	Gippsland Power	Left footed midfielder with a damaging kick. Has some speed to break the lines.
16	Joe Berry	180cm	Small Forward	Murray Bushrangers	Lively small forward who can crumb but also present an option on the lead. Classy goal kicker.
17	Jack Whitlock	200cm	Tall Forward	Murray Bushrangers	Rangy key forward that marks at the heighest 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. Unfortunatly 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	Jobe Shanahan	194cm	Key Forward	Bendigo Pioneers	Contested marking key forward who times his leads and jumps aat the ball to perfection.
23	Harry O'Farrell	196cm	Key Defender	Calder Cannons	Lockdown competitive defender that uses his reach and closing speed to advantage.
24	Christian Moraes	183cm	Midfielder	Eastern Ranges	Accumulating midfielder that can roll forward and impact the scoreboard. Strong overhead.
25	Tom Gross	181cm	Midfelder	Oakleigh Chargers	Tough, contested midfielder that has a real competitive streak. Solid overhead.
26	Ben Camporeale	186cm	Midfielder	Glenelg	Balanced midfielder who works hard between the arcs. Can find the ball inside and outside the contest.
27	Tom Sims	199cm	Key Forward	Northern Knights	Lead up key forward who has good workrate. Solid at ground level for a kid his size.
28	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.
29	Kayle Gerryn	199cm	Key Forward/Ruck	West Perth	Unique athletic prospect that has a tonne of potential upside.
30	Sam Marshall	185cm	Midfielder	Brisbane Academy	Elite runner who motors from contest to contest. Creates seperation from the contest with his pace.
31	Tyler Welsh	191cm	Key Forward	Woodville West	Undersize key forward who is a strong lead/mark type. Neat set shot goal kicking.
32	Hamish Davis	190cm	Midfielder	Claremont	Elite runner who can play as a genuine mid or as a lead up half forward, good kick and decision maker
33	Malakai Champion	172cm	Small Forward	Subiaco	Flashy small forward who can kick goals from anywhere. Provides good defensive pressure.
34	Noah Mraz	198cm	Key Defender	Dandenong Stingrays	Intercepting defender, who has excellent disposal and decision making. Good closing speed.
35	Luke Urquhart	189cm	Midfielder	East Fremantle	Tall midfielder that can also play across half back. Uses his body well in contested situations.
36	Lucas Camporeale	185cm	Midfielder	Glenelg	Natural wingman who keeps his width and can accumulate the ball on the outside.
37	Lachie Jacques	184cm	General Defender	Geelong Falcons	Defence first defender, who can intercept and provide drive off half back. Reliable ball user.
38	Alix Tauru	191cm	General Defender	Gippsland Power	Athletic defender who can play on talls and smalls, excellent closing speed and leap. Sound decision making.
39	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.
40	Zak Johnson	185cm	Midfielder	Northern Knights	Classy midfielder, who moves well, accumulates the ball and makes good decisions.
41	Pheonix Hargraves	182cm	Midfielder	South Adelaide	Accumulating midfielder who have high work rate. Can also impact the scoreboard
42	Charlie Nicholls	197cm	Key Forward	Central District	Strong contested marking key forward who provides a leading option up the ground.
43	Evan Bradley	174cm	Small Forward	North Adelaide	Classy small forward who is creative and damaging by foot. Natural goalkicking with plenty of X Factor
44	Ben Barrett	174cm	Small Forward	South Adelaide	Lightning quick small forward who has a bucket of tricks and high impact per posession.
45	Harrison Oliver	181cm	General Defender	Sandringham Dragons	Rebounding defender who uses his composure and good decision making to good effect.
46	Luca Grego	183cm	General Defender/Midfielder	Western Jets	Workman utility who can play a variety of roles across the ground. Reilable type.
47	Josh Murphy	190cm	General Forward	Murray Bushrangers	Impact player who has plenty of x-factor. Contested marking threat who is dangerous at ground level.
48	Xavier Ivisic	180cm	Midfielder	Geelong Falcons	Reliable inside midfielder who can also find the ball on the outside. Good vision in the contest.
49	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.
50	Jack Ough	193cm	General Defender	GWV Rebels	Hard working and athletic half back/wing who can play a variety of roles across the ground.
50+	Cody Anderson	181cm	Midfielder	Eastern Ranges	Relentless midfielder that tackles hard. At home inside the contest, can also hit the scoreboard.
50+	Nathaniel Sulzberger	184cm	Midfielder/General Forward	Sandringham Dragons	Strong contested player who offers a point of difference with his power around the contest.
50+	Pat Retschko	188cm	Midfielder	Oakleigh Chargers	Hard working midfielder who can play inside and outside the contest. Strong runner.
50+	Jaxon Artemis	187cm	Wing	South Fremantle	Hard running outside type who can also create off half back, good decision making and skills
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+	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 oppurtunites. 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+	Ben Hopkins	190cm	General Defender	Dandenong Stingrays	Overage accumulaing 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 posessions and has manic defensive effort.
50+	Joe Pike	203cm	Ruck	Geelong Falcons	Overage ruckman 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+	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.
50+	Lucas Impey	197cm	Ruck	Western Jets	Elite tap ruckman who is useful around the ground. Comes from a basketball background.
50+	Keighton Matofai-Forbes	188cm	General Forward	Western Jets	Powerful half forward type who is a threat both aerially and with ground balls.

If we miss out on FOS, is Langford the big body mid we supposedly need?

 

[The Talent Scout]

If we miss out on FOS, is Langford the big body mid we supposedly need?

Well that's an interesting question bringbackboomer, some people think we need a big body in there and some don't, If you listen to what Will says about this years draft he's pretty adamant that we need more class/ elite talent in this team, now Harvey is a very good player, there is no doubt about this, but if we forget size for a minute and concentrate on Will's words, while very good I'm not sure he is in that top 4 players in this years draft but there are two points to watch for on this matter.

1/ There is still a way to go before the end of the season, has he done enough or does he have to go to another level to be selected in that top 4? 2/ IF we do not split our pick I think there are three players on our radar for our pick, but it doesn't matter what I think, its the talent order on Will's notebook that is the biggest question along with do we end up with pick 2 or 3?

 

[New_Roo]

Would be a strange choice imo.

He's an absolute jet of the comp, no doubt.

But they already have one of the strongest center square groupings in the league and Young has been a top 10 player in the comp in the same way Sheezel has in the last 2 months.

Serong and Young aren't going anywhere, which means you play Brayshaw off a wing?

If they are going to unload the warchest it should be for Shai Bolton.

Bolton makes them a flag contender in 2025 imo. Him rotating forward and in for 8-10 center bounces a game in that midfield group would be crazy.

They missed a massive opportunity trading Darcy last year also.

Jackson dominates whenever he's the sole ruck.


If they don't win their first flag over the next 4-5 years, they can blame Bell and co, it was there for the taking. They easily have the makings of a multiple flag side at the moment with 1-2 key decisions.

There are rumblings that Brayshaw might leave to come home. But irrelevant of Brayshaw, you need more than 3 mids and yes if they are all fit then, young can be rotated half back and Brayshaw wing. Think they will go for Bolton and Warner, then their three firsts would be gone. But thought Bolton was a yes to west coast no to Freo


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[New_Roo]

One good thing about Freo taking 3x first round picks to the draft is that they surely won't take any of the key forwards given their current stocks.

You don't know they will take 3 firsts to the draft.... draft is after the trade period!


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[Fart Cummings]

If I was Freo id be taking all 3 picks to the draft! Nail it and set yourself up for 10 years! Tassy coming in a few years you need young talent in.

 

[Makeshift Park]

A couple Freo supporters in the draft forum agreed the Dockers would probably go for trading 10 and 16 for our pick 2/3.

Reckon the idea could be plausible, particularly if FOS is gone by our turn.

It could allow us to do something like:

Berry
Armstrong / J Whitlock
Faull / Gerreyn

 

[Smoocher]

Luca greggo speedy half back for Vic metro. Could get him at 3rd or 4th round. Has good disposal and the side step.

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[New_Roo]

If I was Freo id be taking all 3 picks to the draft! Nail it and set yourself up for 10 years! Tassy coming in a few years you need young talent in.

Or hit the trade hard now, and they will be top 4 for next 5 plus yrs


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[Passmore]

A couple Freo supporters in the draft forum agreed the Dockers would probably go for trading 10 and 16 for our pick 2/3.

Reckon the idea could be plausible, particularly if FOS is gone by our turn.

It could allow us to do something like:

Berry
Armstrong / J Whitlock
Faull / Gerreyn

They'd be hard pressed to restrain themselves.

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[New_Roo]

A couple Freo supporters in the draft forum agreed the Dockers would probably go for trading 10 and 16 for our pick 2/3.

Reckon the idea could be plausible, particularly if FOS is gone by our turn.

It could allow us to do something like:

Berry
Armstrong / J Whitlock
Faull / Gerreyn

Which would be what 13 and 19, think need to be higher berry and Armstrong could both be gone... the others prob still there


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[Passmore]

Or hit the trade hard now, and they will be top 4 for next 5 plus yrs


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They're on the precipice of flag contention. You'd expect them to be all in. Warner and/or Bolton would certainly help.

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[roos_fanatic08]

Luca greggo speedy half back for Vic metro. Could get him at 3rd or 4th round. Has good disposal and the side step.

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Plays more midfield role when he is playing for the Western Jets, but he was forced to play half backs in the champs due to metro’s depth. Really highlighted his versatility. He is a real no fuss type that gets the job done regardless of where he plays. Always been a fan.

I reckon Greggo and his teammate Matofai-Forbes are coping the standard western jets underrating treatment. Same way Curtis and Ford did in the past!

 

[New_Roo]

They're on the precipice of flag contention. You'd expect them to be all in. Warner and/or Bolton would certainly help.

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Totally expect them to do this as opposed to the draft


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[roos_fanatic08]

Listening to the commentary of the last game ‘Shifter’ said Armstrong’s coach said he’s the best contested mark he’s ever seen.

A KPF who takes contested marks for fun and kicks goals would be pretty handy.

Not sure I’d agree with that. Personally, I think his underage teammate at Sandringham, Archie Ludowyke would be a better run and jump contested marker.

I’ve mentioned before that Armstrong actually reminds me a bit of Larkey in that his work rate and natural forward craft is what gets him on the end of many of his scoring opportunities. His contested marking is still rock solid though.

 

[pupstar]

Plays more midfield role when he is playing for the Western Jets, but he was forced to play half backs in the champs due to metro’s depth. Really highlighted his versatility. He is a real no fuss type that gets the job done regardless of where he plays. Always been a fan.

I reckon Greggo and his teammate Matofai-Forbes are coping the standard western jets underrating treatment. Same way Curtis and Ford did in the past!

So your saying that our recruitment team noticed how good a talent they both where when other teams did not.

 

[Makeshift Park]

Which would be what 13 and 19, think need to be higher berry and Armstrong could both be gone... the others prob still there


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We’ll see. Twomey has got them at 14 and 17. Whitlock at 18.

 

[Sphynx]

A couple Freo supporters in the draft forum agreed the Dockers would probably go for trading 10 and 16 for our pick 2/3.

Reckon the idea could be plausible, particularly if FOS is gone by our turn.

It could allow us to do something like:

Berry
Armstrong / J Whitlock
Faull / Gerreyn

Of course they would.

In reality that isn't happening. From our side.

You aren't trading Pick 2 or 3 for what will be Pick 13 & 20.


The first few picks in the draft are valuable, whilst maybe not having a Reid/McKercher, they are also undiluted. You get the genuine best 2-3 players in the draft, not one that's been knocked down by matched bids.

You also very likely get the player that your side wants at that pick. You aren't in the lap of the gods with live trading thrown in to torpedo your plans at that point of the draft. This is a big factor.

We'd be better off simply trading our F2 and get one of FOS/Langford & another top 25 prospect.

I'd potentially trade our F1 for that deal though if Armstrong and Berry were live choices.

 

[New_Roo]

We’ll see. Twomey has got them at 14 and 17. Whitlock at 18.

I suppose the concern is that not every team would be grabbing best available and if the team don't want a mid then these diff positional players could easily move around the top 10. Armstrong as a kpf and Berry as best small if kako matched


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[Sphynx]

I've been told Langford may suit up for Casey in a game before the end of the season.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

So your saying that our recruitment team noticed how good a talent they both where when other teams did not.

Potentially. But it was more just a passing comment that overall the western jets and calder cannons boys tend to be underrated as a whole.

 

[Makeshift Park]

The first few picks in the draft are valuable, whilst maybe not having a Reid/McKercher, they are also undiluted. You get the genuine best 2-3 players in the draft, not one that's been knocked down by matched bids.

The massive variation between the phantom guides of Twomey and ESPN etc indicate the difference in quality throughout the first round is diminished, and at this stage you’d have to expect that the odds of anyone picking the “genuine best” third player at pick 3 in this draft are less than recent years.

In the past Clarko has talked up the merits of creating opportunities to take two bites of the draft cherry, and talked down the assumption that a more highly picked player is going to be considerably better when the alternative is two players. I can see why this year would be one where that logic applies.

Anyway, it’s just a thought. There’s too much yet to play out to get too wedded to strategies at this point.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

A couple Freo supporters in the draft forum agreed the Dockers would probably go for trading 10 and 16 for our pick 2/3.

Reckon the idea could be plausible, particularly if FOS is gone by our turn.

It could allow us to do something like:

Berry
Armstrong / J Whitlock
Faull / Gerreyn

Personally, I'd want more than that from Freo. If you are splitting 2/3 you have to get at least 1 top ten pick coming back your way.

 

[Its a Process]

Who is warehousing points for next year? I’d have an our future 2nd and future 3rd on the table this year to try and package up this years picks to slide up the order.

Surely we are off the bottom next year.

 

[Sphynx]

The massive variation between the phantom guides of Twomey and ESPN etc indicate the difference in quality throughout the first round is diminished, and at this stage you’d have to expect that the odds of anyone picking the “genuine best” third player at pick 3 in this draft are less than recent years.

In the past Clarko has talked up the merits of creating opportunities to take two bites of the draft cherry, and talked down the assumption that a more highly picked player is going to be considerably better when the alternative is two players. I can see why this year would be one where that logic applies.

Anyway, it’s just a thought. There’s too much yet to play out to get too wedded to strategies at this point.

The odds of a midfielder in the mid teens being better than FOS at the end of their career would be an extremely long one in my personal opinion.

This draft is an even one, it doesn't mean there aren't levels to it.

It depends if you are going to draft for needs and prioritise that over best available at the very top of the draft.

The only players I have a real interest in exploring a split pick over are Trainor, Armstrong, Travagalia and Kako/Berry. 2 of those 4 will be taken inside the top 10 in my opinion on draft night (Trainor & Travaglia). Kako now seems to be off the table unfortunately, so reduces that need even further.

The likes of Lalor/Draper would be value there, but not really the point of the entire exercise. Murphy Reid would be an interesting selection, as he's basically the K-Mart version of midfield Sheezel in this draft.

The exercise is completely pointless if you don't get two on that earlier list and nail needs.

Getting just one of them and steak knives is not worth missing out on one of the absolute best players in a strong draft.

I would much prefer FOS/Langford over Armstrong + Matt Whitlock.

That might appear a good deal on paper now, but not if FOS turns into a Brownlow medal contender, which is has better odds than Whitlock or Armstrong turning into perennial AA KPP's imo.