Discussion 2025 Fantasy Pre-Season Planning Discussion

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I think you're drastically underselling Jagga Smiths ball winning ability.
Im fully aware of what he can do at VFl and U18 level, but AFL is another level again. Then surely he wont have a prime midfield role pushing out any of Cripps, Walsh, Hewett or Cerra?
Hes not a strong bodied kid that I would think would seamlessly transition up to the top level. That was probably the biggest knock on him pre-draft, his narrow shoulders and lack of muscle considering he'd been out of school a full year by draft time.
Jagga is in my team now that Ashcroft looks unlikely as that 4th mid rookie anyway
 
Im fully aware of what he can do at VFl and U18 level, but AFL is another level again. Then surely he wont have a prime midfield role pushing out any of Cripps, Walsh, Hewett or Cerra?
Hes not a strong bodied kid that I would think would seamlessly transition up to the top level. That was probably the biggest knock on him pre-draft, his narrow shoulders and lack of muscle considering he'd been out of school a full year by draft time.
Jagga is in my team now that Ashcroft looks unlikely as that 4th mid rookie anyway
He's got more ball winning ability than any of the examples you gave - Sheezel, Naicos, Reid.

I think he'll average 80+ year one and will play every game fit. We need a 5th midfielder. Last year we rotated through Kennedy, Elijah, Lord.

I think he immediately takes that role.

Another option is he might even be an outside chance for a cushy half back role with Newman out.

He's in a basically identical scenario to what Naicos was when he started his career and he has equal the talent Nick did at his age.

The body stuff doesn't concern me whatsoever. He's got a bigger body than Sheezel did and his body is comparable to what Naicos' was. The one with the "bigger body" was Harley Reid and he's not fantasy relevant at this stage. Almost as if "body size" is less relevant to getting the football in prodigious amounts than gut running and evasion. Both of which Jagga Smith excels at.
 
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Im fully aware of what he can do at VFl and U18 level, but AFL is another level again. Then surely he wont have a prime midfield role pushing out any of Cripps, Walsh, Hewett or Cerra?
Hes not a strong bodied kid that I would think would seamlessly transition up to the top level. That was probably the biggest knock on him pre-draft, his narrow shoulders and lack of muscle considering he'd been out of school a full year by draft time.
Jagga is in my team now that Ashcroft looks unlikely as that 4th mid rookie anyway
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He's got more ball winning ability than any of the examples you gave - Sheezel, Naicos, Reid.
I agree
I think he'll average 80+ year one and will play every game fit. We need a 5th midfielder. Last year we rotated through Kennedy, Elijah, Lord.
What do you have Elijah and Lord doing? Elijah HFF? Lord VFL?
I think he immediately takes that role.
I do too, ive got him in my team right now with Ashcroft looking very unlikely.
Another option is he might even be an outside chance for a cushy half back role with Newman out.

He's in a basically identical scenario to what Naicos was when he started his career and he has equal the talent Nick did at his age.
Disagree, it was a bit of a consensus that the 2024 drafts top end was weak compared to most years, except maybe Ashcroft who went under the radar a bit as a f/s.
The body stuff doesn't concern me whatsoever. He's got a bigger body than Sheezel did and his body is comparable to what Naicos' was. The one with the "bigger body" was Harley Reid and he's not fantasy relevant at this stage. Almost as if "body size" is less relevant to getting the football in prodigious amounts than gut running and evasion. Both of which Jagga Smith excels at.
Seems I dont rate Jagga as highly as you do. I think he will be a good player long term but Chris Masten was a name that came up as a comparison too, he ended up as a winger due to his small stature. Not really relevant for his first season but something to think about anyway.

If I see Jagga lining up at half back like Sheezel and Daicos then obviously he will be a lock.
I think Sanders is a good player to base a projection off, Sanders went about 70 avg taking out sub games. 19 odd touches, 3 marks, 5 tackles, etc.
Imo Sanders was built more ready for AFL than Jagga is, so id have 70 as a very good result for Jagga in non-sub affected games, assuming he is the 5th mid going at 30%ish CBAs.

Thats my take anyway
 
Im fully aware of what he can do at VFl and U18 level, but AFL is another level again. Then surely he wont have a prime midfield role pushing out any of Cripps, Walsh, Hewett or Cerra?
Hes not a strong bodied kid that I would think would seamlessly transition up to the top level. That was probably the biggest knock on him pre-draft, his narrow shoulders and lack of muscle considering he'd been out of school a full year by draft time.
Jagga is in my team now that Ashcroft looks unlikely as that 4th mid rookie anyway
Only need to watch up to the 3 min mark. Loves a one-two and has a great step on him. Even if he is that 5th midfielder, I can see him scoring well. Number 7.

 
He's got more ball winning ability than any of the examples you gave - Sheezel, Naicos, Reid.

I think he'll average 80+ year one and will play every game fit. We need a 5th midfielder. Last year we rotated through Kennedy, Elijah, Lord.

I think he immediately takes that role.

Another option is he might even be an outside chance for a cushy half back role with Newman out.

He's in a basically identical scenario to what Naicos was when he started his career and he has equal the talent Nick did at his age.

The body stuff doesn't concern me whatsoever. He's got a bigger body than Sheezel did and his body is comparable to what Naicos' was. The one with the "bigger body" was Harley Reid and he's not fantasy relevant at this stage. Almost as if "body size" is less relevant to getting the football in prodigious amounts than gut running and evasion. Both of which Jagga Smith excels at.

Nick Daicos averaged over 30 disposals in his underage year...and has rattled off a plethora of 40 disposal games. Jagga definitely doesn't have more ball winning ability than Naicos. He'd be the most prolific player in the league if that were the case. That's absurd.
 
Only need to watch up to the 3 min mark. Loves a one-two and has a great step on him. Even if he is that 5th midfielder, I can see him scoring well. Number 7.


I wasnt suggesting he wont be capable of being a good scorer with those traits in the future, but in 2025 with a relatively minor role I think what Sanders scored is his best case scenario.

Nick Daicos averaged over 30 disposals in his underage year...and has rattled off a plethora of 40 disposal games. Jagga definitely doesn't have more ball winning ability than Naicos. He'd be the most prolific player in the league if that were the case. That's absurd.
Yeah I dont think Daicos is the right comparison at all. Daicos has the foot skills and ability to attack with speed that Jagga just doesnt have.
A smaller, more evasive Riley Sanders is closer imo. Being smaller leads to being less suited to the inside mid role in his first year imo
 
Yeah I dont think Daicos is the right comparison at all. Daicos has the foot skills and ability to attack with speed that Jagga just doesnt have.
A smaller, more evasive Riley Sanders is closer imo. Being smaller leads to being less suited to the inside mid role in his first year imo

Jagga is not as clinical with his kick as Daics, but I'd say Jagga's hands are as sharp if not sharper, and his first few steps easily as good. It will be a fascinating watch - so many of the good rookies just won't be playing Round 0, which is a pity for Fantasy.
 
I agree

What do you have Elijah and Lord doing? Elijah HFF? Lord VFL?

I do too, ive got him in my team right now with Ashcroft looking very unlikely.

Disagree, it was a bit of a consensus that the 2024 drafts top end was weak compared to most years, except maybe Ashcroft who went under the radar a bit as a f/s.

Seems I dont rate Jagga as highly as you do. I think he will be a good player long term but Chris Masten was a name that came up as a comparison too, he ended up as a winger due to his small stature. Not really relevant for his first season but something to think about anyway.

If I see Jagga lining up at half back like Sheezel and Daicos then obviously he will be a lock.
I think Sanders is a good player to base a projection off, Sanders went about 70 avg taking out sub games. 19 odd touches, 3 marks, 5 tackles, etc.
Imo Sanders was built more ready for AFL than Jagga is, so id have 70 as a very good result for Jagga in non-sub affected games, assuming he is the 5th mid going at 30%ish CBAs.

Thats my take anyway
Chris Masten?
Fc What GIF by Dorking Wanderers Football Club
 

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Fair chance he ends up somewhere between Masten & Daicos like most players 🤣
Oi! Masten has won as many flags and as many Brownlows as Daicos. He was also picked earlier in his draft. Now you sit back down :p
 
Only need to watch up to the 3 min mark. Loves a one-two and has a great step on him. Even if he is that 5th midfielder, I can see him scoring well. Number 7.


The other thing seen from this extended match sim...

Hollands is being FED the ball from HB

With no Nic there, I think this is one of the picks of the year potentially to get def status. If rooks are an issue, may try and run him M7 with Jagga M8!
 
This is tribalism at its finest. Can guarantee that if Jagga didn't get drafted to Carlton, he would not have this inflated opinion of him.
I think it's the exact opposite actually. The fact Jagga wasn't taken by Richmond #1 who got infatuated with Lalors supposed similarities to Dusty that have greatly deflated opinion of Jagga by people who think "pick #1 good".
 
I think it's the exact opposite actually. The fact Jagga wasn't taken by Richmond #1 who got infatuated with Lalors supposed similarities to Dusty that have greatly deflated opinion of Jagga by people who think "pick #1 good".
Collingwood were talking about how Daicos would have made their best 22 the year before he was drafted.

To say that Smith and Daicos are equals prior to joining the AFL is one of your more ridiculous statements (on this board at least).
 
I think it's the exact opposite actually. The fact Jagga wasn't taken by Richmond #1 who got infatuated with Lalors supposed similarities to Dusty that have greatly deflated opinion of Jagga by people who think "pick #1 good".
I thought Jagga was the best player in the draft
 
I think it's the exact opposite actually. The fact Jagga wasn't taken by Richmond #1 who got infatuated with Lalors supposed similarities to Dusty that have greatly deflated opinion of Jagga by people who think "pick #1 good".
Nothing against Jagga, and nothing to do with not being pick 1.
The top end of the draft was just weaker than most drafts, I struggle to se how McKercher or Duursma from last year wouldn't have been pick 1 material ahead of Lalor if they were a year younger, and I dont see how Sanders who was pick 6 wouldve gone lower than pick 2/3 if he was available this year, only falling behind pick 1 because of the type of player Lalor is. Id pick Sanders over Jagga.

Jagga is/will be a very good player, but hes not another Daicos lol
 
Collingwood were talking about how Daicos would have made their best 22 the year before he was drafted.

To say that Smith and Daicos are equals prior to joining the AFL is one of your more ridiculous statements (on this board at least).
I said in ball winning ability mate. Daicos obviously has a couple of other elements to him that make him a special player and worthy of that statement. My reference is in Smiths ability to find the ball. Which I maintain is equal or better than Daicos. And what is Fantasy about... finding the ball. But appreciate the confident condescension despite you're lack of comprehension.
 
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