Recruiting AFL Draft Watch 2024 - What do we do, we have a top 10 pick?

[ghostdog]

Alixander Tauru or Sam Lalor for me.
Tauru is dynamic in the air and is a competitor.
Lalor is a two zone player who unlike most of our mids can actually play forward.
My guess is Lalor will be gone by our pick.
Tauru and Kako would automatically give us speed and athleticism which we lack.
The Flying Dutchman went alright so would the Flying Viking!

I like Tauru's physicality.

 

[jdstorm]

Taru seems like a Ridley replacement

Looks like he will be a good player and there’s a gap for that type of player in the VFL.

I’m lukewarm on the idea because it just seems like a waste due to obvious needs in the AFL side where a first year player could come in straight away.

But also because I’m not a big believer in investing in 3rd tall types. Easiest position to find players that can make an instant impact

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Tauru gives me Aaron Francis vibes, his highlight reel is similar to the sort of stuff Franga was doing as a junior too.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Taru seems like a Ridley replacement

Looks like he will be a good player and there’s a gap for that type of player in the VFL.

I’m lukewarm on the idea because it just seems like a waste due to obvious needs in the AFL side where a first year player could come in straight away.

But also because I’m not a big believer in investing in 3rd tall types. Easiest position to find players that can make an instant impact

If we are taking him as a forward then potentially yes. But spending top 10 picks on defenders is a lesson we refuse to learn.

 

[Vander18]

If we are taking him as a forward then potentially yes. But spending top 10 picks on defenders is a lesson we refuse to learn.

Hmmm….I’d definitely look at Travaglia as a top 10 pick. The dash and bounce off half-back is pretty important.

Think Blakey at Swans or Weddle at Hawks.

 

[jdstorm]

If we are taking him as a forward then potentially yes. But spending top 10 picks on defenders is a lesson we refuse to learn.

I’m not sure what this lesson is.

I’m less bothered by it if it’s a Key Position player or elite running user (although most of those guys play mid/wing as juniors)

It’s mostly 3rd talls, Wings and small inside mids that I don’t see as much value in at the top of the draft

 

[FlyingV]

Half back flank

Geee he reads the ball well in the air. 2.01 in he comes off the line of the drop zone so that he can get a run and jump at the footy. Looks like a half back Caddy.

 

[FlyingV]

Hmmm….I’d definitely look at Travaglia as a top 10 pick. The dash and bounce off half-back is pretty important.

Think Blakey at Swans or Weddle at Hawks.

Agree, really like Travaglia

 

[Old Campaigner]

Agree, really like Travaglia

How’s his kicking?

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Hmmm….I’d definitely look at Travaglia as a top 10 pick. The dash and bounce off half-back is pretty important.

Think Blakey at Swans or Weddle at Hawks.

Travaglia is a great prospect, could play midfield or release Martin up the field. A net gain in the forward half Im happy with.

Academy bid for blakey, they used 3 selections in the 30s for him. And Weddle was pick 18. They might be worth top 10 picks but havent built via them.

Neither team has built from the depths of hell like we are. Weve spent 6 top ten picks on defenders in 16 years, 7 if you include Heppell. Its not the way out. We have drafted zero mids in the top 10, who were creativity ball users, lightning fast, forward line threats or thrived in the contest in that entire time.

Drafting defenders without the ability to protect them from an endless supply of high quality inside 50s is a recipe for development failure.

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Travaglia is a great prospect, could play midfield or release Martin up the field. A net gain in the forward half Im happy with.

Academy bid for blakey, they used 3 selections in the 30s for him. And Weddle was pick 18. They might be worth top 10 picks but havent built via them.

Neither team has built from the depths of hell like we are. Weve spent 6 top ten picks on defenders in 16 years, 7 if you include Heppell. Its not the way out. We have drafted zero mids in the top 10, who were creativity ball users, lightning fast, forward line threats or thrived in the contest in that entire time.

Drafting defenders without the ability to protect them from an endless supply of high quality inside 50s is a recipe for development failure.

Parish, Melksham, and Tsatas were all taken for contest work plus Hobbs at pick 13. McGrath was picked for speed. Perkins was drafted as the forward line threat. Heppell was rated as a good kick at draft time too.

Granted the end results have been fairly ordinary but it's not like we haven't been trying to find the answer the last 16 years.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Parish, Melksham, and Tsatas were all taken for contest work plus Hobbs at pick 13. McGrath was picked for speed. Perkins was drafted as the forward line threat. Heppell was rated as a good kick at draft time too.

Granted the end results have been fairly ordinary but it's not like we haven't been trying to find the answer the last 16 years.

When I say contest I mean physicality not loose ball gets and gathers from the tap which are counted as contested possessions. None of them bar Hobbs were good in that regard, though Hobbs always had skill and speed problems as well.

Perkins barely a mid due to Sandringhams strong on ball setup. McGrath barely a mid.

I agree we tried but none of these guys are remotely star type prospects or guys you fit into system or build one around. Which is different to the defenders, most of whom could be successful and stars with the right midfield in front of them.

 

[Keystone agony]

Id be ok in taking Tauru if we thought he was capable of becoming a striker type player where hes onball and pushing forward

I just think there is a very good midfielder there for us

 

[FlyingV]

How’s his kicking?

It doesn’t look terrible, but it’s would be more his decision making i reckon you’d need to hone in on. Is prone to the long bomb from what I’ve seen, but others would know more.

 

[Vander18]

Travaglia is a great prospect, could play midfield or release Martin up the field. A net gain in the forward half Im happy with.

Academy bid for blakey, they used 3 selections in the 30s for him. And Weddle was pick 18. They might be worth top 10 picks but havent built via them.

Neither team has built from the depths of hell like we are. Weve spent 6 top ten picks on defenders in 16 years, 7 if you include Heppell. Its not the way out. We have drafted zero mids in the top 10, who were creativity ball users, lightning fast, forward line threats or thrived in the contest in that entire time.

Drafting defenders without the ability to protect them from an endless supply of high quality inside 50s is a recipe for development failure.

Ok - if we’re talking specific to Essendon right now as opposed to a blanket rule of “no defenders top 10” then I can see your point.

From what i can tell so far Lalor is the best fit for our needs and the guy I’d most like to see us draft.

 

[Milanista28]

Half back flank

Seems like the new Jeremy Howe?

 

[Old Campaigner]

Seems like the new Jeremy Howe?

A blank canvas for some dogshit tatts?

 

[brownezaka]

What are our thoughts on taking joe berry with our first pick? Feel as though if we got both berry and kako in the one draft it would set our forward line up for the next 10 years. I also love the look of oli hannford just has the competitive edge and finds himself always in the right spot, would be perfect for us but I am not sure if we could warrant such a high pick on him could we?

 

[straightuplazy]

What are our thoughts on taking joe berry with our first pick? Feel as though if we got both berry and kako in the one draft it would set our forward line up for the next 10 years. I also love the look of oli hannford just has the competitive edge and finds himself always in the right spot, would be perfect for us but I am not sure if we could warrant such a high pick on him could we?

Honestly, wouldn't mind taking Joe Berry and try fixing up our forward line with Kako. Would probably depend on his pressure and speed.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Personally I’d rather we wait and see how Davey etc are tracking for a few years before we invest in another small forward in addition to Kako

 

[Keystone agony]

Ok - if we’re talking specific to Essendon right now as opposed to a blanket rule of “no defenders top 10” then I can see your point.

From what i can tell so far Lalor is the best fit for our needs and the guy I’d most like to see us draft.

No defenders top 20

Think the industry has moved that way pretty much anyway now

 

[brownezaka]

Personally I’d rather we wait and see how Davey etc are tracking for a few years before we invest in another small forward in addition to Kako

While I understand it is good to develop players and let them come into there own, I can”t see the Davey brothers ever becoming premium small forwards of the competition, and the way the game is trending premium small forwards are arguably the difference between teams being in the window or just outside of it.

 

[Vander18]

No defenders top 20

Think the industry has moved that way pretty much anyway now

You wouldn’t take Travaglia top 20?

 

[Zach Package]

No defenders top 20

Think the industry has moved that way pretty much anyway now

Sheezel, McKercher, Connor O’Sullivan, Dan Curtain, Josh Weddle, Mac Andrew, Leek Aleer, Tom Browne, NWM.

Jets and point of difference players in there