Draft Watcher Davo-27's 2019 Draft Watch

[briztoon]

Top 20 players to watch still means he's rated highly by Towmey

Maybe.

But Twomey also has his favourites every year, and will talk them up, and then in the next sentence will say he's not a recruiter or tied to clubland, and where he rates a kid is not where clubs will necessarily rate them.

In 2017 Twomey really rated Patrick Naish as a top 15 kid. He coped grief from Richmond fans all season long, because they were worried they'd have to pay a high draft pick as a father son prospect. St Kilda bid on Naish at pick 34.


Personally I prefer to read Balmer and AFL Draft Central (and their posters on here), then Twomey.

 

[Davo-27]

Completely disagree. The only positive he brings is tackling pressure and there's a lot of that from the inside midfielders already in the squad. Terrible decision making and skills are very bad. Also struggles with his smaller frame as an inside mid and doesn't have the pace or skill to convert to the outside. His ceiling is a WAFL reserves ball magnet. Hard pass.

Also surprised to see you rank Deven Robertson so low. Easily a more natural footballer than Warner who you have ranked at 22 and they play the same position?

i have only seen last seasons champs and the Trial games earlier this season so my ratings for them are from limited viewing, but from my limited viewing thats where i rate them, i will see the championships and any other major game they play and i will adjust my ratings as i do, im an independent talent watcher doing the best i can, but hopefully i can put forth a unique view as i believe my talent spotting skills are high, ive been casually watching the draft for many years and get more right than wrong, since june 2018 i have taken watching u/18 talent a bit more seriously, if you disagree thats fine.

 

[Davo-27]

WA is a team to watch from what i saw of the 2 Trial Games SA V WA, WA dominated the first game running all over SA and in the second game SA got a dodgey free kick in the last minutes of the game to give them the win, it rightfully should have been a clean sweep to WA in Adelaide, so if that is any indication then they might be in a better place than SA.

Vic Country is an interesting team, they lack depth after their first 25 or so players but i really like the team they have as a whole.

Vic Metro is strong with good depth, their top end talent seem at this stage to be the best in the country, but it will be good to see them tested

SA has a fair bit of talent at the top end, but their depth could be an issue this year?, they usually have well disciplined and coached teams, so im expecting a good side as always from them.

Allies lost both their Trial games in Melbourne, to very weakened Vic Teams, although competed well against some talented Vic Country/Vic Metro players, they will be competitive and have some high end talent, but at the moment are still an unknown quality like most years being that they have 3 states and 2 territories worth of talent that dont play together consistently.

 

[Davo-27]

Half Time at the G and Vic Country are leading by 2 goals, VM 22 - 34 VC

Comben the VC ruckman has been great, Serong has played tough hard skillful footy and is best on so far, J.Smith has 3 gls, Ash has been providing line breaking run from defence, Flanders and Baldi have also played well so far, as for VM Anderson has won a few clearances and got the ball going forw and rowell has been busy.

other than that theres been an even contribution from most players.

Highlights so far are how tough and hard Serong and Flanders play, Hollands goal from 45m on the boundary on the run, also Combens mark play on and goal.

 

[Flanno88]

Completely disagree. The only positive he brings is tackling pressure and there's a lot of that from the inside midfielders already in the squad. Terrible decision making and skills are very bad. Also struggles with his smaller frame as an inside mid and doesn't have the pace or skill to convert to the outside. His ceiling is a WAFL reserves ball magnet. Hard pass.

Also surprised to see you rank Deven Robertson so low. Easily a more natural footballer than Warner who you have ranked at 22 and they play the same position?

Completely disagree. The only positive he brings is tackling pressure and there's a lot of that from the inside midfielders already in the squad. Terrible decision making and skills are very bad. Also struggles with his smaller frame as an inside mid and doesn't have the pace or skill to convert to the outside. His ceiling is a WAFL reserves ball magnet. Hard pass.

Also surprised to see you rank Deven Robertson so low. Easily a more natural footballer than Warner who you have ranked at 22 and they play the same position?

I agree with you Davo
Musika definitely should have been an inclusion in the 18s
Seen him in the 16s and his decision making is one of his best qualities. Played in the middle and defence and was impressed. Game against Vic played against Vics Rowell who was dominant all championship
Musika shut him down and kept him to 15 possessions.
As for pace 2.84 in this years 20m sprint, 8.11 agility.
Like the look of Warner

 

[andleanback]

Hayden young very impressive for country today

 

[Davo-27]

The standouts were mostly from Vic C today.

Full time score VM 51 - 64 VC

the only reason it wasnt a bigger win was because of inaccuracies and VM getting 3 early goals before the game settled into a rythym.

Serong was the mid general all day, there was a moment when he had 3 tacklers on him and he still managed a clearance to team mates when on the ground.

Ash provided so much run and carry he destroyed VM defensive structures

Young was everywhere in defense, marking, passing going for runs spoiling.

Cahill was a live wire up forward VM couldnt stop his influence finishing with 2 goals and plenty of assists

Baldi was getting a lot of the hard ball and deft hands to other mids

Flanders just beat out Serong for MVP kicked a goal couldve had 2, was tough took some strong contested marks and then did the tough stuff in the mid.

Comben, best ruck performance ive seen all year, what a return for the big fella, really took it to Bryan and beat him imo.

Dow, De Koning, Rantall were also handy in the win, i will say Kemp did some good work, but back pocket isnt doing him any favours, hopefully he gets more mid time later in the champs. J.Smith played one of his better games getting 3 gls

As for VM Rowell and Anderson were loking after each other and were by far the best for them, Maginness did well even though he was barely on the field, Dean did well but ended goaless and Carafa put in a good pergormance as well in the centre.

 

[Davo-27]

the 3 emergencies

VM: Mellis, Courtney and Bell
VC: Henry, Worme and L.Williams

if im wrong im sure someone will correct me.

if fit expect Stapleton, Mellis, W.Phillips and Byrnes to play next, also more ground time for Maginness, from my PoV they lacked some ball winning ability with only Rowell/Anderson/Carafa with Bryan doing well in the ruck but not overly dangerous around the ground, i believe they need more punch from the mid, the Vic Country had a lot of mid combinations that won them the game, Serong/Flanders/Dow/Baldi/Rantall with an impressively aggressive ruckman in Comben who played well around the ground and should have had 2 goals, but kicked 1 during the game, his goal was a highlight for sure.

other thoughts on the game were Dean didnt kick a goal, did ok, but you expect goals from a FF, missed a relatively gettable goal too, D.Williams i believe had 1 shot at goal from 40m in front and missed, didnt see him really do much else, Sturgess was poor i felt, Cassar was ok early and Ralphsmith did ok, his goal from the boundary 35m out (banana) was a good moment, Mahony was good early and dropped away, Newman fought well early but J.Smith won the duel i would say, Hollands and Weightman were also very active especially after half time, adding some flair and speed to the forw line.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

the 3 emergencies

VM: Mellis, Courtney and Bell
VC: Henry, Worme and L.Williams

if im wrong im sure someone will correct me.

if fit expect Stapleton, Mellis, W.Phillips and Byrnes to play next, also more ground time for Maginness, from my PoV they lacked some ball winning ability with only Rowell/Anderson/Carafa with Bryan doing well in the ruck but not overly dangerous around the ground, i believe they need more punch from the mid, the Vic Country had a lot of mid combinations that won them the game, Serong/Flanders/Dow/Baldi/Rantall with an impressively aggressive ruckman in Comben who played well around the ground and should have had 2 goals, but kicked 1 during the game, his goal was a highlight for sure.

other thoughts on the game were Dean didnt kick a goal, did ok, but you expect goals from a FF, missed a relatively gettable goal too, D.Williams i believe had 1 shot at goal from 40m in front and missed, didnt see him really do much else, Sturgess was poor i felt, Cassar was ok early and Ralphsmith did ok, his goal from the boundary 35m out (banana) was a good moment, Mahony was good early and dropped away, Newman fought well early but J.Smith won the duel i would say, Hollands and Weightman were also very active especially after half time, adding some flair and speed to the forw line.

Worme and Courtney both played. The others were all named for their NAB sides so were always unofficial emergencies.

 

[Davo-27]

IN: Charlie Comben (Gipps), Jackson Barling (Syd A), Sam Thorne (Syd A)
OUT: James Schischka (Bend), Harry Schoenberg (WWT), Harrison Minton-Connell (Cald)

update on top 50

1. Matthew Rowell - 178 75 Oak
2. Noah Anderson - 190 87 Oak
3. Tom Green - 188 82 GWS A
4. Jeremy Sharp - 187 79 E Fre
5. Caleb Serong - 178 83 Gipps
6. Lachlan Ash - 186 76 Murr
7. Dylan Stephens - 183 69 Norw
8. Will Gould - 191 98 Glenlg
9. Sam Flanders - 182 81 Gipps
10. Hayden Young - 188 82 Dand
11. Thomson Dow - 183 72 Bend
12. Kysaiah Pickett - 171 67 WWT
13. Brodie Kemp - 192 82 Bend
14. Ned Cahill - 178 77 Dand
15. Charlie Dean - 194 82 Sand
16. Mitch O'Neill - 181 70 TAS
17. Trent Rivers - 192 85 E Fre
18. Cameron Taheny - 185 79 Norw
19. Jack Mahony - 177 71 Sand
20. Dylan Williams - 185 81 Oak
21. Flynn Perez - 187 82 Bend - ACL Inj
22. Chad Warner - 181 80 E Fre
23. Jackson Mead - 184 83 WWT Port F/S
24. Cooper Stephens - 188 83 Geel
25. Finn Maginness - 187 80 Sand Haw F/S
26. Ryan Byrnes - 181 80 Sand
27. Trent Bianco - 176 69 Oak
28. Liam Henry - 179 67 Clare Fre NGA
29. Josh Morris - 186 76 WWT
30. Lachlan Stapleton - 177 72 East
31. Charlie Comben - 200 82 Gipps
32. Riley Baldi - 178 74 Gipps
33. Deven Robertson - 182 80 Perth
34. Declan Carmody - 180 76 Glenlg
35. Mitch Mellis - 173 72 East
36. Brock Smith - 188 81 Gipps
37. Josh Worrell - 193 78 Sand
38. Fischer McAsey - 196 88 Sand
39. Jay Rantall - 184 82 GWV
40. Mitch Martin - 182 78 GWV
41. Luke Jackson - 198 94 E Fre
42. Zakery Pretty - 183 80 East
43. Trey Ruscoe - 190 90 E Fre
44. Liam Delahunty - 192 90 GWS A
45. Connor Budarick - 175 72 GCS A
46. Beau O'Connell - 173 60 NT
47. Chas Karpala - 179 72 Geel
48. Jackson Barling - 182 81 Syd A
49. Sam Thorne - 175 73 Syd A
50. Jackson Davies - 188 78 North

Allies - 7
SA - 7
WA - 7
VM - 14
VC - 15

mentions: Schoenberg, McEntee, Pina, Georgiades, Ralphsmith, Butler, Newman, Minton-Connell, A.Clarke, Fitzgerald, Kelly

 

[TheGeneralmeg]

IN: Charlie Comben (Gipps), Jackson Barling (Syd A), Sam Thorne (Syd A)
OUT: James Schischka (Bend), Harry Schoenberg (WWT), Harrison Minton-Connell (Cald)

update on top 50

1. Matthew Rowell - 178 75 Oak
2. Noah Anderson - 190 87 Oak
3. Tom Green - 188 82 GWS A
4. Jeremy Sharp - 187 79 E Fre
5. Caleb Serong - 178 83 Gipps
6. Lachlan Ash - 186 76 Murr
7. Dylan Stephens - 183 69 Norw
8. Will Gould - 191 98 Glenlg
9. Sam Flanders - 182 81 Gipps
10. Hayden Young - 188 82 Dand
11. Thomson Dow - 183 72 Bend
12. Kysaiah Pickett - 171 67 WWT
13. Brodie Kemp - 192 82 Bend
14. Ned Cahill - 178 77 Dand
15. Charlie Dean - 194 82 Sand
16. Mitch O'Neill - 178 69 TAS
17. Trent Rivers - 192 85 E Fre
18. Cameron Taheny - 185 79 Norw
19. Jack Mahony - 177 71 Sand
20. Dylan Williams - 185 81 Oak
21. Flynn Perez - 187 82 Bend - ACL Inj
22. Chad Warner - 181 80 E Fre
23. Jackson Mead - 184 83 WWT Port F/S
24. Cooper Stephens - 188 83 Geel
25. Finn Maginness - 187 80 Sand Haw F/S
26. Ryan Byrnes - 181 80 Sand
27. Trent Bianco - 176 69 Oak
28. Liam Henry - 179 67 Clare Fre NGA
29. Josh Morris - 186 76 WWT
30. Lachlan Stapleton - 177 72 East
31. Charlie Comben - 200 82 Gipps
32. Riley Baldi - 178 74 Gipps
33. Deven Robertson - 182 80 Perth
34. Declan Carmody - 180 76 Glenlg
35. Mitch Mellis - 173 72 East
36. Brock Smith - 188 81 Gipps
37. Josh Worrell - 193 78 Sand
38. Fischer McAsey - 196 88 Sand
39. Jay Rantall - 184 82 GWV
40. Mitch Martin - 182 78 GWV
41. Luke Jackson - 198 94 E Fre
42. Zakery Pretty - 183 80 East
43. Trey Ruscoe - 190 90 E Fre
44. Liam Delahunty - 192 90 GWS A
45. Connor Budarick - 175 70 GCS A
46. Beau O'Connell - 173 NT
47. Chas Karpala - 179 72 Geel
48. Jackson Barling - 183 Syd A
49. Sam Thorne - 175 Syd A
50. Jackson Davies - 188 78 North

Allies - 7
SA - 7
WA - 7
VM - 14
VC - 15

mentions: Schoenberg, McEntee, Pina, Georgiades, Ralphsmith, Butler, Newman, Minton-Connell, A.Clarke, Fitzgerald, Kelly

Saw Tom Green play yesterday, couldn’t get over how big and powerful he is compared to the other Allie midfielders

 

[Blood red]

Saw Tom Green play yesterday, couldn’t get over how big and powerful he is compared to the other Allie midfielders

Yep, I think that they will found out against vic country.
There are big bodied defensive options in the squad, might need to reevaluate having high possession mids who won't close the oppossition down due to size.

 

[TheGeneralmeg]

Yep, I think that they will found out against vic country.
There are big bodied defensive options in the squad, might need to reevaluate having high possession mids who won't close the oppossition down due to size.

Yesterday the suns pulled Josh Gore out of the forward line to try and close him down. They may need to put someone like Delahunty or one of the 19 year olds in there to combat the Anderson and Rowells

 

[Blood red]

Yesterday the suns pulled Josh Gore out of the forward line to try and close him down. They may need to put someone like Delahunty or one of the 19 year olds in there to combat the Anderson and Rowells

Delahunty is not a true mid.
Need a big tackle, big bodied player.
I think they will just have to realise that they need to pick a team that is more balanced rather then filling it with 70kg high possesssion players.
Both underage Swans in team, but both were so far out of their depth last week.
Gulden set up more goals for metro then Allies.
Great with the ball, but unless protected and fed the ball, he is not the asset that is sold as.

 

[briztoon]

Delahunty is not a true mid.
Need a big tackle, big bodied player.
I think they will just have to realise that they need to pick a team that is more balanced rather then filling it with 70kg high possesssion players.
Both underage Swans in team, but both were so far out of their depth last week.
Gulden set up more goals for metro then Allies.
Great with the ball, but unless protected and fed the ball, he is not the asset that is sold as.

I swear some you guys don’t listen to team recruiters when they’re interviewed, or Luke Power and other Academy coaches.

These games really aren’t about wins and loses.

They’re about playing the best kids who show AFL skills and attributes.

Recruiters aren’t worried about big bodies, because they know once the kids are in the system, they’ll bulk up over 2, 3 or 4 preseasons.

You only have to look at Dayne Zorko and Lachie Neale to see shorter players can heavily impact games playing through the midfield.

 

[Blood red]

I swear some you guys don’t listen to team recruiters when they’re interviewed, or Luke Power and other Academy coaches.

These games really aren’t about wins and loses.

They’re about playing the best kids who show AFL skills and attributes.

Recruiters aren’t worried about big bodies, because they know once the kids are in the system, they’ll bulk up over 2, 3 or 4 preseasons.

You only have to look at Dayne Zorko and Lachie Neale to see shorter players can heavily impact games playing through the midfield.

My point is, that if you want to see players who are smaller actually show their stuff, they need to be in a balanced team, otherwise they simply don't have the physical presence to do so on their own.

I keep hearing Green getting massive possession counts and dominating, but have seen him closed down with pressure and size. So is he only dominating because he is big? Absolutely not, but those players who have closed him down must have had the skills required to keep him out of the game, and allow their team more of the ball!

Surprisingly, recruiters need players who can defend and impose themselves also.
If these games continue to come down to the Allies contiually losing, it is probable that the arguement about weaker standards prevail.
Pick teams that contain players that will be competitive playing football where there are roles to be played, and you get to see players capable of more then simply gaining possessions.
If the championships are simply for recruiters to watch the kids for draft, why the hell put underagers in? Especially since they showed such poor form in the trials?
There are 16s and 17s trials too.

And yes, I have talked to recruiters.
Most have agreed that the ready made footballer who has a few deficiencies that will improve with club training but display AFL attributes are higher priorities.

AFL skills and attributes are 1%ers, tough defence, two way running, head over the ball, team first mentality. Watch the highly touted smalls in the Allies, and yes, some have them, Will Martyn, Oneil, but others definitely dont, and actually step out of contests to allow others to do the grunt work.

Why have team based championships?
Why not just take the best kids and mix them up randomly and play 6 weeks of a round robin? That would make more sense if the point isn't to win?

But pretty sure the Vics, Sth Aust, WA boys are playing to win.
So why shouldn't the Allies do the same.
Why shouldn't the other states have to face a well developed physical apponent?
It might be what actually makes or breaks them.

 

[goat123]

IN: Charlie Comben (Gipps), Jackson Barling (Syd A), Sam Thorne (Syd A)
OUT: James Schischka (Bend), Harry Schoenberg (WWT), Harrison Minton-Connell (Cald)

update on top 50

1. Matthew Rowell - 178 75 Oak
2. Noah Anderson - 190 87 Oak
3. Tom Green - 188 82 GWS A
4. Jeremy Sharp - 187 79 E Fre
5. Caleb Serong - 178 83 Gipps
6. Lachlan Ash - 186 76 Murr
7. Dylan Stephens - 183 69 Norw
8. Will Gould - 191 98 Glenlg
9. Sam Flanders - 182 81 Gipps
10. Hayden Young - 188 82 Dand
11. Thomson Dow - 183 72 Bend
12. Kysaiah Pickett - 171 67 WWT
13. Brodie Kemp - 192 82 Bend
14. Ned Cahill - 178 77 Dand
15. Charlie Dean - 194 82 Sand
16. Mitch O'Neill - 178 69 TAS
17. Trent Rivers - 192 85 E Fre
18. Cameron Taheny - 185 79 Norw
19. Jack Mahony - 177 71 Sand
20. Dylan Williams - 185 81 Oak
21. Flynn Perez - 187 82 Bend - ACL Inj
22. Chad Warner - 181 80 E Fre
23. Jackson Mead - 184 83 WWT Port F/S
24. Cooper Stephens - 188 83 Geel
25. Finn Maginness - 187 80 Sand Haw F/S
26. Ryan Byrnes - 181 80 Sand
27. Trent Bianco - 176 69 Oak
28. Liam Henry - 179 67 Clare Fre NGA
29. Josh Morris - 186 76 WWT
30. Lachlan Stapleton - 177 72 East
31. Charlie Comben - 200 82 Gipps
32. Riley Baldi - 178 74 Gipps
33. Deven Robertson - 182 80 Perth
34. Declan Carmody - 180 76 Glenlg
35. Mitch Mellis - 173 72 East
36. Brock Smith - 188 81 Gipps
37. Josh Worrell - 193 78 Sand
38. Fischer McAsey - 196 88 Sand
39. Jay Rantall - 184 82 GWV
40. Mitch Martin - 182 78 GWV
41. Luke Jackson - 198 94 E Fre
42. Zakery Pretty - 183 80 East
43. Trey Ruscoe - 190 90 E Fre
44. Liam Delahunty - 192 90 GWS A
45. Connor Budarick - 175 70 GCS A
46. Beau O'Connell - 173 NT
47. Chas Karpala - 179 72 Geel
48. Jackson Barling - 183 Syd A
49. Sam Thorne - 175 Syd A
50. Jackson Davies - 188 78 North

Allies - 7
SA - 7
WA - 7
VM - 14
VC - 15

mentions: Schoenberg, McEntee, Pina, Georgiades, Ralphsmith, Butler, Newman, Minton-Connell, A.Clarke, Fitzgerald, Kelly

how do you feel Dylan willams year is going?

 

[Bicks]

how do you feel Dylan willams year is going?

It's not, has to be carrying a niggle, no way this the same player that showed so much promise last year.

 

[Davo-27]

how do you feel Dylan willams year is going?

well below average so far, obviously why i dropped him down the rankings.

 

[Peezy]

Is it just me or does Mitch Martin look abit chunky and unfit? Don't get me wrong the kid can use the ball as good as anyone - but when it comes to fitness and speed he is well below average on both.

 

[arboc21]

Mitch Mellis will play VIC this weekend, was a standout yesterday.

 

[Bicks]

WA is a team to watch from what i saw of the 2 Trial Games SA V WA, WA dominated the first game running all over SA and in the second game SA got a dodgey free kick in the last minutes of the game to give them the win, it rightfully should have been a clean sweep to WA in Adelaide, so if that is any indication then they might be in a better place than SA.

Vic Country is an interesting team, they lack depth after their first 25 or so players but i really like the team they have as a whole.

Vic Metro is strong with good depth, their top end talent seem at this stage to be the best in the country, but it will be good to see them tested

SA has a fair bit of talent at the top end, but their depth could be an issue this year?, they usually have well disciplined and coached teams, so im expecting a good side as always from them.

Allies lost both their Trial games in Melbourne, to very weakened Vic Teams, although competed well against some talented Vic Country/Vic Metro players, they will be competitive and have some high end talent, but at the moment are still an unknown quality like most years being that they have 3 states and 2 territories worth of talent that dont play together consistently.

You have any idea what the the go is with WA's Mitch Georgiades, no sign of him this season after showing plenty as an under ager?

 

[Davo-27]

You have any idea what the the go is with WA's Mitch Georgiades, no sign of him this season after showing plenty as an under ager?

seems to be injured, was included in the WA squad as backup or something i believe, in case he is fit enough to play?

TO = Train-on, can be elevated to main squad over the championships

https://afl.draftcentral.com.au/201...er-squad-for-national-under-18-championships/

 

[BigEast]

Mitch Mellis will play VIC this weekend, was a standout yesterday.

My query on Mellis would be do the high number of possessions he gets directly equate to the impact he has on games. He was highest possession winner in recent metro trial but not one mention from anyone on his game and didn't get a start on the weekend. Got another 30 on the weekend but influence was just ok. Picks up a lot of possession in chains. Zak Pretty hurts you more as does Clarke, imo.

 

[Davo-27]

My query on Mellis would be do the high number of possessions he gets directly equate to the impact he has on games. He was highest possession winner in recent metro trial but not one mention from anyone on his game and didn't get a start on the weekend. Got another 30 on the weekend but influence was just ok. Picks up a lot of possession in chains. Zak Pretty hurts you more as does Clarke, imo.

i think Mellis, Pretty and Clarke would be in my Metro team if i were to pick the team, some of the Metro selections last week were not selections i would have made.

im more of a fan of the Vic Country bunch this season though, i really like Serong, Ash, Young, Flanders, Dow, Baldi, Cahill, Rantall, Kemp, Comben.