Rumour GFC 2024 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 3

[Farmer2Goggin]

Our forward line is pretty aerially capable - and big pack marks aren't the main avenue to goal for most teams. For what it's worth, Hawkins hasn't been capable of big pack marks since he did his back in 2013 and lost his spring - most of his contested marking is wrestling 1v1.

Of all the teams in flag contention last year, the only genuinely good pack marking forwards are Jesse Hogan and Joe Daniher.

I genuinely don't think that i50 intercepts are a bigger problem for Geelong than anyone else. FWIW, we had two nibbles at other players first before we actually took Polkinghorne - I don't think Polkinghorne was specifically targeted as such.

Cameron and Neale give us flexibility as both can play up the field as well as close to goal. Neale a little less so at this stage but his endurance is building so I expect he'll play away from goal more often in 2025.
Having those two switching roles during games would present challenging matchups.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Our forward line is pretty aerially capable - and big pack marks aren't the main avenue to goal for most teams. For what it's worth, Hawkins hasn't been capable of big pack marks since he did his back in 2013 and lost his spring - most of his contested marking is wrestling 1v1.

Of all the teams in flag contention last year, the only genuinely good pack marking forwards are Jesse Hogan and Joe Daniher.

I genuinely don't think that i50 intercepts are a bigger problem for Geelong than anyone else. FWIW, we had two nibbles at other players first before we actually took Polkinghorne - I don't think Polkinghorne was specifically targeted as such.

Curious?.... why did we take 'Jay Polkinghorne' with our first pick at 44 when there was never any need. Jay even said in interview with Cats just recently (SEE BELOW) that he was surprised that The Cats took him with their first draft pick. At seasons end, after being injured very early in season and missing 16 weeks, thus missing out on South Australia State Under 18's, he later in season decided 'to be noticed against the bigger bodies' to play in the final five reserves games for Norwood including the 'winning grand final side'. After the 3/4 quarter siren in the 'reserves grand final' Jay had a difficult set shot for goal which he duly landed (SEE BELOW) which under the circumstances was a 'very big and important kick' and he nailed it with aplomb, like a very classy footballer which I'm sure he is.

 

[Lana]

Curious?.... why did we take 'Jay Polkinghorne' with our first pick at 44 when there was never any need. Jay even said in interview with Cats just recently (SEE BELOW) that he was surprised that The Cats took him with their first draft pick. At seasons end, after being injured very early in season and missing 16 weeks, thus missing out on South Australia State Under 18's, he later in season decided 'to be noticed against the bigger bodies' to play in the final five reserves games for Norwood including the 'winning grand final side'. After the 3/4 quarter siren in the 'reserves grand final' Jay had a difficult set shot for goal which he duly landed (SEE BELOW) which under the circumstances was a 'very big and important kick' and he nailed it with aplomb, like a very classy footballer which I'm sure he is.

Calls himself a medium forward

 

[year of the cat]

Apparently he was likely to be taken by the Pies with their first pick which was before our second, so if we wanted him we had to strike first.

 

[And_ROOS]

Cameron and Neale give us flexibility as both can play up the field as well as close to goal. Neale a little less so at this stage but his endurance is building so I expect he'll play away from goal more often in 2025.
Having those two switching roles during games would present challenging matchups.

Neale soon enough will start to clunk his marks, and he will be a forward for us like Ottens was for us/Tigers before we put him into the ruck. Quick on the lead for a big man, has a strong kicking action, just needs to hold onto his marks.

Once he does that, we won't want him leaving the f50 because he will start making every contest and clunking everything.

How we adjust will be interesting because we have had a forwardline built around Hawkins sitting at FF either sitting deep or making occasional leads, and not really being athletic enough to pressure the last few years.

Next year we will have an ultra mobile forwardline, especially if they decide to put Danger down there more often. Danger effectively takes Rohans spot, meaning the only player who needs to really lift defensive output will be OHenry.

 

[Turbocat]

In your example, if Brisbane announce they are putting a pick 1 value on Ashcroft, then they have to pay the equivalent of pick 1 points. So he becomes the number 1 pick in the draft by Brisbane, Lalor is 2 by Rich, norths pick 3, etc.

So before the draft even starts, all clubs know that Ashcroft is off the table as pick 1, and then clubs just pick accordingly. There is no bidding, all picks are live depending on the players still in the pool at that time.

I agree that where it would get interesting is the mid draft academy prospects. anything from mid first round onwards would be fascinating to see what value the clubs put on their academy players.

In your Marshall example, if Brisbane placed a mid 20’s pre draft value on him, every club in the league with a pick before 25 has the opportunity to get the player. How much would brisbane be prepared to gamble and risk losing the player? It would make for some much more interesting decisions by the clubs. They would need to get strategic and place pre draft values to get ahead of clubs that they think are interested in the player, etc. the pre draft machinations and manoeuvring would be great.

It all gets down to the minutia of what ever adjustment in rules one makes. One could devise a system where all alighn players were taken pre draft if one wanted to ….

If the rules were as you project … its slightly different than I imagined… neither good or bad ..just slightly different.

So… its not so much what they are prepared to pay but an actual nomination of what they are going to pay …unless someone bids them earlier…obvious impossible if they bid P1 Ashcroft etc.

Again .. anything along these lines of thought would be a positive adjustment imo… but id say no matter what system was brought in … we would have to see it work to knock the knots out the wood cause someone would be looking to play it

 

[Turbocat]

Perhaps the Cats were targetting Riley Bice.

It would not be the first time Syd have jumped our pick...

 

[Lana]

It would not be the first time Syd have jumped our pick...

Robinson did have the better career

 

[iameviljez]

Curious?.... why did we take 'Jay Polkinghorne' with our first pick at 44 when there was never any need. Jay even said in interview with Cats just recently (SEE BELOW) that he was surprised that The Cats took him with their first draft pick.

Future planning, I assume.

Jeremy Cameron is 32 in April. With Phoenix Foster pulling the pin on the AFL, we literally don't have another young key forward in the team after Shannon Neale (although Polkinghorne is really an in-between size).

It wouldn't shock me if the team sees one of Mitch Edwards or Jacob Molier is tried as a key forward - you can't play them all in the ruck.

 

[CatRiot]

Future planning, I assume.

Jeremy Cameron is 32 in April. With Phoenix Foster pulling the pin on the AFL, we literally don't have another young key forward in the team after Shannon Neale (although Polkinghorne is really an in-between size).

It wouldn't shock me if the team sees one of Mitch Edwards or Jacob Molier is tried as a key forward - you can't play them all in the ruck.

Molier for sure as a Key Forward. In fact, I reckon that's where they play him first up.

 

[iameviljez]

It would not be the first time Syd have jumped our pick...

Gulden?

 

[cats_09]

Gulden?

McCartin


We bid on Gulden and they matched - so not quite the same

 

[ShaunWDT]

Molier for sure as a Key Forward. In fact, I reckon that's where they play him first up.

He showed alot more as a Ruck to me, kicking will need plenty of work to make it up forward.

 

[iameviljez]

He showed alot more as a Ruck to me, kicking will need plenty of work to make it up forward.

Neale was also a ruckman when he was in the u18s. I guess that when you start picking in the 40s, nothing is really that straightforward.

 

[Reg Hickey]

He showed alot more as a Ruck to me, kicking will need plenty of work to make it up forward.

On the other hand, he's super quick for a big fella and has shown very good hands.

Kicking can be coached, speed and hands less so.

Example: Levi Casboult always had great hands, but arguably the worst kicking action in the AFL. For the first half of his career his set shot kicking was duly awful... but he worked on it and actually became a very reliable kick for goal (even though his action was still super awkward). Since going to the Suns his conversion rate is much better than the league average.

 

[Lingsface]

Tabener full time vfl in case one kpf gets injured? I’d be happy with that.

 

[CatRiot]

He showed alot more as a Ruck to me, kicking will need plenty of work to make it up forward.

I agree, and same could be said about Neale. Moiler probably a bit better as a Ruck prospect though than Neale. But I kind of see both players on the same path, the Key Forward and 2nd Ruck option. Unless he totally shoots the lights out as a Ruck, then they might keep him there...

 

[cats_09]

Tabener full time vfl in case one kpf gets injured? I’d be happy with that.

Matthew Taberner the former Freo player?

Not sure we've announced any VFL signings nor shown any interest in him - but if he signs for the VFL team then he'll only be playing VFL, as not sure he'd be dropping back to play with a local club

Though not sure why we'd sign him

 

[Turbocat]

Gulden?

I think I read somewhere that we were looking at Jones in 2013 … they took Jones at 15 we missed him and took Lang at 16 ..

 

[geelong_crazy26]

Curious?.... why did we take 'Jay Polkinghorne' with our first pick at 44 when there was never any need. Jay even said in interview with Cats just recently (SEE BELOW) that he was surprised that The Cats took him with their first draft pick. At seasons end, after being injured very early in season and missing 16 weeks, thus missing out on South Australia State Under 18's, he later in season decided 'to be noticed against the bigger bodies' to play in the final five reserves games for Norwood including the 'winning grand final side'. After the 3/4 quarter siren in the 'reserves grand final' Jay had a difficult set shot for goal which he duly landed (SEE BELOW) which under the circumstances was a 'very big and important kick' and he nailed it with aplomb, like a very classy footballer which I'm sure he is.

What do you mean never any need?? We are drafting for 4+ years time not now. We have jusf loat rohan off the list also ans hawk retired so we are 2 less AFL ready forwards than this time last year.

I dont see it a bad recruit at all in ths schene of things. Pick 44 is also a low risk pick.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

What do you mean never any need?? We are drafting for 4+ years time not now. We have jusf loat rohan off the list also ans hawk retired so we are 2 less AFL ready forwards than this time last year.

I dont see it a bad recruit at all in ths schene of things. Pick 44 is also a low risk pick.

That we could have taken him later in draft, that's all. I'm absolutely rapt that we have Jay Polkinghorne as he shows real signs of being extra good.

 

[Footy Smarts]

That we could have taken him later in draft, that's all. I'm absolutely rapt that we have Jay Polkinghorne as he shows real signs of being extra good.

You don't know that. The names talked up in the media are completely different to who individual clubs rate and you only need one other club keen on him and we miss out.

Considering the players we took it's fair to say none of the players on the radar at 42 interested us much.

 

[geelong_crazy26]

That we could have taken him later in draft, that's all. I'm absolutely rapt that we have Jay Polkinghorne as he shows real signs of being extra good.

Was anyone else interested? We probably could have taken him rookie

 

[Turbocat]

That we could have taken him later in draft, that's all. I'm absolutely rapt that we have Jay Polkinghorne as he shows real signs of being extra good.

Sometimes its possible to be clever if you have good info....take this guy now cause he will be gone before our next pick ..and wait for this other one cause we are the only ones interested . The most infamous of these clever choices was what Haw did Rich at the top of the draft in the Franklin Roughead draft ...

… but i generally think you take the guy who you rate the highest first ..or the clever connivance could see you lose the best player. I wonder how things would have worked out if Rich change during the draft..and did take Franklin? Sometimes it might mean you spend more than might have been required. There are probably times you over pay and times you under pay.The way our team draft players is often appears they are guys who are a bit lower on a lot of other clubs board. I wonder where Dempsey should have been in his draft?

It would be a fascinating draft doco if you got to see all the clubs picks post draft …. Did we really think we were going to get Campo ? I doubt it. How highly did we rate the guys like Hofmann or Visivic etc.

 

[iameviljez]

That we could have taken him later in draft, that's all. I'm absolutely rapt that we have Jay Polkinghorne as he shows real signs of being extra good.

Any pick after p30 is a lottery, you don't pass on Player X because you think all other teams will whiff unless it's a genuine "who?" a la Francis Evans.

That burned West Coast badly on Tim Kelly IIRC