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

[Lana]

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.

I think supporters for the most part overthink how much a club likes a player they pick relative to the ones they didn't. Had the guy they were eyeing get picked, there is a shrug and crossing out of a name, with another one left on the list below

 

[iameviljez]

I think supporters for the most part overthink how much a club likes a player they pick relative to the ones they didn't. Had the guy they were eying get pick, there is a shrug and crossing out of a name, with another one left on the list below

Yeah, and there's an over-rating of Phantom Drafts among supporters.

 

[year of the cat]

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

Pies were right into him. We had to take him when we did.

 

[Kitcat]

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.

I agree. For the forward line in general, on top of losing Hawkins and Rohan, Danger will spend more time forward but he will be managed and will only have 2 more seasons, Cameron is 32 and won’t be around forever, and Martin if he can be less injury prone may play forward but he might be gone in 2 years.

Polkinghorne is a rarity as he holds his marks at his early age, and seems a good kick. At the least, he could be backup for Ollie Henry in a couple of years.

 

[Footy Smarts]

I don't think Polkinghorne's height is in any way a problem to be a key forward. I've seen him listed at 191 and 192.

Waterman, Mihocek, Howe, J Henry, Georgiadis, Langford, etc are all good players at around that height. He's 2-3cm taller than O Henry.

We've already got Neale (203cm) and SDK (204cm) as likely long-term key position players. Plus O'Sullivan at 198cm. Add a ruck and that's plenty of giants. A smaller key forward between Neale and O Henry is perfect.

 

[Lana]

Yeah, and there's an over-rating of Phantom Drafts among supporters.

What else is there for most to go on, how many people watch full games (some are streamed these days on AFL.com.au), let alone watch 2 minutes of footage that most prospects get from the AFL. You read what cal twomey has to say and a couple of big footy phantoms, see who made the All Australian or did well in the U18 state level awards. And you too can share your opinion as an informed individual from the safe of a screen and be involved in all of the fun.

What noobermensch does with his youtube channel is a public service. Not everyone who in theory has the interest, has the awareness of it's existance, let alone the time to watch, I'm not sure how emded view are counted. But his vidoes on youtube bounce between 1000 and 3000 views. 20 minutes of cut down footage over 5-6 games, showing the good and the bad can tell you a lot about a player. There were a few players getting hype on bigfooty due to their stats, but 3 minutes of footage showed that they weren't even close(a few of them did get drafted, clubs could like a trait or two and see the rest as fixable). Others to my eye looked "draftable", got hyped but just didn't get their name called out, could have been a poor interview, or just bad luck being the next player near the top of most clubs list but wasn't selected due to the limited number of list spots. A few of them will get picked up as 19 years old in the mid season draft.

 

[Footy Smarts]

What else is there for most to go on, how many people watch full games (some are streamed these days on AFL.com.au), let alone watch 2 minutes of footage that most prospects get from the AFL. You read what cal twomey has to say and a couple of big footy phantoms, see who made the All Australian or did well in the U18 state level awards. And you too can share your opinion as an informed individual from the safe of a screen and be involved in all of the fun.

What noobermensch does with his youtube channel is a public service. Not everyone who in theory has the interest, has the awareness of it's existance, let alone the time to watch, I'm not sure how emded view are counted. But his vidoes on youtube bounce between 1000 and 3000 views. 20 minutes of cut down footage over 5-6 games, showing the good and the bad can tell you a lot about a player. There were a few players getting hype on bigfooty due to their stats, but 3 minutes of footage showed that they weren't even close(a few of them did get drafted, clubs could like a trait or two and see the rest as fixable). Others to my eye looked "draftable", got hyped but just didn't get their name called out, could have been a poor interview, or just bad luck being the next player near the top of most clubs list but wasn't selected due to the limited number of list spots. A few of them will get picked up as 19 years old in the mid season draft.

The funny thing is how seriously people take their own views off no info compared to a proven quality operator like Wells. Or they start rating winners and losers from drafts before the players have even had their first training session.

The blow ups when we took Holmes and SDK were very funny and show just how little the average poster around here knows.

 

[Lana]

The funny thing is how seriously people take their own views off no info compared to a proven quality operator like Wells. Or they start rating winners and losers from drafts before the players have even had their first training session.

The blow ups when we took Holmes and SDK were very funny and show just how little the average poster around here knows.

Similar blow ups happened when we took Thurlow over Grundy and Lang over Matt Crouch or Luke Dunstan.

Brown and Hamling caused a few headscratchers.

Harry Taylor too

Cockatoo felt like he was drafted off one good game against players a year younger. After missing heaps of footy from injury

We picked Guthrie over Darling, I think that caused a reaction , GHS over Parker disappointed a few

If you go back to 2002, there was probably a few Andrew who?

It doesn't bother me when people want a certain player and we overlook them, nothing about this is rational

 

[CatToTheFuture]

What else is there for most to go on, how many people watch full games (some are streamed these days on AFL.com.au), let alone watch 2 minutes of footage that most prospects get from the AFL. You read what cal twomey has to say and a couple of big footy phantoms, see who made the All Australian or did well in the U18 state level awards. And you too can share your opinion as an informed individual from the safe of a screen and be involved in all of the fun.

What noobermensch does with his youtube channel is a public service. Not everyone who in theory has the interest, has the awareness of it's existance, let alone the time to watch, I'm not sure how emded view are counted. But his vidoes on youtube bounce between 1000 and 3000 views. 20 minutes of cut down footage over 5-6 games, showing the good and the bad can tell you a lot about a player. There were a few players getting hype on bigfooty due to their stats, but 3 minutes of footage showed that they weren't even close(a few of them did get drafted, clubs could like a trait or two and see the rest as fixable). Others to my eye looked "draftable", got hyped but just didn't get their name called out, could have been a poor interview, or just bad luck being the next player near the top of most clubs list but wasn't selected due to the limited number of list spots. A few of them will get picked up as 19 years old in the mid season draft.

+1 noobermensch is a public service and the government should have him on the payroll.

Thanks Noobs

Also agree with the rest of the points

 

[iameviljez]

Similar blow ups happened when we took Thurlow over Grundy and Lang over Matt Crouch or Luke Dunstan.

Brown and Hamling caused a few headscratchers.

Harry Taylor too

Cockatoo felt like he was drafted off one good game against players a year younger. After missing heaps of footy from injury

There's no accounting for injury, either. I reckon that for every three careers that do come good, there's one who could have had a good AFL career but their body (and development time) was robbed by injury.

Mitch Brown is the poster child for this IMO, his work at Essendon with an undersized frame was really impressive and given a clear run he could have been Hawkins' tall forward partner throughout the 2010s. Other guys like Bundy, Cockatoo, Thurlow and even James Kelly lost half a yard after their injuries.

 

[iameviljez]

What else is there for most to go on, how many people watch full games (some are streamed these days on AFL.com.au), let alone watch 2 minutes of footage that most prospects get from the AFL. You read what cal twomey has to say and a couple of big footy phantoms, see who made the All Australian or did well in the U18 state level awards. And you too can share your opinion as an informed individual from the safe of a screen and be involved in all of the fun.

I agree, I think most of it's just good fun. That said, often posters tend to fail to acknowledge the limits of their knowledge when it's based off Cal Twomey, Rookie Me and a three-minute highlights video.

November is always a time for optimism in footy.

 

[ShadowCat]

Anyone else see the Lennox Hofmann article posted this morning in the Geelong Addy? Straight up hilarious how he basically shit on St Kilda throughout, stating how he's sad that Cole didn't get drafted, and how he was 'hoping the bid didn't get matched', as he was 'excited at the idea of going to Geelong.' Was apparently so stoked when he got through to us.

Think about that for a sec...aligned with an academy and told you're likely to go there...but then really happy that you don't.

This is why we're a destination club, and Saints are just the place where dreams go to die, lol.

 

[Funkmeister]

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.

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.

Why? Because it is our annual Eyre Peninsula draftee. Ever since Boris, Wellsy has been trying to strike gold a second time. Foster, Taheny, Jarvis, Kennelly, Stringer, prob a couple I’ve missed

 

[cats_09]

Anyone else see the Lennox Hofmann article posted this morning in the Geelong Addy? Straight up hilarious how he basically shit on St Kilda throughout, stating how he's sad that Cole didn't get drafted, and how he was 'hoping the bid didn't get matched', as he was 'excited at the idea of going to Geelong.' Was apparently so stoked when he got through to us.

Think about that for a sec...aligned with an academy and told you're likely to go there...but then really happy that you don't.

This is why we're a destination club, and Saints are just the place where dreams go to die, lol.

From the article:

“I knew Geelong was somewhat interested, and then when the bid popped up it was just amazing,” Hofmann said.

“I had some friends and family over, really excited. And then that five minute wait was quite nerve racking because I was quite excited with Geelong.

“And then at the end of the five or so minutes, it was amazing. Greatest feeling ever.

No Cookies | Geelong Advertiser

No Cookies

www.geelongadvertiser.com.au

 

[Gazza Greatness]

It seems I have not explained myself correctly because this second time I have had someone thinking that I wasn't keen on us selecting Jay with our pick 44 which is quite the contrary, I'm absolutely rapt that we have selected him coz I reckon he has heaps of natural talent. The way I replied, was in response to another poster querying why we selected Jay at pick 44 and that we were going down the wrong path with that type of player. But never mind, it's more likely to do with my wording, so I apologise there but if you do happen to see another thread I posted regards Jay, you'll see I gave Jay a BIG TICK way before I wrote the above which still 100% supports his pick 44 selection..... In Wellsy and Mackie we TRUST and GO CATS

 

[dazbroncos]

Now that all the Draft hub bub has died away and we have settled down, Im quite happy that we didint pull the trigger on getting into any trades with future picks and head into 2025 with a full hand.

I"m not expecting much from the drafted class in 25 other than VFL progression and development.

With no franking in the real AFL world, it seems that we have grabbed players of quality and skill and with a bit of an eye to the future - especially the rucks and talls.

Put them all on the slow cook and lets see what comes mid year or so.... we might get another Humphries type but id rather see the cementing of Knevitt, Clark, Clohesy, COS et al in the best 28 for now. Let the newbies breath and develop and see which ones get annointed as our new favourites.

GO Catters

 

[Lana]

Next years draft is looking good at the top end. Even taking into consideration the players already liked via academy. I think club were massively undervaluing those future first round picks.

 

[Hamingja]

Now that all the Draft hub bub has died away and we have settled down, Im quite happy that we didint pull the trigger on getting into any trades with future picks and head into 2025 with a full hand.

I"m not expecting much from the drafted class in 25 other than VFL progression and development.

With no franking in the real AFL world, it seems that we have grabbed players of quality and skill and with a bit of an eye to the future - especially the rucks and talls.

Put them all on the slow cook and lets see what comes mid year or so.... we might get another Humphries type but id rather see the cementing of Knevitt, Clark, Clohesy, COS et al in the best 28 for now. Let the newbies breath and develop and see which ones get annointed as our new favourites.

GO Catters

I'm happy to have kept all our picks. I'm very wary of the short pre season combined with the tough early fixture and the even competition. If we end up having a poor year at least we get a shot at a decent pick.

The draftees are basically 7 x lucky dips. If we get one long term best 22 player out of the lot of them we have done ok.

 

[year of the cat]

Very comfortable with our choices in both the ND and rookie draft. With us attempting to trade our FF for Shanahan it will be of some interest to track his career against that of our FF or indeed with Polkinghorne who we may not have taken if we’d been successful in completing that trade.

Think we have a nice blend of players. Hard when your picks are so far down the order to expect too much. We seemed to just be a bit shy of the picks needed to get into a group of players in the mid 30’s that looked attractive (to me anyway).

As others have said if we can get a couple of these to develop into something then we’ve done well I think. Really need Smith to be the player we want him to be as the pick we gave up for him had value. Would still do that trade every day. Smith has top 10 talent.

 

[D BRIDGE]

Anyone else see the Lennox Hofmann article posted this morning in the Geelong Addy? Straight up hilarious how he basically shit on St Kilda throughout, stating how he's sad that Cole didn't get drafted, and how he was 'hoping the bid didn't get matched', as he was 'excited at the idea of going to Geelong.' Was apparently so stoked when he got through to us.

Think about that for a sec...aligned with an academy and told you're likely to go there...but then really happy that you don't.

This is why we're a destination club, and Saints are just the place where dreams go to die, lol.

Nothing would make me happier than to see Hoffmann (and Cole) go on to having very solid AFL careers after my most lolled team “The Aints” could have had them both but decided against it.

 

[MacStradbroke]

Similar blow ups happened when we took Thurlow over Grundy and Lang over Matt Crouch or Luke Dunstan.

Brown and Hamling caused a few headscratchers.

Harry Taylor too

Cockatoo felt like he was drafted off one good game against players a year younger. After missing heaps of footy from injury

We picked Guthrie over Darling, I think that caused a reaction , GHS over Parker disappointed a few

If you go back to 2002, there was probably a few Andrew who?

It doesn't bother me when people want a certain player and we overlook them, nothing about this is rational

I was flat as we took Harry Taylor over Scott Selwood. (what an inspired selection)

 

[Turbocat]

I think supporters for the most part overthink how much a club likes a player they pick relative to the ones they didn't. Had the guy they were eyeing get picked, there is a shrug and crossing out of a name, with another one left on the list below

Don't disagree with this… maybe its because for supporters its all care and no responsibility.We see it on here..at times ..with the ardent declarations and the savage castigations and the absolute determinations on certain players ..but the club can not get too entangled with one player when most of the time others are having plenty of picks before us.

Generally I think our discussions were pretty good this year , there much discussion around talls that were draftable some were adamant on not picking a ruck at all ..others preferred someone closer to being ready to play. I can see the logic in both opinions. Since Hocking I definitely feel the clubs has taken clear eye towards youth reseting trade and draft so I am not surprised we did not add an older guy.

As to your point ..Gerryn had plenty of supporters , I liked Sims and maybe if they were there at our pick who knows… but as you say ..my bet is they just cross them off their list. Professionally they know they can only pick who is there… and the draft is only one way of accumulating the talent. Of course one could always do a North and refuse to rule out a name , pay thru ones back teeth to get up the board and get a player you want. Maybe they do have to get more done at draft as its harder for them to attract in trade.

Then came the noise for Dodson … I dont think anyone had Mollier as a name or a chance. I doubt many of us would have the gumption or the knowledge to go Mollier over Dodson.. and only time will tell if the club made the right call .. but based on highlights ..I can see how Moller looks more like the type that might impact. Quick but might need sometime to build a tank. Good leap.. so he might be more role flexible etc..

and yet ..if Mollier had been taken … as you say ..my be we just cross out his name and move on.

 

[Turbocat]

Very comfortable with our choices in both the ND and rookie draft. With us attempting to trade our FF for Shanahan it will be of some interest to track his career against that of our FF or indeed with Polkinghorne who we may not have taken if we’d been successful in completing that trade.

Think we have a nice blend of players. Hard when your picks are so far down the order to expect too much. We seemed to just be a bit shy of the picks needed to get into a group of players in the mid 30’s that looked attractive (to me anyway).

As others have said if we can get a couple of these to develop into something then we’ve done well I think. Really need Smith to be the player we want him to be as the pick we gave up for him had value. Would still do that trade every day. Smith has top 10 talent.

I agree ..more than comfortable… and all could fail. But ..one or two could easily have the non drafting mouths scratching their heads again…. If Hofmann becoms a players for us then there will be a tidal wave of effluent that will rain down on the Saints.

Added a couple of guys who could be rucks. , a few options as marking forwards , a HB , and a couple of mids.. good mix and so geelong in that its a no name mix. Others with the picks will continue to pick the names … we will sort thru the fodder trying to find potential, looking for value amung the over looked ..and ultimately try to make the names. Some will fail for sure..its just maths .. but find one or two and plenty will be crying tears of salty blood.

What was the deal we tried to instigate for Shanahan? Id pressume if we had managed to get him ..it would have changed our draft considably.

 

[Turbocat]

Similar blow ups happened when we took Thurlow over Grundy and Lang over Matt Crouch or Luke Dunstan.

Brown and Hamling caused a few headscratchers.

Harry Taylor too

Cockatoo felt like he was drafted off one good game against players a year younger. After missing heaps of footy from injury

We picked Guthrie over Darling, I think that caused a reaction , GHS over Parker disappointed a few

If you go back to 2002, there was probably a few Andrew who?

It doesn't bother me when people want a certain player and we overlook them, nothing about this is rational

I think Fogarty over Sam Taylor in 2017 was one were a lot on here probably were closer to right. There were many said ..lets draft a Taylor to replace a Taylor.. ..but its few and far between… and we could hardly whinge about the totality of that draft

 

[Footy Smarts]

I'd take anything the media claims about Geelong's draft strategy with a truckload of salt. Multiple media types reported as fact that we were offering up our future first for Dodson but we took Molier over him.

We're clearly happy to let incorrect rumours spread and maybe we actively spread them. I assume our future 1st was on the table at some point. But they're just guessing when they claim we wanted Shanahan.