Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2013 phantom draft

[Sydswans0512]

Cameron Giles, Daniel McStay, Tyler Keital, Alex Spencer, Jake Kolodjashnij.

The simple answer however is no high end options and more late/rookie type prospects.

Wouldn't mind picking up Mitchel Harvey either develop him over the next few years

 

[Grockadoc]

Hey Knightmare, I've just done a first round phantom draft. Wondering what you think? I know McCarthy is a bit of a reach, but I think Carlton would be better off taking McCarthy at 5 than trading for Boyd. I also have Brisbane taking Gardiner as I think he would be a fantastic replacement for Merrett in a couple of years.

#1: GWS: Tom Boyd
#2: Melbourne: James Aish
#3: St. Kilda: Matt Scharenberg
#4: Western Bulldogs: Josh Kelly
#5: Carlton: Cameron McCarthy
#6: Brisbane: Darcy Gardiner
#7: North Melbourne: Luke McDonald
#8: West Coast: Ben Lennon
#9: Gold Coast: Jack Billings
#10: GWS: Matt Crouch
#11: Port Adelaide: Luke Dunstan
#12: Richmond: Dom Sheed
#13: Collingwood: Nathan Freeman
#14: Essendon: Trent Dumont
#15: Fremantle: Marcus Bontempelli
#16: Sydney: Lewis Taylor
#17: Hawthorn: Christian Salem
#18: Geelong: Kade Kolodjashnij

 

[tigs2010]

Cameron Giles, Daniel McStay, Tyler Keital, Alex Spencer, Jake Kolodjashnij.

The simple answer however is no high end options and more late/rookie type prospects.

I think you'll find Keitel is next year.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey Knightmare, I've just done a first round phantom draft. Wondering what you think? I know McCarthy is a bit of a reach, but I think Carlton would be better off taking McCarthy at 5 than trading for Boyd. I also have Brisbane taking Gardiner as I think he would be a fantastic replacement for Merrett in a couple of years.

#1: GWS: Tom Boyd
#2: Melbourne: James Aish
#3: St. Kilda: Matt Scharenberg
#4: Western Bulldogs: Josh Kelly
#5: Carlton: Cameron McCarthy
#6: Brisbane: Darcy Gardiner
#7: North Melbourne: Luke McDonald
#8: West Coast: Ben Lennon
#9: Gold Coast: Jack Billings
#10: GWS: Matt Crouch
#11: Port Adelaide: Luke Dunstan
#12: Richmond: Dom Sheed
#13: Collingwood: Nathan Freeman
#14: Essendon: Trent Dumont
#15: Fremantle: Marcus Bontempelli
#16: Sydney: Lewis Taylor
#17: Hawthorn: Christian Salem
#18: Geelong: Kade Kolodjashnij

I'd say Billings goes top 5 and Kolodjashnij probably goes top 10 or very close to it. Otherwise a solid 1st round mock draft at this point.

 

[Grockadoc]

I'd say Billings goes top 5 and Kolodjashnij probably goes top 10 or very close to it. Otherwise a solid 1st round mock draft at this point.

I agree with Kolodjashnij being a bit low. Reason being that I have names in front of KK, and when it came to, Geelong was the last one left, and KK was the only one there. I think Billings might not go Top 5. Clear top 4 picks are Boyd, Aish, Scharenberg and Kelly. If Carlton have the 5th pick, overall, it's hard to see them going past McCarthy and Brisbane might be tempted by Billings, but I don't think he represents an immediate need given they recruited Mayes last year. I'd be surprised if they didn't go Gardiner at their pick. McDonald is a lock, so it is between West Coast and Gold Coast, and I think West coast would rather Lennon, as Billings would be competing for a spot with LeCras.

I revised the draft order and this is what I have come up with.

#1: GWS: Tom Boyd
#2: Melbourne: James Aish
#3: St. Kilda: Matt Scharenberg
#4: Western Bulldogs: Josh Kelly
#5: Carlton: Cameron McCarthy
#6: Brisbane: Darcy Gardiner
#7: North Melbourne: Luke McDonald
#8: West Coast: Ben Lennon
#9: Gold Coast: Jack Billings
#10: GWS: Matt Crouch
#11: Port Adelaide: Kade Kolodjashnij
#12: Richmond: Dom Sheed
#13: Collingwood: Nathan Freeman
#14: Essendon: Luke Dunstan
#15: Fremantle: Trent Dumont
#16: Sydney: Lewis Taylor
#17: Hawthorn: Marcus Bontempelli
#18: Geelong: Christian Salem

 

[Zach Package]

interesting order. particularly McCarthy going higher than I would have thought

I agree with the top 4 though

 

[Livinthedream]

Hey Knightmare....loving your work.

A few questions to pick your brain.

If you were A Hawks recruiter what would you be trying to accomplish in this years draft (try to be specific with potential draftee's if you can) in scenario a) Buddy stays and scenario b) Buddy leaves?

Would you sit tight with pick 20ish and possibly a Buddy compo pick or would you find a way to work your way up the first round order to get amongst the better midfielders?

Would I be correct in saying that Josh Kelly and Matt Crouch are probably the best fits for our short and long term needs and do you think we are any realistic chance of conjuring a trade to get to Josh Kelly or is he simply out of reach and even off the Hawks radar?

Again, put your recruiters hat on and who would realistically be a chance of and be a dream result of slipping to our first pick as the draft order currently stands? Is either of K. Koladjashnij, Sheed or Crouch in the picture here or would you be thinking outside of those?

Cheers mate and keep up the good work. Passing on your research and knowledge in these threads is very much appreciated.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey Knightmare....loving your work.

A few questions to pick your brain.

If you were A Hawks recruiter what would you be trying to accomplish in this years draft (try to be specific with potential draftee's if you can) in scenario a) Buddy stays and scenario b) Buddy leaves?

Would you sit tight with pick 20ish and possibly a Buddy compo pick or would you find a way to work your way up the first round order to get amongst the better midfielders?

Would I be correct in saying that Josh Kelly and Matt Crouch are probably the best fits for our short and long term needs and do you think we are any realistic chance of conjuring a trade to get to Josh Kelly or is he simply out of reach and even off the Hawks radar?

Again, put your recruiters hat on and who would realistically be a chance of and be a dream result of slipping to our first pick as the draft order currently stands? Is either of K. Koladjashnij, Sheed or Crouch in the picture here or would you be thinking outside of those?

Cheers mate and keep up the good work. Passing on your research and knowledge in these threads is very much appreciated.

Regardless of whether Buddy stays/goes I'd be going midfielders. With that premiership window still open perhaps for one more year after this year it's all about the immediate and no young talls are going to help you next year. Additionally with Mitchell, Hodge, Sewell as those key midfielders nearing the end I'd really look to load up on those highest end midfielders you can get your hands on.

The forwardline I feel is fairly settled and exceptionally potent with or without Buddy with the ball movement coming in making things easier but also that balance of talls and smalls still looking strong. Jack Gunston is playing some strong football and these past couple of months seems to have really established himself. Hale is still there as another guy who can play as a 2nd ruck playing primary minutes up forward and Roughead is one of the better key forwards in the competition so you've still got plenty of quality options and having drafted some talls last year you probably want that extra year to assess where they are at to determine whether they have enough talent to eventually break through or not.

Next year while I feel the draft is a weaker one I like next year for KPPs so if at the end of next year the situation is broken down as "we need another key forward or key defender" do it next year would be my answer.

Marcus Bontempelli would be the guy I'd recommend to Hawthorn as that first round selection as a tall midfielder who is developing quicker than just about anyone this year but I'm thinking he may rise beyond the reach of Hawthorn so as those others to look out for: Sheed and Dunstan would be those other midfielders I'd strongly recommend who both really have that proven production behind them and have done terrific things for WA and SA respectively - and best of all it's probably one if not both are available with AFL club scouts liking some others more at this point from reports.

 

[Silvagnis]

Hey Knightmare, I've just done a first round phantom draft. Wondering what you think? I know McCarthy is a bit of a reach, but I think Carlton would be better off taking McCarthy at 5 than trading for Boyd.

If Carlton have the 5th pick, overall, it's hard to see them going past McCarthy and Brisbane might be tempted by Billings

Blindy Freddy could tell you we need a big midfielder and clearance beast. We won't overpay for a tall.

You have us passing on Sheed who made it all the way to Richmond's pick...

Would be shocked if we sunk as low as pick five.

 

[Super Hans]

Crouch would be perfect for Carlton.

 

[Livinthedream]

Regardless of whether Buddy stays/goes I'd be going midfielders. With that premiership window still open perhaps for one more year after this year it's all about the immediate and no young talls are going to help you next year. Additionally with Mitchell, Hodge, Sewell as those key midfielders nearing the end I'd really look to load up on those highest end midfielders you can get your hands on.

The forwardline I feel is fairly settled and exceptionally potent with or without Buddy with the ball movement coming in making things easier but also that balance of talls and smalls still looking strong. Jack Gunston is playing some strong football and these past couple of months seems to have really established himself. Hale is still there as another guy who can play as a 2nd ruck playing primary minutes up forward and Roughead is one of the better key forwards in the competition so you've still got plenty of quality options and having drafted some talls last year you probably want that extra year to assess where they are at to determine whether they have enough talent to eventually break through or not.

Next year while I feel the draft is a weaker one I like next year for KPPs so if at the end of next year the situation is broken down as "we need another key forward or key defender" do it next year would be my answer.

Marcus Bontempelli would be the guy I'd recommend to Hawthorn as that first round selection as a tall midfielder who is developing quicker than just about anyone this year but I'm thinking he may rise beyond the reach of Hawthorn so as those others to look out for: Sheed and Dunstan would be those other midfielders I'd strongly recommend who both really have that proven production behind them and have done terrific things for WA and SA respectively - and best of all it's probably one if not both are available with AFL club scouts liking some others more at this point from reports.

Hey Knihtmare. Did you catch the Phantom Draft on today's episode of TAC Cup Future Stars?
If so, what are your thoughts on the selections and their order? They had Dom Sheed going at Pick 5 and no Bontempelli in the first round.

In your opinion do the Hawks have any hope of sneaking up the first round draft order if Buddy stays? Otherwise I really don't know where our cream of the crop midfielders for 2015 and beyond are coming from. Clearly we'll have salary cap room by then and may look to free agency but that's a big risk in itself. I've been calling for a behind the scenes rebuild for a couple of years now but due to being in the premiership window we keep recruiting senior players approaching 30. I fear we may miss the boat and be coming from a long way back in our next era....something the Cats have not had to worry about for 10 years or so now as they keep introducing talented kids. At the moment I just don't know where ours are going to come from.

How can we get up the draft order?

 

[Knightmare]

Hey Knihtmare. Did you catch the Phantom Draft on today's episode of TAC Cup Future Stars?
If so, what are your thoughts on the selections and their order? They had Dom Sheed going at Pick 5 and no Bontempelli in the first round.

In your opinion do the Hawks have any hope of sneaking up the first round draft order if Buddy stays? Otherwise I really don't know where our cream of the crop midfielders for 2015 and beyond are coming from. Clearly we'll have salary cap room by then and may look to free agency but that's a big risk in itself. I've been calling for a behind the scenes rebuild for a couple of years now but due to being in the premiership window we keep recruiting senior players approaching 30. I fear we may miss the boat and be coming from a long way back in our next era....something the Cats have not had to worry about for 10 years or so now as they keep introducing talented kids. At the moment I just don't know where ours are going to come from.

How can we get up the draft order?

I don't take TAC Cup FS all that seriously.

They really struggle with their prospects outside Victorian and is shows with Jonathon Marsh from what I read somewhere in their top 10 but no mention of Cameron McCarthy who regardless of injury will be that no.2 ranked key forward on almost all draft boards after Tom Boyd.

Bontempelli isn't a consensus 1st round selection yet but one I speculate at seasons end will be and certainly is right up there on my draft board - moving into no.2 for when I next update my power rankings in a week or two.

Clubs are often reluctant to trade their early draft selections off. Unless you trade a Grant Birchall, Jarryd Roughead, Isaac Smith or Jordan Lewis it's going to be difficult to see too many clubs willing to trade their first round selections.

I agree with your view of Hawthorn's youth. That strength is really in those established players and the list situation is almost while not as bad, not entirely unlike St Kilda after the 2010 season where things may soon fall apart once those veterans start to decline in a year or two.

My recommendation is to draft best available. I'd go Bontempelli if there, Nathan Freeman also if there would be a strong selection but Sheed and Dunstan I'm pretty confident at this point one or the other should be available at that Hawthorn selection. I know that's what I'd be looking at in Collingwood's situation those 5 or so selections earlier.
Talking to other scouts as well performed as Sheed is most seem to rate both he and even Dunstan as guys who should go somewhere around that pick 20 mark - with clubs looking for quicker mids mostly it seems this year.
So there will no question be midfield options. 2nd round also there are some guys with something: Cripps, Jansen and Merlo come to mind. So it's a good year if you're looking for midfielders and first and second round even selecting late if you're looking at the right guys the opportunity is there to get some very good midfielders.

Geelong come draft time are the best in the business. Like no other team they just capitalise on the value that's there and take best available it seems at times almost no matter what and really come up with some excellent selections.

 

[Chris25]

They really struggle with their prospects outside Victorian and is shows with Jonathon Marsh from what I read somewhere in their top 10 but no mention of Cameron McCarthy who regardless of injury will be that no.2 ranked key forward on almost all draft boards after Tom Boyd.

Nothing wrong with that in my opinion. Marsh is in a different category to Boyd and McCarthy, and would be well in the mix for top 10.

 

[Knightmare]

Nothing wrong with that in my opinion. Marsh is in a different category to Boyd and McCarthy, and would be well in the mix for top 10.

We've had some dominant short key forwards but with Marsh at 191cm as a guy who is a below average mark, as explosive as he is I'd be very surprised to see him land anywhere in the 1st round with history telling us that these types always slide further than expected, I can only assume the same will happen again this year so I can't say I agree.

 

[Chris25]

But that's suggesting he is solely a key forward. His value as a tall midfielder can't be underestimated. Much like Bontempelli. Also I'd suggest he is a better than average mark, it's certainly improved this season.

 

[Knightmare]

But that's suggesting he is solely a key forward. His value as a tall midfielder can't be underestimated. Much like Bontempelli. Also I'd suggest he is a better than average mark, it's certainly improved this season.

Through the champs I've been pretty disappointed with his marking ability and through colts his best for the season is only the 6 marks which is less than impressive. He's not at all a contested marking target and relies on his pace where he can generate that seperation to take his marks as more that Chris Tarrant styled leading half forward though without those same strong hands.

Marsh is someone where he may very well develop into a midfielder or back flanker, I have to agree. But in the small sample I've seen of him through the midfield he's really struggled to firstly win his own footy but even getting his hands on it seemed a problem for him which has disappointed me. Perhaps with further improvement that changes but unlike Bontempelli, Marsh is more a guy who has potential and does have his point of different with his incredible pace at his size but he's not nearly a sure thing with no clear position or role where he looks particularly outstanding at this point.

I do have to congratulate you on your call earlier in the year of Bontempelli though. He's looking excellent through the midfield and as that taller midfielder I share your vision of his game and I now also view him as the second best player in this draft and the guy with possibly the highest ceiling of the lot the way he is developing through the midfield.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Hey KM,

you've recently mentioned on several occasions the desire for clubs to look for 'quick' midfielders this year, thus dropping the likes of Sheed and Dunstan in your draft order. Of the high quality mids (first 2 rounds say), who would you rank as the top 5 - 10 in terms of pure speed?

Also, does this change any club's view on Dayle Garlett? As someone who offers genuine leg speed, does it drive his demand higher? (incidentally, he kicked another 5 in the WAFL yesterday, for 36 in 13 games).

Cheers

 

[Knightmare]

Hey KM,

you've recently mentioned on several occasions the desire for clubs to look for 'quick' midfielders this year, thus dropping the likes of Sheed and Dunstan in your draft order. Of the high quality mids (first 2 rounds say), who would you rank as the top 5 - 10 in terms of pure speed?

Also, does this change any club's view on Dayle Garlett? As someone who offers genuine leg speed, does it drive his demand higher? (incidentally, he kicked another 5 in the WAFL yesterday, for 36 in 13 games).

Cheers

Jack Martin if he was available would be the quickest.
1. Nathan Freeman
2. Lewis Taylor
3. Jonathan Marsh
4. Billy Hartung
5. James Aish

On Garlett I still can't say with any certainty as talented as he is that he even gets drafted. You want to bring guys into your club who will not be problem guys and I'm not convinced Garlett has proved that yet.

Garlett has the opportunity to get drafted but I wouldn't bet on him going early.

 

[Zakk Wylde]

How is Kolodjashnij pronounced ??

 

[Igloo]

How is Kolodjashnij pronounced ??

Kolo-jazz-nee

 

[Mitchell08]

Hey Knightmare
In your description of Nathan Freeman it seems like he is in more the mould of Jack Steven, in that when he gets the ball he can explode away from his opponents but then doesn't really know what to do with it after that. Is that a fair assessment?

 

[borderbarry]

Hey Knightmare
In your description of Nathan Freeman it seems like he is in more the mould of Jack Steven, in that when he gets the ball he can explode away from his opponents but then doesn't really know what to do with it after that. Is that a fair assessment?

I dont even think it is a fair assessment of Jack Steven.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Hey KM,

you've recently mentioned on several occasions the desire for clubs to look for 'quick' midfielders this year, thus dropping the likes of Sheed and Dunstan in your draft order. Of the high quality mids (first 2 rounds say), who would you rank as the top 5 - 10 in terms of pure speed?

Also, does this change any club's view on Dayle Garlett? As someone who offers genuine leg speed, does it drive his demand higher? (incidentally, he kicked another 5 in the WAFL yesterday, for 36 in 13 games).

Cheers

No questions Dayle has Rd 1 talent but can tell you a couple of clubs have put a line through drafting him irrespective of results in the WAFL.

My understanding is he is heading in the right direction though with his off field stuff so dont be surprised if he lands. How high he goes will depend on how many clubs chase him and to early for that to be known. Swan Districts have worked with him and he is going well. Not about footy for Dayle as we know.

The view of a number of clubs is the talent pool isnt real deep so again dont be surprised if does go earlier than people think.

 

[george2]

No questions Dayle has Rd 1 talent but can tell you a couple of clubs have put a line through drafting him irrespective of results in the WAFL.

My understanding is he is heading in the right direction though with his off field stuff so dont be surprised if he lands. How high he goes will depend on how many clubs chase him and to early for that to be known. Swan Districts have worked with him and he is going well. Not about footy for Dayle as we know.

The view of a number of clubs is the talent pool isnt real deep so again dont be surprised if does go earlier than people think.

When will you be doing your mock draft Snoop Dog? I always look forward to reading yours each year

 

[Mitchell08]

I dont even think it is a fair assessment of Jack Steven.

Maybe a bit harsh on jack but he does need to improve his decision making and sometimes kicking