Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2013 phantom draft

[dytronik]

Hi Knightmare do you think it's possible that Richmond would go for Freeman? An explosive outside type would compliment the midfield group or do you think they would go for a slider in Sheed, Dumont or Dunstan?

 

[Knightmare]

How do you assess the swans priorities for the trade period and their first rounder? do the swans recruit a "type"?
What would be the dream/ the slider type picks on their radar and then the more likely picks?
Garlett would be a possible project for a club like SSMFC too.

thanks pal

Best available in the 1st round is always the way to go.

You don't just add Graham Polak because you need a tall when Chris Judd is available. And when picking late in the 1st round Geelong in particular and Collingwood last year are those models clubs should base themselves on just picking the best available players.

Sydney are the premier traders of the competition so I'd use that avenue to address needs. Perhaps a back flanker is something that is targetted at the trade table or some other defender is looked at with Shaw and Malceski nearing the end - perhaps a Cameron Eardley or the recently delisted Joel Wilkinson as shutdown types, maybe an Arryn Siposs if looking for more of a rebounder. Perhaps Sydney decide that it's time to grab that next generation ruckman, Zac Smith coming off that ACL would be an interesting target with the way Nicholls established himself late season and Dixon has been performing. I'm sure Sydney will find value in another underappreciated talent as happens most years and it's an avenue in Sydney's situation I'd continue with.

When talking a late round slider Luke Reynolds is one who may slide who I think may present some real value if he makes it into the 3rd round. Nicholas Robertson as a slider around that 3rd round mark would also be an excellent get.

Hey Knighter...(or anyone else for that matter ) Be interested to find out your thoughts on Matthew boag from the geelong falcons, In particular is he more a midsized foward or a mid???

Boag is a very strong body. I hoped to see him in the midfield this year and I think recruiters will probably be asking whether they think he can play through the midfield.
He's in a similar position to Pongracic last year. He's probably passed on but at his size as a strong body he's intriguing none the less and if a club if they are looking for a strong bodied forward he's one of the first guys on that shortlist.

 

[Knightmare]

Hi Knightmare do you think it's possible that Richmond would go for Freeman? An explosive outside type would compliment the midfield group or do you think they would go for a slider in Sheed, Dumont or Dunstan?

Either/or are possibilities and Richmond could go either way.

Freeman I consider more inside anyway, he's just an explosive type who breaks away and uses it well by foot.

If I had that group to choose from perhaps Sheed would be my selection. He's not only one of the best performed mids in the country but he's also excellent forward of centre and has some versatility. Richmond are coming into that premiership window and I sense Freeman might take a touch longer to establish himself so I'd go for the immediate impact which late 1st round is never a bad route to go.

 

[Ethicz]

Hey KM, is Aish a lock for pick #2 for Melbourne, or would they still be tossing up who to take with that pick. Thanks.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey KM, is Aish a lock for pick #2 for Melbourne, or would they still be tossing up who to take with that pick. Thanks.

More likely than not he's pick 2 but not locked in yet.

A new coach may have some say. Paul Roos likes his strong bodies inside so that might be the one scenario where a different route may be explored but I'd still be surprised to see Aish not go at pick 2 as that consensus no.2 ranked talent and someone who can add running and class which they need more than anything.

 

[fronkalicious]

More likely than not he's pick 2 but not locked in yet.

A new coach may have some say. Paul Roos likes his strong bodies inside so that might be the one scenario where a different route may be explored but I'd still be surprised to see Aish not go at pick 2.

If melbourne pass, would it be a lock that st kilda took him? Dogs fan hoping not!

 

[Knightmare]

If melbourne pass, would it be a lock that st kilda took him? Dogs fan hoping not!

St Kilda more likely than not would take him if he's there but funnier things happen. GWS took O'Rourke and Plowman at 2 and 3 so funnier things have happened. I just wouldn't bet on it.

 

[BracedMantis05]

if melbourne do pass on aish at pick 2, who do they take assuming boyd goes at pick 1?

 

[JDC!]

Knightmare, in your opinion do you think it is possible that no NT player gets picked up this year?

I think Rioli and Tipungwuti are the most talented but both of those are far from certainties to get drafted. Marlon Motlop as a mature age recruit could be a smokey after some impressive form in the WAFL for Peel Thunder.

 

[Reptilia]

St Kilda more likely than not would take him if he's there but funnier things happen. GWS took O'Rourke and Plowman at 2 and 3 so funnier things have happened. I just wouldn't bet on it.

who was expected to go at 2 and three last year?

 

[Chris25]

Knightmare, in your opinion do you think it is possible that no NT player gets picked up this year?

I think Rioli and Tipungwuti are the most talented but both of those are far from certainties to get drafted. Marlon Motlop as a mature age recruit could be a smokey after some impressive form in the WAFL for Peel Thunder.

Three best players from NT for me are Erinn Wasley-Black, Jordan Wilson-King and Daniel Cox. If I had to guess, I would say someone will trade with GWS for the rights to Wasley-Black prior to the draft. He has the most value of all the NT boys, and looks like he could be a real player off half back. While I think Cox (and maybe Jarrod Stokes) will get rookied, with teams hoping for a similar impact to Jake Neade. I would consider Neil Vea Vea as a smokey come the rookie draft too, could see a team trying to develop the 188cm ruckman into a big leaping medium forward.

As for Jordan Wilson-King, he spent a season on Fremantle's rookie list but was delisted after that single season. He showed some really good signs, but was inconsistent and struggled with the whole workload. But he moved back to the NT from SA halfway through this season, and has easily been their best player since then. Playing across the half back line, he has rebounded well and has also played on taller opponents - he beat the 192cm Aaron Cornelius (Jordan is 180cm) a couple of weeks ago. He still wants another shot at the top level, and I think the Suns would be well worth taking a look at him.

Willy Rioli will probably get a look in as a rookie, he's been in good form in the WAFL. I also agree with you about Marlon Motlop, he deserves another shot.

 

[BrockBlitz]

who was expected to go at 2 and three last year?

from memory it was meant to be out of tompas , grundy and wines for the 2 & 3 spots..

 

[Reptilia]

Knightmare ... have you ever heard of a player in their interview saying "I want to go to the bulldogs/collingwood etc" and not wanting to get drafted by any club. is this possible? Say tom Boyd said to every club that interviewed him "I want to go to Carlton"

 

[philthy05]

Knightmare ... have you ever heard of a player in their interview saying "I want to go to the bulldogs/collingwood etc" and not wanting to get drafted by any club. is this possible? Say tom Boyd said to every club that interviewed him "I want to go to Carlton"

get up tomorrow before the sun comes up and run 10 kilometres. now do that for 2 years. now imagine what kind if motivation it would take you to summon so much effort and repeat that effort every day even when you feel you dont want to. now imagine doing it without any motivation. hard to imagine?

you know how hard these guys work to get drafted?

 

[Reptilia]

get up tomorrow before the sun comes up and run 10 kilometres. now do that for 2 years. now imagine what kind if motivation it would take you to summon so much effort and repeat that effort every day even when you feel you dont want to. now imagine doing it without any motivation. hard to imagine?

you know how hard these guys work to get drafted?

This does not answer my question. What if they know their talent and its a top 10 pick and wanted to go to their club of choice. If this player said i only want to play for 'this' team.. why would any other club take him?

 

[JasRulz63]

A bit like Elliott Kavanagh from two years ago (I think that was more so his father)?

 

[JDC!]

Three best players from NT for me are Erinn Wasley-Black, Jordan Wilson-King and Daniel Cox. If I had to guess, I would say someone will trade with GWS for the rights to Wasley-Black prior to the draft. He has the most value of all the NT boys, and looks like he could be a real player off half back. While I think Cox (and maybe Jarrod Stokes) will get rookied, with teams hoping for a similar impact to Jake Neade. I would consider Neil Vea Vea as a smokey come the rookie draft too, could see a team trying to develop the 188cm ruckman into a big leaping medium forward.

As for Jordan Wilson-King, he spent a season on Fremantle's rookie list but was delisted after that single season. He showed some really good signs, but was inconsistent and struggled with the whole workload. But he moved back to the NT from SA halfway through this season, and has easily been their best player since then. Playing across the half back line, he has rebounded well and has also played on taller opponents - he beat the 192cm Aaron Cornelius (Jordan is 180cm) a couple of weeks ago. He still wants another shot at the top level, and I think the Suns would be well worth taking a look at him.

Willy Rioli will probably get a look in as a rookie, he's been in good form in the WAFL. I also agree with you about Marlon Motlop, he deserves another shot.

Thanks for the reply mate.

Wasley-Black is probably the highest rated out of all the prospects this year due to his involvement in the AIS and a couple of other things. He works hard and probably has the determination to make it but he hasn't been in great form since the Championships. I'm not sure what feature of his game is a real standout.

Cox is a livewire at times and I know for a fact that he has been in contact with a number of AFL clubs so perhaps someone will take the punt on him. My only concern is perhaps his lack of exposure at senior level. He only played mainly U18s football in the NTFL in Darwin and no doubt he was a handy player at that level but I'd love to see him play consistent senior football. He had one game with NT Thunder and has been playing for Sydney Swans reserves I think.

Jarrod Stokes is quick and evasive but doesn't have the skills of Rioli or Tipungwuti so that's why I'd rate him third out of those three as small forward options.

I'd be shocked if Vea Vea got drafted. He has come on in leaps and bounds over the last twelve months but he is still a raw prospect and his skills would be a long way off AFL level. He probably needs to prove that he can play in other positions at a lower level.

Wilson-King is an interesting one. He said it was a numbers game that got him delisted at the Dockers and he may have been correct because his WAFL form with South Fremantle wasn't too bad. He has returned to play with NT Thunder and been good picking up a lot of the football and often playing undersized at CHB. I'd like to see him more committed and perhaps make a few lifestyle changes as I think he has the ability to deserve a chance at another shot.

So yeah, Rioli and Tipungwuti for mine, possibly Wilson-King. In reality I think Cox may get rookie listed.

 

[philthy05]

very good players work hard to be that good. very hard workers dont tend to have the kind of attitude you are suggesting.

the reason why a club wouldnt take that player would have nothing to do with whether they have a question of will he play for us, but does he have the drive to be successful in the afl.

what you are proposing is vastly improbable , because anyone good enough to be worth a high pick but thinks they are good enough to say no to team before he even starts a pre-season will most likely never actually make it in a professional sports environment anyway. that ignoring the improbability of a guy like that making it to that stage to begin with. those guys are the ones who fall away in their draft year while the ones that really want it at any cost bust their guts for their dream.

 

[ash84]

KM how do u see the draft changing with essendons picks?
Will they trade back into rd1?

 

[Wizard17]

KM how do u see the draft changing with essendons picks?
Will they trade back into rd1?

They might get into early round two (Bellchamber to GWS , Cramery to Dogs) but I just can't see them getting into round one.

Anyways, Knightmare Is there any chance that the Dogs could use pick 56 or whatever pick we have around there now for Willsmore? Would really want to see this guy across half forward using that booming kick heard he has or even play off a wing if he has the tank for it.

 

[Wizard17]

if melbourne do pass on aish at pick 2, who do they take assuming boyd goes at pick 1?

A Clearance winning mid, Crouch I'd say as he would be the only one apart from maybe Sheed which would fit into that classification. Melbourne are better off calling out Aish's name even though as a dogs supporter I want him to fall to four.

 

[perodi]

Hey knightmare,
Who do u think the lions will take with their picks?
Im hoping we could get Dom sheed and cam McCarthy.
That's just my opinion of course.

 

[Knightmare]

if melbourne do pass on aish at pick 2, who do they take assuming boyd goes at pick 1?

If I was picking I'd probably go Crouch. He's the safest pick. He's not as explosive or as good as his brother but he's another Oliver Wines. He'll dominate inside and be one of the best in the draft and will play excellent footy right away.

Knightmare, in your opinion do you think it is possible that no NT player gets picked up this year?

I think Rioli and Tipungwuti are the most talented but both of those are far from certainties to get drafted. Marlon Motlop as a mature age recruit could be a smokey after some impressive form in the WAFL for Peel Thunder.

There may not be any NT players picked up.

I'm a Jarrod Stokes man. I'd love him as a rookie. So fast. Tackling pressure is excellent. Not as skilled as some others but he's a better ball user and finisher than he was.

Tipungwuti maybe. Good forward and back and has continued his improvement this year.

Wasley-Black is that other one I'd have in the maybe basket. I just haven't seen him produce to the level I'd like so I'd probably like to see another year and some further development first.

Cox has been impressive but with so many smalls in this draft I don't see who you pick him before.

Rioli is an incredible talent but he hasn't put in the work this year so I'd pass.

who was expected to go at 2 and three last year?

Toumpas and Grundy for much of the season were the two most talked about as those probable picks 2+3.

Knightmare ... have you ever heard of a player in their interview saying "I want to go to the bulldogs/collingwood etc" and not wanting to get drafted by any club. is this possible? Say tom Boyd said to every club that interviewed him "I want to go to Carlton"

A young Nathan Buckley certainly did. He really wanted to come to a Victorian club to experience the culture you can only experience in Melbourne and decided on Collingwood being a big club and thinking that he'd experience premiership success. We obviously know how that ended but early career it really damaged his reputation and while he turned it around it's still not something you want to be associated with.

KM how do u see the draft changing with essendons picks?
Will they trade back into rd1?

It depends entirely on whether there is and list movement.

Crameri has been rumoured to be on the move to WBD. Given he drug saga there may be some other players considering making a move so there is that opportunity to trade back into the 1st round.

They might get into early round two (Bellchamber to GWS , Cramery to Dogs) but I just can't see them getting into round one.

Anyways, Knightmare Is there any chance that the Dogs could use pick 56 or whatever pick we have around there now for Willsmore? Would really want to see this guy across half forward using that booming kick heard he has or even play off a wing if he has the tank for it.

Willsmore may be available but he's quickly rising up the rankings after this past month he's had. A month ago I would have said he'd be available but if he keeps up his current form he'll go somewhere in the 2nd round.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey knightmare,
Who do u think the lions will take with their picks?
Im hoping we could get Dom sheed and cam McCarthy.
That's just my opinion of course.

McCarthy I don't see dropping into the second round. A Cameron Conlon or Mitch Harvey is more likely if looking for a tall.

Sheed would be a good get 1st round.

I'd be picking Matt Crouch to add some inside grunt but Sheed, Dumont or Dunstan could equally be strong choices.

 

[Reptilia]

Knightmare thankyou for your reply. Hmm i wonder if it would be seen as bad if Boyd said "i love carlton so much i really want to play for them.. it would kill me to put on any other teams jumper." and not in a smug way like Nathan Buckley did.

Sorry for crapping on about this if the subject bores you.