Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2015 Draft Almanac

[Rack Watts]

If Burton was injury free where would he go in the draft?

Top 5, on talent, surely.

 

[Mullayo]

My phantom draft is what I'm expecting clubs do on draft day - with a complete disregard for my own personal opinions.

Weitering's draft position won't be affected and will remain number one, Curnow may drop but is still a first round selection. As for where I rate them in my power rankings. Curnow I've mostly rated lower with his finals performances with his limited mobility shown, but also a lack of certainty of a best position having never proven himself as a midfielder (people speculate he can play midfield where he hasn't had the chance to play this season) and up forward as an undersized type I'm still not sure of a best position, then his numbers overall have been mild without being dominant, so I can't justify rating him as high as his projected draft position suggests he should. As for Weitering I'm not convinced he'll be the best in the draft, I'm just not seeing any recent key defender who has been that best player in the draft and I'm increasingly high on Hopper and Oliver as talents. A further thing with Weitering in his interviews, he just doesn't feel like one of those better few in the game players, I also don't sense that extreme hunger to be great, and he seems like a general professional but I think he'll may be satisfied with being very good more so than great.

Hopper and Kennedy will absolutely require top 10 selections to take and Essendon are expected to bid on both. They need those dominant contested ball winning mids and both are better than the available alternatives.

Thanks Knightmare,
Informed and gracious as usual.
I might have to do some maths.

 

[Mullayo]

Don't you mean Weideman tested poorly?

Sorry got the names confused. Not following it so closely this year. Next to no chance of us picking outside our academies makes it kind of boring.

 

[lionshine]

Any chance for Michael Hagan to be picked up Knightmare ? Perhaps as a rookie selection?

 

[Keystone agony]

Whats Bonners endurance like?

Seems the bombers are keen at 24/25 if available however if we take both Francis and Bonner than youd ideally want at least onento become a midfielder.

Was wondering if Bonner could become a true Wingman. Whats his running like? No afl wingers have bad endurance they are all the elite in running at their respective clubs

 

[kangatragic]

Hi Knightmare do you think Ben Mckay can develop into a key forward. What are his leading patterns

 

[kangatragic]

Also your thoughts on Buzza. Does look a likely type on the clips I've seen of him

 

[Knightmare]

Could Sam Skinner play games next year?

Sounds like he could

I wouldn't expect so. Other than Weitering no other young key position player looks AFL ready at this stage.

 

[Knightmare]

If Burton was injury free where would he go in the draft?

Burton would be an assumed top 10 selection if he was healthy and played the full season. He may still go top 15 and if not then probably top 20 still.

Any chance for Michael Hagan to be picked up Knightmare ? Perhaps as a rookie selection?

Probably more of a rookie selection for Hagan. He has some acceleration, but only invited to the state screenings so only a small few clubs will consider.

Whats Bonners endurance like?

Seems the bombers are keen at 24/25 if available however if we take both Francis and Bonner than youd ideally want at least onento become a midfielder.

Was wondering if Bonner could become a true Wingman. Whats his running like? No afl wingers have bad endurance they are all the elite in running at their respective clubs

Bonner has good endurance and can plausibly play on a wing.

Bonner isn't expected to get through to Essendon's 3rd and 4th selections so I wouldn't be betting on getting him. But he can play on a wing or flank comfortably.

Francis is probably a 3rd tall defender first who can be forward or wherever else he is required.

Hi Knightmare do you think Ben Mckay can develop into a key forward. What are his leading patterns

Ben McKay could develop into either a key forward or key defender. It's up to the interpretation of the club that selects him. Leading patterns below-average and made worse by a terrible lack of pace or ability to create separation. So he is very much someone who will have to up forward get it done through a contested marking superiority.

Also your thoughts on Buzza. Does look a likely type on the clips I've seen of him

Buzza shows some flashes and is a nice height/size. Offers good activity and was pretty reasonably through the u18 championships. As a rookie he would be a possible choice as a key forward.

 

[SABlue]

To my untrained eye Oliver would be pushing for no.1 if Weitering didn't get such a big head start. Do you agree KM?

 

[toxic]

KM is there a chance Nic Holman could be redrafted?

 

[Knightmare]

To my untrained eye Oliver would be pushing for no.1 if Weitering didn't get such a big head start. Do you agree KM?

Even playing u18 championships, being a part of the AIS AFL Academy etc I'd still expect Oliver to be pick 4 rather than pick 1. He just might be more of a more of a consensus top four selection would probably be more the difference.

 

[Knightmare]

KM is there a chance Nic Holman could be redrafted?

Rookie chance only is my expectation if selected.

 

[Bicks]

I wouldn't expect so. Other than Weitering no other young key position player looks AFL ready at this stage.

Kieran Collins?

 

[Knightmare]

Kieran Collins?

Big body but I wouldn't want him playing next year. He'll be badly found out for speed/agility early days until he improves his conditioning I'm anticipating.

 

[Jeremy Allen]

Who do you think will win Rising Star next year?

 

[Knightmare]

Who do you think will win Rising Star next year?

Someone out of a previous draft would be my guess at this stage.

Such an unpredictable award I prefer to stay away from it.

Who had Hogan and Cripps top two last year?

I'd just say stay away from the rising star betting as a rule.

 

[PerthBoy87]

Hawthorn's interest is pretty much why Hinchcliffe continued on with footy this year. Will be interested to see if they think he's done enough.

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/s...-hinchliffe-hopes-footy-was-the-right-choice/

Ive umpired Hinchcliffe in 1st Grade in WA Premier cricket, good cricket player and can play footy well too. Nice guy as well. Hope he goes well.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

I wouldn't expect so. Other than Weitering no other young key position player looks AFL ready at this stage.

Collins will play next year , man child

 

[Knightmare]

Surely Richmond don't pick Rioli at 12 (15). Just coming to you Knightmare for reassurance.

You're not going to like my next update Finn.

The talk is Richmond most want Ah Chee and would also take Milera if there but failing those guys Rioli based on the media rumours looks like the guy with Richmond clearly targeting a small forward. Ryan Burton and Jade Gresham have also been mentioned as others who Richmond may pick in the scenario Ah Chee and Milera are not available. But they're the guys mostly being mentioned and linked to Richmond's first selection.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Knightmare - whats with all these phantoms Qualye, Anderson (Twomey?) Having Ah Chee going to GC at #6 - surely not, they couldnt be that silly could they?

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare - whats with all these phantoms Qualye, Anderson (Twomey?) Having Ah Chee going to GC at #6 - surely not, they couldnt be that silly could they?

Gold Coast love their indigenous talent and Bennell is gone so they'll be looking for some kind of replacement.

I'm with you that Gold Coast's first selection is WAY TOO HIGH for Ah Chee. But he is the guy the reports are saying they like and probably take. So phantom drafts will reflect that feel.
Milera and Weideman are the two others who feel like chances, but secondary preferences to Ah Chee by the sound of it.

 

[Rack Watts]

I wouldn't expect so. Other than Weitering no other young key position player looks AFL ready at this stage.

I thought Weideman might?

 

[Knightmare]

I thought Weideman might?

If he gets games he'll be ineffective as with all other first year key forwards.

 

[Glenny83]

KM is this the most difficult year to put a Phantom order together you've had? Also, can you let us know when your final is completed?