Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2015 Draft Almanac

[Since 2001]

What time is the draft tonight.

Also how do you watch if you don't have foxtel. thanks

 

[blueiris]

What time is the draft tonight.

Also how do you watch if you don't have foxtel. thanks

It might be on the AFL Website but you may have to pay for a live feed I also think it starts at 7pm that's obviously eastern state daylight saving time

 

[Mr MysteryGuest]

People thought gold coast would take him a few weeks ago, and would allow ah chee to slip to richmond. That would be ideal you get burton, we get ah chee, gold coast get milera

that wouldn't be ideal to us, we want Milera more.

 

[Knightmare]

KM - your thoughts on freo's picks...

A lot of phantom drafts have us taking half backers... Yet everyone knows we need KPP, specifically forwards

Your thoughts?

I anticipate Fremantle will go for talls if practical, but the issue will be whether suitable key position players (and as you identified specifically forwards) are available. And with Schache, Weideman, Curnow, Burton, the McKay boys, Hipwood, Himmelberg potentially all gone, it's slim pickings and may mean Skinner/Glass-McCasker maybe Mitch Brown as a mature ager are more probable picks, though Ben McKay along with Skinner is a possible.

KM who would you rank as your top 5 players in terms of fantasy points in 2016, ie who will play and fill the stat sheet?

In 2016 - C.Oliver, Parish, R.Mathieson, Gresham, Lovell. The issue is so much of it comes down to the team picking. If Hopper for eg and same story with Mills, I'd list them instead, but it's going to be hard to get games and regular midfield minutes on GWS and Sydney.

Let them get drafted to their various clubs and I'll be able to give you a better answer.

KM, we often hear about a player's excellent finish to the year (i.e. the last few games sometimes) that really got the recruiters excited rather than his performance over a whole year. Is this the case with Rioli?

Rioli has been flashes. Poor production. Had a good final v Geelong Falcons with 4 goals but I wouldn't necessarily say his late season form was so outstanding that he suddenly rose up the draft order.

Aaron Francis
Darcy Parish
Mitchell Hibberd
Rhys Mathison

That's what dreams are made of, Hope you're right mate.

It would be a dream outcome for Essendon with some serious sliders.

There are always some sliders and Hibberd and Mathieson may be among those. But such an unknown at that stage who will get through after around pick 15 this year.

Hey KM

Just like to know your thoughts on a few lesser like/spruiked players & their likelihood of being drafted/rookied:

Lachie Tardrew
Lachlan Walker
Tom Phillips
Nick O'Kearney
Matthew Nunn
Mitch King
Cameron Hewett
Nick Coughlan

Apologies if this has already been asked.

Thanks in advance.

Of those I look at Phillips as a genuine chance to be AFL relevant as a versatile type with excellent production but then also nice skills and pace. Coughlan as a key defender I like with his rate of improvement and solid play at VFL level. O'Kearney and Hewett of those others also look to have a chance as 50/50s. The others have less than a 50% chance to get drafted.

That is an interesting interpretation of the Weitering interviews in the press. To me it seems like he is totally focused on being the best player he can be and bringing out the best in others around him. Doesn't come across as someone like say Bryce Gibbs, who I feel is happy to just be a good player.

People always go on about how you can get good tall defenders late in the draft but redo recent drafts and players like Rance, Hurley and Talia should have gone much higher than they did. Quality key defenders are under rated.

Weitering comes across as professional - general hard worker and well supported by family so he should remain stable and could be a part of a leadership group. Weitering can make it into that conversation with Rance, Hurley, Talia, Hooker among the other better key defenders.

In saying that there is a degree of introvertedness that the "great ones" don't tend to have - and to a greater extent than an Ablett or Judd where they're just generally quiet, those guys have more of a swagger. He lacks that arrogance. Capable leader on field who does his job from that standpoint, gives team mates encouragement etc. Very humble which is good. But he just doesn't feel like someone who will "be the saviour" for Carlton. Not that one guy ever is in the AFL, other than Mumford for GWS anyway who seems to be the difference between winning a losing.

Yeah Essendon just casually locking in 4 players rated top 15 after the championships! Do you really think Hibberd and Mathieson will slip that far KM?

It's a possibility but it's only a possibility. Someone from that top 30 has to fall. B.McKay, Skinner, Cuningham are some others who may fall and be there in the place of Hibberd or Mathieson. Hibberd and Mathieson are among those "possibles" and Essendon have a chance to potentially capitalise on some value as per last year.

 

[Milanista28]

Just a big thank you to Knightmare from all of us mere mortals, Without you mate we'd all be much less informed. Cheers for all the effort mate.

 

[year of the cat]

Just a big thank you to Knightmare from all of us mere mortals, Without you mate we'd all be much less informed. Cheers for all the effort mate.

Most selfless poster on BigFooty.

 

[scanlon]

Most selfless poster on BigFooty.

Knows more than most journalists and he does it for free

 

[Punchy Demons]

Of those I look at Phillips as a genuine chance to be AFL relevant as a versatile type with excellent production but then also nice skills and pace. Coughlan as a key defender I like with his rate of improvement and solid play at VFL level. O'Kearney and Hewett of those others also look to have a chance as 50/50s. The others have less than a 50% chance to get drafted.

What's the knock Tardrew? His numbers seem very good, decent size although light weight

 

[LegendLewis]

Cheers Knightmare!!!!
Been a great read and invaluable source of info!

 

[Knightmare]

What's the knock Tardrew? His numbers seem very good, decent size although light weight

Can find the footy but what is his point of difference at AFL level that will separate him from others? That's the question AFL recruiters will be asking of Tardrew. Not a big guy. Not a freak athlete. Not a freakishly skilled guy. Not a freakish contested ball winner. Not a dominant contested mark. Not a high scoreboard impact type.

 

[bobs head soup]

KM, are you still happy with your draft of yesterday? Any last minute changes?

 

[Knightmare]

KM, are you still happy with your draft of yesterday? Any last minute changes?

I'm toying with a few changes such as: Ryan Burton to Carlton at 11, H.McKay Adelaide at 17, Hibberd to Gold Coast at 20, Balic to NM at 22, Bonner to WBD at 26, B.McKay to Freo at 27, Tucker to WCE at 28, Skinner to Ess at 30.

I may pull the trigger over the coming minutes depending on how daring I'm feeling.

EDIT: Page one phantom draft now updated.

 

[scanlon]

I'm toying with a few changes such as: Ryan Burton to Carlton at 11, H.McKay Adelaide at 17, Hibberd to Gold Coast at 20, Balic to NM at 22, Bonner to WBD at 26, B.McKay to Freo at 27, Tucker to WCE at 28, Skinner to Ess at 30.

I may pull the trigger over the coming minutes depending on how daring I'm feeling.

EDIT: Page one phantom draft now updated.

Final update?
What makes you think Essendon will take the risk on Skinner? Hear we're pretty keen on Aidyn Johnson

 

[Knightmare]

Final update?
What makes you think Essendon will take the risk on Skinner? Hear we're pretty keen on Aidyn Johnson

Probably is my final update on page one - until I get cold feet or hear something even more last minute.

There has been some talk of Aidyn Johnson possibly going inside the 20s. So not out of the question Essendon take him and others probably also consider him prior to Essendon's pick.

Essendon need size and Skinner is being considered by WBD and Fremantle, so Essendon getting him would not be a surprising result.

 

[scanlon]

Probably is my final update on page one - until I get cold feet or hear something even more last minute.

There has been some talk of Aidyn Johnson possibly going inside the 20s. So not out of the question Essendon take him and others probably also consider him prior to Essendon's pick.

Essendon need size and Skinner is being considered by WBD and Fremantle, so Essendon getting him would not be a surprising result.

Fair enough. Im expecting Doggies to snare him. Cheers for all your efforts this year mate

 

[Punchy Demons]

Can find the footy but what is his point of difference at AFL level that will separate him from others? That's the question AFL recruiters will be asking of Tardrew. Not a big guy. Not a freak athlete. Not a freakishly skilled guy. Not a freakish contested ball winner. Not a dominant contested mark. Not a high scoreboard impact type.

Cheers KM

Love your work & willingness to answer all our questions. You are a good man!

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

KM can you compare Harry McKay to Tom Boyd?

 

[Knightmare]

KM can you compare Harry McKay to Tom Boyd?

They're not overly similar.

Boyd is a big, towering contested mark.

McKay like Boyd is tall but is more an athletic key forward without the contested marking/strength or production to nearly the same level.

 

[spenze]

KM, who is Tom Doodee?

 

[Knightmare]

KM, who is Tom Doodee?

Doedee is a medium-tall shutdown general defender. Something like an Alan Toovey equivalent from the TAC Cup.

Will be interesting to hear Adelaide's justification behind the selection.

 

[Schraderbrau]

KM, who is Sier?

 

[citizen-erased]

You've won lotto if that 4 came your way!
Personally I couldn't see Bonner & Hibberd getting past pick 20 in a fit.

apparently, we don't want to win the lotto. it was right there!

 

[Housey]

Brandon White- Anyone have details on him? Good pick up?

 

[Knightmare]

KM, who is Sier?

A tall, big bodied midfielder (190cm, 91kg). Only played the two TAC Cup games and production has been mild. Have not sighted him, so I won't hate on the selection for Collingwood.

On this occasion I'll defer to SEN's Brett Anderson:
Brayden SIER
Northern Knights | 12/12/97 | Ht: 190 | Wt: 91
“Brayden is a late developer who played for Marcellin and won their bets and fairest – he had been in our squads as an under-15, but he was a little bit chubbier and heavier then, and he kind of hadn’t grown. He’s a big-bodied mid with good vision, good hands, kicks the ball well and is a really good size and shape now. He only played a couple of games, but he’s created a lot of interest.“ – Northern Knights’ talent manager Peter Kennedy

The idea of a tall, strong bodied midfielder who is deemed a late bloomer and with a late year birthday is appealing. Based on these comments my mind goes to Cripps but the risk feels high as he has only played the two TAC CUp games with only 16 and 14 disposals (no goals). You just have to trust the club have scouted the heck out of him at Marcellin and with Hine and Rendell as the clubs recruiters you have to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[Knightmare]

Brandon White- Anyone have details on him? Good pick up?

Medium-tall general backman. There has been some thought that he may develop into more of a tall utility or maybe even a midfielder in time. Production good and has a good offense/defense balance to his game. Endurance is poor so if he can build his endurance he could become AFL relevant.