Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2015 Draft Almanac

[Sam Guest]

Ryan Clarke, where do you have him now in your draft?

 

[mattyc75]

Ryan Clarke, where do you have him now in your draft?

on page 1

 

[Mullayo]

Cheers KM for the Hopper/Kennedy/Steele analysis.
If Collingwood give us pick 7 + whatever for Treloar would we have to use it on Hopper and then have pick 8 as our own and use pick 27 for Kennedy?

Do you see anyone claiming Kennedy that high because then a top 10-ish pick is useless to us?

If we do get to use pick 8, who do you think we should target?
I'm thinking KPD? Or someone that can convert kicks at goal regularly.

 

[Vindicater]

What happened with Ryan Clarke this season. At the start of the year he was touted as a top 10 pick. Now he seems to have fallen into the 2nd round in most mock drafts. Did he just not perform this season? Injuries?

 

[Knightmare]

Ryan Clarke, where do you have him now in your draft?

I see Clarke featuring roughly late first/early second round.

As for where I rate Clarke. I have him around 10 in my power rankings, as someone I feel recruiters generally underrate.

Cheers KM for the Hopper/Kennedy/Steele analysis.
If Collingwood give us pick 7 + whatever for Treloar would we have to use it on Hopper and then have pick 8 as our own and use pick 27 for Kennedy?

Do you see anyone claiming Kennedy that high because then a top 10-ish pick is useless to us?

If we do get to use pick 8, who do you think we should target?
I'm thinking KPD? Or someone that can convert kicks at goal regularly.

I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that the father son and academy bidding happens before trade week. So if that is the case, Collingwood's or any other teams picks would not help GWS in getting Hopper or Kennedy.

With the bidding system now as it is constructed, it is based on a points based system, with each pick in the draft worth a certain number of points. So that will be what GWS will be navigating, quite possible with Hopper and Kennedy to demand high draft selections to acquire, then the likes of Himmerberg, Flynn and Cornell who may also be players GWS may wish to bid on, GWS may need to use some of the picks from next seasons draft in order to secure this years Academy talents and make up those points required to add those talents.

With a pick around 7, GWS I can't imagine would target a genuine on-baller or another genuine key forward. Maybe a Tucker, Curnow, Bonner or Burton as a few examples of players who may be seen as being able to add something GWS may not have at the present time.

What happened with Ryan Clarke this season. At the start of the year he was touted as a top 10 pick. Now he seems to have fallen into the 2nd round in most mock drafts. Did he just not perform this season? Injuries?

Clarke has performed exceptionally well this season and has actually gone from only playing a few games last year with mild production to starring this season for Eastern.

I imagine many jumped the gun in assuming where clubs may rate Clarke. I mostly myself had Clarke around 10 because that is, like I feel now where I rate him. But with media reports suggesting he probably goes early 2nd round or thereabouts, that's more why he seems to have fallen, with that initial guesswork relating to his possible draft position not quite being correct.
The other possibility is people saw Clarke's very first game of the season and were completely wowed by that as I certainly was.

But they'd be among the reasons.

His form and performance throughout the season I've found to be excellent and among the best in the TAC Cup.

 

[blueiris]

I see Clarke featuring roughly late first/early second round.

As for where I rate Clarke. I have him around 10 in my power rankings, as someone I feel recruiters generally underrate.



I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that the father son and academy bidding happens before trade week. So if that is the case, Collingwood's or any other teams picks would not help GWS in getting Hopper or Kennedy.

With the bidding system now as it is constructed, it is based on a points based system, with each pick in the draft worth a certain number of points. So that will be what GWS will be navigating, quite possible with Hopper and Kennedy to demand high draft selections to acquire, then the likes of Himmerberg, Flynn and Cornell who may also be players GWS may wish to bid on, GWS may need to use some of the picks from next seasons draft in order to secure this years Academy talents and make up those points required to add those talents.

With a pick around 7, GWS I can't imagine would target a genuine on-baller or another genuine key forward. Maybe a Tucker, Curnow, Bonner or Burton as a few examples of players who may be seen as being able to add something GWS may not have at the present time.



Clarke has performed exceptionally well this season and has actually gone from only playing a few games last year with mild production to starring this season for Eastern.

I imagine many jumped the gun in assuming where clubs may rate Clarke. I mostly myself had Clarke around 10 because that is, like I feel now where I rate him. But with media reports suggesting he probably goes early 2nd round or thereabouts, that's more why he seems to have fallen, with that initial guesswork relating to his possible draft position not quite being correct.
The other possibility is people saw Clarke's very first game of the season and were completely wowed by that as I certainly was.

But they'd be among the reasons.

His form and performance throughout the season I've found to be excellent and among the best in the TAC Cup.

I'm pretty sure Father/Son and Academy bidding now happens at the draft

 

[Knightmare]

I'm pretty sure Father/Son and Academy bidding now happens at the draft

Any chance you could provide a link to this updated rule just for confirmation?

If that's the case, then that will make life very easy for the likes of both Brisbane and GWS with so much worthwhile academy talent.

GWS losing probably Treloar, maybe McCarthy, and probably also move a few of Hampton, Sumner, Lamb, Wilson, Townsend, Kennedy and Barrett.

Then Brisbane losing Aish, Leuenberger and Adcock.

Both clubs would be in great position to add more draft picks than they lose, and most likely not even need to dig into next years stocks.

 

[blueiris]

Any chance you could provide a link to this updated rule just for confirmation?

If that's the case, then that will make life very easy for the likes of both Brisbane and GWS with so much worthwhile academy talent.

GWS losing probably Treloar, maybe McCarthy, and probably also move a few of Hampton, Sumner, Lamb, Wilson, Townsend, Kennedy and Barrett.

Then Brisbane losing Aish, Leuenberger and Adcock.

Both clubs would be in great position to add more draft picks than they lose, and most likely not even need to dig into next years stocks.

I'm actually out at the moment and can't do that on my phone but it isn't hard to find it was an article done by Callum Twomey on May 21 of this year just type in AFL Academy bidding on Google sorry I couldn't be more help

 

[Bender571]

Any chance you could provide a link to this updated rule just for confirmation?

If that's the case, then that will make life very easy for the likes of both Brisbane and GWS with so much worthwhile academy talent.

GWS losing probably Treloar, maybe McCarthy, and probably also move a few of Hampton, Sumner, Lamb, Wilson, Townsend, Kennedy and Barrett.

Then Brisbane losing Aish, Leuenberger and Adcock.

Both clubs would be in great position to add more draft picks than they lose, and most likely not even need to dig into next years stocks.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-...ed-for-fatherson-and-northern-academy-players

"The AFL is hopeful of having the bidding as a live element of draft night, but only if the required technology is ready for clubs to use. Statistics company Champion Data is developing an application to simplify the process for clubs and fans on the night.

If that program is not operational, a bidding meeting is still likely to be held much closer to the draft – possibly the week before or even the night before the full draft is staged and after the completion of the trade and free agency periods."

 

[Zach Package]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-05-...ed-for-fatherson-and-northern-academy-players

"The AFL is hopeful of having the bidding as a live element of draft night, but only if the required technology is ready for clubs to use. Statistics company Champion Data is developing an application to simplify the process for clubs and fans on the night.

If that program is not operational, a bidding meeting is still likely to be held much closer to the draft – possibly the week before or even the night before the full draft is staged and after the completion of the trade and free agency periods."

Probably worth pointing out at this stage that the AFL basically own Champion Data, so they've got no one to blame but themselves if they can't get this up

 

[dlanod]

Probably worth pointing out at this stage that the AFL basically own Champion Data, so they've got no one to blame but themselves if they can't get this up

Also worth pointing out that given I can do the same with a spreadsheet, if they can't get this up they're really really struggling.

 

[SumTingWong]

KM,
Who would be 2 or 3 tallish (188-192) solid, reliable defenders with good/OK kicking skills that might be available as a rookie? We have proven with Grimes that these type of players can be found this late.
Also where do you see Greg Clark playing his best football and how good a kick is he? Could he play the above role? Is it fair to liken him to Kamdyn Mcintosh who has become a good role player for us this year? Why do you have him slipping so far?

 

[Knightmare]

KM,
Who would be 2 or 3 tallish (188-192) solid, reliable defenders with good/OK kicking skills that might be available as a rookie? We have proven with Grimes that these type of players can be found this late.
Also where do you see Greg Clark playing his best football and how good a kick is he? Could he play the above role? Is it fair to liken him to Kamdyn Mcintosh who has become a good role player for us this year? Why do you have him slipping so far?

Brandon White I like, though he'll probably be gone before the rookie draft.

Thomas Glen slightly below that height at 187cm may be an option as a rookie.

Jack Silvagni depending on whether Carlton nominate him.

If willing to take a chance on a more raw type maybe Thomas Jok.

Greg Clark is an interesting player and someone I've found hard to place. He is said to be a hard worker, can find the footy in bunches, is an exceptionally high level endurance and is very tall. So he will have his fans. I just haven't seen any particular impact from him and I've also been disappointed by how outside he is, with pretty limited contested ball winning ability. His kicking I've found to be clean and reliable enough, but without any hurt factor. He is probably going to develop on a wing. I've found him at least through the u18 champs best at centre half forward where he can really with his running work opponents over, but without any particular marking superiority or ability to provide meaningful scoreboard impact. So I'm overall struggling to find what that niche may be, because I'm not feeling any impact from him. He could be a plausible back half option, but I'm not aware if he has played back in the past. He could from a flexibility perspective down back be mildly interesting because he is tall and has the endurance.

 

[Men of Steele]

What are your thoughts or the chances of Reed Polak?

 

[Adnan]

Clayton Oliver?? climbed up the power ranks a bit, whats the reasons?

 

[Knightmare]

What are your thoughts or the chances of Reed Polak?

Don't believe he played for WA through the u18 champs so I don't believe I've had the opportunity to watch him.

It's promising that he is playing at league level late season.

Given he has not to my knowledge been invited to the state or national combines, he probably isn't getting drafted this year. But I'd be interested to hear what those who have been him play think, as again he is a new name to me.

Clayton Oliver?? climbed up the power ranks a bit, whats the reasons?

His strong final month in the TAC Cup and late season promise in his two games in the VFL primarily from a form and production perspective that have caught my attention and moved him significantly up my draft board.

With Oliver the appealing element of his game is just how dominant his inside game is. At stoppages after Hopper he might or would at least be in the discussion as that next best in this draft.

I'm also intrigued with his rate of development from last season, and his rate of improvement through this season, I can't help but think he has substantial upside and room to improve over the coming years which is a further appealing element to Oliver.

 

[captainrich]

Greg Clark is an interesting player and someone I've found hard to place. He is said to be a hard worker, can find the footy in bunches, is an exceptionally high level endurance and is very tall. So he will have his fans. I just haven't seen any particular impact from him and I've also been disappointed by how outside he is, with pretty limited contested ball winning ability. His kicking I've found to be clean and reliable enough, but without any hurt factor. He is probably going to develop on a wing. I've found him at least through the u18 champs best at centre half forward where he can really with his running work opponents over, but without any particular marking superiority or ability to provide meaningful scoreboard impact. So I'm overall struggling to find what that niche may be, because I'm not feeling any impact from him. He could be a plausible back half option, but I'm not aware if he has played back in the past. He could from a flexibility perspective down back be mildly interesting because he is tall and has the endurance.

He sounds a bit like a Marco Paperone type (maybe without the clean reliable kicking)

 

[Knightmare]

He sounds a bit like a Marco Paperone type (maybe without the clean reliable kicking)

G.Clark does have a bit of that feel at his height and probably would more so if he played more as a forward.

 

[grundog49]

G'Day Knightmare, I see you have Linebreaker Yestin Eades going to us in the second round. Not invited to the National Combine but isn't far off getting the call up. What is your reasoning behind this? And what would be an appropriate comparison for him? Charlie Cameron? Rhys Palmer?

 

[Knightmare]

G'Day Knightmare, I see you have Linebreaker Yestin Eades going to us in the second round. Not invited to the National Combine but isn't far off getting the call up. What is your reasoning behind this? And what would be an appropriate comparison for him? Charlie Cameron? Rhys Palmer?

I see the draft from certainly pick 30 to be wide open. So I'd expect those who go past the first round to have significant variation in their draft attempts.

With Eades, I've got him up there speculatively.

But having seen him these past couple of seasons, each time I see him, I really liked the flashes he shows with his pace and want to use his pace with ball in hand.

His style of game is something more in the Stephen Hill stylistically without being as skilled or as high level an accumulator. But positionally similar as probably more a wing/mid who will provide lightning run when he has ball in hand.

 

[Jack Richards]

Who is the best mid this draft Knightmare? Mills, Hopper or Parish?

 

[Knightmare]

Who is the best mid this draft Knightmare? Mills, Hopper or Parish?

I'll go with Hopper.

Probably the lower rated of the three by most. But for me the best of the three with the most dominant inside game.

 

[Jack Richards]

Cheers mate

 

[Sashand88]

Knightmare, Curnow seems to have dropped from your power ratings and hence also dropped in the phantom draft also, any reasons for this?

And if Essendon were to keep pick 4 would he be in consideration in your opinion or is the gap between him and Parish/Francis too large, despite our need for a key forward. (especially with Carlisle leaving now)

 

[gillo94]

I'll go with Hopper.

Probably the lower rated of the three by most. But for me the best of the three with the most dominant inside game.

Knightmare just asking a question relating to Curnow question asked above. Who should Bombers go for with their first pick?
Curnow who looks ready to start playing seniors and can impact up forward of
Parish who might need a season in the reserves but looks very polished

Loss of Carlise will hurt their structures