Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2017 Draft Almanac

[ringo1]

I don't think he played his best football for the allies. He is a good athlete. 2.93 sprint, 14.2 beep test, and can kick goals. Maybe like a late pick? Give me some hope, pls KM

Mate if he didn't play his best footy for the Allies...then your answer lies there. That was his chance. IMO and I know I'm not alone with this after discussions with those in the know, many did more harm than good during the Champs.

 

[oliverloo]

Knightmare, do you think that Dow would be a suitable pick for Carlton if the Blues end up with pick 3-5??

 

[Knightmare]

Any standouts from the EX AFL listed players in state leagues likely to get another crack at the big time? I have seen Jonathan Marsh performing quite well at WAFL level

Top of mind. Marsh and Schloithe in the WAFL I like and would happily re-draft.

 

[Knightmare]

KM, a few others have Constable higher up in their rankings, top 20 and a couple in the top 10. Where do you see he needs to improve to be rated in the top 10 by you?

He finds the ball. Impact is what I find Constable lacks.

Constable even when he gets minutes around the ball for my liking feels too outside and uncontested. If he boosts his contested possession and clearance numbers. My interest will spike, as he'll likely be having a greater influence/impact on games and push into my top 20 or maybe even top 10 if he can do that.

I don't think he played his best football for the allies. He is a good athlete. 2.93 sprint, 14.2 beep test, and can kick goals. Maybe like a late pick? Give me some hope, pls KM

My opinion matters for naught in clubland.

But with the U18 champs my sample size. He's not on my watch-list.

Living in Victoria and with no Div 2 U18 Champs available - with no tape or stats publicly available. Unless someone from Div 2 dominated during the U18 Champs (Div 1) they won't have caught my eye.

Clubs will have a better idea with those Tasmanian's as to what they're doing than I would, with no stats even recorded in Tasmania.

Knightmare, do you think that Dow would be a suitable pick for Carlton if the Blues end up with pick 3-5??

Any team wanting a mid. Dow is the guy I'd be picking.

Best midfielder in this draft and a fit for any club looking for someone who does his best work at stoppages while also having the acceleration from the contest and above average skills.

 

[M Malice]

Hi KM, I see we got a mention in relation to Jacob Hopper in an article by Twomey on afl.com today, with our pick 1 would you be going to the draft and taking the best player available (Rayner/LDU?) or would you trade our pick 1 for Hopper + a pick late in the first round or early 2nd?

 

[Knightmare]

Hi KM, I see we got a mention in relation to Jacob Hopper in an article by Twomey on afl.com today, with our pick 1 would you be going to the draft and taking the best player available (Rayner/LDU?) or would you trade our pick 1 for Hopper + a pick late in the first round or early 2nd?

Hopper will keep coming up in discussions until he signs on.

Rayner in my view is the best this year. For me, neck and neck, although different to Hopper.

If I could get Hopper + another pick in the first or early second round. I'd probably do that. Particularly if it's a 2018 first or second rounder.

Early draft, I tend to favour the quantity of quality assets rather than just that earliest possible pick, understanding that rarely is the first pick in the draft the best player to come out of it, or individually enough of a difference maker, to elevate a team into the top 8 individually.

 

[Knightmare]

Weekly AFL Draft wrap (fifth and final round of the U18 champs covered): http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/...-draft-wrap-brisbane-academy-youngster-excels

Focus player this week is Connor Ballenden (Brisbane Academy).

 

[maanco]

KM how would you rank this years draft group? which year would they be most similar to?

 

[Gollo]

Top of mind. Marsh and Schloithe in the WAFL I like and would happily re-draft.

Do you think Marsh would be willing to come back to Vic next year? I'd love to have him at the Dogs to play as that bullocking, quick inside mid.

 

[Knightmare]

KM how would you rank this years draft group? which year would they be most similar to?

2004ish. Both on quality and dynamic of the draft with lots of good talls but below average of most of everything else.

Do you think Marsh would be willing to come back to Vic next year? I'd love to have him at the Dogs to play as that bullocking, quick inside mid.

Clubs need to ask the question.

I'm not close enough to the situation to know, but even if he wants to remain in WA, he'd be idea for either of WCE/Freo. Having a terrific season as a ball winning mid, and really can play any position other than ruck realistically. Special athlete. Deserves another AFL opportunity and would have been retained by Collingwood last year had he not chosen to return to WA.

 

[Chaisa]

Hopefully the fact that we have his brother means that Marsh might be willing to move to Sydney. NFI if we want him or not but he could be exactly what we need in the midfield.

 

[maanco]

2004ish. Both on quality and dynamic of the draft with lots of good talls but below average of most of everything else.

Lets hope it turns out better and the saints nail all of there picks.

 

[HereIam86]

Weekly AFL Draft wrap (fifth and final round of the U18 champs covered): http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/...-draft-wrap-brisbane-academy-youngster-excels

Focus player this week is Connor Ballenden (Brisbane Academy).

Which position would you say is Ballenden best Ruck KPF KPD?

 

[Knightmare]

Which position would you say is Ballenden best Ruck KPF KPD?

KPD for me.

Ruck and KPF he has shown glimpses - but has been inconsistent.

As a key defender. He's been exceptional - taking intercept marks, not losing contests and using it exceptionally by foot.

 

[HedgeFund]

July AFL Draft Power Rankings are up: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/19941508/knightmare-afl-draft-power-rankings-july

Two new names inside the top five and a surprise name at number two.

I see you've now snuck in AB at #17. Only weaknesses being "athleticism and no clear second position". Not much of a downside is there?

IMO - he can play (and has played) everywhere outside ruck and key posts. No issue. Barring injury, he will comfortably be in your top 10 by October.

 

[Knightmare]

I see you've now snuck in AB at #17. Only weaknesses being "athleticism and no clear second position". Not much of a downside is there?

IMO - he can play (and has played) everywhere outside ruck and key posts. No issue. Barring injury, he will comfortably be in your top 10 by October.

I liked his final u18 champs game.

One touch at ground level. Kicking v-good. Has the contested side to his game down.

He's growing on me.

 

[Yoda_]

Top of mind. Marsh and Schloithe in the WAFL I like and would happily re-draft.

Chuck in Jye Bolton (25.4 possies per game), Blaine Johnson (2.8 goals per game) and even Mason Shaw (2 goals a game) as smokies..

Johnson has come out of nowhere this year. Kicked a bag of 9 in one of the most dominant displays from a small/half fwd the WAFL has seen.

 

[Yoda_]

Riley D'arcey will get picked up. Has all the tools to move to the highest level.

 

[Knightmare]

Chuck in Jye Bolton (25.4 possies per game), Blaine Johnson (2.8 goals per game) and even Mason Shaw (2 goals a game) as smokies..

Johnson has come out of nowhere this year. Kicked a bag of 9 in one of the most dominant displays from a small/half fwd the WAFL has seen.

Bolton I liked last year and still feel is AFL quality.

Blaine Johnson shouldn't ever have been delisted but he's continuing to improve and wouldn't be a terrible choice as a need filler.

Mason Shaw though I'm not as confident on. 2 goals per game in the WAFL isn't enough. Nor are his other numbers. Key forwards are about superiority by position, rather than about securing depth only types who would struggle at AFL level.

 

[Knightmare]

Riley D'arcey will get picked up. Has all the tools to move to the highest level.

I like D'arcey also. Worth a late/rookie selection in my view.

 

[M Malice]

Hi KM, with Cameron Rayner a possible number 1 pick for us this year how would you compare him to Sam Powell-Pepper (pre 2016 draft SPP)? From the vision I have seen they look pretty similar, is that an accurate comparison?

If you rate Rayner ahead of SPP at the same time factoring in what he has done in 2017, taking Rayner with our first pick would appear to be a no brainer.

 

[Yoda_]

Bolton I liked last year and still feel is AFL quality.

Blaine Johnson shouldn't ever have been delisted but he's continuing to improve and wouldn't be a terrible choice as a need filler.

Mason Shaw though I'm not as confident on. 2 goals per game in the WAFL isn't enough. Nor are his other numbers. Key forwards are about superiority by position, rather than about securing depth only types who would struggle at AFL level.

Have a feeling this year will see 10 - 15 mature/recycled guys given another opportunity.

 

[Knightmare]

Hi KM, with Cameron Rayner a possible number 1 pick for us this year how would you compare him to Sam Powell-Pepper (pre 2016 draft SPP)? From the vision I have seen they look pretty similar, is that an accurate comparison?

If you rate Rayner ahead of SPP at the same time factoring in what he has done in 2017, taking Rayner with our first pick would appear to be a no brainer.

Powell-Pepper is an exceptional endurance athlete - that's the source of all those bursts of speed. Rayner doesn't have that and can't do that as often.

Both are equals in terms of what they can do in contested situations if not slight edge to Rayner.

Where Rayner has Powell-Pepper is as a forward. Rayner is an exceptional forward and provides significant impact forward of centre that I can't see SPP providing.

Of the two. Give me Rayner. Mids who can provide significant impact forward of centre are worth their weight in gold, and I fully expect Rayner builds up his endurance over time and becomes just as good through the midfield with his contested stuff highly impressive.

 

[Knightmare]

Have a feeling this year will see 10 - 15 mature/recycled guys given another opportunity.

If clubs like many of us share limited faith in the depth of this years draft class we very well may.

--
On a related note. Any VFL boys standing out to you this year from your viewings?

I've really lost interest in the VFL as a competition and other than the odd game, I don't watch the games, with my interest in the SANFL/WAFL/NEAFL much greater with each of those competitions stronger now with the VFL basically an AFL reserves comp with not much other talent.

 

[footy24seven]

If clubs like many of us share limited faith in the depth of this years draft class we very well may.

--
On a related note. Any VFL boys standing out to you this year from your viewings?

I've really lost interest in the VFL as a competition and other than the odd game, I don't watch the games, with my interest in the SANFL/WAFL/NEAFL much greater with each of those competitions stronger now with the VFL basically an AFL reserves comp with not much other talent.

Ben Allen, Coburg


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