Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2018 AFL Draft Almanac

[Knightmare]

Thank you KM, some significant changes from June.

Ask me in November and I'm sure my response will be different again. Movement happens as more games are played.

 

[Yoda_]

Jye Caldwell - bar injuries, tell me more!

What's stopping him from being in top 10 calculations?

 

[GoGrows]

Last years prospects in italics as a rough feel for where they would get taken if crammed together into the one draft - ignoring needs/who has the pick.

1. Lukosius
2. Walsh
3. M.King
4. Rayner
5. Rankine
6. Brayshaw
7. Dow
8. LDU
9. B.Smith
10. T.Thomas

It's obviously a subjective thing, but looking at their U17 and U18 resume's, id quite comfortably have Smith above Brayshaw, Dow and LDU.

 

[Knightmare]

Jye Caldwell - bar injuries, tell me more!

What's stopping him from being in top 10 calculations?

Hasn't played.

1 game this year. 3 last year.

In terms of his game. His skills - particularly by foot from limited viewings I've found to lack consistency.

At 181cm, he's also not overly tall by position.

Otherwise there is a lot to like.

If he can get in a couple of good games before years end where he really stands out, he could be a top 10 pick.

It's obviously a subjective thing, but looking at their U17 and U18 resume's, id quite comfortably have Smith above Brayshaw, Dow and LDU.

I would also. Power rankings and mock drafts as this is, often work out differently.

 

[HedgeFund]

It's obviously a subjective thing, but looking at their U17 and U18 resume's, id quite comfortably have Smith above Brayshaw, Dow and LDU.

I won’t comment on Dow and LDU, but Smith is probably ahead of Brayshaw IMO offensively, but defensively Brayshaw has Smith covered. Both good characters and leaders. Photo finish for mine.

 

[GoGrows]

I won’t comment on Dow and LDU, but Smith is probably ahead of Brayshaw IMO offensively, but defensively Brayshaw has Smith covered. Both good characters and leaders. Photo finish for mine.

Fair enough. Do you reckon recruiters place a lot of emphasis on the defensive capabilities of the top end mids?

 

[Bicks]

I won’t comment on Dow and LDU, but Smith is probably ahead of Brayshaw IMO offensively, but defensively Brayshaw has Smith covered. Both good characters and leaders. Photo finish for mine.

Interested in your assessment of Alistair Richards, really caught my eye when he played here against the Rebels, played mainly outside the contest but liked his speed and dare a lot and kicking looked alright that day too. Didn't really get much idea if he had a contested game in his arsenal that day?

 

[HedgeFund]

Interested in your assessment of Alistair Richards, really caught my eye when he played here against the Rebels, played mainly outside the contest but liked his speed and dare a lot and kicking looked alright that day too. Didn't really get much idea if he had a contested game in his arsenal that day?

Getting a state Combine screening is a positive. He always plays well for the Dragons so the next few games should see him step back into his own. Might run him off a HBF/ wing but he’s fine as an inside-mid at TAC level. Against Oakleigh in Rd 2 when we didn’t have Smith (again), Richards slotted into the starting midfield without any issues.

BTW - we haven’t played against the Rebels at all this year (!), I’m guessing you mean the Falcons game at Mars Stadium?

 

[Bicks]

Getting a state Combine screening is a positive. He always plays well for the Dragons so the next few games should see him step back into his own. Might run him off a HBF/ wing but he’s fine as an inside-mid at TAC level. Against Oakleigh in Rd 2 when we didn’t have Smith (again), Richards slotted into the starting midfield without any issues.

BTW - we haven’t played against the Rebels at all this year (!), I’m guessing you mean the Falcons game at Mars Stadium?

Yeah, I stand corrected.

 

[HedgeFund]

Fair enough. Do you reckon recruiters place a lot of emphasis on the defensive capabilities of the top end mids?

Yep - how else do you explain Andy Brayshaw going at #2?

He tackles better and more often than anyone else from the 2017 crop. Ran with elite opposition AFL mids all year, regularly racked up 15+ touches and avg. 5 tackles in 50% game time, and will have learnt plenty in the process. Same with McGrath from 2016.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Getting a state Combine screening is a positive. He always plays well for the Dragons so the next few games should see him step back into his own. Might run him off a HBF/ wing but he’s fine as an inside-mid at TAC level. Against Oakleigh in Rd 2 when we didn’t have Smith (again), Richards slotted into the starting midfield without any issues.

BTW - we haven’t played against the Rebels at all this year (!), I’m guessing you mean the Falcons game at Mars Stadium?

I was puzzled when the draw came out and the Rebels played the Pios three times but the Dragons none. Bit strange, but oh well haha.

 

[Bicks]

Central Districts midfielder Aaron Nietschke a big game in a losing team at his SANFL debut today against top team Norwood.

Redlegs 12.13 - 85
Centrals 6.6 - 42

Aaron Nietschke - 23 Disposals - 12 Kicks - 11 Handballs - 4 Marks - 1.0
Jackson Hately - 22 Disposals - 10 Kicks - 12 Handballs - 9 Marks - 2.0
Jez McLennan - 9 Disposals - 6 Kicks - 3 Handballs - 2 Marks

 

[Harlequin Dream]

Good to see Butts adapting to VFL.

 

[Knightmare]

Central Districts midfielder Aaron Nietschke a big game in a losing team at his SANFL debut today against top team Norwood.

Redlegs 12.13 - 85
Centrals 6.6 - 42

Aaron Nietschke - 23 Disposals - 12 Kicks - 11 Handballs - 4 Marks - 1.0
Jackson Hately - 22 Disposals - 10 Kicks - 12 Handballs - 9 Marks - 2.0
Jez McLennan - 9 Disposals - 6 Kicks - 3 Handballs - 2 Marks

I know you highlighted Nietschke, and he can find the ball. That said, my eye went straight to Hately, pretty routine game for him, but as that taller mid getting 22 and 2 goals. That's more what caught my attention.

Good to see Butts adapting to VFL.

Good numbers for Butts. Can't say I'm surprised.

He'll find the ball and take marks at any level.

My only query is impact/influence. He can have 25 disposals and 10 marks and you might not notice him. It's often really bizarre seeing his stats sometimes.

If he can start to influence games more often, he'll be in high demand.

 

[Harlequin Dream]

I know you highlighted Nietschke, and he can find the ball. That said, my eye went straight to Hately, pretty routine game for him, but as that taller mid getting 22 and 2 goals. That's more what caught my attention.

Centrals don't use Hately as an inside midfielder from what I have seen. Even so, he does a really nice job of linking up and making himself dangerous inside 50.

It will be interesting to see what Hately's final height will be. If he continues growing like Cripps and Fyfe did, he will be KPP height.

 

[Bicks]

I know you highlighted Nietschke, and he can find the ball. That said, my eye went straight to Hately, pretty routine game for him, but as that taller mid getting 22 and 2 goals. That's more what caught my attention.



Good numbers for Butts. Can't say I'm surprised.

He'll find the ball and take marks at any level.

My only query is impact/influence. He can have 25 disposals and 10 marks and you might not notice him. It's often really bizarre seeing his stats sometimes.

If he can start to influence games more often, he'll be in high demand.

http://sanfl.com.au/news/2018/08/11/round-17b-match-wrap-saturday/

 

[Bicks]

 

[The Grover]

I was puzzled when the draw came out and the Rebels played the Pios three times but the Dragons none. Bit strange, but oh well haha.

The draw was AFL style, try to give easier draws to the weaker teams.

I don't mind it, the best teams have still ended up rising to the top so haven't been to disadvantaged.

 

[Knightmare]

http://sanfl.com.au/news/2018/08/11/round-17b-match-wrap-saturday/

Impressive with Hately to see how hard he is running. Having that and winning it inside like he can, he looks like he'll be a very impressive pro.

 

[windows]

Rozee is kicking goals every week now, has been very consistent since Champs.

Is he firming for a top 10? If blues traded down to 8-10 (Obvs picking other drafts/players up) would he be a good fit?

 

[Schtinker]

Is Kyle Dunkley likely to be taken by Sydney or will they pass like they did with Josh?

 

[briztoon]

Rozee is kicking goals every week now, has been very consistent since Champs.

Is he firming for a top 10? If blues traded down to 8-10 (Obvs picking other drafts/players up) would he be a good fit?

Reminds me of a Tim Taranto type. I can see him having the same impact at AFL level.

 

[Knightmare]

Rozee is kicking goals every week now, has been very consistent since Champs.

Is he firming for a top 10? If blues traded down to 8-10 (Obvs picking other drafts/players up) would he be a good fit?

If I'm doing a phantom draft today. Rozee is inside my top 10, in the 5-10 range.

If there for the Blues if trading for around pick 8, I'd say solid choice. He's an able mid and forward - he has the speed and as a forward brings the pressure, so he's definitely a suitable list fit.

 

[Knightmare]

Is Kyle Dunkley likely to be taken by Sydney or will they pass like they did with Josh?

He's a possible as a rookie. Has been invited to the state combine which is a sign that he is at least a consideration.

 

[M Malice]

If I'm doing a phantom draft today. Rozee is inside my top 10, in the 5-10 range.

If there for the Blues if trading for around pick 8, I'd say solid choice. He's an able mid and forward - he has the speed and as a forward brings the pressure, so he's definitely a suitable list fit.

Could you see Connor Rozee pushing past Sam Walsh and/or Bailey Smith on draft night?