Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2019 Draft Almanac

[DaveyBoy123]

Any chance Young turns into a bust? Actually, no, let me reword that: Any chance that he ends up as somewhere between a Suckling/Scrimshaw type and no better?

 

[Knightmare]

Any chance Young turns into a bust? Actually, no, let me reword that: Any chance that he ends up as somewhere between a Suckling/Scrimshaw type and no better?

Could happen, though my expectation is that Young will be better because unlike Suckling/Scrimshaw, Young can win his own ball and can also be asked to play as a genuine inside mid and go get it which he can also do in addition to simply using the ball from defence. That's why Young is in the top five discussion.

 

[Freoforever86]

Who do you see Freo taking at pick 6/7 at this stage, assuming bids for Henry come later.

Would love Stephens or Ash - especially if Freo lose Hill or Langdon

 

[KermitJagger]

Any chance Young turns into a bust? Actually, no, let me reword that: Any chance that he ends up as somewhere between a Suckling/Scrimshaw type and no better?

Early call on Scrimshaw, surely?

 

[Knightmare]

Who do you see Freo taking at pick 6/7 at this stage, assuming bids for Henry come later.

Would love Stephens or Ash - especially if Freo lose Hill or Langdon

Ash probably is gone.

Deven Robertson would make a lot of sense. Sam Flanders and Will Gould I could see dropping around that point.

Jeremy Sharp may be a slight reach, but would for outside pace/hurt factor be a good get if after specifically that.

A bit on Henry I'm expecting comes later than 6/7. He's more like a pick 10-15 for mine though some may rate him higher.

 

[DaveyBoy123]

Early call on Scrimshaw, surely?

Maybe/probably. But the comparison with him is not only on playing style, but mostly due to the fact he was a high draft pick. I wasn't a fan of his under 18 work so desperately wanted to avoid using a high pick on him. That's why I asked re: Young; is he worth pick 3 or 4?

Hawks getting Scrimshaw is fine as you paid a much lower price. Not to mention that Suckling was a rookie pick!

 

[KermitJagger]

Maybe/probably. But the comparison with him is not only on playing style, but mostly due to the fact he was a high draft pick. I wasn't a fan of his under 18 work so desperately wanted to avoid using a high pick on him. That's why I asked re: Young; is he worth pick 3 or 4?

Hawks getting Scrimshaw is fine as you paid a much lower price. Not to mention that Suckling was a rookie pick!

Not asking as I'm overly invested in him, just figured older more experienced players would make more certain comparisons.

You'd want to hope he doesn't become a Suckling because his performance is highly dependent on the ability of the team around him to allow him to thrive.

Young is a much better defender, for one, which should help allay most of those concerns. Suckling is easily exploited in that regard.

 

[Freoforever86]

Ash probably is gone.

Deven Robertson would make a lot of sense. Sam Flanders and Will Gould I could see dropping around that point.

Jeremy Sharp may be a slight reach, but would for outside pace/hurt factor be a good get if after specifically that.

A bit on Henry I'm expecting comes later than 6/7. He's more like a pick 10-15 for mine though some may rate him higher.

Roberston does make sense, he probably depends on how they see Valente’s development and if Freo land an inside mid in the trade period (Brayshaw rumours etc).
Do you rate Robertson over Valente?

Sharp at 6/7 seems like a big reach, from memory he wasn’t in your top 30?

Ash would be perfect considering Freo play mids out of position at half back. Slotting Ash in and having Wilson on the other side would be nice!

Couldn’t see a bid coming before Freos 1st for Henry though. Cant press his case more either with his injury.

 

[manny100]

Thanks KM. The problem with the Dees is not so much pace but its that we do not have players who have instinctive outside smarts. These players usually have pace but its their outside smarts that set them apart from the others. The Dees have drafted mainly inside contest players. The problem is no matter how much you educate and train these players their inside instincts will drag them towards the ball and take them away from the best outside positioning. Hance we are easy to score against on turnover. If you want to make a good inside mid look average play them outside.
Smart outside players are often drafted later in the draft maybe because they are so hard to pick underage and luck plays a part?? Whitfield an exception.
Dees would be smart to make a play for Langdon or even preferably Hill.
If GC get a priority the Dees may have to consider dealing with pick 3 as part of a trade for one of Hill or Langdon.
Incidentally does Young, Ash or Anderson have typical outside smarts.

 

[M Malice]

Connor Budarick (Gold Coast Academy).

Outside of Gold Coast's Academy. I enjoy the energy and forward pressure Kysaiah Pickett brings.

I really like what I have read about Kysaiah KM, I haven't seen any footage of him either, haven't found anything by you though, what do you think of him, plays like, strengths, draft range etc?

 

[Knightmare]

Roberston does make sense, he probably depends on how they see Valente’s development and if Freo land an inside mid in the trade period (Brayshaw rumours etc).
Do you rate Robertson over Valente?

Sharp at 6/7 seems like a big reach, from memory he wasn’t in your top 30?

Ash would be perfect considering Freo play mids out of position at half back. Slotting Ash in and having Wilson on the other side would be nice!

Couldn’t see a bid coming before Freos 1st for Henry though. Cant press his case more either with his injury.

I liked Valente last year but Robertson is better. Finds a lot more of it and is quicker and more damaging. Robertson was the standout performer during the Under-18 Championships, performing more consistently even I thought than Rowell and Anderson.

Sharp has as far as I can remember been inside my top 20 all season. But he's someone I personally wouldn't be using a top 10 pick on. If a club wants someone outside though, given his WAFL League performances he's someone I could see getting chosen.

Ash as you say would be a good fit. It's not out of the question that he could be there, I just seem him more as a 3-6 pick.

Thanks KM. The problem with the Dees is not so much pace but its that we do not have players who have instinctive outside smarts. These players usually have pace but its their outside smarts that set them apart from the others. The Dees have drafted mainly inside contest players. The problem is no matter how much you educate and train these players their inside instincts will drag them towards the ball and take them away from the best outside positioning. Hance we are easy to score against on turnover. If you want to make a good inside mid look average play them outside.
Smart outside players are often drafted later in the draft maybe because they are so hard to pick underage and luck plays a part?? Whitfield an exception.
Dees would be smart to make a play for Langdon or even preferably Hill.
If GC get a priority the Dees may have to consider dealing with pick 3 as part of a trade for one of Hill or Langdon.
Incidentally does Young, Ash or Anderson have typical outside smarts.

Invest in any of Rowell/Anderson/Ash/Young and you're getting guys with football smarts.

The Dees do need more speed though. Aaron Hall and Tom Scully are two I liked last year.

Some options I'd be thinking about this year: Sam Menegola if he goes out of favour with Geelong could be a possible. Jack Martin is underappreciated by Gold Coast and worth targeting.

I really like what I have read about Kysaiah KM, I haven't seen any footage of him either, haven't found anything by you though, what do you think of him, plays like, strengths, draft range etc?

I like Pickett and I'm sure I would have given him a mention during one of my U18 Champs pieces.

He's a high impact per possession really instinctive type. Brings the forward pressure and tackling energy. Really good at ground level. Has the speed and agility. Will fly for marks and can really fly. Not a huge ball winner and perhaps not as consistent by foot as he could be. If he was there in the third round, I'd jump at him if needing a pressure forward. Ideal for a team lacking that dynamic in the front half. Probably goes somewhere second half of the draft. Has some Daniel Rioli to him though shorter.

 

[Freoforever86]

I liked Valente last year but Robertson is better. Finds a lot more of it and is quicker and more damaging. Robertson was the standout performer during the Under-18 Championships, performing more consistently even I thought than Rowell and Anderson.

Sharp has as far as I can remember been inside my top 20 all season. But he's someone I personally wouldn't be using a top 10 pick on. If a club wants someone outside though, given his WAFL League performances he's someone I could see getting chosen.

Ash as you say would be a good fit. It's not out of the question that he could be there, I just seem him more as a 3-6 pick.

Thanks for the info KM. Recruiting WA talent should definitely be a Freo priority. Heard a few knocks on Robertson’s kicking? Is it his disposal or his decision making?

Also, where do you see Kemp falling to after his knee? Would he be another guy after look at? Could be a choice between him & Robertson maybe? Ross loves his utility big midfielder types

 

[Knightmare]

Thanks for the info KM. Recruiting WA talent should definitely be a Freo priority. Heard a few knocks on Robertson’s kicking? Is it his disposal or his decision making?

Also, where do you see Kemp falling to after his knee? Would he be another guy after look at? Could be a choice between him & Robertson maybe? Ross loves his utility big midfielder types

Kemp could fall around there and would be a good get as a taller mid. Kemp is your genuine utility mid. Can be a KPP, gen fwd/def. But seriously good as a mid.

Robertson can make skill errors under pressure. I overall like the way he gets the ball moving with speed. So it's hardly a deal breaker.

 

[Muzzz68]

Knightmare where has Mitch Oneill been is he injured if you know anything back to back all Australian and know one is talking about him where does he stand in the draft doesn’t look like he will get drafted at this stage what’s your thoughts?

 

[Mutineer]

Knightmare where has Mitch Oneill been is he injured if you know anything back to back all Australian and know one is talking about him where does he stand in the draft doesn’t look like he will get drafted at this stage what’s your thoughts?

Woah up there man, O'Neill is an absolute certainty to get drafted, 2nd round at the very latest.

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare where has Mitch Oneill been is he injured if you know anything back to back all Australian and know one is talking about him where does he stand in the draft doesn’t look like he will get drafted at this stage what’s your thoughts?

I'm not sure where the notion of O'Neill not getting drafted could come from?

Getting invited to the national combine is a good sign. O'Neill should feature either first or second round I would have thought.

He's been out a couple of months now but don't believe with anything major.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

Woah up there man

Look at his post history. We have several fly-by-nighters here very interested in young Mitch.

 

[fridgeman]

Still a lot to happen before the draft but with how it stands with current draft picks do you think the Swans will bid on the Giants Academy player Green?
With 1/2 pretty much confirmed as Rowell/Anderson and Demons/Crows (Blues pick) both seem to be set for inside mids would a bid around 4/5 and the Swans list suit a bid that high or are there other players rated higher that you would take before Green

 

[Knightmare]

Still a lot to happen before the draft but with how it stands with current draft picks do you think the Swans will bid on the Giants Academy player Green?
With 1/2 pretty much confirmed as Rowell/Anderson and Demons/Crows (Blues pick) both seem to be set for inside mids would a bid around 4/5 and the Swans list suit a bid that high or are there other players rated higher that you would take before Green

If a bid hasn't been made on Green by the time Sydney pick, I'd be advising Sydney to bid. He's an ideal successor to Josh Kennedy through the mids. It probably wouldn't take Green long until he became Sydney's best midfielder. I really like Parker and Heeney is good when he goes through there. But Green is a flat out beast and about as good of a genuine primary ball winner as you'll find in any draft. He's too good to pass up.

 

[PezzDogg95]

Hi KM,

who are the better lockdown small defenders in this years draft? I'm hoping Carlton can snag one with one of our 3rd rounders.

 

[Coathanger]

KM, What pick do you see Josh Smith going at?
I think he's the best player not being talked about in the Top 30 or so.

 

[majortinkle]

Kemp could fall around there and would be a good get as a taller mid. Kemp is your genuine utility mid. Can be a KPP, gen fwd/def. But seriously good as a mid.

Robertson can make skill errors under pressure. I overall like the way he gets the ball moving with speed. So it's hardly a deal breaker.

Do you happen to know how kemp did his knee? Was it impact or did he do it on his own landing or turning?

 

[Knightmare]

Hi KM,

who are the better lockdown small defenders in this years draft? I'm hoping Carlton can snag one with one of our 3rd rounders.

Hayden Young is the top one. The others I like more as rebounders (Ash/Gould/Sharp/Bianco/Potter) or intercepters.

Lockdowns are often drafted as other things and I'd say the better ones this year will fit that category. Often it's mids who don't stand out enough where they're not going to be mids at AFL level ahead of others.

KM, What pick do you see Josh Smith going at?
I think he's the best player not being talked about in the Top 30 or so.

Smith is a big lad who can take a grab but it's unclear whether he gets picked.

He's one where recruiters will look at him and think he's dominating because he's bigger and stronger than anyone else. Recruiters will interject he needs more tricks and will need to get faster and cover more ground to be someone they'd consider as more than a rookie.

Last year we had similar players in Hugo Munn and Hudson Garoni who were just as good who got overlooked. And from last year's draft they're the two Smith is most comparable to. So he's far from a lock.

Do you happen to know how kemp did his knee? Was it impact or did he do it on his own landing or turning?

Not sure. Happy for others to chirp up if they know.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

Hayden Young is the top one. The others I like more as rebounders (Ash/Gould/Sharp/Bianco/Potter) or intercepters.

Lockdowns are often drafted as other things and I'd say the better ones this year will fit that category. Often it's mids who don't stand out enough where they're not going to be mids at AFL level ahead of others.

Brock Smith perhaps, as that pure defender?

 

[Knightmare]

Brock Smith perhaps, as that pure defender?

Smith is in my intercepting category but can negate. He's on the tallish side at 189cm, but can play smaller if needed. Probably not my first choice to take super speedy smalls though.