Player Watch Luke Pedlar

[119others]

It turns on thinking that they're correct and we drafted him for the guts, which I don't.

Playing as a mid in the under 16s doesn't reveal a whole lot. I'm sure he was often the most talented kid on the field.

OK perhaps a misunderstanding. I thought you had said we hadnt drafted a midfielder with a better pick than Pedlar yet Rachele played mainly mid from my understanding (Mutineer would have a better idea) in the U16's and was in fact voted best player in the championship.

The above is the more certain part of the equation. What our long term plans are for him are more subjective but clearly time will tell.

I think we all hope he can transition into a forward/mid combo (in whatever %) and swap with ultra talented Rankine in these roles.

 

[119others]

Like, I love Rachelle, but his best use and is not to be the centrepiece of a premiership midfield. We need to have a plan to build a battery of elite midfielders to allow him to damage in space.

I dont think anyone is suggesting centrepiece mate. But above posts quoting Hamish clearly seem to support the fact we see him - as a part as an absolute minimum- midfielder. Along with Rachele, add part Rankine and pure mids Laird, Shoey, Soligo, Pedlar, Berry and yes as we all agree the big elite midfielder (JHF or other) and suddenly I actually like the like the look of that. Your thoughts?

 

[Mutineer]

Every year we always say our first round pick can play midfield, even Thilthorpe.

Except in Rachel's case it's obvious he can.
You don't win the Kevin Sheahan Medal (M.V.P.) playing midfield at the U16's Nationals as the most outstanding junior in the country if you can't play the position exceptionally well.

 

[maxlilly]

Except in Rachel's case it's obvious he can.
You don't win the Kevin Sheahan Medal (M.V.P.) playing midfield at the U16's Nationals as the most outstanding junior in the country if you can't play the position exceptionally well.

So do you think Rachele is going to become a fulltime midfielder for us ?

 

[Mutineer]

So do you think Rachele is going to become a fulltime midfielder for us ?

Probably not full time but I'd put money on him spending plenty of time in there as his endurance builds. His contested footy has always indicated he's comfortable in there.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Probably not full time but I'd put money on him spending plenty of time in there as his endurance builds. His contested footy has always indicated he's comfortable in there.

So all that indignation and you won't even commit to claiming he's a mid.

 

[Southerntakeover]

So do you think Rachele is going to become a fulltime midfielder for us ?

None of them are actually prepared to tie themselves to that position. It's all faux indignation.

 

[Southerntakeover]

I dont think anyone is suggesting centrepiece mate. But above posts quoting Hamish clearly seem to support the fact we see him - as a part as an absolute minimum- midfielder. Along with Rachele, add part Rankine and pure mids Laird, Shoey, Soligo, Pedlar, Berry and yes as we all agree the big elite midfielder (JHF or other) and suddenly I actually like the like the look of that. Your thoughts?

If we all agree we still need the big elite midfielder what are people objecting to?

 

[Danger_zone]

We have high potential mid/fwd types (Rankine/Rachelle). I’d have Pedlar are the next level down (which is still bloody high). Whether they transition to full time mid or not really comes down to how each of them perform/develop over the next couple of years. will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Hopefully Pedlar gets his body right / builds his tank, as he seems to really enjoy the contested stuff.

 

[DaKids]

I think the point is that the modern game is so very dynamic. My days of reading the team on a Thursday night written on a drawing of an oval are gone.

If you take young Rachele as an example he looks a good forward option but must have midfield craft in the kit bag. When opposition have the ball he’s required to push up the ground and provide support and if ball rebounds he’ll often be caught in open play or a stoppage. Or Even deep in defence.

The days of being a forward pocket and standing by the point post are gone, and it’s often a case of “all hands to the pump”. There might be a match up or rotation issue that catches a Rachele needing to be at a centre bounce. He has to be prepared.

He might not be recruited as a 1st choice midfielder but he needs those skills. Look at Martin for Richmond - a midfielder who has developed elite 1/1 forward craft and is a very effective full forward.

Some players have to be pigeon holed
of course but a number are buzzing around all over.

 

[Mutineer]

If we all agree we still need the big elite midfielder what are people objecting to?

OK the two biggest midfield prospects in this draft that are in 1st round contention are Mattaes Phillipou and Henry Hustwaite, do they fit your elite bill or not?

 

[Southerntakeover]

OK the two biggest midfield prospects in this draft that are in 1st round contention are Mattaes Phillipou and Henry Hustwaite, do they fit your elite bill or not?

Is it your view that we need to draft high end midfielders?

 

[Mutineer]

Is it your view that we need to draft high end midfielders?

Certainly if they're available at our pick but I wouldn't emphasise size in particular like some on here do, put it this way size should only come into it if they're rated equal in all other factors. Talent is King.

 

[rabidcrow]

Probably not full time but I'd put money on him spending plenty of time in there as his endurance builds. His contested footy has always indicated he's comfortable in there.

I suspect we will look to develop him the same way Port have with Rozee. Gradually build up his midfield time each year until he is 60/40 or 70/30 of his time on ground in the middle.

Provided they stay healthy And continue to develop as expected I think our midfield is complete excluding one taller type. I was hoping it would be Hopper or JHF (not that he is particularly tall) but perhaps this draft with McKenzie or Phillipou will complete the initial build in there

Between Berry Schoenberg Rachele Rankine Pedlar Soligo Taylor and Laird there is plenty of quality. Add a taller type and it’s well rounded


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[rabidcrow]

Certainly if they're available at our pick but I wouldn't emphasise size in particular like some on here do, put it this way size should only come into it if they're rated equal in all other factors. Talent is King.

I think with the number and mix of midfielders on our list size is key to the next one - along with talent. We need someone who can compete physically with the bigger bodies. Cripps as an example destroyed us in both games - we had no one who could really defend him. Similar Oliver and Petracca destroy us. They are very good obviously but their size plays a part. Unless Hateley gets a lot stronger and can play a defensive mid role against the bigger bodies


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[Mutineer]

I think with the number and mix of midfielders on our list size is key to the next one - along with talent. We need someone who can compete physically with the bigger bodies. Cripps as an example destroyed us in both games - we had no one who could really defend him. Similar Oliver and Petracca destroy us. They are very good obviously but their size plays a part. Unless Hateley gets a lot stronger and can play a defensive mid role against the bigger bodies


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Unfortunately I don't see Mattaes Phillipou as the crash and bash type midfielder you have given as examples there, not really too many of that type in this draft really that also have the skills to go with their size if you're talking 188cm+ mids?

 

[DaKids]

I suspect we will look to develop him the same way Port have with Rozee. Gradually build up his midfield time each year until he is 60/40 or 70/30 of his time on ground in the middle.

Provided they stay healthy And continue to develop as expected I think our midfield is complete excluding one taller type. I was hoping it would be Hopper or JHF (not that he is particularly tall) but perhaps this draft with McKenzie or Phillipou will complete the initial build in there

Between Berry Schoenberg Rachele Rankine Pedlar Soligo Taylor and Laird there is plenty of quality. Add a taller type and it’s well rounded


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Rozee is a pretty good example here.

Now in his draft year playing league footy for North he was a defender. All season including finals. So what was he drafted as - a defender? a midfielder? Who knows.

I expect they saw in him a potential to play some midfield time - he’d played their as a junior.

He’s had almost 4 years developing and now looking a good midfielder. Was he drafted as one? Pretty hard to tell

 

[Mutineer]

Rozee is a pretty good example here.

Now in his draft year playing league footy for North he was a defender. All season including finals. So what was he drafted as - a defender? a midfielder? Who knows.

I expect they saw in him a potential to play some midfield time - he’d played their as a junior.

He’s had almost 4 years developing and now looking a good midfielder. Was he drafted as one? Pretty hard to tell

Another Kevin Sheahan medalist at the U16's Nationals playing midfield, whoever drafted him had to think the long game was midfield once he had the body to handle it.

 

[rabidcrow]

Unfortunately I don't see Mattaes Phillipou as the crash and bash type midfielder you have given as examples there, not really too many of that type in this draft really that also have the skills to go with their size if you're talking 188cm+ mids?

I think around 188cm - our current tallest mid excluding Hateley who is questionable to make it is Pedlar at 184cm. I think the guys listed earlier have the class and power to give us a really good midfield in time. We are really light on defence against those bigger midfielders in stoppages. Who is the best inside/outside 188cm prospect in this draft?


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[DaKids]

Another Kevin Sheahan medalist at the U16's Nationals playing midfield, whoever drafted him had to think the long game was midfield once he had the body to handle it.

Yes - goes to show sometimes the spotters have to project. Not always the case to say “ so and so is a midfielder and he’s playing as a midfielder so we’ll pick him as a midfielder”

 

[Mutineer]

I think around 188cm - our current tallest mid excluding Hateley who is questionable to make it is Pedlar at 184cm. I think the guys listed earlier have the class and power to give us a really good midfield in time. We are really light on defence against those bigger midfielders in stoppages. Who is the best inside/outside 188cm prospect in this draft?


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I'll answer that with a question...for the sake of 2cm you'd take say Cam McKenzie over Elijah Tsatas if both were available? You would be pretty much alone amongst draft watchers on that score.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Certainly if they're available at our pick but I wouldn't emphasise size in particular like some on here do, put it this way size should only come into it if they're rated equal in all other factors. Talent is King.

I don't disagree

 

[LoBu]

Quicker than small forwards? We didn't have that strategy at all.

What are you talking about???

McAsey CHB, Thilthorpe CHF - fill the spine, then mid.

 

[LoBu]

I think around 188cm - our current tallest mid excluding Hateley who is questionable to make it is Pedlar at 184cm. I think the guys listed earlier have the class and power to give us a really good midfield in time. We are really light on defence against those bigger midfielders in stoppages. Who is the best inside/outside 188cm prospect in this draft?


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Keays - 186
Turner - 185

 

[rabidcrow]

I'll answer that with a question...for the sake of 2cm you'd take say Cam McKenzie over Elijah Tsatas if both were available? You would be pretty much alone amongst draft watchers on that score.

I said around 188cm. Not fixated on a specific height but looking at spreading our current mix of 179-182 (Pedlar aside). Whether it’s 186 or 192 - just a player of size to throw through the middle is important. As I said earlier maybe Hateley or Dawson could be that player - our midfield is generally competitive but gets smashed with teams with bigger bodies


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