Pick 14

[Dockernut]

Yeah back on the Stocker train.

 

[Purple Jesus]

No, I'm not discounting them purely on height. short people can be guns. But apart from Walters, our short players lack the attributes (bulk/speed/skill/smarts/vision/leap) needed to overcome their lack of height. The only standout is Colyer's speed, but he can't kick.

Isn't it obvious why height make such a difference? Tackling (making/breaking), marking, vision, reach, contested possessions, physical presence, visibility as a target or for blocking space, etc. The cumulative effect of these things becomes a massive problem if we are playing too many who are just average lightweights with no weapons.

Back to pick 14, I'd prefer a bigger body, but if we take Hill, then at least he has speed and skill and might be able to use that. But it would be better for our team if he was the only sub 175cm player on the list. Maybe in a few years that might well be the case.

I'd argue shorter players have an advantage here. Sure, less reach but lower centre of gravity is on the side of the shorter player, all else being equal. Bigger body has nothing to do with height. Height's only an advantage with ruck taps and maybe marking, although that can be negated by vertical leap.

If height was so important, we'd only target basketballers.

 

[Docker82]

The other thing is I see inside midfielders as our biggest need post trade period. Others may think that small forwards or half forwards are our biggest need and I agree we need more and that reason those people want Ian Hill (being second cousin of Stephen and Brad definitely has zero to do with it).

I think we need more than just Fyfe, Brayshaw, Cerra, Blakely and Banfield when we come out the other side of this rebuild. That’s why I want Stocker at 14.

I might also see small forwards as the easiest spot to cover with mature aged selections meaning I think we can take them in 2019 and 2020 etc and get an extra years development into mids. One eye on Liam Henry as well.

 

[theGav56]

The other thing is I see inside midfielders as our biggest need post trade period. Others may think that small forwards or half forwards are our biggest need and I agree we need more and that reason those people want Ian Hill (being second cousin of Stephen and Brad definitely has zero to do with it).

I think we need more than just Fyfe, Brayshaw, Cerra, Blakely and Banfield when we come out the other side of this rebuild. That’s why I want Stocker at 14.

I might also see small forwards as the easiest spot to cover with mature aged selections meaning I think we can take them in 2019 and 2020 etc and get an extra years development into mids. One eye on Liam Henry as well.

I'm with you here. I am also optimistic about North, and am curious about what becomes of Crowden. But another strong inside mid must be on the shopping list.

It will take a bit of getting used to, but the name Conca has to get a mention too.

 

[Superkoops]

In no particular order
Jackson Hately (SA)
Xavier Duursma (VIC)
Jordan Clark (WA)
Sam Sturt (VIC)
Ian Hill (WA)
Zak Butters (VIC)
Curtis Taylor (VIC)
Luke Valente (SA)
Liam Stocker (VIC)
Xavier O'Halloran (VIC)

I expect many of these names to be available at our pick which will end up being Pick 15 or 16 (depending on the bid for Tarryn Thomas). I will let the experts and those that have seen a lot more of them comment regarding ranking.

We recruited tacking grunt and hardness with Conca and outside run with Colyer. We lost an A-grade inside mid in Neale and some outside run with Sheridan and Danyle Pearce. I would hope we can get ourselves good inside player (with either pick 15/16 or 33/34) and good outside runner with either pick 15/16 or 33/34).

 

[Heart Of Purple]

Anybody able to post some footage of sturt at all, cant seem to find any highlights?

 

[Scham]

In no particular order
Jackson Hately (SA)
Xavier Duursma (VIC)
Jordan Clark (WA)
Sam Sturt (VIC)
Ian Hill (WA)
Zak Butters (VIC)
Curtis Taylor (VIC)
Luke Valente (SA)
Liam Stocker (VIC)
Xavier O'Halloran (VIC)

I expect many of these names to be available at our pick which will end up being Pick 15 or 16 (depending on the bid for Tarryn Thomas). I will let the experts and those that have seen a lot more of them comment regarding ranking.

We recruited tacking grunt and hardness with Conca and outside run with Colyer. We lost an A-grade inside mid in Neale and some outside run with Sheridan and Danyle Pearce. I would hope we can get ourselves good inside player (with either pick 15/16 or 33/34) and good outside runner with either pick 15/16 or 33/34).

What can you tell us about Hately?

 

[Dockernut]

What can you tell us about Hately?

The Knightmare almanac has one of his weaknesses as panicking under pressure or something like that. Not ideal for an inside mid.

His highlights largely confirm it.

 

[jerms]

Wouldn't have thought Hately is there at our pick in any event.

 

[Chris25]

The Knightmare almanac has one of his weaknesses as panicking under pressure or something like that. Not ideal for an inside mid.

His highlights largely confirm it.

That’s just so untrue.

 

[Van_Dyke]

This is what happens here isn't it? The WA squad members miss so many games they can't win it. Or they end up in reserves or seniors. Check out the spuds in this list!

bloody hell that’s a grim list. Kepler would be comfortably the most successful player on that list since 2000

 

[Scham]

That’s just so untrue.

I just read your thoughts on him. You say that given space his disposal is ok but in close he tends to rush. I’m not taking the piss but that sounds like he panics with his disposal a bit under pressure yeah? Or am I reading it wrong?

Do you have any knocks on him? What are his strengths?

 

[go_the_dockers]

That’s just so untrue.

I have missed yours and quigley's mock draft this year, the other drafts do not have your depth of insight into each players and not many of them go past the 1st round.

 

[Bicco]

I would like a first round pick that is
1) not a bust,
2) does not struggle to ever cement their spot in the best 22, and
3) does not leave to go east after a few years

I want a footballer. Doesn't matter if they're short, tall, fat, thin, fast or slow.
A guy that can kick well both feet, knows when to fly and when to stay down. Knows where and when to lead. As always in my book, a guy that has a proven record playing well in important games.

 

[yyou]

I'd argue shorter players have an advantage here. Sure, less reach but lower centre of gravity is on the side of the shorter player, all else being equal. Bigger body has nothing to do with height. Height's only an advantage with ruck taps and maybe marking, although that can be negated by vertical leap.

If height was so important, we'd only target basketballers.

Maybe the dfA, Blair will appeal as he is another tiny player

 

[One_Wing]

 

[freo_leo29]

View attachment 580153

Just yesterday they were buying suits, I reckon Ian probably wants to come to freo with his cousins

 

[FUS_RO_DAH]

View attachment 580153

From a sentimental standpoint...

... I'll be so damn happy if we draft Ian.

 

[eastfreo75]

Yeah back on the Stocker train.

Him moving as kid to Hong Kong might make him less of a flight risk.

 

[Dirty_banchez]

That’s just so untrue.

Your beef with knightmare is fairly amusing.

 

[Walkingwounded]

Your beef with knightmare is fairly amusing.

I trust Chris25 opinion over Knightmare.. just my personal opinion based on reading their posts, and seeing who they are talking about playing.

Knightmare does make himself a big target with some of his comparisons off limited vision.

 

[Eski3]

Something tells me if Rosich has a hand in our drafting decisions as the interim list manager, we'll be taking Hill if he's there

 

[jedi mind tricks]

Your beef with knightmare is fairly amusing.

Knightmare would most likely watch the TAC games and state games. He gives his rankings on players who don't play in Vic and probably doesn't watch wafl colts etc

It's easy these days to look at a number of draft experts collate their opinions and do your own summary subject unseen.

Nothing against him as I do read his thread but what makes him better than others on here at picking out talent?

 

[Megalon]

Obviously a list management strategy to have heaps of really tall guys and heaps of very short guys.

I remember when Harvey was at the club, when the list management strategy was to draft 186cm flankers.

 

[Chris25]

Your beef with knightmare is fairly amusing.

I trust his views when it comes to the Victorians. I’m sure he’s seen much more than me.

I just don’t think he’s seen any SANFL or WAFL games. Yet will comment so expertly on even the most random U18 player. I did a lot of googling and pretending when I started out posting about the draft, I think he’s still doing it.