Revisiting the 2014 AFL draft

[Big Fresh]

I remember when Laverde was the big steal of the draft and how we were outplayed when Essendon took Langford before us.

All 3 look to be struggling at the moment. Langford has the tools to be a good player. Laverde and Boek look duds.

Nah Laverde could still be a very good player and I reckon he will be. He missed most of last year with a collarbone injury and most of this year with an ankle injury - they're not like soft tissue or ACL injuries that are likely to keep occuring. When he gets some midfield minutes in the AFL he'll be really impressive (as he has been in flashes so far).

Not so sure about Langford considering the club wants to develop him as an inside mid and he's nowhere near physical or intense enough. He has fewer/lesser tools than Laverde to start off with as well.

The Langford before Laverde to outsmart Carlton thing was always a wind up from Dodoro. Carlton rated Boekhorst higher than both.

 

[Prochard123]

I strongly disagree with almost all of this. Each to their own.

Yet you fail to state a single reason why?

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Has shown nothing in the AFL games he played and hasn't been much better at VFL level.

FWIW Boekhurst was hampered by injury last season too. Never gave him the edge over Laverde, just mentioned both have shown nothing and don't look like they have adapted well to the top level. Not as big a steal as all Essendon supporters claimed.

Hasn't been much better at VFL level LOL. Jeez the three goals and 23 touches he had last week must have been absolutely shit or maybe I haven't been watching close enough.

 

[Dons4days]

Has shown nothing in the AFL games he played and hasn't been much better at VFL level.

FWIW Boekhurst was hampered by injury last season too. Never gave him the edge over Laverde, just mentioned both have shown nothing and don't look like they have adapted well to the top level. Not as big a steal as all Essendon supporters claimed.

Sounds like you haven't watched his games. Without dominating he has looked really promising, tackles hard, tough, good skills & a good mark.
His form in the VFL has been very solid for the last 2-3 since coming back from injury as well. He'll be in the ones as soon as he gets his fitness base back.

Saints were trying pretty hard to steal him last off season too so he's obviously still rated.
Plenty there to say he'll be at least a very solid mid/fwd.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Hasn't been much better at VFL level LOL. Jeez the three goals and 23 touches he had last week must have been absolutely shit or maybe I haven't been watching close enough.

Against North Ballerat, the bottom side with a % of 48. Boekhurst had 32 touches, 10 marks and a goal last week in the VFL. Don't think it changes his ability to play at the next level.

Laverde's only played the one game this year so can only judge off his first 2 seasons which were not outstanding by any means. Atleast Langford had some good games at AFL level.

Sounds like you haven't watched his games. Without dominating he has looked really promising, tackles hard, tough, good skills & a good mark.
His form in the VFL has been very solid for the last 2-3 since coming back from injury as well. He'll be in the ones as soon as he gets his fitness base back.

Saints were trying pretty hard to steal him last off season too so he's obviously still rated.
Plenty there to say he'll be at least a very solid mid/fwd.

Laverde has played 1 game this season admittedly a good one. Might have to watch him for the rest of the year but he didn't really show much in the AFL matches he played. Was more a point that there was no big steal in the draft, although it seems we might have got the worst of the 3.

 

[Dons4days]

Against North Ballerat, the bottom side with a % of 48. Boekhurst had 32 touches, 10 marks and a goal last week in the VFL. Don't think it changes his ability to play at the next level.

Laverde's only played the one game this year so can only judge off his first 2 seasons which were not outstanding by any means. Atleast Langford had some good games at AFL level.



Laverde has played 1 game this season admittedly a good one. Might have to watch him for the rest of the year but he didn't really show much in the AFL matches he played. Was more a point that there was no big steal in the draft, although it seems we might have got the worst of the 3.

I won't comment on Boekhurst as I've paid next to no attention to him.

I'm also fairly confident Laverde has played at least 2, maybe 3 games in the twos this year. Agree he hasn't shaped up to be the steal people we're saying he was at this stage.

 

[Ants]

Ironically given this debate, Langford and Laverde kicked 10 between them against the Blues in the VFL today.

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Against North Ballerat, the bottom side with a % of 48. Boekhurst had 32 touches, 10 marks and a goal last week in the VFL. Don't think it changes his ability to play at the next level.

Laverde's only played the one game this year so can only judge off his first 2 seasons which were not outstanding by any means. Atleast Langford had some good games at AFL level.

Fair enough.

Against your mob, Laverde just kicked 6 and had a further 18 touches. Next excuse please.

 

[Brent24]

Whether we should have picked a KPP is up for debate, but De Goey is looking like a worthy top 5 pick. Another pre season or 2 to build his tank and he's going to be a beast.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Fair enough.

Against your mob, Laverde just kicked 6 and had a further 18 touches. Next excuse please.

Meanwhile Boekhurst is at AFL level this week. Failing to see any sort of steal at the moment which was my original point.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Meanwhile Boekhurst is at AFL level this week. Failing to see any sort of steal at the moment which was my original point.

You're losing this argument badly. Laverde is only just coming back from injury and has kicked 3 and 6 goals in the last couple of weeks and is what, 3 years younger than Boekhorst, who as far as I'm aware has been available for most of the year and is at a club that is much lower down the ladder (which generally makes it easier to get a game, yet he hasn't been).

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

You're losing this argument badly. Laverde is only just coming back from injury and has kicked 3 and 6 goals in the last couple of weeks and is what, 3 years younger than Boekhorst, who as far as I'm aware has been available for most of the year and is at a club that is much lower down the ladder (which generally makes it easier to get a game, yet he hasn't been).

Boekhurst has had similar dominance in VFL games this year. I'm not saying Boekhurst is a star at all, just that Laverde wasnt a huge steal which was the talk back in 2014. Laverde's games at AFL level haven't been all that great.

Boek not getting a game doesn't say much about his form, it says more about getting games into promising youth and not middle of the road 24 year olds.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Boekhurst has had similar dominance in VFL games this year. I'm not saying Boekhurst is a star at all, just that Laverde wasnt a huge steal which was the talk back in 2014. Laverde's games at AFL level haven't been all that great.

Boek not getting a game doesn't say much about his form, it says more about getting games into promising youth and not middle of the road 24 year olds.

I reckon you're underrating Laverde. There's a reason we had a big crack at him last year.

Those who are around 190cm, strong overhead, kick goals and have genuine speed and a very good kick don't grow on trees.

 

[Shadeeq]

Boekhurst has had similar dominance in VFL games this year. I'm not saying Boekhurst is a star at all, just that Laverde wasnt a huge steal which was the talk back in 2014. Laverde's games at AFL level haven't been all that great.

Boek not getting a game doesn't say much about his form, it says more about getting games into promising youth and not middle of the road 24 year olds.

It's worth mentioning the two seasons Laverde has played were our worst in recent history. He has been in winning sides only four times out of his 18 games played. Not very beneficial for a young forward/mid. While he didn't dominate any games I thought he showed a number of AFL traits and I am optimistic that he will become a good player.

 

[SCRAY72]

D

Since coming back into the team in round 12, McLean has been fantastic.

In that period he's averaging:
23 touches
3 marks
6 tackles
3 inside 50's
(for people who say he only gets the footy from free kicks, 1.5 free kicks)

I'm not saying he's a Heeney or Lever, but he's a bloody decent player for someone a lot of people label a spud.

Daniel and Dale are doing OK too. On balance a good draft for us.

 

[Golden_6]

I said it a couple pages back but McLean will push himself into the top 10. Moved into the midfield the last month and another 26 touches and 2 goals today.

 

[avishka5]

Liam Duggan looking like Gold now that he is moved back into defence. Should have been moved to defence at the start of the year to be honest.

 

[HumanMeatball]

I like butler

 

[avishka5]

Liam Duggan looking like Gold now that he is moved back into defence. Should have been moved to defence at the start of the year to be honest.

Since moving back he is averaging 21.4 disposals, 5.6 marks, 7 contested possession, 3.4 rebound 50's, 3 inside 50's, 7.2 intercept possession and 382.8 meters gained a game.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

It's worth mentioning the two seasons Laverde has played were our worst in recent history. He has been in winning sides only four times out of his 18 games played. Not very beneficial for a young forward/mid. While he didn't dominate any games I thought he showed a number of AFL traits and I am optimistic that he will become a good player.

Could perhaps cut him some slack over that but Merrett seemed to thrive in a similar environment as did a few others like AMT.

I hope he ends up becoming a good player, just haven't seen much of it. His last two weeks in the VFL have been quality so will wait and see if it translates to AFL level.

 

[DivideandMultiply]

Since moving back he is averaging 21.4 disposals, 5.6 marks, 7 contested possession, 3.4 rebound 50's, 3 inside 50's, 7.2 intercept possession and 382.8 meters gained a game.

Looking to be an absolute gun.

 

[Seedsfan]

Maynard was a steal at 30

 

[Seedsfan]

Very happy with the Pies load, would be one of the highest ranked teams which is a relief having drafted so poorly in the previous 4 years

Jordan De Goey - beginning to move into the midfield where he has excelled when there. A real gift to have in the midfield and should play to his full potential as being tagged won't be of concern under Pendlebury and Treloar

Darcy Moore - needs to work on four quarter efforts but other than that, he's doing very well for someone with zero support. Top ten for contested marks in the competition and putting through the goals. Will be splendid.

Brayden Maynard - consistency an issue but what he's shown at his age is great. A true heart-and-soul defender with his tackling and pressure acts, often doing all the dirty work so his teammates can get the pretty touches. Kicking needs work but there's still time.

There is nothing wrong with his kicking. Watch the game more closely

 

[adammania9]

There is nothing wrong with his kicking. Watch the game more closely

His kicking was a direct result for three goals kicked against us in the Essendon game. His form on the wing this year has been amazing, hopefully he stays,

 

[VanDemonxx]

I looked at the list and saw Petracca at 11th. Then I laughed.