Oppo Camp The Non-North Footy Discussion & Matchday Chat Thread (NNFD&MCT) VIII

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Kanga Glory said:
Read Today's PaperTributes
6:12pm Tuesday, October 31st, 2023

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Steals of the draft: The 20 best value picks from the past 20 years​

Recruiters live for snaring the champion who slipped down the draft order and over the past 20 years there have been plenty who have been overlooked early. Here are the top 20 draft steals.
Scott Gullan
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less than 2 min read
October 31, 2023 - 5:22PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom


Every AFL recruiter dreams of landing one.
It‘s the player who has dramatically slipped down the draft into their hands or the speculative pick who suddenly grows another leg and becomes a champion.
History shows when you look back at the best 20 value picks over the past 20 years that some of the game‘s greats were available in the draft after every club had at least one selection, sometimes two or three, opportunities to take them.
The two players at the top of the rankings have four Brownlow Medals between them. Lachie Neale was too small for most clubs while after a tip-off the Dockers tracked Nat Fyfe and convinced themselves he was a potential star even though their coach at the time needed convincing.
There are plenty of examples where a club‘s determination to stick to a strategy of needs - committing to a tall or a midifelder - at a certain pick has cost them the best player.
Melbourne loved Neale and had two third-round picks before he was taken by Fremantle at No.48 but went with a need - a delisted tall defender - rather than their gut.
On the flip side Essendon‘s recruiting boss Adrian Didoro famously made a last-minute decision to switch from Rory Lobb to Zach Merrett after urging from his then coach Mark Thompson to go with his gut not the strategy.
(*The best 20 list doesn‘t include first-round picks from 20 and below as it focuses on players drafted after every club at least had one opportunity to take them. It also doesn’t include father-son selections or zone/academy selections).

1. LACHIE NEALE - No.58 2011 Draft​

1-LACHIE-NEALE-No-58-2011-Draft_aO6hCeE6V.jpg

> 254 games

There are some at Melbourne who still shudder at the sight of Lachie Neale in full flight. The Demons had two third-round picks (52 and 54) and were keen on Neale but instead made a late change for delisted Adelaide defender James Sellar. That allowed the Dockers to swoop on the South Australian teenager who‘d played senior football with Glenelg and been best-on-ground in a losing side in the U/18 SANFL Grand Final. The knock on him from recruiters was his size but there was no doubting Neale’s ball-getting ability.

2. NAT FYFE - No.20 2009 Draft​

2-NAT-FYFE-No-20-2009-Draft_kzWk79nFv.jpg

> 218 games

Then Dockers coach Mark Harvey had wanted Ryan Bastinac, who ended up being drafted by North Melbourne with the next pick, and challenged his recruiters on why they were pushing for the local kid. They‘d been following Fyfe since being tipped off by former Fremantle football manager Gerard McNeill about a 16-year-old half-forward at Aquinas College. For 18 months they tracked Fyfe, who’d moved up to Perth from Lake Grace, and became convinced he’d go in the top five of the draft.

3. MAX GAWN - No.34 2009 Draft​

3-MAX-GAWN-No-34-2009-Draft_QBQshJ8TO.jpg

> 203 games

The tallest player in his draft class didn‘t come from Melbourne’s private school scholarship conveyor belt, instead attended public high school McKinnon Secondary College and played locally for Ormond. He caught the eye of recruiters when he kicked four goals at the start of his top-age season for the Eastern Ranges with Demons deciding to take a risk on the laid-back giant.

4. ROBBIE GRAY - No.55 2006 Draft​

4-ROBBIE-GRAY-No-55-2006-Draft_BEJfDrWer.jpg

> 271 games, 367 goals

There were no frills about Gray in his draft year. He worked at a meat packing company during the day and then drove to training with the Oakleigh Chargers. Groin issues impacted him in the TAC finals where the Chargers went from sixth to win the flag. He wasn‘t invited to the draft camp and it was only through the persistence of Chargers officials that he eventually had a third screening where he impressed Port officials.. He wasn’t the fastest or strongest but his football IQ and clean skills set him apart.

5. TOM STEWART - No.40 2016 Draft​

5-TOM-STEWART-No-40-2016-Draft_M-4vTPOyD.jpg

> 148 games

Geelong great Matthew Scarlett found Stewart at local club South Barwon when he took over as playing-coach after his AFL retirement. He saw something in the talented but immature Stewart and encouraged him to play for Geelong‘s VFL team. The Cats quickly knew they had a good one and became concerned the 23-year-old would be discovered by rivals which made for a nervous draft night.

6. JAMES SICILY - No.56 2013 Draft​

6-JAMES-SICILY-No-56-2013-Draft_1u6XlkfQU.jpg

> 134 games

Draft camp sealed the deal for the Western Jets swingman where he had excellent speed results at pre-draft testing including ranking fourth in the 20-metre sprint. The Keilor product had represented Vic Metro at the national championships but the question mark for recruiters was what position he would play. Sicily played through the middle of the ground, on the wing and as a lead-up forward but interestingly not in defence where he would go on to make his name.

7. RORY SLOANE - No.44 2008 Draft​


> 255 games

An unfashionable kicking action, a bit small with a query on his pace. That‘s why the kid from Upwey-Tecoma with the flowing blond locks was passed over by every club in the first round of the draft. Adelaide knew all about the negatives but they had still fallen in love with the two-time Eastern Ranges best and fairest 12 months earlier. The Crows had seriously thought about taking Sloane as a 17-year-old so a year later they held their breath on draft night as he slid into their hands in the third round.

8. LUKE PARKER - No.40 2010 Draft​


> 273 games

A broken jaw in the TAC preliminary final playing for the Dandenong Stingrays saw some clubs hesitate on the kid from Langwarrin. The ball magnet had been dominating in front of them for a couple of years and as a 16-year-old won the Stingrays best and fairest which was significant when you consider one of his teammates was Tom Scully who would later that year be the No.1 draft pick.

9. ZACH MERRETT - No.26 2013 Draft​


> 206 games

A last-minute backflip on draft night by the Bombers landed the clever half-forward/midfielder from Cobden. Essendon‘s strategy was to draft a tall but as he was about to read out the selection of Rory Lobb, recruiting boss Adrian Dodoro went with his gut and switched to Merrett. His brother Jackson, had played two seasons at Essendon, with Zach impressing for Vic Country and the Sandringham Dragons - he moved to Melbourne Grammar on a scholarship - where he averaged 26 disposals in seven games.

10. SHAI BOLTON - No.29 2016 Draft​


> 113 games

Richmond first saw Bolton as a 15-year-old for South Fremantle‘s Colts team where his catlike movement raised their eyebrows. His speed, dynamism and lateral movement stood out and they were traits he used on the wing during the national carnival for Western Australia. The problem for the Tigers was they’d traded away their early picks to get Dion Prestia and Josh Caddy so had their fingers crossed the player who was clearly on top of their draft list was still there in the second round..

11. SHANE EDWARDS - No.26 2006 Draft​


> 303 games

Edwards‘ father Greg kicked 100 goals in a season for Central Districts in the SANFL before injury forced him to retire at 20. His son also showed a lot of talent early and signed with North Adelaide, the club he was zoned to, when he was 13. At just 17 and weighing 69kg he made his senior SANFL debut on the wing. Edwards also turned heads at the draft camp, ranked in the top three of the beep test, 3km trial and standing vertical leap.

12. JUSTIN WESTHOFF - No.71 2006 Draft​

12-JUSTIN-WESTHOFF-No-71-2006-Draft_YvoDnUOlO.jpg

> 280 games

Grew up in Tanunda in the Barossa Valley, Westhoff followed his older brother to Central Districts where he played 22 games and kicked 47 goals. He was a quiet kid - he later got the nickname Humphrey - with a good work ethic and it was that temperament combined with his ability to read the play and athleticism for a tall player which was enough for the Power to go with a speculative pick in the fifth round.

13. JACK GUNSTON - No.29 2009 Draft​

13-JACK-GUNSTON-No-29-2009-Draft_GrxMQzMTX.jpg

> 242 games 452 goals

A serious elbow injury derailed the wiry Haileybury College student‘s draft year. Gunston only played six TAC Cup games late in the 2009 season with the Sandringham Dragons but it was enough for Adelaide to go with him in the second round. The 18-year-old was an excellent athlete and mark but his ability to win the ball further up the ground, which made him a tough match-up for defenders, was his point of difference.

14. CAM GUTHRIE - No.23 2010 Draft​


> 236 games

Guthrie played in a star-studded Calder Cannons premiership team in 2010 alongside the likes of Tom Liberatore, Mitch Wallis and Dion Prestia. In the Grand Final he was given the task of tagging Morrish Medallist Dyson Heppell and his job went a long way in getting Cannons the victory and clearly caught the eye of the Cats. The Sunbury kid went on to win the best and fairest in a premiership year - something he repeated 12 years later in the blue and white hoops.

15. JEREMY HOWE - No.33 2010 Draft​


> 233 games

It will come as no surprise that it was the Tasmanian‘s ability to take screamers is what caught the eye of Melbourne recruiters. The Demons previously had success drafting high-flyers from the Apple Isle in Russell Robertston and Howe had a lot of similar attributes but with better running ability. He ran a 14.1 beep test and had shown strong field kicking skills and decision making playing for Hobart.

16. JACK DARLING - No.26 2010 Draft​


> 277 games 510 goals

Once touted as a potential No.1 pick, Darling‘s star plummeted after injury and two publicised off-field incidents. He was troubled by a groin problem playing with West Perth and then found himself in the headlines for the wrong reasons. He was suspended from Sacred College for bringing alcohol to a school camp and then suffered a fractured skull after being kick-hit outside a Subiaco hotel.

17. MICHAEL WALTERS - No.53 2008 Draft​

17-MICHAEL-WALTERS-No-53-2008-Draft_1ngzQbcIg.jpg

> 222 games 348 goals

Grew up on Bushby Street, the same Midvale patch in WA as Nic Naitanui and Chris Yarran. He was part of the AIS-AFL Academy after sharing the Kevin Sheehan Medal with Tom Scully at the 2007 U/16 national titles. There was never any doubt about his talent, he was a highly skilled midfielder/forward with a lethal left foot but there were concerns about his ability to conform to the AFL environment.

18. MITCH DUNCAN - No.28 2009 Draft​


> 274 games

A stellar junior career had Duncan captaining WA in the U/16 national championships before he was rewarded a place in the AIS-AFL Academy. He earned All-Australian honours in 2009, leading Western Australia to victory in the national championships while also playing senior WAFL football with East Perth. While some may have had question marks on his pace, Duncan‘s skill and versatility appealed to the Cats.

19. JORDAN DAWSON - No.56 2015 Draft​


> 109 games

A 3cm growth spurt in his draft year helped elevate the South Australian into a potential AFL forward prospect. Dawnson showed plenty playing for Sturt in the SANFL with his booming left-foot and strong marking ability a standout. The Swans were renowned for thinking outside the box and happily went with a speculative third-round pick on the kid from Robe.

20. NICK LARKEY - No.73 2016 Draft​

20-NICK-LARKEY-No-73-2016-Draft_v-W167vBN.jpg

> 94 games 191 goals

A 198cm troubleshooter who could play at both ends was the appeal for the Roos. Larkey played his junior football for the Hawthorn Citizens before progressing to the Oakleigh Chargers. He played mainly as a defender in the TAC Cup and for Vic Metro in the national championships but showed good ability when thrown forward, kicking multiple goals on a number of occasions for the Chargers.

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One of my little pet hates is the constant reference to where a player was drafted even after they've been traded.

Take Lachie Neale as an example - he was pick 58 and has won two Brownlows and been All-Australian three times? Well, yeah, but all of those came at Brisbane. And he cost Brisbane pick 6 and 19. You can still argue that he was a steal, but the fact he was originally taken at pick 58 is not relevant any more.

(It sometimes goes the other way - Aidan Bonar's name came up in the "look at how many first-rounders NMFC has" debate because he was originally pick 11 but he only cost us a future fourth, ie basically nothing.)
 

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big_e said:
One of my little pet hates is the constant reference to where a player was drafted even after they've been traded.

Take Lachie Neale as an example - he was pick 58 and has won two Brownlows and been All-Australian three times? Well, yeah, but all of those came at Brisbane. And he cost Brisbane pick 6 and 19. You can still argue that he was a steal, but the fact he was originally taken at pick 58 is not relevant any more.

(It sometimes goes the other way - Aidan Bonar's name came up in the "look at how many first-rounders NMFC has" debate because he was originally pick 11 but he only cost us a future fourth, ie basically nothing.)
Click to expand...

I agree. It's so unlike the AFL media just pick off one piece of data, take it and face value by lazily fail to analyse any of it, and then draw up their conclusion as fact.
 
thewest.com.au

Pyke call looms as candidate emerged in Eagles CEO search

A West Coast premiership defender emerged as a surprise contender to succeed Trevor Nisbett as Eagles CEO, but Don Pyke is still the favourite with a decision expected as soon as Thursday.
thewest.com.au thewest.com.au


Mitchell Woodcock
The West Australian
Wed, 1 November 2023 7:50PM

thewest.com.au

Don deal: Pyke officially appointed Eagles chief executive

West Coast have announced two-time premiership player and former Adelaide coach Don Pyke as their next chief executive, replacing outgoing CEO Trevor Nisbett. Find out when he will start in the role.
thewest.com.au thewest.com.au


Mitchell Woodcock
The West Australian
Thu, 2 November 2023 6:15AM
 
krakouers said:
thewest.com.au

Pyke call looms as candidate emerged in Eagles CEO search

A West Coast premiership defender emerged as a surprise contender to succeed Trevor Nisbett as Eagles CEO, but Don Pyke is still the favourite with a decision expected as soon as Thursday.
thewest.com.au thewest.com.au


Mitchell Woodcock
The West Australian
Wed, 1 November 2023 7:50PM

thewest.com.au

Don deal: Pyke officially appointed Eagles chief executive

West Coast have announced two-time premiership player and former Adelaide coach Don Pyke as their next chief executive, replacing outgoing CEO Trevor Nisbett. Find out when he will start in the role.
thewest.com.au thewest.com.au


Mitchell Woodcock
The West Australian
Thu, 2 November 2023 6:15AM
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Good appointment. He's a top bloke and a very good operator.
 
Mav said:
Good appointment. He's a top bloke and a very good operator.
Click to expand...
He is,

Pity the Journalist reporting is is far from a good operator
 
krakouers said:
He is,

Pity the Journalist reporting is is far from a good operator
Click to expand...
Dont know Stiffydick, no good? He's got to be better than Adrian Barich, surely?
 
Mav said:
Dont know Stiffydick, no good? He's got to be better than Adrian Barich, surely?
Click to expand...
Barich seems to at least not have a namesake for pick 1
 

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www.theage.com.au

Western Bulldogs ordered to pay child sex abuse victim $5.9m in damages

A Supreme Court jury found the football club failed to adequately protect Adam Kneale from a club fundraising committee member who abused him from around age 12.
www.theage.com.au www.theage.com.au

A Supreme Court jury has awarded child sex abuse victim Adam Kneale $5.9 million in damages after finding the Western Bulldogs Football Club were negligent in protecting him from harm.

Kneale launched Supreme Court action against the Western Bulldogs, formerly Footscray, seeking damages for the abuse he endured from age 11 by former fundraising committee member Graeme Hobbs.
Click to expand...
 
King Corey said:
That's a major development. Implications for St Kilda with their high profile allegations and no doubt several abusers worked their way into this scenario across all clubs.
Click to expand...

Same lawyers going us for the Cable stuff iirc.

I'm not across the legal stuff as much as others will be, but seems to me that the key is the Dogs did know and should have known what this bloke was up to, where Cable a different scenario.
 
The Warlord said:
Same lawyers going us for the Cable stuff iirc.

I'm not across the legal stuff as much as others will be, but seems to me that the key is the Dogs did know and should have known what this bloke was up to, where Cable a different scenario.
Click to expand...
Gotta be careful with such a sensitive issue but as you imply, I didn't think Cable allegations were directly related to a North Melbourne program.

Whereas the saints/dogs allegations occurred under official club programs?

Not meaning Schadenfreude here, horrific allegations and pure luck if any club dodged them. I doubt there was any club with sophisticated governance around this at the time.
 
Statement from the club...

A Supreme Court jury has ruled against the Western Bulldogs on the grounds of negligence in a legal case concerning historical abuse in the 1980s.

Separate claims for vicarious liability, aggravated damages and exemplary damages were dismissed by the judge. While the Club firmly believes it did not breach any duty of care owed to the plaintiff, Mr Adam Kneale, a jury determined otherwise.

The Club was ordered to pay damages of $5,943,151 to Mr Kneale, inclusive of general damages and damages for economic loss.

The Club will appeal this jury verdict as expeditiously as possible. Pending the appeal, the Club will have no further comment to make.

The abuse against Mr Kneale was the subject of a criminal investigation by Victoria Police and relevant authorities in the early 1990s, resulting in several charges being laid, a criminal conviction being sustained, and a subsequent jail sentence being served by the offender.

The Club reiterates its sorrow at the suffering endured by Mr Kneale at the time and acknowledges the pain which he continues to carry as a result of the trauma he has experienced.
Click to expand...

They're appealing it.

Would suspect that's more of a public perception hit than the verdict itself. Is for me anyway,
 
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