Draft Watcher Young Talent Time 2013 - A Phantom Draft

[offshore]

Yep.....Preaching to the converted there Salty!.....With you all the Way on the Petracca call also!...How those Muppets that select the AIS Academy Squad Missed him, is utterly perplexing...To say the least!

Yeh I just don't get it. Petracca absolutely slaughtering them when Boyd goes down and they don't bring him into Vic Metro 22. Kid cops it on the chin and gets on with the job. The game he played in the TAC Cup prelim was unbelievable and worthy of a top 5 pick in this year's draft. If that's not enough he is then overlooked by the AIS for 2014. Now we won't go into comparing him with other AIS members as they are kids but he is miles ahead of a couple given form and upside. I think many hope sanity prevails but I am not to sure.

 

[Chris25]

Hey Chris.....Like your work there Champ!

From what I saw of the Under 18 Champs this year; Then Patrick McCartin is an Absolute LOCK for the No: 1 Pick in 2014!

Not as Tall as Boyd, Obviously....But displays all the same qualities & skills...You Can Bookmark It!

Nothing is a lock quite yet. I rate McCartin as the best KPP, but what if GWS or Melbourne finish bottom again? They might not want a KPP. Peter Wright is a very good prospect as a ruck/forward, and it's inevitable that other midfielders step up - not just Clem Smith. I'd call him a lock for top three, but no guarantees on the #1 pick yet.

Will Weller still be in the academy if he moves back to Tas, considering Mav will most likely be in Melbourne next year?

I don't know all the rules about the Academy. Not sure if Lachlan is even eligible, what with not having always lived in Queensland - is there a length of time you need to satisfy? But if he were to move, then I'm pretty certain he would be giving up on the Academy.

Just wondering Chris, why do you rate Jake Lever so low in your 2014 ranking? I have him battling for a position in the top 5 at this stage.

Pick 12 isn't that low, is it?

No real reason. I just prefer Sam Durdin.

Can I get on Petracca to be top 5?

I don't quite rate him that highly, somewhere more around the 12-20 mark. His performances have been outstanding this season, but I'm not convinced he is a true KPP quite yet. Still a long way to go, which is the problem with looking at the draft over 12 months out. If he cracks the 190cm mark, then he could give the top 10 a real shot. But for now, I'll take Bower and Watchman.

 

[God Save Max King]

McCartin has better hands. Reminds me of Plugger as he hits the packs bloody hard and converts. Can I get on Petracca to be top 5?

I just reckon Petracca is too small to be top 5. He plays (and now looks) a bit bigger than 186cm, but I'm scared that he'll be awkwardly stuck between being a medium and key forward. Agree that when he is good and on a roll, not many can stop him in the TAC Cup, but I want a bit more from a top 5 pick. Ball's in his court in 2014.

 

[God Save Max King]

Pick 12 isn't that low, is it?

No real reason. I just prefer Sam Durdin.

Fair enough, "so low" was an exaggeration on my part, probably due to the bias I have to Jake. I reckon internally he's rated and that'll be a key factor when approaching draft day.

 

[offshore]

[I don't quite rate him that highly, somewhere more around the 12-20 mark. His performances have been outstanding this season, but I'm not convinced he is a true KPP quite yet. Still a long way to go, which is the problem with looking at the draft over 12 months out. If he cracks the 190cm mark, then he could give the top 10 a real shot. But for now, I'll take Bower and Watchman.[/quote]

Not thinking KPP. He will be an inside/outside mid who you can throw forward. Sorry Chris but you can't have seen many of his TAC Cup performances given your rankings. I have to assume you didn't see the TAC Cup prelim.

 

[Thurlow2Mackie]

I don't know all the rules about the Academy. Not sure if Lachlan is even eligible, what with not having always lived in Queensland - is there a length of time you need to satisfy? But if he were to move, then I'm pretty certain he would be giving up on the Academy.

Not sure, Sunny_ would probably know. I am hoping his family all move back to Burnie when Mav heads south, but I think he is currently illegible to via the Suns academy if his situation remains the same.

 

[Sunny_]

Lachlan is not eligible, no. He hasn't been in Queensland for five years. Falls just short I think.

That said, not sure I see them all moving back down to Burnie. Especially for last year of high school and all that.

 

[Chris25]

Not thinking KPP. He will be an inside/outside mid who you can throw forward. Sorry Chris but you can't have seen many of his TAC Cup performances given your rankings. I have to assume you didn't see the TAC Cup prelim.

I saw it. And he was very good.

But more importantly I've also seen everyone else I've listed, so am pretty happy with having Petracca outside the top 10. At this early stage, I wouldn't be comfortable counting on him as either a genuine midfielder or a KPP. A lot can change in a year though, so I'll be keen to watch his development and see what role he plays.

 

[maverick001]

A Very Early Look At 2014...

Using this year's ladder as a basic order, I thought I'd take a quick look at next year. It's useful, in that a few clubs will likely be eyeing KPPs next year which may help eventually explain some draft picks this year.

1. GWS - Clem Smith (177cm midfielder - Perth)
2. Melbourne - Peter Wright (201cm ruckman - Calder)
3. St Kilda - Patrick McCartin (192cm forward - Geelong)
4. Western Bulldogs - Hugh Goddard (195cm forward - Geelong)
5. Gold Coast - Lachlan Weller (180cm midfielder - Broadbeach)
6. West Coast - Alec Waterman (182cm midfielder - Claremont)
7. Brisbane - Liam Duggan (182cm midfielder - Western Jets)
8. Adelaide - Sam Durdin (196cm defender - West Adelaide)
9. North Melbourne - Jackson Nelson (186cm midfielder - Geelong)
10. Collingwood - Daniel Capiron (187cm midfielder - Dandenong)
11. Richmond - Christian Petracca (185cm forward - Eastern Ranges)
12. Carlton - Jake Lever (190cm defender - Calder)
13. Port Adelaide - Mac Bower (190cm forward - Norwood)
14. Sydney - Ryan Lim (186cm midfielder - Claremont)
15. Geelong - Tom Lamb (190cm forward - Dandenong)
16. Fremantle - Jesse Watchman (196cm forward - West Adelaide)
17. Hawthorn - Bohdi Walker (182cm midfielder - Gippsland)
18. Essendon - Peter Bampton (182cm midfielder - Norwood)

What type of player is Waterman? Inside mid? Is he strong, skilled or quick, or all three? The old man was quite stocky so I expect he is a contested ball type too.
I guess only being 17 there would be a few more centimetres growth in these guys too?

 

[WAFLfan1969]

Clem Smith is a good sort, hard at the ball, should get better

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Clem Smith is a good sort, hard at the ball, should get better

Absolutely, plenty of holes in his game. On field discipline needs to be sorted out and his kicking is inconsistent.

Smith is lucky because he's got talent and he's got a lot of people supporting him and elevating him at every possible occasion.

 

[WAFLfan1969]

I did happen to watch a game where Clem Smith gave away a bunch of free kicks but was generally okay from a discipline perspective.

 

[Thrill 30]

A Very Early Look At 2014...

Using this year's ladder as a basic order, I thought I'd take a quick look at next year. It's useful, in that a few clubs will likely be eyeing KPPs next year which may help eventually explain some draft picks this year.

1. GWS - Clem Smith (177cm midfielder - Perth)
2. Melbourne - Peter Wright (201cm ruckman - Calder)
3. St Kilda - Patrick McCartin (192cm forward - Geelong)
4. Western Bulldogs - Hugh Goddard (195cm forward - Geelong)
5. Gold Coast - Lachlan Weller (180cm midfielder - Broadbeach)
6. West Coast - Alec Waterman (182cm midfielder - Claremont)
7. Brisbane - Liam Duggan (182cm midfielder - Western Jets)
8. Adelaide - Sam Durdin (196cm defender - West Adelaide)
9. North Melbourne - Jackson Nelson (186cm midfielder - Geelong)
10. Collingwood - Daniel Capiron (187cm midfielder - Dandenong)
11. Richmond - Christian Petracca (185cm forward - Eastern Ranges)
12. Carlton - Jake Lever (190cm defender - Calder)
13. Port Adelaide - Mac Bower (190cm forward - Norwood)
14. Sydney - Ryan Lim (186cm midfielder - Claremont)
15. Geelong - Tom Lamb (190cm forward - Dandenong)
16. Fremantle - Jesse Watchman (196cm forward - West Adelaide)
17. Hawthorn - Bohdi Walker (182cm midfielder - Gippsland)
18. Essendon - Peter Bampton (182cm midfielder - Norwood)

Typically a year out, it's the midfielders who are impressing and we're waiting to see which KPPs step up to the next level. But, 2014 is different. The top KPPs have already risen to the top, and there is depth too.

Depending on who finishes bottom, I'd expect all three of Wright, McCartin and Goddard to come into calculations - and I'd probably rate them in that order, although I could go either way with the first two. I think McCartin will really show himself to be the top forward on offer next year. And then we have the South Australian bookends in Durdin and Watchman, plus a few more around that 190cm mark who should grow further over the next year - Bower, Lever, Lamb. I have to say, I particularly like Mac Bower from Norwood who can play at either end and has kicked some big bags of goals this season. One of my favourites at the moment.

One player who has already been talked about a bit is the medium forward Christian Petracca. He had some dominating performances in the TAC Cup this year - often kicking multiple goals and winning 20+ touches. I'm not quite as high on him as others appear to be, but at this early stage you can't overlook his form. Just looks a little more Crameri than O'Keefe to me, not that that's necessarily a bad thing.

But, at #1 is Clem Smith. If it were any other team than the KPP stocked Giants, it would probably be different. But Smith is a very exciting prospect, as a half back/midfielder. He doesn't have the size of Jack Martin, but he has just as many tricks.

As for the other midfielders, we have F/S and Academy picks in Waterman and Weller respectively. If their clubs finished so low, they may not go first round. But for the sake of this, I've included them. Duggan is an outside midfielder, and Bampton a strong inside player. Walker is a quick indigenous half back/outside runner who I quite like. And the others (Nelson, Capiron, Lim) are athletic half back/midfielders, although all three should shift permanently into the midfield next season.

Some players will drop right off, and others will step up. But it's just a quick list of those to keep an eye on, and what the teams will have in the back of their minds come draft day.

Hey chris25, were do you rate Picket,Kietel and Walsh from WA, I would think Pickett or Keitel woul be in the top 20.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

I did happen to watch a game where Clem Smith gave away a bunch of free kicks but was generally okay from a discipline perspective.

Games against East Perth, Subiaco and Vic Metro he found himself giving away 50's and free kicks.

 

[Chris25]

What type of player is Waterman? Inside mid? Is he strong, skilled or quick, or all three? The old man was quite stocky so I expect he is a contested ball type too.
I guess only being 17 there would be a few more centimetres growth in these guys too?

Alec is also quite stocky, decent build on him for a 17 year old. I wouldn't call him a classic inside midfielder, as in the whole run in and bulldoze his way through the packs. He is strong in the core and reads the play well though, nice hands in close too. Decent kick on him, probably more towards the average paced though.

Hey chris25, were do you rate Picket,Kietel and Walsh from WA, I would think Pickett or Keitel woul be in the top 20.

All three look like decent prospects - Bevan, Ah Siu and Miller Lewis are the other three from WA who have stood up early too. I'd probably rate Keitel the highest out of the three you mentioned - purely for his size and what he has shown as a KPF. Pickett hasn't quite got the performances on the board consistently yet for me, but has shown a lot of promise. Should be a good year for WA in 2014.

 

[Toadvine]

Hi Chris, I was wondering if you could tell me how Marsh went as a mid and how successful he was before being converted into a forward?

I read that he sort of became a forward out of necessity and was a bit reluctant to change. What type of mid was he and was he any good in that position?

Apologies if you have covered this previously.

 

[Procrastinator35]

Cheers 4 the Feedback there Chris.....However; I reckon regardless of who finishes last, McCartin will go at number 1....Key Forwards of his & Boyd's Calibre don't come along all that often!...GWS & Melb will likely Trade one of their current key Talls. Letting THIS bloke go to your opposition would be tantamount to shooting yourself in the foot.....As with Boyd this year, He Will Be the Standout No 1 pick without a shadow of a doubt! Once Again, You Can Bookmark That!

 

[Hank93]

Any chance you can see Dumont lasting until pick 23 Chris25?

 

[Slick]

Hi Chris, just wondering who will the Hawks target with their picks based on Chris Fagan saying we'll be targeting mids?

 

[Chris25]

Any chance you can see Dumont lasting until pick 23 Chris25?

There is always a chance. I wouldn't let him get that far if I were a recruiter picking in that 15-20 range though, he'd be very high on my list. Will depend on how the top 20 is sitting after the trade period, and whether other midfield hungry teams get more picks or not.

Hi Chris, just wondering who will the Hawks target with their picks based on Chris Fagan saying we'll be targeting mids?

So their first pick will be somewhere between 19 and 25? Depending on whether that rumoured swap with the Saints goes ahead. In which case, you'd have to factor in the likes of Dunstan, Crouch, Dumont and Hartung as possible 'sliders'. Otherwise, Jones and Battersby could come into play.

At the end of the second round, I'd be looking at someone like a Darcy Lang who should be available. James Sicily (even at that first pick), Patrick Cripps and George Hewett all offer that extra size as midfield options too.

 

[Footyking123]

Thought I'd let you know with Josh Glen not attending the combine he can't be drafted now.

 

[Chris25]

I know.

I was waiting to see whether he would attend the State Screening last week or not, so left him in. But really, it's a small technicality. If he had a change of heart, it wouldn't be hard to come up with a 'reasonable explanation' particularly if you had a club backing you.

 

[TerryWallet]

What is the latest on Cameron McCarthy?

Was his broken leg a quick , clean heal? or did he have complications?

Did he play or train later in the year?

What is the latest buzz surrounding his prospects?

Thanks

 

[imabowss]

What is the latest on Cameron McCarthy?

Was his broken leg a quick , clean heal? or did he have complications?

Did he play or train later in the year?

What is the latest buzz surrounding his prospects?

Thanks

Was a quick heal no complications, did a fair bit of running towards the end of the year and got through about 2 full training sessions, it won't affect him at all I wouldn't think

 

[clipboardbinocs]

Games against East Perth, Subiaco and Vic Metro he found himself giving away 50's and free kicks.

There's nothing wrong with Smith.

No discipline issues, mountain out of a molehill.