Draft Watcher Young Talent Time 2013 - A Phantom Draft

[Chris25]

As others have said, Templeton and Freeman would be two I'd consider.

From SA, Nick Favretto fits the bill and I'm a big fan of his. I imagine once others get to see him play during the Championships, we'll be hearing his name more. George Hewett being another one who is flying under the radar. I could go on with South Australians.

From Victoria, Will Maginness would be one to look out for. Although maybe needs to clean up his kicking a tad to fit your profile. Darcy Lang, Jake Greiser, Matthew Boag, Ben Cavarra and Tom Langdon are just a few others off the top of my head.

 

[tigs2010]

Thanks guys. Been too busy to watch anything this year. Will see Champs on Fox so that gives me a good idea of who to keep an eye on.

 

[GrandBlue]

How do you rate Josh Kelly in comparison to Lachie Whitfield from last year?

 

[Chris25]

How do you rate Josh Kelly in comparison to Lachie Whitfield from last year?

Not all that closely really. I'd have Whitfield quite a long way ahead, although comparing an AFL footballer and a kid in the U18s isn't all that accurate. While they might be roughly the same size, Whitfield is the stronger player and his ability in close is excellent for someone his age and size. And I'm not quite so sure Kelly has that same ability, I'd have him closer to a Hoskin-Elliot. Foot skills are tremendous, but will likely take longer to develop and I think will predominantly play a more outside, receiving role. He'll still be picked very early of course though.

 

[themightydoggies]

Surely gws won't get 1-10 picks this year?? Afl cannot allow that?

 

[GrandBlue]

Not all that closely really. I'd have Whitfield quite a long way ahead, although comparing an AFL footballer and a kid in the U18s isn't all that accurate. While they might be roughly the same size, Whitfield is the stronger player and his ability in close is excellent for someone his age and size. And I'm not quite so sure Kelly has that same ability, I'd have him closer to a Hoskin-Elliot. Foot skills are tremendous, but will likely take longer to develop and I think will predominantly play a more outside, receiving role. He'll still be picked very early of course though.

Meant to say Whitfield from last year when he was playing in the Champs, the step up to AFL Level obviously puts him ahead.

They both seem to be very high endurance midfielders who play more outside than in (which is why I asked). Will take your word for it though.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Meant to say Whitfield from last year when he was playing in the Champs, the step up to AFL Level obviously puts him ahead.

They both seem to be very high endurance midfielders who play more outside than in (which is why I asked). Will take your word for it though.

Pretty similar players, Whitfield really was an okay contested ball winner - that's probably the only difference.

Whitfield's looked pretty soft at AFL level so far, to be expected given he's a rake and a half.

Whitfield more a Sidebottom (except softer).

Kelly more a Gaff (except softer).

 

[themightydoggies]

Who will be around with the dogs pick?? We will finish 3rd last

 

[Defacto]

Who will be around with the dogs pick?? We will finish 3rd last

will you?

 

[themightydoggies]

will you?

What's your thoughts

 

[Sin City]

Who will be around with the dogs pick?? We will finish 3rd last

Boyd, Aish, Scharenberg, Dunstan, Billings. They're the five standouts at the moment.

 

[Chris25]

Who will be around with the dogs pick?? We will finish 3rd last

If Boyd is off the table (which I imagine he will be) then you'd just go the best available midfielder. I think the Bulldogs could use another inside ball winner, as well as some outside skill. So I don't imagine they'd target one particular player.

Personally, I'd probably stay away from Billings if I were the Bulldogs. Think he might turn out a bit Higgins like (not in a bad way) but I'm not convinced he becomes a permanent midfielder. Otherwise, the names Sin City mentioned are bang on. I'd also add Josh Kelly and Trent Dumont to the mix, as wel as my boy Marcus Bontempelli and even Ben Lennon.

 

[Defacto]

What's your thoughts

i reckon the ladder will finish like this (top to bottom)

Doggies
St Kilda
Melbourne
GWS

 

[paul scholes]

I still think you'll finish above us.

 

[Turbocat]

If Boyd is off the table (which I imagine he will be) then you'd just go the best available midfielder. I think the Bulldogs could use another inside ball winner, as well as some outside skill. So I don't imagine they'd target one particular player.

Personally, I'd probably stay away from Billings if I were the Bulldogs. Think he might turn out a bit Higgins like (not in a bad way) but I'm not convinced he becomes a permanent midfielder. Otherwise, the names Sin City mentioned are bang on. I'd also add Josh Kelly and Trent Dumont to the mix, as wel as my boy Marcus Bontempelli and even Ben Lennon.

The best kid with a huge tank to get to a heap of contests and the footskills to use them. Kelly?

 

[GrandBlue]

Darcy Hourigan seems a bit similar to Tim Membrey based on descriptions. Do you think he could slide due to being undersized?

 

[tigs2010]

Darcy Hourigan seems a bit similar to Tim Membrey based on descriptions. Do you think he could slide due to being undersized?

He's a bit bigger than Membrey isn't he? He's more Darling size where you can play him as a key forward. Could be wrong.

 

[philthy05]

on hourigan is he a natural forward? i think ive heard mentioned he plays back a bit as well?

is that something that if he doesnt work out as a forward he could be tried it as a strong fb?

 

[Chris Grant]

He's a bit bigger than Membrey isn't he? He's more Darling size where you can play him as a key forward. Could be wrong.

It looks that way, he looks above 190cm at a guess. Not sure he's really suited to playing further up the ground however. Looks more like a FF.

He didn't play in the back line against NSW, so not sure if he's a backman.

 

[Chris25]

Largely started his career as a defender did Hourigan, and didn't do too badly. He made his senior SANFL debut pretty early on, but in the last couple of years has made the permanent move forward. I think he'll get a chance at some stage in the Championships to play down there though, show he still has that versatility.

He is a bit bigger than Membrey, and does project a little closer to Darling. Although it's still not the best comparison. I think Jack is slightly better around the ground, but Darcy is the more natural leading forward. The SA squad has him at 190cm, but I think he is closer to 192cm personally.

 

[philthy05]

i think that size will be pretty important. in the past some 190cm forwards have been able to make it but with so many tall defenders being 193-197cm's but as quick as ever ala ben reid carlisle and rory thompson i reckon at 192+ you only give up 4 ish centimetres and can live with that but at 190-191 giving up 5 or 6cms plus is too hard to make up with positioning.

 

[Chris25]

Suppose it all depends on the team and what their structure is. I'd be pretty confident in picking Hourigan, even if he was only a second tall. Would still be worth it.

Speaking of KPPs, there are still a number out there in the U18s who nobody is talking about. I would rate Cameron Giles as quite possibly the second best KPD in the draft behind Gardiner. While most would know my thoughts on Cain Tickner and Mitch Harvey by now, and it's looking like their Championships are only going to justify this. The big full forward Cameron McCarthy from WA is absolutely worthy of second round talk on the basis of his early season form. Jake Kolodjashnij is impressing down back, while Alex Pearce could prove to this year's midfielder/KPP like Paparone. And that's not even mentioning the Vic Metro talls, including Alex Spencer. I'd rate all of them in my top 50.

It has taken a little while, but I'm liking the way the KPP stocks are shaping up this season.

 

[Sin City]

McCarthy and Spencer have both impressed me when I've seen them.

Josh Fox has been more impressive as a key position player than Jake Kolodjashnij or Alex Pearce, hopefully once Tassie start playing the other division two teams they'll be able to get it down to him more often.

Connor O'Sullivan is another that I've been impressed with both at CHF and CHB at times this year for the Ranges. Big body and very good ground skills.

Still waiting for Tickner to show me what everyone else sees in him.

 

[Chris25]

You could throw Fraser Fort and Michael Apeness in with O'Sullivan as that next group too. Later tonight I might look at adding some more names and profiles for the KPPs, seems like all the focus in on the midfielders at the moment. There are also quite a few guys around the 190cm mark, who would be good second/third talls - a fully fit Dallas Willsmore for example is a top 30 player.

 

[themightydoggies]

You could throw Fraser Fort and Michael Apeness in with O'Sullivan as that next group too. Later tonight I might look at adding some more names and profiles for the KPPs, seems like all the focus in on the midfielders at the moment. There are also quite a few guys around the 190cm mark, who would be good second/third talls - a fully fit Dallas Willsmore for example is a top 30 player.

The dogs look to be finishing what 4th last now, who will dogs look to draft??