2022 Draft Thread

[Tortured Tiger]

I'm not sure they're being discarded. We traded one for Prestia, and he's been better than most of our recent first rounders anyway. I appreciate the sentiment re valuing first rounders and you know more about the draft than I have forgotten, but the club couldn't be further away from the Miller days in terms of how it builds lists and how it is run generally. I think the key to list building (if there is in fact a key, and it isn't just all a crapshoot) is to be flexible enough to take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself. Whether that's getting Nankervis or Houli or Grigg for a bargain or trading for Prestia or giving a big contract to Lynch, you need to pounce when you think a player can add something to the list, which Taranto and Hopper clearly both do. Our midfield was the weakest of the teams in the 8, and those two will go a long way to alleviating that in 2023 and beyond.

I couldn't agree more. At the end of 2021 after an incredibly successful period and therefore very few early picks, we had a list that was short on skill in some area, light on for midfielders and a need to bolster our key position stocks. The kids drafted last year should certainly help lift the skill level, Taranto and Hopper will definitely improve our midfield depth. Hopefully we can snare a another key position player through trade or draft this year but if not I am sure this will be addressed next year as our list management team is one of the best in the business.

 

[DavidSSS]

I couldn't agree more. At the end of 2021 after an incredibly successful period and therefore very few early picks, we had a list that was short on skill in some area, light on for midfielders and a need to bolster our key position stocks. The kids drafted last year should certainly help lift the skill level, Taranto and Hopper will definitely improve our midfield depth. Hopefully we can snare a another key position player through trade or draft this year but if not I am sure this will be addressed next year as our list management team is one of the best in the business.

That's the thing, we have players retiring and we need to rejuvenate the list, which takes a few years. Can't expect to replace a triple premiership list in a couple of years, it takes longer. Not to mention the low draft picks you get when you win flags.

DS

 

[St Kevin]

I'm not sure they're being discarded. We traded one for Prestia, and he's been better than most of our recent first rounders anyway. I appreciate the sentiment re valuing first rounders and you know more about the draft than I have forgotten, but the club couldn't be further away from the Miller days in terms of how it builds lists and how it is run generally. I think the key to list building (if there is in fact a key, and it isn't just all a crapshoot) is to be flexible enough to take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself. Whether that's getting Nankervis or Houli or Grigg for a bargain or trading for Prestia or giving a big contract to Lynch, you need to pounce when you think a player can add something to the list, which Taranto and Hopper clearly both do. Our midfield was the weakest of the teams in the 8, and those two will go a long way to alleviating that in 2023 and beyond.

As a postscript, when you have generational talents like Bolton, Martin and Lynch you should always be trying to compete for a flag. Players like that don't come around often, and there's no use languishing in the bottom half of the 8 while they are still elite players.

 

[bullus_hit]

Geez BH I think you are slightly over exaggerating comparing us to the Miller years. We havent traded a first round pick since 2016 for Prestia and last year we went all in with 5 top 30 picks.

Lets have some balance to the arguments before throwing out comments like that.

I know you love your draft but continued success at the top needs both astute drafting and trading.

As you know Smokey I will always defend the draft when these blockbuster trades get mentioned, I still feel the pain from the Beck/Miller years & the fact we created a dynasty out of nothing only galvanises those views. I was pushing for Prestia to come over with the Deledio pick, even that situation caused a fair degree of anxiety but given it was rolled up with Caddy & Nank I accepted the package & also acknowledged it was the right time. The key parts were largely in place, the bookends were present, the age profile spot on. I simply don't feel that way this time around, I fear the dreaded dead cat bounce & losing 12, 19, 30 & next year's first a huge price to pay on midfielders with injury histories & suspect disposal.

I'm not sure they're being discarded. We traded one for Prestia, and he's been better than most of our recent first rounders anyway. I appreciate the sentiment re valuing first rounders and you know more about the draft than I have forgotten, but the club couldn't be further away from the Miller days in terms of how it builds lists and how it is run generally. I think the key to list building (if there is in fact a key, and it isn't just all a crapshoot) is to be flexible enough to take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself. Whether that's getting Nankervis or Houli or Grigg for a bargain or trading for Prestia or giving a big contract to Lynch, you need to pounce when you think a player can add something to the list, which Taranto and Hopper clearly both do. Our midfield was the weakest of the teams in the 8, and those two will go a long way to alleviating that in 2023 and beyond.

Houli, Nank, Grigg etc were brought to the club with low end picks, those deals were value added. Grabbing Taranto at peak value doesn't seem right, GWS have a habit of stooging the competition, I don't trust them & I don't like the concept of being totally shut out of the 2023 draft. The downside to all this is having a player with a banged up shoulder clog the list & the club being hamstrung in their ability to find adequate replacements for Jack, Grimes & Lynch. The midfield much easier to fix if all goes awry. If we don't make finals next year it will be a bitter pill to swallow.

 

[Dont Argue]

I see Connor Blakely has been delisted.
Jumped out of the gates early in his career and looked a great pickup. Think he’s scrappy by foot but a tough inside mid.
Not sure he’s worth a look but a few on here were keen on him during his draft year. Me included.

N.B. We chose Connor Menedue the pick before

 

[momentai]

Post deleted.

 

[daniel30]

For me under no circumstances next years first round is involved 2023. I reckon to much media speculation what we have to cough up to.

 

[Mr Brightside]

I see Connor Blakely has been delisted.
Jumped out of the gates early in his career and looked a great pickup. Think he’s scrappy by foot but a tough inside mid.
Not sure he’s worth a look but a few on here were keen on him during his draft year. Me included.

N.B. We chose Connor Menedue the pick before

Make a decent lockdown type imho.

 

[Midsy]

That's the thing, we have players retiring and we need to rejuvenate the list, which takes a few years. Can't expect to replace a triple premiership list in a couple of years, it takes longer. Not to mention the low draft picks you get when you win flags.

DS

I think people tend to forget our 2017-2020 period started in 2007/2008.

 

[Smoking Aces]

As you know Smokey I will always defend the draft when these blockbuster trades get mentioned, I still feel the pain from the Beck/Miller years & the fact we created a dynasty out of nothing only galvanises those views. I was pushing for Prestia to come over with the Deledio pick, even that situation caused a fair degree of anxiety but given it was rolled up with Caddy & Nank I accepted the package & also acknowledged it was the right time. The key parts were largely in place, the bookends were present, the age profile spot on. I simply don't feel that way this time around, I fear the dreaded dead cat bounce & losing 12, 19, 30 & next year's first a huge price to pay on midfielders with injury histories & suspect disposal.


Houli, Nank, Grigg etc were brought to the club with low end picks, those deals were value added. Grabbing Taranto at peak value doesn't seem right, GWS have a habit of stooging the competition, I don't trust them & I don't like the concept of being totally shut out of the 2023 draft. The downside to all this is having a player with a banged up shoulder clog the list & the club being hamstrung in their ability to find adequate replacements for Jack, Grimes & Lynch. The midfield much easier to fix if all goes awry. If we don't make finals next year it will be a bitter pill to swallow.

No problem with what you are saying. We might lose our top end picks but we won’t be out of this draft. I expect us to still have a few picks in the thirties / forties. Still enough to pounce on some talent. Let’s not forget our late picks in the past have netted us premiership players. Broad, Short, Grimes, Lambert, Castsgna. Miller was pick 73 and coming on nicely. Ryan a pick in the 40’s and looking the goods. Top end picks especially those in the mid teens onwards aren’t always the answer. Different story if we are talking about picks in the very early stages of the first round.

The other thing to consider which I have mentioned previously is our lost age profile is out of whack. We are crying out for very good players in that 24-27 age bracket. Currently we have 1 maybe 2. This is clearly a need for us on 2 fronts - 1. To remain competitive and still be in the hunt and 2. ensure it allows us to develop our young players without throwing them to wolves.

 

[Smoking Aces]

See it similarly. Keeping and trading in first rounders and future 1st rounders, is the way to go.

Yea but at some point you need to pounce on the talent that’s available and give up those picks.

 

[St Kevin]

As you know Smokey I will always defend the draft when these blockbuster trades get mentioned, I still feel the pain from the Beck/Miller years & the fact we created a dynasty out of nothing only galvanises those views. I was pushing for Prestia to come over with the Deledio pick, even that situation caused a fair degree of anxiety but given it was rolled up with Caddy & Nank I accepted the package & also acknowledged it was the right time. The key parts were largely in place, the bookends were present, the age profile spot on. I simply don't feel that way this time around, I fear the dreaded dead cat bounce & losing 12, 19, 30 & next year's first a huge price to pay on midfielders with injury histories & suspect disposal.


Houli, Nank, Grigg etc were brought to the club with low end picks, those deals were value added. Grabbing Taranto at peak value doesn't seem right, GWS have a habit of stooging the competition, I don't trust them & I don't like the concept of being totally shut out of the 2023 draft. The downside to all this is having a player with a banged up shoulder clog the list & the club being hamstrung in their ability to find adequate replacements for Jack, Grimes & Lynch. The midfield much easier to fix if all goes awry. If we don't make finals next year it will be a bitter pill to swallow.

Your point re GWS is valid, but this seems to be to be one of the few occasions that they actually want to keep said players in question (Hopper is contracted, and they offered Taranto several contracts).

 

[Jonesracing82]

Agree with "Midfield top ups are easy, the market is brimming with options", there certainly is more of them.
With our current list of young players, I can see all of Gibcus, Ryan, Nyuon, Bauer still being on our list in a few years time, whereas out of Ross, Sonsie, RCD, Martyn and Dow, I can only see Ross and Sonsie and perhaps Dow still being there.

Our key tall stocks certainly need addressing, I just think our midfield is in more need of attention, and with Taranto and Hopper we get that immediately.

We can still bring in some talls in the upcoming draft. I was impressed with Tylar Young's progression in the VFL this year, he may be worth a rookie pick.

Are there any speculative talls that you like, who might be available with a late pick or rookie selection?

This off season, for our mids looks like out RCD & Martyn - in Hopper & Taranto. thats a massive win. 1 for Bully, with Caro saying Port think they can get Graham are there any talls from there you'd happily take in a trade if that was to eventuate? P.S I hope Fridge stays BTW.

 

[Jonesracing82]

It seems at worst the most we'll give up for next yrs Draft is the 1st rounder, 2nd rounder etc will still be there the way it sounds. it's more this Draft we'll be out of but gain 2 decent, ready made mids instead.

 

[momentai]

Yea but at some point you need to pounce on the talent that’s available and give up those picks.

Ideally no.
You always go to the draft with all of your picks inside the 1st and (almost always your) 2nd round intact.
You grow your team from the selections made.
You top up with free agents.
You top up with player for player trades topped up with 2nd and 3rd round picks, thereby trading in better players than you trade out.
And you never trade 1 rd picks and wouldn’t dream of ever trading a future 1st.

 

[momentai]

Sometimes, rarely but sometimes, a salary dump will provide an opportunity which you just can’t resist. Resist for as long as you can and if you are completely satisfied there is no other way, then OK, go with a 1st but under no circumstances ever a future 1st.

 

[momentai]

While on the subject of salary dumping and what Gill will now accept as a reasonable exchange, can’t help but think that our deal with GWS has already been agreed.
Otherwise a bit odd for him to come out and say the league would no longer interfere and attempt to provide some protection for clubs forced to sell cheaply because of TPP pressure caused by past over spending.
That is unless he wanted to screw a club that had already managed to reach a well balanced agreement.
If that agreement has already been reached and we can’t benefit from his change of
rules, nothing new.. that’s ok.. he has done it before.

 

[Smoking Aces]

Ideally no.
You always go to the draft with all of your picks inside the 1st and (almost always your) 2nd round intact.
You grow your team from the selections made.
You top up with free agents.
You top up with player for player trades topped up with 2nd and 3rd round picks, thereby trading in better players than you trade out.
And you never trade 1 rd picks and wouldn’t dream of ever trading a future 1st.

So whats your thoughts on giving up a 1st rounder for Prestia?

Thats a very blinkered thought process you have adopted.

 

[daniel30]

I don't think our spine as bad as people make it to be we do need a couple developing forwards to draft this year no doubt and a ruck . The spine is there through Balta , Gibcus, Miller Bauer , Ryan etc. I'm super keen on Young in our vfl program to.

 

[momentai]

So whats your thoughts on giving up a 1st rounder for Prestia?

Thats a very blinkered thought process you have adopted.

See # 816, Dion impossible to resist.
But never a future 1st,
and I ‘d even agree to the horse reference.

The point is that we should develop a reputation which tells all interested that we hardly ever trade a first and will never trade a future 1 st.

Just to add, giving a way a future 1st takes away any real ability to deal with an unexpected crisis, or departure, or injury and also puts one of our most vital and creative sections, to sleep for a year.
And that doesn’t mention the possible consequences of the unexpected leading to a poor season and the loss therefore of a very valuable pick.