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PRE Phantom Draft Time Capsule

spook

Kick the f*ckin' goal
Jun 18, 2007
21,912
26,417
Melbourne
Righto, I'll have a crack. As far as I can tell the only phantom drafts I've participated in were 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021, so there's a big gap of players who'd be in their prime. I did get Gold Coast's abundant 2010, and had both Carlton and Geelong in 2016.

1. David Swallow. Club captain, best-and-fairest, games record-holder. Not a superstar but a very solid player. Tick.
2. Sam Day. The dislocated hip really derailed him. Still a handy KPP who can play at both ends and is still in the league after a dozen years but might have been even better. Not my fault. Tick.
3. Harley Bennell. If not for that KHunt introducing him to powders, could have been a top-5 player in the league, a better Daniel Wells. Wouldn't have happened under my watch.
3. Cam Rayner. Impactful, good finals player. Fat (improvement still to come). Tick.
6. Tim Taranto. The hits keep coming. Second-best player from his draft now united with the best.
7. Shaun Atley. 200-game half-back-flanker my biggest fail so far.
9. Daniel Gorringe. He can host our podcast.
10. Tom Lynch. Home run.
10. Nick Coffield. Ugh.
11. Jack Darling. Boo-yah!
13. Pat McCarthy. Was list-building in Gold Coast's first draft so favoured KPPs. AA junior but only 1 AFL game. Fail.
18. Sam Butler. Promising first season in 2022 with 9 games/6 goals for Hawthorn.
27. Alex Witherden. Never became the midfielder I projected him to be, and maybe thanks to his draft year broken leg, too slow for the HBF he has played. Still listed after six years but meh.
28. Brandon Parfitt. Just played in a flag so I guess that's alright.
30. Nathan Murphy. Established himself as a key part of one of the best defences in the comp. Another tick.
34. Judson Clarke. I think we can all agree this kid will be a star. Joined the illustrious first two kicks two goals club on debut.
35. Viv Michie. Played 22 AFL games and won a state league B&F. Not bad but probably a fail.
39. Ben Newton. 17 AFL games, 12 goals. GTFO.
40. Marlion Pickett. Bada-BING!
40. Cooper Murley. First year at Collingwood this year, yet to debut.
43. Jordan Ridley. B&F winner, All-Australian squad member. Pretty good pick.
45. Angus Anderson. Undrafted last year, played as an overager this year. Don't think he makes it. Spewing I took him ahead of one of my faves in Arthur Jones.
48. Isaac Cumming. I reckon this guy is one of the more underrated players in the comp. After a slow start to his career he played 24 games in 2021, averaging 21.8 disposals off half-back, improving to 23.5 in 21 this year. Great size, beautiful kick. Big tick.
49. Tyler Chalwell. Classic youtube fan favourite draft smokey. Never made it to the AFL, spent many years at East Fremantle in the WAFL but no star at that level. Buh-bow.
52. Jamie Hampton. As talented as his brother Curtly. Achieved even less. Say no more.
61. Tom Williamson. The only player younger than Shai Bolton to be drafted in 2016. Played 44 games for the Blues but just 1 this year before being delisted. Great size and pace at 190, wouldn't be surprised if someone picks him up unless he has an injury I don't know about. Okay pick for the 60s.
62. Elliott Himmelberg. Career-best 11 games, 14 goals this year for 38 games/40 goals total. Okay forward, reckon he could make a key defender if settled there.
63. Zac Foot. 2 games for Sydney, now I think playing for Southport in the VFL and doing pretty well. Turns 22 in December but probably unlikely to get another go.
66. Ben Ronke. Played 8 games for the Swans this year (6 goals) to give him 44 games/39 goals over six seasons. Looks like he peaked in his second year on the list when he kicked 24 goals in 18 games, including 7 in his third-ever match. This late, you'd take it.
71. Darcy Cameron. Forced Brodie Grundy out of the club. Boom!
73. Adam Sambono. Swing and a miss.
74. Ed Phillips. Managed 15 games for the Saints.
75. Josh Williams. 2 games for Norf.
79. Jack Ross. You might have heard of him.
81. Oscar Junker. Rookie-listed by Norf, never played.
91. Mitch McCarthy. Rookie-listed by Collingwood, never played.
Rookie: Kane Farrell. Ask @The Big Richo what a good pick this was. Swish.

B: Ridley Himmelberg Murphy
HB: Cumming Day Atley
C: Pickett Taranto Farrell
HF: Rayner Darling Bennell
F: Ronke Lynch Clarke
R: Cameron Swallow Parfitt
I: Ross Butler Williamson Coffield Witherden

Not bad from 37 picks. Bit thin on mids but I would have drafted Oliver, Bont, Stringer and Lever in those drafts I missed,

Please don't bombard me with suggestions I send my resume to Blair Hartley. He knows where I am.*

*He doesn't.
 
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bullus_hit

Whatchu talkin about Jack?
Apr 3, 2006
15,227
5,668
Righto, I'll have a crack. As far as I can tell the only phantom drafts I've participated in were 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021, so there's a big gap of players who'd be in their prime. I did get Gold Coast's abundant 2010, and had both Carlton and Geelong in 2016.

1. David Swallow. Club captain, best-and-fairest, games record-holder. Not a superstar but a very solid player. Tick.
2. Sam Day. The dislocated hip really derailed him. Still a handy KPP who can play at both ends and is still in the league after a dozen years but might have been even better. Not my fault. Tick.
3. Harley Bennell. If not for that KHunt introducing him to powders, could have been a top-5 player in the league, a better Daniel Wells. Wouldn't have happened under my watch.
3. Cam Rayner. Impactful, good finals player. Fat (improvement still to come). Tick.
6. Tim Taranto. The hits keep coming. Second-best player from his draft now united with the best.
7. Shaun Atley. 200-game half-back-flanker my biggest fail so far.
9. Daniel Gorringe. He can host our podcast.
10. Tom Lynch. Home run.
10. Nick Coffield. Ugh.
11. Jack Darling. Boo-yah!
13. Pat McCarthy. Was list-building in Gold Coast's first draft so favoured KPPs. AA junior but only 1 AFL game. Fail.
18. Sam Butler. Promising first season in 2022 with 9 games/6 goals for Hawthorn.
27. Alex Witherden. Never became the midfielder I projected him to be, and maybe thanks to his draft year broken leg, too slow for the HBF he has played. Still listed after six years but meh.
28. Brandon Parfitt. Just played in a flag so I guess that's alright.
30. Nathan Murphy. Established himself as a key part of one of the best defences in the comp. Another tick.
34. Judson Clarke. I think we can all agree this kid will be a star. Joined the illustrious first two kicks two goals club on debut.
35. Viv Michie. Played 22 AFL games and won a state league B&F. Not bad but probably a fail.
39. Ben Newton. 17 AFL games, 12 goals. GTFO.
40. Marlion Pickett. Bada-BING!
40. Cooper Murley. First year at Collingwood this year, yet to debut.
43. Jordan Ridley. B&F winner, All-Australian squad member. Pretty good pick.
45. Angus Anderson. Undrafted last year, played as an overager this year. Don't think he makes it. Spewing I took him ahead of one of my faves in Arthur Jones.
48. Isaac Cumming. I reckon this guy is one of the more underrated players in the comp. After a slow start to his career he played 24 games in 2021, averaging 21.8 disposals off half-back, improving to 23.5 in 21 this year. Great size, beautiful kick. Big tick.
49. Tyler Chalwell. Classic youtube fan favourite draft smokey. Never made it to the AFL, spent many years at East Fremantle in the WAFL but no star at that level. Buh-bow.
52. Jamie Hampton. As talented as his brother Curtly. Achieved even less. Say no more.
61. Tom Williamson. The only player younger than Shai Bolton to be drafted in 2016. Played 44 games for the Blues but just 1 this year before being delisted. Great size and pace at 190, wouldn't be surprised if someone picks him up unless he has an injury I don't know about. Okay pick for the 60s.
62. Elliott Himmelberg. Career-best 11 games, 14 goals this year for 38 games/40 goals total. Okay forward, reckon he could make a key defender if settled there.
63. Zac Foot. 2 games for Sydney, now I think playing for Southport in the VFL and doing pretty well. Turns 22 in December but probably unlikely to get another go.
66. Ben Ronke. Played 8 games for the Swans this year (6 goals) to give him 44 games/39 goals over six seasons. Looks like he peaked in his second year on the list when he kicked 24 goals in 18 games, including 7 in his third-ever match. This late, you'd take it.
71. Darcy Cameron. Forced Brodie Grundy out of the club. Boom!
73. Adam Sambono. Swing and a miss.
74. Ed Phillips. Managed 15 games for the Saints.
75. Josh Williams. 2 games for Norf.
79. Jack Ross. You might have heard of him.
81. Oscar Junker. Rookie-listed by Norf, never played.
91. Mitch McCarthy. Rookie-listed by Collingwood, never played.
Rookie: Kane Farrell. Ask @The Big Richo what a good pick this was. Swish.

B: Ridley Himmelberg Murphy
HB: Cumming Day Atley
C: Pickett Taranto Farrell
HF: Rayner Darling Bennell
F: Ronke Lynch Clarke
R: Cameron Swallow Parfitt
I: Ross Butler Williamson Coffield Witherden

Not bad from 37 picks. Bit thin on mids but I would have drafted Oliver, Bont, Stringer and Lever in those drafts I missed,

Please don't bombard me with suggestions I send my resume to Blair Hartley. He knows where I am.*

*He doesn't.
Well done Spook, nice balance, got the bookends, got a cheap ruck, utilised the state leagues. Solid team.
 

CarnTheTiges

This is a REAL tiger
Mar 8, 2004
25,348
11,173
Victoria
Righto, I'll have a crack. As far as I can tell the only phantom drafts I've participated in were 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021, so there's a big gap of players who'd be in their prime. I did get Gold Coast's abundant 2010, and had both Carlton and Geelong in 2016.

1. David Swallow. Club captain, best-and-fairest, games record-holder. Not a superstar but a very solid player. Tick.
2. Sam Day. The dislocated hip really derailed him. Still a handy KPP who can play at both ends and is still in the league after a dozen years but might have been even better. Not my fault. Tick.
3. Harley Bennell. If not for that KHunt introducing him to powders, could have been a top-5 player in the league, a better Daniel Wells. Wouldn't have happened under my watch.
3. Cam Rayner. Impactful, good finals player. Fat (improvement still to come). Tick.
6. Tim Taranto. The hits keep coming. Second-best player from his draft now united with the best.
7. Shaun Atley. 200-game half-back-flanker my biggest fail so far.
9. Daniel Gorringe. He can host our podcast.
10. Tom Lynch. Home run.
10. Nick Coffield. Ugh.
11. Jack Darling. Boo-yah!
13. Pat McCarthy. Was list-building in Gold Coast's first draft so favoured KPPs. AA junior but only 1 AFL game. Fail.
18. Sam Butler. Promising first season in 2022 with 9 games/6 goals for Hawthorn.
27. Alex Witherden. Never became the midfielder I projected him to be, and maybe thanks to his draft year broken leg, too slow for the HBF he has played. Still listed after six years but meh.
28. Brandon Parfitt. Just played in a flag so I guess that's alright.
30. Nathan Murphy. Established himself as a key part of one of the best defences in the comp. Another tick.
34. Judson Clarke. I think we can all agree this kid will be a star. Joined the illustrious first two kicks two goals club on debut.
35. Viv Michie. Played 22 AFL games and won a state league B&F. Not bad but probably a fail.
39. Ben Newton. 17 AFL games, 12 goals. GTFO.
40. Marlion Pickett. Bada-BING!
40. Cooper Murley. First year at Collingwood this year, yet to debut.
43. Jordan Ridley. B&F winner, All-Australian squad member. Pretty good pick.
45. Angus Anderson. Undrafted last year, played as an overager this year. Don't think he makes it. Spewing I took him ahead of one of my faves in Arthur Jones.
48. Isaac Cumming. I reckon this guy is one of the more underrated players in the comp. After a slow start to his career he played 24 games in 2021, averaging 21.8 disposals off half-back, improving to 23.5 in 21 this year. Great size, beautiful kick. Big tick.
49. Tyler Chalwell. Classic youtube fan favourite draft smokey. Never made it to the AFL, spent many years at East Fremantle in the WAFL but no star at that level. Buh-bow.
52. Jamie Hampton. As talented as his brother Curtly. Achieved even less. Say no more.
61. Tom Williamson. The only player younger than Shai Bolton to be drafted in 2016. Played 44 games for the Blues but just 1 this year before being delisted. Great size and pace at 190, wouldn't be surprised if someone picks him up unless he has an injury I don't know about. Okay pick for the 60s.
62. Elliott Himmelberg. Career-best 11 games, 14 goals this year for 38 games/40 goals total. Okay forward, reckon he could make a key defender if settled there.
63. Zac Foot. 2 games for Sydney, now I think playing for Southport in the VFL and doing pretty well. Turns 22 in December but probably unlikely to get another go.
66. Ben Ronke. Played 8 games for the Swans this year (6 goals) to give him 44 games/39 goals over six seasons. Looks like he peaked in his second year on the list when he kicked 24 goals in 18 games, including 7 in his third-ever match. This late, you'd take it.
71. Darcy Cameron. Forced Brodie Grundy out of the club. Boom!
73. Adam Sambono. Swing and a miss.
74. Ed Phillips. Managed 15 games for the Saints.
75. Josh Williams. 2 games for Norf.
79. Jack Ross. You might have heard of him.
81. Oscar Junker. Rookie-listed by Norf, never played.
91. Mitch McCarthy. Rookie-listed by Collingwood, never played.
Rookie: Kane Farrell. Ask @The Big Richo what a good pick this was. Swish.

B: Ridley Himmelberg Murphy
HB: Cumming Day Atley
C: Pickett Taranto Farrell
HF: Rayner Darling Bennell
F: Ronke Lynch Clarke
R: Cameron Swallow Parfitt
I: Ross Butler Williamson Coffield Witherden

Not bad from 37 picks. Bit thin on mids but I would have drafted Oliver, Bont, Stringer and Lever in those drafts I missed,

Please don't bombard me with suggestions I send my resume to Blair Hartley. He knows where I am.*

*He doesn't.
I’m trying to get over the fact that there is a player out there with the surname of Junker. How fitting that he wound up at #lolnorf.
 
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bullus_hit

Whatchu talkin about Jack?
Apr 3, 2006
15,227
5,668
*flag team
Picks 1-5

Swallow, Day, Bennell & Rayner, that should yield 75% if we're talking 200 gamers.

Picks 6-15

A few busts but given you have rolled the dice on some key forwards you get some bonus points (this is the hardest task in recruiting). 4 out of 7 which equates to 57%. I think you can be entrusted with premium picks.

Picks 16-30

All players still in the frame so a bit early to start grading here, Witherden probably struggles to hit 200 games but the others look great. You snatched Parfitt from me that year so you get another bonus point. I think 75% still possible from here but we'll have to wait on Murphy & Butler.

31-50

4 busts but you have sourced extreme value in defence, Ridley & Cumming are close to A grade if not already. The small forwards in Clarke & Murley pretty good picks. Pickett an excellent state league addition. At the moment you are sitting on 3 out of 7 with potential hit 5, let's just say 57% for the moment (allowing for 1 bust out of Murley & Clarke).

51-rookie

You might struggle to get any 200 gamers here but I'll give you points for Cameron, Himmelberg (although it's not Harry) & Ross. 3 out 12, strike rate 25%.

Overall good drafting, I think you have played the numbers game particularly well, you haven't spent enormous amounts of capital on defenders although I think Coffield might have been a stretch in hindsight. Probably lacking mids but I reckon you have a pretty good eye for upside, Bont & Oliver two good examples.
 
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tigerdell

Hope springs infernal
Mar 29, 2014
4,549
5,156
Righto, I'll have a crack. As far as I can tell the only phantom drafts I've participated in were 2010, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2021, so there's a big gap of players who'd be in their prime. I did get Gold Coast's abundant 2010, and had both Carlton and Geelong in 2016.

1. David Swallow. Club captain, best-and-fairest, games record-holder. Not a superstar but a very solid player. Tick.
...
Swallow an interesting one, as you say a solid player.
Would you pick him again?
Did he end up too one-paced or asked too much of from an early age.

Interesting that with hindsight the only better picks are probably Prestia, Lynch and Parker.
Isaac Smith, Gaff, McGovern, Lycett, Howe are thereabouts.
Swallow has been very consistent without being great /in a good team
 

spook

Kick the f*ckin' goal
Jun 18, 2007
21,912
26,417
Melbourne
Swallow an interesting one, as you say a solid player.
Would you pick him again?
Did he end up too one-paced or asked too much of from an early age.

Interesting that with hindsight the only better picks are probably Prestia, Lynch and Parker.
Isaac Smith, Gaff, McGovern, Lycett, Howe are thereabouts.
Swallow has been very consistent without being great /in a good team
Solid player td, but with the benefit of hindsight I'd pick Lynch, Prestia, Parker 1,2,3, with Darling at 7, Brodie Smith at 9, Isaac Smith 10, Guthrie 11, Jamie Cripps 13, Tom McDonald 39 and McGovern at 105, assuming no butterfly effect. Two gun key forwards, a gun key back and another good one, two gun mids, a gun wingman, gun half-forward, and two gun half-backs, one of whom develops into a third very good mid. The only thing missing is a ruckman but they're easy enough to find.

Shows what a crap shoot it can be when West Coast even picked Tim Houlihan and Anton Hamp in the rookie draft before they got to McGovern at pick 44, after 112 picks in the national draft and 6 in the pre-season draft.
 
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bullus_hit

Whatchu talkin about Jack?
Apr 3, 2006
15,227
5,668
Solid player td, but with the benefit of hindsight I'd pick Lynch, Prestia, Parker 1,2,3, with Darling at 7, Brodie Smith at 9, Isaac Smith 10, Guthrie 11, Jamie Cripps 13, Tom McDonald 39 and McGovern at 105, assuming no butterfly effect. Two gun key forwards, a gun key back and another good one, two gun mids, a gun wingman, gun half-forward, and two gun half-backs, one of whom develops into a third very good mid. The only thing missing is a ruckman but they're easy enough to find.

Shows what a crap shoot it can be when West Coast even picked Tim Houlihan and Anton Hamp in the rookie draft before they got to McGovern at pick 44, after 112 picks in the national draft and 6 in the pre-season draft.
If you could have one hand in this year's draft, any team, who would you take?
 

Scoop

Tiger Legend
Dec 8, 2004
24,931
13,972
Be good fun if a sub-board was created with all the phantoms in there.
 
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spook

Kick the f*ckin' goal
Jun 18, 2007
21,912
26,417
Melbourne
If you could have one hand in this year's draft, any team, who would you take?
Well, you'd have to have their list as well, so it's all relative. But leaving that aside, probably GWS with 1, 15, 18, 19, 31, 57, 61. Cadman at 1, good chance to get Keeler as well, both fit their needs. And someone like Hayes, plus some mids and small forwards.
 

bullus_hit

Whatchu talkin about Jack?
Apr 3, 2006
15,227
5,668
Well, you'd have to have their list as well, so it's all relative. But leaving that aside, probably GWS with 1, 15, 18, 19, 31, 57, 61. Cadman at 1, good chance to get Keeler as well, both fit their needs. And someone like Hayes, plus some mids and small forwards.
So that's your hand this year, some might have gone for 2 & 3, be interesting to see how that pans out.
 

bullus_hit

Whatchu talkin about Jack?
Apr 3, 2006
15,227
5,668
Reckon West Coast would have been my second choice.
Tough one, I suppose it boils down to how you rate Sheezel & Wardlaw, there is some chance Sheezel becomes the best player in this year's crop, massive upside.
 

BrisTiger24

Out: Chimp In: Camel
Oct 16, 2003
15,183
7,312
Brisbane
I have been an ad hoc contributor through the years. 2017 looks like my best year. Selecting Darcy Fogarty and Aaron Naughton for the Aints. Albeit at the time I thought Naughton was going to be a KPD and so was looking for the bookmarks approach. I'm sure Ratten would have liked both of these boys in his team

Another notable selection was Zak Butters for the Lions at mid 20s in his draft year.
 
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bullus_hit

Whatchu talkin about Jack?
Apr 3, 2006
15,227
5,668
I have been an ad hoc contributor through the years. 2017 looks like my best year. Selecting Darcy Fogarty and Aaron Naughton for the Aints. Albeit at the time I thought Naughton was going to be a KPD and so was looking for the bookmarks approach. I'm sure Ratten would have liked both of these boys in his team

Another notable selection was Zak Butters for the Lions at mid 20s in his draft year.
Two key forwards in the same draft is 10/10, I wouldn't have achieved that result given I didn't rate Naughton but had Fogarty pegged at 6. The lessons learnt from that episode? Never pigeon hole a tall, no matter how poor their kicking may seem. Naughton has defied all my expectations.
 
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123cups

Tiger Champion
May 1, 2016
3,099
4,076
What are some lessons to carry forward after looking back over these picks?
 

bullus_hit

Whatchu talkin about Jack?
Apr 3, 2006
15,227
5,668
What are some lessons to carry forward after looking back over these picks?
I think that defence is one area that you can find extreme value, plenty of AA talent sliding into the third round, it's one reason I'm reluctant to spend big on back flankers, I think this should only be done if it's Hurn, Rich, Salem & Docherty type kicking skills. This year I think Cowan qualifies, his ability to play as midfielder an extra string to the bow which forces him up the order. Hopefully Brown elevates himself to the company above, lofty standards but that's the bar if you get selected in the first round.

Rucks another area you can grab some bargains, even if they're not immediate necessities they can buy you some excellent trading capital, Meek a perfect example of making hay while the sun shines.

Forwards almost always need to come in the first round, the trend lately has been in the 6-15 bracket, Riewoldt, Lynch, McKay, Curnow, Naughton, Fogarty & Marshall (pick 16) a case in point. If we're talking about applying a best available philosophy then this rings true when scouting for tall forwards.
 
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