2022 Draft Thread

[thegdog]

Darcy Jones, small but tough and lightening quick. Deserves to be on a list

 

[eZyT]

Darcy Jones, small but tough and lightening quick. Deserves to be on a list

He will be. Best sub 180 in the pool imho

 

[Ricemagic]

Top 60

1. Will Ashcroft
2. Elijah Tsatas
3. Harry Sheezel
4. George Wardlaw
5. Aaron Cadman
6. Matt Jefferson
7. Matteas Phillipou
8. Elijah Hewett
9. Cam McKenzie
10. Jhye Clark


These are the players who I believe could headline the draft class in 4 years. There's a bit of risk with this grouping, you always run the gauntlet when you pick players with injury history (see Wardlaw) & also run the risk of coming up empty handed once you start recruiting key position prospects. The evenness of this draft makes these gambles a bit more palatable however, plenty of risk attached to Sheezel but the upside warrants the outlay. Hewett strikes me as a great value bet, there's something about his swagger that screams top 10 talent & if he slides outside the first half dozen then it would appear on the surface to be a be a very healthy top tier. Probably the biggest surprise for many is Tsatas climbing up the charts, I've decided to roll with him as the second best prospect after some careful consideration, the reasons for this boil down to the fact his contested game is far more evolved than the raw numbers would suggest. He does collect a lot of outside ball but his clearance numbers are comparable to many of the other mids featured in the top echelon. His two way running gives him the edge over players like Hewett. The fact he's a pro athlete also means he'll be good to go from day one. Wardlaw would be higher if not for the soft tissue injuries & mediocre kicking & Sheezel probably gets the award for the riskiest of all the top 5. I'm a fan of Sheezel by the way, I just feel he needs a good home to nurture his obvious talents & that would appear unlikely.

11. Lachie Cowan
12. Reuben Ginbey
13. Bailey Humphrey
14. Ollie Hollands
15. Jedd Busslinger
16. Ollie Hotton
17. Jacob Konstanty
18. Harry Barnett
19. Henry Hustwaite
20. Brayden George

All these players have the tools to very good AFL footballers, not necessarily headline acts but certainly core footballers who will provide a fresh injection of talent. I wouldn't normally have a ruck this high but Barnett looks to be versatile enough to spend some minutes in the forward line. Humphrey doesn't do it for me like he does with some others, I think it's the kicking that nudges him out of top 10 calculations. Busslinger is coming back from shoulder surgery so this must be factored into the equation, likewise George who is talented but tarnished by an ACL injury. Cowan comes in at 11 & that seems fair weight for the best rebounder in the draft. The fact he can also roll through the midfield also adds to his value. I see him in a similar light to Zach Williams when he was playing well for GWS, not so much nowadays. Ginbey still worries me somewhat but I'll slot him in at 12 based on some outstanding athletic capabilities. I don't think he's a guaranteed midfield starter, I think his WAFL form has brought him back to earth but there are some very appealing traits, I can definitely see the attraction.

21.Alwyn Davey Jnr.
22. Isaac Keeler
23. Edward Allan
24. Coby Burgiel
25. Mitch Szybkowski
26. Harry Lemmey
27. Josh Weddle
28. Tom McCallum
29. Jakob Ryan
30. Darcy Jones

All these players have the ability to play AFL, some like Weddle & Szybkowski probably don't have monster upsides but they would also appear to be legitimate best 22 candidates. Keeler probably goes later, that's the word on the street. One SA watcher who has seen a fair bit of him has gone completely cold & basically said he's a Vickery clone, I reckon that's a bit harsh but it probably accounts for his apparent fall from grace. I've bumped Lemmey up the charts because the upside is huge, I think people are too dismissive of the fact he had covid this year, for me it now becomes a buying opportunity and if he lands at Punt Road I'll be stoked. McCallum slipping under the radar a bit, I think all the Tassie boys cop a raw deal in these mock drafts, I personally put him neck & neck with Weddle at this particular juncture.

31. Jed Hagen
32. Max Gruzewski
33. Lewis Hayes
34. Billy Dowling
35. Jaspa Fletcher
36. Max Michalanney
37. Harry Rowston
38. Sam Gilbey
39. Noah Long
40. Jaiden Magor

This group carries some risk & I expect a handful of busts but there's plenty of positives to work with. Gruzewski has tons of talent but he still needs to establish a permanent home on the field, I think he's best suited to defence but I'm betting someone will size him up as a potential forward. Hayes collapsed at the combine so I'm putting him in the high risk basket. Dowling is a ball magnet, some ridiculous numbers in the SANFL u/18s, probably more a Grigg style accumulator rather than a coal face extractor but his leadership qualities appeal & so does his ability to run opponents off their feet. Binns is another running machine who should carve out an AFL career & Gilbey is one of those value defenders who could easily become a permanent fixture in an AFL side.

41. Ethan Phillips
42. Jaxon Binns
43. Will Verall
44. Cooper Harvey
45. Nick Sadler
46. Max Knobel
47. Seth Campbell
48. Jason Gilbee
49. Luke Teal
50. Charlie Clarke

Quite a bit of speculation with this group, many will miss out given there will only be 45 selections apparently. With the exception of Phillips I'd say the others will need a few years in the system. Binns looks like value in the deep end, you can strike it lucky with these hard running types. Knobel will take time but he has shown some forward potential which adds to his value. Plenty of decent looking flankers, Teal & Gilbee solid picks and are the types who could defy their lowish standing. Verall is higher than most but his leap is very good for a heavy set ruck, Campbell slipping under the radar a bit.

51. Anthony Munkara
52. James Van Es
53. Jayden Davey
54. Archie Lovelock
55. Harvey Gallagher
56. Marlin Corbett
57. Phoenix Foster
58. Nick Madden
59. Cooper Vickery
60. Blake Drury

It's actually very hard to split this group from the 40-50 bracket, it's really a raffle from here. Van Es looks like a Talia type & could easily go higher, plenty of crafty small forwards to choose from, Harvey Gallagher another in the frame & he may get picked up earlier if he's seen as a defender. Corbett features due to his low trajectory bullet like kicking, Madden a project of sorts but he is ultra competitive like Mummy. Foster is one Richmond could seriously consider, very reliable in front of goal & ousts Scully for a spot in the top 60. I thought I'd also mention Casey Voss, 92% DE in the SANFL, probably lacking some athleticism but those numbers are crazy good.

The reality with this year's draft is many will miss out, I suspect there will be some disappointment after the draft but there's always the state leagues to offer up a second chance. Joshua Browne is one who forced his way onto the West Coast list last year, nothing concrete as yet but he's moving closer to a permanent berth.

Say our picks become 48 and 53, after the father-son's take some picks away, who would you want if say from Sadler down are available? Who gives the list more balance? And then if it was only players available from Gilbee down?

Thanks man

 

[Danjam]

Say our picks become 48 and 53, after the father-son's take some picks away, who would you want if say from Sadler down are available? Who gives the list more balance? And then if it was only players available from Gilbee down?

Thanks man

I’d be going with James Van Es and Phoenix Foster giving us more key position depth at either end of the ground but unlikely we will be able to grab both on draft night.

 

[bullus_hit]

Say our picks become 48 and 53, after the father-son's take some picks away, who would you want if say from Sadler down are available? Who gives the list more balance? And then if it was only players available from Gilbee down?

Thanks man

I'm a Max Knobel fan so he would be my tall, I also like Foster who is the more natural forward but I think in 4 years time Knobel will be the player who will provide a few more headaches. I think Foster is the better contested mark for now but Knobel will bridge that gap as he gains more strength. At 206cm he's a perfect height for a modern day ruck, I rank him the second best ruck in this year's crop and I also view him as a viable target up forward.

For the second selection it really depends on where we see the biggest deficiencies, I think Charlie Clarke fits our structure & would be some chance to make it as a midfielder. That probably gives him the edge over the other small forwards and also provides a point of difference with our current players. Like Seth Campbell he is capable of kicking big bags, his scoreboard influence has been excellent and he also has a high production when playing in the midfield.

 

[Ricemagic]

I'm a Max Knobel fan so he would be my tall, I also like Foster who is the more natural forward but I think in 4 years time Knobel will be the player who will provide a few more headaches. I think Foster is the better contested mark for now but Knobel will bridge that gap as he gains more strength. At 206cm he's a perfect height for a modern day ruck, I rank him the second best ruck in this year's crop and I also view him as a viable target up forward.

For the second selection it really depends on where we see the biggest deficiencies, I think Charlie Clarke fits our structure & would be some chance to make it as a midfielder. That probably gives him the edge over the other small forwards and also provides a point of difference with our current players. Like Seth Campbell he is capable of kicking big bags, his scoreboard influence has been excellent and he also has a high production when playing in the midfield.

Good stuff Do you think anyone in the 30's could do a drop like Sonsie did before last year's draft, maybe drop down from say 32-42 to that 48 pick range.

Has there been any talk like pre-draft last year with the Sonz, like sky remarks spotlighting lazy habits, arrogance stuff like that? Or anyone you like and think may slide to that 48 pick range?

 

[bullus_hit]

C

Good stuff Do you think anyone in the 30's could do a drop like Sonsie did before last year's draft, maybe drop down from say 32-42 to that 48 pick range.

Has there been any talk like pre-draft last year with the Sonz, like sky remarks spotlighting lazy habits, arrogance stuff like that? Or anyone you like and think may slide to that 48 pick range?

Keeler could slide, that's the talk around the traps, many believe he lacks intensity, I think he will be the big surprise of the evening. Adelaide only lukewarm at this stage, Collingwood have some interest but they also have others in the frame. The big news is Adelaide have offered next year's first for Phillipou.

 

[turk-d-tiger]

I'm a Max Knobel fan so he would be my tall, I also like Foster who is the more natural forward but I think in 4 years time Knobel will be the player who will provide a few more headaches. I think Foster is the better contested mark for now but Knobel will bridge that gap as he gains more strength. At 206cm he's a perfect height for a modern day ruck, I rank him the second best ruck in this year's crop and I also view him as a viable target up forward.

For the second selection it really depends on where we see the biggest deficiencies, I think Charlie Clarke fits our structure & would be some chance to make it as a midfielder. That probably gives him the edge over the other small forwards and also provides a point of difference with our current players. Like Seth Campbell he is capable of kicking big bags, his scoreboard influence has been excellent and he also has a high production when playing in the midfield.

A player like Knobel makes alot of sense either in the main draft or Rookie draft

We have Nank & Ivan Soldo but both are similar types and similar ages and after that we have Ryan who is a foward Ruck and Colina as a cat b which is very speculative and in 12-24 months time i see Soldo leaving for more opportunity or money and getting 2 years into a player like Knobel would be the right call and with Nank having 4-5 years left then thats perfect development amount of time for development.

 

[bullus_hit]

A player like Knobel makes alot of sense either in the main draft or Rookie draft

We have Nank & Ivan Soldo but both are similar types and similar ages and after that we have Ryan who is a foward Ruck and Colina as a cat b which is very speculative and in 12-24 months time i see Soldo leaving for more opportunity or money and getting 2 years into a player like Knobel would be the right call and with Nank having 4-5 years left then thats perfect development amount of time for development.

I agree, now is the time to get a developing ruck in the system, at worst you probably have some residual trading capital, at best you have genuine dual position player.

 

[Ricemagic]

I’d be going with James Van Es and Phoenix Foster giving us more key position depth at either end of the ground but unlikely we will be able to grab both on draft night.

I've done a draft based on all the talk from the clubs and draft experts saying how many picks they plan to use. So after father-son picks are used I have our pick 53 dropping by 5 to 48 and pick 63 dropping by 10 to pick 53. And going off what they're saying 58-60 players will be picked.

Bullus_hit has Van Es at 52 and Foster at 57, with picks 48 & 53, I'm telling you there's a chance!!

 

[Danjam]

I've done a draft based on all the talk from the clubs and draft experts saying how many picks they plan to use. So after father-son picks are used I have our pick 53 dropping by 5 to 48 and pick 63 dropping by 10 to pick 53. And going off what they're saying 58-60 players will be picked.

Bullus_hit has Van Es at 52 and Foster at 57, with picks 48 & 53, I'm telling you there's a chance!!

If that eventuates then I would be very happy with our draft/trade period. Potentially pick up a project ruck and small forward in the rookie draft and that would put us in a very nice position.

This needs to be a draft where we bring in some key position talent for list balance.

 

[Smoking Aces]

Keeler looks like to be the big slider in this years draft.

 

[TigerMasochist]

The big news is Adelaide have offered next year's first for Phillipou.

So how is that supposed to work??
Guessing he's gunna go fairly early in the draft, but firstly there's no guarantee where the Crowbaits finish next year, but more importantly who knows which club is gunna pick the Poo or where in the draft he's gunna be picked.

 

[bullus_hit]

So how is that supposed to work??
Guessing he's gunna go fairly early in the draft, but firstly there's no guarantee where the Crowbaits finish next year, but more importantly who knows which club is gunna pick the Poo or where in the draft he's gunna be picked.

I think it would have to be a top 6 pick, might also need some sauce with that trade.

 

[thegdog]

Gibscus and Van Es very nice backs for the next decade

 

[DuD_Delist]

Gibscus and Van Es very nice backs for the next decade

Balta & Van Es

 

[Scoop]

The big news is Adelaide have offered next year's first for Phillipou.

I'm hearing Essendon are considering him at their pick. The Crows will have to wit till the night of the draft to see if they can move.

I don't think they will be able to break into the 4-9 bracket without overpaying.

 

[bengal tigers]

I'm a Max Knobel fan so he would be my tall, I also like Foster who is the more natural forward but I think in 4 years time Knobel will be the player who will provide a few more headaches. I think Foster is the better contested mark for now but Knobel will bridge that gap as he gains more strength. At 206cm he's a perfect height for a modern day ruck, I rank him the second best ruck in this year's crop and I also view him as a viable target up forward.

For the second selection it really depends on where we see the biggest deficiencies, I think Charlie Clarke fits our structure & would be some chance to make it as a midfielder. That probably gives him the edge over the other small forwards and also provides a point of difference with our current players. Like Seth Campbell he is capable of kicking big bags, his scoreboard influence has been excellent and he also has a high production when playing in the midfield.

I see your point about getting a ruck to develop,but at the moment we don't need one,we have Soldo a premiership ruck in the reserves ,and Ryan who will start getting games and Collina who we all hope improves,Hartley backs in every player on the list.
I think with Jack and Tarrant possibly in their last year's ,a KP would be more needed than a ruck ,it will all come down to who is still available.

 

[Smoking Aces]

With Keeler potentially sliding, for the draft experts out there, who would you prefer if we had a choice out of Lemmy & Keeler?

 

[bullus_hit]

I see your point about getting a ruck to develop,but at the moment we don't need one,we have Soldo a premiership ruck in the reserves ,and Ryan who will start getting games and Collina who we all hope improves,Hartley backs in every player on the list.
I think with Jack and Tarrant possibly in their last year's ,a KP would be more needed than a ruck ,it will all come down to who is still available.

Ryan strikes me as a forward/ruck, Collina still 50/50 & Soldo likely to see more footy this year if the bench size is increased. I do acknowledge we're scrambling for replacements for both Jack & Tarrant, you could even entertain Van Es as the second selection, I think he's a pretty solid like for like option for Tarrant who is probably playing his final season. Tom McCallum is near the top of my wish list, he's another I think would slot in nicely.