National AFL Draft: Potential Draftees

[Redford]

Over the last 6-8 weeks I've had the fortune to watch a number of TAC Cup games (including those of Lachlan McGhie), all U/18 National Championship games (including those with Andrew Raines from Queensland) and a few other videos of players that will be nominating for the upcoming AFL National Draft.

As there is a lot of interest on what's available at this time of year, I've been thinking of putting up a post on who's who and who I reckon (in my very unprofessional opinion) RFC should be targeting, and perhaps just as importantly, who I think they should pass on.

But before I do, I've got a list of about 70 or so players that I have a profile on - which is way too many to list here on PRE.

With that, I'll put up about 20/25 but if anyone has an interest in a particular player, let me know and hopefully I've covered them. If I have covered them, I'll include them as well (I think someone was asking about Will Gayfer a few weeks ago ?)

Anyway, let me know.

 

[Rosy]

(I think someone was asking about Will Gayfer a few weeks ago ?)

I wasn't really asking about Will, but commenting on watching him play in an Ovens and Murray league game.
He's a big strong kid who looks ready for round 1 to me.
Can play CHF or CHB and was certainly one of the best on ground the day I saw him. A pretty good effort for a 17 yo kid against men of the calibre in that league.

He plays for Murray Bushrangers and kicked 2 goals and was listed in their best in their finals win over Calder on the weekend.

Shaun Daly also dominated in the same O&M game that Will played.

I hope neither of those two guys are selected for Corowa Rutherglen next week when they take on Wodonga Raiders. They tore them apart last time.

Out of this weeks O&M Critic.
Will Gayfer -Age 18, 192 cm, 88kg
Shaun Daly- Age 18, 188cm, 84kg.

GO RAIDERS! ;D

 

[Redford]

Yeah, I saw both Will and Shaun play yesterday Rosy and I saw a bit of Shaun in the National Under Championships where he had a pretty good carnival.

I like guys that have played against full bodied men.

That's interesting about Daly's height. I would not say he is 188cm - more like 185/6 - which is what the TAC details list him as.

 

[Rosy]

The TAC stats are more likely to be accurate than the O&M ones. I thought Shaun looked shorter too, but I know it can be an optical illusion when one is heavier than the other.

My sons are 189 and 190 cm. One is 70 kg and the other would be closer to 85-90. The skinnier one looks taller even though he's a cm shorter. (Much to his disgust. ;D )

You said you didn't rate Gayfer that much, but hadn't seen him for over a year. Did he do anything on the weekend to convince you he warrants AFL selection?

 

[nwonash]

I've seen Lachlan McGhie play.

He would be great value to the Richmond footy club.

Unlike many of our players on our list, he isnt soft.

He is a ruckman that is a great overhead mark.

 

[Redford]

Yes Rosy, Gayfer showed enough yesterday to suggest he has some potential.

He had an excellent 1st quarter before fading out and coming back into it in the last quarter. I wouldn't have put him in "the Bushies" best as was reported, but he certainly did have a serviceable game.

He can play CHF or CHB. He is very, very strong overhead and he kicks a lot better than his brother Michael that's for sure !

My only concern would be that he has a bit of a heavy arse and thigh area at such a young age and subsequently he might struggle for pace longer term in the AFL. Of course though, he could lose a bit of that with AFL club conditioning.

Yeah, he's certainly worth considering as a tall, no doubt about it.

 

[Rosy]

Sorry for all the questions Redford, but this really interests me.

Do you have a top 5 or so who you hope we'll go after?

I guess it depends if they opt for KPP's or midfielders. *fingers crossed no forward pocket players*

Maybe a couple of each you could name that we might look at with our first pick. *fingers crossed they don't trade it*

 

[blaise]

redford,

I have been an admirer of your comments for a while.
I can't wait to see all your profiles. Please feel free to post away ASAP!

My question in regarding Walker and Sylvia and Clarke
what are there respective strengths and weakness and were do you believe they will go in the draft.

Regards

and thanks in advance

Blaise

 

[Redford]

Rosy, there's a few players I'd like to see us pick up, or to put it more aptly, would hope that we can get.

I've got a belief that we need a better group of skilled and tough on-baller/mid-field types or players running off the half back line that can get their hands on it in heavy traffic and also be capable of shoving it down Richo, Ottens' and Schulz's throats with accuracy and poise.

Easier said than done I guess, but we've gotta make big improvements in that area. To that end, that's probably where I've got a slight bias in my assesment and also why I reckon RFC is crazy to give away 3rd and 4th round selections because it is obvious that year's draft may still contain some gems later on - a fact I've stated on PRE many times and was borne out in an article in the Herald Sun yesterday as well.

I've got a few players who I reckon we should target and a few who may be smokies that will play very well if given a chance.

As I said, I'll put up a list of players shortly.

 

[Redford]

redford,

I have been an admirer of your comments for a while.
I can't wait to see all your profiles. Please feel free to post away ASAP!

My question in regarding Walker and Sylvia and Clarke
what are there respective strengths and weakness and were do you believe they will go in the draft.

Regards

and thanks in advance

Blaise

Aaaah Blaise, you have just named 3 of the better prospects in this year's draft and I'll post something up that will include these 3 (and others) - along with some other interesting info. on some of them that people might not know - as soon as I get a chance.

 

[Harry]

Redford - have you seen Roach play lately and what is your opinion. As I've said before you should send your opinions to the club because knowing what a bunch of footballing geniuses we have down there they probably have no idea on whats happening and will probably opt to trade our draft picks for specialist forwards like Moorcroft.

 

[Redford]

Harry, I've only seen young Roach at training.

I'm no expert, but I have 4 basic cornerstones that I work by in assessing a player - number one being that a player must be skilful. The way the game is played nowadays (i.e. such a possession orientated game) it is more than ever an absolute pre-requisite.

To that end, I wasn't overly impressed with what I saw of Tom. He really lacked penetration in his kicking and was struggling with his goal kicking - a weakness he mentioned himself a few weeks later when he was interviewed after being picked up by RFC.

Now before people start getting up in arms and howling "give him a chance" "how could you asses him on that ?" etc. etc., I'll state again that I've only seen him at training with the senior group and nothing more i.e. nowhere near enough to make a formulated opinion.

Who knows. He could be a gun. Lets hope so.

 

[YiriSS]

redford ,

you have only seen him at training and compared him to the senior group,(thats where i seen him for a few training sessions too)

dont forget ,he is only a kid

and i know for a fact he was very nervous,and his aerobic capacity was no where near the senior group,

i guess we will just have to see

 

[nwonash]

Redford - have you seen Roach play lately and what is your opinion. As I've said before you should send your opinions to the club because knowing what a bunch of footballing geniuses we have down there they probably have no idea on whats happening and will probably opt to trade our draft picks for specialist forwards like Moorcroft.

Please , no Moorcroft. he is a hack. No more rejects for this club.

 

[Tigerbob]

While Danny and Greg Beck are here expect some more recruiting of hacks...

 

[Tiger_clairvoyant]

Ok Redford I also really like your informative posts about the young kids. Heres a few names I'd like to see you throw into the review. Cosgriff, Chaplin, Mundy,Watts, Sylvia, Tenace. I have read some reviews of these guys but would also appreciate your informed views.
Also if you have seen the ruckman for the Oakleigh chargers at all this year can you do a report on him too please?

Another one who I wonder about that wasn't drafted last year and went over to SA to play was Leigh Treeby...formerly of eastern ranges anyone know how will he did in the SA comp this year and if he may get drafted by an AFL club this year??

cheers

 

[Harry]

Redford - I'd like to know your mock draft for the top ten picks.

 

[Tiger_clairvoyant]

.

 

[nwonash]

We should sack Greg Beck and replace him with Redford.

 

[Tiger_clairvoyant]

Yeah Ill second that. Redford for Recruitment!! 8)