So....Jagga Smith or Josh Smillie?

[Diocletian]

lol Heppell.

In the grand list of draft could have hads, don’t think he would crack the top100.

Comparing him to Conca not Dusty.....at his peak he was an A grader, while Conca was a C grader at best....

[Diocletian]

Could we have had Heppell?

Yep Chucky he went 2 picks after Plonka --ironically Caddy went the pick in between while Prestia & Lynch both went in the next half dozen picks...

Geez Geez

Next thing you will tell me is that we could have had Fyfe

Wait until you find out who we could've had instead of Tambling & Fiora - just make sure you're sitting down first Chucky....

[MintOnLamb]

Could we have had Heppell?

Yep Chucky he went 2 picks after Plonka --ironically Caddy went the pick in between while Prestia & Lynch both went in the next half dozen picks...

Geez Geez

Next thing you will tell me is that we could have had Fyfe

Wait until you find out who we could've had instead of Tambling & Fiora - just make sure you're sitting down first Chucky....

Pavlich was the next pick after Fiora IIRC
We could have had Buddy Richo and Pavlich in the same team.

[Diocletian]

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2024/04/15/scouting-notes-afl-academy-vs-coburg-vfl/

#12 Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers)
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 28/01/2006

Smith was squeezed out of the starting midfield group but eventually got a good run on-ball, gathering 22 disposals in a typically busy outing. The whippet-like runner was clean as ever and had little trouble getting his hands on the ball, keeping his feet nicely under pressure and often wheeling away to the outside. He assessed his options with ball in hand and made classy decisions on forward 50 entries, which has always been a strength.


#29 Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges)
Midfielder/Defender | 194cm | 17/05/2006

Smillie’s movement and skill for a 194cm player are through the roof, and he showed out in his midfield-defence rotation on Saturday. The Academy’s captain used his big frame to crash in at the contest, but was also polished with ball in hand and composed in traffic. Smillie also got on his bike with some handy running forays and combined well with teammates. His only poor moment was an unnecessary 50-metre penalty he conceded in the third quarter, for a free kick he didn’t give away.

Smillie sounds like he'll fit right in #RichmondMan.....


On the KPP front:

#30 Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons)
Tall Defender | 194cm | 10/04/2006

Voted best afield by the Academy coaches, Trainor was head and shoulders above the rest during the first half – in more ways than one. His intercept marking was a highlight, leaping strongly and taking the ball with one grab on several occasions. Trainor’s reading of the play and closing speed were useful in such instances, as was his composure under physical contact. The latter trait was evident with his disposal, as the tall defender distributed the ball beautifully by foot and was incredibly reliable on the kick-ins. A top 10 prospect in the making.

#39 Jack Whitlock (Murray Bushrangers)
Key Forward/Ruck | 200cm | 16/05/2006

Having earned a call-up through promising Coates Talent League form, Whitlock took the opportunity by booting two goals in his forward-ruck rotation. The 200cm talent showed strong fundamentals and nimble work below his knees, proving impressively mobile for his size. Whitlock got on the board with two majors in the second half; the first being a 45m set shot, and the second a nice left-foot snap around the body.

#26 Harry O’Farrell (Calder Cannons)
Key Defender | 196cm | 03/05/2006

Another of the Academy’s key defenders, O’Farrell started out with a terrific intercept mark from back position on the wing. Though, he arguably looked much more impressive with ball in hand, proving comfortable in his movement and stylish upon disposal. The Calder prospect used the ball efficiently and made good decisions, and while his leap catches the eye, being able to clunk more contested marks is an area for improvement.

#28 Jobe Shanahan (Bendigo Pioneers)
Tall Forward | 194cm | 02/08/2006

Shanahan, a dynamic marking target, booted the game’s opening goal with a nicely struck 40m set shot. He spent a good amount of time based one-out inside 50 before rotating up the ground and didn’t see a huge amount of opportunity. Shanahan had two more chances to hit the scoreboard, putting a pair of snaps wide from relatively close range – albeit under pressure.

#25 Noah Mraz (Dandenong Stingrays)
Key Defender | 198cm | 20/02/2006

Mraz was a mainstay in the Academy’s defence and often took on the tough tall matchups. He looked mobile as ever and was efficient when helping his side mop up across the back 50, though could have been tighter defensively. Mraz tends to play off the back shoulder and react to the game in front of him, but was found wanting one-on-one at times and needed to have his head on a swivel more often. Still, he’s a promising talent and did his best on a tricky day for defenders.

Trainor , Whitlock & O'Farrell sound the most promising out of that lot.....


Probably not a pressing need but like the sound of this bloke:

#31 Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons)
Forward/Wing | 182cm | 17/06/2006

One of three initial injury replacements, Hotton was among the Academy’s most lively players. He rotated from the wing to forward line, helping his side connect between the arcs and getting busy inside 50 with 2.2 from 16 disposals. His turn of foot gave Coburg headaches and the energy he injected to each play was eye-catching. Hotton’s ground level craft shone, but he was also terrific overhead and dynamic around goal. Both of his majors were converted over the mark – in terms two and four – he looks a natural forward.

Instant upgrade on either of our current wingers and a natural forward as well...

[Diocletian]

Sam Lalor midfielder 187cm, 89kg:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwSj1cIdi6g


More on Jagga Smith:

https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/40054876/afl-draft-2024-jagga-smith-most-exciting-midfield-prospect


 

[the claw]

Like the blook of Lalor size strength and a burst player who can use the bloody ball. They dont grow on trees.

[Tigeritis™©®]

Sam Lalor midfielder 187cm, 89kg:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwSj1cIdi6g

 

Nice skills but 9 disposals as a midfielder isn't great. Looks to lack pace in that video too.

[the claw]

Sam Lalor midfielder 187cm, 89kg:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwSj1cIdi6g

 

Nice skills but 9 disposals as a midfielder isn't great. Looks to lack pace in that video too.

Is not slow and off the mark and is quick. They all have bad games here and there.

If we have pick 2 which im now hoping for then a very good chance Smillie will be there and we won't need to have this discussion.
If we get another top 10 pick then imo Lalor needs to be considered.

[one-eyed]

More on Jagga Smith:

https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/40054876/afl-draft-2024-jagga-smith-most-exciting-midfield-prospect


 

Jagga Smith (#12) at his creative best on Saturday vs Footscray. Remarkably gifted with ball in hand playing on instinct.

VIDEO: https://twitter.com/Jasperc53/status/1785077854272688131

[TigerLand]

Some really exciting prospects really, so excited to see some future quality coming in.

If we are lucky enough to have Josh Smillie available at our first pick, I'd snap him up instantly. Exactly what our list management needs. Bont / Petrecca type big big body midfielder. That will ease pressure on the smaller types we've drafted like Clarke, Banks, Brown to develop patiently.