2021 Draft thread

[one-eyed]

Rookie Me Central website (formerly AFL Draft Central) has their draft guide out now with detailed profiles:

https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/7188497/2021%20AFL%20Draft%20Guide_Opt.pdf?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=183771737&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--eXkhR0Jrf5KknMccd9j8LjL0pxRF2Cckus0lG76zzGR6oZqcp3iVXbGluc3D6usWRLGwpMMZtZ-WSZrLjRDUfCj3cig&utm_content=183771737&utm_source=hs_email

[Gracie]

So are we really after Amiss or are we trying to spook Freo into taking him @8 leaving a good midfielder for us??

[Owl]

Amiss would be a good grab, he is pretty bloody slick,  sticks marks almost lazily despite pressure, and nails goals. Would not be unhappy with that pick

[one-eyed]

Greater Western Sydney are seriously considering selecting close childhood friends Finn Callaghan and Blake Howes with their opening two picks at next week’s AFL draft in the hope the pair would remain together deep into their careers.

On the other hand, if the Giants drafted Callaghan and opted against picking Howes with their next selection, Victorian clubs would be aware that picking the latter could give them an opportunity to reunite the pair in the future.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/giants-consider-drafting-mates-to-counter-go-home-factor-20211117-p599m4.html

Neil Erasmus interview:
https://www.afl.com.au/video/688137/class-of-2021-patience-paying-dividends-for-draft-star-erasmus?videoId=688137&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1637190000001

Josh Gibcus article:
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/ability-to-jump-over-small-buildings-gibcus-leaps-into-top-10-draft-reckoning-20211118-p599zj.html

[one-eyed]

Based on what Twomey said today in his podcast, we're linked to Amiss at pick 9 and Sonsie at pick 17.

---------------------------------------------------------------

* Richmond has shown some interest in Amiss. Hobbs has be linked hard to Richmond for a long time but they've done hardly anything with him. The Tigers haven't spoken to Hobbs since April. So even if Hobbs is available will they take him?

* Sonsie linked to Richmond at pick 17.

Here's a draft profile of Sonsie.


Draft Profile: Tyler Sonsie

Tyler Sonsie is a damaging midfielder whose two-sided kick is unmatched in this year's draft class.

The teenager's work at the contest is marked by an incredible decision-making ability, while he can also go forward and hit the scoreboard.

With a high footy IQ, Sonsie is a balanced midfielder and has the ability to both win the ball at the contest and use it on the outside.

His stoppage work is elite, using his clean hands and intelligent read of the play to advance the ball forward.

The Victorian continued toiling and adding to his craft for the Eastern Ranges, playing a solid 13-matches for the season. Given his form, Sonsie has been on clubs' radars since he was awarded Vic Metro’s Most Valuable Player at the under-16 level.

A sole, yet standout, VFL outing saw him collect 24-disposals, five tackles and two goals for Box Hill in May. That game sparked intense interest in the 18-year-old, as he proved he was more than adept at the next level.

While the AFL Academy name is expected to be taken in the latter stages of the first round, his talent warrants an earlier selection, however, an inconsistent and injury-ridden season has seen him fall down the ranks with recruiters.

Earlier in the year, he was touted as a top-five pick and still remains an outside chance to do so.

Team: Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Position: Midfielder
Height: 181cm
Weight: 77kg

Strengths
Scoreboard impact
Clean hands
Kicking
Clearances
Agility

Weaknesses
Consistent form
Two-way running

Draft range
Late First round (Pick 10-18)

Potential landing spots
GWS Giants (Pick 13), Brisbane Lions (Pick 14), Richmond (Pick 15), Melbourne (Pick 17)

AFL Comparisons
Adam Cerra
Trent Cotchin

Expert Comments
“He’s in the best few players on the ground in this game (for Box Hill in the VFL), kicks a couple of goals and 24 disposals, so all the Hawks wouldn’t have missed that. No one’s missed it in fact, all of the clubs talk about that as such an important performance for a boy when given his first chance to step up." - AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan.



https://www.zerohanger.com/draft-profile-tyler-sonsie-94480/

[one-eyed]

According to Twomey on today's podcast:

* Erasmus to go around 10-17. Richmond would be interested if he made it through to their pick 15 (17 after bids).

* Sonsie has lots of talent but missed a lot of footy this year due to a knee injury. Currently has an ankle injury. Richmond at pick 17 interested as well as the Hawks in the 20s.

* Callaghan expected to go to the Giants and Andrew to the Suns.

* Expect the Dogs to trade out pick 23. Geelong favourite to get it.

https://www.afl.com.au/video/688175/eagles-draft-dilemma-potential-second-round-steals?videoId=688175&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1637203744001

[one-eyed]

AFL analyst's mock draft:

1. North - Horne-Francis
2. Coll - Daicos (matched bid)
3. Dogs - Darcy (matched bid)
4. GWS - Andrew
5. GC - Gibcus
6. Adel - Callaghan
7. Haw - Hobbs
8. Freo - Amiss
9. Rich - Ward
10. Freo - Erasmus
11. StK - Goater
12. WC - Johnson
13. Ess - Rachele
14. Port - Wanganeen-Milera
15. GWS - Van Rooyen
16. Bris - Wilmot
17. Rich - Sinn
18. Syd - Draper

https://www.instagram.com/afl_analyst/

[Diocletian]

Would take Erasmus before Ward and Rachelle before either....

[one-eyed]

November latest: Relentless inside midfielder Hobbs has been reportedly linked to the Tigers and they have also shown a keen interest in Ward, but the Northern Knights product may become a Hawk with the previous pick. Key forward Amiss is also in the mix and would address another glaring need. Goater would be difficult to resist if he fell to Richmond’s second selection, or will the the Tigers pounce on another Butler? As for their trio of picks in the 30s, Richmond has shown interest in crafty forward Motlop, while Bazzo could come into the equation as a tall defender.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/draft/afl-draft-2021-ultimate-guide-every-clubs-picks-list-needs-and-targets/news-story/5b9dd13a585b04bd10493a09f8e8794f

[Rampsation]

Would take Erasmus before Ward and Rachelle before either....

Dont rate erasmus. I wouldnt pick him in the top 30 players myself.

[Rampsation]

AFL analyst's mock draft:

1. North - Horne-Francis
2. Coll - Daicos (matched bid)
3. Dogs - Darcy (matched bid)
4. GWS - Andrew
5. GC - Gibcus
6. Adel - Callaghan
7. Haw - Hobbs
8. Freo - Amiss
9. Rich - Ward
10. Freo - Erasmus
11. StK - Goater
12. WC - Johnson
13. Ess - Rachele
14. Port - Wanganeen-Milera
15. GWS - Van Rooyen
16. Bris - Wilmot
17. Rich - Sinn
18. Syd - Draper

https://www.instagram.com/afl_analyst/

Would be an excellent 1st and 2nd selection for us.

[one-eyed]

GUN DRAFT PROSPECT JOSH SINN PICKS HIS PHANTOM TOP 10

By Andrew Slevison
SEN
19 November 2021

10. Neil Erasmus

Midfielder/forward - Subiaco/Western Australia

“I haven’t had much to do with Neil. I met him on the Academy camp at the start of the year.

“I didn’t have any expectations at all and in a game where they (WA) lost by 100 points or so, Neil really stood out as a mature player who likes to embrace the contest.”

9. Matthew Johnson

Midfielder - Subiaco/Western Australia

“Another WA boy. Very lucky I got to room with him on that Aus camp.

“That game he played through the midfield against (Geelong) VFL players, he really stood his ground and his athletic ability is quite special as a tall midfielder.”

8. Campbell Chesser

Midfielder/defender - Sandringham Dragons/Vic Country

“A little bit biased here, but it’s only because I’ve had a lot to do with him over the past three years.

“I’ve really been able to see what he’s been able to do.

“Campbell’s a really hard worker. He’s really skilful, really talented and he’s a really good leader as well, quite mature for his age.”

7. Josh Ward

Midfielder - Northern Knights/Vic Metro

“He’s a grunt, inside mid with really clean hands.

“He’s someone you can rely on week in, week out. Always puts his head in the hole.”

6. Josh Rachele

Forward/midfielder - Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country

“He’s the Toby Greene 2.0. He’s really exciting. He kicks goals that some dream of kicking.

“He’s a really swift mover who can even play midfield as well.”

5. Mac Andrew

Ruckman/forward/defender - Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country

“Big Mac. He can play any position on the ground.

“He’s very much similar to Sam Darcy, the way they both move. They move around there around the ground pretty well for 200-plus centimetres.”

4. Sam Darcy

Forward/defender/ruckman - Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro

“His skills below his knows for his height, I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it.

“He can play.”

3. Nick Daicos

Midfielder - Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro

2. Jason Horne-Francis

Midfielder - South Adelaide/South Australia

“Some of his highlights speak for themself.

“Why he’s got a bit of a comparison with Nat Fyfe is that he’s good above his head and good below his knees as well.

“He’s just a real competitor. He works really hard and he always wants to be the best.”

1. Finn Callaghan

Midfielder - Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

“His ability to get the ball and use it a high level.

“Something that stands out is his ability to cover the whole ground. When he plays midfield, he doesn’t just stick in the forward half, he really works his backside off to get into D50 as well.

“They way he has progressed and kept developing, it’s pretty crazy.

“I actually can’t imagine what he’s going to do, not only next year, but in the years to come.”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/11/18/gun-draft-prospect-picks-his-phantom-top-10/

[one-eyed]

November's AFL Draft Power Rankings: No. 1 player locked in as bolters make their move

Chris Doerre
ESPN
19 November 2021

ESPN.com.au's expert Chris Doerre has revealed his AFL Draft Power Rankings for the month of November with less than a week to go until the big night.

1. Jason Horne-Francis
2. Nick Daicos (Collingwood - Father-Son)
3. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs - Father-Son)
4. Finn Callaghan
5. Josh Ward
6. Neil Erasmus
7. Matthew Johnson
8. Mac Andrew
9. Leek Alleer
10. Josh Rachele
11. Angus Sheldrick
12. Zac Taylor
13. Ben Hobbs
14. Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
15. Josh Gibcus
16. Jye Amiss
17. Arlo Draper
18. Bodhi Uwland
19. Mitch Owens
20. Mitch Knevitt

Full profiles and reasoning here: https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/32662089/afl-draft-2021-phantom-draft-power-rankings-november-no-1-player-jason-horne-francis-locked-draft-night-nears

[one-eyed]

After their two first-round selections, the Giants’ final pick of the draft should see them matching a bid on their top academy prospect Josh Fahey – a speedy defender/wingman that was adjudged the AFL academy’s best player in a clash against Geelong’s VFL side in April and ran the second-fastest 2km trial time (captured by Strava) during the recent draft combine.

Foxfooty.com.au understands Richmond, which holds Picks 26, 27 and 28 on top of its two first-rounders, has shown interest in Fahey and could bid on him using one of those three consecutive second-round selections.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-draft-2021-bidding-system-rules-explained-draft-value-index-points-fatherson-academy-nominees-nick-daicos-sam-darcy/news-story/8469307734b7a8650be8df10c9c72bc5

[Rampsation]

If we like him and he is the best available at 15 (17) we should pick him and force GWS to make a harder choice. They would go into major deficit for next years draft  if we pick him at 17 and they match. Great kick of the footy. Is Fahey. Excellent user of the footy.