2021 Draft thread

[Loui Tufga]

Rumour has it Adelaide are desperate to trade back into the early second round to pick up Taylor.
No sure how there going to do it but I think our picks are to far back to do anything.
Apparently the Hawks are are also very keen on Taylor with either pick 21 or 24.
Either way it doesn’t look like he will slide to us and unfortunately.

[Rodgerramjet]

Pick Ben Hobbs first.

[AstuteTiger]

AFL phantom draft: Inside word on which prospects will be taken when among first 20 picks

One club recruiter recently told foxfooty.com.au this was “the least predictable draft” they’d ever been involved in.

That was the sense putting this first-round phantom draft together, with crucial calls from Hawthorn, Fremantle and Essendon to dictate how the opening stages of Wednesday night’s event will go down. A big trade, which is widely expected, could reshape the top of the order too.

Foxfooty.com.au predicts how the first round of the draft will pan out — including two father-son bids — plus the inside word on which prospects your club could take and why.

PICK 9 — RICHMOND: MATT JOHNSON

Position: Midfielder

Size: 192cm, 81kg

Club: Subiaco/North Beaches/Western Australia

AFL player comparison: Scott Pendlebury

Johnson’s strong finish to his 2021 campaign – he won the WA best on ground medal for his performance against SA at Optus Stadium in an AFL Grand Final day curtain-raiser then had a terrific draft combine with three top-10 finishes — has seen him surge into top-10 calculations. A tall midfielder with ridiculously good composure in traffic, Johnson got a taste of all three WAFL competitions in 2021. A top-five pick on talent alone and shouldn’t have to wait too long to have his name called out.

In the mix: Don’t be surprised if Picks 8 and 9 are flipped here and the Dockers choose Johnson and the Tigers opt for Ben Hobbs, who would love to land at Punt Road but is prepared to go anywhere. The Tigers also have interest in 196cm key forward Jye Amiss, especially after losing Callum Coleman-Jones and Mabior Chol during last month’s exchange period. Key defender Josh Gibcus would fill a need, too, considering the recent departures of David Astbury (retired) and Ryan Garthwaite (delisted), although they’ve just brought in free agent Robbie Tarrant.

PICK 17 – RICHMOND: JACOB VAN ROOYEN

Position: Utility

Size: 193cm, 91kg

Club: Claremont/Western Australia

AFL player comparison: Tom McDonald

An exciting swingman that impressed at both ends during his draft year. Van Rooyen booted 34.14 from nine WAFL colts games up forward then starred for WA’s Under 19s side as a backman on AFL Grand Final day, taking eight marks in defence. After a year that was interrupted by glandular fever, Van Rooyen finished strong at the draft combine, running the 20m sprint in 3.06 seconds. If the Tigers didn’t pick Jye Amiss with their first selection, Van Rooyen would be a strong chance with their second.

In the mix:Campbell Chesser would have to be considered here if available still. This would also be talented Eastern Ranges midfielder Tyler Sonsie’s best chance of being selected in the first round, however he’s now looking more likely to be snapped up on Thursday night. It’s also the earliest a bid on top Giants academy prospect Josh Fahey would receive a bid, but the Tigers would likely save that move for Thursday night. Could they snare Sam Butler after letting brother Dan go a few years ago?

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-phantom-draft-2021-phantom-mock-draft-afl-2021-fox-footy-predictions-news-analysis-draft-order-hawthorn-fremantle/news-story/aa71fa4c430c71ed4483f7b36f441086

[one-eyed]

The HeraldSun also has Gibcus as our first pick. Then Erasmus falling to 17 followed by Draper and Soligo with our late 20s picks.

HeraldSun Phantom Draft:

1. North Melbourne - Jason Horne-Francis
2. Western Bulldogs - Sam Darcy
3. GWS - Finn Callaghan
4. Collingwood - Nick Daicos
5. Gold Coast - Mac Andrew
6. Adelaide - Josh Rachele
7. Hawthorn - Josh Ward
8. Fremantle - Ben Hobbs
9. Richmond - Josh Gibcus
10. Fremantle - Jye Amiss
11. St Kilda - Matt Johnson
12. West Coast - Campbell Chesser
13. Essendon - Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
14. Port Adelaide - Josh Sinn
15. GWS - Sam Butler
16. Brisbane - Darcy Wilmot
17. Richmond - Neil Erasmus
18. Sydney - Tom Brown
19. Melbourne - Blake Howes
20. Brisbane - Jacob van Rooyen
21. Fremantle - Josh Goater
22. North Melbourne - Jesse Motlop
23. Hawthorn - Tyler Sonsie
24. Geelong - Mitch Knevitt
25. Hawthorn - Judson Clarke
26. GWS - Josh Fahey
27. Carlton - Connor MacDonald
28. Richmond - Arlo Draper
29. Richmond - Jake Soligo
30. St Kilda - Mitchito Owens

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/draft/afl-phantom-draft-2021-how-the-first-30-picks-could-fall-whos-in-the-mix-at-every-club/news-story/309a7731ff0917fbc6818a6f173facdb

[Andyy]

Must be a hundred mock drafts. All crap until the real thing

[Rampsation]

Pick Ben Hobbs first.

Slow. Wouldnt surprise me if he slides.

[one-eyed]

The top 10 draft selections that appear locked in

Jake Niall
The Age
November 23, 2021 — 11.34am

The draft’s expected top six, counting bids

1. Jason Horne-Francis           North Melbourne
2. Sam Darcy                              Western Bulldogs (matched bid from GWS)
3. Finn Callaghan                     GWS
4. Nick Daicos                           Collingwood (matched bid from Gold Coast)
5. Mac Andrew                         Gold Coast
6. Josh Rachele                         Adelaide

Hawthorn, Fremantle, Richmond and then Fremantle again have the next four draft choices that will round out the top 10 and AFL club sources have less confidence in the order that will follow from pick seven onwards (counting the bids, which push subsequent draft picks back by two spots in the early order).

The Bulldogs are a strong chance to trade their first remaining pick, number 23, for later choices - potentially in the 30s - to give themselves a better draft hand given that No. 23 will be swallowed up by the expected Darcy bid at No.2.

Geelong is keen on pick 23 and is among the three or four clubs in discussion with the Dogs over trading up for that selection.

The Dogs have not been formally told that GWS will bid for Darcy at pick two, but they are anticipating that this will happen.

Hawthorn has been linked to Josh Ward, a midfielder from the Northern Knights, at pick seven, but sources also suggest the Hawks are interested in West Australian midfielder Matt Johnson and have shown some interest in Victorian country inside midfielder Ben Hobbs.

Fremantle and Richmond’s intentions appear much less known than the top six, with the Dockers viewed as a chance to snare Hobbs at either of their picks (which will be eight and 10). The Dockers can also pick key forward Jye Amiss, a Western Australian, with pick eight, but their choice at that selection may be influenced by what they think the Tigers will do at pick nine.

Richmond has been linked to Amiss, Hobbs and also to Greater Western Victoria Rebels key defender Josh Gibcus.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-top-10-draft-selections-that-appear-locked-in-20211123-p59bb7.html

[one-eyed]

Chris Doerre has us drafting Hobbs, Van Rooyen, Bazzo, Taylor and Clarke.


Every club, every pick: ESPN's full AFL phantom draft

Chris Doerre
ESPN
23 November 2021

Throughout 2021, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Chris Doerre has cast his eye over the country's best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars.

While attending live games has yet again been a challenge in a COVID-affected year, Doerre has pored through match vision from this and last year, analysed the stats and talked to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful draft analysis.

This is his final phantom draft of 2021, looking at every pick, bid and selection.

1. North Melbourne - Jason Horne-Francis
2. Western Bulldogs - Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs father-son) - bid matched
3. Greater Western Sydney - Finn Callaghan
4. Collingwood - Nick Daicos (Collingwood father-son) - bid matched
5. Gold Coast - Mac Andrew (Melbourne - Next Generation Academy)
6. Adelaide - Josh Rachele
7. Hawthorn - Josh Ward
8. Fremantle - Jye Amiss

9. Richmond - Ben Hobbs
Height, Weight: 183cm, 80kg
Profile: A dominant contested ball winner and tackler, Hobbs is one of the readiest to play midfielders in this draft. While Hobbs lacks the kick, speed, athleticism and x-factor of a lot of other top prospects, he plays a consistent brand of football and impacts games with his ferocious attack on the ball and defensive effort.

10. Fremantle - Matthew Johnson
11. St Kilda - Josh Gibcus
12. West Coast - Neil Erasmus
13. Essendon - Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
14. Port Adelaide - Josh Sinn
15. Greater Western Sydney - Blake Howes
16. Brisbane - Darcy Wilmot

17. Richmond - Jacob Van Rooyen
Height, Weight: 194cm, 91kg
Profile: Despite spending much of the year up forward -- providing a commanding marking target with his leap and aerial strength -- Van Rooyen's play when utilised in defence has been even better. Van Rooyen in defence takes intercept marks at will and with his one-on-one capabilities has proven difficult to beat.

18. Sydney - Tom Brown
19. Melbourne - Campbell Chesser
20. Brisbane - Josh Goater
21. Fremantle - Corey Warner
22. North Melbourne - Jesse Motlop (Fremantle Next-Generation Academy)
23. Hawthorn - Tyler Sonsie
24. Geelong - Mitch Knevitt
25. Hawthorn - Sam Butler
26. Carlton - Arlo Draper
27. Greater Western Sydney - Josh Fahey (Greater Western Sydney Academy) - bid matched
28. St Kilda - Mitch Owens (St Kilda Next-Generation Academy) - bid matched

29. Richmond - Rhett Bazzo
Height, Weight: 195cm, 81kg
Profile: When he gets his confidence up, Bazzo is one of the best in this draft flying for intercept marks and chopping off opposition kicks at will. When asked to play a more defensively-oriented role he is also capable of restricting the impact of his opponents.

30. Richmond - Zac Taylor
Height, Weight: 180cm, 78kg
Profile: With one of the strongest closes to the NAB League season, Taylor showed he is one of the most productive and complete midfielders in this draft. Ending his campaign with the Calder Cannons with 37 disposals, 22 contested possessions and 11 clearances in a 10-point win against Murray, Taylor is a precise and damaging kick, speedy and evasive with ball in hand and has a great inside/outside balance to his game.

31. Richmond - Judson Clarke
Height, Weight: 180cm, 72kg
Profile: A speedy forward, Clarke is one of this draft's best crumbers with his speed, agility and kicking both to targets inside 50 and finishing around goal his greatest strengths. With his ability to take on the game and how damaging he is by foot, Clarke is also viable for consideration as a rebounding defender.

32. West Coast - Toby Conway
33. Geelong - Leek Alleer
34. Sydney - Jake Soligo
35. Geelong - Angus Sheldrick
36. St Kilda - Marcus Windhager (St Kilda Next-Generation Academy) - bid matched
37. Adelaide - James Willis
38. Geelong - Alastair Lord
39. West Coast - Charlie Dean
40. Melbourne - Jack Williams
41. Sydney - Kai Lohmann
42. Brisbane - Eamon Wilkinson
43. North Melbourne - Sam Banks
44. North Melbourne - Brady Hough
45. Collingwood - Lachlan Rankin
46. Melbourne - Taj Woewodin (Melbourne - Father-Son)
47. Essendon - Connor MacDonald
48. Essendon - Cooper Murley
49. Collingwood - Felix Flockhart
50. Hawthorn - Paul Curtis
51. Fremantle - Greg Clark
52. Western Bulldogs - Ronald Fejo Jr
53. West Coast - Matthew Roberts
54. North Melbourne - Jackson Archer (North Melbourne Father-Son)
55. Port Adelaide - Jase Burgoyne (Port Adelaide Father-Son)
56. Adelaide - Hugh Jackson
57. Gold Coast - Charlie Constable
58. Gold Coast - Rory Thompson (re-draft)
59. Western Bulldogs - Blake Schlensog
60. St Kilda - Corey Preston

https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/32692219/afl-2021-draft-phantom-draft-chris-doerre-espn-full-afl-phantom-draft-every-club-every-pick

[one-eyed]

'Yeah, probably one of those four': Tigers reveal players in mix for top pick

Josh Gibcus, Jye Amiss, Josh Ward or Ben Hobbs could become Tigers on draft night

By Michael Whiting
afl.com.au
23 November 2021

RICHMOND national recruiting manager Matt Clarke says there are four players in line to be taken with its first selection at Wednesday night's NAB AFL Draft.

Clarke said the Tigers, who currently own pick No.7 which will likely be pushed out to No.9 following father-son bidding, would keep a simple strategy.

Speaking on AFL.com.au's NAB AFL Draft Countdown, Clarke agreed one of Josh Gibcus, Jye Amiss, Josh Ward or Ben Hobbs would likely become a Tiger.

Richmond's national recruiting manager Matthew Clarke breaks down who the Tigers are looking at with pick seven.

"Yeah, probably one of those four. There's probably another couple that have been talked about in there and you're just not sure what the first few clubs are doing," Clarke said.

"There's been a lot of players linked to Adelaide and Hawthorn and Fremantle before us, but there's some pretty good players that have put up some good performances, particularly some of those interstate boys that have been able to get some of those carnival games in in SA and WA.

"Potentially one of them jumps in and all of a sudden someone else slides out, so we'll have to wait and see."

Clarke said there was a lot of "cat and mouse" this year with so many players and clubs having to conduct interviews remotely.

"We probably just stick true to our rankings. I think at seven, which will push out, it'll probably be best available at that pick," he said.

"It's shown through the history of the draft, they're the elite players in the top 10. They're fairly sure-fire in that group."

Richmond has five selections inside the top 30 and Clarke said it was still open to packaging picks to move up the order.

https://www.afl.com.au/news/688808/yeah-probably-one-of-those-four-richmond-tigers-reveal-players-in-mix-for-top-pick

[one-eyed]

Eastern Ranges defender Tyreece Leiu’s excitement is growing.

“I’ve had a few clubs like Richmond, Carlton and the Hawks that seem pretty keen,” he said on SEN Drive.

Possessing a 193cm and 91kg frame, Leiu has the ideal body to be a stalwart in any AFL backline.

When asked which defenders he pays close attention to, the youngster responded with little hesitation.

“Tom Stewart is definitely the main one that I try and play like, (I’ve) been watching him for a while now,” he said.



https://www.sen.com.au/news/2021/11/23/three-clubs-pretty-keen-on-roos-fan-who-wants-to-play-like-tom-stewart/

[one-eyed]

Ben Waterworth's live draft on Foxsports:

Q: Hey Ben, Gibcus and Hobbs both on the board at 9, who do you think the Tigers go with?

A: I always thought Hobbs (and I'll say Hobbs now) but whispers they're also growing on Gibcus. Very hard to get our heads around these Freo-Tigers-Freo picks,

A: Strong word late yesterday the Dockers were considering Hobbs before Amiss. There's some games going on between Richmond and Freo, which made the phantom draft hard to do. I think if both Erasmus and Johnson are still on the board, they'd choose Johnson.


Q: What's the story with Gibcus, seem to be in most pundits top 6 a month ago, now feels like most likely to miss top 10. Is it teams think they don't need to spend high pick on tall defenders?

A: I think it's mainly because the likes of Hawthorn, Freo, Tigers are well stocked for key backs (Tigers got Tarrant). I've always thought he's exactly what the Suns need though.


Q: Do you think Amiss is a lock for freo??

A: Not necessarily, the Tigers have interest. I can't see him getting past freo's second pick though.


Q: would freo consider trading down 19 (21) to richmond or geelong for their picks, maybe Jack Williams, Gus Sheldrick, Corey Warner

A: Think Freo will consider lots of offers and both the Tigers/Cats well placed to move up. (Although will the Cats and Dockers be on speaking terms again after the Jordan Clark talks? 😂😂)


Q: Where do you see Sonsie landing? Would love for him to fall to Hawks second pick

A: Yep, Hawks and Tigers in the second round the biggest chances.


Q: If someone like Hobbs falls to 13. Can you see Richmond trading 17 and 28 to Essendon? Win win, Richmond get their guy and Essendon get an extra pick in the 20s? Thoughts?

A: Wouldn't rule that out.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-phantom-draft-2021-phantom-mock-draft-afl-2021-fox-footy-predictions-news-analysis-draft-order-hawthorn-fremantle/news-story/aa71fa4c430c71ed4483f7b36f441086

[one-eyed]

More from Ben Waterworth's live draft chat:

Q: Hi Ben, what do you think the Tigers will likely do with their 3 second round picks - trade up or keep and if so who do they trade or pick?

A: No doubt they'll consider trading but think it's more likely they make a play/negotiate between first and second rounds. I reckon they'll bid on Giants academy prospect Josh Fahey with one of those second-rounders too



Q: Who will Freo go for? Seems odd to think they won't go for Local talent

A: They should get at least one WA guy by the end of the first round. But they like Hobbs


Q: Thoughts on where Zac Taylor might land?

A: He's on the cusp of the first round. Swans maybe. But i think more likely in the second round. Blues, Tigers and Swans again

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-phantom-draft-2021-phantom-mock-draft-afl-2021-fox-footy-predictions-news-analysis-draft-order-hawthorn-fremantle/news-story/aa71fa4c430c71ed4483f7b36f441086

[Diocletian]

Looks like Clarke's let the cat out of the bag....

https://www.afl.com.au/news/688808/-yeah-probably-one-of-those-four-tigers-reveal-players-in-mix-for-top-pick

....or has he?

[camboon]

Amiss to replace Jack  would be a win, don’t have a lot of quality key forwards at Richmond

[Rampsation]

I hope we dont get Amiss. Wouldnt be surprised if the player we pick isnt in that four.