Welcome everyone to One-Eyed Richmond's Tiger Forum Cheers from mightytiges and WilliamPowell.
With Vic Country playing their first champs game on the weekend it's time to take a closer look at the talented Lachie Jaques. Lachie is an intercepting and rebounding defender from the Geelong Falcons who's still flying a bit under the radar even though he's putting together a prolific campaign. He's strong overhead which allows him to play taller than his listed 184cm height, and has tidy foot skills.
Smiller and Faull or Nicholls sounds good.Tank the season, shouldn't win any more games bar Dusty's 300th. Must lose to Norf.Then trade all our other picks to get up the pecking order for Faull or Nicholls.
FJ is the only one that makes sense.
The HUN's top 25 power rankings for June.1. Josh SmillieEastern Ranges/Vic MetroThe early favourite to be the No. 1 pick, Smillie is putting together an impressive campaign. A 194cm big-bodied midfielder who models his game on Carlton captain Patrick Cripps, Smillie has serious size, power and ball-winning ability. While primarily an onballer, he has also shown he can impact across halfback and half-forward if required. Smillie has averaged 24 disposals, 5.6 clearances and 1.6 goals across seven Coates Talent League matches for the Eastern Ranges this season, while also shining as captain in two AFL Academy exhibition matches in April.2. Levi Ashcroft Sandringham Dragons/Vic MetroA classy 179cm midfielder-forward, Ashcroft knows how to find the footy like few others in this year’s draft class. A Brisbane Lions father-son prospect, he could well match older brother Will and be a No. 2 pick to the Lions in November. The son of three-time premiership player Marcus, Ashcroft possesses elite workrate, makes good decisions and brings leadership. He has been a consistent performer at all levels of football this season, which has included games for the Sandringham Dragons, Brighton Grammar and the AFL Academy.3. Finn O’Sullivan Oakleigh Chargers/Vic CountryWhat sets O’Sullivan apart from the other midfielders in this draft is his well-rounded skillset. The Koroit talent is a great mark overhead, cuts opposition sides apart with his kicking and doesn’t need a lot of the footy to have a major impact. After being sidelined with a broken thumb earlier in the year, O’Sullivan will miss most of the national championships after undergoing surgery on a broken finger as his rotten luck continued. But he already has plenty of runs on the board, earning a spot in the U18 All-Australian team as a bottom-ager at last year’s carnival and claiming the MVP award at the U16 championships.4. Jagga SmithOakleigh Chargers/Vic MetroA lively and creative ball-winner, Smith is on the smaller side as a lightly-built 181cm midfielder. However, he more than makes up for it in resilience, footy smarts and pure skills. Smith has drawn comparisons to Port Adelaide’s Zak Butters this year, who is a player he watches closely. He was one of the best players for the AFL Academy against Footscray’s VFL side in April in his first game against men. Smith also made headlines after racking up 50 disposals for the Oakleigh Chargers in a recent Coates Talent League match, becoming just the third player in the competition’s history to reach that mark in a match.5. Luke TrainorSandringham Dragons/Vic MetroA 194cm defender, Trainor has emerged as the best key position prospect this year. A former forward, he is now loving life down back and looks up to the likes of Tom Stewart and Jeremy Howe. Trainor’s overhead marking is a clear strength, while his one-on-one contest work has been impressive. With ball in hand he is highly composed and he possesses a nice kick to provide some rebound for his team. Trainor was best afield in the AFL Academy’s first exhibition match in April, while also playing some impressive games for the Dragons and school team Brighton Grammar.6. Christian MoraesEastern Ranges/Vic MetroA dynamic 183cm midfielder, Moraes is a running machine who covers the ground extremely well. He works hard both sides of the ball and can be dangerous around goals when he pushes forward, evidenced by his nine goals from his first three games for the Ranges this year. In the thick of the action, Moraes is tough, has clean hands and brings real composure. He had an up-and-down few weeks after copping a heavy knock during an AFL Academy game in April, but has still averaged 25.7 disposals, 5.3 marks, four clearances and 7.5 score involvements across six Coates Talent League games this year.7. Leo Lombard Gold Coast Suns Academy/AlliesWhile he is another player on the smaller side for a midfielder at 178cm, Lombard is hard-at-it and is a prolific ball winner. He featured in the Suns’ VFL premiership side as a 16-year-old last year and has continued to impress playing for multiple teams at different levels in the early part of this season – including another VFL appearance where he finished with 28 disposals. Lombard has a great workrate, is cool and composed with ball in hand and can be very dangerous around goal. He has been likened to AFL Rising Star nominee Jake Rogers, who has been working with Lombard and refers to him as being “like a little brother”.8. Sid Draper South Adelaide/South AustraliaA powerful and quick midfielder, Draper starred as a bottom-age player for South Australia during last year’s under-18 national championships, winning the side’s MVP award. He has dazzling speed and elite workrate, allowing him to get from contest to contest and impact play. Draper – who looks up to Port Adelaide pair Connor Rozee and Zak Butters – missed the start of this season with stress fractures in his shin, but returned to fitness in time to captain his state in its first match of this year’s national championships.9. Taj Hotton Sandringham Dragons/Vic MetroA big improver this year, Hotton had some monster games in the early part of the season playing a variety of roles. He took his endurance to another level over the off-season, opening the door for more midfield minutes after spending most of last year across half-forward. The son of former Carlton and Collingwood player Trent, Hotton is dangerous and creative when in the forward half and averaged 28.7 disposals and 1.7 goals from his first three Coates Talent League games this year. Those performances saw him included as an injury replacement player for the AFL Academy’s first exhibition match against Coburg in April, where he again impressed with 18 disposals and two goals. Hotton will miss the rest of the year after rupturing his ACL at training in May, but he is still expected to be a high draft pick in November.10. Matt Whitlock Murray Bushrangers/Vic CountryA 197cm key position player, Whitlock has shown incredible ability at both ends of the ground this year. He started the season in defence for the Bushrangers, averaging 16.7 disposals, seven marks and 2.7 spoils across the first three games. Whitlock was then shifted forward and kicked five goals in his first game, before bagging another five majors just a few weeks later. He received a late call-up as an injury replacement player for the AFL Academy’s second match against Footscray VFL in April, where he was again able to show some exciting signs of things to come. Whitlock has a great ability to read the play, is impressive one-on-one, plucks plenty of nice overhead marks and generally uses the ball well.11. Sam Lalor GWV Rebels/Vic CountryThe strong, bullocking midfielder has struggled for continuity in his draft year, sidelined in the pre-season with a hip injury and then encountering niggles in his foot and quad since. He showed off his forward craft in his first game of 2024 in APS football with Geelong Grammar, booting seven goals – six of those coming in the second half. Lalor played two games for Vic Country last season, tallying 17 disposals and eight clearances on debut, and averaged 20 disposals and eight tackles per game last year for the GWV Rebels.12. Sam Marshall Brisbane Lions Academy/AlliesA 185cm midfielder from the Sunshine Coast, Marshall relocated to Victoria for school and has linked up the Sandringham Dragons. However, he is playing for the Allies in the national championships and has made an eye-catching start to the tournament. Across the first two matches for the Allies, Marshall averaged 28.5 disposals, 5.5 marks, 4.5 clearances and 5.5 score involvements. An elite runner, he knows how to find the footy, makes good decisions with ball in hand and can hit the scoreboard. Along with playing onball, he has also spent time on a wing and across halfback this year. The Brisbane Lions will have first access to him in the draft as a member of their Academy.13. Tom Gross Oakleigh Chargers/Vic MetroAn explosive and powerful 181cm midfielder-forward, Gross can impact games in a number of ways. He is dangerous around stoppages with his burst speed and isn’t afraid to take the game on, while he is also a strong overhead mark and can push forward and hit the scoreboard. Gross was lively with 21 disposals in the AFL Academy’s first game against Coburg in April. He missed the side’s second match through injury, but has averaged 24.7 disposals, four clearances, four marks, 6.7 score involvements and one goal from three matches for the Chargers so far this season, along with juggling school football duties for Trinity Grammar.14. Jack WhitlockMurray Bushrangers/Vic CountryWhitlock started his season with a bang, booting 4.4 from 20 disposals, which saw him parachuted into the AFL Academy game. The rangy 200cm key forward kicked two goals in a solid showing against Coburg and has 10 majors across five matches for the Murray Bushrangers. Has been overshadowed by his twin brother of late, but there isn’t much separating the promising pair.15. Joe Berry Murray Bushrangers/Vic CountryAn early-season bolter, 180cm forward Berry has certainly had an impact for the Bushrangers in the first half of the Coates Talent League season. The left-footer possesses blistering high-end speed, brings great creativity around goal, has one-touch hands at ground level and works hard up the ground to find the footy. Berry has kicked four goals on four separate occasions for the Bushrangers this year and sits as the leading goalkicker in the Coates Talent League, outside of mid-season draftee Will McLachlan.16. Noah Mraz Dandenong Stingrays/Vic CountryA Pies fan who got the chance to train with his heroes over the summer, Mraz has moulded his game on Darcy Moore — and there are certainly some similarities with his reading of the play and efficient kicking at 198cm. The Stingrays defender will miss another couple of months with a navicular foot issue, which he played through in four games in the Talent League and for the AFL Academy. He remains one of the best key backs in the pool.17. Ben Camporeale Glenelg/SAThe Carlton father-son prospect staked his claim as an early pick with a best-on-ground display in the U17 Futures game on grand final day last year. And he started the national championships in impressive fashion, winning 27 disposals, 19 uncontested possessions and six clearances in the Croweaters’ win over the Allies. The 186cm playmaker has a booming kick and can find the ball on the inside and outside.18. Jobe Shanahan Bendigo Pioneers/AlliesAn exciting and athletic 194cm key forward, Shanahan is strong in the air, works hard up the ground and can kick a nice goal. He primarily played in defence with the Pioneers last year, but has been settled as a forward this season and booted four goals in his second Coates Talent League game of the year against the Murray Bushrangers. Shanahan also showed some good signs for the AFL Academy side in two exhibition matches in April, across which he kicked a total of three goals. Hailing from the NSW border town of Moama, Shanahan is representing the Allies in the national championships and impressed with 11 disposals, five marks (three contested), seven score involvements and two goals in the side’s second match against Western Australia.19. Bo AllanPeel Thunder/WAAllan looks to be the top West Australian in a pool light on for top-end WA talent. The 191cm played the first two games of the WAFL senior season for Peel Thunder and played all four games for WA as a bottom-ager at last year’s championships. A defender or midfielder, Allan is athletic, competitive and reads the play well. Missed the first champs game with injury, but will be pivotal to WA’s when he is back out on the park.20. Harry O’Farrell Calder Cannons/Vic MetroA 196cm key defender who reads the ball well and is an exceptional athlete, O’Farrell’s aerial ability is his biggest strength. He has clean hands overhead and can work off his opponent to take intercepts or win contested marks in a pack. O’Farrell’s size and mobility allow him to match up on a range of opponents, which included Jed Walter when he was playing as a bottom-age player in the national championships last year. O’Farrell looks up to GWS star Harry Himmelberg and is working on being able to play at both ends of the ground. He showed glimpses in the first AFL Academy match in April, but missed the second game with a calf injury.21. Isaac Kako Calder/CannonsKako is one of the most enjoyable prospects to watch in the draft pool. He is dangerous around goal, has speed to burn and can fly high for a mark. His goalkicking has let him down this year, kicking 14.21 for the season, but he has had plenty of forward-half impact, averaging 18 disposals and eight score involvements this season. Kako is part of Essendon’s Next Generation Academy and is of Iraqi descent.22. Jonty Faull GWV Rebels/Vic CountryA stress fracture in his lower back sidelined this 195cm key forward for the first half of the season, but he returned in style for the Rebels in round 10 of the Coates Talent League. Faull bagged 5.2 from 14 disposals and four marks in attack, reminding scouts what he is capable of. A Carlton supporter who looks up to Charlie Curnow, Faull is agile and strong overhead. As a bottom-age player with the Rebels, he averaged 13.1 disposals and booted 20 goals across 12 games. Faull could well climb these rankings with a big national championships campaign.23. Logan SmithGWS Academy/AlliesSmith shapes as the best pure ruckman in the pool. The Giants Academy prospect has dominated at Coates League level, averaging 27 hit-outs, 18 disposals and six clearances and has been solid in the Allies’ two national championships outings to date. Smith has a great leap and follows up well at ground level.24. Xavier Lindsay Gippsland Power/Vic CountryLindsay has led the way for the Gippsland Power this season and has had significant impact forward of centre, averaging 26 disposals, seven score involvements and seven clearances per game. The Power midfielder enjoys getting his hands dirty and has a burst of speed from congestion that hurts opposition sides.25. Tobie Travaglia Bendigo Pioneers/Vic CountryTravaglia has had a superb start to the year for the Pioneers, earning him a call-up to the AFL Academy side. The speedster impressed with 15 disposals and four marks across halfback, and he has averaged 25 disposals, five marks and five tackles as a midfielder in the Talent League. He has gamebreaking qualities and his stocks will only rise if he can put together a strong national carnival. https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-draft-2024-top-25-prospects-ranked-as-under18-national-championships-continue/news-story/ac7c7284c9f7d9ddf99192fb372d4018
2024 has been quite the odyssey for Moraes. Entering the season as an inside/outside mid, he's played both forward and wing this year, and now it seems that he's been designated as a rebounding defender for Vic Metro in this champs series. The only position he hasn't played is ruck (yet!). He showed some nice footy IQ to read the play and intercept the ball, and his excellent tank allowed him to run off his man to create outnumbers up the ground, but his variable foot skills seem unsuited to playing the rebounding role and resulted in a few turnovers here.
I think Smillie goes to North.The have all small sized mids. Powell, Phillips, Wardlaw even LDU isn't huge. They absolutely need Smillie. Id be wrapped with Jagga, who may be more someone we need to compliment the more contested types of McAullife and Dow.
We love a good "basketball background" in the AFL, and Dodson's is so strong that we're still unsure which sport he's going to pick. This was the most impressive ruck performance so far this Champs series, and Dodson seems to have all the attributes you'd want in a ruck. Competes strongly and follows up on the ground with clean hands, positions himself well around the ground and takes intercept marks, long penetrating kick (although his technique could use some work).
Tobie was a one man wall for Vic Country in an incredibly impressive display of small/medium defending. He took 5 intercept marks as a part of 13 overall intercept possessions, not to mention spoils, tackles and other 1% efforts to disrupt both his direct opponent and the opposition team as a whole.
Trainor picked a bad moment to have by far his worst game of the season. Strangely enough he started pretty well when conditions were at their worst, but as the game progressed he appeared to increasingly struggle with the wet conditions, and made a series of mistakes that seemed to shake his confidence. He appeared to deal poorly with the higher level of pressure applied by his opponents at times, which will be something to watch going forward.Footy Stuff Player Profile:He’ll be hoping to grow a couple more cm’s, but at 193 he’s able to impact in the air even though it's not his strongest suit. He's an extremely proactive defender, zoning way off his opponent and backing himself to judge the flow of play and intercept or impact third up, then runs off to help build attacking moves.
Murphy justified his selection in a stacked Metro midfield group with an excellent game in tricky conditions. He was clean at ground level and active around stoppage, and while his disposals didn't always hit their mark he was progressive and creative with his decision making.
Murphy Reid:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AOdiKmqnJsQuoteMurphy justified his selection in a stacked Metro midfield group with an excellent game in tricky conditions. He was clean at ground level and active around stoppage, and while his disposals didn't always hit their mark he was progressive and creative with his decision making.Maybe we could at least get the Kmart Reid......
