Swans 2013 Draft Strategy

[707]

With our list currently at 33 players, we have five places to fill on the senior list to get us up to the minimum 38 senior players. Very unlikely there will be any more rookie upgrades or delisted types added so we'll use all five picks at the ND, 15, 32, 35, 44, 53.

Should get a very good player at 15, 32 and 35 could snag goodies but by 44 and 53 it looks to be very speculative. If we are going to take a "good" ruckman like Lobb or Nankervis (and I think we have to) we may have to strike with 32. Brisbane hold 33 & 34 as their 5th and 6th picks so that could be the ranking of pick they use to get a ruckman having taken 5 players already which are probably midfielders and a KPF or two.

So my thinking this morning is best player at 15, ruckman at 32, best player at 35, Tippett at 44, wild card at 53. But thats this morning, by this afternoon - who knows!

[wolftone57]

Having a read through the top 20 prospects on the AFL website, I'd be happy with any of those 20 that fall through to our pick at 15.

Where we need to excell again is with the picks 32, 35 and 44. Hopefully one or two good players slip into our range there.

Think we need to find a mature ruckman just in case Pyke goes down, we really only have Mike then a very raw Naismith.

Hopefully there's no first round shock like last year, when Towers name was read out I reckon 99% of us had no idea who he was and his 2013 confirmed our draft night fears. Hopefully he can step up in 2014.

Towers was very close to a seniors start in the second half of the season. Some of us were surprised he didn't get a start, just the sort of player to play against Freo by the way.

We need to draft players that are going to fill our needs not just go for the so called BEST! So many of those bloody mids we drafted as early or mid draft choices have been delisted. We DON'T need lots of mids as that part of the ground is under control. What we do need is KPP players, ruckmen (2) they take time to develop and by the time they do Naismith will be a veteran LOL. Maybe one this year one next or rookie. Where is the other need? We have a plethora of mids, three HBF in the wings (one can't kick for quids), Lots of forwards. One KPB, need one more and convert Tommy to back. Plenty of KPP Forwards in our line up and we might just take a KPP Forward rookie.

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just wondering how a "Scott Pendlebury to join the Swans in 2015" rumour would affect the swans draft strategy

can anyone think of a more priceless look then seeing Eddie's face when confronted by this rumour

i just think this would be one of the funniest rumours spread of all time in AFL

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two words

Sam Naismith

he truly could back up and play some minutes behind Pyke, Tip and LRT later in the season - he has the talent and he will be wrestling with Tip and Pyke all pre season and season long

i agree with the Sam Naismith comments. I also think he has big talent and he will be given a run this year, it is only a matter of when. At NEAFL level he is a star and his tap work is the best I have seen from a young ruckman since I saw Ottens first play for Richmond, how stupid were Richmond to lose him.

[liz]

So many of those bloody mids we drafted as early or mid draft choices have been delisted. We DON'T need lots of mids as that part of the ground is under control.

Who are all these mids we've delisted? Other than the ones who just weren't good enough, or couldn't get their bodies in shape. Don't think we've ever delisted a high draft pick because there wasn't room for a player of his type in the side.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

We DON'T need lots of mids as that part of the ground is under control.

Not sure about that, we tend to play 10 mids, McVeigh, Hanners, SOB, JPK, Bird, Kieren, Parker, Jetta, Goodes and ROK. If ROK was to fade like Jude did last year, and Goodes' injury woes continued, then we need to include Harry and who? Maybe BJ? Perris?
The cupboard starts to look a little bare, no wonder the Swans were "bitterly upset at losing Lamb to the Giants" - I expect we will grab at least another midfielder, probably with pace too.

[Dosser]

We need to draft players that are going to fill our needs not just go for the so called BEST! So many of those bloody mids we drafted as early or mid draft choices have been delisted. We DON'T need lots of mids as that part of the ground is under control. What we do need is KPP players, ruckmen (2) they take time to develop and by the time they do Naismith will be a veteran LOL. Maybe one this year one next or rookie. Where is the other need? We have a plethora of mids, three HBF in the wings (one can't kick for quids), Lots of forwards. One KPB, need one more and convert Tommy to back. Plenty of KPP Forwards in our line up and we might just take a KPP Forward rookie.

I think our policy has been to recruit rucks from other clubs and not waste a pick when the talls can be quite speculative. Also, I think I read that Tommy wants to go home at the end of next season, so I dont think we can count on him.

[Ludwig]

I think we are solid in the midfield. After ROK the next in line for retirement is Macca at least 4 years away.And there's quality in the depth.
With pick 15 a tallish utility seems best, someone who could play many positions. First choice is Acres, then Marsh. If Taylor is still around he will be hard to pass up. Only worry is that he is recovering from foot surgery. I always worry about foot injuries as they can take so long to heal.
With picks 32 & 35 I would be looking at Kpps. I would try to get 2 of McStay, Giles, Hourigan and Jake Kolodjashnij. But if someone like Templeton is available I would take him wih one of those picks.
With 44 & 53 it will depend on who we get with the first 3. I like the looks of Ben Sokol.. Reminds me a bit of Rok. Already has a big body and big tank. Sully and Tippet are possibles if we overlook Kpps earlier in the draft. Jensen is another big body with speed and goal kicking ability. I'm undecided about drafting another ruckman this year and if we do it only makes sense to get someone who can play round 1, as we already have 2 project ruckmen and 3 would be overkill.

[Mug Punter]

I think we are solid in the midfield. After ROK the next in line for retirement is Macca at least 4 years away.And there's quality in the depth.
With pick 15 a tallish utility seems best, someone who could play many positions. First choice is Acres, then Marsh. If Taylor is still around he will be hard to pass up. Only worry is that he is recovering from foot surgery. I always worry about foot injuries as they can take so long to heal.
With picks 32 & 35 I would be looking at Kpps. I would try to get 2 of McStay, Giles, Hourigan and Jake Kolodjashnij. But if someone like Templeton is available I would take him wih one of those picks.
With 44 & 53 it will depend on who we get with the first 3. I like the looks of Ben Sokol.. Reminds me a bit of Rok. Already has a big body and big tank. Sully and Tippet are possibles if we overlook Kpps earlier in the draft. Jensen is another big body with speed and goal kicking ability. I'm undecided about drafting another ruckman this year and if we do it only makes sense to get someone who can play round 1, as we already have 2 project ruckmen and 3 would be overkill.

To not draft a ruckman would be very dangerous imo. Again, I am sure we have been planning for this and will get someone as good backup for Pyke. Plus we have LRT (stop gap), KT (not ideal) and Naismith (if ready) as emergencies

Cannot see why we would risk Garlett, he seems a talent but a grade A idiot. Reckon he will go early in the rookie draft so he is on a one year no warning type deal.

Tippett if available would be good value. Add in three mids and you'd think we're done. Most teams play with 10-12 genuine midfielders in the 22 these days so need to keep restocking

[wolftone57]

Who are all these mids we've delisted? Other than the ones who just weren't good enough, or couldn't get their bodies in shape. Don't think we've ever delisted a high draft pick because there wasn't room for a player of his type in the side.

Over the last 10 years there have been quite a few Gordon, Meridith, Brabazon, Barlow, Fixter, Kruger, McNeil, Jared Sundqvist etc the list goes on. The thing is Liz all teams always draft far too many mids and have to palm them off or in the case of Cats too many ruckmen. We have a record of developing elite mids but we have also delisted quite a few who were picks 1, 2 or 3.

that they were not good enough to make the Swans list is my point exactly and several were top picks. We have really great success with Rookies and lower draft picks and if you look at our midfield you might just find that most of them were drafted later.

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Not sure about that, we tend to play 10 mids, McVeigh, Hanners, SOB, JPK, Bird, Kieren, Parker, Jetta, Goodes and ROK. If ROK was to fade like Jude did last year, and Goodes' injury woes continued, then we need to include Harry and who? Maybe BJ? Perris?
The cupboard starts to look a little bare, no wonder the Swans were "bitterly upset at losing Lamb to the Giants" - I expect we will grab at least another midfielder, probably with pace too.

BJ, Perris, Lloyd, Towers, Mitchell, McGlinn, Rohan (can play mids), Marsh, Robinson are they enough? By the way we do not tend to play all 10 mids as mids in the same team. We have played them in different positions ie Macca=HB, Parker=HF, BJ=HF etc. sometimes we use a rotation from forward/back to mids and did when in trouble against Freo (Macca went into mids from HB).

[Ludwig]

I don't think we are even considering Garlett. We have already added Perris. I hope we can get Acres or another mid with pick 15. And perhaps one more later in the draft. After the first pick the focus should be on KPPs.
If we draft a ruckman, it should be someone deemed more ready to cover for Pyke than Naismith. Otherwise what's the point?

[wolftone57]

I think we are solid in the midfield. After ROK the next in line for retirement is Macca at least 4 years away.And there's quality in the depth.
With pick 15 a tallish utility seems best, someone who could play many positions. First choice is Acres, then Marsh. If Taylor is still around he will be hard to pass up. Only worry is that he is recovering from foot surgery. I always worry about foot injuries as they can take so long to heal.
With picks 32 & 35 I would be looking at Kpps. I would try to get 2 of McStay, Giles, Hourigan and Jake Kolodjashnij. But if someone like Templeton is available I would take him wih one of those picks.
With 44 & 53 it will depend on who we get with the first 3. I like the looks of Ben Sokol.. Reminds me a bit of Rok. Already has a big body and big tank. Sully and Tippet are possibles if we overlook Kpps earlier in the draft. Jensen is another big body with speed and goal kicking ability. I'm undecided about drafting another ruckman this year and if we do it only makes sense to get someone who can play round 1, as we already have 2 project ruckmen and 3 would be overkill.

Who are the two project ruckmen? Pykie is well beyond the project stage and the only other I see is Naismith and he is a project. But who else?

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I don't think we are even considering Garlett. We have already added Perris. I hope we can get Acres or another mid with pick 15. And perhaps one more later in the draft. After the first pick the focus should be on KPPs.
If we draft a ruckman, it should be someone deemed more ready to cover for Pyke than Naismith. Otherwise what's the point?

The chances of getting a ruckman who is ready for AFL at this time are very poor. Next year when GWS and GCS both have to shed two more players maybe. Seaby would be a mistake and I can't see why we can't just keep developing Sam and pick up a new prospect and maybe Rookie list Dawes as I think he may be ok with a good preseason under his belt and he is a little older. that is Jacob Dawes by the way.

[GordonS]

cant see why we wouldnt risk garlett because:
a) if its an average draft like these so-called 'experts' say it is, then he may the only talented bloke down the order, seeing he definitely wont go in the first round. he could be a bargain pick up
b) he was rated a top 10 pick last year and had got under good year under his belt. u dont get rated a top 10 by mistake. this guy has some great skills
c) he's a kid. give him a break!! of course he's gonna have off-field issues. not every single draftee is as clean as a whistle. he's worked very hard this year to try and fix those issues and has said it himself that he has had to cut ties with some friends of his. bringing him to sydney might be just what he needs; time away from those bad influences and a new environment in which he can solely focus on football.

[Mountain Man]

I think Naismith played 4 games in the Reserves last year. He played as a top up in 2012, as a very young 'un.

Mitchell is converting from USA basketball, and would be very doubtful to be useful in 2014 in case of injury to Pyke.

[Ludwig]

Mitchell is the other project ruckman, Wolfie.

[The Big Cat]

Over the last 10 years there have been quite a few Gordon, Meridith, Brabazon, Barlow, Fixter, Kruger, McNeil, Jared Sundqvist etc the list goes on. The thing is Liz all teams always draft far too many mids and have to palm them off or in the case of Cats too many ruckmen. We have a record of developing elite mids but we have also delisted quite a few who were picks 1, 2 or 3.

that they were not good enough to make the Swans list is my point exactly and several were top picks. We have really great success with Rookies and lower draft picks and if you look at our midfield you might just find that most of them were drafted later.

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The only duds I would name would be DOK, Vez and Willouby. The ones you mentioned - Gordon (Rookie Upgrade), Meredith (lowish pick and injured all the time), Brabazon was a really low pick, Barlow (Rookie Upgrade), Fixter (PSD), Kruger and McNeil (Rookies never promoted) Sundvquist (low draft pick). I think our draft history has been pretty good.

[GordonS]

meredith was pick 26 which we traded away schneider and dempster for. a complete dud when u take that into account