2016 trading and drafting (merged thread)

[Levii3]

Home sickness can always be combated with success. These kids need to grow TFU. My occupations separated me from my family in the early days . These guys need to stop being such pussies.

You were making good points until the last part which went a tad overboard. Still agree with the first part.

Nick Smith also didn't want to come to the Swans I think he told Roos that when he called him. We picked him anyway sometimes it works out.

Melbourne Clubs will start planning how to get the Vic kids back already and Florent is a huge target for them.

[Ludwig]

Melbourne Clubs will start planning how to get the Vic kids back already and Florent is a huge target for them.

There was a situation that was unclear due to the death of Florent's father. He had bowel cancer, so his death was not a shock although surely a painful experience. That's why Longmire met with the family personally and I'm sure there was no pressure placed on anyone. If there was any doubt, we could have taken Jy Simpkin, who was the alternative. Both were rated about the same but Florent had a good second half to the season, while Simpkin was out injured. I'm sure both with be A grade players.

Just listen to the interview on the Swans website. He sounds like a great kid and very mature. No doubt he wants to be a Swan and on a successful team. Imagine the thrill sharing a forward line with Buddy Franklin. I'm sure he'll get loads of questions from mates about that one.

[Faunac8]

Pretty impressed with this feedback from KB re Hayward ( safe to assume he was as well )
"We challenged him in an interview during the year about his endurance and we were pleased to hear that as soon as he left he'd organised a personal trainer. It told us how much he wanted to be drafted"
I think he might fit in nicely ????????????

[Auntie.Gerald]

I think re florent it may have been more to stay home and be there for his mum now a widow and supporting the rest of the family

Being in a similar situation in my life And remembering the difficulty for everyone concerned I think we may all be best to leave this area alone re florent at 18yrs of age, loosing a dad this year and now being the man of the family

Let's focus on the upside
He is with us and he is a resilient and skillfull and special talent

[MattW]

There was a situation that was unclear due to the death of Florent's father. He had bowel cancer, so his death was not a shock although surely a painful experience. That's why Longmire met with the family personally and I'm sure there was no pressure placed on anyone. If there was any doubt, we could have taken Jy Simpkin, who was the alternative. Both were rated about the same but Florent had a good second half to the season, while Simpkin was out injured. I'm sure both with be A grade players.

Just listen to the interview on the Swans website. He sounds like a great kid and very mature. No doubt he wants to be a Swan and on a successful team. Imagine the thrill sharing a forward line with Buddy Franklin. I'm sure he'll get loads of questions from mates about that one.

Yep, the interview on the Swans site should end any concerns that he'll want to go home. Seems a smart, determined young guy, who's genuinely pleased to be with the Swans.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Hayward remind me of James Sicily from the Hawks

Same height build at same age

Same leap speed off the mark and keen for a kick at goal

I think Sicily was a later pick though ie 3rd round a couple of years ago from memory

[707]

Impressive interview with Oliver Florent on the Swans website.

Think we've done very well on the night, Florent is exactly what we needed, Hayward may prove to be a steal and I was surprised to see him still there, Maibaum is an U18 AA KPD who we got with pick 46!

Only disappointment was Ben Davis getting selected as the door was closing on the draft :-(

[bloodspirit]

Overall I'm delighted with our draft haul. While in my dreams we would have got someone like Scrimshaw at first pick clearly I was dreaming. Florent on the other hand fits our needs really well and presents well in interview. I'm not too concerned about the go home factor. Hayward is a total steal at 21! He was rated top 10 by some and also fits our needs. Maibaum is a quality KPP. He was rated top 30 by Emma Quayle. Helpfully he can play both ends. I wonder where we'll end up playing him more? And Darcy Cameron is the ruck prospect that I was hoping for. However, I fell for Kinnear's line that we would wait until the rookie draft. Really solid for us.

The other clubs I think did well were both the Queensland clubs, both the WA clubs and, from Melbourne, I thought the Tiges did ok with their picks. Of course all clubs should be happy (possibly Hawthorn less than some ;-) )

[707]

Twomey's Phantom Draft take, just what we need and a big game player -

It was Florent's finish to the season that thrust him a little higher up the draft order. The skilful and quick midfielder was excellent in the Dragons' finals series, and then was best afield in the NAB All Stars game on Grand Final eve. His ability to weave in and out of congestion, link up the play with handballs, and then finish efficiently by foot sets him apart from other midfielders in the first-round group.

His take on Hayward -

A nine-goal haul in the SANFL under-18 finals series boosted Hayward's draft stocks in a big way. He backed it up with four goals in his side's Grand Final loss the following week, but had shown his power, athleticism and bounce in a half-forward role. He can slot goals from long distance, take big marks and has plenty of upside left in him too.

[jono2707]

Good to see young Davis picked up by Adelaide. Whilst there's a long way to go, we need our Academy to not just produce players for us, but also for the wider AFL system. Good opportunity to learn his trade at SANFL level too.

[RogueSwan]

Darcy Cameron. 204cm and 101kg. Already a monster. Just hope that he can do things like catch and kick.

or at least tackle, tap, tackle, hand pass and tackle again.

[Meg]

Can someone please update me on Xavier Richards? Am I right in thinking he is currently an unemployed AFL footballer? Last I knew he was seen training with the Bombers but I don't think they have taken him. Or have I missed something?

[Meg]

Good to see young Davis picked up by Adelaide. Whilst there's a long way to go, we need our Academy to not just produce players for us, but also for the wider AFL system. Good opportunity to learn his trade at SANFL level too.

I agree with this. The best rationale for the academy system is that it is expanding the pool of draft-ready players across the league.

[Meg]

Can someone please update me on Xavier Richards? Am I right in thinking he is currently an unemployed AFL footballer? Last I knew he was seen training with the Bombers but I don't think they have taken him. Or have I missed something?

To answer my own question - I've just read this quote from Emma Quayle while discussing the rookie draft:

"It'll be interesting to see whether Essendon take Xavier Richards," she said.

So X goes from playing in a GF alongside Buddy Franklin to being a "maybe" as a rookie for Essendon. Very odd decision-making by X.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Just out of interest Olivers father who sadly passed away this was a successful Australian tennis player Andrew Florent winning over $1million in prize money

His height was 188cm and professional playing weight of 84kg