2019 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Markwebbos]

I'd back our experts i.e. our recruiters over the media pundits any day. I defer to them.

It's absurd that Cal Twomey's is touted as "the nation (or even the world's) leading draft expert". What about Stephen Wells? What about Kinnear Beatson? Etc. Etc. There are plenty of professionals who know more about it than him. He may be the best one in the media (and perhaps that's all they're claiming), at least since Emma Quayle was recruited to become an actual recruiter herself. If she ever returns to the meeja they'll really have to drop their ambit claims about Cal.

I think its implied he's the best in the media. I reckon he's pretty good, but doubt whether he looks at it in the same way that a club would.

[Melbourne_Blood]

I'd back our experts i.e. our recruiters over the media pundits any day. I defer to them.

It's absurd that Cal Twomey's is touted as "the nation (or even the world's) leading draft expert". What about Stephen Wells? What about Kinnear Beatson? Etc. Etc. There are plenty of professionals who know more about it than him. He may be the best one in the media (and perhaps that's all they're claiming), at least since Emma Quayle was recruited to become an actual recruiter herself. If she ever returns to the meeja they'll really have to drop their ambit claims about Cal.

I guess my point was more I hope we don’t pull something from nowhere, I’m happy with to take one of those in our pick 5 range that have been mentioned through this thread.


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[Markwebbos]

I guess my point was more I hope we don’t pull something from nowhere, I’m happy with to take one of those in our pick 5 range that have been mentioned through this thread.


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This is all predicated on Ling not working out so far, which is primarily due to injury not talent. He hasn't had an opportunity to show if he's worthy of a pick 14. I don't think its fair to blame the recruiters for that.

In recent years they've pulled a few surprises: Rowbottom, McInerney, McCartin. They've mostly done a good job finding lower draft picks with a lot of upside. But ironically had less success with the high picks.

I'm crossing my fingers that whoever they pick (and it may not be Young/Ash/Flanders/Green etc) is going to deliver for us and not be a dud. Unfortunately there are no guarantees. Richmond's 2004 draft comes to mind.

[Melbourne_Blood]

This is all predicated on Ling not working out so far, which is primarily due to injury not talent. He hasn't had an opportunity to show if he's worthy of a pick 14. I don't think its fair to blame the recruiters for that.

In recent years they've pulled a few surprises: Rowbottom, McInerney, McCartin. They've mostly done a good job finding lower draft picks with a lot of upside. But ironically had less success with the high picks.

I'm crossing my fingers that whoever they pick (and it may not be Young/Ash/Flanders/Green etc) is going to deliver for us and not be a dud. Unfortunately there are no guarantees. Richmond's 2004 draft comes to mind.

That’s true but he was a surprise pick in the first round and speaking of underwhelming highlights packages ( re: Flanders) Ling’s never got me excited. Not seen much ( albeit mainly due to injury ) to suggest otherwise , yet . We will see on that I guess


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[Mr Magoo]

I think its implied he's the best in the media. I reckon he's pretty good, but doubt whether he looks at it in the same way that a club would.

I actually reckon AFL Draft Central has a pretty good feel for draft/junior talent and quite good analysis. No reflection on Cal but mainstream AFL media seem to often just stick with mainstream opinion in my view .

[liz]

I actually reckon AFL Draft Central has a pretty good feel for draft/junior talent and quite good analysis. No reflection on Cal but mainstream AFL media seem to often just stick with mainstream opinion in my view .

Yeah, I'm not convinced Twomey does much other than talk to recruiters and other talent spotters, and compile their opinions on players. That's quite different to Quayle, who formed her own views (often quite different to the rest of the mainstream media). I guess that's why Quayle found a job in club recruitment land, while Twomey remains doing geeky podcasts on the AFL site.

[Wazza]

I like the look of D Stephens - played some senior footy with Norwood in SANFL, nice size good speed rangy left footer uses it well. Reminds me a little of Dawson but I guess on Crows radar.

Cheers

Waz

[111431]

I like the look of D Stephens - played some senior footy with Norwood in SANFL, nice size good speed rangy left footer uses it well. Reminds me a little of Dawson but I guess on Crows radar.

Cheers

Waz

i agree he looks good

[stevoswan]

I was put off Gould - probably irrationally - by an interview with him a couple of weeks ago where he said he was really confident he could come in straight away and contribute at senior level. I know confidence can be a good thing, but cockiness isn't. Especially for someone who should understand his fitness levels are a long way short of AFL level. I much prefer reading responses from draftees who say that they just want to get to a club, put their head down, work hard and earn the respect of team mates. Some players can step up straight away, but most take some time to adjust to the significantly higher demands of AFL football, even compared to senior SANFL football.

In other words, those reading straight from the play it safe AFL media playbook.....a quality I find rather tiresome. If Gould shows a preparedness to break the lifeless 'automaton' PR mould of the average AFL footballer, I say "grab him now!!"

In all seriousness, I see where you're coming from and I agree to a large extent that these 'modest and humble' sentiments are what you want to hear from an aspiring youngster.....but there's certainly nothing wrong with confidence and a willingness to back yourself to succeed at the highest level.

I think our club has proven itself to be a good judge of character and have placed a high premium on that quality in the past when recruiting future Bloods. Maybe he's confident because he has actually gone away and lost the weight after a few home truths and a subsequent 'light bulb' moment regarding his future. I'm speculating of course but if we do pick him, we will have seen something that impressed us enough to do so....possibly even his show of 'confidence' to succeed.

Time will tell I guess.....

[Markwebbos]

There was another player (I forget) that the Swans spoke to prior to the draft about their fitness, who then went away and worked on it, and we drafted them. Wish I could remember who?

[stevoswan]

This is the blurb under the headline on the AFL's main page that links to an article on Dylan Stephens....and goes to the heart of the problems that non Vic clubs are (and will continue to be) constantly up against....and don't the mainly Vic based player managers know it!

Dylan Stephens played his junior football for South Australia - earning an All Australian jumper - but says he is a Victorian at heart.

Aren't they all.....

[TheMase]

There was another player (I forget) that the Swans spoke to prior to the draft about their fitness, who then went away and worked on it, and we drafted them. Wish I could remember who?

Will Hayward

[TheMase]

I like the look of D Stephens - played some senior footy with Norwood in SANFL, nice size good speed rangy left footer uses it well. Reminds me a little of Dawson but I guess on Crows radar.

Cheers

Waz

I really like Stephens too!

[liz]

I like the look of D Stephens - played some senior footy with Norwood in SANFL, nice size good speed rangy left footer uses it well. Reminds me a little of Dawson but I guess on Crows radar.

Cheers

Waz

Doesn't make any difference if he's on the Crows' radar since their first pick is now after ours.

[Jimitron5000]

There was another player (I forget) that the Swans spoke to prior to the draft about their fitness, who then went away and worked on it, and we drafted them. Wish I could remember who?

That was Will Hayward I believe.

On to this draft, I think Green would be the best option, followed by Kemp and then a blanket over Young, Ash, Serong and Flanders. I have never seen any of them play so am making judgements solely on what is written about them.