2020 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Ludwig]

I thought Ronke played some good football at the start of this season. He was a bit further up the ground, and was probably leading "clean goal assists" after the early rounds. He was preferred at selection table over both Taylor and Gray before he got injured, and was more effective than either. Ignoring the inconvenient fact of contracts, I'd much prefer we kept him than Gray (or Taylor, though I think he'll make a solid contribution over the next few seasons, given the chance).

Going against Ronke is that he hasn't proved to be very durable, physically. Maybe that's just bad luck, but I'm sure it plays a part when clubs are making difficult list management decisions.

Something I like about Ronke is his determination to improve and succeed. He had a poor start to 2019. He wasn't kicking goals nor applying the pressure demanded by his role. But he came back later in the year, continuing to improve his tackling and pressure game. A player that keeps improving is one you want to keep. You don't know what the ceiling is, but you know is going up.

This is not a good year to have early draft picks. Normally I'd say keep your early picks but this year I'd be happy to trade down if we get something good in return. For example a ruckman like Ladhams with a swap of first round picks. I'm not against paying overs this year

It's as good a year this year as any to have early picks and for once there's a good mix of players, X factor mids, KPF, KPD, a number of whom are plying their trade impressively in the SANFL and WAFL.

Port don't have a first rounder in reference to the Ladhams "trade"

Still say we go with best available with our first, match Campbell and Gulden, a nice haul.

There's still a lot to play out this year, so too early to make a definitive call on our first rounder. Whether we get Joe Daniher would make a big difference to that decision. And draft picks move around a lot during trade period, and into the draft as well.

Actually Port Adelaide would be a great team to trade with. They have a lot of points in 3rd round picks that they are not likely to use, so could give them up easily if they wanted to get a top 5 pick. We would have more than enough points to secure both Campbell and Gulden without going into deficit. I would be happy to come out of this draft with Ladhams and the 2 academy boys.

Draft commentator Chris 'Knightmare' Doerre says Logan McDonald is better than any key forward drafted in the past 15 years. Perhaps a bit hyperbolic, but he's become the big mover in this draft. There are some good KPPs available for top picks this year if a trade for a good ruck/forward can't be consummated. But maybe we've moved up the ladder a bit too far to secure the best ones.

[barracuda]

I thought Ronke played some good football at the start of this season. He was a bit further up the ground, and was probably leading "clean goal assists" after the early rounds. He was preferred at selection table over both Taylor and Gray before he got injured, and was more effective than either. Ignoring the inconvenient fact of contracts, I'd much prefer we kept him than Gray (or Taylor, though I think he'll make a solid contribution over the next few seasons, given the chance).

Going against Ronke is that he hasn't proved to be very durable, physically. Maybe that's just bad luck, but I'm sure it plays a part when clubs are making difficult list management decisions.

Interesting point Liz, I wonder with reduced list sizes and soft caps whether durability, resilience, ability to follow instruction and mental stability will hold greater currency. For example I imagine Elijah Taylor has and continues to soak up enormous amounts of resourcing whether coaches, mental health professionals, lawyers and media people. When resources are scarce this can mean poorer coaching outcomes and less time for other players. However Elijah clearly has incredible talent. Or do the swans start to prefer players with strong physical and mental records who are not going to be superstars but can be relied on week in week out without much input?

[aardvark]

We should shop Ronke around. We wouldn't get much for him if anything but a few more points for our Academy boys may be useful.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Didn’t realise how much strife Richmond are in with an excess of talent!

The rookie list conundrum Richmond will face

Richmond have the maximum six Category A rookies in 2020 – Jake Aarts, Liam Baker, Mabior Chol, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Marlion Pickett and Sydney Stack – and all are currently regulars in coach Damien Hardwick’s best 22.

Three of those rookies – Aarts, Pickett, Eggmolesse-Smith – are out of contract. Under AFL rules, players who have been on the rookie list for two years or more can reject another rookie contract and become unrestricted free agents.

Wow, doubt they’ll be hanging onto all of those. At least 3-4 would be after a handy pay rise. Perhaps Chol could be gettable after all. He’s been on a rookies list for 4 year, I reckon 400k a year over 3-4 years would get his attention!


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[dejavoodoo44]

Draft commentator Chris 'Knightmare' Doerre says Logan McDonald is better than any key forward drafted in the past 15 years. Perhaps a bit hyperbolic, but he's become the big mover in this draft. There are some good KPPs available for top picks this year if a trade for a good ruck/forward can't be consummated. But maybe we've moved up the ladder a bit too far to secure the best ones.

Even though I've only seen a few snippets of him, that seems an awfully big call, when the King brothers are starting to prove just how good they are. Both should be definite match winners in a couple of years. If McDonald is actually in their league, and we have a chance to get him, before our talented academy pair, then we really should go for it. Be interesting to see how the situation develops. I don't think the other draft gurus have that sort of wrap on him?

[Ludwig]

Wow, doubt they’ll be hanging onto all of those. At least 3-4 would be after a handy pay rise. Perhaps Chol could be gettable after all. He’s been on a rookies list for 4 year, I reckon 400k a year over 3-4 years would get his attention!

Richmond have ruckmen Soldo, Nankervis and Coleman-Jones in addition to Chol. One of those is bound to go. From their POV, I would trade out Nankervis, but for us, Chol looks to best.

We're probably in a position to throw some money at him if we're keen. Perhaps having Aliir at the club could also be a selling point. Chol is contracted for 2021, but as you pointed out, Richmond are in a tough spot and they may let go of the player who wants to leave.

Chol and Ladhams are both worth pursuing. If we can find our next #1 ruckman this post season, and it's someone who can play straight away and be around for the next 8 to 10 years, we can start being a top 8 competitor next year, if injuries don't wreak the season.

[Ludwig]

Even though I've only seen a few snippets of him, that seems an awfully big call, when the King brothers are starting to prove just how good they are. Both should be definite match winners in a couple of years. If McDonald is actually in their league, and we have a chance to get him, before our talented academy pair, then we really should go for it. Be interesting to see how the situation develops. I don't think the other draft gurus have that sort of wrap on him?

Cal Twomey also highlighted McDonald's rise up the draft rankings in his latest Road to the Draft podcast, available from the AFL website. I just wonder if pick 4 (after Ugle-Hagan) will be enough to get McDonald. I don't know if we can move past NM and Hawthorne in a race to the bottom.

[dejavoodoo44]

Cal Twomey also highlighted McDonald's rise up the draft rankings in his latest Road to the Draft podcast, available from the AFL website. I just wonder if pick 4 (after Ugle-Hagan) will be enough to get McDonald. I don't know if we can move past NM and Hawthorne in a race to the bottom.

Yes, before Rampe being ruled out, I was pretty sure that we were going rise at least a few places up the table. Which probably would have precluded any pick before Campbell. Obviously, now I'm not quite so optimistic; but I still tend to think that we'll rise a place or two, rather than drop.

The other KPF being spoken highly of is Thilthorpe. Though it's possible he might drop down a bit. Stats wise, he's not doing much at West Adelaide, but that could be because they're not very good and the ball is not getting down there much. Though one aid to judging his performance, is that recent academy graduate, Hamish Ellem, is playing alongside him. So far, Ellem has marginally the better stats, but it's only a small sample size. But hey, if it keeps up, it may be worth a phone call to young Hamish, along the lines of, "you know how we couldn't quite fit you on to the rookie list..."

[Ludwig]

I think Thilthorpe and McDonald could both be ranked in the top 4 or 5, so it's hard to go into the draft with pick 4 with any certainty whatsoever that either will be available at our pick, assuming these 2 would be our target players. That's why I would prefer going the route of trading our pick for a club listed player, like Chol or Ladhams. At least you know you're getting a pretty good player, and one that can play next year.

[Markwebbos]

I think Thilthorpe and McDonald could both be ranked in the top 4 or 5, so it's hard to go into the draft with pick 4 with any certainty whatsoever that either will be available at our pick, assuming these 2 would be our target players. That's why I would prefer going the route of trading our pick for a club listed player, like Chol or Ladhams. At least you know you're getting a pretty good player, and one that can play next year.

I think that's way overs for them though.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Richmond have ruckmen Soldo, Nankervis and Coleman-Jones in addition to Chol. One of those is bound to go. From their POV, I would trade out Nankervis, but for us, Chol looks to best.

We're probably in a position to throw some money at him if we're keen. Perhaps having Aliir at the club could also be a selling point. Chol is contracted for 2021, but as you pointed out, Richmond are in a tough spot and they may let go of the player who wants to leave.

Chol and Ladhams are both worth pursuing. If we can find our next #1 ruckman this post season, and it's someone who can play straight away and be around for the next 8 to 10 years, we can start being a top 8 competitor next year, if injuries don't wreak the season.

Ah I didn’t realise he was signed for next year, makes it slightly more complex than just waving some cash at him. Tremendous upside with him though I reckon. I also like Ladhams but he’s signed until end of 2022.

Agree though, getting in a solid ruck prospect on the cheap ( trade wise) could make a huge difference to our rise up the ladder next year.


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[bloodspirit]

2020 AFL draft - Who's still playing, top prospects, clubs holding the aces

[Melbourne_Blood]

2020 AFL draft - Who's still playing, top prospects, clubs holding the aces

2020 AFL draft - Who's still playing, top prospects, clubs holding the aces

Cheers for the link ! There are a couple of clubs with multiple first round picks, ( Lions and Cats) who we might be able to deal with if we decide to trade out our top pick ( would probably involve other pick swaps / future picks ) , whether that will help considering we have at least one first round bid to match, I don’t know. There are potential options there for us though If that’s the way we want to go.


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[Markwebbos]

I listened to the Road to the Draft podcast today. There was discussion about list sizes. Cal Twomey suggested that if list sizes are cut, some clubs e.g. Brisbane, who have 36 contracted players already going into 2021, may be allowed to not take anyone in the draft.

I'm not sure it will pan out exactly like that, but there may be clubs who aren't going to use some of their picks this year, who might be open to doing deals with us e.g. swapping 2020 picks for 2021 picks on favourable terms.

[Syd76]

Don't agree with that... Ronke should be kept.