2022 List management, trading, drafting

[Ludwig]

Mitchell is a top-tier distributor of the ball with an inate ability to read the play and win the ball. His handball skills to other players in tight situations is very good but his kicking skills are average. If we could get him for a modest price then it would be worth due consideration, but I suspect he will be keen to stay in Melbourne. I also see the argument that he may hold back progress of players like Gus and Roberts. For that reason, the Swans should only seriously consider him if the deal was made very much on the Swans' terms. We are certainly not desperate for him!

List management is very much a moneyball game. You have to decide what the best places are to spend a limited amount of salary cap. Tom Mitchell doesn't fit our needs right now. We have been showing in this current 8 game winning streak that we are a very competitive contested footy and clearance team with our current midfield. As you noted, we have 2 good inside ball winners in Gus and Roberts waiting in the wings. So better to pass on this one and similar ones.

We are in a good position to continue to build through the draft. This year's focus should be on KPPs. Our depth in other positions is quite good right now.

[Markwebbos]

I agree Mitchell would be a step back to a set up we abandoned and have moved on from.

We have two first rounders I wonder if we’ll try and move up to get someone like Cadman? Or go for one KPP and a mid?

[gloveski]

List management is very much a moneyball game. You have to decide what the best places are to spend a limited amount of salary cap. Tom Mitchell doesn't fit our needs right now. We have been showing in this current 8 game winning streak that we are a very competitive contested footy and clearance team with our current midfield. As you noted, we have 2 good inside ball winners in Gus and Roberts waiting in the wings. So better to pass on this one and similar ones.

We are in a good position to continue to build through the draft. This year's focus should be on KPPs. Our depth in other positions is quite good right now.

Unless your Geelong as money doesn’t seem to come into it


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[bandwagon]

re. Mitchell, I have a strangely pleasurable feeling when I think he has never won a final as a Hawk - didn't he leave for more success? Or was he open enough to say it was the money?

[Ludwig]

We have two first rounders I wonder if we’ll try and move up to get someone like Cadman? Or go for one KPP and a mid?

I would prefer to keep our 2 late first rounders rather than trade up this year. I don't think we need to invest that much in a KPF, given that we already have one of the best young key forwards in Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey is not far behind. I would be looking more for KPP depth and versatility.

There are several interesting prospects from Cal Twomey's phantom form guide: Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide: Top draft prospects' August ranking

The ones I like the most in our draft range are:

15 Henry Hustwaite, who has been rising in the draft ratings as the year goes on.
18 Josh Weddle
19 Lewis Hayes
27 Max Gruzewski
29 Isaac Keeler, who I really like. He looks a very versatile player.

You would think we should get 2 good KPPs our of this group.

[bandwagon]

Keeler - yes! Skilled, goal-kicking indigenous KPP/ruck that uses his athleticism to burn off the opposition rucks. Reminds me of someone... Looks good in the red and white (North Adelaide).

[Ludwig]

Keeler - yes! Skilled, goal-kicking indigenous KPP/ruck that uses his athleticism to burn off the opposition rucks. Reminds me of someone... Looks good in the red and white (North Adelaide).

Reminds me of Paddy Ryder.

[gloveski]

I would prefer to keep our 2 late first rounders rather than trade up this year. I don't think we need to invest that much in a KPF, given that we already have one of the best young key forwards in Logan McDonald and Joel Amartey is not far behind. I would be looking more for KPP depth and versatility.

There are several interesting prospects from Cal Twomey's phantom form guide: Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide: Top draft prospects' August ranking

The ones I like the most in our draft range are:

15 Henry Hustwaite, who has been rising in the draft ratings as the year goes on.
18 Josh Weddle
19 Lewis Hayes
27 Max Gruzewski
29 Isaac Keeler, who I really like. He looks a very versatile player.

You would think we should get 2 good KPPs our of this group.

I might be biased as I played football with his dad but 24 on Twomeys list Lauchie Cowan . He is an athletic defender/midfielder with huge upside . Has been Tassie’s best player now for a few years .


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[707]

I might be biased as I played football with his dad but 24 on Twomeys list Lauchie Cowan . He is an athletic defender/midfielder with huge upside . Has been Tassie’s best player now for a few years .

The danger with Tasmanian's is they will be targeted for their new AFL team, albeit with a compo pick.

Keeler is getting big wraps on the Crows BF site, the highlights I've seen of him suggest he's worth a punt. Whilst it hurt losing Dawson, having two first rounders this year is helpful, happy for ours to be pick 18! Need Melbourne to go out in straight sets (please)

[Markwebbos]

Wonder if we’ll use a pick to trade a Logue or similar this year?

And for all the talk about our plentiful KPFs if Buddy goes this year and Reid next that’s a lot for Logan, Joel etc to shoulder.

[Ludwig]

Wonder if we’ll use a pick to trade a Logue or similar this year?

And for all the talk about our plentiful KPFs if Buddy goes this year and Reid next that’s a lot for Logan, Joel etc to shoulder.

That's why this is the year we have to get a couple of KPPs in from the draft. I would like Logue, but he would be competing for a spot at either end of the ground and I think he would prefer to be in the 22 for sure. I think we can play 2 tall forwards due to our plethora of good small forwards. Let's say we go into next year with Reid, Logan, Joel and Hayden. That should be fine. And if Reid goes after that, the players we take in this draft should provide the depth to cover. That would be the perfect transition, although we know things don't usually go to plan, but you need to have a plan nonetheless.

[Markwebbos]

Buddy has taken the best defender. When he goes that’s going to fall to someone else … potentially McDonald next year.

It’s a huge step up to be the number one banana. No guarantees he’ll be ready.

A draftee isn’t going to be ready for several years.

[Aprilbr]

Yes, I tend to agree that we need to look at key forwards and backs. Our depth there currently could quickly evaporate with retirements and players leaving for more opportunities elsewhere. Our Ruck stocks are also thin. Sinclair retiring and a question mark over Stretch in the Reserves. That leaves Hickey and Ladhams so clearly we need another developing ruck.

[bloodspirit]

Keeler is getting big wraps on the Crows BF site, the highlights I've seen of him suggest he's worth a punt. Whilst it hurt losing Dawson, having two first rounders this year is helpful, happy for ours to be pick 18! Need Melbourne to go out in straight sets (please)

Even better if Geelong go out in straight sets too (because it bumps the Demons pick down one extra i.e. pick 13).

[Goal Sneak]

I tend to think we can lose Bud and Reid after this or next season and still have enough good players around to ensure McDonald, Amartey & McLean remain competitive until they're fully fledged forwards (assuming Amartey & McLean stay).

I also wonder if we will offer Naismith another year? It seems like a waste to hold onto him for so long and then let him go. It's a huge risk I know but if we could get a season out of him it would help our ruck depth issues, or at least buy us a little more time.