Trade period / National Draft 2024

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[Nerflardio2424]

Smilies kicking looks very poor.

 

[THE_GUN]

Im waiting for the next Dusty to make his move and we select him with pick #3

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Any key forwards worth Pick 2?

Bit of a summary from Fox Footy re talls in this year’s draft. The Whitlock twins sound s similar to the King twins ( not the same hype) ,re size and positions they are playing.
Maybe it’s going to be a better draft for talls than expected

BIG BOYS BOLTING

It’s been dubbed a midfield-heavy draft. But recruiters in recent weeks are being buoyed by the emergence of several key-position players pushing their way into first-round – and even top-10 – calculations.

Top of the talls pile is Sandringham Dragons defender Luke Trainor, who at this stage is the early favourite to be the first tall taken in this year’s draft.

A gun 195cm interceptor who looms as a genuine third key back at AFL level, Trainor has put together an eye-catching past six weeks at every level he’s played at and justified the comparisons to Essendon’s Jordan Ridley.

After averaging 20.5 disposals, 5.5 marks and 5.0 rebound 50s from his first two Coates Talent League games for the Dragons, Trainor was a standout for the AFL Academy in their two games against VFL opposition. He won best-on-ground honours against Coburg with 20 disposals and four marks before another impressive outing against Footscray weeks later, finishing with 21 disposals, eight rebound 50s, four marks and one goal.

Scouts, in particular, have been buoyed by Trainor’s bodywork in one-on-one contests, as well as his precise kicking and intercepting.
There’s also ample excitement around 200cm Shepparton twins Jack and Matt Whitlock.

Considered a first-round prospect – possibly top 10 – by many scouts for a while, Jack Whitlock started his 2024 campaign strongly, booting 7.7 and averaging 15.0 disposals and 6.0 marks from his first three Talent League games, before booting two goals against Coburg for the AFL Academy. His early draft prospects have been enhanced by an increase in size and strength, which has helped him become a more ominous presence close to goal.

But Matt Whitlock has also caught the attention of on-lookers lately. With his brother Jack sidelined for the Murray Bushrangers’ clash on the weekend due to a finger injury, Matt was swung from defence into the forward line – and had a day out against the Giants Academy team, booting 5.3 from 14 disposals and seven marks. Recruiters were pleased he had the opportunity to show his wares at the other end of the field – and just as stoked he was able to deliver, consistently presenting up at the ball all game and competing well in the air.

While Matt is still developing his frame, he’s shown greater ball-winning ability this year, averaging 16.0 disposals and 7.0 marks from his four Talent League games.

Bendigo Pioneers’ Jobe Shanahan is also emerging as a serious prospect. A 194cm forward, Shanahan has kicked 7.2 from four Talent League games, including a four-goal haul against the Bushrangers in Round 2. But his workrate stood out against the GWV Rebels on the weekend, finishing with 21 disposals, nine marks and five inside 50s. Shanahan also kicked three goals from the AFL Academy’s two matches against VFL opposition.

Then there’s 199cm Northern Knights prospect Tom Sims, who sits second on the Coates Talent League goalkicking table with 15 goals from five games. His best outing came on the weekend against the Oakleigh Chargers, booting 7.4 from 15 disposals and 10 marks.
The powerful and versatile Sims, who’s also a strong ruck option, plays with great presence on the field and covers the ground well for a player of his size. He’s been named in the Vic Metro squad for this year’s Under 18 championships, where he’ll have a chance to boost his first-round prospects.

And possibly the best ruck of the draft is Giants academy member Logan Smith – a 204cm prospect who looks the real deal with his aerobic capacity and aerial ability. He’s averaged 18.3 disposals, 4.0 marks and 26.7 hit-outs from his three Talent League games so far. Smith shapes as the Allies’ top ruck for the upcoming championships – and looks primed to join a Giants list that already includes two strong rucks in Kieren Briggs and the emerging Nick Madden.

There’s also lots of intrigue around 201cm Lions academy prospect Tom Gillett – a ruck who covers the ground well for his size and can play either back or forward – and 195cm Swans academy defender Joel Cochran, although recruiters are looking forward to seeing how they perform at the national champs.

Then there’s a couple of highly-rated talls sidelined with injury.

A 196cm key defender from the Calder Cannons, Harry O’Farrell looms as a first-round pick, especially for a club in need of a tall back in a midfield class dominated by midfielders. He played the first two Talent League games for the Cannons then impressed for the AFL Academy against Coburg with his strength and defensive nous. He missed the second game against Footscray, though, with a calf complaint.

Noah Mraz, a 198cm key defensive prospect from the Dandenong Stingrays, also looms as an early choice, with North Melbourne, in particular, keeping close tabs on him. He started with exciting performances in his first two Talent League games (24 and 15 disposals) but is back in a moon boot and

 

[THE_GUN]

I reckon we end up with this kid Bendigo Pioneers’ Jobe Shanahan with a later pick

 

[guruisatiger]

He hasn't done one on McLachlan this year which is why I asked

All good