Recruiting AFL Draft Watch 2025 - 2x 1sts, 2x 2nd round picks, and 12 months to go

[noobermensch]

The expectation was the Lindsay would move into the midfield in his top age season, and we got confirmation of that in the opening round of Talent League action. Lindsay was a strong influence at stoppage and contests, especially impressing without the footy with his defensive pressure and tackling. His typically elite disposal skills were perhaps a little rusty or effected by the windy conditions, but he did manage to lace out some damaging darts in the second half.

Unfortunately had to mute the audio again in this one due to the wind in the effects mic.

 

[Zach Package]

It's incredibly dumb to judge a ruckman by his ability to play forward. It's like judging Langford as a mid, Hobbs as a forward or D'Ambrosio for his ability to defend.
If a ruckman has impact around the ground and at stoppages that's where he plays. That's what he should be judged on. Besides in the most functional forward lines, there's never a ruckman to be seen. ie. Hawthorn with Gunston, Breust, Puopolo, Roughead, Franklin, Rioli. All sharpshooters that could kick goals from anywhere under any kind of pressure.
Richmond with Riewoldt, Castagna, Bolton, Lynch, Rioli, Lambert, Edwards Martin. Not a ruckman to be seen there either, but manic forward pressure and the ability to break loose in the blink of an eye.
Rucks for the ruck, forwards for the forward line.

Disagree.

Someone that can genuinely ruck for 5 minutes a quarter or if you get in a bind a couple of weeks AND play as a genuine key forward is as rare as hen's teeth and can be a massive point of difference and a game breaking weapon, worth the high pick.

Not a ruckman who can be a bit part tall forward like Draper, a key forward who can also genuinely ruck like Jackson or Darcy, or previously, Daniher.

PS: I would also place Peter Wright in this category but it would seem like we've ruined him to the point of no return, so, back to the drawing board in terms of finding one I guess, and we would have to spend a top 5 selection, not a selection in the 60s....

 

[cavalcade]

Disagree.

Someone that can genuinely ruck for 5 minutes a quarter or if you get in a bind a couple of weeks AND play as a genuine key forward is as rare as hen's teeth and can be a massive point of difference and a game breaking weapon, worth the high pick.

Not a ruckman who can be a bit part tall forward like Draper, a key forward who can also genuinely ruck like Jackson or Darcy, or previously, Daniher.

PS: I would also place Peter Wright in this category but it would seem like we've ruined him to the point of no return, so, back to the drawing board in terms of finding one I guess, and we would have to spend a top 5 selection, not a selection in the 60s....

Yeah, Daniher, Darcy, Salmon. I agree with your examples. But like you said they are rare as hen's teeth.

 

[andleanback]

Yeah, Daniher, Darcy, Salmon. I agree with your examples. But like you said they are rare as hen's teeth.

And CDT looks like a rare talent

 

[noobermensch]

Lots of Bomber fans keen to see more of their NGA linked excitement machine Hussien El Achkar. This wasn't his most prolific performance but still a solid way to open the new season slotting 4 majors and having his hand in a few other scoring chains. He seems leaner than last season which will hopefully allow him to sustain the energy needed to apply pressure and roam up the ground for longer.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

And CDT looks like a rare talent

Cox-esque rare talent?

 

[IHurley]

Not really. He is a midfielder in a ruckman's body. He is not someone you pass on.

I agree he looks amazing. I couldn't pass on the chance for a joke though.

 

[ghostdog]

Does the 1000% reduce to a mere 100% if Draper wants to stay?

I guess he takes Goldy's place instead.

 

[andleanback]

Cox-esque rare talent?

Difference is currently cdt is playing a ruck. Cox it wasn’t known where he would play his best footy, being thrown around during his first couple of years didn’t help either.

 

[ghostdog]

Slide left for Cal on Gettable.

 

[Old Campaigner]

And CDT looks like a rare talent

What’s his mongrel like? Does he like to crash packs and hurt blokes to go with his skill or is he Tim English Mk II and a bit scared of his own shadow?

 

[ghostdog]

In the clip from noobermensch, Sweid's disposal looks a little untidy at times, but it also looks like many of his team mates struggled for separation from their opponents. He obviously has good vision and doesn't shirk contact, and keeps running to provide options in possession chains. Only a clip though. Looking forward to hearing more about him. Dees 0-4 now!

 

[ydc55]

Ctd was good again today.
The flaw in him is he is not a marking tall at present.
Sweid was good.

 

[Yoda_]

Ctd was good again today.
The flaw in him is he is not a marking tall at present.
Sweid was good.

What are your thoughts on two cannons;

Felix Kneipp? small midfielder
Carled El Khodr? tall fwd/ undersized ruck

 

[noobermensch]

Cody Curtin has grown over the summer and is looking large and in charge against his Colts opponents. Peel tried to make his life as difficult as possible, dropping a spare man back at times to block his leading lane or double up on him in marking contests, but Cody still found ways to hit the scoreboard and ended with a bag of 5 to his name. His size, pace and power were especially evident in his ferocious pressure acts which at times led to him giving away free kicks but which suits the requirements of a modern key forward at AFL level.

 

[eth-dog]

Cody Curtin has grown over the summer and is looking large and in charge against his Colts opponents. Peel tried to make his life as difficult as possible, dropping a spare man back at times to block his leading lane or double up on him in marking contests, but Cody still found ways to hit the scoreboard and ended with a bag of 5 to his name. His size, pace and power were especially evident in his ferocious pressure acts which at times led to him giving away free kicks but which suits the requirements of a modern key forward at AFL level.

Related to Adelaide's one?

 

[noobermensch]

Related to Adelaide's one?

Brother of Dan.

Dan played key tall as a junior but was a strange prospect as he was agile and excellent at ground level but not brilliant aerially, played some midfield in his top age year and looks to be shaping as a 3rd tall or flanker in the AFL.

Cody is much more of a prototype key tall. Bigger than Dan at 200cm. Strong in the air, loves the physical stuff. Played as a key defender last year but transitioned into the forward like late in 2024 for Claremont and looks like he's locked in as a key forward for 2025. Very strong prospect for me, I had him top 5 in preseason.

 

[ant555]

As far as someone to watch who has great skills Noah Hibbens - Hargraves is one I will be keeping an eye on. Has played mainly outside forward / wing so far but I see he did get some midfield time against the Falcons in round 1. 186cm. Nice mark. Great skills. Looks like he would fit in really well as a half forward / wing / half back. Only early but he looks like someone that fits into our needs.

 

[Zach Package]

Looking like a good draft for taller, big framed midfielders at this early stage.

Good for us.

Looks like a fair few overagers in play for the MSD as well, also good for us

 

[Yoda_]

As far as someone to watch who has great skills Noah Hibbens - Hargraves is one I will be keeping an eye on. Has played mainly outside forward / wing so far but I see he did get some midfield time against the Falcons in round 1. 186cm. Nice mark. Great skills. Looks like he would fit in really well as a half forward / wing / half back. Only early but he looks like someone that fits into our needs.

if we do end up with two top 7 picks, id love a combination of NHH, Curtain, CDT &/or Rodriguez

 

[Yoda_]

Looking like a good draft for taller, big framed midfielders at this early stage.

Good for us.

Looks like a fair few overagers in play for the MSD as well, also good for us

any you like?

 

[Zach Package]

any you like?

Which category?

I think Burmeister was probably the stiffest not to get drafted last year so he’s probably the best 19 year old for me. The older crop, there are a few that will need to play well for the next 6 weeks or so but we will see. I like Toby Triffett from Williamstown.

Big midfielders have all already been mentioned above but Duursma is probably the most exciting one for mine given the frame and telescopic limbs.

 

[ghostdog]

Cody Curtin has grown over the summer and is looking large and in charge against his Colts opponents. Peel tried to make his life as difficult as possible, dropping a spare man back at times to block his leading lane or double up on him in marking contests, but Cody still found ways to hit the scoreboard and ended with a bag of 5 to his name. His size, pace and power were especially evident in his ferocious pressure acts which at times led to him giving away free kicks but which suits the requirements of a modern key forward at AFL level.

This sounds like the pick.
Could he play in his first year? What's his size like?

 

[noobermensch]

This sounds like the pick.
Could he play in his first year? What's his size like?

He's 200cm tall and wide across the shoulders, already quite muscular.

Generally I wouldn't expect any key tall to make a huge impact in their first year.

 

[Yoda_]

If you want a KPF, Riley Mason will be taken in the mid season draft if eligible.

21 year old playing at Collingwood VFL. Kicked 5 and has been added to the VFL state squad for origin game next week in gather round

Few running half back flankers going well in the VFL too, and a couple of mids im keeping tabs on