Surely if the planes end up with Zac Bailey on their list and HEA or Unwin shining, a tall forward that can pinch hit ruck in our first 2026 draft selection makes more sense? That or a outside runner on the wing with pace and ball use. I am all for Arki Butler and other small/medium forwards in this crop. Will definitely be a few to track this season.
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Things can change a lot over the course of a season. Quite possible that some of our more “project” types emerge strongly this year which will greatly change our needs.
Van Hattum could very well end up being more of a tall forward at AFL level. He’s proven he can kick goals in a variety of ways, and can take clean marks at a super high point.
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He is going to fill out and be a huge unit, no stick insect he. Very mobile for his size as well. There is a lot to like here.
So perhaps a pick in before Bewick?
I can remember the new bidding rules but that would be lovely.
Looked really creative by hand. Not much precision by foot though.
Pleased you pointed out that it was wet early, because I was watching it thinking he didn’t have good marking skills. Took a nice one later on though. I would just like our next ruckman to be really dangerous in a marking contest.
He looks ace.
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I doubt it given the changing draft rules but who even knows at this point? The AFL seem to like changing the rules every season so by the time we get to the 2027 draft literally anything could be on the cards. We might have a new system where the recruitment teams all fight it out battle royale style ala Anchorman.
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Compared to our last “Flying Dutchman” how many beers can he sink before the game?
But the smart money would be on they change the rules to disadvantage us.
That is perhaps their only forte.
Van Hattum better be ready for all the Sam Darcy comparisons
Not AFL but still a interesting watch to compare the data with our game and the way our list managers behave.
The Power Cube Marlon Neocleous got off to a strong start in round one of last season, showing his ability to damage through the middle of the ground and inside the forward 50. He had some lovely slick clearances from stoppage, hit up leading targets with F50 entries, and got on the end of a couple himself to hit the scoreboard. The strong wind didn’t help his disposal accuracy, but he managed to work through it to become increasingly damaging as the game progressed.
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A look at some of the 2026/2027 draft prospects featured in the Vic Metro summer squad. Of note, Koby Bewick, Tevita Rodan and Blake Justice are all representing Calder Cannons. I could definitely see the likes of others in this crop with Harry Van Hattum, Arki Butler, Lewis Houndsome, and Jordan Knapp, being eyed later in the year by Essendon as draft prospects.
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Arki Butler, come on down.
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I think you’re getting mixed up between the 17yr old pre-selections and the mini-draft. There will be mini-drafts of players who would be draft eligible in 2028 and 2029, similar to what happened with Crouch, O’Meara, Hogan and I can’t remember the fourth one.
But for the 2027 draft eligible kids, Tasmania will have a large intake similar to what GWS and GCS had. Kids selected 12 months prior to their first draft who then played and developed together with the club in their 18th year. Playing I think either TAC Cup or in a state league. The players taken a year out from their clubs’ first drafts (i.e. in 2009 and 2010) were:
- GCS took: Piers Flanagan, Taylor Hine, Jack Hutchins, Hayden Jolly, Alex Keath, Brandon Matera, Trent McKenzie, Tom Nicholls, Luke Russell, Matt Shaw, Josh Toy, Maverick Weller
- GWS took: Tomas Bugg, Jeremy Cameron, Sam Darley, Tim Golds, Josh Growden, Jarrod Harding, Jack Hombsch, Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar, Simon Tunbridge, Gerald Ugle, and Nathan Wilson
Doing a little digging, they’re not saying how many kids this will be. But they are saying they’ll be spread across 2027 and 2028 eligible kids. I would suspect they’ll be able to take a similar number to GWS and GCS (12) spread across two years. The AFL article also just says “17th year”, whereas for GCS and GWS they could only take players who were born in the first 4 months of the year. You would think they’d have more hits if they aren’t just taking players from a 4-month window.
So, Tasmania may be able to take the best 6 prospects a year out from the 2027 and 2028 drafts, as long as they can convince them to sign up. Or, as there is the mini-draft for the 2028 draftees Tasmania may split their selections 7 and 5 for 2027 and 2028 respectively. If those 17yr old prospects are offered good terms, signing is likely the smart move.
In summary, there is every chance that around 7 of the best 2027 prospects a year out will sign up with Tasmania. If they get those even half right, that’s 3-4 of the top 10 missing, maybe the top 5 missing, pushing Bewick’s pick up.
I really enjoy that channel. Some really interesting sports videos.
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Unless we are getting Zac Bailey, surely our priority still has to be elite small forwards. Even if El Achkar announces himself as a 100+ game player this year, we still need mega help in that forward half area.
If not a small forward then target flankers and wingers with the most elite kicks.
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Piers off.
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A big one will be our view of the tall forward options. If realistically, we have Caddy, an ageing Wright and don’t rate any of the other prospects (May, Gerreyn, Visentini, McMahon) as forward prospects, then we also really really need a tall forward.
Wright and Langford are both 29. We’ve seen with Caddy, Neale, and other young talls that even when they work, they need 3-4 seasons preparation.
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I agree with this. Try these young forwards. Especially May.
I am inclined to buy an established key forward. I choose this rather than Butters Like Richmond did with Lynch.
Caddy our Riewoldt.
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