I’m torn on Butler and Mellody, I think Butler would have confirmed himself to be best available if he didn’t get injured.
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I’m not sure that’s true. Butler played the first block of the season in the Talent League and was underwhelming.
Its not as though we’re lacking in footage of him playing against his peers.
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Ok, when are you dropping your next updated phantom?
Watch @noobermensch video of Heath Mellody’s WAFL final. There honestly is no comparison to Tsatas in any way.
Mellody only had 23 touches and a goal but it is what he can do with the footy, his running power and class that excites me. He is the classic 2026 footballer, good runner, good skills, tough (went back with the flight to take an intercept mark) and can kick goals.
I don’t think he is miles ahead of Butler or Drever yet but if he puts in a few more performance he will be.
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Subscribe to my patreon if you want my ranking list, although it sorely needs an update.
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The assistance pick 19 was our leverage to move to a better pick this year. Unfortunately everyone knows our 2nd round pick, 19, will become 23 on draft night, the pick we get for moving back can’t traded until we receive it on draft night, so we can’t package that up until then. I’m a bit flat today watching that Merrett pick most likely becoming 17 or 18.
Sorry @Rom , that wasn’t meant to be a reply, just a vent.
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IIRC Tsatas never played any VFL games his draft year due to injury. It’s also worth noting that the WAFL and SANFL are much stronger leagues than the VFL, so performances at those levels carry a bit more weight.
Mellody performing at WAFL league level is validation that the boy can play.
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I’m hoping we trade up to get 2 picks inside the top 10, or even top 7. Defer to Rosa and team . We need to capitalise on that basis even with a pretty flat pool.
I think there is a clear top 5 in open pool (7-8 when factoring NGA & father son)
Mellody, Butler, Drever, Tex, Van Hattum.
From 7-25 I think it is extremely even. You might trade up to get a key back like Harris, although you could get someone like Bradley late in the first. Equally for a small forward you could trade up but Neocleous, El Souki could be there late to grab.
It is an interesting draft, personally I’m not sure there is much point in trading up from say pick 20 to pick 12 as the difference is marginal. After that top 5 tier there’s a significant drop off in my opinion.
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Also proves that he’s no wimp, you gotta have some cojones playing Wafl at his his age which I see that he only turned 18 in late July.
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On gettable CT said if they approved the dodgy Bowes to cats deal, they’ll approve anything. Corrupt.
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Perhaps I’m being overly harsh because I can’t stand Carlton but there seem to be a lot of floaters and missed kicks, not Tsatas level but enough to be a clear deficiency. Particularly the Williamstown VFL game (where maybe the wind played a role) I’m not sure I could count more than 1-2 kicks he actually hit. Perhaps I’m being unfair though.
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I’m guessing the F1 for the Geelong Out is Farm number 1?
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Butlers highlights are nothing like Watson were. Watson is pure small forward.
I honestly think Butler will struggle at the next level.
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To be clear, I am not saying that are the same or even similar players. Moreso that spark in the front half is so important in big games (and something we are sorely lacking) which makes Butler more attractive.
Agree, but I think you can get value small forwards later in the draft.
Watson is a hard comparison because he’s just a freak. His forward craft and instinct is unmatched.
Only other player I’ve seen on the small level is maybe Eddie Betts
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Hopefully Mellody rips apart 2x WAFL finals and this discussion becomes pretty moot.
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Annoying that Cats might get Butters for free ($ aside) but if Port do get pick 5 compo it does put them in frame to try trade up with us
PR wise for Port to lose Butters for one top 10 pick but end up with both pick 1 player and Cochrane after would be something to sell to fans
And if we move pick 1 for both 4 & 5 with a fairly even top group of players then happy days - port would still need to have 2 decent firsts to match Cochrane at pick 2/3 bid though so it’d have to be a lot of trades happening
GWS made some big moves to get pick 1 for Cadman previously so it happens
At a guess Port would go HVH, the gun ruck to go with their gun academy mid
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You realize we have multiple picks right. We can draft for speed anywhere.
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I think it all depends on the last few weeks of state and junior finals. If Mellody rips it up, then we’d probably rather just take him with the first pick than split it