2026 draft thread - WE ARE NOT TRADING OUR FIRST PICK! READ THE NEW DRAFT RULES (Part 1)

[Ants]

But he dominated U18 for two years.

[kingofthehill]

Watson?

[Ants]

Yes.

[kingofthehill]

Agree. I love the idea of Butler but think he’s too much of a risk

[RedandBlackPartisan]

@Ants

@RedandBlackPartisan

@Ants

@RedandBlackPartisan

Seeing how it looks like the club is recruiting Bewick next year, does that play a part in determining who we draft this year?

He, Justice and Darwish (if we think we can afford him) should factor into it. As should who is likely available at our #15-#25 picks (hint: multiple small forwards).

Midfields bat a lot deeper these days. If you don’t consider Caldwell, Durham up to it (I don’t) then we still need a number of them. That’s also where positional versatility matters, and Mellody and Tex’s ability to play other positions is a plus.

As a matter of interest, then you’re suggesting Mellody as our first pick?

Every year it’s like this I suppose, judging who is the best option.

Personally i’m leaning towards Butler.. not that it’s up to me.

See below.

I’d add to that I think there is too much risk with Butler that he’s a bust. Not in terms of being useless. But becoming a Perkins, Ainsworth, Rayner, Tambling style let down. He just hasn’t produced consistently across the year for a variety of reasons (including injuries and tank questions).

@Ants

Obviously there are still games so things can change, but I feel Melody has now separated himself from everything I read. In a post Merrett world he has the exact traits we need in a midfielder, he has the leadership credentials, he has the workrate, he has the most production at the highest level and so is the most proven.

Butler probably fills our biggest non-KPD need, but that is a need we can easily fill elsewhere. The draft is deep for small forwards. It looks almost certain we’ll have a group of El Souki, Dimer, Neocleous, Edwards, Elliott, Templeton, Prasad etc. to choose from at our later picks. Picking up two small forwards should be simple.

Right now it seems to me it has become a simple decision.

Mellody, hope a KPD reaches Hawk’s pick, two small forwards with the priority and our second rounder, Justice, and a late KPD such as Noah Daw, Kalapakis. We’d need to delist/trade 8.

Cheers, thanks for that, all interesting input.

[hampy]

GUS kicks his first from a free kick HTB. Butler dragging an opposition along the ground to get him off the ball

[jamesm]

Butler took possession in the middle and had a classy clearance

[jamesm]

Bradley looking class

[hampy]

Bradley and Snell looking good so far

[j_w]

I get that it’s windy but this is a farking terrible game.

[hampy]

High(ish) pressure, low skills

[barnz]

some of the sandy players are not coping with the pressure gippsland have brought

[Sloots]

Butler injured or just having a stinker?

[barnz]

bit of both, coming back from injury, and the rest of his team is getting thoroughly suffocated by gippsland onball pressure.

[millagurnzie1]

If Mellody has a decent game I reckon he’s lock for number 1. Doesn’t sound like the others are really throwing their hand up

[Heptides]

Haven’t seen any of it, but if Tex and Butler both have average games, surely it has to be Mellody?

[millagurnzie1]

Butler not having much impact against kids - Mellody helping WAFL sides win finals.

It’s a no brainer to me

[Ants]

@Heptides

Haven’t seen any of it, but if Tex and Butler both have average games, surely it has to be Mellody?

Given Butler and Tex are both coming back from injury, I don’t think this necessarily hurts them. But certainly doesn’t help them.