Just read the first page of this thread and canāt believe the lack of excitement and criticism this draft class is getting
Accusations of playing it safe and only going after one type of player?? Yeah nah, not sure where youre coming from.
Obviously pick 1 was down to preference, and itās fine to feel as if McC was the better option, but those of who acting like heāll only be a good player for us are kidding themselves. McGrath was taken with the potential to be an elite mid. He has the pace and tale-the-game-on attitude that the current game is made for. Not to mention the fact that he has an elite attitude that will match his footballing ability.
Ridley was a great pick. Rated at 14 in Brett Andersonās rankings based on potential, and having many of suitors in the 20ās, it wasnāt as much as a reach as some are making out. This kid, as Brett Anderson says, has the potential to be anything. Heās 192cm, a marking threat, agile and reads the play as good as any. With no other sliders available, Ridley was one of the best next options for us. Only Witherden would have been another good get, but the upside attached to Ridley is to tempting (I reckon Witherden could end up one of the best from the draft though). Looking at the next 10 picks after Ridley and there is no one else that really screams high quality like Ridley does.
Begley was a bit of a left-field pick considering he didnt play championships and was a late call up to the Eastern Ranges team, but also considering that he was only of local footy standard at the start of the season, heās progress has been outstanding. Begley has great power, great skills, soft hands on the lead and even midfield ability. With a proper pre-season under his belt and his body in prime position, Begley could seriously be anything. Apparently had many clubs who liked him in the 20ās, so a good pick up at 31 I think. Has potential to be an inside bull who kicks goalsā¦ not something we need or anythingā¦
Mutch is an inside outside mid who accumulates the ball at will. Averaged 32 possessions for Bendigo this year and kicks off both feet. Can lack impact at times, but heās a potential future pillar of our midfield IMO. He may be a bit vanilla, but we needed to start building our midfield and for the pick we got him for, Mutch was a great option. Rated at 13 by Gary Bucknenara, the kid has obvious potential.
Clarke is a bull and again something we need with the likes of Watson and co getting older. He was All-Australian this year and all of those who know him believe his work ethic alone will make him a star at the next level. Some were talking of Clarke as a possible chance for our pick 20/29, and we got him at 68. IMO heās kicking needs some serious work to not be caught out at the next level, but the kid is too good on and off the field to pass up at pick 68.
People thought it was a safe draft, yet are the same ones to complain when we take a half-back flank instead of the pure mid. We have an aging midfield and needed to address it. We did so in 2 steals in Mutch and Clarke. Ridley and Begley are also seen as future midfield option after development, both with massive potential. And obviously McGrath, who will only take 1 game for you all to be aboard his bandwagon.
