Draftees' Information

Ok, the plan is to go out and trawl through big footy and other places to put information about the different draftees out there. Most of this will come from “amateur experts”, some youtube, and I plan to rely on a number of posters on BigFooty.

I will have one post per player, and will initially add a few in the range we may be looking at. I’ll put a link to each one in this opening post.

I will be using Knightmare, Chris25 and other’s info from BigFooty. It would be nice if people who like this thread could go over and give them a few likes. They’re doing this as a free service to all of us - we should appreciate it.

Obviously there is the warning that plenty of these will turn out to be wrong. But heh, at least it gives us a feel for some of these guys!

Player Info
Smalls
Connor Menadue: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/#entry389986
Jordan De Goey: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/#entry390867
Nakia Cockatoo: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/#entry390876
Daniel McKenzie: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/#entry396264
Peter Bampton: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/#entry396276
Jackson Nelson: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/#entry396279
Jarrod Garlett: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/page-3#entry400210
Connor Blakely: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/page-3#entry400190
Really small Caleb Daniel: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/page-3#entry400217

Talls
Hugh Goddard: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/#entry390026
Tyler Keitel: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/#entry390008
Reece McKenzie: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/page-2#entry396255
Caleb Marchbank: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/page-3#entry400201

In-between/Utility
Kyle Langford: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/#entry390031
Tom Lamb: http://bomberblitz.com/forums/index.php?/topic/2082-draftees-information/page-2#entry394555

Information sources
Youtube, AFL (dah)
Combine results: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-10-03/who-stole-the-show-in-this-years-draft-combine
Foxsports Pulse (U18 stats): http://www.foxsportspulse.com/

Chris25: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/young-talent-time-2014.1050546/
Knightmare:http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/knightmare-2014-phantom-draft.1081319/
(old) Knightmare: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/knightmares-2014-phantom-draft.1060197/
Paige Cardonas: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/paige-cardonas-phantom-draft-5-0.1080239/
Skippos: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/skipposs-2014-phantom-draft.1070460/
Bulldogsnm1: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/bulldogsnm1-phantom-draft.1080628/
Bound for Glory: http://boundforglorynews.com/2014-draft-profiles/
Emma Quale’s ratings: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-draft-news-emma-quayle-profiles-100-potential-draftees-20141006-10qsxp.html


AIS/AFL U18’s vs. Collingwood reserves - full game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P57n5pNUT68

Conor Menadue
Height: 188 cm, Weight: 69 kg, DOB: 19/09/1996
Position: Midfielder
U18 Statistics
2013: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196040102&client=1-3020-111719-253881-18717761
2014: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196040102&client=1-3020-111719-294694-20320285
Draft Combine
5th - 20 metre sprint results
7th - Repeat sprint results
8th - 3km time trial
Highlights
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-16/draft-prospect-connor-menadue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIW-QYmbe1E
Chris25
Richmond #33
He's been good this year, and has improved as the season has gone on - having played more midfield/forward as opposed to half back. But, it's not like he has been an absolute standout all year. His 3 matches at the U18 Championships were nothing to write home about, he laid some nice tackles but that was about it. In general from what I've been reading some people say lately, I think his foot skills are being overrated. He's neat and does flash big play ability at times, but he isn't a sure thing by any means with his disposal. His inside game is developing, but he is primarily an outside midfielder at the moment - 60% of his disposals are from marks or handball receives, so he does rely somewhat on being fed out the ball. Even on the weekend, he had 27 touches but that's with 3 marks and 18 handball receives. Which isn't a negative at all, it's in fact a big positive for an outside player. But that's largely what he is, an outside player.
I'm not saying he isn't a good tackler or strong over head for someone his size, but neither of those things mean he is a good contested ball winner. About 60% of his disposals come from marks or handball receives - pretty normal for an outside player, but from what I've seen he does rely in a large part on being fed the ball. It's not really a criticism because I don't expect much from Menadue in that regard, just an observation as to why I wouldn't be taking him higher than the second/third round.
So now that the negatives are out of the way, he does offer a lot going forward. His potential is quite high, and his coaches all say he still has a lot to learn and a lot more improvement to come. He has shown glimpses of being able to develop an inside game, and for someone still so skinny, he tackles really well and is strong overhead. Both of which are positive signs. Also can't knock his pace.
As for who skinny players develop, there is no way to know what will happen. Some do all the work, but still can't bulk up. I think Jayden Pitt copped a lot of unfair criticism for not putting on weight, because it doesn't mean he wasn't trying. Hayden Crozier is only now starting to develop a frame that can compete regularly at AFL level.
Ultimately, I think Menadue would be a good value pick in the second round. Has a nice size and speed combination, and a decent scope for development. He'll probably either be a star or delisted within three years. Chances are someone will go early, but personally I'd sit back and take Oleg Markov from SA instead. I rate him as having the better skills and better speed, he just hasn't gotten on the park this year so Menadue has the performances on the board.
As for Oleg Markov and Connor Menadue, they're similar players. But obviously Menadue is the one that everyone loves talking about. Personally, I prefer Markov. He's struggled with a couple of unlucky injuries this year, and hasn't been able to show anything near his best. But he has the better speed, skills and versatility as a forward. Menadue has the better performances on the board though. For me, both project as hard running outside midfielders.
Knightmare
Pick #27, #22 on talent

Mid/Def
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 10-35Best
position/role: Midfield – on the ball.

Strengths

Explosive sidestep – Menadue probably has a more explosive sidestep than anyone else presently in the game. He has some evasiveness and avoids tacklers to a high level but it is less in that Pendlebury evasive style where he looks like he has more time and space than anyone else but more an explosive, leave you in my wake variation on that. It starts with his explosive first step that he uses to get around guys and avoid tackles, moving explosively sideways to create separation and exploding past you. It is his major point of difference and is something he can use frequently in game whether it is in general play or after a mark.
Acceleration – In addition to the explosive sidestep Menadue has elite acceleration. He has that explosive first step, gets up to top speed quickly and has a top speed few others possess. He can go on long, full exertion runs with ball in hand and break away from the contest or break the lines on the outside to a high level, typically with runs of 20m-40m until he is either in range to finish for a goal or hit a target inside 50 lace out.
Skillset – Menadue from a skillset standpoint has it all. He is a precision kick and hits his targets over a variety of distances. He is an excellent kick under pressure and when tackled has shown that he can even in these situations find long targets lace out. He has the vision to find the best targets and the most damaging long targets. He consistently makes the best decisions by foot, looking for open targets rather than going long down the line to a contest. He is also an excellent finisher when within range from goal in general play whether on the run or from a stationary position. His work by hand is also excellent and he also by hand has the vision to find targets over a variety of distances and has the vision to find the most damaging outside runners.
Gamechanging ability – Menadue is a real highlight reel player and on his day has the talent to change games with his influence with his mix of traits with his sidestep, acceleration and his footskills and he showed in his only final v Dandanong that he can put forward a game whereby he can really exert his influence on numerous plays across the four quarters. It is also possible given his performance in his one final that he is a big game specialist but a larger sample size of big games would be required to determine this. He also has during the season for Western Jets had his moments where he has lifted in critical moments, exerting his influence which I have also been encouraged by.
Goalkicking – Menadue is a genuine goalkicking midfielder and has managed multiple goals in a number of his games through the midfield this year with his finishing ability from general play excellent. Many of those goals come thanks to his explosive ability to burst through the midfield to around the 50m mark and then kick the 45-55m long goal and it is something I expect to see a lot of at AFL level. He can also when in the forward 50 sidestep guys to create space for the easy finish which is another of his ways from general play to hit the scoreboard.
Versatility – Menadue has shown that he can not only play through the midfield but also be utilised off a back flank as a rebounder with his explosive pace and footskills real weapons if you can get the ball into his hands on a back flank, so he is someone who while best utilised through the midfield can as required get thrown behind the ball.
Upside – Menadue given his mix of dominant traits with his pace, explosive sidestep and footskills gives off the sense that he has tremendous scope to develop. He had that breakout final performance and given he has a light body it can reasonably be assumed that he has significant footballing and physical growth remaining that could further help him elevate his game.
Weaknesses

Light body – Still only 69kg and will need to put substantial weight onto his frame before he is ready to play at AFL level. As such a light body it also brings into question once he puts on the weight whether he will retain that explosiveness, with that an unknown until we see it.
Contested ball winning ability – Still a work in progress and not something he does enough when played through the midfield as more of a receiver at this stage but the hope would be that as he puts more size onto his frame and that the contested side to his game will improve. What he can do well is read the ruck taps to get first possession and then use his explosiveness to burst forward which is one positive sign that he can develop his inside game.
Ability to take easy marks around the ground – While Menadue is capable overhead and capable even of taking some strong contested marks at times he lacks on the outside the ability to be a linkup target in forward chains at this stage as someone who outside the contest does not find much of the ball all that easily and really needs to be fed the ball by hand to get his hands on it much of the time rather than being in position to take those easy marks outside the contest. Understanding this Menadue will need to improve his running patterns in general play and start to work more into space so that he can find more of the ball.
Relatively lean and inconsistent production – Menadue at this stage while a high impact player when he has the ball, does not accumulate big numbers every game. He can at this stage have his quiet games and more quiet games than you would ideally like. He can also get tagged out of games and with it struggle to find the footy. What I expect will improve:I expect Menadue to continue doing what he does but also put weight onto his frame, to find more of the footy more often and to improve his inside game as he has played much of the past couple of seasons in the back half and will with more time on the ball improve his inside game.

 

 

Who he can become? I see Menadue as being a slightly less productive Jonathan O‘Rourke as a similar tallish but lightly built dynamic midfielder with that same explosive pace and excellent footskills. When will he be ready to play?I see Menadue taking some time and likely looking to establish himself as a regular in season three once he has put some size onto his frame and improved his inside game.
How to best utilise him? Menadue is more an outside type at this point but once he puts some size onto his frame I expect will be best utilised on the ball through the midfield as someone you want around the ball and consistently impacting games.
Interpretation of his numbers: Menadue‘s numbers both through the U18 Championships and at TAC Cup level have lacked some consistency and have been only moderate. He has over the second half of the season shown strong signs through the midfield and has hit the scoreboard with frequency which is something he did not do last year or in the first few games this season. His disposal efficiency is excellent both at TAC Cup level and particularly through the U18 Championships with his role primarily in the back half helping with that efficiency through the U18 Championships. His tackle numbers are also very good by position and are helped by his speed and agility. He finds a large proportion of his ball through handball receives and will need to start winning more of his own ball and taking more marks around the ground to take that next step towards becoming a high production player.


Menadue is a terrific talent - acceleration and willingness to use it when the chance is there, that dynamic sidestep and then his footskills.
My concern is firstly his lean production His numbers are overall relatively poor and you'd like to see him get his hands on it more. With Menadue it's really can he put on the size and strength without losing his explosion? Can he develop the contested side to his game to become a dominant inside player? And can he improve his numbers?
I wouldn't personally be willing at 14 to take the gamble on him. But from pick 20 onward if looking for what he can provide I'd be interested. His draft range is fairly open and with his gifts I'm not discounting anything whether it's going at around 14, but equally it's not out of the question he goes in the latter portion of the draft as more a fan favourite than a club favourite at this point as more a highlight reel player than certain impact player.
Isaac Smith is an interesting comparison and I don't think you'll be the only one to make that comparison. Menadue is definitely a much better kick and probably has more scope to develop an inside game. He just doesn't have that elite endurance or outside running game to be as effective in that outside role as Smith. He just isn't a natural link player or someone who finds the ball all that easily, often on the outside to do his damage as much as he optimally would.


Paige Cardonas
Projected draft range: 20-40
Plays like: Isaac Smith
An explosive yet nimble midfielder, don‘t let Connor Menadue‘s light frame fool you into thinking he isn‘t up to the rigours of AFL football. Averaging 18 disposals for the Western Jets behind the likes of Liam Duggan, Corey Ellis, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow and Jayden Laverde, Menadue‘s ability to cut open a game with his speed and penetrating kick makes him an exciting prospect for a club that‘s looking for pace in their midfield. Although on the skinny side, Menadue cracks in hard when it comes to tackling, and has a knack for kicking goals on the run. He gets a big tick for versatility, playing mostly off half back and on a wing, albeit with stints up forward for the Jets. He takes the game on, rating among the best performed for handball receives, while also making good decisions. With the ability to use the ball by both hand and foot, Menadue has a certain amount of polish that a player of his ilk needs. He slips through congestion with his breakaway speed and loves to run and carry up a wing, not too dissimilar to Hawthorn‘s Isaac Smith. I rate him highly particularly due to his agility, game awareness, and clean hands. Named best on ground in the Jets‘ elimination loss, Menadue almost willed the Jets over the line off his own boot, accruing 27 disposals at 87 per cent efficiency, 18 handball receives and two goals.
Skippos
Range: Top 40
Comparison: Jono O'Rourke
Connor Menadue is the bolter right now, partially started by his amazing performance in the first round of the TAC cup finals. The talent has always been there though. He's a tall outside leaning midfielder who could go in any number of directions due to his size and rawness. He's incredibly quick with his pace elite and his acceleration exceptional. His evasive movement is elite with his sidestep the best in the draft. That with his pace makes his linebreaking ability fantastic. By foot he's great. Hits targets, picks the right ones, directs the play well by foot and has some penetration. Despite his size on the inside he can win his ball. He reads the tap well and moves well enough to win the hard ball. His disposal under pressure is great. His ability to receive the ball on the outside is excellent with his timing of runs to receive a highlight. For a thin fella his tackling is great. His ability to hit the scoreboard is a highlight.
The knock on Menadue is production. So far he's rarely produced the kind of games he did in week one of the finals. In the champs he showed flashes but hardly imposed himself. There's a lot to like but he's raw. At his size he still has 10-20 kilos to put on still and that could change the kind of player he is. He occasionally tries to do too much with the ball. He's prone to floating in and out of games. Though he seems to have a natural ability to win his own ball his inside game is very much a work in progress and will take time to develop.
The upside in Menadue is really high. He's the kind of player who can break and win games on his own. With what he's doing at his size there's some real indication he might make it. He projects as a higher level Jonothan O'Rourke with that high level receiving game and silky smooth outside game. He'll take time but by season three with a few pre seasons he's someone that could really impose himself on the AFL.
Bulldogs
Pick #16
Utility
In an ideal world North probably would have preferred to pick him at 25 however with the other outside runners gone I doubt they will risk waiting to 25. Menadue has a huge upside, 2.87 secs over 20 metres at the combine is quick enough, however it is when he breaks into the open spaces he is impossible to catch. Has exceptionally pace with ball in hand and makes very good decisions on delivery, kicks a lot of running goals. Still needs a lot of physical development, so 2015 is likely to be a development year. However he is a very good tackler and deceptively good mark to compliment his pace so not out of the question to play some games later next year.
Bound for Glory
Written 17 June
Strengths: Explosiveness, match winner, clearance specialist, clean user
Areas of Improvement: Winning the inside ball, gaining muscle
Player Comparison: Ryan Griffen
Connor Menadue has been hidden behind the likes of Jayden Laverde, Corey Ellis and Liam Duggan this season, but don‘t for a second think about looking over him because of a lack of publicity. His 18.5 disposal average doesn‘t reflect how high quality he is.
Menadue‘s first four weeks were phenomenal, as he averaged 24.3 disposals at 65 per cent efficiency, as well as having 9.5 handball receives, five marks and four tackles per game. His first two games were clear best on ground performances.
His form after that dipped for a few weeks, but then came the game against the Eastern Ranges. The game was close going in to quarter time, but Duom Dawam and Mark Orr tapped the ball perfectly from the first four centre clearances straight to Menadue. In the exact same fashion every time, Menadue read it perfectly in the air and broke away on a 20 metre sprint and found a target deep in the 50 straight away. Through that domination, the Jets kicked four unanswered goals in rapid succession. Brandon Coletta ended up with five goals and three of those were the direct result of Menadue‘s assists in that five minute period.
Menadue is a Ryan Griffen clone. His ability to cut the game open with his run is astounding, and his disposal is first class. He is a long kick and he backs himself to take on the game. He has a bunch of evasive tricks and can avoid tackles with ease. His use by hand is particularly noteworthy, as his elite vision in contested situations allows him to dart off a handball to an outside runner who most other players wouldn‘t spot. Menadue‘s football IQ is upper echelon.
Before this past month, Menadue hadn‘t kicked a goal in 20 TAC Cup games. His 188 cm frame makes him the prototypical tall midfielder, and he has begun to work on his offensive game. Since the start of May, he‘s averaged two goals a game, with the highlight being a bag of four against the Northern Knights.
The most important part is that he can stand up when the game is on the line. He completely set up the Jets second quarter lead of 29 points. The Eastern Ranges pegged it back to three goals and started to look threatening, then Menadue stepped up and kicked a crucial goal in the third quarter. In the dying moments, the Eastern Ranges had a one-point lead, but Menadue kicked the match winner to get the Jets across the line by four points.
The disappointing thing was that as Vic Metro played that weekend, squads were depleted, and there were not many recruiters to watch the game. Menadue has the potential to be a second round pick, but his small frame should allow him to slide. If he is taken after pick 40, then he will be a steal so keep an eye on this talented Jets player.
Blitz – Scotland Bomber


 

 

Anyone taken a look at Connor Menadue? I've seen a bit of junior footy but haven't seen many with this kids raw ability. Just wondering why he isn't being spoken about.

For those of us who wouldn't have a clue, want to tell us a bit about him?

 


Explosive, agile game breaker with height 188cm but is light at 69kgs. In one game against the northern knights earlier in the year he turned the game on its head and drove the jets to a mighty win...In the last quarter he was just unstoppable where his explosiveness out of the centre and finishing on goal was nothing short of electric. Dare I say it was Judd like. What holds him back is that he plays in a TAC cup side with top 15 prospects Laverde, Ellis and Duggan all of whom are physically more developed and who command more of the ball. His situation might be very similar to Zerret who was playing with Salem, Kelly and Freeman. Not being spoken about by many of the draft gurus but his upside is so apparent that I'd roll the dice and draft him with our end of first round pick.

 

Like Gleeson he has an uncanny ability to find his way through heavy traffic. So whilst he has the build of an outside player his explosiveness, evasion and skill to gather the ball of the ruck and then show a clean set of heels mean that he is equally adept in creating the play in a stoppage. I suspect at the next level he will be outside, where he would be absolutely devastating. Will watch with interest.


Dunlop


Connor Menadue - I had seen him before at Trevor Barker Oval, but evidently he was invisible in the Champs game as I didn't take a single note about him. At half time I was wondering what Scotland was raving about as he'd been invisible again aside from attempting to take on 3 opponents and getting caught HTB with teammates screaming for the handball. His 3rd term however was close to the best individual quarter I've seen from a player this season, with only McCartin's 2nd term against Gippsland 6 weeks ago shading it. Playing off the wing in the 2nd half he had 5 dashes down the wing in front of me (1 didn't work for him as the ball didn't bounce back properly), evading players and kicking 2 goals from 50, the rest were pinpoint passes to a leading forward - one of the few Jets all day that legitimately kicked the ball well into the 50. That was the flashy stuff, the standout piece of play to me though was when he had 4 or 5 second efforts at winning a contested ball because his teammates repeatedly buggered it up and ultimately won a free kick (which wasn't there IMO but still) - I'm rarely emotive when scouting but couldn't help but yell out well done Connor after that effort. That effort aside I think at this stage he is heavily reliant on others getting the ball to him, but the upside, X-factor and outside speed is something our list does need. At 69kgs he would have to be eased in, wherever he ends up. Unfortunately, I do think he'll test well in speed and agility at the combine and is the type that could jump up the order late (or be taken as a needs pick by a finalist - Port love their outside speed), but on the plus side for getting through to us he had a poor championships and looking at his formline he isn't as consistent week to week like others I've seen, nor is he consistent within a game itself (as I said he was pretty much unsighted in the first half). He was doubled over gasping for breath after all of his runs, so I suspect his tank can be improved as well.

Emma Quayle
AFL biography: Excellent athlete that uses his pace and running capacity to run and carry the footy and often breaks the lines. A quiet kid by nature that has the ability to play on a range of opponents regardless of size. Averaged 19.6 disposals per game in his 14 matches for the Western Jets. Consistency is his greatest strength.

Thanks for your efforts, Ants (and those you quoted). It gives the rest of us insights into potential Essendon players we wouldn't have otherwise.

Tyler Keitel
Height: 194 cm, Weight: 86 kg, DOB: 07/02/1996
Club: East Perth
Position: Key Forward, Key Defender
U18 Statistics
n/a
Draft Combine
4th – Clean Hands
Highlights
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-20/draft-prospect-tyler-keitel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3FNIkgbrIs
Chris25
Pick 56
Position: Forward, Defender
Everyone loves a KPP, and Tyler Keitel flashed enough potential at the U18 Championships this year to gather a few fans and become almost one of the ‘big name’ players in this years draft. He’s been a bit all over the place in terms of BigFooty speculation, one week being a top 10 pick and the next he is back in the second round. It seems as though he has settled into a fringe first round pick at the moment, but he could probably stand to drop a little further in my opinion. A lot may well depend on what role clubs view him as being best suited.
Always a talented player, Keitel was playing as more of a half forward a few years ago before a growth spurt suddenly took him to key position height and opened up a bunch of new opportunities. The 2013 WAFL Colts season saw him play as a genuine key forward for the first time consistently, even rotating through the ruck with his newfound height. And it was a successful underage age season, averaging over 5 marks a game and kicking 39 goals in 18 matches. Keitel was also selected as a 17 year old in the WA squad for the 2013 U18 Championships. At times when he was playing in the ruck, he’d float down into the back lines - but he was a forward first and foremost. And not much has changed in 2014. Back in the WAFL Colts for East Perth, he is averaging nearly the exact same figures - 5 marks and just over 2 goals a game. The only difference is that he is staying in the forward half, as opposed to going into the ruck too.
So heading into the U18 Championships, Keitel figured as one of the key players for Western Australia and the best of a talented but underperforming group of talls. And overall, I’d say Keitel was good without being great. His best game was easily in Round 3 against South Australia - kicking 3 goals and 3 behinds from 13 disposals and 7 marks. That game was very promising, he was marking everything coming his way and he was simply too good for the South Australian defenders. It was that one match that saw him jump into top 10 calculations on BigFooty. But, Keitel only kicked 1 other goal in the remaining 5 matches of the Championships. Part of that was due to him doing more work around CHF as opposed to the goal square, but also because he was moved into the back lines for one of the few times in his career. Injury to Dylan Winton and a lack of other options saw Keitel moved back, and I was pleased with what he showed. So much so, that I would seriously consider developing him as a defender. The fact that he wasn’t always key position height really showed in his willingness to run the ball out of the back lines. He’s surprisingly agile for someone his size, and isn’t afraid to take the game on. And his ability in the air translated well into his role as a defender. Still confident enough to go for his marks, Keitel also proved himself as a capable spoiler and read the incoming ball well enough to know when and where to drop back to.
I think I covered a lot of his strengths already - agility, versatility, overhead ability, confidence. Another pleasing aspect is the way he just finds the ball. Throughout his career at both WAFL Colts and U18 Championships level, Keitel has always averaged around 15 disposals a game. He’s not one who will generally go missing for long periods, because he can play further up the ground and find his own ball if he is struggling deep.
But as I mentioned at the start, I don’t view him as a certain top 20 pick. And a large part of that is because I don’t view him as a #1 tall at either end of the ground. Up forward, he projects best as a second tall - more that leading forward who plays around CHF. Like Jarrad Waite at Carlton, who is a very good player with quality around him but struggles as the main target himself. And it’s a similar case down back. With more experience, he could well develop into more of a key defender. But at the moment, I see him as more of that third tall - dropping back from CHB to help out defensively and then rebounding. Otherwise, I think he could stand to improve his work rate defensively in terms of chasing and tackling. He just looks a lot more interested when there is the chance that he gets the ball himself.
And when it comes to draft position, predicting where talls go is one of the hardest things to pick. In recent years there have been a few different trends - the first round tends to be the talented and consistently performing talls, the second round features those with enough traits to suggest they could develop into a #1 tall with time and then the third round is more those who are good but project more as second or third talls. So where does Tyler Keitel fit? Well, it’ll probably be different for every club and what they see his role as being. Best case in my mind would be something similar to Ryan Schoenmakers at Hawthorn, a talented swingman. Worst case would be more along the lines of Jackson Paine - a capable tall, but you’d still be looking to upgrade if possible. So using them as a guide, that would mean a draft range of anywhere from 16 to 50 - although dropping out of the top 40 would be a bit of a surprise.
Knightmare
#34
No single write up, some comments:

I just haven’t been big on his production. Keitel has played a mix of key forward and key defence but I’ve just hoped for a higher level or dominance in a draft class dominated so heavily by dominant key forwards and key defenders. Keitel hasn’t got the same production or the same top end talent for me. He hasn’t elevated his game with his numbers lower than last year, hasn’t played at all at WAFL League level and does not give off the sense of the same scope to develop given his limited improvement this year and early season birthday.
His two big games of six and eight goals in consecutive weeks are the headline stories and should get him drafted but at the end of the day you have to say no to some of the talls (as you’ll see going through my power rankings I like a lot of them) and at the end of the day of those more lower end talls I like the scope to develop particularly of some of those academy guys specifically given many of them are newer to the game and showing much more rapid development and some more intriguing traits than what I’m seeing from Keitel.


McDonald definitely ahead of Keitel as a key defender. McDonald is terrific and one of the best performed players in the TAC this season.


Paige Cardonas
Projected draft range: 15-30
Plays like: Lachie Henderson
Tyler Keitel has been immersed in first round discussions for a few months now. However, he realistically may fall through to the second round, depending on movement higher up the board. Thanks largely to a well-documented growth spurt, Keitel‘s development as a key position player rather than a flanker has seen him taste action in a variety of roles, including defence and even in the ruck. In terms of his abilities as a key position prospect, his recovery is fantastic: if he goes to ground, he bounces straight back up, and has a willingness to play high half forward, which is a natural instinct that has stemmed from when he was a smaller flanker. He is mobile and athletic, and possesses a terrific leap at the ball. With those traits alone, he is highly regarded as a player who could mature into a damaging swingman at the next level. In defence, he is aggressive and physical, given he spoils well and doesn‘t mind body-on-body scraps in a duelling contest, which was on full displayed in battles with Patrick McCartin and Darcy Moore. Keitel has a lot of swagger about him, possessing a certain cockiness and arrogance in small doses that you want out of your key forward or defender. Overall, he strikes me as your second best key forward or defender as opposed to the number one, which is why he falls down the order fractionally.
Skippos
Pick 35
Comparison: Mitch W. Brown
He had an up and down championships, at times looking like an elite prospect and at times looking not up to the grade. I sit a bit in the middle, I think he’s a good prospect but not an elite one - he just seems to lack an elite trait and I’ve found players who are just solid players across the board don’t seem to make it. His hands are clean and his ability at ground level is above par. His movement is nice and overhead he’s solid. He’s a hard worker who follows up at ground level to good effect given his solid ability below the knees. He’s always thinking and is in general a smart footballer who’s effective on the lead and a solid kick for goal.
Occasionally he can panic a bit under pressure but that’s nothing that can’t be rectified. In defense he’s a solid prospect who’s able to negate his opponent to a reasonable standard and is able to involve himself in the link up rebound play as well as win contests at ground level. He just lacks a hard edge and doesn’t seem to dominate games like a franchise KPF would. I think he’s better forward than back, though. To me he comes across as someone who’s going to be a role player in a successful team kicking one or two goals a game but nothing more.
Bulldogs
#27, KD
The Bulldogs need key defenders and would certainly be looking a take one at either 26 or 27. With North going for McDonald, the WA key defender Keitel provides an excellent alternative. At 194cm he is 2 or 3cms short of the ideal key defender height however he has a hard edge to him and is very combative. He acquitted himself well in the Championships playing on the highly rated Vic forwards.
Bound for Glory
Written 11 August
Position: Key forward/defender
Strengths: Contested marking, consistency, endurance, agility, mobility, versatility
Areas for improvement: Defensive development, hasn‘t played senior football
Player comparison: Mitch Brown (Geelong)
Another likely type who has thrown his name up off the back of a successful national carnival, Tyler Keitel has been immersed in first round discussions for a few months now. Realistically however, may fall through early in the second round depending on movement higher up the board.
A well-documented growth spurt over the past 24 months has helped Keitel‘s development as a key position player rather than a midfielder-■■■-flanker. That has seen him taste action in a variety of roles including defence and even in the ruck.
Keitel was impressive last year as a bottom-age prospect for WA at the National Championships. Then a ruckman who spent time up forward, he showed glimpses of what he had to offer, with a great turn of foot, deceptive speed and a natural instinct to find the ball and launch himself in the air and over packs to take contested marks.
During 2013, Keitel spent his time predominantly forward while offering rotations through the ruck for East Perth, bagging 39 goals that season from his 18 Colts games, including an average of 15.8 disposals and 5.2 marks per game.
Fast-forward to 2014, and Keitel is still playing Colts football and tracking at an average of two goals and five marks per game, off 10 games to date this season.
Although he‘s averaging slightly less disposals this year, with just 12.2 per game, his development into a swingman off the back of the National Championships has see him gravitate to defence, in which his ability to spoil and play a close checking role has been frequently commended.
Since WA teammate Dylan Winton went down with an ankle injury in the first game of the Nationals, it paved the way for Keitel to try his hand in a defence, a position he had previously only once played. He took to it like a duck to water, and the plaudits came thick and fast for the way he adapted to the role without fuss.
In terms of his abilities as a key tall, his recovery is fantastic. If he goes to ground he bounces straight back up, and has a willingness to play high half forward, which is a natural instinct that has stemmed from when he was a midfielder. His leading patterns are sound, he has the endurance to push hard for a lead high up the ground, and run back hard to force himself into a dangerous position, which often tires out his direct opponent.
He is mobile and athletic, and has a terrific leap at the ball. With those traits alone, he is highly regarded as a player who could gravitate into a damaging swingman at the next level. In defence, he is aggressive and physical, he spoils well and doesn‘t mind body-on-body scraps in a contest, which he demonstrated when he played on both Patrick McCartin and Darcy Moore.
Keitel has a lot of swagger and possesses a certain cockiness and arrogance in small doses that you want out of your key forward or defender. He has confidence and is quite comfortable holding down his own but in particular he strikes me as your second best key forward or defender, not the number one which is why he falls down the order fractionally.
The other pleasing aspect is Keitel remains in the game across four quarters. Because of that endurance and agility and of course his versatility to play up the ground, he finds the ball with ease whether down back or deep forward.
In terms of areas for further development, a club will most certainly develop him as a defender first given he has shown a natural ability to play a close checking role, whilst he can kick multiple scores up forward. Particularly as a defender he could back himself more which is something that will come with further development in that position. At this stage, his focus is on killing the ball and keeping his opponent quiet, but he showed on a few occasions he could back himself to take a mark and move the ball on quickly.
When it comes to his draft range, a lot depends on where clubs believe his best football will be played and whether or not he is somebody that could feature early, or be a bit more of a development project. A fair assessment is that he‘s somewhere in the second round, but I wouldn‘t be surprised to see him go early after a solid championships and consistent form at Colts level over the past 24 months.
What you get with Keitel is an athletic yet bullocking key position player who still thinks he‘s a midfielder. His endurance base is better than average for players of his size, and in particular his versatility and marking game are elite. For a team that is looking to bring in key position reinforcements without specifically looking for a number one defender or forward, Keitel is your man.

Hugh Goddard
Height: 196 cm, Weight: 93 kg, DOB: 24/08/1996
Club: Geelong Falcons
Position: Key Forward, Key Defender
U18 Statistics
2013: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=195319549&client=1-3020-111704-253881-18717771
2014: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=195319549&client=1-3020-111704-294694-20320268
Draft Combine
?
Highlights
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-14/hugh-goddard-highlights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G79TMMrd0fo
Emma Quayle on him: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/goddard-is-intense-organised-and-busy-but-were-not-talking-about-brendon-20140408-zqsex.html
Chris25
#14
Knightmare
Pick 7, #14 on talent
Draft range: 5-25
Best position/role: Centre Half Back

 

Strengths

Versatility – Goddard has demonstrated that he can play both back and forward well. As a key defender Goddard has demonstrated that he can significantly limit the impact of his direct opponent and at times provide rebound through taking numerous intercept marks and providing run and carry or using it well by foot when he gets his hands on it.As a forward he has shown that he can hit the scoreboard consistently and be an effective mark on the lead, in the air, 1v1 and take the occasional pack mark.
Strength and athletic traits – Goddard is well built at 93kg already and has clearly put the time in through the gym and as a result in the contest he is very hard to beat 1v1 and often in the 1v1 contest takes the intercept mark. He also has an excellent mix of pace, agility and has an excellent leap which suggests that he has the ability as a key defender to become an effective shutdown player.
Ability to read the flight – Goddard shows excellent ability to read the flight of the ball both as a forward and when played down back. Down back particularly this has been something he has been able to take advantage of where he has shown excellent ability to take frequent intercept marks and marks 1v1.
Shutdown ability – Goddard is an excellent shutdown defender and can greatly limit the influence of his direct opponent and there is a feeling that he has them under control with his ability physically to match his opponents 1v1 but then also the closing speed to go with them on the lead, the motor to go with them up the ground and the leap to go with them in the air.
Aggression – Goddard plays a hard brand of footy. He attacks the footy in the air, will tackle you into the ground with real intent and put his body on the line and go when it is his turn to go.
Leadership and work ethic – From everything I understand Goddard is a hard trainer and works hard to develop his game and puts the time and effort into the gym to build up his body. He also has visibly demonstrated strong leadership ability on the field giving instruction to his team mates and the ability to lead by example.
Long kick – Goddard has a 55m kick on him and is a mostly reliable kick to his targets by foot. He has relatively good vision and typically finds good targets coming out of the back half. Also is capable converting from his set shots attempts.

 

Weaknesses

Ground level ability – Goddard at ground level can at times be fumbly and is not as clean as he needs to be. He just lacks that bit of co-ordination below the knees and that cleanness with his pickups and does not take the ball as fluently as he needs to.
Lack of point of difference when playing forward – Goddard while effective on the lead, capable in the air and able to take marks 1v1 and the occasional pack grab in the front half lacks he just lacks that feeling that he will have a big game as someone who can consistently kick two or three goals but never more than that. He lacks that dominant marking ability or freakish ground level ability to be a go to forward or provide that heavy scoreboard impact but he could plausibly be a plausible second option up forward as more a leading forward if required.

 

 

What I expect will improve: I expect Goddard to incrementally continue to improve from year to year and continue to get better both as a shutdown player and a rebounder.
Who he can become? As a key defender Goddard has the ability to become develop into something similar to Eric MacKenzie as someone who can both beat his direct opponent and at times when the opportunity is there take an intercept mark and be involved as a rebounder. As a forward Goddard‘s play reminds me of Sam Day as that tall, athletic type who lacks that point of difference. When will he be ready to play?Goddard will likely start to push for senior games in season three but more likely takes four seasons to establish himself as a part of a best team.
How to best utilise him? Goddard is best utilised at centre half back.
Interpretation of his numbers: Goddard particularly through the U18 championships struggled to perform to his 2013 standards to achieve his usual numbers and I imagine his offseason hip surgery played a big part in his largely poor start to 2014. As a key forward particularly through the U18 championships Goddard struggled to have his usual scoreboard impact but when played back both through the U18 championships and particularly late season through the TAC Cup he not only looked settled but he got involved in the play taking excellent contested and uncontested marking numbers by position while also limiting the impact of his direct opponent.
Paige Cardonas
Projected draft range: 10-25
Plays like: Lachie Henderson
Hugh Goddard‘s last month of TAC Cup football was super impressive. He‘s had scalps on the likes of Darcy Moore (twice), and in between he‘s been pushed forward where he‘s had an impact. Despite this season being one which was largely quiet thanks to a pre-season hip injury and a permanent lock-down role in defence, Goddard has runs on the board and his football character is exceptional. Recruiters and scouts have been quick to talk about his return to top 10 calculations after a stunning finals campaign, where he was arguably Geelong‘s best. With the bevy of key talls all in the frame for that selection, Goddard can hold his head high with his second half of the year. Athletically speaking, he is terrific and is still a premier swingman, who may or may not come at a bargain price this November. I‘m a big wrap for both his ground level work and his marking game, while he also possesses a really nice, long penetrating kick that often finds targets. He‘s quick off the mark, and boasts athleticism and a big leap that enables him to play a role at either end of the ground, while he also doesn‘t mind embarking on a run from half back to create drive.
Skippos
Comparison: Sam Rowe
Range: Top 15
While Goddard has disappointed as a forward this season, he's shown that he's got some real ability down back. Very athletic, he's quick with good acceleration, his agility is good and he's got a nice vertical leap. For an 18 year old he's physically well developed and has some real body strength. He's a solid overhead mark and mark on the lead and one on one he's capable of beating his opponent. By foot his skills are okay with his range exceptional. In defence he's able to really check his opponent closely and lock them down. His athleticism allows him to close down leads, neutralise contests and win ground balls most of the time. With ball in hand he's not overly creative but is reliable and is able to use his athleticism to create space.
Goddard doesn't have an incredibly high football IQ which is what hurts him forward where he's required to create his own opportunities. Despite having excellent athleticism his leads are often closed down due to poor timing and having to adjust his pace, allowing his direct opponent back in to the contest. He leads to the wrong spots with poor timing too often and has a bad habit of cutting off other forwards. He rarely dominates games, normally chipping in occasionally and quietly doing his work. His pack marking game has yet to develop. Down back he's reliable but isn't a high level intercept mark nor a major offensive contributor.
I think Goddard's future lies as a defender. Not even a swingman. He's not the kind of player you can throw forward and hope he clunks some big contested grabs to change the game, he'd need to work his way into the game when forward and as such isn't someone you'd want to throw down there in the third quarter when you need a quick few goals. He's a highly disciplined player who rarely lapses defensively. When forward he projects as a weaker Sam Day in that he has the athleticism but doesn't create opportunities for himself to take advantage of that. As for his career path I think it might be similar to Sam Rowe's in that he'll be tried forward and look like a headless chook before being thrown back and making a name for himself as a tall, athletic shut down defender.
Bulldogs
Pick #7
KD
GWS remind me of the Gai Waterhouse stable, they get the prize yearlings each year, train them up and then see which ones are ready to go early. They have so many mid/flanker types they can afford to let a couple of the less developed/ready to go types disappear to other clubs for yet more early picks. As mentioned with Lever the one area really lacking is tall defenders. With Frost moving to Melbourne the reliance is heavily on Davis and Mohr. If there was an outstanding goal kicking midfielder available (Petracca) they would have picked him in an instance, however whilst there are likely to be a number of very good players amongst the next group of mids there are none which are likely to jump in front of their current crop in 2015. This means they play in the NEAFL and it is evident already good players will only play in that league for so long before looking to move. So in Goddard you have a point of difference, you know as a third tall defender he will do a good job defensively. However he could be much more than that, he could become a key half forward or an attacking running tall half back.
Bound for Glory
Written 8 August
Position: Key defender/forward
Strengths: Athleticism, versatility, booming kick
Areas of improvement: Inconsistent
Player comparison: Sam Day/Lachlan Keeffe
Hugh Goddard is a top 10 pick who has dropped in draft consideration after being outed as a possible number one pick earlier in the year. There are a few reasons for that – a disappointing Under 18s Championships, failing to dominate when at TAC Cup level, and playing up both ends to the point of not settling in one position or another.
Unlike his teammate Patrick McCartin or fellow key tall Peter Wright, Goddard has failed to dominate at TAC Cup level or at the Under 18 Championships this year. Now he is incredibly quick and mobile for his size and almost has a graceful element about him that is beautiful to watch. He also has a great turn of speed that almost makes him look like a crumber at times.
Much like other athletic key forwards such as Lance Franklin, Goddard is not overly good overhead. He can obviously take grabs like any forward, but isn‘t a contested marking beast like a McCartin or Wright. This is another reason he is arguably considered a rung below them and why he‘s likely to go in the latter stages of the top 10.
This season Goddard has primarily played in defence, but also often thrown into attack for stints during games. In 2013, he played up forward for 75 per cent of the season, only dropping back when required due to players missing or to fill a void. It is this shifting that while it promotes his flexibility, can make some wonder where he fits.
Goddard is a solid spoiler and much like a Lachie Keeffe, he has great closing speed and reads the play reasonably well. He‘s good one on one in the air, and even though he‘s not overly strong overhead, he has the ability to spoil his opponent and then use his athletic capabilities to follow up.
Without a doubt, Goddard‘s greatest asset is his athleticism. For a key position player, he glides around the field and can cover ground quicker than many midfielders. He isn‘t one that is going to be an elite kick and used as that half back anchorman, but he‘s reliable enough that he‘ll hit targets more often than not.
One impressive element he has in his arsenal is his booming kick that can see him roost goals from outside 50 metres. It is this that sets him aside as a potential centre half forward in the future. Unfortunately his technique isn‘t as fluid as McCartin‘s and once again, this is another reason why he might not be talked about in the same vein.
Goddard is an incredibly talented player, who on his day will be a very versatile and solid footballer. His draft stocks have dropped in the last 12 months from a potential number one pick to just inside the top 10. This isn‘t to say he won‘t excel at AFL level, he just needs to learn a few tricks and how to use his body better.
If Goddard can continue to build on the assets he has, become a bit better at ground level and improve his goal kicking technique, there‘s no reason why he can‘t become an exceptional AFL player. There‘s no doubt that whatever clubs selects him, will be getting a very good player and someone who will be a very good option for the future.

Kyle Langford
Height: 190 cm, Weight: 73 kg, DOB: 01/12/1996
Club: Northern Knights
Position: Utility, 3rd tall forward, 3rd tall defender/back flanker
U18 Statistics
2013: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196103125&client=1-3020-111703-253881-18717745
2014: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196103125&client=1-3020-111703-294694-20320272&ocompID=294694
Draft Combine
3rd – Kicking test
9th – Agility test
Highlights
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-14/draft-prospect-kyle-langford-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0YYlO6Cao4
Chris25
#14 Now #11
Position: Forward, Defender, Midfielder
There are so many of these tall, but skinny utility types coming through the U18 competitions in the last few years that they really aren't all that unique anymore. It seems as though every year, we're talking about what position they are best suited to and whether their games can translate to the top level. Well, Kyle Langford is another who will no doubt interest clubs with his versatility and potential.
Langford's 2014 season so far has been nothing short of excellent, he has really stepped up his game from last year - both in terms of pure impact on a game, as well as consistency. In 2013, he showed enough signs to suggest he could be a player of the future but he never really put it together for long enough. Playing as more of a third tall at either end, he was in and out of games as a 17 year old. But his first month in the TAC Cup in 2014 (before the U18 Championships) was the best football he has played by far. He kicked 11 goals from his first three games, including two hauls of five in back to back games. And that was as more of a half forward, pushing up onto a wing and through the midfield. Langford averaged around 18 disposals, 8 marks (2 of which were contested) and 5 tackles a game. It was a really good display, and showed exactly what clubs would have been expecting from a player of his ability. But for Vic Metro, Langford saw his role in the team change up a little bit. Instead of being that third tall forward pushing up to the wings, he became that third tall defender pushing up to the wings. And it's a role in which I thought he showed a lot of promise. Averaging around 14 disposals and 4 marks a game, Langford provided some nice run off of half back while also being given roles on some of the more dangerous opposition forwards. His best game came in Round 1, when he was matched up against Tom Lamb from Vic Country. Langford arguably had the best of him, before being moved further up the ground in the last quarter.
Just to change things up, I'll start with Langford's weaknesses. Immediately from the start of this profile, his numbers jump out - 190cm, but just 73kg. He has a light frame, so may need some time to fully develop in the weight room. Sometimes with these skinnier types, it's always hit and miss as to how they develop. Will they thrive like Nat Fyfe, or will they struggle like Josh Bootsma? But that's the risk you take when you draft them, all you can do is sit and wait. Otherwise, he hasn't shown much of a contested game at all. At the U18 Championships, about 85% of his diposals were uncontested and even in the TAC Cup when he is in the middle he plays almost exclusively on a wing. This is likely to be linked in with his light frame, but it's something to consider when looking at Langford as an AFL prospect.
But the positive, is that he has a lot more strengths than he does weaknesses. I'll add at the top, that while he doesn't win much contested ball, he does tackle quite well. So it's not as though he is just a soft player all round. But probably his biggest strength, is his marking. It's always a positive when these skinny players have sticky hands. In one on contests, he isn't the greatest obviously. But if he can avoid getting into a wrestle and run at the ball, he'll mark more than he drops. And just showing off his ability in the air, as a defender he showed a knack for getting his long arms in for a spoil at the right moment. And it's just the versatiltiy and athleticism as a whole that makes him such an attractive draft prospect.
So where does Langford fit in with similar utility types from previous years? Is he more Marco Paparone or Jonathon Marsh? Personally, I tend to think he will go earlier in the draft with a range of around 20-30. He has shown more in regards to being able to play defined roles than some others, and his combination of both versatility and natural talent should interest a few teams - he may divide clubs, but I can see a few having him quite high up on their lists. And I think Langford has shown more than enough already to suggest he is worth a shot, and I would expect a similar sort of role and stats to that of Andrejs Everitt at Carlton.
Knightmare
Pick 12, #12 talent Pick 15, #18 talent
Draft range: 5-45
Best position/role: Half forward flank.

Strengths:
Movement – Langford for a tall is an excellent mover. He covers the ground exceptionally well and quickly. He has rare agility for tall and has excellent acceleration with ball in hand and is willing to use his pace in game whenever the opportunity is there to break the lines.
Marking ability – Langford has strong, sticky hands overhead, marking just about anything and everything in his vicinity. Particularly when played in the front half Langford is a significant marking threat who will read the flight as soon as it leaves the boot, get in the area for the mark and take it. He reads the flight as well as just about anyone and reads and protects the drop zone and in the contest he consistently gets into best position to take the grab. As a marking threat Langford is most dominant on the lead and in the air but he is also a capable pack mark and as he gets stronger he will only become a greater threat. In the TAC Cup Langford has managed a 10, 11 and 12 mark game which from a sample size of seven games is terrific and elite by position. When played in the back half Langford is also a very effective intercept mark and a real intercept marking threat.
Scoreboard impact – Langford when played in the front half is capable of providing heavy scoreboard impact. In the TAC Cup he had two five goal games which for someone who is not a forward 50 only player is very encouraging.
Versatility – Langford has the ability to play forward, back or on a wing. In the forward and back halves he offers significant versatility as someone who can play tall or small, higher up the field or deeper as required.
Skillset – Langford can use both sides by foot. He is a generally efficiency user of the ball, hitting his targets by hand and foot and he is also a capable finisher both in general play and from set shot attempts. Occasionally he will shank a kick when rushed but otherwise most of his work by foot is good.
Linkup ability – I have also been encouraged by Langford‘s ability to linkup. In his running chains forward Langford is someone who can be used as an outside runner and linkup well and run in support of team mates on offensive plays as a genuine run and carry guy. He is also effective as a link player by foot as someone who will take the mark and run on if the opportunity is there, handball off to an outside runner or find the next target in the chain by foot.
Upside – Langford gives off the sense that he has significant scope to develop. He has a late year birthday, a very thin body that will surely get stronger as well as some unusual traits by position at his height that suggest he has the scope to develop into something special with rare marking ability, movement, versatility and scoreboard impact.
Clean at ground level – Langford is very good at ground level. He is clean with his pickups, rarely fumbles and can at times pick up the ball on the move.
Tackling ability - His tackling ability is excellent and he tackles with a real energy and will give those second and third efforts.

 

Weaknesses
Light body – Langford at this stage has a very light body at only 73kg and he will need to put further size onto his frame and become stronger to compete at the next level against the more seasoned bodies.
Contested ball winning ability – Langford at this stage is very much an uncontested footballer. At this stage he is not someone who will often go in hard to win the contested footy and is more someone who will skirt around the edges of a contest and out the back of a contest in the hope of receiving a handball and getting involved in the play from there.

 

 

What I expect will improve: Langford I expect will improve rapidly in an AFL system and get stronger but also further enhance his strengths and take many of them to a dominant level.

Who he can become? Langford‘s play feels like it will get to somewhere between Bontempelli and Gold Coast rookie Louis Herbert. Langford has the same type of game as Herbert as a versatile tall with a thin build and strong marking ability but looks a much more dominant and consistently damaging version, and like Bontempelli he is that same rare moving tall who can do damage but without the same strength and contested side to his game.
When will he be ready to play? Langford may get a taste for senior AFL footy in season one but given his slight build he is more likely to start to receive regular senior AFL games in season two and look in season three to establish himself as a regular part of a best team.
How to best utilise him? Langford is best utilised as a forward flank.
Interpretation of his numbers: Langford‘s numbers overall are encouraging. His mark per game numbers are elite by position. His tackles per game numbers are excellent. When played in the front half his scoreboard impact is strong with his two five goal performances evidence of this. His disposal efficiency is sound. The primary area of weakness is contested ball winning numbers which at this point are low as primarily an uncontested player.
Paige Cardonas
Position: Utility
Projected draft range: 25 – 40
Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli
A really nifty player who gives you a bit of everything, Kyle Langford is a versatile third tall type who can be utilised at either end of the ground, having shot up the draft rankings dramatically over the past six weeks. Langford started the season in hot form, bagging 11 goals in his first three games for Northern, having been utilised as a key tall who pushed high and hard up the wings. He averaged 18 disposals, eight marks and five tackles during that period, resulting in Vic Metro selection. Although best known for completely shutting down Tom Lamb in round one of the carnival, Langford was used in defence as a third tall, while once again provided an option between the arcs. In that time, his clean hands, agility, athleticism and will to create drive from defence were on full display. His tackling makes up for his lack of ability to win the contested ball, whilst he puts himself in dangerous positions to mark, whether that‘s cutting off a forward entry or pushing hard up the ground to mark on a wing. He is quite prolific in the air, and has shown enough to suggest that he could develop nicely into a rangy winger that can drop back or forward when required.
Skippos
Range: 12-25
Comparison: Louis Herbert
I struggled to find a comparison for Langford as to a degree he's very much an unknown with his size. He's thin, really thin. These types go any number of ways with their roles depending on how they develop and how that effects them. I've heard Bontempelli mentioned a few times and I don't really see it. Louis Herbert is probably an appropriate one given the style of play but Langford is quite simply better and perhaps could reach a similar level to Andrejs Everitt. Played in defence throughout the championships, Langford held his own with a reasonable accountable brand of football and provided some offensive penetration. Forward he's looked good in the TAC cup, and many believe his best position is as a creative third tall forward. He possesses reasonable speed and acceleration and has a great vertical leap. His intercept marking shows potential. He likes to run and attack the play when possible. His tackling is excellent when factoring in his size.
Despite all the positives, he hasn't really dominated yet. His december birth and twig like stature may contribute to this, but he still hasn't truly imposed himself. His kicking can be effective but he still shanks the ball and turns it over a bit too often. It's also worth noting that he has a really, really long neck. This might not be considered important by many but when considering his height, it is. From ground to shoulder, Langford probably is only the same height as a 183-185cm player. His vertical reach will likely be reflected in this and therefore level he can take his marking to in the AFL. Height is an easy way to briefly consider someone's physical capabilities and upside in that regard. In Langford's case, it's a bit misleading. He'll always have the 'relevant' height of a small, and even when he fills out his body - he's likely not going to be a 'big bodied' midfielder type as quite simply, his shoulders are at the same level as many six foot players. Langford has been bolting of late and is likely to go top 20 - a range I feel is too high based on exposed form and perceived upside. It seems some are looking at his 190 cm height and assuming he can be the next great tall midfielder, when in reality his height is very misleading.
Bulldogs
#28, Utility
At 190cm Langford has a number of attributes clubs are desperate for, he basically can play anywhere, from a lockdown position on opposition 3rd key forward, as a running wingman or as a 3rd marking option in the forward line. He is a lovely strong overhead mark, very good agility and speed. He is hard at it, a good tackler and could be a top 15 pick. The only knock I have on him is his decision making and kicking is very average. He will improve in both these areas as he settles into an AFL environment.
Bound for Glory
Written 11 June
Position: Key forward / Utility
Strengths: Marking, goal kicking, tackling, finding the ball
Areas needing improvement: skinny frame
Player Comparison: Matthew Richardson
It‘s strange to say that a guy who isn‘t even being talked about as a first round option having only one weakness. After watching Langford several times, it‘s the only flaw he has. He just scrapes into key forward height being 190 cm, but his 73 kg frame is what will put recruiters off.
However, it is so important to look past that, as he is a game changer. Whilst plenty have talked about the key talls going early, Langford may present even more value as a second round pick. He marks everything in sight. It doesn‘t matter whether his opponent is ten centimeters taller and 15 kilograms heavier, Langford positions his body to protect the drop zone. His hands are like they have been slathered in honey. His marking in the air and on the lead is exceptional. He doesn‘t need silver service delivery to make an impact, as his marking makes the midfielders look good.
Earlier in the year against the Eastern Ranges, it was all about the Langford and Reece McKenzie tandem. Mckenzie was dominant, marking everything in sight, but he ended up with one goal and four behinds. Whilst all the focus was on McKenzie, Langford had basically no delivery going to him. He ended up with five goals and two behinds from just three marks and eight possessions. He made an impact when the football gods were trying to tell him to have a quiet game.
Langford has played as a key back to great success, as his lanky arms are excellent in spoiling or outmarking his opponent. His closing speed is fantastic. I believe his running ability is severely under rated, as his work on the lead includes an explosive burst, but it doesn‘t seem to wear off over the game.
He‘s also plied his trade as a tall wingman to great effect. Against the Pioneers, he gathered 20 disposals, 11 marks (three contested) and eight tackles. He was truly sensational, and he dominated in that Matthew Richardson of 2008 role. The wingman involved in everything.
In his four games so far, Langford has been in the bests every single game. In his two games up forward, he‘s kicked five goals in each match, with only three behinds.
His average stats read like this:
2.75 goals per game (one game as a key back, one as a wing, two as a forward).
16.5 disposals per game, with three games over 18 disposals.
8 marks per game (one game with 11, one with 12)
4.75 tackles per game (one game with 8, one with six)
2 contested marks per game
Langford is a match winner in every position on the ground. He finds his own ball, disposes of it well and is one of the best shots as goal that has come through the TAC Cup ranks.He will no doubt be able to put on size once he enters the AFL system, so no club should be deterred from him. His draft range could be anything, but he‘d be a steal past pick 30.
Based on talent, consistency and ability to impact the game, Langford is not only a safe option come draft day, he has one of the biggest ceilings in terms of potential. Don‘t be surprised if he does go earlier than expected and shoots up the order by the time November rolls around.

Thanks Ants. Thats an incredible effort.

 

But there's no way in hell I'm reading all that about a bunch of blokes we wont have.

 

Still, after we pick our pair, I'll come here & read everything thats here about them, so thanks in advance.

can't you just tell us who we got... already!

So Knightmare reckons Langford will go anywhere between pick 5-45! Narrowed it down nicely.  

 

 

Seriously though, thanks Ants, this will be great in the coming weeks. 

Great work Ants!

 

Really appreciated.

Would Goddard play fwd? Or is he a key back only. Yes I do understand you can develop players how you please

Would Goddard play fwd? Or is he a key back only. Yes I do understand you can develop players how you please

 

He's played at either end.  More forward last year.  From what little I've seen he was used mostly as a key back this year though, but that might be a result of team requirements.  Last year Geelong Falcons had 2 very good kpds in Fort and Gardiner, so Goddard could go forward without robbing the defence.

Jordan De Goey
Height: 187 cm, Weight: 82 kg, DOB: 15/3/1996
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Midfielder, Half-forward
U18 Statistics
2013: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196134431&client=1-3020-111727-253881-18717752
2014: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=196134431&client=1-3020-111727-294694-20320284&ocompID=294694
Draft Combine
No top 10‘s
Highlights
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-10/jordan-de-goey-highlights

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdNIgsH8-Es
Chris25
Pick 6
Position: Midfielder
In my latest draft update, I had Jordan De Goey going to Fremantle in the first round and I became interested in what other people thought about him. But then, I realised that there wasn't a single decent write up on him anywhere. I saw one that said he is unlike anyone in the AFL. Well, that's just lazy. If he was truly so unique, then he would be a once in a generation player and the #1 draft pick. And, while I do like him, that's just not true. So, if you can't find something you like, best to just do it yourself...
Perhaps one reason there isn't much written about him, is because he hasn't always been playing on the biggest stages. Back in 2012, injury cost him a chance to play in the U16 Championships. And again, injury meant he missed the start of the TAC Cup season this year. I should add that both injuries were breaks, not soft tissue or anything like that. And when De Goey is fit, he's also been playing for his school St Kevins. So in the last 18 months, he has only played 7 TAC Cup games - which I guess means it's a little harder to form an opinion. Although his form at the U18 Championships is quickly changing that.
As for where he plays, he is primarily a midfielder but a versatile one at that. De Goey has a natural ability to read the play across half back, but has also developed his attacking game over the past couple of years to become a dangerous half forward too. But, the midfield is where he plays his best football. And it's when there is a hard ball to be won, that he really shines. Without looking through all the stats, he'd be one of the leading contested ball winners in the draft. He throws himself into every contest, and more often than not he comes out the other end. But where that other profile was right, is that De Goey is in fact quite unique - because not only does he win the hard ball, but he can get around traffic with ease and has very clean skills to boot. Just one of those players who can create space out of nothing.
The only issue with his U18 Championships so far, is that he just hasn't gotten a chance to show off everything he can do. He has played a bit off half back, but primarily in the middle. And as a midfielder, about 70% of his possessions are contested. What's impressive is that his disposal efficiency has remained high (something not a lot of player with his contested percentage can boast) but it would be nice to see him freed up and get a chance to attack against top line opposition. In the TAC Cup, he has played a really high marking game and has pushed forward too. You can only beat who you're up against of course, but I'd like to see him play that same game against the South Australians - to see if he has the same level of success. He does have everything you'd look for in a top 10 pick, he just isn't quite as sexy as say a Jackson Macrae or Marcus Bontempelli. While De Goey might be better at what he does, he doesn't have the same speed or game changing ability.
So I suppose I should put my money where my mouth is, and talk about some player comparisons. Best case scenario for me, would be something akin to David Mundy from Fremantle. He has the size, the ability in close and the skills. The versatility to play at both ends helps the comparison even more. The hardest thing though for new draftees to hang onto at the top level tends to be the ability to create time and space. But generally speaking, the contested ability hangs around. So even if De Goey doesn't quite develop to that Mundy level, I could see him being a strong inside midfielder like Ben Cunnington from North Melbourne. What I like though, is that I consider Jordan De Goey to be a relatively safe prospect. Some players can be very hit or miss when drafted. A bit like Nick Vlastuin, maybe he doesn't become a top level player or an All Australian, but he should have a long career regardless.
Knightmare
Pick 16, #17 talent   Pick 5, #12 talent
Draft range: 10-30
Best position/role: Rotational forward/midfielder.

Strengths
Marking ability – De Goey has vicelike hands overhead and consistently takes it strongly at the highest point and in this draft is in my view the strongest marking medium sizer. He is a very strong mark on the lead as someone who will frequently take leadup marks in the front half. He is excellent in the air. He can take marks 1v1 and has the strength to outbody opponents and superior ability to read and protect the drop of the ball for easy marks.
Ability to read the flight – De Goey reads the flight superbly. He reads the flight to get into best position to take the mark in the front half. He protects the drop of the ball for easy marks. He can also at times use his ability to read the flight to at times take intercept marks and marks off kickouts.
Footskills – De Goey by foot is a very damaging kick as a capable playmaker and finisher. He kicks it out in front of targets and hits his targets by foot consistently inside the forward 50. Has a good 55m kick. He can finish when within range and concert from his set shot opportunities. He has excellent vision and is very unselfish, constantly looking for options in better position inside 50 for easier shots at goal. He also consistently makes good decisions with the footy, taking his time with his touches and showing real class with each touch. Given this he is someone you want the ball in the hands of as often as possible.
Inside game and contested ball winner – De Goey reads the ruck taps well often taking first possession from the hitout. He has this year developed a strong contested side to his game and his contested ball numbers through the U18 Championships far outweighed his uncontested ball numbers. He also does some good work in close and is generally very good with his work by hand to the outside runners.
Workrate – De Goey‘s workrate in game is a real highly for me. He has shown at times up the field that he will kick it short to a target and continue to stream forward and get on the end of the next kick. He also gives the second and third efforts and will go from one contest, into the next, into the next with a real intent, demonstrating that he will not give up on the play. While only an average athlete he also at times will provide some run and carry with ball in hand. He also seems to work both ways well.
Scoreboard impact – As a rotational forward/midfielder his scoreboard impact has been strong through the TAC Cup with 14 goals from 9 games, while also being unselfish and setting up better goalscoring opportunities for others.

Weaknesses
Production – At this stage De Goey‘s numbers are not as high through the TAC Cup as they should for a rotational midfielder/forward and he will need to improve his numbers to become AFL relevant.
Ability to find easy outside ball – The primary reason De Goey‘s numbers are low at this stage is the lack of outside ball he finds and it has been an issue not only through the U18 Championships but also through the TAC Cup. He works his butt off in game, so it is not a lack of effort but he rarely finds the easy outside ball and will need to more often learn to find and work into those open spaces for his numbers to improve.

 

 

What I expect will improve: I anticipate De Goey will continue to improve at what he does but I also anticipate his production and ability to find the easy outside ball improve. He has a good in game work rate so it will just take some coaching with regards to some running patterns for him to get that inside/outside balance right.

Who he can become? I see De Goey developing into something similar to Colin Sylvia as a damaging forward who can push into the midfield.
When will he be ready to play? De Goey will likely take a season or two to adjust and improve his game but come season three I anticipate that De Goey becomes a part of a regular team.
How to best utilise him? De Goey is best utilised in the front half, rotating into the midfield.
Interpretation of his numbers: His disposal efficiency both through the U18 Championships and TAC Cup have been strong. His disposal per game numbers were strong through the U18 Championships due to higher midfield minutes than he normally plays but then by TAC Cup standards his numbers were below average by position. De Goey‘s contested ball numbers in both competitions have been strong with his uncontested ball numbers below average. He has demonstrated strong scoreboard impact kicking 14 goals from 9 games in the TAC Cup, and if he was not so unselfish that figure would likely be higher. His most impressive statistic in the TAC Cup has been his marks per game numbers where by position he had excellent mark numbers also taking a number of contested marks.
Paige Cardonas
Pick 17
Position: Midfielder/utility
Projected draft range: 10-20
Plays like: Jack Ziebell
Are you after a hard-nosed, contested ball-winning freak with an incredible overhead mark who can go forward and bag multiple goals? Then Jordan De Goey is your man. The cool De Goey made a fistful of his opportunity throughout the carnival, stamping himself as a favourite among draft experts. De Goey, a tough on-baller with a polished outside game, oozes class and x-factor: on top of that, he is the type of player who his teammates draw inspiration from. You need not look any further than his defining moment against Western Australia. De Goey hit an opponent player at full tilt with sheer ferocity, knocking the ball to ground level, before cracking in with a second effort to win the ball back and kicking a goal from outside 50 off two steps. The amount of energy in that piece of play personified exactly the type of player he is, and is why clubs are salivating over him as a draft prospect. De Goey has an impeccable sense of timing, a strong set of hands in close, and great ability overhead. He has a deep, penetrating kick that is dangerous around the arcs, and he runs through the middle where he can rack up a number of disposals in quick succession. He is a competitive beast who – although physical – has a sense of finesse and an array of sublime attributes that make him a unique prospect in this year‘s draft. He was arguably the difference in Oakleigh‘s Grand Final win, bagging three goals, taking eight marks and laying five tackles playing forward.
Skippos
Pick 16
Classy & skilled balanced midfielder
Range: Top 20
Style: Colin Sylvia
De Goey's improvement over the last 12 months has been a highlight. He's transitioned from a predominantly outside utility to someone who can really use his size and frame to win his own ball and now can be considered a real balanced midfielder. Overhead he's exceptional with only Petracca being able to claim being a better mark through the midfield. His timing is good, his hands are sticky and his one on one strength, positioning and read is exceptional. On the lead he's able to time his leads well and to the right places to be a real marking option around the ground. He combines that with a really penetrating and reliable kick with some good creativity, vision and decision making as well as goal sense. On the inside De Goey is much improved with his ability to win and extract the hard ball and distribute to runners a real positive in his game.
De Goey's a versatile player capable of playing back, forward or through the middle to a high standard. As a result he's been thrown around a little and not really settled down anywhere. Though he's a good inside ball winner and marking target around the ground he hasn't shown the ability to accumulate in volume yet which would be the next step for him. Athletically he's not particularly fast but he's able to create some space and he's a strong bodied tackler and courageous player.
There's no player whose game is analogous to that of De Goey. His sticky hands and excellent marking ability across the ground has shades of Bartel (and I expect him to be an excellent wet weather player, too). His ability to find space on the outside and take uncontested marks is a bit like Jackson Macrae while his inside/outside split is like David Mundy and his footskills project to be a similar level. De Goey has enough going for him that at the worst case he should be a reasonable flanker at AFL level - the best case could see him as a genuine A grade midfielder.
Evaluation of his prospects: De Goey seems a safe bet to make it - whether that be as a bottom end of the 22 player or better is the question. There's a small chance he really makes it and hits that A grade with his blend of skills leaving the window open in the right system but it's more likely that he ends up a 'mid range' best 22 player.
Bulldogs
Pick 20
HF/mid
Highly skilled forward/mid who consistently hits the scoreboard. Very good mark for his size I see him being able to play a role with Essendon in 2015. Like a number of the Vic metro mids this year he seems at his best as a high forward marking option. I do see De Goey improving his inside play as on a number occasions I have seen him read the ball well from his ruckman‘s tap and drive the ball forward. He will find it difficult to break into the senior side in 2015 however given the opportunity he could well kick multiple goals on a given day
Bound for Glory
Written 3 August
Position: Midfielder
Player Comparison: Jack Billings (less classy)
Strengths: Long kicking, contested marking, x-factor
Areas needing improvement: Tackling, finding more of the football
De Goey is a player who seems to be a jack of all trades, but master of none at this stage. He started out as an outside midfielder, but he added weight to his frame and now he wins his own ball. Having said that, his TAC Cup average of 17.8 disposals a game is far from elite. His disposal efficiency is elite, but you can tell that it will take De Goey some time before he takes the AFL by storm. Recruiters believe he could be a bolter into the top 15, and that‘s due to his flashes of brilliance.
De Goey has serious x-factor. He reads the tap really well, and can bust through tackles to kick goals from stoppages. He‘s got a 55 metre cannon, which was exemplified at Simmons Stadium late in the National Championships, where his long goal against the wind was one of the highlights of the day. He can hit the scoreboard in bunches, and his leading up forward makes him look natural. Alongside that, he is accountable enough to be a great half back, and of course, he‘s already got the runs on the board as a midfielder.
Marking is one of De Goey‘s biggest strengths. He averaged seven marks a game at TAC Cup level, and had two games where he had 11 and nine marks respectively. He averages one and a half contested marks per game, and he‘s got that Jack Billings type trait, where you know he will take a great grab over people much taller than him.
Disposal is king in the AFL, and De Goey will be rated highly for that. His short passing is crisp, and he can roost it too. That, alongside with his versatility makes him a very attractive prospect for recruiters. However, his low tackle volume is a concern. What‘s worse is his inability to find the ball for Vic Metro, as he only gathered more than 20 possessions once, despite playing in all six games.

Nakia Cockatoo
Height: 188 cm, Weight: 84 kg, DOB: 23/10/1996
Club: NT Thunder
Position: Midfielder
U18 Statistics
n/a
Draft Combine
1st – Kicking test
1st – repeat sprints
5th – standing vertical jump
6th – 20m sprint
6th – running vertical jump
Highlights
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-15/draft-prospect-nakia-cockatoo

 

Nakia-Cockatoo-clearance-and-g-542bbeb86

Chris25
Pick 25
Q: Since the combine, anyone really bolting up your rankings Chris? Cockatoo seems to be on everyone's lips. Any others? sliders even?
A:
Nakia Cockatoo is the obvious one. But with him it's not a case of super combine results forcing him up the order, its more just him finally being back and competing - and being rated around where he was at the start of the year, before his injuries.
Knightmare
Pick 20, #31 talent Pick 11, #26 talent
Draft range: 15-45
Best position/role: Midfield – outside

Strengths:
Linebreaking ability – Cockatoo after Pickett is that next most outstanding linebreaker in this draft class. Like Pickett, Cockatoo similarly whenever the opportunity is there will use his acceleration to break the lines at top speed and provide meaningful, explosive run and carry. He can on his runs cover substantial ground and will run and carry it 50m or 60m if you let him. He can step through traffic superbly and also get around opposition players easily. Cockatoo v the U17s at one point got carried away with his run and carry and forget to bounce whereby he ran what seemed to be 50m or 55m without bouncing it but if he remembers to bounce the ball earlier every time then his linebreaking ability will be a significant weapon and point of difference at the next level. For pace Cockatoo tested in the top six for the 20m sprint and the top overall for repeat speed but more importantly he not only has that speed, he applies it in game as well as anyone bar Pickett in this draft.
Evasiveness –Cockatoo in addition to his acceleration also is excellent at evading tackles and has numerous tricks to help him deal with tacklers to stop them from getting their hands on him. He can spin out of trouble to avoid a tackler. He can shrug tackles and at times draw free kicks by doing this. He can at times sidestep players to go by them. Cockatoo can also run around guys. This evasiveness only makes him even more of a linebreaking threat.
Gamechanger – Cockatoo with his linebreaking ability can inject significant energy into games and can change the complexion of games and with his linebreaking ability. An example of Cockatoo‘s gamechanging ability is from one centre bounce Cockatoo managed to read the ruck tap and take it cleanly and he individually took it from that centre bounce, ran it at full acceleration to 40m directly in front to then finished for the easy goal, and it will be explosive, gamechanging players like this that will become routine for Cockatoo.
Versatility – Cockatoo has the versatility to play through the midfield in outside or inside roles; he can play off a back flank as a linebreaker or even push into the forward half.
Work at ground level – Cockatoo is very clean at ground level and is excellent at winning the ground ball with his pickups clean, rarely fumbling.
Skillset – Cockatoo by hand and foot is a good ball user and is also a natural finisher when within range of goal.
Strong overhead – Cockatoo from a limited viewing sample seems a strong but not mark overhead and has shown that he can read the flight of the ball well and get to the drop of the ball.
Coachable – From reports Cockatoo is highly coachable and plays his football with a real enthusiasm.

Weaknesses:
Decision making ability – Cockatoo at times with ball in hand can try to do too much and go long at ill-advised times when sometimes lowing the eyes and finding the easier, shorter option is better, overlooking the higher percentage option in favour of going with what he thinks may generate a more meaningful drive forward. He also at times looks to have long shots at goal that are beyond his limitations.
Contested ball winning ability – Cockatoo while he can win some of his own ball still is not a high volume contested ball winner or such a high level contested ball winner that he would be a suitable player to play on the ball at AFL level for more than brief minutes.
Tackling ability – Cockatoo while he is among the quickest in this draft I have no seen lay many tackles or give a great deal of tackling effort at this point in time, albeit from a small sample size and it is something I would be looking for him to develop into a feature of his game.
Ability to find the easy outside ball – At this stage Cockatoo is more someone who in the most part will get his ball through receiving by hand and struggles at this point to all that much find easy, uncontested ball on the outside. Cockatoo is someone so damaging with ball in hand that you really want to see him have the ball in his hands more than he does at the present time.
Small sample size of games/limited exposed games – Cockatoo has missed most of the season with injury and there is a limited formline to go off with that game v the AIS underagers his only game in the past six months.
Best position? – At this stage Cockatoo lacks an easily identifiable best position and will over the coming years need to find out where he is best suited. I assume giving his linebreaking ability most likely on a wing or otherwise a back flank.
What I expect will improve: I expect Cockatoo to continue doing what he already does but also I expect he will add a dominant tackling energy game to his arsenal. I also expect he cleans up his decision making ability with time in the system.
Who he can become? I see Cockatoo as something like Gary Rohan. Hopefully less injury prone but like Rohan, Cockatoo is a similar height but also possesses that same gamechanging acceleration with ball in hand and similar ability to influence games without finding a large volume of ball.
When will he be ready to play? Cockatoo will take time to develop. It is not out of the question that he receives games from season one depending on whether his team needs an injection of pace but I see him as more likely to establish himself around season two or three.
How to best utilise him? It is not completely clear where Nakia will be best utilised but I anticipate he will look best suited as an outside linebreaker on a wing.
Interpretation of his numbers: Sample size of the stats I have access to are too small to make any conclusions
Paige Cardonas
Pick 25
Position: Midfielder
Projected Draft range: 15-40
Plays like: Daniel Wells
Nakia Cockatoo has been largely off the draft boards for the majority of the year, particularly given a horrible number of injury set backs this year. The bubbly AFL-AIS Academy member toured Europe with the squad, but was unable to partake in games given injury. He did however make a massive statement during the Allies vs. AFL Academy on Grand Final Day, winning best afield honours and kicking two impressive goals that was really a tasting platter from a base fitness level. Cockatoo rivals only Jarrod Pickett as the most explosive line-breaker on offer. Cockatoo can run and carry the ball for over 40 metres if you let him, and with a thumping and accurate kick on both sides of his body, he‘s a bazooka amongst handguns. He‘s blessed with fantastic evasiveness, either sidestepping opponents with ease or simply opting to run past them. His energy and urgency with the ball in hand means he can change games, but importantly he has the finesse to finish in front of goal that really weighs in on his productivity as a player. His combine results further pushed him up the order, finishing first overall with 29/30 for the kicking test, fourth overall in the 20m sprint (2.90 seconds), first overall in the repeat sprints (23.93 seconds), fifth in the standing vertical jump (73 cm) and sixth in the running vertical (89 cm).
Skippos
Pick 7
Fast and strong utility)
Range: 5-35
Style: Patrick Dangerfield
Comparison: Gary Rohan
Nakia Cockatoo is another player whose season has been destroyed by injury. Most of us have only had limited exposure to him, so it's hard to know if what we've seen is Nakia at his best or at his worst. An indigenous prospect from the Northern Territory, Nakia was identified as a player with real talent last year and spent time with North Melbourne under the AIS-AFL program. Since then he's had a mini growth spurt and now the possibilities are endless. Nakia has played as a tall defender in the NT (where the average size of players is smaller, to be fair) and at 188cm, there's the ability for him to play as an undersized defender in the James Gwilt mold and he's proven to be reasonably accountable doing that while also contributing offensively. That said, with his athletic ability it'd be a waste not to develop him through the middle first.
Nakia possesses an incredible speed/size/leap/acceleration combination. At the combine he tested in the top bracket for 20 metre sprint and repeat sprints test but also excelling in the vertical jump and kicking test. He also performed a reasonable beep test for someone who'd been out injured for most of the season. In the young guns game Cockatoo was best on ground with his explosive movement at ground level and ability to create space and opportunity a real highlight. By foot Cockatoo is reliable but still needs some work.
The concern with Cockatoo is just the amount of football he's played. A lot of his hype is coming off the one game where he was playing against 17 year olds. How would he go if the pace of the game was much faster and the bodies much bigger? His combine testing indicates that he's got the game to work with though. It's just at times difficult to justify taking a punt on someone with such a limited sample of football, and Nakia isn't an incredibly complete or rounded footballer yet. Despite all his talent, he still is very much a project. There isn't a player that plays like Nakia - he's got the explosive ability at ground level and power in congestion of Dangerfield and the speed and running game of Daniel Wells. I do like the Gary Rohan comparison with Nakia being similar in that tall, athletic x-factor kind of vein but also having the ability to play accountable defense to fall back on.
Evaluation of his prospects: Nakia could go any one of a number of ways. We just haven't seen enough of him in action or in peak condition to make a judgment with real certainty. What is certain is that he does have the game and talent to be something in the right system - it's just what that something is will be interesting to follow.
Bulldogs
14
Midfielder
Highly skilled, explosive NT player who played only once this year for a BOG in the “All Star” game. Also had a fantastic combine both in the running exercises and the kicking skills test. Adelaide would have struggled with this pick with Durdin already gone and the next best local picks could well be available at the second selection. With Dangerfield possibly looking around next year Cockatoo could give them the explosive run and carry they need. Provided his body is sound I would expect him to play a number of games in 2015.
Emma Quayle
Medium Forward
AFL biography: Powerfully built medium forward/midfielder with elite step through traffic. His initial speed out of the contest creates separation on his opponents. Uses the ball with precision on either side of the body and can impact the scoreboard when he pushes forward. Suffered stress fracture in foot causing him to miss the NAB AFL under-18 championships after impressing in 2013.
Wally Gallio, AFLNT: "He's pretty versatile. He does his homework and he looks after himself really well, he prides himself on working hard on his skills and training hard and being a student of the game. He's very coachable because of all that work he does, he wants to make sure he understands exactly how the coach wants him to play. He's the sort of kid who is always looking out for his family and his mates, he couldn't play in the nationals becuase of his foot injury but he supported the other players and spoke up in team meetings and said 'you blokes need to do this and this,' and ran water and helped in any way he could. He started back training at the end of June and that was modified until August, but he's done everything right with his rehab and he's in good shape now. I think he'll test well, his fitness is looking pretty good. He's a utility type player who could play forward, back or on a wing, and he loves the competitive stuff. At a pinch you could almost play him on a tallish forward and get him running off them. He respects people and is just a really mannered, good kid."
Benfti


[size=4]Nakia Cockatoo
184cm 80kg Midfield, NT
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Missed almost the entire season with a foot injury but before then was a very highly rated prospect. Was an AIS Academy member and slipped out of all calculations until, he lead the Allies in the Grand Final curtain raiser to a win vs the Current Academy Team, Literally took the game away from them, catapulting him straight back into the spotlight. Nakia is an inside mid with outside speed who has an AFL ready frame. Beautifully balanced and able to dispose of the ball both sides of his body with acceleration from the stoppage makes him a tantalizing prospect. Nephew of Che has a link to the Bombers. He has an element of David Zaharakis to his game.

That's some serious uncertainty about Nakia's range

Ripping effort Ants!

 

And Peeto, I think the uncertainty stems from inability to play consistently (In terms of injury) talent and athleticism has never been in questions, but rather his durability. I would imagine he would be a top 6 selections if there was complete confidence in his body to hold up to AFL rigours but, because he hasn't played a lot recently, recruiters aren't sure. I think we'll take him if North don't - but I suppose it also comes down to who's on the board. 

Top 6? Really? I thought he was shaping as a maybe-top-10 type before he got injured.

What will Carlton be chasing? They’ve got the only live pick between 17 & 20, Sydney’s pick is locked into Heeney. They added two talls and Whiley (a mid??) through trades, they’ve lost basically a bit of everything (Bootsma Duigan Waite Reynolds McInnes Lucas McLean Garlett Robinson) bar a ruck, and they didn’t have a lot to start with.

Quickish outside mid to balance out all their fat nugget type mids?

What will Carlton be chasing? They've got the only live pick between 17 & 20, Sydney's pick is locked into Heeney. They added two talls and Whiley (a mid??) through trades, they've lost basically a bit of everything (Bootsma Duigan Waite Reynolds McInnes Lucas McLean Garlett Robinson) bar a ruck, and they didn't have a lot to start with.
Quickish outside mid to balance out all their fat nugget type mids?

Best available IMO.

What will Carlton be chasing? They've got the only live pick between 17 & 20, Sydney's pick is locked into Heeney. They added two talls and Whiley (a mid??) through trades, they've lost basically a bit of everything (Bootsma Duigan Waite Reynolds McInnes Lucas McLean Garlett Robinson) bar a ruck, and they didn't have a lot to start with.
Quickish outside mid to balance out all their fat nugget type mids?

Best available IMO.
Yeah, they've got enough holes and rebuilding to do that best available makes sense. The talls traded in takes the pressure off needing a tall to be drafted.