Tombstone’s Phantom Draft
Really hope Worpel gets to us and we pick him.
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From Cal’s article:
ESSENDON
Draft picks: 48, 67, 81 (likely to use three selections)
After a stellar trade period that saw them net Jake Stringer, Devon Smith and Adam Saad without losing any of their own players, the Bombers won’t have a big say on the draft for the first time in a couple of years. But they still have a couple of priorities they could address at the draft, including adding an inside midfielder and a ruckman. James Worpel is a chance to still be available at this mark and would be hard to pass up, while Tom North has proved himself as a ball-winner at TAC Cup level. Cassidy Parish, the younger brother of Bombers midfielder Darcy, could be a shot later or as a rookie for the Dons as a clearance specialist. In the ruck, Vic Country big man Lloyd Meek might appeal later on after the 19-year-old stepped up to the VFL at times this season for North Ballarat, while they have also shown some interest in WA mature-ager Scott Jones.
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Not much new there, we seem to be linked to Worpel all the time we may not even rate him and it’s just media saying we need more inside mids so we will pick an inside mid. I would not be shocked if we passed on him although personally I’d still get him because I rate him top 30
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Of course it depends on who’s still available, but I’d hate to have another Luke Parker moment. He does seem very well suited to what we need.
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I really like Cal, but that is a baffling write-up. How could you argue we need a ruck? I got shot down on here before McKernan re-signed because I suggested if he’s delisted we should get a young forward/ruck to replace him. The argument was that Leuey, TBell, Draper and Lavander was enough. Possibly a fair argument. It’s certainly plenty of rucks when McKernan is added.
As for inside mids, I think even those arguing we need inside mids, would agree that it’s not an 18 year old at pick 48 or later that we need for 2018. They would just be in a long line behind Langford, Begley, Mutch, Clarke and arguably Laverde
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Hmmm don’t agree here. Langford yes. Begley isn’t playing as an inside mid. Mutch looks more an outside player. Clarke was pick 63 so why couldn’t pick 48 be better? Lav likewise yet to play that role.
Kyron Hayden is apparently a bull. You look at Worpel’s highlights - busting tackles left right and centre. Either of those two could move to second on that list.
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But any of them are exceptionally unlikely to go straight into the best 22.
If they’re best available I’m not against it. But I still don’t consider inside mid a need.
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I don’t agree
The only 2 pure rucks are Bellchambers who’s is going to be 29 next year
And
Leunburger who will be 30 next year. Both ruckman have been very unlucky injury wise throughout their careers. Would assume 2-3 years of consistent and quality football left(if they don’t get injured).
Then there is mckernan who will be 28 next year and I don’t think is someone you want as your number 1 ruckman. Barely managing to stay on the list.
After that we just have Draper who looks promising in the VFL but still unknown. Then we have Lavender who again is an unknown at the moment.
The last 3 mentioned are all on the rookie list. So we only have 2 rucks in the senior list.
In one or both of leunburger retire in a few years we haven’t got anyone developing and rucks take a long time to develop. I wouldn’t be against picking one up. Keep in mind we did all our big offseason work via trades. Anything we get in the draft that works out well for us is pure genius and the cherry.
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I expect that we take another 21+yo ruck next year or the year after, but we don’t really want to carry more than we currently have this year.
Bellchambers
Leuenberger
Draper
are all first ruck types
McKernan a pinch hit fill in ruck
Lavender who knows, but if he comes on would likely take McKernan’s type of role
when Leuenberger or Bellchambers retire you add another pure ruck in the right age group.
No need until then I reckon.
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Where do i sign?
I reckon Cal’s been fed some disinformation. Or is deliberately reporting it.
It’s going to be outside runners and flankers all round!
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Yup. I’d happily keep drafting inside-capable mids until one of them proves he’s up to the task, especially with late picks. Langford, Begley, Clarke and Mutch might all come on beautifully but even then they’re not that similar to each other, and midfield depth is hardly a list management nightmare.
Just no more hobbits.
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The club has openly discussed their plans for Begley to be a midfielder on several occasions.
And of course surely any draftee taken at pick 48 is most likely to start behind higher rated picks from previous years, whether an inside mid or otherwise.
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Agree re the lack of urgency on drafting baby rucks. To develop a ruckman you’ve got to play them as a ruckman, and at the moment we’ve already got two in the VFL, Leuy and Draper competing for time, with Lavender as back up.
If Draper wasn’t so promising you might argue for list competition but he is.
A fifth baby giraffe is genuine list clogging for 2018.
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Seeing his highlights last week caused me to now be invested in this draft. And then when people started saying Worpel could slide to us, I became more invested. If we walked away with Worpel, Hayden, and someone like Butts as a forward or Meek as a ruck or Millar as both, then this off season will have been epic.
If it ended up being Hayden, North and one more, I’d still be rapt.
Then hopefully we get hold of Cassidy Parish in the rookie draft.
I’ll be happy if we get one of Worpel or Parish. Not too sure about the others. Would we take both if available or do we pick a tall if one slides?
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Y’all know it’s going to be a disco special that even HumbleMinion has barely heard of
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Bring.
It.
On.
Dodoro.
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