SNAPSHOT:“One of the most well regarded ball users in the draft, boasting a wand-like left foot and the ticker to take gutsy overhead marks.” – Michael Alvaro
27. Cooper Hynes Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Metro
Midfielder/forward, 190cm, 28/2/2006 Talent League stats (avg): 23.7 disposals, 4.7 clearances, 1.5 goals
**The Age’s August top 30: N/A
Hynes makes his debut in our rankings after an eye-catching season where his powerful and aggressive playing style drew comparisons with ex-North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell and current Roo Cam Zurhaar. West Coast and Melbourne are two of his biggest fans, but there are other clubs that would not consider him in this draft range. Hynes’ endurance will need to improve if he is to play any meaningful midfield minutes in the AFL, but his forward craft and clearance work are rated highly. He and Langford provided a strong one-two punch for the Stingrays.
If we traded a first back in could potentially get this bloke, Brad scott would love that he plays like Ziebell and Zurharr.
A few of this years draftees being interviewed felt Lalor is probably the best footballer in the draft (biggest upside) and only injury has prevented him from going no 1. Pretty big wrap.
I’d delist setterfield and bring in Kennedy with one of our late picks, as Carlton need the salary space. He is twice the footballer if we want someone in that role.
maybe you get a f3 back or something but it really depends on where you see melbourne finishing next year and how you rate the 2025 draft crop relative to this one.
Melbourne are middling. Possibly lower. We’re talking a top 10 pick, here. As you said, it depends on how you rate the 2025 crop. Unless it’s a covid draft or a dumpster fire like 2016, I’d be wanting another second this year.
Sure, I could get behind a move like that if the right kid was available. I’d just rather not hastily trade Melbourne’s future first for an early second this year.
I think if Hotton didn’t get injured, he wouldve gone pretty close to pick 1. Watching him play before the injury, he’s elite! Only issue would be how he bounced back from his knee.
I don’t think that’s the “only” reason why he would slide.
He was good but not great as a bottom ager, not considered a clear first round prospect entering the season. He started with a bang for sure, but players have had hot streaks of form before. Just look at Josh Smillie - he shot up into clear pick 1 favouritism. If we’d shut the season down the week before Hotton did his knee we would have had Smillie going pick 1 and Hotton comfortably inside the top 6-7 picks. But 4 months later that picture for both Smillie and Hotton has changed.
Its not just about what Hotton did either, its also about how other players have improved over the course of the season. For example, Jagga Smith answered a lot of the criticisms of his game, as did Sid Draper. Both put in outstanding sequences playing senior state league footy. So its not to say that Hotton wouldn’t have been capable of the same thing, but we simply don’t know as he never got the chance, which makes him much riskier.
I’m a big fan of Taj Hotton, but there’s a risk factor there that can’t be denied, not just how he recovers from the knee but also the relative lack of exposed high level form compared to others.
They’ll likely be a key position forward in next year’s draft though that is actually rated top 10, not top 20 quality.
I’m a bit off key forwards at the moment, i think caddy, Langford and Wright are enough. Getting elite small forwards is more important these days. Look what the addition of lohman did for Brisbane this year.
I don’t think any small forwards or tall forwards are rated top 10 this year. I wouldn’t trade out our future first unless it’s someone we rated at pick 9 that’s still on the board post a kako bid, which is unlikely.
I like having a number of later picks in a deep draft and high picks in a not as deep draft next year, so i liked the trade with Melbourne.
