2014 Draft Prospects

[YoungTalent101]

Looks like next years draft pool is going to be strong. Lots of tall athletics players on offer and as usual plenty of midfield guns! Feel free to post here on any prospects looking at a shot at the big time in 2014.

[Ludwig]

Looks like next years draft pool is going to be strong. Lots of tall athletics players on offer and as usual plenty of midfield guns! Feel free to post here on any prospects looking at a shot at the big time in 2014.

I would think that after drafting 3 promising midfielders this year, and from your encouraging post on Heeney and Watson, that we will be targeting talls with our first couple of picks. With the likelihood of a high finish next year, I wonder if we will have to trade up (like Collingwood did this year) in order to get some of the best tall prospects before they are taken by other clubs.

[YoungTalent101]

I agree Ludwig. I reckon the best 3 midfielders in the academy at this point are Heeney, Watson and Foster. However I think the swans would only take a strong interest in Heeney and the other two might get a lucky rookie spot.

There are a lot of tall, key position players available in next years draft, so trading might have to be an option as the we might miss out on them if we have a pick at the end of the first round. But I still think that the swans will have to draft midfielders next year with ROK getting on as well as loosing lamb, which didnt really help.

[BigBarryRound25]

Pick 18 sounds good to me

[Ludwig]

I agree Ludwig. I reckon the best 3 midfielders in the academy at this point are Heeney, Watson and Foster. However I think the swans would only take a strong interest in Heeney and the other two might get a lucky rookie spot.

There are a lot of tall, key position players available in next years draft, so trading might have to be an option as the we might miss out on them if we have a pick at the end of the first round. But I still think that the swans will have to draft midfielders next year with ROK getting on as well as loosing lamb, which didnt really help.

But ROK is the last of the oldies until we get to McVeigh. We actually have a pretty young group of mids and a lot of good prospects as well. I assume that at least Heeney will be added to the list of good midfield prospects. There's still no obvious spots for Cunningham and BJ with about a half dozen other mids behind them. The Academy alone may be enough to supply midfielders for the next few years. So the focus may be on KPPs for a couple of years to come.

- - - Updated - - -


Pick 18 sounds good to me

I think Essendon still has a 1st rounder to forfeit, so that makes it pick 17. :smile:

[YoungTalent101]

Few key postions players coming out of WA and SA that I think are absolute gems...

[707]

I think Essendon still has a 1st rounder to forfeit, so that makes it pick 17. :smile:

Correct, they lose their first two picks but are gifted pick 30. I think they may lose a potential F-S next year because of the two lost picks, can't remember who it was, may be the next of Anthony Daniher's sons and therefore eligible to us if he chooses that way rather than hoping in the general draft.

[andy0414]

So if that is correct, next year we may not pick anyone as we could have 2 Academy players (Heeney & Watson) and 1 Father/Son (Daniher), but isn't Dunkley's son available next year too?

[liz]

So if that is correct, next year we may not pick anyone as we could have 2 Academy players (Heeney & Watson) and 1 Father/Son (Daniher), but isn't Dunkley's son available next year too?

Josh Dunkley has another year to go yet - ie he'll be eligible for the draft in 2015.

[andy0414]

That is probably a good thing. Bit more time to win his father over.

[TheGong]

Have a look at Josh Dunkley's twitter page.

Josh Dunkley (jdunks6) on Twitter (https://twitter.com/jdunks6)

Lot's of links to Swans on there. It looks like the relationship is OK. Also a good picture of Josh with Adan Goodes. Josh is not far off Adam's height - a big boy for a 16 year old.

[andy0414]

So in 2015 we have Josh Dunkley - father/son and Callum Mills - academy. Looks like our drafting is pretty much done for the next couple of years, apart from the 'outside the square' late picks.

[707]

So in 2015 we have Josh Dunkley - father/son and Callum Mills - academy. Looks like our drafting is pretty much done for the next couple of years, apart from the 'outside the square' late picks.

I often wonder how much future years possibilities affect how the list is managed now. Are some of the decisions just made done with an eye to likely outcomes in the 2014 trade/draft period. I assume they are, and there will always be a bit of guesswork about current players development.

Serious injury/lack of progress/defections can all warp where you thought your list was going!

I like the thought of F-S and Academy players making up the bulk of our future recruitment. An exciting next few years as we see how it pans out.

[andy0414]

I guess at some point over the next few years the Swans will be faced with the tough decision of picking who they think is the better player over an equally good local player. It will be a bit like the 1998 draft where the Swan chose Bolton & Fosdike over Hayes & McVeigh. I'm still undecided if we would have been better off with the NSW boys. Jude has been an outstanding servant to the club but I think Lenny would have been too. And McVeigh and Fosdike's careers are very similar.

[Ludwig]

It will be interesting to see how the F/S bidding goes for the Academy Boys, especially if Heeney and Abe Davis get highly rated by recruiters. I wonder if other clubs will not bid on them or not offer a high bid since they don't get to see these players much and also feel that they would prefer to be at the Swans, having gone through years meeting with the players and coaches. There is a bit of the go home factor to consider for the non Sydney clubs. Melbourne is probably the most likely bidder as Roos would know the players well, but they are likely to be picking around 15 places before us, so even if they did bid on a player, we would still get almost a one round benefit. I don't think anyone will be spending a first rounder on any of these boys.

[YoungTalent101]

Heeney may attract some interest late in the first round if he can put together a very good year this year, but as history tells us, most clubs steer clear of picking NSW boys which could see the swans getting some absolute guns at the back end of the draft as well as pick up some talls in the first round.
Ludwig is spot on with the Melbourne comment. I think they will have their eye on some some of the academy talent with Roosy knowing a few of the boys very well

[YoungTalent101]

Has anyone got updates on how the acadmey boys are playing?

[swanspant12]

Need to draft key position backs this draft.

Our midfield is set, but our lack of key talls is concerning, especially considering alot of our backline is coming to the pointy ends of their careers.

Shaw 32, Richards 31, LRT 31, Malceski 29. Time to draft for the backline Kinnear. Get it done, genius.

[goswannies]

I think Essendon still has a 1st rounder to forfeit, so that makes it pick 17. :smile:

Unless BBR25 is suggesting we either suffer a massive form slump or tank for picks 18 and ONE?

[707]

Abe Davis is getting airplay as a probable nomination by us so what can ressie watchers tell about him?

[undy]

Abe Davis is getting airplay as a probable nomination by us so what can ressie watchers tell about him?

He looks a lot fitter in real life than he does on YouTube.
May have to find a different barber to most of the team.
Seems like a pretty good kick to me.

[Matt80]

Need to draft key position backs this draft.

Our midfield is set, but our lack of key talls is concerning, especially considering alot of our backline is coming to the pointy ends of their careers.

Shaw 32, Richards 31, LRT 31, Malceski 29. Time to draft for the backline Kinnear. Get it done, genius.


I have raised the possibility of trading for a Jake Carlisle in another thread and have been ridiculed. The trade that I proposed to get Carlisle has been even more ridiculed.

Great key backs are as precious as great key forwards. There not usually lying around as delisted free agents.

Drafting them always take years to come to fruition.

[Ludwig]

I have raised the possibility of trading for a Jake Carlisle in another thread and have been ridiculed. The trade that I proposed to get Carlisle has been even more ridiculed.

Great key backs are as precious as great key forwards. There not usually lying around as delisted free agents.

Drafting them always take years to come to fruition.

I think our key defender situation is more 'uncertain' than desperate. It seems we can carry the current group for at least another year. Laidler has worked out well and is still young and relatively inexperienced. He should only get better.

I think Membrey will make it as a third forward, so Reid can play back if we want. Nankervis is another Tippett-type player that is really more a ruck-forward than a pure ruckman. He's a very accurate kick for goal, which is another reason I think Reid can play more in defence than forward.

The uncertainty is 1) if AJ can return and pick up his career where he left off, 2)can Tommy Walsh restart his career and 3) can either Allir or XR make it at senior level. I would say that we would hope that at least one of these will make it. If 2 get through, then we will be fine for some time to come.

In any case, with Isaac Heeney joining our already deep midfield next year, likely followed by Dunkley and Mills, we can focus all of the rest of our recruiting on KPPs, and particularly KPDs. It doesn't really matter that Heeney will likely consume our first pick, because the really top KPPs will go in the first dozen players, then a gap to the next level, so there should be a number of key defenders available with our second pick. Abe Davis can hopefully join the club as a rookie. So I would imagine that we will have at least another 2 KPP prospects by next year.

I wouldn't mind using our second pick to get one of GWS's excess young defenders, maybe Frost or Jaksch.

I think the speculation about trading a gun midfielder for a gun key defender is valid, but something that we hopefully need not worry about until the after the 2015 season. If none of the players and prospects mentioned above come through then our hand may be forced.

[Cpt. Kirk]

Have a look at Josh Dunkley's twitter page.

Josh Dunkley (jdunks6) on Twitter (https://twitter.com/jdunks6)

Lot's of links to Swans on there. It looks like the relationship is OK. Also a good picture of Josh with Adan Goodes. Josh is not far off Adam's height - a big boy for a 16 year old.

Future AFL stars train at AIS camp - YouTube (http://youtu.be/y-NHsedssj4?t=1m)

Looks good for 2015, he seems pretty keen to go to Sydney.

[707]

I think you will find GWS almost impossible to trade with. They are in a position of strength trade wise and seem to have a loathing for us when you see what they gave us for Mumford and how they refused to deal for Lamb instead using the PSD to get him for free.

Their time will come when a heap of high draft picks who are not getting a regular game flee back to Melbourne but I doubt we'll be able to snare any.

KPD is where we may have a weakness, that's why I think it's important LRT continues, just for back up whilst we develop other players. Still think Reid will become our longer term CHB, and a very good one too.

[mcs]

I have raised the possibility of trading for a Jake Carlisle in another thread and have been ridiculed. The trade that I proposed to get Carlisle has been even more ridiculed.

Great key backs are as precious as great key forwards. There not usually lying around as delisted free agents.

Drafting them always take years to come to fruition.

That's true, but we've done pretty well over the years at identifying players we can make to do the job, and not having to give up a gun player to make it happen. I like Carlisle and think he is a good player, but the trade you've suggested would be a huge win for one club, and I don't think that would be us.

When you consider what it cost us to get Richards, Bolton before him, and then a number of other defenders (Not Key defenders, but the point still stands), what you suggested for the trade was a lot to give up for Carlisle. You are spot on when you say they are valuable and hard to find, but that doesn't mean when you have the right recruiters, that there are good deals to be had for relatively little. That process is helped by free agency as well.

[tasmania60]

Totally agree back line seems to be bargain basement buys, working so far but really think we need some ready made back men for the next step ?

[Dosser]

Interesting that both of our KPDs started AFL life as forwards. Maybe we keep looking at forwards with a view to moving them back if we have too many (ie Reid).

[Reggi]

For what it is worth, Ruckman and key position defenders can be 'manufactured' trading for ostensibly a solid defender I.e. carlisle is as distinct from an out and out gun luck Josh Gibson is nuts. Really most key defenders are just reliable at getting the ball to,ground, usually you can find some failed forwards to do this task.

I don't think we need to desperately recruit one. We have Allir Allir and X Richards coming through. We can nominate Abe Davis who looks likely

[MightyBloods]

I think you will find GWS almost impossible to trade with. They are in a position of strength trade wise and seem to have a loathing for us when you see what they gave us for Mumford and how they refused to deal for Lamb instead using the PSD to get him for free.

Their time will come when a heap of high draft picks who are not getting a regular game flee back to Melbourne but I doubt we'll be able to snare any.

KPD is where we may have a weakness, that's why I think it's important LRT continues, just for back up whilst we develop other players. Still think Reid will become our longer term CHB, and a very good one too.

There is a kid I rate highly and he is now getting a regular senior game....Adam Tomlinson. I know the family and I can tell you that he wants to return to Melbourne with a strong preference to Richmond. Choco Williams (ex assist GWS coach) is an assistant coach/mentor at Richmond and still very popular with a number of GWS kids. Choco has to be the kid whisperer of the AFL.

[Mug Punter]

I can see GWS suffering a steady stream of good kids wishing to return home due a combination of their horrific setup as a club, terrible culture and the total lack of interest in the club from the Sydney public. They really are in a pickle as I cannot see any decent player going except as a last resort for a final paycheck. Mummy was a bit of an exception as we weren't able to offer a competitive deal due to the Buddy Deal but the fact the best they could attract was Heath Shaw speaks volumes.

Re our drafting, time will tell whether X or Alliir Alliir make it though I would suggest Alliir has significant work to do. We're lucky that Reid is a solid option to go down back. Isaac Heeney really really looks the goods in my books, just the way he moves and the little things around the ground. He'd have to be a special as the zone selection though long term I just expect the club to draft the best player available, hopefully we have an academy grad as top 10 ranked more often then not.

Apart from Heeney, I'd go for KPDs this draft as our mids, forwards and rucks look pretty solid.

[Matt80]

There is a kid I rate highly and he is now getting a regular senior game....Adam Tomlinson. I know the family and I can tell you that he wants to return to Melbourne with a strong preference to Richmond. Choco Williams (ex assist GWS coach) is an assistant coach/mentor at Richmond and still very popular with a number of GWS kids. Choco has to be the kid whisperer of the AFL.

I've always felt sad that the AFL system has not given Mark Williams another chance to be a senior coach. His record at Port which included a Premiership and a number of finals campaigns is as good as Paul Roos's time at the Swans.

Williams is not as good as Roos at managing PR and his own personal brand but I think he would be a very worthy senior coach and has the runs on the board.

[Mug Punter]

I have raised the possibility of trading for a Jake Carlisle in another thread and have been ridiculed. The trade that I proposed to get Carlisle has been even more ridiculed.

Great key backs are as precious as great key forwards. There not usually lying around as delisted free agents.

Drafting them always take years to come to fruition.

I wouldn't want him personally and absolutely no way that we could afford him. Reality is we will be growing our own for a while yet, along with the occasional cast off or perhaps a 30 year old prepared to play for unders to win a flag as a la Lake.

This year should see Lloyd, Robinson and Naismith promoted to the senior list along with 4 draftees (Heeney and at least a couple of KPD prospects imo). We lose Goodesy, LRT and ROK who are probably on about $1.5M between them and delist four rookies and use the change to fund Buddy's salary increase and upgrade a couple of contracts.

Organic growth for the next couple of years suits me fine.

[Auntie.Gerald]

KPDS for the future

Alir - I will be amazed if this kid doesnt make it and I think he will be dominant enough by 2016 to be a starting KPD and most likely a FB

Davis - I think he could also be a very solid back in the mould of a Reg Grundy CHB..........Abe is quite a strong build already and turns 19 in Jan 2015 from memory so is a fair bit older then most draftees. Grundy will get another 2 to 3 seasons anyway in Snrs and then Abe or X will be ready for

X - not sure as yet.......he may take longer on the list like Teddy to get to the right type of weight and strength.

Reid - if we need him in the backs we can use him there but my gut feeling is the 3 above wil make it in the end and that will free up Reid to stay up front with Tippett and then Buddy will continue his roaming role ala Goodes of many years.

AJ - hope he recovers and if he does it will be a massive bonus as he will no doubt be serious competition for a KPD spot


...............

who drops out for season 2015 ?

1. Shaw - My gut feeling is that Shaw (although in brilliant form now) maybe like ROK situation and he will need to retire in 2014 on the high rather then the fall
2. ROK - will not be at the Swans in 2015
3. LRT - will not be at the Swans in 2015
4. Goodes - will retire on a high as he still looks like he is nursing his knees even though he has been very effective upon return his lateral movement doesnt appear to nearly the same
5. Walsh - will not be at the Swans in 2015
6. Towers - my guess is that Dean will want to trade or move on given his limited opportunity behind key forwards and the wing players of KJack, Jetta, Harry, BJ, Lloyd that are ahead of him
7. Lockyear - will not be at the Swans in 2015
8. Biggs - I think he will move on and not be at the swans in 2015

the random call

9. Rohan - will Gary choose to trade?.......he may want to as his opportunity behind Tip, Bud and Reidy is going to be limited - i also think the likes of Laidler, Jones and T.Mitchell will be in the 22 next year and that may make it difficult for Gary to find a spot anywhere UNLESS his leg and form is back to that 110%........I think we would be reluctant to let him go in 2015 though given the significant turnover of snr players



Who comes onto the Snr list in 2015

1. Lloyd
2. Robinson
3. Heeney - draftee
4. draftee
5. draftee
6. draftee

7. A.Davis - rookie
8. rookie?
9. rookie?

[Matt80]

KPDS for the future

Alir - I will be amazed if this kid doesnt make it and I think he will be dominant enough by 2016 to be a starting KPD and most likely a FB

Davis - I think he could also be a very solid back in the mould of a Reg Grundy CHB..........Abe is quite a strong build already and turns 19 in Jan 2015 from memory so is a fair bit older then most draftees. Grundy will get another 2 to 3 seasons anyway in Snrs and then Abe or X will be ready for

X - not sure as yet.......he may take longer on the list like Teddy to get to the right type of weight and strength.

Reid - if we need him in the backs we can use him there but my gut feeling is the 3 above wil make it in the end and that will free up Reid to stay up front with Tippett and then Buddy will continue his roaming role ala Goodes of many years.

AJ - hope he recovers and if he does it will be a massive bonus as he will no doubt be serious competition for a KPD spot


...............

who drops out for season 2015 ?

1. Shaw - My gut feeling is that Shaw (although in brilliant form now) maybe like ROK situation and he will need to retire in 2014 on the high rather then the fall
2. ROK - will not be at the Swans in 2015
3. LRT - will not be at the Swans in 2015
4. Goodes - will retire on a high as he still looks like he is nursing his knees even though he has been very effective upon return his lateral movement doesnt appear to nearly the same
5. Walsh - will not be at the Swans in 2015
6. Towers - my guess is that Dean will want to trade or move on given his limited opportunity behind key forwards and the wing players of KJack, Jetta, Harry, BJ, Lloyd that are ahead of him
7. Lockyear - will not be at the Swans in 2015
8. Biggs - I think he will move on and not be at the swans in 2015

the random call

9. Rohan - will Gary choose to trade?.......he may want to as his opportunity behind Tip, Bud and Reidy is going to be limited - i also think the likes of Laidler, Jones and T.Mitchell will be in the 22 next year and that may make it difficult for Gary to find a spot anywhere UNLESS his leg and form is back to that 110%........I think we would be reluctant to let him go in 2015 though given the significant turnover of snr players



Who comes onto the Snr list in 2015

1. Lloyd
2. Robinson
3. Heeney - draftee
4. draftee
5. draftee
6. draftee

7. A.Davis - rookie
8. rookie?
9. rookie?

I think that analysis is really good. I think if Goodes continues to improve his fitness and has a good finish to the season without any more injuries then he may want to play on.

I don't think that Rohan will get traded as his trade currency will not be good due to injury. I think Rohan will be Rhyce Shaw's long term replacement as a small, hard running, close checking defender. The beauty of him playing this position is that he is quite tall and is a strong overhead mark. His intercept marking could be also valuable down back.

I think Naismith will be the 3rd year rookie.

[mcs]

I can't see Rohan being traded, just like I can't see them looking to trade Mitchell.

Allir has a long way to go, but you could see in the weekend's game that he has some very promising attributes which could see him develop into a fine defender. Exceptionally raw though, and far too early in my book to be saying it would be 'amazing' for him not to make it. There has been a lot of players look great at reserve level, and not make it. And at the moment, Allir looks promising but very much still learning the game.

Is AJ out of contract at the end of the year?

[Ludwig]

who drops out for season 2015 ?

1. Shaw - My gut feeling is that Shaw (although in brilliant form now) maybe like ROK situation and he will need to retire in 2014 on the high rather then the fall
2. ROK - will not be at the Swans in 2015
3. LRT - will not be at the Swans in 2015
4. Goodes - will retire on a high as he still looks like he is nursing his knees even though he has been very effective upon return his lateral movement doesnt appear to nearly the same
5. Walsh - will not be at the Swans in 2015
6. Towers - my guess is that Dean will want to trade or move on given his limited opportunity behind key forwards and the wing players of KJack, Jetta, Harry, BJ, Lloyd that are ahead of him
7. Lockyear - will not be at the Swans in 2015
8. Biggs - I think he will move on and not be at the swans in 2015


It's a tough call at this stage of the season deciding who will get the ax. Of the 2nd and 3rd year players, I would have Marsh at the top of the delistings. If Naismith and Nankervis continue with their good form, I think Tom D is expendable, despite his reasonable showing this year filling in for Pyke. I think he drops to 4th in the queue by year end.

I think Biggs is good enough to play AFL footy. I hope we keep him on board another year, as I am not sure we will get anyone better in the rookie draft to replace him. Seems a shame to put 3 years into him only to drop him for a low pick in the draft. I would put Lockyer in the same bag. He's been gradually improving, so I wouldn't pull the curtain on him just yet. He also could be handy as a 3rd tall defender.

[Reggi]

Josh dunkley 26 possesions in national championship s bs vic metro. Very good for a bottom ager

[Ludwig]

I take back what I said about making a play for Kristian Jaksch. He was awful against Danaher yesterday. Aidan Corr wasn't much better. GWS took the top 3 key defender prospects in the 2012 draft in Plowman 3, Jaksch 12 and Corr 14. Only Plowman has shown anything and he's playing in the reserves. I know it's only their second year, but I think they are looking really disappointing at this stage.

[Mug Punter]

I take back what I said about making a play for Kristian Jaksch. He was awful against Danaher yesterday. Aidan Corr wasn't much better. GWS took the top 3 key defender prospects in the 2012 draft in Plowman 3, Jaksch 12 and Corr 14. Only Plowman has shown anything and he's playing in the reserves. I know it's only their second year, but I think they are looking really disappointing at this stage.

Their development record is pretty appalling really. They should improve on the field but they are now just in with the rest re their draft picks.

Jeremy Cameron has been a good pick up but that ugly dumb lump Patton is massively overrated and Lachie Whitfield is lightweight at best. I think Cameron will be extremely tempted the leave the Giants and if he does then it will be a blow of massive proportions to those muppets.

Sooner they move to Canberra the better

[Matt80]

Their development record is pretty appalling really. They should improve on the field but they are now just in with the rest re their draft picks.

Jeremy Cameron has been a good pick up but that ugly dumb lump Patton is massively overrated and Lachie Whitfield is lightweight at best. I think Cameron will be extremely tempted the leave the Giants and if he does then it will be a blow of massive proportions to those muppets.

Sooner they move to Canberra the better

You only have to look at Gold Coast to see how badly GWS are going. The Suns look like a team on the rise and I would have them as premiership favourites in 2016. They will also have free agency money to spend at the end of the season as Bock and Hunt will most likely leave the club.

Internally GWS have achieved their goal for 2014 (beating the Swans).

Gold Coat are one year ahead of GWS, but miles ahead in playing performance.

[YvonneH]

An article on The Roar has an idea that St Kilda should maybe go after Tim Membrey because he is not getting a senior game. The article is about live at the Saints after Nick Riewoldt.

Maybe now is the time for us to give Tim a senior berth.

[Meg]

An article on The Roar has an idea that St Kilda should maybe go after Tim Membrey because he is not getting a senior game. The article is about live at the Saints after Nick Riewoldt.

Maybe now is the time for us to give Tim a senior berth.

As a reader of The Roar, how are you coping with the current anti-Swans rantings Yvonne? COLA, protected species (Franklin, Goodes, Hannebery), soft draw, blah, blah, blah). I've posted a few replies but don't know why I waste my time....

I was interested that in that article about St Kilda it says that Trent Dennis-Lane is currently the Saints leading goal scorer in the VFL. I have been wondering what had happened to him as he is not getting games in their seniors. Seems like a familiar story. Brilliant in the seconds, can't quite cut it in the firsts. Pity, I liked him (we will always love him for that tackle against Carlton). I had hoped he might make it at the Saints. And perhaps he still will as he has age on his side.

[YvonneH]

Meg, Anti-Swans rants have become common place since Tippettgate, COLA, Buddy etc so I am now used to them. I think it is better than being irrelevant as some media are reporting the Doggies are at the moment. Perhaps as Andrew Ireland pointed out some time ago Peter Gordon should worry about his own club and not so much the Swans.

TDL was one of my favourites as well as Schneider and Dempster. I see Adam S has been in hospital. All the best to him.

[BobLog]

All those rants mean we are doing well. Water off a swans back.

[baskin]

You only have to look at Gold Coast to see how badly GWS are going. The Suns look like a team on the rise and I would have them as premiership favourites in 2016. They will also have free agency money to spend at the end of the season as Bock and Hunt will most likely leave the club.

Internally GWS have achieved their goal for 2014 (beating the Swans).

Gold Coat are one year ahead of GWS, but miles ahead in playing performance.

Gold Coast may be only one year ahead of GWS in the AFL but have been playing together for two years more. They had an extra year of preparation for the big time. Which also means an extra pre-season.

[Ludwig]

If you took Ablett and put him into GWS, they would be a top 8 side.

[liz]

Gold Coast may be only one year ahead of GWS in the AFL but have been playing together for two years more. They had an extra year of preparation for the big time. Which also means an extra pre-season.

Have they? GWS had a year with part of its squad (the 17yo pre-selection picks) together, playing in the VFL for the season before the joined the AFL, in exactly the same way that GC did.

[ugg]

GWS played in the NEAFL not the VFL but yes besides that the pathway was the same. TAC Cup 2 years before joining the AFL, NEAFL/VFL 1 year before joining the AFL.

[jono2707]

I reckon the only place GWS has the Suns covered for the youngsters (and taking into account the Suns' extra year) is in the forwards. The Suns mids, backs and rucks all seem to be an overall better batch of young talent than GWS.

[Matt80]

I reckon the only place GWS has the Suns covered for the youngsters (and taking into account the Suns' extra year) is in the forwards. The Suns mids, backs and rucks all seem to be an overall better batch of young talent than GWS.


I would not rate Sam Day, Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon as that far behind Cameron, Boyd and Patton. Dixon is a better ruckman than the GWS guys and Sam Day is adaptable enough to be put in defence.

I also think that Gold Coast will become a very popular destination for out of contract players from Melbourne and Adelaide. They are coming towards a definite Premiership window, the Gold Coast offers privacy (like the Swans players enjoy) and the Gold Coast also offers an amazing beach lifestyle.

If you?re a Melbourne AFL star you can swap that female stalker for a MEETERMAID, who will protect your car from overzealous parking inspectors.

[mcs]

As a reader of The Roar, how are you coping with the current anti-Swans rantings Yvonne? COLA, protected species (Franklin, Goodes, Hannebery), soft draw, blah, blah, blah). I've posted a few replies but don't know why I waste my time....

I was interested that in that article about St Kilda it says that Trent Dennis-Lane is currently the Saints leading goal scorer in the VFL. I have been wondering what had happened to him as he is not getting games in their seniors. Seems like a familiar story. Brilliant in the seconds, can't quite cut it in the firsts. Pity, I liked him (we will always love him for that tackle against Carlton). I had hoped he might make it at the Saints. And perhaps he still will as he has age on his side.

I like reading the roar, but the recent dribble coming in some articles, and the comments on there about the swans have frustrated me so much that I've given it up for a while lol!

Much better in the confines of the friendly peeps on RWO :)

[Meg]

I like reading the roar, but the recent dribble coming in some articles, and the comments on there about the swans have frustrated me so much that I've given it up for a while lol!

Much better in the confines of the friendly peeps on RWO :)

Ha! I should probably do the same (or at least not read the AFL articles). But it's a bit like having an itch that I can't stop myself from scratching!

[jono2707]

Now here's a site worth reading - guru Paige Cardona has published a mock draft - wonderfully written, and check out her glowing praise of Heeney:

Paige Cardona?s Phantom Draft: 1.0 ? Bound for Glory News (http://boundforglorynews.com/paige-cardonas-phantom-draft-1-0/)

[707]

Now here's a site worth reading - guru Paige Cardona has published a mock draft - wonderfully written, and check out her glowing praise of Heeney:

Paige Cardona?s Phantom Draft: 1.0 ? Bound for Glory News (http://boundforglorynews.com/paige-cardonas-phantom-draft-1-0/)

Wow, that is some write up, surely it can't be that good? Ressie watchers, do you feel that's an accurate assessment?

If Heeney is that good expect Eddie to try and get the AFL to shut down the Academy!

[Cosmic Wizard]

We need to keep Derickx as Pike is very old and the others are only just beginning their AFL careers.
The back line needs a complete rework, but we need to keep Towers and some of the others rookies who haven't been given a game.
My guess is that their will be a clean out of the old player; very sad not to see ROK finish on a high.
My dream would be him, Goodes and Hyphen finish with a premiership medal in 2014; dreams sometime come true!

[Auntie.Gerald]

Isaac is very good..........it is always so hard to tell how far they will go when you see a young fella is filling in and fitting into an established midfield etc such as a ressies team that has Jake, Robo, Perris, Marsh, Mitchell, ROK etc etc are dominating week in week out

BUT

Heeney does remind me a lot of young Jude Bolton..............I know others have said Parker has displayed similarities to the way Isaac plays.......but I must say he reminds me a lot more of Jude........that same rigid body and great intensity into the pack and out of the pack with ball in hand

Parker (very first time i saw him) I immediately said to myself he is a 10 year player...........same with Tom Mitchell...........and it would be hard to argue that Isaac is not in the same category......Isaac has such in an intense energy around the stoppages, has a keen sense for goal and his ability to limit the opposition via his tackling is first class

I cant compare others in the midfield around OZ but Isaac is tremendously worthy of the praise he is receiving

great opportunity to get along this saturday to watch the Rams

[liz]

I've only seen him play live two or three times, and each time at NEAFL level where he's a relative baby, but I do confess I haven't witnessed the extreme speed described in that article. He's not a Jetta type that stays on the outside and blitzes into space. He does most of his work in congestion, where speed won't always be obvious. The description makes him sound like a young Judd, who was explosive in traffic. He may well have that ability but I've just not really noticed it thus far.

I do wonder if the hype over him is growing a little out of proportion, maybe fuelled by other clubs (and particularly other clubs' supporters) suddenly understanding about the Academy system and getting worked up that we might get an absolute superstar for a pick in the late teens.

[Bloody Hell]

The best thing about that draft is she has the Swans with pick 18...telling.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

The best thing about that draft is she has the Swans with pick 18...telling.

Winning the flag then picking up Heeney. I'd have so much trolling material lol.

[Jewels]

Winning the flag then picking up Heeney. I'd have so much trolling material lol.

Haha Eddies head would explode! :-)

[ugg]

The rams game moved to Blacktown as well