Mr.Craig's Rookie Spotlight 2014 (Index On Page 1)

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DRAFT UPDATE

Emma Quayle has suggested today that one of the mainstays of the top 5 draft picks this year, could fall out of the top 5 as Tasmanian Kade Kolodjashnij looms as a big smokey at pick 5 to the Gold Coast.

Collingwood and West Coast have all but tied up a deal that'll see Collingwood gain pick 6 and 40 from West Coast, whilst the Eagles will gain pick 11 and 27 from the Pies.

As the Giants have now traded for Pick 2, and given away pick 9, and the Pies holding two top 10 picks, the draft is looming as follows:

Christian Salem has become of serious interest to the Pies according to the SEN website, whilst Tasmanian Kade Kolodjashnij, this years best bona fide rebounding defender has shot up into pick 5 calculations at the Suns.

Emma Quayle has suggested that possibly lightening might strike twice with the Pies, who could yet land a second steal of the draft with suggestions that dual Norwood premiership player, James Aish could slip into their hands at pick 6.

GWS won't overlook Tom Boyd, and SOS has made no secret his admiration for Josh Kelly.

The Saints could take Matt Scharenberg who is a Goddard-type player, and brings immediate class, versatility and height to otherwise a small(ish) side. They will have three picks in the first round, meaning grabbing a tall player and then stocking up on mids could be the path they go down.

Jack Billings is just about certain to fall into the Bulldogs laps at pick 4, however he could fall either way to the Saints or as far as pick 6.

Northern Knights pair Marcus Bontempelli and Ben Lennon are two of the classier players in this years draft, and both could find themselves being selected back-to-back at picks 6 to Collingwood or 7 to Brisbane.

Luke McDonald is locked in at pick 8, but the Demons could go down one of two paths given an array of varying scenarios.

Ben Lennon is tipped to be at pick 9, however the Dees could opt for Patrick Dangerfield clone, Nathan Freeman or his Sandringham teammate Christian Salem.

Dom Sheed is expected to be available at pick 11 for the Eagles, who would've been paying overs at pick 6 for Sheed, regardless.

The current first round could look something like this.

1: GWS - Tom Boyd
2: GWS - Josh Kelly
3: STK - Matt Scharenberg
4: WBD - Jack Billings
5: GCS - Kade Kolodjashnij
6: COL - James Aish
7: BRI - Marcus Bontempelli
8: NTM - Luke McDonald
9: MEL - Ben Lennon
10: COL - Nathan Freeman
11: WCE - Dom Sheed
12: RIC - Christian Salem
13: CAR - Cameron McCarthy
14: GCS - Matt Crouch
15: SYD - Darcy Gardiner
16: GEE - Lewis Taylor
17: FRE - Blake Acres
18: STK - Trent Dumont
19: STK - Luke Dunstan
20: BRI - Billy Hartung

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Very good info. Though I Thought Melb were very keen on Freeman at 9, doesn't make much difference though haha. As a WC supporter I would prefer us to go out on a limb and draft Acres. Too me has shown a heap of potential to be one of the best in this draft. Though its likely they will be safe and grab Sheed.

[Nige]

Today's draftee profile is James Aish

[Toga]

I'm realllyyyy hoping we get Matty Crouch at Richmond. We need another in-and-under player to help out Cotchy, more grunt in the middle!

Nice work Craigy, keep it up!

[Nige]

I'm realllyyyy hoping we get Matty Crouch at Richmond. We need another in-and-under player to help out Cotchy, more grunt in the middle!

Nice work Craigy, keep it up!

Kristian Pisano linked this one Twitter yesterday... thought it was really good. Will post it in the Tiges' board too.

[kilbluff1985]

hard to see Crouch getting past Melbourne @ pick 9

[Toga]

Matty Arnot will be a gun, and should become a regular this season (IMO), and Vlastuin, Jackson and Cotchin do a good job on the inside but I really think another strong body in there would do wonders for us given the talent we have on the outside.

I remember reading last year someone saying that if we could develop another inside mid, it would be great for Cotchin's game, as he could become a super-elite midfielder if he could get some more outside ball... If Cotch could get any better than he is, I'd love to see it happen! 8)

[Nige]

hard to see Crouch getting past Melbourne @ pick 9

I'm a strong believer that they'll pick Nathan Freeman at Pick 9 should he be there. However, Crouch is most certainly an option.

Matty Arnot will be a gun, and should become a regular this season (IMO), and Vlastuin, Jackson and Cotchin do a good job on the inside but I really think another strong body in there would do wonders for us given the talent we have on the outside.

I remember reading last year someone saying that if we could develop another inside mid, it would be great for Cotchin's game, as he could become a super-elite midfielder if he could get some more outside ball... If Cotch could get any better than he is, I'd love to see it happen! 8)

Yeah, totally agree with all of that. Plus, I do remember hearing/reading the same about Cotch.

[kilbluff1985]

If you guys get Crouch you think he will play next year?

[Toga]

Not sure kb, I think from what we saw of Arnot this year Dimma really likes him and he'll be playing games when fit. Didn't get subbed at all (iirc?) and only stopped playing in the AFL side when he injured his back.

Add Vlastuin, Jackson and Cotchin to that list of inside mids, he might not be a regular in 2014, unless he shows a lot, which might see him come into the team and Cotch play a bit more outside... Hard to say really!

[Nige]

Not sure kb, I think from what we saw of Arnot this year Dimma really likes him and he'll be playing games when fit. Didn't get subbed at all (iirc?) and only stopped playing in the AFL side when he injured his back.

Add Vlastuin, Jackson and Cotchin to that list of inside mids, he might not be a regular in 2014, unless he shows a lot, which might see him come into the team and Cotch play a bit more outside... Hard to say really!

Biscuits was sub vs Freo and subbed against Sydney iirc... or the other way around.

[Toga]

Oh really? I swear I looked at that like last week and didn't think he'd been subbed. :-[

[kilbluff1985]

i just think Melbourne need Crouch more then Freeman might help them win some clearances

N Jones, Viney and Crouch would be a nice clearance team

[Nige]

i just think Melbourne need Crouch more then Freeman might help them win some clearances

N Jones, Viney and Crouch would be a nice clearance team

You're not wrong.

There was talk of the Pies being interested in Salem.

With that knowledge... I'm hoping for 9 - Freeman, 10 - Salem, 11 - Sheed and 12 - Crouch...

[Toga]

Pretty sure Melbourne's been linked to Freeman haven't they?

Everywhere I've read it seems like Freeman is destined to go to Melbourne, and it looks like Crouch should be around still for Richmond's first pick, it's just whether we'd take Salem over him if he's still available (which looks unlikely given Collingwood seems to be interested in him).

[Nige]

Pretty sure Melbourne's been linked to Freeman haven't they?

Everywhere I've read it seems like Freeman is destined to go to Melbourne, and it looks like Crouch should be around still for Richmond's first pick, it's just whether we'd take Salem over him if he's still available (which looks unlikely given Collingwood seems to be interested in him).

Basically... it's gonna play out in one of three ways (I think).

Scenario 1. Melbourne pick: Nathan Freeman, Collingwood pick: Christian Salem, Richmond pick: Matt Crouch
Scenario 2. Melbourne pick: Matt Crouch, Collingwood pick: Nathan Freeman, Richmond pick: Christian Salem
Scenario 3. Melbourne pick: Matt Crouch, Collingwood pick: Christian Salem, Richmond Pick: Nathan Freeman

Left out Weagles because I think it's a near certainty they'll pick Sheed.

These three seem to be the names being tossed around for these clubs.

Scenario 3 is the most unlikely (in my opinion). My preference is Scenario 1 though, which is what I think will happen.

November 21st will be interesting (and I'll probably miss the most of it because my Gran will be here for her birthday).