What your club got right and wrong in the AFL Draft!

[@DylanAlexanderFollowsDraft]

Yeah boys! Great ep, thanks for coming on the live stream ❤

[@craftofthedraft]

The KING

[@stubbtrain]

High risk high reward with the tigers picks. Lalor actually has explosive pace as a big bodied mid. Hopefully Hotton can play more mid than forward. Stoked about Alger. We need some crafty small forwards with speed to burn.

[@Yasserrrrrrr]

Not a tigers fan but i looked at Hotton as your long term Shai replacement. I reckon you won't regret that at all personally.

[@JimmyF-y9y]

I think the Dees definitely needed 2 mids and it's our biggest list need. Good ball users and class in there has been what's cost us recently. Tauru while he has upside, is very much a project player. Imo Langford and Lindsay is an absolutely amazing result also considering their flexibility.

[@cjcrrazy]

I find all these Draft winner discussions interesting in that are we judging how clubs did with what picks they had, or just what they got. Richmond seems to be rated high even though blind Freddy could have came out with a similar result. Only time will tell if their hit to miss ratio is any good. For what it’s worth I would have West coast, Port and Saints winning for picking up most players much later than what they were predicted by most pundits

[@craftofthedraft]

Yep, it's certainly like that. That's why we tried to base decisions and grades more on how club's met list needs and the value of each player based off 2024 form. Time will tell, truly.

[@snowman01]

It was nice to hear an in-depth critique of Richmond's draft. Every other media source is glazing hard, this was an original take

[@markp2122]

Guys, alphabetically, West Coast should be before Western Bulldog. Please focus!!

[@rotuanti35]

Thanks for saying this. My OCD is screaming

[@andrewharris4268]

I might be on my own on this but I believe that North have done very well in obtaining their main goal of a tall forward…plus an absolute gun mid. The deal with Richmond was good for both clubs.

[@andrewharris4268]

Additionally North have brought in a second player a year earlier than using their first rounder next year, all at the cost of just slipping their first pick next year by about 14. They’ve accelerated their development.

[@DanP681]

​@@andrewharris4268 Yeah I'm also coming around to this thought. FOS was clearly the best 17 year old last year and injury has effected him this year but to me he was just to good to pass up. And regards to giving up our F1 well that's only going to put us in the same position next year in being pressured to take best available which you can guarantee will be another mid. Plus all this hype for Alix Tauru has come out of nowhere. Not saying he's not going to be a good player but he definitely isn't a pick 2 on exposed form.

[@jacksonjones6371]

Great to hear such optimism on the Bulldogs selections. I was stoked with what they did, but so far had only heard “meh” reactions. Love your work fellas.

[@effkay3691]

I wouldn’t mind too much what people say about how clubs performed in the draft. In the end we don’t have to wait long to judge our clubs for ourselves

[@Chuckakhan]

I’ll be curious to see if you can get full time commitment out of Davidson. He’s a good get but apparently he’s studying medicine which is an intense course load

[@user-cp4os6ws1t]

Eagles nailed it . Picked well got those bargin buys that were ranked high . Got bagged out for trading Pick 3 , but to get Allan , Gross , Baker and Owies for pick 3 is pretty good .

[@gaidin]

Carlton fan and 100% with you on Draper vs Smith. But I will still back Jagga and hope he becomes a superstar. He was great when interviewed and he is a mature thinker.

[@MrMooremelody]

the dees definitely needed 2 mids. I agree that we needed a key defender too. but the dees midfield depth is shot. Brayshaw gone, Neal-Bullen gone, Viney 30, Petracca and Oliver discontent etc. The issue is, I think Tauru might've been best available. Regardless, I think C is a bit harsh because they got Langford and Lindsay. 2 ready made, Victorian mids that aren't flight risks that both fill needs. They may have inside word that Kalani White will nominate the demons who is a 200cm key defender now.

[@mrborn1637]

Jason Taylor has an excellent track record with the draft. Of the high-profile players available at pick 6 (Tauru, Smillie, Allan, Armstrong, Hotton) Langford looks to be the safest bet that can play right away in a few positions and still has a high ceiling. Xavier Lindsay is the one that is more questionable. We might have been hoping Tauru slid to 11, but that was unlikely. It's actually been a while since Melbourne has drafted a dedicated midfielder (Windsor is more of a winger), and it makes sense to get a player who can help with our entries i50, which have been terrible for a while.

[@MrMooremelody]

@@mrborn1637 All good points. I think they believe Lindsay will be a permanent inside mid in time. I think he is safer than Langford personally. I've got issues over Langford's speed. And his skill set isn't elite. Lindsays is elite. And he's faster and cleaner. I agree that we rolled the dice hoping that Tauru would be available at 11 and he almost was. I don't think we would've drafted Lindsay at 11 if we thought he'd just be a back flanker/winger.

[@mrborn1637]

@@MrMooremelody I'm expecting Langford to win the ball inside and hand it off to a Lindsay, kozzie, viney etc that's streaming thru the centre. That's what we could see in the Lindsay's highlight video. And having Nathan Jones back, now as a midfield coach, will be great for his development.

[@cools6560]

Tauru is a star. Will play forward. Hence why we got Barrat.

[@Evan-p5j]

The key word is 'Versatility', hence we drafted Travaglia too.

[@TheAlphaDingo]

Really liked Richmond's picks. High risk for some, perhaps but you don't win premierships with blue collar teams. Plus when you have 8 picks, you can afford to take more risks compared to clubs with 2-3 picks. Worse case scenario, if Hotton, Trainor and Lalor suffer injuries, there is still 5 players who might have made it which is a good return from any draft. I'm also optimistic going into a professional environment with better medical, sports science and rehab available, they will have the best chance of overcoming any long term injury concerns. A bit of speed and dash in the midfield next draft will be most welcome especially with 2, likely early first rounders. Definitely think Sims will be shaped into an athletic ruck. Great vertical leap, agility and physicality. If he grows a few more cms, that would be a bonus.

[@adhyanth]

Weird take on Port to give them a C. Firstly, I agree regarding the pick of Berry and that it wasn't really a need for us. I was more in the camp of Reid or Shanahan. Secondly, the club hasn't taken these 3 with a view to playing them next year. It's a horizon of 4-5 years at least. Thirdly, Moraes not being a need is funny comment, he absolutely complements the midfield and we badly need some depth in that position. Had a good year, just not a great one.

[@stevenprice6957]

Best of luck to all kids playing AFL. We will know much more on 2 to 4 years. What looks good now could be bad. Also vice versa. I’ll Never forget watching Tambling who looked great and buddy who looked freakish. I wanted buddy and felt he was the best player in that draft. He slipped to 5. Tambling we all thought was going to be electric. He peaked at 17. You just never know with these kids.

[@johnfloris6306]

We did almost perfectly but we lost a lot of smalls in the trade but didn’t replace them 5 yrs ago we were the mosquito fleet now we are giant Tigers

[@endakis1]

thanks boys great chat

[@craftofthedraft]

🫶🏻

[@endakis1]

heard you for the first time on the live chat. just listened to the intro but was impressed with the knowledge and analysis. it seems that you just about rate everyone in this draft to be capable of impacting at AFL level. Most likely say for the Tigers, one or hopefully two, but potentially none of Faull, Armstrong and Sims come on. do you really just rate the whole pool in this instance or are you generally optimistic as players enter the system? talking about depth say with Carlton's mid, there is no certainty a player comes on so you still look at depth in a position? or at a point overkill..

[@craftofthedraft]

@@endakis1 We try to be optimistic, I (Nathan) am pretty honest about my opinions, if you listen back to a lot of our content in the last two years, I'm quite critical and often play devil's advocate to Jonty. We know the reality is not all come on, and we certainly have our opinions on who those players might be, but it's unfair to put that out in the public when they haven't had a crack yet.

[@endakis1]

@@craftofthedraft Thanks mate looking forward to following you guys going forward!

[@effkay3691]

I don’t mind analysing all the draft picks but grading the clubs is an absolute exercise in futility. When Neale goes in the 50’s and Goodes in the 40’s…….you can go on and on.

[@craftofthedraft]

Yep, for sure, valid point. Tried to make our gradings based off value of the player, list needs met etc. So hard to know what will really happen but makes it a fun exercise to see what we got wrong and right in the future!

[@_Murky_]

Hawks good team, draft depth A Freo Good team, draft depth D

[@Team-Aaron]

Hey Boys, great vid but Adelaide didnt move up, picks came in because of bids using picks of teams before theirs and they only had 2 list spots available so could only get those two. B & C a bit harsh with the spots available I think easily A, the bonus marks come home getting the home grown talent in Sid that wanted to be at the club, best fit for what the Crows mid field need and potential to be a future captain. Getting a forward in Welsh with Walker's career coming to an end is good for the future. Likely they look to lure one of the SA rucks back home in future eg. Sam Draper, Taylor Goad, Jacob Molier and Alex Dodson.

[@craftofthedraft]

@@Team-Aaron Thanks mate!!!

[@jamesm3723]

Have a listen to jasper Challepah. Very happy about what Essendon has done and rates it as all meeting list needs

[@Alby911]

Bombers definitely filled list needs in this draft, due to the fact they have so many holes

[@Colin-n2l]

Tauru should play forward, he's our next nick reiwoldt...no pressure...haha...go saints for 2025

[@davidpalmer5967]

How could be better KPF then West on the Board when there was none take for rest of the Draft and Rookie Draft?

[@trevslyf3827]

Stupid comment on Ben Camporeale Carlton matched pick 43 they didn't have it, their next pick was in the 60s. Did you think they should have passed on Ben, (and Lucas's as it turned out), to wait for pick 60 something in the hope Jasper Alger was still there? Obviously you don't understand how bid matching works.

[@ztheletter5296]

Are you blokes even old enough to have lived and played a football career? I have and can tell you that injuries early in a career are nothing. The Tigers nailed it and next year will top up with two high draft midfielders. Job done before Tassie cleans up.

[@craftofthedraft]

One of our top tier comments!!! We can take your word for it, I think the worry is the elevation from juniors to professional senior level. Moreso thinking the worst case scenario, hope all those boys go well at the Tigers!

[@lukesexton8194]

a ‘C’ for port Adelaide.. are you kidding 😂 they absolutely aced that draft and got great value where they landed Whitlock and Moraes.

[@craftofthedraft]

I was shocked when I heard Jonty's answer!!

[@fergulator7297]

Yeah,same dude gave the crows a C also ,I think he may have a SA bias he can't shake

[@cools6560]

North: JAGGA > FOS by a mile. basically chose Hopper over N.Daicos. Tauru will be a star. Oh dear north. Done it again.

[@Luke-ig3wf]

North fan and disagree big time for these reasons 1 north needed another gun mid they have midfielders yes but there midfield depth isn't AFL level loseing Stephenson and Lazaro needed Quilty there 2 defence isn't as bad as people say Archer will improve louge was injured last year comben will improve with more game playing back as well as injuries last year to other defenders 3 Urquhart will be a beast 190cm.freak athlete who I feel will add run and carry of half back amazing tackle pressure needs to work on his kicking skills but if he gets that right he will be a gun And lasty north only have darling for 2 years and getting a forward now who can learn from him and develop as well and back down back and add depth is huge Otherwise love the vid

[@craftofthedraft]

Fair call mate, love different takes!

[@davemclean3899]

Tigers should of got Jagga.. even if they had to trade out for pick 2.. they will regret that in future

[@ShadowLight-kn7rl]

Have to disagree on your grading of North. There's a level of bias as it is my club. However. North did the typical standard approach that any club would of done if in the same position and situation as a club. If you don't believe that than I'm sorry that's not a realistic view of what North are trying to do. They certainly did the most work in Tauru with every intent of trading pick 2, alas that never transpired so the alternative was to draft a midfielder in FOS as that does facilitate a need for replacing a hole left by Tarryn Thomas. For potent class and elite use of the ball ☑️ Whitlock suits the KPP need and as a Utility makes all the more sense for what North are corroborating together. Your assuming it's pick 1 immediately which fanes ignorance as you've just outright written them off for 2025. A top 4-6 pick would be a better prediction. In short to that its a high risk/reward and we'll never know the precise benefactor of this trade until 2-3yrs time has passed. Hopefully both teams benefit. Mat Whitlock at North ☑️ Luke Urquhart surprised many a North's fans if not the majority. Another Midfielder true, though the club clearly feels a need for a slow drip feed of a developing BIG Midfielder. Urquhart though smaller than a Smillie Langford or Allen fit's that mold and as goal kicking Midfielder could be something to develop and work on long term in depth or better quite sooner than we will admit. I'm sceptical, though understanding of how the club MIGHT be looking at it. 50/50 though we should give every draftee a chance to prove themselves so yes. ☑️ River Stevens is precisely what you said. And the only thing to add here is that he dies suit the need for North to continue their search in getting that 2nd small forward to play alongside Paul Curtis. River is a bit different to what we already have in those stocks so who knows how that might go. ☑️ Now baring everything in mind that I just said plus your own I'd say a more appropriate grading of Norths draft haul is a C/C+ They facilitated needs and made a high risk/reward trade for the now in development and list building. History tells us they're more likely to finish bottom 4-6, though we have to factor in the aggressively bold decisions behind these specific recruits instead of writing them off because it didn't fall to your own expectations. Love the video gents and if you've read this entire essay of a comment than well done😂 keep up the good work

[@craftofthedraft]

Love it mate, thank you!

[@craftofthedraft]

Did read it all!!

[@ShadowLight-kn7rl]

​@@craftofthedraftLEGENDS!!!

[@storm4743]

Sorry but Essendon stuffed up and it show in years to come. Rating D-

[@velvetjuzzy]

These lads have no idea

[@craftofthedraft]

We tried 😢

[@slink1313]

keep father-son but scrap academy picks

[@cools6560]

North fans in here … a little delusional. Whitlock looks average and shouldve chosen Jagga or Tauru. To give up pick 5 for him and 19 is ludicrous. FOS is vanilla af. He’ll be good but wont be a star. Rivers will be delisted by 2027. Urqhart i hope he surprises for you.