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2023: SC Planning Thread
- Thread starter Gruffles
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Quick exercise for you all if you're bored.
Top 3 breakout candidates for each position (fair jump up, maybe not elite top-tier, but getting close!)
*Positions based on this year's SC*
A LOT more difficult than I first thought, and I'm sure I've missed some obvious ones too.
Def:
1. Daicos
2. Young
3. Coleman
Chapman? Bowey? Day?
Mid:
1. Green
2. Warner
3. Anderson
Newcombe?
Ruck:
1. Meek
2. Jackson
3. Draper?
Fwd:
1. Gulden
2. Hollands?
3. Perkins?
Zac Bailey?
Top 3 breakout candidates for each position (fair jump up, maybe not elite top-tier, but getting close!)
*Positions based on this year's SC*
A LOT more difficult than I first thought, and I'm sure I've missed some obvious ones too.
Def:
1. Daicos
2. Young
3. Coleman
Chapman? Bowey? Day?
Mid:
1. Green
2. Warner
3. Anderson
Newcombe?
Ruck:
1. Meek
2. Jackson
3. Draper?
Fwd:
1. Gulden
2. Hollands?
3. Perkins?
Zac Bailey?
Pencil in for DEF rookie spot (unless Will Gould gets up 
)
Ethan Phillips
Key defender, Port Melbourne
Draft range: 40+
The VFL’s best young player award has been a golden ticket into the AFL, and Phillips is set to become the 16th consecutive recipient of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal to make it onto an AFL list. Phillips broke the VFL intercept possession record held by Sam Collins (2018), averaging a whopping 11.5 per game and his 5.1 intercept marks per game ranked second overall to Collins’ numbers. Interestingly, this season from Collins earnt him his second AFL shot with Gold Coast which he has taken with both hands. Borough coach Adam Skrabalak sees similarities in Collins and Sydney revelation Paddy McCartin in Phillips with his ability to read the play and clunk intercept marks. With tall defenders in short supply, the 23-year-old shapes as a ready-made option at the draft – and at least three clubs are in the hunt.
)Ethan Phillips
Key defender, Port Melbourne
Draft range: 40+
The VFL’s best young player award has been a golden ticket into the AFL, and Phillips is set to become the 16th consecutive recipient of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal to make it onto an AFL list. Phillips broke the VFL intercept possession record held by Sam Collins (2018), averaging a whopping 11.5 per game and his 5.1 intercept marks per game ranked second overall to Collins’ numbers. Interestingly, this season from Collins earnt him his second AFL shot with Gold Coast which he has taken with both hands. Borough coach Adam Skrabalak sees similarities in Collins and Sydney revelation Paddy McCartin in Phillips with his ability to read the play and clunk intercept marks. With tall defenders in short supply, the 23-year-old shapes as a ready-made option at the draft – and at least three clubs are in the hunt.
Another one to keep an eye on
Harvey Gallagher
Defender/forward, Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Draft range:30-50
After missing out in both last year’s draft and the mid-season intake, a stunning finish to the season in the NAB League behind the ball has seen him surge back into draft calculations. So much so that he could be the first Pioneer taken on draft night. The 19-year-old amassed 33.2 disposals, 6.8 score involvements, 158.5 ranking points and kicked seven goals across six NAB League games in the role, with his elite work rate, vision and forward half impact catching the eye. The cherry on top of his overage year was recording three top-five finishes at the state combine last month in the 2km time trial (equal fifth, 6:27), vertical jump (second nationally, 80cm) and running vertical jump (89cm). Thoroughly deserving of an AFL shot.
Harvey Gallagher
Defender/forward, Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Draft range:30-50
After missing out in both last year’s draft and the mid-season intake, a stunning finish to the season in the NAB League behind the ball has seen him surge back into draft calculations. So much so that he could be the first Pioneer taken on draft night. The 19-year-old amassed 33.2 disposals, 6.8 score involvements, 158.5 ranking points
and kicked seven goals across six NAB League games in the role, with his elite work rate, vision and forward half impact catching the eye. The cherry on top of his overage year was recording three top-five finishes at the state combine last month in the 2km time trial (equal fifth, 6:27), vertical jump (second nationally, 80cm) and running vertical jump (89cm). Thoroughly deserving of an AFL shot.
Some good candidates here.
I’m probably biased given I have a number of these guys in my keeper side, but a few thoughts:
- Tom Atkins could be a good cheapie option. Moved into the midfield part way through the season, but late enough that he should keep D eligibility. Played low TOG in his new role, which I expect will rise with another pre season training as a mid, and Selwood having retired.
- Lipinski could be somewhat similar as a forward. Picked up an injury mid season and faded a bit, but was going nicely before the bye. May have scope to improve with a year in the Pies’ setup and his first full season of AFL footy under his belt. Probably not as much upside as Atkins, but worth keeping an eye on.
- Jayden Short is a potentially interesting one. Should be cheaper than Green and Anderson, but with a bit more scoring history, and good durability. I expect him to play defence again with Taranto and Hopper coming into the (previously shallow) Richmond midfield. Could potentially be started in the midfield as a cheap D keeper (as an alternative to a Green type). Averaged 116 in his first four rounds, before having a shocker in R5 and then starting to get CBAs.
- Darcy Cameron should have upside post-Grundy, after 5 scores of 72 or less to start the season alongside him. I think Cameron could be a decent candidate for R2, for those who don’t want to commit to their ruck keepers up front (eg to see what impact trade movements have at Freo and Melbourne).
- Jackson and Meek will be interesting to watch role-wise. I suspect that is a key swing factor for both.
- Daicos averaged 103 post bye, so he is a good shout at a nice price if he can sustain/improve on that.
Some other names that may not fit your criteria, but that I think have upside/relevance for the right format include Dylan Moore, Will Phillips, Sam Flanders, Deven Robertson and Josh Fahey.
I’m probably biased given I have a number of these guys in my keeper side, but a few thoughts:
- Tom Atkins could be a good cheapie option. Moved into the midfield part way through the season, but late enough that he should keep D eligibility. Played low TOG in his new role, which I expect will rise with another pre season training as a mid, and Selwood having retired.
- Lipinski could be somewhat similar as a forward. Picked up an injury mid season and faded a bit, but was going nicely before the bye. May have scope to improve with a year in the Pies’ setup and his first full season of AFL footy under his belt. Probably not as much upside as Atkins, but worth keeping an eye on.
- Jayden Short is a potentially interesting one. Should be cheaper than Green and Anderson, but with a bit more scoring history, and good durability. I expect him to play defence again with Taranto and Hopper coming into the (previously shallow) Richmond midfield. Could potentially be started in the midfield as a cheap D keeper (as an alternative to a Green type). Averaged 116 in his first four rounds, before having a shocker in R5 and then starting to get CBAs.
- Darcy Cameron should have upside post-Grundy, after 5 scores of 72 or less to start the season alongside him. I think Cameron could be a decent candidate for R2, for those who don’t want to commit to their ruck keepers up front (eg to see what impact trade movements have at Freo and Melbourne).
- Jackson and Meek will be interesting to watch role-wise. I suspect that is a key swing factor for both.
- Daicos averaged 103 post bye, so he is a good shout at a nice price if he can sustain/improve on that.
Some other names that may not fit your criteria, but that I think have upside/relevance for the right format include Dylan Moore, Will Phillips, Sam Flanders, Deven Robertson and Josh Fahey.
I've had a go at trying to select my first team prior to the draft taking place next week (gone cheap in backs as not wanting to pay top dollar for likes of Stewart/Sicily/Dawson as the 3 I'll want to get in to round out my back 6) -
Backs - Blicavz (if he gets B/R status), N Daicos, Whitfield, L Jones, D Tucker & N Cox (bench - Wilmot/Chesser) watch on Bowes/Francis/McKenna
Mids - Oliver, Neale, MaCrae, Steele, T Mitchell, Hopper, Ashcroft & Sneezel (Goater, Constable/Pedlar) $124k bench place holders
Rucks - Grundy & Marshall ($102k B/R if possible to use Blicavz as coverage. Don't think good R/F options unless English/Marshall get R/F or Gawn later on after resetting positions).
Forwards - Dunkley, Rozee, Taranto, T McLean, W Phillips & Bedford (VanRooyen/T Berry) $124k bench place holders & don't mind T Thomas @ $292k
I think most rookies I have named are a chance to play round 1. My gambles of keepers are N Daicos/Whitfield/Mitcehll/Grund./Rozee but they are all quality players that have a good scoring history in the past and are at value if they can get back to their best. Whitfield hopefully to play more back/wing, Mitchell ore mids time at the pies, Gawn to play more forward or player behind the ball to give Grundy more ruck time, Rozee to get a lot more mid time for an ageing Port midfield and Daicos with general improvement as a 2nd year player playing half back/mid.
This would hopefully give me 13 keepers (in bold) with he following players looking at getting in through the season to round out my team -
Backs - Sicily, Stewart and Dawson
Mids - Laird, T Miller and either Bont/Mills
Forwards - Butters, Heeney and best R/F which maybe will be Gawn?
Still a little time to go before the start of the season but I think this gives me a little to work with.
Backs - Blicavz (if he gets B/R status), N Daicos, Whitfield, L Jones, D Tucker & N Cox (bench - Wilmot/Chesser) watch on Bowes/Francis/McKenna
Mids - Oliver, Neale, MaCrae, Steele, T Mitchell, Hopper, Ashcroft & Sneezel (Goater, Constable/Pedlar) $124k bench place holders
Rucks - Grundy & Marshall ($102k B/R if possible to use Blicavz as coverage. Don't think good R/F options unless English/Marshall get R/F or Gawn later on after resetting positions).
Forwards - Dunkley, Rozee, Taranto, T McLean, W Phillips & Bedford (VanRooyen/T Berry) $124k bench place holders & don't mind T Thomas @ $292k
I think most rookies I have named are a chance to play round 1. My gambles of keepers are N Daicos/Whitfield/Mitcehll/Grund./Rozee but they are all quality players that have a good scoring history in the past and are at value if they can get back to their best. Whitfield hopefully to play more back/wing, Mitchell ore mids time at the pies, Gawn to play more forward or player behind the ball to give Grundy more ruck time, Rozee to get a lot more mid time for an ageing Port midfield and Daicos with general improvement as a 2nd year player playing half back/mid.
This would hopefully give me 13 keepers (in bold) with he following players looking at getting in through the season to round out my team -
Backs - Sicily, Stewart and Dawson
Mids - Laird, T Miller and either Bont/Mills
Forwards - Butters, Heeney and best R/F which maybe will be Gawn?
Still a little time to go before the start of the season but I think this gives me a little to work with.
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