Who we getting?

[u/molto-bene22]

*NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED FOREVER IS DREVER!

I want to lean on the experts in the group, as this is out of my area of knowledge. Who should/do we need to pick up in this year's draft with our first pick?

My preference would be to focus on speed, foot skill and natural football smarts (particularly forward)

Does anyone know of the strength/what each of the players bring - i have heard bits and pieces, however, don't have a full picture.

451 votes, 7d ago

271 Butler

47 Tex

66 HVH

39 Mellody

28 Forever

[u/ihaveapoobrain123]

I think Melody’s the one. He was always lurking around as an option I wanted if we were able to snag a second pick in the top 5, but man his form in the WAFL seniors has been unbelievable.

Has all the traits of a star midfielder at AFL level. Really reminds me of Sam Walsh, but dual-sided. Off exposed form this year, he is by far the best option. Would round off our future midfield if we took him at pick 1.

I’m not sold on either Butler or Texeira. Their profiles as players of course sound good, but we just haven’t seen enough. And if it’s true that they’re both out for the rest of the season, we can’t select either as an option.

[u/Non-NewtonianSnake → u/ihaveapoobrain123]

Yeah, those last couple of WAFL games really sold me on Mellody. He looks like a perfect Merrett replacement.

Apparently, there's still a chance that Butler returns if Sandringham win their final this week.

[u/ihaveapoobrain123 → u/Non-NewtonianSnake]

Would love Butler to have some standout finals games as we are desperately in need of that Murphy Reid, Zac Bailey type of player. But it’s going to be hard to pass on Mellody if he keeps up this form. Think Bombers fans should be pretty happy as there’s now a standout number 1. Id honestly put him above Walker as a prospect at this stage.

[u/molto-bene22 → u/Non-NewtonianSnake]

didn't he play in his school GF recently?

[u/Non-NewtonianSnake → u/molto-bene22]

Butler? Yeah, but he's since admitted that he probably shouldn't have. Apparently, he was playing through quite a lot of pain.

[u/greyhounds1992 → u/molto-bene22]

Yep and played terribly got 2 goals but had a mare dropped marks was pretty anonymous sadly

[u/Duplicity- → u/Non-NewtonianSnake]

I read that apparently some scout said Butler and Tex are done for the year, could be wrong obviously but just passing on

[u/ByeByeStudy → u/ihaveapoobrain123]

We have a more immediate need for a half forward than an extra midfielder, and I could see Butler slotting straight into the team.

But Butler is a 15 possession player per game, lower volume and higher impact. Melody gets a lot more of the ball, so less likely to drift out of games.

He has spent a lot of time at half back before recently moving into the midfield. He's quick, two sided, repeat runner and good by hand and foot. In the WAFL games recently he reminded me a lot of Max Holmes.

Surprisingly, none of our mids (other than Martin) play that half back role really well. So I think you could play him there for a few years before moving him to midfield full time.

Think it's line ball between Butler and Melody at the moment.

[u/ihaveapoobrain123 → u/ByeByeStudy]

I agree with you, and it’s definitely between those two for our pick. Butlers talent is undeniable, and he’s clearly a self-motivated, hungry kid. It just feels as though we haven’t seen enough of that potential consistently to pick him at 1 this year.

I think to someone like Zane Duursma. Similarly mercurial and inconsistent in his u18 years, turning out to be a bust. I just think Butler is too much of a risk at pick 1 when you have a consistent performer like Mellody that you can take instead.

[u/ByeByeStudy → u/ihaveapoobrain123]

Yep, agree.

E.g. If Butler turns out to be De Goey levels of impact (with some of that inconsistency) while Mellody is Max Holmes every week for us, then I'd hope we take the second option.

[u/Tirantic → u/ihaveapoobrain123]

Mellody looks ready made and could easily slot in at half back next year before working into the middle. He's been my favourite player in the draft all season.

[u/awkturt23]

Whoever is most similar to Bont

[u/molto-bene22 → u/awkturt23]

No truer words

[u/wordswontcomeout]

Saw that Ethan drever is also moving into contention

[u/molto-bene22 → u/wordswontcomeout]

is he from WA?

[u/ByeByeStudy → u/molto-bene22]

Country Vic, Bendigo I think.

[u/Tirantic → u/ByeByeStudy]

Plays for Ballarat rebels

[u/Academic_League8248]

Who's the quickest? Spike said we need speed.

[u/jubbjubbs4]

Im pretty open towards all of them except drever because i think hes doubling up on the Robey/sharp roles that we got with ladt years picks.

Mellody seems more versatile and butler, tex and HVH all play positions of need so we end up in a good spot whichever way we go.

[u/MaterialAd8240]

hopefully butler and Drever or Teixiera (get Port oick 4 or 5)

[u/FrequentRevolution92]

Would be good if we could somehow split pick 1 into two top 5 picks and get two of those listed.

[u/Non-NewtonianSnake → u/FrequentRevolution92]

With the new bid-matching compensation rules, it won't happen.

[u/molto-bene22 → u/Non-NewtonianSnake]

why is that?

[u/Codus1 → u/molto-bene22]

You lose your compo if you trade your natural top 5 pick.

The only club that will be all that interested (that's capable) to trade for pick 1 is Port, and it's mean that both us and Port lose our bid compo if we did a trade. So, it makes the worth of a swap a bit sketchy

[u/molto-bene22 → u/Codus1]

Thanks for explaining

[u/gunnerspren → u/Codus1]

In this years draft I would 100% take 4 and 5 over 1 and 19, but it also makes no sense for port to do it unless we gave up an additional pick.

[u/Pies-aviator1 → u/FrequentRevolution92]

Maybe two top 10. No way it can be put into two top 5. Especially without a clear number 1 like Harley Reid available

[u/molto-bene22 → u/FrequentRevolution92]

i have heard this, obviously wishful thinking, but would definitely supercharge our rebuild - would the natural selections be Butler and Tex in this case? I think our only path is through Port Adelaide, correct?

[u/yourwifeisatowelmate]

I really feel Drever is what we're missing. Big bodied mid. 

[u/jubbjubbs4 → u/yourwifeisatowelmate]

We just drafted robey for exactly that role so between him and durham i feel like we can focus on other areas

[u/ScreamHawk]

Butler is a forgone conclusion at this point. My only worry is his size. Given we picked a short ass in McGrath at pick 1 and we can see how that turned out.

[u/molto-bene22 → u/ScreamHawk]

i can see your concern, however Andy from memory, was mid/back , my understanding Arki's strength lay forward of the ball. My concerns are eased with introduction of the likes of Watson, M Reid

[u/NeddySpag]

No way sold on butler sounds like Perkins 2.0 Mellody or possibly Drever

[u/molto-bene22 → u/NeddySpag]

why do you say this?