By Michael DiFabrizio
November 27th 2009 @ 6:37am
Related coverage
A great night for Scully, Melbourne and the AFL
Tom Scully recieves his jumper from Melbourne coach Dean Bailey during the 2009 NAB AFL Draft at the Plenary, Melbourne Convention Centre
Last night marked the first year of the national draft’s inevitable move from the virtual oblivion of a Saturday morning to the bright lights of a primetime Thursday night slot. And if last night was anything to go by, it’ll be the first of many.
It wasn’t perfect. There were glitches and awkward moments, like you would expect. Fox Sports could have given more attention to picks beyond the first round.
But all things considered, last night was a welcome break from the tedium of the warmer months.
We got to see Melbourne end up with a swag of promising young talent. They were always going to look like the big winners on draft night.
Tom Scully, the highly-rated midfielder from the Dandenong Stingrays, became the latest young lad to be given the title of number one draft pick. He handled his interview with confidence and gave no reason for Melbourne fans to be disappointed.
The Dees selected the similarly-rated South Australian prospect Jack Trengove at pick two. They also did well to land Jordan Gysberts and Luke Tapscott with picks 11 and 18.
Then there was the human headline of the last few months, Luke Ball.
The former St Kilda player had nominated Collingwood as his club of choice, warning off other sides. Several clubs threatened to call his bluff.
In the end, Ball ended up falling to pick 30 and the Magpies. The others decided not to take the gamble.
Richmond ended up with seven new draftees, the pick of the bunch being ball magnet Dustin Martin. The only downside is he’ll probably get lumped with Trent Cotchin-esque expectations.
Midfielders were definitely in vogue early on, with Fremantle landing Anthony Morabito with pick four and North Melbourne nabbing Ben Cunnington a pick later.
Port Adelaide also had a bit of a splash, thanks them having two first-round picks, and they weren’t afraid to go tall. With those picks they grabbed John Butcher and Andrew Moore.
In terms of recycled players, Matt Maguire found a new home at Brisbane, Rhan Hooper is off to Hawthorn and both Jesse Smith and Adam Pattison will go to perennial recyclers St Kilda.
Of course, as was expected, the evening was somewhat spoilt by the AFL’s dumbfounding decision to reveal the top ten selections in reverse order.
In the search for some kind of climax, the countdown idea ended up taking a lot of the suspense out of the first round. One of the most exciting aspects of drafts for supporters is seeing which players can “slip” to your club’s pick.
That element was sadly missing last night.
On the whole, however, we shouldn’t be too critical of the league. They took the overdue step of moving to primetime and, relatively speaking, it worked.
Now the focus turns to next year. To Scully and the new-look Demons, to the likes of Morabito and Cunnington, and to the likes of Collingwood and Brisbane and their new mature-age recruits.
2010 is already promising to be a cracking season. Last night gave us more reasons to be excited.
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Redb said | November 27th 2009 @ 7:18am | Report comment
Melbourne have done very well, basicially 3 of the top 10 young midfielders in the country plus a potentially useful ruckmen in Gawn at 208cm and reportedly still growing! Throw in last years number 1 in Watts.
Prediction: Melbourne to be in the finals within 3 years, contend by 2013.
I don’t think there are many supporters of other clubs who wouldn’t like to see Melbourne rise again if for no other reason than to honour Jim Stynes.
Redb
Freud of Football said | November 28th 2009 @ 1:32am | Report comment
Melbourne would never have been in this situation if they had of done something in the 97 draft. How they went for Johnstone with Pick 1 and Troy Longmuir with 22 I will never understand, how they weren’t investigated for “draft fixing” is another thing I’ll never understand, they surely must have had the worst scouting in the history of the game.
They could have had Brad Ottens (Premiership with Geelong), Croad (Premiership with Hawthorn), Luke Power (part of the fab 5 that won 3 Premierships), Chris Tarrant or Dean Solomon (Premiership with Essendon) with their first pick.
After their second; Nick Stevens, Simon Black (Triple Premiership winner, Brownlow & Norm Smith Medallist, Captain of Brisbane), Adam Goodes (Premiership with Sydney & Dual Brownload winner), Mathew Scarlett (Dual Premiership winner with Geelong), Andy Kellaway, Nathan Thompson and Richie Vandenberg (captained Hawthorn) were all still available and later drafted.
The current draft system must be changed, I can’t stand to see crap teams perform so damn poorly only to pick up the best talent the next season.
LK said | November 27th 2009 @ 7:29am | Report comment
So after all the articles and debate on Free Agency, Luke Ball went to his desired club.
And the Swans have landed a recruit they desperately need – a ranga!
Pippinu said | November 27th 2009 @ 8:25am | Report comment
For those interested in the AFL, the draft is terrific viewing. All the elements are there:
1. human drama – the tears of mums, the swelling pride of dads, the joy of the kids taking their first step in a professional career and fulfilling boyhood dreams, the sadness of kids having to go from end of the continent to the other;
2. hope – each draft pick of your club, even if it’s names of kids you’ve never heard of gives you renewed hope for the following season – every supporter thrives on hope, otherwise it’s pointless being a supporter;
3. traditions – this was the AFL’s 24th draft, and with each passing season, it becomes an even more important part of the Australian sporting calendar, not to mention that every draft thows up familiar names, this year we saw the names N. Winmar and Long, all going around pick 30.
I loved every minute of last night’s presentation – I agree with the reverse order of the top 10 – I’m not too sure about it, and by the time no.2 is called, we all know who no. 1 is anyway.
I agree that a bit more attention could have been given to the 2nd round choices, but on the whole, I didn’t mind the chatter and ad-libbing.
I enjoyed the intereview with Lindsay Gilbee (naturally), and some of the historic quirks of previous drafts.
Like that fact that of the top 10 choices exactly 10 years ago, about half went on to become big names in the game, and the other half, have virtually dropped out of the game.
In that very same year, they showed that both Geelong and the bullies each had 3 drafts in the 40s and 50s who are all now stars of the game.
This is the great thing about the draft – you just don’t know what you’ll pick up – all the way up to no. 90 – once in the system, different kids will take their opporutnity to varying extents – it’s all fascinating stuff and just another element of interest in following the AFL.
Redb said | November 27th 2009 @ 8:49am | Report comment
I didnt mind the coverage overall but thought the start lacked any tension/production values . There was no music/excitement just a quiet crowd with the commentators echoing in the background. it improved as the broadcast continued with a good panel.
Liked the top ten and jumper presentation. Big tick.
Thought we could have gone through round 2 and 3 live though with the focus on coaches/clubs making their decisions.
Funny with Demetriou adding a pause (brownlow style) to pick 18 for Melbourne – Luke………….Taspcott.
Redb
Michael DiFabrizio said | November 27th 2009 @ 9:09am | Report comment
Agree with both comments.
I loved Demetriou putting on his Brownlow voice. The jumper presentation part also worked well.
As for production values, etc. I think this is something that will get better over time. The AFL now have the experience of doing it once, you’d expect it will only improve. I would send someone from the league over to the NBA draft next year to take notes. That’s the level we should be aspiring to.
Redb said | November 27th 2009 @ 9:23am | Report comment
yeah i agree the Yanks know how to put a bit of pizazz into a production, as long as it is not too over the top.
Pippinu said | November 27th 2009 @ 9:04am | Report comment
On that draft from 10 years ago – this little example shows just how delicately poised each selection is.
Richmond picked up Fiora at no.3, and along came Freo and picked up Pavlich the very next selection.
Fiora is now playing surburban footy and Pavlich is one of the best key position players in the game.
Funnily enough, Richmond and Freo had picks 3 and 4 this year as well, with the Tiges hoping things work out a bit better for them this time around.
Freud of Football said | November 28th 2009 @ 1:37am | Report comment
I watched Pavlich at Woodville West-Torrens when he was a kid playing down forward, he was amazing and the only reason he didn’t go at number one is the Victorian teams didn’t do enough with their scouting, anyone could see he was miles ahead of Fraser, Hasleby and Fiora at that stage and he should have been the first pick in that draft but as so often happens, the South (and West) Australian’s are underrated.
Jaredsbro said | November 28th 2009 @ 8:45am | Report comment
See Pip that’s the wrongheaded kind of rhetoric (that unfortunately seems to be hanging around the Australian Football League these days) it’s not just about entertainment! Because as you say about half get nowhere and become obscure, clearly it’s jigged for maximum dama/tension/felicitation, which is nothing better than Reality T.V. for AFL nuts. They need a system that actually helps MFC from their perenial collapses and let’s not even talk about Freo and their blind faith policies
I don’t want to compare codes coz there’s that other thread we’re debating in at the mo, but why do clubs not actually go about having a farm system like the NFL has…rather than simply nationalising it, putting it in a nice suit and then selling it. Maybe if fans were actually a fan of their club they would attend the ‘farm club’ and that support could be just what the juniors who are about to come thru need to acquire true confidence (not the showponying) that the televised draft seems to perenially hype up
Better yet watch the draft if you’re interested but treat the lower clubs with the same interest. Now I’m not saying you don’t but c’mon having everything packaged for you leeches the fun out (a la McDonald’s?)
Mushi said | November 27th 2009 @ 8:58am | Report comment
I love the draft in every sport with the NBA draft being my favourite.
Agree that the reverse order is somewhat ridiculous half the fun is watching a guy slide to your team in the middle of the first round.
Redb said | November 27th 2009 @ 10:21am | Report comment
Interesting to see footage of Buckleys kicking test at the AIS on the telecast last night. Good move IMO aiming for a better mix of footballers and athletes not just athletes who can run.
Redb
Pippinu said | November 27th 2009 @ 11:25am | Report comment
It’s a good test, and not before time – acknowledging the importance of ball skills.
For those who are unaware – to spin around onto your non-preferred foot, and with a split-second to execute, to hit a target barely glimpsed at 40m is quite challenging.
Jason Cave said | November 27th 2009 @ 12:06pm | Report comment
I thought the Fox Sports telecast wasn’t too bad, but more improvements could be made to it. Liked the idea of the top 10 being announced in reverse order and the jumper presentation.
Michael C said | November 27th 2009 @ 9:17pm | Report comment
Was in the car, listening to the cricket wrap up and then just flicked onto SEN absent mindedly just in time to hear pick number 10 being announced…….ah, reverse order….so I hadn’t missed a thing!!!
Good night at the office for North Melbourne me thinks.
Cunnington looks ready to go, and Bastinac and Black look pretty good. Also MacMillan, Kennedy and Norris look interesting, with some exceptional athletic attributes at very least.
Michael DiFabrizio said | November 27th 2009 @ 10:35pm | Report comment
Yep, didn’t seem like a bad night for North. Cunnington sounds like a gem and most were surprised to see Black slip as far as he did. Seems like Brad Scott will have a fair bit to work with.
Ben Somerford said | November 27th 2009 @ 10:42pm | Report comment
Good stuff Michael. Yeah thought the Fox coverage went okay, but as you say, it would’ve been nice to pay some more attention to the latter draft picks, but you can understand they opted not to. Good see a few recycled players getting a second gig too, always makes for an interesting sidestory.
gazz said | November 28th 2009 @ 11:57am | Report comment
kevin sheahan was it? is that his name? he creeped me out a bit. and paul connors too. but other than that, i enjoyed watching the draft. the whole setup, though, with the big room and teams designated into formal tables with uniforms on, it was a tad lame.