Chris25
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- Oct 30, 2007
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This thread has been a fixture of the D&T board over the last few years, so it's only right that it makes it's return in 2014. And as always, I'll get us started...
Overrated - Oscar McDonald
Underrated - Christian Buykx-Smith
Seems to me that McDonald is almost the consensus next best tall defender, after the likes of Durdin, Goddard and Marchbank. Yet, Buykx-Smith has barely had a single word spoken about him. And I'm not quite sure why that is.
Don't get me wrong, I can see why McDonald attracts - he has the near perfect size you're looking for in a KPD, has a brother playing AFL and just had a really solid year all round. For a tall, he has really good endurance and is strong overhead. It was also good to see him improve as the year went on, highlighted by the fact that he was upgraded to the Combine after not having received an initial invite. But, he isn't an elite prospect by any means. I think people look at his stats (averaging around 14 touches and 6 marks) and see him as being that mix of rebound and defense. I just don't see that happening to the same degree at AFL level. I also worry that he'll get burnt by faster forwards, because his speed is only average.
As for Buykx-Smith, he is slightly shorter at 193cm but the main drawback is that he missed most of this season (and last season) with injury. Stress fractures of the back and a broken arm certainly hampered him, but he did return and looked pretty good in doing so in the TAC Cup. And while he only averaged around 7 touches a game, who cares? He is a genuine full back, one who loves it and one who is good at it. And despite playing so little football, he received a Draft Combine invite which I think shows how highly he was regarded coming into the season. What I like most, is his aggression as a defender as well as his discipline - for someone who does whatever it takes to beat his opponent, he also knows where the line is. His endurance is only a touch below McDonald, but has him covered for speed.
As a pure shut down defender, I'd give Christian Buykx-Smith the edge. And in terms of projecting their futures, I think both players are looking more at that deeper defender role getting around 10 touches a game. So I know who I'd pick first.
Overrated - Nakia Cockatoo
Underrated - Brenden Abbott, Tom Faul
So this one might be drawing a longer bow than the first one. While McDonald and Buykx-Smith have a similar range, it's not even close with three. There's no guarantees that Abbott and Faul even get drafted. But oh well, it seemed like they fit together. And this is why...
Cockatoo - 185cm, 86kg
Abbott - 186cm, 92kg
Faul - 187cm, 86kg
All three are roughly the same size, play similar positions and you could use one word to describe all three - powerful.
In terms of Cockatoo though, his perceived draft value on BigFooty probably isn't too far off. I have him around 20-40, so while I don't agree with people selecting him in the 10-20 range it's not really that far fetched. I do think he is overrated though, in terms of his future prospects. The fact that I've seen Patrick Dangerfield comparisons is worrying. I don't think he has anywhere near the same contested game, and it's not something I ever see him developing. For me, Cockatoo is an outside utility. He could play off the flanks at either end, or have him run off a wing. Just don't mistake 'powerful' as being strong in the contests. For me, he is more along the lines of a Heretier Lumumba. Not that that's a bad thing.
Abbott meanwhile is a year old and has senior experience in the WAFL, he has looked comfortable off half back and as a forward. But everyone has always said that he'll develop into a midfielder when he finally gets his body and fitness up to scratch. And everything about Abbott is powerful. The way he attacks the ball, his left foot kick and his speed. I'd happily invest a late second round pick in him, but could just as easily be had later I'd imagine.
As for Faul, he comes from Canberra and is still only relatively new to football. His volleyball background has certainly helped with his leap, but he really does look a natural the way he plays. Has an excellent left foot kick, and his hands are seriously clean both in the air and on the ground. He is a rookie prospect, but I think a very good one as he ticks a whole lot of boxes. Again, like the others he could be developed anywhere on the ground really. I could see him playing a little like Dane Rampe from the Swans though.
Overrated - Oscar McDonald
Underrated - Christian Buykx-Smith
Seems to me that McDonald is almost the consensus next best tall defender, after the likes of Durdin, Goddard and Marchbank. Yet, Buykx-Smith has barely had a single word spoken about him. And I'm not quite sure why that is.
Don't get me wrong, I can see why McDonald attracts - he has the near perfect size you're looking for in a KPD, has a brother playing AFL and just had a really solid year all round. For a tall, he has really good endurance and is strong overhead. It was also good to see him improve as the year went on, highlighted by the fact that he was upgraded to the Combine after not having received an initial invite. But, he isn't an elite prospect by any means. I think people look at his stats (averaging around 14 touches and 6 marks) and see him as being that mix of rebound and defense. I just don't see that happening to the same degree at AFL level. I also worry that he'll get burnt by faster forwards, because his speed is only average.
As for Buykx-Smith, he is slightly shorter at 193cm but the main drawback is that he missed most of this season (and last season) with injury. Stress fractures of the back and a broken arm certainly hampered him, but he did return and looked pretty good in doing so in the TAC Cup. And while he only averaged around 7 touches a game, who cares? He is a genuine full back, one who loves it and one who is good at it. And despite playing so little football, he received a Draft Combine invite which I think shows how highly he was regarded coming into the season. What I like most, is his aggression as a defender as well as his discipline - for someone who does whatever it takes to beat his opponent, he also knows where the line is. His endurance is only a touch below McDonald, but has him covered for speed.
As a pure shut down defender, I'd give Christian Buykx-Smith the edge. And in terms of projecting their futures, I think both players are looking more at that deeper defender role getting around 10 touches a game. So I know who I'd pick first.
Overrated - Nakia Cockatoo
Underrated - Brenden Abbott, Tom Faul
So this one might be drawing a longer bow than the first one. While McDonald and Buykx-Smith have a similar range, it's not even close with three. There's no guarantees that Abbott and Faul even get drafted. But oh well, it seemed like they fit together. And this is why...
Cockatoo - 185cm, 86kg
Abbott - 186cm, 92kg
Faul - 187cm, 86kg
All three are roughly the same size, play similar positions and you could use one word to describe all three - powerful.
In terms of Cockatoo though, his perceived draft value on BigFooty probably isn't too far off. I have him around 20-40, so while I don't agree with people selecting him in the 10-20 range it's not really that far fetched. I do think he is overrated though, in terms of his future prospects. The fact that I've seen Patrick Dangerfield comparisons is worrying. I don't think he has anywhere near the same contested game, and it's not something I ever see him developing. For me, Cockatoo is an outside utility. He could play off the flanks at either end, or have him run off a wing. Just don't mistake 'powerful' as being strong in the contests. For me, he is more along the lines of a Heretier Lumumba. Not that that's a bad thing.
Abbott meanwhile is a year old and has senior experience in the WAFL, he has looked comfortable off half back and as a forward. But everyone has always said that he'll develop into a midfielder when he finally gets his body and fitness up to scratch. And everything about Abbott is powerful. The way he attacks the ball, his left foot kick and his speed. I'd happily invest a late second round pick in him, but could just as easily be had later I'd imagine.
As for Faul, he comes from Canberra and is still only relatively new to football. His volleyball background has certainly helped with his leap, but he really does look a natural the way he plays. Has an excellent left foot kick, and his hands are seriously clean both in the air and on the ground. He is a rookie prospect, but I think a very good one as he ticks a whole lot of boxes. Again, like the others he could be developed anywhere on the ground really. I could see him playing a little like Dane Rampe from the Swans though.
