Preview 2017 Young Talent Time

[Chris25]

Time for a draft thread already? I was getting it ready two weeks ago, but suddenly it looks like we wont be picking quite so early. So I put it on the back burner. But it's never too early! Most of the states haven't quite finalised their initial squads yet, but there are a few lists to look at...

For starters, the AIS/AFL squad...

Northern Territory: Dominic Grant
NSW-ACT: Charlie Spargo, Jack Powell, Jarrod Brander, Nathan Richards
Queensland: Jack Clayton, Connor Ballenden, Brayden Crossley
Vic Country: Tyrone Hayes, Aaron Darling, Kane Farrell, Aidan Quigley, Lochie O’Brien, Hunter Clark, Luke Davies-Uniake, Oscar Clavarino, James Worpel, Tom De Koning, Paddy Dow
Vic Metro: Jack Higgins, Lachlan Fogarty, Patrick Naish, Joel Garner, Jaidyn Stephenson, Sam Hayes, Cameron Rayner, Noah Balta, Hayden McLean
South Australia: Jordan Houlahan, Darcy Fogarty, Thomas Schmusch, Callum Coleman-Jones, Andrew McPherson
Western Australia: Jake Patmore, Sam Taylor

These are the 'big' names and it's a fairly good mix. There's something for everyone, just depends what you're after. Early form this year has midfielders Cameron Rayner and Luke Davies-Uniacke as quickly climbing the draft board. Generally, the top prospects are considered to be utility Darcy Fogarty, small midfielder/forward Jack Higgins, midfielders Lochie O'Brien and James Worpel along with KPPs Sam Hayes and Jarrod Brander.

And just as a side note, Charlie Spargo and Jarrod Brander are not part of any Academies. So they're free for the taking and are shaping as first round picks.

Meanwhile, we've got the South Australian U18 Academy list here. While follow the links on this page to see Vic Country's preliminary list and some trial squads for both Country and Metro. For WA, it's not looking like a great year. They haven't named any academy yet, but 6 players featured last year as 17 year olds - Sam Taylor, Matthew Young, Jake Patmore, Aaron Naughton, Jaxon Cahill and Brandon Starcevich. In 2015 though, this was the WA U16 squad.

Speaking of 2015, Vic Country won the U16 Championships and Queensland took home Division 2. The MVPs were - Hunter Clark (VC), Lachlan Fogarty (VM), Isaac Hewson (SA), Callan England (WA), Charlie Spargo (NSW), Connor Ballenden (QLD), Lachlan Clifford (TAS) and Kieren Parnell (NT). With Jack Higgins (Div 1) and Charlie Spargo (Div 2) taking home the B&Fs overall.

So what positions could we be looking at this year? I'll do my best to offer up some names, as early as it is. Or simply just give some heights and stats for whoever.

 

[FD2646]

Never too early to talk draft!

 

[jedi mind tricks]

My fav thread each year thanks Chris25

 

[FreoMonocle]

For WA, it's not looking like a great year. They haven't named any academy yet.

But, but, but... Our rebuild...

I'm off to go and cry in a cup of milo

 

[Scham]

I've heard we're quite keen on Oscar Allen from WP. What can you tell us about him Chris25? Thanks.

 

[ImperialPurple]

If we were picking based on player names only I'd want Joel Garner, because... well duh! And Thomas Schmusch. Such a great name.

 

[FreoMonocle]

If we were picking based on player names only I'd want Joel Garner, because... well duh! And Thomas Schmusch. Such a great name.

The game needs more names like 2 meter Peter.

 

[Ysaye]

I've heard we're quite keen on Oscar Allen from WP. What can you tell us about him Chris25? Thanks.

193cm Ruck / Forward who has kicked at least a goal a game so far (four games into Colts). From FootyProphets (http://www.footyprophet.com/weekend-forecast-round-3/)

OSCAR ALLEN | WEST PERTH
KEY FORWARD | 19-03-1999 | 193CM | 83KG
The hero for the home side, Allen kicked the clutch goal that secured the four points for the Falcons. But this wasn’t all he did. He finished the game with 14 possessions, 15 hit-outs, eight marks, five inside 50s and two goals in a dominant display. When he was up forward he always provided a presence and his marking skills and footy nous were on full display. He also pinch-hit in the ruck for West Perth, highlighting his versatility. Allen’s draft stocks could be set to soar with performances like this.

 

[Allikat]

Why is there always so many Vic teens in these squads? Is it really because they're better than everyone else, or is there a lot of Vic bias?

Oh and I think we should be looking at defenders this draft. Our forwards are all quite young and looking great.

 

[jerms]

Oh and I think we should be looking at defenders this draft. Our forwards are all quite young and looking great.

I reckon we're missing a KPF in the 194-197cm range. We have tweeners and giants. Maybe a now mature-aged Tyler Keitel late if he keeps kicking goals?

Would love me a Liam Ryan (yes, yes, I realise his beep test is abysmal) and some kind of Roger Hayden Jr, too.

On MIX using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[go_the_dockers]

Chris25
My ideal draft would be a KPF who can ruck early, and then a small forward and back pocket who could play on Betts, Rioli etc later.

Who do you suggest?

 

[ydraw]

Why is there always so many Vic teens in these squads? Is it really because they're better than everyone else, or is there a lot of Vic bias?

Oh and I think we should be looking at defenders this draft. Our forwards are all quite young and looking great.

There's a lot more of them in Vic. Victoria has almost double the population of WA and SA combined. Probably even more pronounced amongst the AFL-playing population since WA has a lot of British and South African migrants whose kids probably play soccer or rugby instead of AFL.

 

[DMan 11]

I hope we look for a specialist small forward and/or ruckman with our early pick.
Not sure we can rely on our mids kicking 8 each week like we did against Melbourne and with balla's ageing and doing hammies I'd like to spend our 'class' ticket on a good finisher.
On the second point, Sandi ageing, Zac Clarke eternally injured, griffin ageing and apeness unproven it's not a dire situation but with a draft laden with talls (apparently) I'm thinking it wise to nab one .

Oh, and we take Fogerty too yeh. Good.

Edit - forgot about Sean Darcy ...

 

[Ysaye]

Chris25
My ideal draft would be a KPF who can ruck early, and then a small forward and back pocket who could play on Betts, Rioli etc later.

Who do you suggest?

I can have an early go at this, based on the types suggested:

KPF who can also ruck (First round pick): Bid on Connor Ballandean, then Sam Hayes then Tom De Koning. At this stage I am assuming a pick 6-8 with teams like Collingwood, Brisbane, Gold Coast below us maybe. I think there will be some in the market for the midfielders which will mean we should get a look in. IMO the rule changes will make ruck/forwards more attractive, so this might push Sam Hayes (KPF / Ruck) up the order and Jarrod Brander (KPF) down. Nathan Krueger also may deserve to be talked about in the forward / ruck category - he is 195cm who can play forward and back and can probably also pinch-hit in the ruck.

Forward Pocket (Imaginary Second round pick): Charlie Spargo - We don't have a pick here yet and this might be a stretch depending on his season, but it could also just as easily be realistic, given he is Div 2 player and very small (175cm).

Back Pocket (Third Round pick): Jake Patmore - probably the best West Australian, he is probably more of a HBF/Wing than a dour back pocket, but on the plus size he is super agile and fast with good skills. WA I don't think will get much attention this year so I can see him sliding to a third round.

Your suggestions for positions conforms with conventional wisdom, but I can't help but wonder whether if we got a look at Darcy Fogarty (Medium forward / mid in the stringer vein but with a better kick) or Jarrod Brander (Conventional 195cm KPF) we would throw the ruck / forward thing out with the bathwater. Just please not a midfielder!

 

[Ysaye]

I hope we look for a specialist small forward and.....

I presume you raised this due to Ballantyne getting to the end? For mine Ballantyne brought two things - tackling / pressure and an ability to kick goals from not much. We currently have two players fulfilling that role in his place - Grey as the tackler and Crozier as the freak kick. It remains to be seen if this covers the need against the best in the business and/or whether one of those spots will need to be given back to a second ruck...

I don't think we would take a small forward with our first pick unless it is someone who projects as a mid later in their career - it is just not a good use of an early pick. Not sure what Jason Carter our 2018 academy pick will be (he plays wing at the moment) but he could project into this role potentially.

IMO Liam Ryan has improved on last year so assuming their aren't any external factors gut feel says he is a late pick / rookie chance. For mine whilst he is a freak shot and goes for speckies like Crozier he needs to improve his tackling - his numbers of tackles are pretty low. He would seem to have the ability and talent but needs to demonstrate it on the field - if one thinks how hard Ballantyne (Or even Grey) works...he has to show he can get somewhere near that...

 

[TheMcManusNose]

KPF and Ruck/KPF are obviously our biggest holes going forward. Apeness may never get over his injury issues and Strnadica is a total wild card. Darcy seems like a decent prospect but rucks are weird.

But with our crucifixion and subsequent resurrection we may well play ourselves out of the Brander/Hayes range (not that i'm complaining right now). Are Coleman-Jones and Balta other good, later options for ruck/KPF and KPF respectively?

I'd like us to go broadly the same strategy as last year. BPA tall with the 1st rounder and look to pick up a project ruck in later rounds. I agree with others that small forward and small defender are probably the next priorities (given we have mids coming out of our ears).

Another question is can we keep rolling our 2nd rounder deficit rolling forward another year? It doesn't look like we will have an FA or trade compensation coming our way this year (assuming no one wants to go back to VIC).

 

[meima]

What kind of talent freo can get in third and 2 of 4th round pick ?

 

[Ysaye]

Are Coleman-Jones and Balta other good, later options for ruck/KPF and KPF respectively?

On those two:

• Coleman-Jones is a relatively mobile ruckman first with a little bit of damage up forward (good mark, but for mine an average kick). He is probably the best pure ruckman in the draft but he is also a bit small (199cm) - I don't think he is say Tim English level athletic so the combination of height and that may count against him. Probably not worth our first pick unless his goal kicking picks up or he puts a growth spurt.
• Balta is a bit small for a ruckman at this stage (193 or 194cm) but is an "explosive" forward with great speed, leap and long kicking. At this stage I can see him being very worthy of a pick 7-10.

 

[Chris25]

Chris25
My ideal draft would be a KPF who can ruck early, and then a small forward and back pocket who could play on Betts, Rioli etc later.

Who do you suggest?

Sam Hayes would be my ideal target at this stage, as that ruck/forward. Quite clearly the top ruck in my opinion, I think he performed better than English did last year. I see him as a Grundy level ruck. But it'd cost us a first rounder. And he is primarily a ruckman. Callum Coleman-Jones would be an option around the second, I think he's being overrated early in the season. Not a top 10 pick for me, I see him as a better version of Apeness and a capable forward in that Longmuir mould.

Otherwise, wait and see for that. Jarrod Brander looks the part of what we need, but should be picked before us and likely in the top 3. Other forwards will step up as the season goes on, but I don't necessarily think the first round will be stocked of them like some people say. I haven't seen enough of Noah Balta to be confident yet, while Nathan Kreuger is more a speculative pick similar in style to Logue.

For small forward and small defender, I like the same player. Tyrone Hayes. He's a creative indigenous small, good skills and clean. Could develop him at either end, like a Jarman Impey or Neville Jetta. I really like him, think he'll go around the top of the second round. Charlie Spargo and Jack Higgins are two small forwards who should go first round. I do agree it's a real need for us, but luckily both small backs and forwards can typically be found as rookies.

I'd like medium sized players at either end too. Someone to compete with Hughes and Ibbotson, I think Lachlan Pascoe from SA could play AFL football next year. He's really solid down back, and around 190cm. And Jordan Houlahan is another from SA who I think could help, a medium sized marking forward at 185cm.

 

[Rubber Pants]

I really liked what I saw of Christian Ameduri last year (granted youtube clips from colts player of the round) and it seems he's started this year well too.

Any one gave any thoughts on him?

 

[Unique Name]

If Johanissen is already happening behind the scenes. What's he worth.

I know it's super early but has there been any indication of where Jason Carter might be picked up. If he's a likely 1st rounder should we trade our 2018 1st rounder for JJ knowing it would have only gone to Carter anyway. Then we could just use later picks to make up the points.

Can't see Bullies taking anything less than a 1st rounder.

 

[DaveLister]

If Johanissen is already happening behind the scenes. What's he worth.

I know it's super early but has there been any indication of where Jason Carter might be picked up. If he's a likely 1st rounder should we trade our 2018 1st rounder for JJ knowing it would have only gone to Carter anyway. Then we could just use later picks to make up the points.

Can't see Bullies taking anything less than a 1st rounder.

I like the strategic thinking but it's way too early be making a call on Carter's draft value. At the moment, in a rebuild, first round draft picks are a must.

 

[Ysaye]

If Johanissen is already happening behind the scenes. What's he worth.

I know it's super early but has there been any indication of where Jason Carter might be picked up. If he's a likely 1st rounder should we trade our 2018 1st rounder for JJ knowing it would have only gone to Carter anyway. Then we could just use later picks to make up the points.

Can't see Bullies taking anything less than a 1st rounder.

There is a separate thread for trades - this thread was deliberately set up to talk about drafting.

As Dave said, way too early to make a call on Carter's position. If he is an early pick we will need the points - we need to be prepared to pick for as many rounds as possible.

 

[PurpleCheese]

Hey Chris do you know anything about John Frampton. I've heard he is a pretty decent, mobile ruckman from WA

 

[Taylor]

Hey Chris do you know anything about John Frampton. I've heard he is a pretty decent, mobile ruckman from WA

Any relation to Billy Frampton at Port Adelaide?