BigFooty Official 2017 Official Big Footy Phantom Draft

[RobbieK]

Pick 14 Sam Hayes (Eastern) Bio to come after I have my lunch

An odd choice for the Swans. We have four rucks on the list at the moment, including one young one (Darcy Cameron) and we more or less always go the rookie or trade route to find our ruckmen. I don't see us using our first round pick on one, I hope we don't. Would have much preferred a midfielder with a strong outside game. O'Brien?

 

[M Malice]

Waiting with great anticipation of who The Quig selects for us and the in depth analysis.

 

[Wizard17]

Waiting with great anticipation of who The Quig selects for us and the in depth analysis.

I just hope it isn't who I was going to pick.

 

[getgaff]

Pick 13 . West Coast. Jack Higgins. Mid/Small Forward 178 cm 76 kg Oakleigh Charger.

View attachment 435576

It's hard to imagine what more Higgins could have done to put his name in front of the recruiters , in short he has a very impressive 2017 season.
After having a stella Under 18 Championship where he made the AA side he topped his TAC Cup season of winning the Morrish Medal for the Competitions F&B.

His production in front of goals where he bagged 29 games in his 13 games for the Chargers was also impressive.
This was on the back of a high production TAC season where he averaged 23.2 possession 2.3 goals and 5.1 tackles per game.
Higgins is a ball magnet and in capable of turning it on with devastating passages of play as he did in the first half of the Championships against WA and in another game where he kicked 5 goals.

He is a tough in and under player that is impactful.
He doesn't have a deep kick on him but its accurate enough and his vision in the short game is special.
His clearance work is high quality and his ability to drift forward and hit the score board is a real bonus.
The level of commitment and professionalism that he has shown and applied over the last two year in getting himself prepared to be drafted has been commented on by several in the know.

Why West Coast: West Coast need to both improve their midfield and also acquire some small forwards, Higgins fills both needs plus slot in as best available at this point in the draft.
So it was a pretty obvious choice IMO.

The Eagles would be thrilled to pick him up in the real deal and I am very happy to start this mock having picked up Higgins

How many times can you like something?

Agree with the board consensus that there is more need for a Hunter Clark/ Constable midfield type but I’m still a big fan of Higgins.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Monocole was in a tough situation with regards to the run of midfielders.

 

[liz]

An odd choice for the Swans. We have four rucks on the list at the moment, including one young one (Darcy Cameron) and we more or less always go the rookie or trade route to find our ruckmen. I don't see us using our first round pick on one, I hope we don't. Would have much preferred a midfielder with a strong outside game. O'Brien?

I agree. I can't think of a player I'd be less enthused about the Swans drafting with their first pick.

 

[RUNVS]

Pick 14 Sam Hayes (Eastern) Bio to come after I have my lunch

NOt a chance in hell of that actually happening.

 

[Richo83]

I agree. I can't think of a player I'd be less enthused about the Swans drafting with their first pick.

Now this I can agree with, the swans are already trying to shoehorn in Sinclair and Naismith into the same team. To be honest it makes them too tall and regardless I think they have other deficiencies. If I were the swans, I'd be picking speed, someone who can play Rohan's game, only actually play a full season for once and average more than 10 touches a game.

It depends of course if that was a purely best available pick though or an actual pick for the swans.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Quigley

 

[RUNVS]

Now this I can agree with, the swans are already trying to shoehorn in Sinclair and Naismith into the same team. To be honest it makes them too tall and regardless I think they have other deficiencies. If I were the swans, I'd be picking speed, someone who can play Rohan's game, only actually play a full season for once and average more than 10 touches a game.

It depends of course if that was a purely best available pick though or an actual pick for the swans.

Given the players available in this particular phantom draft (unless I am missing someone obvious) I would not be against the Swans going after Ed Richards, or if he has not been mentioned Hunter Clark (as I know Constable is gone).

 

[Richo83]

Given the players available in this particular phantom draft (unless I am missing someone obvious) I would not be against the Swans going after Ed Richards, or if he has not been mentioned Hunter Clark (as I know Constable is gone).

Carlton took Clark with pick 10. Lochie O'Brien would be a nice get, he showed nice kicking skills at the champs.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Given the players available in this particular phantom draft (unless I am missing someone obvious) I would not be against the Swans going after Ed Richards, or if he has not been mentioned Hunter Clark (as I know Constable is gone).

Clark has also been selected.

 

[RUNVS]

Carlton took Clark with pick 10. Lochie O'Brien would be a nice get, he showed nice kicking skills at the champs.

Would prefer Ed Richards personally, as O'Brien's poor contested game worries me. Ed Richards is a very good kick apparently, and the Swans do need more attacking run out of defence.

 

[Toadvine]

I'm glad Hayes has gone so now the common pick of Hayes to Richmond isn't possible. Hopefully Allen comes off the board so we can see some other options for us and switch it up.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I'm glad Hayes has gone so now the common pick of Hayes to Richmond isn't possible. Hopefully Allen comes off the board so we can see some other options for us and switch it up.

You aren't the only one happy Hayes has gone! Was dreading him lasting to 14! Thank goodness Brander is gone as well lol

 

[Bishop]

I'm glad Hayes has gone so now the common pick of Hayes to Richmond isn't possible. Hopefully Allen comes off the board so we can see some other options for us and switch it up.

Wasn't going to take Hayes at 17 anyway!

 

[Toadvine]

Wasn't going to take Hayes at 17 anyway!

I know you wouldn't there but maybe 20 or 25!

 

[Scottie65]

Pick 2 Fremantle - Jaidyn Stephenson (189cm, 75kg midfielder/forward from Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)

I first saw Stephenson as a 16 year old playing for Eastern Ranges in the TAC Cup back in 2015, and it was immediately evident he was special. Two years out from the draft, and he was their best player in the Grand Final with 3 goals. And he finished off his 2016 with as good a month as you'll see, with 13 goals coming from his last four matches. It was over a year ago that I had him earmarked as the #1 player in this draft. And as far as I'm concerned, he's only gotten better.

Up until this year, Stephenson played almost exclusively as a forward. Often as the deepest forward. And it's hard to argue with the success he had, averaging over two goals a game. He was, and I think will remain to be, an impossible match up. Outside of Alex Rance, there won't be many who could go with him in the air, on the lead and on the ground. I saw the AFL website compared Stephenson to Jeremy Cameron, and it's not bad actually. He doesn't have the size obviously and he won't be a key forward, but he has a similar body type with long arms that just grab the ball. And he's always active. He's a near elite contested mark for his size, but just as adept when the ball is on the ground. In the TAC Cup, Stephenson would often play behind his man using his leap and wing span to beat them to the ball. Obviously plucking the ball from a contest wont always work at AFL level, but it just shows that he's never out of a contest.

Defensively, his chasing pressure is as good as anyone. He ran a sub 3 second 20m sprint, and he's one of those players who actually plays at that speed too. It's not just straight line on an athletic track speed. Whether he has the ball in hand or chasing down an opponent, his running is almost fanatical. Could be forgiven for mistaking him with Jayden Hunt.

If you were to look at the stats alone, you'd think Stephenson had a down year going from 23 goals to only 14 goals in 15 matches. But what he's done, is transform himself from third tall forward to genuine midfielder. He did start a little slowly as he made the move up the ground, but that changed at the U18 Championships against South Australia when he finished with 28 disposals and 5 goals. It was easily the best individual performance of the Championships, and it propelled him forward from there. And like in 2016, his last 6 weeks in the TAC Cup were excellent - one 39 disposal game, and he finished the season with almost half of the his disposals being contested. One thing I've always rated highly, is when a skinny player can win the contested ball. If you're 10kg heavier than everyone, it's easy to crash and bash your way through. But when you're only 75kg, it shows a natural ability and football smarts. Fremantle fans will remember that with Nathan Fyfe and Stephen Hill, could see the potential early and for it to be filled once they put on muscle.

So I think I've now said Stephenson is a mixture of Jeremy Cameron, Jayden Hunt, Nathan Fyfe and Stephen Hill. That would make him quite a player. But why isn't he the clear #1 prospect of all time then? Well coming into the year, there were three main knocks on him - midfield ability, consistency and kicking. He well and truly answered the first two, and for me he finished the year as the best performing midfielder in the draft. And I suppose there is always a question about whether the skinny kids can bulk up enough, but most seem to do it well.

His kicking though is still a work in progress. Interestingly, put a set of goals in front of him and there isn't a problem. I've also found that when he kicks through the ball, again there isn't much of a problem there. But it's on the short and medium kicks that he can lack a bit of touch and doesn't always judge the distance quite right. And also when he's flat footed, on the run isn't too bad. I do think it's improved over the past couple of years, and with some tightening of his technique it should improve even further.

Ultimately, I think this draft has some really good talent in the top 10. But few game winners. And that's exactly what Jaidyn Stephenson is, up forward or through the midfield. He's also a big game player. Whether it was the TAC Cup GF back in 2015, or being best afield in the U18 All Stars game. Check out giantroo's highlight video of that game here, I think it's a good summary of everything I've said.

But what will Fremantle actually do here?
I expect they'll pick whoever Brisbane doesn't choose out of Luke Davies-Uniacke and Paddy Dow. It should be pretty simple. Outside chance of Adam Cerra, depends if they think he'll slip through to #5.

So why didn't I do that?
Well, I rate Stephenson as the #1 prospect in the draft. So that alone should explain it. I can take him here, making sure I don't miss out if Carlton or North Melbourne were to take him at #3 or #4 (which I don't expect they would have). But I'll still being able to get another top midfielder in Dow or Cerra at #5 anyway. See, I have a plan.

tell me anywhere in these highlights that anyone can label stephenosn a terrible kick....i think he is pretty reasonable with his kicking.....nothing that cant be worked on and improved....i agree with chris.....will be the number 1 complete footballer from this draft....freckish

 

[wayToGo_]

tell me anywhere in these highlights that anyone can label stephenosn a terrible kick....i think he is pretty reasonable with his kicking.....nothing that cant be worked on and improved....i agree with chris.....will be the number complete footballer from this draft....freckish

People aren't basing the kicking criticisms off one game. Try out his TAC snippets:

 

[Pie 4 Life]

tell me anywhere in these highlights that anyone can label stephenosn a terrible kick....i think he is pretty reasonable with his kicking.....nothing that cant be worked on and improved....i agree with chris.....will be the number complete footballer from this draft....freckish

He's a freak, but if they were some how available look at a replay of when he played the Rebels at Box Hill. Barely noticed him and they ended up shoving him in a back pocket on a small such was his lack of jnfluence. But not too dissimilar to Bont in his draft year of inconsistency. I 100% agree with Chris that if he kicked in the field like he does going for goal, he'd be hitting most targets.

 

[Quigley]

Pick 15 Brisbane - Aaron Naughton


Okay sometimes you just have to take what the draft gives you. Gift horses and all that. Aaron Naughton is on the board and he is the guy that I should take here and so I will. The Lions have a very nice piece in Harris Andrews who should be a centre piece of our defence for years to com. The problem for me though is that I think we will get the most out of him as a third tall who can roll off the resting ruck etc and intercept mark. He is not great in a shut down role lacking a bit of pace off the mark. Let him read and react though and he can control the space. So we need a couple of good KPDs to take those roles. Clarke was already our number one KPD before he had to retire with concussion at 21 [from memory]. Skinner has looked very good in the games I have seen him but a second knee reco and you have to worry. Frost didn’t work and McStay is flashy but I am not sold. Eagles improved out of sight in the back half of the year but is still a long shot to amount to anything. So I think it is clear that we could certainly use a KPD and Naughton is the best available this year so why not.

Naughton could be used as a shut down defender but he is probably another who would benefit from the leeway to play looser and roll off his man if he reads an intercept marking opportunity. He reads the ball in the air as well as any defender this year and is a very good mark. He controls his space really nicely and times his arrival at the ball well. If he goes for a contest he impacts it. I thought WA was at their best this year when Taylor got the number 1 forward and Naughton was freed up to do his own thing more.

Athletically he has enough speed off the mark and reasonable closing speed although his best athletic trait is probably his endurance. He can cover the ground and will be able to go step for step with the wide ranging centre half forwards of the game. One thing I really like about him is his agility and I think being able to change direction and stop and go quickly is very important for a KPD. Naughton’s agility is right at the top of this draft class for key positions and I think it will help him a lot when he is trying to adapt his game to the next level. Size wise he is only average for his position at 194cm tall but he seems to have a good leap and long arms which allow him to cover taller players.

Naughton is still fairly wiry and so is likely to start as a third tall before he graduates onto some of the big boys in the competition after a few years in the gym. In the meantime though he has the tools to match up well on the third tall / medium tall types. His core strength is very good for his size and he can hold his own in most body on body situations. He played senior WAFL football in the back half of the year and more than held his own in senior company and showed that his intercept marking game is certainly adaptable to that level.

Naughton’s kicking is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I think his decision making is good and he usually finds his target. His mechanics though are a bit of a mess and could certainly use a tidy up. Nothing too extreme but some intensive work would certainly be of benefit. He is a left footer who can kick on his right although again it is nothing pretty. It is worth noting that he took a lot of kick-ins for WA which is an indication that the WA coaches trusted his decision making and execution. In truth I might have had more of an issue with his handballing that his kicking. I remember wincing a few times when he fed handballs out. They often lacked zip and sat up or fell short especially under pressure. Some intensive work there would also help him.

Personally I would not be thinking of taking Naughton at 5 or 6 as has been talked about but at 15 I think he represents excellent value. He could very easily turn into an elite defender and toward the end of the first round that would be an excellent result.

 

[aussierulesrules]

His field kicking in the champs game when he had 28 and kicked 5 left a lot to be desired.

 

[Scottie65]

People aren't basing the kicking criticisms off one game. Try out his TAC snippets:

a few shanks here and there...but not a disaster

 

[blueiris]

You don't see Naughton as massive flight risk Quig can see Collingwood coming for him in 2 years he's a Collingwood supporter think our defence is fine Payne I would get later in the draft and draft midfielders Noble and Fagan have both stated this more than once during the off season

 

[Scottie65]

He's a freak, but if they were some how available look at a replay of when he played the Rebels at Box Hill. Barely noticed him and they ended up shoving him in a back pocket on a small such was his lack of jnfluence. But not too dissimilar to Bont in his draft year of inconsistency. I 100% agree with Chris that if he kicked in the field like he does going for goal, he'd be hitting most targets.

ended up with over 20 possesions that game...i was there....last quarter he bounced back....but hey we all have a bad game now and then....jaidyn had a few like many others....but his last half of the season was outstanding and proberbly the best mid in the last half