Academy Rorts - The 2025 Draft Thread

[Clarkythelion]

Wish I spurted when I was a teenager.

I think Hadley was another one that had a growth spurt way back wen, I seem to recall him growing 2 inches after he arrived. Also somewhere I read this year they can now do a blood test or similar to see if they are still growing, it was in relation to training and injury of Lloyd I think. I was always a short ass but my daughter was a monster in grade 8, taller than any other kid, played netball and made the Brisbane team and won all the sports days. she went off to high school and never changed dress size, went from tall to every other kid catching up. I don't get these growth spurts but seen a few and they are a mystery and with them usually comes a lot of injuries.

 

[Clarkythelion]

We would have no choice but we will take him anyway even if we had to go into deficit next year.

Our first pick is at the moment 16, if we passed on Annabel there is no way we are getting an equivalent talent to him at pick 16.

I just dont see West coast trying the No 1 or 2 pick on him. They know they have to pick a pair mates at 1 and 2 like the Suns and we try to do, did which helps retention. Better if they also know Harley Reid I guess. I'd say Annabel is a 'flight risk' and if I was Richmond or the bombers I'd also be picking a pair of mates. Wishful thinking maybe but I don't think he goes top 6 unless it's out of spite.

 

[mattsmob]

So, are we guaranteed to get him irrespective of what pick he is bid on ?

As certain as you could possibly be

 

[briztoon]

I just dont see West coast trying the No 1 or 2 pick on him. They know they have to pick a pair mates at 1 and 2 like the Suns and we try to do, did which helps retention. Better if they also know Harley Reid I guess. I'd say Annabel is a 'flight risk' and if I was Richmond or the bombers I'd also be picking a pair of mates. Wishful thinking maybe but I don't think he goes top 6 unless it's out of spite.

Don’t believe there are any close mates rated inside the top 10, apart from the Gold Coast academy kids.

Very much a best available and needs fit draft.

 

[Viceregal]

I just dont see West coast trying the No 1 or 2 pick on him. They know they have to pick a pair mates at 1 and 2 like the Suns and we try to do, did which helps retention. Better if they also know Harley Reid I guess. I'd say Annabel is a 'flight risk' and if I was Richmond or the bombers I'd also be picking a pair of mates. Wishful thinking maybe but I don't think he goes top 6 unless it's out of spite.

Is Annable best mates with anyone that would be a match for Eagles or Tigers needs?

 

[Not a Psycho]

Pretty sure last year I compared Annable's gamestyle to Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

32

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

. Not shying away from the comparison and inside midfield is definitely where he ends up. After his very solid 2k combine trial there's definitely scope for him to be introduced to AFL on a wing or potentially for him to learn defensive half-backese.
He feels a lot like most of our recent high F/S and academy picks in that at a minimum he has a really high floor.

 

[M Malice]

Pretty sure last year I compared Annable's gamestyle to Lachie Neale. Not shying away from the comparison and inside midfield is definitely where he ends up. After his very solid 2k combine trial there's definitely scope for him to be introduced to AFL on a wing or potentially for him to learn defensive half-backese.
He feels a lot like most of our recent high F/S and academy picks in that at a minimum he has a really high floor.

It may be a controversial take but IMO for our list balance and long term prospects it would probably be advantageous if Lachie either retired or moved back home to the Eagles/Dockers after the 3Peat in 2026.

 

[Surly Boy]

It may be a controversial take but IMO for our list balance and long term prospects it would probably be advantageous if Lachie either retired or moved back home to the Eagles/Dockers after the 3Peat in 2026.

 

[The Zork]

He’s in the perfect spot Annable to get an apprenticeship and improve his craft under the guidance and against some of the cleanest of operators in the game.

From the limited snippets I’ve seen I see a quicker Jarrod Lyons type with a higher ceiling.

 

[BangyBangy]

I'd prefer a more experienced ruck as depth, yes Darcy Fort is durable but we have Sam Draper coming off a serious injury and Henry Smith is nowhere near proven at AFL level yet.

Sorted.

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

It may be a controversial take but IMO for our list balance and long term prospects it would probably be advantageous if Lachie either retired or moved back home to the Eagles/Dockers after the 3Peat in 2026.

 

[bungalow_bill]

It may be a controversial take but IMO for our list balance and long term prospects it would probably be advantageous if Lachie either retired or moved back home to the Eagles/Dockers after the 3Peat in 2026.

 

[SpecialBruce]

How has Zane looked in the reserves when he played ruck?

 

[Not a Psycho]

How has Zane looked in the reserves when he played ruck?

Shows promise as a VFL ruck, no chance at AFL level even with the new rules. Best case scenario is he can play back-up while holding down a more regular role.

 

[Clarkythelion]

Pretty sure last year I compared Annable's gamestyle to Lachie Neale. Not shying away from the comparison and inside midfield is definitely where he ends up. After his very solid 2k combine trial there's definitely scope for him to be introduced to AFL on a wing or potentially for him to learn defensive half-backese.
He feels a lot like most of our recent high F/S and academy picks in that at a minimum he has a really high floor.

Except for Tackling, Annable's tackle count and defence is much higher than Lachie. Before Dunkley it would be Zorko 8 to 10 tackles and Lachie 2 to 4 then along come Dunks the tackling machine. From what I've seen Annable is more to the Dunkley than the Neale.

 

[Dalions]

Except for Tackling, Annable's tackle count and defence is much higher than Lachie. Before Dunkley it would be Zorko 8 to 10 tackles and Lachie 2 to 4 then along come Dunks the tackling machine. From what I've seen Annable is more to the Dunkley than the Neale.

He looks more like a defensively minded Jarryd Lyons to me.
Will do everything Lyons could do with the ball but also run defensively, which wasn’t Jarryd’s strong point.

 

[M Malice]

Except for Tackling, Annable's tackle count and defence is much higher than Lachie. Before Dunkley it would be Zorko 8 to 10 tackles and Lachie 2 to 4 then along come Dunks the tackling machine. From what I've seen Annable is more to the Dunkley than the Neale.

Better kick than Dunkley, I like Dalions comparison to Jarryd Lyons.... "potentially" has more weapons to be better than Jarryd long term though, IMO.

 

[Miller1971]

Better kick than Dunkley, I like Dalions comparison to Jarryd Lyons.... "potentially" has more weapons to be better than Jarryd long term though, IMO.

No, hes not. He has improved from poor to acceptable. It's still his only real weakness, and thats only because the rest of his game is exceptional.

 

[M Malice]

No, hes not. He has improved from poor to acceptable. It's still his only real weakness, and thats only because the rest of his game is exceptional.

I will bow to your greater knowledge as you would have seen a lot more of him than me, I've only watched literally a few minutes of highlights and his kicking looked pretty good to me... "highlights" is probably the giveaway in hindsight.

 

[Kedron lions]

No, hes not. He has improved from poor to acceptable. It's still his only real weakness, and thats only because the rest of his game is exceptional.

Always been a struggle however he plays an inside midfielder so it can be hidden slightly

 

[Kedron lions]

I will bow to your greater knowledge as you would have seen a lot more of him than me, I've only watched literally a few minutes of highlights and his kicking looked pretty good to me... "highlights" is probably the giveaway in hindsight.

if only many more could acquire this skill. not saying I haven't fallen victim to it myself.

 

[cotter101]

Dan will be a great player for us.

It’s well known, but he has actively put in work on this with a couple of former players who were able to kick bullets opposed to high loopy balls that are easy to intercept.

Forward impact probably the other main focus for him - but that’s taken a lot of quality midfielders a number of years in the AFL to achieve.

 

[Pns_blister]

Really hope we can gain access to Adelaide’s F1 somehow, otherwise I feel we could he in a bit of a pickle getting access to Murray and Owen

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

What are people's thoughts on Oliver Greeves and Harley barker as our next 2 picks after Annable?

 

[JasRulz63]

What are people's thoughts on Oliver Greeves and Harley barker as our next 2 picks after Annable?

Greeves is 16th on Cal Twomey's rankings (12th excluding club tied players). Don't think we'll be able to get a pick high after matching Annable.