List Mgmt. Back2Back Rorts Baby (aka 2026 draft thread)

[irel]

Seeing as we will be developing more players for the rest of the comp to benefit from then a successful bid on an academy player should incur a compensation fee. First rounders being worth more.

Something similar happens in English football where clubs poach academy talent.

Swings and roundabouts.
We just poached Evans from West Coast academy.
We just have to become more mercenary with other club's academy products.

 

[Coastal Lion]

E

Swings and roundabouts.
We just poached Evans from West Coast academy.
We just have to become more mercenary with other club's academy products.

I heard Evans was using WC rehab facilities mid year recovering from a back injury.
Wonder if OA was rehabing at the same time as they perhaps already have a strong relationship making his move cross country smoother.

 

[briztoon]

I heard Evans was using WC rehab facilities mid year recovering from a back injury.
Wonder if OA was rehabing at the same time as they perhaps already have a strong relationship making his move cross country smoother.

I would expect most of our WA Lions would probably train together, back home over Christmas.

 

[Maverick]

Player retention has improved significantly since Fagan was appointed for the 2017 season.

Unfortunately, he won’t be with us forever.

It would be foolish to think player retention is not an issue for us in the future when you see the problems GWS and Suns have had over the years (and the Lions pre Fagan).

To mitigate the impact of losing players from interstate, having access to Queenslanders on our list is critical.

You rarely get a pick 1. When [PLAYERCARD]Des Headland[/PLAYERCARD] leaves after a short stint, I realise you want access to a Nick Riewoldt type (lions or suns) or Annable when they are available.

Academies in QLD and NSW are crucial. I’m ok if we have to pay more for academy players, and Suns taking 4 early picks is over the top. But AFL, in making rule changes to Academy/FS, just don’t make it impossible to take a top 10 player.

Lions have only had one academy player taken top 10.

 

[Perrip]

Player retention has improved significantly since Fagan was appointed for the 2017 season.

Unfortunately, he won’t be with us forever

It's why you have the head coach successor at the club for years so the relationships with players is already there when they start

 

[Nuggo]

Swings and roundabouts.
We just poached Evans from West Coast academy.
We just have to become more mercenary with other club's academy products.

Start stacking up on brown paper bags!

 

[OnLooker1932]

No Ben Morison in that squad is diabolical if you watched any local footy this year.

He is 19, so in one post you are complaining about 19 year olds - then in the next, you are complaining about a 19 year old missing out.

Would have thought the more glaring names missing would be Harry Thompson, Rory Macleod & Harry Caspers. Ollie Logan goes pretty well too from what I have seen.

 

[Miller1971]

19 year olds that have never had an opportunity are different to those who have been there for 4-5 years and going again.

Ironically I am pretty sure Caspers is also 19 and its well documented that Thompson is on some sort of shit list with the Lions Academy.

 

[OnLooker1932]

Well documented by who? how does a 16 year old kid get on a shit list? Think its more that they just don't rate him

 

[Miller1971]

documented, alleged, rumour - whatever.

Clearly based on available information its not just about footy is all I am saying. I'm sure it doesn't help that his old man is always openly critical of the academy in every available forum to him.

 

[Nathan Barley]

documented, alleged, rumour - whatever.

Clearly based on available information its not just about footy is all I am saying. I'm sure it doesn't help that his old man is always openly critical of the academy in every available forum to him.

There it is

 

[OnLooker1932]

I highly doubt some guy ranting on Big Footy impacts things like that.

I imagine its a combination of marginal talent vs attitude. To carry a bad (or 'questionable') attitude, the talent needs to be a more than just marginal.

 

[dlanod]

I highly doubt some guy ranting on Big Footy impacts things like that.

If the guy is ranting on BF, chances are he's also ranting to everyone in earshot and unless the kid is really another level at some point people will put a line through the kid simply because having to deal with the family is too tough. If he's just upper middle of the pack for example, talented but not above the rest, well there's another three or four kids who will take the opportunity without the baggage.

 

[OnLooker1932]

Fair enough. Being critical of the academy is one thing, but being a pushy parent or over bearing parent is completely another and nobody wants to deal with that.

 

[Thommo 42]

If the guy is ranting on BF, chances are he's also ranting to everyone in earshot and unless the kid is really another level at some point people will put a line through the kid simply because having to deal with the family is too tough. If he's just upper middle of the pack for example, talented but not above the rest, well there's another three or four kids who will take the opportunity without the baggage.

for the record, not sure this commentary is fair.

I was critical of the academy when my young fella was playing u9's and I had zero idea if he was any good. 80% of my criticism and concerns have primarily been around player welfare and communications and respect for the club competition, not related to talent ID. Sure, I am also critical from time to time of some of the selection decisions (eg. Ty Prindable, and I was proven correct) but have never once had a discussion around my own son and his selection or non-selection - only process and communication.

In fact each year I am asked to provide a list of recommended players for u14, u16 and then at the end of the year a list of 17/18 year olds that might be diamonds in the rough. I provide these and I often also suggest names from clubs I am not part of that I have seen, and have never included my sons name on that list, as it would be inappropriate. They know who he is, he spent 4 years with them - up to them if they would have him or not. He is exactly where he needs to be, and I have no concerns with him not being at the Lions. My daughter was involved this year, so selection/non-selection I imagine has precisely nothing to do with me, as should be the case. Hes not on a shit list, in their view he's just not a good enough player, and that's life.

 

[dlanod]

for the record, not sure this commentary is fair.

I was critical of the academy when my young fella was playing u9's and I had zero idea if he was any good. 80% of my criticism and concerns have primarily been around player welfare and communications and respect for the club competition, not related to talent ID. Sure, I am also critical from time to time of some of the selection decisions (eg. Ty Prindable, and I was proven correct) but have never once had a discussion around my own son and his selection or non-selection - only process and communication.

In fact each year I am asked to provide a list of recommended players for u14, u16 and then at the end of the year a list of 17/18 year olds that might be diamonds in the rough. I provide these and I often also suggest names from clubs I am not part of that I have seen, and have never included my sons name on that list, as it would be inappropriate. They know who he is, he spent 4 years with them - up to them if they would have him or not. He is exactly where he needs to be, and I have no concerns with him not being at the Lions. My daughter was involved this year, so selection/non-selection I imagine has precisely nothing to do with me, as should be the case. Hes not on a shit list, in their view he's just not a good enough player, and that's life.

Yeah, to be clear I was absolutely just providing an example of something that might have been the case using the same language as the previous poster. Didn't even realise it might have been you because I wouldn't have considered your posts to be ranting at all (unless you've been busy elsewhere).

 

[OnLooker1932]

thats all nice to say, but you are kidding yourself if you think constant criticism isn't going to wear thin and result in either conscious or subconscious bias. Not commenting on whether is valid criticism or what type it is, but at the end of the day - you're probably not on the Christmas Card list...

 

[BuntonRules]

thats all nice to say, but you are kidding yourself if you think constant criticism isn't going to wear thin and result in either conscious or subconscious bias. Not commenting on whether is valid criticism or what type it is, but at the end of the day - you're probably not on the Christmas Card list...

IMO, I have always taken Thommo 42 to be constructive criticism, as are posts from Miller1971, and would be disappointed if the Academy saw them as otherwise.

We are lucky to get the insight of these 2 posters.

 

[Miller1971]

I highly doubt anyone from the Academy or clubland is on here reading this stuff anyway

 

[Nunez]

I highly doubt anyone from the Academy or clubland is on here reading this stuff anyway

Elixuh is watching.

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

I highly doubt anyone from the Academy or clubland is on here reading this stuff anyway

That's exactly what a staff member of the academy or clubland would write.

 

[Nunez]

That's exactly what a staff member of the academy or clubland would write.

I highly doubt anyone from the Academy or clubland is on here reading this stuff anyway

 

[Perrip]

Got some rorts in the W Draft this year too by the looks of things
10 to watch in 2026: Scouting notes and profiles of the best AFLW draft prospects

HARLEE MCILWAIN
Tall Forward | 176cm| Brisbane Lions Academy
Brisbane loaded up on future picks in the trade period with one thing in mind – its 2026 Academy crop. While Gold Coast dominated the first round this year, the Lions are optimistic they’re set to inject some top-end talent next year and McIlwain could be one of them. The key forward was named in the All-Australian team at the 2024 Under-16 national championships after booting 10 goals against Gold Coast. She kicked nine in four games for the Lions in the Coates League this year, but just as impressive is her defensive pressure.

MIA GEERE
Utility | 170cm | Brisbane Lions Academy
Like McIlwain, Geere was named in the All-Australian team at the Under-16 National Championships. An explosive midfielder who can impact on the outside and around the ball, Geere has also shown promise at half-back. She’s been a standout in the QAFLW for several years now, winning the league’s goal of the year award two years in a row playing for Wilston Grange.