BigFooty Official 2011 BigFooty Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Selections Only)

[Chris25]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Sorry Ysaye, but you get the highest rated player left. But I think most would say he was unlucky to slide this far anyway.

Pick 25 - Geelong
Devon Smith (Geelong)
175 / 73 / 93

Over to Collingwood now.

 

[Knightmare]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Really surprised to see Taylor Adams still on the board. Will have to apologise to Nathan Buckley for passing on his man, but decided to go for a better fit who like Adams also represents serious value at this selection. Would have also considered Luke Brown had he not gone to GWS.



#26 Collingwood - Jordan Lockyer (WA – Def/Fwd)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 15/06/1993
Recruited from: West Perth Football Club
Player comparison: Jack Anthony
Profile: Really aggressive player. Undersized KPP who proved during the U18 Champs that he can play well down either end. Fierce attack on the ball. Can do a job defensively but also can take big grabs. Has the strength to stand up in tackles and even take on tacklers. Skill level is very good for someone of his size and type. Versatile and should settle into a position as a 3rd tall down either end at AFL level.

 

[Quigley]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

I guess I am up. Bloody hell everyone is going crazy with the key positions. I had three guys pencilled in but all of them have gone. Considering how ordinary the key position talent is this year I am surprised everyone has been rushing to take them. So onto plan D and I guess I may as well go with the AA defender. I left all my player write ups at work so you will have to wait until Monday in order to post it.

Pick 27 Brisbane – Brody Mihocek
Height: 191cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 04/02/1993

 

[Snoop Dog]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

# 28 GWS
Taylor Adams (Geelong Falcons)
181 / 82 / 93

Bio: Midfielder from the production factory down at Geelong Falcons and the for those that havent seen him yet...... Jimmy Bartel, Ben Cunnington, Trav Boak are all players from down that way who you immediately think of when trying to assess what he could become. Tough ball winner who thinks nothing of putting head over the footy and winning the ball but is equally capable playing outside where his foot skills are elite. The only query on Adams is that he isnt super quick but my understanding is that he will test pretty well. Also capable of going fwd and kicking goals .....just like Jimmy!

Rationale: Was aiming for a tall that is still in the mix but was not expecting Adams or Ellis to be here at this selection so thrilled to get one of them. To be fair probably 50:50 on either and its really just a toss of the coin.

 

[Chris25]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

#29 Myles Bolger - Port Adelaide 199cm 80kg

Sorry has taken so long, but here he is:

Myles is a fine developing ruckman who is good at tapping the footy to his mids, something I look for in a ruck because it is an art, only the best ruckman are the ones that can direct it to their mids....Lade to S.Burgoyne was one combo that was amazing. Clarke was another fine ruckman (just ask Robert Walls...not that his opinion amounts to much in my eyes anyways)

But Myles is a guy I see becoming a long-term AFL ruck, once he adds some bulk because he will get moved around very easily atm with his raw frame, he's not that strong physically. Give him some protein and a good weights program plus some good coaching and he will blossom. His around the ground work can be quite good but he's not a huge athlete but mobility does come with age, Sam Jacobs was very similar at the same age, raw thin and not the most atheltic but he could tap it. General ball skills good for a big man, he is no gumby and can kick the ball well and has solid hands. Defensive qualities perhaps could be worked on though but he does read the play well and can drop back in the hole. Overall, he does show solid promise and should become a decent AFL ruck, but perhaps not a top shelf ruckman.

 

[Offsider]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick 30: Gold Coast - Andrew Boseley

Club: Geelong Falcons (VM)

I am not sure if he has been taken or not, with the 10 early picks, if so I will change this pick. I think Gold Coast need a tall KPD (although they have an amazingly talented team), capable of taking the number 1 forward, who is still able to defend well. Boseley is certainly capable of holding down the number 1 key defender spot, and taking over from Bock.

He will take a while but has all the athletic attributes and the ability to succeed. He is a good mark, strong in the contest, and has very good defensive ability. He uses his defensive nous and when he relies more upon reading the ball in the air and athleticism, which should translate well to AFL level. He is skinny and will take 3 years probably to put some size on. He has an attacking mindset and likes to get involved in rebounding, but he really needs to improve here. His skills are average at best, although they can be quite good on occasions, his hands are all right although he can fumble a little bit. He is a good project player despite being 19, and in a draft when all the good talls went early I think he is one of the last ones left.

 

[Quigley]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick 31 Brisbane - Lewis Hender
DOB 13/9/93 Ht 187 Wt 89

I will take one I got a tip to watch earlier in the year. Write up on Monday.

 

[Chris25]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick #32 Adelaide – Sam Kerridge – Bendigo Pioneers Height:188cm Weight:84kg DOB:24/04/1993

Appologies for missing this pick.

Adelaide will midfield up again here, and they get a pretty veratile mid in Kerridge who has shown an ability to go forward when needed and perform.

Sam has routinely found himself in the best for the Pioneers this year and frequently amoungst the leaders in goal kicking, also garnering a couple of VFL appearances, really shaping off a nice finish to a strong year for him.

He's a very nice clearance player and uses his quick step and desire to frequently lead the match for clearances. Too add to that he's a lovely tackler and puts in repeat efforts.

Very hard worker off the ball as well to get into good positions and find plenty of loose ball to compliment his game.

Does need to polish up a few things though, including his disposal. May be a little bit of AFL games, but there's some upside to Sam.

 

[Toadvine]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick 33 Richmond

Joshua Waldhuter
15/03/1993 H: 184 W: 83 Local Club : Central District/Willaston

Not a shock selection but I'm very happy to grab Waldhunter at this point in the draft. Josh is a versatile midfielder who is very good at winning the contested ball but also quite capable on the outside with above average foot skills. Richmond fans will love his competitive nature, booming kick and aggression on field.

Waldhunter is clever around the clearances, he enjoys hitting the pack at pace to clear the ball or squeezing the ball out of tight situations with clean hands. Josh also works hard the other way laying some impressive tackles during the champs a trait not seen enough in junior footy in my opinion.

He doesn't mind the rough stuff either if he feels he needs to get his point across to the opposition.

Came into 2011 highly rated but it's fair to say he has fallen short of expectations while being over shadowed by highly rated prospects in Wingard and Grigg. An early second round choice is about right I think. Very good inside but needs to work on finding more easy ball and his consistency from week to week.

I'm unsure of what his SANFL form has been like this year but maybe Chris25 could fill us in?

Marley Williams is the other I considered at this point but decided with the pure on baller over the HFF/Mid.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

HFF sent his thru

# 34 Western Bulldogs - Aseri Raikiwasa (Tall defender / Port Adelaide)

Aseri Raikiwasa
191cm
91kg
18.4.1993
Port Adelaide Magpies F.C

An intersting prospect who is hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Fijians Alipate Carlisle, David Rodan and Nic Naitanui.

An incredibly exciting player who is probably just short of Key Position height, Raikiwasa can run, he can jump and has shown some very strong leadership in his short time with Port Magpies.

He uses the ball well, and may perhaps be a bit of a reach here, but I feel he could be absolutely anything and represents as a fantastic replacement for one of Ryan Hargrave, Dale Morris or even Brian Lake.

Am fairly happy to stock up with talls earlier in the draft as the midfield depth may be shallow, I have a my eye on a couple of midfielders out there that am hoping wont be 'stolen' back by TV.

 

[Humble Minion]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

35: Alex Woodward (Sandringham Dragons) 179cm 79kg

Medium-sized midfielder/fwd with poise and vision in spades. Reminds me a little of Shaun Burgoyne - creative, aggressive, and as good a dancer in heavy traffic as you'll find in this year's draft. Big tackler and clearance winner, and a bit of class by hand or foot - good bloke to have taking the last kick inside 50. Can go a bit quiet at times (had a couple of low-stat games in the champs, especially when played up fwd to make room for Tyson etc), but when he's on, he's imho one of the best mids in Vic. Hopefully an AFL preseason or two will inject a bit more consistency into his game.

Should start as a small fwd, applying tackling pressure and feeding the big guys with foot skills from the hff. Move to the midfield should happen in a year or two.

Not exactly the type I had in mind for the Dees at this pick, but with Kerridge going the rest of the big-bodied mids are a bit so-so, and from a pure footballing point of view Woodward is a level above. I'm fairly confident of being able to fill those holes later on.

 

[Jonts]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick 36 Marley Williams
Height: 181cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB 22/07/1993
Recruited from: Claremont (WA)
Style: Lewis Jetta (more solid)
Expected Range: 35-rookie

Bio: Could be seen as a bit of a reach here but I think he has the talent to justify it he just needs to work on his work rate. Wasn’t seen at state level until this year what may put off some recruiters using a second rounder on him but I think he is worth it by what he is doing at Claremont.His strength is his kicking as this left footer can easily hit a target from 50-55 out. Marley is a goal kicking midfielder who has been rested up forward throughout the champs. Had a breakout game against NT where his class shined through as he looked at home in a midfield of O’Meara and Coniglio. Uses his pace for great affect and is a known talker on the field, could play from round 1 and doesn’t need to hit the gym to help his arms.
Plays: Half-forward/middle
Why North? There wasn’t many KPP that where available at this pick and I think North will want a player that can have an affect straight away as they strive for the finals next year. Marley like Brad help North build up a better midfield unit, while I can see Marley being a Brent Harvey replacement. Fits in really well to the shineboner spirit as he as hard as anyone else in this year’s draft. North Melbourne’s midfield is close to complete for the future going in and now have two long legs to go along with Harper's.

 

[Chris25]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick 37 - Fremantle
Clay Smith (Gippsland)
180 / 78 / 93

I was all set to pick a flashier player here, more for my own enjoyment than anything else. But if the draft were to fall like this in real life, then I would hope Fremantle pick the quality inside midfielder. So that is what I have done.

There isn't much not to like about Smith - as an inside midfielder, he is one of the better ones outside of the top five. Is a genuine clearance machine, and quite simply he is always going for the contested ball. Very strong tackler, he'll settle in at the centre bounces in no time. People will be talking about Smith as a future leader before his debut season is even over.

What separates him from some of the inside midfielders in the past, is that Smith actually has versatility. He can play outside too where he links up well and his kicking is underrated. While he can be dangerous up forward particularly defensively. Wherever he plays, he wins the ball.

Fremantle need a young clearance player, particularly as we no longer play Palmer in the midfield. I considered Newman here, and although he'd be a good fit it's still probably too early for him. And I might have liked Merrett, but we already have plenty of his type. The same goes for Forster. Which leaves Clay Smith, and really he is the smart pick at this stage for Fremantle.

 

[Raymann]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick #38 Sydney – Brandon Ellis – Calder Cannons (181cm/83kg/1993)

Decided to go with the best player available with this selection and IMO the two best available were Ellis & Clay Smith, both players are ALL Australian and I am surprised that they both have lasted this long. Not much between them but in the end I went for Ellis as he is a better ‘fit’ for Sydney’s needs. He is an ideal replacement for either R Shaw or Kennelly when the time comes! (also chris25 just picked Smith)

Brandon is a hard running defender who in time should be able to move into the midfield. He is excellent one on one and very strong over the ball. He is elite by hand or foot - both sides of the body. He will become the designated kicker for the swans. Good pace and with a couple of AFL pre-seasons behind him will also have the endurance to play in the middle. With a mature body will be ready to play from round 1 2012.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

foj1 wasnt sure he could get on today so his selection is;

# 39 Essendon - Hayden Hector (Gippsland Power)

Hadyn Hector is a running machine who is hard at the footy and at the player. He plays bravely and selflessly. The big knock on Hector is his kicking. His kicking is not A1 but it gets the job done. He is best when he does not try anything too fancy and takes the first option. I see Hector developing into a defensive midfielder who is able to stick close to his opponent and be defensively disciplined. I think this is an area essendon are not super strong in. Hocking has developed to such an extent that he hunts the ball on his own terms while Howlett is also developing into an offensive threat as well. Slattery and Dyson have had run with roles to a limited effect.
Hadyn is the sort of kid who will give himself every opportunity and I just think he will thrive in the AFL system and continue to work a little more each year on his deficiencies.
I see a little bit of Nathan Van Berlo and Matthew Boyd in the way he goes about it. Two self made footballers who have CHARACTER by the truck load.
I considered a couple of other midfielders and am hopeful one of them may be available next round. I was hoping either Hector or Smith would be available with this pick and it panned out that way. In the real AFL draft I think Hector would be available here and there is a slight amount of projection with this selection.

 

[Monocle]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick :40. St Kilda

Waylen Manson. 195 cm. 24.04.93 Claremont.

This pick will raise a few eyebrows.

Its a pick that has been plucked out of obscurity. There have been snippets of information eminating out of the West of a rare talent that was nesteled deep in the out back for some 18 months now.

Well on the edge of the Great Sandy Dessert there is a remote Aboriginal community called, Billiluna its, 180 km south east of Halls Creek which is 1810 km from Perth. There is a team in that community called the Kururrungkn Roos its from here that Manson comes from.

Manson came to the eye of recruiters when he played for the Kimberley Spirt Colts team and he kicked 5 goals in the final to enure that the Spirit won the championship.

Well two Saturdays ago Claremont flew Manson down to Perth to play his one necessary game to be able to nominate for the 2011 AFL draft. Claremont had been trying hard to get him down for some time now.

News got around and I am told that every AFL Club had a recruiter there to watch.

So Manson played his first game for Claremont with team mates he had never met. He played in the forward pocket .

He had 15 disposals ( all kicks ) 9 marks - 4 were contested , 3 ruck knocks and kicked 4 goals 5. The kid has a massive leap and takes some hangers.

Then jumped on the plane and headed home.

Appatrently the recruiting community was drooling.

There are not many 195 cm Aboriginal that play football and he apparentley has all the flair and his leap is something to behold.


You may well think this is a pile of fiction however its fact.

So the million dollar question is will a talent like this turn into a Gold nugget like Buddy, be the excitment machine that is Liam Jurrah , have the potential of Zephaniah Skinner or will he be a dissapointment like Casey Sibosado.

From all accounts the kid has attracted a lot of interest , question being which Club will have the balls to pull the trigger first.

Well in this mock St Kilda....... he will be a very handy addition to your forward line options.

Guys I know this very speculative but I think for those of you who have never heard of Waylen Mason you are about to hear a lot more of his name between now and the draft.

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick 41 West Coast Eagles

Stephen Verrier South Fremantle Football Club
188cm 82kg's

Stephen has been playing good footy for South Fremantle Colts.

He is a lovely size and uses the footy extremely well, loves to run and carry the footy, breaks lines very well.

He is also good overhead which would allow him to play the high half foward role at Afl level that is so important these days.

This is one area of weakness at wce dont have enough run and carry player's, maybe a stretch picking him here but i see him as good value.

 

[Chris25]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

From beowulf...

Pick #42:
Carlton - Dylan Buckley (Northern Knights) F/S
Height: 183cm, Weight: 69kg, DOB:
Carlton have already committed to Buckley. However, as he has missed most of this year with injury, I expect him to be picked up with this pick. It would be nice if he fell further, but I don't expect it to happen.
Buckley is a little taller than his father, but like Jimmy is a real jockey weight at 69 kg. It will take him a while to get the muscle he needs to play rover at senior level. However, Buckley has pace and good skills. Looking at him last year, he already has the reflexes and positioning of a true rover (something his father didn't so much).
Dylan can also play a run with role. something he did last year for Vic Metro with considerable success.
There was quite a bit of hype around him last year that was probably not justifiable on his performances. He looked good, but not THAT good. It will put his price up and caus us to use a 2nd round pick this year. Hawthorn will get better value from Tom Curran as he doesn't have the profile yet.
I've read of Buckley being compared to Andrew Walker: I find that hard to justify considering Walker's aerial ability. I think of him as being closer to Aaron Joseph - pacy and hard at it. I rate his kicking better than either AJ or Walker at this point, as far as accuracy goes.

 

[Chris25]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick 43 - Hawthorn
F/S Tom Curran (Oakleigh)
195 / 85 / 93

 

[Chris25]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

From Ysaye...

Pick 44 - Geelong
Ben Brown (Glenorchy)
198 / 90 / 92

Brown is one of those kinds of players that you would always like to take earlier than his injury history (Knee last year and some other bits and pieces this year) lets you. One of the things picking for Geelong is that they are well off across the ground and will be high up, so picking raw talent over nit-picking about positions/injuries is probably the way to go for the early picks.

Brown is a good package when it comes to key position material, reasonable pace, a good mark, reasonable skills, good size and (As Pure_Ownage says) a good football brain. I seem him also as being quite a flexible player - he has played Ruck and Forward at lower level and whilst he isn't likely to play the former at AFL level, he might also be able to fill a key back position. It's a bit of a risk, but just a player with a lot of raw ability that might be molded into anything.

 

[Knightmare]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Good to see Ben Brown get a shot.

Was thinking very seriously about Jordan Kelly and Matthew Jacquier but couldn't overlook Jackson Merrett in the end.

Have a feeling Jackson might go 1st round on draft day - will interview well and is one of those really high character guys like Jasper Pittard a couple of years back who understands it takes 100% committment to make it at the next level.

45 - Collingwood - Jackson Merrett
Height: 187cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 27/02/1993
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Player comparison: Jasper Pittard
Profile: Versatile type midfielder who doesn’t really stand out which might by why there has been limited talk about him to this point. Still skinny. But is quality. Has a really nice skill level. More of an outside player but can take his turn inside. Seems to be really motivated and looks like a good find.
Why: At Collingwood we do have a few similar types but think he is versatile enough to fit into the side at some stage. Simply couldn't overlook the value he represented at this stage.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

# 46 GWS - Sam Gordon (Geelong Falcons / 197 / 87 / '93)

Why: Look a bit unsure where to place Sam in the draft simply because I think someone might end up with a bit of a bargain here. Was a choice between he and Tomlinson and frankly couldnt split them. Went with Gordon simply bc I think he has the attributes to become a power fwd of the comp and a few judges in the know rate him highly. Ex AIS kid who is a super height for a KPF but has been up and down this year. Plays APS so we havent seen much of him but he went reasonably well at the champs vs Tas and SA and was missed in their final game after injuring his ankle. Came back in last couple of weeks for Falcons and has been good. In fact he has done well in all his TAC games this year. Is reasonably good aerobically and good over the first few yards to create space and distance but he is an absolute competitor and in the vision I have seen just looks like he will become a player. What worried me a bit was he only got a SS invite which of all the players to date have missed a DC invite this one staggered me the most (almost as much as Charleston not getting a Metro gig). Anyway - stuff it. I rate him highly.

Others: As I said nearly went with Tomlinson but the height (192cm) worries me a bit for KP but look he is a terrific swingman and was impressive in his game vs NSW on Hartley after Patton had been towelled by him - he should go soon! Also thought about Sheahan, Mihocek, Hill, OBrien, Charleston, Newness at this pick. Very even at this point.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Just got sms from Thunder;

# 47 Port Adelaide - Alex Forster

 

[Offsider]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Pick 48 - Gold Coast Suns: Josh Tynan
DOB: 6/11/1993 Height: 184cm Weight: 72kg
Club: Gippsland Power/ Lucknow FC (VC)
06/11/1993

Gold Coast pick up a good HBF'er who is good defensively and can provide good rebound from defence. He should be a solid player and has all the tools to become a best 22 player, although he may struggle to break into the talented Gold Coast team. He plays your prototype modern defender, good 1 on 1, can zone off take marks, and provide run from defence, which is what you want from a small defender. His form this year has been consistant, had a good champs series, although not spectatcular.

His kicking is neat and tidy and he finds targets well from defence, makes good decisions, he is not your typical bullet kicker, but has a nice weighted pass that he kicks to advantage. He has good clean hands, takes a nice strong mark for his height and reads the ball well. He is generally outside, and needs to work on getting the ball on the inside and work slightly on his defensive pressures when the ball hits the ground. He has nice pace, wont break any lines, but enough to suceed at AFL level, and he can use it well. He reads the game well, and has what I call a footy brain. Needs to work on his endurance IMO, could run a bit harder, and put on some more muscle. All in all Tynan is a good HBF'er, who does not have many weaknesses.

 

[Quigley]

Re: Big Footy Phantom Draft Trial Run - (Discussion Thread)

Sorry guys I have been a bit unwell the last few days and I will post the two write ups I owe in due course. At this pick I am going with a guy I like rather than a massive talent. Just a good honest old fashioned footballer. He can play some forward for us while he finds his way. FWIW I will be going with our NSW Scholarship player with the next selection in Richie Newell given we have committed to him. Collingwood better hurry up and grab both of their scholarship players quickly because I am more than happy to take either one off their hands.

Pick 49 Brisbane

John McKenzie
DOB 3/6/93 Ht 177 Wt 77

This seems like a reach here but I like the kid so what the hell I will throw him into the mix. The Taswegian was the Div 2 Player of the Champs this year and was selected as an All Australian. He picked up 21 possessions per game and was the Capt of the Tasmanian team that won the Div 2 title.

There is a school of thought that he is a bit short but if he measures in at 177 I think he might do okay. The Combine is going to be very important for him as he needs to measure up and also perform well in the testing especially the speed stuff. He is a footballer first and foremost and if he can also demonstrate reasonable athleticism someone will take him.

Basically this is a hard nosed inside midfielder who is also a more than capable small forward. He has a good nose for the ball and good clean hands. He works well in the phone box and makes good decisions under pressure. Up forward he shows good goal sense and crumbing ability. This is a little hard to explain but in close I really like his first step. He reacts very quickly in most situations and uses a long first step to clear his defender if he has the ball or to shut down the ball carrier if he doesn’t. That first step is dynamite for him and really allows him to do a lot of good work.

Around the ground he is a hard worker and has nice skills. He is already mature in the body and looks like he could easily step into AFL next year. On the field he is a leader who not only leads by example but also directs traffic around the ground. He seems to have a very good sense of what is happening and what he and his teammates should be doing. He looks like an onfield coach at time.