2015 Draft Discussion

[Kevvo]

He does have a bit of the bont's about him. Has not played a huge amount of midfield up to this point but did very nicely when I saw him at the Champs. 193cm mid with a booming kick. Very good mark and with his size he can get over most mids and be very dangerous going forward. Played quite a bit of forward and can be dangerous resting up there. Reads the play nicely but could accumulate more. I think that will come. Needs to up his running. His inside work is surprisingly good although maybe not consistently so.

Talking to one recruiter from another club and he thinks we have a "gun" on our hands with Allison who would definitely be in the top 5 of his draft class as things stand atm.

If it's not a pain Quigs, how would you rate him more generally in terms of disposal? I have only seen very brief highlight clips of Allison, and definitely can see his long kicking, but didn't see so many examples of spotting up mid-range targets or using it neatly in traffic etc. On such a small sample its hard to tell whether he has those skills and they didn't come through, or whether he relies to much on kicking long.

 

[mpal6]

He does have a bit of the bont's about him. Has not played a huge amount of midfield up to this point but did very nicely when I saw him at the Champs. 193cm mid with a booming kick. Very good mark and with his size he can get over most mids and be very dangerous going forward. Played quite a bit of forward and can be dangerous resting up there. Reads the play nicely but could accumulate more. I think that will come. Needs to up his running. His inside work is surprisingly good although maybe not consistently so.

Talking to one recruiter from another club and he thinks we have a "gun" on our hands with Allison who would definitely be in the top 5 of his draft class as things stand atm.

Knightmare 2016 draft almanac:

Pick 1 - Jacob Allison (Brisbane Lions Academy)

EDIT: I wish someone makes a video of Eddie saying academy like the Trump "china" one below.

 

[jjami15]

 

[POBT]

At this stage, I like Allison either forward of the footy or wide of the contest. That may have something to do with his age and lack of physical development. Certainly, he's not afraid of contact though so a move to a more inside role could well happen. A lot will depend on how he develops physically between now and the 2016 draft year.

 

[jackess]

At this stage, I like Allison either forward of the footy or wide of the contest. That may have something to do with his age and lack of physical development. Certainly, he's not afraid of contact though so a move to a more inside role could well happen. A lot will depend on how he develops physically between now and the 2016 draft year.

I'd like to start him down back. Allow him to develop his defensive side while utilising his kicking. Play him similar to Birchall or Brodie Smith. Also with his height he could be very useful going third man up.

 

[SizeMatters]

first 10 seconds and I already like him. Takes a mark and pushes back hard which is what we are missing in our team at the moment.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Why does every second talented footballer need to be seen as being a potential midfielder? He is the same height as Gunston and could grow taller. You don't see the premiers playing him in the midfield, even when their midfield stocks have been depleted thru retirements or injuries. Why? Because he is a 50 goal forward and they don't grow on trees.

 

[John_Proctor]

Knightmare 2016 draft almanac:

Pick 1 - Jacob Allison (Brisbane Lions Academy)

EDIT: I wish someone makes a video of Eddie saying academy like the Trump "china" one below.

Much as I think Knightmares draft board is the best one to read I do think he overrates the academy players. I tend to think its a bit of a ploy to make people angry about the academies as he clearly isn't a fan of the system.

 

[jjami15]

Much as I think Knightmares draft board is the best one to read I do think he overrates the academy players. I tend to think its a bit of a ploy to make people angry about the academies as he clearly isn't a fan of the system.

Skippos's for me

 

[John_Proctor]

exciting highlights thats for sure. kicking seemed pretty hit and miss and perhaps a little bit too hungry around goals.

 

[jjami15]

Does anyone here think we might over evaluate these kids?

 

[crispy creme]

Does anyone here think we might over evaluate these kids?

Genuine question here Jjami, which kids? Our current crop or academy boys?

 

[Bucking Beads]

Does anyone here think we might over evaluate these kids?

I know someone on this site who does.

 

[crispy creme]

Just on the size of Darcy Gardiner, I think you will find he has grown 3 or 4 cms since he was drafted. Definitely not undersized and will only get stronger in the coming years.

Also, everyone's entitled to their own opinion about future picks but I can't see us picking up Wagner. Our list, IMO, would be better suited to Reuben William across HB in the future.

 

[POBT]

Why does every second talented footballer need to be seen as being a potential midfielder? He is the same height as Gunston and could grow taller. You don't see the premiers playing him in the midfield, even when their midfield stocks have been depleted thru retirements or injuries. Why? Because he is a 50 goal forward and they don't grow on trees.

Conversely, you could also argue that the likes of Fyfe, Bontempelli etc could play as a taller forward but why would you when they are so effective in and around stoppages?

I think it comes down to individual players, rather than their height. If Allison's case, he moves like a midfielder/flanker but can take a really good mark. But I don't know if his marking ability would stand up against a genuine key defender.

I think when you are assessing the young guys, you want to be mindful of 2 things - the best case scenario and the most likely scenario. Best case scenario is the "ceiling" that gets talked about. What could a player be capable of if his development goes to plan? In Allison's case, I think the best case scenario is probably as a genuine midfielder but I don't think anyone would rule him out of becoming a genuine tall forward. The most likely scenario (a slightly more conservative view) is that he remains the flanker/wingman type that he currently is, which is still likely to be a bloody effective footballer.

Right now though, I think that there are going to be question marks because he is still young and I don't think that anyone has made up their mind just yet about what Allison could become.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Conversely, you could also argue that the likes of Fyfe, Bontempelli etc could play as a taller forward but why would you when they are so effective in and around stoppages?

I think it comes down to individual players, rather than their height. If Allison's case, he moves like a midfielder/flanker but can take a really good mark. But I don't know if his marking ability would stand up against a genuine key defender.

I think when you are assessing the young guys, you want to be mindful of 2 things - the best case scenario and the most likely scenario. Best case scenario is the "ceiling" that gets talked about. What could a player be capable of if his development goes to plan? In Allison's case, I think the best case scenario is probably as a genuine midfielder but I don't think anyone would rule him out of becoming a genuine tall forward. The most likely scenario (a slightly more conservative view) is that he remains the flanker/wingman type that he currently is, which is still likely to be a bloody effective footballer.

Right now though, I think that there are going to be question marks because he is still young and I don't think that anyone has made up their mind just yet about what Allison could become.

Thanks, excellent post POBT. Can't disagree with any of that save for this: the premise that "best case" is if he becomes a midfielder. Agree we will just have to wait and see how he develops but he looks very very promising.

 

[jackess]

Why does every second talented footballer need to be seen as being a potential midfielder? He is the same height as Gunston and could grow taller. You don't see the premiers playing him in the midfield, even when their midfield stocks have been depleted thru retirements or injuries. Why? Because he is a 50 goal forward and they don't grow on trees.

Not sure where you're seeing this.

 

[jjami15]

Genuine question here Jjami, which kids? Our current crop or academy boys?

Both in all reality. Allison is an underage player and he is being critiqued and there still is another year of development before he even enters the system. Then it takes another 3/4 years of pre-seasons and 50games before a player can be deemed as 'going to make it'. It's relative to where we are on our playing list and I understand it but les be realistic.

 

[Fatcat08]

He's certainly a point of difference size wise to the rest of our midfield which is nice. From our mids we do suffer from a lack of marking power down the wings and even when centering the ball. Someone with that sort of height in the midfield/wing would certainly open up a few more options for us when disposing of the ball, especially given our kicking isn't great. That sort of height gives you a bit more margin for error with your kicks as well which is always handy.

 

[Old Den]

Just on the size of Darcy Gardiner, I think you will find he has grown 3 or 4 cms since he was drafted. Definitely not undersized and will only get stronger in the coming years.

Also, everyone's entitled to their own opinion about future picks but I can't see us picking up Wagner. Our list, IMO, would be better suited to Reuben William across HB in the future.

Maybe but I highly doubt if he will be there for our later picks - he could be if we nominate him before the draft.

Reuben has drawn a lot of attention to himself by his performances this year.

 

[Eons]

If we rate William as a second to third round pick and he gets bid on in that range we can just use next years second/third round pick and take him? That's my understanding.

 

[Panthera]

Paige Cardona's latest mock draft here http://footyprophet.com/paiges-afl-draft-board-august-edition/

Has Hippy and Keays heading in different directions

 

[Jman78]

Paige Cardona's latest mock draft here http://footyprophet.com/paiges-afl-draft-board-august-edition/

Has Hippy and Keays heading in different directions

I quite liked the comment of "a scary prospect having Hipwood and Andrews as the spine in future years". I haven't seen Hipwood play but endorsements like this make me happy.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

I quite liked the comment of "a scary prospect having Hipwood and Andrews as the spine in future years". I haven't seen Hipwood play but endorsements like this make me happy.

With Schache that makes three vertebrae at least.

 

[Panthera]

I quite liked the comment of "a scary prospect having Hipwood and Andrews as the spine in future years". I haven't seen Hipwood play but endorsements like this make me happy.

OK. So, how should I put this, ahhh....Paige thinks everyone is going to become a star

She's like an excitable chihuahua when it comes to draft time, so take her mocks with a very large grain of salt (like all mocks I suppose)