2016 Draft discussion

[neg99]

Just about every draft our recruiters pick someone in the 20's that nobody has really heard of. They've also I think shown a distinct like towards third tall types, who are good runners and have positional flexibility.

A lot of those were under the old regime though. We had a specific policy of running talls for 2-3 years when we brought in paps, close etc. From memory they were circa 15 beep testers over 190cm and that was a huge reason for picking them up. Then it was McStay etc for similar reasons.

Our recruiting and coaching has all changed over since then and I see us focussing far more on best available at early picks and plugging obvious remaining gaps with our 21/22 (gaps for me are speed, elite disposal by hand or foot, defensive pressure in the forward line and midfield and contested ball/marking esp. through the midfield).

To me first pick will be whichever of McGrath, ainsworth or mccluggage is left.

16 will be best available on our board.

21/22 could be anything depending on who we get with the first two picks and I think we'll have a very well defined game plan in place already there.

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[Biggies]

Cal Twomeys first picks for each club

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-10-22/in-the-gun-every-clubs-top-draft-target

We have identified a player who may be available, plus three others who might be in that draft picks' range.

Adelaide

Pick 13: Pick 13 is an interesting spot at this year's draft, given it may push out a couple of places with academy bids being matched. Jy Simpkin is a player who could be a nice pick-up at this stage, having fallen off the radar a little with his broken leg. Simpkin is a creative half-forward/midfielder who showed great signs last year as a bottom-ager for Vic Country. If not for the injury, he would likely have been in regular discussions as a possible top-10 pick. He has been steadily recovering from the injury and should be right to go for the pre-season.

Around the mark: Jordan Gallucci, Jarrod Berry, Alex Witherden

Brisbane

Pick 3: The Lions traded back from pick two to pick three to bring in another top-20 selection. If the Bombers take Andrew McGrath at No.1 then the Giants could let Hugh McCluggage through to Brisbane, which would be their preference. But if not, then Ben Ainsworth will be strongly considered. The small forward is explosive, smart and skillful, and in time will be a midfield option. He's ready to play and averaged 29 disposals in the final month of his TAC Cup season with the Gippsland Power. The Lions may also place a bid on Gold Coast academy member Jack Bowes.

Around the mark: Will Brodie, Andrew McGrath, Jack Bowes

Carlton

Pick 5: Carlton was desperate to hold onto pick five during the trade period and for good reason, because there will be some strong talent available. The Blues could easily place a bid here on GWS midfielder Will Setterfield, who is ranked around this point by many. The Giants would likely match it. Will Brodie is a contender for this spot. The hard-at-it midfielder performed in all of his big games throughout the year and is a consistent ball-winner at the stoppages. He would appeal as a player who can bolster an up-and-coming midfield unit.

Around the mark: Sam Petrevski-Seton, Tim Taranto, Jack Scrimshaw

Will Brodie was an early tip for the number one pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft. Picture: AFL Photos


Collingwood

Pick 28: Two tall defenders left the Pies during the trade period and Jonathon Marsh remains in limbo, so they could look to add a developing young backman at the draft. That could be Brennan Cox, a 194cm defender who was named an All Australian following his under-18 championships for South Australia. Cox is strong in the one-on-one contests and has been a consistent shutdown player across the season. He has some fans as a top-30 selection.

Around the mark: Callum Brown, Jordan Ridley, Jonty Scharenberg

Essendon

Pick 1: Hugh McCluggage really couldn't have done much more this season as a creative, goalkicking midfielder. He booted 25 goals in 12 games for the North Ballarat Rebels, he won the TAC Cup's Morrish Medal, and was Vic Country's MVP at the championships. He still has plenty of upside, too, given a limited pre-season and his lighter frame. Pick No.1 appears a race in two – McCluggage and Vic Metro co-captain Andrew McGrath. The Bombers can't really lose either way with this pair.

Around the mark: Andrew McGrath, Will Brodie, Sam Petrevski-Seton

Fremantle

Pick 7: The Dockers will be able to sit back and wait to see which players fall through the opening group on draft night. There's a good chance local product Sam Petrevski-Seton is still available at their choice, and they have monitored him closely this season. He also trained at the club earlier this year as part of his NAB AFL Academy program. He might not be exactly what they need, but he offers class, pace and tackling pressure and two years ago was predicted to be the No.1 pick after a brilliant under-16 carnival.

Around the mark: Tim English, Tim Taranto, Todd Marshall

Fremantle will look closely at local players like Sam Petrevski-Seton. Picture: AFL Photos


Geelong

Pick 24: Geelong's tall forward stocks are slim behind star big man Tom Hawkins, which might make them have a think about key forward Josh Battle. The Dandenong Stingrays goalkicker is 192cm and plays in a conventional style, running up and down the ground and converting his shots. He booted 24 goals in eight games for the Stingrays this year and is a lovely, uncomplicated kick for goal. He seems likely to be selected in this area of the draft, either late in the first round or early in the second.

Around the mark: Cedric Cox, Alex Witherden, Shai Bolton

Gold Coast

Pick 4: The Brisbane Lions seem best placed to make a bid on Suns academy member Jack Bowes, which would force Gold Coast to match with its first pick. Given their four top-10 picks, the Suns are in a position to add Bowes and still grab another three highly rated players. Bowes is a classy midfielder originally from Cairns who was named an All Australian this season. He is a great ball user, really smart in traffic, and can move forward and kick goals. He has been in the Suns' sights for some time.

Around the mark: Jack Scrimshaw, Tim English, Ben Ainsworth, Sam Petrevski-Seton

GWS

Pick 2: The Giants lifted themselves up the draft order from pick seven to three and finally landed at No.2 in order to give themselves a chance at grabbing a gun youngster before bids come for their academy players. Andrew McGrath, should he not be picked by Essendon at No.1, looks a prime candidate. The rebounding small defender turned powerful midfielder will be playing regular senior football next year and is considered a future leader, too.

Around the mark: Hugh McCluggage, Tim English, Ben Ainsworth

The Giants have identifies Andrew McGrath as a priority if available. Picture: AFL Photos


Hawthorn

Pick 88: This year's crop is so even it is difficult to predict the early stages, let alone who might be available deep in the fifth round. Whoever the Hawks pick here, we think the old line 'We thought he'd be gone by that pick' will get rolled out on draft night. Could it be Ben Jarman, the club's potential father-son pick? Jarman has a choice to make between nominating the Crows or Hawks as his first preference, but either way he fits in as a later pick. The Hawks' picks are worth no bidding points right now (until the draft order changes on the night when clubs start to pass), but they can still match a bid by going into deficit next year.

Melbourne

Pick 47: Through some quality drafting and trading in recent years, the Demons have most bases covered well on their list. They are perhaps short on tall defenders, though, and may look at their first pick to bolster that department. Victorian Jack Maibaum consistently nullifies opponents and was named an All Australian defender for his carnival performance with Vic Metro. He doesn't gather plenty of the ball, but can hold down a stopping role and cut players out of the game.

Around the mark: Hamish Brayshaw, Elliott Himmelberg, Luke Ryan

North Melbourne

Pick 11: If the Roos are looking for pace and class, they might be able to find it in Oliver Florent. The Sandringham Dragons midfielder finished his season in terrific form, starring in their TAC Cup premiership win and backing it up with a best afield display in the NAB All Stars game on Grand Final eve with 27 disposals. Florent moves nicely through traffic, kicks it well and has some spark about him. He would be a nice fit at Arden Street.

Around the mark: Sam Petrevski-Seton, Daniel Venables, Jordan Gallucci

Oliver Florent hit great form late in the season and would be good for the Roos. Picture: AFL Photos


Port Adelaide

Pick 14: The Power need some more polish through their midfield and quality users of the ball. Alex Witherden could be one worth looking at for that purpose. The Geelong Falcon has missed most of the year with a broken leg but is one of the best kicks in the draft, a key reason clubs still see him fitting in the back half of the first round. He will start his career as an attacking half-back but has the nous and smarts to eventually progress into the midfield. If not for his injury Witherden would likely have spent more time in the middle this year.

Around the mark: Jordan Gallucci, Will Hayward, Tim Taranto

Richmond

Pick 27: It has been a swift rise up the draft board for Cedric Cox this year, having moved from Western Australia to Camperdown last year before playing for the North Ballarat Rebels in 2016. Cox played his best footy as a rebounding half-back, where his pace and skill impressed. He also moved up the ground and onto the wing, and occasionally across half-forward, where he was able to highlight his versatility. He seems likely to be a second-round selection.

Around the mark: Pat Kerr, Sam Powell-Pepper, Jordan Ridley

St Kilda

Pick 23: The Saints traded out of the first round and gained multiple second-round selections, plus extra first-round presence next year. Powerful midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper could be an option at their first choice, No.23. The West Australian is a busy, tough, bullocking midfielder who barges through traffic and has a great athletic profile. Another who come into consideration if the Saints want to beef up their young tall stocks is 196cm defender Elliott Himmelberg. He has been off the radar after suffering a leg injury mid-season but has talent. He’s the younger brother of GWS pick-up Harrison, but is not tied to a northern academy.

Around the mark: Will Hayward, Alex Witherden, Brennan Cox

Sydney Swans

Pick 9: The Swans have moved up the draft order with a player clearly in mind. Who is it? We'll have to wait and see. It could be Griffin Logue, the key defender who pushed himself right up the ranks late in the season. Sydney could do with an up-and-coming young tall back, and Logue might be the best one in this year's pool. The athletic big man ran 15.1 in the beep test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine and came in the top-five for the 3km time trial – traits he used to move into the midfield late in the year. He's ready to play.

Around the mark: Tim Taranto, Will Brodie, Oliver Florent

Griffin Logue was outstanding, and exhausted, at the NAB AFL Draft Combine. Picture: AFL Photos


West Coast

Pick 12: Tim Taranto might still be on the board at this pick despite his excellent end to the season. A goalkicking midfielder who steps up at the big moments in games, the Sandringham Dragon enjoyed a consistent year and has an excellent endurance base (he has run a 15.9 beep test). His marking and size give him a point of difference as a midfielder and Taranto booted four goals in the NAB All Stars game on Grand Final eve. The Eagles would need to look closely if he's available at their first choice.

Around the mark: Tim English, Todd Marshall, Shai Bolton

Western Bulldogs

Pick 18: South Australian Will Hayward shot up the draft board late in the year with some great performances at under-18 level. The exciting half-forward kicked nine goals in a preliminary final and four goals the Grand Final, and is likely to be the first player from his state to be picked. The Dogs like natural footballers – their flag team was built on them – and Hayward has shown his instincts as a great overhead mark and a prospect with good goal sense.

Around the mark: Jy Simpkin, Jordan Gallucci, Jarrod Berry

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

A lot of those were under the old regime though. We had a specific policy of running talls for 2-3 years when we brought in paps, close etc. From memory they were circa 15 beep testers over 190cm and that was a huge reason for picking them up. Then it was McStay etc for similar reasons.

Our recruiting and coaching has all changed over since then and I see us focussing far more on best available at early picks and plugging obvious remaining gaps with our 21/22 (gaps for me are speed, elite disposal by hand or foot, defensive pressure in the forward line and midfield and contested ball/marking esp. through the midfield).

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Noble actually said in the trade wrap that we were going to focus on midfielders and running defenders. First pick will be a midfielder but maybe our strategy for the later picks hasn't changed that much after all.

 

[13Beast]

A couple of reasons
I don't see any as a true contested beast, with the ones available lacking speed and foot skill in some degree. I already see us having better prospects in Mathieson and Keays, even JJ showed promise. We need to be wary of building a one paced midfield with average skills

Also historically these type of players are available nearly every draft in the second round, Matt Crouch, Luke Dunstan, Dunkley just a few off the top of my head. I don't see it as get one now, or we run the risk of missing out on that type of player.

As I stated I think we need to address speed and skill, and just prefer those prospect better at those picks for us.

Speed & skill like you stated, and two way running. Seems to be a lot of these quick flashy x factor types who really only think offensively, with very little defensive accountability.

I'd like the club to bring in some high potential recruits with speed and x factor this draft but they also must be willing to dig in and apply defensive pressure.

 

[13Beast]

Cal Twomeys first picks for each club

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-10-22/in-the-gun-every-clubs-top-draft-target

Interesting looking at the "Around the Mark" sections below each team's pick...curious to see the SPS is listed at being possibly available as late as #11, SPP as late as #27 (!), Witherden as late as #24, Taranto as late as #14, Berry as late as #18.

Good to see that even the experts have really no clue where all these guys will get picked due to being such a tight draft.

I reckon the Lions are going to get their hands on some real talent this draft at every one of our top four picks. I can feel it in my bones

 

[neg99]

Noble actually said in the trade wrap that we were going to focus on midfielders and running defenders. First pick will be a midfielder but maybe our strategy for the later picks hasn't changed that much after all.

I don't think that means tall elite endurance runners which is what it meant in the past. Hard defensive running is more about mental willingness to chase, acceleration, agility and speed. For example I'd rate Zorko and M. Robbo as our two best defensive runners by a country mile. Neither are tall and neither are exceptional endurance athletes.

Too many of our players last year didn't turn back, run and chase in turnover situations to put pressure on the oppositions forward entries. You're always going to have some downhill skiers but reckon we had too many.

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[Flea_29]

An interesting one could be Brad Scheer.
Some rate him very highly and Cal Twomey in an Aug Phantom draft had him at 18.
With GC having 4 picks in the top 10 and then their next at 73, I wonder whether our team will select/bid on him at possibly 22?

 

[lionshine]

Witherden is a player our recruiters will love I reckon. Wouldn't be surprised if they selected him at pick 16 if available.

 

[blueiris]

Both Anderson and Twomey have us bidding on Bowes at 3 and taking Ainsworth at 4 I'm often not happy with who the Lions take with our first pick but I'm very happy with Ainsworth if he's available at 3-4

 

[blueiris]

Witherden is a player our recruiters will love I reckon. Wouldn't be surprised if they selected him at pick 16 if available.

Who do you rate higher Berry or Witherden if both we're available at picks 16 21 22

 

[lionshine]

Who do you rate higher Berry or Witherden if both we're available at picks 16 21 22

They are two players who I know little about other than what I've read about them and seen the odd game. I just feel like the recruiters will find Witherden's size, flexibility and quality kicking skills an exciting prospect. He will transition into the midfield in the AFL according to Cal Twomey but he'll probably start off half back. As for Berry, his mix of size, athleticism and leadership ability are all really positive traits. He will likely become a tall midfielder at AFL level imo but he can be used as a utility. If I had to take one, and I'm not the best person to ask because I haven't seen as much of these guys as I have others but I reckon Witherden has a higher ceiling.

 

[13Beast]

They are two players who I know little about other than what I've read about them and seen the odd game. I just feel like the recruiters will find Witherden's size, flexibility and quality kicking skills an exciting prospect. He will transition into the midfield in the AFL according to Cal Twomey but he'll probably start off half back. As for Berry, his mix of size, athleticism and leadership ability are all really positive traits. He will likely become a tall midfielder at AFL level imo but he can be used as a utility. If I had to take one, and I'm not the best person to ask because I haven't seen as much of these guys as I have others but I reckon Witherden has a higher ceiling.

Thanks Lionshine. Would love to hear Cotter and/or Quigley add to this conversation regarding Witherden and Berry too.

The way they are described; both leaders, good size, talented and highly skilled, flexible, potential mids in the future - I wouldn't be surprised if we took both if they were up and available at our picks. Could certainly do a lot worse IMHO.

 

[lionshine]

Apparently it was reported on SEN(I know, I know...) yesterday that Fagan is really keen on Ainsworth and wants him at pick 3. Did anyone hear that?

 

[lionshine]

Thanks Lionshine. Would love to hear Cotter and/or Quigley add to this conversation regarding Witherden and Berry too.

The way they are described; both leaders, good size, talented and highly skilled, flexible, potential mids in the future - I wouldn't be surprised if we took both if they were up and available at our picks. Could certainly do a lot worse IMHO.

The one thing that the media experts rave about Witherden is his kicking skills. Has penetration on his kicks and he's very accurate. We could do with an elite kick of the footy coming off the half back flank who has the potential to transition into the midfield similar to a Dyson Heppell perhaps.

 

[jjami15]

Both Anderson and Twomey have us bidding on Bowes at 3 and taking Ainsworth at 4 I'm often not happy with who the Lions take with our first pick but I'm very happy with Ainsworth if he's available at 3-4

No love for Schache?

 

[Crusha]

The one thing that the media experts rave about Witherden is his kicking skills. Has penetration on his kicks and he's very accurate. We could do with an elite kick of the footy coming off the half back flank who has the potential to transition into the midfield similar to a Dyson Heppell perhaps.

And we all know the big mistake we made there .... still cringe when I hear the name Polec.... (Doh ....cringed again)

 

[jackess]

And we all know the big mistake we made there .... still cringe when I hear the name Polec.... (Doh ....cringed again)

Yeah, missing out on Tom Lynch for Polec really hurt.

 

[lionshine]

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2016-10-22/does-your-club-need-a-hero.workstation

 

[TheZork]

All of our list spots are full at the moment but I really think we have to take Allison somehow (probably by de-listing Green), I know he's had a terrible year but in 2015 he was one of the best under aged players. His height, speed and long kick will surely draw a bid from clubs in the 3rd or 4th rounds.

 

[Bucking Beads]

Ben Ainsworth seems like a great plug and play option for us at 3. I've come around on him as a selection but I was initially worried about having a lot of shorter guys in our side.

 

[Milk Steak]

Yeah, missing out on Tom Lynch for Polec really hurt.

 

[blueiris]

No love for Schache?

I was hounded down last season for my love for Oliver I think Schache will be great though with Hipwood for the next ten years

 

[Flea_29]

We have been keen on Ainsworth since last year - way before Fagan's appointment. Callum Twomey knows this and that's why he always links us to Ainsworth.
Schwab knows full well that McCluggage is going to Ess and McGrath at GWS, hence why we made that trade with GWS.

I'm hoping for:
- AINSWORTH at pick 3
- SCRIMSHAW at pick 16 (hoping he slides)
- WITHERDEN/BERRY at 21
- BOLTON//FLORENT/SCHEER at 22

 

[Bucking Beads]

We have been keen on Ainsworth since last year - way before Fagan's appointment. Callum Twomey knows this and that's why he always links us to Ainsworth.
Schwab knows full well that McCluggage is going to Ess and McGrath at GWS, hence why we made that trade with GWS.

I'm hoping for:
- AINSWORTH at pick 3
- SCRIMSHAW at pick 16 (hoping he slides)
- WITHERDEN/BERRY at 21
- BOLTON//FLORENT/SCHEER at 22

People keep saying that Scrimshaw has been pretty open about not wanting to come to Brisbane. If that is the case there is no way we should draft him.

 

[WA Lion]

I know it is unlikely but I am very keen for Berry to slide to our pick 16. Half Back with leadership in spades, just what we need