2016 Draft discussion

[Vindicater]

You guys benefited on draft night from two major things.

Dodo having a brain fart and taking McGrath over Clug.

GWS being so talent heavy that they could pick for need instead of Best available with the #2 selection.

Getting McCluggage at #3 is an out and out bargain!

 

[dlanod]

I still think we could add some midfield depth. Wouldnt mind picking up Scharenberg in the PSD or rookie

Don't have any list spots for the PSD, but I wouldn't mind him at pick 2 in the rookie.

 

[luthor]

On a slightly different note, the usual totally underwhelming write up of the Draft in the Curious Snail this morning.

The Lead back page story is about the earth shattering decision by two NRL "stars" to try out for the NFL.

A few pages on the cricket but you have to go six pages back to get any mention of the AFL draft and then it's a piece by Hammo almost exclusively about GC and Jack Bowes with the emphasis on Bowes being the first Quuenslander in a decade to go top 10

Only mention of the Lions is a one sentence paragraph about Brisbane also celebrating the snapping up of McCluggage, who slipped to pick 3.

One probably shouldn't be surprised at such cursory treatment but it does demonstrate how far we have to travel as a club to become relevant again, especially in our own city.

 

[jackess]

For the rookie I'd like a ruckman to develop whether it's Sweet, Goddard or Dennis, a back up key back even if it's Silvagni and a small forward like Lebois or Ryan.

 

[Quigley]

For me a good draft. Not all guys I rated highly but all rated guys. What the club has done well the last couple of years has been to take guys who have fell to them and not look a gift horse in the mouth. The one issue for me is that we have overloaded at the half back flank. Berry, Witherden, Cox and Allison are probably all best suited to playing that role early in their careers. Seems a bit silly when we have so many other needs.

Of the guys we took:

McCluggage - should be a good player. He was not my favourite at that pick (I still think SPS will end up being the best player from this draft) but its hard to argue we did the wrong thing picking him here.

Berry - a favourite of the recruiting staff. He did not develop as hoped this year which is a concern. Skills improved though. I would have preferred SPP who would have added pace and hardness to the next generations forward flank but again it is hard to argue that Berry was not a very good pick here especially given the cultural issues we have had.

Witherden - I don't really think this pick suits our needs especially after taking Berry. Not a runner and I think his kicking ability is overrated. A decent chance he ends up in the midfield though and if he does he could be a good value pick. Would have loved Parfitt here.

Cox - after years of not picking an indigenous guy we pick one who I think has more risk than most. Anyway he is a huge upside pick and with the last of our early picks I have no problem with that. Needs to find more of the ball but his skills are very good and he has the pace that our team needs. Played a lot of defence this year and he probably starts there for us. Could be potent on a wing as he develops.

Allison - I was very worried we were going to pass on him but I am very glad we didn't. Size, pace and a huge leg is value at pick 55.

Lyons - brother of Jarrod who moved from Adelaide to GC this year. Similar type in that he is a smart inside mid who is challenged for pace. Skills decent and given our lack of mids in the NEAFL he was a reasonable pick where we got him. Unlikely to be a star at AFL level but if he can develop as his brother has he could get games.

I was disappointed to miss out on Watson and think the recruiters have made a mistake there. They traded out of the middle rounds and giving up next years early second was a lot to pay for him. I think he will be a good player.

 

[lionshine]

any more for the Liam Ryan bandwagon? lionshine IIRC it was you who first alerted us to him?

Yeah I think there are a few nice options for us with pick 2 in the rookie draft. Liam Ryan definitely worth a punt as a rookie. The club may opt for someone who they had top 30-40 on their draft board who slipped right through the national draft though(That could be Ryan).

 

[lionshine]

 

[cotter101]

For me a good draft. Not all guys I rated highly but all rated guys. What the club has done well the last couple of years has been to take guys who have fell to them and not look a gift horse in the mouth. The one issue for me is that we have overloaded at the half back flank. Berry, Witherden, Cox and Allison are probably all best suited to playing that role early in their careers. Seems a bit silly when we have so many other needs.

Of the guys we took:

McCluggage - should be a good player. He was not my favourite at that pick (I still think SPS will end up being the best player from this draft) but its hard to argue we did the wrong thing picking him here.

Berry - a favourite of the recruiting staff. He did not develop as hoped this year which is a concern. Skills improved though. I would have preferred SPP who would have added pace and hardness to the next generations forward flank but again it is hard to argue that Berry was not a very good pick here especially given the cultural issues we have had.

Witherden - I don't really think this pick suits our needs especially after taking Berry. Not a runner and I think his kicking ability is overrated. A decent chance he ends up in the midfield though and if he does he could be a good value pick. Would have loved Parfitt here.

Cox - after years of not picking an indigenous guy we pick one who I think has more risk than most. Anyway he is a huge upside pick and with the last of our early picks I have no problem with that. Needs to find more of the ball but his skills are very good and he has the pace that our team needs. Played a lot of defence this year and he probably starts there for us. Could be potent on a wing as he develops.

Allison - I was very worried we were going to pass on him but I am very glad we didn't. Size, pace and a huge leg is value at pick 55.

Lyons - brother of Jarrod who moved from Adelaide to GC this year. Similar type in that he is a smart inside mid who is challenged for pace. Skills decent and given our lack of mids in the NEAFL he was a reasonable pick where we got him. Unlikely to be a star at AFL level but if he can develop as his brother has he could get games.

I was disappointed to miss out on Watson and think the recruiters have made a mistake there. They traded out of the middle rounds and giving up next years early second was a lot to pay for him. I think he will be a good player.

Needs wise, I think we done pretty well personally. I suppose that depends on where each individual thinks those players are best suited in going forward.

 

[Leemas]

He was injured after the Champs and carried a hamstring injury most of the year.

Off field stuff mate - really hope we stay the f away

 

[mikey127]

Went to the Lions draft function in Melbourne last night. Was a great night. Before the draft they said we were keen on Berry but didn't think he would slip to 16. Great function and well done to Sam Lord for all he does and thanks to the recruiting staff for coming along and giving us an insight.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I wonder if Will Brodie will be rolling with the Nickleback haircut for his entire career.

 

[M Malice]

just got an email from the club to say the new boys will be at a meet and greet at the gabba, gate 2 between 4 and 6pm this coming thursday.

 

[CarterS]

On a slightly different note, the usual totally underwhelming write up of the Draft in the Curious Snail this morning.

The Lead back page story is about the earth shattering decision by two NRL "stars" to try out for the NFL.

A few pages on the cricket but you have to go six pages back to get any mention of the AFL draft and then it's a piece by Hammo almost exclusively about GC and Jack Bowes with the emphasis on Bowes being the first Quuenslander in a decade to go top 10

Only mention of the Lions is a one sentence paragraph about Brisbane also celebrating the snapping up of McCluggage, who slipped to pick 3.

One probably shouldn't be surprised at such cursory treatment but it does demonstrate how far we have to travel as a club to become relevant again, especially in our own city.

To be fair it is off season in a non-AFL city. I'd be curious how far back you have to go to see the NRL news in the Melbourne paper.

Not sure why you have the word stars in speech marks because the two NRL players who are trying out are genuine superstars of the game.

 

[Milk Steak]

For me a good draft. Not all guys I rated highly but all rated guys. What the club has done well the last couple of years has been to take guys who have fell to them and not look a gift horse in the mouth. The one issue for me is that we have overloaded at the half back flank. Berry, Witherden, Cox and Allison are probably all best suited to playing that role early in their careers. Seems a bit silly when we have so many other needs.

Of the guys we took:

McCluggage - should be a good player. He was not my favourite at that pick (I still think SPS will end up being the best player from this draft) but its hard to argue we did the wrong thing picking him here.

Berry - a favourite of the recruiting staff. He did not develop as hoped this year which is a concern. Skills improved though. I would have preferred SPP who would have added pace and hardness to the next generations forward flank but again it is hard to argue that Berry was not a very good pick here especially given the cultural issues we have had.

Witherden - I don't really think this pick suits our needs especially after taking Berry. Not a runner and I think his kicking ability is overrated. A decent chance he ends up in the midfield though and if he does he could be a good value pick. Would have loved Parfitt here.

Cox - after years of not picking an indigenous guy we pick one who I think has more risk than most. Anyway he is a huge upside pick and with the last of our early picks I have no problem with that. Needs to find more of the ball but his skills are very good and he has the pace that our team needs. Played a lot of defence this year and he probably starts there for us. Could be potent on a wing as he develops.

Allison - I was very worried we were going to pass on him but I am very glad we didn't. Size, pace and a huge leg is value at pick 55.

Lyons - brother of Jarrod who moved from Adelaide to GC this year. Similar type in that he is a smart inside mid who is challenged for pace. Skills decent and given our lack of mids in the NEAFL he was a reasonable pick where we got him. Unlikely to be a star at AFL level but if he can develop as his brother has he could get games.

I was disappointed to miss out on Watson and think the recruiters have made a mistake there. They traded out of the middle rounds and giving up next years early second was a lot to pay for him. I think he will be a good player.

So we did well then.....

 

[Flea_29]

How good was it waking up this morning with the knowledge that we have drafted some quality players / future stars.

Thanks to the bombers for taking McGrath off GWS and giving us McCluggage. Also, thanks to GWS for trading us pick 16 for virtually picks 31, 50 & 61.

Our first 3 picks were exactly the type of players we need and our 4th was always going to be one where a number of players could have been considered.
Very cleaver of the club to pick 4 country players (3 teammates from North Ballarat & one for the Geelong Falcons).
Add this to Skinner, Matho & Schache & we have the foundations of a very stable and talented team.

What a great week it's been.
Renewed by family membership and we drafted 6 quality players.

 

[deklares]

Quigley what risks do you see with Coxy? I found it interesting to hear what the Rebels coach had to say about him being driven to success.

Sounds like you weren't overly rapt with the draft. I liked the Rebels theme and the fact -like we usually do- found some sliders..

We have the system in place now to give these young guys every chance which is the most important thing I guess.

 

[Jivlain]

For me a good draft. Not all guys I rated highly but all rated guys. What the club has done well the last couple of years has been to take guys who have fell to them and not look a gift horse in the mouth. The one issue for me is that we have overloaded at the half back flank. Berry, Witherden, Cox and Allison are probably all best suited to playing that role early in their careers. Seems a bit silly when we have so many other needs.

Of the guys we took:

McCluggage - should be a good player. He was not my favourite at that pick (I still think SPS will end up being the best player from this draft) but its hard to argue we did the wrong thing picking him here.

Berry - a favourite of the recruiting staff. He did not develop as hoped this year which is a concern. Skills improved though. I would have preferred SPP who would have added pace and hardness to the next generations forward flank but again it is hard to argue that Berry was not a very good pick here especially given the cultural issues we have had.

Witherden - I don't really think this pick suits our needs especially after taking Berry. Not a runner and I think his kicking ability is overrated. A decent chance he ends up in the midfield though and if he does he could be a good value pick. Would have loved Parfitt here.

Cox - after years of not picking an indigenous guy we pick one who I think has more risk than most. Anyway he is a huge upside pick and with the last of our early picks I have no problem with that. Needs to find more of the ball but his skills are very good and he has the pace that our team needs. Played a lot of defence this year and he probably starts there for us. Could be potent on a wing as he develops.

Allison - I was very worried we were going to pass on him but I am very glad we didn't. Size, pace and a huge leg is value at pick 55.

Lyons - brother of Jarrod who moved from Adelaide to GC this year. Similar type in that he is a smart inside mid who is challenged for pace. Skills decent and given our lack of mids in the NEAFL he was a reasonable pick where we got him. Unlikely to be a star at AFL level but if he can develop as his brother has he could get games.

I was disappointed to miss out on Watson and think the recruiters have made a mistake there. They traded out of the middle rounds and giving up next years early second was a lot to pay for him. I think he will be a good player.

As regards the half-back flank that was my initial reaction, but I'm coming around and seeing the method to the madness. As they come in they'll free up the guys we've got playing there - e.g. Bundy, Mayes, Claye - to move (back) forward where they're a bit more natural. After this year's points-against I can hardly fault Fagan for wanting to stamp his influence on our backline either. Given the talent available at our picks not a bad year to deal with that first. We've got some young talent developing in the midfield - plus some more this draft obviously. We could use small forwards as that's hardly Keays' real position (mind, he did a decent job, albeit with iffy goalkicking, before wearing himself out this year). Wonder if we might be looking in that direction at #2 in the rookie draft.

Agree completely about the middle rounds issue - last year we didn't miss a trick as regards maximising the use of the points system but this year we could have been better there. Something like dropping the one of our second rounders down a bit - one pick to sweep up a slider and one to firewall our future second against early academy bids - would have been better.

 

[Zhesty]

Great result bringing some quality kids onto our list. Would have preferred Brodie at pick 3 but happy with the luggage. Hopefully we now have the right development programs in place to get the best out of these kids.

 

[singaport]

Have not posted for a while but love the emphasis on accuracy by foot. My voice box may survive 2017 . Good drafting to back up last years effort. Feeling chuffed for once and hope that optimism will still be there by mid season 2017.

 

[Zhesty]

One thing our side has seriously lacked since the Drummond years has been drive from the back half. Hopefully this years draft crop can change that in a few years time.

 

[lionshine]

One thing our side has seriously lacked since the Drummond years has been drive from the back half. Hopefully this years draft crop can change that in a few years time.

Tom Cutler, Reuben William, Alex Witherden and Cedric Cox could provide that for us with Cutler and William providing the run, Witherden providing the classy ball use and Cedric Cox providing the dash and silky skills.

 

[lionshine]

We now have a bit of pace and flair coming out of the defensive 50 with Cutler, William and Cox.

 

[mikey127]

O think with Cox given that we had virtually got 3 sliders we could take a risk with that pick.

 

[Len S]

Went to the Lions draft function in Melbourne last night. Was a great night. Before the draft they said we were keen on Berry but didn't think he would slip to 16. Great function and well done to Sam Lord for all he does and thanks to the recruiting staff for coming along and giving us an insight.

Great function , it was a bit like grand final eve in the lead up,Sam Lord and team did a great job , as Mikey mentioned. Having the recruiting boys there with special comments in the breaks added to the drama. I thought we nailed it brilliantly , and that was the feeling of the room.Especially when Berry came through . The recruiting dept.set it up very well.I think the bid on Watson would have been to expensive, at that stage, Allison was luckier . Ballendon being there next year was a factor also.Lyon is a very good footballer , and a goal kicker and may prove a bonus.Hinge was in contention maybe he'll get a rookie spot. Funny he wasn't picked at all. Think there will be a massive , positive flow on from this draft.Also think we overlooked tbe right ones !

 

[lionshine]

I'm quite hopeful we select Liam Ryan with the second selection in the rookie draft. Probably not the kind of player you want to take a risk on in the ND but definitely worth a shot as a rookie. He tested pretty well at the state combine except for his beep result. Apparently we showed a fair bit of interest in him at the WA combine so he is on our radar. Chris Fagan said he'd like us to target a small forward and we are yet to address that. He's only just turned 20 in October so he is still young and he kicked 40 goals in the WAFL this year and 11 goals in 4 games for the reserves at the start of the season so 51 goals in total this year. He could step into our side next year and contribute straight away.