List Mgmt. 2016 Draft Prospects(Poll Added)

[Dav1d]

Has Berry grown to key position height? I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up going very high

Ainsworth will be an interesting one to watch if his interrupted season affects him & I can't remember in recent times a small forward going high in the draft like a few already expect him to

 

[Wizard17]

Has Berry grown to key position height? I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up going very high

Ainsworth will be an interesting one to watch if his interrupted season affects him & I can't remember in recent times a small forward going high in the draft like a few already expect him to

I don't think Ainsworth will fall anywhere near where we will pick from ditto Berry they have shown too much already.

I'm hoping for a few tall forwards to make there marks really especially someone who is athletic enough to play together with Boyd.

Maybe KPF's like Joshua Battle or Patrick Kerr will have a good run? Maybe Jarrod Korewha has a non interrupted season unlike last year we do seem to like tall utilities...

Too early to tell much about them just yet.

 

[Dav1d]

I don't think Ainsworth will fall anywhere near where we will pick from ditto Berry they have shown too much already.

I'm hoping for a few tall forwards to make there marks really especially someone who is athletic enough to play together with Boyd.

Maybe KPF's like Joshua Battle or Patrick Kerr will have a good run? Maybe Jarrod Korewha has a non interrupted season unlike last year we do seem to like tall utilities...

Too early to tell much about them just yet.

As you said, too early to say
Berry/Ainsworth aren't both guaranteed to go top 5

I'm thinking that its possible this year that we try to trade up, I'd be a bit worried if we traded our first for a ruck man

Wouldn't mind having some more class added to the side as well

But all I can think of at this early stage is Parfitt

 

[Wizard17]

I'm thinking that a CHF is in order. This is probably the last year that we can draft one before our window.

I'm hoping for a CHF like Battle or Kerr.

 

[VitalDread]

Josh Battle is someone to look out for
197cm (i think) key forward playing for Dandy this year
Really nice bloke and comes from a good family
Ticks all the personality boxes from what i have been told

 

[LittleG]

Josh Battle is someone to look out for
197cm (i think) key forward playing for Dandy this year
Really nice bloke and comes from a good family
Ticks all the personality boxes from what i have been told

Not sure he has the mongrel our team really needs. But said to be pretty focused and professional.

 

[Dav1d]

I'm wanting a tall to, just unfamiliar about the first round prospect talls in this years draft

I am more familiar with the mid fielders

An athletic key forward would be nice though

 

[Wizard17]

Josh Battle is someone to look out for
197cm (i think) key forward playing for Dandy this year
Really nice bloke and comes from a good family
Ticks all the personality boxes from what i have been told

194cm, 89kg last I checked

Patrick Kerr is from Oakleigh hopefully he has grown a few cm's cause he was 190cm at the end of last year. Got some good blood-lines and kicked a few bags against good teams last year. He'd be Metro's main kpf this year.

Then there is Jarrod Korewha from North Ballarat who is around the 193cm mark and can play just about anywhere.

 

[Wizard17]

Western Jets Preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41862016

Coach: Torin Baker (fourth year)

Talent Manager: Shane Sexton

2015 finish: 11th

2015 AFL draftees: Luke Goetz (rookie pick no.29, Western Bulldogs)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level One – Lachlan Fogarty

Last premiership: -

The Jets missed the finals last year after September appearances in 2013 and 2014. Their two wins came against the Bendigo Pioneers by 21 points in Round 7 and the finals-bound Calder Cannons by nine points in the final home-and-away round.

Talent Manager Shane Sexton expects a jump up the ladder from Western’s 2016 group though. He said while the list is usually split evenly between top-age and bottom-age players, the club has about 75 per cent top-age players this year. “It’s the first time that’s ever happened out here,” Sexton said. “This group has always promised to be pretty handy. I think it’s not an unfair statement to say there’s a fair bit of interest in them.”

Much interest will centre on three Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School boys, Daniel Venables, Harrison Bult and Brock McGregor. Venables is a powerful ball-winner who has now chosen football as his top priority over cricket, Bult is a mobile tall defender who Sexton says has matured rapidly over the off-season and McGregor is a power forward currently working to overcome a back injury. Sexton also said co-captain Wilson Berry will be one to watch, along with currently injured pair Judah Dundon and Oscar Junker (also a co-captain).

According to Sexton, the pick of the club’s over-age players is pacy ball-carrier Daniel Foley. “Daniel played some good footy last year but for whatever reason didn’t really get it together,” Sexton said. “This time around he’s acquitted himself well in the practice matches, winning his own ball and improving his endurance.” Foley will be joined by developing ruckman Josh Webb and injury-prone trio Jackson Menadue, Jayden Murdoch and Tyler Vujanic as Jets 19-year-olds for 2016.

There’ll be some returnees in Western’s coaches box this year too. The club’s ex-U15 coach Troy Scoble, former long-time U16 coach Ray Stevens and Mark Greenshields will all take up assistant coaching positions.

The Jets open their season on Saturday March 26 against the Oakleigh Chargers at Ikon Park.

Oakleigh Chargers season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41862010

Coach: Michael Stinear (third year)

Talent Manager: Craig Notman

2015 finish: Premier

2015 AFL draftees: David Cuningham (pick no.23, Carlton), Alex Morgan (no.29, Essendon), Jack Silvagni (no.53, Carlton), Tom Phillips (no.58, Collingwood), Ben Crocker (no.65, Collingwood)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level One – Jack Higgins

Last premiership: 2015

The Chargers claimed their third premiership in four years by defeating the Eastern Ranges by 12 points in last year’s Grand Final. They may have only finished sixth with a record of 9-8 after the home-and-away season but swept through some fancied teams en route to the decider with victories over the Gippsland Power by 78 points, the Murray Bushrangers by six points and then the North Ballarat Rebels by 32 points.

Several premiership players are back for 2016, meaning Oakleigh’s core group knows exactly what it’ll take to return to the top of the TAC Cup tree. Talent Manager Craig Notman said some of them would be trialled in different positions this year to increase their versatility.

Of the top-age players, key defender Sam McLarty will be used more up forward, wingman Taylin Duman will spend increased time as an inside midfielder, small forward Dion Johnstone will also move through the midfield at times and tall stay-at-home goalkicker Pat Kerr will roam further up the ground. “We’re looking to utilise his kick,” Notman said of Kerr. “He’s probably one of the better kicks in our side.”

Two more premiership winners have been invited back to the Chargers as over-age players. Notman said Lachlan Walker, a strong inside midfielder with an eye for goal, was probably “quite stiff to miss out on being at an AFL club” this year, while talented cricketer Campbell Lane has chosen to focus on football in 2016 after a pre-season spent balancing the two sports “probably caught up with him a little bit” last year. Developing talls Josh Boehm, Xavier Morgan and Sam Parsons will be Oakleigh’s other 19-year-olds.

Michael Stinear goes into his third year as senior coach with an assistant coaching panel including Troy Chaplin. The Richmond key-position player helped develop the club’s youngsters in 2015 and, along with his fellow assistants, will likely be given an opportunity by Stinear to coach the team outright for a game at some point during 2016.

The Chargers open their season on Saturday March 26 against the Western Jets at Ikon Park.

Northern Knights preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41862006

Coach: Andrew Shakespeare (third year)

Talent Manager: Peter Kennedy

2015 finish: 10th

2015 AFL draftees: Jade Gresham (pick no.18, St Kilda), Brayden Fiorini (no.20, Gold Coast), Brayden Sier (no.32, Collingwood), Tyrone Leonardis (no.51, Sydney), Darcy MacPherson (rookie pick no.21, Gold Coast)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level One – Patrick Naish

Last premiership: 1996

The Knights missed the finals for the second straight year after winning just two of their first 15 games in 2015. They finished the season in form though, defeating the Bendigo Pioneers by 83 points in Round 17 and the finals-bound Gippsland Power by one point in the final home-and-away round.

Northern’s five AFL draftees from that group have since played in at least one NAB Challenge match this year and Talent Manager Peter Kennedy said several 2016 top-age players could follow in their footsteps. One of them is Luke Bunker, an inside midfielder who Kennedy said has a very good kick and will be one of the club’s “leading players”.

Kennedy said other Knights to watch include running defender Mason Blakey (the nephew of 300-game AFL player John Blakey), strong-bodied midfielder Matthew Signorello, tall defender Jamison Shea, raw ex-basketballer Patrick Lipinski and small midfielder Corey McKay. “Corey’s probably the same size as Jade Gresham was last year and he went to school with Jade, so we’re hoping he’ll follow in his footsteps,” Kennedy said.

2015 Vic Metro representative Matthew Perry headlines Northern’s over-age players this year, with Kennedy also hoping to showcase his “high-intensity running” in the VFL during the season. The club’s other 19-year-olds are endurance machine Jake Bradley (the son of former Carlton champion Craig Bradley), Steven Fitzgerald, Bobby Lamanna and late developing ruckman Chas Roberts.

Little will change on the coaching panel surrounding senior coach Andrew Shakespeare, but former Australian lacrosse captain Darren Nicholas has taken up a role at the club doing team-building and leadership work with the players.

The Knights open their season on Saturday March 26 against the Sandringham Dragons at Ikon Park.

North Ballarat Rebels Preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41861997

Coach: Gerard FitzGerald (first year)

Talent Manager: Phil Partington

2015 finish: 3rd

2015 AFL draftees: Jacob Hopper (pick no.7, GWS), Daniel Rioli (no.15, Richmond), Darcy Tucker (no.27, Fremantle), Yestin Eades (no.64, Essendon)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level Two – Jarrod Berry, Jarrod Korewha

Last premiership: 1997

The Rebels set up last year’s minor premiership campaign with a 10-game winning streak between Rounds 3 and 12. However, after a thrilling 12-point comeback victory over the Geelong Falcons in a qualifying final, they lost to the Oakleigh Chargers by 32 points in a preliminary final.

Replacing David Loader as senior coach, long-time North Ballarat VFL coach Gerard FitzGerald returns to the Rebels after a previous stint in charge of the team in 2005-06. Talent Manager Phil Partington said FitzGerald had already introduced his new players to the “next level of football”. “Fitzy’s been a VFL coach having a high association with North Melbourne through an alignment,” Partington said. “He’s seen a lot of what the AFL clubs are doing, so you’ll see some AFL traits in the style of play Fitzy will bring.”

North Ballarat boasts a handful of players seemingly set to take that step to the next level come year’s end. Tall midfielder and club captain Jarrod Berry was named in last year’s U18 All Australian team as a 17-year-old and will be closely watched by AFL clubs. “There’ll be a little bit of pressure on Jarrod this year but he’s a very level-headed young man and works extremely hard,” Partington said. “He’s the ultimate professional.” Versatile tall defender Jarrod Korewha and ruckman Lloyd Meek – a former rower who has decided to concentrate on football in 2016 – are others Partington is excited to see in action, predicting Meek’s ability to go forward and kick goals would make AFL clubs take notice.

Small midfielder James Gow, ruckman Nicholas Hausler, midfielder Charlie Lee and the skilful Jacob Wheelahan have been invited back to the Rebels as over-age players. Partington said Wheelahan was enjoying his first full pre-season in three years and “his ability to make a difficult kick look easy has been a highlight”.

North Ballarat’s top-end talent won’t just benefit from the addition of FitzGerald to the coaching panel, but also the inclusion of Matt Battistello as high performance coach. This year’s Vic Country U16 coach will work with the club’s potential draftees on their personal and football development.

The Rebels open their season on Saturday March 26 against the Geelong Falcons at Simonds Stadium

Murray Bushrangers season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41861992

Coach: Leon Higgins (first year)

Talent Manager: Lee Fraser

2015 finish: 5th

2015 AFL draftees: Josh Schache (pick no.2, Brisbane), Clayton Oliver (no.4, Melbourne), Mitch King (no.42, Melbourne), Nick Coughlan (rookie pick no.23, St Kilda), Kyle Galloway (rookie no.59, Sydney)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level Two – Will Brodie, Jy Simpkin, Zac Sproule / Level One – Charlie Spargo

Last premiership: 2008

The Bushrangers suffered a couple of agonisingly close losses in finals last year after a successful home-and-away season resulted in a third-placed finish. They lost by six points to both the Dandenong Stingrays in a qualifying final and the Oakleigh Chargers in a semi final.

Leon Higgins now takes the reins after the departure of six-year senior coach Darren Ogier. The former Sydney and Hawthorn AFL player has worked at Murray since 2008 and coached the undefeated Vic Country team at the 2015 U16 Championships. Talent Manager Lee Fraser said Higgins would continue implementing the development philosophy of Ogier and would have “a real focus on the contested side of the game”.

The new coach has some serious talent at his disposal too, with key contributors to last year’s undefeated U18 Vic Country team Will Brodie and Jy Simpkin in AFL recruiters’ sights. Brodie is a strong inside midfielder and Simpkin a dynamic small forward/midfielder, while Zac Sproule is another for draft watchers to keep an eye on. A GWS Academy member, Sproule kicked 16 goals in eight games as a key forward in 2015 but Fraser said “he’ll show a bit more flexibility this year playing forward and back”.

A player recently in draft contention, Lachlan Tiziani, will return to the Bushrangers as an over-ager in 2016. According to Fraser, the small defender “wasn’t far off the mark” last year but will need to round out his game. “Lachlan demonstrated some really good AFL attributes in 2015, but part of his development will be to play as an inside midfielder so he’ll do some work in that area,” Fraser said. Former basketballer Trent McMullin and injury-plagued half forward Luke McKeown are Murray’s other 19-year-olds.

Fraser said the balance of this year’s group across all areas of the ground would be a strength, pointing to the likes of Max Lynch up forward, Ryan Garthwaite down back and Harry Morrison in the midfield as those who could help bring the club success.

The Bushrangers open their season on Saturday March 26 against the Bendigo Pioneers at Deakin Reserve.

Gippsland Power preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625580

Coach: Leigh Brown (third year)

Talent Manager: Peter Francis

2015 finish: 7th

2015 AFL draftees: Harry McKay (pick no.10, Carlton), Ben McKay (no.21, North Melbourne), Josh Dunkley (no.25, Western Bulldogs), Sam Skinner (no.47, Brisbane), Tom Papley (rookie pick no.14, Sydney)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level Two – Ben Ainsworth / Level One – Tyrone Hayes, Cody Henness, Aidan Quigley

Last premiership: 2005

2015 was a season of what might have been for the Power, losing five games by 10 points or less as well as being involved in a draw. They still did enough to finish seventh after the home-and-away rounds but were beaten by the Oakleigh Chargers by 78 points in an elimination final.

Talent Manager Peter Francis compared Gippsland’s 2016 list similarly to last year’s group, which included four selections in the top 50 of the AFL Draft. “We think we’ve got some real talent there and our best team is pretty handy,” Francis said.

At the top-end of that team will be 2015 U18 All Australian and TAC Cup Team of the Year selection Ben Ainsworth. The classy small forward had an exceptional season as a 17-year-old, one that would have him “high on the radar of recruiters” according to Francis.

Will Leslie is another of the Power’s potential draft prospects. The versatile utility provides something different to his brother, third-year Gold Coast Suns key-position player Jack. “Will’s not as tall as Jack but is probably a little more adaptable in the positions he can play,” Francis said. “He can play through the midfield, half back and half forward.”

2015 Vic Country representative Deven Costigan has been invited back to Gippsland as an over-age player after being in draft contention last year. Francis compared Costigan to Essendon’s Martin Gleeson in how “he has that light frame but is really quick, has beautiful skills and is as brave as they come”. Ruckman Josh Patullo is also back and will be used more as a key-position player this year, while midfielder Tate Marsh will go around again after back stress fractures limited his top-age season. “He’s a really exciting talent, one we think could be drafted,” Francis said of Marsh. Kieren Byers and Ryan Hearn are others to be invited back to the club as 19-year-olds.

The Power open their season on Saturday March 26 against the Dandenong Stingrays at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

Geelong Falcons season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625565

Coach: Andrew Allthorpe (fifth year)

Talent Manager: Michael Turner

2015 finish: 6th

2015 AFL draftees: Darcy Parish (pick no.5, Essendon), Charlie Curnow (no.12, Carlton), Tom Doedee (no.17, Adelaide), Rhys Mathieson (no.39, Brisbane)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level Two – Alex Witherden

Last premiership: 2000

Despite playing in three draws in 2015, the Falcons secured a top-four spot by defeating the second-placed Dandenong Stingrays in the final home-and-away round. However, they couldn’t fire in September, losing a heartbreaker to the North Ballarat Rebels by 12 points in a qualifying final and suffering a 54-point defeat to the Eastern Ranges the next week.

Geelong boasted a team of considerable top-end talent last year, producing four top-40 AFL Draft picks. However, Talent Manager Michael Turner said the club’s list was different in 2016. “I think this year we’ve got more of an even group,” Turner said. “We’re probably not as high-profile as we were last year but I still think we’ve got some good developing players who’ll get themselves drafted.”

One player already in the draft frame is Alex Witherden. Turner said the attacking defender who starred in the AFL All Stars match on Grand Final day is a “real leader of the club and very professional in everything he does”. Turner predicted Witherden was “a very strong prospect of getting drafted and probably pretty early”.

The Falcons have invited several players who struggled with injury in 2015 back to the club as over-age players, including: Max Augerinos, who only returned from a knee reconstruction in June; Lockey McCartney, the son of former Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney; and Brett Blair, who kicked 34 goals in 13 games last year. Joel Bennett and Ben McCarthy will be Geelong’s other 19-year-olds in 2016.

A couple of club graduates have also returned as development coaches, including 2006 captain Daniel O’Keefe and AFL superstar Patrick Dangerfield, who contacted Turner about expanding his knowledge of the elite talent pathway after being traded to the Geelong Cats. “He really enjoyed his time at the Falcons and wanted to learn a bit more about AFL game development,” Turner said. “He comes down once a week when his schedule allows it. That’s not a bad get, is it?”

The Falcons open their season on Saturday March 26 against the North Ballarat Rebels at Simonds Stadium.

Dandenong Stingrays season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625505

Coach: Craig Black (third year)

Talent Manager: Mark Wheeler

2015 finish: 4th

2015 AFL draftees: Jacob Weitering (pick no.1, Carlton), Kieran Collins (no.26, Western Bulldogs), Brandon White (no.40, St Kilda), Liam Hulett (no.46, Melbourne), Bailey Rice (no.49, St Kilda), Kurt Mutimer (no.57, West Coast), Gach Nyuon (rookie pick no.4, Essendon)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level Two – Josh Battle, Myles Poholke / Level One – Hunter Clark, Oscar Clavarino, Aaron Darling, Luke Davies-Uniacke

Last premiership: -

A Stingrays team packed with future AFL draftees secured a top-two finish after the 2015 home-and-away rounds. But following a tense six-point victory over the Murray Bushrangers in a qualifying final, they couldn’t get past the Eastern Ranges on the penultimate weekend of the season, losing by 28 points.

Talent Manager Mark Wheeler said the Dandenong’s 2016 squad boasted perhaps even more depth than last year’s. He said “a lot speed and grunt” had been added over the off-season to complement the existing top-end quality of the list.

Wheeler expects four talented youngsters – Hunter Clark, Oscar Clavarino, Aaron Darling and Luke Davies-Uniacke – to play from Round 1 in their bottom-age seasons, with hard-running defender Clark and big midfielder Davies-Uniacke the stand-outs. Wheeler gave them what is certainly glowing praise given the club’s successful record in previous AFL Drafts: “They’re as good as I’ve seen.”

Among the top-age Stingrays, Josh Battle and Myles Poholke should have draft watchers interested this year. According to Wheeler, 190cm half forward Battle has already shown “he’s going to be an early draft pick”, while strong midfielder Poholke’s addition to the Level Two AFL Academy squad late last year has seen him come back from an American training camp in January “more professional”. 189cm utility Liam McKay is another player Wheeler is excited to see in action.

Mitch McCarthy returns to Dandenong as a 19-year-old after pursuing his dream of playing college basketball in the US last year. “He’s elite in his jumping ability, pretty freakish with his hands and has a side step a bit like Nic Naitanui’s,” Wheeler said of McCarthy. Thomas Glen and Thomas Jok – both in draft contention in 2015 – will also be over-age players in 2016, along with Travis Young and former Sandringham Dragons ruckman Dylan Atkins.

The Stingrays open their season on Saturday March 26 against the Gippsland Power at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

Bendigo Pioneers preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...339771-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41388741

Coach: Brett Henderson (second year)

Talent Manager: Stephen Sharp

2015 finish: 12th

2015 AFL draftees: Tom Cole (pick no.36, West Coast), Aidyn Johnson (no.45, Port Adelaide)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level 2 – Kobe Mutch / Level 1 – Jarrod Brander, Kane Farrell, Lochie O’Brien

Last premiership: -

The Pioneers finished last behind the Western Jets on percentage in 2015. Their two wins came against the NSW/ACT Rams in Round 10 and the Jets in Round 14 but one of their best performances was to finish within three points of eventual grand finalists the Eastern Ranges in Round 6.

After the club produced two draftees last year, Talent Manager Stephen Sharp said he expected captain Joseph Atley and vice-captain Kobe Mutch to be firmly in the AFL Draft frame come November. Tough midfielder Atley – the brother of North Melbourne’s Shaun – finished third in the 2015 best and fairest award as a 17-year-old, while Mutch is a midfielder/forward and member of both the AFL and GWS Academies.

Sharp is also looking forward to seeing key-position prospect Cooper Jones and indigenous player Kayle Kirby take the field for Bendigo in 2016. “He’s an excitement machine,” Sharp said of Kirby. “He’s got all the attributes you’d want to go and pay money to see.”

The club will take four 19-year-olds into the season including Jamieson Sheahan, a Bendigo native who played 11 games for the Geelong Falcons last year. Sharp said Sheahan – also the club’s Football Operations Manager – had “outstanding leadership skills”. Ruckman Zac Norris and Jack Exell – the son of former Geelong and Fitzroy player Gavin Exell – are other over-age players along with Isaac Miller, who returns for a second season with the Pioneers. “He was probably one of the last players picked on our list last year but became one of our top six or eight players,” Sharp said of Miller’s rapid development.

Positivity is the theme of 2016 at Bendigo. Senior coach Brett Henderson has been surrounded with a new-look group of assistants comprising several experienced local coaches who have had “a real positive influence since coming on board” according to Sharp.

The Pioneers open their season on Saturday March 26 against the Murray Bushrangers at Deakin Reserve.

Calder Cannons preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625459

Coach: Andrew Johnston (second year)

Talent Manager: Ian Kyte

2015 finish: 8th

2015 AFL draftees: Nick O’Kearney (rookie pick no.5, St Kilda), Callum Moore (rookie no.12, Richmond), Tom Wallis (rookie no.54, Essendon)

2016 AFL Academy members: -

Last premiership: 2010

After a Grand Final showing in 2014, the Cannons just made it into the top eight despite a losing record last year. They knocked off eventual premiers the Oakleigh Chargers by 20 points in Round 14 but later succumbed to the rampaging Eastern Ranges in an elimination final by a margin of 34 points.

Talent Manager Ian Kyte said the 2016 group boasted depth and was similarly even across the board to the 2015 group. At the top end, Kyte is excited to see Mitch Lewis and Tom Burnside, two top-age tall forward/ruck options in action. Lewis played nine games and kicked six goals last year, while Burnside – who Kyte said was “very agile” for a player close to 200cm – made seven appearances as a 17-year-old.

Perhaps the one for AFL Draft watchers to keep an eye on will be 192cm forward Karl Brown, who returns as an over-age player after booting 36 goals in 11 games in his first TAC Cup season. “He’s lost about 15kg over the two years and is now looking like he might fulfil that potential he showed previously,” Kyte said of Brown. “I think Karl will be one who’ll be talked about by people as the year goes on.”

The club’s other 19-year-olds for 2016 are: James Peters, returning to the field after suffering a season-ending ankle injury in April 2015; Matthew King, who came into the system for two games late last season; Ben Ronke, who spent last year playing local football with St Bernard’s; and Mitch Barnes, a former state-level basketballer who hasn’t played football for seven years. Kyte said the raw Barnes was “starting to show a little bit of potential” on the training track.

Senior coach Andrew Johnston will have some new assistants surrounding him this year, with former Carlton forward Lance Whitnall in charge of the forward line, Damien Keeping moving up from Calder’s U16 program and Nick Rutley leading the midfield group alongside part-time assistant, former Western Bulldogs champion Scott West.

The Cannons open their season on Thursday March 24 against the Eastern Ranges at Rams Arena.

Eastern Ranges preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625514

Coach: Darren Bewick (seventh year)

Talent Manager: Len Villani

2015 finish: Runner-up

2015 AFL draftees: Sam Weideman (pick no.9, Melbourne), Ryan Clarke (no.31, North Melbourne), Blake Hardwick (no.44, Hawthorn), James Parsons (rookie pick no.27, Geelong)

2016 AFL Academy members: Level Two – Jordan Gallucci / Level One – Joel Garner, Jaidyn Stephenson

Last premiership: 2013



After missing the finals in 2014, the Ranges came from fifth position after the home-and-away rounds to make last year’s Grand Final, but lost to the Oakleigh Chargers by 12 points. They had previously stunned some fancied teams in the finals, defeating the Calder Cannons by 34 points, the Geelong Falcons by 54 points and then the Dandenong Stingrays by 28 points.

That Grand Final team included nine 17-year-olds and three 16-year-olds, which Talent Manager Len Villani said bodes well for Eastern’s prospects in 2016. “They’re now the nucleus of our side this year,” Villani said. “So if we stay fit and healthy, I think we’re going to be a pretty solid team come September. I’d be disappointed if we weren’t around the mark again.”

2015 Vic Metro representative Jordan Gallucci headlines the players to watch at the Ranges. A powerful half back who will likely move into the midfield this year, Gallucci “will probably break the Draft Combine record with his vertical leap” according to Villani.

Versatile midfielder Dylan Clarke – the brother of 2015 North Melbourne draftee Ryan – and key defender Jack Maibaum are a couple of the club’s other impressive youngsters. “Maibaum did a real number on (Brisbane Lions key forward) Josh Schache up at Murray last year and then on (Carlton draftee) Charlie Curnow in the second week of the finals as well,” Villani said.

Former Ranges captain and athletic tall Liam Jeffs is back as an over-age player after a season interrupted by glandular fever and various foot and leg injuries. “Just scrap 2015 and look out in the early part of 2016 for Liam Jeffs,” Villani said. Also returning is defender Kane Keppell, an important player in last year’s finals series who Villani said “is going to be one who imposes himself physically on the competition”. Jade Connolly and Nathan Mullenger-McHugh will be Eastern’s other 19-year-olds this year.

The Ranges open their season on Thursday March 24 against the Calder Cannons at Rams Arena.

 

[Dav1d]

Gallucci was a bit hot & cold last season but super classy, I look forward to seeing him play
He'd fit in well with Liberatore & Bontempelli ;D

 

[Wizard17]

Dandenong Stingrays season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625505




Bendigo Pioneers preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...339771-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41388741



Calder Cannons preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625459



Eastern Ranges preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625514

I'll keep all the previews in that post so they are easier to find in the thread.

 

[McCraeBF]

We need to secure our future and have the stock pilled up to do so...

We will have our first pick around 11-15

Players on the table

Honeychurch
Hrovat
Roberts
Prudden
Roughead
Biggs
Minson
Dixon
Redpath
Jong

Would Essendon give up a first round pick if they get a priority pick for Hooker..??

Hrovat
Roughead For pick 2
Pick 43

Would Carlton give up first rounder if they had 2? for ...

Jong
Redpath
Pick 27

Out Inn
Hrovat Picks 2,3,and keep 11,55
Roughead
Jong
Redpath
Picks 27,43

There is some talent in next years that could add to our ongoing success-now rip it apart

 

[Dav1d]

If they did those deals it would greatly help us out, so I don't think its a possibility right now .
Would love to have two first round picks though, still don't wish to see us trade out a first round pick for a ruck..unless they are a big upgrade on what we have

 

[CaptainMurphy]

I too want the athletic CHF type at our first pick. Names I've seen mentioned so far as tall (possible) forward options:

Mitchell Carter (196)
Josh Battle (194)
Jacob Allison (193)
Jack Scrimshaw (193)
Zac Sproule (193) (GWS academy)
Jarrod Korewha (192)
Ezekiel Frank (192)
Jarrod Berry (190)
Patrick Kerr (190)

Can anyone tell me a) how good they are forward, b) how athletic they are, and c) if they've grown at all? Really keen to start having a closer look at our options in this position.

 

[Wizard17]

Geelong Falcons season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625565



Dandenong Stingrays season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625505




Bendigo Pioneers preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...339771-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41388741



Calder Cannons preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625459



Eastern Ranges preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625514

Updated with Geelong Falcons preview

 

[Dav1d]

Jacob Allison is brisbanes academy player I believe
They've accumulated a fair number of young talls down there actually...

 

[Wizard17]

I too want the athletic CHF type at our first pick. Names I've seen mentioned so far as tall (possible) forward options:

Mitchell Carter (196)
Josh Battle (194)
Jacob Allison (193)
Jack Scrimshaw (193)
Zac Sproule (193) (GWS academy)
Jarrod Korewha (192)
Ezekiel Frank (192)
Jarrod Berry (190)
Patrick Kerr (190)

Can anyone tell me a) how good they are forward, b) how athletic they are, and c) if they've grown at all? Really keen to start having a closer look at our options in this position.

All the forwards (well the TAC ones) this year seem like CHF types rather than the FF types if previous years all are athletic.

Out of the TAC KPF's listed the most athletic is Frank he is more of a second or third tall that has xfactor up to his ears. He is like a small forward at ground level and has a good leap so he is very hard to match up on. The most raw though.

Patrick Kerr has good traits and is a natural lead up CH forward who is good at getting into dangerous spots and has shown ability to kick bags regularly, he is Laurie Kerr's grandson.

Josh Battle is the one that is going to have clubs all over him this year. Very possible top 10 pick to the right club. Has everything you look for in a forward.

Jarrod Berry is a Defender and Korewha can play everywhere though I'd like to see him play as a midfielder/forward.

 

[bontshow]

Really keen to start having a closer look at our options in this position.

It's too late for any more tall draftees this window. It would take at least until 2019 before you could play them regularly and longer until they hit their prime. We're a flag chance from 2017-2021 IMO. What do you think about McStay from Brisbane?

 

[Dogsman16]

It's too late for any more tall draftees this window. It would take at least until 2019 before you could play them regularly and longer until they hit their prime. We're a flag chance from 2017-2021 IMO. Would do you think about McStay from Brisbane?

McStay yes. He must be poached in my view.

 

[VitalDread]

I have seen a lot of Tom Glen throughout the pre-season and played a VFL match on the weekend
Bloke i'm keeping tabs on throughout the year

Carn Gippy and Dandy

 

[Dav1d]

I have seen a lot of Tom Glen throughout the pre-season and played a VFL match on the weekend
Bloke i'm keeping tabs on throughout the year

Carn Gippy and Dandy

Mature aged player or...?

 

[Wizard17]

Mature aged player or...?

19yo

 

[Wizard17]

Gippsland Power preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625580



Geelong Falcons season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625565



Dandenong Stingrays season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625505




Bendigo Pioneers preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...339771-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41388741



Calder Cannons preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625459



Eastern Ranges preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625514

Updated with Gippsland Power preview.

 

[Wizard17]

Murray Bushrangers season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41861992



Gippsland Power preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625580



Geelong Falcons season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625565



Dandenong Stingrays season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625505




Bendigo Pioneers preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...339771-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41388741



Calder Cannons preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625459



Eastern Ranges preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625514

Updated with the Murray Bushrangers preview.

 

[Wizard17]

Northern Knights preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41862006




North Ballarat Rebels Preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41861997




Murray Bushrangers season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41861992



Gippsland Power preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625580



Geelong Falcons season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625565



Dandenong Stingrays season preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625505




Bendigo Pioneers preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...339771-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41388741



Calder Cannons preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625459



Eastern Ranges preview:

http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc...20-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=41625514

Updated with Northern Knights and North Ballarat Rebels Previews.