Review 2017 AFL National Draft - Friday 24th November

[Benno_900]

Born in 99 - **** I feel old

 

[Twinkletoes]

Born in 99 - **** I feel old

Same here Benno. If I lived in Moe I'd be old enough to be his grandfather FFS.

 

[Firestarter]

Same here Benno. If I lived in Moe I'd be old enough to be his grandfather FFS.

I'd be okay with being the creepy uncle.

 

[Heaps of fun]

Born in 99 - **** I feel old

That's how long I've been playing Pokemon for...

 

[Firestarter]

That's how long I've been playing Pokemon for...

It's sad that I have been playing it for even longer ...

 

[King Corey]

Alex Paech = The On

 

[Heaps of fun]

It's sad that I have been playing it for even longer ...

Christmas '99 I got this

Still have it too.

 

[D23D]

Christmas 99 I got this framed
Still have it (and many others) too!

 

[giantroo]

 

[boneofshin]

Christmas '99 I got this

Still have it too.

Snap! Still got mine as well.

 

[Rooboys Rool]

Same here Benno. If I lived in Moe I'd be old enough to be his great grandfather FFS.

EFA

 

[giantroo]

THE NAB AFL Draft is set to move to its fourth venue in four years in 2017, but will remain in Sydney.

Next year's selection meeting is expected to take place at the brand new, state-of-the-art Sydney International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour.

Last month's event was held at the ageing Hordern Pavilion which is located near the SCG, and while the faster format and impressive video wall was well received, the venue is 92 years old.

The move to the ICC is set to propel draft night into the centre of the action.

It will mark the second year of the New South Wales government's commitment to the draft.

"Planning is underway for the 2017 AFL Draft in Sydney, and event details will be announced in due course," Destination NSW chief executive Sandra Chipchase told AFL.com.au.

"The draft last Friday was a huge success, showcasing Sydney to AFL fans right around Australia and attracting players, coaches and officials to our beautiful harbour city.

"We look forward to making 2017 even better – there are so many amazing places and experiences in Sydney and regional NSW, and we look forward to showing AFL players and fans even more of what we have to offer."

It hasn't been confirmed whether the draft will remain on a Friday night timeslot.

It's previously been held on Thursday and Tuesday nights, and before that was a Saturday morning function.

The 2015 event was held in Adelaide, and before that the Queensland government had a three-year run hosting the AFL industry on the Gold Coast.

 

[Twinkletoes]

They should just hold it in the GWS function room and be done with it.

 

[Firestarter]

They should just hold it in the GWS function room and be done with it.

Or Stadium Australia.

 

[Kimbo]

"The draft last Friday was a huge success, showcasing Sydney to AFL fans right around Australia and attracting players, coaches and officials to our beautiful harbour city.
.

Yeah, because Sydney's a bit of an unknown area of Australia.

 

[ArjenTheGreat]

Yeah, because Sydney's a bit of an unknown area of Australia.

Mt.Druitt is beautiful in Autumn mate.

Stick it at the top of your Bucklet list.

 

[Donkey Chop]

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2017-01-27/academy-us-trip-gives-early-hint-of-draft-pool

Jaidyn Stephenson is in the mix for the No.1 draft spot

EACH year the NAB AFL Academy squad gives a snapshot of the wider draft pool.

This year's level two group has spent the past two weeks in America with new head coach Luke Power, being put through a challenging and demanding high performance training camp.

The 36 players, plus four Irish hopefuls, trained at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, where they were hit with heavy conditioning work, several main training days, and lived like professional athletes.

The 13 clubs that sent recruiters to the US to observe the tour also interviewed every prospect.

It is a long time until November's NAB AFL Draft, and many things will evolve and develop across the season. But here is an early take on the look of the 2017 draft pool and how it might shape up.

Is it a better draft than last year?
It's a different looking group to the 2016 crop, which was dominated at the top by midfielders and smaller types.

Of the top-10 last year, Fremantle defender Griffin Logue was the only key position prospect selected. Expect the make-up of this year to look a little different, with a more varied mix of prospects considered the top bunch and 16 of the 36 academy members standing above 190cm.

Jarrod Brander and Connor Ballenden are the early standouts as taller types, with Brander's athleticism and versatility a strength and Ballenden a powerful key forward.

Sam Hayes is a ruckman who was the only bottom-ager to make the All Australian side last year, while Joel Garner, a classy left-footer, and Darcy Fogarty, a tough half-forward, bring something different to the table.

Midfielders Jack Higgins, who won the academy time trial in Florida, Lochie O'Brien and Charlie Spargo have runs on the board already, while creative half-back Hunter Clark and exciting forward Jaidyn Stephenson have played quality TAC Cup football already.

The depth of last year's draft proved reasonably strong but that often relies on players outside of the academy class coming through. What we do know of the 2017 pool is that there is a really good mix of types available to clubs, more so than last year. Clubs are very bullish about the group (and particularly the blend) this year.

Which states will be dominating the draft?
Victoria tends to represent around half of the draft each year so there would seem no reason that would change this season, particularly with the strength of players in the academy.

The two Victorian areas – Metro and Country – combined to have 20 players on tour with the academy, with both groups containing genuine top-end talent. It will be interesting to see which (if either) side takes favouritism into the national carnival in the middle of the year.

South Australia's first pick at last year's draft was Will Hayward, who came from outside of the academy to end up at Sydney. The SA contingent in the academy this year was five prospects, while Western Australia has just two – down on their seven last year.

If the Allies can spend some time together before this year's championships they should be a good show for the division one title given their presence in the group. NSW-ACT has four players involved in the academy program, with Queensland having four players selected and Dominic Grant the Northern Territory's sole representative.

There is no player from Tasmania in this year's group as the state goes through a bleak patch in top-end talent.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Wouldn't mind if we bottomed out a bit this year. Personally think this draft is going to be excellent

 

[Donkey Chop]

Wouldn't mind if we bottomed out a bit this year. Personally think this draft is going to be excellent

I sort of agree. I'd be happy if we play our kids, even happier if they prove everyone wrong and compete very well.

The silver lining if they don't is that we can bring in some elite talent, even with an eye to the following draft where we should have Thomas and a couple of FS coming through.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

I sort of agree. I'd be happy if we play our kids, even happier if they prove everyone wrong and compete very well.

The silver lining if they don't is that we can bring in some elite talent, even with an eye to the following draft where we should have Thomas and a couple of FS coming through.

I never would want intentionally for us to throw games and gift games to young guys who don't deserve it, but I feel exactly the same way as you in regards to your 2nd paragraph.

If we make the 8 it would be awesome but if we end up bottom 4 with a few handy picks + F/S and Thomas the following year we'll be in very good shape in 3 years time

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Spargo was nearly a father-son option for North Melbourne – Paul Spargo played 81 games for the Roos between 1985-92 before nine games with the Brisbane Bears in 1993 – but instead is a member of the Giants' academy after growing up in Albury.

This depresses me.

 

[Jimmy's Hot Dogs]

This depresses me.

Me too.

Albury being such an under represented area in AFL football that the league has gifted the little talent there to a franchise is truly depressing.
Of course they could have given them Wodonga instead with the locations rich football history GWS would have loaded up.


Could North have redrafted Paul Spargo this year and played him for 19 games off the bench to ensure we had his son?

 

[deano28]

Wouldn't mind if we bottomed out a bit this year. Personally think this draft is going to be excellent

You are right on the money mate . i know a bloke who's very invested in the draft/recruiting side of things within the AFL and he informs me that the 2017 draft will be better than the 2016 draft . Also that I should pray we can hang on to the Academy in Tassie .

 

[the big lebowski]

You are right on the money mate . i know a bloke who's very invested in the draft/recruiting side of things within the AFL and he informs me that the 2017 draft will be better than the 2016 draft . Also that I should pray we can hang on to the Academy in Tassie .

A top shelf accumulating mid would be nice in 2017. And another pick in the low 20's

 

[naturally north]

My best mates son is a beast at 15 his parents speak Victorian is playing for Moama.Is expected to line up in the seniors in between stinks with the Pioneers.

No doubt will be another on the GWS free hit list if as expected continues to develop.