Opinion 2017 Draft Discussion - Pick 3 - Poll added

[HARKER]

This from a write up of the weekend:

"With quality players like Petruccelle, Brayshaw, Balta and Mynott missing for this game I think this game proved that the depth of players this year might be better than first thought and like last year there should be some quality midfielders available later in the draft."

Well knock me over with a feather.

Doom and gloom before the Champs. Then from Champs to Finals to All-Stars...good players emerge.

Yeah well.....

Only watched the weekends game on the AFL site, but there seemed to be more than just a handful of quality players in that game alone.
The standard was about on par with what I recall watching last year and even though some players showed only samples of quality, the quality was there.

Reckon SOS will still be governed by ones self-drive and character more-so than skill set.
Shouldn't be judging some from a distance but it's clear that someone like Higgins will succeed when some other high fancies may not.

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

Coffee Van will collect "Spud of Year" award. May even go back-to-back.

Now I'm confused. Was it a coffee van, or baked potato van? Was it bad, or is it award winning? I MUST know!

 

[Arr0w]

Now I'm confused. Was it a coffee van, or baked potato van? Was it bad, or is it award winning? I MUST know!

I can confirm, it was slow and lacked continuity. Would struggle to impress Nar Nar Goon 3rd's

 

[LemmingMaster]

Okay, I have started to create a top 30 list that may be expanded as I see more players.
Here are my current thoughts and based on needs we could adjust the rankings to suit.

1 Adam Cerra Vic Metro 186 85 MID
2 Luke Davis-Uniacke Vic Country 187 85 MID
3 Cameron Rayner Vic Metro 186 85 MID/FWD
4 Jarrod Brander Allies 195 90 DEF/FWD
5 Lochie O'Brien Vic Country 184 75 MID
6 Joel Garner Vic Metro 183 81 MID/DEF
7 Hunter Clark Vic Country 186 79 MID/DEF
8 Nick Coffield Vic Metro 190 83 DEF/MID
9 Jaidyn Stephenson Vic Metro 189 76 MID
10 James Worpel Vic Country 185 84 MID
11 Jack Higgins Vic Metro 178 76 MID/FWD
12 Oscar Clavarino Vic Metro 195 86 DEF
13 Sam Taylor WA 196 85 DEF
14 Paddy Dow Vic Country 184 78 MID
15 Darcy Fogarty SA 192 88 DEF/FWD
16 Aaron Naughton WA 194 84 DEF
17 Charlie Constable Vic Metro 190 83 MID
18 Sam Hayes Vic Metro 203 93 RUCK/FWD
19 Patrick Naish Vic Metro 180 69 MID/FWD
20 Jack Petruccelle Vic Metro 184 73 DEF/MID
21 Conner Ballenden Allies 199 96 FWD/RUCK
22 Lachlan Fogarty Vic Metro 179 75 MID
23 Stefan Giro SA 177 70 MID
24 Gryan Miers Vic Country 177 73 MID
25 Dylan Moore Vic Metro 175 66 MID/FWD
26 Charlie Spargo Allies 174 73 FWD/MID
27 Will Sutherland Vic Metro 195 90 FWD
28 Ryley Stoddart Vic Metro 183 73 DEF/MID
29 Callum Coleman-Jones SA 203 85 RUCK
30 Callan England WA 183 76 MID

 

[LemmingMaster]

Really hoping the the blues pick up Cerra or LDU at the moment.

 

[Arr0w]

Really hoping the the blues pick up Cerra or LDU at the moment.

Is who I hope is around for our pick

 

[HBF]

Really hoping the the blues pick up Cerra or LDU at the moment.

Based on our run home and our young players getting tired, reckon we'll end up with #2.

 

[Old navy]

It's not the be all and end all, but Stephenson has been rubbish at the champs, and Fogarty hasn't been much better. Fogarty's faired slightly better at state level, playing SANFL in the lead up to the Champs.

I don't think either one will be top 3 at this stage.

IMO LDU and Rayner clear top 2 at this stage, Stephenson and Forgerty just not looking like they can have a significant impact playing as mids at this stage.
The KPP's that were being hyped last year like Brander Ballenden Hayes and McClean just haven't come on.

 

[Old navy]

Based on our run home and our young players getting tired, reckon we'll end up with #2.

One of LDU or Rayner would be awesome for us and if we do trade that pick for Josh Kelly, he is awesome, SOS is in a win win position this year

 

[Old navy]

Really hoping the the blues pick up Cerra or LDU at the moment.

Would love LDU at the blues, also really like Garner, IIRC he was at the club for a few weeks as part of a AIS placement last year.
Cerra is a nice player too, just not sure if he's top 3 pick material just yet.

 

[Mr_Plow]

One of LDU or Rayner would be awesome for us and if we do trade that pick for Josh Kelly, he is awesome, SOS is in a win win position this year

Adding one of LDU or Rayner + Kelly + Hopper would be orgasmic.

Would lose our 2018 first + more, but for an elite midfielder and 2 potential elite midfielders? I really don't care.

We'd have our premiership midfield essentially set, with only the forward line in progress.

 

[Arr0w]

Would love LDU at the blues, also really like Garner, IIRC he was at the club for a few weeks as part of a AIS placement last year.
Cerra is a nice player too, just not sure if he's top 3 pick material just yet.

IMHO, Cerra is currently ahead of LDU & Garner. Of course there is a long way to go, but Cerra is elite

 

[LemmingMaster]

Would love LDU at the blues, also really like Garner, IIRC he was at the club for a few weeks as part of a AIS placement last year.
Cerra is a nice player too, just not sure if he's top 3 pick material just yet.

Well he looks like the best Vic Metro kid in the games I've watched live and on TV. He is top 3 material for mine at the moment.

 

[Old navy]

Well he looks like the best Vic Metro kid in the games I've watched live and on TV. He is top 3 material for mine at the moment.

Really, I really liked Rayner in the AIS games earlier in the year, so you'd have Cerra in that top group with LDU and Rayner ?

 

[Old navy]

IMHO, Cerra is currently ahead of LDU & Garner. Of course there is a long way to go, but Cerra is elite

Ahead of Garner, fair enough, but ahead of LDU really ? wow so you think this kid could go pick 1 ?

 

[The Smoking Gun]

Really hoping the the blues pick up Cerra or LDU at the moment.

Think your rankings with regards as to what we need are pretty close.

IMHO, Cerra is currently ahead of LDU & Garner. Of course there is a long way to go, but Cerra is elite

Well he looks like the best Vic Metro kid in the games I've watched live and on TV. He is top 3 material for mine at the moment.

Cerra didn't get to play in a TAC Cup GF at the age of 16 because he's a spud that's for sure. Genuine inside mids who can use the ball by foot like he can are exceptionally rare. I think he'll only go from strength to strength in an elite AFL environment. Would love to see him in Navy Blue.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Really, I really liked Rayner in the AIS games earlier in the year, so you'd have Cerra in that top group with LDU and Rayner ?

I've only seen LDU on a rough day. Cerra on the other hand has played two good games for me. Rayner runs a 12 beep from reports so that drops him for me.

 

[Old navy]

I've only seen LDU on a rough day. Cerra on the other hand has played two good games for me. Rayner runs a 12 beep from reports so that drops him for me.

We do need some more elite prospects to stand up in this draft class, you'd hope for at least 3-4 elite level prospects at the top end of this draft.
That way if we don't finish with pick 1 or 2, we still have a chance at getting a elite level talent with our 1st pick.

 

[djw1952]

We do need some more elite prospects to stand up in this draft class, you'd hope for at least 3-4 elite level prospects at the top end of this draft.
That way if we don't finish with pick 1 or 2, we still have a chance at getting a elite level talent with our 1st pick.

I think we will be fine in getting a good kid, as I cannot see us getting any later a pick than 3 or 4 and as it looks like the lions have first pick sewn up it could be 2-3 or 4 and there should still be a gun there...........depends who SOS wants of course and if we don`t trade it out for Kelly or whoever........

 

[djw1952]

That's the way I saw him last year and I didn't think SPPers kicking was as bad as had been suggested.

And SPP sure has been impressive in that he is one of the leading candidates for the rising star award while some said he was supposed to be a sh*t kick...........so maybe now we start looking at Worpel with increased enthusiasm because he knows how to find the ball and can kick it better than was supposed to be the case!!!

 

[rog1995]

I've only seen LDU on a rough day. Cerra on the other hand has played two good games for me. Rayner runs a 12 beep from reports so that drops him for me.

If Rayner only runs a 12 beep to me that screams huge upside. Endurance can be improved talent can't. I would love one of Rayner or LDU at the Blues.

 

[Blue_Fusion]

If Rayner only runs a 12 beep to me that screams huge upside. Endurance can be improved talent can't. I would love one of Rayner or LDU at the Blues.

While what you say is true, it could also mean he's lazy. Sometimes it's very hard to get someone to break that habbit.

 

[LemmingMaster]

If Rayner only runs a 12 beep to me that screams huge upside. Endurance can be improved talent can't. I would love one of Rayner or LDU at the Blues.

Imagine LDU, Cerra.... with improved fitness as well? They also have fitness upside, but they're coming from a higher base.

Scully was one of the best endurance athletes coming into his draft and nothing has changed at AFL level.
Clem Smith and Yarran had terrible tanks and nothing changed at AFL level.

You can see it as potential upside or a risk.

 

[Arr0w]

Ahead of Garner, fair enough, but ahead of LDU really ? wow so you think this kid could go pick 1 ?

He is certainly in the mix. At this stage, no one is streaks ahead to suggest there is a clear number 1

 

[BlueGum]

Snuck down to Punt Rd and met up with Arr0w to watch VM V VC. The match was of a pretty good standard and there was quite the crowd there to cheer the kids on.

Coffee Van - Absolutely shithouse service and caused me to miss much of the 2nd quarter. In absolutely no danger of being drafted to open a bar, coffee shop or greasy food outlet at the "G" or Etihad. Really struggled rotating the cups and failed to display any defensive pressure at all when confronted by complaining customers.

James Worpel - For a kid with a reputation for suspect kicking you wouldn't have known it and was pretty good off either foot in this match. Watching last years highlights he seemed to somewhat "place" the ball on his boot when kicking (not to the same extent as Jordon Gallucci or Elliott Himmelberg though), but that seems to have been removed from his kicking action now and he seems a lot more fluent as a result. Credit to his coaches and to the kid himself putting in the effort to correct it. Was excellent around the stoppages with his clearance work and laid some good tackles. Has a definite mean streak in him and got stuck into Higgins whenever the opportunity presented itself. The only thing I could be critical of was that he had a number of opportunities to lay a few shepherds, bumps and blocks, but didn't do so. While Worpel was probably the most consistent midfielder, I'm not sure he was the most damaging or influential.

Ethan Penrith - Fair to say Penrith found the game somewhat physically intimidating at times and chose to avoid contact rather than commit his body to the contest, take on his opponent and attempt to break the lines. Did a couple of nice things, but fumbles a lot and will need to do a lot better in all departments if he hopes to get drafted.

Oscar Clavarino - Was an absolute rock at CHB for VC dragging down quite a few pack/contested marks. Knows when to mark and when to spoil. Solid disposal by hand or foot and generally makes good decisions. Easily the best KPP on the ground and I'd expect him to go top 10. Very impressive and anyone chasing a KPD, then this is their man. Staggered to see some "experts" failed to recognise him as one of Country's best.

Joel Garner - Played a very mature game as a close checking small/medium defender and performed his role superbly. Gave his opponent absolutely no room to breathe without giving away needless frees. Quite accomplished in the air whether spoiling or marking, but was just as good finding it on the deck. Provided plenty of run out of the back half before using that long penetrating left foot to good effect. Was also very good by hand. Has a good team ethos and provided a few good bumps, tackles and shepherds whenever an opportunity presented itself. Is one of those rare commodities who could genuinely rotate through the midfield and defence to great effect like Docherty does. Never seemed to lose concentration or focus and was solid for the entirety of the match, rather than drifting in and out of the game like many kids do. Would expect to go mid first round. Very hard not to like his game.

Cassidy Parish - Finds plenty of it, but his use by foot is simply awful. Sadly his kicks just lack any penetration at all so he tends to just "pop" it up there and as a result 35m seems to be his limit. Irrespective of the numbers he produces at TAC level, I'd be looking elsewhere for our mids.

Adam Cerra - Not as busy this week, but the longer the game went the better he got. Like Rayner, Cerra is one of those players who can take the game by the scruff of the neck and exert a real influence on its outcome. Had a ten minute period in the last quarter where he absolutely bossed the contested ball and took the game away from Country. Whenever he gets the ball something good happens and his disposal by hand or foot is superb. Slammed through a goal from 35-40 on his non-preferred left under pressure in the last that epitomises his class. Presents well playing up forward and it was a shame his team mates didn't make enough use of him, because he knows how to find space. Very, very good with the one percenters such as blocking, bumping, shepherding, etc. There are very few class inside mids in this draft who have the vision, awareness, disposal skills and decision-making that this kid has and he will be a very imposing unit once his body fills out. Still see him as an early 1st round pick and would be high on SOS's watch list.

LDU - Had a very quiet day by his lofty standards, but when he did get his hands on the pill LDU generally used it to good effect. Absolutely amazed that some in the media had both he and Higgins in their respective teams bests.

Cameron Rayner - Did his best work in the front half where he tends to be most damaging, but was still OK when rotating through the middle. Doesn't often appear to be doing much so it can be quite surprising when you find out he's snaffled the ball 20+ times. Having said that he does have a real presence out on the ground and team mates tend to look for him as a result. Much less influential after half-time when he'd used up the rocket fuel. Exudes leadership qualities and it was most notable that it was he who called all the Metro players together into a huddle at half-time before heading off into the rooms. Build a tank into him and he'd be as good as anyone in this draft pool, but the team that drafts him will need to show plenty of patience while that happens.

Lochie O'Brien - Played a nice game streaming down the wing on a number of occasions before letting fly with a nice left-foot kick. More outside than inside, he found plenty of space and used it to good effect. Has plenty of pace and a nice left-foot that he generally uses to his side's advantage. Plenty to like here, but I'm not sure another outside mid is our highest priority atm.

Lachlan Fogarty - Inside/outside mid who showed plenty for most of the match. Very quick and was able to burst away from the contest and then hit up a team mate. Uses the ball well and generally made good decisions. Liked the way this kid approached the task at hand and was able to run out the first three quarters. Like O'Brien, I'd think Fogarty is capable of going somewhere in the first round.

Gryan Miers - Small mid/forward who makes you take notice of him by getting his hands on the ball time and again. Always, always plays in front, which puts him in pole position to mark the ball that falls short or that's scrambled out of a pack. Worked tirelessly all day and did his best to keep Country in the game by spotting up team mates while kicking a couple of goals himself. You'd love to see this kid get drafted somewhere due to his outstanding work ethic, but it will most likely be determined by whether recruiters believe he has enough weapons to overcome his lack of size.

Will Sutherland - Fair to say the cricketer-come-footballer found the step up in class a challenge. Clavarino & King had him comfortably covered all day. Spent too much time looking for the one over-the-top and out-the-back, which didn't eventuate. Only really showed his potential class when he presented up at the ball carrier. Sure the coaches will mention it to him and it will be interesting to see how he goes for the rest of carnival.

Jack Higgins - Fair to say he found the going a lot harder this week and really didn't enjoy the physical attention Worpel paid to him as hard and as often as he could. Although he snagged a couple of goals and worked his way into the latter stages of the game he really didn't have much of an influence in this match.

Sam Hayes - Was pretty good in the ruck and around the ground during the first half, but gradually fell away after that. Quite quick for someone his size, but was ineffective when used up forward.

Paddy Dow - Very quick inside mid who surges the ball forward at every available opportunity. You rarely ever notice him going backwards or sideways. These traits make him very predictable to his team mates who can then position themselves accordingly to take advantage of his work. Like how he goes about it and one to to keep tabs on as the year progresses. Wouldn't have him in the same class as LDU, Cerra or Rayner though......yet. We all remember what happened with Taranto & Oliver though.

Charlie Constable - More known for his exploits in the defensive half of the ground, he excelled in the front half during this game. Didn't matter where he went in the front half the ball just followed him around. Certainly one to follow over the rest of the carnival and it will be interesting to see if they leave him in the forward line or experiment with him elsewhere.

Jaidyn Stephenson - Had another disappointing day today. Just didn't get enough of the ball or put himself into the right spots during this match. Leads far too wide.

Great write up Gunner. Thanks for sharing.