List Mgmt. 2017 Draft Needs...

[The Sloane Ranger]

Sounds like a Nick Kyrgios type - not necessarily a bad thing, but requires very good mentoring and management, and could pay off big time .... or not.

I'm not sure on the comparison, Balta seems very coachable

 

[Mego Red]

Can you define what a football brain is?

Knowing where to run, knowing where to kick, knowing how to get involved?

 

[Mego Red]

I'm not sure on the comparison, Balta seems very coachable

Yeah, though the fact coaches keep trying different things to get him involved in the game is really worrying. He sounds like he disappears for long stretches.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Yeah, though the fact coaches keep trying different things to get him involved in the game is really worrying. He sounds like he disappears for long stretches.

A guy like that needs settling in the one position so not his fault

Doing the wrong thing by him by playing him in ruck

IMO bit of a stretch for pick 12 though but depends on how he is developed as has upside some others don't

 

[GreyCrow]

It's a definite thing that gives you innate ability to find the footy , kick goals , set them up or even defend

Ben Rutten had an elite footy brain with his positioning as a defender to make up for his shortfalls speed etc

Higgins Constable and Spargo are the 3 that have it in spades

Knowing where to run, knowing where to kick, knowing how to get involved?

Yet this is what I see in Balta

 

[budget]

gee we are going to get a beauty at twelve, fogarty,balta,clark or higgins or someone that drops further either way we will bring in a pearler.

 

[huludicidal]

I don't think we'll have a specific "type" in mind for pick 12 this year. Purely best available talent, as rated by Ogilvie and his team, not by Big Footy "experts", people who have watched a couple of 3 minute highlight videos, or the Cal Twomeys of the world.

Now with that in mind, I think a couple of things are pretty obvious as far as who WON'T be available at our pick. The following 6 players are all DEFINITELY gone before it gets to us:

Davies-Uniacke
Rayner
Dow
Cerra
Brayshaw
Stephenson

It's a somewhat strange year in that no father/son or Academy prospects look remotely likely to receive bids in the top 12, so this means that just 5 other players in addition to those above will be gone before Hamish reads out a name. In rough order of apparent likelihood of being selected in the top 11, these appear to be 5 of:

Naughton
Coffield
Fogarty
Higgins
Brander
Bonar
Clark
Constable
O'Brien
Murphy
Balta

With that in mind, we're looking at a minimum of 6 of the guys in that list above being available. It's perfectly reasonable to assume that Ogilvie may swing a surprise and select someone that I haven't mentioned (eg Matthew Ling to replace CC, or Ed Richards to provide genuine speed and a beautiful left foot kick), but playing the percentages, it's probably going to be one of the above.

Most Crows fans have a dream scenario of Fogarty dropping to us in mind. Personally I don't see any way that he gets to us, and even if he does, other than being South Australian, there's not a great deal that separates him from the pack anyway. Sure, he has talent, but his poor 2017 and lack of clear position at AFL level has alarm bells ringing for me. Regardless of this, he's only a 5-10% chance of dropping to us I feel.

Naughton and Coffield are the other two that I see as being the least likely to make it through to pick 12, with Naughton being the standout "most ready to play senior footy in 2018" tall defender type in the draft in many eyes, and Coffield standing out as a versatile and classy utility who can play off half back initially and potentially transition into a tall mid. Hypothetically I would love Coffield if he did drop to us, but I'm not so keen on drafting another "defensive tall who lacks offensive drive" in Naughton anyway, so would be happy to see another club pull the trigger on him in the 5-11 range.

My gut feeling is that we won't take a sub 180cm player unless we absolutely LOVE him. I feel like our list is a bit short in stature overall, especially when you consider the monstrous size / height of some of the best young mids in the league coming through these days (compared to Sloane, the Crouches, Atkins, Mackay, Laird, even Gibbs). This makes Higgins (178cm) unlikely to be at the top of our wishlist IMO, but it's certainly not out of the question that Hamish may be a huge fan.

To me, one of Brander, Bonar, Clark, Constable, O'Brien, Murphy or Balta is most likely to be our guy.

Now of these 7, I'm sure there could be anywhere up to 4-5 of them who Hamish has actually put a line through due to being a potential flight risk, or not passing character tests, having a perceived low footy IQ etc etc. There may be one or a few names there that we flat out don't rate as a player. No clue on who those would be, but that's the nature of the beast.

Anyone's guess as to what we'll do based on the above, but, gun to my head, I'll predict that Hunter Clark is our guy. Vic Country rather than Metro seems to somewhat minimise the flight risk, and he's a balanced inside / outside mid who can use it on both sides of his body. He's a decent size, and with the possibility of losing Sloane to free agency coming up, this seems like a logical pick.

If Clark goes before our pick, it really throws it wide open.

Brander seems like a safe but boring pick. Not sure "boring" is really in Hamish's DNA but I suppose it could happen, especially considering the loss of Lever, the fact that Cheney and Otten will both really be struggling to retain their spots on our list in 2019, and also the fact that Doedee is still not a sure thing to succeed at the top level.

Balta is the latest "bigfooty darling", and the highlights packages floating around certainly make him look like he could be anything. I'm intrigued, but not convinced. Looks a bit of a classic example of a kid who dominates under 18s due primarily to his superior physical development rather than anything else. May be found out against men and there are question marks on the footy IQ which I feel is a trait rated very highly by our recruiters. Seems an unlikely Ogilvie choice to me.

Bonar is an interesting one. Injuries have plagued him, but the talent is undeniable. Could easily see Hamish taking a punt there. Pretty unique sort of player.

O'Brien is an outside mid with great skills and speed. Had a very good underage year in 2016 (touted as a surefire top 10 pick) but injuries have dropped him down the rankings in 2017. Left footer. Really well balanced. Rory Atkins with more leg speed. Like Atkins, I'm not convinced that he's got the defensive side of his game that we require. Not out of the question though.

Constable is one I like. Tall mids don't grow on trees and I get a real Patrick Cripps vibe here. We don't have any of these types on our list (other than perhaps Greenwood), so I am not averse to taking him. Flight risk needs to be assessed though.

Finally, we have Nathan Murphy, who is a bit of a bolter. I like what I see in Murphy, and he's a player who has shown ability to play at either end of the ground which is something we may well be seeking. There's a Will Hayward vibe about him in that he has that x-factor, but unlike Hayward, you're able to throw him across half back to provide some intercept and rebound possessions.

So yes, I'll predict that Clark is our preferred pick if the top 11 goes as expected, but if he's gone, I think we'll take one of Brander, Bonar, Constable of Murphy (depending on rankings and availability). To be honest, I'd be happy with any of those 5, but would be somewhat frustrated by taking ANOTHER defender in the first round in Brander.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I don't think we'll have a specific "type" in mind for pick 12 this year. Purely best available talent

I tend to agree. We're reasonably well-balanced with our list.

The only player type I really don't want is a lock down defender (small or tall). If we go with a defender we need a rebounder or interceptor. Or ideally both.

Probably don't want a ruckman either. For every Grundy there are seven or eight Meesens.

Any other type I'm happy with

 

[Scorpus]

I tend to agree. We're reasonably well-balanced with our list.

The only player type I really don't want is a lock down defender (small or tall). If we go with a defender we need a rebounder or interceptor. Or ideally both.

Probably don't want a ruckman either. For every Grundy there are seven or eight Meesens.

Any other type I'm happy with

I'd also steer clear of the extremely athletic players with poor football sense or skills

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I'd also steer clear of the extremely athletic players with poor football sense or skills

I don't know. We've got a pretty button-down, reliable list of players. That's why we become so one dimensional when Smith and McGovern are not there. No Cameron either who blew hot n cold and you never quite knew what he'd do.

I wouldn't mind us going for a slightly risky x-factor type.

Not that I think Smith/McGovern have poor skills or football sense necessarily, just that I wouldn't mind us rolling the dice.

 

[Scorpus]

I don't know. We've got a pretty button-down, reliable list of players. That's why we become so one dimensional when Smith and McGovern are not there. No Cameron either who blew hot n cold and you never quite knew what he'd do.

I wouldn't mind us going for a slightly risky x-factor type.

Not that I think Smith/McGovern have poor skills or football sense necessarily, just that I wouldn't mind us rolling the dice.

I don't think Sam Day types are ever successful

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

I don't think Sam Day types are ever successful

Plenty of flops no doubt.

Also Franklin, Hipwood, Daniher, Jack Martin, Fyfe, Stringer. I'm sure there were more reliable, consistent players around than these guys at those picks.

Point is that we have a couple of 1st rounders stashed away in the SANFL who we seem happy with but can't get a game (Milera, Gallucci, Doedee) plus more early picks next season. We don't need to play it safe here.

 

[Scorpus]

Plenty of flops no doubt.

Also Franklin, Hipwood, Daniher, Jack Martin, Fyfe, Stringer. I'm sure there were more reliable, consistent players around than these guys at those picks.

Point is that we have a couple of 1st rounders stashed away in the SANFL who we seem happy with but can't get a game (Milera, Gallucci, Doedee) plus more early picks next season. We don't need to play it safe here.

Those guys aren't really who I'm thinking of. A player like Franklin has great skills and a good brain.

I'm thinking more the pure supreme athlete types that get drafted on athleticism alone then try to be taught better skills or how to read the game

 

[Jeffcrowe]

I don't know. We've got a pretty button-down, reliable list of players. That's why we become so one dimensional when Smith and McGovern are not there. No Cameron either who blew hot n cold and you never quite knew what he'd do.

I wouldn't mind us going for a slightly risky x-factor type.

Not that I think Smith/McGovern have poor skills or football sense necessarily, just that I wouldn't mind us rolling the dice.

The thing re Gov and Smith is they they have high level footy IQs esp Gov , very smart footballer and in his DNA

I kind of agree a bit of zip or X factor with contested marking or size is much needed

A bit of star factor which leads me to Bonar as my No 1 choice

 

[BunjiMac]

The thing re Gov and Smith is they they have high level footy IQs esp Gov , very smart footballer and in his DNA

I kind of agree a bit of zip or X factor with contested marking or size is much needed

A bit of star factor which leads me to Bonar as my No 1 choice

If he's there and we don't take him I'd be devastated

 

[marty36]

Those guys aren't really who I'm thinking of. A player like Franklin has great skills and a good brain.

I'm thinking more the pure supreme athlete types that get drafted on athleticism alone then try to be taught better skills or how to read the game

A real athlete?

Like VB or Mackay let's be honest they both are real athletes in their running ability where say D Jars had football ability without athletic ability


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Redleg Crow]

I'd also steer clear of the extremely athletic players with poor football sense or skills

Yeah - footy smarts is an underrated attribute.

 

[Danger in Texas]

AFL Draft Central Staff writers and the whispers their hearing with Clubs' drafting. Article on the AFL Draft Central site which unfortunately Big Footy won't link to.

ADELAIDE
If Darcy Fogarty makes it to Pick 12 – it would be very very hard to see Hamish Ogilvie overlook the talented South Australian prospect. If he’s off the board, the Crows will likely look to take the best player available and the names Hunter Clark and Jarrod Brander continue to be linked with Pick 12. If Aiden Bonar manages to get outside the top 10 – it would be interesting to see whether the Crows consider him. With Pick 39 – there is some suggestion they are looking at bringing in another running defender.

Running defender with Pick 39...hmmmm, not going to be a lot left that look certainties and even some of them might be off the table. Those that come ready to mind. When they say running defender I take it their more talking mediums than talls.

1. Andrew McPherson
2. Riley Stoddart
3. Joel Garner
4. Ethan Penrith
5. Jake Patmore
6. Angus Styles
7, Kane Farrell
8, Ben Patton
9. Mitch Podhajski...though more a 3rd tall likely available here.

Anyone I'm missing that could still be on the table at 39 that fits the running defender M.O. ??


Also very interesting to hear some clubs are now looking at one of my favourite local kids Flynn Appleby as a left field pick,,,,,,lad can play.

So Fogarty/Clark/Brander and McPherson/Stoddart/Paton. I can't see Garner making it to 39

Definitely like McPherson. I'm warming to Paton, he could be an underrated pickup at 39. Think Stoddart is a bit overrated, personally

 

[Scorpus]

A real athlete?

Like VB or Mackay let's be honest they both are real athletes in their running ability where say D Jars had football ability without athletic ability


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Van Berlo has an excellent brain for football. Mackay is a bit of a plodder but he's not terrible in any particular area.

 

[Danger in Texas]

AFL Draft Central hearing these are the guys invited to be in attendance at the Draft night.

As for who has an invite to the draft combine? Our sources suggest there are 19 players that will be attending in Sydney at this stage.

Oscar Allen
Aiden Bonar
Jarrod Brander
Andrew Brayshaw
Adam Cerra
Hunter Clark
Nicholas Coffield
Luke Davies-Uniacke
Paddy Dow
Darcy Fogarty
Lachlan Fogarty
Jack Higgins
Nathan Murphy
Patrick Naish
Aaron Naughton
Cameron Rayner
Ed Richards
Nicholas Shipley
Jaidyn Stephenson

Shipley? Surely he's only there because he's a Sydney boy

 

[Danger in Texas]

And no Lochie O'Brien?

No Constable is what surprises me

Watch Wayne come in here and pick on him again now

 

[Danger in Texas]

Bit of a surprise to me too if that ends up the final list. Has most parts of the game down pat skills wise but is pretty slow so will more than likely have to go the handball a lot when playing midfield but he is another with other strings to his bow in that he plays well as an intercepting defender when played down back. Wouldn't be my first preference but he's another one you wouldn't be unhappy with if Hamish went that way.

Still getting potential Patty Cripps vibes. Of course everything would need to go right in development (like with any player), but there's absolutely upside there

 

[WaynesWorld19]

No Constable is what surprises me

Watch Wayne come in here and pick on him again now

But seriously isn't the attendees purely potential Top 10 picks for presentation on stage?

 

[GROTTO]

Van Berlo has an excellent brain for football. Mackay is a bit of a plodder but he's not terrible in any particular area.

Mackay is magnificent at ball turnover and rollover at any remote sign or semblance of physical pressure.

Crows have done amazing well to keep a player of his ilk not only on their list but definite starting 18.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Still getting potential Patty Cripps vibes. Of course everything would need to go right in development (like with any player), but there's absolutely upside there

As a mid, spread from the contest is critical