2017 Draft - Pick 30

[La Dispute]

Pro-tip.

Don't go from watching a Lochie O'Brien and Hunter Clark video highlights back to back and then watch Ballard.

Makes his shaky disposal look truly atrocious.

A lot of wobbly kicks, missed handballs and wayward balls.

Moves well in traffic, stands his ground, good frame to build on.

Better options at 30 for mine.

Who do you reckon these better options will be?

I see massive upside in Ballard, and I don't see any of these errors as being too detrimental to taking him.

As I've noted before, there's quite a bit of Charlie Curnow in Ballard - the athleticism, good hands, intent to tackle, neat skills for a big guy. In fact, his ball handling in close is exceptional, and he's a very effective kick. He's the perfect roaming HF.

Not sure there's any worth in bringing up O'Brien or Clark given they are completely different players, and even Clark hits one or two shocking kicks in his highlights package. Based on his championship footage, I wouldn't even consider taking Cerra at 3.

I Wouldn't bat an eyelid if a club decided to take Ballard within the Top 20.

 

[The Smoking Gun]

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-09/late-bloomer-looms-as-draft-tall-order
Does this late growth spurt remind anyone else of Cripps?


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At 195cm, Ballard is tall for a midfielder, which appeals to clubs, who believe the 18-year-old will feature in the second round at the draft on November 24.

For his size he is skillful and also swift by foot, running 3.05 seconds over 20m at the draft combine last month.

Funny how Constable & Cerra ran the same time yet they're considered slow.

 

[teagueyubeauty]

Just been salivating over clips of Liam Ryan...what’s the knock on this kid? he’s 21 so a young mature recruit, pace to burn, very good hands, kicks lots of goals and genuinely reminds me of Eddie Betts playing.

Certainly fills a position in the team that needs filling, aboriginal magic that is made for afl footy.

He’s my second choice if Kelly is gone already.

 

[reubsblues]

Just been salivating over clips of Liam Ryan...what’s the knock on this kid? he’s 21 so a young mature recruit, pace to burn, very good hands, kicks lots of goals and genuinely reminds me of Eddie Betts playing.

Certainly fills a position in the team that needs filling, aboriginal magic that is made for afl footy.

He’s my second choice if Kelly is gone already.

I think the main concern is flight risk with him being close to his family and i recon he might even last to pick 73

 

[teagueyubeauty]

He’s got way too much going for him to last to pick 73....
can see WC picking up 2 of Kelly, schoife and Ryan with picks 26 & 32.

Fremantle have multiple picks between our 3rd and 4th and WC have a couple also.

I for one am bullish on Ryan or Kelly at 30, must be a bloody awesome draft to not go for that sort of talent at pick 30

Flight risk I’m not worried about, we have a great record in keeping WA talent and there are plenty of them at the club

 

[Robert Heatley]

Could you have a midfield that is too tall? I think the focus should be on explosive players like Judd, GAJ, Dangefield (they grow on trees i know) but we need someone that can burst away from the packs and break open the game with raw speed.

These are the results from the combine, i dont know what smart speed is but I assume these are the guys that are quickest in the draft. How many of these will be available at 30, Petruccelle seems to have slid a fair bit since being highly rated early in the year.

Smartspeed 20-metre sprint
Jack Petruccelle - 2.87 seconds
Kane Farrell - 2.90
Aiden Bonar - 2.90
Ben Miller - 2.91
Nick Coffield - 2.91
Ben Paton - 2.95
Brent Daniels - 2.95
Stefan Okunbar - 2.95
Jaidyn Stephenson - 2.95
Nicholas Shipley - 2.97

Smartspeed agility test
Kane Farrell - 8.10 seconds
Ben Miller - 8.10
Brent Daniels - 8.11
Trent Mynott - 8.20
Nathan Kreuger - 8.21
Aaron Naughton - 8.22
Mitchell Podhajski - 8.26
Oscar Allen - 8.27
Stefan Okunbar - 8.29
Matthew Ling - 8.30
Callan England - 8.30
Aiden Bonar - 8.30
Andrew Brayshaw - 8.30

I’ll be interested to see where and if Trent Mynott goes. Had a bit of a tough year with injury, but he’s got great composure, marks well for his height and knows where the goals are. Very competitive kid, will take on any challenge.

 

[Blue and Silver]

Who do you reckon these better options will be?

I see massive upside in Ballard, and I don't see any of these errors as being too detrimental to taking him.

As I've noted before, there's quite a bit of Charlie Curnow in Ballard - the athleticism, good hands, intent to tackle, neat skills for a big guy. In fact, his ball handling in close is exceptional, and he's a very effective kick. He's the perfect roaming HF.

Not sure there's any worth in bringing up O'Brien or Clark given they are completely different players, and even Clark hits one or two shocking kicks in his highlights package. Based on his championship footage, I wouldn't even consider taking Cerra at 3.

I Wouldn't bat an eyelid if a club decided to take Ballard within the Top 20.

Moore
Bailey
Fogarty
Stoddart
Houlahan
Worpel
Petrucelle
Jackson Ross
Roughsedge
Garner
Spargo
Mynott
Miers
Kelly
Ling
Starcevich

15 names for you there.

None will be top 15.

Didn't include any of the talls in this range like Allen, Balta, Hayes, Ballenden or Crossley

 

[Blue and Silver]

Moore
Bailey
Fogarty
Stoddart
Houlahan
Worpel
Petrucelle
Jackson Ross
Roughsedge
Garner
Spargo
Mynott
Miers
Kelly
Ling
Starcevich

15 names for you there.

None will be top 15.

Didn't include any of the talls in this range like Allen, Balta, Hayes, Ballenden or Crossley

Oh I forgot Richards and Naish.

Throw them in

 

[gandaal]

Just been salivating over clips of Liam Ryan...what’s the knock on this kid? he’s 21 so a young mature recruit, pace to burn, very good hands, kicks lots of goals and genuinely reminds me of Eddie Betts playing.

Certainly fills a position in the team that needs filling, aboriginal magic that is made for afl footy.

He’s my second choice if Kelly is gone already.

Plays like an smaller version of Fevola.

 

[La Dispute]

Moore
Bailey
Fogarty
Stoddart
Houlahan
Worpel
Petrucelle
Jackson Ross
Roughsedge
Garner
Spargo
Mynott
Miers
Kelly
Ling
Starcevich

15 names for you there.

None will be top 15.

Didn't include any of the talls in this range like Allen, Balta, Hayes, Ballenden or Crossley

I like all of Bailey, L. Fogarty, Stoddart and Ling, but I rate Ballard much higher, and I personally think his ceiling is huge.

In the right environment, with the right development he'll become an absolute monster.

 

[Jimmae]

Funny how Constable & Cerra ran the same time yet they're considered slow.

And Shipley ran 2.97s, and I wouldn't consider him quick off the mark either. The testing is there to confirm what's already seen, or highlight if there's pause for additional analysis.

Plus, they run 3 and they pick the best one, who knows how any individual is going to be on any given day. All of that being said, I think Cerra is definitely quicker than Constable.

 

[Arr0w]

Moore
Bailey
Fogarty
Stoddart
Houlahan
Worpel
Petrucelle
Jackson Ross
Roughsedge
Garner
Spargo
Mynott
Miers
Kelly
Ling
Starcevich

15 names for you there.

None will be top 15.

Didn't include any of the talls in this range like Allen, Balta, Hayes, Ballenden or Crossley

Can't believe how underrated Ballenden is, his movement and foot skills are exceptional for a kid of his size. I rate him as a late first rounder and rising

 

[Blue and Silver]

I like all of Bailey, L. Fogarty, Stoddart and Ling, but I rate Ballard much higher, and I personally think his ceiling is huge.

In the right environment, with the right development he'll become an absolute monster.

I just don't see it coming together for him.

I think he'll get drafted, I just don't think he has a great contested game, isn't a really outstanding marking threat, isn't a KPP and plays like a small outside mid.

Cripps played like a small inside mid.

The difference is that Ballard's game won't translate as well IMO.

Well-Prepared to eat my words though

 

[Jimmae]

Can't believe how underrated Ballenden is, his movement and foot skills are exceptional for a kid of his size. I rate him as a late first rounder and rising

Do you think the Saints will make a bid?

 

[Arr0w]

Do you think the Saints will make a bid?

They may look at Brander or Naughton first, but rate him similar.

Think the Dogs should have a crack at 16

 

[ferrisb]

And Shipley ran 2.97s, and I wouldn't consider him quick off the mark either. The testing is there to confirm what's already seen, or highlight if there's pause for additional analysis.

Plus, they run 3 and they pick the best one, who knows how any individual is going to be on any given day. All of that being said, I think Cerra is definitely quicker than Constable.

My little brother tried to outrun a Constable one time. Didn't end very well....

 

[BlueGum]

My little brother tried to outrun a Constable one time. Didn't end very well....

There's a littler Ferris?

 

[TerryWallet]

I just don't see it coming together for him.

I think he'll get drafted, I just don't think he has a great contested game, isn't a really outstanding marking threat, isn't a KPP and plays like a small outside mid.

Cripps played like a small inside mid.

The difference is that Ballard's game won't translate as well IMO.

Well-Prepared to eat my words though

All the vision of seen of Ballard i agree. He seems like a waste of 5 inches to me. He's 6"5 but plays like a 6 footer.

Nice player and all, but a lotta wasted height. Not a bad pickup around the 30 odd mark though in this draft.

 

[BlueGum]

All the vision of seen of Ballard i agree. He seems like a waste of 5 inches to me. He's 6"5 but plays like a 6 footer.

Nice player and all, but a lotta wasted height. Not a bad pickup around the 30 odd mark though in this draft.

Like a waste of 5 inches

 

[Kismet]

My little brother tried to outrun a Constable one time. Didn't end very well....

Nice work Benny.

 

[PrinceCharles]

Think this kid will be the best of the lot.

 

[Sheephead]

Just watched that AFL piece on Petrucelle. Man can he move and actually uses the ball quite well - a bit similar to Hunter Clark. His main asset though is get the ball and run like hell. Didn’t like his comment though - once I learn the game. Gifted basketballer that only really took up the game late. Knightmare has us taking him at 30. Not sure - thoughts?

Must admit, IMHO if Worpel is still there at 30, he should be the pick. He seems to be falling in most mock drafts and I hear the knock on his kicking, but he’s a ball magnet, and I don’t think his kicking is much worse than our #3 prospect Paddy Dow who was in a lot of Worpel highlights. Was also once in the discussion alongside this years top 3, you don’t just lose that. Knightmare though doesn’t even have him in the first two rounds !?!? Worth the low risk/high reward gamble IMO.

 

[AreYouJason]

Little chance bb would be interested in worpel

 

[Blue and Silver]

I would take Worpel at 30.

Questions on his kicking but none on his physicality, work-rate or clearance skills

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[CJMB]

Plays like an smaller version of Fevola.

On or off field?