List Mgmt. 2017 Draft Prospects

[BRWB]

The clip I saw of Higgins reminded me a little bit of Brad Johnson too. The nuggety guy who is confident, nippy and can play above his height.

Well, I don't know anything about the draft prospects, so I went to something called Zero Hanger and watched the clips (single game) of a few of the names that are being tossed around as being available at our pick 9 or 16.

Only two really grabbed my attention with some wow factor in their game: Coffield and Higgins.

Coffield plays on quite a number of times and finds his way through the traffic, breaking the main defensive line before kicking the ball. Not afraid to take on the tacklers. I can see why many don't think he will last to pick 9.

Higgins is indeed an absolute live wire, lots of excitement in the way he plays. If he is there at pick 9, it would be hard to go past him. Hate to say it but he had a bit of Toby Greene's about him except that he doesn't seem to be a dirty coward.

Drafting Higgins would have the additional benefit of burning GWS who are said to be keen on him.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Uninformed top 20 predictions.

Pick 1: Brisbane - Luke Davies-Uniacke
Pick 2: Fremantle - Adam Cerra
Pick 3: Carlton - Paddy Dow
Pick 4: North Melbourne - Cam Rayner
Pick 5: Fremantle - Andrew Brayshaw
Pick 6: Collingwood - Jaidyn Stephenson
Pick 7: St Kilda - Nick Coffield
Pick 8: St Kilda - Aidan Bonar
Pick 9: Western Bulldogs - Jack Higgins
Pick 10: Carlton - Darcy Fogarty
Pick 11: GWS - Jarrod Brander
Pick 12: Adelaide - Aaron Naughton
Pick 13: West Coast - Oscar Allen
Pick 14: Sydney - Charlie Constable
Pick 15: Brisbane - Hunter Clark
Pick 16: Western Bulldogs - Nathan Murphy
Pick 17: Richmond - Sam Hayes
Pick 18: Richmond - Patrick Naish (bid by Brisbane Lions)
Pick 19: Brisbane - Ed Richards
Pick 20: Gold Coast - Noah Balta

 

[goodcop badcop]

Uninformed top 20 predictions.

Pick 1: Brisbane - Luke Davies-Uniacke
Pick 2: Fremantle - Adam Cerra
Pick 3: Carlton - Paddy Dow
Pick 4: North Melbourne - Cam Rayner
Pick 5: Fremantle - Andrew Brayshaw
Pick 6: Collingwood - Jaidyn Stephenson
Pick 7: St Kilda - Nick Coffield
Pick 8: St Kilda - Aidan Bonar
Pick 9: Western Bulldogs - Jack Higgins
Pick 10: Carlton - Darcy Fogarty
Pick 11: GWS - Jarrod Brander
Pick 12: Adelaide - Aaron Naughton
Pick 13: West Coast - Oscar Allen
Pick 14: Sydney - Charlie Constable
Pick 15: Brisbane - Hunter Clark
Pick 16: Western Bulldogs - Nathan Murphy
Pick 17: Richmond - Sam Hayes
Pick 18: Richmond - Patrick Naish (bid by Brisbane Lions)
Pick 19: Brisbane - Ed Richards
Pick 20: Gold Coast - Noah Balta

Those 8 names going before our pick is what I hope doesn't happen. That's my top 8 right there (but in a different order), I have Richards ranked at 9 on my draft board. Hoping we can get Richards at 16 though.

 

[Yojimbo]

Uninformed top 20 predictions.

Pick 1: Brisbane - Luke Davies-Uniacke
Pick 2: Fremantle - Adam Cerra
Pick 3: Carlton - Paddy Dow
Pick 4: North Melbourne - Cam Rayner
Pick 5: Fremantle - Andrew Brayshaw
Pick 6: Collingwood - Jaidyn Stephenson
Pick 7: St Kilda - Nick Coffield
Pick 8: St Kilda - Aidan Bonar
Pick 9: Western Bulldogs - Jack Higgins
Pick 10: Carlton - Darcy Fogarty
Pick 11: GWS - Jarrod Brander
Pick 12: Adelaide - Aaron Naughton
Pick 13: West Coast - Oscar Allen
Pick 14: Sydney - Charlie Constable
Pick 15: Brisbane - Hunter Clark
Pick 16: Western Bulldogs - Nathan Murphy
Pick 17: Richmond - Sam Hayes
Pick 18: Richmond - Patrick Naish (bid by Brisbane Lions)
Pick 19: Brisbane - Ed Richards
Pick 20: Gold Coast - Noah Balta

Rayner to North simply must happen, poor mans Dusty.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Those 8 names going before our pick is what I hope doesn't happen. That's my top 8 right there (but in a different order), I have Richards ranked at 9 on my draft board. Hoping we can get Richards at 16 though.

Said it earlier but Higgins is very much growing on me in that scenario to be honest. I still have reservations about adding another sub-180cm player to our existing crop but nonetheless think he could really offer us something. Could see him being somebody the coaches like too.

 

[Wizard17]

Rayner to North simply must happen, poor mans Dusty.

There was a rumor that they are keen on Stephenson wasn't there?

Anyways who was it that had the same concerns around Higgins as me? (Think he is Hrovat like) was it Gollo?

 

[goodcop badcop]

Said it earlier but Higgins is very much growing on me in that scenario to be honest. I still have reservations about adding another sub-180cm player to our existing crop but nonetheless think he could really offer us something. Could see him being somebody the coaches like too.

I don't really see with Higgins especially at pick 9. He's already a full time footballer as well, probably has the least upside of anyone. Maybe if he was a bit better kick or he had a little bit more speed I might be on board.

 

[Gollo]

There was a rumor that they are keen on Stephenson wasn't there?

Anyways who was it that had the same concerns around Higgins as me? (Think he is Hrovat like) was it Gollo?

I've grown a little bit on Higgins, mainly because I am confident that he has the drive and workrate to get the absolute best of himself in an AFL environment.

My issue with him is that I don't think he will thrive at the Dogs. He isn't a dominant contested ball-winner, his ceiling is limited and he's somewhat one-dimensional as a player. He is either a midfield ball-winner or a forward goalkicker - doesn't have the skills to be a strong link-up player or the athleticism to be an excellent defensive forward. There are absolutely clubs which would be perfect for Higgins - clubs that need smart footballers who can consistently win the ball around the ground and clubs that need attacking medium goalkickers. I think of Collingwood and GWS as clubs where Higgins would be really, really useful, not with us.

 

[Mojorisin]

Higgins and constable are probably the two i am least keen on

 

[CaptainMurphy]

Said it earlier but Higgins is very much growing on me in that scenario to be honest. I still have reservations about adding another sub-180cm player to our existing crop but nonetheless think he could really offer us something. Could see him being somebody the coaches like too.

I was on Higgins a while ago but have gone off him somewhat with the idea that maybe he's closer to his ceiling that anyone else. He's seemingly played more and put more work into his game than an other player. Good to know he's a hard worker, but I feel he might have the least upside of anyone. And with Dal liking late bloomers he might not be into him.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

I don't really see with Higgins especially at pick 9. He's already a full time footballer as well, probably has the least upside of anyone. Maybe if he was a bit better kick or he had a little bit more speed I might be on board.

I've grown a little bit on Higgins, mainly because I am confident that he has the drive and workrate to get the absolute best of himself in an AFL environment.

My issue with him is that I don't think he will thrive at the Dogs. He isn't a dominant contested ball-winner, his ceiling is limited and he's somewhat one-dimensional as a player. He is either a midfield ball-winner or a forward goalkicker - doesn't have the skills to be a strong link-up player or the athleticism to be an excellent defensive forward. There are absolutely clubs which would be perfect for Higgins - clubs that need smart footballers who can consistently win the ball around the ground and clubs that need attacking medium goalkickers. I think of Collingwood and GWS as clubs where Higgins would be really, really useful, not with us.

Can certainly see these arguments, and it's why he's not my "plan A."

That said, our list is loaded with midfielders that can play a little bit forward. It would be nice to have a goalkicking forward that can play a little bit midfield for a change. His upside doesn't look huge and he certainly isn't as versatile as others, but he can kick goals, hunts the ground ball, provides an option in the forward half and works his arse off constantly. I think he's probably got the most upside in a true goal kicking sense of most of our young smalls, outside of perhaps Dale, even if he isn't a player with a high ceiling.

 

[JAMES_B_101]

Haven't been a fan of Higgins from the start of the season. Don't think he's going to make the step up easily and don't see any real weapons physically or athletically. What you see now is what you'll get with him and I don't even know if his whole game will translate to AFL level. He works hard enough so I won't question it but I just don't see it with him.

 

[Northernsoul74]

Not enough love for Zac Bailey at 16.

 

[Wizard17]

Not enough love for Zac Bailey at 16.

Obviously you have missed a lot of my posts lol.

Next cab off the ranks if Richards doesn't make it to 16 in my opinion.

 

[jamesDP]

Going left of centre here and am keen on Billy Gowers who played very well for Footscray in the VFL this season. Certainly should be considered at some stage during the draft.

 

[Leviticus]

Going left of centre here and am keen on Billy Gowers who played very well for Footscray in the VFL this season. Certainly should be considered at some stage during the draft.

Gowers would be instead of R Smith. Interesting, I wouldn't pour cold water on that one. Rourke is recovering from a knee injury, could be re-drafted as a rookie. As a rookie, could be promoted to the senior list for injury coverage. Could be drafted with a late pick in 2018.

 

[Leviticus]

Going left of centre here and am keen on Billy Gowers who played very well for Footscray in the VFL this season. Certainly should be considered at some stage during the draft.

Do you think Gowers could be another Mitch Hannan? (AFL quality player who is right under our noses but gets poached because we didn't realise how good he was and that other clubs might be sniffing around). Would be a disaster if it happened two years in a row.

 

[Dry Rot]

Link for Bonar's highlights please

 

[Gollo]

Going left of centre here and am keen on Billy Gowers who played very well for Footscray in the VFL this season. Certainly should be considered at some stage during the draft.

Not sure what out plans are for 82, whether it's rookie elevation or not even used, but I'd hope he's in our sights there if we're taking a prospect there. Reckon he's got a place at AFL level.

 

[Here we go dogs]

Rayner sounds like a massive risk to me for the top teams to take, apparently he struggles to run out school games.

Surely if your close to getting drafted you'd be doing everything to get fit.

 

[Northernsoul74]

Obviously you have missed a lot of my posts lol.

Next cab off the ranks if Richards doesn't make it to 16 in my opinion.

Ha, no I know you like him. We’re crying out for someone like him.

 

[Yojimbo]

Link for Bonar's highlights please

There is not much he missed 14 months with back to back knee
recos, there is a bit of combine highlights and some interview
packages. He rates himself very like David Mundy from the
Fremantle Dockers, but is more athletic and explosive. He is a
risk reward pick with his injury background.

 

[samass03]

Out of curiosity what are people’s reasons for thinking Higgins ceiling is lower then others?

Apart from size and athleticism what does anyone see that worries them, he seems to consistently beat his man one on one and reads the ball really well (gets front and centre lots)

 

[Dav1d]

Out of curiosity what are people’s reasons for thinking Higgins ceiling is lower then others?

Apart from size and athleticism what does anyone see that worries them, he seems to consistently beat his man one on one and reads the ball really well (gets front and centre lots)

He was playing football full time this year

Not a combination of high school & football, which can make it harder to show your best football because you are not training the whole week to play on the weekend when you have a busy school schedule

 

[Yojimbo]

Out of curiosity what are people’s reasons for thinking Higgins ceiling is lower then others?

Apart from size and athleticism what does anyone see that worries them, he seems to consistently beat his man one on one and reads the ball really well (gets front and centre lots)

You drafted Hunter Clark over Higgins, why ? Maybe people don't
see much scope for improvement or are spooked by the plays
like Nathan Hrovat comparisons. Nick Rippon was runner up in
the Morrish Medal to Nick Graham, Graham went in the fifties
while Rippon never got drafted. Tony Liberatore won it twice
at North and got the boot.