List Mgmt. 2017 Draft Prospects

[Wizard17]

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2017-07-08/u18-bolter-bailey-blooms-at-the-right-time

Spoiler

THE BOLTER in this year's NAB AFL Under-18 All Australian team couldn't get a game for the Northern Territory's equivalent side a year ago.

Zippy midfielder Zac Bailey, who was best afield in the Allies' stunning upset of Victoria Metro on Wednesday, is suddenly all the rage at the end of the AFL Under-18 Championships.

Seven AFL clubs have already spoken to the soon-to-be 18-year-old, and player managers are swirling around him trying to secure his services.

Bailey stands 180cm and is lightly framed, but explodes away from stoppages, boasts a neat kick and is a diligent worker – attributes that have helped make him the NT's top draft prospect in 2017.

Who made the U18 All Australian team?

AFLNT high performance manager Wally Gallio said Bailey's rise had not surprised him despite the way he burst onto the national scene.

"We always thought with the right sort of patience and temperament with him, as with a lot of our players in the Territory with their late developing, he was going to be right around the mark," Gallio told AFL.com.au.

"That's why we held him back last year a bit, instead of throwing him in at under-18 level, when we didn't think he was quite right or up to it.

"We thought playing him as an over-age (player) in the 16s, he could play more of a leadership role and play in the midfield more and teach him how to play the finer art at that level."

Bailey, who hails from NTFL club Southern Districts, is the first Territorian to make the AFL Under-18 All Australian team since future Geelong draftee Brandan Parfitt in 2015.

He, like Parfitt, relocated from Darwin to Adelaide to play in the SANFL. Bailey plays for Norwood, while Parfitt was at North Adelaide.

Bailey's emergence comes amid the NT's hard-luck story, with top draft hopes Dominic "Junior" Grant (foot stress fractures) and Kieren Parnell (partial tear of ACL in right knee) suffering serious injuries.

Another Territorian in the Allies squad, Rodney Baird, was unable to contest the division one edition of the AFL Under-18 Championships, also because of foot stress fractures.

Late-blooming Adam Sambono played his best game of the championships for the Allies against Vic Metro and was second in the NEAFL goalkicking before the carnival.

The NT's other leading chance is spring-heeled ruckman Tony Olango, who is part of Hawthorn's Next Generation Academy.

Olango spent last week with the Hawks and played for Box Hill in the VFL development league.

Territorians Parfitt, Ben Long (St Kilda) and Willie Rioli (West Coast) joined AFL clubs last year.

 

[Wizard17]

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2017-07-07/larke-medallist-shoots-into-firstround-contention

Spoiler

After switching between defence and the ruck playing WAFL Colts this season, Allen was settled into attack by Sumich, who backed the athletic 192cm goalkicker to spearhead WA's forward line.

"The main thing he put across to me is centre half-forward is a role where you can go three quarters and you won't even see the footy, and then in the fourth quarter you can kick four or five (goals)," Allen told AFL.com.au.

"Keeping focused across the four quarters was the main thing he said – and just also a pretty good belief that I'm good enough for the position I play.

"People have questions whether I'm tall enough and things like that.

"But he's really put across the stance even if I might not be tall enough to play the traditional centre half-forward, in the modern era I can be a hybrid-type player.

"It has given me a lot of confidence in my game."

Allen averaged 15.8 disposals and 6.2 marks for WA, and has drawn comparisons to Western Bulldogs star Jake Stringer.

His West Perth teammates have even started calling him by Stringer's nickname - 'The Package'.

But as a wide-roaming forward, the 18-year-old models his game on St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt and Hawthorn gun Jack Gunston.

"It's a pretty hard comparison to make but (I admire) Nick Riewoldt, he's only 192 or 193cm, and he's just a workhorse," Allen said.

"His aerobic ability allows him to cover the ground really well – and that's something I pride my game on is to be able to run my defenders off their legs.

"Also someone like Jack Gunston. We're the same size and he's pretty good below his knees, so probably a mixture of those two."

Allen was on a mission to stamp himself on the championships, and his booming kick, spring-heeled leap and strong pair of hands wouldn't have gone unnoticed by recruiters.

Former West Coast great Sumich said he wasn't surprised by Allen's standout performances, which included three three-goal games, that saw him named at full-forward in the All Australian team.

"The kid was outstanding with his preparation and the way he went about it in his four games and even prior to that with our scratch matches," Sumich told AFL.com.au.

"I said to him 'it's a tough position (at centre-half forward) but I want you to guts it out'.

"That is (getting) up and back, and every now and then you might have to stand tall, but it's a matter of workrate.

"He did that and he got a result, which was really good.

"I found it a bit bizarre that he wasn't named centre half-forward (in the All Australian side)."

Allen, who was also a talented junior basketballer before focusing on football, grew up near the coast in Perth's northern suburbs and partly attributes his fitness to beach runs with the local surf club.

He ran a 14.1 beep test at the start of this season, believes he is getting taller (he had a 10cm growth spurt as a 16-year-old) and is still exploring his football ability – with the aim of playing a senior WAFL game for West Perth later this year.

Allen has also started studying business law and accounting at the University of Western Australia, and will have that to fall back on if his AFL dream doesn't work out.

But becoming the first Sandgroper to win the Larke Medal since emerging West Coast star Dom Sheed in 2013 has been a massive boost to his prospects.

He is now likely to be the first WA player taken at November's national draft, and is desperate to prove he can make it at the elite level.

"I've been written off as someone who wasn't really well-known," Allen said.

"Not being included in state squads or the (AFL Academy) it's something I am trying to prove to others that I am good enough."

 

[Wizard17]

I am not big on CCJ either, I like his one grab overhead marking skill but I don't like the way he kicks it at all and I don't want a Levi Casboult that doesn't dominate the ruck and isn't a reliable kick, especially at goal. Saw in the last game too Crossley looked better than Sam Hayes. Hayes is a little positionless and Crossley had a big game in the ruck working hard and showing off cleanliness below his knees. Wouldn't be going for any of these guys in the first 2 rounds at least.

Coleman-Jones is a lot more athletic (ground level he is midfielder like) than Casboult and his kicking has improved. Reckon he goes top 30.

Sam Hayes is a KPF being played out of position in the ruck.

 

[bulldogs54]

He's not really that bigger-bodied, or a true midfielder, but either way we NEED him. Cerra fits the description more, and I think we should definitely target him for our first if Coffield is off the board.

And if both are off the board? Take a chance on Will Sutherland?
We lack a tall athletic KPF type.

 

[Wizard17]

And if both are off the board? Take a chance on Will Sutherland?
We lack a tall athletic KPF type.

If he picks AFL over Cricket...

 

[bulldogs54]

If he picks AFL over Cricket...

He has to. Afl wages just went up 20% and Cricket wages went down by 100%

 

[Wizard17]

 

[Gollo]

And if both are off the board? Take a chance on Will Sutherland?
We lack a tall athletic KPF type.

Sutherland is highly overrated from what I've seen. He could well be a terrific player, with his athleticism and size, but honestly his performances for Vic Metro were sub-par for his supposed talent. Performing at school level isn't enough to justify a top 10 selection, especially as a KPF.

Also, I'm still pretty confident he'll choose cricket.

 

[Dog Rising]

Coffield

He was just on future stars.
Barracks for the Dogs...I'm on board!

 

[Dav1d]

He was just on future stars.
Barracks for the Dogs...I'm on board!

He does? I didn't even know that
Or I forgot it

Damn it, the more good things I hear about Coffield..

Why'd you tell me that Dog Rising

 

[Dav1d]

Sutherland is highly overrated from what I've seen. He could well be a terrific player, with his athleticism and size, but honestly his performances for Vic Metro were sub-par for his supposed talent. Performing at school level isn't enough to justify a top 10 selection, especially as a KPF.

Also, I'm still pretty confident he'll choose cricket.

I agree regarding Sutherland

What about your thoughts on Balta?

Hayes I find overrated a bit myself but I also see him going before our first pick, possibly Sutherland to if he goes into the draft

I think Balta or Allen would be one of the two taller players that I hope are around our second pick

If Coffield was off the board, I wonder if we look at a tall early. Like Brander ..

I'm pretty convinced based off of past drafts that Higgins doesn't go until late in the first round at the earliest

 

[Gollo]

I agree regarding Sutherland

What about your thoughts on Balta?

Hayes I find overrated a bit myself but I also see him going before our first pick, possibly Sutherland to if he goes into the draft

I think Balta or Allen would be one of the two taller players that I hope are around our second pick

If Coffield was off the board, I wonder if we look at a tall early. Like Brander ..

I'm pretty convinced based off of past drafts that Higgins doesn't go until late in the first round at the earliest

Balta I've seen very minimal of but sounds like a really good prospect. Great versatility and athleticism even if Calder have wasted him playing him in the ruck. Smashed Lukosius in the Metro vs SA game apparently, which I only caught the first half of, which is a great sign. I'm not sure on Brander, didn't show a lot until the last round of the Champs which I didn't see. Will have to find more vision on him.

100% agree regarding Higgins. For a similar comparison, he isn't near the calibre of player Jade Gresham was, in my opinion, back in 2015 and Gresham only just snuck into the first round. Higgins' production is out-of-this-world, but he's not worth anything over pick 15, and I have no doubts that clubs will feel the same way.

 

[Gollo]

He does? I didn't even know that
Or I forgot it

Damn it, the more good things I hear about Coffield..

Why'd you tell me that Dog Rising

Yeah, Wizard posted that Coffield, Fogarty, Stuhldreier and Jaska were all known Dogs supporters. Coffield's just not someone we can miss out on now.

 

[Wizard17]

Yeah, Wizard posted that Coffield, Fogarty, Stuhldreier and Jaska were all known Dogs supporters. Coffield's just not someone we can miss out on now.

Coffield is mates with Lipinski too. Both from Eltham from memory.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

I've seen very little of anything but Balta looks like an athlete first and footballer second on the back of extremely limited vision.

 

[Wizard17]

 

[Wizard17]

https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/thre...om-draft-trial-run-starts-monday-9am.1170814/

 

[Wizard17]

So for those that are interested in it our picks in the BF Phantom trial thus far.

Pick 8 - Nick Coffield (190cm Half Back/outside mid)
Pick 25 - Zac Bailey (180cm burst inside mid)
Pick 37 - Toby Wooller (193cm half forward/Inside mid)

Apparently I have had 160 more posts than the next contributer to this thread...

 

[Dav1d]

So for those that are interested in it our picks in the BF Phantom trial thus far.

Pick 8 - Nick Coffield (190cm Half Back/outside mid)
Pick 25 - Zac Bailey (180cm burst inside mid)
Pick 37 - Toby Wooller (193cm half forward/Inside mid)

Apparently I have had 160 more posts than the next contributer to this thread...

Kidding, well done with those picks

Anyone that you were keen on that you just missed out on?

 

[Gollo]

So for those that are interested in it our picks in the BF Phantom trial thus far.

Pick 8 - Nick Coffield (190cm Half Back/outside mid)
Pick 25 - Zac Bailey (180cm burst inside mid)
Pick 37 - Toby Wooller (193cm half forward/Inside mid)

Apparently I have had 160 more posts than the next contributer to this thread...

Surprised with no Miers pick. Was he a bit too much of a reach at 37? Haven't seen very much of Bailey, looked good in the Allies game though and if he can develop as a small forward he'd be a good get.

 

[Wizard17]

Kidding, well done with those picks

Anyone that you were keen on that you just missed out on?

Maybe just missing out on Allen.

But I'm happy with those picks for us. All of them add something that we need, whether it be speed (outside and inside) or another target up forward.

Zac Bailey is one I am really liking. He is quite raw body wise but reminds me of Dangerfield with those bursts runs he does out of the center.

 

[Wizard17]

Surprised with no Miers pick. Was he a bit too much of a reach at 37? Haven't seen very much of Bailey, looked good in the Allies game though and if he can develop as a small forward he'd be a good get.

Probably not. I had Wooller a little bit higher because of wanting a mobile marking target as well as a forward and just missed out on Allen.

I'd give Bailey a bit of time on the Half Forward line but once he bulks up a bit put him in the middle. Players who can break out of the stoppages at speed are probably one of if not the most dangerous players in the modern game.

 

[Gollo]

Probably not. I had Wooller a little bit higher because of wanting a mobile marking target as well as a forward and just missed out on Allen.

I'd give Bailey a bit of time on the Half Forward line but once he bulks up a bit put him in the middle. Players who can break out of the stoppages at speed are probably one of if not the most dangerous players in the modern game.

Do you think he'll be able to really amass enough size to compete against the best big-bodied mids in the comp at AFL level, or do you think he's good enough anyway to win contested ball as a littler, skinny mid? You look at guys like Dangerfield, Ablett and Judd and they all had (to some extent) the height and strength, that it would appear Bailey's lacking, to really be dominant and dangerous.

 

[bulldogs54]

Would anyone here consider trading next years first round pick if it got us a top 5 pick this year?
Potentially leaving us with two top 10 picks this year?
Only thinking if there is any chance we could get say Brander/Sutherland along with Coffield/Dow/Other?

 

[Dav1d]

Would anyone here consider trading next years first round pick if it got us a top 5 pick this year?
Potentially leaving us with two top 10 picks this year?
Only thinking if there is any chance we could get say Brander/Sutherland along with Coffield/Dow/Other?

Hell yeah
But I don't think a team would, not a top 5 pick anyway. I doubt even a top 10 pick, ...maybe in the teens but then there are no certainties that we'd get a player we wanted to take that high if most of our choices are off the table.

Both first round picks might go to Adelaide anyway. If the Lever rumours are true.