2017 Draft thread

[Fatcat08]

True, but fair to say Hipwood would attract earlier bids than 14 with the benefit of hindsight. Ballenden has plenty of upside too.

No doubt, not saying he doesn't. Hipwood was a really late riser in his draft year, which i tend to think bodes well a lot of the time for how they will project upwards once they get into the AFL. Ballenden has been pretty highly rated for a while now and has slipped this year. Thats not to say there's not upside there as I think there certainly is but in an ideal world i would rather him be absolutely banging down the door, regardless of whether we later got a "steal" with a second round pick or the like.

 

[Nunez]

I was a lot more sold on Ballenden after seeing live. Can see him becoming a dominant forward, at the least kicking 40+ in his peak. I just see his tools (marking, goal kicking, field kicking, footy IQ) being very good, he is built like a tank already and realistically just needs to get his fitness and dedication to the levels they need to be to succeed.

 

[Lionwest]

I was a lot more sold on Ballenden after seeing live. Can see him becoming a dominant forward, at the least kicking 40+ in his peak. I just see his tools (marking, goal kicking, field kicking, footy IQ) being very good, he is built like a tank already and realistically just needs to get his fitness and dedication to the levels they need to be to succeed.

What is his speed and agility like Nunez?

 

[Nunez]

What is his speed and agility like Nunez?

I wouldn't say he is super quick or agile, but was beating his opponents on the lead most of the time so his Smart enough to break away and quick enough to mark it before they can stop him.

I didn't really notice a heap in regards to his agility but definitely looked more agile than Freeman. Surely he has to be if he can play all tall mans positions right?

 

[lionshine]

I wouldn't say he is super quick or agile, but was beating his opponents on the lead most of the time so his Smart enough to break away and quick enough to mark it before they can stop him.

I didn't really notice a heap in regards to his agility but definitely looked more agile than Freeman. Surely he has to be if he can play all tall mans positions right?

I've seen very little of Ballenden and the games I did see he had quieter games so I haven't been able to get a good grasp first hand of his abilities but I like what I've read particularly as of late. I've seen multiple people compare him to Peter Wright. Would you say this is a decent player comparison Nunez ?

 

[Nunez]

I've seen very little of Ballenden and the games I did see he had quieter games so I haven't been able to get a good grasp first hand of his abilities but I like what I've read particularly as of late. I've seen multiple people compare him to Peter Wright. Would you say this is a decent player comparison Nunez ?

Not that I'm a great judge but see him more like a Tippett/Patton style player.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Not that I'm a great judge but see him more like a Tippett/Patton style player.

Or a Rory Lobb.

 

[Nunez]

Or a Rory Lobb.

I'd love it if he turned out a Lobb type, but can see him being more of that General forward who is also a good ruck.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Looks like he could end up very similar in size and style to Patton, with perhaps a tad more agility and a better field kick.

 

[Scubaveg]

True, but fair to say Hipwood would attract earlier bids than 14 with the benefit of hindsight. Ballenden has plenty of upside too.

His last couple of NEAFL games have been quit good by reports. Is there value in closing up shop now putting him in cotton wool and trying to contain visibility. And/or has that ship sailed or is development whilst in a purple patch of form of more value long term?


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[John_Proctor]

I found it interesting that the AFL.com guy who has always seemed very high (was potential #1 pick in early articles this year and still 'potential top 5' before championships) on Ballenden had him down at 18 on his latest power rankings even though he referenced his recent good NEAFL form.

Overall I think bids for Ballenden could be very varied. If clubs see him as a ruckman he might fall, if a club thinks his games as a defender at the championships were good that might see him mid-late first round if clubs rate him as a key forward he might push up.

 

[Nunez]

His last couple of NEAFL games have been quit good by reports. Is there value in closing up shop now putting him in cotton wool and trying to contain visibility. And/or has that ship sailed or is development whilst in a purple patch of form of more value long term?


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Ballenden is a known commodity. If anything we've tried quite hard to keep Paine under wraps.

 

[Cockliff38]

Looks like the Oskar Baker hype train has left the station. This from Cal Twomey

ANOTHER standout display from speedy midfielder Oskar Baker last weekend has recruiters buzzing about the Queenslander ahead of this year's NAB AFL Draft.

The 19-year-old has averaged 16 disposals and a goal a game in 13 matches this season, and is also attracting the interest of AFL clubs, having had at least six club interviews so far this year.

WATCH: Oskar Baker's highlights here

Unlike the majority of talent to come out of the northern states, Baker isn't tied to a club via an academy, having been cut by the Brisbane Lions at the end of 2015.

Baker, who is one of 14 NEAFL players invited to test at state draft combines later this year, starred last weekend with four goals and 20 disposals in a best-afield effort for Aspley in its win over Southport.

Some believe he is in the mix for November's national draft, perhaps even as a second-round selection.

He won a NEAFL Rising Star nomination earlier this season for his 25-disposal and one-goal performance against Redland.

The eyecatching 183cm midfielder started the season playing with his junior club Wilston Grange in the QAFL but won a place on Aspley's rookie list after his promising pre-season campaign.

 

[Simba Moyo]

I watched him last week and he really was quite impressive. Excellent kick.

 

[a mayes ing]

Wondering why we cut him then.

 

[Crawb]

Wondering why we cut him then.

I get the impression from the last part of the piece that he wasn't really on anyone's radar again until a few months ago.

 

[jackess]

16 disposals and a goal a game? Surely he's a late rookie pick at best.

 

[cotter101]

16 disposals and a goal a game? Surely he's a late rookie pick at best.

16.5 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal and 3 tackles a game in the NEAFL is pretty good averages for a 17 year old skinny kid off Aspley's rookie list that is now playing against men.

 

[briztoon]

16.5 disposals, 5 marks, 1 goal and 3 tackles a game in the NEAFL is pretty good averages for a 17 year old skinny kid off Aspley's rookie list that is now playing against men.

He's 19 isn't he?

 

[cotter101]

He's 19 isn't he?

Correct. Buggered that up.

This is why I don't like commenting on QLD players. I don't know enough about them all.

 

[Bjorn Again]

I believe he is rated higher than many of us would hope. He's definitely a (mid to later) first round talent in this years draft.

Maybe second rounder at best.
He has been switched around in multiple roles because he has not excelled at any of them.
This is a bad sign for him.
There are plenty of other players to go for in the draft before him, even from our own academy.

 

[Bjorn Again]

Honestly after seeing Conor first hand I am thrilled we're drafting him. He looks such a complete player. He covers the ground well when given the license to run, is not afraid to hit tackles/contests hard and is Elite by foot (not sure by hand). He can play forward, back or ruck which is huge when you think about having 3 of Ballenden, Andrews, Mcstay and Hipwood who can play will forward and back. Our versatility is huge in the kpp stocks.

We will only draft him if nobody else wants him second round and later.

 

[Bjorn Again]

I'm still keen on LDU as a safe choice. Seems very well rounded. Maybe similar to Josh Kennedy. My preference would be to finish 15th and get him with pick 4. I'd also like a midfielder who could start forward and be dangerous and head into the midfield gradually with the Port pick. Maybe Zac Bailey.

LDU had a rubbish champs so I do not think he is a safe choice at all. Highly over-rated. Kills school footy, does not play much TAC and rubbish champs. Has given no indication he can step up in grades.
If we do not get pick 1 (and a fair chance of that) I think Rayner might slide as his endurance is terrible. That should not be a concern for us. He will be a gun.
Others I like are Dow and Higgins.
And I do not give a FF what "expert" analysts like Knightmare say. My opinion is my own.

 

[Bjorn Again]

Is this our dream scenario unfolding with Bellandeen? Sliding on Cal's phantom draft with two/three talls now ranked above him...


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IMHO our dream scenario is if we do not pick him at all...
He dominated underage just because he is tall - not good enough to cut it in AFL.

 

[Bjorn Again]

Ballenden is a known commodity. If anything we've tried quite hard to keep Paine under wraps.

I agree - Paine before Ballenden.