2017 Draft thread

[Nunez]

Looks like Ballenden has already started the academy slide down the draft boards.

Given at one point he was moved into defense it was almost like they weren't utilising him purposely. As we saw in the last fortnight, when he can play his forward/ruck role he can dominate. I wouldn't even care if we play him as a defender for the rest of the year and pick him with our 3rd pick lol

 

[jackess]

Given at one point he was moved into defense it was almost like they weren't utilising him purposely. As we saw in the last fortnight, when he can play his forward/ruck role he can dominate. I wouldn't even care if we play him as a defender for the rest of the year and pick him with our 3rd pick lol

I think we need to see him against the Div 1 teams before we get too excited.

 

[briztoon]

Depending where our next pick is we could go into debt for next years first rounder in that scenario.

Port's pick and our second rounder will cover any bid on Ballenden.

Just means we either lose our second round pick, or the left over points slide back in to the end of the second round or beginning of the third round.

 

[Jman78]

Guys who is this J.Payne guy I've read a bit about in the reserves?

 

[Dalions]

Guys who is this J.Payne guy I've read a bit about in the reserves?

Academy boy. Defender. One of the best in the recent lions academy games.

 

[briztoon]

Firming as my preferred top draft prospect.

Despite the heavy tag LDU had another big game. Ben King is a top 10 certainty for next year he kicked 7 goals. Jiath was the best for Xavier kicking 2 goals but he was a bit fumbly today.

Despite the hard tag, Davies-Uniacke stilled managed to collect 30 disposals. Something will have to go wrong for him not to be a Top Five pick.

 

[jjami15]

Firming as my preferred top draft prospect.

Marks are there for a fine footy future
Marks are there for a fine footy future
November 23, 2015 Neil Walker Sport
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Harder, better, faster, stronger: Luke Davies-Uniacke has ticked every box on his journey to a possible AFL playing career. Picture: Yanni

WHILE footy fans sit with their feet up waiting for the new season many players are already putting in the hard yards to get up to speed for preseason training having been awarded a scholarship to the AFL Academy.

Luke Davies-Uniacke, a 16-year-old midfielder from Rye, has his eyes on the prize of an AFL playing career and is determined to keep improving his game to try to make his dream a reality.

In 2011 The News reported the then under-12 player represented Victoria at the School Sport Australia Championships in Canberra and Luke has hit every mark in the intervening years.

He snared a hat-trick of Best and Fairest awards at Rye Junior Football Club in 2010, 2012 and 2013 and was voted B&F in the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League in the same years.

Last year Luke was selected to represent Victoria in the under-15s National Football Championship in Sydney and wore ‘the Big V’ with pride.

Now the teenager, who also plays up forward, has his sights set on the big league while training at the AFL Academy.

“I’ve been doing a bit of gym preseason three times a week so that’s been pretty full on,” he said.

“I’ve sort of set a goal for myself to be a bit bigger and stronger than last year.”

A two-year program at the AFL Academy sees players meet AFL players, coaches and game day analysts to learn from the best in the game.

There were 203 graduates of the AFL Academy on AFL lists last season, including nine club captains.

Luke also plays for the Dandenong Stingrays and his school Haileybury College in Keysborough but is keeping his feet firmly on the ground despite his footballing progress to date.

“I’ve learned that nothing comes easy … and basically I’ve got to be able to kick with both feet, handball both sides and be bigger and stronger than my opponent every year because there’s always that one person who wants to work harder than you on and off the field so it comes down to hard work.”

Luke, a Hawthorn fan, admits a shot at an AFL career is not a given, and he’s still one year away from being a possible draft pick, but he says he would jump at the chance to play for “any Melbourne side” given the chance.

Looking at his career stats the name Luke Davies-Uniacke could be one to look out for local AFL fans come draft time in two years’ time.

Sorry mate, I've been sitting on this article for awhile, wouldn't touch him and plus Dandenong Stingrays really isn't Country Vic either.

 

[briztoon]

I'ma gonna go cry over my shirley temple.

 

[M Malice]

LDU = Chad Wingard.

Lets hope Darcy Fogarty, Cameron Rayner or Jayden Stephenson are in front of him come draft night.

 

[briztoon]

I hope Fogarty had a massive day in S.A. footy today.

I have very little interest in Jayden Stephenson. Which likely means we'll draft him, because last year I had little interest in McCluggage, and had Ainsworth, McGrath and SPS as my top 3 draft prospects.

I've cooled a little on Raynor, only because of the whole Vic City thing.

Maybe later in the year we could do a composite big board on where various draft watchers rate players, and the do a Brisbane Lions centric big board, where we rate/list players that suit the Lions needs.

 

[pulpdriver]

I hope Fogarty had a massive day in S.A. footy today.

I have very little interest in Jayden Stephenson. Which likely means we'll draft him, because last year I had little interest in McCluggage, and had Ainsworth, McGrath and SPS as my top 3 draft prospects.

I've cooled a little on Raynor, only because of the whole Vic City thing.

Maybe later in the year we could do a composite big board on where various draft watchers rate players, and the do a Brisbane Lions centric big board, where we rate/list players that suit the Lions needs.

If Stephenson moves into the midfield at the Champs and has even a moderate impact with his forward ability, I think he has to be considered very early but I like Fogarty. Someone (maybe lionshine ?) posted footage of him recently and the thing that struck me was his size against men. Hard to make much from highlights but despite looking bigger than virtually everyone out there he was still playing in a manner in which he was winning the ball but wasn't relying on his size, but could use it when needed and had good skills. Against men. Measured at 192cm and 88kg from most recent measurements but there's no way that's accurate; he looked enormous. Really looking forward to the Champs because I'd love a standout no.1 and he really did look like he could be that one.

 

[Carlos Danger]

I hope Fogarty had a massive day in S.A. footy today.

I have very little interest in Jayden Stephenson. Which likely means we'll draft him, because last year I had little interest in McCluggage, and had Ainsworth, McGrath and SPS as my top 3 draft prospects.

I've cooled a little on Raynor, only because of the whole Vic City thing.

Maybe later in the year we could do a composite big board on where various draft watchers rate players, and the do a Brisbane Lions centric big board, where we rate/list players that suit the Lions needs.

Fogarty didn't do much today stats wise. Think he only had 8 disposals. But glenelg got spanked by the top team so don't expect the young ones to shine much when that happens.

I'm going to watch his next game Friday night, keen to have a look at him live.

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

Sorry mate, I've been sitting on this article for awhile, wouldn't touch him and plus Dandenong Stingrays really isn't Country Vic either.

Rye is close to 100kms to Melbourne CBD.
3 times further than Springfield to Brisbane CBD.

 

[M Malice]

Rye is close to 100kms to Melbourne CBD.
3 times further than Springfield to Brisbane CBD.

This is the bit that would have our recruiters wary re LDU.

Luke, a Hawthorn fan, admits a shot at an AFL career is not a given, and he’s still one year away from being a possible draft pick, but he says he would jump at the chance to play for “any Melbourne side” given the chance.

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

I understand that, I did read it. Perhaps read the part I quoted again & my response. It is the assumption involved in the quote that I disagree with.

To say that the Dandenong Stingrays are not really Vic Country is incorrect. They have access to the whole Mornington Peninsula so while areas such as Dandenong & other South Eastern Suburbs are genuinely metropolitan Melbourne, the far reaching Mornington Peninsula is not.

That article is 18 months old & ask any 16 year old child the same question you are likely to get a similar response. To start Chad Wingard observations is a touch dramatic IMO.

 

[M Malice]

I understand that, I did read it. Perhaps read the part I quoted again & my response. It is the assumption involved in the quote that I disagree with.

To say that the Dandenong Stingrays are not really Vic Country is incorrect. They have access to the whole Mornington Peninsula so while areas such as Dandenong & other South Eastern Suburbs are genuinely metropolitan Melbourne, the far reaching Mornington Peninsula is not.

That article is 18 months old & ask any 16 year old child the same question you are likely to get a similar response. To start Chad Wingard observations is a touch dramatic IMO.

I accept the rebuke and acknowledge my misinterpretation.

The Wingard comment was a joke, sarcasm and tongues in cheeks play a large part in my attempted humor.

 

[lionshine]

TAC Cup stats Round 7-

Geelong Falcons-
Cassidy Parish 33 disposals 1 goal

Gryan Miers 16 disposals 3 goals 5 tackles

David Handley 22 disposals 1 goal 9 tackles

Note* James Worpel had just the 2 disposals but got injured early in the match.

Northern Knights-
Jack Petruccelle 27 disposals 2 tackles

Nick Coffield 14 disposals 5 tackles

Murray Bushrangers-
Daniel Johnston 12 disposals 3 goals 3 tackles

Sandringham Dragons-
Hamish Brayshaw 32 disposals 2 goals 8 tackles

Gippsland Power-
Aiden Quigley 20 disposals 3 goals 5 tackles

Calder Cannons-
Jack Bytel 34 disposals 1 goal 3 tackles

Mitch Podhajski 23 disposals 6 goals 10 marks

Eastern Ranges-
Jaidyn Stephenson 22 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles

Tom North 43 disposals 3 goals

Sam Hayes 11 disposals 2 marks

Bendigo Pioneers-
Darby Henderson 41 disposals 6 marks

GWV Rebels-
Aiden Domic 19 disposals 1 goal 7 tackles

Jordan Johnston 13 disposals 2 goals 5 marks 7 tackles

Dale Cox 12 disposals 9 tackles

Western Jets-
Nicholas Sthuldreier 34 disposals 11 tackles

*Stats yet to be released for Dandy Stingrays and Oakleigh Chargers.

 

[lionshine]

TAC Cup stats Round 7-

Geelong Falcons-
Cassidy Parish 33 disposals 1 goal

Gryan Miers 16 disposals 3 goals 5 tackles

David Handley 22 disposals 1 goal 9 tackles

Note* James Worpel had just the 2 disposals but got injured early in the match.

Northern Knights-
Jack Petruccelle 27 disposals 2 tackles

Nick Coffield 14 disposals 5 tackles

Murray Bushrangers-
Daniel Johnston 12 disposals 3 goals 3 tackles

Sandringham Dragons-
Hamish Brayshaw 32 disposals 2 goals 8 tackles

Gippsland Power-
Aiden Quigley 20 disposals 3 goals 5 tackles

Calder Cannons-
Jack Bytel 34 disposals 1 goal 3 tackles

Mitch Podhajski 23 disposals 6 goals 10 marks

Eastern Ranges-
Jaidyn Stephenson 22 disposals 4 marks 4 tackles

Tom North 43 disposals 3 goals

Sam Hayes 11 disposals 2 marks

Bendigo Pioneers-
Darby Henderson 41 disposals 6 marks

GWV Rebels-
Aiden Domic 19 disposals 1 goal 7 tackles

Jordan Johnston 13 disposals 2 goals 5 marks 7 tackles

Dale Cox 12 disposals 9 tackles

Western Jets-
Nicholas Sthuldreier 34 disposals 11 tackles

*Stats yet to be released for Dandy Stingrays and Oakleigh Chargers.

So two big games in a row from Darby Henderson and Nicholas Sthuldreier.

Darby Henderson- Round 6 35 disposals 3 tackles and Round 7 41 disposals 6 marks

Nicholas Sthuldreier- Round 6 34 disposals 7 tackles and Round 7 34 disposals 11 tackles

 

[Len S]

So two big games in a row from Darby Henderson and Nicholas Sthuldreier.

Darby Henderson- Round 6 35 disposals 3 tackles and Round 7 41 disposals 6 marks

Nicholas Sthuldreier- Round 6 34 disposals 7 tackles and Round 7 34 disposals 11 tackles

These rounds can be very misleading....wait for the finals and interstate championships. Injuries and school matches distort the picture a good deal.

 

[lionshine]

These rounds can be very misleading....wait for the finals and interstate championships. Injuries and school matches distort the picture a good deal.

Very aware of that. Shouldn't completely disregard them either though.

 

[M Malice]

Hey lionshine would you put pick 1 on the table for Jacob Hopper? or Hopper + a pick or another player.

 

[lionshine]

Hey lionshine would you put pick 1 on the table for Jacob Hopper? or Hopper + a pick or another player.

Hard to say at this point. No draft pick is ever a sure thing, however, every now and then a player such as Jacob Weitering comes along and you can just tell they are going to make an impact at AFL level from day dot and go on to play 200+ games of quality footy. If Darcy Fogarty or Luke Davies-Uniacke were to place themselves into a similar tier as someone like Weitering come the conclusion of the U18 champs I'd be very reluctant to part with pick 1, particularly when you consider the fact that we need to sell hope to our supporters and drafting an exciting, young gun with pick 1 will generate positive media attention for the club.

On the other hand, for a struggling club like ours, if a proven, young AFL talent like Jacob Hopper wanted to join us how could we say no? If it was going to take pick 1 to get it done you'd have to seriously consider it. Not sure I'd trade pick 1 for Hopper in a straight swap though. You'd want anther pick coming back our way or another young talent such as Matthew Kennedy.

If we were able to lure Hopper to the club I think the club would do everything in it's power to trade the Port pick for him. If that pick sits at 15ish that makes it hard to do, however, if it sits around 10-12 I think it is doable. We may need to throw in a sweetener, however, looking at a recent example, Tom Mitchell a gun midfielder aged just 23 was traded for pick 14 last year.

When it comes to trading pick 1 for Hopper, the club will simply have to weigh up who they think will become the better player out of the likes of Fogarty/LDU/whoever the top prospects end up being and Hopper. Easier said than done, however, as it is always difficult to predict the level young players will reach in 5+ years time. I think the decision will be made easier for us if the consensus top 3 draft picks are young talls e.g. Brander, Hayes and Balta as we are crying out for young midfielders(Subject to us keeping Schache) and in that scenario would probably happily part ways with pick 1 for a young gun mid in Hopper.

 

[briztoon]

I really want to see Fogarty and LDU really stamp themselves as top, top tier talent.

Schache stays, I prefer LDU as a draft target.

Schache leaves, I prefer Fogarty as a draft target.

 

[SizeMatters]

Hopper is good but he isn't pick 1 good. Would rather use Ports first + steak knives and take pick 1 to the draft. Fogarty + Hopper would be a good day at the office.

 

[lionshine]

I think we are crying out for our own Bontempelli/Cripps/Oliver. A young, big bodied, gun mid capable of stepping up from day 1 as a marquee player who performs to a high standard on a consistent basis.