2017 Draft thread

[lionshine]

How come other clubs havent picked him up then? If it is just his endurance, then you would think clubs would take a punt on him and increase it.

I was hoping we would pick him up late in the draft last year and when he wasn't thought he would certainly be a rookie. lionshine was the first one that pointed him out, what do you think lionshine? this year?

He burst onto the senior WAFL scene just last year. With his weak endurance base(And that is being generous I believe it was sub-10) I think clubs perhaps wanted him to replicate his form again this season perhaps before taking a punt on a player with such a questionable level of endurance. There have been some rumours that he might be a bit of a fight risk as well which potentially turned all the non-WA clubs off. Who knows though. He has undeniable supreme talent. It will be interesting to see if a club takes a punt on him this year. He has definitely replicated his form this year kicking 35 goals from 11 games after kicking 40 goals from 16 games last year.

 

[a mayes ing]

He burst onto the senior WAFL scene just last year. With his weak endurance base(And that is being generous I believe it was sub-10) I think clubs perhaps wanted him to replicate his form again this season perhaps before taking a punt on a player with such a questionable level of endurance. There have been some rumours that he might be a bit of a fight risk as well which potentially turned all the non-WA clubs off. Who knows though. He has undeniable supreme talent. It will be interesting to see if a club takes a punt on him this year. He has definitely replicated his form this year kicking 35 goals from 11 games after kicking 40 goals from 16 games last year.

If he has kicked this many goals with a terrible endurance level, one can only imagine how many he could potentially kick with a much higher base of endurance

 

[lionshine]

If he has kicked this many goals with a terrible endurance level, one can only imagine how many he could potentially kick with a much higher base of endurance

To be fair to him, perhaps he doesn't aspire to play at the top level. Perhaps he is just enjoying life kicking a bag each week in the WAFL and living in his home state surrounded by family and friends. Definitely a super talent though.

 

[Wymo]

Sorry for the intrusion and apologies if this has already been discussed, but is Ballenden a certainty to be picked up by you guys? Slow start to this year so far and seems to be sliding back in many power rankings. Just interested to here if you guys view him as a must take at this stage.

 

[SizeMatters]

Sorry for the intrusion and apologies if this has already been discussed, but is Ballenden a certainty to be picked up by you guys? Slow start to this year so far and seems to be sliding back in many power rankings. Just interested to here if you guys view him as a must take at this stage.

No certainty, but will most likely be on Lions list. I guess it depends on how he goes this year and where the bid comes in IMO. I have a gut feel that we will pass on him if he is bid top 5 for instance. Would be highly surprised to see a top 15 bid going by his form so far.

 

[M Malice]

Twomey's podcast from yesterday-

Davies-Uniake is the red hot favourite for the number 1 spot, although there are a few other contenders at this early stage ie. Rayner (the number 1 contender to LDU), Darcy Fogarty with a few others behind those 3 ie. Ballenden, Brander, Hayes, Sutherland. Smokies who could jump up- Cerra, O'Brien, Stephenson, Garner, Higgins and Clarke.

LDU great inside and out, pace and toughness.
Rayner a very similar player to Petracca only a better mark overhead.
Fogarty is out of form.
Stephenson is unique, really exciting half forward, lightning quick who will move into the midfield.
2nd-3rd round talent is pretty average.

I am still a fan of Stephenson similar to my opinion of SPS last year, serious x-factor.

 

[Dalions]

Twomey's podcast from yesterday-

Davies-Uniake is the red hot favourite for the number 1 spot, although there are a few other contenders at this early stage ie. Rayner (the number 1 contender to LDU), Darcy Fogarty with a few others behind those 3 ie. Ballenden, Brander, Hayes, Sutherland. Smokies who could jump up- Cerra, O'Brien, Stephenson, Garner, Higgins and Clarke.

LDU great inside and out, pace and toughness.
Rayner a very similar player to Petracca only a better mark overhead.
Fogarty is out of form.
Stephenson is unique, really exciting half forward, lightning quick who will move into the midfield.
2nd-3rd round talent is pretty average.

I am still a fan of Stephenson similar to my opinion of SPS last year, serious x-factor.

I like Stephenson and he likes us, apparently.

 

[M Malice]

I like Stephenson and he likes us, apparently.

Who doesn't like us we are all just so lovable here on the Lions BF board.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Just a personal opinion, thats all. I don't compare Worpel to Matho at all. Worpel wouldn't carry on like Matho does when scoring a goal, its beyond a joke, especially after dropping a regulation chest mark before hand (rant over).

Worpel is a lot better built, more strength and muscle than Matho had at u18 level (probably still stronger than him now), and athletically more explosive than Matho.

Worpel plays like Taylor Adams did at U18 level, but more pace and is stronger/well built (Cunnington type).
Its hard to compare him to an AFL player, but its not Matho.

Sure they have both had elite juniors years, Worpel set up himself up as a 17 year old, as did Matho. But different player and playing styles.
Just all personal opinion thats all.

No bitterness in that first paragraph by any chance?

 

[briztoon]

Twomey's podcast from yesterday-

Davies-Uniake is the red hot favourite for the number 1 spot, although there are a few other contenders at this early stage ie. Rayner (the number 1 contender to LDU), Darcy Fogarty with a few others behind those 3 ie. Ballenden, Brander, Hayes, Sutherland. Smokies who could jump up- Cerra, O'Brien, Stephenson, Garner, Higgins and Clarke.

LDU great inside and out, pace and toughness.
Rayner a very similar player to Petracca only a better mark overhead.
Fogarty is out of form.
Stephenson is unique, really exciting half forward, lightning quick who will move into the midfield.
2nd-3rd round talent is pretty average.

I am still a fan of Stephenson similar to my opinion of SPS last year, serious x-factor.

I still can't believe Ballenden is in the mix purely on potential.

Sooner or later you have to look at the kids form.

 

[POBT]

I think we can safely rule Ballenden out for pick 1 until such time as we move off the bottom of the ladder.

 

[lionshine]

Luke Davies-Uniacke wears Number 9 and he gets 3 possessions in the first 15 seconds.

 

[lionshine]

 

[irish]

Stephenson is my front runner at this point

 

[jackess]

Stephenson is my front runner at this point

I like him but not for pick 1.

I like the idea of adding the most dangerous forward in this draft to our forward line regardless of whether or not they're key position. Would probably rather Stephenson than Ballenden.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

I like him but not for pick 1.

I like the idea of adding the most dangerous forward in this draft to our forward line regardless of whether or not they're key position. Would probably rather Stephenson than Ballenden.

Stephenson is arguably the most dynamic forward, calling him the most dangerous is probably a stretch (given their main task is to score goals). He has 10 goals from 8 matches. The leading goalkicker has 24. My personal favourite (Jack Higgins) has 14 from the same number of games. And yes both have played in other positions between and throughout games. Stephenson might have a higher ceiling given his height and athleticism but Higgins possibly better fits our immediate needs as a small forward/midfielder.

 

[briztoon]

Well I've been on the LDU bandwagon since early days, so not jumping off until a better option arrives.

I hope we get to use Ports pick at the draft and not use it to match a bid on Ballenden. Jack Higgins has been there abouts for Ports pick, but I'm really starting to follow Paddy Dow from the Bendigo Pioneers. 184cm inside/outside midfielder, serious speed and can go forward and kick a goal. Could definitely play as a forward before moving in to the midfield.

I waiting until next season for a genuine small forward. Going to follow the fortunes of S.A's Izak Rankine, 178cm, this year and next. Big wraps on him already. Was mentioned as probable best on ground on Saturdays S.A versus W.A U18 game.

 

[jjami15]

I still can't believe Ballenden is in the mix purely on potential.

Sooner or later you have to look at the kids form.

It would be interesting to see where he sits on some clubs draft boards but it is almost like the draft watchers and journos just won't see what his output is but are hoping what it could be.

Well I've been on the LDU bandwagon since early days, so not jumping off until a better option arrives.

I hope we get to use Ports pick at the draft and not use it to match a bid on Ballenden. Jack Higgins has been there abouts for Ports pick, but I'm really starting to follow Paddy Dow from the Bendigo Pioneers. 184cm inside/outside midfielder, serious speed and can go forward and kick a goal. Could definitely play as a forward before moving in to the midfield.

I waiting until next season for a genuine small forward. Going to follow the fortunes of S.A's Izak Rankine, 178cm, this year and next. Big wraps on him already. Was mentioned as probable best on ground on Saturdays S.A versus W.A U18 game.

Said it before but waiting to see some vision myself to see who I'm going to hope we draft especially with our current pick 1. It currently seems to be out of Rayner and LDU doesn't it. From all of the info it seems that LDU is a pure inside mid and Rayner is a forward/mid but has game winning abilities like Petracca and Dusty.

We do need to draft midfielders and keep building that depth and having those two in the teens could hopefully be picked on mids and that's why drafting Rayner I see as a real possibility as there is a very good chance that there will be a Dow, H.Clark or Worpol to keep adding. It'll be interesting times ahead and Higgins is another I'm looking forward to seeing as well.

 

[briztoon]

https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/on-the-clock/id1198118227?mt=2

On The Clock podcast episode 2. The last 2 minutes talks about Schache, Fagan and McStay. "Clubs in every State are chasing McStay".

 

[Len S]

If he has kicked this many goals with a terrible endurance level, one can only imagine how many he could potentially kick with a much higher base of endurance

Potential is a deceitful thing,meaningless mostly.

 

[SizeMatters]

We are still lacking pace throughout the team. Would be super keen to add a fast inside mid to partner with Berry. LDU and Fogarty (assuming he develops his midfield game) I think fit the bill as they both aren't slow for inside mids.

 

[Len S]

I think we can safely rule Ballenden out for pick 1 until such time as we move off the bottom of the ladder.

Ballendon,is coming from a long way behind scratch as far as picks 1and 2 are concerned...and is not a given at all...that's the club's view and it's a soundly based one...especially given our need for on ball talent,and line breaking match winners.

 

[BigCat2]

It would be interesting to see where he sits on some clubs draft boards but it is almost like the draft watchers and journos just won't see what his output is but are hoping what it could be.

Talls with potentials tend to get talked up until after most of the year they still haven't delivered, and then get dropped lower. See Todd Marshall last year as example - was listed in top 5 (even top 3) prospects on many people's lists for most of the year and ended up going late first round.

Opposite of mid/small sized prospects - they rise on draft boards through weight on performance, not potential alone.

 

[POBT]

Potential is a deceitful thing,meaningless mostly.

This is a draft thread. The whole purpose is discuss potential.

 

[Dalions]

This is a draft thread. The whole purpose is discuss potential.

You dont want the kids to be at their best when they are drafted.
It would be nice for kids to come in and have an impact straight away. As we are seeing with both Berry and Clugga, but i hope they have some development left in them yet. And will be at their best in 3 to 4 years. 'Potential'.
We are just starting to see real development in our 4th year players, Robbo, McStay, Cuts, Lewy, Gardiner. They have all still got 'Potential' and we are all hoping that we are still only just scratching the surface.