2017 Draft thread

[jjami15]

It is looking like we will not end up with pick 1, I'm tipping we will end up 16th in front of North and Carlton. This would mean in all likely hood we will not be getting Cameron Rayner, that being the case I am now on the Paddy Dow or Nick Coffield (Not currently rated this high but I think he could surge) train. Thanks to Knightmare for the write ups below.

2. Paddy Dow (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
Height, weight: 184cm, 78kg
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: First round
Similar to: Luke Shuey
June Ranking: Not ranked
Rationale: Possesses a winning mix of attributes and impact per possession through the midfield with contested ball winning, acceleration from the contest and skillset. Under-18 Championships performances have made clear that he is a top end prospect. May be the best midfielder in this draft.
Strengths:
First possession winner at coalface
Stoppage work
Burst out of stoppages at speed
Acceleration
Desperation
Tackling
High impact per possession
Clean skills
Lowers eyes
Composure
Evasive in traffic
Scoreboard impact
Weaknesses:
Needs to find more of the ball


14. Nicholas Coffield (VIC)
Best position: General defence/inside midfield
Height, weight: 190cm, 83kg
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Projected draft range: First to second round
Similar to: Jackson Nelson
June Ranking: 13
Rationale: One of the few players this year with genuine class and composure with ball in hand. At his height and mix of attributes has the scope to develop into a midfielder.
Strengths:
Sidestepping and composure in traffic
Sound decision maker in traffic
Classy ball user and clean kick over a variety of distances
Agility
Clean at ground level
Intercept marking
Production
Weaknesses:
Having played mostly back, he remains somewhat unproven as a midfielder other than for short periods
Contested ball winning
Stoppage work

Had a go at the Ladder Predictor for the remainder of the season and saw us finishing with pick 3, with wins over GC and North. Would still like to see us somehow conjur some more picks like last year. To contradict that thought though would like to see us also move up using Ports and our second rounder. Two top 10 picks and with Ballenden in the 15-25 range would be a good draft. I have been a bit indifferent about Dow but did go back and watch his clips vs SA which was one of his better games. Using our strategy it could be a Dow/O'Brien selection which would go towards building that midfield.

 

[winged1]

Do you get the impression that Constable may have moved ahead of Coffield,more physically developed,and covers a lot of positional bases ? Incidentally, Charlie Spargo,who I think is a tremendous small,and played under age last year but has been injured,would be a great 3 or 4 pick,Terry Wallace, who is not a favourite but does take an interest in this area, promoted him last week,very strongly.

He also promoted Tambling. Probably got it right with Cotchin

 

[bhys16]

He goes well,his school side is doing it tough,but he hangs in,they are always disadvantaged against big all boys schools. Wouldnt discount Spargo as a later pick,if Higgins goes early.Some players are floating up and down the order,and its very even,and therefore hard to pick,finals of TAC may clarify things.

I happen to teach at his 'disadvantaged' school
also where the Lions train when in Melbourne which is a nice touch.
Wes has had their priorities all mixed up regarding sport for a few years. I went through the APS system at Wes myself with soccer about 15 years ago and we were very competitive in most sports including footy.. stole a premiership a few years ago with Toby Greene and Tom Campbell leading the way but have been battling for a few years again now.
With all that said and my natural bias, Cerra is a great player who I would be happy to take even if he was from Scotch or Haileybury BOO!

 

[KissKiss]

I happen to teach at his 'disadvantaged' school
also where the Lions train when in Melbourne which is a nice touch.
Wes has had their priorities all mixed up regarding sport for a few years. I went through the APS system at Wes myself with soccer about 15 years ago and we were very competitive in most sports including footy.. stole a premiership a few years ago with Toby Greene and Tom Campbell leading the way but have been battling for a few years again now.
With all that said and my natural bias, Cerra is a great player who I would be happy to take even if he was from Scotch or Haileybury BOO!

I dont know. Scotch boys might be a step too far

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

Had a go at the Ladder Predictor for the remainder of the season and saw us finishing with pick 3, with wins over GC and North. Would still like to see us somehow conjur some more picks like last year. To contradict that thought though would like to see us also move up using Ports and our second rounder. Two top 10 picks and with Ballenden in the 15-25 range would be a good draft. I have been a bit indifferent about Dow but did go back and watch his clips vs SA which was one of his better games. Using our strategy it could be a Dow/O'Brien selection which would go towards building that midfield.

I'm a huge O'Brien fan, would love to select him with the Port pick (may need to be upgraded by the time the draft rolls around, maybe with one of the scenarios you've pointed out)

Watching the game on the weekend, he would fit in well with the good decision makers / ball user we're starting to get in the side.

 

[Cockliff38]

Conole is on this week's Road to the Draft podcast with Cal Twomey & Nat Edwards.

Talk about our recent recruits (McCluggage, Berry, Witherden, Schache, Hipwood & Mathieson), this year's prospects (particularly LDU & Rayner), Ballenden and the academy, Lachie Harris and more.

As you'd expect he kept the cards pretty close to his chest. Did say we weren't looking at Sutherland and thought he ranked in the top 5-6 of this crop, but was pretty adamant we'd go with mids. Adding mids to our midfield mix is our biggest focus this offseason.

 

[Nunez]

Of the few games I've seen, Dow is definitely my pick. I also agree he has high impact per possession. Not as much impact as Rayner, but honestly still damn good. Could see him getting min to Zorkos level.

 

[SizeMatters]

Of the few games I've seen, Dow is definitely my pick. I also agree he has high impact per possession. Not as much impact as Rayner, but honestly still damn good. Could see him getting min to Zorkos level.

I get a mixed bag from Dow and his possessions. A lot of his kicks are rushed just thrown it on the boot type kicks from a pack (which are fine in some circumstances), the other half are well weighted aggressive kicks when he has a bit of time. I think some of his throw it on the boot kicks are under a bit of perceived pressure and I think he has a bit more time than he realises. Hopefully in an AFL system he will acclimatise to this. Otherwise I can't really fault his game that much (maybe get more possessions?). Would love him at the Lions although I think I may have under rated Rayner previously as he looks even better on watching some replays of the games... has some bigger faults though which is the main concern for mine.

I'd be happy with either although if I was the selector I'd take the Dow as I think overall he fits our needs the greatest and will slot straight into our next-gen midfield.

 

[cotter101]

Dow's my #1. I see him possessing all the current tools to become a top of the line midfielder of this competition. One of the more complete and gifted midfielders to have come through the system for a while in my eyes.

Rayner's my #2 and is no slouch. Some had brought of his willingness (or lack of) to move interstate. Does seem a nice kid and I don't think it would bother him with the right support, which I do feel we have in place now.

Both come across as having a pretty good head on them. I love the way Dow went about impressing in his interviews. Made a huge effort.

 

[lions27]

Dow's my #1. I see him possessing all the current tools to become a top of the line midfielder of this competition. One of the more complete and gifted midfielders to have come through the system for a while in my eyes.

Rayner's my #2 and is no slouch. Some had brought of his willingness (or lack of) to move interstate. Does seem a nice kid and I don't think it would bother him with the right support, which I do feel we have in place now.

Both come across as having a pretty good head on them. I love the way Dow went about impressing in his interviews. Made a huge effort.

What about number 3? Quietly confident of us having that pick

 

[M Malice]

Dow's my #1. I see him possessing all the current tools to become a top of the line midfielder of this competition. One of the more complete and gifted midfielders to have come through the system for a while in my eyes.

Rayner's my #2 and is no slouch. Some had brought of his willingness (or lack of) to move interstate. Does seem a nice kid and I don't think it would bother him with the right support, which I do feel we have in place now.

Both come across as having a pretty good head on them. I love the way Dow went about impressing in his interviews. Made a huge effort.

Would love to see your top 10 or so cotter101, IMO we will end up with pick 3, hopefully Dow slides to there like McCluggage last year.

 

[TheZork]

I wonder who the 4-6 players that we're looking at are. The general consensus at this stage seems to be that in no particular order Rayner, Dow, LDU and Cerra are the top 4 non KPP prospects at the moment. The other 2 could be out of Fogarty, Stephensen, Coffield, Constable and O'Brien.

 

[M Malice]

I wonder who the 4-6 players that we're looking at are. The general consensus at this stage seems to be that in no particular order Rayner, Dow, LDU and Cerra are the top 4 non KPP prospects at the moment. The other 2 could be out of Fogarty, Stephensen, Coffield, Constable and O'Brien.

With our well known emphasis being on elite ball users I think we would have Nick Coffield rated pretty highly.

 

[TheZork]

What about number 3? Quietly confident of us having that pick

Completely agree, I honestly think we'll end up with pick 3, that involves winning 2 more games this year. Carlton won't win another game, their fixture is horrible (Cats (H), Dons (A), Eagles (A), Hawks (H) Swans (A)) and NM only chance is against collingwood (and us). They have the Dees, Pies, Hawks, Saints and us.

 

[M Malice]

We will not be getting pick 1 this year, take it to the bank, pick 2 or 3 have worked out pretty well the last 2 drafts.

#Lionsdon'ttank

 

[cotter101]

What about number 3? Quietly confident of us having that pick

My #3 is probably Stephenson. I rate Constable and Stephenson about equal with them though.

Would love to see your top 10 or so cotter101, IMO we will end up with pick 3, hopefully Dow slides to there like McCluggage last year.

1. Paddy Dow
2. Cameron Rayner
3. Jaidyn Stephenson
4. Adam Cerra
5. LDU
6. Nicholas Cioffield
7. Charlie Constable
8. Jarrod Brander
9. Joel Garner
10. Darcy Fogarty

I can certainly see us ending up with pick 3. Would love Dow to slide there. But I'd be pretty happy picking up any of my top 5 there if he didn't.

 

[lionshine]

Completely agree, I honestly think we'll end up with pick 3, that involves winning 2 more games this year. Carlton won't win another game, their fixture is horrible (Cats (H), Dons (A), Eagles (A), Hawks (H) Swans (A)) and NM only chance is against collingwood (and us). They have the Dees, Pies, Hawks, Saints and us.

I wouldn't rule out North against the Demons this week. They're the Demons bogey side.

 

[M Malice]

My #3 is probably Stephenson. I rate Constable and Stephenson about equal with them though.



1. Paddy Dow
2. Cameron Rayner
3. Jaidyn Stephenson
4. Adam Cerra
5. LDU
6. Nicholas Cioffield
7. Charlie Constable
8. Jarrod Brander
9. Joel Garner
10. Darcy Fogarty

I can certainly see us ending up with pick 3. Would love Dow to slide there. But I'd be pretty happy picking up any of my top 5 there if he didn't.

Thanks a lot, I was very keen on Stephenson but a lot of the BF and MSM phantom drafters have a knock on his disposal, you?

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Conole is on this week's Road to the Draft podcast with Cal Twomey & Nat Edwards.

Talk about our recent recruits (McCluggage, Berry, Witherden, Schache, Hipwood & Mathieson), this year's prospects (particularly LDU & Rayner), Ballenden and the academy, Lachie Harris and more.

As you'd expect he kept the cards pretty close to his chest. Did say we weren't looking at Sutherland and thought he ranked in the top 5-6 of this crop, but was pretty adamant we'd go with mids. Adding mids to our midfield mix is our biggest focus this offseason.

For the time poor among us, what what the talk around Lachie Harris?

 

[cotter101]

Thanks a lot, I was very keen on Stephenson but a lot of the BF and MSM phantom drafters have a knock on his disposal, you?

Certainly have some questions on his kicking. Probably what stops me from having him rated equally with Dow and Rayner.

 

[Cockliff38]

For the time poor among us, what what the talk around Lachie Harris?

The obvious F/S connection and Leon working for the club. Playing some decent footy for Caufield Grammar (think he's captain?) and then will return to the Dragons, who are set for a run at the finals. Conole was pretty positive (as you'd expect). It was also mentioned he made his senior debut recently (VFA?)

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

The obvious F/S connection and Leon working for the club. Playing some decent footy for Caufield Grammar (think he's captain?) and then will return to the Dragons, who are set for a run at the finals. Conole was pretty positive (as you'd expect). It was also mentioned he made his senior debut recently (VFA?)

And most importantly - he is a great kid and a committed Lion.

 

[Madlionsfan91]

My #3 is probably Stephenson. I rate Constable and Stephenson about equal with them though.



1. Paddy Dow
2. Cameron Rayner
3. Jaidyn Stephenson
4. Adam Cerra
5. LDU
6. Nicholas Cioffield
7. Charlie Constable
8. Jarrod Brander
9. Joel Garner
10. Darcy Fogarty

I can certainly see us ending up with pick 3. Would love Dow to slide there. But I'd be pretty happy picking up any of my top 5 there if he didn't.

Stephenson far too high at 3 imo is pure outside player HF wing ! think we will go Dow or Cerra at our first pick Coffield or Constable the smokies we need ball winners major prob for us is contested pos we need to draft mids who win own ball

 

[Madlionsfan91]

And most importantly - he is a great kid and a committed Lion.

Harris is Rookie chance for us think we will take him cuz FS has alot of romance about it good small player i believe too

 

[cotter101]

Stephenson far too high at 3 imo is pure outside player HF wing ! think we will go Dow or Cerra at our first pick Coffield or Constable the smokies we need ball winners major prob for us is contested pos we need to draft mids who win own ball

Stephenson is a potential match winner going forward. I'm positive he will be top 5.