2017 Draft thread

[briztoon]

Not sure that's true. Watson was only rated in the 50s by our recruiting team on draft night. Probably suggests he wasn't too highly rated.

Fair enough.

 

[jjami15]

Just found out one of the guys at my local plumbing supplies centre is one of the midfield coaches for the lions academy. Said ballenden is sure to be drafted early, started him in defence on the weekend and was hopeless, moved him to the ruck in the third quarter and changed the game into the lions favour. The thing I found most interesting was his wrap on the young fullback Jack Paine. His words were something in the vicinity of "a blue chip athlete, loves the contest, courage for days and can drill people on the tit with flat quick passes by foot everytime." I've never heard of him, anyone who watches closely can elaborate on this?

A couple of people have noted that Ballenden has done well in the ruck and enjoyed the contest. Maybe that's where the Tom Boyd comparisons come into it. I've always felt that he'll be around that pick 10 mark and see him playing a similar role as Peter Wright which is a good thing as I don't like seeing Schache in the ruck. All three of Schache, Hipwood and Ballenden are different types which a good thing as well. It'll be great to get to keep an eye on this Jacob Payne fella and absolutely love the profile the acadmey coach gave and will be one to keep an eye on and if anyone knows anymore about him it would be great to hear from them.

 

[a mayes ing]

Feel like it is gonna be hard to have all of Schache, Hippy and Ballenden in th same team. Very heavy, l know they provide all different things but just feel like it will make us too slow.

 

[chopperduck]

With how differently all 3 play, we could work all 3 into the team pretty easily, but it does rely on Ballenden being able to do some decent ruck minutes.

 

[13Beast]

Feel like it is gonna be hard to have all of Schache, Hippy and Ballenden in th same team. Very heavy, l know they provide all different things but just feel like it will make us too slow.

And then Freeman, Close, Walker also. Reckon there'll be some big changes.

 

[jjami15]

Feel like it is gonna be hard to have all of Schache, Hippy and Ballenden in th same team. Very heavy, l know they provide all different things but just feel like it will make us too slow.

Disagree, as seen on the weekend Hipwood shouldn't start in the square and has the pace to beat an opponent. The issue with us being slow isn't so much the KPP it's the medium/small types who make our team slow.

 

[Kevvo]

I think the timing for Ballenden would work almost perfectly.

Stef probably has two good years left if we're lucky. Smith and McInerney both show promise, but it's unusual for any single ruckman to carry the load that Stef does. A legitimate ruck-forward (after a year or two developing in the NEAFL) could pair nicely with whichever of the other prospects makes the best claim for that first ruck spot.

 

[briztoon]

A couple of people have noted that Ballenden has done well in the ruck and enjoyed the contest. Maybe that's where the Tom Boyd comparisons come into it. I've always felt that he'll be around that pick 10 mark and see him playing a similar role as Peter Wright which is a good thing as I don't like seeing Schache in the ruck. All three of Schache, Hipwood and Ballenden are different types which a good thing as well. It'll be great to get to keep an eye on this Jacob Payne fella and absolutely love the profile the acadmey coach gave and will be one to keep an eye on and if anyone knows anymore about him it would be great to hear from them.

First episode of Road to the Draft dropped today. Cal did his 20 to keep an eye on, when he got to Ballenden, he said on talent should be a top 5 pick and might be viewed as the best KPF in the draft and if he performs well at Nationals may seriously be in the number 1 conversation, unless Brisbane has the number 1 pick.

During the fans twitter question segment, some one asked about Jack Payne from the Lions academy, and Twomey said he had a good start to the season and should be in the Allies team.

Some else asked if Ballenden, Hipwood and Schache could all play in the forward line. Twomey mentioned that it is possible that Hipwood could play down back, but that they are each a different type of forward, and with Hipwood's athleticism they should be able to. Also mentioned that he hopes Schache will stay (repeated it several times) but you could tell there was something unsaid there behind the comment.

 

[lionshine]

Round 4 TAC Cup stats-

Bendigo Pioneers:
Kane Farrell- 21 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle.

Oakleigh Chargers:
Toby Wooller- 22 disposals, 4 goals, 5 marks, 3 tackles.

Jack Higgins- 29 disposals, 6 marks, 15 tackles.

Dandenong Stingrays:
Hunter Clark- 25 disposals, 2 goals, 7 tackles.

Tom De Koning- 12 disposals, 1 goal, 3 marks, 2 tackles.

Eastern Ranges:
Sam Hayes- 21 hit-outs, 17 disposals, 5 marks, 2 tackles.

Jaidyn Stephenson- 21 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles.

Geelong Falcons:
Cassidy Parish- 35 disposals, 1 tackle.

David Handley- 15 disposals, 4 goals, 4 marks, 6 tackles.

James Worpel- 23 disposals, 1 goal, 10 tackles.

Gryan Miers- 10 disposals, 3 goals, 3 tackles.

Gippsland Power:
Aiden Quigley- 25 disposals, 1 goal, 12 tackles.

Irving Mosquito- 11 disposals, 2 goals, 6 tackles.

Northern Knights:
Ethan Penrith- 16 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles.

Jack Petruccelle- 11 disposals, 2 goals, 5 tackles.

Calder Cannons:
Noah Balta- 17 disposals, 7 marks.

GWV Rebels:
Thomas Berry- 24 disposals, 1 goal, 4 marks, 6 tackles.

Dale Cox- 6 disposals, 1 goal, 3 marks.

Aiden Domic- 27 disposals, 1 goal, 9 marks, 3 tackles.

Note: Quite a few guys played school footy this week.

 

[lionshine]

Liam Ryan had 16 disposals and kicked another 5 goals in the WAFL Round 6 taking his tally to 24 goals from 6 games.

 

[lionshine]

https://audioboom.com/posts/5848490-road-to-the-2017-draft-ep-1-the-20-must-watch-prospects-of-2017

 

[Not a Psycho]

It's important not to forget that Fagan came from a club that had at least four of Gunston, Roughead, Franklin, Hale and McEvoy rotating through the forward line.

 

[briztoon]

Well I guess I will continue picking a kid from the Geelong Falcons to back as my "sleeper" draft pick for the Lions. In 2018 it's gotta be Sam Walsh. Supported the Lions and idolised Simon Black growing up, big fan of Luke Power to. In the AFL Academy level 1 squad.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-21/academy-prospect-sam-walsh-ready-to-take-on-his-idol

 

[jjami15]

Well I guess I will continue picking a kid from the Geelong Falcons to back as my "sleeper" draft pick for the Lions. In 2018 it's gotta be Sam Walsh. Supported the Lions and idolised Simon Black growing up, big fan of Luke Power to. In the AFL Academy level 1 squad.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-21/academy-prospect-sam-walsh-ready-to-take-on-his-idol

I like to look forward to next years crop but that usually comes after the national champs when you see them for the first time and then about an hour or two after the national draft.

First episode of Road to the Draft dropped today. Cal did his 20 to keep an eye on, when he got to Ballenden, he said on talent should be a top 5 pick and might be viewed as the best KPF in the draft and if he performs well at Nationals may seriously be in the number 1 conversation, unless Brisbane has the number 1 pick.

During the fans twitter question segment, some one asked about Jack Payne from the Lions academy, and Twomey said he had a good start to the season and should be in the Allies team.

Some else asked if Ballenden, Hipwood and Schache could all play in the forward line. Twomey mentioned that it is possible that Hipwood could play down back, but that they are each a different type of forward, and with Hipwood's athleticism they should be able to. Also mentioned that he hopes Schache will stay (repeated it several times) but you could tell there was something unsaid there behind the comment.

Had a listen but fell asleep but did take note that the more highly rated prospects haven't really stepped up this year but that it will come. I think the thing with Ballenden is that people see one or two big moments and get excited but there are those on the Lions board who have seen him and are a bit perplexed with the rankings and comments.

 

[mikey127]

That kid Copeland that is playing well in the NEAFL team. Is he an academy kid?

 

[briztoon]

That kid Copeland that is playing well in the NEAFL team. Is he an academy kid?

19 year old Top ager. Technically graduated from the academy last season. I believe there might be a few 2016 academy graduates playing as top up players for the reserves. The names in bold were not part of the academy last year as far as I know.
#50 – Ryan Dadds
#51 – Tyler Hausfeld
#52 – Will Fletcher
#53 – Walker Campbell
#54 – Luke O’Sullivan
#55 – Sam Copland
#56 – Charlie Pershouse
#57 – Jack Mammone
#58 – James Barnes

 

[Lace Out]

Irving Mosquito,has to be a joke.

 

[chopperduck]

Liking the tackle numbers by worpel. Still liking him with one of our picks. Might not have as big of a ceiling as some others, but i just love his ball winning hard stuff. Matho is still about the only real hard inside type player we have for the future, maybe Berry as well. Id still like 1 more real hard inside type.

 

[briztoon]

I like to look forward to next years crop but that usually comes after the national champs when you see them for the first time and then about an hour or two after the national draft.

It's more a Geelong Falcons thing since we've drafted Darcy Gardiner and Lewis Taylor in 2013, (we traded away all our worthwhile draft picks in 2014), Rhys Mathieson in 2015, and Alex Witherden in 2016.

I picked Witherden out at the end of the 2015 season as a kid to follow and spruik in 2016, as I thought we didn't have any genuine HBF in the squad and it was a position of weakness. Same reason why I jumped on the Worpel train at the end of last season, as I believe we're missing a fast competitive midfield beast.

Already, 2018 AFL academy prospect Sam Walsh, has received good reviews from the combined U17 & U18 academy game, and the U17 v New Zealand game yesterday. Twomey describes him as a smart midfielder, impressing with his footy instincts and sharp disposal.

I'm not suggesting he is a potential high end draft pick.

 

[Billy Puller]

Of course lance franklin, Mathew Lloyd and kurt Tippett can play in the same forwardline

 

[theteamtobeat]

It's more a Geelong Falcons thing since we've drafted Darcy Gardiner and Lewis Taylor in 2013, (we traded away all our worthwhile draft picks in 2014), Rhys Mathieson in 2015, and Alex Witherden in 2016.

I picked Witherden out at the end of the 2015 season as a kid to follow and spruik in 2016, as I thought we didn't have any genuine HBF in the squad and it was a position of weakness. Same reason why I jumped on the Worpel train at the end of last season, as I believe we're missing a fast competitive midfield beast.

Already, 2018 AFL academy prospect Sam Walsh, has received good reviews from the combined U17 & U18 academy game, and the U17 v New Zealand game yesterday. Twomey describes him as a smart midfielder, impressing with his footy instincts and sharp disposal.

I'm not suggesting he is a potential high end draft pick.

If he does a Clayton Oliver and he's a Brisbane Lions supporter then we should consider him strongly.

 

[briztoon]

If he does a Clayton Oliver and he's a Brisbane Lions supporter then we should consider him strongly.

Not sure he'll do a Clayton Oliver. He's a potential 2018 draftee, and at this stage is rated among the top kids for next year, but there's 18+ months to go before next years draft.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-21/academy-prospect-sam-walsh-ready-to-take-on-his-idol

 

[The Flying Belgian]

I think the thing with Ballenden is that people see one or two big moments and get excited but there are those on the Lions board who have seen him and are a bit perplexed with the rankings and comments.

Spot on. Media types from down south will notice the highlights and ignore the other areas that need a lot of work. I like Twomey generally but I'd have to assume with so many junior games to follow he's working from highlights or at best single-camera recordings to make his assessment of non-Victorian candidates.

 

[Billy Puller]

I was under the impression as far as KPP go looking for those big moments if everything. Isn't it a pretty widely held belief that Hipwoods gamebreaking quarter against Tasmania is what cemented him as a first round pick? He didn't perform near to that level in any other games as far as I know.

 

[Nunez]

Spot on. Media types from down south will notice the highlights and ignore the other areas that need a lot of work. I like Twomey generally but I'd have to assume with so many junior games to follow he's working from highlights or at best single-camera recordings to make his assessment of non-Victorian candidates.

I think Conor is in a position where he could either go top 5 if be performs well or top 30 if he doesn't.

I personally think if he is played as a forward/ruck he will impress. I haven't seen much of him, but remember seeing him moved into the ruck once and he looked hungry for the ball and did some nice things.