2017 Draft thread

[acuguy]

Watching that footage of Ballandean and having seen a little of him play, he is definitely a ruckman, i doubt he will have the lateral movement or speed to play as a key forward in the AFL, but he definitely looks like he has the potential to be a mobile ruck. I guess the question for our recruiters will be, do we really want to invest a high draft pick into a ruckman when we have Archie Smith and Oscar McInerney tracking beautifully to becoming very good AFL footballers, when our greatest priority is midfield depth.
I would take Jack Payne first after watching him last week. Has a bit of the Alex Rance's about him.

 

[Mr Ripper]

do we really want to invest a high draft pick into a ruckman when we have Archie Smith and Oscar McInerney tracking beautifully to becoming very good AFL footballers, when our greatest priority is midfield depth.

Have you introduced yourself to Oscar yet, Nino?

 

[Cockliff38]

Okay, so what number will LDU wear next year?

 

[jjami15]

Rayner's first half was awesome. On ball and half forward just makes a contest and wins it more often than not and finishes with three goals. LDU was a bit quieter in the second half but also showed a class above the rest of the pack. Worpol won a fair bit of the inside ball and kicking wasn't too bad. Did like L.Fogarty, clean by foot and a good decision maker. Just on Rayner he is definitely in the Dusty mould and he and LDU will be one and two on all clubs draft boards and reckon they'll chop and change throughout the year. He looks like a definite
match winner though.

 

[Cockliff38]

A few around here like Higgins, who has also been pretty lively. Would be a reach with our first pick but perhaps later on

 

[briztoon]

A few around here like Higgins, who has also been pretty lively. Would be a reach with our first pick but perhaps later on

I'm split on Higgins.

How did Paddy Dow go?

 

[Cockliff38]

I'm split on Higgins.

How did Paddy Dow go?

It's still going mate, third Q now. But Dow has been really good. Probably behind LDU & Miers for Vic C but getting plenty of the ball, particularly in close.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Does Davies-Uniake have a nickname? Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue from a supporter in the stands perspective.

 

[Cockliff38]

Still a quarter and a bit to go but Naish (Richmond F/S) has probably been the most consistent player. Sam Walsh (bottom age) just kicked a super classy goal which was disallowed by a teammate giving away a free kick.

 

[briztoon]

Does Davies-Uniake have a nickname? Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue from a supporter in the stands perspective.

LDU.

 

[jjami15]

LDU.

UDL

 

[Cockliff38]

On Higgins again -
At 3QT he has 22D and just kicked his second goal. In terms of character he is similar to Mathieson - antagonistic and colourful (Higgins has absolutely lapped up both his goals). In terms of playing style - reminds me of Lewis Taylor at U18 level. A busy accumulator but I can understand the questions on his hurt factor. Taylor moves around better with his low centre of gravity but the way they both stay involved is comparable.

Higgins has natural footy smarts but will likely fall down the pecking order because he doesn't have athletic traits (not too fast, isn't a high jumper) and he's small. We have seen plenty of players like Higgins fall on draft day but you can't teach footy smarts, and more often than not that translates well to the AFL game - see T. Rockliff. Would be a nice get at out second first round pick or our first second round pick.

While Higgins has been good there are other players who have been more impressive despite not getting as much of the ball.

 

[John_Proctor]

Best outcome for us is ballenden tears apart the rest of the season and is consensus #1 pick with a clear #2 as well. We get that #2 player and then get the best player in the draft after a bid at pick 2.

I liked the look of that footage. His size is obvious, quite mobile, played on instinctively a few times, those field kicks all pretty much hit the target (better than martins field kicking by a mile), not afraid of getting physical.

Regardless of what oick he goes I see him as a ruckman with above average forward capability. I think the way the game is going he is a perfect compliment to schache and hippy and potentially very important set of skills for team balance and set up. I think he'd be a better long term player than Archie rreplacing Martin in due course.

 

[Nunez]

Best outcome for us is ballenden tears apart the rest of the season and is consensus #1 pick with a clear #2 as well. We get that #2 player and then get the best player in the draft after a bid at pick 2.

I liked the look of that footage. His size is obvious, quite mobile, played on instinctively a few times, those field kicks all pretty much hit the target (better than martins field kicking by a mile), not afraid of getting physical.

Regardless of what oick he goes I see him as a ruckman with above average forward capability. I think the way the game is going he is a perfect compliment to schache and hippy and potentially very important set of skills for team balance and set up. I think he'd be a better long term player than Archie rreplacing Martin in due course.

Best case scenario Ballenden puts in a half assed effort as per the instructions of the club and ends up being the best player in the draft.

 

[Cockliff38]

FT Metro win by 22 points.

Constable (Metro) the most prolific with 31 touches. Naish was consistent across the day and showed class, finishing with 2 goals & 24 disposals - take your pick for BOG honours.

Behind those two I thought Higgins was good (you can see my thoughts on him above), finishing with 30 and a couple of goals. Rayner was good in patches, finishing with three goals (not sure how many disposals). The Martin comparison is apt and he needs to work on his two-way running (very forward of centre, which Martin has only developed this season). I liked James Worpel last year and despite drifting in some rankings this year I thought he was particularly impressive today, finishing with 25 disposals, 10 tackles and a great running goal. The knock on him has been disposal but that was solid today too. I don't think he's an option at #1 but anywhere from 8-16 would be my guess.

I went the early crow with LDU and he was super quiet after HT. Think he finished with 13 or 15 touches. He did, however, quick a brilliant goal running out of the centre stoppage.

Clavarino was the best tall (defender), and for me looks like the next best bet after Brander. He took a couple of nice intercept marks in defence. Garner was another one for Metro who was really good in defence and providing a bit of rebound.

I wasn't enamoured with Sutherland or the King brothers. Whichever King was in defence probably showed more, granted it is harder to player key forward than back.

If I was to bet I still think the highest upside is in Rayner, LDU and Naish.

 

[bungalow_bill]

Does Davies-Uniake have a nickname? Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue from a supporter in the stands perspective.

Has to be Davo or perhaps Lakey

 

[Ruse]

Does Davies-Uniake have a nickname? Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue from a supporter in the stands perspective.

Or...just call him 'Luke'.

 

[Billy Puller]

Or...just call him 'Luke'.

Yeah his nickname is actually DUI

 

[deklares]

Yeah his nickname is actually DUI

Models his game on Charlie Curnow?

 

[3KZ is Football]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...livating-over-2017-draft-20170623-gwxilt.html

Sounds like there is plenty to choose from.

 

[briztoon]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...livating-over-2017-draft-20170623-gwxilt.html

Sounds like there is plenty to choose from.

I believe the main point that article emphasises is that there is not much top talent outside of Victoria in this years draft.

 

[3KZ is Football]

I believe the main point that article emphasises is that there is not much top talent outside of Victoria in this years draft.

You might be right, but then The Age is just as Victoria-centric as every other media outlet in Melbourne when covering matters AFL. The main thing is that we draft a young bloke who doesn't want to nick back "home" after a couple of years.

 

[Nunez]

Yeah his nickname is actually DUI

 

[Surly Boy]

 

[Hollow Knight]

That's encouraging. A very busy quarter.