2017 Draft thread

[jjami15]

Ballenden a top 10 pick? Not sure about that? He has played very well down back but not sure that is where his future is. His skills by foot for a big man are very impressive though. It will be interesting to see where he is bid.

Rayner is very impressive but if he doesn't focus on and show an improvement on his endurance at the combine especially after he would received this feedback from awhile ago then it would be a pass IMO.

Looking forward to watching the Vic C game later and see some more bison of LDU as he is a pure midfielder and what we need. Could also move back from 1 to 2 as an option.

Dow looks like a top ten pick so sorry briztoon and do now that he is also a fav of one of our recruiters. Has anyone thought about moving UP the draft order using Port and pick 18.

 

[Hollow Knight]

I hope Rayner goes gangbusters for the rest of the year so a club trades up to pick 1 for him. Then we can get LDU and a bonus prize. The 2017 equivalent of McClugberry.

 

[Requiem]

I hope Rayner goes gangbusters for the rest of the year so a club trades up to pick 1 for him. Then we can get LDU and a bonus prize. The 2017 equivalent of McClugberry.

Please Footy Gods, may lightning strike twice!

 

[CarterS]

I hope Rayner goes gangbusters for the rest of the year so a club trades up to pick 1 for him. Then we can get LDU and a bonus prize. The 2017 equivalent of McClugberry.

Just curious as don't follow too closely. Why don't want Rayner? Looks like my pick based on little I have seen.

 

[cotter101]

Okay. I've never been one to pump Ballenden up but gee he looks so much better suited as a defender than he does a ruck/forward. He had a real influence on the game, which is very bloody rare for a junior Key Defender. Really impressed. Been pretty disappointed with his performances every other time I've seen him when he was playing up forward.

 

[Kevvo]

Just curious as don't follow too closely. Why don't want Rayner? Looks like my pick based on little I have seen.

Vic Metro, for one thing. We're getting better at retention but why tempt fate.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Just curious as don't follow too closely. Why don't want Rayner? Looks like my pick based on little I have seen.

Flight risk rumours from a couple of different places.

 

[buttermuffs]

I hope Rayner goes gangbusters for the rest of the year so a club trades up to pick 1 for him. Then we can get LDU and a bonus prize. The 2017 equivalent of McClugberry.

I think we should take him then. Although it's tempting, Rayner has star power, someone like Martin and we need someone like that.

 

[cotter101]

Not too sure where the flight rumours regarding Rayner have come from. But he certainly hasn't come across as one.

 

[CarterS]

Hmm. He looked big. Ready to make an impact straight away. Just what we need.

 

[Hollow Knight]

I'm assuming from the positivity that concerns over Rayner's endurance haven't been apparent in his performances so far?

 

[jackess]

I'm assuming from the positivity that concerns over Rayner's endurance haven't been apparent in his performances so far?

Don't they play 20 minute quarters with no time on or something like that?

 

[Hollow Knight]

Don't they play 20 minute quarters with no time on or something like that?

Yeah that is my concern, especially if we are drafting with one eye on early impact, although I don't think we will be prioritising that.

Something about LDU feels right but it's just gut. Less star power but a proven high production engine room mid.

 

[Cockliff38]

In terms of Ballenden - I think teams will be seduced by Sutherland coming from a cricket background and thus he (potentially) has a higher scope once in a full-time AFL environment. But other than that, I think he's the first tall coming off the board. I think Ballenden's defensive form and Brander's indifferent form (although he was great today) has seen the former push infront. Then you're looking at Naughton, Dixon, Oscar Allen & Balta as other key position players (in no particular order). I didn't group rucks in that bracket because they tend to fall in the draft order, but there are some handy ones this year. Crossley, Hayes & Coleman-Jones are all likely. But for mine Ballenden will be picked/bid on before all of them bar Sutherland.

Which means we're going to have to pay up... If it's any consolation Richmond are going to have to pay up for Naish too!

 

[Hollow Knight]

Did we ever get that final ruling on whether we are forced to match with the Port pick or not?

 

[The Flying Belgian]

If he's the standout pick you have to draft Rayner. I haven't seen every game of the champs, but those I have seen back up the view the talent isn't that flash this year. Dare I say it, but drafting him with an eye on possibly trading him in the future should still be an option, if homesickness came into the picture.

 

[jjami15]

I'm assuming from the positivity that concerns over Rayner's endurance haven't been apparent in his performances so far?

25 min quarters and he has played about 80% in the forward line.

In terms of Ballenden - I think teams will be seduced by Sutherland coming from a cricket background and thus he (potentially) has a higher scope once in a full-time AFL environment. But other than that, I think he's the first tall coming off the board. I think Ballenden's defensive form and Brander's indifferent form (although he was great today) has seen the former push infront. Then you're looking at Naughton, Dixon, Oscar Allen & Balta as other key position players (in no particular order). I didn't group rucks in that bracket because they tend to fall in the draft order, but there are some handy ones this year. Crossley, Hayes & Coleman-Jones are all likely. But for mine Ballenden will be picked/bid on before all of them bar Sutherland.

Which means we're going to have to pay up... If it's any consolation Richmond are going to have to pay up for Naish too!

Ballenden has only looked good the last two games when sent back. Brander's game today was the best game these champs and can see he and Sutherland (if he chooses footy) going top 10. Ballenden would be in the 10-20 range possibly. Sam
Hayes has had a better body of work then Ballenden has over the last few years as well.

 

[Hollow Knight]

If he's the standout pick you have to draft Rayner.

In every circumstance, even if trade-up offers emerge?

What if the standout pick 1 was a key forward followed by some classy mids?

In the NBA and NFL, high draft picks are treasured just as much for their potential to open up trade opportunities for pieces that fit your particular team more. The McCluggage & Berry comparison isn't perfect because we supposedly rated McCluggage at 1 anyway, but even Ainsworth and Berry would have been better value than just pick 2 straight up.

 

[Len S]

Jeez Ballanden looks a natural in defence. Beautiful ball use.

Terrific.....must have gone at 101%disposal efficiency! Cool and deadly proficient .

 

[Len S]

Ballenden was very impressive. Reads the play well and has excellent disposal. I think the final comment about him after the game was he will cost the Lions plenty in draft points so they are expecting him to go early.

The boy Zac Bailey for the Allies was excellent. But Raynor was cut above the rest. Talk about a mirror image of Dusty Martin. I would get him just for the fact that he is a superstar in the making and if we are playing finals in 2019 the kid could be very handy. Back ourselves into keeping him especially if we are tracking in the right direction as a team. If he wants to leave after two years we will net a very nice return.

Yes ...Zac Baileys game was inspirational....is he an Academy kid in NSW?

 

[jjami15]

If he's the standout pick you have to draft Rayner. I haven't seen every game of the champs, but those I have seen back up the view the talent isn't that flash this year. Dare I say it, but drafting him with an eye on possibly trading him in the future should still be an option, if homesickness came into the picture.

On the first part I have to agree, this years crop aren't just up to the same standard that has come before them. I usually have a player that I really want the Lions to draft and this hasn't happened this year.

Rayner has been just about the only one across the champs that has stood out. But has has hardy played midfield at this level which is a major concern for the step up. Against Vic C he played more midfield early and think that this has impacted as he went out of the game as it went on.

LDU shows glimpses of midfield class but just hasn't gotten his hands on the ball as you would like. Did hear that he didn't really have a pre-season so not sure if this has impacted. Shoulder has been heavily strapped so might be playing through injury.

For Ports pick I would hope we target one of Dow (most probable top 10), Coffield and Lochie O'Brien.

 

[briztoon]

Not too sure where the flight rumours regarding Rayner have come from. But he certainly hasn't come across as one.

Brett Anderson for one. Was asked on twitter by a Lions fan if Rayner was a possible flight risk. I C&P the reply on here a couple of pages back.

Ballenden a top 10 pick? Not sure about that? He has played very well down back but not sure that is where his future is. His skills by foot for a big man are very impressive though. It will be interesting to see where he is bid.

Rayner is very impressive but if he doesn't focus on and show an improvement on his endurance at the combine especially after he would received this feedback from awhile ago then it would be a pass IMO.

Looking forward to watching the Vic C game later and see some more bison of LDU as he is a pure midfielder and what we need. Could also move back from 1 to 2 as an option.

Dow looks like a top ten pick so sorry briztoon and do now that he is also a fav of one of our recruiters. Has anyone thought about moving UP the draft order using Port and pick 18.

They interviewed Rayner before the Vic Metro game, and highlighted his poor endurance.

Yes I was thinking about it about 3 seconds after Dow kicked his goal.

I'm assuming from the positivity that concerns over Rayner's endurance haven't been apparent in his performances so far?

I watched him pretty closely. He pretty much only ran one way. He was moved in the midfield during the second half and really didn't do much. He didn't hunt the ball. If the play came his way he got involved, but didn't offer any follow up. However he did get the ball in space out on the wing, ran along the boundary line to just inside 50 and kicked a goal from ~45 on the run on a tight angle and didn't look like missing.

Don't they play 20 minute quarters with no time on or something like that?

25 minute quarters.

Did we ever get that final ruling on whether we are forced to match with the Port pick or not?

Twomey said we'll have to use Port's pick. I asked him on twitter and he replied that he spoke to the guys at AFL house about it and was told we have to match with the next available pick/s regardless of where or when the pick was obtained.

 

[briztoon]

Yes ...Zac Baileys game was inspirational....is he an Academy kid in NSW?

He's an NT kid that plays in the SANFL.

 

[royboys4eva]

Yes ...Zac Baileys game was inspirational....is he an Academy kid in NSW?

Len - Zac Bailey is from my old stomping ground Darwin. Plays for the club Southern Districts Crocodiles who have produced Nathan Buckely, Fabian Francis, Aaron Shattock,Richard Tambling,Jared Brennan, Allan Corrie - Steven May and Nakia Cockatoo and both Gilbert and Adrian McAdam not a bad effort for a club in rural Darwin.

I think young Bailey is now at Norwood and you would expect him to be drafted in the top 30 after that performance.

 

[briztoon]

How good was Izak Rankine. If he was 2017 eligible, he'd be my pick to go number 1.