2017 Draft thread

[trikster]

I agree with the early post saying Stephenson at #3 is too high. You want a genuine mid with that high a pick. My top 5 :
1. LDU
2. Cameron Rayner
3. Paddy Dow
4. Adam Cerra
5. Charlie Constable

Rayner is the only 'X' factor player in that group, the others should all become genuine and reliable mids at a minimum.

 

[TheZork]

It might be only be but I'm just not keen on LDU, looks like he'll be a good player but will never be elite which is what you want when you're using a top 3 pick.

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

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

Do you see any tiers forming within your top ten ? Like 2015 Wietering / Schache separated from the pack, last year was more even through the top 6 or so.

General feeling I've got from looking at a few phantom etc is that the top 4 of Rayner, Dow, Cerra and Stephenson have separated a little with LDU following closely.

 

[cotter101]

I agree with the early post saying Stephenson at #3 is too high. You want a genuine mid with that high a pick. My top 5 :
1. LDU
2. Cameron Rayner
3. Paddy Dow
4. Adam Cerra
5. Charlie Constable

Rayner is the only 'X' factor player in that group, the others should all become genuine and reliable mids at a minimum.

LDU is a vanilla b grade type at best for mine. He's overrated, especially when looking at future prospects rather than immediate impact.

I'm not advocating we take him at pick 3. They were my rankings.

Anyone who actually watched Stephenson, will see he spends a fair bit of time in the midfield and does well. He's certainly got the scope to become a full time, goal kicking midfielder. FWIW, he spends more time in the middle than Rayner.

 

[cotter101]

Do you see any tiers forming within your top ten ? Like 2015 Wietering / Schache separated from the pack, last year was more even through the top 6 or so.

General feeling I've got from looking at a few phantom etc is that the top 4 of Rayner, Dow, Cerra and Stephenson have separated a little with LDU following closely.

Certainly agree with this. Those 4 are separating themselves from the rest.

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

LDU is a vanilla b grade type at best for mine. He's overrated, especially when looking at future prospects rather than immediate impact.

I'm not advocating we take him at pick 3. They were my rankings.

Anyone who actually watched Stephenson, will see he spends a fair bit of time in the midfield and does well. He's certainly got the scope to become a full time, goal kicking midfielder. FWIW, he spends more time in the middle than Rayner.

LDU has a very Will Brodie vibe, vanilla but not that absolute dominate inside force like a Wines or Oliver, which you'd be expecting using a pick that high.

Wouldn't be surprised at all, heading towards the draft that he slips similarly, with players like Coffield, O'Brien, Fogarty being preferred having more upside.

 

[M Malice]

Thanks to the banished one for this-
https://skillacquisition.wordpress....portant-skill-for-being-drafted-into-the-afl/


Match play performance was assessed with GPS technology and Champion data statistics. GPS provided information regarding physical performance. This included absolute running distance, relative running distance, distance running at high speed (> 15 km/h), and time spent running at high speed (> 15 km/h). Champion data provided information regarding skills. This included total disposals, total marks, contested possessions, uncontested possessions, inside 50’s (i.e., delivering the ball into the attacking area) , and rebound 50’s (i.e., removing the ball from the defensive area).

Results revealed that drafted players were superior to non-drafted players in 2 skills:

1. Contested Possessions (i.e., “winning the ball”)
2. Inside 50’s

 

[Cockliff38]

I agree with the early post saying Stephenson at #3 is too high. You want a genuine mid with that high a pick. My top 5 :
1. LDU
2. Cameron Rayner
3. Paddy Dow
4. Adam Cerra
5. Charlie Constable

Rayner is the only 'X' factor player in that group, the others should all become genuine and reliable mids at a minimum.

I tend to agree. If I had a pick in the 8-10 range I'd happily take Stephenson - the potential upside is certainly there but there are question marks too. He is so outside it's not funny, and for an outside mid his disposal is average. I'm also worried about his ability to put on muscle - his frame looks awfully slender.

My preferences would be:
LDU/Dow
Constable/Cerra
Rayner

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

I have been attending and photographing TAC Cup footy consistently over the last four years and what I look for are the players who have something that makes them stand out from the rest at that level. I don't concern myself with a finite analysis of their game (I'm not qualified to do it anyway) but rather whether they have something a bit special about them. Stephenson has shown elite ability over a period of three years now. Higgins for two years (four if you include his school footy). Rayner more so this year. And Spargo last year. I would take Stephenson at 2 or 3 without hesitation. He could be anything. And I would snap up Higgins or Spargo with our second/third picks if still available.

 

[jackess]

Stephenson doesn't really fit our needs as described by Conole. Would love him with ports pick.

 

[captainrich]

I have been attending and photographing TAC Cup footy consistently over the last four years and what I look for are the players who have something that makes them stand out from the rest at that level. I don't concern myself with a finite analysis of their game (I'm not qualified to do it anyway) but rather whether they have something a bit special about them. Stephenson has shown elite ability over a period of three years now. Higgins for two years (four if you include his school footy). Rayner more so this year. And Spargo last year. I would take Stephenson at 2 or 3 without hesitation. He could be anything. And I would snap up Higgins or Spargo with our second/third picks if still available.

whats so special about Stephenson? he seems to be an outside mid with average disposal? whats the factor that maks him so elite?

was watching some highlight videos yesterday for Rayner and Dow, none of them look that clean as the top picks from previous years which is a bit disappointing, the one year we start looking for mids the batch isn't as quality as previous years

 

[jjami15]

whats so special about Stephenson? he seems to be an outside mid with average disposal? whats the factor that maks him so elite?

was watching some highlight videos yesterday for Rayner and Dow, none of them look that clean as the top picks from previous years which is a bit disappointing, the one year we start looking for mids the batch isn't as quality as previous years

I've made note previously that this years crop really don't have standout attributes either in more than one area. It really is a batch that is quite low however this is not to say that whomever we draft won't come in and make our list better. Those 2/3 higher drafted kids should be better players than those who we delist. I also trust our recruiters in identifying the draftees and then being able to develop them appropriately.

 

[Dylan12]

 

[captainrich]

I've made note previously that this years crop really don't have standout attributes either in more than one area. It really is a batch that is quite low however this is not to say that whomever we draft won't come in and make our list better. Those 2/3 higher drafted kids should be better players than those who we delist. I also trust our recruiters in identifying the draftees and then being able to develop them appropriately.

agreed they are bound to make our list better etc etc.

noted also they will be developed effectively by our recruiting staff as its been noted by the development of some of our players this year.

still a bit disappointing the type of players available to us (midfielders mainly) compared to other years. Other years there was that Petracca, Brayshaw, Oliver available in the top midfielders that just showed a lot more polish but that's life as a Brissy Lions supporter

 

[Dylan12]

Lions to target midfielders at draft

Brisbane Lions recruiting manager Stephen Conole says there are still up to six contenders for the No.1 pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft, where the club expects to target midfielders. Conole said whoever has the No.1 pick will have a few options with no clear standout at this stage of the season.

"It's even. We're looking for some midfielders and I think the midfield group is strong and there's lots of depth in that area," Conole told the AFL’s Road to the Draft podcast. "There's been a bit of media about who's going to be No.1 and I think there's not a real standout. It's one of those years where probably the back end of the year people will be watching eagerly to see who's standing up. "We're really excited about a lot of those boys at the top end and the different skill sets they offer and what they can bring to our footy club."

Western Jets half-forward/midfielder Cameron Rayner and Dandenong Stingrays ball-winner Luke Davies-Uniacke have been touted as the leading contenders for the first pick. However, the likes of classy midfielder Adam Cerra, Jarrod Brander and Darcy Fogarty are others who have been discussed as early selections when names are called in Sydney on November 24.

"There's probably four, five or six… in that mix [for No.1]. There's some boys who had some really good carnivals and there's also some of those other midfielders in the mix who will probably push up," Conole said. "I think there's a couple of players above and beyond that who could push in."

Having drafted impressive tall prospects Eric Hipwood, Harris Andrews and Josh Schache in the past three years, the Lions look set to boost their midfield with their picks this season. The Lions also hold Port Adelaide's first-round pick (currently No.14) after a trade last year. "For us, we still need to get a bit more depth around our midfield," Conole said. "We need talent, obviously, and that's the first key. But in terms of that midfield build it's still a goal for us that we keep adding to that.”

 

[Dylan12]

Lions continue to monitor father-son prospect

THE BRISBANE Lions will continue to monitor father-son prospect Lachie Harris despite the teenager missing out on Vic Metro selection this year. The club has first access to the speedy midfielder whose father Leon Harris played 186 games for Fitzroy between 1979-89.

The 18-year-old hasn't been invited to the national NAB AFL Draft Combine, but has played for the Sandringham Dragons at TAC Cup level and gathered 19 disposals and had seven inside 50s in their last game. Lions recruiting manager Stephen Conole told AFL.com.au's Road to the Draft podcast Harris had recently spent some time in Brisbane training with the club.

"He's going well. He's captain at Caulfield Grammar and his father Leon actually does a bit of work for us and has come into our recruiting team this year after a very strong background at AFL Victoria," Conole said. "[Lachie] spent a week up at the club in the July holidays and did some training, and he seemed to really enjoy that. He was popular with all the young boys up there so we'll see how it goes for him. "He's got a lot of footy left to play. He's got two games left with Caulfield and you'd think the Sandringham Dragons have a pretty strong squad so I could imagine they'll force their way to the back end of September yet again."

The 171cm prospect has genuine pace and recently also played at senior level in the Victorian Amateurs competition with the Caulfield Grammarians side. The Lions' most recent father-son pick was Josh Clayton, son of Scott, at pick No.86 in 2014.

The Brisbane Lions again look set to be important players early at this year's NAB AFL Draft, currently holding pick No.1, No.14 (tied to Port Adelaide's finishing position) and No.18 (the first pick of the second round).

Connor Ballenden's inconsistent form this season could pose an interesting situation for the club at draft time, with the Lions having first call on the academy product. The Queenslander started the season viewed by scouts as a contender for the No.1 pick but was moved to defence late in the Allies' under-18 carnival to find form. Conole said the 199cm prospect will be keen to hit his straps in the last part of the season.

"He's had a lot to balance and probably that continuity for him has been challenging at times. He's played some good footy and played different roles, but he's another one who would want to come home with some consistency," he said. "He's got some strong traits to play at the next level and I'm sure he'll progress through."

Ballenden is one of just three Queenslanders who were invited to the national combine in October, alongside defender Jack Payne (also in the Lions' academy) and ruckman Brayden Crossley (Gold Coast academy).

 

[jackess]

For all the academy fear mongering there has only been 1.5 academy players per northern club invited to the combine. With a lot more than 1.5 victorians per victorian club invited and a lot more for SA and WA.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

whats so special about Stephenson? he seems to be an outside mid with average disposal? whats the factor that maks him so elite?

I don't want to harp on lest I sound like a fanboy. He has some serious talent and will be able to play midfield eventually. In the meantime he will be a very hard match up as a speedy, goal-kicking forward or wing and hell knows we need more of them too.

 

[Chezz]

I don't want to harp on lest I sound like a fanboy. He has some serious talent and will be able to play midfield eventually. In the meantime he will be a very hard match up as a speedy, goal-kicking forward or wing and hell knows we need more of them too.

Stephenson with pick 2 or 3. Definite yes from me. Was a gun bottom ager last year and is a goal kicking outside mid. Only doubt for me is on his build, meaning his first few seasons he's likely to be played as a roaming half forward and may have limited impact. But some of the stuff he does is brilliant and I have no doubt he's going to be a gun. I like Cerra as well as a top prospect. LDU not so much. Unsure on Dow, he didn't standout the games I saw. Went long periods not getting the ball as an inside mid.

 

[scott_the_man]

Stephenson is quick, agile and dangerous around goals. He's a stick though so it'll be a while before he's afl ready

 

[LongLion]

I don't want to harp on lest I sound like a fanboy. He has some serious talent and will be able to play midfield eventually. In the meantime he will be a very hard match up as a speedy, goal-kicking forward or wing and hell knows we need more of them too.

Must admit from the games i saw there was just something about him that made me think he would be a good get.

 

[Lazza16]

HYPOTHETICAL...What is the possibility of the LIons passing if some team bid very early eg. 4 or 5 for Connor Ballenden?

 

[BuntonRules]

Not going to happen. If it were so they can have him. Nowhere near worth that.

 

[scott_the_man]

I still think Stefan Giro would be a great get with a 2nd or 3rd rounder. Really clean and composed with the footy and has a lethal left foot on him. He has flown under the radar big time imo. Wouldn't be surprised if he's a bolter come draft night

 

[Zacisonfire]

Why is there only 17 picks in the first round and not 18?