2017 Draft thread

[WhiteLionFeva]

If Liam Jones can be converted into a key defender, any tall can. Maybe Hammo is one of ours that could make it down back if given an extended run at it.

 

[scott_the_man]

If Liam Jones can be converted into a key defender, any tall can. Maybe Hammo is one of ours that could make it down back if given an extended run at it.

He's played half his career so far in defence and imo looks much better as a forward. Looks a lot more natural as a third tall forward type. Doesn't really have the frame to be a KPD imo

 

[jjami15]

He's played half his career so far in defence and imo looks much better as a forward. Looks a lot more natural as a third tall forward type. Doesn't really have the frame to be a KPD imo

or athleticism

 

[scott_the_man]

or athleticism

He's quick and fairly agile but he really struggles 1v1 which is a critical part of playing defence

 

[Comeback Lions]

Ballenden has played back in the twos as much as forward. Took a nice intercept mark in the last quarter on Saturday when the game was up for grabs.

But actually I came to this thread to post about our academy player Campbell Walker who was everywhere in the last quarter, which I just watched again. Out marks Mzungu and goals, sets up another goal, tackles a number of times, spoils and just runs out the game with so much hustle and effort. He's been in the bests the last couple of weeks and I really hope we have a serious look at him for a rookie spot. Could develop into a small forward who can take a contested mark and apply pressure. Did his ACL in his draft year I believe, and now really looks better than most of our other mid-sized rookies like Grewar, Hanley and William. That last quarter is also worth watching for a spirited comeback, Eagles in the ruck, McInenrney up forward, great defence from Dawson and midfield dash from Bewick. NEAFL you tube.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

He's played half his career so far in defence and imo looks much better as a forward. Looks a lot more natural as a third tall forward type. Doesn't really have the frame to be a KPD imo

Liam Jones - 198cm/98kg
Hammo -198cm/99kg. It's not about the frame which is why I made the comparison. From memory he played both his U18 years as a forward and has only played defence seriously since he was drafted. I actually think his mobility isn't too bad. I agree he has looked better as a forward but I reckon he still has potential as a defender and has plenty of growth to be had all round.

 

[scott_the_man]

Liam Jones - 198cm/98kg
Hammo -198cm/99kg. It's not about the frame which is why I made the comparison. From memory he played both his U18 years as a forward and has only played defence seriously since he was drafted. I actually think his mobility isn't too bad. I agree he has looked better as a forward but I reckon he still has potential as a defender and has plenty of growth to be had all round.

Hammer just doesn't have the strength to hold his own in 1v1 situations, gets pushed off it too easily, whereas Jones was always very strong 1v1 and usually beats his opponent, that's always been his best attribute even from his junior days. Not saying Hammer won't develop a better 1v1 game but I just think he's more likely to make it in his natural position as a forward. Time will tell I guess

 

[Comeback Lions]

If Liam Jones can be converted into a key defender, any tall can. Maybe Hammo is one of ours that could make it down back if given an extended run at it.

Eagles is very good one on one, a strong contested mark, has closing speed and runs out of defence. With Skinner's heartbreaking ACL, we should definitely gives Eagles another year, he's already gone past Frost and was BOG on the weekend. Takes the ball almost on his own from the defensive goal square to hit Ballenden on the chest in the forward 50. About 30 secs into this week's NEAFL highlights. So damn good!

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Eagles is very good one on one, a strong contested mark, has closing speed and runs out of defence. With Skinner's heartbreaking ACL, we should definitely gives Eagles another year, he's already gone past Frost and was BOG on the weekend. Takes the ball almost on his own from the defensive goal square to hit Ballenden on the chest in the forward 50. About 30 secs into this week's NEAFL highlights. So damn good!

Yeah saw that - very impressive and shows in a cameo how far he has come in one season.

 

[lionshine]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-22/u18-potential-no1-a-draft-smoky

AIDEN Bonar is shaping as one of the most intriguing prospects in this year's NAB AFL Draft after returning from two knee reconstructions to highlight his talent in recent weeks.

The Dandenong Stingrays product first went under the knife when he injured the knee in the lead-up to Vic Country's under-16 championships in 2015.

He returned from the long rehabilitation to play at school level for Haileybury College last year before suffering another torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The setback has made Bonar perhaps this year's biggest draft enigma, but his form since returning to the Stingrays has impressed recruiters and last weekend he gathered 18 disposals, seven marks and kicked two goals.

Stingrays talent manager Mark Wheeler said Bonar loomed as a very early pick before the first surgery, which didn't work as well as hoped.

"The feedback then was that it wasn't necessarily a second ACL, it was just that the first operation didn't take properly. Technically he's had two, but the first one the graft didn't take and just let go," Wheeler said.

"We took a bit longer than it could and he was ready to play about a month before we unleashed him, but we were really keen to build him up. He trains the house down, and he does stuff that he shouldn't be able to do at 190cm. He's AFL ready already."

Bonar presents as a difficult player for clubs to rank given his injury history, but he has appeared to retain his athleticism despite the knee issues.

He has enough recruiters interested to have been invited to test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium in October alongside Stingrays teammates Luke Davies-Uniacke, Hunter Clark, Oscar Clavarino and Tom De Koning.

"If it was all fair and equal and this boy never had the injuries he's had, then I think his name would be touted as a potential No.1 draft pick," Wheeler said.

"Clubs have been interested in him for six months, and about three months ago the hype started to grow. I have more conversations about him than anyone else. Our big focus has been to make sure he's ready to go for an AFL pre-season, and he is."

The 18-year-old, whose mother is from Papua New Guinea and father hails from Scotland, has played mainly in attack but Wheeler said Bonar has the versatility to be used all over the ground.

"He can play anywhere, but I think he's an inside midfielder. He's a beast, he kicks it really well, he's got explosive speed still. He's a booming 60-metre kick, and he hasn't lost his vertical jump.”

"He's got an unknown factor about him."

Davies-Uniacke is in the mix to be the Stingrays' fourth No.1 pick since 2009, while fellow tough inside midfielder Clark is tipped to be a first-round selection at November's draft.

 

[trikster]

Can't say I know much other than what I have seen in live streams this year but club also appears keen on Jack Payne as KPD.

People talk about the club should hide Ballenden, I reckon the club is hiding Payne. Was solid in the couple of games he played in the U18 champs, would never have been picked top 30 or even 40, but might be a nice little stash away late pick that could turn in to a nice player one day.

 

[Hollow Knight]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-22/u18-potential-no1-a-draft-smoky
View attachment 406743

Hehe! Hehe! "Bonar." Hehe!

 

[briztoon]

Hehe! Hehe! "Bonar." Hehe!

View attachment 406779

You might want to skip through the 42:30 mark of this weeks podcast.
http://www.afl.com.au/draft/road-to-the-draft

 

[TheZork]

Interestingly, while Knightmare, Bishop and Cal Twomney all have the same top 5 at this stage, there is still a lot of water to go under the bridge I would have thought. Just look at the August Phantom draft last year. Tarranto was ranked 15th (he went 2) and McGrath was ranked 6th (went number 1).

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-04/callum-twomeys-phantom-form-guide-august-update

Wouldn't be surprised if Coffield, Constable or Stephensen did a similar thing so really we shouldn't even be worrying, the players at 1-4 are all going to be good.

 

[briztoon]

Interestingly, while Knightmare, Bishop and Cal Twomney all have the same top 5 at this stage, there is still a lot of water to go under the bridge I would have thought. Just look at the August Phantom draft last year. Tarranto was ranked 15th (he went 2) and McGrath was ranked 6th (went number 1).

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-04/callum-twomeys-phantom-form-guide-august-update

Wouldn't be surprised if Coffield, Constable or Stephensen did a similar thing so really we shouldn't even be worrying, the players at 1-4 are all going to be good.

Some of it still has to do with which club holds the number one pick. And which club picks where, even inside the top 10.

In the SEN interview this week, Fagan said if Brisbane had the number one pick in last years draft, that we would have picked McCluggage at one. I remember last year a couple of weeks before the draft Stephen Conole being interviewed and mentioning that he was hopeful the Lions would be able to draft McCluggage.

Already Cerra and Darcy Fogarty, plus a few other kids, are done for the season after having recent surgery.

Paddy Dow, Jarrod Brander and Lochie O'Brien at Bendigo only have two more TAC cup games and won't be in the finals. At the moment the Western Jets, with Rayner and Lachlan Fogarty, are on the outside looking in at TAC cup finals, but may jump up as they play the two teams directly above them in the last two rounds.

So it's possible a few of the top names and other first round talents won't be in the finals series and able to enhance their reputations.

 

[lionshine]

Some of it still has to do with which club holds the number one pick. And which club picks where, even inside the top 10.

In the SEN interview this week, Fagan said if Brisbane had the number one pick in last years draft, that we would have picked McCluggage at one. I remember last year a couple of weeks before the draft Stephen Conole being interviewed and mentioning that he was hopeful the Lions would be able to draft McCluggage.

Already Cerra and Darcy Fogarty, plus a few other kids, are done for the season after having recent surgery.

Paddy Dow, Jarrod Brander and Lochie O'Brien at Bendigo only have two more TAC cup games and won't be in the finals. At the moment the Western Jets, with Rayner and Lachlan Fogarty, are on the outside looking in at TAC cup finals, but may jump up as they play the two teams directly above them in the last two rounds.

So it's possible a few of the top names and other first round talents won't be in the finals series and able to enhance their reputations.

It is an exciting time for draft watchers that's for sure. Players can come from nowhere and surge into top 5 calculations. Take Aiden Bonar as an example. He's coming off two ACL's so obviously comes with some risk and hasn't had a chance to showcase his talent up until recently. He's just had an 18 disposal, 2 goal game in the TAC Cup over the weekend though and is starting to find some touch. With his size, athleticism and skill set if he can have a big finals series for the Stingrays and then test well at the combine he is the type of player that can shoot up the draft boards.

 

[bungalow_bill]

With what is happening with Skinner I'd be wary of drafting someone who has already done an ACL.

 

[WA Lion]

Am I the only one still very keen on drafting Worpel? Given the low clearance rate we have and his leadership qualities I reckon he would be a good fit.

 

[Judge]

With what is happening with Skinner I'd be wary of drafting someone who has already done an ACL.

I dunno about that.

Off the top of my head: Joel Selwood, Jake Lever and Ryan Burton

 

[bungalow_bill]

I dunno about that.

Off the top of my head: Joel Selwood, Jake Lever and Ryan Burton

Sure he may be fine but there's a risk he may be injury prone.

 

[Cockliff38]

Am I the only one still very keen on drafting Worpel? Given the low clearance rate we have and his leadership qualities I reckon he would be a good fit.

I'd like Worpel, but for the right price.

 

[briztoon]

Am I the only one still very keen on drafting Worpel? Given the low clearance rate we have and his leadership qualities I reckon he would be a good fit.

Nope. I still would very much like Worpel.

Current consensus is that he is rated in the pick 20 to 30 range. But the Geelong Falcons look like they could run deep in the TAC cup playoffs, so his stocks may yet rise.

At the Port pick the only two players I'd take ahead of Worpel are Nick Coffield and Andrew Brayshaw if they were still on board.

 

[dlanod]

I dunno about that.

Off the top of my head: Joel Selwood, Jake Lever and Ryan Burton

Selwood didn't have an ACL, he had other knee issues.

However you can add Golby and Harry Morrison (though delayed by a year). Golby recovered ok.

 

[lionshine]

Selwood didn't have an ACL, he had other knee issues.

However you can add Golby and Harry Morrison (though delayed by a year). Golby recovered ok.

Christian Petracca? Although a little different because he did it after he was drafted but it was in his first pre season and wiped out his entire debut season. He's recovered fine as well.

 

[Carlos Danger]

I dunno about that.

Off the top of my head: Joel Selwood, Jake Lever and Ryan Burton

Wasn't Burton a broken leg?