2017 Draft thread

[mish33]

Feel that Academy prospects often get rated below their natural level. It’s like the overhanging go-home prospect unconsciously knocks them down a few picks in people’s minds. Feel if he was a Vic Metro kid he would be ranked way higher.

Most of the draft commentary is just people regurgitating groupthink. I do find it interesting that many do not rate him, perhaps I’m missing something.

He seems to have some elite qualities, which make him almost unique as a tall player, but it looks more and more like, unless you're true ruck size, speed and running power are the most important attributes as a kpf and Ballenden doesn't really have either. Being a beautiful kick won't help if he can't get space on opponents. He looked good as a defender, but is probably too slow at afl level to play either talk role. Which leaves the ruck-forward role which I think he could be very good at, but you need an inside game as well and I'm not sure how well he goes when the ball is on the ground.

 

[pulpdriver]

He seems to have some elite qualities, which make him almost unique as a tall player, but it looks more and more like, unless you're true ruck size, speed and running power are the most important attributes as a kpf and Ballenden doesn't really have either. Being a beautiful kick won't help if he can't get space on opponents. He looked good as a defender, but is probably too slow at afl level to play either talk role. Which leaves the ruck-forward role which I think he could be very good at, but you need an inside game as well and I'm not sure how well he goes when the ball is on the ground.

Wouldn't say Peter Wright is all that quick or has spectacular running power but is a very dangerous forward through his marking and strong kicking skills. Kinda helps that he's the 2nd big man I guess. If I'm looking for comparisons to how I'd like to see Ballenden fit into our list if the club sees his as a forward, Wright and his role would be the kind of player I'd be hoping Ballenden could resemble in a few years.

 

[Lacesout]

I don't believe for a moment clubs would compromise their list building in a draft by secretly agreeing not to bid on certain players.
The list management team would simply have a good idea of who is going where on people's boards and then hope it occurs.

The trade period weakened us at the draft two ways. It put us at a greater risk of losing a pick to Ballenden. I suspect anyone from 10 - 17 could bid and know we would certainly match to take him. They have a free hit against us, it's just whether they take it. If I was them I would, take the chance to weaken an opponent.

Ballenden is arguably the 2nd best tall in the draft behind Brander. The irony of him sliding when we need mids is that we have to hope clubs take mids before us so they don't bid on the big fella.

But it is what it is as they say playing in the VFL

I don’t think it’s a compromise if it’s part of a deal. In this case, the deal might be here you go Richmond 20 and 25 and how about you don’t bid on our boy. All clubs are talking to each other about anything they have or don’t have to offer, isn’t it less believable they don’t discuss the academy players and their intentions to bid or not bid. I absolutely believe there are handshake deals made with some teams.

 

[BigHippy]

I don't believe for a moment clubs would compromise their list building in a draft by secretly agreeing not to bid on certain players.

Even if it meant improving their list overall?

For example if we went to Richmond and said "we'll trade you 15 and 52 for 20 and 25 as long as you don't bid on Ballenden", I can't help but feel they'd accept those terms (in private). All they'd gain from bidding on Ballenden is forcing 1 of their 17 adversaries to use an earlier pick on him (assuming we'd match). By not bidding on him they gain an extra second round pick for a slight downgrade.

I'm in the opposite camp, I find it hard to believe agreements like that don't happen. That's why I'm optimistic that Ballenden gets to our pick 18; all the clubs from 11-17 have a reason to let him slide bar West Coast @ 13.

 

[BulldogMurray]

Personally, don't believe there should be any fears of Ballenden being bid on before 25. I consider Balta to be clearly ahead of Ballenden at this stage.

 

[The Golfing Lion]

I hear the belief I just am getting old and grumpy I guess.

I do think we are exposed to an early bid. I think only GWS has not matched a bid in the top 20 since academy bidding came in and that was cause they had so many high picks that year.

It just seems like the Lions have planned for him to be on our list. I find it hard to believewe wouldn't match a bid from 11 onwards that's all. Until everyone passed I will be expecting it rather than thinking it won't happen

 

[pulpdriver]

I hear the belief I just am getting old and grumpy I guess.

I do think we are exposed to an early bid. I think only GWS has not matched a bid in the top 20 since academy bidding came in and that was cause they had so many high picks that year.

It just seems like the Lions have planned for him to be on our list. I find it hard to believewe wouldn't match a bid from 11 onwards that's all. Until everyone passed I will be expecting it rather than thinking it won't happen

Us willing to trade 12, bring 15, keep 18 and end with 3 third rounders makes me think we're reasonably confident of no bids before 18 and matching with spare change.

 

[buttermuffs]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...g-on-draft-night-in-2018-20171023-gz6g0n.html

I’m looking forward to this.

 

[luthor]

Us willing to trade 12, bring 15, keep 18 and end with 3 third rounders makes me think we're reasonably confident of no bids before 18 and matching with spare change.

Sounds like a plan

What could possibly go wrong?

 

[pulpdriver]

Sounds like a plan

What could possibly go wrong?

Aside from the obvious bid prior to 18 it's the perfect plan.

 

[briztoon]

TAC cup grand final being replayed on fox footy atm.

 

[pulpdriver]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...g-on-draft-night-in-2018-20171023-gz6g0n.html

I’m looking forward to this.

This could certainly be exciting.

 

[briztoon]

And now AFL Draft Combine show of Fox Footy.

 

[bain22]

Draft show was very interesting. Big call from Mick Ablett to rate Darcy Fogarty as the kid he'd take with pick 1

 

[jjami15]

Draft show was very interesting. Big call from Mick Ablett to rate Darcy Fogarty as the kid he'd take with pick 1

He came into the season with big wraps and I was one that was excited but he really didn’t hit the heights that was expected. He could very possibly end up the best player. It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.

 

[bain22]

He came into the season with big wraps and I was one that was excited but he really didn’t hit the heights that was expected. He could very possibly end up the best player. It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.

I would love to have him at the Lions. I think his issue is where does he end up? I heard him say he sees himself as an inside mid. Doubtful, but if he was there as 15 i wouldn't waste a second calling his name.

 

[BigCat2]

Think Adelaide would have their sights on him - maybe why they would only accept pick 12.

 

[bain22]

Think Adelaide would have their sights on him - maybe why they would only accept pick 12.

If he goes at 12 i will be filthy. Especially if there is a bid for Connor between 12 and 15.

 

[bungalow_bill]

Think Adelaide will be very lucky if he makes it to 12. May not make it past Freos pick 5

 

[briztoon]

Draft show was very interesting. Big call from Mick Ablett to rate Darcy Fogarty as the kid he'd take with pick 1

There was a lot of players that Mick Ablett slotted in to draft picks that I scratched my head at.

For the Lions went Paddy Dow #1. No problems there. Then had Ballenden at pick #15 saying clubs won't let us get three bites of the cherry in the first round. Fair enough, it's a possibility. Pick #18 had us drafting Callum Coleman-Jones the ruck out of S.A. whhatttt! CCJ isn't spoken about as a first or second round talent by anyone.

 

[M Malice]

 

[jjami15]

I would love to have him at the Lions. I think his issue is where does he end up? I heard him say he sees himself as an inside mid. Doubtful, but if he was there as 15 i wouldn't waste a second calling his name.

I’ve heard him say he would like an extra couple of cms and be able to play as a KPP. Personally he reminds me exactly of Tex Walker

 

[bain22]

i

There was a lot of players that Mick Ablett slotted in to draft picks that I scratched my head at.

For the Lions went Paddy Dow #1. No problems there. Then had Ballenden at pick #15 saying clubs won't let us get three bites of the cherry in the first round. Fair enough, it's a possibility. Pick #18 had us drafting Callum Coleman-Jones the ruck out of S.A. whhatttt! CCJ isn't spoken about as a first or second round talent by anyone.

If the Lions take a ruckman in the first round ever again, I will be very frustrated. Rookie one or buy one everyday of the week.

 

[BuntonRules]

The whole show was a waste oftime. Just used it to talk about players they wanted to. James Worpel in the 40's. Puhleease.

 

[briztoon]

The whole show was a waste oftime. Just used it to talk about players they wanted to. James Worpel in the 40's. Puhleease.

There's quite a few draft watchers who have the same view. Worpel is a late second, but likely an early third round pick. Certainly Twomey and Bishop have this view from talking to recruiters and other people in the industry.