2018 Draft thread

[briztoon]

So basically what I'm reading is the club has earned no benefit of the doubt for taking guys like Berry and Bailey higher than the group think recently.

Berry wasn't drafted higher than the group think.

I distinctly remember Berry was close to the majorities favourite pre-draft for our second pick on the Lions board. And during the draft we were counting off each pick as it lead in to our pick. There were strong rumours West Coast were heavily in to Berry leading in to the draft.

Berry was in top 10 discussion going in to his top age year, off the back of his under age year performances. But injuries saw him slide down draft boards. His combine results catapulted him back in to first round discussions.


Bailey was very much in discussion for our second or third pick last year before the draft. He was also very much another fan favourite on the Lions board pre-draft.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Every year I see the same bullshite around "reaching". There a reason that there's a well-worn trope in recruiting circles: "we can't believe he was available at out pick" - it's because, shock-horror, all clubs have different views on the draft pool.

 

[briztoon]

I think most are disappointed that we didn’t select one of the guys selected before our pick. But these players were already off the board. There’s a very good chance Smith becomes a better player than any of the players selected after him. Which would be a win for the club.

Just need to reword that a little.

I think many are disappointed that one of the guys selected before our pick didn't slide through to our pick.

 

[spotthedog1]

Every year I see the same bullshite around "reaching". There a reason that there's a well-worn trope in recruiting circles: "we can't believe he was available at out pick" - it's because, shock-horror, all clubs have different views on the draft pool.

I'll offer you a deal. I'll stop saying "reaching" if you admit that no other club was even considering him as a backup option in the first round, and therefore we took him at the earliest point at which he was possibly going to be drafted.

 

[Comeback Lions]

First up, welcome to the Brisbane Lions Ely Smith. I hope you have a long and successful career up here.
My personal draft thoughts.
I am hoping two players are still on board at our second round picks. Sydney Stack from WA and Fraser Turner from Tas.

Fraser Turner would be a great get. He impressed me in what I’ve seen.

 

[Milpool]

Who cares who was or wasn't looking at him? The club picked him, he's ours now.

 

[Always a Lion]

This reaching business is all hindsight. Club rank players respectively and independently of each other and they commit to those rankings. That's why they invest so much time and resource to scouting.

I remember feeling let down when we picked Redden, but that only lasted until i saw him play. There was even less talk about Redden that year (2008) than theres been of Ely Smith this year.

 

[SizeMatters]

I'll offer you a deal. I'll stop saying "reaching" if you admit that no other club was even considering him as a backup option in the first round, and therefore we took him at the earliest point at which he was possibly going to be drafted.

does it really matter? if anything it's a good thing ... we get our man.

 

[Mavlions1961]

I think the idea is that clubs tell the AFL that a player should be there. Someone from the AFL would then tell the player.

I’m sure he knew we were keen but I doubt he knew for sure that we invited him.

They asked him in his first interview on the stage about his invite, he said he was in Thailand when he heard he had an invite to the draft, but didn't know who asked for him to attend, no club contacted him either, he was clueless as to what had unfolded.

 

[Dalions]

Ely Smith walks in to his first centre bounce, looks at his opponent and says 'I must break you'

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

Knocks him down and says.
“I’ll be Back”!

 

[jackess]

Fraser Turner would be a great get. He impressed me in what I’ve seen.

Yeah he looks good. I’m on board. Turner, McFadyen, Berry and Coleman

 

[Dalions]

Honestly, who gives a shit where other clubs rate him?
Our club rated him good enough to pick him at 21.
And didn’t think he would get to pick 33!

 

[jackess]

Ely looks a booming kick too. Looks like he can kick the ball 50m with ease.

 

[Brett C]

I'll offer you a deal. I'll stop saying "reaching" if you admit that no other club was even considering him as a backup option in the first round, and therefore we took him at the earliest point at which he was possibly going to be drafted.

Have you got a copy of all 18 clubs draft boards? Must have a lot of inside knowledge if that’s the case.

Who would you have taken with our pick and why? Would Ely have been available at our next pick based on your league wide draft knowledge?

 

[winged1]

Brisbane is the perfect place for an introverted guy like Smith. Might have had something to do with it and I believe him when he says he is happy to be here.

Wont get hassled and can just get on with it.

Impressed with what i have seen on the vids. I think he puts the fear of god into some of the NEAFL teams and then take it from there.

 

[dlanod]

Interesting that BF (Pie4Life) had us as the club that invited Smith to the Draft but when asked, he hesitated awkwardly and said "no" and that it was Sheehan...would a player actually know who the Club invitee would be?

No, otherwise it would tip a club's hand or could break a kid if the club passes on him.

 

[dlanod]

Conspiracy theory: GWS was going to take Ely at the next pick but ended up having to take O'Halloran, which was why the latter wasn't invited.

No evidence.

 

[David C]

12pm

11am AEST I believe.

 

[spotthedog1]

does it really matter? if anything it's a good thing ... we get our man.

Have you got a copy of all 18 clubs draft boards? Must have a lot of inside knowledge if that’s the case.

Who would you have taken with our pick and why? Would Ely have been available at our next pick based on your league wide draft knowledge?

As I stated, my preference was that if no one else with picks in our area rated Smith (which I think is evident, given he was only invited last minute because of us), that you either trade up to get into the back end of the 2nd tier talent (apparently we rated Duursma and Sturt), or you trade down so that you get the same talent, but also might move up another pick. To be a top side, you have to take advantage of every situation. You have to get good talent, and you have to get good value. I'm happy to back in the club on talent. I just have my questions over our ability to extract value during the list management stage of the year.

You asked what I would have done (and I've no evidence that the club didn't try this - they might have):
Talk to Gold Coast. Offer 18+35 for their 24+29. Given McFadyen is likely to go by 35, this could quite possibly have resulted in us having picks 29+30, instead of 30+56. The trade is in their favour, but depending on their boards, even if we had to throw in a pick swap in their favour, I'd have done it.

 

[Lions Flag 2020]

Brisbane is the perfect place for an introverted guy like Smith. Might have had something to do with it and I believe him when he says he is happy to be here.

Wont get hassled and can just get on with it.

Impressed with what i have seen on the vids. I think he puts the fear of god into some of the NEAFL teams and then take it from there.

Yep - everyone is different. I coach a lot of junior sport and the most talented kid I have coached is an extreme introvert.

 

[Lions Flag 2020]

Smith is one of those kids that's just shy/socially awkward. Nothing wrong with it because he's a different beast on the football ground. But when I was at the Morrish Medal, he was the kid with his parents glancing back and forth from his phone on the side of the room - there were some like that - while you know the extroverts who would storm across the busy area shouting out to a mate across the room. From all reports he's an unbelievable character, but yeah very shy/awkward so I'd say last night was something outside his comfort zone for him. He just lets his actions do the talking.

Thanks very much for your contributions - really appreciate it. Hopefully you have some more insights about our other picks later today.

 

[Haso]

and therefore we took him at the earliest point at which he was possibly going to be drafted

(Sorry for the snip)

Why is the above point an issue?

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

I can remember Cripps being viewed as a “reach” in 2013. Before his late mail phantom, twomey had him down at 27 with a chance to sneak in the top 20.

I don’t think there’s anything to worry about here.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Thanks very much for your contributions - really appreciate it. Hopefully you have some more insights about our other picks later today.

I don't know what it is about the Lions but I tend to get your picks right haha, doesn't happen with a lot of clubs, but that 2016 draft where I actually picked all the draftees (bar McCluggage because in the PD he was off the board so went Ainsworth), it was a little bit freaky. But I love just chatting about draftees so happy to contribute.

 

[The Golfing Lion]

Hi everyone,

Bit of a run down of last night that I can remember.

Sam Lord did a sensational job. This was a really great night that due to the long length of those between picks, gave the chance to really get a good feel for what the Lions were targeting and to feel really engaged in the draft.

First up we got to do the obligatory phantom draft but we were all presented with a recruiters handbook hat was pretty comprehensive in stuff. Had a bit of history of drafts, history of picks, info on what we did through list management and trade weeks and then what the academy is and has been producing.

When the draft starting One of our Victoria scouts, Shane Rogers gave a run through of what clubs would be getting with each pick and some detail of what he gives each week in his role. Typically he would watch 4 to 5 matches a round and then give detail on a bunch of players leading to upwards of 80 reports each week. Apparently he is very thorough and he has a pro for a to highlight contested ability etc

Then the draft started which was really interesting. They spoke of who we would have picked at each pick and we had Walsh, RANKINE AND luckciuos King in that order before pick 5. Then we would have picked Joe Caldwell if we still had 5. Then we death rode him until he got selected by th eGiants at pick 11. Jordon Clarke was our next and bang the Cats ‘nab’d him (one for the sponsors) to bring Durham to our radar. Power were our worry and sure enough they selected him and Ely was known by all that he was the desired nxt pick.

In this they actively tried to get another pick in the top 20 I assume to get Duursma also. But they couldn’t get it done as np club could be satisfied.

So Smith, they love him. Another contested midfield who they believe has tremendous upside in his outside game cause he has really great vision. He is strong, explosive and they believe will really compliment our midfield group going forward. Today, they will explore live trading to push a little higher mainly to protect against a McFadgen bid but are comfortable going forward.

Then Johnno Brown came in and spoke to the crowd and had a quick beer before he left. I have heard him speak about the Lions before but he was different this time. He was glowing on the manner in which the culture has truly changed, the leadership of Noble and FAgen with the group and the impact it has had through every aspect of the club. Ely is Joel Smith (hawks and Saints) nephew and he will be having a chat to him about what playing for th Lions is all about at a BBQ that Joel is having on the weekend I thi;k. He is rapt with the club.

Then we heard from Leon HARRIS and Luke Curran about recruiting philosophy and the Academy growth and development. Then the big ones.

STEPHEN Conole spoke of their efforts to trade in to the first round and what Ely will bring. This is covered on the website before Fages stood up and spoke.

Anyone who listed would have been just so proud of where the Lions are going. He spoke of the leadership of the players to each other comparing the start of this preseason to 2 years ago. They are driving each other and going hard at Everything every sessoin. They expect to be better and have embraced what needs to be done. He has such a calm nature yet you can see how much he reached emotoinally into the players. He spoke of their drive, belief, trust and desire and how this will build sustained success at the club and that the players own it.

He then spoke about Ely. It is now about getting to know him cause the Lions coaching is about building strong relatoinships with each player to find out what makes them tick. He will take a road trip to Ely home on the MURRAY to meet his parents and him in their own environment so they are comfortable and so he can see what makes his character. He is very happy they got him and sung the praises of his team of recruiters and the trust he has in them.

I left feeling so happy to be part of the Lions. This is a united team in every way and the night was a reflection of how each part, From Swanny down to the Victorian based staff and suppporters are engaged and believing there are good times ahead that will last.

Can’t wait for tonight where we go through the entire draft finish.

Go Lions