2018 Draft thread

[Stevo7]

I’ve told you this but for others on here that don’t know Hately’s kicking has always been a query, it was poor last year at the champs but much like last year he had no problems winning the ball around the ground. What Hately will always have going for him is his size, smarts and ability to also go forward and kick a goal, I think you find most players of that type aren’t the most elite kicks at AFL level but if his kicking where to improve he would be a top 5 prospect also add to that a bit more hunger at stoppages at the moment he is more Pendlebury like at the stoppages which isn’t a bad thing.

If this kid has poor disposal he should fit into our team perfectly.

 

[Kevvo]

If this kid has poor disposal he should fit into our team perfectly.

We have the 6th best disposal efficiency in the competition.

Also, we’re slightly above (1.35) the league average (1.33) in kick to handball ratio, so it’s not as though our DE is inflated by that in the way the Bulldogs’ (1.21), Collingwood’s (1.12) or St Kilda’s (also 1.12) is.

 

[Stevo7]

While I agree with you in part, sometimes it feels like a lot stems from our crap administration in the last 10 years. We have a lot to learn from Sydney on this space. They never let the bloods connection die, while our administration was trying their best to knock off the logo and pretty much antagonize the melbourne base. Sydney brought in Franklin / Tippett well after our Fevola story, but they have managed it so well without having a collateral like ours did. I won't go into "go-home-5" that's well documented - but we were severely lacking smarts around administration under Angus + Sharpless. We could all write a thesis around "how poor management decisions affect clubs" by analyzing our past.

In saying all that, I am lot more happy and content with our current admin+coaching crew - the priorities of the current administration is much more refined and on the mark - facilities, retaining top talent (all the re-signings lately) and trading with minimal fuss (Schache, Cameron for example). While we don't get the winning feeling of bending over other clubs, we are getting good at walking away with some return on investment and using them wisely to fill a need in the list. Finally get the feeling like we are heading somewhere positive.

This is an excellent analysis of where we are and what we have been through in the past. I have followed Fitzroy/Brisbane for over 50 years and have never been more excited about what lies ahead. Building from the base with what seems to a terrific group of young kids mentored by an outstanding coach will be a fabulous journey. Hell, I would never have participated in a forum like this over the past ten years because I was so disillusioned. The current club leadership need a lot of recognition for what they are doing....Clubs like Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton cannot take this path because their membership demand success NOW.

 

[dlanod]

If this kid has poor disposal he should fit into our team perfectly.

Once upon a time yes, as of the last two or three drafts not so much.

 

[Nunez]

Once upon a time yes, as of the last two or three drafts not so much.

It is actually crazy seeing the difference our last few years of draftees have made in that regard. I was watching some games last year and Rocky who was probably our most reliable kick was actually pretty average when comparing to McCluggage, Berry, Rayner, Witherden and Bailey. That's not to say he was a bad kick, but we'd become accustomed to his kicking being our best when in fact he was the best of an average bunch.

I felt the need to be a bit of a sadist and watched the second half of the North game again and Rich getting his hand on the pill and delivering it forward set up a lot of our shots at goal. I think he finished with something like 7 score involvements. Rich along with the young brigade have really generated better efficiency with the ball. Taking out Rocky and Matho has no doubt helped that as well.

We've got a long way to go, but DE is well and truly on its way to fixing itself with quality recruiting.

 

[bungalow_bill]

Article on the trend of new draftee's extending their contracts earlier then in previous years. Just three remain unsigned including Bailey who I think is almost a certainty to. Cerra for Freo may be a concern.

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/afl...ker-than-ever/ar-AAyjB27?li=AAgg0Zv&ocid=iehp

 

[briztoon]

jason pm asked the Pie 4 Life about Lukosius and Walsh on the draft board. Thought it would be good for those that don't venture that far afield to read the reply as well.

Hi Pie 4 Life , do you share the seemingly consensus opinion that Jack Lukosius is one off if not the best junior talent to come through in a long time?

Also how would you compare Sam Walsh's potential to that of recently high drafted mids (pre draft) eg. Cam Rayner, Clayton Oliver, Hugh McCluggage, Angus Brayshaw, Tim Taranto, Paddy Dow, Adam Cerra, LDU.

I do. Prior to last year I felt Christian Petracca was the best/most complete prospect I had seen over the five years I've done it (bottom-age ability). Then along came Jack. He does things that teenage key position forwards should not be able to do. He's a fantastic kick, good overhead, has a huge influence over the game and does so against men - meaning he is highly likely to be able to do it at AFL level unlike a number of KPF prospects that have failed to continue the form at the elite level or have not had the same impact.

I would rate Walsh as the most complete of those midfielders you've listed - my main concern with him is his disposal at full speed. He's kicking at just under 60 per cent this year, which could certainly be improved, but I think that's from mostly kicking at full speed or trying to put his kicks in places where teammates can't get to - just from viewing I would say he just needs to understand limitations of teammates better at times. Otherwise he is really strong in nearly all areas for what you would expect for his output

. I think if they were all in the same pool he would go one, with Hugh McCluggage two on all-round ability. Obviously in hindsight, Clayton Oliver would be ahead, but based on pure U18 ability. Angus Brayshaw is arguably the next most complete, while Paddy Dow has that ability to go to the next level and I think we'll see that in time.

 

[M Malice]

Pie 4 Life is also the AFL draft central chief editor.

If we get Sam Walsh, by P4Ls rankings we would have the 2 most talented mids to come through the draft in the last 5 years, then you add Rayner to the mix.

 

[M Malice]

A few Lions academy players getting a run on Saturday.

 

[Nunez]

A few Lions academy players getting a run on Saturday.

Looking forward to seeing how Coleman and McFayden go.

 

[jjami15]

It is actually crazy seeing the difference our last few years of draftees have made in that regard. I was watching some games last year and Rocky who was probably our most reliable kick was actually pretty average when comparing to McCluggage, Berry, Rayner, Witherden and Bailey. That's not to say he was a bad kick, but we'd become accustomed to his kicking being our best when in fact he was the best of an average bunch.

I felt the need to be a bit of a sadist and watched the second half of the North game again and Rich getting his hand on the pill and delivering it forward set up a lot of our shots at goal. I think he finished with something like 7 score involvements. Rich along with the young brigade have really generated better efficiency with the ball. Taking out Rocky and Matho has no doubt helped that as well.

We've got a long way to go, but DE is well and truly on its way to fixing itself with quality recruiting.

I call this the 'Hawthorn Effect' or as Clarkson put it so bluntly, if you can't kick you can't play. This is to say that this cannot improve when making it to the top level but it helps if you come in being able to kick.

jason pm asked the Pie 4 Life about Lukosius and Walsh on the draft board. Thought it would be good for those that don't venture that far afield to read the reply as well.

I did read this and found interesting that it doesn't seam to be a mechanical thing when kicking which is the problem but more above the shoulders you might say. I actually think that Hipwood is suffering from this at the moment and with his running shots at goal he just needs to take one or two steps to settle. Easily fixed.

 

[jackess]

Is Matthews injured? I thought he was our most promising talent after playing in the all stars game last year.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

Is Matthews injured? I thought he was our most promising talent after playing in the all stars game last year.

If so it presumably would have happened in the NEAFL on Sat.

 

[jjami15]

Cracking article on Bailey Smith on AFL.COM. Sounds as dedicated as they come. Can't wait to see how both Walsh and he go in the champs. Couldn't miss with one of these two you would think.

 

[marooned]

A few Lions academy players getting a run on Saturday.

The ground at Blacktown used to be very average in the wet.Remember kicking a bag there.Ahh those were the days.

 

[M Malice]

Has anybody heard how Reuben William's younger brother Isaac is going with the academy? This was his year, I do remember some on here saying that he was definitely a better prospect than Reuben.

 

[Comeback Lions]

Looking forward to seeing how Coleman and McFayden go.

Also Tomkinson. 3 Lions boys, unless I've missed someone. I will go to this match at Blacktown and report back about our academy boys and Sam Walsh, Tom Berry and anyone else that catches my eye. briztoon if there's anyone else you want me watch out for, let me know.

 

[Comeback Lions]

Is Matthews injured? I thought he was our most promising talent after playing in the all stars game last year.

Could be, but as Tassy dominated the championships, their midfielders would be first cab off the rank. Also Bailey Scott from GC. Can't pick a whole team of midfielders, stuffs up team balance. Reckon he'll get a run at some stage.

 

[lionshine]

Cracking article on Bailey Smith on AFL.COM. Sounds as dedicated as they come. Can't wait to see how both Walsh and he go in the champs. Couldn't miss with one of these two you would think.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-06-07/obsessed-mid-smith-rockets-into-top10-calculations

BAILEY Smith admits he maybe overdid it. During the pre-season, the hard-working draft hopeful decided he would spend a week in Sorrento, on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, for what he described as "a mini boot camp".

He took a mate with him and they ran 72km over seven days. Their mornings consisted of two hours of training at Sorrento Oval, before they would ride to the gym for another two-hour session. They would head back to where they were staying for something to eat, then spend the afternoons at the nearby beach. And then do it all over again the next day.

It was over Christmas, and they saw a number of AFL players, including Jarryd Roughead, Jordan Lewis, Tom Lynch and Jordan De Goey also completing their own off-season programs in the neighbourhood. On New Year's Day, early in the morning, they even had a kick with Hawthorn midfielder Tom Mitchell.

"When I see someone like him doing that, I feel like I'm doing the right thing," Smith, an avid Hawks fan, told AFL.com.au.

"It was a full-on week. I got a bit obsessed and ended up getting a sore hamstring from doing too much running and skills. But it's helped me a lot."

There won't be any better prepared players heading into this weekend's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships than Smith, who has rocketed into top-10 draft calculations after an excellent first half of this season. He sits alongside Geelong Falcon Sam Walsh as the leading midfielders in a pool with plenty of talls at the top end.

It hasn't happened by chance. Smith was in year seven when he started going to the local park near his house in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs every night after school to do his running, chin ups, sit ups and skills work.

He played for East Malvern and after the team finished training would do his own 'extras'. One night, a boy in the year above his age group, Jack Higgins, was doing the same and asked if they wanted to partner up. Higgins was drafted to Richmond last year and gained a reputation for his extremely dedicated training program before joining the Tigers.

The pair became close, with Smith following Higgins to training sessions, and even enlisting the same speed coach, who he still uses now. "Jack was the one who did everything I wanted to do before I did it," Smith said.

Smith set himself early on to be an AFL player. His parents, Nick and Sinead, recall it as the only thing he ever wanted. As an eight-year-old he told them he wanted to play football and they could tell he meant it. "He's always been very self-driven," Nick said. "We've never needed to push him. He's sometimes had to push us."

Part of that has been his diet. As a 14-year-old Smith became meticulous with what he ate. He started to count the calories in his food and cut out anything processed. He mainly eats meat and vegetables and rice, and steers clear of sugary foods. He doesn't like soft drink so sticks with water or milk, and he has never had any alcohol.

Smith's family half-jokingly suggests they have needed to put in a separate pantry for Bailey, and he avoids the tuck shop at his school Xavier College, opting instead for grilled chicken, rice and some steamed greens for his lunch-time feed. He's fastidious, but for a reason.

"Whenever I see a competitor or someone else eating bad foods I think that's a little win for me. As many little advantages as I can get is the aim," he said.

The preparation for games continues at night with ice baths – something he started in the backyard when he was 14 – and a trip to Elwood beach every Sunday for a recovery dip. All the work has translated into a blossoming year, starring for the Sandringham Dragons, his school team and also showing his wares for the NAB AFL Academy.

Last year Smith played for the Dragons as a smaller defender, but the 17-year-old has become an all-round midfielder this year: he wins the ball himself, has the pace to get out of the contest, the body to match it with others fighting for it and the composure to be damaging with it in his hands.

There is football in his blood; Sinead's grandfather was Leo Merrett, a premiership player alongside Jack Dyer at Richmond in 1943. Merrett was a cousin of former Essendon and Brisbane player Roger Merrett and decorated Collingwood player Thorold Merrett. Thorold's great nephews are Essendon pair Jackson and Zach Merrett, linking Smith with one of the game's best young midfielders.

He has links elsewhere, too. As a year seven at school Smith volunteered to be a water boy for the team's First XVIII football side. A year later he became something of a designated water boy for Billy Gowers, then vying to get onto an AFL list. Smith and the now Western Bulldogs goalkicker still keep in touch and had arranged to have a kick earlier this season before bad weather struck.

"Bailey got home once and said 'Mum, Billy Gowers knows my name!'," Sinead said. "He just loved it."

And still does. He will be one of Vic Metro's key players in its under-18 carnival, which starts on Sunday against Western Australia at Optus Stadium, and shapes as an early pick at November's draft. Smith's hard work won't stop there.

"The draft's on my mind a lot. Every day. Morning and night I'm thinking about it. I've worked forever and sacrificed a lot for it and always been so obsessed about the one goal," he said. "Without trying to put all my eggs in one basket, it's the main thing that I love doing and I can't get it off my mind."

 

[M Malice]

Brilliant article, you'd nearly draft the kid just on that, what dedication to your dream.

 

[dizzysquizz]

Also Tomkinson. 3 Lions boys, unless I've missed someone. I will go to this match at Blacktown and report back about our academy boys and Sam Walsh, Tom Berry and anyone else that catches my eye. briztoon if there's anyone else you want me watch out for, let me know.

Love your work mate, love any feedback on tassie boy chayce Jones.
Cheers.

 

[briztoon]

Also Tomkinson. 3 Lions boys, unless I've missed someone. I will go to this match at Blacktown and report back about our academy boys and Sam Walsh, Tom Berry and anyone else that catches my eye. briztoon if there's anyone else you want me watch out for, let me know.

Zac Foot from Country. A bit of buzz starting for this kid.

 

[Cockliff38]

Jarrod Cameron named for WA and James Rendell has been picked for Metro at CHF

Might just be coincidence but any chance WA's Deven Robertson (also wears number 18) is a relation to Nick? Robbo18!

 

[bungalow_bill]

Academy class of 2018 wasn't looking too flash and now looking very promising - especially as some are non- KPP

 

[dlanod]

Academy class of 2018 wasn't looking too flash and now looking very promising - especially as some are non- KPP

Very promising might be overstating it. It looks like we might get one or two kids in the third round or later instead of none at all.