2018 Draft thread

[Brett C]

AFL will do nothing but in all reality there should be some fines or guidelines around commenting about other clubs players........where they get fined

Agree wholeheartedly with this, should bring in the NFL/NBA tampering rules and cost a team draft picks for this type of rubbish. There should also be a penalty for guys like Bailey Smith or Chad Wingard from a few years ago who tells clubs they won’t mive interstate. Ban them from a draft or 2 and let’s see if their attitude changes

 

[jackess]

Unsurprisingly, Daniel Cherny (The Age) is tipping we'll use a late pick on Tom Berry

Would be very happy to use our pick in the 50s on him.

 

[Harris Specter]

Agree wholeheartedly with this, should bring in the NFL/NBA tampering rules and cost a team draft picks for this type of rubbish. There should also be a penalty for guys like Bailey Smith or Chad Wingard from a few years ago who tells clubs they won’t mive interstate. Ban them from a draft or 2 and let’s see if their attitude changes

Won't happen as long as Victorian clubs are benefiting. The moment a NSW/QLD academy player does the exact same thing, the rules will then be looked at.

 

[Balony_pony16]

I like the pick. Big bodied mid is just what we need. release Berry to play a mid/HF role in the future

 

[Cockliff38]

Would be very happy to use our pick in the 50s on him.

Yeah the obsession with him on here is cringeworthy, but getting him for the right price (rookie or last pick) would be a good story

 

[Brizzys Squizzy]

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

Great insight thanks for sharing hopefully some of the nay sayers take this post on board. I for one are dead set rapt with smith and comforted by the fact they tried to get into top 20 but couldn't goes to show we were diligent in our decision making.

 

[countryVicLion]

Dear Noble, Conole and Ambrogio,

Now I don't ask for much but whatever you have to do draft T. Berry. Don't care where, don't care how just get it done

P.S. I know you all read this forum (well that's what we tell ourselves anyway).

Now for those of you on here and question the footballing ability blah, blah, blah. It's got nothing to do with that ad I once had a healthy but respectable man love for J.Brown this is beginning to evolve for one J.Berry.

Fellas I think time allows now to say Fagan loves Thomas also and has had many conversations with him, our concern is Geelong has made lots of enquires also so that’s our worry


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[dlanod]

You always hope for a slider, but can't blame the higher picks for taking the higher prospects. I'm not depressed and despondent about the pick. Probably wistful would be a better descriptor of my mood. A shame that our pick was just below that 2nd tier of talent. Got our pick of the 3rd tier, but still, a bit wistful.

I will admit I knew bugger all about Ely before last night but those highlights have got me excited - good hands, great vision in getting the ball to those in better position, and able to do it under physical pressure.

I can't help but think if he had have a full season at the TAC Cup level we'd be looking at a top 15 pick. He actually looked significantly better than guys like Stocker or RCD who were higher rated, but didn't have the same focus because he'd been out of sight.

 

[Nunez]

What time do things kick off today?

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

Well for today I’m hoping for Mclennan, don’t like our chances with GC having those picks prior to ours.

If we can’t trade up, hope we do some trades like Sydney, to keep our picks alive and as high as possible.

We could work with the Bulldogs, Protect their pick 30 by trading a future R3, then them returning the favor for us.

 

[spotthedog1]

What time do things kick off today?

11am Brisbane, 12pm Melbourne.

 

[Nunez]

11am Brisbane, 12pm Melbourne.

Thanks!

 

[Haso]

(For reference - snip was "and therefore we took him at the earliest point at which he was possibly going to be drafted" - this is in context, so no issues)

It's an issue of value, not talent. I've been very careful throughout not to say that Ely isn't a good pick talent-wise - I don't know that, and I'm happy to back the club on talent. I have noted several times though that we don't tend to worry about getting good value in the list management phase of the year.

Pick 3 was considered at pick 1, but they decided on someone else. Pick 14 was considered at 11, but they decided on someone else. Pick 21 wasn't even considered at 17, 18, 19 nor 20, and it's highly likely wasn't considered at 22. This indicates that we were an outlier amongst other clubs - which is moderately concerning as to whether one team of professionals are wrong or 5 teams of professionals are wrong - and also indicates that Smith would likely have slid a while further, which indicates a poor value proposition.

I suppose it comes down to each person's individual philosophy. If you could buy a house, and you love it and are happy to pay $500k, but the market value is around $450k, at what point is it a win for you? I believe Noble's philosophy is that you pay what it takes to get what you want, and if you want the house at $500k, you just offer $500k. I tend to prefer to aim for closer to market value even if there's a risk you won't get it - knowing that there are plenty of other houses you like too.

I understand where you are coming from. In a perfect world, the Lions would have got their man, and also traded down to where they expected hum to be rated by the other clubs to extract the most amount of value.

On the other hand, we don't actually know that they didn't try to trade down, and we just weren't able to get the correct value (and thus rendering the trade down process redundant). By the same token, other clubs can be cagey I would imagine, and you can never quite guarantee that the player will actually be there (for example there may be a slight chance that another club may 'reach' ). I suppose with those risks, they would rather get him one or two spots early than risk not getting him.

In a perfect world though, absolutely yes, extract as much value as possible.

Edit: Wrong their.

 

[Cockliff38]

The man of few words

 

[pulpdriver]

Apparently Melbourne, GWS and Suns have enquired about getting WCE's first pick today. Suns apparently looking at Valente with it.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Exactly as I've already stated multiple times, you'd know if other clubs had him as a first round talent, because Ely Smith would've been invited to the draft earlier, and by another club. It's been very well leaked that we are the only club that wanted Ely Smith at the draft as a potential pick.

Clubs like GC who had early and would have sure of getting their targets might have him high, but don't feel like they're going to take him. They wouldn't think to make sure he's there. I also don't have a crystal view of how the invites work. Do you?

I've got no problem with the concept that we rated him higher than most. I don't have the knowledge to state it anywhere close to a fact though. But the notion that we have to reconcile our list against some sort of consensus is ludicrous. In that regard, reaching as a concept is just way overstated. Sure if you draft a guy at 20 who you'd be able to get easily at 60, then yeah, that's a reach.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Apparently Melbourne, GWS and Suns have enquired about getting WCE's first pick today. Suns apparently looking at Valente with it.

Wonder if that gives us a shot at McLennan?

Edit: damn, Suns got him.

 

[Haso]

But the notion that we have to reconcile our list against some sort of consensus is ludicrous. In that regard, reaching as a concept is just way overstated. Sure if you draft a guy at 20 who you'd be able to get easily at 60, then yeah, that's a reach.

Yeah, this is my view. Impossible, really, and fraught with risk that you'll just clever your way out of any of the talent you want.

 

[jackess]

More frustrating than the 5 minute wait is the trades being slow to come in

Good trade for the suns

 

[jackess]

McLennan gone

 

[Harris Specter]

Suns win that trade easily.

McLennan looks a beauty

 

[Hollow Knight]

Commentators need to wake up. They aren’t even noticing these trades happening.

Crows traded this pick to the Giants 90 secs ago and they haven’t even noticed.

 

[jackess]

Another trade.

Good trade for the crows this time

 

[jackess]

Commentators need to wake up. They aren’t even noticing these trades happening.

Crows traded this pick to the Giants 90 secs ago and they haven’t even noticed.

Pathetic broadcasting

 

[Suitcase]

Adelaide getting away with daylight robbery again. Great trading by the crows.