Competitions 2018 Phantom Draft

[Grockadoc]

With pick 1 in the draft, Carlton take:

Jack Lukosius, South Australia
194cm
85kg


OVERVIEW

South Australia’s Jack Lukosius is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about draft prospects in recent memory. Regarded by some draft watchers as a once-in-a-generation talent, Lukosius has played predominately as a key forward at state, club and school level, but has also demonstrated his skills at centre-half back from time-to-time. In 2017, ‘Luko’ played all four games for South Australia at the National Under 18s Championships as a bottom-ager, booting five goals and reinforcing his credentials as a serious talent to look out for.

Later that season he made his senior South Australian National Football League (SANFL) debut for Woodville-West Torrens at age 17, booting four goals. If that was not impressive enough, the game happened to be a preliminary final. From that point on, Lukosius was a mainstay of the Eagles side, adding a point-of-difference in attack as that roaming third-tall. Expected to be the headline act in a star-studded South Australian side at this years carnival, Lukosius averaged 14 disposals, seven marks and kicked nine goals in his four matches – consequently named an All-Australian in what was a strong, yet expected set of performances.

STRENGTHS

• Kicking
• Leading patterns
• Work rate
• Acceleration
• Cleanness
• Football IQ

Perhaps Lukosius’ best attribute is his kicking. Jack has some of the best foot skills in the draft pool, as was emphasised by scores of 23/30 and 25/30 in the kicking and goalkicking tests in Octobers National Combine. You would be hard pressed to find a cleaner, more fluid action than his, both in general play and when kicking for goal. Lukosius is not afraid to back his skills in-game, pinpointing more difficult options at will in a best-on-ground performance against Western Australia. Additionally, the blend of speed, agility and mobility allows him to effortlessly gain separation between his direct opponent on the lead, at-times gaining 10-20 metres of separation and appearing as if he has no match-up at all. Many defenders simply do not have the capacity to keep up with him for the games entirety. When the ball hits the deck, Lukosius remains in the game thanks to his cleanness below his knees – a trait rarely associated with a player of that size.

Unlike many other early selections in recent years, Jack Lukosius is not your stay-at-home key forward. A key component of his game is his ability to venture off down the wings to help link up the play. It is not unusual to see him pop up around centre half-back when the ball is down in the opposition half. He has a strong endurance base (reached level 21.2 in the combine yo-yo test) and is able to cover enormous distances in his travels. This allows him to collect tallies of marks relatable to that of St.Kilda great Nick Riewoldt, the great majority of which come in an uncontested manor. Not only does Lukosius have the skill, athleticism and work rate, the Henley High School product is also a very intelligent player. At-times he appears to be floating across the defensive half of the ground, positioning himself perfectly to take an intercept mark. Although a smaller observation, it was worth noting that Lukosius, particularly in the game against Victoria Country, hovered approximately 30-40 metres out from goal when the opposition was kicking-in and was able to drift in and intercept on a couple of occasions. The SA vice-captain has also been known to conjure a clever handball out the back when necessary. He also uses these smarts to position himself in a space where he is able to help link up the play when down in defence, but also give himself time, using his speed and endurance, to impact in attack when the ball moves forward.

IMPROVEMENTS

• Contested Marking
• Strength

Whilst there are very few flaws in his game, clubs wanting a dominant, contested-marking key forward will struggle to find those qualities in Lukosius. As has been previously mentioned, ‘Luko’ is not the type to haul down a big contested mark or break open a pack. In-fact, he may not even fly for these marks, instead preferring to stay balanced at ground level where his cleanliness and skills hold him in good stead. This may be as a result of his lack of strength. At 196cm and 84kg, he has at least a couple of kilograms to build up, which will be no problem for clubs when he enters their elite programs. However he will never be that monster key forward, and clubs will be well aware of this, as Lukosius offers plenty of other attributes.

**credit to AFL Draft Central for the bio info above**





Gold Coast are up with the next 2 picks
CraZdotcom

RIGHTFULLY number 1.

 

[CraZdotcom]

With the 2nd pick in the 2018 AFL Draft

The gold coast suns select

Sam Walsh

POS: Midfielder
Ht 183cm, Wt 74kg, DOB 2/7/00
From Geelong Falcons/Vic Country

 

[CraZdotcom]

With the 3rd pick in the AFL Draft

The gold coast suns select

Bailey Smith

POS: Midfielder
Ht 186cm, Wt 82kg, DOB 7/12/00
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

 

[_RT_]

A Tiger 4 lyf has until 6pm to take their pick for the Saints.


Also interesting first 3 picks, would certainly throw the cat among the pigeons if that happens on draft night.

 

[Grockadoc]

Walsh and Smith is an excellent midfield duo.

 

[Michaels]

A Tiger 4 lyf has until 6pm to take their pick for the Saints.


Also interesting first 3 picks, would certainly throw the cat among the pigeons if that happens on draft night.

A lot of it might come down to the go home risk factor but I dont think you could make a wrong choice if you went Walsh or Lukosius

 

[Grockadoc]

A lot of it might come down to the go home risk factor but I dont think you could make a wrong choice if you went Walsh or Lukosius

Lukosius to me is still the best prospect i the draft and a clear number 1. Only risk is being from SA. But Carlton need Key forwards more than they need midfielders. Take the gun key position players whikst you are there. Can still get solid mids in the second round.

 

[Wrenny]

Wow Troy Taylor still on the board! Interesting selections

 

[Grockadoc]

Wow Troy Taylor still on the board! Interesting selections

Please. Surprised the Barunga Bullet is still available!

 

[Michaels]

Wow Troy Taylor still on the board! Interesting selections

Just wasn't sure about his left foot.

 

[A Tiger 4 lyf]

Sorry fellas for the lateness, been using the bigfooty app more than the desktop and no idea how to see my alerts on it

With the 4th Pick in the 2018 AFL Draft

St Kilda Pick

Max King

POS: Tall forward
Ht 202cm, Wt 86kg, DOB 7/7/00
From Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

 

[TigerSE]

4tune8 is up

 

[4tune8]

No brainer here, absolute gun. Perfect replacement for Wingard. So Port at pick 5 take....

Izak Rankine (SA)
Height, Weight: 180cm, 76kg
Profile: Possessing comparable talent to ex-Adelaide great Andrew McLeod and Hawthorn veteran Shaun Burgoyne, Rankine can turn games like no one else in this draft. A season one-ready forward and midfielder with speed, skill, goal sense and ball-winning capabilities.

 

[_RT_]

CraZdotcom is up again

 

[CraZdotcom]

With the 6th pick in the 2018 AFL draft

The gold coast suns bid on

Nick Blakey, sydney swans academy.

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[_RT_]

HumanMeatball now has the chance to match the bid which will cost picks 26 33 & 38. If he declines Gold Coast will get Nick Blakey

 

[HumanMeatball]

HumanMeatball now has the chance to match the bid which will cost picks 26 33 & 38. If he declines Gold Coast will get Nick Blakey

Do those picks get down graded or do I outright lose them all?

 

[THE_GUN]

Do those picks get down graded or do I outright lose them all?

You will lose all 3 picks but will get pick #45 back

 

[_RT_]

See above HumanMeatball

 

[HumanMeatball]

See above HumanMeatball

I’ll match

 

[Grockadoc]

CraZdotcom with Pick 7.

 

[CraZdotcom]

With the 7th pick in the 2018 AFL draft

The gold coast suns select

Jackson Hately

POS: Midfielder
Ht 190cm, Wt 81kg, DOB 21/10/00
From Central District/South Australia

On [device_name] using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[TigerSE]

Grockadoc is up

 

[Grockadoc]

Pick 7: Western Bulldogs Select:

Connor Rozee (SA)
Best position: General forward/outside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 72kg

With the Bulldogs seriously courting Chad Wingard in the trade period in a desperate bid to bring some X Factor and versatility to a pretty bland and vanilla forward line, I feel Rozee will be one that they hope slips to them in the draft. A silky skilled impact player who can play as a forward, through the midfield or even off a back flank, Rozee is a very likely type and one that will soon become a fan favourite at the Kennel.

 

[Grockadoc]

TigerSE You're up.