Academy Rorts - The 2025 Draft Thread

[M Malice]

I have seen Cooper Hodge live a couple of times in school games for St Laurie's(not full games but a fair sample IMO), while looking like one of the better players at that level to me he did not have a stand out/wow look at me trait that distanced himself well in front of other players on the ground.

Worth the melts though if we take him where we value him, late draft rookie maybe, no way would I be matching an early bid from the Hawks if Cooper nominates under the academy system.

The player I have seen a bit of live at Division 1 level in club footy who has stand out traits is Rapahel Geesu, quick, evasive, tough, great long kick, however does not seem to be getting many plaudits in draft pundit land, but I think if he has the desire he will thrive in an AFL system and become at least a very useful player for us.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

The player I have seen a bit of live at Division 1 level in club footy who has stand out traits is Rapahel Geesu, quick, evasive, tough, great long kick, however does not seem to be getting many plaudits in draft pundit land, but I think if he has the desire he will thrive in an AFL system and become at least a very useful player for us.

I wonder why Geesu didn't make the Allies team. Maybe competition for small forwards was fierce? There's a Tasmanian fellow who has kicked a few bags recently that got in.

 

[Crusha]

Allies v SA on now.
First Qtr:
Some woeful defending from the Allies ........ how did Oscar Barry miss making this side ...... at least he can be physical.
Second Qtr:
Same again. If the Allies midfield don't dominate the second half, this could get ugly.
Third Qtr:
Ok ...... better defensive effort that quarter ...... helps keep Allies in the game ..... for Allies, Taj Murray impressing, Paterson also - just looks AFL type to me. Annable doing well.
Fourth Qtr:
Allies did well to take it to the final minutes, poor defence early proved to be the difference.

Lions Allies boys:
Annable - I think he was leading "possession getter" for the game - worked hard - good performance.
Waller - limited game time (they played 3 rucks) - didn't seem to get a lot of time in the forward line (where he has proved affective for the Academy side) - still a possible late/rookie pick.
Bridge - rarely sighted - don't know how much game time he was given, or perhaps injured (don't recall seeing him late on, so maybe the latter).

One thing stood out to me ...... if ever Brisbane was going to bid on a GC Academy player it would have to be Dylan Patterson. Granted I don't know much about this years crop, but he would be my No.1 pick. In fact, I would take him over Annable, if it came to a choice.

Final Score: Allies 76 : SA 83

 

[lionshine]

U18 SA V Allies - Annable leading possession getter on the ground with 26.

 

[Tom14]

U18 SA V Allies - Annable leading possession getter on the ground with 26.

Watched the second half while doing chores so wasn’t paying the closest attention - think Annable was good, but not great? I’ve seen him play better.

Patterson stood out for the allies to me.

 

[Crusha]

Allies v SA

Bridge - rarely sighted - don't know how much game time he was given, or perhaps injured (don't recall seeing him late on, so maybe the latter).

Can confirm Bridge did get injured early in the third qtr ....... (I had missed the first 8 mins of the qtr, so wasn't aware).

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Can confirm Bridge did get injured early in the third qtr ....... (I had missed the first 8 mins of the qtr, so wasn't aware).

Yep I saw him get helped off, hurt his left leg.

 

[braddsey]

Suppose it's no different to Springfield. St Kilda players complained about going to Seaford, thought Hawthorn players might have the same attitude about Dingley.

Hawthorn have been training at Waverley Park for the past 20 years. No worse than Dingley Village, particularly if their players are living South East or Bayside.

 

[braddsey]

That was the consensus view over the last 2 years or so. Seems to have swung a bit this year. Either he's been getting too much hype due to his name or he has genuinely improved a lot this year.

I get the feeling there’s hype because of how funny it would be if he chose Brisbane over Hawthorn.

 

[hardballer]

Allies v SA on now.
First Qtr:
Some woeful defending from the Allies ........ how did Oscar Barry miss making this side ...... at least he can be physical.
Second Qtr:
Same again. If the Allies midfield don't dominate the second half, this could get ugly.
Third Qtr:
Ok ...... better defensive effort that quarter ...... helps keep Allies in the game ..... for Allies, Taj Murray impressing, Paterson also - just looks AFL type to me. Annable doing well.
Fourth Qtr:
Allies did well to take it to the final minutes, poor defence early proved to be the difference.

Lions Allies boys:
Annable - I think he was leading "possession getter" for the game - worked hard - good performance.
Waller - limited game time (they played 3 rucks) - didn't seem to get a lot of time in the forward line (where he has proved affective for the Academy side) - still a possible late/rookie pick.
Bridge - rarely sighted - don't know how much game time he was given, or perhaps injured (don't recall seeing him late on, so maybe the latter).

One thing stood out to me ...... if ever Brisbane was going to bid on a GC Academy player it would have to be Dylan Patterson. Granted I don't know much about this years crop, but he would be my No.1 pick. In fact, I would take him over Annable, if it came to a choice.

Final Score: Allies 76 : SA 83

I’m surprised as well in regards to Oscar Barry - Lions dominated the short comp and only 3 players get through, Barry had a few good games and very physical and can win his own ball, also dumb founder how Oscar Tanks didn’t get in the side with solid performances every game hope he comes back as an over ager along with Barry with a bit more size very talented player - I’m surprised at Bridge - lovely left foot reads the play well but can’t win his own footy - he will get found out very quickly needs to address this quickly to improve his game again good player just not hard enough for my liking. Get tougher Bridgey we want to see you do well.
Hope they all do well.

 

[noobermensch]

Annable was one of the Allies best on the day as they suffered a close loss in game one of the 2025 Champs series. Annable was more impactful outside the contest in this one, spreading hard, delivering regularly inside 50 and involving himself in effective scoring chains for the Allies. He was less effective at stoppage than we've seen in the past, part of an Allies midfield that was well beaten on the day.

 

[Coastal Lion]

He is rated number 2 pick after his good early season form only just behind number 1 some are now saying.

 

[a mayes ing]

He is rated number 2 pick after his good early season form only just behind number 1 some are now saying.

So, does that make Will Ashcroft should have been pick 1, Levi Ashcroft pick 5 (Should have been pick 1-3 and favourite for the RS), and Dan Annable pick 1/2.

3 hugely elite talents while we are top of the table.

 

[mpal6]

So, does that make Will Ashcroft should have been pick 1, Levi Ashcroft pick 5 (Should have been pick 1-3 and favourite for the RS), and Dan Annable pick 1/2.

3 hugely elite talents while we are top of the table.

I think he'll go the same way as Levi. Somewhere around the 5 to 10 mark. Production rate set at a very high standard from the get go but likely to be passed by others who'll show higher incremental growth later this season.

 

[Elixuh]

Another top 5 mid rort incoming

 

[mpal6]

Another top 5 mid rort incoming

Agreed. It's a total privilege we are loading up with top 10 picks to replenish our midfield while playing finals. Amazing.

This is how Geelong must feel getting all those top tier players for low teens picks.

 

[irel]

We have a new football boss at AFL house. I can feel a fresh review coming of the draft and academy rorts.

 

[irel]

He is rated number 2 pick after his good early season form only just behind number 1 some are now saying.

So, number 2 is behind number 1.

 

[Elixuh]

Agreed. It's a total privilege we are loading up with top 10 picks to replenish our midfield while playing finals. Amazing.

This is how Geelong must feel getting all those top tier players for low teens picks.

In a way, the fact that our academy doesn’t produce any top 5 key position players is a disadvantage to us. So in essence the academy disadvantages us.

 

[mpal6]

In a way, the fact that our academy doesn’t produce any top 5 key position players is a disadvantage to us. So in essence the academy disadvantages us.

Agreed. We need more discount to grow the game.
I advocate for a priority pick pre-draft.

 

[Miller1971]

That was the consensus view over the last 2 years or so. Seems to have swung a bit this year. Either he's been getting too much hype due to his name or he has genuinely improved a lot this year.

He has definitely improved. Was nowhere near it 12 months ago, but his form late on in the CTL was pretty good as a bottom ager. Still just playing u19s at local level, so his own club not rushing him into the seniors. By contrast Matt Owen was playing QAFL Senior footy last year. Having said that, harder to get a game if you are at a strong club. Coorparoo and Wilston Grange for example are blooding kids all over the place because they are very ordinary lists.

I wonder why Geesu didn't make the Allies team. Maybe competition for small forwards was fierce? There's a Tasmanian fellow who has kicked a few bags recently that got in.

Geesu i believe has a serious soft tissue injury of some kind. Lillico I imagine might have been an Allies candidate but broke his leg and only came back late in the CTL.

Harrison I think also broke his leg playing QAFL and Murray broke his arm or hurt his shoulder. Bridge also appears to have done something to his leg/ankle on the weekend in the Allies game.

QLD draft prospects dropping like flies!

 

[Tom14]

After 25 years as a club boss, Greg Swann joins the AFL ‘mothership’

The AFL’s new footy supremo says his No.1 priority will be improving the relationship between the league’s head office and its clubs. But there’s one argument Victorian clubs might not get much traction on.

www.theage.com.au

While the news was broadly welcomed at club level, some clubs – St Kilda being the most vocal – have been agitating for changes to the talent academies in the northern states. Those arguing for change might find that Swann, given his experience as Lions chief executive, is unpersuaded by their academy concerns.

 

[dlanod]

Geesu i believe has a serious soft tissue injury of some kind. Lillico I imagine might have been an Allies candidate but broke his leg and only came back late in the CTL.

Harrison I think also broke his leg playing QAFL and Murray broke his arm or hurt his shoulder. Bridge also appears to have done something to his leg/ankle on the weekend in the Allies game.

QLD draft prospects dropping like flies!

I know other clubs stage mini controversies to drop players' draft stock, but the Lions show their true commitment by breaking legs, arms, and soft tissue!

 

[mpal6]

QLD draft prospects dropping like flies!

Vic clubs be like

 

[briztoon]

I know other clubs stage mini controversies to drop players' draft stock, but the Lions show their true commitment by breaking legs, arms, and soft tissue!

Amateurs.

Suns broke the back (stress fractures) of their top, and likely top 5, academy prospect.