Academy Rorts - The 2025 Draft Thread

[Nunez]

I assume we will take 3 academy players this draft

Annable
Waller
Mcfaidyan

Prefer Annabelle

 

[irel]

I assume we will take 3 academy players this draft

Annable
Waller
Mcfaidyan

Shouldn't you be following Saint Kilda?

 

[the rookie]

Not sure how informed it really is, but here goes.

I have rated him for a few years, saw him playing for Coorparoo in Division 1 (one level below QAFL) and he looked very handy, but hard to tell how it translates to the higher level. He was also an accomplished school footballer, but its also hard to judge that stuff as most teams only haver about 8-10 topline kids and it drops away.

I know that the brains trust at Coorparoo, as well as a few others (such as poster here Tommo 42 and those involved in school footy) had referred him to the academy as someone to watch and had consistently been 'rebuffed'.

He then got an opportunity in some sort of trial game in late 2024 and snuck into the academy u18 squad as a late addition. Now personally, I always thought he was pretty good and felt it was criminal that he was consistently overlooked in academy selection (couldn't even get an invite to train, let alone picked in a team!) but I'm not going to re-write history and pretend I thought he was going to get on the draft radar. I simply looked at him as someone who should be part of the system, but would end up having a strong local career.

However, once he got in there - he blossomed quickly and fast became the yin to the Annable yang in the Lions u18 midfield setup, so he didn't just get picked - he leap frogged many of the 'annointed ones' (helped by injury to someone like Lillico) into a very primary role in the side, as many of the kids are just witches hats for match sim and not genuinely prospects (and treated as such).

He then was overlooked for Allies, despite having a very strong year for the Lions and promptly returned to the QAFL and had 39 disposals on debut in a dominant display. They quickly righted the wrong and he was parachuted into the Allies where he performed well and then progressed to VFL where he again did not look out of place and all of a sudden he is on the draft radar!

Now unfortunately, I didn't see a whole lot of him this year - so couldn't comment on his actual play this year, only to suggest that his numbers were very very good, but I prefer to rely on my eye than pure stats.

I am hearing that he is near certain to be picked up, whether thats the Lions or elsewhere, I am unsure.

If the Lions were to take 3 x academy players this year, and I was the list manager - I would take Annable, McFayden (utility - 19 year old) and Waller (ruck/forward). The only other players I would consider would be Prindable and Bridge - who I think will both get drafted regardless, but probably not by Brisbane.

Edit: you asked what the knock on him is. I'd say if I had to identify weakeness(s), he is once paced and a bit slow and is a very one sided player (left foot). However, if you are slow, you need to be really good at finding the footy and using it well, and he is elite at both of those things. (on one side of the body)

Thanks very much for the detailed insight. It's greatly appreciated.

 

[Perrip]

Experts select the top 30 players in 2025 AFL Mock Draft - Chris Cavanagh and Dan Batten

6. Dan Annable (Matched Richmond Bid)
Chris says 🗣 I’m not sure who Annable squeezes out of the Lions’ midfield in the near future, but there’s no doubting he’s a serious talent who Brisbane can’t pass up. A balanced onballer who can be dominant around clearances and brings strong leadership traits, it is a luxury for the Lions to have such another highly-talented player come through their Academy. This will cost the Lions 1493 points, effectively wiping out picks 17 and 23.

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Chris says 🗣 I’m not sure who Annable squeezes out of the Lions’ midfield in the near future

I thought the answer to this would be obvious, he replaces Neale at the end of 2026. Or Fletcher does, and Annable replaces Fletcher at HBF.

 

[briztoon]

I thought the answer to this would be obvious, he replaces Neale at the end of 2026. Or Fletcher does, and Annable replaces Fletcher at HBF.

IMO Annable doesn't have the leg speed or kicking skills to play HBF.

 

[knaf]

IMO Annable doesn't have the leg speed or kicking skills to play HBF.

I was thinking perhaps a Starce replacement, if not like for like. we’ll see.

McFadyen abit Cornelius? Great hands, natural footballer, effective forward craft at a lower level, but not tall enough or quick enough to make it at AFL. Not writing him off. He’s young and may develop.

 

[Perrip]

Paul Amy profiles the 18 VFL players who could be drafted in 2025

Connor McFadyen spent time on Brisbane’s AFL list and there’s a good chance his younger brother Fergus will do the same. In his first season with the VFL Lions, the 189cm forward booted 37.23, including five against Collingwood in Round 4, when he booted a point after the siren to lift the Lions to victory. The son of former Australian Under 19 cricketer Brian was a finalist in the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal and some clubs think it’s a given Brisbane will add him to its rookie list for 2025.

Won't be on our rookie list but interesting to see clubs think we will draft him.

 

[Dalions]

I was thinking perhaps a Starce replacement, if not like for like. we’ll see.

McFadyen abit Cornelius? Great hands, natural footballer, effective forward craft at a lower level, but not tall enough or quick enough to make it at AFL. Not writing him off. He’s young and may develop.

Wonder if he could spend a year in defence to see if he could play a Starce type role?

 

[Toffee Lion]

I imagine Annable will put pressure on the rotation kids like Marshall.

 

[Miller1971]

Annable is a pure mid who is ready to go from Day 1 in terms of body size and maturity

I can't see him holding down a spot down back, his kicking isn't sensational (Lions have elite kicks in their back half everywhere) and he isn't particularly quick.

He could play a role forward because he is a powerful athlete who would be a nightmare at a forward stoppage when you already have to worry about trhe mids getting off the chain.

 

[T Rick]

Annable is a pure mid who is ready to go from Day 1 in terms of body size and maturity

I can't see him holding down a spot down back, his kicking isn't sensational (Lions have elite kicks in their back half everywhere) and he isn't particularly quick.

He could play a role forward because he is a powerful athlete who would be a nightmare at a forward stoppage when you already have to worry about trhe mids getting off the chain.

How does he compare with Dev?

 

[briztoon]

How does he compare with Dev?

Not as fast, but a more natural footballer.

 

[bungalow_bill]

IIRC someone earlier compared him to a quicker version of Lyons

 

[briztoon]

IIRC someone earlier compared him to a quicker version of Lyons

Better runner both ways, and will naturally spread from the contest to provide an instant or future outlet.

 

[mattsmob]

I think the Ah Chee spot is where Annable will slot in nicely. High half forward with some time on the wing. I’m all for managing Lachie’s gametime this season but I think Levi is the natural replacement as an inside mid.

 

[Section 5]

No Lions academy players have snuck into this list of 50 bar Annable at 3

Best draft prospects ranked 1-50: AFL stars they play like and latest club interest intel

Why four top prospects can’t be picked; biggest bolter in 10 years — AFL Draft Top 50 Rankings

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Surly Boy]

Were we supposed to nominate our academy kids today?

 

[briztoon]

Were we supposed to nominate our academy kids today?

Forgot to fax our paperwork I have heard.

 

[Morbidly_Obese]

Forgot to fax our paperwork I have heard.

Fax? I didn't even know those things still exist.

 

[briztoon]

Fax? I didn't even know those things still exist.

It’s the AFL.

 

[Viceregal]

Fox Sports article on the Academy conveyor belt of talent includes Jaspa ... sigh.

 

[irel]

Forgot to fax our paperwork I have heard.

With Swanie’s departure, we are witnessing a noticeable decline in the standards of our IT and communications department. His presence set a benchmark for excellence, and his absence is deeply felt.

 

[briztoon]

With Swanie’s departure, we are witnessing a noticeable decline in the standards of our IT and communications department. His presence set a benchmark for excellence, and his absence is deeply felt.

Every thing is falling apart off field. Next thing you'll know, there'll be board assassinations and we'll be back in the Leppa years.

 

[Jivlain]

Every thing is falling apart off field. Next thing you'll know, there'll be board assassinations and we'll be back in the Leppa years.

Only until this new opportunity opens up. We'll be making millions off our NFT collectables of academy players.