Phantom Draft Bishop's 2017 Draft Thread

[CaptainMurphy]

Bishop there was a little bit of debate on the Dogs board about this. Bonar believes Clark is the best kick in the draft and numerous others have praised his footskills, but on the limited viewing I've had of him, I agree with you: his kicking and general decision making is quite poor. Is it a consistency thing where he is capable of great kicks but doesn't nail them quite often enough, or is praise for his ball use misplaced?

Bonar?

 

[aussierulesrules]

It's quite amazing the differences of opinion on Clark's kicking.

Given his production and all his other highly desirable attributes, if his kicking was as elite as some make it out to be clubs would be falling over themselves to pick him with one of the first 2 or 3 picks and there would be no talk of his range pushing out to as far as 15 or so.

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Bonar?

There was an interview with him on the AFL site at some stage - may have been in one of those "tomorrow's heroes" videos - where he identified Clark as the best kick in the draft in his opinion.

 

[HedgeFund]

There was an interview with him on the AFL site at some stage - may have been in one of those "tomorrow's heroes" videos - where he identified Clark as the best kick in the draft in his opinion.

Might be going out on a limb here but perhaps the crew on the Bulldogs board should take that opinion with a grain of salt?

I’m tipping there’s probably 3726 more objective and better informed opinions on the relative strength of Hunter Clark’s kicking than an 18 year old kid with whom he’s played 8 games of footy.

 

[bl4ke]

Bishop there was a little bit of debate on the Dogs board about this. Bonar believes Clark is the best kick in the draft and numerous others have praised his footskills, but on the limited viewing I've had of him, I agree with you: his kicking and general decision making is quite poor. Is it a consistency thing where he is capable of great kicks but doesn't nail them quite often enough, or is praise for his ball use misplaced?

His disposal under pressure is average, but in time and space he has the best pegs in the draft

 

[Dannnnnnnnnn]

Might be going out on a limb here but perhaps the crew on the Bulldogs board should take that opinion with a grain of salt?

I’m tipping there’s probably 3726 more objective and better informed opinions on the relative strength of Hunter Clark’s kicking than an 18 year old kid with whom he’s played 8 games of footy.

I wasn't really suggesting that he was an authority on the matter, it's just an easy example to give. The overarching point was that opinions seem to fluctuate wildly from person to person.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Might be going out on a limb here but perhaps the crew on the Bulldogs board should take that opinion with a grain of salt?

I’m tipping there’s probably 3726 more objective and better informed opinions on the relative strength of Hunter Clark’s kicking than an 18 year old kid with whom he’s played 8 games of footy.

So what are your views on him and in particular his kicking and whether he's purely inside, or is he suited to the wing?

 

[foj1]

stephenson would not pass the swans.
brander, boner and mccartin in the mix.
i think richards and ling would be of interest to their needs.

Swans seem to have a few in mind that are between their first and second pick, so probably hoping for one of them to be there at 33.

My feel is that Swans like Murphy, Richards, Bonar and maybe Brander with their first. Would probably grab a sliding Stephenson quick smart, but if these are off the table I wonder if we see Sydney grab someone like Houlahan, Ballard or McCartin at 14. Then maybe jackson ross at 33.

Interesting draft for Sydney, given the lack of overall depth, the scope is there to reach for players they personally back in which may differ from expected power rankings

 

[HedgeFund]

I wasn't really suggesting that he was an authority on the matter, it's just an easy example to give. The overarching point was that opinions seem to fluctuate wildly from person to person.

I think his kicking fluctuates enormously. Pulls out some rippers, but also turns it over quite a lot by going for too much too often. Similar to Matt Suckling or Brent Guerra. Sometimes they frustrate you by trying the glory kick too often.

 

[HedgeFund]

So what are your views on him and in particular his kicking and whether he's purely inside, or is he suited to the wing?

Clark can play wing, no doubt. In fact he only played mainly inside mid this season (as far as I’m aware) due to Dandenong being a bit light in that area. At AFL level I think he’s a very good running half back/wing candidate. Blazes away a bit ATM, and once he learns to lower his eyes a bit more, he’ll become an even better player.

 

[Bishop]

Bishop there was a little bit of debate on the Dogs board about this. Bonar believes Clark is the best kick in the draft and numerous others have praised his footskills, but on the limited viewing I've had of him, I agree with you: his kicking and general decision making is quite poor. Is it a consistency thing where he is capable of great kicks but doesn't nail them quite often enough, or is praise for his ball use misplaced?

I don't really take much note in that (what the players say) - I remember one top 5 VM draftee last year saying in May that (Player X) was a gun and would easily make their Vic Metro U18 team. Said kid didn't even make the cut and wasn't drafted...

Clark's kicking across HBF is average, but he is serviceable on the inside.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Cheers HF. So what's his endurance meant to be like? Is he the type that runs all day and covers a lot of ground and runs both ways like a Brayshaw, or not so much?

 

[Newatthis]

So he runs a 12 beep earlier in the year, want to make an excuse for him that day as well?

No, nobody has ever accused him of being quick.

 

[HedgeFund]

Cheers HF. So what's his endurance meant to be like? Is he the type that runs all day and covers a lot of ground and runs both ways like a Brayshaw, or not so much?

He’s a pretty handy runner, but I wouldn’t put him up as high as Brayshaw or Moore from an endurance point of view. I’d say he’s a classic gun junior who works a little harder forwards but he did spend a fair bit of time across half back so there’s no issue with his willingness to help out defensively.

Rarely benched by Dandenong, which would suggest he is happy to stay out there and gut run when required.

 

[Bicks]

Clark can play wing, no doubt. In fact he only played mainly inside mid this season (as far as I’m aware) due to Dandenong being a bit light in that area. At AFL level I think he’s a very good running half back/wing candidate. Blazes away a bit ATM, and once he learns to lower his eyes a bit more, he’ll become an even better player.

Of all the mids I saw here this year one particular performance I saw of Hunter Clark's was the most outstanding midfield performance I saw all year, he was dominant on the inside and just as good on the outside with some good link up plays, good overhead for his size, great defensively and some of the best tackling I've seen all year.

I see a lot of our Rory Sloane in his game style, for mine he'd be wasted to some extent playing half back/wing with his ball hunting a major asset to my eyes, don't think I saw a player that cracks in to every contest harder than Clark all year.

LDU played OK that day too but Clark easily out shone him on that occasion. Of all the players in the mix for our pick 12 he's by far my preferred player.

 

[IanW]

There is something ironic about Bishop projecting GWS to get Spargo with a second-round pick ...

 

[Gingerbread man]

What are the chances of the blues signing Penrith as a category b rookie?

 

[pulpdriver]

Hey Bishop, do you have Lachie Fogarty's pre season testing results?

 

[Bishop]

What are the chances of the blues signing Penrith as a category b rookie?

I don't think he'll go in the National Draft - so yes, expect him to be a Cat B NGA.

Hey Bishop, do you have Lachie Fogarty's pre season testing results?

3.052s 20m
8.056s agility
13.1 beep

 

[Gingerbread man]

I don't think he'll go in the National Draft - so yes, expect him to be a Cat B NGA

So it would be fair to say that a lot of clubs will sign Cat B NGA as essentially a free hit if there is any remote chance they might make it

 

[jjami15]

Of the two which do you think would stand up in the heat of finals footy or more precisely a GF in regards to Rayner and Brayshaw. Would have to take into account the increase in pressure/ball movement/tackling/repeat efforts.

 

[Bishop]

Of the two which do you think would stand up in the heat of finals footy or more precisely a GF in regards to Rayner and Brayshaw. Would have to take into account the increase in pressure/ball movement/tackling/repeat efforts.

Not sure - tough question to ask. In 5 years time, Rayner will have built on his endurance base. I think both would stand up in a final, but Rayner might have some more 'match-winning' (+ X-Factor) about him that could win you a GF.

 

[cooperg]

Bishop I know you're a busy man, but who are the 5 names St.Kilda are interested in at 7&8? In order if you know. Also Billy Hartung at 45 could very well, hope we get Hartung. Do you think Billy can join the Saints?

I've been told Billy will be a Saint or a Lion.

 

[Bishop]

Bishop I know you're a busy man, but who are the 5 names St.Kilda are interested in at 7&8? In order if you know. Also Billy Hartung at 45 could very well, hope we get Hartung. Do you think Billy can join the Saints?

I've been told Billy will be a Saint or a Lion.

I have no mail at all on Hartung. Think Clark, Bonar, Fogarty, Murphy, Coffield are five names in the mix at the Saints - I'm not too sure they take Stephenson, depends on their medicos.

 

[cooperg]

Thanks legend. Final one at 34&45, Do you think the Saints could get Kyron Hayden,Brayden Starceveich , Charlie Ballard or Jackson Ross? Also do you know if they have spoken to any of these guys? Any other names they have met or discussed with for 34&45?

I have no mail at all on Hartung. Think Clark, Bonar, Fogarty, Murphy, Coffield are five names in the mix at the Saints - I'm not too sure they take Stephenson, depends on their medicos.