Podcast Ep. 5.66 - THE DRAFT: Vic Country pt. 1

[Macca19]

Podcast Link

Join myself and Portia live from 8pm at https://www.spreaker.com/user/portfanradio as we discuss our first batch of potential draftees from Vic Country. The players we will talk about are:

James Worpel
Hunter Clark
Oscar Clavarino
Tom De Koning
Paddy Dow
Angus Schumacher
Jordan Butts
David Handley
Ben Paton
Brent Daniels
Aiden Domic

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

Less of the go home factor with the country lads.

 

[Andre]

Less of the go home factor with the country lads.

That Adelaide is smaller and quieter then Melbourne works to advantage more often then not for the Vic County boys.

 

[Andre]

If we get Jordan Butts is there anyway his nickname can not be Seymour?

 

[Jonts]

Why do I like Handley so much

Why can't I convince myself GF boys aren't the bee's knees

 

[Visenfest]

This will no doubt be addressed in the discussion about him, but I've seen Clavarino on the one hand described as the next Jake Lever, and on the other described as soft with overrated skills. What's your thoughts? Is he perhaps somewhere in the middle? Worth drafting at our first pick?

 

[missionpossible]

This will no doubt be addressed in the discussion about him, but I've seen Clavarino on the one hand described as the next Jake Lever, and on the other described as soft with overrated skills. What's your thoughts? Is he perhaps somewhere in the middle? Worth drafting at our first pick?

Ignore who ever said he was like jake lever.
That is like saying Greg Phillips was like Martin Leslie.

 

[Visenfest]

Ignore who ever said he was like jake lever.
That is like saying Greg Phillips was like Martin Leslie.

I think it was Cal Twomey, so yeah I was somewhat sceptical.

 

[Macca19]

JAMES WORPEL

185cm / 84kg

Clubs: Geelong / Vic Country

Positions: Inside/Outside Mid

Comparison: Nathan Jones

Stats: James impressed in the 2016 Under 18 championships as a bottom ager, averaging 15 disposals and 5 tackles a game. He improved on that in this years championships, picking up 20 disposals and 8 tackles a match, winning All Australian selection.

His form at TAC Cup level was consistent, averaging 21 disposals and 7 tackles a game, whilst also delivering 5 inside 50s a game. He had a contested possession rate of nearly 50%, showing his inside ability.

Gamestyle:

James is a tough, hard at it, inside midfielder who is ready to impact at AFL level. James is like a wrecking ball at the stoppages, a strong, hard body who wins first possession and gets it to teammates. He has a thirst for the contest, but can break free to get plenty of ball on the outside as well. One of the criticisms of his play over the years has been some inconsistent kicking, which can let him down. He misses targets, especially at range and he tends to rush quick kicks out of packs at stages when he has more time to use it effectively. He is a hard tackler, a tough opponent to come up against and loves to make his opponents hurt. He shows good leadership and was named Vic Countrys co-captain this year.

Draft Range: 30-60

James has been on the radar for 2 years and there is no doubt he has been a good consistent performer over that time. His negative traits are enough that should see him fall down the draft on the night but some of the criticism has been harsh of him. He is better than people give him credit for and if he falls outside the second round then he could become a great value, ready to go player for the team that picks him. He shows leadership, he shows great inside ability and a thirst to learn. Improve his kicking and he will be a player.

 

[Macca19]

HUNTER CLARK

186cm / 79kg

Clubs: Dandenong / Vic Country

Positions: Back Flank, Inside Midfield

Comparison: Jared Brennan, Elliot Yeo

Stats:

Hunter impressed in 2 National Championship matches in 2016, averaging 8 disposals and 3 tackles a game. More of a midfield role was expected at this years Championships but it didn’t eventuate, with Hunter playing deep in defence for Vic Country. He averaged15 disposals and 4.5 tackles a game across the 2017 Championships.

His form at TAC Cup level was excellent, averaging 27 disposals and over 6 tackles, clearances and inside 50s a game.

Gamestyle:

Hunter is one of the more unique players in this years draft. Hunter is a quick, aggressive player who can play half back or through the midfield. He lopes around the ground, plays taller than he is and has arguably the longest kick in this years draft pool. He plays his best footy across half back, where he can run at the ball, use his pace to break the lines and deliver a 55m kick down field. He has moved into more of a midfield role this year and has performed well as an inside midfielder. It’s all about the X-Factor with Hunter. He may go long periods of time without having any impact but then will have 3 or 4 prominent pieces of play in quick succession. Whilst he is a long kick, he can often be a sloppy kick, missing fairly simple targets and putting teammates under pressure.

Draft Range: 1-15

Hunter is such an intriguing prospect but does come with risk. Can he put it together at AFL level? Just what is his best position? If he does put it all together he could easily become the most damaging player in this draft but his inconsistency is what is stopping him from being right up there as a prospective pick 1. His dominant form at TAC Cup level playing through the midfield will thrill AFL clubs. He’s tall, he’s strong, he’s got a huge kick and he is a real game changer. He should be in consideration from the first pick. Carlton will look at him, St Kilda is a huge change as Is Collingwood and the Crows at 12.

 

[Macca19]

OSCAR CLAVARINO

194cm / 80kg

Clubs: Dandenong / Vic Country

Positions: Key Defender

Comparison: Troy Chaplin

Stats:

Oscar impressed at the 2016 National Championships, holding down Centre Half Back as a 17 year old for Vic Country. His performances were such that he was named co-captain for Vic Country at this seasons National Championships. In 4 games he averaged11 disposals and nearly 6 marks a game, winning selection in the All Australian team.

Gamestyle:

Oscar is an aggressive key defender who loves the contest and hates to be beaten. Over the course of the last 12 months he has moved away from being solely a shutdown player to adding some quality rebounding to his game. He reads the flight of the ball coming in and loves to take intercept marks, especially whilst out-bodying his opponent. He shows great composure and great leadership. Oscar can sometimes look laconic out on the ground but when he is switched on he is hard to beat.

Draft Range: 30-Late

Plenty of talent with this one but he will need to take more risks at AFL level. This is a part of his game that has improved this year, but will need continued development. Outside of that he is a good solid defender, gives great leadership and is willing to learn. He will start to come under consideration from late 2nd round but could fall late. He is another that Port will look at come our set of picks if available.

 

[Macca19]

TOM DE KONING

200cm / 92kg

Clubs: Dandenong / Vic Country

Positions: Ruck, Key Forward

Comparison: Joe Daniher, Callum Sinclair

Stats:

Burst onto the scene as a bottom ager last year with a 9 goal performance for Dandenong, Tom continued to develop this year aeraging 10 disposals, 13 hitouts and kicking 17 goals in 10 matches.

He averaged10 disposals and 15 hitouts a game at the National Championships, whilst kicking 2 goals in his 4 games.

Gamestyle:

Tom is an athletic tall who can play both through the ruck and up forward. He has great pace for his size, is super quick on the lead and marks the ball out in front. He has a lovely left foot kick, a natural kicking action and is an accurate kick for goal. When in the ruck he has a nice leap and great reach to be able to tap the ball effectively. His consistency needs work, he can flitter in and out of games and is very much a burst player at this point in time. He must improve his marking ability, especially his contested marking.

Draft Range: 30-Late

There are parts of Tom’s game that need development, he is far from the finished product, but there is plenty of talent to work with. Get him in an AFL system, improve his marking, improve his tenacity at the contest and he could be a handy tall. Sydney at 33, Collingwood at 38 and Brisbane at 40 will all look at him. Fremantle at 42 will be interested. If he falls to our first pick there is no doubt he will come under consideration.

 

[Macca19]

PADDY DOW

184cm / 78kg

Clubs: Bendigo / Vic Country

Positions: In/Out Mid, Forward Flank

Comparison: Travis Boak, Hugh McCluggage

Stats:

Paddy was named in the All Australian team at the 2017 National Championships after an impressive carnival. He averaged 19 disposals of which 64% were contested, as well as averaging over 5 clearances a game and kicking 3 goals as well. He played just the 3 times for Bendigo this year, averaging 26 disposals and 6 inside 50’s a game.

Gamestyle:

Paddy is a well-balanced mid who excels inside but finds plenty of uncontested football as well. His best work is done at stoppages, where he often gets first possession of the ball. He is tenacious, craves the footy when it hits the deck and often wins it. He has elite lateral movement which allows him to get out of trouble and find space before disposing of the ball. The other major trait of Paddy is his pace. He can often burst out of the stoppage and is hard to catch on the outside. His speed over the first 10m is elite. Where he must improve is his kicking. Whilst not a bad kick, he is prone to the odd clanger and can miss targets on the lead.

Draft Range: 1-3

Paddy looms as a mouth-watering prospect for teams in need of an inside beast to improve their midfield. With his inside ability, his lateral movement, his pace and ability to hit the scoreboard, Paddy is one of the elite talents in this draft and is in contention for pick 1.

 

[Macca19]

ANGUS SCHUMACHER

190cm / 76kg

Clubs: Bendigo / Vic Country

Positions: Back Flank, Wing

Comparison: Jasper Pittard

Stats:

Angus played the last two games of the National Championships, averaging over 13 disposals and 4 marks a game. He was impressive as a go-to option for Bendigo, averaging over 22 disposals and 3.5 rebound50s per game whilst also laying over 4 tackles.

Gamestyle:

Angus is a tall, attacking back flanker who takes the game on and likes to run with the ball. He spoilswell and loves to follow up the ground ball before taking off up the field. He shows good pace, good agility and is also great one on one. He loves to take the game on and create. His long left foot kick is elite and he has one of the best kicks in this years draft. Despite his elite leg, he can make decision making errors which he will need to improve.

Draft Range: 25-50

He must improve his decision making but there is so much AFL potential about the way Angus plays football. Quick, agile, good size, elite kick. He may be a surprise come draft night and sneak into the second round, where someone like GWS and Carlton will be interested. There is a chance he may fall to our picks and would be in consideration.

 

[Macca19]

JORDAN BUTTS

196cm / 81kg

Clubs: Murray / Vic Country

Positions: Key Defender, Key Forward

Comparison: Tom Mcdonald

Stats:

Jordan was a strong performer for Vic Country at the National Championships, averaging 12 disposals and 5 marks a game playing in defence. He was strong for Murray, averaging 17 disposals and 7 marks a game, whilst sneaking forward for 8 goals in his 14 matches.

Gamestyle:

Jordan is a KPP who is capable of playing at either end to a high level. He looks best down back, where he can use his elite reading of the play to zone off and take intercept marks. Defensively he is strong in the air and follows up his work at ground level. Quite quick, he is hard to get separation on, which keeps him in the contest at all times. Up forward he plays well as a high half forward, where his pace and hard running can see him mark in front on a lead. His foot skills are good enough and he is an accurate kick for goal.

Draft Range: 40-Rookie

Jordan sits in the second tier of talls in this years draft and should be draftedfrom the third round onwards. He is good defensively and can play at either ends, shows he can reaed the play and has good skills. If we are looking for another tall and the likes of Taylor, Petty and Clavarino are gone, then Butts should provide something that we can work with in the future.

 

[Macca19]

BEN PATON

185cm / 78kg

Clubs: Murray / Vic Country

Positions: Small Defender, Outside Midfielder

Comparison: Nathan Wilson

Stats:

Ben had a solid top age year for Murray in 2016 averaging 18 disposals a game through the midfield and forward line. He wasn’t drafted and came back to Murray as an over-age player this year and shone down back. He was a star at the Championships, averaging 19 disposals and 4 rebound 50’s a game and was named in the All Australian side. His form for Murray was excellent, averaging nearly 24 disposals and 4.6 rebound 50s a game down back.

Gamestyle:

Ben is an over-age player who was able to successfully transition from a midfielder and forward last year to being a dominant small defender this year. A late birthday meant he was invited back to the Bushrangers this year and has created a potential AFL career with his new role. He is a very quick two-way defender who is capable of playing as both a creative option and also in a shut down role. His 2.95s in the 20m sprint at draft combine is elite and he finished high up in the vertical leap as well, making him a tricky proposition for small forwards. He keeps up on the lead and has good spoiling ability, loves to follow up the ground ball and loves to take the game on. To go with that, Ben is also an excellent kick on both sides of his body, capable of hitting targets on either side and doesn’t go beyond his capabilities.

Draft Range: 25-50

Ben was one of the real success stories of the overage system in the TAC Cup this year. A change of role has given him the best possible chance to live out his AFL dream and the combination of his form and athletic ability will make clubs look at him. He’ll start to come under consideration from the 2nd round, with GWS looking at him to take over from Nathan Wilson. Melbourne at 31 will be a chance, as will Carlton at 30, Melbourne at 31 and Collingwood at 38.

 

[Macca19]

BRENT DANIELS

171cm / 70kg

Clubs: Bendigo / Vic Country

Positions: Out/In Mid, Small Forward

Comparison: Sam Gray

Stats:

Brent was impressive at TAC Cup level for Bendigo this year, averaging over 20 disposals and nearly 2 goals a game. He had a contested possession rate of almost 50% which showed his inside ability to go with nearly 5 clearances and 3 tackles a game. He averaged 13 disposals and kicked 6 goals in 4 games at the Championships, switching from midfield to half forward.

Gamestyle:

Brent is a tough small who can play both through the midfield and up forward. He has impressed this year with his athletic ability as well as his skill level. He recorded an elite 2.95s in the 20m sprint whilst also finishing 3rd in the agility test. He is capable of winning the hard ball inside, before zooming off and delivering skilfully inside 50. He is a goalkicker and slotted a bag of 5 and 4 whilst playing forward in the first two TAC Cup games. He has great confidence, can take the game on and is damaging with the ball.

Draft Range: 40-Late

Whilst very small there is no doubting that Brent is exceptionally talented. His blend of speed and skill should see him find a way onto an AFL list at some point. He will start to be looked at from early in the third round, but due to his lack of height may drop down to the rookie draft where a team will find good value and a player capable of playing plenty of AFL football.

 

[Macca19]

AIDEN DOMIC

185cm / 81kg

Clubs: GWV / Vic Country

Positions: Outside Mid, Wing

Comparison: David Zaharakis, Nick Stevens

Stats:

Aiden was one of the Rebels best performers in the TAC Cup. He averaged over 20 disposals and 4 inside 50s a game whilst also adding 14 goals in his 18 matches. He continued to improve as the season went on.

Gamestyle:

Aiden is an outside midfielder with clinical disposal and great endurance. He loves to receive the ball on the outside and deliver high quality ball inside 50. He is one of the best kicks in this years draft pool. He has the ability to run all day which adds to the quality of his game, especially late in matches. He is by no means quick, getting a 3.1 in the 20m sprint at the combine, but it is offset by his sheer ability to run and present himself. He is a goalscorer and continues to work hard on his deficiencies. He will need to learn the ability to drop the eyes a bit at AFL level and look for shorter options, especially by hand. His inside work needs improvement as well.

Draft Range: 40-Late

Elite kick, elite endurance and a hard worker. He gets the ball, he hits targets and he kicks goals. Teams looking to improve their disposal efficiency and adding some outside class could do worse than Aiden Domic. He will start to come under consideration from the 3rd round and I would expect Port to be looking closely at him due to his endurance and his elite kick.

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

AIDEN DOMIC

185cm / 81kg

Clubs: GWV / Vic Country

Positions: Outside Mid, Wing

Comparison: David Zaharakis, Nick Stevens

Stats:

Aiden was one of the Rebels best performers in the TAC Cup. He averaged over 20 disposals and 4 inside 50s a game whilst also adding 14 goals in his 18 matches. He continued to improve as the season went on.

Gamestyle:

Aiden is an outside midfielder with clinical disposal and great endurance. He loves to receive the ball on the outside and deliver high quality ball inside 50. He is one of the best kicks in this years draft pool. He has the ability to run all day which adds to the quality of his game, especially late in matches. He is by no means quick, getting a 3.1 in the 20m sprint at the combine, but it is offset by his sheer ability to run and present himself. He is a goalscorer and continues to work hard on his deficiencies. He will need to learn the ability to drop the eyes a bit at AFL level and look for shorter options, especially by hand. His inside work needs improvement as well.

Draft Range: 40-Late

Elite kick, elite endurance and a hard worker. He gets the ball, he hits targets and he kicks goals. Teams looking to improve their disposal efficiency and adding some outside class could do worse than Aiden Domic. He will start to come under consideration from the 3rd round and I would expect Port to be looking closely at him due to his endurance and his elite kick.

An elite kick at the Power?

I'd like to to see that.

 

[NoddyHolder]

I like Butts

 

[missionpossible]

http://taccup.com.au/domic-flies-along-indigenous-pathway/