Draft Profile Lukas Webb - 2014 Draft Prospect

[Chris25]

Lukas Webb
Height: 186cm
Weight: 80kg
From: Gippsland Power, Vic Country
Position: Midfielder, Forward​

It's not very often you can call a Victorian draft prospect underrated and actually mean it. Usually they are all talked up as being the best of the best, but maybe that's just Vic Metro players. Because Vic Country's Lukas Webb is getting next to no attention (other than from LemmingMaster) and that seems a big oversight to me. I even saw him being called a late round rookie pick just yesterday. But in all fairness, he didn't come into the season with a massive profile. He was looking good in his U16 days, but perhaps didn't light the world on fire as a 17 year old last year in the TAC Cup. But he looks to be back to that U16 form this year, and it might be time for some draft watchers to have a little rethink.

As I said, coming from some good U16 form, his 2013 season may have been seen as a slight disappointment. He played the 8 games in the TAC Cup, but they were probably split about 50/50 in terms of good and average performances. Even this year, I wouldn't say he has been consistently one of Gippsland's best players in the TAC Cup. But he has shown some good signs and some definitely draftable traits. And Webb is averaging around 17 touches from his 5 games, playing both through the midfield and across half forward. But in what I would argue is a good sign, Webb stepped up and probably played some of his best football for the year in the U18 Championships. He wasn't a massive ball winner, again only averaging around 16 disposals a match. But he showed a good mix in those games. In the first two matches, over half of Webb's 29 disposals were contested and he won 7 clearances. While in the next three matches, Webb took 13 marks and kicked 6 goals as more of a forward. And his best game came in the final match of the Championships - 16 disposals, 4 goals, 2 assists and 6 marks at 88% efficiency. Doing that in a televised match was perfect timing, and it showed exactly what he offers as a player.

Again, like so many others, Webb has that size that so many teams are looking for these days. A 186cm+ player with the versatility to play multiple positions is valuable to any team, and it's the sort of thing that will get you at least mentioned in draft talk before you even play a game. But luckily for Webb, he can actually play football too. He has a lovely left boot on him, particularly going forward and hitting up his leading forwards. But I suppose it is still a little inconsistent, because the difference between his last two matches at the Championships was noticeable. When he is on his game though, it is very good. Otherwise, I like the fact that he was able to step up his game when the level of opposition improved. Yes, you'd like him to be dominating in the TAC Cup every week, but it's still a positive that he gets up for the big games. I also just like the way he plays as a half forward, he has a bit of a presence to him in his attack on the ball.

One of the main determinants when it comes to his draft stock, will be just what position teams see him as playing. Midfielder or flanker? And at this stage, I think he will drop just a little as clubs see him more as a flanker. He has shown good signs in the midfield, but hasn't really had that one massive game which makes you really take notice. And for someone with his size, I'd like to see him impact the stoppages more than he does. His tackling game can stand to improve, and just in general I wouldn't say Webb is the hardest running player out there. He does seem to rather either getting the ball out to the runners, or have the ball delivered to him up forward. As for his goal kicking, I don't think it's a big issue - but, he has only converted on 3 out of his 10 shots on goal in the TAC Cup. Change that to 7 or 8 goals though and suddenly his season is looking a lot better.

So, is Webb underrated? I think so. But that doesn't make him a first round prospect or anything. He reminds me a bit of Brodie Murdoch from St Kilda. Pretty similar sized, and both can play through the midfield or at either end of the ground. And again, both can have an impact with their disposal with limited possessions. Murdoch was drafted at #40 in 2012, and I would imagine that is about the middle of Webb's draft range.

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[LemmingMaster]

No more talking about Webb please, I've been tempted to pump up his tyres but I wanted to see if anyone else would place him in their mock drafts. In saying that it is nice to see someone else have similar thoughts to yourself, it really tests your thoughts on a player when nobody else is talking about a player you feel is worth talking about.

 

[GreatSouthWest]

Webb is my favorite mid range draftee this year. Love his skills, just question his drifting as you've elued too.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

No more talking about Webb please, I've been tempted to pump up his tyres but I wanted to see if anyone else would place him in their mock drafts. In saying that it is nice to see someone else have similar thoughts to yourself, it really tests your thoughts on a player when nobody else is talking about a player you feel is worth talking about.

Training with Carlton now. Will we or won't we?

Must say I liked him in his draft year and was hoping we'd pick him up. Injury plagued career to date. Is he free small forward insurance?

 

[Virgin Dog]

Training with Carlton now. Will we or won't we?

Must say I liked him in his draft year and was hoping we'd pick him up. Injury plagued career to date. Is he free small forward insurance?

He's a midfielder/halfback. Hasn't shown much up forward

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

He's a midfielder/halfback. Hasn't shown much up forward

He was considered a forward flanker and potential midfielder as a junior.

 

[Virgin Dog]

He was considered a forward flanker and potential midfielder as a junior.

Yeah just hasn't done much up forward in the last 5 years. Played mostly midfield at state level, and has been tried out at halfback and midfield at AFL level. I think he could make a decent forward with the right coaching, with his main weakness being that he probably lacks the high level of mobility required to be a successful forward flanker. He's a very good kick and great overhead which could help though

 

[La Dispute]

Seems exactly the sort of player SOS likes to be bring in via the rookie draft, occupy a list spot for a year and then be let go.

I’d rather we look at untried players tbh.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Yeah just hasn't done much up forward in the last 5 years. Played mostly midfield at state level, and has been tried out at halfback and midfield at AFL level. I think he could make a decent forward with the right coaching, with his main weakness being that he probably lacks the high level of mobility required to be a successful forward flanker. He's a very good kick and great overhead which could help though

I'd hope it is a lack of continuity due to injury the last couple of years.

2015
9 VFL games, 3 times in bests, 7 goals (10 AFL games)

2016
15 VFL games, 11 times in bests, 11 goals (5 AFL games)

2017
15 VFL games, 10 times in bests, 17 goals (4 AFL games)

2018
6 VFL games, 4 times in bests, 2 goals (5 AFL games)

2019
13 VFL games, 5 times in bests, 10 goals (0 AFL games)

Seemed to look promising in his first 3 seasons and was looks to have been playing forward a bit looking at the goals tally, but I don't know whether those goals came from up forward or the midfield.

 

[Virgin Dog]

I'd hope it is a lack of continuity due to injury the last couple of years.

2015
9 VFL games, 3 times in bests, 7 goals (10 AFL games)

2016
15 VFL games, 11 times in bests, 11 goals (5 AFL games)

2017
15 VFL games, 10 times in bests, 17 goals (4 AFL games)

2018
6 VFL games, 4 times in bests, 2 goals (5 AFL games)

2019
13 VFL games, 5 times in bests, 10 goals (0 AFL games)

Seemed to look promising in his first 3 seasons and was looks to have been playing forward a bit looking at the goals tally, but I don't know whether those goals came from up forward or the midfield.

From what I've seen, most of the goals are from the midfield. He is quite dominant at VFL level, but has had 3 major injuries (broken thumb, broken neck, broken leg) that have interrupted his career at various stages. Could still be a decent forward I'm sure - he's quite versatile and has the skillset to play back, middle or forward

 

[LemmingMaster]

Training with Carlton now. Will we or won't we?

Must say I liked him in his draft year and was hoping we'd pick him up. Injury plagued career to date. Is he free small forward insurance?

I was a big fan during his draft year and he certainly has some good footskills, certainly would not be the worst rookie selection for the coming year.
Injuries have ruined his AFL life, but I liked his AFL glimpses so a better chance than many other late round options.