Chris25
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- Oct 30, 2007
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It's never too early for a draft thread, is it? 
I was going to post this in the Key Forwards thread, but since they are all draft prospects, I figured a brand new thread was in order. Generally, the whole KPP picture doesn't truly become clear until after the U18 Championships which is when a lot of players really step up - so this is a fairly premature list. But it's a start....
Tom Boyd - 199cm, 102kg (Eastern Ranges)
Don't bother. You'll only end up getting hurt.
Darcy Hourigan - 192cm, 92kg (South Adelaide)
He has been one of my favourites for some time now, he has already impacted at senior and reserves level in the SANFL. He is similar to Darling in his style - physical, good strong hands and a big kick. Although I think he is slightly better playing as a deep forward than Darling is. I'd have him around the 15-20 mark at this stage.
Cameron Conlon - 198cm, 87kg (Northern Knights)
Outside of Boyd, Conlon is probably the best known tall prospect. Unfortunately, being the tallest player in the Knights squad means he plays in the ruck far more often than he should. He is a more than capable athletic ruckman like big Zac, but is a better forward when he gets the chance to show it. Still needs to put some dominating performances on the board though.
Cain Tickner - 194cm, 89kg (Brisbane)
One of the most intersting options, he is an AIS member and part of the Brisbane Lions Academy. This year, the Academy players are bid on just like father son selections. So, the opportunity is there. He played down back for the AIS team during their European tour, and can even play through the midfield. Another player with strong hands, which is why I would move him forward - a position he has played before. Not quite the same high flyer, but he is a little McPharlin like.
They're the players I'd be looking at in the first couple of rounds, and no doubt more will join them as the year goes. As for some names to watch, and who at this stage would be later options....
Mitch Harvey - 196cm, 104kg (North Adelaide)
Anyone who has set foot in the Drafts & Trading board will know I like him. As you would expect of someone his size, he is dominating the U18s with 20 goals in 4 games. And he bagged a few in the reserves last year too. Couple of weeks ago he showed he could run further up the ground too. Still has some way to go, but has enough of the tools to suggest he is more than just a big body playing against smaller opponents.
Fraser Fort - 196cm, 84kg (Geelong)
Last year, Fort played mainly down back but he has gone forward this year and is doing quite nicely. He is presenting nicely on the lead is able to pull in the contested marks too. His 20 year old brother is 203cm too, so maybe has some growing still to come. Just needs to learn how to kick, as he has 10.10 this year.
Alex Pearce - 197cm, 82kg (Tasmania)
I'm always a little unsure about the Tasmanians, and this will definitely be a case of waiting for the Championships to really see where he is at. But Pearce is reasonably athletic, and has shown the ability to play all over the ground. He has been earmarked to play at CHF for Tasmania this year though. Still reasonably new and his kicking needs a little work, but he has shown development already this season.
Michael Apeness - 199cm, 101kg (Eastern Ranges)
Big strong lump of a kid is Apeness, he'd be a project likely to be taken in the rookie draft I would imagine. He got a chance to play at full forward at the start of the season as Boyd was away, and he put in a couple of really strong performances - his contested marking really being the highlight. Will probably play more down back and through the ruck as the season goes on.
Tom Langford - 191cm, 88kg (North Adelaide)
I'm just going to keep mentioning Langford until he gets drafted. It worked for Tom Lee, and I view Langford as a similar player. 21 year old who has settled into the Roosters league side, and has kicked 10 goals in 5 games this season. He is a mobile CHF type with a huge engine. Gets space on his opponents, marks in front of his body and makes good decisions with the ball in hand.
I was going to post this in the Key Forwards thread, but since they are all draft prospects, I figured a brand new thread was in order. Generally, the whole KPP picture doesn't truly become clear until after the U18 Championships which is when a lot of players really step up - so this is a fairly premature list. But it's a start....
Tom Boyd - 199cm, 102kg (Eastern Ranges)
Don't bother. You'll only end up getting hurt.
Darcy Hourigan - 192cm, 92kg (South Adelaide)
He has been one of my favourites for some time now, he has already impacted at senior and reserves level in the SANFL. He is similar to Darling in his style - physical, good strong hands and a big kick. Although I think he is slightly better playing as a deep forward than Darling is. I'd have him around the 15-20 mark at this stage.
Cameron Conlon - 198cm, 87kg (Northern Knights)
Outside of Boyd, Conlon is probably the best known tall prospect. Unfortunately, being the tallest player in the Knights squad means he plays in the ruck far more often than he should. He is a more than capable athletic ruckman like big Zac, but is a better forward when he gets the chance to show it. Still needs to put some dominating performances on the board though.
Cain Tickner - 194cm, 89kg (Brisbane)
One of the most intersting options, he is an AIS member and part of the Brisbane Lions Academy. This year, the Academy players are bid on just like father son selections. So, the opportunity is there. He played down back for the AIS team during their European tour, and can even play through the midfield. Another player with strong hands, which is why I would move him forward - a position he has played before. Not quite the same high flyer, but he is a little McPharlin like.
They're the players I'd be looking at in the first couple of rounds, and no doubt more will join them as the year goes. As for some names to watch, and who at this stage would be later options....
Mitch Harvey - 196cm, 104kg (North Adelaide)
Anyone who has set foot in the Drafts & Trading board will know I like him. As you would expect of someone his size, he is dominating the U18s with 20 goals in 4 games. And he bagged a few in the reserves last year too. Couple of weeks ago he showed he could run further up the ground too. Still has some way to go, but has enough of the tools to suggest he is more than just a big body playing against smaller opponents.
Fraser Fort - 196cm, 84kg (Geelong)
Last year, Fort played mainly down back but he has gone forward this year and is doing quite nicely. He is presenting nicely on the lead is able to pull in the contested marks too. His 20 year old brother is 203cm too, so maybe has some growing still to come. Just needs to learn how to kick, as he has 10.10 this year.
Alex Pearce - 197cm, 82kg (Tasmania)
I'm always a little unsure about the Tasmanians, and this will definitely be a case of waiting for the Championships to really see where he is at. But Pearce is reasonably athletic, and has shown the ability to play all over the ground. He has been earmarked to play at CHF for Tasmania this year though. Still reasonably new and his kicking needs a little work, but he has shown development already this season.
Michael Apeness - 199cm, 101kg (Eastern Ranges)
Big strong lump of a kid is Apeness, he'd be a project likely to be taken in the rookie draft I would imagine. He got a chance to play at full forward at the start of the season as Boyd was away, and he put in a couple of really strong performances - his contested marking really being the highlight. Will probably play more down back and through the ruck as the season goes on.
Tom Langford - 191cm, 88kg (North Adelaide)
I'm just going to keep mentioning Langford until he gets drafted. It worked for Tom Lee, and I view Langford as a similar player. 21 year old who has settled into the Roosters league side, and has kicked 10 goals in 5 games this season. He is a mobile CHF type with a huge engine. Gets space on his opponents, marks in front of his body and makes good decisions with the ball in hand.
