2017 Draft Watch

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

I'm quite bullish on most of the players mentioned in the top 20 but for some reason I have some doubts on Higgins for us and he had an outstanding season.
There is also another 4 or 5 players I mentioned the other day as top '20 disuptors' I'd be happy to consider at pick 16.

For a draft that is given a lot of bad press I think it's a lot deeper than many in the media seem to think.
To me it's a real shame we don't have a pick in the 2nd round.

Who do you suspect could slide from that list? Fogarty at 9 is surely too good to pass on, and our SA recruits recently have been top shelf and there's an 'SA club' with them I think I heard in a club video. A slider like Clark would be too good to be true.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Interesting article of the afl app suggesting Charlie Ballard could be firming as a top 30 pick. His size definitely appeals, but seems he has a bit of work to do to improve his inside work where he should’ve been more dominant at his size. Is that fair?

[Bornadog]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Interesting article of the afl app suggesting Charlie Ballard could be firming as a top 30 pick. His size definitely appeals, but seems he has a bit of work to do to improve his inside work where he should’ve been more dominant at his size. Is that fair?

Late bloomer looms as draft tall order
Callum Twomey November 9, 2017 7:00 AM

SOUTH Australian midfielder Charlie Ballard has flown under the radar for most of the season but is attracting attention as a possible top-30 selection at this month's NAB AFL Draft.

Ballard caught the eye for his state during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, when he averaged 18 disposals across the four games playing on the wing.

But he continued to impress later in the season, playing in Sturt's under-18 premiership and the following week stepping up to feature in its reserves flag win.

At 195cm, Ballard is tall for a midfielder, which appeals to clubs, who believe the 18-year-old will feature in the second round at the draft on November 24.

For his size he is skillful and also swift by foot, running 3.05 seconds over 20m at the draft combine last month.
It hasn't always been the way for Ballard, however, after he grew 15cm in less than two years to transform his game.

Geelong, Greater Western Sydney and St Kilda could all consider Ballard with their second-round selections.

His Sturt teammate Jordan Houlahan also pushed himself into consideration for the first 20 picks on draft night after also playing in his club's under-18 and reserves flags.

Houlahan is a high-flying medium forward who is exciting in the air and dangerous at ground level.
Sydney has been linked as a possible suitor for the 18-year-old, who performed well in the jumps tests at the recent draft combine.

The pair are among four prospects from their state who are considered possible top-30 selections at the draft, alongside potential top-10 pick Darcy Fogarty and defender Harrison Petty.

Petty has also risen up draft boards after an impressive season that saw him win All Australian honours at the under-18 carnival.

[Mantis]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

I'm quite bullish on most of the players mentioned in the top 20 but for some reason I have some doubts on Higgins for us and he had an outstanding season.
There is also another 4 or 5 players I mentioned the other day as top '20 disuptors' I'd be happy to consider at pick 16.

For a draft that is given a lot of bad press I think it's a lot deeper than many in the media seem to think.
To me it's a real shame we don't have a pick in the 2nd round.

How could we have best managed to have one of those?

[Bornadog]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Should we be thinking about another young ruckman?

[Axe Man]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Should we be thinking about another young ruckman?

Pretty much the absolute last thing we need to do with a high pick.

[Murphy'sLore]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

He has the same birthday as Bob Murphy.

Is it creepy that I knew that at first glance?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Wouldn't be comfortable selecting Higgins.

I really hope we can get Clark, although understandably there might be better options at 9.

[soupman]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Should we be thinking about another young ruckman?

Please no more rucks. We have plenty, and I am strongly opposed to using anything in the first two rounds on a ruckman. Even English I wasn't keen to pick up, although I am very excited by his potential.

[Missing Dog]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Should we be thinking about another young ruckman?

Very poor endurance, apparently he was in the bottom few at the combine. Could be a giant flop.

We don't need another ruck on the list anyway IMO.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Very poor endurance, apparently he was in the bottom few at the combine. Could be a giant flop.

We don't need another ruck on the list anyway IMO.

I agree, just putting it out there for discussion.

[Bornadog]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Some interesting players available - maybe one at pick 82 might be of interest? (if they last)

The mature-age WAFL stars that AFL clubs should consider at the 2017 national and rookie drafts

[hujsh]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Not much reason to have 2 developing rucks unless you're not confident in their development (and we seem pretty confident about English) Would be happy for a mature rookie pickup but not a second top 20 pick

[Bornadog]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Footology's assessment of LOCHIE O’BRIEN


They rank him 13 –
Victoria (Bendigo Pioneers)
Wingman/running defender

Born: 18/9/1999
Height: 184cm
Weight: 75kg
Disposals:24
Kicks: 10.9
Handballs: 12.9
Handball efficiency: 63%
Kicking efficiency: 60%
Marks: 3
Tackles: 2.3
Goals: 1

One elite attribute: Kicking Lethal, line-breaking left-footer who struggles for consistency on the contested side of his game.
Best-case comparison: Jack Newnes

WHAT HE’S GOT

Kicking: O’Brien’s left foot is penetrating, precise and his technique looks effortless. Will be an immediate weapon at AFL level.

Decision-making: O’Brien knows how to create drive from half-back. He instinctively lowers his eyes and looks in the middle to create link up opportunities. He doesn’t waste an opportunity to go inside 50.

Speed: Think Andy McGrath.

Tank: O’Brien was a successful runner in international competitions before getting serious about footy. Came second in the two-kilometre time trial at the combine.

WHAT HE LACKS

Contested possessions and tackling: O’Brien has said prior injuries made him a more cautious player this year which undoubtedly affected his contested possession and tackling numbers. He’s under no illusions about this as he gave himself a C+ grade on the year.

Contested marking: O’Brien is capable of a 10-grab game in the AFL but none of them will be contested. He just doesn’t have the strength, style, belief and desire to take tough one-on-one marks.

[divvydan]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

So O'Brien is quite outside and has pretty poor disposal effectiveness both by hand and foot? I know I'm looking at those numbers in the worst possible way.