2017 Draft Watch

[choconmientay]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Dogs lodge list ahead of draft
November 10, 2017 12:18 PM

The Western Bulldogs submitted the Club’s list to the AFL by the Thursday, 9 November deadline in preparation for next month’s NAB AFL Draft.

The draft will be held in Sydney on Friday, November 24 where the Dogs will have picks 9, 16 and 82.

The below list includes Roarke Smith who was delisted on October 31 but the Club has committed to picking up the 21-year-old defender in the 2017 Rookie Draft in November.

Clubs are required to lodge their final list on Wednesday, 29 November at 2pm.

In: Hayden Crozier (Trade), Josh Schache (Trade), Jackson Trengove (Trade)

Out: Matthew Boyd (Retired), Travis Cloke (Retired), Stewart Crameri (Delisted), Declan Hamilton (Delisted), Robert Murphy (Retired), Jake Stringer (Trade), Josh Prudden (Delisted), Roarke Smith (Delisted), Tristan Tweedie (Delisted).

Remaining key dates

Friday 17 November 2pm - Delisted Primary List Draft Nomination Form Lodgement; Non–Retained Rookie Players Draft Nomination Form Lodgement; Players Not Registered or Played for Three years Rookie List Form lodgement; New or Expired (after 3 years) Draft Nomination Form Lodgement, AFL Father-Son Bidding Nominations, Final Draft Nomination Form Lodgement.

Friday 17 November 5pm - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (2) Closes

Friday 24 November - NAB AFL Draft Selection Meeting (Sydney, time and location tbc) including Father/Son & Academy Players Bidding.

Saturday 25 November - AFL Delisted Player Free Agency Period (3) Commences

Sunday 26 November 2pm - AFL Delisted Free Agency Period (3) Concludes

Monday 27 November - AFL Club List Lodgement (3).

Monday 27 November 5pm - NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting (Telstra Webex)

Monday 27 November 5.05pm - Notification of Pre-Selected Rookies if not selected in the Pre-Season Draft.

Monday 27 November 5.10pm - NAB AFL Rookie Draft Selection Meeting (Telstra Webex)

Wednesday 29 November 2pm - Final AFL Club List Lodgement; Final TPP Pre-Season Estimates

[choconmientay]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

What the experts say of top five AFL draft prospects

It’s just over two weeks till the national draft and there’s far from a consensus by experts about who will go at number one.
Andrew McGrath was somewhat of a bolter in 2016 after Will Brodie and Hugh McCluggage dominated conversations throughout the season, but McGrath’s debut season and Rising Star medal would suggest Essendon’s recruiting team made the right call.

Through most of this year Cameron Rayner and Luke Davies-Uniacke have been battling for pole position, but a couple of others are well in the mix and could surprise by being the first name called on November 24.

Sporting News has already made our call on how we think the top 25 will fall on the night, but here are some other draft experts’ views on who the best players are.

We’ve taken opinions from AFL.com.au draft guru Cal Twomey, ESPN’s Christopher Doerre aka ‘Knightmare’, and former AFL player, coach and recruiter Gary Buckenara, as well our own summation to come up with the five most favoured.

While there's some agreement on where the kids sit, there's also a fair bit of variation with Buckenara's number one not making anyone else's top five, and Twomey and Doerre's third pick not featuring till 15 for 'Bucky'.

The numbers by the players’ names are where they are ranked in listing the year’s best, not at what position the journo’s think the kids will be drafted.

Cameron Rayner
Position: Half-forward/midfielder
Height: 187cm, Weight: 88kg, DOB: 21.10.1999
From Western Jets/Vic Metro

Twomey, Ranked One – “Rayner did not test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine due to a nagging knee injury that bugged him a little towards the end of the season. However, his best work had well and truly been done by then, proving to recruiters his unparalleled ability in this year's draft pool to impact a game. After blitzing the under-18 carnival with Vic Metro, he went back to school and TAC Cup level and played some imposing footy. Rayner knows he will need to improve his endurance before being a full-time midfielder, but you know what? That aside, he's a very good half-forward who can win a game for his side. And that's a rare quality.”

Knightmare, ranked Two – “Forward who is aggressive, powerful, explosive and unstoppable one-on-one. As his endurance builds, he is expected to transition more into a midfielder.”

Buckenara, ranked two – “(Rayner) reminds me of watching a young Dustin Martin. He’s a long and penetrating kick on both feet, has a leap to take grabs in the air, is dangerous in attack, quick off the mark and at U18 level he is strong at stoppages. There’s a lot to like about Rayner and I am sure as he gets used to playing against the bigger and stronger bodies at AFL level he could become an elite player.”

Sporting News – “Rayner is considered to be the closest thing to a Dustin Martin clone, and he comes at a tenth of the price they were willing to pay for the original. His main downside is also like the tattooed Tiger's when he first came into the big time – a worry about his endurance – but that’s nothing that a couple of strong pre-seasons can’t fix.”

Luke Davies-Uniacke
Position: Midfielder
Height: 187cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 8.6.1999
From: Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country

Twomey, ranked Two – “The most complete midfielder in the pool enjoyed a very strong finals series for the Dandenong Stingrays. Tall, strong, powerful and able to get the ball going his side's way, Davies-Uniacke is hard to stop when up and going. Can be a little rushed by foot occasionally but it's a small knock on an overall impressive package.”

Knightmare, ranked One - “Dynamic, explosive, ball-winning midfielder who breaks away from contests with his acceleration. A matchup nightmare when he pushes forward, taking advantage of opponents one-on-one.”

Buckenara, ranked Three – “Luke is a tough, composed and hard-working midfielder. Davies-Uniacke is the right size for a modern midfielder and I really like that he’s so competitive, a good kick and has a turn of speed. He is a prospect I can see playing some AFL football in 2018 and with luck, I’m sure he will have a good career.”

Sporting News – “Davies-Uniacke has been hovering in the top few picks most of the year, and reinforced his standing with a super-impressive performance in the TAC Cup finals. An inside midfielder who can do it all he is ready to go, although would most likely do his apprenticeship up forward where he is also extremely impressive.”

Paddy Dow
Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 16.10.1999
From: Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country

Twomey, ranked Three – “(Dow’s) competitive and you can count on him to deliver in big moments. He's quick and can get himself out of trouble. He kicks goals and did it regularly from the midfield this season. And he's consistent. It's hard to think of a game where Dow wasn't one of his side's better players this year, which saw him rise to the top group of prospects available to clubs.

Knightmare, ranked Three – “Complete midfielder who thrives on the hard, contested side of the game. Moves well and possesses clean skills.”

Buckenara, ranked 15 – “Dow has plenty of natural talent with a genuine turn of speed and good goal sense, but he combines that with a strong work ethic. He’s a midfielder with lots of attributes and he had a reasonably consistent carnival for Vic Country without being brilliant. He has a bit of x-factor and is a player to keep an eye on.”

Sporting News – “Dow is a true inside midfielder in the mould of Trent Cotchin – head down, bum up and throwing himself into every contest. Like Cotchin he can sometimes just bang the ball forward out of congested situations, but he’s winning it in the first place and that’s crucial.”

Adam Cerra
Position: Midfielder
Height: 186cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 7.10.1999
From Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

Twomey, ranked Four – “Cerra brings real poise and class to the draft pool. He's also a very tough midfielder who doesn't shy away from big hits in order to win the footy and get it going for his team. He can be trusted with the ball to set up the play. Although he is already rated highly, it would be interesting to see where he fitted in if had a clean run at things over the past two years.”

Knightmare, ranked Four – “Powerful ball winner through the midfield who has class, clean skills and composure. If not for injuries, would be in the conversation for pick No. 1 as arguably this year's best all-around midfielder.”

Buckenara, ranked Six – “(Cerra) is classy by foot, has a big engine, makes good decisions with ball in hand and wins the ball at stoppages. He also doesn’t appear panicked when under pressure. A knee injury limited Cerra last season but he has had a year of consistent performances in 2017, which makes him one of the leading midfielders up for grabs in this year’s draft. He is a powerful player.

Sporting News – “(Cerra’s) an inside mid with quality disposal ready to step straight in and make a difference. His only knock is a lack of acceleration but he more than makes up for it with a quick mind and a massive work ethic.”

Darcy Fogarty
Position: Half-forward/midfielder
Height: 192cm, Weight: 92kg, DOB: 25.9.1999
From Glenelg/South Australia

Twomey, ranked Seven – “Fogarty has played his best footy as a marking forward who can push, bump or bulldoze past opponents to make the ball his. He has sticky hands on the lead and is a long and penetrating right-foot kick. Fogarty didn't have the sort of influence he would have liked throughout this season, but remains a top-end talent.”

Knightmare, ranked Six – “Powerful and athletic utility with clean skills. If not for an injury riddled 2017, may have been in the pick No. 1 conversation.”

Buckenara, ranked One – “Fogarty is a tough, physical and imposing type when up and going. He’s a great mark and a damaging kick and is big enough to play as a leading target in attack and I believe he has a huge upside and for a club in need of a future third tall forward or possibly a defender. I’ve got him rated as No.1 because he’s so flexible in that he can play forward but also play a role down back. I don’t think he’ll go No.1 but I would put him there because I think he’s a class player and will be a star.”

Sporting News – “Fogarty’s an adaptable player who can ‘play big’ in a key position if needed but is more likely to be a tall and strong-bodied midfielder if he can get his endurance up. Matches missed through a knee injury this year saw him slide back a bit in recruiters’ minds.”

[choconmientay]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

AFL DRAFT CENTRAL
AFL Draft whispers – November 2017, November 12, 2017 by Staff Writers

Every other teams ... here

Few new names linked to us?! ...

WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Western Bulldogs are a club who have Nathan Murphy right in their eyeline. With Pick 9 and 16 – they will get a good crack at two players. Ed Richards has some speed and a nice left foot kick and they could grab him at Pick 16. They’ve also been linked with Gippsland Power duo Matthew McGannon and Callum Porter as possible rookie picks. Lachlan Fogarty is a likely name at Pick 16 too. Whispers about the Bulldogs bidding on Richmond father-son Patrick Naish appear to be dying.

—

As for who has an invite to the draft? Our sources suggest there are 19 players that will be attending in Sydney at this stage.

Oscar Allen
Aiden Bonar
Jarrod Brander
Andrew Brayshaw
Adam Cerra
Hunter Clark
Nicholas Coffield
Luke Davies-Uniacke
Paddy Dow
Darcy Fogarty
Lachlan Fogarty
Jack Higgins
Nathan Murphy
Patrick Naish
Aaron Naughton
Cameron Rayner
Ed Richards
Nicholas Shipley
Jaidyn Stephenson

[Go_Dogs]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

No surprise to see a few of the players who are coming in hot being linked to us.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

I think those two make some sense for us. Plenty of upside, have pace, skills and athletic ability plus they play the game in the right manner.

[jazzadogs]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Does getting an invite mean that clubs have suggested you as a potential top 10 pick? It's only the top 10 that get officially presented isn't it?

Nicholas Shipley is the only name on that list that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere, but looks like he's a GWS academy selection. Is he being invited as a potential early selection or just because he's GWS academy and the draft is in Sydney?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

I think those two make some sense for us. Plenty of upside, have pace, skills and athletic ability plus they play the game in the right manner.

Who are firming as your top 3 for each pick GVG?

Coffield or Clark at 9 would please me and I like Richards at 16.

I see the appeal in Murphy but I have a few before him and think he'll be gone before 16.

[Missing Dog]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Does getting an invite mean that clubs have suggested you as a potential top 10 pick? It's only the top 10 that get officially presented isn't it?

Nicholas Shipley is the only name on that list that I haven't seen mentioned anywhere, but looks like he's a GWS academy selection. Is he being invited as a potential early selection or just because he's GWS academy and the draft is in Sydney?

Yep, that's correct. However there seems to be always one that slides like Josh Battle last year.

On Shipley, I don't have him in top 10 contention myself. I think for someone that's seen primarily as an inside mid, he fumbles too much and is still a bit raw. I'm not sure why he got an invite, maybe he's better than I thought.

[choconmientay]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

FOXSports November Phantom Draft update, November 14, 2017 6:00am, Riley Beveridge


They still have us getting NICK COFFIELD at 9 and now NATHAN MURPHY at 16.

Top 10:
PICK 1: BRISBANE — CAM RAYNER
PICK 2: FREMANTLE — LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE
PICK 3: CARLTON — PADDY DOW
PICK 4: NORTH MELBOURNE — JAIDYN STEPHENSON
PICK 5: FREMANTLE — ANDREW BRAYSHAW
PICK 6: COLLINGWOOD — AARON NAUGHTON
PICK 7: ST KILDA — ADAM CERRA
PICK 8: ST KILDA — AIDEN BONAR
PICK 9: WESTERN BULLDOGS — NICK COFFIELD
PICK 10: CARLTON — DARCY FOGARTY

Compared to BT's WDRT:

Pick 1 - LDU (Obtained 50% of WDRT vote of the poll of 5 options)
Pick 2 - Rayner (Obtained 64% of WDRT vote of the poll of 5 options)
Pick 3 - Dow (Obtained 71% of WDRT vote on the poll of 5 options)
Pick 4 - Stephenson (Obtained 82% of WDRT vote on the poll of 5 options)
Pick 5 - Brayshaw (Obtained 50% of WDRT vote on the poll of 5 options)
Pick 6 - Fogarty (Obtained 58% of WDRT vote on the poll of 5 options)
Pick 7 - Cerra (Obtained 66% of WDRT vote on the poll of 5 options)

[choconmientay]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

ESPN November update:

Knightmare's November phantom draft
13 Nov, 2017

His ranking varied from Sept to Oct and now in November. I copy as pasted the ranking for the past 3 months for comparison

1 Brisbane - Paddy Dow
Height, Weight: 185cm, 78kg
Summary Profile: Complete midfielder who thrives on the hard, contested side of the game. Moves well and possesses clean skills.

2 Fremantle - Luke Davies-Uniacke
Height, Weight: 187cm, 85kg
Summary Profile: Dynamic, explosive, ball-winning midfielder who breaks away from contests with his acceleration. A match-up nightmare when he pushes forward, taking advantage of opponents one-on-one.

3 Carlton - Cameron Rayner
Height, Weight: 187cm, 88kg
Summary Profile: Forward who is aggressive, powerful, explosive and seemingly unstoppable one-on-one. With time as endurance builds, he is expected to transition more into a midfielder.

4 North Melbourne - Darcy Fogarty
Height, Weight: 192cm, 95kg
Summary Profile: Powerful, but athletic utility with clean skills. If not for an injury-riddled 2017 he might be in the pick one conversation.

5 Fremantle - Adam Cerra
Height, Weight: 186cm, 85kg
Summary Profile: Powerful ball winner through the midfield who possesses class, clean skills and composure. If not for injuries, would be in the conversation for pick one as he is arguably this year's best all-around midfielder.

6 Collingwood - Aaron Naughton
Height, Weight: 194cm, 85kg
Summary Profile: Ready-to-go key defender who takes intercept marks, wins one-on-one contests, and possesses athleticism. WAFL League form though his last seven matches will give recruiters confidence to take early.

7 St Kilda - Andrew Brayshaw
Height, Weight: 184cm, 82kg
Summary Profile: Brother of Melbourne's Angus Brayshaw, Andrew is a complete midfielder suited to playing both inside and outside roles. Impressed at the draft combine with his endurance testing.

8 St Kilda - Jaidyn Stephenson
Height, Weight: 189cm, 76kg
Summary Profile: Athletic midfielder who provides outside run and an aerial target up forward. The bigger the stage, the better he performs.

9. Western Bulldogs - Nick Coffield
Height, Weight: 191cm, 83kg
Summary Profile: Evasive, classy and composed defender. Has the scope to develop into a midfielder over time.

10 Carlton - Aiden Bonar
Height, Weight: 189cm, 89kg
Summary Profile: Injury plagued, but powerful and athletic prospect. Likely starts as a forward and develops into a midfielder as his endurance improves.


October

http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/20952212/knightmare-afl-draft-power-rankings-october-rayner-maintains-ranking-dominance

1. Cameron Rayner (VIC)
2. Luke Davies-Uniacke (VIC)
3. Adam Cerra (VIC)
4. Paddy Dow (VIC)
5. Noah Balta (VIC)
6. Darcy Fogarty (SA)
7. Jaidyn Stephenson (VIC)
8. Jack Higgins (VIC)
9. Hunter Clark (VIC)
10. Andrew Brayshaw (VIC)

September

http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/20567316/knightmare-afl-draft-power-rankings-september-andrew-brayshaw-surges

1. Cameron Rayner (VIC)
2. Paddy Dow (VIC)
3. Adam Cerra (VIC)
4. Luke Davies-Uniacke (VIC)
5. Noah Balta (VIC)
6. Darcy Fogarty (SA)
7. Jarrod Brander (VIC)
8. Andrew Brayshaw (VIC)
9. Connor Ballenden (QLD - Brisbane Academy)
10. Brayden Crossley (QLD - Gold Coast Academy)

[bulldogtragic]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

The WOOF Draft Recruiting Team is going pretty well so far, compared to that Phantom from Fox.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Who are firming as your top 3 for each pick GVG?

Coffield or Clark at 9 would please me and I like Richards at 16.

I see the appeal in Murphy but I have a few before him and think he'll be gone before 16.

Ruling out some players just because I think they will go early and just some pure speculation I'd have (in no order) Murphy and Coffield at 9 and Houlahan, Constable, Richards and Bonar at 16.

I need to give this some more thought and obviously if players slide it changes things. It's going to be exciting times and we could go with someone right off the radar.

[divvydan]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

Posting whole article as it'll go behind paywall.

"AFL draft prospect Jaidyn Stephenson shouldn’t be overlooked due to heart condition, says manager"

SAM LANDSBERGER, Herald Sun


AFL CLUBS have been urged not to overlook one of the country’s hottest draft prospects because of the recent revelation he has a heart condition. Ferntree Gully boy Jaidyn Stephenson’s manager said medical experts had cleared the line-breaking midfielder fit to be taken in next Friday’s AFL draft.

The Eastern Ranges star has long been considered a top-10 selection with North Melbourne (pick No.4), Fremantle (No.5), Collingwood (No.6) and St Kilda (No.7 and 8) circling. While Stephenson, 18, could still be taken with a prized selection, his draft ranking is suddenly unclear.


Stephenson was best-afield in the AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser and booted five goals from 28 disposals as Vic Metro smashed South Australia on Etihad Stadium this year. The speedster’s manager, Robbie D’Orazio, said he was at “no more risk than any other player” in this year’s draft.

“We’ve left this to the medical experts, and the doctors that Jaidyn’s been working with on this have said there is no issue,” D’Orazio said. “Whatever club picks Jaidyn will have a player that will play for a long time. He’s an outstanding character and winner of the AFL Life Members Scholarship. “The clubs that don’t pick him because of this will regret it, because he’s going to play for a long time.”


Champion Data ranks the X-factor player No.3 in this year’s draft, ahead of dux fancies Luke Davies-Uniacke and Paddy Dow. The young leader excelled at draft combine testing last month and impressed the Kangaroos when he trained at Arden St earlier this year.

The Herald Sun knows of clubs that will now pass on Stephenson. They deem the potential emotional and liability risks too great. “It’s serious,” one chief recruiter said. “We haven’t made a final call, but it’s a big worry. But every club will view it differently, and that’s important. It’s certainly very well-known.”


Stephenson has been reviewed by multiple cardiologists. Some reports have been sent to the AFL under standard draft protocols. Most clubs learned about Stephenson’s heart issue in early October.

Stephenson finished his Year 12 exams on Tuesday and will now recommence meeting with AFL clubs. Stephenson averaged 30 disposals in the last five TAC Cup games and averaged 117 SuperCoach points for Eastern this year.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-draft-prospect-jaidyn-stephenson-shouldnt-be-overlooked-due-to-heart-condition-says-manager/news-story/3c26b236be04a65e79b8462ae18b8133

[GVGjr]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

It wouldn't scare me off selecting him

[SlimPickens]

Re: 2017 Draft Watch

It wouldn't scare me off selecting him

Soft tissue injuries are our issue, cardiac ones should be fine.