WOOF Phantom Drafts

[Go_Dogs]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

Wow! Fair call I didn't realise that. Still back Higgins to go a lot earlier than 35 in the Rookie Draft and to play a lot more games than Hooper did.

I thought you were being ironic when I read your initial post.

I don't mind Higgins at 16, but at his size the pace concerns are something we need to be mindful of. He's proven he can be effective as a goal kicker, but will he add enough defensive pressure? Do we need another small who fits better as a 60/40 midfielder because his lack of pace isn't as exposed up the ground?

Shaping up as a very important yet incredibly open draft for us.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

I've just flicked through the same phantom drafts, updated this week though, every one I looked up had us taking Coffield at pick 9. Balta gets mentioned at 16 a bit too.

Knightmare (ESPN) says:

9. Western Bulldogs - Nick Coffield
Height, Weight: 190cm, 83kg
Summary Profile: Evasive, classy and composed defender. Has the scope to develop into a midfielder over time.

16 Western Bulldogs - Noah Balta
Height, Weight: 194cm, 92kg
Summary Profile: Freakishly athletic key position player. Breaks the lines, possesses rare cleanness at ground level and is a strong mark who will take front position in the contest.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

From afl.com.au today

EVERY draft has a bolter – a prospect who comes from nowhere to be selected in the early rounds.

But the story of one of year's outsiders has a twist, as he's gone from being a key forward prospect to one of the talent pool's best key defenders – and his name is Balta. Noah Balta.

The Calder Cannons product with Croatian heritage played in attack right throughout junior football, but now he's likely to be selected in the first round of the NAB AFL Draft on the form he's shown down back.

"The clubs view me as a backman, they say backman straight away," Balta told AFL.com.au.

"I've played forward and ruck for most of my junior career, but I've enjoyed my time down back."

While he was good enough to earn a spot in the AFL Academy on the back of his work in attack, Vic Metro coach Marty Allison tried the 18-year-old down back during the U18 championships with promising results.

Renowned for his dash and athleticism, Balta ran with the idea.

"Marty told me he likes to put his best attacking players in defence, and his best defensive players in the forward line, so it's worked out well for me," he said.

"Then I started to play more in defence with the Cannons later in the season, and I learnt more about positioning and the players I was playing on.

"The recruiters can now see that I'm coachable, and wherever play on the ground, I'll give 100 per cent."

AFL national talent football manager Michael Ablett says the 194cm Balta has an exciting mix of athleticism and upside that will have him firmly on recruiters' radars.

At the National Combine, an impressive time of 8.38 in the agility testing was followed up by strong result of 6.50 in the 2km time trial.

"He's got great versatility in that he can play both ends of the ground, where his athleticism allows him to play on both talls and smalls," Ablett said.

"He's got some work to do on his decision making when he does counter attack, because he sometimes bites off more than he chew.

"He's not a big watcher of footy and doesn't study the game, so that's another area of the game he needs to improve.

"But the pleasing thing from athletic perspective there is plenty to work with."

With the draft quickly approaching, Balta says he's left little in the tank in his efforts to be selected on November 24 in Sydney, and is taking a philosophical approach to achieving his dream.

"I've got a mix of excitement and nerves ahead of the draft, but you've got to take life as it comes," he said.

"If I'm not good enough, I'm not good enough, because I know I've given it my best."

[bulldogtragic]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

Twomey just put out his end of October Phantom Form Guide:

9. Hunter Clark (10. Coffield 11. Brander 12. Naughton 13. Naish 14. Hayes 15. Constable)

POS: Half-back/midfielder, Ht 186cm, Wt 79kg, DOB 26/3/1999
From Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
September ranking: 13

Because he has been seen as one of the top prospects in this year's group for a couple of years, Clark's season has been a little underrated. But his performances in the second half of the year, in particular, should not go unnoticed. He transitioned from playing as a half-back to a tough, strong willed midfielder who can get the ball out and dominate games. He completed his TAC Cup season averaging 27 disposals (half contested), six inside-50s and six clearances. He can use the ball well on both feet and is very courageous. Teammates are fond of Clark because of the way he attacks the game.

16. Lachie O'Brien (17. Richards 18. Allen 19. Bonar)

POS: Midfielder, Ht 184cm, Wt 75kg, DOB 18/9/1999
From Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
September ranking: 16

If anyone needed any reminding of O'Brien's running power, he put it on display on the final morning of the Combine. O'Brien ran the 2km time trial in 6:12 minutes, seeing him finish second overall and in elite company near the six-minute mark. O'Brien finished his season strongly with 21 disposals and a goal in the NAB All Stars clash on Grand Final morning, and it was good to see his running, attacking style combine with his dangerous left-foot kicking.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-30/cal-twomeys-phantom-form-guide-october-edition

[bulldogtragic]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

Both sound like we'd be addressing foot skills. They don't say pacey, but having players who could kick it very well to Boyd & Schache might be nice.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

Both sound like we'd be addressing foot skills. They don't say pacey, but having players who could kick it very well to Boyd & Schache might be nice.

They'd both be good options for us.

[choconmientay]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

Not sure how credible this site (SportingNews) is but they got us taking Hunter Clark at 9 and Joel Garner at 16.

Coffield, Brander, D Fogarty, Naughton are still available at pick 9 ...

9. Western Bulldogs: Hunter Clark (VIC)

Midfielder
Height: 186cm
Weight: 79kg
From: Dandenong Stingrays

Clark is unlikely to become the best player from the class of 2017, but he’ll give the Bulldogs guaranteed value with their pick if they take him here.

Everything he does, he does well. Running, tackling and disposal are all backed up by a great work ethic and desire to give his best not just every game, but at every contest.


16. Western Bulldogs: Joel Garner (VIC)

Midfielder, defender
Height: 184cm
Weight: 83kg
From: Eastern Ranges

Garner has been rated higher through the season but others have overtaken him as he had a so-so year.

He has what it takes to be a top-flight midfielder in time but may be better suited as a creative defender, something the Dogs will be searching for after the retirements of Matthew Boyd and Bob Murphy, and with Dale Morris’ use-by date in sight.

Another crucial factor he brings is a real leadership quality, another thing the Bulldogs have lost a bit of in the past year or so.

[GVGjr]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

I've got Garner outside of the top 20 but he is a quality player and he's certainly not out of place in top 20 discussions.

[jazzadogs]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

Is anyone else a bit annoyed by the continued suggestion that we need rebounding defenders? Boyd wasn't getting a game at the end of the year and with Williams, Biggs, Webb, JJ, Crozier, Roarke +/- Suckling and Lynch I don't see it as an area of need and think it's lazy reporting.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

Is anyone else a bit annoyed by the continued suggestion that we need rebounding defenders? Boyd wasn't getting a game at the end of the year and with Williams, Biggs, Webb, JJ, Crozier, Roarke +/- Suckling and Lynch I don't see it as an area of need and think it's lazy reporting.

I agree. We have this in spades. what we need is a creative, pacy, goal kicking midfielder - think Cooney/Martin/Judd - that's what I would be looking for at pick 9

[choconmientay]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

I've got Garner outside of the top 20 but he is a quality player and he's certainly not out of place in top 20 discussions.

FoxSports is running an article about him and big praises for his character. Would fit in with our No-Dickheads policy.

“Eastern Ranges talent manager Len Villani has high hopes for the draft prospect.

“I always say that if Joel doesn’t make it as a footballer, he could be the first indigenous prime minister of Australia,”

[Hotdog60]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

FoxSports is running an article about him and big praises for his character. Would fit in with our No-Dickheads policy.

“I always say that if Joel doesn’t make it as a footballer, he could be the first indigenous prime minister of Australia,”

Saying he'll be a pollie if he doesn't make it as a footballer destroys any credibility straight away doesn't it.

[choconmientay]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

Saying he'll be a pollie if he doesn't make it as a footballer destroys any credibility straight away doesn't it.

You read too much between the lines

GVGjr said he is worth around top 20 this year and that probably good enough to me

[Bulldog Revolution]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

Both sound like we'd be addressing foot skills. They don't say pacey, but having players who could kick it very well to Boyd & Schache might be nice.

OBrien looks all run, carry and left footed precision

Clark is an incredibly good kick on both feet - and looks tough and dashing

Both would add drive and set up by foot

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: WOOF Phantom Drafts

When you start looking at the pool of players it’s laughable that this is touted as a weak draft.

Plenty of good options will be available past pick 20.