GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

[kruder]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

No chance Stephenson last to us playing a nice game indeed in the U-18 all stars, would love a guy in our side with his speed. Any one know anything about Aiden Bonar? He is done 2 ACL's but the kid has A grade talent great speed nice kick powerfully built.

[The Doctor]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Great work GD. I have Stephenson top 2 & Clavarino in my top 10 and Crossley hovering!

[Scraggers]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Thanks GD ... looking forward to the rest of your analysis

[divvydan]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Is Cam Raynor really going to be number #1?

Everything I have seen is of him pushing smaller kids out of the way...just seems like a classic early developer to me.

Is that harsh? I don't see as much as the 18's as I once did (funny that) but he just doesn't strike me as someone who will be a classy mid vs senior competition.

(Then again, I didn't think Sam Powell-Pepper was going to do much and he was pretty useful).

There certainly is some of that but given his age (turns 18 mid Oct) I don't think it's seen as a cause for concern in terms of him stepping up against senior competition. Ideally he would've played some VFL or other senior football to be able to determine that one way or the other, something I like about the SA and WA models. I think he goes top 3 in the end but maybe not #1. Really needs to improve his endurance though if he's not going to get stuck as a medium forward at AFL level.

[mjp]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

I think he goes top 3 in the end but maybe not #1. Really needs to improve his endurance though if he's not going to get stuck as a medium forward at AFL level.

How does he go as top #3 if he projects as a medium forward?

Who are the impact medium forwards in the game outside of Greene? Maybe Petracca? I love the Jets (of course!) but I am struggling with this one.

LOL on your comments about the WA model 'cos all of that is officially OUT over here from 2018 as the AFL takes over u18 footy.

[divvydan]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

How does he go as top #3 if he projects as a medium forward?

Who are the impact medium forwards in the game outside of Greene? Maybe Petracca? I love the Jets (of course!) but I am struggling with this one.

LOL on your comments about the WA model 'cos all of that is officially OUT over here from 2018 as the AFL takes over u18 footy.

Similar to Petracca I think. Most clubs would back themselves to get his endurance up to the level that's required to be an AFL midfielder over the course of 3 full preseasons. That's something that would come through in interviews and the like where they get a stronger idea of what type of person he is and how likely this weakness is to be improved but obviously that's something only recruiters have access to.

Thought it was the WA FC taking over the colts league and not the AFL? I wasn't aware this would lead to players not being able to play at Senior level for their WAFL team if good enough.

[mjp]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Thought it was the WA FC taking over the colts league and not the AFL? I wasn't aware this would lead to players not being able to play at Senior level for their WAFL team if good enough.

Well, technically it is and technically you are right.

[divvydan]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Well, technically it is and technically you are right.

I gather you expect them to try and make it defacto TAC Cup type competition and separate it from the rest of the WAFL?

[mjp]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

I gather you expect them to try and make it defacto TAC Cup type competition and separate it from the rest of the WAFL?

I can't really post or talk about this but the AFL have always said (channelling 'Field of Dreams') "If you build it, we will Fund" and the colts coaches and talent managers will now report to the WAFC rather than too their clubs.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

11. Nick Coffield - 190cm, 83kgs
A third tall, utility type defender who uses the ball well and has displayed form at the Champs and TAC finals. Can he end up a midfielder, does he drift a bit like Riley Bonner a few years ago?

Seems he'll go in the first 20 picks, Essendon perhaps have a need and maybe Brisbane could be tempted late in the first round to add him.

12. Lachie O'Brien - 184cm, 75kgs
A player who has improved throughout the year, has a turn of pace and can kick the ball well (albeit at times inconsistent) with his left peg. Makes the right decisions and will have a role at AFL level receiving the second or third possession.

This is demonstrating how deep the draft is - this is a good quality player who will go in the 10-15 range for mine. I see Brisbane or Sydney as potential destinations.

13. Brent Daniels - 172cm, 70kgs
Caught my eye at the Champs and has continued to play solid football since, turning in a good performance on GF day to remind everyone why he deserves to be in the top 20 conversation. He's small, but he can win the ball, has some speed and kicks goals.

I like Gold Coast early second round, but maybe if the Crows lose Cameron a nippy guy who can play in the front half appeals.

14. Charlie Constable - 190cm, 83kgs
He will accumulate, win ball inside, use the ball well and is another of those big bodied midfield players that everyone wants. I like his game and don't know why he's not higher... liked that he was able to impact the TAC GF while injured, still winning the ball and playing forward to snare a few goals.

Anywhere from 8-20, but if forced to nominate a team I think he'd suit it'd be WC (I don't know if they'll pick him) or Sydney.

15. Oscar Allen - 191cm, 83kgs
Tall utility, good mark for his size and kicks goals. He's got solid endurance, so I wonder if he ever builds a motor to play more minutes up the field? It's an interesting time to be a 191cm forward - his tackle numbers look OK, will be interesting to see how he tests (if he does them all) as that could move him up or down a few spots.

Another who could go between 12-25, I like him for Geelong if they hold pick 20, or North could see the appeal of another goal kicker.

16. Ryley Stoddart - 183cm, 73kgs
I'm a fan of Stoddart, but would be more confident if he'd been able to boost his average disposal numbers a bit higher and there are some concerns about him as a 1:1 defender (although the way the game is trending, defenders are more attackers and forwards more defenders...). Someone will like the skill set and punt on him, higher risk but can hurt with the ball in hand.

Gold Coast need more quality users and he can be another balanced selection for them with their multitude of picks, while GWS could see the appeal if they lose a few back flankers.

17. Aaron Naughton - 194cm, 84kgs
Good mark, good reader of the play, can intercept. Perhaps not unlike Lewis Young, needs to spend some time tightening up his ball drop but with senior experience he'll be sure to go to a club looking to sure up their defensive stocks.

Do Adelaide punt on him to replace Lever? I could see them pouncing.

18. Jack Higgins - 178cm, 76kgs
He's normally the sort of player I overrate every year and say he's small but he can play and he'll go into the system and do well - I like that he finished the year with a flurry of goals, gives me more confidence to slot him in my top 20 players. Not sure he has the burst pace or scope to improve or some others, but can accumulate the ball, win clearances and mark well for his size.

Another in that 10-25 range, perhaps a replacement for Devon Smith at GWS?

19. Nathan Kreuger - 196cm, 86kgs
I was very tempted to slot in Jackson Ross who GVGjr has mentioned a few times and seems to be rising quickly, but have settled for squeezing another SA player in. Athletic tall with plenty of development to go, but uses the ball well and will be versatile enough to play a number of roles at AFL level.

No idea where he sits in the mix, somewhere before pick 40 I guess, anyone who wants a tall that'll take some developing should sign up.

20. Gryan Miers - 177cm, 73kgs
There's still a number of names I think will go in the top 30 odd that are left over, a number will go higher than the blokes I've got listed here... but hard to go past Miers after he finished the year with 7 goals in the biggest game. He can tackle and kick goals, and whilst he's small he's got enough about him that a team will take a punt inside the first 30.

He could appeal to us at 26.

Those who i also like but haven't got:-

L Forgarty, J Petruccelle, P Naish, M Ling, S Hayes, C Coleman-Jones (maybe one of Hayes or CJ we can target? No idea how early they'll go...), J Worpel, O Clavarino, H Petty, D Moore, J Ross...

There's plenty of players who have enough good traits to become AFL players this year, despite a lot of talk of it not being a good draft, most clubs are going to walk away pretty happy with the players they pick up.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

I've updated the second post with the above.

One thing I always enjoy about this exercise is when you start getting to about 15 and there's still 10 players you want to include because they're good chances of having a career at AFL level and are also legitimate shots of going in the top 20 on draft day.

I'm increasingly of the view this draft is better than most scribes have you believe and there'll be plenty of value well into the second round and even the third.

[GVGjr]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Thanks again GD.
Really pleased with your selections particularly Krueger who is an exciting prospect.

[Missing Dog]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Good list.

Stoddart looked very good on the weekend, he's one I've underrated.
Daniels is a talent, may be a bargain later if he drops down the order with his size.

[Mofra]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

How does he go as top #3 if he projects as a medium forward?

Who are the impact medium forwards in the game outside of Greene? Maybe Petracca? I love the Jets (of course!) but I am struggling with this one.

Robbie Gray? Robbie came into the system with a better tank than Rayner IIRC

[Ozza]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

FWIW, I think they will go for Luke Davies-Uniacke

I agree.
If not, then Dow. But I'd be very surprised if Brisbane took Rayner.