Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

[GVGjr]

Garry Lyon has re-ranked the 2018 AFL draft.

Lyon’s rankings are based on current form in what is one of the strongest drafts in recent memory.

The Melbourne great had Max and Ben King at one and two respectively with Izak Rankine at number three after his sensational Gold Coast debut.

Rankine was named the Round 6 Rising Star nominee after his electrifying three-goal performance against Melbourne.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Bailey Smith and Port Adelaide livewire Connor Rozee make up Lyon's top five.

“Izak Rankine is the asterisk as we’ve only got one game to go on,” Lyon told Fox Footy's On The Couch.

“(Connor) Rozee would be the one that would be hotly debated, I have Smith ahead of him.

“Bailey Smith you’ve got to say has had a better year than (Sam) Walsh.

Tim Watson believes Smith’s efforts as a second-year player for the Bulldogs have gone under the radar.

“Bailey Smith … I don’t think we talk about him enough. He is an outstanding player. Outstanding young player,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.

Below is Lyon’s re-ranked 2018 draft order:


1 Max King (St Kilda)
2 Ben King (Gold Coast)
3 Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
4 Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs)
5 Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
6 Sam Walsh (Carlton)
7 Nick Blakey (Sydney)
8 Tarryn Thomas (North Melbourne)
9 Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast)
10 Chayce Jones (Adelaide)

Below is the actual 2018 draft order:

1 Sam Walsh (Carlton)
2 Jack Lukosius (Gold Coast)
3 Izak Rankine (Gold Coast)
4 Max King (St Kilda)
5 Connor Rozee (Port Adelaide)
6 Ben King (Gold Coast)
7 Bailey Smith (Western Bulldogs)
8 Tarryn Thomas (North Melbourne)
9 Chayce Jones (Adelaide)
10 Nick Blakey (Sydney)

[comrade]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

I mean, he might be right about Rankine but geez, talk about blowing your wad after one game.

Jason Tutt was tracking to overtake Wayne Carey after his debut.

And there is no way Max King has shown more than Ben King.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

I mean, he might be right about Rankine but geez, talk about blowing your wad after one game.

Jason Tutt was tracking to overtake Wayne Carey after his debut.

And there is no way Max King has shown more than Ben King.

And if its based on current form be hard not to have Smith 1 or 2.

Edit : oops that's right he doesn't play for Collingwood or Richmond.

[Bornadog]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

Ridiclous having Rankine at 3 after one game.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

Ridiclous having Rankine at 3 after one game.

I've been annoying anyone who will listen re Rankine since I saw his draft highlights, and he didn't disappoint but can't agree more Bailey's body of work is only comparable to Walsh. Those two are the debate around 1 and 2 with Rozee in there too.

[mjp]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

I’ll say it again. Pre season supplemental selection Sydney Stack - aka pick number 11322 - is top 10 worthy. So is that Wilkie kid the saints got in the rookie draft, Rowan Marshall was a rookie elevation who anyone could have pinched, Lachie Shultz looks great and he was pick 57, north got Curtis Taylor in the 50’s, butters, duursma, Hately, bobby Hill, rhylee west, Jordan Clark...hell, Darcy Fort...all outside the top 10. Sam Sturt another.

Blaming lack of high selections for recruiting issues is a complete cop out.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

Rankine may be the best eventually, but after 1 game ?

[macca]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

Do not forget .Marlion Pickett , mid- season Rookie draft pick 13 . Best one game ever in 2018

Gary Lyon you missed all the goal post

[Bornadog]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

Do not forget .Marlion Pickett , mid- season Rookie draft pick 13 . Best one game ever in 2018

Gary Lyon you missed all the goal post

2019 actually. Has not fired a shot this year, could be a one hit wonder.

[Ozza]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

Pickett and Stack have both been woeful this year. Stack is alright if he is dishing out the body contact, but not keen on wearing any himself.

No real problems with Lyon's list. Its just his opinion, and he specifically mentioned Rankine as an 'asterix' because we've only seen 1 game.

A good mate was heavily involved in recruitment for that draft and when I was discussing the top handful of players with him a few weeks back he did say "yeah - well you haven't really seen the most talented one yet" meaning Rankine. His view from 2 years back was that 'nobody is going to be disappointed with anyone they take in the top 7' and I think that still rings true.

[Mofra]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

Curtis Taylor was a weird one - highly touted by some, many ranked him in the teens.
Has genuine goal sense which is an increasingly rare commodity in a congested forwardline.

My very untrained eye didn't have him far behind Rozee in the games I saw as that flanker/pocket forward type. No idea why he slid.

[Mitcha]

Re: Lyon re-ranks the 2018 AFL draft

Could turn out to be the best draft crop ever. The top 10 is outstanding and as MJP mentioned, some that came later will be long term guns but cannot agree with the assessment of Stack as a top liner. Plays very much on his own terms and picks and chooses if and how to impact the contest. Has been overtaken by just about everyone else listed in MJPs list above. Pickett also struggling to live up to his flat track bully performance in last years grand final that was over as a contest ten minutes in. Just my opinion and time will tell.