Ranges set for draft prominence

[GVGjr]

Ranges set for draft prominence

By Matt Burgan 10:56 AM Thu 19 November, 2009
THE 2009 talent pool at Eastern Ranges looks likely to be recognised with the Victorian TAC Cup club set to have up to four players selected in the top 30 of this year's NAB AFL Draft.

Andrew Moore and Jordan Gysberts appear certain top-25 selections, with Moore - brother of Richmond's Kelvin - a likely first-round pick.

Likened by some recruiters to Swan Ryan O'Keefe and Adelaide's Andy Otten, the young utility is certain to go high in the call with Essendon (No.10 selection), Adelaide (No.13), Sydney Swans (No.14), Western Bulldogs (No.15) and Geelong (No.17) all believed to be in the mix.

Gybserts may also go in the first round but is more likely to find himself selected somewhere in the 20s. He is regarded as one of the top midfielders in this year's pool and was previously an AIS-AFL Academy member.

Teammate Benjamin Griffiths looms as a 15 to 35 selection. He is still difficult to place considering injuries have interrupted his junior career, but many astute judges believe the tall forward remains an outstanding prospect.

Another Ranges player to have risen up the ranks is Ayden Kennedy, with strong testing at the NAB AFL Draft Camp elevating him to a likely second-round selection.

Some of the other Eastern players in the mix to be drafted include Matthew Scott, Josh Dyson, Luke McDonald and David Mirra.

Article in full

[GVGjr]

Re: Ranges set for draft prominence

Griffiths name is often mentioned at being picked from the 15 to ??? mark.

I wonder if this more about our perceived need for a power forward or if it actually has some merit.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Ranges set for draft prominence

Griffiths name is often mentioned at being picked from the 15 to ??? mark.

I wonder if this more about our perceived need for a power forward or if it actually has some merit.

Most likely the perceived need for a young power forward.

However, are we really set for power forwards? Grant, Cordy and Jones all appear better suited to marking on the lead rather than in a pack. Grant doesn't seem to have the confidence of the coaching staff that he had at the start, whilst Cordy/Jones are very raw. FWIW I think there's some merit in looking at Griffiths.

Depending who's available, I doubt we'd take Ben with 15 though. If he's somehow still there at our second pick, I hope we jump at it, but with several teams needing a key forward (Tigers, Freo, Melb especially) I doubt he'll last that far.

It'll be interesting to see if sides take risks in the first round (IE. Griffiths/Bartlett).

[GVGjr]

Re: Ranges set for draft prominence

Most likely the perceived need for a young power forward.

However, are we really set for power forwards? Grant, Cordy and Jones all appear better suited to marking on the lead rather than in a pack. Grant doesn't seem to have the confidence of the coaching staff that he had at the start, whilst Cordy/Jones are very raw. FWIW I think there's some merit in looking at Griffiths.

Depending who's available, I doubt we'd take Ben with 15 though. If he's somehow still there at our second pick, I hope we jump at it, but with several teams needing a key forward (Tigers, Freo, Melb especially) I doubt he'll last that far.

It'll be interesting to see if sides take risks in the first round (IE. Griffiths/Bartlett).

I'm warming to the notion that we are going to raid the draft and land Kane Lucas.
Out of all the players nominated as top 10 candidates he could be one player that falls our way. Aaron Black would be a great addition but Lucas would be a real bonus.

[chef]

Re: Ranges set for draft prominence

I'm warming to the notion that we are going to raid the draft and land Kane Lucas.
Out of all the players nominated as top 10 candidates he could be one player that falls our way. Aaron Black would be a great addition but Lucas would be a real bonus.

Any truth to the rumour that he has very average kicking skills? And maybe this is why he will slide.

[GVGjr]

Re: Ranges set for draft prominence

Any truth to the rumour that he has very average kicking skills? And maybe this is why he will slide.

His kicking isn't a real strength and I think there is a bit to work on but it's not bad.

I'm not sure it would be a reason for him to slide down the order but maybe some teams will look to genuine talls and a midfielder or two could drop down the order.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Ranges set for draft prominence

His kicking isn't a real strength and I think there is a bit to work on but it's not bad.

I'm not sure it would be a reason for him to slide down the order but maybe some teams will look to genuine talls and a midfielder or two could drop down the order.

Based on what I've seen he could play a half back or wing role quite easily - while he can still win his own ball and stand up in a tackle. Like you I'm not convinced about his kicking, but in some of the footage I've seen it looks pretty good, where as other times not so much.

He's got speed, can really swoop onto a contest and collect the ball at speed, and is a fantastic size. If he slipped to 15, that would be a great result for us.

Geez I'm getting excited for the draft now!

[GVGjr]

Re: Ranges set for draft prominence

Based on what I've seen he could play a half back or wing role quite easily - while he can still win his own ball and stand up in a tackle. Like you I'm not convinced about his kicking, but in some of the footage I've seen it looks pretty good, where as other times not so much.

He's got speed, can really swoop onto a contest and collect the ball at speed, and is a fantastic size. If he slipped to 15, that would be a great result for us.

Geez I'm getting excited for the draft now!

It's probably wishful thinking but generally there is a fancied player that slides down the order a bit and with a few teams with pick in front of us probably needing talls, it could be a highly rated midfielder like Lucas that is unexpectedly still there when we have our selection.

Back to the Ranges players.
Moore is a versatile footballer and most times I saw him play he performed well but he is unlikely to push into the midfield calculations and he isn't big enough for a key forward.
I rate him but we have a few similar types.

Gybserts is more of a 2nd round pick in my opinion and might come into calculations for us with our next pick.

Griffiths has had so many injuries and whilst his size is appealing he might be more of a ruckman than a key forward. I think I read somewhere that he might still be growing and is probably 198cm.

Kennedy goes along OK as well and would be a nice pick-up in the 2nd round.