News 2013 All Australian Squad Named

[Tim the Toolman]

Does anyone know who was the last AA player the Lions drafted was?

Leigh Matthews told me this a couple of weeks ago and I was deeply shocked. It showed how poor our recruiting and development has been over the past decade.

 

[jackess]

Brown in 09?

 

[Tim the Toolman]

Correct Jackess! That means it's been 14-years since we've drafted and developed an elite player. Pretty sad isn't it?

And to think, he was a result of the Fitzroy Father Son so we didn't even draft him through normal selection.

 

[jackess]

Correct Jackess! That means it's been 14-years since we've drafted and developed an elite player. Pretty sad isn't it?

And to think, he was a result of the Fitzroy Father Son so we didn't even draft him through normal selection.

Can look at it that way or put your faith in Rich, Rockliff, Hanley, Leuenberger or Clarke to turn into something really special. A few of them being very close.

You also have to completely ignore the AA team which has lost all credibility for me. Just look at the 'experts' on the selection panel.

 

[Tim the Toolman]

Very true. It seems to be very subjective. We could've had Clarke one year but they said he needed another at that level to get the guernsey and by then he'd had his "Headland" "Woewoedin" one hit year. I don't think Rich will ever gain selection as he's too one dimensional and only ever has one standout quarter in any game.

Hopefully next year Hanley and Leuey get 23-games in and be consistent and they're a good chance whilst Rockcliff, God knows what he has to do to get in???

I think someone had it right earlier: play in Melbourne a lot, play on free-to-air a lot etc...

 

[jackess]

It's very media driven which is why it's so surprising Hanley didn't make it. The media talk him up all the time.

 

[JasRulz63]

Rockliff had that lean patch in the middle of the year when he was playing forward. It also coincided with our tough run of matches where there would've been increased interest in our games because of our opposition. He finished strongly at the end of the season, but we weren't playing the big teams as much, so less coverage.

 

[POBT]

Last year, there were 4 ruckmen named in the 40 man squad. I have no doubt that Leuenberger has been in the top 4 ruckmen of this year but obviously a change of direction by the selectors went against him.

 

[lionbear]

I don't worry about the All Australian Team any more, not since McLeod was named captain one year and he wasn't even captain of Adelaide.

Its a team picked to stir up debate, not to be the true best 22 in the AFL.

 

[POBT]

Hanley on the left, Wells on the right:

20 Games 22
14.8 Kicks Per Game 13.2
6.7 Handballs Per Game 8.0
21.5 Disposals Per Game 21.3
4.9 Marks Per Game 3.6
0.8 Goals Per Game 1.1
0.4 Behinds Per Game 0.4
2.5 Tackles Per Game 2.4
0.2 Hitouts Per Game 0.9
4.8 Inside 50s Per Game 4.6
0.6 Goal Assists Per Game 0.8
0.9 Frees For Per Game 1.0
1.1 Frees Against Per Game 0.7
6.0 Contested Possessions Per Game 8.4
15.4 Uncontested Possessions Per Game 13.0
15.4 Effective Disposals Per Game 15.4
71.6% Effective Disposals % Per Game 72.3%
3.1 Clangers Per Game 2.2
0.2 Contested Marks Per Game 0.1
0.4 Marks Inside 50 Per Game 0.6
1.5 Clearances Per Game 4.4
2.4 Rebound 50s Per Game 1.3
1.4 One Percenters Per Game 1.4
2.4 Bounces Per Game 1.1
83.2 Time On Ground % Per Game 77.9

 

[jackess]

Clearances the difference.


Oh yeah and the fact that one plays for a Victorian team.

 

[Ironmonger]

Does anyone know who was the last AA player the Lions drafted was?

Leigh Matthews told me this a couple of weeks ago and I was deeply shocked. It showed how poor our recruiting and development has been over the past decade.

Would I be correct in saying that Adcock was the most recent AA squad member we drafted who is still at our club?

 

[matwt73]

Last year, there were 4 ruckmen named in the 40 man squad. I have no doubt that Leuenberger has been in the top 4 ruckmen of this year but obviously a change of direction by the selectors went against him.

I would have had trouble separating Goldstein and Leuey for the second ruck spot, and think whichever of those missed out could feel stiff.

 

[Tim the Toolman]

Would I be correct in saying that Adcock was the most recent AA squad member we drafted who is still at our club?

Unfortunately you wouldn't as I was referring to actual AA, not a squad member.

 

[Ironmonger]

Unfortunately you wouldn't as I was referring to actual AA, not a squad member.

I'm aware of that, as I am in fact capable of reading, but I don't see how that affects my question.

I'm just curious as to how many squad members we've managed lately. The only ones I can think of are Clark, Adcock, Brown and Black.

 

[Seldom Seen Kid]

Clearances the difference.


Oh yeah and the fact that one plays for a Victorian team.

And the fact that Hanley got subbed off with injury in 2 games

 

[luthor]

Joel Patfull anyone?

 

[Fatcat08]

Thought there were a few players in there that had years that without a reputation or last years performance, would have been lucky to get a spot.

Kennedy's spot should have gone to Liberatore, think he got in based on last season rather than this one.
Buddy was pretty lucky to make the squad I would have thought, maybe a case of what he can do rather than what he has done this year.
Enright as well, while consistent is one that probably got the nod based on reputation rather than output. That's not to say he didn't have a decent season, just not AA level I didn't think.
Luke Hodge is another that I thought only had an ok year by his standards, although perhaps I'm judging him a bit harshly.

If you look at a likely backline out of that squad, as a small forward I'd be rubbing my hands together because I don't see a really good in form small lockdown defender amongst that group. Could be missing someone but I'm just not seeing it. A midfielder will be sent into that role which isn't right.

 

[Viceregal]

I would be more interested in the AA team if they ever actually had to run onto a field sometime and play someone ... and suspect it might make a difference to some of the selections if they did have to!

 

[JasRulz63]

Looking at the squad confirms how important nailing high draft picks are.

Riewoldt - pick 1, 2000
Hodge - pick 1, 2001
Wells - pick 2, 2002
Roughead - pick 2, 2004
Griffen - pick 3, 2004
Kennedy - pick 4, 2005
McVeigh - pick 5, 2002
Franklin - pick 5, 2004
Pendlebury - pick 5, 2005
Boak - pick 5, 2006
Wingard - pick 6, 2011
Mackie - pick 7, 2002
Selwood - pick 7, 2005
Dangerfield - pick 10, 2007
Cameron - GWS pre-selection (rated around top 10)
Douglas - pick 16, 2005
Taylor - pick 17, 2007
Mundy - pick 19, 2003
Minson - pick 20, 2002
Fyfe - pick 20, 2009
Mackenzie - pick 29, 2006
Mitchell - pick 36, 2001
Goldstein - pick 37, 2006
Thompson - pick 37, 2007
Motlop - pick 39, 2008
Cloke - pick 39, 2004 (F/S)
Watson - pick 40, 2002 (F/S)
Ablett - pick 40, 2001 (F/S)
JP Kennedy - pick 40, 2006 (F/S)
Mayne - pick 40, 2007
Steven - pick 42, 2007
Thomas - pick 53, 2006
Enright - pick 47, 1999
Walters - pick 53, 2008
Malceski - pick 64, 2002
Johnson - PSD pick 8, 2003
Gibson - RD pick 7, 2004
Jack - RD pick 57, 2005

Exactly half the squad (20) players are pick 20 or higher draftees (including Cameron who was rated highly). Of the remaining 20 players, 4 were father/son picks.

 

[Tim the Toolman]

I'm aware of that, as I am in fact capable of reading, but I don't see how that affects my question.

I'm just curious as to how many squad members we've managed lately. The only ones I can think of are Clark, Adcock, Brown and Black.

Yes, then in answer to YOUR question, he would be. In answer to mine, it's Jono Brown so, so long ago!

I like it that we have similar avatars!

 

[AFLQLD]

Looking at the squad confirms how important nailing high draft picks are.

Riewoldt - pick 1, 2000
Hodge - pick 1, 2001
Wells - pick 2, 2002
Roughead - pick 2, 2004
Griffen - pick 3, 2004
Kennedy - pick 4, 2005
McVeigh - pick 5, 2002
Franklin - pick 5, 2004
Pendlebury - pick 5, 2005
Boak - pick 5, 2006
Wingard - pick 6, 2011
Mackie - pick 7, 2002
Selwood - pick 7, 2005
Dangerfield - pick 10, 2007
Cameron - GWS pre-selection (rated around top 10)
Douglas - pick 16, 2005
Taylor - pick 17, 2007
Mundy - pick 19, 2003
Minson - pick 20, 2002
Fyfe - pick 20, 2009
Mackenzie - pick 29, 2006
Mitchell - pick 36, 2001
Goldstein - pick 37, 2006
Thompson - pick 37, 2007
Motlop - pick 39, 2008
Cloke - pick 39, 2004 (F/S)
Watson - pick 40, 2002 (F/S)
Ablett - pick 40, 2001 (F/S)
JP Kennedy - pick 40, 2006 (F/S)
Mayne - pick 40, 2007
Steven - pick 42, 2007
Thomas - pick 53, 2006
Enright - pick 47, 1999
Walters - pick 53, 2008
Malceski - pick 64, 2002
Johnson - PSD pick 8, 2003
Gibson - RD pick 7, 2004
Jack - RD pick 57, 2005

Exactly half the squad (20) players are pick 20 or higher draftees (including Cameron who was rated highly). Of the remaining 20 players, 4 were father/son picks.

What it tells me is that you are about as likely to get a gun player from the second or third round as the first. It doesn't mean that the first round pick isn't important but more that about half the time they will be overtaken by guys who were picked lower. Arguably the best current player was rated at only pick 40. This is not an exact science by any stretch of the imagination.

It also suggest (and our very own Tom Rockliff adds further evidence) that the rookie draft can contain hidden gems as well.

In other words, do your best but don't expect to be right all the time. Make the best of what you choose but some won't live up to their initial draft value.

 

[JasRulz63]

Ablett was a father/son mind you, so even if he was rated a pick 1, he still would've gone at pick 40.

I think drafting has become a more accurate science than it was 5+ years ago. With more scouting and a larger focus placed on recruitment it's getting harder to get hidden gems in the draft. Of course it will never be an exact science and the hidden gems will still exist, but it's getting more important to nail your high picks in my opinion.

In other words, do your best but don't expect to be right all the time. Make the best of what you choose but some won't live up to their initial draft value.

Agreed.

 

[captainrich]

I don't worry about the All Australian Team any more, not since McLeod was named captain one year and he wasn't even captain of Adelaide.

Its a team picked to stir up debate, not to be the true best 22 in the AFL.

exactly, browny had a really dominant season yet he was vc to mcleoad was very pissed at that

 

[Jubair]

Its ridiculous how majority of the players picked are from the top teams.

It easier to have an 'outstanding' season when the team is flying, it is harder when the team is not going so well. Cameron did well to make it into the squad but what about Patfull (who has been consistent over many years), or even Hanley? The All Australian team has lost its true meaning behind it.