Draft Watcher 2016 Young Talent Time

[Chris25]

Nice list Chris25. I really intrigued how high you rate Donnellan. I have both Nat Franklin, Harrison Pearce and Ben McGuiness ahead on my list for Tasmanians. I think a player you have underated is Bradley Scheer. He will be drafted around the same position a Hopper. Bank on it.

I think Donnellan is much more draftable. Simple as that. He's a very nice size, with room for growth. That plays a key part in how I rate players. He's versatile, quick and has a nice left boot. He ticks a lot of boxes. His game in the opening round last year against NSW was just as impressive as any of the underage players. Has also played senior football in Tasmania.

McGuinness is second for me, but at the moment I'm not seeing him going in the first couple of rounds. He either needs to grow another inch or two, or improve his offensive game. As good as a defender as he has been, he hasn't been able to match his ability to his output yet. He's athletic, but doesn't show it enough. He'll need to show improvement there, or will end up as a rookie pick like his brother. Harrison Pearce and Nat Franklin, I think will have very good Championships. But, I consider them limited in terms of scope for improvement and draftability. Pearce is the wrong side of 180cm, and his midfield game isn't anywhere near as strong as that of Lovell to make up for it. And he isn't as good a small forward as Nick Dodge. Similarly, Franklin is already a reasonably strong built small 180cm player without that elite trait.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Don't think I've ever seen a skinny batch of draft prospects in my life.

 

[grundog49]

I think Donnellan is much more draftable. Simple as that. He's a very nice size, with room for growth. That plays a key part in how I rate players. He's versatile, quick and has a nice left boot. He ticks a lot of boxes. His game in the opening round last year against NSW was just as impressive as any of the underage players. Has also played senior football in Tasmania.

McGuinness is second for me, but at the moment I'm not seeing him going in the first couple of rounds. He either needs to grow another inch or two, or improve his offensive game. As good as a defender as he has been, he hasn't been able to match his ability to his output yet. He's athletic, but doesn't show it enough. He'll need to show improvement there, or will end up as a rookie pick like his brother. Harrison Pearce and Nat Franklin, I think will have very good Championships. But, I consider them limited in terms of scope for improvement and draftability. Pearce is the wrong side of 180cm, and his midfield game isn't anywhere near as strong as that of Lovell to make up for it. And he isn't as good a small forward as Nick Dodge. Similarly, Franklin is already a reasonably strong built small 180cm player without that elite trait.

Harrison Pearce's go is his elite run and carry game and speed. He runs a 2.82 20 meter sprint.

 

[Chris25]

Harrison Pearce's go is his elite run and carry game and speed. He runs a 2.82 20 meter sprint.

I do have Pearce as the third Tasmanian on my list, behind Donnellan and McGuinness - I included Jones in my write up because he's an intriguing one to watch, could go either way. Pearce's run does help make up for his size, but I still see him as a medium impact midfielder. With the forward half being his best bet at an AFL career. In terms of draft scope, I just see Donnellan as having greater appeal and more scope for development.

 

[grundog49]

I do have Pearce as the third Tasmanian on my list, behind Donnellan and McGuinness - I included Jones in my write up because he's an intriguing one to watch, could go either way. Pearce's run does help make up for his size, but I still see him as a medium impact midfielder. With the forward half being his best bet at an AFL career. In terms of draft scope, I just see Donnellan as having greater appeal and more scope for development.

I agree with that assessment.

 

[Chris25]

Don't think I've ever seen a skinny batch of draft prospects in my life.

My measurements were primarily from the Championships and TAC Cup last year, so you'd expect most would have put on a bit more weight since then.

 

[Jazny]

Nice list Chris25. I really intrigued how high you rate Donnellan. I have both Nat Franklin, Harrison Pearce and Ben McGuiness ahead on my list for Tasmanians. I think a player you have underated is Bradley Scheer. He will be drafted around the same position a Hopper. Bank on it.

I like Pearce a lot based on last year! He could be the best of the Tasmanians, but I see why Chris likes Donnellan more also. I think Pearce needs a big year to be any chance of going before Donnellan. I hope Sushames can come back as an overrage player, but I don't know what the rules are.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Hi Chris,

good to see you back and so early in the season!

Just a few quick questions with the Dons likely to be at the pointy end of the draft come November.

1) Who are some player comparisons for Petrevski-Seton and Ainsworth, and why would you make those comparisons?

2) If you had picks #1 and #2 right now, who would you take and why?

3) How high do you see Ezekiel Frank going?

Thanks in advance

 

[HBF]

Great read as usual Chris.

 

[Chris25]

Hi Chris,

good to see you back and so early in the season!

Just a few quick questions with the Dons likely to be at the pointy end of the draft come November.

1) Who are some player comparisons for Petrevski-Seton and Ainsworth, and why would you make those comparisons?

2) If you had picks #1 and #2 right now, who would you take and why?

3) How high do you see Ezekiel Frank going?

Thanks in advance

I really don't think you can compare Petrevski-Seton to anyone. He's just such a unique player in that he can do it all. He has the speed and elite skills of an outside midfielder, but has shown he is just as good as winning his own ball as an inside midfielder. And he could just easily play as a flanker at either end of the ground too. He's a complete player. If I absolutely had to, I'd say he has a simialr style to Chad Wingard. As for Ainsworth, he's a little Jack Billings like - in that he's a dangerous and skillful half forward who runs through the midfield.

At this stage, I'd be taking Petrevski-Seton and Macreadie - best small and best tall. I like Macreadie's potential.

Hard to say with Frank. He'll benefit from the new Allies side in the U18s, assuming he makes it. Would give him a bigger stage to perform on, and be surrounded by a more talented group than what he would have played with for the NT. He is essentially a Victorian player though since he's playing in the TAC Cup. At the moment, I'm going to say third round.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

A year early but who would be the top prospects for next year's draft?

 

[redandblack]

Chris, I think Jamie Hampton will rise up the charts big time.

 

[Sunraysia]

Hi Chris - think you have seriously underestimated this bloke - not in the top 30 ???? Suns aren't set up for two first round picks next year for nothing...
http://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/2016-03-09/young-guns-impressing-in-academy-series

 

[LynchysMob]

In fairness to Chris I doubt he's seen much of him.


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[Chris25]

I'm well aware of Scheer, I wrote about him in the Queensland section. I'd have him around the 15-30 mark at the moment, but I tend to use my first thread of the year to bring up some different names - being an Academy prospect, he's more well known than others like Donnellan, Carter and Venables. Might as well get other names out there before everyone becomes obsessed with Academy players.

 

[Special Agent Utah]

Great work Chris!!

Another great thread to keep an eye on.

Anyway to get video of TAC games??

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Luke Strnadica gets the nod over Jeremy Goddard at the moment. Essentially a ruck men sized forward with great skills, strong overhead and reasonably quick.

Cameron Zurhaar has been playing off the half back line in the preseason 2016. From East Fremantle the interesting outsider at the moment is Nicholas Bonemelli, he's the one to keep an eye out on, athletic medium/ tall forward with excellent marking ability ability.

Keanu Shadley is another Kimberly product (alongside Caiden Curtin and Sam Petrevski-Seton) who might get a look in. Tenacious small midfielder/ forward.

Jacob Sideris should be up ahead of Tarir Bayok and almost as high as Stanley Wright. He's a full size smaller than Wright at only 163cm but he's one of the premier midfielders in the 2015 colts season.

East Perth will be interesting to watch this year. Wright, Dobson, De Campo give them a lot of grunt through the middle. They just need to make better use of it this year.

 

[beowulf]

Thanks for the interesting and informative take on this year's crop. I always find it an interesting read and I will be keeping an eye on these guys.
I am quite happy to have a couple of former students in the mix this year (playing at the Pioneers). I will be watching them with interest, as well as to see if any of the lads from my present school make the Western Jets list. Unfortunately a lot of the kids with talent are soccer orientated, not a huge surprise considering their migrant backgrounds.

 

[BonnyDon]

James El Moussalli
Essendon VFL /Vic Metro (2015)
Inside Midfielder
Height: 189 cm Weight: 88 kg

The best Victorian prospect tag belongs to this kid. Had to have a shoulder reconstruction after a bad fall early last season, he did not get to play in the carnival for Vic Metro. James was overlooked for the draft but has been very impressive when training with the Essendon seniors. He was very close to being put on their list as a top up player. He is an inside midfielder who can can go forward and has showed everyone that he is a top talent and made everyone take note. James' best talent is his ability to hit the scoreboard from the midfield. He is a beast who already looks like an AFL player. I predict he will be the next Michael Barlow. At the end of the 2015 season it was rumored he trained with an AFL club ( I'm not sure who) so don't be surprised if he is a top 30 prospect.

 

[Matt loves Essendon]

James El Moussalli
Essendon VFL /Vic Metro (2015)
Inside Midfielder
Height: 189 cm Weight: 88 kg

The best Victorian prospect tag belongs to this kid. Had to have a shoulder reconstruction after a bad fall early last season, he did not get to play in the carnival for Vic Metro. James was overlooked for the draft but has been very impressive when training with the Essendon seniors. He was very close to being put on their list as a top up player. He is an inside midfielder who can can go forward and has showed everyone that he is a top talent and made everyone take note. James' best talent is his ability to hit the scoreboard from the midfield. He is a beast who already looks like an AFL player. I predict he will be the next Michael Barlow. At the end of the 2015 season it was rumored he trained with an AFL club ( I'm not sure who) so don't be surprised if he is a top 30 prospect.

Source?

 

[typewriter]

James El Moussalli
Essendon VFL /Vic Metro (2015)
Inside Midfielder
Height: 189 cm Weight: 88 kg

The best Victorian prospect tag belongs to this kid. Had to have a shoulder reconstruction after a bad fall early last season, he did not get to play in the carnival for Vic Metro. James was overlooked for the draft but has been very impressive when training with the Essendon seniors. He was very close to being put on their list as a top up player. He is an inside midfielder who can can go forward and has showed everyone that he is a top talent and made everyone take note. James' best talent is his ability to hit the scoreboard from the midfield. He is a beast who already looks like an AFL player. I predict he will be the next Michael Barlow. At the end of the 2015 season it was rumored he trained with an AFL club ( I'm not sure who) so don't be surprised if he is a top 30 prospect.

Top up rules stated players had to be previously AFL listed, so must be incorrect on that front.

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[monty1104]

Top up rules stated players had to be previously AFL listed, so must be incorrect on that front.

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Unless given permission from the General Council (or something else that uses the acronym GC)

 

[dlanod]

Can't say I do. I know I've read his name in an Academy list before, but that's about it. I never buy the prospectus, so I don't know who they listed as players to watch. But if they reckon he's one, then I'll keep an eye out this year. Allison and Rolls are good prospects for me, to have a third on top would be a bonus for Brisbane.

Bit of a bump from a month ago, but I attended Brisbane's 2015 draft function in Melbourne and the player they were talking up in their info booklet (other than Allison) was actually Declan Watson, a CHB prospect IIRC. I don't get to see many underage games, and none outside of NSW, but I figured I'd mention that as a data point.

 

[jjami15]

Was wondering if anyone knows if the AFL academy are having practice matches like they did last year against Collingwood's VFL team and the Northern Blues? If so when and who they might be against?

 

[lionsbest]

Chris 25 . I just wanted to say. I love reading your insights . Massive fan . Absolutely brilliant. Well done