AFL Player #24: Nick Bryan

[Lore]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2025
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 16, ant555

 

[Blind Turn]

More upside than Draper.

You’re kidding. Draper has a ridiculously high ceiling. Bryan is the epitome of our beige mediocrity. If we don’t turn Draper into a match-winner you can bet your bottom dollar someone else will.

 

[BOMBERBLITZ]

Will not be happy if we somehow manage to lose Bryan!

 

[DERO]

He is contracted, so there is that…

 

[FootyGuru]

I hope to keep Bryan, but just because he is being used as the number 1 ruck he still isn’t.

Draper plays ahead of him next season, and Bryan and 2mp fight it out for other ruck position. While Bryan is in the side though he has to play majority ruck to be effective, as he is a 0 up forward.

So even though Bryan has the role of a number 1 ruck to finish the season. I think he’s probably ranked third out of the 3 for next season.

 

[MiguelM]

Draper worth persisting with. Coming off a long injury his last half of the season was much better. Starting to hold marks.

It is clear Bryan will be no 1 with Draper more forward for longer stints. Don't think he leaves now. Goldy only backup and VFL if he goes around again.

Surely Bryan can see his opportunity now.

 

[FootyGuru]

Draper worth persisting with. Coming off a long injury his last half of the season was much better. Starting to hold marks.

It is clear Bryan will be no 1 with Draper more forward for longer stints. Don't think he leaves now. Goldy only backup and VFL if he goes around again.

Surely Bryan can see his opportunity now.

I really don’t think we will have Bryan Draper and 2mp in the same sides for extended periods next season.

I’m tipping the coaching staff still have Bryan ranked third among those 3

 

[ant555]

I really don’t think we will have Bryan Draper and 2mp in the same sides for extended periods next season.

I’m tipping the coaching staff still have Bryan ranked third among those 3

I am hoping that he is not number 3 .
Until 2MP can prove he is not softer than custard and actually find the form he had 2 years ago then he can play VFL and request a tarde somewhere else.

 

[Nicholas61]

Just looks competent. Will only get better at this point

 

[FootyGuru]

I am hoping that he is not number 3 .
Until 2MP can prove he is not softer than custard and actually find the form he had 2 years ago then he can play VFL and request a tarde somewhere else.

The off season and pre season is a long time.
Bryan would need to outclass Draper in ruck and 2mp stink up preseason.

The mix is off, 2mp is a better forward than Draper, Draper is better forward than Bryan, Bryan best tap ruckman, 2mp average ruckman. Draper better combination of both ruck and forward. Can’t play all 3

Personally if saints want sheil id be talking to max heath and looking at getting him across.

 

[bombreys]

You’re kidding. Draper has a ridiculously high ceiling. Bryan is the epitome of our beige mediocrity. If we don’t turn Draper into a match-winner you can bet your bottom dollar someone else will.

Maybe 3 years ago. He’s about to turn 26. And he was never the type to be a match winner. Bit of a wierd post

 

[ant555]

The off season and pre season is a long time.
Bryan would need to outclass Draper in ruck and 2mp stink up preseason.

The mix is off, 2mp is a better forward than Draper, Draper is better forward than Bryan, Bryan best tap ruckman, 2mp average ruckman. Draper better combination of both ruck and forward. Can’t play all 3

Personally if saints want sheil id be talking to max heath and looking at getting him across.

What makes you think 2MP is going to find any form ? the mix is wrong because he is no good.

 

[FootyGuru]

What makes you think 2MP is going to find any form ? the mix is wrong because he is no good.

I think whatever has happened with these 3 this season is almost irrelevant going into next. 2mp best has been significantly better than Draper and Bryan’s.
Going into a pre season again gives 2mp a fresh start and new gained confidence.
I personally hope he gets traded, but Bryan is no guarantee to be number 1 ruck.

 

[Blind Turn]

Maybe 3 years ago. He’s about to turn 26. And he was never the type to be a match winner. Bit of a wierd post

It’s not a weird post. It’s about him finding the maturity to be more consistently involved and to reduce the number of brain fades he has. He does still have a ridiculously high ceiling. The only issue is if he wastes it. He’s still young enough to turn it around. It better not be in Hawthorn colours.

 

[ant555]

I think whatever has happened with these 3 this season is almost irrelevant going into next. 2mp best has been significantly better than Draper and Bryan’s.
Going into a pre season again gives 2mp a fresh start and new gained confidence.
I personally hope he gets traded, but Bryan is no guarantee to be number 1 ruck.

I agree all three will not fit all that well but personally unless 2MP finds any form I prefer standing Draper in the goal square. Yes Wrights best has been significantly better . I have previously been a fan of 1 ruck and Wright but Wright has not been close to his best for 2 years now .
Bryan with Draper forward is not ideal but Wright has gone backwards again. Back to the same level that saw him not getting a game at the GC.
I am not playing the hope game.

 

[ghostdog]

I am hoping that he is not number 3 .
Until 2MP can prove he is not softer than custard and actually find the form he had 2 years ago then he can play VFL and request a tarde somewhere else.

Agree. I think Draper's gone past 2MP post-bye. I don't get how that's not clear when he's taking marks and kicking goals, albeit a bit quieter last night.

Wright should be trade bait.

 

[Vander18]

As noted already, Bryan looks a perfectly competent AFL standard ruck.

What happens now can play out in a few different ways depending on how they rate the three talls internally and what they want to do next season. Cox also showed an ability to absorb some back up minutes which could be a factor (depending on how they rate Cox right now).

What we do have to do is balance the team. Can’t play the 3 talls and can’t play all of Draper, Langford, Stringer, Jones, Caddy and Wright.

I have no issue keeping Bryan but also think we should be looking to bring in a genuine A+ talent - Dusty, Bont, Danger level. If Bryan can be packaged up as part of a deal to make that happen then so be it.

Whatever happens, hard decisions designed to (1) balance the list and (2) bring in elite talent need to be made.

 

[FootyGuru]

As noted already, Bryan looks a perfectly competent AFL standard ruck.

What happens now can play out in a few different ways depending on how they rate the three talls internally and what they want to do next season. Cox also showed an ability to absorb some back up minutes which could be a factor (depending on how they rate Cox right now).

What we do have to do is balance the team. Can’t play the 3 talls and can’t play all of Draper, Langford, Stringer, Jones, Caddy and Wright.

I have no issue keeping Bryan but also think we should be looking to bring in a genuine A+ talent - Dusty, Bont, Danger level. If Bryan can be packaged up as part of a deal to make that happen then so be it.

Whatever happens, hard decisions designed to (1) balance the list and (2) bring in elite talent need to be made.

Agree. Having Draper Bryan and 2mp is just typical Essendon. None are elite and all are b graders on their best day and they are all fighting for a similar role.
then Essendon brings in more b/c graders in the off season which just complicates selection without really lifting the ceiling.

 

[Zach Package]

He’s as good a ruck prospect as there is out there apart from probably Moyle and the transition from Goldstein over to him seems to be timed perfectly.

Never going to win the physical battle with McInerney the war horse but he held his own. Big ticks

 

[bombreys]

It’s not a weird post. It’s about him finding the maturity to be more consistently involved and to reduce the number of brain fades he has. He does still have a ridiculously high ceiling. The only issue is if he wastes it. He’s still young enough to turn it around. It better not be in Hawthorn colours.

He doesn’t.

Name me a few players who have suddenly hit their ‘ridiculously high ceiling’ in their 9th season or later, showing what Draper has so far.

He is what he is. There’s room for a bit of improvement, but that’s it. Players don’t just suddenly turn from average to elite at his age, it just doesn’t happen

 

[jannissary]

He doesn’t.

Name me a few players who have suddenly hit their ‘ridiculously high ceiling’ in their 9th season or later, showing what Draper has so far.

He is what he is. There’s room for a bit of improvement, but that’s it. Players don’t just suddenly turn from average to elite at his age, it just doesn’t happen

james podsiadily comes to mind, considering he “started” his career at geelong as a 28 year old after being drafted in ‘99

 

[hurlygurdy]

As noted already, Bryan looks a perfectly competent AFL standard ruck.

What happens now can play out in a few different ways depending on how they rate the three talls internally and what they want to do next season. Cox also showed an ability to absorb some back up minutes which could be a factor (depending on how they rate Cox right now).

What we do have to do is balance the team. Can’t play the 3 talls and can’t play all of Draper, Langford, Stringer, Jones, Caddy and Wright.

I have no issue keeping Bryan but also think we should be looking to bring in a genuine A+ talent - Dusty, Bont, Danger level. If Bryan can be packaged up as part of a deal to make that happen then so be it.

Whatever happens, hard decisions designed to (1) balance the list and (2) bring in elite talent need to be made.

I agree except that it looks like bryan’s stocks could rise significantly by the end of next season. He could be anything given his age and pace of development. Madness to lose him now just like with mas last season. I suspect they will put up with the tall dilemma for another year and see how it unfolds. Having that tall depth is no bad thing either.

 

[jdstorm]

I agree except that it looks like bryan’s stocks could rise significantly by the end of next season. He could be anything given his age and pace of development. Madness to lose him now just like with mas last season. I suspect they will put up with the tall dilemma for another year and see how it unfolds. Having that tall depth is no bad thing either.

Or just trade 2MP for unders in terms of draft capital

Or do a BZT trade with 2MP and get an equivalent player at a position of need (big mid)

Say 2MP for Jack Bowes or something

 

[Yoda_]

Bryan is a more natural footballer than Draper. People are underselling how high Bryan's ceiling actually is

 

[hurlygurdy]

Or just trade 2MP for unders in terms of draft capital

Or do a BZT trade with 2MP and get an equivalent player at a position of need (big mid)

Say 2MP for Jack Bowes or something

2mp is worth nothing right now surely?! Best to keep as vfl depth and hope he comes good next season. If he does come good then we can make a call on who gets traded based on another year of bryan’s development and observation of all three

 

[The Donners]

You’re kidding. Draper has a ridiculously high ceiling. Bryan is the epitome of our beige mediocrity. If we don’t turn Draper into a match-winner you can bet your bottom dollar someone else will.

All Bryan needs is size to impact contests. He can ruck and has nice disposal for a big man. Sure, it may not happen but he already has the tools.

Draper can’t ruck and can’t kick. He can however attack the footy.

I actually think Draper is the epitome of our mediocrity - only not beige - as we hang onto a dream of “what if”. Flashy in patches, goes missing when we need him. We don’t need someone who maybe has a great game in 5.