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Liam Henry - 179cm, 67kg mid/forward from Claremont, WA
If Fremantle didn't have access to Henry already, I'd have genuinely considered him for my pick at #10. There's been a lot of discussion on the Fremantle board about where a bid will come, and I think there's a real chance it comes earlier than expected. And that's because Henry is in a class of his own in terms of what he offers as a prospect.
His combination of speed and skill is elite as a draft prospect. You don't want to generalise, but it's inevitable that Henry is compared to other indigenous players like Michael Walters and Cyril Rioli. And he can do everthing that they make look so easy. And it's almost a shame that we take these things for granted now, because the poise and smarts that a prospect like Henry shows are truly AFL quality.
The key for Henry going forward will just be body strength. I really rate his potential as a midfielder, but it will likely take a few seasons before he becomes more consistent and able in that role. Worst case, I think Henry will be a very good small forward for a long time to come. Best case, he could be one of the more damaging midfielders in the league.
Glenelg premiership defender Will Gould – described as one of the best leaders in this year’s draft pool – has responded to questions about his fitness by shedding 6kg and slashing his skinfold levels in two weeks.
Admitting to being “a bit rusty’’ at the AFL Draft Combine, which was held just nine days after he helped the Tigers break a 33-year league premiership drought, Gould said he had been stung by some “pretty direct instructions’’ in his meeting with Sydney.
Key defender Gould weighed in at the combine at 106kg and recorded skinfold measurements of 78 after a week of celebrating Glenelg’s long-awaited flag.
When he last weighed himself two weeks ago – after he had pulled out of the Tigers’ end-of-season trip to Darwin to focus on his body and the draft – he had dropped to 100kg and his skinfold levels were down to 60.
The Swans had told Gould – SA’s under-18 captain this year – that his skinfolds needed to be measured at 55 or below before a club would draft him.
“There was a little bit of feedback from clubs at the combine,’’ the powerful 18-year-old told The Lowdown AFL Draft Podcast.
With pick number 6 (originally 5), Sydney select
Luke Jackson
East Fremantle FC
KPF/Ruck
199cm/94kg
Jackson has been steadily climbing the boards in 2019 and for me, he is the stand out tall in this draft. There is a lot to like about this guy and I was prepared to jump up and take him. I expect to hear the shouts of “we don’t want a ruckman this early” but I saw him play live on several occasions and if you had of been there, you could also justify my valuation. He is no ordinary ruckman and later in 2019, he showed that he would make it as a KPF.
He has the basketball background and in 2019, finally chose football over representing Australia in the green and gold for hoops. During the year, I witnessed a marked improvement in his positional play and his reading of the ball. The longer the season went, the more natural a football brain he showed. Will he be a power forward who rucks or a ruck who plays more the Grundy ruck and ruck-rover away from stoppages? I am not sure but that does not change my valuation.
There is a reason that the East Fremantle midfield of Trent Rivers, Jeremy Sharp, Chad Warner and Trey Ruscoe were all invited to the combine after they seemed to step up in 2019. They had Jackson feeding them. And when I say feeding them, it is not just his hit outs (and yes in typical basketball style they hit the mark) but Jackson has a wonderful follow-up, is clean below his knees and was frequently feeding the mids by handpass post stoppage. Sydney mids will be salivating to think they would have Luke joining their team.
While there are a load of midfielders in this draft, I expect to be able to address those needs with picks 25, 32 and 44. Jackson offers a significant point of difference and hence the selection.
Over to you Chris25
As a Brisbane and big Will Gould fan it pains me to do this.
Pick 17.
Gold Coast Suns:
Will Gould.
Write up tonight.
cotter101 you’re up.
Pick 17, I rate this kid higher then thatAs a Brisbane and big Will Gould fan it pains me to do this.
Pick 17.
Gold Coast Suns:
Will Gould.
Write up tonight.
cotter101 you’re up.
Pick 17, I rate this kid higher then that
Pick 17, I rate this kid higher then that
Gold coast would be stoked with thatAs a Brisbane and big Will Gould fan it pains me to do this.
Pick 17.
Gold Coast Suns:
Will Gould.
Write up tonight.
cotter101 you’re up.
There will be some serious melting on the geelong board if this was to happen
Why?There will be some serious melting on the geelong board if this was to happen
There will be some serious melting on the geelong board if this was to happen
EarlyWhy?
I don't have an issue with the pick. It's good that he has backed his own rankingsAll part of the plan to get Cooper Stevens to Richmond.
Jokes aside you can take the issue up with Snoop.
As a Tigers man I would be stoked if Stevens got to our pick, however I can't see Geelong passing on that pickAll part of the plan to get Cooper Stevens to Richmond.
Jokes aside you can take the issue up with Snoop.
So do I but every draft one or two players who are predicted to go somewhere in the first round end up sliding to a little later than most expect. Gould could be one of those players this year.
Not rated in club land?I suspect Gould will be a slider according to BigFooty, but not to those in the know. Not that I agree, but I think recruiters will outsmart themselves.
I suspect Gould will be a slider according to BigFooty, but not to those in the know. Not that I agree, but I think recruiters will outsmart themselves.
Has a little Glen archer in him as wellWill Gould seems like an amalgam of Grant Birchall and Shannon Hurn. If his body holds up, and he has the right attitude, he will play 200 + games as an intercepting and rebounding defender.
If the Hawks took him at 11/12... Depending on who is left... I’d be happy.
Yeah I picked him at Ports first in our mockWent at 11 in the Dogs mock.
Does Archer translate to modern day AFL football? What happens if he is just a step or two below Archer in ability, does it translate into modern day AFL?Has a little Glen archer in him as well