Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2017 Draft Almanac

[Knightmare]

From what you guys have seen, who are the best talkers while being interviewed?

I'm at games watching the players out on the field or listening to their coaches rather than interacting with them or in the rooms interviewing them pre/post game.

Though, you can often get a sense just watching them either out on the field or in the huddles what they're like. eg. Davies-Uniacke in huddles has a very serious, locked in persona, not overly vocal or chatty.

This year, James Worpel has been one of the standouts in terms of being vocal out on the field, encouraging teammates etc.

 

[Hutchy Jnr]

1. Moore (the only of these I'd be drafting)
+ Ball winner and genuine footballer, great at base of pack, skills solid, endurance, capable as a forward.
- Nothing I really hate.

2. Spargo
+ Fast, finds a lot of the ball inside and outside, finds plenty of it
- Inconsistent kick

3. Giro
+ Highest volume accumulator on this list - mostly outside, endurance
- Nice style left foot kick but it's inconsistent, low impact

4. Crowden
+ Big, strong build. Skills solid.
- Lacks an x-factor. Not overly quick.

Moore I have top 30 on my draft board. He grows on me each time I see him and loved his game on Saturday. The others are more types I'd take as rookies if I could accommodate a small mid and if what they do is something I need. Harsh as that is on Spargo who is top 30 for most at this stage.

Knightmare,
Did you have Sprago ahead of Moore before the Champs? I still have him ahead at the moment, but can 100% why he has now come into consideration in top 30. Looking forward to seeing him over the next few weeks, if he continues, look out.
And
Do you think Giro's rank is around the 50's-60's ?

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare,
Did you have Sprago ahead of Moore before the Champs? I still have him ahead at the moment, but can 100% why he has now come into consideration in top 30. Looking forward to seeing him over the next few weeks, if he continues, look out.
And
Do you think Giro's rank is around the 50's-60's ?

Marginally, though Moore on my draft board in creating seperation moving from somewhere in the 40s to around 25ish.

I expect Spargo goes before Moore, but my own rankings will always vary from what my eventual phantom draft will be.

I haven't extended my draft board out to 50-60 but that would be roughly where I would place Spargo, Giro and Crowden.

 

[Procrastinator35]

Knightmare.

Which one of the four big men in Hayes, Coleman-Jones, Ballenden & Crossley impresses you most?

Can you provide a current draft rating for all 4 of them?

Which of the 4 is the better contested mark?.....The best hands below the knees?.....Who has The best kick of the 4?

Who of the 4 is the quickest across the ground in getting to the contest & which one has the best endurance across the 4 quarters?

 

[Hutchy Jnr]

Knightmare.

Which one of the four big men in Hayes, Coleman-Jones, Ballenden & Crossley impresses you most?

Can you provide a current draft rating for all 4 of them?

Which of the 4 is the better contested mark?.....The best hands below the knees?.....Who has The best kick of the 4?

Who of the 4 is the quickest across the ground in getting to the contest & which one has the best endurance across the 4 quarters?

CCJ has the best contested mark and probably best at ground level. His ground level work was on show against the Allies. He likes being a forward more than ruck (mentioned on an radio

Hayes was at the top of everyones list for talls of last years efforts as a bottom ager, before the champs. Hasn't done anything wrong to stop that happening as yet. Probably best kick of the four efficiency wise.

Ballenden plays as a taller defender, based off last game but played forward first two games. A real tall swingman. I would say he would be fittest of the lot as he plays off half back and goes forward plus he does seem to run a lot in a game. Very athletic for 199cm too.

Crossley is pushing his case as well for best tall. He showed last week he can go forward and slot two majors and still get 30 odd hit outs.

Draft Order:
5-10 : Ballenden (Showed he can play forward, off half back and run) More of a package to offer clubs.
5-10: Hayes (Has showed enough already in games what he can do. Can go forward as well and damage. Strong and Tallest of the 4)
15-25 : CCJ (I predict he will be higher come November. Great mark overhead and arguably most dominate ruck man of champs so far)
25 + : Crossley (The chaser of the 4 talls but closing in. Next game he plays will tell us more. Needs another 30 odd hit out game)

 

[PattyKwasagun]

How's Jonty Scharenberg going? On the radar to get drafted this year? Still surprised he couldn't even get a rookie spot last season.

 

[Newatthis]

In what way? game quality? Players to watch?

What was it in the way they played that you liked. Taylor is a talent and I think should be top 10 for next year. I think Brookes has some really good skills and can match it with those placed 20 to 50 in the draft but others on here don't rate him.

 

[ringo1]

What was it in the way they played that you liked. Taylor is a talent and I think should be top 10 for next year. I think Brookes has some really good skills and can match it with those placed 20 to 50 in the draft but others on here don't rate him.

I did like the way they linked and got the overlap. Played long and direct with the wind and thought they had the better style of play. Taylor for mine could be the most sought after forward in 2018. Once again I raise the question about a player such as Brookes not being considered for the draft.

 

[footy24seven]

I did like the way they linked and got the overlap. Played long and direct with the wind and thought they had the better style of play. Taylor for mine could be the most sought after forward in 2018. Once again I raise the question about a player such as Brookes not being considered for the draft.

Please, not Brooke's again!


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[Hutchy Jnr]

How's Jonty Scharenberg going? On the radar to get drafted this year? Still surprised he couldn't even get a rookie spot last season.

His last probably month at SANFL League have been pleasing. I watched his game against the Eagles on the weekend. He is playing off half back. Doesn't seem out of depth at all. Was demanding the ball on switches and taking the game on. Seems to have a more composure this year, which I thought he lacked at some stages last year. He has put on some kgs, especially around the legs (most clubs issue was his legs/knees -if they will hold up unlike Matt's have). The week before against North he got 25 touches. The week before that 22 touches and 11 marks against Crows Reserves.
He is still very much on a few clubs radar, his past month of football has certainly helped too.
Best chance for mine is getting a spot on Port or Crows list.. But I do know last year North Melb were 100% loving him but obviously not enough to call his name out.

 

[Bishop]

Please, not Brooke's again!


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Must've been the best 10 disposal game anyone has ever seen.

 

[HedgeFund]

Please, not Brooke's again!


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Agreed. Please stop - his father had to come on here last time and that was unfortunate for all concerned.

As a top ager who has played 10 games in a team which has won 3 and is currently sitting equal bottom, unless he was BOG in at least 4 of those games, at 176cm/72kgs he isn't even on the radar of Coburg Development for 2018.

He has appeared in the best players on 3 out of 10 occasions. 3rd best in a loss to Western Jets, 5th best in a loss to Geelong and 6th best in a Futures round loss to Sandy. That suggests even his own coaches don't rate his actual performances anywhere highly enough to be in draft conversations.

He played a serviceable game against Sandy, surrounded by bottom agers.

Please let him play out his TAC season and try to get a VFL training invite in the process. That's where he stands in my opinion - and good luck to him!

 

[footy24seven]

Agreed. Please stop - his father had to come on here last time and that was unfortunate for all concerned.

As a top ager who has played 10 games in a team which has won 3 and is currently sitting equal bottom, unless he was BOG in at least 4 of those games, at 176cm/72kgs he isn't even on the radar of Coburg Development for 2018.

He has appeared in the best players on 3 out of 10 occasions. 3rd best in a loss to Western Jets, 5th best in a loss to Geelong and 6th best in a Futures round loss to Sandy. That suggests even his own coaches don't rate his actual performances anywhere highly enough to be in draft conversations.

He played a serviceable game against Sandy, surrounded by bottom agers.

Please let him play out his TAC season and try to get a VFL training invite in the process. That's where he stands in my opinion - and good luck to him!

Yes, wishing him all the best


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[briztoon]

CCJ has the best contested mark and probably best at ground level. His ground level work was on show against the Allies. He likes being a forward more than ruck (mentioned on an radio

Hayes was at the top of everyones list for talls of last years efforts as a bottom ager, before the champs. Hasn't done anything wrong to stop that happening as yet. Probably best kick of the four efficiency wise.

Ballenden plays as a taller defender, based off last game but played forward first two games. A real tall swingman. I would say he would be fittest of the lot as he plays off half back and goes forward plus he does seem to run a lot in a game. Very athletic for 199cm too.

Crossley is pushing his case as well for best tall. He showed last week he can go forward and slot two majors and still get 30 odd hit outs.

Draft Order:
5-10 : Ballenden (Showed he can play forward, off half back and run) More of a package to offer clubs.
5-10: Hayes (Has showed enough already in games what he can do. Can go forward as well and damage. Strong and Tallest of the 4)
15-25 : CCJ (I predict he will be higher come November. Great mark overhead and arguably most dominate ruck man of champs so far)
25 + : Crossley (The chaser of the 4 talls but closing in. Next game he plays will tell us more. Needs another 30 odd hit out game)

Seriously, Ballenden hasn't put together a game that screams first round prospect. He's showed glimpses of talent, but that's it. Hayes and Callum Coleman-Jones have played better last year and this year.

Yes Ballenden is mobile in a straight line, but he's not agile enough and doesn't have the lateral movement required of a key forward or back at AFL level. He is a decent field kick and looks like a good tap and can follow up with second efforts.

Many Brisbane draft/academy watchers believe Ballenden's long term position will be as a ruck forward. Currently the Lions have two good young developing rucks on our list in Archie Smith and rookie Oscar McInerney.

If Ballenden get's bid on inside the first 15 picks or even the first round, another club can have him. We'll come and trade for him when Stef Martin retires.

 

[Hutchy Jnr]

Seriously, Ballenden hasn't put together a game that screams first round prospect. He's showed glimpses of talent, but that's it. Hayes and Callum Coleman-Jones have played better last year and this year.

Yes Ballenden is mobile in a straight line, but he's not agile enough and doesn't have the lateral movement required of a key forward or back at AFL level. He is a decent field kick and looks like a good tap and can follow up with second efforts.

Many Brisbane draft/academy watchers believe Ballenden's long term position will be as a ruck forward. Currently the Lions have two good young developing rucks on our list in Archie Smith and rookie Oscar McInerney.

If Ballenden get's bid on inside the first 15 picks or even the first round, another club can have him. We'll come and trade for him when Stef Martin retires.

I feel last game he showed potential to be a first rounder for sure? He struggled up forward for first two games but he did show some potential against Allies when he went down back. Especially first half. Shows he can swingman (back and forward) and ruck.
Just a personal thought that i can't see Hayes, CCJ or Crossely be influential down back as him. Although CCJ and Hayes haven't played down back, hard to compare.

Im not a huge follower of the Academy so you would have a lot more knowledge than me. Interesting that they say him as a Ruck first though? If they think that then yes i agree not worth you bidding. Archie is looking great at AFL level. Any news on Matt Eagles ?

I had CCJ going 15-25? I also said he could potentially be lower come the end of the champs.
CCJ vs Hayes this weekend will be a great game to watch for best tall. Looking forward to seeing them match up.

 

[OB11]

Seriously, Ballenden hasn't put together a game that screams first round prospect. He's showed glimpses of talent, but that's it. Hayes and Callum Coleman-Jones have played better last year and this year.

Yes Ballenden is mobile in a straight line, but he's not agile enough and doesn't have the lateral movement required of a key forward or back at AFL level. He is a decent field kick and looks like a good tap and can follow up with second efforts.

Many Brisbane draft/academy watchers believe Ballenden's long term position will be as a ruck forward. Currently the Lions have two good young developing rucks on our list in Archie Smith and rookie Oscar McInerney.

If Ballenden get's bid on inside the first 15 picks or even the first round, another club can have him. We'll come and trade for him when Stef Martin retires.

If Richmond finish just below Port on the ladder I could see them bidding on Ballenden in the 12-14 range as:

1. Perfect fit - Tigers need a 2nd tall forward and a decent relief ruckman behind Nankervis;
2. Tigers are not afraid to bid on academy players multiple times in the 1st rd
3. As Tigers have GWS's 1st rd pick that could possibly make it 3-5 picks between it's 2 x 1st rd picks, which may include the Port pick - bidding on Ballenden would knock out that pick and there would be 1 less chance for a club to bid on Patrick Naish before the GWS pick

Don't know if a highly touted player would want to come back via a trade to his Academy club after it didn't match a bid on him at a pick where he felt they should of...

If the picks stay were they are the Lions would need to consider the merits of trading up or trading back for more assets

 

[Hutchy Jnr]

Charlie Sprago (Allies) to undergo shoulder surgery and out for the rest of the season

 

[The Grover]

Must've been the best 10 disposal game anyone has ever seen.

10 disposals may be a decent game as a defender, provided you also defended your opponent well.

10 as a midfielder would be poor in any game any level.

 

[briztoon]

If Richmond finish just below Port on the ladder I could see them bidding on Ballenden in the 12-14 range as:

1. Perfect fit - Tigers need a 2nd tall forward and a decent relief ruckman behind Nankervis;
2. Tigers are not afraid to bid on academy players multiple times in the 1st rd
3. As Tigers have GWS's 1st rd pick that could possibly make it 3-5 picks between it's 2 x 1st rd picks, which may include the Port pick - bidding on Ballenden would knock out that pick and there would be 1 less chance for a club to bid on Patrick Naish before the GWS pick

Don't know if a highly touted player would want to come back via a trade to his Academy club after it didn't match a bid on him at a pick where he felt they should of...

If the picks stay were they are the Lions would need to consider the merits of trading up or trading back for more assets

Currently don't have time for an in-depth reply.

Tigers don't own GWS's first round pick. They own Geelongs.

GWS lost their first round pick due to the Lochie Whitfield saga.

If Tigers bid on him, I'd let them have him. Lions have passed on academy kids before.

I'm pretty sure clubs will have a fair idea which academy kids, academy clubs will want to match a bid on and where.

If I was desperate for a KPF, I would be trying real hard to trade in to the top of next years draft. This years KPP's < next years KPP's.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Th

Seriously, Ballenden hasn't put together a game that screams first round prospect. He's showed glimpses of talent, but that's it. Hayes and Callum Coleman-Jones have played better last year and this year.

Yes Ballenden is mobile in a straight line, but he's not agile enough and doesn't have the lateral movement required of a key forward or back at AFL level. He is a decent field kick and looks like a good tap and can follow up with second efforts.

Many Brisbane draft/academy watchers believe Ballenden's long term position will be as a ruck forward. Currently the Lions have two good young developing rucks on our list in Archie Smith and rookie Oscar McInerney.

If Ballenden get's bid on inside the first 15 picks or even the first round, another club can have him. We'll come and trade for him when Stef Martin retires.

Same line of thinking for me as well.

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare.

Which one of the four big men in Hayes, Coleman-Jones, Ballenden & Crossley impresses you most?

Can you provide a current draft rating for all 4 of them?

Which of the 4 is the better contested mark?.....The best hands below the knees?.....Who has The best kick of the 4?

Who of the 4 is the quickest across the ground in getting to the contest & which one has the best endurance across the 4 quarters?

There isn't a whole lot to separate those four.

Hayes and Coleman-Jones are the two who have done the most as ruckmen. Coleman-Jones with his contested marking and finding as much as he is around the ground is without equal. Hayes on the other hand is the more capable tap ruckman with Coleman-Jones having no lift on his jump, with Hayes still in his own right able as a forward and finding it around the ground.

Ballenden has good moments but hasn't done as much.

Crossley has been very strong through the ruck but probably does less things well relative to the other three. Still very developable and another I rate.

(My own rating - unrelated to where clubs may rate them)
1. Hayes
2. CCJ
3. Ballenden
4. Crossley

Contested marking = CCJ
Below knees - no clear standout
Best kick - no clear standout but probably Hayes
Quickest across the ground - Crossley is the slower of the four, otherwise no clear standout
Endurance = possibly CCJ though don't have the numbers

How's Jonty Scharenberg going? On the radar to get drafted this year? Still surprised he couldn't even get a rookie spot last season.

He's having a strong season and performing well in the SANFL.

Can't be discounted given how well he is going at League level.

A draft chance again this year if he continues to improve and add points of difference to his game.

Charlie Sprago (Allies) to undergo shoulder surgery and out for the rest of the season

That's a shame to hear.

Luckily Spargo did plenty last year and has the performances under his belt.

 

[michael brookes]

Agreed. Please stop - his father had to come on here last time and that was unfortunate for all concerned.

As a top ager who has played 10 games in a team which has won 3 and is currently sitting equal bottom, unless he was BOG in at least 4 of those games, at 176cm/72kgs he isn't even on the radar of Coburg Development for 2018.

He has appeared in the best players on 3 out of 10 occasions. 3rd best in a loss to Western Jets, 5th best in a loss to Geelong and 6th best in a Futures round loss to Sandy. That suggests even his own coaches don't rate his actual performances anywhere highly enough to be in draft conversations.

He played a serviceable game against Sandy, surrounded by bottom agers.

Please let him play out his TAC season and try to get a VFL training invite in the process. That's where he stands in my opinion - and good luck to him!

Thank you all for the interest and chat on my son. However, as I said before please let him just play the game he loves. If he is good enough to make it to the AFL one day then he will. If he makes it to the VFL then he will. If he goes back and plays club football, then he will. But just to set the record straight on his recent performances, over the last five rounds he has played on boys like Trusler, Penrith, Petruccelle, Miers, Benson and Mosquito. From that he has only had two goals kicked on him while he has been marking them. His job has been to stop his opponent from scoring so on that point, me being biased I think he has been doing a great job. Now can we all move on. Again. Thank you.

 

[Portello]

Thank you all for the interest and chat on my son. However, as I said before please let him just play the game he loves. If he is good enough to make it to the AFL one day then he will. If he makes it to the VFL then he will. If he goes back and plays club football, then he will. But just to set the record straight on his recent performances, over the last five rounds he has played on boys like Trusler, Penrith, Petruccelle, Miers, Benson and Mosquito. From that he has only had two goals kicked on him while he has been marking them. His job has been to stop his opponent from scoring so on that point, me being biased I think he has been doing a great job. Now can we all move on. Again. Thank you.

Well said !! these blokes on here are mostly all guessing or doing promos for someone they think is better than they really are. too much time on there hands imo

 

[Newatthis]

10 disposals may be a decent game as a defender, provided you also defended your opponent well.

10 as a midfielder would be poor in any game any level.

His last game he started in the middle, was moved to full forward, rotated to the wing and back to defence.
Last comment on this.

 

[Knightmare]

AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Dustin Martin clone and possible number one overall selection Cameron Rayner: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/19755024/knightmare-afl-draft-wrap-rayner-next-dustin-martin