Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2017 Draft Almanac

[M Malice]

Powell-Pepper is an exceptional endurance athlete - that's the source of all those bursts of speed. Rayner doesn't have that and can't do that as often.

Both are equals in terms of what they can do in contested situations if not slight edge to Rayner.

Where Rayner has Powell-Pepper is as a forward. Rayner is an exceptional forward and provides significant impact forward of centre that I can't see SPP providing.

Of the two. Give me Rayner. Mids who can provide significant impact forward of centre are worth their weight in gold, and I fully expect Rayner builds up his endurance over time and becomes just as good through the midfield with his contested stuff highly impressive.

Thanks KM, Cameron Rayner it is then, I'll get onto Stephen Conole.

 

[briztoon]

If clubs like many of us share limited faith in the depth of this years draft class we very well may.

--
On a related note. Any VFL boys standing out to you this year from your viewings?

I've really lost interest in the VFL as a competition and other than the odd game, I don't watch the games, with my interest in the SANFL/WAFL/NEAFL much greater with each of those competitions stronger now with the VFL basically an AFL reserves comp with not much other talent.

There's been a fair amount of discussion recently on the Lions board about the standard of the non AFL NEAFL teams. It's really poor. Our reserves have been close to full strength for most of the year, and have been flogging every NEAFL team, except the reserve teams from GC, SYD and GWS. Talk from those who go and watch the reserves, or watch the NEAFL live feeds is that most games are basically a training run, with our reserves just physically and athletically so much better, that they can cover or recover from most mistakes just by reacting faster and getting the ball back.

A common observation is that we would be better served just playing the other northern AFL teams and then play VFL teams. There's be some discussion that the AFL should just bring in a full reserves competition with the AFL teams leaving their respective State competitions. Of course the big stumbling block for the interstate clubs is the extreme cost of travel and accomodation.

On a seperate point. Will be interesting to see if Connor Ballenden and Jack Payne will get any/much NEAFL games as our NEAFL squad is very tall already, with 3 rucks (often one playing as a KPD and one as a KPF for a fair amount of time), along with 2 or 3 KPD's depending who is playing in the seniors and 2 or 3 KPF's again depending on who is playing in the seniors.

 

[Yoda_]

If clubs like many of us share limited faith in the depth of this years draft class we very well may.

--
On a related note. Any VFL boys standing out to you this year from your viewings?

I've really lost interest in the VFL as a competition and other than the odd game, I don't watch the games, with my interest in the SANFL/WAFL/NEAFL much greater with each of those competitions stronger now with the VFL basically an AFL reserves comp with not much other talent.

Feel those recycled guys will be given another chance;

Eli Templeton - Has been tremendous this year for Port Melbourne. Averaging 28+ in a predominantly outside link up role. Has struggled to get forward like he showed in his early days at St.Kilda but feel he has found his niche at this level. If he can take up the challenge of an AFL enviroment, he could be a useful player at the top level. Ball use has been a worry but when you get it that much, hitting a target 65% of the time is useful enough imho.

Kade Answerth (Sandringham) - Have been high on this bloke for a couple of years now but he is the ultimate proffesional. Attacks the contest hard and the player harder. He is not quickest, nor is he the most skillful but he has a crack and has an elite footy brain. Well regarded at Sandringham - Vice captain

Brett Bewley - One of my favorites out of the VFL this year. Was stuck in the VFL development league for a little while there but he has come on in leaps and bounds in the last 18 months. A friend of mine plays at Willy, says he has never seen as good a left foot kick as he has from Bewley. Would be right in contention for the Fothergill - Round medalist as best player under 23.

Michael Gibbons - Was stellar in the past 18 months and is on track to figure prominently in the Liston Trophy again. Is small but he lacks speed and his ball use despite cleaning it up to solid is still quite poor. Has a go.

Sean Gregory - Free from all those injuries that ruined his 2 years on the Bombers list, Gregory has gone back to VFL level, got himself fit and improved his body shape to a respectable 197cm/92kg. Has played on and beaten some of the better VFL/AFL listed forwards. Has really improved his output where he averages mid teens now and is a useful link up man from the back 50. Will not be surprised to see him given another opportunity such has his improvement in 2017 been alone.

Alex Boyse - Essendon's leading goal kicker at the moment has been somewhat of a revelation coming onboard for 2017 from VAFA club St.Bernards. Is a nice size at 190cm, 85kg and gets on his bike to be a real link up between the midfield and the forward 50. Has kicked 2 or more in 6/10 games and has kicked a goal in every match this far. Is neat by foot and efficient by hand, his contested marking is a highlight for a player of his size. 22 goals from his 10 matches with us sees him firmly on my radar.

------------------

And a smokey to the point of only seeing his debut last week with us

Kieran Strachan - A 202cm/86kg ruckmen/fwd in the mould of Drew Petrie. He has a nice set of hands, a contributor around the ground but the highlight was the 5 contested marks he took on Saturday. Opposition was week (North Ballarat) but gets his chance against an AFL alligned opponent as the channel 7 TV game this week. One to keep an eye on imho.

 

[Knightmare]

Ben Allen, Coburg


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

From memory thinking back to his TAC Cup days. Not tall and not overly skilled but pacey and can find some of the ball? Is that accurate of his game still?

There's been a fair amount of discussion recently on the Lions board about the standard of the non AFL NEAFL teams. It's really poor. Our reserves have been close to full strength for most of the year, and have been flogging every NEAFL team, except the reserve teams from GC, SYD and GWS. Talk from those who go and watch the reserves, or watch the NEAFL live feeds is that most games are basically a training run, with our reserves just physically and athletically so much better, that they can cover or recover from most mistakes just by reacting faster and getting the ball back.

A common observation is that we would be better served just playing the other northern AFL teams and then play VFL teams. There's be some discussion that the AFL should just bring in a full reserves competition with the AFL teams leaving their respective State competitions. Of course the big stumbling block for the interstate clubs is the extreme cost of travel and accomodation.

On a seperate point. Will be interesting to see if Connor Ballenden and Jack Payne will get any/much NEAFL games as our NEAFL squad is very tall already, with 3 rucks (often one playing as a KPD and one as a KPF for a fair amount of time), along with 2 or 3 KPD's depending who is playing in the seniors and 2 or 3 KPF's again depending on who is playing in the seniors.

With the NEAFL my comment is less about a consistent standard of competition but more in terms of draftable talent. There are a lot more guys I view as possible AFL footballers. Top of mind: Keras. Sambono. Harper. Ilett. Payne.

NT Thunder have been good for a few years now. Sydney Uni going well.

AFL reserve teams will most of the time go better.

Ballenden surely gets NEAFL opportunities. Even if it means playing taller than you'd normally intend to set up. He'll probably even as a junior add to Brisbane's side if he plays key defence.

Feel those recycled guys will be given another chance;

Eli Templeton - Has been tremendous this year for Port Melbourne. Averaging 28+ in a predominantly outside link up role. Has struggled to get forward like he showed in his early days at St.Kilda but feel he has found his niche at this level. If he can take up the challenge of an AFL enviroment, he could be a useful player at the top level. Ball use has been a worry but when you get it that much, hitting a target 65% of the time is useful enough imho.

Kade Answerth (Sandringham) - Have been high on this bloke for a couple of years now but he is the ultimate proffesional. Attacks the contest hard and the player harder. He is not quickest, nor is he the most skillful but he has a crack and has an elite footy brain. Well regarded at Sandringham - Vice captain

Brett Bewley - One of my favorites out of the VFL this year. Was stuck in the VFL development league for a little while there but he has come on in leaps and bounds in the last 18 months. A friend of mine plays at Willy, says he has never seen as good a left foot kick as he has from Bewley. Would be right in contention for the Fothergill - Round medalist as best player under 23.

Michael Gibbons - Was stellar in the past 18 months and is on track to figure prominently in the Liston Trophy again. Is small but he lacks speed and his ball use despite cleaning it up to solid is still quite poor. Has a go.

Sean Gregory - Free from all those injuries that ruined his 2 years on the Bombers list, Gregory has gone back to VFL level, got himself fit and improved his body shape to a respectable 197cm/92kg. Has played on and beaten some of the better VFL/AFL listed forwards. Has really improved his output where he averages mid teens now and is a useful link up man from the back 50. Will not be surprised to see him given another opportunity such has his improvement in 2017 been alone.

Alex Boyse - Essendon's leading goal kicker at the moment has been somewhat of a revelation coming onboard for 2017 from VAFA club St.Bernards. Is a nice size at 190cm, 85kg and gets on his bike to be a real link up between the midfield and the forward 50. Has kicked 2 or more in 6/10 games and has kicked a goal in every match this far. Is neat by foot and efficient by hand, his contested marking is a highlight for a player of his size. 22 goals from his 10 matches with us sees him firmly on my radar.

------------------

And a smokey to the point of only seeing his debut last week with us

Kieran Strachan - A 202cm/86kg ruckmen/fwd in the mould of Drew Petrie. He has a nice set of hands, a contributor around the ground but the highlight was the 5 contested marks he took on Saturday. Opposition was week (North Ballarat) but gets his chance against an AFL alligned opponent as the channel 7 TV game this week. One to keep an eye on imho.

Bewley and Boyse sound interesting.

Answerth I liked and thought should have been drafted as an overager. Has he added anything to his game over the last 18 months?

Has Gibbons improved his kicking? Efficiency looks ok, but have never seen a game in years past of his where I've felt his kicking was satisfactory.

If Gregory wins his 1v1 marking contests and has more 8+ mark games. He could be worth a look with those around the numbers if they're doing it every week that spikes my interest.

Five contested marks from Strachan is a nice return. What age is he?

 

[Yoda_]

Bewley and Boyse sound interesting.

Answerth I liked and thought should have been drafted as an overager. Has he added anything to his game over the last 18 months?

Has Gibbons improved his kicking? Efficiency looks ok, but have never seen a game in years past of his where I've felt his kicking was satisfactory.

If Gregory wins his 1v1 marking contests and has more 8+ mark games. He could be worth a look with those around the numbers if they're doing it every week that spikes my interest.

Five contested marks from Strachan is a nice return. What age is he?

Bewley is a Stewart Dew clone, except he plays half back/wing. His left foot is something else.
Boyse just has something. His testing (if he goes to Draft Camp) will go along way to seeing him given an opportunity at the next level.

Answerth is just going. Hasn't dominated games but what he does do, he does well. Can't say he has added anything extra to his game.

Gibbons has tried to improve his kicking efficiency but still lacks that kicking penetration.

Gregory is never going to be a goliath, was never angled that way when with Essendon. Will be a floater, a Lever, Gleeson type. Do agree that he will need to take more intercept marks to be considered. He is doing well in a stand alone club like Coburg.

Strachan 21 years old (5/10/95) was really good. He was stiff not to hit the scoreboard last week but it was his ability not in the ruck but his mobility around the ground that was impressive. 3/5 of his contested marks were around the ground.

 

[blueiris]

So if the Lions do draft Ballenden and play him down back would you still move Hipwood into defence. Which you have been pushing for a while increasing a strong defense and drafting Will Sutherland interesting Fagan talked about trying Hipwood down back and Andrews forward I think Andrews is our best marking KPP in our team

 

[Knightmare]

So if the Lions do draft Ballenden and play him down back would you still move Hipwood into defence. Which you have been pushing for a while increasing a strong defense and drafting Will Sutherland interesting Fagan talked about trying Hipwood down back and Andrews forward I think Andrews is our best marking KPP in our team

It's still early days for Andrews and Brisbane. Trying him up forward may be worth trialling given Ballenden's consistency down back and Hipwood (in my view) being better suited down back.

Sutherland at one is probably a touch too risky given how little AFL he has played and his numbers while ok aren't nearly pick one worthy.

Brisbane may be able to secure a long term key forward from one of those other two first round choices however.

 

[lionshine]

With the NEAFL my comment is less about a consistent standard of competition but more in terms of draftable talent. There are a lot more guys I view as possible AFL footballers. Top of mind: Keras. Sambono. Harper. Ilett. Payne.

Ilett as in 32 year old Cameron Ilett?

 

[Soups]

Ilett as in 32 year old Cameron Ilett?

I was going to comment on that also. Watched a lot of Cam when he was younger. Probably one of the more unlucky ones never to be drafted. If he was 22 playing today, he would be picked up.

 

[Knightmare]

Ilett as in 32 year old Cameron Ilett?

James Ives I was meaning. Not Ilett. Or at least based off 2016 form I thought he wasn't far off.

 

[Smythe]

Will Sutherland has chosen cricket

 

[Jack Richards]

Damn and he was a top 5 prospect too.

 

[Knightmare]

Will Sutherland has chosen cricket

A loss for AFL. But it is what it is.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Damn and he was a top 5 prospect too.

I did not think he was a top 10 prospect, let alone a top 5.

 

[Knightmare]

I did not think he was a top 10 prospect, let alone a top 5.

On the basis of production? Not creating enough separation on the lead?

What made you place Sutherland outside of your top 5?

I had him sitting solidly at 4.

 

[LemmingMaster]

On the basis of production? Not creating enough separation on the lead?

What made you place Sutherland outside of your top 5?

I had him sitting solidly at 4.

Whenever you doubt Sutherland, the counter to his lack of output is the fact he focused on cricket and only played some school football.

There was low levels of output and I did not see explosive pace to get off the mark. I keep hearing how he could move into the midfield (like Fogarty) and he produced nothing of note in the midfield and did not look like he was a nature midfielder.

The argument will never be resolved, but I was just not a fan of the small sample size I watched.

The main aspect of Sutherland I did enjoy was his agro, seemed to like a contest.

 

[Monocle]

The main aspect of Sutherland I did enjoy was his agro, seemed to like a contest.

X 2 this was what I liked most about the way he went about his game.

Oh well I hope that same agro translates into some lofted cover drives and some searing bouncers .

 

[RedmanWasHere]

With him being so tall, I'll assume he's a fast bowler.

 

[Apex36]

With him being so tall, I'll assume he's a fast bowler.

All rounder apparently.

 

[Jack Richards]

Makes you wonder if he will come back to footy ala Alex Keath...

 

[HedgeFund]

Makes you wonder if he will come back to footy ala Alex Keath...

One hopes he has greater success than poor Alex. Chose to push on with cricket a couple of seasons too long perhaps?

 

[BStone]

Liked the game of Alex Witherden today, who are the good rebounding defenders with good foot skills in this years draft pool?

 

[briztoon]

Liked the game of Alex Witherden today, who are the good rebounding defenders with good foot skills in this years draft pool?

Nicholas Coffield

 

[foodles05]

Hey KM just wondering about your thoughts on two SA boys. Charlie Ballard and Jake Weideman. I reckon Ballard has the potential to be a star although I don't think his draft position will necessarily reflect this. Having said that I would not be surprised if he moves further and further up the order as the year progresses. Weideman is probably only a rookie possibility in my opinion but has really clean hands, is a good size and quick enough. What do you think?

 

[Joel Pattinson]

Apparently Rayner hurt his knee playing this weekend for the western jets does anyone have any updates on him??