Pick #25 - Brisbane - Darcy Hourigan - 191cm/92kg - KPF - South Adelaide
Darcy Hourigan is a big-bodied KPF who dominated the U18 Champs for SA as he was just too big and powerful for his opponent. Hourigan has also spent time in the past playing as a KPD and made his debut in the SANFL seniors as a 15yo which is pretty impressive. He is a really big kid and lacks a little height for a KPF role but so did Jack Darling apparently. Whilst he doesn't have Darling's athleticism or endurance he is stronger and better one-on-one for mine.
Strengths: Hourigan is a big unit for an 18 year old kid, so won't take the 3-4 years to bulk him up for AFL. He's very strong and powerful and knows how to use his strength in the contest. One of his biggest assets is his ability to use his body to guard the space and take the contested mark. Hourigan is also a booming left foot kick and can launch goals from well outside 50m. He comes from a basketball background so is very clean, rarely fumbles even at ground level, which is impressive for a kid his size. As a lead-up forward, he is very smart in his leading patterns and despite not being overly quick, he can create separation on his defender and with his big body it's almost impossible for the defender to get around and prevent the mark.
Weaknesses: Hourigan will divide opinion amongst the recruiting fraternity for a few reasons. Firstly his height as he's been listed as any of 190-192cm. Hasn't effected Darling at AFL level and I don't think it will effect Hourigan either. At 92kg already he's not exactly a ball of muscle and is carrying a lot of puppy fat and is also lacking a tank to play as a leading CHF type at the highest level. Therefore, he is going to need a big pre-season or 2 to get himself ready for the demands of AFL.
Why Brisbane? Impey was my best available but Hourigan is a better fit, with Brisbane being so desperate for a KPF they recruited McGuane. I think Hourigan is the last of 3 KPF's capable of kicking 40+ goals a year which is what Brisbane are crying out for. Sure a 60-70 goal a year Boyd would be better but that can't happen now.