2017 AFL Draft thread

[one-eyed]

From Callum Twomey's live draft chat:


Q. Is there still a chance a club will bid on Patrick Naish before Richmond’s first selection - pick 17?

Cal Twomey: Don't think so. Geelong and North the main concerns for the Tigers I'd imagine in the 17-25 bracket.



Q. Stephenson looks the slider - which Clubs have ruled him out? Loks perfect for the Swans, are they interested?

Cal Twomey: A few I've spoken to won't be going with Jaidyn, which is disappointing for him. But Collingwood has an interest at No.6, while the Saints have done plenty of work too. Think the Swans at No.14 will have a very hard look at him, then the Tigers and Cats are other chances.



Q. How confident are you that Stephenson will fall to the Tigers and that we'd take him?

Cal Twomey: He is the mystery of the draft so he's very hard to place. Think clubs who are interested are still doing their due diligence.



Q. Where does Higgins end up? Looks a gem

Cal Twomey: Anywhere from the Giant at 11 to the Eagles at 21 I reckon. Most clubs inside that bracket will have a good look at him. If he got to the Tigers I think they should grab him.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-23/chat-with-the-draft-guru-live-from-1pm-aedt

[one-eyed]

@__Daniel__16: If Richmond snag ie Stephenson and Brander, do they go kpp or Chook ?

@BAndersonSEN: Ruck/fwd.


@BAndersonSEN: If Stephenson gets past St Kilda, then Sydney is the next possible landing spot. If not there, he may well get into 20s. Cats a show in the 20s. #AFLDraft

@HumanMeatball3: Do you really not see Richmond taking him?
1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes

@BAndersonSEN: Undecided.

@ddinardo17: Surely the Tigers go for him with 2 more picks coming soon after

@BAndersonSEN: Possibly. But its a complicated case.

@paulmynott: Absolutely nothing wrong with the kid. Biggest load of rubbish i have heard. The club that doesnt take him will regret it. #justsaying

@paulmynott: Its pretty annoying reading all this about Jaidyn. A quality young man and the best talent in the draft IMO. Has had medical clearance.

@brettenlund: Spot on mate! I agree completely too. Clubs will regret it down the track if they pass him up #willbeagenuinesuperstar

@BAndersonSEN: I hope so Paul. Good luck for the young fella tomorrow night!

https://twitter.com/BAndersonSEN/with_replies

[one-eyed]

Collingwood & Richmond still weighing up position on Jaidyn Stephenson

November 23, 2017 6:47pm
Jake Niall
FOX SPORTS

LITTLE more than 24 hours from the national draft, Collingwood and Richmond are still weighing up their position on one of the most talented players in the pool — Eastern Ranges forward/midfielder Jaidyn Stephenson.

The Magpies and Tigers were understood to be still awaiting medical clearance to select Stephenson, who has a heart condition that has seen some clubs rule him out of selection in the first round — a stance that the Stephenson camp feel is alarmist and not justified.

The Tigers, indeed, have been considering whether they can pick Stephenson, in part because they think there is a chance that the speedster will slide down to Pick 17 — the premiers’ first of three picks inside the top 25.

But West Coast and Sydney are believed to have cleared Stephenson medically with both interested in drafting him. The Eagles have Pick 13, which would give them first shot before the Swans at Pick 14.

A number of clubs with picks in the first 20 have ruled out selecting Stephenson, including Carlton, while St Kilda is also considered unlikely to pick him at either Pick 7 or 8 and GWS is keen on other players at Pick 11.

With Brisbane certain to nominate forward Cameron Rayner at Pick 1, Carlton locked in on midfielder Paddy Dow at Pick 3 and poised midfielder Adam Cerra increasingly likely to be picked at either Pick 2 (Fremantle) or Pick 4 (North Melbourne), Collingwood appears to be the only club in the top dozen still considering Stephenson with their first selection at Pick 6.

There was a small chance that Andrew Brayshaw would fall through to Collingwood at Pick 6, but sources suggested on Thursday that he was still most likely to be picked inside the top five, meaning Collingwood’s call on Stephenson shapes as the biggest question mark on the first round of the draft.

North Melbourne is interested in both Cerra and South Australian utility Darcy Fogarty at Pick 4, along with Luke Davies-Uniacke, and are believed to rate both ahead of Brayshaw, whose father Mark is an ex-North player and board member.

The most likely scenario, however, has Cerra going to Fremantle at 2 and Dow to Carlton at 3, with Davies-Uniacke and Brayshaw rounding out the top five. The Dockers have Stephenson on their draft board, but are likely to look elsewhere inside the top five.

Stephenson’s heart condition — first detected at a routine draft screening — has prompted a risk-averse reaction from several clubs and his selection shapes as perhaps the biggest question of the draft. Some within clubs note that this condition — however potentially serious — has never been evident in his distinguished Under 18s career.

The Saints are believed to be looking seriously at running defender Nick Coffield and midfielder Hunter Clark at Picks 7 and 8, while the Western Bulldogs are favoured to select West Australian key defender Aaron Naughton at Pick 9.

In an outcome that would annoy Collingwood people, archrival Carlton is a serious chance to draft Oakleigh’s quick defender Ed Richards, the grandson of Magpie legend Ron Richards and grand nephew of Collingwood and media giant Lou Richards, at Pick 10, with Lochie O’Brien also in the mix for the Blues.

Athletic forward Aiden Bonar, who will not be picked by Carlton, is a major chance to be taken by GWS at Pick 11, assuming he is not picked by the Saints. GWS also likes Richards.

The Lions like Lachie Fogarty, a small forward, and could well choose him at Pick 15.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2017-collingwood-richmond-still-weighing-up-position-on-jaidyn-stephenson/news-story/a068c67f9f725e090eb8ef0e94555bbe

[one-eyed]

Twomey's "late mail" has us taking

Nathan Murphy at 17,
Brander at 20,
Hayes at 25
Naish at 27 (after GWS's bid).


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

Cal Twomey's late mail: Top five shake-up

afl.com.au
November 23, 2017 6:50 PM

ALL EYES will be on Fremantle's No.2 pick at Friday night's NAB AFL Draft, with midfielder Adam Cerra looming as a possible surprise selection.

The Dockers have been strongly linked to Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke and he could still land there at the prized spot.

However, Cerra has been all the late rage as the top end takes shape and the Dockers work out their best combination of players with their two top-five selections.

With the Lions expected to take Victorian Cam Rayner at pick No.1, if the Dockers grab Cerra at No.2, Carlton would then be forced to choose between midfield jets Paddy Dow and Davies-Uniacke at No.3.

The Blues have long been linked to Dow, which would leave North to grab Davies-Uniacke and bolster its midfield.

Despite its interest in South Australian Darcy Fogarty, North Melbourne appears more likely to select one of midfield duo Davies-Uniacke or Cerra with its No.4 choice.

Freo's decision at No.2 will significantly shape how the rest of the top 10 plays out, in what has been described by recruiters as the most open and difficult draft to predict in memory.

Collingwood continues to be linked to Fogarty at its No.6 choice, but another player the Magpies are considering is Jaidyn Stephenson, whose place in the draft order has been difficult to ascertain after the teenager's heart condition came to light for clubs at last month's NAB AFL Draft Combine.

The Magpies were one of the clubs who were part of extra medical assessments on Stephenson last week, while St Kilda has also done extensive work on the exciting half-forward/midfielder. Collingwood is still waiting on medical clearances before weighing up whether to draft the high-marking and speedy player.

If neither of those clubs grab Stephenson, West Coast will strongly consider him at pick No.13, while Sydney could also be a chance at No.14.

Richmond is also considering its decision with Stephenson and whether it will pounce on him should he be available at its one of its three top-25 choices. Few would have expected that Stephenson could reach the club.

Geelong has also emerged as a possible home for the Eastern Ranges product, with Stephenson seen as being a good chance to head to the Cats if he's available at their picks (No.22 and 24 overall).

The news of Stephenson's condition has seen clubs contact the League for extra information and testing, and thrown his draft position into a spin just a day out from names being called.

Carlton could have to make the call between Lochie O'Brien and Ed Richards at No.10, which would then likely have an impact on the Giants (No.11) and Adelaide (No.12) selections with a group of players in both the mix for both clubs. Aiden Bonar is a strong chance to head to GWS or Adelaide. 

Tom McCartin, the younger brother of St Kilda's Paddy, has been linked to North's second choice at No.23, while small forward Jack Higgins could land at the Western Bulldogs or Richmond.

LATE MAIL TOP 30

Pick 1 – Brisbane Lions – Cameron Rayner
Pick 2 – Fremantle – Adam Cerra
Pick 3 – Carlton – Paddy Dow
Pick 4 – North Melbourne – Luke Davies-Uniacke
Pick 5 – Fremantle – Andrew Brayshaw
Pick 6 – Collingwood – Darcy Fogarty
Pick 7 – St Kilda – Hunter Clark
Pick 8 – St Kilda – Nick Coffield
Pick 9 – Western Bulldogs – Aaron Naughton
Pick 10 – Carlton – Lochie O'Brien
Pick 11 – Greater Western Sydney – Aiden Bonar
Pick 12 – Adelaide – Ed Richards
Pick 13 – West Coast – Jaidyn Stephenson
Pick 14 – Sydney – Oscar Allen
Pick 15 – Brisbane Lions – Lachie Fogarty
Pick 16 – Western Bulldogs – Jack Higgins
Pick 17 – Richmond – Nathan Murphy
Pick 18 – Brisbane Lions – Zac Bailey
Pick 19 – Gold Coast – Charlie Ballard
Pick 20 – Richmond – Jarrod Brander
Pick 21 – West Coast – Ryley Stoddart
Pick 22 – Geelong – Sam Taylor
Pick 23 – North Melbourne – Tom McCartin
Pick 24 – Geelong – Brent Daniels
Pick 25 – Richmond – Sam Hayes
Pick 26 – West Coast – Callum Coleman-Jones
Pick 27 – Richmond (matching GWS bid) – Patrick Naish
Pick 28 – Greater Western Sydney – Harrison Petty
Pick 29 – Greater Western Sydney – Jack Petruccelle
Pick 30 – Melbourne – Matt Ling

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-23/cal-twomeys-late-mail-topfive-draft-bolter

[Owl]

Don't mind Murphy, Great mitts, ballsy contested marks, good kick, looks really good all round.

[The Machine]

Don't mind Murphy, Great mitts, ballsy contested marks, good kick, looks really good all round.

Yep agree

[Slipper]

Q. Where does Higgins end up? Looks a gem

Cal Twomey: Anywhere from the Giant at 11 to the Eagles at 21 I reckon. Most clubs inside that bracket will have a good look at him. If he got to the Tigers I think they should grab him.

I get he is a good player, but does anyone think we would grab another small forward so high in the draft?

[one-eyed]

From Brett Anderson's twitter:

@Sinbadf4w: if the tigers end up with all of stephenson/brander/hayes or coleman jones + naish do you think thats enough to keep there flag window open long term?

@BAndersonSEN: Will be doing cartwheels.

@Sinbadf4w: chances stephenson gets through to 17?

@BAndersonSEN: Might do. Might not. On talent he's top 5 comfortably.

@Sinbadf4w: yeah agree hoping for a miracle would be a big boost if richmond land him a premiership and a top 5 talent for 17 also with 3 decent picks and naish as a father son can afford a punt on his heart issue

https://twitter.com/BAndersonSEN/status/933661173420929024

[one-eyed]

Sam Landsberger from the Herald-Sun has us Brander at 17 and Ballard at 20 in his phantom draft.

He also has Stephenson linked to the Eagles at 13 in a separate article as well.

ps. Brett Anderson's late word is Ballard going to the Dogs at 16.


1. Bris - Rayner
2. Freo - Cerra
3. Carl - Dow
4. North - Davis-Uniacke
5. Freo - Brayshaw
6. Coll - Darcy Fogarty
7. St.K - Clark
8. St.K - Coffield
9. Dogs - Naughton
10. Carl - Edwards
11. GWS - Higgins
12. Adel - Bonar
13. WCE - Stephenson
14. Sydney - Lachlan Fogarty
15. Bris - Allen
16. Dogs - Murphy


17. RICHMOND: JARROD BRANDER (Bendigo Pioneers)

194cm swingman

The Tigers started the year looking at Josh Schache and should instead get Brander, who began the year a No.1 prospect and is still heavily rated at Punt Rd. Richmond targeting talls and Brander the ideal result.

THE TWIST: Have the Tigers’ medical team cleared Jaidyn Stephenson? If so he would be irresistible, although they probably still take Brander.


18. Bris - O'Brien
19. GC - Powell

20. RICHMOND: CHARLIE BALLARD (Sturt)

195cm midfielder

Late developer who has grown 20m in the past year and played as a rangy wingman. Bolter who has come from nowhere as 195cm midfielders are hard to find.

THE TWIST: Has a bid come for Patrick Naish? Landing a second top-20 talent before securing their classy father-son would be a splendid result for the premiers.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/sam-landsberger-predicts-the-first-20-picks-at-the-afl-draft-who-will-your-club-pick/news-story/6d354abf1290b7802b09a939e213b2f1

[Slipper]

Late developer who has grown 20m in the past year

Wow, that is impressive

[mightytiges]

Q. Where does Higgins end up? Looks a gem

Cal Twomey: Anywhere from the Giant at 11 to the Eagles at 21 I reckon. Most clubs inside that bracket will have a good look at him. If he got to the Tigers I think they should grab him.

I get he is a good player, but does anyone think we would grab another small forward so high in the draft?

I'd be surprised with us going for another small forward with Rioli, Butler, Georgie, Stengle and Bolton already on our list and all still young.

[mightytiges]

It seems the draft journos all agree on Brander ending up with us with one of our 3 early picks. They're still guessing about the other two. It depends on whether Stephenson falls through to us and if we're happy with his medical clearance. 

Late developer who has grown 20m in the past year

Wow, that is impressive

He must have Inspector Gadget arms and legs. Our mids would just have to kick it to the top of the goalposts for him to mark uncontested  .

[one-eyed]

Foxsports article on Sam Hayes.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2017-sam-hayes-rapid-rise-from-uncoordinated-foal-to-best-ruck-prospect/news-story/39b8281e652eafaa55942f27ffc1d97a

[Slipper]

Don't mind Murphy, Great mitts, ballsy contested marks, good kick, looks really good all round.

And one of the youngest players in the draft.

Looks a very likely prospect. Would be a good get.

[tony_montana]

Pick 17: Stephenson
Pick 20: Brander
Pick 25: Balta
Pick 26-29: Naish