Top 50 Draft prospects 2018

[bullus_hit]

46. Zac Foot
Dandenong Stingrays/Victoria Country
Medium Forward
Height: 180cm Weight: 74kg

Player Projection: Shane Edwards

Zac is a really interesting prospect, he has only been in the system 1 year due to missing the cut in 2017, so hasn’t really had the preparation of the other TAC candidates. His form was so compelling early in the season that he was rushed into state football & acquitted himself reasonably well, his TAC final was also impressive & he managed to boot two important goals. As to his style, he’s a Shane Edwards smooth mover, his pace is good without being explosive but he’s classy in that he can slide through congestion without having so much as a finger making contact. Consistency clearly an issue but I think with everything that’s transpired the past 12 months one has to cut him some slack. Foot is still only 17 & just made the cut for this year’s draft, therefore it's entirely plausible he could emerge as one of the steals of the draft.

 

[Ghost of 29]

He doesn't really use his leap in games, his sprint was 3.06sec (almost bang on the average which is 3.07), so I think his athleticism is being exaggerated a fair bit. The kicking efficiency test means very little, especially if a bloke doesn't kick that often. In his two top line games he had 11 kicks in total (7k/23h for VC) & (4k,9h for Collingwood Reserves).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApaU4BvnkP8

Here's some footage, doesn't seem clean to me.

Numbers don’t lie Bully but in that vision virtually al his touches are in heavy congestion doing the pig work for others to run on to.

 

[bullus_hit]

Numbers don’t lie Bully but in that vision virtually al his touches are in heavy congestion doing the pig work for others to run on to.

But how many hit their targets? I mean directly, when I look at Tom Lewis as a comparison it's clear who has the better composure in tight. Ely is third round material in my opinion, clearly this doesn't conform to the general consensus but I'm a bit harsher when it comes to clean disposal.

 

[easy_tiger]

But how many hit their targets? I mean directly, when I look at Tom Lewis as a comparison it's clear who has the better composure in tight. Ely is third round material in my opinion, clearly this doesn't conform to the general consensus but I'm a bit harsher when it comes to clean disposal.

I suspect you're using some confirmation bias with young Ely.

You have a hunch, and youre seeing the stuff that confirms your hunch.

Not really a criticism, we all do it, and I respect your preparedness to make a call

(I'm making a similar contrarian call on RCD)

 

[bullus_hit]

I suspect you're using some confirmation bias with young Ely.

You have a hunch, and youre seeing the stuff that confirms your hunch.

Not really a criticism, we all do it, and I respect your preparedness to make a call

(I'm making a similar contrarian call on RCD)

No bias at all, I was the first to mention Ely in the draft thread as someone we could look at. But by the same token those who are pushing his wagon are using the 30 possession game as a justification, having gone through it numerous times it isn't as impressive as the stats sheet suggests. Given it's his only top grade match (apart from the VFL hit out) I'm not totally convinced. I'm also a hard marker with kicking, Ely's action isn't the prettiest.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Keep going bully almost there.. 8-

 

[MD Jazz]

He doesn't really use his leap in games, his sprint was 3.06sec (almost bang on the average which is 3.07), so I think his athleticism is being exaggerated a fair bit. The kicking efficiency test means very little, especially if a bloke doesn't kick that often. In his two top line games he had 11 kicks in total (7k/23h for VC) & (4k,9h for Collingwood Reserves).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApaU4BvnkP8

Here's some footage, doesn't seem clean to me.

That's average footage. His skills by hand were ordinary. Missed targets, throws and no touch on the strength of his gives. And his kicking action looks suspect.

Assume there must be some highlight footage?

 

[The_General]

Since everyone has jumped in rather than keep it clear until your finished, I'd just like to say thanks Bully.

Good to see you put your cahones on the line before the draft. This will make a great substitute for the inside footy draft edition. Fantastic effort mate, thanks!

 

[bullus_hit]

47. Xavier O’Neill
Oakleigh Chargers
Outside Midfielder
Height: 183cm Weight: 78kg

Player Projection: Jackson Macrae

There’s a lot of similarities between O’Neill & Macrae from a skills perspective, both have that ability to fish tail their way through traffic & both are very comfortable using either side of their body. It’s also worth noting that Jack Macrae as a junior was very outside with approximately 35% of his touches being contested, that’s the territory O’Neill currently finds himself in. The fundamental difference between the two is that Jack was a huge accumulator whereas O’Neill averages just a tick under 20 touches a game, the gulf is significant but I’m quietly optimistic this can be improved given there’s still room for O’Neill to increase his fitness levels, his frame will also benefit from a couple of preseasons. As far as pace is concerned, O’Neill has that base well & truly covered having run a 2.95sec/20m, his vertical leap is also very good which will help him compete aerially against the bigger midfielders. Whilst this is a very speculative pick given Xavier took no part in the state carnival, it also represents a very big opportunity to land a highly skilled player with significant upside.

 

[bullus_hit]

48. Kyle Reid
Gippsland Power/Victoria Country
Key Defender
Height: 193cm Weight: 90kg

Player Projection: Steven May

I’ve been thinking about Reid for the past half dozen picks, the only reason I haven’t taken him is because I think recruiters will opt for the sexier picks throughout the forties, for me Reid has been grossly underrated by the media & even PRE given he didn’t rate a mention in the Phantom Draft. Having made the TAC Team of the Year & being one of only two Vic Country players to make All-Australian selection, he couldn’t have done much more to get people’s attention. What sets Reid apart from many of his peers is his ability to see the game unfold & then read the incoming ball to perfection. He knows when to mark, he knows when to spoil & when the opportunity arises he knows when to run off his man. The big knock as far as I can see is that recruiters will look at his height and put a line through his name, this would be a mistake as the bloke who has won five consecutive All-Australian jumpers comes in at just 194cm.

 

[easy_tiger]

Since everyone has jumped in rather than keep it clear until your finished, I'd just like to say thanks Bully.

Good to see you put your cahones on the line before the draft. This will make a great substitute for the inside footy draft edition. Fantastic effort mate, thanks!

x2.

I used to discuss and scribble on The Inside Footy Draft Edition while I was reading it too. ;D

 

[bullus_hit]

49. Jarrod Cameron
Swan Districts/Western Australia
Medium Forward
Height: 182cm Weight: 70kg

Player Projection: Charlie Cameron

On talent alone I think Jarrod probably ranks a bit higher than pick 49 but realistically I don’t think he will get an early bid due to West Coast having all their picks in the top half of the draft, there really is nothing to be gained, especially with all clubs neck deep in the bidding process. As for Cameron’s ability, he’s pretty much identical to Charlie in that he can flip a game on its head with daring run & carry, his 5 goal display against Vic Country a perfect preview as to his potential impact. Cameron has also had a taste of senior football & acquitted himself exceedingly well, his form in the Colts final was also impressive. The challenge here will be adding some strength to his spindly frame but that should come in time. West Coast have done well here given they will probably only have to part with a 4th rounder.

 

[evo]

I've seen quite a lot of Quaynor in junior/ school footy. Pretty surprised how highly he is rated in a lot of the phantom drafts. Bit of a nothing player, doubt he will be a midfielder.

Think we should steer clear personally.

 

[bullus_hit]

50. Luke Foley
Subiaco/Western Australia
Medium Forward/Inside Midfielder
Height: 188cm Weight: 74kg

Player Projection: Jack Redden

Two reasons have led to Foley being the last player in my top 50, the first is the fact he’s an overager yet still pencil thin, that will be a problem at the highest level & lessens his chances of becoming a permanent midfielder. The second factor is he should have been playing seniors by now, at least at Reserves level. All his peers have been given a taste, even Jarrod Cameron who is even skinnier, so despite the fact he made the Colts Team of the Year I’ve set the bar higher than most. In saying all that, Foley does have some good attributes, he’s a former state champion middle distance runner, that should bode well provided any extra muscle doesn’t impede his endurance, he’s also a very polished user of the ball and generally a high level decision maker. The fact he can play forward also enhances his value. I’ve set his ceiling at Jack Redden because he’s a player who has learnt to play an effective midfield role whilst maintaining a relative slender frame. The goal now is to pile on 10kg as quickly as possible, if at all possible, that really is his biggest challenge from here.

 

[bullus_hit]

I've seen quite a lot of Quaynor in junior/ school footy. Pretty surprised how highly he is rated in a lot of the phantom drafts. Bit of a nothing player, doubt he will be a midfielder.

Think we should steer clear personally.

He's off to Collingwood no matter what but funny enough, in the Luke Foley photo you will see Quaynor completey out positioned, that's something peope need to get used to unless he gets to play on midgets. Don't see him as a top 20 pick either, I reckon Twomey is doing a Patrick Naish by talking him up, bet you he goes in the 20-40 bracket.

 

[evo]

He's off to Collingwood no matter what

How do they get first dibs - Does Collingwood have Doncaster as their academy zone?

 

[Tigers of Old]

50.

Bravo bully. Well done. Now look forward to having a good read. 8-

 

[bullus_hit]

So now we're all done I bet there's some guys you are wondering about, here's a brief summation of why certain players didn't make the cut.

James Rowbottom - 16% of his kicks wound up being clangers, that is too high a % for me to even contenplate. His endurance is also below par so he is rookie territory for me.

Sydney Stack - really unfit, unless he tanked at the combine he will struggle big time to cut it in the midfield, I also don't see too many tricks to become a small forward (only 177cm)

Boyd Woodcock - went through his SANFL finals games again & he didn't do anything that illustrated rat cunning, I like my small forwards to be showman to some degree.

Thomas Berry - really good athlete but still a butcher, terrible DE so more a project type.

Oscar Brownless - nothing that made me sit up and take notice, nepotism pick methinks

Tom Sparrow - no left foot & right foot can be shaky, not particularly tall either.

Jason Carter - love his attacking flare but simply doesn't have a defensive side & doesn't get the ball enough.


Here's a list of state league prospects we need to be considering as late/rookie picks

1. Mitch Grigg
2. Jye Bolton
3. Haiden Schloithe
4. Marcus Lentini
5. Nick Hind
6. Michael Gibbons
7. Brett Bewley
8. Shane Nelson

 

[bullus_hit]

How do they get first dibs - Does Collingwood have Doncaster as their academy zone?

Next Gen due to heritage, a bit lame considering he's just a suburban kid who knows nothing but Oz life.

 

[taztiger4]

sensational work Bully.

You & your work are what makes PRE the best of the footy forums, well done & thanks