Someone whose I said to me last week that this current crop of Vic Metro and Vic Country kids 'may be the worst ever'.

He reckons there's 5-10 really good kids and then, he said 'a whole lot of plodders'.

Reckons Brander and Fogerty are pretty clear standouts, and some tall forward kid that Brisbane has academy access to too.

The kid from Brisbane is Connor Ballenden. Looks a very good kp prospect, would be top 5 in an open draft.

Think your source's thoughts are consistent with what I've seen so far. The top end looks extremely good, but depth isn't quite there at the moment.

yes, ballenden, that's the one.

said he think he's the best prospect at this stage and wouldn't be surprised if whoever holds #1 bids on him first up.

21 hours ago, DemonAndrew said:

someone whose opinion i trust said to me last week that this current crop of vic metro, vic country kids 'may be the worst ever'.

he reckons there's 5-10 really good kids and then, he said 'a whole lot of plodders'.

says he reckons brander and fogerty are pretty clear standouts, and some tall forward kid that brisbane has academy access to too.

Makes the idea of Hawthorn trading Cyril for a couple of top 20 picks (as has been suggested) to get back into the first round a bit silly then.

Dees could do with some more class in the midfield.

Joel Garner reminds me of Andrew Gaff and would fit nicely on a wing alongside Stretch/Viney for centreline. He is likely to be available at pick 10-13 ... our likely region.

22 hours ago, ChaserJ said:

The kid from Brisbane is Connor Ballenden. Looks a very good kp prospect, would be top 5 in an open draft.

Think your source's thoughts are consistent with what I've seen so far. The top end looks extremely good, but depth isn't quite there at the moment.

Ballenden is a very impressive prospect. Saw footage of him last year and he was all class. He is exactly what we are after.

Brisbane are very lucky.

my 23 April top 10

Brander

Darcy Fogarty

Ballenden (Bris)

Stephenson

Rayner

Hayes

Worpel

O'Brien

Higgins

Garner

Spargo, Clavarino, Coleman-Jones, Hewson, Lachlan Fogarty, Clark, Balta, Parish, Krueger and Davies-Uniacke rank as top 20 prospects. 

Lets see after the championships...

 

 

Edited April 23, 20178 yr by spirit of norm smith
spelling Uniacke

This excellent series returns in 2017 -

Road to the Draft

On 25/04/2017 at 6:23 PM, Whispering_Jack said:

This excellent series returns in 2017 -

Road to the Draft

... and more of the series 

I always like following those left of field prospects like this one from the Northern Territory.

Then there are the potential players who, like Jayden Hunt were more at home at schoolboy football. 

And how could we forget Knightmare who does his power rankings on ESPN these days?

Knightmare's Power Rankings April

Knightmare's Power Rankings May

adam sambono sounds like an interesting talent.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-19/exception-is-made-for-exceptional-talent

2 hours ago, DemonAndrew said:

adam sambono sounds like an interesting talent.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-05-19/exception-is-made-for-exceptional-talent

It took only one YouTube sighting two years ago for ex-North Melbourne forward and Buffaloes clubmate Matt Campbell to be convinced of Sambono's ability.

Essendon and NT legend Michael Long is another who has given Sambono the tick of approval as an AFL prospect.

"I texted (Buffaloes coach) Mark Motlop after the game, asking 'Who's that kid in the No.5? He looks a goer'," Campbell said.

Campbell was responsible for bringing Sambono down to Nyah-Nyah West United and has taken on a mentoring role with him.

Sambono learned about Victoria's cold weather and being away from home, and Campbell said the young gun would be better for the experience.

"I'd hate for a kid this talented not to get a look in, just because an AFL club is worried about what he'd do off-field," Campbell said.

"He's not a risk, in terms of a Liam Jurrah. He doesn't drink and he doesn’t take drugs.

"He's a great kid and all he wants is a great opportunity."

 

OUCH!!!

16 minutes ago, Spirit of the Demon said:

It took only one YouTube sighting two years ago for ex-North Melbourne forward and Buffaloes clubmate Matt Campbell to be convinced of Sambono's ability.

Essendon and NT legend Michael Long is another who has given Sambono the tick of approval as an AFL prospect.

"I texted (Buffaloes coach) Mark Motlop after the game, asking 'Who's that kid in the No.5? He looks a goer'," Campbell said.

Campbell was responsible for bringing Sambono down to Nyah-Nyah West United and has taken on a mentoring role with him.

Sambono learned about Victoria's cold weather and being away from home, and Campbell said the young gun would be better for the experience.

"I'd hate for a kid this talented not to get a look in, just because an AFL club is worried about what he'd do off-field," Campbell said.

"He's not a risk, in terms of a Liam Jurrah. He doesn't drink and he doesn’t take drugs.

"He's a great kid and all he wants is a great opportunity."

 

OUCH!!!

My understanding was that Jurrah didn't drink before coming to Melbourne?

I can't remember Sambono kicking a drop punt in that highlight video.Reminds me a little bit of Jeffy. 

7 hours ago, Watts the matter said:

My understanding was that Jurrah didn't drink before coming to Melbourne?

I can't remember Sambono kicking a drop punt in that highlight video.Reminds me a little bit of Jeffy. 

I heard the China trip changed all that for Liam.

The same trip where $cully wore The Gawn Yawn 

Watch out for this name ... Tom North.

On 23/04/2017 at 8:05 AM, spirit of norm smith said:

Dees could do with some more class in the midfield.

Joel Garner reminds me of Andrew Gaff and would fit nicely on a wing alongside Stretch/Viney for centreline. He is likely to be available at pick 10-13 ... our likely region.

I was surprised to discover that Joel Garner is only 184cm. I expected him to be much taller.

More Road to the Draft

This is an interesting contribution from AFL Draft Central's Matt Balmer:-

Matt Balmer’s 2017 AFL Draft June Power Rankings

Meanwhile, over at 9's Future Stars, Plough has come out with his first TOP 20 draft picks

1. Darcy Fogarty 192cm/88kg MID/FWD
2. Cameron Raynor 187cm/88kg MID 
3. Jarrod Brander 195cm/83kg FWD
4. Luke Davies-Uniack 187cm/85kg MID
5. Jayden Stephenson 189cm/76kg FWD
6. Lochie O'Brien 184cm/75kg MID 
7. Sam Hayes 203cm/93kg RUCK
8. Connor Ballenden 199cm/95kg FWD/RUCK
9. Adam Cerra 186cm/75kg MID
10. Hunter Clark 186cm/79kg HALF BACK
11. James Worpel 185cm/84kg MID
12. Charle Spargo 173cm/75kg SML FWD
13. Jack Higgins 178cm/78kg MID
14. Joel Garner 183cm/81kg MID
15. Paddy Dow 184cm/78kg MID
16. Matthew Ling 182cm/74kg MID
17. Patrick Naish 180cm/67kg FWD
18. Callum Coleman-Jones 199cm/98kg RUCK 
19. Lachlan Fogarty 179cm/75kg MID
20. Jack Petruccelle 184cm/73kg MID 

On 21/05/2017 at 6:05 AM, Deeman said:

I was surprised to discover that Joel Garner is only 184cm. I expected him to be much taller.

His nickname has to be little bird.

That's a cheep joke Biff.

Interested to see how Fogarty goes in the Nationals. From the limited vision I've seen of him he appears to be in that Scharanberg, Francis mould. Where he will be sold as a potential midfielder but isn't one. 

Still in love with Rayner and find it hard to see him slipping to 7 despite his fitness concerns. 

If you think the 2017 draft is going to be good, what about 2018?

Is your future now? Clubs weigh up picks ahead of 2018 'super draft'

2 hours ago, Watts the matter said:

Still in love with Rayner and find it hard to see him slipping to 7 despite his fitness concerns. 

Knightmare agrees with you WTM - 

Knightmare's AFL Draft Power Rankings: June

On 6/6/2017 at 2:59 PM, Watts the matter said:

Interested to see how Fogarty goes in the Nationals. From the limited vision I've seen of him he appears to be in that Scharanberg, Francis mould. Where he will be sold as a potential midfielder but isn't one. 

Still in love with Rayner and find it hard to see him slipping to 7 despite his fitness concerns. 

So far I seem to be on the money