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2017 AFL National Draft prospects: The next batch

Whispering_Jack
in Melbourne Demons

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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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    • Like 1

    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 by spirit of norm smith
    spelling Uniacke

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    • 4 weeks later...
     

    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!!!

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    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. 

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    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 

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    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.

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    • Like 3
    • 2 weeks later...
    • Author

    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 

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    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.

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    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. 

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    •  
    • 2 weeks later...
    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 ;)

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