Everyone loves a smokey... 

SNAPSHOT: “A mercurial small forward with a deep bag of tricks, Lance Collard is one of Western Australia’s most exciting prospects, with his ability to create something from nothing.”

West Coast NGA product Lance Collard shapes as one of the more interesting names in this draft class. A top-end talent with some freakish highlights, the Subiaco star is a classy, high-octane small forward, demonstrating similar traits to Bobby Hill or Shai Bolton with his ability to change a game.

After an injury interrupted bottom-age campaign, Collard hit the ground running in 2023, booting 15 goals in the first six games, including a six-goal bag in the WAFL Colts Super Round to earn selection in the West Australian Under 18 squad.

Collard had an indifferent National Carnival, playing forward in a struggling side, but he showed glimpses of his talents, booting two last-quarter goals against Vic Country to almost spark his state to an upset victory.

Returning to Subiaco, the 18-year-old enjoyed a dominant finals series, booting 10 goals across two games to almost lead the Lions further into the postseason off his own boot. He finished the campaign with 32 goals across 11 Colts games to average the most majors of any small forward in the competition.

STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Agility
+ Forward craft
+ Finishing
+ Speed
+ X-factor

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Consistency
- Discipline
- Opposite foot 

36 minutes ago, adonski said:

Everyone loves a smokey... 

SNAPSHOT: “A mercurial small forward with a deep bag of tricks, Lance Collard is one of Western Australia’s most exciting prospects, with his ability to create something from nothing.”

West Coast NGA product Lance Collard shapes as one of the more interesting names in this draft class. A top-end talent with some freakish highlights, the Subiaco star is a classy, high-octane small forward, demonstrating similar traits to Bobby Hill or Shai Bolton with his ability to change a game.

After an injury interrupted bottom-age campaign, Collard hit the ground running in 2023, booting 15 goals in the first six games, including a six-goal bag in the WAFL Colts Super Round to earn selection in the West Australian Under 18 squad.

Collard had an indifferent National Carnival, playing forward in a struggling side, but he showed glimpses of his talents, booting two last-quarter goals against Vic Country to almost spark his state to an upset victory.

Returning to Subiaco, the 18-year-old enjoyed a dominant finals series, booting 10 goals across two games to almost lead the Lions further into the postseason off his own boot. He finished the campaign with 32 goals across 11 Colts games to average the most majors of any small forward in the competition.

STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Agility
+ Forward craft
+ Finishing
+ Speed
+ X-factor

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Consistency
- Discipline
- Opposite foot 

Very hard to learn to kick with other foot at that age...just saying.

39 minutes ago, adonski said:

Everyone loves a smokey... 

SNAPSHOT: “A mercurial small forward with a deep bag of tricks, Lance Collard is one of Western Australia’s most exciting prospects, with his ability to create something from nothing.”

West Coast NGA product Lance Collard shapes as one of the more interesting names in this draft class. A top-end talent with some freakish highlights, the Subiaco star is a classy, high-octane small forward, demonstrating similar traits to Bobby Hill or Shai Bolton with his ability to change a game.

After an injury interrupted bottom-age campaign, Collard hit the ground running in 2023, booting 15 goals in the first six games, including a six-goal bag in the WAFL Colts Super Round to earn selection in the West Australian Under 18 squad.

Collard had an indifferent National Carnival, playing forward in a struggling side, but he showed glimpses of his talents, booting two last-quarter goals against Vic Country to almost spark his state to an upset victory.

Returning to Subiaco, the 18-year-old enjoyed a dominant finals series, booting 10 goals across two games to almost lead the Lions further into the postseason off his own boot. He finished the campaign with 32 goals across 11 Colts games to average the most majors of any small forward in the competition.

STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Agility
+ Forward craft
+ Finishing
+ Speed
+ X-factor

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Consistency
- Discipline
- Opposite foot 

It’s a no from me, struggles against good opponents especially those who are physical

So did I when I was eighteen,

Does he like his greens?

5 hours ago, FireInTheBennelly said:

Does he like his greens?

No but he eats them all up because ‘mum said’.

Heard he's a massive flight risk.

Its a no from me.  We don't need small forwards, if we going small rather focus on the future midfield talent since we lost JJ, Harmes, and Dunstan.  AMW can't be our only backup plan.

37 minutes ago, LittleDemon said:

Its a no from me.  We don't need small forwards, if we going small rather focus on the future midfield talent since we lost JJ, Harmes, and Dunstan.  AMW can't be our only backup plan.

Well need a quick skilled type midfielder we are a one paced midfield...mind you i would give McVee a crack in there.

13 hours ago, 640MD said:

So did I when I was eighteen,

Against 16 and 17 year olds you shouldn’t be 

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Heard he's a massive flight risk.

Would need wrecker to be looking after him from very early

8 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

Well need a quick skilled type midfielder we are a one paced midfield...mind you i would give McVee a crack in there.

He’s certainly not a midfielder 

1 minute ago, Pennant St Dee said:

He’s certainly not a midfielder 

And why not?

I question what pick would we use to get a light forward requiring at least 3 pre-seasons to get an AFL body.

Just now, demon3165 said:

And why not?

Doesn’t have a tank, doesn’t two way run, don't believe he has the discipline to be accountable for his opponent, doesn’t win the hard ball.

I will counter by saying you can get caught up in what players can’t do and overlook what they can do.  His biggest strength is his pace and goal sense.  He takes a grab and will tear teams apart if he’s given room inside 50.  A lot of work to be done though and I don’t think he will handle being away from family well

4 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

Doesn’t have a tank, doesn’t two way run, don't believe he has the discipline to be accountable for his opponent, doesn’t win the hard ball.

I will counter by saying you can get caught up in what players can’t do and overlook what they can do.  His biggest strength is his pace and goal sense.  He takes a grab and will tear teams apart if he’s given room inside 50.  A lot of work to be done though and I don’t think he will handle being away from family well

Well said, but McVee has the brains, the discipline is a teachable thing but I don't see that as a problem in him as for the hard ball I don't see that in the Dacios boys, he has also played midfield as a junior, he is skilled player, when people were calling Petty to go forward they said he's only a backman now, oh it hurt our chances, Howe was a forward with us where did he end up playing with us, went to the pies as a forward and where has he ended up.

Sometimes it's better to try something than nothing at all we tend to put people in boxes and not try anything what's the harm?

Trying to understand your last point about being away from the family.

6 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

Well said, but McVee has the brains, the discipline is a teachable thing but I don't see that as a problem in him as for the hard ball I don't see that in the Dacios boys, he has also played midfield as a junior, he is skilled player, when people were calling Petty to go forward they said he's only a backman now, oh it hurt our chances, Howe was a forward with us where did he end up playing with us, went to the pies as a forward and where has he ended up.

Sometimes it's better to try something than nothing at all we tend to put people in boxes and not try anything what's the harm?

Trying to understand your last point about being away from the family.

I think Pennant was talking about Collard.

25 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

Well said, but McVee has the brains, the discipline is a teachable thing but I don't see that as a problem in him as for the hard ball I don't see that in the Dacios boys, he has also played midfield as a junior, he is skilled player, when people were calling Petty to go forward they said he's only a backman now, oh it hurt our chances, Howe was a forward with us where did he end up playing with us, went to the pies as a forward and where has he ended up.

Sometimes it's better to try something than nothing at all we tend to put people in boxes and not try anything what's the harm?

Trying to understand your last point about being away from the family.

I’m talking about Collard, not Mcvee as to who isn’t a midfielder 

25 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

I’m talking about Collard, not Mcvee as to who isn’t a midfielder 

Sorry I thought you answered about a post my bad..

46 minutes ago, Nascent said:

I think Pennant was talking about Collard.

Yep it was my bad different post...

Maybe McVee is capable, but I would of thought he didn't have the agility for a potential midfield player.  If we going to give an existing player a midfield run, I think Rivers would get a crack before McVee. 

But as to the topic, I'd like to see one of either Sanders, Windsor, or Wilson rather than Collard for similar sized kids who if you really wanted a small half forward flank type player could start in that position and build on it to where they will end up.

34 minutes ago, LittleDemon said:

Maybe McVee is capable, but I would of thought he didn't have the agility for a potential midfield player.  If we going to give an existing player a midfield run, I think Rivers would get a crack before McVee. 

But as to the topic, I'd like to see one of either Sanders, Windsor, or Wilson rather than Collard for similar sized kids who if you really wanted a small half forward flank type player could start in that position and build on it to where they will end up.

McVee has excellent agility, it’s probably his equal best strength as a player to go with his defensive discipline.

I don’t think he has contested ball strength nor accumulation to play midfield, but it’s also his first year at afl level so there’s no rush. Makes far more sense to try Riv who’s bigger, stronger, more established.

I can see some parallels with Kossie with Collard rising up draft boards despite limited output in his draft year. Genuine goal kicking X factor is hard to find and Collard had a big finish to the year. 

Kossie was quiet in the national champs, but was playing his role in SANFL ressies and even had a go in the seniors. Plus school footy.

Collard couldn’t catch a cold in the national champs and took a while to put it together at WAFL Colts level. That’s a level that any top draft pick should really dominate at.

He looks to have a good spread of attributes - clean skills, pace, decent size for a small and overhead ability. But is there one standout ability? 

I think he’s good but not quite good enough for a top 15 pick especially if there’s doubts on his maturity and ability to relocate.

No thanks. Keep him in WA.

We should try and get a local like Reid but Norff will get him you would think. Eagles must be keen to do a trade for top picks.

We have the picks but Norff were gifted pick 3 by tricky Gil. Glad hes going.

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

McVee has excellent agility, it’s probably his equal best strength as a player to go with his defensive discipline.

I don’t think he has contested ball strength nor accumulation to play midfield, but it’s also his first year at afl level so there’s no rush. Makes far more sense to try Riv who’s bigger, stronger, more established.

McVee should be used as an outside player like the dacios brothers a link up player as for Riv fair point, but has a tendency to rush with his decision making, either way we need outside speed.