2015 Draft Profile: Clayton Oliver
Clayton Oliver (Murray Bushrangers) Height: 187 cm Weight: 85 kg Position: Inside midfielder Player comparison: Patrick Cripps Strengths: Contested work, ball winning ability, overhead marking, scoreboard impact Weaknesses: Running ability, body shape First year impact: Rising star nominee Kicking: Above average Marking: Above average Endurance: Average Speed: Average The big bolter in the 2015 draft is […]
Rippon for the picking
It is 6:30 am. It is cold. The city of Ballarat is quiet in preparation of the day ahead, while the clouds above have promised to hold off a little longer before their ritual interruption begins. Athletes are not supposed to be up at this time. For them, this is a time of rest from […]
Who will the Bulldogs draft?
The Bulldogs made an interesting trade to shuffle down the order, which perhaps indicates they were more keen on nabbing a big defender, as well as an extra midfielder. It was a shrewd move, as some of the players they like should still be available. Pick 24 (originally 20) The big fish: Kieran Collins Collins […]
Who will the Eagles draft?
The Eagles are in an awkward spot draft wise. They’re a tad too low on the draft board to snare Callum Ah Chee or Ryan Burton, but there’s a chance they may find that a gem does slip through. Pick 27 (originally 24) The big fish: Ryan Clarke Clarke is an exceptional runner, who finds […]
Draft night: How the new bidding system works
By now most ardent footy fans would be across the new father son and academy bidding system that will have its inauguration at the upcoming AFL Draft. For those still unaware, the system ensures that while not strictly on the open market, clubs will now need to pay market value for players. It ensures that […]
2015 Draft Profile: Ben Crocker
Ben Crocker (Oakleigh Chargers) Height: 185 cm Weight: 84 kg Position: Medium forward Player comparison: Tom Bell Strengths: Contested marking, goal kicking, leadership Weaknesses: Endurance, questions over midfield development First year impact: Low Contested marking is a trait admired in players and put at a premium for anyone below 190 centimetres. Oakleigh’s Ben Crocker is […]
2015 Draft Profile: Daniel Rioli
Daniel Rioli (North Ballarat Rebels) Height: 180 cm Weight: 69 kg Position: Small forward Player comparison: Jeff Garlett Strengths: Goal sense, x-factor, agility, speed Weaknesses: Defensive work, consistency First year impact: Very low Whenever the surname Rioli is brought up, there is unrivalled excitement. Like Cyril before him and Maurice and Michael before Cyril, Daniel Rioli […]
2015 Draft Profile: Tom Cole
Tom Cole (Bendigo Pioneers) Height: 186 cm Weight: 80 kg Position: Utility Player comparison: Matthew Boyd Strengths: Versatility, inside work, leadership Weaknesses: Speed, outside game First year impact: Low to medium Bendigo’s Tom Cole is your footballer’s footballer. There is nothing too flashy about the inside midfielder, but there is nothing wrong with him either. […]
2015 Draft Profile: Kieran Collins
Kieran Collins (Dandenong Stingrays) Height: 194 cm Weight: 100 kg Position: Key defender Player comparison: Daniel Talia Strengths: One-on-ones, strength, decision making Weaknesses: Offensive impact, speed First year impact: High Kieran Collins is best known as the other tall defender next to number one pick Jacob Weitering, but he is so much more than that. […]
Who will the Saints draft?
The Saints have added a key defender in Jake Carlisle, but they still have some glaring issues in their young list. Every club could always benefit from extra run and class around the backline and midfield. An extra small forward would also benefit St Kilda, particularly now that Ahmed Saad is gone. Pick 18 (Originally […]
Who will Richmond draft?
The Tigers are in a solid spot draft wise. They’re in a position where they are a realistic chance to grab an excellent player who suits their needs with their first pick. Richmond could do with some more speed all over the ground, as well as an extra small forward. Pick 16 (Originally 12) The […]
2015 Draft Profile: Darcy Tucker
Darcy Tucker (North Ballarat Rebels) Height: 183 cm Weight: 80 kg Position: Outside midfielder/half back Player comparison: Sam Docherty Strengths: Skills, footy smarts, leadership Weaknesses: Consistency, inside game First year impact: Some, but likely to be a second year player In every draft there are bolters and sliders that rise up or drop down the order […]