Brisbane Draftees

[Ringo]

I give the club 9.5/10 for their draft efforts this year.  Congratulations.

Keays has to be the steal of the draft.  With him sliding allowed us another steal in Matthieson.

Meet our draftees

Pick 2 Josh Schache

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2015-11-24/profile-josh-schache

Pick 14 Eric Hipwood

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2015-11-24/pick-14-eric-hipwood

Pick 24 Ben Keays

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2015-11-24/profile-ben-keays

Pick 39 Rhys Matthieson

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2015-11-24/profile-rhys-mathieson

Pick 47 Sam Skinner

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2015-11-24/profile-sam-skinner

Came accross this interesting bit of information on Skinner
Sam Skinner, 197cm key position - won MVP for Vic Country at U/16 champs in 2013 in same team as Weitering, Schache, Parish, Mathieson.
So another steal for us.

[Ringo]

A report on how our draftees are going from the AFL site:

Josh Schache: Super impressive in his early stages and has not missed a beat. Not only a good runner, but is surprisingly big through his lower body and already looking at home with contested work.
Eric Hipwood: Like his fellow Academy products, has come into the system in good shape. Working hard to put weight on his tall frame, but runs well and has to be held back to save himself from overtraining.
Ben Keays: One of the front-runners in the club's 3km time trials, it has translated to match simulation work where he bobs up everywhere. Is already driving older players to match his intensity.
Rhys Mathieson: Trains with an intensity that is hard to match. Whether it's running or doing skills and contest work, throws his body around even when he appears exhausted. Like Keays, has a very strong body for a teenager.
Sam Skinner: Has a great attitude on his road to recovery from a knee reconstruction. Has worked on strengthening his legs and is slowly increasing his running volume and will commence agility work next week.

ROOKIES
Reuben William: Slowly building fitness base after a groin injury pushed the start of his pre-season back. Has a great attitude, shown by completing a voluntary training session at the club on his 18th birthday over the Christmas break. Will join in with skills next week.

Looks like the stand outs are Keays, Hipwood, Matthieson and Schache.

[GoLions]

Still can't believe Matho slipped to us

[nrich102]

Looks like the stand outs are Keays, Hipwood, Matthieson and Schache.

I think they should all make their debuts throughout the year, wouldn't be surprised if Keays and Matho were in in the first couple of rounds, and Schache maybe in the middle of the year. Hipwood maybe towards the end of the year.

[Ringo]

Matthieson was a real beast at the training session I attended before Christmas.  I expect if he maintains this and shines in NEAFL he may be the first one to get a game.

[Ringo]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-03/schache-the-best-youngster-ive-seen-rockliff

Hope we are not putting too much pressure on this guy early.  But agree gee he has looked ready to step up straight away. Has maybe even leapfrogged Close and Freeman.

Heard whispers of the 5 year contract as well but think 5 is a but much for an untried youngster,  3 would be OK though.

[powersuperkents]

First Hipwood & Harris. Now I'm hearing about a giant called Jacob Allison scoring from 60 metres out 

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-06-20/u18s-jacob-allison-bangs-it-from-60

How are Brisbane developing so many athletic, versatile, key position players  ???

Or is this just how Queenslanders are built in general  :P

These academy rules are really great for the game - i.e. more competitive Giants, Lions, Suns, & Swans who aren't being flowered over in the draft - at this rate the Brisbane talls should be the envy of the comp. in 5-7 years

[Ringo]

First Hipwood & Harris. Now I'm hearing about a giant called Jacob Allison scoring from 60 metres out 

http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-06-20/u18s-jacob-allison-bangs-it-from-60

How are Brisbane developing so many athletic, versatile, key position players  ???

Or is this just how Queenslanders are built in general  :P

These academy rules are really great for the game - i.e. more competitive Giants, Lions, Suns, & Swans who aren't being flowered over in the draft - at this rate the Brisbane talls should be the envy of the comp. in 5-7 years

not all Qlders are built like that though but agree he can kick a long ball.

And we will have to use our first round pick no doubt to secure him.

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2016-02-10/love-to-be-a-lion

Hope that maybe enough to scare some off similar to Keays last year,

It has taken a number of years though to produce the results which we are now seeing.  Unlike the Southern States where AFL is second nature we have to strive hard for local talent and also develop so the academy starts developing kids from 12.

http://www.lions.com.au/academy/about-academy

it is probably starting to get to the stage where in future we will not be able to keep all the young guns but we are getting away from the go home factor.  There are probably another couple that will stand out this year ut not naomung them for fear of putting the mockers on them.