Brisbane Darft Picks

[Ringo]

Looks like we have bolstered our forward stocks at the draft with picks although Mayes may be a midfielder as well.

PICK NO.8: SAM MAYES

Recruited From: North Adelaide (SA)
Position: Medium Forward/Midfielder
Height: 187cm
Weight: 78kg

Career Highlights
AIS-AFL Academy Graduate
All Australian U18 2011
South Australian U18 Representative 2011, 2012
South Australian U18 Vice-Captain 2012

Statistics
Averaged 18.4 disposals and kicked 4.6 from across five matches at the 2012 U18 championships

North Adelaide Coach Josh Francou says:
"I think he's probably the perfect height and, potentially, the perfect build … he's almost like the perfect utility player. One, his running ability's so good and secondly his height, but also his skill level - he's got very good skills. He'll develop into a very good footballer at (AFL) level. You tend to see some young guys come through that might have the skills but don't have the work ethic, and eventually those sorts of players fall off the team. Nothing to me suggests he's one of those; everything I've seen suggests otherwise."

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PICK NO.23: MARCO PAPARONE

Recruited From: East Fremantle (WA)
Position: Tall Forward
Height: 193cm
Weight: 84kg

Career Highlights
West Australian U18 Representative 2012
West Australian U18 Best and Fairest 2012
East Fremantle Most Dedicated Player 2012

Statistics
Averaged 17 disposals and seven marks, and kicked 45 goals with the East Fremantle Colts in 2012. He averaged 16 disposals, four marks and 1.5 goals per game with WA in the U18 Championships - enough to earn him the team’s Best and Fairest award. He is also an elite runner, having recorded a 15+ beep test.

West Australian Talent Manager Raff Guadagnino says:
“Marco has elite endurance and has the ability to wear down opponents. He's a midfielder/forward who is strong overhead and can get outside well. For a boy of his size, he has excellent athletic attributes. I think Marco is a sleeping giant - he's capable of a lot more than we've seen so far. At the championships he was often able to out-run his opponents, so he really can be damaging toward the end of quarters. I think he can develop into a really dangerous player”


PICK NO.32: MICHAEL CLOSE
Recruited From: North Ballarat Rebels (VIC)
Position: Tall Forward
Height: 195cm
Weight: 82kg

Career Highlights
Victoria Country Representative 2012

Statistics
His best performance in the 2012 TAC Cup came against Tasmania, when he collected 18 disposals, took five marks, had 22 hitouts, and kicked two goals. He also kicked a season-best five goals against the Eastern Ranges. Close is an elite runner, having recorded a beep test of 15.6.

AFL Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan says:
“Mobile and strong marking tall forward who missed three games in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships due to injury. Has elite endurance for his size (15 plus beep test) and excellent disposals by foot. He also has the ability to play as a backup ruckman. (He also has that) keenness you love to see. The clubs look for intangibles and how guys carry themselves in lots of different circumstances ... that's a big plus in that intangible area of 'do blokes want to do this badly enough' because AFL level is pretty tough going.”

AFL Victoria Wimmera Region Manager Geoff Burdett says:
"He has the ability to play anywhere. He can play forward, back, and even on-ball."

We have promoted Jack Crisp and Niall McKeever with picks 86 and 99

Think we have recruited well for the future with 2 Tall forwards and a medium sized forward.

Overall rate our drafting 9/10 comments -  Especially if forwards were our goal.

[Grazz]

Youd have to be happy with that lot Ringo, Grundy would of been handy also but Mayes is quality.

[Ringo]

Think I prefer Mayes to Grundy Grazz.  Grundy would be similar to both Longer and Michael whereas Mayes offers a little more in the medium size forward.

[Grazz]

Think I prefer Mayes to Grundy Grazz.  Grundy would be similar to both Longer and Michael whereas Mayes offers a little more in the medium size forward.

Yeh good point mate tbh i forgot about Longer my bad.

[JBs-Hawks]

Ringo do you think Mayes is a chance to slot straight into the starting side?

[Mr.Craig]

Kerr said he envisaged Mayes starting his career in the Lions' forward line before evolving into a tallish midfielder.

"He's a very good kick, that helps us in terms of delivery, but we feel he has the ability to move into the midfield after he develops his footy," Kerr said. "He'll have a big frame, he's quite quick and he shows signs of being able to get in and out of the game as well and will be a bit of a weapon with his versatility."

Assistant coach Mark Harvey said Mayes would be introduced slowly to the club's training in the lead up to Christmas.

"He's going to hang around Simon Black for the first couple of weeks," he said. "Sam is pretty elite in the running area so I'm assuming it won't take him long to join in with the pack. He'll probably be tested in January and February physically and we'll see how he progresses from there. We don't put any expectation on him though."

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151694/default.aspx

[elephants]

Great draft by the Lions. Well done to them!

[Ringo]

Ringo do you think Mayes is a chance to slot straight into the starting side?

Here is a quote from out Talent Manager

Lions National Talent Manager Rob Kerr says:
"Sam Mayes we feel is a forward who is developing into a midfielder. He will probably learn his footy up forward, but we expect him to eventually go into the midfield. He's a very clever player, spreads well, reads the game very well. We hope he can be one of those players who can play forward and mid."

There will be a fair bit of competition for the forward pocket spots with Beams, Green, McGrath, Polec, Bewick, Zorko and also Callum Bartlett from the reserves.

With the premium in SC for a top 10 draft pick would not select unless he has an outstanding NAB cup and named in round 1.

[JBs-Hawks]

For more British team more than SC/DT. Those spots will be filled with whoever is named round 1.

[Ringo]

I expect he will get opportunities through the season though if he shines in NAB cup and in the NEAFL and others drop of in form.  We have a horror section in the draw from Rounds 7 - 14 playing most of top 8 teams during this period which may present opportunities. 

[Ricochet]

you would have to be very happy with that lot, especially Mayes

[Ringo]

Yes Richo Our recruiting manager Kerr has stated we got the 3 players we wanted. Paprone and Close were identified as KPP Forwards for the future but getting Mayes is a bonus though we might have been ambitious hoping he slid to 8.