Team Analysis – Brisbane – Rookies

Written by Motts on January 10 2013

In his final piece on the Lions, today Brods dishes the good oil on the freshmen. On behalf of everyone on the site, I’d just like to thank Brods again for the work that he’s done putting this analysis together for us all. Very much appreciated, buddy. Cheers.

Sam Mayes (MID/FWD) – $164,500 – Taken at pick 8 in the national draft and was likened as a top 5 prospect so it’s fair to say he’s a shot for a round 1 berth. Will start as a forward but is expected to find his way into the midfield as some stage. Was SA’s vice-captain at representative level and averaged 18.4 disposals and kicked 4.6 from across five matches at the 2012 U18 championships. Priced in the higher bracket of rookies accordingly but as with Docherty last season could be a development year but hopefully supercoaches won’t be left waiting as his DPP status is very appealing given the extra spots to fill in the midfield this season. He is wearing number 32 for those of you keen to check him out in the NAB cup.

Sam Docherty (DEF) – $115,900 – A first round pick (12th overall) for the Lions has yet to make his debut but shouldn’t be too far away. He is much better priced as a result as a hip injury and resultant surgery kept him out of any action for most of the 2012 pre-season. Eventually returned to the reserves and found himself in the midfield showing good form and ending up as a senior emergency on a few occasions. Is considered a player in the mould of a Heath Shaw or Jed Adcock so should provide plenty of run and carry when given a chance. He will wear number 1 in 2013.

Michael Close (FWD) – $109,500 – Taken at pick 32 in the second round of the national draft with an eye to the future as a key position prospect. Expected to be a development year for Close and can play in a variety of roles but predominantly forward as the Lions prepare for life without Jonathan Brown. Has a big tank much like Brown and has represented Vic Country in the U19 championships. We’ll take another look at him in next year’s preview as he is considered a raw prospect and given that he is still yet to turn 19 will find it hard to justify his place in the senior side but should get some game time in the NAB cup. He’ll have Daryl White’s old number 33 in 2013.

Marco Paparone (FWD/MID) – $114,500 – Taken at pick 23 and is another one of the compensatory draft picks received for the exodus of players to Gold Coast in 2011. Another tall forward in a series of draft choices last year that earned a swag of honours in 2012 most notably WA’s fairest and best in the U19’s championships and like Close comes equipped with a big tank. Averaged 17 disposals and seven marks, and kicked 45 goals with the East Fremantle Colts in 2012 and we may see him in action in the NAB cup. He will be wearing number 22 which is what Chris Scott wore way back in 1995 when he won the AFL’s rookie of the year award. Coincidence or an omen? Lion’s fans and supercoaches will be hoping for the latter as his DPP status is very tempting.

Callum Bartlett (MID/FWD) – $115,900 (Rookie Listed) – Delisted after 2012 with the intention of re-drafting him as a rookie, Bartlett finally got through a season unscathed. The Lions took great care in his rehab resting him for periods as he developed into a midfield role in the reserves. A member of the premiership triumphs of 2012 should be the first to receive his chance should an LTI occur in the midfield. Described as a fiery competitor in his run-with roles, he might not present great value for supercoaches if used as a tagger at AFL level but has done enough to satisfy officials to earn another crack. He will wear number 13 in 2013.

Pat Wearden (MID/FWD) – $115,900 – Another in a long line of DPP rookie options at the Lions. Wearden was taken with pick 47 in the 2011 national draft after doing enough in his 3 appearances with Collingwood in the VFL to attract the Lion’s attention. Spent 2012 in the reserves predominantly across half back and excelled against the Suns where he covered 15km of ground, collected 24 disposals, and took nine marks late in the season. Weighing in at 82kgs and 191cms tall he’ll need to throw on a couple of kilos though this preseason to give himself the best of chances to crack the senior side. However, he is tipped to make his debut in 2013 will wear number 37 and is definitely one to watch in the NAB cup.

Justin Clarke (DEF) – $115,900 (Rookie Listed) – The heir apparent in the key defensive stocks at the Lions was taken at pick 4 in the 2011 rookie draft. Was rock solid in the key defensive posts in 2012 and excelled in their semi-final triumph over the NT Thunder drawing praise from the coaching staff. Had a monster pre-season where he stacked on 13kgs and will no doubt add some more bulk to his frame in hopes of an elevation to the senior list in 2013. Has the ability to rebound and has excellent pace for his size. Has number 42 in 2013.

Jordan Bourke (FWD) – $96,200 (Rookie Listed) – The son of former Geelong captain Damien Bourke wasn’t taken as a Father/Son selection by the Cats but is practically a virtual zone selection by the Lions, taken with pick 63 in the 2012 rookie draft. Described as a leading forward with strong marking potential it’s hoped that once in the AFL system will develop that potential shown in previous years at junior level. Averaged 12.4 disposals and 4.2 marks at the 2012 AFL U18 Championships playing for QLD and will take a few years to develop. He’s another that we’ll take another look at in 2014.

Nick Hayes (FWD) – $124,200 (Rookie Listed) – Taken with pick 6 in the 2012 rookie draft was nearly taken by the Lions with their 3rd pick in the national draft he was rated that highly. Managed to play 13 matches with Woodville West-Torrens U18s in the SANFL where he averaged 16.3 disposals, 6.5 marks, and 1.5 goals per game. He also kicked what turned out to be the match-winning goal in the Eagles’ U18 Grand Final victory. Another in a long line of tall, athletic forward types drafted in previous years will most likely develop his skills in the Lion’s reserves in 2013.

 

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2 thoughts on “Team Analysis – Brisbane – Rookies”

  1. Brisbane have never been shy to blood their rookies in the early rounds ,so if dochery,s fit and ready to go do you think he could have first crack for round 1 ??

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  2. Well they didn’t rush in Longer last year… only due to necessity was he bought in to play the Dockers and others like Crisp and Yeo weren’t on the radar early on and had to play well in the reserves to get a crack.

    With the exception of Zorko who might have started round one if it weren’t for injury but even he had to star in the second team before debut.

    But if there was a market on this sort of thing the likes of Mayes and Docherty would be shortest priced to make an appearance in round one.

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