Swans 2013 Draft Strategy

[AnsweredPrayers]

Watching the video of Aliir Aliir I liked the way he kept his feet and I liked his first touches. A bit like soccer that first touch is very important. He's obviously big and athletic. All in all I'd say he has the raw materials.

[Untamed Snark]

Read an interview with him in the age
He sounds like he has the maturity and mind set to persevere and succeed
Who knows, in a year or two we may have 4 non Aussie born in our top 22

Read more: Teamwork finds Aliir a family

[ScottH]

Read an interview with him in the age
He sounds like he has the maturity and mind set to persevere and succeed
Who knows, in a year or two we may have 4 non Aussie born in our top 22

Read more: Teamwork finds Aliir a family

But the big question is how does he stack up against Majak, shirtless?

[Reggi]

We recruited to need. Sounds like a veryweak draft. Love the sound of Aliir Allir. Big athletic defender. Hard defender in Jones

We now have ruck depth to get through theseeaso scope to upgrade rookies

[stellation]

I know he's a project, but I don't really mind Aliir at 44 even if it seems a tad high. We passed on the rest of our picks/used them for rookie upgrades, it's not completely odd for a guy projected to be rookied to be selected late in the regular draft and if that's the guy we wanted with our last pick then it was a fair spot to take him.

[ugg]

Does anyone else think we've changed the balance of our squad too much in bringing in so many talls? From the players we've lost I would consider Mumford and White talls (Everitt even though he stands 194cm I wouldn't count as a KPP and while Brown played third tall in the reserves at times I wouldn't count him either) and to replace them we've brought in Franklin, Nankervis, Derickx, Aliir P.Mitchell (and maybe Laidler although if choose not to count Everitt I probably can't include Laidler either)

In the short term it might mean Walsh playing KPD permanently in the ressies, which will come as a sign of relief to our undersized backs X and Lockyer.

[Primmy]

Checked out AAs highlight real its not gloom and doom something there seems like a diamond in the rough ?????

Like Pyke??

[Primmy]

But the big question is how does he stack up against Majak, shirtless?

I was wondering if anyone was going to bring that up.....didn't want to further mire myself in controversy.

Seems a bit of shoulda coulda maybe not... going on around here. May I remind you that some of us once wanted to sack Macca as he was useless???? Mea culpa. What would I know.

Also want to point out that AA represented Qld in the under 18s. More importantly he represented the footy mad state of W.A. as well. That has got to be enough as a starter doesn't it?

PS: I can see his name (especially if he starts taking hangers) being twisted to Alli Alli Oop!

[jono2707]

I've seen a bit of Aliir Aliir on TV - the under 18s I think. Pretty raw, but very athletic and he seemed to have a good reach which is good for a defender. Pacy too. I think he needs to improve his general reading of the play but I reckon he has enough strength and speed to show as a good pick. Great story too.

[111431]

The fact we drafted Aliir x 2 before Marsh is unfathomable. I've watched his vids and he looks like a complete hack. I was hoping for the Zac Merett, Marsh and some a key defender of note.

I am struggling to see how we are going to be placed in 1-2 years for key defenders. We don't have any depth there at all and most of our backline over 190cm is aged 29 +. Surely Sam Reid is a monty for CHB now if he was not before.

But of course, I trust our list managers...

the kid is 18 or thereabouts, been playing footy for only a short period of time, made the transition from another country and then to another state and made the WA state team - i would suggest he has enormous upside - reserve your judgement !

[Go Swannies]

Jones - hmmm, reminds me of Bevo. He's tough, but an ordinary kick, one paced.....Please not another 1st round flop.

The Age suggests otherwise: MVP, All-Oz, (just like Bevo) and how does "excellent closing speed" match with "one paced"?:

15: ZAK JONES (Dandenong, Vic) 181cm, 76kg
Medium defender with excellent closing speed and ability to play on taller opponents. Strong overhead for his size and a good decision maker. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for Victoria Country, winning its MVP award and All-Australian honours.

Read more: 2013 AFL Draft: Your complete guide

[ernie koala]

The Age suggests otherwise: MVP, All-Oz, (just like Bevo) and how does "excellent closing speed" match with "one paced"?:

15: ZAK JONES (Dandenong, Vic) 181cm, 76kg
Medium defender with excellent closing speed and ability to play on taller opponents. Strong overhead for his size and a good decision maker. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for Victoria Country, winning its MVP award and All-Australian honours.

Read more: 2013 AFL Draft: Your complete guide

Rather than reading one sentence from the age, I've actually seen him play a few games...He's tough and hard and reads the play pretty well....

He isn't pacy, his closing speed is more about his desire than his pace...Bevo had the same attributes.

He also kicks like Bevo; ie floaters with not much penetration, and a bit hit and miss with accuracy.

The recruiters know a lot more than me, I hope they're right and he turns out a top dependable defender/ mid worthy of pick 15....maybe they think he's a topline tagger in the making.

But he does remind me of Bevo.

[jono2707]

If Jones turns out anything like the player his brother is, I'd be pretty happy....

[MadCanuck]

Rather than reading one sentence from the age, I've actually seen him play a few games...He's tough and hard and reads the play pretty well....

He isn't pacy, his closing speed is more about his desire than his pace...Bevo had the same attributes.

He also kicks like Bevo; ie floaters with not much penetration, and a bit hit and miss with accuracy.

The recruiters know a lot more than me, I hope they're right and he turns out a top dependable defender/ mid worthy of pick 15....maybe they think he's a topline tagger in the making.

But he does remind me of Bevo.

Yes I see the Bevo similarities in the clip but only the positive ones. He looks strong-bodied already and his evasive skills look different from Bevo who tended to try to crash the pack when under pressure. I thought Zak's pace and acceleration looked reasonable when he got to open spaces. Is he being groomed for a R Shaw replacement? I wouldn't be surprised if he played a few games next year at senior level. But all this opinion is based on assessment of his performance in a 2 minute highlights clip.

[RogueSwan]

...But he does remind me of Bevo.

Hopefully he plays in a Swans premiership like Bevo too.