With under a month to go until this year’s drafts, six currently listed Coburg players are in contention to be taken by an AFL club at either draft, as well as another three players from the Calder Cannons who represented the club as 23rd man during the season.
Luke Ryan- To Coburg from Local Football!
Having decided to join the Lions less than two weeks before the season started after not offered a contract by Essendon VFL, Luke’s 2016 season would arguably result in him being the best player to play ten games in the red and blue. While his accolades included winning the Fothergill-Round Medal (best player under 23 in the VFL), a Team of the Year selection in the Back Pocket, and the Phil Cleary Rising star award, it doesn’t end there. He was awarded with the Gibbs-Lines medal for his 29 possessions and 12 marks on debut in the Anzac Day clash with the Box Hill Hawks. He ranked equal 8th in competition rebound 50’s with fellow first year player Mick Mattingly. Averaging 19.3 possessions and six marks a game, he also managed a kicking efficiency of 86%, 9.4 intercept possessions per match, and scored an invite to the National Draft Combine. Although he was unable to participate due to injury, he is predicted to go as early as the second round.
Robbie Fox- From Tasmania, to local, to VFL, to AFL?
Fox’s second season in the VFL saw him move from his customary role on the halfback flank to on the ball, and it immediately paid off with dividends. The former Burnie and Aberfeldie man’s season got off to a flying start, with one of the marks of the year in round 1, and while he was injured for the majority of the seasons second half, did enough to score an invite to the State Combine, and scored the best results of all VFL listed players in the combine. Fox was named on the Wing in the VFL Team of the Year, and averaged 21.3 possessions and averaged seven tackles per game. His best performance came in the clash against North Ballarat at the Eureka Stadium where he managed 32 touches as the Lions gained revenge on their round one opponents. Could be a chance late in the National Draft.
Tom Goodwin- From not getting a game in an aligned side to a best and fairest with a stand alone!
Tom Goodwin was another player into their second season at Piranha Park and was instantly included in the sides leadership group for 2016, following the departure of key members from the 2015 group. Averaging 25 hit outs a game, he was considered unlucky by many not to have been considered in the team of the year. Basing his game on giving it a ‘red hot crack,’ the former Box Hill Hawk would record 43 hit outs against Port Melbourne in round two, his highest of the season. He managed a total of 441 hit outs for the season. He ranked seventh in total hit outs, and seventh in hit outs to advantage. Is expected to be taken as a rookie.
Ben Allan- From part time VFL player to fully entrenched Senior team member!
The former Calder Cannon midfielder in his first season officially listed as a VFL footballer managed all eighteen games in the senior side, bringing his tally to 32 having managed 14 throughout the 2015 season while still listed as a TAC Cup player. Usually deployed on a wing as an outside midfielder, Ben would be often utilized as an inside midfielder where he averaged 20 possessions, four marks and four tackles a game. His best performance came in the loss to Williamstown in the second half of the season, managing 22 touches and ten tackles, while the round 18 loss to Collingwood saw him manage a respectable 26 disposals in a heavy loss. He ranked equal 17th in loose ball gets. Outside rookie chance.
Ahmed Saad- Seeking another opportunity, after having it taken away from him
Coburg’s lack of firepower over the 2014-15 seasons showed they needed a crafty forward that was potentially capable of kicking 50 goals for the 2016 season. And that’s exactly what Ahmed Saad did- well almost. After his delisting from St.Kilda, 12 months after he resumed training with them in preparation for 2015, the classy small forward bounced back in fine style- 49 goals for the season and a Frosty Miller Medal winner by a clear margin, which was never threatened. A spot in the team of the year at Full Forward and a 3rd placing in the clubs Jim Sullivan Medal showed that he potentially still has what it takes to make an impact at AFL level, if called back upon, and undoubtedly still holds the desire to. Of his 49 goals, he managed six on three occasions, one of them off his own boot against eventual Premiers Footscray. However, round two against Port Melbourne was arguably his best performance, also managing six goals and kicking one of the goals of the season. He led the competition in lead marks with 31, ranked equal ninth in goal assists and equal tenth with score assists. Would suit a club needing that small forward to as ‘insurance’ in a premiership tilt.
Ozgur Uysal- Now eligible as a category B, & experienced- bargain for AFL clubs!
After an early season ankle injury, Uysal for the consecutive season in a row managed a second placed finish in the best and fairest, and a top three placing for the third consecutive season in a row. While team of the year honours eluded him for the third year in a row as well, the former Calder graduate has already been nominated by Essendon as a potential category B rookie, due to his eligibility under the new multicultural banner. ‘Ozzie’ managed 26 disposals from 17 matches in 2016, only missing the final round after being a late omission. He also managed 4.7 tackles and four marks a match, and was named in the 30-man state squad for the VFL side, however did not play. Uysal ranked equal fifth in total disposals, fifteenth in total kicks, eighth in total handballs, sixteenth in effective kicks, equal seventh in short kicks, equal seventeenth in contested possessions, sixth in uncontested possessions, equal fourth in handball receives, ninth in clearances, equal thirteenth in inside 50’s and equal tenth in score assists. Not as much interest as previous years, but his eligibility as a cat B is an attractive proposition for some clubs.
Ben Ronke- Got his chance at VFL level and proved his worth
The Calder Cannon’s Robert Hyde Medallist for the 2016 best and fairest claimed a come from behind win in the count in his first year in the TAC Cup, and was rewarded with two VFL games as 23rd man for the Lions where he proved his worth in both matches. He managed 18 and 14 possessions in both games for a total of three goals, including two goals in the space in a minute against Collingwood at the Holden Centre. Averaging 20.5 touches and 4.66 tackles per game, Ronke recently tested at the National State Combine held early in October, where he finished in the top ten in the standing vertical jump and repeat sprints. The former St.Bernard’s VAFA Premiership player is expected to be taken as a rookie.
Karl Brown- Second time lucky, with a VFL stint?
Brown’s third season as an overage player in the TAC Cup saw him manage 46 goals to take out the competition leading goal kicker award, after managing 36 the year before despite missing a fair share of the season due to injury. He averaged 2.7 goals and five marks per game, and was awarded with two games in the VFL as 23rd man against Sandringham and Williamstown, managing 11 touches and seven marks on debut. He possesses a strong mark and set shot for goal. He managed a 5th place in the Robert Hyde Medal as Calder’s best and fairest. Said to be an outside Rookie chance.
Tyson Lever- Following in his brother’s footsteps?
The younger brother of Adelaide rising star Jake, Tyson was one of the prime leaders in the Calder Cannons side of 2016 where he captained the side on a f
ew occasions. He averaged 19.3 possessions, six tackles and 4.4 marks from seventeen games. He was awarded with Calder’s Team Targets Award, and played one VFL game in round where he acquitted himself well on the day, managing 17 touches and being named amongst Coburg’s best in the heavy loss. Could go in the Rookie Draft.
Senior Coach Peter German has had over twenty players he has coached that have either been drafted or gone onto play AFL throughout his coaching career since it began in 1995, how many this year will be added to the list of his? We’ll find out later this month.
