Ryan Schoenmakers - 2008 AFL Draftee Profile
All the rage in the AFL at the moment is comparing young lead up forward to Swan Ryan O’Keefe. However, Schoenmakers really fits the bill. A strong U/18 Championships for South Australia at CHF has thrust his name in front of recruiters, and he might prove to be one of the better bets with a 2nd round pick in the draft.
Height: 189cm
Weight: 85kg
Position: Forward
Club: Norwood, SA
Who we think he may turn out like: Ryan O’Keefe
Who we hope he doesn’t turn out like: Andrew McDougall
Schoenmakers is an interesting prospect. CHF for the U/18 SA side, however at his current size he is more of a tall flanker in the big league. All the talk though has been how he is still growing, so he just might get there yet. There are reports he is actually now 193cm, and even 195cm, which is getting much more appealing for a CHF prospect.
Either way, Schoenmakers appeals as an excellent lead up forward option for whoever takes him in the draft. He combines athleticism and endurance with strong overhead marking and good foot skills. As far as modern forwards go, he really ticks all the boxes. He also returned some very good test results in the draft camp for sprinting and jump tests which recruiters are sure to love.
Where Schoenmakers can let himself down though is in one-on-one body contests. He can get out-bustled in marking contests, and will need to improve his upper-body strength to enable him to compete better. While not such a problem when he has space to work in, if he were to encounter a strong AFL flood, he could be rendered very inefficient.
Where will he go? Some rate him higher than the other key forward from SA, Lewis Johnston, and have even touted as high as pick 10 to the club he supports, the Adelaide Crows. Others see him as a clear 2nd to even 3rd round selection with the doubts about his size. My guess? Early 2nd round, possibly to Port Adelaide at pick 22, if not higher.
Do you see a future for Schoenmakers? Is he the prototype forward for the modern game, or is he going to get pushed around? How high will he go? We want your thoughts!
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Comments
Agreed that O’Keefe is more of a flanker, which I think Schoenmakers looks more likely to become than your typical CHF. His athleticism and endurance also likens him more to O’Keefe in that he is going to make a number of defenders get very tired chasing him around the park all day.
[…] Nov 16 - Nick Suban Nov 17 - Sam Blease Nov 18 - Stephen Hill Nov 19 - Matthew Broadbent Nov 20 - Ryan Schoenmakers Nov 21 - Matthew DeBoer Nov 22 - Nick Heyne […]
[…] Western Bulldogs - Ayce Cordy (F/S) 15 - Geelong - Mitchell Brown (Sandringham U18) 16 - Hawthorn - Ryan Schoenmakers […]
I think while size is not as important as before (Lockett, brown, Carey etc) it still helps a lot as the Hoff found at down at PA.
btw excatly how tall is O’Keefe? I ask as he imo is not a CHF but rather a flanker.