TWO Hyundai Help for Kids Lions Academy products have been listed in afl.com.au's 2015 Draft: Phantom Form Guide Update. Ben Keays & Eric Hipwood have been included in the list of 25 top prospects out of this year's draft pool, as ranked by the AFL.
Here's what they had to say about the pair:
Keays does what he does really well, pretty much every time he plays: he finds (usually lots of) the ball, runs relentlessly, fights for his touches and enjoys pushing forward to hit the scoreboard. Keays' form has been evident no matter who he plays for, too, given his consistent performances for Queensland's under-18 team, the Brisbane Lions' NEAFL team and this week will play for Redlands. As a member of the Lions' academy, the Brisbane side will get first choice on Keays when a bid comes, which is expected some time in the first round
The key position prospect has had a year of exciting games at both ends of the ground. In the forward line he leads hard and kicks straight, and in defence he competes hard, is agile when the ball hits the ground and reads it well in the air. He will be rested this week after a long year that started with the AFL Academy's tour to America, but he has already shown enough signs to attract an early bid from a club. Hipwood is another member of the Brisbane Lions' academy program, so the club will have the right to match any bid that comes for the 200cm player.
The next update for this year's Form Guide will come after the NAB AFL Draft Combine in October.