Mojo's Top 30

1) Marc Murphy

Pure midfielder

– complete midfielder. Leadership. Played his best football at the Championships 2 years in a row. Very agile and pretty quick but most importantly football quick. Very good tackler. Best clearance player in the draft. Good handballer and does not fumble. Kicking is good but could be a little better. Good around goals. Used to getting tagged. Carried a bit of a leg injury towards the end of the season and into draft camp where he did not complete all the tests.
2.98 speed for the 20m and good testing in the agility. Blitzed when skill work was done. Very level headed and has the desire and attitude that will succeed at AFL level.
Light on his feet with how he runs and seems to glide and people seem to make the mistake that he is not overly quick when he actually is.
Needs to increase his body size and improve his endurance to round everything off.
The most likely player to play 200 games in this draft. Others will be more athletic but don’t think anyone is likely to be as effective.



2) Shannon Hurn

HBF/Midfielder

96 kgs. 187cms. 3.04 for 20m and decent beep test.

Leadership. I stood near the huddle and heard him speak to the players (he was captain of SA) in one of the U18 games.
A real leader of men.
Michael Voss like in that regard.

Cricket every year and no football pre season EVER.
Oestitus pubis on top of that this year means no running and no training all year. Just rest and some swimming and ball work.
So give him 2 pre seasons and 3 or 4 kgs off his body and harden it right up and hopefully his agility improves.
Straight line speed is fine when up and going but movement from side to side and changing direction is poor.
Keeps being referred to as an inside player but does not play that way. Does not do it for Centrals and did not do it at the U18 Championships. Might develop in the future as a clearance player but at this stage plays outside and uses his skills and reading of the play to set things up. Will do the job on the HBF in a 1on 1 contest but like I said does not clear the ball from a stoppage like his big mature body indicates that he will.
Beautiful skills and a huge kick. Very good overhead mark. Will need a good player in the air to match up on him in the AFL which will be of benefit to him to break a tag if needed.

- Against

His lack of agility and the ability to turn around and change direction is poor. Quicker more agile players seem to be able to run around him and this is what concerns me the most. Might get exploited on the HBF with players turning him around and zigzagging there leads.

will he ever fully recover from OP?
Carey had it for the last 5 years and could not overcome it.

Hodge had it before being drafted and after 4 years still cant do all the training needed and has to be watched. Hodge cant play midfield all day because of it.

Will he actually get quicker or stay the same and other players go way past him when they are the size he is.

The way the game is going pace is getting more and more important.

Will he be a midfielder? or just a hbf with great skills.

Cameron Ling? Big body. Leadership. Toughness. Runs all day. Contested ball winner. Run with players. But a much much better kick. Champion if Hurn does become Ling + 60m kicking skills.
or another Geelong player?
Josh Hunt. Big body. Slow. Geelong give him the ball all the time. Magnificent low passes and distance.
Has to be hidden on slow players and Harley/Scarlett cover for him. Not fit enough/good enough to be a midfielder.

so which is it going to be?
Ling + Stewart Dew kicking skills.
or Josh Hunt.

How would you rate Shannon Hurn in comparison to Jordan Lewis Mojo?

I read this in one of the other sub-forums btw , but once against nice work !

3) Patrick Ryder

Ruck/Third Tall

– Aboriginal ruck. Smooth mover who covers the ground very well. Bottom aged and still growing and filling out. 196 cms and 85 kgs indicates he has a fair bit of filling out to do. Good mark and reader of the play. Best ruckman at the Carnival who was able to handle much taller opponents pretty easily. Good leap and reach. On the few times I have seen some WAFL tapes when he played a kick behind play he reacted well in defense and did not look lost at all. When he went forward he provided a good target and led well and at the right time.
Rucked in the seniors in the WAFL against grown men and also handled that well. Does not seem to rack up huge stats at any level or appear to try and physically dominate even at Colts level. Just a fantastic athlete who may not be a true key position player. Having said all that he is very very young (younger than Xavier Ellis who everyone keeps saying is so bottom aged) and with another few cms might well be a first ruck in the AFL. At the moment would be a decent back up in the ruck and a tall 3rd marking forward. A bit of risk picking him on potential and a bit of hope but think it is reasonable realistic. Would like a bit of more urgency and intensity at times.
Has been compared to Lance Frankiln a little. I feel Ryder is more consistant and dogged and lacks the flair and X factor that Franklin has.


4) Beau Dowler

FF/CHF


– as good a mark as anyone in the draft. Grown to 195. Beautiful kick. Deadly shot for goal. Good mover. 3.04 for the 20m puts him in front of the other top KPP for speed. Can take a contested mark. Lacks a bit of mongrel. Great in the air but not so good once the ball hits the ground. Very skinny build and might need 2 or 3 pre seasons to build up. Is that going to rob him of some pace when he is 15 kgs heavier?
I think he can play either key forward position. Is a bit of a mark and kick player at this stage which lends itself to FF. However his running ability and good tank will allow him to develop into a CHF with improved efforts once the ball hits the ground. Very good person from all reports I just would have liked him to kick on after the U18s a little more. The injury prognosis is pretty promising and should not hold him back to much and will take time to be ready anyway as he is very skinny.

I think he will become an elite tall running forward who will wear his opponent down over the course of a game. The best true KPP player in the draft who has the most physical improvement in him to go when he fills out.
Could become a monster but see him playing as a Tarrant/Hansen/Riewdolt running and leading type more and not a gorilla taking contested marks with 3 opponents hanging off him when he fully matures.
Just watching the tape of the first game in the U18s again where he took a few really strong marks sticks in my mind and maybe have him a lttle higher than others.

philhawk said:

How would you rate Shannon Hurn in comparison to Jordan Lewis Mojo?

I read this in one of the other sub-forums btw , but once against nice work !

Click to expand...

Thanks mate. I am changing the order of a few and rewriting them a little and flushing out some of the profiles I did not write to much on.

I like Lewis and realise the body size and lack of genuine pace means they get compared. But in reality Lewis has shown that he is a midfielder who plays a little in the half back flank and Hurn is just a half back flanker (apart from a few quaters).
Hurn has never played midfield for any length of time and has not shown that he would be at home there. Reads the play well down back and is good in the air.

So Lewis is a midfielder who is not quick.
Hurn is a half back flank who is not very agile and MIGHT be able to develop into a midfielder if he gets fit and also learns to play the position. Becuase at the moment he is not.

Hurn has better skills and is genuinely smart with what he does but it is a leap to say that he will therefore become a gun midfielder when fit.

Maybe I did not answer very well.

I would have them as about equal and feel Hawhtorn did well taking him at 7.

Nah you answered it very well lol - not to mention by the sounds of it Hurn ( as you mentioned ) has possible Hodge like leadership skills - an added incentive to draft him perhaps? Blues?

5) Andrew Swallow

Pure midfielder


– breakaway pace from the stoppages is what comes to mind first. Can win the ball in a pack/congested situation as well as anyone in the draft apart from Marc Murphy. Then uses his pace to run away from others. The kicking action is the problem. From what I have seen on a few WAFL tapes and at the U18s it is not as bad as it looks but still needs to be a lot better.
Moved up a lot since last year when he was overlooked in the draft. Played senior football for East Fremantle in the WAFL and got a lot of the ball. Captained WA in the championships.
Gets 30 plus each week when playing Colts in WA and has that rare mix of toughness and speed that makes him tempting. Very skinny but likes the contest and will improve massively when he fills out. Top aged and will need the gym to improve physically as it is unlikely to happen much with natural growth.
Have him higher than others as I think he can play down back and be very good as well as become a tagger if his kicking does not improve as much as needed.


6) Xavier Ellis

HBF/Wing


Reads the play well. Lets his opponent lead him to the ball to often for mine. Pretty good kicking skills and has some distance. Sets play up from down back. Anyone who reads his stats from the TAC has to remember they include those kick outs as well (40 poss are really 20). Very tall and very skinny especially in his legs. Will need 2 and maybe 3 pre seasons to be ready. Young for the draft so could fill out naturally.

Worry about him as a midfielder with his style of play. Perhaps just end up as a very attacking back flanker or a wing. Does he avoid the contest because he is so light or is it because of his skills to use the abll on the outside. Or is it because he is just not that way inclined. Is very evasive with his footwork and is genuinely smart with when he runs off his opponent. But would have liked to see him with a more defensive side to his game as well.

I realize he is very skinny but would just like to see him throwing himself around a little more and take the initiative instead of trotting in behind his opponent. Then running off after a turnover and showing urgency then.

philhawk said:

Nah you answered it very well lol - not to mention by the sounds of it Hurn ( as you mentioned ) has possible Hodge like leadership skills - an added incentive to draft him perhaps? Blues?

Click to expand...

Yes would have him as the 2nd best leader in the draft behind Marc Murphy.
Captained SA and offered captaincy of an U19s cricket team going overseas a few months ago. 2 time premiership player.
Been in the public eye for a while and handled it well. Like what I heard from him at the U18s and the way he spoke to the players in the breaks.
A real mans man.

Shame we wont be taking him at pick 4.

7) Marcus Drum

HBF


As far as the best defender in the draft it is easily Marcus Drum.
Does not fit the profile at 190cms and skinny but has played on the best forwards in the TAC and U18 Championships for the last 2 years and beaten nearly all of them. That includes Franklin,Dowler, Kennedy and Clark.
Uses his body so well and even takes contested marks down back. Positions himself and reads the play and has good skills when rebounding.
May not make it at AFL level as a KPP back but looking at who the best backmen are these days

Clement 190cms
Mal Michael 190cms
Maguire 190cms
Hudgton 191cms
Scarlett 191cms


So yes its great to have KPP players at 195cms and 100kgs but in reality it is there abilty to use there size and play the game that counts far more than having the right profile.

– very professional player. Organised and reads the play very well. Tall and long arms. Looks like Fiora in stature. Very dedicated player who leaves no stone unturned to prepare and make himself into the best player he can. 3.00 flat for the 20m says his pace is good. Top aged and unlikely to grow much more and is 190cms already. Skinny build and a bit in between a KPP and a flanker. Very good mark. Good kicking skills. Extremely good TAC stats. Played a bit of midfield towards the end of the season and did ok.

Just depends whether clubs feel he will become a Clement style all purpose defender who organises everything down back and provides a calm and controlled leader back there.



8) Mitch Clark


CHF/Ruck

huge reputation.
He knew a long time ago that he would be drafted and he was hot property. Not sure if that is the reason he has not developed as he should have. Rumoured to have had a back injury this year so not sure how bad it is and how much it has limited him.

Fantastic build for AFL that when he fills out will be very imposing. 198cms already and very quick and agile for that size. 90 odd kilos and wont take very long to be AFL ready if he does the work. Good mark on the lead when he chooses to do it and not play for behind and try to reach over the top (like Gehrig does). Good kick for goal. At the start of the year was playing seniors in the WAFL and touted as the top pick coming into the carnival. Then had a poor one where he refused to chase and gave away silly free kicks. Perhaps is was things he might have been able to get away with in senior football or just that he was injured or even he really did not have to prove himself like others did.

Likes to party with his mates in WA and does not train hard. His coach in the WAFL has not been very glowing with his comments over his commitment. The question is will he be another Andrew McDougall or a Lance Franklin/Pavlich type who had poor carnivals but it was overlooked and they will blossom once they are onto an AFL list.
Mitch Clark on ability is the best player in the draft.

9) Josh Kennedy

CHF

top aged. Physically mature already. Slow off the mark. Good mover once up and going. Good kick and mark. A nice bit of agro about him. A bit injury prone and now needing a full shoulder reco.
Plays a bit like a Barry Hall with that sort of intensity. I feel that he is the surest bet of any of the tall players but also has the least scope for physical improvement. I am very concerned with his pace over the first few steps and I do not see him as being able to play down back with that limitation. Dominates a little in the Colts because of his size and not sure his style of play will flourish once he is matched up on players as strong as he is. Been on a big weights program for East Fremantle and how much of that and his advanced aged is making him look better than he will be when everyone else catches up.

Really bad draft camp testing and hard to know how much of it is due to him just finishing up in the WAFL just before the camp and there fore perhaps carrying a few niggles and maybe sore. Perhaps it is just that others trained specifically for it and the he was not able to.

Worry about his pace in the first few steps and might limit him to only playing forward. Not being able to play down back on quicker KPP sort of takes the shine off him a little with not being as versatile as he is touted.



10) Jarred Oakley-Nicholls

HBF/Wing

blistering pace. Good height (188) and can take a mark. Skinny and needs to build up a lot. Great running off half back and taking a bounce and breaking up play. Not sure if he will be a midfielder or just a very attacking half back flank but with his skills and pace and reach will star at that position. Maybe move to the wing as he fills out. Aboriginal player who has flair. A few compare him to Peter Burgoyne and I would agree with the similarity in the way he moves.
2.85 for the 20m and 7.97 for the agility test means he has breakaway pace and elusiveness.

Was able to break into the seniors in the WAFL even with his light frame.

Will really need to be nused through his first few years as with a history of shoulder problems and his light frame could be a huge candidate for reinjuring them if exposed to soon.

I think in time he could be a very good AFL wing with some more development in his body and maintaining that speed.

He has real time on the ball and with that athletic package he could really become a star.

11) Darren Pfieffer

Midfielder/HBF

I see him as a defensive type midfielder in the AFL. Very hard player who competes very well in the clinches. Close to the best tackler in the draft. Good overall package with goodish speed and agility and a good mark to go with the best vertical jump at draft camp.
Plays a hard running style of game which is well suited to the AFL. Not a zoning player when down back who racks up the easy stats but a good 1 on 1 player who will run hard to create an option when rebounding.

Disposal is pretty good but sometimes his decisions and poise could be a little better.

Named best player for SA in the U18s and managed to play senior football in the SA.

Would really improve most teams in the AFL with the mix he has.
Accountable hard tackling quality midfielders are exactly what a lot of clubs need who possess decent pace and skills.
A real plug and play type of player who is about a sure thing as there is to become a competent player. Might not become as good as some of the more ‘freak types’ but some players are needed to be blue collar and do all the team things which allow more creative types to do there thing.


12) Scott Pendlebury

Utility

Potential is the first thing that comes to mind with him. A tall flanker type who is still young.
Devoted himself to football this year after previously being a basketballer and holding a scholarship with the AIS.
Really improved after the U18 Championships and got better and better as the season went on.
I am expecting this trend to continue after really only playing football full time this year.

Is very evasive and may lend itself to being a wing at AFL level. Good the big hands that handle the ball well in traffic and ‘dancing feet’ which make him able to find space when there appears to not be any. Good kicking skills on his left foot and seems a good decision maker. Not really a contested possession and clearance player at this stage but may develop.
Good testing overall at draft camp and nothing is holding him back if he applies himself fully. Considered a little bit lazy as things come easy to him and this is a bit of a worry going forward.

a 190cm of pure athletic potential who is still young and very inexperienced. Showed in his football that he can play and do a number of roles. Is ready to be moulded into just about any type of player and position.
If he grows anymore he could almost play KPP with those huge hands and leap and long arms.

Looking at a real utility who could develop into an Andrew Embley type of matchup nightmare with finding the right player with pace and aerial skills to go with him.
There is nothing lacking in his athletic ability or football skills which would prevent him playing anywhere on the ground.
Just the question on whether he develops as it is expected or his attitude of being a bit laid back due to his natural gifts and does the minimum required

13) Dale Thomas

HFF/midfield

A hard player to judge. Very quick (2.93 for 20m) and likes to run and carry the ball and break open play. However his kicking is not so good. Can do some really fantastic things as well as look a bit ordinary at times.
Good around goals. Like Nathan Jones he had a very good GF in the TAC and it can put him a little higher in peoples ratings since it was the last game seen.
Spectacular type of player. I feel he will be a forward pocket and not an AFL midfielder. Did not test well for the 3km or beep test and does not seem to have the tank as is a burst player at this stage.
Not overly big but likes to go for his marks. Small frame and will need to really fill out. If he can develop the endurance and put his head over the ball even more and his kicking really improves then he will be a very good get.
To many ifs for mine to take early. Some people will rate his X-Factor higher than me and have him much higher.
Moved way up in peoples opinions recently but I dont see it as much as others.



14) Ben McKinley -


HFF


The forgotten man of the draft is Ben. Not big enough to play KPP and not athletic enough to play midfield according to some. But can he play?
Just like Marcus Drum he does not fit the profile that people want so he slips down the order and is overlooked.
He really can do the freak things and does them more than anyone else I saw in the TAC this year.
Did not test very well at draft camp for his 20m and endurance testing so slipped further down.

When I have seen him play he seems reasonable quick with the ball in play and reacts quicker than others. Really goes hard at the ball and throws himself in.
Takes a huge mark for his size of just over 6 foot. Is a bit of a predator around goals and knows where they are at all times.

Dominated in the TAC and his form just got better and better after the U18 Championships.

Just a very good footballer who will play half forward flank and link up play and kick goals. A shorter and slighlt slower version of Andrew Embley is how I project him being as well as the standard Russel Robertson comparison.

15) Nathan Jones

Midfielder.

Running machine. Short (177cms) and very solid body. Has a triathlon background and only just gave it up this year. Is therefore advanced on a lot of others due to his superb fitness.
Runs a 10min 30 for the 3km and also a 15.7 beep test. Was not able to replicate those at draft camp as he had gastro.
Was only able to run a 3.15 for the 20m and that is a concern for a player of his size.
Build like the proverbial brick outhouse and puts his head down and behind up and burrows in. Runs over the top of the smaller midfielders in the TAC. Also runs to receive numerous handballs with his elite aerobic running ability.
His use of the ball could be better. His kicking has plenty of depth but is not always reliable.

The grand final in the TAC where he dominated seems to have him more highly rated than I have him. I just feel that he is not a very creative player and although not top aged is physical developed at mid 80 kilos and with his hard triathlon training is like a 2nd year drafted player with his fitness.
So is in front of others due to that but in a few years when they catch up he will not be in my opinion.
Then he will be left with a 177cm player with no real speed who runs all day but is against taller and quicker players who are just as fit.
Is a very good clearance player which is what he needs to excel at in the AFL

I just feel his physical gifts due to his hard training will be eroded and be left with a player who just lacks that little bit of creativity that is needed to make his possessions count and hurt the opposition.

Half way into my top 30.

It is not a mock draft but just a pure analysis by me of the top 30 players.

Will put up the next 15 tomorrow when I can.

I will wait for a hammering now. Be gentle.

Great stuff

Top class stuff mojo - Great work!

i have got josh kennedy a bit low down, but you have some fairly well made points about him
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Very good analysis that puts a new perspective on these players. I am warming to Marcus Drum and Mitch Clark.

Gee, you Carlton people pump each other up a bit!

Seriously though, it's a good read mojo. I like how you've noted Drum's long arms - if a bloke's got an extra inch on his arms then it makes up for a lack of height in a marking contest. People seem to get so hung up on a players height. Any idea what Drum's vertical leap result was at the DC?

Looking forward to the next installment

16) Cleve Hughes

CHF.

Had a pretty good carnival and was named CHF in the All Australian Team.
Played cricket as a junior and really applied himself to football this year and improved out of sight. Works hard to present and seems to do it all day on the games I have seen him. Very good kick. Not quite in the Dowler class but still very good.
Does not seem to take a lot of pack type marks but more out on the lead with good safe hands. Does not seem to use his body a lot.

Top aged. Will be 19 in January. Very skinny still and will need to camp out in an AFL gym for a couple of years to be ready to go.

Sort of lacks something for mine. Not sure what but maybe some urgency and intensity in his game. Just a good solid KPP prospect who could really blossom but at this stage is a little bit behind the other top KPP in this draft and being older than all of them will not help.
192cms and very skinny and is not as far along physically as you might hope at his age.

Got nice hands when marking but sort of lacks that little bit of spring and ability to beat his opponent 1 on 1. Will struggle to have the pace to consistently beat his opponent to the ball in the AFL so he really needs to learn to use his body more.

A good hardworking a blue collar CHF who has enough athleticism and size to become a decent KPP in the AFL. Nothing very flashy about him.
Just think he is going to take a long time to put on the weight needed to be able to compete and therefore have him down the order.



17) Travis Varcoe

wing

Hard to make a judgment on him. He missed the carnival due to a bad injury on his left foot. Then sat out the rest of the year in the SANFL and is only just recovering now so really cant look at draft camp results either for a guide to how he is recovering.
Very bottom aged and close to the youngest player in the draft.

After talking to someone who watched him all last year have put him inside the top 20.
Has really fantastic pace and change of direction and footwork to run around people. Very good kicking skills and has a reasonable complete style of game and will not shirk the defensive side either. Tackles and runs down players.

Started the season playing senior football in the seniors for Central Districts in the SANFL (just like Shannon Hurn). It’s a very strong side and shows how highly rated he was by them even being so young and light.
Injured his foot in the 2nd game and been out since.

The only risk is how his foot recovers. If it does 100% and he develops fully will be a bargain.

18) Austin Lucy

KPP Back


Very big key defender already at almost 90kgs and 193cms.
Tested very well at draft camp.

Top 10 in the 20m and in the vertical jump. Says he has real pace and the leap to compete and spoil down back. However on the few times I have seen him I have seen a player who is slow over the first few steps and can get caught out with that. Once he is up and going he is fast and has very good top line speed.
His use of the ball is not as good as it could be. Just seems to kick it as hard as he can and that’s pretty far with a booming right foot kick.

Wont have a problem with being able to compete at AFL level with his size already but might be better suited to CHB with his lack of speed off the mark.
Might develop as a hard running defender if he can use the ball better.
Agility test at draft camp was down and might indicate a problem going forward as he gets even bigger. Opponents turning him around and exploiting that and zigzagging there leads.
Will be fine if his opponent leads long and straight. However like I said if they double back or change direction he might be caught out.

At times his spoiling could also be better.

Just a physically ready backman with size who has shown the ability to play against men in Qld. Wont have to grow or fill out very much to be ready to play and some clubs might really want that.
My personal preference would be that he is a bit lighter and would slowly put on a few kgs and maintain his pace and agility rather than be quite so big already and a candidate to become far to cumbersome.

A bit of a leader as well.



19) Paul Bower

CHB

Good build for KPP and a good height and size already which will lend itself to a fearsome unit when he fills out even more.
A very attacking style of defender who loves a run of the half back line. Nice pace and agility and not afraid to back it in.
Will need to develop to be able to play man on man against some of the giants. .
Is more of a tall HBF at the moment who has the size and build to potentially be a KPP back in a few years. Just depends if clubs want to use his strengths of running power and agility to run off the half back line or try and convert him into a ‘gorilla’.
His testing at draft camp was pretty decent and feel he has the athleticism to become a very good all purpose defender who can monster a third tall if needed.
Play on the big blokes also and hold his own and dominate them with his good athleticism on the rebound.
Not as good a defender as Lucy at this stage and does not play as tight but more attacking and creative.

20) Richard Douglas

Midfielder

Small at 180cms and 68 kgs. Top aged as well and will be 19 in Feb.
So we are looking at a player with a very small build who needs another 10kgs to match it in the AFL in the clinches.

So thats the downside to him becoming an AFL midfielder.

Plenty of upside though.

For starters he tested well at draft camp and has good pace and endurance and agility. He is a lovely kick of the ball. Like his decision making and ability to read the game.
Really good overhead for his size and a possible forward pocket at AFL level with that ability to play tall and to also read the flight of the ball earlier tham most and be in the right position. Football smarts (lacking in Mills but plenty in Douglas).
Has a little bit of 'freak' about him and really on talent is in the top 10 in this draft.

No weaknesses in his game that stand out. I would say he is very similar to Marc Murphy in his ability to play inside and out and tackle and read the game. Just does not do it as well or have the leadership and toughness of Murphy. Watching Murphy carry a leg injury into his last few TAC games at the end of the year and still play well and lead his team when 50% fit shows what sort of bloke we are getting with pick 1.
Douglas is not soft at all just in comparision to Marc.
Size wise also it shows how skinny he is
180 and 68 compared to Marc 179.4 and 74.4 kgs and Marc is hardly what you would call built at this stage but it still 6 kgs heavier and younger.

So if his body puts on the muscle needed he is a top 10 pick. If not he is nowhere near it. I have hedged my bets a little and have him at 20.

21) Shaun Higgins

Midfielder


Bottom aged ball magnet. A decent size for a midfielder and he certainally racks up the stats. Does not really have much pace and was a little bit quicker before injury problems.
Had many knee problems in previous years and then had shoulder and calf problems this year.
Not sure how is body is going to hold up to being an AFL midfielder as he is pretty light now.

Can kick a goal and looks like an ideal forward pocket and as he develops and gets stronger should move into the midfield.

Pretty decent skills who accumulates his stats. Really nothing stands out for me here and I worry about his body being able to stay together.

Not really a great clearance player. Just pretty good at everything and not very athletic on top of that to go with being a 6 footer.

Just depends how people rate his football smarts and ability to get the ball. Obviously has it at TAC level but think the step up to AFL will show that he does not quite have enough tricks in his bag. Or enough skill and athleticism to match with other midfielders at this stage.
A good safe choice for a lot of clubs who don’t want to have to teach a player where to run to get the ball.



22) Beau Muston


HFF/Wing

Top aged player. Highly rated before doing his knee and sitting out the rest of the year.

A bit of a ball magnet in the TAC before getting injured who also kicked goals. Likely his best position is around goals or at least forward of the centre where he is a real opportunist. Tall and very lanky type who takes a good mark.
Did not play TAC last year or at any of the Carnivals obviously so it is hard to say where his quality sits. Is top aged as mentioned and still very skinny and might have problems putting on weight. That coupled with a knee reco means he is a big risk.
However has plenty of talent and pace and hopefully the speed is still there after the operation and rehab.
Really smooth mover and a very good field kick and for goal.

The further knee injury means I have dropped him outside the top 20. It is s shame really as he could be anything if he recovers 100% and does not lose any athleticism. Pretty doubtful he will keep everything though.

Great size for a wing also at 189cms and could be a real match up problem when he is fully fit again.

I like your analysis of each player, particularly Hurn. Although I personally don't rate Swallow that highly, which means he'll probably end up being a star.

23) Luke McEntee

Ruck

An athlete learning to play football. Tall ruck who is very quick for his 197cms.
From South Australia and had a decent carnival and would have him as the 2nd best performed ruckman there behind Ryder. Showed some ability to take a mark and could really develop there as a ruck who can drift down to take a strong mark and kick a goal.

Previously played basketball and only been playing football for a few years so would seem that he will improve a great deal with more experience. He lacks footy smarts and that would explain a lot of it. Nothing bad about his attitude to work though or put himself in but it is the positioning at times and his complete lack of the ability to read the game at others.
Then he will jump up and take a really nice mark or tap the ball down and rove it himself and make you stop and think that trying to pigeon hole him is not going to be easy.
Have him just inside my top 30 at this stage and think he has enough athletic ability and size to make it as a ruck in what is a weak draft for ruckman which puts him a little higher than normal.



24) Grant Birchall

HBF

Tall and very athletic player. The club who drafts him is getting someone who they can hopefully mould into a good player. He has all the athleticism to work with.

Quick – 2.93 for the 20m
Tall – 192cms
Bottom aged – 28/1/88

Plays down back but is not really a close checking defender. More of a zoning off type player who plays more as a midfielder. Just gets on the outside and waits for the ball to be fed out and uses his quickness to run off.
Just a tall half back flanker who is incredible mobile.

His skills at times are top notch but at other times are poor due to a lack of application/concerntration.

Sometimes looks like he is playing in the backyard with no intensity and willingness to do the hard stuff. Gets the ball and runs off only to slow down and look lost and turn it over. No real reason for this as at other times he does not show these traits at all.

Will need to improve his decision making and also gather himself a little more when kicking. Can kick it far enough but it is not always where he wants it go.

The big question mark on him is whether he can develop into a player who will use his body more and become tougher and harder at the ball.
Does not seem to be a natural thing for him or something he seems to particularly enjoy at this stage.

Maybe it is due to his still skinny body and being bottom aged.
Pretty tantalizing tall athletic player with a question mark on his intensity and hardness.

25) Wayde Mills

CHB

195cm Qld boy. A bit of a smoky who has shot up in peoples estimation due to improved form and exceptional draft camp results.

His endurance testing was AFL midfielder quality with a 14.3 beep test and top 3 in the 3km run. Also has spring to go with his height.

So he is tall and an athlete but can he play?

Well he shows some good signs. Saw him a few times really show good speed and take a bounce but run himself into trouble. Either panic a little and kick it in hope or just run to far and all the leading players were out of position when he finally disposed of it.
I have seen him play a really good man on man game and close check and really hold his own. Other times he has been pushed off the ball and been caught zoning off or be to attacking.

I just think he lacks polish at the moment. Broke through to play seniors in Qld and had a good carnival. Has great athletic tools and has shown football ability. But I think you are getting an athletic package of running, rugby background who has real size. What clubs do with it and how he develops is hard to know.
Will play tight at times and is prepared to give some attacking rebound from down back. However he does not always get the mix right and can try and do too much and get caught out. It has nothing to do with a lack of toughness or courage. Just an athlete who is not quite a footballer yet. Can do all the things required of a KPP back but like I have said sometimes just does not position himself in the best position or choose the right option of when to attack and run off and when to play tight.

If his kicking improves he will be a steal. Would love to see him on the wing and even up forward with his athletic ability. The kicking is the thing that is holding him back. It does not look to good and does not hit the target often enough.

A bit of a risk but the team who drafts him is getting a real tryer who has done everything he can to make it into AFL. Obviously works hard on his fitness and has the work ethic to make the most of himself. Is an athlete who is turning himself into a footballer. Bit of a draft camp special who has come from nowhere to be a top 30 type.


Could be a complete best at AFL level with his kicking and lack of a bit of football smarts but is worth the risk for a late 2nd round pick.




26) Matthew Laidlaw


HBF/Midfielder with more endurance


Good package. Oakleigh Chargers player just like Marc Murphy and Beau Dowler. Seen him play quite a few times.
The first thing I noticed was that he really improved as the year went on. Was playing down back earlier on and did a few nice things the first time I saw him but just did his job.
Saw him again a few weeks later and noticed the same thing. Good closing speed when his opponent lead for the ball but again did not really contribute much.
Then saw him about a month later and started back and moved into the midfield and looked a different type of player. Checked his number to be sure he was the same player to be honest. Took a big grab and started to carry the ball and impose himself a lot more on the game.
Then in another game he scooped the ball up cleanly off the wet ground and was about to be crunched as he was bent over and fired out a handball and wore the brunt of it and did not flinch. Very impressed with that as it was done 10 meters away from me.

So a good mark and a nice mix of being able to win the contested ball and also use it as a link player as well. Runs to good positions on the ground and has a good bit of poise with the ball when clear and also when under pressure.

I could see him being a decent half back flanker and play tall as well as provide good attacking run as well.
Did not play the whole season with Oakleigh and has his studies and private school commitments. In the same boat there as Xavier Ellis and would not be exposed to the same level of coaching, training and fitness work as others.

Tested very poorly at draft camp for the endurance testing (beep test and 3km run). I would imagine with full time training on an AFL list he will improve that immensely and will need to if he wants to be an AFL midfielder.

He is very top aged and will be 19 before the start of the next AFL season. If he gets his aerobic capacity up he will be a very good chance of becoming a good AFL player. Does have to be taught where to run to get the ball or to do the team things as he has all of that already. Skills are fine and with his marking ability he will cause a few problems matching up on if he can play in the midfield.