2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft - Summary

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

ROUND 1
Pick 1 - Melbourne --------- Jack Watts - KP Forward - 196cm, 85kg - Sandringham Dragons, Vic
Pick 2 - West Coast -------- Nick Naitanui - Ruck - 201cm, 94kg - Swan Districts, WA
Pick 3 - Fremantle --------- Daniel Rich - Midfielder - 183cm, 83kg - Subiaco, WA
Pick 4 - Port Adelaide ------ Tyrone Vickery - Ruck/Key Forward - 200cm, 89kg - Sandringham Dragons, Vic
Pick 5 - Essendon ---------- Jackson Trengove - KP Defender - 196cm, 88kg - Calder Cannons, Vic
Pick 6 - Carlton ------------- Michael Hurley - KP Defender - 192cm, 92kg - Northern Knights, Vic
Pick 7 - Brisbane ----------- Jack Ziebell - Midfielder/Utility - 188cm, 84kg - Murray Bushrangers, Vic
Pick 8 - Richmond --------- Hamish Hartlett - Midfielder - 182cm, 74kg - West Adelaide, SA
Pick 9 - North Melbourne -- Chris Yarran - Medium/Small Forward - 180cm, 84kg - Swan Districts, WA
Pick 10 - Adelaide ---------- Steele Sidebottom - Midfielder - 182cm, 79kg - Murray Bushrangers, Vic
Pick 11 - Collingwood ------ Sam Blease - Midfielder - 183cm, 72kg - Eastern Ranges, Vic
Pick 12 - Sydney ----------- Stephen Hill - Midfielder - 182cm, 72kg - West Perth, WA
Pick 13 - St.Kilda ----------- Lewis Johnston - KP Forward - 192cm, 87kg - North Adelaide, SA
Pick 14 - Western Bulldogs - Ayce Cordy F/S - Ruck/KP Forward - 202cm, 77kg - Geelong Falcons, Vic
Pick 15 - Geelong ----------- Ash Smith - Midfielder - 185cm, 84kg - Dandenong Stingrays, Vic
Pick 16 - Hawthorn ---------- Phil Davis - KP Defender - 192cm, 83kg - North Adelaide, SA

ROUND 2 PRIORITY PICKS
Pick 17 - Melbourne --------- Tom Swift - Midfielder - 192cm, 84kg - Claremont, WA
Pick 18 - West Coast -------- James Strauss - Midfielder - 185cm, 82kg - Oakleigh Chargers, Vic

ROUND 2
Pick 19 - Melbourne ---------- Ryan Schoenmakers - KP Forward/Third Tall - 194cm, 85kg - Norwood, SA
Pick 20 - West Coast --------- Jarrad Blight - Utility - 189cm, 73kgs - Swan Districts, WA
Pick 21 - Fremantle ---------- Michael Walters - Small Forward - 177cm, 75kg - Swan Districts, WA
Pick 22 - Port Adelaide ------- Shaun McKernan - Tall Utility - 196cm, 95kg - Calder Cannons, Vic
Pick 23 - Essendon ----------- Dan Hannebery - Midfielder - 182cm, 75kg - Oakleigh Chargers, Vic
Pick 24 - Fremantle ----------- Mitch Robinson - Midfielder - 188cm, 77kg - Tasmania
Pick 25 - Brisbane ------------- Dayne Beams - Midfield - 184cm, 81kg - Southport Shark, QLD
Pick 26 - Richmond ------------ Jordan Roughead - Ruck - 200cm, 92kg - North Ballarat Rebels, Vic
Pick 27 - North Melbourne ---- Jordan Lisle - Tall Utility - 196cm, 93kg - Oakleigh Chargers, Vic
Pick 28 - Adelaide ------------- Nick Suban - Small Defender - 179cm, 82kg - North Ballarat Rebels, Vic
Pick 29 - Collingwood --------- Nick Heyne - Medium Forward - 187cm, 79kg - Gippsland Power, Vic
Pick 30 - Sydney --------------- Tom Lynch - Tall Utility - 191cm, 84kg - Sandringham Dragons, Vic
Pick 31 - Western Bulldogs --- Tom Rockliff - Small Forward - 183cm, 83kg - Murray Bushrangers, Vic
Pick 32 - Western Bulldogs --- Jayden Post - KP Defender - 195cm, 86kg - Western Jets, Vic
Pick 33 - Geelong -------------- Rhys O'Keeffe - Utility - 187cm, 80kg - North Adelaide, SA
Pick 34 - Hawthorn ------------- Luke Shuey - Midfielder - 185cm, 84kg - Oakleigh Chargers, Vic

ROUND 3
Pick 35 - Melbourne ------------ Matthew Broadbent - Utility - 189cm, 81kg - Woodville-West Torrens, SA
Pick 36 - West Coast ----------- David Zaharakis - Midfielder - 180cm, 73kg - Northern Knights, Vic
Pick 37 - Fremantle ------------- Jarred Redden - Ruck - 202cm, 88kg - Woodville-West Torrens, SA
Pick 38 - Port Adelaide --------- Sam Wright - Utility - 188cm, 76kg - Murray Bushrangers, Vic
Pick 39 - Geelong --------------- Nathan O'Keefe - KP Forward - 192cm, 82kg - Eastern Ranges
Pick 40 - Carlton ---------------- Mitch Brown - KP Forward - 191cm, 82kg - Sandringham Dragons, Vic
Pick 41 - Brisbane --------------- Tom Hill - Ruck/KP Forward - 198cm, 79kg - Northern Knights, Vic
Pick 42 - Port Adelaide ---------- Paul Cahill - KP Forward - 192cm, 80kg - Sturt, SA
Pick 43 - North Melbourne ------- Matt DeBoer - Midfield - 187cm, 85kg - Claremont, WA
Pick 44 - Adelaide --------------- Neville Jetta - Small Forward - 178cm, 75kg - Swan Districts, WA
Pick 45 - Collingwood ------------ Clancee Pearce - Small Defender - 183cm, 85kg - Swan Districts, WA
Pick 46 - Collingwood ------------ Aaron Cornelius - KP Forward (third tall?) - 192cm, 84kg - Tasmania
Pick 47 - St.Kilda ---------------- Jamie Sheahan - Midfielder - 178cm, 73kg - Murray Bushrangers, Vic
Pick 48 - St.Kilda ---------------- Jordan Jones - KP Defender/Third Tall - 190cm, 90kg - Geelong Falcons, Vic
Pick 49 - Geelong ---------------- Taylor Hunt - Midfield - 183cm, 79kg - Sandringham Dragons, Vic
Pick 50 - Hawthorn -------------- Rory Sloane - Small Defender - 182cm, 76kg - Eastern Ranges, Vic

ROUND 4
Pick 51 - Melbourne ---------- Tom Allwright - Midfield - 185cm, 83kg - Tasmania
Pick 52 - West Coast -------- Michael Still - KP Forward - 192cm, 81kg - Northern Knights, Vic
Pick 53 - Fremantle ---------- Lance Daly - KP Forward - 191cm, 83kg - Swan Districts, WA
Pick 54 - Port Adelaide ------- Jay Shannon - Midfield - 182cm, 80kg - Port Adelaide Magpies, SA
Pick 55 - Essendon ----------- Luke Rounds - Midfielder - 181cm, 70kg - Geelong Falcons, Vic
Pick 56 - Fremantle ----------- Bart McColluch - Ruck/Tall Utility - 198cm, 83kg - Tasmania
Pick 57 - Brisbane ------------ Chris Hall - Midfield - 179cm, 65kg - Woodville-West Torrens, SA
Pick 58 - Richmond ----------- Jake Walsh - KP Forward - 196cm, 96kg - Northern Knights, Vic
Pick 59 - North Melbourne ---- Todd Banfield - Midfield - 182cm, 75kg - Swan Districts, WA
Pick 60 - Adelaide ------------ Alex Stopp - KP Defender/Third Tall - 189cm 86kg - Norwood, SA
Pick 61 - Sydney ------------- Steve Gaertner - Tall Utility - 198cm, 88kg - Dandenong Stingrays, Vic
Pick 62 - St.Kilda ------------- Kade Klemke - Small Defender - 180cm, 78kg - Murray Bushrangers, NSW
Pick 63 - Hawthorn ----------- Rhys Stanley - Ruckman - 199cm, 84kg - West Adelaide Bloods, SA

ROUND 5
Pick 64 - Melbourne ---------- Zachary Clarke - Ruckman - 203cm, 77kg - Oakleigh Chargers, Vic
Pick 65 - Carlton ------------- Charlie Sharples - Medium Forward - 188cm, 81kg - Northern Territory
Pick 66 - Port Adelaide ------- Bryn Weadon - Utility - 185cm, 88kg - North Ballarat Rebels, NT
Pick 67 - Essendon ----------- Steven Motlop - Midfield - 181cm, 68kg - Northern Territory
Pick 68 - Fremantle ----------- Alistair Smith - Midfield - 183cm, 80kg - Perth, WA
Pick 69 - Brisbane ------------ Ian Richardson - Small Forward - 175cm, ??kg - Claremont, WA
Pick 70 - Richmond ----------- Liam Jones - KP Forward - 194cm, 84kg - Tasmania
Pick 71 - North Melbourne --- Adam Cockie - Midfielder - 180cm, ??kg - Subiaco, WA
Pick 72 - Adelaide ------------ Ben Bucovaz - Tall Utility (Third Tall) - 188cm, 88kg - Geelong Falcons, Vic
Pick 73 - Collingwood -------- Tom German - Midfielder - 179cm, 80kg - Calder Cannons, Vic
Pick 74 - St.Kilda ------------ Ben Cousins - Saviour - 179cm, 87kg - West Coast
Pick 75 - Hawthorn ---------- Mitch Banner - Utility - 178cm, 77kg - Western Jets, Vic

ROUND 6
Pick 76 - Melbourne --------- Liam Shiels - Midfield - 183cm, 78kg - Eastern Ranges, Vic
Pick 77 - Fremantle --------- John Bennell - Small Forward 174cm, 68kg - Peel Thunder, WA
Pick 78 - Port Adelaide ------ Tom Gillies - KP Defender - 192cm, 85kg - Dandenong Stingrays, Vic
Pick 79 - Essendon ---------- Brad Mangan - Medium Forward - 185cm, 85kg - Murray Bushrangers, Vic
Pick 80 - Carlton ------------ Warren Benjamin - Midfielder - 187cm, 85kg - Claremont, WA
Pick 81 - Brisbane ----------- Peter Rolfe - Midfielder - 181cm, 73kg - South Adelaide, NT
Pick 82 - Brisbane ----------- Casey Sibosado - KP Forward - 192cm, 85kg - Oakleigh Chargers, NT
Pick 83 - St.Kilda ------------ Alex Silvagni - KP Defender - 192cm, 92kg - Casey Scorpions, Vic

ROUND 7
Pick 84 - Port Adelaide ------ Ben Speight - Midfielder - 180cm, 70kg - Norwood, SA
Pick 85 - Carlton ------------- Shane Savage - Midfielder - 184cm, 75kg - Dandenong Stingrays, Vic

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Alright, lets get this thing started. I might not be on much in the morning, so i thought i'd start it now.

Melbourne - Pick 1 - Jack Watts

What was probably the easiest pick i made in the trial (but by no means easy) has only been made easier by Watts' fantastic DC. He showed during u18 carnival what a great contested mark he is and that he's a good, long kick for goal. His DC just reinforced why Melbourne should take him at No.1, 2nd in 20m sprints & agility, which is just unbelievable for a kid who's over 195cm. I usually think that DC is more important for the players who aren't at the top of the draft, but Watts' performance at DC made me more confident Melbourne should take him.

Watts' agility was a real stand out for me in the games i've seen him play, he steps around players like a midfielder and is not afraid to back himself. Bottom aged and only been solely focusing on football this year, he will still have a huge amount of improvement in him, that makes me think he could be the best forward from the last few drafts. Melbourne could surely use both of Naitanui or Rich, but it had to be Watts.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

I'm actually out of action tomorrow morning too......so given that:

West Coast - Selection 2 - Nicholas Naitanui.

I wrote this about NN at #2 on another board....

While it is all very well documented that NN has a lot to learn about reading of the play the thing is that he is super-competitive. He will give you 100% for 100 minutes no matter what the score is...a bit like Kreuzer. That is what I ask for in a top 10 pick. Worse-case scenario, even if NN only improves his reading of the play by 10-20%, I am happy taking him at #2 because of said competitiveness.

He has grown to 201cm, has long arms and an elite vertical leap and is going to be very competitive in the ruck. His second and third efforts are evident. Has also shown a bit of form down back for Swan Districts seniors in the WAFL (although he did struggle in one game, IIRC against WC listed Wilson) and shown he can go forward and be a target in the champs.

Power athlete who is super competitive and I have already seen him monster men in the WAFL at his tender age. Relatively new to the game and anything you will get development-wise in the future is big icing on the cake. Could be something out of the box, and when you get a chance to add his type to your list you don't pass it up.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Daniel Rich

Midfielder, very skilled by foot, pacy, tackles well and exudes confidence. Best West Australian midfield prospect since Daniel Wells. The risk is he has been a bit lazy and possibly big headed this season and that might continue if we were unlucky, but like bigburger said I think that is easier to beat out of him, and I have seen him work hard as well (last year).

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Well, for this exercise I'm trying to put on a Port cap as much as possible. I'm trying to pick who I think they're more likely to go with. It should also be noted that when putting on a Port cap, all of my hair suddenly fell out. Poison.

Anyway, with that in mind I'm actually taking a guy who is not best available on my list, but the guy I suspect Port would be keen on:

Pick 4 - Tyrone Vickery - Ruck/Key Forward - 200cm, 86kg - Sandringham Dragons

OK, so it's not a 'cool' pick to make as he's the name often spoken alongside the Big 3, but not usually quite in the same company. The major doubt I had over making this pick was the fact that Port picked Matthew Lobbe in the first round last year, who is a similar sized player. But after the delisting of Deluca, along with the aging of Lade and Brogan, they've only got the untried Lobbe and Jonathan Giles in their 'ruck' stables (please correct me if I'm wrong Port fans - I haven't had that much time to really study your needs just yet).

With that said, I'm more interested in Vickery as a tall forward who can pinch hit in the ruck. He's a very good contested mark - not quite the best in this draft crop, but he is definitely right up there. What I like most about him is his ground skills, agility and endeavour around the contest. In that regard you could consider him a poor man's Kreuzer for now. Who knows which one will end up being better so early in their careers? The point is that Kreuzer would've had him shaded in most facets of the game at this time last year, but not by too much.

He has proven to be an accurate kick for goal this TAC Cup season (10.3 in eight games). Mind you, I'm still not 100% sold on his set shot goal kicking, as funny as that sounds. I saw a few times where he put the ball a little bit short and didn't score and when he does miss it appears as though he hits the ball quite early on the way through.

His tap work is good. Very good when he gets his hands on the ball actually. He directs traffic well and there's a purpose to wear he's putting the ball rather than just getting first hand on it. Sandringham didn't play him in the ruck too much, but there was two weeks in a row where they put him in there after the Nationals and he had a good duel with Jordan Roughead of North Ballarat and thumped the trio the Knights threw at him. In a close game, Vickery's ruck work was the reason they won that day IMO. He played ruck a fair bit for Vic Metro and was good. Not show stopping, but pretty good.

The remarkable thing about Bob (as in Sideshow) is that he underwent a full knee reconstruction early in 2007. I think that aspect is often overlooked when discussing him. You don't often see players of any age come back so well from a knee reco in their first year back. He has not looked hampered by the injury at all this year.

As I said at the start, I don't have him in my Top 4. At least in the very early picks there is some degree of accuracy where you can take an educated guess. There have been some rumblings that Port are keen on Vickery and to me that makes sense, so that helped in making the pick. Other players I rate higher on my list are Steele Sidebottom, Chris Yarran and Hamish Hartlett. Yarran is the only one of that lot I would consider Port to be a chance at taking. I also have a hard time splitting Hurley and Vickery. While there are also some whispers surrounding Hurley to Port, I tend to believe the Vickery to Port talk a bit more.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Pick 5 Jackson Trengove 197cm 79kg Calder

Athletic, high leaqping ruckman/ defender who had an injury ravaged year.
I think Trengove will be an effective spoiling defender at AFL level and will be a more than capable mobile jeff white/ matthew kruezer style ruckman.
Some Bomber fans will whine about wanring a midfielder however our tall stocks are:
lloyd, lucas, fletcher all over 30
ryder, hille above average
gumbleton. neagle lots of potential unproven
pears, daniher, bellchambers, hooker unproven- young
laycock- potential but very inconsistent
we delisted 3 talls in johns, michael and lee.
Hence with the trading for Prismall I am more than happy to go tall here.
I rate Trengove as high as 3 in this draft and feel he has a heap of development in him due to injury and limited exposure to tac footy.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

From HBF via SMS

Selection 6 - Carlton - Michael Hurley

Finally get to do my write up, and I couldn't be happier with getting, who I believe, could quite easily be the best player in this years draft pool. Seen Hurley alot over the past couple of years, and the first thing you notice is his attack on the footy, and he just makes it his prime objective. His intensity at the contest is something I haven't seen at junior footy much, and a very astute person likened him to Glenn Archer in that way.

The other thing you notice about Hurley is how good his kicking skills are. His right foot is as good as any midfielder, and his left, my god, I have yet to see anyone of his height kick as well off his non-dominant side.

I've drafted him to fill our gaping hole at CHF, as I believe he is just too good to be played at CHB, and, Carlton have enough tall backs on our list at this stage. Hurley could quite easily turn out to be a 50+ goal a season CHF, and for this reason, selection #6 was a very easy one this year.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Brisbane - Jack Ziebell

After the big three this is absolutely best case scenario for me. I love Ziebell and he is just what the Lions need. He is a big bodied mid who can win his own ball has fantastic disposal skills and can go forward and kick goals. Throw in that he is one of the best leaders available this year and you have someone who I would love to have at the Lions. The only downside is that he doesn't have great pace but what the hell I can live with that.

Jack Ziebell (DOB – 28/2/91, Ht – 188, Wt – 84)

Very powerfully built bottom aged player who should be a top 5 player this year. He is listed as a utility and is equally adept at HF, HB or in the middle. What you really notice is that whatever group he is with lifts when he is there and he makes those around him better. Long term I see him as being an inside midfielder but expect him to start up forward or down back depending on the needs of the team picking him. As he builds his endurance expect him to move into the middle full time and become that type of big bodied mid like Voss or Buckley that adds so much to midfield balance. He is a presence in the middle and has the knack of reading the ball off hands and being in the right place at the right time in contests. He is not a huge possession winner at the moment which I think is a factor of a lack of endurance and the fact that he plays at least half the game either up forward or down back. What sets him apart from virtually everyone is the quality of his disposal. He and Rich in my opinion are a class apart from anyone else available this year. He is a right footer with quick hands and exceptional vision and who works well under pressure. He is good overhead and can take a nice contested mark. He is good tackler and does the 1%ers that assist teammates. There has been a lot of talk about Sidebottom’s finish to the season but apart from the final the player who was the dominant player in the TAC in the latter stages of the year was Ziebell. I think a few are discounting him a bit because he didn’t appear in any of the top 10s at camp. Teams though always realised that he is not an elite runner (he is a power athlete) and will take him for what he can do on the park and the fact that these elite runners have had no ability to shut him down. Consider further that he is bottom aged and there is likely to be plenty of development in him yet. Those involved with him at the AIS are all big raps for him and think he is destined to captain whatever side he ends up at. Overall he is a class player who has a chance to be an elite player at AFL level and is the guy I will be praying falls to Brisbane come the real thing.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Richmond - Hamish Hartlett

With both Vickery and Trengove gone, two KPP's highly rated by me who fit our needs, I turned to the best available. The guy I had at 4 on my rankings was still here, and despite him being a midfielder, I feel you can never have enough, especially elite ones. I believe Hamish has the capacity to become an elite midfielder, and is a perfect fit at Richmond.

Hamish Hartlett – 182cm, 74kg – West Adelaide

I'm a massive rap on Hamish, and love his poise, his pace, and most of all the quality of his disposal. I'd say that his footskills on either side of his body are some of the best in the draft. He not only kicks the ball nicely, but kicks it a long way, and can sneak forward and kick goals too. His positioning around the ground is excellent, and reads the play very well.

Hamish had a tough time coping with a tag throughout the Championships, and could have worked harder to break the tag at times. In saying that, he still performed reasonably well throughout the Championships, but it revealed that possibly a higher work rate/ethic is required. That, plus a few lapses of concentration in kicking are his main weaknesses, but I raet him very, very highly.

Hartlett oozes class, and a midfielder with top class disposal is a welcome addition to the Tigers.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

North Melbourne - Chris Yarran

Had to deliberate long and hard here, between Yarran, Sidebottom and a couple of talls, however, on talent Yarran is the must select.

Played key forward for WAFL league side, Swan Districts and won their goalkicking award, despite missing 8+ games. Last year at colts level showed me he can play midfield and ran the show with Naitanui and Walters. Provides a hardness at the ball which many don't give him credit for, but it's there, trust me, has exquisite skills and a superb football brain. I've said time and again that he reminds me a lot of Chris Lewis, who has had a fair bit to do with his coaching in the past couple of years.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

*Gets back from naked run down street to announce*

PICK 10 STEELE SIDEBOTTOM ADELAIDE

Stoked with this, didn't expect it but funnier things happen in footy. If this happens on draft day I'll be a happy happy man. As we all know Steele is a class act, can win his footy and use it well and finish with goals. Has a great footy nous, combined with a wide array of footballing skills. Good hands, good leg and good inside and outside. Not a purely outstanding midfielder but brings a lot to the table for a first round pick. A club like the crows need goalkicking midfielders with some leadership and raw talent and he would be a terrific first round draft pick. Too often the crows have gone tall with their first pick and too often it has come to bite them hard. Angwin, Gilligan, (possibly Sellar) just to name a few.

All in all a solid safe pick, I couldn't pass on him. I tossed over Swift for his all round skills and height and pure stats but thought I'd take a fresher player over a semi risk one even though I do rate Swift very highly. I did think about Blease for pace as the crows could do with some more to back up Dangerfield and the other young brigade but in the end I'd be mad to pass on Steele. So welcome rusty to the AFC!! May this be real on November 29th.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Travelling at moment so apols for being tardy.

# 11 Collingwood - Sam Blease

Hard to choose frankly. Ultimately we need a bit more class in our midfield and whilst Heyne, Swift and Robinson really appeal its the potential of Blease that really excites. Quick, sublime skills, poise, vision are his trademarks. Will also do the little things.

May have gone with Swift but given I don't know the medico report I will stay away. Big wrap for Robinson and Heyne as well around here for us.

I am just rapt to get this kid (many of my Pie colleagues are not). I think he is a really special talent and whilst I am not convinced he will go this early in the draft that matters very little to me. Having seen him a few times now I just see an x factor in this kid that you dont see very often. Its his explosive pace, ability to do things that influence games and finishing that just draw you to him. I liken him to Adam Cooney insomuch as he doesnt need to get 30 touches to influence a game because even if he only gets 20 - those 20 will hurt the opposition.

He hasnt played a great deal at TAC level and thats been largely bc of injuries at the start of the year. Notwithstanding he played for Metro and was very impressive at times (for those that have not seen him at TAC it was a very typical Blease display), the knock being he doesnt get enough of it. Whilst very true, I think thats fairly short sighted bc of the injury issues and also bc the kid is 17 and still developing his fitness base. Will prob start at HF but in 2-3 yrs will move to midfield. Better as an outside player but more than capable of winning his own footy and doing the little things that matter like chasing and tackling. Great get and delivers that x factor and class the Collingwood midfield desperately need.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Sorry for the delay as I was dancing a little jig in celebration.

Sydney Pick 12 Stephen Hill (West Perth)

Didn't think I'd have a hope in hell of getting him and had planned to go tall but I really think he will end up a terrific player and will go much higher in the real deal.
Has the pace, class and skills that Sydney require.
Ther will still be plenty of KPPs avialbale at 30 IMO.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

basically the draft hasn't fallen the way i thought it would (which is no real suprise!) and i've got a tough call to make!

IMO

there is a bloke who is clearly best available still left but it's debatable whether we need him

there is a bloke who if it turned out right would be the best thing to happen to the saints in a long time

there is a bloke who'd fit into our side well and is my love child

and another lad who would be pretty handy for the Red,Black and White


i've narrowed it down to two options

options A & B

Johnston or Swift?!

hmmmmmm

i'm gonna go option A. he's toooooo good to pass up on and i reckon we'd find a good role for him at the club and he'll make our forward line all the more dangerous and potent.. Riewoldt, Koschitzke and Lewis Johnston

i've had to reshuffle my later picks now but i think this a wise move.

Pick 13 - St.Kilda - Lewis Johnston

YAY

saints fans let me know what you think.. i was very, very tempted on Swift after watching his highlights package once again but i don't really want to take another risk

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

In the name of moving this along quickly we all know who the next pick is going to be, plus I have Bloods Boy's Geelong pick so we might as well bowl them both over. I'll let sportz1 do a write up on Cordy when he comes online. Curious if anyone has seen Ayce play? I've seen him twice so I might post my thoughts a little later on him too.

Pick 14 - Western Bulldogs - Ayce Cordy - Ruck/Key Forward - 202cm, 77kg - Geelong Falcons

Ayce cordy he's tall kid but at the moment he's very under weight so like all big men he's going to take a bit of time to develop. He's a terrific mark and pretty good kick very agile and not just because he's light he is well ballanced for a kid his size . Someone that tall so early generally is pretty gangly but cordy is very good . He reads the play very well and i'm sure he's going to be a very intelligent player for a long time but dont expect imediate results.

Very tall stick insect who once he puts some weight on should be first class ruck option for the Bulldogs. He was the tallest of the attendees at draft camp this year measuring in at 201.7 and when you combine that with a pretty good jump you have a guy who is going to get fairly high up in the air. His ruck skills are okay but at the moment he is nowhere near strong enough to hold his position against AFL rucks. In most years we would be raving about his athleticism but Natanui puts him in the shade so not much has been said about it. I think he compares very favourably with most of the first rucks running around and he is certainly not going to be disadvantaged in that regard. As mentioned he has a good jump on him and when that is combined with his good hands he is a serious marking threat. He moves around the ground very well and accumulates possessions nicely. His disposal skills are okay but could use some work. Cordy put in one of the real stand out performances of the draft camp for me in the agility test. This extremely tall guy who is still growing into his body pulled out the 5th best agility time with an 8.27. He presents a pretty big target so I am not thinking of that in terms of his work in traffic but more for turning circle and changing direction when he rests up forward and down back. It was reported on here that he did a 3.05 in the 20m sprint which is pretty good for a big guy and adds to the allure. Injury issues kept him out for most of the year and with him playing school football last year there is some question marks about his matching up with better quality opposition but really he has a lot of tools that make him an attractive prospect.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Via PM from Bloods Boy From The Bush.

Pick 15 - Geelong - Ash Smith - Midfield - 185cm, 84kg - Dandenong Stingrays

Write up to follow I'm sure, but he mentioned that The Cats will like his pace.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

No wonder the Hawks didnt want to give up Pick 16 in trade week

Options here

Swift - Im afraid the Hawks just cant afford to take the risk on Swift like we did with Muston in 06. In 06 we had 5 picks inside of 22. Ellis-Dowler-Birchall-Bailey-Muston.

Suban - Clearly the number 1 on my board right at the minute. I love this kid and reckon he has all the right tools to make it as an AFL midfielder with a laser left foot. BigFooty talk has him sliding out to pick 25 onwards. No chance.

McKernan - The more i watch him, the more there is to like. Had my doubts early but is slowly climbing up my board. Could make it in numerous roles at AFL level. 196 - Speed - Smarts - Agility - Good Character.

Lisle - Another considered here at 16.

Hawks get there CHB for the next 10 years.

PICK 16 - HAWTHORN - PHIL DAVIS - WOODVILLE WEST TORRENS - SOUTH AUSTRALIA - 194cm - 88kgs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foZFcUS7LVY

Remembering this footage is 12 months old, he has grown 4 cm since then.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

OK. I'd been hoping to get Hill at this pick, but the closer it gets to the draft the less likely that seems. Then once it got past Sydney's pick i was starting to think that Johnston might make it to 17, Watts & Johnston was starting to sound pretty damn good. Ash Smith was my target here if none of the higher ranked players had managed to slip.

Looks like sinepari was right about none one wanting to take the risk first round with this pick....

Pick 17 - Melbourne - Tom Swift - Claremont - 192cm - 84kg

Melbourne needs some stars and Swift certainly has the tools to be one. With no one willing to take the risk on him with their first round pick, Melbourne will duly pick Swift. With 3 picks in the top 20, they will be willing to take a big risk with one of them and Swift goes into the high risk, high reward category.

Everyone already knows about his dominant u16 performances and his draft camp results were very pleasing, showing that he had lost none of his speed or his leap and he should be able to further strengthen his weakness' under AFL trainers. He's the perfect prototype of future gun AFL midfielders, 6'3+, quick and strong through the core. Very smart kid off field and is touted as a future leader. Comes across as intensely focused on his goal to make it as an AFL footballer and has already overcome a lot just to get this far.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Alright M4C, you can have your cake and McKernan too....

Walters and Shoenmakers were also considered. While Swift would have been a nice dilemma to have, I am still having Beau Muston nightmares and part of me is glad I didn't have to make that call.

Probably not a popular choice on BF and I'm sure a selection of Walters would be more likely to win me the "who did the best out of the draft" votes that inevitably come at the end of these things, but those who have watched him play a bit this year will hopefully see where I am coming from.



Selection 18 - West Coast - James Strauss - Oakleigh Chargers - 185cm, 82kgs

WCE have a healthy list of ball winners and inside mids, and now should be looking to some quick, highly skilled users of the ball.

Fortunately the next on my best available list also fits one of WCE's identified needs. Strauss is an elite user of the ball, and for hitting a moving target by foot I rate him the best in the draft. Best suited across half back or on a wing. Is disciplined and will stick to a defensive job, but reads the play well and will run off his opponent and create. This is where you want him on the end of a Masten or Kerr handball give and hitting up a JK or McKinley on a lead. Any sides forwards would love him delivering the ball inside 50. His speed is good enough (2.98) and his agility and movement through traffic is also very good.

Probably bit of a surprise to WCE fans on the Western seaboard, on his exposed form in the champs he mightn't look like a top 20 pick on the surface. But his form in the TAC and school footy was also very consistent, and his kicking skills came to the fore in the TAC finals on a blustery day at Visy Park when he was about the only bloke out of 44 who could consistently hit targets by foot.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Pick 19 - Melbourne - Ryan Schoenmakers - 193.4cm - 85kg

Schoenmakers or McKernan. This wasn't an easy pick and I was seriously considering Lisle as well. In the end I went with Schoenmakers because i wanted him at 17, but new that it was best Melbourne took a midfielder first and Swift wasn't going to last past 18.

Absolutley love the way he moves on the football field, reminds me so much of O'Keefe and add in his extra heigh plus his running capacity(won the repeat sprints at DC), he'll be one of the most dominate CHF in the league. A raking left foot kick and a great set of hands, i think he'll be a perfect compliment to Watts. He maybe hasn't shown as much as some of the others and this is probably why he's not quite rated 1st round, but he's got all the right attributes and some of the things you see him do just make you sit up and say wow. I just couldn't go past him

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

LOL, you know me too well Hodgey.

Keeping with our initial plan it was a toss up between two players..

Selection 20 - West Coast - Jarrad Blight - Swan Districts - 189cm, 73kgs

It basically came down to Robinson or Blight. Both should be suited to playing on a wing on the wide expanses of Subiaco. Both are real dashers and are prepared to run and carry and take blokes on. In the end Blight probably got the nod as he is bottom aged, is better overhead, perhaps a bit more versatile and we see a bit more scope for improvement. More detailed write-up to come.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Michael Walters

Again, Like Gilly, Mitch Robinson came into the thinking, but IMO Walters is extremely skilled and creative / Classy, just as pacy, and will fill the role of small forward really well as well as later maturing into a midfielder. Don't care about the height (175m) too much.

Didn't expect for him to be around so I will grab him whilst I have a chance.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Pick 22 - Shaun McKernan - Tall Utility - 196cm, 95kg

So McKernan is the big slider in this year's Phantom. I must admit, I'm not 100% sold on him, but he is currently the best available on my list and given the height Port have lost off their list I reckon they could do a lot worse - even with Vickery as the first rounder. Admittedly, I was more looking for a classy mid for this pick, but McKernan is too hard to pass up.

He possesses fantastic athletic qualities, which makes for a tantalising prospect at his size. He came Top 10 in agility and was second in the vertical leap only to Naitanui. He also has good pace and although he didn't come Top 10 at DC (10th was 2.92) I heard he tested well in that too.

The knock on him is that it's hard to pin him on a position at AFL level. Is he an undersized ruckman? A tall forward? Could he even play down back? His brother was the same height and made a career out of being an undersized ruckman who could go forward, but that was a different time and the game has moved away from the 196cm ruckman. It's definitely something I'm concerned about, but I consider him a tall forward more than anything.

He's a very good contested mark. Strong overhead and uses his vertical leap to his advantage. It's one thing to test well for the leap, but it's another thing to actually use it in a game and that's something McKernan does.

There are many inconsistencies in his game. For as good a mark as he is occasionally he'll spill one for no reason in particular. His best kicks have plenty of penetration and can be damaging, but I wouldn't consider him a particularly good kick. There's just a few too many shanks in there to call him a good kick.

That's his story though really. Great mark, but drops some. Great kick, but shanks too many. His best is excellent, so it's just a matter of his AFL club getting the best out of him. I've heard around the traps that some believe he lacks confidence and isn't fully aware of the talent he possesses and I think this is a pretty plausible argument. Whether that's true or not, I think McKernan is someone who will need a softly softly approach in his first year or two, rather than being thrown in the deep end (and here I am picking for Port, who have a habit of throwing kids into the fire).

His skills below his knees are good for his size. I wouldn't say it's a stand out feature of his game, but he's above the curve for blokes of his height on the deck.

His agility is the best aspect of his game IMO. If there are confidence issues I don't see it when he's moving in traffic, because he displays the nimbleness of a much smaller and evasive player.

If it all comes together for McKernan he could be an absolute superstar - I don't think there's too many people that would disagree with that. IF is the key word though, but he's definitely worth the risk at 22.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Pick 23 Essendon Daniel Hanneberry 182cm 75kg Oakleigh Chargers- Midfielder

Daniel Hanneberry is super smart midfielder who just shows terrific poise under pressure and who possesses a low, fast left foot kick. Daniel is bottom aged and will need to strengthen his body but he already has a very impressive motor with better than average speed. A like AFL player for mine is Luke Power.
It is really important that Essendon gets some boys who can kick the footy and Hanneberry fits the bill well here.
We would now have Prismall and Hanneberry to add to our midfield who can both kick the footy- Reimers, Jetta and Myers are three more with above average disposal by foot.
I would have taken Shaun Mckernan in a heartbeat if available here. The other midfielders in my consideration here were Suban, Broadbent, Okeefe and Robinson while Jordan Roughead got down to my final two with this pick.
I am not sold on Jordan Lisle and Jayden Post is ranked a little higher on my board.
Essendon have 2 picks left and I will look to go best available as we do have a few rookie picks as well.

Re: 2008 Official BigFooty Phantom Draft

Mitch Robinson

Regardless of the suprises, I would be pretty happy to get this tall midfielder as well as Walters. Looms as at least an above average player with good alround attributes.