Our first mistake was picking Mitch McGovern over Bailey Dale. McGovern last year was the age of a second year AFL player and didn't take the WAFL apart. Now he's the age of a third year player. If you're picking mature players out of the state leagues - you want them to impact immediately or have scope to do so to a high level in the future. Mitch isn't his brother - he's not tall enough to develop into a KPP. I'm not sold on him; I'd love to eat humble pie but I reckon blokes like he and Boekhorst are rookie types at best. Dale is already someone who can dominate state leagues and impact at AFL level. he's exactly what we currently need and you bet he'd be in our 22 already playing a role. For some reason despite apparently doing some serious work into him we passed on him - and the Dogs picked him two picks later. The Dogs don't waste picks. We messed up #rant.
This year - Tucker's the obvious one with serious speed and skills but likely won't be there. Partington another who shouldn't be but he might just be given the underration of SA talent nowadays. Ryan Clarke is another who's more creative than a line breaker but would definitely add to our side. Again, I suspect he might be gone by our selection.
In terms of realistic players
Round 1
Matthew Nunn - SA boy, not too tall but gets a lot of the ball and is classy. He's also pretty quick but not a line breaker. More of a narrow receiver for an outside mid.
Harley Balic - Basketballer. Athletic, quick, skilled mid/half forward. Does some freakish things but hasn't put it all together. Not a massive line breaker yet either.
Callum Ah Chee - The pick of the bunch - freakishly athletic and talented small forward. Scope to convert him into a midfielder but I don't see it personally, think he's a permanent forward.
Riley Bonner - SA boy, 191 cm utility with excellent speed and elite footskills, no real defined position and occasionally a bit lazy. Little time in the midfield to prove himself
Round 2 and beyond
Maris Olekalns - Nippy SA kid with some creativity and some poise. Probably more of a flanker.
Wayne Milera Jr. - SA outside mid/forward who works hard, is quick, puts in and has some skills. Plays league for centrals
Tom Bennett - WA kid who'll break the lines but a little shaky in other regards
Keiran Agius - SA kid who has excellent footskills and freakish pace as well as serious ability forward of centre. Has been tried in the middle but hasn't shown the running patterns required yet.
Jake Sushames - Tasmanian forward flanker with excellent creativity, control and speed.
There's no real Jarrod Garlett types in this draft yet, unfortunately. And it'd be nice if someone, even a poor man's version, was available in round 2.
