thorne89's Phantom Draft

[Carbine Chaos]

Enjoy!

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Pick 1 – Greater Western Sydney – Thomas Boyd (KPF)
Club: Eastern Ranges
Height: 199cm
Weight: 102kg
In my world, GWS would take Boyd at Pick 1 because they would not be targeting Franklin. Boyd is the best player in the draft and deserves this ranking. He’s already a monster at 199cm and has great presence, contested marking a particular strength. A forward line trio of Cameron, Patton and Boyd has terrific potential for years to come.


Pick 2 – Melbourne – Luke Dunstan (MID)
Club: Woodville-West Torrens
Height: 185cm
Weight: 83kg
The first surprise of my phantom, and one I’m sure will be widely laughed at. Dunstan would be a great pick for the Demons because not only would he provide immediate grunt in the middle to help out the tireless Jones, but he also would bring professionalism and leadership to a club crying out for such qualities. I think he will turn out a better player than a lot pencilled in for most top 10s on here so far.


Pick 3 – St. Kilda – James Aish (MID)
Club: 183cm
Height: 74kg
Weight: Norwood
Tough to pick between two different options here, but chose Aish as best available in my opinion. He has elite disposal and would add immediate polish to the Saints, or indeed any club that chooses to pick him up. Will prove to be one of the best midfielders out of this draft.


Pick 4 – Western Bulldogs – Matt Scharenberg (UTL)
Club: Glenelg
Height: 190cm
Weight: 89kg
Much like the Saints, the Bulldogs take the best available at their pick. A versatile player like Scharenberg must be a tempting option for a developing side like the Dogs. He’s very athletic and will provide the Bulldogs with a Goddard-style swingman, very handy in this day and age.


Pick 5 – Gold Coast – Marcus Bontempelli (MID)
Club: Northern Knights
Height: 191cm
Weight: 83kg
I see this guy as high-risk, high-reward. He’s an explosive and big-bodied player with a devastating left boot. Exactly the type who can add an even sharper edge to what is a pretty cutting Gold Coast outfit.


Pick 6 – West Coast – Jack Billings (FWD/MID)
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Height: 183cm
Weight: 78kg
Billings is an exciting footballer who is dual-sided, something the Eagles lack perhaps sans Shuey, and is excellent overhead for somebody of his size. He would hopefully develop into a Steve Johnson type who can rotate between the midfield and the forward line with terrific impact; Le Cras is injury prone and Hill isn’t much of a midfield option, and with question marks over Newman, Billings fits the, well…


Pick 7 – Brisbane – Josh Kelly (MID)
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Height: 182cm
Weight: 73kg
A guy who could be picked up earlier, a few clubs may pass over Kelly because he is predominately an outside-only player. He is highly skilled and has elite endurance, willing himself to contest after contest. Can see him being a very handy Gaff type on a wing.


Pick 8 – North Melbourne – Luke McDonald (F/S)
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Height: 188cm
Weight: 80kg
I am fairly confident McDonald will be bid for by another club and hence have to be taken here by the Kangaroos. Not that they are getting ripped off; they are getting a very good player. The main strength of McDonald’s game is his elite kicking skills.


Pick 9 – Carlton – Matt Crouch (MID)
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Height: 181cm
Weight: 80kg
I think Carlton could use another tough ball winner in the middle, and Crouch fits the Billings. He is very good at the clearances and will link up well with the Murphy and Gibbs types who are better users of the footy. He can come in from day dot and have an immediate impact.


Pick 10 – Greater Western Sydney – Darcy Gardiner (KPD)
Club: Geelong Falcons
Height: 192cm
Weight: 84kg
This seems the logical pick for GWS here. If there is one area in which I feel they could shore up, it would definitely be tall defenders. Gardiner is as good as they come in this years draft. He is already a very good size at 192cm and is excellent one on one.


Pick 11 – Port Adelaide – Lewis Taylor (MID/FWD)
Club: Geelong Falcons
Height: 173cm
Weight: 73kg
The only reason why this guy isn’t a certain top 10 pick is because of his height. However, as Brent Harvey continues to show, height isn’t the be all and end all. Taylor has exceptional pace and skills which will be an asset to whichever team is brave enough to pick him up. I think he would complement a midfield of Boak, Ebert, Wines etc. very, very well.


Pick 12 – Collingwood – Ben Lennon (DEF/MID)
Club: Northern Knights
Height: 187cm
Weight: 79kg
Foot skills are such an important part of the modern game, and having guys who can roost the ball long distances accurately can be vital in defeating several current game plans. Lennon could develop either into a running half back or a midfielder, using both his excellent size and booming kick to be a weapon for whoever picks him up.


Pick 13 – Richmond – Dom Sheed (MID)
Club: Subiaco
Height: 183cm
Weight: 82kg
Probably the first slider of my draft. My main knock on Sheed is his lack of pace, but he has good composure so it shouldn’t be a massive problem. He is a left-footer who seems to have a little more time than those around him, a vital skill for midfielders nowadays. Will add another element to a side looking for ready made players to help their push in the current window.


Pick 14 – Sydney – Blake Acres (MID)
Club: West Perth
Height: 188cm
Weight: 84kg
With Bolton on the way out, a versatile and big-bodied midfielder fits the bill for me. Has both an inside and outside game, meaning he won’t just be effective in the confines of the SCG. Would benefit a lot from learning from Josh Kennedy. Injury the only reason why he has fallen this far.


Pick 15 – Fremantle – Cameron McCarthy (KPF)
Club: South Fremantle
Height: 195cm
Weight: 89kg
Like Gardiner at 10, I see McCarthy as the logical pick here. Not that it is likely to happen; the Dockers have overlooked several KPFs in the last few drafts such as Darling and Kersten. McCarthy would be a good get to replace Pavlich in a few years; he has a remarkable leap and is steadily improving.


Pick 16 – Geelong – James Battersby (MID)
Club: Sturt
Height: 177cm
Weight: 78kg
Battersby is a player who I can really see fitting into the strong culture at the Cattery. He is a very hardworking type who has shot up strongly in the rankings after an excellent showing at the Championships. While I referred to him as ‘hard-working’, he is excellent off both sides, both by hand and foot. He reads the play very well and would be a very worthy first round pick.


Pick 17 – Hawthorn – Darcy Hourigan (KPD/KPF)
Club: South Adelaide
Height: 190cm
Weight: 92kg
I figure Gibson is almost 30 now and he is such a valuable player than he will eventually have to be replaced by another. I see Hourigan as being that player. He is capable of winning the one on one contests but also has a bit of aggression and is able to crunch packs, or coming in third man to chop of attacks. With Lake getting on a bit too a little depth down back can’t hurt the Hawks.


inb4 lol Dunstan, where's Freeman etc.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Pick 18 – Gold Coast – Kade Kolodjashnij (DEF/MID)
Club: Launceston
Height: 188cm
Weight: 77kg
Slips this far because none of the recruiters will want to read out that name! But seriously, a good pick up here for the Gold Coast. I like the idea of them picking up a few midfielders with some versatility, and Kade provides it here. He is a very composed player with terrific size already at 188cm. Will be able to fill a number of roles for the still-developing Suns.


Pick 19 – Greater Western Sydney – Dwayne Wilson (FWD/MID)
Club: Sturt
Height: 178cm
Weight: 75kg
With their next pick, Greater Western Sydney pick up a player who I believe could be their Rioli/Jetta. He can break the lines with his pace and then use his immense skill to hit up targets at will. He can have an impact up forward and provides the Giants with a bit of precious versatility. Would be a very good pick up for anybody in the second round.


Pick 20 – Melbourne – Nathan Freeman (MID)
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Height: 181cm
Weight: 85kg
Finally, the highly touted Freeman falls. He’s an explosive player with speed and the ability to tear away from stoppages, a valuable asset for the Demons in the middle. I have him falling both because of concerns over his disposal, something which may improve in the AFL system, and because I rate the players taken above him quite highly. Can easily see him going much higher than this.


Pick 21 – St. Kilda – Christian Salem (MID)
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Height: 183cm
Weight: 82kg
The Saints use this pick to add a very skilful midfielder to their list. The strength toSalem’s game is his disposal by foot, which is obviously very important in this day and age. Seems a certainty to go pretty early and looks a solid pick for whoever decides to call him name on draft day.


Pick 22 – Western Bulldogs – Billy Hartung (MID/FWD)
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Height: 177cm
Weight: 72kg
It seems, from a neutral perspective, that the Bulldogs have an abundance of tough young inside midfielders, and could use a bit more polish on the outside. That is where Hartung comes in. Not only does he have terrific endurance, but he is frighteningly quick and uses the ball well by foot. He could also be pushed forward, rotating with Dahlhaus in and out of the forward line/midfield.


Pick 23 – Gold Coast – Trent Dumont (MID)
Club: Norwood
Height: 185cm
Weight: 83cm
Taken here as best available, and unlucky not to be taken earlier. He’s already a fairly strong midfielder with good endurance and a guy who will not let you down, game in game out. Has a bit of versatility and can fill a role on half back if need be. Add him to the scary list of midfield rotations that the Gold Coast are building.


Pick 24 – West Coast – Patrick Cripps (MID)
Club: East Fremantle
Height: 188cm
Weight: 88kg
The Eagles are currently far too small in the midfield, and Cripps would go a long way to solving that problem. He’s already a very impressive size and has the scope to get even larger in the coming years. He’s a beast at the stoppages but also has good foot skills which make him a rounded player. Nice little romantic pick too, seeing him join his cousin Jamie on our list.


Pick 25 – Brisbane – Jared Jansen (MID)
Club: East Fremantle
Height: 188cm
Weight: 91kg
WithBrisbanetaking Kelly early, I think they need to complement him with a larger and stronger clearance midfielder. Jansen is a strong-bodied young man who would provide this in spades. He also has the potential to have an impact up forward if need be. Considered taking a key position defender here but figured that could be dealt with later in the draft.


Pick 26 – North Melbourne – Jay Kennedy-Harris (FWD/MID)
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Height: 173cm
Weight: 68kg
Tossed up between a few similar type players, but decided to go with the one I decided was the best of the lot here. Kennedy-Harris has the typical traits of a small forward; he’s a very good crumber, is an excellent finisher, and has a good turn of pace. He can also run through the midfield in spurts, which ultimately pushed him this high.


Pick 27 – Carlton – James Tsitas (MID)
Club: Carlton
Height: 180cm
Weight: 77kg
It’s hard to pick forCarltondue to the apparent big clean-out which is coming, so I decided to go with the player left who I considered to be best available. He’s a tough midfielder with excellent endurance and provides very good pressure. A very solid pick who should develop into a handy player for whoever picks him up.


Pick 28 – Port Adelaide – Alex Spina (MID/FWD)
Club: North Adelaide
Height: 181cm
Weight: 74kg
Port go best available and local here at the same time. Spina can be a damaging player both up forward and in the midfield. His footskills are his major strength and will add some extra class with Hartlett to the growing tough brigade at Port, with Wines, Ebert etc. A very scary proposition when paired with Wingard.


Pick 29 – Collingwood – Cameron Conlon (KPF/RUC)
Club: Northern Knights
Height: 197cm
Weight: 90kg
I figure that if Lynch is out this week as the second ruck, then the aging Jolly will probably come in. I think it’d be good for the Pies to get a younger swingman who can back up Grundy in the coming years. Conlon has that ability, a very athletic type who can go forward and clunk big marks or spend time on ball and have an impact with his tapwork.


Pick 30 – Richmond – Darcy Cameron (RUC)
Club: Claremont
Height: 203cm
Weight: 98kg
The first ‘pure’ ruckman taken in the draft so far, and we often see them reached for a little because good ruckmen can be hard to find. I thinkRichmondare one club that could use a little more depth in this position; it would lessen the load on Maric and allow Vickery to focus on his forward work. Cameron is a good size already and could come in fairly early if required.


Pick 31 – Sydney – Lloyd Perris (MID)
Club: St George
Height: 179cm
Weight: 74kg
Perris to Sydney seems a popular pick and for good reason in my opinion. He’s a very ‘Sydney’ type of player, a good leader with a real hunger for the contest. He has good skills to go along with these positive attributes, so the Swans could be on to a real winner here.


Pick 32 – Fremantle – Jonathon Marsh (FWD/MID)
Club: East Fremantle
Height: 191cm
Weight: 89kg
A bit of a slider in my draft as I feel he is being a little overrated, by me initially, because of his raw physical attributes. The Dockers will take the punt here on the local boy who, for his size, is amazingly fast and agile. Just where his best footy will come is up for debate. He may play a lead up third tall forward role, or he may eventually find himself on a wing.


Pick 33 – Geelong – Cameron Giles (KPD)
Club: Woodville-West Torrens
Height: 195cm
Weight: 93kg
A bit of a bolter here who will add some good depth to Geelong’s key defending spots. Probably the next best key defender after Gardiner, he can be relied on to do good one-on-one jobs against his opponents. Also has the ability to rebound when given the opportunity.


Pick 34 – Hawthorn – Nick Robertson (MID/DEF)
Club: West Perth
Height: 188cm
Weight: 83kg
After shoring up their key position stocks with their first pick, the Hawks get a bit of a bargain big-bodied midfielder. He is a very tough one-on-one type player who also has the ability to play in defence. He has very good endurance which does allow his midfield stints to be elongated; very nice and versatile.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Pick 35 – Greater Western Sydney – Eli Templeton (MID)
Club: Burnie
Height: 182cm
Weight: 67kg
Templeton has a lot of developing to go, but he’s an exciting player. Has nice height and knows how to find the footy, but his frame will see him as an outside-specialist on a wing to start his career. Would be capable of playing as a genuine midfielder in the long-term.


Pick 36 – Melbourne – Jake Kolodjashnij (DEF)
Club: Launceston
Height: 192cm
Weight: 88kg
Brother of Kade, who was taken earlier in the draft. He would add some good depth toMelbourne’s defensive spots and is a lovely user of the footy, much like his brother. He has decent pace and is a reliable player defensively. At the moment he is probably suited best to the third tall role but things can change as he grows further and develops his game in the AFL system.


Pick 37 – St. Kilda – Mitch Harvey (KPF)
Club: North Adelaide
Height: 195kg
Weight: 95kg
Riewoldt is getting on, Kosi is gone, Maister isn’t much of a footballer etc. I see the key forward position as a spot where the Saints need to draft a bit more depth.Harveywould be a good option because he is already a very handy size and would be able to make an immediate impact if needed. Could be a good foil for Tom Lee in the coming years.


Pick 38 – Western Bulldogs – Daniel McStay (KPF/KPD)
Club: Eastern Ranges
Height: 193cm
Weight: 86kg
A good pick here to provide some key position depth for the Bulldogs at both ends of the ground. He has some good basic elements like his ability by foot and his handy height at a tender age. McStay still does have a lot of development to do but versatile talls are gold if they do come on.


Pick 39 – Gold Coast – Luke Reynolds (FWD)
Club: Port Adelaide
Height: 188cm
Weight: 86kg
Reynolds has a big kick on him, a real asset for a player who primarily plays on a half forward flank. In my mind he has the versatility to play on a wing or a half back flank as well, very handy indeed. Can feed the key forwards of the Gold Coast for years to come with pin point passes into the 50.


Pick 40 – West Coast – Blaine Boekhorst (MID/FWD)
Club: Swan Districts
Height: N/A
Weight: N/A
Boekhorst has ripped into calculations with a very good season for Swan Districts. He is a rangy wingman who loves to run and carry the footy, and generally uses the ball well. He would be perfectly suited to the big expanses of Subiaco Oval and has a lot of upside to come.


Pick 41 – Brisbane – Michael Apeness (KPF/RUC)
Club: Eastern Ranges
Height: 199cm
Weight: 101kg
With Brown on the way out and Longer seeking a trade, picking up Apeness here will add some depth to Brisbane’s stocks in both weakened areas. The main attraction here is his sheer size and physicality; he has a real presence which is something Brisbane will definitely need post-Brown. Not the most natural ruckman but will provide a contest every time.


Pick 42 – Adelaide – Isaiah Miller (DEF)
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Height: 187cm
Weight: 82kg
Welcome to the draft, Adelaide; take the best available. Miller is very good with ball in hand and even has the height to play as a floating third tall or loose man back if need be. He will be very handy running off a flank and hitting up a man on the wing time after time.


Pick 43 – North Melbourne – Zac Jones (DEF/MID)
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Height: 181cm
Weight: 74kg
Anybody who is the brother of Nathan, assuming he has at least half of his tenacity, has to be worth a spot on your list. Unlike Nathan, he is probably better suited to a role down back rather than in the midfield. He is a good physical defender who also has quite good skills to go along with his aggression. Would be a good type to take small forwards.


Pick 44 – Carlton – Tony Notte (KPF/RUC)
Club: Swan Districts
Height: 195cm
Weight: N/A
Notte has improved in leaps and bounds over the past few seasons and definitely deserves another shot at AFL level. He has some of the stickiest hands I’ve ever seen, and each week seems to pull down big pack marks that people of his frame, while it has improved, shouldn’t be expected to take. His skills by foot are also terrific. Has the ability to go into the ruck to good effect and can drift back as the loose man and chop off many attacks. Could be used very effectively just as Justin Westhoff is for Port Adelaide.


Pick 45 – Port Adelaide – Josh Glenn (DEF)
Club: Central District
Height: 180cm
Weight: 77kg
The main knock on Glenn is his knocking back of an invite to the combine, but I’m taking here on the assumption he goes to state screening and is eligible for the draft. Provides very good run off half back with a very good left foot to back it up. Reckon he could free up Pittard even further, or provide an option further up the ground.


Pick 46 – Essendon – William Maginness (MID)
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Height: 182cm
Weight: 73kg
It is hard to predict what Essendon will need because the exodus hasn’t happened yet, if it even will. I went a safe pick here, a guy with the ability to play both inside and outside in the midfield. Will provide depth to their midfield and can provide some good spread around the ground for the normally-attacking Bombers.


Pick 47 – Collingwood – Zac Merrett (UTL)
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Height: 178cm
Weight: 73kg
Probably only slid this far because of his height, because Merrett has a lot about him. He’s an outside player with a very, very good kick; nice and long with a great radar attached. Cloke et al. will love being fed by the likes of Merrett in the coming seasons.


Pick 48 – Richmond – Jarman Impey (FWD)
Club: Murray Bushrangers
Height: 176cm
Weight: 78kg
I see the small forward position as an area that Richmond could add some depth too; King won’t be around forever. He is a very good crumbing player with pace, the exact type who will be very dangerous at the feet of Riewoldt and Vickery. Impey is a very good pick up to complement their picks thus far.


Pick 49 – Sydney – Louis Herbert (UTL)
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Height: 187cm
Weight: 75kg
Another example of a player who misses out on the draft one year but comes back stronger and puts himself into contention again. Has the ability to play forward or on the wing primarily. Has some very good physical traits such as his pace and agility which make him a very interesting prospect.


Pick 50 – Fremantle – Ben Sokol (MID)
Club: South Fremantle
Height: 183cm
Weight: 87kg
Another solid, big bodied midfielder to add to Fremantle’s already impressive stocks. He has very good endurance which would suit well to the large expanses of Subiaco. Is also quite good overhead and has the ability to go forward and clunk some marks.


Pick 51 – Geelong – Dayle Garlett (MID/FWD)
Club: Swan Districts
Height: 181cm
Weight: 77kg
Finally, he falls. There was only a few clubs which I would be comfortable drafting Garlett, and Geelong is one of them. I think their strong culture would ensure that Garlett gets the best out of himself. On talent alone, he is a Top 10 pick in this draft. From what I’ve seen of him this season his talent hasn’t fallen away but his attitude still needs a lot of work.


Pick 52 – Hawthorn – Willy Rioli (FWD)
Club: South Fremantle
Height: 176cm
Weight: 85kg
OK, so there is a little bit of romanticism in this pick. He’s a highly skilled forward who can kick some remarkable goals; you know, pretty stock standard Rioli stuff! Would be awesome to watch him in action with his cousin Cyril. Has to work on becoming a little more athletic, as he seems to be carrying a little bit of extra pudge.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Reserved for Round 4

 

[willoblue]

jks real draught COMING SOON

phantom would be against west coast 4 sure.
common knowledge d (ketamine kid) is singh brotherhood

 

[UpTheGuts]

Reserved for "Thanks for your effort but I disagree with some of your picks"

 

[swansfan51]

Reserved for "Yeah thanks but there is no way my team would pick Player X at our pick if he was still available"

 

[Wild Bill]

Reserved for "Luke McDonald is a perfect fit for my team and we are 100% to bid on him forcing the Roos to use their 1st round pick."

 

[GarnerSmash]

There are limits on the number of phantom draft threads now?

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

Make sure there is a 'project player' in there.

 

[TJ1996]

Reserved for 'Why isn't player X from my local club not in your draft?' post

 

[Chris25]

Come back when you actually have a draft to post.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Come back when you actually have a draft to post.

Round 1 added. Cheers for the re-open.

 

[TerryWallet]

No laughing at Dunstan here.

Want him at Carlton.

 

[tigs2010]

Reserved for 'Why isn't player X from my local club not in your draft?' post

Reserved for 'Why isn't player X who I'm pretending isn't really me not in your draft?' post

 

[HereIam86]

Brisbane have pick 7 North have pick 8.

 

[Ethicz]

I like it!! Who could you see the GC take with their end first round compensation pick?

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I like it!! Who could you see the GC take with their end first round compensation pick?

Cheers, I will chuck that pick in at the start of the next Round!

 

[Richo83]

I actually really like the Dunstan and Bontempelli picks. Dunstan is the kind of guy you can build your team around, and most of Melbourne's young prospects aren't that tough granite hard type of footballer which Dunstan is. Bontempelli would make a lot of sense, the suns already have most of their major pieces, and they can afford to take a few risks given they already have Ablett, Prestia, O'Meara, Martin, Bennell, Swallow and others emerging. Bontempelli would provide them with that extra x factor to make them a really scary prospect. Not sold on Battersby that early, his carnival was good, but I'm not sure he's ahead of some other players. Even ignoring Freeman, he's not nearly as good as Salem, who is a gun.

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

No Freeman in the 1st round?

 

[Richo83]

No Freeman in the 1st round?

It's not that crazy, bound for glory listed Freeman at 18. He could slip http://boundforglorynews.com/2013-rising-stars-phantom-draft/

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

It's not that crazy, bound for glory listed Freeman at 18. He could slip http://boundforglorynews.com/2013-rising-stars-phantom-draft/

I havent seen a lot of him but what I have heard sounds like he can be an incredibly damaging player. The only knock on him seems to be he might not quite get enough of the ball and he doesnt always look for the best option when playing inside. Very similar to the knocks on Dangerfield when he was in the draft

Perfect draft for WC imo would be

Round 1 - Freeman/Bomtempelli
Round 2 - Acres
Round 3 - Garlett

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Round 2 added!

 

[Richo83]

I like it, especially Richmond's picks.