Ok, so this year I've had a bit of time on my hands to actually pay a bit of attention to some of the juniors and have a few little sources from inside the industry to pick the brains out of too.
This is first time I've done this and certainly don't see anywhere near as much as the others on here. Have also paid barely any attention to the 2nd div states. A) because GWS/GC kind of ruin it. B) I don't have the resources to do so and C) realistically not that many get picked from those states each year. (However have enjoyed NT this year.)
**Apologies haven't put descriptions up yet** Notes are hand written and haven't bothered typing them into a readable format yet and I realised after coming up with the order how much work this would take.
Ladder order is from Ladder Predictor on AFL site (I'm not going to get every tip right for rest of the year so don't shoot me down if your team is too low.
1st Round
1. Greater Western Sydney - Lachlan Whitfield (Midfielder)
Height: 184cm
Weight: 74kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Range: 1
Description: Whitfield is the best junior in this years crop on current performances. To go along with his elite skills he has the endurance to just go and go all day at good speed. I have a feeling I read he clocked a 17 in the beep test which is incredible for a 17/18 year old. At this stage is more an outside midfielder who can go forward and kick goals which in modern footy is a more than handy attribute with the sub rule. With the Giants' array of inside mids Whitfield will be the outside class that they need to add to complete their midfield.
2. Greater Western Sydney - Jimmy Toumpas (Midfielder)
Height: 183
Weight: 74
Club: Woodville West Torrens
Range: 2-5
Description: Toumpas is a very highly skilled midfielder from SA.He's a player that a coach can throw anywhere on the field and he can perform. Has already been performing to a very high level at SANFL senior level as a 16 year old including a premiership with WWT. Like Whitfield is probably more of an outside type but has the ability to win a clearance and just burst out of a pack and be very damaging with his ball use once in the clear. Suns probably need inside mids Toumpas will be too hard to pass over and I believe ina few years will have no issue playing more inside.
3. Greater Western Sydney - Jonathon O'Rourke (Midfielder)
Height: 183cm
Weight: 75kg
Club: Calder Cannons
Range: 3-8
Description: O'Rourke is a skillful inside/outside mid who could possibly rise into top 10 calculations by seasons end. After an injury riddled 2011 he has remained injury free this year. Not an overly big player physically but is quite an accomplished player on the inside. Always seems to have time to pick the right option and hit his target. Fantastic composure. Is also a very good athlete with good mix of endurance and speed. Will probably play a season or two as an outside mid before moving into the guts.
4. Melbourne (compensation pick) - Oliver Wines (Midfielder)
Height: 185cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Range: 3-9
Description: Wines would challenge Viney for the title of best inside midfielder in this draft. He's a fair bit bigger than Viney and isn't afraid to crash in with his big frame. Has pretty good endurance so can run all day but isn't overly quick. He's a decent kick without being anything special and at Champs it would have been nice to see him convert a bit more of his oportunities in front of goal.
5. Western Bulldogs - Sam Mayes (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 187cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: North Adelaide
Range: 4-12
Description: I may be alone here but IMO Mayes will become the best player in this draft. Absolutely love the way he goes about his footy. He has one of, if not the very best kick in this draft pool. Top notch kick. Has a lot of versatility with his development beginning as a lead-up forward where he dominated at champs last year. This year has turned into a more full-time midfielder. Has copped some heavy defensive attention this year so is very highly rated. Last year playing forward he had the ability to get great separation from his defender and whilst I haven't really seen him use this burst as a midfielder as much he always seems to have an eternity. I think he compares pretty favorably to Pendlebury in this regard.
6. Western Bulldogs (compensation pick) - Troy Menzel (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 186cm
Weight: 77kg
Club: Central Districts
Range: 5-20
Description: If Menzel can stay fit he will probably be one of the most damaging players in the draft. Managed to kick 15 goals in 2 Champs games before succumbing to injury. Has had the LARS surgery but that was some 2 years ago. While I’ve currently got him going quite late I’m sure someone will take the punt on him early. Will probably go between 10-15 at least. Troy is a highly skilled medium forward/midfielder. He’s a great size and elite kick of the footy. As a forward he is more than capable of getting his goals from being a lead and mark player or as a crumber similar to a Stevie J. When fit is a pretty good athlete which should hold him in good stead at Draft Camp and boost his draft prospects. Bit of talk Doggies have done their homework on Menzel and are pretty happy with what they've seen.
7. Port Adelaide - Brodie Grundy (Ruck)
Height: 202cm
Weight: 100kg
Club: Sturt
Range: 2-9
Description: Grundy would be one of the best ruckman available in quite some time. He is probably the only true rival to Whitfield for that no.1 selection especially with Sheedy's comments about talls. Excellent tap ruckman who can really bring his midfielders into the game. Already has a big body and with his mobility and ability below his knees I think he will be able to come in and play as a 2nd ruck from day one. Could probably be the no.1 ruck on ability but he'd just get banged up. Reasonable contested mark, good tank on him already and his kicking skills are improving very quickly. Bit of talk GWS won't take him and will pull a slight surprise at 3 giving PA an early Christmas gift.
8. Brisbane - Lachlan Plowman (Defender/Midfielder)
Height: 191cm
Weight: 86kg
Club: Calder Cannons
Range: 4-13
Description: Plowman is a very good rebounding KPD whom the VM coach has said was sorely missed during the Champs (can't have been missed too much seems they won it). Just a hunch but I think his career may pan out similar to a Mundy. First few years as a rebounding HBF but then move into a midfield role.
9. Richmond - Jackson MacRae (Forward/Midfielder)
Height: 188cm
Weight: 75kg
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 4-15
Description:Highly skilled outside midfielder/half forward. Has very good pace and excellent agility that allow him to break the lines and cut teams up. Is slowly starting to be able to win his own ball and can be a very damaging goal kicker up forward as evidenced in his 6 goal haul in game 2 of the Champs. His kicking skills are a big feature of his game and he will certainly be a guy pushing for a 1st round selection come November.
10. Essendon - Joe Daniher (KPF/Ruck) - Father/Son Pick.
Height: 201cm
Weight: 89kg
Club: Calder Cannons
Range: 1st Round Selection
Description: Daniher I’d have in the top 3 (Whitfield/Grundy) pretty comfortably and I’d imagine GC would consider him as a KPF who can play ruck. Pretty much doesn’t matter if Essendon lost every game for the rest of the season they would still have a bargain. One thing that has really impressed me (and he does have an advantage over other 18’s) is the muscle he has put on. He’s already filling out nicely for such a tall kid. His kicking in the WA game for goal wasn’t great but he’s quite capable of having a day of 7.0 so I don’t see it as an issue at all.
11. Carlton - Kristian Jaksch (KPF/KPD)
Height: 194cm
Weight: 85kg
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 6-20
Description: I think Jaksch will turn out to be the best of this years KPF. Not sure he is worthy of a top 10 pick at this stage but I think a team will snatch him up quite early. Is a pretty solid KPD but it's his work as a KPF that will push him up to being a pick in the top 15-20. Is a very good contested mark and I believe he is a guy you could build an attack around long term. Has very good skills for a big man and believe he will turn into a big, strong FF/CHF like a Hurley type.
12. Greater Western Sydney - Tim Membrey (Forward)
Height: 189cm
Weight: 88kg
Club: Gippsland Power
Range: 11-25
Description: Membrey is another guy I really like in the Darling/Crameri mould. Will need to work hard on his tank to be able to reach the heights of those guys though. Captain of the Gippsland Power so has good leadership qualities and is a high-character kid. Really strong-marking forward and an accurate kick for goal. His first quarter against SA was really impressive, especially some of his harassing and tackling. He tested quicker than I thought he would and teams see him as a big bodied midfielder who can play forward. The big mover in this update.
13. Gold Coast (compensation pick) - Nick Vlastuin (Midfielder)
Height: 187cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: Northern Knights
Range: 5-20
Description: Vlastuin is a real hard nut inside midfielder. Someone who a GC, Richmond, Carlton would love to have. Wasn’t hugely productive in the Champs but was playing a new role off a HBF. For a big bodied inside mid he has some pretty neat kicking skills. The downside to him would be that he isn’t the most athletically gifted player going around in that he isn’t very quick, he doesn’t have a big leap and he’s already very physically developed. However, he is already a pretty high level player and has the added bonus of good leadership quality as well.
14. Greater Western Sydney (compensation pick) - Jake Stringer (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 191cm
Weight: 91kg
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Range: 5-30
Description: Stringer could be the bargain of the draft or he may never get over his injury. He’s being looked at as a mid-late first rounder and with the Cats interest in him with a mini-draft pick they will be over the moon if he could last until their pick. Stringer is just a man mountain in under 18’s. I have a few question marks over his foot skills (I’ll admit I hadn’t seen him pre-broken leg so that could be the reason) and whether or not he dominates midfield because he’s just that much bigger. Having said that he’s not an awful kick and he does crack in hard so that should translate to being a dominate AFL clearance player too. I think if you are drafting him it’s as a midfielder who rests forward rather than a forward who pinch hits.
15. North Melbourne - Josh Simpson (Forward/Midfielder)
Height: 183cm
Weight: 72kg
Club: East Fremantle
Range: 12-25
Description: Simpson broke his collarbone I believe earlier in the year so had a slow start and showed a few signs in the Championships. Plays midfield and forward and will probably start his career as a forward before developing into a midfielder. He still has a bit of filling out to do to be ready for AFL but he has some really great skills both football wise and athletically. Has a huge leap on him to go with some very good pace. Think long term he will develop into a Daniel Wells type.
16. Geelong - Thomas Clurey (KPD)
Height: 193cm
Weight: 85kg
Club: Murray Bushrangers
Range: 15-30
Description: Clurey IMO is the best of a good group of KPD (not including Plowman who I’d have as a 3rd tall def/mid). Whilst I think Smith is probably a better shut down defender, Clurey is a better rebounder and more all-around KPD. In that sense he’s probably more you’re the type of guy to take the 2nd forward who he can run off a bit more. He probably won’t go first round but I like him a lot.
17. Fremantle - Mason Shaw (KPF/Ruck)
Height: 198cm
Weight: 92kg
Club: South Fremantle
Range: 8-16
Description: It's a shame about the broken jaw that Shaw received earlier in the year. Kicked 8 in his return game but he hasn't really got going yet outside of that. Not completely sold on Shaw as a high pick but he's a great size at 198cm and can play as a 2nd ruck as well as FF. He's more of a stay at home forward rather that a guy who will roam up the field which is fine because he is a very good contested mark and looks like he could fill out to be a monster like Tippett. Kicked 7 in last years Grand Final so that should hold him in good stead come draft night.
18. Collingwood - Dayle Garlett (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 180cm
Weight: 75kg
Club: Swan Districts
Range: 11-25
Description:Garlett is the most interesting player come draft night for mine. Will he go top 5-10 like his talent deserves or will he slide out of the first round due to his 'attitude problems.' By all accounts he still has a fair way to go to rid himself of the perception he has created but he has gone a long way to doing so. Another highly skilled outside mid going early but he has genuine line-breaking ability with his pace and deadly accurate kicking skills. He also has the ability to win his own ball but his forte will be as a goal-kicking outside midfielder.
19. Collingwood - Taylor Garner (Forward)
Height: 186cm
Weight: 77kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Range: 9-25
Description: Garner is one I wasn’t overly impressed with in the televised games. At this stage he seems very patchy, which admittedly can happen with his type of player. Struggles to always get involved in the game and hasn’t really put together 4 quarters. As a medium forward I really want to see him hit the scoreboard harder as I do believe he has the talent to do so. He also has some ball-winning ability and I’d like to see him play more midfield minutes to boost his draft chances if I was going to take him this high. Could go as high as Richmond at pick 9.
20. Adelaide - Ben Kennedy (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 174cm
Weight: 76kg
Club: Glenelg
Range: 15-30
Description: Kennedy is a lightning quick midfielder/small forward. Is very much capable of doing both to a very high level. Can rack up a huge number of possession through the midfield or kick bags of goals in the forward line. If he was bigger would be a certain top 10 IMO and is still a chance to go there. By all accounts was very close to being selected by Adelaide with the mini-draft pick last year so that gives an idea of where he is at. One thing I really like about him for a guy who has the assets he does is he has a touch of arrogance. (Maybe more than a touch) Just has that I’m going to be able to burn you off look in his eyes when he sizes his opponent up.
21. Collingwood - Jesse Lonergan (Midfielder)
Height: 183cm
Weight: 86kg
Club: Launceston
Range: 13-25
Description:Lonergan is a tough contested inside ball-winner. He is the nephew of ex-Bomber Sam. Not an elite kick by any stretch of the imagination but you would be drafting him for his work on the bottom of the packs. Missed a chunk of this season with injury but came back for second half of champs. 35 of his 49 possessions were contested at the champs. He started to hit the scoreboard at the champs as well, with 4 goals in the last 2 games against NSW/ACT and NT.
22. Western Bulldogs - Nathan Hrovat (Midfielder)
Height: 176cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: Northern Knights
Range: 15-50
Description: Hrovat was probably the most productive player of the Champs. He just continually racked up big numbers. He is a very small midfielder who has a huge work rate. Very solid size for a little bloke so is able to win a lot of his own ball. His skills are elite and he is very much a dual-sided player, which is a credit to his hard work and discipline. He shows some real leadership in the way he’s always the first to get over to encourage his teammates. He will be a guy who you can put straight into the team from round 1 next year and he will have an impact as he's generally one of the best players on the ground every game.
23. Sydney - Tanner Smith (KPD)
Height: 194cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Range: 15-30
Description: Personally I probably wouldn’t take Smith before a late first rounder unless I was desperate for a KPD like a Brisbane/St.Kilda. Nothing against the kid but pure shutdown defenders can be picked up later in the draft IMO. Smith is fantastic when it comes to being able to shut down his man as he is rarely beaten but I doubt he’s going to hurt his opponent going the other way which modern footy seems to dictate you need to do at a lot of clubs. At this stage he doesn’t get much of the ball and isn’t a very good kick. (Possibly related to each other)
24. Brisbane (compensation pick) - Tim O'Brien (KPF)
Height: 194cm
Weight: 81kg
Club: Glenelg
Range: 20-40
Description: Not a huge guy for someone who plays in the ruck a bit at under 18 level but he has an amazing leap on him. I'm excited to see what he can post at Draft Camp for vertical leap. Played predominantly as a KPF for SA whilst giving the occasional chop out to Grundy in the ruck. Had quite a successful championships kicking 6.0 in the opening game against Tasmania. Still a pretty raw prospect but plenty to work with.
This is first time I've done this and certainly don't see anywhere near as much as the others on here. Have also paid barely any attention to the 2nd div states. A) because GWS/GC kind of ruin it. B) I don't have the resources to do so and C) realistically not that many get picked from those states each year. (However have enjoyed NT this year.)
**Apologies haven't put descriptions up yet** Notes are hand written and haven't bothered typing them into a readable format yet and I realised after coming up with the order how much work this would take.
Ladder order is from Ladder Predictor on AFL site (I'm not going to get every tip right for rest of the year so don't shoot me down if your team is too low.
1st Round
1. Greater Western Sydney - Lachlan Whitfield (Midfielder)
Height: 184cm
Weight: 74kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Range: 1
Description: Whitfield is the best junior in this years crop on current performances. To go along with his elite skills he has the endurance to just go and go all day at good speed. I have a feeling I read he clocked a 17 in the beep test which is incredible for a 17/18 year old. At this stage is more an outside midfielder who can go forward and kick goals which in modern footy is a more than handy attribute with the sub rule. With the Giants' array of inside mids Whitfield will be the outside class that they need to add to complete their midfield.
2. Greater Western Sydney - Jimmy Toumpas (Midfielder)
Height: 183
Weight: 74
Club: Woodville West Torrens
Range: 2-5
Description: Toumpas is a very highly skilled midfielder from SA.He's a player that a coach can throw anywhere on the field and he can perform. Has already been performing to a very high level at SANFL senior level as a 16 year old including a premiership with WWT. Like Whitfield is probably more of an outside type but has the ability to win a clearance and just burst out of a pack and be very damaging with his ball use once in the clear. Suns probably need inside mids Toumpas will be too hard to pass over and I believe ina few years will have no issue playing more inside.
3. Greater Western Sydney - Jonathon O'Rourke (Midfielder)
Height: 183cm
Weight: 75kg
Club: Calder Cannons
Range: 3-8
Description: O'Rourke is a skillful inside/outside mid who could possibly rise into top 10 calculations by seasons end. After an injury riddled 2011 he has remained injury free this year. Not an overly big player physically but is quite an accomplished player on the inside. Always seems to have time to pick the right option and hit his target. Fantastic composure. Is also a very good athlete with good mix of endurance and speed. Will probably play a season or two as an outside mid before moving into the guts.
4. Melbourne (compensation pick) - Oliver Wines (Midfielder)
Height: 185cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Range: 3-9
Description: Wines would challenge Viney for the title of best inside midfielder in this draft. He's a fair bit bigger than Viney and isn't afraid to crash in with his big frame. Has pretty good endurance so can run all day but isn't overly quick. He's a decent kick without being anything special and at Champs it would have been nice to see him convert a bit more of his oportunities in front of goal.
5. Western Bulldogs - Sam Mayes (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 187cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: North Adelaide
Range: 4-12
Description: I may be alone here but IMO Mayes will become the best player in this draft. Absolutely love the way he goes about his footy. He has one of, if not the very best kick in this draft pool. Top notch kick. Has a lot of versatility with his development beginning as a lead-up forward where he dominated at champs last year. This year has turned into a more full-time midfielder. Has copped some heavy defensive attention this year so is very highly rated. Last year playing forward he had the ability to get great separation from his defender and whilst I haven't really seen him use this burst as a midfielder as much he always seems to have an eternity. I think he compares pretty favorably to Pendlebury in this regard.
6. Western Bulldogs (compensation pick) - Troy Menzel (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 186cm
Weight: 77kg
Club: Central Districts
Range: 5-20
Description: If Menzel can stay fit he will probably be one of the most damaging players in the draft. Managed to kick 15 goals in 2 Champs games before succumbing to injury. Has had the LARS surgery but that was some 2 years ago. While I’ve currently got him going quite late I’m sure someone will take the punt on him early. Will probably go between 10-15 at least. Troy is a highly skilled medium forward/midfielder. He’s a great size and elite kick of the footy. As a forward he is more than capable of getting his goals from being a lead and mark player or as a crumber similar to a Stevie J. When fit is a pretty good athlete which should hold him in good stead at Draft Camp and boost his draft prospects. Bit of talk Doggies have done their homework on Menzel and are pretty happy with what they've seen.
7. Port Adelaide - Brodie Grundy (Ruck)
Height: 202cm
Weight: 100kg
Club: Sturt
Range: 2-9
Description: Grundy would be one of the best ruckman available in quite some time. He is probably the only true rival to Whitfield for that no.1 selection especially with Sheedy's comments about talls. Excellent tap ruckman who can really bring his midfielders into the game. Already has a big body and with his mobility and ability below his knees I think he will be able to come in and play as a 2nd ruck from day one. Could probably be the no.1 ruck on ability but he'd just get banged up. Reasonable contested mark, good tank on him already and his kicking skills are improving very quickly. Bit of talk GWS won't take him and will pull a slight surprise at 3 giving PA an early Christmas gift.
8. Brisbane - Lachlan Plowman (Defender/Midfielder)
Height: 191cm
Weight: 86kg
Club: Calder Cannons
Range: 4-13
Description: Plowman is a very good rebounding KPD whom the VM coach has said was sorely missed during the Champs (can't have been missed too much seems they won it). Just a hunch but I think his career may pan out similar to a Mundy. First few years as a rebounding HBF but then move into a midfield role.
9. Richmond - Jackson MacRae (Forward/Midfielder)
Height: 188cm
Weight: 75kg
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 4-15
Description:Highly skilled outside midfielder/half forward. Has very good pace and excellent agility that allow him to break the lines and cut teams up. Is slowly starting to be able to win his own ball and can be a very damaging goal kicker up forward as evidenced in his 6 goal haul in game 2 of the Champs. His kicking skills are a big feature of his game and he will certainly be a guy pushing for a 1st round selection come November.
10. Essendon - Joe Daniher (KPF/Ruck) - Father/Son Pick.
Height: 201cm
Weight: 89kg
Club: Calder Cannons
Range: 1st Round Selection
Description: Daniher I’d have in the top 3 (Whitfield/Grundy) pretty comfortably and I’d imagine GC would consider him as a KPF who can play ruck. Pretty much doesn’t matter if Essendon lost every game for the rest of the season they would still have a bargain. One thing that has really impressed me (and he does have an advantage over other 18’s) is the muscle he has put on. He’s already filling out nicely for such a tall kid. His kicking in the WA game for goal wasn’t great but he’s quite capable of having a day of 7.0 so I don’t see it as an issue at all.
11. Carlton - Kristian Jaksch (KPF/KPD)
Height: 194cm
Weight: 85kg
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 6-20
Description: I think Jaksch will turn out to be the best of this years KPF. Not sure he is worthy of a top 10 pick at this stage but I think a team will snatch him up quite early. Is a pretty solid KPD but it's his work as a KPF that will push him up to being a pick in the top 15-20. Is a very good contested mark and I believe he is a guy you could build an attack around long term. Has very good skills for a big man and believe he will turn into a big, strong FF/CHF like a Hurley type.
12. Greater Western Sydney - Tim Membrey (Forward)
Height: 189cm
Weight: 88kg
Club: Gippsland Power
Range: 11-25
Description: Membrey is another guy I really like in the Darling/Crameri mould. Will need to work hard on his tank to be able to reach the heights of those guys though. Captain of the Gippsland Power so has good leadership qualities and is a high-character kid. Really strong-marking forward and an accurate kick for goal. His first quarter against SA was really impressive, especially some of his harassing and tackling. He tested quicker than I thought he would and teams see him as a big bodied midfielder who can play forward. The big mover in this update.
13. Gold Coast (compensation pick) - Nick Vlastuin (Midfielder)
Height: 187cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: Northern Knights
Range: 5-20
Description: Vlastuin is a real hard nut inside midfielder. Someone who a GC, Richmond, Carlton would love to have. Wasn’t hugely productive in the Champs but was playing a new role off a HBF. For a big bodied inside mid he has some pretty neat kicking skills. The downside to him would be that he isn’t the most athletically gifted player going around in that he isn’t very quick, he doesn’t have a big leap and he’s already very physically developed. However, he is already a pretty high level player and has the added bonus of good leadership quality as well.
14. Greater Western Sydney (compensation pick) - Jake Stringer (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 191cm
Weight: 91kg
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Range: 5-30
Description: Stringer could be the bargain of the draft or he may never get over his injury. He’s being looked at as a mid-late first rounder and with the Cats interest in him with a mini-draft pick they will be over the moon if he could last until their pick. Stringer is just a man mountain in under 18’s. I have a few question marks over his foot skills (I’ll admit I hadn’t seen him pre-broken leg so that could be the reason) and whether or not he dominates midfield because he’s just that much bigger. Having said that he’s not an awful kick and he does crack in hard so that should translate to being a dominate AFL clearance player too. I think if you are drafting him it’s as a midfielder who rests forward rather than a forward who pinch hits.
15. North Melbourne - Josh Simpson (Forward/Midfielder)
Height: 183cm
Weight: 72kg
Club: East Fremantle
Range: 12-25
Description: Simpson broke his collarbone I believe earlier in the year so had a slow start and showed a few signs in the Championships. Plays midfield and forward and will probably start his career as a forward before developing into a midfielder. He still has a bit of filling out to do to be ready for AFL but he has some really great skills both football wise and athletically. Has a huge leap on him to go with some very good pace. Think long term he will develop into a Daniel Wells type.
16. Geelong - Thomas Clurey (KPD)
Height: 193cm
Weight: 85kg
Club: Murray Bushrangers
Range: 15-30
Description: Clurey IMO is the best of a good group of KPD (not including Plowman who I’d have as a 3rd tall def/mid). Whilst I think Smith is probably a better shut down defender, Clurey is a better rebounder and more all-around KPD. In that sense he’s probably more you’re the type of guy to take the 2nd forward who he can run off a bit more. He probably won’t go first round but I like him a lot.
17. Fremantle - Mason Shaw (KPF/Ruck)
Height: 198cm
Weight: 92kg
Club: South Fremantle
Range: 8-16
Description: It's a shame about the broken jaw that Shaw received earlier in the year. Kicked 8 in his return game but he hasn't really got going yet outside of that. Not completely sold on Shaw as a high pick but he's a great size at 198cm and can play as a 2nd ruck as well as FF. He's more of a stay at home forward rather that a guy who will roam up the field which is fine because he is a very good contested mark and looks like he could fill out to be a monster like Tippett. Kicked 7 in last years Grand Final so that should hold him in good stead come draft night.
18. Collingwood - Dayle Garlett (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 180cm
Weight: 75kg
Club: Swan Districts
Range: 11-25
Description:Garlett is the most interesting player come draft night for mine. Will he go top 5-10 like his talent deserves or will he slide out of the first round due to his 'attitude problems.' By all accounts he still has a fair way to go to rid himself of the perception he has created but he has gone a long way to doing so. Another highly skilled outside mid going early but he has genuine line-breaking ability with his pace and deadly accurate kicking skills. He also has the ability to win his own ball but his forte will be as a goal-kicking outside midfielder.
19. Collingwood - Taylor Garner (Forward)
Height: 186cm
Weight: 77kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Range: 9-25
Description: Garner is one I wasn’t overly impressed with in the televised games. At this stage he seems very patchy, which admittedly can happen with his type of player. Struggles to always get involved in the game and hasn’t really put together 4 quarters. As a medium forward I really want to see him hit the scoreboard harder as I do believe he has the talent to do so. He also has some ball-winning ability and I’d like to see him play more midfield minutes to boost his draft chances if I was going to take him this high. Could go as high as Richmond at pick 9.
20. Adelaide - Ben Kennedy (Midfielder/Forward)
Height: 174cm
Weight: 76kg
Club: Glenelg
Range: 15-30
Description: Kennedy is a lightning quick midfielder/small forward. Is very much capable of doing both to a very high level. Can rack up a huge number of possession through the midfield or kick bags of goals in the forward line. If he was bigger would be a certain top 10 IMO and is still a chance to go there. By all accounts was very close to being selected by Adelaide with the mini-draft pick last year so that gives an idea of where he is at. One thing I really like about him for a guy who has the assets he does is he has a touch of arrogance. (Maybe more than a touch) Just has that I’m going to be able to burn you off look in his eyes when he sizes his opponent up.
21. Collingwood - Jesse Lonergan (Midfielder)
Height: 183cm
Weight: 86kg
Club: Launceston
Range: 13-25
Description:Lonergan is a tough contested inside ball-winner. He is the nephew of ex-Bomber Sam. Not an elite kick by any stretch of the imagination but you would be drafting him for his work on the bottom of the packs. Missed a chunk of this season with injury but came back for second half of champs. 35 of his 49 possessions were contested at the champs. He started to hit the scoreboard at the champs as well, with 4 goals in the last 2 games against NSW/ACT and NT.
22. Western Bulldogs - Nathan Hrovat (Midfielder)
Height: 176cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: Northern Knights
Range: 15-50
Description: Hrovat was probably the most productive player of the Champs. He just continually racked up big numbers. He is a very small midfielder who has a huge work rate. Very solid size for a little bloke so is able to win a lot of his own ball. His skills are elite and he is very much a dual-sided player, which is a credit to his hard work and discipline. He shows some real leadership in the way he’s always the first to get over to encourage his teammates. He will be a guy who you can put straight into the team from round 1 next year and he will have an impact as he's generally one of the best players on the ground every game.
23. Sydney - Tanner Smith (KPD)
Height: 194cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Range: 15-30
Description: Personally I probably wouldn’t take Smith before a late first rounder unless I was desperate for a KPD like a Brisbane/St.Kilda. Nothing against the kid but pure shutdown defenders can be picked up later in the draft IMO. Smith is fantastic when it comes to being able to shut down his man as he is rarely beaten but I doubt he’s going to hurt his opponent going the other way which modern footy seems to dictate you need to do at a lot of clubs. At this stage he doesn’t get much of the ball and isn’t a very good kick. (Possibly related to each other)
24. Brisbane (compensation pick) - Tim O'Brien (KPF)
Height: 194cm
Weight: 81kg
Club: Glenelg
Range: 20-40
Description: Not a huge guy for someone who plays in the ruck a bit at under 18 level but he has an amazing leap on him. I'm excited to see what he can post at Draft Camp for vertical leap. Played predominantly as a KPF for SA whilst giving the occasional chop out to Grundy in the ruck. Had quite a successful championships kicking 6.0 in the opening game against Tasmania. Still a pretty raw prospect but plenty to work with.
