Sin City's 2012 Phantom Draft

[Sin City]

With the second half of the AFL season looking pretty bleak for Carlton but on the bright side looking like we'd have a pretty good pick in the draft I followed the junior footy as best I could and thought I'd give this a crack. I'll do my personal list first and then a phantom draft with the order adjusted where appropriate due to team needs/my predictions. I base my ratings on a mix of productivity and what I see as AFL qualities and my opinions seem a bit different to the norm so hopefully it makes for an enjoyable and interesting read. I probably won't go too far with the phantom as the orders are never even close.

My Rankings
1. Lachlan Whitfield
2. Jimmy Toumpas
3. Joe Daniher
4. Lachlan Plowman
5. Oliver Wines
6. Dayle Garlett
7. Sam Mayes
8. Jackson Macrae
9. Jack Viney
10. Sam Colquhoun
11. Brodie Grundy
12. Ben Kennedy
13. Nick Vlastuin
14. Tim Membrey
15. Nick Graham
16. Mason Shaw
17. Troy Menzel (would be at 7 if not for concerns on his knee)
18. Tanner Smith
19. Jonathan O'Rourke
20. Kristian Jaksch
21. Taylor Garner
22. Josh Simpson
23. Nathan Hrovat
24. Jake Stringer
25. Thomas Clurey
26. Tim O'Brien
27. Nathan Wright
28. Dean Towers
29. Jesse Lonergan
30. Shannon Taylor
31. Rory Atkins
32. Tom Temay
33. Matthew McDonough
34. Anthony Tipungwuti
35. Louis Herbert
36. Lachlan Hunter
37. Adam Carter
38. Tim Sumner
39. Matthew Haynes
40. Marvin Warrell
41. Kyle Martin
42. Jason Pongracic
43. Nathan Stark
44. Jackson Ramsay
45. Liam Mcbean
46. Laine Wilkins
47. Nick Rodda
48. Tim Broomhead
49. Jackson Thurlow
50. Harrison Marsh
51. Will Hams
52. Jaryd Cachia
53. Anthony Bonaddio
54. Shane Nelson
55. Ben Rioli
56. Brodie Murdoch
57. Jarrod Stokes
58. Spencer White

Expected First Round

1. GWS - Lachlan Whitfield
2. GWS - Jonathan O'Rourke
3. GWS - Lachlan Plowman
4. Melb - Jimmy Toumpas
5. WB - Jake Stringer
6. WB - Jackson Macrae
7. Port - Oliver Wines
8. BL - Kristian Jaksch
9. Rich - Nick Vlastuin
10. Ess - Joe Daniher
11. Carl - Troy Menzel
12. GWS - Sam Mayes
13. GCS - Josh Simpson
14. GWS - Aidan Corr
15. NM - Ben Kennedy
16. Gee - Brodie Grundy
17. Fre - Taylor Garner
18. Coll - Nathan Hrovat
19. Coll - Tim Membrey
20. Coll - Jesse Lonergan
21. WB - Tim O'Brien
22. Syd - Mason Wood
23. BL - Tom Clurey

 

[Sin City]

Round One

1. GWS - Lachlan Whitfield
No surprises here, clearly the standout player in this years draft. Reminds me of Gary Ablett Jnr and he will run his opponents into the ground, accumulate the ball all day and hurt the opposition with his accurate disposal. Has all the tools to be an excellent outside player and is a great compliment to the smorgasbord of inside mids that GWS already have.

2. GWS - Jimmy Toumpas
Really clean skilled player capable of sizzling bursts of play. Great decision maker who reminds me a bit of early Adam Cooney when he bursts away from the pack with the ball. Good leader and terrific character.

3. GWS - Lachlan Plowman
First surprise here in the eyes of some but I felt with GWS re-signing Giles as well as having Phillips and Downie developing that they weren't after another ruck so passed on Grundy and they're well set for forwards and mids. Plowman is a terrific player who is also best available and after trading away Hombsch they add Plowman to really strengthen up their defensive stocks. Will team up with Davis, Mohr and Buntine for a very strong defensive unit while freeing up Tomlinson to be more of a swingman.

4. Melbourne - Brodie Grundy
Took a lot for me to reach here over probably my favourite player from this year's draft in Wines but I felt Melbourne showed during the trade period they really wanted to boost their tall stocks and set themselves up there before developing their future midfield and with Jamar still going strong but getting on in years now is the perfect time to get a really good ruck prospect. Good physical player which Neeld will love, follows his own work up well and is a good forward. Their tall stocks are now complete, they can focus on midfielders from now on.

5. Western Bulldogs - Oliver Wines
The Bulldogs are trying to build a hard, contested team and Wines is exactly the sort of player McCartney will love. They now have Smith, Wallis, Liberatore and Wines to lead their future on-ball division. Wines is a very productive inside ball winner and a really fantastic reader of the play. Also a brutal tackler.

6. Western Bulldogs - Dayle Garlett
Garlett has had some troubles but seems to have settled and played some wonderful football in the games I watched this year. Terrific run and carry player similar in style to Marc Murphy when he first arrived on the scene. Runs hard all over the ground and kicks a lot more often than he handballs, generally kicks long and direct. Has played a lot as an on baller, especially in his own age group so is capable of winning his own ball but he'll make his name as an outside midfielder similar to Lewis Jetta. Very good evasive skills, excellent decision maker and brilliant around goals.

7. Port Adelaide - Sam Mayes
Super player who has moved into the midfield this year and done very well. I usually sit there with the team lists and put a tick next to the players name when I see them do something to AFL standard, Mayes doesn't get the same stats as other players but usually ends up with the same amount of ticks due to doing everything so well. Brilliant kick and decision maker, not a huge ball winner at the moment but I suspect with his strong marking that in the high possession world of AFL he'll link up very well and get a fair bit more of the ball. Port are building a strong midfield and the local boy will be a very good addition.

8. Brisbane - Jackson Macrae
Would've loved a pure inside mid but with Wines gone there was no one I was willing to overlook this guy for. Had a massive finish to the 2012 season and if he continues on this upward curve he'll end up one of the very best players from this draft. While Black may be retiring soon, adding another midfielder (although I hope he plays at half forward more than midfield as he reminds me so much of Steve Johnson) to Redden, Rich, Rockliff, Moloney, Polec, Hanley and Green means they'll still be a good unit and with Polec and Macrae side-stepping in the same team the opposition will be left with a heap of rolled ankles and dizzy spells.

9. Richmond - Nick Vlastuin
The appropriately nicknamed "Tigga" will be an excellent addition to a young side who really shored up their back line last year and will now look to do the same with their midfield. Here they pick up a guy with a manic attack on the ball, leadership written all over him, quality skills and good defensive work. Will be a good replacement for Tuck over the next few years and his grunt work will make life a lot easier for Cotchin and Martin.

10. Essendon - Joe Daniher
The Bombers get a massive steal here with a top three talent. Quality full forwards are hard enough to find as it is so it's a god send when one falls into your lap. Very mobile big man who will create plenty of scoring opportunities as he takes heaps of marks close to goal. Marks the ball at it's highest point which makes him pretty difficult to stop given he's so tall. Gives the Bombers much needed flexibilty with Hurley and Ryder able to be moved around once Daniher cements a spot in the team, which will be sooner rather than later.

11. Carlton - Ben Kennedy
With Carlton boosting their tall stocks in recent years and Judd, Scotland, Carrazzo and Simpson all getting on it's time to boost their midfield and Ben Kennedy would be a great fit here. Small but productive player that wins a heap of the ball, runs fast and hard all game and is a nice kick capable of bombing some beautiful long goals.

12. GWS - Troy Menzel
With so much first round talent added to the GWS list over the last few years they can afford to take a risk with these picks and the supremely talented Menzel is the perfect player to do that with. Easily top ten on talent but the LARS is a worry as guys like Malceski and Rodan who have had it done in the AFL have had to have it done again. Menzel is a very creative player who could be just as damaging in the midfield as he is up forward but I hope he plays more forward as he's just so good to watch up there.

13. Gold Coast - Jonathan O'Rourke
I will admit I'm not as big of a fan of this bloke as others seem to be. I do consider him the best kick in the draft (yep, even better than Mayes or Colquhoun) but aside from that he has a lot of areas to work on. Really hurts teams with his kicking when he has the ball but goes missing for large periods of time and doesn't get in and get his own ball enough leading to less disposals than he really should be getting. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a Kane Lucas type struggle to find a position in the AFL as I don't see him being an on-baller with his lack of physicality and I'm not sure he'll get enough outside ball to be a wingman. That aside, he is highly rated by pretty well everyone and is a brilliant kick so should be a good addition to the Suns who have time on their side to develop him. Really considered reaching for Hrovat here to suit the Suns need for an inside mid but I'll stick with my prediction of O'Rourke.

14. GWS - Jake Stringer
The second high risk/high reward selection for the Giants, with the amount of talent they already have it really won't matter to them if he doesn't get back to his best. Had some really good VFL games to finish off this year which is a positive for him but aside from that doesn't have much output to justify the high selections some are giving him. I do have some question marks over him at AFL level, he's a big bodied mid but not really an inside mid or extractor, he's also a brilliant decision maker but doesn't really have the breakaway speed to use it. Built like an absolute brute.

15. North Melbourne - Kristian Jaksch
North have built up a very strong midfield and although some outside speed to compliment them would've been good I can do that in the later rounds and I'll go for a guy here who won't be rushed at North and should develop into a solid KPP capable of playing at either end. Has a great pair of hands, really good contested mark and good on the lead. Works hard off the ball and is a decent field kick but his set shots can go horribly wrong sometimes. North will now focus on speedy players.

16. Geelong - Tim Membrey
Powerhouse player that has won me over by hitting the packs so hard, working hard if the ball hits the ground and kicking accurately at goal. Won't be a key forward in the AFL but will be a good player capable of being a third tall with mobility or a big bodied midfielder if they decide to develop him that way. Certainly one of the best available players and is an inspirational leader.

17. Fremantle - Mason Shaw
The Dockers are needing a key forward for the future and although Shaw has slid down people's rating this year he's still a good get here. Doesn't have as much of a well rounded game as Jaksch but when your big tricks are marking the ball close to goal and converting, well they're pretty good tricks to have and he has done it frequently over the past two years. Looked to me to be struggling for confidence when he first came back this year but had a good finish to the seasoon in the WAFL. I expect him to become a good full forward.

18. Collingwood - Sam Colquhoun
Clear best available here as the Magpies can afford to do with three first round picks and time to develop them as they'll still feature in the finals next year. Everything he touched (which he did a hell of a lot) turned to gold in the national championships and he put his name right up there. Just kept on getting the ball and using it well. Great decision maker who can really drill his passes and places them perfectly. Could play a variety of roles in the AFL from midfield, rebounding half back or small defender.

19. Collingwood - Nick Graham
A lion hearted midfielder who had a massive finish to 2012. Won the Morrish medal and was in the eyes of many BOG in the TAC Cup GF despite not having it awarded to him after his amazing second half. Very similar in style to the Magpies own Dayne Beams in that he will battle hard to win the contested ball and extract it, not fast but will get the outside ball and carry it and can get forward often to hit the score board. Tackles hard and tackles often, could be a good replacement for Luke Ball over the next few years and is a guy who will be determined to succeed.

20. Adelaide - Tim O'Brien
Has until this season mostly played in the ruck but at his height was never going to be his position in the AFL and thankfully for him he's made a very good transition to the forward line this year. Only moved from West Gambier to Adelaide this year after playing three games for Glenelg last year. He's a very good athlete who came third in the agility test at the draft combine and quite quick on the lead but the main strength in marking is his leap and marking the ball at it's highest point. he's a good kick and has very strong hands. Kicked six goals against Tasmania in the national championships. Will need to put on weight but has all the tools and it's still very early in his development so I predict a bright future for him in the AFL

21. Collingwood - Josh Simpson
If there was one area I thought Collingwood might've been exposed in this year, especially in finals it was probably leg speed. Here they get a guy that fixes that issue by himself. Elite long kick and fantastic high mark that probably needs to get a bit more of the ball but Collingwood have the ball winners to feed it out to him. Plenty of hurt factor, can really nail a long goal and will be a damaging player if he's developed properly which he would be at a club like Collingwood.

22. Western Bulldogs - Taylor Garner
Really good pick for the Bulldogs here as he is best available and fills a need. Really hard at it, hits the ball in the air and on the ground as hard as he can. Very nice kick and can pull down some absolute screamers. With his hard style of footy he'll suit what the Bulldogs are trying to build. Has produced some awesome footy this year before having a shoulder reconstruction and i found it really hard to rate him as his best is great but he hasn't done a real lot of it, is he a flash in the pan or the real deal?

23. Sydney - Tanner Smith
Sydney being the reigning premiers are in a pretty good position list wise and their fans are keen for them to add some developing talls so as well as being best available here Smith is a good addition. I see Smith as having no trouble becoming a big bodied KPD very capable of shutting down his opponent. Good in most other areas without being a stand out but a competent AFL standard full back is well worth a first round pick in my book, and that's Sin City's big book of first round picks!

 

[Sin City]

End Of Round One

24. Brisbane - Thomas Clurey
Brisbane have done well to build up their midfield but they also desperately need to start developing some talls for the future. They add a KPD here and Saints fans will be disappointed he didn't last through to their pick. In four years time when he should be developed all of Maguire, Patfull and Merrett will be 32 so Clurey is an important pick here. Is a very good mark, good reader of the play and a decent kick who showed excellent endurance at the draft combine and due to displaying AFL standard endurance he'll probably start getting games very early.

Round Two

25. St Kilda - Nathan Hrovat
St Kilda brought in some much needed speed last year and boosted their tall stocks in this year's trade period. With these two decent picks I'll try and build up their on-ball brigade with some real inside class as Hayes, Montagna etc are nearing the end. Hrovat is a terrific player, small but just keeps on winning the ball. Makes great decisions with the ball and will be a very productive midfielder in the high possession style that the AFL is becoming.

26. St Kilda - Jesse Lonergan
Lonergan is another tough inside ball winner who like Hrovat can also drift forward and kick a goal. Big bodied, strong and has been playing senior football for three years now in Tasmania. Had some injury troubles early this year but got himself back on track towards the end and impressed everyone with his athleticism at the draft combine. Hrovat and Lonergan will combine with Armitage, Steven and Ross to make a tough, ball winning midfield for the future.

27. Melbourne - Jack Viney
Real tough ball winning inside mid who would run through a brick wall to get to the ball. Only short but is developing a strong body and is - as everyone knows - an absolute bargain here. Melbourne will build their future midfield around this guy's ball winning ability. Will be ready to go next year and should be a productive player straight away, probably won't get the stats of Toby Greene but will get plenty of midfield opportunity so may not be far away. I look forward to seeing him team up with Jones and McKenzie to bring much needed toughness to the Melbourne midfield.

28. GWS - Dean Towers
I went for Dean Towers here not only because he's a ready made player who will add a mature body to the young GWS team but also because his run and carry from the flanks will give them a great boost while their young guns are developing. Tall running player with great speed and athleticism as shown at the combine, has been a huge improver over the last twelve months and if he can continue improving could be an excellent impact player off half back or the wing.

29. Hawthorn - Ben Jacobs
Hawks jumping in before North and Essendon to grab the talented long kicking defender/midfielder who will suit them after having a couple of years in the system already.

30. Port Adelaide - Matthew McDonough
Really stood up in the national championships for SA as a goal kicker after Menzel was injured. At his height I'm not sure whether he'll be able to play as so much of a marking forward at AFL level but has plenty of other tricks and has the potential to move up the ground. Really strong mark who makes good position and is a very good kick both up the field and for goal. Kicked some decent bags of goals for SA in the championships. Reminds me a bit of an early Nathan Brown style at the Bulldogs.

31. Port Adelaide - Nathan Wright
Really love watching this guy play. Makes some spectacular spoils and marks but his best attribute is definitely his breakaway speed. Gets the ball and then just bursts away from his opponent. Needs to learn to steady himself better on these runs before he disposes of the ball but has the tools to be a very good player. Could end up a very similar player to Heath Shaw.

 

[Sin City]

32. Richmond - Tom Temay
Hard working defender with great agility who I can see becoming a midfielder in the AFL. Will be a good pickup for Richmond and another of those types they love that won't be a star but has the required attitude, work rate and physical attributes to improve the team. A tagging role would be a good way for him to work his way into the midfield at AFL level, could possibly replace Daniel Jackson which Tigers fans would be happy about.

33. Brisbane - Shannon Taylor
Taylor hasn't had the year everyone wanted to see from him after a promising 2011 but he is still a talented player and will thrive up in the warm conditions in Brisbane. He's fast, real fast, quite elusive and a good kick. he'll really need to improve his work rate and get more of the ball but he can do something nice every time he does get it.

34. Richmond - Rory Atkins
Atkins is a competitive midfielder who usually disposes of the ball pretty well after he wins it. Yet another handy addition to the talented young Richmond midfield. Has admitted he needs to improve his defensive running and while this will be essential to his chances of making it it's good to see him admit his flaws and work on them.

35. Essendon - Jason Pongracic
Bit of a reach here but Pongracic would probably be rated a bit higher if it weren't for injury problems this year and the Bombers really need to boost their inside midfield stocks. Pongracic is a big strong bodied player but he still moves well and this year showed the ability to get forward and take a good mark. Very strong and physically developed so could play senior football early on.

36. Carlton - Adam Carter
Carter is a midfielder/defender who I really enjoy watching. He's a hard worker and hard runner who will go hard at the ball and also link up well. Not sure whether he'll end up a small defender or midfielder in the AFL but the Blues could do with either.

37. Fremantle - Kyle Martin
Fremantle are not afraid to take mature players and it could really pay off for them with a late bloomer that I really like. A bit similar to Michael Barlow in that he's a very good overhead mark who works tirelessly to get the ball. Another hard ball winning midfielder would be good for the Dockers and it looks like they could be a challenger next year under Lyon so a ready to go player may be just what they're after.

38. North Melbourne - Matthew Haynes
Haynes is a tall midfielder/flanker with outstanding leg speed who will compliment the Kangaroos strong on-ball brigade. Could work on his decision making and at times struggles to get into the game. Was rated very high coming into this season but hasn't impressed as much as expected, his best is still quite good though.

39. Collingwood - Liam McBean
McBean will take time to develop and needs to work on his physicality and contested work as well as getting more involved in the game but he is a very nice moving, skillful and agile tall who could end up a very good player at either end. Reminds me a bit of Carlton's Patrick McCarthy who slid down the order a bit but is slowly showing the required signs. Collingwood shored up their midfield in the first round so won't mind taking a versatile project tall here.

40. Fremantle - Marvin Warrell
Warrell is capable both as a small forward or in the midfield but in the AFL he'd probably start off as a forward. Is inconsistent but has had some very good games including this year's WAFL grand final. Usually does something nice when he gets near the ball but could do with improving his endurance to allow him to get to more contests.

41. St Kilda - Laine Wilkins
Tall (there's no way he's the 183cm he's listed as) outside midfielder/forward with great athletic attributes. Very fast with a great leap, knows where the goals are and likes to run with the ball but can be a bit wasteful. Could find a spot on the wing in the future for the Sanits.

42. North Melbourne - Jackson Thurlow
Tall outside player with great skills. Could play wing or half back,can find a heap of the ball and take a nice mark.

43. Richmond - Louis Herbert
Herbert has some terrific AFL attributes. He is a very good overhead mark, can find a way to beat his opponent for the ground ball and has a great burst of speed to get away and have a shot for goal. Is a really good kick either on the run or from a set shot and kicked eight goals in one TAC cup game this year as well as twice getting bags of five.

44. St Kilda - Nick Rodda
I quite like what I've seen from Rodda so far. He's a big bodied player at 94kg which is what I like in a KPP and seems to judge the ball pretty well in the air either going for a mark or spoil. Won't offer heaps of rebound but should become a decent shut down man and the Saints will be happy to get a big bodied developing KPD on their list.

45. Sydney - Will Hams
Something about Porky Hams just has Sydney player written all over him. He runs hard all over the ground from start to finish and throws himself into every contest. Not a great kick and with all these attributes and his playing style he reminds me a lot of Ed Curnow.

 

[Sin City]

Round three

46. West Coast - Jackson Ramsay
Plucky little player from East Perth who really caught my attention with his keenness to take the game on and run around his opponent. Had a very good start to the year and played two games in the National Carnival before a broken bone in his foot ruled him out for the year. If he had continued on the way he was going he'd get drafted much higher. Likes to kick long and wins a fair bit of the ball from defence (24 touches per game in WAFL colts, 19 per game at National Champs) and he's also not afraid of the contested stuff so could become either a small defender or move into the midfield.

47. Sydney - Spencer White
Big, strong bodied full forward who hadn't shown much up until the last half of the season but came home with a wet sail and kicked 30 goals in the last 10 TAC cup games. Recorded outstanding vertical leap performances at the combine and has decent speed for a big guy. Needs to learn how to get more involved in the game when he's not going for the mark and will need serious work on his defensive pressure but he's going to the right team for that.

48. North Melbourne - Tim Sumner
Another outside player for the Kangaroos, Sumner is a long term project which the 'Roos are not scared of but he is a brilliant athlete and skilful player. Excellent agility, has some really nice tricks that you'd expect to see out on the basketball court and has very nice speed and lead. Not a real productive player at the moment and that's the challenge for North, can they turn this guy into a twenty touches per game player? If so then they get an absolute steal here.

49. Melbourne - Anthony Tipungwuti
The Demons have done well so far boosting their big man stocks and now it's time to address another area for them, small forwards. Tipungwuti has worked really hard this year to drop weight and improve his fitness. Has elite skills, is elusive and holds on to the ball until the right option appears. Could end up being an Eddie Betts type crumbing forward. Another player who doesn't get a heap of the ball but ends up with a lot of ticks next to his name due to his skills and decision making.

50. Western Bulldogs - Lachie Hunter
I personally think the Bulldogs got a bit of a steal here. Pretty good all round midfielder who suits the Dogs contested game and recruitment style. Has handy speed and agility, works hard all over the ground to link up as well as help his team mates out with the one percent plays and as has been mentioned plenty on these boards he's a very good tackler.

51. Western Bulldogs - Nathan Stark
Sitting down to watch SA in the championships there were so many players I was focussed on ahead of this skinny, Josh Bootsma build blondie but he just kept on bobbing up with impressive plays. Doesn't look at all like an inside midfielder but hits the contest with everything he's got and somehow comes out with the ball, quite often with a free kick for going hard at it and getting there first. Same goes with him drifting forward, just has the ability to be in the right place at the right time. Real surprise packet.

52. Essendon - Tim Broomhead
Another hard working midfielder for the Bombers. His kicking isn't great but he's a goer who can play back and forward as well. Pretty good runner who will add much needed depth to the Bombers midfield.

53. Melbourne - Harrison Marsh
Impressive medium defender who takes a very good contested mark. Hard worker which as you can see is becoming a common theme in my draft, he's a really nice kick who could in the future play more of an attacking role if required but is so nice to watch playing at half back so I hope he stays there.

54. Adelaide - Nick Joyce
Re-drafting the youngster they did not want to let go of in the first place.

55. Essendon - Brodie Murdoch
Has played a lot at half forward but can take a while to get into games and have quiet periods. he is a big bodied player who has good speed and skills and I think his go is in the midfield where he can just use his aggression to hard at the ball all the time rather than out at half forward where he can find it hard to get involved. Nice mark, good decision maker and more handy depth for the Bombers midfield.

56. Carlton - Aidan Corr
Handy defender who seems to have shot up the rankings lately. Good size at 194cm and about 87kg so would be expected to fill out nicely at an AFL club. I have to say that for all the hype he's getting I don't notice him anywhere near as much as other players during games, but that's not always a bad thing for a defender. Does most things nicely and with Carlton losing Thornton and Bower this year a developing KPD is a good addition after boosting the midfield with the early picks.

57. Gold Coast - Andrew Boston
Local boy and well known as being an excellent kick. Has played mostly as an outside midfielder where he can best utilise his kicking skills but I think with his big body that his inside game will be developed in the AFL. Hard worker with good endurance but not the quickest which is another reason to develop his inside ball winning ability.

58. North Melbourne - Shane Nelson
Missed out last year despite being very highly rated during the season. Ball magnet who has done everything right this year. Fast (2.82 second 20m sprint) and has good endurance but still has a very light frame. Worked harder at winning his own ball this year and averaged 25 disposals per game in the WAFL seniors.

59. Gold Coast - Jaryd Cachia
Surprisingly de-listed by Carlton last year after a good 2011 season Cachia did the right thing and went to the SANFL for Norwood and starred in their grand final win. Big, strong bodied inside midfielder with excellent endurance and work ethic. Lays bone crunching bumps and tackles and is a good addition to a Suns team needing an inside midfielder.

60. Gold Coast - Kyal Horsley (rookie upgrade)

61. West Coast - Alex Howson
Has played as a forward but I don't mind him as a defender and with the Eagles well set for tall forwards I think he'll be developed as a defender. Has a good balance of spoiling and marking, seems to make the right choice of when to do either and has a big body which the Eagles like.

62. West Coast - Samual Lowrie
Tall midfielder who will again appeal to the Eagles because of the potential to develop a big body. Great endurance and a real hard worker through the midfield and another local boy.

63. North Melbourne - Ben Rioli
Very small but courageous defender who is skilful and has a good running game. Good team player who does all the little things well and gets himself involved in games because he throws his body at the ball no matter what is in his way.

64. GWS - Jacob Ballard
Adding a bit of depth to the GWS defence, pretty handy defender who can do the job on a bigger opponent and provide some handy rebound as well.

65. Sydney - Jarrod Stokes
very quick and agile small forward/midfielder who has a nice bag of tricks. Will probably play as a crumbing forward in the AFL but has the ability to win his own ball in the midfield. Hard to tackle and likes to take his man on and use his foot skills.

66. Sydney - Mason Wood
Another who I don't rate as highly as others but recently made Shifter's top thirty which usually means someone is interested in getting him early. Medium forward who is a good height and has good speed but I'm not a fan of his kicking and he hasn't been real productive or impacted games a real lot yet.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

I would love for Carlton to have the choice of Kennedy/Stringer/O'Rourke and Menzel when it comes to our pick.
Wealth of options

 

[Grockadoc]

Nice write up, mate. Interesting selection for us, in Tipungwuti. Might be a bit of a reach, and not an "Immediate" need for us. Given we have Nahas and Shane Edwards, as well as King, our small forward depth should be right.

Have heard Pongracic goes alright as a tagger as well, so I'd love for the Tigers to take Vlastuin as Tucky replacement, and Pongracic as Jackson replacement.

Wouldn't mind Rodda at 43 either, given Grimes hamstring injuries, Astbury and Chaplins knee troubles. Could be a handy pickup, and allow Griffiths to play CHF.

Vlastuin, Pongracic, Haynes and Rodda would be a wonderful result for the Tigers.


Question, though. What would the odds be of Carlton taking Jaksch? I reckon he would be a great get for you guys, especially with a swingman combo with Henderson, who I rate better as a defender, and Jaksch a forward. Could be that dominant CHF the Blues are looking for.

 

[Patron]

But who does wce get? suspense. By god our picks are shocking.

 

[Sin City]

Valid point on Plowman going to GWS. Bit of a risk with the amount of footy he missed but they'd love to have him.

North don't really have a gaping hole on their list except for that second ruck position and Jaksch will certainly develop into a very good tall for them.

So torn on whether I want Stringer/Menzel/Kennedy/Vlastuin/O'Rourke at the blues. Great depth of talent early this year.

Cheers Zee. I really like Vlastuin too, physical player that coaches will love. Kennedy with his speed, competitiveness and kicking skills seems to tick all the boxes for us.

I would love for Carlton to have the choice of Kennedy/Stringer/O'Rourke and Menzel when it comes to our pick.
Wealth of options

True, the first round is pretty good for midfielders

 

[Sin City]

But who does wce get? suspense. By god our picks are shocking.

Yeah I won't be doing a third round sorry, it was hard enough fitting all the pieces of the puzzle for the second round.

 

[Patron]

Yeah I won't be doing a third round sorry, it was hard enough fitting all the pieces of the puzzle for the second round.

Fair enough. But seeing as its the next pick who would you choose for wce?

 

[Grockadoc]

Spencer White might be a good get for the Eagles, given the departure of Lynch.

 

[Sin City]

Nice write up, mate. Interesting selection for us, in Tipungwuti. Might be a bit of a reach, and not an "Immediate" need for us. Given we have Nahas and Shane Edwards, as well as King, our small forward depth should be right.

Have heard Pongracic goes alright as a tagger as well, so I'd love for the Tigers to take Vlastuin as Tucky replacement, and Pongracic as Jackson replacement.

Wouldn't mind Rodda at 43 either, given Grimes hamstring injuries, Astbury and Chaplins knee troubles. Could be a handy pickup, and allow Griffiths to play CHF.

Vlastuin, Pongracic, Haynes and Rodda would be a wonderful result for the Tigers.


Question, though. What would the odds be of Carlton taking Jaksch? I reckon he would be a great get for you guys, especially with a swingman combo with Henderson, who I rate better as a defender, and Jaksch a forward. Could be that dominant CHF the Blues are looking for.

Cheers, I actually thought the Tigers were one of the teams I nailed. Two tough work horses to take over from Tuck and Jackson and bringing in two scoring threats with good foot skills as potential forwards. I like King's defensive work up forward but he's no scoring threat.

Pongracic doesn't have the speed to tag a lot of the AFL's star players while Temay has shut down Whitfield before.

Saints fans would lynch me if I stole another KPD off them after missing Clurey

I don't think Jaksch will be that high on our list, we blooded Casboult, McCarthy and Mitchell in the last half of 2012 the club seems happy with them, time to build the midfield.

 

[Patron]

Spencer White might be a good get for the Eagles, given the departure of Lynch.

I'm personally a fan and would love to take a punt on him given how late our picks are.

 

[JDC!]

Great read mate, good to see you had a few NT boys up there. I rate Walla Tipungwuti really highly and wouldn't mind if we took a punt on him. Interesting to know your thoughts on Ben Rioli and Jarrod Stokes? And have you seen much of Damian Williams? He's been contacted by a few clubs so hopefully he comes in contention, if not the national draft, in the rookies.

 

[Sin City]

Fair enough. But seeing as its the next pick who would you choose for wce?

You're strong in most areas and I really like Jackson Ramsay who's got really good line breaking speed and willingness to take the game on as well as a good long kick. Was having a good year but hasn't played since the national championships when he broke a bone in his foot.

 

[HARKER]

Interesting and well considered Phantom, Sin.

It feels somewhat strange to see Menzel, O'Rourke and Stringer fall straight after Carlton's 11.
Guess it's a case would could be as opposed as what we know will be with Kennedy.

Some nice bolters showing up in your second round and several surprises in your first. All makes sense though.

 

[C4[2]Yo`DooR]

Awesome Write Up Sin,

Fairly happy with our selections:

1. Kennedy
2. Carter

Both add more speed to our line up and fit the pre-draft Shane Rogers prediction.




... Although I'd rather select Whitfield if he was there at #11.

 

[Super Hans]

Nice draft. If we get Garner at 22 I'll be very happy, I expect him to go around the 13-17 mark though. Not to keen on Gartlett at 6 would rather O'Rourke, Mayes, Grundy or Menzel.

Top effort.

 

[UpTheGuts]

Thanks for your efforts.

No love for Boston?

 

[tigs2010]

Good stuff Sin. Interesting read with the different ratings of players.

 

[tigs2010]

Should add that we were looking at Tipungwuti as a late/rookie pick so you may have that right.

 

[Sin City]

Thanks Tigs, really enjoyed putting it together.

I said last year Tipu would've been a good rookie option for you guys and he's taken some big steps forward this year, I reckon he'd be a great get.

 

[Sin City]

Awesome Write Up Sin,

Fairly happy with our selections:

1. Kennedy
2. Carter

Both add more speed to our line up and fit the pre-draft Shane Rogers prediction.




... Although I'd rather select Whitfield if he was there at #11.

Cheers C4, I agree they fit what we're looking for. It'd be nice if Carter could take that small defender spot for us.

 

[Sin City]

Interesting and well considered Phantom, Sin.

It feels somewhat strange to see Menzel, O'Rourke and Stringer fall straight after Carlton's 11.
Guess it's a case would could be as opposed as what we know will be with Kennedy.

Some nice bolters showing up in your second round and several surprises in your first. All makes sense though.

Thanks Harks, much appreciated