According to EQ, the following players [16] have been invited to Draft (possible Top10 selections):
Petracca
McCartin
Brayshaw
Pickett
DeGoey
Ahern
Laverde
Duggan
Weller
Wright
Goddard
Lever
Marchbank
Moore
Durdin
Langford
Of these, Durdin & Marchbank are seen as a 'backup' selection (fall back position for a club with a pick in the Top10 - GWS & Geelong???) So barring West Coast at 11, Ellis is ours if things don't fall the way we might like, which has been my view all along.
Our strategy is to know really well what we might end up with realistically and have a clear view of who we would take if there is a 'slider'.
The experts are saying GWS & Collingwood picks will shape the draft (true enough) but Gold Coast pick 8 will shape OUR draft.
I think their pick will be different now as a result of Eade coming on board. Not that he chooses who they pick but his game style will alter the decision making framework.
Langford getting included on the invite list might just be the clue there. Do some scenario planning around a Top 9 of say,
Petracca
Brayshaw
McCartin
Pickett
Laverde
Goddard
Ahern
Langford
Moore
and things look interesting with 2 picks before ours and Lever, DeGoey, Duggan, Wright, Weller & Ellis all available ALL OF WHOM WE HAVE BEEN LINKED TO except Lever.
Geelong have been linked to Wright / De Goey. West Coast with Duggan / Weller.
Glad I'm not the one faced with picking from the 4 left over from that group of 6 !!! Nice problem to have though.
Who would we pick from DeGoey-Weller-Ellis??? and who on here would have a meltdown if we chose Ellis???