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BigFooty Official 2022 OFFICIAL BIGFOOTY PHANTOM DRAFT

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Pick 52 - Bailey MacDonald
    • Pick 52 - Essendon - Bailey MacDonald
    182cm - Small Utility

    Although he has spent most of his time down back or on a wing I’m drafting MacDonald as a pressure forward. His ability to take the game on is arguably the best in this years draft crop with his speed and agility combo certainly showing in the way he plays and you can see why he would play off half back but I feel his kicking isn’t good enough for that specialist rebound role so feel a pressure forward is the way to go. He will take a few years but he has plenty of upside with his athletic profile, also a teammate at school level with Tsatas.

    Players considered: Harvey Gallagher/Jaxon Binns

    Chris25
     
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    • Pick 54 - Hugh Davies
    • Been a long time since I’ve had a pick. And the draft has gone very much by the book since then, well the BigFooty book at least. So I suspect the real thing wont look anything like this…my favourite picks since my own have been Isaac Keeler, Charlie Clarke, Jed Adams and Jakob Ryan.

    #54 Geelong - Hugh Davies (196cm, 85kg from WA)

    After going small early, I’ll change it up and go tall here - specifically a tall defender. The main other one I considered was Ethan Phillips (who I wouldn’t be surprised to see go in the second round). Shame I couldn’t get Jed Adams but I knew he’d be off to Fremantle, also would have considered Phoenix Foster if Davies was off the board. I think this is one of the few positions where there’s value to be had in this draft - along with rucks and half backs.

    I liked Davies coming into the year, unfortunately my viewing has been somewhat limited because of his school commitments this year - so I was happy to see him get a chance at the Champs. Jefferson and Cadman both got the better of him, but I think he showed enough in his own game to warrant selection.

    Ideally, Davies would be your #2 KPD and play up around the traditional CHB position. He works better in space, where he gets to read the play and zone off as opposed to being one on one in the goal square and reacting to his opponent. I think the shut down stuff will develop with time, there aren’t many 18 year old defenders who excel at that. But Davies does offer a real intercept threat and is neat with ball in hand. He’s very much a modern defender who looks to mark before spoiling. I like that he doesn’t seem rushed either. Once he gains a bit more strength and can play on the deeper forwards, I think he could develop into a versatile Brennan Cox like player.

    ModernArtillery
     
    • Pick 55 - Jonti Schuback
    • Pick 55 - Adelaide
    Jonti Schuback
    Half back/Wing
    Gippsland Power/Vic Country

    Justification
    My priority was to add some size and speed through the midfield, but that's pretty difficult to do from Pick 55. Instead, I've just settled for speed. Schuback could settle into a role across half back, on the wing or in an absolutely ideal (but admittedly, unlikely) world, through the midfield, where his pace, overlap run and attacking mindset would be a welcomed list addition for the Crows.

    Profile
    Schuback has line-breaking speed and at his best, can show a touch of class with his ball use. He moves really well through traffic, is evasive, clean and typically a good decision maker by foot. He really keeps the ball moving forward and his overlap run makes him a real weapon from across half back or along the wing. Schuback is certainly more offensive-minded and he would need to develop a greater level of physicality if he's to project as a midfielder at the next level. Even if that doesn't eventuate, he's got the talent to become a consistent best 22 player as a winger or half back.

    Others considered
    Will Verrall, Harry Cole

    Macca19
     
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    • Pick 56 - Ryan Eyres
    • Pick 56 - Port Adelaide

    Ryan Eyers - Murray Bushrangers

    198cm - 85kg - Key Defender

    Port is in need for some key defensive cover with Mckenzie and Jonas reaching retirement age, Skinner getting delisted leaving the club wafer thin down back. Eyers fits the bill as an athletic key defender with genuine height who has really come of age this year.

    Having missed out getting drafted in 2021 where he plied his trade further up the field, he was sent to the backline in 2022 and really made a key defensive post his own. He showed he could defend strongly whilst also noting the ability to read the play and intercept well too. 15 disposals and over 7 marks a game for Murray was a strong improvement to his output, whilst he showed the ability to make smart decisions with the ball coming out of the defensive 50. Was rewarded with games at the Champs for the Allies, as well as winning the BnF for Murray in the NAB League.

    Whilst he will need to spend ample time in the gym, his blend of talent and athleticism is something Port needs going forward.
     
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    • Pick 57 - Jack O'Sullivan
    • Pick 57 - Essendon - Jack O’Sullivan
    177cm - Midfielder/Forward

    Honestly just picked him because he completes a nice Oakleigh package 😂 Another smaller midfielder isn’t what Essendon particularly need but O’Sullivan has value here playing some good games forward early in the year and he is a willing defensive player and without a few injury concerns he would likely be in that top 30 mix. O’Sullivan has great athletic traits which makes him a good value prospect despite his size.

    Players considered: Harvey Gallagher/Jaxon Binns/Max Pescud/Luke Teal
    Smythe
     
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    Pick 59 - Harvey Gallagher
    • Richmond - Harvey Gallagher - 179cm 78kg - Def
    1666753120769.jpeg

    A defender who, like Daniel Rioli, can score.
    Averaging 24 disp, 4 marks, 2 tk and 1.3 goals per game from defence.

    Intercepts the ball then moves it on getting involved with the chain of play untill the ball has been delivered to a fwd or gone through for a score. He is a damaging defensive player and that is a plus. Will need to work more on his contested game but his efficiency with the ball and decision making is high end.
    So many came into consideration at this late pick but I’m happy with Harvey still being available.

    I believe Chris25 is up
     
    • Pick 60 - Lachlan Scannell
    • #60 Geelong - Lachlan Scannell (186cm, 76kg from SA)

    It wouldn’t be a BigFooty Phantom without me taking a South Australian - although I was very tempted to head up to the NT and take Lloyd Johnston. Instead I’ll go with a bit of a forgotten name in Lachlan Scannell.

    Was up there with the best of the SA prospects a couple of years ago playing alongside most of the guys already taken. He hasn’t quite hit the heights of his form from back then, but has been largely hampered by injury - including missing nearly all of the 2022 season. But he still received a state combine invite, so not everyone has forgotten his U17s performances.

    And at the SA combine, he absolutely smashed the time trial and showed himself as arguably the best pure runner on offer. So at this point in the draft, it’s about AFL level attributes. And he ticks a big box for the wing position. He’s not just a track athlete though, he’s actually showed a decent level of toughness for someone who plays an outside role. He uses his height well too, has neat disposal and I think he could play off either flank. I think he’ll come into the rookie draft mix, similar prospect to Karl Worner who Fremantle picked up last year.

    I do have higher ranked small forwards like Blake Drury and Archie Lovelock for example, Harry Cole as a medium forward too. But I went for a more pure midfield option, and the SA factor just got him over the line ahead of Jaxon Binns and Taj Campbell-Farrell.

    ModernArtillery again I think
     
    • Pick 61 - Will Verrell
    • Pick 61 - Adelaide
    Will Verrall
    Ruckman
    South Adelaide/South Australia

    Justification
    The Crows have a few ruck options on their list but none really have the scope to dominate the ruck contest in the way that Verrall does. Adding some athleticism and follow-up capability in the ruck department by the way of a local product felt like a good option this deep in the draft.

    + I want to see Thilthorpe forward long term. I think that's where he maximises his value as a pick 2.

    Profile
    Verrall is an athletic ruckman who has genuine follow-up ability. His leap allows him to get first hands to the ball and his ability to win the ground ball makes him a real attacking threat, particularly at centre bounce. He's physical in the contest too, where his tackling adds a defensive element to his game. He's surprisingly capable by foot and his contested marking has come along too. His forward craft needs some work, as does his tank, but there's enough there to suggest that with a few years of development he could be a number 1 ruck at AFL level.

    Others considered
    Harry Cole

    Davo-27
     
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    • Pick 64 - Jaxon Binns
    • Fremantle Pick 64. Jaxon Binns (Outside Midfielder/Vic Country) (182cm, 73kg)

    Binns probably shouldn't have dropped this low, and could go as high as top 30 on draft night. Binns is one of the best outside runners in this years draft and has used his endurance and running ability to great effect in 2022 to prove his talents to recruiters and amateur draft watchers alike. Binns is one I've been back and forth on throughout the year, initially his kicking was a put-off, similar to Ed Langdon in his Fremantle days, he has a tendency to kick poorly not being a precision kicker. But his sheer weight of numbers and his ability to get on the scoreboard show that there is a lot of upside in Binns, especially if he can improve his kicking in the long run.

    But why Jaxon Binns for Fremantle? The pursuit of Jeremy Sharp in this year's Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period (Has anyone here considered installing a Rheem btw?) shows that the club know there is room for more outside talent in the clubs list, especially with the loss of Blake Acres in the trade period. He'll be able to develop alongside Karl Worner at Peel Thunder, and he should have a spot on the opposite wing of the teamsheet. He is also too good of a talent to pass at Pick 64, I suspect in the real draft we'd be lucky to have anyone of his level here. Binns wasn't the best available in my rankings, Steely Green was, but he's very similar to Jed Hagan, so I decided to go with Binns instead

    Also Considered: Jason Gillbee, Harry Cole, Toby McMullin, Hudson O'Keefe

    eDPS is next
     
    • Pick 65 - Jayden Davey
    • Pick 65 - Essendon - Jayden Davey
    181cm - Small Forward

    If he didn’t do his ACL i project Jayden would have slotted in along side his brother in the 10-20 range of the draft. His acceleration is right up there with the likes of Saad and Hind able to get separation in a flash so despite playing mostly forward he could potentially also become a rebound defender. Hopefully the ACL doesn’t effect his speed as it’s his standout trait but even without it he is a clean and smart player who knows where the goals are and how to crumb.

    Essendon pass remaining selections

    goodcop badcop
     
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    Pick 66 - Ethan Phillips
    • Pick 66 - Western Bulldogs - Ethan Phillips
    198cm, 91kg
    Port Melbourne
    Key Defender

    Previous known as a lockdown defender, Phillips really stepped up his game to a new level this year and has become a highly regarded intercept defender winning the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal in the VFL. He averaged 19.6 disposals and 9.8 marks including 11.5 intercept possessions and 5.1 intercept marks. In one game, against the Northern Bullants, he pulled down 24 intercept possessions and 12 intercept marks.

    Phillips is a genuine key defender and a mature body at 23 years old. He's been playing against AFL players for 4 years. He can lockdown on an opponent and this year he's shown he's a very good intercept player. He's a very strong mark, with a decent leap and reads the play exceptionally well. He's also a pretty reliable user with a booming kick and he's quite good in a one on one contest.

    Speed. Against the really mobile talls he may struggle.

    The dogs do need some intercept defenders and Phillips is proven one at state league level. At the very worst, Phillips is a good depth option with Keath and the new recruit Jones a fair age, and with depth options in Cordy and Schache leaving.

    Toby McMullin, Noah Long, Tom McCullum, Max Knobel
     
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    • Pick 69 - Noah Long
    • Fremantle - Pick 69. Noah Long (Midfielder/Vic Country) (178cm, 74kg)

    I couldn't let him slide any further, even if he's not actually a need. Noah Long has all the traits of a great inside mid. He has clean hands, great stoppage work and a nice burst of acceleration that could see him become a very good midfielder at AFL level. His ability to impact the scoreboard has been a major improvement this year, he joins Hagan and Binns in being players who can impact the scoreboard and play in the midfield.

    Obviously Freo fans won't be happy I've picked two smaller mids, but in reality I think Freo take 3 picks in the ND and 1 pick in the rookie draft, so think of this pick as a nice extra bonus. I do think there's a role for him in Freo, his forward ability that he's built on over the past 12 months could see him playing a role there with some midfield minutes, but you wouldn't be expecting a Pick 69 to play AFL football in a team that just made the semi-final

    For others I considered, Hudson O'Keefe was next in line for a brilliant talent and filling a need. Harry Cole as a half-forward is a great goal kicking option, Steely Green is another player similar to Long and Hagan but with less upside. For some other experimental picks (who I thought I'd be picking at these late picks) there's Jasper Scaife from our academy as a tall forward, Bailey Maxwell who has some exciting upside as a ruck but one I can see not getting drafted, Kaleb Smith could become an absolute weapon off of half back or the wing and Toby McMullin is a great small forward who I also considered closely. Finn Emile-Brennan is another favourite of mine but would have required a bid

    I also have Luke Teal, but he REALLY doesn't fit a need for Freo so I chose against him

    Macca19 is up next
     
    • Pick 73 - Kyle Marshall
    • Pick 73 - Port Adelaide

    Kyle Marshall - South Adelaide

    201cm - 84kg - Key Defender


    Just call this kid Kyle Potential. Happy to nab him here and is the perfect late pick for Port to give time to develop. Port need tall defenders for the future and picking up Eyers and Marshall, both with genuine height, athleticism and potential is something that should make them pretty happy.

    Kyle's efforts at the state combine is what really caught my eye. Quick, huge leap, good endurance shows he has the athletic profile for modern day AFL football and his football IQ isn't bad either. He's a fine user of the ball and knows how to get a spoil in. Has shown he can pinch hit in the ruck and looms as a Dougal Howard lite type to develop for a couple of seasons in the SANFL.
     
    • Pick 74 - Luke Teal
    • Richmond will not take 3, but we are doing it here anyway and whilst it is a speculative pick at best normally, I cannot believe this kid is still here, in this long mock draft, who stuffed up…..

    Richmond - Luke Teal - 190cm 80 kg - Def

    Whilst he has a few things to work on including his strength in the contest, his positives far out way his negative. He is very composed, a great user of the ball and identifier of dangerous kicks and mostly makes them with a high efficiency. He has hurt factor with his smarts and use of the ball including long damaging kicks opening up the offensive attack for his team. He is such a cool head under pressure and has a high footy IQ who had a bad year with injury but showed everyone the glimpses of his talent.
    With not many picks taken this year in the real draft he maybe, because of his injury year, be on the edge of a national pick, but I was stoked to see him still here in this mock and I’m not going past this talent here.

    next up is Melbourne with ModernArtillery
     
    • Pick 75 - Harry Cole
    • Pick 75 - Melbourne
    Harry Cole
    Medium forward
    Claremont/WA

    Justification
    I'm really just looking for a kid who has a chance to make it over fit/need at this point.

    Profile
    Cole had some pretty nice moments in the carnival this year for WA and possesses some traits that I really value. He's a nice size at around that 186cm, he has good speed and he's really capable aerially. He's a dual position threat as someone who can hit the scoreboard, but can also push up and add some speed and class around the footy. He's got a fair bit of work to do on his contested game if he's going to be a pure midfielder (which is probably unlikely), but I see a pathway for him to be a solid wing/half forward option at AFL level.

    Others considered
    Archie Lovelock, Caleb Mitchell, Toby McMullin, Tom McCallum

    TDS7
     
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    • Pick 76 - Tom McCallum
    • Pick 76 | Brisbane Lions | Tom McCallum | 192cm 78kgs

    At this point, I've just gone with my highest-rated player left on the board. Tom's a project tall with a ton of upside, a high-marking, run-and-gun tall. With the potential to become the steal of the draft, McCallum gives a bit of x-factor off half-back with his intercepting and burst. He reminds me a bit of Changkouth Jiath in his first year, a very bouncy and fast interceptor who loves to get up and go with the footy in hand. This 6'4" energizer bunny attitude comes at the cost of some suspect kicking and a wire-thin frame that makes him a bit too easy to push around in the backline. Still, this late in the draft the Lions would be thrilled to pick up a guy with his potential, even if he does have to spend a few years in the VFL honing his skill set and developing his body.

    roos_fanatic08 start us up with the easiest pick of the thread for 2023.
     

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    MD Pick 2 - Daniel Curtin
    • 2023 Mini Draft.

    Pick # 2. West Coast. Daniel Curtin.
    196 cm 92 kg. Key Position Player.
    Claremont. Scotch College.

    Write up latter.

    PMBangers your up.
     
    • MD Pick 3 - Ashton Moir
    • 2023 MINI DRAFT
    Pick 3 - Gws - Ashton Moir
    Glenelg | SA
    General Forward/ Midfielder
    186 cm 77 kg

    Arguably one of the most skilled players currently in the underage system, including those from this years draft class, Moir is a natural talent that uses both sides of the body to devastating effect. Listed at 186 cm, you'd be forgiven for thinking Ashton was 195 cm with the way he plays as a forward target at times, with his attack on the footy aerially incredibly impressive, and his work to get separation equally so. As the top level trends more and more towards speed, players that can bring that plus outstanding footy IQ are worth their weight in gold, and Moir will do just that.

    He's played mostly forward as a 17 year old this year with some impressive goal tallies, but I'm really excited to see him move into the midfield next year and really shoot himself up draft boards, which may be hard given where he's likely to start on them. In his limited time through the guts so far, he's shown that he's a capable stoppage player and accumulator, but often is most damaging when he can break free and receive the ball via a mark or handball from congestion

    Also considered Archer Reid who I'm extremely high on, the King twin comparisons will come and rightfully so for Archer, but it looks like there's so much talent in the 2023 first round early on that it's hard to separate

    eDPS
     
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    • MD Pick 4 - Nick Watson
    • Pick 4 - Essendon - Nick Watson
    169cm - Small Forward

    If I was to compare a past player to Watson it would be Milne, he is just a menace of a small forward who oozes confidence and can back up his outward confidence with his incredible athleticism and skill. There isn’t many weaknesses Watson has as a small forward and some may get put off by his height but he isn’t much shorter than Kozzy Pickett and honestly I think he will become the best small forward in the competition and quickly. He is ready to play AFL now and will slot into any AFL side in 2024 and would be a huge shout for that years rising star award.

    Players considered: Zane Duursma/Will Lorenz

    ModernArtillery
     
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    • MD Pick 5 - Zane Duursma
    • Pick 5 - Adelaide
    Zane Duursma
    Medium Forward
    Gippsland/Vic Country

    Justification
    I'm just sticking to my board at this point and Duursma was the highest on it. Super talented and with his brother and sister already in South Australia, I think the off-field fit makes a lot of sense too. It came down to Duursma and Will Lorenz at this position.

    Profile
    I think Duursma's best work so far has been what he's done inside forward 50. He's a strong vertical athlete, he gets good separation on the lead and his touch and goal sense are first class. I'm hoping to see him take a greater role through the middle of the ground next season as that will further extend his ceiling.

    Others considered
    Will Lorenz

    Davo-27
     
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