My final 2018 national phantom draft.
*Ages are as at national draft night (November 23, 2018)
If you spot any errors, please let me know as I’m pretty prone to overlooking things
PHANTOM DRAFT
Pick 1, Carlton
Sam Walsh | Balanced Midfielder 183cm/74kg
Age: 18 (July 2, 2000)
VIC Country | Geelong Falcons
Profile: Prolific ball-winning midfielder with good ball use and clutch decision making.
Rationale: It’s no secret that Carlton’s midfield is its weakest link – disposals, contested possessions, clearances, inside 50’s – they ranked in the bottom four for all these stats. Walsh’s class and poise will complement Cripps and the developing Kennedy well. The Blues have thought long and hard about this for months – don’t expect too long of a wait for this boy’s name to ring around the room.
Pick 2, Gold Coast
Jack Lukosius | Key Forward 196cm/84kg
Age: 18 (August 9, 2000)
South Australia | Woodville West-Torrens
Profile: Best key forward to come through in years. Elite overhead mark and a great field kick too.
Rationale: The Suns apparently lost a good key forward, so logically the boy who has been compared to Riewoldt and classified as the best under 18 forward of the modern era will appeal to them greatly. Gold Coast ranked 18th in marks inside 50 in 2018; there’s no way they’ll let that slide. The Suns have plenty of time on their hands for development, and they should be able to accommodate the versatile Lukosius with plenty of game time to help him settle in over the next two years. Like Walsh, you can take this one to the bank as well.
Pick 3, Gold Coast [Lynch compensation pick]
Izak Rankine | Balanced Midfielder/General Forward 180cm/76kg
Age: 18 (April 23, 2000)
South Australia | West Adelaide
Profile: Freakish forward-midfielder with elite composure and skill who hits the scoreboard.
Rationale: Rumoured to be a go-home risk, the Suns appear set to take their chances on perhaps the best player in this year’s draft. Like Lukosius, Rankine is from South Australia and the double-up is likely to improve the chances of retention. The Suns have a pretty efficient forward line as it is and this selection only bolds it even more into making it possibly the league’s most promising. I can definitely see Rankine in 2019 replicating Jaidyn Stephenson’s unbelievable debut season.
Pick 4, St Kilda
Bailey Smith | Inside Midfielder 183cm/79kg
Age: 17 (December 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Profile: High-production, efficient ball user who contributes consistently
Rationale: I was of the belief that the Saints would take Max King for pretty much the whole year but in the dying stages, I think they’ve switched to the all-rounded midfielder Bailey Smith, who is pretty much an absolute lock to become at least a 200-game soldier for the club. He’s just a natural footballer designed for the modern game. I do reckon the Saints need a key forward in Max King but on the night, I reckon they’ll surprise a few by taking either Smith or Rozee. The Saints have a dire need for midfield class, x-factor and kicking skills and Smith brings that and more to the table immediately.
Pick 5, Port Adelaide [received from Brisbane Lions]
Max King | Key Forward 201cm/86kg
Age: 18 (July 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Profile: Mobile forward with a great overhead mark and plenty of X-factor
Rationale: Best available selection for the Power – they would have traded up with Rankine in their sights but with him off the radar, Max King becomes the star of the night by providing the Power with their star full-forward of the 2020’s. I doubted the Power’s need for a tall, but then I assessed that Dixon is 28 coming off a shaky season, Marshall has taken leave at times to be with family in Victoria following two tragic family bouts, and Ryder if you consider him capable is struggling hugely with injury in the twilight of his career. Port Adelaide are in a mini-rebuild even if they haven’t realised it yet, and starting it by picking the best full forward so far this decade is a fantastic start.
Pick 6, Gold Coast [from Fremantle via Port Adelaide via Brisbane Lions via Fremantle via Melbourne]
Connor Rozee | General Forward/Balanced Midfielder 185cm/72kg
Age: 18 (January 22, 2000)
South Australia | North Adelaide
Profile: Highly productive utility with tricks and skills of all sorts
Rationale: The rumour mill has it all but certain that three South Australians will join the Gold Coast Suns on draft night and Rozee completes the treble. He’s very close with Lukosius so the culture pull is attractive, he’ll eventually grow into a very dynamic attacking midfielder which will accompany their many inside options, and he appears to be a very committed gentleman who can help build a great club on the Gold Coast. The South Australian hat-trick will be the talk of the town the morning after November 22nd.
Pick 7, Western Bulldogs
Jordan Clark | Balanced Midfielder/General Defender 182cm/78kg
Age: 18 (October 16, 2000)
Western Australia | Claremont
Profile: Composed defender with silky foot skills and good agility who makes his way around traffic
Rationale: Clark is the best half-back of the draft whose skills and composure will translate very well into senior footy comparable to Andrew McGrath and in time when he builds his endurance, Clark could become a sensational wingman or even on-baller comparable to Steele Sidebottom in the future. The Bulldogs have a gaping need for elite kicking and class in midfield and I reckon in the long run, Clark relieves these needs and becomes one of the club’s biggest stars.
Pick 8, Sydney Swans [academy bid]
1551 points (1241 with 20% discount). Sydney Swans lose Pick 26 (729) and Pick 33 (563) with 51 points leftover. Swans gain Pick 8 and Pick 68.
Nick Blakey | Tall Utility 194cm/75kg
Age: 18 (February 2, 2000)
NSW-ACT | University of New South Wales
Profile: Mobile forward whose athleticism and skill can see him play anywhere
Rationale: No comment, really – Blakey is a sensational talent, and the Swans would even match a bid at pick one. Sam Reid’s everlasting injuries have caused Sydney some serious headaches up forward over the years, so Blakey should be a breath of fresh air, and should blossom just in time for Franklin’s decline. With fellow local talents Heeney and Mills, expect Blakey to become a poster boy in Sydney for years to come.
Pick 9, Adelaide
Ben King | Key Forward/Key Defender 201cm/85kg
Age: 18 (July 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Profile: Strong contested marking swingman with an incredible overhead mark
Rationale: No, he’s not South Australian and Adelaide aren’t really in dire need of a key position player but at this point, I think Ben King really comes in consideration here as a pure best available selection. Ben King is one of my favourite prospects this year and I think his athleticism and strength will see him develop into an elite player at either end of the ground. Even despite their strong KPP depth – they could do with some insurance, Jenkins and Walker are edging toward their 30’s and Hartigan is struggling to hold his own down back. King is an elite prospect who can not only shore up Adelaide’s KPP stocks for 10-15 years, but he can immediately put pressure on the underperforming tall players already there. And despite the hatred these clubs have for each other, a selection of Max King by Port Adelaide and Ben by Adelaide could see both clubs be able to keep their star young talls for the long run.
Pick 10, GWS Giants [from Essendon]
Jye Caldwell | Balanced Midfielder 181cm/78kg
Age: 18 (September 28, 2000)
VIC Country | Bendigo Pioneers
Profile: Contested ball winner who cuts up the opposition and tackles very well.
Rationale: Caldwell’s hard run and burst speed going forward will be a huge boost for a Giants side that lacks leg speed. Arguably a top five talent if injury held off, his ball winning and movement is also top shelf. I believe that a real pure inside-out midfielder like Caldwell who uses it well and possesses a strong defensive game is a perfect complementation to GWS’ attacking-primal midfield. They really should go best available here.
Pick 11, Port Adelaide
Jackson Hately | Inside Midfielder/Tall Utility 192cm/79kg
Age: 18 (January 21, 2000)
South Australia | Central District
Profile: Tall ball winner in midfield who can play all over the ground and is a good user by foot.
Rationale: For inside midfielders younger than Wines, the Power have no one beyond Powell-Pepper and Atley. Hately not only presents the Power with an impressive young inside midfielder whose commitment and professionalism is of a great standard, he’s the best available and he’s South Australian. Hately definitely is a top ten talent in my eyes, so if the Power can get their hands on him, they absolutely should and I doubt they’ll need to look back in time and wonder what if?
Pick 12, North Melbourne [NGA bid]
1268 points (1014 with 20% discount). Kangaroos lose Pick 41 (412), Pick 46 (331) and Pick 47 (316) with 45 points leftover. Kangaroos gain Pick 12, Pick 69 and Pick 94.
Tarryn Thomas | Balanced Midfielder 189cm/80kg
Age: 18 (March 25, 2000)
Tasmania | North Launceston
Profile: Gut-running midfielder with terrific burst speed who runs both ways and takes the game on
Rationale: Thomas could slide closer to the end of the first round I reckon, but I suspect Port may bid on him as they look for more speed and class particularly on the outside. Not much to say here – Thomas will become a North Melbourne under the circumstances of any realistic bid and his burst speed and efficient ball use is exactly what the midfield brigade lacks.
Pick 13, GWS Giants [from North Melbourne via Port Adelaide via Fremantle]
Chayce Jones | Outside Midfielder 179cm/73kg
Age: 18 (January 14, 2000)
Tasmania | Launceston
Profile: Outside dual-sided accumulator who is rapid and doesn’t mind a goal
Rationale: Following Scully’s departure, GWS are in need of outside run and carry – Jones has performed in that role at an elite level at senior level in Tasmania, so expect him to provide competition to the Giants’ impressive list of midfielders immediately. With Jones, GWS have effectively written off the loss of Scully as an expense – I have no doubt that in the long run, Jones will prove to be in the top handful of pure wingmen in the game.
Pick 14, Geelong
Riley Collier-Dawkins | Inside Midfielder 193cm/88kg
Age: 18 (February 3, 2000)
VIC Metro | Oakleigh Chargers
Profile: Mobile ball-winning midfielder with pace who uses the ball well
Rationale: I disagree with the argument that Geelong don’t need midfielders – disposals, centre clearances, inside 50’s, clearances – they didn’t rank highly in any of these. Collier-Dawkins is one of those big-bodied mids who needs to be locked in a VFL box for a while but the end result may be glorious. Collier-Dawkins is a tall explosive attacking midfielder who when on, cannot be stopped. Geelong shopped appropriately in the trade period to top up for perhaps one more premiership tilt and they don’t need to recruit through the first round for immediate impact. Expect RCD to nurture in the seconds in preparation for a day where he and Constable and Fogarty headline Geelong’s midfield.
Pick 15, Adelaide [from Sydney Swans]
Zak Butters | General Forward/Outside Midfielder 178cm/70kg
Age: 18 (September 8, 2000)
VIC Metro | Western Jets
Profile: Classy and speedy wingman who spreads well and can win his own ball going forward
Rationale: Butters is the exact type of midfielder Adelaide need to rejuvenate their team with. Picked a bit prematurely most would agree but I argue Butters is exactly what Adelaide need in the forward half of the ground. Butters comes into Adelaide as a finisher in front of goal, who will eventually become a half-forward/wing player where he can win more footy and set up play going inside 50. I can confirm that Adelaide have great interest in Butters, and clubs pay a premium for speed and class nowadays, so this is a smoky pick I’m happy to back in.
Pick 16, Fremantle [from GWS Giants]
Ian Hill | Outside Midfielder/Small Forward 176cm/66kg
Age: 18 (February 9, 2000)
Western Australia | Perth
Profile: Quick, evasive winger with skills, hurt factor and goal sense
Rationale: Fremantle’s forward line at ground level is slow and rusty – Ian Hill is much like his cousins Stephen and Brad – he’s creative, silky and very skilled, and he is a great goal sneak too. He’ll take some time to grow as a competitor in the WAFL, but I wouldn’t put it beyond him to compete for spots in the 22 by the end of the season. His spark and class will be a cool complement to the new recruits Lobb and Hogan. The Dockers clearly need midfielders who can win the footy, but with so much depth later on in the draft, I think Fremantle are well placed with their picks to land some later on.
Pick 17, Port Adelaide [from Hawthorn]
Liam Stocker | Inside Midfielder 183cm/83kg
Age: 18 (January 23, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Profile: Powerful ball winner who kicks and spreads well and possesses a nice outside game too
Rationale: Port Adelaide’s midfield needs depth, depth, depth – Powell-Pepper and Atley are basically the only two midfielders younger than Wines. Stocker is best available here – he is an elite contested midfielder whose explosive speed and tackling sets him apart from the standard inside midfielder. He’ll play senior footy in 2019 wherever he goes, and expect him to become an absolute warrior for his team. I reckon he’s pretty much perfect for Port Adelaide – crown him Brad Ebert’s successor.
Pick 18, Adelaide [from Melbourne]
Jez McLennan | General Defender 184cm/82kg
Age: 18 (September 7, 2000)
South Australia | Central District
Profile: Elite kicking rebounding defender who can take a grab and defend his man well
Rationale: Stephenson, Gray, Martin, Petracca, Dangerfield etc. – mid-sized players murdered Adelaide’s defence in 2018. McLennan has senior SANFL experience and succeeded in handling the size of his mature opponents and he was great in the act of closing space on his men and creating space for himself and his teammates. McLennan is a leader down back and a player who will play senior footy in 2019 and quickly find a place in his team wherever he goes. McLennan is a must-get for Adelaide in my eyes and I wouldn’t begrudge them reaching for him with an earlier pick.
Pick 19, Collingwood [NGA bid]
948 points (751 with 197-point discount). Collingwood lose Pick 41 (412) and Pick 43 (378) with 39 points leftover. Magpies gain Pick 19 and Pick 70.
Isaac Quaynor | General Defender/Outside Midfielder 179cm/82kg
Age: 18 (January 15, 2000)
VIC Metro | Oakleigh Chargers
Profile: Long kicking rapid rebounding defender who can lock down an opponent or play higher up the ground
Rationale: I’m not sure what Collingwood actually prefer – a bid as late as possible in order to save on draft points or a bid before Brisbane’s pick so that trading this year’s first round pick for Beams becomes irrelevant. Either way, expect Quaynor to become a Magpie as long as no bid comes in the top ten. The Magpies need to build defensive depth and the balanced defender Quaynor fits the bill perfectly and he could slot into the 22 sooner rather than later. He’s a very determined young man and I predict he will become a favourite of Buckley’s.
Pick 20, Richmond
Curtis Taylor | General Forward/Inside Midfielder 186cm/79kg
Age: 18 (April 6, 2000)
VIC Metro | Calder Cannons
Profile: Hard-working midfield-forward who is very skilled and highly damaging
Rationale: Taylor will begin his career up forward but his speed and competitiveness will be best served in midfield going forward in time, where he can win the pill and use his burst speed and clever decision making to set up attacking play. If things go right, I think Taylor can become Robbie Gray-level good – he has shown on many occasions his limitless potential but he just hasn’t gotten the best out of himself yet. I reckon he’s got the X-factor that Richmond are really looking forward across half-forward and through the middle
Pick 21, Brisbane Lions [from Collingwood]
Xavier Duursma | Balanced Midfielder 185cm/71kg
Age: 18 (July 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Gippsland Power
Profile: Hard-working wingman who earns his share of hard ball and has plenty of hurt factor
Rationale: The Lions’ list manager has addressed midfield and defensive depth as the two areas of concern, so back in the Lions to go best available midfielder with their first selection. Duursma is a versatile option that I have no doubt will fit in nicely in Brisbane’s system as a support option who runs all day and can play absolutely anywhere. He’ll be a nice side dish for Berry, Neale and Lyons who will be supplying a lot of the ball in 2019 and beyond.
Pick 22, GWS Giants [from West Coast via Gold Coast via Brisbane Lions via Fremantle]
Sam Sturt | Medium Forward 188cm/79kg
Age: 18
Dandenong Stingrays
Profile: A highly impactful mid-sized forward who is strong overhead and is a ripping kick
Rationale: I have identified Greater Western Sydney’s forward line as their greatest deficiency and whilst they’re pretty stocked for marking options in that best 22, I think Sturt is a great fit as a mid-sized option comparable to the way Cam McCarthy fit in 2015, by supporting two talls by providing another marking target as well as being perfectly competent at ground level too. Johnny Patton may be just one more serious knee injury from curtains, so it’s always good to have insurance. From a statistical analysis, the Giants sat 13th in marks taken inside 50 and 11th for goals in 2018 – they aren’t going to win their maiden premiership without reinventing that forward line.
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Pick 23, West Coast [compensation pick]
Luke Valente | Inside Midfielder/Medium Forward 186cm/79kg
Age: 18 (May 8, 2000)
South Australia | Norwood
Profile: Strong ball-winning half-forward with a blend of class and hardness, who oozes leadership
Rationale: As a man who has taken leadership in his stride as a teenager, I reckon he will heavily appeal to an Eagles outfit that needs to bolster its young player clan as well as its midfield depth. Valente can play for the Eagles in round one and stay there – his cleanliness and dual-sided ability will be very good going forward, and his pressure and tackling will be equally as effective going back. Combined with his contested ball winning and strength, Valente will be an effective on-baller in his peak.
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*Ages are as at national draft night (November 23, 2018)
If you spot any errors, please let me know as I’m pretty prone to overlooking things
PHANTOM DRAFT
Pick 1, Carlton
Sam Walsh | Balanced Midfielder 183cm/74kg
Age: 18 (July 2, 2000)
VIC Country | Geelong Falcons
Profile: Prolific ball-winning midfielder with good ball use and clutch decision making.
Rationale: It’s no secret that Carlton’s midfield is its weakest link – disposals, contested possessions, clearances, inside 50’s – they ranked in the bottom four for all these stats. Walsh’s class and poise will complement Cripps and the developing Kennedy well. The Blues have thought long and hard about this for months – don’t expect too long of a wait for this boy’s name to ring around the room.
Pick 2, Gold Coast
Jack Lukosius | Key Forward 196cm/84kg
Age: 18 (August 9, 2000)
South Australia | Woodville West-Torrens
Profile: Best key forward to come through in years. Elite overhead mark and a great field kick too.
Rationale: The Suns apparently lost a good key forward, so logically the boy who has been compared to Riewoldt and classified as the best under 18 forward of the modern era will appeal to them greatly. Gold Coast ranked 18th in marks inside 50 in 2018; there’s no way they’ll let that slide. The Suns have plenty of time on their hands for development, and they should be able to accommodate the versatile Lukosius with plenty of game time to help him settle in over the next two years. Like Walsh, you can take this one to the bank as well.
Pick 3, Gold Coast [Lynch compensation pick]
Izak Rankine | Balanced Midfielder/General Forward 180cm/76kg
Age: 18 (April 23, 2000)
South Australia | West Adelaide
Profile: Freakish forward-midfielder with elite composure and skill who hits the scoreboard.
Rationale: Rumoured to be a go-home risk, the Suns appear set to take their chances on perhaps the best player in this year’s draft. Like Lukosius, Rankine is from South Australia and the double-up is likely to improve the chances of retention. The Suns have a pretty efficient forward line as it is and this selection only bolds it even more into making it possibly the league’s most promising. I can definitely see Rankine in 2019 replicating Jaidyn Stephenson’s unbelievable debut season.
Pick 4, St Kilda
Bailey Smith | Inside Midfielder 183cm/79kg
Age: 17 (December 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Profile: High-production, efficient ball user who contributes consistently
Rationale: I was of the belief that the Saints would take Max King for pretty much the whole year but in the dying stages, I think they’ve switched to the all-rounded midfielder Bailey Smith, who is pretty much an absolute lock to become at least a 200-game soldier for the club. He’s just a natural footballer designed for the modern game. I do reckon the Saints need a key forward in Max King but on the night, I reckon they’ll surprise a few by taking either Smith or Rozee. The Saints have a dire need for midfield class, x-factor and kicking skills and Smith brings that and more to the table immediately.
Pick 5, Port Adelaide [received from Brisbane Lions]
Max King | Key Forward 201cm/86kg
Age: 18 (July 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Profile: Mobile forward with a great overhead mark and plenty of X-factor
Rationale: Best available selection for the Power – they would have traded up with Rankine in their sights but with him off the radar, Max King becomes the star of the night by providing the Power with their star full-forward of the 2020’s. I doubted the Power’s need for a tall, but then I assessed that Dixon is 28 coming off a shaky season, Marshall has taken leave at times to be with family in Victoria following two tragic family bouts, and Ryder if you consider him capable is struggling hugely with injury in the twilight of his career. Port Adelaide are in a mini-rebuild even if they haven’t realised it yet, and starting it by picking the best full forward so far this decade is a fantastic start.
Pick 6, Gold Coast [from Fremantle via Port Adelaide via Brisbane Lions via Fremantle via Melbourne]
Connor Rozee | General Forward/Balanced Midfielder 185cm/72kg
Age: 18 (January 22, 2000)
South Australia | North Adelaide
Profile: Highly productive utility with tricks and skills of all sorts
Rationale: The rumour mill has it all but certain that three South Australians will join the Gold Coast Suns on draft night and Rozee completes the treble. He’s very close with Lukosius so the culture pull is attractive, he’ll eventually grow into a very dynamic attacking midfielder which will accompany their many inside options, and he appears to be a very committed gentleman who can help build a great club on the Gold Coast. The South Australian hat-trick will be the talk of the town the morning after November 22nd.
Pick 7, Western Bulldogs
Jordan Clark | Balanced Midfielder/General Defender 182cm/78kg
Age: 18 (October 16, 2000)
Western Australia | Claremont
Profile: Composed defender with silky foot skills and good agility who makes his way around traffic
Rationale: Clark is the best half-back of the draft whose skills and composure will translate very well into senior footy comparable to Andrew McGrath and in time when he builds his endurance, Clark could become a sensational wingman or even on-baller comparable to Steele Sidebottom in the future. The Bulldogs have a gaping need for elite kicking and class in midfield and I reckon in the long run, Clark relieves these needs and becomes one of the club’s biggest stars.
Pick 8, Sydney Swans [academy bid]
1551 points (1241 with 20% discount). Sydney Swans lose Pick 26 (729) and Pick 33 (563) with 51 points leftover. Swans gain Pick 8 and Pick 68.
Nick Blakey | Tall Utility 194cm/75kg
Age: 18 (February 2, 2000)
NSW-ACT | University of New South Wales
Profile: Mobile forward whose athleticism and skill can see him play anywhere
Rationale: No comment, really – Blakey is a sensational talent, and the Swans would even match a bid at pick one. Sam Reid’s everlasting injuries have caused Sydney some serious headaches up forward over the years, so Blakey should be a breath of fresh air, and should blossom just in time for Franklin’s decline. With fellow local talents Heeney and Mills, expect Blakey to become a poster boy in Sydney for years to come.
Pick 9, Adelaide
Ben King | Key Forward/Key Defender 201cm/85kg
Age: 18 (July 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Profile: Strong contested marking swingman with an incredible overhead mark
Rationale: No, he’s not South Australian and Adelaide aren’t really in dire need of a key position player but at this point, I think Ben King really comes in consideration here as a pure best available selection. Ben King is one of my favourite prospects this year and I think his athleticism and strength will see him develop into an elite player at either end of the ground. Even despite their strong KPP depth – they could do with some insurance, Jenkins and Walker are edging toward their 30’s and Hartigan is struggling to hold his own down back. King is an elite prospect who can not only shore up Adelaide’s KPP stocks for 10-15 years, but he can immediately put pressure on the underperforming tall players already there. And despite the hatred these clubs have for each other, a selection of Max King by Port Adelaide and Ben by Adelaide could see both clubs be able to keep their star young talls for the long run.
Pick 10, GWS Giants [from Essendon]
Jye Caldwell | Balanced Midfielder 181cm/78kg
Age: 18 (September 28, 2000)
VIC Country | Bendigo Pioneers
Profile: Contested ball winner who cuts up the opposition and tackles very well.
Rationale: Caldwell’s hard run and burst speed going forward will be a huge boost for a Giants side that lacks leg speed. Arguably a top five talent if injury held off, his ball winning and movement is also top shelf. I believe that a real pure inside-out midfielder like Caldwell who uses it well and possesses a strong defensive game is a perfect complementation to GWS’ attacking-primal midfield. They really should go best available here.
Pick 11, Port Adelaide
Jackson Hately | Inside Midfielder/Tall Utility 192cm/79kg
Age: 18 (January 21, 2000)
South Australia | Central District
Profile: Tall ball winner in midfield who can play all over the ground and is a good user by foot.
Rationale: For inside midfielders younger than Wines, the Power have no one beyond Powell-Pepper and Atley. Hately not only presents the Power with an impressive young inside midfielder whose commitment and professionalism is of a great standard, he’s the best available and he’s South Australian. Hately definitely is a top ten talent in my eyes, so if the Power can get their hands on him, they absolutely should and I doubt they’ll need to look back in time and wonder what if?
Pick 12, North Melbourne [NGA bid]
1268 points (1014 with 20% discount). Kangaroos lose Pick 41 (412), Pick 46 (331) and Pick 47 (316) with 45 points leftover. Kangaroos gain Pick 12, Pick 69 and Pick 94.
Tarryn Thomas | Balanced Midfielder 189cm/80kg
Age: 18 (March 25, 2000)
Tasmania | North Launceston
Profile: Gut-running midfielder with terrific burst speed who runs both ways and takes the game on
Rationale: Thomas could slide closer to the end of the first round I reckon, but I suspect Port may bid on him as they look for more speed and class particularly on the outside. Not much to say here – Thomas will become a North Melbourne under the circumstances of any realistic bid and his burst speed and efficient ball use is exactly what the midfield brigade lacks.
Pick 13, GWS Giants [from North Melbourne via Port Adelaide via Fremantle]
Chayce Jones | Outside Midfielder 179cm/73kg
Age: 18 (January 14, 2000)
Tasmania | Launceston
Profile: Outside dual-sided accumulator who is rapid and doesn’t mind a goal
Rationale: Following Scully’s departure, GWS are in need of outside run and carry – Jones has performed in that role at an elite level at senior level in Tasmania, so expect him to provide competition to the Giants’ impressive list of midfielders immediately. With Jones, GWS have effectively written off the loss of Scully as an expense – I have no doubt that in the long run, Jones will prove to be in the top handful of pure wingmen in the game.
Pick 14, Geelong
Riley Collier-Dawkins | Inside Midfielder 193cm/88kg
Age: 18 (February 3, 2000)
VIC Metro | Oakleigh Chargers
Profile: Mobile ball-winning midfielder with pace who uses the ball well
Rationale: I disagree with the argument that Geelong don’t need midfielders – disposals, centre clearances, inside 50’s, clearances – they didn’t rank highly in any of these. Collier-Dawkins is one of those big-bodied mids who needs to be locked in a VFL box for a while but the end result may be glorious. Collier-Dawkins is a tall explosive attacking midfielder who when on, cannot be stopped. Geelong shopped appropriately in the trade period to top up for perhaps one more premiership tilt and they don’t need to recruit through the first round for immediate impact. Expect RCD to nurture in the seconds in preparation for a day where he and Constable and Fogarty headline Geelong’s midfield.
Pick 15, Adelaide [from Sydney Swans]
Zak Butters | General Forward/Outside Midfielder 178cm/70kg
Age: 18 (September 8, 2000)
VIC Metro | Western Jets
Profile: Classy and speedy wingman who spreads well and can win his own ball going forward
Rationale: Butters is the exact type of midfielder Adelaide need to rejuvenate their team with. Picked a bit prematurely most would agree but I argue Butters is exactly what Adelaide need in the forward half of the ground. Butters comes into Adelaide as a finisher in front of goal, who will eventually become a half-forward/wing player where he can win more footy and set up play going inside 50. I can confirm that Adelaide have great interest in Butters, and clubs pay a premium for speed and class nowadays, so this is a smoky pick I’m happy to back in.
Pick 16, Fremantle [from GWS Giants]
Ian Hill | Outside Midfielder/Small Forward 176cm/66kg
Age: 18 (February 9, 2000)
Western Australia | Perth
Profile: Quick, evasive winger with skills, hurt factor and goal sense
Rationale: Fremantle’s forward line at ground level is slow and rusty – Ian Hill is much like his cousins Stephen and Brad – he’s creative, silky and very skilled, and he is a great goal sneak too. He’ll take some time to grow as a competitor in the WAFL, but I wouldn’t put it beyond him to compete for spots in the 22 by the end of the season. His spark and class will be a cool complement to the new recruits Lobb and Hogan. The Dockers clearly need midfielders who can win the footy, but with so much depth later on in the draft, I think Fremantle are well placed with their picks to land some later on.
Pick 17, Port Adelaide [from Hawthorn]
Liam Stocker | Inside Midfielder 183cm/83kg
Age: 18 (January 23, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Profile: Powerful ball winner who kicks and spreads well and possesses a nice outside game too
Rationale: Port Adelaide’s midfield needs depth, depth, depth – Powell-Pepper and Atley are basically the only two midfielders younger than Wines. Stocker is best available here – he is an elite contested midfielder whose explosive speed and tackling sets him apart from the standard inside midfielder. He’ll play senior footy in 2019 wherever he goes, and expect him to become an absolute warrior for his team. I reckon he’s pretty much perfect for Port Adelaide – crown him Brad Ebert’s successor.
Pick 18, Adelaide [from Melbourne]
Jez McLennan | General Defender 184cm/82kg
Age: 18 (September 7, 2000)
South Australia | Central District
Profile: Elite kicking rebounding defender who can take a grab and defend his man well
Rationale: Stephenson, Gray, Martin, Petracca, Dangerfield etc. – mid-sized players murdered Adelaide’s defence in 2018. McLennan has senior SANFL experience and succeeded in handling the size of his mature opponents and he was great in the act of closing space on his men and creating space for himself and his teammates. McLennan is a leader down back and a player who will play senior footy in 2019 and quickly find a place in his team wherever he goes. McLennan is a must-get for Adelaide in my eyes and I wouldn’t begrudge them reaching for him with an earlier pick.
Pick 19, Collingwood [NGA bid]
948 points (751 with 197-point discount). Collingwood lose Pick 41 (412) and Pick 43 (378) with 39 points leftover. Magpies gain Pick 19 and Pick 70.
Isaac Quaynor | General Defender/Outside Midfielder 179cm/82kg
Age: 18 (January 15, 2000)
VIC Metro | Oakleigh Chargers
Profile: Long kicking rapid rebounding defender who can lock down an opponent or play higher up the ground
Rationale: I’m not sure what Collingwood actually prefer – a bid as late as possible in order to save on draft points or a bid before Brisbane’s pick so that trading this year’s first round pick for Beams becomes irrelevant. Either way, expect Quaynor to become a Magpie as long as no bid comes in the top ten. The Magpies need to build defensive depth and the balanced defender Quaynor fits the bill perfectly and he could slot into the 22 sooner rather than later. He’s a very determined young man and I predict he will become a favourite of Buckley’s.
Pick 20, Richmond
Curtis Taylor | General Forward/Inside Midfielder 186cm/79kg
Age: 18 (April 6, 2000)
VIC Metro | Calder Cannons
Profile: Hard-working midfield-forward who is very skilled and highly damaging
Rationale: Taylor will begin his career up forward but his speed and competitiveness will be best served in midfield going forward in time, where he can win the pill and use his burst speed and clever decision making to set up attacking play. If things go right, I think Taylor can become Robbie Gray-level good – he has shown on many occasions his limitless potential but he just hasn’t gotten the best out of himself yet. I reckon he’s got the X-factor that Richmond are really looking forward across half-forward and through the middle
Pick 21, Brisbane Lions [from Collingwood]
Xavier Duursma | Balanced Midfielder 185cm/71kg
Age: 18 (July 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Gippsland Power
Profile: Hard-working wingman who earns his share of hard ball and has plenty of hurt factor
Rationale: The Lions’ list manager has addressed midfield and defensive depth as the two areas of concern, so back in the Lions to go best available midfielder with their first selection. Duursma is a versatile option that I have no doubt will fit in nicely in Brisbane’s system as a support option who runs all day and can play absolutely anywhere. He’ll be a nice side dish for Berry, Neale and Lyons who will be supplying a lot of the ball in 2019 and beyond.
Pick 22, GWS Giants [from West Coast via Gold Coast via Brisbane Lions via Fremantle]
Sam Sturt | Medium Forward 188cm/79kg
Age: 18
Dandenong Stingrays
Profile: A highly impactful mid-sized forward who is strong overhead and is a ripping kick
Rationale: I have identified Greater Western Sydney’s forward line as their greatest deficiency and whilst they’re pretty stocked for marking options in that best 22, I think Sturt is a great fit as a mid-sized option comparable to the way Cam McCarthy fit in 2015, by supporting two talls by providing another marking target as well as being perfectly competent at ground level too. Johnny Patton may be just one more serious knee injury from curtains, so it’s always good to have insurance. From a statistical analysis, the Giants sat 13th in marks taken inside 50 and 11th for goals in 2018 – they aren’t going to win their maiden premiership without reinventing that forward line.
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Pick 23, West Coast [compensation pick]
Luke Valente | Inside Midfielder/Medium Forward 186cm/79kg
Age: 18 (May 8, 2000)
South Australia | Norwood
Profile: Strong ball-winning half-forward with a blend of class and hardness, who oozes leadership
Rationale: As a man who has taken leadership in his stride as a teenager, I reckon he will heavily appeal to an Eagles outfit that needs to bolster its young player clan as well as its midfield depth. Valente can play for the Eagles in round one and stay there – his cleanliness and dual-sided ability will be very good going forward, and his pressure and tackling will be equally as effective going back. Combined with his contested ball winning and strength, Valente will be an effective on-baller in his peak.
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