BigGib's 2012 Mock Draft - First Round

[BigGib]

So, I have been keeping a keen eye on all the mocks on here this year and have felt a few people have missed the mark with their mocks. I know that I have not seen nearly as much football as many of the other posters such as Knightmare and Chris25 but I have watched all the footage available online and read numerous news articles so have a slight understanding. I know you might have a different opinion to mine but I guess that's what forums are for. I will not give personal descriptions of each potential draftee as I would just be giving a watered down version of Knightmare's therefore I will instead give a reason why I have the draftee's going at their position. - Only a write up for top 10 for now -

2012 Draft Order:

Pick 1: GWS - Lachlan Whitfield
Stand out footballer that is just a class above. No doubt GWS will take him here

Pick 2: GWS - Jimmy Toumpas
Real line breaker and although he is not a certainty to be taken here, I believe the second best talent in this years draft.

Pick 3: GWS - Brodie Grundy
I just can see GWS going past another talented ruckman like last year, letting Longer go. I think Brodie will be a solid ruckman that you can form a solid midfield around. I also see him pushing Giles up forward within the next 2-3 years.

Pick 4: Melbourne - Ollie Wines
Ollie is a real competitive beast and to me just seems to have the skillset required to really make it at the next level. I see him as being the most ready draftee for round one next year and is what Melbourne and Mark Neeld want.

Pick 5: WB - Jackson Macrae
Being a Western Bulldogs fan myself, I am still yet to be 100% sure who we will take this year but I see Jackson Macrae being a suit for the Bulldogs who require some outside link up but also having that hard edge. The way he slows down play really excites me and can see the dogs being all over it. The way he has improved and the way he plays, I don't think the comparison with Pendlebury is that far off the mark.

Pick 6: WB - Lachlan Plowman
After loosing Brian Lake, Lindsay Gilbee and Ryan Hargrave, the doggies need to start building up their defensive stocks and I know how important the backline is to Macca. As Morris is still an unknown and Markovic is far from the mark, and Talia being the developing shutdown player, I see Plowman as the Murphy replacement.

Pick 7: Port Adelaide - Sam Mayes
They would have been hoping that Brodie Grundy had slipped and quite frankly, it could still happen but I see them taking Sam Mayes and adding that class to their midfield and with Wingard, Hartlett, Boak and Mayes, could develop a really nice midfield.

Pick 8: Brisbane - Kristian Jaksch
Probably a little bit overs for Jaksch but Brisbane's need for KPP is just too much to let him slip. Would seriously consider Plowman or Macrae if available here but as they are gone, they are happy to get Jaksch with the ability to play both KPF and KPD.

Pick 9: Richmond - Jonothan O’Rourke
Richmond have been gifted O'Rourke at their pick and no doubt will take Jono as he is the best pick available here. Most have him going really early (GWS) but I can't seeing him going that early and filling a need of most of the earlier picks. Living in the same town as Jono, I have seen alot of his junior footy and stated over twelve months ago, I said he would be top 10 this year and no doubt he deserves it. The only reason I have him sliding to Richmonds pick is that I sometime question his toughness and attack on the ball as well as his ball winning ability. There is no doubt he is a sublime footballer with his skills and athletic ability but I question whether he can develop an inside game at the next level, especially with his light frame.

Pick 10: Essendon - Joe Daniher
What a steal!

Pick 11: Carlton - Troy Menzal

Pick 12: GWS - Tom Clurey

Pick 13: Gold Coast - Jake Stringer

Pick 14: GWS - Nick Vlastuin

Pick 15: North Melb - Ben Kennedy

Pick 16: Geelong - Taylor Garner

Pick 17: Fremantle - Mason Shaw

Pick 18: Collingwood - Nathan Hrovat

Pick 19: Collingwood - Dayle Garlett

Pick 20: Adelaide - Josh Simpson

Pick 21: Collingwood - Jesse Lonergan

Pick 22: Western Bulldogs - Tim Membrey

Pick 23: Sydney - Sam Colquhoun

Pick 24: Brisbane - Nathan Wright

 

[TheLastEmperor]

Who would you have St Kilda taking with picks 25 & 26?

 

[Cotchinsastar]

Good selections, mine would be similar

 

[BigGib]

Who would you have St Kilda taking with picks 25 & 26?

I would think that the Saint's would definitely have a look at Tanner Smith, Aidan Corr, Tim Broomhead and Nick Graham. However, Liam McBean has been touted as one of those picks. I would definitely say is a massive reach as I just don't see him developing into a quality AFL player.

 

[Sunny_]

Good call on GC picking up Stringer. I really believe the Suns will pick him up if available. If he's not avail, then Vlastuin. If he's not available either, GC would go Hrovat.

Looking forward to the rest of the write ups!

 

[Sin City]

I know you might have a different opinion to mine but I guess that's what forums are for.

That's exactly right, and good effort

Looks like you have similar question marks over O'Rourke to what I have, his development at whichever club he ends up at will be interesting to watch.

 

[Richo83]

I don't buy the notion that because O'Rourke has a slim frame and doesn't have an inside game, that he should develop one. He sounds like the proto-typical outside midfielder and a few seasons in the gym will help him bulk up nicely. Gaff is almost pure outside yet is a gun for the eagles. I've heard some people mention Morton but lets remember two things: 1) Morton is a massive figjam and thinks he can coast his way through footy without making an effort to improve or listen and 2) he's not actually that great a kick. He used to be in junior days, but his disposal is nothing amazing at the moment. O'Rourke seems like a decent guy and if he makes an effort to work on his bulk and kicking and keep working on the facets of the game which he's good at, I'm sure he'll make it as an outside midfielder. I know everyone focuses on Sydney's midfielders but they do have some handy outside ones as well.

 

[BigGib]

That's exactly right, and good effort

Looks like you have similar question marks over O'Rourke to what I have, his development at whichever club he ends up at will be interesting to watch.

I agree. Having gone to school with Thomas Sheridan (Freo) and Taylor Hine (GC), Jono was always a mile ahead and a class above of those two even being the much younger footballer. He is the best junior footballer I have ever been close with but the more I watch him, I really wonder if he has that competitive beast inside him to translate that junior form to the AFL. However, Jono is a real professional in the way he goes about his footy so his work ethic may just help him forge a decent career and if he gets a chance at his beloved tigers, he'd be stoked.