http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/ne...irst-round-pick/2008/11/29/1227491840994.html
1 MELBOURNE
JACK WATTS
VITAL INFORMATION 17, from Sandringham Dragons and Brighton Grammar. 196 centimetres, 82 kilograms. Key forward.
THE RATIONALE Watts is the most complete prospect in this draft. Tall, quick, with a fondness for taking pack marks. He has potential, and has already put his attributes on show on big stages against good opposition. And he's so young.
As a bonus, he also gives the Demons one of the things they most need: a tall, talented key forward to develop.
THE COMPLICATION There are two. Nick Naitanui and Daniel Rich. The Demons really like all three players, and did heavy research on the two Perth boys before settling on Watts.
2 WEST COAST
NICK NAITANUI
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Swan Districts. 201 centimetres, 94 kilograms. Fast, competitive, high-leaping ruckman.
THE RATIONALE Naitanui is next best - and will thrive at home, in a well-funded football department that can pour some ruck training into him and speed up his progress without any desperation to throw him straight in.
THE COMPLICATION Melbourne making a shock call and taking Naitanui at No. 1. In which case, Watts and Daniel Rich - even Tyrone Vickery - would be in the Eagles' sights.
3 FREMANTLE
STEPHEN HILL
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from West Perth. 184 centimetres, 70 kilograms. Dashing half-back/onballer.
THE RATIONALE Hill will add pace, courage and creativity to the Dockers' midfield. He might take a while longer to play senior footy than Daniel Rich and some of the other draftees, given his build, but is a highly exciting player.
THE COMPLICATION Daniel Rich. As late this week, the Dockers were split on him and Hill, and this pick is where the draft will start taking shape. If Hill doesn't get picked here, he could well slip outside the top 10. Hamish Hartlett and Tyrone Vickery have also been in Fremantle's thinking in recent weeks.
4 PORT ADELAIDE
HAMISH HARTLETT
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from West Adelaide, 184 centimetres, 77 kilograms. Creative, classy midfielder.
THE RATIONALE As much as the Power could do with new ruck and forward line prospects to groom, they also need to stock up on some young midfielders, Shaun Burgoyne, Steven Salopek (if he can still be considered young) and Travis Boak the best that they've got. Hartlett's class is a nice, obvious fit for them.
THE COMPLICATION The Power will have done their research on Daniel Rich, Stephen Hill, Chris Yarran and Michael Hurley. They have also been incredibly keen on Tyrone Vickery, so don't be surprised if his name is called out.
5 ESSENDON
MICHAEL HURLEY
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Northern Knights, 193 centimetres, 92 kilograms. Strong defender with great anticipation and skill.
THE RATIONALE The Bombers have two areas that need obvious attention - their defensive stocks and the ruck.
In Hurley, they could add to Tayte Pears, Cale Hooker, Darcy Daniher and the more established Paddy Ryder as their young key defensive hopes, with David Myers to run off half-back.
THE COMPLICATION There are three: Steele Sidebottom, Chris Yarran and Daniel Rich. There was strong mail for Steele Sidebottom yesterday. If Hurley is not picked here, expect him to come in contention for North Melbourne at No. 9, or slip outside the top 10.
6 CARLTON
CHRIS YARRAN
VITAL INFORMATION 17 (18 next month), from Swan Districts, 180 centimetres, 83 kilograms.
THE RATIONALE Carlton has a spot for a midsized forward, and Yarran is considered by some as one of the top few players, for pure talent, in the draft. It's a perfect fit.
THE COMPLICATION Daniel Rich. It would be no surprise to see him go here should Essendon opt for Yarran. In which case it becomes difficult to place Yarran - he could fall outside the top 10. The Blues have also been linked to Michael Hurley.
7 BRISBANE LIONS
DANIEL RICH
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Subiaco. 183 centimetres, 83 kilograms. An in-and-under midfielder with a driving left-foot kick.
THE RATIONALE That he's simply too good to pass on at this point (a la Matthew Leuenberger, who the Lions picked at No. 4 in 2006).
THE COMPLICATION Jack Ziebell. The Lions' recruiters are extremely keen on Ziebell, but will they be swayed if Rich is available?
And if Rich doesn't get picked here, where does he end up? It could be at North or Adelaide, but there's a rough chance he'll even get through to Collingwood at No. 11. Tom Swift is another the Lions have been linked with at this pick.
8 RICHMOND
TYRONE VICKERY
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Sandringham Dragons/ Haileybury College. 200 centimetres, 89 kilograms. A quick and strong ruckman/key forward.
THE RATIONALE Richmond needs to get some strong young talls up and running (as opposed to the more lead-up style of someone like Jack Riewoldt). It has been linked to both Vickery and Hamish Hartlett, who'd add some more class to its midfield, for several weeks now.
THE COMPLICATION The Tigers also love Hamish Hartlett - if Vickery is gone and he's there, expect him to be snapped up. If both are gone, then either Daniel Rich or Jack Ziebell should be there for them.
9 NORTH MELBOURNE
JACK ZIEBELL
VITAL INFORMATION 17, Murray Bushrangers/Caulfield Grammar. 188 centimetres, 82 kilograms. Strong insider midfielder with courage and class.
THE RATIONALE That he's the best player available.
THE COMPLICATION He may not be there - already gone to the Brisbane Lions. If so, then Daniel Rich may be on offer and would surely be snapped up. North has also been linked in the past few weeks with Steele Sidebottom and Lewis Johnston.
10 ADELAIDE
JACKSON TRENGOVE
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from the Calder Cannons/ PEGS. 197 centimetres, 89 kilograms. Athletic, aggressive key back/ruck.
THE RATIONALE The Crows like players with a bit of spunk and attitude - Trengove fits that bill (and offers size, speed and versatility). The Crows have a very well-balanced list right now and have no desperate needs, but adding another young key back means that in him, Kurt Tippet, Taylor Walker, James Sellar, Aaron Kite and a few others, they have a good young tall group coming through.
THE COMPLICATION Shaun McKernan and Phil Davis - McKernan a key forward/ruck prospect, Davis an athletic defender who has missed most of the year through injury - have been heavily linked to the Crows.
11 COLLINGWOOD
STEELE SIDEBOTTOM
VITAL INFORMATION 17, from the Murray Bushrangers.
184 centimetres, 81 kilograms. A hard-running onballer with great goal sense.
THE RATIONALE That, again, he is the best available player. Collingwood is looking to bolster its midfield and while not a speedster, Sidebottom provides constant movement through the middle - he can win his own ball and finish well.
THE COMPLICATION He may have been picked, by Essendon or North Melbourne. Collingwood has also been linked with a few others - WA midfielder Tom Swift and Queenslander Dayne Beams. Neither would surprise here.
12 SYDNEY
LEWIS JOHNSTON
VITAL INFORMATION 17, from North Adelaide. 193cm, 84kg. Clever key forward.
THE RATIONALE Sydney needs a few things. A priority is a tall, marking forward to start preparing for life beyond Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin. Johnston has a lot of tricks, and backline potential should that be needed too.
THE COMPLICATION The Swans have been linked strongly to midfielder Nick Suban, and it wouldn't surprise to hear his name called here. Should Jack Ziebell or Steele Sidebottom fall, they'd be looked at. Ryan Shoenmakers is a chance here too.
13 ST KILDA
TOM LYNCH
VITAL INFORMATION 17, from Sandringham Dragons. 192 centimetres, 85 kilograms. A bustling forward with midfield potential.
THE RATIONALE The Saints don't have a lot of forward-line depth. Jarryd Allen is their only true young, marking forward. Picking Lynch allows them to start building up some depth. If he doesn't work there, he becomes a powerful midfield option.
THE COMPLICATION The Saints also need some midfield speed, and have been linked to Sam Blease for a few months now. He is a big chance to get picked here too. Lewis Johnston is another possibility if available.
14 WESTERN BULLDOGS
AYCE CORDY
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Geelong Falcons. 202 centimetres, 78 kilograms. A tall, nimble ruck/key forward.
THE RATIONALE That they've already picked him ... as a father-son recruit.
THE COMPLICATION None. Their first-round pick was a fair price for the Bulldogs to have to pay.
15 GEELONG
TOM SWIFT
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Claremont. 191 centimetres, 81 kilograms. A tall, fast, ball-winning midfielder.
THE RATIONALE The Cats have shown a lot of interest in Swift, who is a very highly-rated player but has missed almost two years through injury - making him a tricky one for clubs to rank.
Geelong also has a habit of just picking the best player left in the mix. Adding him means it can keep its flow of smart, classy onballers going.
THE COMPLICATION Geelong has shown heavy interest in Ash Smith, another speedster, in recent weeks. Should someone else unexpectedly drop - say, Steele Sidebottom or Lewis Johnston - it would surely take a look.
16 HAWTHORN
PHIL DAVIS
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from North Adelaide. 196 centimetres, 85 kilograms. An athletic backman.
THE RATIONALE Hawthorn had one spot from its 2005-2008 recruiting model left to fill at the end of last year's draft - a key defender. There's a new plan in place now, but Davis would fit that bill. Plus, and more importantly, he's a very good player.
THE COMPLICATION If someone else that they love happens to slip - Sam Blease possibly, or Tom Swift or Tom Lynch - then the Hawks may go for that player here and look to add to their defensive stocks later in the draft.
1 MELBOURNE
JACK WATTS
VITAL INFORMATION 17, from Sandringham Dragons and Brighton Grammar. 196 centimetres, 82 kilograms. Key forward.
THE RATIONALE Watts is the most complete prospect in this draft. Tall, quick, with a fondness for taking pack marks. He has potential, and has already put his attributes on show on big stages against good opposition. And he's so young.
As a bonus, he also gives the Demons one of the things they most need: a tall, talented key forward to develop.
THE COMPLICATION There are two. Nick Naitanui and Daniel Rich. The Demons really like all three players, and did heavy research on the two Perth boys before settling on Watts.
2 WEST COAST
NICK NAITANUI
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Swan Districts. 201 centimetres, 94 kilograms. Fast, competitive, high-leaping ruckman.
THE RATIONALE Naitanui is next best - and will thrive at home, in a well-funded football department that can pour some ruck training into him and speed up his progress without any desperation to throw him straight in.
THE COMPLICATION Melbourne making a shock call and taking Naitanui at No. 1. In which case, Watts and Daniel Rich - even Tyrone Vickery - would be in the Eagles' sights.
3 FREMANTLE
STEPHEN HILL
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from West Perth. 184 centimetres, 70 kilograms. Dashing half-back/onballer.
THE RATIONALE Hill will add pace, courage and creativity to the Dockers' midfield. He might take a while longer to play senior footy than Daniel Rich and some of the other draftees, given his build, but is a highly exciting player.
THE COMPLICATION Daniel Rich. As late this week, the Dockers were split on him and Hill, and this pick is where the draft will start taking shape. If Hill doesn't get picked here, he could well slip outside the top 10. Hamish Hartlett and Tyrone Vickery have also been in Fremantle's thinking in recent weeks.
4 PORT ADELAIDE
HAMISH HARTLETT
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from West Adelaide, 184 centimetres, 77 kilograms. Creative, classy midfielder.
THE RATIONALE As much as the Power could do with new ruck and forward line prospects to groom, they also need to stock up on some young midfielders, Shaun Burgoyne, Steven Salopek (if he can still be considered young) and Travis Boak the best that they've got. Hartlett's class is a nice, obvious fit for them.
THE COMPLICATION The Power will have done their research on Daniel Rich, Stephen Hill, Chris Yarran and Michael Hurley. They have also been incredibly keen on Tyrone Vickery, so don't be surprised if his name is called out.
5 ESSENDON
MICHAEL HURLEY
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Northern Knights, 193 centimetres, 92 kilograms. Strong defender with great anticipation and skill.
THE RATIONALE The Bombers have two areas that need obvious attention - their defensive stocks and the ruck.
In Hurley, they could add to Tayte Pears, Cale Hooker, Darcy Daniher and the more established Paddy Ryder as their young key defensive hopes, with David Myers to run off half-back.
THE COMPLICATION There are three: Steele Sidebottom, Chris Yarran and Daniel Rich. There was strong mail for Steele Sidebottom yesterday. If Hurley is not picked here, expect him to come in contention for North Melbourne at No. 9, or slip outside the top 10.
6 CARLTON
CHRIS YARRAN
VITAL INFORMATION 17 (18 next month), from Swan Districts, 180 centimetres, 83 kilograms.
THE RATIONALE Carlton has a spot for a midsized forward, and Yarran is considered by some as one of the top few players, for pure talent, in the draft. It's a perfect fit.
THE COMPLICATION Daniel Rich. It would be no surprise to see him go here should Essendon opt for Yarran. In which case it becomes difficult to place Yarran - he could fall outside the top 10. The Blues have also been linked to Michael Hurley.
7 BRISBANE LIONS
DANIEL RICH
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Subiaco. 183 centimetres, 83 kilograms. An in-and-under midfielder with a driving left-foot kick.
THE RATIONALE That he's simply too good to pass on at this point (a la Matthew Leuenberger, who the Lions picked at No. 4 in 2006).
THE COMPLICATION Jack Ziebell. The Lions' recruiters are extremely keen on Ziebell, but will they be swayed if Rich is available?
And if Rich doesn't get picked here, where does he end up? It could be at North or Adelaide, but there's a rough chance he'll even get through to Collingwood at No. 11. Tom Swift is another the Lions have been linked with at this pick.
8 RICHMOND
TYRONE VICKERY
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Sandringham Dragons/ Haileybury College. 200 centimetres, 89 kilograms. A quick and strong ruckman/key forward.
THE RATIONALE Richmond needs to get some strong young talls up and running (as opposed to the more lead-up style of someone like Jack Riewoldt). It has been linked to both Vickery and Hamish Hartlett, who'd add some more class to its midfield, for several weeks now.
THE COMPLICATION The Tigers also love Hamish Hartlett - if Vickery is gone and he's there, expect him to be snapped up. If both are gone, then either Daniel Rich or Jack Ziebell should be there for them.
9 NORTH MELBOURNE
JACK ZIEBELL
VITAL INFORMATION 17, Murray Bushrangers/Caulfield Grammar. 188 centimetres, 82 kilograms. Strong insider midfielder with courage and class.
THE RATIONALE That he's the best player available.
THE COMPLICATION He may not be there - already gone to the Brisbane Lions. If so, then Daniel Rich may be on offer and would surely be snapped up. North has also been linked in the past few weeks with Steele Sidebottom and Lewis Johnston.
10 ADELAIDE
JACKSON TRENGOVE
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from the Calder Cannons/ PEGS. 197 centimetres, 89 kilograms. Athletic, aggressive key back/ruck.
THE RATIONALE The Crows like players with a bit of spunk and attitude - Trengove fits that bill (and offers size, speed and versatility). The Crows have a very well-balanced list right now and have no desperate needs, but adding another young key back means that in him, Kurt Tippet, Taylor Walker, James Sellar, Aaron Kite and a few others, they have a good young tall group coming through.
THE COMPLICATION Shaun McKernan and Phil Davis - McKernan a key forward/ruck prospect, Davis an athletic defender who has missed most of the year through injury - have been heavily linked to the Crows.
11 COLLINGWOOD
STEELE SIDEBOTTOM
VITAL INFORMATION 17, from the Murray Bushrangers.
184 centimetres, 81 kilograms. A hard-running onballer with great goal sense.
THE RATIONALE That, again, he is the best available player. Collingwood is looking to bolster its midfield and while not a speedster, Sidebottom provides constant movement through the middle - he can win his own ball and finish well.
THE COMPLICATION He may have been picked, by Essendon or North Melbourne. Collingwood has also been linked with a few others - WA midfielder Tom Swift and Queenslander Dayne Beams. Neither would surprise here.
12 SYDNEY
LEWIS JOHNSTON
VITAL INFORMATION 17, from North Adelaide. 193cm, 84kg. Clever key forward.
THE RATIONALE Sydney needs a few things. A priority is a tall, marking forward to start preparing for life beyond Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin. Johnston has a lot of tricks, and backline potential should that be needed too.
THE COMPLICATION The Swans have been linked strongly to midfielder Nick Suban, and it wouldn't surprise to hear his name called here. Should Jack Ziebell or Steele Sidebottom fall, they'd be looked at. Ryan Shoenmakers is a chance here too.
13 ST KILDA
TOM LYNCH
VITAL INFORMATION 17, from Sandringham Dragons. 192 centimetres, 85 kilograms. A bustling forward with midfield potential.
THE RATIONALE The Saints don't have a lot of forward-line depth. Jarryd Allen is their only true young, marking forward. Picking Lynch allows them to start building up some depth. If he doesn't work there, he becomes a powerful midfield option.
THE COMPLICATION The Saints also need some midfield speed, and have been linked to Sam Blease for a few months now. He is a big chance to get picked here too. Lewis Johnston is another possibility if available.
14 WESTERN BULLDOGS
AYCE CORDY
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Geelong Falcons. 202 centimetres, 78 kilograms. A tall, nimble ruck/key forward.
THE RATIONALE That they've already picked him ... as a father-son recruit.
THE COMPLICATION None. Their first-round pick was a fair price for the Bulldogs to have to pay.
15 GEELONG
TOM SWIFT
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from Claremont. 191 centimetres, 81 kilograms. A tall, fast, ball-winning midfielder.
THE RATIONALE The Cats have shown a lot of interest in Swift, who is a very highly-rated player but has missed almost two years through injury - making him a tricky one for clubs to rank.
Geelong also has a habit of just picking the best player left in the mix. Adding him means it can keep its flow of smart, classy onballers going.
THE COMPLICATION Geelong has shown heavy interest in Ash Smith, another speedster, in recent weeks. Should someone else unexpectedly drop - say, Steele Sidebottom or Lewis Johnston - it would surely take a look.
16 HAWTHORN
PHIL DAVIS
VITAL INFORMATION 18, from North Adelaide. 196 centimetres, 85 kilograms. An athletic backman.
THE RATIONALE Hawthorn had one spot from its 2005-2008 recruiting model left to fill at the end of last year's draft - a key defender. There's a new plan in place now, but Davis would fit that bill. Plus, and more importantly, he's a very good player.
THE COMPLICATION If someone else that they love happens to slip - Sam Blease possibly, or Tom Swift or Tom Lynch - then the Hawks may go for that player here and look to add to their defensive stocks later in the draft.
