Competitions Essendon Board Mock Draft 2017

[Red Black and Blue]

Pick 4: Jaidyn Stephenson

Easy choice for mine, rate him at number 1, suits Norths list incredibly well. One thing in particular that stands out to me is his evolution over the years, as an under 16 he was touted as early pick due to his freakish athletism. Over the years he fell back to the pack as others caught up physically, before recomposing himself this year and making vast improvements in his midfield game again propelling him to the top of the draft. That kind of maturity and persistence along with his creativity, pace and flexibility are perfectly suited for the modern football environment.


foj1 you're up again.

 

[eDPS]

foj1 selects Darcy Fogarty with pick 5

Orazio2Joe your up with the pies

 

[Scottie65]

Pick 4: Jaidyn Stephenson

Easy choice for mine, rate him at number 1, suits Norths list incredibly well.

foj1 you're up again.

wish we could get him...i agree....i think jaidyn will be the best of the bunch....only real ex factor in the draft.... plus i know him well...grew up with his dad......bar the personal ties....i would say the same if i didnt know him

 

[monty1104]

I’ll take Aaron Naughton.

Collingwood’s most pressing needs are KPPs at both ends of the ground. With Ben Reid as the only genuine tall defender, Aaron Naughton should be able to move straight into the best 22. Having a second genuine tall defender will allow Tyson Goldsack/Lynden Dunn to play a more zone defender type role to which they are more suited

Aaron Naughton has played seniors in the WAFL this season. This experience will help him move straight into AFL. At 194cm and 84kg, he has a big preseason ahead of him to add a bit of bulk to his frame. Having said that he tested top of the class for tall players in endurance testing at the combine, so adding bulk might be a case of robbing Peter to pay Paul. I think in the long run though, he will need to add bulk as his talent indicates he will be the number 1 key defender in years to come.

Other players considered;
Nick Coffield - Can play as a running defender, something which Collingwood also needs. Ultimately due to Jeremy Howe’s resurgence, adding Nick Coffield to the team would not add as much as adding a true key defender.

Jarrod Brander - Regarded as a swingman, Brander was a strong possibility at this selection. While Collingwood also need a forward, they are better equipped for talk forwards with Darcy Moore and Mason Cox. While neither might be as good as Brander, adding Brander to that forward line will improve the team less than adding Naughton to defence. Naughton is a more experienced defender than Brander, therefore Naughton was selected.

WEEVZ

 

[WEEVZ]

Pick 7: Adam Cerra
Pick 8: Jarrod Brander

Cerra adds class to the Saints midfield and Brander solidifies their tall stocks with his ability to play forward or back.

boncer34 you're up.

 

[Rack Watts]

I get to play Adrian Dodoro, my life is ****ing complete.

 

[boncer34]

Andrew Brayshaw.

I'm not doing a write up.

 

[eDPS]

Andrew Brayshaw.

I'm not doing a write up.

And your not tagging the next person up, lazy prick

JuniorWatch

 

[JuniorWatch]

Pick 10: Carlton – Jack Higgins
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Small Fwd/Mid 178cm - 76kg

I loved this kid since i watched him at K-Park last year against Country. Gives 100% every game he plays in, TAC or Champs.
Great decision maker and clever reader of the game.
Always impacts when he's in the area.
Uses his spare time to consult specialist coaches and is the ultimate professional.
This year has crucially added forward craft to his game regularly kicking bags.
A future leader and 200+ game player.
I had him top 5 so a no brainer at 10.

Fits a list need perfectly as we're deficient in small forwards so he can get AFL experience quickly up forward then move into the midfield slowly.
That said we probably won't be looking for another mid at pick 30.

Also considered:
Killed me to let Hunter Clark slide by, but you can't have all your favourites.
harro92

 

[harro92]

Pick 11: GWS Select - Nick Coffield

TheGrizz


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TheGrizz]

Adelaide Pick 12: Sam Hayes


In perhaps the first relative surprise of the draft, Adelaide pick Ruck/Forward Sam Hayes. Why?

As a the reigning runner-up, Adelaide looks to be competitive again next year. Cameron and Lever are big losses, but I am bullish on Keath and Doedee (knowing local Geelong footy pretty well, I have seen him first hand – the kid is good). Gibbs covers the midfield minutes Cameron had and I reckon Milera is a jet, between him/Seedsman/Hampton they will cover them ok.

Also, Adelaide’s list manager said it perfectly at trade time: no player at pick 12 (unless one of the top 3 miraculously falls here) is going to help Adelaide next year. If Fogarty was available the Crows recruiter would blow his heart up sprinting to the podium but Freo ruined that party….

So my parameters are pretty simple

1. Best player available
2. (if tie break needed) Who will fill a need we will have in 2-3 years time (mostly because this is when this player will likely be able to contribute strongly to the team.

Hayes fits both of those criterion to a tee. On talent alone Hayes should be going somewhere in the top 6-7 players but AFL recruiter’s pathological fear of taking Ruckmen early nowadays makes that unlikely. But every now and then you get a ruck that oughta go early but slides later in the draft (hello Brodie Grundy and Rory Lobb). Hayes fits what Adelaide like in their ruckman, good tap ruckman but more importantly is a useful player around the general play. Hayes is a useful link in your attacking chains on top of his ruckwork (which is easily best in the draft pool) and gives AFL recruiters the thing they want the most in Ruckman – He can go forward and be very dangerous.

Sam Jacobs is easily the best field kicking ruckman in the league, and holds the Leo di Caprio award for most All Australian quality seasons and nominations without a final nod. However he turn s29 next year and the dreaded big 3-0 is coming up where ruckman generally decide to keel over and fall off a cliff in terms of their form. Other than that you have 4th year Reilly O’Brien who hasn’t inspired anyone….. then? *cricket noise*

In 2 or 3 years Hayes will be ready to at least contribute to the team in some meaningful way and Jacobs will be 31 and nearing the end. Perfect timing for Hayes to seize his opportunity and entrench himself in Adelaide’s line-up. When all is said and done I expect Hayes to be a top 10 player from this draft class, and Adelaide get him here at 12.

Can someone tag MightyDons4, I can't figure it out

 

[MightyDons4]

Pick 13: Hunter Clark - Dandenong Stingrays

186cm
80kg
26/3/1999
Inside midfielder/General defender

What I like:

Hunter seamlessly transitioned into an inside midfield role this year after previously playing the majority of his footy off a back flank. The ability to play numerous roles is increasingly important in the modern game and he is certainly capable of this. Hunter has an extremely unique skill set that should hold him in good stead at AFL level. The most obvious of these being his ability to kick well off both feet, which can really open up the play as well as get him out of tight situations in games. His marking for a 186cm player is simply fantastic. Not only is he good at intercepting, but is even a pack marking threat, something we rarely see in midfielders in the AFL. His attack on the ball and courage in the air never comes into question which sets a great example for all teammates to follow. Clark is exceptionally clean with the ball, whether it be in hard ball gets, quick hands out of a stoppage or a marking contest he rarely fumbles. Another thing I like about Clark is his defensive effort. He tackles and pressures like a maniac and work back really hard defensively, which are traits that not too many u18’s have. Hunter is your prototypical ‘smooth mover’ with a hard edge and a number of strings in his bow.

The ?’s:

There’s only one major qualm I have with Hunter, and that’s his kicking under pressure. When under this intense pressure, he is somewhat prone to kicking some absolute shockers. Being in a full-time AFL environment should help as his technique is mostly sound however the pace of the game also increases, but he really needs to focus on improving his ball drop and decision making to a lesser extent.

I think he fits into West Coast perfectly as not only do they have a void to fill in their midfield group with Mitchell and Priddis retiring, but they also want Duggan and Yeo to rotate through which Clark's versatility could also allow for.

Tippa43

Edit was adding in a profile for him

 

[Tippa43]

Pick 14 - Sydney Swans Aiden Bonar

Sorry not sure who is next..

 

[Red Black and Blue]

eth-dog

 

[eth-dog]

15. Charlie Constable.

Sandringham Dragons/Victoria Metro
190 cm/83 kg
Inside Midfielder

Constable is a tall inside midfielder with considerable ball winning ability at a stoppage as well as some excellent kicking skills which has seen him feature off half back as well, he could potentially be a great midfielder with all the above factors, and is one of my favourites in this draft pool by a long way.

Other players considered: Lockie O'Brien, Matthew Ling, Jack Petrucelle

boncer34

 

[eDPS]

We would like your selection before the end of the day boncer34, ive seen you post after getting tagged here don't be a slack ass

 

[boncer34]

Oh yeah

 

[boncer34]

Matthew Ling

Coz eth just mentioned him.

 

[eth-dog]

Matthew Ling

Coz eth just mentioned him.

Eh, I was always guaranteed one of the three at my next pick. I think I know which one D_P_S will take though

 

[boncer34]

Eh, I was always guaranteed one of the three at my next pick. I think I know which one D_P_S will take though

I wasn't getting him to stop you.

 

[eDPS]

Richmond select Noah Balta

Your up eth-dog

 

[eth-dog]

Lochie O'Brien

Bendigo Pioneers/Victoria Country
184 cm/77 kg's
Outside Midfielder

O'Brien is your typical classy wing player with a mammoth tank, great speed and a laser left boot. I see many people comparing him to Andrew Gaff, but I feel he's closer to a Jared Polec with his movement and Brisbane can't go wrong with him here, especially if Ballenden is still on the board and is able to be matched with picks 40 and 44 which he should be from this point onwards.

Rancid Trogs

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Gold Coast Suns, Pick #19:

Oscar Allen

West Perth/Western Australia
191cm/83kg
Key Forward

Possessing great lateral mobility and forward smarts, Allen fits into the Suns’ front half nicely. Slots in between twin towers Lynch and Wright as a third tall hit up forward. Good hands and deceptively good overhead for his height, Allen is a forward that converts his chances and impacts the play forward of centre.

Other available options: Richards, Garner, Wooller, Murphy or Bailey.

D_P_S

 

[eDPS]

Well...that was my next pick hahaha damn

Richmond select Patrick Naish

MightyDons4

 

[eth-dog]

Wait, why would Richmond pick Naish at 20?