Good Draft Picks Summary

[WaynesWorld19]

Found this a good read ......listings are by order of merit not by where they'll go in the draft:

Draft day is like Christmas for 16 AFL clubs
Emma Quayle | November 17, 2007 - 10:35PM

DRAFT day is like Christmas for the 16 AFL clubs.

Everyone gets a big bundle of shiny new presents and can't think of a single thing they could have wanted more.

If the clubs don't get what they asked for, they smile, say thank you and insist they couldn't be happier.

The draft is also a day where beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but where no recruiter can ever be considered right or wrong until different clubs, coaches, development systems and injuries have played their part in whether a draftee works out.

Sunday Age football writer and one of Australia's foremost experts on junior football, Emma Quayle, has covered the past six national drafts, toured Perth and South Africa this year with the AIS-AFL Academy and has spent more time than ever this season watching under-18 games, tapes and players.

The following is not a phantom draft, rather how she rates her top 25 players from this year's pool.

She believes Carlton is almost certain to take Matthew Kreuzer at No.

1, but considers Trent Cotchin a better prospect.

1. Trent Cotchin

(Northern Knights. 17, 185cm, 80kg) Of all the players I've seen this season, Cotchin is the one who most screams: "star".

He has skills on both sides of his body, speed, and he's a real ducker and weaver (think Gary Ablett junior) who can kick goals and exert huge infl uence on how a game turns out.

Some have questioned his endurance, but Vo2max testing shows he has the capacity to run hard enough to play as a true onballer.

At 17, he's only just eligible for this year's draft but extremely driven.

What nudges him ahead of Matthew Kreuzer, Cale Morton and David Myers is the fact it is slightly clearer where he will play and what sort of player he'll be.

2. Matthew Kreuzer

(Northern Knights. 18, 200cm, 94kg) Kreuzer has a massive heart, incredible endurance and sound skills £ for any sized player, let alone one pushing 200 centimetres.

He'll be a very good player for a long time.

I rank him second because I occasionally wonder what he'll be, or where he'll end up playing.

As a ruckman, he has the motor to exploit his opponents around the ground, but does he have the spring and technique to compete at centre bounces? Can you exploit his big asset, his endurance, by playing him as a forward? And if you are looking for a ruck-rover, why wouldn't you just choose Cotchin?

3. Cale Morton

(Claremont. 17, 192cm, 79kg) Plenty of clubs would take the third Morton brother if they had the No. 1 pick.

Others dropped away after his fi nals series, where he was subjected to some close opposition attention.

Morton boasts elite skills, especially for his size, and his running power.

He's a true utility and he has all the attributes to thrive in today's precise, uncontested game.

4. David Myers

(Perth 18, 191cm, 87kg) My hunch is that Myers, who will come into contention for Essendon at pick six, will captain an AFL team one day.

He's quick, balanced and composed; when the ball's in his hands and he's dashing off half-back you feel that something good will happen.

You wouldn't be drafting him as a key position prospect, more as a running defender who could play off a wing.

He's one of my real favourites in this year's draft.

5. Jarrad Grant

(Dandenong Stingrays. 18, 192cm, 77kg) When you have a high draft pick you have a choice: do you go for a safe, sure bet-type player, or one with the potential for greatness? Grant is one of the most gifted players in this year's draft pool, the one who most often makes you think: "how did he do that?" He's going to make freakish pick-ups and kick goals from nowhere.

I can't wait to see how consistently he does it.

6. Cyril Rioli

(St Marys/Scotch College. 18, 177cm, 79kg) Some will consider this ranking too high for "Junior" Rioli, the nephew of Michael Long and Maurice Rioli, who hasn't yet shown any real signs he'll be able to play as an onballer.

But on pure talent Rioli is a clear top-10 pick in this draft; he can win games as a small forward and also run off halfback.

His endurance (which is poor right now) should improve enough in an AFL environment for him to at least pinch-hit in the middle, and I'm backing him to make the most of his potential.

7. Alex Rance

(Swan Districts. 18, 192cm, 88kg) Rance is a natural defender and, unlike Myers, a more likely key position player.

The son of former Footscray and West Coast player Murray, Alex was one of the best rebounders in the WA under-18 team this year.

He needs to calm down on occasions when he gets the ball and can be a bit fumbly, but has a really strong mind and presence.

8. Patrick Dangerfield

(Geelong Falcons. 17, 187cm, 83kg) Dangerfi eld is a personal favourite, one of the most exciting players in the draft.

He grabs the ball and bolts.

His kicking needs some work, but he's only 17, and could have had another year in the TAC Cup had he wanted.

If you're looking for express midfi eld speed, he's probably the only top-line onballer in this draft who has it.

9. Chris Masten

(East Fremantle. 18, 180cm, 77kg) Masten is a safe bet.

He's a good player who should play a lot of games.

Like East Freo teammate Rhys Palmer he's not quick, but he covers huge amounts of ground.

He keeps getting the ball and his use of it seems to have improved this year.

He seems at fi rst glance to be a natural "inside" player, but he has more strings than that.

The tip is that West Coast will pick him at No.

3, and it's easy to imagine him slotting straight into that team.

10. Brad Ebert

(Port Adelaide Magpies. 17, 188cm, 85kg) His game doesn't have one absolute stand-out quality (except perhaps his stoppage skills), but Ebert does most things really well and has been impressive at every level he's reached.

Like Masten, he's simply a good player.

He's also a really diligent kid, who will work as hard as he can.

I think he'll become a reliable midfi elder/half-back and play a lot of games, with not much gap between his good and his bad.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

11. Ben McEvoy

(Murray Bushrangers. 18, 200cm, 95kg) McEvoy is another with captaincy potential, and the best contested mark in this draft.

I may have him ranked a little low, but it will be interesting to see where he does get picked, as he's one of a handful of players who could go anywhere from picks six to 15.

The question clubs are no doubt asking is whether he's a ruckman or a key forward (I think he'll play mostly in the ruck).

Like Ebert, McEvoy will relish being in a professional environment and is not going to die wondering.

12. Rhys Palmer

(East Fremantle. 18, 182cm, 80kg) Palmer is this year's big improver; he was eligible for last year's draft after playing as a small defender for Western Australia in the under- 18 championships and being overlooked on draft day.

He's a "look at me" type midfi elder with an arrogant edge to his game.

He's a ball-winner, has improved his use of it, can kick goals from the midfi eld and has a big motor.

He's not at all quick, but often seems to play faster than he actually tests, probably because his endurance is better than the rest.

It wouldn't surprise me if he appeals to Essendon at pick six.

13. Jack Grimes

(Northern Knights. 18, 186cm, 82kg) Grimes is a Mr Reliable midfi elder who will play for a long time.

He grinds opponents down more than burning them off, although he's tested well for speed (his endurance is top-notch).

He'll be in a leadership group before long, too.

In Grimes you get a smart and clear-headed player who makes good decisions and has a calmness about him.

14. Lachlan Henderson

(Geelong Falcons. 17, 196cm, 92kg) Henderson is this year's tricky one.

He missed the fi rst half of the season with a broken leg.

He got back after the under-18 carnival, but struggled through the last few Falcons games with various niggles.

So clubs will be considering his under-16 form strongly when they make their minds up £ he showed great speed off the mark in that carnival, and covered enough ground for Geelong regional manager Michael Turner to compare him to Matthew Pavlich.

It would be no surprise if he proves to be one of the best players from this draft.

15. Patrick Veszpremi

(Northern Knights. 18, 181cm, 85kg) There is nothing subtle about Veszpremi, he is all-out in everything he does.

He has a big, right-foot kick, has played well as a small defender and as a small forward.

The query is whether he can play as a midfi elder (or for how long in a game he could) although he was doing well there in the fi rst half of the year before breaking his thumb and missing a month.

If you were picking on pure ability to infl uence a result, he would be in the fi rst fi ve; he's a match-shaper.

16. Tayte Pears

(East Perth. 17, 190cm, 94kg) Pears is the player I'd be trying to get if I missed out on Myers.

There's something neat, balanced and composed about him.

Supporters will feel safe when he has the footy.

He proved at the draft camp that he has some decent speed off the mark, too - 2.92 seconds over 20 metres.

17. Tom Collier

(Tassie Devils. 18, 192cm, 84kg) Collier has played £ and played well £ at both ends, but I'd be picking him as a key defender who can run and attack and read the play well.

He should get picked around the middle of the fi rst round.

18. ScottSelwood

(Bendigo Pioneers. 17, 185cm, 80kg) A hard, solid half-back with some midfi eld potential.

Could come into the mix as early as pick 13 to the Eagles, and I don't imagine he'll make it through the teens.

19. Tony Notte

(Swan Districts. 17, 195cm, 72kg) Notte is a mega-skinny key forward who will need a bit of time to get himself ready.

I'm thinking he'll be looked at late in the fi rst round or possibly by the Eagles if they want a home-grown player at pick 13 and Rance is not available.

Always seems to go to the right places.

20. Addam Maric

(Calder Cannons. 17, 187cm, 77kg) A cunning, street-smart player who can kick goals from anywhere.

You'd be picking him as a small forward, with the hope he might build up his endurance enough to spend some time in the midfi eld.

One of the most elite kicks in the draft, if not the best.

He'll kick a goal after the siren some day to win a big match.

Still one more

 

[WaynesWorld19]

21. Callan Ward

(Western Jets. 17, 185cm, 73kg) A defender/midfi elder who has a real edge to him and who, I think, will end up a really solid, resilient, hard-to-pass backman or a determined, competitive ruck-rover who has good vision and thinks a couple of seconds ahead of what's happening.

A lot of clubs have been talking about him lately, so it will be interesting to see how high up the order he rises.

22. Brendan Whitecross

(Zillmere Eagles. 17, 183cm, 79kg) Whitecross, a Queenslander, plays with some nice balance and will run and run.

I see him playing off half-back, perhaps through the midfi eld and even as a half-forward.

He has some versatility and plays an energetic, competitive bouncy sort of game, always there to grab a handpass and run.

He has some real leadership potential, too.

23. Tom McNamara

(South Adelaide. 17, 190cm, 84kg) McNamara, a member of the AISAFL Academy, may be a tricky one for the recruiters to place, having spent the majority of his season playing school football in Adelaide.

He looks like a genuine full-back and has some good spring and athleticism.

Seems able to control the space around him well.

24. Levi Greenwood

(Port Adelaide Magpies. 18, 181cm, 93kg) Greenwood is like a human cannon ball.

You release him off the halfback line and he'll barrel through the middle, scatter one or more players, grab the ball and belt it forward.

He's big, but has some good speed and endurance, so athleticism is no issue.

He's a favourite too, but my question mark is on his kicking, which can be a bit haphazard.

25. MitchFarmer

(Calder Cannons. 18. 180cm, 77kg) Farmer, who captained the Cannons through the TAC Cup fi nals, is a feisty little player who I'm not sure will play as a full-time AFL midfi elder, but may surprise.

You'll know what you'll get from him every single week; he'll bring guaranteed grunt, and has enough skill to go with it.

Sounds pretty close if you ask me

 

[NikkiNoo]

Thanks for that article WW - some interesting impressions from Emma, who has seen most of those players.

 

[Crow-mo]

a few more days, and we can judge whether she is really "one of australia's foremost experts on junior footballers".

i.e. lets see if the experts broadly or round agree or disagree.

good read though.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

I still revert back to the very best however.


http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388450&page=6

 

[Markthirtytwo]

I notice that the club has the AFL nominated top 30 (not in draft order ofcourse) but has a question mark after the heading.

http://afc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/4417/Default.aspx?newsId=53264

Are they questioning the AFL rankings or do they believe others outside of it could be a smokeys, perhaps for us?

 

[21knights]

Palmer at 12 is interesting. I'd take him over Ebert.

 

[Damp Squarie]

Why are there not more South Australians

 

[-VC-]

Why are there not more South Australians

Because it's a very weak SA crop this year. Greenwood is just on that 25 mark and Ebert Top 10, but after that there's a bit of a gap. McNamara not too far behind.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Why are there not more South Australians

Not a great year for SA talent.

Thanks for the read WW!

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Palmer at 12 is interesting. I'd take him over Ebert.

It's a ranking by Emma by talent ....not a phantom draft

 

[- PC -]

About Rioli

His endurance (which is poor right now) should improve enough in an AFL environment for him to at least pinch-hit in the middle, and I'm backing him to make the most of his potential

Along with the comment on another thread about skin folds would make me hope the club has done its due diligence if they choose to pick him

 

[Crow-mo]

I still revert back to the very best however.


http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=388450&page=6

you're right, that is an excellent write up and resource.