Matt Burgan's annual phantom draft has been released on the AFL website.
At pick 11 he has us selecting Alex Rance
Swan Districts, WA, Tall defender, October 9 1989, 192.3cm, 87.6kg
Rance is one of the most difficult players to place in the top echelon, as he is highly rated by all clubs from No.5-13 including the Swans. It won't surprise where he is chosen, but any later than West Coast (No.13) would raise an eyebrow. Jack Grimes, who is similarly rated to Rance, is also a strong tip for No.11. Lachlan Henderson, Ben McEvoy and Patrick Dangerfield could come into play, and don't be surprised if Tony Notte, Tayte Pears, Andy Otten or Brendan Whitecross bolts here.
Bio: Strong, hard running tall defender noted for his dash off the backline. His father Murray played 97 matches with the Western Bulldogs and West Coast from 1986-1990. Alex was a leading player in rebound 50s with Western Australia, averaging 17 possessions at the 2007 NAB AFL U18 Championships, earning him All-Australian honours.
At pick 26 he has us selecting Andy Otten
Oakleigh Chargers, VIC, Tall forward, May 15 1989, 191cm, 88.8kg
Otten has continued to firm as a top 30 selection and could even be a first-round selection. Don't rule out the Sydney Swans at No.11, as they rate him highly. This will be the Swans last “live” pick, as Craig Bird (No.59) has already been claimed through the NSW scholarship program. Others in the mix at No.26, depending on availability, include Harry Taylor, Callan Ward, Steven Gaertner, Jarrhan Jacky, Marlon Motlop and Chris Mayne. One recruiter believes Otten is similar to Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury.
Bio: A prolific ball winner, he averaged more than 26 possessions and six marks per game with the Oakleigh Chargers in 2007 and capped off an outstanding season by taking out the best and fairest award and TAC Cup Team of the Year honours. He recorded strong results at the 2007 NAB AFL Draft Camp, ranking in the top 2 per cent for the vertical leap (92cm) and the top 20 per cent for the beep test (14.2).
And Craig Bird has alreay been penciled in at 59
Nelson Bay, NSW, Small midfielder, January 21 1989, 178cm, 76kg
For the first time, two New South Wales scholarship holders have been claimed in a draft meeting – Bird and Adelaide's Taylor Walker (No.75). Bird was pre-listed by Sydney with its third and final choice in October. This time last year he was right in the mix to be chosen as a bottom age pick, but instead was overlooked and subsequently snapped up under the new scholarship program, introduced in 2006. He has been the standout player in New South Wales for the past two years.
Bio: Small ball-winning midfielder who had outstanding 2007 NAB AFL U18 Championships, winning the Harrison Medal (Div 2 B & F) and back-to-back All-Australian honours. He also captained NSW/ACT to Div 2 title and accumulated 85 disposals (third most overall) at an average of 28 per match. Also won Alan McLean Medal in 2005 NAB AFL U16 Championships (Div 2 B & F). Graduate of the AIS/AFL Academy.
http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=208&newsId=53455
At pick 11 he has us selecting Alex Rance
Swan Districts, WA, Tall defender, October 9 1989, 192.3cm, 87.6kg
Rance is one of the most difficult players to place in the top echelon, as he is highly rated by all clubs from No.5-13 including the Swans. It won't surprise where he is chosen, but any later than West Coast (No.13) would raise an eyebrow. Jack Grimes, who is similarly rated to Rance, is also a strong tip for No.11. Lachlan Henderson, Ben McEvoy and Patrick Dangerfield could come into play, and don't be surprised if Tony Notte, Tayte Pears, Andy Otten or Brendan Whitecross bolts here.
Bio: Strong, hard running tall defender noted for his dash off the backline. His father Murray played 97 matches with the Western Bulldogs and West Coast from 1986-1990. Alex was a leading player in rebound 50s with Western Australia, averaging 17 possessions at the 2007 NAB AFL U18 Championships, earning him All-Australian honours.
At pick 26 he has us selecting Andy Otten
Oakleigh Chargers, VIC, Tall forward, May 15 1989, 191cm, 88.8kg
Otten has continued to firm as a top 30 selection and could even be a first-round selection. Don't rule out the Sydney Swans at No.11, as they rate him highly. This will be the Swans last “live” pick, as Craig Bird (No.59) has already been claimed through the NSW scholarship program. Others in the mix at No.26, depending on availability, include Harry Taylor, Callan Ward, Steven Gaertner, Jarrhan Jacky, Marlon Motlop and Chris Mayne. One recruiter believes Otten is similar to Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury.
Bio: A prolific ball winner, he averaged more than 26 possessions and six marks per game with the Oakleigh Chargers in 2007 and capped off an outstanding season by taking out the best and fairest award and TAC Cup Team of the Year honours. He recorded strong results at the 2007 NAB AFL Draft Camp, ranking in the top 2 per cent for the vertical leap (92cm) and the top 20 per cent for the beep test (14.2).
And Craig Bird has alreay been penciled in at 59
Nelson Bay, NSW, Small midfielder, January 21 1989, 178cm, 76kg
For the first time, two New South Wales scholarship holders have been claimed in a draft meeting – Bird and Adelaide's Taylor Walker (No.75). Bird was pre-listed by Sydney with its third and final choice in October. This time last year he was right in the mix to be chosen as a bottom age pick, but instead was overlooked and subsequently snapped up under the new scholarship program, introduced in 2006. He has been the standout player in New South Wales for the past two years.
Bio: Small ball-winning midfielder who had outstanding 2007 NAB AFL U18 Championships, winning the Harrison Medal (Div 2 B & F) and back-to-back All-Australian honours. He also captained NSW/ACT to Div 2 title and accumulated 85 disposals (third most overall) at an average of 28 per match. Also won Alan McLean Medal in 2005 NAB AFL U16 Championships (Div 2 B & F). Graduate of the AIS/AFL Academy.
http://www.afl.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=208&newsId=53455
