maxrm's phantom AFL draft 2014

[maxrm]

Finally found the time to put together a mock draft and my personal top 40 power rankings for the upcoming draft. I've provided brief explanations of selections and a quick bio for draftees up until pick #35 but I am happy to answer any questions regarding power rankings and/or draft order. I'm planning to update it a couple times before the actual draft but for now this is my prediction.

Top 40 power rankings
1. Brayshaw
2. Heeney
3. Petracca
4. Laverde
5. Moore
6. Weller
7. Duggan
8. Pickett
9. McCartin
10. Lever
11. Blakely
12. Wright
13. Garlett
14. Langford
15. Durdin
16. Goddard
17. D.Mckenzie
18. Menadue
19. Viojo-Rainbow
20. De Goey
21. Ahern
22. Steele
23. Ellis
24. Marchbank
25. Cockatoo
26. Maynard
27. R.Mckenzie
28. Cavka
29. O.McDonald
30. Goodyear
31. Buykx-Smith
32. Neal-Bullen
33. Nelson
34. Boekhorst
35. Lim
36. Miller
37. Vickers-Willers
38. Stretch
39. Bampton
40. Waterman

Honourable mentions; Lamb, Cordy, Hiscox, Ramsey, Webb, Lonie, Langdon, Dawson, Hamilton, Gore, Howe, Capiron, Keitel, Rose, Drummond, Nielson, McGovern, Abbott, Hammelmann, McGuinnes, Watson, Anderson, Fordham


Phantom draft
#1 STK - Petracca
Recent word is that McCartin is still a good chance to go at #1 but I still expect the Saints to go with Petracca. My prediction is that Petracca ends up playing in a similar role and level as Dustin Martin.

#2 MELB - Brayshaw
In my opinion Brayshaw is the safest bet to succeed and potentially even the best player to come out of the 2014 draft. Word is Melbourne love him and it seems a certainty he'll be a Demon in 2015.

#3 MELB - McCartin
The highest rated KP prospect who should team up well with Hogan for many years to come. Still a chance to go at #1 and could even slide to Collingwood at #5.

#4 GWS - Pickett
Unfortunately for West Coast this bloke is firming as the fourth selection in the draft. Pickett possesses incredible pace to go with his foot skills and evasiveness and it's expected that GWS will make sure Collingwood don't have the opportunity to nab him.

#5 COLL - Laverde
All the talk in recent times is that Collingwood are huge fans of Langford. It wouldn't be surprising if they went with him and it would really shake up the draft order however I suspect Langford is somewhat of a smokescreen for Laverde. If Laverde does make it past here he could go at anywhere even as far as West Coast at #11 which would be a pleasant surprise! Still a chance at #3 for Melbourne too.

#6 GWS - Goddard
Rumoured to be very keen on Goddard over other KP prospects including Lever, Durdin and Wright.

#7 GWS - De Goey
I don't rate De Goey quite this highly but GWS are supposedly tossing up between De Goey and Ahern at #7 and I expect they'll go with De Goey after already taking Pickett.

#8 GC - Duggan
Recent talk suggests Duggan is a huge chance to be in red and gold next year with GC super keen to add his elite skills and smarts to a list overflowing with talent. Have also been linked to Langford but recent whispers are suggesting Duggan's their man.

#9 COLL - Moore (FS)
A steal at #9 to add to Scharenberg, Freeman, Laverde and now Moore as top 10 picks in the last 2 years for Collingwood.

#10 GEEL - Wright
Will strongly consider Lever, Langford, Durdin and De Goey if available here but recent talk is suggesting that they're keen on the sliding forward ruck man here at #10.

#11 WCE - Weller
The Eagles have put a lot of time into Cockatoo and are supposedly huge fans of De Goey and and also like Duggan so this selection is still very much in the air but I suspect they'll overlook Cockatoo here and go with the poise and pace of Weller.

#12 RICH - Ellis
Supposedly big fans of Duggan and Weller but if both are gone I predict that Ellis is their man. Lever, Langford and Ahern all in contention.

#13 FREM - Langford
Durdin and Lever are big chances here as well as Wright if he slides but I've got a feeling the Dockers like the huge potential of Langford.

#14 ADEL - Durdin
Rumoured to be very interested in Langford if he makes it this far whilst Lever and Cockatoo will be in contention. The Crows have also been linked to Maynard and R.McKenzie which could provide an explanations as to why they decided to trade picks with Geelong. However if Durdin is available it will be very difficult to overlook the local KPD who not long ago was rated a top 2 prospect.

#15 GC - Lever
Huge slider and could go much higher on draft night. The Suns would love it if Lever or Langford made it to #15 whilst Cockatoo, Menadue and Ahern are all in the running for this selection.

#16 NM - Cockatoo
Word is NM want more outside run which puts Cockatoo, Garlett and Ahern high on the radar for their first selection. Nakia trained with them earlier in the year and impressed them with his talent and professionalism so it wouldn't be surprising if they nabbed him here if available. However West Coast and Gold Coast could get to him first.

#17 ESS - Marchbank
Could go higher but his size sees him slide slightly. Word is the Blues are big fans of Marchbank so if Essendon want him they might not be able to wait til pick #20. Ahern, Weller, Ellis, Lamb, Garlett and Menadue all well and truly in the running here as well.

#18 SYD - Heeney (Academy)
Arguably the best prospect in this draft Heeney is a controversial steal here for the Swans as an academy selection.

#19 CARL - Ahern
Ahern could go as high as #5 to Collingwood and anywhere after that but I could see him sliding as low as #21 to the Saints. Best available here although Carlton will also strongly consider Garlett, Menadue and Marchbank if available.

#20 ESS - Garlett
Garlett possesses elite speed to go with his elite endurance making him a terrific prospect. Expect him to dominate the wings for many years to come. Could go higher whilst Essendon will also strongly consider Lamb and Menadue at this selection.

#21 STK - Lamb
Personally I have big doubts about Lamb becoming a good AFL player but he has huge potential which is enough to see the Saints jump on him here.

#22 STK - Neal-Bullen
Saints rumoured to be very keen on the SA midfielder to add to their terrific young midfield.

#23 GWS - Menadue
Menadue has enormous potential and could go a lot higher. He'll take time to develop but GWS can afford to take the time and risk associated and would be stoked if he made it this far.

#24 GWS - Steele (Academy)
Another academy selection Steele looks a terrific midfield prospect.

#25 NM - Viojo-Rainbow
Will have their fingers crossed that Menadue or Garlett make it this far but if not than Viojo-Rainbows fantastic foot skills could see him get over the line.

#26 WB - O. McDonald
Rumoured to be very keen on McDonald with one of their two selections in the 20's as a KPD.

#27 WB - D. Mckenzie
A highly underrated midfield prospect who could even go in the mid teens.

#28 CARL - Boekhorst
A mature aged wingman with speed and skills who had a breakout season for the Swan Districts in the WAFL. Word is Carlton are huge fans and if they want him they might have to take him here.

#29 GC - Blakely
A tall and evasive midfield prospect who is one of the safest bets to become an AFL player. A terrific clearance player to further complement the Suns ridiculously talented midfield brigade.

#30 COLL - Maynard
A slider who could go as high as #14 Maynard is a great get for the Pies here.

#31 HAW - Cavka
An elite runner and proven big game performer who I could see appealing to the Hawks here.

#32 WCE - McGovern
A bit of a reach but recent rumours suggest that he may well be gone by #51 so if the Eagles want him they'll have to take him here. With no big sliders don't be surprised if West Coast reach for McGovern here. Personally hoping that Viojo-Rainbow, D.Mckenzie, Menaude, Blakely, Boekhorst or Cavka make it to #32.

#33 RICH - Vickers-Willers
A smart defender, best available here.

#34 FREM - R.Mckenzie
A KP player blessed with awesome pace to with his size; huge potential. Could go a lot higher.

#35 ADEL - Hamilton
#36 NM - Miller
#37 SYD - McLean
#38 SYD - Hiscox (Academy)
#39 WB - Webb
#40 MELB - Langdon
#41 STK - Ramsey
#42 MELB - Stretch (FS)
#43 ADEL - Markov
#44 BL - Dawson (Academy)
#45 WB - Keitel
#46 WB - Capiron
#47 GEEL - Nelson
#48 COLL - Bampton
#49 HAW - Gore
#50 HAW - Nielson
#51 WCE - Goodyear
#52 RICH - Wigg
#53 MELB - Howe
#54 FREM - Abbott
#55 GEEL - Drummond
#56 NM - Cunico
#57 PORT - Glenn
#58 SYD - Rose
#59 ADEL - Buykx-Smith
#60 GEEL - McGuinnes
#61 CARL - McGrath
#62 ESS - Pittonet
#63 BL - Andrews*
#64 WB - Cordy*
#65 CARL - Miles
#66 GC - Panos
#67 BL - Lonie
#68 HAW - Willsmore (FS)
#69 WCE - C.Smith
#70 RICH - Deluca-Cardillo
#71 ESS - Lim
#72 FREM - Cripps
#73 GEEL - Anderson
#74 NM - Yarran
#75 PORT - Watson
#76 SYD - Davis (Academy)
#77 HAW - Webster
#78 STK - Castagna
#79 CARL - Walsh
#80 GWS - Finlayson*
#81 BL - Clayton*
#82 WB - Butler
#83 MELB - Creeper
#84 GC - Hammelmann
#85 COLL - Fordham
#86 WCE - Waterman (FS)

 

[PieMan!]

who is fordham at the pies pick 85??

 

[mike123]

Would Gold Coast go Blakely when they already have a deep midfield and recruited Mitch Hallahan?

I just want him at Collingwood

 

[maxrm]

who is fordham at the pies pick 85??

Will Fordham is a tall midfielder from Sandringham with good skills, pace and evasiveness. Averaged 20 disposals in the TAC cup this year.

Would Gold Coast go Blakely when they already have a deep midfield and recruited Mitch Hallahan?
I just want him at Collingwood

It's certainly possible that he slides to #30 although I suspect he won't make it that far. Gold Coast have been linked with him as high as #15 so if he makes it to #29 it wouldn't be at all surprising if they took him.

 

[Mr Fonebone]

Well done Max. Entirely feasible and a good result for Freo - 2 talls and two mids. Do you have any inside goss on Freo?

 

[maxrm]

Well done Max. Entirely feasible and a good result for Freo - 2 talls and two mids. Do you have any inside goss on Freo?

Thanks mate appreciate it. I would expect their preference at #13 would be Wright, Langford, Durdin then Lever and it's a pretty good bet that one of them will be wearing purple in 2015. Later in the draft they have been linked to Boekhorst and Abbott as mature agers but obviously it's very much up in the air as to who will be available where so it's almost impossible to say.

 

[blueiris]

Jack Lonie really you don't think Brisbane are stacked with small forwards

 

[Dunny82]

The first time I've seen Brayshaw ranked higher than both Petracca and Heeney.
I'm wondering what about Brayshaw has made you put him ahead of the other 2? Is there something you believe is being overlooked/underrated about him by other posters/phantom drafters?

 

[maxrm]

The first time I've seen Brayshaw ranked higher than both Petracca and Heeney.
I'm wondering what about Brayshaw has made you put him ahead of the other 2? Is there something you believe is being overlooked/underrated about him by other posters/phantom drafters?

Petracca I just don't see becoming the truly dominant force that his potential suggests. I expect he'll play at a similar role and level as Dustin Martin. Very good, but not quite the best out of the draft.
Brayshaw and Heeney are both very rounded midfielders who should both become fantastic players. I personally prefer Brayshaw slightly for no particular reason.

 

[Masked Avenger]

Petracca I just don't see becoming the truly dominant force that his potential suggests. I expect he'll play at a similar role and level as Dustin Martin. Very good, but not quite the best out of the draft.
Brayshaw and Heeney are both very rounded midfielders who should both become fantastic players. I personally prefer Brayshaw slightly for no particular reason.

 

[huludicidal]

Very nice effort.

One small thing - everything I have read / heard suggests that despite being a local, the Crows have absolutely zero interest in Durdin (zero interest is probably a harsh call but they may simply rate him as the 15th best player in the draft so it's pointless even thinking about taking him at 14).

I think it's pretty much a lock that we'd take all of Laverde, Lever, Langford, Wright and possibly even Cockatoo / Weller ahead of him, and I don't envision any scenarios where ALL of those guys are off the board by pick 14. Durdin might end up sliding through to Essendon / Carlton if Freo and the Cats pass on him I reckon.

I think you've pretty much nailed the rest of the first round though. Nice job.

 

[maxrm]

Very nice effort.

One small thing - everything I have read / heard suggests that despite being a local, the Crows have absolutely zero interest in Durdin (zero interest is probably a harsh call but they may simply rate him as the 15th best player in the draft so it's pointless even thinking about taking him at 14).

I think it's pretty much a lock that we'd take all of Laverde, Lever, Langford, Wright and possibly even Cockatoo / Weller ahead of him, and I don't envision any scenarios where ALL of those guys are off the board by pick 14. Durdin might end up sliding through to Essendon / Carlton if Freo and the Cats pass on him I reckon.

I think you've pretty much nailed the rest of the first round though. Nice job.

Thanks for the heads up. My final version currently has Lever going to the Crows.