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With only 2 days remaining until the eagerly awaited and anticipated 2012 Draft takes place at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, I thought I'd join the masses in having a go at my predictions for how the first round will go on Thursday night. I'd like to note that my order is reflective of my (limited) knowledge on the best and brightest talents in the land, as well as club needs, recent news and a look around at several other phantoms going around. Feel free to argue, discuss and comment on how right (or wrong) you think my picks are; and hopefully can pass a bit more time until Thursday evening. So without any further ado, here's my predicted 1st round for the 2012 AFL National Draft:
Jonathan O'Rourke - Calder Cannons (VIC)
Another gun player from the Cannons comes in the shape of Jono O'Rourke. The dogs have been keen for quite some time now as he'd provide the polish to their grunt they've recently acquired in Libba, Wallis, Smith and Stevens.
6. Western Bulldogs
Troy Menzel - Central Districts (SA)
Widely known as one of the best talents in the draft, Troy will take after his big brother and become an AFL player on Thursday, with the Dogs keen to take a risk on the younger Menzel despite him already having 2 knee reco's at the tender age of 18.
7. Port Adelaide
Sam Mayes - North Adelaide (SA)
The straight-shooting, hard-running forward/midfielder may land at Port on Thursday given Port's likeliness to stay local with its first pick after watching Ben Jacobs walk out the door recently. Grundy should be overlooked given their existing batch of rucks.
8. Brisbane Lions
Kristian Jacksch - Oakleigh Chargers
Jaksch is the 2nd best tall forward in the draft behind Daniher and the Lions are very keen. With the added bonus of being able to play both ends, KJ won't last long before hearing his name called out at the draft.
9. Richmond
Nick Vlastuin - Northern Knights (VIC)
Great leader who loves the hard stuff, Tigers have been heavily linked to 'floss-tone' at 9 and he should be there should they want him.
10. Essendon
Joe Daniher - Calder Cannons (VIC)
The 3rd Cannons player to fall in the top-10, Daniher could've been off to GWS at #1 if Essendon didn't have first dibs. Gun player and expect him to make a lasting impact at the Dons ala Nick Riewoldt for Saints.
11. Carlton
Jackson Macrae - Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
The Blues should get their man here if all falls as it should. Jacks should add an x-factor to the Carlton midfield and will look great running rings around his opponents for years to comes. Could come in straight away and release Tex Walker into the midfield - can see him playing half-forward in his first year or two.
12. Greater Western Sydney
Brody Grundy - Sturt (SA)
This leaves us to the biggest slider in the top-20 in Brody Grundy. I personally think any of Melbourne, Port or Richmond would be silly to at least consider locking away Grundy however most will be lax to pull the trigger on a ruckman with their first pick. If the Blues didn't have Hammer and Knockers, I'd say they'd jump on the G-Train... But alas, GWS will laugh if he's still here at 12.
13. Gold Coast
Josh Simpson - East Fremantle (WA)
Assuming the Suns are okay with his having a 1-year old hanging around, Simpson would be worth it at 13. Arguably the most exciting player in the draft, McKenna would be licking his lips should he drop to their pick. Bennell, Ablett, Swallow and Simpson in the midfield in a few years could be unrivaled.
14. Greater Western Sydney
Aidan Corr - Northern Knights (VIC)
Some people have Corr stretching as high as 14 here, even if the Giants go with Plowman in the top 3. After stocking up on midfielders last year, Corr should give their defense the top-end talent it needs - especially after the departure of Jack Hombsch to Port.
15. North Melbourne
Ben Kennedy -Glenelg (VIC)
Dynamic, long-kicking small forward who could flourish at the Roos. With them cutting Cruize Garlett recently, Kennedy could add immediate depth to their midfield/forward stocks and could shape as a long terms replacement for veteran Brent Harvey.
16. Geelong
Jake Stringer - Bendigo Pioneers (VIC)
Many expect Stringer to slide on Thursday despite being a huge talent. Some say he could go as high as 6 but if he lasts to this pick, Geelong will snap him up. Future gun once his leg heals up.
17. Fremantle
Tim O'Brien - Glenelg (VIC)
Freo has made it known that it's looking for a long-term replacement for franchise power-forward Matthew Pavlich. O'Brien is a decent size and has been likened to Adam Goodes with a load of x-factor. Good fit right here.
18. Collingwood
Nathan Hrovat -Northern Knights (VIC)
Considered a Sam Mitchell-type, Hrovat shouldn't last past the first round and may go to North at 15 due to his Brent Harvey ties. Could be a steal for the Pies here despite his size.
19. Collingwood
Tim Membrey - Gippsland Power (VIC)
The agressive, tatooed forward should fit in well at Collingwood alongside ink-brothers Beams and Swan. Unless O'Brien slides, Membrey could land at the Pies as they're likely to go tall with at least one of their 3 first-rounders.
20. Adelaide
Mason Wood - Geelong Falcons (VIC)
Lucky to get any picks at all, the Crows might look to over-age forward Mason Wood at their first pick, who could become a future staple next to Walker in their forward line.
21. Collingwood
Dayle Garlett - Claremont (WA)
The talk is that up to 10 clubs have already said 'no' to the smooth-moving midfielder however the Pies are one of the few that have the resources to make a star out of this kid. Otherwise, Sydney may pounce at 23.
22. Western Bulldogs
Sam Colquhoun - Central Districts (VIC)
The Dogs can start to look at needs after securing two young guns at 5 and 6. With Gilbee and Hargrave gone and Murphy getting on, highly-rated Colquhoun could land here at 22.
23. Sydney
Tom Clurey - Murray Bushrangers (VIC)
I'm getting a bit speculative here as Wood and Corr were the other talls that seem to appeal to the Swans. Clurely is a good size for a young defender and has great endurance for a big man. Swans might also take a risk on likely-bolter Kamdyn McIntosh here instead.
24. Brisbane
Dean Towers - North Ballarat Rebels (VIC)
After getting the best available tall at 8 the Lions could get the best VFL talent in 21 year old Dean Towers with their 2nd pick. After the success of Zorko in 2012, Towers could run straight into their 22 and off a wing in 2013.
Other first round chances: Jesse Longergan, Taylor Garner, Kamdyn McIntosh, Nick Graham.
So there it is. What are your thoughts on our Phantom? Would you be happy if it all unfolded this way?
1. Greater Western Sydney
Lachie Whitfield - Dandenong Stingrays (VIC)
Notes: Best player in the draft by a mile - GWS have him locked and loaded and will not waste any time before calling his name out on draft day. The perfect midfield package, he's an outright #1 pick.
2. Greater Western Sydney
Jimmy Toumpas - Woodville-West Torrens (SA)
Notes: Aside from a few issues with his hips recently, he's been touted as top-2 material for a while now. Great leadership and class - can't see GWS letting him slip past their first lot of picks.
3. Greater Western Sydney
Lachie Plowman - Calder Cannons (VIC)
Well regarded as the best back in this years draft class - recent mail has 'Mr. Plow' headed to Blacktown to join the new revolution of AFL superstars to be their 'defensive general' for years to come.
4. Melbourne
Ollie Wines - Bendigo Pinoneers (VIC)
An absolute monster on the ball who will come in straight away alongside good friend Jack Viney and create havoc for oppositions for many years to come. Unless Toumpas slips to here, he's a lock at #4.
5. Western BulldogsJonathan O'Rourke - Calder Cannons (VIC)
Another gun player from the Cannons comes in the shape of Jono O'Rourke. The dogs have been keen for quite some time now as he'd provide the polish to their grunt they've recently acquired in Libba, Wallis, Smith and Stevens.
6. Western Bulldogs
Troy Menzel - Central Districts (SA)
Widely known as one of the best talents in the draft, Troy will take after his big brother and become an AFL player on Thursday, with the Dogs keen to take a risk on the younger Menzel despite him already having 2 knee reco's at the tender age of 18.
7. Port Adelaide
Sam Mayes - North Adelaide (SA)
The straight-shooting, hard-running forward/midfielder may land at Port on Thursday given Port's likeliness to stay local with its first pick after watching Ben Jacobs walk out the door recently. Grundy should be overlooked given their existing batch of rucks.
8. Brisbane Lions
Kristian Jacksch - Oakleigh Chargers
Jaksch is the 2nd best tall forward in the draft behind Daniher and the Lions are very keen. With the added bonus of being able to play both ends, KJ won't last long before hearing his name called out at the draft.
9. Richmond
Nick Vlastuin - Northern Knights (VIC)
Great leader who loves the hard stuff, Tigers have been heavily linked to 'floss-tone' at 9 and he should be there should they want him.
10. Essendon
Joe Daniher - Calder Cannons (VIC)
The 3rd Cannons player to fall in the top-10, Daniher could've been off to GWS at #1 if Essendon didn't have first dibs. Gun player and expect him to make a lasting impact at the Dons ala Nick Riewoldt for Saints.
11. Carlton
Jackson Macrae - Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
The Blues should get their man here if all falls as it should. Jacks should add an x-factor to the Carlton midfield and will look great running rings around his opponents for years to comes. Could come in straight away and release Tex Walker into the midfield - can see him playing half-forward in his first year or two.
12. Greater Western Sydney
Brody Grundy - Sturt (SA)
This leaves us to the biggest slider in the top-20 in Brody Grundy. I personally think any of Melbourne, Port or Richmond would be silly to at least consider locking away Grundy however most will be lax to pull the trigger on a ruckman with their first pick. If the Blues didn't have Hammer and Knockers, I'd say they'd jump on the G-Train... But alas, GWS will laugh if he's still here at 12.
13. Gold Coast
Josh Simpson - East Fremantle (WA)
Assuming the Suns are okay with his having a 1-year old hanging around, Simpson would be worth it at 13. Arguably the most exciting player in the draft, McKenna would be licking his lips should he drop to their pick. Bennell, Ablett, Swallow and Simpson in the midfield in a few years could be unrivaled.
14. Greater Western Sydney
Aidan Corr - Northern Knights (VIC)
Some people have Corr stretching as high as 14 here, even if the Giants go with Plowman in the top 3. After stocking up on midfielders last year, Corr should give their defense the top-end talent it needs - especially after the departure of Jack Hombsch to Port.
15. North Melbourne
Ben Kennedy -Glenelg (VIC)
Dynamic, long-kicking small forward who could flourish at the Roos. With them cutting Cruize Garlett recently, Kennedy could add immediate depth to their midfield/forward stocks and could shape as a long terms replacement for veteran Brent Harvey.
16. Geelong
Jake Stringer - Bendigo Pioneers (VIC)
Many expect Stringer to slide on Thursday despite being a huge talent. Some say he could go as high as 6 but if he lasts to this pick, Geelong will snap him up. Future gun once his leg heals up.
17. Fremantle
Tim O'Brien - Glenelg (VIC)
Freo has made it known that it's looking for a long-term replacement for franchise power-forward Matthew Pavlich. O'Brien is a decent size and has been likened to Adam Goodes with a load of x-factor. Good fit right here.
18. Collingwood
Nathan Hrovat -Northern Knights (VIC)
Considered a Sam Mitchell-type, Hrovat shouldn't last past the first round and may go to North at 15 due to his Brent Harvey ties. Could be a steal for the Pies here despite his size.
19. Collingwood
Tim Membrey - Gippsland Power (VIC)
The agressive, tatooed forward should fit in well at Collingwood alongside ink-brothers Beams and Swan. Unless O'Brien slides, Membrey could land at the Pies as they're likely to go tall with at least one of their 3 first-rounders.
20. Adelaide
Mason Wood - Geelong Falcons (VIC)
Lucky to get any picks at all, the Crows might look to over-age forward Mason Wood at their first pick, who could become a future staple next to Walker in their forward line.
21. Collingwood
Dayle Garlett - Claremont (WA)
The talk is that up to 10 clubs have already said 'no' to the smooth-moving midfielder however the Pies are one of the few that have the resources to make a star out of this kid. Otherwise, Sydney may pounce at 23.
22. Western Bulldogs
Sam Colquhoun - Central Districts (VIC)
The Dogs can start to look at needs after securing two young guns at 5 and 6. With Gilbee and Hargrave gone and Murphy getting on, highly-rated Colquhoun could land here at 22.
23. Sydney
Tom Clurey - Murray Bushrangers (VIC)
I'm getting a bit speculative here as Wood and Corr were the other talls that seem to appeal to the Swans. Clurely is a good size for a young defender and has great endurance for a big man. Swans might also take a risk on likely-bolter Kamdyn McIntosh here instead.
24. Brisbane
Dean Towers - North Ballarat Rebels (VIC)
After getting the best available tall at 8 the Lions could get the best VFL talent in 21 year old Dean Towers with their 2nd pick. After the success of Zorko in 2012, Towers could run straight into their 22 and off a wing in 2013.
Other first round chances: Jesse Longergan, Taylor Garner, Kamdyn McIntosh, Nick Graham.
So there it is. What are your thoughts on our Phantom? Would you be happy if it all unfolded this way?
Daniher
