Well its that time of the year, I did my first Phantom Draft last year for the first round & have extended it to the Top 30 this year.
I put a lot of thought into my selections & based them on what I think are a combination of best available & as well as club needs. It is unbiased & hopefully it makes a good read for everyone.
Feedback is welcomed. Enjoy!
Pick 1: St Kilda – Christian Petracca
Club: Eastern Ranges
After an outstanding Under 18’s carnival as well as a great season overall in 2014, Petracca has undoubtedly firmed as the likely first selection.
Is clearly the number one midfielder in this draft (exception being Heeney) but can also play as a damaging goal kicking half forward. He has very few if any weaknesses & will be ready to go from round 1 next year.
St Kilda are currently stockpiling the best talent available & in Petracca they will get the number one prospect for this year.
Pick 2: Melbourne – Angus Brayshaw
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Midfield talent is as rare as Hens teeth at Melbourne, so the chance of snaring an elite midfield talent here will be too much for the Dees to ignore.
Tough & strong at the footy as well as an excellent user, Brayshaw offers plenty to a side desperately lacking in these areas & could well end up captain of the club in the future. A lock in here.
Pick 3: Melbourne – Patrick McCartin
Club: Geelong Falcons
No brainer really, with doubts about Chris Dawes & Jesse Hogan having injury issues, Melbourne need to find another top line key forward & in McCartin they are getting, behind Darcy Moore, the best prospect in the draft.
Plays very much in the Jonathan Brown mould, tough, crashes packs & physically imposes himself on the contest. The only real question mark is that he suffers from Diabetes, however this condition can be controlled as other AFL players have proven & he looks destined for a long & successful career.
Pick 4: Greater Western Sydney – Jake Lever
Club: Calder Cannons
I have a feeling the Giants will take a calculated risk here & hope that Collingwood overlook Wright at Pick 5, leaving him available at 6.
The Giants have most bases covered but if there is a slight chink in the armour it could possibly be in the key defensive area. Lever has shot up the rankings recently & appears the perfect fit for the Giants here.
His physicality will have impressed the Giants hierarchy & coupled with his excellent kicking & strong marking, he stands out as being the best key defender available.
Pick 5: Collingwood – Jayden Laverde
Club – Western Jets
Having already snaffled the best KPF in this years draft by way of Father Son selection Darcy Moore, the club will now use the Dayne Beams pick to get one of the elite midfielders in this draft.
Tall, athletic & with terrific speed, Laverde offers some real class to a midfield that is lacking in foot speed. He is also an excellent long kick & although he plays primarily as a wingman right now, it seems that it will only be a matter of time before he gets the opportunity to play in the midfield.
This selection is not only best available but a needs basis as well.
Pick 6: Greater Western Sydney – Peter Wright
Club: Calder Cannons
With the surprise defection of Tom Boyd to the Bulldogs & fitness concerns regarding Jon Patton, the recruitment of Wright suddenly becomes a priority.
At 203cm & 100kgs, he is already physically imposing & will only become stronger as his body develops. He will be able to pinch hit in the ruck but he offers so much more than that. His mobility and athleticism & in particular his marking and huge kicking makes him an intriguing prospect. He will take some time to develop physically but CHF will be his likely position.
If Wright is still available here, the Giants won’t pass on him.
Pick 7: Greater Western Sydney – Liam Duggan
Club: Western Jets
A player who possesses poise, hurt-factor and match winning ability.
A very versatile player, Duggan can play in a variety of positions & it is this versatility which will entice the Giants to grab him here. He reminds me very much of Kade Kolodjashnij in having a penetrating left foot along with terrific speed and ability to read the ball well in the air. He can also win his own ball & is strong in the tackle.
He offers GWS something they don’t already have & his recruitment here along with later picks in Steele & Finlayson rounds out an outstanding draft for the club.
Pick 8: Gold Coast – Jarrod Pickett
Club: South Fremantle
With Laverde gone, Pickett suddenly becomes a huge priority for the Suns. Their recruiters love quick skilfull types & in Pickett they will get one of the best around.
His pace is electric & he has the ability to take games apart with his run and carrying ability. He is not just an outside player however & is capable of winning his own ball at the stoppages & he will complement an already exceptional array of midfield talent at the Suns.
Pick 9: Collingwood – Darcy Moore F/S Selection
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
One of the bargains of this draft, if not for the father son rule, there seems little doubt that Moore would have been in the top 3 this year. Widely regarded as the best KPF in this draft & possibly one of the best prospects in recent years.
Moore doesn’t have any glaring weakness in his game, a terrific contested mark, strong accurate kick, athletically gifted & good below the knees. The Pies will be salivating at getting a super talent with this pick. May possibly end up the best player in this draft if he develops as expected.
Pick 10: Geelong – Lachie Weller
Club: Broadbeach
Has shot up the draft rankings of late and is one of the best kicks in this draft. Speed & excellent football use are Wellers main assets & these are assets that Geelong are in desperate need of right now, especially with the loss of Christensen & Varcoe from the midfield. A terrific decision maker under pressure, he will complement the likes of Selwood, Bartel & Johnson perfectly.
If the Cats pass on him here, expect the Gold Coast to pounce with pick 15.
Pick 11: West Coast – Paul Ahern
Club: Calder Cannons
It is no secret that the Eagles need midfielders with speed & foot skills & fortunately they will get their man with this pick.
Ahern is a busy midfielder who can make things happen. He has great vision & awareness under pressure & importantly can hit targets by foot, an area the Eagles are clearly short on. He possesses explosive pace and agility & is able to slip tackles & set up goal scoring opportunities from the stoppages.
A really good fit for the Eagles here.
Pick 12: Richmond – Jordan De Goey
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
The recruiting strategy for the Tigers is simple, get the best available player you can with the first pick & then look at a needs basis after that & in De Goey they will get the best of both worlds. A classy & tough midfielder, he is the perfect fit for a midfield that desperately needs some added polish to support the likes of Cotchin, Martin & Deledio. His style of play will have impressed Damien Hardwick as he not only possesses sublime skills but is also ferocious in his attack on the man & ball. He is also an excellent long kick & will quickly become a favourite for Tiger fans.
Pick 13: Fremantle – Sam Durdin
Club: West Adelaide
A bit of a surprise draft slider but the Dockers won’t be complaining.
With the careers of McPharlin & Pavlich getting close to the end, the Dockers will be thrilled to get their hands on one the drafts elite tall talents. He offers the club so much in terms of flexibility however I think Centre Half Back will be his most effective position. The likes of Marchbank & Goddard will also be considered here but I feel that Durdin is more talented than both of those players. His elite athleticism & decision making makes him a cut above most in this draft. A terrific get here.
Pick 14: Adelaide – Hugh Goddard
Club: Geelong Falcons
With likely target Durdin already gone, the Crows will pick the next best key defender available here in Goddard. He can play at both ends but has played his best football recently in defence, but its his versatility which will really impress Adelaide. He is deceptively quick, is a strong mark & finds targets with his kicks. His stocks fell during the early part of this season but he finished the year really well & looks a lock in to be drafted in the first round.
Pick 15: Gold Coast – Kyle Langford
Club: Northern Knights
Langford is a versatile swingman type who can play at either end. His stocks have really risen in the last few weeks & it would be a surprise if he isn’t taken in the first round. He is very athletic & has strong hands & clean disposal. Gold Coast are in the great position of having most bases covered so by recruiting Langford, they are getting something that they don’t already have.
His ability to play numerous roles will really appeal to the Suns.
Pick 16: North Melbourne – Caleb Marchbank
Club: Murray Bushrangers
Maybe a bit of a surprise that the Roos will take a KPD here instead of a midfielder, but quite simply, North desperately need to find another quality tall defender given that Firrito & Grima are probably playing their last season & Lachie Hansen continues to have injury woes. Marchbank is clearly one of the top 3 key position defenders available in this draft & he is also capable of being used as a swingman during games which is another string to his bow. Arguably the best intercept mark in the TAC Cup competition and coupled with his ability to read the ball in flight whether under pressure or not is
another added bonus which the Roos will find hard to ignore given their shortfalls in defence.
Pick 17: Essendon – Corey Ellis
Club: Western Jets
The type of player who just gets things done, there is nothing flash about him but he is productive and busy & is somewhat underrated in this draft. Nonetheless, his talents haven’t gone unnoticed & it is highly unlikely that he will slip past the top 20 picks this year. He is tough, can win his own ball & is an excellent user of the footy, something that will excite the Bombers. Jobe Watson desperately needs some inside support & Ellis may just be the man to add to the Bombers midfield in this area.
Pick 18: Sydney – Isaac Heeney - Academy Selection
Club: Cardiff
Undoubtedly the steal of this draft year. Were it not for the Swans having this Academy selection, Heeney would have gone top 2 & possibly even number 1 in this years draft. I rate him even higher than Petracca & Melbourne did bid pick 2 in an effort to snare him a few weeks back. In a nutshell, he has no weaknesses, he wins the footy, has excellent disposal skills by hand or foot, has terrific speed, composure under pressure & is fearless in his attack on both the opposition & the ball. Quite simply he is the complete package & it is highly likely that he will be injected into the Swans midfield from round 1 next year.
Pick 19: Carlton – Nakia Cockatoo
Club: NT Thunder
A late draft bolter, Cockatoo’s stocks have really risen in the last few weeks & the x factor that he possesses will be something that will have really caught the recruiters eye. He made a huge impression during the Allies vs. AFL Academy game being best on ground. He is an explosive line breaker, is an excellent two sided player & possesses brilliant pace as well as evasive skills that rival Cyril Rioli. Carlton will find him hard to pass up on here if he is still available.
Pick 20: Essendon – Brayden Maynard
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Maynard is a utility type who does his best work off the packs with an ability to kick on both sides of the body. He is a tough in and under type of midfielder who can be used to shut down the oppositions danger men. He can play a number of roles as he is an outstanding kick for goals and has excellent one on one marking ability. His style of play will be an excellent fit for the Dons.
Pick 21: St Kilda – Tom Lamb
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Tall, exciting but inconsistent, Lamb is an enigma. He could end up being one of the top 3 players in this draft or he could be a bust. His best footy is brilliant but his worst has you scratching your head wondering if he knows what football is all about.
He is a high risk but potentially high reward player & I think the Saints will take the punt on him here. Despite his inconsistency, he offers plenty. He is solid at ground level & uses it well by hand & has a thumping kick on him. His contested marking is a real strength & that coupled with his speed, athletic ability & versatility makes him an intriguing prospect.
Pick 22: St Kilda – Jarrod Garlett
Club: South Fremantle
Best available will be the clubs mantra & despite weaknesses in other areas of the list, Garlett is just too good to ignore.
Possessing explosive pace & with terrific kicking ability, Garlett was a standout in the Under 18 Championships for WA & it would be a major surprise if he lasted beyond pick 30. He also showed great stamina with his ability to work hard by running both back & forward a highlight of his game. Will be a terrific AFL player once gets a bit more size.
Pick 23: GWS – Tyler Keitel
Club: East Perth
For a club that has most bases covered in terms of list structure, Keitel is an interesting option for the Giants. They have a glut of midfielders, their key forwards are settled & they have ruck depth. Keitel is a player at 194cm that can play as a tall defender & given that Tim Mohr is unlikely to play next year, concerns about the ongoing fitness of Davis & the slow development of Plowman, he may just be the player to top off their list in this draft. He has really good recovery, is mobile & athletic & also has a good spring on him. He plays a physical brand of football & this should fit right into the GWS style under Cameron. With the drafting of Lever as well as Keitel, the key defensive area suddenly looks well catered for with some really good defensive options now available at selection.
Pick 24: GWS – Jack Steele - Academy Selection
Club: Belconnen
A little bit of extra cream on the draft cake for the Giants here. Pre selected as an Academy player, Steele is worthy of a first round selection, so to get him here is a bargain. Was injured in 2013 but he had an outstanding National Championships for NSW which culminated in him earning All Australian selection.
A goal kicking midfielder with reasonable if not explosive pace, Steele’s agility & vision when under pressure stands him out from the rest. He is also a tidy kick with clean hands & is a stoppage expert. Will just add even more depth to an already imposing group of young midfield talent.
Pick 25: North Melbourne – Connor Menadue
Club: Western Jets
Having taken a KPD with their first pick, the next priority will be a quick skilfull goal kicking midfielder, & Menadue fits the bill perfectly.
Explosive & nimble, his ability to impose himself on games with his speed and penetrating kick makes him an exciting proposition for the Roos here. Although lightly framed, he is a ferocious tackler & is renowned for his ability to kick goals on the run. Is a similar type of player to Isaac Smith & in a team lacking midfield pace, I doubt that the Roos will pass on him if he is still available here.
Pick 26: Western Bulldogs – Damien Cavka
Club: Calder Cannons
Like North Melbourne, the Doggies need an injection of midfield pace & with Menadue gone, Cavka is the next best available of this type.
A run & carry type of player who can hit targets at speed as well as hit the scoreboard regularly, he offers the club some real outside running ability which is clearly lacking, especially with Griffen now gone. In a midfield dominated by tough inside contested ball players, Cavka is a player who could really make a difference.
Pick 27: Western Bulldogs – Oscar McDonald
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Brother of Tom, Oscar is one of the better key defenders in this draft & with a dearth of quality KPD’s at the club right now, I would be very surprised if he is passed over here.
He is tall & athletic & is renowned for his pace & ability to intercept marks & set up attacking play from defence. He is prepared to back his ability by taking some calculated risks & he uses the ball by foot very well. He did well in the TAC Cup when matched up against the likes of Moore, McCartin & Wright, so he has the credentials to succeed. With Roughead the only decent quality tall KPD at the moment, McDonald is a no brainer if available.
Pick 28: Carlton – Clem Smith
Club: Perth
Having taken a midfielder with pick 19, I’m sure a quality KPD would be on the shopping list, but with most of them now gone, I think they will take a punt on Smith here.
Very much in the Byron Pickett mould, Smith may need to refine his game somewhat at AFL level but he has fantastic upside & will add some real hardness to a midfield without hard nuts McLean & Robinson next year.
He does possess real pace & although he lacks a bit of polish by foot & can make some poor decisions at times, he could be a real diamond in the rough in this draft.
Pick 29: Gold Coast – Jackson Nelson
Club: Geelong Falcons
Tough no nonsense defender-cum-midfielder Nelson has just what the Suns lack. A player who relishes the tough footy, he is a tackling machine who wins plenty of contested footy & thrives on pressuring his opponents. He can also hit targets which is an important asset in a developing team like Gold Coast. Will add some real grunt to a midfield needing a more physical element to their game, especially with Campbell Brown now gone.
Pick 30: Collingwood – Connor Blakely
Club: Swan Districts
Midfield talent is a real area of concern for the Pies & having already taken Laverde at Pick 5, Blakely is an interesting selection here.
Winning All-Australian selection this year, he has plenty of senior WAFL experience & is physically ready to play from round one if selected. He is a courageous type of player who won’t take a backward step & he is excellent in tackling, contested possessions and clearances. He makes really good decisions by hand or foot & is also versatile enough to play in a number of positions either back or forward. He just looks like the kind of player that Collingwood love & would be a really nice fit I think.
I put a lot of thought into my selections & based them on what I think are a combination of best available & as well as club needs. It is unbiased & hopefully it makes a good read for everyone.
Feedback is welcomed. Enjoy!
Pick 1: St Kilda – Christian Petracca
Club: Eastern Ranges
After an outstanding Under 18’s carnival as well as a great season overall in 2014, Petracca has undoubtedly firmed as the likely first selection.
Is clearly the number one midfielder in this draft (exception being Heeney) but can also play as a damaging goal kicking half forward. He has very few if any weaknesses & will be ready to go from round 1 next year.
St Kilda are currently stockpiling the best talent available & in Petracca they will get the number one prospect for this year.
Pick 2: Melbourne – Angus Brayshaw
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Midfield talent is as rare as Hens teeth at Melbourne, so the chance of snaring an elite midfield talent here will be too much for the Dees to ignore.
Tough & strong at the footy as well as an excellent user, Brayshaw offers plenty to a side desperately lacking in these areas & could well end up captain of the club in the future. A lock in here.
Pick 3: Melbourne – Patrick McCartin
Club: Geelong Falcons
No brainer really, with doubts about Chris Dawes & Jesse Hogan having injury issues, Melbourne need to find another top line key forward & in McCartin they are getting, behind Darcy Moore, the best prospect in the draft.
Plays very much in the Jonathan Brown mould, tough, crashes packs & physically imposes himself on the contest. The only real question mark is that he suffers from Diabetes, however this condition can be controlled as other AFL players have proven & he looks destined for a long & successful career.
Pick 4: Greater Western Sydney – Jake Lever
Club: Calder Cannons
I have a feeling the Giants will take a calculated risk here & hope that Collingwood overlook Wright at Pick 5, leaving him available at 6.
The Giants have most bases covered but if there is a slight chink in the armour it could possibly be in the key defensive area. Lever has shot up the rankings recently & appears the perfect fit for the Giants here.
His physicality will have impressed the Giants hierarchy & coupled with his excellent kicking & strong marking, he stands out as being the best key defender available.
Pick 5: Collingwood – Jayden Laverde
Club – Western Jets
Having already snaffled the best KPF in this years draft by way of Father Son selection Darcy Moore, the club will now use the Dayne Beams pick to get one of the elite midfielders in this draft.
Tall, athletic & with terrific speed, Laverde offers some real class to a midfield that is lacking in foot speed. He is also an excellent long kick & although he plays primarily as a wingman right now, it seems that it will only be a matter of time before he gets the opportunity to play in the midfield.
This selection is not only best available but a needs basis as well.
Pick 6: Greater Western Sydney – Peter Wright
Club: Calder Cannons
With the surprise defection of Tom Boyd to the Bulldogs & fitness concerns regarding Jon Patton, the recruitment of Wright suddenly becomes a priority.
At 203cm & 100kgs, he is already physically imposing & will only become stronger as his body develops. He will be able to pinch hit in the ruck but he offers so much more than that. His mobility and athleticism & in particular his marking and huge kicking makes him an intriguing prospect. He will take some time to develop physically but CHF will be his likely position.
If Wright is still available here, the Giants won’t pass on him.
Pick 7: Greater Western Sydney – Liam Duggan
Club: Western Jets
A player who possesses poise, hurt-factor and match winning ability.
A very versatile player, Duggan can play in a variety of positions & it is this versatility which will entice the Giants to grab him here. He reminds me very much of Kade Kolodjashnij in having a penetrating left foot along with terrific speed and ability to read the ball well in the air. He can also win his own ball & is strong in the tackle.
He offers GWS something they don’t already have & his recruitment here along with later picks in Steele & Finlayson rounds out an outstanding draft for the club.
Pick 8: Gold Coast – Jarrod Pickett
Club: South Fremantle
With Laverde gone, Pickett suddenly becomes a huge priority for the Suns. Their recruiters love quick skilfull types & in Pickett they will get one of the best around.
His pace is electric & he has the ability to take games apart with his run and carrying ability. He is not just an outside player however & is capable of winning his own ball at the stoppages & he will complement an already exceptional array of midfield talent at the Suns.
Pick 9: Collingwood – Darcy Moore F/S Selection
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
One of the bargains of this draft, if not for the father son rule, there seems little doubt that Moore would have been in the top 3 this year. Widely regarded as the best KPF in this draft & possibly one of the best prospects in recent years.
Moore doesn’t have any glaring weakness in his game, a terrific contested mark, strong accurate kick, athletically gifted & good below the knees. The Pies will be salivating at getting a super talent with this pick. May possibly end up the best player in this draft if he develops as expected.
Pick 10: Geelong – Lachie Weller
Club: Broadbeach
Has shot up the draft rankings of late and is one of the best kicks in this draft. Speed & excellent football use are Wellers main assets & these are assets that Geelong are in desperate need of right now, especially with the loss of Christensen & Varcoe from the midfield. A terrific decision maker under pressure, he will complement the likes of Selwood, Bartel & Johnson perfectly.
If the Cats pass on him here, expect the Gold Coast to pounce with pick 15.
Pick 11: West Coast – Paul Ahern
Club: Calder Cannons
It is no secret that the Eagles need midfielders with speed & foot skills & fortunately they will get their man with this pick.
Ahern is a busy midfielder who can make things happen. He has great vision & awareness under pressure & importantly can hit targets by foot, an area the Eagles are clearly short on. He possesses explosive pace and agility & is able to slip tackles & set up goal scoring opportunities from the stoppages.
A really good fit for the Eagles here.
Pick 12: Richmond – Jordan De Goey
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
The recruiting strategy for the Tigers is simple, get the best available player you can with the first pick & then look at a needs basis after that & in De Goey they will get the best of both worlds. A classy & tough midfielder, he is the perfect fit for a midfield that desperately needs some added polish to support the likes of Cotchin, Martin & Deledio. His style of play will have impressed Damien Hardwick as he not only possesses sublime skills but is also ferocious in his attack on the man & ball. He is also an excellent long kick & will quickly become a favourite for Tiger fans.
Pick 13: Fremantle – Sam Durdin
Club: West Adelaide
A bit of a surprise draft slider but the Dockers won’t be complaining.
With the careers of McPharlin & Pavlich getting close to the end, the Dockers will be thrilled to get their hands on one the drafts elite tall talents. He offers the club so much in terms of flexibility however I think Centre Half Back will be his most effective position. The likes of Marchbank & Goddard will also be considered here but I feel that Durdin is more talented than both of those players. His elite athleticism & decision making makes him a cut above most in this draft. A terrific get here.
Pick 14: Adelaide – Hugh Goddard
Club: Geelong Falcons
With likely target Durdin already gone, the Crows will pick the next best key defender available here in Goddard. He can play at both ends but has played his best football recently in defence, but its his versatility which will really impress Adelaide. He is deceptively quick, is a strong mark & finds targets with his kicks. His stocks fell during the early part of this season but he finished the year really well & looks a lock in to be drafted in the first round.
Pick 15: Gold Coast – Kyle Langford
Club: Northern Knights
Langford is a versatile swingman type who can play at either end. His stocks have really risen in the last few weeks & it would be a surprise if he isn’t taken in the first round. He is very athletic & has strong hands & clean disposal. Gold Coast are in the great position of having most bases covered so by recruiting Langford, they are getting something that they don’t already have.
His ability to play numerous roles will really appeal to the Suns.
Pick 16: North Melbourne – Caleb Marchbank
Club: Murray Bushrangers
Maybe a bit of a surprise that the Roos will take a KPD here instead of a midfielder, but quite simply, North desperately need to find another quality tall defender given that Firrito & Grima are probably playing their last season & Lachie Hansen continues to have injury woes. Marchbank is clearly one of the top 3 key position defenders available in this draft & he is also capable of being used as a swingman during games which is another string to his bow. Arguably the best intercept mark in the TAC Cup competition and coupled with his ability to read the ball in flight whether under pressure or not is
another added bonus which the Roos will find hard to ignore given their shortfalls in defence.
Pick 17: Essendon – Corey Ellis
Club: Western Jets
The type of player who just gets things done, there is nothing flash about him but he is productive and busy & is somewhat underrated in this draft. Nonetheless, his talents haven’t gone unnoticed & it is highly unlikely that he will slip past the top 20 picks this year. He is tough, can win his own ball & is an excellent user of the footy, something that will excite the Bombers. Jobe Watson desperately needs some inside support & Ellis may just be the man to add to the Bombers midfield in this area.
Pick 18: Sydney – Isaac Heeney - Academy Selection
Club: Cardiff
Undoubtedly the steal of this draft year. Were it not for the Swans having this Academy selection, Heeney would have gone top 2 & possibly even number 1 in this years draft. I rate him even higher than Petracca & Melbourne did bid pick 2 in an effort to snare him a few weeks back. In a nutshell, he has no weaknesses, he wins the footy, has excellent disposal skills by hand or foot, has terrific speed, composure under pressure & is fearless in his attack on both the opposition & the ball. Quite simply he is the complete package & it is highly likely that he will be injected into the Swans midfield from round 1 next year.
Pick 19: Carlton – Nakia Cockatoo
Club: NT Thunder
A late draft bolter, Cockatoo’s stocks have really risen in the last few weeks & the x factor that he possesses will be something that will have really caught the recruiters eye. He made a huge impression during the Allies vs. AFL Academy game being best on ground. He is an explosive line breaker, is an excellent two sided player & possesses brilliant pace as well as evasive skills that rival Cyril Rioli. Carlton will find him hard to pass up on here if he is still available.
Pick 20: Essendon – Brayden Maynard
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Maynard is a utility type who does his best work off the packs with an ability to kick on both sides of the body. He is a tough in and under type of midfielder who can be used to shut down the oppositions danger men. He can play a number of roles as he is an outstanding kick for goals and has excellent one on one marking ability. His style of play will be an excellent fit for the Dons.
Pick 21: St Kilda – Tom Lamb
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Tall, exciting but inconsistent, Lamb is an enigma. He could end up being one of the top 3 players in this draft or he could be a bust. His best footy is brilliant but his worst has you scratching your head wondering if he knows what football is all about.
He is a high risk but potentially high reward player & I think the Saints will take the punt on him here. Despite his inconsistency, he offers plenty. He is solid at ground level & uses it well by hand & has a thumping kick on him. His contested marking is a real strength & that coupled with his speed, athletic ability & versatility makes him an intriguing prospect.
Pick 22: St Kilda – Jarrod Garlett
Club: South Fremantle
Best available will be the clubs mantra & despite weaknesses in other areas of the list, Garlett is just too good to ignore.
Possessing explosive pace & with terrific kicking ability, Garlett was a standout in the Under 18 Championships for WA & it would be a major surprise if he lasted beyond pick 30. He also showed great stamina with his ability to work hard by running both back & forward a highlight of his game. Will be a terrific AFL player once gets a bit more size.
Pick 23: GWS – Tyler Keitel
Club: East Perth
For a club that has most bases covered in terms of list structure, Keitel is an interesting option for the Giants. They have a glut of midfielders, their key forwards are settled & they have ruck depth. Keitel is a player at 194cm that can play as a tall defender & given that Tim Mohr is unlikely to play next year, concerns about the ongoing fitness of Davis & the slow development of Plowman, he may just be the player to top off their list in this draft. He has really good recovery, is mobile & athletic & also has a good spring on him. He plays a physical brand of football & this should fit right into the GWS style under Cameron. With the drafting of Lever as well as Keitel, the key defensive area suddenly looks well catered for with some really good defensive options now available at selection.
Pick 24: GWS – Jack Steele - Academy Selection
Club: Belconnen
A little bit of extra cream on the draft cake for the Giants here. Pre selected as an Academy player, Steele is worthy of a first round selection, so to get him here is a bargain. Was injured in 2013 but he had an outstanding National Championships for NSW which culminated in him earning All Australian selection.
A goal kicking midfielder with reasonable if not explosive pace, Steele’s agility & vision when under pressure stands him out from the rest. He is also a tidy kick with clean hands & is a stoppage expert. Will just add even more depth to an already imposing group of young midfield talent.
Pick 25: North Melbourne – Connor Menadue
Club: Western Jets
Having taken a KPD with their first pick, the next priority will be a quick skilfull goal kicking midfielder, & Menadue fits the bill perfectly.
Explosive & nimble, his ability to impose himself on games with his speed and penetrating kick makes him an exciting proposition for the Roos here. Although lightly framed, he is a ferocious tackler & is renowned for his ability to kick goals on the run. Is a similar type of player to Isaac Smith & in a team lacking midfield pace, I doubt that the Roos will pass on him if he is still available here.
Pick 26: Western Bulldogs – Damien Cavka
Club: Calder Cannons
Like North Melbourne, the Doggies need an injection of midfield pace & with Menadue gone, Cavka is the next best available of this type.
A run & carry type of player who can hit targets at speed as well as hit the scoreboard regularly, he offers the club some real outside running ability which is clearly lacking, especially with Griffen now gone. In a midfield dominated by tough inside contested ball players, Cavka is a player who could really make a difference.
Pick 27: Western Bulldogs – Oscar McDonald
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Brother of Tom, Oscar is one of the better key defenders in this draft & with a dearth of quality KPD’s at the club right now, I would be very surprised if he is passed over here.
He is tall & athletic & is renowned for his pace & ability to intercept marks & set up attacking play from defence. He is prepared to back his ability by taking some calculated risks & he uses the ball by foot very well. He did well in the TAC Cup when matched up against the likes of Moore, McCartin & Wright, so he has the credentials to succeed. With Roughead the only decent quality tall KPD at the moment, McDonald is a no brainer if available.
Pick 28: Carlton – Clem Smith
Club: Perth
Having taken a midfielder with pick 19, I’m sure a quality KPD would be on the shopping list, but with most of them now gone, I think they will take a punt on Smith here.
Very much in the Byron Pickett mould, Smith may need to refine his game somewhat at AFL level but he has fantastic upside & will add some real hardness to a midfield without hard nuts McLean & Robinson next year.
He does possess real pace & although he lacks a bit of polish by foot & can make some poor decisions at times, he could be a real diamond in the rough in this draft.
Pick 29: Gold Coast – Jackson Nelson
Club: Geelong Falcons
Tough no nonsense defender-cum-midfielder Nelson has just what the Suns lack. A player who relishes the tough footy, he is a tackling machine who wins plenty of contested footy & thrives on pressuring his opponents. He can also hit targets which is an important asset in a developing team like Gold Coast. Will add some real grunt to a midfield needing a more physical element to their game, especially with Campbell Brown now gone.
Pick 30: Collingwood – Connor Blakely
Club: Swan Districts
Midfield talent is a real area of concern for the Pies & having already taken Laverde at Pick 5, Blakely is an interesting selection here.
Winning All-Australian selection this year, he has plenty of senior WAFL experience & is physically ready to play from round one if selected. He is a courageous type of player who won’t take a backward step & he is excellent in tackling, contested possessions and clearances. He makes really good decisions by hand or foot & is also versatile enough to play in a number of positions either back or forward. He just looks like the kind of player that Collingwood love & would be a really nice fit I think.
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