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The club has stated (at least CC has) that they will mostly go after midfielder in the draft, so here is a list off the top midfielders who might be a available at pick 31: (Bios by Footygoss.com)
Following are a chance of being available at 31:
Jarrad Harbrow – Murray Bushrangers
(based on recent history could be a chance based on our love of Vic Country kids)
Can play as an inside or outside midfielder. Greatest assets are pace, kicking and goal sense. Didn’t have an extremely impressive championships campaign or draft camp but goalkicking midfielders can be invaluable. Should be selected somewhere after pick 25.
Chris Schmidt – West Adelaide
Classy midfielder that showed his potential at the 2005 U16 championships where he was SA’s third best player behind Gibbs and Sellar. Suited to roles in the midfield, wing or forward flanks. Very smart footballer with excellent disposal. With Sellar out of form, Schmidt was clearly SA’s second best at the U18 championships. Top 10 in handspan testing at draft camp. Good overhead for a midfielder and has a strong mark. Most likely a second-round selection.
Tom Hurley – Sturt
SA U18 captain and U18 AA. Consistent ball winner with excellent pace and evasive skills. Draft stocks boosted by dominant championships performance this year. Suited to a role as inside midfielder with ability to win possession from stoppages. Kicking lacks penetration and precision at time but is a genuine ball magnet. Could be a first-round selection, more likely a second-rounder.
Sam Jacobs – Woodville-West Torrens (might be available for our 2nd pick)
Only Woodville-West Torrens representative for SA at the U18 championships this year. Genuine ruckman who is mobile and works well with midfielders. Strong mark and good size. Played league football for the Eagles in the SANFL this season. Excellent work around the ground. Worth a mid-to-late round pick.
Zac Millar – North Adelaide (might be available for our 2nd or 3rd pick)
Former AIS/AFL academy member with skill and talent. Suited to a role either as a half forward flanker of midfielder. Deadly goal sense and excellent disposal. Well built and hard at the ball. Questions over his lack of endurance ability to do the one-percenters. Most likely a late-round pick.
Shane Edwards – North Adelaide (Later picks)
Terrific athletic qualities for a skinny midfielder. Hard working on-baller and despite skinny frame is a very good tackler (11 tackles in SANFL preliminary final). Third in the beep test at the draft camp. Outstanding endurance and aggression, but small size could see him drop to a late-round pick.
Craig Bird - New South Wales/ACT
The captain and MVP for NSW/ACT at the U18 national championships, also their only All-Australian representative. Hard-working inside midfielder with 27 disposals in the Rising Stars Cup match. Could go anywhere in the draft and would be a handy asset with great work in the stoppages.
Following only an outside chance:
Brock O'Brien - Peel Thunder (Probably won't fall to 31)
Physical midfielder/half back flanker in the same mould Brock McLean. Thrives on physical contests and impressed at last two national championships at U18 level. Also played a handful of games in Peel's league side. Not lightning quick but has solid pace and appears physically ready to make the next step. A definite top 20 hope.
Daniel Connors – Bendigo
Quick inside midfielder, courageous and outstanding disposal. Has the ability to get the hard ball at stoppages as well as receive possession on the outside while using his pace to break the lines. Could also develop into a floating half back flanker, but has more upside as an inside midfielder. Strong overhead and a strong-bodied player. Tackling is only question mark but will most likely go between pick 10 and 20.
Bachar Houli – Western Jets
Tremendous, damaging skills for a small midfielder. Despite small size, Houli is hard at the ball and is superb in contested situations. Very smart player with outstanding vision and awareness. Missed out on U18 AA selection despite impressing at the championships. Struggled with ankle and back injuries in 2005 but had an injury-free 2006 season. Could be selected anywhere between pick 10 and 25.
Tom Hislop - Tasmania
U18 All-Australian, physically tough inside midfielder. Good natural footballer, excellent skills with both hand and foot and impressive size for a midfielder. Most likely a top 20 pick.
Ricky Petterd - Queensland (We don't usually go for Banana benders)
Highly-rated midfielder after claiming the Harrison Medal for best player in division two at the national championships. Another Queensland representative in the U18 All-Australian side. Relatively quiet in the AFLQ but has smooth skills and leadership qualities. Chance to go in the first round but more likely to slip to the second round.
Following are a chance of being available at 31:
Jarrad Harbrow – Murray Bushrangers
(based on recent history could be a chance based on our love of Vic Country kids)
Can play as an inside or outside midfielder. Greatest assets are pace, kicking and goal sense. Didn’t have an extremely impressive championships campaign or draft camp but goalkicking midfielders can be invaluable. Should be selected somewhere after pick 25.
Chris Schmidt – West Adelaide
Classy midfielder that showed his potential at the 2005 U16 championships where he was SA’s third best player behind Gibbs and Sellar. Suited to roles in the midfield, wing or forward flanks. Very smart footballer with excellent disposal. With Sellar out of form, Schmidt was clearly SA’s second best at the U18 championships. Top 10 in handspan testing at draft camp. Good overhead for a midfielder and has a strong mark. Most likely a second-round selection.
Tom Hurley – Sturt
SA U18 captain and U18 AA. Consistent ball winner with excellent pace and evasive skills. Draft stocks boosted by dominant championships performance this year. Suited to a role as inside midfielder with ability to win possession from stoppages. Kicking lacks penetration and precision at time but is a genuine ball magnet. Could be a first-round selection, more likely a second-rounder.
Sam Jacobs – Woodville-West Torrens (might be available for our 2nd pick)
Only Woodville-West Torrens representative for SA at the U18 championships this year. Genuine ruckman who is mobile and works well with midfielders. Strong mark and good size. Played league football for the Eagles in the SANFL this season. Excellent work around the ground. Worth a mid-to-late round pick.
Zac Millar – North Adelaide (might be available for our 2nd or 3rd pick)
Former AIS/AFL academy member with skill and talent. Suited to a role either as a half forward flanker of midfielder. Deadly goal sense and excellent disposal. Well built and hard at the ball. Questions over his lack of endurance ability to do the one-percenters. Most likely a late-round pick.
Shane Edwards – North Adelaide (Later picks)
Terrific athletic qualities for a skinny midfielder. Hard working on-baller and despite skinny frame is a very good tackler (11 tackles in SANFL preliminary final). Third in the beep test at the draft camp. Outstanding endurance and aggression, but small size could see him drop to a late-round pick.
Craig Bird - New South Wales/ACT
The captain and MVP for NSW/ACT at the U18 national championships, also their only All-Australian representative. Hard-working inside midfielder with 27 disposals in the Rising Stars Cup match. Could go anywhere in the draft and would be a handy asset with great work in the stoppages.
Following only an outside chance:
Brock O'Brien - Peel Thunder (Probably won't fall to 31)
Physical midfielder/half back flanker in the same mould Brock McLean. Thrives on physical contests and impressed at last two national championships at U18 level. Also played a handful of games in Peel's league side. Not lightning quick but has solid pace and appears physically ready to make the next step. A definite top 20 hope.
Daniel Connors – Bendigo
Quick inside midfielder, courageous and outstanding disposal. Has the ability to get the hard ball at stoppages as well as receive possession on the outside while using his pace to break the lines. Could also develop into a floating half back flanker, but has more upside as an inside midfielder. Strong overhead and a strong-bodied player. Tackling is only question mark but will most likely go between pick 10 and 20.
Bachar Houli – Western Jets
Tremendous, damaging skills for a small midfielder. Despite small size, Houli is hard at the ball and is superb in contested situations. Very smart player with outstanding vision and awareness. Missed out on U18 AA selection despite impressing at the championships. Struggled with ankle and back injuries in 2005 but had an injury-free 2006 season. Could be selected anywhere between pick 10 and 25.
Tom Hislop - Tasmania
U18 All-Australian, physically tough inside midfielder. Good natural footballer, excellent skills with both hand and foot and impressive size for a midfielder. Most likely a top 20 pick.
Ricky Petterd - Queensland (We don't usually go for Banana benders)
Highly-rated midfielder after claiming the Harrison Medal for best player in division two at the national championships. Another Queensland representative in the U18 All-Australian side. Relatively quiet in the AFLQ but has smooth skills and leadership qualities. Chance to go in the first round but more likely to slip to the second round.
