Potential Draftee Watch - Version 2008

[Pettas]

Someone said on the draft board that Casey Sibosado didnt nominate for the draft in time. Anyone able to confirm?

 

[year of the cat]

I think with Egan's football future all but over now we have to seriously consider taking someone like Jayden Post if we fail to get Trengove with a first round pick.

I wonder whether it will also make them baulk at taking Swift with his injury history? If fit Swift would make a great running half back flanker. At 190 odd cm and good overhead for his size apparently, he would make a terrific replacement for Milburn.

Will be interesting to see the strategy that Thompson/Wells employ on draft day.

 

[rizzo]

I think with Egan's football future all but over now we have to seriously consider taking someone like Jayden Post if we fail to get Trengove with a first round pick.

I wonder whether it will also make them baulk at taking Swift with his injury history? If fit Swift would make a great running half back flanker. At 190 odd cm and good overhead for his size apparently, he would make a terrific replacement for Milburn.

Will be interesting to see the strategy that Thompson/Wells employ on draft day.

Good analysis YOTC. The top part will probably be reflected in my phantom draft.

 

[Budda 230]

Someone said on the draft board that Casey Sibosado didnt nominate for the draft in time. Anyone able to confirm?

I read on the Draft board that it was a Facebook prank. So it shouldn't be an issue. Gees, pranks like that would look really silly if he didn't get drafted. Maybe this is the shit attitude surfacing?

I think with Egan's football future all but over now we have to seriously consider taking someone like Jayden Post if we fail to get Trengove with a first round pick.

I wonder whether it will also make them baulk at taking Swift with his injury history? If fit Swift would make a great running half back flanker. At 190 odd cm and good overhead for his size apparently, he would make a terrific replacement for Milburn.

Will be interesting to see the strategy that Thompson/Wells employ on draft day.

I'm still pretty confident Wells and Co will go best available with the first pick. If they rate the available players at a similar level, then you'd think they'd select on a needs basis. With players like Hill, Davis and Lisle bolting towards the top 10, it is becoming more and more likely a quality player may slide to our pick. Lets not forget we are developing McKenna down back and Lonergan is more than capable.

The Egan story is very sad but it isn't all doom and gloom for the list structure. There is plenty of back options later in the draft. Maybe Wells will find a mature age defender like Taylor with a late pick or even rookie? I can't think of any that immediately fill that criteria, but surely there are some hidden gems in the state leagues that are rated highly.

In regards to Swift, I think it would be great to develop him off the back flank. But from what I've heard, the limited footage I've seen and if his knees hold up, I'd be fairly disappointed if he was turned into a career half back. Maybe I'm rating Swift too highly, but wouldn't he be a fantastic long term replacement for Joel Corey? The mind boggles.

 

[Pivo]

The news about Egan, while not unexpected, is a bigger blow than people are perhaps realising. Yes, Taylor did a great job holding down CHB but that isn't his natural position and he would be far more damaging if he was released to a flank.

Lonergan might be a solution as a key back but I'd question whether he has the body strength to do the job.

Earlier in the year I suggested that West could be an option back there and I still think there is some merit in that.

However, I'd be mighty disappointed if Geelong didn't go with a key backman first up in light of the Egan news.

Not only does it provide more depth, it'll release Taylor to be a more attacking option.

Remember, if Egan remains on the list, I suspect Ediriwickrama will go straight to Nominated Rookie status and Mumford will be allowed to play from Rd 11.

That is likely to also have some impact on Geelong's thinking come draft day. If Ediriwickrama is as good as we believe he is, Swift might be a moot point (especially since he is a real unknown quantity).

 

[geelong_boy]

Earlier in the year I suggested that West could be an option back there and I still think there is some merit in that.

Yes it should be tried. What about Dan McKenna, Pivotonian? Did you see much of him in the 2s this year? I think if he can put on a few kilos over summer and shows a bit in the pre-season he should be given some senior experience while Scarlett, Milburn and Harley are still around.

However, I'd be mighty disappointed if Geelong didn't go with a key backman first up in light of the Egan news.

Depends who's available at 15. I'd prefer it if they went for best available, providing that a youngster highly regarded by Well (and not BigFooty) fell to our pick. In fact, probably best available for our first two selections given there seems to be a fair bit of depth in this draft.

While it's probable that both Swift and Tregove will be gone by our pick I think Lewis Johnston could drop to us and if he was available he'd greatly compliment Hawkins, Simpson, and Gamble in the years to come.

Not only does it provide more depth, it'll release Taylor to be a more attacking option.

This could be true, but Taylor's a funny one. Even though he'll never be a gorilla CHB like Egan was, his reading of the ball and ability to get to a contest was exceptional for someone in their first year of AFL footy. He could still be a key defender and be attacking.

Remember, if Egan remains on the list, I suspect Ediriwickrama will go straight to Nominated Rookie status and Mumford will be allowed to play from Rd 11.

Someone else has already posted that we can't have a nominated rookie next year because of both places on our veterans list are filled.

 

[rizzo]

It is interesting to note that North are keen on Lewis Johnston in the hope of turning him into a key defender.

Some food for thought if he slips.

 

[rizzo]

Mock will be up in a few hours

 

[rizzo]

Sorry guys, the way I formatted it meant it should have been easier to read, but size restrictions on images mean that you will need to click on each image to get a bigger view of it.

Rizzo's Mock Draft

ROUND 1

1. MELBOURNE
Jack Watts
Highly rated junior, who will be a premier forward for a long time. The Dees are keen and seems like a lock at this stage.

2. WEST COAST EAGLES
Daniel Rich
Another quality West Australian midfielder to go to the Eagles. They will be torn on who to take here, but an Ebert, Rich, Masten midfield looks a beauty.

3. FREMANTLE
Nicholas Naitanui
Losing Warnock will mean the dockers will be looking for a ruck. The wraps on NN are huge and he has an impressive vertical leap. Don’t expect the dockers to look much further.

4. PORT ADELAIDE
Tyrone Vickery
What 2008 showed is that they need another key forward. With Tredrea on his way out, Vickery will thrive at Alberton. Hamish Hartlett may be another the power look at taking.

5. ESSENDON
Michael Hurley
Fletcher and Michael on the way out with Ryder looking a lively prospect, the dons will look to sure up their KP stocks with a young quality defender.

6. CARLTON
Jackson Trengrove
Do they need another midfielder? I think not. The blues will pull the trigger early and take this promising key position player. Will be the future of the blues spine.

7. BRISBANE LIONS
Hamish Hartlett
Lucky number 7 will strike again. Harlett will be a bargain at 7. The lions would love such a smooth mover at this pick and he would slip right into the lions midfield.

8. RICHMOND
Steele Sidebottom
A quality player. The tigers will look to go best available with their pick, and there isn’t much better than Steele. He may have slipped, however his TAC cup performance will ensure he is taken high.

9. NORTH MELBOURNE
Jack Ziebell
North will go for best available with their first pick, and Ziebell looks like a really fine player. Can play pretty much anywhere which will also entice the roos.

10. ADELAIDE
Lewis Johnstone
Despite what ADELAIDE fans think, Johnstone looks like a player the crows would love. Tall athletic and a good forward. Has everything going for him.


11. COLLINGWOOD
Chris Yarren
Classy player who would fit in well at the Lexus centre. Good disposal, fast and flexible the pies would love to see him rotating off a wing / half back.

12. SYDNEY
Shaun McKernan
SYDNEY will be wanting a ruckman after Everitt has left, and McKernan is the best ruck in the land for his age. Plays a lot like his brother.

13. ST KILDA
Stephen Hill
A solid midfielder who has a great kick and mark. The Saints need another quality midfielder to add to their ranks, and Stephen would fit this category perfectly.


14. WESTERN BULLDOGS
Ayce Cordy – F/S

15. GEELONG
Jordan Lisle
The injury to Egan will see the cats decide not to go with Swift. Lisle has done well both down back and up forward. Perfect fit.

16. HAWTHORN
Thomas Swift
Crawf gone and Swift still there. The Hawks would be silly not to pounce on Swift. They can afford to give him some time to get over his injuries.

PRIORITY

17. MELBOURNE
Jordan Roughead
The Dees have gotten rid of White and now rely on PJ and Jamar to ruck. Roughead did a great job in the ruck for the Vic’s and MELBOURNE will snap him up at this pick.

18. WEST COAST EAGLES
Sam Blease
Taken a bit early, but Blease will impress the Eagles. A classy player who uses the ball well. A small defender.

ROUND 2

19. MELBOURNE
Matthew Broadbent
Bargain of the draft. Many see him slipping late, but Broadbent is a genuine small defender. With the loss of Johnson, Broadbent looks like a handy addition.

20. WEST COAST EAGLES
Rhys O’Keefe
Another Running player for the Eagles. They will load up and have one of the best running brigades going around.

21. FREMANTLE
David Zaharakis
At pick 21 this is a real bargain. Has a quality about him that not many dockers have. Throw him in the middle or down back from round 1 next year and watch him grow.

22. PORT ADELAIDE
Matthew DeBoer
A few retirees/ delisting for Port will see them look a little bit smaller with this pick. DeBoer is a good get at this stage.

23. ESSENDON
Neville Jetta
Another Leroy. The don’s may not need that type of player, but his carnival was really good and could be an early selection for the dons.

24. FREMANTLE
Mitch Robinson
FREMANTLE will add another midfielder with this pick. Robbo could easily go earlier then this. So at 24 the dockers have done well.

25. BRISBANE LIONS
Aaron Cornelius
I could imagine that BRISBANE will go with the best available at this pick. Cornelius is to good to pass up. Maybe they will mould him into a Key Defender, if not they have a classy tall.

26. RICHMOND
Dan Hannebery
Nice pick up here by the Tigers. Dan is a bottom age player and the tigers will be able to give him lots of time to develop. May slide from here, but 26 is a decent price for this fella.

27. NORTH MELBOURNE
Jayden Post
North need another key player and Post will be here at this pick. Really gaining momentum is the Post bandwagon. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him taken by the roos.

28. ADELAIDE
Ryan Schoenmarkers
Another Key forward for the Crows. Burton ageing, Gill average, and Trent finding injuries. The Shoe would be a decent pick up for the crows.

29. COLLINGWOOD
Nick Heyne
Has a lot of people excited. Another running player for the Magpies. Could be a ready made replacement for Rhyce Shan.

30. SYDNEY
Nick Suban
A ready made utility for the swans if they need him. Could be a slider from the first round, in which the case the Swans would be hard pressed to say “no”.

31. WESTERN BULLDOGS
Tom Rockliff
Cordy and Rockliff could be the future of the dogs forward line.

32. WESTERN BULLDOGS
Ashley Smith
Quality ball winner. Could go in the 20’s, but the dogs without Ray and West will love to get another good midfielder into the team.

33. GEELONG
Tyson Davis-Neale
Seventeen year old who has a lot of upside. In the AIS academy and played some reserves football later on in the year. With the Gold Coast coming in the cats can afford to take a risk on a younger bloke.

34. HAWTHORN
Clancee Pearce
It is hard to see what the Hawks really need. Pearce could still be here this late and would be an awesome addition to an already powerful team.

ROUND 3

35. MELBOURNE
Mitch Banner
Not a bad midfielder. Will complement the Dees midfield. With McDonald getting older, banner could be a replacement.

36. WEST COAST EAGLES
Hayden Ballantyne
Super talented and a mature age guy. Could be the next Pridis for them. Mature age player who can come in and dominate.

37. FREMANTLE
Paul Cahill
Tall player who the dockers could mould into a key defender. If not they will have another good forward to add to their arsenal.

38. PORT ADELAIDE
Steve Gaetner
A key defender to add to the Power’s stocks. Athletic and was stiff not to be drafted last year. If he misses this year then it is curtains for this defender.

39. GEELONG
Nathan O’Keefe
Word on the streets is that NOK is being chased by GEELONG and SYDNEY. Doubt he would last to the pick after this. Quality key forward who kicked goals late in the year.

40. CARLTON
Mitch Brown
Not a bad pick at this stage for CARLTON. Growing quickly and has a lot of upside to his game. Pick 40 seems about right.

41. BRISBANE LIONS
Jarred Redden
A project player for the lions. A ruckman who they can give a few years to develop and be the future with Luey.

42. PORT ADELAIDE
Tom Lynch
Smart player and Port would love someone like him. Very dangerous around goals. If he gets a big engine then the sky is the limit for him.

43. NORTH MELBOURNE
Robin Nahas
Been a star at Port MELBOURNE this year. North would have seen him first hand in the VFL grand final. Thomas, Campbell and Nahas forward line would be EXTREMELY dangerous.

44. ADELAIDE
Jamie Sheehan
Really stood out at the under 18 carnival. Electric player who can take the game by the scruff of the neck.

45. COLLINGWOOD
Chris Hall
Showed how dangerous he can be at the carnival. Put him on a wing or push him forward, the pies would be stocked to get him this late.

46. COLLINGWOOD
Zach Clarke
A real project ruckman, but I think the pies really need another ruck. Only played one year of footy and was a Basketballer.


47. ST KILDA
Todd Banfield
His skills let him down, but his toughness at the ball and the man are top rate. In a saints team that lacks a lot of genuine pace, Banfield could answer their prayers.

48. ST.KILDA
Jordan Jones
Max getting older and McGuire missing in action, Jones could be the option for the Saints down back. Was really good for Vic Country in the champs.

49. GEELONG
Tom Gillies
TAC Cup team of the year full back who was barely beaten throughout the season. Your typical run and punch type player. Nice height and build. Get him in the gym and will be very solid boy.

50. HAWTHORN
Michael Walters
Highly rated at his club Swan districts. Could he last this long? If he does the hawks would be stoked to get him.

 

[rizzo]

ROUND 4

51. MELBOURNE
James Strauss
The Dees have lots of picks, and Strauss looks like a decent option at this stage of the draft. Another player that has a bit of talent. Could be a real slider.

52. WEST COAST EAGLES
Casey Sibosado
Best available Key defender to be taken by the Eagles to compliment their selection of quality running players.

53. FREMANTLE
Liam Anthony
Tall midfielder who has played a bit of senior football and done very well. With the Carr’s and Bell and Black all gone, Anthony is a ready made replacement who can play 22 games next year.

54. PORT ADELAIDE
Rhys Stanley
Lade and Brogan are ageing. Minson and Deluca gone.. Where are the power’s ruck stocks? 200cm 18 year old ruckman who has played senior footy. Should be ready when needed.

55. ESSENDON
Sam Hughes
Classy small forward who could go much earlier then this. If the don’s can get him here then they have a bargain.

56. FREMANTLE
Taylor Gilchrist
Could see him pulling on a freo jumper and running off half back. Nice long kick and is smart on the outside of packs.

57. BRISBANE LIONS
Jarrad Blight
Good medium defender who could fit in well at the lions. They need another genuine stopping player to take the small forwards.

58. RICHMOND
Tom German
Word is the Tiges are interested in him. People liken him to a Sam Mitchell. Hard at it player who doesn’t muck around.

59. NORTH MELBOURNE
Dylan McNeil
Roos to take a bottom age player to develop before the tampered drafts. Plays as a midfielder but can also float back.

60. ADELAIDE
Jay Van Berlo
Nathan’s brother who has been playing some great footy back in WA. The crows would be silly not to take him if he is here at this pick. Especially with Goodwin, Edwards and McLeod not getting any older.

61. SYDNEY
Luke Shuey
Played a fiar bit of school footy so his value might drop a little bit. Certainly the swans would be happy to pick him up this late.

62. SYDNEY
Steven Motlop
Shannon’s brother. A medium forward can be added to the swans line up. Has goal kicking potential.

63. ST KILDA
Anthony Long
Spent the year playing at MELBOURNE Grammar. A lot to like about him. Certainly a bit of Michael there. The saints will again look for a bit more pace.

64. WESTERN BULLDOGS
PASS

65. GEELONG
PASS

66. HAWTHORN
Zach Sengstock
Tall Defender to cap off the Hawks draft. Could get a game later on in the year, but needs to spend a bit of time in the gym first.

ROUND 5

67. MELBOURNE
Bryce Carrol
Has a real X factor. The Dees need someone like him. Could he be the Robbo replacement?

68. WEST COAST EAGLES
PASS

69. CARLTON
Lance Daly
The Blues need another key forward and Lance would be a great pick up this late. Super glue hands.

70. PORT ADELAIDE
Kade Klemke
Interesting player who could still be around this late. Not much more on offer for the power and a young midfielder wouldn’t be the worst.

71. ESSENDON
Luke Thompson
Tall bloke who can play tall or on a wing. Would go pretty high in 09, but may be taken that bit earlier because of the Gold Coast.

72. FREMANTLE
Andrew Browne
Warnock gone, the dockers will be looking for a ruckman. Browne can hold his head up high after his 2008 season and could be rewarded with a spot on a list.

73. BRISBANE LIONS
Dayne Beams
A local midfielder will be given the chance to show his stuff at the lions. Quality player is Beams.

74. RICHMOND
Jarryd Blair
Quality Midfielder. There is so much talent around him though.

75. NTH MELBOURNE
Warren Benjamin
Lightly built small who had a good 2008. Should be rookied, but the Roos could very well take him late in the draft.

76. ADELAIDE
Scott Blessing
South Australian born running backman who I rate very highly. Should be drafted before this, but every draft has a few players that only just get taken.

77. COLLINGWOOD
PASS

78. SYDNEY
PASS

79. ST KILDA
Ben Cousins
No one else will touch him. If they can then they will take him with their last pick of the draft.

80. WESTERN BULLDOGS
PASS

81. GEELONG
PASS

82. HAWTHORN
PASS

ROUND 6

83. MELBOURNE
Liam Jones
Did his knee and didn’t play the season. Had a good 2007. At this pick the Dees may as well take a risk on him.

84. WEST COAST EAGLES
PASS

85. FREMANTLE
Greg Broughton
Has trained with Freo before, and has had a ripping year. They can’t just take 17 and 18 year olds, so he is a bargain this late in the draft.

86. PORT ADELAIDE
Danny Meyer
Delisted by RICHMOND, and a trip back home might do him well. Running out of players to take at 86, Meyer may be a good inclusion.

87. ESSENDON
Luke Stanton
Not much reasoning I can give here other than he is one of the best available players at this pick.

88. CARLTON
Ben Bucovaz
Highly rated small forward down GEELONG way. Played ok in his rep game and at this late could be a steal.

89. BRISBANELIONS
Brayden O’Hara
Ready made small who would fit in very well in BRISBANE.


90. RICHMOND
PASS

91. NTH MELBOURNE
PASS

92. ADELAIDE
PASS

93. BRISBANE LIONS
PASS

94. SYDNEY
PASS

95. ST KILDA
PASS

96. WESTERN BULLDOGS
PASS

97. GEELONG
PASS

98. HAWTHORN
PASS

 

[rizzo]

Finally haha. Feel free to share thoughts an comments.

 

[thejester]

It will be interesting to see how the Egan news affects drafting. I have to admit that while there remains a compelling case for drafting a KPD at #15 (and at the moment that is going to be either Trengove or Lisle), Swift fascinates me. Physically, he is one in a million - 192 but top ten in the sprints, he would be an absolute bitch of a player to try and match up. You'd see him as a midfielder but could potentiall go down back and play small/medium. Yeah, he has had a hell of a lot of misfortune but it seems to be increasingly the norm for juniors to wrack up bad injuries and then come back from them (the same argument could be made for Trengove, as well).

At the very least Egan's injury means we definitely need to draft a KPD this year (possibly two), but from reading the more informed phantoms there seem to be a few around. The talk around Post, Jones and Gillies suggests they are no-nonsense defenders who won't set the world on fire but will get the job done; perfect replacements for Megan. It'd leave our future backline looking something like Taylor - Player X - McKenna/Player Y. I agree with Pivot that it'd be nice to have Taylor in a more attacking position; but we already have a few replacements HBFers in the mix and most phantoms have us drafting at least one more (Broadbent/O'Keefe). Firepower off half-back has been shown in the last two years to be crucial to winning flags, but I think we have plenty coming through.

And just as an addenum: where on earth has this meme come from that Lewis Johnstone will slip? Must surely be the numer three forward behind Watts and Vickery. Wouldn't be unhappy with it (thought it'd surely means Lonergan would spend the rest of his days playing full back in the magoos) but would be stunned if one of Sydney and St Kilda didn't pick him up (if he survived that long).

 

[rizzo]

It will be interesting to see how the Egan news affects drafting. I have to admit that while there remains a compelling case for drafting a KPD at #15 (and at the moment that is going to be either Trengove or Lisle), Swift fascinates me. Physically, he is one in a million - 192 but top ten in the sprints, he would be an absolute bitch of a player to try and match up. You'd see him as a midfielder but could potentiall go down back and play small/medium. Yeah, he has had a hell of a lot of misfortune but it seems to be increasingly the norm for juniors to wrack up bad injuries and then come back from them (the same argument could be made for Trengove, as well).

At the very least Egan's injury means we definitely need to draft a KPD this year (possibly two), but from reading the more informed phantoms there seem to be a few around. The talk around Post, Jones and Gillies suggests they are no-nonsense defenders who won't set the world on fire but will get the job done; perfect replacements for Megan. It'd leave our future backline looking something like Taylor - Player X - McKenna/Player Y. I agree with Pivot that it'd be nice to have Taylor in a more attacking position; but we already have a few replacements HBFers in the mix and most phantoms have us drafting at least one more (Broadbent/O'Keefe). Firepower off half-back has been shown in the last two years to be crucial to winning flags, but I think we have plenty coming through.

And just as an addenum: where on earth has this meme come from that Lewis Johnstone will slip? Must surely be the numer three forward behind Watts and Vickery. Wouldn't be unhappy with it (thought it'd surely means Lonergan would spend the rest of his days playing full back in the magoos) but would be stunned if one of Sydney and St Kilda didn't pick him up (if he survived that long).

Good Call. Would love to know where the Johnstone rumor is to. Hope he gets to our pick haha. There is a bit about Gillies that reminds me of Megan. Your typical stopping defender. Exactly what we need to complement our backline!

 

[Drumroe]

Walters slides waaaaaayyy to far. Is a far better prospect than Jetta and wouldn't get past eagles at 36. Also you have Warren Benjamin listed as slightly built, but he's one of the most well bulit players in WA.

 

[rizzo]

Walters slides waaaaaayyy to far. Is a far better prospect than Jetta and wouldn't get past eagles at 36. Also you have Warren Benjamin listed as slightly built, but he's one of the most well bulit players in WA.

Walters is my slider of the draft.

Really? Didn't look at his stats but he looked small on the tv

 

[Drumroe]

Walters is my slider of the draft.

Really? Didn't look at his stats but he looked small on the tv

Fair enough. Theres a thread about Warren Benjamin in the Drafts and Trading forum and you'll see he's quite a big kid

 

[rizzo]

Fair enough. Theres a thread about Warren Benjamin in the Drafts and Trading forum and you'll see he's quite a big kid

Thanks for pointing it out mate

 

[SUPASTARR]

Have seen the highlights package of Post (KP) and was very impressed. Also like the look of Strauss (MID). Would be happy with either but really who knows what the clubs are thinking. We are just guessing and hoping.

 

[geelong_boy]

Interesting draft rizzo. Still yet to have a really close look at it but I've noticed that there's no Phil Davis, who many seem to rate.

 

[Postman_Pav]

Interesting draft rizzo. Still yet to have a really close look at it but I've noticed that there's no Phil Davis, who many seem to rate.

Davis is a certainty to go in the top 20.

Like to know why Rizzo thinks Walters will slide. Bottom-age, AIS, silky skills, inside ball winner. Those players dont last long normally. Especially when local clubs like Freo and WC have 8 picks inside the top 50.

 

[Budda 230]

Great read Rizzo. Although I'd be a little disappointed if the draft panned out that way for the Cats (especially with Swift still available), I think it's refreshing that you've stuck with the players you rate and not the general Bigfooty opinion. Makes it a lot more interesting than the same old, almost copy and paste, non descriptive phantom drafts that keep appearing on the T&D board of late.

Just in regards to a couple of posts about developing Taylor into a flanker, I agree that would be his most effective position. The fact is that drafting a KP backman with our 1st pick still isn't going to allow Geelong to do this. Even if one of the Trengoves, Lisles, Davis' or Johnstons are picked up by Geelong and developed into defenders, they aren't going to make immediate impacts. Which ultimately means Taylor will keep manning tall key forwards for the next 2 years (unless Hurley slides to us which is more than unlikely). That should make us lean towards best available for the first pick.

It has to be remembered that this selection 15 could well be the highest pick we'll have in a long time. This is apparently one of the better drafts ever so we can't really afford to take a potential need over a potential gun. I remember after the 2006 season almost everyone on the Geelong board thought it was critically important to select need (which at the time was seen to be an electrifyingly speedy midfielder or a tall forward) over best available. Thank god we picked best available that year.

 

[rizzo]

Interesting draft rizzo. Still yet to have a really close look at it but I've noticed that there's no Phil Davis, who many seem to rate.

To injured to really be considered. Had some dodgy shoulders this year which meant he couldn't really play or be tested. I'd find it hard given the importance of this draft for a club to seriously pick him up. He may be a late draft prospect, Def a rookie list prospect. But I just couldn't fit him in there.

Davis is a certainty to go in the top 20.

If he goes top 20 with what I have written above, I will eat my balls.

Like to know why Rizzo thinks Walters will slide. Bottom-age, AIS, silky skills, inside ball winner. Those players dont last long normally. Especially when local clubs like Freo and WC have 8 picks inside the top 50.

Good player, rate him very highly. But drafts always have good players slip. Things happen and there is always one. There isn't a massive amount of logic behind it to be honest, but he is the type that might get caught up and drop a lot further then many think.

Great read Rizzo. Although I'd be a little disappointed if the draft panned out that way for the Cats (especially with Swift still available), I think it's refreshing that you've stuck with the players you rate and not the general Bigfooty opinion. Makes it a lot more interesting than the same old, almost copy and paste, non descriptive phantom drafts that keep appearing on the T&D board of late.

Just in regards to a couple of posts about developing Taylor into a flanker, I

Thanks mate. I had swift coming to us, but the Egan decision forced me to swap Lisle and Swift. Maybe it is me playing it safe, I don't know.

Tyson Davis Neale is a real smoky and could be a genuine star. 17 at the AIS and has played a fair bit of footy for an bottom ager. With our midfield we could really spend some time fine tuning him to be a top class player.

Nathan O'Keefe is another favourite of mine. Can kick big bags of goals and has a great mark on him. Has a fair bit of interest from Sydney though. So he may not last.

Tom Gillies will never be a super flash running defender, but I don't think we need that. He will develop out and be your typical strong spoil/mark type defender. Wouldn't sneeze at the best TAC Cup full back coming to us at pick 50.

There seems to be a few who are happy to get the kicks in when a phantom is not "Mainstream". What I have aimed to do is give a different perspective and include some players that many have forgotten or didn't know about.

At the end of the day, this phantom will be just as accurate as the others, but atleast people have some reference to the players when their club picks up a "smoky". So thanks for the support Buddah

 

[Pivo]

Someone else has already posted that we can't have a nominated rookie next year because of both places on our veterans list are filled.

Yeah, you're right. Wrong choice of words on my behalf. What I meant was, if Egan remains on the list then Ediriwickrama becomes the elevated Rookie (to replace a player on the long term injury list).

Then both Ediriwickrama and Mumford may be able to play seniors in 2009.

So, if Ediriwickrama gets promoted at the start of the year (which the GFC will know if Egan is likely or not) then having him already available come Rd. 1 may impact their thinking on draft day.

It is also the reason they offered the rookie position in the first place. They knew how Egan was travelling.

 

[Pivo]

Just in regards to a couple of posts about developing Taylor into a flanker, I agree that would be his most effective position. The fact is that drafting a KP backman with our 1st pick still isn't going to allow Geelong to do this. Even if one of the Trengoves, Lisles, Davis' or Johnstons are picked up by Geelong and developed into defenders, they aren't going to make immediate impacts. Which ultimately means Taylor will keep manning tall key forwards for the next 2 years (unless Hurley slides to us which is more than unlikely). That should make us lean towards best available for the first pick.

Maybe I have an inflated opinion of Lisle and a skewed view on Trengove but I think both could slot into CHB next year thus releasing Taylor to a flank.

Remember, they would be slotting into (arguably) the best defensive unit on the competition so would get a fair bit of support (much like Taylor did this year).

If that is too risky, then I would throw Lonergan down to CHB (or even West) and allow the kid to develop.

I would hope Hawkins makes FF his in 2009 which means Lonergan might head back to defence.

 

[thejester]

Thing about releasing Taylor to a flank is that it would presumably mean one of Harley and Milburn is dropped; can't see either thing happening next year, even with both growing older.