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TheBrownDog
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This is my first ever mock so hopefully you all enjoy it. If it goes ok I might do another one next year.
I've tried to fill clubs needs as much as possible....but I've picked players about where I think they're worth.
#1 Gold Coast
David Swallow (East Fremantle) 186 cm 83 kg midfielder
Just an out and out gun. Inside, outside, wins contested ball, uses it well, and is so physically built for his age. A worthy no1 pick in any year.
#2 Gold Coast
Harley Bennell (Peel Thunder)185 cm 74 kg midfielder
Quick, and silky, and oozes hurt factor. Could play in several positions, and is
#3 Gold Coast
Sam Day (Sturt) 196 cm 96 kg forward
Could be anything…key forward who is athletically a freak, and considering he’s done other sports and never concentrated on footy fully, the sky is the limit.
#4 West Coast
Andrew Gaff (Oakleigh Chargers) 182 cm 78 kg midfielder
Is a real player, such a hard worker, outstanding endurance (very handy under the new rules), is primarily an outside receiver and user but will put his head over the footy and win it inside if need be. He’s seen as a bit vanilla, but it’s very good vanilla, and the expanses of Subi will suit him well.
#5 Brisbane Lions
Dyson Heppell (Sandringham Dragons) 189 cm 80 kg defender/midfielder
If it were me I’d consider Atley, but the Lions have been linked to Heppell for ages. He’ll start at half back, and has fantastic long kicking, has speed and is a very good mark for his size. Just a solid solid player and should be a 200 gamer.
#6 Richmond
Jarrad Polec (Woodville West Torrens) 189 cm 80 kg midfielder
Oozes X Factor, speed, poise, dashing type wingman, who will win contested ball and also have go forward. Will really completent Richmond’s existing mids nicely.
#7 Gold Coast
Josh Caddy (Northern Knights) 186 cm 82 kg midfielder
Grunt machine…loves contested ball, breaks tackles, like a bull, and will kick goals. So courageous and kicks the ball really well…was rated as slow but camp proved that wrong. Will be a good one.
#8 Essendon
Shaun Atley (Murray Bushrangers) 189 cm 81 kg midfielder
Despite the presence of Gorringe, Essendon will be sensible and bolster their midfield. I like Atley because he’ll help them inside at the clearances, but he also has the elite pace to break out of the congestion. Kicking could use a bit more polish but is generally really good. Is exactly what Essendon need.
#9 Gold Coast
Daniel Gorringe (Norwood) 200 cm 87 kg ruckman
Best ruckman in the draft. Great tap ruckman, but also very athletic around the ground, good below his knees and like an extra midfielder. Has been likened to Matthew Kruezer. Will form a potent ruck combo with Zac Smith in years to come.
#10 Gold Coast
Tom Lynch (Dandenong Stingrays) 199 cm 91 kg forward
After a late growth spurt and a great year, has bolted into contention. Athletic, a strong mark and very agile. Recorded the lowest 20m sprint time, which was a bit disappointing, but once he gets going, really covers the ground and has great endurance. Is a real athlete but raw footballer pick, but these are the risks the Suns can afford to take.
#11 Gold Coast
Jayden Pitt (Geelong Falcons)189 cm 70 kg defender/midfielder
Just really silky, one of the best kicks in the draft, which is his selling point. Very balanced, fantastic decision maker by hand or foot and rarely misses a target. Doesn’t have elite pace, but isn’t slow either, more in between, and covers the ground well. Probably will start at half back and eventually move into the middle. Is very physically slight so a long term prospect, and the suns will have to bring him along slowly.
#12 Melbourne
Ben Jacobs (Sandrinham Dragons) 186 cm 83 kg defender
If I was Melbourne, I’d punt on Darling here, but I doubt they will. Jacobs is the safe pick, and a quality player. Just racks up possessions, and most importantly one of the most penetrating kicks going around, so could be a general across half back. The knock on him was pace, but he hired a sprint coach to work on it, and by all reports the clubs haven’t been put off by it. Is a strong body too who could play next year if need be.
#13 Gold Coast
Sebastian Tape (Glenelg) 191 cm 81 kg defender
Up until recently I had McCarthy here, but the Suns appear to be liking Tape, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s a great spoiler, so athletic and clean below his knees, has great disposal and is prepared to be attacking with it, and great leadership qualities too. My only concern is he’s an inch short for a key position maybe, but even if it’s only as a 3rd tall, he’ll have a stellar career.
#14 Adelaide
Brodie Smith (Woodville West Torrens)189 cm 78 kg midfielder
Adelaide’s young talls are great, but they could use more ball carrying midfielders, and Smith is that. Always was good outside with speed but has improved himself as an inside ball winner too, and that’s what’ll see him drafted early. Kicking needs a bit of work, but I think he’ll turn out very well.
#15 Geelong Cats
Isaac Smith (North Ballarat Roosters) 190cm 77 kg midfielder/forward
Wow, what a story. 6 months ago was playing in the Ballarat League, and now, after a stunning second half of the season in the VFL, including the finals as the Roosters claimed their third straight flag, Isaac will be a first round draftee. If you watched Collingwood demolish us in the prelim, you’d have noticed among other things our lack of legspeed which kills our ability to get over the zone. Now yes we could retire a few blokes like Ling and co who are slow, but other than Taylor Hunt, while we have a lot of very talented youngsters to come in, none of them have genuine footspeed. And so, with Wojo the wrong side of 30, it makes sense we’d prioritise this. Smith (in case you’ve been living under a rock) is a dashing wingman who is super quick, and has a long stride aka Stephen Hill. He’s extremely athletic and recorded one of the highest vertical leaps in testing, and combine this with his height, will make him versatile enough to play anywhere down the track, which historically Wells likes in his wingers (see Joel Corey, and Mitch Duncan, and Josh Cowan last year). He’s also got very good endurance (14.6 beep) which will only get better considering he’s never done a proper professional pre season. Has a long raking left foot, and good awareness, and even though he isn’t a massive unit, isn’t afraid to put his head over the footy either. Is raw, and it’s a punt to take a bloke this high after half a season of VFL, but Wells has shown before he’s prepared to punt in the first round, and he’ll do it again here.
#16 Port Adelaide
Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide Magpies) 202 cm 98 kg ruckman
Port have been in the media saying they’re happy with their ruck stocks and probably won’t get another, but I reckon that’s a bluff. Lycett is a good tap ruckman, but can also go forward and take marks, which will be very useful with the new interchange rules. There are some good midfielders available here, but with Brogan the wrong side of 30, and the rest of their young ruckmen (Trengove is great, but he’s better in defence) unconvincing, Lycett is a must pick for Port.
#17 North Melbourne
Billie Smedts (Geelong Falcons) 187 cm 77 kg defender/midfielder
Just a classy player. Such good vision and ball use, seems to always have time, and is very versatile and can play anywhere. North are quite fortunate he’s available here and will gleefully snap him up.
#18 Carlton
Matthew Watson (Calder Cannons) 195cm 101kg defender
Carlton fans are already drooling over this bloke, could be the big CHB they need. I originally had him at 15, but us taking Smith will hand Watson to the blues. Speed is the knock on him, but he ran under 2s so he isn’t that slow, and he reads the play well enough to make up for it. Can intercept balls coming in and then has a 60m left foot on the way out. I worry a bit that he might be the next Tom Hawkins (dominates u18’s due to size, but doesn’t have enough tricks against the big boys) but he could be a gun, and it’s a risk the blues have to take).
#19 Hawthorn
Jed Lamb (Gippsland Power) 181cm 79kg forward
Could go for a key defender, but having traded for one last year, and looking to now take Spangher, it seems more likely they’ll address other needs, and like my Cats, the Hawks could use more speed, and with Peterson and Hooper not working out, they could use a good smaller forward. Lamb is that, kicked 80 goals in the last 2 seasons, has plenty of X factor, will mix heaps of bananas in with his drop punts, but more importantly they go straight through the middle, as evidenced by him winning the kicking test at draft camp.
#20 Fremantle
Jack Darling (West Perth) 191cm 87kg forward
Is the big slider of the draft, due to off field issues, and his fractured skull (was bashed), which combined have put a few clubs off. Could go before this, could go later, so I’m not convinced he’ll go here. That said, Freo need a key forward (even if they get Anthony in the PSD he could end up in defence, and I wouldn’t put all the eggs in the one basket) and Darling on talent, is a top 10 selection, maybe even top 5. Crashes packs, great mark and well built, good endurance too, so could play higher up the ground. Some worry about his height for a key forward, but I think he’ll be a gun if he can get his head right (no pun intended).
#21 Sydney
Reece Conca (Perth) 185cm 79kg midfielder
Could go at the previous pick, but if not, Sydney will pounce. Good all round midfielder, can win the ball, can be evasive, small turning circle and good decision making. Will slot in very well to the Swannies midfield.
#22 Western Bulldogs
Mitch Wallis (Calder Cannons) 185cm 80kg F/S
Good in the clinches, but provides good run too, and like the Doggies like in their players, has good kicking skills on both sides. May well have gone top 20 if he was on the open market. Had 47 possessions in the TAC Cup final, so clearly knows how to find the footy.
#23 Geelong Cats
Patrick McCarthy (Glenelg) 194cm 82 kg defender
Was originally tipped to go to GC, but with them now appearing to prefer Tape, he could slide all the way here. Would be a great needs pick for our ageing defence, is a very athletic tall defender who can play tall and small, run and carry and use the footy. Will need to develop his body a bit to play key position back, but will prove to be an astute selection in time.
#24 St Kilda
Dion Prestia (Calder Cannons) 175 cm 81 kg midfielder
Everyone knows St Kilda could use more pace and footskills (Brett Peake is an example of how things go horribly wrong when you pick a player who only has one not both, although to be fair, so was Kane Tenace in this regard) and Prestia is that. While he’s only 174 cm, he’s as solid as a rock, so I could see him playing next year, if need be. Can win it in traffic, uses his strong frame to break tackles, speed to get away, and accurate long kicking. Long term will be a great midfielder for them.
#25 Brisbane
Josh Green (Clarence) 179 cm 78 kg midfielder
Brisbane need to re-stock their midfield in general after their trade week losses, but they particularly need to make it quicker. Green will do that, and this is probably why he’s been linked to them at this pick for some time. Is quick, uses the footy well and loves to kick a goal. Also can play as a small forward if need be.
#26 West Coast
Jamie Cripps (East Fremantle) 182cm 75 kg midfielder
Gaff is good, but he’s not super quick, and WC midfield lacks guys with pace and kicking skills, so Cripps makes sense here. Plays off the HBF but long term could end up in the midfield, and the fact that he’s a local is a bonus.
#27 North Melbourne
Kieran Harper (Eastern Ranges) 187cm 80kg mid/forward
I flirted with putting Parker here, but North are well stocked for inside mids, so it makes sense to differentiate their midfield a bit. Harper has a tonne of talent, but is inconsistent, and by his own admission, struggles to play to structures, so could slide this far. He’s quick and has real X factor, and off a wing or flank could be really good for North.
#28 Brisbane
Luke Mitchell (Calder Cannons) 196 cm 96 kg forward
Parker’s best available here, and I’d take him, but Bris probably won’t take 4 mids. So here’s another tall forward for when Fev hangs them up or gets booted out. Shoulder injury wrecked most of his year but he played well in the finals, and is a bargain here.
#29 West Coast
Tyler Chalwell (East Fremantle) 192cm 84kg defender/forward
After 2 mids, WC will probably go tall. I would have gone with Mitchell myself, but WCE fans seem to want Chalwell badly. Played both defence and tuck in Colts, is very agile, attacks his marks (reminds me of Harry Taylor in this way) and is quite athletic. Can play either end too.
#30 Richmond
Luke Parker (Dandeong Stingrays) 182cm 81 kg midfielder
Wanted Mitchell, but were pipped at the post. Parker is a bargain and can’t be passed up. Just your quintessential all round midfielder, does everything really well without having a standout area. Wins contested ball, uses it well, and will run all day, future leadership material too.
#31 Essendon
Mitch Hallahan (Dandenong Stingrays)182 cm 77kg midfielder
We all know Essendon struggle inside, and Watson needs more helpers in that regard. Hallahan is exactly that. Contested ball king, hard as nails, fearless, and tackles well defensively. Is a little bit on the slow side and his kicking needs some polish added to it, but there’s a lot to like.
#32 Brisbane Lions
George Horlin Smith (Sturt) 185 cm 75 kg midfielder
Hine is doing a rain dance at Collingwood trying to get GHS to 45, but it won’t happen. Brisbane were alledgedly the first to discover him, and will be the ones to draft him. Classy midfielder, restricted largely to school footy, and a budding cricketer too. Didn’t test that well athletically, but get him to focus on footy full time with some pre seasons, and I’m sure that can improve. Is a bit of a leap of faith since he hasn’t played as much footy as some of the others, but could turn out to be a great move.
#33 Melbourne
Lucas Cook (North Ballarat Rebels) 194 cm 82 kg forward
Obviously Melbourne need a good key forward, and Cook is the best of what’s left. Could go higher, but don’t be surprised to see him here. Athletic, covers a lot of ground, marks well, and can play either end. Could be the ideal tall forward partner to Jack Watts which would really be great for Melbourne.
#34 Carlton
Patrick Karnezis (Oakleigh Chargers) 191 cm 80 kg forward
Carlton are a bit like St Kilda in that they have 2 good tall forwards, good small forwards (3 in Carlton’s case) but not much in between. Walker could play that role, but he could well seek a trade again in 12 months, so another option would be great. Karnezis is a really good mark for his size, but agile at ground level, and is smart around goal. Will add something to Carlton’s mix.
#35 Port Adelaide
Cameron Guthrie (Calder Cannons) 186 cm 79 kg midfielder
Guthrie is a really good player, and I would have liked him at the Cats. Is in the top 20 on talent, but defensive blue collar midfielders don’t stand out, so with the top end quality of this draft, he might slide, and Port would be laughing. Is not just a tagger, but can win his own ball, isn’t quick but isn’t slow either, has good go forward on him, and also has really neat kicking and decision making so you could use him as a small defender if need be. Could well end up replacing Kane Cornes as their chief tagger down the line.
#36 Port Adelaide
Viv Michie (Oakleigh Chargers) 186 cm 78 kg midfielder/forward
Michie is a really skilled player, mainly outside, but can still win the ball inside. Can play in the midfield or up forward, and his neat kicking and decision making is the feature of his game. Would provide some skill and creativity for the Port midfield.
#37 Geelong
Warrick Andreoli (South Fremantle) 183 cm 73 kg midfielder
I’m admittedly an Andreoli fan, and I love what he brings to the table. Quick outside midfielder, very agile and like Prestia in that he can change direction (and look really stylish while doing it) while running full tilt, which makes him hard to catch and tackle. Has that small turning circle and good vision that you want in your outside midfielders, put that with good kicking, and he can hurt you. Unlike Prestia, he’s much more outside than inside, and his body isn’t as built up, so he’s more a long term prospect, but Geelong can afford to bring him along slowly for when Corey etc retire. Add Andreoli and Smith to Varcoe and Taylor Hunt, and all of a sudden Geelong’s future midfield doesn’t look to be lacking in speed.
#38 Hawthorn
Aaron Young (Eastern Ranges) 188cm 76 kg midfielder
Good athletic midfielder who is tall enough to play forward or back too. Has real speed and good footskills and is very hard at the footy. Hawthorn certainly need more quick mids/fwds so this seems a logical choice to me.
#39 Gold Coast
Alex Johnson (Oakleigh Chargers) 192cm 80 kg defender/forward
Tall defender or forward who is really athletic and can cover a lot of ground. Will really add to the batch of athletic forward types that the Suns are stocking up on.
#40 Sydney
Angus Litherland (Claremont) 190cm 86 kg defender
With Craig Bolton almost done, Swans could use another key defender (though young Sam Reid looks good) and Litherland is a good fit. Describes himself as defence first attack second, and Longmire will love that accountable mentality. Good closing speed and spoils well, and though I’ve probably just described him as a dour defender, uses it well, so isn’t really dour at all.
#41 Western Bulldogs
Tom Liberatore (Calder Cannons) 182 cm 77kg midfielder F/S
Tough inside player who is great at the stoppages and very good defensively. Boyd and Cross are the kings of this at the kennel, but Libba is rated as a bargain at this pick, and could well follow in their footsteps.
#42 Carlton
Alex Fasolo (East Fremantle)182 cm 82 kg midfielder
With Hadley moving on, Carlton could use another inside mifielder, and Fasolo’s the best of what’s available here. Just a good player without standing out. Wins contested ball, kicks and marks well, is good in traffic, has a strong body and can go forward. Will fly under the radar, but will be useful.
#43 St Kilda
Sam Crocker 178 71kg cm midfielder/forward
Really good hard inside midfielder/forward who has good speed and can use the ball well. Will help St Kilda build the next generation of their midfield.
#44 Fremantle
Ben Newton 182 cm 78 kg midfielder
Really good inside and outside midfielder. Does everything well without being quick, but Freo have a lot of quick ball carriers already so that shouldn’t bother them.
#45 Collingwood
Daniel Farmer (Sandringham Dragons) 188 cm 84 kg midfielder/forward
Quick and a good mark for his size, as well as a good ball user, fits the Collingwood mould of half forward who can run through the midfield.
#46 Collingwood
Daniel Nicholson (University Blues) 183 cm 76 kg midfielder
23 yo tearing it up in the Ammo’s. I admit I’ve never seen him play but I have friends that have and they really rate him. Dashing player with good run and carry, is athletic and uses the footy well. Question mark on whether he’s got the hardness to make it at the top level but the talent is certainly there.
#47 Richmond
Anton Hamp (Claremont) 191 cm 80 kg forward
Richmond have done well aready but they could use another key forward option to support Riewoldt. Hamp could be that, and he’s very athletic and mobile.
#48 Essendon
Jake Batchelor (Dandenong Stingrays) 188 cm 78 kg defender/midfielder
Good medium defender who will mark taller than he is and use the ball well coming out of defence. Could end up in the midfield too, or release other players to go through the midfield, and is a case of best available for the Bombers here.
#49 Gold Coast
Ariel Steinberg (Bendigo Pioneers) 191 cm 83 kg forward
They may pass on this pick if they want to take 2 picks in the PSD, but if they use it, Steinberg is a good choice.
#50 Melbourne
Callum Sinclair (Port Melbourne) forward/ruck
After unsuccessfully trying to get Hale, it makes sense Melbourne would take the same sort of player. Sinclair is a tall forward who is a great mark and can also play ruck (great with the new rule). At 21 he could play straight away and therefore would be great help for Jamar also.
#51 Richmond
Ryan Lester (Oakleigh Chargers) 181 cm 77 kg utility
Good medium sized defender who could also go forward. Very competitive and will work all day. Will be interesting to see how the Tigers use him, but should be useful.
#52 Port Adelaide
Cameron OShea (Eastern Ranges) 190 cm 88 kg defender/midfielder
Defender who can also play as a tall midfielder. Is athletic and will run all day and win contested footy.
#53 Melbourne
PASS
#54 Geelong
Josh Walker (Geelong Falcons) 195cm 87 kg forward
I tossed up between Walker and Delaney but in the end went for Walker. Good player who is very athletic, a great contested mark, and has really clean hands at ground level too. His kicking is a bit of an issue, but if we can work on that he’ll be a bargain pick. Is the Grandson of former Geelong player Peter Walker.
#55 Hawthorn
Cameron Delaney (Geelong Falcons) 191 cm 81 kg defender
Delaney is a rangey athletic key defender, reads the game well, and a good spoil. Long term prospect who will need to build up his body, but could be a good fit for the Hawks.
#56 Fremantle
Blayne Wilson (Peel Thunder) 187 cm 80 kg defender
Really a dead set bargain. Some have talked about him falling to the rookie draft, and I’d be staggered if that happened. AA in 09 and 10, took something like 66 marks in 5 games, and is a great Enright type at cutting off attacks by peeling off to mark and help his fellow defenders, and then has really good penetrating 60m kicking to hurt you. Pace and lack of athleticism is the knock on him, but not everyone has to be the same, and I fully believe he’ll make it at AFL level.
#57 Sydney
Aaron Mullet (Eastern Ranges) 184 cm 73 kg midfielder
Good running player with long kicking that can break zones. Can take a really good mark for his size too and would be good for the Swans off half back or through the midfield.
#58 Geelong
James Podsiadly-rookie promotion
#59 St Kilda
Brad Harvey (Eastern Ranges) 185 cm 83 kg midfielder
Harvey may have been a rookie only until draft camp where he tested well, smashed the sprint record. Is a long term prospect as a mid but has the footspeed the Saints need, and is tough inside too, and if his decision making and kicking can be polished a bit, may well turn out really nicely.
#60 Collingwood
Ben Brown (Davenport) 197 cm 87 kg forward/ruck
Athletic key forward project player who would no doubt go higher if not for his knee reconstruction. That didn’t stop the Pies drafting Dawes and it won’t stop them drafting Brown either. A good get late in the draft and could replace their present Brown in the future.
#61 Adelaide
Nathan Batley (Woodville West Torrens) 186 cm 74 kg defender/midfielder
Crows would probably prefer a ‘pure’ midfielder, but there’s not many available this late, and I think Batley could run through the midfield anyway. Super quick, really good awareness and decision making, and would provide some great run and carry.
#62 West Coast
Jacob Brennan (East Fremantle) F/S
#63 Richmond
Jonathan Giles (Sturt) 201 cm 100 kg ruckman
Richmond fans might disagree, but I feel their ruck division needs bolstering, and in particular the kids can’t carry it all on their own. Giles is mature but still young enough at 22, and the best ruckman outside the AFL.
#64 Essendon
Myles Sewell (North Ballarat Roosters) 175 cm 78 kg midfielder
Sewell (brother of Hawthorn’s Brad Sewell) has been an outstanding VFL player (LIston Trophy Winner 2009) and will definitely get drafted, it’s just a matter of where. Will probably end up at GWS if bypassed in the ND. Though people seem to say he’s slow, he’s no plodder, he’s just a really good ball extracting midfielder, and for a club that needs that, and has quick receivers for him to give the ball to, he will make a significant contribution, and I think Essendon is a really good fit.
#65 Brisbane Lions
Claye Beams-rookie promotion
#66 Hawthorn
Matthew Rankine (West Adelaide) 179 cm 71 cm forward
Quality small forward with real pace and goal sense. Some don’t rate him but I do, and I think he’ll do well in the long term.
#67 Carlton
Tom Gordon (Oakleigh Chargers) 194 cm 88kg defender/forward
Tall defender who can also play forward if need be. Reads the game well, and takes a good mark, and has a long boot on him. Had one of the slowest 20 m times at draft camp and that’s what’ll see him slide, but is still really good value here.
#68 Port Adelaide
Cameron Hitchcock- rookie promotion
#69 North Melbourne
Zac Fitzgerald (Woodville West Torrens) 192 cm 84 kg forward
North probably could use another KPP and Fitzgerald fits the bill. Can take a real contested mark, massive leap and good kicking. Is quite raw but there’s a bit there to work with.
#70 Carlton
PASS
#71 North Melbourne
David Kruse 190 cm (Wanderers) 73 kg defender
Athletic tall defender who could also play as a winger. Very athletic and a good runner and ball user, yet still will cover his man. Will need to put on a few kgs and work on body contest stuff to succeed at AFL level, but if he can do that, he’ll provide dash for the North defence.
#72 Fremantle
PASS
#73 Sydney
PASS
#74 Western Bulldogs
Paul Puopolo (Norwood)
Mature aged defender from the SANFL. Quick and a good rebounder, while being a tight man marker. Has been linked to the Bulldogs, and given the loss of Harbrow, seems a logical fit.
#75 St Kilda
Michael Hibberd (Frankston Dolphins) 186 cm 85 kg midfielder
20 yo who’s had a fanastic year for Frankston. Could play straight away if need be, but I’m sure the Saints will give him an apprenticeship first. Is really quick, courageous and a good ball user, and has earnt his chance.
#76 Collingwood
Jack Frost (Sandringham Dragons) 194cm 84 kg defender
Collingwood have no obvious short term needs, but with Presti and Anthony gone, a long term need would be another key defender, for which Frost fits the bill. Is similar to Delaney in a lot of ways (who I would have had here if he’d fell through) and will fit in well at the Pies.
#77 Collingwood
Tim Milera (Port Adelaide Magpies) 171 cm 74 kg forward
Classic crumbing forward, has some good tricks and knows where the goals are. With Leon Davis 30, a logical selection.
#78 West Coast
Andrew Strijk-rookie promotion
#79 Richmond
PASS
#80 Essendon
Leif Cope (Eastern Ranges) 203 cm 96 kg ruckman
While Ryder and Hille are class, they need a young ruckman for 3-4 years time, and Cope is that. Really raw, but super athletic and great at ground level. Could be a rookie prospect but I’d take him here.
#81 Melbourne
Jordie McKenzie-rookie promotion
#82 Adelaide
Ricky Henderson-rookie promotion
#83 Port Adelaide
Cameron Hitchcock-rookie promotion
#84 West Coast
Callum Wilson-rookie promotion
#85 Carlton
Jeff Garlett- rookie promotion
#86 Hawthorn
PASS
#87 Fremantle
Michael Barlow-rookie promotion
#88 Western Bulldogs
Ben Casley (Western Jets) 189 cm 86 kg defender
Good defender who can read the play well, mark the ball and use it well. Makes good decisions, and the Dogs will like him.
#89 Western Bulldogs
Max Otten (Oakleigh Chargers) 191 cm 83 kg defender
The brother of Adelaide’s Andy, Max is a really good reader of the play, good mark and penetrating kick. The Bulldogs defence is good but they could use some depth coming through and he’s a good fit. Not sure whether he can play KPD or will end up as a 3rd tall, but this late in the draft he’s a good get.
#90 St Kilda
Ryan Gamble (Geelong Cats)
Gamble will certainly get another chance somewhere, and St Kilda looks like a good fit for him. Have Riewoldt and Kosi, and then the 2 smalls, and nothing in between, really need a 3rd tall type who can play in the air and at ground level, and Gamble fits the bill perfectly. Had a great 2008, and was unlucky to be an emergency for the Grand Final, but has been in and out of the senior side ever since. Has a great vertical leap and so is a great mark for his size, agile at ground level, and knows where the goals are. The knock on him has been a lack of defensive pressure, but played half back this year in the VFL and improved greatly in this area, which should be enough to see him get another chance.
#91 Collingwood
Tom Young-NSW Scholarship elevation
#92 Collingwood
Jarryd Blair-rookie promotion
#93 West Coast
Lewis Stevenson-rookie promotion
#94 Richmond
David Gourdis-rookie promotion
#95 Essendon
PASS
#96 Melbourne
Jake Spencer-rookie promotion
#97 Adelaide
Matthew Jaensch-rookie promotion
#98 North Melbourne
Ben Speight-rookie promotion
#99 Carlton
Simon White-rookie promotion
#100 Fremantle
Alex Silvagni-rookie promotion
#101 Sydney
Mike Pyke-rookie promotion
#102 Western Bulldogs
Andrew Hooper- rookie promotion
#103 St Kilda
Travis Johnstone (Brisbane Lions)
Will certainly go recycled with a pick this late, and with Bruce going straight to the PSD, Johnstone will be their man. Might be 30, but body is still in good nick and has a couple of years left in him. Can be damaging with ball use if left free, and given the weakness of the Saints bottom 6, adds value to their side.
#104 Collingwood
Lachlan Keefe-rookie promotion
# 105 Gold Coast
PASS
#106 Essendon
Ben Howlett-rookie promotion
#107 Adelaide
Luke Thompson-rookie promotion
#108 Carlton
David Ellard-rookie promotion
#109 Fremantle
Matt De Boer-rookie promotion
#110 Western Bulldogs
Brodie Moles-rookie promotion
#111 St Kilda
Tom Simpkin- rookie promotion
#112 Fremantle
Jay Van Berlo-rookie promotion
Unlucky (and probable rookie)
Darcy Barden
Cameron Pedersen
Jimmi Savage
Cameron Johnston
Tom Schneider
Josh Mellington
Luke Dahlhaus
Ed Curnow
Among others
I've tried to fill clubs needs as much as possible....but I've picked players about where I think they're worth.
#1 Gold Coast
David Swallow (East Fremantle) 186 cm 83 kg midfielder
Just an out and out gun. Inside, outside, wins contested ball, uses it well, and is so physically built for his age. A worthy no1 pick in any year.
#2 Gold Coast
Harley Bennell (Peel Thunder)185 cm 74 kg midfielder
Quick, and silky, and oozes hurt factor. Could play in several positions, and is
#3 Gold Coast
Sam Day (Sturt) 196 cm 96 kg forward
Could be anything…key forward who is athletically a freak, and considering he’s done other sports and never concentrated on footy fully, the sky is the limit.
#4 West Coast
Andrew Gaff (Oakleigh Chargers) 182 cm 78 kg midfielder
Is a real player, such a hard worker, outstanding endurance (very handy under the new rules), is primarily an outside receiver and user but will put his head over the footy and win it inside if need be. He’s seen as a bit vanilla, but it’s very good vanilla, and the expanses of Subi will suit him well.
#5 Brisbane Lions
Dyson Heppell (Sandringham Dragons) 189 cm 80 kg defender/midfielder
If it were me I’d consider Atley, but the Lions have been linked to Heppell for ages. He’ll start at half back, and has fantastic long kicking, has speed and is a very good mark for his size. Just a solid solid player and should be a 200 gamer.
#6 Richmond
Jarrad Polec (Woodville West Torrens) 189 cm 80 kg midfielder
Oozes X Factor, speed, poise, dashing type wingman, who will win contested ball and also have go forward. Will really completent Richmond’s existing mids nicely.
#7 Gold Coast
Josh Caddy (Northern Knights) 186 cm 82 kg midfielder
Grunt machine…loves contested ball, breaks tackles, like a bull, and will kick goals. So courageous and kicks the ball really well…was rated as slow but camp proved that wrong. Will be a good one.
#8 Essendon
Shaun Atley (Murray Bushrangers) 189 cm 81 kg midfielder
Despite the presence of Gorringe, Essendon will be sensible and bolster their midfield. I like Atley because he’ll help them inside at the clearances, but he also has the elite pace to break out of the congestion. Kicking could use a bit more polish but is generally really good. Is exactly what Essendon need.
#9 Gold Coast
Daniel Gorringe (Norwood) 200 cm 87 kg ruckman
Best ruckman in the draft. Great tap ruckman, but also very athletic around the ground, good below his knees and like an extra midfielder. Has been likened to Matthew Kruezer. Will form a potent ruck combo with Zac Smith in years to come.
#10 Gold Coast
Tom Lynch (Dandenong Stingrays) 199 cm 91 kg forward
After a late growth spurt and a great year, has bolted into contention. Athletic, a strong mark and very agile. Recorded the lowest 20m sprint time, which was a bit disappointing, but once he gets going, really covers the ground and has great endurance. Is a real athlete but raw footballer pick, but these are the risks the Suns can afford to take.
#11 Gold Coast
Jayden Pitt (Geelong Falcons)189 cm 70 kg defender/midfielder
Just really silky, one of the best kicks in the draft, which is his selling point. Very balanced, fantastic decision maker by hand or foot and rarely misses a target. Doesn’t have elite pace, but isn’t slow either, more in between, and covers the ground well. Probably will start at half back and eventually move into the middle. Is very physically slight so a long term prospect, and the suns will have to bring him along slowly.
#12 Melbourne
Ben Jacobs (Sandrinham Dragons) 186 cm 83 kg defender
If I was Melbourne, I’d punt on Darling here, but I doubt they will. Jacobs is the safe pick, and a quality player. Just racks up possessions, and most importantly one of the most penetrating kicks going around, so could be a general across half back. The knock on him was pace, but he hired a sprint coach to work on it, and by all reports the clubs haven’t been put off by it. Is a strong body too who could play next year if need be.
#13 Gold Coast
Sebastian Tape (Glenelg) 191 cm 81 kg defender
Up until recently I had McCarthy here, but the Suns appear to be liking Tape, and it’s not hard to see why. He’s a great spoiler, so athletic and clean below his knees, has great disposal and is prepared to be attacking with it, and great leadership qualities too. My only concern is he’s an inch short for a key position maybe, but even if it’s only as a 3rd tall, he’ll have a stellar career.
#14 Adelaide
Brodie Smith (Woodville West Torrens)189 cm 78 kg midfielder
Adelaide’s young talls are great, but they could use more ball carrying midfielders, and Smith is that. Always was good outside with speed but has improved himself as an inside ball winner too, and that’s what’ll see him drafted early. Kicking needs a bit of work, but I think he’ll turn out very well.
#15 Geelong Cats
Isaac Smith (North Ballarat Roosters) 190cm 77 kg midfielder/forward
Wow, what a story. 6 months ago was playing in the Ballarat League, and now, after a stunning second half of the season in the VFL, including the finals as the Roosters claimed their third straight flag, Isaac will be a first round draftee. If you watched Collingwood demolish us in the prelim, you’d have noticed among other things our lack of legspeed which kills our ability to get over the zone. Now yes we could retire a few blokes like Ling and co who are slow, but other than Taylor Hunt, while we have a lot of very talented youngsters to come in, none of them have genuine footspeed. And so, with Wojo the wrong side of 30, it makes sense we’d prioritise this. Smith (in case you’ve been living under a rock) is a dashing wingman who is super quick, and has a long stride aka Stephen Hill. He’s extremely athletic and recorded one of the highest vertical leaps in testing, and combine this with his height, will make him versatile enough to play anywhere down the track, which historically Wells likes in his wingers (see Joel Corey, and Mitch Duncan, and Josh Cowan last year). He’s also got very good endurance (14.6 beep) which will only get better considering he’s never done a proper professional pre season. Has a long raking left foot, and good awareness, and even though he isn’t a massive unit, isn’t afraid to put his head over the footy either. Is raw, and it’s a punt to take a bloke this high after half a season of VFL, but Wells has shown before he’s prepared to punt in the first round, and he’ll do it again here.
#16 Port Adelaide
Scott Lycett (Port Adelaide Magpies) 202 cm 98 kg ruckman
Port have been in the media saying they’re happy with their ruck stocks and probably won’t get another, but I reckon that’s a bluff. Lycett is a good tap ruckman, but can also go forward and take marks, which will be very useful with the new interchange rules. There are some good midfielders available here, but with Brogan the wrong side of 30, and the rest of their young ruckmen (Trengove is great, but he’s better in defence) unconvincing, Lycett is a must pick for Port.
#17 North Melbourne
Billie Smedts (Geelong Falcons) 187 cm 77 kg defender/midfielder
Just a classy player. Such good vision and ball use, seems to always have time, and is very versatile and can play anywhere. North are quite fortunate he’s available here and will gleefully snap him up.
#18 Carlton
Matthew Watson (Calder Cannons) 195cm 101kg defender
Carlton fans are already drooling over this bloke, could be the big CHB they need. I originally had him at 15, but us taking Smith will hand Watson to the blues. Speed is the knock on him, but he ran under 2s so he isn’t that slow, and he reads the play well enough to make up for it. Can intercept balls coming in and then has a 60m left foot on the way out. I worry a bit that he might be the next Tom Hawkins (dominates u18’s due to size, but doesn’t have enough tricks against the big boys) but he could be a gun, and it’s a risk the blues have to take).
#19 Hawthorn
Jed Lamb (Gippsland Power) 181cm 79kg forward
Could go for a key defender, but having traded for one last year, and looking to now take Spangher, it seems more likely they’ll address other needs, and like my Cats, the Hawks could use more speed, and with Peterson and Hooper not working out, they could use a good smaller forward. Lamb is that, kicked 80 goals in the last 2 seasons, has plenty of X factor, will mix heaps of bananas in with his drop punts, but more importantly they go straight through the middle, as evidenced by him winning the kicking test at draft camp.
#20 Fremantle
Jack Darling (West Perth) 191cm 87kg forward
Is the big slider of the draft, due to off field issues, and his fractured skull (was bashed), which combined have put a few clubs off. Could go before this, could go later, so I’m not convinced he’ll go here. That said, Freo need a key forward (even if they get Anthony in the PSD he could end up in defence, and I wouldn’t put all the eggs in the one basket) and Darling on talent, is a top 10 selection, maybe even top 5. Crashes packs, great mark and well built, good endurance too, so could play higher up the ground. Some worry about his height for a key forward, but I think he’ll be a gun if he can get his head right (no pun intended).
#21 Sydney
Reece Conca (Perth) 185cm 79kg midfielder
Could go at the previous pick, but if not, Sydney will pounce. Good all round midfielder, can win the ball, can be evasive, small turning circle and good decision making. Will slot in very well to the Swannies midfield.
#22 Western Bulldogs
Mitch Wallis (Calder Cannons) 185cm 80kg F/S
Good in the clinches, but provides good run too, and like the Doggies like in their players, has good kicking skills on both sides. May well have gone top 20 if he was on the open market. Had 47 possessions in the TAC Cup final, so clearly knows how to find the footy.
#23 Geelong Cats
Patrick McCarthy (Glenelg) 194cm 82 kg defender
Was originally tipped to go to GC, but with them now appearing to prefer Tape, he could slide all the way here. Would be a great needs pick for our ageing defence, is a very athletic tall defender who can play tall and small, run and carry and use the footy. Will need to develop his body a bit to play key position back, but will prove to be an astute selection in time.
#24 St Kilda
Dion Prestia (Calder Cannons) 175 cm 81 kg midfielder
Everyone knows St Kilda could use more pace and footskills (Brett Peake is an example of how things go horribly wrong when you pick a player who only has one not both, although to be fair, so was Kane Tenace in this regard) and Prestia is that. While he’s only 174 cm, he’s as solid as a rock, so I could see him playing next year, if need be. Can win it in traffic, uses his strong frame to break tackles, speed to get away, and accurate long kicking. Long term will be a great midfielder for them.
#25 Brisbane
Josh Green (Clarence) 179 cm 78 kg midfielder
Brisbane need to re-stock their midfield in general after their trade week losses, but they particularly need to make it quicker. Green will do that, and this is probably why he’s been linked to them at this pick for some time. Is quick, uses the footy well and loves to kick a goal. Also can play as a small forward if need be.
#26 West Coast
Jamie Cripps (East Fremantle) 182cm 75 kg midfielder
Gaff is good, but he’s not super quick, and WC midfield lacks guys with pace and kicking skills, so Cripps makes sense here. Plays off the HBF but long term could end up in the midfield, and the fact that he’s a local is a bonus.
#27 North Melbourne
Kieran Harper (Eastern Ranges) 187cm 80kg mid/forward
I flirted with putting Parker here, but North are well stocked for inside mids, so it makes sense to differentiate their midfield a bit. Harper has a tonne of talent, but is inconsistent, and by his own admission, struggles to play to structures, so could slide this far. He’s quick and has real X factor, and off a wing or flank could be really good for North.
#28 Brisbane
Luke Mitchell (Calder Cannons) 196 cm 96 kg forward
Parker’s best available here, and I’d take him, but Bris probably won’t take 4 mids. So here’s another tall forward for when Fev hangs them up or gets booted out. Shoulder injury wrecked most of his year but he played well in the finals, and is a bargain here.
#29 West Coast
Tyler Chalwell (East Fremantle) 192cm 84kg defender/forward
After 2 mids, WC will probably go tall. I would have gone with Mitchell myself, but WCE fans seem to want Chalwell badly. Played both defence and tuck in Colts, is very agile, attacks his marks (reminds me of Harry Taylor in this way) and is quite athletic. Can play either end too.
#30 Richmond
Luke Parker (Dandeong Stingrays) 182cm 81 kg midfielder
Wanted Mitchell, but were pipped at the post. Parker is a bargain and can’t be passed up. Just your quintessential all round midfielder, does everything really well without having a standout area. Wins contested ball, uses it well, and will run all day, future leadership material too.
#31 Essendon
Mitch Hallahan (Dandenong Stingrays)182 cm 77kg midfielder
We all know Essendon struggle inside, and Watson needs more helpers in that regard. Hallahan is exactly that. Contested ball king, hard as nails, fearless, and tackles well defensively. Is a little bit on the slow side and his kicking needs some polish added to it, but there’s a lot to like.
#32 Brisbane Lions
George Horlin Smith (Sturt) 185 cm 75 kg midfielder
Hine is doing a rain dance at Collingwood trying to get GHS to 45, but it won’t happen. Brisbane were alledgedly the first to discover him, and will be the ones to draft him. Classy midfielder, restricted largely to school footy, and a budding cricketer too. Didn’t test that well athletically, but get him to focus on footy full time with some pre seasons, and I’m sure that can improve. Is a bit of a leap of faith since he hasn’t played as much footy as some of the others, but could turn out to be a great move.
#33 Melbourne
Lucas Cook (North Ballarat Rebels) 194 cm 82 kg forward
Obviously Melbourne need a good key forward, and Cook is the best of what’s left. Could go higher, but don’t be surprised to see him here. Athletic, covers a lot of ground, marks well, and can play either end. Could be the ideal tall forward partner to Jack Watts which would really be great for Melbourne.
#34 Carlton
Patrick Karnezis (Oakleigh Chargers) 191 cm 80 kg forward
Carlton are a bit like St Kilda in that they have 2 good tall forwards, good small forwards (3 in Carlton’s case) but not much in between. Walker could play that role, but he could well seek a trade again in 12 months, so another option would be great. Karnezis is a really good mark for his size, but agile at ground level, and is smart around goal. Will add something to Carlton’s mix.
#35 Port Adelaide
Cameron Guthrie (Calder Cannons) 186 cm 79 kg midfielder
Guthrie is a really good player, and I would have liked him at the Cats. Is in the top 20 on talent, but defensive blue collar midfielders don’t stand out, so with the top end quality of this draft, he might slide, and Port would be laughing. Is not just a tagger, but can win his own ball, isn’t quick but isn’t slow either, has good go forward on him, and also has really neat kicking and decision making so you could use him as a small defender if need be. Could well end up replacing Kane Cornes as their chief tagger down the line.
#36 Port Adelaide
Viv Michie (Oakleigh Chargers) 186 cm 78 kg midfielder/forward
Michie is a really skilled player, mainly outside, but can still win the ball inside. Can play in the midfield or up forward, and his neat kicking and decision making is the feature of his game. Would provide some skill and creativity for the Port midfield.
#37 Geelong
Warrick Andreoli (South Fremantle) 183 cm 73 kg midfielder
I’m admittedly an Andreoli fan, and I love what he brings to the table. Quick outside midfielder, very agile and like Prestia in that he can change direction (and look really stylish while doing it) while running full tilt, which makes him hard to catch and tackle. Has that small turning circle and good vision that you want in your outside midfielders, put that with good kicking, and he can hurt you. Unlike Prestia, he’s much more outside than inside, and his body isn’t as built up, so he’s more a long term prospect, but Geelong can afford to bring him along slowly for when Corey etc retire. Add Andreoli and Smith to Varcoe and Taylor Hunt, and all of a sudden Geelong’s future midfield doesn’t look to be lacking in speed.
#38 Hawthorn
Aaron Young (Eastern Ranges) 188cm 76 kg midfielder
Good athletic midfielder who is tall enough to play forward or back too. Has real speed and good footskills and is very hard at the footy. Hawthorn certainly need more quick mids/fwds so this seems a logical choice to me.
#39 Gold Coast
Alex Johnson (Oakleigh Chargers) 192cm 80 kg defender/forward
Tall defender or forward who is really athletic and can cover a lot of ground. Will really add to the batch of athletic forward types that the Suns are stocking up on.
#40 Sydney
Angus Litherland (Claremont) 190cm 86 kg defender
With Craig Bolton almost done, Swans could use another key defender (though young Sam Reid looks good) and Litherland is a good fit. Describes himself as defence first attack second, and Longmire will love that accountable mentality. Good closing speed and spoils well, and though I’ve probably just described him as a dour defender, uses it well, so isn’t really dour at all.
#41 Western Bulldogs
Tom Liberatore (Calder Cannons) 182 cm 77kg midfielder F/S
Tough inside player who is great at the stoppages and very good defensively. Boyd and Cross are the kings of this at the kennel, but Libba is rated as a bargain at this pick, and could well follow in their footsteps.
#42 Carlton
Alex Fasolo (East Fremantle)182 cm 82 kg midfielder
With Hadley moving on, Carlton could use another inside mifielder, and Fasolo’s the best of what’s available here. Just a good player without standing out. Wins contested ball, kicks and marks well, is good in traffic, has a strong body and can go forward. Will fly under the radar, but will be useful.
#43 St Kilda
Sam Crocker 178 71kg cm midfielder/forward
Really good hard inside midfielder/forward who has good speed and can use the ball well. Will help St Kilda build the next generation of their midfield.
#44 Fremantle
Ben Newton 182 cm 78 kg midfielder
Really good inside and outside midfielder. Does everything well without being quick, but Freo have a lot of quick ball carriers already so that shouldn’t bother them.
#45 Collingwood
Daniel Farmer (Sandringham Dragons) 188 cm 84 kg midfielder/forward
Quick and a good mark for his size, as well as a good ball user, fits the Collingwood mould of half forward who can run through the midfield.
#46 Collingwood
Daniel Nicholson (University Blues) 183 cm 76 kg midfielder
23 yo tearing it up in the Ammo’s. I admit I’ve never seen him play but I have friends that have and they really rate him. Dashing player with good run and carry, is athletic and uses the footy well. Question mark on whether he’s got the hardness to make it at the top level but the talent is certainly there.
#47 Richmond
Anton Hamp (Claremont) 191 cm 80 kg forward
Richmond have done well aready but they could use another key forward option to support Riewoldt. Hamp could be that, and he’s very athletic and mobile.
#48 Essendon
Jake Batchelor (Dandenong Stingrays) 188 cm 78 kg defender/midfielder
Good medium defender who will mark taller than he is and use the ball well coming out of defence. Could end up in the midfield too, or release other players to go through the midfield, and is a case of best available for the Bombers here.
#49 Gold Coast
Ariel Steinberg (Bendigo Pioneers) 191 cm 83 kg forward
They may pass on this pick if they want to take 2 picks in the PSD, but if they use it, Steinberg is a good choice.
#50 Melbourne
Callum Sinclair (Port Melbourne) forward/ruck
After unsuccessfully trying to get Hale, it makes sense Melbourne would take the same sort of player. Sinclair is a tall forward who is a great mark and can also play ruck (great with the new rule). At 21 he could play straight away and therefore would be great help for Jamar also.
#51 Richmond
Ryan Lester (Oakleigh Chargers) 181 cm 77 kg utility
Good medium sized defender who could also go forward. Very competitive and will work all day. Will be interesting to see how the Tigers use him, but should be useful.
#52 Port Adelaide
Cameron OShea (Eastern Ranges) 190 cm 88 kg defender/midfielder
Defender who can also play as a tall midfielder. Is athletic and will run all day and win contested footy.
#53 Melbourne
PASS
#54 Geelong
Josh Walker (Geelong Falcons) 195cm 87 kg forward
I tossed up between Walker and Delaney but in the end went for Walker. Good player who is very athletic, a great contested mark, and has really clean hands at ground level too. His kicking is a bit of an issue, but if we can work on that he’ll be a bargain pick. Is the Grandson of former Geelong player Peter Walker.
#55 Hawthorn
Cameron Delaney (Geelong Falcons) 191 cm 81 kg defender
Delaney is a rangey athletic key defender, reads the game well, and a good spoil. Long term prospect who will need to build up his body, but could be a good fit for the Hawks.
#56 Fremantle
Blayne Wilson (Peel Thunder) 187 cm 80 kg defender
Really a dead set bargain. Some have talked about him falling to the rookie draft, and I’d be staggered if that happened. AA in 09 and 10, took something like 66 marks in 5 games, and is a great Enright type at cutting off attacks by peeling off to mark and help his fellow defenders, and then has really good penetrating 60m kicking to hurt you. Pace and lack of athleticism is the knock on him, but not everyone has to be the same, and I fully believe he’ll make it at AFL level.
#57 Sydney
Aaron Mullet (Eastern Ranges) 184 cm 73 kg midfielder
Good running player with long kicking that can break zones. Can take a really good mark for his size too and would be good for the Swans off half back or through the midfield.
#58 Geelong
James Podsiadly-rookie promotion
#59 St Kilda
Brad Harvey (Eastern Ranges) 185 cm 83 kg midfielder
Harvey may have been a rookie only until draft camp where he tested well, smashed the sprint record. Is a long term prospect as a mid but has the footspeed the Saints need, and is tough inside too, and if his decision making and kicking can be polished a bit, may well turn out really nicely.
#60 Collingwood
Ben Brown (Davenport) 197 cm 87 kg forward/ruck
Athletic key forward project player who would no doubt go higher if not for his knee reconstruction. That didn’t stop the Pies drafting Dawes and it won’t stop them drafting Brown either. A good get late in the draft and could replace their present Brown in the future.
#61 Adelaide
Nathan Batley (Woodville West Torrens) 186 cm 74 kg defender/midfielder
Crows would probably prefer a ‘pure’ midfielder, but there’s not many available this late, and I think Batley could run through the midfield anyway. Super quick, really good awareness and decision making, and would provide some great run and carry.
#62 West Coast
Jacob Brennan (East Fremantle) F/S
#63 Richmond
Jonathan Giles (Sturt) 201 cm 100 kg ruckman
Richmond fans might disagree, but I feel their ruck division needs bolstering, and in particular the kids can’t carry it all on their own. Giles is mature but still young enough at 22, and the best ruckman outside the AFL.
#64 Essendon
Myles Sewell (North Ballarat Roosters) 175 cm 78 kg midfielder
Sewell (brother of Hawthorn’s Brad Sewell) has been an outstanding VFL player (LIston Trophy Winner 2009) and will definitely get drafted, it’s just a matter of where. Will probably end up at GWS if bypassed in the ND. Though people seem to say he’s slow, he’s no plodder, he’s just a really good ball extracting midfielder, and for a club that needs that, and has quick receivers for him to give the ball to, he will make a significant contribution, and I think Essendon is a really good fit.
#65 Brisbane Lions
Claye Beams-rookie promotion
#66 Hawthorn
Matthew Rankine (West Adelaide) 179 cm 71 cm forward
Quality small forward with real pace and goal sense. Some don’t rate him but I do, and I think he’ll do well in the long term.
#67 Carlton
Tom Gordon (Oakleigh Chargers) 194 cm 88kg defender/forward
Tall defender who can also play forward if need be. Reads the game well, and takes a good mark, and has a long boot on him. Had one of the slowest 20 m times at draft camp and that’s what’ll see him slide, but is still really good value here.
#68 Port Adelaide
Cameron Hitchcock- rookie promotion
#69 North Melbourne
Zac Fitzgerald (Woodville West Torrens) 192 cm 84 kg forward
North probably could use another KPP and Fitzgerald fits the bill. Can take a real contested mark, massive leap and good kicking. Is quite raw but there’s a bit there to work with.
#70 Carlton
PASS
#71 North Melbourne
David Kruse 190 cm (Wanderers) 73 kg defender
Athletic tall defender who could also play as a winger. Very athletic and a good runner and ball user, yet still will cover his man. Will need to put on a few kgs and work on body contest stuff to succeed at AFL level, but if he can do that, he’ll provide dash for the North defence.
#72 Fremantle
PASS
#73 Sydney
PASS
#74 Western Bulldogs
Paul Puopolo (Norwood)
Mature aged defender from the SANFL. Quick and a good rebounder, while being a tight man marker. Has been linked to the Bulldogs, and given the loss of Harbrow, seems a logical fit.
#75 St Kilda
Michael Hibberd (Frankston Dolphins) 186 cm 85 kg midfielder
20 yo who’s had a fanastic year for Frankston. Could play straight away if need be, but I’m sure the Saints will give him an apprenticeship first. Is really quick, courageous and a good ball user, and has earnt his chance.
#76 Collingwood
Jack Frost (Sandringham Dragons) 194cm 84 kg defender
Collingwood have no obvious short term needs, but with Presti and Anthony gone, a long term need would be another key defender, for which Frost fits the bill. Is similar to Delaney in a lot of ways (who I would have had here if he’d fell through) and will fit in well at the Pies.
#77 Collingwood
Tim Milera (Port Adelaide Magpies) 171 cm 74 kg forward
Classic crumbing forward, has some good tricks and knows where the goals are. With Leon Davis 30, a logical selection.
#78 West Coast
Andrew Strijk-rookie promotion
#79 Richmond
PASS
#80 Essendon
Leif Cope (Eastern Ranges) 203 cm 96 kg ruckman
While Ryder and Hille are class, they need a young ruckman for 3-4 years time, and Cope is that. Really raw, but super athletic and great at ground level. Could be a rookie prospect but I’d take him here.
#81 Melbourne
Jordie McKenzie-rookie promotion
#82 Adelaide
Ricky Henderson-rookie promotion
#83 Port Adelaide
Cameron Hitchcock-rookie promotion
#84 West Coast
Callum Wilson-rookie promotion
#85 Carlton
Jeff Garlett- rookie promotion
#86 Hawthorn
PASS
#87 Fremantle
Michael Barlow-rookie promotion
#88 Western Bulldogs
Ben Casley (Western Jets) 189 cm 86 kg defender
Good defender who can read the play well, mark the ball and use it well. Makes good decisions, and the Dogs will like him.
#89 Western Bulldogs
Max Otten (Oakleigh Chargers) 191 cm 83 kg defender
The brother of Adelaide’s Andy, Max is a really good reader of the play, good mark and penetrating kick. The Bulldogs defence is good but they could use some depth coming through and he’s a good fit. Not sure whether he can play KPD or will end up as a 3rd tall, but this late in the draft he’s a good get.
#90 St Kilda
Ryan Gamble (Geelong Cats)
Gamble will certainly get another chance somewhere, and St Kilda looks like a good fit for him. Have Riewoldt and Kosi, and then the 2 smalls, and nothing in between, really need a 3rd tall type who can play in the air and at ground level, and Gamble fits the bill perfectly. Had a great 2008, and was unlucky to be an emergency for the Grand Final, but has been in and out of the senior side ever since. Has a great vertical leap and so is a great mark for his size, agile at ground level, and knows where the goals are. The knock on him has been a lack of defensive pressure, but played half back this year in the VFL and improved greatly in this area, which should be enough to see him get another chance.
#91 Collingwood
Tom Young-NSW Scholarship elevation
#92 Collingwood
Jarryd Blair-rookie promotion
#93 West Coast
Lewis Stevenson-rookie promotion
#94 Richmond
David Gourdis-rookie promotion
#95 Essendon
PASS
#96 Melbourne
Jake Spencer-rookie promotion
#97 Adelaide
Matthew Jaensch-rookie promotion
#98 North Melbourne
Ben Speight-rookie promotion
#99 Carlton
Simon White-rookie promotion
#100 Fremantle
Alex Silvagni-rookie promotion
#101 Sydney
Mike Pyke-rookie promotion
#102 Western Bulldogs
Andrew Hooper- rookie promotion
#103 St Kilda
Travis Johnstone (Brisbane Lions)
Will certainly go recycled with a pick this late, and with Bruce going straight to the PSD, Johnstone will be their man. Might be 30, but body is still in good nick and has a couple of years left in him. Can be damaging with ball use if left free, and given the weakness of the Saints bottom 6, adds value to their side.
#104 Collingwood
Lachlan Keefe-rookie promotion
# 105 Gold Coast
PASS
#106 Essendon
Ben Howlett-rookie promotion
#107 Adelaide
Luke Thompson-rookie promotion
#108 Carlton
David Ellard-rookie promotion
#109 Fremantle
Matt De Boer-rookie promotion
#110 Western Bulldogs
Brodie Moles-rookie promotion
#111 St Kilda
Tom Simpkin- rookie promotion
#112 Fremantle
Jay Van Berlo-rookie promotion
Unlucky (and probable rookie)
Darcy Barden
Cameron Pedersen
Jimmi Savage
Cameron Johnston
Tom Schneider
Josh Mellington
Luke Dahlhaus
Ed Curnow
Among others
