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TBB's First Ever Phantom Draft (First & Second Round)

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Jul 5, 2005
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This is my first attempt at a Phantom Draft so hopefully it's not too bad. Really difficult to work it all out and have it finally come together but it was a challenge I enjoyed. I have limited resources and only watched a couple of games, relying mainly on youtube videos, articles and other BF mock drafts. Certainly don't claim to know as much as many on this site. In any case - I've tried to address needs as best I could and thrown a few different selections in here. Mainly for The Dogs, actually lol.

The Bulldogs Bite Phantom Draft:

Round 1

Pick #1 - Melbourne - Tom Scully
Along with Trengove, Scully is going to help turn around Melbourne's fortunes. Their midfield is suddenly looking very dangerous.

Pick #2 - Melbourne – Jack Trengove
Perhaps a chance to steal the limelight off Scully, but most likely to be taken here. Trengove looks all class and was very impressive playing senior footy in the SANFL.

Pick #3 - Richmond – Dustin Martin
The top four seem reasonably settled at this stage. Martin's going to be a very important player for Richmond as he's a tough inside midfielder, but most importantly, with skill. Cousins' departure will hurt them in 12 months time which means adding Martin to Deledio and Cotchin is essential.

Pick #4 - Fremantle – Anthony Morabito
Best available and an exciting player. Compared to Goodes, Morabito is a WA boy who is lauded for his athletic ability. Their midfield is starting to look impressive with Morabito, Hill, Palmer and Ibbotson.

Pick #5 - North Melbourne – Ben Cunnington
Originally I had Rohan going here but I've finally be swayed and have Cunnington heading to the Kangaroos. They would be desperate to pick up an outside mid later in the draft (Bartlett) but with Cunnington they get a sure bet leader who has all the makings of a quality inside midfielder. He'll be a Scott favourite.

Pick #6 - Sydney – Gary Rohan
Massive potential as already noted a thousand times over. He's an excitement machine and a player that could very much become the poster boy for Sydney. Quick, skillful and can play across half forward. Sydney take the best available here.

Pick #7 - West Coast – Daniel Talia
Perhaps a little bit out of left field considering Jetta and Lucas are strongly linked to the Eagles. I've got them passing on Jetta because they can pick up Colyer later as a small forward and address another need here. Talia offers versatility and could free up Mitch Brown to play forward. Their KPP stocks are OK but Talia gives them a comfortable edge that they probably need. With GC/WS coming in, Glass ageing, they bite a little early on a good KP prospect. Originally had Lucas going here.

Pick #8 - Port Adelaide – Jake Melksham
The perfect fit. He's exactly what they need. Very good inside game and is fantastic in winning clearances. He's really agile and often works his way out of a pack to find space. Not many players can do this. He's more then capable playing the outside game too because he's quick and his skills are generally pretty good. He'll provide service for the likes of Pearce but will be damagaing doing it on his own too.

Pick #8 - Port Adelaide – John Butcher
The best key forward in the draft. Most have him going to Port and it's not hard to see why. They really need a replacement for Tredrea and this is the best (and maybe the last) opportunity to snare a quality one. Great mark, good at ground level. Kicking's a concern but there's not many KPF's in the competition who kick straight to begin with.

Pick #10 - Essendon – Kane Lucas
Melksham would have to be their target because he offers an inside and outside game that they need. However, with Jake gone I have them taking Kane Lucas. He's more of an outside type but realistically Essendon simply need to find better players to run through that midfield. They can pick up an inside midfielder later, but they secure a good player in Lucas with their first choice. He's starting to slip, but I rate him highly and so with the Dons needing quality mids I have them going best available. Originally had Talia going here.

Pick #11 - Melbourne – Aaron Black
I'll admit I am really only going off reports and predictions on this one. Black's a mature age bolter who has really turned heads in WA. Might be a little small for a KP but it depends how he fills out, too. Melbourne's midfield is set, their back half's already solid. The next step is building a forward line. A Watts, Jurrah and Black trio is pretty exciting and talented.

Pick #12 - Carlton – Jasper McMillan-Pittard
Talia would probably be number one on their list. Waite and Henderson are good types but they still need another KPP so that one of them can swing forward. Carlisle is every chance and I had him going here originally but I've changed to JMP. He's shot up in rankings and has been linked to Carlton. With Talia/Black gone, they fix up their HBF problems with Stevens going.

Pick #13 - Adelaide – Lewis Jetta
After reading a few posts about their needs, pace through the midfield was one of their wishes. The Eagles seem likely to draft Jetta but I have him slipping to Adelaide. He'd be extremely dangerous and would fit right in to their lineup. They've gotlenty of players that win the ball and create, Jetta would have plenty of freedom. He's one of my favourites from the draft.

Pick #14 - Sydney – Jake Carlisle
Might go earlier, might slide further. Carlisle is a versatile KPP and the fact that he's really mobile will appeal to Sydney as they'll copy what Hawthorn are doing with Schoenmakers, and turn Jake into a CHB. He's looked good up forward at times but I think he could become a far better CHB with the coaching and development of AFL. Especially under Sydney. Originally had Bastinac going to Sydney at 14.

Pick #15 - Western Bulldogs – Luke Tapscott
I am beginning to warm to the idea of Griffiths, but we really need to sure up our HF/HB line. With Johnson, Hahn, Gilbee, Gia and Murph in the 27-33 age bracket it's time we start preparing for their departures. Tapscott should appeal because he's a very good disposer of the ball and would be handy when looking for a replacement for the players mentioned above. He takes a strong mark for a medium sized player and is pretty physical at the contest. Ticks a lot of the boxes for mine and this is about where I had him going anyway. Originally to Port Adelaide at the next pick, though.

Pick #16 - Port Adelaide – Ryan Bastinac
Difficult to judge where Bastinac will go and what Port Adelaide might be interested with this pick. Sheppard is a chance with the loss of P. Burgoyne but I've got them going with Bastinac who I think is all quality. Inside/outside game and whilst he lacks pace, he's a clever player which tends to buy him some time with the ball. If he improves his pace over the first few steps he'll be a real find.

Pick #17 - Geelong – Callum Bartlett
They've been linked to Callum and it's not hard to see why. He's been under their nose for a couple of years so they know how good he can be. Geelong are in a position where they can risk a pick like this, too. Might end up a flop with injuries, but if he gets his body right and develops could be a real star of the draft. After 2 Premierships - this is the luxury. Unless he goes earlier, it's hard to see them picking anyone else IMO. I originally had Geelong picking Moore.
 
Round 2

Pick #18 - Melbourne – Nathan Vardy
Need to address their ruck problems. No doubt there might be better options available but Melbourne’s list is looking OK in most areas aside from here. With Vardy their list looks pretty balanced.

Pick #19 - Richmond – Andrew Moore
Slips a little bit and has been touted to go as early as 10, but I have him going to Richmond. They get a bit of a slider and should jump at it. Brother of Kelvin who plays at the Tigers too. Moore offers great versatility across half back and half forward which will appeal to Richmond. Their midfield is looking OK after drafting Martin and with Moore, they get a quality player who offers them a few options. Originally had Stevens going here.

Pick #20 - Fremantle – Matthew Panos
Not a big fan of Panos and I originally had him going to Collingwood with Pick 30, but Fremantle really do need a KPF because they're very bare in the cupboard. Considered Griffiths but have them going with Panos who is a very straight kick with good hands. Originally had Duncan going here.

Pick #21 - North Melbourne – Ben Griffiths
Decided to pull the trigger with Griffiths here. He’s a risk, a big one. Arguably North aren’t in a position to deal with that either. Tarrant’s struggled to get on the park and their list has other areas that need addressing. However – Griffiths potential is enormous. He’s huge, he’s a very good contested mark, agile for his size and is an unbelievable kick of the football. Outside of Petrie they haven’t got any options and so they’ll be hoping at the least one of Tarrant/Griffiths can pull through.

Pick #22 - West Coast – Brad Sheppard
They’d be absolutely delighted to secure Sheppard with this pick. Good endurance and does most things right. Tough, smart. Running HBFer which is where The Eagles often struggle. He could go much earlier though as Carlton, Adelaide, Doggies and Geelong all could do with another HBF option.

Pick #23 - West Coast – Travis Colyer
Addressing another need, they’ve picked up an explosive FP/winger in Colyer. After going for Talia and passing on Jetta, this is a deadest lock. His disposal can be sporadic at times but he does have skill and will be hard to catch. Explosive player that will suit Subiaco and the Eagles.

Pick #24 - Essendon – Jordan Gysberts
They need to find support for Watson. Look no further than Gysberts who finds plenty of the ball and plays inside and out. Adds come class to their midfield whilst also helping out Watson in the possession stakes.

Pick #25 - North Melbourne – Allen Christensen
They’ll be happy to pick up Christensen after addressing their KPF need. He’s capable of playing as a HBFer, inside mid or HFFer. This versatility will appeal to North as they try to build on their list of youth.

Pick #26 - Essendon – Troy Taylor
Exciting prospect that could turn into a superstar but he’s pretty raw and will take time to develop. He’s another of my favourites because he’s great in the air and great on the ground. Capable of pulling off magic and making it look ever so easy as other players trip and stumble around him. Essendon are desperate for a third tall and Taylor should provide that.

Pick #27 - Brisbane – Mitch Duncan
I really rate Duncan and would not be surprised if he slipped into the first round. Originally had him going to Freo but with them taking Panos, he slips to Brisbane. He's a good fit - provides a physical medium forward who can push up the ground which is exactly what they need. He does most things well and doesn't have any glaring weaknesses. A good fit IMO. Originally had Carey going here.

Pick #28 - Geelong – Sam Reid
Need to find a key back in this draft and Reid is best available. Harley’s gone, Milburn has a year left and Scarlett is ageing too. Perfect time to draft Reid who is about 3 years off.

Pick #29 - Adelaide – Koby Stevens
They'd be pretty happy to see Stevens still available. He's a likely type but I feel he's most likely to slide. He'd be a great replacement for Edwards and would round off their drafting to date well. Originally had JMP slipping here.

Pick #30 - Collingwood – Luke Ball
Seems about right. Might well go earlier to Essendon but I think he'll fall through to Collingwood. Haven't paid a lot of attention to the Luke Ball news in recent days so I might be off the mark, but otherwise - a good result for the Pies. Originally had Panos slipping here.

Pick #31 - Western Bulldogs – Nat Fyfe
With Reid gone, I have turned my attention away from drafting a key back. Williams and Boumann will have to battle it out – possibly Mulligan/Jones too. Drafting Tapscott earlier may hinder Fyfe's chances of going here, but we really do need medium forward options as we currently are very limited. This is a great choice at Fyfe is a really talented player and fills a pressing need.

Pick #32 - St. Kilda – Daniel Menzel
Possibly a chance to even go to the Dogs, but I have St. Kilda picking him up and filling a need. Originally had Fitzpatrick going here but Menzel offers them more as a HB type. Upon reflection, they do lack small defensive options and so Menzel would be a nice fit.

Pick #33 - Essendon – Jesse Crichton
This rounds out their midfield orientated draft pretty well. He's a light type but rated highly by quite a few. He'll certainly provide support for Watson in a couple of years and is a nice addition to their young list. Originally had Ah Chee going here.
 
Really good effort :) I like your choices for Adelaide with Jetta and JMP. Also placing Bartlett in the first round. Part of an exclusive club of 2 :)
 

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Pick #5 - North Melbourne – Gary Rohan
Pick #21 - North Melbourne – Ben Griffiths
Pick #25 - North Melbourne – Allen Christensen

Good effort with the draft but I would call for Bryce Lewis to get the axe if he took Rohan at 5 and Christensen at 25, especially with the likes of Cunnington (5), McMillan-Pittard (25) available.
 
Good effort with the draft but I would call for Bryce Lewis to get the axe if he took Rohan at 5 and Christensen at 25, especially with the likes of Cunnington (5), McMillan-Pittard (25) available.

Cunnington is the better player at this stage but I think Rohan can and will overtake him within a couple of years. Plus - he has everything North don't. They're currently a side of one paced midfielders in desperate need of ball carriers with toe and foot skills. Rohan's got all of this and can push forward. IMO it's easier to find inside midfielders than it is to find players like Rohan. Still some left later in the draft + at state level as evidenced by them finding Anthony.

I went with Christensen over McMillan-Pittard as he's more versatile. He'll be able to play as a HBF or HFF because he's a creative type who generally makes the right decisions and is decent by foot. He can also shift between inside/outside.
 
Really good effort :) I like your choices for Adelaide with Jetta and JMP. Also placing Bartlett in the first round. Part of an exclusive club of 2 :)

An exclusive club indeed. :p

I really think Bartlett should be taken in the first round, especially in an even draft. Not many players in this draft who play like Jetta/Bartlett and so their value should increase. It'll be interesting to see where Callum ends up though.
 
Saints have drafted three very promising ruckmen in the last two years. The succession's already set up.

Small defender, key back and medium forward are much higher priorities, in that order
 

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:thumbsu: all round good draft, well done.

lovin the WCE picks:D especially talia at 7, very unique
 
Pick #3 - Richmond – Dustin Martin
The top four seem reasonably settled at this stage. Martin's going to be a very important player for Richmond as he's a tough inside midfielder, but most importantly, with skill. Cousins' departure will hurt them in 12 months time which means adding Martin to Deledio and Cotchin is essential.

Finally, someone realises Cousins is short term, we've lost Johnson, Bowden, Brown and Richardson, the last three all played in the midfield to a large degree and we need more midfielders. Foley, Deledio, Tambling and Cotchin are good but not enough, we need a midfielder and Martin seems good enough. I also like the pick of Moore. All in all, good picks. :thumbsu:
 

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