Pick 1). GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY –Tom Boyd
Position: Tall forward
Height: 200cm
Weight: 103kg
Born: 22/8/95
Home club: Eastern Ranges
The power forward from the Eastern Ranges will be the No.1 pick this year. Boyd played just two matches with the Vic Metro during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, but kicked nine goals and that was enough to secure All-Australian selection. An ankle injury suffered against WA ended his national campaign, which sidelined him for three-month layoff complicated by a calf niggle. He kicked four goals on his return to footy in the TAC Cup Grand Final. When the ball comes in, Boyd protects the drop zone well through body use and reads the flight of the ball. On the ground, he combines leg speed with a long, accurate shot for goal. With a forward line of Patton, Cameron and Boyd, GWS are primed for success for the next decade.
Pick 2). GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY – Josh Kelly
Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Weight: 75kg
Born: 12/2/95
Home club: Sandringham Dragons
A medium midfielder who combines precision kicking on his preferred left foot with an elite running capacity. He ran the second-fastest 3km time trial to date in the recent draft combine (9m 32s), an effort that came as no major surprise given his aerobic ability. A strong showing in the Under-18 Championships, where he averaged 27 disposals in four games, culminated in All-Australian selection. Shows composure beyond his years and has excellent endurance. Hard to see GWS passing on Kelly, he is a great athlete as the belong combine results demonstrate.
Combine Results:
* Ranked 7th Running Vertical Jump Result (cm)
* Ranked 5th Repeat sprints (seconds)
* Ranked 9th Beep test/shuttle run
* Ranked 1st 3km time trial result (mins: secs)
Pick 3). ST KILDA – Jack Billings
Position: Medium forward
Height: 185cm
Weight: 76kg
Born: 18/8/95
Home club: Oakleigh Chargers
A medium-sized forward who is excellent on his preferred left foot, particularly damaging in and around the goals. Billings is a versatile player who can also play through the midfield and off half-back where his awareness and vision is elite. He kicked three goals in the last round of the Under-18 Championships against Vic Country to secure All-Australian honours for the second time after an excellent 2012 campaign as an underage player. Billings combines a strong overhead mark with an ability at ground level are his strengths. St Kilda need a goal kicking midfielder with elite skill and Billing fits the bill.
Pick 4). WERSTERN BULLDOGS – Matthew Scharenberg
Position: Tall defender
Height: 191cm
Weight: 88kg
Born: 18/9/95
Home club: Glenelg
The South Australian is extremely composed in his disposal and shows great temperament in heavy traffic. Scharenberg is a 191cm key position player who is equally comfortable forward or back. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Under-18 Championships which saw him collect back-to-back All Australian selections in 2012-13. Scharenberg came runner-up in the Larke Medal for the best player in Division One and his ability to read the play and strong hands make him an unstoppable force in the air. Is considered a strong chance to be selected in the top-five in this year's draft. With Goodes, Murphy and Morris are at their twilight of their careers I have Scharenberg going to the Bulldogs.
Pick 5). GOLD COAST – Kade Kolodjashnij
Position: Tall defender
Height: 191cm
Weight: 79kg
Born: 9/8/95
Home club: Launceston
An impressive NAB AFL Draft Combine completed Kolodjashnij's rise to becoming a genuine top-10 prospect at this year's draft. A versatile tall defender, the Tasmanian won both the running vertical jump off the right leg and the vertical relative jump; demonstrating his supreme athleticism that helps him cover the ground. A late inclusion into the AFL/AIS Academy at the end of last year, Kolodjashnij continued to go from strength-to-strength with an impressive NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in which he won the Division 2 Harrison Medal and Tasmania's Most Valuable Player award. A smart user of the ball on his preferred left foot. Guy McKenna stated he wants a rebounding half back and Kade is the best available at this pick.
Combine Results:
* Ranked 1st Standing Vertical Jump Result (cms)
* Ranked 9th 3km time trial result (mins:secs)
* Ranked 4th Clean Hands (Handball) Test Score (Efficiency %)
Pick 6). COLLINGWOOD – James Aish
Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Weight: 74kg
Born: 8/11/95
Home club: Norwood
The silky midfielder with excellent disposal efficiency on both sides of the body and his ability in heavy traffic. Aish could feature heavily in his first year in the AFL system after a long apprenticeship of senior football. He broke an SANFL record by debuting as a 16-year-old and in his time at Norwood has learned what it's like to play against bigger bodies. Aish received All-Australian honours in both 2012 and 2013. Will be a steal for the Collingwood football club and they still might end up with Bontempelli with pick 10.
Pick 7). BRISBANE – Dom Sheed
Position: Midfielder
Height: 187cm
Weight: 83kg
Born: 10/4/95
Home club: Subiaco
A Western Australian midfielder who won the Larke Medal for the best division one player in the Under-18 Championships, despite suffering a broken collarbone. Sheed wins his own footy around stoppages; a telling reflector of his strong work ethic. Despite not displaying prolific speed, he has a mature body and is expected to feature in his first year in the AFL system. The left-footer is also catching the eye of recruiters for his decision-making by both hand and foot, especially in and around traffic. Averaged 28 disposals and six clearances in the Championships and was a dominant force against the other top under-18 talent in the country. With mass exodus of players leaving Brisbane, the retirement of Simon Black and Moloney entering the twilight of his career, the Lions need the best available talent at this pick and it should be Sheed, only if Scharenberg or Aish don’t slide.
Pick 8). NORHT MELBOURNE – Luke McDonald (Father/son)
Position: Medium defender
Height: 190cm
Weight: 85kg
Born: 9.2.95
Home club: Werribee
The fact that North Melbourne have committed to McDonald at pick eight is a huge indication of the kid's talent. A rebounding defender with the ability to push into the midfield, McDonald possesses the leadership qualities and a booming left foot very much in the mould of Luke Hodge. Vic Metro's captain for this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, McDonald should find the transition into the AFL easier than most, having spent a season playing senior football in the VFL for Werribee.
Pick 9). MELBOURNE – Nathan Freeman
Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Weight: 85kg
Born: 16/6/95
Home club: Sandringham Dragons
Another genuine clearance specialist with excellent endurance and pace, Freeman tested impressively at the NAB AFL Draft Combine. The youngster from the Sandringham Dragons took out the repeat sprint event and came second in the 20m sprint testing, while also recording a top 10 result in the beep test and 3km time trial. An accomplished ball-user on the outside with an explosive change of direction, Freeman also has the ability to find his own ball with his strong build and ability to read the contest. He improved the defensive aspect of his game in 2013 and will be a tantalising prospect for any club looking for a line-breaking midfielder. Melbourne needs run and carry on the outside and Freeman is their man.
Combine Results:
* Ranked 1st Repeat sprints (seconds)
* Ranked 10th Beep test/shuttle run
* Ranked 10th 3km time trial result (mins: secs)
*Ranked 2nd 20 Meter Sprint Result (seconds)
Pick 10). COLLINGWOOD – Marcus Bontempelli
Position: Tall forward/defender/midfielder
Height: 194cm
Weight: 84kg
Born: 24/11/95
Home club: Northern Knights
The rangy Bontempelli can play both tall or small and in the midfield or forward line. He combines excellent durability with agility levels that make him extremely coachable. Bontempelli reads the play well and makes good decisions when the ball is in his hands. Despite a relatively quiet Under-18 Championship, he delivered an impressive 79 per cent disposal efficiency. A solid year for the Northern Knights at TAC Cup level confirmed him as a likely high draft pick. An AIS-AFL Academy graduate, like many of his elite peers. Collingwood gets their man in Bontempelli at pick 10.
Combine Results:
*Ranked 1st Clean Hands (Handball) Test Score (Efficiency %)
Position: Tall forward
Height: 200cm
Weight: 103kg
Born: 22/8/95
Home club: Eastern Ranges
The power forward from the Eastern Ranges will be the No.1 pick this year. Boyd played just two matches with the Vic Metro during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, but kicked nine goals and that was enough to secure All-Australian selection. An ankle injury suffered against WA ended his national campaign, which sidelined him for three-month layoff complicated by a calf niggle. He kicked four goals on his return to footy in the TAC Cup Grand Final. When the ball comes in, Boyd protects the drop zone well through body use and reads the flight of the ball. On the ground, he combines leg speed with a long, accurate shot for goal. With a forward line of Patton, Cameron and Boyd, GWS are primed for success for the next decade.
Pick 2). GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY – Josh Kelly
Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Weight: 75kg
Born: 12/2/95
Home club: Sandringham Dragons
A medium midfielder who combines precision kicking on his preferred left foot with an elite running capacity. He ran the second-fastest 3km time trial to date in the recent draft combine (9m 32s), an effort that came as no major surprise given his aerobic ability. A strong showing in the Under-18 Championships, where he averaged 27 disposals in four games, culminated in All-Australian selection. Shows composure beyond his years and has excellent endurance. Hard to see GWS passing on Kelly, he is a great athlete as the belong combine results demonstrate.
Combine Results:
* Ranked 7th Running Vertical Jump Result (cm)
* Ranked 5th Repeat sprints (seconds)
* Ranked 9th Beep test/shuttle run
* Ranked 1st 3km time trial result (mins: secs)
Pick 3). ST KILDA – Jack Billings
Position: Medium forward
Height: 185cm
Weight: 76kg
Born: 18/8/95
Home club: Oakleigh Chargers
A medium-sized forward who is excellent on his preferred left foot, particularly damaging in and around the goals. Billings is a versatile player who can also play through the midfield and off half-back where his awareness and vision is elite. He kicked three goals in the last round of the Under-18 Championships against Vic Country to secure All-Australian honours for the second time after an excellent 2012 campaign as an underage player. Billings combines a strong overhead mark with an ability at ground level are his strengths. St Kilda need a goal kicking midfielder with elite skill and Billing fits the bill.
Pick 4). WERSTERN BULLDOGS – Matthew Scharenberg
Position: Tall defender
Height: 191cm
Weight: 88kg
Born: 18/9/95
Home club: Glenelg
The South Australian is extremely composed in his disposal and shows great temperament in heavy traffic. Scharenberg is a 191cm key position player who is equally comfortable forward or back. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Under-18 Championships which saw him collect back-to-back All Australian selections in 2012-13. Scharenberg came runner-up in the Larke Medal for the best player in Division One and his ability to read the play and strong hands make him an unstoppable force in the air. Is considered a strong chance to be selected in the top-five in this year's draft. With Goodes, Murphy and Morris are at their twilight of their careers I have Scharenberg going to the Bulldogs.
Pick 5). GOLD COAST – Kade Kolodjashnij
Position: Tall defender
Height: 191cm
Weight: 79kg
Born: 9/8/95
Home club: Launceston
An impressive NAB AFL Draft Combine completed Kolodjashnij's rise to becoming a genuine top-10 prospect at this year's draft. A versatile tall defender, the Tasmanian won both the running vertical jump off the right leg and the vertical relative jump; demonstrating his supreme athleticism that helps him cover the ground. A late inclusion into the AFL/AIS Academy at the end of last year, Kolodjashnij continued to go from strength-to-strength with an impressive NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in which he won the Division 2 Harrison Medal and Tasmania's Most Valuable Player award. A smart user of the ball on his preferred left foot. Guy McKenna stated he wants a rebounding half back and Kade is the best available at this pick.
Combine Results:
* Ranked 1st Standing Vertical Jump Result (cms)
* Ranked 9th 3km time trial result (mins:secs)
* Ranked 4th Clean Hands (Handball) Test Score (Efficiency %)
Pick 6). COLLINGWOOD – James Aish
Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Weight: 74kg
Born: 8/11/95
Home club: Norwood
The silky midfielder with excellent disposal efficiency on both sides of the body and his ability in heavy traffic. Aish could feature heavily in his first year in the AFL system after a long apprenticeship of senior football. He broke an SANFL record by debuting as a 16-year-old and in his time at Norwood has learned what it's like to play against bigger bodies. Aish received All-Australian honours in both 2012 and 2013. Will be a steal for the Collingwood football club and they still might end up with Bontempelli with pick 10.
Pick 7). BRISBANE – Dom Sheed
Position: Midfielder
Height: 187cm
Weight: 83kg
Born: 10/4/95
Home club: Subiaco
A Western Australian midfielder who won the Larke Medal for the best division one player in the Under-18 Championships, despite suffering a broken collarbone. Sheed wins his own footy around stoppages; a telling reflector of his strong work ethic. Despite not displaying prolific speed, he has a mature body and is expected to feature in his first year in the AFL system. The left-footer is also catching the eye of recruiters for his decision-making by both hand and foot, especially in and around traffic. Averaged 28 disposals and six clearances in the Championships and was a dominant force against the other top under-18 talent in the country. With mass exodus of players leaving Brisbane, the retirement of Simon Black and Moloney entering the twilight of his career, the Lions need the best available talent at this pick and it should be Sheed, only if Scharenberg or Aish don’t slide.
Pick 8). NORHT MELBOURNE – Luke McDonald (Father/son)
Position: Medium defender
Height: 190cm
Weight: 85kg
Born: 9.2.95
Home club: Werribee
The fact that North Melbourne have committed to McDonald at pick eight is a huge indication of the kid's talent. A rebounding defender with the ability to push into the midfield, McDonald possesses the leadership qualities and a booming left foot very much in the mould of Luke Hodge. Vic Metro's captain for this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, McDonald should find the transition into the AFL easier than most, having spent a season playing senior football in the VFL for Werribee.
Pick 9). MELBOURNE – Nathan Freeman
Position: Midfielder
Height: 184cm
Weight: 85kg
Born: 16/6/95
Home club: Sandringham Dragons
Another genuine clearance specialist with excellent endurance and pace, Freeman tested impressively at the NAB AFL Draft Combine. The youngster from the Sandringham Dragons took out the repeat sprint event and came second in the 20m sprint testing, while also recording a top 10 result in the beep test and 3km time trial. An accomplished ball-user on the outside with an explosive change of direction, Freeman also has the ability to find his own ball with his strong build and ability to read the contest. He improved the defensive aspect of his game in 2013 and will be a tantalising prospect for any club looking for a line-breaking midfielder. Melbourne needs run and carry on the outside and Freeman is their man.
Combine Results:
* Ranked 1st Repeat sprints (seconds)
* Ranked 10th Beep test/shuttle run
* Ranked 10th 3km time trial result (mins: secs)
*Ranked 2nd 20 Meter Sprint Result (seconds)
Pick 10). COLLINGWOOD – Marcus Bontempelli
Position: Tall forward/defender/midfielder
Height: 194cm
Weight: 84kg
Born: 24/11/95
Home club: Northern Knights
The rangy Bontempelli can play both tall or small and in the midfield or forward line. He combines excellent durability with agility levels that make him extremely coachable. Bontempelli reads the play well and makes good decisions when the ball is in his hands. Despite a relatively quiet Under-18 Championship, he delivered an impressive 79 per cent disposal efficiency. A solid year for the Northern Knights at TAC Cup level confirmed him as a likely high draft pick. An AIS-AFL Academy graduate, like many of his elite peers. Collingwood gets their man in Bontempelli at pick 10.
Combine Results:
*Ranked 1st Clean Hands (Handball) Test Score (Efficiency %)
