WCE Ebert #18 2 Round Phantom Draft

[WCE Ebert #18]

Hi guys, here’s my phantom draft based on what I believe will happen in the draft. Please feel free to give feedback as I am keen to see what people think both of the draft and/or their teams selections. Hope you enjoy!
Pick 1: Melbourne
Tom Scully (182cm, 74kg)
Draft Range: 1-2
Obvious choice for Melbourne. Has been earmarked as the number 1 choice for a while now and can’t see that changing. Is an absolutely classy midfielder who looks set to become a star in the AFL.
Pick 2: Melbourne
Jack Trengove (185cm, 82kg)
Draft Range: 1-3
Melbourne will look to shore up their young and developing midfield with this pick. Jack again oozes class and along with Scully, will ensure Melbourne’s midfield is set to become a powerhouse in the future.
Pick 3: Richmond
Dustin Martin (187cm, 86kg)
Draft Range: 2-5
Richmond look set to claim Martin with this pick. Martin is a great midfielder along with a great size for AFL. Has the potential to become the best player from this draft in my opinion.
Pick 4: Fremantle
Anthony Morabito (190cm, 90kg)
Draft Range: 2-5
Fremantle also look set to take Morabito at this selection. An obvious choice, he adds a new dimension to the midfield with his height and pace, and also happens to be a local boy.
Pick 5: North Melbourne
Ben Cunnington (186cm, 84kg)
Draft Range: 3-8
Cunnington has that real Kangaroos feel about the way he plays. Tough as nails inside midfielder, he also has an attacking side to his play, and is the type of player North simply love. Will be a good replacement for an Adam Simpson type.
Pick 6: Sydney
Kane Lucas (188cm, 79kg)
Draft Range: 6-10
A highly rated midfielder, whose stocks have risen even more after his impressive display at the draft camp. Very skillful and sleek midfielder, he added another dimension to his game during the championships playing off a HFF. Will be a great selection for Sydney to cover the aging class in Kirk and Bolton in their midfield.
Pick 7: West Coast
Gary Rohan (186cm, 79kg)
Draft Range: 5-9
An excitement machine who has gone from strength to strength as the year progressed. As a West Coast fan, I am still unsure as to who we will select with this pick out of Rohan or Jetta, and which one I even want. However I have gone with Rohan as they both have that x-factor about them, yet Rohan is two years younger. I believe he will be a great inclusion for West Coast as a HFF pushing up to the wing, and can rotate with LeCras to allow the Eagles to push him up the ground, and play Rohan closer to goals with the attacking flair he has in his game.
Pick 8: Port Adelaide
John Butcher (197cm, 84kg)
Draft Range: 5-9
Port Adelaide need a replacement for Tredrea, and with this selection they are able to snare the most highly rated tall in the country. Earmarked as a potential number 1 earlier in the year, his stocks have fallen due to injury, yet he still appears the best tall forward in the draft and Port will be stoked with this pick.
Pick 9: Port Adelaide
Luke Tapscott (180cm, 86kg)
Draft Range: 6-13
With a solid build and precise kick, Luke is one of my favourites in the draft. He will be able to play off a HFF, and push into the midfield for Port. Has an attacking flair and so happens to be a local boy.
Pick 10: Essendon
Lewis Jetta (178cm, 72kg)
Draft Range: 7-13
An excitement machine with x-factor and attacking flair, I believe Essendon will look to Jetta with this pick. A mature age recruit, has the senior experience in order to step in and play an Andrew Lovett type role at the club. Can also push forward and kick a nice goal, he will complement Essendon’s inside midfielders nicely. Still believe he may be selected by the Eagles, which will obviously change the shape of the draft.
Pick 11: Melbourne
Jake Carlisle (196cm, 83kg)
Draft Range: 8-12
After shoring up their midfield stocks with the two highest rated midfielders in the land, Melbourne will turn their attention to KPP. Carlisle fits the bill as a highly rated KPF, and along with Watts should ensure their forward line also becomes a powerhouse.
Pick 12: Carlton
Aaron Black (193cm, 78kg)
Draft Range: 11-20
With the departure of Fev and the inclusion of McLean, it is obvious Carlton should target a quality KPF. They get one here in Black. A solid forward with great hands and skill, Black should be able to make a name for himself as Carlton’s FF.
Pick 13: Adelaide
Bradley Sheppard (186cm, 78kg)
Draft Range: 10-15
With no real deficiencies, Adelaide has the chance to include real quality in Sheppard. A HBF who should be able to push into the midfield, Sheppard will be a great selection for Adelaide to eventually cover for the aging McLeod and Johncock.
Pick 14: Sydney
Daniel Talia (194cm, 89kg)
Draft Range: 11-18
Having selected a quality mid in Lucas, Sydney will look to grab quality in the KP department with this early pick. Talia fits the bill as a versatile and highly rated KPP, who will fit into Sydney nicely.
Pick 15: Western Bulldogs
Jake Melksham (182cm, 69kg)
Draft Range: 10-19
With the inclusion of Barry Hall and up and coming KPP, The bulldogs can turn their attention to grabbing a high quality mid with this pick. Melksham, who was best on ground in the TAC cup grand final, is a developing midfielder who should cement a place in the Bulldogs midfield in the future.
Pick 16: Port Adelaide
Koby Stevens (187cm, 83kg)
Draft Range: 10-21
With a KPF and outside mid/HFF shored up with their first two picks, Port can turn their attention to a quality inside midfielder in Stevens. Stevens is a tough inside mid in the engine room, he will compliment Cassisi very nicely at Port.
Pick 17: Geelong
Troy Taylor (188cm, 75kg)
Draft Range: 13-24
With a super team at the moment, Geelong can look to take a risk with this pick and take the punt on Taylor. A super talent when firing, Taylor will add flair to Geelong’s forward line and the risk could well pay off if this kid becomes an excitement machine in the AFL.

 

[WCE Ebert #18]

Pick 18: Melbourne
Nathan Vardy (198cm, 89kg)
Draft Range: 11-21
With their mids and forwards all but shored up, Melbourne can turn its attention to their last so called ‘deficiency’ in the ruck. With this pick Melbourne get a quality ruckmen in Vardy, to add to the rest of their young and upcoming talent, and cap off a super draft for them.
Pick 19: Richmond
Andrew Moore (188cm, 81kg)
Draft Range: 15-23
After taking a quality mid with their first pick, there is a chance Richmond will look for a KPP with this pick. However with Moore still around, Richmond will find the temptation too great and will go for quality over needs. Moore is a great HFF in the mould of O’Keefe, and will add goal kicking ability to Richmond’s HF line.
Pick 20: Fremantle
Ben Griffiths (198cm, 99kg)
Draft Range: 14-23
After also taking a quality mid with their first pick, Fremantle will definitely turn their attention to the KP department, due to the lack of young talent in this area. They get a quality one here in Griffiths, with a very decent size for his age and promising ability, Freo appear to have a great start to their drafting.
Pick 21: North Melbourne
Ryan Bastinac (183cm, 74kg)
Draft Range: 15-23
Securing a quality hard-at-it mid in Cunnington, North can look to add a mid with a bit of flair, whilst also having the quality to work in the engine room. Bastinac is just the man. With his attacking flair, as well as his solid inside work, Bastinac will be a great acquisition for North at this selection.
Pick 22: West Coast
Jordan Gysberts (188cm, 83kg)
Draft Range: 17-25
West Coast can look to add further flair to their midfield in Gysberts. With the ability to play inside or out, Gysberts is a quality versatile mid, who also has excitement about him. He will suit the wide open spaces of Subiaco.
Pick 23: West Coast
Matthew Panos (192cm, 85kg)
Draft Range: 20-33
After securing two smaller players, West Coast can finish their drafting off by securing a quality tall in Panos. The leading goal kicker in the championships, Panos can be added to West Coast’s group of up and coming KPP, to ensure their KP stocks are secured for many years to come.
Pick 24: Essendon
Allen Christensen (176cm, 75kg)
Draft Range: 21-27
Essendon will jump at Christensen here, with North Melbourne breathing right down their necks. Christensen is an inside mid with class in the mould of Kerr, and will fit in nicely at Essendon to suppor the workhorses in their engine room.
Pick 25: North Melbourne
Jack Fitzpatrick (201cm, 85kg)
Draft Range: 18-25
After locking in two quality mids with their first two picks, North will turn their attention to talls, with Fitzpatrick top of the list. A highly rated ruckmen/KPP, Fitzpatrick can hopefully address both areas at North, and become a great player at AFL level.
Pick 26: Essendon
Mitchell Duncan (188cm, 81kg)
Draft Range: 22-28
Securing mids with their first two selections, Essendon will look at a HFF in the mould of Duncan. With the ability to push into the midfield, Duncan is a flexible player with a great set of hands and great lead up type, with excellent agility. Duncan will fit nicely on Essendon’s HFF.
Pick 27: Brisbane
Daniel Menzel (185cm, 77kg)
Draft Range: 25-32
With the departure of McDonald and lack of HBF’s, Menzil fits the bill at Brisbane. In the mould of Hodge, Menzil will add quality and youth to Brisbane’s HB line, with minimal deficiencies to be found in the rest of Brisbane’s team.
Pick 28: Geelong
Jasper McMillan-Pittard (185cm, 70kg)
Draft Range: 25-33
With the departure of Harley and aging Milburn, Geelong will follow suit and also take a quality HBF in McMillan-Pittard. With his sleek skills, McMillan-Pittard will fill a gap left by aging players at Geelong, and be an exciting prospect for their future.
Pick 29: Adelaide
Jesse Crichton (183cm, 66kg)
Draft Range: 25-32
Adelaide will look for the best available at this selection, and they will get just that in Crichton. Crichton is a quality run and carry mid, who could easily go higher in the draft, and will add youth to Adelaide’s midfield to support guys like Dangerfield.

Pick 30: Collingwood
Josh Thomas (178cm, 70kg)
Draft Range: 27-37
After declining an offer to go to the Gold Coast, Thomas’ decision looks as though it may pay off, with many clubs interested. After the success of selecting Beams last year around a similar position, Collingwood look likely to take Thomas, to add further quality to the likes of Beams and Sidebottom.
Pick 31: Western Bulldogs
Sam Reid (192cm, 84kg)
Draft Range: 26-33
With little deficiencies in their lineup, Bulldogs will look to secure a quality KPP with this pick, and should find one in Reid. Brother of Collingwood’s Ben, Sam should develop and hold down a KP defensive spot at the Bulldogs in the future.
Pick 32: St Kilda
Travis Colyer (175cm, 73kg)
Draft Range: 24-36
A smaller player, Colyer has pace to burn. With the ability to play mid and forward, Colyer will add pace and excitement to the St Kilda lineup, with his attacking style, pace and quality in traffic, Colyer could be a great prospect for the Saints.
Pick 33: Essendon
Tom Hill (199cm, 82kg)
Draft Range: 31-41
After three picks without a KPP, its time Essendon turn their attention to KP stocks. Hill stands out at this pick. Rated very highly, the thing that should see him last till this pick is his injury concerns. A quality KP forward with great hands, Hill could be a great replacement for the departed Lucas and Lloyd at Essendon, and could be a risk that well pays off for them.
Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy it. Please feel free to give feedback either about your teams selections or the phantom in general, as I am keen to get feedback of what people believe their team will do with their picks.

 

[Lions1024]

Pick 27: Brisbane
Daniel Menzel (185cm, 77kg)
Draft Range: 25-32
With the departure of McDonald and lack of HBF’s, Menzil fits the bill at Brisbane. In the mould of Hodge, Menzil will add quality and youth to Brisbane’s HB line, with minimal deficiencies to be found in the rest of Brisbane’s team.

Good phantom draft.

But i disagree with the lack of HBF.I would say one of our main strengths is our HBF's/ Rebounding defenders (Adcock,McGrath, Drummond,Hawksley,X Clarke,Raines, Patfull*) . I don't think Brisbane will draft another medium sized defender as we've got an abnormal amount of HBF's in the team.

Btw Brisbane would probably be trying to draft a crumbing forward, clearance player or a Tall KPP.

 

[WCE Ebert #18]

Good phantom draft.

But i disagree with the lack of HBF.I would say one of our main strengths is our HBF's/ Rebounding defenders (Adcock,McGrath, Drummond,Hawksley,X Clarke,Raines, Patfull*) . I don't think Brisbane will draft another medium sized defender as we've got an abnormal amount of HBF's in the team.

Btw Brisbane would probably be trying to draft a crumbing forward, clearance player or a Tall KPP.

Alright thanks for that. The sort of feedback i wanted, to get a gauge for what supporters want their team to take. Looking at it now i guess you are quite right... and a player like Colyer now jumps to mind as a suitable selection for the needs you have pointed out.

Would you be more satisfied with Colyer perhaps???

 

[saxymaxy]

pretty good effort, but one thing i found a bit weird was your draft ranges:

listing people like colyer in the draft range of 24-36 when there is a big chance of him being selected at either 22/23 by the eagles, or even as high as the western bulldogs with 15.... and then with jetta, 7 - 13? So there is no chance of him being passed by adelaide is their?

But anyway good draft and a good read

 

[WCE Ebert #18]

pretty good effort, but one thing i found a bit weird was your draft ranges:

listing people like colyer in the draft range of 24-36 when there is a big chance of him being selected at either 22/23 by the eagles, or even as high as the western bulldogs with 15.... and then with jetta, 7 - 13? So there is no chance of him being passed by adelaide is their?

But anyway good draft and a good read

Yer, i just tried to give a general idea of the range where it think players are likely to be selected. I don't believe colyer will be selected above 24, but that is simply my own opinion and certainly may not occur. I also believe Jetta has too much quality to go past 13, however agian there is always a chace i may be wrong.

At the end of the day it is simply a phantom draft based on whtat i think of each of the players. However thanks for the feedback as it gives me a better idea of where other people believe players may be selected, which is exactly what i want to know.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Kill me. Jetta AGAIN. Inside midfielders OR Talia at 10, take your pick. No wingers at pick 10, you can get those players later on. Melksham or Bastinac at 10 if we go midfielder. Talia if we go for a versatile KP. Don't agree with Hill, don't feel he is best available, especially if Callum Bartlett is still there. Not sure we'll go KP in this darft if we don't take Talia at 10.

 

[adagio]

One of the better efforts mate. You mixed it up a little but at the same time virtually every selection made sense and could easily happen. In fact I wonder if you utilized my "needs" thread?

That'd be a decent draft for WC. Very happy with Rohan at 7, hopefully it happens. If Kangas take Bastinac right before us I'm gonna be shattered though

 

[WCE Ebert #18]

Kill me. Jetta AGAIN. Inside midfielders OR Talia at 10, take your pick. No wingers at pick 10, you can get those players later on. Melksham or Bastinac at 10 if we go midfielder. Talia if we go for a versatile KP. Don't agree with Hill, don't feel he is best available, especially if Callum Bartlett is still there. Not sure we'll go KP in this darft if we don't take Talia at 10.

Haha yer thought your pick 10 was a tough one. There are a few quality players that could be selected, and once again, it all comes down to interpretation. There will be fans who want this player, and fans who want that player. It always happens.

Good to see how you feel about Essendons selections though. I must admit i did find Essendons particularly hard, probably the hardest to pick in fact. So its good to hear from an Essendon fan what you would actually like from this draft.

 

[WCE Ebert #18]

One of the better efforts mate. You mixed it up a little but at the same time virtually every selection made sense and could easily happen. In fact I wonder if you utilized my "needs" thread?

That'd be a decent draft for WC. Very happy with Rohan at 7, hopefully it happens. If Kangas take Bastinac right before us I'm gonna be shattered though

Thanks mate. Nah didn't use your "needs" thread. Although might have to check that one out now!

Yer i also quite like this draft for West Coast and glad to hear another fan who does. I too am hoping we can snare Rohan at 7, and yes the Bastinac one was a tough one On one front i was hoping he could get through to our pick, but thought he was best available at Norths pick. You never no though, maybe they might opt for Gysberts or Christensen instead, and we can snare Bastinac instead??? You can always hope... and dream

 

[Blueboys7]

Haha yer thought your pick 10 was a tough one. There are a few quality players that could be selected, and once again, it all comes down to interpretation. There will be fans who want this player, and fans who want that player. It always happens.

Good to see how you feel about Essendons selections though. I must admit i did find Essendons particularly hard, probably the hardest to pick in fact. So its good to hear from an Essendon fan what you would actually like from this draft.

When compiling my phantom I actually found Essendon's first round choice fairly easy as they had an emphasis on midfielders. I wouldn't have thought that they need a replacement for Lovett as they still have an abundance of quick players. Best available mid for mine which is likely to be Melksham or Stevens, rather than taking the risk of selecting Jetta, as he doesn't directly fill a need as the other pure midfielders would.

Good phantom, well thought out. Some posters think it's easy putting one together but it takes a lot of time and effort so well done.

FWIW Carlton have a few players on their radar who I believe to be KKP in Carlisle and Talia but will most likely select best available (as Hughes tends to do) whether that be a mid, KPP or a flanker remains to be seen. It is a well known fact that Hughes puts together a list of best available and crosses them off once selected. Once it comes to our selection he chooses the player at the top of the list who is obviously deemed best available. Our picks are generally tough to scope.

Again, nice work

 

[DaVe86]

I've seen a few people say that Essendon need to replace Lovett.

I'm not so sure they do. They have plenty of his type already. Davey should be better after recovering from a knee reco and I thought Atkinson really came on late in the year.

Is Leroy Jetta still on their list?

I think the are reasonably well served in the indigenous winger/forward department.

Better to get a proper hard nosed midfielder or tall forward considering both Lucas and Llyod retired and Neagle shows little promise in my eyes...and Gumbleton is one more injury away from the end.

 

[DaVe86]

and sorry, I didn't comment the OP on an excellent effort.

 

[WCE Ebert #18]

When compiling my phantom I actually found Essendon's first round choice fairly easy as they had an emphasis on midfielders. I wouldn't have thought that they need a replacement for Lovett as they still have an abundance of quick players. Best available mid for mine which is likely to be Melksham or Stevens, rather than taking the risk of selecting Jetta, as he doesn't directly fill a need as the other pure midfielders would.

Good phantom, well thought out. Some posters think it's easy putting one together but it takes a lot of time and effort so well done.

FWIW Carlton have a few players on their radar who I believe to be KKP in Carlisle and Talia but will most likely select best available (as Hughes tends to do) whether that be a mid, KPP or a flanker remains to be seen. It is a well known fact that Hughes puts together a list of best available and crosses them off once selected. Once it comes to our selection he chooses the player at the top of the list who is obviously deemed best available. Our picks are generally tough to scope.

Again, nice work

Yes i must say i thought about Melksham to Essendon, however i found their selection tough as i believe they could also take the punt on a KPF with their lack of quality now in that department. But it is a good point you raise, one i didn't really think of so good to hear your thoughts.

Yer thanks mate. I know they are quite tough and time consuming arn't they!

Yes i have heard that that is the technique Hughes swears by, but in any case i believe they will end up with a KPP, as it looks likely most of the top midfielders are going to be taken early, leaving a KPP as the best available at pick 12. And as you point out, that well may be someone other than Black.

Thanks again for your comments

 

[WCE Ebert #18]

I've seen a few people say that Essendon need to replace Lovett.

I'm not so sure they do. They have plenty of his type already. Davey should be better after recovering from a knee reco and I thought Atkinson really came on late in the year.

Is Leroy Jetta still on their list?

I think the are reasonably well served in the indigenous winger/forward department.

Better to get a proper hard nosed midfielder or tall forward considering both Lucas and Llyod retired and Neagle shows little promise in my eyes...and Gumbleton is one more injury away from the end.

Like BlueBoys7 you raise a good point with Essendon's other pacy mids that can replace lovett that i did not fully think of at the time so thanks for that.

I believe Leroy is still on their list but we can leave that for an Essendon fan to confirm???

Yes as i have said above their pick is difficult to predict at this stage as they could go for a quality mid in Melksham or snare a KPP in Carlisle, Talia etc. It all remains to be seen really!

Again thanks for your input

 

[DaVe86]

it's a totally objective excercise, and your effort far outweighs anything I could put together.

Given Essendon's style of game, Jetta would fit in nicely you would think so i think your selection is a sensible one.

I think if I were the Essendon recruiting manager, I'd take an in and under mid or a forward. They can still get a decent KPP at 10...and if the draft pans out like you have suggested...then only 1 KPP has gone before Essendon's pick so they have a stack of options.

 

[Axel.]

Alright thanks for that. The sort of feedback i wanted, to get a gauge for what supporters want their team to take. Looking at it now i guess you are quite right... and a player like Colyer now jumps to mind as a suitable selection for the needs you have pointed out.

Would you be more satisfied with Colyer perhaps???

YES!!, Colyer please.

 

[Demon 16]

Mate this is one of the best imo - good work

I agree that Melbourne are likely to target the best tall at pick 11, and Black would be in the mix (along with Carlisle).

I havnt seen anything of Black and have only read about him - being a WA lad, are you able to comment on him? You obviously rate him pretty highly for pick 12.

 

[WATTStheMATTER]

would love scully,trengove,carlisle and vardy

Basically fits all the needs

 

[coke_zero]

i would be happy if Richmond ended up with Martin and Moore.

 

[Mrs Mercuri]

Yes Jetta is still on the list BUT he has a long way to go before he is in our starting 22 players.

Zaharakis can definately play the role that Lovett had in the team. Now that we have Williams in the forward line as well i think Davey may move up onto the ball a bit more in 2010.

 

[beev]

Yes Jetta is still on the list BUT he has a long way to go before he is in our starting 22 players.

Zaharakis can definately play the role that Lovett had in the team. Now that we have Williams in the forward line as well i think Davey may move up onto the ball a bit more in 2010.

We have heaps of players that can fill the position on the wing that was once Lovett's; Winderlich will play more midfield instead of half-forward, Zaka was drafted as a outside mid/wingman so i think he'll move into that role. Reimers can also play on the wing.

We have tough choice at 10 imo. Plently of options but no real player standing out. Hopefully the choice is made more 'difficult' if someone like Lucas or Cunnington falls

 

[On the bench]

I hope selections 11 & 18 for the Demons go that way Carlisle/Vardy or even Griffiths!

 

[tigs2010]

very good phantom draft. however the tigers will take griffiths over moore at 19 if available. or if they slip they make take tapscott or melksham but unlikely they will be there!