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Xavier Ellis
(Gippsland Power), 28 February 1988, 186.3cm, 71.7kg
Ellis looms as the second most likely player to be selected this year, although make no mistake Collingwood's first choice will be a fascinating one. The Magpies also rate Ellis' Gippsland teammate Dale Thomas enormously and he too will come into calculations at No.2. Should Thomas be taken at this pick, expect Hawthorn to pounce immediately on Ellis at No.3. A medium-sized defender/midfielder, Ellis had a terrific season, which was capped off with a premiership with Gippsland. He also represented Vic Country and achieved All-Australian selection in 2005, while he was a member of the AIS/AFL Academy. Although he will be attending Melbourne Grammar next year and school will be high on the agenda, this won't deter the Pies, as he is also just a stone's throw away from Collingwood's Swan St headquarters. The highly-talented left-footer will be given time, but it will be worth the wait
Beau Dowler
(Oakleigh Chargers), 16 December 1987, 194.6cm, 84kg
One of the most sought after talls in this draft, Dowler is also one of several highly-rated players to be struck down with injury or illness in the lead-up to this meeting. The key forward suffered a fractured pelvis in a car accident last month, but he still firmly remains a top-10 draftee. Richmond is set to pounce at No.8, although Carlton and Hawthorn are not out of the equation in the top six. The Tigers are prepared to think long-term rather just his immediate future, in relation to his injury. He is still on crutches, although he is hoping to be walking without them by Christmas. A strong lead and accurate kick at goal, Dowler also possesses good speed for his size. He had a terrific season, representing Vic Metro at under-18 level this year, while he was rewarded with All-Australian status and was named in the TAC Cup team of the year. Dowler was also an AIS/AFL Academy member.
Grant Birchall
(Devonport), 28 January 1988, 191.9cm, 84.4kg
Tasmania's best prospect in this year's pool, Birchall will be claimed in the top 15 - make no question about that. If the Lions do not pounce with their first pick, expect him to last no further than West Coast (No.13) or Geelong (No.15). Both the Eagles and Cats are eager for his services. Birchall's statue has grown in recent weeks, and on reflection, it's not hard to see why. The tall defender/midfielder - he can play either role effectively - runs the lines, contests hard and has a raking left-foot. He won the Harrison Medal for the best player in division two of this year's under 18 carnival, while he was named in the All-Australian team. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate, Birchall also shone at the recent draft camp, recording 2.92 seconds in the 20-metre sprint. His height and ability to play back will be a strong consideration for the Lions, particularly with the likes of triple-premiership defender Justin Leppitsch now in the veteran status.
Max Bailey
(West Perth), 23 October 1986, 205.8cm, 93kg
One of best young rucks in this year's pool, Bailey has the ability to be selected much earlier in the draft and could even figure in Collingwood's plans at No.21 or No.23. West Coast and Geelong will be in contention, while Melbourne and Sydney are believed to be keen, although he is unlikely to be selected in the fourth round, when the latter two clubs are more prominent in the draft. At a whopping 205cm, Bailey is mobile for his size, while he is good in contested marking situations. He is surprisingly quick off the mark and has clean hands for a big man.
Beau Muston
(Murray Bushrangers), 1 March 1987, 189cm, 78.8kg
Muston is yet another talent-laden youngster to be struck down due to injury or illness, but like his contemporaries Kennedy, Clark and Dowler, he remains right in the top 10 or first round mix. After a stunning start to 2005, Muston injured his knee mid-way through the season and recently underwent a knee reconstruction. Many astute judges believe Muston, had it not been for his set-back, would have been a top-five selection. And it would not surprise if Collingwood (No.5), Brisbane Lions (No.9) and Fremantle (No.10) were still options. But his injury has pushed his ranking down, but that won't worry Hawthorn. Although the Hawks are unlikely to claim Muston at No.3 or No.6, they will be prepared to punt on his prodigious talent and back their medical staff, in order to help Muston through his rehabilitation. With his pace, ball-winning ability and fine skills, he has the ability to be a genuine match-winner. If available, Hurn, Pendlebury and Stanley are others being closely considered by Hawthorn at No.14.
(Gippsland Power), 28 February 1988, 186.3cm, 71.7kg
Ellis looms as the second most likely player to be selected this year, although make no mistake Collingwood's first choice will be a fascinating one. The Magpies also rate Ellis' Gippsland teammate Dale Thomas enormously and he too will come into calculations at No.2. Should Thomas be taken at this pick, expect Hawthorn to pounce immediately on Ellis at No.3. A medium-sized defender/midfielder, Ellis had a terrific season, which was capped off with a premiership with Gippsland. He also represented Vic Country and achieved All-Australian selection in 2005, while he was a member of the AIS/AFL Academy. Although he will be attending Melbourne Grammar next year and school will be high on the agenda, this won't deter the Pies, as he is also just a stone's throw away from Collingwood's Swan St headquarters. The highly-talented left-footer will be given time, but it will be worth the wait
Beau Dowler
(Oakleigh Chargers), 16 December 1987, 194.6cm, 84kg
One of the most sought after talls in this draft, Dowler is also one of several highly-rated players to be struck down with injury or illness in the lead-up to this meeting. The key forward suffered a fractured pelvis in a car accident last month, but he still firmly remains a top-10 draftee. Richmond is set to pounce at No.8, although Carlton and Hawthorn are not out of the equation in the top six. The Tigers are prepared to think long-term rather just his immediate future, in relation to his injury. He is still on crutches, although he is hoping to be walking without them by Christmas. A strong lead and accurate kick at goal, Dowler also possesses good speed for his size. He had a terrific season, representing Vic Metro at under-18 level this year, while he was rewarded with All-Australian status and was named in the TAC Cup team of the year. Dowler was also an AIS/AFL Academy member.
Grant Birchall
(Devonport), 28 January 1988, 191.9cm, 84.4kg
Tasmania's best prospect in this year's pool, Birchall will be claimed in the top 15 - make no question about that. If the Lions do not pounce with their first pick, expect him to last no further than West Coast (No.13) or Geelong (No.15). Both the Eagles and Cats are eager for his services. Birchall's statue has grown in recent weeks, and on reflection, it's not hard to see why. The tall defender/midfielder - he can play either role effectively - runs the lines, contests hard and has a raking left-foot. He won the Harrison Medal for the best player in division two of this year's under 18 carnival, while he was named in the All-Australian team. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate, Birchall also shone at the recent draft camp, recording 2.92 seconds in the 20-metre sprint. His height and ability to play back will be a strong consideration for the Lions, particularly with the likes of triple-premiership defender Justin Leppitsch now in the veteran status.
Max Bailey
(West Perth), 23 October 1986, 205.8cm, 93kg
One of best young rucks in this year's pool, Bailey has the ability to be selected much earlier in the draft and could even figure in Collingwood's plans at No.21 or No.23. West Coast and Geelong will be in contention, while Melbourne and Sydney are believed to be keen, although he is unlikely to be selected in the fourth round, when the latter two clubs are more prominent in the draft. At a whopping 205cm, Bailey is mobile for his size, while he is good in contested marking situations. He is surprisingly quick off the mark and has clean hands for a big man.
Beau Muston
(Murray Bushrangers), 1 March 1987, 189cm, 78.8kg
Muston is yet another talent-laden youngster to be struck down due to injury or illness, but like his contemporaries Kennedy, Clark and Dowler, he remains right in the top 10 or first round mix. After a stunning start to 2005, Muston injured his knee mid-way through the season and recently underwent a knee reconstruction. Many astute judges believe Muston, had it not been for his set-back, would have been a top-five selection. And it would not surprise if Collingwood (No.5), Brisbane Lions (No.9) and Fremantle (No.10) were still options. But his injury has pushed his ranking down, but that won't worry Hawthorn. Although the Hawks are unlikely to claim Muston at No.3 or No.6, they will be prepared to punt on his prodigious talent and back their medical staff, in order to help Muston through his rehabilitation. With his pace, ball-winning ability and fine skills, he has the ability to be a genuine match-winner. If available, Hurn, Pendlebury and Stanley are others being closely considered by Hawthorn at No.14.

