zookota123
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Hey bigfooty community this is my 2017 afl phantom draft! I have been doing this for the last two years and have enjoyed every second giving you guys my own thoughts and opinions on who are my 15 favourite players in the draft and how I see the afl teams drafting. You can see my last two phantom drafts on how I went with my views. I had Clayton Oliver in my top 5 favourites in the 2015 afl draft and at the time most people didn't even know who he was. This year he showed how much of an elite player he is even on his second year and the potential to even win a brownlow one day in my eyes. This year 15 of my personal favourites including names of Brandon Parfitt and my boy Zac fisher who both didnt get the raving they should, have all made the top 27 which I was very happy with. I will again do my top 15 best players of this draft and my phantom draft for the first round only. If you like reading my phantom draft and interested in a round 2 than I may do it. Lets begin fellas!
Top 15 best players
The first four players to me are the big standouts in this draft and are above the other draftees. It was hard to rank the first three because I find them all so equal in there own ways and can't see as much faults as the others. Raynor is definitely not too far behind these 3 elite players, but he has a few too many question marks which affects the brilliance he can bring to the game as a number 1 pick. Don't get me wrong, the kid can become and elite star but I will explain my reasonings on him when I choose which team I think he will go to.
1. Paddy Dow
2. Darcy Fogarty
3. Luke Davies Uniacke
4. Cameron Raynor
5. Jack Higgins
6. Andrew Brayshaw
7.Hunter Clark
8. Zac Bailey
9. Jaidyn Stephenson
10. Lochie O'brien
11. Nicholas Coffield
12. Aaron Naughton
13. Lachlan Fogarty
14. Jarrod Brander
15. James Worpel
Round 1 draft:
Pick 1 Brisbane- Paddy Dow- For pick 1 I am going with Paddy Dow. With the loss of Tom Rockliff and the needs of a pure midfielder, it was between Luke Davies Uniacke and Paddy Dow. Paddy Dow in my eyes in this draft is the whole package. He is clean, has a beautiful burst of speed out of stoppages, knows how to get the ball and deliver it fast and precise to his team mates, great footy knowledge and awareness and for a small body inside mid he is fearless which is a great asset in a player. I don't see any faults in him and I think he will play straight away round 1 in 2018 next year for sure as he is ready made.
Pick 2 Fremantle- Cameron Raynor- Cameron has had a very good year of playing consistent footy and showing why he is rated so highly. He has every chance of going pick 1 to Brisbane, however with him I see a few question marks as a number 1 pick. He has a great burst of speed, but his mind is not as fast as his physical speed which makes him fumble the ball when his running after it and not having a clean pick up. Also this boy is 187cm and 88 kg and when he gets tackled he gets tackled extremely easily. For a boy that height and size thats a concern, especially if he wants to be used as a midfielder. There's talk going around as well that his endurance is a issue which will affect him playing in the midfield. If it wasn't for those concerns, I would have him number 1 in a heartbeat. His marking is phenomenal and locks his eyes on that ball grabbing it with no hesitation or fear. Very dangerous below his knees and in the forward line in general. If Raynor is not pick 1 and doesn't go to Brisbane than I see no reason why Fremantle would not take him at pick 2.
Pick 3 Carlton- Luke Davies Uniacke- LDU ticks all the boxes for an inside midfielder that teams are seeking for and he is exactly what carlton is looking for. It was going to be either Paddy Dow or Luke Davies Uniacke in this spot, but in my eyes Paddy Dow had a more consistent year as I didn't see Paddy having a bad game at all. If I had to say though out of the two between Dow and LDU of whom would be possibly better in years to come Id say Luke would as I think his such a great player that rarely does any mistakes with the ball as does Dow,but I see much more potential and room for improvement with LDU to possibly be one of the best. He is so calm and composed when going for the ball as well as when the ball is in his hands, swiftly going through the midfield with ease and moving around the opposition with no problem. He is a big boy too that has great acceleration through the midfield cleanly sweeping the ball through stoppages and accurately kicking to his team mates or handballing with finesse perfectly when he is in danger. I also love that no matter how good he is in the midfield racking the ball and getting rid of it cleanly, he also can go up forward and have no trouble boosting that scoreboard for his team. A player for sure that would suit carlton to a tee in there improving midfield.
Pick 4 North Melbourne- Andrew Brayshaw- A player who most people will be surprised how early he is in this draft, but please do yourselves a favour and watch more of him. Not rated as good as the first 3 but I have him just after them placing him this early than others. Andrew is very enjoyable to watch and surprises me how he is not even rated top 5 even being one of the best in the draft combine. He has this gift I notice that before he even gets the ball from his team mate or from the ground he has like a pre plan on what he is going to do with it and ends up panning well to help his situation or team mates. He looks very classy with his movement and smooth pace and has a lovely accurate kick that goes straight to his target in good situations. Great awareness and footy smarts and just like his brother loves to tackle and plenty of them. North are said to be interested in mids and more likely fast paced outside mids and why not anyone other than Andrew Brayshaw who mainly plays inside but also outside too. I am very sure we will be seeing Andrew at North next year and can even see him taking over Andrew Swallows role who loves a tackle too.
Pick 5 Fremantle- Adam Cerra- A great young player that knows the game very well and can open space for his team mates better than anyone I've seen in this draft. However there's a few small things that I see in him thats stopping him to potentially be even higher where he is now. In future he could turn out to be one of the best in this draft, but his kicking I see in him is just frustrating and an issue. His so calm and smooth when handling the ball which gives him time to think what he should do with the ball, but when he kicks that ball to a team mate it either goes past them or shorter distance. Don't get me wrong the kid has great footy smarts and knows how to bring the ball forward but if he can practice his kicking more he will become a much better player. I feel that he is sorta slow too when in the inside not creating that fast pace that people like to see in a midfielder. Other than that he gets the ball a lot in the inside stoppage area and opens up space bringing it forward to his team mates, great decision making, calm and composed, and great one on one. He would suit Fremantle very well replacing any of Harley Balic or Lachie Weller. Fremantle need a young mid that can open space and push it forward and thats exactly where Adam Cerra fits in.
Pick 6- Collingwood- Jarrod Brander- Jarrod is the type of player that Collingwood definitely need in there team. Tall big boy who can play in either end in the backline or forward line and do well in both areas showing how athletic he really is. For a tall big boy Jarrod has some great acceleration and pace in him to run away from opponents with the ball in either end and deliver it well to. He has a great leap in him to take strong marks one on one and smart decision making when getting rid of the ball. Personally I like Jarrod more in the backline than the forward line due to when he is in the back I feel his pace and speed works really well getting rid of the ball from the backline and his great intercepting marks one on one. When in forward sometimes I don't like his shots at goal as they remind me of Casboult going for goal and just completely misses, but I can see improvement in that if he can kick very well from the backline.
Pick 7- St Kilda- Jaidyn Stephenson- Hands down right now I believe that Jaidyn is the x factor man going through to this draft and at pick 7 will be a steal, IF he trains hard in his weaknesses which is his weight and kicking than he can be something big. Yes I think Jaidyn has an awful kick when he tries to deliver it to team mates but what I find bizarre is when he shoots for goal he doesn't miss much. I don't know if his second guessing himself when he kicks because he looks so calm with the ball, but if he can improve his kicking when delivering to team mates than he can be something special. He needs to put some weight on too and put more grunt into tackling because when he tries to tackle he just holds onto his opponent and doesn't even bring them down to the ground or put all his body weight onto them. If he can commit to those two things than I see him being very similar to Steele Sidebottom. I love his movement with the ball, just has that great pace and acceleration of speed and goes in parallel directions evading his opponents. I also notice when he gets the ball in tricky situations or gets tackled with the ball, he always seems to cleanly get rid of it which I find fascinating. Not only can he rack a lot of the ball from wing and bring it forward, but he can also run it down forward and kick a couple of bags too, which was shown in one of his TAC games racking 28 disposals and 5 goals. St kilda definitely need some outside run and you can tell thats exactly what they are looking for with rumours of chasing whitfield and gaff before. Stephenson is exactly what they need in that case as he is the best outside mid in my eyes.
Pick 8- St Kilda-Aaron Naugton- With Jarryn Geary turning 30 next year and Nathan Brown being 28, looks to me saint kilda definitely need a young key defender that can learn the tricks of the trades from those two and Jake Carlisle as well who is 26 years old. Aaron Naughton is said to be the best key defender in this draft and I can see exactly why. Big 194cm kid who that has great footy smarts and can read the ball and play in the backline exceptionally well. Takes some big strong marks with his tight grip and also loves a good intercept mark. Has some alright speed for a big fella, using that run and agility to give that nice booming left kick to his targets. I love that he also has some young grunt in him, not being afraid to go in for the ball against older players in the WAFL. Saints need a tall big body defender once Geary and Brown go so Naughton fits in perfectly as he is already AFL made.
Pick 9- Western Bulldogs- Jack Higgins- Jack Higgins is an absolute bull of a player and someyone everyone should be watching out for. I think everyone is all on board Higgins going to GWS with pick 11, however I see Higgins definitely going inside the top 10. He has been touted inside the top 10 all year and even last year for ones to watch. Out of everyone in this draft, this kid has the biggest hunger,dedication and self discipline for this game and the type of person I truly believe would stay at whichever club he goes to for a long time. Played most of his footy years as a ball winning midfielder, but this year changed to a new role of small forward which was shown when he brings the ball down from the midfield to forward line and impact that scoreboard. Not only that but the way he uses the ball in the forward line with his one touch and clean hands and sending it off to team mates is just something to watch. He is so hungry for that ball and is the type of player that wants to get to the ball before anyone else which most of the time happens. He has great composure and footy smarts and has no trouble in the forward line receiving the ball and getting rid of it to benefit himself and team mates inside or outside the forward line. Has a good leap on him too for a 180cm fella, taking some great overheard marks. For me he screams as a western bulldog type player and they also love drafting players like him. Would not be surprised at all if goes even earlier in the draft, this kid is really something.
Pick 10 Carlton- Darcy Fogarty- Utility players like Darcy don't come around too often and when they do you should pounce. I haven't seen aggression in a player like Darcy in a very long time. It is a positive aggression that he uses well in his advantage for his gameplay. His balance is also impeccable and reminds me of Dustin Martin when he fends people off when the ball is in his hands and being tackled by three players at once and still standing on his feet delivering the ball with ease and no strain in his face making it look easy. He reminds me of a pitbull dog and will go attack that ball using his smarts,skill and fast pace evasiveness while showing great courage. In 2016 he was phenomenal and my clear number 1 for this years draft, but he suffered a knee injury this year which impacted on his whole year. I saw one of his videos this year with him talking about his footy and he is very mature and a level headed young man. He understood that he had a knee injury and that he could play without having any pain while his knee was strapped, but he also knew he could cause more damage to his knee if he over performed. He was in the catch 22 where he had to perform well to show recruiters his worth. If you are taking the best player in the draft and disregarding a teams needs than Darcy would be my clear choice and being a utility who could be an elite star for a long time. Look at past drafts with utility players such as Stringer,Bontempelli, Fyfe. Don't be surprised if he gets a free pass to go to Adelaide at pick 12.
Pick 11- GWS- Lochie O'brien- I think Jack Higgins will be gone before pick 11 to make this pick, so I'm thinking with no small forward that I feel is right for this pick here I am going with the half back/swingman that could fill Nathan Wilson's spot and even develop further. Lochie was touted very highly last year in 2016 with a great consistent eye catching year and was keen to bring that with him this year, however a knee injury occurred earlier this year which slowly stunted his ability to catch eyes with his performances. If it wasn't for that knee injury earlier in the year he would be higher than he is projected now, but knowing how he has talent I don't think teams would want to pass on him as he will be a steal going into round 2 of the draft. Lochie is a very calm and collected player that when he gets the ball he delivers it to his team mates with ease and finesse, breaking lines and creating that space for them. His left foot is very beautiful to watch and damaging and reminds me of Riley Bonner's left foot kick. O'brien's work rate is also impressive as he can control the game with his pace and smoothness. He is quick on the spot, creating space on the wing or deep in the backline. Could be a slider with his slow start to the year with his knee injury, but if recruiters acknowledge the year he had in 2016 and the talent he still possesses that he showed this year too than he is too good to pass.
Pick 12- Adelaide- Nicholas Coffield- A player who has jumped through the ranks dramatically and I can definitely see why. With his brilliant 2017 year and being the main standout at Northern Knights alongside Patrick Naish, he just shines and you can not miss him. As a 190cm fella he posses such great class through the backline and collectedness running and sidestepping from the backline with speed and finesse. When the ball is in his hands he just knows exactly what to do with it, such as that accurate bomb of a kick or long handballs getting into the hands of his team mates. He looks like a great leader and has the hunger for that ball that I love to see in a player and when in situations in getting the ball he can slide through easily as he looks great under pressure. Nicholas likes to take some big grabs as well and intercepts nicely. He racks a lot of the ball from the backline and sometimes mid and delivers well so I wouldn't be surprised if he ever made it as a pure midfielder. I definitely see Nicholas suiting adelaides style and fitting right in the team ready for round 1.
Pick 13- West Coast- Charlie Constable- I don't think anyone around this pick would suit west coast eagles as much as I think Charlie will. The slick nephew of Mick Malthouse is a great sized player that plays through the midfield with stints in the half back and is already AFL ready made set for round 1 which west coast most likely need. Charlie is a very smart player when it comes to the game as his decision making with the ball to help himself and team mates are spot on either in a bad situation or just to boost the team. He is very smooth and clean in the midfield, racking plenty of the ball and just being a natural accumulator that finesses in awareness with deliverance of the ball. He played a bit in the half back this year when Brayshaw came back in the team as a mid, and as he did do well in that position I just don't see him playing there too long as I see him being a full time mid especially as his not too quick in the backline. With west coasts past midfield picks going with Dom Sheed,Liam Duggan,Luke Partington and Daniel Venables who are all big boys that can get the ball, it makes sense with Charlie Constable who fits that category very well.
Pick 14- Sydney Swans- Aidan Bonar- The biggest unknown of the draft as he had two ACL knee reconstructions and he demolished and set a name for himself at the draft combine. Who doesn't love a bolter in the draft that comes out of nowhere. Sydney took a bolter last year with Will Hayward that came from the SANFL and was known for kicking 33 goals in 9 games. He has a great mentality and dedication that has blistered through even with two knee reconstructions, now that is some heart for the game. He is mainly used as a forward that shows blistering speed and power and the type of player you wouldn't want to go for the ball against as he loves a good tackle. He has got a great size and very rough and with that comes great athleticism that can also go through the midfield and bulldoze his way through with no stress in delivering the ball. I can see Bonar suiting in the forward line while Tippett possibly rucks and than overtime possibly developing in the mid for the future which sydney loves stacking on.
Pick 15- Brisbane- Hunter Clark- Hunter is a player that I love to watch and someyone I can see using his talents at Brisbane. He played a lot in the backline last year and this year slowly adjusting as an inside mid. For a medium sized kid he is bloody fearless and will go straight for the ball either on ground level or up in the air to take a mark in packs. I've been watching him for awhile and I love wherever the ball goes in the air he loves to leap for it. I saw this mark he took where there was a massive pack of players including tall ones with the likes of uniacke and Sam hayes and out of nowhere comes Hunter Clark leaping on top of them all taking a great grab. His stoppage work and contested ball gets are great work with the complimentary of run and support with great evasiveness and quick speed out an about. With that quick speed and run and support comes a great kick on both sides of the foot which I love in a player. Since Brisbane are looking for more mids I think with the likes of Paddy Dow as a pure inside and Hunter Clark if he makes to pick 15 as a kid who can play half back but even excel more in either inside or outside than Brisbane could do well.
Pick 16- Western Bulldogs Joel Garner- I had either Bonar or Clark going here aswell but think both of those two could just be picked up before they can land at this pick. Was touted to be top 10 this year, but with others excelling and Joel playing numerous positions to figure where he best plays put him down the list. Either playing half forward or in the wing, its the half back role that he has been showing his excellence in. He has a lot of class shown in him while running with a ball in his hand and that quick elegant pace showing how he settles in the backline and being versatile. I love the way he leads and creates space with that accurate left foot and hitting his targets with no issue. I think with the likes of Matthew Boyd and Robert Murphy gone, the western bulldogs would be looking for someyone to try and replicate that role for the future and the way Garner is excelling in that role so fast makes me feel he is the guy.
Pick 17- Richmond- Sam Hayes- It's a shame rucks tend to fall down the draft ranks due to gunning for the best available mid,back or forward. However Sam Hayes is a great ruckman who was in the TAC under 18s all australian for both 2016 and 2017 which is a phenomenal effort. Not only does he dominate the hit outs as a ruck and gets plenty of disposals from that position too, he does just the same when in the
forward line taking big contested marks and impacting the scoreboard when inside 50. He has great clean hands that he gets on ground level and with elite footy smarts gets rid of it easy to team mates. With Jack Riewoldt getting older and needing some support in the forward line it would make sense if sam were to be drafted to richmond.
Pick 18- Brisbane- Noah Balta- It would make sense for brisbane getting 2 of the best mids available and than their third pick in the first round possibly being used for a tall utility or back/forward with the likes of schache,freeman,clayton gone. Of course there are talks of Balta having question marks on what position he best plays in but he is a utility player and there role is being good at any position it just takes time to find out what position you best suit. Balta isnt bad at playing either end as a full forward or full back or even stints in the mid so if I were Brisbane I would take balta for sure. Brisbanes backline and forwardline are lacking the most in my eyes so why not jump on balta as a x factor utility play. He is fortunate to be extremely athletic with versatility and very quick explosive speed for a 194cm and 92kg kid. His leap and size is a big plus aswell for either end and he is definitely ready for round 1 for whoever picks him. He can get the ball very clean in any situation in one try and than get rid of it quick with his booming right foot kick. Not only all that but obviously the kid can take some massive clean contested marks that make it look easy for him. I definitely see Noah Balta suiting brisbane and if he were to be available for this pick I would take him for sure.
Pick 19- Gold Coast Suns- Lachlan Fogarty- Exactly what gold coast need and looking for is a well rounded midfielder who is first come first served when the ball is in his area and is fierce as ever showing grunt averaging around 8 tackles a game. With the loss of ablett and the negotiations with geelong and names coming up of Sam Menegola, Nakia Cockatoo, Darcy Lang and Mitch Duncan you can tell what they want. I think Fogarty fits in that category well and would flourish in the midfield as he is a big ball getter too. The only knock I have with him and maybe gold coast would too is his weight at 75kg. However if they are willing to wait on him to develop his body than I believe he would be a great get for gold coast.
Alright thats a wrap for my phantom draft and round 1. Hope you guys enjoy this read and if you want me to do a any more rounds feel free and comment and I'll try get on that with as much information as possible. As you can tell I take my time writing this and enjoy it very much so enjoy the read fellas!
Top 15 best players
The first four players to me are the big standouts in this draft and are above the other draftees. It was hard to rank the first three because I find them all so equal in there own ways and can't see as much faults as the others. Raynor is definitely not too far behind these 3 elite players, but he has a few too many question marks which affects the brilliance he can bring to the game as a number 1 pick. Don't get me wrong, the kid can become and elite star but I will explain my reasonings on him when I choose which team I think he will go to.
1. Paddy Dow
2. Darcy Fogarty
3. Luke Davies Uniacke
4. Cameron Raynor
5. Jack Higgins
6. Andrew Brayshaw
7.Hunter Clark
8. Zac Bailey
9. Jaidyn Stephenson
10. Lochie O'brien
11. Nicholas Coffield
12. Aaron Naughton
13. Lachlan Fogarty
14. Jarrod Brander
15. James Worpel
Round 1 draft:
Pick 1 Brisbane- Paddy Dow- For pick 1 I am going with Paddy Dow. With the loss of Tom Rockliff and the needs of a pure midfielder, it was between Luke Davies Uniacke and Paddy Dow. Paddy Dow in my eyes in this draft is the whole package. He is clean, has a beautiful burst of speed out of stoppages, knows how to get the ball and deliver it fast and precise to his team mates, great footy knowledge and awareness and for a small body inside mid he is fearless which is a great asset in a player. I don't see any faults in him and I think he will play straight away round 1 in 2018 next year for sure as he is ready made.
Pick 2 Fremantle- Cameron Raynor- Cameron has had a very good year of playing consistent footy and showing why he is rated so highly. He has every chance of going pick 1 to Brisbane, however with him I see a few question marks as a number 1 pick. He has a great burst of speed, but his mind is not as fast as his physical speed which makes him fumble the ball when his running after it and not having a clean pick up. Also this boy is 187cm and 88 kg and when he gets tackled he gets tackled extremely easily. For a boy that height and size thats a concern, especially if he wants to be used as a midfielder. There's talk going around as well that his endurance is a issue which will affect him playing in the midfield. If it wasn't for those concerns, I would have him number 1 in a heartbeat. His marking is phenomenal and locks his eyes on that ball grabbing it with no hesitation or fear. Very dangerous below his knees and in the forward line in general. If Raynor is not pick 1 and doesn't go to Brisbane than I see no reason why Fremantle would not take him at pick 2.
Pick 3 Carlton- Luke Davies Uniacke- LDU ticks all the boxes for an inside midfielder that teams are seeking for and he is exactly what carlton is looking for. It was going to be either Paddy Dow or Luke Davies Uniacke in this spot, but in my eyes Paddy Dow had a more consistent year as I didn't see Paddy having a bad game at all. If I had to say though out of the two between Dow and LDU of whom would be possibly better in years to come Id say Luke would as I think his such a great player that rarely does any mistakes with the ball as does Dow,but I see much more potential and room for improvement with LDU to possibly be one of the best. He is so calm and composed when going for the ball as well as when the ball is in his hands, swiftly going through the midfield with ease and moving around the opposition with no problem. He is a big boy too that has great acceleration through the midfield cleanly sweeping the ball through stoppages and accurately kicking to his team mates or handballing with finesse perfectly when he is in danger. I also love that no matter how good he is in the midfield racking the ball and getting rid of it cleanly, he also can go up forward and have no trouble boosting that scoreboard for his team. A player for sure that would suit carlton to a tee in there improving midfield.
Pick 4 North Melbourne- Andrew Brayshaw- A player who most people will be surprised how early he is in this draft, but please do yourselves a favour and watch more of him. Not rated as good as the first 3 but I have him just after them placing him this early than others. Andrew is very enjoyable to watch and surprises me how he is not even rated top 5 even being one of the best in the draft combine. He has this gift I notice that before he even gets the ball from his team mate or from the ground he has like a pre plan on what he is going to do with it and ends up panning well to help his situation or team mates. He looks very classy with his movement and smooth pace and has a lovely accurate kick that goes straight to his target in good situations. Great awareness and footy smarts and just like his brother loves to tackle and plenty of them. North are said to be interested in mids and more likely fast paced outside mids and why not anyone other than Andrew Brayshaw who mainly plays inside but also outside too. I am very sure we will be seeing Andrew at North next year and can even see him taking over Andrew Swallows role who loves a tackle too.
Pick 5 Fremantle- Adam Cerra- A great young player that knows the game very well and can open space for his team mates better than anyone I've seen in this draft. However there's a few small things that I see in him thats stopping him to potentially be even higher where he is now. In future he could turn out to be one of the best in this draft, but his kicking I see in him is just frustrating and an issue. His so calm and smooth when handling the ball which gives him time to think what he should do with the ball, but when he kicks that ball to a team mate it either goes past them or shorter distance. Don't get me wrong the kid has great footy smarts and knows how to bring the ball forward but if he can practice his kicking more he will become a much better player. I feel that he is sorta slow too when in the inside not creating that fast pace that people like to see in a midfielder. Other than that he gets the ball a lot in the inside stoppage area and opens up space bringing it forward to his team mates, great decision making, calm and composed, and great one on one. He would suit Fremantle very well replacing any of Harley Balic or Lachie Weller. Fremantle need a young mid that can open space and push it forward and thats exactly where Adam Cerra fits in.
Pick 6- Collingwood- Jarrod Brander- Jarrod is the type of player that Collingwood definitely need in there team. Tall big boy who can play in either end in the backline or forward line and do well in both areas showing how athletic he really is. For a tall big boy Jarrod has some great acceleration and pace in him to run away from opponents with the ball in either end and deliver it well to. He has a great leap in him to take strong marks one on one and smart decision making when getting rid of the ball. Personally I like Jarrod more in the backline than the forward line due to when he is in the back I feel his pace and speed works really well getting rid of the ball from the backline and his great intercepting marks one on one. When in forward sometimes I don't like his shots at goal as they remind me of Casboult going for goal and just completely misses, but I can see improvement in that if he can kick very well from the backline.
Pick 7- St Kilda- Jaidyn Stephenson- Hands down right now I believe that Jaidyn is the x factor man going through to this draft and at pick 7 will be a steal, IF he trains hard in his weaknesses which is his weight and kicking than he can be something big. Yes I think Jaidyn has an awful kick when he tries to deliver it to team mates but what I find bizarre is when he shoots for goal he doesn't miss much. I don't know if his second guessing himself when he kicks because he looks so calm with the ball, but if he can improve his kicking when delivering to team mates than he can be something special. He needs to put some weight on too and put more grunt into tackling because when he tries to tackle he just holds onto his opponent and doesn't even bring them down to the ground or put all his body weight onto them. If he can commit to those two things than I see him being very similar to Steele Sidebottom. I love his movement with the ball, just has that great pace and acceleration of speed and goes in parallel directions evading his opponents. I also notice when he gets the ball in tricky situations or gets tackled with the ball, he always seems to cleanly get rid of it which I find fascinating. Not only can he rack a lot of the ball from wing and bring it forward, but he can also run it down forward and kick a couple of bags too, which was shown in one of his TAC games racking 28 disposals and 5 goals. St kilda definitely need some outside run and you can tell thats exactly what they are looking for with rumours of chasing whitfield and gaff before. Stephenson is exactly what they need in that case as he is the best outside mid in my eyes.
Pick 8- St Kilda-Aaron Naugton- With Jarryn Geary turning 30 next year and Nathan Brown being 28, looks to me saint kilda definitely need a young key defender that can learn the tricks of the trades from those two and Jake Carlisle as well who is 26 years old. Aaron Naughton is said to be the best key defender in this draft and I can see exactly why. Big 194cm kid who that has great footy smarts and can read the ball and play in the backline exceptionally well. Takes some big strong marks with his tight grip and also loves a good intercept mark. Has some alright speed for a big fella, using that run and agility to give that nice booming left kick to his targets. I love that he also has some young grunt in him, not being afraid to go in for the ball against older players in the WAFL. Saints need a tall big body defender once Geary and Brown go so Naughton fits in perfectly as he is already AFL made.
Pick 9- Western Bulldogs- Jack Higgins- Jack Higgins is an absolute bull of a player and someyone everyone should be watching out for. I think everyone is all on board Higgins going to GWS with pick 11, however I see Higgins definitely going inside the top 10. He has been touted inside the top 10 all year and even last year for ones to watch. Out of everyone in this draft, this kid has the biggest hunger,dedication and self discipline for this game and the type of person I truly believe would stay at whichever club he goes to for a long time. Played most of his footy years as a ball winning midfielder, but this year changed to a new role of small forward which was shown when he brings the ball down from the midfield to forward line and impact that scoreboard. Not only that but the way he uses the ball in the forward line with his one touch and clean hands and sending it off to team mates is just something to watch. He is so hungry for that ball and is the type of player that wants to get to the ball before anyone else which most of the time happens. He has great composure and footy smarts and has no trouble in the forward line receiving the ball and getting rid of it to benefit himself and team mates inside or outside the forward line. Has a good leap on him too for a 180cm fella, taking some great overheard marks. For me he screams as a western bulldog type player and they also love drafting players like him. Would not be surprised at all if goes even earlier in the draft, this kid is really something.
Pick 10 Carlton- Darcy Fogarty- Utility players like Darcy don't come around too often and when they do you should pounce. I haven't seen aggression in a player like Darcy in a very long time. It is a positive aggression that he uses well in his advantage for his gameplay. His balance is also impeccable and reminds me of Dustin Martin when he fends people off when the ball is in his hands and being tackled by three players at once and still standing on his feet delivering the ball with ease and no strain in his face making it look easy. He reminds me of a pitbull dog and will go attack that ball using his smarts,skill and fast pace evasiveness while showing great courage. In 2016 he was phenomenal and my clear number 1 for this years draft, but he suffered a knee injury this year which impacted on his whole year. I saw one of his videos this year with him talking about his footy and he is very mature and a level headed young man. He understood that he had a knee injury and that he could play without having any pain while his knee was strapped, but he also knew he could cause more damage to his knee if he over performed. He was in the catch 22 where he had to perform well to show recruiters his worth. If you are taking the best player in the draft and disregarding a teams needs than Darcy would be my clear choice and being a utility who could be an elite star for a long time. Look at past drafts with utility players such as Stringer,Bontempelli, Fyfe. Don't be surprised if he gets a free pass to go to Adelaide at pick 12.
Pick 11- GWS- Lochie O'brien- I think Jack Higgins will be gone before pick 11 to make this pick, so I'm thinking with no small forward that I feel is right for this pick here I am going with the half back/swingman that could fill Nathan Wilson's spot and even develop further. Lochie was touted very highly last year in 2016 with a great consistent eye catching year and was keen to bring that with him this year, however a knee injury occurred earlier this year which slowly stunted his ability to catch eyes with his performances. If it wasn't for that knee injury earlier in the year he would be higher than he is projected now, but knowing how he has talent I don't think teams would want to pass on him as he will be a steal going into round 2 of the draft. Lochie is a very calm and collected player that when he gets the ball he delivers it to his team mates with ease and finesse, breaking lines and creating that space for them. His left foot is very beautiful to watch and damaging and reminds me of Riley Bonner's left foot kick. O'brien's work rate is also impressive as he can control the game with his pace and smoothness. He is quick on the spot, creating space on the wing or deep in the backline. Could be a slider with his slow start to the year with his knee injury, but if recruiters acknowledge the year he had in 2016 and the talent he still possesses that he showed this year too than he is too good to pass.
Pick 12- Adelaide- Nicholas Coffield- A player who has jumped through the ranks dramatically and I can definitely see why. With his brilliant 2017 year and being the main standout at Northern Knights alongside Patrick Naish, he just shines and you can not miss him. As a 190cm fella he posses such great class through the backline and collectedness running and sidestepping from the backline with speed and finesse. When the ball is in his hands he just knows exactly what to do with it, such as that accurate bomb of a kick or long handballs getting into the hands of his team mates. He looks like a great leader and has the hunger for that ball that I love to see in a player and when in situations in getting the ball he can slide through easily as he looks great under pressure. Nicholas likes to take some big grabs as well and intercepts nicely. He racks a lot of the ball from the backline and sometimes mid and delivers well so I wouldn't be surprised if he ever made it as a pure midfielder. I definitely see Nicholas suiting adelaides style and fitting right in the team ready for round 1.
Pick 13- West Coast- Charlie Constable- I don't think anyone around this pick would suit west coast eagles as much as I think Charlie will. The slick nephew of Mick Malthouse is a great sized player that plays through the midfield with stints in the half back and is already AFL ready made set for round 1 which west coast most likely need. Charlie is a very smart player when it comes to the game as his decision making with the ball to help himself and team mates are spot on either in a bad situation or just to boost the team. He is very smooth and clean in the midfield, racking plenty of the ball and just being a natural accumulator that finesses in awareness with deliverance of the ball. He played a bit in the half back this year when Brayshaw came back in the team as a mid, and as he did do well in that position I just don't see him playing there too long as I see him being a full time mid especially as his not too quick in the backline. With west coasts past midfield picks going with Dom Sheed,Liam Duggan,Luke Partington and Daniel Venables who are all big boys that can get the ball, it makes sense with Charlie Constable who fits that category very well.
Pick 14- Sydney Swans- Aidan Bonar- The biggest unknown of the draft as he had two ACL knee reconstructions and he demolished and set a name for himself at the draft combine. Who doesn't love a bolter in the draft that comes out of nowhere. Sydney took a bolter last year with Will Hayward that came from the SANFL and was known for kicking 33 goals in 9 games. He has a great mentality and dedication that has blistered through even with two knee reconstructions, now that is some heart for the game. He is mainly used as a forward that shows blistering speed and power and the type of player you wouldn't want to go for the ball against as he loves a good tackle. He has got a great size and very rough and with that comes great athleticism that can also go through the midfield and bulldoze his way through with no stress in delivering the ball. I can see Bonar suiting in the forward line while Tippett possibly rucks and than overtime possibly developing in the mid for the future which sydney loves stacking on.
Pick 15- Brisbane- Hunter Clark- Hunter is a player that I love to watch and someyone I can see using his talents at Brisbane. He played a lot in the backline last year and this year slowly adjusting as an inside mid. For a medium sized kid he is bloody fearless and will go straight for the ball either on ground level or up in the air to take a mark in packs. I've been watching him for awhile and I love wherever the ball goes in the air he loves to leap for it. I saw this mark he took where there was a massive pack of players including tall ones with the likes of uniacke and Sam hayes and out of nowhere comes Hunter Clark leaping on top of them all taking a great grab. His stoppage work and contested ball gets are great work with the complimentary of run and support with great evasiveness and quick speed out an about. With that quick speed and run and support comes a great kick on both sides of the foot which I love in a player. Since Brisbane are looking for more mids I think with the likes of Paddy Dow as a pure inside and Hunter Clark if he makes to pick 15 as a kid who can play half back but even excel more in either inside or outside than Brisbane could do well.
Pick 16- Western Bulldogs Joel Garner- I had either Bonar or Clark going here aswell but think both of those two could just be picked up before they can land at this pick. Was touted to be top 10 this year, but with others excelling and Joel playing numerous positions to figure where he best plays put him down the list. Either playing half forward or in the wing, its the half back role that he has been showing his excellence in. He has a lot of class shown in him while running with a ball in his hand and that quick elegant pace showing how he settles in the backline and being versatile. I love the way he leads and creates space with that accurate left foot and hitting his targets with no issue. I think with the likes of Matthew Boyd and Robert Murphy gone, the western bulldogs would be looking for someyone to try and replicate that role for the future and the way Garner is excelling in that role so fast makes me feel he is the guy.
Pick 17- Richmond- Sam Hayes- It's a shame rucks tend to fall down the draft ranks due to gunning for the best available mid,back or forward. However Sam Hayes is a great ruckman who was in the TAC under 18s all australian for both 2016 and 2017 which is a phenomenal effort. Not only does he dominate the hit outs as a ruck and gets plenty of disposals from that position too, he does just the same when in the
forward line taking big contested marks and impacting the scoreboard when inside 50. He has great clean hands that he gets on ground level and with elite footy smarts gets rid of it easy to team mates. With Jack Riewoldt getting older and needing some support in the forward line it would make sense if sam were to be drafted to richmond.
Pick 18- Brisbane- Noah Balta- It would make sense for brisbane getting 2 of the best mids available and than their third pick in the first round possibly being used for a tall utility or back/forward with the likes of schache,freeman,clayton gone. Of course there are talks of Balta having question marks on what position he best plays in but he is a utility player and there role is being good at any position it just takes time to find out what position you best suit. Balta isnt bad at playing either end as a full forward or full back or even stints in the mid so if I were Brisbane I would take balta for sure. Brisbanes backline and forwardline are lacking the most in my eyes so why not jump on balta as a x factor utility play. He is fortunate to be extremely athletic with versatility and very quick explosive speed for a 194cm and 92kg kid. His leap and size is a big plus aswell for either end and he is definitely ready for round 1 for whoever picks him. He can get the ball very clean in any situation in one try and than get rid of it quick with his booming right foot kick. Not only all that but obviously the kid can take some massive clean contested marks that make it look easy for him. I definitely see Noah Balta suiting brisbane and if he were to be available for this pick I would take him for sure.
Pick 19- Gold Coast Suns- Lachlan Fogarty- Exactly what gold coast need and looking for is a well rounded midfielder who is first come first served when the ball is in his area and is fierce as ever showing grunt averaging around 8 tackles a game. With the loss of ablett and the negotiations with geelong and names coming up of Sam Menegola, Nakia Cockatoo, Darcy Lang and Mitch Duncan you can tell what they want. I think Fogarty fits in that category well and would flourish in the midfield as he is a big ball getter too. The only knock I have with him and maybe gold coast would too is his weight at 75kg. However if they are willing to wait on him to develop his body than I believe he would be a great get for gold coast.
Alright thats a wrap for my phantom draft and round 1. Hope you guys enjoy this read and if you want me to do a any more rounds feel free and comment and I'll try get on that with as much information as possible. As you can tell I take my time writing this and enjoy it very much so enjoy the read fellas!
. If he reaches #4, North will snap him up IMHO.
