In priority order I'd have it as Watts, Rich, Natanui at the moment. Seen all of them play a few times now, just reckon Watts has a really good upside, he moves well, his body will fill out as he gets older, there's no go-home factor, it all points in his direction.

If Watts doesn't nominate and we are to pick up Warnock then I don't see the need for Natanui, as good as he may end up being. Rich would add to a growing midfield, he's been around the WAFL environment for 12 months (as has Natanui) which fast tracks his development a bit, and those that have seen him in Perth reckon he'd be ready for Round 1 2009.

Reality is, they are three different types of players and all three will be very good AFL footballers. It's just a matter of picking what suits us best. With that in mind for me it's Watts.

In priority order I'd have it as Watts, Rich, Natanui at the moment. Seen all of them play a few times now, just reckon Watts has a really good upside, he moves well, his body will fill out as he gets older, there's no go-home factor, it all points in his direction.

If Watts doesn't nominate and we are to pick up Warnock then I don't see the need for Natanui, as good as he may end up being. Rich would add to a growing midfield, he's been around the WAFL environment for 12 months (as has Natanui) which fast tracks his development a bit, and those that have seen him in Perth reckon he'd be ready for Round 1 2009.

Reality is, they are three different types of players and all three will be very good AFL footballers. It's just a matter of picking what suits us best. With that in mind for me it's Watts.

What you've written there is the exact same thing I would have written. Completely agree on all fronts. The go-home factor means Watts beats Rich out as first priority. Hopefully we get Warnock so that we can eliminate Naitanui from the equation.

If it's true that the top 25 is the most even the draft has ever been in all seriousness lets hope we only win 2 more games.

Watts also mentioned that he would most likely play school football next year on that show, so even if we draft him we may not see him onfield until 2010.

However brisbane won 3 with Lynch and Brown, Essendon with Lloyd and Lucas, Ports with Treadrea, Hawthorn with Dunstall, Brereton

easy enough to conjure up things to prove forwards or Mids are the more essential.

Thats exactly my point, only Brown is what I'd call a superstar.

Only Brown is one that I would have Drafted top 5.

The Lucas's, Loyds, & Lynch's would be your picks between 10 - 30 when they were kids. their hard workers that have turned themselves into fine footballers, but for every tall forward recruited, there's probably 10 for every one successfull, that fail.

Missing out on all three becomes a greater possibility with every passing week IMO...

Can I ask why?

Watts also mentioned that he would most likely play school football next year on that show, so even if we draft him we may not see him onfield until 2010.

I seriously think he's just trying to put off the interstate clubs.

Thats exactly my point, only Brown is what I'd call a superstar.

Only Brown is one that I would have Drafted top 5.

The Lucas's, Loyds, & Lynch's would be your picks between 10 - 30 when they were kids. their hard workers that have turned themselves into fine footballers, but for every tall forward recruited, there's probably 10 for every one successfull, that fail.

If you're suggesting none of those players mentioned weren't worthy of a top 5 selection you've got your head screwed on backwards.

Lynch - absolute freak when he played full back and just happened to be cut down by chronic fatigue

Tredrea - 3 or 4 time All Australian CHF

Dunstall/Dermie - possibly the best CHF/FF combo in the history of the game

Lucas/Lloyd - if you said, 12 years ago they would accomplish what they had, I'd have no problems taking them both in the top 5 of the same draft

Watts also mentioned that he would most likely play school football next year on that show, so even if we draft him we may not see him onfield until 2010.

Why is that an issue?

Jack Watts was a guest as Liam Pickering, Matthew Campbell, Kevin Sheehan and the Geelong Talent Scout on Fox Sports Under 18 Championships wrap today. The panel discussed some of the better players.

Watts spoke well but is still deciding weather to nominate for the draft this year as he is only a year 11 student and stills wants to focus on his studies!!!However he must know he's a fair chance to end up at the Demons!!!!

Anyway we have to take Jack Watts with our first pick regardless of what it is....He is a genuine tall forward with a great kick.

We cant afford to win more than 4 games as we will loose and priority pick and the end of the first round but based on us finishing 14th with 4 wins we should see West Coast take Daniel Rich with #1 and Fremantle take Natanui with #2.. Im assuming that they would take their local boys over Watts.

Whatever happens we will get a good player but im just a little worried that if we take one of the WA boys they will turn their back on us and wanna return home at the conclusion of their first contract, much like Scotty Thompson did!

What does everyone think???

Watts will surely nominate this year unless he likes the sound of wearing a Gold Coast jumper.

If you're suggesting none of those players mentioned weren't worthy of a top 5 selection you've got your head screwed on backwards.

Lynch - absolute freak when he played full back and just happened to be cut down by chronic fatigue

Tredrea - 3 or 4 time All Australian CHF

Dunstall/Dermie - possibly the best CHF/FF combo in the history of the game

Lucas/Lloyd - if you said, 12 years ago they would accomplish what they had, I'd have no problems taking them both in the top 5 of the same draft

Why is that an issue?

Thats exactly my point, only Brown is what I'd call a superstar.

Only Brown is one that I would have Drafted top 5.

The Lucas's, Loyds, & Lynch's would be your picks between 10 - 30 when they were kids. their hard workers that have turned themselves into fine footballers, but for every tall forward recruited, there's probably 10 for every one successfull, that fail.

Don't know if you read the post, but as I said, AS KIDS, I WOULD NOT HAVE CONSIDERED THEM AS TOP 5 PICKS, however they worked hard through their careers to develope themselves into top footballers. Alistair lynch was one of my favourite footballers even back when he played fullback &/or fullforward for the Roy Boys.

Essendon Bombers AFL Draft Picks at the end of Season 1994 1994 AFL Draft Summary

Type Round Pick Player Current Team Games Since Drafted *

Pre-Draft Selections 8 49 Compensation Matthew Lloyd Essendon 246

Pre-Draft Selections 9 58 Supplementary List Danny Morgan 16

National 4 Scott Lucas Essendon 255

National 10 Blake Caracella 126

National 28 Shawn Lewfatt 3

National 39 Stephen Carter 0

National 45 Gary Moorcroft 95

National 62 Justin Blumfield 129

Pre-Season 8 Mark Fraser 65

Pre-Season 22 Tim Darcy 14

Pre-Season 33 Matthew Banks

Wasn't Lucas a #2 pick or something like that?

Lloyd and Tredders were both concession picks from memory and Dermie/Dunstall were around before drafts I'd suggest

Wasn't Lucas a #2 pick or something like that?

Lloyd and Tredders were both concession picks from memory and Dermie/Dunstall were around before drafts I'd suggest

I've been disappointed with the bulk of Lucas's career as a key forward, I think he plays short.

He is only now, since Hird's retirement finding more consistancy & aggression.

Have a look at the power forwards who have almost singlehandedly carried their clubs to premeirships in recent years. Carey, Brown, Tredrea....... Watts is the one for the Demons.

Nice one Mike.

Scotty Clayton last night said he'd take Natanui with #1.

Still managed to say Watts will be a star in his own right but the upside with Natanui is too great to be left wondering what if?

thats exactly what i think too.

Could Natanui be turned into an electric Forward target?

If you teach him to play footy

If you teach him to play footy

Nik Nat, paddy whack the drumstick is just that IMO. Scott Clayton would go for him because the GC17 franchise need a marketable player IMO. For me, he is like a box of chocolates - "You never know what you're going to get"

mistake on watts for 1st pick! lets break it down...

Watts: KPF yes, but his type of talent is not unique. At pick 16 and 17 we could get some value for a KPF. Plus the blokes more interested in completing his VCE rather than being focused on AFL stardom and even considering forgoing this years draft! Not to dismiss the important of an education but this to me their shows arrogance or confusion with priorities, not what melbourne needs right now... Should not take watts!!

Rich: hes a gun but melbourne i feel has a strong nucleus of young talent coming through. I dont believe our weakness is in the midfield, but instead exist predominantely in lack of forward/back structure. Worthy of 1st pick, but would prefer Naitanui!

Naitanui: freak athlete,highly marketable, will draw crowds. With Warnock wanting to go to Carlton even if eligible in pre-season draft its not worth taking the young ruckman. So Naitanui could be the answer to our ruck problem, but Jamar also exists. Also, with Natanui listed at 196cm (same height as Lance Franklin) whats stopping him from taking a KPF role?? like Franklin, Naitanui posses a unique talent that is capable of revolutionizing the forward role. He is difficult to compare to any player, a sign of the greats!

NAITANUI at 1st!!!

Difficult to compare to any player yet you just compared him to Franklin?

Good one.

And how is Watts doing year 12 a negative thing?

There's been a few of those over the years, and I doubt he'd play much anywhere next year the same as Naitanui

Difficult to compare to any player yet you just compared him to Franklin?

Good one.

And how is Watts doing year 12 a negative thing?

There's been a few of those over the years, and I doubt he'd play much anywhere next year the same as Naitanui

The point I was trying to communicate is that Watts is a sissy with girl arms while Rich is the most skilled and best mid fielder at this point, and Naitanui has huge potential.

Mike Sheehan said forwards get you premierships, stating players like Tredrea etc. I remember Jono Brown at U18 and this Watts kid doesnt compare!

Personally, melb better take Rich or Nata (only if the bloke can play forward potentially)

at the moment doesent bother me who take out of rich watts and natnui ill be happy with natnui because i belive hed be a better ruckman than kruezer who also was a number 1 pic.

The point I was trying to communicate is that Watts is a sissy with girl arms

Which means he will get bigger and stronger.

Are you worried about Morton because a 16 y/old girl could probably beat him up atm?

Mike Sheehan said forwards get you premierships, stating players like Tredrea etc. I remember Jono Brown at U18 and this Watts kid doesnt compare!

Watts is 194cm. He does compare.

naitanui is a little bit taller than white though and can jump higher so i think he would overcome that. ruckman jump wayyy too early half the time anyway

I think the thing hat makes Naita interesting is not how he'll be in the ruck contests (which by all accounts, he'll win most of by default) but how his athleticism, work ethic and leap will serve him around the ground. He's taking pack marks over guys in the centre square. If he can do that closer to goal, as well as crumb the way he does, then it's more as a tall mid that we'll see him work his magic.

You know what i like about this draft, the who is on 25th is likely to be as good as who is on 1st given the depth of this draft. Given our poo form this year, we could land 2 top 25 picks and really launch into the next generation.

I know it's an ancient post, but this is what's been on my mind...

Much has been made about the fact we've got 1, 17 and 19 instead of 1, 2 and 19. But given the even-ness of the first 20 picks, we could end up with a gun at pick 19 if we're lucky. If we could pick up the next Kerr there, then missing out on pick two won't seem like it hurt us so much.

We picked a good year to lose the priority I reckon.