If we used picks 12, 32, 49 & 52.

Who would you like?

12. Billie Smedts

32. Dion Prestia

49. Callum Sinclair

52. ?

If BP doesn't think Sinclair will be there at pick 52. I would use pick 32.

If we can get Sinclair to play forward and ruck I think our forward line is quite dangerous and lively. No need for a traditional key position forward.

Smedts looks the goods! Attacking defender who likes taking the game on. Reminds me of Rory Sloane but possibly better. His run off half back and linking up with Grimes would get us boppin!

Prestia a passionate Dee's supporter looks a likely type.

These are my early choices anyway!

Prestia too small for mine.

It's a no from me on him.

If we used picks 12, 32 & 55.

Stop right there. We have picks 12,32,49,52 last time I checked ?? Not sure where you plucked 55 from. You might want to re-hash (edit) your OP including your title .

We have pinned a few related threads too btw.

edit: fixed title.

Tom Lynch. Since Smelts won't be there at 32 I'll leave it at that.

Prestia too small for mine.

It's a no from me on him.

I agree. Seen him play a few times and think he can play but not the player we need either! From what i remember not much leg speed and more a clearance in and under player. Would prefer some silky skilled outside players!

Outside pick #12 this draft is going to be way too difficult to call.

I trust our football department to get it right, so we just need to sit back and enjoy the circus.

Where are all the KPP from last year that everyone was so desperate to take?? Butcher, Talia, Black, Sibosado etc Have any of them played any games???

While I don't believe it's a blanket rule I don't think it's necessarily wise to recruit specialist defensive smalls. Reason being that the best kids in play in the midfield. If they are capable of playing in the midfield and have a reasonable defensive side to thier game and a physically capable they can play at half back.

Any of Trengove, Grimes, Bail, Tapscott, ***Blease***, Gysberts, Morton?? and Strauss?? are all potentially capable of playing counter attacking-defensive roles as they develop.

I don't believe the need for half backs is as pressing as some believe. Half backs are inter-changeable with midfielders, our list is still in it's infancy and it will be a matter or working out which of the players are going to suit this role best.

A good ruckman/forward and a fearless strong man in the forward line who can kick straight are what we need.

While I don't believe it's a blanket rule I don't think it's necessarily wise to recruit specialist defensive smalls. Reason being that the best kids in play in the midfield. If they are capable of playing in the midfield and have a reasonable defensive side to thier game and a physically capable they can play at half back.

Any of Trengove, Grimes, Bail, Tapscott, ***Blease***, Gysberts, Morton?? and Strauss?? are all potentially capable of playing counter attacking-defensive roles as they develop.

I don't believe the need for half backs is as pressing as some believe. Half backs are inter-changeable with midfielders, our list is still in it's infancy and it will be a matter or working out which of the players are going to suit this role best.

A good ruckman/forward and a fearless strong man in the forward line who can kick straight are what we need.

Billie Smedts is known as a half back flanker in his U18 side. But he surely looks like he could be a damaging midfielder. So I would recruit him as a midfielder/half back. I wouldn't put any limits on this kid. I think in time he will become a top mid...

Callum Sinclair should our target for ruckman/forward. I like the sound of this bloke!

Where are all the KPP from last year that everyone was so desperate to take?? Butcher, Talia, Black, Sibosado etc Have any of them played any games???

No, but is that a surprise?

You don't draft kids for KPP to play the next year. You draft them for 3-4 years time.

They take longer to develop.

Even someone like Hurley, who showed a bit early, had a lot of completely pedestrian games in 2010.

They all take time.

Further to that, Butcher was the only one rated really highly.

The other 2 were mobile Lynden Dunn types.

And sibosado? Yeah, I wouldn't hold my breath. Went very late and for a reason.

Billie Smedts is known as a half back flanker in his U18 side. But he surely looks like he could be a damaging midfielder. So I would recruit him as a midfielder/half back. I wouldn't put any limits on this kid. I think in time he will become a top mid...

Incorrect. He played forward and in-fact kicked 11 goals in his first two TAC cup games this season. It wasn't til the National Championships with Vic Country he played in the backline. He played through the midfield for Geelong Grammar.

Versatile.

Versatile.

Yep, but probably not worth drafting to play as a forward cause he's amazingly similar to Petterd.

Incorrect. He played forward and in-fact kicked 11 goals in his first two TAC cup games this season. It wasn't til the National Championships with Vic Country he played in the backline. He played through the midfield for Geelong Grammar.

I wasn't aware he played forward. I probably should have said U18 Championships he played HB.

11 goals in two games! That gives us even more reason to take him with Pick 12.

Will he still be there at Pick 12?

I hope we pick him up instead of passing him up.

I wasn't aware he played forward. I probably should have said U18 Championships he played HB.

11 goals in two games! That gives us even more reason to take him with Pick 12.

Will he still be there at Pick 12?

I hope we pick him up instead of passing him up.

Ready-made player would be a good fit for GC or Essendon at 8.

Incorrect. He played forward and in-fact kicked 11 goals in his first two TAC cup games this season. It wasn't til the National Championships with Vic Country he played in the backline. He played through the midfield for Geelong Grammar.

He also played a bit forward there (Geelong Grammar) too.

Some very good video of potential recruits on this BigFooty thread.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=759269

Tom Lynch looks very good.

Some very good video of potential recruits on this BigFooty thread.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=759269

Tom Lynch looks very good.

is it just me, but tom lynch's youtube video is pathetic. his kicking is deplorable. I'll pass thanks and I think Melbourne will too.

Who keeps picking up that dang rock?!

I am first to admit I know next to nothing about the draft order outside the first round...

But my preference in order for pick 12, atm is Lynch, Smedts and Darling.

I think it's clear that the club stocked up on midfielders last year, and Prendergast has been quoted saying the club found this year that we have numerous midfield options going forward. I therefore expect a running half back or a key forward for pick 12.

If we take a running half back (Smedts) at pick 12, then I think we should go tall forward pick 32 and visa versa.

Yeah, I probably agree with above, but I'd add Atley, Smith & Caddy to the equation.

Either of those 6 could turn out to be one of the best players in the draft.

It is very even at this stage.

Also I think Ben Jacobs could be a real bolter.

Hell, I don't really know. I'm guessing, but that would be my guess.

I still maintain it would be far too high for Watson & he will be slow at afl level

Yeah, I probably agree with above, but I'd add Atley, Smith & Caddy to the equation.

Either of those 6 could turn out to be one of the best players in the draft.

It is very even at this stage.

Also I think Ben Jacobs could be a real bolter.

Hell, I don't really know. I'm guessing, but that would be my guess.

I still maintain it would be far too high for Watson & he will be slow at afl level

I think it's fair to say that unless the recruiters have a fair understanding of what GC are going to do with all their picks (and BP alluded to this in one of the interviews given), you could throw a blanket over 6-8 draftees or even more, for who will be available at pick 12. In past seasons, give or take, recruiters would have a fair understanding of the top 10 (with maybe one surprise), for instance last year's top 10 was pretty much predictable with positions 8,9 and maybe 10 differing from predictions (ie. they cam in different order - I think Andrew Moore was the one who leapt up in order according to 'experts'). Because GC has so many picks inside the top 10 it's no where near as predictable, because GC (Clayton) isn't giving anything away.

The likes of those mentioned with dedicated threads here(ie. Smedts, Darling, Smith,..,..,.., etc) could well all be taken before pick 12, funnily enough the 3 just mentioned could be GC bound.

Looking at Gold Coast and what they "need", they've recruited uncontracted players, a few of them for down back. Likes of Harbrow, Bock, Brown, maybe Krakouer. They would be after someone like Darling IMO, because they lack forwards. I reckon he'll go top 10/11. They'd be looking at likes of Atley & Smedts, but they will also want to add some mids to develop.

They're well placed the GC...the pr!cks/

Here is the AFL websites take on what we might need. This time of year will never be the same on the AFL website without Matt Burgan's knowledge of the draft picks. But geez we are lucky we have him!

This was put together by 'staff reporters' - so most likely the work experience kid.

MELBOURNE

NAB AFL Draft selections: 12, 32, 49, 52, 83

Delistings and retirements: Daniel Bell, Kyle Cheney (Hawthorn), James McDonald, Brad Miller

Additions: Nil

Approach: The Dees are well stocked on tall defenders and midfielders but may be looking at gaining a mid-sized or tall forward to complement Jack Watts and Liam Jurrah. They could also use a player of equivalent size and pace at the other end of the ground to take on mid-sized opposition forwards.

Dream selection: At 187cm, Kieran Harper looks to have potential as a dangerous mid-sized forward. He is classy and can break open games. At this stage he looks like falling somewhere between 10-15 and will be strongly considered for Melbourne's first pick.

A terrible knowledge of our list! I would have hardly thought we would have needed mid-sized forwards. We all know we need a tall forward, but mid sized? Work experience kid hasn't heard of Green, Petterd, Bate or Dunn.

Here is the AFL websites take on what we might need. This time of year will never be the same on the AFL website without Matt Burgan's knowledge of the draft picks. But geez we are lucky we have him!

This was put together by 'staff reporters' - so most likely the work experience kid.

MELBOURNE

NAB AFL Draft selections: 12, 32, 49, 52, 83

Delistings and retirements: Daniel Bell, Kyle Cheney (Hawthorn), James McDonald, Brad Miller

Additions: Nil

Approach: The Dees are well stocked on tall defenders and midfielders but may be looking at gaining a mid-sized or tall forward to complement Jack Watts and Liam Jurrah. They could also use a player of equivalent size and pace at the other end of the ground to take on mid-sized opposition forwards.

Dream selection: At 187cm, Kieran Harper looks to have potential as a dangerous mid-sized forward. He is classy and can break open games. At this stage he looks like falling somewhere between 10-15 and will be strongly considered for Melbourne's first pick.

A terrible knowledge of our list! I would have hardly thought we would have needed mid-sized forwards. We all know we need a tall forward, but mid sized? Work experience kid hasn't heard of Green, Petterd, Bate or Dunn.

To be fair, I don't mind the "Approach" description given. It does say "mid-sized or tall forward"... It also says a player of equivalent size and pace at the other end to take on mid-sized opposiotion forwards (ie Smedts)

That said I'd look at these guys if available around these picks: -

12 - Tom Lynch / Brodie Smith

32 33 - Jacobs or Smedts

49 50 - George Morlin-Smith

52 53 - Callum Sinclair

Prestia too small for mine.

It's a no from me on him.

What gets my goat about you is you have all the opinions but I wouldnt thought you have seen many of these players play.

He is 175 cm but his awareness in traffic is better then anyone at TAC CUP level. He consistenly lifted when Calder required him to and his possessions have massive hurt factor and he breaks stoppages open with excellent early pace and evasion.

He will make it as an AFL midfielder and he will be gone by pick 32.