Thanks for a great effort E! I really enjoyed the read, especially the references of quite a few 'draft hopefuls' that I havn't even heard of (just one of the problems with living in Canberra).

Imo we'll almost certainly go a tall forward with at least 1 or the first 2 picks, based on some of the quotes coming from Barry Prendergahst.

I'd love to see those quotes. I saw someones else posting that we are going for the "best available tall forward".

I find that very hard to believe. Yes Bailey said he wants another tall forward and that's where we went after Hale and despite his denial are interested in Thorp.

But IMO there's no way Barry will go for anything other than who he thinks is the best player, full stop, with pick 12. And the odds are overwhelming that will be a mid.

I'd love to see those quotes. I saw someones else posting that we are going for the "best available tall forward".

I find that very hard to believe. Yes Bailey said he wants another tall forward and that's where we went after Hale and despite his denial are interested in Thorp.

But IMO there's no way Barry will go for anything other than who he thinks is the best player, full stop, with pick 12. And the odds are overwhelming that will be a mid.

Unlike what your comment suggests, Barry Prendergast and all other recruiters do NOT have a simple policy of 'best available. full spot.'

Prendergast has openly been quoted several times in saying that, of coarse, the club does choose best available, HOWEVER if there are 2 players of similar quality, the club will pick the player who fits their needs and the MFC most.

Will Prendergast pick a tall forward at 12 or 33 who is a clearly inferior player to a midfielder available at that pick? Of coarse NOT! For example, that's why last year our first 4 picks were midfielders... because Prendergast only rated 1 tall forward in the best 20 players in the draft, so the midfielders were far superior that the forwards available.

If there are two players of similar quality at 12 or 33, one a tall forward, and the other a midfielder, will Prendergast go for the tall forward? Definitely, especially considering Prendergast was quoted just 2 weeks ago saying that the Football Department feels we now have plenty of midfield options coming through, but that we lack a strong tall forward.

If club recruiters had an unlimited policy of best available at all costs, then clubs would potentially be left with unbalanced lists

Prendergast has openly been quoted several times in saying that, of coarse, the club does choose best available, HOWEVER if there are 2 players of similar quality, the club will pick the player who fits their needs and the MFC most.

Correct. Conditional 'best available', as opposed to 'absolute best available'.

Unlike what your comment suggests, Barry Prendergast and all other recruiters do NOT have a simple policy of 'best available. full spot.'

Prendergast has openly been quoted several times in saying that, of coarse, the club does choose best available, HOWEVER if there are 2 players of similar quality, the club will pick the player who fits their needs and the MFC most.

Will Prendergast pick a tall forward at 12 or 33 who is a clearly inferior player to a midfielder available at that pick? Of coarse NOT! For example, that's why last year our first 4 picks were midfielders... because Prendergast only rated 1 tall forward in the best 20 players in the draft, so the midfielders were far superior that the forwards available.

If there are two players of similar quality at 12 or 33, one a tall forward, and the other a midfielder, will Prendergast go for the tall forward? Definitely, especially considering Prendergast was quoted just 2 weeks ago saying that the Football Department feels we now have plenty of midfield options coming through, but that we lack a strong tall forward.

If club recruiters had an unlimited policy of best available at all costs, then clubs would potentially be left with unbalanced lists

No kidding!!!! If two players are equally rated we'll go for the one that suits our needs!!! Well FMG, I never would've thought of that.

Bailey has said he wants a tall forward, so if a mid and a tall are rated equally at 12 we'll go for the tall - that's a big IFFF.

And that's not what you said, you said "we'll almost certainly go a tall forward with at least 1 or the first 2 picks, based on some of the quotes coming from Barry Prendergahst" and that is a completely different statement.

Still love to see the quotes BTW.

I'm on holidays after finishing my law exams for another year, so thought i'd give a phantom draft a go, and see how my attempt compares to the real thing. I'd like to emphasise that my knowledge on the draftees is limited to watching the national championships, all the youtube vids and reading articles and profiles about the various potential picks on afl.com.au and bigfooty.com. I have also been privy to several rumours as to who certain teams are interested in, but I have no first hand sources.

DISCLAIMER: I'm sure it will work out differently on the day, I DO NOT claim to be an expert, and i'm purely doing this for a bit of fun.

For the record, imo the first 7 picks are pretty much set, though the order might change slightly.

Sylvinator's Phantom Draft

1. Gold Coast – David Swallow

Will be a premier player at afl level by the time he's 20.

2. Gold Coast – Sam Day

In some ways I see his progression as a little bit similar to Jack Watts. Like Jack he burst onto the scene as an ultra athletic player who excelled in other sports before concentrating on football only from under 16s onwards. Like Watts, i believe Day will take 2-3 seasons before he's consistently impacting on matches. BUT in the way they play, Day is definitely a different player to Watts. Capable of towering pack marks, and goals from 60m out, he could be the next big thing. Would have gone number 1 over Watts had they been in the same draft imo.

3. Gold Coast – Harley Bennell

Plays a really exciting and classy game. If he can play consistently and with constant intensity, he has the skills to be a star

4. West Coast – Andrew Gaff

I believe WetToast will snap up Gaff, who is just all class. His kicking is a little underrated, I believe he'll be a big step up in skill over WetToast's current crop on midfielders. Will be a great afl player, very safe to say he'll play 150+ games.

5. Brisbane – Jared Polec

The guy plays a really all round game, he'll be a really great midfielder. What I like most about Polec is his terrific ability to regularly find targets inside forward 50, obviously a valuable skill at afl level. Polec and Rich together will be extremely dangerous combo for the lions and the lion's forwards will be getting great service for years to come

6. Richmond – Dyson Heppell

Some concerns about his groins might see him slide to Essendon or Gold Coast, but Richmond could really use any player of his quality. Great hands, great kick. Will start his career at half back giving the Tigers one of the best half back lines in the league (Heppell, Newman, Delideo, Connors) and all 4 of those boys capable of playing midfield

7. Gold Coast- Josh Caddy

Another really high quality midfielder, but Caddy has a nice inside game which sets him apart from some other midfielders. Gold Coast are going to be bloody incredible in a few years.

8. Essendon - Shaun Atley

Hirdy went out personally to interview Atley only 3-4 days ago, Hird is a huge fan and if he's available I believe bombers will select him. Another one of those players who has the perfect combinations- has pace + endurance, and can play outside + inside and get his own ball

9. Gold Coast- Tom Lynch

Huge upside means Gold Coast would just be silly not to take him at one of 9, 10 or 11. 199cm, super agile, strong mark. He's very raw and won't be consistent at afl level for at least 3 years, but could be an awesome player. His 20m sprint time was really really bad, but I don't think that will scare off Gold Coast enough not to take him at 9

10. Gold Coast – Reece Conca

There will be at least 1-2 bolters taken at 9,10 or 11, no idea who, but it could very well be this bloke. I see him as a little similar to Gysberts, taken at 11 last year, ONLY in the sense that Conca doesn't have any attributes that leap out at you and say WOW, but rather does everything well and is a really nice midfield option

11. Gold Coast – Daniel Gorringe

I was tempted to let Gorringe slide even further, which he will if Gold Coast don't take him. Is the best ruck option in the draft, the only reason he might slide is because Gold Coast already have 3 awesome teenage ruck options on their list, so might not see the ruck position as a desperate need and might take a couple of ruckman later in the draft. Pick 11 is a valuable pick, but Gorringe is probably worth it, because he will be a great ruckman. Worst comes to worst, ruckman always have great trade value, so if GC have 4 awesome rucks in 3-4 years they will simply trade one of them.

12. Melbourne – Jack Darling

Melbourne is a really hard one to pick. I personally believe it could be a half backer (Smedts, Jacobs or even Brodie Smith, whose more a midfielder), but Darling is too good a proposition to pass up at 12. At best, he could play 15+ senior games next year, since he's physically developed. What I like most about him is that he plays with an intensity and aggression that Matthew Bate lacks, and takes pride in chasing and tackling once the ball hits the ground. He is a good kick and mark, and I think the queries about his height are a little overrated- he may be 191cm (2-3cm off perfect key position height), but he plays like a key position forward and he has the body of a key position forward. You'd hope that the off-field mistakes he mad as a school kid will be more controlled once he's in a professional environment. I love the idea of a forward line of Watts, Jurrah, Darling, Pettard, Green, Wona and Bennel. All so different and so talented.

13. Gold Coast – Billy Smedts

A really versatile and all round player. Good height and skills, will play mostly on the flanks to begin with.

14. Adelaide – Jayden Pitt

Adelaide have proven in the past they are willing to pass up Sout Australian talent if there is a better player available. I think they'll go for Pitt over Smith or McCartney. Pitt's potential is huge, but his performances haven't been amazing to date.

15. Geelong – Isaac Smith

Geelong are supposed to be huge into him and it makes sense. He's a little bit older so can play round 1 next year, which Geelong want since they are still challenging. He has speed which Geelong really lacked in September this year. Makes sense.

16. Port Adelaide- Brodie Smith

Port's young brigade are a little underrated, but I think they need a couple of really quality midfielders to help out Hartlett, Boak and Pearce in the future. Smith is South Australian which helps and he's a damn good player.

17. North Melbourne – Patt McCartney

I know they have Grima and Thompson, but I think they could really set up their defence with McCartney, who many rate a little higher than 17. Great height and scope for improvement, probably the best upside of any key defender in the draft

18. Carlton – Seb Tape

Best available defender, so can't see Carlton passing him up. Could be a bit of a steal at 18.

19. Hawthorn – Matthew Watson

3 defenders drafted in a row (McCartney, Tape now Watson), but Hawthorn have really missed Trent Croad since he retired, and Watson is a really really good option, with his height and kicking skills. Stratton and Gibson and co should be playing more half back than key position, so Watson will release them a little.

20. Fremantle – Ben Jacobs

Imo Freo would like to move Suban (and Hill) further into the midfield. With Hayden aging, they could use a replacement half back option and Jacobs is a great get at this pick. Freo don't seem to be overly worried by go-home factor and will go best available.

21. Sydney – Dion Prestia

Sydney have proven in the past they aren't perturbed by players who don't fit the standard shape and size. Prestia will make a real impact at afl level and Sydney seems a good option for him.

22. Bulldogs – Mitch Wallis

Father-Son

I think i'll stop there, because i'm really stretching it now and it would really be guess-work from pick 22 onwards. There are about 20+ players from pick 22 onwards who are all really even and could really go anywhere. Lamb and Harper were close to my top 22, but players of their 'type' has been known to slide a little

I guess we'll see how accurate I am on Thursday, but wanted to bring this out before Daffey's phantom draft.

Any thoughts?

Chelly's Mock Draft

1. David Swallow

2. Harley Bennell

3. Sam Day

4. Ben Jacobs

That way if E25's inside information about Jacobs is right then we can say the Dees got an absolute bargain.

Just for a laugh, I've done another Phantom based on a couple of things I've heard.

Can't wait to see how it all pans out.

1. GC - Swallow

2. GC - Day

3. GC - Bennell

4. WC - Gaff

5. BL - Polec

6. RIC - Atley

7. GC - Caddy

8. ESS - Prestia

9. GC - Lynch

10. GC - Heppell

11. GC - Tape

12. MFC - Jacobs

13. GC - Conca

14. AC - B Smith

15. GFC - I Smith

16. PA - Lycett

17. NM - Pitt

18. CAR - Watson

19. HAW - McCarthy

20. FRE - Smedts

21. SYD - Lamb

22. WB - Wallis

23. GFC - Hallahan

24. STK - Guthrie

25. BL - Darling

ps. Nice work Sylv, fair effort there and some sounds reasoning, but it seems like there has been a lot of ducks & drakes played between clubs.

We're likely to all be way off.

He rates Daffey's draft as being so bad that one he selected for us isn't even in his top 25!!

I think you've forgotten someone.....

200cm - easy to miss I guess

For posterity:

1. GC - Swallow

2. GC - Day

3. GC - Bennell

4. WC - Gaff

5. BL - Polec

6. RIC - Atley

7. GC - Caddy

8. ESS - Prestia

9. GC - Lynch

10. GC - Heppell

11. GC - Tape

12. MFC - Jacobs

13. GC - Conca

14. AC - B Smith

15. GFC - I Smith

16. PA - Lycett

17. NM - Pitt

18. CAR - Watson

19. HAW - McCarthy

20. FRE - Smedts

21. SYD - Lamb

22. WB - Wallis

23. GFC - Hallahan

24. STK - Guthrie

25. BL - Darling

Oops.

I meant to have him sliding, but forgot to slot him back in there.

I guess that's what happens when you're rushing.

He rates Daffey's draft as being so bad that one he selected for us isn't even in his top 25!!

You like tryin to stick the boot into me, don't you AoB?

Did I kick your dog or something?

He rates Daffey's draft as being so bad that one he selected for us isn't even in his top 25!!

I think he's been distracted by his day job, SEN, it was mentioned, that E25 was last seen, down Bendigo st Richmond way, recently, >

could explain his oversight.

You like tryin to stick the boot into me, don't you AoB?

Do I? I didn't notice.

I thought that my comment about an innocent mistake you made in missing Gorringe was light hearted. I could possibly avoid humour in the future if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

Feelings not hurt.

You're just my biggest critic these days... well, the most coherent one, so that's probably why I notice.

Not really fussed, just curious.

I think he's been distracted by his day job, SEN, it was mentioned, that E25 was last seen, down Bendigo st Richmond way, recently, >

could explain his oversight.

Can't view that youtube video, but the gist of it is correct.

I was distracted by things I should've been doing instead of larking about with a last-ditch effort at getting some picks correct.

I imagine the video is not far from the truth too...

I believe the only mistake BP has made so far was the non-selection of Lewis Jetta in 2008. He was told by Neville jetta's mother that Lewis was by far the best Jetta. We could have at least done some last minute homework and taken him as a rookie instead of Rhys Healey.

That's it then sack Prendergast and get Jetta's Mum as a recruiter!!

Really.....