Having grown up playing with and against a lot of these players (particularly Oakleigh Chargers boys), I know them better than most.

The most unfortunate thing in this years draft is Luke McDonald will be going to North. I've been playing against him since i was 10 years old and i have never come across a better footballer. What sticks out in my mind is am elimination final i played against him in U/15's where he had an injured left elbow and knee so had to kick on his right foot all day (or visa versa) and was hitting targets 50m away all day as a mere 14 year old kid. He almost single handidly won them the game. He was a born leader and it's showed from that age.

Luke's team mate Jack Billings has some of the best skills i've seen in a junior and just screams class. Although he has a pretty small frame and could struggle with the transition from U/18's to AFL, ala Tom $cully/ Jack Watts. He also has a problem with being a bit of a downhill skier sometimes and has been given sprays by coach Justin Wenkey at Oakleigh for getting 25 touches in a game while his opponent picks up 30 going the other way. That being said he is a class act and would bring in some foot skills and a footy brain into our side which clearly lacks both of these key factors

I'm unsure as to what Jay Kennedy-Harris' draft value is but he is currently a Co-captain at Oakleigh and is named in the best most weeks. He (from all reports) is one of the best indigenous prospects in this year's draft and could be the small forward (perhaps in the midfield for short bursts) we need. Many similarities to Cyril Rioli,

(side note: at one point McDonald, Billings and Kennedy-Harris where all playing in the same junior footy side, Kew Commets. Was a tough ask playing agaisnt 3 future AFL stars in the one team)

Ben Lennon (Norther Knights), is another I've played against. Similar to Luke he's carried teams on his back from a young age and knows how to lead from the front. Played Key Position from a young age, but as others grew around him he transformed into more of a Mid, but has retained a strong marking ability. Amazing kick and another really smart footballer.

Aiden Franetic is another Chargers boy who should be looked at. He just accumulated the ball every game. He works really hard on his footy and it's paid dividends as he is a great mark, great endurance, solid kick, and knows how to find the goals as a midfielder. Unsure what his Draft value is but could be a great pick up as a second round selection.

Crouch and Billings for mine, love billings disposal and crouch is just a ready to go hard nut like ollie wines.

Marcus Bontempelli..............Scott Pendlebury no.2. Look out for him in the U18 Championships.

Dayle Garlett. He's destined to be another indigenous lad from Swan Distracts who will make it in the big time. Following other Swan Districts players who played in the league side such as Lewis Jetta, Chris Yarran, Jeff Garlett, Sonny Walters etc

We should just get him

Having grown up playing with and against a lot of these players (particularly Oakleigh Chargers boys), I know them better than most.

The most unfortunate thing in this years draft is Luke McDonald will be going to North. I've been playing against him since i was 10 years old and i have never come across a better footballer. What sticks out in my mind is am elimination final i played against him in U/15's where he had an injured left elbow and knee so had to kick on his right foot all day (or visa versa) and was hitting targets 50m away all day as a mere 14 year old kid. He almost single handidly won them the game. He was a born leader and it's showed from that age.

Luke's team mate Jack Billings has some of the best skills i've seen in a junior and just screams class. Although he has a pretty small frame and could struggle with the transition from U/18's to AFL, ala Tom $cully/ Jack Watts. He also has a problem with being a bit of a downhill skier sometimes and has been given sprays by coach Justin Wenkey at Oakleigh for getting 25 touches in a game while his opponent picks up 30 going the other way. That being said he is a class act and would bring in some foot skills and a footy brain into our side which clearly lacks both of these key factors

I'm unsure as to what Jay Kennedy-Harris' draft value is but he is currently a Co-captain at Oakleigh and is named in the best most weeks. He (from all reports) is one of the best indigenous prospects in this year's draft and could be the small forward (perhaps in the midfield for short bursts) we need. Many similarities to Cyril Rioli,

(side note: at one point McDonald, Billings and Kennedy-Harris where all playing in the same junior footy side, Kew Commets. Was a tough ask playing agaisnt 3 future AFL stars in the one team)

Ben Lennon (Norther Knights), is another I've played against. Similar to Luke he's carried teams on his back from a young age and knows how to lead from the front. Played Key Position from a young age, but as others grew around him he transformed into more of a Mid, but has retained a strong marking ability. Amazing kick and another really smart footballer.

Aiden Franetic is another Chargers boy who should be looked at. He just accumulated the ball every game. He works really hard on his footy and it's paid dividends as he is a great mark, great endurance, solid kick, and knows how to find the goals as a midfielder. Unsure what his Draft value is but could be a great pick up as a second round selection.

Great write up Mikey. Much appreciated.

I cannot believe that on Monday 13th May we are discussing the possibility of who to draft with the first or second pick.

In 2008 and 9 it was a worthy topic.

No offence to the thread or people making suggestions But

I am sick to the gut we are still doing this in 2013

Dayle Garlett. He's destined to be another indigenous lad from Swan Distracts who will make it in the big time. Following other Swan Districts players who played in the league side such as Lewis Jetta, Chris Yarran, Jeff Garlett, Sonny Walters etc

We should just get him

You know his history right? How's he been going this year?

Last year his bad habits cost his getting picked in the main draft. Essendon bring him over with every intention to rookie him. Send him home the week before the rookie draft and he goes out until 4am on a bender. Essendon find out (it was hardly hidden) and say thanks but not thanks.

We need talent for sure. But we can't afford that attitude. Our players already don't work hard enough. We need more self starters like Viney and Jones than idiots.

You know his history right? How's he been going this year?

Last year his bad habits cost his getting picked in the main draft. Essendon bring him over with every intention to rookie him. Send him home the week before the rookie draft and he goes out until 4am on a bender. Essendon find out (it was hardly hidden) and say thanks but not thanks.

We need talent for sure. But we can't afford that attitude. Our players already don't work hard enough. We need more self starters like Viney and Jones than idiots.

http://www.wafl.com.au/players/view/3981

Yep, well aware of his history, but we need stars! Not being drafted should have been the kick in the behind that he needed!

last game he racked up 29 disposals, 24 kicks, 13 marks. He's a player

I cannot believe that on Monday 13th May we are discussing the possibility of who to draft with the first or second pick.

In 2008 and 9 it was a worthy topic.

No offence to the thread or people making suggestions But

I am sick to the gut we are still doing this in 2013

Another harsh reality, old dee.

They keep coming thick and fast.

I don't think that Bontempelli will be ending up at Melbourne no matter the pick, or how good he is...

http://www.wafl.com.au/players/view/3981

Yep, well aware of his history, but we need stars! Not being drafted should have been the kick in the behind that he needed!

last game he racked up 29 disposals, 24 kicks, 13 marks. He's a player

Think again Demon WA, I will just leave it at that.

He is and will be a waste of talent, the boy can play though.

Think again Demon WA, I will just leave it at that.

He is and will be a waste of talent, the boy can play though.

...and we can't afford the risk.

http://www.wafl.com.au/players/view/3981

Yep, well aware of his history, but we need stars! Not being drafted should have been the kick in the behind that he needed!

last game he racked up 29 disposals, 24 kicks, 13 marks. He's a player

If he isn't selected again would he be the worst rookie selection? or the risk of a negative impact on the group too great?

Another view on the top daft prospects.

http://www.footballnation.com.au/afl/the-afl-draft/first-look-at-the-2013-draft-prospects/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitterutm_campaign=Feed%3A+com%2FJArK+%28FootballNation.com.au%29

They all sound great according to the author, but when was the last time you read an honest write up,

eg country kid who can only train two/three times a week due to travel constraints but shows a lot on game day and could really flourish in full time/professional environment. If this kid lived in the city and was able to train daily he would be going a lot higher in the draft - That would have been the honest assessment on Dean Kent

I think a lot of the authors do little homework, Dom SHEED plays for Subiaco not Swans Districts for starters FCS. Pretty confident Barry Prendergast did most of his recruiting from these write ups and I hope Jason Taylor has brought the Collingwood professionalism to the club in this area

...and we can't afford the risk.

No unless you get in his ear right now and say your considering rookie listing him with certain conditions to be met through the rest of the season.

Still against picking him up

What everyone is missing here is that getting early picks is only one part of it.....

The developing of these young players is critical & thus far for the last 10yrs its been deplorable which has seen the majority of our early picks either delisted or moved on!

Look @ Geelong & Sydney who havent bottomed out but yet keep on producing.....Geelong had 10 players who have played less than 50 games that beat Essendon

They all sound great according to the author, but when was the last time you read an honest write up,

eg country kid who can only train two/three times a week due to travel constraints but shows a lot on game day and could really flourish in full time/professional environment. If this kid lived in the city and was able to train daily he would be going a lot higher in the draft - That would have been the honest assessment on Dean Kent

I think a lot of the authors do little homework, Dom SHEED plays for Subiaco not Swans Districts for starters FCS. Pretty confident Barry Prendergast did most of his recruiting from these write ups and I hope Jason Taylor has brought the Collingwood professionalism to the club in this area

I think Barry was more inclined to use BigFooty.

I hope Taylor doesn't see any value in drafting cast offs.

What everyone is missing here is that getting early picks is only one part of it.....

The developing of these young players is critical & thus far for the last 10yrs its been deplorable which has seen the majority of our early picks either delisted or moved on!

Look @ Geelong & Sydney who havent bottomed out but yet keep on producing.....Geelong had 10 players who have played less than 50 games that beat Essendon

Dermot Brereton could have taken the words write out of my mouth this evening in pre game on SEN when he spoke of Cale Morton type players saying they are really pretty skilled players but they don't win you premierships, he said how when he was on the Hawks board and they planned he made a point of requesting nasty mongrel types to the club.

It's the kind of player I have always liked these type of players and they never let you down and they hurt just like supporters

Dermot Brereton could have taken the words write out of my mouth this evening in pre game on SEN when he spoke of Cale Morton type players saying they are really pretty skilled players but they don't win you premierships, he said how when he was on the Hawks board and they planned he made a point of requesting nasty mongrel types to the club.

It's the kind of player I have always liked these type of players and they never let you down and they hurt just like supporters

PSD I have been saying this for seven years.

The vast majority of our selections have been Choir boys for the last seven years.

Nice guys don't win premierships.

In fact the can't even win any games at present.