AFL NATIONAL DRAFT - Pick 9

[The O 39]

Billings is much more than a running half forward. Stood up enormously last year (as a bottom aged TAC player) and has battled injuries for most of this year, so very hard to judge where he sits against the likes of Aish, Kelly, Freeman, Lennon etc.

I have no doubt he will become a very classy A grader in a few years. Knowing Jack personally and having seen him play a fair bit of footy over the past decade, he's an incredibly 'smart' footballer who reads the play better and finds the right position more than most. He reminds me a lot of James Bartel - being equally skilled on both sides, courageous and a footballer willing to do what it takes to get the best out of himself. If he's around at pick 9, we'd be crazy to go past him!

My 2 cents, I would not be surprised to see him go to GC at pick 5 (thats if the Saints don't pick him at 3) only to return to Melb in a couple of years to play with his best mate.

[dees64 104]

Bottom line the club needs to draft on more than just good skills!

Character,hunger & passion.work ethic

We dont want another Gysberts!

Rather have 18 Nathan Jones types running around!

[old55 23,847]

But only if he's released from prison prior to draft day.

I just don't get MFC's obsession with drafting "good boys' only. I'd take him even anyway - pure inside mid.

[daisycutter 29,909]

check that;

' the recruiters from all the clubs have already decided for the first 1o odd places'

are you saying they have already decided on pick 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17,19?

what about the even places?

[beelzebub 23,390]

I think Ergo I am.

Ergo is not a dirty word

[dee-luded 2,959]

I thought you likened him to Dan Nicholson?

sounds like people are entering the auction room.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Billings is much more than a running half forward. Stood up enormously last year (as a bottom aged TAC player) and has battled injuries for most of this year, so very hard to judge where he sits against the likes of Aish, Kelly, Freeman, Lennon etc.

I have no doubt he will become a very classy A grader in a few years. Knowing Jack personally and having seen him play a fair bit of footy over the past decade, he's an incredibly 'smart' footballer who reads the play better and finds the right position more than most. He reminds me a lot of James Bartel - being equally skilled on both sides, courageous and a footballer willing to do what it takes to get the best out of himself. If he's around at pick 9, we'd be crazy to go past him!

My 2 cents, I would not be surprised to see him go to GC at pick 5 (thats if the Saints don't pick him at 3) only to return to Melb in a couple of years to play with his best mate.

Who is his best mate?

[thedirtydog24 18]

Here are a few profiles of possible pick 9's from the Inside Footy draft guide....

Nathan Freeman Sandringham Dragons 16/6/95 H: 182cm W: 85kg

Like Josh Kelly, he took the combine by storm not only with his testing but with his personality he was up and about all week. His personality is a bit like the way he plays its up and about and sometimes a bit in your face, but in a good way, but I think hes exciting and we are going to be talking about him in the next few years at AFL level taking the game on and doing really well. Hes got that electric burst of speed but has also worked very hard on his endurance and has firmed right into a possible first round pick chance as he plays football for the current day AFL like a Luke Shuey or even a Daniel Kerr. Sandringham region manager Ryan OConnor

DRAFT RANGE: Top 10

Matthew Scharenberg Glenelg 18/9/95 H: 190cm W: 89kg

An elite player. It was unfortunate that he hurt his foot and didnt play a lot of football late in the year after playing a great Under 18s national carnival. Just finds the footy really well, read the game brilliantly playing as a key defender in the Under 18s and played in the back pocket in the seniors for us. He is elusive, doesnt get caught often and makes great decisions. His skill is improving and hes a long kick but needs to keep working on his short options and hitting those regularly. A great ability to know when to defend and when to attack and is just clever with what he does. Hes a great size for his position and he understands where hes at with his footy in terms of not getting ahead of himself. Keen in the gym and keen on the track hes going to be a beauty. After what he did at the carnival the feeling was he is a top five draft selection. Glenelg football manager Ken Applegarth

DRAFT RANGE: Top 10

[Whispering_Jack 31,267]

Here are a few profiles of possible pick 9's from the Inside Footy draft guide....

Nathan Freeman

Sandringham Dragons 16/6/95 H: 182cm W: 85kg

Like Josh Kelly, he took the combine by storm not only with his testing but with his personality he was up and about all week. His personality is a bit like the way he plays its up and about and sometimes a bit in your face, but in a good way, but I think hes exciting and we are going to be talking about him in the next few years at AFL level taking the game on and doing really well. Hes got that electric burst of speed but has also worked very hard on his endurance and has firmed right into a possible first round pick chance as he plays football for the current day AFL like a Luke Shuey or even a Daniel Kerr. Sandringham region manager Ryan OConnor

DRAFT RANGE: Top 10

Matthew Scharenberg

Glenelg 18/9/95 H: 190cm W: 89kg

An elite player. It was unfortunate that he hurt his foot and didnt play a lot of football late in the year after playing a great Under 18s national carnival. Just finds the footy really well, read the game brilliantly playing as a key defender in the Under 18s and played in the back pocket in the seniors for us. He is elusive, doesnt get caught often and makes great decisions. His skill is improving and hes a long kick but needs to keep working on his short options and hitting those regularly. A great ability to know when to defend and when to attack and is just clever with what he does. Hes a great size for his position and he understands where hes at with his footy in terms of not getting ahead of himself. Keen in the gym and keen on the track hes going to

be a beauty. After what he did at the carnival the feeling was he is a top five draft selection. Glenelg football manager Ken Applegarth

DRAFT RANGE: Top 10

I've been speaking with Stevo our draft guru who will be collaboration with me on a future article pre draft. He does get to see a fair bit of TAC Cup and Under 18 National Carnival stuff but this year his time was a little more limited and his report is going to cover a small group of Victorians. Stevo's a bit worried about his credibility because a few years ago, he was delighted to learn about our drafting of Lucas Cook. This year, he likes Ben Lennon. Do you have the Inside Football pen picture of him?

[spirit of norm smith 16,651]

Freeman , Lennon, Salem , Crouch ... I will be happy. No skinny ptoject types.

[demonoid 317]

Ooh. Just watched lennons footage. There's some swagger. What is exciting is that for me one of Lennon, freeman or Salem will be available at 9. We will get a potential star

[ThreeOneSix 954]

Ooh. Just watched lennons footage. There's some swagger. What is exciting is that for me one of Lennon, freeman or Salem will be available at 9. We will get a potential star

Lennon is a gun, as is Salem.

[mikeydemon 126]

Who is his best mate?

Luke McDonald

[Demon Jack 7,155]

Lennon at number 9 for me...number 9...number 9...number 9...

[angrydee 842]

Lennon, Freeman, Sheed, Acres,Salem - I have little doubt there'll be a very good player available at what is really pick 8

[Whispering_Jack 31,267]

I just don't get MFC's obsession with drafting "good boys' only. I'd take him even anyway - pure inside mid.

You do realise that as a current guest of Her Majesty at Port Phillip, Vanderlay is the only draft candidate who is truly "inside"?

[InVINCEable 358]

If we don't get Freeman, i say we go for Lennon, or if Scharenberg last that long, Billings won't

[Clintosaurus 7,936]

Blake Acres for mine. Thought I read Roos hinted at taking a taller mid at pick 9. I reckon if we don't take him the Pies will.

[InVINCEable 358]

Blake Acres for mine. Thought I read Roos hinted at taking a taller mid at pick 9. I reckon if we don't take him the Pies will.

Nah i don't like him.

For some weird reason he reminds me of Morton, not the way he plays, but their is something about him

[InVINCEable 358]

Freeman, Lennon, Sheed or Scharenberg.

1st choice Freeman, 2nd choice Sheed, 3rd choice, Lennon, 4th choice Scharenberg.

[mauriesy 7,429]

not the way he plays

What else is there?

[rjay 25,345]

Freeman, Lennon, Sheed or Scharenberg.

1st choice Freeman, 2nd choice Sheed, 3rd choice, Lennon, 4th choice Scharenberg.

If Scharenberg was available he would be it.

[QueensBirthday 186]

Nah i don't like him.

For some weird reason he reminds me of Morton, not the way he plays, but their is something about him

Honestly, comparing Acres to Morton is not close. He's more like Rockliff. He's tall, compete's well in the air, is a jet when the ball hits the ground. Good vision. Runs the length of the ground during a push forward or back. What's not to like about that?

[Bang Bang Bang 5,850]

Honestly, comparing Acres to Morton is not close. He's more like Rockliff. He's tall, compete's well in the air, is a jet when the ball hits the ground. Good vision. Runs the length of the ground during a push forward or back. What's not to like about that?

You would have said those exact things about Morton late 2007. Just sayin...

[Carn dees 108]

If freeman is available at pick 9 lock him in, Roosy loves him !