2007.

Pick 7 - Rhys Palmer - Slider

Pick 10 - Patrick Dangerfield - Riser

Pick 11 - Veszpremi - Riser

Pick 12 - Rioli - About right

Pick 13 - Brad Ebert - slider

Analysis:

Palmer, who early in the year looked a top 5 talent burst on the scene at AFL but after injury is now in the wilderness at GWS. Combination of limited athleticism and poor foot skills have really held him back.

Dangerfield, the guy Rendell picked and nearly got west lakes burnt down for turned himself into a star despite being at school in his first season and needing a few preseasons to get his body right. But now he's got the fitness his pace shines. But his ball winning ability is still his number 1 trait

Veszpremi, swans were super keen on his clean skills but found his work rate didn't match up. Never built the tank for AFL. At 180cm and without pace he struggled to find an asset at AFL and his skills turned out to be ok but not amazing

Rioli. the hawks took him without a care in the world for his less than fit under 18 body and concerns about him having the desire for AFL. Their culture took care of that. His endless talents are often on show. But would a club less strong than Hawthorn be so happy with his out put. At Melbourne he'd make Col Sylvia look injury free and consistent of form

Ebert, lack of polish but lack of opportunity at West Coast devalued him enough that he went to Port for a second rounder and full time midfield role. And he's blossomed into a very nice all round midfielder. Wont ever be a brilliant kick but is adequate. Good size, good strength, finds the footy, runs both ways

2008.

Pick 7 - Daniel Rich - slider

Pick 9 - Jack Ziebell - as predicted

Pick 11 - Steele Sidebottom - riser

Analysis:

Freo jumped off Rich to go with Hill. Port had rightly committed to Hartlett but Carlton stuck to their guns with Yarran. The knock on Rich was athleticism. Obviously doesn't have the speed of Yarran and Hill. But the kicking has stood out at AFL level and ball winning has been adequate.

Ziebell has come as advertised. Big, strong, hard, wins clearances, won't ever be known for burst speed or silky skills and has taken a while (delayed by injuries) to see the best of him.

Sidebottom had concerns about his lack of speed and X factor but the pies took the chance on the guy who kicked 10 in a junior final and it's paid off so far.

2009

Pick 9 - Andrew Moore - riser

Pick 10 - Jake Melksham - as predicted

Pick 11 - Gysberts - riser
Pick 12 - Kane Lucas - slider

These guys are obviously still developing so can be premature. But Moore is starting to show a bit. Will never be elite skills but he's filling in and getting fitness into a big body and starting to look like he'll be able to play midfield as well as being versatile. Not quick but size and fitness seems to be enough. Melksham starting to show his ball winning ability and clean skills at AFL level. Not looking like a clearance player though and doesn't really break lines with ball in hand. Gysberts, well the less said the better. But lack of athetecism in speed and more power is hurting him. Lucas - poor skills and poor decision making holding him back badly, can't crack the 22.

2010 draft

Pick 8 - Dyson Heppell - slider

Pick 9 - Dion Prestia - as rated

Pick 14 - Brodie Smith - slight slider

Heppell slid I think due to concerns over his athleticism and ability to get it done in the midfield. But he's shown he can be a solid body midfielder and rack up touches at will doing good work inside or out. Prestia has shown you can over come a short stature. Brodie Smith was the next midfield type and has only played back at Adelaide so far but he competes, wins the ball and breaks lines. Looking pretty good. Pretty strong draft considering Gold Coast had taken some talented 17 year olds out.

Overall:

Speed: Don't worry about guys who aren't quick is probably the main message as Ziebell, Heppell, Rich shows speed might not be that important. But make sure a player isn't too slow - Palmer, Veszpremi and Gysberts style.

Size; Prestia is in the for column. Veszpremi and Palmer in the negatives for those around 180cm. The message might be you can be short but dont be short and slow. Melksham, maybe Heppell are representing for the skinny kids. Gysberts and Lucas the argument against.

Skills: Again. Brilliant skills might not be that important as guys like Ebert and Dangerfield show you don't have to kick it lace out every time. But you have to be at a minimum standard

I think my conclusion is that ball winning and no major flaws are the 2 most important things. An X factor like Dangerfield, Rioli and Rich is very nice but also you can have no X factor and be Ebert, Heppell or Ziebell are nearly as good.

Conclusion - we are due a Dangerfield

Geez, I had literally forgotten Rhys Palmer. I know he has had a rough run with injuries but what a fall from grace.

Hardly a fall from grace, he had a great first year then did nothing after it.

One year wonder.

Hardly a fall from grace, he had a great first year then did nothing after it.

One year wonder.

As opposed to the Gys - a one game wonder.

Conclusion - we are due a Dangerfield

Tend to agree

I think its about time we found a gem

The biggest issue with recruiting a kid is working out how much they want to be successful, of course actually finding that out is not easy.

The biggest issue with recruiting a kid is working out how much they want to be successful, of course actually finding that out is not easy.

And that's why we interview them and ask them the tough questions. To see his they tick. And according to the draftees we were asking the toughest questions out of them all.

We will be prepared this year.

2010 draft

Pick 8 - Dyson Heppell - slider

Pick 9 - Dion Prestia - as rated

Pick 14 - Brodie Smith - slight slider

Heppell slid I think due to concerns over his athleticism and ability to get it done in the midfield. But he's shown he can be a solid body midfielder and rack up touches at will doing good work inside or out. Prestia has shown you can over come a short stature. Brodie Smith was the next midfield type and has only played back at Adelaide so far but he competes, wins the ball and breaks lines. Looking pretty good. Pretty strong draft considering Gold Coast had taken some talented 17 year olds out.

Heppell a slider????

I wish he'd slide to the MFC.!!

speed of accurate ball movement > speed of foot

every day