Next Years Crop Draftees

[The Fergburger 0]

Here is a list of next years crop draftees.

Who do you like?

Matt Kreuzer-199cm, 91kg-Northern Knights. (ruck) The most talked about player in the draft and for pretty good reason. His tap work is good but he holds his own more than dominates. It is around the ground where his class shows. He simply moves around like another midfielder. Has clean hands and good skills and can tackle. Has great running ability and gets to contests all around the ground. To put it plainly guys his size who can play like midfielders are too good to pass up.

Top 5 pick.

Alex Rance-194cm, 87kg-Swan Districts. ( CHB/FB). The star defender of the National champs. His run out of defence was great. His defensive work was excellent. Has good pace and skills for a big bloke. He worked in well with Browne and Meyers to give WA the killer dash from defence. His handballing was creative and he hits targets by foot. He is simply a defender that every club will rate.

Top 15 pick.

Ben McEvoy-199cm, 90kg-Murray Bushrangers. (Ruck, fwd) He has been on the radar for a while and has had good form this year. He was one of Country’s best performers during the champs playing in the ruck and up forward. He looks to have good endurance and moves around the ground well but he is not blessed with a lot of pace. His ruckwork is pretty good and he can read the play. His kicking skills are very good and he can take a good contested mark. He is the type of ruckman that can ruck for a good portion of the match. Where he goes in the draft will be interesting.

Pick 10 to 30

Tom Collier – 192cm, 86kg-Lauderdale TAS. ( RR/CHB). I have Tom in my midfield review as well but he has to be in the backs too given he has played a lot at CHB. Not sure if he will have the height to be an outright KP player but he certainly can play the running half back role and his defensive skills are good. Uses the footy well. Reads the game well. There is no doubt clubs will like his ability to play back or in the middle.

Top 25 pick.

Tate Pears-192cm, 90kg-East Perth-(CHB/HBF). Played at CHB for WA in the champs and played well. Like Collier is probably a bit short of the prototype CHB but he simply gets the job done. Plays tight but knows when to run off. Like his team mates he gave WA great run from defence. He has shown he can spoil well and has played forward at times with East Perth colts and kicked a goal.

Pick 15 to 40.

Thomas Bellchambers-199cm, 91kg-Northern Bombers. (Ruck). Tasmania’s number one ruckman who’s tap work during the champs was very good. Gets in good positions to hit the ball to his team mates but he can be prone to hitting to nothing spots at times. He has a bit or work to do as far as his around the ground stuff goes. He can take a nice mark and kicks the footy ok for a big bloke. I think someone will take a punt on him simply because of his tap skills.

Pick 20 to 50.

Lachie Henderson-196cm, 90kg-Geelong Falcons.(Fwd). Hard to line up this year because he has been injured and missed a lot of the season. Played some good footy last year and he was good around the ground and a good mark. Played pretty well in last years TAC Cup finals which pretty much has to be the guide as he has only played two games this year for the Falcons and I have only seen one of them. He has played in the ruck a bit so far but I don’t think he has the height or leap to be an AFL ruckman. His kicking is good for a big bloke. I am not really sure where he will go in the draft.

Pick 15 to 40

Darcy Daniher – 192cm, 80kg-Calder Cannons. (CHB) Darcy has been played forward and back, sometimes in the same game, all year in the TAC Cup. When he has played forward he has shown he can kick goals. Can take a good grab and he is a free flowing runner who moves around the ground well. During the Champs he played mainly in defence and although he was not a stand out he did play pretty well. His kicking is pretty strong and he hits targets pretty well. Has had a lot of games where he has had 15 to 20 disposals which isn’t bad for a big bloke. Hasn’t really been outstanding too often but has played solid footy all the way through.

Pick 20 to 50.

Steve Gaertner-196cm, 83kg-Dandenong Stingrays. (Fwd). Interesting player this bloke. In the games I have seen him play he has certainly looked very athletic with good pace for a big man and pretty good skills. The problem with him when I have been watching is he often looks like he is going to take a game apart only to fade out of the game. Looks like he is on fire but it only last 10 minutes or so. When he is on song he can take a strong grab.

Pick 20 to 50.

Scott Simpson-194cm, 91kg-Dandenong Stingrays. (Fwd). Good contested marking forward who is a reasonable goal kicker. He has played a bit in the ruck as well but I am not sure he will be big enough to ruck at AFL level. Like Gaertner he looks like he is about to tear a game apart at times but it never really seems to happen. The way he moves around and plays I think he has a huge upside if he can find some consistency.

Pick 20 to 40.

Andrew Renton-202cm, 94kg-Eastern Rangers. (Ruck). Good size ruckman who has done well for Rangers this year. His tap work is good but he could learn to better direct some of his hit outs. He also has to learn that he must jump at all the ruck contests as he sometimes tries to rely on just his height. When he actually does jump at a contest he looks very good. He is a good mark and his kicking is reliable but he needs to do more around the ground and he wanders from contest to contest a lot of the time rather than getting involved. Can take a grab and kick a goal when he is up forward. Someone will take a punt on him and hope they can get his work rate up to match his raw talent.

Pick 25 to 60.

James Mulligan-201cm, 96kg-Southport. (Ruck). I have only seen him play three games and he hasn’t really done a lot but in small patch’s he has shown some raw talent. He is mobile. He can kick the footy a mile and can take a mark. Doesn’t do nearly enough around the ground or in the ruck for that matter. Like Renton I think someone will take a chance with him simply because of the raw product.

Pick 40 plus.

Dave Gourdis-193cm, 88kg-Subiaco. (CHF) Impressed for WA at CHF during the champs. Good sized kid who was very mobile and a good shot at gaol. Kicking skills are pretty good and he was prepared to work hard to present as a target. Seemed to read the play very well and knew where to lead so he could get himself in the game.

Pick 10 to 40.

Dan McKenna-194cm, 82kg-Gippsland Power. (FWD / BCK). Has had a bit of an up and down year playing in a strong side. Has been used at CHF and CHB during the year. Had some good early form as a key forward but it has dropped of a little as the season has gone on. Had a reasonable time at the Champs without being a star. Has shown some sort of ability to read the play as a back man and he can spoil well if needed. Is pretty lightly built at the moment.

Pick 25 to 60.

Luke Sampey-191cm, 91kg-East Perth. (FWD). Not overly tall for KP but did well playing FF for WA during the champs. Leads up well and can take a decent mark. Goal kicking is a bit 50/50.

Pick 40 plus.

Will Sullivan – 202cm, 95kg-Western Jets. (Ruck). Tall ruckman who’s form is a little up and down. His skills are pretty good for a big man but he should be doing more around the ground than what he does. Had a quiet time at the champs for Vic metro. His tap work is good when he plays well but for a bloke his size he doesn’t always use his bulk. Has had some games with 25 plus hit outs.

Pick 40 plus.

Matt Lobbe-197cm, 80kg-Eastern Rangers. (FWD). Has played part time in the ruck but has spent most of his time playing CHF. Has good hands and is a good kick but needs to impose himself on contests more often. Looks like at times he is stuck playing under 16 mindset where he can just have the footy kicked in his direction so he can take a grab. Gets around the ground ok for a tall bloke.

Pick 40 plus.

Trent Zomer-194cm, 94kg-Eastern Rangers. (Fwd) Spends a bit of time rucking but will never be an AFL ruckman. It has been up forward he has sown his best form in recent times. Very good sized body. Leads up well and has strong hands. He is a good shot at goal.

Pick 50 plus.

Jayden Donaldson -188cm, 85kg-Bendigo Pioneers. Is a bit on the short side for a KP defender but is pretty good in the one on one duels. Finds enough of the footy for a defender and his kicking is ok. Has kicked goals when played forward including one bag of 6.

Pick 50 plus.

Shaun Dixon-186cm, 85kg-Eastern Rangers. A bit of a left field selection that will not be rated by most. Has been playing FB for Rangers and has been excellent against the big blokes or the smalls. He has an uncanny knack of being able to spoil all sizes of opponents without giving away free kicks. He has an awkward kicking style but does hit targets. Plays a lot taller than he is.

Pick 50 plus.

Travis Dulic-192cm, 90kg-Calder Cannons. Big solid kid he is a bit of an old style FB. Defence is very good. He pace is ok and he has a decent long kick. He can be a bit hit and miss as far as hitting targets go.

Pick 40 plus.

Robert Tarrant -196cm, 92kg-Bendigo Pioneers. I have to put Tarrant on this list as i'm pretty sure someone will take him. Can’t give him much of a rating because I have only seen him play once this year (against Rangers). He was reasonably good in this game and took some good grabs but his kicking wasn’t great. Every other time I have seen Bendigo play he has been injured.

Pick 20 to 60.

Jake Spiteri-193cm, 87kg-Northern Knights. Solid kid who has played Ruck, CHF and CHB for the Knights this year. He goes ok in the ruck but is not really a genuine ruckman. Leads up well and is reasonably mobile at CHF. Doesn’t win huge amounts of the footy but has had a few strong games. Pace is reasonable for a big guy. His defensive skills are ok. Kicking is ok on the right. Can take a strong Mark.

Pick 40 plus.

Tim Bongetti-191cm, 89kg-Northern Knights. Good strong bodied forward who can take a good grab. His left foot goal kicking is good but he can struggle to kick it 50 meters in games I have seen him play. His leading is good and seems to know where to lead. Pace is a bit of a question mark as he isn’t quick and lumbers a bit. Has kicked a few bags of goals during the year.

Pick 40 plus.

Matthew Quinton – 192cm, 89kg- Northern Knights. Defender who is a reasonably good right foot kick. Doesn’t win a huge amount of the footy but is good on his day. Defensive skills are good. Has played mainly fullback. Seems to read the play pretty well and on his better days he will back himself to run out of defence.

Toby Thoolan-195cm, 92kg-Bendigo Pioneers. Tallish bottom age kid who has played mainly Ruck and FP this year. Has a pretty good leap in the ruck and can win taps. He is pretty mobile and his pace is ok for a tall. His kicking is pretty good and he can kick it a long way. When he has been resting up forward he has managed a goal or two in most games but I think he could possibly work on presenting at the contest more as he doesn’t take a lot of contested marks.

Pick 40 plus.

John Shaw-197cm, 90kg-Sandringham Dragons. Overage ruckman who has played well for Sandy this year. Wins plenty of taps but doesn’t get much of the footy around the ground. Can take a good contested mark. His kicking is nothing to write home about but not terrible. Hasn’t much pace.

Pick 50 plus.

Luke Casey-Leigh-195cm, 84kg-Sandringham Dragons. Tall defender whose defensive skills are ok. Not great body on body. Kicking is average and needs to improve his awareness when he has the footy in his hands.

Pick 50 plus.

Harry Croft-192cm, 82kg-Oakleigh Chargers. Has missed a bit of footy this year so I haven’t seen a lot of him. Has played in defence and as a forward. Has also had a run in the middle. His marking is good and skills look ok. Has good hands in close.

Pick 30 plus.

Andrew Hogan – 198cm, 81kg-Oakleigh Chargers. Has been ok in a few games for the Chargers this year. Tall skinny kid who gets around the ground ok. Ruck work is reasonable. Right foot kicking is good and he can take a mark.

Pick 40 plus.

Glenn Chivers-189cm, 85kg-Oakliegh Chargers. Have only seen him play a couple of times but his defensive skills are ok. Pace is reasonable. His kicking is a bit scruffy. Is now taller than the 189cm that he is listed at. Hasn’t played a lot of TAC Cup footy. Can tackle.

Pick 45 plus.

Chris Kangars-193cm, 84kg-Geelong Falcons. Another who I have only seen a few times. Tallish and a bit on the skinny side but moves ok. Defensive skills are ok. Can find the footy. His kicking is ok. In the games where he has found more of the footy he handballs off to the running players more than kicking it. Can take a contested mark.

Pick 40 plus.

Dawson Simpson-205cm, 97 kg-Murray Bushrangers. Very tall ruckman who wins a lot of the tap work. I haven’t seen a lot of him play and when I have, I have thought he needs to do more around the ground. Doesn’t really win a lot of the footy. Someone will have a look at simply because of his height.

Pick 40 plus.

Chris Masten – 180cm, 78kg – East Fremantle. A genuine in and under rover who can run all day and is very good at getting his team mates into the game. His skills are very good and creative on both sides of his body and knows how to block for his mates in the middle. He isn’t a jet as far as pace goes but his vision and composure make up for that. Finds plenty of the footy and is very good at the stoppages and clearances. He has had a pretty consistent year playing mainly in the seniors for East Fremantle in the WAFL. Had an excellent under 18 championship series where he was captain of WA and really delivered on field with his work rate and one precenters. Played really consistent footy over four quarters in all three champ matches. Work rate is very good. Doesn’t mind going forward and kicking a goal.

Top 15 pick.

Rhys Palmer – 180cm, 76kg – East Fremantle. Exploded onto the scene with a sensational National Champs where he dominated in the middle and kicked goals. Good skills on both sides of his body and has plenty of run and flair.

Before the champs he was good for East Freo without being a stand out but he has kicked on since his efforts at the Nationals with more 20 plus possession games. Very hard at the footy and looks like he enjoys going in hard. He is very good at the clearances and has a booming left foot kick. Kept working hard and finding the footy despite efforts to tag him. Very good work rate.

Top 15 pick.

Trent Cotchin – 184cm, 77kg – Northern Knights. Classy skilful player who was all the talk before the Nationals but failed to deliver his best for Vic Metro. He was tagged pretty heavily during the champs and didn’t have the answers to beat it. In the TAC Cup he has been a standout. Great skills, excellent reader of the play. He is a one touch player who finds targets. In the champ trail match’s he dominated to the extent that he was taken off the ground after a quarter and a half so that they could get a look at other players.

Top 15 pick.

Cale Morton – 192cm , 75kg – Claremont . Tallish wingman/halfback with superb skills and a lovely long kick of the footy . Is very much an outside player who tends to be the playmaker or handball receiver but he doesn’t miss too many targets. He links in well in this role and can kick a goal from outside 50. Needs to build up a bit body wise. Has good endurance and his pace is ok. He knows how to find space and is a one touch player. If he isn’t receiving a handball he is running to space and getting a mark. Great talent.

Top 15 pick

Scott Sellwood – 184cm 81kg – Bendigo Pioneers. Gets a lot of publicity simply because of his brothers but as far as footy goes he is his own man. He isn’t as classy as Joel but he does have great skills. Isn’t overly fast and tends to crash through the smaller guys rather than beat them with skill. Has played a bit of junior footy at half back with no one on him so he finds the ball a bit but often I think he could be working harder during games. Needs to run and carry it more often. He is a good size kid who does seem to enjoy playing an inside pack crashing role.

Top 20 pick.

Cyril Rioli – 178cm, 74kg – St Marys NT. Despite playing most of the nationals as a small forward due to him recovering from injury he is a genuine midfielder. Has good pace and a nice left foot kick but is good on both sides of his body. His tackling is also very good.

Gets his team mates involved and was the leading goal assist player at the Champs. Showed he was very dangerous up forward with 7 goals in the last champ game against QLD. Has been playing school footy in Melbourne so he will know what to expect when he moves south.

Top 20 pick

Brad Ebert – 187cm, 86kg- Port Adelaide SANFL. Captain of SA and a bottom age player but he has already played senior SANFL footy for Port. Is a very good sized kid who was tagged well during the Champs but still did well. He is an excellent inside or outside player with good skills and pace and is a good contested mark of the footy. Extremely courageous in his attack on the ball and lead the SA side well.

Top 20 pick.

David Myers – 190cm, 85kg-Perth. Played in defence during the national champs but I’m sure people will see him as a future midfielder. He was very highly rated before the carnival and did his reputation no harm at all getting plenty of the footy as a running back man. Looks like a natural runner who has good skills. Was a standout in the 2006 International Rules series against Ireland. He has the size and body that clubs love in running wingers.

Pick 10 to 30.

Tom Collier – 192cm, 86kg – Lauderdale Tas. Has played a lot of footy at CHB but he showed during the Nationals that he was just as good as a ruck rover. He was overlooked as a bottom age player last year but has come on in leaps and bounds this year. Has VFL experience with the Devils. He isn’t quick but he has good skills and uses the ball well. Likes to run with the footy and is also good at finding the footy in a pack. Was easily Tasmania’s best midfielder in their last champ game. Given his ability to play back or in the middle he will be well sort after.

Top 25 pick.

Stephan Browne – 181cm, 74kg – West Perth. Played as a small defender during the national champs but he is another that will be looked at as a future midfielder. Plays tight and hard and did well to blanket out his opponents. Has good pace and is an accurate kick. Has had very good form in the WAFL in recent weeks.

Pick 10 to 30.

Pat Vezpremi – 181cm, 83kg-Northern Knights – Strong solid straight ahead midfielder who backs up his hard at it style with a bit of flair. He isn’t subtle in any way. He just gets in and gets the footy and runs through people. Not overly quick and not silky smooth in the skills department as some of the highly touted midfielders.

Just goes hard all day long.

Pick 20 to 40.

Paddy McGinnity – 182cm, 75kg-Claremont- One of the lesser knowns of the all star WA midfield but deserves a mention in his own right. Took Cotchin out of the game in their game against Vic Metro while still winning his own footy. Can run with opponents all day and has good speed. Skills are good and he can win the footy at clearances. His tagging was very disciplined.

Pick 10 to 30.

Jack Grimes-187cm,76kg,Northern Knights- Is not quick and his skills are not outstanding but he is hard at it and reads the play very well. He is always in the game trying to block or shepherd or tackle and shows some leadership skills in the way he gets around to pump up his team mates. He doesn’t let up and gives what looks like his best all day long. He is pretty clean with his ball handling and doesn’t fumble . Has played at half back / half forward and in the middle.

Pick 20 to 50.

Addam Maric-179cm, 80kg-Calder Cannons. Was Vic Metros shinning light up forward looking the most dangerous option most of the time? Very accurate kick for goal. And his kicking skills are excellent. He has played midfield but I haven’t seen a lot of him in the middle so it is hard to tell if he has what it takes to play full time there. He is certainly a very good small forward. Hard to judge where he will go in the draft.

Pick 20 to 60

Jackson Hall -187cm,76kg-Gippsland Power/Traralgon. Tall quick winger who runs hard. His kicking isn’t always good as far as decision making goes but has been consistently good in the TAC Cup. One of Vic Country’s better players in the Champs. Will be seen as a player with a big upside as he has an A grade running game.

Pick 20 to 50

Sam Reid – 185cm, 75kg-Zillmere QLD. He was Queensland’s Mr Fix it during the carnival as it seemed a lot of the time Reid had to find the footy and then be on hand to receive it. He has alright pace but isn’t a jet. Knows how to find the footy but at times he seemed to get lost as he had to carry the load for the rest of the midfield. Skills are reasonable. Wont go early but he would be a solid late pick.

Pick 20 to 60

Levi Greenwood- 181cm, 91kg-Port Magpies SA. Big solid kid who was pretty consistent for SA. Goes hard at the ball. Hasn’t really got the class of the better rated midfielders. Skills are good rather than great. It was a bit hard to line him up given SA didn’t perform all that well in its two Victorian games. Was in there best in all three champ games. He has played senior footy for Port in the SANFL.

Pick 25 to 60.

Patrick Dangerfield-188cm, 80kg-Geelong Falcons. Was played mainly as a tagger during the Champs and has played a bit of back pocket at times for Geelong. His is good by foot and has a good build for a midfielder. Plays tough and doesn’t mind getting a hard ball. Pace is pretty good.

Pick 25 to 60.

Ashley Arrowsmith – 188cm 82kg-Calder Cannons. Tall running wingman that has had a good year in the TAC Cup but was burnt at the stake during the champs. He was exposed for pace by the rampaging WA midfield. He is a very outside player who likes to find space and link in. His kicking is reliable rather than great. On his TAC form someone will pick him up.

Pick 25 to 60.

Aaron Joseph – 178cm, 75kg-Glenorchy Tas. Tasmania’s best midfielder who performed well at the Champs. He is good at the clearances and has good hands. Gets the ball inside 50 from the middle fairly often. Works really hard all day. Isn’t quick but he can hit targets.

Pick 25 to 60

Andy Otten-192cm, 86kg-Oakleigh Chargers. Having a very good year in the TAC Cup where he has been used forward or back or on the wing. He is a real athlete with good skills. Has been averaging 27 possession a game for Oakleigh.

Pick 25 to 60.

Tom Frawley-186cm, 76kg-StMarys NT. Originally from North Ballarat Frawley is a pretty tall skinny winger. Has good run and pace is reasonable. He seemed to be a bit hit and miss with his kicking skills during the champs having one excellent day and one so so day in the two games I saw him play. Is very much an outside player who didn’t win much contested footy.

Pick 30 to 60.

Ryan Normington – 186cm,76kg-Murray Bushrangers. Didn’t have a great run at the Champs for Vic Country but the whole side didn’t go well either. His TAC Cup form has been pretty good. Plays in the middle and has good skills and works well as the link man. Not really a contested ball winner from what I have seen. Decision making is good.

Pick 30 to 60.

Ashley Hockey – 181cm, 78kg-Murray Bushrangers. Had a reasonable champs for Vic Country. Is one of those players who you would describe as doing everything ok but not a stand out in any one area. Has good foot skills and hits targets when he is in space.

Pick 30 to 60.

Jay Bowden-184cm, 74kg-Glenorchy TAS. Had to play a lot as a forward during the champs and is a strong mark and can kick goals. He was pretty good in the limited time he spent on the wing and in the middle. Skills are good. Pace is reasonable. Seems to make good decisions with the ball in his hands.

Pick 30 to 60

Daniel Noy-188cm, 78kg-Eastern Rangers. He was flying early in the year before he got injured before the Nationals. Tallish running winger who can play inside and win the footy but is best suited to playing an outside role. Has good skills and a nice long kick. Pace is reasonably good and can take a nice mark.

Pick 30 to 60.

Brad Jones-181cm, 76kg-Eastern Rangers. Didn’t do a lot during the champs but has had sparkling form for Rangers during the year. He is a running machine who gets in and under and brings team mates into the game. Sometimes his kicking is a bit hit and miss usually when he tries to exceed his limitations. Good leader who can tackle and run forward and kick goals. Wins plenty of the footy.

Pick 40 plus

Trevor Oliver-181cm, 88kg-Waratah NT. Is actually an overage kid allowed to play for NT during the champs. Got plenty of the footy in the games I saw and had good skills. Looked able to move quickly when needed and was elusive in close.

Pick 50 plus

Luke Potts-177cm, 68kg-Dandenong Stingrays. Luke had a good time at the champs particularly as a small forward. There isn’t much off him but he can find the footy. In the few Dandenong games I have seen him play he tends to play behind the ball a lot gathering possessions and feeding it out well. His pace is ok but not super quick. Can play as a small forward and crumbs well. Wet weather skills where good during the champs.

Pick 40 plus

Kris Nye-174cm, 73kg- Eastern Rangers. Kris just missed selection for Vic Metro but has had outstanding form in the TAC Cup. He is out for the season now with a broken leg. Before his injury he was close to being the heart or the Rangers side. Hard running in and under rover who you can throw in the middle and he will get you back in the game. His pace is only average but is one of those players who knows how to get in space or move through traffic. His skills are ok but not silky smooth. It doesn’t stop him from hitting targets though. Good hands in close. The fact that he has been disappointing as a small forward probably cost him a spot for Vic Metro with the nod going to Potts.

Pick 50 plus.

Mitchell Farmer-179cm, 76kg-Calder Cannons. Played as a small defender a lot early during the year and was hard to rate as a midfielder but has ventured into the midfield a lot more in the latter half of the season. Rebounds well from defence and has good kicking skills. Seems to have a decent motor as he doesn’t stop running from defence.He has good enough pace. Hard to know where he may go due to back pockets not being overly popular in the draft but his late midfield form could see him move up some spots.

Pick 20 to 50.

Dane Zorko-176cm, 69kg-Broadbeach QLD. Not much of him but he goes pretty hard. Skills are pretty good and was probably Queensland’s second best midfielder.

Pick 50 plus.

Matthew Davis-187cm, 74kg-Mt Gravatt QLD. Tallish winger that has good pace and skills. In the two games I saw him play he used the footy well and got a reasonable amount of it.

Pick 50 plus.

James Polkinghorne-181cm, 82kg-Calder Cannons. Solid kid who didn’t really shine for Vic Metro. He tackles hard and can win the footy in close. Pace is average but he gets the job done in the TAC Cup. Uses the ball well and seems to give 100% all the time.

Pick 40 plus.

Rory Sloane-180cm, 75kg-Eastern Rangers. Has had good form for Rangers all year but has really stepped it up since Kris Nye got injured. Similar player to Jones. Pacey little running machine who has good kicking skills. Finds plenty of the footy and is good at the clearances.

Pick 50 plus.

Myke Cook-182cm, 76kg-Sandringham Dragons. Speedy midfielder who finds the footy well. Has a pretty long kick for a small bloke. Gets the ball in traffic and knows how to use his pace to avoid trouble. Leads up well and can kick a goal when playing half forward.

Pick 40 plus.

Brad Gilder-183cm, 84kg-Sandringham Dragons. Strong bodied midfielder who has pretty good foot skills. He is not really quick but he gets involved a lot and finds the footy well. Has good hands and composure.

Pick 30 plus.

Hugh Sandilands-191cm, 82kg-Oakleigh Chargers. Tallish midfielder who plays a bit outside. Can find the footy well. Skills are ok but he doesn’t always use them well. Can have games where he just throws the footy onto the boot. Pace is reasonable but not quick.

Pick 30 plus.

David Zaharakis-180cm, 70kg-Northern Knights. Bottom age kid who has played well on the wing this year. Has pace and a good right foot kick. Plays a bit outside but can find the footy in traffic. Has a very punchy kicking action that sees him kick the footy a fair way.

Pick 20 to 60.

[Nicho 1]

I think we should go for Rhys Palmer for our first pick, Take a gamble on drafting Bellchambers, and then the rest is just a lucky dip.

It's fairly obvious that Kruezer and Cotchin will got 1 and 2 so we might as well take our eyes off them now. You can blame a stupid decision to win again Carlton a gun like Cotchin.

[dazzledavey36 55,361]

Everyone's saying we should get Lachie Henderson but why? I have seen the bloke play and was just plodder and couldn't be bothered doing anything... lazy. That write up about him doesn't get me excited at all. If he is a big forward then he should be kicking big goals. Pass on him.

Brad Ebert is our man!

[sylvinator 96]

we didnt deserve a PP. we shouldv won easily 8 games this year even considering our injuries. we lost 3-4 games when we were infront with 1 minute to go and the ball in our hands...

we lost pick 18 and we have pick 4 now...lets move on and concentrate on what we have, not what we missed.

There are alot of people rating Palmer at pick 2 ahead of cotchin. if Palmer slips through to 4 we should pick him up...and there is no reason to think Palmer wont be a better player than cotchin. at the moment nobody knows.

Franklin was pick 5 and he is by far the best player to comeout of that draft. just goes to show than number 1 or 2 pick doesnt necessarily mean picking up the best player

[Bruce Almighty 0]

i have watched all of Trevor Oliver's games this year for East Perth. He is a gun, whoever picks him up will be so happy once they see him carve up.

[The Fergburger 0]

Alex Rance-194cm, 87kg-Swan Districts. ( CHB/FB). The star defender of the National champs. His run out of defence was great. His defensive work was excellent. Has good pace and skills for a big bloke. He worked in well with Browne and Meyers to give WA the killer dash from defence. His handballing was creative and he hits targets by foot. He is simply a defender that every club will rate.

Top 15 pick.

If Craig Cameron is looking for a solid KPP defender then we should target Alex Rance with pick 4

[whatwhat say what 22,949]

hope it's ebert, simply because of the pedigree.

but the thing is there's always write-ups eulogising certain players and dismissing others. really, picking any kid is a total lucky-dip. you could get a brock mclean or a luke molan.

[Yze_Magic 3]

Brad Ebert is our man!!

This is correct

[No16 1]

Here is a list of next years crop draftees.

at direct copy and paste from bigfooty

[Little Goffy 14,645]

Alex Rance-194cm, 87kg-Swan Districts. ( CHB/FB).

Top 15 pick.

Ben McEvoy-199cm, 90kg-Murray Bushrangers. (Ruck, fwd)

Pick 10 to 30

Addam Maric-179cm, 80kg-Calder Cannons.

Pick 20 to 60

Jay Bowden-184cm, 74kg-Glenorchy TAS

Pick 30 to 60

Rory Sloane-180cm, 75kg-Eastern Rangers.

Pick 50 plus

Based only on what has been said about them in the blurbs here, and where they are predicted to go, this is a vague picture of what I'd want to see.

Switch Ebert for Rance if you like, though something just sat right with me about Rance's write-up.

My top priority is to minimise turnovers from poor skills, and to get us some extra pace. I think it's a disaster for team morale and confidence to have so many turnovers, and with the number of young players we'll be playing next year and 09, confidence will be particularly important.

Meanwhile, the quest for a star Key Defender is eternal.

Every one of these selection had comments about 'good kicking skills', 'good decisions', 'hits targets by foot'. Most have 'good pace'.

Assuming five picks (plus Bode elevation) I'd by very happy with this collection.

Meanwhile-

Dave Gourdis-193cm, 88kg-Subiaco. (CHF) Impressed for WA at CHF during the champs. Good sized kid who was very mobile and a good shot at gaol.

If he's headed for gaol, I'd assume Collingwood or a WA club will pick him up...

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

Rance, McEvoy and Maric will all be gone early, possibly all in the top 10 but definitely all in the top 20

[sylvinator 96]

Rance, McEvoy and Maric will all be gone early, possibly all in the top 10 but definitely all in the top 20

i agree Rance looks awesome and is what we need, but i think he is more worth pick 8 or 9 rather than pick 4...

for this reason i would 100% go for Palmer. many believe he will be picked up by carlton at pick 3, or even pick 2, but if he slips through to 4 we will have gotten an absulte future star. i would even prefer palmer over ebert i reckon.

Henderson is also i chance, but like Rance, i think we would look at him more seriously if we had pick 7 or 8. at pick 4 u cant go past the best available, which will most likely be one of Morton or Palmer

[Axis of Bob 11,853]

goodoil:

Do you think that Maric will go that early? Being a 6 foot key forward would turn me off him, especially if his midfield skills are limited.

[grazman 7,451]

goodoil:

Do you think that Maric will go that early? Being a 6 foot key forward would turn me off him, especially if his midfield skills are limited.

Ditto. I'd be surprised if he went top 20, given that he's an undersized KPP that appears to be largely a lead, mark, kick type.

[Jarka 767]

Alex Rance-194cm, 87kg-Swan Districts. ( CHB/FB).

Top 15 pick.

Ben McEvoy-199cm, 90kg-Murray Bushrangers. (Ruck, fwd)

Pick 10 to 30

Addam Maric-179cm, 80kg-Calder Cannons.

Pick 20 to 60

Jay Bowden-184cm, 74kg-Glenorchy TAS

Pick 30 to 60

Rory Sloane-180cm, 75kg-Eastern Rangers.

Pick 50 plus

Based only on what has been said about them in the blurbs here, and where they are predicted to go, this is a vague picture of what I'd want to see.

Switch Ebert for Rance if you like, though something just sat right with me about Rance's write-up.

My top priority is to minimise turnovers from poor skills, and to get us some extra pace. I think it's a disaster for team morale and confidence to have so many turnovers, and with the number of young players we'll be playing next year and 09, confidence will be particularly important.

Meanwhile, the quest for a star Key Defender is eternal.

Every one of these selection had comments about 'good kicking skills', 'good decisions', 'hits targets by foot'. Most have 'good pace'.

Assuming five picks (plus Bode elevation) I'd by very happy with this collection.

Meanwhile-

Dave Gourdis-193cm, 88kg-Subiaco. (CHF) Impressed for WA at CHF during the champs. Good sized kid who was very mobile and a good shot at gaol.

If he's headed for gaol, I'd assume Collingwood or a WA club will pick him up...

DD, Rory Sloane isn't a name you hear often, can you tell me what you think of him? (I know his junior coach). Last year speed and core body strength was a possible issue with him (an opinion of a club recruiter, not mine), how do you think he has developed this year?

[Bingo 305]

By the sounds of the review on Henderson he's not worth pick 4. Would love to get Palmer though.

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

Ditto. I'd be surprised if he went top 20, given that he's an undersized KPP that appears to be largely a lead, mark, kick type.

He's a more rounded player than that in my opinion and can win a lot of ground ball inside 50 as well and probably play a little bit through the middle as well. Is one of those players that only needs 5 or 6 touches to be an influence, because he is tres skilled. It's probably a luxury to draft a guy like this, but he will be an absolute handful for defenders, a 3-goal a game player, and I can see him taken/would take him first round. Think of an in-form Adem Yze when he plays deep forward and you have the sort of player we're talking about.

[dee-luded 2,959]

By the sounds of the review on Henderson he's not worth pick 4. Would love to get Palmer though.

Please give us the link your referring to.

[leucopogon 1,519]

Okay, based only on the writeups because I've seen nothing of any of them in the flesh or on the tube here's who I'm looking at:

First round - Alex Rance, Rhys Palmer, Brad Ebert or Cale Morton

2nd round - Paddy McGinnity, Stephen Browne, David Myers (or any of the above that manage to slip through)

3rd round - Jack Grimes, Thomas Bellchambers, Patrick Dangerfield (or any of the above that slip through)

Later rounds - Andrew Renton, Andrew Hogan (or any of the above that slip through)

These picks have an underlying theme of pace, skill and size. I particularly like write-up of Patrick Dangerfield and Jack Grimes as a smoky pick. Really like what I read about Alex Rance (just what we need a proper KP backman). I think David Myers sounds an excellent prospect and Paddy McGinnity/Stephen Browne sound like excellent run-with prospects which we are sorely lacking.

I'd be happy with any from this list. Bring on the Draft!

[The Fergburger 0]

at direct copy and paste from bigfooty

I no :D

I just wanted to hear your opinions though

[deestroy08 0]

It's all so exciting to see some of your friends' names in these lists.. after all these years!

The summary of Chivers' game seems to underrate him a bit.. he's starred and got best on for a lot of his recent matches.

Has anyone actually seen him play?

[Little Goffy 14,645]

DD, Rory Sloane isn't a name you hear often, can you tell me what you think of him? (I know his junior coach). Last year speed and core body strength was a possible issue with him (an opinion of a club recruiter, not mine), how do you think he has developed this year?

I am only basing my speculation on what I've seen written, here and other random places.

The starting post of this thread describes Sloane as pacey with good kicking skills, and good at clearances. Also says he has lifted since a teamate got injured.

Playing for Eastern Rangers, I wonder if he ever gets called the Sloane Ranger?

A couple of people have described players on my preferred/realistic list as being higher draft picks than the starting post here has them. I'd also heard McEvoy was a likely first rounder.

I'm hoping that our trade strategy will be to improve our second pick from 20ish to 12ish, by trading the current pick plus a relatively low-value player (Jamar would be the main example) for the higher pick. Securing the two big guys is first priority, the three remaining preferences I've got are tipped at 20th-60th, 30th-60th and 50+ draft picks, obviously no real predictions can be made about who of them would be available that late, so I'll let CAC handle the rest now that I've sorted out the top order

[Demon Disciple 12,274]

I'm hoping that our trade strategy will be to improve our second pick from 20ish to 12ish

Now that's an idea!!!

Imagine if we had pick 4, 6-10 through trading one of our "big names" and pick 12ish.

We could possibly pick up Ebert/Palmer, Henderson/Rance and McEvoy/Bellchambers all in the one draft.

That would be quite a coup

[Guest The Tiger Of Old]

Now that's an idea!!!

Imagine if we had pick 4, 6-10 through trading one of our "big names" and pick 12ish.

We could possibly pick up Ebert/Palmer, Henderson/Rance and McEvoy/Bellchambers all in the one draft.

That would be quite a coup

Yeah & it would take them 2-4 years to develop into the seniors.

It would be pointless & irresponsible.

You need to have a mixture of youth & experience.

Not just one way.

Unless of course if your talking about Russell Robertson. I'd be happy with that.

[Guest]

With picks 4 and 21 available, for mine it should be Ebert or Morton at 4 and Myers at 21 (assuming Morton is no longer available).

Big runners with pace and skills. Perfect balance for Brock, Colin and Nathan!!

Brad Ebert – 187cm, 86kg- Port Adelaide SANFL. Captain of SA and a bottom age player but he has already played senior SANFL footy for Port. Is a very good sized kid who was tagged well during the Champs but still did well. He is an excellent inside or outside player with good skills and pace and is a good contested mark of the footy. Extremely courageous in his attack on the ball and lead the SA side well.

Top 20 pick.

Cale Morton – 192cm , 75kg – Claremont . Tallish wingman/halfback with superb skills and a lovely long kick of the footy . Is very much an outside player who tends to be the playmaker or handball receiver but he doesn’t miss too many targets. He links in well in this role and can kick a goal from outside 50. Needs to build up a bit body wise. Has good endurance and his pace is ok. He knows how to find space and is a one touch player. If he isn’t receiving a handball he is running to space and getting a mark. Great talent.

Top 15 pick

David Myers – 190cm, 85kg-Perth. Played in defence during the national champs but I’m sure people will see him as a future midfielder. He was very highly rated before the carnival and did his reputation no harm at all getting plenty of the footy as a running back man. Looks like a natural runner who has good skills. Was a standout in the 2006 International Rules series against Ireland. He has the size and body that clubs love in running wingers.

Pick 10 to 30.