ChaserJ

Second round out to third probably around the mark for Wigg, unless he has a Colquhoun type plummet. He’s not as short as Colquhoun, so he shouldn’t drop, but I think as players there’s a similarity. Wigg’s the best field kick in the draft, but I also like Duggan and Viojo-Rainbow are others who standout as high level rebounding defenders. Duggan should go first round, if he somehow gets to our second rounder, we should jump on. Another who didn’t go so well at the Nationals, but I rate is Daniel Capiron.

Gore played a very mature type of game. Yeah, his positioning was good, and got to multiple contests. I think the South Australian squad is full of bargain types. At this stage Durdin’s the only one projected to be in the first round, but I think there are a number of players in that team who will be good players in the AFL. Harrison Wigg’s an obvious one due to his kicking ability, but Declan Hamilton caught the eye with his creativity too. Laverde’s an exciting athlete, and like Hoskin-Elliott, has the pace to take the game on and can take a great high mark. Can run himself into trouble, but seems to generally get himself out of it. I think Ahern can definitely influence games with fewer touches with his vision and skill. His decision making appears to be very good too, which is one thing that is very difficult to coach into a player. I think the general question with him is his tank, but that’s not uncommon for an under 18. If his work ethic is good, then that can be improved in an AFL environment. His ceiling is a Stevie Johnson midfield/forward type.

Hadn't seen too much of him before watching the coverage of Metro and SA. I got to the double header at Simonds, but Gore didn't win much of the ball against Country (was pretty good defensively with 7 tackles though). Was impressed with his work inside against Metro. Really good hands in close and his inside work reminded me a bit of Luke Dunstan. Has some senior experience and it showed with his composure inside. When he got the ball on the spread, mainly played the percentages with his kick, which looked ok without necessarily being a weapon. A few good performances for Sturt and he could push himself up into the second round maybe. Other thoughts from Metro v SA: Whoever ends up taking a flyer on Caleb Daniel will end up with a pretty exciting player. Pace, endurance, vision, composure, kicking skill and footy nous. A natural footballer with some great traits, but clubs will hesitate because of his height. On all round ability he'd be top 5. Worth noting he's cracked Souths senior side in the SANFL and picked up 17 touches and a goal last weekend. Laverde reminds me a lot of Will Hoskin-Elliot, and if Ahern can string together some higher possession games in the run home to the draft, he will go very high. He's already got a good set of tools, needs to get more of the ball.

Article from the Advertiser on Sam Durdin & some of the other SA prospects this year: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/west-adelaide-young-gun-sam-durdin-set-to-be-first-south-australian-picked-in-draft/story-fnb7al7m-1226986030328

I have Ahern as my second preferred behind Petracca at the moment. If he continues to show the form he did toward the back end of the championships, I believe he’ll be widely regarded as a top 5 pick. Not quite as quick as Pickett, but I think his game is a bit more rounded, and like Pickett can change a game. Needs to build endurance, but I like his composure in close. Does well in congestion.

Brett Anderson's post championship mock draft: 2014 AFL Mock Draft 2.0

Reece McKenzie may be another one to keep an eye on in the run home to the draft. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/north/reece-mckenzie-boots-10-goals-as-northern-knights-trump-eastern-ranges-in-tac-cup/story-fngnvocb-1226979423120

Emma Quayle's wrap: Midfielders pushing up the order as the 2014 draft pool starts to take shape And Callum Twomeys pre-phantom rankings: Phantom Draft Form Guide

Not sure whether the coverage diminished his work, but Pickett was involved in most of the positive work that WA were able to muster. Very much in the Lewis Jetta mode, and there was a buzz of excitement whenever he grabbed the ball and took off. Garlett showed a bit if dash as well. Petracca was very influential I thought. Particularly loved when a nippy WA player overestimated his own ability and tried to take on Petracca on the mark. Petracca crunched him in the tackle and from memory just rag dolled the WA player who picked up the loose ball afterward. He'll more than likely be good to go once drafted. I'd be very surprised if Richmond left Durdin on the table. They are screaming for talls at both ends. Clem Smith might be dropping a bit down the charts, he's had a disappointing tournament so far. Undisciplined with both his physicality and his kicking. Was hoping he'd really elevate himself, but has gone the other way.

Emma Quayle's 25 to watch in the final rounds of the Champs: The next generation of AFL players set to strut their stuff

Herald Sun's draft primer:- Jon Anderson profiles the Under 18s class of 2014, predicts top 20 draft picks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNSowAl0yXY

Great write up PSD, thanks for the report.

Peter Wright dominant in ruck for Metro today, Petracca and Brayshaw also amongst the best in Metro's first win for the champs: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-06-14/vic-metro-defeats-sa

Any number of scenarios could play out. It depends on whether GWS want to retain those players or would prefer to offload the pick. The only reason they would be offloading pick 1 (notionally) for experienced players would be that they are already well stocked with key position players. If one of them agitated for a trade, and GWS was willing to dish them off, then they could draft a replacement with pick one. Would take a larger number of assets to pry one of Cameron, Patton or Boyd out of GWS, than it would to get pick one IMO.

My emphasis was more on GWS potentially losing the players for nothing if they chose to walk through the draft (main or psd). It’s not a place any team wants to be with valued players out of contract.

I believe that Coniglio, Cameron, Treloar and the others mentioned in the article are contracted till end of 2015, but GWS desperate to extend them prior to their contract year and counteract any leverage other clubs have (the ‘lose them for nothing next year’ factor.

It depends on whether they have access to one of the top three. No doubt that if McCartin, Durdin or Wright is on offer, they'll jump at them. After them, it's not so clear cut. Goddard's sliding a little. He hasn't had a great championships at all, and hasn't really taken any games over, despite being highly touted for a couple of years now. He needs a lift to maintain his draft standing. After Goddard, Lever is probably the next best tall, and he's out for the year with an ACL, so some risk associated. Keitel could push himself up if he maintains form, but he isn't in that top group just yet. Doggies need for height is well documented, but they also have a strong need for pace, as their midfield is seriously lacking runners. A lot of folk have Pickett climbing right up the ranks, I wouldn't be surprised to see Dog's take him if their pick is around number 5. If we have two picks, I think we will look very closely at him.

I reckon Sam Durdin fills a real need for GWS, but agree that no.1 pick is highly likely to be in play. Wouldn't be surprised if Collingwood threw up Ben Reid plus other assets. Sydney could also have a dip. Might Freo be prepared to trade Fyfe for a chance at the best of the kpp's?

Paige Cardona's mid championship phantom draft. Reckon she's done a good job: http://boundforglorynews.com/paige-cardonas-phantom-draft-1-0/

I’m surprised at this one. He’s a WA lad and have heard almost nothing about him wanting to leave. Thought we’d be a better chance at Shiel or Treloar. A very well rounded midfielder. Good inside and provides good run and carry outside as well, he’d be a very good get.

IMO we need to be careful about unbalancing the midfield make up of our list, lest we end up with too many of the same type and same pace. It’s a problem that I think the Bulldogs are currently facing with their midfield. A few too many in and under mids and not many genuine line breakers. We could have used one or two on Monday.

It is nice to have some alternate views out there. Quite often profiles circulated through the mainstream are often unbalanced and mainly promotional tools for the draftees. The critical stuff often goes unsaid. There’s a high amount of speculation with the draft, and I’m certain that no clubs have made up their minds at this stage. There’s still so much football to be played from now till draft time, I’m sure the order will change. Given the evenness of the top group, I think it could change dramatically.

Wouldn’t have thought another inside mid would be a priority for the Roos.

Depends on how much he's grown from last years listed height of 188cm. If he is now legitimate kp height, then yes if Durdin's off the board by the time we pick. Lever's an excellent competitor and distributor.