Paige Cardona Phantom Draft 4.0: Part I
September 12, 2014
Pick 2: Melbourne – Angus Brayshaw Position: Midfielder Height: 187 cm, Weight: 87 kg, DOB: 09/01/1996 Club: Sandringham Dragons Projected draft range: 2-10 Player comparison: Sam Mitchell Make no mistake about it, Angus Brayshaw is adored by Paul Roos. Should the Demons hold onto their first round pick, you can put the house on the Demons selecting Brayshaw – the son of Mark and nephew of James – with their very first selection. Brayshaw has his fans because what you see is what you get: he is a serious footballer who is professional in every aspect of his game. Brayshaw is a diligent trainer and preparer, and leaves no stone unturned in ensuring he ticks boxes in his recovery. From a footballing aspect, Brayshaw is tough and courageous, dominating clearances and wins his own ball. He can move forward to kick goals, and when he isn’t doing that, he’s setting them up or inspiring his teammates with acts of desperation. Despite being largely inside, Brayshaw rates in the upper echelon in metres gained, loving to take the game on by backing himself to break lines and fend off opponents. Likely to feature in a club’s leadership group within three years, the All Australian, AFL-AIS member and Dragons skipper will automatically improve Melbourne’s list alongside some very promising kids on Melbourne’s books. Player Update: He suffered a nasty ankle injury in the semi-final last week against North Ballarat. Has been named to take on Oakleigh; expected to line up. Also named on-baller of the TAC Cup team of the year. Pick 3: Greater Western Sydney - Jake Lever Position: Key defender Height: 192 cm, Weight: 84 kg, DOB: 05/03/1996 Club: Calder Cannons Projected draft range: 3-15 Player comparison: Cale Hooker (more athletic) Despite suffering a well-documented ACL tear in January, Jake Lever is still regarded as one of the most sought after defenders, who often plays taller than he appears. Lever has a nice balance in his game to offer a close-checking role, as well as providing an option to roll-off half back and set up play with his long and precise kick that often finds a target. He also adds a touch of mongrel to add to his aggression and physicality, and it’s a part of the game that he relishes as a defender. Put simply, he loves to niggle. Lever is at his best when he plays a free-wheeling role as a loose man behind the ball: his marking game is superb, as is his nous to read the play which is equally as impressive. For a tall guy, he moves well with ball in hand and isn’t afraid to move it on quickly, whether that be by offering a dashing run from defence, or letting go of a long, direct handball to clear the area. Player Update: Lever has been enjoying full training at the Calder Cannons over the past month. Surprisingly was named last night in Calder’s preliminary final squad against Dandenong. Could make a surprise return either this week, or in next week’s final. Either way, will be rusty. Pick 4: Brisbane - Patrick McCartin Position: Key forward Height: 193 cm, Weight: 95 kg, DOB: 19/04/1996 Club: Geelong Falcons Projected draft range: 1-5 Player comparison: Jonathan Brown/Taylor Walker It could turn out to be a dream scenario for the Lions, who’ve been super-keen on Paddy McCartin through the past 24 months. Unlike the majority of Brisbane’s current talls, McCartin is a genuine, old-fashioned full forward. He busts through packs, takes big contested grabs, inspires with his courage and is always the source of headaches for the opposition. He’d add the perfect dynamic to the beanpole, athletic and agile talls already at the club, and looms still very much in the frame for the number one pick. It was a frustrating year for Patrick McCartin who suffered niggles throughout the season that robbed him of a consistency and a clean run, all unfortunately coming at important times of the year. He was hampered by a quad complaint throughout the National Championships, and was struck down with an adductor strain in the qualifying final a fortnight ago. Ultimately, it meant he missed the semi-final, in which the Falcons bowed out in. When fully fit, McCartin is unstoppable: he’s an aerial threat and he demands the opposition’s best defender.
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The post above was based on us having a single pick in the top 10 and taking Brayshaw after Petracca. It also had GWS with pick 2 [now Melbourne] taking Lever and Brisbane [now Collingwood] taking McCartin. For the same reasoning that she has given for Brisbane, I see no reason that we would not take McCartin as, at the time she compilrd this Phantom Draft, GWS still had Boyd [and Frawley was techically still on our list]. It makes sense that we would take Brayshaw [as the best available midfielder] and McCartin [as the best available KPF]. Obviously we would take Petracca if St Kilda opted for McCartin on the same rationale.