This is in a Flash version on the Herald-Sun site so I typed/scanned it to text...PICK OF THE YOUNG CROP
Herald-Sun SAT 22 NOV 2008, Page 046
The Herald Sun's newest footy expert, the phantom, predicts how the first two rounds will play out at saturday's national draft
1 Melbourne
Jack WattsThe 194cm Brighton Grammar student has been locked in at pick No.1 for a while. The Demons need a player around whom they can build their forwardline - and he is certainly the man. He won the Larke Medal as the best player at this year's under-18 championships after dominating with 15 goals in five games, four more than any other player. Watts proved his athleticism with a time of 2.82sec over 20m at the draft camp and could be the next Nick Riewoldt.
2 West Coast
Nicholas NaitanuiWith Mark Seaby falling out of favour, Naitanui is a certainty to end up at West Coast as Dean Cox's understudy. He's a freakish 197cm athlete but can also play football - his ability to win the ball on the ground is amazing for a player of his height. Also remarkably for a ruckman, he ranked in the top three at this year's national titles in both tackles and clearances.
3 Fremantle
Stephen HillThis is the pick that shapes the top 10. Daniel Rich has long been the player tipped to go here, but the Dockers may opt for West Perth's Hill because he offers something completely different to Rich, a similar type to Rhys Palmer. Hill is another who tested well at the draft camp, but proved through 2008 he could make it as an accountable midfielder/half-back with silky skills and a penetrating kick. His question mark is whether he wins enough of the ball.
4 Port Adelaide
Daniel RichTouted as top-three pick from start of the year, so Port will most likely snap him up if he's available. A dynamic midfielder with a booming left-foot kick who has played in senior WAFL premierships in his past two seasons. He was named All-Australian at under-18 level in both 2007 and 2008 and will add much-needed youth to the Power midfield. If Fremantle takes Rich, the Power is likely to end up with Hamish Hartlett or Stephen Hill.
5 Essendon
Michael HurleyThe Bombers need some talls in the backline with the retirement of Mal Michael and the likely retirement of Dustin Fletcher within two years. The 192cm Northern Knights star fits the bill as the most highly-credentialed key defender of recent years. He would also be a perfect fit for the Blues, but the Bombers might get in first. Hurley's strengths are his defensive spoiling, reading of the play, long kicking and versatility.
6 Carlton
Chris YarranJust the type the Blues need to beef up their forwardline. Dynamic around the goals and with the evasive ability of Shaun Burgoyne, Yarran booted seven goals in Round 1 of the WAFL and was premier Swan Districts' leading goalkicker. Questions remain as to whether he can play in the midfield, but he'll play AFL in 2009 and may give the Blues another attacking option they desperately need.
7 Brisbane
Jack ZiebellNew Lions coach Michael Voss might take a liking to Ziebell, who is not too different to the type of player Voss was. A tough onballer, versatile enough to play forward or back, Ziebell is a future leader who was named in the under-18 All-Australian team in 2008. Strong overhead for his size (188cm), Ziebell's work at the stoppages and ability to push forward and kick goals make him highly regarded.
8 Richmond
Tyrone Vickery
The Tigers will be hoping Vickery slips through to pick eight and, if he does, there is no doubt they will take him. Another of the highly touted crop of talls, Vickery missed 2007 with a knee reconstruction but has put together some outstanding performances this year for Sandringham Dragons off a limited preparation. He is a 200cm ruckman who has shown that he can go forward and have an impact.9 North Melbourne
Hamish HartlettWith a "best available" philosophy at this selection, North Melbourne will find it hard to go past Hartlett. A goalkicking midfielder with great skills, Hartlett is one of the best clearance players in this year's draft and has senior SANFL experience with West Adelaide.
10 Adelaide
Jackson TrengoveA 196cm tall utility who has been out since June with a knee injury. Aggressive and versatile, he can play in the ruck or in a key position at either end of the ground. One of the main reasons Calder won the TAC Cup premiership in 2007.
11. Collingwood
Tom SwiftA 191cm midfielder who has missed most of past two years with knee injuries. The Magpies need natural ball-winners and, in Swift, they will find just that. Has freakish ability to find the ball, highlighted by his 109 disposals in three games at 2006 under-16 national titles which included one game in which he racked up 45.
12. Sydney
Lewis JohnstonThe Swans need to start planning for life after Barry Hall and they haven't taken a key forward in the national draft since 1999. Johnston is a powerful, leading forward who took 16 contested marks at this year's national titles - six more than any other player.
13. St Kilda
Sam BleaseThe Saints are desperate for pace in the midfield and Blease fits the bill perfectly. He still has a long way to go, but when the ball is in his hands, something special generally happens. He set alight the Telstra Dome with two breathtaking goals in the final of the under-18 titles against WA this year.
14. Western Bulldogs
Ayce Cordy (father-son)Missed most of 2008 after a shoulder reconstruction. Would likely have been a top-10 pick if available on the open market. Another of the talented talls, the 202cm Cordy will take time to develop, but given his mobility and overall potential, he is the Bulldogs' best young ruck hope since Luke Darcy's career began.
15. Geelong
Steele SidebottomSidebottom was the talk of the town after his 10-goal haul in the TAC Cup grand final but may slide down the order slightly because of the strength of this year's top group. A goalkicking midfielder with elite kicking skills, Sidebottom is also strong overhead for his size and reads the play well.
16. Hawthorn
Phil DavisThe one area in which the Hawks still lack is the backline, so expect them to target some defenders. Davis missed most of 2008 with injury, but is still highly rated with his marking and ability to read the play his strengths. Capable of going forward, but will be a long-term project player.
17. Melbourne
Tom LynchLynch will be the best available forward for the priority pick. At 192cm, he can also push into the midfield. Strong overhead and with good endurance, Lynch played alongside Jack Watts at Sandringham and Vic Metro in 2008 and the two could form a great partnership for the Demons for the next decade.
18. West Coast
Michael WaltersWalters looks the best fit as a small forward for the club's priority pick. A similar player to Cyril Rioli in many ways, Walters has proven capable of pushing into the midfield, yet is also a dangerous proposition around goals. He was one of the best players in Swan Districts' 2008 WAFL colts grand final win.
19. Melbourne
James StraussThe Demons may look to add some pace and run to their half-backline and Strauss fits the bill. He plays the modern game, highlighted by his ability to play as an outside wingman or running defender - another area in which the Demons are deficient.
20. West Coast
David ZaharakisOverlooked in last year's draft, but will definitely be snapped up this year after improving significantly this season. Suited to the wide expanses of Subiaco where his ability to run and carry the ball will be fully used. He averaged the most inside-50s of any player in this year's TAC Cup.
21. Fremantle
Hayden BallantyneBallantyne scored 75 goals in the WAFL this year and is a mature-age recruit ready for AFL action. He's small at 175cm, but has great goal sense, can push into the midfield and was rarely beaten this year. Perfect replacement for the retired Jeff Farmer.
22. Port Adelaide
Luke ShueyThe Power will take a ruckman at some stage, but may wait until later and opt for more midfield talent here. Shuey is one of the leading inside midfielders of the draft, averaging four tackles and five clearances per game in the TAC Cup this year for Oakleigh.
23. Essendon
Ashley SmithSmith was the quickest player over 20m at the draft camp and with the Bombers always on the search for speed, he would be another handy addition. One of the best running half-backs available, Smith's kicking over long distances is among the best in the draft.
24. Fremantle
Shaun McKernanWith the Dockers needing to add more height to their list, McKernan looms as the best bet here. Versatile enough to play in the ruck, up forward or down back, McKernan has one of the best sets of hands in the draft.
25. Brisbane
Dayne BeamsRejected an invitation to join GC17 in favour of nominating for this year's draft in the hope he could play senior football in 2009. The tough midfielder has been constantly linked to Collingwood, but it seems their first pick is too early and their second pick just too late.
26. Richmond
Jayden Post
Had a strong end to 2008 after playing the year as an over-age player for Western in the TAC Cup. One of the best readers of the play in the draft, Post's ability overhead enabled him to take 161 marks in the TAC Cup, 52 more than any other player.27. North Melbourne
Mitch BrownNorth will be keen to bolster its key forward stocks and, after a strong end to 2008 in the TAC Cup for Sandringham, Brown may be a good fit. He averaged 14 disposals and six marks in his seven games for the Dragons and has grown to a hefty 195cm.
28. Adelaide
Mitch RobinsonThe No.1 ball-winner at this year's under-18 championships and can play as both an inside or outside player. Played 11 games for Tasmania in the VFL this year and is ready for AFL action.
29. Collingwood
Jordan LisleThe Magpies are still in need of key-position players and if they take a midfielder with their first pick, expect them to select a tall with this choice. Lisle can play forward or back and is one of the strongest marks in the draft pool.
30. Sydney
Nick SubanSuban is a disciplined and hard-working small defender/midfielder who suits the Sydney style. He is a penetrating left-foot kick who can stop one of the opposition's small forwards, yet also find plenty of the ball and push up the ground when needed.
31. Western Bulldogs
Ryan SchoenmakersThe Bulldogs still need talls and Schoenmakers fits the bill. Can play forward or back, but is most likely to end up as a Travis Cloke-type. His kicking ranks as elite and he was a regular goalkicker at SANFL reserves level this year.
32. Western Bulldogs
Liam JonesJones missed 2008 after of a knee reconstruction, but clubs have kept a close eye on him. Impressed for Tasmania at last year's under-16 titles and impressed as part of the AIS/AFL Academy before the injury cut his season short. Another project tall.
33. Geelong
Nathan O'KeefeThe Cats are still light on for key forwards and may look at relative unknown O'Keefe with their second pick. In just seven games for Eastern in the TAC Cup this year, he booted 21 goals and proved a good mark on the lead or in a contested situation.
34. Hawthorn
Sam WrightWright was a member of Murray's TAC Cup premiership team and booted 32 goals for the season. A leading forward with some X-factor, Wright will add further spark to the Hawks' forwardline.
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