The Phantom Draft Jay Clark | Herald Sun November 26, 2009
JAY Clark looks into his crystal ball for tonight's top 20 picks 1 Melbourne
Jack Trengove, Sturt
Midfielder, 185cm, 82kg
The late mail yesterday was that the Dees would name the South Australian at No.1. Given his performances at senior level with Sturt, injury permitting he should make his debut in Round 1.
2 Melbourne
Tom Scully, Dandenong Stingrays
Midfielder, 182cm, 74kg
A left-footer with lightning reflexes and elite endurance but Trengove has more penetration in his kicking and is stronger overhead. A perfect pair.
3 Richmond
Dustin Martin, Bendigo Pioneers
Midfielder, 187cm, 86kg
Strong-bodied attacking playmaker is a beautiful kick on both sides and should slot in nicely alongside slick movers Brett Deledio and Trent Cotchin. 4 Fremantle
Anthony Morabito, Peel Thunder
Wingman 190cm, 90kg
There will be blood on the streets of Fremantle if the Dockers overlook the powerful midfielder likened to Adam Goodes.
5 North Melbourne
Ben Cunnington, Geelong Falcons
Inside midfielder, 186cm, 84kg
Ideal replacement for Adam Simpson. He is as desperate as they come to win the hard ball.
6 Sydney
Gary Rohan, Geelong Falcons
Utility, 186cm, 79kg
Excitement machine who should fill up the Swans' highlight reel for years with his happy knack of taking freakish marks and evading tacklers.
7 West Coast
Brad Sheppard, East Fremantle
Running defender, 186cm, 78kg
The Eagles decided as late as last week to go for Sheppard's reliability and accurate kick from defence instead of Lewis Jetta's midfield brilliance.
8 Port Adelaide
John Butcher ,Gippsland Power
Key forward, 197cm, 84kg
Have to find a power forward to replace Warren Tredrea and this high-marking beanpole is the best of the lot.
9 Port Adelaide
Jake Melksham, Calder Cannons
Midfielder, 185cm, 75kg
Tough choice from here with Port likely to nab smooth-moving Melksham to funnel the ball forward.
10 Essendon
Kane Lucas, East Fremantle
Wingman, 188cm, 79kg
The Bombers' West Australian love affair looks likely to continue, punting on Lucas's blistering pace over versatile forward Andrew Moore. Tough choice.
11 Melbourne
Daniel Talia, Calder Cannons
Key-position player, 194cm, 89kg
Having already taken two midfielders, the Demons are likely to go for the All-Australian centre half-back who can also press forward.
12 Carlton
Aaron Black, Peel Thunder
Key-position player, 193cm, 78kg
Athletic big man who turns 19 on Sunday and has drawn comparisons with Matthew Richardson for his agility and aerial power.
13 Adelaide
Lewis Jetta, Swan Districts
Wingman, 178cm, 72kg
Indigenous midfielder is breathtaking at top flight and capable of breaking up the Crows' predictability.
14 Sydney
Jasper McMillan-Pittard, Geelong Falcons
Half-back/wingman, 185cm, 70kg
Another high-octane rebounding defender. Should form a potent combination with Falcons teammate Rohan down back for the Swans.
15 Western Bulldogs
Andrew Moore, Eastern Ranges
Utility, 188cm, 81kg
Moore is a versatile Ryan O'Keefe-type who would add another dimension to the Dogs' forward line or go back and tag if necessary.
16 Port Adelaide
Nathan Vardy, Gippsland Power
Ruckman, 198cm, 89kg
The Power says it doesn't need another ruckman but we don't believe it. Vardy is the best available this year.
17 Geelong
Jake Carlisle ,Calder Cannons
Key forward, 196cm, 83kg
The Cats need to replenish their tall forward stocks with Cameron Mooney nearing retirement. Carlisle is the favourite and Ben Griffiths the smoky.
18 Melbourne
Max Gawn, Sandringham Dragons
Ruckman, 208cm, 104kg
Gawn will take time to develop but could be the closest thing we've seen to the next Aaron Sandilands.
19 Richmond
Ryan Bastinac, Dandenong Stingrays
Midfielder, 184cm, 77kg
Hard-working midfielder whose elite endurance and willingness to tackle may see him get the nod ahead of South Australian Luke Tapscott. 20 Fremantle
Troy Taylor, NT Thunder
Forward, 189cm, 77kg
Exhilarating indigenous talent in the mould of Liam Jurrah. Could be anything if the Dockers can improve his tank and maintain his focus on football.
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