The master apprentices of the AFL Jay Clark From: Sunday Herald Sun November 22, 2009DRAFT D-day is Thursday. Jay Clark casts an eye over some tac Cup statistical standouts. Recruiters are calling it the last chance. One final opportunity to net the country's best young talent, before new clubs Gold Coast and West Sydney are provided unprecedented access to the top draft picks over the next five years.
Not only does Thursday night's national draft ask clubs to make some of the most important decisions they will make all year, it also shapes as the most critical lottery in 24 years of the current system.
As one club chief told the Sunday Herald Sun, it's make-or-break time.
"The consequences have never been higher," the official said. "It's three years of work on these players, watching them all, getting to know everything about them.
"Every club will be well-prepared ... but it doesn't change the fact that you have to make the right calls.
"This is one you don't really want to get wrong."
As the excitement and tension builds, these are the names and the stats recruiters have agonised over.
The players who have led, or otherwise dominated each Champion Data statistical category in the TAC Cup this year.
If your club is gunning for the No. 1 pack-marking key forward, or the best available inside ball-winner, these will be the names on the tops of their lists.
Even in a shallow talent pool, a top pick has arguably never been more valuable. It could be a long time before your team has another top-10 pick.
CLEARANCE KING
Koby StevensGippsland Power
Clearances:4.5 pg (
A GEM of an inside midfielder whose best asset is his tenacity and work-rate around the stoppages.
Much like Joel Selwood, Stevens prides himself on winning the hard balls for his teammates and enjoys the responsibility of being assigned to stop the opposition's best player.
However, his finely tuned and powerful kicking skills means he can be employed as a creative and damaging go-to man in space, as well.
The hard-nut has a huge motor, so he knows how to get out on his own, and is said to be highly coachable and fiercely competitive. Dylan McNeil (Murray Bushrangers) tied Stevens for average clearances with 4.5
Who's he like? Lenny Hayes
Draft range: 10-16
Who's in the hunt? The type of player every team wants, but Essendon, Adelaide and Sydney could all do with a stoppage specialist like him.
BALL MAGNET
Allen ChristensenGeelong Falcons
Disposals26.5 per game (15 games)
OF all the quality midfielders in this year's talent pool, few have kept a lower profile than Geelong Falcons' ball-winner, Allen Christensen.
While his name isn't subject to the same amount of pre-draft hype as some of his counterparts, there is no doubt he is just as classy as some of the top fancies.
Not only because he wins tonnes of the footy, but because the smooth indigenous playmaker routinely hurts the opposition when he gets it.
To put his sensational year in context, Christensen averaged half a possession more than likely No 1 draft pick Tom Scully (26.1).
Think Cyril Rioli, at 176cm, although not as explosive, but every bit as evasive and just as smart. Can direct traffic off half-back or wreak havoc crumbing deep forward. Related to the Long and Rioli families.
Who's he like? Cyril Rioli
Draft range: 20-30
Clubs in the hunt: He's a huge Essendon fanand the Bombers' feelingsare mutual. West Coast and Geelong have also circled his name.
HOT SHOT
Serhat TemelCalder Cannons
Goals:2.8 pg (20)
This man is what you would call a wildcard. A strong-bodied, high-flying forward who dominated the pointy end of the TAC Cup season booting 22 goals in four finals.
An undisputed match-winner, who, despite a few rough edges, has a natural flair for taking a beaut pack mark and kicking long-range goals.
While he is still very raw, and not the quickest key forward going around, he has an x-factor about him that is worth taking the punt on, albeit at the back end of the draft.
Of the TAC Cup forwards likely to be drafted, only Luke McDonald (Eastern Ranges), with 3.4 goals a game, and John Butcher, with 2.9, averaged more.
Who's he like? Jarryd Roughead, but more of a work in progress.
Draft range: 45-plus
Clubs in the hunt:
Carlton, North Melbourne and Fremantle are all building forward lines for the future.
RUNNING MAN
Dustin MartinBendigo Pioneers
Handball receives:10.8 pg (11)
Clean-skilled ball-winner who is an undisputed midfield weapon. One of the biggest improvers this year, Martin has the body strength to bust packs and the pace to break the lines with his run and carry.
Like some of the most damaging players in the AFL, teammates look to handpass to the attacking playmaker to make the most of his excellent disposal by foot and sound decision-making.
But the dual-sided midfielder won't rely on others to give him the ball, as he showed enormous appetite for the contest averaging 21 possessions throughout the national championships.
Similar to Ben Cunnington in his attack in tight, with perhaps a bit more speed, mobility and penetration by foot what separates them.
Who's he like? Marc Murphy with a touch of Simon Black-like polish.
Draft range: Richmond has locked him away with No. 3.
WILY WORKHORSE
Tom ScullyDandenong Stingrays
Tackles:5.4 pg (9)
What's so great about Scully is that not only is he a prolific ball-winner, and an elite runner, he is also an incredibly team-oriented and unselfish player.
The likely No. 1 draft pick prides himself on the one-percenters and his average TAC Cup tackle count of 5.4 per game, which was by far the best in the league, illustrates how hard the dual All-Australian works defensively.
It is estimated the onball gem usually runs up to 16km a game, underlining what a massive tank he has. Inside, Scully is able to win a lot of the hard ball, despite his thin frame against the bigger bodies, because he has lightning reflexes and is often first to act.
Can improve his footskills but is expected to blossom in the same vein as Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs.
Who's he like? Luke Power
Draft range: 1-2
Who's in the hunt: A happy Melbourne was sizing this bloke up for a Demons' jumper back in April. He's as mature as Joel Selwood and surely a future AFL captain.
FINDS OWN FOOTY
Ben CunningtonGeelong Falcons
Contested possessions:10.5 pg (13)
Without doubt, the toughest 18-year-old footballer in the country.
This inside midfielder, who oozes leadership and professionalism, will stop at nothing to win the hard ball for his teammates and then clear a path for them to break through.
Not overly quick, or damaging with his kick, but they said the same thing about Geelong Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel.
Certainly, the onball tank likes to throw himself in harm's way and take the same courageous overheard marks that has become a Bartel trademark.
The right-footer is someone a club could build its midfield around for the next 10 years. Of the likely TAC Cup draftees, only Koby Stevens (11.2) and Tom Scully (12.1) averaged more contested possessions.
Who's he like? Jimmy Bartel
Draft range: Watch North Melbourne jump for joy when it picks him at No. 5. He's a perfect replacement for Adam Simpson and has the body-strength to slot into the senior side immediately. Coach Brad Scott will love his hardness.
PUTS IT ON A PLATE
Jake MelkshamCalder Cannons
Score assists:2.1 pg (10)
CLASSY finisher who always seems to have time and composure. Recruiters have loved watching the ball melt in his hands as he wheels around on either side and hits a teammate 40m upfield with a neat, low pass.
Wins his own ball around the stoppages, too, and has excellent vision, especially setting his teammates up inside-50m where he thrived this year. As such, he is an ideal link man.
Sometimes gives the impression he is coasting, or backing off, if the going is easy. However, the smooth mover showed what a fine player he is, lifting when it counted with a clear best-on-ground performance in the TAC Cup Grand Final for Calder.
Who's he like? Nick Dal Santo
Draft range: 8-14
Who'sin the hunt: Port Adelaide, Essendon and Sydney could do with his silky midfield talents. Every coach would want the ball in this fella's hands.
THE BIG GRAB
John ButcherGippsland Power
Contested marks:2.9 pg (11)
Think Justin Koschitzke, only a lot quicker off the mark, but a less reliable set shot at goal. That said, the best key forward prospect of this year's talent pool takes a great grab, and has shown improvement with his kicking over the past two years.
Port coach Mark Williams took the mobile big man for a private kick to kick in the middle of an oval at the AFL Draft Camp, which is perhaps another reason to believe the Power will snaffle him.
He's a country lad, who overcame hip and achilles injury in the pre-season. Also suffered stress fractures in his back two years ago. He recovered, though, easily leading the TAC Cup for contested marks last season.
Who's he like? Justin Koschitzke
Draft range: Port Adelaide keenly awaits with picks eight and nine, while Carlton is lurking in the background. Previously rated a top-three pick, Butcher has slid down the pecking order but has massive potential.
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