INSIDE THE DRAFT – BRETT ANDERSON
Christmas in July!
For recruiters, AFL draft day in November is like Christmas when they get to unwrap their gifts. We peeped inside the wrapping paper.
DRAFT day is the biggest on recruiters' calendars. It's the day when a year's preparation comes to fruition.
This year, Gold Coast's Scott Clayton will be out to last year's booty that included David Swallow, Tom Lynch and Dion Prestia (just to name a few), while the Bombers and Eagles will be hoping that another Dyson Heppell or Jack Darling can fall into their lap again.
With the Under 18 National Championships now consigned to the record books, AFL scouts and recruiting officers can get down to the nitty gritty of ranking players on their draft boards.
Most clubs like to brackets players into three categories – A, B and C.
Category A is designated for players who are potential first round picks, Category B for players with a second or third-round grade, and Category C for prospective late-round selections.
Due to a host of reasons and factors, including form, medical and fitness testing, psychological evaluations and one-on-one interviews, players will swap between categories from now until draft day.
Most clubs will stay true to their draft board and if a player they have graded in a higher category is still available at a later pick, they will then "take the best player available".
With that in mind, Inside Football has decided to bring celebrations forward, name the Category A players, and look at what the 2011 NAB AFL Draft might look like were it held this week.
Pick 1 – GWS Giants
Jonathon Patton (Eastern Ranges)
Ht: 197cm Wt: 95kg
Patton is just a monster and has looked a man among boys at both TAC Cup and National Championships level. He plays in front and always looks to mark the ball at its highest point, a trait shared by Nick Riewoldt and Chris Dawes. Patton is the best key forward prospect to come out of the TAC Cup since Jonathan Brown.
Pick 2 – GWS Giants
Stephen Coniglio (Swan Districts)
Ht: 182cm Wt: 76kg
The West Australian is a quality "plug and play" midfielder who does everything well. He can win the ball in close and bring teammates into the game with his quick hands but can also excel in open space. He booted four goals in the WAFL grand final last year at just 17 years of age. Coniglio is yet to decide whether to enter the draft or pursue a cricket career.
Pick 3 – GWS Giants
Chad Wingard (Sturt)
Ht: 181cm Wt: 73kg
Wingard is a goalkicking left-footed midfielder who is fearless at the contest. He is a strong inside ball winner but also dangerous when in the clear. Wingard has good pace and has displayed outstanding leadership skills in the National Championships despite missing he final game after being concussed against Vic Metro.
Pick 4 – Gold Coast Suns
Elliot Kavanagh (Western Jets)
Ht: 187cm. Wt: 78kg
Kavanagh is the forgotten man of the top 10 due to hamstring and knee issues that restricted his availability with the Jets and Vic Metro. He has all the attributes clubs look for in a midfielder; he is pacy, uses the ball well, has quick hands and is smart. All he needs is a clear run with injury.
Pick 5 – GWS Giants
Billy Longer (Northern Knights)
Ht: 202cm. Wt: 95kg
Undoubtedly the best ruckman in this year's draft, Longer looks a certain top five pick. He has sound foot skills, takes contested marks and gets around the ground extremely well. The only knock is that he is left-hand dominant with his ruck taps, which is predictable and easily countered at the next level.
Pick 6 – Port Adelaide
Dom Tyson (Oakleigh Chargers)
Ht: 186cm. Wt: 82kg
Tyson's ability to create space and seemingly have time stand still is in the mould of Nick Dal Santo and Scott Pendlebury. An inside midfielder with clean foot skills on both sides, Tyson saw his draft stock rise significantly following an outstanding carnival where he was named All-Australian.
Pick 7 – GWS Giants
Devon Smith (Geelong Falcons)
Ht: 175cm. Wt: 73kg
What he may lack in height, Smith more than makes up for with his ball-winning ability and skills. He is a small forward with footy smarts and great vision that is equally adept in the midfield, highlighted by his six-goal, 27-possession display against Northern Territory a few weeks ago.
Pick 8 – Brisbane Lions
Todd Elton (Dandenong Stingrays)
Ht: 197cm. Wt: 87kg
The Stingrays big man is more of a key forward that a ruckman but he has the versatility of being able to pinch-hit when needed. He is a good contested mark and reliable kick. When playing in the ruck, his competitiveness around the ground is a major asset.
Pick 9 – GWS Giants
Liam Sumner (Sandringham Dragons)
Ht: 182cm. Wt: 70kg
Sumner is a lightly built outside midfielder/half forward who oozes x-factor. He can break the lines when he takes the game on and has good kicking skills and vision. When forward he can bob up and kick goals in quick succession as he continually gets to the right places.
Pick 10 – Adelaide
Sam Docherty (Gippsland Power)
Ht: 183cm. Wt: 82kg
Docherty is a rebounding half-back flanker who takes the game on from defence. His greatest attribute is his kicking, which is peerless among right footers. He has been hampered by stress fractures in his back over the past two seasons, which was why he was not included in the original Vic Country squad, but has had a big season with the Power.
Pick 11 – Richmond
Matt Buntine (Dandenong Stingrays)
Ht: 188cm. Wt: 83kg
Much like former Stingrays teammate and now Swan Luke Parker, Buntine just does everything right. He is a solidly built defender who is hard at the contest and can play on smalls and talls. Buntine has good kicking skills, reads the play well and would be a nice addition to a Tigers side that is deficient in defence.
Pick 12 – North Melbourne
Mitchell Grigg (Norwood)
Ht: 183cm. Wt: 81kg
The big riser following the carnival, Grigg is an inside ball winner with an absolutely lethal left boot. Last year he became the youngest player to make his league debut for Norwood at 16 years of age. North has steadily built an impressive young midfield group, but lacks an elite kick. Grigg fills the bill.
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