26 November 2005 Herald Sun
From AAP
Here are the prospective top 10 picks in today's AFL national draft.
1. (Carlton) Marc Murphy - 18, 178cm, 75kg - A spirited inside midfielder from the Oakleigh Chargers, who reads the play well and is sharp around goals. He is the son of John Murphy, who played 214 games for Fitzroy, and the Brisbane Lions unsuccessfully tried to lure him north under the father-son rule. Murphy won the Larke Medal as the best player in this year's national under 18 championship.
2. (Collingwood) Xavier Ellis - 17, 187cm, 73kg - A mobile defender/midfielder with TAC Cup premiership side Gippsland Power, Ellis has a great burst of speed, strong vertical leap and excellent skills.
3. (Hawthorn) - Mitchell Clark - 18, 197cm, 90kg - A tall forward/ruckman from WAFL club East Fremantle who is strong overhead, agile and a good kick. Clark is also a noted goalkicker. He is currently recovering from the potentially deadly meningococcal disease, but is expected to return to full health and fitness.
4. (Carlton) - Patrick Ryder - 17, 194cm, 89kg - A tall forward/ruckman who had an outstanding debut with WAFL club East Fremantle this year. Ryder is a strong mark, can kick goals and is a good tap ruckman.
5. (Collingwood) Dale Thomas 18, 182cm, 76kg - A midfielder/forward with a great burst of speed and terrific goal sense. Thomas was best afield in Gippsland Power's under 18 grand final victory at the MCG, when he kicked four goals and had 20 disposals in an eye-catching performance. He is also a good mark for his size.
6. (Hawthorn) Beau Dowler - 18, 192cm, 82kg - A tall forward from the Oakleigh Chargers who leads quickly, has excellent hands and is an accurate kick for goal. Has good speed and endurance. Dowler was injured in a recent car accident which will slow his early progress in 2006.
7. (Essendon) Shannon Hurn 18, 188cm, 92kg - A powerfully built defender/midfielder who is strong overhead and has speed and good skills. Played in premierships with SANFL side Central District in 2004 and 2005, so could quickly adapt to senior level. Missed the AFL draft camp because he was playing in SANFL grand final.
8. (Richmond) - Josh Kennedy - 18, 195cm, 92kg - A key forward from WAFL club East Fremantle who is an excellent contested mark and a hard worker. A recent shoulder operation means he will not be able to hit the pre-season at full steam. 9. (Brisbane) - Grant Birchall - 17, 192cm, 84kg - A tall midfielder/defender from Devonport who can win the contested ball. He has excellent pace and endurance and is a long left-foot kick.
10. (Fremantle) - Beau Muston - 18, 189cm, 79kg - A pacy midfielder from the Murray Bushrangers with clean hands and good kicking skills. Muston is capable of breaking a game open with his ability to swoop on the ball at pace.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,17367162%255E19742,00.html
