2010 Draft Discussion thread [merged]

[one-eyed]

and foj1's mock draft ...
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=773153

Pick 6 Richmond Tom Lynch Vic Country
A toss up here between Lynch and Polec and I suspect they may go tall with Lynch. Lynch had an outstanding season and has come from the clouds to be a top ten candidate. He has strong hands, a fantastic motor and is very good below his knees. The tigers have Reiwoldt as the forward 50 marking specialist, Griffith as a power forward and Lynch would be the hard working up the ground forward who will run opposition talls into the ground as well as out mark them one on one. Polec-is the other possibility here as he has outside flair which the Tigers would also covet.

Pick 29 Richmond Mitchell Hallahan Vic Country
A nice get for the tigers here, Hallahan is a tough inside midfielder who can also play as a small defender. Did not finish off the year well however his start was very impressive when he was injury free and he had a terrific National Championships. Hallahan does everything right on and off the field and would be the type who would quickly win the respect of coaches and supporters alike. A nice future foil for Cotchin, Delidio and Connors and would work well with Dustin Martin to win the tigers their share of contested footy.

Pick 46 Richmond Sam Crocker Oakleigh
Sam Crocker is one of the best kicks in the TAC as I reckon the Tigers are looking for elite disposers of the ball which Crocker certainly is. Crocker is also a formidable athlete who can run and carry the footy and is good overhead for his size. A criticism I have had of Crocker over the past couple of years is his capacity to take his turn and stick his head over the pill however he has improved in this area and though it is not his go to be inside he shows greater intensity to his game in 2010.

Pick 50 Richmond Zac Fitzgerald SA
19 year old who looks like he has got the ability to take his game to the next level. Fitzgerald is a nice size and shape who has played both forward and back. I think the tigers will look to develop him into a key back as Thursfield, Moore and co are not definitely the answer going forward for mine. Fitzgerald ironically reminds me of David Astbury who had a terrific debut year.

Pick 63 Richmond Jacob Gilbee Tasmania
Medium forward/ onballer who had a very solid National championships. A knock on him was his athleticism however reviewing his testing results has dispelled my fears there. Gilbee is smart in traffic and makes good decisions with the footy. Represents okay value at this stage of the draft.


Synopsis
This year’s draft from 30+ is just so even.
I think GC will really control the first round and ensure that they get the players they want but stop opposition clubs from getting the players they really want. This is a draft where I expect to see a lot of surprises and recruiters will have a little more license to be adventurous due to the compromised situation that is the 2010 National draft. A club that drafts well here (besides GC, WC and Brisbane) will have really completed due diligence and got their share of luck.
Some good prospects have been omitted however I call it as I see it and my knowledge of the interstaters is not as strong as previous years and I have very strong opinions about TAC players.
Keep in mind that another 15 odd players could be drafted after my draft has stopped.
The rookie draft will be so important this year.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=773153

[one-eyed]

Your pick of the AFL national draft

   * Jay Clark
    * From: Herald Sun
    * November 03, 2010 2:45PM

Below are Jay's tips for the top 25:

1. Gold Coast - David Swallow (18, midfielder, East Fremantle/Gold Coast)

Resembles: Simon Black (Brisbane Lions)

2. Gold Coast  - Harley Bennell (18, midfielder/forward, Peel Thunder WA)

Resembles: Daniel Wells (North Melbourne)

3. Gold Coast - Sam Day (18, key forward/defender, Sturt SA)

Resembles: Kurt Tippett (Adelaide)

4. West Coast - Andrew Gaff (18, midfidler, Oakleigh Chargers)

Resembles: Luke Power (Brisbane Lions)

5. Brisbane Lions - Dyson Heppell (18, medium defender, Gippsland Power)

Resembles: Josh Drummond (Brisbane Lions)

6. Richmond - Jared Polec (18, medium midfielder, Woodville West Torrens SA)

Resembles: Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)

7. Gold Coast - Tom Lynch (17, tall forward, Dandenong Stingrays)

Resembles: Matthew Richardson (Ex-Richmond)

8. Essendon - Shaun Atley (18, medium midfielder, Murray Bushrangers)

Resembles: Chris Judd (Carlton)

9. Gold Coast - Daniel Gorringe (18, ruckman, Norwood SA)

Resembles: Paddy Ryder (Essendon)

10. Gold Coast - Billie Smedts (18, medium defender, Geelong Falcons)

Resembles: Sam Gilbert (St Kilda) / Stephen Hill (Fremantle)

11. Gold Coast - Josh Caddy (18, medium midfielder, Northern Knights)

Resembles: Joel Selwood (Geelong)

12. Melbourne Ben Jacobs (18, medium defender, Sandringham Dragons)

Resembles: Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)

13. Gold Coast - Jayden Pitt (18, wingman, Geelong Falcons)

Resembles: Andrew Mackie (Geelong)

14. Adelaide - Brodie Smith (18, medium defender/midfielder, Woodville West Torrens SA)

Resembles: Corey Enright (Geelong)

15. Geelong Isaac Smith (21, half-forward/wing, North Ballarat)

Resembles: Stephen Hill (Fremantle)

16. Port Adelaide - Scott Lycett (18, ruckman, Port Adelaide Magpies SA)

Resembles: Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton)

17. North Melbourne - Kieran Harper (18, medium forward, Eastern Ranges)

Resembles: Alan Didak (Collingwood)

18. Carlton - Pat McCarthy (18, tall defender/forward, Glenelg SA)

Resembles: Nathan Bock (Gold Coast)

19. Hawthorn - Jed Lamb (18, small forward, Gippsland Power)

Resembles: Steve Johnson (Geelong)

20. Fremantle - Jack Darling (18, medium forward, West Perth WA)

Resembles: Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle)

21. Sydney - Reece Conca (18, midfielder, Perth WA)

Resembles: Tyson Edwards (Ex-Adelaide)

22. Western Bulldogs - Mitch Wallis (18, medium defender, Calder Cannons)

Resembles: David Mundy (Fremantle)

23. Geelong - Luke Parker (18, medium midfielder, Dandenong Stingrays)

Resembles: Jimmy Bartel (Geelong)

24. St Kilda - Dion Prestia (18, inside midfielder, Calder Cannons)

Resembles: David Rodan (Port Adelaide)

25. Brisbane Lions - Lucas Cook (18, tall forward, North Ballarat)

Resembles: Chris Grant (Ex-Western Bulldogs)

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/your-pick-of-the-afl-national-draft/story-e6frf9jf-1225947317074

[Heart of Darkness]

Didn't the Herald tell us yesterday that the Eagles are eyeing off Darling at 4??? Hmmm who is on the money with this one...

[tony_montana]

Didn't the Herald tell us yesterday that the Eagles are eyeing off Darling at 4??? Hmmm who is on the money with this one...

I'd wait for emma quayles late mail, I find shes usually better informed than most

[tiger till i die]

Resembles: Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs)

8. Essendon - Shaun Atley (18, medium midfielder, Murray Bushrangers)

Resembles: Chris Judd (Carlton)

Judd like player or ryan griffen player ? do they think the Tigers are wacko ?

[Infamy]

Judging by the "Resembles", this is going to be the best draft of all time. Perhaps we should use our compensation pick after all

[one-eyed]

Here's the Herald-Sun's draft predictor where you can do your own mock draft from a top 50 of candidates....

http://heraldsunonline.com.au/afl/index.php

[one-eyed]

According to the AFL Draft Machine, and AFL fans, here is the full list the possible draft selections (we'll only use up to pick 80 so the latter picks are more likely rookie selections).

David Swallow 1 Gold Coast East Fremantle (WA)
Harley Bennell 2 Gold Coast Peel Thunder (WA)
Sam Day        3 Gold Coast Sturt (SA)
Andrew Gaff   4 West Coast Eagles Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Dyson Heppell 5 Brisbane Lions Gippsland Power (VIC)
Jared Polec 6 Richmond Woodville W/ Torrens (SA)
Josh Caddy    7 Gold Coast Northern Knights (VIC)
Luke Parker    8 Essendon Dandenong Stingrays (VIC)
Daniel Gorringe 9 Gold Coast Norwood (SA)
Ben Jacobs   10 Gold Coast Sandringham Dragons (VIC)
Dion Prestia 11 Gold Coast Calder Cannons (VIC)
Jack Darling 12 Melbourne West Perth (WA)
Tom Lynch 13 Gold Coast Dandenong Stingrays (VIC)
Brodie Smith 14 Adelaide Woodville W/ Torrens (SA)
Mitch Hallahan 15 Geelong Cats Dandenong Stingrays (VIC)
Scott Lycett 16 Port Adelaide Port Adelaide Magpies (SA)
Kieran Harper 17 North Melbourne Eastern Ranges (VIC)
Matthew Watson 18 Carlton Calder Cannons (VIC)
Seb Tape 19 Hawthorn Glenelg (SA)
Reece Conca 20 Fremantle Perth (WA)
Ryan Lester 21 Sydney Swans Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Mitchell Wallis 22 Father son Western Bulldogs Calder Cannons (VIC)
Billie Smedts 23 Geelong Cats Geelong Falcons (VIC)
Brad Harvey 24 St Kilda Eastern Ranges (VIC)
Josh Green 25 Brisbane Lions Clarence (TAS)
Jamie Cripps 26 West Coast Eagles East Fremantle (WA)

Jed Lamb 27 Brisbane Lions Gippsland Power (VIC)
Shaun Atley 28 West Coast Eagles Murray Bushrangers (VIC)
Luke Mitchell 29 Richmond Calder Cannons (VIC)
Tom Hickey 30 Essendon Morningside (QLD)
Jayden Pitt 31 Brisbane Lions Geelong Falcons (VIC)
Lucas Cook 32 Melbourne North Ballarat (VIC)
Pat McCarthy 33 Carlton Glenelg (SA)
Leif Cope 34 Port Adelaide Eastern Ranges (VIC)
Tim Milera 35 Port Adelaide Port Adelaide Magpies (SA)
Josh Walker 36 Geelong Cats Geelong Falcons (VIC)
Shannon Rioli 37 Hawthorn St Marys (NT)
Cameron Guthrie 38 Gold Coast Calder Cannons (VIC)
Isaac Smith 39 Sydney Swans North Ballarat (VIC)
Thomas Liberatore 40 Father son Western Bulldogs Calder Cannons (VIC)
Andrew McInnes 41 Carlton Dandenong Stingrays (VIC)
Viv Michie 42 St Kilda Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Anton Hamp 43 Fremantle Claremont (WA)

Josh Mellington 44 Collingwood Murray Bushrangers (VIC)
Darcy Barden 45 Collingwood Northern Knights (VIC)
Daniel Farmer 46 Richmond Sandringham Dragons (VIC)
Myles Sewell 47 Essendon North Ballarat (VIC)
Tom McDonald 48 Gold Coast North Ballarat (VIC)
Callum Sinclair 49 Melbourne Port Melbourne (VIC)
Tom Gordon 50 Richmond Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Blayne Wilson 51 Port Adelaide Peel Thunder (WA)
Jake Batchelor 52 Melbourne Dandenong Stingrays (VIC)
Cameron Delaney 53 Geelong Cats Geelong Falcons (VIC)
Jacob Gillbee 54 Hawthorn Lauderdale (TAS)
Angus Litherland 55 Fremantle Claremont (WA)
Alex Johnson 56 Sydney Swans Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Tom Ledger 57 Gold Coast Claremont (WA)
Ariel Steinberg 58 Geelong Cats Bendigo Pioneers (VIC)
Thomas Schneider 59 St Kilda Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Aaron Elari 60 Collingwood Perth (WA)

Jonathon Beech 61 Adelaide West Adelaide (SA)
Alex Fasolo 62 West Coast Eagles East Fremantle (WA)
Luke Dahlhaus 63 Richmond Geelong Falcons (VIC)
Joe Groenewegen 64 Essendon Launceston (TAS)
Adam Marcon 65 Brisbane Lions Northern Knights (VIC)
Matthew Rankine 66 Hawthorn West Adelaide (SA)
Zac Fitzgerald 67 Carlton Woodville W/ Torrens (SA)
Jamie Solly 68 Port Adelaide Port Adelaide Magpies (SA)
Sam Crocker 69 North Melbourne Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Jordan Treloar 70 Carlton Northern Knights (VIC)
Jack Frost 71 North Melbourne Sandringham Dragons (VIC)
Matt Jones 72 Fremantle South Fremantle (WA)
Aaron Mullett 73 Sydney Swans Eastern Ranges (VIC)
Max Otten 74 Western Bulldogs Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Cameron O'Shea 75 Geelong Cats Eastern Ranges (VIC)
Ben Mabon 76 St Kilda North Ballarat (VIC)
Sam Cust 77 Collingwood Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)

Anthony Kyanga 78 Collingwood East Fremantle (WA)
Kaine Stevens 79 West Coast Eagles Swan Districts (WA)
Andrew Phillips 80 Richmond Lauderdale (TAS)
Alex McLeod 81 Essendon Calder Cannons (VIC)
Shaun Bewick 82 Brisbane Lions West Perth (WA)
Jarryd Lyons 83 Melbourne Sandringham Dragons (VIC)
Nathan Batley 84 Adelaide Woodville W/ Torrens (SA)
Jonathon Giles 85 Port Adelaide Sturt (SA)
Hayden Yarran 86 West Coast Eagles West Perth (WA)
Patrick Karnezis 87 Carlton Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Troy Davis 88 Hawthorn West Adelaide (SA)
Kieran Butcher 89 Fremantle Peel Thunder (WA)
Ben Reid 90 Western Bulldogs Bendigo Pioneers (VIC)
Brayden Salton 91 Western Bulldogs Gippsland Power (VIC)
Cameron Johnston 92 Geelong Cats Geelong Falcons (VIC)
Michael Hutchinson 93 St Kilda Aspley (QLD)
Ahmed Saad 94 Collingwood Northern Bullants (VIC)

Jamie Elliott 95 Collingwood Murray Bushrangers (VIC)
Isiah Stevens 96 West Coast Eagles Queanbeyan (ACT)
Alex Browne 97 Richmond Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Michael Hibberd 98 Essendon Frankston (VIC)
Michael Evans 99 Brisbane Lions Claremont (WA)
Jake Von Bertouch 100 Melbourne Woodville W/ Torrens (SA)
Gavin Roberts 101 Adelaide Norwood (SA)
Taylor Gilchrist 102 Port Adelaide Sydney Swans
Jackson Bolton 103 North Melbourne Oakleigh Chargers (VIC)
Ben Haren 104 Carlton Port Adelaide Magpies (SA)
James Orr 105 Hawthorn Box Hill (VIC)
Mitch Carter 106 Fremantle South Fremantle (WA)
David Kruse 107 Sydney Swans Wanderers (NT)
Ryan Pendlebury 108 Western Bulldogs Gippsland Power (VIC)
Richard Bamblett 109 Geelong Cats North Ballarat (VIC)
Arryn Siposs 110 St Kilda Dandenong Stingrays (VIC)
Daniel Semmens 111 Collingwood Geelong Falcons (VIC)

Jimmi Savage 112 Gold Coast Norwood (SA)
Warrick Andreoli 113 West Coast Eagles South Fremantle (WA)
Dean MacDonald 114 Richmond Gippsland Power (VIC)
Jason Johannisen 115 Essendon East Fremantle (WA)
Daniel Nicholson 116 Brisbane Lions Uni Blues (VIC)
Daniel Kulikowski 117 Melbourne Port Adelaide Magpies (SA)
Terry Milera 118 Adelaide Port Adelaide Magpies (SA)
Ken Campbell 119 Port Adelaide South Adelaide (SA)
Corey Buchan 120 North Melbourne Dandenong Stingrays (VIC)
Larry Owen 121 Carlton Hobart (TAS)
Jordon Eades 122 Hawthorn Perth (WA)
Ryan Brabazon 123 Fremantle Sydney Swans
Karl Siebels 124 Sydney Swans Sturt (SA)
Michael Talia 125 Western Bulldogs Calder Cannons (VIC)
Jayden Schofield 126 Geelong Cats East Fremantle (WA)
Kane Murphy 127 St Kilda Riverview (NSW)
Ben Brown 128 Collingwood Devonport (TAS)

Harrison Cumming 129 Gold Coast Central Broken Hill (NSW)
Jacob Brennan 130 Father son West Coast Eagles East Fremantle (WA)
Tim Northe 131 Richmond Gippsland Power (VIC)
Glenn Dawson 132 Essendon Port Adelaide
Thomas Howlett 133 Brisbane Lions East Perth (WA)
Jeremy Taylor 134 Melbourne Geelong Falcons (VIC)
Archie Longbottom 135 Adelaide Glenelg (SA)
Justin Monaco 136 Port Adelaide East Fremantle (WA)
Alex Simpson 137 North Melbourne Werribee Tigers (VIC)
Jesse Fortune 138 Carlton Western Jets (VIC)
George Horlin-Smith 139 Hawthorn Sturt (SA)
Sam Menagola 140 Fremantle East Fremantle (WA)
Jack Mahony 141 Sydney Swans Wollongong (NSW)
Ben Casley 142 Western Bulldogs Western Jets (VIC)
Rowan Garlett 143 Geelong Cats Perth (WA)
Jackson Ferguson 144 St Kilda Pennant Hills (NSW)
Isaac Baker 145 Collingwood Geelong Falcons (VIC)

Link

[wayne]

They don't rate Atley!

[one-eyed]

Another poster on BF "Quigley" also does a very detailed albeit left-field mock draft each and every year:

Full mock draft and player by player summary here:
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=774682


Here's what he has for Richmond...

Pick 6

Jared Polec
DOB 12/10/92 Ht 188 Wt 77

The Tigers are apparently very keen on Heppell and if he is available I am sure they will take him. Lynch is also highly regarded down at the Tigers. Notwithstanding that I rate Polec more highly than either of those two and so I am going to take Polec instead. The predominantly outside Polec will complement the current group very well. He gives them another excellent kicking mid to keep Reiwoldt happy.


Pick 30

Andrew Phillips
DOB 3/7/91 Ht 201 Wt 91

Richmond have a few young ruck prospects in their side but none have really stepped up and shown any consistent form. Therefore it would not surprise me if another young prospect was added this year and Phillips is the clear cut third best prospect this year. Richmond really need a ruck that can give their young mid brigade first crack at the ball and Phillips has the potential to be an excellent ruck technician.


Pick 47

Jed Lamb
DOB 19/10/92 Ht 181 Wt 79

Richmond might look at taking another HFF / wing with the move of Morton into the midfield and Collins and Roberts moving on. I have some serious concerns about Lamb but its hard to argue that he wouldn’t be value here.


Pick 51

Myles Sewell
Height: 185cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 22 years old

Despite the attention that Martin, Cotchin and Deledio received in the media it was clear this year that the midfield at the moment does not function without Tuck. When he wasn’t in there in the early season the Tigers were not in the game. Accordingly I am going with a guy with similar limited athletic talent but similar ball winning ability. Sewell is a nuts and bolts guys who will win the ball to allow the stars to shine.

---------------------------------------------------------

Overall I think this might be the hardest year I have been associated mocked on. I am never close but this year I think I will be further from the money than ever. The first 15 or so are pretty clear cut but from there the talent level is very even. I think there are probably 120 or more guys with legitimate chances of being taken in the national draft and I could easily see a team falling in love with any of them and taking them in the second round.

A few general observations:

* The top of this draft is definitely affected by the guys taken by the GC last year but there will still be some elite players taken in the top 15. The difference is that there is more risk of those guys flopping than usual.

* This year’s crop might be the strongest marking group I have seen. There are a lot of very good marks this year.

* The handballing skills of this group are relatively poor compared with most years. As always there are exceptions.

*  The medium distance flat laser kick is not a skill very prevalent this year.

* This is a good year if you are after an inside mid and are prepared to expend a first round pick on one. Outside mids will be very hit and miss although a lot of the usual outside mids might be playing as HBFers. The half back flanker crop is strong and deep. The standard of small forwards is poor and I wouldn’t be spending a high pick on any of the U18 prospects.

* There are a couple of reasonable KP prospects available early but overall the quality of this year’s KP crop is pretty poor. With the forwards there are a few prospects I like a bit later in the draft but even then they have injury issues associated with them. If you miss out on the top 2 defenders you are picking guys with very big question marks over them even if they are capable of playing the position.

*I like 4 rucks in this draft quite a lot but after that I would be waiting for the rookie draft or taking a mature aged player.

Full mock draft and player by player summary here:
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=774682

[one-eyed]

Seems the Cats believe their window is still open....


GEELONG appears to be interested in taking 21-year-old Isaac Smith with pick No.15 in the NAB AFL Draft.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/104974/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

I think these have applied to a few Tiger draft picks over the years 

Foxsports.com.au brings you the ultimate guide to the 2010 NAB AFL Draft

    * By John Clark, Martin Smith & The Adjudicator
    * FOX SPORTS
    * November 17, 2010

SAY WHAT?
You are bound to hear a few favourite phrases from recruiters on Thursday night as the teenage meat market unfolds. To make sense of it all, here's The Adjudicator's guide to debunking the draft speak.


They say: Late bloomer.
Mr A says: Talented as a 10-year-old, this kid spent years at the skate park and dabbled in graffiti. When his old man threatened him with part-time work, the boy said he wanted to go back and play footy. The fear of a job in the real world is driving him.

They say: Project player.
Mr A says: Gangly teenager who grew 20cm in year 11 and now can't get his arms and legs to work in unison. Will spend three seasons adding 20kg to his frame before his back gives way and his AFL dream ends.

They say: In and under.
Mr A says: The boy makes Justin Madden look fleet of foot. He will bash and crash in for 100 games before the pain catches up with him. Think Brock McLean.

They say: Outside player.
Mr A says: Doesn't like watching horror movies on his own in the dark. In fact, he hates the dark. Pace to burn but usually used to get away from any form of physical contact.

They say: Can play anywhere.
Mr A says: They tried him in defence and didn't man up, they used him as a forward but he can't kick straight, and he's not fit enough to be a midfielder or tall enough to ruck. Need to find somewhere to hide him.

They say: He's never rushed.
Mr A says:  Hard to tell if he's awake sometimes. Socks down, jumper out, probably grow a beard and go surfing for weeks on end during the off season.

They say: Super competitive.
Mr A says: Once threw a tennis racquet at his sister's head after she called a ball long.

They say: Talented all-round sportsman.
Mr A says:  One of those annoying kids who was good at everything he played. And knew it.

They say: Born leader.
Mr A says: Nerd. School captain, did all his homework on time, helped old ladies with their shopping.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/foxsportscomau-gives-you-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-2010-nab-afl-draft/story-e6frf33l-1225954753277

[Con65]

Daffey's phantom draft on the afl site: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/105263/default.aspx

Interesting to note what he says at pick 20.  Only the first 30 reproduced here.

1. GOLD COAST - David Swallow
Height: 186cm
Weight: 83kg
DOB: 19/11/92
Club: East Fremantle (WA)
Draft range: 1
The Suns showed their hand when they persuaded Swallow to join their program a year early, having guaranteed his selection in the top three in the 2010 draft. The midfielder excelled to the extent that he finished fourth in the VFL's Liston Trophy. He's got endurance, speed, toughness and skill on both sides. There really does seem no limit to what he could do.

2. GOLD COAST - Harley Bennell
Height: 185cm
Weight: 74kg
DOB: 02/10/92
Club: Peel Thunder (WA)
Draft range: 2-3
Bennell has that rare quality of being able to read the ball off a pack several seconds before all around him. With his pace and vision, he also has the ability to bring spectators forward in their seats, in the same way that crowds sat up whenever Gary Ablett went near the ball during his teenage years. Expect to be delighted.

3. GOLD COAST - Sam Day
Height: 196cm
Weight: 96kg
DOB: 06/09/92
Club: Sturt (SA)
Draft range: 2-3
Day has height, spring, marking ability, goalkicking ability and he's of sound character. If not for footy, he could have pursued a professional baseball or basketball career in the US. He's never dominated a game for four quarters, but then footy's always been a lark to him. Rapid improvement should follow when he knuckles down.

4. WEST COAST - Andrew Gaff
Height: 182cm
Weight: 78kg
DOB: 16/06/92
Club: Oakleigh Chargers (Vic)
Draft range: 4-5
Gaff is not so much an excitement machine as he is an accumulator who finds and distributes the ball from the first minute to the last. He won the three-kilometre race at the draft combine in 10 minutes and finished equal second in the beep test with 15.3. He's not flashy; he's just effective. You see 200, or even 300 no-fuss games written all over him.

5. BRISBANE LIONS - Dyson Heppell
Height: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 14/05/92
Club: Gippsland Power (Vic)
Draft range: 5-6
Heppell went from being a lolloping half-back halfway through the season to the most dynamic midfielder in the TAC Cup before the season was out. His range of abilities was shown at the combine when he ran 14.3 in the beep test, finished second in the clean-hands test, and excelled in the standing vertical jump. The Lions are said to be wavering but should take him.

6. RICHMOND - Jared Polec
Height: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 12/10/92
Club: Woodville-West Torrens (SA)
Draft range: 5-6
The silky wingman has the ability to burst clear of a pack before spotting up a teammate or kicking a long left-foot goal. His two seasons of senior footy in the SANFL have included two finals series in which he excelled. His otherwise inconsistent form suggests he needs a challenge. Richmond has a history of offering those.

7. GOLD COAST - Josh Caddy
Height: 186cm
Weight: 82kg
DOB: 28/09/92
Club: Northern Knights (Vic)
Draft range: 7-8
Given the Suns' list is choc-a-block with fast, outside midfielders, Caddy offers the perfect antidote with his bulldozing work around stoppages. He won the clean-hands contest at the draft combine and finished in the top 10 in the three-kilometre run, mainly through grit rather than an abundance of slow-twitch muscle fibres. It's the grit that wins admirers.

8. ESSENDON - Shaun Atley
Height: 189cm
Weight: 81kg
DOB: 13/09/92
Club: Murray Bushrangers (Vic)
Draft range: 7-9
The Bombers need fast, top-line midfielders and Atley fits the bill. He wins the ball inside and outside. His attitude is superb. You imagine he'll benefit from living near Windy Hill rather than driving five hours from his home in Corryong to fulfil representative duties in Melbourne, as he's done during his junior years.

9. GOLD COAST - Dion Prestia
Height: 175cm
Weight: 82kg
DOB: 12/10/92
Club: Calder Cannons (Vic)
Draft range: 9-12
It's been noticeable in junior matches that Prestia clears the heads of leading forwards who underestimate his kicking strength. His ability to scoot away from congestion is also obvious. Prestia offers pace and drive, inside and outside. The only doubt is hamstring injuries, which should be ironed out through more targeted training regimes and the medical facilities at the Suns.

10. GOLD COAST - Tom Lynch
Height: 199cm
Weight: 91kg
DOB: 31/10/92
Club: Dandenong Stingrays (Vic)
Draft range: 9-12
Last year Lynch played as a midfielder in the under-18s at Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula. This year he's the draft's biggest bolter after finding his feet as a key forward midway through the season with the Vic Country team. He's not fast; in fact he's slow. But he can run all day and he can mark and kick goals. There's oodles of development in him.

11. GOLD COAST - Seb Tape
Height: 191cm
Weight: 81kg
DOB: 06/08/92
Club: Glenelg (SA)
Draft range: 9-14
Tape is a negating defender. Under normal circumstances he would be lucky to go so high, but the Suns have early picks to play with, and it makes sense to round out the bevy of midfielders and ruckmen with a player who'll cut out the opposition's best forward. Tape's only senior game in the SANFL, when he was Glenelg's best in a final, impressed many.

12. MELBOURNE - Daniel Gorringe
Height: 200cm
Weight: 88kg
DOB: 02/06/92
Club: Norwood (SA)
Draft range: 9-14
If Gorringe gets through to 12, the Demons have a bargain. His ability to find teammates with deft tap work is his trademark. He can also go forward. He's played senior footy in the SANFL and you imagine he'll adapt to the AFL quicker than most young ruckmen. Was tipped to be top 10 all year, but the cards have fallen differently.

13. GOLD COAST - Jayden Pitt
Height: 188cm
Weight: 70kg
DOB: 07/10/92
Club: Geelong/St Albans (Vic)
Draft range: 12-20
Pitt dropped away late in the season, when his slight body gave out after a gruelling schedule, but the Suns' recruiting boss Scott Clayton loves his pinpoint kicking and his ability to avoid trouble. His star rose early in the under-18 championships. It'll rise again.

14. ADELAIDE - Brodie Smith
Height: 189cm
Weight: 78kg
DOB: 14/01/92
Club: Woodville-West Torrens (SA)
Draft range: 12-20
After drafting key position players in recent seasons, the Crows are ready to acquire elite midfielders who show leadership skills. Smith strikes as just the player. He's a midfielder or half-back who runs 20 and kicks 50. He's quiet; he gets things done. It's a style that would appeal to Neil Craig.

15. GEELONG - Billie Smedts
Height: 189cm
Weight: 76kg
DOB: 08/06/92
Club: Geelong Falcons (Vic)
Draft range: 12-20
The Cats have been strongly linked with Isaac Smith but look likely to go for Smedts despite his injury-interrupted season. Smedts finished first in the agility test at the draft combine. Mostly he offers versatility (half-forward, half-back and midfield) as well as a competitive edge. Several clubs with picks in the teens have been linked with him.

16. PORT ADELAIDE - Scott Lycett
Height: 202cm
Weight: 98kg
DOB: 26/09/92
Club: Port Adelaide Magpies (SA)
Draft range: 15-25
Sometimes the best selections are under your nose. Lycett broke into senior ranks at the Port Magpies this season, having left his hometown on South Australia's far west coast to concentrate on footy in Adelaide. He showed a strong nerve and willingness to compete. They're very Port Adelaide qualities.

17. NORTH MELBOURNE - Isaac Smith
Height: 187cm
Weight: 75kg
DOB: 30/12/88
Club: North Ballarat Roosters (Vic)
Draft range: 15-25
Smith is a 21-year-old stringbean wingman with untapped ability. He started 2010 with Ballarat league club Redan and ended it a member of North Ballarat's VFL premiership team. North has plenty of in-and-under midfielders with grunt. They need a midfielder with pace and class.

18. CARLTON - Matthew Watson
Height: 195cm
Weight: 101kg
DOB: 16/07/92
Club: Calder Cannons (Vic)
Draft range: 15-30
The Blues have a glaring weakness in key defenders and Watson is the best-credentialled player in the draft to fill the breach. Unlike Michael Jamison, who struggles to get the ball, Watson is adept at winning the ball and kicking it 60 metres to position. He has a knack of beating the best opponents by nudging them out with his heavy frame.

19. HAWTHORN - Jed Lamb
Height: 181cm
Weight: 79kg
DOB: 19/10/92
Club: Gippsland Power (Vic)
Draft range: 15-25
Lamb is a natural forward who's also able to pick up his share of kicks on a wing. In years to come, he'll play in the centre square. He's got a touch of magic and a dash of cheek. He won the kicking drill at the draft combine. There's a lot to like.

20. FREMANTLE - Reece Conca
Height: 185cm
Weight: 79kg
DOB: 12/08/92
Club: Perth (WA)
Draft range: 15-25
Conca has this week been linked to Richmond at six but he seems more likely to be a late first-round pick. He was unable to test in running events at the combine because he was on crutches; spurs had been removed from his ankle. But he excelled at the one test he was able to do: the reflexes test. He's level-headed and ready to go. In these strange times, they're very Freo traits.

21. SYDNEY SWANS - Ben Jacobs
Height: 186cm
Weight: 82kg
DOB: 09/01/92
Club: Sandringham Dragons (Vic)
Draft range: 10-30
Jacobs strikes as a half-back with the ability to go forward or into the midfield. He's had sprint coaching to round out a set of qualities that starts with footy smarts. He sets up play. He could go higher, say to Hawthorn at 19, and it wouldn't surprise.

22. WESTERN BULLDOGS - Mitch Wallis (father-son)
Height: 185cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 24/10/92
Club: Calder Cannons (Vic)
Draft range: 22
The father-son pick earned an elephant stamp of the highest order when he claimed 47 possessions in the TAC Cup grand final and won the medal for best on ground. His performance preceded those of Dale Thomas and Steele Sidebottom in this year's AFL grand finals. Thomas (2005) and Sidebottom (2008) were named best on ground in their TAC Cup grand finals, so Wallis is in good company.

23. GEELONG - Pat McCarthy
Height: 196cm
Weight: 84kg
DOB: 11/03/92
Club: Glenelg (SA)
Draft range: 15-35
Tall utility who can take a mark and hare downfield. Height enables him to play on tall opponents, but he's also handy on smaller opponents. Sees himself as a forward or back but he seems best suited to playing as the third defender. The Cats like his leadership potential.

24. ST KILDA - Cameron Guthrie
Height: 186cm
Weight: 79kg
DOB: 19/08/92
Club: Calder Cannons (Vic)
Draft range: 15-35
Tough-minded player who's clearly the best midfield stopper in the draft, as he showed against quality opponents in the under-18 championships and when he shut out Dyson Heppell in the TAC Cup grand final. He's got pace, which is a Saints requirement for this pick, and he can kick goals when thrown forward. Essendon would love him to fall to 31 but it's not likely to happen.

25. BRISBANE LIONS - Kieran Harper
Height: 187cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 15/06/92
Club: Eastern Ranges (Vic)
Draft range: 15-35
Supremely talented utility with a big leap and speed who's prone to inconsistency. His testing confirmed his physical capabilities, especially in the vertical jump events. He also finished third in the repeat sprint. The best indication of his ability was his four superb goals with Vic Metro in the final game of the under-18 championships.

26. WEST COAST - Jack Darling (priority)
Height: 191cm
Weight: 87kg
DOB: 16/06/92
Club: West Perth (WA)
Draft range: 15-30
Darling is the most intriguing prospect in the draft. He has the talent to go higher, perhaps to Carlton at 18, but the limited development in his mannish frame and his penchant for landing in trouble are likely to see him fall in the 20s. The Eagles, at the end of the first round, would snap up a WA boy with massive competitive drive.

27. NORTH MELBOURNE - Lucas Cook (compensation)
Height: 196cm
Weight: 81kg
DOB: 03/03/92
Club: North Ballarat Rebels (Vic)
Draft range: 25-35
Key forward with a clean pair of hands whose endurance was indicated by his top-10 finish (10.34) in the three-kilometre time-trial at the combine. He also finished in the top 10 in the kicking drill. Cook would have been a monty for the top 20 before his form fell away in the second half of the under-18 championships. He'll build up and become more durable.

28. BRISBANE LIONS - Jamie Cripps
Height: 183cm
Weight: 75kg
DOB: 23/04/92
Club: East Fremantle (WA)
Draft range: 20-35
Exciting half-back who might go higher, say to Freo at 20. Cripps' ability was exemplified by his five goals in a senior game for East Fremantle. By the end of the season, he was in the Sharks' best three players. His running goal in East Freo's only final, when he bounced the ball from half-back before kicking from outside 50, was among the highlights of the WAFL season.

29. WEST COAST - Kirk Ugle
Height: 171cm
Weight: 69kg
DOB: 06/05/92
Club: Swan Districts (WA)
Draft range: 25-40
Small forward who spent most of the 2010 season with Carey Park in Bunbury in south-west WA, where he once kicked seven goals from eight kicks on a wing. Played four colts games with Swan Districts and was best on ground in three. Short but dynamic. Superb left foot.

30. RICHMOND - Mitch Hallahan
Height: 184cm
Weight: 81kg
DOB: 23/08/92
Club: Dandenong Stingrays (Vic)
Draft range: 20-35
Vic Country captain who showed his toughness by playing the entire 2010 season with an injured ankle. Known for boring into packs, Hallahan's reputation for ruggedness is enhanced by his status as a junior boxing champion. The only criticism - and it's minor - is that he's not got one outstanding trait, just a lot of excellent ones.

[Smokey]

I think these have applied to a few Tiger draft picks over the years 

Foxsports.com.au brings you the ultimate guide to the 2010 NAB AFL Draft

    * By John Clark, Martin Smith & The Adjudicator
    * FOX SPORTS
    * November 17, 2010

.........................
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/foxsportscomau-gives-you-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-2010-nab-afl-draft/story-e6frf33l-1225954753277

Didn't like my thread OE?   


 

[one-eyed]

I think these have applied to a few Tiger draft picks over the years 

Foxsports.com.au brings you the ultimate guide to the 2010 NAB AFL Draft

    * By John Clark, Martin Smith & The Adjudicator
    * FOX SPORTS
    * November 17, 2010

.........................
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/foxsportscomau-gives-you-the-ultimate-guide-to-the-2010-nab-afl-draft/story-e6frf33l-1225954753277

Didn't like my thread OE?   


 

Ah bugger!  That's the second time today I've missed a post already posted  . I'll delete mine smokey.