This article today frm SNF is claiming Caddy to Richmond......
Gaff goes west and Polec northBy Kim Hagdorn
17 November 2010Gaff’s powerful gut running qualities and smart decisions in heavy congestion around packs are among his many qualities understood to have finally won over West Coast recruiters.
The 18-year-old Victorian is expected to be taken by West Coast after careful consideration against top quality South Australian on-baller Jared Polec.
It has become roundly considered through AFL circles that new franchise Gold Coast will take West Australians David Swallow and Harley Bennell, as well as South Australian Sam Day in the first three picks.
But, it has not been as clear on just where West Coast and Brisbane might head with their first selections.
Another hard-nosed West Aussie has stormed into late calculations for a top-10 selection, with Perth ball-winner Reece Conca possibly heading to Essendon.
Conca’s manager Colin Young would not reveal which clubs have expressed interest in the feisty 18-year-old who finished the 2010 season playing senior WAFL level.
But his agent confirmed growing interest in the young star as the 25th annual AFL draft approached.
“I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Reece Conca slipped into the top 10. But that’s all I can say,” Young told sportsnewsfirst.
The Eagles are believed to have thrashed out whether to take Gaff or the brilliant Polec.
Brisbane coach Michael Voss and his talent scouts made similar assessments and with Gaff heading west it seems Polec’s explosive pace and classy left-foot disposal in the mould of highly decorated champion Lions pair of Simon Black and Luke Power and 2009 NAB Rising Star champion Daniel Rich will head north.
With Polec severely shortening in his prospects to head to Voss and his Lions at pick number five,
Richmond are now understood to be preparing to pluck another hard-nosed midfield ball-magnet Josh Caddy at number six.
The Tigers are known to want more midfield ball-winning depth in support of exciting pair Dustin Martin and Trent Cotchin to supply new goal-kicking revelation Jack Riewoldt.Gold Coast join back in the selection race at number seven with the fourth of their privileged eight picks inside the first 13 selections.
The Suns are tipped to take another tall forward in Tom Lynch, before Essendon enter to most unique selection process in the draft’s 25-year history.
New Bombers coach James Hird has held lengthy discussions and planning sessions with his recruiting team with desperate intentions to inject pace and class into his midfield.
Being especially suited to run and carry the footy and deliver the footy long into Essendon’s forward line at home ground Etihad Stadium is believed to be a priority in Hird’s preference for the Bombers crucial first choice.
The Bombers are expected to take Victorian country inside ball-winner Shaun Atley, but could swing a surprise by choosing Conca.
It is a shared view among top recruiters that the tough midfielder, who was highly impressive at seniors level in struggling WAFL club Perth late into the 2010 season, will rapidly fit into an AFL team for much of next season.
Conca is ready to play and is known to have highly impressed Bombers decision makers.
Gold Coast then takes three consecutive picks at nine, 10 and 11.
The Suns are expected to snap up a ruckman-forward in South Australian big man Daniel Gorringe and another couple of midfielders Atley or Jayden Pitt from the talent-rich Geelong district and versatile Glenelg running-back Seb Tape.
With confirmation of Gaff, Polec and Caddy as early picks, previously highly rated Gippsland follower Dyson Heppell has drifted in favour.
The tall on-baller, playing midfield creative roles at around 189cm, could fall into the hands of emerging AFL finals contender Melbourne at the Demons first pick and number 12 overall.
The Suns have another at 13, followed by Adelaide and Geelong with their first pick at number 15 as part of trading and losing Gary Ablett to Gold Coast.
Adelaide is believed to be contemplating the value of classy East Fremantle outside ball-carrier Jamie Cripps while Geelong look certain to pluck clever North Ballarat winger Isaac Smith.
Top Victorian midfield hopes Ben Jacobs, Bill Smedts, Jayden Pitt and Luke Parker as well as South Australian ruckman-forward Pat McCarthy, WA’s tall forward Jack Darling and Calder Cannons key defender Matthew Watson at 195cm and 102kg appeal for slots between 16 and early 20s.
A possible Top 20 AFL draft picks:1) David Swallow (WA) Gold Coast
2) Sam Day (SA) Gold Coast
3) Harley Bennell (WA) Gold Coast
4) Andrew Gaff (Victoria) West Coast
5) Jared Polec (SA) Brisbane
6) Josh Caddy (Victoria) Richmond7) Tom Lynch (Victoria) Gold Coast
Reece Conca (WA) Essendon
9) Daniel Gorringe (SA) Gold Coast
10) Jayden Pitt (Victoria) Gold Coast
11) Seb Tape (SA) Gold Coast
12) Dyson Heppell (Victoria) Melbourne
13) Shaun Atley (Victoria) Gold Coast
14) Jamie Cripps (WA) Adelaide
15) Isaac Smith (Victoria) Geelong
16) Ben Jacobs (Victoria) Port Adelaide
17) Matthew Watson (Victoria) North Melbourne
18) Pat McCarthy (Victoria) Carlton
19) Scott Lycett (SA) Hawthorn
20) Jack Darling (WA) Fremantle
http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2010/11/17/gaff-goes-west-and-polec-north/
