Inside Football top 15

[one-eyed]

INSIDE THE DRAFT – BRETT ANDERSON
Picking this draft one big headache!
Inside Football
October 25, 2011

Without doubt 2011 has proven to be the most difficult year to not only assess players' credentials, but also to align them with a likely destination.

With GWS monopolising the first half of the first round, a lot of logic can be thrown out the window as the Giants need to build their list in areas of need, not necessarily simply take the best players available.

"It's hard enough trying to work out this draft from a club perspective, let alone doing a phantom draft. That's nigh on impossible!" said one national recruiting manager.

However, we are up for a challenge and based on hours of interviews and a little inside info, here is our top 15.

1. GWS Giants – Jonathon Patton (Eastern Ranges)
Key position prospects as good as Patton come along rarely. He has a rare combination of size, power and talent. He is one of the best prospects to come out of the TAC Cup in some time and will be an imposing figure in the Giants' forward half for a decade and more.

2. GWS Giants – Stephen Coniglio (Swan Districts)
A multi-sport star who has been touted as a future gun ever since his four-goal WAFL grand final in 2010. Ticks nearly all the boxes as a modern midfielder and will be ready to step in straight away. He'll fit in nicely alongside Scully, Ward, Palmer, Shiel in the midfield.

3. GWS Giants – Dom Tyson (Oakleigh Chargers)
A smooth midfielder whose only chink may be that he lacks a metre of pace. What he lacks though, he more than makes up for with the speed at which his brain works. He thinks a step ahead of most, and his ball skills are elite.

4. GWS Giants – Matt Buntine (Dandenong Stingrays)
Rock solid prospect who excels as a mid-sized defender but can also play through the midfield. Uses the ball well and reads the play well. He is an outstanding leader who will add to the Giants' crop of up-and-coming stars.

5. GWS Giants – Chad Wingard (Sturt)
Once considered a surefire top-three pick, Wingard's stock fell a touch after an injury-interrupted national carnival and some underwhelming test results. However, he boasts an elite left foot, plenty of class and has been destined for GWS for a long time.

6. Port Adelaide – Liam Sumner (Sandringham Dragons)
Where Sumner fits in will dictate what follows. He is an outside, ball carrying midfielder who oozes x-factor, something that Port has been crying out for. If Wingard is available here, he makes some sense due to being a local boy, but the Power weren't overly impressed by his efforts at the Draft Combine.

7. GWS Giants – Will Hoskin-Elliott (Western Jets)
The Giants really like Hoskin-Elliott and it's not a case of if they will draft him but where. He is an outside midfielder with great athleticism who can also play forward if need be. He is higher on some clubs' draft boards than others.

8. Brisbane Lions – Adam Tomlinson (Oakleigh Chargers)
One of the Lions' first two picks must be a tall. The addition of Jordan Lisle was offset by the loss of Mitch Clark and Tomlinson looms as the perfect modern defender. He is athletic, kicks well and is strong overhead. GWS is keen but the Lions can swoop.

9. GWS Giants – Elliott Kavanagh (Western Jets)
Injuries have held Kavanagh back from being able to display his full wares but he could be one of the best picks the Giants make. He is an ultra smart player with clean hands and skills. GWS can take a punt on his body coming good due to having so many early picks.

10. GWS Giants – Sam Docherty (Gippsland Power)
If Docherty had some exposed form in the midfield he could well have been gone by pick No.5. As a rebounding defender, he is as good as they get. Plays with great speed and competitiveness and, most important of all, is an elite decision maker and kick. Will be a star – love him.

11. GWS Giants – Toby Greene (Oakleigh Chargers)
Greene does no one thing brilliantly but continues to play well at whichever level he progresses to. He's a smart player and has a big engine. Some clubs adore him while others are happy they don't have to make a call on him this high.

12. Brisbane Lions – Devon Smith (Geelong Falcons)
Having had Luke Power retire then head to GWS, Brisbane needs an adequate replacement. In Smith, it has exactly that. He is a smart midfielder/small forward with an eye for goal, great foot skills and will put his head over the ball. He will be a beauty. Toby Greene was the other player the Lions really liked here.

13. GWS Giants – Billy Longer (Northern Knights)
Most would expect Longer to be taken well inside the top 10, but we hear the Giants aren't totally sold. Logic suggests that with 11 of the first 14 picks, they simply have to take him somewhere to avoid the embarrassment should he go on to become a star but don't be surprised if they pass on him and pick a ruckman later on.

14. GWS Giants – Nick Haynes (Dandenong Stingrays)
Late developer who the GWS recruiters rate highly. Athletic player who can play as a wingman or tall half forward and marks very well overhead. Has come a long way in a year but projects well at the next level.

15. Richmond – Taylor Adams (Geelong Falcons)
The Tigers would love Tomlinson but will be happy to settle for Adams. He is an in-and-under ball winner and born leader who will compliment the likes of Cotchin, Martin and Foley.

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