Brett Anderson from Inside Football now says Salem will slip down to us at 12.
Inside Football Mock Draft – Nov. 15thBrett Anderson
sen.com.au
2.43PM 15-11-2013UPDATED: Friday 15th October
The draft is an every changing beast – Fremantle on settled on Josh Simpson at pick 17 last year on the morning of the draft, and again this year there is plenty of movement still being done at the top end of the draft.
Our draft expert BRETT ANDERSON has been working the phones to recruiters, player managers and insiders to try to predict what may occur on November 21.
1. GWS Giants
Tom Boyd | Eastern Ranges | 199cm | 102kg.Described as a once in a generation player, Boyd will quickly make the Giants forget about missing out on Lance Franklin to their crosstown rivals. He is a great compliment to Jeremy Cameron and boasts the versatility to player further afield – in the ruck, and also down back, at a pinch.
2. GWS Giants
Josh Kelly | Sandringham Dragons | 183cm | 75kg.Kelly could well have gone in last year’s mini-draft, such is the regard he is held in amongst club recruiters and he will add some class on the outside for the Giants. His running capabilities will rival that of Tom Scully.
3. St Kilda
Jack Billings | Oakleigh Chargers | 184cm | 78kg.Of all the midfielders in this draft, Billings is clearly the one that can be labeled as a potential match winner. He did have his injury problems this year, which hampered a mooted move into the midfield, but he will shift from half forward into the onball rotation as his tank improves.
In the mix: Kade Kolodjashnij
4. Western Bulldogs
Marcus Bontempelli | Northern Knights | 191cm | 83kg.Having been heavily linked with Collingwood in the past few weeks, Bontempelli’s draft stocks have soared to such an extent he is now firming to be headed to the kennel at No.4. The Dogs have met with him a few times recently and will do their final piece of homework early next week before eventually deciding on the Northern Knight or Croweater James Aish.
In the mix: James Aish
5. Gold Coast Suns
Kade Kolodjashnij | Launceston | 190cm | 81kg.Quiet and unassuming, the man known as ‘KK’ has shot up draft boards over recent months and could even be taken by the Saints at No.3. Guy McKenna spoke about the need for his club to add a running half back during trade week and Kolodjashnij fits the bill nicely with his composure and sure ball use. The one query is that some clubs feel that he needs his twin brother alongside him to perform at his best.
6. Collingwood
Matthew Scharenberg | Glenelg | 190cm | 89kg.The Bulldogs decision to jump on Bontempelli has repercussions for the Pies plans after they traded up to this pick to ensure they got their men. But now with Aish, Scharenberg and Salem all still available, they are posed with somewhat of a dilemma. During trade week there was a strong whisper that Sydney were trying to trade ahead of Collingwood (pick No.10) to get their hands on the Salem and thus the Pies made the move up, but the possibility of pairing the two star South Australians may prove to great to pass up.
In the mix: James Aish, Christian Salem
7. Brisbane Lions
Cameron McCarthy | South Fremantle | 195cm | 89kg.The second major curve ball of the draft with Brisbane opting for the high-flying excitement machine to bolster their key forward stocks despite the addition of Jackson Paine and a host of other developing talls on their list. It may be a slight reach, but with so many picks in the 20s, they can bolster their midfield there with the strong possibility than at least two highly ranked ball winners will be available.
In the mix: Matt Scharenberg, James Aish
8. North Melbourne (F/S)
Luke McDonald | Werribee | 188cm | 85kg.The son of former Roo and football boss Donald has honed his game in the VFL this year and should be ready to step in at half-back from Round 1, 2014. Pick No. 8 is the right value for a player of his talents, despite North supporters complaining about West Coast bidding then trading their pick (6). His combination off half-back with Shaun Atley will be one to watch in years to come.
9. Melbourne
Nathan Freeman | Sandringham Dragons | 182cm | 85kg.The Dees will have to agonize over a pair of Sandringham Dragons with Salem and Freeman still on the board. Freeman has been the hot tip for a long time, but that was under the assumption that Salem would be off the board so it’s a flip of the coin. Ultimately, Freeman’s power and speed is a better compliment for the likes of Viney, Trengove, Jones, Tyson and Toumpas.
In the mix: Christian Salem
10. Collingwood
James Aish | Norwood | 184cm | 75kg.Touted as a top-three lock pre-season, Aish has slowly dropped down the draft order over recent months with some clubs concerned about his low contested ball numbers. Having said that, he is a sublime talent with ball in hand and almost always makes the right decision. Having landed another South Australian slider in Brodie Grundy last year at pick 18, the Pies could be set to strike it rich again. The Pies also love Salem, whose long been a target, and could easily opt for the safe bet of taking the local lad.
In the mix: Christian Salem.
11. West Coast
Dom Sheed | Subiaco | 184cm | 83kg.West Coast traded back from pick No.6 safe in the knowledge that their main target would still be available. This is as close to a lock as there can be unless they fall in love late with fellow Sandgroper Blake Acres. Sheed will be ready to play from Round 1 and will help regenerate the Eagles midfield.
In the mix: Blake Acres
12. Richmond
Christian Salem | Sandringham Dragons | 183cm | 81kg.Richmond will have a tough decision should it pan out this way with Lennon long being a target, but ultimately, the decision comes down to picking the best available player, and that’s Salem. Unless the Pies or Dees lock him in earlier, this is as far as the talented Dragon ball winner will fall.
In the mix: Ben Lennon, Zak Jones
13. Carlton
Patrick Cripps | East Fremantle | 192cm | 90kgCarlton’s interest in the big-bodied onballer has intensified over the past few weeks and they even reportedly flew to Geraldton to meet up with him recently. Having only previously been thought of as a second round pick, he’s a bit of a bolter in what looms as a very even draft and has been likened by East Fremantle watchers to Jobe Watson.
In the mix: Ben Lennon, Luke Dunstan
14. GWS Giants
Ben Lennon | Northern Knights | 188cm | 77kg.Having looked set for Tigerland, the effect of Bontempelli rising has a flow on effect and sees Lennon land at GWS. He is an elite kick, very good overhead and having played mostly forward, adds a point of difference to the Giants front half alongside Patton, Cameron and Boyd but will also hopefully develop into a midfielder in time.
In the mix: Lewis Taylor, Tom Cutler
15. Sydney Swans
Michael Apeness | Eastern Ranges | 199cm | 101kg.Outside of Mike Pyke, the Swans are short on for ruck depth following the departure of Shane Mumford. They generally look for a mature body to help fill a role, but with the interchange cap being introduced and the sub rule staying in place, the importance of big men who can ruck and play forward has never held greater weight. Apeness is more of a forward at this stage, but his ruckwork is the best in the class.
In the mix:Zach Merrett
16. Geelong
Blake Acres | West Perth | 189cm | 84kg.The Cats have a few clear needs, but there isn’t a key defender available that is worthy of a pick this high. Stephen Wells loves big-bodied midfielders and with the loss of Joel Corey, he gets another Western Australian to eventually take his place. He is strong overhead and can play a range of positions, which is a bonus in the modern game.
In the mix: Zak Jones
17. Fremantle
Trent Dumont | Norwood | 186cm | 83kg.The Dockers are said to want a key position player at some stage and could look at ex-Hawk Mitch Thorp at No.37, but they add to their inside midfield stocks with Dumont after the loss of Viv Michie and Jayden Pitt. Ross Lyon loves to draft players who can run and cover the ground, and Dumont is more than capable in this regard, plus he is ready to play right away which makes him a perfect for a club in premiership mode.
In the mix: Cameron Giles
18. St Kilda
Lewis Taylor | Geelong Falcons | 173cm | 73kg.If Taylor were 10cm taller, he would have been off the board in the top handful of picks, but despite the height concerns he is still very good value here and can add some zip and evasiveness to the Saints midfield rotation. He can play in the middle or even across half forward and has more than enough tricks to make up for his lacks of height.
In the mix: Billy Hartung, Darcy Gardiner
19. St Kilda
Zak Jones | Dandenong Stingrays | 181cm | 74kg.The brother of Demon Nathan could well be off the board by now with Richmond, Geelong and Fremantle also admirers, but being from Mount Eliza, a move just up the highway to Seaford is a good fit. He can play across half back, or float through midfield and like his brother, is as competitive as they come.
In the mix: Billy Hartung, Darcy Gardiner
20. Gold Coast Suns
Jake Kolodjashnij | Launceston | 192cm | 90kg.Gold Coast is yet to settle their defensive back six and by adding another tall, it will give them a few more options down the track. If the Suns want to pair up the twins, they will need to pick Jake here instead of waiting until pick No.27 with both Port Adelaide and Adelaide looming behind and both having great interest in the versatile defender who interviewed extremely well.
In the mix: Malcolm Karpany, Zak Jones
http://www.sen.com.au/display-article-2013/Inside-Football-Mock-Draft--Nov-15th/62506
