Callum Twomey has his latest top 30 out today. He's got us linked to 5 draftees ...
It has been an interesting season for Wright, who started the year as a possible No.1 choice and ends it as one of the main mysteries of the draft. At his best, Wright is a marking, leading, straight-kicking giant who is unstoppable up forward. He can move into the ruck, runs a level 14 beep test and his pace and agility results are sound. But Wright still needs to work on his contested marking for a player his height, and he can be pushed off the ball too easily. Back and hamstring injuries have limited his time in the gym to build his strength. A knee injury ruled him out of the Calder Cannons' Grand Final defeat and testing at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, but he should be fully fit by the time he starts pre-season.
Where does he go? The big question. Gold Coast (pick No.
, Geelong (No.10) and
Richmond (No.12) will consider him if he got past Greater Western Sydney's batch of picks, but other clubs in the teens have started doing more homework on him in the expectation he drops.
Weller brings class and composure to the midfield group of this year. Best suited as an outside player, Weller can find the footy and use it. His kicking is elite and he makes life easier for forwards, often directing them where to lead with his kicks. As the year went on he used his top-end speed more, regularly spotting a gap and then breaking through it, and he also showed a liking for edging forward and slotting goals. At his size he's not a big midfielder, and he still needs to develop his inside game, but he has plenty going for him. He's a professional, hard-working prospect who takes nothing for chance and thinks a lot about his game and how to improve.
Where does he go? Gold Coast is the obvious link and he's of interest to them, but that may be for its second pick (No.15). West Coast and
Richmond also like him and further back Essendon and Carlton will look closely.
A cool head and even cooler left foot match up to make Duggan a prospect with a strong draft CV. He moved this year from a small defensive role to the midfield, where he also became a regular ball-winner and keen tackler. Duggan makes it easier for others around him: he's happy to play a team-focused role, and to feed the ball out, but is just as capable of running with it and making the play. He's low-risk. His kicking is strong and he's able to put his body on the line when it matters. Among clubs Duggan is seen as one of the most presentable players and best to interview, and he is well liked by his teammates.
Where does he go? Firming as a pick in the 8-12 range, with Gold Coast a big shot. West Coast and
Richmond are also in the hunt.
Durdin ended a tough year in the best form he had shown all season, dominating in the ruck for West Adelaide as it claimed the SANFL under-18s premiership. But, despite his natural flair as a running big man, Durdin won't be tall enough to hold down that spot at the top level. He seems better placed to continue as a key defender. There he can use his mobility and marking strength to stop and then repel, but he's also been used in attack at times. A thumb injury at the start of this season threw out his confidence and he didn't manage to get back to the form he would have liked, but Durdin still has plenty to offer.
Where does he go? Difficult to place.
Richmond, Fremantle and Adelaide will consider if he isn't taken inside the first 10, with Geelong a shot.
You might need to watch Ellis closely before you can appreciate what he does well, as he isn't the type of player with a blinding highlights package. However, with some inspection, you'll notice he's a damaging kick, he reads the play smartly, doesn't get flustered, and can play in a number of spots. Ellis doesn't have the breakaway speed that others might possess, but he does the little things right. He had a foot injury at the end of the season that ended up being diagnosed as a crack, which might push back his start to the pre-season. At times this year he was deployed to use his skills across half-back but appears more at home in the midfield. Ellis is a quietly determined personality who understands the work that's ahead.
Where does he go? The Tigers like him and have put in a fair bit of work. North Melbourne will strongly consider at pick No.16.
Full top 30: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-14/phantom-draft-form-guide-november-update
