AFL draft day could see Collingwood surprise while Geelong eye of Peter WrightSam Landsberger
Herald-Sun
November 20, 2014 COLLINGWOOD is considering pulling the first major draft surprise with a Jack Gunston-type forward firming as its prized No.5 pick in next Thursday’s national draft.
The Magpies had been strongly linked to big, attacking midfielder Jayden Laverde, but Kyle Langford is in the frame to add a point of difference in attack.
It is understood the Pies visited Langford on Tuesday to complement extensive background work completed on the versatile half-forward, who would be their fourth top-10 pick in two years.
While a handful of prospects remain in contention, Langford would offer another dimension and provide relief for Travis Cloke.
Most clubs have Langford lower on their draft boards, but the Pies see huge upside in the raw 17-year-old, who boasts supreme agility and booted 11 goals in the first three TAC Cup rounds.
At 190cm some recruiters believe Langford could blossom as a tall midfielder, while his sharp rise into top-10 contention and style resembles Marcus Bontempelli.
Geelong was set to meet 203cm ruckman/forward Peter Wright this week and is favoured to call the 2014 slider’s name at pick 10.
The Herald Sun revealed last week that Wright could fall as low as Essendon (17) with clubs choosing outside the top 10 conducting late research in the belief he could still be available.
Wright would be the third 200cm player added to the Cats’ list this off-season, while they are also considering goalkicking midfielder Jordan De Goey.
Richmond’s hopes of securing classy wingman Liam Duggan are diminishing with Gold Coast (No.
and West Coast (11) circling.
But the Tigers could turn to his Western Jets teammate Corey Ellis at pick 12, liking his contested work.The Eagles could take the punt of the first round and pluck the flashy Nakia Cockatoo despite a nasty foot fracture limiting his output this year.
Cockatoo was best-afield in the AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser and bolted further up the charts with a dominant draft combine.
Greater Western Sydney looks set to package up speed machine Jarrod Pickett, key defender Hugh Goddard and the freakishly talented Paul Ahern with its three top-seven selections, alongside inside midfielder Jack Steele (pick 24).
The Suns — who are also fans of Langford — would secure Pickett if he slipped past the Giants and Pies.
Western Bulldogs want flexible defender Ed Vickers-Willis with their first pick (26) and Carlton is eyeing Swan Districts bolter and ex-volleyballer Blaine Boekhorst.
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