Callum Twomey in his final phantom draft on the AFL website has us taking Corey Ellis ahead of Laverde and Weller. He also has Ahern going at 6 and Duggan at 11.
The Phantom Draft with Callum TwomeyCallum Twomey
afl.com.au
November 25, 2014 6:58 PMAFL.com.au's draft guru Callum Twomey reveals his top 30 ahead of Thursday's NAB AFL Draft.
1. ST KILDA - PADDY McCARTIN 19/4/96, 193cm, 95kg, Geelong Falcons
The most imposing key forward in the draft, McCartin carries a presence like all the best power goalkickers. His game is based around his marking: he uses his size to crash packs and take contested grabs, and his smarts and breakaway speed to get on the lead and find space. Some injuries got in the way of him putting together a more productive campaign, but in the games McCartin played he kicked goals and accumulated plenty of shots. He'll give his all every time the ball's kicked to him, and would offer long-term back up to the Saints' forward line with Nick Riewoldt nearing the end of his glittering career. McCartin has probably deserved more discussion as a possible No.1 pick through the year, because he's got some special traits.
If not him? It's been a line-ball call (and a really hard one) for the Saints the whole way. If not McCartin, the Saints will go with star midfielder Christian Petracca.
2. MELBOURNE - ANGUS BRAYSHAW 9/1/96, 187cm, 86kg, Sandringham Dragons
Melbourne has long been linked to him, and with good reason. The season couldn't have gone much better for Brayshaw, who established himself as a likely top-five pick very early and held his form for the remainder of the year. Brayshaw is a game-changer who wins his own possessions, breaks away from stoppages, kicks well on both feet and has a relentless attitude. He's tough, throws himself at the ball and does everything for his team. Brayshaw has just as much going for him as any other midfielder available.
If not him? The Dees might push Brayshaw down to pick three and use pick two on Christian Petracca, or vice versa. But if the Saints go with Petracca, clearly Paddy McCartin is there to take at two or three.
3. MELBOURNE - CHRISTIAN PETRACCA 4/1/96, 186cm, 92kg, Eastern Ranges
The damaging and explosive Petracca pushed himself up to the top end of the draft with an outstanding season. He started the season as a half-forward with question marks on his running, but by the end of the year had proven his ability to move into the midfield and retain his match-winning talents near goal. Petracca is a brute: he barges through people, is dominant in the air, and will be expecting to play plenty of AFL next season. He is desperate to be a great player at the top level and Melbourne would love to introduce him to its midfield mix next season.
If not him? They could swap Angus Brayshaw to pick three and push Petracca up a place. Either way the end result would be the same. Defender Jake Lever the only other consideration.
4. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY - JARROD PICKETT 18/8/96, 180cm, 76kg, South Fremantle
With speed, a leap, and a take-me-on attitude, Pickett should excite plenty of crowds in his AFL career. The youngster had an inconsistent season but has brilliant talent, and has worked hard over the past 12 months to improve his endurance and long-distance running to add to his burst-away moments. The Giants have kept tabs with Pickett since coach Leon Cameron and the club's recruiters interviewed him in July, and he has no qualms about moving out of Western Australia to follow his football. He's an enthralling player who would add a point of difference to the very talented GWS list.
If not him? Any number of players, but Paul Ahern and Jordan De Goey are most likely.
5. COLLINGWOOD - JORDAN DE GOEY 15/3/96, 187cm, 82kg, Oakleigh Chargers
The clubs that like De Goey rate him very, very highly and with good reason. He's a win-the-ball-at-all-costs type of player who loves fighting for it, pushing an opponent out of the way and making it his. But he also lifts when his team needs him, he kicks goals and takes strong overhead marks for his size. With some more development, he has the frame and skills to become a premium midfield option. For the short-term, he'll probably start as a high half-forward.
If not him? The versatile Jayden Laverde has been linked to Collingwood strongly for some time. They like Jarrod Pickett as well, while a tall like Jake Lever isn't out of the question. Kyle Langford has also been strongly linked but it would be a big surprise now.
6. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY - PAUL AHERN 1/8/96, 181cm, 77kg, Calder Cannons
Ahern's standout games this season came on the biggest stage, including two best-afield efforts for Vic Metro against Western Australia, and a more-than-solid outing for the Calder Cannons in their TAC Cup Grand Final defeat. The midfielder is crafty, clever and has class: he sets up the play with deft and damaging disposal, but runs and takes the game on. Nearer to goal, he marks well above his head and has the pace to hit a pack and bolt off. If the Giants want some more brilliance, they get it in Ahern.
If not him? Jordan De Goey is a chance, as is ruckman/forward Peter Wright. Caleb Marchbank is also in the mix.
7. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY - HUGH GODDARD 24/8/96, 195cm, 92kg, Geelong Falcons
The off-season departures of several young key position players at the Giants means the club is looking for replacements, and could turn to Goddard. The tall defender has been thrown around from position to position over the past two seasons but looks most comfortable in the backline, where he can mark well and compete in the air to spoil or stop opponents. Despite some inconsistencies, he finished his year well for the Geelong Falcons and tested strongly at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
If not him? They've liked fellow tall defender Caleb Marchbank for some time, and he is a real contender here. It would not be a surprise if they called his name. Peter Wright and Jake Lever are also in with a shot.
8. GOLD COAST - PETER WRIGHT 8/9/96, 203cm, 102kg, Calder Cannons
It's been an intriguing build-up to the draft for Wright. Having been seen as a possible No.1 choice for much of the year, lately there's been many clubs who believe he might get through to the middle of the first round. He's had a stack of club interviews, a medical and a private fitness assessment for clubs searching for more data. Despite the Suns' interest in Liam Duggan, Wright would be hard to pass. It's not easy finding 203cm forwards who can play in the ruck and have such great skill near goal, too.
If not him? Liam Duggan. The half-back/midfielder has had a great season, is seen as captain material in the future and continues to develop his game. Hard to see the lively Jarrod Pickett getting this far.
9. COLLINGWOOD - DARCY MOORE 25/1/96, 199m, 93kg, Oakleigh Chargers
For some at Collingwood, Darcy Moore's arrival has been a long time coming. As the son of club great and dual Brownlow medallist Peter, the Pies were always in the box seat to recruit the youngster under the father-son rule. That became official in October, when they matched the Bulldogs' bid at pick five for him. Moore is an athletic key position player who moves extremely well for a player his size. He might take some time, but looms as a long-term option.
If not him? Nobody else. Moore has started training with the Pies, has been given his jumper number (No.30, like his dad), and has already begun his Collingwood career.
10. GEELONG - SAM DURDIN 6/6/96, 198cm, 87kg, West Adelaide
Durdin's best football has come in the ruck, he has played in the forward line, and looks set to be a key defender at the next level. So, adding that all together, he's a pretty flexible option for a club looking to add a young tall to its list. He's athletic and mobile, and when up and going, likes to run at the ball and take marks even when he is stationed in the backline. Geelong's tall defenders, like Tom Lonergan and Jared Rivers, are at the backend of their career and Durdin would provide a flexible option.
If not him? Caleb Marchbank is a big shot here if GWS hasn't picked him, and he can do a lot of what Durdin does, he's just a touch shorter. The same applies for Jake Lever. The Cats like Jordan De Goey, and Peter Wright would be seriously considered if still on the board.
11. WEST COASY - LIAM DUGGAN 11/12/96, 183cm, 76kg, Western Jets
Duggan's ability to shift from a neat kicking half-back into a ball-winning midfielder saw him rise rapidly up the draft ranks this season. The left-footer showed he could thrive in contested situations, rip the ball out of a pack and get going, but recruiters also like his defensive traits: he tackles, harasses, and won't give up. He might start his career as a set-up player out of defence but he has shown he won't be limited to that role. Clubs love him, and he'd be a perfect fit for the Eagles with his foot skills adding another layer to the club's midfield in time.
If not him? Jayden Laverde and Lachie Weller seem the main contenders for this selection, and both would bring plenty to the Eagles. Like every club, they'd have to think about Peter Wright should he be there.
12. RICHMOND - COREY ELLIS 9/10/96, 185cm, 76kg, Western Jets
He might not have the highlights tape of others, but the poised and composed Ellis has plenty going for him. His decision-making is top-shelf, he reads the game well, is brave enough to go and win his own ball, and skilled enough to then deliver it. Like he is off the field, Ellis doesnt seem to get flustered or rushed; he just gets on with things. He might have a delayed start to his AFL career, having just recently begun running again after a stress fracture in his foot. Has been strongly linked to the Tigers, who are searching for more midfield class. Ellis has got it.
If not him? Lachie Weller and Liam Duggan are among the handful of other options, but one or both could be gone by Richmond's pick.13. FREMANTLE - JAKE LEVER 5/3/96, 194cm, 84kg, Calder Cannons
The Dockers will have watched Lever closely through the season, knowing his long absence could see him get through to their later first-round pick. Lever's unique circumstances have made him a very difficult player to position. He played great football last year as a bottom-ager, but that's the only football they are judging him on after his off-season knee reconstruction ruled him out of 2014. But he's still among the handful of standout talls on offer, given his competitiveness, run and drive, and exceptional leadership off the field. Fremantle desperately need some more quality young talls and Lever ticks that box.
If not him? Sam Durdin is a good chance here, and Caleb Marchbank may be considered. But they have a few midfielders in their range, including Lachie Weller and Jayden Laverde.
14. ADELAIDE - JAYDEN LAVERDE 12/4/96, 189cm, 82kg, Western Jets
Could one of the most exciting and versatile players in the draft fall in Adelaide's lap? Laverde offers plenty of options for clubs. His height, athleticism and speed is attractive to recruiters, who can see him becoming a big-bodied midfielder who marks well overhead and streams the ball forward. He's creative and adventurous, can be used across half-back and also closer to goal. He springs into games when he needs to, and once he develops more of an inside game he'll have close to the full package of skills to work with. Few would have predicted he would get to pick 14, but if not taken by Collingwood at pick five it's possible.
If not him? All the rage is for Kyle Langford at this spot, and you can see why: he's a vibrant forward with a few tricks. Tall trio Caleb Marchbank, Sam Durdin and Jake Lever would be looked at closely.
15. GOLD COAST - NAKIA COCKATOO 23/10/96, 185cm, 86kg, NT Thunder
Cockatoo has had more than half a dozen clubs visit him in Darwin since his breakout game on Grand Final day in the curtain-raiser at the MCG. The strong and quick midfielder hustled and bustled and showed his wares as an exciting prospect, in what was his first game of the season after a year-and-a-half ruined by recurring foot fractures. They've been medically assessed and the results came back fine last week for clubs. It's a tight call for the Suns, with a few others who are very even around this mark.
If not him? Speedster Jarrod Garlett is a big shot, but it could go a few ways. Lachie Weller is a chance, as is Kyle Langford, who they have been strongly linked to. And in the very slim chance Liam Duggan got through to pick 15, the Suns would surely be quick to read his name out.
16. NORTH MELBOURNE - LACHIE WELLER 23/2/96, 181cm, 77kg, Southport
A silky midfielder who kicks well, has speed and likes to push forward to set up goals, if not slot them himself. There aren't many players like Weller at the top-end of this year's draft with his precise kicking ability and outside run. He's not a big midfielder so can leave the inside play to others, but Weller is a direct mover, taking the ball towards the goals at every opportunity. He's ready to test himself at the next level, and will enjoy the professional elements of an AFL environment. His class would appeal to North, who have built a strong and sturdy midfield group and can do with his outside skill.
If not him? Expect the Roos to think long and hard about Nakia Cockatoo if he's still on the board, and the same with Jarrod Garlett.
Corey Ellis, if he surprisingly got past Richmond, would also be in that bracket.
17. ESSENDON - JARROD GARLETT 11/5/96, 180cm, 69kg, South Fremantle
As one of the prominent run-and-carry players in the draft, Garlett has many admirers. He has the speed and endurance mix every club is looking for, and he likes to stream with the ball down the wing and then deliver it into attack. He's got some confidence, and plays with dare. Garlett was a standout for WA at the Under-18 Championships, and went on to feature in South Fremantle's senior team late in the WAFL season. The Bombers are interested in Garlett and he would fill a hole for them by bringing an immediate burst of run and dare.
If not him? Fellow midfielders Lachie Weller, Tom Lamb and Touk Miller are a chance here, and the club may look to snare a tall defender if one snuck through. Could it be Caleb Marchbank?
18. SYDNEY - ISAAC HEENEY 5/5/96, 186cm, 82kg, Cardiff
There's not much this midfielder can't do, which makes him a special pick for the Sydney Swans. They got first access to Heeney via their local academy program, which he joined as a 12-year-old from Newcastle. He's grown to become a standout in his draft pool, impressing with his dash and dare, but also his hardness and competitive streak. Expect him to play a fair chunk of senior footy for the Swans, who were forced (and more than happy) to use their first pick on him during the bidding process.
If not him? He's already a Swan. He would have been a top-five pick in an open field.
19. CARLTON - CALEB MARCHBANK 7/12/96, 192cm, 85kg, Murray Bushrangers
Marchbank has suffered an injury-affected past two seasons, but his draft stocks remain high. As a third tall defender, 192cm prospect can read the flight of the ball well, he has good courage in marking contests, and competes when it's up for grabs. But he can also play in the forward line, where his leading and contested marking takes the eye. The Blues want run, but if Marchbank gets to pick 19 he'd be too hard to miss.
If not him? Some other contenders for Carlton include Touk Miller, Tom Lamb and Connor Menadue.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-25/the-phantom-draft
