We've currently got pick 13 in this year's draft which the Herald-Sun have Harley Balic at in their first round phantom draft.
2015 AFL National Draft: Mock first round featuring best Under 18 talent Adam Baldwin
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July 08, 2015 11:44AMVICTORIA Country provided just 12 draftees in 2014, but it could have five players inside the first ten picks this year.
Country went undefeated through the Under 18 national championships and had eight players selected in the All-Australian team.
Most experts have Country bookends Jacob Weitering and Josh Schache pegged as the first and second picks.
On the flip side Victoria Metro had 25 of its academy players selected last year, but after winning just two games throughout the carnival that number is set to drop.
A weak Victoria Metro region suggests a shallow draft, however another contributing factor is the number of young guns battling injury.
First round chances Callum Mills, Matthew Kennedy, Sam Weideman, Charlie Curnow and Ryan Burton didn’t feature at all through the championships, while Josh Dunkley played only twice.
The national championship has been run and won, but there’s still plenty to play out between now and draft night on November 27.
For this reason, naming a possible first round this far out is thwart with danger as ladder position is set to dictate how it unfolds. There is also the academy bidding system to consider.
With that in mind, here’s how the first round of the 2015 draft might look.
1. JACOB WEITERINGDandenong Stringrays/Mt Eliza
Height: 195cm
Weight: 90kg
Weitering firmed as a top three selection thanks to outstanding form for the AFL Academy against AFL-listed players in two games against VFL opposition in April. He did nothing throughout the championships to suggest the hype is not justified. Weitering’s strength is his contested marking ability, but his ball distribution is also first class. His ability to intercept mark and then swing on to his right foot and hit a target makes him a dual threat. He was even thrown into the forward line at times, underling his potential as an AFL swingman in the future.
2. JOSH SCHACHEMurray Bushrangers/Seymour
Height: 199cm
Weight: 96kg
Schache was a standout selection for the Larke medal as the best player in Division 1 with 24 goals in six games. He nailed eight against WA, plus bags of five and six against SA. Schache is strong through the core and is commanding in the air when set. His kicking action is simple, yet very effective. He has a big tank, is mobile for his size and can help out in the ruck when required. He models his game on Travis Cloke.
3. AARON FRANCISWest Adelaide/Loxton North
Height: 190cm
Weight: 86kg
Francis monstered the opposition at times during the carnival and put his name up in lights with 22 disposals and four goals against WA in SA’s third game. He was used all over the ground during the championships, but looks most at home as a defender. His strength is his ability to intercept the ball and this is what makes him a prospective top pick. He’s grown in confidence over the past 12 months and this shows on the field. He is not yet an elite midfielder at this level and he needs to build his tank. Some question whether he is big enough to be a key defender at AFL level, others insist his leap allows him to play taller than 190cm.
4. CALLUM MILLSNorth Shore
Height: 186cm
Weight: 80kg
Mills is a competitive and combative midfielder who has been a part of the Sydney Swans academy program since he was 13 years old. His family’s friendship with Swans chairman Andrew Pridham prompted his switch from rugby union to AFL. He was crowned All-Australian at Under 18 level in 2014, but a shin injury prevented him from captaining NSW/ACT in this year’s carnival. He will play his first game of the season, for the Swans NEAFL side, in the coming weeks. Mills is likely to draw a bid from a rival club, but is almost certain to remain a Swan. He will cost Sydney its first pick, at least.
5. JACOB HOPPERNorth Ballarat/Leeton-Whitton
Height: 186cm
Weight: 82kg
Hopper is a midfield bull, who can go forward and take a strong mark. He skippered NSW/ACT in the championships and is a member of the GWS Giants Academy, but has played for TAC Cup club North Ballarat since boarding at St Patrick’s College. He averaged 26 disposals across three games in the carnival and has kicked 15 goals in six games for the Rebels this year, including a bag of five. Hopper is another who looks certain to be snapped up under the academy bidding system.
6. SAM WEIDEMANEastern Ranges/Vermont
Height: 196cm
Weight: 91kg
The athletic forward with strong AFL bloodlines missed the entire carnival when a previous ankle stress injury flared. He hopes to return to play in the TAC Cup finals series, but may not play again this year. At the front of recruiter’s minds will be a bag of five opposed Dandenong Stringrays and Vic Country defender Kieran Collins. He also kicked two goals and took five marks in a breathtaking first quarter playing against the Northern Blues for the AFL Academy on the MCG. A healthy medical report will make Weideman a draft bargain.
7. DARCY PARISHGeelong Falcons/Winchelsea
Height: 181cm
Weight: 73kg
Parish missed the first two games of the championships but returned for the third fixture and was consistent throughout the carnival. He was quiet in the home win over SA, but bounced back with his best performance in the final game with 25 disposals and 148 ranking points. He’s quick, plays with bounce and penetrates with his disposal. He was All-Australian in his bottom age year and would be on the wish list of every club. He could easily slide up this board with hot form in the second half of the season.
8. RHYS MATHIESONGeelong Falcons/Bell Park
Height: 185cm
Weight: 79kg
In his own words, grunt is what Rhys Mathieson brings to the midfield. The Geelong Falcon is a contested footy winning beast, he averaged six clearances for Victoria Country and models his game on Joel Selwood. Mathieson might not be as polished as some of the other midfielders in this list, but he’s the sort of player coaches want in their side. He had another outstanding carnival and is a big reason why Country was undefeated. He’s a winner and plays like one.
9. HARRY McKAYWarragul/Gippsland Power
Height: 200cm
Weight: 85kg
An athletic tall forward who has shot up the draft board with impressive early season TAC Cup form. In his first season for Gippsland, McKay has kicked 15 goals from seven games, including four against a Dandenong defence boasting Jacob Weitering and Kieran Collins. He enhanced his reputation with a solid championships playing in front of Josh Schache, where he worked between the arcs and impressed with his mobility and agility. He is one of the youngest players eligible for this year’s draft and is considered to have significant upside.
10. MATTHEW KENNEDYCollingullie-GP
Height: 187cm
Weight: 84kg
A creative goal kicking midfielder who hails from the Riverina area and joined the GWS Giants academy this year. He missed the national championships with a knee injury that is likely to sideline him for the remainder of the season. However, he dominated for the NSW/ACT Rams through five games against TAC Cup opposition earlier this year, averaging 23 disposals. With Kennedy joining Hopper in first round calculations, it presents a delicate situation for the Giants should they wish to retain both players.
11. CALLUM AH CHEESouth Fremantle/Klemscott
Height: 182cm
Weight: 71kg
Ah Chee probably didn’t have the carnival he was hoping for, but for periods he looked every bit the top ten pick. He was used in a variety of roles, but was his best playing in a high half forward position where his speed and smarts creates space. His best game came in the upset win over Vic Metro. He can do the miraculous, but he also tackles, chases and pressures. Importantly, he’s a good decision maker and brings others into the game. He was named best on ground for the AFL Academy against the Northern Blues in April and pulled down a massive mark.
12. RYAN BURTONNorth Adelaide/PHOS Camden
Height: 191cm
Weight: 90kg
Burton looked a future first round selection after starring for SA in the national champs and in four senior SANFL games for the Roosters last year. However, he suffered a complicated knee fracture in August last year and has not played since. He’s a skilful lead up forward and clubs will be watching his progress intently when he returns to the field later this season.
13. HARLEY BALICSandringham Dragons/Parkdale
Height: 186cm
Weight: 80kg
Balic is a junior basketball star who was added to the level two AFL Academy program after his first season of elite underage football with the Sandringham Dragons. He’s moved from the forward into a midfield role this season and models his game on Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury. He averaged 21 disposals in his first crack at the national championships and was rewarded with All-Australian selection. Balic is a player with enormous upside who could rise up the charts in the second half of the season as his exposure at this level increases.
14. ERIC HIPWOODAspley/Caloundra
Height: 200cm
Weight: 86kg
Hipwood is tall and athletic with amazing agility for his size, but he is still slight. He was used at either end of the ground during the championships, kicking four goals in a quarter against Tasmania before gathering 24 disposals off halfback in the very next match. He is a member of the Brisbane Lions academy and has played five games for the club at NEAFL level this year.
15. LUKE PARTINGTONNorwood/Tumby Bay
Height: 182cm
Weight: 75kg
Partington is a ball magnet, who most importantly uses the footy well. He was a star for SA in the national championships, averaging 23 disposals on his way to All-Australian selection. He needs to work on his transition running but a debut at senior SANFL level can’t be far away. The SA clubs should have picks around this mark.
16. JOSH DUNKLEYSale/Gippsland Power
Height: 189cm
Weight: 82kg
The son of Sydney champ Andrew, Josh Dunkley, overcame a back injury to play the final two games of the carnival for Vic Country. He’s a versatile player, but looks most at home playing across halfback and in the midfield. Dunkley is eligible to join the Swans under the father-son rule, but could yet throw his name in to the draft.
17. DARCY TUCKERHorsham Saints/North Ballarat Rebels
Height: 184cm
Weight: 78kg
Tucker won All-Australian honours playing off halfback for Vic Country last year, but struggled to recapture the same form when he moved into the midfield early in the championships. However, he finished the carnival strongly and remains highly rated. His strengths will be suited to the modern game. He’s got speed, can break the lines and uses the ball well.
18. BEN KEAYS
Redlands/Morningside
Height: 185cm
Weight: 82kg
Keays is a combative midfielder not blessed with great speed, but he does the little things well. He averaged 33 disposals representing Queensland across four TAC Cup games and won Hunter-Harrison Medal as the Division 2 best player in the national championships, averaging 28 touches and five clearances. He oozes leadership and models his game on Simon Black. Keays is a member of the Brisbane Lions academy, but his future may lay elsewhere depending on the club’s priorities at the end of the year.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-national-draft-mock-first-round-featuring-best-under-18-talent/story-fni5ezdm-1227433453896
