Herald-Sun says Ah Chee could be our man (Champion Data has him ranked at #24).
We also like Dunkley (ranked #30).
AFL draft 2015: Champion Data ranks the top 30 playersSam Landsberger
Herald Sun
November 16, 2015 The AFL’s official number cruncher believes Jacob Hopper, Callum Mills and Josh Schache hold greater potential than key defender Weitering,
Carlton is set to crown Weitering the No. 1 pick next week but the Harry Taylor-like backman is listed at No. 4 on Champion Data’s 2015 Draft Power Rankings.
The stats gurus have declared GWS academy star Hopper the standout in this year’s class, comparing the inside midfielder to superstar Patrick Dangerfield.
Mills will join Sydney as an academy pick while the Brisbane Lions appear certain to draft Schache at pick 2.
Champion had Jack Lonie at No. 17 and Caleb Daniel at 16 last year — 24 and 30 picks ahead of where their names were called on draft night. Daniel played in an AFL final while Lonie lined up in 17 games for the Saints.
Previously, they identified Robbie Gray (pick 55) and Luke Parker (pick 40) as stars of the future before watching them slip down the order.
Champion said Weitering produced intercept possession and intercept marking numbers in the TAC Cup unheard of at AFL level, but he failed to rate elite in most areas relevant for key defenders playing for Vic Country.
Weitering averaged nine intercept possessions and four intercept marks. West Coast’s Jeremy McGovern led the AFL this year with eight possessions and 3.5 marks.
A recent Champion Data case study showed star AFL spearheads franked their junior form with Tom Hawkins, Taylor Walker, Jack Darling and Jack Riewoldt all averaging 100 SuperCoach points and 14 disposals before they were drafted.
Schache joins that group — and pips Weitering in Champion’s rankings — after averaging 157 SuperCoach points and 16 disposals for Vic Country this year.
He also averaged seven marks and kicked more goals (24) than any player has at the national carnival.
Hopper averaged 16 contested possessions this year — one more than Dangerfield in his final Crows season — gaining 557m per game, rated elite for a midfielder and similar to the Cats recruit.
Hopper can also impact the scoreboard, averaging one goal and nine score involvements.
Mills averaged a ridiculous 175 SuperCoach points at under-16 level in 2013. Last year he averaged 21 disposals, five tackles and five clearances as a bottom-age player and showed his ball-winning ability at senior level in the NEAFL.
Mills averaged 30 disposals, 12 contested possessions, four clearances, four tackles and 127 SuperCoach points in his six matches but injuries kept him to just three NEAFL appearances this year.
CHAMPION DATA DRAFT POWER RANKINGSIf Champion Data was picking from the schoolyard, this is how next Tuesday’s national draft would look.
1. Jacob Hopper (186cm, 82kg midfielder) North Ballarat Rebels
No. 1 player at championships for contested footy, clearances and third for metres gained. Think Patrick Dangerfield.
SAM LANDSBERGER SAYS: Strong onballer will join GWS (as an academy selection) where he will swiftly replace Adam Treloar in the best 22.
2. Callum Mills (188cm, 80kg midfielder) North Shore (Sydney academy)
Averaged 30 disposals, 12 contested possessions, five inside-50s and four clearances in the NEAFL in 2014 as a bottom-age gem.
SAM SAYS: A year after stealing Isaac Heeney the Swans will pay a fair price for academy gun Mills, with Melbourne set to bid pick No.3.
3. Josh Schache (199cm, 100kg key forward) Murray Bushrangers
Haul of 24 goals at the championships is the greatest ever. Wins the ball in the air and on the ground.
SAM SAYS: Lock him in as the No. 2 pick to Brisbane Lions, relieving their full-forward woes. Deadly set-shot.
4. Jacob Weitering (195cm, 93kg key defender) Dandenong Stingrays
Averaged a massive nine intercept possessions and four intercept marks in the TAC Cup — numbers unheard of at AFL level.
SAM SAYS: Harry Taylor-like defender set to join Carlton as the No. 1 pick. Huge shock he’s No. 4 here.
5. Darcy Parish (181cm, 74kg midfielder) Geelong Falcons
Rated elite for metres gained and above average for contested and uncontested possessions.
SAM SAYS: Inside-outside midfield jet likely to join Melbourne or Essendon as a top-five pick.
6. Aaron Francis (191cm, 92kg utility) West Adelaide
Averaged almost five intercept marks per game for South Australia — ranked No. 1 — and appears suited to defence.
SAM SAYS: Questions on his running but shades of Luke Hodge and should go top 10, perhaps to Carlton or Adelaide.
7. Ben Keays (185cm, 83kg midfielder) Redlands (Brisbane academy)
Ball magnet who hits the scoreboard. Ranked No. 2 for disposals at the championships with pinpoint kicking.
SAM SAYS: Lions fan who should command a first-round bid but will join the Gabba as an academy pick. Simon Black style.
8. Ryan Burton (191cm, 88kg key forward) North Adelaide
If he didn’t miss 2015 he could have been a top-three pick. Averaged three goals and 105 SuperCoach points as a bottom-age player for South Australia in 2014.
SAM SAYS: Wants to evolve into a Nat Fyfe-like midfielder but how far will that horrific knee injury push him down the order?
9. Matthew Kennedy (187cm, 88kg midfielder) Collingullie (GWS academy)
On TAC Cup numbers he’s an elite midfielder who hits the scoreboard, kicking more than one goal per game.
SAM SAYS: Another academy ripper certain to join the Giants. Some clubs rate him above Hopper and Mills.
10. Eric Hipwood (202cm, 84kg swingman) Aspley (Brisbane academy)
The No. 1 ranked key defender at the championships, leading disposals and metres gained.
SAM SAYS: Gangly left-footer who will join the Lions as an academy player. Likely to be bid on before Keays. Kicked four goals in one quarter for Queensland.
11. Charlie Curnow (191cm, 95kg key forward/midfield) Geelong Falcons
Rated elite for contested marks in the TAC Cup and kicked more than two goals per game.
SAM SAYS: If the Dees don’t pick the brother of Ed at No. 3, Essendon should at 4 or 5. Can he develop into a midfielder?
12. Rhys Mathieson (186cm, 82kg midfield) Geelong Falcons
The best inside midfielder, winning an elite 10 contested possessions and five clearances for Vic Country — ranked No. 1 in Division 1.
SAM SAYS: Extractor who loves to get physical but needs to build his tank. Could slip out of first round.
13. Jade Gresham (178cm, 77kg midfielder) Northern Knights
Attacking midfielder rated elite for disposals, metres gained, clearances, goals and score involvements.
SAM SAYS: Quick inside midfielder, a little bit like Luke Shuey, who should go 10-20.
14. Sam Weideman (196cm, 94kg key forward) Eastern Ranges
Small TAC Cup sample showed he can win the ball in the air and at ground level, averaging the second-most groundball gets inside 50.
SAM SAYS: Imposing goalkicker should still go top 10 despite ankle surgery ending his season in May. Grandson of Collingwood legend Murray Weideman.
15. Kieran Lovell (174cm, 80kg midfielder) Kingston Tigers (Tasmania)
The No. 1 ranked player of the championships, leading disposals, metres gained and uncontested possessions.
SAM SAYS: Lovell is quick, unbelievably agile and can run all day but his height will toss him down the order.
16. Mitch Hibberd (191cm, 85kg halfback) Clarence
Rated elite for disposals, uncontested possessions, metres gained and inside-50s playing for Tasmania.
SAM SAYS: Injuries wrecked 2014 but surged up charts this year and a strong mark overhead.
17. Ryan Clarke (185cm, 84kg midfielder) Eastern Ranges
Exploded in the TAC Cup, averaging 30 disposals, 12 contested possessions, five clearances and a goal.
SAM SAYS: Big-game player whose sheer running power is his special trait. Kangaroos (pick 17) like him.
18. Clayton Oliver (187cm, 86kg midfielder)
Averaged 14 contested possessions, six clearances, six tackles and a goal in the TAC Cup.
SAM SAYS: The bolter. Powerful inside midfielder overlooked for Vic Country but Dons, Dees and Blues eyeing him with top-10 picks.
19. Riley Bonner (191cm, 85kg half-back)
Rebounding defender with similar numbers to Crow Brodie Smith. Gained 564m per game for South Australia.
SAM SAYS: Penetrating kick on both sides, can play on most sizes and would appeal to the Hawks.
20. Harley Balic (187cm, 80kg half-forward)
Consistent season without starring. Averaged more than 20 disposals for Vic Metro and Sandringham but little scoreboard impact.
SAM SAYS: Basketball background with Scott Pendlebury traits who could be in St Kilda’s sights.
21. Wayne Milera (185cm, 75kg half-forward)
Best footy was at senior SANFL level, rating above average for goals and score involvements.
SAM SAYS: Oozes talent, clever in attack and the Bombers could pull the trigger at No. 4 or 5.
22. Ben Crocker (185cm, 84kg half-forward) Oakleigh Chargers
The No. 1 ranked TAC Cup mid-forward, rating elite for disposals, contested possessions, inside 50s and goals.
SAM SAYS: Clean mark who looked OK in two VFL games this year. Looks a second-rounder.
23. Luke Partington (182cm, 75kg midfielder) Norwood
Rated elite for disposals, uncontested possessions, metres gained and score involvements for South Australia.
SAM SAYS: Immaculate character with a nice kick and clean hands. A second-round pick.
24. Callum Ah Chee (182cm, 71kg half-forward) South Fremantle
One of only three forwards to rate above average for groundball gets and contested marks at the championships.
SAM SAYS: High-flyer who will thrill. Could be Richmond’s man at No. 12 and unlikely to get past Suns at 16.
25 Darcy Tucker (184cm, 80kg half-back)
Rated above average for intercept possessions and metres gained and looks suited to defence.
SAM SAYS: Once rated a top-five pick but the left-footer couldn’t transition into the midfield. Crows a chance at No. 13.
26. Daniel Rioli (180cm, 69kg forward) North Ballarat Rebels
Rated elite for marks and groundball gets inside 50 — a feat achieved by just six AFL forwards last season. Pressure a strength.
SAM SAYS: Cyril’s nephew sizzled in the Grand Final curtain-raiser and at draft camp. Hawks and Dons considering.
27. Bailey Rice (184cm, 84kg halfback) Dandenong Stingrays
An attacking defender who rated elite for disposals, intercept possessions and intercept marks in the TAC Cup.
SAM SAYS: Tough as a $2 steak and set to join the Saints as a father-son, picking them instead of Carlton.
28. Brayden Fiorini (187cm, 76kg midfielder) Northern Knights
Dominated at TAC Cup level averaging 32 disposals, 21 uncontested possessions and six score involvements.
SAM SAYS: Booming left-footer with high kicking efficiency who could sneak into the first round.
29. Kieran Collins (194cm, 100kg key defender) Dandenong Stingrays
Excels when isolated one-on-one and didn’t lose a single contest at the championships.
SAM SAYS: Twin towers with Weitering in defence all year and could follow him to the Blues at pick 11.
30. Josh Dunkley (189cm, 86kg halfback) Gippsland Power
Inside work his strength, rating elite in the TAC Cup for clearances, contested possessions and tackles.
SAM SAYS: Brilliant young leader set to reject Swans where he is father-son eligible. Blues, Dogs, Tigers and Crows like him.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-draft-2015-champion-data-ranks-the-top-30-players/news-story/0884c35b09c25b05265986d918367e98
