Callum Twomey's 2015 phantom draftCallum Twomey
afl.com.au
November 22, 2015 7:05 PMTHIS year's draft has been one of the most challenging in years for experts to predict, with both the even spread of talent and the distribution of picks in the top 10 making it tough.
Here is how AFL.com.au's draft expert Callum Twomey sees the first 30 picks panning out, including the impact of the new bidding system. Be sure to click through all the links for exclusive stories and video telling the stories of this year's crop of young talent.
After the top 30, keep reading for Cal's club-by-club rundown of how the remainder of the draft could pan out on Tuesday night.
1. CARLTON - JACOB WEITERING
2. BRISBANE - JOSH SCHACHE
3. SYDNEY - CALLUM MILLS (matching Melbourne's bid)
4. MELBOURNE - CLAYTON OLIVER
If not him? Sam Weideman and Darcy Parish are the other main contenders here. Weideman would fill a need as a young developing key forward but has some fitness concerns, while midfielder Parish has always been in the mix for the Dees. And is Aaron Francis completely out of the equation?
5. ESSENDON - AARON FRANCIS
If not him? The Bombers have a number of options here. Sam Weideman, Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay could be in the mix as talls, while Clayton Oliver and Wayne Milera are also possibilities.
6. ESSENDON - DARCY PARISH
If not him? The Bombers have said they will be picking the best players with their first two choices and then go for needs with their second-round picks. The aforementioned names should make up the Dons' duo.
7. GOLD COAST - CALLUM AH CHEE
If not him? Darcy Parish is a chance to still be available if the Dees and Dons overlook him. The Suns have been regularly linked to Wayne Milera, while bigger types Sam Weideman and Aaron Francis might also be hard to pass up at this spot.
8. CARLTON - SAM WEIDEMAN
If not him? Midfielders Darcy Parish and Clayton Oliver are possibilities should they fall through and Melbourne flips what it does at No.3 and goes with Weideman earlier. Aaron Francis, should he be available, will be considered too, along with Wayne Milera. Harley Balic is a slim chance.
9. GWS - JACOB HOPPER (matching Carlton's bid)
10. CARLTON - HARRY McKAY
If not him? If Wayne Milera is still here, would they opt for his class? The Blues must also consider the machinations of taking Charlie Curnow at this point and hoping McKay could get through to their next selection.
11. GWS - MATTHEW KENNEDY (matching Adelaide's bid)
12. BRISBANE - ERIC HIPWOOD (matching Adelaide's bid)
13. ADELAIDE - WAYNE MILERA
If not him? It will be a big, big call for the Crows if Milera and Charlie Curnow are both still available. Fellow local Ryan Burton could be a shot here for the Crows, while key defender Kieran Collins might also be in contention at one of their choices.
14. CARLTON - CHARLIE CURNOW
If not him? The Blues might be able to flip their strategy to take Curnow with their second pick and hope Harry McKay gets through to here. SA products Wayne Milera and Ryan Burton might also be in the running.
15. RICHMOND - DANIEL RIOLI
16/4/97, 179cm, 65kg
North Ballarat Rebels
WATCH - Another Rioli ready to roll: http://www.afl.com.au/video/2015-10-10/another-rioli-ready-to-roll
Given his surname, clubs had already been watching Rioli closely throughout the season. But he really sprang up the draft order with his finish to the year, when Rioli kicked four goals in a TAC Cup final, was among the best players in the Grand Final day curtain-raiser for the Allies, and then tested exceptionally well over the week at the combine. There he underlined his elite mix of speed and endurance, which made clubs look even harder at him as a possible top-20 pick. The Tigers are in need of a crafty small forward and Rioli fits that bill.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-10-17/daniel-rioli-reckons-hes-got-uncle-cyrils-measure
If not him? Callum Ah Chee will probably be gone by this point of the draft, but Jade Gresham is another firmly in the mix. Ryan Burton and Harley Balic are others to have been linked with the Tigers.
Daniel Rioli's athleticism and eye for goal have pushed him up in recruiters' estimation.
16. ADELAIDE - RYAN BURTON
If not him? The Crows like Harley Balic and could go with him here, they've been linked to Callum Ah Chee and Kieran Collins, and one of Charlie Curnow or Harry McKay could surprisingly get through.
17. ST KILDA - HARLEY BALIC
If not him? The Saints seem likely to discuss midfielders Rhys Mathieson, Ryan Clarke and Brayden Fiorini, as well as Jade Gresham, at this selection.
18. HAWTHORN - KIERAN COLLINS
If not him? The Hawks have spent time on Tasmanian midfielder Mitchell Hibberd, so could look at him here. Zippy on-baller Jade Gresham has also been linked to the Hawks, along with rebounding half-back Tom Cole.
19. GOLD COAST - JADE GRESHAM
If not him? Harley Balic is on the radar, and he is a chance to be available at this spot. Brayden Fiorini and Ryan Burton might get a look-in here.
20. NORTH MELBOURNE - BEN McKAY
If not him? The Roos have been strongly linked to hard-running midfielder Ryan Clarke. Speedy option David Cuningham is another to have been talked about, but he might be there at their second-round picks. Harley Balic, should he get through, is a good shot.
21. BRISBANE - BEN KEAYS (matching Hawthorn's bid)
22. HAWTHORN - MITCHELL HIBBERD
23. CARLTON - DARCY TUCKER
If not him? Tom Cole is a possibility, as is Jade Gresham. Ryan Clarke and Riley Bonner might also be around the mark for the Blues at this pick.
24. WESTERN BULLDOGS - BRAYDEN FIORINI
If not him? Darcy Tucker could be in the mix, having trained with the club last year and impressed. But the Dogs might also look hard at a tall defender – Sam Skinner or mature-ager Marcus Adams have been mentioned. Classy medium forward Mason Redman is another contender.
25. WESTERN BULLDOGS - RILEY BONNER
If not him? Could the Dogs bid on Sydney Swans father-son Josh Dunkley at this stage? He's been linked to them at this spot. Or do they make a bid on GWS academy tall Harry Himmelberg?
26. FREMANTLE - TOM COLE
If not him? Harry Himmelberg might come into the Dockers' thinking here as a tall forward who plays a little like Cameron McCarthy. To snap him up, the Dockers would rely on the Giants declining to match their. Darcy Tucker and Riley Bonner are others who might be in the mix.
27. WEST COAST - DAVID CUNINGHAM
If not him? The Eagles will wait and see what gets through to them. But names such as Darcy Tucker, Tom Cole, Riley Bonner and Brayden Fiorini are likely to be around the mark. Daniel Rioli, should he be available, is a good chance to be snapped up.
28. ESSENDON - RHYS MATHIESON
If not him? What they get with selections No.4 and 5 may dictate the Bombers' second-round choices. But names like Ben McKay, Riley Bonner and Brayden Fiorini will be in the mix.
29. ESSENDON - MASON REDMAN
If not him? The Bombers need more speed, which might bring Alex Morgan into the equation. Daniel Rioli, if available, will also surely be very, very closely considered here. Essendon could do with a crafty small forward like him.
30. NORTH MELBOURNE - RYAN CLARKE
If not him? The pace of David Cuningham and Alex Morgan might appeal to the Roos, or they might consider placing a bid on GWS academy forward Harry Himmelberg.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-11-22/callum-twomeys-2015-phantom-draft