Deep pool of draft talent
19 November 2005
Herald Sun
Jon Anderson
IT MIGHT lack a Luke Hodge or a Brett Deledio at the top, but next Saturday's AFL national draft is as even as any held since 1986.
That's the view of AFL national development manager Kevin Sheehan, who says it's a draft that won't necessarily produce superstars but could just as easily produce a 100-gamer at pick No. 35 as at No. 15.
"There will be kids who go on to rookie lists who would previously have been drafted," Sheehan said.
"Some might say the top three or four players this year aren't as good as previous seasons but the reality is they'll all be very good players.
"And what has come through in interviews at the draft camp is what an excellent bunch of young men they are.
"Take Tom Rischbieth from the Sturt reserves, a first-year law student who got to the draft camp on football merit as a third tall forward.
"Then he comes out and runs 3km in 9min 30sec, over half a minute quicker than Andrew Walker's record.
"Then he beep tests in 15.08 and suddenly he appeals as a quick midfielder with a real motor. A single-minded kid who knows what he wants, who knows now where he'll end up?"
Sheehan said the draft was littered with similar stories, making it impossible to select a top 10, but we'll try anyway.
Carlton is believed to have committed to Marc Murphy with its first pick and Collingwood is said to favour Lakes Entrance Year 11 student Xavier Ellis at No. 2, even though the Pies know he'll complete schooling at Melbourne Grammar next year.
At 186cm, left-footed Ellis is a midfielder-flanker who needs to add plenty of beef to his 71kg frame, but his skills are right up to speed.
A favourable medical report yesterday on Oakleigh Chargers centre half-forward Beau Dowler, who fractured his pelvis in a car crash, may lead to Hawthorn snaring him with its first pick, at No. 3. Other options for the Hawks include East Fremantle talls Josh Kennedy and Patrick Ryder, both of whom are 195cm.
The Blues have pick No. 4 and desperately need key-position recruits, but they also need ready-made players.
If they go with the latter, Shannon Hurn from Central District is 188cm and 92kg, an outstanding cricketer whose body should allow him to play senior football in 2006.
The Magpies have to then decide whether to go with a tall (Ryder, Dowler, Kennedy) or a quick player such as Dale Thomas, whose usual role is as a small forward but who could push into the midfield.
A year ago East Fremantle ruckman-forward Mitchell Clark was considered a certain top-three selection, but his stocks dropped after a poor under-18 national championship. At 198cm and with a volleyball background (he was offered an AIS scholarship), Clark tied with Deledio for the Kevin Sheehan Medal at the 2003 under-16 championships.
The above names should be in the top 10-12 but after that you are in the lap of the gods.
From Congupna, 190cm defender Marcus Drum will play a lot of AFL football and is a top-10 chance, as is Dandenong midfielder Nathan Jones, who had 36 disposals in the TAC Cup grand final.
Two teenagers from Geelong Falcons, Shaun Higgins and Daniel Stanley, are also in the mix, with the Cats no doubt hoping one survives to pick No. 15.
Ben McKinley, a first-year law student from Old Ivanhoe, is an 18-year-old who just kept developing this season, while Sale's Scott Pendlebury has a basketball background and is an excellent athlete.
Jarred Oakley-Nicholls from East Perth is athletic and has pace. Ranked No. 1 for agility and No. 2 for speed at the draft camp, he could be drafted anywhere from No. 5-20.
Shepparton's Beau Muston was in great form this year as a quick midfielder before he injured his knee. His recovery has been good and he could go anywhere from No. 5-15.
Grant Birchall, Courtney Dempsey, Daniel Dzufer, Cleve Hughes, Luke McEntee, Darren Pfeiffer and Travis Varcoe are some of the other names you will become acquainted with in the next week.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,17292891%255E20322,00.html
