Champion Data ranks Sam Powell-Pepper at our pick 27.
AFL draft 2016: Champion Data ranks the top 30 players based on their statistical performancesSAM LANDSBERGER
Herald Sun
November 14, 2016 THE AFL’s official number cruncher, Champion Data, has selected this year’s top 30 draft nominations based on their statistical performances.
The stats guru ranked Caleb Daniel at No. 16 in 2014, 30 spots before the premiership midfielder was taken.
Last year it rated NAB Rising Star winner Callum Mills at No.2.
If Champion Data was picking from the schoolyard, this is how next Friday’s draft would look.
Herald Sun draft expert SAM LANDSBERGER runs his eyes over Champion Data’s rankings and assesses when the players might be selected.
*** POWER RANKINGS***
1. Andrew McGrath (179cm, 75kg halfback) Sandringham Dragons
Averaged most disposals in TAC Cup as a midfielder and most disposals at championships of any defender.
SAM LANDSBERGER SAYS: Giants would love McGrath at No. 2 to play as a defensive forward and then help replace Heath Shaw. Dons undecided at pick one.
2. Hugh McCluggage (185cm, 75kg midfielder) North Ballarat Rebels
Unprecedented goalkicking ability for a midfielder. Averaged 24 disposals and two goals in 17 games — a feat never achieved in the AFL.
SAM SAYS: Most clubs have McCluggage on top, but if the Bombers go McGrath he could fall to GWS or Brisbane. Glides through traffic.
3. Tim Taranto (186cm, 82kg midfielder) Sandringham Dragons
Averaged most SuperCoach points in TAC Cup and third most in the championships. Averaged more contested marks than any other TAC Cup midfielder.
SAM SAYS: Think Nat Fyfe. Taranto’s aerial prowess is massive and he spoils, shepherds and tackles. Could be Carlton’s at pick five.
4. Ben Ainsworth (179cm, 74kg forward) Gippsland Power
Demonstrated midfield capabilities late, averaging 29 disposals and three goals in final four games.
SAM SAYS: Has long been near the top of this class and likely to be a Brisbane Lion at pick three. In the Jamie Elliott mould.
5. Jack Bowes (187cm, 78kg midfielder) Cairns/Gold Coast academy
Most skilful midfielder in the draft. Wins his own ball, uses it efficiently, hits the scoreboard and has played against men in the NEAFL.
SAM SAYS: Gold Coast will secure this Simon Black-type midfielder as its first academy star. Will the Lions bid pick three and force a fair price?
6. Will Setterfield (190cm, 80kg midfielder) Sandringham Dragons/GWS academy
Low disposal tally but a big body, strong at the contest, chips in defensively and can play forward.
SAM SAYS: Essendon could drop a draft bomb and bid for the GWS academy star at No. 1 Ripper kid who had 16 tackles in a TAC Cup final.
7. Jack Scrimshaw (193cm, 80kg defender) Sandringham Dragons
Only played seven TAC Cup games, but averaged second most disposals and most intercepts of any halfback.
SAM SAYS: Great kicking action, nice size and an impressive season after the previous two were plagued by injury. Suns lurking.
8. Harry Perryman (184cm, 75kg defender) Collingullie/GWS academy
Rated top 10 per cent for disposals, contested possessions, intercepts and metres gained at the championships. Small sample this season.
SAM SAYS: Yet another discounted gem for GWS. Not quick, but beautiful skills on both sides and has been playing against men for three years.
9. Sam Petrevski-Seton (181cm, 75kg midfielder) Claremont
Undersold for his hard edge. Won more than 50 per cent of possessions contested in WAFL Colts and ranked in the top 10 for tackles.
SAM SAYS: Had some thinking Cyril Rioli this year. Uses it well on both sides and should find a home in the top 10, possibly at the Suns or Blues.
10. Daniel Venables (186cm, 81kg forward) Western Jets
Only averaged 13 disposals at the championships, but won the second most AFL player ratings points of any forward.
SAM SAYS: Quality over quantity for Venables, who won a Vic Metro game off his own boot. Powerful All-Australian who should go first round.
11. Brad Scheer (184cm, 83kg midfielder) Palm Beach-Currumbin/Gold Coast academy
Averaged fourth most player ratings points of any midfielder at the championships, from just 16 disposals per game.
SAM SAYS: Numbers resemble Marcus Bontempelli — can have a huge impact off limited disposals. Suns should secure Scheer, even if it means going into points deficit.
12. Dylan Clarke (187cm, 85kg midfielder) Eastern Ranges
Averaged 13 contested possessions and 5.5 clearances per game this year, both ranked No. 1 for any midfielder.
SAM SAYS: Kicking concerns mean he’s likely to fall in the second round. Brother Ryan Clarke impressed at North Melbourne this year.
13. Oliver Florent (183cm, 74kg half-forward) Sandringham Dragons
Could be the best outside midfielder. Averaged 21 disposals and kicked four goals in the final three TAC Cup finals
SAM SAYS: Resilient character with X-Factor and a penetrating kick. Some think he’ll stay in Victoria and could go as early as North’s pick 11.
14. Josh Battle (192cm, 90kg key forward) Dandenong Stingrays
Battle’s 3.0 goals per TAC Cup game the most of any player and his 11 goals at championships were almost the most.
SAM SAYS: Surprise to see Battle this high. Elite runner who will play as a third forward at AFL level. Could be in Richmond’s sights at pick 27.
15. Will Brodie (189cm, 82kg midfielder) Murray Bushrangers
In 35 Champion Data games, Brodie has won 30 disposals just once. Elite stoppage player, ranking in top 10 for clearances in the TAC Cup.
SAM SAYS: Long rated a top-five pick, but could slide a few picks. A blue-chip choice. Ready to rock as an inside midfielder.
16. Kobe Mutch (184cm, 79kg midfielder) Bendigo Pioneers/GWS academy
Finds the ball at every level. Kicking efficiency of 65 per cent impressive given his high contested possession rate.
SAM SAYS: Giants so rich in talent they’re likely to let this academy prospect blossom elsewhere. Accumulator with a streak of leadership.
17. Tim English (203cm, 86kg ruckman) South Fremantle
English averaged 18 disposals per 100 minutes game time at the championships — No. 1 for any ruckman.
SAM SAYS: Needs time but can impact midfield in the Dean Cox vein. Logical pick for Fremantle at No. 7, if Gold Coast doesn’t pounce first.
18. Jordan Galluci (183cm, 75kg midfielder) Eastern Ranges
Averaged 20 disposals and kicked 1.8 goals in TAC Cup while his 422m gained at the championships ranked No. 3 of any midfielder.
SAM SAYS: Great athlete who can put the jets on, ala Norm Smith winner Jason Johannisen. Crows and Power circling.
19. Zac Fisher (175cm, 61kg midfielder) Perth
No. 1 West Australian at the championships and their only player to average at least 20 disposals. Rated above average for goals and score involvements.
SAM SAYS: Small but crafty, Fisher was playing senior bush footy at 15 and impressed in the WAFL this year. Does size matter after Caleb Daniel?
20. Alex Witherden (184cm, 78kg defender) Geelong Falcons
In 12 Geelong Falcons games he averaged 18 disposals and seven contested possessions.
SAM SAYS: Classy right-footer boasts a deep kick and looks a slight chance to join Port Adelaide at No. 14.
21. Jy Simpkin (181cm, 71kg forward) Murray Bushrangers
Won 17 disposals, four clearances and kicked 1.4 goals in his TAC Cup game and showed class at the 2015 championships.
SAM SAYS: Rated a top-10 shot before breaking his leg early in the season. Creative forward who will be strongly considered by Sydney and North Melbourne in the first 11 picks.
22. Jack Graham (183cm, 83kg midfielder) North Adelaide
Won the equal most disposals of any player at the championships. Strong inside and explosive outside, gaining second most metres of any midfielder.
SAM SAYS: Joined Tom Hawkins, Marc Murphy and Stephen Coniglio as a Larke Medallist, but a quad injury ended his year early. Second-rounder.
23. Will Hayward (186cm, 76kg forward) North Adelaide
Proven goalkicker, bagging eight from four games at the championships and 33 from nine SANFL under-18 games.
SAM SAYS: The bolter. Hayward booted 13 goals in his final two games to rocket into the top-10 conversation. Suns and Dogs, keen while Port and Crows have picks around the mark.
24. Shai Bolton (177cm, 67kg forward) South Fremantle
Best ball carrier at championships, gaining 431m per game. Can also win his own ball, recording a contested possession rate above 50 per cent in WAFL Colts.
SAM SAYS: Freakish talent with a clever sidestep and pace to burn. Would appeal to the Dogs, Pies and Swans.
25. Luke Bunker (185cm, 78kg midfielder) Northern Knights
Mr Consistent. Won 23 or more disposals in every TAC Cup match and had more score involvements than any other Vic Metro midfielder.
SAM SAYS: Huge surprise Bunker is here. No invite to the national combine suggests his best shot is the rookie draft.
26. Jarrod Berry (191cm, 80kg defender) North Ballarat Rebels
Only averaged 17 disposals for North Ballarat but did have standout games, including kicking 3.3 against Bendigo.
SAM SAYS: Won’t go top 10 as once thought, but can play anywhere on the ground and looks a future leader. Would fit the flexible Bulldog mould.
27. Sam Powell-Pepper (186cm, 83kg midfielder) East Perth
In 51 Champion Data games he never won 30 disposals. But averaged more than 300m gained from just 13 touches for Western Australia.
SAM SAYS: Bull at stoppages and can kicks goals. Supreme runner who looks a second-round selection.
28. Jonty Scharenberg (186cm, 80kg midfielder) Glenelg
Safe prospect with his output predictable. Was a top-five clearance player at the championships.
SAM SAYS: Brother of Collingwood’s Matthew loves the heavy work but lacks a bit of zip. Unlikely to be taken in the top 40.
29. Todd Marshall (198cm, 87kg key forward) Murray Bushrangers
Poor production since start of championships. Last 12 games averaged just eight disposals and 1.7 goals.
SAM SAYS: Glowing potential will see him drafted higher. Dogs would love him at No. 18 to learn from premiership stars Travis Cloke and Tom Boyd. Shouldn’t get past St Kilda’s pick 23.
30. Jacob Allison (194cm, 79kg midfielder) Aspley/Brisbane Lions academy
Struggled to find his best position. Liked his 2015 and showed glimpses this year he has star potential.
SAM SAYS: Lions likely to go into points deficit to grab Allison, should a bid come beyond pick 22. Can give it a roost off halfback.
AFL DRAFT ORDER1. Essendon
2. GWS Giants
3. Brisbane Lions
4. Gold Coast
5. Carlton
6. Gold Coast
7. Fremantle
8. Gold Coast
9. Sydney
10. Gold Coast
11. North Melbourne
12. West Coast
13. Adelaide
14. Port Adelaide
15. GWS Giants*
16. Brisbane Lions
17. Port Adelaide
18. Western Bulldogs
19. Sydney
20. Essendon
21. Brisbane Lions
22. Brisbane Lions
23. St Kilda
24. Geelong
25. Carlton
26. Western Bulldogs
27. Richmond28. Collingwood
29. Essendon
30. Port Adelaide
*Picks 15 and 37 could be stripped from GWS due to Lachie Whitfield saga
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