Kevin Sheehan’s top 40 draft prospects (in alphabetical order) and draft preditions:Oscar Allen, Zac Bailey, Connor Ballenden (Brisbane Lions academy), Noah Balta, Aiden Bonar, Jarrod Brander, Andrew Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Hunter Clark, Oscar Clavarino, Nick Coffield, Callum Coleman-Jones, Charlie Constable, Brayden Crossley (Gold Coast Suns academy), Luke Davies-Uniacke, Hugh Dixon, Paddy Dow, Darcy Fogarty, Lachlan Fogarty, Joel Garner, Sam Hayes, Jack Higgins, Jordan Houlahan, Matthew Ling, Gryan Miers, Dylan Moore, Nathan Murphy, Patrick Naish (Richmond father-son), Aaron Naughton, Lochie O’Brien, Ben Paton, Harrison Petty, Cameron Rayner, Ed Richards, Nick Shipley, Charlie Spargo, Jaidyn Stephenson, Sam Taylor, Toby Wooller, James Worpel.
The bolters: Ed Richards and Aiden BonarRichards, the grandson of Ron Richards and the great nephew of Lou Richards, is an exciting half-back with a beautiful left-foot kick that has soared into first-round calculations after an exciting end to the 2017 TAC Cup season. As the name suggests, he’s a mad Collingwood fan, but he definitely won’t be available still at Pick 38 (the Magpies’ second pick) as he’s been linked closely with the GWS Giants at Pick 11. Bonar has overcome great injury adversity — he’s already undergone two knee reconstructions as a teenager — to push into top 10 contention, thanks to a stunning draft combine campaign. A mobile forward at 190cm, Bonar could go anywhere between Picks 8 and 14.
The sliders: Jarrod Brander and Charlie ConstableAt the start of the season, Brander loomed as potential Pick 1. Now he could slide as far into the second round, despite being the definition of a football swingman. Brander declared last month he’d love to go to a “big club”, so Richmond — which could do with more talls — at Pick 17 or 20 might be a perfect fit. Constable soared into top 10 calculations after a dominant carnival for Vic Metro, but some clubs have concerns over his aerobic capacity. A big-bodied midfielder blessed with goalkicking ability and a knack for accumulating the ball, Constable could go as early as Pick 15 with the Swans or deep into the second round.
The smokies: Zac Bailey and Charlie BallardAs the Northern Territory’s best prospect, Bailey could sneak into the first round. He impressed with his line-breaking and accumulating skills, especially in contested situations, for the Allies at the national champs. Another champs bolter was Ballard — a tall wingman at 195cm from South Australia that has genuinely caught the eyes of club recruiters as the season has progressed. He played in both of Sturt’s Under 18 and Reserves premiership teams in the SANFL, but played different roles — one on the wing and the other up forward — in both games.
Mature-age recruits: Liam Ryan and Tim KellyThe best mature-age prospects this year are from the WAFL — and whoever picks up Kelly and Ryan will have two gun prospects. Kelly, 23, is a goalkicking midfielder that wins ample contested ball and admits he’s better prepared for an AFL career now than what he was five years ago when he was draft eligible. Ryan, 21, has the most exciting highlights reel of any draft prospect this year, with his speed, high-marking ability and goalkicking stunning WAFL onlookers. An excitement machine in every sense of the term, Ryan won the Bernie Naylor medal for most WAFL goals in a season with 71 — the most since 2010.
HOW WILL THE FIRST ROUND PAN OUT?THAT all depends on which player the Brisbane Lions select with Pick 1.
The race for Pick 1 is still wide open, with up to four players in line to be selected by the Lions. Western Jets gun Cameron Rayner, who has drawn comparisons to Dustin Martin and Christian Petracca, is a strong chance to be taken first, but Sandringham’s Andrew Brayshaw has bolted into contention thanks to a strong back-end to the year. Bendigo’s Paddy Dow and Dandenong’s Luke Davies-Uniacke are the other two players in the mix.
Foxfooty.com.au is predicting that the Lions will take Rayner with Pick 1, but Fremantle is unlikely to take Brayshaw at Pick 2. Instead, the Dockers will probably opt for Davies-Uniacke, with Carlton then picking Dow at the third selection.
North Melbourne had been linked heavily to Jaidyn Stephenson at Pick 4, but Eastern Ranges teammate Adam Cerra might leapfrog him here after Stephenson’s heart condition came to light. The Dockers’ fifth selection will be fascinating. They may opt for Brayshaw second-time round or Stephenson, but WA local Aaron Naughton might also be a chance.
From Pick 6 onwards, it gets a little murky. Collingwood has shown interest in Naughton, but SA’s Darcy Fogarty is also a chance. St Kilda has Picks 7 and 8 and will take the best available players, so don’t expect Brayshaw and Stephenson to be left hanging by Pick 8.
Northern Knights gun Nick Coffieldis a mad Western Bulldogs fan and could well get through to their selection at Pick 9, while Carlton is set to pick Darcy Fogarty at Pick 10 should he still be available.
Players who could make up the rest of the first round include Oakleigh duo Jack Higgins and Ed Richards — the grandson of Collingwood great Ron Richards — Dandenong pair Hunter Clark and Aiden Bonar, Bendigo’s Lochie O’Brien, Western Jets’ Lachie Fogarty, Sandringham’s Charlie Constable. Should he be available at Pick 13, WA local Oscar Allen is likely to be taken by the West Coast Eagles.
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-draft-2017-times-predictions-and-picks-in-your-ultimate-guide-to-the-national-afl-draft/news-story/76c4676dd8855e2dd90983ad5c168d90
