This mock Pre-Season Draft from Nick's Magpie forum looks pretty close to the mark.
1 Richmond – David Gourdis (Subiaco / 193cm / 88kg)There is always a story from Draft Day that confounds the best of us. To my mind Gourdis was that player this year. In saying that he was under rated on this Forum which shocked me given he was ones of the best at the 20m sprint and vertical leap at draft camp. Many of my posters had him high as did I but plenty also had him lower. Terrific season in the Colts and a wonderful championships. Plays CHF and has a big engine which allows him to constantly lead up. People will say I am crazy but if you saw Reiwoldt as a junior he was not a lot different and certainly plays in a similar fashion.
Couldn’t see Tigers passing on him given their need for tall forwards.
2 Carlton – James Wundke (North Adelaide / 196cm / 87kg)Big bodied KP player who mainly plays out of FF although played in the ruck at the Champs which I thought did him no favours. I liken him to Brian Harris and do see him being able to go back and play FB. For me its either FB or FF and Blues need more of his types. Chance to play next year given he has impressed at senior level this year in the SANFL. Good replacement for Fatso!
3 Melbourne – Ashley Sampi (West Coast Eagles)Will they …wont they? Of course they bloody well will. Melbourne don’t have enough cash to bring a player over from the west without picking him. They will take him and so they should. Another top ten draft pick who just went off the rails for a bit. Highly skilled but lacking ticker and motor. Melbourne get these blokes up and maybe the Davey work ethic will rub off. Hope so, cannot wait for another small Melbourne fwd to smash my side on mothers day!
4 Western Bulldogs - Scott Welsh (Adelaide Crows)Forgive me but am not sure I have heaps of time for this bloke and I wonder what the Dogs are doing with him. The Dogs are fantastic at brnging kids through and yet they go for troubled ‘stars’ like Akermanis and this bloke in search of a premiership that is a while away. I can see the logic, use Welsh there until Grant comes up – fair enough. He is certainly skilled and should go alright. Seems to go better in big games.
5 Essendon – Tom Bellchambers (Tasmania / 199cm / 91kg)Tom Bellchambers must be wondering what he had to do to get drafted. Terrific performer this year and whilst lacks a little speed he is the 2nd best ruckmen this year. We don’t get to see him a lot on the mainland but I have seen him quite a few times now and he impresses me every time. He is getting better and better and is now at a point where he changes games. For those of you that saw him vs Qld he was inspirational. Along with Collier they single handedly turned that game with the under age Cornelius. At the Draft camp showed off all his attributes for the scouts and they will have him high. Tall, terrific palmer of the footy, good below his knees and good use of hands and feet he presents as a beautiful prospect. Does have the ability to go forward as he showed in the Allies game where he kicked 5 goals but is an area you would want to work on. Essendon have got him down at Bomberland so expect this selection.
6 Fremantle – Ryley DunnOriginally had McGrath here but he has once again held his club to ransom in the hope of a better offer which didnt eventauate.....again! Ryley Dunn will get selected here and good for him. Showed something at back end of the year playing mid and HBF and should be persisted with. Broadhurst might also be in the mix for a spot.
7 West Coast Eagles - Aaron Joseph (Tasmania / 178cm / 75kg)Just couldn’t quite believe a bloke who scored best at Draft Camp for agility and who made AA wouldn’t get selected.
Aaron Joseph is quite unheralded insomuch as he was an AA member by the end of the Champs. Saw a couple of his games and just thought he was a good consistent competitor. Will put his body on the line through a contest and whilst not your ideal height for a midfielder he is someone that sets up play with his hands particularly. Foot skills are very good and has work ethic and a motor that will keep him going more than the average bloke. I likened him a bit to Tom Hislop from last year. This kid knows how to play footy
8 Essendon - Ashley Arrowsmith (Calder Cannons / 188cm / 82kg)Not likely to ever be a CHF but he is a genuine 3rd tall who covers the ground extremely well. Superb by feet and hands and is starting to win more of his own ball which has been one of the deficiencies in his game for mine. Seems to polarise opinion but there is no doubting he is proving he is a big game player and who will appreciate the space of Subi. Worsfold will need to be convinced the kid has a big enough heart muscle– that’s the only thing that’s a slight question mark. Big call….little bit of Hird about him and remember where the Dons picked up the great man.
http://www.magpies.net/nick/bb/viewtopic.php?t=40775
