2008 National Draft Selections
ROUND 1
MELBOURNE
Pick 1– Jack Watts
Sandringham Dragons – 196cm, 82kg
Athletic, strong-marking tall forward with pace who is an excellent shot on goal. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008, winning Larke Medal and All-Australian honours. AIS-AFL Academy graduate. From Brighton Grammar.
WEST COAST
Pick 2 – Nicholas Naitanui
Swan Districts - 201cm, 94kg
High-leaping ruckman with outstanding pace, vertical leap and agility. Tackling is also a feature of his game. Dual All-Australian U18 team member, winning selection in 2007/08. AIS/AFL Academy graduate. From Midvale JFC.
FREMANTLE
Pick 3 – Stephen Hill
West Perth - 184cm, 69kg
Medium midfielder/defender with excellent pace and a raking left-foot kick. Can play inside or outside winning both contested and uncontested possessions, and his run and carry are a feature of his game. All-Australian U18 selection following NAB AFL U18 Championships. From Quinns Districts JFC.
PORT ADELAIDE
Pick 4 – Hamish Hartlett
West Adelaide – 184cm, 77kg
Medium midfielder who reads the game exceptionally well, has clean hands, vision and kicks the ball superbly. All-Australian U18 selection after standout performances for South Australia in the NAB AFL U18 Championships. From Edwardstown FC.
ESSENDON
Pick 5 - Michael Hurley
Northern Knights (Vic) 192cm, 92kg
The Bombers need some talls in the back-line with the retirement of Mal Michael and the likely retirement of Dustin Fletcher in the two years. Hurley fits the bill as the most highly credentialed key defender of recent years. Hurley’s strengths are his defensive spoiling, reading of the play, long kicking and versatility.
CARLTON
Pick 6 - Chris Yarran
Northern Knights (Vic) 180cm, 84kg
The Blues need to beef up their forward-line and Yarran is just the type of player they need. Dynamic around the goals and able with the evasive ability of Shaun Burgoyne, Yarran booted seven goals in Round 1 of the WAFL this year and ended the season as the premier Swan Districts’ leading goalkicker. There are still question marks over whether he can play in the midfield or if he’ll be purely a forward, but he’ll play AFL in 2009 and may give the Blues another option up forward that they desperately need.
BRISBANE
Pick 7 - Daniel Rich
Rich has been touted as a top-three pick from the start of the year so the Lions will be rapt to get his here. Rich is a dynamic midfielder with a booming left foot kick who has played in two senior WAFL premierships in the past two seasons. He was named All-Australian at under-18 level in both 2007 and 2008.
RICHMOND
Pick 8 - Tyrone Vickery
Sandringham Dragons (Vic) 200cm, 86kg
The Tigers were desperately hoping Vickery would slip through to pick eight. Another of the highly touted crop of talls in this year’s Draft, Vickery missed 2007 with a knee reconstruction but has put together some outstanding performances this year off a limited preparation. He is a ruckman who has shown that he can go forward and have an impact.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Pick 9 - Jack Ziebell
Murray Bushrangers (Vic) 188cm, 84kg
Ziebell is a tough onballer who is versatile enough to play forward or back. A future leader who was named in the under-18 All-Australian team in 2008. Strong overhead for his size, Ziebell’s work at the stoppages and ability to push forward and kick goals make him very highly regarded.
ADELAIDE
Pick 10 - Phil Davis
North Adelaide (SA), 192cm, 83kg
Davis missed most of 2008 with injury but is still highly rated by many, with his marking and ability to read the play his strengths. He is also capable of going forward but will be a long-term project player.
COLLINGWOOD
Pick 11 - Steele Sidebottom
Murray Bushrangers (Vic) 182cm, 79kg
Sidebottom was the talk of the town after his 10-goal haul in the TAC Cup grand final but may slide down the order slightly because of the strength of this year’s top group of players. A goal-kicking midfielder with elite kicking skills, Sidebottom is also strong overhead for his size and a good reader of the play.
SYDNEY
Pick 12 - Lewis Johnson
North Adelaide (SA), 192cm, 87kg
The Swans need to start planning for life after Barry Hall and they haven’t taken a key forward in the National Draft since 1999. Johnston is a powerful, leading forward who took 16 contested marks at this year’s U18 Championships, six more than any other player.
ST KILDA
Pick 13 - Tom Lynch
Sandringham Dragons (Vic) 191cm, 84kg
At 192cm Lynch is best suited up forward but can also push up into the midfield where he could play as a tall wingman. Strong overhead and with good endurance, Lynch played alongside Jack Watts both at Sandringham and Vic Metro in 2008.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Pick 14 - Ayce Cordy (father-son selection)
Geelong Falcons (Vic) 202cm, 77kg
Cordy missed most of 2008 with a shoulder reconstruction yet was still always certain to end up at the Bulldogs under the father-son rule. He ended up being taken with their first selection, No.14 overall, but would likely have been a top 10 pick if available on the open market. The 202cm Cordy will take a long time to develop but given his mobility for his size and overall potential, he is the Bulldogs’ best young ruck hope since Luke Darcy’s career began in the mid-1990s.
GEELONG
Pick 15 - Mitchell Brown
Sandringham Dragons (Vic) 195cm, 82kg
The Cats will be keen to bolster their key forward stocks and after a strong end to 2008 in the TAC Cup for Sandringham, Brown may be a good fit. He averaged 14 disposals and six marks in his seven games for the Dragons this year and has grown to a hefty 195cm.
HAWTHORN
Pick 16 - Ryan Schoenmakers
Norwood (SA), 189cm, 85kg
Schoenmakers is a tall one who can play forward or back but is most likely to end up as a Travis Cloke-type. His kicking ranks as elite and he was a regular goalkicker at SANFL reserves level this year.
PRIORITY ROUND
MELBOURNE
Pick 17 - Sam Blease
Eastern Ranges (Vic) 183cm, 72kg
Blease brings pace to the midfield. He’s still young and has a long way to go but when the ball is in his hands something special always happens. He set alight the Telstra Dome with two breathtaking goals in the final of the U18 Championships against W.A. this year.
WEST COAST
Pick 18 - Luke Shuey
Oakleigh Chargers (Vic) 185cm, 84kg
Shuey is one of the leading inside midfielders of the Draft, averaging four tackles and five clearances per game in the TAC Cup this year for Oakleigh.
ROUND 2
MELBOURNE
Pick 19 - James Strauss
Oakleigh Chargers (Vic) 185cm, 81kg
The Demons may be looking to add some pace and run to their half back-line, and Strauss fits the bill. He plays the modern game, highlighted by his ability to play as an outside wingman or running defender which is an area the Demons are currently lacking.
WEST COAST
Pick 20 - Tom Swift
Claremont (WA) 190cm, 84kg
Swift is a 191cm midfielder who has missed most of the past two years with knee injuries. The Eagles need some natural ball-winners to replace the likes of Judd and with Swift they definitely have that. He has a freakish ability to find the ball, highlighted by his tally of an amazing 109 disposals in three games at the 2006 U16 Championships which included one game where he racked up 45.
FREMANTLE
Pick 21 - Hayden Ballantyne
Ballantyne scored 75 goals in the WAFL this year and is a mature-age recruit ready for AFL action in 2008. He’s only small (175cm) but has great goal sense, can push up into the midfield and was rarely beaten this year. He’s the perfect replacement for the retired Jeff Farmer.
ADELAIDE
Pick 22 – Jackson Trengrove
Calder Cannons, 196cm, 88kg
Athletic tall who can play at both ends of the ground or in the ruck. Shows good endurance, speed and agility for a tall, and is good in one-on-one contests. AIS-AFL Academy graduate and member of Vic Metro U18 squad in 2008. From PEGS.
ESSENDON
Pick 23 – David Zaharakis
Northern Knights, 182cm, 72kg
Quick and agile midfielder who is a penetrating kick. Represented Vic Metro at NAB AFL U18 Championships earning All-Australian selection. From Marcellin College.
FREMANTLE
Pick 24 – Nick Suban
North Ballarat, 180cm, 83kg
Competitive small midfielder who wins his own ball in contested situations. Excellent skills and a player who makes good decisions. AIS-AFL Academy graduate. Vic Country U18 representative, winning All-Australian U18 selection in 2007/08. From Bacchus Marsh FC.
BRISBANE
Pick 25 - Jarrad Redden
Eagles, 202cm, 88kg
Developing ruckman who impressed for South Australia at U18 level , finishing third in hitouts and hitouts to advantage in NAB AFL U18 Championships.
RICHMOND
Pick 26 – Jaydyn Post
Western Jets, 194cm, 88kg
Tall forward who could also carve out a career in defence. Athletic, Post is good overhead and clean by foot.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Pick 27 – Sam Wright
Murray Bushrangers, 188cm, 76kg
Agile medium half-forward with good goal sense who can also run through the midfield. Clean overhead. From Katamatite FC.
ADELAIDE
Pick 28 – Shaun McKernan
Calder Cannons, 196cm, 94kg
Courageous, strong-bodied ruckman who has strong hands in a contest. Quick and agile for a player of his size. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008, resulting in All-Australian selection. From Tullamarine FC.
COLLINGWOOD
Pick 29 - Dayne Beams
Southport, 186cm, 77kg
Versatile midfilelder who can go forward or back. High possession winner who is balanced and composed in traffic. Queensland representative in 2008 NAB AFL U18 Championships. From Southport FC.
SYDNEY
Pick 30 - Dan Hannebery
Oakleigh Chargers, 182cm, 77kg
Courageous midfielder with good endurance. High possession winner with good skills and clean hands. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008. From Xavier College.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Pick 31 - Jordan Roughead
North Ballarat, 200cm, 92kg
Developing ruckman with good endurance who is sound at ground level. Ruckwork is a feature of his game. From Lake Wendouree FC.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Pick 32 - Liam Jones
Tassie Mariners, 195cm, 86kg
Tall forward or defender who reads the game well and attacks the ball with purpose. Good decision maker and strong overhead. Attends Scotch College in Melbourne. From North Hobart FC.
GEELONG
Pick 33 - Tom Gillies
Dandenong Stingrays, 192cm, 86kg
A full-back who gives good rebound. Won the Stingrays’ best and fairest and is noted for his ability to read the play.
HAWTHORN
Pick 34 - Liam Shiels
Eastern Ranges, 183cm, 79kg
Underage medium midfielder who is good inside. Represented Vic Metro in this yearn's national championships.
ROUND 3
MELBOURNE
Pick 35 - Jamie Bennell
Swan Districts, 178cm, 68kg
A small, running midfielder who is quick and agile. Highly-skilled.
WEST COAST EAGLES
Pick 36 - Ashley Smith
Dandenong Stingrays, 186cm, 85kg
Medium midfielder with pace and the ability to run and carry the ball. Possesses a penetrating kick. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008. From Berwick FC.
FREMANTLE
Pick 37 - Zac Clarke
Oakleigh Chargers, 203cm, 83kg
Victorian ruckman comes from a basketball background. Is a versatile type who can run all day and has a huge leap.
PORT ADELAIDE
Pick 38 - Matthew Broadbent
Eagles, 189cm, 83kg
Hard running defender who can also play run-with roles. Is courageous and has clean hands. His long kicking was a feature for South Australia at NAB AFL U18 Championships this year. From Henley FC.
GEELONG
Pick 39 - Steven Motlop
Wanderers, 182cm, 67kg
Medium forward with uncanny ability around goal. Has clean hands and excellent evasive skills. Northern Territory representative at both U16 and U16 NAB AFL Championships. From Wanderers FC.
CARLTON
Pick 40 - Mitch Robinson
Tassie Mariners, 185cm, 79kg
Medium midfielder who kicks with depth, has good evasive ability, runs hard forward and tackles strongly. Had outstanding U18 Championships, winning Hunter Harrison Medal (Division Two best and fairest) and continuing that form into Division One, leading to All-Australian U18 selection. From Lauderdale FC.
BRISBANE
Pick 41 - Todd Banfield
Swan Districts, 182cm, 75kg
Medium midfielder with pace to burn. With his neat skills and fast feet Banfield can break games open, but is also capable around clearances.
PORT ADELAIDE
Pick 42 - Mitchell Banner
Western Jets, 179cm, 79kg
Small midfielder who wins his own ball and has good disposal by hand and foot. High possesion winner who is good overhead for his size. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008. From Werribee JFC.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Pick 43 - Liam Anthony
Eastern Fremantle, 189cm, 87kg
Handy as a crumbing forward, Anthony cuts his teeth in the midfield where he has great vision and is neat by foot. Can get a lot of the pill.
ADELAIDE
Pick 44 - Rory Sloane
Eastern Ranges, 182cm, 78kg
Competitive defender who can also play in the midfield or forward. Wins his own ball, is strong overhead and is excellent in one-on-one situations. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008. From Upwey-Tecoma FC.
COLLINGWOOD
Pick 45 - Jarrad Blight
Swan Districts, 189cm, 73kg
The skinny: Hard running and versatile player who is strong overhead and has excellent vision and awareness.
COLLINGWOOD
Pick 46 - Luke Rounds
Geelong Falcons, 181cm, 74kg
The midfielder can also play in defence. Can win a lot of the ball and is a top athlete, impressing for speed, agility and endurance at the draft camp.
ST KILDA
Pick 47 - Rhys Stanley
West Adelaide, 200cm, 88kg
Developing ruckman who was impressive for South Australia in its win over NSW/ACT at Telstra Dome during NAB AFL U18 Championships. From Southern Eagles FC.
ST KILDA
Pick 48 - Nick Heyne
Gippsland Power, 188cm, 79kg
Versatile medium forward/midfielder who can provide good run. Strong overhead with good goal sense. AIS-AFL Academy graduate. From Orbost-Snowy Rovers F.C.
GEELONG
Pick 49 - Taylor Hunt
Sandringham Dragons, 183cm, 83kg
Athletic defender with good pace, endurance and a strong attack on the ball. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008. From Beaumaris FC.
HAWTHORN
Pick 50 - Jordan Lisle
Oakleigh Chargers, 195cm, 93kg
Strong-marking forward who has ability to play back. Competitive and courageous player who has solid skill level. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2008 culminating in selection in 2008 All-Australian U18 team. From Carey Grammar.
ROUND 4
MELBOURNE
Pick 51 - Neville Jetta
Swan Districts, 180cm, 77kg
Skilful, high-possession winning midfielder/forward who is strong overhead for his size. WA State U18 representative in 2008. From Carey Park JFC.
WEST COAST EAGLES
Pick 52 - Jordan Jones
Geelong Falcons, 189cm, 86kg
Tall defender who is strong overhead and possesses a good leap. Attacks the contest, is agile for his size and has been used in the midfield. Vic Country U18 representative in 2008. From Ocean Grove FC.
FREMANTLE
Pick 53 - Michael Walters
Swan Districts, 177cm, 73kg
Highly-skilled midfielder/forward with great skills by both hand and foot. Has good awareness, agilty and can win ball in contested or uncontested situations. AIS-AFL Academy graduate. WA State U18 representative in 2008. From Midvale FC.
PORT ADELAIDE
Pick 54 - Jarrad Redden
Eagles, 202cm, 88kg
Developing ruckman who impressed for South Australia at U18 level , finishing third in hitouts and hitouts to advantage in NAB AFL U18 Championships.
ESSENDON
Pick 55 - Michael Still
Northern Knights, 194cm, 83kg
Finished second in the TAC Cup's goalkicking. The tall forward has a great set of hands.
FREMANTLE
Pick 56 - Ben Bucovaz
Geelong Falcons, 188cm, 88kg
Medium defender/forward who is a long and penetrating kick. Reads the play well and is a good kick for goal. Vic Country U18 representative in 2008.
BRISBANE
Pick 57 - Aaron Cornelius
Tassie Mariners, 192cm, 84kg
Tall-marking forward who is strong on the lead and has very clean hands. Reads the play well. Has experienced senior VFL action with the Tassie Devils. All-Australian U18 honours in 2008. AIS-AFL Academy graduate. From Glenorchy FC.
RICHMOND
Pick 58 - Tom Hislop
Essendon, 185cm, 85kg
Former Bomber dumped for disciplinary reasons gets a reprieve. Was pick 20 in 2006 draft. Hislop is a tough, inside midfielder.
NORTH MELBOURNE
Pick 59 - Nathan O'Keeffe
Eastern Ranges, 193cm, 83kg
The strong marking forward is a late bloomer who averaged 3 goals a game in his 7 TAC outings.
ADELAIDE
Pick 60 - Tom Lee
Claremont, 191cm, 86kg
Athletic forward who can play midfield. Has good hands, a penetrating kick and is blisteringly quick.
SYDNEY
Pick 61 - Campbell Heath
Gippsland Power, 187cm, 75kg
Heath represented Vic Country in the under-18 national championships, where he had 9 disposals and 5 marks in his only outing. A medium defender, he will find a home at half-back where his silky skills will provide rebound.
ST KILDA
Pick 62 - Alistair Smith
Perth, 183cm, 79kg
Medium midfielder with pace and good skills by foot on his preferred left side. WA U18 representative in 2008 NAB AFL U18 Championships. From Northam JFC.
HAWTHORN
Pick 63 - Luke Lowden
Sandringham Dragons, 204cm, 87kg
Developing ruckman. Lowden only played three games with the Dragons, having 7 touches and 9 hot outs a game.
ROUND 5
MELBOURNE
Pick 64 - Rohan Bail
Mt Gravatt, 183cm, 91kg
The medium midfielder caught the eye of recruiters in the AFLQ. Bail, 19, was fourth in the league MVP and represented his state against WA.
CARLTON
Pick 65 - Rhys O'Keefe
North Adelaide, 188cm, 83kg
Medium defender who kicks extremely well on his preferred left foot and provides great dash from defence. All-Australian U18 selection following the NAB AFL U18 Championships. From Kilburn FC.
PORT ADELAIDE
Pick 66 - Glenn Dawson
Eagles, 186cm, 75.1kg
Dawson recorded the fastest 20m sprint at his state screening. An athletic forward, he can take a high grab and uses the pill well with both feet.
ESSENDON
Pick 67 - Tyson Slattery
West Adelaide, 189cm, 81kg
The running defender can hold his ground well in marking duels. Will get the chance to play with his hero, Dustin Fletcher. Wins his own footy and breaks the lines.
FREMANTLE
Pick 68 - Tim Ruffles
North Ballarat, 180cm, 68kg
Lightning midfielder/forward, Ruffles was a standout for pace and leap at the state screening. Will enjoy the wide expanses of Subiaco.
BRISBANE
Pick 69 - Bart McCulloch
A versatile ruckman and forward, McCulloch is good at ground level. The Lions hope he and Leunberger will present a dynamic duo. He is apparently only the second Bart to make it to AFL/VFL ranks.
70. RICHMOND - PASS
NORTH MELBOURNE
Pick 71 - Warren Benjamin
Claremont, 187cm, 85kg
His state screening of 2.76sec over 20m set tongues wagging. A good sized on-baller, Benjamin's remarkable pace will be deadly in North's already brisk on-ball brigade.
ADELAIDE
Pick 72 - Will Young
North Ballarat, 192cm, 83kg
Strong marking forward with good speed/endurance combination. Good at the contest and in one-on-one situations. Vic Country representative in 2008. From North Ballarat JFC.
73. Collingwood - Leigh Brown
74. St Kilda - Paul Cahill
75. Hawthorn - Shane Savage
Sixth Round
76. Melbourne - PASS
77. Fremantle - Chris Hall
78. Port Adelaide - Jason Davenport
79. Essendon - PASS
80. Carlton - Caleb Tiller
81. Brisbane - Kieran King
82. Brisbane - PASS
83. St Kilda - Colm Begley
Seventh Round
84. Port Adelaide - PASS
85. Carlton - PASS
