The next big things
Emma Quayle | October 5, 2008
THE MIDFIELDERSDan Rich's hard-at-it approach and sweet left foot have long been highly rated and he seems likely to stay at home in Perth, although that may change should West Coast opt for Naitanui and Fremantle looks at Chris Yarran instead. It's difficult to see Rich getting past Port Adelaide, although you never know. Expect him to play senior footy next year.
Steele Sidebottom is shooting up the order — he can win lots of the ball, cleanly, kick it, kick goals and take marks against players bigger and stronger. He isn't too quick, but he makes good split-second decisions as compensation and can run all day. It's hard to see what should prevent him from being a very high pick.
Jack Ziebell is the big, strong type of onballer, likely to win the ball in tough, tight situations, whereas
Hamish Hartlett will provide the classy finish.
Stephen Hill is tall, quick and agile and may go top 10.
Sam Blease is your always-on-the-move, run-and-carry type — don't expect him to last far past the first nine or 10.
Luke Shuey, who plays with sure hands and good anticipation, and the calm, composed
James Strauss are others who have done their chances no harm.
Ball-winner
Nick Suban will be around the mark,
Michael Walters, a small, innovative player, should be another first-rounder, as should
Tom Swift, despite missing almost two years with knee injuries.
THE FORWARDSPencil
Jack Watts in as Melbourne's No. 1 pick, allow him some time to come on, but expect to see him making fast leads and taking big pack marks in the future.
Chris Yarran could be the most gifted player in the draft. He can dictate the course of a match when he's on and, if the clubs rate his midfield potential, he will be picked very high as well. Essendon will find him hard to pass on at No. 5, if Fremantle hasn't already been swayed.
Lewis Johnston has clean hands, and could turn into a full-forward. He does some risky things but is always doing something.
Ryan Schoenmakers takes a good mark, too, and could be a late mover.
At 191 centimetres,
Tom Lynch looks like he should be a tall midfield runner — but he doesn't yet have the engine for it. He plays with great desire, though, can lead-up well and is only just back from a knee reconstruction.
And please can someone draft
Tom Rockliff — he's not quick, he doesn't have much endurance and he hasn't yet proven he can play on the ball. But he is a smart, instinctive, creative player who just gets the ball, kicks goals and make things happen.
Aaron Cornelius should fit in somewhere too, perhaps in the second round.
THE DEFENDERSMichael Hurley isn't quick, clocking a smidgen over three seconds in the 20-metre sprint. So the clubs considering him as a key back will have to weigh his speed off the mark versus his long list of attributes — his precise, long kicking; his aggression, poise, ability to grab a mark at key moments and to go forward if needed. Essendon and Carlton could do with key defenders and he'll be in their thinking.
So too will
Jackson Trengove, who has more athleticism, an equally feisty attitude, a big leap and the potential to play in the ruck. The query on him is injury — the Calder Cannon tore his hamstring from his fibula and hasn't played since mid-season.
There has been some hype around North Adelaide player
Phil Davis, a possible bolter, with the Crows thought to be keen.
Jordan Lisle played in defence and attack for Vic Country this year and looks like he could develop some real strength and presence.
THE RUCKMENThis is where this year's point of difference lies — there are a lot of very good, very big players around. It means those who need them — Carlton and Essendon, among others — might be able to sneak a good one through to the second round. Naitanui's potential has been well-documented, and he has great determination (as evidenced in his tackling and clearance rate), which suggests he'll do everything he can to make up ground where his kicking and game sense are concerned. While the Eagles have long been linked with Rich, Naitanui may be the one they pick.
Tyrone Vickery is a ruckman, too, and quick, although some may actually prefer him as a key-forward option. There can't be many ticks against him.
The very tall, very skinny and incredibly nimble Ayce Cordy will head to the Western Bulldogs tomorrow as a father-son pick, and
Shaun McKernan, another athletic, spring-heeled type who can kick goals, should be on the edge of the top 10 somewhere.
Another one to watch out for is
Jordan Roughead — he has good speed, good endurance and, most importantly, he can play. South Australian
Jarrad Redden is highly rated and a lot of clubs were speaking to
Tom Hill, a 17-year-old Northern Knight who has bobbed up more recently.
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