1. Carlton - Marc Murphy
Genuinely footy smart midfielder with good pace, skills, maturity and leadership. Not a clear cut No. 1 pick like Deledio or Cooney, but he is still to good for the Blues to pass on. The only downside to Murphy is that he is pretty small in stature (178cm)
2. Collingwood - Xavier Ellis
Like Richmond's Danny Meyer, Ellis has all the tools to be an AFL player but just has to bulk up. Ellis has a good combination of pace, class and decision making. Collingwood may look at Kennedy, but pace through the middle is more important for them.
3. Hawthorn - Josh Kennedy
IMO the best key foward in the draft. Has a tremendous work rate, presents well and is a good contested mark. Is also a pretty good mark on the lead and should be ready to play immediately which would appeal to Hawthorn.
4. Carlton - Shannon Hurn
Big strong bodied defender/midfielder who possesses a very good booming kick. Carlton probably need a key defender more but that can wait until pick 20, plus Hurn can play almost right away.
5. Collingwood - Mitchell Clarke
Tall key position player who can have cameos in the ruck. Collingwood have a buffet of quality key position players (eg Rocca, T Cloke, Fraser, Tarrant and etc) but the ruck position is still a problem. Clarke can potentially play as No.1 ruck and allow Fraser to play foward, or vice versa and have Fraser as No. 1 ruck and Clarke playing Fraser's forward role.
6. Hawthorn - Patrick Ryder
Hawthorn won't let Ryder slip through pick 6. Although Ryder is too short to be a No. 1 ruck, he can provide backup to Everitt whose current backups haven't established themselves yet. Ryder could even develop into a powerhouse midfielder in the Jonathon Brown or Koutafides mould with his terrific athleticism.
7. Essendon - Andrew Swallow
Essendon has some very good outside midfielders developing in Stanton, Lovett and Lovett-Murray. Swallow could be the perfect partner for Monfries as the two inside midfielders who feed the run of Stanton, Lovett and co.
8. Richmond - Beau Dowler
IMO, Dowler's injury is a godsend for the RFC, as it means he will almost certainly be available at pick 8. A very gifted key forward who is a strong contested mark and one of the most classiest finishers in this years draft.
9. Brisbane - Dale Thomas
People may think this is a strange choice but I think with Akermanis approaching 30, the Lions need a big-game player to replace him. Thomas can be the replacement with his pace, flair, and exceptional kicking skills. As proven in his BOG in the TAC CUP final, Thomas is a big game player.
10. Fremantle - Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls
A very fast midfield/winger with plenty of flair, great skills and the potential to be a matchwinner. Freo's midfield is honest and hardworking, but they really need a midfielder of Oakley-Nicholl's ilk to break open a game
11. Western Bulldogs - Nathan Jones
The Doggies have a very good midfield group coming forward in Cooney, Ray and Giansiricusa. Jones would be a great complement to this midfield as he can extract the ball and hand it off to the finishers such as Cooney. Also he could take the body blows (because his a big boy) for Cooney and co.
12. Melbourne - Cleve Hughes
Neitz is getting on with old age and they need a replacement for him. Hughes is an honest and hardworking key forward who likes to bring others into the game. Miller although a decent CHF is better suited elsewhere as his tally of goals isn't high. Hughes can fill in CHF and can play quite early.
13. West Coast - Todd Grima
Fresh from a Grand Final lost, West Coast have seen that they lack a dominant key forward. At this pick there aren't many good key forwards unless Dowler or Hughes slip through so the Eagles may be forced to reach for West or Grima. For me, Grima is better because West has been plagued with injuries. Grima is tall and has made the headlines, but the query is that he hasn't played that well on quality key defenders.
14. Hawthorn - Richard Douglas
Even if they get Kennedy early, the Hawks will be looking at snaring Hughes, but if he isn't available they may be looking for the best available. Douglas is probably best available. Very smart player who plays well off the Half Back flank through the midfield. Has deceptively good pace which would appeal to the Hawks who have a one-paced midfield.
15. Geelong - Shaun Higgins
In truth, I don't know much about Higgins, but he does sound good. Fast, smart and can kick goals. They really need a key forward as Ottens has not quite worked out (yet), but the only other good key forward left is West and he has knee injury concerns.
16. Adelaide - Darren Pfeiffer
After a pretty successful year, Adelaide will be looking to consolidate and are able to take best available. At this pick Pfeiffer is best available. Very balanced and polished medium defender and a high possession winner. Had a very good U18
championship this year.
17. Adelaide - Beau Muston
IMO, Adelaide can take a risk with this pick. Muston is a medium midfielder with dash, strong marking, can kick plenty of goals and a high possession winner. His knee reconstruction may put clubs off though.
18. Hawthorn - Austin Lucy
With Hay gone, Hawthorn needs someone who can replace him. Lucy is a highly rated key defender who has excellent dash out of defence. Tall, strong and mobile and is capable of playing quite early.
19. Essendon - Scott Pendlebury
Player with X-Factor who is capable of turning a match around. Tall versatile player who play midfield, wings and flanks. Good pace, excellent hands and terrific feet skills. Has continued to improve after the U18 championships
20. Carlton - Paul Bower
Mau prefer Spangher here but Bower is just as capable IMO as Spangher. An agressive key defender who doesn't really stick to his man and prefers to run off the half back flank.
21. Collingwood - Grant Birchall
If they take Ellis early, they won't need to take a risk with Varcoe. Birchall is a tall (192cm) fast midfielder/defender who is a strong mark, great kick and has the confidence to use his pace. Highly talented player who has the capability of becoming an A grade player at AFL level.
22. Hawthorn - Matthew Spangher
If Hawthorn opt for Spangher, they can play Spangher at CHB and allow Croad to be freed for a more attacking role in the forward line.Like Lucy has plenty of dash, but at times can lack composure. Long history of injuried may deter some clubs though.
23. Collingwood - Courtney Dempsey
Mixed reports on Dempsey, but i rate him pretty highly. An outside midfield, winger with very good speed, flair and uses the ball well. But i wouldn't be surprised if he ended being drafted a lot later
24. Richmond - Marcus Drum
Best available really. At 190 cm he is an in-between height. A player with outstanding talent, reads play beautifully off the half back flank and sets up counter attacks with a lethal right foot kick and great vision. May even be able to play at CHB if he grows a few more cm to 193-194cm.
25. Brisbane - Travis Varcoe
Small but lightning quick midfielder with terrific talent. Collingwood make look at him, but his serious foot injury would put off Collingwood and may allow Brisbane to snare him. Would complement the stronger bodies or Sherman and Adcock if he can get over the foot injury.
26. Fremantle - Michael West
Agree with Weaver on this one, West may probably be the best available forward at this pick. But his two knee injuries may hurt his chances of being drafted. Versatile, played key defence last year and key forward this year. Likes to stand near the goal square rather than lead up to the 50 m mark.
27. Western Bulldogs - Trent West
With Darcy out injured, the Doggies ruck division doesn't have much depth. West had a standout year in the ruck in the TAC Cup, and although i don't rate him that highly, the Doggies will be looking to add some depth to their rucking divisions.
28. Kangaroos - Ben McKinlay
With Motlop gone, Kangaroos will be looking for a forward who can provide that extra dimension. Mckinlay's draft hopes have been boosted by the success of Russell Robertson and Mark Williams. A medium forward who can play in key positions and has very sticky hands and a huge leap.
29. West Coast - Jace Bode
Medium midfielder who had a great U18 campaign. Works hard and runs hard and links up well with teammates. Doesn't have the greatest leg speed but is still worth a punt.
30. Port Adelaide - Luke McEntee
Don't know much about McEntee but seems to have some rapts from clubs. With Primus gone, Brogan out of sorts and Lade getting on with old age, Port need a young ruckman. But McEntee may take a while before he can ruck at AFL level.
31. Geelong - Angus Graham
After sending Chambers away, the Cats need another young ruckman. Graham could be what the Cats are looking for. Fairly underdeveloped but still at 198cm and still pretty young, he should have a fair bit of development if someone takes a punt on him.
32. Adelaide - Wayde Mills
Tall key position player (194cm, 88kg) who plays smaller than his height would suggest. Solid defender with IMO the perfect body for today's game when playing in key positions.
33. St Kilda - Matt Seal
Solid midfielder/forward flanker who gets the ball a fair bit and uses it fairly well. Loves to kick a goal, and had a reasonably impressive season in the WAFL.
34. West Coast - Adam Prior
Don't know too much about Prior but had a reasonable U18 campaign as a tall forward kicking 9 goals in 3 games including 7 in the match against NT. May appeal to West Coast who will be looking to fix up their key foward pronlems.
35. Geelong - Ryan Jackson
A good accumulator of the footy. Highly talented, and if he had better leg speed, he would find himself as a potential 1st round pick. Very versatile and can fill in any position that requires filling eg Wing, HBF, HFF, midfield.
36. Carlton - Brad Kelleher
Blue collar key position who may be caught out for height in the AFL standing at only 188cm. Can play FF or FB which would appeal to Carlton who have key position issues at both ends of the ground.
37. Collingwood - James Wall
Wall can add further height into the Collingwood unit and adds further depth into the rucking stocks. Pretty versatile, can play back, forward and in the ruck, but has not really stood out as a quality tall. Also very very lean.
38. Hawthorn - Travis Tuck (F/S)
Tuck could have easily lasted into the 4th or 5th rounds. But after seeing Shane Tuck blossom at Richmond, i don't think they would want to risk losing another Tuck. Late developer who probably want get a game until his 3rd or 4th season, so Hawk fans are going to have to have more patience otherwise he may make them pay at another club.
39. Essendon - Jay Neagle (F/S)
Specialist Full-forward without the height required to play this at AFL. Had a great season in the TAC Cup, but only because IMO he was a man playing against boys. Pretty good at ground level as his extra bulk allowed him to break tackles on kids much lighter than him.
40. Richmond - Matthew Laidlaw
Very fast defender/midfielder who posted the fastest 20m sprint time at this years draft camp. Will appeal to Richmond as he has the pace to play on small forwards, allowing Brent Hartigan to play a more upfield and attacking role. Has a good size 186cm and 81kg, makes good decisions with and without the ball, and is a deceptively strong mark. Downside would be that he doesn't have great stamina
Must give credit to Weaver and the bloke at Footydraft, as their reports gave me some more insight to the players i didn't know too much about.
