Recruiter Gary Buckenara reveals the types of players your club needs to select in the draft
MORE outside speed? A key forward or defender? An inside midfielder? Every club needs to bolster its list but what types of players should your club be targeting in the draft? GARY BUCKENARA analyses every club.
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THE 2017 national draft is tonight.
Recruiting and list guru GARY BUCKENARA reveals what your club should be targeting with its draft picks on November 24 in Sydney.
RECRUITER: GARY BUCKENARA NAMES HIS TOP 30 DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR 2017
DRAFT ORDER: 2017 SELECTIONS LOCKED IN
ADELAIDE
Gary Buckenara says: The Crows bolstered its midfield with the addition of Bryce Gibbs in the trade period and by using its first-round pick in last year’s draft on Jordan Gallucci. This year, the Crows can go best available at their picks — which is often a midfielder.
The Crows also need ruck back-up. Sam Jacobs has been incredibly durable but what happens if he goes down? He’ll be 30 in April next year so Adelaide really needs to think about what its plan is for life after him. Reilly O’Brien has been around a while, but is he good enough?
I’d have a look at someone like Jake Spencer, who was delisted by Melbourne but has shown he can fill a role when needed, or look in the SANFL, WAFL and VFL to see if there’s a ruckman there who is capable of playing at AFL level if needed.
DRAFT PICKS: 12, 39, 75, 94
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES ADELAIDE’S LIST
BRISBANE LIONS
Gary Buckenara says: The Lions have some good key position players coming through but you can never have too many on your list so I’d be targeting two more young talls — one (potentially academy prospect Connor Ballanden) for up forward and one in defence. They also need ruck back-up for Stefan Martin as Archie Smith is the only other genuine ruckman on the senior list.
The other type of player Brisbane could use more of are rebound defenders with good kicking skills. I think in time Cedric Cox could become that type of player because he provides outside pace and skill but the Lions do need more players with those attributes.
DRAFT PICKS: 1, 15, 18, 40, 44, 52
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES BRISBANE’S LIST
WINNERS AND LOSERS: GARY BUCKENARA RATES YOUR CLUB’S TRADE PERIOD
CARLTON
Gary Buckenara says: The Blues have a pretty strong on-ball brigade, even with the loss of Bryce Gibbs, and are developing a nice mix in defence and up forward with Charlie Curnow and Levi Casboult as the marking power, but what is missing is a dynamic little small forward.
The Blues would love to have Eddie Betts back or a Charlie Cameron type but there could be scope for Jarrod Pickett to make this role his own with Sam Petrevski-Seton playing there at times when he’s not in the midfield.
There is also still a need for more players with outside pace and skill — players who can break the lines but who are also competitors. While you need classy ball users on the outside, no team can compete without in-and-under types who win the ball in their own right and are just fanatical in their pressure and hunger to win the footy.
DRAFT PICKS: 3, 10, 30, 72, 95, 96
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES CARLTON’S LIST
COLLINGWOOD
Gary Buckenara says: Collingwood needs to be very specific in the types of players it recruits this year and in the next 2-3 years. Outside of a key forward and another experienced or developing key defender, the Pies desperately need outside players with pace, endurance and who are elite distributors by hand and foot to use through the middle, on the wings and across halfback.
The club needs players who are good ball users in general, whether they’re inside mids, forwards or defenders. And the Magpies also need players who take the game on.
At the moment Brayden Maynard is the only one who really gets the ball and runs at the opposition — they need more of his type. He beats his opponent and then can kick the ball long; similar to how Matt Suckling was used at Hawthorn. The Magpies need that type of player, or even Grant Birchall and Brent Guerra types — all elite users of the ball who create off halfback with their skill.
DRAFT PICKS: 6, 38, 56, 61
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES COLLINGWOOD’S LIST
ESSENDON
Gary Buckenara says: The Bombers are coming off a big trade period where they addressed a need for a rebound defender in Adam Saad and added to their midfield depth with the addition of Devon Smith, who can play as an inside midfielder, one of the club’s positional needs. Even with the addition of Smith, I think the Bombers still require inside midfielders to replace Jobe Watson and Heath Hocking.
Essendon has a pretty well-balanced list, and is well off for key position players both forward and back but I believe the club does need a few more outside players with speed to suit that fast, high intensity brand of football it plays. Wingers with pace, endurance and good ball use are on the wish list.
DRAFT PICKS: 48, 67, 81
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES ESSENDON’S LIST
FREMANTLE
Gary Buckenara says: The Dockers are still feeling the loss of Matthew Pavlich. Cam McCarthy had a disappointing season and will need to put in a big pre-season to increase his engine and Shane Kersten will benefit when he’s the third tall rather than the second one. Key position players must be a focus in the draft, particularly with early picks — at least one of their two top-five selections must be a key forward.
DRAFT PICKS: 2, 5, 42, 60, 66, 70, 77, 80, 90
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES FREMANTLE’S LIST
GEELONG
Gary Buckenara says: The list is reasonably well balanced but what the Cats will need for the future are some key defenders and rebound defenders with a bit of size about them. Tom Lonergan has retired, as has Andrew Mackie who could play as a third tall as well as a rebounder because of his height (193cm) and athleticism and Harry Taylor is in the twilight of his career, he has one or two more years left. So that would be my focus at the draft this year and via either trade or free agency in the future to fill the immediate need.
The Cats also need a dynamic small forward. I know Nakia Cockatoo has been used in that role at times but I think his future is in the midfield or off halfback where he can use his explosiveness because he’s such a power athlete. He could be anything he’s got that much talent. I could really see him coming off half back, taking the game on, having a bounce and kicking long. He would be an 80-90 metre player.
DRAFT PICKS: 22, 24, 35, 58, 71, 86
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES GEELONG’S LIST
GOLD COAST SUNS
Gary Buckenara says: The Suns need players who are competitors, players who have that competitive edge who are fanatical at the contest and are committed to being the best they can be. It’s is a different market up on the Gold Coast with a party atmosphere so bringing players into the club, whether they’re forwards, mids or defenders must have a strong work ethic, who are professional and are committed to their football.
DRAFT PICKS: 19, 41, 50, 54, 74, 88
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES GOLD COAST’S LIST
GWS GIANTS
Gary Buckenara says: GWS has a well-balanced list but there are two areas that require attention. One is it desperately needs a dynamic small forward following the departures of Steve Johnson and Devon Smith that can apply pressure and can crumb off the pack and create scoring opportunities. Toby Greene is a great player but he’s more of a midfielder/forward. There are a couple of nice small forwards in this draft I think will strongly appeal to the Giants.
The other need is for a developing ruckman. With Lobb now the No.1 man and Dawson Simpson and potentially recruit Lachie Keeffe as experienced back-up, the club would be well-served looking for a young big man for the future. Matthew Flynn is the only young ruckman on the list and has been around for a couple of years. I’m not sure he will be up to the level.
DRAFT PICKS: 11, 27, 28, 57, 65, 85, 93
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES GWS’S LIST
HAWTHORN
Gary Buckenara says: Hawthorn has a wide variety of talent and depth in multiple positions but the area that needs bolstering is key forward stocks. Ty Vickery was targeted last year to fill that forward/ruck role but that hasn’t worked out and Jarryd Roughead is getting on in age, so the Hawks need another developing key forward behind the emerging Tim O’Brien.
The other type of player the Hawks need is a hard-running outside midfielder with pace and skill. Isaac Smith was tagged a lot this year because he’s so important to the Hawks with his gut-running and he can kick goals, while Billy Hartung tried to fill that role but was delisted. The run through the midfield can’t just be left to Smith, as good as he’s been.
DRAFT PICKS: 43, 68, 73, 78, 91
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES HAWTHORN’S LIST
MELBOURNE
Gary Buckenara says: The reason I have my doubts over whether this Melbourne list can be a premiership threat is because it needs more star power up forward and a genuine forward/ruckman. Cam Pedersen has filled that forward-ruck role but he’s more of a depth player. Can the Demons find one that performs consistently and really holds together the forward structure while Max Gawn is rucking?
The Demons also need another dynamic small forward to help Jeff Garlett who applies forward pressure and has good goal sense. Most teams have at least two of those types of small forwards — look at the success of Hawthorn with Cyril Rioli and Paul Puopolo.
More outside pace and skill to take the pressure and heat off Jayden Hunt would be a real weapon.
DRAFT PICKS: 29, 31, 36, 47
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES MELBOURNE’S LIST
NORTH MELBOURNE
Gary Buckenara says: The Kangaroos need a bit of everything, such is the position they’re in, but the real deficiency is down back. Scott Thompson has one, maybe two years left as a maximum and that will leave Tarrant as the recognised key defender. Sam Durdin and Daniel Nielson were trialled down back this year and Nick Larkey can play as a defender, but the club needs to draft at least another one or two key position players to develop and build depth in that area.
Outside pace with really good skills is an obvious need, as North Melbourne is actually pretty well off for inside grunt players like Jack Ziebell and Ben Cunnington. What I’m talking about are wingers and rebound defenders who create, break the lines and have good endurance and kicking skills.
The list could also use a developing ruckman behind Todd Goldstein, because Majak Daw has been around for years and still can’t cement a spot, while Braydon Preuss is still raw and we don’t know yet if he’ll make it.
A dynamic small forward who applies pressure and has good goal sense is also a need.
DRAFT PICKS: 4, 23, 64, 76, 87
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES NORTH MELBOURNE’S LIST
PORT ADELAIDE
Gary Buckenara says: The Power don’t enter the draft until pick No.46 after a fruitful off-season that bolstered its midfield, forward group and half backline with the additions of Tom Rockliff, Jack Watts, Steven Motlop, Jack Trengove and Trent McKenzie. Given their selections are later this year, I expect Port Adelaide to target positional needs such as the ruck after the departure of Matthew Lobbe. The Power need ruck back-up in the form of a genuine forward-ruck, rather than someone who plays predominantly as a ruckman so it can keep All-Australian Paddy Ryder in the No. 1 role.
Port Adelaide also needs a quick and clever small forward. Chad Wingard and Robbie Gray spend a lot of time inside 50 but they’re more marking and leading types who then go through the midfield. Motlop could potentially be that type of player but he has a big tank so can play more across half forward and further up the ground. There are some nice small forwards in this draft.
Players with tearaway speed are also a need. The Power has lost a bit of that dynamic speed it had back in 2014 that made it such a dangerous side, it was their real weapon.
DRAFT PICKS: 46, 49, 59, 62, 63, 82, 89
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES PORT ADELAIDE’S LIST
RICHMOND
Gary Buckenara says: Despite the form of Toby Nankervis this year I still think the Tigers need to bolster the ruck department. Shaun Hampson will return from after an injury-plagued season next year and could be the No. 1 ruckman with Nankervis as a forward/ruckman because I think he can thrive in that role. We saw this year the former Swan’s marking prowess around the ground and there’s no reason why he can’t do that inside forward 50 — he may just need to improve his endurance. He’s also pretty mobile for his size.
Hampson is a great tap ruckman, statistically one of the best in the AFL (he was ranked in the elite category for his tap work in 2016 — winning the hit out from 52 per cent of contests and a hit out to advantage from 16 per cent, the fourth-best percentage in both categories from players who contested at least 20 ruck contests per game according to Champion Data), who can really add more potency to the midfield mix, giving Martin, Cotchin and Prestia first use. So if those two are playing, Ivan Soldo is the back-up and I’d like to see another developing ruckman come onto the list.
Using Hampson as the No. 1 ruckman with Nankervis forward will also help the structure up forward alongside Jack Riewoldt and the small forwards. I still think Richmond needs another tall inside 50 to help Riewoldt despite the success of the smaller forward line this year.
The Tigers also need more outside speed. They are well off for inside players but more run and dash off halfback would be ideal.
DRAFT PICKS: 17, 20, 25, 53, 55
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES RICHMOND’S LIST
ST KILDA
Gary Buckenara says: St Kilda’s list has quite a good balance to it after the club has really invested in the draft over the last 3-4 years. It is well stocked in defence with the structure around Nathan Brown, Jake Carlisle, Dylan Roberton and potentially Hugh Goddard playing next year and the forward line has been well-prepared for life after Nick Riewoldt with Josh Bruce, Tim Membrey, Patrick McCartin, Josh Battle and even Rowan Marshall, who can play forward and in the ruck.
There are also a number of running defenders in Newnes, Geary, Savage, Webster and Gilbert, smaller forwards in Billings, Weller, Lonie and Gresham and midfielders in Steven, Ross, Steele, Dunstan, Acres, Stevens and Armitage coming back from injury.
I think the Saints can go best available with their draft picks this year and just add depth of talent, but with a premium on outside players with pace and skill. But they will likely look for a developing ruckman after delisting Jason Holmes and Lewis Pierce.
DRAFT PICKS: 7, 8, 34, 45
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES ST KILDA’S LIST
SYDNEY SWANS
Gary Buckenara says: On the surface it appears the Swans don’t need key defenders but it is the job of list managers and recruiters to look into the future, 2-4 years down the track and plan for the future. Heath Grundy isn’t going to play forever — he has been remarkably durable and consistent but he is 31 and has maximum one or two more years left. Who will take over from him? Aliir Aliir was touted as the man but for whatever reason has fallen out of favour and Michael Talia has been delisted. A key defender is a critical need for the Swans, both experienced and developing.
The Swans get caught on the outside with their lack of speed on bigger grounds. With their early picks in the draft I’d be looking for midfielders or half backs with pace, endurance and elite kicking ability.
DRAFT PICKS: 14, 33, 51, 84, 92
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES SYDNEY’S LIST
WEST COAST EAGLES
Gary Buckenara says: The Eagles are crying out for more outside speed and skill. I think the club realised later in the year that having Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell, as good as they were, really slowed down their midfield and they just weren’t able to run hard enough and long enough with the elite midfields of the competition, against guys like Josh Kelly and Dustin Martin.
The list also requires at least one more developing key defender alongside Josh Rotham, who will enter his second season next year, and it’s crying out for another big key forward to help Josh Kennedy. Darling does a great job but he could get even better if he’s a third forward like Jack Gunston was in the Hawthorn 2012-13 era alongside Jarryd Roughead and Lance Franklin.
West Coast also needs a small forward. Mark LeCras has 1-2 years left and Malcolm Karpany doesn’t get games for whatever reason. The ball simply comes out of the West Coast forward 50 far too easily. Could Willie Rioli be the answer as that dynamic small who puts pressure on and kicks goals? I’d also be looking for another option in the draft.
DRAFT PICKS: 13, 21, 26, 32, 37, 69, 83
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES WEST COAST’S LIST
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Gary Buckenara says: The Dogs were the team most affected by the third-man up rule and I think it’s time the club invests in a genuine ruckman from the VFL, WAFL or SANFL who can come in and play straight away as Tim English develops.
Don’t be surprised to see the Dogs look for midfielders and defenders with elite kicking skills who can replace Bob Murphy and Matthew Boyd. I think the Dogs can go best available with most of its picks providing at least one is an experienced ruckman. A mobile third-tall forward type would also be handy after the departures of Jake Stringer and Stewart Crameri.
DRAFT PICKS: 9, 16, 79
LIST ANALYSIS: GARY BUCKENARA ANALYSES WESTERN BULLDOGS’ LIST
Gary Buckenara helped build Hawthorn’s three-peat premiership list and now he runs a rule over club lists in an exclusive column for the Herald Sun.
Buckenara was a major part of Hawthorn’s recruiting team between 2004-2015 and was responsible for bringing Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Jordan Lewis to the Hawks in 2004 when he was the Hawks’ sole full-time recruiter.
Originally published as Recruiter Gary Buckenara reveals the types of players your club needs to select in the draft
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