Chris McDermott rates Crows, Power 2017 draft picks
THE Crows went homegrown, while the Power plucked a plethora of late draft steals that should have fans excited, writes CHRIS MCDERMOTT.
For just the sixth time in the 18 drafts since 2000 the Crows have gone for a homegrown product with their first selection at the National Draft.
They may have struck gold securing Glenelg youngster Darcy Fogarty with pick 12.
Wiser heads thought he was a certainty to go before pick seven.
Some had him as high as number one earlier in the year before his season ended early due to a knee surgery.
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He slid to 12 and Adelaide pounced. You beauty!
I have always loved the theory of taking the best from your own backyard first unless there is an absolute standout still available — such as Patrick Dangerfield at pick 10 in 2007.
The Crows’ eyes would have bulged wide open when the 18-year-old was still there at pick 12.
Built like the proverbial brick outhouse, the youngster has the frame of a massive bodied midfielder so damaging in the game today.
They grow them tough in Lucindale — Fogarty’s home town also delivered another Glenelg and Essendon champ, Stephen Copping.
The man with telescopic arms was as tough as they come. Deadly around goals and one of the best marks, pound for pound, in Australia. There would have been no premiership for the Tigers during the mid 80s without the man affectionately known as “Keg”.
Let’s hope Keg Mk2 is just as good.
Importantly, the Crows have addressed their area of most need with the best player available.
Smart recruiting must be acknowledged.
Adelaide made it two South Aussies from their two picks, grabbing Andrew McPherson at No. 40.
Christmas came early for coach Don Pyke when McPherson was still available so deep into the draft.
Like Fogarty earlier, they did not expect the Woodville-West Torrens youngster to still be on the table.
He was, and taking him was a no-brainer.
The SANFL’s Eagles have served Adelaide well since the Crows’ inception in 1991 and continues to be a great recruiting ground for them 27 years later.
The 18-year-old defender, like Fogarty, has leadership potential to complement his football brain. He’s good by foot but also has the ability to move into the midfield.
Flexibility has been a focus of the Crows in recent times and they have another two recruits who fit the bill.
The hard work starts now but both should be eyeing a berth in Adelaide’s best 22 at some stage in 2018.
As expected, the Crows passed on their next two selections deep in the draft.
Good news for the club was Tyson Edwards’ son Jackson did not find a home and so is still available for selection at tomorrow’s rookie draft.
PORT ADELAIDE
It was a fascinating night at the draft table for the Power, with the majority of their recruiting done through trades before a selection was even made.
The question for the Power was, what direction should they take?
Tom Rockliff, Jack Trengove, Steven Motlop, Jack Watts and Trent McKenzie had already been recruited and it would be a challenge to fit all five into the 22 next season as well as another couple from the draft.
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So they went for youth.
They banked some talent for the future.
They choose wisely.
The Power didn’t enter the draft until pick 47 so their options were limited and ready-to-go players were few and far between.
They picked for need, To fill obvious areas of concern. Not necessarily immediate concerns but concerns for the not-too-distant future.
Support for Paddy Ryder was a must and it has been addressed.
Sam Hayes was chosen with their first selection and at 203cm his home is certain.
The 18-year-old dual All-Australian ruckman/forward is a long-term project and at just 93kg his most important home for the foreseeable future will be the Port Adelaide weights room.
As was the case for several players in this draft, Hayes was initially seen as a top-20 prospect but slid much deeper and proved too enticing for the Power to overlook.
They must — and will — be patient with him.
It looks a smart pick.
Kane Farrell, Jake Patmore and “Big Bird” Joel Garner were their next three selections at picks 51, 58 and 60 and looked peas in a pod at 182cm-74kg, 181cm-72kg and 184cm-83kg.
Like Hayes they are all long-term prospects and not initially considered to be 2018 potential.
Garner is the player to watch. His 83kg frame gives him the chance to play early and he is said to have raw courage and strength in typical Port Adelaide fashion.
He’ll become a crowd favourite, for sure.
The Power’s final selection at pick 61 may be considered a shock by some but for a club with a proud Indigenous history and tradition, it should not be.
Dom Barry will be known to many.
The 23-year-old debuted at Melbourne in 2013 before returning home to Central Australia and his family.
Three years later the second coming of Barry saw him find a home at Glenelg before making his way onto the Power’s list on Friday night.
He is a gamble of sorts but a gamble worth taking and if any of Port’s five selections at this year’s draft are to play early in 2018, it will be Barry.
The Power’s picks are all to be watched but Barry is worth a very close look.
Ken Hinkley’s list for 2018 is all but complete.
Port Adelaide’s 2017 season was good. Their 2017 off-season has been absolutely outstanding.
Bring on 2018.