2015 AFL draft Ultimate guide: Your club’s picks, what to expect, how to watch
WHAT time does the AFL draft start? How will the first round play out? What are your club’s expectations? Everything you need to know.
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WHAT time does this year’s AFL draft start?
How will the first round play out — and how confusing will it be?
What are your club’s expectations?
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of judgement day for the best aspiring footballers in the country.
WHEN IS IT?
Tuesday, November 24
WHERE IS IT?
Adelaide Convention Centre
HOW DO I WATCH IT?
Coverage commences at 6.30pm (AEDT). The first round will be live on Fox Footy (Channel 504), as well as Fox Sports 3 (503). To continue to watch the entire draft live, switch to Channel 503 after the first round, as Fox Footy will conduct interviews and have all the best analysis. The broadcast will conclude at 9pm.
HOW WILL THE FIRST ROUND PLAY OUT?
Carlton will select key defender Jacob Weitering with pick No. 1 on Tuesday evening, while Brisbane appears certain to take Murray Bushrangers forward Josh Schache with the next selection.
From there, the AFL’s new bidding system is likely to kick in, with Melbourne a strong chance to make a submission for Sydney academy player Callum Mills. The Swans, presuming they elect to match the Demons bid, could be forced to use up to four picks for Mills, meaning they mightn’t have another selection until pick No. 60.
The entire format for father-son and academy bidding system has been restructured this year, with clubs looking to secure gun academy and father-son youngsters having to pay for them, often with multiple picks.
The clubs likely to have a big say in the early parts of the draft are Essendon (picks 4, 5, 24 and 25), Melbourne, picks (3 and 7) and Gold Coast (picks 6 and 16).
Up to six academy players from the Swans, GWS and Brisbane could be selected in the first round, meaning Carlton’s first round pick of No. 19 could be pushed back to as far as No. 24.
WILL RECRUITERS AGAIN RECEIVE AMPLE AIR TIME?
No! Unlike previous years, club recruiters will be in a separate bunker on the night, with Champion Data’s points value index tool close by.
Another structural change this year will see AFL coaches read out the names and numbers of players selected to their clubs during the first round.
WHO ARE THE PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR?
The Bolter: Clayton Oliver
The Morrish medallist came home with a rush this season, averaging 24 disposals per outing for the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup. He finished third at last month’s agility test at the AFL Combine and also loves to sneak forward. He booted 20 goals from 16 matches this season. Oliver also has VFL experience having played two games with Richmond in 2015.
The slider: Rhys Mathieson
Although Mathieson’s contested ball-winning ability remained strong throughout 2015, there have been question marks raised about his running capacity and kicking efficiency. Midway through 2015, the midfielder was seen as a top-10 prospect. Now he is likely to slip to the late teens or even into the 20s. Whoever selects him will get a ready-made AFL player.
The Smoky: David Cunningham
Cunningham is lightning quick and not afraid to use his pace. The Oakleigh Chargers midfielder ran 2.91 seconds for the 20m sprint at the draft combine and finished in the top five of the repeat sprints test. He’s slipped under the radar a bit this year, but don’t be surprised if a club calls out his name with a late first round selection.
The mature-age recruit: Mitch Brown
The former Geelong defender has done everything right in 2015 while playing for Sandringham in the VFL. He was rock solid at centre half-back and even made an impact up forward late in the season. Many clubs are keen on this year’s VFL star, but Essendon is reportedly most keen after Brown played three NAB Challenge games with them earlier this year
The best ruck prospect: ...
It is highly unlikely a pure ruckman will be selected in this year’s draft. Josh Schache is 199cm and Harry McKay is 200cm, but both prospects are predominantly key forwards. Dandenong’s Gach Nyuon and South Australia’s Andre Parrella have been touted throughout the year, but are more likely to find their way onto AFL lists via Friday’s rookie draft.
YOUR CLUB’S DRAFT PICKS
Adelaide: 9, 13
Brisbane Lions: 2, 38, 39, 40, 41 (and later picks to help match academy bids)
Carlton: 1, 8, 11, 19, 58, 59.
Collingwood: 27, 64, 71, 74, 75
Essendon: 4, 5, 24, 25, 56, 73
Fremantle: 22, 35, 60, 68.
Geelong: 65, 76, 83, 87
Gold Coast Suns: 6, 16, 29, 55
GWS Giants: 10, 34, 42, 52, 54, 57, 62, 63
Hawthorn: 15, 18, 47
Melbourne: 3, 7, 45, 49
North Melbourne: 17, 26, 28, 46, 67
Port Adelaide: 32, 48, 77
Richmond: 12, 51, 78
St Kilda: 14, 44, 66
Sydney Swans: 33, 36, 37, 43, 53 (and other later picks to match bids for academy players)
West Coast Eagles: 23, 31, 61, 69
Western Bulldogs: 20, 21, 30, 50
Originally published as 2015 AFL draft Ultimate guide: Your club’s picks, what to expect, how to watch
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