Essendon, Fremantle in race for No.1 pick in what looks an even draft
UPDATE: ESSENDON and Fremantle could be playing off for the No.1 draft pick, but Bombers star David Zaharakis says tanking talk is ‘ridiculous’. See Sam Landsberger’s early draft top 10.
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ESSENDON and Fremantle will face off on Saturday night in a game that will help decide which club has the No.1 draft pick this year — but there is no standout prospect in what looks an even draft.
And in a blow to most clubs, recruiters believe eight of the best 20 youngsters are tied to talent academies controlled by the northern-state teams.
The brilliant academy batch means for the first time this year’s wooden-spooner could be denied access to the top three or four teenagers in the land.
A Bombers win at Subiaco would lift them two games clear of the Dockers, but a loss would drop them to last, depending on Brisbane Lions’ performance against Carlton.
TAB rates Essendon a $3.90 chance.
MARK ROBINSON: LOSER IN BOX SEAT FOR NO.1 PICK
Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis said today suggestions Essendon would tank to get the No.1 pick were “ridiculous”.
“Us as players always go out every week to win a game of footy. That’s just fact,” he said on SEN.
“You’re in a league environment, you never know what’s around the corner in terms of your body or injuries, so every time a player goes out to play a game of footy we’re trying to win, and we’re definitely trying to do that this year.
“Our fans have been quite impressed with the way we’re going about it but we’re still one and nine, and us as players want to win games of footy, we don’t want to walk in on a Monday morning after losing another game.
“Whatever happens at the end of the year with draft picks and all that takes care of itself then, but we definitely want to win.”
Experts say this year’s draft pool was flush for smalls but thin on talls.
They have forecast a dip in top-end talent.
Four of the past five No.1 picks have been key-position players — Jon Patton, Tom Boyd, Paddy McCartin and Jacob Weitering — and eight of last year’s first 16 were talls.
Key forward Todd Marshall could be a top-pick smoky.
Gippsland’s Ben Ainsworth, a 179cm forward, and Claremont midfielder Sam Petrevski-Seton are chances to go No.1.
The Herald Sun revealed this month the AFL had ruled the Deniliquin youngster ineligible for Greater Western Sydney’s controversial academy.
“It’s not the best field going around,” one recruiter said.
“There’s not a Weitering in there and so I think Marshall could end up right up there.”
Asked if it was the most even draft ever, he said: “I would say so, at this stage.”
A talent spike is anticipated for 2017 and clubs will think carefully before trading future first-round selections.
The even spread and range in opinions mean the Round 11 clash at Subiaco is devoid of a tag like 2007’s “Kreuzer Cup”.
While the national championships will play a major part in sorting the order, experts believe it will be a tricky year to hold the coveted first pick.
West Coast great Glen Jakovich declared skilful midfielder Petrevski-Seton a “must-sign” for the Dockers.
Surfers Paradise product and Suns academy member Jack Bowes is thought to be leading the pack but it is unlikely a club would use a No.1 pick to bid for an academy player.
A matched bid would let the wooden-spooner relinquish the marketability and aura of boasting the No.1 because it would take first selection at No.2.
That means the Suns and Giants could be granted their prized prospects below market price.
Marshall’s footy sample is small but a prolific season would see him overtake several midfielders in the rankings.
GWS academy members Will Setterfield (Sandringham Dragons), Harry Perryman (Collingulie) and Harrison Macreadie (Henty) are rated top-10 talent.
Beyond the Herald Sun’s top 10 Jacob Allison (Lions), Kobe Mutch (Giants) and Brad Scheer and Josh Williams (Suns) are academy guns seen as first-round hopefuls.
SAM LANDSBERGER’S DRAFT EARLY TOP 10
1. Jack Bowes* (Surfers Paradise/Gold Coast academy)
H: 187cm, W: 78kg midfielder
Will help the Suns forget about Dion Prestia or Jaeger O’Meara
2. Harry Perryman* (Collingullie/GWS academy)
H: 184cm, W: 75kg midfielder
Not quick but counters that with beautiful skills left and right a la Sam Mitchell
3. Todd Marshall (Murray Bushrangers)
H: 197cm, W: 87kg key forward
Mobile big man who is tipped to come with a bullet given his upside
4. Will Setterfield* (Sandringham Dragons/GWS academy)
H: 190cm, W: 80kg midfielder
Tall midfielder as driven as they come; can be messy with the ball
5. Sam Petrevski-Seton (Claremont)
H: 181cm, W: 76kg midfielder
Elite speed and agility reminds some of Cyril. Logical pick for Freo
6. Harrison Macreadie* (Henty/GWS academy)
H: 196cm, W: 89kg key defender
Yes, a third Giant in the top six. This one combines size with running power
7. Hugh McCluggage (North Ballarat Rebels)
H: 185cm, W: 75kg midfielder
Time slows when McCluggage gets it. Think Scott Pendlebury
8. Will Brodie (Murray Bushrangers)
H: 189cm, W: 82kg midfielder
Competitive onballer who has bulked up and already impressed against men
9. Jarrod Berry (North Ballarat Rebels)
H: 191cm, W: 80kg halfback
Brilliant leader who is quick and can play in any position
10. Ben Ainsworth (Gippsland Power)
H: 179cm, W: 74kg small forward
Can change a game and loves to fly high for marks
* Not in open draft - bound for academy club
Originally published as Essendon, Fremantle in race for No.1 pick in what looks an even draft
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