Recruiter Gary Buckenara reveals strengths and weaknesses of 2019 draft crop

This year’s AFL draft features plenty of talented youngsters but it’s bad news for clubs looking to bolster its key position and ruck stocks. Recruiter Gary Buckenara reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the 2019 draft pool.

Matt Rowell (left) and Noah Anderson (right) are expected to land at Gold Coast with picks 1 and 2. Picture: Tony Gough

The depth of talent in this year’s draft is strong and in years to come we’ll look back and see players who have developed into good AFL players were taken with later selections.

It is a midfielder’s and rebound defender’s draft but there are also a number of very talented small forwards and general defenders available. For clubs in need of ruckmen and key position players, however, there isn’t much on offer. Clubs requiring these types of players might be forced to sacrifice earlier picks to recruit for needs to bring in the better taller prospects while still available.

GARY BUCKENARA’S TOP 50 DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR 2019 WILL BE REVEALED ON SUPERFOOTY.COM.AU AT 7AM ON MONDAY

The talent pool is very even after the top 5-10 but it will go deep, with players set to be taken in the 25-45 range possessing the talent to turn into good AFL players with the right development and professionalism.

One of the interesting aspects of this draft will be how clubs manage their positional recruiting strategy. Usually recruiters will look at this around pick 35 but the spread of young talent this year means this might not happen until a bit later, around pick 45, as clubs look to invest in the best young players.

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Matt Rowell (left) and Noah Anderson (right) are expected to land at Gold Coast with picks 1 and 2. Picture: Tony Gough

That’s not to say, however, clubs won’t look at mature-age players from state leagues who can come in and have an immediate impact. Now more than ever clubs are looking for the next Tim Kelly, Liam Ryan and Tom Stewart.

There are a few sons of former players in this draft but not all are eligible under the father-son rule. The best of them is Noah Anderson, who I’ve got rated at the second-best player in the draft, who is the son of my premiership teammate Dean Anderson but is not eligible as a father-son to the Hawks.

The Hawks do, however, have first access to Finn Maginness who I rate just outside the top 10.

GARY BUCKENARA: WHAT YOUR CLUB NEEDS IN THE DRAFT

Will the Hawks match a bid for father-son prospect Finn Maginness? Picture: Hamish Blair

The draft is one of the most exciting times of the year as the dreams of young footballers around the country are realised and clubs potentially recruit their next superstars.

There is heartbreak for many who don’t get picked, however, and to those players who do find themselves overlooked I say this: Never give up on your dreams. Keep working hard and play at the highest level possible next year to continue to improve – you never know what can happen in the future if you commit to being the best footballer and person you can. You just need to look at the likes of Kelly, Ryan, Stewart and now Marlion Pickett to know this isn’t the end.

GARY BUCKENARA’S TOP 50 DRAFT PROSPECTS FOR 2019 WILL BE REVEALED ON SUPERFOOTY.COM.AU AT 7AM ON MONDAY

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Originally published as Recruiter Gary Buckenara reveals strengths and weaknesses of 2019 draft crop