Gary Buckenara’s club-by-club analysis of the 2016 AFL draft
AFL draft guru Gary Buckenara gives his in-depth analysis of every club’s picks. How did he rate your club? CHAT WITH BUCKY TODAY FROM 1PM
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AFL draft guru Gary Buckenara gives his in-depth analysis of every club’s performance at the national draft.
Who did he rate at the big winners and who missed the mark?
CHAT LIVE WITH GARY BUCKENARA FROM 1PM TODAY ABOUT YOUR CLUB’S DRAFT PICKS AND LOOK AHEAD TO THE PRE-SEASON AND ROOKIE DRAFTS
ADELAIDE
WHO THEY PICKED
15 Jordan Gallucci (Eastern Ranges)
44 Myles Poholke (Dandenong Stingrays)
51 Elliot Himmelberg (Redlands QLD)
62 Matthew Signorello (Northern Knights)
75 Ben Davis (UNSW NSW)
The Crows obviously wanted to strengthen their midfield because four of the five players drafted were midfielders and they’re strong players in Jordan Galluci and Myles Poholke who could both play senior footy in 2017. They’re not small, both are tallish midfielders, which is the type of player Adelaide is lacking. Elliott Himmelberg will take a bit of time but will be a key position player who marks the ball well and addresses a need for the future. Matthew Signorello at pick No.62 and Ben Davis at 75 will be two midfielders who’ll develop in the SANFL — I really like Davis, he’s had injury concerns and will need to be managed but I think he can become a nice player.
Bucky’s verdict: Adelaide went in with a plan to get some midfielders and another tall and they’ve done that so they would be happy, particularly with their first three picks in Galluci, Poholke and Himmelberg. The Crows need another ruckman and didn’t take one in the national draft, so that’s an area to look at in either the pre-season or rookie drafts.
BRISBANE LIONS
WHO THEY PICKED
3 Hugh McCluggage (North Ballarat Rebels)
17 Jarrod Berry (North Ballarat Rebels)
23 Alex Witherden (Geelong Falcons)
24 Cedric Cox (North Ballarat Rebels)
55 Jacob Allison (Aspley/Lions Academy)
71 Corey Lyons (Sandringham Dragons)
The big winner of the draft, the Lions picked up Hugh McCluggage at No.3, the guy I rated as the best player in this year’s draft. He will be a star. Jarrod Berry was also a very good get at pick No.17 and it’ll be valuable for the Lions to have three teammates from North Ballarat go up there together in terms of player retention with Cedric Cox also joining and brings x-factor. Alex Witherden is a really nice player who has had some injury concerns but makes good decisions and has composure — attributes the Lions obviously targeted because they are characteristics McCluggage and Berry are known for. McCluggage, Berry, Witherden and Cox can all step into the AFL side next year.
Bucky’s verdict: A very good result for Brisbane, their best haul at the draft for a very long time.
CARLTON
WHO THEY PICKED
6 Sam Petrevski-Seton (Claremont)
27 Zac Fisher (Perth)
47 Harrison Macreadie (Henty/GWS Academy)
59 Cameron Polson (Sandringham Dragons)
61 Tom Williamson (North Ballarat Rebels)
65 Pat Kerr (Oakleigh Chargers)
One of my favourites in the draft was Sam Petrevski-Seton and the Blues were lucky enough to pick him. Carlton was looking to build on the haul they got at last year’s national draft where they brought in better ball users and key position players. This year the Blues have picked more dynamic players with good kicking skills in Petrevski-Seton, who should end up being a very good AFL player, Zac Fisher has x-factor as a quick small forward and Tom Williamson can break games open. Harrison Macreadie, Cam Polson and Pat Kerr — who is so disciplined — are also very good picks to complement the draftees of this year and last. Petrevski-Seton will definitely play next year, Fisher has a light body but is capable of playing some games and Macreadie could also get some games as could Polson.
Bucky’s verdict: There have been some big and much-needed list changes at Carlton over the last two years and Stephen Silvagni and his team have done a very good job in picking players for the future, which is clearly what they’ve got their eye on in building a team of good decision-makers and elite ball users who have good speed.
COLLINGWOOD
WHO THEY PICKED
30 Sam McLarty (Oakleigh Chargers)
35 Callum Brown (Eastern Ranges, father-son)
50 Kayle Kirby (Bendigo Pioneers)
57 Josh Daicos (Oakleigh Chargers, father-son)
Going into the draft the Magpies needed to bolster its key defensive stocks after losing Nathan Brown and Jack Frost and it did that in taking Sam McLarty at No.30. McLarty can play, he’s a versatile tall and will probably end up being a key position player. I didn’t have Callum Brown rated as highly as pick No.35, so I was a bit surprised North Melbourne bid on him but Collingwood did what it needed to do by matching and I think Brown should develop into a handy player. Josh Daicos also joined as a father-son, which was a brilliant result — getting the Brown and Daicos names back at the club is enormous. Collingwood also addressed a need in small forward Kayle Kirby as it doesn’t have that super quick crumber and if he can knuckle down and get himself fit, Kirby could be a handy player inside 50 and provide x-factor. Of the four, McLarty has the body to play some games and Kirby, if he gets fit, can come in and have an impact next year with his pace.
Bucky’s verdict: Collingwood has done OK, they were never going to be a major player. There wasn’t a huge selection of key position players in the draft pool but I had McLarty ranked in my top 50 so they’ve done well to get him. Kirby is a speculative pick.
ESSENDON
WHO THEY PICKED
1 Andy McGrath (Sandringham Dragons)
22 Jordan Ridley (Oakleigh Chargers)
31 Joshua Begley (Eastern Ranges)
42 Kobe Mutch (Bendigo Pioneers/GWS Academy)
63 Dylan Clarke (Eastern Ranges)
Essendon would be happy with what they did. Andy McGrath with pick No.1 is a powerful player who breaks the lines, uses the ball extremely well and is dynamic. I have no doubt he will slot into Essendon’s best team next year. I like the selections of Jordan Ridley, Kobe Mutch and Dylan Clarke but Josh Begley was a bit of a surprise. Begley has a big body and probably hasn’t done much in terms of pre-season so there should be some big improvement in him and won’t be intimidated at AFL level but it’s whether he’ll be able to adapt. Ridley has the body to play next year, as does Mutch and Clarke but with a number of players coming back from suspension, expect most of these guys to develop through the VFL.
Bucky’s verdict: The Bombers did very well, as you’d expect with the No.1 pick plus some other high selections. They brought in some pace, which was an area that needed to be bolstered so that’s a big tick. I had Clarke ranked in my top 50 and they were able to get him at No.63.
FREMANTLE
WHO THEY PICKED
8 Griffin Logue (Swan Districts)
38 Sean Darcy (Geelong Falcons)
41 Brennan Cox (Woodville-West Torrens)
66 Luke Ryan (Coburg)
It was surprising the Dockers overlooked Tim English with their top 10 pick — he’s the best ruckman in the draft and they need a replacement for Aaron Sandilands. Having said that, Griffin Logue is a strong-bodied player who has a real crack, can take a mark, has a nice kick and should come in and play next year. Fremantle did address the ruck need with Sean Darcy and I think the selection of Luke Ryan from the VFL, at pick No.66, could be one of the best late picks. He’s ready to go.
Bucky’s verdict: Fremantle has addressed areas that needed to be addressed for the future and have brought in four players who should develop into good AFL players. I like what they’ve done even though English was overlooked.
GEELONG
WHO THEY PICKED
26 Brandan Parfitt (NT Thunder/North Adelaide)
40 Tom Stewart (Geelong VFL)
43 Esava Ratugolea (Murray Bushrangers)
60 Quinton Narkle (Perth)
68 Timm House (Geelong VFL)
69 Ryan Abbott (Grovedale Tigers)
The Cats grabbed my big smoky Esava Ratougolea and I’ll be very interested to see how he develops, he has real athleticism. I like the selections of the two Geelong VFL players Tom Stewart and Timm House — the Cats have obviously liked what they’ve seen and been able to get to know them on a personal level as well as their on-field development. They’ve looked to the future by picking those two guys too, with the likes of Tom Lonergan, Harry Taylor and Andrew Mackie coming towards the end of their careers. Brandan Parfitt knows how to find the footy and is a player for the future and Quinton Narkle has some real pace, an area the Cats are lacking but he did lose his way a bit after under 16s, he wasn’t working hard enough and didn’t have the dedication. It looks like the penny may have finally dropped and if he continues on that path, could be a good find.
Bucky’s verdict: A little bit unknown and the jury is out. There are some potentially good players but some work to do. Parfitt and Narkle will take time, as will Ratougolea.
GOLD COAST SUNS
WHO THEY PICKED
4 Ben Ainsworth (Gippsland Power)
7 Jack Scrimshaw (Sandringham Dragons)
9 Will Brodie (Murray Bushrangers)
10 Jack Bowes (Cairns/Suns Academy)
67 Brad Scheer (Palm Beach Currumbin/Suns Academy)
With four picks inside the top 10 it was hard for the Suns not to have a good night and they didn’t disappoint. Nailed their selections with Ben Ainsworth who slipped to No.4 after the Bombers took McGrath over McCluggage, so that was a bonus, Jack Scrimshaw, Will Brodie and Jack Bowes. Have now got a good group of midfielders to replace the ones they’ve lost and it’s all about development and retention now. I really like Ainsworth and Bowes and both should play a fair bit of footy next year, as will Scrimshaw and Brodie. Brad Scheer will develop in the NEAFL.
Bucky’s verdict: Gold Coast would have walked away very pleased and I’d be feeling mightily satisfied if I was in their shoes. Just edged by Brisbane as the best haul on the night.
GWS GIANTS
WHO THEY PICKED
2 Tim Taranto (Sandringham Dragons)
5 Will Setterfield (Sandringham Dragons/GWS Academy)
14 Harry Perryman (Collingullie-GP/GWS Academy)
20 Isaac Cumming (Broken Hill/GWS Academy)
54 Lachlan Tiziani (Murray Bushrangers/GWS Academy)
58 Matt de Boer (Fremantle)
It was a surprise to take Tim Taranto at No.2, I had him ranked at No.10. The Giants have made the most of their academy once again with Will Setterfield, Harry Perryman, Isaac Cumming and Lachlan Tiziani, just adding more depth to what is an extremely strong list. The biggest surprise of the night was the selection of former Docker Matt De Boer but the Giants obviously have a role in mind for him. Taranto and Setterfield should get a taste of senior footy next year but with such a strong list, expect most of these guys to be playing NEAFL.
Bucky’s verdict: The flag favourites for 2017, the Giants’ list is in very good shape and they’ll be rubbing their hands together again with their picks by adding more top end talent and depth. Strong.
HAWTHORN
WHO THEY PICKED
74 Harry Morrison (Murray Bushrangers)
76 Mitchell Lewis (Calder Cannons)
Had to wait until pick No.74 to get involved but were able to grab Harry Morrison, a player I had ranked No.45 in my top 50, so the Hawks would be happy with that. Mitchell Lewis is a good all-round sportsman and is a tall forward who can go into the ruck and competes well, so he’ll develop in the VFL with the aim of becoming that forward/ruck clubs like. Don’t expect to see either of them playing senior footy in 2017.
Bucky’s verdict: Hard to give one given where the Hawks had their selections but did as well as they could have hoped. Both are good users of the footy, so fit the Hawthorn mould.
MELBOURNE
WHO THEY PICKED
46 Mitchell Hannan (Footscray VFL)
64 Dion Johnstone (Oakleigh Chargers)
In unfamiliar territory not having early picks, the Demons took Mitch Hannan from Footscray in the VFL and I like that selection. They don’t have a lot of tall utility types so he adds a bit in that area as he reads the play well and is a good intercept mark. Coming from the VFL he’ll be more advanced than other draftees so if he has a good pre-season could find himself playing some senior footy. Dion Johnstone is a competitor and a bit of a late bloomer and will develop in the VFL.
Bucky’s verdict: After a great trade period the Demons were limited in their selections. Added some depth with Hannan but still need key position and ruck depth.
NORTH MELBOURNE
WHO THEY PICKED
12 Jy Simpkin (Murray Bushrangers)
34 Declan Watson (Aspley)
36 Josh Williams (Surfers Paradise)
73 Nick Larkey (Oakleigh Chargers)
Like the selection of Jy Simpkin, he’s a playmaker who makes things happen and at pick No.12 is a good get, he’s just a very good footballer and will play next year. The Kangaroos also picked up a couple of academy players in Declan Watson (Brisbane) as a utility type who reads the play well but can make zany decisions and Josh Williams (Gold Coast) is very quick, which addresses a need because they’ve got a lot of mid-paced midfielders. Both are project players who will develop in the VFL. Nick Larkey is a tall — also addressing a critical need — who can play down back but will be used more as a forward who could go into the ruck but will need time to develop.
Bucky’s verdict: The jury is out. North Melbourne has potentially addressed some needs with pace and talls but time will tell how Watson, Williams and Larkey develop. Simpkin will be a nice player.
PORT ADELAIDE
WHO THEY PICKED
16 Todd Marshall (Murray Bushrangers)
18 Sam Powell-Pepper (East Perth)
32 Joe Atley (Bendigo Pioneers)
33 Willem Drew (North Ballarat Rebels)
Had a good hand with four picks inside the top 35 and picked up players I really like in Todd Marshall, Sam Powell-Pepper, Joe Atley and Willem Drew. Marshall is a talented sportsman and as a key forward addresses a critical need for Port Adelaide inside 50 and should spend some time developing in the SANFL next year but I’d like to see him get some senior opportunities. Stats say Powell-Pepper is one of the best kicks in terms of efficiency but that’s misleading, I think it needs attention. He’s a bit of a rusher and doesn’t steady enough. He does break the lines and is powerful, two attributes Port Adelaide need.
Bucky’s verdict: A good night for Port Adelaide. Marshall, Powell-Pepper, Atley and Drew were all ranked inside 40 of my top 50 so a big tick.
RICHMOND
WHO THEY PICKED
29 Shai Bolton (South Fremantle)
53 Jack Graham (North Adelaide)
72 Ryan Garthwaite (Murray Bushrangers)
When I wrote my Richmond list analysis column an area I identified as a need was a quick and clever small forward and they’ve got that in Shai Bolton to partner Daniel Rioli. Moving to Melbourne from Western Australia will be a challenge but hopefully he settles in and can produce the impressive footy he showed for South Fremantle. He’s dynamic and has x-factor but needs to get his body right and the Tigers will need to manage him carefully. I didn’t have Jack Graham in my top 50 but some rated him very highly given he won the Larke Medal as the best player in the under-18 championships — I think that pick will please the Tigers but he needs to improve areas of his game. Garthwaite adds depth down back and is very good one-on-one. He finished third in the best and fairest at the Murray Bushrangers and should improve even more learning off the likes of Alex Rance.
Bucky’s verdict: The Tigers are on the right track now in terms of investing and developing talent via the draft rather than bringing in recycled players, which they’ve done in the last five or so years in my opinion. Bolton has upside and hopefully for Tigers fans these players will develop. Time will tell. All three have the capability to play at AFL level next year and should get a taste at some stage but it depends how the Tigers are travelling.
ST KILDA
WHO THEY PICKED
25 Ben Long (NT Thunder/Footscray VFL)
39 Josh Battle (Dandenong Stingrays)
56 Edward Phillips (Oakleigh Chargers)
Pulled one of the surprises of the night by swooping on Ben Long with pick No.25. His VFL form with Footscray was impressive in the second half of the season but will he be able to perform at the next level? Has speed, which is something the Saints lack so could get an opportunity to add that to the senior team next year. Most think Josh Battle was the big slider but I disagree. I had him ranked at No.44 in my top 50 because the query is — and this is of most talls coming through — can they perform to a high level against big opposition at AFL level? Yes they dominate in under-18s because they’re bigger than everyone else and use their weight but as recruiters you need to look past that because they won’t be playing on undersized players forever. Ed Phillips is a rebound defender with a good kick and reads the play well, the type of player the Saints need for the future.
Bucky’s verdict: St Kilda is recruiting players who use the ball very well and I like it. It’s such a key component of the modern game and St Kilda has got in early by banking these guys over the last couple of years and did so again on Friday night.
SYDNEY SWANS
WHO THEY PICKED
11 Oliver Florent (Sandringham Dragons)
21 Will Hayward (North Adelaide)
45 Jack Maibaum (Eastern Ranges)
48 Darcy Cameron (Claremont)
Took Oliver Florent with its first pick, which was higher than I’d ranked him in my top 50 but not many develop players as well as Sydney so expect them to do a good job with him and teach him to go harder at the footy. Will Hayward is talented and quick and addresses a need at the Swans given they were exposed for pace in the finals series. He may take a bit of time to develop, will need to build a bit more strength before he gets his chance, in fact I wouldn’t expect he or Florent to play much next year. Lost Toby Nankervis to Richmond during the trade period and replaced him with Darcy Cameron, who I rated in my top 50, and I like that pick as he’ll come in as a ready-made player from the WAFL who adds ruck depth but is a player who keeps improving.
Bucky’s verdict: Smart recruiting from the Swans once again with Cameron in particular and Jack Maibaum as a defender to replace Ted Richards and eventually Heath Grundy. Addressed needs.
WEST COAST EAGLES
WHO THEY PICKED
13 Daniel Venables (Western Jets)
37 Josh Rotham (West Perth)
52 Willie Rioli (Glenelg)
77 Jake Waterman (Claremont, father-son)
In the lead up I said this is a draft where beauty is in the eye of the beholder and that’s true as the Eagles took Daniel Venables, who was rated highly but probably not at pick No.13. Only played a few games with the Western Jets because of school commitments but clubs don’t just watch one year, they watch these guys develop over a number of years. Like the selection of Josh Rotham who I had rated at No.17 but he slid back to No.37, so a great get and the same goes for Willie Rioli who could be anything. Super talented quick small forward who wins his own footy and has good goal sense, it seems the penny has finally dropped as he’s shed weight and with a good pre-season can play in Round 1. Getting Jake Waterman so cheaply at their last pick was a win.
Bucky’s verdict: The Eagles did well and have looked to the future with most of their picks, while I wouldn’t be surprised if Rioli has a big impact next year. Adam Simpson demands from his recruiters players who are competitive and they’ve delivered.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
WHO THEY PICKED
19 Timothy English (South Fremantle)
28 Patrick Lipinski (Northern Knights)
49 Lewis Young (Sturt)
70 Fergus Greene (Bendigo Pioneers)
Swooped on ruckman Tim English who I thought would go in the top 10, so that’s a huge tick for the Bulldogs who would be thrilled. He’ll need time to develop and add some size but he’s so agile, has footy smarts and is a good kick for his size — clearly the best young ruckman in the draft. The Bulldogs have looked to the future with their picks and certainly do like the tall utility types as they’ve picked up two more in Patrick Lipinski — although at No.28 was a shock — and Fergus Greene. Lewis Young will develop as a key position depth player after losing Joel Hamling to Fremantle. Took no time to take their players when they were up, which tells me they got the players they wanted, no discussion necessary.
Bucky’s verdict: The Bulldogs have been big winners in the draft over the last couple of years by nailing their picks and they’ve done so again with English. Smart choice with Young at pick No.49 to fill that developing tall spot following Hamling’s departure.
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