Brisbane Lions set to choose Cameron Rayner as No.1 draft pick

BRISBANE Lions have settled on this year’s No.1 draft pick after holding a marathon list meeting on Wednesday.

UPDATE: BRISBANE Lions are set to settle on Cameron Rayner as this year’s No.1 draft pick after holding a marathon list meeting on Wednesday.

The Herald Sun understands the Lions will hold their nerve and take the explosive goalkicker, who they rank as the best player in the draft.

The Lions yesterday discussed whether to instead take future leader Andrew Brayshaw at No.1 and also select brother Hamish to help the pair relocate north.

But Brisbane is confident Rayner will adjust to life at the Gabba under the club’s impressive new leadership and develop into a damaging midfielder.

Barring a last-minute backflip, Rayner is their man.

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The Lions are likely to draft close mate Lachlan Fogarty at No.15, if he is still available, to help the Western Jets boys settle in Brisbane.

Sydney holds the No.14 pick and senior coach John Longmire interviewed Fogarty at his Williamstown house on Tuesday.

Fremantle is poised to then pick Luke Davies-Uniacke at No.2 with Carlton likely to take Paddy Dow at No.3.

Rayner, 18, has long been likened to Richmond megastar Dustin Martin for his powerful build and match-winning ability.

The Lions believe Rayner can improve his endurance to become a crowd-pulling star at the Gabba.

“Certainly, when Rayner is forward of the ball he’s consistently a dangerous match-up,” Lions chief recruiter Stephen Conole told the Herald Sun last week.

“And he has genuine match-winning ability. He’s a powerful player and he’s had an outstanding season.

“We’ve said before we’re targeting midfielders, and I think Cam has the ability to go through the midfield.”

Brisbane Lions are set to choose Cameron Rayner as No. 1 draft pick.

Rayner is set to become the posterboy for the Lions’ rebuild and join last year’s early picks Hugh McCluggage, Alex Witherden and Jarrod Berry in an emerging and talented young list.

The Lions already boast an impressive young spine and are also likely to draft 199cm academy player Connor Ballenden.

The young Lions will also learn from champion recruit Luke Hodge’s leadership next season.

Rayner ran a sluggish 2km time trial last Friday and finished year 12 exams on Monday.

Brisbane this week reinterviewed Rayner and Sandringham’s Andrew Brayshaw before making the tightest No.1 decision in draft history.

Rayner will become the Jets first No.1 draft pick and is rated by several clubs as the standout prospect.

Adelaide recruiter Hamish Ogilvie said on Wednesday night he would select Rayner at No.1.

Rayner led the goalkicking at the national championships, kicking 12 for Vic Metro and averaging 120 SuperCoach points.

Rayner’s Penleigh and Essendon Grammar coach said this week his endurance base would be no problem after three AFL pre-seasons.

“It’ll be a Dustin Martin set-up — they’ll be building gameplans around this kid,” Clay Illman said.

“That’s how good he is.”