AFL Draft 2014: Clubs nominate the next generation of talent
ST KILDA has crowned Paddy McCartin the No.1 draft pick while Geelong springs the surprise of the first round by picking Nakia Cockatoo. SEE EVERY PICK IN THE DRAFT TRACKER.
ST KILDA has crowned Paddy McCartin the No.1 draft pick, anointing on the 194cm forward as the heir to Nick Riewoldt.
But Geelong pulled the biggest surprise of the first round, adding speed machine Nakia Cockatoo to its midfield.
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Cockatoo won a late invitation to the Gold Coast — arriving after an AFL-funded $308 taxi fare from Brisbane — and was unveiled on stage by the Cats with their first top-10 pick since Joel Selwood eight years ago.
The bold move to take Cockatoo at pick 10 helps offset the loss of outside runners Travis Varcoe and Allen Christensen, but chief recruiter Stephen Wells said he would have taken the nephew of Che Cockatoo-Collins regardless.
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Cockatoo was one of the most intriguing draft prospects after playing just one game for the season – a best-afield performance in the Grand Final curtain-raiser at the MCG – and backing that up with a sizzling draft combine.
He is expected to be handed Gary Ablett Sr’s famous No.5 guernsey and is fit for pre-season.
Greater Western Sydney picked Australian under-19 cricket captain Pat McKenna at No.23.
The 18-year-old has not played TAC Cup but recently chose to pursue football and kicked 16 goals for Gisborne in an under-18 game this year.
St Kilda decided to crown spearhead Paddy McCartin the No.1 pick last Wednesday but chose not to tell him.
Chief operating officer Ameet Bains said McCartin “was the best player for us” after overlooking explosive midfielder Christian Petracca.
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“In terms of drafting Paddy, he’s an imposing, aggressive key forward, we love the way he goes about it,” Bains said.
“He’s an imposing, aggressive key forward and we love the way he goes about it.
“We love his resilience in overcoming the diabetes at an early age. We love his character. He’s someone that others gravitate to.”
The Saints stole Brendon Goddard’s cousin and McCartin’s Geelong Falcons teammate Hugh Goddard at No.21.
“How’s that (another Goddard to St Kilda)?” the intercept-marking swingman said.
“I’m really big on creating a name for myself. Brendon’s done well with his career and now I want to start my own through lots of hard work.”
Geelong Falcons talent manager Michael Turner said McCartin was ready to partner Nick Riewoldt in attack.
“He’s potentially another Jarryd Roughead,” Turner said.
“He was only performing to 70-80 per cent of his capabilities this year due to a few niggles,” Turner said.
St Kilda’s bold decision to take spearhead McCartin with the prized No.1 draft pick delivered Melbourne its dream midfield result of Christian Petracca and Angus Brayshaw at picks 2 and 3.
Collingwood drafted big-bodied midfielder Jordan De Goey at pick No.5 — acquired as part of the Dayne Beams trade.
The versatile De Goey was one of the prime ball-users at this year’s national championships, recording a kicking efficiency of 80 and proving a menace forward in the same vein as North Melbourne’s Jack Ziebell.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley’s list rejuvenation will be powered by seven top-20 selections in three years with De Goey, father-son swingman Darcy Moore, speedster Nathan Freeman and Matthew Scharenberg all expected to debut in 2015.
Big chance Geelong rolls dice on Nakia Cockatoo with first top-10 pick since Selwood. Brings speed. Played one game after foot fracture.
— Sam Landsberger (@SamLandsberger) November 27, 2014Cockatoo — a cousin of Essendon’s Courtenay Dempsey and former Adelaide champion Andrew McLeod — kicked a brilliant goal from 20 disposals on Grand Final day.
He then won the repeat sprints, kicking test and finished in the top 10 for the standing vertical jump, running vertical jump and 20m sprint at the draft combine.
“That didn’t hurt him (but) it didn’t boost him a fair bit, we always had him rated very, very highly,” Wells said.
“We’ve watched Nakia play for a number of years now. He’s a midfielder who can also play half-back and half-forward.
“Nakia’s a strong boy with a great inside and outside aspect to his game, as well as some brilliance.”
Cockatoo said he was “speechless” to go at pick 10.
“It (playing Grand Final day) was the best experience I’ve ever had in my life. I played my best footy and that’s put me where I am now.
“I’m exciting, competitive and love to run, love it. I’m a good mark as well.
“I had a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal in my right foot and that set me back for a bit, about a year-and-a-half.
“I’m speechless. Steven Motlop is there, Mathew Stokes is there so two NT boys and I’m really happy.”
Mick Malthouse coached Peter Foster at Footscray and now has his son Jayden after the Blues pinched the TAC Cup’s leading goalkicker at No.60.
Former Saint Ahmed Saad’s AFL future now hinges on the December 3 pre-season and rookie drafts.
Saad, 25, is hoping to win a second AFL lifeline after copping an 18-month suspension for taking a banned drug last year.
2014 NATIONAL DRAFT TOP 10
1. Patrick McCartin (St Kilda)
2. Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
3. Angus Brayshaw (Melbourne)
4. Jarrod Pickett (GWS)
5. Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
6. Caleb Marchbank (GWS)
7. Paul Ahern (GWS)
8. Peter Wright (Gold Coast)
9. Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
10. Nakia Cockatoo (Geelong)
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Originally published as AFL Draft 2014: Clubs nominate the next generation of talent
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