AFL Draft 2020: How the first 26 picks may fall
Who will you club take in tonight’s AFL Draft? Our reporters have been on the phones and have plenty of late mail. This is how the first 26 picks could fall.
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The AFL Draft is only hours away and there’s still so much up in the air - particularly at the top of the order.
Will the Crows take the local boy Riley Thilthorpe? Or go interstate with Logan McDonald or Elijah Hollands?
Along with Essendon’s trio of selections, it’s a call which is set to shape the first-round of Wednesday night’s draft.
Adelaide’s interest in Collingwood NGA prospect Reef McInnes is also a chance to shake the top-10.
Could the Pies trade up to get in front of the bid? If they can’t, there’s a chance they let him go.
We’ll soon find out. Here’s a look at how the first 25 picks may fall.
1. WESTERN BULLDOGS
(Matching Adelaide’s bid)
JAMARRA UGLE-HAGAN
Key forward, 195cm, 90kg
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
Adelaide is tipped to bid for the generational key-forward, who has drawn comparison to Lance Franklin. Ugle-Hagan, who boasts spectacular athleticism, speed and terrific hands above his head, booted 24 goals from nine matches in standout NAB League season in 2019.
IN THE MIX: If the Crows don’t bid here - and opt to make Riley Thilthorpe, Logan McDonald or Elijah Hollands the club’s first ever No. 1 pick - North Melbourne or the Swans will.
2. ADELAIDE
RILEY THILTHORPE
Ruck/forward, 201cm, 100kg
West Adelaide/SA
Thilthorpe’s size, athleticism, flexibility, speed and class is rare and it’s why his selection won’t be all about his local ties. The Crows have been into the West Adelaide star, who booted seven goals in his first five senior games in 2019 before playing in the ruck this year, for a long time.
IN THE MIX: Adelaide has also put plenty of work into game-breaking midfielder Hollands but it’s likely to come down to Thilthorpe or WA star McDonald.
3. NORTH MELBOURNE
ELIJAH HOLLANDS
Midfielder/forward, 189cm, 85kg
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
A serious knee injury sidelined the game-breaking midfielder-forward this season before the NAB League shutdown. But he already has enough runs on the board, impressing in his bottom-age year. He takes the ball cleanly - and does it with speed and power – allowing him to break the game open.
IN THE MIX: It will be hard to overlook McDonald but the Kangaroos do like Hollands.
4. SYDNEY
DENVER GRAINGER-BARRAS
Key defender, 194cm, 78kg
Swan Districts/Western Australia
The Swans need talls at either end and with Aliir Aliir’s departure, Grainger-Barras is a perfect fit. The best key-defender in the draft pool is an intercept star but he’s also terrific one-on-one, mixing it with the experienced forwards at senior level in the WAFL this year.
IN THE MIX: Despite the fit, and with midfield Academy guns Braeden Campbell and Errol Gulden to come, Sydney will have to look closely at Thilthorpe and McDonald if they get through.
5. HAWTHORN
LOGAN McDONALD
Forward, 196cm, 86kg
Perth/Western Australia
In a remarkable achievement for an 18-year-old, the standout key-forward of the pool behind Ugle-Hagan, McDonald, made the WAFL team of the year after booting 21 goals in nine games and ranking No. 1 for marks inside-50.
IN THE MIX: If North go with Hollands at No. 2, the Hawks are likely to take one of the draft’s top talls. Could they make a late play for Grainer-Barras?
6. SYDNEY
(Matching Gold Coast’s bid)
BRAEDEN CAMPBELL
Midfielder, 181cm, 75kg
Swans Academy/Allies
A midfielder with blistering speed and a penetrating left-foot has starred at every level he’s played in a standout junior career. He was best-on-ground in last year’s under-17 All Stars game and he’s and it’s his ability around goal which sets the Sydney Academy gun apart.
IN THE MIX: If the Suns don’t bid here, another club inside the top 10 will. And the Swans will have no hesitation in matching.
7. GOLD COAST
WILL PHILLIPS
Midfielder, 181cm, 80kg
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
The strong ball-winner is ready to go and will fit in nicely with former teammate Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson at the Suns. Phillips is one of the most well-credential midfielders of the draft, mixing a terrific ball-winning ability – at the contest and away from it – with clean hands and a burst of acceleration.
IN THE MIX: In the off chance Hollands or Thilthorpe slide to this spot, the Suns are unlikely to pass them up.
8. ESSENDON
ARCHIE PERKINS
Forward/midfielder, 188cm, 79kg
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
The explosive Perkins has all the tools to become one of the best players of the draft. He’s an athletic beast who can win the ball in congestion and burst away, with his projection as a dynamic on-baller - who starts forward - making him hard to overlook here.
IN THE MIX: The Bombers’ trio of selections look set to shape the draft’s top-20. They could grab a tall here but if there is no surprise at the top of the order, rivals see Perkins landing at Tullamarine.
9. ESSENDON
NIK COX
Key defender, 200cm, 87kg
Northern Knights/Vic Country
At 200cm, Cox is a terrific athlete, recording the equal-fourth 2km time in the country and impressing with his speed. His size, skill and ability to play multiple positions is a rare combination and will form he backbone of the Bombers’ spine for the next decade.
IN THE MIX: Essendon has long been linked to Zach Reid, and could still land both.
10. PORT ADELAIDE
(Matching Essendon’s bid)
LACHIE JONES
Defender, 184cm, 87kg
Woodville-West Torrens/SA
Jones can play on talls and smalls, is quick, powerful overhead and possesses a penetrating right-foot kick. Jones’ stocks have continued to rise after an impressive season at SANFL level, where he took mark of the year and matched it with the bigger bodies.
IN THE MIX: If Essendon don’t bid here, the Giants are likely to do so with one of their next two picks.
MORE AFL DRAFT
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11. ESSENDON
TANNER BRUHN
Midfielder, 183cm, 74kg
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Bruhn played only two games due to injury last year but his class is obvious. At the under-16 national carnival in 2018, the well-balanced midfielder danced in and out of traffic and delivered with precision on his way to being named Vic Country’s MVP.
IN THE MIX: After taking a key-defender and tall midfielder, Bruhn’s class would round it off nicely for the Bombers. Along with Reid, Oliver Henry is in the mix, too. And reports suggest Tom Powell is an outside chance here.
12. COLLINGWOOD
(Matching Adelaide’s bid)
REEF McINNES
Defender/forward, 193cm, 86kg
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Spent most of last year playing at either end of the ground, but it’s his projection as a tall inside-midfielder, with elite speed, which is what could see an early bid from the Crows.
IN THE MIX: An early bid from the Crows might be the only way to pry the talented prospect away from the Pies. Collingwood’s eagerness to take another player before McInnes - maybe Connor Stone - could see the club trade up on draft night.
*With no trades taken into account here, after the 20% discount, matching the bid for McInnes will absorb Collingwood’s first pick.
13. ADELAIDE
CONNOR STONE
Forward, 188cm, 82kg
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Burst onto the scene last year, booting five goals in his NAB League debut for Oakleigh. He’s got real acceleration, strong hands, terrific athleticism and potential to play further up the ground. And it’s this scope from improvement which could see the Crows jump before another club does in the top 20.
IN THE MIX: Local boys Luke Pedlar and Brayden Cook are right in the mix given the interest from this point. But is one of them more likely to be around in the 20s? Perkins and Bruhn would have to be considered if they got through.
14. GWS
ZACH REID
Key defender, 202cm, 83kg
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Reid makes great decisions coming out of defence and, more importantly, has the skills – many kids his size don’t have – to execute. Add to that his strong intercept ability and you have one of the draft’s best tall prospects.
IN THE MIX: If the Bombers take Cox, the Giants could swoop on the next best. But WA star Heath Chapman is also in the mix. South Adelaide matchwinner Cook may also be off the board by the their next pick.
15. NORTH MELBOURNE
TOM POWELL
Midfielder, 183cm, 74kg
Sturt/South Australia
The ball magnet, who averaged 35 disposals in the SANFL under-18s this year, is smart, efficient and rarely fumbles. Powell won the McCallum Tomkins Medal as the league’s best player and has been interviewed by all 18 clubs.
IN THE MIX: The Kangaroos like Powell and it looks likely they take the next-best all-round midfield prospect here.
16. FREMANTLE
HEATH CHAPMAN
Defender, 192cm, 81kg
West Perth/Western Australia
Chapman was the dominant defender at WAFL Colts level this year, leading the competition for intercepts and spoils. He reads the ball brilliantly and, given his attacking traits – and slight lack of height – should make a terrific rebounder at the top level.
IN THE MIX: Cook is a chance here, while the Dockers would have to consider Henry if he was still available. But the local boy appears to good to pass up.
17. GWS
OLIVER HENRY
Medium forward/defender, 188cm, 77kg
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Despite being unable to build on his exciting bottom-age year, Henry’s terrific hands, versatility and athleticism would add another layer to the Giants’ group over the coming years – in attack or defence.
IN THE MIX: It could be Cook here and the Giants may also pounce on Bailey Laurie.
*With no trades taken into account here, after the 20% discount, matching the bid for McInnes will absorb Collingwood’s first pick.
18. GWS
BRAYDEN COOK
Forward/wing, 188cm, 74kg
South Adelaide/SA
After growing 7cm in the past 12 months, Cook has rocketed up draft boards after a number of eye-catching performances at under-18 level. The 18-year-old has real X-factor, speed can take a strong mark – as a forward target or behind the ball – and is dangerous around goal.
IN THE MIX: With Collingwood off the board in this example, the Giants could get back-to-back picks. They’ve also put time into Pedlar.
19. COLLINGWOOD
FINLAY MACRAE
Midfielder, 186cm, 78kg
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Just like his half-brother Jackson, Finlay Macrae is clean and clever in traffic and makes great decisions with ball in-hand. The 186cm midfielder, who sees the game so well, was one who was tipped to take another big leap with more responsibility in 2020.
IN THE MIX: Macrae would be hard to pass up here, but Cook will appeal if the Giants overlook him.
20. SYDNEY
(Matching Richmond’s bid)
ERROL GULDEN
Forward/midfielder, 176cm, 71kg
Sydney Academy/UNSW-ES Bulldogs
The diminutive midfielder is a ball magnet who rarely fumbles, kicks goals and puts his teammate in better positions. Gulden has impressed at every level he’s played and is elite with ball in-hand.
IN THE MIX: If Richmond don’t bid on Gulden here, it’s likely to come in the next few picks.
21. RICHMOND
LUKE PEDLAR
Midfielder/forward, 182cm, 80kg
Glenelg/SA
The Prince Alfred College captain is a tough, contested ball who breaks tackles but he’s also clever around goal and boasts a penetrating left-foot. Pedlar missed a lot of footy through injury this season but clubs loved what he did in the opening month for Glenelg.
IN THE MIX: Henry and Macrae would be hard to overlook here but the Tigers have shown plenty of interest in Pedlar. Stone could be snapped up if available.
22. MELBOURNE
JACK CARROLL
Midfielder, 187cm, 79kg
East Fremantle/Western Australia
He’s got class on the outside but his work in congestion - Carrol won 60 per cent of his possession in a contest this year - is now the major string to his bow. The clever left-footer can also be used across half-back.
IN THE MIX: The Dees might bid on Gulden if the Tigers don’t and they’d look at Cook if he was still on the board.
23. MELBOURNE
NATHAN O’DRISCOLL
Midfielder, 187cm, 78kg
Perth/Western Australia
O’Driscoll’s combination of size, ball-winning ability, strength at the contest, elite speed-endurance mix and penetrating left-foot, make him one of the best all-round prospects in the draft.
IN THE MIX: The kicking of Jake Bowey might interest the Demons here but Carroll and O’Driscoll are a nice combination given the pair’s versatility.
24. Hawthorn
(Matching GWS bid)
CONNOR DOWNIE
Defender/midfielder, 185cm, 82kg
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Downie’s class, speed and kicking on the outside was a highlight of the 2019 NAB League season - three traits which will help address the needs of Hawthorn’s engine room, in time. He can break lines from half-back and that’s where he could start his AFL career.
IN THE MIX: The Hawks are likely to match the bid without hesitation and if it’s not here, they won’t have to wait long.
25. GWS
BAILEY LAURIE
Midfielder/forward, 180cm, 75kg
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
With speed, skill and an outstanding footy IQ, Laurie can set up play from the midfield or put the finishing touches on inside-50 with equal effect. He’s hard to tackle and was a star in last year’s NAB League grand final.
IN THE MIX: Carroll would add some outside class, while the Giants would love Macrae to fall here. Could they reach for key-forward Matt Allison?
26. ST KILDA
JAKE BOWEY
Midfielder/forward, 175cm, 67kg
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Country
Bowey is one of the better kicks in the draft, using his poise and skill to great effect on the wing for the Sandringham Dragons last season. He also has eye-catching speed and vertical leap for a player his size, running a 2.95-second 20m sprint at the combine.
IN THE MIX: The Saints may also look at big-bodied WA mid Zane Trew, given they have a number of similar types. If available, Pedlar is a big chance here, given Adelaide picks next.
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