Mystery still surrounds No.1 pick with plenty of depth in the 2016 draft class

THE AFL Draft is five sleeps away and mystery still surrounds the No.1 pick. It’s the same throughout the first few rounds, underlining the draft’s depth.

Tim Taranto in action for Vic Metro during the under-18 national championships. Picture: Mark Dadswell

THE AFL draft is five sleeps away and mystery still surrounds who will be crowned the No.1 pick.

It is less predictable than a coin toss, with three junior gems still on Essendon’s whiteboard.

Will the Bombers plump for the dash and drive of Andy McGrath? Is goalkicking midfielder Hugh McCluggage simply too good to overlook? Or is Greater Western Sydney academy star Will Setterfield’s potential so great that Essendon will bid, knowing the Giants want McGrath and are unlikely to match?

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The dux is usually pretty clear by July — think Jacob Weitering, Tom Boyd, Jon Patton and Lachie Whitfield. That goes to the heart of how even — and deep — this year’s crop is. The same dozen or so names keep bobbing up in predicted top 10s.

Beyond that, clubs selecting from 11-30 are likely to have three or four names they would be happy to take. One chief recruiter reckons players will slip to the 20s that could command top-10 selection in other years.

It’s a draft thin for talls and flush for smalls. Ruckmen? Tim English should go top-10 because of his mobility and midfield impact, but then there is tumbleweeds.

Andy McGrath is certain to be drafted No.1 or 2. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Will Essendon spring a surprise by bidding on Will Setterfield? Picture: Mark Stewart

It is why Casey Scorpion Oscar McInerney, 22, is getting so much love. The 204cm Montrose lad won the league medal in the VFL reserves, forced to the lower grade by Melbourne’s AFL-listed rucks.

Key forwards? Todd Marshall will go top-20 on potential more than production after a year filled with glimpses more than great games. The Bulldogs would love him at No.18.

There is elite runner Josh Battle and goalkicker Patrick Kerr, who should go 20-40, perhaps not escaping Fremantle’s No.35 pick after a home visit this month.

Coburg’s Luke Ryan, 20, is the best mature-age prospect. The intercepting halfback reads the play like a picture book and has had 16 clubs call — all except Carlton and GWS.

He has plenty of admirers inside pick 35, with Port Adelaide’s interest rising late.

It is draft week and yet the order of picks could still change, with the AFL yet to decide whether to strip GWS of selections 15 and 37 because of the Lachie Whitfield saga.

Originally published as Mystery still surrounds No.1 pick with plenty of depth in the 2016 draft class