Phantom draft top-20 plus who’s in the mix for late selections at Collingwood, Hawthorn and more
WHO will your club take at the 2016 AFL Draft? Sam Landsberger tries to solve the top 20 puzzle and looks at who’s in the mix for Geelong, Hawthorn and Collingwood.
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WHO will your club pick?
Sam Landsberger tries to solve the top-20 puzzle while looking at who’s in the mix for late-pickers Geelong, Richmond, Hawthorn, Collingwood, St Kilda and Melbourne.
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PICK 1 ESSENDON
Who’s in the frame: Andy McGrath, Hugh McCluggage, Will Setterfield
IT is down to three – and the Bombers are still deciding. Do they crown McGrath the shortest No.1 ever, add goalkicking midfielder Hugh McCluggage or bid on the tallest of the trio, GWS academy gun Will Setterfield? They will meet the classy McCluggage this week and had lunch with the Jason Johannisen-like McGrath on Wednesday. McGrath’s infectious run and carry would help burst open games for the Bombers.
PICK 2 GWS GIANTS
Who’s in the frame: Andy McGrath, Tim Taranto, Ben Ainsworth
The Giants could not call McGrath quickly enough if the Bombers do not. And it is Tim Taranto with a bullet as back-up. GWS met him this week and will likely decide between Taranto and Ben Ainsworth as they chase another goalkicking weapon for their premiership hunt. Taranto’s contested marking belies his 186cm frame.
PICK 3 BRISBANE LIONS
Who’s in the frame: Hugh McCluggage, Ben Ainsworth, Griffin Logue
If McCluggage doesn’t go No.1 he can pack his bags, most likely for the sunshine state. The Lions have long been whetted to Ben Ainsworth and a choice between the pair would be ideal. Griffin Logue is the wildcard, but a long shot. McCluggage’s average of 24 disposals and two goals is a feat never achieved in the AFL, while the powerful Ainsworth showed in the final month he can roll through the midfield.
PICK 4 GOLD COAST
Who’s in the frame: Hugh McCluggage, Ben Ainsworth, Tim Taranto
McCluggage is the one they want most, and his cool knack of gliding through traffic would add a sexy layer to the reborn midfield. Ainsworth would be a safe bet and if both are gone they will look to Taranto. One expert reckons he’s like Shaun Burgoyne – can grab 15 disposals, kick a couple of goals and win matches.
PICK 5 CARLTON
Who’s in the frame: Tim Taranto, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Ben Ainsworth
Sam Petrevski-Seton has said he wants to play in front of big crowds in Melbourne. Did the Blues plant that seed? The West Australian kicks it nicely on both feet, tackles hard and wins more than half his footy on the inside. SOS is a big fan. Doing the points sum on a Setterfield bid.
PICK 6 GOLD COAST
Who’s in the frame: Sam Petrevski-Seton, Griffin Logue, Tim English
A sharp strategy is needed for the Suns as they sandwich Carlton and Fremantle’s picks. So who do the Dockers want most? It might be now or never for athletic defender Logue or raw ruckman English. The former is ready to rock, the latter will require patience. On that, Logue could have the coach’s blessing.
PICK 7 FREMANTLE
Who’s in the frame: Griffin Logue, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Tim English
After adding West Australians Joel Hamling, Cam McCarthy and Shane Kersten in October, the Dockers can again go local. Mobile ruckman English helps plan for life post-Aaron Sandilands, but is a pick this high wasted on that position? Similarly, Michael Johnson just turned 32 and Logue would help ease his exit.
PICK 8 GOLD COAST
Who’s in the frame: Jack Scrimshaw, Will Brodie, Griffin Logue
This is where Jack Scrimshaw, the kid with the textbook kicking action, enters calculations. He’s light, rangy, can play almost anywhere and buried two years of injuries this year. Suns would like his intercept game at half-back.
PICK 9 SYDNEY
Who’s in the frame:Griffin Logue, Jy Simpkin, Will Brodie
The Swans have long been linked to Logue, but hard to see the Josh Gibson-type falling beyond Fremantle and Gold Coast. Simpkin belonged in the top 10 before a broken leg and could lob as early as this pick. Swans struggled to score in two finals losses and Simpkin would add spark.
PICK 10 GOLD COAST
Who’s in the frame: Jack Bowes
The Suns will cash in a pick for academy star Jack Bowes, and if they can first choose three players before Sydney bids they’ll be laughing. What a steal. Bowes saved an Open Mike clip of Simon Black on his phone and plays in the champion’s vein. Eagle vision. Tom Lynch and Peter Wright will shine brighter with his service.
PICK 11 NORTH MELBOURNE
Who’s in the frame: Will Brodie, Oliver Florent, Jy Simpkin
Ideally the Kangas chase pace, but from this pick contested bull Brodie becomes damn hard to ignore. Long in the No.1 conversation, a blue-chip pick but does he win enough of it? Stoppage star. Florent, Simpkin and Scrimshaw in the mix.
PICK 12 WEST COAST
Who’s in the frame: Jack Scrimshaw, Jarrod Berry, Shai Bolton
Best available for the Eagles. They like locals Petrevski-Seton, Logue and English, but all could be gone. Also big fans of third defender Josh Rotham, but he’s probably one for their next pick — No.34.
PICK 13 ADELAIDE
Who’s in the frame: Will Brodie, Jordan Galluci, Will Hayward
Could the Crows call Brodie? He shouldn’t get past here, and the midfield is their priority. A lethal forward line and stingy backline needs a deeper centre square to seriously contend. Local Hayward’s 13 goals in the final two games enhance his chances.
PICK 14 PORT ADELAIDE
Who’s in the frame: Alex Witherden, Jordan Galluci, Harry Perryman
Port is yet to get anything out of the last couple of drafts, so pressure is on. Witherden is recovering from a broken leg, but would lift the surge factor charging out of defence. This is where a bid may come for GWS-bound Harry Perryman, while natural goalkicker Hayward’s appeal is obvious.
PICK 15 GWS GIANTS
Who’s in the frame: Will Setterfield, Harry Perryman
Unless the AFL strips this pick over the Lachie Whitfield affair, it is likely to be used to pay for academy guns Will Setterfield or Harry Perryman. Setterfield’s a super citizen and Perrryman lacks zip but hits targets on both feet.
PICK 16 BRISBANE LIONS
Who’s in the frame: Daniel Venables, Jarrod Berry, Alex Witherden
Lions hold three of the next seven picks and with academy talls in 2017 should go the best mids. Talk is they like All-Australian Daniel Venables. He is dynamic, powerful and only turned 18 on Saturday.
PICK 17 PORT ADELAIDE
Who’s in the frame: Todd Marshall, Jordan Galluci, Luke Ryan
The Power are a huge chance to trump the Dogs and grab lean key forward Marshall. They also really like Galluci, a great athlete, vocal leader and damaging player. Scored a 226-point SuperCoach game this year from 36 disposals and three goals.
PICK 18 WESTERN BULLDOGS
Who’s in the frame: Todd Marshall, Will Hayward, Cedric Cox
Marshall is the man the premiers want. He only teased and some think he is a boom or bust pick, but this mob draft and develop players better than anybody. Would learn under premiership players Tom Boyd and Travis Cloke. Hayward a hot chance if available.
PICK 19 SYDNEY
Who’s in the frame: Luke Ryan, Oliver Florent, Jordan Galluci
The Swans’ next pick is 46, so if they want Luke Ryan, 20, it’s likely to be here. The Coburg half-back resembles Easton Wood and is the best player from the VFL, SANFL or WAFL. Most think Oliver Florent will stay in Victoria, but is coach John Longmire meeting him on Sunday?
PICK 20 ESSENDON
Who’s in the frame: Todd Marshall, Oliver Florent, Luke Ryan
As hot as these names sound, all the rage is the Bombers have a smokey lined up at this pick. Can’t see Marshall escaping the Dogs, but if he did the Bombers would love a co-pilot for Joe Daniher.
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE ...
GEELONG enters at No.24 and is believed to have interviewed Oliver Florent on Saturday. Key forward and elite runner Josh Battle would also suit.
The Cats have shown interest in St Kevin’s student Oliver Hanrahan, who looms as a late selection or rookie pick. He has been likened to Hawk Taylor Duryea.
COLLINGWOOD’S need for big defenders is obvious, and Brennan Cox might be its man.
The Pies hope to use No.28 before bids come on Callum Brown and Josh Daicos, which they will surely match.
Brown has been likened to premiership star Caleb Daniel and Daicos’s positioning and pedigree are exciting. Port Melbourne’s Brody Mihocek might appeal as a cheap backman.
HAWTHORN’S first pick has come into 81. The depth of this draft means it could still uncover a nice player.
The Hawks like Ben Jarman and want to list Tristan Tweedie, unless someone beats them to the punch. Stress fractures mean indigenous forward Tweedie has barely played in two years, but he kicked six goals in Round 1 of the TAC Cup and is in the Hawks’ next generation academy.
ST KILDA would walk away beaming if Oliver Florent is available at No.23.
Most think he belongs far higher, but is unlikely to be picked by a non-Victorian club and they hold 17 of the first 22 selections.
Florent’s dad Andrew died in August and interstaters are wary of taking him away from his family. Would provide the touch of class the Saints need.
RICHMOND lost Ty Vickery and delisted Liam McBean, so a forward might be on the menu.
Battle and Pat Kerr could and should be there at No.27. But with a list that drops away dramatically after the first few players, the Tigers simply need the best available.
MELBOURNE does not hold a top-10 pick for the first time since 2011.
The Demons were out to become a destination club and attracted Michael Hibberd and Jordan Lewis. Tick. Entering at No.47, they could snare Harrison Macreadie from the GWS academy. Casey Scorpions gun Tim Smith might also appeal to new coach Simon Goodwin at some stage.
Originally published as Phantom draft top-20 plus who’s in the mix for late selections at Collingwood, Hawthorn and more
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