A Sydneysider’s guide to the 2016 AFL Draft, Swans and Giants set to play big part
NOT sure what to make of Friday night’s AFL draft? Our man Neil Cordy has you covered with GWS Giants and Sydney to play big parts in this year’s talent parade.
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The Sydneysider’s guide to the AFL Draft.
The GWS Giants have dodged a bullet avoiding sanctions for Friday night’s AFL Draft but are likely to have them enforced at next year’s lottery.
It’s a scenario that is infinitely more palatable than losing this year’s picks after they traded out no less than nine players to other clubs to improve their position.
They don’t have the top pick but will again have a huge role to play in the annual influx of teenage talent with picks No.2, 15, 37, 39, 45, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59, and 60.
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TOUGH CHOICE: WHO WILL BE BOMBERS’ NO.1 MAN?
They will look to pick up either Hugh McCluggage or Andrew McGrath depending on who Essendon opts for at No.1. Then they will use the remaining picks to bid for academy talents Will Setterfield, Harry Perryman and Harrison Macreadie.
Only the Gold Coast will have a bigger role to play with four picks inside the top 10 with selections No.4, 6, 8, 10, as well as 73 and 77.
Meanwhile, the Swans will be playing their most significant part in a draft since 2009 when they snared Gary Rohan and Lewis Jetta with picks No.6 and 14 respectively.
They have No.9 and 19 along with 46 and 49 after they traded Tom Mitchell to Hawthorn for pick No.14 and then swapped it, No.17 and 31 to Port Adelaide for No.9, 19 and 49.
WHO WILL BE THE NUMBER ONE PICK?
Unlike recent drafts where the No.1 pick has been widely agreed upon before the night this year’s remains a toss-up between Sandringham Dragons defender Andy McGrath and Ballarat Rebels midfielder Hugh McCluggage.
Both have recently met Essendon but are none-the-wiser about where they are going.
“They’re keeping their lips tightly sealed,” McGrath said.
“I’ve got no idea at all. Coming into this year my goal was just to get on an AFL list. If that opportunity is in Sydney, Melbourne or wherever I’ll make the most of it.”
McCluggage says there will be a bit more pressure on whoever goes pick one but he’d be happy to deal with it.
“There would be a little bit more pressure if I went number one but it wouldn’t bother me too much,” McCluggage said.
“I don’t think anyone has much of an idea (who’s going to be number one) so whatever happens, happens.”
HOW DOES THIS DRAFT STACK UP COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS?
Most pundits rate this draft one of the best in recent years. National talent manager Kevin Sheehan says the top end quality is high but it’s the depth which sets this group apart.
“The midfielders are as good as any other year but it’s the back end of the draft where the game is growing,” Sheehan said.
“We’ve got kids coming out of Cairns, Sydney and NSW, 20 per cent of the draftees we think will come from NSW and Queensland, 10 years ago that was 7 per cent.
“The game is growing and the club academies are helping that.”
WHAT IS THE BIDDING SYSTEM?
Before 2015 father-son and academy players were often secured at bargain basement cost in terms of draft selection.
Now other clubs have the right to bid on these players and force the nominated clubs to match the bid by giving up later picks.
Each pick from No.1 (3000 points) to 73 (nine points) has a points value. This system makes clubs pay fair value for their father-son and academy players.
WHERE DO YOU WATCH IT?
Fox Footy (Channel 504). The preview program will start at 5.30pm (EDT) and the live coverage of the draft will start at 6pm. The No.1 pick is expected be called close to 7pm.
The draft is being held at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney, it’s the second time the Harbour City has hosted the event after it was staged at Sydney Olympic Park in 2011, the year before the Giants joined the competition.
Originally published as A Sydneysider’s guide to the 2016 AFL Draft, Swans and Giants set to play big part
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