AFL draft 2015: Sam Landsberger predicts how the top 30 will unfold

WHO will your team get? Our expert Sam Landsberger predicts how the top 30 of the national draft will play out. RECAP SAM’S DRAFT CHAT

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 10: Jacob Weitering poses for a portrait during the 2015 AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium on October 10, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)

HERALD Sun draft expert SAM LANDSBERGER predicts how the top 30 of the AFL national draft will unfold.

1. CARLTON

Jacob Weitering (Dandenong Stingrays)

H: 195cm W: 94kg

Key defender

Harry Taylor-like defender. Turned 18 yesterday and might be the best prepared No.1 pick.

2. BRISBANE LIONS

Josh Schache (Murray Bushrangers)

H: 199cm W: 96kg

Key forward

The Jonathan Brown era is over. Spearhead who rarely misses but needs time.

RECAP SAM’S LATE MAIL IN THE CHAT BELOW AND FOLLOW OUR COVERAGE OF THE DRAFT FROM 6PM

3. SYDNEY

Callum Mills (North Shore/Sydney academy)

H: 186cm W: 80kg

Midfielder

Dees will bid on Mills. Prolific ball-winner who, with Heeney, sets up midfield for the next generation.

4. MELBOURNE

Clayton Oliver (Murray Bushrangers)

H: 187cm W: 86kg

Inside midfielder

Biggest draft bolter ever? Vic Country didn’t pick him but this powerful inside mid is all the rage. Think Ollie Wines.

5. ESSENDON

Darcy Parish (Geelong Falcons)

H: 180cm W: 74kg

Midfielder

A jet. Small but smart, wins it inside and out. Most prefer him to Oliver.

6. ESSENDON

Aaron Francis (West Adelaide)

H: 191cm W: 92kg

Utility/tall defender

Third defender with weak stamina but can play midfield in bursts. Helps replace Carlisle. Lock him in.

7. GWS GIANTS

Jacob Hopper (North Ballarat Rebels/GWS academy)

H: 186cm W: 82kg

Midfielder

Suns will bid on Hopper if Dons don’t but he could be best in draft. Steal. Replace Treloar in best 22. Stoppage star.

8. GOLD COAST

Callum Ah Chee (South Fremantle)

H: 182cm W: 71kg

Half-forward

High-flyer who put nose in front of Milera yesterday. Suns won’t get him at next pick. Will thrill.

9. MELBOURNE

Sam Weideman (Eastern Ranges)

H: 196cm W: 94kg

Key forward

Dees rate above Oliver but playing it this way lands both. Partner for Jesse Hogan but poor endurance a red flag.

10. CARLTON

Harry McKay (Gippsland Power)

H: 200cm W: 95kg

Key forward

Born eight days later and he could have been next year’s No.1 Scope for improvement huge. Blues need forwards.

11. GWS GIANTS

Matthew Kennedy (Collingullie)

H: 187cm W: 88kg

Midfielder

Smart hands will start forward but rated by some clubs as No.1 mid in pool. Another GWS steal.

12. ADELAIDE

Wayne Milera (Central Districts)

H: 185cm W: 75kg

Half-forward

Gold result. Crows fan who kicked three playing senior SANFL after heart surgery. Quick, clever and classy.

13. CARLTON

Charlie Curnow (Geelong Falcons)

H: 191cm W: 95kg

Key forward/midfield

The wildcard. Arrested four days out from draft but high-marking forward with midfield potential. Joins brother Ed if Blues baulk at Burton.

14. RICHMOND

Daniel Rioli (North Ballarat Rebels)

H: 180cm W: 69kg

Forward

Tiwi Islander small forward who Tigers love — and desperately need. Want Ah Chee if available.

15. BRISBANE LIONS

Eric Hipwood (Aspley/Brisbane Lions academy)

H: 202cm W: 84kg

Key forward

Crows bid on big but gangly Hipwood, who plays either end and carries the fotoy.

16. ADELAIDE

Ryan Burton (North Adelaide)

H: 191cm W: 88kg

Key forward

Boom or bust? Hasn’t played in more than a year since mangling knee. Key forward who wants to become Nat Fyfe midfielder.

17. ST KILDA

Darcy Tucker (North Ballarat Rebels)

H: 183cm W: 80kg

Half-back

Brilliant left-footer with pace, which Saints lack. Once rated top-five.

18. HAWTHORN

Jade Gresham (Northern Knights)

H: 178cm W: 77kg

Half-forward

Slight but quick and the Hawks midfield is ageing. Breaks lines, strong endurance and can win his own ball. Clarko player.

19. GOLD COAST

Harley Balic (Sandringham Dragons)

H: 187cm W: 82kg

Half-forward

Ex-basketballer sees game like Pendlebury — he’s never rushed. Suits Rocket’s gamestyle.

20. GWS GIANTS

Harrison Himmelberg (Eastlake)

H: 192cm W: 84kg

Half-forward

Giants must match bid given we know Cam McCarthy wants out. Improved at lightning pace this year.

21. NORTH MELBOURNE

Ryan Clarke (Eastern Ranges)

H: 185cm W: 84kg

Midfielder

Gut-runner averaged 30 and aided by cut in interchange rotations.

22. BRISBANE

Ben Keays (Redlands / Brisbane Lions academy)

H: 185cm W: 83kg

Midfielder

Goalkicking ball magnet. Think Simon Black. Won’t walk out.

23. HAWTHORN

Kieran Collins (Dandenong Stingrays)

H: 194cm W: 100kg

Full-back

Lake gone, missed on Carlisle so they take a beast full-back.

24. CARLTON

David Cunningham (Oakleigh Chargers)

H: 183cm W: 79kg

Midfielder

Pace to burn from stoppages but can shank it.

25. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Josh Dunkley (Gippsland Power/Sydney father-son)

H: 189cm W: 86kg

Utility

Swans might not match bid, letting Dunkey stay in Victoria.

26. WESTERN BULDOGS

Josh Schoenfeld (Peel Thunder)

H: 186cm W: 75kg

Midfield

Big smokey. Elite runner broke 3km record at combine.

27. FREMANTLE

Tom Cole (Bendigo Pioneers)

H: 185cm W: 76kg

Midfield/halfback

Big improver suited to halfback. Good kid, which Lyon likes.

28. WEST COAST

Riley Bonner (West Adelaide)

H: 191cm W: 85kg

Half-back

Best kick in draft. Good size but is his foot healed?

29. ESSENDON

Rhys Mathieson (Geelong Falcons)

H: 186cm W: 82kg

Inside midfielder

Physical onballer who hunts the ball and tackles hard.

30. ESSENDON

Ben McKay (Gippsland Power)

H: 199cm W: 95kg

Key defender

Lockdown defender who lacks self-confidence. Dons desperate for big blokes.

FIRST PICK FOR THE REST

27. Collingwood (Could be bumped to 32)

32. Port Adelaide (Could be bumped to 37)

65. Geelong (Could be wound into 50s)

Originally published as AFL draft 2015: Sam Landsberger predicts how the top 30 will unfold