Alex Docherty’s Mock 1st Round Draft

With the 2014 AFL draft just days away, So many football fans are asking questions such as: ‘Who is the best young, aspiring footballer in the land this year?’ and ‘who will my team look to pick up?’ I’ve done a fair amount of research and have come up with my very own, first round mock draft.

There are 21 picks in the first round, and it is so crucial, that the clubs get these picks right, from pick one, all the way down to pick 21 and of course, find that draft gem, further down the line, if these clubs aim to achieve the ultimate goal of winning the premiership, whether it be in the next year or two, or a much longer period. However, get these picks wrong, and the club might just suffer in the long run, as clubs have done in past AFL drafts.

So without further ado, I give to you my first-round selections

Pick 1 St. Kilda – Christian Petracca – Midfielder, 186cm, 92kg

A big bodied midfielder, who can also go into the forward line and kick a goal or two, Petracca is such a powerful prospect, yet is so agile and has worked on his endurance so he can run in the midfield for a much longer period. His ability to gather possesions and break tackles is first class. The potential in this kid is enormous, it’s scary to think how good he can become in three years time.

Pick 2 Melbourne – Angus Brayshaw – Midfielder, 187cm, 87kg

Right now, Melbourne are still looking for midfielders to take them back up the ladder, Brayshaw’s that man. He exemplifies contested football, he loves racking up clearances and has a knack for kicking important goals. Brayshaw looks ready-made for round one and should help the Demons on their mission to climb back up the ladder.

Pick 3 Melbourne (Compensation Pick) – Patrick McCartin – Key Forward, 192cm, 90kg

After losing both James Frawley and Mitch Clark, it only seems logical that Melbourne select McCartin. Touted as the best key-forward in the draft, McCartin draws similar comparisons to Brisbane Lions legend, Jonathan Brown. Loves to make a contest, has a strong overhead mark and can kick a bag of goals. Demon fans should look forward to the forward duo of McCartin and Jesse Hogan in years to come

Pick 4 GWS – Peter Wright – Key-forward/Ruckman, 203cm, 102kg

Once tipped to be a hot favourite for number one, Wright could slide down to as far as pick 15, but I can’t see GWS looking past Wright as he would make solid compensation for losing Tom Boyd to the Bulldogs. Wright is likened to Sydney’s Kurt Tippett, the way he can play Full-forward and Ruck. He can take a strong mark, and is quite accurate on goal. If developed properly, this guy has all the makings to be virtually unstoppable.

Pick 5 Collingwood (Via Brisbane) – Jayden Laverde – Utility, 189cm, 82kg

Strongly linked to Collingwood since the Pies acquired pick five, Laverde brings so much pace, agility, and has an outstanding ability to read the play. When he’s on, Laverde is a match-winner, no question about it, he’s very difficult for opponents to match-up on wherever you put him, that’s how talented this guy is.

Pick 6 GWS (Via Western Bulldogs) – Jarrod Pickett – Forward/Midfielder, 179cm, 76kg

Heavily linked to the Giants in recent weeks, Jarrod Pickett brings in some of the most electrifying pace I’ve seen in recent memory. He’s extremely classy when he has got the ball in his hand, and the way he can breakaway from a contest is absolutely ridiculous. Has already tasted senior football in the WAFL, you’d think he’d be in line for a debut somewhere in 2015.

Pick 7 GWS (Via Carlton) – Jake Lever – Key Defender, 193cm, 84kg

Lever has been touted as one of the best key-defenders in this years draft crop, Lever is more than capable of shutting down his direct opponent, and not only that, he has the ability to run and create off half back also. It’s a valuable trait to have, and should slot in well in the Giants’ backline when he gets his chance to debut.

Pick 8 Gold Coast – Jordan De Goey – Utility, 187cm, 82kg

He’s definitely got a lot of potential De Goey. Can play essentially anywhere on the ground and handle any task given to him very well. For a man of De Goey’s size, he is very strong in regards to one on one, can take a strong mark and he is very clean with his disposal which isn’t a bad thing to have at this age.

Pick 9 Collingwood – Darcy Moore (Father/son selection) – Key Forward, 199cm, 93 kgs

The Magpies have themselves a draft steal with Darcy Moore, son of the two-time Brownlow medallist, Peter Moore. Moore can be used as a defender as well as his preferred forward position. Moore has an exceptional leap on him and has a very strong marking ability. If not for the father/son rule, Moore could’ve easily gone inside the top 3.

Pick 10 Geelong (Via Adelaide) – Sam Durdin – Key Defender, 197cm, 87kg

Can’t see Geelong looking past Durdin at pick 10. With Harry Taylor, Tom Lonergan and Jared Rivers all in the twilight of their careers, the Cats need a defender for the future and Durdin fits the bill. He’s a strong overhead mark and is very good when the ball hits the deck. Durdin can also pinch-hit in the ruck. He has got so much upside, it’s scary.

Pick 11 West Coast – Liam Duggan – Midfielder/Defender, 183cm, 76kg

West Coast are on the search to find another midfielder who is a superb runner, can find the ball and use it well. They need to look no further than Liam Duggan. He’s an elite user of the footy, a smart decision maker, a fantastic runner and can be expertly used as a running half-back flanker.

Pick 12 Richmond – Paul Ahern – Midfielder, 181cm, 77kg

The Tigers have been lately looking at another midfielder to complement their already talented group of midfielders. Ahern is a very good mover of the football, and is very good runner. He hardly gets knocked off the ball. His disposal is up their with the best of this year’s draft class and is also capable of winning the contested ball.

Pick 13 Fremantle – Hugh Goddard – Key Defender, 196cm, 92kg

It’ll be interesting to see what Fremantle do here. If Goddard is available, they will select him. As a key defender, he has shown he can also play forward and kick a couple of goals, but his best is certainly down in the back six. Goddard will certainly make a fine replacement for Luke McPharlin who has got to be entering his final year in 2015. Goddard’s got a good set of hands, and can shut down key forwards, and can also provide some run off the back-line, a very good acquistion in my eyes.

Pick 14 Adelaide (Via Geelong) – Caleb Marchbank – Defender, 193cm, 85kg

With the retirement of Ben Rutten, Adelaide need a tall defender to help out All-Australian, Daniel Talia. Caleb Marchbank is the next best available tall in the draft. Despite being on the injury list for the second half of this year, Marchbank’s done enough to suggest he’ll be a very good player in the future provided he stays healthy. Reads the play well, and is very good in the air, taking strong grabs and has the ability to run off his man to create and support.

Pick 15 Gold Coast (Via Geelong) – Lachie Weller – Midfielder, 181cm, 71kg

The word going around is Lachie Weller is only interested in playing for the Gold Coast Suns, and the Gold Coast Suns are definitely interested in him. If he doesn’t get selected at pick eight, he’ll be a certainty at pick 15. A midfielder who can play inside or outside, Weller has some outstanding pace, and has some nice athleticism to go with it. Weller would pretty much complete a Gold Coast midfield, with the likes of Ablett, O’Meara, Prestia and Swallow among others in the team.

Pick 16 North Melbourne – Jarrod Garlett – Forward, 177cm, 73kg

Garlett has been strongly linked to North Melbourne and speed is the one of the things the Roos need to make themselves a Premiership contender. Garlett has got phenomenal speed, a great vertical leap and also has some elite foot skills. Can push up to a wing if needed, but it seems his best football is as a forward pocket.

Pick 17 Essendon (Via Port Adelaide) – Tom Lamb – Utility, 193cm, 84kg

I can see Essendon taking the punt on Tom Lamb, despite his inconsistencies, still shows a mountain of potential to become a superstar. He can play anywhere on the ground, has elite endurance and has a knack on finding the goals. On his best day, Lamb is unstoppable, no matter what position you put him in, but the problem is, he does tend to disappear, and I believe Essendon, despite all the criticism they’ve received in the past few years, can shape him up to be an elite player in years to come.

Pick 18 Sydney – Isaac Heeney (Academy Selection) – Midfielder, 186cm, 82kg

He could perhaps be the steal of the draft. Heeney was tipped to go inside top 3, before the Swans snapped him up with the Academy selection. Heeney has been dubbed as the ‘Complete Midfielder’. He’s tough, consistent, can win the ball at will and has the capabilities of a tackling machine. Don’t be surprised if he gets a couple of games under his belt next year in amongst Sydney’s star midfield line.

Pick 19 Carlton (Via GWS, Recieved from Hawthorn) – Nakia Cockatoo – Midfielder/Forward, 185cm, 86 kg

People have had doubts over this guy with injury concerns, but he’s a real dynamo when he gets on the park. Not only does Cockatoo have lightning quick pace, but he’s also a very strong player for his size. He can win the contested ball as well as play the outside runner, and speed is something Carlton need addressing.

Pick 20 Essendon – Corey Ellis – Midfielder, 185cm, 76 kg

A midfielder that loves the contested footy, he’s a star when it comes to clearances, he has a knack to set up the plays from the stoppages and is a brilliant decision maker with his left foot. It was difficult where to put Ellis, but the reports are that Essendon are very interested in him, and it’s highly unlikely he’ll go past top 20.

Pick 21 St. Kilda (Via Geelong, Recieved from Brisbane, Recieved from GWS) – Alex Neal-Bullen – Midfielder, 183cm, 77kg

Alex Neal-Bullen will either go here, or at St. Kilda’s next pick at 22. He’s a strong-bodied midfielder who has personally impressed me, watching his highlights. He’s works very well in the contested spots, he’s got elite endurance, has had senior experience in the SANFL and is a very tough customer. He’ll be right at home with a St. Kilda midfield set-up still in the development phase.

TEAMS THAT DID NOT HAVE A FIRST-ROUND SELECTION

Brisbane

Brisbane gave up their first two selections (Picks 5 and 25) to acquire Dayne Beams, which leaves the Lions first selection at pick 44, which they have commited to selecting Academy player Liam Dawson. They’re first available pick is at 67. They could do with another Key Player as well as a running defender. By some miracle, should Josh McGuinness be on the board at 67, You can count on the Lions to pounce on him. He’s tall (189cm) he can run and can use the ball well, but it’s very hard to see it happening.

Hawthorn

At Hawthorn’s first pick at 31, They have been strongly linked to big-bodied midfielder, Touk Miller (177cm, 80kg), who the Hawks see him as a replacement to the recently retired Brad Sewell. Miller is not only tough, but has good pace, elite endurance and has a good kick on him. The fact he also captained Vic Metro in the under-18 championships also helps. Could be a draft bargain. If Miller isn’t available then they could also look at Brayden Maynard (186cm, 88kg)

Port Adelaide

Port’s first pick is at 57, after trading away picks 17 and 37 to secure Paddy Ryder from Essendon. This is a really tough one, as Port have one of the best player lists possible. It’s well-balanced, so you can probably expect Port to pick the best available talent. Forwards Jack Lonie (174cm, 67kg), Toby McLean (179cm, 72kg) and Jaden McGrath (179cm, 73kg) are all possibilities to get selected if they slide down the order. They are all very handy around goal and have got some good pace on them which suits Port’s game-plan well, But this selection really is a stab in the dark.

Western Bulldogs

With the Bulldogs first picks at 26 and 27, They have been widely tipped to select speedster, Connor Menadue(188cm, 69kg) and Defender, Ed Vickers-Willis (190cm, 82kg). Menadue has blistering pace that the Bulldogs desperately need to compliment their batch of inside midfielders. Vickers-Willis reminds me of Bulldogs defender, Dale Morris who can play either tall or small defender and do a reasonable job at doing so. Vickers-Willis can play a variety of roles which is a great thing to have at his age.