Preview 2024 National Draft Preview Thread

[The Nostradamus]

Smillie the big 194cm mid is the one

Don’t want another small mid that early

FOs has been injured most this year and hasn’t shown enough as a result anyway

The real question is will we even end up with pick 1

 

[The Talent Scout]

Is it time for a poll? I'm leaning towards O'Sullivan, mostly because I am not sold on Smillie. Who do we take at #1? Barring of course, some freak second half of the season where we win 3 or 4 and finish 16th. In which case I want Trainor.

After last year, maybe just wait until the last game and then we will know what pick we will have and who we would like and who we might pick.

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

First crack at my rankings for this year. I'm sure I've missed some names that are on the fringe, but I think I've covered most that are a realistic chance of being taken in the national draft.

Obviously, there is still plenty still to play out and there will be plenty of movement with more champs games and the combine to come.

Pick	Name	Height	Position	Club	Comments
1	Finn O'Sullivan	182cm	Midfielder	Oakleigh Chargers	Courageous midfielder who is strong overhead, powerful runner who runs hard both ways.
2	Josh Smillie	194cm	Midfielder	Eastern Ranges	Tall midfielder that finds posession at will and has a long penetrating kick.
3	Luke Trainor	194cm	Key Defender	Sandringham Dragons	Intercepting general defender who can play on smalls and talls. Composed and balanced.
4	Sid Draper	180cm	Midfielder	South Adelaide	Classy midfielder that has some speed and evasiveness. Well balanced with excellent vision.
5	Levi Ashcroft	179cm	Midfielder	Sandringham Dragons	Accumulating midfielder that powers from contest to contest. Balanced inside and outside game.
6	Leo Lombard	178cm	Midfielder	GC Academy	Combative contested midfielder who has some real zip around the contest.
7	Jagga Smith	181cm	Midfielder	Oakleigh Chargers	Well balanced accumulating midfielder who is at home on the inside and outside the contest.
8	Sam Lalor	187cm	Midfielder/General Forward	GWV Rebels	Powerful midfielder, who is explosive and damaging. Can roll forward and have an impact.
9	Matt Whitlock	198cm	Key Defender	Murray Bushrangers	One on one defender who can also swing forward. Strong overhead but equally adept on the ground.
10	Harry O'Farrell	196cm	Key Defender	Calder Cannons	Lockdown competitive defender that uses his reach and closing speed to advantage.
11	Jack Whitlock	200cm	Tall Forward	Murray Bushrangers	Rangy key forward that marks at the highest point but can also find the ball at ground level.
12	Taj Hotton	182cm	Midfielder/General Forward	Sandringham Dragons	Classy midfielder forward who has plenty of X-Factor. Unfortunately done his ACL.
13	Christian Moraes	183cm	Midfielder	Eastern Ranges	Accumulating midfielder that can roll forward and impact the scoreboard. Strong overhead.
14	Harvey Langford	190cm	Midfielder	Dandenong Stingrays	Versatile midfielder who is strong overhead and has a booming left foot kick.
15	Isaac Kako	175cm	Small Forward	Calder Cannons	Dynamic and exciting small who can kick goals from anywhere. Also pushes into the midfield.
16	Jonty Faull	195cm	Tall Forward	GWV Rebels	Goal kicking key forward who works hard to provide an option. Competitive in the air
17	Tobie Travaglia	187cm	General Defender	Bendigo Pioneers	Intercepting defender who can provide run and carry. Excellent defender with leadership potential.
18	Murphy Reid	180cm	Midfielder	Sandringham Dragons	Smart and classy midfielder who makes good decisions with ball in hand. One touch.
19	Tyler Welsh	191cm	Key Forward	Woodville West	Undersize key forward who is a strong lead/mark type. Neat set shot goal kicking.
20	Joe Berry	180cm	Small Forward	Murray Bushrangers	Lively small forward who can crumb but also present an option on the lead. Classy goal kicker.
21	Jobe Shanahan	194cm	Key Forward	Bendigo Pioneers	Contested marking key forward who times his leads and jumps at the ball to perfection.
22	Ben Camporeale	186cm	Midfielder	Glenelg	Balanced midfielder who works hard between the arcs. Can find the ball inside and outside the contest.
23	Xavier Lindsay	183cm	Midfielder	Gippsland Power	Left footed midfielder with a damaging kick. Has some speed to break the lines.
24	Sam Marshall	185cm	Midfielder	Brisbane Academy	Elite runner who motors from contest to contest. Creates separation from the contest with his pace.
25	Tom Gross	181cm	Midfielder	Oakleigh Chargers	Tough, contested midfielder that has a real competitive streak. Solid overhead.
26	Noah Mraz	198cm	Key Defender	Dandenong Stingrays	Intercepting defender, who has excellent disposal and decision making. Good closing speed.
27	Zak Johnson	185cm	Midfielder	Northern Knights	Classy midfielder, who moves well, accumulates the ball and makes good decisions.
28	Bo Allen	191cm	General Defender/Midfielder	Peel Thunder	Physical left footer who leads from the front. Uses his speed and long kicking to launch offensive attacks.
29	Cooper Hynes	190cm	Midfielder/General Forward	Dandenong Stingrays	Tall midfielder who is a goal kicking threat when playing forward of centre. Strong over the ball.
30	Harrison Oliver	181cm	General Defender	Sandringham Dragons	Rebounding defender who uses his composure and good decision making to good effect.
31	Malakai Champion	172cm	Small Forward	Subiaco	Flashy small forward who can kick goals from anywhere. Provides good defensive pressure.
32	Archer Day-Wicks	186cm	General Forward	Bendigo Pioneers	X-Factor player who can mark and be damaging at ground level. Creative and classy ball user.
33	Cody Anderson	181cm	Midfielder	Eastern Ranges	Relentless midfielder that tackles hard. At home inside the contest, can also hit the scoreboard.
34	Charlie Nicholls	197cm	Key Forward	Central District	Strong contested marking key forward who provides a leading option up the ground.
35	Evan Bradley	174cm	Small Forward	North Adelaide	Classy small forward who is creative and damaging by foot. Natural goalkicking with plenty of X Factor
36	Josh Murphy	190cm	General Forward	Murray Bushrangers	Impact player who has plenty of x-factor. Contested marking threat who is dangerous at ground level.
37	Kayle Gerryn	199cm	Key Forward/Ruck	West Perth	Unique athletic prospect that has a tonne of potential upside.
38	Alex Dodson	203cm	Ruck	Sturt	Athletic Ruckman who covers the ground well and can find the ball. Very balanced for a tall.
39	Nathaniel Sulzberger	184cm	Midfielder/General Forward	Sandringham Dragons	Strong contested player who offers a point of difference with his power around the contest.
40	Jesse Dattoli	179cm	Midfielder/Small Forward	Northern Knights	High footy IQ, who can play a variety of roles around the ground. Dangerous and smart around goals.
41	Luca Grego	183cm	General Defender/Midfielder	Western Jets	Workman utility who can play a variety of roles across the ground. Reliable type.
42	Lucas Camporeale	185cm	Midfielder	Glenelg	Natural wingman who keeps his width and can accumulate the ball on the outside.
43	Zaydyn Lockwood	198cm	Key Defender	Bendigo Pioneers	Raw and athletic key defender who has plenty of upside. Solid defensive craft and in the 1v1's.
44	Pat Retschko	188cm	Midfielder	Oakleigh Chargers	Hard working midfielder who can play inside and outside the contest. Strong runner.
45	Lachie Jacques	184cm	General Defender	Geelong Falcons	Defense first defender, who can intercept and provide drive off half back. Reliable ball user.
46	Luke Urquhart	189cm	Midfielder	East Fremantle	Tall midfielder that can also play across half back. Uses his body well in contested situations.
47	Oliver Depaoli-Kubank	178cm	Midfielder/Small Forward	Tasmania Devils	Consistent type who can play a variety of roles. Reliable disposal and sound decision maker.
48	Jayden Nguyen	177cm	General Defender/Midfielder	Calder Cannons	Small defender who can push up the ground. Creative ball user who uses his speed to impact the game.
49	Pheonix Hargraves	182cm	Midfielder	South Adelaide	Accumulating midfielder who have high work rate. Can also impact the scoreboard
50	Tom Sims	199cm	Key Forward	Northern Knights	Lead up key forward who has good workrate. Solid at ground level for a kid his size.
50+	Oliver Warburton	185cm	Midfielder	Murray Bushrangers	Versatile type who can play inside and outside the contest. Consistent with good defensive intensity.
50+	Jasper Alger	182cm	Small Forward	Oakleigh Chargers	Classy small forward who makes the most of his opportunities. Good defensive intensity.
50+	Lucas McInerney	180cm	Midfielder	Northern Knights	Rangy winger who keeps his width and can be damaging forward of centre. Good disposer.
50+	Noah Howes	196cm	Key Forward	South Adelaide	Overage key forward with strong work rate. Good ground level game and has natural forward craft
50+	River Stevens	176cm	Small Forward	Geelong Falcons	Classy half forward that makes good decisions with the ball. Creative left footer.
50+	Harry Armstrong	193cm	Key Forward	Sandringham Dragons	High workrate key forward who is at home on the lead. Excellent set shot routine.
50+	Charlie West	195cm	Key Forward	Woodville West	Strong marking and physical key forward. Flies aggressively at the ball in contested situations.
50+	Zac McInnes	196cm	Key Forward	Geelong Falcons	Mobile key forward with good forward craft. Uses work rate to present multiple times.
50+	James Barrat	193cm	Key Forward	Bendigo Pioneers	Leading forward with good leap and excellent timing. Elite forward craft and work rate.
50+	Louie Montgomery	184cm	General Defender	North Adelaide	Composed defender who uses the ball well. Solid 1v1 player who can also create off half back.
50+	Jack Ough	193cm	General Defender	GWV Rebels	Hard working and athletic half back/wing who can play a variety of roles across the ground.
50+	Bailey McKenzie	191cm	General Forward	Sandringham Dragons	Mercurial 3rd tall type that can impact the game at ground level or in the air. Classy in front of goal.
50+	Gabriel Stumpf	196cm	Key Forward	Northern Knights	Athletic key forward who is at home leading at the ball carrier. Strong work rate.
50+	Lucas Tovey	198cm	Key Defender	Oakleigh Chargers	Intercepting key defender, who uses his body really well in the contest. Reliable ball user.
50+	Xavier Ivisic	180cm	Midfielder	Geelong Falcons	Reliable inside midfielder who can also find the ball on the outside. Good vision in the contest.
50+	Ben Hopkins	190cm	General Defender	Dandenong Stingrays	Overage accumulating defender who can also push up to a wing. Quick and hard running.
50+	Kobe Ryan	183cm	Midfielder	West Adelaide	Mature age inside midfielder that wins contested posessions and has manic defensive effort.
50+	Joe Pike	203cm	Ruck	Geelong Falcons	Overage ruckman who competes at ground level. Solid tap work and follow up effort.
50+	Oliver Dean	201cm	Ruck	Tasmania Devils	Neat tap ruckman that can impact forward of center.
50+	Waylon Davey-Motlop	171cm	Small Forward	Northern Territory	Classy small forward who has plenty of X-Factor and upside. Can kick goals from anywhere inside fwd 50.
50+	Tallan Rozenweig	197cm	Key Forward	Central District	Tall forward who uses his leap and long limbs to take the ball at the highest point. Neat kick.
50+	Xavier Kardarchi	186cm	Midfielder	Western Jets	Accumulating midfielder who is strong around the contest. Composed with a solid long kick.
50+	Oliver Hannaford	180cm	Midfielder	GWV Falcons	Agile midfielder who uses his side step to create space around the contest. Good defensive intent.
50+	Damon Hollow	180cm	Midfielder	Calder Cannons	Accumulating wingman who can be damaging with his disposal. Long kicking a real feature.
50+	Ben Barrett	174cm	Small Forward	South Adelaide	Lightning quick small forward who has a bucket of tricks and high impact per possession.
50+	Kade Herbert	184cm	Midfielder/General Forward	Woodville West	High footy IQ, who can play a variety of roles around the ground. Sound decision maker.
50+	Harry Charleson	182cm	General Defender	GWV Rebels	Reliable defender who is composed and can provide some drive off half back.
50+	Liam Kershaw	194cm	Midfielder	Geelong Falcons	Overage wingman who offers a point of difference with his height, marking ability and running capacity
50+	Joel Cochrane	195cm	Key Defender	Sydney Academy	Intercepting defender who can find the ball and provide rebound from the back half.

Whether we end up 18th or as high as 16th, I wonder if we would consider both Trainor and Mraz. The last time we loaded up on tall defenders, it didn't end well, but Mraz offers an essential list need that we haven't addressed since 2007. Namely a player from Noble Park.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Great stuff, big chance some lazy media type will steal your fine work, and promote it as his/her own

Wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest.

Smillie the big 194cm mid is the one

Don’t want another small mid that early

FOs has been injured most this year and hasn’t shown enough as a result anyway

The real question is will we even end up with pick 1

Smillie doesn’t play like a “big” midfielder though. He plays more as a first receiver. So his height isn’t all that beneficial. If he was a stoppage and clearance specialist then I’d be all for it.

Whether we end up 18th or as high as 16th, I wonder if we would consider both Trainor and Mraz. The last time we loaded up on tall defenders, it didn't end well, but Mraz offers an essential list need that we haven't addressed since 2007. Namely a player from Noble Park.

If we go with talls this would be the draft to do it. I’d happily trade down for Trainor then target Kako with a mid teens pick. Mraz is one of my favourites too, with his height/athleticism combo the upside is huge.

 

[Harris 10]

Could O’Sullivan, Draper and Smith play in different positions other than mid or are they just pure mids?

 

[The Talent Scout]

Whether we end up 18th or as high as 16th, I wonder if we would consider both Trainor and Mraz. The last time we loaded up on tall defenders, it didn't end well, but Mraz offers an essential list need that we haven't addressed since 2007. Namely a player from Noble Park.

I don't think we will go that way Colby Cheer Squad, like lots of us I like Luke and being a "North" supporter and having family involved in the club is a great story plus he's a very good young footballer but having two more key defenders to go with last years first rounder, Will Dawson is overkill and we have to go with best talent with our pick 1 or pick 2 that we will probably have.

Unless someone comes calling, I've read that some have said, who would do it in an even draft, but what you have to remember is that its only an even draft if you have picks outside of 1/2/3, then in a way yes it is a even draft at this point and teams say finishing 15th to 1st might be very tempted to get a Finn O' Sullivan or Josh Smillie to their club, hell, I'll even go as far to say there will be a few clubs come calling but the big question is to sell, what's the price and can that club do it?

As for Mraz, lots of potential but man is he raw, going to be a long wait on this one but with players like him its for the future not the now. There are other holes on our list that are a little more important, such as key forward, small forward, ruck and a winger. For that last position Josh Goater has the skillset to be a very good winger when he improves his tank until then a half back flank will be his home.

 

[The Talent Scout]

Could O’Sullivan, Draper and Smith play in different positions other than mid or are they just pure mids?

Let me start, by saying different people will have different ideas on this very issue. I've always had the opinion that good players can adapt and their class will always be there {that doesn't mean they are going to star in that position though} where as a lesser player with ability will try his hardest and give it all he can, now whether that's enough is another question entirely.

Sid is a classic example, he plays okay in other positions and at times shows his class, a smart footballer with skills to match can be a deadly weapon if allowed to settle in that position, we know what he can do in the middle.

Jagga, can almost play anywhere such is his running power and vision, his kicking on occasions can let him down but its not that bad, and he rarely goes to ground, for that to happen you must have good balance to keep your footing, and he has.

Now we get to Finn, the quick answer to this question is a big yes. Half back flank with the speed and running power that he has, smart football brain , overhead marking, elite kicking and able to bring others into the game make him a juicy proposition, to put in a nutshell, you want the ball in his hands.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Could O’Sullivan, Draper and Smith play in different positions other than mid or are they just pure mids?

O’Sullivan has played a bit as a winger and half back and has an impact playing those roles. I think with his overhead marking you could easily park him across half forward for a season or two as well.

Draper has played a fair bit across half forward and on a wing in SANFL seniors and it doesn’t seem all that natural to him. Struggles to get involved and drifts in and out of games.

I’m sure Smith would find the footy no matter where he plays and I think he is going to have to do that to play at AFL level. With his frame it’s going to take a long time before he can be a centre square midfielder at AFL level.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

O’Sullivan has played a bit as a winger and half back and has an impact playing those roles. I think with his overhead marking you could easily park him across half forward for a season or two as well.

Draper has played a fair bit across half forward and on a wing in SANFL seniors and it doesn’t seem all that natural to him. Struggles to get involved and drifts in and out of games.

I’m sure Smith would find the footy no matter where he plays and I think he is going to have to do that to play at AFL level. With his frame it’s going to take a long time before he can be a centre square midfielder at AFL level.

Rf8, from your’s and Sphynx’s write-ups, FOS seems like the best fit for our midfield out of the top mids. How would he compare in terms of athletic potential amongst our current crop?

 

[noobermensch]

Another strong performance from Urquhart who was the heartbeat of the WA midfield as they upset the hot favourite SA. He was the largest stoppage influence on the ground, his size and explosive movement difficult to deal with. He was able to find space and use his long penetrating kick to pump the ball inside 50 11 times for the match.

 

[Souup]

FO'S makes so much sense. I've said that before but with more conviction now than ever.

Hard running, courageous, skilful, athletic and could step up game 1 and make a wing or half forward spot his own.

Still a lot of footy to be played but right now I don't see it being anyone else

 

[Roostorm]

FO'S makes so much sense. I've said that before but with more conviction now than ever.

Hard running, courageous, skilful, athletic and could step up game 1 and make a wing or half forward spot his own.

Still a lot of footy to be played but right now I don't see it being anyone else

So excited with your view point…..the Koroit locals here have HUGE wraps on him…l hope we do….pick the best talented footballer ….

 

[R00StaR]

FO'S makes so much sense. I've said that before but with more conviction now than ever.

Hard running, courageous, skilful, athletic and could step up game 1 and make a wing or half forward spot his own.

Still a lot of footy to be played but right now I don't see it being anyone else

Sydney do alright with mid sized running machines everywhere and today we couldn't counter their run in the second half.

That dynamic would change a bit if add FOS, McKercher, Simpkin and Goater.

 

[Sphynx]

Sydney do alright with mid sized running machines everywhere and today we couldn't counter their run in the second half.

That dynamic would change a bit if add FOS, McKercher, Simpkin and Goater.

Goater isn’t a running machine.

But Colby and FOS certainly are.

McKercher and FOS on opposite wings would be absurd

 

[R00StaR]

Goater isn’t a running machine.

But Colby and FOS certainly are.

McKercher and FOS on opposite wings would be absurd

Not as much as the others granted, but provides valuable run off HB.

 

[JGreezy]

Would Smillie have value as a half back? Playing that Sheezel role, except 194cm.

If he can be a gun at that then he'd fill that need without having to put another undersized player back there.

 

[noobermensch]

Bo Allan's size and power through the midfield proved too difficult for South Australia to handle. There's not a lot of subtlety to Allan's midfield craft at this stage, but he's super competitive and crashes through bodies taking the footy with him or creating space in his wake. His bone crunching tackles were also a feature.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Would Smillie have value as a half back? Playing that Sheezel role, except 194cm.

If he can be a gun at that then he'd fill that need without having to put another undersized player back there.

Would rather we just went after Trainor if we want an elite ball user off half back.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Bo Allan's size and power through the midfield proved too difficult for South Australia to handle. There's not a lot of subtlety to Allan's midfield craft at this stage, but he's super competitive and crashes through bodies taking the footy with him or creating space in his wake. His bone crunching tackles were also a feature.

If North wanted a taller inside mid who is a contested possession type and more defensively minded you’d be hard pressed to find one better than Allan. Old school attack on the footy.

 

[r00boy96]

FO'S makes so much sense. I've said that before but with more conviction now than ever.

Hard running, courageous, skilful, athletic and could step up game 1 and make a wing or half forward spot his own.

Still a lot of footy to be played but right now I don't see it being anyone else

Imagine the tenacity of FOS and Wardlaw. Opposition's wouldn't stand a chance and it would make our boys stand a foot taller, like Wardlaw did today.

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

Would rather we just went after Trainor if we want an elite ball user off half back.

Smillie and Trainor notably the exact same height.

 

[Colby Cheer Squad]

Goater isn’t a running machine.

But Colby and FOS certainly are.

McKercher and FOS on opposite wings would be absurd

The way teams line up and coaches use the wing so often as a defensive zone rather than an attacking transitional role, it probably would be a bit absurd. On the other hand, with the right personnel, we might change the way wing is played.

 

[R00StaR]

Would Smillie have value as a half back? Playing that Sheezel role, except 194cm.

If he can be a gun at that then he'd fill that need without having to put another undersized player back there.

No doubt he could, he can play almost anywhere so doesn't need to be a 100% mid which is part of the appeal.

 

[ohmygewd]

If North wanted a taller inside mid who is a contested possession type and more defensively minded you’d be hard pressed to find one better than Allan. Old school attack on the footy.

Add Max Rohr ang Kayle Gerreyn to a growing list of key forwards, very impressed with Rohr in particular, puts great pressure on the ball for a tall and Gerreyn loves to smash packs. Malaki has great energy and a very clever small foward, still feel Kako has the edge as the best small foward in the draft but champion is as clever as Kako.

Rate Bo Allan, defender coming into the his draft year and has been swung into the middle and has shone. Attack the contest, booming left foot, makes great decisions in the contest, very good overhead and looks to have a tank.

If we split pick 1 - Trainor, Kako and Allan...if we can sneak another second rounder, Rohr would be great - still early in the champs but WA looks to be a well drilled side.

 

[ohmygewd]

Rohr and Gerreyn combine for seven

Max Rohr (four goals) and Kayle Gerreyn (three goals) have a day out in their side’s monstrous win over SA

www.afl.com.au