Knightmare
Brownlow Medallist
- Sep 22, 2010
- 19,533
- 19,542
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
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- Chicago Bulls
- Thread starter
- Banned
- #426
#18 Collingwood (Via West Coast) - Ben Kennedy (SA –Fwd/ Mid)
Height: 174cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 03/03/1994
Recruited from: Glenelg
Style: Brent Harvey
Player comparison:
Range: 13-30
Profile: Very small midfielder, but he can play. Has really elite explosive pace which would be in the very top percentile. As well as that pace he also uses it effectively and willingly takes on opposition players to effect. More than has the performances on the board and showed a lot during the 2011 and 2012 U18 championships. Kennedy is a big accumulator and can hit the scoreboard for a number of goals. Ball use generally very good. Has a neat left foot kick with nice real penetration and hurt factor with it. Very capable of winning his own ball. Marking ability good for a player of his height. I have some queries about eventual position. Not an elite inside ball winner or stoppage player to suggest his inside game develops into anything particularly outstanding, doesn’t really have much of an outside game, not finding enough outside ball then as a forward despite his pace his tackling game is good but not elite as you’d probably expect in a player of this type. Likely he develops into a rotation forward who can push into the midfield with his explosiveness for periods but it will be interesting to see if he can develop into more than a rotation/role player. Kennedy has a big chance of doing what Dion Prestia and Devon Smith have done in recent years in getting drafted early despite lack of height.
#19 Collingwood- Tim O’Brien (SA – KPF)
Height: 192cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 28/03/1994
Recruited from: Glenelg
Style:
Player Comparison: Jack Anthony (more athletic)
Range: 15-25
Profile: O’Brien has stood out with his contested marking ability throughout the u18 championships. He is a strong marking target up forward and while he isn’t the biggest key forward his marking ability overhead is strong always marking at the highest point out in front. Has some real smarts as a key forward, gets to the right positions, protects the drop zone and does all the right things. Accurate set shot goal kicker and makes the most of his opportunities.
#20 Collingwood (Via Melbourne through GWS Compensation Pick from Adelaide) - Jesse Lonergan (TAS - Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 14/11/1994
Recruited from: Launceston
Style: Chris Judd (defensive version)
Player comparison:
Range: 11-25
Profile: Lonergan is a very strong, immediate inside ball winning machine. Really powerful contested ball winner and clearance player. Has some real breakaway pace and can separate himself from the pack with his power. Tackling game very strong. Above average inside distributor by hand. Lonergan has missed much of the first half of this year with injury but that doesn’t change the fact that he looms as a potentially excellent inside midfield option. Haven’t seen many signs with Lonergan of an outside game and for him this is the next stage. Kicking has improved significantly this year after being mostly inconsistent in previous years. Lonergan looks like a really solid prospect and one of the more ready to go prospects with his AFL ready body. Don’t sleep on him. Few have the same combination of inside ability, strength and explosive pace.
#21 Western Bulldogs (Via Hawthorn) - Taylor Garner (VIC – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 08/01/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong
Style: Jimmy Bartell
Player comparison:
Range: 9-25
Profile: Garner is an interesting player who can play forward or through the midfield to a high level. Up forward looks dangerous and is a strong marking target. 1v1 marking ability good and has some ability in the air. Has a great leap on him and can take a hanger. Tackling ability good. When he steps up into the midfield can win his own ball and is a very strong contested ball winner which is great to see considering he isn’t yet super strongly built. I do have some concerns over the consistency of his ball use by foot and have found he isn’t always clean at ground level which is a concern for a forward, additionally decision making on a number of occasions throughout the u18 championships let him down and didn’t always find the right target, but there is a fair bit to work with none the less and the improvement from seemingly nowhere is very encouraging and I suggest there is plenty more to come.
#22 Sydney - Nicholas Graham (VIC – Mid/Util)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 12/06/1994
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 20-45
Profile: Have been impressed with his game. What really stands out with Graham is his ability to attack the ball and I really like his tackling game and his tackling energy has been a real highlight with the pressure he provides. Marking ability also solid for a player of his size. Uses it very well by both hand and foot. Decision making ability good. Also an above average stoppage player and has a really natural inside awareness as well as the ability to read ruck taps.
#23 Brisbane (Compensation Pick) - Tim Membrey (VIC - Fwd)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 26/05/1994
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Style:
Player comparison: Jack Darling
Range: 11-40
Profile: Strong, ready to go forward. Real leader by example and one of those types who demands respect. Has to this point in time played as a key forward but projects as more of a 3rd tall at his height. Has the ability to play right away with his strong, man’s body. Big contested marking target up forward who hits the scoreboard with regularity and has produced some big goal hauls. Very strong mark on the lead. Set shot goal kicking very good and knows where the goals are. Membrey is physically very strongly built so his impact for a forward looks like it could be more immediate than the next player. Membrey’s production and presence up forward is un-ignorable. While he hasn’t had much opportunity through the midfield I would be drafting him to be developed into a strong bodied inside midfielder. Has the skillset and as well as the physicality to thrive in this role but having played mostly forward this year it is still an unknown
#24 St Kilda (Via GWS) – Tom Clurey (VIC – KPD)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 23/03/1994
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Style:
Player comparison: James Clement
Range: 15-25
Profile: Clurey has a solid shutdown game but what has stood out in his play has been his rebounding game and ball use. Showed plenty during the u18 champs and throughout the season just how complete his game is. For mine the best key defender in this draft. Uses the as ball well any coming out of the back half and has elite footskills for a key defender and has the ability to use either foot to a very high level. Strong overhead and 1v1 can take marks. Reads it well and can get off his man to take the intercept mark and reads the game really well. Has the ability to go with a guy 1v1 and goes well in 1v1 marking contests. Endurance elite and tested superbly at the draft combine and can run with anyone as a key defender. Also has the ability to play forward and while I consider him more of a key defender this could also be a possibility if required.
#25 St Kilda (Via Gold Coast) - Nathan Wright (VIC – Def/Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 16/02/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style: Corey Enright (more inside)
Player comparison:
Range: 20-40
Profile: Missed much of the first half of the season but since injury has put together some really nice form. Wright is an athletic defender who can also push into the midfield and have an influence. Wright has excellent pace and a great leap on him. As a defender Wright has the ability to play shutdown roles on smaller or medium types but can also run off a back flank and provide some rebound. Defensively he can go with most players in the air and won’t get burned by too many quicker types. Has the ability through his running to do some damage and can really burst away off a back flank with his explosiveness and has a mean sidestep allowing him to really create separation and easily pass by the opposition forward to start that explosive drive only he can create. With his leaping ability has the ability to take some highflying marks and with this feature of his game might also have potential as a forward which could be something looked at as an alternative depending on team needs. Tackling ability good. Wright also has the ability to go through the midfield, win his own ball and play a role and I think could really thrive in a full time inside midfield role with his ball winning ability. Just plays with a great physicality you love to watch and can win his own ball. Kicking is mostly good and even at full pace can execute but I do have some questions under pressure how good Wright’s ball use is and I have some minor questions about his decision making ability in these situations but there is plenty to work with here and otherwise he looks like a ripper.
#26 Melbourne- Jack Viney (VIC - Mid) F/S
Height: 178cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 13/04/1994
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Style: Joel Selwood
Player comparison: Toby Greene
Range: 2nd round
Profile: Really competitive and hard inside midfield. Could have joined an AFL club as a 17 year old and been a regular. Not a big fella, but purely and simply he is the hardest player I’ve seen coming through the system and his attack on the ball, attack on the man and aggression on the field is without equal and the big reason why he is such a dominant player already. Wins all the hard, contested ball and as a 17 year old was doing better than most of the 18 year olds who got drafted early, so Melbourne will get very lucky to have young Jack who I’m sure will very quickly become a Mark Neeld favourite. Tackling is excellent. Is a real leader out on the field and is someone who really leads by his actions and hardness at the footy. Potential culture changer and sure to be a member of the leadership group soon enough. Really high character guy and hard worker who will put time into his game until he becomes elite. Jack has very clean hands and uses it well by hand consistently. Big time accumulator. Left foot kick, can use his right. Kicking is generally very good and can find his targets over short and medium range but doesn’t have that same hurt factor as some of the other elite mids in this draft. Speed is good and can break away from packs, also athletically I like his agility and side step, has some evasiveness and can burst off in another direction at pace. The big strength athletically is his endurance which without seeing any of his testing I suspect would be very, very good because he has such a high work rate.
#27 GWS (Via Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs) - Tim Broomhead (SA – Util)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 73g, DOB: 22/03/1994
Recruited from: Port Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison: Heath Shaw
Range: 25-50
Profile: Broomhead is a versatile type who can play midfield, forward or back to a high level. Broomhead has a solid all round game. Wins his own ball, has a good but not great skill set, has some real pace and is strong overhead. Broomhead will start his career in more of an outside role and hopefully work his way inside as that part of his game develops further and he adds more size to his frame.
#28 Hawthorn (Via Port Adelaide) - Liam McBean (VIC – KPP/Ruck)
Height: 202cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 25/08/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style: Josh Fraser
Player comparison: Lachlan Keeffe
Range: 20-50
Profile: Ruckman who can also play forward and has also spent most of this year playing down back so there is some versatility. McBean is an agile type ruckman who is excellent at ground level for a player of his size and has an excellent skill set and decision making ability for a tall. As a forward typically leads to the right spots and is a strong marking target without being a contested marking threat. Additionally he is an above average set shot goal kicker which is another nice positive. As a defender McBean has shown that he has the ability spoil his man and do a defensive job while using it cleanly from the back half for someone of his height. Physically McBean has a long way to go and I don’t ever expect him to develop into a super powerful ruckman but with time there is the chance that he develops into a useful tall utility who can play forward/back and some minutes as a no.2 ruck.
#29 Port Adelaide (Compensation Pick) – Rory Atkins (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 12/07/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 25-50
Profile: Atkins is a forward who can also push up into the midfield. Excellent by both hand and foot rarely missing a target. What makes him stand out is his decision making under pressure and his ball use in congestion, making decisions quickly and makes the right ones consistently. Strong overhead at his size. Has some pace and can burst away. Running ability has much improved and has really built that ability to push up the ground and get his hands on the ball more. Just needs to figure out how to do it against stronger opposition next. Feels too outside for my liking and I’d like to see him win more of his own ball and that will be the next stage for him.
#30 Port Adelaide (Compensation Pick) – Sam Colquhoun (SA – Def/Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 20/12/1994
Recruited from: Central District
Style: Heath Scotland
Player comparison:
Range: 20-50
Profile: Colquhoun is a back flanker with elite endurance and above average footskills. Really hard runner and gets into space to provide an option. Colquhoun while not a super high hurt factor type uses it well and can set up some meaningful drive at times by picking the right targets and using it well. Down back Colquhoun also stands out with his intercepting game and he regularly rebounds everything that comes his way. Most suited to playing loose an unaccountable rebounding role down back and can struggle at times 1v1 against stronger opposition. Also has some difficulty defending quicker forwards at times.
#31 Richmond (Compensation Pick via Port Adelaide) – Jackson Thurlow (TAS – Def/Mid)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 28/03/1994
Recruited from: Launceston
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-60
Profile: Really impressed early on during the u18 champs down back with his ability to read it down back and rebound. Thurlow is willing to shift off his man and can play extra man down back. What stands out is his ability to read it and take intercept marks, he just mops up everything from the back half. Hard runner and will present as a linkup option. Ball use good by both hand and foot without being great. Has some versatility and can play on a wing or up forward as well in the back half. Probably not the best shutdown defender and plays mostly unaccountable football down back. I feel his dominance particularly early on during the u18 champs against the div 1 sides was due to the sheer quantity of ball coming into the back half as well as being the primary option coming out of defence, because of this I’ll be interested to see how clubs evaluate him and I expect a fair bit of variety but has shown more than enough to suggest that he will receive an opportunity.
#32 Brisbane- Tanner Smith (VIC – KPD)
Height: 194cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 09/03/1994
Recruited from: North Ballarat
Style: Simon Prestigiacomo
Player comparison:
Range: 20-50
Profile: One of the best shut down key defender of this year’s draft. Very good at limiting the impact of his direct opponent. Gets great spoil numbers. He has some variety in his game and has the ability to play off his man, hold his own one on one or zone off depending on what he needs to do for his team. Most of his touches come from intercept possessions or marks. Athletically Smith is above average and has the speed and endurance to go with most players. Physically still has some way to go so give him some time. Skills on the improve. Has added some marking and running to his game this year and is starting to go from purely a shut down player to someone who increasingly can also provide some rebound which is a real positive but he still looks best as a guy who will be able to take the most dangerous opposition forward and limit his influence. When played forward I’ve found him to be really passive, not attacking the ball as he needs to in the air and isn’t a real marking threat so best he remains a key defender and makes a niche back there where his game is better suited.
#33 Richmond- Tim McGenniss (VIC – Mid)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 18/01/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 30-70
Profile: Hard contested ball type who wins all the clearances. Uses it well and can also get some outside ball. Numbers not huge but from reports has really impressed throughout the interview process and is from reports very coachable and trains as hard as any.
#34 Essendon- Adam Carter (WA –Def/Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 17/04/1994
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Style: Heath Shaw
Player comparison:
Range: 30-50
Profile: Carter while on the short side is not at all short on talent. Has the ability to play either through the midfield or down back. He is a high level rebounding with excellent kicking ability. Carter has great penetration on his kick and uses it as at high disposal efficiency. Defensively is also very solid and has the ability to shut down his man, has good strength 1v1 for a player of his size and while not super quick can go with most small forwards. One aspect of Carter’s play I find really encouraging is his attack on the ball for a smaller guy, really ferocious and can win his own ball in any position. Carter also seems difficult to tackle and has very good core strength allowing him to stand up in those tackles. Athletically Carter is slightly above average but it isn’t a feature of his game as it might be with others.
#35 Carlton – Jason Ashby (VIC – Def)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 16/05/1994
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 30-rookie
Profile: Ashby has improved strongly this season playing off a back flank. He has a really strong running game and has excellent endurance. Has a solid two way game and not only can provide rebound with his run and carry game but can also play a lock down role and limit the goals of his direct opponent through a solid 1v1 game. Strong mark overhead and really attacks the ball. Ashby’s deficiency is in his kicking, the hurt factor isn’t there of some of the other prospects and it can lack consistency at times which he will want to clean up.
#36 Fremantle (Via St Kilda) – Mason Shaw (WA – KPF)
Height: 197cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 15/01/1994
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Style: Kurt Tippett
Player comparison:
Range: 15-45
Profile: Strong marking key forward. Has a presence, marks out in front and can take a contested grab. Had a sensation 2011 season scoring 66 goals which is a great return for the young key forward. Has good accuracy from both general play and set shot attempts. Also Shaw is a serious big game player kicking 7 goals in the grand final which is a big return and shows potential to continue being a big game player into the future. Good finisher around goal and in general play. Endurance very good for a key forward. Has played in the ruck but I most like Shaw as a key forward and see that as the position where he can impose himself on matches most as a big marking target.
#37 North Melbourne- Ben Jacobs (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 09/01/1991
Recruited from: Port Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 25-40
Profile: Long kicking back flanker who has decided after two years with Port Adelaide to move back home to Victoria. I’m not such a fan of his play off a back flank, kicking inconsistent and decision making has at times been poor. Very high level endurance runner and seems best suited as a midfielder who can play some inside, some outside.
#38 Collingwood (Via North Melbourne and Geelong) – Dayle Garlett (WA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 09/01/1994
Recruited from: Swan Districts Football Club
Style: Harley Bennell
Player comparison:
Range: 18-rookie
Profile: Quality outside midfielder who can sneak forward and have an impact. Showed a fair bit of talent through the 2011 U18 champs and again in 2012 has played some excellent football and really put forward a strong case suggesting that he should be selected early. Garlett has game-breaking pace and uses it to advantage with regularity and is willing to take running bounces and take the ball as far as the opposition let him. Decision making excellent and even when pressured or in congestion still makes the right decision most of the time. Finishing around goal good. Left footer with some nice penetration and hurt factor on his kick and hits his targets easily. Can also use his right boot and use it well. Has the ability to really hit the scoreboard and be very damaging with the influence he can have on some games. Also when the ball hits the ground I like how he immediately has that quickness of mind and body to get to the ball quicker than everyone and quickly get the ball onto hit boot for a goal. I like it that despite his lack of size that he is still capable of winning his own ball and playing on the ball and not just outside. Dayle still needs to build more strength through the hips so that he can stand up in tackles, but there is a fair bit to like about his game. Also defensively can continue to get better to compliment his incredible offensive game. I’m hearing some real discipline issues which may see Garlett slide down the draft more than his talent deserves. It will be really interesting to see how clubs evaluate Garlett as he is an unbelievable talent, but the risk is there. Likely the end of season interviewing will decide his eventual draft position but certainly on the field has done everything right and produced some big games and continued to develop his game which for me is the sign to suggest that he will continue to improve. Garlett I suggest would benefit from a move from WA and into a successful interstate club to get the best out of his game. Do this and you’ve got a winner with Garlett and I suggest he becomes one of the best from this draft.
#39 Fremantle – Jason Pongracic (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 21/04/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style: Dustin Martin (less athletic)
Player comparison:
Range: 20-50
Profile: Strong body and big bodied inside ball winner who has missed some time this year with injury earlier in the year but then made a strong comeback in the second half of the season. Real in and under type who attacks the footy and more often than not comes out with it. Displays great hardness at the footy and just really attacks it. Seems to really enjoying playing for the contested ball. Excellent by both hand and foot and is one of those few strong contested ball winners who can use it really well. Pongracic is a really early bloomer and has been good for a number of years. The question with Pongracic is because he is bigger than everyone else does he do it because of size or because he is just better than everyone else? The other query is on pace and he is not one of the quickest midfielders going around. In any case he will be one of the more immediate talents who should be able to step up to AFL level more quickly than the next midfielder. Pongracic has also shown since coming back from injury this year the ability to play up forward and have an impact.
#40 St Kilda (Via West Coast) – Michael Close (VIC – KPD/KPF)
Height: 195cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 30/07/1994
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 25-65
Profile: Mobile key position player with elite endurance for a key position player. Can play forward or back but is probably more suited to playing down back. Reasonable mark overhead but as a key forward probably not dominant enough for my liking. Good user of the footy for someone at his height. Has had his injury issues this year but still looks a strong chance to get drafted.
Height: 174cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 03/03/1994
Recruited from: Glenelg
Style: Brent Harvey
Player comparison:
Range: 13-30
Profile: Very small midfielder, but he can play. Has really elite explosive pace which would be in the very top percentile. As well as that pace he also uses it effectively and willingly takes on opposition players to effect. More than has the performances on the board and showed a lot during the 2011 and 2012 U18 championships. Kennedy is a big accumulator and can hit the scoreboard for a number of goals. Ball use generally very good. Has a neat left foot kick with nice real penetration and hurt factor with it. Very capable of winning his own ball. Marking ability good for a player of his height. I have some queries about eventual position. Not an elite inside ball winner or stoppage player to suggest his inside game develops into anything particularly outstanding, doesn’t really have much of an outside game, not finding enough outside ball then as a forward despite his pace his tackling game is good but not elite as you’d probably expect in a player of this type. Likely he develops into a rotation forward who can push into the midfield with his explosiveness for periods but it will be interesting to see if he can develop into more than a rotation/role player. Kennedy has a big chance of doing what Dion Prestia and Devon Smith have done in recent years in getting drafted early despite lack of height.
#19 Collingwood- Tim O’Brien (SA – KPF)
Height: 192cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 28/03/1994
Recruited from: Glenelg
Style:
Player Comparison: Jack Anthony (more athletic)
Range: 15-25
Profile: O’Brien has stood out with his contested marking ability throughout the u18 championships. He is a strong marking target up forward and while he isn’t the biggest key forward his marking ability overhead is strong always marking at the highest point out in front. Has some real smarts as a key forward, gets to the right positions, protects the drop zone and does all the right things. Accurate set shot goal kicker and makes the most of his opportunities.
#20 Collingwood (Via Melbourne through GWS Compensation Pick from Adelaide) - Jesse Lonergan (TAS - Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 14/11/1994
Recruited from: Launceston
Style: Chris Judd (defensive version)
Player comparison:
Range: 11-25
Profile: Lonergan is a very strong, immediate inside ball winning machine. Really powerful contested ball winner and clearance player. Has some real breakaway pace and can separate himself from the pack with his power. Tackling game very strong. Above average inside distributor by hand. Lonergan has missed much of the first half of this year with injury but that doesn’t change the fact that he looms as a potentially excellent inside midfield option. Haven’t seen many signs with Lonergan of an outside game and for him this is the next stage. Kicking has improved significantly this year after being mostly inconsistent in previous years. Lonergan looks like a really solid prospect and one of the more ready to go prospects with his AFL ready body. Don’t sleep on him. Few have the same combination of inside ability, strength and explosive pace.
#21 Western Bulldogs (Via Hawthorn) - Taylor Garner (VIC – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 08/01/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong
Style: Jimmy Bartell
Player comparison:
Range: 9-25
Profile: Garner is an interesting player who can play forward or through the midfield to a high level. Up forward looks dangerous and is a strong marking target. 1v1 marking ability good and has some ability in the air. Has a great leap on him and can take a hanger. Tackling ability good. When he steps up into the midfield can win his own ball and is a very strong contested ball winner which is great to see considering he isn’t yet super strongly built. I do have some concerns over the consistency of his ball use by foot and have found he isn’t always clean at ground level which is a concern for a forward, additionally decision making on a number of occasions throughout the u18 championships let him down and didn’t always find the right target, but there is a fair bit to work with none the less and the improvement from seemingly nowhere is very encouraging and I suggest there is plenty more to come.
#22 Sydney - Nicholas Graham (VIC – Mid/Util)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 12/06/1994
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 20-45
Profile: Have been impressed with his game. What really stands out with Graham is his ability to attack the ball and I really like his tackling game and his tackling energy has been a real highlight with the pressure he provides. Marking ability also solid for a player of his size. Uses it very well by both hand and foot. Decision making ability good. Also an above average stoppage player and has a really natural inside awareness as well as the ability to read ruck taps.
#23 Brisbane (Compensation Pick) - Tim Membrey (VIC - Fwd)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 26/05/1994
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Style:
Player comparison: Jack Darling
Range: 11-40
Profile: Strong, ready to go forward. Real leader by example and one of those types who demands respect. Has to this point in time played as a key forward but projects as more of a 3rd tall at his height. Has the ability to play right away with his strong, man’s body. Big contested marking target up forward who hits the scoreboard with regularity and has produced some big goal hauls. Very strong mark on the lead. Set shot goal kicking very good and knows where the goals are. Membrey is physically very strongly built so his impact for a forward looks like it could be more immediate than the next player. Membrey’s production and presence up forward is un-ignorable. While he hasn’t had much opportunity through the midfield I would be drafting him to be developed into a strong bodied inside midfielder. Has the skillset and as well as the physicality to thrive in this role but having played mostly forward this year it is still an unknown
#24 St Kilda (Via GWS) – Tom Clurey (VIC – KPD)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 23/03/1994
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Style:
Player comparison: James Clement
Range: 15-25
Profile: Clurey has a solid shutdown game but what has stood out in his play has been his rebounding game and ball use. Showed plenty during the u18 champs and throughout the season just how complete his game is. For mine the best key defender in this draft. Uses the as ball well any coming out of the back half and has elite footskills for a key defender and has the ability to use either foot to a very high level. Strong overhead and 1v1 can take marks. Reads it well and can get off his man to take the intercept mark and reads the game really well. Has the ability to go with a guy 1v1 and goes well in 1v1 marking contests. Endurance elite and tested superbly at the draft combine and can run with anyone as a key defender. Also has the ability to play forward and while I consider him more of a key defender this could also be a possibility if required.
#25 St Kilda (Via Gold Coast) - Nathan Wright (VIC – Def/Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 16/02/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style: Corey Enright (more inside)
Player comparison:
Range: 20-40
Profile: Missed much of the first half of the season but since injury has put together some really nice form. Wright is an athletic defender who can also push into the midfield and have an influence. Wright has excellent pace and a great leap on him. As a defender Wright has the ability to play shutdown roles on smaller or medium types but can also run off a back flank and provide some rebound. Defensively he can go with most players in the air and won’t get burned by too many quicker types. Has the ability through his running to do some damage and can really burst away off a back flank with his explosiveness and has a mean sidestep allowing him to really create separation and easily pass by the opposition forward to start that explosive drive only he can create. With his leaping ability has the ability to take some highflying marks and with this feature of his game might also have potential as a forward which could be something looked at as an alternative depending on team needs. Tackling ability good. Wright also has the ability to go through the midfield, win his own ball and play a role and I think could really thrive in a full time inside midfield role with his ball winning ability. Just plays with a great physicality you love to watch and can win his own ball. Kicking is mostly good and even at full pace can execute but I do have some questions under pressure how good Wright’s ball use is and I have some minor questions about his decision making ability in these situations but there is plenty to work with here and otherwise he looks like a ripper.
#26 Melbourne- Jack Viney (VIC - Mid) F/S
Height: 178cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 13/04/1994
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Style: Joel Selwood
Player comparison: Toby Greene
Range: 2nd round
Profile: Really competitive and hard inside midfield. Could have joined an AFL club as a 17 year old and been a regular. Not a big fella, but purely and simply he is the hardest player I’ve seen coming through the system and his attack on the ball, attack on the man and aggression on the field is without equal and the big reason why he is such a dominant player already. Wins all the hard, contested ball and as a 17 year old was doing better than most of the 18 year olds who got drafted early, so Melbourne will get very lucky to have young Jack who I’m sure will very quickly become a Mark Neeld favourite. Tackling is excellent. Is a real leader out on the field and is someone who really leads by his actions and hardness at the footy. Potential culture changer and sure to be a member of the leadership group soon enough. Really high character guy and hard worker who will put time into his game until he becomes elite. Jack has very clean hands and uses it well by hand consistently. Big time accumulator. Left foot kick, can use his right. Kicking is generally very good and can find his targets over short and medium range but doesn’t have that same hurt factor as some of the other elite mids in this draft. Speed is good and can break away from packs, also athletically I like his agility and side step, has some evasiveness and can burst off in another direction at pace. The big strength athletically is his endurance which without seeing any of his testing I suspect would be very, very good because he has such a high work rate.
#27 GWS (Via Hawthorn and Western Bulldogs) - Tim Broomhead (SA – Util)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 73g, DOB: 22/03/1994
Recruited from: Port Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison: Heath Shaw
Range: 25-50
Profile: Broomhead is a versatile type who can play midfield, forward or back to a high level. Broomhead has a solid all round game. Wins his own ball, has a good but not great skill set, has some real pace and is strong overhead. Broomhead will start his career in more of an outside role and hopefully work his way inside as that part of his game develops further and he adds more size to his frame.
#28 Hawthorn (Via Port Adelaide) - Liam McBean (VIC – KPP/Ruck)
Height: 202cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 25/08/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style: Josh Fraser
Player comparison: Lachlan Keeffe
Range: 20-50
Profile: Ruckman who can also play forward and has also spent most of this year playing down back so there is some versatility. McBean is an agile type ruckman who is excellent at ground level for a player of his size and has an excellent skill set and decision making ability for a tall. As a forward typically leads to the right spots and is a strong marking target without being a contested marking threat. Additionally he is an above average set shot goal kicker which is another nice positive. As a defender McBean has shown that he has the ability spoil his man and do a defensive job while using it cleanly from the back half for someone of his height. Physically McBean has a long way to go and I don’t ever expect him to develop into a super powerful ruckman but with time there is the chance that he develops into a useful tall utility who can play forward/back and some minutes as a no.2 ruck.
#29 Port Adelaide (Compensation Pick) – Rory Atkins (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 12/07/1994
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 25-50
Profile: Atkins is a forward who can also push up into the midfield. Excellent by both hand and foot rarely missing a target. What makes him stand out is his decision making under pressure and his ball use in congestion, making decisions quickly and makes the right ones consistently. Strong overhead at his size. Has some pace and can burst away. Running ability has much improved and has really built that ability to push up the ground and get his hands on the ball more. Just needs to figure out how to do it against stronger opposition next. Feels too outside for my liking and I’d like to see him win more of his own ball and that will be the next stage for him.
#30 Port Adelaide (Compensation Pick) – Sam Colquhoun (SA – Def/Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 20/12/1994
Recruited from: Central District
Style: Heath Scotland
Player comparison:
Range: 20-50
Profile: Colquhoun is a back flanker with elite endurance and above average footskills. Really hard runner and gets into space to provide an option. Colquhoun while not a super high hurt factor type uses it well and can set up some meaningful drive at times by picking the right targets and using it well. Down back Colquhoun also stands out with his intercepting game and he regularly rebounds everything that comes his way. Most suited to playing loose an unaccountable rebounding role down back and can struggle at times 1v1 against stronger opposition. Also has some difficulty defending quicker forwards at times.
#31 Richmond (Compensation Pick via Port Adelaide) – Jackson Thurlow (TAS – Def/Mid)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 28/03/1994
Recruited from: Launceston
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 15-60
Profile: Really impressed early on during the u18 champs down back with his ability to read it down back and rebound. Thurlow is willing to shift off his man and can play extra man down back. What stands out is his ability to read it and take intercept marks, he just mops up everything from the back half. Hard runner and will present as a linkup option. Ball use good by both hand and foot without being great. Has some versatility and can play on a wing or up forward as well in the back half. Probably not the best shutdown defender and plays mostly unaccountable football down back. I feel his dominance particularly early on during the u18 champs against the div 1 sides was due to the sheer quantity of ball coming into the back half as well as being the primary option coming out of defence, because of this I’ll be interested to see how clubs evaluate him and I expect a fair bit of variety but has shown more than enough to suggest that he will receive an opportunity.
#32 Brisbane- Tanner Smith (VIC – KPD)
Height: 194cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 09/03/1994
Recruited from: North Ballarat
Style: Simon Prestigiacomo
Player comparison:
Range: 20-50
Profile: One of the best shut down key defender of this year’s draft. Very good at limiting the impact of his direct opponent. Gets great spoil numbers. He has some variety in his game and has the ability to play off his man, hold his own one on one or zone off depending on what he needs to do for his team. Most of his touches come from intercept possessions or marks. Athletically Smith is above average and has the speed and endurance to go with most players. Physically still has some way to go so give him some time. Skills on the improve. Has added some marking and running to his game this year and is starting to go from purely a shut down player to someone who increasingly can also provide some rebound which is a real positive but he still looks best as a guy who will be able to take the most dangerous opposition forward and limit his influence. When played forward I’ve found him to be really passive, not attacking the ball as he needs to in the air and isn’t a real marking threat so best he remains a key defender and makes a niche back there where his game is better suited.
#33 Richmond- Tim McGenniss (VIC – Mid)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 18/01/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 30-70
Profile: Hard contested ball type who wins all the clearances. Uses it well and can also get some outside ball. Numbers not huge but from reports has really impressed throughout the interview process and is from reports very coachable and trains as hard as any.
#34 Essendon- Adam Carter (WA –Def/Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 17/04/1994
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Style: Heath Shaw
Player comparison:
Range: 30-50
Profile: Carter while on the short side is not at all short on talent. Has the ability to play either through the midfield or down back. He is a high level rebounding with excellent kicking ability. Carter has great penetration on his kick and uses it as at high disposal efficiency. Defensively is also very solid and has the ability to shut down his man, has good strength 1v1 for a player of his size and while not super quick can go with most small forwards. One aspect of Carter’s play I find really encouraging is his attack on the ball for a smaller guy, really ferocious and can win his own ball in any position. Carter also seems difficult to tackle and has very good core strength allowing him to stand up in those tackles. Athletically Carter is slightly above average but it isn’t a feature of his game as it might be with others.
#35 Carlton – Jason Ashby (VIC – Def)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 16/05/1994
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 30-rookie
Profile: Ashby has improved strongly this season playing off a back flank. He has a really strong running game and has excellent endurance. Has a solid two way game and not only can provide rebound with his run and carry game but can also play a lock down role and limit the goals of his direct opponent through a solid 1v1 game. Strong mark overhead and really attacks the ball. Ashby’s deficiency is in his kicking, the hurt factor isn’t there of some of the other prospects and it can lack consistency at times which he will want to clean up.
#36 Fremantle (Via St Kilda) – Mason Shaw (WA – KPF)
Height: 197cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 15/01/1994
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Style: Kurt Tippett
Player comparison:
Range: 15-45
Profile: Strong marking key forward. Has a presence, marks out in front and can take a contested grab. Had a sensation 2011 season scoring 66 goals which is a great return for the young key forward. Has good accuracy from both general play and set shot attempts. Also Shaw is a serious big game player kicking 7 goals in the grand final which is a big return and shows potential to continue being a big game player into the future. Good finisher around goal and in general play. Endurance very good for a key forward. Has played in the ruck but I most like Shaw as a key forward and see that as the position where he can impose himself on matches most as a big marking target.
#37 North Melbourne- Ben Jacobs (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 09/01/1991
Recruited from: Port Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 25-40
Profile: Long kicking back flanker who has decided after two years with Port Adelaide to move back home to Victoria. I’m not such a fan of his play off a back flank, kicking inconsistent and decision making has at times been poor. Very high level endurance runner and seems best suited as a midfielder who can play some inside, some outside.
#38 Collingwood (Via North Melbourne and Geelong) – Dayle Garlett (WA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 09/01/1994
Recruited from: Swan Districts Football Club
Style: Harley Bennell
Player comparison:
Range: 18-rookie
Profile: Quality outside midfielder who can sneak forward and have an impact. Showed a fair bit of talent through the 2011 U18 champs and again in 2012 has played some excellent football and really put forward a strong case suggesting that he should be selected early. Garlett has game-breaking pace and uses it to advantage with regularity and is willing to take running bounces and take the ball as far as the opposition let him. Decision making excellent and even when pressured or in congestion still makes the right decision most of the time. Finishing around goal good. Left footer with some nice penetration and hurt factor on his kick and hits his targets easily. Can also use his right boot and use it well. Has the ability to really hit the scoreboard and be very damaging with the influence he can have on some games. Also when the ball hits the ground I like how he immediately has that quickness of mind and body to get to the ball quicker than everyone and quickly get the ball onto hit boot for a goal. I like it that despite his lack of size that he is still capable of winning his own ball and playing on the ball and not just outside. Dayle still needs to build more strength through the hips so that he can stand up in tackles, but there is a fair bit to like about his game. Also defensively can continue to get better to compliment his incredible offensive game. I’m hearing some real discipline issues which may see Garlett slide down the draft more than his talent deserves. It will be really interesting to see how clubs evaluate Garlett as he is an unbelievable talent, but the risk is there. Likely the end of season interviewing will decide his eventual draft position but certainly on the field has done everything right and produced some big games and continued to develop his game which for me is the sign to suggest that he will continue to improve. Garlett I suggest would benefit from a move from WA and into a successful interstate club to get the best out of his game. Do this and you’ve got a winner with Garlett and I suggest he becomes one of the best from this draft.
#39 Fremantle – Jason Pongracic (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 21/04/1994
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Style: Dustin Martin (less athletic)
Player comparison:
Range: 20-50
Profile: Strong body and big bodied inside ball winner who has missed some time this year with injury earlier in the year but then made a strong comeback in the second half of the season. Real in and under type who attacks the footy and more often than not comes out with it. Displays great hardness at the footy and just really attacks it. Seems to really enjoying playing for the contested ball. Excellent by both hand and foot and is one of those few strong contested ball winners who can use it really well. Pongracic is a really early bloomer and has been good for a number of years. The question with Pongracic is because he is bigger than everyone else does he do it because of size or because he is just better than everyone else? The other query is on pace and he is not one of the quickest midfielders going around. In any case he will be one of the more immediate talents who should be able to step up to AFL level more quickly than the next midfielder. Pongracic has also shown since coming back from injury this year the ability to play up forward and have an impact.
#40 St Kilda (Via West Coast) – Michael Close (VIC – KPD/KPF)
Height: 195cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 30/07/1994
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 25-65
Profile: Mobile key position player with elite endurance for a key position player. Can play forward or back but is probably more suited to playing down back. Reasonable mark overhead but as a key forward probably not dominant enough for my liking. Good user of the footy for someone at his height. Has had his injury issues this year but still looks a strong chance to get drafted.
