Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2016 Draft Almanac

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

As I've been receiving questions in my 2015 thread I thought it time to create a 2016 thread.

This for now will be a Q+A thread and feature my weekly articles.

Once my first draft profiles and power rankings have been posted onto ESPN (will let you all know when they have been) and have been up for a week or so I will edit the profiles and rankings into this thread.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

*Profiles and power rankings as per my November Power Rankings on ESPN:
http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/18098861/knightmare-afl-draft-power-rankings-november

1. Hugh McCluggage (VIC)
Position: Outside midfield
Height, weight: 185cm, 75kg
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels
Plays like: Jason Akermanis
Projected draft range: top five
Rated last month: 1
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Arguably this year's best performed under-18 prospect and only getting better. Scoreboard impact, ground-ball winning, precision ball use and production a rare combination. Ranked top three for North Ballarat Rebels in all 12 games played.
Strengths:
- Production
- Freakish cleanness at ground level
- Brilliant finisher from all angles both from set shots and general play
- Lowers eyes and by foot finds inside 50m targets
- Excellent crumber who gets to right positions, quickly and cleanly gaining possession
- Instant decision-maker with ball in hand
- Quick and efficient execution of skills by hand and foot
- Confidence to play on or move ball on quickly
- Keeps his feet and has natural balance
- Football smarts
- Reads ruck taps
- Strong, clean hands overhead
- Marking threat in the air and on the lead
- Tackling energy/pressure
- Works hard on outside to find space, creates option outside stoppages and provides overlap run
- Acceleration to break away from stoppages
- Outside run and carry
- Rapid rate of improvement
- Consistency
- Rate of performance this season given limited preseason suggest substantial upside
- Suited to playing both as a forward and as a midfielder
Weaknesses:
- Light-bodied and can get pushed around in the contest
- Attack on the ball
- More a ground-ball winner than a contested-ball winner, with the hard ball something he would benefit from winning more of

2. Andrew McGrath (VIC)
 Best position: General defence/inside midfield 
Height, weight: 179cm, 75kg 
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
 Plays like: Heath Shaw 
Projected draft range: top five
 Rated last month: 2
 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Strong finals series and production throughout season have seen McGrath's stocks steadily improve over the course of the season. No one in this draft runs like McGrath off half-back. 
Strengths:
 - Production 
- Acceleration
 - Line breaking 
- Takes the game on at every opportunity and provides meaningful drive in doing so  
- Change of direction
 - Contested-ball winning
 - Tackling  
- Stoppage work
 - Leap
- Aerial marking
 - Strength in one-on-one contests
 - Reads flight of ball well 
- Intercept marking 
- Lifts during most important stages of game
 - Improvement 
- Finals performances 
- Class and composure with ball in hand 
- Football smarts
 - Versatility to play well down back and through the midfield to high standard 
- Leadership 
Weaknesses:
 - Sometimes lacking consistency by foot 
- Relative lack of height by position 
- Hands not always clean in close

3. Will Setterfield (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy)
 Best position: Inside midfield 
Height, weight: 190cm, 80kg 
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons 
Plays like: David Mundy 
Projected draft range: first round
 Rated last month: 6
 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has the scope to be the best midfielder in this draft at his height with his skills, composure, first possession winning at stoppages and tackling. Just needs a clean run with injury.  
Strengths: 
- Production 
- Composure and sound decision-making ability under pressure
 - Lowers eyes and demonstrated vision and quality use by foot from stoppages 
- Damaging skills - Sidestepping and movement in traffic with ability to create more time and space 
- Tackling 
- Contested-ball winning at stoppages and around the ground
 - Wins first possession at stoppages
 - Strong mark overhead
 - Aerial marking 
- Versatility to play midfield, forward or back if required
 - Scoreboard impact 
Weaknesses: 
- Pace only average
 - Durability

4. Tim Taranto (VIC)
 Best position: General forward/inside midfield 
Height, weight: 186cm, 82kg 
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
 Plays like: Robbie Gray
 Projected draft range: top 10 
Rated last month: 4 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Impact and production through finals series and throughout the season sees Taranto placed here.
 Strengths: 
- Impact per possession 
- Hurt factor by foot
 - Hits inside 50m targets 
- Vision 
- Decision-making
 - Football smarts
 - Strong first-possession winner at stoppages
 - Contested-ball winning  
- Tackling 
- Aerial marking
 - Strong hands overhead 
- One-on-one marking
 - Can isolate deep in front 50m
- Versatility to play forward and midfield to a strong standard 
- Finishing around goal
 - Evasiveness 
- Production
 - Big game and finals performances
 - Improvement 
Weaknesses:  
- Only average pace

-- Potential top 10 on list quality --

5. Ben Ainsworth (VIC) 
Best position: General forward/inside midfield 
Height, weight: 179cm, 74kg 
Recruited from: Gippsland Power 
Plays like: Jamie Elliott
 Projected draft range: top 10
 Rated last month: 8 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Dynamic and impactful forward who can push through the midfield and have an impact.  
Strengths: 
- Vertical leap 
- Aerial marking  
- Vice-like strong hands overhead 
- Reads flight of the ball 
- One-on-one marking
 - Football smarts
 - Impact per possession 
- Able to push into midfield 
- Ground-ball winning
 - Athleticism 
- Scoreboard impact 
- Footskills 
- Vision 
- Decision-making
 - Tackling and pressuring
 - Endurance 
Weaknesses:
 - Unclear whether Ainsworth can be a full-time midfielder - he looks more like a forward who can rotate through the midfield

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

6. Jack Bowes (QLD - Gold Coast Academy) 
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward
 Height, weight: 187cm, 78kg
 Recruited from: Gold Coast  
Plays like: Trent Cotchin 
Projected draft range: top 10
 Rated last month: 5 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Attributes and scope to improve through midfield demonstrated sees Bowes placed here.
 Strengths: 
- Production 
- Disposes of ball quickly and efficiently in traffic by both hand and foot 
- Lowers eyes and demonstrates vision and quality use by foot in general play
 - Makes sound decisions in traffic
 - Scoreboard impact
 - Football smarts
 - Strong first-possession winner at stoppages
 - Tackling 
- Clean at ground level and can rove at bottom of packs 
- Absorbs tackles and disposes of ball efficiently when tackled
 - Capable mark overhead with one-on-one and intercept marking ability 
- Versatility to play midfield, back and forward
 - Sidestep and ability to evade tackles in traffic
 - Strong performances against state league standard competition
- Enduranc
 Weaknesses: 
- Slow getting up to speed 
- Impact sometimes lacking

7. Harry Perryman (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy)
 Best position: Inside midfield/general defence 
Height, weight: 184cm, 75kg
 Recruited from: Collingullie-GP
 Plays like: Rory Sloane
 Projected draft range: first round
 Rated last month: 7
 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Encouraging performances, football smarts and all-around game see Perryman placed here.  
Strengths: 
- Production 
- Football smarts
 - Wins first possession at stoppages 
- Contested-ball winning ability at stoppages and around the ground 
- Tackling
 - Strong mark overhead  
- Contested marking 
- Strength and smarts in one-on-one contests
 - Footskills reliable over variety of distances 
- Quick and clean hands 
- Versatility to play midfield, back and forward well
 - High work rate and covers the ground well 
Weaknesses:  
- Pace and athleticism only average

8. William Brodie (VIC) 
Best position: Inside midfielder 
Height, weight: 189cm, 82kg  
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Plays like: Jack Redden
 Projected draft range: top 10
 Rated last month: 3 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Strength of AFL Under-18 Championships and his performances against VFL opponents earlier this year through midfield enough to validate this high ranking. Patchy TAC Cup form late season results in Brodie dipping down rankings.
 Strengths:
- Production 
- Strong performer against more mature VFL bodies
 - Lifts during important moments in games
 - Performs in big games 
- Reads ruck taps well 
- Wins first possession at stoppages in dangerous positions
 - Contested-ball winning at stoppages and around the ground
 - Hits stoppage at speed, winning contested ball on the move and bursting out other side with ball in hand
 - Kicks from stoppages often damaging and find inside 50 target 
-Tackling 
- Distributes well distribute by hand 
- Wins ground balls at speed on the move
 - Work rate
 - Two-way run 
- Run and carry
 - Overlap run
 - Sidestep  
Weaknesses: 
- Rushed under pressure 
- Footskills sometimes lack consistency 
- Contested marking
 - Scoreboard impact

9. Willem Drew (VIC)
Best position: Inside midfield
 Height, weight: 188cm, 78kg 
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels 
Plays like: Jack Ziebell 
Projected draft range: second to third round  
Rated last month: 10 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Arguably matched if not exceed the impact of teammate Hugh McCluggage through the TAC Cup finals. Has had an outstanding season through the midfield with his contested-ball winning, aggression at the ball and tackling as good as any in this draft.  
Strengths: 
- Stoppage specialist 
- Wins first possession at stoppages 
- Contested-ball winning
 - Aggressive tackler
 - Clean below knees
 - Courage to win 50/50 ball without fear of getting hurt 
- Strength
 - Capable mark overhead 
- Scoreboard impact
 - Versatility to play forward or back as required 
- Reads flight well and takes intercept marks 
- Late season has started to run to better spots on the outside to become a more frequent and useful link player on the outside 
- Strength of TAC Cup performances 
- Endurance
 - Acceleration 
Weaknesses: 
- Limited opportunities through midfield during AFL Under-18 Championships and end-of-season Under-18 All Stars match leaves him slightly unproven against best competition in the country 
- Limited outside hurt factor as an infrequent linebreaker with an only average kick
 - From stoppages rushes kicks, too often bombing long to a general area of one of his teammates rather than taking time to find an open target

10. Sam Petrevski-Seton (WA)  
Best position: Outside midfield/general defence 
Height, weight: 181cm, 76kg  
Recruited from: Claremont  
Plays like: Daniel Wells  
Projected draft range: first round 
Rated last month: 9 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Reduced impact per possession and no WAFL League opportunities over second half of the season sees Petrevski-Seton drop slightly over second half of season.
Strengths: 
- Acceleration 
- Evasiveness 
- Sidestep 
- Freakish clean ground-level pickups 
- Plays on at every chance
 - Impact per possession
 - Keeps his feet and has natural balance
 - Ambidextrous kick 
- Quick, instinctive handballs
 - Freakish football instincts for where teammates and opponents are 
- Hitting targets inside 50m
 - Finishing around goal
- Versatility to play midfield, back or forward to a high standard 
- Can win contested ball and first possession at stoppages  
- Tackling 
Weaknesses: 
- Strength
 - Unclear best position 
- Inconsistency
 - Scoreboard impact

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

-- Potential best 15 on list quality --

11. William Hayward (SA)
 Best position: General forward 
Height, weight: 186cm, 76kg
 Recruited from: North Adelaid
 Plays like: James Sicily 
Projected draft range: first to second round  
Rated last month: 24 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has worked his way up draft boards on the back of an outstanding SANFL Under-18 finals series up forward.
 Strengths:
 - Marks at highest point 
- Marking on the lead 
- Timing of leads 
- One-on-one marking 
- Aerial marking 
- Vertical leap 
- Attacks ball in the air 
- Gets front position in marking contests
 - Reads drop of ball 
- Scoreboard impact
 - Genuine No. 1 one option in forward 50m
 - Football smarts 
-Clean at ground level 
Weaknesses: 
- Unproven outside forward 50m 
- Not a big ball winner 
- Possible but unclear midfield potential

12. Sam Powell-Pepper (WA)
 Best position: General forward/inside midfield 
Height, weight: 188cm, 83kg  
Recruited from: East Perth 
Plays like: Tom Bell 
Projected draft range: first to second round  
Rated last month: 13 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Strong WAFL Colts grand final performance and plays a high impact per possession game.  
Strengths: 
- Impact per possession 
- Strength of ground-ball winning
 - Wins ground balls at speed on the move
 - Often hits stoppage at speed, winning contested ball on the move and bursting out other side with ball in hand 
- Wins first possession at stoppages
 - Contested-ball winning  
- Versatility (good forward, midfield and back) 
- Scoreboard impact 
- Explosive pace 
- Breaks the lines 
- Endurance 
Weaknesses:
 - Turnover prone by foot
 - Contested marking and clean hands overhead 
- Needs to find more of the ball

13. Shai Bolton (WA) 
Best position: General forward/outside midfield 
Height, weight: 178cm, 68kg
 Recruited from: South Fremantle 
Plays like: Steven Motlop 
Projected draft range: first to second round 
Rated last month: 12 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Provides performance, scoreboard impact and hurt factor up forward.
 Strengths: 
- Acceleration
 - Line breaking
 - One-touch ground ball winner 
-Wins groundballs at speed
 - Evasiveness 
- Agility
 - Composure with ball in hand
 - With ball in hand displays creativeness and makes things happen
 - Scoreboard impact 
Weaknesses:
 - Defensive run
 - Strength
 - One-on-one ability 
- Raw 
- Winning the hard, contested-ball 
- Often rushes kicks

14. Jack Scrimshaw (VIC) 
Best position: Utility
 Height, weight: 193cm, 80kg
 Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons 
Plays like: Matthew Broadbent 
Projected draft range: first round 
Rated last month: 11 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Solidified position with promise shown through TAC Cup finals for Sandringham. Would be rated higher if he had a clear best position at AFL level.
 Strengths:
 - Evasiveness
 - Damaging, long kick  
- Vision 
- Decision-making with ball in hand
 - Reads flight of ball early
 - Intercept marking  
- Movement through traffic with ball in hand 
- Takes on the game with run
 - Production 
Weaknesses:
 - Unclear best position 
- One-on-one strength
 - Lacks strength to play as a key defender
 - Unaccountable in defence
 - Footskills sometimes lacking consistency 
- Contested-ball winning

15. Daniel Venables (VIC) 
Best position: General forward/inside midfield 
Height, weight: 186cm, 81kg
 Recruited from: Western Jets
 Plays like: Jack Crisp
 Projected draft range: first round
 Rated last month: 21 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Given how few games Venables has played these past few seasons, this rating is based on his mix of elite attributes and scope to develop with time.  
Strengths:
 - Aggressive tackler
 - Explosive pace and breakaway speed from stoppages
 - Scoreboard impact
 - Finishing ability on the move 
- Damaging ball user by hand and foot
 - Strong mark overhead
 - Contested-ball winning 
Weaknesses: 
- Durability 
- Production
 - Can spend time through the midfield and have an impact without having the numbers at this point to appear like he will develop into a full-time midfielder
 - Work rate 
- Inconsistent from game to game
 - Lacks four-quarter impact 
- Lack of exposed form due to injuries

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

16. Brad Scheer (QLD - Gold Coast Academy)
 Best position: Inside midfielder/general forward 
Height, weight: 184cm, 83kg
 Recruited from: Gold Coast
 Plays like: Josh Caddy 
Projected draft range: first to third round  
Rated last month: 16 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Strong and productive season through the midfield.
Strengths: 
- Production
 - Stoppage work 
- Contested-ball winning
 - Wins first possession at stoppages
 - Draws free kicks for high tackles 
- Quick distribution by hand at stoppages 
- Strong tackler 
- Strong mark overhead 
- Able to play forward and provide a marking target inside the forward 50m 
- Able finisher inside forward 50m 
- Reliable kick 
- Endurance
- Work rate 
Weaknesses: 
- Run and carry 
- Outside hurt factor 
- Lacks an x-factor

17. Oliver Florent (VIC)
 Best position: General forward/outside midfield 
Height, weight: 183cm, 74kg 
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons 
Plays like: David Zaharakis 
Projected draft range: first to second round 
Rated last month: 28 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Strong finals series and performance in Under-18 All Stars game sees Florent rise late.  
Strengths: 
- Acceleration 
- Evasiveness
 - Movement through traffic 
- Impactful forward of centre 
- Composure with ball in hand 
- Clean at ground level 
- Improvement late season 
- Performances in big games 
- Scope to play inside or outside as a midfielder 
Weaknesses:
 - Contested-ball winning 
- Production 
- Not a four-quarter player
 - Light bodied 
- Inconsistent footskills

18. Kobe Mutch (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy)  
Best position: Inside midfield 
Height, weight: 184cm, 79kg 
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers 
Plays like: Brad Ebert 
Projected draft range: second to third round 
Rated last month: 18 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: One of this year's most productive and consistent midfielders.
 Strengths: 
- Production 
- Endurance 
- Unrewarded outside run
 - Work rate 
- Stoppage work 
- Wins first possession at stoppages
 - Contested-ball winning
 - Distribution by hand 
- Tackling 
- Clean hands 
- Links up well
 - Football smarts
 - Comfortable kicking with either foot 
- Two-way runner 
Weaknesses: 
- Lacks an x-factor 
- Clean but not damaging ball user by hand and foot
 - Pace
 - Agility
- Contested marking

19. Zac Fisher (WA) 
Best position: Inside midfield/outside midfield
 Height, weight: 175cm, 61kg
 Recruited from: Perth
 Plays like: Lachie Neale 
Projected draft range: second to third round  
Rated last month: 19 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Numbers and quality of performances during the AFL Under-18 Championships and at WAFL League very advanced.
 Strengths: 
- Production 
- Stoppage work
 - Wins first possession at stoppages 
- Contested-ball winning  
- Tackling 
- Clean hands 
- Precise footskills
 - Vision 
- Decision-making
 - Acceleration and burst away from stoppages
 - Agility
 - Evasiveness 
-Performances vs. WAFL League competition 
Weaknesses: 
- Size by position 
- Unclear versatility

20. Dylan Clarke (VIC)
 Best position: Inside midfield 
Height, weight: 187cm, 85kg
 Recruited from: Eastern Rangers 
Plays like: Daniel Cross 
Projected draft range: second to third round
 Rated last month: 20 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Consistent contested-ball winner with excellent endurance. Has produced a highly productive and consistent season.
 Strengths: 
- Production 
- Stoppage work 
- Wins first possession at stoppages
 - Contested-ball winning  
- Can get rid of ball when tackled by keeping arms high
 - Distribution by hand 
- Tackling  
- Clean hands
 - Endurance 
- Work rate
 - Two-way running
 - Able to play forward as required 
- Scoreboard impact
 Weaknesses:
 - Inconsistent footskills
- Acceleration 
- Agility 
- Lacks an x-factor

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

21. Lachlan Tiziani (NSW/ACT)
 Best position: General forward 
Height, weight: 189cm, 82kg 
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers 
Plays like: Daniel Menze
Projected draft range: late/rookie 
Rated last month: 26 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Big back-end to the TAC Cup season with a TAC Cup-best 32 goals in his last nine games.  
Strengths: 
- Scoreboard impact (32 goals in last nine games for the season) 
- Finishing around goal
- Balance between marking and ground level work 
- Clean at ground level 
- Gets to right positions to crumb effectively
 - Genuine forward 50m marking target
 - Strong mark overhead
 - Uses body well in one-on-one marking contests
 - Marking threat on the lead 
- Contested marking
 - Keeps his feet in the contest 
- Balanced 
- High leap
 - Acceleration 
- Agility 
- Versatility to play down back or midfield if required 
Weaknesses: 
- Low volume accumulator when used through midfield 
- Contested-ball winning  
- Forward pressure 
- Endurance

22. Jy Simpkin (VIC) 
Best position: General forward/outside midfield
 Height, weight: 181cm, 71kg  
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
 Plays like: Shane Edwards 
Projected draft range: first to second round
 Rated last month: 22 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Not applicable. Season missed due to broken leg. 
Strengths: 
- Lowers eyes and demonstrates excellent vision and ability to hit inside 50m targets 
- Composed with ball in hand 
- Precision kick to target 
- Finishes well from general play
 - Scoreboard impact 
- Acceleration
 - X-factor
 Weaknesses: 
- Contested-ball winning
 - Scope to play through midfield full-time unclear 
- Disposal per game numbers 
- Endurance

23. Jarrod Berry (VIC) 
Best position: Utility 
Height, weight: 191cm, 80kg
 Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels 
Plays like: Jack Grimes 
Projected draft range: first to second round 
Rated last month: 29 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has had an injury-interrupted season but has shown promise in multiple positions.  
Strengths:
 - Leadership 
- Run and carry
 - Burst of pace
 - Shrugs tackles
 - Contested-ball winning 
- Puts body on the line
 - Versatility to play multiple positions with the scope to play midfield, forward or back well 
- Scoreboard impact when used forward of centre 
- Reading of the flight 
- Intercept marking
 - Aerial marking 
- Vision
 - Hurt factor by foot when given time to lower eyes and find a target up the field 
Weaknesses: 
- Inconsistent footskills 
- Rushes decision-making under pressure 
- Unclear best position (arguably looking best off half-forward late season)

24. Alex Witherden (VIC) 
Best position: General defence/outside midfield
 Height, weight: 184m, 78kg 
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons 
Plays like: Jarrad McVeigh
 Projected draft range: first to second round 
Rated last month: 23 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Not applicable. Season missed due to broken leg.  
Strengths: 
- Production by position 
- Clean kick with excellent penetration and hurt factor 
- Vision to find meaningful targets up the field 
- Composure and sound decision making with ball in hand 
- Reads of the ball in flight 
- Intercept marking 
Weaknesses: 
- Below average pace
 - Endurance
 - Scope to play through midfield unclear

25. Benjamin Ronke (VIC) 
Best position: Inside midfield/general forward 
Height, weight: 181cm, 75kg 
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
 Plays like: Luke Shuey 
Projected draft range: late/rookie 
Rated last month: 25
 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Excellent second half to the TAC Cup season where strong production and explosive speed and contested-ball winning stood out. Rapid rate of improvement demonstrated. Finished in Calder's best in his last seven games and was listed as Calder's best player in five of his last six matches. Late season he played two VFL games and at that level also held his own.
Strengths: 
- Contested-ball winning 
- Wins first possession at stoppages 
- Explosive acceleration
 - Breaks away from stoppages
 - Tackling 
- Chase-down tackling
 - Energy around the contest
 - Gives second and third efforts 
- Athleticism 
- Rate of improvement and standard of performance through second half of season 
- Held his own against VFL standard competition
 - Scoreboard impact (19 goals from 15 TAC Cup games and two goals from two VFL contests) 
- Kicks goals from stoppages and on the move
 - Can play forward 
Weaknesses: 
- Inconsistent foot skills  
- When pressured feels rushed and can make poor decisions
 - Does not find much easy outside ball

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

26. Brodie Romensky (VIC) 
Best position: Inside midfield/general defence 
Height, weight: 189cm, 88kg 
Recruited from: Western Jets
 Plays like: Jackson Macrae 
Projected draft range: late/rookie 
Rated last month: 26 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: Has been on the fringe of draft boards throughout the season and sneaks into the top 30 as a few others drop down.
 Strengths: 
- Movement through traffic
 - Evasiveness 
- Agility 
- Wins first possession at stoppages
 - Wins a high proportion of possessions in the contest
 - Gets to every contest 
- Tackling 
- Size and strength 
- Run and carry 
- Intercept marking
 - Reading of the flight
 - Production 
- Excellent both through the midfield and off half back 
- Consistency of performance (named in bests 12 of 15 games for Western)
 Weaknesses: 
- Inconsistent foot skills
 - Scoreboard impact through midfield limited
 - At height could be a greater contested marking threat

27. Lachlan Walker (VIC) 
Best position: Inside midfield
 Height, weight: 188cm, 84kg,
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers 
Plays like: Jack Trengove 
Projected draft range: late/rookie 
Rated last month: unrated 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking:  Consistent over course of TAC Cup season. Featured in bests 12 TAC Cup games (equal second best in the competition). Balance between inside and outside game appealing.
Strengths: 
- Inside/outside balance
 - Contested ball winner 
- Wins first possession at stoppages
 - Ball use by hand and foot 
- Dual sided ball user
 - Class and composure with ball in hand 
- Slipperiness
 - Agile mover 
- Scoreboard impact
 - Production
- Gets to every contest
 - All-around game
 - Versatility to play midfield in either an inside or outside role. Also has capacity to play back or forward  
Weaknesses: 
- Lacks one special point of different that no other player in this draft possesses 
- Sometimes can rush kicks forward from stoppages rather than assessing options

28. Ryan Garthwaite (NSW/ACT - GWS Academy)
Best position: Key defence 
Height, weight: 192cm, 84kg
 Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers 
Plays like: Steven May 
Projected draft range: late draft 
Rated last month: unrated
 Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking:  Strong TAC Cup season. Difficult to beat in one-on-one contests and intercepts.
Strengths: 
- Strength in one-on-one contests (lost only two one-on-one contests in 12 TAC Cup matches) 
- One-on-one marking
 - Intercept marking
 - Reads of ball in flight early
 - Gets to the drop of the ball to be in best position during one-on-one contests
 - Clean at ground level 
- Tackling
 - Can play tall or small 
- Athletically is solid by position
 - Performance
 Weaknesses: 
- Kicking while mostly reliable is low hurt factor and gets too much air due to unusual technique
- Relatively short by position
 - Seems an early bloomer which may limit scope to develop

29. Declan Watson (QLD - Brisbane Academy)
 Best position: Key defence
 Height, weight: 194cm, 80kg
 Recruited from: Aspley
 Plays like: Jack Hombsch
 Projected draft range: late draf
 Rated last month: Unrated 
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking:  Promising play during AFL Under-18 Championships. Involved in offensive drives out of back half.
Strengths:
 - Finds a lot of the ball for a key defender
 - Always looks involved and on the move when the ball is in his area 
- Provides run in support on forward drives 
- Zones off well down back 
- Intercept marking 
- Reading flight of the ball
 - Able to shut down opposition key forwards
 - Moves well through traffic 
- Good at ground level
 - While testing suggests otherwise, movement in games was fine 
Weaknesses: 
- Weighting on kicks can be hot and cold from game to game
 - Good but not dominant one-on-one or as an intercept mark

30. Griffin Logue (WA)
 Best position: Key defence
 Height, weight: 194cm, 92kg 
Recruited from: Swan Districts
 Plays like: Alipate Carlile
 Projected draft range: first to second round 
Rated last month: unrated  
Rationale behind ranking/change of ranking: While quiet during the AFL Under-18 Championships has had an excellent season in the WAFL, showing some outstanding athletic attributes at his size.
 Strengths: 
- Explosiveness
 - Strength 
- Acceleration 
- Power
 - Agility 
- Endurance 
- Contested ball winning
 - Strength one-on-one
 - Shuts down opposition forwards 
- Intercept marking 
- Performance against WAFL League competition
 - Versatility to play key defence or midfield 
- Midfield potential 
Weaknesses:
 - Quiet NAB Under-18 Championships
 - Limited rebound when used in defence 
- Skills

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

Final Phantom Draft
http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/18123778/knightmare-final-afl-phantom-draft-goes-where

1 Essendon - Andrew McGrath
Height, weight: 179cm, 75kg
Summary profile: At his best when he is running with ball in hand and providing overlap run off half-back. McGrath is excellent through the midfield as a ball winner.

2 GWS - Tim Taranto
Height, weight: 186cm, 82kg
Summary profile: Damaging forward who finds inside 50m targets or can play deep and be a marking target himself. He is also very capable through the midfield as a ball winner.

3 Brisbane - Hugh McCluggage
Height, weight: 185cm, 75kg
Summary profile: High-production forward and midfielder who is freakish at ground level. Precise finisher in front of goal and is just as good hitting forward 50m targets.

4 Gold Coast - Ben Ainsworth
Height, weight: 179cm, 74kg
Summary profile: High leaping forward with vice-like hands overhead who plays taller than his height. Can also push through the midfield and have an impact.

5 GWS - Will Setterfield - after Carlton bid
Height, weight: 190cm, 80kg
Summary profile: Tall, classy midfielder who wins a high volume of contested ball and tackles strongly. Strong overhead and someone hits forward 50m targets regularly from stoppages.

6 Carlton - Sam Petrevski-Seton
Height, weight: 181cm, 76kg
Summary profile: Midfielder who is at his best when taking on the game using his acceleration, sidestep and evasiveness. Capable ball winner who is freakishly clean and uses it well on both sides.

7 Gold Coast - Griffin Logue
Height, weight: 193cm, 92kg
Summary profile: Athletic and powerful key defender. May at his size and with his athleticism and ground-ball winning be able to develop into a big-bodied midfielder.

8 Gold Coast - Jack Bowes (Gold Coast Academy) - after Fremantle bid.
Height, weight: 187cm, 78kg
Summary profile: Precise ball user who wins the ball through the midfield. Bowes is also capable of pushing forward and hitting the scoreboard.

9 Fremantle - Jy Simpkin
Height, weight: 181cm, 71kg
Summary profile: Forward with composure who hits forward 50m targets and provides heavy scoreboard impact. Has good acceleration and possible scope to develop into a midfielder.

10 Sydney - Oliver Florent
Height, weight: 183cm, 74kg
Summary profile: Composed forward who moves well through traffic and displays acceleration. Can also push up onto the wings and find the footy.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

11 Gold Coast - Jack Scrimshaw
Height, weight: 193cm, 80kg
Summary profile: Evasive, smooth-moving tall utility. Good intercept mark behind the ball and does damage by foot over long distance.

12 North Melbourne - Will Brodie
Height, weight: 189cm, 82kg
Summary profile: Strong contested-ball winning midfielder with good acceleration. Brodie has performed best in the big games against strong competition.

13 West Coast - Jarrod Berry
Height, weight: 191cm, 80kg
Summary profile: Line breaker with the capacity to play back, through the midfield or up forward. Has been noted for leadership qualities.

14 GWS - Harry Perryman (GWS Academy) - after Adelaide bid
Height, weight: 184cm, 75kg
Summary profile: Smart footballer who wins contested ball, is strong overhead and uses it well. Can also play back or forward to a strong standard as required.

15 Adelaide - Jordan Gallucci
Height, weight: 183cm, 75kg
Summary profile: Midfielder with breakaway speed who kicks with both sides. Can play midfield, forward and back.

16 Port Adelaide - Tim English
Height, weight: 203cm, 86kg
Summary profile: Mobile ruckman with excellent endurance. High volume accumulator and elite ball user who is developing rapidly.

17 Brisbane - Alex Witherden
Height, weight: 184cm, 78kg
Summary profile: Damaging kick off half-back and has composure with ball in hand. Has possible scope to develop through the midfield.

18 Port Adelaide - Will Hayward
Height, weight: 186cm, 76kg
Summary profile: Strong-marking forward who does his best work close to goal and provides heavy scoreboard impact.

19 Western Bulldogs - Todd Marshall
Height, weight: 198cm, 87kg
Summary profile: Talented key forward with substantial scope to improve. Very quick and agile. Freakish at ground level for someone of his height.

20 Sydney - Tom Stewart
Height, weight: 190cm, 90kg
Summary profile: Mature-age key defender who plays well both ways. Beats direct opponent, takes intercept marks and hits his targets.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

21 Essendon - Jack Graham
Height, weight: 183cm, 83kg
Summary profile: Strong-bodied contested-ball winner who won the Larke Medal for best player during the AFL Under-18 Championships.

22 GWS - Isaac Cumming (GWS Academy) - after Brisbane bid
Height, weight: 183cm, 72kg
Summary profile: Back flanker who provides run out of the back half. He is clean, composed, makes good decisions, generally hitting a target.

23 Brisbane - Daniel Venables
Height, weight: 186cm, 81kg
Summary profile: Explosive forward who does damage with ball in hand. Plays an aggressive style of game and has the scope in the future to develop into a midfielder.

24 Brisbane - Jordan Ridley
Height, weight: 192cm, 79kg
Summary profile: Has played forward, back and midfield this season. Skilled, athletic type who does his best work on the outside.

25 St Kilda - Sam Powell-Pepper
Height, weight: 186cm, 83kg
Summary profile: Powerful ball winner who impacts games with just a few touches. Looks most damaging off half-forward but has capacity to play through the midfield in the future.

26 Geelong - Joshua Battle
Height, weight: 192cm, 90kg
Summary profile: Forward who is strong overhead and clean at ground level. He has excellent endurance and uses the ball precisely.

27 Carlton - Cedric Cox
Height, weight: 184cm, 70kg
Summary profile: Outside linebreaker with good skills who provides high impact per possession.

28 Western Bulldogs - Brennan Cox
Height, weight: 194cm, 90kg
Summary profile: Athletic key position player who was named as an Under-18 All-Australian key defender. Strong in the contest and provides run.

29 Richmond - Elliott Himmelberg
Height, weight: 196cm, 84kg
Summary profile: Athletic key position player with the scope to play either end. Brother of GWS' Harrison.

30 Collingwood - Shai Bolton
Height, weight: 177cm, 67kg
Summary profile: Creative and damaging one-touch forward. Has striking acceleration and evasiveness. Impacts the scoreboard heavily.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

31 Essendon - Luke Ryan
Height, weight: 185cm, 87kg
Summary profile: Intercept marking threat down back who provides meaningful rebound by foot and makes good decisions from the back half.

32 Gold Coast - Brad Scheer (Gold Coast Academy) - after Port Adelaide bid
Height, weight: 184cm, 83kg
Summary profile: Strong-bodied midfielder who does his best work at stoppages winning the contested ball. Can also push forward and present a marking threat.

33 GWS - Kobe Mutch (GWS Academy) - after West Coast bid
Height, weight: 184cm, 79kg
Summary profile: High production midfielder who runs all day. Clean ball user and can win contested ball and runs both ways.

34 Port Adelaide - Dylan Clarke
Height, weight: 187cm, 85kg
Summary profile: Strong-bodied ball winning midfielder who does his best work at stoppages. Has excellent endurance and distributes well by hand.

35 Gold Coast - Josh Williams (Gold Coast Academy) - after Port Adelaide bid
Height, weight: 189cm, 69kg
Summary profile: Line breaking outside runner with excellent acceleration.

36 Port Adelaide - Brandan Parfitt
Height, weight: 179cm, 78kg
Summary profile: Hardnosed midfielder who brings enormous energy and intensity to the contest. Takes on the game at speed and dances around opposition players.

37 North Melbourne - Jack Maibaum
Height, weight: 193cm, 90kg
Summary profile: Athletic key defender who shuts down opposition key forwards. Was named an Under-18 All-Australian during the Under-18 Championships.

38 North Melbourne - Ben Davis
Height, weight: 187cm, 84kg
Summary profile: Powerful marking forward with size, smarts and strong one-on-one ability. Younger brother of Sydney's Abe.

39 West Coast - Josh Rotham
Height, weight: 192cm, 79kg
Summary profile: Athletic backman who may in the future develop the capacity to run through midfield. Can break the lines and uses the ball well out of defence.

40 Fremantle - Joe Atley
Height, weight: 186cm, 84kg
Summary profile: Contested-ball winning midfielder who does his best work at the coal face but can also push forward. Brother of North Melbourne's Shaun.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

41 GWS - Harrison Macreadie (GWS Academy) - after St Kilda bid
Height, weight: 196cm, 89kg
Summary profile: Athletic key defender who provides run from the back half. He uses the ball cleanly and demonstrates composure with ball in hand.

42 St Kilda - Willem Drew
Height, weight: 188cm, 78kg
Summary profile: Aggressive and impactful ball winner and tackler who does his best work at the coalface.

43 Geelong - Sam Walker
Height, weight: 187cm, 80kg
Summary profile: Intercept-marking backman with clean skills who made this year's AFL Under-18 All-Australian team.

44 Fremantle - Pat Kerr
Height, weight: 194cm, 93kg
Summary profile: Strong-marking key forward who impressed during Under-18 Championships with Under-18 All-Australian selection.

45 Collingwood - Callum Brown (Collingwood father-son) - after Essendon bid
Height, weight: 177cm, 69kg
Summary profile: Midfielder who plays with hardness and is able to push forward. Son of Gavin.

46 Essendon - Jonty Scharenberg
Height, weight: 186cm, 80kg
Summary profile: Strong ball winner through the midfield who generally uses the ball reliably by foot. Jonty is the younger brother of Collingwood's Matthew.

47 Collingwood - Josh Daicos (Collingwood father-son) - after Geelong bid
Height, weight: 178cm, 69kg
Summary profile: Skillful forward with composure and evasiveness. Son of Peter.

48 GWS - Zachary Sproule (GWS Academy) - after Geelong bid
Height, weight: 197cm, 84kg
Summary profile: Promising endurance athlete with good skills. Has the scope to play as a key forward, key defender or up on a wing.

49 Geelong - Harry Morrison
Height, weight: 182cm, 73kg
Summary profile: Clean ball user off half-back who displays composure with ball in hand. He also provides run and intercepts well.

50 Adelaide - Oscar McInerney
Height, weight: 203cm, 100kg
Summary profile: Mature-age tap ruckman with athleticism who follows up well.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

51 Brisbane - Declan Watson (Brisbane Academy) - after Sydney bid
Height, weight: 194cm, 80kg
Summary profile: Highly productive key defender who zones off well and always feels involved.

52 Sydney - Bailey Morrish
Height, weight: 186cm, 76kg
Summary profile: Clean ball user off half-back who provides run and carry.

53 Melbourne - Oliver Hanrahan
Height, weight: 183cm, 74kg
Summary profile: Forward who can push up the ground. He is a damaging ball user who provides run.

54 Carlton - Zac Fisher
Height, weight: 175cm, 61kg
Summary profile: Strong contested-ball winner with complete game. Excellent decision-maker who is very clean and precise by hand and foot.

55 West Coast - Jake Waterman (West Coast father-son) - after Sydney bid
Height, weight: 191cm, 82kg
Summary profile: Plays up forward and through the midfield. Production has been strong. Strong overhead, wins own ball and offers strong scoreboard impact.

56 Sydney - Sam McLarty
Height, weight: 193cm, 92kg
Summary profile: Powerful, marking key position player who has shown proficiency at both ends.

57 Western Bulldogs - Ben Long
Height, weight: 183cm, 71kg
Summary profile: Has shown promise both down back and as a forward. Capable shutdown player down back who finishes well up forward.

58 Adelaide - Patrick Lipinski
Height, weight: 188cm, 79kg
Summary profile: Athletic forward who can also push up through the midfield. High leaper who moves well.

59 Richmond - Joshua Begley
Height, weight: 187cm, 93kg
Summary profile: Strong-marking forward who can also push through the midfield and win his own ball. Provides heavy scoreboard impact when used forward of centre.

60 Brisbane - Jacob Allison (Brisbane Academy) - after St Kilda bid
Height, weight: 194cm, 79kg
Summary profile: Athletic, tall utility who breaks the lines, is a strong mark overhead and has a 60m kick. He does his best work providing run on the outside.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

61 St Kilda - Tyson Stengle
Height, weight: 171cm, 69kg
Summary profile: Crumbing forward who hits the scoreboard and heaps on the pressure inside the forward 50m.

62 Collingwood - Ryan Garthwaite (GWS Academy)
Height, weight: 192cm, 84kg
Summary profile: Smart intercept marking key defender who reads the flight well and is strong in the one-on-one contests. Can play tall or small as needed.

63 Carlton - Myles Poholke
Height, weight: 184cm, 84kg
Summary profile: Strong-marking forward who also can play through the midfield and win the contested ball.

64 Geelong - Cameron Zurhaar
Height, weight: 188cm, 79kg
Summary profile: Powerful, athletic type who has the versatility to play forward or back. Looks best suited providing run off half-back.

65 Collingwood - Lachlan Tiziani (GWS Academy)
Height, weight: 189cm, 82kg
Summary profile: Forward who had big back end to the TAC Cup season with a TAC Cup-best 32 goals in his last nine games. Tiziani is athletic, a good finisher and has ability overhead and at ground level.

66 Carlton - Kym LeBois
Height, weight: 175cm, 66kg
Summary profile: Evasive small forward with tricks and hurt factor.

67 Adelaide - Liam Baker
Height, weight: 174cm, 67kg
Summary profile: Strong contested-ball winning midfielder who is clean, composed and uses both sides well.

68 Essendon - Oscar Junker
Height, weight: 193cm, 84kg
Summary profile: Strong-marking utility who can play forward, back or through the midfield.

69 Melbourne - Esava Ratugolea
Height, weight: 194cm, 95kg
Summary profile: Raw, athletic key forward who has a crack. He contesting every marking contest, at least bringing the ball to ground and commits to winning the ground balls.

70 Carlton - Mitch McCarthy
Height, weight: 196cm, 87kg
Summary profile: Athletic key position player who can pinch-hit through the ruck. He moves well and makes sound decisions with ball in hand.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

71 Fremantle - Mitch Hinge
Height, weight: 187cm, 82kg
Summary profile: Composed, late bloomer who is a clean ball user with evasiveness and cleanness at ground level. Looks good off half-back.

72 Geelong - Taylin Duman
Height, weight: 193cm, 75kg
Summary profile: Tall utility with endurance and clean skills.

73 Geelong - Jack Henry
Height, weight: 191cm, 83kg
Summary profile: Athletic forward who is a strong mark overhead. Has the versatility to push up the ground and makes sound decisions with ball in hand.

74 Western Bulldogs - Robbie Fox
Height, weight: 187cm, 87kg
Summary profile: Versatile mature-ager who has transition from the back half in 2015 up though the midfield and up on the wings. Provides run.

75 Fremantle - Rowan Marshall
Height, weight: 201cm, 97kg
Summary profile: Highly regarded mature-age ruckman who competes well in the ruck, tackles strongly and provides a target forward of centre.

76 Richmond - Jye Bolton
Height, weight: 183cm, 80kg
Summary profile: The ex-Collingwood rookie has broken out this season upon moving to Western Australia to join Claremont. He won the Sandover Medal and starred through the midfield.

77 Port Adelaide - Brett Eddy
Height, weight: 194cm, 89kg
Summary profile: Mature-age key forward who kicked 74 goals from 20 SANFL League games. Ready to play right away. Difficult matchup who time and time again finds a way to get out the back for easy goals.

78 North Melbourne - Juhdan Dundon
Height, weight: 186cm, 77kg
Summary profile: Left footer who plays wing and half forward. He uses the ball well on the outside and can hit the scoreboard.

79 Hawthorn - Matt Guelfi
Height, weight: 184cm, 78kg
Summary profile: Ball-winning midfielder who can win the ball at stoppages and also find plenty of the ball on the outside.

80 Adelaide - Ben Jarman (Adelaide father-son)
Height, weight: 175cm, 68kg
Summary profile: Clean, skilful midfielder and forward. Son of Darren. In the mix late for Adelaide, but having not been nominated by the Crows or Hawthorn, could end up anywhere.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

81 Hawthorn - Liam Ryan
Height, weight: 184cm, 76kg
Summary profile: High leaping forward who has taken several hangers this year. Ryan has kicked 40 goals from 16 games in the WAFL as a mature-age prospect.

82 Geelong - Tom Williamson
Height, weight: 188cm, 79kg
Summary profile: Athletic running back flanker who tested well across the board at the draft combine.

83 Sydney - Sean Darcy
Height, weight: 201cm, 113kg
Summary profile: Big bodied tap ruckman who uses enjoys creating body contact at ruck contests and plays with a physical edge.

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

31-40 power rankings (requested)
31. Tim English
32. Todd Marshall
33. Brennan Cox
34. Isaac Cumming
35. Brett Eddy
36. Joshua Begley
37. Jordan Gallucci
38. Jonty Scharenberg
39. Jack Graham
40. Jye Bolton

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

Final, final phantom draft update 25/11/2016

1. Ess – A.McGrath

2. GWS – T.Taranto

3. Bris – H.McCluggage

4. GC – B.Ainsworth

5. GWS – W.Setterfield (after Carl bid)

6. Carl – S.Petreveski-Seton

7. GC – G.Logue

8. Fre – J.Simpkin

9. GC – J.Scrimshaw

10. GC – J.Bowes (after Syd bid)

11. Syd – W.Brodie

12. GWS – H.Perryman (after NM bid)

13. NM – O.Florent

14. WCE – J.Berry

15. GWS – I.Cumming (after Adel bid)

16. Adel – W.Hayward

17. PA – J.Gallucci

18. Bris – A.Witherden

19. PA – T.Marshall

20. WBD – Tim English

Knightmare · May 1, 2016

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Knightmare · May 1, 2016

moderators I plan to use each of these posts for my yearly draft profiles. Please do not delete any of my comments on this page. Thanks.

WBBL Season 10 - Oct '24 to Dec '25

Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2016 Draft Almanac

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