- May 3, 2007
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- 293
- AFL Club
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- Coburg
Round 1
(P.P) Pick 1 > Carlton - Matthew Kreuzer - 199cm 91kgs - Northern Knights (Ruck)
This pick won't surprise many, and won't differ in many phantom drafts. Athletic and agile big man and at 199 cm, and still growing has the height to be at worst a very competent player in the AFL. Carlton fans will be licking their lips with this selection, which compliments the signings of Judd and Hadley very nicely.
Pick 2 > Richmond - Trent Cotchin - 184cm - 81kgs - Northern Knights (Mid/HFF)
Richmond are crying out for classy finishers, and in Trent Cotchin they have got their man. Great disposal on both sides of the body and good pace as well as knack for kicking goals will ensure that Greg Miller will pick up the Victorian dynamo with pick 2. Cotchin is easily the best midfielder in the draft, despite the fact he will start his AFL career as a half forward flanker. Dangerous when he has got the ball, with elite speed, Trent Cotchin hurts the opposition and it is impossible to pass on him with Pick 2.
Pick 3 > West Coast - Cale Morton - 192cm 75kgs - Claremont (Utility)
Bottom aged and with some of the best foot skills in this years draft, Cale Morton's potential is endless. His versatility is a major weapon of his that has recruiting managers salivating. Can play wing, half forward flank, half back flank and the potential to eventually move into the midfield. At 192 cm he has the height to play as a third tall at either end of the ground. Having been stung by Judd’s deflection makes the decision to select a local boy easier still, despite the next 2 highest rated midfielders being from WA also.
Pick 4 >Melbourne - Rhys Palmer - 180cm 76kg - East Fremantle (Mid)
Melbourne could do with an injection of pace into the team and with Palmer; they get what they are after. With great aerobic capacity and good foot skills to go with his speed, Melbourne is getting a great player with this selection.
Was also considering Masten and Myers with this decision. Despite Masten being a classier version of Nathan Jones, as in the in and under, extractor type role I have question marks about his disposal, and seeing as Melbourne need players with classy disposal to replace the accurate Travis Johnstone, Palmer is their man. Despite needing a tall, agile, versatile and mobile backman, in which Myers ticks all the boxes, Palmer is too good to pass up and Melbourne will target a backman with pick 14.
Pick 5 > Bulldogs - David Gourdis - 193cm 88kgs - Subiaco (Key Fwd)
This pick will surprise many with Henderson or McEvoy tipped to be targeted by the Dogs with pick 5. David Gourdis, despite lacking the height of the two more favoured options, has enormous potential to play as a lead up forward, in the mould of Chris Tarrant. With great speed, and repeat sprinting times recorded at the draft campGourdis has the potential to run all day, providing leads all the way up to the wing. Has very, very sticky mitts to go with this athleticism. If the Dogs were not so desperate for classy forwards Gourdis would have lasted until the late first round/early second round selections and been one of the coups of the draft. The kind of youngster who will have Scott Clayton drooling.
Pick 6 > Essendon - David Myers - 190cm 85kgs - Perth (Utility)
Myer's oozes class. With the versatility to play off the Half Back Flank, as well as on the wing or in the midfield, and later as a key back, third defender prospect, strong leadership credentials and a good understanding of the game, Myers is just too good to pass up. Easily the best all round player in the draft, with his speed and versatility making him a tantalising prospect. I considered Myers for every pick 3 onwards before settling on pick 6 as his position. With enormous upside and the ability to match opponents in the midfield, Myers could well be the player of the draft.
Pick 7 > Fremantle - Brad Ebert - 187cm 86kg - Port Magpies (Mid)
Despite being rumoured to pick up Masten with this pick, I see too many similarities between him and numerous other Fremantle midfielders. Fremantle need players with sound disposal and Masten does not offer it. With the Dockers needing classy midfielders I went with the player I rate the next best midfielder in Ebert. Ebert can find his own ball, has a good goal sense and more importantly, has good disposal. Ebert also has the ability to beat a tag, a question mark that hangs over numerous potential draftees. A quality option, and in Ebert Fremantle are getting a future captain, go home factor permitting. Some would regard this pick as a risky one due to the increased hype over players wanting to go back to their home state, but Ebert is too good to pass up.
Pick 8 > Brisbane - Cyril Rioli - 178cm - 74kgs - St.Marys (Mid)
At pick 8, Rioli offers the Lions a midfielders version of Rhan Hooper with the pace, agility, evasiveness and freakish goal sense Hooper offers. Will need to bulk up, but in Rioli Brisbane get the fast, goal kicking X Factor their midfield needs.
Pick 9 > StKilda - Lachie Henderson - 196cm 90kgs - Geelong Falcons (Key Fwd)
With the retirement of Gehrig, the Saints need a KP forward to complement Reiwoldt and Koschitzke, who ideally, can pinch hit in the ruck. With great aerobic capacity, and sticky mitts, the Saints have found their tall forward. Will need to spend time fixing up his goal kicking as it is incredibly inconsistent, but barring that, is a great player, with no other deficiencies in his game. At 196 cm and 90 kg Henderson will become a lead up forward similar to Gourdis but with more height and less aerobic capacity. If he is to spend time in the ruck will need to bulk up and put on one or two centimetres, but with Jeff White an elite ruckman at 196 cm there is no reason why Henderson can't be either.
Pick 10 > Adelaide - Chris Masten - 179cm 80kgs - East Fremantle (Mid)
After sliding to pick 10 Masten is picked up by the Crows here. If not picked up here could well have slid to pick 15/16. Masten is an in and under, tough as guts extractor who never backs down from a contest. Very good at shovelling the ball out to the outside midfielders and with ball users like Goodwin, Edwards, Johncock, Mcleod etc in the Adelaide line up, Masten is a valuable addition to the side. Concerns over his disposal, which is no more than acceptable, and his health after suffering a bout of Osteitis Pubis may make Adelaide hesitate in making this selection. One thing that we all know about Masten, though, is that he will not take a backward step on the field, a quality that will be welcomed with open arms at the Crows.
Pick 11 > Sydney - Ben McEvoy - 199cm 90kgs - Murray Bushrangers (Ruck/ Key Fwd)
With O' Loughlin and Hall getting on, Sydney need a young Key Forward option and they have found one in McEvoy. Will play as a ruckman later on in his career and take over for Jolly but looks more than capable in the forward line, with a very good contested mark at his disposal. This pick is suiting for needs, and McEvoy is the kind of player the Swans need the most. Could well end up playing in that role next year, as well as pinch hitting in the ruck. When he bulks up a bit will be a very dangerous Forward/Ruck option.
Pick 12 > Hawthorn - Tayte Pears - 192cm 90kgs - East Perth (Key Back)
Hawthorn need Key Defenders and Tayte Pears is the perfect option for them. At 192 cm has the height to play CHB, has the pace and foot skills to play Half Back Flank early in his career. Callan Ward, Patrick Veszpremi, Addam Maric and Tom Collier were other players in contention for this pick, but Pears’ aerobic capacity coupled with sound all round skills rates him slightly ahead of these players. Have selected according to need also.
Pick 13 > West Coast - Callan Ward - 183cm 71kgs - Western Jets (Mid/ HBF)
Bottom aged half back flanker with the potential to become an influential midfielder in the AFL. With the loss of Judd, West Coast is after midfielders and Cale Morton and Callan Ward fit the bill. Has great smarts and always seems to be one step ahead of his opponents, and always backs himself. Has numerous strings to his bow, and is a ruck-rover who can play in numerous positions. At 183 cm is a good height for a midfielder and with his aggressiveness and his willingness to throw himself into every contest, once he bulks up could easily be a genuine midfield star of the AFL. Enormous upside and versatility makes this an easy pick.
Pick 14 > Melbourne - Alex Rance - 194cm 87kgs - Swan Districts (Key Back)
Melbourne need key backs and have picked up a gem here in Rance, who is tipped by many to go top 10. At 194 cm is a real Fullback option. Question marks about his pace and defensive ability have meant that he has slid to pick 14. Runs 3.1 seconds over 20 metres, so lacks a bit of pace but has sound foot skills and the ability to adapt to any situation or position. An iceman, the kind of person you turn to in a crisis. Melbourne has done well picking up Rance here, and Craig Cameron will be licking his chops yet again.
Pick 15 > Kangaroos - Patty Veszpremi - 183cm 83kgs - Northern Knights (Mid)
With Archer having retired, the Kangaroos could do with some more mongrel, and they get that with Veszpremi. Quick over 20 metres with a penetrating 50 metre plus low trajectory kick. Veszpremi has incredibly clean hands and never fumbles and coupled with a love for the tough stuff, makes him an ideal selection for the Kangaroos.
Pick 16 > Port Adelaide - Jack Grimes - 187cm 76kgs - Northern Knights (Mid)
With a large amount of quick, indigenous midfielders the Power could do with some in and under grunt, Jack Grimes fits the bill. He has sufficient speed and a good motor, his disposal is good without being spectacular, and doesn’t have enough X-Factor to be a top 10 pick for mine. Stats don’t lie and he has averaged 25 plus possessions in the TAC cup and will provide Port Adelaide with much needed grunt. Is a natural leader and has a knack for kicking goals.
Pick 17 > Geelong - Jarrod Grant - 191cm, 77kgs- Dandenong Stingrays (Key Fwd)
Geelong has pretty much a complete side despite being a little short in Key Forward and key back stocks. Grant is an athlete first and foremost – he has great speed and a huge motor. His contested marking is good and his disposal is very good. Question marks hang over the amount of times he floats in and out of games and more importantly his attitude. Geelong sorted it out with Steven Johnson – so why not Grant? And if anyone has the time to experiment with players, it is Geelong.
(P.P) Pick 18 > Richmond - Tom Collier - 192cm 86kgs - Tasmania (Key Back/Mid)
Big, big fan of Collier. My favourite player in the draft almost went to the Cats with the previous pick and I am very pleased to be able to pick him up for my beloved Tigers. Collier is extremely athletic and agile for a boy his size and has potential to play as a Key Back, and also in the midfield. Has unbelievable pace and the ability to tear games open. Has good foot skills and the ability to go forward and kick goals if needed. Could well end up as a stopper at CHB for the Tigers in years to come.
(P.P) Pick 1 > Carlton - Matthew Kreuzer - 199cm 91kgs - Northern Knights (Ruck)
This pick won't surprise many, and won't differ in many phantom drafts. Athletic and agile big man and at 199 cm, and still growing has the height to be at worst a very competent player in the AFL. Carlton fans will be licking their lips with this selection, which compliments the signings of Judd and Hadley very nicely.
Pick 2 > Richmond - Trent Cotchin - 184cm - 81kgs - Northern Knights (Mid/HFF)
Richmond are crying out for classy finishers, and in Trent Cotchin they have got their man. Great disposal on both sides of the body and good pace as well as knack for kicking goals will ensure that Greg Miller will pick up the Victorian dynamo with pick 2. Cotchin is easily the best midfielder in the draft, despite the fact he will start his AFL career as a half forward flanker. Dangerous when he has got the ball, with elite speed, Trent Cotchin hurts the opposition and it is impossible to pass on him with Pick 2.
Pick 3 > West Coast - Cale Morton - 192cm 75kgs - Claremont (Utility)
Bottom aged and with some of the best foot skills in this years draft, Cale Morton's potential is endless. His versatility is a major weapon of his that has recruiting managers salivating. Can play wing, half forward flank, half back flank and the potential to eventually move into the midfield. At 192 cm he has the height to play as a third tall at either end of the ground. Having been stung by Judd’s deflection makes the decision to select a local boy easier still, despite the next 2 highest rated midfielders being from WA also.
Pick 4 >Melbourne - Rhys Palmer - 180cm 76kg - East Fremantle (Mid)
Melbourne could do with an injection of pace into the team and with Palmer; they get what they are after. With great aerobic capacity and good foot skills to go with his speed, Melbourne is getting a great player with this selection.
Was also considering Masten and Myers with this decision. Despite Masten being a classier version of Nathan Jones, as in the in and under, extractor type role I have question marks about his disposal, and seeing as Melbourne need players with classy disposal to replace the accurate Travis Johnstone, Palmer is their man. Despite needing a tall, agile, versatile and mobile backman, in which Myers ticks all the boxes, Palmer is too good to pass up and Melbourne will target a backman with pick 14.
Pick 5 > Bulldogs - David Gourdis - 193cm 88kgs - Subiaco (Key Fwd)
This pick will surprise many with Henderson or McEvoy tipped to be targeted by the Dogs with pick 5. David Gourdis, despite lacking the height of the two more favoured options, has enormous potential to play as a lead up forward, in the mould of Chris Tarrant. With great speed, and repeat sprinting times recorded at the draft campGourdis has the potential to run all day, providing leads all the way up to the wing. Has very, very sticky mitts to go with this athleticism. If the Dogs were not so desperate for classy forwards Gourdis would have lasted until the late first round/early second round selections and been one of the coups of the draft. The kind of youngster who will have Scott Clayton drooling.
Pick 6 > Essendon - David Myers - 190cm 85kgs - Perth (Utility)
Myer's oozes class. With the versatility to play off the Half Back Flank, as well as on the wing or in the midfield, and later as a key back, third defender prospect, strong leadership credentials and a good understanding of the game, Myers is just too good to pass up. Easily the best all round player in the draft, with his speed and versatility making him a tantalising prospect. I considered Myers for every pick 3 onwards before settling on pick 6 as his position. With enormous upside and the ability to match opponents in the midfield, Myers could well be the player of the draft.
Pick 7 > Fremantle - Brad Ebert - 187cm 86kg - Port Magpies (Mid)
Despite being rumoured to pick up Masten with this pick, I see too many similarities between him and numerous other Fremantle midfielders. Fremantle need players with sound disposal and Masten does not offer it. With the Dockers needing classy midfielders I went with the player I rate the next best midfielder in Ebert. Ebert can find his own ball, has a good goal sense and more importantly, has good disposal. Ebert also has the ability to beat a tag, a question mark that hangs over numerous potential draftees. A quality option, and in Ebert Fremantle are getting a future captain, go home factor permitting. Some would regard this pick as a risky one due to the increased hype over players wanting to go back to their home state, but Ebert is too good to pass up.
Pick 8 > Brisbane - Cyril Rioli - 178cm - 74kgs - St.Marys (Mid)
At pick 8, Rioli offers the Lions a midfielders version of Rhan Hooper with the pace, agility, evasiveness and freakish goal sense Hooper offers. Will need to bulk up, but in Rioli Brisbane get the fast, goal kicking X Factor their midfield needs.
Pick 9 > StKilda - Lachie Henderson - 196cm 90kgs - Geelong Falcons (Key Fwd)
With the retirement of Gehrig, the Saints need a KP forward to complement Reiwoldt and Koschitzke, who ideally, can pinch hit in the ruck. With great aerobic capacity, and sticky mitts, the Saints have found their tall forward. Will need to spend time fixing up his goal kicking as it is incredibly inconsistent, but barring that, is a great player, with no other deficiencies in his game. At 196 cm and 90 kg Henderson will become a lead up forward similar to Gourdis but with more height and less aerobic capacity. If he is to spend time in the ruck will need to bulk up and put on one or two centimetres, but with Jeff White an elite ruckman at 196 cm there is no reason why Henderson can't be either.
Pick 10 > Adelaide - Chris Masten - 179cm 80kgs - East Fremantle (Mid)
After sliding to pick 10 Masten is picked up by the Crows here. If not picked up here could well have slid to pick 15/16. Masten is an in and under, tough as guts extractor who never backs down from a contest. Very good at shovelling the ball out to the outside midfielders and with ball users like Goodwin, Edwards, Johncock, Mcleod etc in the Adelaide line up, Masten is a valuable addition to the side. Concerns over his disposal, which is no more than acceptable, and his health after suffering a bout of Osteitis Pubis may make Adelaide hesitate in making this selection. One thing that we all know about Masten, though, is that he will not take a backward step on the field, a quality that will be welcomed with open arms at the Crows.
Pick 11 > Sydney - Ben McEvoy - 199cm 90kgs - Murray Bushrangers (Ruck/ Key Fwd)
With O' Loughlin and Hall getting on, Sydney need a young Key Forward option and they have found one in McEvoy. Will play as a ruckman later on in his career and take over for Jolly but looks more than capable in the forward line, with a very good contested mark at his disposal. This pick is suiting for needs, and McEvoy is the kind of player the Swans need the most. Could well end up playing in that role next year, as well as pinch hitting in the ruck. When he bulks up a bit will be a very dangerous Forward/Ruck option.
Pick 12 > Hawthorn - Tayte Pears - 192cm 90kgs - East Perth (Key Back)
Hawthorn need Key Defenders and Tayte Pears is the perfect option for them. At 192 cm has the height to play CHB, has the pace and foot skills to play Half Back Flank early in his career. Callan Ward, Patrick Veszpremi, Addam Maric and Tom Collier were other players in contention for this pick, but Pears’ aerobic capacity coupled with sound all round skills rates him slightly ahead of these players. Have selected according to need also.
Pick 13 > West Coast - Callan Ward - 183cm 71kgs - Western Jets (Mid/ HBF)
Bottom aged half back flanker with the potential to become an influential midfielder in the AFL. With the loss of Judd, West Coast is after midfielders and Cale Morton and Callan Ward fit the bill. Has great smarts and always seems to be one step ahead of his opponents, and always backs himself. Has numerous strings to his bow, and is a ruck-rover who can play in numerous positions. At 183 cm is a good height for a midfielder and with his aggressiveness and his willingness to throw himself into every contest, once he bulks up could easily be a genuine midfield star of the AFL. Enormous upside and versatility makes this an easy pick.
Pick 14 > Melbourne - Alex Rance - 194cm 87kgs - Swan Districts (Key Back)
Melbourne need key backs and have picked up a gem here in Rance, who is tipped by many to go top 10. At 194 cm is a real Fullback option. Question marks about his pace and defensive ability have meant that he has slid to pick 14. Runs 3.1 seconds over 20 metres, so lacks a bit of pace but has sound foot skills and the ability to adapt to any situation or position. An iceman, the kind of person you turn to in a crisis. Melbourne has done well picking up Rance here, and Craig Cameron will be licking his chops yet again.
Pick 15 > Kangaroos - Patty Veszpremi - 183cm 83kgs - Northern Knights (Mid)
With Archer having retired, the Kangaroos could do with some more mongrel, and they get that with Veszpremi. Quick over 20 metres with a penetrating 50 metre plus low trajectory kick. Veszpremi has incredibly clean hands and never fumbles and coupled with a love for the tough stuff, makes him an ideal selection for the Kangaroos.
Pick 16 > Port Adelaide - Jack Grimes - 187cm 76kgs - Northern Knights (Mid)
With a large amount of quick, indigenous midfielders the Power could do with some in and under grunt, Jack Grimes fits the bill. He has sufficient speed and a good motor, his disposal is good without being spectacular, and doesn’t have enough X-Factor to be a top 10 pick for mine. Stats don’t lie and he has averaged 25 plus possessions in the TAC cup and will provide Port Adelaide with much needed grunt. Is a natural leader and has a knack for kicking goals.
Pick 17 > Geelong - Jarrod Grant - 191cm, 77kgs- Dandenong Stingrays (Key Fwd)
Geelong has pretty much a complete side despite being a little short in Key Forward and key back stocks. Grant is an athlete first and foremost – he has great speed and a huge motor. His contested marking is good and his disposal is very good. Question marks hang over the amount of times he floats in and out of games and more importantly his attitude. Geelong sorted it out with Steven Johnson – so why not Grant? And if anyone has the time to experiment with players, it is Geelong.
(P.P) Pick 18 > Richmond - Tom Collier - 192cm 86kgs - Tasmania (Key Back/Mid)
Big, big fan of Collier. My favourite player in the draft almost went to the Cats with the previous pick and I am very pleased to be able to pick him up for my beloved Tigers. Collier is extremely athletic and agile for a boy his size and has potential to play as a Key Back, and also in the midfield. Has unbelievable pace and the ability to tear games open. Has good foot skills and the ability to go forward and kick goals if needed. Could well end up as a stopper at CHB for the Tigers in years to come.
. Like Masten, we could do with some inside mids, Motlop could be a great pick up and we need a sml forward type, as for Reid, if Greenwood is still around i would think we would probably go him, even if its just for the fact that he is a local, also offers us a midfield option who could replicate Ricciuto's presence out on the ground with his size.
