The Carlton Blues could have used Barry Hall in the 1999 Grand Final, obviously they wish they had him for every game. Barry Hall was draft pick number 19 in the 1995 AFL draft. Carlton originally had pick 19.
There was a time when St. Kilda was a place former Carlton players went when they got old, but a decade ago it all turned around. The trade was pick 19 for Craig Devonport. Devonport played 1 game for Carlton, not a great return for trading a first round pick.
Hall could have been joined by Lance Whitnall the next year and Brendan Fevola a few years later. Even early in Hall's career he could have been a useful player next to Kernahan, and would have replaced some of the tough work that Earl Spalding did.
Hall had some good moments in the 1997 Grand Final for the Saints, he would have been even more potent in the 1999 Grand Final. Carlton played the Kangaroos that year and were big underdogs. But Hall would have provided the physical presence that Carlton lacked then, as well as another option in the forward line. Only Whitnall that day was a tall forward for Carlton to kick multiple goals, if Hall was there the game would have been a lot closer.
Trading draft picks for veterans has helped many teams, like the Swans with Jolly and Richards, but Carlton sending out a first round pick for a player they didn’t have a use for was not a good move. The picked they traded was turned into Barry Hall, so the mistake was even greater.
Tomorrow: Collingwood Magpies
When the Fremantle Dockers entered the AFL they could sign uncontracted players from the other teams. The trivia question for today is to not only name the two players that the Dockers grabbed from the Geelong Cats but to also name the teams that those two players would finish their AFL careers with.
Leave your answer in the comment section below. Good luck, it is an easy question.
The Lions did try to prepare for life after Lynch, Leppitsch and Voss but some of their plans didn't work. They thought they had Lynch's replacement in Jared Brennan, so far it hasn't happened. The Lions had traded Headland to Fremantle for the pick they used on Brennan. But just before their premiership run started they also had traded a player, Matthew Clarke, for a very high pick. They used pick 6 in the 1999 draft on Damian Cupido. But 4 picks later there was a player who may have been a big help in the 2004 Grand Final, Luke McPharlin.
McPharlin was a big story during the time leading up to the 1999 draft. He had gone from an obscure player to a top pick as the draft neared. McPharlin went at pick 10.
While McPharlin has been one of the better tall defenders in the league, he has also made an impact when switched to the forward line. Brisbane now needs help in several key positions and drafting McPharlin instead of Cupido would have been a much better move.
If the Lions had selected McPharlin in the same draft that they got Brown it would have given them another young key position player to develop alongside him. While Brown does not have Lynch, Leppitsch and Michael playing with him now if McPharlin was there he would just be entering his prime.
The 2004 Grand Final was not a good day for veterans like Lynch, White and Leppitsch. The younger McPharlin might have helped Brisbane that day, as he could have shut down Thurstans or could have been a forward option for Brisbane, and he would have been a valuable player for the Lions in years to come too.
Tomorrow: Carlton Blues
The Crows of the late 90s showed you sometimes didn't need a dominating full forward to win. But apart from 1997 and 1998 they have not been successful with this idea. They can thank Jarman for kicking the winning score in both Grand Finals, with some help from Shane Ellen in 1997 and Nigel Smart in 1998. But from 1999 until last season the Crows have had a big hole up forward, and if they drafted differently it might have been filled.
The Crows reloaded well in the 1998 draft with Burton and Stenglein, they stocked up on ruckmen in 1999 as they traded picks for Matthew Clarke and also drafted Rhett Biglands. The 2000 draft is where the Crows missed. Angwin at pick 7 was anguish for the Crows.
The Crows needed a big target, a proven full forward who could kick bags of goals. In most national drafts that player is not available, but in the 2000 draft there was one. Big Sav, Saverio Rocca.
The Crows could have gotten 6 years from Rocca along with 300 or more goals. With Ricciuto, McLeod, Goodwin, Edwards and other Crows midfielders sending the ball to Rocca it would have been a great combination.
While using pick 7 in 2000 to draft a "recycled" Rocca might have seemed at the time a high price to pay, it would have been a lower cost than the Clarke trade with Brisbane the year before. The Crows sent picks 6 and 21 to the Lions for Clarke.
Welsh, Perrie, McGregor, Hentschel, Burton, Ricciuto, Watts and many more have been tried at full forward in recent years by the Crows. Rocca could have been the difference for the Crows in their recent finals campaigns as their one problem area was always the forward line.
Tomorrow: Brisbane Lions
In the next couple of weeks there will be a series of stories about how one draft pick could have changed a team's fortunes. A different player selected, or not trading a pick, could have been the difference between a team winning a premiership or not. While all 16 teams will be covered, for 15 of them the story could be that they missed Adam Goodes in 1997. Goodes went at pick 43, and he is certainly better than any of the players that went before him.
You would think it would have been hard for AFL recruiters to not see Goodes. While he had some injuries playing for North Ballarat in 1997 and missed some games during the year, he did play on the MCG on Grand Final day that year and was best on ground during the Under 18 Grand Final. His performance in the Grand Final was amazing, he just dominated the game with long leads, strong marks and 6 great goals.
Melbourne were the first team to select in the 1997 AFL draft, they chose Travis Johnstone. Goodes might have helped the Demons a lot more in the 2000 Grand Final than Johnstone did.
Richmond were next, after a series of trades they ended up with the second pick. They were sitting back and waiting to take whichever one of Johnstone and Ottens was there. Ottens didn't really turn Richmond around, and would end up being traded to the Cats. Goodes would have been a different type of player for the Tigers in the ruck and up forward than Ottens was.
Hawthorn selected Croad at 3, as well as Chris Obst and Marcus Baldwin with other picks, before Goodes was drafted. Croad has had a roller-coaster career with Hawthorn, and Fremantle, and while Croad is a very good player he is nowhere near Goodes.
Someone at Essendon really likes Mark Bolton, he has had a long stay at the club without cementing a regular spot. Bolton at pick 4, Goodes at pick 43, could be the difference between just the win in 2000 and a run of premierships from 1999 to today for the Bombers.
Brisbane had a good draft in 1997, they traded for a couple of picks that they turned into Luke Power and Simon Black. They also drafted O'Bree at pick 10. They would still take Goodes over any of those players though.
The Dockers drafted James Walker at pick 6, and then picked Clem Michael, Brodie Holland and Troy Johnson when Goodes was still available. Obviously the Dockers wish they had Goodes, and if they did the Dockers would have been in the 2006 AFL Grand Final.
Pick 7 was Carlton's in the 1997 draft, they took Massie and then traded him to the Crows after a few seasons. Carlton have nothing to show from their first round pick in 1997 now. Goodes would have been a useful player for them in the 1999 Grand Final, and his presence would have kept Carlton off the bottom of the ladder in recent years.
Collingwood had the next pick in 1997 and grabbed Tarrant, who has recently been turned into Paul Medhurst and pick 8 in the 2006 draft. Goodes playing for Collingwood against Brisbane in the Grand Finals might have been enough to change at least one of the results.
Port Adelaide chose Chad Cornes with pick 9. They get a pass for that, but they get a fail with pick 42. The Power chose Danny Morton at 42, with Goodes drafted by Sydney with the very next pick.
The Eagles had picks 12 and 13. They don't normally miss with their scouting but in 1997 the return was Jaxon Crabb and Callum Chambers. The rest of the AFL can breathe easier as a team with Goodes, Cox and Judd would not be something they would want to play.
The Kangaroos were one of the league's best teams at the time, they chose Watt with pick 14. What if Watt was Goodes, it would have been an unstoppable team with Goodes teaming with Carey and McKernan.
Geelong used pick 15 on Joel McKay, pick 29 on Marc Woolnough and pick 38 on James Rahilly. Goodes is worth all those picks, and more, but Geelong could have had Goodes with just one of their picks.
The Saints were a team that was very close to winning, but in the 1997 draft they went with Ben Walton at pick 16 and traded pick 32 for Gavin Mitchell. Those players didn't help get the Saints back into the Grand Final but Goodes certainly would have.
Adelaide didn't have a lot to worry about in 1997, they had just won a Grand Final and would go back-to-back winning in 1998 as well. They drafted Lance Picione at pick 17. If they had taken Goodes they would have played in a lot more Grand Finals.
The Bulldogs made several trades in 1997 and their first selection was at pick 18. They added a small player, Mark Alvey, like they always did during those times. Goodes would have been a perfect fit for the Bulldogs, he has the speed to play their way and also has key position size.
Sydney traded away a few of their picks but still missed Goodes with their first two selections. They went with Jason Saddington at pick 11. At the time it was a great pick, Saddington was actually similar to Goodes with a good combination of size and athleticism, but injuries would take a lot of that from Saddington. Sydney then picked at number 40, drafting Fred Campbell. Three picks later they had Goodes.
Goodes was a star on the MCG on the last Saturday in September in 1997, that all the AFL teams missed it and didn't select him in the first 42 picks of the draft is a mystery. The Swans are regulars in the Grand Final now thanks to Goodes, while the teams that selected Judd Lalich, Brad Stephens and Adam Chatfield instead of Goodes are now contending for the wooden spoon. One pick can make a difference.
The AFL have several Irish players on team lists, with Carlton and Brisbane leading the way with two Irish players each. Carlton have Setanta O'hAilpin, who debuted in season 2005, and also his younger brother Aisake O'hAilpin. The Lions played Colm Begley for a couple of games in 2006 and also have Brendan Quigley on their rookie list.
Sydney's Tadhg Kennelly is a premiership player in the AFL and has played over 100 games. Kennelly first played for the Swans in season 2001 when he played 8 games. Over the next few seasons he learned the game, strengthened his body and became a star player for the Swans. Kennelly is an important piece of Sydney's great defense, stopping his opponent and launching the Swans into attack.
The road was paved from Ireland to the AFL by the success of Jim Stynes. A Brownlow medal, a Grand Final appearance and a consecutive games streak. Stynes played 264 games and kicked 130 goals for the Demons.
Sean Wight spent his whole career of 150 games with people wondering if he was Irish or Scottish, the usual answer to that was that he was born in Scotland but had an Irish background.
Melbourne went back to Ireland for players and drafted Brian Stynes, Niall Buckley, Anthony Tohill and Tom Grehan.
Other Irish players drafted by VFL teams were Colin Corkery, Colum McManamon and Dermott McNicholl. McNicholl played a couple of senior games with the Saints.
As with a lot of other things with the AFL, the credit for the idea of Irish recruiting goes to Ron Barassi.
A special mention of Dermott Brereton is also needed here. He was as Irish as anyone on the list here, but was born in Australia.
Ireland
Kieran McGeeney (Captain) Armagh, Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney Swans & Kerry), Aidan O Mahoney, Marc Ó Sé, Kieran Donaghy, Paul Galvin, (Kerry), Kevin Reilly, Anthony Moyles, Graham Geraghty (Meath), Alan Quirke, Nicholas Murphy, (Cork), Ronan Clarke, Stephen Mc Donnell (Armagh), Tom Kelly (Laois), Colm Begley (Brisbane Lions & Laois), Sean Martin Lockhart, (Derry), Shane Ryan, Alan Brogan (Dublin), Kieran Fitzgerald, Joe Bergin (Galway), Sean Cavanagh, (Tyrone), Brendan Coulter, (Down), Dermot Early (Kildare), Paul Barden (Longford) and Karl Lacey (Donegal).
Emergencies: Stephen O'Neill (Tyrone), Dessie Dolan (Westmeath), Darragh O Se (Kerry).
Australia
Chance Bateman (Hawthorn), Campbell Brown (Hawthorn), Ryan Crowley (Fremantle), Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Nick Davis (Sydney), Sam Fisher (St Kilda), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), Lindsay Gilbee (Western Bulldogs), Brendon Goddard (St Kilda), Barry Hall (Sydney), Graham Johncock (Adelaide), Matthew Lappin (Carlton), James McDonald (Melbourne), Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney), Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide), Andrew Raines (Richmond), Adam Schneider (Sydney), Adam Selwood (West Coast), Justin Sherman (Brisbane Lions), Kade Simpson (Carlton), Brent Stanton (Essendon), Michael Voss (Brisbane Lions).
Emergencies: Brett Peake (Fremantle), Brendan Fevola (Carlton), David Mundy-injury (Fremantle),
Ranking The AFL Number 2 Picks
1994: Anthony Rocca (Sydney)
1993: Nigel Lappin (Brisbane)
1995: Matthew Primus (Fitzroy)
1987: Chris McDermott* (Brisbane)
2001: Luke Ball (St. Kilda)
2002: Daniel Wells (Kangaroos)
1991: Marcus Seecamp (Fitzroy)
2000: Justin Koschitzke (St. Kilda)
1996: Chris Heffernan (Essendon)
1997: Brad Ottens (Richmond)
1999: Paul Hasleby (Fremantle)
1998: Justin Longmuir (Fremantle)
2005: Dale Thomas (Collingwood)
2003: Andrew Walker (Carlton)
2004: Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn)
1992: Nathan Chapman (Brisbane)
1988: Todd Breman (West Coast)
1989: Mathew Croft (Footscray)
1986: Steven Sims (St. Kilda)
1990: James Cook (Carlton)
A lot of interesting names on this list. Lappin and Heffernan won premierships. Primus and Rocca came close to that. Ottens and Longmuir were possible top picks in their drafts but the team with the number 1 pick went with a small instead of them, Johnston and Headland.
The players listed here who were picked in the last 9 or so drafts have plenty of time to be moved up the list. Hasleby and Koschitzke need to be healthy, but they both have a chance at a Grand Final next year. Dale Thomas should also keep improving, this will be sped up next season as his role will be much greater with Tarrant gone and Didak injured.
Andrew Walker is another athletic prospect who is ready to step up, but he has already surpassed Carlton's other number 2 pick. James Cook had the hype after Carlton traded to get pick 2 to select him, but Cook never lived up to the expectations they had.
* McDermott was drafted by Brisbane in 1987, but like a lot of other players that the Bears picked, McDermott did not play for Brisbane. McDermott would wait for the Crows to enter the league.
It wasn't that long ago when Port Adelaide had both Barnaby French and Cain Ackland. Number 31 and number 30 for the Power, they were behind the oft-injured pair of Lade and Primus in the ruck position. During those days the Power also had a former-NBL player on their list who was yet to play a game, Dean Brogan.
French and Ackland would depart the Power, Barnaby being traded to Carlton and Cain going to the Saints through the national draft. While Primus didn't play in the Power's premiership, both Lade and Brogan did and those two are still an outstanding ruck combo for the Power. So the Power did the right thing by sending out French and Ackland.
But French and Ackland also got opportunities with their new teams. French was a welcome addition to the height-starved Blues. He played a lot more with Carlton than he ever would with the Power. After joining the Saints, Ackland would be one of a number of ruckmen that St. Kilda would try. He did enough to get his career total past 50 games, he also led the Saints in total hitouts in 2006.
Barnaby retired and Carlton was left with McLaren and Bryan, and the first pick in the preseason draft. Gardiner was not going to be acceptable to some at Carlton, but the Saints were happy to have him. The expected return of a fully-recuperated Koschitzke was another thing that would affect Ackland's role. While it has been said that Ackland would not be delisted by the Saints, he decided to leave as he is a good chance to play every game for Carlton and if he had stayed with the Saints he was a good chance to be playing a lot at Casey Fields.
So while French and Ackland are both former Power ruckmen, some might think there is not a connection to Port Adelaide for Dylan McLaren. But just as French and Ackland had their careers changed due to the presence of Lade and Brogan, so too did McLaren. In the 2004 AFL Grand Final, McLaren got his chance on the big stage but was no match for Lade and Brogan.
One interesting note, if the Saints had kept Ackland they might have delisted Barry Brooks. Brooks, another former-Port Adelaide ruckman, would have then been a possible choice for Carlton in the preseason draft.
The Blues have said that the acquisition of Ackland won't change what they are doing in the national draft, but if they were thinking Gibbs or Leuenberger then logic says the chances for Gibbs at pick 1 just went up. That means Essendon are really on the clock now, not just for the national draft but also the preseason one.
While usually it is just an object that the Eagles’ ruckman puts his food on, tomorrow the Cox Plate is also a horse race. Going with the colours this time, and it should be a big day for horses with Richmond and Collingwood colours.
In the big race, Richmond fans have the yellow and black of Miss Finland and El Segundo. Aqua D’amore is all blue for Carlton fans, Honor Of War has plenty of black and white while Our Smoking Joe has plenty of red for the Bombers.
Eagles fans better watch race 1, with Punxsutawney Phil and Tresor. While Nullarbor Crossing might seem to be a horse for the WA fans, the jockey will look more like Stephen Milne in the red, white and black. Cinq Rouge is there for the Demons, Cat Flap is black and white and Superfly has the Kangaroos colours.
Kangaroos fans also have their stripes on display in race 3 with Tully Storm and in race 8 with Shasta.
Red Oog in race 4 is a horse for the Bombers fans, they will also like a horse in the last race, Toydarriate.
Race 5 will get the omen bets from the AFL fans. He’s No Pie Eater is black and white, but Delidio is also in the race wearing yellow and black.
Crows colours are something you don’t normally see at the race track, but there is an exception to that with Mahtoum in race 6.
One of the Melbourne newspapers reported that Grant Thomas was having an omen bet last race meeting, he might be liking the horse called Let Go Thommo in race 4.
The value pick for the umpires, by the colours it is race 1 Camarilla.
A quick mention of a definite winner for Richmond fans at Ballarat tonight, the favourite in race 2 is number 2, Tiger Tuff.
2006
Brendan Fevola 84 goals
Barry Hall 78
Brad Johnson 74
Fraser Gehrig 71
Matthew Pavlich 71
1996
Tony Lockett 121
Jason Dunstall 102
Matthew Richardson 91
Stewart Loewe 90
Wayne Carey 82
1986
Brian Taylor 100
Warwick Capper 92
Simon Beasley 88
Jason Dunstall 77
Gary Ablett 65
1976
Larry Donohue 105
Michael Moncrieff 97
Kelvin Templeton 82
Leigh Matthews 71
Robert Walls 55
While the AFL games are being sped up, the scores are slowing down. One part of the game that is being flooded out is the star full forward. While kicking the ball fast and long into the forward line is one answer, there needs to be a big target in the forward area.
The 2006 AFL draft could provide a solution for some teams. Hawkins, Gumbleton, Riewoldt, Thorp, Hansen, Tippett, Brown and Brown could all become star marking forwards.
Hawkins has to be a future 100-goal a season prospect. Gumbleton can play several spots but if his new AFL team keeps him in the forward line he should produce. Tasmania's Thorp and Riewoldt can play at both ends, Riewoldt has shown ability in the VFL, with 5 goals against Box Hill, and also at the Under 18 Titles, 4 goals to setup a Tasmania win over New South Wales. Hansen has athleticism, Tippett has height and marking ability, and both Brown brothers have pace on the lead from the goalsquare.
Maybe only a couple of the draft picks will be kicking bags of goals next season, but the AFL will also welcome back a healthy Lloyd and Jonathan Brown. So the days of the exciting full forwards could be returning soon.
The team with the * is the tip at this time.
Round 1
Melbourne vs. St. Kilda*
Kangaroos* vs. Collingwood
Fremantle* vs. Port Adelaide
Brisbane Lions* vs. Hawthorn
Sydney* vs. West Coast
Adelaide* vs. Essendon
Western Bulldogs* vs. Geelong
Carlton vs. Richmond*
Round 2
Brisbane Lions vs. St. Kilda*
Richmond vs. Sydney*
Geelong* vs. Carlton
West Coast* vs. Collingwood
Port Adelaide* vs. Kangaroos
Essendon vs. Fremantle*
Western Bulldogs* vs. Adelaide
Hawthorn* vs. Melbourne
Round 3
Collingwood vs. Richmond*
Carlton vs. Essendon*
Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide*
St. Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs*
Fremantle* vs. West Coast
Sydney* vs. Brisbane Lions
Melbourne* vs. Geelong
Kangaroos vs. Hawthorn*
Round 4
Richmond vs. Western Bulldogs*
Collingwood* vs. Port Adelaide
St. Kilda* vs. Essendon
Kangaroos* vs. Brisbane Lions
Adelaide* vs. Sydney
Hawthorn* vs. Geelong
Melbourne* vs. Fremantle
West Coast* vs. Carlton
Round 5
Essendon vs. Collingwood*
Port Adelaide* vs. St. Kilda
Richmond vs. West Coast*
Carlton* vs. Brisbane Lions
Sydney* vs. Melbourne
Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs*
Geelong* vs. Kangaroos
Fremantle* vs. Adelaide
Round 6
St. Kilda* vs. Carlton
Essendon vs. Hawthorn*
West Coast* vs. Western Bulldogs
Kangaroos vs. Sydney*
Adelaide* vs. Collingwood
Brisbane Lions vs. Fremantle*
Melbourne* vs. Port Adelaide
Richmond vs. Geelong*
Round 7
Kangaroos* vs. Essendon
Collingwood* vs. Carlton
Port Adelaide* vs. Richmond
Brisbane Lions vs. Adelaide*
St. Kilda* vs. Sydney
Geelong* vs. West Coast
Western Bulldogs* vs. Melbourne
Fremantle* vs. Hawthorn
Round 8
Adelaide* vs. Richmond
Essendon* vs. Brisbane Lions
Geelong* vs. Fremantle
Hawthorn vs. St. Kilda*
Kangaroos* vs. Carlton
Sydney* vs. Port Adelaide
Western Bulldogs* vs. Collingwood
West Coast* vs. Melbourne
Round 9
Fremantle* vs. St. Kilda
Carlton vs. Adelaide*
Hawthorn* vs. West Coast
Brisbane Lions vs. Collingwood*
Richmond vs. Essendon*
Western Bulldogs vs. Sydney*
Melbourne* vs. Kangaroos
Port Adelaide vs. Geelong*
Round 10
Collingwood* vs. Fremantle
Melbourne vs. Adelaide*
West Coast* vs. Kangaroos
Richmond* vs. Brisbane Lions
Sydney* vs. Essendon
Port Adelaide vs. Hawthorn*
Carlton vs. Western Bulldogs*
St. Kilda vs. Geelong*
Round 11
Essendon vs. West Coast*
Hawthorn vs. Sydney*
Brisbane Lions vs. Western Bulldogs*
Carlton vs. Port Adelaide*
Adelaide* vs. Geelong
St. Kilda* vs. Kangaroos
Fremantle* vs. Richmond
Melbourne* vs. Collingwood
Round 12
Carlton vs. Hawthorn*
Kangaroos vs. Adelaide*
Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle*
Geelong* vs. Brisbane Lions
Port Adelaide* vs. Essendon
Richmond vs. Melbourne*
Sydney* vs. Collingwood
West Coast* vs. St. Kilda
Round 13
Essendon* vs. Melbourne
Geelong vs. Sydney*
Fremantle* vs. Carlton
Brisbane Lions* vs. Port Adelaide
St. Kilda* vs. Richmond
Adelaide vs. West Coast*
Kangaroos vs. Western Bulldogs*
Collingwood vs. Hawthorn*
Round 14
Essendon vs. Geelong*
Collingwood* vs. St. Kilda
Western Bulldogs* vs. Port Adelaide
Adelaide* vs. Hawthorn
West Coast* vs. Brisbane Lions
Sydney vs. Fremantle*
Carlton* vs. Melbourne
Richmond vs. Kangaroos*
Round 15
St. Kilda vs. Adelaide*
Geelong* vs. Collingwood
Port Adelaide vs. West Coast*
Essendon vs. Western Bulldogs*
Melbourne* vs. Brisbane Lions
Sydney* vs. Carlton
Hawthorn* vs. Richmond
Fremantle* vs. Kangaroos
Round 16
Geelong* vs. Western Bulldogs
Collingwood* vs. Essendon
Adelaide* vs. Fremantle
St. Kilda* vs. Hawthorn
West Coast* vs. Sydney
Brisbane Lions* vs. Carlton
Richmond* vs. Port Adelaide
Kangaroos vs. Melbourne*
Round 17
Western Bulldogs vs. West Coast*
Carlton vs. St. Kilda*
Fremantle* vs. Geelong
Collingwood* vs. Brisbane Lions
Sydney* vs. Richmond
Hawthorn* vs. Kangaroos
Essendon vs. Adelaide*
Port Adelaide vs. Melbourne*
Round 18
Western Bulldogs* vs. St. Kilda
Carlton* vs. Collingwood
Geelong* vs. Richmond
Brisbane Lions* vs. Kangaroos
Adelaide* vs. Port Adelaide
Melbourne vs. Sydney*
Hawthorn vs. Essendon*
West Coast* vs. Fremantle
Round 19
Richmond vs. Collingwood*
Hawthorn* vs. Brisbane Lions
Port Adelaide* vs. Carlton
Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs*
Sydney* vs. St. Kilda
Kangaroos vs. West Coast*
Geelong vs. Adelaide*
Fremantle* vs. Essendon
Round 20
Collingwood vs. Melbourne*
Essendon* vs. Carlton
St. Kilda* vs. Fremantle
Brisbane Lions vs. Sydney*
West Coast* vs. Richmond
Hawthorn* vs. Port Adelaide
Kangaroos vs. Geelong*
Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs*
Round 21
St. Kilda* vs. West Coast
Carlton vs. Kangaroos*
Fremantle* vs. Melbourne
Collingwood vs. Sydney*
Adelaide* vs. Brisbane Lions
Western Bulldogs vs. Hawthorn*
Geelong* vs. Port Adelaide
Essendon vs. Richmond*
Round 22
Collingwood vs. Adelaide*
Richmond vs. St. Kilda*
West Coast* vs. Essendon
Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong*
Port Adelaide vs. Fremantle*
Sydney* vs. Hawthorn
Western Bulldogs* vs. Kangaroos
Melbourne* vs. Carlton
The standings at the end of the year using the results above:
Sydney: 18 wins
Adelaide: 18
West Coast: 17
Fremantle: 16
Western Bulldogs: 16
Geelong: 15
St. Kilda: 13
Hawthorn: 13
Melbourne: 11
Collingwood: 9
Essendon: 6
Port Adelaide: 6
Kangaroos: 6
Richmond: 5
Brisbane: 4
Carlton: 3
Just a fun guess at the games next year, no need to place bets using the information here.
Every year there are player managers complaining about the AFL draft. They mention that young players should not be forced to move interstate, they say that the draft is not necessary, but a lot of what the player managers say is not in the best interests of the sport. If there was no AFL draft then what would happen?
The results of sports not having drafts is clearly evident all throughout Australia. From the manufactured A-League soccer to the traditional rugby competitions, where there is no draft there is not a fair playing field.
If the AFL draft was disposed of, and that is very unlikely to ever happen, then you would want to be a fan of the Eagles, Crows and Magpies. They would finish in the top 4 every year. Basketball and soccer provide reasons for this thinking.
The NBL has become a Sydney and Melbourne league, these two teams have the greatest resources and the largest populations to find local players. Maybe Perth or Adelaide can win again but even they struggle to match the two big teams in the league. Fans of Cairns should not be planning a Grand Final parade. While the A-league soccer is supposed to be made up of only 8 teams, in reality there are actually 2 or 3. Sydney and Melbourne will win every year, with the Brisbane team an outside chance. Everyone else is just making up the numbers as all prospective soccer players will want to play for one of the big-market teams. To further increase the gap between the teams with everything and the teams with close to nothing, the soccer league allows teams to sign someone outside their salary-cap. This is another benefit to the Sydney and Melbourne teams and their multi-millionaire owners, and is something the other teams with their small fan-bases cannot afford to do.
In Rugby League, Brisbane have had a huge advantage finding players in Queensland while all the Sydney teams would compete for players in their areas. While obviously Brisbane are happy with this, it means that many other teams don't have any real hope of competing.
These sports would be a lot more competitive, and successful, if a draft was used so all teams could add talented prospects. But don't expect basketball, soccer or rugby to implement a draft anytime soon.
Without the draft, young football players would have a choice between the teams. Collingwood would be a wanted destination for many players, while the Kangaroos could struggle to attract players. The two teams in Western Australia would split an entire state, but the Lions might not do to well recruiting only from their state although there is some talent there.
It wasn't too long ago that the Hawks were going to be merged, but their future is bright now because of the draft. They drafted some talented Victorians and also added Franklin, Williams, Bateman and Bailey from WA and Birchall from Tasmania. With the draft they built a team, and while they had some down years they are on the up now.
While the West Coast have a lot of things in their favour, like a huge number of members and plenty of money to spend, it was their ability to find talented players in the draft that made them the powerhouse they are today. Judd was pick 3, Kerr was pick 18, Hansen was pick 38 and Cox was a selection in the rookie draft. Any team could have drafted some of those stars, one example is the Saints who were in a position to draft every single one of those players.
The AFL draft also has the potential to be a large-profile event. This is the day that shapes the future of the AFL and an increased television coverage, along with AFL fans in attendance, would produce an interesting show.
If the AFL draft disappeared then so would quite a few AFL teams. Less fans, less TV games, less money, not what anyone would want.
The draft has also made leagues competitive overseas. Every soccer league in Europe has 3 or 4 teams that win every year, and everyone else struggles to put a competitive team on the field. Compare that with the NFL in the USA which currently is the most successful sport there. It is not just because of Ben Graham that they are so popular, it is because the league is so competitive because of the draft. The New York teams would be expected to win every year, but with the draft allowing all teams a shot at great players there are smaller cities like Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and even Green Bay who have won recent SuperBowls.
While the AFL isn't perfectly fair, it is a lot more even than other sports in Australia. The draft is a very important part of the AFL, and they get the benefit of the draft helping all the teams in the league. All 16 teams have a chance at building a great team and the fans of every team have the hope that their pick will take them to the cup. The drafts give all teams a shot, some of them just have to do a better job of identifying talent.
FB: Brendon Goddard, Jarryd Roughead, Jarrad McVeigh
HB: Andrew Raines, David Mundy, Andrew Walker
C: Danyle Pearce, Brock McLean, Daniel Wells
HF: Brent Stanton, Ryan Murphy, Jobe Watson
FF: Adam Cooney, Lance Franklin, Ryan Griffen
Foll: Will Minson, Brett Deledio, Marc Murphy
bench: Beau Waters, Steven Salopek, Byron Schammer, Justin Sherman
All-AFL Under 22 Second Team
FB: Heath Shaw, Kepler Bradley, Dean Polo
HB: Sam Butler, Cameron Wight, Nathan Jones
C: Colin Sylvia, Farren Ray, Clint Bartram
HF: Dale Thomas, Lynden Dunn, Matthew Bate
FF: Angus Monfries, Nathan Ablett, Eddie Betts
Foll: Cameron Wood, Michael Rischitelli, Matthew Moody
bench: Christopher Egan, Travis Cloke, Grant Birchall, Jordan Lewis
All-AFL Under 22 Third Team
FB: Adam Bentick, Michael Pettigrew, Harry O'Brien
HF: Kane Tenace, Troy Chaplin, Daniel Bell
C: Nathan Van Berlo, Luke Blackwell, Jacob Surjan
HF: Richard Tambling, Jay Schulz, Nathan Foley
FF: Patrick Ryder, Sean Rusling, Scott Pendlebury
Foll: Ivan Maric, Rick Dyson, Julian Rowe
bench: Mark Blake, Brent Hartigan, Raphael Clarke, Max Bailey
1 Hawthorn: Chris Grant (pick 105 in actual 1988 draft)
2 West Coast: Michael Long (23)
3 Fitzroy: Tony Francis (95)
4 Nth Melbourne: Scott Russell (39)
5 Richmond: Michael Sexton (54)
6 Geelong: Anthony Stevens (18)
7 Footscray: Derek Kickett (60)
8 Sydney: Chris Naish (5)
9 Essendon: Leon Cameron (7)
10 West Coast: Daryn Cresswell (34)
11 Collingwood: Richard Champion (30)
12 Essendon: Paul Hills (93)
13 Melbourne: Adrian Fletcher (20)
14 Hawthorn: Brad Sholl (32)
15 St Kilda: Alex McDonald (1)
16 Brisbane: Darren Bennett (13)
17 Fitzroy: Darren Mead (107)
18 Nth Melbourne: Mathew Dundas (59)
19 Richmond: David Hynes (24)
20 Geelong: Rod Keogh (27)
21 Footscray: Todd Breman (2)
22 Sydney: Ty Esler (75)
23 Essendon: David Bain (16)
24 West Coast: Dion Scott (8)
25 Collingwood: Shannon Corcoran (49)
26 Essendon: Ben Sexton (86)
27 Melbourne: Michael Werner (9)
28 Hawthorn: Tim Allen (29)
29 St Kilda: Danny Craven (15)
30 Brisbane: Jim West (50)
31 Fitzroy: Gareth John (106)
32 Nth Melbourne: Justin Staritski (88)
33 Richmond: Brad Fox (12)
34 Geelong: Brian Stynes (93)
35 Footscray: John Georgiades (35)
36 Sydney: Mathew Francis (19)
37 Essendon: Carl Dilena (3)
38 West Coast: Colin Alexander (25)
39 Collingwood: Ray Sterrett (6)
40 Carlton: Bruce Lennon (33)
41 Melbourne: Michael James (96)
42 Hawthorn: Sean Bowden (103)
43 St Kilda: Brad Edwards (17)
44 West Coast: Adrian Burns (51)
45 Fitzroy: Lachlan Sim (58)
46 Nth Melbourne: Heath Shepard (109)
47 Richmond: Mark Bayliss (11)
48 Fitzroy: Brenton Klaebe (31)
49 Footscray: Ian Dargie (85)
50 Sydney: Dermott McNicholl (99)
The 1988 AFL draft helped West Coast win a couple of premierships, although it wasn't with their actual picks in the national draft. They had 10 picks and only really found David Hynes and Todd Breman. But with predraft picks they acquired Pyke, Sumich, Turley and Watters. Imagine how powerful the Eagles would have been in the early 1990s if they had drafted stars in this draft at number 2 and number 10. If the Eagles also had Michael Long and Creswell they might have won more than those two cups in 92 and 94. The Eagles were always masters at trading, and to get pick 2 all they traded was Ishchenko to Brisbane. That would not happen today.
Hawthorn spent wildly to acquire pick 1, at the time it was a big trade but looking back now the Hawks didn't lose much trading Paul Harding, Peter Russo and Robert Handley. Where they did lose was with who they picked, Alex McDonald. You don't expect the 105th player taken in a draft to be many times better than the first pick but that happened here.
In this draft redone, if teams could go back and pick again it would be Chris Grant at the top of their list. Footscray drafted Leon Cameron with pick 7 and that was obviously a good pick for them. In 1988 the Bulldogs then drafted 7 more players until pick 105 came up, they used that on Grant from Daylesford. Grant is the only current AFL player on the list, and is also the best.
Collingwood drafted a couple of stars with later picks too, Francis and Russell. They were lucky that other teams did not scout South Australians as well as they did at the time. If Collingwood had also found quality players at 11 and 25 they might have won more than just the 1990 Grand Final.
Not everyone on the list above played for the team that drafted them. Essendon drafted Mead but he stayed away.
There were also some international picks who did play briefly in the VFL, as it was called then. Melbourne drafted Brian Stynes who did play for them, as well as another Irishman Tom Grehan. Dermott McNicholl played a little bit for the Saints too.
Looking at the old past drafts it shows a reason why Fitzroy could not compete. While they found Dundas at pick 59, they came away with close to nothing for picks 3, 17, 31 and 45.
Some interesting names on the list, like Ty Esler, Darren Bennett and Tim Allen. Maybe Esler was ahead of his time, maybe he just couldn't play the game, but for a few years in the early 1990s he was a prospect that Richmond fans were excited about. He was huge in a Sandilands way. Bennett was a useful player but he certainly made the right decision to go to the NFL, some laughed at the thought of him trying-out for the NFL at the time but he laughed all the way to the bank. Allen was going to be a star full forward, but unfortunately for him the Saints drafted him. He tried to play next to Plugger, his next team was Hawthorn and Dunstall and he finished up at Geelong who had Ablett.
1988 was the third year of AFL drafting, although not all of the country had players available to be drafted as some zoning was still around. The draft had 112 players selected, unless AFL lists are increased in size the drafts will never again have that many number of picks.
The 1 month countdown to the 2006 AFL draft has started. Some more draft reviews and previews will be posted, but if there is a specific AFL draft you would like redone then leave a comment.
While not an exact science, as shown by Essendon defeating Sydney last season as well as the Demons slow start, the early games can give an indication of how a team will go for a season. While there are many games to look forward to, these are some early games that may show us if teams are contenders for 2007 or pretenders.
Adelaide: Rounds 2, 3 and 4
The Crows will know how good they are after playing the Bulldogs at the MCG and then battling the Power and Swans back in SA.
Brisbane: Round 2
The Lions start the season with a bunch of winnable games, including an away game at Carrara against the Kangaroos. But it will be the round 2 game against the Saints that will show if the Lions can compete for the finals like their coach thinks they can.
Carlton: Rounds 1 and 3
The Blues don't play a team from the Top 8 of 2006 until round 4, when they travel to face the Eagles. But maybe the season, or the coach, is already gone by then. The Blues play their first three games on Saturdays, but all with different starting times. If they can beat Richmond in round 1 they might get on a roll, but if they lose their first two games against the Tigers and Cats it will be a game against Essendon in round 3 that will be important. The loser of that game might be playing for the "Veszpremi-Kreuzer Cup".
Collingwood: Round 2
Magpies' fans might be looking forward to round 10 at the MCG against Fremantle, but in round 2 the other WA team is their opponent. If the Magpies are going to be a finals team this away game to the Eagles will be a good indicator.
Essendon: Round 2
The Dockers in Melbourne used to be a game teams wouldn't just pencil-in as a win but they would use ink for that. Now the Dockers are much improved and often the favourite for clashes in Melbourne. Hird and Lloyd should be fresh and healthy, if the Bombers are going to make noise in 2007 they will need to win home games like this.
Fremantle: Round 3
The Dockers play the Eagles in round 3, whoever wins this is a good chance to play in the last game in September. Although both these teams might get there.
Geelong: Round 1
Geelong was a big Grand Final favourite during the opening rounds of 2006. This time around their round 1 opponent, the Bulldogs, will have that title. If Geelong are a serious contender, and if the coach is going to see out the season, then this game could be the barometer.
Hawthorn: Round 2
This clash between the Hawks and Demons will show which team is on the up and which team is not. The veterans of the Demons, Neitz and White, versus the young stars of Hawthorn, Franklin and Hodge. If the Hawks can win this game they might start the season with 4 wins out of 5 games, and if they get some early confidence it will help a lot.
Kangaroos: Round 1
The Magpies are their opponent in round 1. They matchup well with Collingwood and will hope to win the opening game. They are already training for next season so the Kangaroos will definitely be ready.
Melbourne: Round 1
The Demons kept what they had, the Saints added Gardiner, Birss and Lyon. If Melbourne still have the Saints' number it will be a good start to the year. 5 of their first 6 games are at the MCG, they can't afford to start 2007 like they did 2006.
Port Adelaide: Round 3
The Power probably enter the showdown with a 1 and 1 record. If they win against the Crows then all is well, if they lose then there will be questions about the coach's future.
Richmond: Round 2
The Tigers will be thinking the round 1 game against Carlton is a win, so the round 2 game at the MCG against Sydney will give them an indication of how far along the road to the Top 8 they really are. If Polak can help stop Hall the Tigers might be able to get a winning streak going to start 2007.
St Kilda: Round 3
For a lot of 2006 the Saints were Victoria's best team, but the Bulldogs are better now. The Bulldogs will have Akermanis, the Saints should have Hayes back, the winner of this game will get a lot of momentum. The Saints are a chance to get on a roll early with 6 wins, whihc would setup a huge game at Telstra Dome in round 7 against the Swans.
Sydney: Round 1
The Eagles were 1 point better than the Swans, but now the venue is Telstra Stadium in Sydney and Peter Everitt will be playing for the Swans. This game will be the higlight of round 1 and could again be one of the games of the year.
West Coast: Round 3
Maybe it should be the round 1 game, but the round 3 game against the Dockers is just as big. If the Eagles lose in Sydney then they could be 1 and 2 if the Dockers defeat them again. But even if the Eagles do lose those two early games they will probably win every other game of 2007.
Western Bulldogs: Round 1, 2 and 3
They are not the underdogs anymore, and teams won't underestimate the Bulldogs in 2007. The Cats, Crows and Saints should all be difficult opponents. If they come out of that with 3 wins it could setup a Top 4 finish to the season.
2007 NAB Cup Schedule
WEEK ONE – February 23-25
Match No. Match Venue Date Day of Week Local Time AEST (Daylight Savings)
1 Port Adelaide v Adelaide AAMI Stadium 23 February Friday (N) 19:10 19:40
2 Kangaroos v Collingwood Carrara 23 February Friday (N) 19:40 20:40
3 Western Bulldogs v Sydney Manuka Oval 24 February Saturday 15:40 15:40
4 Carlton v Essendon Telstra Dome 24 February Saturday (N) 18:10 18:10
5 St Kilda v Brisbane Lions Cazaly Stadium 24 February Saturday (N) 19:40 20:40
6 Geelong v Richmond Skilled Stadium 25 February Sunday 15:40 15:40
7 Melbourne v Hawthorn Telstra Dome 25 February Sunday (N) 18:10 18:10
8 Fremantle v West Coast Subiaco 25 February Sunday (N) 18:40 21:40
WEEK TWO – March 2-4
Match No. Match Venue Date Day of Week Local Time AEST (Daylight Savings)
9 #5 v #3 (Stk/Bri v WBD/Syd) TBA 2 March Friday (N) TBA TBA
10 #7 v #4 (Haw/Mel v Car/Ess) Aurora Stadium 3 March Saturday (N) 18:10 18:10
11 #6 v #1 (Ric/Gee v Port/Ade) TIO Stadium 3 March Saturday (N) 19:10 20:40
12 #2 v #8 (Kan/Col v Fre/WCE) Telstra Dome 4 March Sunday 15:40 15:40
WEEK THREE – March 9-10
Match No. Match Venue Date Day of Week Local Time AEST (Daylight Savings)
13 Winners of Matches 9 & 11 TBA 9 March Friday (N) TBA TBA
14 Winners of Matches 10 & 12 TBA 10 March Saturday (N) TBA TBA
GRAND FINAL – March 17
Match No. Match Venue Date Day of Week Local Time AEST (Daylight Savings)
15 Winners of Matches 13 & 14 TBA 17 March Saturday (N) TBA TBA
Round 1
Season Launch
Friday, 30st March Venue EST LOC
Melbourne vs. St. Kilda MCG (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 31st March EST LOC
Kangaroos vs. Collingwood MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Fremantle vs. Port Adelaide Subiaco (Day) 4:10 pm 2:10pm
Brisbane Lions vs. Hawthorn Gabba (Night) 7:10 pm 7:10pm
Sydney vs. West Coast Telstra Stadium (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 1st April EST LOC
Adelaide vs. Essendon AAMI Stadium (Sun Early) 1:10pm 12:40pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Geelong Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
Carlton vs. Richmond MCG (Sun Twilight) 5:10pm 5:10pm
Round 2
Thursday, 5th April EST LOC
Brisbane Lions vs. St. Kilda Gabba (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 7th April EST LOC
Richmond vs. Sydney MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Geelong vs. Carlton Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
West Coast vs. Collingwood Subiaco (Night) 7:40pm 5:40pm
Sunday, 8th April EST LOC
Port Adelaide vs. Kangaroos AAMI Stadium (Sun Early) 1:10 pm 12:40pm
Essendon vs. Fremantle Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Adelaide MCG (Sun Twilight) 5:10pm 5:10pm
Monday, 9th April EST LOC
Hawthorn vs. Melbourne MCG (Day) 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
Round 3
Friday, 13th April EST LOC
Collingwood vs. Richmond MCG (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 14th April EST LOC
Carlton vs. Essendon MCG (Day) 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide AAMI Stadium (Day) 3:10 pm 2:40pm
St. Kilda vs. Western Bulldogs Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Fremantle vs. West Coast Subiaco (Night) 7:40pm 5:40pm
Sunday, 15th April EST LOC
Sydney vs. Brisbane Lions SCG (Sun Early) 1:10 pm 1:10pm
Melbourne vs. Geelong MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Kangaroos vs. Hawthorn Telstra Dome (Sun Twilight) 5:10pm 5:10pm
Round 4
Friday, 20th April EST LOC
Richmond vs. Western Bulldogs MCG (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 21st April EST LOC
Collingwood vs. Port Adelaide MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
St. Kilda vs. Essendon Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
Kangaroos vs. Brisbane Lions Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Adelaide vs. Sydney AAMI Stadium (Night) 7:40pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 22rd April EST LOC
Hawthorn vs. Geelong Aurora Stadium (Sun Early)) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Melbourne vs. Fremantle MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
West Coast vs. Carlton Subiaco (Day) 4:40 pm 2:40 pm
Round 5
Wednesday, 25th April EST LOC
Essendon vs. Collingwood MCG (Day) 2:40 pm 2:40 pm
Friday, 27th April EST LOC
Port Adelaide vs. St. Kilda AAMI Stadium (Night) 7:40 pm 7:10 pm
Saturday, 28th April EST LOC
Richmond vs. West Coast MCG (Day) 2:10 pm 2:10 pm
Carlton vs. Brisbane Lions Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Sydney vs. Melbourne SCG (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 29th April EST LOC
Hawthorn vs. Western Bulldogs MCG (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Geelong vs. Kangaroos Skilled Stadium (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Fremantle vs. Adelaide Subiaco (Day) 4:40pm 2:40pm
Round 6
Friday, 4th May EST LOC
St. Kilda vs. Carlton Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 5th May EST LOC
Essendon vs. Hawthorn MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
West Coast vs. Western Bulldogs Subiaco (Day) 4:10pm 2:10pm
Kangaroos vs. Sydney Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Adelaide vs. Collingwood AAMI Stadium (Night) 7:40pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 6th May EST LOC
Brisbane Lions vs. Fremantle Gabba (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Melbourne vs. Port Adelaide MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Richmond vs. Geelong Telstra Dome (Sun Twilight) 5:10pm 5:10pm
Round 7
Friday, 11th May EST LOC
Kangaroos vs. Essendon Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 12th May EST LOC
Collingwood vs. Carlton MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Richmond AAMI Stadium (Day) 3:10 pm 2:40pm
Brisbane Lions vs. Adelaide Gabba (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
St. Kilda vs. Sydney Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 13th May EST LOC
Geelong vs. West Coast Skilled Stadium (Sun Early) 1:10 pm 1:10 pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Melbourne Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Fremantle vs. Hawthorn Subiaco (Day) 4:40 pm 2:40 pm
Round 8
Friday, 18th May EST LOC
Adelaide vs. Richmond AAMI Stadium (Night) 7:40pm 7:10pm
Saturday,19th May EST LOC
Essendon vs. Brisbane Lions Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Geelong vs. Fremantle Skilled Stadium (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Hawthorn vs. St. Kilda MCG (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Kangaroos vs. Carlton Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 20st May EST LOC
Sydney vs. Port Adelaide SCG (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Collingwood Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
West Coast vs. Melbourne Subiaco (Day) 4:40 pm 2:40pm
Round 9
Friday, 25th May EST LOC
Fremantle vs. St. Kilda Subiaco (Night) 8:40 pm 6:40pm
Saturday, 26th May EST LOC
Carlton vs. Adelaide Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Hawthorn vs. West Coast Aurora Stadium (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Brisbane Lions vs. Collingwood Gabba (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Richmond vs. Essendon M.C.G. (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 27th May EST LOC
Western Bulldogs vs. Sydney Manuka Oval (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Melbourne vs. Kangaroos MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Geelong AAMI Stadium (Sun Twilight) 4:40pm 4:10pm
Round 10
Friday, 1st June EST LOC
Collingwood vs. Fremantle MCG (Night) 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Saturday, 2nd June EST LOC
Melbourne vs. Adelaide MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
West Coast vs. Kangaroos Subiaco (Day) 4:10pm 2:10pm
Richmond vs. Brisbane Lions Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sydney vs. Essendon SCG (Night) 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Sunday, 3rd June EST LOC
Port Adelaide vs. Hawthorn AAMI Stadium (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Carlton vs. Western Bulldogs MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
St. Kilda vs. Geelong Telstra Dome (Sun Twilight) 5:10pm 5:10pm
Round 11
Friday, 8th June EST LOC
Essendon vs. West Coast Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 9th June EST LOC
Hawthorn vs. Sydney MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Brisbane Lions vs. Western Bulldogs Gabba (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Carlton vs. Port Adelaide Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 10th June EST LOC
Adelaide vs. Geelong AAMI Stadium (Sun Early) 1:10pm 12:40pm
St. Kilda vs. Kangaroos Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Fremantle vs. Richmond Subiaco (Day) 4:40pm 2:40pm
Monday, 11th June EST LOC
Melbourne vs. Collingwood MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Round 12
Friday, 15th June EST LOC
Carlton vs. Hawthorn Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 16th June EST LOC
Kangaroos vs. Adelaide Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara (Night) 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle TIO Stadium (Night) 7:40 pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 17th June EST LOC
Geelong vs. Brisbane Lions Skilled Stadium (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Essendon AAMI Stadium (Sun Twilight) 4:40 pm 4:10 pm
Friday, 22nd June EST LOC
Richmond vs. Melbourne MCG (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 23rd June EST LOC
Sydney vs. Collingwood Telstra Stadium (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Saturday, 24th June EST LOC
West Coast vs. St. Kilda Subiaco (Day) 4:40 pm 2:40 pm
Round 13
Friday, 29th June EST LOC
Essendon vs. Melbourne Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 30th June EST LOC
Geelong vs. Sydney Skilled Stadium (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Fremantle vs. Carlton Subiaco (Day) 4:10pm 2:10pm
Brisbane Lions vs. Port Adelaide Gabba (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
St. Kilda vs. Richmond Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 1st July EST LOC
Adelaide vs. West Coast AAMI Stadium (Sun Early) 1:10pm 12:40pm
Kangaroos vs. Western Bulldogs MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Collingwood vs. Hawthorns Telstra Dome (Sun Twilight) 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Round 14
Friday, 6th July EST LOC
Essendon vs. Geelong Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Saturday, 7th July EST LOC
Collingwood vs. St. Kilda MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Port Adelaide Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Adelaide vs. Hawthorn AAMI Stadium (Night) 7:40pm 7:10pm
West Coast vs. Brisbane Lions Subiaco (Night) 7:40pm 5:40pm
Sunday, 8th July EST LOC
Sydney vs. Fremantle SCG (Sun Early)) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Carlton vs. Melbourne MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Richmond vs. Kangaroos Telstra Dome (Sun Twilight) 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Round 15
Friday, 13th July EST LOC
St. Kilda vs. Adelaide Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 14th July EST LOC
Geelong vs. Collingwood MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. West Coast AAMI Stadium (Day) 3:10pm 2:40pm
Essendon vs. Western Bulldogs Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Melbourne vs. Brisbane Lions Gabba (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 15th July EST LOC
Sydney vs. Carlton SCG (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Hawthorn vs. Richmond MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Fremantle vs. Kangaroos Subiaco (Day) 4:40 pm 2:40 pm
Round 16
Friday, 20st July EST LOC
Geelong vs. Western Bulldogs Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Saturday, 21st July EST LOC
Collingwood vs. Essendon MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Adelaide vs. Fremantle AAMI Stadium (Day) 3:10pm 2:40pm
St. Kilda vs. Hawthorn Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
West Coast vs. Sydney Subiaco (Night) 7:40pm 5:40pm
Sunday, 22nd July EST LOC
Brisbane Lions vs. Carlton Gabba (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Richmond vs. Port Adelaide MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Kangaroos vs. Melbourne Telstra Dome (Sun Twilight) 5:10pm 5:10pm
Round 17
Friday, 27th July EST LOC
Western Bulldogs vs. West Coast Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 28th July EST LOC
Carlton vs. St. Kilda Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Fremantle vs. Geelong Subiaco (Day) 4:10pm 2:10pm
Collingwood vs. Brisbane Lions MCG (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sydney vs. Richmond SCG (Night) 7:10 pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 29th July EST LOC
Hawthorn vs. Kangaroos Aurora Stadium (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Essendon vs. Adelaide Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Melbourne AAMI Stadium (Sun Twilight) 4:40 pm 4:10 pm
Round 18
Friday, 3rd August EST LOC
Western Bulldogs vs. St. Kilda Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 4th August EST LOC
Carlton vs. Collingwood MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Geelong vs. Richmond Skilled Stadium (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Brisbane Lions vs. Kangaroos Gabba (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Adelaide vs. Port Adelaide AAMI Stadium (Night) 7:40pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 5th August EST LOC
Melbourne vs. Sydney Manuka Oval (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Hawthorn vs. Essendon MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
West Coast vs. Fremantle Subiaco (Day) 4:40pm 2:40pm
Round 19
Friday, 10th August EST LOC
Richmond vs. Collingwood M.C.G. (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 11th August EST LOC
Hawthorn vs. Brisbane Lions MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Carlton AAMI Stadium (Day) 3:10 pm 2:40 pm
Melbourne vs. Western Bulldogs Telstra Dome (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sydney vs. St. Kilda Telstra Stadium (Night) 7:10 pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 12th August EST LOC
Kangaroos vs. West Coast Telstra Dome (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Geelong vs. Adelaide Skilled Stadium (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Fremantle vs. Essendon Subiaco (Day) 4:40 pm 2:40 pm
Round 20
Friday, 17th August EST LOC
Collingwood vs. Melbourne MCG (Night) 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
Saturday, 18th August EST LOC
Essendon vs. Carlton MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
St. Kilda vs. Fremantle Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Brisbane Lions vs. Sydney Gabba (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
West Coast vs. Richmond Subiaco (Night) 7:40pm 5:40pm
Sunday, 19th August EST LOC
Hawthorn vs. Port Adelaide Aurora Stadium (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Kangaroos vs. Geelong Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Adelaide vs. Western Bulldogs AAMI Stadium (Sun Twilight) 4:40 pm 4:10 pm
Round 21
Friday, 24th August EST LOC
St. Kilda vs. West Coast Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 25th August EST LOC
Carlton vs. Kangaroos Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Fremantle vs. Melbourne Subiaco (Day) 4:10 pm 2:10pm
Collingwood vs. Sydney M.C.G. (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Adelaide vs. Brisbane Lions AAMI Stadium (Night) 7:40 pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 26th August EST LOC
Western Bulldogs vs. Hawthorn Telstra Dome (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Geelong vs. Port Adelaide Skilled Stadium (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Essendon vs. Richmond MCG (Sun Twilight) 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
Round 22
Friday, 31st August EST LOC
Collingwood vs. Adelaide Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 1st September EST LOC
Richmond vs. St. Kilda MCG (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
West Coast vs. Essendon Subiaco (Day) 4:10 pm 2:10 pm
Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong Gabba (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Port Adelaide vs. Fremantle AAMI Stadium (Night) 7:40pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 2nd September EST LOC
Sydney vs. Hawthorn SCG (Sun Early) 1:10pm 1:10pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Kangaroos Telstra Dome (Day) 2:10pm 2:10pm
Melbourne vs. Carlton MCG (Sun Twilight) 5:10 pm 5:10 pm
FB: Heath Shaw, Kepler Bradley, Dean Polo
HB: Sam Butler, Cameron Wight, Nathan Jones
C: Colin Sylvia, Farren Ray, Clint Bartram
HF: Dale Thomas, Lynden Dunn, Matthew Bate
FF: Angus Monfries, Nathan Ablett, Eddie Betts
Foll: Cameron Wood, Michael Rischitelli, Matthew Moody
bench: Christopher Egan, Travis Cloke, Grant Birchall, Jordan Lewis,
All-AFL Under 22 Third Team
FB: Adam Bentick, Michael Pettigrew, Harry O'Brien
HF: Kane Tenace, Troy Chaplin, Daniel Bell
C: Nathan Van Berlo, Luke Blackwell, Jacob Surjan
HF: Richard Tambling, Jay Schulz, Nathan Foley
FF: Patrick Ryder, Sean Rusling, Scott Pendlebury
Foll: Ivan Maric, Rick Dyson, Julian Rowe
bench: Mark Blake, Brent Hartigan, Raphael Clarke, Max Bailey
It is nearly a coin-flip for Carlton as they decide between Gibbs and Leuenberger. If the priority picks were ahead of the first round, instead of after it, there would not be a problem. But that is not the case and they can only have one of them. If they miss out on Leuenberger it could be the start of a draft day slide. Collingwood fans are hoping that happens.
Carlton take Gibbs and then it is Essendon's selection. If Essendon only had Hille and young Ryder they could be very tempted, but they have also signed Laycock to a new deal. It did look like Laycock might go to a new team but he signed before the trading period and he should play a lot next season. Sheedy could do it, as the Bombers have scouted Leuenberger in Western Australia, but they have a greater need for a key position backman and they have several options at pick 2 to cover that. Essendon went very tall in the first round of 3 of the last 4 AFL drafts, with Ryder, Bradley and Laycock. They may not make it 4 out of 5 drafts.
The Kangaroos took McIntosh in the first round in 2002 and Hale was a first round selection in 2001. They also have young Moran who was a Rising Star nominee last season. The Kangaroos need immediate help. Leuenberger will need a year or two one while a player like Selwood could contribute next season. The Kangaroos' coach can't afford to draft another young tall who could take several years to develop as they need to win now.
Brisbane went with Wood a couple of drafts ago. He and Charman should be a solid ruck combination. While the Lions will lose Keating, and possibly McDonald, they also need to find a replacement for Leppitsch and Michael in the backline. Like the Bombers, they might be interested in Leuenberger but will be more eager to grab one of the key position prospects.
It is a great idea to stockpile ruckmen, the Power do this and with their depth they won a Grand Final even with Primus out injured. Lade and Brogan still have a few years left and the Power do have some other ruck prospects. But Deluca might be better as a forward if he makes it at the AFL level, Willits has looked more promising than Deluca but also might be better in a key position. Port Adelaide are more likely to take Leuenberger than Essendon, the Kangaroos or Brisbane.
If Leuenberger slides to the Power's pick it will be a big draft story, but if the Power don't take him it will be even bigger as the slide could continue for another couple of picks. Hawthorn are loaded with young stars and in the ruck they have Robert Campbell who is 24 years old and Max Bailey. Bailey was pick 18 last year, he is 206cm so he is even taller than Leuenberger. The Hawks will be playing games in Tasmania and there will be a few Tasmanian players available at their pick that will interest them, and also fill a draft need.
Ottens and King combined for 533 hitouts last season, Mark Blake added another 97. The Cats do not need another ruckman. They also drafted Trent West last year. A fast midfielder, or maybe another tall defender, is what Geelong will take in round 1. If Leuenberger is drafted by Geelong it will be a big shock.
The only thing bigger than Geelong taking him would be Collingwood not drafting him at number 8. They have Fraser, and not much else there. Leuenberger would be taken by Collingwood at pick 8, as the Saints would select him at pick 9.
Of the top 7 teams in the draft order, only Carlton desperately need a ruckman. But the pressure to take Gibbs, who will provide more immediate benefits, and the availability of other ruckmen, at picks 17 and 19 and possibly the preseason draft too, will mean that Carlton may not call out Leuenberger's name. It will then take a brave team to overlook instant help in an area of need to instead take Leuenberger as an investment for the future. If Collingwood does get Leuenberger they will have ended up trading Tarrant for Medhurst and the ruckman who was a potential number 1 pick.
There have been much bigger slides by ruckmen in AFL drafts. Peter Street, Dean Cox and Aaron Sandilands slid all the way through previous national drafts, although Cox and Sandilands were not well known then. Leuenberger won't match that, but a possible top overall pick lasting until number 8 would qualify as a draft day slide.
Draft Pick, Team, 2006 team hitouts per game and AFL rank
1: Carlton. 26.6, 12th
2: Essendon. 24.0, 14th
3: Kangaroos. 24.5, 13th
4: Brisbane. 32.2, 4th
5: Port Adelaide. 30.8, 7th
6: Hawthorn. 33.0, 3rd
7: Geelong. 31.5, 5th
8: Collingwood. 22.0, 16th
9: St. Kilda. 23.5, 15th
FB: Adam Bentick, Michael Pettigrew, Harry O'Brien
HF: Kane Tenace, Troy Chaplin, Daniel Bell
C: Nathan Van Berlo, Luke Blackwell, Jacob Surjan
HF: Richard Tambling, Jay Schulz, Nathan Foley
FF: Patrick Ryder, Sean Rusling, Scott Pendlebury
Foll: Ivan Maric, Rick Dyson, Julian Rowe
bench: Mark Blake, Brent Hartigan, Raphael Clarke, Max Bailey
Lance Franklin could be the the top young prospect in the AFL. But who are the other under 22 players competing for that spot? Over the next three days the young stars of the AFL will be listed in teams. Today is the Third Team, tomorrow is the Second Team and the day after will be the First Team with the best of the youngest.
The criteria is the player has to be under 22 years of age, and has to have played AFL football. Ruling out future stars like Ellis and Varcoe, as well as the next group of draftees. Not really a list of potential, but more based on what they have shown so far in the AFL.
1 St Kilda: Nick Riewoldt (pick 1 in actual 2000 draft)
2 St Kilda: Drew Petrie (23)
3 Collingwood: Daniel Kerr (18)
4 Carlton: Kane Cornes (20)
5 West Coast: Alan Didak (3)
6 Kangaroos: Graham Johncock (67)
7 Adelaide: Daniel Cross (56)
8 Kangaroos: Shaun Burgoyne (12)
9 Richmond: Adam McPhee (39)
10 Western Bulldogs: Justin Koschitzke (2)
11 Carlton: Mark Coughlan (25)
12 Port Adelaide: Amon Buchanan (52)
13 Brisbane: Luke Ablett (24)
14 Kangaroos: Ryan Lonie (34)
15 Carlton: Saverio Rocca (30)
16 Melbourne: Nathan Lonie (58)
17 Essendon: Daniel Harris (14)
18 West Coast: Kayne Pettifer (9)
19 Collingwood Jason Cloke (Father/son pick)
20 Port Adelaide: Mark L. Williams (43)
21 Hawthorn: Scott Thompson (16)
22 Brisbane: Martin Pike (33)
23 Kangaroos: Jordon McMahon (10)
24 Sydney: Ashley McGrath (13)
25 Richmond: Daniel Pratt (42)
26 Western Bulldogs: Ted Richards (27)
27 Essendon: Domenic Cassisi (50)
28 Hawthorn: Chris Hyde (4)
29 Brisbane: Jamie Charman (Queensland priority pick)
30 Kangaroos: Josh Hunt (44)
31 Carlton: Wayde Skipper (70)
32 Essendon: Daniel Motlop (8)
33 Brisbane: Richard Hadley (22)
34 Collingwood: Shane Birss (26)
35 Port Adelaide: Andrew McDougall (5)
36 West Coast: Chris Newman (55)
37 Collingwood: Guy Richards (37)
38 Adelaide: Scott Thornton (66)
39 Fremantle: Simon Wiggins (15)
40 Richmond: Jordon Bannister (47)
42 Kangaroos: Hayden Skipworth (53)
43 Hawthorn: Shane Wakelin (49)
44 Geelong: Nick Ries (21)
45 West Coast: Allan Murray (35)
46 Carlton: Jeremy Humm (36)
47 Essendon: Sam Hunt (32)
49 Collingwood: Trent Carroll (45)
50 Port Adelaide: Trent Sporn (11)
Continuing with how the past drafts might be reworked with what people know today. The number in brackets was the draft pick position in the actual 2000 draft.
The Saints turned their team around with early picks and good trading after the 2000 season. They traded for Gehrig and Hamill, and drafted Riewoldt and Koschitzke. Riewoldt is without a doubt still the top player from this draft. Koschitzke could eventually be ranked number two, but he has to put together several injury-free seasons. But right now, the Saints might prefer a healthy Kerr, Petrie or Kane Cornes to Koschitzke.
The 2000 draft had a useful 40 or so players, some stars and many other solid contributors. One team that drafted with success was Richmond. Pettifer, Coughlan, Hyde, Newman, they didn't miss with any of their picks.
While the Tigers had a great draft, the Blues managed to turn picks 4, 11, 15, 31, 46 and 61 into only Simon Wiggins. They missed the younger Cornes with three of their picks, the same with Petrie, and they even could have drafted Saverio Rocca.
Sydney grabbed a couple of pieces for the premiership team here, Ablett at pick 24 was great value while Amon Buchanan at pick 52 was a huge steal. The Eagles added Kerr from this draft, the Power drafted Kane Cornes and Shaun Burgoyne and the Lions found Martin Pike at pick 33 and Hadley for their Grand Final teams.
The Lions also recieved Jamie Charman through a local player concession pick, the AFL would be very different if the Lions had drafted Riewoldt with that pick. Riewoldt lived just outside the area allocated for the Brisbane area pick.
The Bulldogs, as they often used to do, drafted a lot of smaller players. McMahon was an acceptable choice at 10, Birss wasn't bad at pick 26, Cross at pick 56 was the best of the bunch. Maybe they should have found a tall with an early pick, but Wayde Skipper with pick 70 is also a good result for the Bulldogs.
More AFL Drafts Redone are posted in the archives here.
2002 Draft Redone
2001 Draft Redone
1999 Draft Redone
Next AFL Draft Redone will be one of the very first AFL drafts.
1) Carlton:
Bryce Gibbs. 188cm, 79kg (Glenelg)
Picked here in recent drafts: Marc Murphy, Brett Delidio, Adam Cooney, Brendan Goddard, Luke Hodge, Nick Riewoldt, Josh Fraser, Des Headland, Travis Johnstone, Michael Gardiner, Jeff White
2) Essendon:
Lachlan Hansen. 195cm, 92kg (Gippsland Power)
Picked here in recent drafts: Dale Thomas, Jarryd Roughead, Andrew Walker, Daniel Wells, Luke Ball, Justin Koschitzke, Paul Hasleby, Justin Longmuir, Brad Ottens, Chris Heffernan, Matthew Primus
3) Kangaroos:
Joel Selwood (Bendigo Pioneers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Xavier Ellis, Ryan Griffen, Colin Sylvia, Jared Brennan, Chris Judd, Alan Didak, Aaron Fiora, Nic Fosdike, Trent Croad, Rory Hilton, Brendon Fewster
4) Brisbane:
Scott Gumbleton. 197cm, 93kg (Peel Thunder)
Picked here in recent drafts: Josh Kennedy, Richard Tambling, Farren Ray, Timothy Walsh, Graham Polak, Luke Livingston, Matthew Pavlich, Ryan Fitzgerald, Mark Bolton, Mark Kinnear
5) Port Adelaide:
Matthew Leuenberger. 203cm, 93kg (East Perth)
Picked here in recent drafts: Scott Pendlebury, Lance Franklin, Brock McLean, Xavier Clarke, Andrew McDougall, Leigh Brown, Michael Stevens, Luke Power, Daniel McAllister
6) Hawthorn: Mitchell Thorp
7) Geelong: Leroy Jetta
8) Collingwood: Jack Riewoldt
9) St. Kilda: Brock O’Brien
10) Collingwood: Nathan Brown
11) Western Bulldogs: James Sellar
12) Melbourne: Tom Hislop
13) Richmond: Brent Renouf
14) Adelaide: Albert Proud
15) Sydney: Daniel Connors
16) West Coast: Eric MacKenzie
17) Carlton: Kurt Tippett
18) Essendon: Clayton Collard
19) Carlton: Shaun Grigg
20) Essendon: Nathan Batsanis
21) Kangaroos: Nathan Krakouer
22) Brisbane: Ricky Petterd
23) Port Adelaide: Tom Hurley
24) Hawthorn: Jackson Sheringham
25) Geelong: Jarryd Allen
26) Richmond: Mitchell Brown
27) St. Kilda: Robert Eddy
28) Collingwood: Garry Moss
29) West Coast: Shawn Colbung
30) Melbourne: Ben Reid
31) Fremantle: Clinton Benjamin
32) Adelaide: Chris Schmidt
33) Hawthorn: David Armitage
34) Brisbane: Andrejs Everitt
35) Carlton: Travis Boak
36) Essendon: Danny Chartres
37) Kangaroos: Simon Hogan
38) Brisbane: Gavin Urquhart
39) Port Adelaide: Alwyn Davey
40) Hawthorn: Josh Kennedy (father/son pick)
41) Geelong: Tom Hawkins (father/son pick)
42) Essendon: Bachar Houli
43) West Coast: Jesse White
44) Collingwood: Daniel Dzufer
45) Western Bulldogs: Robert Gray
46) Melbourne: Chris Dawes
47) Essendon: James Frawley
48) Adelaide: Aaron Edwards
49) Sydney: Nathan Djerrkura
50) West Coast: Jarryd Morton
51) Carlton: Todd Goldstein
52) Fremantle: Jacob Williams
53) Kangaroos: Matthew Vasilevski
54) Brisbane: Chris Smith
55) Port Adelaide: Nick Gill
56) Hawthorn: Ben Ross
57) Geelong: Daniel O’Keefe
58) Richmond: Shaun Hampson
59) St. Kilda: Tom Collier
60) Richmond: Fortunato Caruso
61) Western Bulldogs: Leigh Adams
62) Melbourne: Jarryn Geary
63) Collingwood: Zac Millar
64) Adelaide: Sam Jacobs
65) Sydney: Jake Williams
66) Western Bulldogs: Grant Weeks
67) Carlton: Lachlan George
68) Essendon: James Hawksley
69) Kangaroos: Rhyce Prismall
70) Brisbane: Dean Dick
71) Port Adelaide: Shane Edwards
72) Hawthorn: Matthew Virgo
73) Geelong: Evan Duryea
74) Richmond: Ben Ross
75) St. Kilda: Colin Garland
76) Collingwood: Nick Paine
77) Western Bulldogs: Patrick Fittock
78) Melbourne: Jonathan Wells
79) Fremantle: Brad Dick
80) Adelaide: Daniel Caire
81) Sydney: Peter Faulks
82) West Coast: Jarrod Harbrow
There is just over a month to go until the AFL National Draft. Updates of the mock draft will be posted in the next month. Expanded reasons and information will be included. There could also be some additional signings that take place over the next month that may influence a team's drafting. Possibly another father/son pick could be announced as well.
A mock draft is just a guess at what will happen on draft day. Right now, except for a couple of people at Princes Park, there is nobody who knows what will happen with the first pick. But if you would like to post your own mock draft you can in the comments section. Or fans of a team might list some players they would like their team to look at, for example a Hawthorn supporter could post a comment about picks 6, 24, 33 and 56 while a Bulldogs fan could comment on who they would like at picks 11, 45, 61 and 66.
Also there are a couple hundred more draft prospects out there, so leave a comment if you know of a young player that teams may look to draft.
Check the site in the coming days for a Leuenberger draft story, he could go at pick 1 or he could be a draft day slider.
Click here for details on picks 6 to 10
There was no tv coverage, no Australian radio, so it was the BBC who broadcast the Geelong versus Port Adelaide game. Jimmy "Bottle" had the ball a lot, Darren "Melbourne" played well and from listening to the game it seemed that Mark Blake was as good as Plugger.
It was a fun game to listen to, and the commentary improved as the game went along. It was enthusiastic commentating, with plenty of "strikes" towards goal and tackles sending players "to the floor".
It cost 20 pounds for adults to go, which is around $50 in Australian money.
GEELONG: 5.3, 8.5, 10.7, 13.10 (88)
PORT ADELAIDE: 3.1, 6.3, 8.6, 10.7 (67)
BEST - Geelong: Bartel, Prismall, Stokes, Gamble, S.Hunt, West, Playfair. Port Adelaide: Pearce, Salopek, Wakelin, Ebert, Mahoney
GOALS - Geelong: Gamble 4, Egan, J.Hunt, Byrnes, Bartel, Batchelor, Stokes, McCarthy, Prismall, Milburn. Port Adelaide: Cassisi 2, Mahoney 2, D.White 2, Bentley, Willits, Ebert, Giles.
At The Oval
AFL Exhibition Games at The Oval:
1987 North Melbourne 18.6 (104) bt Carlton 13.13 (91)
1988 Hawthorn 9.14 (68) bt Carlton 6.11 (47)
1989 Melbourne 12.10 (82) bt Essendon 6.10 (46)
1990 Collingwood 19.9 (123) bt Essendon 13.12 (90)
1991 West Coast 14.12 (96) bt Hawthorn 10.6 (66)
1994 Richmond 14.20 (104) bt Carlton 13.5 (83)
1997 West Coast 11.7 (73) bt Collingwood 8.7 (55)
1998 Western Bulldogs 15.5 (95) bt St Kilda 10.12 (72)
1999 Essendon 11.6 (72) bt Hawthorn 10.9 (69)
2000 Melbourne 5.10 (40) bt Adelaide 3.3 (21)
2003 Fremantle 11.3 (69) bt Collingwood 7.8 (50)
2005 Fremantle 13.12 (90) bt West Coast 11.7 (73)
2006 Geelong 13.10 (88) bt Port Adelaide 10.7 (67)
Click here for a story about the game and a couple of pictures from the Surrey Cricket site.
Click here for the AFL version of events, and you can also read on the Power and Cats sites about their trip to London.
Click here for a story from The Times about Bartel and Josh Hunt.
6) Hawthorn:
Mitchell Thorp. 195cm, 85kg (Northern Bombers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Beau Dowler, Tom Williams, Kepler Bradley, Steven Salopek, Ashley Sampi, Dylan Smith, Damian Cupido, Murray Vance, James Walker, John Rombotis
7) Geelong:
Leroy Jetta. 175cm, 73kg (South Fremantle)
Picked here in recent drafts: Patrick Ryder, Jordan Lewis, Kane Tenace, Andrew Mackie, David Hale, Laurence Angwin, Danny Roach, Josh Carr, Kris Massie, Bowen Lockwood
8) Collingwood [from Rich via Fre]:
Jack Riewoldt. 193cm, 84kg (Clarence)
Picked here in recent drafts: Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, John Meesen, Raphael Clarke, Luke Brennan, James Bartel, Daniel Motlop, Joel Corey, Jude Bolton, Chris Tarrant, Leigh Brockman
9) St. Kilda:
Brock O’Brien. 180cm, 78kg (Peel Thunder)
Picked here in recent drafts: Mitchell Clark, Jordan Russell, David Trotter, Hamish McIntosh, Luke Molan, Kayne Pettifer, Caydn Beetham, Mark McVeigh, Chad Cornes, Mark Harwood
10) Collingwood:
Nathan Brown. 194cm, 89kg (North Ballarat Rebels)
Picked here in recent drafts: Marcus Drum, Christopher Egan, Ryley Dunn, Jason Laycock, Sam Power, Jordon McMahon, Luke McPharlin, Brandon Hill, Shane O'Bree, Nathan G Brown
11) Western Bulldogs: James Sellar
12) Melbourne: Tom Hislop
13) Richmond: Brent Renouf
14) Adelaide: Albert Proud
15) Sydney: Daniel Connors
16) West Coast: Eric MacKenzie
17) Carlton: Kurt Tippett
18) Essendon: Clayton Collard
19) Carlton: Shaun Grigg
20) Essendon: Nathan Batsanis
21) Kangaroos: Nathan Krakouer
22) Brisbane: Ricky Petterd
23) Port Adelaide: Tom Hurley
24) Hawthorn: Jackson Sheringham
25) Geelong: Jarryd Allen
26) Richmond: Mitchell Brown
27) St. Kilda: Robert Eddy
28) Collingwood: Garry Moss
29) West Coast: Shawn Colbung
30) Melbourne: Ben Reid
31) Fremantle: Clinton Benjamin
32) Adelaide: Chris Schmidt
33) Hawthorn: David Armitage
34) Brisbane: Andrejs Everitt
35) Carlton: Travis Boak
36) Essendon: Danny Chartres
37) Kangaroos: Simon Hogan
38) Brisbane: Gavin Urquhart
39) Port Adelaide: Alwyn Davey
40) Hawthorn: Josh Kennedy (father/son pick)
41) Geelong: Tom Hawkins (father/son pick)
42) Essendon: Bachar Houli
43) West Coast: Jesse White
44) Collingwood: Daniel Dzufer
45) Western Bulldogs: Robert Gray
46) Melbourne: Chris Dawes
47) Essendon: James Frawley
48) Adelaide: Aaron Edwards
49) Sydney: Nathan Djerrkura
50) West Coast: Jarryd Morton
51) Carlton: Todd Goldstein
52) Fremantle: Jacob Williams
53) Kangaroos: Matthew Vasilevski
54) Brisbane: Chris Smith
55) Port Adelaide: Nick Gill
56) Hawthorn: Ben Ross
57) Geelong: Daniel O’Keefe
58) Richmond: Shaun Hampson
59) St. Kilda: Tom Collier
60) Richmond: Fortunato Caruso
61) Western Bulldogs: Leigh Adams
62) Melbourne: Jarryn Geary
63) Collingwood: Zac Millar
64) Adelaide: Sam Jacobs
65) Sydney: Jake Williams
66) Western Bulldogs [from WCE]: Grant Weeks
67) Carlton: Lachlan George
68) Essendon: James Hawksley
69) Kangaroos: Rhyce Prismall
70) Brisbane: Dean Dick
71) Port Adelaide: Shane Edwards
72) Hawthorn: Matthew Virgo
73) Geelong: Evan Duryea
74) Richmond: Ben Ross
75) St. Kilda: Colin Garland
76) Collingwood: Nick Paine
77) Western Bulldogs: Patrick Fittock
78) Melbourne: Jonathan Wells
79) Fremantle: Brad Dick
80) Adelaide: Daniel Caire
81) Sydney: Peter Faulks
82) West Coast: Jarrod Harbrow
Click here for details on picks 11 to 20.
The Power and the Cats will be playing in London tonight, around 10:30pm. There is no television coverage, which is a bit of a shame because it was always fun to guess how many people would run onto the field from the crowd. The BBC is supposed to have a radio broadcast.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/live/aussie_rules.ram
Geelong's squad:
Jimmy Bartel, Mark Blake, Shannon Byrnes, Nick Batchelor, Tim Callan, Matt Egan, Corey Enright, Ryan Gamble, Todd Grima, Sam Hunt, Josh Hunt, David Johnson, Matthew McCarthy, Darren Milburn, Stephen Owen, Henry Playfair, Brent Prismall, Matthew Scarlett, Will Slade, Matthew Spencer, Mathew Stokes, Trent West, David Wojcinski, Travis Varcoe
Port Adelaide's squad:
Greg Bentley, Alipate Carlile, Domenic Cassisi, Troy Chaplin, Chad Cornes, Fabian Deluca, Brett Ebert, Jonathan Giles, Tom Logan, Tim Looby, Josh Mahoney, Hugh Minson, Danyle Pearce, Steven Salopek, Aaron Shattock, Darryl Wakelin, Damon White, Ryan Willits
Geelong look to have a much stronger side. But youth will be played by both teams. This will mean Travis Varcoe finally takes the field with the Geelong senior side. Varcoe was injured before the 2005 draft but was still considered a steal by the Cats at pick 15. Varcoe is not just an exciting player, he also wears a very famous number.
The Swans kept their first round pick during trade week, and only had to use their second rounder in a trade with Hawthorn to acquire Peter Everitt. With pick 15 Sydney can choose between a talented midfielder, a key position prospect or a raw ruckman. They will also have the opportunity to add another Everitt to their list, Andrejs Everitt.
Andrejs Everitt has height, mobility and even experience at the high jump. He is listed at 193cm and 76kg. At the AFL draft camp he was third in the agility test, ahead of speedsters like Nathan Djurkurra and Simon Hogan. His 8.06 result was also better than Marc Murphy's score in 2005. Everitt has the useful combination of height, athleticism and large hands. He is also a solid kick on his right foot.
Everitt was selected for the Victoria Metro team at the Under 18 titles. He also was rewarded with a spot in the TAC Cup Team of the Year for 2006.
Playing for Dandenong, Andrejs Everitt played key positions in the backline and also spent some time on the wing. There were also games when he played forward. In the AFL it will be several years until he can play in a key defensive post, but the wing might be where he is more effective anyway. A Sydney team lining up in 2008 could have Adam Goodes on one wing and Andrejs Everitt on the other. They are both around the same height and would cause even more matchup problems than teams face now when trying to stop Goodes.
For the Swans, Andrejs Everitt could be a future replacement for Leo Barry at fullback. Barry will turn 30 soon, in a few years when Barry is ready to retire Everitt could have bulked-up enough for the position.
Andrejs Everitt may not be the only fullback prospect available at pick 15. Nathan Brown could also be there and the Swans might take him if they want a player who is closer to being ready for a key position spot. But they may want to choose a midfielder with their first rounder and there will be a bunch of them available too.
Andrejs won't match his brother's 203cm of height but he has the hair and some of his brother's skills. Andrejs would be a good investment for the Swans as he has the potential to fill some of their future needs. Andrejs has said in the past he would like to play AFL with his brother. If Sydney does want to have two Everitts next season they will have to use pick 15 on him as Andrejs Everitt is unlikely to last to their next pick, pick 49, in the 2006 AFL draft.
11) Western Bulldogs:
James Sellar. 195cm, 92kg (Glenelg)
Picked here in recent drafts: Shaun Higgins, Adam Thomson, Beau Waters, Jason Winderlich, Richard Cole, Trent Sporn, Darren Glass, Lenny Hayes
12) Melbourne:
Tom Hislop. 185cm, 85kg (Burnie Dockers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Nathan Jones, Danny Meyer, Ryan Murphy, Jay Schulz, Brent Reilly, Shaun Burgoyne, Paul Koulouriotis, Adam Ramanauskas
13) Richmond [from Fre]:
Brent Renouf. 200cm, 93kg (Southport)
Picked here in recent drafts: Shannon Hurn, Matthew Bate, Brent Stanton, Byron Schammer, Nick Del Santo, Ashley McGrath, Robert Murphy, Chris Lamb
14) Adelaide:
Albert Proud. 179cm, 80kg (Mt.Gravatt)
Picked here in recent drafts: Grant Birchall, Angus Monfries, Fergus Watts, Daniel Bell, Ashley Watson, Daniel Harris, Travis Gaspar, Luke Penny
15) Sydney:
Daniel Connors. 182cm, 77kg (Bendigo Pioneers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Travis Varcoe, Lynden Dunn, Troy Chaplin, Nick Smith, Barry Brooks, Simon Wiggins, David Spriggs, Brady Rawlings
16) West Coast:
Eric MacKenzie. 195cm, 91kg (Claremont)
Picked here in recent drafts: Richard Douglas, Adam Pattison, Josh Willoughby, Stephen Gilham, Rick Ladson, Scott Thompson, David Haynes, Brett Burton
17) Carlton:
Kurt Tippett. 201cm, 96kg (Southport)
Picked here in recent drafts: Darren Pfeiffer, Andrew McQualter, Billy Morrison, Cameron Faulkner, James Kelly, James Davies, Ezra Bray, Peter Street
18) Essendon:
Clayton Collard. 177cm, 80kg (South Fremantle)
Picked here in recent drafts: Max Bailey, Cameron Wood, Llane Spaanderman, Kris Shore, Shane Harvey, Daniel Kerr, Rhyce Shaw (father/son pick), Daniel Schell
19) Carlton:
Shaun Grigg. 189cm, 79kg (North Ballarat Rebels)
Picked here in recent drafts: Courtenay Dempsey, Ryan Willits, David Mundy, Troy Selwood, Jason Gram, Jason Cloke (father/son pick), Brad Green, Nick Davis
20) Essendon:
Nathan Batsanis. 180cm, 75kg (Oakleigh Chargers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Paul Bower, Dean Polo, Samuel Butler, Will Minson, Daniel Elstone, Kane Cornes, Paul Wheatley, Michael Collica
21) Kangaroos: Nathan Krakouer
22) Brisbane: Ricky Petterd
23) Port Adelaide: Tom Hurley
24) Hawthorn: Jackson Sheringham
25) Geelong: Jarryd Allen
26) Richmond: Mitchell Brown
27) St. Kilda: Robert Eddy
28) Collingwood: Garry Moss
29) West Coast: Shawn Colbung
30) Melbourne: Ben Reid
31) Fremantle: Clinton Benjamin
32) Adelaide: Chris Schmidt
33) Hawthorn: David Armitage
34) Brisbane: Andrejs Everitt
35) Carlton: Travis Boak
36) Essendon: Danny Chartres
37) Kangaroos: Simon Hogan
38) Brisbane: Gavin Urquhart
39) Port Adelaide: Alwyn Davey
40) Hawthorn: Josh Kennedy (father/son pick)
41) Geelong: Tom Hawkins (father/son pick)
42) Essendon: Bachar Houli
43) West Coast: Jesse White
44) Collingwood: Daniel Dzufer
45) Western Bulldogs: Robert Gray
46) Melbourne: Chris Dawes
47) Essendon: James Frawley
48) Adelaide: Aaron Edwards
49) Sydney: Nathan Djerrkura
50) West Coast: Jarryd Morton
51) Carlton: Todd Goldstein
52) Fremantle: Jacob Williams
53) Kangaroos: Matthew Vasilevski
54) Brisbane: Chris Smith
55) Port Adelaide: Nick Gill
56) Hawthorn: Ben Ross
57) Geelong: Daniel O’Keefe
58) Richmond: Shaun Hampson
59) St. Kilda: Tom Collier
60) Richmond: Fortunato Caruso
61) Western Bulldogs: Leigh Adams
62) Melbourne: Jarryn Geary
63) Collingwood: Zac Millar
64) Adelaide: Sam Jacobs
65) Sydney: Jake Williams
66) Western Bulldogs [from WCE]: Grant Weeks
67) Carlton: Lachlan George
68) Essendon: James Hawksley
69) Kangaroos: Rhyce Prismall
70) Brisbane: Dean Dick
71) Port Adelaide: Shane Edwards
72) Hawthorn: Matthew Virgo
73) Geelong: Evan Duryea
74) Richmond: Ben Ross
75) St. Kilda: Colin Garland
76) Collingwood: Nick Paine
77) Western Bulldogs: Patrick Fittock
78) Melbourne: Jonathan Wells
79) Fremantle: Brad Dick
80) Adelaide: Daniel Caire
81) Sydney: Peter Faulks
82) West Coast: Jarrod Harbrow
Click here for details on picks 21 to 30.
Paul Medhurst played in 12 games during season 2006, none were against Collingwood. Now he will be looking to become a 22-game a season player for the Magpies.
Collingwood really traded Tarrant for draft pick number 8, with Medhurst not the main part of the deal. If Medhurst doesn't become a regular player they don't lose, but if he does play at his best then the Magpies have something extra to show from the Tarrant trade.
Medhurst in 2006 had one of his best seasons for the number of disposals but one of his worst for kicking goals. It will be more important to the Magpies if he kicks goals next season. Tarrant is gone, Didak is injured, that equals 77 goals that they are missing. Medhurst does have a 50-goal season in his career so he has the ability to replace some of the goals the Magpies have lost.
The Magpies' forward line next season could have a lot of R and R, Rocca and Rusling will be the focus. One more tall option, a couple of small players, and the Magpies could have a potent attack. Dale Thomas is smallish, but plays a lot taller, he is an exciting player who will keep improving. Fraser will also see some time up forward, and might become a regular there if Collingwood can find another ruckman in the preseason draft. Medhurst could be the final piece. Medhurst once kicked 9 goals in a game, but Collingwood would be happy if he managed an average of two goals per game.
While Collingwood do need his goals, they could also try him in the midfield. Medhurst reached double-figures for pessessions in 11 of his 12 games with the Dockers in 2006. They played him a lot further up the ground than they did in previous seasons. Medhurst found plenty of space against the Cats last year with 14 marks and 17 kicks. For the season he averaged 4.4 Inside 50s, which was more than double any other year, so if needed Medhurst can change his game.
Some will compare what Medhurst does for Collingwood with Tarrant's success at Fremantle but there was a lot more to the trade than that. Pick 8 should get Collingwood a player equal in talent to Tarrant but it could be a couple of years before the results are in, until then the Magpies get an added bonus with Medhurst.
When local councils have their annual hard rubbish collection people put things they don't need on their front lawn, and often these items are picked up by other residents before the truck comes to collect it. Now a delisted player may not equal an old couch, but there will be teams who think they can salvage them. One team's trash can turn into another team's treasure.
There will be veterans with a year or two left in them, there are youngsters who may have been given up on too early and there are solid players who can give a team depth.
Clark Keating, Matthew Bishop and Ben Hart all know how to win. Plenty of teams need a ruckmen with finals experience, Keating has plenty of that. Bishop and Hart will need to find a new team outside of South Australia and several Melbourne teams could use an experienced tall defender.
Teams will look at finding a player who is still young and still has potential. Josh Thurgood and Marty Pask will be delisted but may get another chance. Thurgood needs to get bigger, Pask may need to get smaller, but they have both shown some ability. Tristan Cartledge is young and two metres tall, some team will be interested.
AFL teams can also increase their depth with a proven player who still has plenty of years in football ahead of them. Troy Makepeace was 10th on the Kangaroos for disposals in 2006, he should be on another team next season. The Kangaroos had a look at Hayden Skipworth during trade week and they may pick him in one of the drafts. Mark McGough averaged 14 possessions in his 3 games with the Saints in 2006, he may be able to find a third team to play for. Kent Kingsley can kick goals, he won't be doing it with Geelong next season but there are plenty of AFL teams that struggle offensively and Kinglsey would be an inexpensive option.
The deadline for delistings is October 31. More names will be announced during the next week. Collingwood, Geelong, Richmond and Sydney are some teams who have not made their delistings public yet.
The horse called Savrocca might not be running anymore, but if you want to pick a horse that reflects your AFL team the Caulfield Cup races have plenty of options.
Port Adelaide supporters will like race 5. There is a horse called Grace And Power and another horse called Amyjaye Power.
Essendon fans have a horse in the Cup to follow, Our Smoking Joe.
North Melbourne fans might also see something in that race, Roman Arch and Pop Rock. Bulldogs fans might like the horse called Growl.
Saints supporters have a horse in race 7 called Kosi Bay. Coincidentally there is another horse in that race called Open Cut.
For the Eagles they have Speedy Rossa in race 7, who might be quicker than their Rosa.
Geelong and Sydney fans have race 8 for their horses. Cats Fun might not win, and it might be towards the back of the field with Show Barry. The Swans also have an emergency in that race, Very Sydney.
Street Smart is in race 10. As big as Peter, as successful as Nigel, maybe not.
AFL fans also can pick horses that wear similar colours to their teams, and there are some who are owned by footballers too. There is even a horse for some of the umpires to select, in race 4 Egomaniac.
21) Kangaroos:
Nathan Krakouer. 182cm, 62kg (Claremont)
Picked here in recent drafts: Danny Stanley, Thomas Murphy, Alex Gilmore, Bo Nixon, Matt Maguire, Nick Ries, Scott Stevens, David Clarke
22) Brisbane:
Ricky Petterd. 184cm, 77kg (Broadbeach)
Picked here in recent drafts: Beau Muston, Jesse Wells, Cameron Thurley, Matthew Ferguson, Mark Seaby, Richard Hadley, Ezra Poyas, James Begley
23) Port Adelaide:
Tom Hurley. 178cm, 72kg (Sturt)
Picked here in recent drafts: Ryan Cook, Sean Rusling, Matthew Moody, Tom Lonergan, Charlie Gardiner, Drew Petrie, Daniel Foster, Chris Ladhams
24) Hawthorn:
Jackson Sheringham. 177cm, 73kg (Geelong Falcons)
Picked here in recent drafts: Cleve Hughes, Nathan Van Berlo, Chad Jones, Paul Johnson, Steve Johnson, Luke Ablett, Jason Blake, David Wojcinski
25) Geelong:
Jarryd Allen. 192cm, 85kg (Calder Cannons)
Picked here in recent drafts: Wayde Mills, Adam Hartlett, Harry Miller, Callum Urch, Steven Armstrong, Mark Coughlan, Brett Johnson, Aaron Henneman
26) Richmond:
Mitchell Brown. 193cm, 92kg (North Ballarat Rebels)
Picked here in recent drafts: Garrick Ibbotson, Matthew Little, Daniel McConnell, Jared Rivers, Aaron Rogers, Shane Birss, Stephen Doyle, Michael O'Brien
27) St. Kilda:
Robert Eddy. 181cm, 83kg (Gippsland Power)
Picked here in recent drafts: Dylan Addison, Pat Garner, Adam Campbell, Darren D. Walsh, Tom Davidson, Ted Richards, Cain Ackland, Steven Baker
28) Collingwood:
Garry Moss. 178cm, 68kg (East Perth)
Picked here in recent drafts: Matt Riggio, Chad Gibson, Jay Nash, Tristan Cartledge, Mark Powell, Steven Greene, Brent Guerra, Heath James
29) West Coast [from W B]:
Shawn Colbung. 178cm, 75kg (East Perth)
Picked here in recent drafts: Benjamin McKinley, Matthew Rosa, Tim Schmidt, Luke Shackleton, Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Jamie Charman, Adam Hunter, Tyson Stenglein
30) Melbourne:
Ben Reid. 196cm, (Murray Bushrangers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Nick Lower, Andrew Lee, Bradley Symes, Daniel Merrett, Rod Crowe, Saverio Rocca, Jonathan Brown (father/son pick), Nicky Winmar
31) Fremantle: Clinton Benjamin
32) Adelaide: Chris Schmidt
33) Hawthorn: David Armitage
34) Brisbane: Andrejs Everitt
35) Carlton: Travis Boak
36) Essendon: Danny Chartres
37) Kangaroos: Simon Hogan
38) Brisbane: Gavin Urquhart
39) Port Adelaide: Alwyn Davey
40) Hawthorn: Josh Kennedy (father/son pick)
41) Geelong: Tom Hawkins (father/son pick)
42) Essendon: Bachar Houli
43) West Coast: Jesse White
44) Collingwood: Daniel Dzufer
45) Western Bulldogs: Robert Gray
46) Melbourne: Chris Dawes
47) Essendon: James Frawley
48) Adelaide: Aaron Edwards
49) Sydney: Nathan Djerrkura
50) West Coast: Jarryd Morton
51) Carlton: Todd Goldstein
52) Fremantle: Jacob Williams
53) Kangaroos: Matthew Vasilevski
54) Brisbane: Chris Smith
55) Port Adelaide: Nick Gill
56) Hawthorn: Ben Ross
57) Geelong: Daniel O’Keefe
58) Richmond: Shaun Hampson
59) St. Kilda: Tom Collier
60) Richmond: Fortunato Caruso
61) Western Bulldogs: Leigh Adams
62) Melbourne: Jarryn Geary
63) Collingwood: Zac Millar
64) Adelaide: Sam Jacobs
65) Sydney: Jake Williams
66) Western Bulldogs [from WCE]: Grant Weeks
67) Carlton: Lachlan George
68) Essendon: James Hawksley
69) Kangaroos: Rhyce Prismall
70) Brisbane: Dean Dick
71) Port Adelaide: Shane Edwards
72) Hawthorn: Matthew Virgo
73) Geelong: Evan Duryea
74) Richmond: Ben Ross
75) St. Kilda: Colin Garland
76) Collingwood: Nick Paine
77) Western Bulldogs: Patrick Fittock
78) Melbourne: Jonathan Wells
79) Fremantle: Brad Dick
80) Adelaide: Daniel Caire
81) Sydney: Peter Faulks
82) West Coast: Jarrod Harbrow
Click here for details on picks 31 to 40.
1 St Kilda: Brendan Goddard (pick 1 in actual 2002 draft)
2 Kangaroos: Daniel Wells (2)
3 Brisbane: Jared Rivers (26)
4 Western Bulldogs: Steven Salopek (6)
6 Port Adelaide: Will Minson (20)
7 Geelong: Adam Selwood (53)
8 Hawthorn: Troy Selwood (19)
9 Kangaroos: Nick Malceski (64)
10 Essendon: Ryan Crowley (55)
11 Essendon: Byron Schammer (13)
12 Richmond: Robert Shirley (56)
13 Fremantle: Brent Staker (37)
14 Melbourne: Hamish McIntosh (9)
15 Melbourne: Jared Brennan (3)
16 Port Adelaide: Leigh Fisher (46)
17 Western Bulldogs: Kade Simpson (45)
18 Kangaroos: Andrew Mackie (7)
19 Brisbane: Sean Dempster (34)
20 Western Bulldogs: Jay Schulz (12)
21 Collingwood: Daniel Merrett (30)
22 St Kilda: Cameron Wight (49)
23 Geelong: Daniel Bell (14)
24 West Coast: Jason Laycock (10)
25 Kangaroos: Jason Winderlich (11)
26 Melbourne: Paul Johnson (24)
27 Essendon: Cameron Faulkner (17)
28 Essendon: Tom Lonergan (23)
29 Collingwood: Brad Fisher (72)
30 Brisbane: Luke Jericho (32)
31 Kangaroos: Ryan Ferguson (66)
32 Adelaide: Joel Perry (31)
33 Western Bulldogs: Anthony Corrie (44)
34 Sydney: Callum Urch (25)
35 Western Bulldogs: Blake Grima (38)
36 Geelong: Tim Callan (Father/son pick)
37 West Coast: Luke Brennan (8)
38 Kangaroos: Tim Boyle (51)
39 Melbourne: Nick Smith (15)
40 Essendon: Jobe Watson (Father/son pick)
41 Richmond: James Begley (68)
42 Port Adelaide: Brett Ebert (Father/son pick)
43 Collingwood: Cameron Cloke (Father/son pick)
44 Brisbane: Bo Nixon (21)
45 Carlton: Josh Thewlis (50)
46 St Kilda: Brad Murphy (33)
47 Richmond: Tristan Cartledge (28)
48 Fremantle: Gary Moorcroft (39)
49 Western Bulldogs: Steven Alessio (67)
50 Sydney: Lochlan Veale (65)
The 2002 draft didn't have a Judd, Riewoldt or Pavlich like the three drafts that came before it, but it did provide teams with a lot of solid AFL players. The above list will certainly change over the next few years, if taller players take more time to develop then McIntosh, Merrett, Wight and Johnson will keep getter better for the next couple of seasons. There is also Jared Brennan who has such great potential and athleticism, in 5 years time he could be on top of this list.
The winners for the 2002 draft might have been teams that traded out, or were the lucky ones with father/son selections. The Bombers and Power both selected a Top 5 talent from this draft class and only had to spend a pick in the 40s.
The draft of 2002 provided teams with many young onballers who are contributing now as well as some talls who should eventually become important key position players. Goddard and Wells did deserve to go at 1 and 2, but over their careers there will be 20 or so players from this draft who may end up as the best from it.
The number in brackets indicates the draft pick they were in the actual 2002 draft.
Click here for the 2001 Draft Redone.
Click here for the 1999 Draft Redone.
Will post a reworked 2000 draft soon. McDougall, Livingston, Angwin and Daniel Motlop all went top 10 that year. Daniel Cross, Amon Buchanon and Nathan Lonie lasted until the 50s. Riewoldt went 1 in 2000, and he will get that spot again.
It has been a year since the following players were delisted, some found new teams, one player won the AFL Grand Final, and many were not heard from again.
If there is one name on the list that stands out it is Steven Armstrong. Delisted by Melbourne and then less than a year after that he played for the Eagles in the AFL Grand Final. At the time it wasn't a bad move by Melbourne, Armstrong first played for them in 2002 and had not established himself as a regular player there. While being delisted is usually not the best career move, for Armstrong his delisting was very beneficial.
Montgomery had won with Port and was not part of the youth policy they needed to turn the Power back on. They delisted him and that made room for players like Pearce and Symes to get experience. Montgomery left a team on the decline, and joined his old team whose fortunes were going up. Montgomery helped in that, including his performance in the finals. This was a delisting that was a win for all involved.
The Saints delisting Guerra is something that may not have happened under their new coach. While West Coast found a player in Armstrong, they also released Aaron Edwards who might have helped them up forward, Edwards kicked 100 goals in the VFL. The Eagles also delisted Kasey Green, he was a useful player for the Kangaroos in 2006.
The list of delistings is only for players who were delisted by clubs up to October 31 last year. Retired players, and traded players, are not included.
ADELAIDE
Josh Krueger, Jacob Schuback, Matthew Smith, Rowan Andrews (rookie), Ryan Nye (rookie)
BRISBANE
Tom Logan, Dylan McLaren, Leigh Ryswyk, Llane Spaanderman, Travis Baird (rookie)
CARLTON
David Clarke, Brett Johnson, Digby Morrell, Karl Norman, Nick Becker (rookie), Sam Pleming (rookie)
COLLINGWOOD
Tom Davidson, David King, Matthew Lokan, Billy Morrison, Brayden Shaw, Andrew Williams, Shane Woewodin, Zane Leonard (rookie)
ESSENDON
Mark Alvey, Marc Bullen, Damian Cupido, Ben Haynes, Sam Hunt, Ty Zantuck, Ryan Bain (rookie), Ben Jolley (rookie), Adrian Wilson (rookie)
FREMANTLE
Andrew Siegert, Dylan Smith, Toby Stribling, Dion Woods, Paul Duffield (rookie)
GEELONG
David Haynes, Will Slade, Luke Buckland (rookie), Jarrod Garth (rookie)
HAWTHORN
Steven Greene, Ben Kane, Bo Nixon, Doug Scott, Kristan Height (rookie), Ruory Kirkby (rookie), Thomas Willday (rookie)
KANGAROOS
John Baird, Shane Harvey, Lance Picioane, Kris Shore, Ashley Watson, Josh Thewlis (rookie)
MELBOURNE
Steven Armstrong, Chris Heffernan, Cameron Hunter, Luke Williams, Brendan Vanschaik (rookie)
PORT ADELAIDE
Stuart Cochrane, Stephen Gilham, Luke Peel, Brett Montgomery, Dale Ellis (rookie), Robert Forster-Knight (rookie)
RICHMOND
Kyle Archibald, Alex Gilmour, Rory Hilton, Shane Morrison
ST KILDA
Brent Guerra, Dylan Pfitzner, Nick Stone, Luke Mullins (rookie)
SYDNEY
Ben Fixter, Jarrad Sundqvist, Guy Campbell (rookie), Ed Clarke (rookie), Andrew Hayes (rookie), Nick Potter (rookie)
WEST COAST
Zac Beeck, Kasey Green, Jeremy Humm, Aaron Edwards (rookie), Michael Embley (rookie)
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Iszac Thompson, Rowan Nayna (delisted)
Official delistings for 2006 will be announced sometime after the October 31 deadline this year. An analysis of those events will be posted soon after, but it might take a year or more to see if teams did the right thing or if they gave away a promising player.
Hayden Skipworth, Troy Makepeace, Matthew Bishop, Clark Keating, Aaron Henneman, Josh Thurgood, Mark McGough and Allan Murray are some of the players who have been delisted so far.
31) Fremantle:
Clinton Benjamin. 188cm, 80kg (Claremont)
Picked here in recent drafts: Trent West, Jarred Moore, Joshua Krueger, Joel Perry, Joel Reynolds, Blake Campbell, Paul Chapman, Simon Black
32) Adelaide:
Chris Schmidt. 186cm, 77kg (West Adelaide)
Picked here in recent drafts: Bernie Vince, Brent Prismall, Brayden Shaw (father/son pick), Luke Jericho, Campbell Brown, Sam Hunt, Daniel Giansiracusa, David Gallagher
33) Hawthorn [from Syd]:
David Armitage. 183cm, 79kg (Morningside)
Picked here in recent drafts: Sam Gilbert, Cain Ackland, Jed Adcock, Brad Murphy, David Rodan, Martin Pike, Tim Clarke, Craig Bolton, James Thiessen
34) Brisbane [from WCE via W B]:
Andrejs Everitt. 193cm, 76kg (Dandenong Stingrays)
Picked here in recent drafts: Matthew Spangher, James Ezard, Luke Peel, Sean Dempster, Simon O'Keefe, Ryan Lonie, Leon Davis, Bryan Beinke, Andrew Williams
35) Carlton:
Travis Boak. 182cm, 75kg (Geelong Falcons)
Picked here in recent drafts: Stephen Owen, Fabian Deluca, Brent Hall, Scott Bassett, Jarrad Wright, Allan Murray, Patrick Wiggins, Brad Oborne, Marcus Baldwin
36) Essendon:
Danny Chartres. 194cm, 90kg (Peel Thunder)
Picked here in recent drafts: Jake Edwards, Luke McGuane, Chris Johnson (father/son pick), Tim Callan (father/son pick), Sam Mitchell, Jeremy Humm, Rhett Biglands, Danny Jacobs
37) Kangaroos:
Simon Hogan. 181cm, 65kg (Geelong Falcons)
Picked here in recent drafts: John Anthony, Mark Lecras, Tom Roach, Brent Staker, Leigh Montagna, Guy Richards, Mitchell Hahn, Tom Harley
38) Brisbane:
Gavin Urquhart. 186cm, 78kg (Morningside)
Picked here in recent drafts: Travis Tuck (father/son pick), Damian McCormack, Mark Blake (father/son pick), Blake Grima, Ashley Hansen, Cameron Ling, Brendan Fevola, James Rahilly
39) Port Adelaide:
Alwyn Davey. 176cm, 78kg (South Adelaide)
Picked here in recent drafts: Jay Neagle (father/son pick), Travis Cloke (father/son pick), Robert Forster-Knight, Gary Moorcroft, Justin Davies, Adam McPhee, Scott Homewood, Toby Thurstans
40) Hawthorn:
Josh Kennedy. 186cm, 88kg (Sandringham Dragons) father/son pick
Picked here in recent drafts: Travis Casserly, Ivan Maric, Edward Sansbury, Jobe Watson (father/son pick), Gary Ablett (father/son pick), Chris Hyde, David Hille
41) Geelong: Tom Hawkins (father/son pick)
42) Essendon: Bachar Houli
43) West Coast: Jesse White
44) Collingwood: Daniel Dzufer
45) Western Bulldogs: Robert Gray
46) Melbourne: Chris Dawes
47) Essendon: James Frawley
48) Adelaide: Aaron Edwards
49) Sydney: Nathan Djerrkura
50) West Coast: Jarryd Morton
51) Carlton: Todd Goldstein
52) Fremantle: Jacob Williams
53) Kangaroos: Matthew Vasilevski
54) Brisbane: Chris Smith
55) Port Adelaide: Nick Gill
56) Hawthorn: Ben Ross
57) Geelong: Daniel O’Keefe
58) Richmond: Shaun Hampson
59) St. Kilda: Tom Collier
60) Richmond: Fortunato Caruso
61) Western Bulldogs: Leigh Adams
62) Melbourne: Jarryn Geary
63) Collingwood: Zac Millar
64) Adelaide: Sam Jacobs
65) Sydney: Jake Williams
66) Western Bulldogs: Grant Weeks
67) Carlton: Lachlan George
68) Essendon: James Hawksley
69) Kangaroos: Rhyce Prismall
70) Brisbane: Dean Dick
71) Port Adelaide: Shane Edwards
72) Hawthorn: Matthew Virgo
73) Geelong: Evan Duryea
74) Richmond: Ben Ross
75) St. Kilda: Colin Garland
76) Collingwood: Nick Paine
77) Western Bulldogs: Patrick Fittock
78) Melbourne: Jonathan Wells
79) Fremantle: Brad Dick
80) Adelaide: Daniel Caire
81) Sydney: Peter Faulks
82) West Coast: Jarrod Harbrow
Click here for details on picks 41 to 50
If the 1989 and 2006 AFL Grand Finals had gone an extra minute or two there might have been different results. Both the Cats and the Swans played in exciting Grand Finals but just fell short, but if they could play against each other who would win? Who in the late 80's could play on Adam Goodes, how many goals would the elder Ablett kick in today's game, and who would Blight select for Yeates to run into?
A lot of the credit for the Cats' comeback in the 1989 game goes to Ablett, and he obviously deserves it, but Darren Flanigan was also an important player that day. Maybe ahead of his time, Flanigan was a very mobile ruckman, and for this imaginary game he could have the first go at Goodes. Lindner and Steven Hocking might be some shorter options to play on Goodes.
While the Swans of today have an Ablett, Luke, he would not be able to stop Gary of 1989. Nobody could stop him but Leo Barry would be someone to try. The Swans also have some tall defenders to use on Brownless and Stoneham. With Roberts-Thomson, Richards and Craig Bolton all options.
The Cats of those times never had a great defense, they were just playing to outscore people. That was a strategy that was often successful, fun to watch, and suited the players that Geelong had then. Darcy and Lindner were both forwards who were sent back to defense, Darcy become a solid fullback, Lindner played in several positions for Geelong and would later go to the Crows. Hall might be too tall for them so Michael Schultze could be the player for Hall.
Bourke was a huge player and fed the Geelong midfield. The Cats might have the advantage over the Swans here. Couch versus Kirk might be an even matchup, but Hocking, Bairstow and Bews might be able to win the ball more than their opponents.
It might have come down to offensive firepower, Geelong had a lot more than the Swans. But the Swans also have a better backline, with versatile players who know how to help each other and fill spaces in their defensive 50. Geelong of that time were one of the highest scoring teams of all time, Sydney is the leader of flooding, often the great defense beats the great offense in Grand Finals.
The Swans would need a huge game from Goodes, and he might do it with Geelong not having an ideal player to go against him. Geelong might just get over the line, by a couple of goals. As for who Yeates would have taken out, that is a harder thing to decide.
Cats 89 FF: R. Scott, G. Ablett, B. Brownless
Swans 06 FB: L. Ablett, L. Barry, L. Roberts-Thomson
Cats 89 HF: D. Cameron, B. Stoneham, N. Bruns
Swans 06 HB: C. Bolton, T. Richards, T. Kennelly
Cats 89 C: M.Yeates, P. Couch, D. Flanigan
Swans 06 C: A. Buchanan, B. Kirk, A. Goodes
Cats 89 HB: G. Hocking, T. Darcy, B. Lindner
Swans 06 HF: N. Fosdike, M. O'Loughlin, R. O'Keefe
Cats 89 FB: S. Hocking, M. Schultze, M. Bos
Swans 06 FF: N. Davis, B. Hall, A. Schneider
Cats 89 Foll: D. Bourke, M. Bairstow, A. Bews
Swans 06 Foll: D. Jolly, J. Bolton, J. McVeigh
Cats 89 bench: S. Hamilton, S. Malakelis, (A Fletcher, Austin McCrabb - only 2 on bench in 89)
Swans 06 bench: S. Doyle, S. Dempster, B. Mathews, N. Malceski
41) Geelong:
Tom Hawkins. 197cm, 95kg (Sandringham Dragons) father/son pick
Picked here in recent drafts: Rhan Hooper, Luke Blackwell (father/son pick), Zac Dawson, Tim Fleming, Henry Playfair, Kane Munro, Craig Jacotine
42) Essendon [from Rich via Fre]:
Bachar Houli. 180cm, 84kg (Western Jets)
Picked here in recent drafts: Robert Warnock, Jesse W. Smith (father/son pick), Matthew Spencer, Brett Ebert (father/son pick), Kieran McGuinness, Daniel Pratt
43) West Coast [from StK]:
Jesse White. 196cm, 101kg (Southport)
Picked here in recent drafts: Andrew Swallow, Michael Newton, Brett Peake, Cameron Cloke (father/son pick), Mark McGough, Mark Williams, Lindsay Gilbee
44) Collingwood:
Daniel Dzufer. 186cm, 81kg (Caloundra)
Picked here in recent drafts: Alipate Carlile, Mitch Morton, Ricky Dyson, Anthony Corrie, Ben Finnin, Josh Hunt, Shane Morrison (father/son pick), Heath Scotland
45) Western Bulldogs:
Robert Gray. 180cm, 79kg (Oakleigh Chargers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Kasey Green, Justin Sherman, Amon Buchanan, Kade Simpson, Nathan Clarke, Trent Carroll, Aaron Shattock
46) Melbourne:
Chris Dawes. 193cm, 101kg (Sandringham Dragons)
Picked here in recent drafts: Travis Baird, Henry Slattery, Michael Pettigrew, Leigh Fisher, Jarrad Waite (father/son pick),
47) Essendon [from Fre]:
James Frawley. 192cm, 81kg (North Ballarat Rebels)
Picked here in recent drafts: Ryan Gamble, David Spriggs, Andrew Ericksen, Billy Nicholls, Andrew Welsh, Jordon Bannister, Corey Enright
48) Adelaide:
Aaron Edwards. 184cm, 93kg (Frankston VFL)
Picked here in recent drafts: Alan Obst, Nathan Ablet (father/son pick), Heath Shaw (father/son pick), Greg Edgcumbe, Simon Cox, Chance Bateman
49) Sydney:
Nathan Djerrkura. 174cm, 75kg (Wanderers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Michael Rix, Mark McGough, Tom Logan, Cameron Wight, Josh Houlihan, Shane Wakelin
50) West Coast:
Jarryd Morton. 190cm, 80kg (Claremont)
Picked here in recent drafts: Samuel Lonergan, Jayden Attard, Iszac Thompson, Josh Thewlis, Paul Salmon, Domenic Cassisi, Matthew Whelan, Damien Adkins
51) Carlton: Todd Goldstein
52) Fremantle: Jacob Williams
53) Kangaroos: Matthew Vasilevski
54) Brisbane: Chris Smith
55) Port Adelaide: Nick Gill
56) Hawthorn: Ben Ross
57) Geelong: Daniel O’Keefe
58) Richmond: Shaun Hampson
59) St. Kilda: Tom Collier
60) Richmond: Fortunato Caruso
61) Western Bulldogs: Leigh Adams
62) Melbourne: Jarryn Geary
63) Collingwood: Zac Millar
64) Adelaide: Sam Jacobs
65) Sydney: Jake Williams
66) Western Bulldogs [from WCE]: Grant Weeks
67) Carlton: Lachlan George
68) Essendon: James Hawksley
69) Kangaroos: Rhyce Prismall
70) Brisbane: Dean Dick
71) Port Adelaide: Shane Edwards
72) Hawthorn: Matthew Virgo
73) Geelong: Evan Duryea
74) Richmond: Ben Ross
75) St. Kilda: Colin Garland
76) Collingwood: Nick Paine
77) Western Bulldogs: Patrick Fittock
78) Melbourne: Jonathan Wells
79) Fremantle: Brad Dick
80) Adelaide: Daniel Caire
81) Sydney: Peter Faulks
82) West Coast: Jarrod Harbrow
Click here for details on pick 51 to 60.
This might not be a good thing for Richmond supporters to see, as they missed out, twice. In the 2004 draft the top pick went on Deledio, pick 2 was Jarryd Roughead, pick 3 was a good choice with Ryan Griffen and Richmond was back again with pick 4 and Richard Tambling. Richmond didn't do too badly though, as Deledio is a star and Tambling may get there. Hawthorn should have taken him with 2 when he was available there, but they were lucky and at pick 5 they drafted Lance Franklin.
When Franklin was drafted he was listed at 196cm and 87kg. This season his weight was listed at 95kg, probably his perfect playing weight. This was not a Josh Thurgood case, this was a player with the potential to get stronger and that was achieved.
The developed Franklin is not only around 10cm taller than Brereton or Dunstall, but he nearly weighs as much as Dunstall did in his prime.
Now Franklin only has the potential to be as good as those two, but he is going in the right direction. In his first year he kicked a goal per game, in his second season Franklin had just over two goals per game. There is no reason why he can't get at least three goals a game for 2007.
He didn't improve just the total goals, and goals per game average, but it was also his accuracy from all distances and angles. He kicked behinds at the same average over both his first two years in the AFL, he increased his goals kicked per game so his accuracy in 2005 was 62% and for 2006 he improved to 78%.
If there is a problem, it is where he should be played. Franklin can play nearly anywhere so the question Hawthorn must answer is to find which spot he will do the most damage. Maybe they can put him alone in the goal-square and watch as he kicks 80 goals a season. But he doesn't have to be that close to score goals, Buddy is also one of the best shots for goal from outside 50m.
If there is a statistic that shows how underrated Franklin is, it is tackles. Last season he had a per game average that was higher than Crawford, Brown, Smith and Bateman. Lance was 8th on the Hawks for tackles per game, and the players who were ahead of him all played on the ball most of the time. Franklin might be tall but he is also fast, and this pressure on opposition defenses will create scoring opportunities.
If you have a player that you compare Franklin to then post a comment below, but in many ways he is unique. If you compare Franklin to other forwards he is either quicker or much bigger. Maybe Richardson comes closest, but Franklin is a decade younger than him. Riewoldt is another player to judge Franklin with, if Franklin had played the entire 2006 season he probably would have kicked as many goals as Riewoldt.
While comparing players to Franklin is difficult it is even harder for teams to find players to play on him. If they put a tall player on him Franklin will just run off them, if they try a faster opponent Franklin is too big for them.
Franklin ended 2006 with 3.25 goals a game over his last 4 games. If he keeps that going for 2007 that would equal 71 goals. An improvement on that would get him the Coleman, while 60 or 70 goals next season could get him on the All-Australian team.
Franklin would have started a bidding war among the AFL clubs if he had not signed a new contract. That he did agree to stay at Hawthorn means they have their most important piece in place and can build a contender around him.
If there is a better prospect, aged 21 or under, in the AFL then post a comment below.
51) Carlton:
Todd Goldstein. 200cm, 102kg (Oakleigh Chargers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Matthew Laidlaw, Benjamin Eckermann, Matthew Ball, Tim Boyle, Dion Woods, David Loats
52) Fremantle [from Ess]:
Jacob Williams. 196cm, 90kg (Peel Thunder)
Picked here in recent drafts: Dean Limbach, Andrew Browne, Amon Buchanan, Andrew Mills, Simon Arnott
53) Kangaroos:
Matthew Vasilevski. 181cm, 80kg (Northern Knights)
Picked here in recent drafts: Simon Buckley, Simon Taylor, Daniel Jackson, Adam Selwood, Daniel Hunt, Hayden Skipworth, Troy Schwarze
54) Brisbane:
Chris Smith. 184cm, 80kg (Mt.Gravatt)
Picked here in recent drafts: Kristin Thornton, Stephen Tiller, Cameron Hunter, Ben Robbins, Derek Murray
55) Port Adelaide:
Nick Gill. 194cm, 88kg (North Adelaide)
Picked here in recent drafts: Brett Montgomery, Adam Iacobucci, Sam Fisher, Ryan Crowley, Brad Miller, Chris Newman, Tim Hazell
56) Hawthorn:
Ben Ross. 176cm, 75kg (Gippsland Power)
Picked here in recent drafts: Joel Patfull, Chris Knights, Brent Le Cras, Robert Shirley, Paul Medhurst, Daniel Cross, Ryan O'Keefe, Ilija Grgic
57) Geelong:
Daniel O’Keefe. 183cm, 74kg (Geelong Falcons)
Picked here in recent drafts: Michael West, Bradley Smith, Ricky Mott, Wade Champion, Andrew Embley
58) Richmond:
Shaun Hampson. 201cm, 93kg (Mt.Gravatt)
Picked here in recent drafts: Hugh Minson, Bradley Moran, Ben Hudson, Dane Swan, Nathan Lonie, Patrick Bowden, Marcus Picken
59) St. Kilda:
Tom Collier. 192cm, 86kg (Lauderdale)
Picked here in recent drafts: Ryan Brabazon, Benet Copping, Matthew Davis, Jacob Schuback, John Barnes
60) Richmond [from Coll]:
Fortunato Caruso. 168cm, 66kg (Calder Cannons)
Picked here in recent drafts: Clint Bartram, Paul Thomas, Julian Rowe, Cameron Croad, Adam Schneider, Corey Jones
61) Western Bulldogs: Leigh Adams
62) Melbourne: Jarryn Geary
63) Collingwood: Zac Millar
64) Adelaide: Sam Jacobs
65) Sydney: Jake Williams
66) Western Bulldogs: Grant Weeks
67) Carlton: Lachlan George
68) Essendon: James Hawksley
69) Kangaroos: Rhyce Prismall
70) Brisbane: Dean Dick
71) Port Adelaide: Shane Edwards
72) Hawthorn: Matthew Virgo
73) Geelong: Evan Duryea
74) Richmond: Ben Ross
75) St. Kilda: Colin Garland
76) Collingwood: Nick Paine
77) Western Bulldogs: Patrick Fittock
78) Melbourne: Jonathan Wells
79) Fremantle: Brad Dick
80) Adelaide: Daniel Caire
81) Sydney: Peter Faulks
82) West Coast: Jarrod Harbrow
Click here for details on picks 61 to 71
The ruck was not a position of strength for Carlton even when they had Big Barnaby, but French has retired and they will also lose his 16 hitouts per game. They didn't trade for a ruckman, they have no young player to step up from their VFL team, so where they find a ruckman is something to watch.
They have Dylan McLaren, Chris Bryan, Adrian Deluca and Ian Prendergast on their list. Prendergast might be delisted, Deluca plays like a medium-sized forward, Bryan doesn't get played and McLaren isn't very effective as a starting ruckman. None of them shine in the ruck, Prendergast is way too small and the other three play better as a forward option. McLaren kicked 6 goals in a single VFL game this past season. Bryan has the big boot and has also shown some contested-marking ability in the forward line.
Setanta O'hAilpin could also get a run in the ruck in 2007. Some at Carlton want to see if they can develop him into a ruckman. It might work, eventually. But he is also their big hope as a tall defender, and that is the spot where he is most suited to.
Carlton also have Aisake O'hAilpin and Daniel Batson on their rookie list. They have height and potential but are often in the VFL Reserves, so no immediate help. Aisake O'hAilpin has shown he can play the game, but not yet in the ruck.
The Blues have pick 1 in the draft, while all the talk is Gibbs they must be also considering Leuenberger. At 203cm he would be taller than anyone else on their current list. Carlton still have other picks to use on a ruckman, you would expect one of the picks at 17 and 19 to be used on a ruck prospect. But if it is pick 1 or pick 51 that they take a ruckman it will still be a wait of several years as the player won't be ready right away.
That does leave the preseason draft. They went with an ex-Brisbane ruckman last time, Dylan McLaren, and they could do that again. Clark Keating could give them a year or two, Beau McDonald has a bit more left in the tank than Keating and might be a better option. Other possibilities could emerge as AFL teams delist players. Players in other leagues could also go in this draft. Daniel Bandy is still playing, in the WAFL, but does not fit with their youth policy. In the VFL, there is Eames at Frankston who is a big boy, and has plenty of years of football ahead of him.
Maybe Carlton go a lot of the year without a ruckman on the oval. Koutoufides, Whitnall, Fisher or Waite could play on the ball, using their ability to get forward to cause problems for opposition ruckmen. They might lose the hitouts in this situation, but Carlton might also struggle in that stat anyway with Deluca or McLaren.
Carlton does have a rucking problem and no solution yet. You know they have to do something when Eddie Betts is tied for 9th on the team in hitouts.
Hitout stats per game, from 2006, for Carlton's ruckmen returning in 2007:
Dylan McLaren 7.7
Chris Bryan 6.6
Adrian Deluca 3.6
Ian Prendergast 2.7
Port Adelaide have said they are not interested in drafting Ben Hart. They said that as they have delisted Bishop, it would not make sense for them to get Hart as they are trying to go with young players.
That means Hart goes to another state to play, or he retires and could have a coaching role with the Crows.
If Hart and Bishop decide to play next season they could both go in the preseason draft as teams will want their veteran play and premiership experience.
Carlton have been getting out the money to bring back their team from last season. As they finished 16th, maybe that is not the best idea.
Luke Blackwell is a player they needed to sign and he has a new two-year deal. He should be a solid player in a very youthful midfield.
Jordan Russell is a player who does not have a regular spot in the Carlton team. He was on his way to Port Adelaide but a trade could not be made. If they are going to pay him then they must be planning to play him in 2007.
Simon Wiggins also has a new contract. He is another borderline player there, and will compete with players like Fisher for a spot around half forward.
These players join Thornton who signed recently. Carlton are supposed to have salary-space for a preseason pick but after these signings it might not be enough if there is a star available in the preseason draft.
61) Western Bulldogs:
Leigh Adams. 176cm, 83kg (Eastern Ranges)
Picked here in recent drafts: Mathew Stokes, Heath James, Michael Rischitelli, Mick Martyn, Callan Beasy, Tim Finocchiaro
62) Melbourne:
Jarryn Geary. 182cm, 78kg (Bendigo Pioneers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Matthew Egan, Daniel Sipthorp, Damon White, Ben Johnson
63) Collingwood [from Fre via Rich]:
Zac Millar. 182cm, 86kg (North Adelaide)
Picked here in recent drafts: Phillip Raymond, James Gwilt, Glen Bowyer, Marc Bullen
64) Adelaide:
Sam Jacobs. 199cm, 101kg (Woodville-West Torrens)
Picked here in recent drafts: Luke Forsyth, Shane Morrison, Nick Malceski, Daniel McAlister, Mark Gale, Cameron Bruce, Andrew Shipp
65) Sydney:
Jake Williams. 178cm, 71kg (Calder Cannons)
Picked here in recent drafts: Mark Graham, Craig Callaghan, Lochlan Veale, Justin Cicolella, Lee Walker
66) Western Bulldogs [from WCE]:
Grant Weeks. 189cm, 89kg (Bendigo Pioneers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Austin Lacy, Ryan Ferguson, Scott Thornton, Ryan Hargrave, Nathan D Brown
67) Carlton:
Lachlan George. 181cm, 71kg (North Ballarat Rebels)
Picked here in recent drafts: Toby Stribling, Steven Alessio, Graham Johncock, Robert Shirley, Brett Backwell
68) Essendon:
James Hawksley. 187, 72kg (Peel Thunder)
Picked here in recent drafts: Heath Neville, Ben Schwarze, James Begley, Chris Hyde, Tony Delaney, Simon Eastaugh
69) Kangaroos:
Rhyce Prismall. 188cm, 88kg (Western Jets)
Picked here in recent drafts: Timothy Hutchison, Daniel Haines, Jordan Bannister, Matthew McCarthy, Bill Nicholls,
70) Brisbane:
Dean Dick. 190cm, 94kg (Perth)
Picked here in recent drafts: Jonathan Giles, Brent Hartigan, Matthew Lokan, Wayde Skipper, Brett Allison
71) Port Adelaide:
Shane Edwards. 180cm, 70kg (North Adelaide)
Picked here in recent drafts: Justin Sweeney, Brian Harris, Daniel Lowther, Simon Feast
72) Hawthorn: Matthew Virgo
73) Geelong: Evan Duryea
74) Richmond: Ben Ross
75) St. Kilda: Colin Garland
76) Collingwood: Nick Paine
77) Western Bulldogs: Patrick Fittock
78) Melbourne: Jonathan Wells
79) Fremantle: Brad Dick
80) Adelaide: Daniel Caire
81) Sydney: Peter Faulks
82) West Coast: Jarrod Harbrow
Click here for details on picks 72 to 82.
The Saints wanted a ruckman and they got a ruckman, and if Michael Gardiner can play at his best then the Saints could be in another Grand Final.
But even if Gardiner doesn't get back to his form from 2 or 3 seasons back he will still help. If he averages 10 hitouts and 1 goal per game it will be an improvement on what the Saints had last season. Those stats, which he can easily reach in 2007, would have put him at number 1 for hitouts at the Saints last season and number 4 on the goals list there.
During his exile with Claremont in 2006, Gardiner averaged 19.3 hitouts per game. In one game he had 37 hitouts, in another game he accumulated 25 possessions and also 25 hitouts, his season-high for goals was 7 in a game. So he can still play. His stats for the Eagles were not that bad either, he averaged 17.3 hitouts in 3 games for 2006.
Possibly Gardiner and Koschitzke could rotate through the ruck and also as a third tall forward. With teams having to put quality defenders on Riewoldt and Gehrig, adding another tall option there for the Saints might bring about some mismatches as few teams have three tall defenders that are good enough. Gardiner and Koschitzke have had their share of injuries and splitting the load might keep them healthy throughout the season.
The Saints also have Rix, Ackland and Brooks, although one or two might be delisted. So there is no reason why the Saints can't keep Gardiner healthy throughout the year. They need him in September, so with their ruck depth Gardiner won't be overused.
The Saints also get Gardiner on a one-year deal. He will have incentive to play well and to follow team rules. A big 2007 season for Gardiner could mean a lucrative contract after that.
Gardiner could have a salary that is a third of Everitt's, so the Saints have a bargain. They also worked pick 43 into both Gardiner and Birss during trade week. Birss is worth pick 43 anyway, so the Saints got another bargain there.
"I'm excited about coming to Melbourne, and the new start", Gardiner said after the trade was completed. Saints' fans should also be excited as they had a contender last season and can now add Gardiner to it as well as a healthy Hayes and Koschitzke.
72) Hawthorn:
Matthew Virgo. 176cm, 85kg (Subiaco)
Picked here in recent drafts: Adrian Deluca, Brad Fisher, Tristen Walker, Robert Forster-Knight
73) Geelong:
Evan Duryea. 180cm, 73kg (Woolgoolga)
Picked here in recent drafts: Chris Bryan, Shane Tuck, Ross Funcke, Ryan Houlihan
74) Richmond:
Ben Ross. 177cm, 75kg (Gippsland Power)
Picked here in recent drafts: Daniel Pratt, Ricky Mott, Michael Davis, Matthew Burton, Adam Lange
75) St. Kilda:
Colin Garland. 193cm, 84kg (North Hobart)
Picked here in recent drafts: Stephen Kenna, Sam Cranage, Robert Powell, Dale Baynes, Ken McGregor
76) Collingwood:
Nick Paine. 178cm, 85kg (Ainslie)
Picked here in recent drafts: Andrew Raines (father/son pick), Jared Poulton, Rupert Betheras
77) Western Bulldogs:
Patrick Fittock. 184cm, 71kg (Southern Districts)
Picked here in recent drafts: Anthony Raso, Martin McGrath, Lindsay Smith, Adrian Cox
78) Melbourne:
Jonathan Wells. 174cm, 73 kg (Clarence)
Picked here in recent drafts: Ty Zantuck
79) Fremantle:
Brad Dick. 184cm, 78kg (East Fremantle)
Picked here in recent drafts: Simon Fletcher, Karl Norman, Hamish Simpson, Balraj Singh, Ray Hall
80) Adelaide:
Daniel Caire. 175cm, 71kg (West Adelaide)
Picked here in recent drafts: Hugh Foott, Mitchell Craig, Jeremy Dukes, Brodie Atkinson
81) Sydney:
Peter Faulks. 193cm, 72kg (Calder Cannons)
Picked here in recent drafts: Kyle Archibald, David Johnson, Troy Makepeace, Jacob Anstey
82) West Coast:
Jarrod Harbrow. 177cm, 71kg (Murray Bushrangers)
Picked here in recent drafts: Daniel Wulf, Nick Stone
Here is an early AFL mock draft, delisted AFL players are not included in this mock but will be in the next update, the order for picks has been changed due to trade week. Players like Makepeace, Hart, Roach and Kellaway could nominate for the national draft. That is where the Bulldogs got Montgomery last season, pick 55 in the 2005 national draft.
This mock draft countdown will continue for the next week. Feel free to include a comment about a player who could be added to the list. Remember that there are 100 or more players that the AFL clubs will be considering. With Cox, Sandilands, Pearce and others getting taken in past rookie drafts it shows that everyone can miss a prospect.
For this list, it also includes some of the players who were drafted at that spot in previous seasons. Many teams pass when they have late picks, so for the picks listed here some of them don’t have many players from recent years to compare with them. Richmond and Carlton did find some players at the end of drafts. This season, depending on further delistings, teams like the Kangaroos and Lions could have picks after a lot of teams have finished drafting.
ROUND 1
1. Carlton
2. Essendon
3. Kangaroos
4. Brisbane Lions
5. Port Adelaide
6. Hawthorn
7. Geelong
8. Collingwood
9. St Kilda
10. Collingwood
11. W/Bulldogs
12. Melbourne
13. Richmond
14. Adelaide
15. Sydney
16. West Coast
PRIORITY
17. Carlton
18. Essendon
ROUND 2
19. Carlton
20. Essendon
21. Kangaroos
22. Brisbane Lions
23. Port Adelaide
24. Hawthorn
25. Geelong
26. Richmond
27. St Kilda
28. Collingwood
29. West Coast
30. Melbourne
31. Fremantle
32. Adelaide
33. Hawthorn
34. Brisbane Lions
ROUND 3
35. Carlton
36. Essendon
37. Kangaroos
38. Brisbane Lions
39. Port Adelaide
40. Hawthorn
41. Geelong
42. Essendon
43. West Coast
44. Collingwood
45. W/Bulldogs
46. Melbourne
47. Essendon
48. Adelaide
49. Sydney
50. West Coast
ROUND 4
51. Carlton
52. Fremantle
53. Kangaroos
54. Brisbane Lions
55. Port Adelaide
56. Hawthorn
57. Geelong
58. Richmond
59. St Kilda
60. Richmond
61. W/Bulldogs
62. Melbourne
63. Collingwood
64. Adelaide
65. Sydney
66. W/Bulldogs
ROUND 5
67. Carlton
68. Essendon
69. Kangaroos
70. Brisbane Lions
71. Port Adelaide
72. Hawthorn
73. Geelong
74. Richmond
75. St Kilda
76. Collingwood
77. W/Bulldogs
78. Melbourne
79. Fremantle
80. Adelaide
81. Sydney
82. West Coast
ROUND 6
83. Carlton
84. Essendon
85. Kangaroos
86. Brisbane Lions
87. Port Adelaide
88. Hawthorn
89. Geelong
90. Richmond
91. St Kilda
92. Collingwood
93. W/Bulldogs
94. Melbourne
95. Fremantle
96. Adelaide
97. Sydney
98. West Coast
Amount of picks will depend on number of delistings and retirements.
Teams can also elevate rookies to their senior list.
Round 3 picks for Hawthorn and Geelong will be used on father/son picks.
1 Hawthorn: Chris Judd (was pick 3 in actual draft)
2 St Kilda: David Hale (7)
3 West Coast: Luke Hodge (1)
4 Fremantle: Brian Harris (71)
5 St Kilda: Nick Del Santo (13)
6 West Coast: Ashley Hansen (38)
7 Kangaroos: Luke Ball (2)
8 Geelong: James Bartel (8)
9 Melbourne: Sam Mitchell (36)
10 Western Bulldogs: Matt Maguire (21)
11 Collingwood: Brent Reilly (12)
12 Adelaide: Andrew Welsh (47)
13 St Kilda: Lewis Roberts-Thomson (29)
14 Kangaroos: Damon White (62)
15 Port Adelaide: Adam Schneider (60)
16 Hawthorn: Graham Polak (4)
17 Geelong: Brad Miller (55)
18 Essendon: Xavier Clarke (5)
19 Brisbane: Dane Swan (58)
20 Hawthorn: Jason Gram (19)
21 St Kilda: Campbell Brown (32)
22 West Coast: Steve Johnson (24)
23 Geelong: Joel Reynolds (31)
24 Geelong: Steven Armstrong (25)
25 Melbourne: Paul Medhurst (56)
26 Melbourne: Mark Seaby (22)
27 Collingwood: Chris Hyde (68)
28 Sydney: James Kelly (17)
29 Sydney: Ashley Sampi (6)
30 Kangaroos: Barry Brooks (15)
31 Essendon: Sam Power (10)
32 Hawthorn: Rick Ladson (16)
33 Richmond: David Johnson (81)
34 Essendon: Henry Playfair (41)
35 Brisbane: Charlie Gardiner (23)
36 Hawthorn: Leigh Montagna (37)
37 St Kilda: David Rodan (33)
38 West Coast: Matthew McCarthy (69)
39 Carlton: Tristen Walker (72)
40 Geelong: Gary Ablett (Father/son pick)
41 Geelong: Jared Poulton (76)
42 Western Bulldogs: Mark McGough (43)
43 Collingwood: Justin Davies (39)
44 Adelaide: Kieran McGuinness (42)
45 Brisbane: Simon Cox (48)
46 Carlton: Jarrad Waite (Father/son pick)
47 Essendon: Ricky Mott (74)
48 Hawthorn: Ben Finnin (44)
49 St Kilda: Richard Cole (11)
50 Essendon: Paul Salmon (50)
Here is another AFL draft redone, the 2001 "super draft". In brackets is the pick the players were actually drafted at.
There was talent available all through this draft, even into the 70s. West Coast were lucky to get Judd in 2001, and looking at where they got Hansen that year it shows how important this draft was to them. There is plenty of time for the players taken in this draft to improve, and maybe in a couple of years players like Polak and Sampi will be playing at the level that was expected of them. Geelong once again won with the father/son rule, Ablett might be the second best player on the list and they got him at pick 40.
Ben Hart thinks that he can still play another season or two. He might be right, he has a Tuck-like build and Hart has played 100 fewer games than the Hawthorn legend. Adelaide have announced that they won’t bring him back, and it doesn’t look like they will change their mind, so if Hart decides to keep playing and does get picked up in a draft which team will it be?
Adelaide: Maybe they end up keeping him, or drafting him back. Stranger things have happened before in the AFL.
Brisbane: Sunny weather, plenty of playing time, a veteran coach, plenty of reasons to play for Brisbane. Team may struggle on the park though.
Carlton: May not want to be part of the current Carlton side.
Collingwood: Hart is only a couple of years older than Clement, and is younger than Buckley, so Hart would fit right into their veteran group. A spot might be available depending on what happens with Wakelin and the Clokes.
Essendon: Would provide an extra veteran in the backline so there might be a chance of Essendon doing it.
Fremantle: The Dockers have added Solomon to their large collection of quality backs. No room for Hart.
Geelong: They do need someone who knows how to win.
Hawthorn: A team of young stars that could use an experienced player to guide them. The Hawks don’t have premiership-winning experience on their list, Hart could provide this.
Kangaroos: Not the highest profile team to play for. Are only looking to add youth too.
Melbourne: The Demons have solid depth in that spot so no room to add him.
Port Adelaide: Hard to picture Hart playing for the Power, and against the Crows, but it could happen. A logical move as the Power have lost several veteran defenders, and Hart would not have to relocate.
Richmond: Kellaway and Stafford are gone, so the only over 30s there are Richardson and Gaspar. Hart would be a useful addition on and off the field.
St Kilda: They do lose Peckett from the backline and Hart might be an improvement over him. Some uncertainty over how long Maguire will take to get back too, this could be a place for Hart.
Sydney: Everitt is currently their only player 30 or over. Although Kirk, Hall and O’Loughlin will be there soon. A contender like the Swans might want the insurance of a veteran defender like Hart.
West Coast: They are loaded with talent, and if Staker and Graham can’t get into the team then Hart might not be a regular either.
Western Bulldogs: May not be able to keep up with the speedy Bulldogs.
Tarrant was the big move, and everyone involved in that trade got what they needed. The Dockers got the player to help Pavlich get to the Grand Final, the Magpies added another Top 10 draft pick and the Tigers got big Polak. The Magpies also get Medhurst and he should provide some goals. The Dockers added Dean Solomon with a later deal.
In other trades, Everitt did get to Sydney and the Saints also added a ruckman with Michael Gardiner. Earlier in the week the Saints acquired Shane Birss. The Bulldogs had as good a week as anyone in trade week with the additions of Akermanis and McDougall.
The teams that traded all got something useful out of the deals, those that sat out the trading missed out on an opportunity to improve. Hawthorn said they offered picks 24 and 33 to Carlton for Thornton, and the preseason draft will show if this was an offer they needed to accept.
Trades:
Collingwood: Paul Medhurst, picks 8 and 63
Fremantle: Chris Tarrant, pick 42
Richmond: Graham Polak, pick 13, pick 60
Polak is a big body that the Tigers need, he can replace Stafford. Richmond didn’t spend a lot getting him either.
Fremantle were one game from the Grand Final, Tarrant has played in the big one before and that is what the Dockers are aiming for next season.
The Magpies were the only team to add an extra first round pick, there will be huge benefits from this but they are several years away.
Fremantle: Dean Solomon, pick 52
Essendon: picks 42 and 47
Fremantle get a player who has won the Grand Final before, and that experience will be welcomed to their backline. The addition of Solomon will also allow a player like Mundy to go into the midfield for the Dockers.
Essendon kept Jason Johnson, they would have let Solomon go into the preseason draft but at the last minutes got something useful for him.
Sydney: Peter Everitt
Hawthorn: pick 33
Sydney did well, Everitt is worth more than pick 33, he should keep the Swans playing deep into September for the next couple of years.
Hawthorn made the right move by taking the pick, they already have a father/son selected and now have another pick to use.
Bulldogs: Jason Akermanis
Brisbane: pick 34
The Bulldogs didn’t pay a lot for the best player traded this week. They are now Victoria’s best AFL team.
Brisbane would have been in trouble if they didn’t trade Akermanis, pick 34 will give them another shot in the draft and the salary saved allowed them to bring back Daniel Bradshaw.
Bulldogs: Andrew McDougall, picks 34 and 66
West Coast: picks 29 and 59
The Bulldogs have always needed some big forwards, but in 2007 they will get a healthy Murphy and Darcy and will now add big McDougall.
West Coast were not going to keep McDougall, there was no spot for him with Lynch there, so they improved their drafting position by dealing him.
St Kilda: Shane Birss
Bulldogs: pick 59
Ross Lyon seems very happy to have Birss, and said he will replace some of the things that Powell and Peckett did. The Saints will rotate plenty of midfielders during the game and Birss should have a regular spot on the team.
Birss was one of a large number of Bulldogs midfielders and would not have played many games if he did stay there.
St Kilda: Michael Gardiner, pick 59
West Coast: pick 43
Pick 59 did a lot more during trade week than quite a few AFL teams. It started at the Saints and returned there with Gardiner. Gardiner is the ruckman that Lyon wanted.
West Coast were happy to let Gardiner walk, they again improved their draft spot so it was a bonus for them.
Adelaide: No trades. May have talked about Playfair or Faulkner but nothing happened.
Brisbane: Had to trade Akermanis and got this out of the way early. Signed Bradshaw and hope to keep Notting and McDonald. Keating was not traded and will go elsewhere in a draft.
Carlton: Could lose Russell and/or Thornton. Missed out on Polak through the preseason draft. Didn’t make any trades and didn’t seem to try a lot. Still have pick 1, and other picks. Maybe they concentrate on Notting for the preseason pick, unless they are really willing to bring back Thornton.
Collingwood: Nearly went after Steve Johnson but may be worried about his health. Medhurst will be a good addition to the Magpies’ forward line and will have a bigger role than he did with Fremantle. Pick 8 is a great return for Tarrant, now the Magpies have to make sure they select the right player with it. Didn't trade any Clokes which is somewhat of a surprise.
Essendon: Looked like they were sitting this one out, but managed to trade Solomon right at the last second. They talked about Milne and Steve Johnson but nothing happened.
Fremantle: They have had success with trading for premiership players like Peter Bell and Josh Carr, and Solomon is another player with experience. Tarrant is a sure thing, as opposed to pick 8, and Fremantle will be happy they have him. They kept him away from the Eagles as well. If you consider that Polak, Medhurst and their draft picks were not part of the Dockers’ success last season, then they have added Tarrant and Solomon to their team that finished top 4 and have not lost a player that was playing for them in September.
Geelong: They talked a lot but Geelong will have the same coach and the same players next season. One change is Kingsley is gone and they will have Tom Hawkins in his place next season.
Hawthorn: The Hawks have a young team and wanted to keep it together, they achieved this and also got value for Everitt at the last moments of trading. Pick 33 can be used on another young player.
Kangaroos: Delisted Troy Makepeace, but didn’t trade.
Melbourne: Had a little look at Jason Johnson but kept quiet most of the week.
Port Adelaide: May yet get Jordan Russell through the preseason draft. Couldn’t make a trade with Carlton for him.
Richmond: Should be very happy with what they did. Moved down 5 spots in the draft for Polak, but with a draft that has quality up to the 30s that is not a big deal. Getting Polak here also means they can still use their preseason selection on another player.
St Kilda: It didn’t cost a lot for them to add two players who could play every game next season. All they really sent out was pick 43 and they now have the type of ruckman they wanted as well as another onballer. Gardiner is on a 1-year deal so if it doesn’t work it won’t hurt them.
Sydney: Traded first rounders for Jolly and Richards in previous years, getting Everitt, who is better than both of them, for only a second rounder is a steal.
West Coast: Made some small moves that got them ahead of the Dockers in some rounds of the draft, but in the end that didn’t matter as Fremantle traded a lot of their picks. In the end they moved up 5 spots with one pick and also turned number 66 into number 43, they did this by trading players that they were not going to keep anyway.
Western Bulldogs: They won trade week as soon as Akermanis said he only wanted them. McDougall was just an added bonus, and whether he is important for them or Werribee is still to be determined, but the Bulldogs are just happy to have another tall to choose from.
After a week of talking, and only action during the last hour, there are four teams that are favourites for the Top 4 now. West Coast obviously after their win, Sydney would have been there without Everitt but with him they are even better, the Dockers are playing to win now and Tarrant improves them. Adelaide didn't address their ruck situation while the Bulldogs added Akermanis, that probably puts the Bulldogs ahead of the Crows next season, especially when the Bulldogs get back Darcy while the Crows lose two ruckmen.
It is being reported that Chris Tarrant has been sent to the Dockers, Collingwood get pick 8 and Medhurst. The Dockers got pick 8 to give to Collingwood from Richmond, with Polak going to the Tigers.
Richmond will trade pick 8 and pick 42, and they get Polak, pick 13 and pick 60. Collingwood also get pick 63.
Medhurst should have a role beside Rocca in the forward line, but the extra pick will be of great value for the Magpies.
Dockers also got Solomon and pick 52 with Essendon receiving picks 42 and 47.
Collingwood have pick 8 and pick 10 and they can get a future star with both picks.
Troy Makepeace has been delisted by the Kangaroos.
McGough will be delisted by the Saints but St Kilda will be acquiring Gardiner from the Eagles.
The Saints get Gardiner and pick 59, the Eagles get pick 43. Pick 59 went from the Saints, to the Bulldogs, to the Eagles and now back to the Saints.
Everitt will get to Sydney, pick 33 to the Hawks.
Will post analysis of all official trades later in the day.
Ross Lyon mentioned he wanted to add another ruckman to the Saints. The following list has the ruckmen from last season who met his requirements, with a per game average that would have equalled 200-plus hitouts.
1 Darren Jolly
2 Aaron Sandilands
3 Dean Cox
4 Peter Street
5 Jamie Charman
6 Peter Everitt
7 Brendon Lade
8 Troy Simmonds
9 Jeff White
10 David Hille
11 Michael Gardiner
12 Matthew Clarke
13 Barnaby French
14 Trent Knobel
15 Clark Keating
16 Brad Ottens
17 Beau McDonald
18 Robert Campbell
19 Rhett Biglands
20 Steven King
21 Josh Fraser
22 Mark Blake
23 Mark Seaby
24 Wade Skipper
25 Dean Brogan
26 Stephen Doyle
27 David Hale
28 Simon Taylor
29 Ivan Maric
29 Guy Richards
29 Michael Rix
32 Will Minson
33 Mark Jamar
34 Cameron Wood
35 Paul Chambers
36 Cain Ackland
Rix, Ackland and Jason Blake were ranked, by average, at 29th, 36th and 37th. Although Blake’s numbers would not translate into more than 200 hitouts. Koschitzke and Brooks also should be mentioned but for the stats from last season they did not make the list.
Gardiner, Everitt and Clark Keating are all available to acquire by the Saints and are in the top 15 for average hitouts. Everitt led the league in average hitouts in seasons 2005 and 2004, while Gardiner was 2nd in the league in 2003 for hitouts per game. Beau McDonald can also be added to the list of ruckmen who could be traded or picked up in the preseason draft.
Adelaide is going to be without the 31 hitouts per game provided by Clarke and Biglands, a hole that could be filled by Maric, Hudson and Meesen.
This list does show the value of a quality ruckman in terms of hitouts, the top 3 ruckmen on the list played for 3 of the top 4 teams.
The more draft picks a team has the better chance they have at finding a future star. In 2000 the Eagles had to get something of value for Fraser Gehrig who was going back to Victoria. They got a player and a second round pick, and a premiership.
Gehrig was traded to the Saints, and would join the top 2 picks of the 2000 draft, Riewoldt and Koschitzke. The Eagles picked up Sierakowski and pick 18.
West Coast used pick 4 on McDougall, they traded some other picks and also drafted Jeremy Humm at number 36. They didn’t get a lot from those picks.
But the Eagles did get value with the pick from the Saints, it was used to select Daniel Kerr.
So if Collingwood don’t think pick 13 is enough for Tarrant, maybe they can look at this example of a team trading an athletic forward and taking back a pick. Without the player they took with the pick, the Eagles may not have won this season.
When Sheedy takes Essendon into the AFL Grand Final he always makes sure he has a designated enforcer. A physical act has turned the momentum of a Grand Final before and Sheedy knows it is better to give than receive. But did Sheedy have a tougher team in the 80s than he did in 2000, and who would win if Dean Wallis and Roger Merrett went at it?
One thing this imaginary game would have is two forward lines with a lot of marking power. Lloyd, Lucas, Hird and Barnard at one end and Salmon, Terry Daniher, Van Der Harr and Big Roger down the other end. The 1985 team kicked 26 goals in the Grand Final, the 2000 Grand Final team kicked 19 goals from its 40 scoring shots.
If you are playing against Salmon, who played as a forward a lot of the time for Sheedy, you need a defender with long arms to stop him. The 2000 team had Dustin Fletcher, probably the ideal opponent for Salmon. Wallis against Merrett is something that would entertain. The 1985 team also had Terry Daniher and Paul Van Der Harr, with Wellman and Solomon as their opponents.
Hird is a tough matchup, if he played as a forward then Harvey or Duckworth might be the best option. If Hird played in the middle then a matchup with Timmy could occur. That move of Hird onto the ball might have happened because Watson would be too good for Misiti.
Sheedy also had some great small forwards in both eras. Bewick might have been the best on these teams, but Ezard, Baker and Moorcroft were also very effective.
While there are a lot of even matchups all over the ground it is the ruck spot that would give the 1985 team the advantage. Barnes and Alessio were both veterans at this stage of their careers but they would have no chance against Madden.
The game would have a lot of marks and plenty of goals, maybe a few reports too, and at the end of it the 1985 Essendon side might be just a goal in front of the 2000 team.
2000 FF: D. Bewick, M. Lloyd, P. Barnard
1985 FB: M. Thompson, P. Weston, G. Foulds
2000 HF: M. Mercuri, S. Lucas, J. Hird
1985 HB: B. Duckworth, K. Walsh, M. Harvey
2000 C: M. Long, J. Misiti, B. Caracella
1985 C: B. Wood, T. Watson, N. Clarke
2000 HB: D. Solomon, S. Wellman, D. Wallis
1985 HF: P. Van Der Haar, T. Daniher, R. Merrett
2000 FB: M. Johnson, D. Fletcher, D. Hardwick
1985 FF: L. Baker, P. Salmon, A. Ezard
00 Foll: J. Barnes, J. Johnson, J. Blumfield
85 Foll: S. Madden, D. Williams, T. Elshaug
00 bench: S. Alessio, G. Moorcroft, A. Ramanauskas, C. Heffernan
85 bench: S. Carey, G. Hawker, (S. Heard, M. Neagle: in 85 only had 2 on bench)
The Bulldogs are the only team making moves right now, there have been three trades so far and they were in all of them.
Birss is officially a Saint. The Bulldogs could be getting Akermanis for the low price of pick 34, that is the reported trade and will likely become official soon. The Bulldogs get pick 34 to give to the Lions, and also pick 66 and Andrew McDougall, from the Eagles for picks 29 and 61.
Brisbane didn’t want to be stuck with Akermanis and his salary next season so when the trade goes through it will free up a spot and some money for the Lions. Pick 34 could still be useful, and the Lions might be able to find a local midfielder with that pick.
The Eagles didn’t get a lot for McDougall, but importantly they moved ahead of the Dockers for two rounds of the draft. Both teams will have scouted the WA players and the Eagles could draft a local with a pick two spots ahead of the Dockers now, instead of being three picks behind Fremantle in rounds 2 and 4.
Fremantle are the team that could add Tarrant and Solomon, and Polak could go to Richmond. It could be Fremantle’s pick 13 for Tarrant. Essendon may want a higher pick than the Dockers’ 3rd rounder for Solomon but that could be the deal that eventually gets done.
Hawthorn may have offered Carlton their 2nd and 3rd round picks for Thornton, that could be a good deal for the Blues but right now they seem disinterested. Picks 24 and 40 have value, and that would be a lot better than nothing for Thornton. Russell could have an easier time being traded, he wants to go back to SA, the Power may be offering a draft pick to Carlton for him.
The Saints made the small move with Birss but nothing else is happening there now. They won’t be getting Jason Johnson, who signed a new contract with Essendon, and the Saints have also said they won’t trade Fiora or Milne. The Saints did say they wanted to acquire a ruckman but they haven’t found one yet.
Everitt could be headed to the preseason draft, and Hawthorn are not too worried about that. Sydney might have to increase their offer tomorrow, but maybe their 2nd rounder gets it done.
Steve Johnson still looks like he will end up at Collingwood, the deal may be for a 2nd rounder. Playfair might be heading to Adelaide, the Crows need some more forwards and it is possible that they won’t be keeping Welsh.
The trading officially ends at 2:00pm tomorrow, and the official trades will be announced during the day by the AFL.
So far there have been 1.5 trades announced, with Birss to the Saints for pick 59, and Akermanis going to the Bulldogs but the draft picks the Lions receive have not been announced.
A few players are said to have selected a specific team to be traded to, or else they go into the preseason draft. Thornton to Hawthorn, Polak to Richmond, Russell to Port and Everitt to Sydney.
Steve Johnson is probably on his way out of Geelong, the Cats have missed out on Daniel Bradshaw but may have interest in Medhurst of Fremantle.
There was a big rumour of McLeod leaving Adelaide but the Crows have announced that is not correct. Adelaide may also be a team after Cameron Faulkner.
Essendon will be keeping Jason Johnson, but Solomon is likely gone.
In 24 hours there will be a rush of AFL trades, along with the stories of the ones that just missed out. Why the clubs wait to the end, use old fax machines or select the club's oldest official to run and submit the official trade papers a minute before the deadline is always a mystery.
But right now it seems that the Polak trade is holding up a lot of other things. Fremantle have to trade Polak before going after Tarrant, Collingwood want to have Tarrant traded before going after Steve Johnson, Geelong are waiting to see what they get for Johnson before talking to other teams.
Collingwood may be hoping that Fremantle can give them pick 8, from Richmond, instead of pick 13 but either pick is high enough for the Magpies to land a star prospect. Depending on what player they are after, they could be available at pick 13 anyway.
One day to go and everyone will know where Tarrant, the Clokes, a lot of Lions, McDougall and many others will be playing in 2007.
Hawthorn needed a ruckman and Darren Jarman wanted out. Essendon needed some depth and had Salmon who needed a change. Adelaide wanted to bring back a local star.
Adelaide would get two premierships from the trade, Essendon would win one and Hawthorn had a resurgence due to adding some quality players.
Adelaide finally had Jarman, but it didn't stop there. As a smaller part of the deal they traded Paul Rouvray to Sydney for Peter Caven. Both were important players when Adelaide went back-to-back in 97 and 98. Jarman was the star in both Grand Finals, kicking 6 goals against the Saints and 5 against the Kangaroos.
Hawthorn would add Paul Salmon from Essendon, and with a draft pick acquired in the deal they would draft Daniel Chick. Darren Kappler also joined the Hawks.
Essendon looked like they missed out, at the time Sean Wellman was not well known and Barnard had not done a lot at Hawthorn. But Wellman would become an important defender for the Bombers and played in their 2000 team. Barnard not only played in the 2000 Grand Final as well, but he kicked 4 goals that day.
This is what AFL trade week should be about, teams having the courage to do the trades that will improve their teams.
The first officially completed trade is Shane Birss going to the Saints and pick 59 going to the Bulldogs.
Birss was not going to get many games with the Bulldogs next season so trading him to a team where he has a chance to play is a good gesture. Pick 59 won't be that great, but as the Bulldogs could be trading away picks for Akermanis and McDougall they needed to get another pick even if it was late. But a late pick is also something they can roll the dice on, they may end up with someone who never plays a game or they may get a future star, it happens and the Bulldogs know as they took Chris Grant with the 8th last pick in 1988.
Birss played his last AFL game for the Bulldogs against the Saints and now he will be playing for them. Birss can replace another ex-Bulldog there as Stephen Powell has retired.
The Saints picked up a young player who has the experience of 51 games, it only cost them pick 59 so they should be happy with that.
Birss has averaged 12 possessions game over his career, he had his best year in 2004 with 19 possessions a game. If it wasn't for some injuries along the way he could have cemented his spot in the Bulldogs team. He gets twice as many free kicks as he gives away, is a good tackler and has some marking ability for a smaller player. Depending on what happens with delistings and trades, Birss could play a lot next season, and should be a player that has attributes that Ross Lyon is looking for.
The Saints signed a coach and will now focus on acquiring players. Onballer Shane Birss of the Bulldogs could be going to the Saints.
The Bulldogs are still talking about Andrew McDougall and the Eagles may be accepting a 3rd rounder for him. The Bulldogs may also be talking to teams about Sam Power, but not Brisbane although that would make sense with his brother there.
The Eagles may not be getting Tarrant, but Fremantle are still trying to get him. Collingwood could replace Tarrant with Steve Johnson, but Essendon and Port Adelaide are also after Johnson. While the Cats were quiet about Johnson earlier in the week they seem ready to trade him now. Playfair is another Cat who could be traded as there are no opportunities at Geelong for him.
Bradshaw will be staying with Brisbane. Shane Tuck could be leaving Richmond.
The Kangaroos are not doing a lot but they have been linked to the Crows' midfielder Skipworth. Laidley said that Skipworth was at the club for a medical and a chat. But Laidley also said, "We are pretty quiet", so don't expect a big trade with the Kangaroos involved. But they might be able to get someone with pick 3 in the preseason draft. Laidley said they have "plenty of money to spend in the preseason draft".
For the West Coast Eagles the AFL Draft of 2001 was definitely a super draft. They added Judd, Seaby and Hansen who are now premiership players. The Eagles also picked Sampi in this draft. While it was a selection by Melbourne, Steven Armstrong was also taken in the 2001 draft.
The Swans also picked up a couple of players who helped them win, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Adam Schneider.
Gary Ablett and Jarrod Waite were father/son picks but both could have gone top 10. Geelong didn't just add Ablett, they also drafted Bartel, Kelly, Gardiner, S Johnson, Playfair, McCarthy and D Johnson. That is nearly a quarter of their team.
Hawthorn had the first pick and took Hodge, they also drafted Sam Mitchell and Campbell Brown with later picks. The Saints took another Luke before Judd, Luke Ball at number 2. Xavier Clarke, Nick Del Santo, Matt Maguire and Leigh Montagna are other current Saints who were taken in this draft. The Power took Barry Brooks at pick 15, the Lions drafted Jason Gram at 19 and they would also join St Kilda at a later time.
The Bulldogs got Sam Power early, at number 10, but did even better picking late when they drafted Brian Harris with pick 71.
Melbourne and Collingwood didn't have a super first round, with Molan and Cole. But Melbourne did find Brad Miller at pick 55 and Collingwood picked Dane Swan at 58.
All teams got something out of the draft, Fremantle picked Polak and Medhurst, Adelaide drafted Reilly, the Kangaroos added Hale, Port found Damon White at pick 62 and Essendon drafted Andrew Welsh. The Tigers traded their first pick for Stafford, and also drafted Rodan later in the draft.
If you are an Eagles or Cats supporter then it was a super draft. Sydney did well, as did the Hawks and Saints. But every team had a chance at a star and many took that chance.
But 2006 could also be as good. Leuenberger is a prospect comparable to Hale, Selwood and Hodge have similarities too. Geelong picked up Ablett in 2001 and are given star forward Hawkins in 2006. The difference between 2001 and 2006 could be that the upcoming draft will have even more talented draftees than 2001.
It is official, Ross Lyon is the Saints coach.
The Saints said they liked his "wealth of experience" and that was an important part of their decision.
"It is a time to look forward", said Lyon when asked about the Saints' players and their previous coach.
Lyon said that he will bring a new system and structure. He also wanted "another 200plus hitout ruckman".
His priority right now is to get into the trade activity. One player has been mentioned as a possible St Kilda player and that is Birss from the Bulldogs.
Collingwood had Saverio and when Anthony Rocca was also added to their forward line it seemed like a good idea. But while the brothers were alike in their kicking range and build they also seemed to lead to the same spots, there just wasn't enough room for both of them. It became apparent that one would be traded and Saverio was on the way out.
The Sav rumours filled trade week for a number of years. He was nearly traded but Collingwood didn’t pull the trigger on any deal that was offered. In 2000, instead of bringing him back to the Magpies they delisted him.
The Kangaroos thought Rocca was worth pick 30 in the 2000 National Draft. Collingwood could have at least traded for that pick. While the Magpies made some good picks after number 30, picking up Lonie and Richards, there was plenty of talent available late. McPhee, Johncock, Cross, Buchanon and Corey Jones were players taken later in the draft.
Saverio still had plenty of goals left in him. The Kangaroos got a lot of value from him, he kicked goals and was a fan favourite.
The Magpies may have learned their lesson, if you are not going to keep a player then trade him while their value is up. Tarrant could be another Sav story if he isn’t traded this week, as he would surely be a big name in the 2007 AFL trade week when his contract has expired.
The Saints had their big three with Longmire, Bond and McKenna. But leaping over them to get the Saints coaching spot is rumoured to be Ross Lyon.
The former Fitzroy player has coached at various teams and, like Longmire, is currently an assistant to Roos at Sydney.
There could be an official announcement today.
While a Lyon was tipped as a possible coach, it was originally thought Gary Lyon was a chance.
Ross Lyon played with Roos at Fitzroy and nearly went to Sydney to play with him, but the Swans didn't have salary room to add Lyon.
After a short time playing with Brisbane, Ross Lyon went into coaching. He assisted Walls, Pagan and Roos.
Lyon will be looking to bring Sydney's success to the Saints, his first task could be adding a ruckman as that is where the Saints struggle.
If there was something that was guaranteed to entertain the Kangaroos supporters of the 1980s it was the Krakouer brothers. Phil to Jimmy for a goal was a highlight of every game. This can’t be replicated exactly, but it would not be a bad idea to try.
Andrew Krakouer may be traded by Richmond. Like a lot of forwards before him in yellow and black, he hasn’t been able to team effectively with Richardson and get the Tigers into the finals. There are rumours of Krakouer leaving and the Kangaroos could be where he goes.
Nathan Krakouer, a cousin of Andrew, will be drafted this year. His predicted spot is anywhere from the second round to the last round. Krakouer is quick, and tested very well at the draft camp, and he also has experience at various levels of football. Not many people can say they captained a team that played in front of Archbishop Tutu in South Afrrica. Krakouer was listed at 182cm and 62kg for the Under 18 Championship games, so he will need a bit of time in the gym.
Richmond are interested in Polak but need to clear some money, trading Andrew Krakouer for a draft pick would help. Another option is Joel Perry, who has been linked with a trade to Richmond from the Kangaroos.
The Kangaroos probably can get Nathan with pick 37 in the draft, or at pick 21 they would get him for sure.
The Kangaroos have Thompson at full forward but they need some smaller players around him. Andrew Krakouer could play in the forward pocket, and he would improve on his 19 goals he had last season for the Tigers. Nathan Krakouer wouldn’t start right away but might make his debut sometime later in the 2007 season. Eventually he could play in the other forward pocket, or a bit further up the ground.
The Kangaroos need to create more excitement for their supporters, and two speedy Krakouers scoring goals is something that will bring in the fans.
The Bombers will get a healthy Lloyd next season, they will put him in the goal-square and watch as he kicks goals and throws grass. If the forward line has Lloyd and Lucas, and probably Hird, then Courtney Johns won’t have a spot. Johns recovered from injuries, cut his hair and was very impressive in 2006 when he got his chance. But his value for Essendon could be as a trade asset.
Johns is a full forward, the Bombers have that spot covered but other teams would trade a lot to get a prospect like Johns to fill their need in the goal-square. Fergus Watts was worth pick 17 last year, if Essendon can get something similar then they should do it.
If Adelaide offer pick 14 for Johns it is something that Essendon would have to seriously consider. They could use it on a fullback prospect, like Nathan Brown, or a midfielder, with Ricky Pettard or Brock O’Brien possibly being available there. The Crows could get the full forward they need. Ricciuto and Johns in the goal-square with plenty of space in the forward 50 would be a good combination. Both players can lead fast, mark the ball and kick it long. But Ricciuto can also play the role of a small forward, crumbing off the contests, so he would be more versatile next to Johns than Lloyd is. The Crows need a tall forward, Hentschel is injured and McGregor is out of favour.
Whichever team out of the Eagles and Dockers does not get Tarrant will have a first round pick and a need for a forward. Johns may not be a good fit next to Q with the Eagles, but the Dockers can play Pavlich anywhere and another forward might be a good idea. Solomon and Johns for pick 13 could be a good deal. The Bulldogs may get a big forward in trade very soon, taking them out of the equation for Johns, but a couple of the Bulldogs’ extra midfielders would be welcomed at Essendon if it did happen.
If Johns is brought back to Essendon it could be a frustrating time. A forward line with Lloyd, Lucas, Hird and sometimes Ryder or Hille won’t have a spot for Johns. The Bombers will try to convert him into a backman, but that often doesn’t work with full forwards. Lloyd is 28 and if he plays to Hird’s age it will be another 5 years, Johns can’t wait that long.
There hasn’t been a lot of trade talk about Johns and there has not been any mention of him getting a new contract from Essendon either. Johns has the size, 194cm and at least 94kg if not more, to be a dominating full forward in the AFL. Quick on the lead and has Fevola-range on his kicks. We may not see a lot of it at Essendon with Lloyd healthy, so a trade could be the only way that Johns reaches his potential.
Nothing official today but a lot of talk. Tarrant looks to be gone, but which WA team wins his services is not known yet.
Trevor Nesbitt, CEO of the Eagles said, "I was very surprised he was even thought about as being traded". No Eagles player were mentioned by Nesbitt, and although there was a rumour about Fletcher it seems he isn't being traded. "I doubt there will be any of our premiership players traded", said Nesbitt.
Fremantle could have a lot of trade activity later in the week. Crowley and Gilmore are some players mentioned who could go to Collingwood in a trade for Tarrant. The Magpies had success before when they acquired an underrated Dockers' defender called Clement, and the Dockers now have a surplus of defenders that may interest Collingwood.
Other players linked to Fremantle are Dean Solomon, which is somewhat surprising, as well as Brisbane's McGrath and Moody. The Dockers could be moving Polak and Medhurst, if they don't find a trade for Polak then he could enter the preseason draft. Richmond want Polak, but apparently don't have a lot of salary-cap room and need to trade some players.
Geelong could still be after Bradshaw but it may be too late as Brisbane are reported to be increasing their contract offer to him. Geelong's Steve Johnson could be going to Essendon or Collingwood. Jason Johnson could be staying with Essendon and may have been offered the two-year deal he was after.
Thornton and Russell have left Carlton, although the Blues continue to try to change their minds. Hawthorn and the Power are still their most likely destinations.
Plenty of Peter Everitt news, with the Swans, Hawks and Saints all with different versions. The Saints may or may not have offered a 2nd rounder for Everitt, and it seems that the Swans' biggest offer has been a 3rd rounder. Hawthorn did ask for Malceski. But it could all be sorted out soon as some reports have Sydney ready to trade their 2nd rounder, which Hawthorn would probably take.
The Saints are having trouble during trade week as they don't have a coach to acquire the players for. But as early as tomorrow there could be a decision, or it could be at the end of the week.
The Western Bulldogs have confirmed the rumours regarding Cameron Faulkner and Shane Birss. They are ready to play AFL but the Bulldogs are so loaded with similar-sized players that they won't be getting many senior games. So the Bulldogs will see what they can return in trade and that way the players will have a chance to play more with a new team.
The Bulldogs are still working out some minor details of the Akermanis trade, and a draft pick acquired from a trade of Faulkner or Birss could be part of that deal. The Bulldogs have also said they would like to trade for West Coast's Andrew McDougall, although Faulkner and Birss may not interest the Eagles.
There might be a spot for Faulkner with the Port Power, although they are also in trade talks with Carlton for Jordan Russell. Birss is still young, but has some experience at AFL level with over 50 games played. He would be a welcome addition to most teams.
The Bulldogs have not announced anything official about Akermanis, but when asked about the pick being a 2nd rounder a club official said that was probably correct.
The Eagles won when Worsfold was a hard-hitting backman and they won when he was their coach. Which team was better, who would win if they could play against each other? Would Cox dominate the ruck, can the present Eagles do anything against Jakovich in his prime and is Matera quicker than Judd?
It starts in the ruck with Cox and Seaby for the 2006 team and Turnbull, Hynes and Ball for the early edition. Cox would dominate, but Turnbull and Hynes would battle hard, and while Ball was an important player to the Eagles of 1994 he was more of a forward and had played less than 20 career games.
The football is tapped down and two quality midfields have to get it. Judd versus Matera, Cousins versus Kemp, Kerr versus Pyke, Mainwaring versus Stenglein. There are stars everywhere and however the matchups went it would be the highlight of the game. Difficult to give the advantage to either team.
The 1994 West Coast team scored 142 points in their Grand Final win, the 2006 version scored 85. This could be where the game is won. Lynch, Hansen, Embley and Armstrong do not have the firepower of Sumich, Heady, Evans, Lewis, Ball and Waterman.
Glass and Hunter were great in the 2006 Grand Final, but they don't compare to Jakovich, McIntosh and Brennan. Wirrpanda provides attack from the back, Guy McKenna did the same thing for the 1994 team.
The Eagles had Chick and Waters in 2006 for some rough stuff, but Peter Wilson and Worsfold the player might have been a bit stronger.
One person who might know the result to this game is Drew Banfield, he had 8 possessions in the 1994 AFL Grand Final and in the 2006 Grand Final he improved on that with 9 possessions, for this game he would start on the bench for both teams.
The new Eagles have a super ruckman who could turn the game, the 1994 team had Jakovich across halfback and the Eagles of today would have no answer for him. It would be a battle of the onballers that would decide the game, the 2006 team would need a lot more of the ball to have a chance at kicking a winning score, and that probably would not happen against Matera and the other 1994 Eagles.
How the two teams would line up is anyone's guess, but following is a possibility. Feel free to post a comment on the teams and who would win.
Winner: 1994 Eagles
2006 FF: B Jones, Q Lynch, S Armstrong
1994 FB: A McIntosh, M Brennan, D Hart
2006 HF: A Embley, A Hansen, D Kerr
1994 HB: J Worsfold, G Jakovich, G McKenna
2006 C: C Judd, C Fletcher, T Stenglein
1994 C: P Matera, D Kemp, C Mainwaring
2006 HB: D Chick, A Hunter, B Waters
1994 HF: C Lewis, J Ball, P Wilson
2006 FB: D Wirrpanda, D Glass, A Selwood
1994 FF: T Evans, P Sumich, B Heady
06 Foll: D Cox, B Cousins, M Braun
94 Foll: R Turnbull, D Pyke, C Waterman
06 bench: D Banfield, M Seaby, R Jones, S Butler
94 bench: D Banfield, D Hynes, S Bond, (M White: in 94 only had 3 on interchange)
Check back for plenty of other contests and comparisons, including:
Who Would Win: Geelong 1989 vs Sydney 2006
Who Is Better: Adam Goodes 2006 vs Corey McKernan 1997
Who Would Win: Melbourne 1988 vs Melbourne 2000
Who Is Better: Shaun Rehn 1998 vs Dean Cox 2006
The 1997 AFL season concluded and once again the Swans were going to lose a young star to a Victorian team. A year before it was Rocca to Collingwood, now Shannon Grant was going.
A lot of teams were chasing Grant, who had been the 3rd pick in the 1994 draft, and Sydney were looking to get a star player in return. Carlton were offering Fraser Brown and the deal was almost agreed to. But it wasn't easy in those days for Carlton to get Brown to agree to things, and Sydney acquired Schwass instead. Shannon Grant went to the Kangaroos and he is still there.
Fraser Brown remained an important player to Carlton and helped them get into the 1999 Grand Final, but awaiting them was Shannon Grant and the Kangaroos. Grant kicked 4 goals and helped win the game, Fraser Brown was carrying an injury and didn't have a big impact that day.
Grant is still playing, while Brown and Schwass retired long ago. While the proposed trade had a small chance of changing the 1999 Grand Final result, there are a couple more things to consider. Grant could be Carlton captain for 2007 if the trade was made, but because the trade was not made there is the chance of Fraser Brown being Carlton's future president.
Geelong have not been very active during trade week. They have been taking players off the table instead of putting out offers. The Cats are one of a large number of teams that have asked about Bradshaw, and as they have decided to see what Steve Johnson can get them, they might have a shot at the Brisbane full forward.
Steve Johnson is someone who could star in the AFL, but not with Geelong. He doesn't play a key position so that means he is in the mix with Chapman and Gary Ablett for a smaller forward position. Those two are Geelong's best two players, so no room for Johnson.
If Johnson went to Collingwood, Brisbane or the Kangaroos he could kick 40 to 50 goals a season. Brisbane could be interested because he fills a need and they will also remember his 4-goal game against them last season. Johnson is also 4 and a bit years younger than Bradshaw.
Steve Johnson is a skilled player, but at Geelong he won't achieve his potential. A trade by Geelong would see Johnson get more opportunity and could be a win for all involved. It will be a story to watch during trade week to see if Geelong really are going to make changes, or if they are only going to talk about doing it.
If Bret Thornton leaves then Carlton will be looking for a tall defender or two. Whitnall, Bower, Fisher, Saddington and others will be played there. There will also be one, and in the near future there could be two, big backmen called O'hAilpin.
Setanta O'hAilpin is ready now. At 199cm and 96kg he can play on most key position forwards. Big and athletic, he has also become a reliable mark of the football. While a somewhat awkward-looking kicking style, it gets results and in VFL games he has even been entrusted with the kick-in duties.
Setanta is a couple years older than his brother, but Aisake is actually a bit taller and is listed at 201cm. He did play a lot of games in the VFL reserves but he has impressed, and his height and mobility combination can't be taught. When he played in the VFL side he was not out of his depth, and AFL could be as close as 2007 for him.
Setanta had a goal with his first kick in AFL football but there is a greater need for tall defenders at Carlton and that is what Setanta is more suited to anyway. He followed up that 1 game in 2005 with 11 in 2006. It is probably 22 games next season. Setanta drew first blood on Barry Hall as the two contested for a mark, he came away unscathed and also came away with the ball, Setanta is a big prospect who won't be intimidated.
Aisake played 18 games in the VFL Reserves in 2005 as he learned the game. In 2006 he played 11 in the Reserves and 6 in the VFL Seniors. The days of VFL Reserves games are over for him and the AFL is very close.
Carlton have considered developing one or both of them as ruckmen. This has worked in the past, with Jim Stynes, and Carlton would like to have a success like that. Setanta could be a future All-Australian fullback in the future if they keep him down back. So maybe they should keep Setanta in the backline, but they can also try Aisake in the ruck for the VFL. Aisake has an inch of height on his brother, so he is tall enough to ruck, and there should be an opportunity in VFL games for him to play there as the Blues, and therefore the Bullants too, don't have a lot of ruckmen. If Aisake can't be turned into a ruckmen he can still follow his brother and be an athletic tall defender.
Carlton have done many things wrong over the last five years, but their trip to Ireland to sign the O'hAilpin boys is a success. It may seem odd that their best and biggest fullback prospect could be someone who only three years ago was named the Vodafone Young Hurler of the Year, but that could be true.
Hayden Skipworth can get plenty of the football, and in 2005 he had plenty of games with the Crows to show this, but in 2006 he could not break into the Crows lineup on a regular basis. He only played 6 AFL games, which was good news for his SANFL team.
Skipworth played 14 games for the Eagles, including his best-on-ground performance in the Grand Final. Skipworth had 31 possessions in that game.
The Crows are offering Skipworth around during trade week. They need forwards and Skipworth might be able to get them one.
The big news was Akermanis joining the Bulldogs, although not 100% official yet. The picks that go in the deal will be announced soon, and if the Bulldogs still have their first rounder it will be a steal.
Akermanis and pick 54 to the Bulldogs with picks 29 and 45 to the Lions is a logical guess.
The Saints don't have a coach, with Sheldon representing them at the moment, but they still got into the action. They are trying to get into the Everitt trade, and reportedly have offered pick 27 for their former ruckman. Jason Johnson, who was linked to Melbourne and Fremantle, is also a player the Saints are after.
If the Swans are only offering pick 33, or even pick 49, then they are not putting their best offer to the Hawks for Everitt. Hawthorn has sent a bunch of trade offers but Sydney is not interested. It will be a big preseason draft story if Everitt is in it with a 2 or 3 year deal worth $800,000 to $1,500,000. Few teams, apart from Sydney, will meet those terms.
Carlton do not want to trade Thornton, but this might change by Friday.
Dean Solomon was probably on his way out from Essendon a few months ago, but it could be official in the next few days.
All the teams are talking about Polak, but Richmond may be ahead of other teams right now.
Geelong have reportedly said that they will keep James Kelly, which does not make a lot of sense as he played 5 VFL games in 2006 and does not look like getting back into the Geelong side that has players like Travis Varcoe that will be playing senior football next season.
Tarrant to a WA team still seems likely, Staker and a draft pick has been mentioned while Fremantle have Polak to use to acquire something to send back to Collingwood along with a draft pick.
The Bulldogs will need to clean out a player or two, as they are adding Akermanis as well as other new players, and Cameron Faulkner has been talked about.
It was a big first day compared to other years. Maybe the Akermanis deal becomes official tomorrow, while a smaller trade involving a Cloke or Solomon might be finished tomorrow too. But most of them will only be announced sometime on Friday.
"I want to keep all our picks. I want to keep all our players." This was Carlton coach Denis Pagan's line during the first day of AFL trading.
He also indicated that Carlton would take Thornton at pick 1 in the preseason draft.
Carlton finished last this season, last also in 2005. A big cleanout, stocking up on draft picks, might have been the way to go.
Pagan has brought players like David Teague to the club, and kept players like Lappin, and that is not working.
Carlton should be chasing an uncontracted player, like Polak, and trading away older players and also players who do not want to be there. Thornton would be an example of the player who does not want to be there.
Even a 2nd rounder from Hawthorn could get Carlton Mitchell Brown, Kurt Tippett or Andrejs Everitt.
This could be Carlton's way of negotiating, and by Friday they might have done something to improve their team, but right now it looks like they will draft Gibbs and then put the same players they had last year on the field with him. Not a good outlook for Gibbs, or Carlton fans.
Paul Roos explained the situation very well regarding the trade of Everitt to Sydney. He said that he wanted to make a fair trade with Hawthorn for Everitt, but also indicated that with Sydney's salary situation they were in a position to take Everitt in the preseason draft, which would leave Hawthorn with nothing.
For Sydney to get Everitt in the preseason draft, 14 teams would have to pass him by. Everitt would nominate his salary, and also the number of years, and this would scare away most teams.
Hawthorn won't want him back, so that leaves 13 teams. Carlton and the Kangaroos can't afford him, so 11 teams left. Brisbane are rebuilding, and already have Charman and Wood, so they are ruled out. The Power have Lade and Brogan, they won't have a spot for Everitt, so 9 teams left in the race. Like the Power, Geelong have a couple of high-priced ruckmen with Ottens and King, so no room for Everitt.
The 8 remaining teams may all consider it, but few would go for Everitt on a 2 or 3 year deal on big money. Sheedy would like to do it, but he brought back Laycock and Lloyd will be healthy next season so nowhere for Everitt. The Tigers lost Stafford and Everitt would fill his role and more, but the cost is too high. The Bulldogs added Akermanis for draft picks, so their salary-cap situation might not allow them to add Everitt. But Darcy is already there so he will provide what Everitt could. Melbourne are not the best club financially, they could use Everitt but may not be able to afford him. Depending on what happens with Tarrant, the Magpies may be entering a rebuilding phase, so Everitt would not fit in with that plan.
The last 3 teams left might think that Everitt could mean a Grand Final for them. Fremantle have Sandilands, but no adequate backup in the ruck. Everitt could also help in the forward line for the Dockers too. The Saints have a big advantage with Everitt as he could be on their veterans list, so he would cost less in regards to the salary-cap. They need a ruckman too. While Everitt did mention St Kilda as a possible destination, in recent days it seems that the Saints have been crossed off his list.
Even if those two teams let him go by, there is the Crows with the pick right before Sydney in the preseason draft. They are in a win-now situation, with older players like Ricciuto and McLeod at the end of their careers. Clarke retired, Hart will be delisted as could Welsh, so there could be money available. With Biglands going down, the ruckmen for the Crows next season are Hudson and a youngster like Maric or Meesen. Hentschel will miss 2007 as well so a spot for Everitt is available up forward as well as in the ruck. Another consideration is the Crows would also stop Sydney improving, these teams could meet in late September 2007, so Adelaide won't want to help Sydney by letting Everitt go to them. Everitt has Sydney as his number 1 team, but Adelaide could be an option he would agree to.
The Everitt trade to Sydney could be completed soon, the Swans may be confident that nearly all teams would pass Everitt by in the preseason draft but it would only take one team to stop that plan. Sydney want Everitt, they can't afford Adelaide or St Kilda improving with the addition of Everitt, so they will probably come to an agreement with Hawthorn to make sure they have Everitt rather than the risky idea of hoping to pick him in the preseason draft.
One of the Western Bulldogs' most famous supporters is Ernie Sigley. He is very happy with the addition of Akermanis.
Sigley said on his show, "I'm glad he came to the Doggies". But he did have a small problem, fitting all of the stars for the Bulldogs in the forward line. He wanted Akermanis around half forward, with Luke Darcy at full forward. He was saying that Johnson could play forward with Akermanis but changed that when he remembered that Murphy would be playing next season too. So he put Johnson on a wing.
As long as the Bulldogs win, and they have their best chance for many decades, Sigley said, "I don't care what he says". He looked forward to Akermanis and some of his comments by pointing out they "don't want 18 robots" and need "a bit of individuality".
Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs just announced that Akermanis will get his wish.
No other players are expected to be in the trade, so draft picks to Brisbane and Akermanis to the Bulldogs.
1 Collingwood: Matthew Pavlich (was pick 4 in actual draft)
2 Fremantle: Josh Fraser (1)
3 Richmond: Luke McPharlin (10)
4 Fremantle: Cameron Bruce (64)
5 Fremantle: David Hille (40)
6 Brisbane: Darren Glass (11)
7 Collingwood: Adam Hunter (29)
8 Geelong: Robert Murphy (13)
9 St Kilda: Lindsay Gilbee (43)
10 Hawthorn: Ryan O'Keefe (56)
11 West Coast: Paul Chapman (31)
12 Port Adelaide: Cameron Ling (38)
13 Western Bulldogs: Paul Hasleby (2)
14 West Coast: Rhett Biglands (36)
15 Geelong: Joel Corey (8)
16 West Coast: Brad Green (19)
17 Geelong: Mitch Hahn (37)
18 Collingwood: Rhyce Shaw (Father/son pick 18)
19 Melbourne: Ben Johnson (62)
20 Melbourne: Chance Bateman (48)
21 Sydney: Robert Shirley (67)
22 Richmond: Aaron Fiora (3)
23 Geelong: Daniel Giansiracusa (32)
24 St Kilda: Corey Enright (47)
25 Hawthorn: Leigh Brown (5)
26 Sydney: Patrick Bowden (58)
27 Port Adelaide: Damian Cupido (6)
28 Port Adelaide: Ryan Hargrave (66)
29 West Coast: Brent Guerra (28)
30 Brisbane: Jonathan Brown (Father/son pick 30)
31 Geelong: Cain Ackland (27)
32 Western Bulldogs: Stephen Doyle (26)
33 Hawthorn: Troy Makepeace (81)
34 Collingwood: Matthew Whelan (50)
35 Western Bulldogs: Leon Davis (34)
36 Adelaide: John Barnes (59)
37 Western Bulldogs: Paul Wheatley (20)
38 Geelong: Paul Koulouriotis (12)
39 Richmond: Tim Clarke (33)
40 Essendon: Matthew Burton (74)
41 West Coast: Ezra Poyas (22)
42 Melbourne: Scott Stevens (21)
43 Western Bulldogs: Jason Blake (24)
44 Brisbane: Travis Gaspar (14)
45 Essendon: Brett Johnson (25)
46 Fremantle: David Spriggs (15)
47 Geelong: Brett Allison (70)
48 Hawthorn: Ty Zantuck (78)
49 Fremantle: Ryan Houlihan (73)
50 Melbourne: Robert Forster-Knight (72)
This is the 1999 AFL draft with selections changed due to what we now know. The order is the same, but players are selected in different spots, the number in brackets is their original draft spot.
For 1999, the Magpies did well with Fraser, but obviously if they could go back they would have Pavlich. Not that the Dockers would have been in bad shape though, they could have added Fraser, Bruce and Hille with their early picks.
Bruce and Hille were just two players who were draft day steals. Cameron Ling was thought to be a slowish full forward by the scouts, he lasted until pick 38 and is now a big midfielder. The Eagles also had a good draft as Glass and Hunter helped win the Grand Final this season and in 1999 they were both taken outside the top 10.
Plenty of things to talk about, with the knowledge we have to assess the draft now. Hawthorn took a chance on Bateman with pick 48 and that was a bargain, while the Saints missed out on Hille and Biglands who would be starting for them in the ruck now. So the Saints won't want to think too much about Hille, they passed him in the draft, supposedly missed out on trading for him, and he could have been the player they needed to get to a Grand Final the past two seasons.
The AFL has a small window for player movement, 10:30am today until 2:00pm Friday. With players on holidays in other countries, a team without a coach and player managers trying to get their money it is hard for trades to be made. But this year could have a lot of trades, especially for Brisbane.
Every year there is a player or two who hold up the entire process, every team is waiting until the end in case a better offer comes along. That is why a lot of the trades are made official in the last hour on Friday. Tarrant and Everitt seem to have a narrow list so they may get traded earlier in the week. But players like Polak, Bradshaw and Notting could have 10 teams going after them. With teams wanting to keep their first rounders this year it will take a while for trades to happen, and some won't get done in time too.
Every evening of trade week I will have a review of the day's news, which will often just be clubs saying "he's a required player" and the player manager's annual line of "it's a meat market". Every official trade will have a huge analysis, and after trade week concludes a big list of the winners and losers of the week will be posted.
Here are some notes about players reportedly saying where they want to go:
Bret Thornton (Carlton): Hawthorn
Peter Everitt (Hawthorn): Sydney, Adelaide
Jason Akermanis (Brisbane): Western Bulldogs
Andrew McDougall (West Coast): Western Bulldogs
Ashley McGrath (Brisbane): Fremantle
Matthew Moody (Brisbane): Fremantle
Chris Tarrant (Collingwood): West Coast, Fremantle
Graham Polak (Fremantle): out of Perth
Jason Johnson (Essendon): Fremantle, Melbourne
It was a tumultuous season for Saints forward Tony Lockett in 1994. The Peter Caven incident, the Saints' inability to become a Grand Final team, many factors combined that year that made a Lockett trade inevitable.
The only question was which team would acquire Lockett, Richmond and Collingwood were the favourites. The Tigers had been stuck down the bottom of the ladder for a long time and the acquisition of Lockett would have been huge at the time. Imagine Lockett in his prime with a youthful Matthew Richardson together in the forward line. In 1994 Collingwood could not get back to its 1990 form, but had a young Buckley, Paul Williams and Scott Burns on their list.
The Saints ended up getting an early draft pick from Sydney, which they used on Joel Smith, and another pick from Hawthorn, which was used on Chris Hemley. Hawthorn received Simon Minton-Connell from Sydney in the deal, and also sent Glenn Nugent to the Saints. That year Richmond used their first two draft picks on Damien Ryan and Jason Torney, Collingwood used theirs on Ben Wilson and Chad Liddell. To think that those two Victorian teams could have traded the picks, and maybe a player or two, to get Lockett must make people question what went wrong.
It got to the end of the trading period in 1994, and when it was announced that Sydney had Lockett and that Collingwood and Richmond couldn't seal the deal it was a big surprise. The Swans were instantly turned around and two seasons later they were in the Grand Final. But that Swans Grand Final team, like the Saints and Magpies in later years, didn't win. But Lockett was also a big help financially for the Swans, and with the addition of Lockett and Roos to the Swans they became a respected team in the league.
If Richmond or Collingwood had managed to snare Lockett they might have been improved on and off the field. The Tigers had a great year in 1995, one game from a Grand Final. Lockett may have been enough to win it all for the Tigers in 1995. Richardson, Naish, Brendan Gale, Daffy and Lockett up forward would have been a potent attack. Collingwood still had a good midfield with big Monkhorst tapping the ball to onballers McGuane, Francis, Williams and Wright. If they had both Lockett and Saverio Rocca to send the ball to it would have been impressive.
There are a lot of other trade week stories with teams missing out because they couldn't do a trade, but few had as big a name as Lockett.
Brisbane coach Leigh Matthews said in an interview that the Lions were finals contenders next season and that he wanted Bradshaw, Notting and McDonald to stay with Brisbane.
When asked about the expectations for next season, Matthews pointed out that with a full season of Brown and Lappin they were close to the finals. For this to happen the Lions will have to keep some of their younger veterans, and he expects them to "be playing for Brisbane Lions next year". But Bradshaw, Notting and McDonald have all been linked to moves out of Queensland.
"Play it by ear, that's what trade week is all about", was Matthews strategy for next week. But if there is one definite for next week it is that Brisbane will be trading some players for picks, but also trying to find a bargain player to acquire. Don't expect any news about Akermanis on Monday unless the Bulldogs start with a big offer to Brisbane.
With the many player retirements for the Lions it is something that won't hurt the Lions too much, according to Matthews, and he said they "always knew this was going to happen". But he is a bit surprised about Mal Michael, who is younger than Voss and Leppitsch. Matthews said, "Mal had plenty of good footy in him."
When the trading officially starts tomorrow it will be Brisbane who are the focus. Akermanis, Notting and Bradshaw could all return the Lions top 30 draft picks, and with quality in the draft still available in round 3 the Lions could setup their future with a bunch of extra picks.
The long wait for Everitt will be over next week. It looks like he will get to Sydney, Hawthorn have presented several trade proposals and the Swans should be able to agree to one.
A new team has emerged and that is Adelaide, this could be coming more from Everitt as the Crows have said they will stay with the ruckmen they already have. So if Sydney does not want to trade their early pick there is a chance the Crows will, and for Hawthorn that would mean pick 14 instead of Sydney's pick 15.
The Saints looked like they would get involved, but they may be out of the running now. If he did go back there, he was deemed eligible to be named on the veterans list.
The Saints may look at one of the Lions' veteran ruckmen during trade week, with Keating the likely addition.
The Melbourne Demons have good depth, their VFL affiliate won the premiership, and some of these excess players could be traded next week.
Defenders Nathan Brown, Paul Wheatley and Ryan Ferguson have had limited opportunities with Melbourne. Ferguson is looking for a move and Essendon is a possible destination.
Brad Miller could be traded as the Demons have Paul Johnson and Lynden Dunn to play forward next season. Miller is also behind defenders like Rivers, Carroll and Holland. Miller's best position is at centre half forward and several teams will want to acquire that type of player during trade week.
It has been an offseason of change for many clubs, and several new captains will be named over the coming weeks.
Peter Bell has announced that he will step down, so the Dockers will need to name his replacement. If it isn't Pavlich it will be a big surprise.
McPharlin, Josh Carr and Parker may be other options but Pavlich will be the one they pick.
Essendon Coach Kevin Sheedy wanted to bring some excitement to the Tigers-Bombers game by having music played when players kicked a goal. People laughed a long time ago when Sheedy had the idea of three on the interchange bench, so the music could happen. If it did, here is a tongue-in-cheek selection of songs that could be played, players are listed in order of goals kicked last season.
1. Brendan Fevola Carlton - Angry Young Man: Billy Joel
Sometimes kicking goals, sometimes giving away 50m penalties, he entertains.
2. Barry Hall Sydney Swans - Mama Said Knock You Out: LL Cool J
His reputation proceeds him, and he uses that advantage to take over games.
3. Fraser Gehrig St Kilda - Runnin' With The Devil: Van Halen
Angry Young Man was already taken.
4. Brad Johnson Western Bulldogs - Walking On Sunshine: Katrina and the Waves
Happy song for a happy player, imagine how much he will smile if they actually win the Grand Final next year.
5. Scott Lucas Essendon - Kick: INXS
It's not the handball, it's the "kick", and his kicks can go 70 metres.
6. Matthew Pavlich Fremantle - Simply The Best: Tina Turner
Pavlich is the best, a bad song but the title explains Pavlich's rank.
7. David Neitz Melbourne - The Strong Will Eat The Weak: Snoop Dogg
You don't want to be standing in front of his leads.
8. Mark Williams Hawthorn - Looking For Freedom: David Hasselhoff
At his best when given space in the forward line, might have Croad and Franklin there next year if Williams is still at Hawthorn which might not work for him. He needs freedom, and maybe the Dockers forward line is a better spot.
9. Nick Riewoldt St Kilda - Mistake: Stephanie McIntosh
Harsh choice, perhaps, but at least it wasn't a Jason Donavon song.
10. Daniel Bradshaw Brisbane Lions - On The Road Again: Willie Nelson
From Victoria to Queensland, but probably has to travel again.
11. Anthony Rocca Collingwood - For Those About To Rock: AC DC
Only a 100 or so songs with "Rock" in them to choose from.
12. Quinten Lynch West Coast Eagles - I'm On My Way: The Proclaimers
"From misery to happiness", from missing a Grand Final to being a key player in winning it the next year.
13. Nathan Thompson Kangaroos - Breathless: The Corrs
Biggest news for the Kangaroos was when he took himself off during a close last quarter.
14. Jeff Farmer Fremantle - Magic: The Cars
When you don't think he can kick the goal that is when he does it.
15. Matthew Richardson Richmond - Pressure: Billy Joel
Has always looked more confident with a 45m kick for goal from the boundary than a 30m shot right in front.
16. Matthew Robbins Western Bulldogs - Who Can It Be Now: Men At Work
Has been a good contributor for the Bulldogs ever since Geelong traded him there but he is not a big name yet.
17. Mark Ricciuto Adelaide - When I'M Back On My Feet Again: Michael Bolton
Adelaide will be dominant as soon as Ricciuto is back on his feet again next season.
18. Trent Hentschel Adelaide - Doctor Doctor: Thompson Twins
Sad but true. But Hentschel can make a comeback in 2008.
19. Alan Didak Collingwood - Complicated: Avril Lavigne
Maybe Eddie could tell us what has been happening with Didak over the past few months, but it is probably a bit complicated.
20. Russell Robertson Melbourne - Super Freak: Rick James
The commentators are always talking about Robertson looking injured, that he better come off the ground, then the ball gets kicked into the forward line and Robertson takes off and brings down a freakish mark.
21. Michael O'Loughlin Sydney Swans - Anxiety (Get Nervous): Pat Benatar
Was always a great kick, but he has admitted that his shots for goal are a problem now.
22. Ben Dixon Hawthorn - Here I Go Again: Whitesnake
Seems like he started when Tuck was still there, but is going around again in 2007.
23. Brett Burton Adelaide - Jump: Van Halen
That's what he does.
24. Chris Tarrant Collingwood - Notorious: Duran Duran
Notorious, seems to describe him.
25. Jonathan Brown Brisbane Lions - Bad, Bad Leroy Brown: Jim Croce
Maybe not as "bad" as he was, the umpires liked him in the Brownlow voting.
26. Gary Ablett Geelong - Cats In The Cradle: Cat Stevens
Plenty of Cats in this story.
27. Aaron Davey Melbourne - Stay Hungry: Twisted Sister
He is standing 30m from goal and the ball is handballed to him, just kicks it out of the air for a goal. When you have that skill you can be a bit more hungry around goals than others.
28. Lance Franklin Hawthorn - You're The Best Around: Joe Esposito
He knows it, plenty of fans know it, Clarkson might not, but Franklin is the complete package and the best young talent around.
29. Paul Chapman Geelong - Solid: Ashford and Simpson
Solid describes his game, his body and his bumps.
30. Kayne Pettifer Richmond - When Will I Be Famous: Bros
Will be in the background as long as Richardson is there.
31. Adam Cooney Western Bulldogs - Bound For Glory: Angry Anderson
Not mentioning the BatMobile, this is about Cooney winning something soon, maybe a Brownlow and maybe a Norm Smith.
32. Steve Johnson Geelong - Rebel Yell: Billy Idol
Johnson does things his way, a bit of a rebel.
33. Matthew Bode Adelaide - White and Nerdy: Weird Al
Had to get Weird Al on the list for all his fans. Bode is a little guy who looks like he should not be on the field, but he is a good player. You might be worried for him in physical clashes but at least he is playing with Ricciuto and not against him now.
34. Adem Yze Melbourne - Easy: Faith No More
Can make the game look easy. "Easy", "Yze", a bit similar. "I'm Yze like Sunday morning".
35. Josh Mahoney Port Adelaide - I Should Be So Lucky: Kylie Minogue
Not good enough for the Magpies and Bulldogs, then a few years later he is back with the Power on Grand Final day.
36. Stephen Milne St Kilda - Wanna Be Starting Somethin': Michael Jackson
Can start a run of goals, or a bit of trouble in the forward line.
37. Ryan O'Keefe Sydney Swans - Shout: Johnny O'Keefe
Maybe Ryan isn't loud, but it is still a fitting song.
38. Chris Judd West Coast Eagles - Born To Run: Bruce Springsteen
You can't acquire the athletic abilities that he has, he was born with it.
39. Chris Grant Western Bulldogs - Pride (In The Name Of Love): U2
His pride and loyalty kept him at the Bulldogs.
40. Andrew Embley West Coast Eagles - Jump Around: House of Pain
Is probably still jumping around.
41. Brad Ottens Geelong - I Can't Drive 55: Sammy Hagar
Ottens isn't the only footballer with "car troubles", and even he should see the irony in his award for mark-of-the-year.
42. Nathan Buckley Collingwood - Blame It On The Rain: Milli Vanilli
When he misses a kick for goal, he has to "blame it on something".
43. Troy Simmonds Richmond - Enter Sandman: Metallica
Plenty of snakes in the video, although it could also be suggested that Michael Long could be entering.
44. Brett Ebert Port Adelaide - The Best Was Yet To Come: Bryan Adams
Will be even better next season.
45. Brent Staker West Coast Eagles - Every Rose Has Its Thorn: Poison
A lot of good stories for the West Coast players, but Staker missed out.
46. Adam Goodes Sydney Swans - Taller, Stronger, Better: Guy Sebastian
Whoever he plays on, Goodes is usually taller, stronger and better than them.
47. Leon Davis Collingwood - Don't You Want Me: Human League
Not getting a game, he has to wonder if they do want him.
48. Scott Thompson Adelaide - Hold Me Now: Thompson Twins
Kicks goals but also gets plenty of tackles.
49. Cameron Mooney Geelong - Moody River: Pat Boone
Down at the Barwon River you never know which Mooney wil be playing, he could be dominating the game or in a bad mood and dominating the tribunal.
50. Angus Monfries Essendon - Back In Black: AC DC
Turn on Back In Black and the first thing you hear is "Angus".
Please note, aflinsider.net does not endorse you purchasing any of these songs. Except for Poison's underrated albums.
Other songs that could have been considered were Alice Cooper's Hey Stupid, Elvis Presley's Jailhouse Rock and Number Of The Beast by Iron Maiden.
If the title could be tweaked, Van Halen's Ain't Talkin' Bout Glove would have worked for the Big Q. Or Madness could sing "It must be glove".
Brisbane Lions
Status: Seller
Assets: Draft picks (4, 22, 38), Daniel Bradshaw, Jason Akermanis, Tim Notting, Ashley McGrath, Clark Keating, Beau McDonald, Matthew Moody
Needs: Backmen, midfielders, small forwards, centre half forward.
The last one out will need to turn off the lights. Seems like the whole team is either retiring or looking to be traded. Should be able to get an extra pick in each of the first four rounds of the draft, and they will need all these to replenish their list.
Kangaroos
Status: Bargain Hunter
Assets: Draft picks (3, 21, 37), Troy Makepeace, Hamish McIntosh, Leigh Brown, Jonathan Hay
Needs: Midfielders, small backmen, small forwards
Like the Bulldogs and Kangaroos did with Rawlings, maybe the Kangaroos try a trade of Hay to a WA team, with the Kangaroos still paying a large portion of his salary.
The Kangaroos have Hale, and Moran made an exciting debut, so the Kangaroos may try to get something of value for McIntosh. Plenty of teams are looking for a young 203cm ruckman,
Essendon Bombers
Status: Buyer
Assets: Draft picks (2, 18, 20, 36), Dean Solomon, Jason Johnson, Adam McPhee
Needs: Defenders, fast midfielders
The Bombers got a bonus with the extra pick, between round 1 and 2, and they might use this to add a ready player instead of drafting a prospect. Jason Johnson and Dean Solomon could me moving. Essendon are still trying to get Akermanis, if the Bulldogs and Lions can't agree on a trade. If they can’t get Akermanis then they will look at players like James Kelly, Shane Tuck or Aaron Fiora.
Carlton Blues
Status: Seller
Assets: Draft picks (1, 17, 19, 35)
Needs: Ruckman, defenders, tall midfielders.
Probably trade Thornton to Hawthorn, Russell to the Power might happen too. So those deals could add a couple more draft picks. Will look for a young, but cheap to acquire, ruckman. Skipper from the Bulldogs or one of the Power's extra ruckmen might be options. The important thing for Carlton is to come to an arrangement with a young star to move to Carlton in the preseason draft, so far there has been little news of this.
The previews for the rest of the teams can be found by clicking on the links below:
Cats, Hawks, Power
Magpies, Saints, Tigers
Dockers, Demons, Bulldogs
Eagles, Swans, Crows
Here are some predictions for AFL trade week. Using club and player statements, rumours and hopefully a bit of logic some of these ideas may come close to what happens. Most won't, as a lot of teams are using the old "required player" line and are not exploring all trades.
Only West Coast and Sydney should be thinking about staying with what they have, and according to all reports they are the busiest at the moment. Most of the Swans stars were acquired through a trade, the Eagles have drafted well to make their team but some of those early picks they used were acquired by trading, as were players like Chick and Stenglein.
If teams are down the bottom they need to get picks and prospects to build with, if teams are knocking on the door to the Grand Final they need to trade their youth for a veteran. The Swans and the Eagles have shown that you have to be active in the trading period if you want results on the field.
Only a day to go and we will find out where some of these players are going.
Everitt to Sydney, Thornton to Hawthorn, Pick 15 to Carlton
James Kelly to Essendon, Jason Johnson and Dean Solomon to Melbourne, Pick 30 to Geelong
Clark Keating and Tim Notting to St Kilda, Barry Brooks and pick 43 to Brisbane
Graham Polak to Richmond, Andrew Krakouer and pick 26 to Fremantle
Jason Akermanis and Daniel Bradshaw and pick 29 to Western Bulldogs, Pick 11 and Tom Williams to Brisbane
Chris Tarrant and Leon Davis to West Coast, Brent Staker and Michael Gardiner and pick 34 to Collingwood
Kent Kingsley to Adelaide, Kris Massie to Geelong
Jordan Russell to Port Adelaide, Ryan Willits to Carlton
Matthew Moody and Ashley McGrath to Fremantle, pick 31 to Brisbane
Cameron Cloke to Richmond, Ray Hall to Collingwood
Beau McDonald to West Coast, Andrew McDougall to Melbourne, Nathan D Brown to Brisbane
Luke Vogels and pick 65 to Geelong, Henry Playfair and pick 57 to Sydney
James Walker and pick 47 to Collingwood, pick 44 to Fremantle
David Rodan to Carlton, Luke Livingston to Richmond
Aaron Fiora to Adelaide, pick 32 to St Kilda
Jason Cloke to Kangaroos, Troy Makepeace to Collingwood
The Herald Sun with their Top 50 AFL players is always a controversial subject. While the list is interesting, the letters from fans disagreeing with the list are even better. AFL fans will have lots to talk about, especially the Kangaroos supporters. Here is some analysis of their recent Top 50.
The Top 50
1 - C. Judd West Coast
Would be at number 3 for me. But no complaints with him at number 1 here.
2 - A. Goodes Sydney
Hard to define what he does and where he plays, but he is effective and when at the top of his game is unstoppable. Definite top 5.
3 - Brad Johnson Western Bulldogs
Johnson ahead of West, that is something to get the controversy going. But Johnson kicked goals, nobody else at the Bulldogs could, so Johnson did have a bigger impact than West.
4 - B. Hall Sydney
Hall is more important to Sydney than Goodes, so the question is to decide between Hall's many contested marks and his possessions that were either goals or led to scoring chances for his team and Goodes overall game of disposals and run that was a big part of the ball getting forward to Hall. With Hall's goalless Grand Final, Goodes being just ahead of him for the season rankings is correct.
5 - B. Cousins West Coast
Overrated, absolutely. But everyone has their favourite players and this guy, who has been top of the list before, could have that reason behind his high rank. Could be fairer if he is down a few spots, at least to where Kerr is.
6 - M. Pavlich Fremantle
Deserves to be number 1, more important to the Dockers than Judd is to the Eagles. Pavlich also plays a key position. If Pavlich wasn't there the Dockers would fall apart.
7 - N. Riewoldt St Kilda
I would have him at number 3 or 4 on his talent alone, but then he misses some easy goals so a few spots lower may be more sensible.
8 - S. West Western Bulldogs
Is the star of a loaded midfield there but isn't a top 10 player.
9 - D. Cox West Coast
Is of equal worth to the Eagles as Judd is, without Cox the Eagles don't play in a Grand Final.
10 - B. Fevola Carlton
He kicked a lot of goals and Carlton finished last, so they would have been in the same spot without Fevola's 84 goals. If it was 100 goals then he might be top 10, but not this time.
11 - B. Lade Port Adelaide
You will find his name in the top 5 of many stats for the Power. Not just a one-dimensional ruckmen, he got forward to kick some goals and was often a key possession getter for them all over the ground. You would think that opposition teams would have caught on to his hitout over the back that setup many goals, but they haven't yet.
12 - D. Kerr West Coast
Is as good as Cousins, Kerr may not be worth a higher spot so Cousins should be a bit further down.
13 - S. Goodwin Adelaide
Got the ball a lot and was the Crows' best player.
14 - D. Glass West Coast
It is always hard to show the worth of a fullback as a lot of what they do is not a stat.
15 - S. Burgoyne Port Adelaide
Big year for Burgoyne, but maybe not top 20 material.
16 - J. Clement Collingwood
Would he be thought of as highly if he was playing for Fremantle and not Collingwood, the answer is no. Clement was good but Bruce, Lucas, and others were better. Top 50, yes. Top 20, that is pushing it.
17 - R. O'Keefe Sydney
O'Loughlin did kick 13 more goals than O'Keefe, so maybe O'Loughlin suffers because the expectations on him are higher. O'Keefe was an accumulator of kicks and marks for the Swans last season and is a top 50 player, but maybe not this high.
18 - G. Johncock Adelaide
Was Adelaide's second best player during the year and also has that spot on this list.
19 - A. Hunter West Coast
An exciting player but a bit high here.
20 - T. Edwards Adelaide
Not sure about this, Edwards is useful but is not a star. Would have been lucky to be in the 40s, so he is a bit high here.
21 - C. Bolton Sydney
Just a cog in the machine that is the Sydney defense. While Bolton was versatile and effective he was not the 21st best player in the entire AFL.
22 - M. Scarlett Geelong
Scarlett did not have a good year. Chapman and Gary Ablett were clearly the best two Cats, Scarlett should be off the list.
23 - L. Gilbee Western Bulldogs
Has become a top 50 player with the accuracy and distance of his many kicks.
24 - C. Bruce Melbourne
A bit higher, Bruce was everywhere for Melbourne and was often the player that turned the game in their favour. Plenty of reasons for Bruce to be around number 15 here.
25 - T. Simmonds Richmond
Played the role of a mobile ruckman very effectively. Was taking the centre bounce and then was taking marks in the forward line. If Richmond had made the finals then Simmonds should have been a bit higher.
26 - S. Lucas Essendon
Lucas ran wild with Lloyd and Hird out of the way in the forward line. It was a great year for him personally but he may not be able to repeat it with Lloyd back in 2007. Lucas deserves his spot this time, and might be a bit unlucky that he was not higher up.
27 - A. McLeod Adelaide
Lucky to be this high.
28 - J. Bowden Richmond
Should not confuse movement with achievement, may have had a lot of the ball but he mainly kicked it backwards to his brother. Richmond will be a much better team when Richardson appears on this list, and for that to happen they have to go long and often in his direction. Bowden does deserve a lower spot on the list.
29 - S. Black Brisbane Lions
Power may have had a better year but Black gets the nod here and also from Brisbane.
30 - K. Cornes Port Adelaide
Is he better than his brother, no. Both of them should be on this list. No problem with Kane on the list but Chad is strangely absent.
31 - D. Cross Western Bulldogs
Plenty of handballs but a bit lucky to get on this list as they already have Johnson, West and Gilbee.
32 - D. Fletcher Essendon
Not the best year for Essendon and Fletcher is lucky to get onto the list. After Lucas, Stanton may have been the best Bomber for 2006.
33 - A. Didak Collingwood
Probably should have been above Clement on the list.
34 - B. Kirk Sydney
His team got further than most others so he could jump a few spots ahead of midfielders above him on the list.
35 - P. Bell Fremantle
Bell gets the ball when it matters. His quiet leadership for Fremantle is something the stats don't count. Deserving of his spot here.
36 - J. Gram St Kilda
When not as much is expected from a player, when they do produce it can be a surprise. Gram has been great value for the Saints but isn't a top 50 player in the league.
37 - J. McDonald Melbourne
A big season for McDonald and deserves his spot here. Teams will pay more attention to him next season so it will be hard to repeat.
38 - N. Dal Santo St Kilda
Made the list on reputation, not results.
39 - L. Whitnall Carlton
Often he was like the little Dutch kid trying to hold the water back, Whitnall was sent down back and he cut off a lot of attacks. It is hard to reward players on bad teams but Whitnall was a star, he was a league leader in marking the ball when kicked by the other team which shows how well he played with his position and anticipation.
40 - S. Mitchell Hawthorn
Deserving of a spot on the list, his hard work and huge amounts of possessions were a reason that Hawthorn improved during the year.
41 - P. Chapman Geelong
Unlucky not to be named captain and also unlucky that he wasn't higher on the list, at least at a higher spot than Scarlett.
42 - J. Farmer Fremantle
Went missing in the big game for the Dockers. While it was a good season for him there were other Dockers who were better and did not make this list.
43 - L. Hodge Hawthorn
Was tried in a couple of different positions for the Hawks but still had over 500 possessions. With an improved Hawthorn team next season, Hodge could be ranked a lot higher next year.
44 - D. Morris Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs did get a good season out of Morris but it was Harris that deserved a mention here. Maybe a Kangaroos player could have been around this spot, Petrie had a solid season as a defender.
45 - L. Power Brisbane Lions
Little Power may be unlucky to still be ranked behind another midfielder there, he had the ball a lot more than Black.
46 - B. McLean Melbourne
I would prefer Jeff White here. Already had McDonald on the list, McLean was a bit lucky to be on here.
47 - A. Sandilands Fremantle
It would be hard to miss this guy, should be top 20. If the Dockers had to play Longmuir and Polak in the ruck they would not have been a top 4 team.
48 - A. Embley West Coast
While he got extra points for his Grand Final performance, his dancing routine during the next week of jumping up and down was a negative. Probably should be higher in this list.
49 - S. Fisher St Kilda
Did have a big season but Top 50, probably not. Goddard was ahead of him in most stats and would have been a better choice.
50 - Ben Johnson Collingwood
Should have snuck a Kangaroos player in here, with Petrie, Harvey or Thompson being solid choices.
Team Leaders out of the Top 50
West Coast: Judd
Sydney: Goodes
Bulldogs: Johnson
Fremantle: Pavlich
St Kilda: Riewoldt
Carlton: Fevola
Port Adelaide: Lade
Adelaide: Goodwin
Collingwood: Clement
Geelong: Scarlett
Melbourne: Bruce
Richmond: Simmons
Essendon: Lucas
Brisbane: Black
Hawthorn: Mitchell
Kangaroos: ???
My Top 10 for 2006:
Pavlich, Cox, Judd, Goodes, B Hall, Riewoldt, Lade, Bruce, B Johnson, Lucas.
The Bombers' Jason Johnson is one of a number of veteran Essendon players who could be on the move. Dean Solomon is another player who could be traded, and there is also speculation about McPhee.
If Johnson does leave Essendon it is believed that his choice is Fremantle. He would be a welcome addition to their team and they need a player like him in September.
Yesterday there was news that the Demons were after him too. Like Fremantle, Melbourne also has an Essendon connection. The Demons don't need Johnson as much as the Dockers would but his experience would improve their team.
Geelong Cats
Status: Bargain Hunter
Assets: Draft picks (7, 25), James Kelly, Josh Hunt, Paul Koulouriotis, Henry Playfair, Steve Johnson, Andrew Mackie.
Needs: Quick midfielders, tall defender.
Pick 41 goes on Tom Hawkins. So Geelong fans have something to look forward to. Now the Geelong management have to get players who will win the ball and kick it long to Hawkins.
Geelong may talk about a few deals but none may get done. They seem intent on using their draft picks. Kelly and Johnson are two players who interest other teams so maybe Geelong gets something for those players.
Hawthorn Hawks
Status: Buyer
Assets: Draft picks (6, 24), Peter Everitt, Harry Miller, Simon Taylor, Josh Thurgood, Mark Williams.
Needs: Midfielders, full forward, fullback.
Pick 40 will be used on Josh Kennedy as a father/son selection. Another draft pick may be traded for fullback Bret Thornton. Hawthorn will get something useful for Everitt, who seems to be on his way to Sydney.
With Campbell and Bailey at Hawthorn they might think about trading Taylor, he has value and could play a lot more elsewhere. Williams has been mentioned in rumours and a trade of him would not surprise. Williams would help the Dockers or the Eagles.
The Hawks are only going to trade for young players at this time, if they feel they need experience then there is always the preseason draft.
Port Adelaide Power
Status: Bargain Hunter
Assets: Draft picks (5, 23, 39), Fabian Deluca, Toby Thurstans, Ryan Willits.
Needs: Centre half forward, tall defender, inside midfielder.
The Power have a couple of great ruckmen, some speedy midfielders, and a healthy Tredrea combined with Ebert should provide some goals. The Power may not be that active in trade week as they have a lot of pieces already in place. Their main need is some height in defense, maybe one of the Clokes could fit here. Essendon defenders Solomon and McPhee are other options.
Click here for a preview of the Magpies, Saints and Tigers.
Tomorrow will have the last team previews, and the next day the trading period is on.
With a lot of players wanting to go to Fremantle the Dockers will have to find things to trade for them. One possibility was defender Scott Thornton, the Dockers are loaded with tallish defenders and Thornton might have been a player Victorian clubs were interested in.
But Thornton will stay with the Dockers after agreeing to a new contract. Fremantle have Mundy and Johnson as young stars in the backline and Thornton is a player who could join them as the veteran Shane Parker will have a decreased role now.
Thornton's signing could also indicate that McPharlin could play forward more in 2007. While McPharlin is a great fullback the Dockers do need a spark up forward and the leaping McPharlin can provide that.
The Dockers also are bringing back Grover. One player not mentioned is Polak, and he is a player who could have a big impact on trade week.
It has really been a big week for players called Thornton.
Pick 1: Carlton
No chance, they won't trade out. Also very unlikely to even move pick 1 for a lower Top 10 pick and something else.
Pick 2: Essendon
Something might happen here, the Bombers could trade this pick for a star who can contribute next season. Bombers have picks 18 and 20 as well so they will listen to offers for their picks.
Pick 3: Kangaroos
Privately they may think about trading the pick, but after the Hay fiasco last season they won't do it.
Pick 4: Brisbane
The Lions will keep this pick and will acquire a lot more draft picks during trade week.
Pick 5: Port Adelaide
If the Power can't trade up to number 1 then they might see what pick 5 can get them. The Power can find players like Pearce with Rookie Draft selections, so even if they trade pick 5 they have the resources there to find prospects with later picks.
Pick 6: Hawthorn
The Hawks may use this pick for Thornton, he is a guaranteed player while any draftee has some uncertainty about them. Hawthorn would get instant improvement with the still-young Thornton but over the next decade Thorp or Selwood could be a better option. It will depend on how well the Blues negotiate, which has not been too good lately, as to whether the Hawks send out this or a later pick for Thornton. Hawthorn may be more agreeable to trading this pick if they are also expecting to get pick 15 for Everitt, pick 15 will still get them a classy prospect.
Pick 7: Geelong
They get a Top 3 talent through the father/son rule with Hawkins so Geelong can listen to offers for pick 7. But the Cats have said they will use this on the best player available, probably a quick midfielder.
Pick 8: Richmond
Richmond need to make the jump into being a finals team and exchanging their pick for an older player could do that. But as this draft is deeper than some others it will also make sense for the Tigers to use the pick themselves. They might listen to offers but it will have to be a good one for them to trade the pick.
Pick 9: St. Kilda
The Saints are the most likely team to trade out of the Top 10. They add one or two veterans to their current core and they are a Grand Final contender. The player drafted here at pick 9 may become a star after Harvey, Gehrig and Hamill have retired so the reasoning for trading this pick is sound, make a push to win now because the veterans don't have much left and Harvey does deserve to play in another Grand Final.
Pick 10: Collingwood
Their window may be closed now so time to use draft picks and grow the team again. But they could be tempted if a star is offered for the pick as some immediate help could give the Magpies one more go with Buckley, Rocca and other older players.
The days of watching Zac Dawson and Josh Thurgood being overwhelmed in the Hawks backline look to be over now. Even if Croad plays forward next season the addition of Bret Thornton, the return of Danny Jacobs and the continued development of Roughead, Birchall and Ellis will mean that Hawthorn have plenty of options in defense.
Thornton could start at fullback, giving Dawson a bit more time to develop and add muscle before he goes back there. Jacobs and Roughead would fill the other tall spots, Roughead as a centre halfback while Jacobs could be a loose player using his marking skills to cut off attacks. Birchall seems to be a versatile player who has height but also enough pace to play on smaller players, he should play every game next season. Xavier Ellis could be introduced to AFL from the halfback line, launching attacks from the back and down the wing with his skilful left foot.
The toughness of Campbell Brown, the experience of Joel Smith and the running of Jordan Lewis are some of the other options the coach has at his disposal for the backline at Hawthorn.
Thornton turns 23 next month, so he fits perfectly with the 22 and 23 year olds currently at Hawthorn like Hodge, Mitchell, Sewell and Brown. Franklin, Roughead and Bailey are still 19, while Robert Campbell has yet to enter his prime and is only 24. That is a talented group of youngsters.
Thornton has currently played the third most games in the AFL without ever playing in a final, behind a couple of unlucky Bulldogs on that list, so his frustration at Carlton and his desire to change teams is understandable. If Thornton does get his wish next week to be traded to Hawthorn it will be the final piece needed for a young and promising defensive unit.
Michael Voss just announced that he has retired. This was not unexpected but is still a blow to the Lions.
Yesterday Mal Michael retired, and many other Lions players have indicated they would like to return to their home states.
It could be a few years on the bottom as the Lions have to reload with talent around Brown.
With Voss retired from playing the thing to watch now is which teams will try to sign him as a coach. But he may wait a few years, and then replace Leigh with the Lions.
Carlton may have an extra draft pick early in the 2006 AFL Draft as Bret Thornton has said he wants to go to Hawthorn. For the Hawks to acquire Thornton they will need to send something acceptable back to Carlton. Max Bailey would fill a need at Carlton while the Hawks' first rounder, pick 6, could also be used to grab ruck prospect Matthew Leuenberger.
Thornton is still young but he has a lot of experience, as Carlton had little else in the backline Thornton had to play on all the star forwards. With Hawthorn he would have Croad, Roughead and others to assist him.
Carlton have Setanta O'hAilpin who is ready to play a key defensive position. Whitnall also can play down back and young Paul Bower will play more games in 2007 too. A couple of other options for talls in the backline are Fisher and O'Bryan. Fisher has the height to compete in the air, but he can't play on strong forwards. O'Bryan would be a solid defender on taller, slower forwards and would be an ideal player to take the kickouts for Carlton.
Carlton are still trying to retain Thornton but right now it looks like Hawthorn will be his team next season.
October 6, 2005 was the day the Dockers announced that they could not agree with Hawthorn on a trade for Jonathan Hay. Some people say the best trades are the ones you don't make, while often that does not make sense, with this possible deal it is the truth.
The Dockers announced they were, "disappointed that a suitable trade couldn’t be agreed to bring Jonathan Hay to the club”. They are probably not thinking that right now.
To get Hay last year the Dockers would have had to give up pick 10, which they used on Marcus Drum, and possibly another pick or a player. They also would have signed Hay to a very large, multi-year contract.
I will have some stories in the coming days about teams missing out on great players in trade week, but here is one deal that the team is lucky did not happen.
When the Lions were at their best there was a player who would come off the bench and could turn a game with his athleticism and versatility. Victorian teams weren't able to get Tim Notting from Brisbane when they were winning but they can now. While Notting is no longer a young player, his new team should get 100 games from him. Wherever they need help they can put Notting there, he has played in nearly all positions.
Notting is a bit like Brett Burton for his leaps, but Notting is slightly younger and also has a bit more height. Notting also can play a key position if needed, although that is not his best spot. A role running around half forward and the wing is where Notting will be the most dangerous.
With Notting's age he will be of more interest to teams that are already top 8 material. The Saints, Bulldogs, Melbourne and Richmond are in a position to trade for him.
The Saints can use him as a third tall forward, but playing him up the ground to leave space for Gehrig and Riewoldt. Notting's versatility would also help St Kilda as he could also play as a tall defender, something they will need assistance with as Maguire may miss a lot of games next season. The Bulldogs are already after Akermanis, and possibly Bradshaw too, and Notting could also be added to their shopping list. Melbourne need another marking option in the forward line and Notting would fit well with a forward line of Neitz and Robertson. The Tigers need another player who can play tall up forward and also in the backline, Notting would be someone they consider.
The Lions need to rebuild and by keeping Notting it would not fit with that task. Notting can get them another draft pick, which they would use on a player around 10 years younger than him as they build for the future. Notting's value won't be any higher so the Lions need to deal him now. A Victorian team will be lucky to acquire the former North Ballarat player in Notting and he could be an important player and help his new team to a Grand Final.
Collingwood Magpies
Status: Seller
Assets: Draft picks (10, 28, 44), Chris Tarrant, Jason Cloke, Cameron Cloke, Leon Davis, Ryan Lonie, Guy Richards.
Needs: Backmen, quick midfielders, ruckman, small forwards.
This could be a big summer of change for Collingwood, the Captain and President could both step down and several players could be on the way out. Tarrant is the big one to watch. The Magpies may have been undecided about rebuilding, but the long-term injury to Didak may have altered their strategy.
So far Tarrant has been linked to Sydney, West Coast, Fremantle and Geelong. A bidding war among teams pursuing the still-contracted Tarrant is good news for the Magpies and they should get something valuable in return, if they do trade him. After all these rumours he could still be a Magpie next season.
The Clokes have trade value too and Cameron Cloke might get them a late 2nd rounder with Jason Cloke worth a later pick than that.
St Kilda Saints
Status: Buyer
Assets: Draft picks (9, 27, 43), Barry Brooks, Aaron Fiora, Stephen Milne, Leigh Montagna, Xavier Clarke, Raphael Clarke.
Needs: Ruckman, tall defender, small forward, quick midfielders.
A new coach at St. Kilda will want a new attitude for the team, and that means moving out plenty of players. But the core will most likely be kept together as the Saints are close to the top. They can trade their draft picks to get what they need now. While Riewoldt and others have plenty of years ahead of them, players like Gehrig, Hudghton, Hamill, Voss and Harvey are getting close to the end.
Another tall defender is needed to keep the Saints as a contender next season, as Maguire's leg injury might take a long time to recover from.
Barry Brooks is a player that might again be a feature of trade week, he only played one game this season but it was a good one. Statistically Brooks had the 4th best average for Herald-Sun player rankings, but just from that one game. So did the Saints play Brooks to up his trade value in the game against Brisbane or is he still someone they will persevere with.
Richmond Tigers
Status: Bargain Hunter
Assets: Draft picks (8, 26, 42), Andrew Kellaway, Shane Tuck, Richard Tambling, David Rodan, Andrew Krakouer, Ray Hall, Tom Roach.
Needs: Tall defender, midfielders, centre half-forward, backup ruckman.
Don't expect the Tigers to make a big blockbuster trade this time, so trade week won't centre on them as it did when the acquired Nathan Brown and also when they traded Brad Ottens. They might look at Polak and also a couple of Clokes. It seems that players like Kellaway and Rodan won't be back at Richmond, these players have a bit of trade value, maybe a late 3rd round or 4th round pick, so Richmond might get something for them.
Click here for a preview of the Dockers, Demons and Bulldogs.
While the Carlton president was making plenty of statements about the coach and the board a small piece of information went nearly unnoticed. Brad Fisher has agreed to a new contract, according to Carlton.
Carlton announced both Fisher and Betts would be back. That Carlton came to agreement with Fisher before Thornton is interesting and it could be a sign that other teams are close to getting Thornton.
While Hawthorn has been the club with the most interest, there is also talk of Richmond and possibly Essendon looking at the Carlton fullback.
Fisher is a solid player, in his game but not with his body, but it is hard to see where he plays for Carlton next season. There is already plenty of height up forward with Fevola, Waite, Kennedy and possibly Whitnall.
Towards the end of 2006 he was played a bit in defense. Another idea could be on a wing. At 192cm he would be a taller option at that spot.
Fisher has had several injuries over his career so he is a bit injury-prone, but he can take a mark and has some other useful skills. That Carlton signed him is a small step forward but they also have to find a defined role for him or next year his name will be in trade rumours again.
The AFL Draft Camp is a good idea, getting the best prospects all together for official measurements and tests is a useful tool. Although in some ways it seems like a few of the teams use this too much, a bit like forgetting to study for a school exam during the year and then cramming just before it.
One actual part of this that has always seemed odd is the surface. Players put on running shoes and are ranked on how well they perform on a wood floor. If you saw a bit of the camp on the news you would have seen a sprint test and the player slip at the start. Football is played on grass, so the draft tests on an indoor floor are not the best idea.
It is a good idea to present an alternative when being critical of something, so here it is. The AFL have a big, empty facility called Telstra Dome. Roof open, or if it rains then roof closed, it has the proper surface and conditions for players to be tested on. Agility tests, sprints and other tests would be closer to game conditions.
The vertical jump is a good indication of a player's leap, but a run on the grass and a jump into a large padded dummy, to simulate the shoulders of a player, could also test a player's "Capper" ability.
The draft camp usually has a 20m sprint, add to those tests a run from the goalsquare to the 50m line.
Longest kick, handball accuracy, even something like punch strength could be measured. That is punching of the ball, useful for ruckmen and backmen.
The AFL will likely release some draft stats soon, these are useful but should not change draft rankings too much. Usually they just confirm what the scouts already thought. But it doesn't hurt your draft prospects to be called the fastest, biggest or most agile player available.
This has been getting a bit of talk in the media, but it is just a rumour at the moment. This trade actually would be useful for both teams, as Johnson would be a skillful addition to the Magpies' forward line and Tarrant would get a fresh start on a team that needs goals.
With Johnson, Collingwood could get a younger player for Tarrant. Johnson is also a more accurate kick for goal. A half forward line with Didak, when he comes back, and Johnson would be loaded with freakish skill. Johnson would have a much bigger role with the Magpies than he has had with Geelong.
Geelong may need to adjust their setup a bit but Tarrant should eventually settle into a forward role beside Hawkins, Ottens and the Abletts. Nathan Ablett and Tarrant could work around half forward, leading out to the wing and then sending the ball inside 50. If Hawkins or Ottens needed a quicker leading forward beside them then Tarrant could also play next to one of them from the goalsquare.
Fans of both teams might be a bit apprehensive, but it could be a welcome change for two skilled forwards who need a new start.
It could also be a fair trade, both Tarrant and Johnson were ranked in 17th spot for their teams in disposals, getting around 14 possessions per game. Tarrant had 4.3 handballs a game, Johnson 4.4 handballs. Tarrant kicked the ball longer on more occasions but Johnson was more accurate and had fewer errors.
Like most trade rumours this week there is a low chance of this happening, but for fans of the two teams it will provide an interesting debate until October 13.
Brisbane fullback Mal Michael has announced his retirement. There was some possibility of him playing with another team if he left Brisbane but this will not happen now.
Brisbane will find out tomorrow if Voss is retiring.
Clark Keating is going to be an important player next week. Several contenders for the premiership in 2007 are short a ruckman, and Keating will be someone they target in trade week.
The Saints have already met with Keating. The ruck is their position of concern and Keating would bring finals experience that they need. Blake is too small, Koschitzke too fragile, Brooks too unreliable and Ackland or Rix isn't the answer either. The Saints have players to share the ruck with Keating during the year which would keep Keating fresh and uninjured for September.
Clark's brother, Aaron, won with the Crows almost a decade ago and while the Crows have said they won't be going after Everitt or Gardiner they may change this policy of acquiring a veteran ruckman if Keating is available for a small cost, like a 3rd round pick. Everitt is going to cost a much higher draft pick while Gardiner comes with a lot more baggage. The Crows have shown they can get value out of a former Brisbane ruckman, with Matthew Clarke, so maybe they look to Brisbane again.
Sydney look like they will get Everitt, but if they don't then Keating might be an option.
The Dockers could lose Polak. Longmuir is better as a forward there, instead of playing as the backup ruckman, so Keating could also be a useful player for Fremantle.
If Keating is not traded next week then he could be in the preseason draft. Carlton may see him as a player to get for a year or two until they have a young ruckman ready to play. This may be something that does not interest Keating. The Blues have said they won't be going after older players, but if Keating happens to be the best available in the preseason draft they might as well take him.
Ruckmen are once again in demand, with all the recent Grand Final teams relying on their big stars. Keating may not have much left in the tank but he could help a contender in September for a couple more years.
Fremantle Dockers
Status: Buyer
Assets: Draft picks (13, 31, 47), Graham Polak, James Walker, Paul Medhurst, Byron Schammer, Scott Thornton
Needs: Midfielders, full forward, backup ruckman.
It seems like things have turned around for the Dockers, players are not leaving in big numbers and instead players from other clubs are requesting trades to Fremantle. McGrath and Moody will be welcomed into the Dockers midfield, Fremantle and Brisbane have made several trades over the years so these two Lions should get to Fremantle. Maybe it will cost Polak, who could then go to the Bulldogs as part of a larger Akermanis trade. Versatile tall Scott Thornton might find more opportunities with a new club.
Melbourne Demons
Status: Buyer
Assets: Draft picks (12, 30, 46), Brad Miller, Adem Yze, Simon Godfrey, Nathan Brown
Needs: Tall forward, fast midfielders.
Melbourne may not be the most enthusiastic "buyer" during trade week, it will be more of an exchanger. Maybe Miller for a similar tall, Yze possibly goes for a different type of midfielder. Time could be up for Daniher, unless he finishes top 4, so the draft picks could be traded too to get some players who can make an impact in 2007. Nathan Brown was a useful player for the Demons but has lost his spot to some younger players at Melbourne, he could be traded to one of the SA teams, the Power might be interested after they delisted Peter Walsh and had Wanganeen and Kingsley retire.
Western Bulldogs
Status: Buyer
Assets: Draft picks (11, 29, 45), Cameron Faulkner, Wayde Skipper, Tom Williams
Needs: Full forward, centre halfback.
It's only a week away from the official trade for Akermanis, and assuming he does get there the only question is who Brisbane receive. Eade has said that Sam Power will be staying, and if true that takes away a logical trade. Akermanis' worth is closer to pick 11 than pick 29 so that might be the cost. Daniel Bradshaw would fill a greater need for the Bulldogs and it will be something to watch next week. The Bulldogs are also one of a number of teams that have been linked to Graham Polak. The Bulldogs have a huge number of small, skilful midfielders on their list and some of these players who have not been getting a game might ask for a trade to a team with a regular spot available for them. Tom Williams was a high draft pick but hasn't played due to a foot injury, he is a player the Lions might ask about during trade week. Skipper was one of the only healthy ruck options the Bulldogs had last season, but he is a bit undersized and Street, Minson and Darcy will be ahead of him next season. Several teams could look at Skipper to give them depth in the ruck.
Click here for a preview of the Eagles, Swans and Crows.
The Lions are a one-way road for player trading, it seems everyone is leaving. Instead of listing all the players who could be going, here is a shorter look at those who should be playing there next season.
Ruckmen Jamie Charman and Cameron Wood should be an effective ruck duo for the Lions. McDonald and Keating are not expected back.
The forward line has Jonathan Brown, and with him there healthy next season there is reason for optimism. What help he gets is hard to say, with Bradshaw and Akermanis probably both gone. Sherman and Power can both kick goals but will also spend time in the midfield. Little Hooper might be a good forward pocket. Joel Patfull may be a taller option in the forward line.
Power was always one player rumoured to go, but at the end he is one of the only premiership Lions who will be around. There is still Simon Black. But there are also some young stars in the making for the Lions onball group. Along with Sherman, there is Rischitelli who may have already signed a contract extension, Selwood and maybe Stiller.
While the defense looks devastated with no Leppitsch, Michael, and some uncertainty with Chris Scott and Lappin there are some young prospects. Daniel Merrett is a big body and was a bit of a surprise after he was tried as a defender. The athletic Jared Brennan may also be someone who can be switched to the backline. The star for the Lions in defense last season was Jason Roe, he got plenty of possessions and he has the ability to play on many different types of forwards. Roe injured his knee towards the end of the season.
The good news for the Lions is that they will get some compensation, draft picks or young players, in exchange for most of the players who leave. In a draft full of star prospects from Queensland these extra picks come at the right time. The bad news is the rebuilding will take a few years, but at least the Lions know that a team can be built with young players, and last time they did that the Lions won 3 premierships.
The "Brett Chalmers Rule", as it might as well be called, is something that every AFL draftee would know about. You can't tell clubs you won't play for them, thereby tampering with the draft.
While the headlines of Gibbs, Jetta and others saying they will play anywhere is big news now the real test will come in two years time.
Go back to 1994 with White, A Rocca and Grant in the top 3. All went interstate, all went back to Victoria. Headland went number 1 to Brisbane in 1998, and like plenty of Lions he went back to his home state.
But there is also Judd, Cooney, Pavlich and many more who stayed with the club that drafted them.
The AFL clubs can interview the draft prospects about their willingness to move interstate, but the players have to say they would move and the truth will only come out when their first contract expires.
1: The huge need there is a ruckman, and there are not many quality ruckman to pick from in the draft.
2: With Barnaby French retired, Deluca is the only player on the senior list who is at least 200cm tall.
3: Leuenberger was the All-Australian ruckmen at the Under 18 titles.
4: Blues need to add a young ruckman who can develop alongside their young onballers like Murphy. McLaren does not fit this criteria.
5: Leuenberger has added 5 or 6 kilograms over the past season, at this rate it will take at most two seasons for him to be at his perfect playing weight.
6: Carlton have never drafted a young star ruckmen, this needs to change. Ricky Mott and Andrew Merrington were the best they did?
7: Leuenberger is a ruckman who can take an overhead mark, you might have to go back to Fitzpatrick for a ruckman who was reliable taking a mark.
8: O'hAilpin looks like a star backman in the making, if they try to convert him to the ruck it may not be as successful.
9: Leuenberger was the best on ground for the WAFL Colts Grand Final, nothing better than a Mel Whinnen Medallist.
10: He is a Carlton supporter.
Now what Carlton have to do is figure out how to get Gibbs while also getting another early pick to grab Leuenberger. Pick 6 could be available if Hawthorn are looking to sign Bret Thornton, and maybe Fisher too. The Power have some interest in Jordan Russell, combining him with Adam Hartlett and Carlton's pick 17 might get pick 5 from Port Adelaide. Brisbane at pick 4 and the Kangaroos at pick 3 might also listen to offers. Brisbane's pick 4 could be traded for picks 17, 19 and maybe a player from Carlton. With 17 and 19 the Lions could draft two of the star Queensland midfielders who should be available at that part of the draft. The Kangaroos might be tougher to deal with, as they don't want to repeat the Hay trade of 2005, but a deal is possible.
Matthew Leuenberger will be the biggest name and the tallest player in the draft. Goes top 9, probably top 5. Carlton might be the best fit for him, along with the Saints and Tigers. If Carlton can add Leuenberger it could set them up for many years of success, if they miss out on a ruckman in this draft it will be another year of Dylan McLaren, and while he tries he isn't tall enough to battle the skilled giants that other teams have. Leuenberger is from WA, which right now is the best place to get ruckmen from, but as a Carlton fan they probably don't have to worry about Leuenberger wanting to return there after a couple of seasons.
The St. Kilda football club need to get a coach soon, as a new coach will want to have a say in what happens during trading and the drafts. They are conducting interviews today and a likely successor to Thomas is probably John Longmire or Guy McKenna, Chris Bond is also a chance.
Longmire has been assisting Roos with the Swans and that recent success should make him favourite. McKenna is following Worsfold and moving from the Eagles halfback line into coaching, he has experience as a player in Grand Finals and is also an assistant at Collingwood.
Having a former key forward in Longmire as coach should help the Saints get the best out of their great forwards Riewoldt and Gehrig. Longmire has not only been with Sydney when they were winning, but he was a part of the Kangaroos as a player when they were a force during the 1990s. A Grand Final winning assistant coach, a star key position player with experience at both ends of the field, right now it looks like Longmire is the frontrunner to be coach of the Saints.
I read a football book earlier this year about the history of the AFL. I think it was a Graeme Bond book. While there were plenty of interesting stats and stories there was one thing that is now very newsworthy.
They had a story about the "merger game", Hawthorn vs Melbourne in 1996. Most people remember Dunstall getting to 100 goals, Langford celebrating while showing the crowd the Hawthorn jumper and Nick Holland dominating with marks all over the ground. But the book also mentioned something that was repeated by Chick last weekend, a smother. Towards the end of the game a Melbourne player was kicking for goal but Chick smothered it and the ball then went down the ground for Hawthorn to escape with a 1 point win.
So Chick was changing games with a smother at the end of his career and 10 years earlier he was doing the same thing.
If any Hawthorn, or Melbourne, fans have some memories of the end of this game then post a comment. Or if there are any other Chick smothers of importance as well from other games too.
August 31, 1996.
Round 22.
Hawthorn 15-12-102
Melbourne 15-11-101
Chick's stats: 5 kicks, 4 handballs, 1 mark, 5 tackles (and at least 1 smother)
West Coast Eagles
Status: Bargain Hunter
Assets: Draft picks (16, 34, 50), Ashley Sampi, Michael Gardiner, Andrew McDougall, Brent Staker.
Needs: Goalkickers, extra ruckman.
The Eagles might try to keep everything together after winning the Grand Final. A number of players want to return to WA to play and the Eagles will keep an eye on this. The Eagles will have a wait-and-see approach for trading, and if someone like Ashley McGrath is available cheap then they will make a move.
Sampi has said he will train harder and his goal is to play in the finals for the Eagles next season, but the Eagles may not want him back. Of the players who just missed out on the Grand Final team this season, Brent Staker is a possibility for being traded. If the Eagles want to get higher in the draft then combining Staker and their first rounder should be enough to move into the top 10 picks.
They seem to have distanced themselves from Chris Tarrant, announcing that they were not interested, but he might be the exact player they need.
Sydney Swans
Status: Buyer
Assets: Draft picks (15, 33, 49), Luke Vogels, Paul Bevan, Simon Dempster.
Needs: Tall defender, tall forward.
The Swans have acquired a lot of their team through trading. Hall, Jolly, Davis, Richards and C Bolton are some players who the Swans grabbed from other teams. Expect this to continue, with Peter Everitt at the top of their list.
They unexpectedly got Ted Richards last season and that was a good move, this time they could go back to Essendon for another defender and Dean Solomon, Kepler Bradley or Aaron Henneman could be available. Out of that group, Solomon and Henneman would be more likely and come at a cheaper price, but a taller player like Bradley is what Sydney need to find as there are some forwards who are just too big for Barry to play on.
At the end of trade week expect a couple of stars to have moved to Sydney and for them to have their first draft choice somewhere in the 50s.
Adelaide Crows
Status: Bargain Hunter
Assets: Draft picks (14, 32, 48), Brent Reilly, Kris Massie, John Meesen, Luke Jericho, Ian Perrie, Nathan Van Berlo.
Needs: Full forward, veteran ruckman.
Ricciuto and Hentschel led Adelaide in goals for 2006, Hentschel is gone for 2007 and Ricciuto has played over 300 games. So someone who can kicks goals is the Crows' top priority. Brisbane's Bradshaw might be a good option but the Crows don't seem to have any interest in him.
The Crows could look to trade some of their Victorian or West Australain players back to their home state. They have also talked about putting a package together to grab the top overall draft pick, this would be difficult but not impossible. They would need to include their draft pick as well as acquire another top 10 pick to give to Carlton, and that may still not be enough.
The Crows seem happy to keep what they have and to not look for a quick fix, especially in their ruck division, but if a good offer comes along they will take it.
Check back over the next 5 days for more team previews. Then from October 9 until October 13 all the news and rumours for trade week will be posted. A detailed analysis will follow trade week, to see who improved their team and which ones missed their big chance. Grand Finals are won in September, but the winning teams are put together in October and November.
The AFL teams provide the league with lists of players who they think are draft-worthy. The name Nathan Batsanis was absent from most of them, and while he and two of his teammates have been added now, you have to wonder what the teams' scouts were watching not to see his game.
Batsanis was named on the wing of the TAC Cup team for 2006. Nearly every game he played with Oakleigh he had huge stats in kicks, and a lot of these kicks were of the long variety.
Some may say he makes space for himself by not playing close to his opponent, if that is true then it was effective and he got the better of that matchup. But it may also not be true, as he had a large number of tackles.
While one game should not change a player's draft value, even if it was a huge Grand Final performance on the MCG, that could be the case here which says the talent scouts missed something. Batsanis may have been taken in the last round of the draft prior to his TAC Cup game, but he has 3rd round talent and could even get into the 2nd round now.
When Michael Gardiner played his first year in the AFL he made headlines for different reasons than he does now. He was a youngster getting ready to play the Bulldogs at Whitten Oval. But before the bounce he was bumped and pushed by a number of Bulldogs players. At the time the AFL, and many other people, thought this was wrong and some Bulldogs players were fined for this. The Bulldogs' players that day were the undersized Kretiuk and Southern, and a young Gardiner had over 10 centimetres and probably a few kilograms advantage over them. Gardiner was considered a star in the making, a huge player with huge potential, every team wanted him. But now, no team does.
The list of AFL players with some kind of baggage that detracts from their value is too long to list, it might take all your bandwidth to load. But there have also been players who have turned things around after getting a chance with a new team. It is a coinflip as to whether Gardiner will even be given a second chance but 199cm, 99kg players don't grow on trees.
The King of reclamation projects is Kevin Sheedy. He has had his successes, and he has had his Doc Wheildons and Ty Zantucks. You know he is thinking about it, and if preseason pick 2 has nobody else worth picking then Gardiner could be a Bomber.
Brisbane is as far away from the Eagles as you can get, both in distance and now also in onfield success. But after moving away Akermanis would Leigh want Gardiner, even if the cost was low. Brown played with Lynch in the forward line and that combination could not be stopped. Gardiner would not be needed to ruck with the Lions but as a forward he might be able to help. Brown is big, Gardiner is bigger, could be something the Lions think about.
He won't get traded there, as the Eagles don't want to help their main rival, but there is a team that is looking to add another big forward. Sydney have turned players like Hall and Lockett into stars on and off the field, after acquiring them when their reputations have not been that good. If Gardiner does get to Sydney in the preseason draft, and he would have to get past a few teams that could use him, then the Swans would have a player that not only fills a need but who would have plenty of incentive to turn his career around.
The facts are that Gardiner is lucky to be healthy enough to even play, he has run off the rails in more ways than one, but he still has AFL talent. Averaged over 17 hitouts a game for the Eagles this season, which shows he can still contribute in the ruck. His marks per game were not far away from his career averages. Gardiner can play around half forward, presenting a big target and crashing into packs. He can also have some runs in the ruck, short bursts every quarter so as not to risk him injuring himself. The cost is low, the end result could be very high, while no team is making an effort to trade for him now by next season he should be an a list again.
Ruckman Jason Laycock would have been a sought-after player in the trading period or preseason draft but Essendon have signed him up for two more years.
Laycock only played 6 games this season due to injury. For his career he has played in 23 games.
Essendon will have the 200cm Laycock, 202cm Hille and 197cm Ryder all available next season and this could cause problems for opposition teams.
If Laycock had left Essendon then Hille would have had to play exclusively in the ruck and Ryder might have been asked to do too much in his second year in the AFL. Now Hille can start in the ruck and then move forward, or back, with the similar-sized Laycock taking over. Ryder still needs to bulk up and his development won't be rushed with Laycock there, Ryder will get some games up forward and some time in the ruck too as well as playing in the VFL.
Laycock could have gone to Carlton, a team that needs a ruckman, in the preseason draft. Or he could have forced a trade. That he is back at Essendon indicates that he will be used in a much bigger role next season by the Bombers.
Ben Graham made the right move when he went to the NFL. Here are some of the salary numbers, converted to Australian dollars.
He was the oldest rookie in NFL history when he joined the New York Jets and was paid Au$308,133 for the season.
He then signed a six year extension, and if he plays for all of this contract it will equal Au$6,893,333 in total payments.
In his last game Graham had to kick the ball 3 times, which worked out to around $24,000 per kick.
With these numbers it is likely that many more AFL players will try the NFL, and possibly at a much earlier age than Graham did. While Bennett had a long career there, and Saverio Rocca should make it too, former Bear and Hawk Nathan Chapman was not successful when he tried out with the Green Bay Packers.
Scott Lucas, Brendan Goddard, Brendan Fevola, Dustin Fletcher and many others have the leg to be as successful as Graham.
But while many will think about going, there are only 32 teams using 1 punter each in the NFL, not a lot of vacancies.
The Crows have announced that Ben Hart won't be back. There is no mention of Hart retiring, although that would seem to be very likely.
There might be some teams interested in adding Hart but at his age he might not be looking to travel to a new state. That leaves Port Adelaide, so it will be interesting to see if they approach Hart.
Collingwood forward Chris Tarrant could be the major name in a huge AFL trading period. Does he want to go, are Collingwood listening to offers and what teams want him? Former Magpies like Paul Williams, Nick Davis and Mal Michael have benefited from leaving Collingwood so Tarrant has to be considering it. Collingwood are impressed with Rusling and Thomas and they fill some of the spots that Tarrant did. Collingwood have to offer something of value to get value back so Tarrant is probably seen as a trading chip by the Magpies.
It has been reported that West Coast and Sydney are after Tarrant, when Roos was interviewed about Everitt yesterday he also mentioned Tarrant as a player they will talk about. After their win, West Coast have said that Tarrant isn't someone they want, this could just be West Coast hiding their intentions or they feel they don’t need him after winning the Grand Final. Hawthorn have been mentioned and Adelaide are also a team that needs him. But what kind of trades could Collingwood make with Tarrant, following are some ideas.
Tarrant to Sydney for Vogels and pick 15.
Tarrant to West Coast for Staker and Gardiner.
Tarrant to Melbourne for Yze.
Tarrant to Hawthorn for Everitt and Jacobs.
Tarrant to Adelaide for Reilly and pick 14.
Tarrant to Western Bulldogs for Skipper and pick 11.
Collingwood could have many offers to consider. They could get a 1st and 2nd round pick and stock up on youth. A draft pick and a player could help them both now and in the future. Buckley, Rocca, Prestigiacomo, Burns and Clement are not going to be around much longer so adding an extra star to push for a premiership might be a better option.
Recent trades of key forwards could also indicate the value that Tarrant may have. Nathan Thompson cost the Kangaroos two first rounders, while Ottens was a similar price for Geelong.
Tarrant should be worth a first round pick plus a player or another draft choice. But what he ends up getting the Magpies, or if they keep him, will be known in just over a week.
The leading goal kickers for Geelong in 2006 were Gary Ablett and Paul Chapman. Steve Johnson, Ottens and Mooney also contributed but the forward line was what held Geelong back. 2007 will see a big change, with Tom Hawkins joining the Cats.
Possible forward line for Geelong in 2007:
FF: Ottens, Hawkins, Stokes
HF: G Ablett, N Ablett, Chapman
The days of trading for Brett Spinks and Kent Kingsley, or persisting with Gardner and McCarthy for no reward should be over. Geelong should have its best forward setup since the original Ablett teamed with Brownless, Scott and Stoneham in the early 1990s.
Hawkins and Ottens should be able to work together, either with both starting in the goalsquare or with one playing further up field to exploit a mismatch. Ottens at 202cm, Hawkins at 197cm, what team will have two defenders to stop both of them. The rest of the forward line has the mobility to complement those two. Mathew Stokes has the pace and skills to get to the crumbs. Ablett and Chapman are Geelong’s best two players at the moment, they can start forward but also have regular runs through the midfield too. “Other” Ablett is just the icing on the cake. Nathan has the mobility to run up the ground and present a marking target on the wings, he can also play closer to goal and be a third tall option in the forward 50.
There are additional players that will contribute up forward too. Steve Johnson and Travis Varcoe will get time in the forward line when Ablett and Chapman are on the ball. Johnson is inconsistent but has great skills, while Varcoe is a high draft pick who came to the Cats with an injury but when recovered was a great player for their VFL team. With Hawkins and Ottens playing forward there may not be room for Mooney but that could help Geelong too. Mooney could play at centre halfback and also a bit in the ruck.
But it is Hawkins who will allow all these peripheral players to succeed. Nathan Ablett and Ottens will have the pressure taken off them, and will also not have to contend with the opposition’s best defender. Small forwards like Stokes will be waiting in front of the pack as Hawkins crashes into it, and if Hawkins doesn’t come down with the mark it could be an easy goal for a small Cat waiting for the crumb. They weren’t getting this physical play with Kingsley.
While not a big number to beat, Ablett kicked 35 goals in 2006, Hawkins should be the favourite to lead Geelong’s goalkicking next season. Thompson might have his coaching career saved by the addition of Hawkins too. If Thompson isn’t the answer for Geelong, and is replaced during the season or after it when his contract expires, then plenty of coaches will want to be in charge down there. A more offensive-minded coach might be best for Geelong, so maybe the Cats go back to Blight as he would be a perfect coach to get the best out of Geelong’s new forward line and to help Hawkins meet his potential as a star forward.
21 Kangaroos : Daniel Connors (182cm, 77kg)
The Kangaroos definitely go big with their first rounder, but they also need some midfielders and one should go here. Connors could develop into a versatile midfielder for them. Was named on the wing for the Under 18 All-Australian team as well as the TAC Cup team. Also looks like he might have a future as a small forward, which is something the Kangaroos need. Plays taller than he is which is always useful.
22 Brisbane : Ricky Petterd (184cm, 77kg)
Brisbane could lose a lot of players, not just Akermanis and Voss but young players like Moody too. The good news for the Lions is that there are a number of talented locals to draft. Petterd would get to stay in his home state and the Lions would add someone who should play 200 games for them. Petterd can play a number of spots but maybe he could take over the role that the Scotts or Lappin had around halfback.
23 Port Adelaide : Shaun Grigg (189cm, 79kg)
The Power have a lot of skill in the midfield so a taller defensive player there could give them more options. But while Grigg has defensive abilities he can also get the ball himself. Named on the wing of the Under 18 All-Australian team.
24 Hawthorn : Brock O'Brien (180cm, 78kg)
Is probably more ready than a lot of other midfield prospects. But could be introduced to AFL play as a back pocket. Solid in his skills, no real weakness. O'Brien does use Paul Kelly as a role model on the field, not a bad choice for a player to want to replicate. At Hawthorn he could become a player to take some of the load off Mitchell in the middle or he might be someone to step in for Joel Smith down back.
25 Geelong : Robert Eddy (181cm, 83kg)
Geelong's next pick goes on Tom Hawkins so things are looking good for Geelong. Like Hawkins, Eddy may be able to contribute a bit in his first year. Eddy was named in the TAC Cup team on a halfback flank. Has the potential to play further up the field too. Eddy does have some underrated pace. One player available at this spot could be Jackson Sheringham and Geelong will have an interest in him. If Geelong do go with a bigger player with either of their first two picks expect them to target a defender.
Team-by-team previews of AFL trading week will be posted in the coming days. Then after trade week there will be a full mock draft posted, with the approximately 70 selections. It will have a revised draft order due to the trades, and could also be affected by additional father/son draft announcements as well as some AFL delisted players.
Click here for picks 16 to 20.
Melbourne: Byron Pickett, picks 54, 62
Port Adelaide: Picks 28, 44, 60
Pickett brought an attitide, toughness and Grand Final experience. Melbourne should be happy with this trade.
Hawthorn: Pick 18
Kangaroos: Jonathan Hay
Max Bailey is a 205.8cm ruckman. He was great value at pick 18 and since it only cost the Hawks Hay it was a huge win for Hawthorn.
Sydney: Ted Richards, pick 55
Essendon: Picks 19, 51
Richards couldn't get a regular game with Essendon but after moving to Sydney he played in a Grand Final. Another good trade for Sydney.
Richmond: Patrick Bowden
Western Bulldogs: Pick 56
It was always thought that the Bowdens would play on the same team, and last season it happened. They had a lot of disposals, but it didn't lead to too many wins. But a useful tallish player for a late pick should make Richmond happy.
Hawthorn: Pick 14
Port Adelaide: Nathan Lonie
Hawthorn had a good draft because they picked up some extra picks. They used this pick on Birchall. The Power received a solid player too. An even trade but Birchall could develop into a better player in a few years.
Port Adelaide: Daniel Motlop
Kangaroos: Picks 28, 46
The Power used a pick from the Pickett trade to acquire Motlop. It wasn't a bad return for the Power, although Motlop needs to improve his kicking for goal.
Carlton: Saddington
Sydney: Pick 52
The Swans had the oft-injured Saddington on their list for many years. At the start of his career he was a great prospect with athleticism and height but injuries stopped him from fulfilling his potential. He wasn't going to get a game in Sydney's defense but was an improvement over some of Carlton's players. Saddington had a couple of good games, but got injured, might be able to contribute next season if he is a bit luckier.
Adelaide: Pick 17
St. Kilda: Fergus Watts
This trade might not have helped anyone involved. Watts didn't have a spot with the Saints as Gehrig and Riewoldt were ahead of him. If Watts had stayed with Adelaide he would have got a chance with Welsh, Perrie and other Crows forwards out with injury. But Watts is a good player and with an opportunity he might help the Saints.
Geelong: Pick 35
Sydney: Paul Chambers
The Swans thought they might have found another underrated ruckman, like they did with the Jolly trade, but it didn't work out this time.
Collingwood: Pick 23
Essendon: Richard Cole
Looked like a fair trade at the time but Cole hardly played. Sheedy might have missed with this one.
Kangaroos: Daniel McConnell, pick 18
West Coast: Pick 13, 29
Too early to tell with this one. But McConnell should play a bit next season.
Western Bulldogs: Pick 46
Kangaroos: Jade Rawlings, pick 43
It was a good move for the Bulldogs as it ended a bad chapter for them. Rawlings also got to play a few games with his brother. With Rawlings' retirement this odd AFL story will soon be forgotten.
Sydney: Pick 61
Kangaroos: Mark Powell
When you are trading away pick 61 you are not getting a lot back.
Not anything near a blockbuster trade last season. But it should pick up next week. Melbourne had the best return on the field with the Pickett acquisition. Hawthorn saved money while also adding a huge ruck prospect, that move could have the biggest impact in the future.
The Eagles have responded to the controversy of not shaking the kids hands when they got their medals. Not an official stat, but the Eagles are saying that 14 of their players thanked the children with a handshake.
14 out of 22 is around 64%. That is a solid number. In other recent Grand Finals there were plenty of handshakes missed, some by the players but also some by the kids.
This could be solved by putting someone like Robert Dipierdomenico there to supervise the kids. He is still a fearsome site on Grand Final day. As a leader of the AusKick he is good with the kids. One look from him would also remind the players to shake the little kids hands.
Wirrpanda also responded to this, as he was one of the players who forgot what he was doing. He has said the kid will get something from him like a signed jumper. That is going to be worth a lot more than a handshake.
While the handshake problem could be solved, there is no hope for the old school bench and the player photos before the game. The players are ready to go, they burst through the banner, but then they sit down and say "cheese". Not a Grand Final moment there.
There are a lot of definitions for a draft bust, it can be a top 20 pick who never plays a game, a top 5 pick who does not turn into a star or a top overall pick that does not become a dominant player in the AFL. Often a player can look worse due to the players who went after them in the draft. Following is a list of players who were taken high in the draft, their teams put a lot of effort and time into developing them but the players never became the stars that the teams expected them to be. All these players at one time were hyped as future greats, but as of right now they are draft busts.
Richard Tambling, pick 4 for Richmond in 2004.
Lance Franklin could be the most talented player in the AFL, Tambling went the pick before him. Tambling has yet to find a role at Richmond, they haven't figured out if he is a midfielder or a forward, or neither. Tambling is one of the most skilled players on this list but he went at pick 4 and hasn't really done anything. There is still time for him but Richmond may not be the right place.
Jordan Russell, pick 9 for Carlton in 2004.
Carlton picked Chris Bryan at number 73 and Russell at pick 9 and they are both useful players in the VFL. But Bryan was the third last pick of the draft while Russell was a first rounder. Russell is a draft bust and the only way this changes is if he moves to a new team.
Jared Brennan, pick 3 by Brisbane in 2002.
Easily the most athletic player on this list, and that was why the Lions picked him. He is tall and he can run and jump, but Brisbane have yet to find out if he can play football. They have tried him at most spots but nothing has clicked yet. Next year could be his last chance there and the departure of Mal Michael could save Brennan's career. Maybe they can turn him into a fullback, he has all the tools for that. If they can't find a spot for him then he will have a spot on the draft busts lists.
Ashley Sampi, pick 6 by West Coast in 2001.
Sampi could have been good but he didn't take his chance. West Coast are loaded with talent but imagine if they had taken Del Santo, Hale or Maguire with this pick.
Luke Livingston, pick 4 for Carlton in 2000, and Trent Sporn at pick 11 and Simon Wiggins at pick 15.
Did Carlton suffer more when picks were taken off them or when they had picks to use? Livingston is too short, and too weak for a key defensive post, too slow as well. Sporn has no apparent skill. Wiggins is an improvement over the first two players they took, but players with his average size and ability are not hard to find. Wiggins may get a chance somewhere else but Livingstone and Sporn have no chance. Players taken after pick 15 included Daniel Kerr, Kane Cornes, Drew Petrie, Adam McPhee and both Lonies.
Lawrence Angwin, pick 7 for Adelaide in 2000.
Big mistake by the Crows. But they did get Graham Johncock that draft at pick 67. If it was Johncock with the early pick, and Angwin with the last pick, it would look a lot better for the Crows. But Angwin in the first round equals a big draft bust.
Aaron Fiora, pick 3 for Richmond in 1999.
Fiora did look like a star when drafted in 1999. He had good size for a wingman, was not slow and could put the ball deep into attack with his long kicking. The problem must have been that he couldn't get the ball to go on a run and then kick it. He got out of Richmond for a new start with the Saints but that didn't work. Expect another team to give him a chance now, but time is running out for him to not be a draft bust.
Des Headland, pick 1 for Brisbane in 1998.
Was a useful part of the successful Lions teams, but was closer to the 20th player selected for them each week, not good out of the top overall pick. Headland wanted out and the Lions did not miss him.
Ryan Fitzgerald, pick 4 for Sydney in 1998.
Is sometimes entertaining, but for Sydney he didn't make it as a footballer. Injury-prone and was traded to Adelaide, so at least Sydney got something for him. The Crows didn't get much either.
Murray Vance, pick 6 for Carlton in 1998.
Josh Carr, Hayes, McVeigh, a couple of Boltons and plenty of other AFL players were taken after this pick. Possibly a more ineffective version of Luke Livingstone, so not a good pick.
James Walker, pick 6 for Fremantle in 1997.
He has been on their list a long time and done absolutely nothing. While he has played quite a few games he never really did anything. He doesn't play now and the Dockers are winning. Maybe he has played his last game there and possibly his last in the AFL.
Here is the list of the AFLPA Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship players from this season. There are a number of potential high draft picks here, and Hansen is a chance to go at number 1 and is a guaranteed top 4 selection.
Jordan Florance, Christopher George, Lachlan Hansen , Matthew Kreuzer, Ben McEvoy, Jared Petrenko, Albert Proud, Joel Selwood , James Sellar, Mitchell Thorp, Edward Wilson, Matthew Wright.
Following is the list of 2007 players.
Patrick Veszpremi, Aaron Kite, Nicholas Suban, Stewart Gilchrist, Matthew Broadbent, Tom McNamara, Tom Salter, Tayte Pears, Jessie Laurie, Sam Mardling, Alex Wilson, Angus Clarke, Sam Fairclough, Sam Davoren, Matthew Cunningham, Mitchell Banner.
Veszpremi was named in the Under 18 All-Australian team for 2006, but has to wait for next year's draft. He and most of the players listed could be drafted next year and follow other Fitzpatrick Scholarship players like Ryan Griffin and Lance Franklin and become stars in the AFL.
16 West Coast : Jarryd Allen (192cm, 85kg)
What do West Coast really need, probably nothing. They have Staker, Priddis and Graham who could be regular players next season, and most of their Grand Final team will return. The Eagles can look at drafting some options up forward and they also might think about a ruckman who could challenge Seaby for the backup role. Allen would be a good player to add to their forward depth. He can play in the goalsquare or further up the ground. Allen is a mobile player who can take a lot of marks. Hansen has had some injuries in his career and a backup for him would be a good idea. There will also be plenty of WA prospects for the Eagles to consider, but at this part of the draft they will need to look interstate for a key position player.
17 Carlton : Nathan Brown (194cm, 89kg)
Even if Thornton stays there is room to add another tall defender at Carlton. Brown was the Under 18 All-Australian fullback. But he isn't just a fullback and probably could play in any of the key positions. If you are a commentator you would be hoping that this Nathan Brown does not get drafted by Melbourne or Richmond, although both of those teams could use his talent. Carlton were hoping that this priority pick would be second overall, it is unlikely to have that changed, but an extra pick between round 1 and 2 should still give it a great prospect.
18 Essendon : Clayton Collard (177cm, 80kg)
The Bombers could use a small player around goals and Collard could fill that role. But he has to get past Fremantle's first round pick to be available here. Collard is a player who could contribute right away. At Essendon he might become a better player than at other teams as Sheedy will look to exploit his skills all over the ground.
19 Carlton : Mitchell Brown (193cm, 92kg)
In the tradition of the Febeys, Wakelins and even the Lords. Although maybe Essendon would be more likely to do this, as Sheedy has shown with brothers like the Danihers and Maddens. Just like his brother, but kicks with the other foot and could have more of a forward's mentality. With the addition of both Browns, the Blues would have plenty of key position depth.
20 Essendon : Ben Reid (193cm, 81kg)
Like Carlton, Essendon will also benefit from a priority pick. They might have been deciding between a tall and a midfielder if they just had a second round pick here, but with the bonus pick at 18 as well they can get both. Maybe Sheedy would want Andrejs Everitt here, and his brother in the preseason draft, while either of the Browns would fit too. Reid may be a bit further away than some draftees but his potential is something Essendon should like. The future for Essendon could be Reid at centre halfback and Kepler Bradley at fullback. Reid has the mobility and marking skill to become a star tall but whoever drafts him will have to
Click here for picks 11 to 15.
This could be very funny looking back twelve months from now, as there is a slim chance of some of this happening, but here are some predictions for what could happen in the AFL next season.
2007 Premier: West Coast
2007 Grand Final: West Coast vs Fremantle
2007 Norm Smith Medallist: Dean Cox
2007 Brownlow Medallist: Matthew Pavlich
2007 Coleman Medallist: Jonathan Brown
2007 Rising Star: Xavier Ellis
2007 Ladder
West Coast
Adelaide
Fremantle
St. Kilda
Essendon
Western Bulldogs
Sydney
Port Adelaide
Melbourne
Hawthorn
Kangaroos
Geelong
Collingwood
Richmond
Carlton
Brisbane
Ranking The AFL Number 1 Picks
2000: Nick Riewoldt (St. Kilda)
1994: Jeff White (Fremantle)
1999: Josh Fraser (Collingwood)
1992: Drew Banfield (West Coast)
2003: Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs)
2001: Luke Hodge (Hawthorn)
2002: Brendon Goddard (St. Kilda)
2005: Marc Murphy (Carlton)
1993: Darren Gaspar (Sydney)
2004: Brett Deledio (Richmond)
1997: Travis Johnstone (Melbourne)
1988: Alex McDonald (Hawthorn)
1986: Martin Leslie (Brisbane Bears)
1998: Des Headland (Brisbane Lions)
1996: Michael Gardiner (West Coast)
1989: Anthony Banik (Richmond)
1995: Clive Waterhouse (Fremantle)
1991: John Hutton (Brisbane)
1987: Richard Lounder (Richmond)
1990: Stephen Hooper (Geelong)
As you can see from the list, the number 1 pick does not guarantee success. Banfield has a couple of premierships, Headland also won with Brisbane, but neither player was a huge star. Riewoldt, White and Fraser are some of the biggest players taken at number 1 and also the best. But as Geelong found out with Hooper, drafting the best ruck prospect isn't always the way to go.
If there was something that was unexpected during the AFL Grand Final it was the huge shadow from the Holden airship. The play would be at the Punt Road end in the sunshine and suddenly the players would be in darkness, that could not have been good for their skills.
Airships are useful at sporting events, especially for providing camera shots of the area for the event. But you don't usually have them interfering with the game, a blimp eclipse appearing at the MCG.
It would not be too difficult to figure out where the sun is and where the large shadow goes. Future AFL games should not have a moving shadow, there is enough there with the new roof. If they can't pilot their blimp responsibly then they shouldn't be up there in the first place.
Greg Williams was initially overlooked by Carlton, it took many years and a couple of clubs before he would play for them. Jake Williams is now in a similar spot, Carlton will probably overlook him for father/son and they might not use a later draft pick on him either.
Jake is similar to his father, he gets the ball a lot, he finds targets with handball, he is a bit small and he seems to get bumped over a lot after he disposes of the ball. Also similar were their results playing their first Grand Final on the MCG. When Oakleigh contained Williams after the first quarter it helped turn the game.
There does seem to be a spot for Jake Williams at Carlton. Young players like Murphy and Blackwell, and probably Gibbs too, have the makings of a talented midfield but a player to extract the ball from stoppages would be a big help. Williams can do this.
Where Williams goes in the draft is a big question. He is one of at least three potential father/son picks for Carlton but none may be worth a 3rd rounder. But if Williams is still around in the 4th or 5th rounds then Carlton probably should take him. He fills a need, has solid skills and keeps a tradition going there.
But there could be another team that grabs him, somewhere after pick 50. Sydney's style of play would suit Williams and they may be interested. Brisbane need some onball help and Williams would work well with Charman and Woods directing the ball to him. Fremantle, with Sandilands and Longmuir in the ruck, also have a spot for Williams in their midfield.
11 Western Bulldogs : Eric McKenzie (195cm, 91kg)
The Bulldogs may trade this pick, but if they use it then a tall is what they will want. Would be happy if Riewoldt was available here, and will also consider Allen and others. McKenzie could fill a tall defensive position, probably centre halfback. He is a strong player who could be more ready than other similar draftees.
12 Melbourne : Tom Hislop (185cm, 85kg)
The Demons don't have a really big need so they could draft BPA with their picks, Best Player Available. Hislop is a midfielder with above average height. He was in the Under 18 All-Australian team. Hislop has solid defensive abilities, and when combined with his high possessions and solid marking for his size, he is a complete player. The Demons could also use another ruck prospect but probably use a later pick on that.
13 Fremantle : Gary Moss (178cm, 68kg)
The Dockers are usually figuring out what to do with their top 4 pick but this time they pick a lot later due to their success. With Sandilands they have no ruck needs, they are overloaded with quality defenders and their forward line is solid too. Fremantle like to take the best WA players and Gary Moss would be a useful pickup. He could be a replacement for McManus and Cook in the midfield. Moss was named in the centre for the Under 18 All-Australian team.
14 Adelaide : Tom Hurley (178cm, 72kg)
The Crows lost two ruckmen recently, Biglands to injury and Clarke to retirement, so they will add a ruckman with at least one of their picks. They probably use their first rounder on something other than a ruckman, possibly a full forward or a local star. Hurley is a South Australian who the Crows can take as an investment for the future. They will soon need players to replace big possession accumulators like Goodwin, Edwards and Ricciuto. In a year or two Hurley will be ready to be a big part of their midfield.
15 Sydney : Albert Proud (179cm, 80kg)
The Swans could look to trade this pick to reload with a ready veteran. But there is plenty of young talent available at this pick. Proud captained Queensland at Under 18 level and showed plenty of AFL-ready skills. He kicks well, tackles hard and can get plenty of the ball. The Swans have a need for some tall goalkickers too, and there will be some players like that available here so it won't be a surprise if Jarryd Allen, Mitchell Brown or even Kurt Tippett are taken by the Swans with this pick.
Click here for picks 6 to 10
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