2006 AFL Mock Draft Preview - Picks 1 to 5
1 Carlton : Bryce Gibbs (188cm, 79kg)
The Blues need a ruckman, but in drafts teams have to often choose between the best player available and what they need. Despite Adelaide trying to scare them from Gibbs, and the Power trying to trade for him, it is likely that it will be Gibbs to Carlton at pick 1. Gibbs can play right away and will team with Murphy in the Carlton midfield. Gibbs and Murphy have many similarities, they are both skillful players, there fathers were also accomplished footballers and while Gibbs was named as the top onballer for the 2006 Under 18 All-Australian Team that was the same honour that Murphy received in 2005.
With Kernahan at Carlton, and his friendship with the Gibbs family, that is another reason to expect Gibbs to be picked at number 1. If they don't take Gibbs, then Hansen or Leuenberger are other options.
2 Essendon : Matthew Leuenberger (202cm, 92kg)
Sheedy recently went to WA for a scouting trip, while the media talked about him and Michael Gardiner, it was probably Leuenberger who impressed him more.
While ruckmen are not the biggest need for the Bombers, the potential that Leuenberger has could be too good to pass. Leuenberger was the Under 18 All-Australian ruckman. While some of the taller ruckmen are not the best at marking this is an area that leuenberger has impressed the scouts. His athleticism is also considered to be much better than other young ruckmen. Hansen or Gumbleton may fill a need more, at centre halfback for the Bombers, the addition of Leuenberger could provide the Bombers with a lot of young ruck options. Laycock may not stay with Essendon, but with Leuenberger and Patrick Ryder the Bombers would have a ruck/forward combination that could be dominant in a couple of years.
3 Kangaroos : Lachlan Hansen (195cm, 92kg)
A chance to go higher, but probably does not get past pick 3. A centre halfback prospect who could join Petrie and Watt in the Kangaroos backline. Hansen is a great athlete who can mark the ball or spoil it effectively. He will throw himself into packs, and often come down with the ball. While he was an Under 18 All-Australian defender, with the Kangaroos he could also be played as a forward.
If Hansen goes to Essendon then Gumbleton could be an option for the Kangaroos here, they already have the young ruckmen in Hale and McIntosh.
4 Brisbane : Scott Gumbleton (195cm, 92kg)
The Lions have not been able to find a replacement for Lynch or Leppitsch, Gumbleton can play at both ends of the ground so he would be a good pick. Gumbleton has put on weight since last season, at least 5kg, and he should be able to step into a team and be ready to play next season.
It might depend on what happens to Bradshaw, he is uncontracted at the moment, as to whether Gumbleton would play forward or back. But a forward line of Jonathan Brown and Gumbleton would be a useful combination.
There are not any Queensland players worth picking with this early pick, so no matter who is taken here it will be from another state. If it isn't WA's Gumbleton, then a key position player from Tasmania, South Australia or Victoria could be selected here.
5 Port Adelaide : James Sellar (195cm, 92kg)
The Power won it all a couple of seasons ago so they still have a team that can win. They might trade this pick to get a veteran player but if they keep it then Sellar would be someone they consider drafting. He is a big South Australian key position player and would be a big help to Tredrea in the forward line for the Power. He has also played in the ruck with some success, but in the AFL he will be more of a centre half forward.
While the Power are not afraid to draft from other states, they do like to get the best South Australians. If Sellar is gone then players like Tom Hurley or Chris Schmidt are other options.
The Power have been trying to get the top pick, to take Gibbs, but they would have to offer this pick and a lot more to get it.
Over the next week the top 25 picks will be posted. Then after trade week, and the draft order is officially set, there will be a comprehensive mock draft for all the picks, which will also include some AFL delisted players.
The heights and weight listed for the players are those that were released through the AFL, the upcoming draft camp will have updated official measurements for the players.
The Blues need a ruckman, but in drafts teams have to often choose between the best player available and what they need. Despite Adelaide trying to scare them from Gibbs, and the Power trying to trade for him, it is likely that it will be Gibbs to Carlton at pick 1. Gibbs can play right away and will team with Murphy in the Carlton midfield. Gibbs and Murphy have many similarities, they are both skillful players, there fathers were also accomplished footballers and while Gibbs was named as the top onballer for the 2006 Under 18 All-Australian Team that was the same honour that Murphy received in 2005.
2 Essendon : Matthew Leuenberger (202cm, 92kg)
Sheedy recently went to WA for a scouting trip, while the media talked about him and Michael Gardiner, it was probably Leuenberger who impressed him more.
While ruckmen are not the biggest need for the Bombers, the potential that Leuenberger has could be too good to pass. Leuenberger was the Under 18 All-Australian ruckman. While some of the taller ruckmen are not the best at marking this is an area that leuenberger has impressed the scouts. His athleticism is also considered to be much better than other young ruckmen. Hansen or Gumbleton may fill a need more, at centre halfback for the Bombers, the addition of Leuenberger could provide the Bombers with a lot of young ruck options. Laycock may not stay with Essendon, but with Leuenberger and Patrick Ryder the Bombers would have a ruck/forward combination that could be dominant in a couple of years.
3 Kangaroos : Lachlan Hansen (195cm, 92kg)
A chance to go higher, but probably does not get past pick 3. A centre halfback prospect who could join Petrie and Watt in the Kangaroos backline. Hansen is a great athlete who can mark the ball or spoil it effectively. He will throw himself into packs, and often come down with the ball. While he was an Under 18 All-Australian defender, with the Kangaroos he could also be played as a forward.
If Hansen goes to Essendon then Gumbleton could be an option for the Kangaroos here, they already have the young ruckmen in Hale and McIntosh.
4 Brisbane : Scott Gumbleton (195cm, 92kg)
The Lions have not been able to find a replacement for Lynch or Leppitsch, Gumbleton can play at both ends of the ground so he would be a good pick. Gumbleton has put on weight since last season, at least 5kg, and he should be able to step into a team and be ready to play next season.
It might depend on what happens to Bradshaw, he is uncontracted at the moment, as to whether Gumbleton would play forward or back. But a forward line of Jonathan Brown and Gumbleton would be a useful combination.
There are not any Queensland players worth picking with this early pick, so no matter who is taken here it will be from another state. If it isn't WA's Gumbleton, then a key position player from Tasmania, South Australia or Victoria could be selected here.
5 Port Adelaide : James Sellar (195cm, 92kg)
The Power won it all a couple of seasons ago so they still have a team that can win. They might trade this pick to get a veteran player but if they keep it then Sellar would be someone they consider drafting. He is a big South Australian key position player and would be a big help to Tredrea in the forward line for the Power. He has also played in the ruck with some success, but in the AFL he will be more of a centre half forward.
While the Power are not afraid to draft from other states, they do like to get the best South Australians. If Sellar is gone then players like Tom Hurley or Chris Schmidt are other options.
The Power have been trying to get the top pick, to take Gibbs, but they would have to offer this pick and a lot more to get it.
Over the next week the top 25 picks will be posted. Then after trade week, and the draft order is officially set, there will be a comprehensive mock draft for all the picks, which will also include some AFL delisted players.
The heights and weight listed for the players are those that were released through the AFL, the upcoming draft camp will have updated official measurements for the players.
going around.hopefully he will be picked up and snug it up the wa selectors
afl opinion
Wayne Carey's number. And he is 202cm tall so he seems to have all the qualitys.
P.S go to www.orble.com/chris-rayson to take a look at his newest posts and more their pretty good.
"AFL Kid"