2007 AFL Mock Draft Preview - Picks 1 to 5
1 Carlton: Matthew Kreuzer (199cm, 91kg)
They have announced that they are keeping the pick and Kreuzer will be selected. It is one of the more sensible things that Carlton have done this century. Kreuzer isn't the tallest of ruckmen, although he is tall enough, and when his height is measured at the draft camp it will be something that interests many people. While a very small increase from his listed height, if he does get an extra centimetre or two it will put him over two metres, and it always looks better on the team list when the ruckmen are 200cm or more.
Kreuzer will be the starting ruckman at Carlton as soon as he gets drafted, and he should grow along with players like Gibbs, Murphy and others to form a powerful midfield group. It won't be next season, or maybe the one after that even, but eventually Carlton should have one of the best midfields in the AFL.
While Kreuzer has also been an effective forward at TAC Cup level, for Carlton his playing time up there would be very minimal. Fevola doesn't really like to share his space, and if Fisher and Kennedy are still there in 2008 the Blues will have plenty of forward marking targets. Shaun Hampson, who could be Kreuzer's backup for many years, may also play forward at times.
2 Richmond: Trent Cotchin (184cm, 81kg)
There was talk that Richmond wanted a few of the Morton brothers, although it is hard to see them letting Cotchin go past their pick. A Deledio and Cotchin pairing is something that Richmond fans will want to see, they are similar players and opposition teams won’t be able to keep up with both of them. The Tigers do need height, but they can probably afford to go small here if they use picks 18 and 19 on tall players.
There might be up to ten players who are worth the second overall pick, so Richmond may be able to trade down a bit and still get the player they wanted, something that worked for them last year in the Polak deal when they were able to draft Jack Riewoldt.
While Cotchin is injured at the moment, that isn't a reason to not take him at pick 2. Chris Judd wasn't drafted by a team or two due to his shoulder problem, Joel Selwood was recovering from a knee injury, and the teams that drafted them were rewarded.
3 Carlton: Cale Morton (192cm, 75kg)
Koutoufides is gone and the Carlton midfield loses a lot of its size, Morton could help there or in the back line.
As a defender, Morton could combine the play of Scotland with the height of Waite. Andrejs Everitt had a very good season for the Bulldogs in 2006, Morton could play a similar role next year for the team that drafts him and he is even more advanced than Everitt was. If Morton was introduced to AFL football as a midfielder, it could provide his team with some mismatches to exploit. Morton can take a mark, and on the wing against a much shorter opponent he could do some damage.
Richmond may already have Morton ranked at number 2 on their list, but that may depend on what is happening with Mitch Morton who Richmond could take in the preseason draft. If that happens, then the Mortons could become the Bowdens of 2006.
4 Melbourne: Ben McEvoy (199cm, 90kg)
While he didn't star on the weekend when he played on the MCG, he has done more than enough this season to be a top 5 pick.
A big body, good running ability and strong hands make McEvoy one of the players from this draft who could dominate the AFL in a few years. Centre half forward is often said to be the most important spot on the ground, and McEvoy is by far the best prospect at that position.
Neitz is in his final years at the club, McEvoy would be a big help to him next season and then would take over as their big target up forward when Neitz retired.
5 Western Bulldogs: Alex Rance (194cm, 87kg)
The family connection to the Bulldogs is a bonus, that Alex Rance is a big defender with plenty of skills is the real reason they will consider drafting him.
He has plenty of size but his mobility is also something that should appeal to teams with very high picks in the draft. A centre half back with good hands and defensive skills combined with some dash from the back line when it is needed, Rance would be a perfect fit for the Bulldogs.
While Rance would be a big part of the Bulldogs in the future, he is also ready to contribute for them next season. That will be important if they do keep the pick, as they need to win now before West, Johnson, Akermanis and Grant finish their careers.
The trade week will change around plenty of the picks in the draft, so there will be additional mock drafts posted when the AFL draft order is certain. Mock drafts are important to teams as they plan their strategies for the AFL trading period, as they need to figure out what picks they need to grab the players they want.
The AFL draft camp will also provide updated measurements for many of the top prospects. The draft camp tests could also help some players move up in the draft and hurt the chances of others.
2007 AFL Mock Draft Preview - Picks 6 to 10
They have announced that they are keeping the pick and Kreuzer will be selected. It is one of the more sensible things that Carlton have done this century. Kreuzer isn't the tallest of ruckmen, although he is tall enough, and when his height is measured at the draft camp it will be something that interests many people. While a very small increase from his listed height, if he does get an extra centimetre or two it will put him over two metres, and it always looks better on the team list when the ruckmen are 200cm or more.
Kreuzer will be the starting ruckman at Carlton as soon as he gets drafted, and he should grow along with players like Gibbs, Murphy and others to form a powerful midfield group. It won't be next season, or maybe the one after that even, but eventually Carlton should have one of the best midfields in the AFL.
While Kreuzer has also been an effective forward at TAC Cup level, for Carlton his playing time up there would be very minimal. Fevola doesn't really like to share his space, and if Fisher and Kennedy are still there in 2008 the Blues will have plenty of forward marking targets. Shaun Hampson, who could be Kreuzer's backup for many years, may also play forward at times.
2 Richmond: Trent Cotchin (184cm, 81kg)
There was talk that Richmond wanted a few of the Morton brothers, although it is hard to see them letting Cotchin go past their pick. A Deledio and Cotchin pairing is something that Richmond fans will want to see, they are similar players and opposition teams won’t be able to keep up with both of them. The Tigers do need height, but they can probably afford to go small here if they use picks 18 and 19 on tall players.
There might be up to ten players who are worth the second overall pick, so Richmond may be able to trade down a bit and still get the player they wanted, something that worked for them last year in the Polak deal when they were able to draft Jack Riewoldt.
While Cotchin is injured at the moment, that isn't a reason to not take him at pick 2. Chris Judd wasn't drafted by a team or two due to his shoulder problem, Joel Selwood was recovering from a knee injury, and the teams that drafted them were rewarded.
3 Carlton: Cale Morton (192cm, 75kg)
Koutoufides is gone and the Carlton midfield loses a lot of its size, Morton could help there or in the back line.
As a defender, Morton could combine the play of Scotland with the height of Waite. Andrejs Everitt had a very good season for the Bulldogs in 2006, Morton could play a similar role next year for the team that drafts him and he is even more advanced than Everitt was. If Morton was introduced to AFL football as a midfielder, it could provide his team with some mismatches to exploit. Morton can take a mark, and on the wing against a much shorter opponent he could do some damage.
Richmond may already have Morton ranked at number 2 on their list, but that may depend on what is happening with Mitch Morton who Richmond could take in the preseason draft. If that happens, then the Mortons could become the Bowdens of 2006.
4 Melbourne: Ben McEvoy (199cm, 90kg)
While he didn't star on the weekend when he played on the MCG, he has done more than enough this season to be a top 5 pick.
A big body, good running ability and strong hands make McEvoy one of the players from this draft who could dominate the AFL in a few years. Centre half forward is often said to be the most important spot on the ground, and McEvoy is by far the best prospect at that position.
Neitz is in his final years at the club, McEvoy would be a big help to him next season and then would take over as their big target up forward when Neitz retired.
5 Western Bulldogs: Alex Rance (194cm, 87kg)
The family connection to the Bulldogs is a bonus, that Alex Rance is a big defender with plenty of skills is the real reason they will consider drafting him.
He has plenty of size but his mobility is also something that should appeal to teams with very high picks in the draft. A centre half back with good hands and defensive skills combined with some dash from the back line when it is needed, Rance would be a perfect fit for the Bulldogs.
While Rance would be a big part of the Bulldogs in the future, he is also ready to contribute for them next season. That will be important if they do keep the pick, as they need to win now before West, Johnson, Akermanis and Grant finish their careers.
The trade week will change around plenty of the picks in the draft, so there will be additional mock drafts posted when the AFL draft order is certain. Mock drafts are important to teams as they plan their strategies for the AFL trading period, as they need to figure out what picks they need to grab the players they want.
The AFL draft camp will also provide updated measurements for many of the top prospects. The draft camp tests could also help some players move up in the draft and hurt the chances of others.
2007 AFL Mock Draft Preview - Picks 6 to 10
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Judd's a one man midfield but he'll have to kick to himself a lot.
It'll be like a second childhood.
And who wouldn't opt for that?
I'd find it hard to believe Cameron Cloke won't do the bulk of the ruck next season for that particular team
They'd be wise, and they are mo of that these days, to gently ease Kreuzer in, if they still have the opportunity to draft him.
Not a lot of Carlton people want to remember Ackland, he isn't a bad player but just isn't tall enough to be a number 1 ruckman. He might find a role next season, sharing time in the ruck with Kreuzer, but that will also depend on how much Hampson improves over the summer.