2007 AFL Preseason Draft Quick Review
1 Richmond - David Gourdis
Tall and athletic forward, it was a big surprise when he didn't go in the national draft. The Tigers have some athleticism up forward with Richardson, Riewoldt and Gourdis. The Tigers probably went looking for a ruckman, tall forward and tall defender with their preseason and rookie picks and with Tristan Cartledge, Gourdis and Jarrod Silvester they selected wisely to fill their needs. They also took Clayton Collard in the rookie draft, with the first choice overall, and he is the usual Terry Wallace pick.
2 Carlton - Darren Pfeiffer
A pick that probably has people scratching their head and wondering why they did it. He isn't the big defender or centre half forward they needed.
3 Melbourne - Stefan Martin
Importantly, he is big. Another smart thing the Demons did was to draft someone who is familiar with their setup and players, he played in the VFL for Sandringham. He is a long-term project who can learn from White and Neitz.
4 Western Bulldogs - Scott Welsh
Was a good complimentary player when he had McKernan and Carey around him, his production continued with the Crows but he never kicked the big hauls when the games were important. Welsh gives the Bulldogs a very good medium forward option to combine with their small forward Brad Johnson. Welsh will be expected to give them 50 goals in 2008.
5 Essendon - John Williams
He was a draft sleeper that teams were supposedly going to grab in the national draft but that didn't occur. An athletic project for the Bombers to work with.
6 Fremantle - Joshua Head
A solid player, capable of 15 or so possessions in the WAFL. Depth for their list, maybe he plays in the back half with Walker gone sailing. Probably the biggest surprise of the preseason picks.
7 West Coast - Patrick McGinnity
The Eagles get another high-quality midfielder, after adding Masten, Ebert and S Selwood. Nothing wrong with a player whose last name starts with the letters MCG. He will be solid there, and at spacious Subiaco his running ability should also see him play a few games.
8 Essendon - Tom Bellchambers
"Tommy Bell" is already a quality tap ruckman, and if the Bombers need to play him next season he should be competitive for hitouts. Knows how to position himself well a kick behind play, so a traditional type of ruckman, and he is good for their depth behind Hille and Laycock.
Tall and athletic forward, it was a big surprise when he didn't go in the national draft. The Tigers have some athleticism up forward with Richardson, Riewoldt and Gourdis. The Tigers probably went looking for a ruckman, tall forward and tall defender with their preseason and rookie picks and with Tristan Cartledge, Gourdis and Jarrod Silvester they selected wisely to fill their needs. They also took Clayton Collard in the rookie draft, with the first choice overall, and he is the usual Terry Wallace pick.
2 Carlton - Darren Pfeiffer
A pick that probably has people scratching their head and wondering why they did it. He isn't the big defender or centre half forward they needed.
3 Melbourne - Stefan Martin
Importantly, he is big. Another smart thing the Demons did was to draft someone who is familiar with their setup and players, he played in the VFL for Sandringham. He is a long-term project who can learn from White and Neitz.
4 Western Bulldogs - Scott Welsh
Was a good complimentary player when he had McKernan and Carey around him, his production continued with the Crows but he never kicked the big hauls when the games were important. Welsh gives the Bulldogs a very good medium forward option to combine with their small forward Brad Johnson. Welsh will be expected to give them 50 goals in 2008.
5 Essendon - John Williams
He was a draft sleeper that teams were supposedly going to grab in the national draft but that didn't occur. An athletic project for the Bombers to work with.
6 Fremantle - Joshua Head
A solid player, capable of 15 or so possessions in the WAFL. Depth for their list, maybe he plays in the back half with Walker gone sailing. Probably the biggest surprise of the preseason picks.
7 West Coast - Patrick McGinnity
The Eagles get another high-quality midfielder, after adding Masten, Ebert and S Selwood. Nothing wrong with a player whose last name starts with the letters MCG. He will be solid there, and at spacious Subiaco his running ability should also see him play a few games.
8 Essendon - Tom Bellchambers
"Tommy Bell" is already a quality tap ruckman, and if the Bombers need to play him next season he should be competitive for hitouts. Knows how to position himself well a kick behind play, so a traditional type of ruckman, and he is good for their depth behind Hille and Laycock.
