2007 AFL Rookie Draft Review
Adelaide
Nothing really exciting for the Crows here, a bit more help for their midfield but it has not been the best offseason for Adelaide.
9 James Moss (188cm, 80kg)
25 Jared Petrenko (177cm, 75kg)
40 Edward Curnow (180cm, 78kg)
52 Brodie Martin (181cm, 75kg)
Brisbane
Begley is developing into a good player and Hanley is expected to be similar but more athletic to Begley. Garner sticks around for another season, Smith is similar to a few other players there but a spot might open up for him in their back line.
7 Phil Smith (187cm, 73kg)
23 Pat Garner (194cm, 86kg)
38 Pearce Hanley (184cm, 78kg)
Carlton
They picked up a couple of very skilled smalls in Joseph and Ellard. They need another small forward and Ellard could make an impact sooner than later. Joseph is a good player to have in the middle, winning the ball and feeding it out to his teammates, but at Carlton he is behind a lot of other midfielders. Shields gives them another Irish project, and the other two have been successful so far.
2 Aaron Joseph (180cm, 76)
18 Lachie Hill (190cm, 86kg)
34 David Ellard (177cm, 72kg)
48 Michael Shields (185cm, 85kg)
Collingwood
The Magpies went with a tall defender, and there was a need for that type of player with Clement gone and Wakelin and Prestigiacomo being quite old. Dyas gives them a potential inside midfielder, and he should learn the game quickly with Clarke helping him.
13 Luke Casey-Leigh (195cm, 87kg)
29 Kevin Dyas (181 cm, 82kg)
Essendon
The Bombers did most of their work in the preseason draft, with Williams and Bellchambers, and then added a couple more players in the rookie draft. They did select the types of players that they needed to look for, and Magin gives them another small midfield prospect while Atkinson brings needed depth to the back line.
5 Rhys Magin (180cm, 73kg)
21 Jarrod Atkinson (192cm, 88kg)
Fremantle
The Dockers have done a lot of odd things in their decade and a bit of drafting, once again they decide that players that are not good enough to be on their list one day should be redrafted the next. This is something the Dockers seem to do regularly, as they have as many premierships as University maybe they should rethink their draft strategies. The Dockers did need to add another tall ruckman, in case injuries hit one of their two giants, and Connelly is a solid choice.
6 Brent Connelly (199cm, 84kg)
22 Luke Pratt (183cm, 70kg)
37 Calib Mourish (190cm, 90kg)
50 Ryley Dunn (182cm, 86kg)
Geelong
More depth for the Cats, and Moles is a player who can help next year if needed. Kangars gets to stay in his local area and joins a team that can be patient with him for a few years, he probably becomes a defender but maybe he gets moved into the middle, like Geelong used to do with big Steinfort a few years ago.
16 Brodie Moles (184cm, 85kg)
32 Jeremy Laidler (189cm, 79kg)
46 Chris Kangars (193cm, 85kg)
57 Shane Mumford (199cm, 101kg)
Hawthorn
The Hawks are able to identify what they have and what they need, and the only real area of concern on their list was among the tall defenders. Problem solved as they drafted for need here.
11 Hugh Sandilands (190cm, 86kg)
27 Tim Walsh (198cm, 92kg)
42 Alex Grima (185cm, 78kg)
54 Cameron Stokes (173cm, 72kg)
Kangaroos
A smilar result to their national draft, which was questionable at best. Their NSW scholarship player, Wilsen, is one to watch and could become a fan favourite in the VFL next season.
14 Nathan Grima (193cm, 94kg)
30 Cruize Garlett (174cm, 77kg)
44 Alan Obst (192cm, 89kg)
56 Michael Wundke (191cm, 90kg)
60 James Wilsen (193cm, 98kg)
Melbourne
The Demons had a productive rookie draft, and next season they might get a few games from Valenti or Wonaeamirri. The Demons also get a couple of giants to develop. Spencer is a huge ruckman from Queensland who can get his hand to the ball for hitouts and needs time to improve other aspects of his game. Zomer has been a versatile player, capable in key positions all over the ground. He might be the big body they need at full forward when Neitz eventually retires.
3 Trent Zomer (197cm, 95cm)
19 Austin Wonaeamirri (178cm, 78kg)
35 Jake Spencer (203cm, 93kg)
49 Shane Valenti (176cm, 80kg)
Port Adelaide
The Power are still looking for a bit more firepower, Salter gets a chance and Willits gets a second chance.
15 Nick Salter (191cm, 94kg)
31 Daniel Boyle (184cm, 82kg)
45 Ryan Willits (198cm, 99kg)
Richmond
It was a very successful day for the Tigers, they followed up the selection of the exciting Gourdis in the preseason draft with a lot of useful players in the rookie draft. Silvester might be their best choice, a needed tall defender and his drafting should strengthen the links between the Tigers and their VFL affiliate. Cartledge had a good year with North Ballarat in the VFL, and he brings them some added depth among their ruckmen. Collard is an inexpensive risk, and he could reward the Tigers, but there has to be a few reasons why the Dockers moved him out so quickly. Howat has given them some run the past couple of seasons and deserves to stay in the yellow and black.
1 Clayton Collard (182cm, 90kg)
17 Jarrod Silvester (191cm, 89kg)
33 Tristan Cartledge (199cm, 93kg)
47 Cameron Howat (182cm, 77kg)
St Kilda
An interesting mix for the Saints, but not a lot should be expected from them for a while. The McQualter pick was a bit strange, they should have gone for someone new who might have a small chance of being a star, as they already know that McQualter will only be a player on the periphery of their senior side.
8 Glenn Chivers (188cm, 88kg)
24 Luke Miles (186cm, 79kg)
39 Andrew McQualter (179cm, 74kg)
51 Khan Haretuku (198cm, 96kg)
Sydney
If Murphy can have a career close to Kennelly's the Swans will be in good shape, Murphy is supposed to combine the running of Kennelly in a much bigger frame. Talking about big frames, if Orreal is for real he will be an asset to the Swans, he is a long-term project but that is what the rookie spots are made for.
10 Matt O'Dwyer (181cm, 79kg)
26 Brendan Murphy (195cm, 88kg)
41 Jake Orreal (205cm, 92kg)
53 Matthew Beckmans (187cm, 80kg)
58 Aaron Bruce (187cm, 87kg)
61 Dean Terlich (187cm, 83kg)
West Coast
There doesn't seem to be any draft that the Eagles don't win. Patrick McGinnity in the preseason draft could be a huge steal, and there is a lot of quality among their rookie picks too. Will Sullivan is the same height as Dean Cox, and is now the number three ruckman on their list behind Cox and Seaby. Stevenson gives them more depth in their midfield. Arrowsmith is a player with plenty of skill and he joins a club that can really use a player who can add something different up forward. The Eagles also brought in some more tall defenders, although as Mackenzie and Graham are unable to get a regular spot it is safe to say that the Eagles have that position under control.
12 Lewis Stevenson (186cm, 77kg)
28 Ashley Arrowsmith (189cm, 82kg)
43 Will Sullivan (202cm, 94kg)
55 Callum Wilson (191cm, 89kg)
59 Beau Wilkes (194cm, 93kg)
62 Ryan Davis (189cm, 78kg)
Western Bulldogs
Mulligan is someone that the Bulldogs will be hoping makes it at AFL level, as they are a team that desperately needs a 2m tall forward leading out of the goal-square. The Bulldogs will want to make sure that Mulligan gets all of his playing time in the VFL in the forward line. Shaw is a big ruckman to add to their VFL side, so the Bulldogs did well to bring in more height with their rookie picks. White is a quick, outside midfielder, something that the Bulldogs have mass quantities of. None of these rookie players should be expected to play AFL next year, but they were all good picks who could reward the Bulldogs in two or three years time.
4 James Mulligan (199cm, 93kg)
20 Henry White (185cm, 70kg)
36 John Shaw (198cm, 90kg)
Nothing really exciting for the Crows here, a bit more help for their midfield but it has not been the best offseason for Adelaide.
9 James Moss (188cm, 80kg)
25 Jared Petrenko (177cm, 75kg)
40 Edward Curnow (180cm, 78kg)
52 Brodie Martin (181cm, 75kg)
Brisbane
Begley is developing into a good player and Hanley is expected to be similar but more athletic to Begley. Garner sticks around for another season, Smith is similar to a few other players there but a spot might open up for him in their back line.
7 Phil Smith (187cm, 73kg)
38 Pearce Hanley (184cm, 78kg)
Carlton
They picked up a couple of very skilled smalls in Joseph and Ellard. They need another small forward and Ellard could make an impact sooner than later. Joseph is a good player to have in the middle, winning the ball and feeding it out to his teammates, but at Carlton he is behind a lot of other midfielders. Shields gives them another Irish project, and the other two have been successful so far.
2 Aaron Joseph (180cm, 76)
18 Lachie Hill (190cm, 86kg)
34 David Ellard (177cm, 72kg)
48 Michael Shields (185cm, 85kg)
Collingwood
The Magpies went with a tall defender, and there was a need for that type of player with Clement gone and Wakelin and Prestigiacomo being quite old. Dyas gives them a potential inside midfielder, and he should learn the game quickly with Clarke helping him.
13 Luke Casey-Leigh (195cm, 87kg)
29 Kevin Dyas (181 cm, 82kg)
Essendon
The Bombers did most of their work in the preseason draft, with Williams and Bellchambers, and then added a couple more players in the rookie draft. They did select the types of players that they needed to look for, and Magin gives them another small midfield prospect while Atkinson brings needed depth to the back line.
5 Rhys Magin (180cm, 73kg)
21 Jarrod Atkinson (192cm, 88kg)
Fremantle
The Dockers have done a lot of odd things in their decade and a bit of drafting, once again they decide that players that are not good enough to be on their list one day should be redrafted the next. This is something the Dockers seem to do regularly, as they have as many premierships as University maybe they should rethink their draft strategies. The Dockers did need to add another tall ruckman, in case injuries hit one of their two giants, and Connelly is a solid choice.
6 Brent Connelly (199cm, 84kg)
22 Luke Pratt (183cm, 70kg)
37 Calib Mourish (190cm, 90kg)
50 Ryley Dunn (182cm, 86kg)
Geelong
More depth for the Cats, and Moles is a player who can help next year if needed. Kangars gets to stay in his local area and joins a team that can be patient with him for a few years, he probably becomes a defender but maybe he gets moved into the middle, like Geelong used to do with big Steinfort a few years ago.
16 Brodie Moles (184cm, 85kg)
32 Jeremy Laidler (189cm, 79kg)
46 Chris Kangars (193cm, 85kg)
57 Shane Mumford (199cm, 101kg)
Hawthorn
The Hawks are able to identify what they have and what they need, and the only real area of concern on their list was among the tall defenders. Problem solved as they drafted for need here.
11 Hugh Sandilands (190cm, 86kg)
27 Tim Walsh (198cm, 92kg)
42 Alex Grima (185cm, 78kg)
54 Cameron Stokes (173cm, 72kg)
Kangaroos
A smilar result to their national draft, which was questionable at best. Their NSW scholarship player, Wilsen, is one to watch and could become a fan favourite in the VFL next season.
14 Nathan Grima (193cm, 94kg)
30 Cruize Garlett (174cm, 77kg)
44 Alan Obst (192cm, 89kg)
56 Michael Wundke (191cm, 90kg)
60 James Wilsen (193cm, 98kg)
Melbourne
The Demons had a productive rookie draft, and next season they might get a few games from Valenti or Wonaeamirri. The Demons also get a couple of giants to develop. Spencer is a huge ruckman from Queensland who can get his hand to the ball for hitouts and needs time to improve other aspects of his game. Zomer has been a versatile player, capable in key positions all over the ground. He might be the big body they need at full forward when Neitz eventually retires.
3 Trent Zomer (197cm, 95cm)
19 Austin Wonaeamirri (178cm, 78kg)
35 Jake Spencer (203cm, 93kg)
49 Shane Valenti (176cm, 80kg)
Port Adelaide
The Power are still looking for a bit more firepower, Salter gets a chance and Willits gets a second chance.
15 Nick Salter (191cm, 94kg)
31 Daniel Boyle (184cm, 82kg)
45 Ryan Willits (198cm, 99kg)
Richmond
It was a very successful day for the Tigers, they followed up the selection of the exciting Gourdis in the preseason draft with a lot of useful players in the rookie draft. Silvester might be their best choice, a needed tall defender and his drafting should strengthen the links between the Tigers and their VFL affiliate. Cartledge had a good year with North Ballarat in the VFL, and he brings them some added depth among their ruckmen. Collard is an inexpensive risk, and he could reward the Tigers, but there has to be a few reasons why the Dockers moved him out so quickly. Howat has given them some run the past couple of seasons and deserves to stay in the yellow and black.
1 Clayton Collard (182cm, 90kg)
17 Jarrod Silvester (191cm, 89kg)
33 Tristan Cartledge (199cm, 93kg)
47 Cameron Howat (182cm, 77kg)
St Kilda
An interesting mix for the Saints, but not a lot should be expected from them for a while. The McQualter pick was a bit strange, they should have gone for someone new who might have a small chance of being a star, as they already know that McQualter will only be a player on the periphery of their senior side.
8 Glenn Chivers (188cm, 88kg)
24 Luke Miles (186cm, 79kg)
39 Andrew McQualter (179cm, 74kg)
51 Khan Haretuku (198cm, 96kg)
Sydney
If Murphy can have a career close to Kennelly's the Swans will be in good shape, Murphy is supposed to combine the running of Kennelly in a much bigger frame. Talking about big frames, if Orreal is for real he will be an asset to the Swans, he is a long-term project but that is what the rookie spots are made for.
10 Matt O'Dwyer (181cm, 79kg)
26 Brendan Murphy (195cm, 88kg)
41 Jake Orreal (205cm, 92kg)
53 Matthew Beckmans (187cm, 80kg)
58 Aaron Bruce (187cm, 87kg)
61 Dean Terlich (187cm, 83kg)
West Coast
There doesn't seem to be any draft that the Eagles don't win. Patrick McGinnity in the preseason draft could be a huge steal, and there is a lot of quality among their rookie picks too. Will Sullivan is the same height as Dean Cox, and is now the number three ruckman on their list behind Cox and Seaby. Stevenson gives them more depth in their midfield. Arrowsmith is a player with plenty of skill and he joins a club that can really use a player who can add something different up forward. The Eagles also brought in some more tall defenders, although as Mackenzie and Graham are unable to get a regular spot it is safe to say that the Eagles have that position under control.
12 Lewis Stevenson (186cm, 77kg)
28 Ashley Arrowsmith (189cm, 82kg)
43 Will Sullivan (202cm, 94kg)
55 Callum Wilson (191cm, 89kg)
59 Beau Wilkes (194cm, 93kg)
62 Ryan Davis (189cm, 78kg)
Western Bulldogs
Mulligan is someone that the Bulldogs will be hoping makes it at AFL level, as they are a team that desperately needs a 2m tall forward leading out of the goal-square. The Bulldogs will want to make sure that Mulligan gets all of his playing time in the VFL in the forward line. Shaw is a big ruckman to add to their VFL side, so the Bulldogs did well to bring in more height with their rookie picks. White is a quick, outside midfielder, something that the Bulldogs have mass quantities of. None of these rookie players should be expected to play AFL next year, but they were all good picks who could reward the Bulldogs in two or three years time.
4 James Mulligan (199cm, 93kg)
20 Henry White (185cm, 70kg)
36 John Shaw (198cm, 90kg)
