AFL 2007 Draft Table Talk Mock Draft: Pick 5
5. Port Adelaide:
Matthew Leuenberger. 203cm, 93kg. Ruckman (East Perth)
The Power could be a good spot for Leuenberger to land in the draft. Playing behind Lade and Brogan for a year or two would ease the pressure on him and he could also learn from his experienced teammates. He might also get some time in the forward line for the Power and would give the Power another dimension there playing with Tredrea, Ebert, Mahoney and White. The Power introduced some exciting young players last season and with no big need for this draft the best player available is the way to go, if Leuenberger has not been picked then he is the best available. Drafting a ruckman often means a team waits a bit more than for smaller players, the Power and more specifically their coach are in a position to do this, but with Leuenberger the development time might be a lot shorter than for other young ruckmen.
James Sellar: Sellar is local, is a very good player and the Power could use a player like him around centre half forward. Plenty of reasons why the Power would take him. But if they have Leuenberger available then logically they take the higher-rated player, which for most would be the big WA ruckman. Tredrea hasn't been the healthiest player on the Power's list so another big forward is a requirement. The Power would have seen a bit more of Sellar than other teams, and they might also think he could become a ruckmen at AFL level as well as a forward.
Mitchell Thorp: The Power might see Thorp as a future midfielder, or full forward, instead of as a backman. Size in the midfield would help as the Power have many quick, but small, onballers like Pearce. Up forward Thorp could be a leading option which would let Tredrea stay closer to goal, and in the backline the Power lose Bishop and Thorp could cover that loss. A team that doesn't have one specific need, like the Power, could take Thorp in the draft as they would know that he could fill whatever role they found for him.
1. Carlton: Bryce Gibbs
2. Essendon: Scott Gumbleton
3. Kangaroos: Lachlan Hansen
4. Brisbane Lions: Joel Selwood
Matthew Leuenberger. 203cm, 93kg. Ruckman (East Perth)
The Power could be a good spot for Leuenberger to land in the draft. Playing behind Lade and Brogan for a year or two would ease the pressure on him and he could also learn from his experienced teammates. He might also get some time in the forward line for the Power and would give the Power another dimension there playing with Tredrea, Ebert, Mahoney and White. The Power introduced some exciting young players last season and with no big need for this draft the best player available is the way to go, if Leuenberger has not been picked then he is the best available. Drafting a ruckman often means a team waits a bit more than for smaller players, the Power and more specifically their coach are in a position to do this, but with Leuenberger the development time might be a lot shorter than for other young ruckmen.
James Sellar: Sellar is local, is a very good player and the Power could use a player like him around centre half forward. Plenty of reasons why the Power would take him. But if they have Leuenberger available then logically they take the higher-rated player, which for most would be the big WA ruckman. Tredrea hasn't been the healthiest player on the Power's list so another big forward is a requirement. The Power would have seen a bit more of Sellar than other teams, and they might also think he could become a ruckmen at AFL level as well as a forward.
Mitchell Thorp: The Power might see Thorp as a future midfielder, or full forward, instead of as a backman. Size in the midfield would help as the Power have many quick, but small, onballers like Pearce. Up forward Thorp could be a leading option which would let Tredrea stay closer to goal, and in the backline the Power lose Bishop and Thorp could cover that loss. A team that doesn't have one specific need, like the Power, could take Thorp in the draft as they would know that he could fill whatever role they found for him.
1. Carlton: Bryce Gibbs
2. Essendon: Scott Gumbleton
3. Kangaroos: Lachlan Hansen
4. Brisbane Lions: Joel Selwood
