AFL Teams' Draft Needs: Part 2
Western Bulldogs
They have been trying to get some talls in recent drafts but injuries have hit many of them. They may look for a young prospect at centre half back, or centre half forward, with their first pick. They might trade their next pick, and a player or two, to Brisbane for Jason Akermanis.
Melbourne
Their reserves won the VFL Grand Final so that could indicate that there are some useful players who can step up next season. Players like Lynden Dunn, Nathan Jones and Ryan Ferguson could be playing regularly for the Demons next season. But there isn't a ruckman at Sandringham who is ready to play AFL, and when White's backup Mark Jamar went down the Demons were in a bit of trouble. Paul Johnson should be able to help next season but Melbourne could use one of their better picks on another ruckman. A quick midfielder and a full forward could be other areas they look to address.
St. Kilda
There won't be many quality ruckmen available in the draft, and the Saints are another team that will be looking for one. A tall defender and also a future replacement for Gehrig at full forward are other spots they will consider.
Collingwood
If the Magpies end up trading two of the Clokes and Tarrant they could have a bunch of extra picks to use. They drafted some athletic players in Thomas and Pendlebury last time so some tall defenders might be something to target in this draft.
Sydney
They have been trading their first rounders recently and it has helped them, Jolly from Melbourne filled an important need and then last year they added Richards from Essendon to their backline. If they keep their pick then another quick midfielder or a centre half forward prospect could be the way they go.
Fremantle
The Dockers know they are close, and may use their picks in trades to get players to help now. If they draft players they could target some of the young WA stars, although with where they are picking players like Leuenberger, Jetta and Gumbleton could be already gone. They might use Polak in a trade to move higher in the draft.
Adelaide
The Crows have a great scouting department and are able to find stars in the rookie draft while other teams fail with early picks in the national draft. Tall forwards and quick midfielders are some areas of need. They might also try to trade a ruckman like Maric or Hudson to a Victorian team to move up in the draft.
The Crows have said that in the future they will get Bryce Gibbs, but it is unlikely to occur in this draft as they could not put together a package of players that Carlton would agree to in exchange for the top pick.
West Coast
The Eagles are usually smart traders, sending away superfluous players for useful draft picks, and this time it could be Sampi or Staker that get them a better pick. They may also be able to add a later pick by trading Gardiner. Lynch has been much improved but the Eagles could benefit from adding another full forward. With Graham's development they have enough tall defenders for now but could use a bit more depth there too.
Part 1 of the draft needs for teams that finished outside the top 8.
They have been trying to get some talls in recent drafts but injuries have hit many of them. They may look for a young prospect at centre half back, or centre half forward, with their first pick. They might trade their next pick, and a player or two, to Brisbane for Jason Akermanis.
Melbourne
Their reserves won the VFL Grand Final so that could indicate that there are some useful players who can step up next season. Players like Lynden Dunn, Nathan Jones and Ryan Ferguson could be playing regularly for the Demons next season. But there isn't a ruckman at Sandringham who is ready to play AFL, and when White's backup Mark Jamar went down the Demons were in a bit of trouble. Paul Johnson should be able to help next season but Melbourne could use one of their better picks on another ruckman. A quick midfielder and a full forward could be other areas they look to address.
St. Kilda
There won't be many quality ruckmen available in the draft, and the Saints are another team that will be looking for one. A tall defender and also a future replacement for Gehrig at full forward are other spots they will consider.
Collingwood
If the Magpies end up trading two of the Clokes and Tarrant they could have a bunch of extra picks to use. They drafted some athletic players in Thomas and Pendlebury last time so some tall defenders might be something to target in this draft.
Sydney
They have been trading their first rounders recently and it has helped them, Jolly from Melbourne filled an important need and then last year they added Richards from Essendon to their backline. If they keep their pick then another quick midfielder or a centre half forward prospect could be the way they go.
Fremantle
The Dockers know they are close, and may use their picks in trades to get players to help now. If they draft players they could target some of the young WA stars, although with where they are picking players like Leuenberger, Jetta and Gumbleton could be already gone. They might use Polak in a trade to move higher in the draft.
Adelaide
The Crows have a great scouting department and are able to find stars in the rookie draft while other teams fail with early picks in the national draft. Tall forwards and quick midfielders are some areas of need. They might also try to trade a ruckman like Maric or Hudson to a Victorian team to move up in the draft.
The Crows have said that in the future they will get Bryce Gibbs, but it is unlikely to occur in this draft as they could not put together a package of players that Carlton would agree to in exchange for the top pick.
West Coast
The Eagles are usually smart traders, sending away superfluous players for useful draft picks, and this time it could be Sampi or Staker that get them a better pick. They may also be able to add a later pick by trading Gardiner. Lynch has been much improved but the Eagles could benefit from adding another full forward. With Graham's development they have enough tall defenders for now but could use a bit more depth there too.
Part 1 of the draft needs for teams that finished outside the top 8.
