How The Draftees Are Tracking

[Mr.Craig]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-01-16/how-are-your-clubs-draftees-faring-during-their-first-afl-preseasons

Bit of a puff piece but there's a few little morsels of information. Here's some that caught my eye.

Ben Keays: One of the front-runners in the club's 3km time trials, it has translated to match simulation work where he bobs up everywhere. Is already driving older players to match his intensity.

Darcy Parish: The club's first pick in last year's draft (No.5) is well ahead of schedule in his first season at AFL level. Parish has impressed with his competiveness around the ball and his ability to hit targets. Look for him to play early and regularly in 2016.

Yestin Eades: Along with Parish, Eades has been a clear standout among the draftees. His ability to break lines and also win the ball in tight spaces have been a feature of his game. Has hardly missed a session.

Mitch Brown: The former Cat is likely to slot into a key post down back back with Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker suspended. He has been training in defence but the Bombers will not be afraid to swing him forward if the situation presents itself. Has put on three kilograms since coming into Essendon's system.

Michael Hartley: The ex-Magpie rookie has played on all of Essendon's key forwards in training and has held his own. Like Brown, his opportunities are set to be enhanced with Hurley and Hooker's absences. Came fifth in the club's time trial.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti: Known to his teammates as 'Walla', McDonald-Tipungwuti is an exciting player with great pressure skills. Although he played in defence for the Bombers' VFL team last year, Essendon is hoping he can turn into a crafty small forward. Will push for immediate senior selection.

Sam Collins: Has settled in comfortably as a mature-age, readymade key defender. Has looked settled in the defensive drills and ball movement work at the main sessions. Could play straight away.

Jacob Hopper: Doesn't look out of place amongst the midfield group, with his mature body for a teenager already proving to be an asset in clearance work.

Kieran Lovell: Looms as an AFL debutant this year after taking to training with the ease of a veteran. The 173cm Tasmanian, who has drawn comparisons with Sam Mitchell, has been a ball magnet in game-sense drills, is clean in possession and continues to improve his positioning without the ball in hand.

Joshua Wagner: Knows what he is doing, has a good left foot but needs to improve his running. The matured-aged older brother of North Melbourne's Corey Wagner could be this year's Aaron vandenBerg. 

Riley Bonner: The club's first pick at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft has already shown his teammates and coaches the skills that saw him dominate off half-back at under-18 level. It's already clear he uses the ball really well.

Jade Gresham: Has been like a duck to water, training alongside the Saints' best clearance players, impressing with his ball-winning ability and clever decision-making. Injury-free and working to improve his running ability.

Callum Mills: Another Swans' academy gem that looks ready-made for senior footy after performing well in time trials and blitzing the skill work.

Josh Dunkley: One of the standouts over summer. Dunkley has quickly picked up on the team structures required as a midfielder and to play in attack, works hard on the track, has plenty of courage and a level head. The Dogs are more than happy with their first pick.

Marcus Adams: The mature-age key defender from West Perth was recruited to fill a need and has hit the ground running at the Kennel. What Adams lacks in height (he's 192cm) he makes up for with strength and physical presence, while his thumping kick has also turned heads. Has been able to jump into heavier training workload than younger draftees.

[Gigantor]

Brown, Hartley and Tippa D6-D8 looks like a chance :)

Maybe even throw Francis in at D5 haha