Tominator's Top 22 Phantom Draft

[Nige]

If GWS/Collingwood don't pick him (unlikely), I wonder how far he 'slides'. I'd think somebody like North would snap him up.

[Toga]

Would surely be in the mix for GC, West Coast, Richmond and even Geelong if Collingwood pass him up!

[Nige]

Would surely be in the mix for GC, West Coast, Richmond and even Geelong if Collingwood pass him up!

Yeah true, that's a good point. I was kinda saying if all the clubs you named didn't take him, North certainly would.

[Tominator]

Pick 6 - Greater Western Sydney:      Jake Lever   (Calder Cannons, VIC Metro)

Position:         Tall defender
Height:           194cm
Weight:           86kg
Draft Range:    Pick 3-14



Description:
This time last year, Lever was preparing for a big 2014 season, to prove why he'd been touted as a Top 3 pick. But in a training mishap with the AIS-AFL Academy late last year, Lever ruptured his ACL, which ruined his entire 2014. For some, this would be the motivation to throw in the towel, and just have a year off. Not for Lever. His recovery and rehabilitation was first-class, so much so that he came within a whisker of playing in the TAC Cup Final. He performed tests at the Combine, going against doctor's advice, and it is this desire to impress recruiters that has kept Lever firmly entrenched in top draft rankings. But his footballing ability isn't bad either. Lever is a tall rebounding defender, and can play as a key position defender, a third tall, or as a sweeper, orchestrating the play from defence like Sam Fisher or Andrew Mackie. He isn't afraid to run off his man, but knows when to go and when to retreat. Lever had a fantastic U17 season for Calder, and made the VIC Metro U18 team. Not only did he make it, but he was a fill-in captain for a game, highlighting his leadership qualities. Collingwood may very well pounce at 5, but with Matt Scharenberg and Tom Langdon - and taking Darcy Moore at Pick 9 - they may look elsewhere. Others say he could slip right down to Adelaide's Pick 14 - and I'd be rapt if he did - but GWS may have a future captain in Lever.

Plays like:      Sam Fisher, Andrew Mackie

Other Potential Picks:      Peter Wright, Jordan De Goey, Hugh Goddard

[Tominator]

Pick 7 - Greater Western Sydney:      Jarrod Pickett   (South Fremantle, WA)

Position:         Wingman, half-forward
Height:           179cm
Weight:           76kg
Draft Range:    Pick 3-8



Description:
A player who has really matured over the last year, Pickett has shot back up the draft rankings. West Coast were seemingly locked in for him at Pick 11, but I highly doubt he'll last there, as Gold Coast and Geelong will be queuing up if GWS pass. That's unlikely however, as Pickett is a line-breaking wingman who uses his devastating pace to great effort that can be an asset to any AFL list. He has a dangerous eye for goal as well, and when he gets the ball and a bit of space he will leave his opponents eating dust. Pickett's pace is elite and he runs a 2.9 second 20m sprint. Critically, Pickett uses his not-so-secret weapon to great effect in game situations, getting from contest-to-contest. He needs to work on his second and third efforts, but unlike the six Victorians drafted before him, Pickett has the advantage of senior exposure, having played WAFL seniors this season at South Fremantle. There have been comparisons to Andrew McLeod, but I think Lewis Jetta or even a smaller version of Harley Bennell are more reasonable examples. Pickett's ability to accumulate the footy will hold him in good stead - get his endurance and his two-way running right and he could be anything.

Plays like:      Lewis Jetta, Harley Bennell

Other Potential Picks:      Peter Wright, Nakia Cockatoo, Hugh Goddard

[Tominator]

Pick 8 - Gold Coast:      Liam Duggan   (Western Jets, VIC Metro)

Position:         Midfielder, half-back
Height:           183cm
Weight:           76kg
Draft Range:    Pick 8-16



Description:
Duggan is cool, calm, collected, and oozes class. Captain of the Herald Sun Shield-winning St Patrick's College, Ballarat, Duggan is classy and has great leadership and character. Clubs have noted him as one of the best to interview, but he is also recognised amongst his teammates, winning the Ben Mitchell award after the AIS-AFL Academy's European tour in April. Duggan is a "baby-faced assassin" - he doesn't turn 18 until mid-December. His skills are sublime and the Suns like him a lot - he could form a great tandem with Kade Kolodjashnij as the two running half-back-flankers. Gold Coast don't want to pass him up hoping he'll be there at Pick 15, because it's unlikely that he will, much to the disappointment of (in particular) Richmond. Not many other phantom drafts have said it but I see a lot of Nick Dal Santo in this guy - both can gather lots of possessions running off half-back, push into the midfield, and both have razor left foots. Duggan will need to bulk up if he wants to gain that inside midfield position, but he doesn't need much of the ball to wreak havoc on a game. He reads the play superbly and can take excellent intercept marks, and has many tools required to excel at AFL level.

Plays like:      Nick Dal Santo, Kade Simpson

Other Potential Picks:      Paul Ahern, Lachie Weller, Kyle Langford, Jarrod Pickett, Peter Wright

[Toga]

Would be more than happy to see him in a Richmond guernsey next year ;)

Sounds like it's becoming a bit more unlikely that he will get to Pick 12 now though, looks to be a very good player. The Nicky Dal player comparison is a good one!

[Tominator]

Pick 9 - Collingwood:      Darcy Moore   (Oakleigh Chargers, VIC Metro)

Position:         Key position forward / defender
Height:           199cm
Weight:           93kg
Draft Range:    Pick 9  [Father-Son Selection]



Description:
Moore has long been linked to Collingwood, where his dad has won two Brownlow medals, and given Moore's form displayed for Oakleigh - he was the captain of the TAC Cup Premiership-winning side - and VIC Metro, it was hardly a surprise when Collingwood were forced to part with Pick 9 for him. Moore kicked 4 goals against WA that had commentators and scouts in awe, showing moments of brilliance and a true aerial prowess. A very talented swingman, he can play forward or back, not unlike Justin Westhoff or even Jarryd Roughhead. At almost 2m he has the height to become a key position forward or defender in the future, but will probably begin life as a Pie developing in the VFL and playing as a third-tall when he does step up to the AFL. For a man of his size, he is extremely agile, and has good balance when the ball's at his feet. He can breakout of a contest at pace and is a very strong grab. But he does need to work on his field kicking and set shot accuracy. He will need time as he is still putting all the tools together, but looks set for a long career in the black and white.

Plays like:      Jarryd Roughhead, Justin Westhoff

[Tominator]

Pick 10 - Geelong:      Paul Ahern   (Calder Cannons, VIC Metro)

Position:         Midfielder, half-forward
Height:           181cm
Weight:           77kg
Draft Range:    Pick 5-20



Description:
Ahern adds a bit of excitement to this year's draft. He does not need much time to cause damage, and was one of the better performers for VIC Metro at the U18 Championships this year. The Calder Cannons product also proved he can perform on the big stage, kicking a goal and gathering 26 disposals in the TAC Cup final. He uses his pace to great effect in games, and is a very good outside runner. There are question marks over whether Ahern can become an inside midfielder, but he could turn into a damaging crumbing forward, or a livewire-type player, akin to Luke Dahlhaus. In addition to his pace, Ahern has great endurance and a solid work rate that has endeared him to AFL clubs. He does a lot of gut running and gets to contests that you wouldn't think he can make, often winning 1v1 battles. There's been talk over him sliding to as late as Pick 20, but there's also been talk Collingwood are interested at Pick 5. Geelong's Pick 10 really can shape the draft, but with Steve Johnson retiring in a couple of years time, Ahern could go some way to filling that void.

Plays like:      Shane Edwards, Dale Thomas, Luke Dahlhaus

Other Potential Picks:      Peter Wright, Nakia Cockatoo, Lachie Weller

[Mr.Craig]

Pick 31 Tom, wh do ya reckon?

[jobe#4]

Ahern is another that is all over the draft order...high as 10...low as the bombers second pick

[Mr.Craig]

Ahern is another that is all over the draft order...high as 10...low as the bombers second pick

He's a bit of a hard one to judge. Has the talent but just needs to get more consistent.

[Toga]

I think the reason both Wright and Ahern are all over the draft order is because no one can pick what type of player Geelong is going to go after with #10 (and to an extent, what kind of players GWS will go after with 6 & 7).

If the rumours are anything to believe, Geelong will be looking at Peter Wright with #10 - but if they don't feel like they need another tall after getting Stanley and Clark in the trade period, and decide to go small, then Ahern sounds like he is their man. If Ahern slides past #10 though, it sounds like West Coast, Richmond, Freo, Adelaide, Gold Coast all have their eyes on other midfielders and Ahern could therefore get down to Essendon's picks.

[jobe#4]

Geelong shouldn't need another tall!

[Mr.Craig]

I can't see them going for Wright but Geelong have surprised me before. Darcy Lang anyone?