Crows Draft haul

[tbagrocks]

#14 Jake Lever 193cm 84kg
Competitive and aggressive tall defender who can shut down opponents and provide good rebound. Missed 2014 season after injuring his anterior cruciate ligament but on the way to a full recovery. Member of NAB AFL Academy Level 2.

#35 Harrison Wigg 179cm 74kg
Small defender with elite left-foot kick. Excellent playmaker and reads the game exceptionally well. Was South Australia's MVP, capping off an outstanding NAB AFL Under-18 Championships when he averaged 19 touches and three marks at 80 per cent efficiency in six games. Named in defence in the Under-18 All Australian team.

#43 Mitch McGovern 20yr old 190cm 84kg
Strong-marking tall forward who positions his body well in the contest. Possesses excellent foot skills on either side of the body. Vertical leap is an asset, particularly on the lead, which makes it difficult for opposition defenders to spoil. Played 11 WAFL league games for Claremont this season, averaging 11 touches and kicking 10 goals. Recorded 26/30 in the kicking test and 87cm in the running vertical jump at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.

#58 Harry Dear 197cm 98kg
Developing ruckman/tall forward who marks strongly and uses his bulk well in the contest. Averaged six touches, two tackles and one goal during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Booted 18 goals in nine matches playing for the Sandringham Dragons. Son of former Hawk Paul Dear.

Rookies:
#9 Reilly O'Brien 201cm 98kg
Standing 201cm, O'Brien was tried all over the ground for the Cannons before settling at centre half-back. The 19-year-old played one game for Vic Metro in 2013 before putting 7kg on his frame to fill out into a more complete package this year. He started the season for Calder as a key forward, spent time in the ruck, but showed his best work in the back half. Although his kicking needs a little work, he has good speed and endurance for his size. Finished secondary school with a tertiary entrance score of 99.6.

#27 Keenan Ramsey 192cm 86kg
Tall defender with the ability to shut down his opponent and provide rebound. Uses the ball well by foot and excels in aerial and ground-level contests. Played all six matches at NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was a solid contributor, averaging 10 possessions, three tackles and three marks at 72 per cent efficiency. Shared top honours in the goalkicking test (30/30) at NAB AFL Draft Combine.

#44 Anthony Wilson 179cm 79kg
Rated the fasted player outside the AFL prior to being rookie listed by Adelaide, Wilson adds much-needed explosive pace to the Crows' list. He has sound foot skills to go with his speed, allowing him to work into the forward line. Wilson played 16 SANFL games in 2014, including the grand final. He might require a little work before he is ready for an AFL debut, but the 22-year-old is an exciting prospect.

[Nige]

Think you guys did really well.

[Jay]

Defense was our biggest issue last year so spending our first two picks addressing that is surely a good way forward.

[Grazz]

Think we did well, wanted Durdin to help fill some holes but very happy with Lever. Very good young player. Wigg is a handy pick up, very good left foot. McGovern is a good get happy with that. Didn't know much a bout Dear but comes from good stock and worth a punt.

[tbagrocks]

This boy Lever, really unique story as similar to Stringer from the Dogs when drafted. Jake Lever didn't play this year after a knee but last year was considered among the elite, even at his age

Underage last season Captained Vic Metro at the Champs, fiercely competitive backman who intercepts and rebounds too, loves the one on ones and wins most of em! Staggering that he has fallen into Adelaide's lap at #14

Walshy said to the recruiters he wanted competitive players, got the key backman to replace Truck and support Talia. Got the left footed elite kicking Harrison Wigg. Netted the 20yr old ready to go forward replacing Johnston who will support Tex in Jeremy McGovern's brother Mitch! Got the competitive beast Ruck/Forward for the future with Harry Dear, son of Hawthorn Ruckman Norm Smith Medalist Paul!

Ok we could've taken Durdin before Lever, Hamleton instead of Wigg, Daniel rather than McGovern and Cameron's mate Clem Smith rather than the tall Harry Dear but it looks like Walshy got exactly who he wanted!

[Sweetness]

Really happy with our picks this year.
Defence of Talia/Lever for the next 10 years, yes please!

[quinny88]

I know you will love this Tbag  ;D

[Tominator]

My take on the Crows' picks


Pick 14 - Jake Lever
Absolutely thrilled with landing him at Pick 14. Let's not forget Lever would have been Top 5-8 if not for his ACL injury, so nabbing him at Pick 14 could prove a very valuable scalp. Him and Talia can anchor our defence for the  next decade - and Lever seems loyal as well.

Pick 35 - Harrison Wigg
Another good pick-up. We could've taken Alex Neal-Bullen but we've got an abundance of inside midfielders. Could've nabbed Vickers-Willis if we wanted someone taller, but Wigg is good off half-back and has a pinpoint kick. To those saying we should've taken Declan Hamilton, I can assure you Wigg is a much much better player.

Pick 43 - Mitch McGovern
He's a real unknown quantity. Overlooked in 2012 and injured in 2013, he played for Claremont in the WAFL. Don't know much about him in all honesty, and surprised we didn't go for Caleb Daniel or Oscar McDonald. But apparently he's a lot like his brother Jeremy, who's showing a lot of promise, so time will tell.

Pick 58 - Harry Dear
Another one I'm unsure about. Overlooked by the Hawks as a father-son option, and certainly not a "best available" pick. Apparently the Crows were after an outside-type runner in the trade period - Jordan Cunico and Damien Cavka are very likely types, but they were taken in the next five picks following Dear. Good for ruck / forward depth but is similar to Lowden, and is raw and won't play much in his first season or two - he needs work and time. Hopefully he becomes a quality player.

[Mailman the 2nd]

Kicking from back 50 is extremely important as all the top teams have shown. If he can get close to Smith's level they'll be a power duo

[Dudge]

Jake Lever is a great pick-up for you guys. I'm not to familiar with the others, but then again I'm to familiar with Port's picks either.

[tbagrocks]

I know you will love this Tbag  ;D

Good to know Jake isn't a bad person like Jack :)

Good luck Jack trying to kick goals against the Talia/Lever combo ;D

[Grazz]

Harry and Mitch speak of how they feel about being drafted.


http://www.afc.com.au/video/2014-12-01/dear-thrilled-to-join-adelaide

http://www.afc.com.au/video/2014-12-01/mcgovern-a-happy-crow

[Ziplock]

I know you will love this Tbag  ;D

hahahahahahaha

[Grazz]

Our pick ups in the Rookie Draft.

http://www.afc.com.au/news/2014-12-03/crows-add-height

[TomK]