I was going to do a number of other things, like a rating system and what not. I just ran out of time in the end.
1st round
PICK 1 – GWS - John Patton (Eastern Ranges)
Height: 197cm Weight: 100kg Age 18
Tall forward
Tall, athletic power forward that loves to take a contested grab. Quick on the lead and can crash a pack. Really good contested mark and is pretty good at ground level for someone his size. Reads it pretty well and times his leads well. Is an okay kick and kicks his fair share of goals. Pretty quick and has good endurance for a big guy. Works hard and puts in even when things aren’t going quite so well for him. Does the team things, which is good to see from a young forward. Can be a little inconsistent but this shouldn’t be a big worry. I expect him to play most games next year probably more so for development sake. He’s a really nice size already at 100kg. Could do with some more work on his kicking.
Why: He should work well with Josh Bruce and Izzy Falou. They need power forwards and he's the best of them.
Considered: Stephen Coniglio but either one it doesn’t matter.
PICK 2 – GWS - Stephen Coniglio (Swan Districts)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 76kg Age: 17
Small Midfielder
Stephen is quick goal kicking midfielder that can play inside or outside. He wins clearances and regularly bursts clear of the pack. Can also play up on the forward line and can be just as dangerous. He has good pace and can break away from packs. He has very good endurance and works really hard. Really good user of the ball and makes good decisions with it. Quite simply the best midfielder in the draft with no obvious flaws in his game. Was simply outstanding at the U18 championships.
Why: Next best available. Need outside run.
Considered: No one. No doubting these two are the best of the draft.
PICK 3 – GWS - Dom Tyson (Oakleigh Chargers)
Height: 186cm Weight: 82kg Age: 18
Medium Midfielder
Dom is midfielder that possesses both very good inside and outside game. My favourite player of this year’s draft, the more I watch the more I love. Just a real footballer, doesn't have great athletic qualities but makes up for it with smarts. Wins his own ball then disposes of it exceptionally well. He is exceptional under pressure and it's not often he makes the wrong decision. Can always find a bit time. He's pretty good on his opposite foot also and has very good vision. Works really hard and can find a bit of space and time. Very good tackler. Very clean hands. Has good size for a midfielder also. Liken him a bit to Scott Pendlebury (not quite the same), can win a clearance then be damaging on the outside. If I could find a fault it would be to improve his speed.
Why: Best available. Like GC, GWS need to build a good a good midfield around them. They have a good young group of midfielders already in Shiels, Treloar,and Hampton. Dom will be able to add to that group. He will compliment that group along with Scully, Ward and Palmer. He’s been my number 3 pick since the champs anyway and I see no reason to change it.
Considered: Buntine.
PICK 4 – GWS - Matthew Buntine (Dandenong Stingrays)
Height: 189cm Weight: 84kg Age 18
Medium Defender
Matthew is a defender that reads the play really well and gives excellent rebound. Can shut down opponents whether it be tall or small. He can also play in the midfield or up forward but is more effective down back. He’s a really good kick of the ball and handballs well. He’s very courageous and has the ability to cut off attacks. He’s a good overhead mark and good at ground level. Has real leadership potential. He’s just a real footballer and worthy of a top 5 pick even though he had a poor champs series by his standards. I think he will start in the back line from round 1 next year.
Why: Best Available. Buntine was the next best available IMO and GWS need quality backman. I see a heap of value in players that can play tall and small.
Considered: Chad Wingard, Billy Longer.
PICK 5 – GWS - Chad Wingard (Sturt)
Height: 182cm Weight: 77kg Age 18
Small Midfielder
Classy midfielder that can have an impact up forward or in the midfield. Can play inside or outside. Very clean and can take a courageous mark. He's a very good kick and shows some poise. Pretty nice pace, but won't break any lines with it. Very good around the stoppages and can kick some very nice goals up forward. Gets belted around a bit, will need to put on a bit more weight. Could still have an impact next year up forward but would be inclined to hold him back to start off with. Needs to improve his endurance as I’ve noticed he can run out of a bit of puff. His draft combine results back me up with a poor beep test recording.
Why: Best Available. Wingard provides a bit more class into an already good midfield. I think he could be a forward option for them to start off with.
Considered: Billy Longer and Will Hoskin-Elliot. Hoskin Elliot is a safer option ahead of Wingard, but Wingard has more potential. Longer is considered on a needs basis.
PICK 6 – Port Adelaide - Will Hoskin-Elliot (Western Jets)
Height: 186cm Weight: 73kg Age: 18
Medium Midfielder
Will is a quick midfielder that can play inside or outside. Probably more the outside player but can win his fair share of contested ball. Can play as a forward and kick goals. He has clean hands and rarely fumbles. Uses the ball really well and makes the good decisions. He is a good mark overhead and tackles well enough. Reads the play really well and is able to link up. He has superb endurance and he tested pretty well in the repeat sprints. Should play next year on the half forward line and wing where he can use his run.
Why: Best Available. Port are really in dire need for midfielders both inside and outside. Hoskin-Elliot has a bit of toe and is a fairly safe option for Port.
Considered: Greene, Longer, Sumner and Adams. I think Hoskin-Elliot is the pick of the bunch. Port could use a ruckman, but Midfielders should be a bigger demand for them.
PICK 7 – GWS - Billy Longer (Northern Knights)
Height: 201cm Weight: 98kg Age 18
Ruckman
Best ruckman in the draft that can go forward. Genuine No 1 ruck. Very nice size already and he could have an impact next year. Tap work is very good, has no trouble tapping it down to his mids with either hand. Terrific 2nd efforts and is quite good around the ground. He’s good below his knees and can take a strong grab. Up forward he can look quite dangerous, has some speed and shows some smarts. Has some leadership potential also, he can be seen directing team mates. His kicking and at times vision could do with some improvement, but that will come with time. Overall a very good ruck prospect.
Why: Needs. There ruckman really aren't that good. Giles will turn out to be a B grade ruckman at best, the rest of them on their list have struggled. I originally had him at 5, but I think GWS can afford to let him slide to here.
Considered: Greene, Sumner, Adams. I think Longer should be taken here. They can’t afford to let Brisbane take him.
PICK 8 – Brisbane - Toby Greene (Oakleigh Chargers)
Height: 181cm Weight: 76kg Age: 18
Small Midfielder
Toby is a tough inside midfielder that makes really good decisions and is good at the clearances. Hard worker and runs hard both ways. Wins a lot of the ball and attacks it pretty hard. Uses it well by hand and foot. Good hands. Very good at winning the contested ball, but can also find the ball in space. He’s fairly composed in heavy traffic and can create extra time. I think Toby is worth a top 10 selection given the emphasis on wining the clearances and contested ball. He is Elite in this area and one of the best in the draft. Could play next year and have an impact.
Why: Best available. With Power retiring, Rischitelli gone, Adcock playing mostly in the back line and Black nearing the end Brisbane need midfielders. They already have some good ones in Rockliff, Redden and Rich to go along with promising youngsters in Polec, Green. I think a bit more grunt is needed and I think he suits Brisbane.
Considered: Liam Sumner, Taylor Adams. Toby I think is the pick of them though
PICK 9 – GWS - Liam Sumner (Sandringham Dragons)
Height: 178cm Weight: 71kg Age: 18
Small Midfielder
Liam is a quick midfielder that breaks in the lines and uses the ball well. He’s a very damaging player that doesn’t need many possessions to impact the game. He has good hands at ground level and is a good mark overhead. Looks pretty agile and is very quick(tested very well in both areas as endurance) . Tackles pretty strongly surprisingly. Really needs to work harder and win more of his own ball. He has shown potential in these areas though. May be able to play next year and make some form of impact but he will take a number years before he consistently impacts the game. A Dale Thomas comparison seems about right to me.
Why: Best available. GWS need more speed and players to feed the ball out to. Could go higher then this.
Considered: Adam Tomlinson, Taylor Adams, Nick Haynes, Sam Docherty, Devon Smith.
PICK 10 - GWS – Nick Haynes (Dandenong Stingrays)
Height: 192cm Weight: 78kg Age: 19
Medium Forward
Nick can play in a number of positions but is probably better suited to a half forward role. Has really come on this year and I think he was very unlucky to not make the team of the year in the TAC. Can also play in the midfield and the back line. Really good contested mark and has that running capacity which makes him tough to play on (tested very well here). He has really agile and has nice pace. His kicking is good, decision making could do with a little improvement. Good tackler for such a slender frame. Still really skinny and will need time to bulk up.
Why: Best available. Will add a different dimension to GWS forward line. I always thought he would be a good fit for GWS for some reason.
Considered: Hayden Crozier, Brandon Ellis, Sam Docherty, Taylor Adams, Devon Smith.
PICK 11 - GWS - Adam Tomlinson (Oakleigh Chargers)
Height: 193cm Weight: 88kg Age: 18
Tall Utility
Athletic tall that can play forward, back or even do a job in the midfield. He is quite capable of shutting good players down and at times rebounding well. His kicking is good and is a reliable decision maker. He is quite athletic for a big bloke and tested fairly well for endurance and 20m sprint time. Impressed with his finals series and has really come up my rankings as a result. Underrated him before. He still has quite a bit of upside still to come. I’d like to see him back himself a little more but he is very reliable player which you can count on.
Why: Needs. Tomlinson can fill a number of roles for GWS. I don’t think Tomlinson is a top 10. outside the top 10 I don’t have a problem with.
Considered: Sam Docherty, Hayden Crozier, Brandon Ellis, Taylor Adams , Devon Smith.
PICK 12 – Brisbane - Sam Docherty (Gippsland Power)
Height: 185cm Weight: 83kg Age: 17
Medium Defender
Sam is a half back that is really quick and has good skills even in pressure situations. Can break the lines and deliver the ball pretty well. He has a very high intensity level which makes him good defensively especially in his tackling game. Reads the play well and can get truck load of possessions off half back. He’s a good mark and can cut off attacks. I’m of the opinion that recruiters should pay more attention to these hbf’s. With the way the games been played now, it’s important to have player’s that can rebound well and be able to run through the forward press. Docherty does both well, so he should be in high demand IMO.
Why: Best available. I’m not ashamed to admit that I rate Docherty higher than most. I think Brisbane need some speed and half back options too. McGrath is getting on in age, Drummond is consistently injured and Raines is not a great user of the pill. I think Docherty could perhaps push up on to the wing as well and give them some leg speed.
Considered: Nick Haynes, Devon Smith, Elliot Kavanagh, Sam Frost, Fraser McInnes, Shane Kersten, Todd Elton. Went with the best available approach, I think it’s too early to take one of the taller players. They should be hoping for Longer or Tomlinson to slip to them.
PICK 13 - GWS - Devon Smith (Geelong Falcons)
Height: 174cm Weight: 76kg Age 18
Small Midfielder/forward
Small midfielder that can go forward and kick goals. Very hard worker and is pretty quick. Good tackler and applies good defensive pressure. Racks up plenty of the ball. Good overhead mark for a player of his size. He has good skills and decision making. Tested very well for pace, endurance and agility. Should be able to come in and play a role as a small forward next year.
Why: Best available. GWS I believe need more speed and goal kicking options. He’s ready to go next year too.
Considered: Brandon Ellis, Hayden Crozier, Taylor Adams. Smith just edges out Adams for the last midfield spot, I like him better because of his speed.
PICK 14 – GWS - Brandon Ellis (Calder Cannons)
Height: 181cm Weight: 83kg Age 18
Small defender/mid
Tough defender with elite hand and foot skills. Strong one on one and attacks the contest hard. Reads the play really well and can cut off attacks with a strong courageous mark or punch. Strong tackler. Not limited to defence, but this is probably his best position. He tested fairly slow when taking off, but he’s actually quite quick when he gets going (top 87% in the repeat sprints). He has very good endurance also, meaning he’s likely to push into the midfield. Performed really well this year in both the TAC cup and the champs, being rewarded All Australian in both competitions. Having spoken to him personally I can say that he’s a quality individual. Ready to play straight away.
Why: Best available. I think Ellis could play in quite a few positions, I don’t believe he’s just limited to defence. I think GWS need defenders anyway and I think Ellis can play from round 1 along with Buntine. I’ve gone with players with a good attitude too for GWS.
Considered: Hayden Crozier, Taylor Adams, Elliot Kavanagh, Todd Elton, Shane Kersten, Sam Frost, Fraser McInnes. I was a bit puzzled with GWS last selection. I think they probably have enough mids though. My dilemma was more should they go tall or take a risk with Crozier. I wasn’t overly happy with the talls on offer at this point though and I think GWS might go the safe option.
PICK 15 – Richmond - Taylor Adams (Geelong Falcons)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 80kg Age: 18
Small Midfielder
Taylor is a tough inside midfielder that wins a lot of the ball and uses it well. Footballer first. Really strong player, will stand up well in tackles and will deliver strong tackles himself. He has clean hands at ground level and is a good mark. Can go forward and kick goals. He isn’t really quick (has a good 10m burst tho) but makes up for it with hard work. He has leadership potential and I hear is a great role model at Geelong. Just a real solid footballer that could have an impact later on next year.
Why: Best available. Taylor is one I think Hardwick will really like. He’s hard at it and uses it pretty well. He should fit in fairly well with Martin, Cotchin, Foley and Co.
Considered: Hayden Crozier, Elliot Kavanagh. Found it tough to choose between these guys. Richmond lack a good medium forward and Crozier is quality. Given Kavanagh’s injury concerns I decided to pass him up and Crozier is a risk. Adams is the safer option and he’s a player Richmond would love.
PICK 16 – Fremantle - Elliott Kavanagh (Western Jets)
Height: 185cm Weight: 75kg Age: 18
Medium Midfielder
An inside/outside midfielder that would’ve probably been in the top 10, if not for injury. Had a few hammy troubles this year so I think he will slip due to injury risk. Clubs wouldn’t like these soft tissue injuries much I wouldn’t have thought. Very good sized midfielder and is a very hard worker. He has very good skills and decision making. He is a really strong mark overhead and is clean enough at ground level. Loves to win the contested ball and is very courageous. Thought he would test better, only really the 3km time trial was good (along with kicking test).
Why: Best available. I think Freo will be hoping one midfielder will slip through and Kavanagh is quality. He has some injury concerns though and given Freo have had a bad run with injury it’s not ideal. I found him too tough to pass up on though.
Considered: Hayden Crozier, Mitch Grigg, Seb Ross, Shane Kersten, Todd Elton. I expect Freo to go tall at pick 20 so I left them out. Crozier I found tough to pass on. I wanted more of an inside player for Freo though and Kavanagh was the best of them.
PICK 17 – Western Bulldogs - Hayden Crozier (Eastern Ranges)
Height: 185cm Weight: 68kg Age: 18
Medium Utility
Quick medium forward with an amazing leap. Can also play as a midfielder or across half back. Can take mark of the year and probably did at the champs. He’s a very good contested mark for a player of his size. Very quick and agile (tested very well). He’s a very good kick and makes good decisions with the ball. Can kick a wonderful goal also. At the moment he is very inconsistent and very skinny. His endurance is not a problem though (tested well). I see this as a good sign.
Why: Best available. I think Crozier is a good fit for the dogs. Dogs need speed and players that can use the ball really well. Crozier does this and he can fill a hole for us in a number of areas.
Considered: Daniel Markworth, Seb Ross, Mitchell, Grigg, Alex Forster, Sam Frost, Todd Elton. Crozier was best available. Markworth is a good alternative and Ross is a good inside/outside midfielder
PICK 18 – North Melbourne - Todd Elton (Dandenong Stingrays)
Height: 197cm Weight: 92kg Age: 18
Tall forward/ruckman
Todd is a tall forward that could play the 2nd ruck role. He has a bucket load of potential, but at this stage he doesn’t have a lot to show for someone of his talent. Strong overhead mark and is good below his knees. Can take a contested grab. He is a good user of the ball and a very long kick. He is quick for a big guy, agile and he has a pretty big leap (tested very well). At this stage of his career I wouldn’t call him very footy smart, he doesn’t always lead to the right areas or go to the right areas. Will take some time and may end up as a backman early on in his career. Should still end up as a forward though. Could do with some more work on his endurance, didn’t test very well here.
Why: Needs. I think with Petrie nearing the end, North needs a tall forward. Elton has big potential and could be anything. He plays rather similar to Petrie as well.
Considered: Daniel Markworth, Shane Kersten, Alex Forster, Brad McKenzie. I was looking for a running backman/outside mid, but I wasn’t happy with the available options here. I wasn’t happy with McKenzie’s testing and while Forster is ok I decided to go with a tall option considering what was on offer. I think North would be hoping for Ellis or Docherty to slip.
PICK 19 – Essendon - Daniel Markworth (Calder Cannons)
Height: 191cm Weight: 78kg Age: 19
Medium forward/midfielder
Lead up forward that has shown some ability to play through the midfield. Only fairly new to the game but has shown a lot this year. Was ranked no 1 for goal assists and no 4 on the goal kicking ladder in the TAC cup. Has very good pace, agility and a good leap (tested very well). He can take a contested grab. He’s a good kick and can be quite creative. Decision making is generally good and will only improve. Still has plenty of upside and is still learning the game. Still has a long way to go if he wants to be a midfielder, but I can see him developing there in time.
Why: Best available. Essendon need a bit more speed and Markworth has been linked to here.
Considered: Seb Ross, Mitch Grigg. I wanted an inside midfielder for them, but ended choosing the best available player and plus I think they need some outside run.
PICK 20 – Fremantle - Shane Kersten (South Fremantle)
Height: 191cm Weight: 92kg Age: 18
Tall forward
Shane is a quick, hard leading tall forward that is a good overhead mark and has a nice long boot on him. Plays the FF role well and is an accurate shot on goal. Very quick, he was top 10 in the 20m and repeat sprints at last year’s draft combine. Defensively he could be better and he needs to work harder to try and stay in the game. Goes missing for large chunks of the game. He’s very hard to place as I’m looking back on last year’s notes and going off stats.
Why: Needs. I think with Pavlich now moving into the veteran stages and Freo having no tall forwards on their list they need one.
Considered: Jackson Paine, Sam Frost. I wanted to go tall here and I thought Kersten was the best available player.
PICK 21 – Sydney - Tom Mitchell (Claremont)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 79kg Age: 18
Midfielder
Tom is a tough inside mid that is a lot of the ball and is a very good user of the pill. Sydney father son selection. I would’ve had him in my top 5 so he’s a bit of a steal. He’s good at the clearances and all that. Kicks goals. Good hands and works really hard. He has been injured lately, should play next year and have an impact if he’s injury free.
Why: Father son selection. Will form a nice combination with Kennedy, Jack, Hannebery etc.
PICK 22 – Carlton - Mitchell Grigg (Norwood)
Height: 182cm Weight: 82kg Age: 18
Midfielder
Mitch is an inside midfielder that uses the ball really well. Wins a lot of the ball and makes good decisions with it. Has quite a big kick on him and uses it effectively. Has clean hands and works hard. He’s tough, tackles well and wins a bunch of clearances. Not very good athlete, but he’s a footballer. He has very good endurance and good agility though. Pretty much ready to go straight up.
Why: Best available. Carlton I think could use another inside midfielder. Not sure what’s happened to Mclean. They also have a history of taking the best available player.
Considered: Jackson Paine. I think Carlton could do with a tall forward, but I think it’s too early for taking Paine.
PICK 23 – West Coast - Sam Frost (Sandringham Dragons)
Height: 194cm Weight: 84kg Age: 18
Utility
Athletic tall forward or defender that is good overhead. He could potentially play the 2nd ruck role as well as he does have a nice leap. Super quick and agile for a guy his size. He is a pretty good overhead mark. Really likes to back himself and he has those attacking instincts. He can also play well defensively though. His kicking lacks consistency and he can do some dumb things. Is in and out of the game a fair bit, needs to develop that consistency. Too much gap between his best and worst. Really great potential though and I see him more as a defender.
Why: Needs. West Coast could do with a replacement for Glass. He will take time and he should hopefully be ready for when Glass retires.
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Andrew Boseley.
PICK 24 – Gold Coast - Jordan Lockyer (West Perth)
Height: 192cm Weight: 8k6g Age: 18
Tall defender/forward
Tall defender or forward that attacks the ball extremely hard. A bit undersized to take the key defenders but can play as a 3rd tall. Can go forward and provide a good marking target. He’s pretty strong and can take some very good marks. Really like his aggression. He uses the ball pretty well even when under pressure. He tested really well especially for pace and leap. His agility was also good. Could play as early as next year.
Why: Best Available. They need a bit of depth in the defensive end with Brown and Bock getting old. He’s not really the ideal replacement for either, but Lockyer will still be good down there. Would like Sam Frost to slip here.
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Andrew Boseley, Jackson Paine. I think they may look for talls at this pick.
PICK 25 – St Kilda - Andrew Boseley (Geelong Falcons)
Height: 192cm Weight: 75kg Age 19
KPD
Very athletic that is very capable of playing on the best full forwards. First and foremost he’s a very good defender, but he also has those attacking instincts. Reads the play quite well and as a result can take few marks off opposition kicks. His kicking does need some improvement, but I believe it can be fixed with a bit of a technique adjustment. He’s also quite skinny and will need a couple years in the gym.
Why: Needs. Saints don’t have much in the way of tall defenders. Fisher is getting old, while Dawson and Walsh have left (Blake delisted?). They need to find replacements.
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Michael Talia, Myles Bolger, Henry Schade. I believe Saints should look for the best available tall.
PICK 26 – Richmond - Alex Forster (Norwood)
Height: 189cm Weight: 77kg Age: 18
Utility
Run and carry type that can play a shut down role in defence. Can also play up forward or in the midfield. Very composed player that boasts very good skills and decision making. Provides good run and carry. He has very clean hands, in the air and on the ground. His speed only tested as average, but he showed very good agility. I think he will find himself on the wing/back flank at AFL level.
Why: Best Available. Forster could potentially play wherever, which I believe should appeal to Richmond.
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Michael Talia, Henry Schade, Brad McKenzie. I was looking tall here, but I liked the small options available to me better. I strongly considered McKenzie over Forster, but I liked Forster’s versatility.
PICK 27 – Adelaide - Brad McKenzie (Sturt)
Height: 188cm Weight: 76kg Age: 18
Medium Mid
Outside player with elite kicking skills. Can kick it a long way, seen him pin point targets around 65m away. His skills are really a delight to watch especially under pressure. He’s quite creative and makes the right decision. Not very quick so his work rate is super important to him and he does work extremely hard. Has the ability to win the hard ball. Reads the play very well. His hands are good both in the air and at ground level. Needs to improve his tackling and be a bit more defensive at times but he is ok in this area. I had him at pick 14 before the draft combine, but his testing really let me down. Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but I wasn’t happy with his endurance (especially) and speed times. That’s why I have him sliding and I think it’s possible he could slide further.
Why: Best Available. Adelaide need a few more of these outside midfielder types. They already got Brown
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Henry Schade, Michael Talia, Murray Newman, Seb Ross. It would be good to see the two Talia brothers in defence together, but I chose the best available option. Newman would be a good small forward option here too, but Adelaide need players with great foot skills too. Seb Ross was also highly considered.
PICK 28 – West Coast – Murray Newman (Swan Districts)
Height: 179cm Weight: 69kg Age: 17
Midfielder/forward
Murray is a midfielder that has the ability to find space and use the ball well. Can also play as a small forward and kick goals. Contests really strongly and he has excellent vision. He has pretty good pace and pretty reasonable endurance. He’s very easy to watch and he looks dangerous whenever he’s near it. Will still need to beef up a bit and hopefully will grow a couple more cm’s. Will play as a small forward to start off and then should be able to move into the midfield later on.
Why: Best Available. I think West Coast need a bit more speed, run and a small forward. He might take a couple years to come on, but West Coast can afford to wait with the list they have.
Considered: Zyrus Manson. I considered Manson too high for my liking. Seb Ross was under strong consideration too.
PICK 29 – Fremantle – Josh Bootsma (South Fremantle)
Height: 190cm Weight: ? Age 18
Medium defender
I’ve seen no footage of Josh, but apparently Freo are very keen on him. He’s a great kick and plays half back apparently.
Why: Been rumoured Josh is top 30 prospect. Not really sure how Bootsma plays, but if he could free up Suban to play more time in the midfield it seems to make sense.
Considered: Zyrus Manson, Josh Waldhunter, Fraser McInnes, Jackson Merret, Seb Ross.
PICK 30 – Brisbane - Fraser McInnes (Perth)
Height: 196cm Weight: 93kg Age: 18
Tall defender/forward
Fraser is a key defender or forward that is a nice size and is pretty mobile. Seems to read the play ok and has good skills by foot. I’ve very seen very little footage of him and no live footage so he’s a hard one to gauge. Was injured at the champs.
Why: Needs. With Brisbane going small early, I wanted to go tall here. They have little depth in the way of talls.
Considered: Michael Talia, Henry Schade, Jackson Paine, Myles Bolger. I gave Bolger significant thought here, but I liked Fraser better
1st round
PICK 1 – GWS - John Patton (Eastern Ranges)
Height: 197cm Weight: 100kg Age 18
Tall forward
Tall, athletic power forward that loves to take a contested grab. Quick on the lead and can crash a pack. Really good contested mark and is pretty good at ground level for someone his size. Reads it pretty well and times his leads well. Is an okay kick and kicks his fair share of goals. Pretty quick and has good endurance for a big guy. Works hard and puts in even when things aren’t going quite so well for him. Does the team things, which is good to see from a young forward. Can be a little inconsistent but this shouldn’t be a big worry. I expect him to play most games next year probably more so for development sake. He’s a really nice size already at 100kg. Could do with some more work on his kicking.
Why: He should work well with Josh Bruce and Izzy Falou. They need power forwards and he's the best of them.
Considered: Stephen Coniglio but either one it doesn’t matter.
PICK 2 – GWS - Stephen Coniglio (Swan Districts)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 76kg Age: 17
Small Midfielder
Stephen is quick goal kicking midfielder that can play inside or outside. He wins clearances and regularly bursts clear of the pack. Can also play up on the forward line and can be just as dangerous. He has good pace and can break away from packs. He has very good endurance and works really hard. Really good user of the ball and makes good decisions with it. Quite simply the best midfielder in the draft with no obvious flaws in his game. Was simply outstanding at the U18 championships.
Why: Next best available. Need outside run.
Considered: No one. No doubting these two are the best of the draft.
PICK 3 – GWS - Dom Tyson (Oakleigh Chargers)
Height: 186cm Weight: 82kg Age: 18
Medium Midfielder
Dom is midfielder that possesses both very good inside and outside game. My favourite player of this year’s draft, the more I watch the more I love. Just a real footballer, doesn't have great athletic qualities but makes up for it with smarts. Wins his own ball then disposes of it exceptionally well. He is exceptional under pressure and it's not often he makes the wrong decision. Can always find a bit time. He's pretty good on his opposite foot also and has very good vision. Works really hard and can find a bit of space and time. Very good tackler. Very clean hands. Has good size for a midfielder also. Liken him a bit to Scott Pendlebury (not quite the same), can win a clearance then be damaging on the outside. If I could find a fault it would be to improve his speed.
Why: Best available. Like GC, GWS need to build a good a good midfield around them. They have a good young group of midfielders already in Shiels, Treloar,and Hampton. Dom will be able to add to that group. He will compliment that group along with Scully, Ward and Palmer. He’s been my number 3 pick since the champs anyway and I see no reason to change it.
Considered: Buntine.
PICK 4 – GWS - Matthew Buntine (Dandenong Stingrays)
Height: 189cm Weight: 84kg Age 18
Medium Defender
Matthew is a defender that reads the play really well and gives excellent rebound. Can shut down opponents whether it be tall or small. He can also play in the midfield or up forward but is more effective down back. He’s a really good kick of the ball and handballs well. He’s very courageous and has the ability to cut off attacks. He’s a good overhead mark and good at ground level. Has real leadership potential. He’s just a real footballer and worthy of a top 5 pick even though he had a poor champs series by his standards. I think he will start in the back line from round 1 next year.
Why: Best Available. Buntine was the next best available IMO and GWS need quality backman. I see a heap of value in players that can play tall and small.
Considered: Chad Wingard, Billy Longer.
PICK 5 – GWS - Chad Wingard (Sturt)
Height: 182cm Weight: 77kg Age 18
Small Midfielder
Classy midfielder that can have an impact up forward or in the midfield. Can play inside or outside. Very clean and can take a courageous mark. He's a very good kick and shows some poise. Pretty nice pace, but won't break any lines with it. Very good around the stoppages and can kick some very nice goals up forward. Gets belted around a bit, will need to put on a bit more weight. Could still have an impact next year up forward but would be inclined to hold him back to start off with. Needs to improve his endurance as I’ve noticed he can run out of a bit of puff. His draft combine results back me up with a poor beep test recording.
Why: Best Available. Wingard provides a bit more class into an already good midfield. I think he could be a forward option for them to start off with.
Considered: Billy Longer and Will Hoskin-Elliot. Hoskin Elliot is a safer option ahead of Wingard, but Wingard has more potential. Longer is considered on a needs basis.
PICK 6 – Port Adelaide - Will Hoskin-Elliot (Western Jets)
Height: 186cm Weight: 73kg Age: 18
Medium Midfielder
Will is a quick midfielder that can play inside or outside. Probably more the outside player but can win his fair share of contested ball. Can play as a forward and kick goals. He has clean hands and rarely fumbles. Uses the ball really well and makes the good decisions. He is a good mark overhead and tackles well enough. Reads the play really well and is able to link up. He has superb endurance and he tested pretty well in the repeat sprints. Should play next year on the half forward line and wing where he can use his run.
Why: Best Available. Port are really in dire need for midfielders both inside and outside. Hoskin-Elliot has a bit of toe and is a fairly safe option for Port.
Considered: Greene, Longer, Sumner and Adams. I think Hoskin-Elliot is the pick of the bunch. Port could use a ruckman, but Midfielders should be a bigger demand for them.
PICK 7 – GWS - Billy Longer (Northern Knights)
Height: 201cm Weight: 98kg Age 18
Ruckman
Best ruckman in the draft that can go forward. Genuine No 1 ruck. Very nice size already and he could have an impact next year. Tap work is very good, has no trouble tapping it down to his mids with either hand. Terrific 2nd efforts and is quite good around the ground. He’s good below his knees and can take a strong grab. Up forward he can look quite dangerous, has some speed and shows some smarts. Has some leadership potential also, he can be seen directing team mates. His kicking and at times vision could do with some improvement, but that will come with time. Overall a very good ruck prospect.
Why: Needs. There ruckman really aren't that good. Giles will turn out to be a B grade ruckman at best, the rest of them on their list have struggled. I originally had him at 5, but I think GWS can afford to let him slide to here.
Considered: Greene, Sumner, Adams. I think Longer should be taken here. They can’t afford to let Brisbane take him.
PICK 8 – Brisbane - Toby Greene (Oakleigh Chargers)
Height: 181cm Weight: 76kg Age: 18
Small Midfielder
Toby is a tough inside midfielder that makes really good decisions and is good at the clearances. Hard worker and runs hard both ways. Wins a lot of the ball and attacks it pretty hard. Uses it well by hand and foot. Good hands. Very good at winning the contested ball, but can also find the ball in space. He’s fairly composed in heavy traffic and can create extra time. I think Toby is worth a top 10 selection given the emphasis on wining the clearances and contested ball. He is Elite in this area and one of the best in the draft. Could play next year and have an impact.
Why: Best available. With Power retiring, Rischitelli gone, Adcock playing mostly in the back line and Black nearing the end Brisbane need midfielders. They already have some good ones in Rockliff, Redden and Rich to go along with promising youngsters in Polec, Green. I think a bit more grunt is needed and I think he suits Brisbane.
Considered: Liam Sumner, Taylor Adams. Toby I think is the pick of them though
PICK 9 – GWS - Liam Sumner (Sandringham Dragons)
Height: 178cm Weight: 71kg Age: 18
Small Midfielder
Liam is a quick midfielder that breaks in the lines and uses the ball well. He’s a very damaging player that doesn’t need many possessions to impact the game. He has good hands at ground level and is a good mark overhead. Looks pretty agile and is very quick(tested very well in both areas as endurance) . Tackles pretty strongly surprisingly. Really needs to work harder and win more of his own ball. He has shown potential in these areas though. May be able to play next year and make some form of impact but he will take a number years before he consistently impacts the game. A Dale Thomas comparison seems about right to me.
Why: Best available. GWS need more speed and players to feed the ball out to. Could go higher then this.
Considered: Adam Tomlinson, Taylor Adams, Nick Haynes, Sam Docherty, Devon Smith.
PICK 10 - GWS – Nick Haynes (Dandenong Stingrays)
Height: 192cm Weight: 78kg Age: 19
Medium Forward
Nick can play in a number of positions but is probably better suited to a half forward role. Has really come on this year and I think he was very unlucky to not make the team of the year in the TAC. Can also play in the midfield and the back line. Really good contested mark and has that running capacity which makes him tough to play on (tested very well here). He has really agile and has nice pace. His kicking is good, decision making could do with a little improvement. Good tackler for such a slender frame. Still really skinny and will need time to bulk up.
Why: Best available. Will add a different dimension to GWS forward line. I always thought he would be a good fit for GWS for some reason.
Considered: Hayden Crozier, Brandon Ellis, Sam Docherty, Taylor Adams, Devon Smith.
PICK 11 - GWS - Adam Tomlinson (Oakleigh Chargers)
Height: 193cm Weight: 88kg Age: 18
Tall Utility
Athletic tall that can play forward, back or even do a job in the midfield. He is quite capable of shutting good players down and at times rebounding well. His kicking is good and is a reliable decision maker. He is quite athletic for a big bloke and tested fairly well for endurance and 20m sprint time. Impressed with his finals series and has really come up my rankings as a result. Underrated him before. He still has quite a bit of upside still to come. I’d like to see him back himself a little more but he is very reliable player which you can count on.
Why: Needs. Tomlinson can fill a number of roles for GWS. I don’t think Tomlinson is a top 10. outside the top 10 I don’t have a problem with.
Considered: Sam Docherty, Hayden Crozier, Brandon Ellis, Taylor Adams , Devon Smith.
PICK 12 – Brisbane - Sam Docherty (Gippsland Power)
Height: 185cm Weight: 83kg Age: 17
Medium Defender
Sam is a half back that is really quick and has good skills even in pressure situations. Can break the lines and deliver the ball pretty well. He has a very high intensity level which makes him good defensively especially in his tackling game. Reads the play well and can get truck load of possessions off half back. He’s a good mark and can cut off attacks. I’m of the opinion that recruiters should pay more attention to these hbf’s. With the way the games been played now, it’s important to have player’s that can rebound well and be able to run through the forward press. Docherty does both well, so he should be in high demand IMO.
Why: Best available. I’m not ashamed to admit that I rate Docherty higher than most. I think Brisbane need some speed and half back options too. McGrath is getting on in age, Drummond is consistently injured and Raines is not a great user of the pill. I think Docherty could perhaps push up on to the wing as well and give them some leg speed.
Considered: Nick Haynes, Devon Smith, Elliot Kavanagh, Sam Frost, Fraser McInnes, Shane Kersten, Todd Elton. Went with the best available approach, I think it’s too early to take one of the taller players. They should be hoping for Longer or Tomlinson to slip to them.
PICK 13 - GWS - Devon Smith (Geelong Falcons)
Height: 174cm Weight: 76kg Age 18
Small Midfielder/forward
Small midfielder that can go forward and kick goals. Very hard worker and is pretty quick. Good tackler and applies good defensive pressure. Racks up plenty of the ball. Good overhead mark for a player of his size. He has good skills and decision making. Tested very well for pace, endurance and agility. Should be able to come in and play a role as a small forward next year.
Why: Best available. GWS I believe need more speed and goal kicking options. He’s ready to go next year too.
Considered: Brandon Ellis, Hayden Crozier, Taylor Adams. Smith just edges out Adams for the last midfield spot, I like him better because of his speed.
PICK 14 – GWS - Brandon Ellis (Calder Cannons)
Height: 181cm Weight: 83kg Age 18
Small defender/mid
Tough defender with elite hand and foot skills. Strong one on one and attacks the contest hard. Reads the play really well and can cut off attacks with a strong courageous mark or punch. Strong tackler. Not limited to defence, but this is probably his best position. He tested fairly slow when taking off, but he’s actually quite quick when he gets going (top 87% in the repeat sprints). He has very good endurance also, meaning he’s likely to push into the midfield. Performed really well this year in both the TAC cup and the champs, being rewarded All Australian in both competitions. Having spoken to him personally I can say that he’s a quality individual. Ready to play straight away.
Why: Best available. I think Ellis could play in quite a few positions, I don’t believe he’s just limited to defence. I think GWS need defenders anyway and I think Ellis can play from round 1 along with Buntine. I’ve gone with players with a good attitude too for GWS.
Considered: Hayden Crozier, Taylor Adams, Elliot Kavanagh, Todd Elton, Shane Kersten, Sam Frost, Fraser McInnes. I was a bit puzzled with GWS last selection. I think they probably have enough mids though. My dilemma was more should they go tall or take a risk with Crozier. I wasn’t overly happy with the talls on offer at this point though and I think GWS might go the safe option.
PICK 15 – Richmond - Taylor Adams (Geelong Falcons)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 80kg Age: 18
Small Midfielder
Taylor is a tough inside midfielder that wins a lot of the ball and uses it well. Footballer first. Really strong player, will stand up well in tackles and will deliver strong tackles himself. He has clean hands at ground level and is a good mark. Can go forward and kick goals. He isn’t really quick (has a good 10m burst tho) but makes up for it with hard work. He has leadership potential and I hear is a great role model at Geelong. Just a real solid footballer that could have an impact later on next year.
Why: Best available. Taylor is one I think Hardwick will really like. He’s hard at it and uses it pretty well. He should fit in fairly well with Martin, Cotchin, Foley and Co.
Considered: Hayden Crozier, Elliot Kavanagh. Found it tough to choose between these guys. Richmond lack a good medium forward and Crozier is quality. Given Kavanagh’s injury concerns I decided to pass him up and Crozier is a risk. Adams is the safer option and he’s a player Richmond would love.
PICK 16 – Fremantle - Elliott Kavanagh (Western Jets)
Height: 185cm Weight: 75kg Age: 18
Medium Midfielder
An inside/outside midfielder that would’ve probably been in the top 10, if not for injury. Had a few hammy troubles this year so I think he will slip due to injury risk. Clubs wouldn’t like these soft tissue injuries much I wouldn’t have thought. Very good sized midfielder and is a very hard worker. He has very good skills and decision making. He is a really strong mark overhead and is clean enough at ground level. Loves to win the contested ball and is very courageous. Thought he would test better, only really the 3km time trial was good (along with kicking test).
Why: Best available. I think Freo will be hoping one midfielder will slip through and Kavanagh is quality. He has some injury concerns though and given Freo have had a bad run with injury it’s not ideal. I found him too tough to pass up on though.
Considered: Hayden Crozier, Mitch Grigg, Seb Ross, Shane Kersten, Todd Elton. I expect Freo to go tall at pick 20 so I left them out. Crozier I found tough to pass on. I wanted more of an inside player for Freo though and Kavanagh was the best of them.
PICK 17 – Western Bulldogs - Hayden Crozier (Eastern Ranges)
Height: 185cm Weight: 68kg Age: 18
Medium Utility
Quick medium forward with an amazing leap. Can also play as a midfielder or across half back. Can take mark of the year and probably did at the champs. He’s a very good contested mark for a player of his size. Very quick and agile (tested very well). He’s a very good kick and makes good decisions with the ball. Can kick a wonderful goal also. At the moment he is very inconsistent and very skinny. His endurance is not a problem though (tested well). I see this as a good sign.
Why: Best available. I think Crozier is a good fit for the dogs. Dogs need speed and players that can use the ball really well. Crozier does this and he can fill a hole for us in a number of areas.
Considered: Daniel Markworth, Seb Ross, Mitchell, Grigg, Alex Forster, Sam Frost, Todd Elton. Crozier was best available. Markworth is a good alternative and Ross is a good inside/outside midfielder
PICK 18 – North Melbourne - Todd Elton (Dandenong Stingrays)
Height: 197cm Weight: 92kg Age: 18
Tall forward/ruckman
Todd is a tall forward that could play the 2nd ruck role. He has a bucket load of potential, but at this stage he doesn’t have a lot to show for someone of his talent. Strong overhead mark and is good below his knees. Can take a contested grab. He is a good user of the ball and a very long kick. He is quick for a big guy, agile and he has a pretty big leap (tested very well). At this stage of his career I wouldn’t call him very footy smart, he doesn’t always lead to the right areas or go to the right areas. Will take some time and may end up as a backman early on in his career. Should still end up as a forward though. Could do with some more work on his endurance, didn’t test very well here.
Why: Needs. I think with Petrie nearing the end, North needs a tall forward. Elton has big potential and could be anything. He plays rather similar to Petrie as well.
Considered: Daniel Markworth, Shane Kersten, Alex Forster, Brad McKenzie. I was looking for a running backman/outside mid, but I wasn’t happy with the available options here. I wasn’t happy with McKenzie’s testing and while Forster is ok I decided to go with a tall option considering what was on offer. I think North would be hoping for Ellis or Docherty to slip.
PICK 19 – Essendon - Daniel Markworth (Calder Cannons)
Height: 191cm Weight: 78kg Age: 19
Medium forward/midfielder
Lead up forward that has shown some ability to play through the midfield. Only fairly new to the game but has shown a lot this year. Was ranked no 1 for goal assists and no 4 on the goal kicking ladder in the TAC cup. Has very good pace, agility and a good leap (tested very well). He can take a contested grab. He’s a good kick and can be quite creative. Decision making is generally good and will only improve. Still has plenty of upside and is still learning the game. Still has a long way to go if he wants to be a midfielder, but I can see him developing there in time.
Why: Best available. Essendon need a bit more speed and Markworth has been linked to here.
Considered: Seb Ross, Mitch Grigg. I wanted an inside midfielder for them, but ended choosing the best available player and plus I think they need some outside run.
PICK 20 – Fremantle - Shane Kersten (South Fremantle)
Height: 191cm Weight: 92kg Age: 18
Tall forward
Shane is a quick, hard leading tall forward that is a good overhead mark and has a nice long boot on him. Plays the FF role well and is an accurate shot on goal. Very quick, he was top 10 in the 20m and repeat sprints at last year’s draft combine. Defensively he could be better and he needs to work harder to try and stay in the game. Goes missing for large chunks of the game. He’s very hard to place as I’m looking back on last year’s notes and going off stats.
Why: Needs. I think with Pavlich now moving into the veteran stages and Freo having no tall forwards on their list they need one.
Considered: Jackson Paine, Sam Frost. I wanted to go tall here and I thought Kersten was the best available player.
PICK 21 – Sydney - Tom Mitchell (Claremont)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 79kg Age: 18
Midfielder
Tom is a tough inside mid that is a lot of the ball and is a very good user of the pill. Sydney father son selection. I would’ve had him in my top 5 so he’s a bit of a steal. He’s good at the clearances and all that. Kicks goals. Good hands and works really hard. He has been injured lately, should play next year and have an impact if he’s injury free.
Why: Father son selection. Will form a nice combination with Kennedy, Jack, Hannebery etc.
PICK 22 – Carlton - Mitchell Grigg (Norwood)
Height: 182cm Weight: 82kg Age: 18
Midfielder
Mitch is an inside midfielder that uses the ball really well. Wins a lot of the ball and makes good decisions with it. Has quite a big kick on him and uses it effectively. Has clean hands and works hard. He’s tough, tackles well and wins a bunch of clearances. Not very good athlete, but he’s a footballer. He has very good endurance and good agility though. Pretty much ready to go straight up.
Why: Best available. Carlton I think could use another inside midfielder. Not sure what’s happened to Mclean. They also have a history of taking the best available player.
Considered: Jackson Paine. I think Carlton could do with a tall forward, but I think it’s too early for taking Paine.
PICK 23 – West Coast - Sam Frost (Sandringham Dragons)
Height: 194cm Weight: 84kg Age: 18
Utility
Athletic tall forward or defender that is good overhead. He could potentially play the 2nd ruck role as well as he does have a nice leap. Super quick and agile for a guy his size. He is a pretty good overhead mark. Really likes to back himself and he has those attacking instincts. He can also play well defensively though. His kicking lacks consistency and he can do some dumb things. Is in and out of the game a fair bit, needs to develop that consistency. Too much gap between his best and worst. Really great potential though and I see him more as a defender.
Why: Needs. West Coast could do with a replacement for Glass. He will take time and he should hopefully be ready for when Glass retires.
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Andrew Boseley.
PICK 24 – Gold Coast - Jordan Lockyer (West Perth)
Height: 192cm Weight: 8k6g Age: 18
Tall defender/forward
Tall defender or forward that attacks the ball extremely hard. A bit undersized to take the key defenders but can play as a 3rd tall. Can go forward and provide a good marking target. He’s pretty strong and can take some very good marks. Really like his aggression. He uses the ball pretty well even when under pressure. He tested really well especially for pace and leap. His agility was also good. Could play as early as next year.
Why: Best Available. They need a bit of depth in the defensive end with Brown and Bock getting old. He’s not really the ideal replacement for either, but Lockyer will still be good down there. Would like Sam Frost to slip here.
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Andrew Boseley, Jackson Paine. I think they may look for talls at this pick.
PICK 25 – St Kilda - Andrew Boseley (Geelong Falcons)
Height: 192cm Weight: 75kg Age 19
KPD
Very athletic that is very capable of playing on the best full forwards. First and foremost he’s a very good defender, but he also has those attacking instincts. Reads the play quite well and as a result can take few marks off opposition kicks. His kicking does need some improvement, but I believe it can be fixed with a bit of a technique adjustment. He’s also quite skinny and will need a couple years in the gym.
Why: Needs. Saints don’t have much in the way of tall defenders. Fisher is getting old, while Dawson and Walsh have left (Blake delisted?). They need to find replacements.
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Michael Talia, Myles Bolger, Henry Schade. I believe Saints should look for the best available tall.
PICK 26 – Richmond - Alex Forster (Norwood)
Height: 189cm Weight: 77kg Age: 18
Utility
Run and carry type that can play a shut down role in defence. Can also play up forward or in the midfield. Very composed player that boasts very good skills and decision making. Provides good run and carry. He has very clean hands, in the air and on the ground. His speed only tested as average, but he showed very good agility. I think he will find himself on the wing/back flank at AFL level.
Why: Best Available. Forster could potentially play wherever, which I believe should appeal to Richmond.
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Michael Talia, Henry Schade, Brad McKenzie. I was looking tall here, but I liked the small options available to me better. I strongly considered McKenzie over Forster, but I liked Forster’s versatility.
PICK 27 – Adelaide - Brad McKenzie (Sturt)
Height: 188cm Weight: 76kg Age: 18
Medium Mid
Outside player with elite kicking skills. Can kick it a long way, seen him pin point targets around 65m away. His skills are really a delight to watch especially under pressure. He’s quite creative and makes the right decision. Not very quick so his work rate is super important to him and he does work extremely hard. Has the ability to win the hard ball. Reads the play very well. His hands are good both in the air and at ground level. Needs to improve his tackling and be a bit more defensive at times but he is ok in this area. I had him at pick 14 before the draft combine, but his testing really let me down. Perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but I wasn’t happy with his endurance (especially) and speed times. That’s why I have him sliding and I think it’s possible he could slide further.
Why: Best Available. Adelaide need a few more of these outside midfielder types. They already got Brown
Considered: Fraser McInnes, Henry Schade, Michael Talia, Murray Newman, Seb Ross. It would be good to see the two Talia brothers in defence together, but I chose the best available option. Newman would be a good small forward option here too, but Adelaide need players with great foot skills too. Seb Ross was also highly considered.
PICK 28 – West Coast – Murray Newman (Swan Districts)
Height: 179cm Weight: 69kg Age: 17
Midfielder/forward
Murray is a midfielder that has the ability to find space and use the ball well. Can also play as a small forward and kick goals. Contests really strongly and he has excellent vision. He has pretty good pace and pretty reasonable endurance. He’s very easy to watch and he looks dangerous whenever he’s near it. Will still need to beef up a bit and hopefully will grow a couple more cm’s. Will play as a small forward to start off and then should be able to move into the midfield later on.
Why: Best Available. I think West Coast need a bit more speed, run and a small forward. He might take a couple years to come on, but West Coast can afford to wait with the list they have.
Considered: Zyrus Manson. I considered Manson too high for my liking. Seb Ross was under strong consideration too.
PICK 29 – Fremantle – Josh Bootsma (South Fremantle)
Height: 190cm Weight: ? Age 18
Medium defender
I’ve seen no footage of Josh, but apparently Freo are very keen on him. He’s a great kick and plays half back apparently.
Why: Been rumoured Josh is top 30 prospect. Not really sure how Bootsma plays, but if he could free up Suban to play more time in the midfield it seems to make sense.
Considered: Zyrus Manson, Josh Waldhunter, Fraser McInnes, Jackson Merret, Seb Ross.
PICK 30 – Brisbane - Fraser McInnes (Perth)
Height: 196cm Weight: 93kg Age: 18
Tall defender/forward
Fraser is a key defender or forward that is a nice size and is pretty mobile. Seems to read the play ok and has good skills by foot. I’ve very seen very little footage of him and no live footage so he’s a hard one to gauge. Was injured at the champs.
Why: Needs. With Brisbane going small early, I wanted to go tall here. They have little depth in the way of talls.
Considered: Michael Talia, Henry Schade, Jackson Paine, Myles Bolger. I gave Bolger significant thought here, but I liked Fraser better
