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Well we’ve come a long way. But the AFL Draft is finally upon us. As it has been for the past few years, the Gold Coast will again play host.
I’ll be providing my final Phantom Draft for 2014 with the Top 30 in order as who I think will go to what club. Bear in mind, I’ve got nobody on the inside so it’s all speculation!
Pick 1: St Kilda – Christian Petracca
Height: 186 cm, Weight: 92 kg
Christian Petracca had a fantastic season playing on ball for Vic Metro. After kicking over 40 goals last year in the TAC Cup for Eastern Rangers as a bottom ager in the same forward line as Tom Boyd, Petracca has taken another step forward in 2014 with an inclusion into the AFL-AIS Squad earlier in the year.
He has the ability to play up forward and is rarely beaten in one-on-one battles, not to mention the destruction he causes on the scoreboard – as well as averaging 27 disposals in his four outings in 2014.
Petracca isn’t afraid to win the contested ball and his decision-making is great for an U18 player. If St Kilda see fit, he could easily slot into the team Round 1 with his body size and speed making him an option as the sub early on in 2015, providing a spark for the St Kilda forward line.
Whispers: According to a Brisbane recruiter, Pick 1 is down to Petracca, McCartin and Brayshaw.
Pick 2: Melbourne – Angus Brayshaw
Height: 187 cm, Weight: 87 kg
Angus Brayshaw is one of the best players in the 2014 draft, and if it wasn’t for Christian Petracca’s standout season, he could well have gone number one. Brayshaw – like Sam Mitchell – can kick on both feet so well that as a spectator you can’t tell that his right foot is his natural. His left is one of the best we have seen at U18 level.
Brayshaw has been dominant in the TAC Cup. His tackling is outstanding with repeated efforts showing AFL recruiters that he is able to put in the little one percenters to help his teammates. Brayshaw makes good decisions with the ball, not to mention his strong endurance – giving him the ability to run out matches.
Although Brayshaw missed the Dragons’ preliminary final and the AFL Combine with an injury, his draft position hasn’t been affected and will likely end up a Demon.
Whispers: Unless St Kilda pull a swifty or they pick McCartin at Pick 2, you can put your house on Brayshaw going to Melbourne.
Pick 3: Melbourne – Patrick McCartin
Height: 193 cm, Weight: 95 kg
With McCartin slipping to Melbourne, they are able to claim the best key forward in the 2014 draft. McCartin might suffer Type 1 diabetes, but that hasn’t stopped his influence on the Vic Country games he has been a part of.
McCartin came onto the scene last year with four goals as a bottom-ager versus WA at Kardinia Park before Goddard and he combined for five goals in game one versus Vic Metro (McCartin kicking 3.0).
McCartin’s big body makes him very tough to be beaten in a one-on-one contest in the goal square and has the ability to play as a lead up CHF. He has shown remarkable hands and the smarts to bring the ball to ground to aid his teammates.
McCartin is a great set shot, and with Jesse Hogan coming back from injury, expect McCartin and Hogan to merge into Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead. By 2020, those two could be the biggest forwards in the AFL.
Whispers: Jake Lever may possibly be picked at three
Pick 4: GWS – Jarrod Pickett
Height: 179 cm, Weight: 76 kg
Over the past few weeks Pickett has firmed to the Top 5 in this year’s draft. GWS are likely to be forced into using Pick 4 on Pickett with Collingwood sniffing around Pick 5. However, this won’t mind GWS, with Pickett being Mr. Consistent after performing well in all major games he has played in this year.
Even last season, as a bottom ager for Western Australia, he was a standout in the games that he played. Pickett’s speed is outstanding, running a 2.8 second 20-metre sprint, and has a good defensive mind with tackling pressure and his ability to read the play from the stoppages a valuable attribute.
Pickett is a great two way runner that is capable of putting pressure on his opponents by running forward of the ball getting on the scoreboard by taking the game on.
Consequently, he is the perfect sub choice in his first few seasons, with the ability to play at all ends of the ground as well as his injection of pace into the GWS midfield standing out, giving them an outside midfielder who finds plenty of the ball.
Whispers: GWS will want Pickett at four as it’s likely Collingwood will take him with five. Laverde/De Goey a chance if they avoid Pickett.
Pick 5: Collingwood- Jayden Laverde
Height: 190 cm, Weight: 82 kg
Laverde has taken some strides this year after starting slowly, however a three-goal effort at Kardinia Park in the U18 champs has seen him turn around his season. With his size he is able to play multiple positions, coupled with a great leap and speed, he is a good prospect as a third tall.
Laverde, however, suffered a badly corked quad which saw him miss the Western Jets last game of the year as well as the testing at the AFL Combine. His kicking efficiency can be considered elite and with his ability to use the footy well, he is a player that Collingwood will want him to have the ball in hand.
With Collingwood losing Beams, Laverde looks the logical replacement and will be hoping that the X-factor in Laverde will develop into a David Mundy type.
Whispers: Will take Pickett if he slides, De Goey an option. Langford is also another option – don’t count him out.
Pick 6: GWS- Hugh Goddard
Height: 196 cm, Weight: 93 kg
I really thought twelve months ago that Goddard would be number one for 2014, however after an up and down season he has firmed to be off to the Giants with one of their Picks 4, 6, or 7.
Hugh Goddard was the best player at U16 level and performed remarkably well last season in defence for Vic Country as a bottom ager. He reads the play very well however since moving forward he hasn’t performed as well as he would like – though he did provide good support to Paddy McCartin in Game 1 of the U18 carnival kicking two goals in their 15 point win over rivals Vic Metro.
Some recruiters believe Goddard doesn’t have the pace required at AFL level, which may result in him slipping down the order, however GWS look set to punt on Hugh Goddard filling a hole in defence with Phil Davis a perfect mentor to nurture his development.
Whispers: Another tall in Jake Lever, GWS met with Peter Wright this week, so don’t count him out.
Pick 7: GWS- Jordan De Goey
Height: 187 cm, Weight: 82 kg
After admitting he was a soft at U16 level, Jordan De Goey has turn things around since a freak accident interrupted his season earlier in the year. De Goey is a damaging player that can cause problems on the scoreboard or as a destructive on-baller. He also has a strong overhead mark, making him a tall target as a third tall up forward. He can stand out when he has ball in hand.
De Goey’s height gives him the ability to play similar to a David Mundy in the midfield for GWS, not to mention his aggression running towards goal. De Goey is a good mover with the ball and is talented at hitting players up on the run as as well as possessing a good overhead mark.
Furthermore, he has the ability to become an A-Grade Midfielder and is a chance to go anywhere between Pick 4-10. With JDG at the height of the ‘future’ midfielder, I find it hard to see that GWS will let him slip past Pick 7.
Whispers: Slider from De Goey/Pickett/Laverde/Lever.
Pick 8: Gold Coast- Liam Duggan
Height: 183 cm, Weight: 76 kg
Liam Duggan has an exceptional left foot and is one of the best movers off half back in this season’s draft. Duggan’s elite kick makes him a target for most clubs, with damaging pace making him able to run off opponents quickly and propel the ball deep into his teams’ forward line with ease.
Duggan is beginning to make a transition into the midfield and is now finding the ability to win his own football from the stoppage and use his left foot to spot up targets up field. His vision in contested situations is also very good.
Being a December-born boy, Duggan may take longer than others to develop, but that hasn’t stopped him from being one of Vic Metro’s better players in Season 2014. After picking Kolodjashnij last year, Duggan will add to the players they have drafted in the past that are very good kickers of the football and good readers of play.
Whispers: Lachie Weller is a part of the Suns Academy, but the Suns have warmed to taking the classy left footer Duggan with Pick 8. If Pickett slides, expect the Suns to pounce.
Pick 9: Collingwood- Darcy Moore (F/S)
Height: 199 cm, Weight: 93 kg
If it weren’t for Darcy Moore’s dad Peter playing enough games so that Moore can qualify for father/son, Moore could be one of the top players in the draft – having dominated at U16 level.
Moore was outstanding versus West Australia in the U18 champs, earning a best on-field performance being involved in six scoring actions and kicking four goals himself. He also has the ability to play in defence playing on Hugh Goddard earlier on in the carnival beating him convincingly.
Moore will provide another tall target in the Pies forward line to accompany Travis Cloke, with Jesse White having little influence for the Pies. Physically, Moore is able to step almost straight into AFL level – standing at around 200cm and nearly 100kg. He will likely create problems for even the best defenders with his strong mark and athletic ability.
Whispers: Will wear Pick 30 for the Pies
Pick 10: Geelong- Jake Lever
Height: 192 cm, Weight: 84 kg
A horrible ACL injury has left Jake Lever unable to make an impact on AFL recruiters as to how good he really is. However, he is one of the best key defenders in the draft and I believe he would be under consideration for Saints Pick 1 if he played this season.
Lever has elite kicking and his ball use from defence is fantastic, giving him the ability to hit up players even under pressure in the defensive 50. Another key to Lever is his standout leadership abilities, being named captain on occasions in 2013 even as a bottom ager.
Lever still attend most of the Calder training sessions even while being unable to train, indicating how much his teammates mean to him.
To keep Lever occupied, Steve Forcone (the Cannons’ conditioning coach) become a training partner and a competition was soon formed between the two when they trained together, pushing JL as hard as he could with his ACL injury.
Whispers: Geelong met with Peter Wright this week after his exams, could be a possibility. Don’t count out Marchbank.
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