The 2015 AFL Draft is a little more than a week away, with a host of young, talented players set to get their chance on AFL list. Here are my tips for who will be the first 25 players selected.

Pick 1 (Carlton) – Jacob Weitering
Position: Key defender
Size: 195cm/93kg
Player Comparison: Alex Rance
In the Mix: Schache

The Blues are missing talent in every position so they will select the best player in the draft in Jacob Weitering. A key defender, Weitering has the ability to play as a lockdown defender, where his athleticism, positioning and competitiveness sees him rarely beaten, or as a third tall defender where he is able to intercept the ball with his strong marking, and rebound out of defence with his strong kicking.

Pick 2 (Brisbane) – Josh Schache
Position: Key forward
Size: 199cm/100kg
Player Comparison: Travis Cloke
In the Mix: Weitering, Parish

The Lions are in desperate need of a key forward and Schache is the perfect fit. Schache is the best key forward in the draft, he boasts elite contested marking and speed on the lead. Unlike other forwards in the draft, his kicking does not let him down, possessing the ability to kick accurately for goal from 55m out.

These assets helped him kick a record 24 goals in the six games throughout the championships, and 34 goals in his 10 games in the TAC cup.

Pick 3 (Sydney, Academy Selection) – Callum Mills
Position: Midfielder
Size: 188cm/80kg
Player Comparison: Josh P Kennedy
In the Mix: N/A

With Mills the top midfielder in the draft, I expect Melbourne to bid for him here. Mills is tough and ferocious at the contest, throwing his size – he’s a big midfielder at 188cm – around.

He is an absolute ball magnet – collecting 40 touches in the NEAFL as a 17 year old – and a clearance machine. Away from the stoppages Mills is an excellent contested mark and knows where the goals are. It will not be surprising if he slots straight into the Swans starting line-up for round 1 next year.

Pick 4 (Melbourne) – Darcy Parish
Position: Midfielder
Size: 181cm/74kg
Player Comparison: Dale Thomas
In the Mix: Weideman, Curnow

Melbourne traded up to pick three in the draft and look set to take Parish as the best available midfielder in the draft. Parish is a game changer in the way he hunts the ball and then uses his pace and skills to break away and set up the play.

Parish also has the ability to play forward, where he can kick a goal, or in defence where his foot skills are used to set up the play. If they don’t select Parish, it will likely be Weideman as an elite young forward who will partner up with Hogan in their forward line.

Pick 5 (Greater Western Sydney, Academy Selection) – Jacob Hopper
Position: Midfielder
Size: 186cm/82kg
Player Comparison: Joel Selwood
In the Mix: N/A

Hopper is the second best midfielder in the draft (behind Mills) in my view so I expect the Bombers to bid for him here. Hopper is courageous and determined at the stoppages, regularly winning the contested ball.

He does not simply win the clearance though, he uses a combination of agility, strength and smarts to burst from stoppages and deliver the ball by foot. When forward, Hopper is a strong mark and also regularly kicks a goal.

Pick 6 (Essendon) – Sam Weideman
Position: Key forward
Size: 196cm/94kg
Player Comparison: Taylor Walker
In the Mix: Parish, Curnow

Essendon would be hoping that Parish gets through but look set to select Weideman regardless with two picks in a row. Weideman has struggled with injury throughout the year, playing just five TAC cup games but impressed enough to be put into top 10 calculations.

Where Weideman impresses the most is with his elite contested marking. He also has a booming kick and should make a perfect key forward to partner with Daniher.

Pick 7 (Essendon) – Charlie Curnow
Position: Key forward/midfielder
Size: 191cm/95kg
Player Comparison: Jack Darling
In the Mix: Francis, Milera

The Bombers will be hoping that, at 191cm, Curnow will develop into the big-bodied midfielder that replaces Jobe Watson. The brother of Carlton’s Ed, Charlie has spent most of his time in the forward line where he uses his strength and elite contested marking to dominate his opposition. He is also a strong runner, impressing in the beep test and three-kilometre run during the draft combine.

Francis is another who could develop into this big-bodied midfielder, while Milera is an option if they are looking for some outside class and speed.

Pick 8 (Greater Western Sydney, Academy Selection) – Matthew Kennedy
Position: Midfielder
Size: 187cm/88kg
Player Comparison: Elliot Yeo
In the Mix: N/A

I expect the Suns to bid for Kennedy here as one of the top midfielders in the draft. Kennedy can be compared to Yeo as a high-leaping, strong-marking midfielder who can play all over the ground. Kennedy is a strong contested ball winner, but can also show some class on the outside with solid kicking off both feet. He is also dangerous forward, kicking six goals in a TAC cup game earlier this year.

Pick 9 (Gold Coast) – Wayne Milera
Position: Midfielder/Half-Forward
Size: 185cm/75kg
Player Comparison: Shaun Burgoyne
In the Mix: Curnow, Weideman

The Suns lacked class and outside polish this year and will be looking to Wayne Milera. Milera is quick, has great footskills and knows how to kick a goal.

Despite weighing just 75kg, Milera performed as well at senior level this year as anyone eligible for the draft with 25 touches and five goals in one game and three goals in a semi final. The Suns could look to Francis to improve their class across half-back.

Pick 10 (Melbourne) – Clayton Oliver
Position: Midfielder
Size: 187cm/86kg
Player Comparison: Luke Parker
In the Mix: Curnow, Milera

Melbourne will be hoping that Curnow or Milera get through to their second pick but will not be disappointed with Clayton Oliver as a big bodied contested ball winner. Oliver came from nowhere to be considered a possible top 10 selection with an outstanding season in the TAC Cup in which he won the Morrish Medal.

There’s plenty to like about Oliver – he can cut through the stoppages with his pace and agility – he featured highly in both the 20m sprint and agility test at the combine – he is a strong contested mark, and he knows where the goals are – he kicked six goals in the final round of the TAC Cup.

Pick 11 (Carlton) – Aaron Francis
Position: Utility
Size: 191cm/92kg
Player Comparison: Brendan Goddard
In the Mix: Oliver, H McKay

Carlton will be thrilled if Francis gets through to their second pick with the South Australian touted as a potential top three pick earlier this year. Francis can play everywhere on the ground with standout performances throughout the championships in the backline – 11 intercept marks in one game – and in the forward line – kicking 4.5 in another game.

He reads the play as well as anyone and has a good kick which is particularly handy when coming out of the backline. A big plus for Francis is his potential to turn into a big-bodied midfielder. Victorian’s Mathieson and Harry McKay could be an option here but it would be a big surprise if Carlton passed up Francis.

Pick 12 (Adelaide) – Harley Balic
Position: Midfielder/half-Back
Size: 187cm/80kg
Player Comparison: Scott Pendlebury
In the Mix: Francis, H McKay

Having lost Dangerfield in the trade period, Adelaide will be looking for a taller midfielder with a bit of class. Balic fits this criteria perfectly as a midfielder who can play forward or back.

Balic excels in traffic thanks to his basketball and that, along with his height, has seen him compared to Pendlebury. When forward Balic leads to the right places and has a terrific overhead mark. The Crows will be hoping that Francis gets through to this pick, while Mathieson is another option.

Pick 13 (Brisbane, Academy Selection) – Eric Hipwood
Position: Key Defender/Key Forward
Size: 202cm/84kg
Player Comparison: Joe Daniher/Harris Andrews
In the Mix: N/A

I expect the Blues to bid for Hipwood here. Hipwood is the best ‘swingman’ in the draft with dominant performances in both attack and defence this year. In the forward line, Hipwood’s lankiness and athleticism makes him look very similar to Joe Daniher.

He takes a strong mark and during the championships he kicked four goals against Tasmania. In defence, Hipwood’s reading of the play and intercept marking draws similarities to young Lion Harris Andrews. He was selected in the backline in the U18 All-Australian Team.

Pick 14 (Carlton) – Harry McKay
Position: Key Forward
Size: 200cm/95kg
Player Comparison: Drew Petrie
In the Mix: Balic, Mathieson

Carlton will be very happy to pick up athletic key forward Harry McKay with their third pick. Despite weighing 95kg, McKay is quick on the lead and agile enough to get around other key position players. He also has good hands on the lead and, at 200cm, is tough to spoil.

McKay also has an accurate left foot which helps him convert goals from most angles inside 50. If available, midfielder Harley Balic would be a good fit and Rhys Mathieson will also be considered.

Pick 15 (Brisbane, Academy Selection) – Ben Keays
Position: Midfielder
Size: 185cm/83kg
Player Comparison: Luke Shuey
In the Mix: N/A

I expect the Tigers to bid for Keays here. Keys is a balanced midfielder that is tough at the stoppages and classy in space. He is very good at winning the hard ball and uses a burst of pace to break away from the contest. When in space,

Keays is a good kick and used the ball at a disposal efficiency of 81 per cent throughout the championships. When forward, Keays is an excellent mark and knows where the goals are.

Pick 16 (Richmond) – Callum Ah Chee
Position: Half-Forward
Size: 180cm/71kg
Player Comparison: Chad Wingard
In the Mix: Balic, Gresham

The Tigers have a strong, hard working list, but they lack a player with some X-Factor. Ah Chee could become a one-man highlights reel with his ability to take a screamer or kick a spectacular goal.

Ah Chee is lightening quick and will burn off his opponents before delivering precisely off his right boot. He has also played senior football for South Fremantle and adjusted well to the step up. As a classy midfielder, Balic would be an option for the Tigers if he got through, as would Gresham.

Pick 17 (Adelaide) – Ryan Burton
Position: Key forward
Size: 191cm/88kg
Player Comparison: Jack Gunston
In the Mix: Tucker, Mathieson

Burton is a high-leaping, strong-marking forward who is an accurate kick for goal. He dominated as a 17 year old in the State carnival as well as the SANFL where he played senior football. Because of his height and athleticism, Burton has hopes of becoming the next Nat Fyfe.

The big risk with Burton is that he is coming off a badly broken leg which took out his 2015 season. The Crows will be willing to take a risk on him given the success of other injured draftees Joel Selwood, Jake Stringer and Jake Lever in recent years and the prospect of filling the hole Dangerfield left in a few years.

Pick 18 (St Kilda) – Darcy Tucker
Position: Midfielder/half-Back
Size: 184cm/80kg
Player Comparison: Sam Docherty
In the Mix: Mathieson, Gresham

The Saints still lack outside speed and class despite featuring strongly in recent drafts making Darcy Tucker the ideal selection. Tucker can play off half-back or on the wing where he uses his speed to break the lines. He also has very good agility which sees him rarely get caught.

In space, Tucker delivers the ball well off both feet. If they are looking for an inside midfielder, Rhys Mathieson would be hard to look past while Jade Gresham is another option.

Pick 19 (Hawthorn) – Kieran Collins
Position: Key defender
Size: 194cm/100kg
Player Comparison: Daniel Talia
In the Mix: Bonner, Gresham

What does a team who has just won their third premiership in a row need? Not much, maybe a replacement for the retired Brian Lake. Kieran Collins is the second best key defender in the draft and perhaps the best lockdown defender in the draft after being given the job on Schache in the TAC Cup instead of Weitering.

Collins has a strong body, reads the play well and is super competitive. He has also developed a more attacking side of his game, adding the ability to take a strong intercept mark. Classy ball users Bonner and Gresham could also be selected here.

Pick 20 (Gold Coast) – Rhys Mathieson
Position: Midfielder
Size: 186cm/82kg
Player Comparison: Jordan Lewis
In the Mix: Collins, Gresham

The Suns will be thrilled if Mathieson gets to their second pick and will not hesitate in selecting him. Mathieson is extremely well rounded, not excelling in any one thing. What he does best is win the contested ball, he hunts the ball and throws himself at the contest.

His football IQ is very good, helping him to find the ball with ease and he has a very good handpass through traffic. He is also a very good overhead mark and a reliable kick. Being short on key defenders, Collins would be ideal for the Suns if he got past Hawthorn, while Gresham would also be a good fit.

Pick 21 (North Melbourne) – Jade Gresham
Position: Midfielder
Size: 178cm/77kg
Player Comparison: Dayne Zorko
In the Mix: Bonner, Hibberd

With a well-balanced list, the Roos will be looking for the best available with their first pick. Gresham is extremely skilful and was a standout in the goal kicking, kicking and clean hands tests at the combine. He can play on-ball where he reads the taps well and hunts the ball, or as a small forward where he is a real threat.

Extremely agile and with a good endurance base, Gresham’s only weakness is his height but the Vic Metro MVP, U18 All-Australian and TAC coaches award recipient has not let that stop him. Other options for North are classy half-back Riley Bonner and tall outside midfielder Mitchell Hibberd.

Pick 22 (Hawthorn) – Riley Bonner
Position: Halfback
Size: 191cm/85kg
Player Comparison: Grant Birchall
In the Mix: Gresham, Hibberd

Bonner is the quintessential Hawthorn player and it would be surprising if the Hawks passed him up. Bonner’s greatest asset is his bullet-like left foot kick. With it, he can hit short and long targets with ease and set up play off half-back. His right foot is no liability either with Bonner able to hit up targets nearly as easily on his right as he is with his left.

Bonner also adds some dash of half-back which helps him to kickstart multiple attacks. Also, at 191cm, Bonner is the right height for the modern player, allowing him to play on tall and small opponents. Gresham and Hibberd could be other options for the Hawks.

Pick 23 (Carlton) – David Cuningham
Position: Midfielder
Size: 183cm/79kg
Player Comparison: Jack Steven
In the Mix: Gresham, Cole

Having selected three talls with their first three picks – although Francis will look to become a midfielder – the Blues will look for a midfielder and Cunningham is just about the best available. Cuningham’s biggest asset is his pace – and he has plenty of it.

In congestion, he has a nice step which makes it hard to get near him and allows him to use his pace. Also, when in space, he has a good kick which can hit short and long targets.

Pick 24 (Western Bulldogs) – Josh Dunkley
Position: Midfielder
Size: 189cm/86kg
Player Comparison: Jobe Watson
In the Mix: Collins, B McKay

Although Dunkley has the option to join the Swans under the father-son rule or enter the draft, I think that he will do the latter given his love for Melbourne and his family. If he goes into the draft, then he will a good fit for the Dogs as a tall midfielder. At 189cm, Dunkley is the perfect size to play that bulldozing inside midfielder.

He has a good handpass which can release a player into space and he also has a very good overhead mark. Key Defenders Collins and Ben McKay would be good options for the Dogs given their lack of height in defence.

Pick 25 (Western Bulldogs) – Ben McKay
Position: Key defender/key forward
Size: 199cm/91kg
Player Comparison: Jake Carslile
In the Mix: Clarke, Cole

Being short on talented key defenders, the Dogs will be thrilled to pick up Ben McKay. At 199cm, McKay is a commanding centre half-back with bucket-like hands. McKay reads the play very well and takes a terrific intercept mark. He also has the ability to move forward, kicking four goals against the Northern Knights in the TAC cup. Midfielders Clarke and Cole could be options but it would be surprising if the Dogs didn’t draft a key defender.