With the AFL Draft next week, here are my predictions for Rounds 1 and 2 of the 2013 edition.
Round 1
Pick 1: GWS
Tom Boyd
Lock it in! Boyd has been touted as the number one pick all year and there will be no surprises when pick one is called.
Pick 2: GWS
Josh Kelly
Kelly will add a lot to the Giants midfield, he has great endurance and won the three-kilometres time trial at the draft combine this year and last year. He is locked in at pick two.
Pick 3: St Kilda
Jack Billings
Billings rises in the big moments, he is an exciting midfielder/ half forward that will add some spark to the Saints midfield. If he falls through the Saints, the Doggies will take him at four.
Pick 4: Western Bulldogs
James Aish
Is a classy, reliable midfielder that wins a lot of the ball. Has played in back to back SANFL premierships for Norwood and should slot in to the Doggies midfield. If not picked Suns and Pies are also interested.
Pick 5: Gold Coast
Kade Kolodjashnij
Imagine BT trying to say his last name! The Suns have been into this kid all season, Classy reliable half backman who could also run through the midfield.
Pick 6: Collingwood
Matt Scharenberg
Scharenberg can play anywhere, he is tall, fast and athletic and strong overhead. Just the sort of player the Pies could use.
Pick 7: Brisbane
Marcus Bontempelli
A tall half forward/ midfielder at 194 cm, Bontempelli could potentially be turned into a centre half forward. And the Lions desperately need big men.
Pick 8: North Melbourne
Luke McDonald (father son)
North made a bid for McDonald at pick eight and is locked in. Great Get for the Roos.
Pick 9: Melbourne
Nathan Freeman:
Melbourne need midfielders, and they will get one here. Freeman is the second fastest player in the draft and will add some pace to the Dees’ midfield.
Pick 10: Collingwood
Ben Lennon
Not super tall but can take a good grab and is a very accurate kick. May move into the middle in the future.
Pick 11: West Coast
Dom Sheed
West Coast should get there man. They have been into Sheed all year and will replace the likes of Daniel Kerr in the eagles midfield. Real Hard Worker.
Pick 12: Richmond
Christian Salem
Tigers will be hoping that Salem will fall through to them at 12. Is a medium sized midfielder who will be a good fit for the Tigers.
Pick 13: Carlton
Luke Dunstan
It will be interesting to see whether the Blues go for another midfielder like Dunstan or a key forward like McCarthy. They are in need of both, but there midfield need is greater.
Pick 14: GWS
Lewis Taylor
Taylor is quite small (174 cm) but is likened by many to Brent Harvey. Likes to get in there and win the hard ball but is also very agile and fast.
Pick 15: Sydney
Rory Lobb
A very interesting one, The Swans seem very keen to land Lobb who is a big ruckman but may have to do it with there first-round pick.
Pick 16: Geelong
Blake Acres
A tall midfielder/ half back who will fit Geelong’s mould perfectly.
Pick 17: Fremantle
Cameron McCarthy
Dockers fans will have there fingers crossed that McCarthy will make it to 17, He is a great mark and cool under pressure. Could he be Pav’s replacement?
Pick 18: St Kilda
Billy Hartung
Hartung has speed and agility but also endurance. He broke an all time Draft Combine Beep test record with a score of 16.6, will add flash to the Saints line-up.
Pick 19: St Kilda
Zak Jones:
Brother of Melbournes Nathan Jones is a tough strong half back, Too good to pass by at 19.
Pick 20: Gold Coast
Zach Merrett
A forward/midfielder who is very smart with the ball in hand.
Round 2
21: Port Adelaide: Micheal Appeness (key forward)
22: Brisbane: Trent Dumont (mid)
23: Adelaide: Matt Crouch (mid)
24: Hawthorn: Patrick Cripps (mid)
25. Brisbane: Malcom Karpany (small forward/def)
26. Essendon: Jarman Impey (forward)
27: Gold Coast: Jake Kolodjashnij (key def)
28. Brisbane: Daniel McStay (key def)
29. GWS: Tom Cutler (def)
30. North Melbourne: Jay Knnedy Harris (small forward)
31. West Coast: Darcy Lang (midfielder)
32. Sydney: Darcy Gardiner (key def)
33. Brisbane: Mitch Thorp (key forward)
34: Bribane: James Battersby (midfielder)
35. Sydney: George Hewitt (midfielder)
36. Geelong: Cameron Giles (key def)
37. Fremantle: Jonothan Marsh (key forward)
38. Hawthorn: Dayle Garlett (small forward)
39. Carlton: Darcy Hourigan (key forward)
40. Melbourne: Eli Templeton (medium def)
Roarers, your thoughts on the top 40?
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