This year’s AFL draft crop has been favourably compared to the fabled 2001 super draft that produced superstars like Chris Judd, Gary Ablett and Luke Hodge.
The 2001 draft has come to be revered as the ‘Super Draft’ thanks to the feats of AFL superstars like Chris Judd, Gary Ablett and Luke Hodge, but it seems that esteemed draft class has some competition.
AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan is confident players like Sam Walsh, Jack Lukosius, Max King and Izak Rankine can have the sort of careers that will make this year’s national selection meeting known as Super Draft Mark 2 down the track.
That’s high praise coming from Sheehan, with the AFL’s long-serving talent chief not one to make outlandish statements.
“I think on pure potential that comparison is fair,” Sheehan told AAP.
“We’re looking into a crystal ball here – as we do every year – but observations in matches, their athletic testing and interviews over a two or three-year period all suggest it’s an elite group.
“… Right along the way all of those things have given us great confidence that this can be Super Draft Mark 2.
“But we’re talking potential here and that has to be converted into production in the AFL.
“It will obviously take time to see whether that eventuates but working in this futures market as we do we’re
very bullish that this is going to be a great group.”
Adding to the intrigue around this special group of players is the ability for clubs to trade up in the draft to snare a potentially once-in-a-generation player for the first time.
Many AFL talent scouts believe there is a group of eight elite players right at the top of this draft with a gap between them and the rest.
While Sheehan agrees there are some gifted players right at the pointy end, he also believes there will be some gems uncovered late, as they were in 2001 with the likes of Steve Johnson (No.24), Sam Mitchell (36), Dane Swan (58) and Brian Lake (71).
“That was just such a great draft with some star players taken later and I think there’s early indications that there’s similar great depth in this one as well,” he said.
“I put out my list of 40 top prospects and I know there were plenty of boys who were stiff not to make that.
“Some very well-credentialed players are going to be available late in the draft.”
The first round of the draft will take place on the evening of Thursday, November 22, at Marvel Stadium, with the remaining rounds and the rookie draft to be held the next day.
Col from Brissie
Roar Guru
Highly unlikely Gold Coast would give up 2 & 6 for pick 1. As it it they have 3 picks in the top 6 in a draft where the top 8 players could all be likely number 1 picks. If they did make that offer I think the Blues would jump at it but I seriously doubt they would then trade pick 2 for 5 & 10. I am assuming you think the Suns would do that deal to get Walsh at 1, so with 2 & 6 Carlton would take Lukosius or Rankine at 2 and grab a Rozee or Smith at 6. Carlton need midfield/forward type players and have enough talls to not look at either of the Kings.
Charlie
Roar Rookie
If those trades were to happen (which I think is extremely unlikely), I don't think the Blues would take the King brothers. They need quality mids, and mids from the rookie draft won't be good enough. They would only do those trades to pick up 2 midfielders to counterbalance missing out on Walsh. At least one of Rozee/Rankine/Smith would be available at pick 5 (possibly two of them if St Kilda take a King at 4) and that's who they'd pick up.
IAP
Guest
Bailey Smith won't get to 10. He'll be in the top 8.
IAP
Guest
Bailey Smith is going to the Dogs.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
If I was the Suns I'd be wanting more picks to spread the risk, rather than loading it into fewer more high stakes picks. I also don't think the value of going for Walsh is that much greater than they might get from say nabbing Lukosius and Rozee who they would foreseeably take at 2 & 6. in fact I think it would be considerably less. There doesn't seem to be that much between picks 1 and about 6 or 7 either (Walsh, Lukosius, Rankine, Blakely, Kings, Rozee) that you would bundle two top 7 picks together to get it would be totally and utterly overs.
alan
Guest
Carlton will trade pick 1 to GC for picks 2 and 6....Pt Adelaide will come knocking and take pick 2 and a 3rd rd carlton pick (future) for picks 5 and 10....which will give carlton picks 5/6/10....Picks 5 and 6 will be on the king bros (we know they want midfielders but 3 will come in rookie draft)....Pick 10 will be enough if not already gone for Bailey Smith..(mid)....This will all be done live
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Ben King wants to stay in Victoria. I expect him to go to the Dogs at pick 7
Professor X
Guest
Gold coast should focus on players that want to play for the club. Make a bold move by pairing up the kings. So what about the ACL? Look at how good Judd was. Saints get lukosius Paddy McCartin can play as a backman Rankine is a Wingard replacement for port at pick 5 if available. Port Adelaide and Adelaide have big draft dilemma whether to draft Victorians over south Australians. Port are in the position where they might not draft any south Australians. Crows should probably draft Hately with pick 8. Could we see a late pick swap?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Why? Even if they draft anyone good they'll just wind up leaving.
bernie
Guest
The Gold Coast has to make this count