The Bulldogs Bite
24-10-2009, 08:51 PM
I thought I might get a thread going so that we can post our phantom drafts. Might make for some interesting discussion, and it's something we can reflect upon after the draft has taken place. It'll be interesting to see who gets closest. I am not the most informed guy going around, but I've taken a shot at it by reading various reports and looking at several videos. Post yours - it's a bit of fun. I might do a second round later on.
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First Round
Pick 1 – Melbourne – Tom Scully (MID)
He has been touted as the most likely number one pick for a while. Melbourne are desperate for quality midfielders so adding Scully will definitely boost their stocks.
Pick 2 – Melbourne – Jack Trengrove (MID/HFF)
Again, Trengrove has been linked to Melbourne at pick 2 for some time. He might be taken with their first pick to take a little pressure off Scully, but they’re both quality players and so I think they’ll stick with the original plan. Ready made.
Pick 3 – Richmond – Dustin Martin (MID/F)
Tigers have a few pressing needs but they should go best available with this pick. Butcher would be handy but he’s sliding by all reports and it’d be hard to pass on Martin. Very good skills, plays inside and out, moves pretty quick over the first few steps. Deledio really needs support and a fit Cotchin & Martin provides this.
Pick 4 – Fremantle – Anthony Morabito (MID)
At 190cm he’s a pretty big midfielder. The vision I’ve seen makes him look a pretty good prospect. He’s a good mark, quick and versatile. Many people are comparing him to Goodes. Freo need to keep taking the best available at this stage and Morabito appears that way.
Pick 5 – North Melbourne – Gary Rohan (MID/F)
North have a few needs much like the clubs above them, but they should address their midfield first. Swallow is a good in and under player but they really haven’t got too many players to give it to. They need something different to Ziebell and I think Rohan is it. Genuine X factor, strong hands, very quick, great defensive pressure and is always on the move. I really like the look of him.
Pick 6 – Sydney – Ben Cunnington (MID/F)
I suspect Sydney will take the next best midfielder. They have a few young KP’s (White & Lewis) but not enough midfield stars coming through. Cunnington does most things well and is pretty hard at it which suits Sydney’s style.
Pick 7 – West Coast – Lewis Jetta (MID/HFF)
Really wish Jetta would slide to our pick because he’s exciting to watch. However, West Coast have stated they need crumbers and Jetta fills this requirement. He compliments their side well because he’s a classy midfielder with X factor. He’ll fit in well with the likes of Kerr, Selwoods and Masten. Plus – he’s a WA boy.
Pick 8 – Port Adelaide – Kane Lucas (MID/HFF)
His foot skills are sublime. The loss of Burgoyne makes sense here. His skills either side of his body are great. I could see him going earlier than this but if available it’s hard to see him slide past here. He’s a really smart player too.
Pick 9 – Port Adelaide – John Butcher (KPF)
Many have Butcher sliding past here, but I think he looks a good prospect. He moves very well for a KPF and takes strong contested marks. Along with his leap and ability at ground level, he could be a handful at AFL level. Even though he has apparently dropped down the order, IMO it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him picked up much earlier. Only thing is, the above clubs aren’t desperate for a KPF. North will be tempted but they have a few options. However, Port don’t have a lot. They need a replacement for Tredrea badly.
Pick 10 – Essendon – Luke Tapscott (F/MID)
I’ve seen him heading to Port Adelaide in most phantom drafts. Considering he’s from SA, it’s probably always a good chance. I thought I’d try something different though. He’s an extremely good disposer of the ball by foot, big bodied and kicks it a mile. Essendon are desperate for class and if available he shouldn’t slip past here.
Pick 11 – Melbourne – Aaron Black (KPF)
They will be disappointed Butcher isn’t available. The midfield is looking good with Scully, Trengrove, Morton, Jones, Maloney and Sylvia. They will be looking to boost their forward half in some capacity. Considered Carlisle but they already have Watts who is raw and plays a little similar. Black was super impressive by all reports for the Thunder this year (mjp I am looking at you) and should fit in well.
Pick 12 – Carlton – Jake Carlisle (KPF)
Their midfield is set and I think their back half is very good too. Talia might be considered but I think they need to address their forward problems. Carlisle will take a while to develop but he has a good set of tools. Their list is young so he has the time on his side. He plays/moves a little like Waite IMO.
Pick 13 – Adelaide – Bradley Sheppard (HBF/BP)
Adelaide’s list is looking very good but with McLeod, Goodwin and Edwards with only one year left they need to find a replacement or two. Sheppard is a smart player and cleans up pretty well. He’s a good user of the ball and is the perfect fit for Adelaide, which is probably why so many have him going there. If he slides, I wouldn’t be surprised to see The Dogs take him.
Pick 14 – Sydney – Daniel Talia (KPD)
Talia could go earlier but it’s highly unlikely he’ll slip past here. Sydney don’t have too many KPD’s. With Leo O’Barry retiring, it’s a must. Talia looks like a really good player and we’ll be kicking ourselves Sydney have the pick before us.
Pick 15 – Western Bulldogs – Jake Melksham (MID)
Strongly considered Colyer and Moore who would probably fill more of a role for us. Colyer is a very quick small forward/midfielder which would suit us very well. He’d replace Aker nicely, whilst Moore is a utility that could give us drive from the back half. However – I am going to play it safe and pick Melksham who has plenty of ability and talent to work with. Melksham is a bit of a ball magnet and loves to take the game on. He carries the football regularly and is very good around the stoppages. The fact that he can play inside and outside will be very attractive to us and IMO persuade us to draft him. He would be able to replace Eagleton and has a bit of toe, too.
Pick 16 – Port Adelaide – Andrew Moore (Utility)
Port Adelaide will probably go with best available at this stage. After drafting a quality midfielder who can push forward and a KPF, I’ve gone with Moore. He’s a utility type who can provide some drive off half back which they probably need with the loss of both Burgoynes. Capable of pushing forward too which would appeal to them.
Pick 17 – Geelong – Ryan Bastinac (MID/F)
He’s a pretty clever player who I rate. He’s very good at ground level and is pretty evasive. Skills are pretty good and always looks dangerous, be it in the midfield or up forward. He could fit in nicely at Geelong IMO. That being said, it’s hard to tell what Geelong might be after.
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First Round
Pick 1 – Melbourne – Tom Scully (MID)
He has been touted as the most likely number one pick for a while. Melbourne are desperate for quality midfielders so adding Scully will definitely boost their stocks.
Pick 2 – Melbourne – Jack Trengrove (MID/HFF)
Again, Trengrove has been linked to Melbourne at pick 2 for some time. He might be taken with their first pick to take a little pressure off Scully, but they’re both quality players and so I think they’ll stick with the original plan. Ready made.
Pick 3 – Richmond – Dustin Martin (MID/F)
Tigers have a few pressing needs but they should go best available with this pick. Butcher would be handy but he’s sliding by all reports and it’d be hard to pass on Martin. Very good skills, plays inside and out, moves pretty quick over the first few steps. Deledio really needs support and a fit Cotchin & Martin provides this.
Pick 4 – Fremantle – Anthony Morabito (MID)
At 190cm he’s a pretty big midfielder. The vision I’ve seen makes him look a pretty good prospect. He’s a good mark, quick and versatile. Many people are comparing him to Goodes. Freo need to keep taking the best available at this stage and Morabito appears that way.
Pick 5 – North Melbourne – Gary Rohan (MID/F)
North have a few needs much like the clubs above them, but they should address their midfield first. Swallow is a good in and under player but they really haven’t got too many players to give it to. They need something different to Ziebell and I think Rohan is it. Genuine X factor, strong hands, very quick, great defensive pressure and is always on the move. I really like the look of him.
Pick 6 – Sydney – Ben Cunnington (MID/F)
I suspect Sydney will take the next best midfielder. They have a few young KP’s (White & Lewis) but not enough midfield stars coming through. Cunnington does most things well and is pretty hard at it which suits Sydney’s style.
Pick 7 – West Coast – Lewis Jetta (MID/HFF)
Really wish Jetta would slide to our pick because he’s exciting to watch. However, West Coast have stated they need crumbers and Jetta fills this requirement. He compliments their side well because he’s a classy midfielder with X factor. He’ll fit in well with the likes of Kerr, Selwoods and Masten. Plus – he’s a WA boy.
Pick 8 – Port Adelaide – Kane Lucas (MID/HFF)
His foot skills are sublime. The loss of Burgoyne makes sense here. His skills either side of his body are great. I could see him going earlier than this but if available it’s hard to see him slide past here. He’s a really smart player too.
Pick 9 – Port Adelaide – John Butcher (KPF)
Many have Butcher sliding past here, but I think he looks a good prospect. He moves very well for a KPF and takes strong contested marks. Along with his leap and ability at ground level, he could be a handful at AFL level. Even though he has apparently dropped down the order, IMO it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him picked up much earlier. Only thing is, the above clubs aren’t desperate for a KPF. North will be tempted but they have a few options. However, Port don’t have a lot. They need a replacement for Tredrea badly.
Pick 10 – Essendon – Luke Tapscott (F/MID)
I’ve seen him heading to Port Adelaide in most phantom drafts. Considering he’s from SA, it’s probably always a good chance. I thought I’d try something different though. He’s an extremely good disposer of the ball by foot, big bodied and kicks it a mile. Essendon are desperate for class and if available he shouldn’t slip past here.
Pick 11 – Melbourne – Aaron Black (KPF)
They will be disappointed Butcher isn’t available. The midfield is looking good with Scully, Trengrove, Morton, Jones, Maloney and Sylvia. They will be looking to boost their forward half in some capacity. Considered Carlisle but they already have Watts who is raw and plays a little similar. Black was super impressive by all reports for the Thunder this year (mjp I am looking at you) and should fit in well.
Pick 12 – Carlton – Jake Carlisle (KPF)
Their midfield is set and I think their back half is very good too. Talia might be considered but I think they need to address their forward problems. Carlisle will take a while to develop but he has a good set of tools. Their list is young so he has the time on his side. He plays/moves a little like Waite IMO.
Pick 13 – Adelaide – Bradley Sheppard (HBF/BP)
Adelaide’s list is looking very good but with McLeod, Goodwin and Edwards with only one year left they need to find a replacement or two. Sheppard is a smart player and cleans up pretty well. He’s a good user of the ball and is the perfect fit for Adelaide, which is probably why so many have him going there. If he slides, I wouldn’t be surprised to see The Dogs take him.
Pick 14 – Sydney – Daniel Talia (KPD)
Talia could go earlier but it’s highly unlikely he’ll slip past here. Sydney don’t have too many KPD’s. With Leo O’Barry retiring, it’s a must. Talia looks like a really good player and we’ll be kicking ourselves Sydney have the pick before us.
Pick 15 – Western Bulldogs – Jake Melksham (MID)
Strongly considered Colyer and Moore who would probably fill more of a role for us. Colyer is a very quick small forward/midfielder which would suit us very well. He’d replace Aker nicely, whilst Moore is a utility that could give us drive from the back half. However – I am going to play it safe and pick Melksham who has plenty of ability and talent to work with. Melksham is a bit of a ball magnet and loves to take the game on. He carries the football regularly and is very good around the stoppages. The fact that he can play inside and outside will be very attractive to us and IMO persuade us to draft him. He would be able to replace Eagleton and has a bit of toe, too.
Pick 16 – Port Adelaide – Andrew Moore (Utility)
Port Adelaide will probably go with best available at this stage. After drafting a quality midfielder who can push forward and a KPF, I’ve gone with Moore. He’s a utility type who can provide some drive off half back which they probably need with the loss of both Burgoynes. Capable of pushing forward too which would appeal to them.
Pick 17 – Geelong – Ryan Bastinac (MID/F)
He’s a pretty clever player who I rate. He’s very good at ground level and is pretty evasive. Skills are pretty good and always looks dangerous, be it in the midfield or up forward. He could fit in nicely at Geelong IMO. That being said, it’s hard to tell what Geelong might be after.