GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

[Go_Dogs]

Part one, work in progress.

1. Cameron Rayner - 187cm, 88kgs
One of those rolled-gold prospects who can win his own ball, burst through congestion and kick goals - oh, he can also take a strong overhead grab too. Most of the draft experts have him going at #1 and based on his skill-set, combined with his size, it's easy to see why.

Lock him in for Brisbane.

2. Paddy Dow - 184cm, 78kgs
Can do a lot of the things Rayner can, high production midfielder who can win his own ball, has a set of wheels and kicks goals. Not quite as big as Rayner and doesn't have the overhead marking ability, but will be a standout player for teams looking to develop their midfields.

Any of the top 4 selections, but expect Gold Coast to jump, solely as he weighs less than the remaining locks for the top 4.

3. Luke Davies-Uniacke - 187cm, 85kgs
Many descriptions compare him to Ollie Wines, tough inside midfielder who wins contested ball at will, can stand up in tackles, can mark the ball overhead. Every team would love an Ollie Wines, a no-nonsense player who consistently gets the job done and will be ready to go.

I'm shooting for Carlton - another big bodied player to pair with Cripps and Curnow.

4. Adam Cerra - 186cm, 85kgs
He stood out to me in the Champs, a neat player who can win ball, can receive ball, can make smart decisions. Strong in the contest. For some reason I'm reflecting back on O'Rourke when I'm thinking about him - does he have enough standout traits to become a top flight AFL prospect? I think so.

The last of the top 4 that seem to standout. Will North grab him? I could see them go a slightly different approach an Cerra slip to Fremantle or Collingwood.

5. Darcy Forgarty - 192cm, 92kgs
I know, I didn't sneak a SA boy into the top 4, first time for everything...Darcy is near impossible to rank. He had a brilliant under-age campaign and came into the year as a lock for the top 3 but injuries and indifferent form have seen him drop - most have him truly outside the top 5 and dropping as others rise. Strong player, good in the contest, good in the air and can kick goals.

For some reason, I think North will pounce. Their midfield and forward lines could both use some of what Darcy has. If he slips past here, St Kilda are poised with 2 selections to take a punt.

6. Jaidyn Stephenson - 189cm, 76kgs
Need for speed anyone? Player who can take a grab and kick a goal? Not a dominant contested player, but is improving in that area and has enough tricks to play as high forward or wing while he develops aspects of his game.

St Kilda will pounce, much to my disappointment. I like a combination of Fogarty and Stephenson for them if North pass on DF.

7. Jarrod Brander - 195cm, 83kgs
Do we even need to call KP's forward or defenders anymore, it seems irrelevant because they learn to play where the system requires? Anyway, good moving big man who is clean at ground level and good in the air. Demonstrated versatility is an added bonus.

Collingwood for me - in need of some key position talent.

8. Noah Balta - 194cm, 92kgs
The other highly rated KP player. Versatile, good mover, can mark, clean hands. For teams wanting to get a KP, early will again be where they go and Balta could develop at either end of the ground and potentially start as a third option with this speed.

Saints have a few developing talls, but could see the appeal of adding Balta.

9. Andrew Brayshaw - 183cm, 80kgs
All the talk from GVGjr has him rising up my rankings. I'm a huge fan of what his brother can do, he was on the cusp of becoming a high-level midfielder before his injury woes hit and hasn't quite got back yet. Andrew offers a similar package, good inside, strong in the tackle, good hands in close - a high floor and scope to improve.

I wouldn't be against taking him - he adds to our inside mix which on paper looks strong, but after the year we had, I'm not convinced. Kicks the ball better than most of our blokes too.

10. Hunter Clarke - 186cm, 79kgs
The old inside-out midfielder who will probably do his best work receiving the second possession from the bloke at the coal-face before finding space and hitting a target with a precise kick off either side. Liked his Champs where he had some quality moments.

Another who holds appeal for us IMO, but perhaps we're a little early. Perhaps Melbourne or Essendon, but I suspect Richmond with their selections might take him to compliment Naish.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

11. Nick Coffield - 190cm, 83kgs
A third tall, utility type defender who uses the ball well and has displayed form at the Champs and TAC finals. Can he end up a midfielder, does he drift a bit like Riley Bonner a few years ago?

Seems he'll go in the first 20 picks, Essendon perhaps have a need and maybe Brisbane could be tempted late in the first round to add him.

12. Lachie O'Brien - 184cm, 75kgs
A player who has improved throughout the year, has a turn of pace and can kick the ball well (albeit at times inconsistent) with his left peg. Makes the right decisions and will have a role at AFL level receiving the second or third possession.

This is demonstrating how deep the draft is - this is a good quality player who will go in the 10-15 range for mine. I see Brisbane or Sydney as potential destinations.

13. Brent Daniels - 172cm, 70kgs
Caught my eye at the Champs and has continued to play solid football since, turning in a good performance on GF day to remind everyone why he deserves to be in the top 20 conversation. He's small, but he can win the ball, has some speed and kicks goals.

I like Gold Coast early second round, but maybe if the Crows lose Cameron a nippy guy who can play in the front half appeals.

14. Charlie Constable - 190cm, 83kgs
He will accumulate, win ball inside, use the ball well and is another of those big bodied midfield players that everyone wants. I like his game and don't know why he's not higher... liked that he was able to impact the TAC GF while injured, still winning the ball and playing forward to snare a few goals.

Anywhere from 8-20, but if forced to nominate a team I think he'd suit it'd be WC (I don't know if they'll pick him) or Sydney.

15. Oscar Allen - 191cm, 83kgs
Tall utility, good mark for his size and kicks goals. He's got solid endurance, so I wonder if he ever builds a motor to play more minutes up the field? It's an interesting time to be a 191cm forward - his tackle numbers look OK, will be interesting to see how he tests (if he does them all) as that could move him up or down a few spots.

Another who could go between 12-25, I like him for Geelong if they hold pick 20, or North could see the appeal of another goal kicker.

16. Ryley Stoddart - 183cm, 73kgs
I'm a fan of Stoddart, but would be more confident if he'd been able to boost his average disposal numbers a bit higher and there are some concerns about him as a 1:1 defender (although the way the game is trending, defenders are more attackers and forwards more defenders...). Someone will like the skill set and punt on him, higher risk but can hurt with the ball in hand.

Gold Coast need more quality users and he can be another balanced selection for them with their multitude of picks, while GWS could see the appeal if they lose a few back flankers.

17. Aaron Naughton - 194cm, 84kgs
Good mark, good reader of the play, can intercept. Perhaps not unlike Lewis Young, needs to spend some time tightening up his ball drop but with senior experience he'll be sure to go to a club looking to sure up their defensive stocks.

Do Adelaide punt on him to replace Lever? I could see them pouncing.

18. Jack Higgins - 178cm, 76kgs
He's normally the sort of player I overrate every year and say he's small but he can play and he'll go into the system and do well - I like that he finished the year with a flurry of goals, gives me more confidence to slot him in my top 20 players. Not sure he has the burst pace or scope to improve or some others, but can accumulate the ball, win clearances and mark well for his size.

Another in that 10-25 range, perhaps a replacement for Devon Smith at GWS?

19. Nathan Kreuger - 196cm, 86kgs
I was very tempted to slot in Jackson Ross who GVGjr has mentioned a few times and seems to be rising quickly, but have settled for squeezing another SA player in. Athletic tall with plenty of development to go, but uses the ball well and will be versatile enough to play a number of roles at AFL level.

No idea where he sits in the mix, somewhere before pick 40 I guess, anyone who wants a tall that'll take some developing should sign up.

20. Gryan Miers - 177cm, 73kgs
There's still a number of names I think will go in the top 30 odd that are left over, a number will go higher than the blokes I've got listed here... but hard to go past Miers after he finished the year with 7 goals in the biggest game. He can tackle and kick goals, and whilst he's small he's got enough about him that a team will take a punt inside the first 30.

He could appeal to us at 26.

Those who i also like but haven't got:-

L Forgarty, J Petruccelle, P Naish, M Ling, S Hayes, C Coleman-Jones (maybe one of Hayes or CJ we can target? No idea how early they'll go...), J Worpel, O Clavarino, H Petty, D Moore, J Ross...

There's plenty of players who have enough good traits to become AFL players this year, despite a lot of talk of it not being a good draft, most clubs are going to walk away pretty happy with the players they pick up.

[GVGjr]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Great start GD.
For what it's worth, I think Davies-Uniacke goes with the first pick.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Great start GD.
For what it's worth, I think Davies-Uniacke goes with the first pick.

Thanks for that.

I'm finding it very hard to split the top 3, all could easily go first depending on club need/philosophy. After going McCluggage last year, you may be right. What elevates him in your eyes?

[GVGjr]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

I think LDU last 6 weeks were excellent. He's big and strong and will get better.

Rayner is a gun but he is a flight risk for the Lions and there are some doubts about how well he will test for endurance.

[GVGjr]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

GD, does the likes of Miers figure in your next update?

[Bornadog]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

I love reading these posts, but don't know enough about the players to contribute. Thank you all for posting.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

GD, does the likes of Miers figure in your next update?

Certainly wouldn't have been 2 weeks ago, but his grand final performance and consistent ability to impact the scoreboard over the course of the season is now very hard to ignore. While he's got better goal sense than Dahlhaus, the question I'm pondering is how good is his field kicking? He'll be in the mix.

[azabob]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Thanks GD. Unfortunately I’ve been taking an interest in this years draft since about round 16.
For our pick I really hope we look at Charlie Constable.
He has a good size about him seems to use the ball well by foot and hand. My only concern is his pace which is something we lack.

[divvydan]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

I suspect Bris will eventually go with Dow for #1. Think they would just as much want Rayner but they'll go with the country boy who is less likely to have home sickness.

[GVGjr]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Thanks GD. Unfortunately I’ve been taking an interest in this years draft since about round 16.
For our pick I really hope we look at Charlie Constable.
He has a good size about him seems to use the ball well by foot and hand. My only concern is his pace which is something we lack.

Constable is an excellent prospect and one of the harder guys to measure where he should be selected. He could easily go top 10 or somewhere between 10 and 25.
His effort in the GF while clearly injured resulted in a great game. He can play forward, back and in the midfield but unless you watch him closely he doesn't catch the eye like some others but I rate him highly.
I agree he isn't a speedster by any measure but clubs will look past that. He's a nice kick and is good in a contest

[GVGjr]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

I suspect Bris will eventually go with Dow for #1. Think they would just as much want Rayner but they'll go with the country boy who is less likely to have home sickness.

FWIW, I think they will go for Luke Davies-Uniacke

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

I suspect Bris will eventually go with Dow for #1. Think they would just as much want Rayner but they'll go with the country boy who is less likely to have home sickness.

Shache is a country boy..who has had extensive home sickness troubles too. Not sure rural/urban distinctions are a reliable indicator.

[GVGjr]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Shache is a country boy..who has had extensive home sickness troubles too. Not sure rural/urban distinctions are a reliable indicator.

The consensus seems to be that Brisbane believes that if they draft a group of players who are friends then they are more likely to stay together. It's not a strong indicator though

[mjp]

Re: GD's top 20 - 2017 Draft

Is Cam Raynor really going to be number #1?

Everything I have seen is of him pushing smaller kids out of the way...just seems like a classic early developer to me.

Is that harsh? I don't see as much as the 18's as I once did (funny that) but he just doesn't strike me as someone who will be a classy mid vs senior competition.

(Then again, I didn't think Sam Powell-Pepper was going to do much and he was pretty useful).