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Ok, well here is a list of my top 20 players for the 2012 draft. Keep in mind I've only seen limited amounts of the players and done a lot of research - I'm no expert and I'm bound to get a heap wrong. I also managed to sneak 5 South Aussie's in my top 11 - no bias at all!
1. J. Daniher, 201cm 89kgs - The standout in this years crop, massive tall forward who can be a top line AFL player. A Kurt Tippett style forward who'll be a very difficult match up, but also combines his unique size with strong football ability and good athletic ability. Great hands and a good shot for goal. Bargain for Essendon.
2. L. Whitfield, 184cm 77kgs - best 'live' player, talented midfielder who can run all day and play all over the park, will play early 2013 and should end up an A grader - GWS will take him at 1.
3. J. Toumpas, 182cm 78kgs - the third best player, will play early 2013, has played SANFL seniors, can run and kick and loves a goal, should end up an A grader and hard not to see GWS snaring him at 2 or 3, but if he slides past then Melbourne should grab him. If he somehow slipped through I think we'd have to take him, though I bet our plans revolve around him being gone.
4. B. Grundy, 202cm 100kgs - the fourth best player for mine, potentially elite ruck/forward, hasn't been playing the game for long so has scope to improve. I think he'll develop into a strong tap ruck who can work well around the ground with clean ball handling. Expect he can become a good option resting forward and should be capable to 25+ goals a year in that role, maybe more, once he develops. Hard to see GWS going past him, but if they do Melbourne are a chance, couldn't see us taking him but Port at 7 also a chance.
5. J. Viney, 178cm 81kgs - strong inside midfielder, leadership potential, solid user without perhaps being elite by foot, can run all day and has some pace. A pretty complete player who should play early 2013 and become a high level midfielder at AFL level. A huge steal for Melbourne at 27.
6. T. Menzel, 187cm 77kgs - a standout talent, but he is a risky proposition with his knee. Utility who can run, kick and loves a goal, good one on one and has all the ability to be a long term AFL player and potential A grader. Could see him start forward and develop into a midfielder. I think he's right in contention from us onwards as has been reported, if he does slip GWS and Collingwood are both big chances given they have a number of early picks. Really hard to read where he may end up and will be heavily dependent on clubs medical opinions.
7. B. Kennedy, 174cm 74kgs - I really rate Kennedy, I'd take him with pick 6 even though he's very small, he's quick, he kicks long and accurate, he kicks goals, he can play forward and midfield, and I think he could be Dahlhaus Mk 2 with better, more penetrating kicking. I think he'll get selected between 10-20 and the Crows will be hoping he slips, they nearly spent the MD pick on him last year. GWS, North, Crows and Collingwood all big chances.
8. O. Wines, 188cm 90kgs - tough midfielder who can play forward or back, versatile, neat player who should become a 200 gamer. He is good inside and out, not blessed with huge pace but has endurance, he'll land at Melbourne or with us I'd think, but if he slips through hard to see Port passing.
9. J. O'Rourke, 183cm 73kgs - a slightly vanilla player if that makes sense, but on the times I've seen him he's hard to fault, he just gets it done with no fuss, he's not a flashy player but should play 200 games and be a good inside/outside running player, I think he'll go inside the first 7 picks, not certain GWS will jump although it's appearing more and more likely they might, and not sure Melbourne will, I think we're a good chance if he gets through. He's a safe bet and I'd be pretty happy with him.
10. J. Macrae, 189cm 76kgs - really improved as the year went on which is a trait I like, dynamic midfield/forward who can run and kick goals, has some improvement in him and isn't a certainty but based on his potential I have him at 10, think he'll go inside the top 10 on draft day, we'll look pretty closely, as will Brisbane and Richmond, if he lasted to Carlton, they'd jump.
11. S. Mayes, 187cm 78kgs - I have a couple of minor concerns over Mayes, but I still like him as a player, he's a smart runner, he can kick long and likes a goal, has played senior finals footy. He appears to struggle for decision making/execution under pressure a little but I think this can be ironed out, could play off a flank next year although needs to add bulk to his frame, eventually should be an inside/outside midfielder and has a high ceiling. I can't see him slipping past Richmond on draft day and think us, Port and Brisbane will strongly consider him.
12. L. Plowman, 192cm 84kgs - he's not easy to place for me but I have him here at 12, third tall defender who can run and carry, maybe some concerns over his athleticism. Is he going to be a KP? If not, can he play on genuinely quick small/medium forwards? Can he take a turn in the middle or go forward? GWS are a chance for him, perhaps Melbourne, we should be right in the mix and at worst can't see him slipping past Brisbane/Richmond.
13. D. Garlett, 180cm 75kgs - I don't know about his issues, but on talent he is a top 10 pick, runs and kicks well, will be damaging at AFL level finding space to receive and then what he does when he has space, should also develop the ability to win his own ball consistently. No idea where he'll go but if not Freo at 17, then Collingwood and Adelaide are perhaps well positioned to take a risk on him. I know there is speculation he won't be selected in the top 20 which is probably accurate but I'm just not sure....St Kilda rumoured to be interested and at worst, WCE at pick 46?
1. J. Daniher, 201cm 89kgs - The standout in this years crop, massive tall forward who can be a top line AFL player. A Kurt Tippett style forward who'll be a very difficult match up, but also combines his unique size with strong football ability and good athletic ability. Great hands and a good shot for goal. Bargain for Essendon.
2. L. Whitfield, 184cm 77kgs - best 'live' player, talented midfielder who can run all day and play all over the park, will play early 2013 and should end up an A grader - GWS will take him at 1.
3. J. Toumpas, 182cm 78kgs - the third best player, will play early 2013, has played SANFL seniors, can run and kick and loves a goal, should end up an A grader and hard not to see GWS snaring him at 2 or 3, but if he slides past then Melbourne should grab him. If he somehow slipped through I think we'd have to take him, though I bet our plans revolve around him being gone.
4. B. Grundy, 202cm 100kgs - the fourth best player for mine, potentially elite ruck/forward, hasn't been playing the game for long so has scope to improve. I think he'll develop into a strong tap ruck who can work well around the ground with clean ball handling. Expect he can become a good option resting forward and should be capable to 25+ goals a year in that role, maybe more, once he develops. Hard to see GWS going past him, but if they do Melbourne are a chance, couldn't see us taking him but Port at 7 also a chance.
5. J. Viney, 178cm 81kgs - strong inside midfielder, leadership potential, solid user without perhaps being elite by foot, can run all day and has some pace. A pretty complete player who should play early 2013 and become a high level midfielder at AFL level. A huge steal for Melbourne at 27.
6. T. Menzel, 187cm 77kgs - a standout talent, but he is a risky proposition with his knee. Utility who can run, kick and loves a goal, good one on one and has all the ability to be a long term AFL player and potential A grader. Could see him start forward and develop into a midfielder. I think he's right in contention from us onwards as has been reported, if he does slip GWS and Collingwood are both big chances given they have a number of early picks. Really hard to read where he may end up and will be heavily dependent on clubs medical opinions.
7. B. Kennedy, 174cm 74kgs - I really rate Kennedy, I'd take him with pick 6 even though he's very small, he's quick, he kicks long and accurate, he kicks goals, he can play forward and midfield, and I think he could be Dahlhaus Mk 2 with better, more penetrating kicking. I think he'll get selected between 10-20 and the Crows will be hoping he slips, they nearly spent the MD pick on him last year. GWS, North, Crows and Collingwood all big chances.
8. O. Wines, 188cm 90kgs - tough midfielder who can play forward or back, versatile, neat player who should become a 200 gamer. He is good inside and out, not blessed with huge pace but has endurance, he'll land at Melbourne or with us I'd think, but if he slips through hard to see Port passing.
9. J. O'Rourke, 183cm 73kgs - a slightly vanilla player if that makes sense, but on the times I've seen him he's hard to fault, he just gets it done with no fuss, he's not a flashy player but should play 200 games and be a good inside/outside running player, I think he'll go inside the first 7 picks, not certain GWS will jump although it's appearing more and more likely they might, and not sure Melbourne will, I think we're a good chance if he gets through. He's a safe bet and I'd be pretty happy with him.
10. J. Macrae, 189cm 76kgs - really improved as the year went on which is a trait I like, dynamic midfield/forward who can run and kick goals, has some improvement in him and isn't a certainty but based on his potential I have him at 10, think he'll go inside the top 10 on draft day, we'll look pretty closely, as will Brisbane and Richmond, if he lasted to Carlton, they'd jump.
11. S. Mayes, 187cm 78kgs - I have a couple of minor concerns over Mayes, but I still like him as a player, he's a smart runner, he can kick long and likes a goal, has played senior finals footy. He appears to struggle for decision making/execution under pressure a little but I think this can be ironed out, could play off a flank next year although needs to add bulk to his frame, eventually should be an inside/outside midfielder and has a high ceiling. I can't see him slipping past Richmond on draft day and think us, Port and Brisbane will strongly consider him.
12. L. Plowman, 192cm 84kgs - he's not easy to place for me but I have him here at 12, third tall defender who can run and carry, maybe some concerns over his athleticism. Is he going to be a KP? If not, can he play on genuinely quick small/medium forwards? Can he take a turn in the middle or go forward? GWS are a chance for him, perhaps Melbourne, we should be right in the mix and at worst can't see him slipping past Brisbane/Richmond.
13. D. Garlett, 180cm 75kgs - I don't know about his issues, but on talent he is a top 10 pick, runs and kicks well, will be damaging at AFL level finding space to receive and then what he does when he has space, should also develop the ability to win his own ball consistently. No idea where he'll go but if not Freo at 17, then Collingwood and Adelaide are perhaps well positioned to take a risk on him. I know there is speculation he won't be selected in the top 20 which is probably accurate but I'm just not sure....St Kilda rumoured to be interested and at worst, WCE at pick 46?
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