2015 Draft Watch

[Throughandthrough]

Just wanted to get in first

And I'm sure about 75% of next years draft is pretty well settled (into bands), based on the players and scouts recruits for the last 3 - 4 years.


AIS Academy is always a great pointer!

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

http://www.afc.com.au/news/2014-11-28/the-next-draft-crop

The next draft crop

Callum Twomey, AFL Media November 28, 2014 10:25 AM



With the 2014 NAB AFL Draft sorted, we can now move onto assessing next year's crop.

The class of 2015 already looks likely to be more of a midfielder's draft than this year's, with most of the top-end prospects stationed in the onball department.

Join us as we gaze into the crystal ball and predict 10 players likely to be touted as early draft picks next year.

Callum Ah Chee
South Fremantle/Western Australia
9/10/97
180cm/69kg
Midfielder/half-forward
Despite missing this year's championships for WA due to injury, he remains one of the more exciting prospects for next season. Ah Chee possesses brilliant speed and combines that with excellent foot skills to be a damaging run-and-carry player. He likes that side of the game - taking opponents on, chasing them down, and doing it over and over. Ah Chee brings some dash to next year's pool.

Ryan Burton
North Adelaide/South Australia
31/1/97
190cm/79kg
Forward
A natural forward who reads the play, converts his chances, finds space and has some spark. Although not an overly tall forward, Burton has a nice, instinctive leap and knows how to time his run at marks. He is agile, crafty and capable of producing game-breaking moments. Burton kicked five goals for South Australia in round one of this year's championships, but suffered a serious broken leg later in the season that will impact his 2015.

Josh Dunkley
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
9/1/97
187cm/84kg
Defender/midfielder
Has the versatility and maturity to play a number of different spots, including as a medium defender, forward and midfielder. With a developed body, Dunkley is able to out-position opponents, he tackles with some oomph, doesn't get ruffled in the action and is strong overhead. Is eligible as a father-son pick to the Sydney Swans, where his dad Andrew played 217 games.

Rhys Mathieson
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
10/1/97
183cm/79kg
Midfielder
Mathieson is a midfielder with grunt. He hunts the ball, breaks through packs to get it, and has a mean streak. He likes the physical elements of the contest, and enjoys beating others to the ball. That was obvious this season, when he was a standout for Vic Country at the national carnival and was named in the All Australian team. Mathieson can start the play in a stoppage, but is also confident on the outside, and looks a likely early selection next year.

Callum Mills
Sydney Swans Academy/NSW-ACT
4/2/97
186cm/73kg
Midfielder
Clubs have already pegged Mills as one of the best players in next year's draft, although they won't get much of a look at him. Mills is part of the Sydney Swans academy, and seems destined to be another draft steal for the club after it secured Isaac Heeney this year. Mills is a competitive and prolific ball-winner who is a solid overhead mark, enjoys kicking goals, and has damaging disposal. Has the knack of finding the footy.

Darcy Parish
Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
25/7/97
178cm/69kg
Midfielder
Parish has some dash. He likes to get the ball and whisk it forward, doing everything quickly. Parish seems to be always on the move. When he plays off half-back, he gets the ball and likes to pass it off, set something up and then keep running. His foot skills are precise and despite his lighter body he throws himself into the action. Parish had a standout season as a bottom-aged player in 2014, winning All Australian honours at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships after averaging 16 disposals in five games for Vic Country.

Josh Schache
Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
21/8/97
196cm/89kg
Tall forward
One of the talls to keep an eye on next year. The big and hard-leading forward presents well on the lead, can kick goals from anywhere inside the forward 50 and isn't out of the play when the ball hits the ground. Athletic and strong for his size, Schache's best trait is his marking and he uses his bigger and mature frame to position himself well at contests. The son of former Brisbane Bears forward Laurence Schache, he booted 27 goals in the TAC Cup this season.

Stephen Tahana
North Adelaide/South Australia
2/2/97
182cm/72kg
Half-back
With a bounce and stretch in his marking and sublime speed on the ground, Tahana offers plenty of drive off half-back. The South Australian has already played senior football with North Adelaide in the SANFL, and shown his bravery in the air. Tahana backs himself, takes players on and uses his pace to effect (he has ran a 2.89-second 20-metre sprint).

Darcy Tucker
North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
23/1/97
180cm/73kg
Half-back
A rebounding and attacking half-back who can move into the midfield, Tucker has a bit going for him. Athletically he is strong, he has a good build, and a nice turn of foot. When he spots a gap he goes for it, and his left-foot disposal is reliable. Tucker averaged 21 disposals for Vic Country at this year's championships and won All Australian honours, before an on-going ankle injury ruined the second half of his season.

Jacob Weitering
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
23/11/97
190cm/81kg
Tall defender
Weitering is a versatile and flexible prospect touted as a possible top-five pick at next year's draft. Mainly used as a tall defender, he's an excellent overhead contested mark, and is confident in the air against any opponent. Quick of mind and foot, he can roam up and down the field, and has occasionally been used in attack and on the wing, too. He was an important player for the Stingrays last season.

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs

[mjp]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

It's all about the Aaach.

Unbelievable talent. Best kid since Jack.

[The Doctor]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

Further info from SEN

http://www.sen.com.au/news/04-15/first-look-at-the-2015-afl-draft-big-board

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

there's a few absolute belters playing u18 at Glenelg this year, i'll pen some thoughts when I get around to it.

Pencil in Matt Allen as a name to watch. Power forward built like a tank. Reminds me of Stringer.

[lemmon]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

Further info from SEN

http://www.sen.com.au/news/04-15/fir...raft-big-board

I think it's quite a nice time to be in our position draft wise. Getting Tom Boyd really has alleviated some of the desperation about having a key forward slip and our midfield looks quite nicely balanced. An athletic CHB would round us out but I think you can be quite successful taking key defenders in the second and third rounds so I'm hoping we are going best available with our first pick. We really can get away with fitting in one of anything (maybe apart from small half forward flankers)

[Happy Days]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

Further info from SEN

http://www.sen.com.au/news/04-15/fir...raft-big-board

I'm sure I'm missing something here, but why is a kid from the North Ballarat Rebels in the GWS Academy? Is the TAC Cup not enough of an 'elite pathway'?

[comrade]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

I'm sure I'm missing something here, but why is a kid from the North Ballarat Rebels in the GWS Academy? Is the TAC Cup not enough of an 'elite pathway'?

Goes to school in Ballarat maybe?

[chef]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

I'm sure I'm missing something here, but why is a kid from the North Ballarat Rebels in the GWS Academy? Is the TAC Cup not enough of an 'elite pathway'?

Probably a NSW kid who boards at a school in Ballarat.

[LostDoggy]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

Jacob Hopper is from Leeton in the Riverina. Boarding in Ballarat.

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/2745932/jacob-hopper-even-keener-on-afl-dream-after-giant-experience/

[Bornadog]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

From AFL website

Is Jacob Weitering this year's No.1 draft pick?

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

4 weeks ago I would be obsessing over this. Now I just want to play, and win, finals.

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

J McCartney was at the glenelg v Norwood match last Friday. Night

[azabob]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

J McCartney was at the glenelg v Norwood match last Friday. Night

Who do you think he was watching? Or was that his hometown?

[Throughandthrough]

Re: 2015 Draft Watch

Who do you think he was watching? Or was that his hometown?

I've asked him at other matches and he's never told me

At a guess, Jonty Scharenberg (who was making his league debut @ age 16). Mason Redman (who was making his Reserves Debut) would be two to watch from that night.