Dissecting the Draft

After an AFL National Draft which offered up its fair share of surprises, draft expert Matt O’Leary dissects each pick and analyses your club’s overall performance at the selection table.

Adelaide, 8.5/10
13. Daniel Talia (Calder), 29. Jack Gunston (Sandringham), 45. Sam Shaw (Oakleigh), 61. James Craig (North Adelaide) 74. Brodie Martin (Rookie Elevation)
This draft was almost brilliant for the Crows, the only downside being the lack of variety in the club’s picks. Talia was too good an opportunity to pass up at pick 13, and he will be groomed to take over from Rutten and Bock long-term. Shaw and Gunston, the latter of whom had been heavily linked to the Crows, shape as very handy third-talls, an area in which the Crows lack depth. Craig, who somehow slipped to pick 61, topped off a very commercial draft for Adelaide. Despite receiving a general tick of approval, it would have been wise for a midfielder or flanker to be selected at some point instead of four players over 190cm. This is particularly so given the pending retirements of Goodwin, Edwards and McLeod.

Brisbane, 7/10
27. Callum Bartlett (Geelong Falcons), 47. Ryan Harwood (Tassie Mariners), 73. Jesse O’Brien (North Adelaide) 84. Bryce Retzlaff (Labrador), 91. Matt Maguire (St Kilda), Pearce Hanley (Rookie Elevation)
The Lions traded themselves out of this draft by recruiting Brendan Fevola et al during trade week. Despite this, the club performed reasonably well with the picks available to it, particularly by securing Bartlett at pick 27. Bartlett is a classy prospect who would have been selected higher but for injury. Harwood was a very safe selection at pick 47 and shapes as a likely replacement for Simon Black at the bottom of the Lions’ packs. O’Brien and Retzlaff offer something a little different, but are unlikely to become household names. Maguire is a great selection for a club looking to push up the ladder, particularly so late in the draft. Overall, the Lions will probably walk away from the selection table content, rather than ecstatic.

Carlton, 5.5/10
12. Kane Lucas (East Frem), 43. Marcus Davies (Tassie Mariners), 59. Rohan Kerr (Dandenong), 72. Sam Jacobs (Rookie Elevation), 83. Aaron Joseph (Rookie Elevation)
The Blues entered and exited this draft in desperate need of a key position prospect. This meant that the club couldn’t possibly be awarded higher than a mid-range mark. Lucas, who contributed most of the Blues marks here, is a wonderful midfield talent who should play 150 games. However, the Blues already have at least four genuine midfielders in Judd, Murphy, Gibbs and McLean and also have a host of others offering support. The logic that a club should pick the best available player in the first round of a draft is understandable, but there are exceptions to this rule and this was a glaring one. Carlton really should have selected Talia at pick 12 as a result. Davies was a reasonable selection at pick 43 and Kerr could be handy after being chosen at pick 59, but selecting one of the key position players available at those points would have been a far better option for the Blues.

Collingwood, 9/10
30. Luke Ball (St. Kilda), 62. Ben Sinclair (Oakleigh), 75. Josh Thomas (Broadbeach), 85. Simon Buckley (Melbourne)
After having only one selection inside the top 61 picks, it may be difficult for many to understand why the Magpies have been awarded such a high mark. The answer is quite simple – Collingwood went into the draft with a game-plan and executed it to perfection. This of course refers primarily to the coup of securing Ball at pick 30, which could prove to be the difference between another mediocre finals showing and a grand final. Recruiting the former Saint was a triumph for both player and club and the Magpies really could have packed their bags after this selection. Icing was added to the cake late in the draft, however, after the Pies somehow secured Thomas at pick 75, and also snared Buckley at pick 85. Sinclair at pick 62 was a little odd in the midst of three sensible selections, but this didn’t detract from a great draft for the men in black and white.

Essendon, 9/10
10. Jake Melksham (Calder), 24. Jake Carlisle (Calder), 26. Travis Colyer (Claremont), 33. Anthony Long (Calder)
The Dons went quietly about their business and the result will please the club’s coaching staff and fans. Melksham had been heavily linked to pick 10 and he should provide much needed class to a midfield crying out for support. Whilst the Bombers didn’t really need a genuine tall option, Carlisle at pick 24 was simply too good an opportunity to resist (and he will probably end up maturing more quickly than Gumbleton and Neagle anyway). Colyer was an ideal selection at pick 26, primarily to replace the pace lost when Lovett was traded. Long went too early at pick 33, but the club has been keen on the Norm Smith Medallist’s nephew for many years and it was a reasonable pick given the three players selected beforehand. This could be a wonderful draft for the club.

Fremantle, 8.5/10
4. Anthony Morabito (Peel), 20. Nat Fyfe (Claremont), 36. Joel Houghton (Perth), 48. Jesse Crighton (Tassie Mariners), 49. Dylan Robertson (Dandenong), 52. Justin Bollenhagen (South Adelaide), 79. Greg Broughton (Rookie Elevation)
Although 8.5/10 might not seem like a great achievement, for the Dockers this is the equivalent of winning a Nobel Prize. The club, so long-maligned for getting its picks tragically wrong, started well by choosing Moribito at pick 4 and kept ticking along from there. My favourite in Fyfe was a good choice at pick 20 and Houghton will serve as a much needed key position prospect after being snared at pick 36. Selecting Crichton and Robertson at picks 48 and 49 was, however, the most pleasing aspect of the Dockers’ draft. These players will add tenacity and a third-tall defensive option respectively, both of which are qualities lacking at Fremantle. Bollenhagen, despite having the best name of any draftee, is a speculative pick, but was reasonable given the five solid players secured beforehand. Congratulations to the much maligned Fremantle recruiters for a job well done.

Geelong, 9.5/10
17. Daniel Menzel (Central Districts), 28. Mitch Duncan (East Perth) 40. Allen Christensen (Geelong Falcons), 42. Nathan Vardy (Gippsland), 56. Josh Cowan (North Ballarat), 65. Jeremy Laidler (Geelong)
After pulling in five genuine players, the Cats have ensured that their dynasty will continue. Menzel is a solid and skilful flanker, who may have been selected too high, particularly given the talent that slipped out of the first round. However, the Cats’ next three selections – Duncan, Christensen and Vardy – were simply inspired, albeit somewhat fortunate. The trio is supremely balanced, offering speed, toughness and height and the club couldn’t have done any better with picks 28, 40 and 42. Cowan rounded out a great night for the premier by being selected as a handy prospect at pick 56.

Hawthorn, 4/10
39. Sam Grimley (Northern Knights), 46. Ben Stratton (East Perth), 57. Jordan Williams (Bendigo), 58. Rhan Hooper (Brisbane),
The Hawks rivalled the Dogs as the worst performers at the draft. Entering the meeting at pick 39 was never going to be easy for the 2008 premier, but selecting Gimmley first up, when Vardy and Craig were still available, was highly questionable. The big man would have almost certainly been available with the club’s last selection at pick 69 and really isn’t the safe ruck option the Hawks should have been looking for. Stratton and Williams were vanilla picks at 46 and 57 respectively, and there were better options available. Hooper could provide the real highlight here, given his rare talents and the fact that the Hawks will be hoping that their recruits fire in the next two to three years. Duryea was a risk at pick 69 and Cloke or Maguire would have been better options. This was a poor effort from the Hawks after an otherwise charmed decade for the club at the drafting table.

Melbourne, 9/10 1. Tom Scully (Dandenong), 2. Jack Trengove (Sturt), 11. Jordan Gysberts (Eastern Rangers), 18. Luke Tascott (North Adelaide), 34. Max Gawn (Sandringham), 50. Jack Fitzpatrick (Western Jets)
This draft will go down in the history books as a great day for the Melbourne Football Club. However, the Dees could have done even better and really should have scored 10 out of 10 with the picks they had. Scully, Trengove, Gysberts and Tapscott are all outstanding prospects (particularly the first two) but the decision to opt for four midfielders in the first 18 picks, particularly after securing Morton, Blease and Strauss in the last two years, was bordering on stupid. Carlisle, Black or Talia should have been selected at pick 11 or 18 with team balance in mind. The Dees were lucky that Gawn was still available at pick 34, and Fitzpatrick was a good selection at pick 50, so the club ultimately achieved some degree of balance. However, this was probably more the result of luck than good planning, which is the reason why a higher mark hasn’t been awarded.

North Melbourne, 9.5/10
5. Ben Cunnington (Geelong Falcons), 21. Ryan Bastinac (Dandenong), 25. Aaron Black (Peel), 37. Jamie Macmillan (Oakleigh), 41. Ayden Kennedy (Eastern Rangers), 53. Brayden Norris (Murray Bushrangers), 80. Cruize Garlett (Rookie Elevation)
North was one of the big winners from this draft. Cunnington is an absolute gem and he, along with Bastinic, could form a wonderful midfield combination. Black was the big slider in the pool and the Roos would have been both grateful and shocked that he was available at pick 25. MacMillan and Norris are good flanker/ midfield prospects who bring quality skills and endurance respectively. Rounding out the Roos’ selections is Kennedy, who is a great third tall in the making. North’s bounty from this draft is a beautiful mix of players, all of whom were selected at or below their value. The Roos’ task now is to overcome the club’s reputation for taking too long to develop its young players.

Port Adelaide, 8/10
8. John Butcher (Gippsland), 9. Andrew Moore (Eastern Rangers), 16. Jaspar McMillan-Pittard (Geelong Falcons), 82. Daniel Stewart (Rookie Elevation), 88. Wade Thompson (Rookie Elevation)
With three picks in the first round, Port would have struggled to draft poorly. Butcher was a great, albeit predictable pick first up. The strapping key position prospect should be able to hold down centre-half-forward for the Power relatively shortly. Moore represented a bolter at pick 9, but the club would have been pleased to select a swing-man to groom as the next Chad Cornes. McMillan-Pittard is slightly overrated, but Williams is well-known for putting a premium on attitude and interviewing skills, so his selection makes some sense at pick 16. Despite securing three very good players, the Power may regret not using the opportunity to select a genuine midfield talent to bolster a weak area at the club. A strong draft, but selecting Lucas/ Melksham at pick 9 or Bastinic/ Tapscott at pick 16 could have made it great.

Richmond, 8.5/10
3. Dustin Martin (Bendigo), 19. Ben Griffiths (Eastern Rangers), 35. David Astbury (North Ballarat), 44. Matthew Dea (North Ballarat), 51. Troy Taylor (NT Thunder), 67. Jeromey Webberley (Clarence) 71. Ben Nason (Central Districts), 89. Robin Nahas (Rookie Elevation), 94. Andrew Browne (Rookie Elevation)
Martin and Griffiths were probably the best combination of players that the Tigers could have hoped for with picks 3 and 19. Between them they represent the third best midfielder in this draft and a top-line, burly key position forward in the making. Astbury was a needs-based pick for a side lacking key position depth after several retirements and delistings. He and Taylor, who was a steal at pick 51, will add some real variety to the Tiger’s attack. Dea was a solid selection at pick 44, even though many wouldn’t have picked him. The Tigers last two picks, Nason and particularly Webberley, were slightly dubious choices. This was a good draft for the Tigers overall, with the first two players selected shaping as genuine stars for the yellow and black.

St Kilda, 7/10
32. Nicholas Winmar (Claremont), 60. Jesse Smith (Kangaroos), 64. Adam Pattison (Richmond), 77. Will Johnson (Sandringham), 87. Zac Dawson (Rookie Elevation), 93. Luke Miles (Rookie Elevation)
The Saints recruited for now, which was hardly surprising given that their premiership French double doors are well and truly open. Smith was a shock selection at pick 60, but he is still an outstanding talent who could free up Goddard and Gram from the half-back line. Pattison was also a surprise at pick 64, but he will offer depth and cover for the aging Gardiner/ King combination and could end up playing second fiddle to McEvoy long-term. Winmar was possibly taken too early, although the club was very keen on his talents. Johnson is a mature-aged defender who wasn’t expected to be picked up, but that late in the piece he was a risk worth taking. The Saints are starting to resemble a Good Sammy’s store, such is their glut of second-hand players, but their rationale is understandable and has proven successful so far.

Sydney, 8/10
6. Gary Rohan (Geelong Falcons), 14. Lewis Jetta (Swan Districts), 38. Sam Reid (Murray Bushrangers), 54. Byron Sumner (Woodville), 55. Trent Dennis-Lane (Subiaco), 90. Kristin Thornton (Rookie Elevation)
The Swans had two very early picks which meant that they were always going to secure some special talent. Both their early selections were used on flashy players in Rohan and Jetta, who are, whilst supremely gifted, somewhat risky. It may have been wiser to select a safer option at pick 14, such as Tapscott or Stevens, but the Swans needed x-factor and they have secured plenty in these two players. Sydney also performed solidly in the middle of the draft, with Reid a wonderful selection for the Swans backline at pick 38, Sumner an interesting speedy option at pick 54 and Dennis-Lane a genuine goal-kicker for the era post Hall and O’Loughlin. This was a good draft for the Swans, even though the club didn’t secure a genuine midfield gun or a key position prospect.

West Coast, 8/10
7. Brad Sheppard (East Fremantle), 22. Garrick Weedon (Claremont), 23. Koby Stevens (Gippsland)
The Eagles have been strong drafters over the past few years and this continued last night. Sheppard was linked to the club in the lead up to the draft and, whilst Lucas may have been a better selection, he will serve the club well for the next decade. As the first round shenanigans unfolded, it became clear that the Eagles would have some brilliant young talent to choose from at picks 22 and 23. Stevens, in particular, was worthy of a first round selection, but it was surprising that Colyer, Carlisle and particularly Black, were overlooked in favour of Weedon. A better than average day at the office for West Coast, but they could have done even better given that all the cards fell their way.

Western Bulldogs, 3/10
15. Christian Howard (Glenelg), 31. Jason Tutt (Ainslie), 63. Lukas Markovic (Eastern Rangers), 76. Shane Thorne (Northern Territory), 86. Liam Picken (Rookie Elevation), 92. James Mulligan (Rookie Elevation)
The Dogs are the undisputed worst drafters of 2009. Both of the club’s first two picks, Howard and Tutt, could have been selected much later in the piece and the Dogs may rue overlooking the other talent which was available at picks 15 and 31. Both of the club’s late picks, Thorne and Markovic, are mature age players selected to help the club make the most of its premiership window. However, it is questionable whether they are talented enough to do so. It started badly with the bolter Howard at pick 15 and didn’t get any better from there. If this was a primary school report, it would recommend that the Dogs be held back to repeat the class next year.