desmondo wrote:My interest is who we can snag with pick 20. Their will still be some decent talent around at that pick and there is always 'sliders'' that might get through. Funny to be actually looking forward to a draft.
Do we look tall forward or more midfielder types. Best available?
One late phantom draft has Todd Marshall, tall forward, @ 19 (WB) & Jordan Galluci @ pick 20. 183cm, 75kg http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2016- ... n-gallucci
Gallucci brings some zip to the draft class. He can dash past opponents and get on the move in tight spots, and he enjoys taking a bounce and tucking the ball under his arm. A professional and dedicated prospect, the midfielder is Vic Metro's co-captain for the under-18 championships and leads by example. Showed his mix of outside speed and inside grunt with 36 disposals, three goals, 11 clearances and 12 inside-50s for the Eastern Ranges earlier this year.
Would suit: A club looking to add a pacy edge to its midfield. His first few steps are powerful and he can split a gap with ease.
Powell-Pepper. Hardwicke/JJ combo came to mind reading this..
Powell-Pepper started his under-18 championships in flying form, gathering 15 disposals, six inside-50s and three goals in a dominant display against Vic Country for Western Australia. There's not a whole lot of subtlety to Powell-Pepper's game, but that's not necessarily a bad thing: he competes ferociously, runs through anyone in the way and is as tough as they come. After playing as an attacking half-back last year, Powell-Pepper has progressed to midfield and half-forward roles this season and impressed.
Would suit: Who needs an imposing midfielder to add to their mix? They don't make too many players of Powell-Pepper's ilk any more, and he is a throwback to yesteryear with his aggression. He would add a different element to a developing, skillful midfield.
Jordan Ridley @ pick 29 maybe? 192cm. Versatile, utility type, a little skinny, but they all are aren't they.
#15 Jordan Ridley– Arguably his best game of the season, collecting 28 disposals and 12 marks. His composure in the back half of the ground was outstanding and he set the Chargers up coming out of defence. Could be the big bolter if he continues to show form throughout the finals.
Others around 29..
Isaac Cummings, Kobe Mutch elite footskills both sides, Sam Walker 185cm, Dylan Clarke, Jack Maibaum.
We could probably do with another tall forward, but I think we have enough versatile tall players that we can probably just go with the best available player, whether that's tall or not. And you can never have enough good midfielders.
Pick 22, Jordan Ridley. 192cm, 79kg. Elite kick, "reminds me of Jack Watts" someone says! Earlier than expected.
A tall runner from the Oakleigh Chargers who is versatile enough to play in almost any position and can be moved around the field seemingly without any disruption to his play. Highly skilled, he won the kicking test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, after averaging 19 disposals in the TAC Cup.
Pick 31, Joshua Begley...fr Eastern Ranges. 187cm, 93kg. The brick sh!thouse of the TAC cup! Makes Francis look like a marathon runner! Gnarly!
Initially overlooked for the Eastern Ranges squad, the powerful forward/midfielder emerged as a surprise packet, winning the TAC Cup club's goalkicking award. Averaged 17 possessions (nine contested) and almost two goals a game in 15 appearances, including 14 goals in his first three outings. A long kick, Begley is particularly good in one-on-one and contested situations, both in the air and on the ground.
Pick 42. Kobe Mutch.184cm, 79kg
Mutch stamped himself as one of the most improved players in 2016's draft pool with a consistent display at the division two under-18s national carnival, where he averaged 25 disposals across three games. The teenager's best traits are his work rate - he is an elite endurance athlete - and his ability to kick on both feet. His dual-sided skills allow him to spin out of stoppages and hit targets with a minimum of fuss, and he collects plenty of the ball.
Pick 63. Dylan Clarke. A bit of a slider. 187cm, 85kg.
The younger brother of North Melbourne's Ryan, Clarke won All Australian honours after averaging 24 disposals a game during the national championships, with more than half those touches won in contested situations. That's what he does so well: he can get his hands on the ball over and over when others want it, and he is very strong over a contest. His hands are quick and precise, and he led the championships for clearances, averaging six a game in Metro's division one winning team. Clarke is what you see - a hard-running, endurance beast who finished third in the 3km time trial at the NAB AFL Draft Combine and just racks up the numbers every week.