Twomey's "late mail" has us taking
Nathan Murphy at 17,
Brander at 20,
Hayes at 25
Naish at 27 (after GWS's bid).
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Cal Twomey's late mail: Top five shake-up
afl.com.au
November 23, 2017 6:50 PM
ALL EYES will be on Fremantle's No.2 pick at Friday night's NAB AFL Draft, with midfielder Adam Cerra looming as a possible surprise selection.
The Dockers have been strongly linked to Dandenong Stingrays midfielder Luke Davies-Uniacke and he could still land there at the prized spot.
However, Cerra has been all the late rage as the top end takes shape and the Dockers work out their best combination of players with their two top-five selections.
With the Lions expected to take Victorian Cam Rayner at pick No.1, if the Dockers grab Cerra at No.2, Carlton would then be forced to choose between midfield jets Paddy Dow and Davies-Uniacke at No.3.
The Blues have long been linked to Dow, which would leave North to grab Davies-Uniacke and bolster its midfield.
Despite its interest in South Australian Darcy Fogarty, North Melbourne appears more likely to select one of midfield duo Davies-Uniacke or Cerra with its No.4 choice.
Freo's decision at No.2 will significantly shape how the rest of the top 10 plays out, in what has been described by recruiters as the most open and difficult draft to predict in memory.
Collingwood continues to be linked to Fogarty at its No.6 choice, but another player the Magpies are considering is Jaidyn Stephenson, whose place in the draft order has been difficult to ascertain after the teenager's heart condition came to light for clubs at last month's NAB AFL Draft Combine.
The Magpies were one of the clubs who were part of extra medical assessments on Stephenson last week, while St Kilda has also done extensive work on the exciting half-forward/midfielder. Collingwood is still waiting on medical clearances before weighing up whether to draft the high-marking and speedy player.
If neither of those clubs grab Stephenson, West Coast will strongly consider him at pick No.13, while Sydney could also be a chance at No.14.
Richmond is also considering its decision with Stephenson and whether it will pounce on him should he be available at its one of its three top-25 choices. Few would have expected that Stephenson could reach the club.
Geelong has also emerged as a possible home for the Eastern Ranges product, with Stephenson seen as being a good chance to head to the Cats if he's available at their picks (No.22 and 24 overall).
The news of Stephenson's condition has seen clubs contact the League for extra information and testing, and thrown his draft position into a spin just a day out from names being called.
Carlton could have to make the call between Lochie O'Brien and Ed Richards at No.10, which would then likely have an impact on the Giants (No.11) and Adelaide (No.12) selections with a group of players in both the mix for both clubs. Aiden Bonar is a strong chance to head to GWS or Adelaide.
Tom McCartin, the younger brother of St Kilda's Paddy, has been linked to North's second choice at No.23, while small forward Jack Higgins could land at the Western Bulldogs or Richmond.
LATE MAIL TOP 30
Pick 1 – Brisbane Lions – Cameron Rayner
Pick 2 – Fremantle – Adam Cerra
Pick 3 – Carlton – Paddy Dow
Pick 4 – North Melbourne – Luke Davies-Uniacke
Pick 5 – Fremantle – Andrew Brayshaw
Pick 6 – Collingwood – Darcy Fogarty
Pick 7 – St Kilda – Hunter Clark
Pick 8 – St Kilda – Nick Coffield
Pick 9 – Western Bulldogs – Aaron Naughton
Pick 10 – Carlton – Lochie O'Brien
Pick 11 – Greater Western Sydney – Aiden Bonar
Pick 12 – Adelaide – Ed Richards
Pick 13 – West Coast – Jaidyn Stephenson
Pick 14 – Sydney – Oscar Allen
Pick 15 – Brisbane Lions – Lachie Fogarty
Pick 16 – Western Bulldogs – Jack Higgins
Pick 17 – Richmond – Nathan Murphy
Pick 18 – Brisbane Lions – Zac Bailey
Pick 19 – Gold Coast – Charlie Ballard
Pick 20 – Richmond – Jarrod Brander
Pick 21 – West Coast – Ryley Stoddart
Pick 22 – Geelong – Sam Taylor
Pick 23 – North Melbourne – Tom McCartin
Pick 24 – Geelong – Brent Daniels
Pick 25 – Richmond – Sam Hayes
Pick 26 – West Coast – Callum Coleman-Jones
Pick 27 – Richmond (matching GWS bid) – Patrick Naish
Pick 28 – Greater Western Sydney – Harrison Petty
Pick 29 – Greater Western Sydney – Jack Petruccelle
Pick 30 – Melbourne – Matt Ling
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-11-23/cal-twomeys-late-mail-topfive-draft-bolter
