2014 AFL draft: Predicting the first round picks in Grandstand's phantom draft
By Dean Bilton
Updated about 4 hours agoTue 25 Nov 2014, 8:39am
Another AFL draft is upon us, which means another batch of players, coaches, recruiters and fans are anxiously waiting to have their wildest dreams realised or quashed.
Every draft brings with it its own storylines and mysteries, but in what is considered the most even draft in years, this one seems to have more unanswered questions surrounding it than usual.
Will St Kilda opt for Christian Petracca or Paddy McCartin with its first pick? Who will pick-rich GWS go after inside the top ten? Will big men like Peter Wright and Hugh Goddard slide? Will we see a bolter in the form of Kyle Langford or Nakia Cockatoo?
Every predicted draft should come with the same disclaimer - that each pick is at best an educated guess, and nobody really knows anything for sure until the big night -but here is a best guess at the first round selections.
Be sure to return to Grandstand Online on Thursday night for our live blog of the 2014 draft, when we will find out just how close this phantom is.
Pick 1, St Kilda - Christian Petracca
The Saints turned down some tempting offers to keep the number one pick in their possession, and it seems it was done with Petracca in mind. In keeping with the modern trend of big-bodied midfielders, Petracca offers a unique package that combines strength, speed and terrific footy nous - a combination that the Saints will be looking to rebuild their list around in the coming years. He is AFL ready with plenty of scope for improvement, and Saints fans should be excited.
Pick 2, Melbourne - Angus Brayshaw
Reportedly a favourite of Paul Roos, Brayshaw is an all-action, in and under midfielder with a real hunger for the contest and desire to bury opponents in the tackle. Boasting serious endurance and just enough pace to be damaging, Brayshaw is a safe bet that will be ready to make an impact with the Dees from round one.
Pick 3, Melbourne - Paddy McCartin
The best key forward in this draft by some distance, McCartin is a contested marking dynamo who is also full of class at ground level. While not quite as hulking as the likes of recent top picks Jonathon Patton and Tom Boyd, McCartin's mobility makes him very difficult to match up on. In McCartin and Jesse Hogan, the Demons will have the key forward stocks potentially sorted for a decade.
Pick 4, GWS - Jarrod Pickett
With three top-ten picks at their disposal, the Giants seem ready to make an early move for speedster Pickett. The fastest player at the draft combine, Pickett's sheer pace and class around the ground is unmatched in this crop of players. He has the endurance to back it up in a midfield role, and has added tackling and defensive pressure to his repertoire. Pickett is absolutely electric, and will be a joy to watch.
Pick 5, Collingwood - Jayden Laverde
A mercurial talent with every trick in his locker, Laverde is a unique midfielder who can create something from nothing. More importantly, he can do it all over the ground as his height and marking ability makes him a dangerous forward, while his speed, class and agility makes an asset in the midfield. Has the potential to become one of the game's most exciting players.
Pick 6, GWS - Jordan De Goey
A real tough nut of a midfielder who is good overhead, and a brute on the inside. De Goey is all about the second efforts and the one percenters, but is also capable of impacting the scoreboard and making plays on the outside. With the flashy Pickett safely tucked away, De Goey will take care of the less fashionable side of midfield play.
Pick 7, GWS - Jake Lever
The Giants will want a tall to round off their trio of top-ten picks, and Lever looms as the best big defender in the pool. Despite missing the 2014 season after a knee reconstruction, his 2013 season alerted recruiters to his incredible ability as both a lock-down and rebounding defender. His leadership qualities are well regarded, but even more so is his class on the field.
Pick 8, Gold Coast - Liam Duggan
Duggan is not particularly big or quick, but he is a terrific user of the footy and almost always makes the right decision. He can be used as an attacking weapon off half-back or as a ball-gathering midfielder, such is his class. Adding to his appeal is the fact he is only 17 at the time of the draft, and the Suns will be ready to commit to a player unlikely to let them down.
Pick 9, Collingwood - Darcy Moore
A father-son selection that will have Pies fans salivating, son of dual Brownlow medal winner Peter Moore, Darcy looms as one of the most exciting big men in the pool. A real swingman who can play forward or back, Moore's athleticism makes him a genuine match winner.
Pick 10, Geelong - Peter Wright
Once considered a possible number-one pick, only injury has seen Wright slide down the pecking order. The Cats would be mad to miss this opportunity, as Wright is big enough to play in the ruck, but really shines as an immovable key forward who can do the work at ground level as well. May well end up the pick of the draft in years to come.
Pick 11, West Coast - Nakia Cockatoo
At this point, it all comes down to how much of a risk West Coast is willing to take. If the Eagles are feeling lucky, the explosive Cockatoo could be the perfect fit for their one-paced midfield. Injury kept Cockatoo out of the 2014 season, although he tested through the roof at the combine and was best on ground in a grand final curtain raiser. Strong, classy and blisteringly quick, he could be a gamble worth taking.
Pick 12, Richmond - Lachie Weller
Weller is a slick, run all day sort of midfielder who wins the footy with ease and typically uses it well. Boasting a sharp turn of pace and exquisitely clean hands, Weller is one of the classiest mids in this draft. He is probably not big enough to really match it at AFL level yet, but as soon as he adds that size he will be one to watch.
Pick 13, Fremantle - Hugh Goddard
Somewhat of a slider after a less-than-stellar season, Goddard's last month of TAC Cup footy reminded everyone of his ability. Moving down back as a key defender, he successfully shut down some of the competitions best forwards and added some class on the rebound as well. A big body and an excellent character.
Pick 14, Adelaide - Sam Durdin
Durdin played in the ruck, up forward and down back in 2014, but the fact he is as effective in all those positions makes him an attractive proposition for any club. He is another player that could use some time in the gym, but Durdin's athleticism and engine is at a high level for a man of his height. Comparisons to Justin Westoff don't seem too far off.
Pick 15, Gold Coast - Kyle Langford
Touted as a possible bolter, Langford probably isn't quite at the level of some other players of his size but there's no reason why can't end up better than all of them. Currently a gangly figure, Langford excels when given any sort of room to take the game on. He is surprisingly quick and very agile, and has the tools to even become a big-bodied midfielder in the future.
Pick 16, North Melbourne - Paul Ahern
Ahern is an interesting one, and should he slip to pick 16 the Kangaroos should be licking their lips. Another player who relies more on quick thinking than quick feet, Ahern is one of those players that seems to have more time than anyone else on the field. Consistency has been an issue, but the potential is there.
Pick 17, Essendon - Jarrod Garlett
An absolute jet with the ball tucked under his arm, Garlett possesses all the speed and endurance to put teams to the sword. Whether it is from a wing, half-forward or half-back, Garlett thrives on flying through the open spaces and his tremendous work ethic makes him a very attractive prospect. A match winner.
Pick 18, Sydney - Isaac Heeney
Many experts say Heeney is the best player in this draft, and it's easy to see why. The Swans wasted no time locking him down as Heeney is a graduate of their own academy, and in an already star-studded midfield he could become the star pupil. Tough, fast, clean, agile and unrelenting, he really does have it all. He played with men for Sydney's reserves last season and tore it up. Watch him closely.
Pick 19, Carlton - Corey Ellis
Ellis is a smart midfielder who prides himself on his excellent use of the ball. Injuries may have slowed him down this year, but his class shone through when he did play and although speed isn't necessarily a strength, his outside work is always improving. If he can add some size he could be a top player.
Pick 20, Essendon - Caleb Marchbank
A key defender who may not quite be tall enough to be a key defender, but his tenacity and excellent reading of the play more than make up for it. Another one whose 2014 was impacted by injury, but Marchbank already had the runs on the board. Can swing forward or attack from the back as well.
Pick 21, St Kilda - Tom Lamb
Big enough to play as a key forward but slick enough to play as a midfielder, Lamb has almost every attribute needed to make a big impact. He has the tendency to drift out of games, but his endurance is almost unmatched in this draft. Not the finished product, but plenty there to work with.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-25/2014-afl-phantom-draft3a-predicting-the-first-round/5910704