With some healthy discussion already happening about 12 and 33, thought it might be interesting to discuss these later picks too. In what appears to be a pretty even draft pool I think we can expect some decent talent on the board at 52 in particular.
It's obvious what we're lacking - mid depth (particularly speed/spread) and perhaps a mercurial small forward. Depending on how we fare with 12 and 33 I think these later picks will be a good opportunity to plug a few holes in that regard.
Personally I'm hoping we can get one of McLean, Lonie or Smith at 52 with Smith being my number 1 choice. All add a little excitement and creativity to our forward half which we could use. There's a good chance however that we'll see someone unexpected slide, perhaps a Webb, Cavka or Gore (if we didn't already take him at 33) type.
Failing that, another guy who intrigues me is Oleg Markov from North Adelaide. 186cm lithe forward/mid with elite pace and agility, and a decent base of footballing ability. He's gone somewhat under the radar this year due to injury but he's a prototype athlete, just the type I think we could tuck away and develop in the 2s for a few years. He's a similar type to Connor Menadue who I'd love at 33 but don't think will be there - Oleg is a good fall back option. May even be available at 70.
Another guy I really like for 52 and was touted as a top end pick early in the year is Jackson Nelson. He doesn't address our speed or small forward issue but he's basically a Vlastuin clone - could push the great ranga into permanent mid rotations. Neat user, powerful body and gets plenty of it. I think he's slid down the rankings a bit this year because he didn't really develop into a midfielder as expected, but he's one of the better performed medium defenders at TAC level and looks a pretty safe bet to make it in the big time.
Without going into detail, a few other names I'd be happy with are McGrath, Anderson, Bampton, Drummond and Goodyear.
Any other favourites?
It's obvious what we're lacking - mid depth (particularly speed/spread) and perhaps a mercurial small forward. Depending on how we fare with 12 and 33 I think these later picks will be a good opportunity to plug a few holes in that regard.
Personally I'm hoping we can get one of McLean, Lonie or Smith at 52 with Smith being my number 1 choice. All add a little excitement and creativity to our forward half which we could use. There's a good chance however that we'll see someone unexpected slide, perhaps a Webb, Cavka or Gore (if we didn't already take him at 33) type.
Failing that, another guy who intrigues me is Oleg Markov from North Adelaide. 186cm lithe forward/mid with elite pace and agility, and a decent base of footballing ability. He's gone somewhat under the radar this year due to injury but he's a prototype athlete, just the type I think we could tuck away and develop in the 2s for a few years. He's a similar type to Connor Menadue who I'd love at 33 but don't think will be there - Oleg is a good fall back option. May even be available at 70.
Another guy I really like for 52 and was touted as a top end pick early in the year is Jackson Nelson. He doesn't address our speed or small forward issue but he's basically a Vlastuin clone - could push the great ranga into permanent mid rotations. Neat user, powerful body and gets plenty of it. I think he's slid down the rankings a bit this year because he didn't really develop into a midfielder as expected, but he's one of the better performed medium defenders at TAC level and looks a pretty safe bet to make it in the big time.
Without going into detail, a few other names I'd be happy with are McGrath, Anderson, Bampton, Drummond and Goodyear.
Any other favourites?
