With plenty on the line for hundreds of potential draftees tonight on the Gold Coast we take a look at some of the potential top 20 picks among the talent pool.
Essendon enters the draft with two live selections inside the top 20 with pick 17 and 20 when it all kicks off from 7pm this evening.
Angus Brayshaw – Sandringham Dragons
Height: 187cm
Weight: 86kg
Brayshaw is a tough inside midfielder who is expected to be ready to step straight onto an AFL list and play senior football in 2015. Playing with the Dragons at TAC Cup level this season he has showcased an ability to win his own ball around the stoppages. Is a hardened body who shows a desperation to smother and tackle displaying his ability to be both a defensive and attacking midfielder. The 187cm midfielder is classy with both feet and is a natural ball winner. Brayshaw is expected to be taken in the top five in this year’s draft.
Jayden Laverde – Western Jets
Height: 189cm
Weight: 82kg
It was standout performances for Vic Metro at the U18’s national championships that elevated Laverde into contention as a top draft prospect. He is athletic for his size with the versatility to be able to play in a number of different roles. The smooth mover has the agility to find space along with pace and agility to set him apart from his opponents. He was named All Australian in the U18 championships after starring on the final day and is among the most versatile players in this year’s draft pool.
Nakia Cockatoo – NT Thunder
Height: 186cm
Weight: 86kg
The prospects of explosive midfielder/forward Nakia Cockatoo have risen in recent months despite missing the entire 2014 season with a foot injury. He put in a stunning best on ground performance in the under 18 All Stars curtain raiser to this year’s AFL Grand Final. He showcased his athletic ability during the Draft Combine when he won the repeat speed and kicking tests. An excitement machine that many clubs are looking at and is expected to be taking in the top 20 at this year’s draft meeting.
Lachie Weller – Broadbeach
Height: 181cm
Weight: 74kg
Full of class and with pace to burn Lachie Weller is full of athleticism and has many AFL club’s excited by his traits. The brother of St Kilda midfielder Mav Weller, he tested well in the 20-metre sprint (2.92) at the Draft Combine last month. Weller understands what it takes to make it at the elite level after being a member of the Gold Coast academy following moving to Queensland as a 15 year old. Could be taken early in the draft but is likely to slip beyond pick 10 and taken at the back end of the first round.
Clem Smith – Perth
Height: 177cm
Weight: 78kg
A no frills small defender, Clem Smith is known for the way he bashes and crashes through packs to rebound out of defence. Can have a significant impact upon a game and does not shirk the contest when it comes to physicality. He plays on the edge and is an exciting prospect for a club looking to add some physical grunt to its defensive group. Smith is super quick and enjoys running with the ball in hand to set up his side from the defensive end of the ground.
Brayden Maynard – Sandringham Dragons
Height: 187cm
Weight: 87kg
A defensive midfielder, Brayden Maynard has the bloodlines to be an elite footballer with his father, Peter, a solid contributor for Glenelg in the SANFL. Maynard loves to tackle and has a killer instinct to hunt down any opponent with the footy. Suited to playing half back he has the ability to run through the midfield in bursts showcasing his competitive nature. He possesses a good kick and is expected to be highly sought after among clubs.
Connor Blakely – Swan Districts
Height: 189cm
Weight: 85kgs
A tall midfielder, Connor Blakely also has a strong body and knows how to use it around the contest. Blakely is a smart decision maker who can think quickly on his feet and will run all day to create an option for his teammates. Has played for Swan Districts at a senior level in the WAFL and shown he can find the ball among bigger bodied opponents. He averaged 21 disposals and seven clearances for Western Australia throughout the U18 championships.
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow – Western Jets
Height: 184cm
Weight: 82kg
Possessing both courage and class, Dillon Viojo-Rainbow is an exciting draft prospect for any prospective club. He has shown he is not afraid to put his body on the line in the contest often against a bigger bodied opponent. Often during this season he was seen streaming out of defence before setting up a teammate with a lace out kick into the forward line. A rocket left foot he loves to be involved in the game. Tested well in the 3km time trial and beep test at the draft combine.
Peter Wright – Calder Cannons
Height: 203cm
Weight:102kg
One of the best key forward/rucks in this year’s talent pool Wright has been touted as a potential number one selection but there is a growing belief he may slip as far as Essendon’s first selection at 17. Wright is a dangerous marking target with height and a proven ability to play in the ruck if needed. He finished the season with 32 goals from 13 games for the Canons as well as starring in a number of Vic Metro’s matches in the U18 championships. At 203cm and with a ready made AFL body it remains to be seen where the tall youngster will end up playing football in 2015.
Liam Duggan – Western Jets
Height: 183cm
Weight: 75kg
An elite decision maker, Liam Duggan’s composure in any situation has caught the eye of many draft experts throughout this season. With traits including agility, class and a damaging left foot it is a mystery as to where Duggan will end up. Duggan looks at home carrying the ball through the midfield before delivering on the chest of a teammate in the forward line. Also attractive to most prospective club’s is his ability to lead both on and off the field with future captain written all over the 17-year-old.
Hugh Goddard – Geelong Falcons
Height: 196cm
Weight: 94kg
The second cousin of Crichton Medallist Brendon, Hugh Goddard is expected to go inside the top ten in this year’s draft. He is the ultimate swingman having shown he is comfortable at both ends of the field throughout the season. He has good disposal for a key position player and is well known for his discipline in preparation. Goddard has proven he has great athleticism for his size and is expected to be among the top draft selections in the upcoming national draft.
Christian Petracca – Eastern Ranges
Height: 186cm
Weight: 92kg
Tipped by many as the number one selection in the draft, Christian Petracca is a powerful half forward who is likely to develop into one of the competition’s premier midfielders. Has the X-Factor required to be a number one draft selection with strong overhead marks and the ability to have a strong body over the football. He possesses a vast array of skills in particular for a player of his size and is expected to be taken by St Kilda with the number one selection.
Jack Steele - Belconnen
Height: 186cm
Weight: 80kg
An exceptional midfield talent, Jack Steele rarely fumbles and always showcasing composure under pressure. His strong overhead marking abilities make him a threat when forward, adding important versatility to his game. Steele is a star around the clearances and uses the ball well after winning it in tight positions. Will be taken by Greater Western Sydney as one of their academy players.
Jarrod Pickett – South Fremantle
Height: 177cm
Weight: 75kg
He is one of the most exciting players when up and running among the current available talent in the draft pool. Pickett has brilliant speed and loves to run with the ball, he can make things happen when he gets in the clear. There is a slight query on his consistency within games but is hard to look past when he is on song. He has the ability to play through the midfield or up forward and is expected to be taken within the first round.
Kyle Langford – Northern Knights
Height: 190cm
Weight: 76kg
A versatile tall utility, the biggest strength of Kyle Langford is his strong overhead marking. Moves quickly across the ground, can shut down a key forward or head to the other end of the ground and thread one through the goals. Langford finished in the top ten in agility testing at the draft combine and is just as clean with the ball below his knees as in the air. A truly versatile player he can play right across the ground and may even develop into an elite level midfielder in the AFL.
Corey Ellis – Western Jets
Height: 184cm
Weight: 74kg
A good decision making midfielder, Corey Ellis can win his own football and use it well on his left foot. Ellis makes the most of every opportunity that comes his way and is a very consistent all round footballer. He doesn’t waste his possessions, can work hard inside a pack or use the ball on the outside. Elis is expected to be taken in the first round of the draft with most club’s finding it hard to go past his ability to read the play before it unfolds.
Jake Lever – Calder Cannons
Height: 193cm
Weight: 84kg
An elite key defender, Jake Lever is competitive and aggressive with the ability to shut his opponent down and then provide rebound out of defence. Despite missing the 2014 season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury his professional approach and good endurance have kept him on the radar of most club’s. One of Lever’s key strengths is his intercept marking ability with a possibility he could develop into an elite midfielder with the right training.
Jarrod Garlett – South Fremantle
Height: 177cm
Weight: 73kg
A small midfielder/forward with pace to burn, Jarrod Garlett has the ability to play inside or out. He has shown he can kick cleanly on both sides of his body and could be taken in the top ten at this year’s National Draft. After overcoming injury early in the season he made his debut at senior level in the WAFL and put in a strong performance in the U18 championships.
Paul Ahern – Calder Cannons
Height: 181cm
Weight: 77kg
A smooth moving midfielder with good endurance, Paul Ahern is being talked about as a potential first round selection in this year’s National Draft. Ahern can push forward to kick goals and also has the knack of making the difficult look easy. He is a flexible player who has shown he can play inside and out as well as having pace and endurance. He was a member of the AFL U18 All Australian team selected following the U18 championships.
Caleb Marchbank – Murray Bushrangers
Height: 193cm
Weight: 85kg
An impressive key defender, Caleb Marchbank is expected to be highly sought after in the draft. He is a competitive tall defender who has good mobility and a never say die attitude to beating his opponent. Marchbank is strong overhead with the capabilities to set up his teammates coming out of defence. If needed he can move forward to provide a key marking target in the front half of the ground. He is another U18 All Australian team representative.
Patrick McCartin – Geelong Falcons
Height: 194cm
Weight 94kg
One of the best power forward’s in the 2014 talent pool, Patrick McCartin is a strong overhead mark that has the ability to impose himself upon a game. He has a proven goal sense with a good set shot and the ability to snap accurately across his body. A NAB AFL Academy members he averaged foru marks and 2.3 goals in the U18 championships.
Tom Lamb – Dandenong Stingrays
Height: 193cm
Weight: 84kg
A tall forward/midfielder, Tom Lamb is expected to be available for the Bombers to look at late in the first round of the National Draft. He has elite endurance, which improves his ability to move into the midfield when called upon. His father Wayne played for Melbourne and Fitzroy with his grandfather Ian Cooper a premiership player for the Saints. He averaged 14.8 disposals a game in five matches at the U18 championships.
Sam Durdin – West Adelaide
Height: 197cm
Weight: 87kg
Sam Durdin is the pick of the tall defender/ruck stocks in the draft pool and due to his strong overhead ability is expected to be taken within the top 20. He played an important role in South Australian winning the U18 national championships with his strong contested game a stand out. Would be a valuable asset as a key position player for any club looking to bolster their big man stocks.
Jordan De Goey – Oakleigh Chargers
Height: 187cm
Weight: 82kg
A highly competitive football Jordan De Goey is expected to be in the top 10 in the National Draft. He is a versatile defender/midfielder who is strong overhead and in a one on one contest. He impressed for Vic Metro in the U18 national championships and proved he is a good decision maker by hand and foot.
