NATIONAL DRAFT PHANTOM TOP 10
1. Brisbane Lions CAMERON RAYNER (Western Jets) 187cm half-forward
Explosive half-forward in the mould of Dustin Martin. Can swing a match in minutes but must work on his poor endurance. THE TWIST: There is none. The Lions settled on Rayner ahead of Andrew Brayshaw in a photo-finish in a list meeting on Wednesday.
2. Fremantle ADAM CERRA (Eastern Ranges) 186cm midfielder
Major shock. Cerra gives the Dockers’ engine room some oomph as a poised, tough and classy right-footer. THE TWIST: “LDU” has long been linked to the Dockers and could still be their man. Holding picks two and five makes it a poker game for list boss Brad Lloyd.
3. Carlton PADDY DOW (Bendigo Pioneers) 184cm midfielder
A contested midfielder who can get in and out of traffic. Blues desperately need goalkicking midfielders like this kid. THE TWIST: The Blues have spent all week sleuthing to uncover Fremantle’s plans. “SOS” really likes Adam Cerra, while LDU would be tempting if available.
4. North Melbourne LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE (D’nong Stingrays) 187cm midfielder
Powerful midfielder runs out of the centre like Chris Judd and a tough opponent forward. Some say he is this group’s most likely Brownlow medallist. THE TWIST: The coach is understood to be a fan of powerful forward Darcy Fogarty. Could he become North’s Matthew Pavlich? Tough call, but surely if LDU slips he becomes too irresistible.
5. Fremantle ANDREW BRAYSHAW (Sandringham Dragons) 183cm midfielder
The future captain has family in WA and is the complete midfield package. A safe bet for 200 games. Slows down when kicking for goal like Gary Ablett. THE TWIST: Is the Dockers’ plan to get Cerra and LDU by taking Cerra at No.2 and hoping North still opts for Fogarty?
6. Collingwood DARCY FOGARTY (Glenelg) 192cm key forward
Big, powerful man with a beautiful kick should land at either the Kangas or Magpies. Mega talent was touted as No.1 at the start of the year before injuries hit. THE TWIST: If the Kangas go for Fogarty, one of the midfielders will go to Collingwood. That would almost certainly be the mature Brayshaw, who coach Nathan Buckley and captain Scott Pendlebury would love.
7. St Kilda HUNTER CLARK (Dandenong Stingrays) 186cm half-back/midfielder
Evolved from an offensive half-back into an inside midfielder this year and looks a safe bet as the Saints hunt midfielders. Great kick on both feet and won Stingrays’ best-andfairest from only 12 games. THE TWIST: The Saints love Jaidyn Stephenson but are likely to pass because of his heart complications, despite doing a power of medical and legal research.
8. St Kilda NICK COFFIELD (Northern Knights) 190cm utility
Looks best suited to half-back, where Coffield boasts acceleration and can play tall or small. Another blue-chip early pick after injury troubles have hit 2014 premium picks Paddy McCartin and Hugh Goddard. THE TWIST: The Saints need a key defender and have done homework on Aaron Naughton. But the coach wants midfielders here and there should be a tall backman available later on.
9. Western Bulldogs AARON NAUGHTON (Peel Thunder) 194cm key defender
The intercept star in the draft played seven senior WAFL games this year and used to live in Victoria. A top-10 pick on a key defender spreads the talent after taking midfielders Bont and Macrae, and trading in key forwards Tom Boyd and Josh Schache. THE TWIST: Collingwood and St Kilda have shown interest in Naughton. Dogs coach Luke Beveridge has also met Jack Higgins at least twice. Will also consider Lachlan Fogarty and Lochie O’Brien.
10. Carlton ED RICHARDS (Oakleigh Chargers) 184cm half-back
The grandson of Collingwood great Ron Richards is a bit of a bolter. Red-headed defender didn’t play for Vic Metro but clubs like his attacking instincts and speed. THE TWIST: It is a waiting game for SOS — who is left at No.10? They want Hunter Clark or Nick Coffield to fall and could reach for Lochie O’Brien. Unlikely to go tall after recent influx.