Last Monday our Expert League contenders sat down and went 25 rounds, taking it in turns to draft the AFL’s best fantasy talent. This is a super competitive league and we have a great time duking it out over the course of the season, but it’s also designed to help you gauge each player’s fantasy worth. There’s nothing quite like seeing the results of an actual draft to see which players are snapped up early, and which players slide down the draft order.
What follows are each of the 25 rounds, along with my thoughts as to how the draft unfolded.
Round 1
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
1
Patrick Dangerfield
Mid/Fwd
Leonard
Super10 United
2
Scott Pendlebury
Mid
Josh
Australian Aztecs
3
Brendon Goddard
Mid/Def
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
4
Gary Ablett
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
5
Dane Swan
Mid
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
6
Dustin Martin
Mid/Fwd
Alex
My Boys FC
7
Dayne Beams
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
8
Steve Johnson
Mid
Ryan P
The Commish
9
Joel Selwood
Mid
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
10
Scott Selwood
Mid
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
Dangerfield at pick 1 was obviously a surprise, but I understand the reasoning. In fact, I get the reasons behind each of the first four picks, but in no draft should Dane Swan slip to pick 5 overall. He’s likely to be the number 1 player again in 2014, and I landed a bargain. Alex’s selection of Dustin Martin at 6 is a little early, but as you’ll see there are very few quality forwards available in fantasy this year.
Round 2
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
11
Brett Deledio
Mid/Def
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
12
Sam Mitchell
Mid/Def
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
13
Jobe Watson
Mid
Ryan P
The Commish
14
Tom Rockliff
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
15
Michael Barlow
Mid
Alex
My Boys FC
16
Bryce Gibbs
Mid/Def
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
17
Dean Cox
Ruck/Fwd
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
18
Jarrad McVeigh
Mid/Def
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
19
Jimmy Bartel
Mid/Def
Josh
Australian Aztecs
20
Nathan Fyfe
Mid
Leonard
Super10 United
The second round saw a run on defenders, with Deledio, Mitchell, Gibbs, McVeigh and Bartel all drafted. Goddard aside, the defensive position this year is much the same – a handful of really good options, a bunch of solids, and then it really drops away. Good to see Dean Cox still being drafted inside the top 20 despite being 33, while Leonard will be hoping that Nathan Fyfe can make the leap to fantasy elite.
Round 3
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
21
Trent Cotchin
Mid
Leonard
Super10 United
22
Lance Franklin
Fwd
Josh
Australian Aztecs
23
Nick Riewoldt
Fwd
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
24
Chad Wingard
Mid/Fwd
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
25
Travis Cloke
Fwd
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
26
Pearce Hanley
Mid/Def
Alex
My Boys FC
27
Harley Bennell
Mid/Fwd
Paige
ramPAIGE
28
Kade Simpson
Mid/Def
Ryan P
The Commish
29
Ryan Griffen
Mid
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
30
Matthew Boyd
Mid
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
The run continued, however this time it was forwards who were the order of the day. Chad Wingard was snapped up by the Abrahams at 24, which is early for a 20 year old who will be tagged plenty in his third season, but he’s no doubt talented. Franklin and Riewoldt had polar opposite seasons in 2014, but were still drafted back to back here.
Round 4
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
31
Tom Mitchell
Mid/Fwd
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
32
Jarryd Roughead
Fwd
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
33
Allen Christensen
Mid/Fwd
Ryan P
The Commish
34
Heath Shaw
Def
Paige
ramPAIGE
35
Brent Stanton
Mid
Alex
My Boys FC
36
Kieren Jack
Mid
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
37
Michael Hibberd
Def
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
38
Leigh Montagna
Mid
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
39
Brad Ebert
Mid
Josh
Australian Aztecs
40
Brent Harvey
Mid/Fwd
Leonard
Super10 United
6 players in this round were again non-mids, which left Alex and I the chance to snap up some great bargains in Brent Stanton and Kieren Jack. Both could easily be drafted inside the top 20, and may be top 10 mids at the end of the year, so to get them here is a steal. Concerns over tags and age sees Leigh Montagna slide all the way down to 38; Jarod may have made an inspired pick right here.
Round 5
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
41
Colin Sylvia
Mid/Fwd
Leonard
Super10 United
42
Trent McKenzie
Def
Josh
Australian Aztecs
43
Andrew Walker
Def
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
44
Corey Enright
Def
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
45
Grant Birchall
Def
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
46
Luke Parker
Mid/Fwd
Alex
My Boys FC
47
Dayne Zorko
Mid/Fwd
Paige
ramPAIGE
48
Luke Hodge
Mid/Def
Ryan P
The Commish
49
Daniel Wells
Mid/Fwd
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
50
Jack Grimes
Mid/Def
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
While half-decent defenders are available, they’re going to be picked and it was the case again here, with 6 coming off the board. There wasn’t a single midfielder drafted in the fifth, as each coach looked to lock down that second defender or forward. Luke Hodge went to Ryan Power at 48 overall – if he plays every game he’ll easily outperform that selection.
Round 6
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
51
Dale Thomas
Mid/Fwd
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
52
Harry Lumumba
Def
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
53
Marc Murphy
Mid
Ryan P
The Commish
54
Todd Goldstein
Ruck
Paige
ramPAIGE
55
Tom Liberatore
Mid
Alex
My Boys FC
56
Josh Kennedy
Fwd
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
57
Paul Chapman
Mid/Fwd
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
58
Kane Cornes
Mid
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
59
Rory Sloane
Mid
Josh
Australian Aztecs
60
Garrick Ibbotson
Def
Leonard
Super10 United
On the back of an indifferent maiden season as captain, Marc Murphy dropped all the way to pick 53. This is a player who, just 2 years ago was among the top 3 or four players. Todd Goldstein was interesting at 55 – he was the only ruckman taken inside the first 8 rounds. Jarod snared a bargain, picking up Kane Cornes at pick 58. If he’s able to replicate his stunning form of 2013 then he could take that team a long way.
Round 7
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
61
Travis Boak
Mid
Leonard
Super10 United
62
Drew Petrie
Fwd
Josh
Australian Aztecs
63
Bachar Houli
Def
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
64
Josh Kennedy
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
65
Jack Redden
Mid
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
66
Jack Steven
Mid
Alex
My Boys FC
67
Daniel Hannebery
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
68
Jed Adcock
Def
Ryan P
The Commish
69
Matthew Pavlich
Fwd
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
70
Steele Sidebottom
Mid
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
The seventh round was loaded with talent. From up and coming midfielders like Hannebery and Steven to ageing forwards Pavlich and Petrie, teams are now starting to take shape. By focusing on defenders and forwards early both Alex and I were able to pick up some quality midfielders, while Josh Kennedy and Bachar Houli could be top 10 players at their respective positions.
Round 8
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
71
David Swallow
Mid/Def
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
72
David Mundy
Mid
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
73
Andrew Mackie
Def
Ryan P
The Commish
74
Jack Ziebell
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
75
Matt Suckling
Def
Alex
My Boys FC
76
Chris Masten
Mid
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
77
Dion Prestia
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
78
Chris Mayne
Fwd
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
79
Cyril Rioli
Fwd
Josh
Australian Aztecs
80
Justin Westhoff
Fwd
Leonard
Super10 United
Ryan kicked off this round by drafting a guy who we all think could be huge in 2014. David Swallow is on the verge of breaking out and taking his game to the next level. Paige snared a bargain, grabbing North vice-captain Jack Ziebell at 74 – he’s shown he can stand up in Swallow’s absence, and he may just be the next super premium. So too Dion Prestia, one of my favourites, and a guy who has a long career ahead of him at the Suns. Alex showed plenty of faith in Hawks defender Matt Suckling, and that looks set to be rewarded after a great first hitout for the year.
Round 9
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
81
Paul Duffield
Def
Leonard
Super10 United
82
Dyson Heppell
Mid
Josh
Australian Aztecs
83
Ricky Henderson
Def
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
84
Jarrod Harbrow
Mid/Def
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
85
Jack Gunston
Fwd
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
86
Callan Ward
Mid
Alex
My Boys FC
87
Luke Shuey
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
88
Mark LeCras
Fwd
Ryan P
The Commish
89
Matt Priddis
Mid
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
90
Josh Caddy
Mid/Fwd
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
Losing defender status saw star Bomber Dyson Heppell fall all the way to 9th round. He’s one of the league’s most promising prospects, and has been outstanding in his three seasons so far. I took a punt on Jack Gunston, but am bullish about his fantasy prospects now that Franklin has left – he’ll have the number 2 defender at times but he’ll also play a larger role in the offence. Josh Caddy at pick 90 was way too early for me – I agree with Ryan that he could be in for a big season, but I felt that he could have been picked up much later.
Round 10
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
91
Michael Walters
Fwd
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
92
Brad Crouch
Mid
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
93
Will Minson
Ruck
Ryan P
The Commish
94
Lachlan Hansen
Def
Paige
ramPAIGE
95
Mitch Robinson
Mid/Fwd
Alex
My Boys FC
96
James Kelly
Mid
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
97
Jack Watts
Def/Fwd
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
98
Matthew Leuenberger
Ruck
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
99
Brandon Ellis
Mid
Josh
Australian Aztecs
100
Jaeger OMeara
Mid
Leonard
Super10 United
Crows dynamo Brad Crouch was a surprise at pick 92 – not because he didn’t justify the selection, but because Jaeger O’Meara was still available. Those two look set to be compared for the next decade. Jack Watts and Brandon Ellis also came off the board here – both have immense potential, and everything seems to be aligning for them to have great 2014 seasons. I went in another direction, selecting Geelong veteran James Kelly. At this stage of the draft you can either select an up and comer or a proven performer.
Round 11
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
101
Nic Naitanui
Ruck
Leonard
Super10 United
102
Matthew Kreuzer
Ruck
Josh
Australian Aztecs
103
Ryan OKeefe
Mid
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
104
Shane Savage
Mid/Fwd
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
105
Nick Malceski
Def
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
106
Tom Lynch
Fwd
Alex
My Boys FC
107
Kurt Tippett
Ruck/Fwd
Paige
ramPAIGE
108
Angus Monfries
Fwd
Ryan P
The Commish
109
Michael Johnson
Def
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
110
Paul Seedsman
Def
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
The group was really disciplined when it came to drafting ruckmen – Matthew Kreuzer and Nic Naitanui (when fit) are top 5 options, and to see them go outside the top 100 players means that people were focusing on other areas of their team where the depth is not as good. The Abrahams grabbed Shane Savage early, but he’s every chance of breaking out at his new club, St Kilda. Michael Johnson is a no-fuss defender, and will be a solid performer again on the back of his 2013 All-Australian nod.
Round 12
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
111
Jordan Lewis
Mid
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
112
Adam Goodes
Fwd
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
113
Mitch Duncan
Mid
Ryan P
The Commish
114
David Zaharakis
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
115
Dean Terlich
Def
Alex
My Boys FC
116
Zac Clarke
Ruck/Fwd
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
117
Nick Dal Santo
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
118
Adam Treloar
Mid
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
119
Mitchell Golby
Def
Josh
Australian Aztecs
120
Nick Vlastuin
Mid/Def
Leonard
Super10 United
With defenders and forwards beginning to dry up, coaches went back to the midfield this round, where there were plenty of talented guys still available. All of Duncan, Zaharakis and Treloar are yet to reach their prime, while Dal Santo and Lewis are proven performers at the top level. I took a punt on Zac Clarke – a quick google search revealed that the Dockers see him as a chance for Round 1 after injuring his PCL. If he was fit he would have gone much earlier, so I may have a bargain there.
Round 13
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
121
Patrick Ryder
Ruck
Leonard
Super10 United
122
Shaun Atley
Def
Josh
Australian Aztecs
123
Mathew Stokes
Mid
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
124
Andrew Swallow
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
125
Jack Martin
Mid/Fwd
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
126
Clancee Pearce
Def
Alex
My Boys FC
127
Shaun Burgoyne
Mid/Def
Paige
ramPAIGE
128
Luke Ball
Mid
Ryan P
The Commish
129
Aaron Sandilands
Ruck
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
130
Scott Thompson
Mid
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
With Tom Bellchambers set to miss the start of the year, Leonard may have one of the better ruckmen in Ryder. He scores much more prolifically in fantasy when left as the sole option. I must say I didn’t love the selection of Shaun Atley here, as he’s done very little in fantasy terms so far. I can’t say too much about drafting on potential though, grabbing the highly touted Jack Martin at pick 125. I think he’s on the cusp of the top 30 forwards in fantasy this year, and it’s always great to have a bit of excitement on the team. Scott Thompson slid a long way to Ryan at pick 130 – age and his involvement with the substitutes had a few of us avoiding him, but there’s a former 110 guy right there, and maybe the steal of the draft.
Round 14
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
131
Richard Douglas
Mid
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
132
Courtenay Dempsey
Def
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
133
Ben Howlett
Mid/Fwd
Ryan P
The Commish
134
Sam Mayes
Mid/Fwd
Paige
ramPAIGE
135
Ben McEvoy
Ruck
Alex
My Boys FC
136
Aaron Mullett
Def
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
137
Robbie Gray
Mid/Fwd
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
138
Jarryd Blair
Mid/Fwd
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
139
Luke Breust
Fwd
Josh
Australian Aztecs
140
Jarryn Geary
Def
Leonard
Super10 United
The forwards really are in short supply at this stage of the draft. None of the 5 drafted this round averaged over 80 points last season, but all have upside – same goes for the 3 defenders. In contrast Ryan D got a 90+ midfielder in Richard Douglas, who overcame his injury woes to be one of the biggest movers in 2013. With Vince gone and Van Berlo injured, I like Douglas’s chances of repeating his efforts. Still only a handful of ruckmen gone at this stage, with around half the coaches electing to wait on their big guy.
Round 15
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
141
Devon Smith
Mid/Fwd
Leonard
Super10 United
142
Marley Williams
Def
Josh
Australian Aztecs
143
Ryan Bastinac
Mid
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
144
Ivan Maric
Ruck
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
145
Taylor Walker
Fwd
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
146
Jack Darling
Fwd
Alex
My Boys FC
147
Heath Scotland
Mid/Def
Paige
ramPAIGE
148
David Armitage
Mid
Ryan P
The Commish
149
Cameron OShea
Def
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
150
Hamish Hartlett
Mid
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
Heath Scotland and Ivan Maric came off the board here, with the Abrahams and Paige getting a pair of fallen champions. For reference, both of these guys went in the 3rd round of this league’s draft last year. With Tex Walker set to return in the first part of the season I felt that now was a reasonable time to take a punt - even if he’s not at his best until June he’ll be a valuable fantasy contributor in the leadup to finals. Jack Darling and Cameron O’Shea are solid picks - unproven in the fantasy stakes but have a bunch of potential.
Round 16
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
151
Harry Taylor
Def
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
152
Ben Cunnington
Mid
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
153
Isaac Smith
Mid
Ryan P
The Commish
154
Taylor Adams
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
155
Stephen Coniglio
Mid
Alex
My Boys FC
156
Farren Ray
Mid/Def
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
157
Toby Greene
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
158
Jack Riewoldt
Fwd
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
159
Luke Dahlhaus
Fwd
Josh
Australian Aztecs
160
Scott Thompson
Def
Leonard
Super10 United
With most people pretty happy with the state of their forwards and defenders, it was back to the midfield pool. 5 came off the board here, and for the most part they’re young stars who we’re hoping will take their game to the next level. I went in another direction, drafting Farren Ray. There were some chuckles, but he helped my team to a premiership last year and has averaged 80+ in three of the past five seasons. Good enough for me as a defender.
Round 17
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
161
Reece Conca
Mid
Leonard
Super10 United
162
Daniel Cross
Mid
Josh
Australian Aztecs
163
Matt de Boer
Mid/Fwd
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
164
Brett Goodes
Def
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
165
Shaun Grigg
Mid
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
166
Luke McDonald
Mid/Def
Alex
My Boys FC
167
Ben Reid
Def/Fwd
Paige
ramPAIGE
168
Tendai Mzungu
Mid/Def
Ryan P
The Commish
169
Stewart Crameri
Fwd
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
170
Shane Mumford
Ruck
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
Luke McDonald was the first 2013 draftee off the board, with Alex taking him at pick 166. This is more than justifiable – he looks set to play plenty of footy this season, and his defender eligibility gives him an extra boost in value. Compared to some of the speculative mids taken the round before, Daniel Cross and Shaun Grigg are fantasy stayers, and could prove to be inspired. Ryan D snagged a bargain, grabbing Shane Mumford about 10 rounds after he deserved to go. A few teams still haven’t picked a starting ruck, though…
Round 18
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
171
Brandon Matera
Fwd
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
172
Charlie Dixon
Ruck/Fwd
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
173
Jay Schulz
Fwd
Ryan P
The Commish
174
Leigh Adams
Mid/Fwd
Paige
ramPAIGE
175
Matthew Lobbe
Ruck
Alex
My Boys FC
176
Andrew Gaff
Mid
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
177
Andrew Carrazzo
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
178
David Hale
Ruck/Fwd
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
179
Jack Trengove
Mid
Josh
Australian Aztecs
180
Robert Murphy
Def
Leonard
Super10 United
I love the selection of Brandon Matera right here – if he’s not on your watchlist, write his name down right now! This young Sun is a jet, and will play some very good football soon. Alex pulled a smart (and sneaky) manouever here, grabbing Matthew Lobbe as his second ruck right before I was going to pick him. It put me in a bit of a hole, and with McEvoy and Lobbe he won’t be struggling for a ruck starter many weeks. Bob Murphy fell a long way – the news about his elbow injury was still fresh and Leonard picked him up cheap here.
Round 19
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
181
George Horlin-Smith
Mid/Fwd
Leonard
Super10 United
182
Viv Michie
Mid/Fwd
Josh
Australian Aztecs
183
Daniel Jackson
Mid
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
184
Oliver Wines
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
185
Sam Jacobs
Ruck
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
186
Lachie Neale
Mid
Alex
My Boys FC
187
Beau Waters
Def
Paige
ramPAIGE
188
Matthew Broadbent
Def
Ryan P
The Commish
189
Tom Scully
Mid
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
190
Nathan Jones
Mid
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
Speculative, speculative, speculative. Half of the players taken in this round were not good enough to start in 2013, but with most team linups getting set, people were out to find that sleeper who could take them all the way. Beau Waters is hit and miss, but Paige paid nothing for him here – if he plays even half the season he’ll more than justify that draft pick. Tom Scully was always going to go – the question is, can he deliver on his potential?
Round 20
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
191
Jack Billings
Mid/Fwd
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
192
Kade Kolodjashnij
Def
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
193
Adam Cooney
Mid
Ryan P
The Commish
194
Tom Hawkins
Fwd
Paige
ramPAIGE
195
Mitchell Grigg
Mid/Fwd
Alex
My Boys FC
196
Brodie Smith
Def
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
197
Lenny Hayes
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
198
Jackson Macrae
Mid/Fwd
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
199
Cameron Guthrie
Def
Josh
Australian Aztecs
200
Craig Bird
Mid/Fwd
Leonard
Super10 United
Ryan D had some great picks in this draft, but he also had some questionable ones. With Jack Billings injured and likely to miss a significant chunk of the year, I don’t get why you’d pick him at all in draft formats. I’m a big fan of Brodie Smith, and everyone loves Lenny but there’s not much left in the tank there. Josh’s selection of Cam Guthrie was nice at this stage – the Cats have a bunch of good kids coming through, but he’ll play for sure. There’s also some holes up front and in the middle with Motlop and Christensen set to miss the start of the year.
Round 21
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
201
Bernie Vince
Mid
Leonard
Super10 United
202
Dylan Shiel
Mid
Josh
Australian Aztecs
203
Sam Butler
Def
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
204
Steven Motlop
Fwd
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
205
Adam Tomlinson
Fwd
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
206
Matthew Fuller
Def
Alex
My Boys FC
207
Clinton Young
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
208
Mike Pyke
Ruck
Ryan P
The Commish
209
Brock McLean
Mid
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
210
Jeremy Cameron
Fwd
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
Bernie’s move to Melbourne gives him a nice boost to his fantasy value, while the Abrahams grabbed the super talented but currently injured Steven Motlop. When he returns he’ll be a more than handy fifth forward. Josh picked Dylan Shiel at 202, much to my dismay – he could be absolutely anything. Western Bulldog recruit Matt Fuller was also picked here – he’ll play, but his fantasy production may not wow us. Finally, a pair of Giant talls in Tomlinson and Cameron were picked here – target one in your draft as they will have a breakout fantasy year at some stage.
Round 22
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
211
Shannon Hurn
Def
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
212
Rhys Palmer
Mid/Fwd
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
213
Matthew Wright
Mid/Fwd
Ryan P
The Commish
214
Lee Spurr
Def
Paige
ramPAIGE
215
Jack Newnes
Mid/Def
Alex
My Boys FC
216
Sam Gibson
Mid
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
217
Sam Fisher
Def
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
218
Mark Hutchings
Mid
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
219
Dylan Roberton
Def
Josh
Australian Aztecs
220
Matt Rosa
Mid
Leonard
Super10 United
There wasn’t too much going on here. By this point each team is really addressing their individual needs, and recruiting backups. I like the selection of Matthew Wright here by Ryan P – he was a fantasy stud in 2012, but struggled for form and injury last season. He may just get the opportunity he needs to reignite his career with Van Berlo out.
Round 23
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
221
Rory Laird
Def
Leonard
Super10 United
222
Jake Melksham
Mid
Josh
Australian Aztecs
223
Jeremy Howe
Fwd
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
224
Shaun Higgins
Fwd
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
225
Tom Bellchambers
Ruck/Fwd
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
226
Dom Tyson
Mid
Alex
My Boys FC
227
Sharrod Wellingham
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
228
Mitch Wallis
Mid
Ryan P
The Commish
229
Jarrad Waite
Fwd
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
230
Elliot Yeo
Def
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
More of the same here, with reserves taken everywhere. Tom Bellchambers is currently injury but will play, Jarrad Waite is not yet injured but will be, while Wellingham has not been involved in any trampolines that we’re aware of. Shaun Higgins was always going to be picked by someone, and you can live with spending a 23rd round pick on that guy.
Round 24
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
231
Daniel Rich
Mid
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
232
Brent Moloney
Mid
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
233
Luke McPharlin
Def
Ryan P
The Commish
234
Jed Lamb
Fwd
Paige
ramPAIGE
235
Sam Kerridge
Mid/Fwd
Alex
My Boys FC
236
Hamish McIntosh
Ruck
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
237
Alex Rance
Def
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
238
Matt Shaw
Mid/Def
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
239
Aaron Black
Fwd
Josh
Australian Aztecs
240
Jack Viney
Mid
Leonard
Super10 United
Brisbane pair Moloney and Rich are hard to place – neither played in the first NAB Challenge match, and both missed significant parts of last year through injury. Jed Lamb may enjoy the (subtle) change of scenery, while I managed to grab a top 5 ruckman in terms of potential. The only catch with McIntosh is that he missed 25 of a possible 25 games last season, so there’s no guarantees I’ll get anything at all there.
Round 25
Pick
Player
Position
Coach
Team
241
Chris Judd
Mid
Leonard
Super10 United
242
Tyrone Vickery
Ruck/Fwd
Josh
Australian Aztecs
243
Danny Stanley
Mid
Jarod
Walking with a ghost
244
James Aish
Mid
Abrahams
Moody Bolters
245
Brent Reilly
Def
Matt
Prophet’s Gambit
246
Lewis Taylor
Mid/Fwd
Alex
My Boys FC
247
Nathan Freeman
Mid
Paige
ramPAIGE
248
Hayden Ballantyne
Fwd
Ryan P
The Commish
249
Sam Docherty
Def
Derek
Fossils On-Fire
250
Brodie Grundy
Ruck
Ryan D
Charging Rhinos
Former Carlton captain Chris Judd has fallen off a cliff in terms of fantasy relevance, and won’t play the first part of the season due to injury. Taylor, Aish and Freeman are all unlikely to be fantasy starters in their first season, but there’s no harm in picking one, just in case. No one bought into the hype of Brodie Grundy, leaving Ryan D to grab with with the last pick of the draft. He’ll be the number 1 ruckman at Collingwood, but that doesn’t guarantee fantasy numbers.
So there it is. Which picks did you like, which didn’t you rate? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the draft, and who you think has the best team going into Round 1.