2012 AFL National Draft

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chciago

Shortly before the National Draft was held, both Adelaide and Melbourne were advised that they would be allowed to participate due to the fact that the AFL investigations for draft tampering (Adelaide) and tanking (Melbourne) were still ongoing. Adelaide is due to face the commission at the end of the month but, in a "goodwill" gesture, informed the AFL that they would relinquish their first two selections (picks 20 in round one and 54 in round three). The League amended the draft order, granting Adelaide two other selections in rounds four and five.

The first number which appears in front of the player's name is the draft selection. The numbers in parentheses after the player name are age, height and weight. Also listed in parentheses is the player's junior club.

This is a club by club draft to make it easier for readers to scroll through to the clubs in which they are interested.

ADELAIDE
62. SAM SIGGINS (Lauderdale, Tasmania, 18, 6'4", 189)
Versatile and tall running defender who can generate attacks from the back half. Safe hands.

81. RORY ATKINS (Calder Cannons, 18, 6', 165)
Midfielder/half forward who leads well and is strong overhead for his size. Good ball winner and decision maker either by hand or on his preferred left foot. Needs to work on the defensive side of the game. Essendon was also interested.

95. IAN CALLINAN (Adelaide, 29, 5'6", 163)
Mature age recruit selected in the 2011 Rookie Draft. Injuries derailed his first season but he still impressed in three games. The small forward played 22 games and kicked 39 goals in 2012 to earn elevation to the senior list.

BRISBANE
8. SAM MAYES (North Adelaide, 18, 6'1", 171)
Speedy and agile medium-sized forward who is a good set shot for goal. Natural athlete with very good aerobic capacity. Has potential to play wing or midfield. Played primarily with North Adelaide's junior team, but did break through for several senior games in 2012.

23. MARCO PAPARONE (East Fremantle, 18, 6'3", 185)
Tall forward with elite endurance and strong aerobic capacity. Can push into the midfield and is dangerous near goal. Won junior best and fairest at East Fremantle and was named best player for WA at the U-18 tournament.

32. MICHAEL CLOSE (North Ballarat Rebels, 18, 6'3" 180)
Strong-marking forward with excellent mobility and endurance. Can also play defense. Represented Vic Country at the U-18's.

86. JACK CRISP (Brisbane Lions, 19, 6'2", 183)
Selected by the Lions in last year's Rookie Draft, he played 10 games in 2012. Showed enough in those games to earn senior elevation.

99. NIALL McKEEVER (Brisbane Lions, 23, 6'4", 196cm, 209)
Selected as an international rookie in 2010, he played 10 games in 2011 as a tall defender and played a further nine in 2012. He is disciplined, strong and competitive. Also has excellent endurance for his size.

CARLTON
11. TROY MENZEL (Central District, 18, 6'1", 169)
Medium-tall forward who can also play through the midfield. Has a strong leap, reads the play well and can kick goals. Had several big goal hauls (six and nine) at the U-18's. Has already had several knee reconstructions and LARS surgery. Central District development manager Scott Stevens attributes the knee issues to a growth spurt. Brother of Geelong's David.

35. TOM TEMAY (Sandringham Dragons, 18, 5'8", 163)
Small defender or midfielder who is a prolific ball winner and is extremely competitive one-on-one. Had an outstanding season at Sandringham and has a very professional attitude.

54. NICK GRAHAM (Gippsland Power, 18, 6', 173)
Ball-winning midfielder with excellent evasive skills, is strong in the air and a good kick. Can also play forward. Improved the defensive side of his game, improved over the TAC season, had an excellent finals series and won the Morrish Medal (junior equivalent of the Brownlow).

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89. LEVI CASBOULT (Carlton, 22, 6'4", 218)
The Blues took him in the 2010 Rookie Draft and he had an injury-interrupted 2011 in the VFL. Made great improvement in 2012, especially his kicking and played six games in 2012. Tall forward/ruckman who can mark (catch the ball) strongly and is good in one-on-one contests.

102. ZACH TUOHY (Carlton, 22, 6'1", 200)
Selected as an international rookie in 2010, he broke through for 11 games in 2011 as a strong utility. Played 19 games in 2012. Utility/defender who can break the lines, is a good kick and a strong mark.

COLLINGWOOD
18. BRODIE GRUNDY (Sturt, 18, 6'6", 202cm, 220)
Aggressive ruckman who thrives on the physical nature of the game. Played some senior games in the past two seasons at Sturt. Comes from a basketball background so has as strong leap. Has a great work ethic and is willing to learn. Still needs to work on his positioning and movement around the ground. Has played senior SANFL football, is excellent at stoppages and can push forward to kick goals. Was one of the dominant ruckmen at the U-18's and has been named All-Australian the past two years.

19. BEN KENNEDY (Glenelg, 18, 5'8", 171)
Small forward/midfielder with explosive speed and is creative around goal. Also very good at stoppages and can win the ball. Will need some work on his endurance.

20. TIM BROOMHEAD (SANFL PA, 18, 5'9", 146)
Quick medium-sized midfielder/wingman with excellent awareness and a cool head when he has the ball. Clean with his disposal..

38. JACKSON RAMSAY (East Perth, 17, 6', 169)
Medium-sized defender who can also play wing or forward. Has neat skills, endurance, courage, poise and an excellent work-rate. Was in line for senior selection at East Perth until a broken bone in his foot at the U-18's ended his season.

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94. MARLEY WILLIAMS (Collingwood, 19, 5'9", 178)
Selected in last year's rookie draft, the small forward played 6 games before a season-ending shoulder injury. Showed enough to be elevated to the senior list with this selection.

ESSENDON
10. JOE DANIHER (Calder Cannons, 18, 6'6", 196)
The son of former Bomber star Anthony, he has been selected under the father-son rule. Has huge wraps on him as a tall forward who can also play in the ruck. He is an excellent kick, a strong mark and athletic. The Bombers actually signed him two years ago but had to wait until he was draft age and also sweat on any 'bids' from rival clubs. No other club made a bid, leaving Essendon free to snare another son of a gun.

34. JASON ASHBY (Oakleigh Chargers, 18, 6', 169)
Hard-running medium defender with good endurance. He is a good decision maker, a strong mark, can spoil forward attempts and is a strong trainer.

51. DYLAN VAN UNEN (Frankston, 22, 6'2", 193)
Mature-age midfielder/forward with great goal sense who missed out on being drafted several years ago.

53. MARTIN GLEESON (North Ballarat Rebels, 18, 6'1", 154)
The nephew of former Carlton champion Adrian and he is durable despite his slight frame. He can play a variety of positions. Good disposal skills, has speed, a willingness to learn and is very much a development player.

74. NICHOLAS KOMMER (East Perth, 22)
Also an established midfielder, who can play in attack.

88. SEAN GREGORY (Calder Cannons, 18, 6'3", 167)
Tall defender with good speed, and as a youngster he was been compared to a young Dustin Fletcher. Can play on tall and small forwards. Will need to build up strength. Could he be the heir apparent to Essendon's grand old man in defense?

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106. MARK BAGULEY (Essendon, 25, 5'9", 183)
Elevated to the seniors after being selected in last year's Rookie Draft, he is a fine kick and uses the ball well. The defender played the last eight games in 2012.

FREMANTLE
17. JOSH SIMPSON (East Fremantle, 18, 6', 158)
Highly talented midfielder/forward who can take a high mark and does not mind the physical side of the game. Has speed and agility as well and was a member of the AIS Academy and played state footy for SA while attending private school before returning to WA. Was a member of the WA state team in 2012.

36. TANNER SMITH (North Ballarat Rebels, 18, 6'3", 183)
Tall defender with good closing speed, marking and spoiling skills. His excellent work rate gives him the ability to stretch those of forwards, but his kicking may need some work.

39. MAX DUFFY (East Fremantle, 19, 6', 169)
Skilled half forward who has speed and agility. Has a basketball background and kicked 33 goals in 15 games playing in the East Fremantle senior side.

78. CLANCEE PEARCE (Fremantle, 22, 184cm, 93kg)
After four seasons on the rookie list, gets his chance in the seniors. He is a talented midfielder who has played 24 games and finished 10th in the 2012.

93. LEE SPURR (Fremantle, 25, 6', 180)
Drafted in the last Rookie Draft after playing in three premierships in five seasons with Central District in the SANFL, he is now on the senior list. Has courage, is a good mark and can play a variety of positions. Played 13 games in 2012, mainly in defense.

GEELONG
16. JACKSON THURLOW (Tassie Mariners,18, 6'2", 174)
Medium-sized running defender, reads the play well, is a good kick, has clean hands. and is very good at cutting off opposition attacks. Can push into the midfield and played some senior games for Launceston.

77. BRAD HARTMAN (Sturt, 18, 6'1", 191)
Strong, athletic and agile key forward who can take a strong mark and is a very good kick. Played mainly U-18 at Sturt but also had several reserves games.

92. JESSE STRINGER (Geelong, 21, 5'9", 161)
Midfielder drafted as a rookie in 2010 but a hip injury curtailed his first season. In 2011, he was restricted by a knee injury. Finally made his debut as a midfielder in 2012 and played eight games but an off-field indiscretion saw him suspended by the club for the remainder of the year.

GOLD COAST
13. JESSE LONERGAN (Launceston, 18, 6', 189)
Tough midfielder with a competitive streak, attacks the ball with aggression and uses the ball well. Can take a turn in defense and up forward. The nephew of former Essendon player Sam Lonergan.

55. TIM SUMNER (Woodville-West Torrens, 18, 6'1", 183)
Tall midfielder/forward , strong overhead, quick and is a long kick. Uses the ball well and can run the lines.

57. KYLE HORSLEY (Gold Coast, 25, 5'9", 193)
Selected as a mature age rookie in last year's Rookie Draft, he played 13 games in 2012. Can play in the midfield or defense, has a long kick. Played 89 games with Subiaco in the WAFL, ran second in the 2011 Sandover Medal (WAFL Brownlow equivalent) and won Subiaco's best and fiarest award.

58. CLAY CAMERON (Mt Gravatt, Queensland, 18, 6'2", 183)
A pre-draft zone selection, he is a versatile key position player with the ability to play forward or defense. A standout junior athlete in high jump, discus and shot put, he can take a high mark, attacks the ball strongly and has clean hands.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
1. LACHIE WHITFIELD (Dandenong Stingrays, 18, 6', 163)
Rated as one of the best junior TAC Cup players for the past three seasons, he is a versatile midfielder who has exceptional ball winning skills and awareness, Also has an uncanny ability to read the play and an anticipation that cannot be taught which converts to exceptional decision-making. Has great speed and is a strong mark.

2. JONATHAN O'ROURKE (Calder Cannons, 18, 6', 165)
Classy and skilled midfielder with good speed and endurance. Good ball winner and an excellent kick, was a member of the AIS Academy.

3. LACHIE PLOWMAN (Calder Cannons, 18, 6'2", 189)
Tall, elusive defender considered the best defender in the draft pool. Can impact games in the air and on the ground and is a good decision-maker.

12. KRISTIAN JAKSCH (Oakleigh Chargers, 18, 6'3", 187)
Can play defense or forward, extremely strong overhead, a good spoiler in defense, good vision and a good decision-maker.

14. AIDAN CORR (Northern Knights, 18, 6'3", 176)
Tall defender who has the athleticism to go forward or on a wing. Has speed and is an effective user of the ball. Was an AIS scholarship holder and played for Vic Metro at the U-18's tournament.

27. JAMES STEWART (Sandringham Dragons, 18, 6'4", 180)
Highly skilled, athletic and agile tall forward or defender. excellent on both sides of his body, but will need some time to fill out a bit. Was eligible for father-son selection to Collingwood, where his dad, Craig, played 115 games.

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83. SAM FROST (Greater Western Sydney, 19, 6'3", 202)
Selected in last year's Rookie Draft, can play forward and defense. He played three games in 2012 but injury ended his year. Now elevated to the senior list.

97. ANDREW PHILLIPS (Greater Western Sydney, 21, 6'6", 205)
Another 2010 rookie selection elevated to the seniors. Ruckman who can also drift forward. He debuted in 2012 in the Giants' first AFL win over Gold Coast and played a total of nine games.

HAWTHORN
28. TIM O'BRIEN (Glenelg, 18, 6'2", 178)
Athletic target in attack with a great lap, has speed and is a good set shot for goal. Can also play ruck and defense. Impressive at the U-18's and played some reserves games at Glenelg.

66. KAIDEN BRAND (West Adelaide, 18, 6'4", 185)
Tall, athletic forward with power and speed. Can play defense and has great mobility for his size. Has an excellent leap but will need to fill out.

70. MICHAEL OSBORNE (Hawthorn, 30, 5'8", 178)
Premiership small forward has his season ended prematurely by a knee injury and was delisted but the Hawks always intended to keep him.

MELBOURNE
4. JIMMY TOUMPAS (Woodville West Torrens, 18, 6', 169)
hard-running midfielder with excellent foot skills and work rate, good decision-maker. He has excellent leadership qualities, having captained SA at the U-18's and was named All-Australian. Played in Woodville's winning Grand Final in 2011, but required hip surgery after the 2012 tournament.

26. JACK VINEY (Casey/Oakleigh, 18, 5'8", 176)
The son of former Demon captain Todd, he has been committed to Melbourne for two years. Strong midfielder who uses the ball well, is a ferocious tackler and has leadership qualities.

48. DEAN KENT (Perth, 19, 5'8", 187)
Strong, elusive and long-kicking midfielder who wins plenty of the ball and can be dangerous near goal. Won the Jack Clarke Medal as best player in the WAFL juniors. Will need to build his endurance.

52. MATT JONES (Box Hill Hawks, 25, 6'1", 178)
Mature-age midfielder who trained with the Bulldogs during the 2011 preseason. Worked on his tackling and defensive pressure this past season.

68. DEAN TERLICH (Norwood, 22, 6'", 187)
Former Sydney rookie (2008) gets a second chance. Switched from forward to defense in 2012. Proved more than handy as a strong rebounder who can break the lines.

71. DANIEL NICHOLSON (Melbourne, 22, 6', 171)
Rookie-listed in 2011, he played nine games that year and a further 11 in 2012 as a versatile running defender. Elevated to the senior list.

72. MICHAEL EVANS (Melbourne, 20, 5'9", 165)
Another midfield rookie elevated to the senior list. Showed speed and poise in four games in 2011 before hip/back problems curtailed his season. Did not play any senior games in 2012.

NORTH MELBOURNE
15. TAYLOR GARNER (Dandenong Stingrays, 18, 6'1", 169)
Courageous and competitive half forward who is strong in the air, could develop into a midfielder. Played through the U-18 tournament with a dislocated shoulder and won All-Australian honors.

37. BEN JACOBS (PA, 20, 6', 180)
Drafted in 2010, the strong defender played 26 games with Port Adelaide in two seasons, but is happy to return home to Victoria.

41. MASON WOOD (Geelong Falcons, 19, 6'2", 171)
Key forward who is quick off the mark and strong on the lead. Has a great work rate and endurance which allows him to push into the midfield. Played senior football with the Geelong Amateurs in 2011, then returned to the Falcons in 2012. Has good hands and is good in the air and at ground level.

47. MITCHELL WILKINS (Norwood, 18, 6', 154)
Medium-sized defender who can play tall and small, is a good mark, good at ground level and has good vision.

56. DANIEL CURRIE (North Adelaide/Sydney, 23, 6'5", 205)
Ruckman who has the mobility to play forward, he was originally drafted by the Swans in 2006, but never managed a senior game before being delisted at the end of 2011. Spent 2012 in the SANFL. Can take a good mark and has good mobility for his size.

76. SAM GIBSON (North Melbourne, 26, 6', 183)
Previously rookie-listed with the Hawks in 2007 but never played a senior game. Has since been with VFL side Box Hill, whom he captained in 2011 and won their best and fairest. Was then selected in the last year's Rookie Draft by North. He debuted in Round 12 and played every game after that as a hard-running midfielder who is a prolific ball winner.

91. AARON MULLETT (North Melbourne, 20, 6', 161)
Rookie-listed in 2011, he started on a wing in the VFL but was switched to half back where he was impressive enough to earn senior elevation and play the final three games of the year. Played a further six games in 2012 and has again earned elevation to the senior list.

103. MAJAK DAW (North Melbourne, 21, 6'3", 207)
The first player from Sudan, he has had some captivating performances at VFL level since being rookie-listed in 2010. He is mobile ruckman who can push forward and kick goals - several great running goals can be seen on YouTube.

PORT ADELAIDE
7. OLIVER WINES (Bendigo Pioneers, 18, 6', 183)
Strong midfielder who is hard at the ball, a good ball winner, good at stoppages, can run all day and tackles hard.

29. TOM CLUREY (Murray Bushrangers, 18, 6'3", 187)
Powerful key defender or forward who reads the play well, has speed, agility and endurance, marks well and can kick well on both sides. Good at shutting down opponents while generating drive. Potential leader.

30. MASON SHAW (South Fremantle, 18, 6'4", 180)
Tall forward who is strong in the air and reliable in front of goal. Has excellent endurance and played for WA at the U-18's.

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85. TOM JONAS (Port Adelaide, 21, 6'1", 185)
Rookie-listed in 2011, he played four games and a further nine in 2012. Hard-nosed defender whose pressure on opposition forwards is a strength. Now gets his chance as a senior player.

RICHMOND
9. NICK VLASTUIN (Northern Knights, 18, 6'1", 183) Strong and determined midfielder who is hard at the ball and relishes the physical stuff, excellent at stoppages, has clean hands and tackles well. can also play defense. Has been with the Knights for a several years and was with the AIS the past two.

31. KAMDYN McINTOSH (Peel Thunder, 18, 6'2", 191)
Tall defender with good pace and endurance, can match up on tall or small forwards. Good decision-maker with good skills and excelled in the handful of senior games he played for Peel.

33. LIAM McBEAN (Calder Cannons, 18, 6'6", 185)
Athletic and agile ruckman/forward who played defense at the U-18 tournament. A good decision-maker and excellent kick on both feet.

42. MATTHEW McDONOUGH (Woodville West Torrens, 18, 5'9", 187)
Small forward who is strong in the air and quick on the lead. Excellent shot for goal and can kick well on his right and left foot. Led the goal kicking for SA at the national tournaments for the past two years and earned All-Australian selection this year.

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ST KILDA
24. NATHAN WRIGHT (Dandenong Stingrays, 18, 6', 171)
Running defender who can kick long. Had injuries at the start and end of year but still played impressively at the U-18's.

28. SPENCER WHITE (Western Jets, 18, 6'3", 185)
Athletic forward with a strong leap and is quick off the mark. Impressed at the draft testing and was a dominant forward in the latter part of 2012.

40. BRODIE MURDOCH (Glenelg, 18, 6'1", 187)
Athletic medium forward with a booming kick and plenty of speed. Got thrown around a bit - wing, midfield and halfback - and played one senior game for Glenelg. Older brother Jordan is on Geelong's list.

43. JOSH SAUNDERS (Geelong Falcons, 18, 6', 193)
Speedy winger who can also run through the middle, carries the ball a long way and can play in defense.

75. LEWIS PIERCE (Dandenong Stingrays, 18, 6'6", 193)
Ruckman with good endurance and strong in the air, good mobility for his size. Played for Vic Country in the U-18 tournament and has leadership credentials.

90. SAM DUNELL (St Kilda, 22, 6'2", 178)
Mature-aged midfielder elevated to the seniors after five senior games in his debut season. Can play a variety of positions and his father Frank played 125 games for Essendon and the Brisbane Bears.

SYDNEY
22. DEAN TOWERS (North Ballarat, 22, 6'2", 183)
Reliable, mature-aged VFL midfielder with good speed and is strong in the air. Tested well at the draft camp and won the 2012 Fothergill-Round Medal as the VFL Most Promising Player.

44. HARRISON MARSH (East Fremantle, 18, 6'2", 178)
Strong defender who can kick long and loves to take the game on.

46. TIM MEMBREY (Gippsland Power, 18, 6'2", 193)
Versatile and quick medium forward who can play defense and midfield as well. An excellent mark and reliable in front of goal.

64. MATTHEW DICK (Calder Cannons, 18, 6'1", 189)
Hard-working speedy defender who tackles well and can take a turn in the midfield. Very competitive and can break the lines. Ran the 20 meter sprint (22 yards) in 2.88 seconds and had the best clean hand score at the draft testing.

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107. HARRY CUNNINGHAM (Sydney, 5'9", 156)
Speedy midfielder selected in last year's Rookie Draft played one game but now gets his chance on the senior list.

WEST COAST
45. BRANT COLLEDGE (Perth, 18, 6'2", 191) Tall forward with strong hands and is excellent on the lead. Can also play midfield. Captained Perth in 2012 and played well in the U-18 tournament despite a lack of fitness due to being sidelined with an ankle injury for part of the season.

59. ADAM CARTER (South Fremantle, 18, 5'8", 156)
Versatile player who can be used in defense or the midfield. Terrific work ethic and played well at the U-18 tournament.

60. MARK HUTCHINGS (West Perth, 21, 5'9", 180)
Spent 2010 on St Kilda's rookie list but was delisted at the end of the year. Went to WAFL club West Perth and has had two outstanding seasons as a hard at it midfielder. The Saints, at the time of drafting him, saw Hutchings as a potential replacement for Luke Ball (traded to Collingwood). He was runner-up in the Sandover Medal in 2012 and won West Perth's best and fairest award.

79. BRAD DICK (West Coast, 24, 5'9", 178)
Was plagued by injuries at Collingwood, where he played just 27 games 2007-2011 and was delisted. The Eagles added him as a rookie and he showed enough at WAFL level to earn elevation to the senior list. .

WESTERN BULLDOGS
5. JAKE STRINGER (Bendigo Pioneers, 18, 6'2", 200)
Powerful midfielder who can play forward and defense. Has a long kick and loves the on one-on-one contests.Bendigo regional manager Ray Byrne describes him as a miniature James Hird with the way he plays and said Stringer has "all the tricks" to be a gun.

6. JACKSON MACRAE (Oakleigh Chargers, 18, 6'1", 165)
Medium-sized midfielder/forward/winger who can also play defense. Great in the air, excellent evasive skills, can kick long and kick goals.

21. NATHAN HROVAT (Northern Knights, 18, 5'7", 174)
Hard-running, ball winning midfielder with a great work ethic. Excels at the stoppages, uses the ball well and a potential leader. Won Northern's best and fairest after playing just eight games.

49. LACHIE HUNTER (Western Jets, 17, 5'9", 171)
Midfielder who is smart around the goals, with a damaging left foot. Joins the Bulldogs under the father-son rule, as his dad, Mark, played 130 games for the club.

50. JOSH PRUDDEN (Murray Bushrangers, 18, 5'9", 167)
Inside midfielder considered by the Dogs to be a gem in the stoppages.

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98. TOM CAMPBELL (Western Bulldogs, 21,6'6", 196)
Ruckman who can play in attack, played seven games in 2012 to earn promotion to the senior list

105. JASON JOHANNISEN (Western Bulldogs, 20, 5'7, 150)
Explosive midfielder, born in South Africa,has been on the rookie list since 2011. Has neat skills and is a good decision-maker. Showed enough in his three senior games in 2012 to earn senior elevation.

Source: theage.com.au, Inside Football, AFL Record Season Guides, Patrick Keane, AFL Media Release