AFL National Draft

by Lisa Albergo reporting for AFANA from Chicago

The AFL National Draft was held November 21. While, as expected, junior star Tom Boyd was the number one selection, there were a few surprises. Below are the selections. In parentheses are the player's club of origin, height and weight.

ROUND ONE
1. GWS: Thomas Boyd (Eastern Ranges, 6'5", 224): described by Eastern's manager as a "once in a generation" player. Primarily a forward, he can also play ruck and defense and is an excellent ball winner around the ground.

2. GWS: Josh Kelly (Sandringham Dragons, 6', 165): midfielder with good decision skills and tested very well at the draft camp. Will need time in the gym to bulk up a bit.

3. St Kilda: Jack Billings (Oakleigh Chargers, 6', 171): had a good run late in the year after overcoming injuries. Defender who can rotate through the middle. Excellent kicking skills and is good in the air.

4. Western Bulldogs: Marcus Bontempelli (Northern Knights, 6'2", 200): midfielder with very good endurance and is a long kick. Tested very well in time trial and the agility test at draft camp. Northern's manager believes he could become a strong bodied midfielder like Jobe Watson or Josh Kennedy. He is Nick Dal Santo's cousin.

5. Gold Coast: Kade Kolodjashnij (Launceston, Tasmania 6'2", 178): excellent ball skills, good decision maker, strong in the air and courageous.

6. Collingwood: Marcus Scharenberg (Glenelg, SANFL, 6'2", 196): clever defender who knows when to defend and when to attack, excellent reader of the play and decision maker. Played some senior football with Glenelg.

7. Brisbane Lions: James Aish (Norwood, SANFL, 6', 187): midfielder with excellent endurance and decision skills, sees options others might miss. Played some senior football with Norwood.

8. North Melbourne: Luke McDonald (father-son, 6'1", 187): son of football chief Donald McDonald, Luke has been playing in North's VFL side for the past year. Already noted for his leadership skills.

9. Melbourne: Christian Salem (Sandringham Dragons, 6', 178 ): midfielder who can play a variety of positions. Sandrigham manager Ryan O'Connor described him as an "excitement packet".

10. Collingwood: Nathan Freeman (Sandringham Dragons, 5'9", 187): very impressive at draft combine testing and very outgoing. Extremely quick and has been working on his endurance. Has already been compared to Daniel Kerr in his style of play.

11. West Coast: Dominic Sheed (Subiaco, WAFL, 6', 183): former AIS scholarship holder, excellent user of the ball and can win the contested ball. Won the Larke Medal as best player at the national tournament.

12. Richmond: Ben Lennon (Northern Knights, 6'1", 169): midfielder/half-forward with excellent kicking skills, good vision and footy smarts.

13. Carlton: Patrick Cripps (East Fremantle, WAFL, 6'2", 198): midfielder with excellent vision, is a good kick and very good at clearance work. Similar playing characteristics to Essendon's Jobe Watson.

14. GWS: Cameron McCarthy (South Fremantle, WAFL, 6'3", 196): first year of footy after cricket, a key forward who earned All-Australian honors at national tournament, but broke a leg in the last game. Excellent mark, driven and works hard to improve.

15. Sydney Swans: Zak Jones (Dandenong Stingrays, 5'9", 163): hard working midfielder who competes hard and capable of playing other roles. Won Vic Country's at Under-18 tournament.

16. Geelong: Darcy Lang (Geelong Falcons, 5'9", 169): quick midfielder with excellent ball skills, missed second half of season after breaking a leg playing for Vic Country at U-18's.

17. Fremantle: Michael Appness (Eastern Ranges, 6'5", 196): ruck/forward who has some speed for a player his size. Fierce competitor and good mark.

18. St Kilda: Luke Dunstan (Woodville-West Torrens, 6', 187): Creative midfielder with fine leadership qualities.

19. St Kilda: Blake Acres (West Perth, 6'2", 185): Versatile player who can midfield, and defense. Missed much of 2013 due to shoulder injuries but still took part in the national tournament and captained West Perth's Colts' team.

20. Gold Coast: Jack Leslie (Gippsland Power, 6'4", 206): athletic, ruckman with an aggressive streak. Touted as a key position player.

ROUND TWO
21. Port Adelaide: Jarman Impey (Murray Bushrangers, 5'8", 171): small, quick and competitive, can play as a small forward or defender. Excellent vertical leap for his size.

22. Brisbane Lions: Darcy Gardiner (Geelong Falcons, 6'2", 187): disciplined and tough medium-sized defender, graduate of the AIS.

23. Adelaide: Matt Crouch (North Ballarat, 5'9", 171); brother of Adelaide's Brad and is just as competitive. Has footy smarts and is excellent at clearances but will need to work on speed and endurance.

25. Brisbane Lions: Daniel McStay (Eastern Ranges, 6'3", 193): athletic and good in the air, needs work on his ground skills.

26. Essendon: Zachary Merrett (Sandringham, 5'8", 161): reunited with older brother Jackson at Essendon. He has speed, agility, footy smarts, awareness and uses the ball well. Dangerous near goal, the Bombers see him primarily as a half-forward but believe he could move into the midfield once his endurance builds.

27. Gold Coast: Sean Lemmens: (Port Adelaide Magpies, SANFL, 6', 167): running defender but will need time in the gym to develop.

28. Brisbane Lions: Lewis Taylor (Geelong Falcons, 5'6"): speedy and evasive midfielder who can run all day and has excellent skills.

29. GWS: Rory Lobb (Swan Districts, 6'7", 196): comes from a basketball background, an excellent runner for player of his size and also excellent mark and ball winner at ground level. Still physically immature but could be the "complete package".

30. North Melbourne: Trent Dumont (Norwood, 6'1", 183): hard working and effective midfielder.
.
31. West Coast: Malcolm Karpany (Woodville-West Torrens, SANFL, 5'7", 156): midfielder who moves as well laterally as he does forward, a good mark for his size.

32. Sydney Swans: George Hewett (North Adelaide, 6', 174): Smart midfielder who reads the play well and is a fine kick. Could have played at senior level but for a lack of strength to match the bigger bodies. Was interviewed by ten clubs at the draft combine and did well at the U-18 games.

33. Brisbane Lions: Tom Cutler (Oakleigh Chargers, 6'2", 187): can play half back, wing or forward. Is an accurate kick for goal.

34. Brisbane Lions: Nicholas Robertson (West Perth, 6'1", 183): tall midfielder who is extremely fit, has a ferocious appetite for training and playing. Sometimes had to be held back for his own good.

35. Sydney Swans: Toby Nankervis (North Launceston, 6'5", 220): ruckman who uses the ball well, has improved his marking skills and has the work ethic and attitude required.

36. Geelong: Jarrad Jansen (East Fremantle, 6'2", 200): big-bodied midfielder who impressed when interviewed at the draft combine. Works hard on his deficiencies.

37. Fremantle: Alex Pearce (Devonport, Tasmania, 6'4", 180): agile runner with clean ground skills. Could also play defense once he adds some weight.

38. Hawthorn: Dayle Garlett (Swan Districts, 5'9", 171): overlooked in last year's draft and had some off field issues which many thought would hinder his progress. According to coach Greg Harding, Garlett is more mature mentally and has sorted out his issues. Influenced a number of games through the midfield or up forward and kicked 49 goals for the year. Some believe that Hawthorn's indigenous players - such as Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli - will be able to help him settle in and provide support.

ROUND THREE
39. Carlton: Cameron Giles (Woodville-West Torrens, 6'3", 205): defender who can play forward.

40. Melbourne: Jay Kennedy-Harris (Oakleigh 5'6", 150): speedy small forward with good defensive pressure and can push into the midfield.

41. Geelong: Jake Kolodjashnij (Launceston, 6'2", 198): quick and powerful defender capable of playing on talls and smalls. Cool under pressure, uses the ball well and can go forward.

42. Western Bulldogs: Matthew Fuller (Norwood, 6', 189): rebounding defender who uses the ball well on the left and right.

43. West Coast: Tom Barrass (Claremont, 6'3", 178): a key defender, a good mark and decision maker, uses the ball well. Captained the Claremont Colts' team and represented WA at the U-18's tournament.

44. Sydney Swans: Aliir Aliir (East Fremantle, 6', 180): Another Sudanese ruckman who can play defense as well. Reads the play well, a good kick and decision maker and clean user of the ball. Represented WA at the U-18's. Needs to build strength for one on one contests.

47. North Melbourne: Ben Brown (Werribee, 6'5", 196): Key forward and back up ruck, nephew of former Collingwood player James Manson (1990 premiership).

48. GWS: PASSED

49. West Coast: Dylan Main (South Fremantle, 6'2", 169): athletic, pacy and agile midfielder/forward who can take a turn in defense as well. Clean skills and good decision maker, but needs to work on endurance.

50. Richmond: Nathan Gordon (North Adelaide, 6'1", 189): rookie listed by Sydney in 2010, played 2 games in 2011 and elevated to the seniors in 2012 but did not add to his tally and was delisted. Primarily a half-forward.

51. Carlton: Nick Holman (Murray Bushrangers, 6'1", 174): strong running, ball winning forward/midfielder. Has speed, endurance and strong work rate. Vice captain and Vic Country's MVP at the U-18's. Also kicked four goals in Goulburn Valley's senior premiership.

52. Port Adelaide: Darcy Byrne-Jones (Oakleigh, 5'9", 152): speedy midfielder.

53. Sydney Swans: PASSED

54. Geelong (promoted rookie): Josh Walker: rookie ruck/forward who played 7 games in 2012 and three in 2013. His competitiveness has earned the praise of Coach Chris Scott.

55. Essendon: Orazio Fantasia (Norwood, 5'8", 143): small forward/midfielder/wingman who is clean with the ball and can find space and burst through packs. Will need to add some weight to a lean frame.

56. Hawthorn: James Sicily (Western Jets, 6'1", 169): midfielder who is dangerous near goals. Jets coach Torin Baker called him TAC Cup's version of Docker Nat Fyfe.

ROUND FOUR
57. Melbourne: Jayden Hunt: quick midfielder/halfback with a strong leap, good in the air and a good kick.

58. Fremantle: Brady Grey (Burnie Dockers, 5'9"): quick and agile medium forward who can take a turn in the midfield and can apply defensive pressure.

59. Hawthorn: Jonathan Cegler (elevated from the rookie list): originally rookie-listed by Collingwood in 2010, he never played a senior game and was delisted at the end of 2012. The 6'6" ruckman was then rookie-listed by the Hawks and played two games in 2013.

60. Western Bulldogs: Mitch Honeychurch (Eastern Ranges, 5'7", 147): small midfielder/forward, was Vic Metro MVP and U-18 All-Australian.

61. West Coast: Jamie Bennell (elevated from rookie list)::defender who played 57 games with Melbourne 2009-2012, delisted at the end of 2012 and rookie-listed by the Eagles.

62. Brisbane Lions: Jonathan Freeman (Aspley, 6'4", 209): defender/forward who comes out of the Lions' academy.

63. Geelong: George Burbury (elevated from rookie list): forward who has been on the rookie list for two years and has played two senior games.

64. Essendon: Lauchlan Dalgleish (elevated from rookie list): key position player with blistering speed and an excellent kick, played three senior games in 2013.

65. Collingwood: Tom Langdon (Sandringham, 6'2", 185): midfielder who can push forward and kick goals.

66. Richmond: Sam Lloyd (Frankston, 5'9", 180): quick and accurate small forward with a great leap for his size.

67. Carlton: PASSED

68. Port Adelaide: Karl Amon (Sandringham, 5'9", 161): midfielder with speed and endurance, impressed at the draft combine but will need time to develop.

69. Sydney: PASSED

70. Fremantle: Matthew Taberner (elevated from the rookie list): strong-running, athletic forward who is good in the air and a good kick, played four games in 2013.

71. Hawthorn: Will Langford (elevated from rookie list): the son of premiership player Chris has been on the rookie list since 2011. A hard-hitting defender like his dad, he played one senior game in 2013.

ROUND FIVE
72. GWS: PASSED

73. GWS: PASSED

74. West Coast: Jeremy McGovern (elevated from rookie list): strong key forward who can also play ruck, has been on the rookie list for three seasons and has yet to play a senior game.

75. Brisbane: Justin Clarke (elevated from rookie list) key defender who was rookie-listed in 2012, he played 14 games in 2013.

76. Adelaide: Kyle Hartigan (elevated to the senior list): defender was rookie-listed from VFL club Werribee in 2013. proved himself during his VFL days by shutting down a number of AFL-listed forwards, played three senior games in 2013.

77. Collingwood: Jonathan Marsh (East Fremantle, 6'2", 196): key forward with power, endurance, agility, explosiveness and speed. Also has a good leap and can play defense. Has potential for wing or half-forward.

78. Richmond: PASSED

79. Carlton: PASSED.

80. Sydney: Braydon Jack (elevated from the rookie list): brother of gun midfielder Kieran, he was rookie listed in 2013.

ROUND SIX
81. GWS: PASSED

82. Melbourne: Mitchell Clisby (elevated from rookie list): hard-running defender/wingman rookie-listed in 2013, played eight senior games in 2013.

83. St Kilda: Tom Curren (elevated from the rookie list): midfielder/small forward who was rookie-listed in 2011, played seven senior games in 2013.

84 Western Bulldogs: Brett Goodes (elevated from rookie list): brother of Sydney's Adam, he was rookie-listed in 2013 and played 13 senior games. Best suited at half-back.

85. West Coast: Simon Tunbridge (elevated from rookie list): rookie-listed in 2012, he can play both defense and forward, played two senior games in 2013.

86. Adelaide: Rory Laird (elevated from the rookie list: a running small defender who was rookie-listed in 2012, played 18 games in 2013.

87. Collingwood: Sam Dwyer (elevated from rookie list): speedy and creative mature-age recruit who was rookie-listed in 2013 from VFL club Port Melbourne.

88. Richmond: PASSED

89. Carlton: Ed Curnow (elevated from rookie list): originally on Adelaide's rookie list in 2008 before being rookie-listed by Carlton in 2011, he has played 51 senior games with the Blues, primarily as a defender.

90. Sydney: Dane Rampe (elevated from the rookie list): rookie-listed in 2013, he still managed 22 games in defense in 2013 due to the Swans' extensive injury list.

ROUND SEVEN91. GWS: PASSED

92. Collingwood: Adam Oxley (elevated from rookie list): rookie-listed in 2013 the halfback/winger played two games in 2013.

93. Richmond: Ricky Petterd (elevate from the rookie list): played 54 games with Melbourne 2008-12 but was delisted after an injury-plagued 2012. Trained with and was then rookie-listed with the Tigers. Dangerous forward with good aerial skills and mobility. Played 12 games in 2013.

94. Carlton: Tom Bell (elevated from the rookie list): 2012 rookie-listed midfielder who played nine games in 2012 for a total tally of 16.

ROUND EIGHT
95. GWS: Zachary Williams (elevated from the rookie list): 2013 rookie who can play midfield and defense. Played 11 senior games in 2013.

96. Collingwood: PASSED

ROUND NINE
97. GWS: Jake Barrett (Temora, 5'9", 180): hard-working midfielder with excellent endurance and speed.

Source: afl.com.au, Inside Football, AFL Record Season Guides, AFL Grand Final Record