2014 SCS Mock AFL Draft p/b DJ and Erich

[Erich1036]

59. Adelaide - Ed Langdon

Age: 18
Height: 182cm
Weight: 72kg
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Plays like: Alan Didak
Player summary: Smart small forward, brother of Collingwood’s Tom

Why: Best available. A really pacy flanker who can turn games with quick goals in succession, Ed Langdon is the brother of current Collingwood player Tom Langdon. However, Ed is vastly different to his brother. Langdon plays predominantly across half forward, where he’s made that position his own. He thinks fast, and his ball movement is equally as quick. He either involves himself with a quick chain of handballs, or is able to hit a loose ball with speed to lower his eyes and send a bullet-like pass to a teammate. He backs his speed to zip around opponents, and while his kicking is his strength, he’s shown that he can play off half back and on a wing. He’s a good goal kicker, and when he isn’t kicking exciting goals, he’s often the man setting them up.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Cool, done for the done a little quicker now we're until the last rounds were it's more about what spots a team has open, or who's not got a million rookie upgrades (*coughSaintscough*).

I swear Erich still has the same research as me, just about every pick was someone I had earmarked, some good players!

Also people may have noticed there's a few mature-agers picked now. They may come into SC calculations if things go right.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Pick 60. Geelong

Taylor Grace (Victoria Metro/Sandringham Dragons)
Midfielder/Defender
17.4.1995 Height: 184cm Weight: 77kg
Player Similarity: Nick Dal Santo

Why: Overage midfielder who will help boost midfielder stocks, Grace, who can play on the half back line as well, has thrived averaging over 30+ possessions in the TAC, something you want to see from an over-ager and enough for him to make the Team of the Year. He's very calm with the ball in the hand, good decision making helps his kicking a lot to find his target. Not particular very quick, he nonetheless is very capable of finding his own ball in the middle and is a great tackler too. After narrowly missing last year he deserves to be picked up this time round.

 

[Erich1036]

61. Carlton - Josh McGuinness

Age: 19
Height: 189cm
Weight: 72kg
Club: Lauderdale
Plays like: Kade Simpson
Player summary: Rebounding defender

Why: Best available. A composed, high-production rebounding defender who averaged 20 disposals for Tasmania in his four games, McGuinness was also a standout at the National Championships. His performances saw him come away with All-Australian honours at half back, having averaged 26 disposals and five marks per game for Tasmania in division two. The classy tall who has a penetrating kick and rates elite in terms of his marking and rebound has a habit of being a playmaker off half back. He sets off chains of possessions with his quick ball movement as well as his run and carry.

63. Brisbane – Harris Andrews

Age: 17
Height: 198cm
Weight: 91kg
Club: Aspley
Plays like: Ben Reid
Player summary: Promising tall

Why: Academy selection. Arguably the Brisbane Lions academy’s most promising and exciting prospect, Harris Andrews has shot up dramatically with his draft stocks still rising. His shift into defence during his three games at the National Championships for Queensland highlighted his raw yet effective ability to hold his own in a position that he had otherwise never played. Andrews is renowned for kicking bags of goals, having bagged 80 goals over the course of 20 games as a bottom-age prospect for Aspley in 2013.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Pick 64. Western Bulldogs

Zaine Cordy (Victoria Country/Geelong Falcons)
Key Defender
27.10.1996 Height: 192cm Weight: 80kg
Player Similarity: Dale Morris

Why: A good defensive stopper which is just what Bulldogs need. A tad undersized which may limit who he plays on at a higher level, better suiting him for that third-tall type, he is still good at competing with players bigger than he is, shutting down his opponent with no fuss. Has a decent mark on him which helps when he backs himself in a contest. Wont ever be used to rebound out of defence, he's a no fuss key defender.

Pick 65. Carlton

Aidan Anderson (Western Australia/Swan Districts)
Small Forward
10.08.1996 Height: 182cm Weight: 83kg
Player Similarity: Eddie Betts

Another small forward prospect but he's quite different to the rest and difficult to say what sort of role or player he is most like. Not the quickest player or small out these but he makes up for it with his x-factor around the ball and is an excellent mark even overhead despite his size. He reads the play well and uses his smarts to position himself perfectly, be that getting the crumbs from a pack or receiving the ball from a team-mate, he also has the ability to break free from a tackle and evade opponents. Terrific kick on goal too, he is more than capable of kicking a bag. A bit limited which is why he is not so well liked higher up the draft board but is good value.

 

[Erich1036]

66. Gold Coast - Dan Butler

Age: 18
Height: 181cm
Weight: 79kg
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Plays like: Oliver Wines
Player summary: Speedy linebreaker

Why: Butler has the potential to add to midfield/forward rotations as well as add some depth. Butler is a quick thinking, goal-kicking midfielder, who starred on the MCG for St Patrick’s College in the Herald Sun Shield, looking more than comfortable running amok on the MCG turf. He is one of the highest averaging TAC Cup players for handball receives (5.5), underlining his endurance and ability to stamp his influence on a game. A high volume tackler, Butler recorded a whopping 17 tackles against Oakleigh Chargers just prior to representing Vic Country in the championships. He averages 8.1 tackles per game, and is a wrecking ball in close who has a big ceiling in terms of his development and his relentless pursuit of excellence.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Pick 67. Brisbane

Matthew Hammelmann (Queensland/Morningside)
Key Position Forward
8.3.1996 Height: 197cm Weight: 88kg
Player Similarity: Josh Jenkins

Why: A key forward who is rated highly in some circles, he should have been picked up by Brisbane under the academy rules and since Brisbane need a Key Forward, I'm going to take him here for them anyway as he's best available. Very intelligent, he knows where to run for a lead and is very opportunistic, taking any chance that presents itself. Combined with his acceleration and athleticism he is very good at losing his oppoent and for his size mobility is no issue. His weaknesses though include inconsistency to effect games often and for a key forwawrd his marking skills and ability in a pack are below the levels you require from a key forward so needs working on.

 

[Erich1036]

68. Hawthorn - Teia Miles

Age: 17
Height: 179cm
Weight: 68kg
Club: Geelong Falcons
Plays like: Lachie Neale
Player summary: Quick, hard midfielder

Why: Hawks need inside midfielders to take over from Mitchell, Hodge and Sewell. A picture of consistency after two standout seasons at the Geelong Falcons where he averaged 20 disposals at TAC Cup level, Teia Miles more than held his own as a bottom-age prospect in 2013. However, he has since gone to a new level in 2014, getting a late call up to the National Combine. Miles is a tough yet super quick midfielder/defender, who is often found buried beneath packs, throwing himself at the football. He doesn’t blaze away like other inside midfielders, instead having composure and opting to square the ball up rather than blindly pushing the ball forward. Miles averaged 15 disposals from his five games for Vic Country, including an average of four marks, two tackles, and two clearances at a terrific 83.6 per cent disposal efficiency.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Pick 69. West Coast

Billy Evans (Victoria Country/Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder
19.10.1996 Height: 187cm Weight: 82kg
Player Similarity: Mitch Wallis

Why: A beast of an inside midfield who's good for spells up forward too, his size and strength is something that really stands out and he will help add to the midfield depth at any club. He can dominate in the engine room thanks to his brawn and he loves the contest and getting the clearences, or tackling to great effect. Also added to his game is the ability to kick goals when moved up forward, it adds another dimension to his play. The only thing setting him back right now is consistency and still an element of rawness to his game that will need to be worked on.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Pick 69. West Coast

Billy Evans (Victoria Country/Bendigo Pioneers)
Midfielder
19.10.1996 Height: 187cm Weight: 82kg
Player Similarity: Mitch Wallis

Why: A beast of an inside midfield who's good for spells up forward too, his size and strength is something that really stands out and he will help add to the midfield depth at any club. He can dominate in the engine room thanks to his brawn and he loves the contest and getting the clearences, or tackling to great effect. Also added to his game is the ability to kick goals when moved up forward, it adds another dimension to his play. The only thing setting him back right now is consistency and still an element of rawness to his game that will need to be worked on.

 

[Erich1036]

70. Richmond - Jason Castagna

Age: 18
Height: 182cm
Weight: 76kg
Club: Northern Knights
Plays like: Dylan Grimes
Player summary: Lightning running defender

Why: With Ellis taking up a full time position in the midfield, Richmond is in need of another rebounding defender to support Houli. A speedy defender/midfielder who rarely drops a mark, he could potentially go much higher than where I have got him here. A switch to defence under David Flood at Vic Metro prove to be the tonic Castagna was after. It’s a position which has allowed him to use his run and carry off half back, while also highlighting his ability to read the play, his terrific marking capabilities and his desire to continuously break lines. Castagna operates at an impressive 73 per cent disposal efficiency, showing how damaging he can be by hand or foot.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Pick 73. Geelong

Oleg Markov (South Australia/North Adelaide)
Outside Midfielder
DOB 8.5.1996 Height: 186cm Weight: 69kg
Player Similarity: normal-sized Mark Blicavs

Why: A superb athlete with olympic gold in his blood, his athleticism is one of the best in this draft, really quick and agile. Injury affected year though which has hurt his chances to showcase what he can do in a footballing sense. Not terribly consistent he has had some high-disposal games where he's been able to run free finding the pill and his disposal efficiency levels show he has the ability to use the ball well. Not bad at finding the goals either when put forward so he's always a threat when put up front. He is still raw though for a team that needs pace on the outside he would be a must get especially in the middle to late rounds, so could be another late-round Wells' special.

 

[Erich1036]

75. Port Adelaide - Caleb Daniel

Age: 18
Height: 167cm
Weight: 68kg
Club: South Adelaide
Plays like: Brent Harvey
Player summary: Prolific ball-winning small forward

Why: Someone just has to take him regardless of his height and he has the potential to become a cult figure and an important player. Daniel does everything well, and rates among the very best in just about every facet. However, his main downfall is that he’s 10 cm too short, which could see him fall through to the rookie draft, or potentially get completely overlooked. Nonetheless, Daniel is a terrific accumulator, tackler, goal kicker and high-level distributor. He is the Gary Ablett of the sub 170 cm players. He averaged 20 disposals at 92 per cent efficiency along with two goals, winning All Australian honours. He’s got courage, competitiveness, consistently applies defensive pressure acts and he is a contested ball-winner. He is lightning quick and possesses a big tank. Had he been 20 cm taller, we’d be talking about Daniel as a top-five selection, rather than a player who could just as easily go overlooked.

76. Sydney – Abaina Davis

Age: 18
Height: 193cm
Weight: 86kg
Club: UNSW-Easts
Plays like: Taylor Walker
Player summary: Strong bodied key position player

Why: Academy selection. A super powerful tall forward, Abe Davis is an exciting prospect who’ll develop nicely at a club with an array of star key forwards to serve his apprenticeship under. Davis – who clunks big marks and is quick on the lead with an above average leap – has a knack for protecting the ball with his body and is unstoppable once he gets front position. He is a reliable set shot, and gets good purchase on the ball from long distances.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Pick 80. Sydney

Jeremy Finlayson (NSW/GWS Academy)
9.2.1996 Height: 195cm Weight: 84kg
Key Forward
Player Similarity: Marco Paparone

Why: Another key forward prospect, he's a but undersized so will probably end up playing as a third tall option at best. His best work is done high up the forward flank presenting a running and marking option. His endurance levels are good and his agility means he'll keep defenders occupied all game. He's that one-grab highlight-package sort of player with the ball on the ground. The concern at the moment though is his contested mark is not good, meaning he's useless in a pack as an option to kick too and his own kicking technique has a lot of improvement to go. Still, a relative free punt for GWS, so low-risk.

Pick 81. Brisbane

Tom Wilkinson
Outside Mid/Forward
03.07.96 Height: 182cm Weight: 78kg
Player Similarity: Andrew Gaff

Why: Super talented player who's drifted and only a late chance. His endurance and speed is what sets him apart, he's a natural runner and will run all day to find the ball, which helps him accumulate so many possessions. He can do damage in the forward line as well, having kicked multiple goals on occasion. The problem is he's not a very good kick for his position and with a limited game, his inconsistencies hurt him but if they get ironed out he could become a very good outside mid.

 

[Erich1036]

82. Western Bulldogs - Brenton Payne

Age: 18
Height: 193cm
Weight: 76kg
Club: Western Jets
Plays like: Jake Carlisle
Player summary: Tall forward

Why: Best available. Payne had a solid year for the Western Jets in the TAC Cup, bagging 18 goals whilst impressing at National Championship level, averaging one goal and 2.4 marks from 10 disposals. The elite endurance runner’s tank means he outworks and outlasts most defenders. Although light at just 76 kilograms, Payne is strong, loves to get into physical one-on-one scraps for the ball and has excellent closing speed, allowing him to burn his opponent off the mark.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Pick 83. Melbourne

Daniel Nielson (Victoria/Eastern Ranges)
Key Defender
9.5.1996 Height: 193cm Weight: 90kg
Player Similarity: Kyle Cheney

Why: Slightly underrated as all key defenders really are Nielson is still a good stopper and has plenty of the defensive skills needed to become a good lockdown defender at afl level. He's heavily negating so he wont win a lot of the ball but isn't the worst when he has it in his hands and is quite calm. Size is a bit of an issue and he doesn't really standout like others, but as he plays taller than he is he should find a spot at the next level.

 

[Erich1036]

89. Port Adelaide - Francis Watson

Age: 19
Height: 186cm
Weight: 76kg
Club: Claremont
Plays like: Michael Hibberd
Player summary: Damaging overage defender/forward

Why: Best available. Overlooked in last year’s draft, Francis Watson’s season has been a picture of consistency with Claremont. The medium defender with a big natural leap and agility is a sound mover of the ball by foot. As a defender, he’s accountable whilst he’s also been able to add an attacking element to his game, doing so with flair - he cuts off marks inside 50, moves the ball on quickly by foot, or dashes from defence and involves himself in a chain of link-up handballs.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Pick 99. Brisbane

Matthew Goodyear (Vic Metro/Calder Cannons)
Midfielder
20.7.1996 Height: 185cm Weight: 77kg
Player Similarity: Kyal Horsley

Why: High-accumulating, ball-winning midfielder. He's had a really good year in the TAC and he has shown constant improvement over the season. Good hands with the pill or trying to mark it and he has the agility to get the ball on the ground when it is loose. His tackling is also very strong and one of the best in the draft. He's got the drive and application to make it, he works very hard on his defensive side of the game always trying to be accountable and he's right up there on endurance and speed. The knock? As often with these young mids, his kicking is bad and his disposal efficiency needs a lot of improvement. So he is very raw but can't doubt his ball-winning capability.

Pick 105. West Coast

Alec Waterman (Western Australia/Claremont)
Inside Midfielder
19.8.1996 Height: 183cm Weight: 89kg
Player Similarity: Dave Mundy

Why: Really good pick up so late for West Coast here, he's a bonafide inside midfielder who was talked up as a second round prospect earlier in the year. He has good numbers for a midfielder at Colts level and was one of the best at the U18 champs. Really strong and uses his bulk and size well to throw himself into the contest, he also has a good turn of speed to break through the lines, without being particularly fast paced. His outside game and kicking are just what you want from an inside worker too. Still has a bit of improvement to go but if he didn't have a few injuries, and didn't fade out of games a bit he would have been rated a lot higher

 

[Erich1036]

107. Port Adelaide - Josh Deluca-Cardillo

Age: 18
Height: 179cm
Weight: 80kg
Club: Subiaco
Plays like: Ben McGlynn
Player summary: Exciting small midfielder

Why: Best available. Josh Deluca-Cardillo is incredibly underrated and isn’t getting the hype in Victoria he so thoroughly deserves. The lightning quick wonder-kid is a line breaker and a somewhat of a barometer, sharing similar traits to both Lewis Taylor and Ben Glynn in his game. Deluca-Cardillo is the player whose hands you want the ball in. He attacks the ball ferociously, side steps through traffic and darts off, all in a flash. He is incredibly filled out and since playing a staring role in Subiaco's senior WAFL premiership in wet conditions, he stood out and made an impact on the big stage.

111. Brisbane - Josh Clayton

Age: 18
Height: 190cm
Weight: 80kg
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Plays like: Tom Lynch (Adelaide)
Player summary: Tall lead-up forward

Why: Academy selection. The son of Gold Coast list manager and former Fitzroy player Scott Clayton will join the Brisbane Lions, who were attracted to his versatility and ability to read the game. An athletic 190cm prospect, he was used all over the ground with TAC Cup side Sandringham and Vic Metro this season and appears best suited as a lead-up forward who can move into the midfield.

 

[DeliciousJedi]

Cool, we're done!

Thanks Erich, was good fun doing this with you. I think you were a great list manager

Will update the OP now, then will list some players I think just missed out, may analyse the picks and what each team got too later.