Tyros line up for draft selection
Mark Duffield and Nick Rynne run the rule over WA’s young talent
The certainties
Cameron McCarthy, South Fremantle
18, 194cm, 83kg
Has firmed from draft outsider to top-10 prospect after outstanding 18s carnival. Fremantle will be praying he gets to pick 17, but Brisbane at No.7 look a strong possibility, with Carlton also linked to him at 13.
Dom Sheed, Subiaco
18, 187cm, 83kg
Left-footer with an enormous work rate, a great attitude and his 29-possession, four-goal effort against Vic Country was the standout game of the 18s titles. Expected to end up at West Coast with pick 11.
Blake Acres, West Perth
18, 190cm, 88kg
A shoulder injury interrupted his season but he still has plenty of admirers. Quality all-round midfielder who marks well and is a good kick. Fremantle will look long and hard if he is there at pick 17.
Patrick Cripps, East Fremantle
18, 192cm, 91kg
The vice-captain of WA’s 18s team this year. Rock-solid leader and a big-bodied ball winner. Outside chance to be a first-round pick. Should definitely be gone by the end of the second round.
The probables
Rory Lobb, Swan Districts
20, 205cm, 103kg
Don’t be surprised if he emerges as a draft bolter, with Sydney and GWS showing enormous interest. Basketball convert who has played just one season of football and improved at a rate of knots. Has stamina, athleticism and rapidly-developing skills.
Jonathon Marsh, East Fremantle
18, 192cm, 87kg
One of the quickest players ever tested at the draft camp, he is a tall forward with real strength and explosive power. Is raw and will need work. Almost certain to be drafted, but hard to pick when or where with predictions ranging from first round to very late.
Charlie Cameron, Swan Districts
19, 183cm, 72kg
Clever small forward known for excellent defensive pressure, which fits the modern game beautifully. Is quick and a good finisher. Could be a second-round pick
and likely to be taken.
Darcy Cameron, Claremont
18, 203cm, 102kg
Big, agile and capable of winning ruck knocks and taking marks around the ground. One of the most likely if clubs go looking for long-term prospects.
Nick Robertson, West Perth
18, 191cm, 88kg
Missed the 18s titles with injury but still has plenty of admirers. Has a real appetite for the contest, has the build to back that up and has great endurance.
The possibles
Dayle Garlett, Swan Districts
19, 181cm, 75kg
If you took off-field concerns out of this, clubs would be climbing over each other to get at a teenager who kicked 48 goals in a WAFL season. Is clever and dynamic and several recruiters have rated him the most talented West Australian in the draft. Looks a good chance to be taken this year but no one knows when or by whom.
Tom Vandeleur, South Fremantle
18, 193cm, 90kg
Good athlete who can play as a tall, but also as a rebounding defender. Played 18s for WA this year after an ankle injury.
Jarrad Jansen, East Fremantle
18, 190cm, 91kg
Inside midfielder with a strong body who wins the contested ball. Averaged 14 possessions per game for WA at the national titles and 23 a game for East Fremantle’s colts.
Steven Edwards, Claremont
18, 182cm, 73kg
Clever small defender who moves beautifully and makes good decisions. Has most of the tools, needs a little more self-belief.
Brenden Abbott, Claremont
18, 188cm, 95kg
Explosive half-back who tested off the charts for power and agility at State combine, but barely registered in stamina. Has improved that area in extra testing at West Coast. Rookie prospect.
Michael Wood, Subiaco
19, 189cm, 79kg
Lightly-built medium forward who came of age in WAFL this year, kicking 18 goals in 10 games. Can push midfield if needed.
Aliir Aliir, East Fremantle
18, 196cm, 90kg
Sudanese tall defender who is an excellent athlete. Moved from Queensland to WA this year and has now played 18s for both States. Can go forward too.
Dylan Main, South Fremantle
18, 189cm, 77kg
Medium forward who averaged almost 13 possessions a game for WA 18s and 18 a game in colts for the Bulldogs. Good mark and makes good decisions.
Tom Barrass, Claremont
18, 192cm, 81kg
Tall defender who has come on quickly in the past 12 months. Reads the play well and has a raking left foot.
We predict the top 10
1 GWS, Tom Boyd
18, 200cm, 103kg, Eastern Ranges
Best power forward in the draft. Likened to Tom Hawkins and has the added bonus of being a very good kick for goal.
2 GWS, Josh Kelly
18, 184cm, 75kg, Sandringham Dragons
Son of dual Sandover medallist Phil Kelly. Elite athlete and extremely professional about the way he approaches his football. This is the pick Melbourne traded to get Dom Tyson.
3 St Kilda, Jack Billings
18, 185cm, 76kg, Oakleigh Chargers
Complete midfielder. Great kick and goes forward and kicks goals when needed. Was a TAC Cup star and with Nick Dal Santo leaving, he ticks the boxes for the Saints.
4 Western Bulldogs, James Aish
18 yrs, 184cm, 74kg, Norwood
Aish is the Daniel Rich of this year’s draft, having already played in two premierships in the SANFL. An elite ball user. Has been rated as high as pick two and it is hard to see him slipping lower than this.
5 Gold Coast, Kade Kolodjashnij
18, 191cm, 79kg, Launceston
Has been talked about as a possible pick three or four and Gold Coast like him. He is a surgeon with the ball, a tall runner who has excelled in defence and could play midfield. A left-footed version of David Mundy.
6 Collingwood, Matt Scharenberg
18, 191cm, 88kg, Glenelg
Might hold the key to the top 10 because he has been rated as high as pick three. Finished the season with a foot injury but can play forward, back or midfield. Pretty complete player for a teen.
7 Brisbane, Cameron McCarthy
18, 194cm, 83kg, South Fremantle
A star at the national 18s, is a bit like Jack Riewoldt. Is a super judge of the ball in the air with great hands and a good kick. Unanimously rated the second best tall forward in this draft after Boyd.
8 North Melbourne, Luke McDonald
18, 190cm, 85kg, Werribee
The son of former Kangaroo Donald McDonald, who will be taken here with a father-son pick. Big-bodied half-back/midfielder who is a great kick.
9 Melbourne, Nathan Freeman
18, 184cm, 85kg, Sandringham
Has been likened to Luke Shuey. Explodes away from traffic and is damaging on the break. The Dees got this pick as part of the Tyson trade.
10 Collingwood, Ben Lennon
18, 189cm, 80kg, Northern Knights
A half-forward/midfielder who is an elite kick and boasts real X-factor. That could get him over the line with this pick ahead of tall midfielder Marcus Bontempelli and Christian Salem, a good all-round midfielder.
