Murray MiddletonThe Best of the 2007 National Draft
August 5th 2008 11:37
Below is an assessment of the top ten draft choices from the 2007 national draft:
1. Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton)
Still has a long way to go. Kreuzer is a great athlete who has already had a significant influence on the outcome of some of Carlton's matches. He is still too lean to compete with the real 'monsters' of the competition. Hopefully he will be a better player than Josh Fraser, who was a similar build when he was taken at number one.
2. Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
At this point Cotchin is clearly the best player to have emerged from the draft. He has good foot skills, great evasive skills and a great engine. At times he is reminiscent of a young Robert Harvey. The one advantage Cotchin has is that he is not showing the effects of a long season, having missed the entire pre-season.
3. Chris Masten (West Coast)
Being a part of the Chris Judd trade has placed enormous pressure on Masten. He was troubled by ostietus pubis before the Eagles called his season off. Masten is a star in the making. Within two to three years he should be a damaging midfielder, but he won't be as good as Chris Judd.
4. Cale Morton (Melbourne)
At this point Morton struggles to impose himself physically at senior level - funny, considering that he has played the most football out of the top five draft picks. Morton finds the football easily enough but his decision making has let him down too often. Once he gets in the pace of the game this problem might sort itself out.
5. Jarrad Grant (Western Bulldogs)
2008 has been a write-off for Grant. He was bitten by a stingray in the pre-season and has been ruled out for the rest of the year. This might give him the opportunity to put on the weight he needs to play at senior level. Grant is a talented athlete who will play as a tall, marking forward in 2009. Considering the Bulldogs lack of tall forwards, he will have a crucial role to play in the future.
6. David Myers (Essendon)
Myers is a neat left-footed player. Under Matthew Knights' regime he has been given an opportunity to play a lot of senior football. Although he is still slightly built, he has already demonstrated his potential as an extractor at the clearances. Myers will probably play the majority of his football off a back flank next year, before graduating to the midfield.
7. Rhys Palmer (Fremantle)
Palmer has been a huge success for the Dockers; quite possibly the best thing to come out of their 2008 season. Although question marks remain over Palmer's disposal, he is a natural ball winner. He has slotted into the pace of senior football with ease and is going to be a star of the future. Second only to Cotchin at this point.
8. Lachlan Henderson (Brisbane)
As demonstrated by Jarrad Grant's plight, it is always tougher for young talls to break into senior football during their first year. Henderson played a few games at the beginning of the season, which showed a big vote of confidence from Leigh Matthews. At this point has has struggled to make much of an impact, but has produced flashes of talent.
9. Ben McEvoy (St.Kilda)
McEvoy has played only one match this season for the Saints. Unlike Kreuzer, he is not a natural athlete. McEvoy took a quality pack mark in his only game for the Saints. It was only a flash of brilliance, but it showed what he may be capable of in the future. Out of the top ten draft picks McEvoy is going to take the longest to make it.
10. Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
Dangefield followed the lead of Luke Ball and Xavier Ellis by placing his studies ahead of his football once drafted. Adelaide has been patient with Dangerfield and will be hoping that their confidence is re-paid. Considering that Dangerfield has not played senior football, it is difficult to make an assessment of his progress.
Of the remaining players who were drafted last season the five best-value selections are as follows:
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn - pick 11)
Harry Taylor (Geelong - pick 17)
Callan Ward (Bulldogs - pick 19)
Chris Mayne (Fremantle - pick 40)
Bradd Dalziell (Brisbane - pick 52)
1. Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton)
Still has a long way to go. Kreuzer is a great athlete who has already had a significant influence on the outcome of some of Carlton's matches. He is still too lean to compete with the real 'monsters' of the competition. Hopefully he will be a better player than Josh Fraser, who was a similar build when he was taken at number one.
2. Trent Cotchin (Richmond)
At this point Cotchin is clearly the best player to have emerged from the draft. He has good foot skills, great evasive skills and a great engine. At times he is reminiscent of a young Robert Harvey. The one advantage Cotchin has is that he is not showing the effects of a long season, having missed the entire pre-season.
3. Chris Masten (West Coast)
Being a part of the Chris Judd trade has placed enormous pressure on Masten. He was troubled by ostietus pubis before the Eagles called his season off. Masten is a star in the making. Within two to three years he should be a damaging midfielder, but he won't be as good as Chris Judd.
4. Cale Morton (Melbourne)
At this point Morton struggles to impose himself physically at senior level - funny, considering that he has played the most football out of the top five draft picks. Morton finds the football easily enough but his decision making has let him down too often. Once he gets in the pace of the game this problem might sort itself out.
5. Jarrad Grant (Western Bulldogs)
2008 has been a write-off for Grant. He was bitten by a stingray in the pre-season and has been ruled out for the rest of the year. This might give him the opportunity to put on the weight he needs to play at senior level. Grant is a talented athlete who will play as a tall, marking forward in 2009. Considering the Bulldogs lack of tall forwards, he will have a crucial role to play in the future.
6. David Myers (Essendon)
Myers is a neat left-footed player. Under Matthew Knights' regime he has been given an opportunity to play a lot of senior football. Although he is still slightly built, he has already demonstrated his potential as an extractor at the clearances. Myers will probably play the majority of his football off a back flank next year, before graduating to the midfield.
7. Rhys Palmer (Fremantle)
Palmer has been a huge success for the Dockers; quite possibly the best thing to come out of their 2008 season. Although question marks remain over Palmer's disposal, he is a natural ball winner. He has slotted into the pace of senior football with ease and is going to be a star of the future. Second only to Cotchin at this point.
8. Lachlan Henderson (Brisbane)
As demonstrated by Jarrad Grant's plight, it is always tougher for young talls to break into senior football during their first year. Henderson played a few games at the beginning of the season, which showed a big vote of confidence from Leigh Matthews. At this point has has struggled to make much of an impact, but has produced flashes of talent.
9. Ben McEvoy (St.Kilda)
McEvoy has played only one match this season for the Saints. Unlike Kreuzer, he is not a natural athlete. McEvoy took a quality pack mark in his only game for the Saints. It was only a flash of brilliance, but it showed what he may be capable of in the future. Out of the top ten draft picks McEvoy is going to take the longest to make it.
10. Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
Dangefield followed the lead of Luke Ball and Xavier Ellis by placing his studies ahead of his football once drafted. Adelaide has been patient with Dangerfield and will be hoping that their confidence is re-paid. Considering that Dangerfield has not played senior football, it is difficult to make an assessment of his progress.
Of the remaining players who were drafted last season the five best-value selections are as follows:
Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn - pick 11)
Harry Taylor (Geelong - pick 17)
Callan Ward (Bulldogs - pick 19)
Chris Mayne (Fremantle - pick 40)
Bradd Dalziell (Brisbane - pick 52)
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