I gave a lighter description of what may happen on draft day now we have two picks in the top 5 but I thought I'd give a better break down of the top talent that will be around for our picks, help those that haven't seen much of the U18's to get an idea of our options. As such, here's my top picks and some information on how I think they'll go at AFL level plus a video that will sum up what they can do.
I)
Luke Davies-Uniake
Plays like: Scott Pendlebury
I've made it no secret who I think we should be hoping slips to us so I won't waste too much time here but his ability as a big bodied and very powerful midfielder can't be ignored. He has that break away pace which is rare for an inside mid and does remind also of a Fyfe/Danger. His handball is elite and he goes forward to kick goals. Easily number one for mine.
II)
Cameron Rayner
Plays like: Robbie Gray
There's been a lot of talk about Rayner's ability to go forward and have an impact similar to Dusty but he's a bit smaller and more mobile than him. He has some fantastic speed and will run around opponents but he doesn't break tackles as well as you may think. His disposal is fantastic but he can get caught up in his own pace and cough the footy up as a result. You would hope as he learns and develops he will sort that so it's not really of much concern. He can go inside to get the ball but he's much better on the outside. Will also take a grab and has very clean hands. From all reports his stays forward are just as much to do with a limited aerobic capacity as they are due to the damage he can cause there which may be a worry but should be sorted at AFL level.
III)
Jaidyn Stephenson
Plays like: Stephen Hill
I do rate Stephenson highly and a lot of that is on potential. His pace and movement are exciting and near unstoppable but it does cause some issues with his field kicking. Somehow, he still rarely misses a shot at goal and slots them from anywhere which tells me he has great composure and is probably trying to do a bit too much with the footy in general play to land all his kicks. He has good hands and a sweeping handpass but the big knock on him is his size. He is very tall for a midfielder which should see him dominate those shorter than him and in the air but his slight frame means he struggles to lay a tackle or break out of them. With a decent diet and a couple of pre-seasons I see that problem solved and Stephenson as potentially the best player in the draft. It's a risk but one I'd almost take at 5 despite our forward woes.
IV)
Adam Cerra
Plays like: Shaun Burgoyne
Cerra has had a number of injuries this year and hasn't had as many opportunities to show his wares but when he's been on the park he has proven himself to be for mine, the best kick in the draft. I can hardly tell which foot is his preferred, he delivers it so well left or right and even under pressure. He's another who's a good height, especially for a midfielder but could use a little more bulk to him. He's very clean with his pick ups and ball handling but doesn't have the explosive pace of those ahead of him in my rankings. That doesn't tend to worry him with such clean disposal and composure, he's at home both as an inside mid or delivering the footy on a platter via the outside.
V)
Darcy Fogarty
Plays like: Matthew Pavlich (mid)
I've used the linked video above for Fogarty because I think it showed how well he can step up to a bit of pressure and responsibility. He'd had a serious knee injury and very little footy which had showed with some average performances for SA so he was moved to a bit of a quarter back role in defense. It was his best game for mine as he showed great composure and skills which had looked sloppy and average before then. He clearly has the size to do some damage in the middle and that's where everyone sees him playing as he's not tall enough to hold down a modern KPF post against an AFL size defender. He was one of the stars of the tournament last year and was heading for a dual with Will Sutherland for the number 1 pick before that knee injury (and not getting any taller to become a true KPF) but he has shown a few glimpses of what he is capable of and will be a round 1 starter for whoever picks him up like LDU.
VI)
Jarrod Brander
Plays like: Nick Reiwoldt
Brander is another one who was looking incredible last season but hasn't finished this year as well as he'd like. He's been moved around the ground a lot due to being such an incredible athlete but it may have slowed his development as a forward without as much time as I'd like down there to work on his craft. Nevertheless I see him as a forward at AFL level but that will depend on the club that recruits him. He is easily the best mark both in a contest and on a lead in this years draft and would rival the best in any draft. he is so fast and agile, KPD's struggle to keep up with him but smaller players are absolutely no match in the air. He is a clean field kick and with his speed and movement can really break open the play from a quick kick our of a stoppage. It's these attributes that make him so attractive to Freo and the style of play we have. His goal kicking could use some work but I don't believe it's anything to worry about.
VII)
Paddy Dow
Plays like: Rory Sloane
Dow is both an inside and outside mid similar to LDU with slightly more speed but not as much touch. He's a smaller size and doesn't break through traffic as well but he handballs well and once he's out he's hard to catch. His disposal worries me a bit and he often kicks the footy without looking where he's going which I'm not a big fan of. Even so he is not afraid of the tough stuff and will win the footy at the bottom of a pack.
