The 2016 AFL Draft is finally here. Hallelujah!
First of all, a couple of thoughts: one, there is greater uncertainty that ever before due to the evenness of the talent pool.
Secondly, it’s a deep draft – more picks will be used than in recent seasons.
Thirdly, with clubs making having multiple picks in close proximity, there are all kinds of games and smokescreens being played.
So when you combine all these factors, plus the nuisance that is the bidding process with discounts and sliding picks, it all adds up to make this year’s mock draft an absolute nightmare to put together – easily the toughest in my 10+ years – so go easy!
Anyway, sit back and enjoy our live coverage on Friday 25 November starting at 6:45pm AEDST from the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney.
Thanks for following along throughout the year.
If you have any draft-related questions, you can send me a tweet to @BrettAndersonIF.
1. Essendon
Andrew McGRATHHt: 177.4cm | Wt: 76.7kg | Small Defender | Sandringham Dragons
Having weighed up both McCluggage and a bid on Setterfield, the Dons opt for McGrath's dynamic play-making ability.
2. Greater Western Sydney
Tim TARANTOHt: 185.6cm | Wt: 84.1kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons
Overlooking McCluggage and Ainsworth for another big midfielder who can also play forward. Logue was a smokey here too.
3. Brisbane Lions
Hugh McCLUGGAGEHt: 185.6cm | Wt: 75.9kg | Hybrid Midfielder | North Ballarat Rebels
Ainsworth would love to be a Lion and could still be, but it would be hard to see Brisbane overlooking the class of McCluggage.
4. Gold Coast
Ben AINSWORTHHt: 178.0cm | Wt: 76.2kg | Small Forward | Gippsland Power
Imagine Ainsworth at the feet of Lynch and Wright…he’d be a superb addition to a nicely developing attack.
5. Greater Western Sydney (matched CARL bid)
Will SETTERFIELDHt: 189.4cm | Wt: 79.7kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons/GWS Academy
GWS add another midfield star. Won't take them long to match the bid.
6. Carlton
Sam PETREVSKI-SETONHt: 179.7cm | Wt: 72.7kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Claremont
Petrevski-Seton gives the Blues something that they lack – an inside and outside threat.
7. Gold Coast
Griffin LOGUEHt: 191.0cm | Wt: 93.9kg | Key Defender | Swan Districts
This is where it becomes a raffles. The Suns could take Scrimshaw or Simpkin, but opt for the best key defender in the draft.
8. Fremantle
Jy SIMPKINHt: 181.7cm | Wt: 74.7kg | Small Forward | Murray Bushrangers
Freo has made noises about wanting Scrimshaw, but it may be Simpkin that they privately covet. Adds class.
9. Gold Coast
4. Jack SCRIMSHAWHt: 193.1cm | Wt: 83.7kg | Utility | Sandringham Dragons
Could he end up being the pick of this year's crop in a few years? Gold Coast will hope that’s the case.
10. Gold Coast (matched SYD bid)
Jack BOWESHt: 187.0cm | Wt: 77.7kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Cairns Saints/Gold Coast Academy
Getting a player of Bowes' calibre here is akin to winning the lottery for Scott Clayton and co.
11. Sydney
Will BRODIEHt: 188.0cm | Wt: 82.4 | Inside Midfielder | Murray Bushrangers
Could easily wind up as one of the Suns picks, but if not, the Swans have their Tom Mitchell replacement. Will Hayward could be a wilcard here too.
12. North Melbourne
Oliver FLORENTHt: 182.0cm | Wt: 74.4kg | Outside Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons
The Roos want quality on the outside and they are getting that with a player who has immense upside.
13. West Coast
Jarrod BERRYHt: 191.0cm | Wt: 81.8kg | Utility | North Ballarat Rebels
West Coast could nab a slider, but if not Berry's character and versatility are strong match.
14. Greater Western Sydney (matched ADEL bid)
Harry PERRYMANHt: 183.9cm | Wt: 79.4kg | Inside Midfielder | Collingullie-Glenfield Park/GWS Academy
North could bid a little earlier, but there isn't any chance that the Giants let Perryman slip through.
15. Adelaide
Will HAYWARDHt: 184.7cm | Wt: 76.6kg | Medium Forward | North Adelaide
This may depend on what the Eagles do. Hayward, Berry and even Cedric Cox will come into consideration. Crows could also bid for Cumming.
16. Port Adelaide
Todd MARSHALLHt: 196.6cm | Wt: 85.9kg | Key Forward | Murray Bushrangers
Port has plenty of options, but their lack of key forward depth sees them go for the talented Murray goalkicker.
17. Brisbane Lions
Daniel VENABLESHt: 185.2cm | Wt: 82.1kg | Medium Forward | Western Jets
Venables possesses many attributes that the Lions have lacked in recent years. He'll fit in very well under Chris Fagan.
18. Port Adelaide
Alex WITHERDENHt: 186.2cm | Wt: 80.0kg | Hybrid Defender | Geelong Falcons
Despite missing most of the year with a broken leg, he'd give Port a very good ball-user with nice size and versatility.
19. Western Bulldogs
Tim ENGLISHHt: 204.7cm | Wt: 89.5kg | Ruckman | South Fremantle
The Dogs ruck division consists of Roughead and Campbell – and that is it. English is far too good to pass up here.
20. Sydney
Brennan COXHt: 192.6cm | Wt: 91.6kg | Key Defender | Woodville-West Torrens
Sydney could go in another direction entirely if Logue makes it to their first pick. Cox would provide good defensive cover.
21. Essendon
Jordan GALLUCCIHt: 180.0cm | Wt: 77.5kg | Small Defender | Eastern Ranges
Having the ability to mix and match the pace of Gallucci and McGrath in the back half and through midfield is intriguing.
22. Brisbane Lions
Jordan RIDLEYHt: 191.9cm | Wt: 79.7kg | Utility | Oakleigh Chargers
Ridley has been linked a bit to the Lions recently and would give them a versatile tall who uses the ball very well.
23. Brisbane Lions
Jack GRAHAMHt: 180.3cm | Wt: 81.1kg | Inside Midfielder | North Adelaide
The Larke Medallist’s name has come up with Brisbane often in recent times. He’d add some muscle to the midfield.
24. Greater Western Sydney (matched STK bid)
Isaac CUMMINGHt: 184.2cm | Wt: 73.8kg | Medium Defender | North Adelaide/GWS Academy
There are a number of clubs that could bid for Cumming in this range – some possibly even earlier.
25. St Kilda
Sam POWELL-PEPPERHt: 186.5cm | Wt: 90.2kg | Medium Forward | East Perth
Powell-Pepper provides power and intensity in midfield and forward of centre. Aaron Hamill will love working with him.
26. Geelong
Cedric COXHt: 181.1cm | Wt: 78.6kg | Medium Defender | North Ballarat Rebels
Cox may well be gone by this point with the Bulldogs known to be big fans. He gives the Cats some speed and class on the outside.
27. Carlton
Willem DREWHt: 188.0cm | Wt: 79.3kg | Inside Midfielder | North Ballarat Rebels
Carlton could go tall, or small (with pace on the agenda), but Cripps needs help inside and Drew will provide that in time.
28. Western Bulldogs
__Ben LONGHt: 181.3cm | Wt: 72.9kg | Small Midfielder | St Marys/Footscray VFL
Long has been under the Dogs’ noses in their VFL team and if they want him, they will have to snap him up here as he won’t last.
29. Richmond
Elliot HIMMELBERGHt: 196.1cm | Wt: 89.2kg | Key Defender/Forward | Redland
If Powell-Pepper is available, he is likely to be the pick, but Himmelberg gives them a big raw body to play at either end.
30. Collingwood
Shai BOLTONHt: 174.7cm | Wt: 68.8kg | Small Forward | South Fremantle
On talent, Bolton should (and might) go much earlier. But if he were to slip through, the Pies would be hard-pressed to let him go.
The rest…
31. Essendon
Oscar McINERNEYHt: 204.0cm | Wt: 103.6kg | Ruckman | Casey Scorpions
32. Gold Coast (matched PA bid)
Brad SCHEERHt: 183.2cm | Wt: 83.7kg | Inside Midfielder | Palm Beach Currumbin/Gold Coast Academy
33. Port Adelaide
Dylan CLARKEHt: 185.7cm | Wt: 83.4kg | Inside Midfielder | Eastern Ranges
34. Port Adelaide
Kobe MUTCHHt: 186.1cm | Wt: 83.6kg | Outside Midfielder | Bendigo Pioneers/GWS Academy
35. Collingwood (matched NM bid)
Callum BROWNHt: 177.0cm | Wt: 72.2kg | Inside Midfielder | Eastern Ranges
36. North Melbourne
Luke RYANHt: 185.7cm | Wt: 82.9kg | Hybrid Defender | Coburg
37. North Melbourne
Joe ATLEYHt: 185.6cm | Wt: 83.3kg | Inside Midfielder | Bendigo Pioneers
38. West Coast
Josh ROTHAMHt: 191.9cm | Wt: 77.4kg | Hybrid Defender | West Perth
39. Fremantle
Josh BEGLEYHt: 185.5cm | Wt: 96.1kg | Medium Forward | Eastern Ranges
40. St Kilda
Jack MAIBAUMHt: 191.9cm | Wt: 91.0kg | Key Defender | Eastern Ranges
41. Geelong
Tom STEWARTHt: 187.7cm | Wt: 91.6kg | Medium Defender | Geelong VFL
42. Fremantle
Zac FISHERHt: 175.2cm | Wt: 70.3kg | Small Midfielder | Perth
43. Essendon
Josh BATTLEHt: 192.0cm | Wt: 88.5kg | Key Forward | Dandenong Stingrays
44. Geelong
Esava RATUGOLEAHt: 194.0cm | Wt: 93.6kg | Key Forward | Murray Bushrangers
45. Adelaide
Jonty SCHARENBERGHt: 183.2cm | Wt: 80.6kg | Inside Midfielder | Glenelg
46. Sydney
Jack HENRYHt: 191.0cm | Wt: 83.5kg | Hybrid Forward | Geelong Falcons
47. Collingwood (matched MELB bid)
Josh DAICOSHt: 177.8cm | Wt: 72.2kg | Small Forward | Oakleigh Chargers
48. Melbourne
Kym LEBOISHt: 172.5cm | Wt: 67.5kg | Small Forward | North Adelaide
49. Greater Western Sydney (matched CARL bid)
Harrison MACREADIEHt: 195.5cm | Wt: 90.9kg | Utility | Henty/GWS Academy
50. Carlton
Patrick KERRHt: 193.4cm | Wt: 93.2kg | Key Forward | Oakleigh Chargers
51. Sydney
Harry MORRISONHt: 181.5cm | Wt: 77.6kg | Medium Defender | Murray Bushrangers
52. Western Bulldogs (bid not matched by GC)
Josh WILLIAMSHt: 188.7cm | Wt: 73.3 | Outside Midfielder | Hermit Park/Gold Coast Academy
53. Adelaide
Sam WALKERHt: 185.1cm | Wt: 79.2kg | Medium Defender | Glenelg
54. Brisbane Lions (matched WCE bid)
Declan WATSONHt: 191.4cm | Wt: 82.8 | Key Defender | Aspley
55. West Coast
Brandon PARFITTHt: 177.1cm | Wt: 78.8 | Small Midfielder | North Adelaide
56. West Coast (matched RICH bid)
Jake WATERMANHt: 189.9cm | Wt: 93.7kg | Hybrid Forward | Claremont
57. Richmond
Corey LYONSHt: 180.5cm | Wt: 77.1kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons
58. Brisbane Lions (matched STK bid)
Jacob ALLISONHt: 193.4cm | Wt: 81.8kg | Utility | Aspley
59. St Kilda
Tom WILLIAMSONHt: 188.9cm | Wt: 78.5kg | Utility | North Ballarat Rebels
60. Collingwood
Sam McLARTYHt: 196.8cm | Wt: 90.9kg | Key Defender | Oakleigh Chargers
61. Carlton
Ben JARMANHt: 172.5cm | Wt: 70.2kg | Small Forward | North Adelaide
62. Greater Western Sydney
Ben DAVISHt: 185.8cm | Wt: 79.6kg | Medium Forward | UNSW
63. Geelong
Oliver HANRAHANHt: 183.0cm | Wt: 74.0kg | Medium Forward | St Kevins
64. Carlton
Bailey MORRISHHt: 185.9cm | Wt: 80.7kg | Hybrid Defender | Dandenong Stingrays
65. Adelaide (bid not matched by GWS)
Zach SPROULEHt: 195.6cm | Wt: 88.5 | Key Forward/Defender | Murray Bushrangers
66. Essendon
Myles POHOLKEHt: 183.7cm | Wt: 81.9kg | Medium Forward | Dandenong Stingrays
67. Melbourne
Tim SMITHHt: 192.0cm Wt: 88.0kg | Key Forward | Casey Scorpions
68. Fremantle
Liam RYANHt: 179.2cm | Wt: 70.4kg | Small Forward | Subiaco
69. Geelong
Oscar JUNKERHt: 190.7cm | Wt: 83.9kg | Hybrid Defender | Western Jets
70. Geelong
Cameron POLSONHt: 176.5cm | Wt: 77.2kg | Small Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons
71. Western Bulldogs
Kayle KIRBYHt: 181.1cm | Wt: 96.0kg | Medium Forward | Bendigo Pioneers
72. North Melbourne
Judah DUNDONHt: 185.0cm | Wt: 76.6kg | Outside Midfielder | Western Jets
73. Hawthorn
Louis CUNNINGHAMHt: 181.8cm | Wt: 76.6kg | Small Defender | Oakleigh Chargers
74. Hawthorn
Sam SIMPSONHt: 179.8cm | Wt: 64.5kg | Small Forward | Geelong Falcons
###Note:
Deficits: Gold Coast – 418 (off 2017 2nd round), Brisbane Lions – 23 (off 2017 3rd round).
Passes: All passes have been removed from the order, just as they are on the night.
2016 Draft Big Boards...
5 May: Big Board 1.0 – Giants and Suns academy stars loom large
7th July: Big Board 2.0 – McCluggage moves into top spot
16th September: Big Board 3.0 – Four Dragons in the top eight
14th November: Top 50 prospects for 2016 AFL Draft – 26-50
17th November: Top 50 prospects for 2016 AFL Draft – 1-25
***SEN Inside Football's Draft Special issue the perfect cheatsheet to have beside you during the draft. With 240 player profiles, you'll know all about every player that has their name read out! Just $5.95 at your local newsagent, Woolworths and 7-Eleven stores or available online.