Western Australia will again be a strong source for the 18 AFL clubs making their selections in tonight’s National Draft.
WA State Talent Director Adam Jones is expecting as many as 10 players from the West to be picked up, including a handful of talented youngsters to be taken inside the top 20.
“It’s another strong batch from WA this year so hopefully we’re going to have at least eight, but more likely 10 or so kids drafted,” he said on Sportsday WA.
“With some clubs saying there’s only going to be around 50 to 55 names read out, that will be a terrific achievement if we can get 10 from WA.
“We’re going to have a fair few at the pointy end. I’m hopeful and expecting we might have five players inside the first round.”
Jones says impressive key forward Logan McDonald, who played senior footy in the WAFL with Perth this year, is almost a lock to be selected within the top few picks.
He believes the Adelaide Crows may use their coveted pick 1 on the 196cm forward.
“I think Adelaide are going to be seriously considering him with pick 1 and if he gets through to pick 2 at North Melbourne, I’m sure he’ll get snaffled up there,” he added.
“Certainly in the top two to four selections.”
Another Sandgroper who is likely to go high is key defender Denver Grainger-Barras from Swan Districts.
“I think so, top five for sure,” Jones said.
“If he got to Gold Coast at six, I reckon they’d be pretty happy to get him there.
“A little bit like Aaron Naughton a few years ago. Plays defence but with his attributes and marking ability, he could be a player that might transition forward.
“Really bubbly, extroverted kid and another terrific prospect for us this year.”
Fremantle’s first pick comes at 12, but is likely to be pushed back after earlier bids, and that should bring with it a very tough decision.
West Perth’s Heath Chapman is expected to go at around pick 15 but Jones questions whether the Dockers require a player of his style.
“Heath Chapman is certainly a player that if he’s there, it’s going to be a very tough decision for the Fremantle recruiters to make,” he said further.
“He’s probably going to be the top of their talent if he makes it to that pick, but whether they need a running or third tall defender.
“So they’ll make a decision on talent versus list management. He’s a ripper kid and they’ll be very lucky to get him there.
“I’m not sure he’s going to get to their pick.”
Other WA products who could go inside the first round are East Fremantle’s Jack Carroll and Perth midfielder Nathan O’Driscoll.
“We’ve got some other boys in Jack Carroll and Nathan O’Driscoll who I think will round out our top-20 selections,” Jones concluded.
“Nathan is a running machine from Northam and Perth Football Club. He’s a player that will go in the 15-20 range and that will be right where Freo picks.”
Other West Australians in the mix include ruckman Shannon Neale and defender Jack Avery.
Tune in at 6:30pm AEDT on Wednesday, December 9 for the AFL Draft on SEN, powered by Tyrepower.