The mid-season draft is only a week away and teams are gearing up to add to their respective lists.
SEN's Chief Reporter Sammy Edmund has looked into the draft and is hearing how the first few picks will shape up.
North Melbourne holds the top pick, with Hawthorn, Collingwood, Gold Coast, St Kilda, Adelaide and Carlton to follow from there. This will of course change pending this week’s results.
Jacob Edwards
“Barring any ladder change this weekend and barring any huge change of direction, North Melbourne will use that pick one to definitely take Jacob Edwards,” Edmund told SEN Breakfast.
“He’s 18, 202cm ruck/forward, some real athletic qualities from the Sandringham Dragons.
“He will join the Roos on June 2nd, but the interesting part of it all is he has only nominated for a six-month contract. Players can nominate for a six-month deal or an 18-month deal, it’s open to negotiation.
“The six-month deal is worth $50,000 with the player put on a standard rookie contract if they’re kept on next year. If they’re delisted, they receive a $20,000 payout.
“Jacob Edwards would be backing himself to be upgraded to the senior list rather than a rookie wage as he would be under the term of an 18-month deal.
“This kid’s played only three NAB League games, he’s doing year 12 this year, he’s the definition of a bolter. More than a few experts in this space say he would go top 10 in the National Draft at year’s end.
“This is a long-term investment by the Kangaroos, it’s not about this season. He will take some time to develop. It’s a big win for North Melbourne. He could have held off for the National Draft.”
Tyson Stengle
“He hasn’t nominated yet, but he will. I think that will be made official today or tomorrow and he has had some real interest.”
“Collingwood keeps coming up as the more likely suitor for Stengle.”
Ned Moyle
“There’s another ruckman in the mix in 205cm Ned Moyle. He’s improved a lot in recent times, he’s at the Oakleigh Chargers and playing VFL with Collingwood.
“He’s a real academic. It’s been as much about whether he wants to play or not, but he does and we’re hearing Hawthorn will take him.
“The query on him has been whether he wants to play at the highest level, but he does and we’re hearing the Hawks will take him with pick two.”
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Wylie Buzza
“He’s going to join Gold Coast. He played nine games at Geelong, didn’t crack in for a game at the Power, but he has been impressing at Werribee under Michael Barlow.”
“We know the Suns’ big-man depth has been severely tested this year … Wylie Buzza might get a third crack at it at Metricon Stadium.”
Noah Gribble
“He’s a midfielder for the Geelong Falcons. He would have missed the entire 2020 season with a torn ACL if it wasn’t for COVID.”
“Carlton has an interest in him. He’s made a really bright start to the NAB League season this year.”
Alex Mirkov
“The Blues are said to be hiding one. He’s a hard man to hide, he’s a former volleyballer and officially on Carlton’s VFL list.”
“He’s 21, 210cm and 104kg. Watch this space on Alex Mirkov. He’s a chance to join the Blues.”
St Kilda
“They have as many as five spots in the mid-season draft. They might only use the one.”
Overall
“At this stage it’s Jacob Edwards (at pick one to North), we think it might be Ned Moyle (at pick two to Hawthorn), then it might be Tyson Stengle (to Collingwood at pick three), then it might be Wylie Buzza (to Gold Coast at pick four).”
The mid-season draft takes place on June 2nd on Wednesday evening.
