- Club by Club guide, part one
- Read up on he players using the Combine Harvester
- Emma Quayle's top 30 prospects
This is part two in our comprehensive three-part series ahead of next week's AFL national draft. Today: Geelong, Gold Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Hawthorn, Melbourne and North Melbourne.
GEELONG
In: Aaron Black, Tom Ruggles (rookie upgrade), Zach Tuohy.
Out: Jimmy Bartel, Zac Bates, Josh Caddy, Mitch Clark, Jock Cornell, Cameron Delaney, Corey Enright, Shane Kersten, Padraig Lucey, Michael Luxford, Tom Read, Billie Smedts, Nathan Vardy.
Draft picks: 24, 38, 42, 63, 71
TALL FORWARDS: Tom Hawkins, Aaron Black, Wylie Buzza.
TALL DEFENDERS: Harry Taylor, Tom Lonergan, Lachie Henderson, Jake Kolodjashnij, Ryan Gardner.
SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS: Steven Motlop, Daniel Menzel, Lincoln McCarthy, Cory Gregson, Jordan Murdoch, Matthew Hayball.
SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS: Andrew Mackie, Zach Tuohy, Tom Ruggles, Jackson Thurlow, Jed Bews, Mark O'Connor (rookie)
MIDFIELDERS: Joel Selwood, Patrick Dangerfield, Mitch Duncan, Cameron Guthrie, Scott Selwood, Sam Menegola, Darcy Lang, Nakia Cockatoo, Josh Cowan, George Horlin-Smith, Jordan Cunico, James Parsons (rookie).
RUCKS: Mark Blicavs, Zac Smith, Rhys Stanley.
The Cats have a well-balanced list with no desperate need for any particular player type, but while they have effectively replaced Shane Kersten with Aaron Black it wouldn't surprise to see them bring in a tall forward to add to that group. There is a slim chance Todd Marshall could reach them, and Josh Battle is another who could just make it through. Patrick Kerr could be considered too, but perhaps not that high given the number of other options that will be available. Midfield-wise, Sam Powell-Pepper would be an excellent fit given his power and burst, and Jordan Gallucci is another option should he make it down that far. Shai Bolton and Cedric Cox would add some creativity and the Cats could also look for players with the versatility to fill a role down back given Corey Enright is gone and Andrew Mackie won't be there forever. Isaac Cumming is a half-back with some real pace from the Giants' academy, and the Cats could look at making a bid for him. Jordan Ridley has played all over the ground but with particular poise down back, and Sam Walker and Jack Henry are others they could look at. Geelong has Kolodjashnij coming through as a tall back and 2015 draftee Gardner in the wings, but might want to add another up and coming option to that part of the ground, too. Brennan Cox is a strong chance to be available at their first pick, Josh Rotham could still be there and they could also consider a more mature option. While they haven't nominated Sam Simpson as a possible father-son selection, they will be able to list him as a rookie should he get through both the national and pre-season drafts.
![GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 29: Western Australia's Sam Powell-Pepper in action during the AFL Under 18 Championships match between Vic Metro and Western Australia at Simonds Stadium on June 29, 2016 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Pat Scala/Fairfax Media)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170505212514im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/s/y/6/u/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1479507797130.png)
Western Australia's Sam Powell-Pepper could be a good fit for the Cats. Photo: Pat Scala
GOLD COAST
In: Pearce Hanley, Jesse Joyce (rookie upgrade), Jarryd Lyons, Jarrod Witts, Michael Barlow.
Out: Keegan Brooksby, Clay Cameron, Tom Keough, Cameron Loersch, Nick Malceski, Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia, Luke Russell, Henry Schade, Danny Stanley, Seb Tape.
Draft picks: 4, 6, 8, 10, 72, 87
TALL FORWARDS: Tom Lynch, Sam Day, Peter Wright.
TALL DEFENDERS: Steven May, Rory Thompson, Jack Leslie.
SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS: Jack Martin, Callum Ah Chee, Brandon Matera, Jarrad Grant, Ryan Davis (rookie).
SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS: Kade Kolodjashnij, Pearce Hanley, Jarrod Harbrow, Adam Saad, Trent McKenzie, Sean Lemmens, Mackenzie Willis.
MIDFIELDERS: Gary Ablett, David Swallow, Touk Miller, Michael Rischitelli, Matt Rosa, Aaron Hall, Jarrod Garlett, Matt Shaw, Jesse Lonergan, Jarryd Lyons, Alex Sexton, Mitch Hallahan, Michael Barlow, Josh Schoenfeld, Brayden Fiorini, Darcy Macpherson (rookie).
RUCKS: Tom Nicholls, Jarrod Witts, Daniel Currie.
Gold Coast will shape the top 10 with their four picks, and will hope to get three of them tucked away before a bid comes for Jack Bowes. No doubt they would prefer for Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara to be entrenched in a team that had played finals this year, but they have a massive chance to set up what will happen next if they can nail all four selections. They have to work around Carlton at pick five and Fremantle at pick seven, hoping neither club bids for Bowes, so it will be intriguing to see how things pan out and which players they decide to prioritise at four and six. Bowes is a midfielder with the lot, who should play a lot of senior footy next season, and they'll match any bid for him while hoping he makes it to the Swans. Defender Griffin Logue would make some sense; after May and Thompson (and bearing in mind that Day can play back and Schade will come back in as a rookie) they don't have huge depth in that part of the ground. Tim English would come in as a long-term ruck prospect, while Tim Taranto and Jy Simpkin would, in different ways, add some dynamism to their midfield and forward lines. Jack Scrimshaw is another strong possibility for them; it's hard to see him going before pick eight. Depending on what Essendon and the Giants do, there's even the chance the Suns will get a look at Hugh McCluggage or Ben Ainsworth to start off with. They have two other late picks, which they will likely use to match a bid for a second academy player, Brad Scheer. If they want him, they will be able to dip into next year's allotment of draft points to get him. To match a bid in the second round would be do-able, as they already have a strong hand in the second round of next year's draft. To eat into next year's first rounder would be less palatable.
![MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 08: Jack Bowes prepares for the agility test during the NAB AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium on October 08, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170505212514im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/s/y/8/x/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1479508070715.png)
Jack Bowes is a midfielder who will be in high demand. Photo: AFL Media/Getty Images
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
In: Brett Deledio.
Out: Paul Ahern, Jake Barrett, Will Hoskin-Elliott, Cam McCarthy, Pat McKenna, Caleb Marchbank, Joel Patfull, Jarrod Pickett, Jack Steele, James Stewart.
Draft picks: 2, 15, 37, 39, 45, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59
TALL FORWARDS: Jeremy Cameron, Jon Patton, Harrison Himmelberg.
TALL DEFENDERS: Phil Davis, Aidan Corr, Nick Haynes, Adam Tomlinson, Jeremy Finlayson, Tim Mohr.
SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS: Toby Greene, Brett Deledio, Steve Johnson, Devon Smith.
SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS: Heath Shaw, Zac Williams, Nathan Wilson, Matthew Buntine.
MIDFIELDERS: Callan Ward, Dylan Shiel, Stephen Coniglio, Josh Kelly, Tom Scully, Lachie Whitfield, Ryan Griffen, Jacob Hopper, Matthew Kennedy, Adam Kennedy, Sam Reid (rookie), Daniel Lloyd (rookie).
RUCKS: Shane Mumford, Rory Lobb, Dawson Simpson, Matthew Flynn, Tom Downie.
Big question No.1: who will the Giants take at pick two? That will depend, clearly, on what Essendon do before them at one. If the Bombers bid for Will Setterfield, do they match? They might, but it is feeling very unlikely. If Essendon don't take Andy McGrath, GWS will probably grab him. But if the Bombers do take McGrath, GWS won't necessarily go for Hugh McCluggage. Ben Ainsworth seems the more likely pick, though they still have one or two others in their mix, according to the late mail. From there the Giants will wait on a bid for Will Setterfield. Unless the Blues bid, they might not have to match one until Sydney comes in at pick nine. Anything beyond that is a bargain. Harry Perryman could be bid on anywhere from nine to 14, and a club may come for Isaac Cuming in the teens or early 20s, so they'll have to decide whether to take him too or let him go. They may have a tricky call to make on Harrison Macreadie, depending on where they rank him and where a bid for him comes. He could potentially be sacrificed, but that would be a tough one given they relocated him to Sydney to finish school this year. Others – such as Kobe Mutch or Zach Sproule – could be the ones they choose to let through.
HAWTHORN
In: Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O'Meara, Kade Stewart, Ty Vickery, Ricky Henderson.
Out: Jack Fitzpatrick, Bradley Hill, Lachlan Langford, Jordan Lewis, Angus Litherland, Jermaine Miller-Lewis, Sam Mitchell, Matt Spangher, Shem Tatupu, Zac Webster, Alex Woodward.
Draft picks: 83, 91
TALL FORWARDS: Jarryd Roughead, Jack Gunston, Ty Vickery, Ryan Burton, Tim O'Brien, Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Surman (rookie)
TALL DEFENDERS: Josh Gibson, James Frawley, Ben Stratton, Kaiden Brand, Kurt Heatherley, Conor Nash (rookie).
SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS: Cyril Rioli, Luke Breust, Paul Puopolo, James Sicily, Brendan Whitecross, Blake Hardwick
SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS: Grant Birchall, Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne, Taylor Duryea, Daniel Howe, Teia Miles, Ricky Henderson, Dallas Willsmore, Conor Glass (rookie).
MIDFIELDERS: Liam Shiels, Isaac Smith, Tom Mitchell, Jaeger O'Meara, Will Langford, Billy Hartung, Jono O'Rourke, Kade Stewart.
RUCKS: Ben McEvoy, Jon Ceglar, Marc Pittonet
Hawthorn will play a minor part in this year's draft and to tip who might be there for them at pick 88 is not the easiest task. That pick should come in by 10 or more spots on the night once clubs start making and matching bids for father-son and academy players, but it's still a very late spot to be getting started. The Hawks planning to use just that pick and one more, given Kade Stewart has been promoted to the senior squad and could look for some mature-age options rather than the next kids on the list, though that will of course depends on who reaches them. While they have plenty of players who can swing through different spots, their midfield numbers are getting a bit light on and one with a bit of genuine leg speed would be handy. If they do go young, Gold Coast academy player Josh Williams and North Ballarat's Tom Williamson both have a bit of, while Josh Begley plays with some power. Esava Ratugolea is a forward-ruckman with huge potential who could be a good investment late, but it wouldn't surprise to see them look for older, more ready-to-go prospects. O'Meara and Mitchell will have a significant impact on how the Hawks go next year, while they will be hoping Ryan Burton, James Sicily, Tim O'Brien, Kaiden Brand and others continue to come on given they wiped out this year's draft and took a chunk out of next year's in order to land their star recruits.
![MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Esava Ratugolea of the Bushrangers marks the ball during the TAC Cup Grand Final match between the Murray Bushrangers and the Sandringham Dragons at Etihad Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Media/Getty Images)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170505212514im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/v/t/t/5/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1475662310480.png)
Esava Ratugolea could be a late bargain for the Hawks. Photo: AFL Media/Getty Images
MELBOURNE
In: Michael Hibberd, Jordan Lewis, Pat McKenna, Josh Wagner (rookie upgrade).
Out: Chris Dawes, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes, Matt Jones, Max King, Viv Michie, Ben Newton, Dean Terlich.
Draft picks: 47, 68
TALL FORWARDS: Jesse Hogan, Jack Watts, Sam Weideman, Sam Frost, Cameron Pedersen, Liam Hulett.
TALL DEFENDERS: Tom McDonald, Oscar McDonald, Colin Garland.
SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS:Â Jeff Garlett, Aaron Vandenberg, Ben Kennedy, Dean Kent, Jay Kennedy-Harris, Pat McKenna, Corey Maynard (rookie).
SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS: Michael Hibberd, Neville Jetta, Jayden Hunt, Christian Salem, Heritier Lumumba, Mitchell White (rookie), Joel Smith (rookie)
MIDFIELDERS: Jack Viney, Nathan Jones, Jordan Lewis, Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince, Christian Petracca, Angus Brayshaw, Billy Stretch, Clayton Oliver, Tom Bugg, James Harmes, Jake Melksham, Jack Trengove, Alex Neal-Bullen, Josh Wagner.
RUCKS: Max Gawn, Jake Spencer, Mitch King.
The Demons have got themselves into a position where they have no pressing needs and could afford to trade (largely) out of the draft. Hibberd will add some power, pace and one on one ability to their backline while Melksham should be another solid midfield number coming back from his suspension. Then there is Jordan Lewis, who, by the end of his three-year contract the club almost needs to be struggling to keep his spot. That will mean their young midfielders have progressed as expected. The club could do with bringing in another tall defender to start developing; it's difficult to predict who will be around when they start picking but Mitch McCarthy has a lot of spring, energy and overall athleticism and could complement the McDonald brothers well. Brennan Cox and Jack Maibaum are two others – whether they make it to the Demons' first pick is questionable – and they could look at bidding for GWS academy player Harrison Macreadie, who reads the play well and gets to where the footy is but after an excellent 2015 season has slipped down the order this year. Melbourne see Mitch King progressing as a ruck prospect, but could look at bringing another in given how long they can take to play. In Petracca and Oliver they have two young midfielders with power and pace; a touch more speed in that part of the ground could be useful. If any club bids for Josh Daicos it could be Melbourne, while knowing Collingwood will match, and it would be no surprise to see them bring a true crumber in. Really though, they have drafted well for a few years in a row, and have improved their list through Hibberd. They're well placed to simply call out the first names on their list when it is their turn to choose.
![MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 06: AFL draft prospect Mitch McCarthy poses for a photo at Etihad Stadium on October 6, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Patrick Scala/Fairfax Media)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170505212514im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/w/r/7/1/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1475748635779.png)
Mitch McCarthy could be a good addition to Melbourne's defence. Photo: Pat Scala
NORTH MELBOURNE
In: Paul Ahern, Nathan Hrovat, Majak Daw (rookie upgrade), Brayden Preuss (rookie upgrad), Marley Williams.
Out: Aaron Black, Nick Dal Santo, Michael Firrito, Brent Harvey, Robin Nahas, Brad McKenzie, Drew Petrie, Farren Ray, Joel Tippett, Daniel Wells.
Draft picks: 11, 32, 33, 80
TALL FORWARDS:Â Jarrad Waite, Ben Brown, Mason Wood, Ben McKay.
TALL DEFENDERS: Robbie Tarrant, Scott Thompson, Lachlan Hansen, Sam Durdin, Daniel Nielson.
SMALL/MEDIUM FORWARDS: Shaun Higgins, Lindsay Thomas, Taylor Garner, Kayne Turner.
SMALL/MEDIUM DEFENDERS: Jamie Macmillan, Shaun Atley, Luke McDonald, Sam Wright, Aaron Mullett, Ed Vickers-Willis, Marley Williams, Mitchell Hibberd.
MIDFIELDERS: Ben Cunnington, Jack Ziebell, Andrew Swallow, Ben Jacobs, Sam Gibson, Trent Dumont, Jed Anderson, Nathan Hrovat, Ryan Clarke, Corey Wagner, Declan Mountford, Paul Ahern, Will Fordham (rookie).
RUCKS: Todd Goldstein, Majak Daw, Braydon Preuss.
North could have a very interesting decision to make at pick 11, always a handy spot to be in the draft given it only takes one club to do something a little bit different for someone good to slip out. The way that things are shaping up this year there is a very good chance that player could be Will Brodie, a big inside midfielder. North needs some run and speed, and players like Oliver Florent and Jy Simpkin could bring that. Brodie might give them more of what they've already got plenty of, but what if he is way above the others on their list? And what if Florent and Simpkin are both gone? It could be an interesting call. Jordan Gallucci is another who may be considered as is Will Hayward, if more a bouncy forward at this point, while Daniel Venables has, between foot injuries, played with some power in the middle and up forward. Isaac Cummings could be considered later on, and the club has done some work on Cedric Cox. He's a rough chance to make it to their second pick, but if they really want him they would need to take him first to be sure they will get him, knowing there will be a bunch of other midfield options still available when they come to pick again. North will have a new look next year and it will be interesting to follow the emergence of players already at the club (Sam Durdin, Ben McKay, Ed Vickers-Willis, Daniel Nielsen) while seeing how Luke McDonald, Taylor Garner, Mason Wood and others go with being handed the keys to the team's future.
![MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Will Brodie of the Murray Bushrangers is tackled by Kye Beveridge of the Sandringham Dragons during the TAC CUP Grand Final match between the Murray Bushrangers and Sandringham Dragons at Etihad Stadium on September 25, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)](http://web.archive.org./web/20170505212514im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/v/t/m/h/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1475662655133.png)
Will Brodie could be one for the Kangaroos with pick 11. Photo: AFL Media/Getty Images