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AFL Draft 2016: Who your club will be targeting

AFL draft camps can test a lot of things, but not heart and smarts.

AFL draft camps can test a lot of things, but not heart and smarts. Photo: Getty

After months of build-up, the 2016 AFL Draft takes place in Sydney on Friday evening (AEDT).

Midfielder Hugh McCluggage was touted as the No.1 pick for much of this year but in recent weeks Andrew McGrath appears to have gone past him.

Will Setterfield is also in the mix for No.1 while as the draft develops, each club gets the chance to add exciting youngsters to their list.

Only time will tell how good each player is, but we’ve run the rule over every club, determining what they need – and what they will get.

Note that the draft order will almost certainly change due to clubs bidding on academy players and passes.

ADELAIDE
Picks: 13, 43, 53, 66
Needs: Midfield depth is necessary.
Gets: Adelaide boy Will Hayward – who is a Crows fan – looks an ideal fit for the Crows at pick 13. He is very quick and a top talent.

BRISBANE
Picks: 3, 16, 21, 22, 75, 76
Needs: Need some quality small forwards to go with developing talls.
Gets: Ben Ainsworth fits that bill but can also play tall and has X-factor to burn.

CARLTON
Picks: 5, 25, 48, 62, 69
Needs: More midfielders are required to help Patrick Cripps.
Gets: The smart money is on the smooth-moving Western Australian Sam Petrevski-Seton going to the Blues at pick 5.

patrick cripps carlton north melbourne

Cripps needs support at the Blues. Photo: Getty

COLLINGWOOD
Picks: 28, 51, 61, 64
Needs: Nathan Brown, Jack Frost and Jonathon Marsh are all gone. Must get defenders in.
Gets: The Magpies will hope key back Brennan Cox is still on the board at 28.

ESSENDON
Picks: 1, 20, 29, 41, 67
Needs: The Bombers need more height up forward. This might not be the draft for that, though.
Gets: They’ll pick running half-back/midfielder Andrew McGrath at pick 1. He’s a potential match-winner who plays like Jason Johannisen.

FREMANTLE
Picks: 7, 35, 40, 70, 77
Needs: Extra polish – and a ruckman.
Gets: Tim English is in the box seat to be the first name called out by the Dockers. The 205cm, super-mobile ruckman is an ideal long-term replacement for Aaron Sandilands.

GEELONG
Picks: 24, 38, 42, 63, 71, 73, 84
Needs: Tall forward a must after departures of Shane Kersten and Nathan Vardy.
Gets: Forward Josh Battle can slip in the draft – and is probably available at 24. If so, the Cats will pounce.

GOLD COAST
Picks: 4, 6, 8, 10, 72, 87, 93. 95, 96
Needs: Major midfield additions. Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia going hurts.
Gets: Suns will take Academy jet Jack Bowes and mid-forward Tim Taranto – two potential stars of the future.

jack bowes afl draft 2016

Bowes sprints at the draft combine. Photo: Getty

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Picks: 2, 15, 37, 39, 45, 52, 55, 57, 58, 59
Needs: Have just about everything they need – so it’ll be best available at their picks.
Gets: With Andrew McGrath Bombers-bound, they’ll snap up Hugh McCluggage at 2.

HAWTHORN
Picks: 81, 83, 91
Needs: Pace. Brad Hill’s departure and an ageing side leaves the Hawks light on for speed.
Gets: Expect Hawthorn’s first pick to come earlier due to passes. Quick line-breaker Reece Piper is someone they will target.

MELBOURNE
Picks: 47, 68
Needs: Like the Hawks, went down the trade route to top up. Back-six depth is the target.
Gets: Versatile defensive utility Taylin Duman should be available at 47. He’d be a smart pick-up.

NORTH MELBOURNE
Picks: 11, 32, 33, 80
Needs: Speed and class through the midfield.
Gets: Agile outside midfielder Oliver Florent looks most likely, and would fit their needs perfectly.

oliver florent tac cup

Florent under pressure in the Under-18 competition. Photo: Getty

PORT ADELAIDE
Picks: 14, 17, 30, 31, 88
Needs: Their midfield is a major worry and will need some reinforcing, while another tall forward would be useful.
Gets: Running machine Jarrod Berry has been strongly linked to the Power.

RICHMOND
Picks: 27, 56, 78
Needs: Elite rebounding talent.
Gets: The Tigers may go all-in and take a plunge on mature-age recruit Luke Ryan, who is potent off half-back.

ST KILDA
Picks: 23, 36, 60
Needs: Speed through the midfield.
Gets: Excitement machine Shai Bolton looks set for the Saints at 23.

SYDNEY
Picks: 9, 19, 46, 49, 85, 92
Needs: Depth and youth in big man stocks.
Gets: Big-bodied and athletic backman Griffin Logue should be available at 9.

WEST COAST
Picks: 12, 34, 54, 89, 94
Needs: Extra midfield power.
Gets: If big-bodied midfielder Will Brodie is available at 12, the Eagles will snap him up. And the talk is he will be available then.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Picks: 18, 26, 50, 74
Needs: Very little. Will just take best available.
Gets: After missing 2016 through injury, medium-sized forward Jy Simpkin may slip down the list. If so, the Dogs will grab him.


Matt Palfreman also writes for footyprophet.com – football and fantasy analysis unravelled.

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