Fox Footy Phantom Draft – Top 25

PICK 1: CARLTON — JACOB WEITERING (Dandenong Stingrays)

Class, composure, leadership. That is what Carlton will get with Jacob Weitering. The 195cm defender has long been billed as the top pick at this year’s draft and has justified those claims throughout the season. An intercept player with a brilliant right foot kick, Weitering averaged seven marks per game in both the national championships and the TAC Cup this year. He backed up those performances at the combine, finishing inside the top five in both the standing vertical leap and the beep test. A captain in the making.

Jacob Weitering is expected to be the No. 1 pick at this year’s draft. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 2: BRISBANE — JOSH SCHACHE (Murray Bushrangers)

Considered the best key forward in this draft crop, Josh Schache rose to prominence representing Vic Country in the national championships. He won the Larke Medal for the best player in Division 1 after booting a record 24 goals from six games. He followed that up with 34 goals from 10 TAC Cup games with Murray Bushrangers. The 199cm forward has a sensational left-foot goalkicking technique. He will fill the void in Brisbane’s forward line to perfection.

Josh Schache is the best forward prospect in the draft pool. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 3: SYDNEY ACADEMY SELECTION — CALLUM MILLS (North Shore)

Widely considered the best midfielder in the draft, expect a rival club to bid on Callum Mills very early. Mills hasn’t featured regularly throughout 2015 due to shin and foot injuries, missing the national championships. But he was crowned an under 18s All-Australian last year after averaging 21 disposals in the 2014 championships. Strong overhead and a good ball user, Mills will go to Sydney regardless of where he is chosen.

Callum Mills will head to Sydney under the academy system. Picture: Justine Walker/AFL Media.Source: Supplied

PICK 4: MELBOURNE — DARCY PARISH (Geelong Falcons)

A prolific ball-winner, Darcy Parish is renowned as the best Victorian midfielder available at the draft. Parish uses the ball well and, despite being regarded as a zippy outside midfielder, is deceptively strong and clean at the contest. He averaged 22 disposals in the national championships and 28 in the TAC Cup. Melbourne traded for this position and, having not secured an established midfielder via a trade, will be unlikely to pass up on Parish.

Darcy Parish is renowned as the best Victorian midfielder. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 5: GWS GIANTS ACADEMY SELECTION — JACOB HOPPER (North Ballarat)

An absolute brute in midfield, Jacob Hopper racked up freakish numbers throughout the year. Despite being part of the Giants academy, Hopper boarded in Victoria and represented North Ballarat in the TAC Cup. Able to play as both an inside and an outside midfielder, Hopper also proved his ability to go forward in 2015. He averaged 23 disposals in the TAC Cup, but also booted 26 goals from 12 games. He averaged 27 disposals and nine clearances in the national championships playing as an out-and-out midfielder. He will go to GWS through the academy system, regardless of where he is picked.

Jacob Hopper has racked up incredible numbers this year. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 6: ESSENDON — CHARLIE CURNOW (Geelong Falcons)

The conundrum with Charlie Curnow has long been where he is best used. At 191cm and 95kgs, Curnow can play as both a midfielder and as a key forward. He missed the championships with a knee injury, but played his best footy in the TAC Cup as a forward. He is strong overhead and averaged 14 disposals and kicked 21 goals from 10 games with Geelong Falcons. He finished fourth in the kicking test at the recent combine. The brother of Carlton’s Ed, expect him to be taken by Essendon and used as a big-bodied midfielder.

Charlie Curnow can play as both a forward and a midfielder. Picture: Mitch Bear.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 7: ESSENDON — SAM WEIDEMAN (Eastern Ranges)

Sam Weideman has good footy blood — his grandfather Murray is a Collingwood legend, while his father Mark played 28 games for the Pies. But, not eligible as a father-son pick, expect Weideman to be taken inside the top 10. A 196cm forward who is a good contested mark and is an accurate set shot, Weideman only managed five TAC Cup games in 2015 before going down with an ankle injury. But he showed enough in 2014, kicking 19 goals from 15 games, to warrant an early selection. He seems a good fit in a young Bombers forward line.

Sam Weideman has spent the majority of the year injured.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 8: GWS GIANTS ACADEMY SELECTION — MATTHEW KENNEDY (Collingullie-GP)

A goal-kicking midfielder, Matthew Kennedy is likely to be the Giants’ second academy pick inside the top 10. He missed the national championships with a knee injury, but showed glimpses of his talent while representing the Rams in the TAC Cup. He averaged 23 disposals, while booting six goals from five matches. He also enjoyed a good combine, recording scores among the best in the relative vertical leap, shuttle run and goalkicking tests. Along with Jacob Hopper, he will provide a significant boost to an already young GWS midfield.

Matthew Kennedy is another GWS academy prospect. Picture: Sarah Matray.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 9: GOLD COAST — AARON FRANCIS (West Adelaide)

Versatility personified, Aaron Francis can play just about anywhere on the ground. He proved that with South Australia in the national championships, taking 11 intercept marks in one game before going forward the next and kicking four goals. At 190cm, Francis is a good athlete and reads the game well. He also has an abundance of self-confidence and won’t be shy to come off his man while playing in his preferred position across half-back. He seems a natural fit at Gold Coast and would be a steal late in the top 10, having initially been thought of as a potential first pick.

Aaron Francis is a chance to slide down the order. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 10: MELBOURNE — HARRY McKAY (Gippsland Power)

An athletic lead-up forward, Harry McKay has shot into top 10 calculations following a strong season in the TAC Cup. The left-footed McKay booted 19.13 from 13 matches with Gippsland Power. At 200cm, he is also capable of playing as a second ruck. He booted five goals from five matches with Vic Country in the national championships, but provided a good foil for Josh Schache. Melbourne recruiters would see him doing likewise with Jesse Hogan.

Harry McKay could bolt into the top 10. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 11: BRISBANE ACADEMY SELECTION — ERIC HIPWOOD (Aspley)

Likely to go first out of the two Brisbane academy kids, Eric Hipwood is a 200cm beast who is surprisingly agile for his stature. With great hands and an ability to play either forward or back, Hipwood will provide further key position ammunition for the Lions. Hipwood averaged 21 disposals, seven marks and kicked four goals from three games in the national championships. He also kicked 11 goals from eight NEAFL matches, playing at either end of the field.

Eric Hipwood is a highly rated Brisbane academy product. Picture: Sarah Matray.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 12: CARLTON — RYAN BURTON (North Adelaide)

Billed as a potential first pick in 2014, Ryan Burton has slid down the ranks after missing 14 months with an awfully broken leg. But a promising return to running at the recent draft combine has many talking about him as a high-end selection again. At 191cm, Burton is an athletic key position forward who moves well on the lead and has a good set shot. He played senior footy in the SANFL last year and would fill Carlton’s key position holes.

Ryan Burton has missed the year with a broken leg. Picture: Dave Cronin.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 13: ADELAIDE — WAYNE MILERA (Central District)

Wayne Milera is a classy ball user that Adelaide will be desperate to snap up with its first pick in the draft. With an ability to fill voids as both a running half-back and as a crumbing forward, Milera put himself firmly in top 20 contention with a sublime SANFL performance against Glenelg. He racked up 24 disposals and kicked five goals on that afternoon. Milera also recorded the seventh best time in the repeat 30m sprints at the combine. The Crows traded for outside quality recently and Milera would be the cherry on top of a good recruiting period.

Wayne Milera is a classy outside option. Picture: Sarah Reed.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 14: CARLTON — CLAYTON OLIVER (Murray Bushrangers)

An outsider to even be drafted at the beginning of the year, Clayton Oliver has bolted into firm top 20 calculations following an outstanding TAC Cup season. Oliver wasn’t picked for any Vic Country matches in the national championships, but took out the Morrish Medal for the best TAC Cup player after a sensational year. The big-bodied midfielder averaged 24 disposals per game with Murray Bushrangers, the majority of which contested, and booted 20 goals from 16 matches. Oliver also finished third in the agility test at the combine and was one of four players to record a perfect goalkicking score. Carlton needs an abundance of quality young midfielders and Oliver fits the bill.

A high half-forward who is just as able to rotate through the midfield, Harley Balic is an interesting prospect. A talented junior basketballer, Balic’s time and awareness in space has naturally led to comparisons with Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury. He averaged 23 disposals per game in the TAC Cup and 22 touches in the national championships. He has a heap of upside, but is one that could slide or bolt up the order. He could be a good fit at Richmond due to his potential of becoming a quality goal-kicking midfielder.

Harley Balic playing for the Dragons. Picture: Chris Eastman.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 16: BRISBANE ACADEMY SELECTION — BEN KEAYS (Redlands)

Likely to be Brisbane’s second academy pick inside the top 20, Ben Keays is a big-bodied midfielder who will provide the Lions with a much-needed injection of inside depth. Keays is a bull at the contest, but also has the ability to go deep and play as a dangerous forward option. Keays averaged 29 disposals in the national championships and 25 touches in the NEAFL throughout the year. He also recorded a 10.09 time in the 3km time trial, the sixth best at the combine. The captain of the Queensland state side, Keays will give Brisbane another young leader.

Ben Keays is a big-bodied midfielder. Picture: John Gass.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 17: ADELAIDE — RHYS MATHIESON (Geelong Falcons)

Rhys Mathieson is a strong grunt midfielder that does his best work in and under the pack. He has clean hands and has been able to develop an ability to kick goals from midfield in the TAC Cup. He averaged 28 disposals per game for Geelong Falcons and racked up 20 touches and five clearances per game in the national championships. Mathieson was among the best in both the clean hands test and the kicking test at the recent combine. He would fit nicely at the Crows following Patrick Dangerfield’s exit. One Falcons youngster out, another one in?

Rhys Mathieson is a strong inside midfielder. Picture: Glenn Ferguson.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 18: ST KILDA — JADE GRESHAM (Northern Knights)

Don’t let his height fool you. At just 177cm, Jade Gresham is one of the most talented midfielders in this draft pool. Great around stoppages and with a fantastic eye for goal, Gresham averaged 29 disposals and kicked 15 goals from 13 TAC Cup games. He also showed that ability in the national championships, averaging 23 disposals, five clearances and going at better than a goal per game. A well-rounded prospect, Gresham was among the best in the clean hands test and the kicking test at the combine. He was also one of four players to record a perfect score in the goal-kicking test. St Kilda could do with an extra clearance player and Gresham is certainly in that mould.

Jade Gresham is one of the most well-rounded midfield prospects. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 19: HAWTHORN — KIERAN COLLINS (Dandenong Stingrays)

A tall and ready-made defender, Kieran Collins is the best out-and-out full back in this year’s draft pool. At 193cm and 94kgs, Collins is the type of competitor that could step straight into a senior side next season. He is a great spoiler and developed a better ability to rebound in 2015, averaging five marks per game in the national championships. Collins also had the best score in the clean hands test at the combine. Hawthorn would love him as a long-term option down back.

Kieran Collins is a pure defender. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 20: GOLD COAST — CALLUM AH CHEE (South Fremantle)

A quick and agile forward, Callum Ah Chee perhaps won’t live up to his early season billing of becoming a top 10 pick. At 182cm, Ah Chee can play above his height in midfield and has demonstrated an incredible vertical leap throughout the year. He averaged 15 disposals in the WAFL and 14 in the national championships, booting five goals from six games in each competition. A live wire with the ability to change games in an instant, Ah Chee would be a nice fit at Gold Coast.

Callum Ah Chee has the ability to change games in an instant. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 21: NORTH MELBOURNE — DARCY TUCKER (North Ballarat)

Darcy Tucker is a running half-back with a classy left foot. He has pace, can break the lines and will also be able to move into the midfield in due time. He averaged 23 disposals in the TAC Cup and 18 disposals in the national championships. He is also the captain of North Ballarat and is a natural leader both on and off the field. He ran a 15.3 beep test at the combine, which was third overall, and was among the best in the clean hands test. North Melbourne would love a quality young outside player and Tucker could be its man.

Darcy Tucker is a classy running half-back. Picture: Colleen Petch.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 22: HAWTHORN — RILEY BONNER (West Adelaide)

Riley Bonner is almost the quintessential Hawthorn player. At 191cm, he is a good height off half-back and has a lethal left foot that is incredibly precise. His size means he can play tall or small, while his speed means he is equally adept at running off his man and breaking the lines. He averaged 18 disposals and five rebounds in the national championships. The Hawks won’t pass him up if he makes it this far.

Riley Bonner has a penetrating left foot. Picture: Sarah Reed.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 23: CARLTON — RYAN CLARKE (Eastern Ranges)

A hard-working midfielder, Ryan Clarke is another who has shot up the draft order thanks to an impressive TAC Cup season. A prolific ball-winner, Clarke’s most important asset is his elite endurance. He’s also a great contested player who averaged 30 disposals and booted 17 goals from 12 games with Eastern Ranges. He had a relatively quiet national championships campaign, but would add depth in Carlton’s midfield.

Ryan Clarke has a sensational year in the TAC Cup. Picture: Glenn Ferguson.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 24: WESTERN BULLDOGS — MITCHELL HIBBERD (Clarence)

One of the older players hoping to be drafted this year, 19-year-old Mitchell Hibberd is Tasmania’s best prospect in the current crop. At 191cm, Hibberd is a half-back that can play tall or small and is just as able to move into the midfield. He has battled knee and shoulder injuries throughout the year, but averaged 24 disposals in both the TAC Cup and the national championships. Hibberd is a good endurance player and was in the top three at the combine for both the beep test and the 3km time trial. He could be a good fit at the Western Bulldogs.

Mitchell Hibberd could be a good fit at the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Josie Hayden.Source: News Corp Australia

PICK 25: WESTERN BULLDOGS — BEN McKAY (Gippsland Power)

Having not been selected in Vic Country’s 54-man national championships squad, Ben McKay was considered by many as an outside chance to even be drafted this year. But a strong second half of the season with Gippsland Power has seen him shoot back into calculations, kicking eight goals in four games to end the season. At 199cm, McKay is a strong contested mark and has proved his versatility by moving into defence and into the ruck at times. He would fit a key position void at the Western Bulldogs.

PICK 15: RICHMOND — HARLEY BALIC (Sandringham Dragons)