Dubbed as the “super draft”, the 2018 NAB AFL National Draft has been one of the most talked about in years, with top-end talent prevalent throughout.
Whether it be the likes of Sam Walsh, Izak Rankine and Jack Lukosius at the top, or draft bolters such as Jordan Clark, Chayce Jones and Jackson Hately, this year’s draft will provide recruiters with plenty of opportunity to add future stars to their list.
With the introduction of live trading and the new format of a two-day event, the 2018 draft promises to be one of the most exciting in recent history, with the course of proceedings able to change in a matter of minutes.
So, with the big night just over 24 hours away, we have put together our top 20 prospects for 2018 in The Rushed Behind’s inaugural phantom draft.
Pick 1: Carlton
Sam Walsh (Vic Country/Geelong Falcons)
Position: Midfielder
After putting together an incredible 2018 season at all levels, 18-year-old midfielder Sam Walsh looks to be the obvious choice at number one in this year’s draft.
Described by Geelong Falcons talent manager Mick Turner as “the best prepared player he’s ever seen”, Walsh possesses all the qualities of a champion midfielder in the making.
Renowned for his elite endurance running, work at the contest and class with ball in hand, Walsh will without a doubt have an impact on Carlton’s midfield from the minute he walks into Ikon Park.
Along with his exceptional playing ability, Walsh is blessed with the qualities of a natural born leader, having captained the Geelong Falcons and Vic Country in 2018.
Walsh seems to be the perfect partner in crime for Carlton star, Patrick Cripps, and a key piece to the Blues’ ongoing rebuild.
Pick 2: Gold Coast
Jack Lukosius (South Australia/Woodville-West Torrens)
Position: Key Forward
Described by many as a generational talent, Jack Lukosius garnered a lot of attention in the lead up to the draft.
After exploding onto the scene with four goals on his SANFL debut for the Eagles in a preliminary final against Sturt last year, Lukosius has gone from strength to strength after locking down a spot in the senior side in 2018.
Lukosius exhibits all the traits of an elite key forward, with his excellent skills and aerobic capacity particular standouts to the 18-year-old’s game.
He has also shown the ability to play in defence or even on the wing at times, only furthering his credentials as a top prospect.
With the Suns seemingly starting over list management wise, Lukosius seems like the perfect place to start as he will without a doubt take over the vacant spot left by former captain Tom Lynch.
Although he may struggle to adapt to the AFL at first, Lukosius has all the traits of a star key forward in the making and will be a very welcome addition for the lowly Suns.
Pick 3: Gold Coast
Izak Rankine (South Australia/West Adelaide)
Position: Half-Forward
Alongside fellow Henley High graduate Jack Lukosius on the Gold Coast, Izak Rankine could help bolster the Suns in 2019, with the West Adelaide prospect’s raw talent bringing plenty to the table.
Blessed with the uncanny ability to change a game in a matter of minutes, Rankine will without a doubt begin to turn heads from the moment he steps foot on an AFL ground.
Renowned for his blistering speed, incredible game sense and exquisite skills, Rankine has gathered the attention of many AFL clubs through his performances on the field in 2018.
Most notable was his five goals in the Under-18 Championships decider, which typified the 18-year-old’s sense of occasion and ability to stand up in the big moments.
Rankine’s flashy style of play will be a welcome sight for the Gold Coast, who lack somebody that really breaks the lines and frankly brings people through the gates.
Even though he doesn’t get as much of the ball as many other top prospects, when Izak Rankine is around the footy something happens, making him a very high commodity in modern football.
Pick 4: St Kilda
Bailey Smith (Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons)
Position: Midfielder
Perhaps the most intriguing selection of this year’s draft, this pick will be critical for St Kilda as they look to add some much-needed quality to their list.
Although many have the Saints going for key forward Max King, Alan Richardson’s side will be looking to bolster their midfield stocks by selecting explosive on-baller, Bailey Smith.
Regarded as a top prospect going into the season, injuries plagued the back-end of Smith’s year, which resulted in him missing the draft combine.
But this shouldn’t put the Saints off selecting the Sandringham Dragons midfielder, as he possesses many of the traits they currently lack through the middle of the ground.
Having transformed himself from a half-back flanker to an on-baller, Smith has electrifying speed, elite endurance and most importantly is incredibly tough around the contest.
Smith has the potential to really transform the St Kilda midfield as of next season and eventually become that star player they have lacked for a number of years now.
Pick 5: Port Adelaide
Connor Rozee (South Australia/North Adelaide)
Position: Half-Forward/Midfielder
The third South Australian to potentially be taken in the top five, expect Port Adelaide to pounce on local boy Connor Rozee as they look to bring in some class after the loss of Jared Polec and Chad Wingard in the off-season.
Coming into the Under-18 Championships with great expectation, Rozee failed to perform at his absolute best for South Australia as his stock fell heading into the latter part of the season.
But some standout senior performances for North Adelaide in the SANFL finals series propelled himself back into top five calculations, as the 18-year-old played a crucial role in the Roosters’ remarkable finals run.
An incredible athlete that can run all day, Rozee has the ability to become a real game changer whether it be at half-back, half-forward or as an on-baller.
Along with his astounding athleticism, Rozee is an excellent user of the ball, demonstrates excellent composure and often makes the right decision.
Having proven himself among men in the SANFL, Rozee looks ready for the jump to the AFL and will without a doubt excite Power fans for years to come.
Pick 6: Gold Coast
Max King (Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons)
Position: Key Forward
The third selection for the Suns inside the top six, Max King will be an excellent fit alongside Jack Lukosius inside the Gold Coast’s forward 50 next year.
The best power forward in this year’s draft, King is a force to be reckoned with inside 50, as his brute strength saw him flat out bully opposition defenders at times in his Under-18 career.
With a serious knee injury resulting in King spending a lot of time on the sidelines at the beginning of the season, the Suns could be in for one of the steals of the draft if they are able to land to Sandringham Dragons product.
Along with his power, King has also shown the ability to have an impact at ground level, with his agility, skills and overall class adding to his already impressive arsenal of traits.
If the Saints look to go the way of another key forward, Max King will certainly be their man, but if they decide to add an on-baller to their stocks, expect him to slide into the Suns’ lap at six and become a cornerstone in their rise out of mediocrity.
Pick 7: Western Bulldogs
Ben King (Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons)
Position: Key Forward/Defender
The twin brother of Max, Ben King exhibits many similar traits to his brother, having made a name for himself as an elite key position prospect.
One of the most versatile prospects in this year’s draft pool, Ben King has shown the ability to perform at both ends of the field either as a key defender or forward.
Standing at a whopping 202cm, King is a nightmare matchup at both ends of the ground, with his pace off the mark and size making him extremely hard to score on as a defender and very hard to stop on the lead inside forward 50.
With the Bulldogs currently light on elite key position talent, King will be a welcome addition at the Kennel as they look to add more top-end young talent to their list.
He also has the potential to pinch-hit in the ruck, which will be of extreme interest to the Bulldogs who currently lack the presence of a quality ruckman on their list.
Pick 8: Adelaide
Jye Caldwell (Vic Country/Bendigo Pioneers)
Position: Midfielder
Having potentially missed out on the big three South Australians, the Crows will be very tempted to jump the gun on Central Districts midfielder, Jackson Hately, with their selection.
However, if Jye Caldwell is on the board at Pick No. 8, Adelaide simply must take the risk and draft the Vic Country on-baller as he exhibits many of the traits currently lacking in the Crows’ midfield.
Although his 2018 campaign was marred by injury, the talent shown by Caldwell in seasons prior indicate he is one of the best midfielders in the draft and a definite top ten prospect.
Blessed with incredible speed and a ferocious style of play, Caldwell is a line breaker that constantly looks to change the course of a game.
He is also very composed with ball in hand and an absolute beast in and around the contest.
With the likes of Matt Crouch, Brad Crouch, Rory Sloane and Bryce Gibbs already stalwarts in Adelaide’s midfield, the introduction of Caldwell will provide this group with an extra dimension and cause even greater headaches for opposition on-ballers.
Pick 9: Sydney (Matching bid from GWS)
Nick Blakey (Sydney Swans Academy/Allies)
Position: Key Forward/Midfielder
The first bid of the draft, Swans Academy player Nick Blakey will without a doubt command a top ten selection.
Described as a very unique talent, Blakey is a very intriguing prospect in this year’s draft, as at 195cm he can play as both an athletic key forward and damaging midfielder.
This is largely thanks to his exceptional skills, with his raking left foot already proven to be one of the best in this draft class.
Blakey also possesses excellent ability above his head and is a natural footballer in the way he flies for marks and reads the play in the forward 50.
After a disappointing end to the 2018 season, Blakey signifies new hope for the Swans as they look to move away from relying on their current stars and build a future around the likes of Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills.
Blakey will also be able to provide a solid foil for Lance Franklin up forward, which has long been a position the Swans have struggled to fill as their reliance on the star centre-half forward continues to grow.
Although Blakey will cost the Swans a lot in terms of draft points, the Academy product will be well worth it in the long run and serves as a superb pick for the club moving forward.
Pick 10: GWS
Chayce Jones (Tasmania/Launcestion)
Position: Midfielder
Having lost midfield depth over the offseason, the Giants should be looking to boost their stocks up again through the draft, with Tasmanian Chayce Jones serving as an excellent fit.
An excellent endurance athlete, Jones serves as the ultimate team man who has the ability to play a number of different roles.
One of the more accomplished midfielders in the draft pool, Jones is able to win his own ball at the contest as well as damage opposition sides with his skills on the outside.
These are traits that will appeal to the Giants, who have typically looked for versatile midfielders.
Jones is also very sound defensively and could serve as a run-with type player in the early parts of his career, as the likes of Josh Kelly and Lachie Whitfield enter the absolute primes of their career.
With this selection, the Giants will be gaining an extremely consistent performer whose class and poise will see him have an instant impact at AFL level.
PICK 11: Port Adelaide
Jordan Clark (Claremont/Western Australia)
Position: Half-back
The Power are in desperate need for players with good foot skills and decision-making, along with line-breaking speed.
Enter Jordan Clark.
The Western Australian is a daring half-back with blistering pace and exceptional ball-skills which should see him replace the outgoing Jasper Pittard.
Ken Hinkley’s charges struggled with their rebound off half-back last season and with Clark in the side, he would compliment other rising stars in Darcy Byrne-Jones and Riley Bonner, along with the returning Hamish Hartlett.
Clark was named in the All-Australian side at the Under-18 Championships, but will face a delayed start to pre-season due to being diagnosed with glandular fever.
Pick 12: GWS
Jackson Hately (Central District)
Position: Midfielder
Reaching a height of 192cm and comprising an 81kg frame of pure muscle, the sheer metrics of Jackson Hately will make most clubs with midfield needs buckle at the knees to bring in the young South Australian.
Hately is a ready-made ball winner in the same-esque to Patrick Cripps and averaged over 22 disposals, nine contested possessions and five clearances in the Under-18 Championships.
While not receiving the same plaudits as fellow South Australians Jack Lukosius and Izak Rankine, Hately will more than likely slide into the draft range of 10-15.
With both Adelaide sides interested but more than likely to make moves on Rozee and Caldwell, it leaves the Giants who are in desperate needs for midfielders in a prime position to snare the South Australian.
Pick 13: Geelong
Riley Collier-Dawkins (Oakleigh Chargers)
Position: Midfielder
Another side desperate for young midfielders and the next best prospect falling right into their lap, Riley Collier-Dawkins fits the bill perfectly for an ageing midfield needing class and polish to complement their ‘Big Three’.
The Oakleigh Chargers prospect has undergone a growth spurt which has allowed for him to utilize his 193cm and 88kg frame to good use, averaging over 21 disposals and a goal a game throughout 2018.
With Tim Kelly’s future still heavily in dispute and Gary Ablett entering more than likely his final season, the Cats will need a ready-made replacement when the time comes to work alongside Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield.
Pick 14: Adelaide
Zak Butters (Western Jets)
Position: Midfielder
With the Crows looking to add to their midfield and missing out on Hately and Collier-Dawkins, Zak Butters looms as the next best option for Don Pyke’s men.
The Western Jets young-gun can play a role in the midfield and anywhere along half-forward, with his exceptional ability to find the ball and use of his super footy-smarts to hit targets making him a dangerous weapon.
Butters also has noteworthy goal-sense which adds to his repertoire, by being able to drift forward and snare a couple goals.
Even with his diminutive size, his toughness around the contest makes him a strong prospect for the Crows as both David Mackay and Richard Douglas tick into the end of their footballing careers.
Pick 15: Fremantle
Ian Hill (Western Australia)
Position: Forward
The need for speed in the Dockers’ forward line sits front and centre of Ross Lyon’s needs, after a trade period which strengthened their tall stocks.
Even with the signing of Essendon speedster, Travis Colyer, the Dockers still have an ageing Hayden Ballantyne and need another to take the pressure off the injury-prone Michael Walters.
Ian Hill is the perfect solution, with his unreal pace over twenty metres (2.82 seconds at the Draft Combine) just one of his large array of skills.
A superb leaping ability will make him a real asset up forward, as too will his ability to take strong marks.
Hill is also the cousin of both Stephen and Bradley Hill, who both are currently at the Dockers and would help make the transition seamless from WAFL to AFL.
Pick 16: Port AdelaiDE (matched by North Melbourne)
Tarryn Thomas (Tasmania)
Position: Midfielder
The Tasmanian with huge wraps around him looms as a player who the Roos will utilize their accumulated points on early in the draft.
Due to his ties with their Next Generation Academy, Thomas already has put himself front and centre of North’s draft plans heading into Thursday.
Thomas is blessed with brilliant skill around the contest and is a great size for a midfielder at 189cm, which makes him a real prospect for many clubs who may nominate for him earlier in the piece.
He has already trained with North and has played in their VFL team, so expect the Tasmanian to land at Arden St at the conclusion of Thursday night.
Pick 17: Port Adelaide
Xavier Duursma (Gippsland)
Position: Midfielder/Half-back
With Port being forced to move down the pecking order and looking to further bolster their midfield stocks, the versatile midfielder from Gippsland looms as their man.
Duursma can play a range of roles through the middle of the ground, but can also slot in off half-back which is a massive plus for the Power who need to bolster their leg speed through the middle of the ground.
His metres gained throughout the TAC Cup were high and he ran a brilliant 2.98 seconds at the Draft Combine over 20 metres, which exemplifies how much of a weapon he can be on the run.
If the Power can secure both Clark and Duursma, they will be rectifying their much-needed pace problem instantly.
Pick 18: Adelaide (matched by Collingwood)
Isaac Quaynor (Oakleigh Chargers)
Position: Defender
The Oakleigh Chargers rebounding defender looks all but set to be nominated in the opening round of the draft, and it is expected the Magpies will match this bid.
Quaynor has superb pace and power, which makes him a real asset as a lock-down or rebounding defender.
He can also play tall which makes him rather versatile in the back half, and with his ties to the Magpies’ Next Generation Academy, it is all but expected he will join the side.
The Magpies had problems defensively last season after a spate of injuries, so the Vic Metro defender could even find himself playing as soon as Round 1.
Pick 19: Adelaide
Luke Valente (South Australia)
Position: Midfielder
The South Australian captain looks like a ready-made and obvious choice from either of the South Australian teams.
Valente averaged over 23 disposals and went at almost 84 per cent efficiency, highlighting how effective he is with ball in hand, along with his ability to win the ball at the stoppages.
Expect the Crows to bolster their midfield stocks by bringing in the midfielder with their final top 20 pick.
Pick 20: Richmond
Liam Stocker (Sandringham Dragons)
Position: Midfielder
The Tigers lost loads of midfield depth in the off-season, and Liam Stocker is primed to be their main man to select in the opening round of the upcoming draft.
The Morrish Medal winner is a tough body around the contest and is extremely solid on both feet, while still accumulating an average in the excess of 20 disposals a game.
Expect Stocker to find himself picked up around this range with Richmond priming as one of his best suitors.
PREDICTED Top tWENTY DRAFT ORDER
Pick 1: Carlton - Sam Walsh
Pick 2: Gold Coast - Jack Lukosius
Pick 3: Gold Coast - Izak Rankine
Pick 4: St Kilda - Bailey Smith
Pick 5: Port Adelaide - Connor Rozee
Pick 6: Gold Coast - Max King
Pick 7: Western Bulldogs - Ben King
Pick 8: Adelaide - Jye Caldwell
Pick 9: Sydney (Matching bid from GWS) - Nick Blakey
Pick 10: GWS - Chayce Jones
Pick 11: Port Adelaide - Jordan Clark
Pick 12: GWS - Jackson Hately
Pick 13: Geelong - Ryley Collier-Dawkins
Pick 14: Adelaide - Zak Butters
Pick 15: Fremantle - Ian Hill
Pick 16: Port Adelaide (matched by North Melbourne) - Tarryn Thomas
Pick 17. Port Adelaide – Xavier Duursma
Pick 18. Adelaide (matched by Collingwood) – Isaac Quaynor
Pick 19. Adelaide – Luke Valente
Pick 20. Richmond – Liam Stocker
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