Predicting The 2019 AFL Draft - My Mock First Round

We are so close to another AFL Draft and with that, comes the yearly Mock Draft that I often come up with. While it probably won’t shock anyone that Matthew Rowell and Noah Anderson will be the first two selections and see themselves head to the Gold Coast, there are another 17 spots that will be made in the first round come Wednesday night.

Add the expected Academy Selections and Father/sons that are also expected to go in the first round, There will be 22 selections made on Wednesday night, and regardless if I get one, two, five or none right, I always enjoy writing these up to see what I think might happen as opposed to the reality.

So without further introductions, let’s introduce who I think will land where in the first round.

1. Gold Coast – Matthew Rowell (Midfielder, 180cm, 78kg)

He’s the clear-cut number one pick here and he’s there for a reason. Across the 2019 season, Rowell hardly had a bad game – he’s been that consistent. He was named best on ground for the Oakleigh Chargers in the under-18 Grand Final and won it by a country mile. He also averaged almost 32 disposals a game for the Chargers this year. He has already shown that he loves to turn up for the big games and will slot into Gold Coast’s budding midfield group nicely.

2. Gold Coast – Noah Anderson (Midfielder, 191cm, 87kg)

If Rowell is the clear-cut number one, then Noah Anderson is the second best talent in the draft pool. As a midfielder, he is probably up there as the most damaging by foot in this year’s draft crop. Another upside in him is that he can float up forward and be a serious threat. He’s a reliable finisher in front of goal and is a capable match winner. Some compare him to Jordan De Goey, which is a scary prospect – impact players are something the Suns can do with.

3. Melbourne – Luke Jackson (Ruck/Forward, 199cm, 94kg)

Probably one of the most intriguing cases to come out of this year’s draft. Luke Jackson is arguably the most in-demand key position prospect. His athleticism is elite, was a capable ruck for not just East Fremantle in the WAFL Colts competition but for Western Australia in the under-18s carnival. His follow-up work in the ruck has also caught the eye of various recruiters and has shown that he can go forward for a mark and a goal.

4. GWS – Lachie Ash (Defender, 186cm, 80kg)

He has been building himself as a top-five selection all year long. Ash is a running defender capable of breaking the lines and has a good kick on him. He has also proven to be a stopper in defence at times this year in the NAB under-18 league which could entice teams to take him a bit earlier. He also played through the midfield at times this year and whilst there is still plenty of improvement as a mid, there’s upside.

5. GWS – Tom Green (Midfielder, 191cm, 89kg - Matches Sydney’s Bid)

Arguably, Tom Green is a top-three talent in this year’s draft class. At his age, he’s a beast in the stoppages and shows a desire to hunt the footy that can already be compared with some of today’s elite midfielders. Tied to GWS via their Academy, they’ll get him there, it’s just a matter of where. If he slips past Melbourne’s pick three, then GWS have absolutely stolen this draft, being able to select Young at Pick 4 and then allowing a rival – say the Swans – to place a bid on Green with the next pick in the Draft.

6. Sydney – Sam Flanders (Forward/Midfielder, 182cm, 82kg)

The Swans need some midfield power and class. Sam Flanders carries those in spades and then some. He had an outstanding year for Gippsland in the under-18s competition. He played this year predominantly as a midfielder but showed in the Finals series this year that he is just as dangerous a player up forward – kicking four goals in a quarter against Oakleigh – outmatching top two prospects Rowell and Anderson.

7. Adelaide – Dylan Stephens (Midfielder, 183cm, 74kg)

Adelaide would love to have some midfield class. SA-boy Dylan Stephens would be an ideal choice here. He’s already tasted senior footy for Norwood in the SANFL and has had some good performances over the course of the year, which will appeal the recruiters a bit more. Although lightly-built, Stephens possesses elite endurance and his a reliable user of the footy. On top of that, there is every chance he’ll gain muscle over the next few seasons and can play both inside and out.

8. Fremantle – Deven Robertson (Midfielder, 184cm, 81kg)

A WA-boy, I don’t think he will get past Fremantle’s two picks here. The Dockers biggest weakness is midfield depth, so getting a midfielder that can win the inside ball consistently will probably be a key need on Draft night – Robertson does this and does it very well, he’s very good in the congestion. The one knock he has is his kicking skills and some have questioned his decision-making under pressure, but the man was named the best player in the under-18 championships for a reason.

9. Fremantle – Caleb Serong (Midfielder/Forward, 179cm, 88kg)

This is a player I could’ve had in the top five but because of others’ draft stocks rising, he slips towards the back-end of the top 10. Caleb Serong had a big year for Gippsland in the under-18 NAB league this year, playing predominantly as a midfielder. His solid frame makes it tough for opposition to clamp down. He can float down forward as well and bob up for a goal or two. Would be a very good piece to add down at the Dockers.

10. Fremantle – Liam Henry (Forward, 180cm, 68kg - Matches Carlton’s Bid)

Arguably perhaps the most exciting small forward in this year’s draft crop, Liam Henry will find his way to Fremantle via their Academy program. Expect Carlton or Melbourne to place a bid for him around here, as both are also crying out for a small forward. Henry’s pace, forward pressure and goal nous were on full display this year in the under-18 championships, and put him right amongst the discussions of being a top-10 talent.

11. Carlton – Hayden Young (Defender, 188cm, 83kg)

A rebounding half-back flanker, Hayden Young possesses a run and carry game that can break the lines. His ability to hit targets by foot is amongst some of the best in this draft class, so expect him to go within the top five. On top of his abilities with the ball in hand, he is also a very handy intercept player, with an elite ability to read the play. For the Giants, he could be the ideal successor for Heath Shaw.

12. Melbourne – Kysaiah Pickett (Forward, 171cm, 71kg)

There’s been a lot of talk about this kid, who looms as the big bolter of the first night. Kysaiah Pickett comes from a good football family as a nephew of former premiership player Byron Pickett. Much like Byron, Kysaiah is a pretty clever small forward who’s got a penchant for hurting blokes. For someone his size, he possesses good power and for the past few weeks now, he has been linked strongly to the Demons.

13. Hawthorn – Fischer McAsey (Key Defender, 197cm, 91kg)

Arguably the best key defender to come out of this year’s draft class, McAsey’s best trait is his strength in marking, possessing some of the greatest hands from this year’s NAB under-18s competition. I’ve heard a few comparisons to Aaron Naughton in this regard, which is big wraps considering the year he has had. McAsey also claimed Vic Metro’s MVP at the under-18 carnival, which could see him rise into the top 10, but if he doesn’t, there’s no way the Hawks will let him slip here.

14. Hawthorn – Finn Maginness (Midfielder, 189cm, 82kg - Matches Port Adelaide’s Bid)

The son of Hawthorn premiership player Scott Maginness, it is guaranteed that he will find himself at the Hawks in 2020 through the father/son selection. Expect a bid between here and the end of the first round. Maginness had himself a very solid 2019, averaging over 20 disposals for Sandringham in the NAB League and has documented that he is a very quick prospect, finishing second in the 2km time trial at the draft combine. A player that has tons of potential.

15. Port Adelaide – Will Gould (Defender, 192cm, 106kg)

An interesting player that has enormous upside, Will Gould should find himself going in the first-round. At 106kg, he’s got the strength, the power and the aggression to be a very good player in the league. He played a key role in Glenelg’s premiership win in the SANFL this year and is a two-time All-Australian in the under-18 championships. What might cause him to slide is his endurance, which was exposed at the draft combine, but the upside could be enough to see him picked up around this mark.

16. Western Bulldogs – Cody Weightman (Forward, 178cm, 75kg)

He was seen touring the facilities around Whitten Oval the other day, but there is every chance that Cody Weightman could go higher than the Western Bulldogs’ pick, which is currently 13 without all the father-son/academy picks. As a small forward, Weightman has electrifying pace, good marking hands and has a strong nous for the goals, as evident in his carnival for Vic Country this year. His style of play is likened to Jamie Elliott, so if he slides down here, expect it to be a big win for the Bulldogs.

17. Geelong - Brodie Kemp (Utility, 193cm, 89kg)

Had it not been for a season-ending knee injury, Brodie Kemp might have been firmly entrenched in the top-10. At 192cm, he’s the perfect height to play a variety of roles, but most notably, he’s played more of a role as an inside midfielder. He’s got a clean skill-set and has had some big moments in the under-18 championships. Geelong have made a habit of picking up some steals with these sort of picks, I expect them to go with Kemp here if he hasn’t already been picked up.

18. Gold Coast – Trent Bianco (Midfielder, 178cm, 73kg)

I’d love to see Gold Coast continue the trend of picking up players from the Oakleigh Chargers, picking up Bianco to join team mates Rowell and Anderson up North sounds like a good proposition – Brisbane did something similar a few years back and look at them now. Bianco is very good with his disposals, being able to use both feet effectively and is a great decision-maker. Has also showcased his wares as a rebounding half-back flanker and can play that role to good effect.

19. Port Adelaide – Miles Bergman (Midfielder, 189cm, 83kg)

Although listed as a midfielder, Miles Bergman’s physical attributes mean that he can play a few other roles around the ground as well. His football smarts and high leaping does remind me a little bit of Jeremy Howe in terms of being an intercept specialist. His booming kick will could also see him play as a wing-option and has played roles up forward to good effect. A very handy player that is every chance to go in the top 15.

20. Geelong – Josh Worrall (Key Defender, 195cm, 83kg)

Tall options around the ground is something the Cats probably don’t have an abundance of, considering that Tom Hawkins and Harry Taylor are in the twilight of their careers. Sandringham prospect Josh Worrell is a player that I can see slotting in Geelong’s best 22 within a few seasons. He’s got a great ability to read the play and his work in the air has been well documented. A shoulder reconstruction derailed his second half of 2019, but the scope is there.

21. Port Adelaide – Sam De Koning (Key Defender, 201cm, 86kg)

They haven’t drafted any talls in yet, and they’ll need some depth in this department following the departure of Dougal Howard. Sam De Koning came off an impressive 2019 campaign, named an All-Australian in the Carnival for Vic Country. Bit like his brother Tom at Carlton, Sam boasts good agility and strong marking hands. There is potential to see him play at the other end as a tall forward or even in the ruck.

22. Richmond – Jeremy Sharp (Defender, 189cm, 81kg)

Richmond have recruited some decent names with later picks. Jack Higgins did some nice things in 2018 before injury cruelled his 2019 and Riley Collier-Dawkins is coming along nicely. With Jeremy Sharp, they get one of the best outside runners from this year’s draft crop. He’s quick, he loves taking the game on and he’s a very good decision maker when he has the ball in his hands.