| This guy is usually freakily close to spot on, heres his top 15
1 – CARLTON – MATTHEW KREUZER
Northern Knights, VIC, Ruckman, May 13 1989, 199.5cm, 94kg
There seems little doubt player registration No.114064 – Matthew Kreuzer – will be the first name read out in this year's NAB AFL Draft. Although recent speculation has also linked Kreuzer's Northern teammate Trent Cotchin to the No.1 mantle, it would be a surprise if this occurred. Kreuzer, the standout tall in this year's draft, looms long-term as an outstanding 10-year prospect and he will become Carlton's third consecutive No.1 draft pick, joining Marc Murphy (2005) and Bryce Gibbs (2006).
2 – RICHMOND – TRENT COTCHIN
Northern Knights, VIC, Medium midfielder, April 7 1990, 185.1cm, 79kg
Rated by most as the best midfielder in this year's draft, Cotchin is also regarded by many as the finest in the 2007 pool. It is believed Richmond agrees with both notions and will have no hesitation in selecting him. He has already spent time at Punt Rd during his stint with the AIS-AFL Academy program and coach Terry Wallace is believed to be a massive fan. With Mitch Morton recently traded to Richmond, it was thought his younger brother Cale would also land at Punt Rd, but expect the local lad instead.
3 – WEST COAST – CHRIS MASTEN
East Fremantle, WA, Small midfielder, May 2 1989, 179.6cm, 77.3kg
Masten looks set to be claimed at No.3. With Trent Cotchin out of the equation at No.2 – it may have been a fascinating choice otherwise – Masten will be taken ahead of fellow Western Australian Cale Morton, after Morton was earlier linked to this pick. West Coast has intimate knowledge of Masten – he is the godson of recruiting manager Trevor Woodhouse's wife – and the club rates him enormously. Western Australian duo David Myers and Rhys Palmer have also been mooted, the latter in particular recently.
4 – MELBOURNE – CALE MORTON
Claremont, WA, Tall midfielder/forward, January 18 1990, 191.5cm, 78.7kg
Melbourne won't believe its luck that a player some recruiting managers regard as the best in the draft will slip through to No.4. But that's the way the cards are falling, with Richmond certain to take Trent Cotchin and West Coast likely to pounce on Chris Masten ahead of Morton. Under this scenario, Melbourne will gladly snap up Morton, the youngest brother of Mitch (Richmond) and Jarryd (Hawthorn). The only other player who is a chance for Melbourne at No.4 is East Fremantle's Rhys Palmer.
5 – WESTERN BULLDOGS – JARRAD GRANT
Dandenong Stingrays, VIC, Tall forward, July 6 1989, 192.4cm, 76.7kg
The Bulldogs have had their eye on Grant for quite some time and it would be a major surprise if he was not taken at this selection. There was a school of thought that the Dogs would take Rhys Palmer and hope Grant would slide through to No.19, but he will be snapped up before that. If they want Grant, the Dogs must pounce now. Alex Rance and Ben McEvoy are not without a chance of landing here as well. Grant has also been linked to St Kilda (No.9), Adelaide (No.10) and Melbourne (No.14)
6 – ESSENDON – RHYS PALMER
East Fremantle, WA, Small midfielder, February 13 1989, 181.4cm, 79.8kg
Now this is where it gets interesting. One thing is for certain, from selections six to 20 the scenarios are extremely varied. Some of the best recruiters in the business are still unsure how the top 20 will play out. The names are largely the same, but in what order? The two players most likely at this pick are Rhys Palmer and David Myers. They are continually linked at No.6 and No.7 – but which way will the Bombers go? It looms as a fascinating pick. Others strongly in the mix for the Dons include Ben McEvoy, Alex Rance, Cyril Rioli or Brad Ebert.
7 – FREMANTLE – DAVID MYERS
Perth, WA, Tall defender, June 30 1989, 190.7cm, 86.2kg
Expect Fremantle to take Myers or Rhys Palmer – effectively the player who isn't taken by Essendon at No.6. That's the way it appears to be playing out at this stage, as both players are continually linked at these selections. Either way, a quality local product appears destined for the Purple Haze. Alex Rance is the other Western Australian to keep an eye on at this pick, along with Victorian Jack Grimes. South Australian Brett Ebert has also come into calculations in recent days.
8 – BRISBANE LIONS – LACHLAN HENDERSON
Geelong Falcons, VIC, Tall forward, December 14 1989, 195.5cm, 91.5kg
This will be an intriguing selection. Brad Ebert and Jack Grimes have been huge tips here for some time, with Henderson strongly associated with St Kilda (No.9). And although Ebert and Grimes remain right in the hunt for the Lions, the momentum for Henderson continues to build at No.8 – he looms as a No.8-12 pick – and he will be right in the Lions' thinking. Alex Rance, Tom Collier and Cyril Rioli are also contenders for the Lions, as Chris Masten and David Myers are likely to be gone.
9 – ST KILDA – BEN McEVOY
Murray Bushrangers, VIC, Ruckman, July 11 1989, 200.2cm, 94.6kg
It will be fascinating to see where McEvoy sits. He could genuinely be drafted from No.6-17, with Essendon (No.6), Sydney (No.11), West Coast (No.13), Melbourne (No.14), Kangaroos (No.15) and Geelong (No.17) all expressing interest. It appears three players are in contention for St Kilda – McEvoy, Lachlan Henderson and Alex Rance – with Scott Selwood, Jack Grimes and Patrick Dangerfield also in the mix. The Saints are eager for an emerging ruckman and McEvoy may prove too tempting.
10 – ADELAIDE – BRAD EBERT
Port Adelaide Magpies, SA, Medium midfielder, April 2 1990, 188.2cm, 85.4kg
Ebert could fall to the Brisbane Lions (No.8) and Jack Grimes to Adelaide: he is also in strong contention here. Ebert has also been linked to Essendon, Fremantle, St Kilda and Hawthorn, but realistically he seems set to be chosen in the No.8-12 range. Alex Rance and Scott Selwood, who appears to be climbing up the pecking order, are also in Adelaide's thinking. The Crows also seriously considered Patrick Dangerfield and Cyril Rioli, but it believed those two players are now unlikely to be selected at No.10.
11 – SYDNEY – ALEX RANCE
Swan Districts, WA, Tall defender, October 9 1989, 192.3cm, 87.6kg
Rance is one of the most difficult players to place in the top echelon, as he is highly rated by all clubs from No.5-13 – including the Swans. It won't surprise where he is chosen, but any later than West Coast (No.13) would raise an eyebrow. Jack Grimes, who is similarly rated to Rance, is also a strong tip for No.11. Lachlan Henderson, Ben McEvoy and Patrick Dangerfield could come into play, and don't be surprised if Tony Notte, Tayte Pears, Andy Otten or Brendan Whitecross bolts here.
12 – HAWTHORN – JACK GRIMES
Northern Knights, VIC, Medium defender/midfielder, May 11 1989, 186.3cm, 81.6kg
All clubs with selections from No.7-14 will seriously consider Grimes, but like Alex Rance he is one of the most difficult to place. If he slides through to Hawthorn – and this could genuinely happen – he will be snapped up at No.12. Although Hawthorn is super keen on Cyril Rioli and Tom Collier, it is understood Grimes would be selected ahead of them. If Sydney opts for Grimes and Rance is available, expect the key defender to land here. Lachlan Henderson, if available, and Scott Selwood are also in the mix here.
13 – WEST COAST – SCOTT SELWOOD
Bendigo Pioneers, VIC, Medium defender/midfielder, March 27 1990, 185.1cm, 80.3kg
Selwood has bolted up the charts in recent times and now looks certain to be a first-round draftee, and claimed between No.9-17. West Coast is gaining momentum as his destination as the draft gets closer. Ben McEvoy and Jack Grimes – if available – have also been strongly linked with this pick and in the unlikely event one of local talents David Myers, Rhys Palmer or Alex Rance drift, expect West Coast to pounce. Comparing him to his brothers, one recruiter believes he plays most like Adam.
14 – MELBOURNE – PATRICK DANGERFIELD
Geelong Falcons, VIC, Medium midfielder, April 5 1990, 186.9cm, 82.8kg
Melbourne will be closely monitoring the whereabouts of Jack Grimes, Lachlan Henderson and Ben McEvoy, although the trio looks set to be claimed before No.14. It will seriously consider Patrick Veszpremi here, but with Dangerfield now likely to be overlooked by Adelaide at No.10, expect Melbourne to pounce. Tony Notte may also be strongly considered, as he is unlikely to last until Melbourne's next pick at No.21. Dangerfield has come right into the top bracket and will not get past Geelong (No.17).
15 – KANGAROOS – CYRIL RIOLI
Northern Territory Thunder, NT, Small forward/midfielder, July 14 1989, 177cm, 78.9kg
Just where will Rioli be selected? He has been linked to Essendon (No.6), Adelaide (No.10) and strongly with Hawthorn (No.12), but there is also a school of thought he may slide a fraction, despite his prodigious talent. It is understood Rioli would be a monty for the Kangaroos (No.15) and at worst would not slip past Port Adelaide (No.16). If the Roos miss out on Rioli, others to watch out for are Patrick Veszpremi, Robbie Tarrant, Tayte Pears and Levi Greenwood. One recruiter described Rioli as an "absolute special". |
11-22-2007, 02:53 PM 
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Matt Burgans phantom draft from afl.com 
Palmer isn't much older than Masten. They are both born in 1989, and the only difference is Masten is 3 months younger. LIke I said in previous posts, Palmer had a better WAFL season & Under 18 Championships than Masten, and he had a great draft camp as well, so I don't think Masten is better. Maybe on even par, and that's my personal opinion, so no more criticism on that issue would be absolutely fantastic !!
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