Holding Out For The Best
The Age
Tuesday October 9, 2001
Whereas once early draft picks were thrown away for the football equivalent of trinkets and beads, clubs have placed a far higher premium on the value of the top choices this year.
In past years, quality players such as Mark Mercuri and Joe Misiti would have fetched Essendon draft picks in the first four or five. This year the clubs with the top half dozen picks have been extremely reluctant to part with them.
Only Trent Croad, a 21-year-old key position player, has commanded serious value in trade talks - the first pick, no less. The price of the early picks has been elevated this year, for two reasons. One, the early picks give clubs with salary cap problems a way out of a jam; two, the quality of the top half dozen or so players is considered outstanding.
One recruiter explained that, if the top five players were drawn out of a hat, you wouldn't be unhappy to get any one of those five.
According to clubs, the likely fab five in this year's draft is: Luke Ball (Victoria), Luke Hodge (Victoria), Chris Judd (Victoria), Graham Polak (WA) and Ashley Sampi (WA). Sam Power (Victoria), the brother of Brisbane's Luke Power, is usually rated just outside that group and there is always the possibility of a surprise inclusion in the top half dozen.
One weakness of the cream of the draft, however, is the relative lack of key position players. Of the early picks, only key forward Polak plays down the spine.
This is why Croad retains his currency.
THE TOP FIVE PROSPECTS:
Luke Ball, 17, 183centimetres, 74kilograms, Sandringham Dragons.
Ball is a pure midfielder who, according to clubs, is a relentless ball-getter with good skills. Hawthorn is eyeing him as a potential first pick, assuming the Croad trade goes ahead.
Luke Hodge: 17, 184cm, 82, Geelong Falcons.
Left-footed Hodge can play both forward and midfield, is good overhead with a mercurial touch. Croad pending, another potential choice for the Hawks, but he could also be picked up by St Kilda (picks 2 and 5), Fremantle (possibly 1 and 4) or West Coast (3 and 6)
Graham Polak: 17, 192cm, 83 kilos, East Fremantle.
As the only key position prospect in the top five, Polak was considered likely to be selected first if Freo kept its first pick. A strong mark who booted five goals for East Fremantle seniors earlier this year, Polak will probably be taken by West Coast at pick 3 if Hawthorn/Fremantle and St Kilda prefer others.
Chris Judd: 18, 187cm, 81 kilos. Sandringham Dragons.
Judd is a large midfielder with explosive pace and great ball-winning abilities. He can be pushed forward, where his size and speed creates mis-matches.
Ashley Sampi: 17, 178cm, 76 kilos. South Fremantle.
Sampi has great acceleration and evasive skills. A strong chance to be picked at No.4 by Fremantle.
© 2001 The Age
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