Lions, Suns set for bumper AFL draft

Kade Kolodjashnij gets a kick away. He could be heading to Gold Coast. Picture by Colleen Petch. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

THE LIONS and Suns have enjoyed vastly different draft fortunes in recent years but both should snare at least one gun when the nation's best teens go on sale on the Gold Coast this week.

The first uncompromised draft since 2009 is loaded with class at the top end and for clubs with early picks, it will be like shooting fish in a barrel.

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Tom Boyd is the stand-out and has been pencilled in as the number one pick since the final name was called last year.

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Josh Kelly, James Aish and Jack Billings have traded second billing throughout the season but Kelly has emerged as the favourite to join Boyd at GWS.

From there the order depends on St Kilda who's preparation has been disrupted by a turbulent post-season which culminated in the sacking of coach Scott Watters.

Gold Coast list manager Scott Clayton believes there is no point attempting to second guess what other clubs would do and says there will be plenty of great players still available at pick 5.

"I like it, I think it is a pretty good draft,'' he said.

SuperFooty draft experts Jay Clark and Sam Landsberger discuss the top 30 prospects.

"We're waiting to see what everyone else does, but we'll get a good payer regardless.''

There have been mixed signals coming out of footy clubs about the 2013 crop. It is universally agreed that the top 15 is chock full of future stars - and when you consider Sun Jack Martin and Demon Jesse Hogan, taken a year earlier through the GWS mini-draft, are basically from this pool, it shapes as a sterling vintage.

But opinion is divided over how deep the talent runs. .

The Lions and Suns are among four clubs - Greater Western Sydney and St Kilda are the others, to hold three or more picks inside the top 30.

Clayton disagrees with suggestions the talent thins out and says it is a good time to hold multiple picks at the top end.

"There is some very good players in there, we wouldn't have minded another pick,'' he said.

"I'm positive about it, I think if clubs make the right choices this can be a very successful draft.

Clubs with picks in the top twenty will go after the best players available but there is a feeling that targeted recruiting for specific body types might start a little earlier than usual.

That means ruckman and long-term, key position prospects may climb up into the late 20s, early 30s.

Both the Suns and Lions may look for a key defender with one of their later picks.

Hammo's Top Ten

1. GWS - Tom Boyd - Vic. 200cm, 103kg. Tough, smart and a strong mark. The stand-out player of the draft.

2. GWS - Josh Kelly - Vic. 183cm, 75kg. Inside and outside midfielder with elite endurance and a superb left foot.

3. St Kilda - Jack Billings - Vic. 184cm, 75kg. All class on both sides of the body. Clever around goal and will develop into a midfielder.

4. Western Bulldogs - James Aish - SA. 184cm, 75kg. Silky skilled outside distributor who has already played in two senior premierships.

5. Gold Coast - Kade Kolodjashnij - Tas. 190cm, 81kg. Athletic half back who can cut sides open with his run and carry. Possesses a lethal left foot.

6. Collingwood - Matthew Scharenberg - SA. 190cm, 87kg. Tall and skillful and can play anywhere.

7. Brisbane - Marcus Bontempelli - Vic. 192cm, 83kg. Great distributor who has been likened to Scott Pendlebury and is a cousin to Nick Dal Santo.

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8. Kangaroos - Luke McDonald (Father-Son) - Vic. 188cm, 85kg. Clever rebounder who is expected to be an instant addition to Brad Scott's team. The son of footy manager Donald works hard and has a deadly left foot.

9. Melbourne - Nathan Freeman - Vic 182cm, 85kg. Wins the ball inside and explodes from congestion. Is deadly around the stoppages and has been likened to Patrick Dangerfield.

10. Collingwood - Ben Lennon - Vic. 188cm, 77kg. An offensive weapon who is a strong mark, chock full of courage and has an elite left foot.

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