Where could you club be looking in the upcoming AFL Draft? ESPN'S Chris Doerre has anaylsed the best fits and selections for each of the 18 clubs ahead of next month's annual talent dispersion.
Adelaide
List needs
1. Goalkicking general forward
2. High-quality outside midfielder
3. Ruckman
Draft picks: 8, 13, 16, 21, 73, 83
Who should they draft? Adelaide will undoubtedly be thinking about trading a combination of their early selections to secure either Jack Lukosius or Izak Rankine at the top of the draft; if not, then outside runners Jackson Hately and Xavier Duursma may be considered at eight and 13 respectively. With pick 21, Bailey Williams may suit as a possible ruckman though he more likely settles into a relieving ruck role. After kicking 37 goals from 18 TAC Cup games, including one with 14 tackles, Charlie Wilson may provide value late in the draft as a forward.
Brisbane
List needs
1. General defenders
2. Tall and strong ball-winning midfielders
3. Prolific outside midfielder
Draft picks: 18, 30, 35, 56, 78
Who should they draft? Liam Stocker would be Brisbane's dream midfield choice at 18, adding size and strength over the ball. Jez McLennan would be an ideal fit as a general defender if he slips through to pick 30. Academy prospect Connor McFadyen adds height and ball-winning through the midfield. Wildcard ex-Lion and outside midfielder Josh Clayton may be in play late, with his height, endurance and skills presenting value; he also finished third in this year's NEAFL MVP.
Carlton
List needs
1. Inside midfielders
2. Outside midfielders
3. Talented general forwards
Draft picks: 1, 69, 71, 77
Who should they draft? While others arguably have greater upside, Sam Walsh looks set to be Carlton's choice with pick 1, with the capability to play either inside or outside as a midfielder suiting the Blues. Late draft, they should consider ex-Crow Mitch Grigg, ex-Pie Jye Bolton and ex-Docker Haiden Schloithe as ready-made mature age midfielders, and Mitch Maguire as a mature-aged midfielder/forward.
Collingwood
List needs
1. Key position players
2. Ground level and tackling crumbing and tackling forward
3. Shutdown general defender
Draft picks: 41, 44, 57, 59, 60, 93
Who should they draft? Collingwood are committed to selecting Isaac Quaynor and Will Kelly as Next-Generation Academy (NGA) and father-son selections respectively. Quaynor's physical maturity will see him vie for a position as a shutdown defender in his rookie season, while Kelly offers potential as a key defender. If available later in the draft, Noah Gown could develop as either a key forward or key defender. Another NGA product Atu Bosenavualagi either a late or as a rookie pick would be ideal as a crumbing forward who tackles intently.
Essendon
List needs
1. Ruckman
2. Inside midfielders
3. General defenders
Draft picks: 34, 66, 84
Who should they draft? If he slides to pick 34, Bailey Williams would be an ideal choice as a ruckman, with his capabilities as a forward adding to the appeal. As general defenders, state leaguers Marty Hore and Callum Wilkie are ready-made prospects who should both be available late. With their last selection, midfielder Mitch Podhajski represents strong value.
Fremantle
List needs
1. Ball-winning midfielders
2. Small forward
3. Rebounding defender
Draft picks: 14, 31, 43, 65, 81
Who should they draft? With pick 14, both Riley Collier-Dawkins and Liam Stocker should be high on Fremantle's list as ball-winning midfielders. At 31, Ned McHenry and Boyd Woodcock are suitable fits as small forwards. From their NGA, the Dockers may be lucky enough to have rebounding defender Jason Carter fall into their laps in the Rookie Draft.
Geelong
List needs
1. Key defenders
2. General defenders
3. General forwards
Draft picks: 12, 45, 50, 70, 87
Who should they draft? At 12, Geelong may consider Sam Sturt, who can add to the club's front half and replace the brilliance of Daniel Menzel. Father-son selection Oscar Brownless will add to the Cats' midfield, while late draft, Jacob Koschitzke has potential as a key defender, while Marty Hore and Callum Wilkie would be ideal fits as mature-age defenders.
Gold Coast
List needs
1. Key position prospects
2. General defenders
3. General forwards
Draft picks: 2, 3, 6, 24, 29, 80
Who should they draft? The Suns need to add Jack Lukosius as a key position prospect with pick 2, while Izak Rankine at 3 would be ideal to give the club's front half a boost. Bailey Smith at six would add considerably to Gold Coast's midfield, while in the 20s, Jez McLennan would add some drive and intercepting in defence if available.
Greater Western Sydney
List needs
1. Ruckman
2. General defenders
3. Inside midfielders
Draft picks: 9, 11, 19, 25, 52, 89
Who should they draft? Jye Caldwell or Riley Collier-Dawkins as inside midfielders would be strong choices with either pick 9 or 11, while Jordan Clark and Xavier Duursma are ideal fits in defence. As an Academy prospect, Kieran Briggs is likely to attract a bid in the second or third round and will add to the Giant's ruck stocks. Pick 19 may see them take their best available player if other list needs have been met.
Hawthorn
List needs
1. Long-term key position players
2. General defender
3. General forward
Draft picks: 53, 90
Who should they draft? Noah Gown at 53 would be ideal as a long-term key position player at either end, while Irving Mosqutio as an NGA forward will be groomed as a successor to Paul Puopolo. Matty Lloyd, the younger brother of Sydney's Jake, may be one considered as a rookie defender.
Melbourne
List needs
1. Classy inside midfielder
2. General forward
3. Relieving ruck
Draft picks: 23, 28, 54, 62, 91
Who should they draft? As a medium marking forward, Sam Sturt would be a strong addition to Melbourne's front half at 23. Bailey Williams at 28 would be ideal as a relieving ruckman who has uncontainable athleticism as a marking forward. If one of the Demons' preferred choices in the 20s is unavailable, midfielder Sydney Stack would add further class to the club's engine room. Through their NGA, Toby Bedford will provide speed and pressure through the midfield and up forward.
North Melbourne
List needs
1. Midfield class
2. Key position players
3. Small forward
Draft picks: 42, 47, 48, 49, 55, 58, 86
Who should they draft? North's draft will be a straightforward task, with Tarryn Thomas adding class through the midfield as an NGA choice, while father-son Bailey Scott further improves the Kangaroos' midfield group. Later in the draft, Noah Gown is an ideal choice with the club's needs, and his scope to develop at either end, while mature-age small forward Ben Cavarra may be a fit as a late or rookie choice.
Port Adelaide
List needs
1. Outside pace and skill
2. General forwards
3. Key defender
Draft picks: 5, 10, 15, 85
Who should they draft? Port would love Izak Rankine to be available at pick 5 as a general forward, but if he has been taken already, Ben King is likely to be available as a key defender. Pick 10 may be a "best available" selection, while Zak Butters' pace and skill to be strongly considered at 15.
Richmond
List needs
1. Inside midfielders
2. Outside midfielder
3. General defender
Draft picks: 17, 37, 64 68, 74, 92
Who should they draft? Liam Stocker has been spoken as an ideal choice at 17 as an inside midfielder, with Jack Ross a contingency plan worth consideration at 37. As an outside midfielder, Laitham Vandermeer late draft would add speed, while defenders, Marty Hore and Callum Wilkie represents strong value as late picks who could contribute immediately.
St Kilda
List needs
1. Midfielder with x-factor
2. Damaging general forward
3. Key forward
Draft picks: 4, 36, 46, 67, 79
Who should they draft? It is believed St Kilda may be willing to trade down from pick 4 in an exchange for Adelaide's pick 8 and a further first-round selection. If this eventuates, Bailey Smith looms as an ideal candidate as arguably this year's best midfield prospect, with the ability to win the ball with pace and clean skills. If pick 4 is retained, Izak Rankine and Max King as a damaging forward or key forward respectively appear ideal list fits. Sydney Stack would be a great choice at 36 as a midfielder with x-factor, with Zac Foot also in consideration at that slot as a damaging general forward. Noah Gown as a key forward represents late draft value with either of their final picks.
Sydney
List needs
1. Rebounding defenders
2. Key position players
3. Inside midfielder
Draft picks: 26, 33, 38, 39, 40, 88
Who should they draft? Nick Blakey through the Swan's Academy is an ideal long-term key forward solution, and will require the Swans to match an early bid for his services. As a rebounding defender, Will Hamill's intercept marking and run would help, while late in the draft, Jacob Koschitzke is a key defender to consider. As a ball-winning midfielder, Mitch Podhajski would also provide strong value.
West Coast
List needs
1. Half-back flanker who generates run and drive from defence
2. Line-breaking outside midfielders
3. Classy general forward
Draft picks: 20, 22, 61, 72, 76, 94
Who should they draft? Ian Hill would be a dream selection for West Coast as a local product who would inject pace either off half-back or on a wing. To provide class up forward, Curtis Taylor could be available to them in the 20s. Later in the draft, Jarrod Cameron as an NGA forward will add spark and provide competition for places.
Western Bulldogs
List needs
1. Contested ball-winning midfielders
2. Small forward
3. Rebounding defender
Draft picks: 7, 27, 32, 45, 63, 75, 82
Who should they draft? Rhylee West as a father-son and Buku Khamis as an NGA prospect are strong fits as a ball-winning midfielder and a rebounding defender respectively. Bailey Smith at 7 is ideal, also as a ball-winning midfielder, and arguably the best of his type in the draft. In the second round, Ed McHenry applies great pressure as a small forward, and appears an ideal fit.