Anderson: Final 2016 AFL Mock Draft

The 2016 AFL Draft is finally here. Hallelujah!

First of all, a couple of thoughts: one, there is greater uncertainty that ever before due to the evenness of the talent pool.

Secondly, it’s a deep draft – more picks will be used than in recent seasons.

Thirdly, with clubs making having multiple picks in close proximity, there are all kinds of games and smokescreens being played.

So when you combine all these factors, plus the nuisance that is the bidding process with discounts and sliding picks, it all adds up to make this year’s mock draft an absolute nightmare to put together – easily the toughest in my 10+ years – so go easy!

Anyway, sit back and enjoy our live coverage on Friday 25 November starting at 6:45pm AEDST from the Hordern Pavilion, Sydney.

Thanks for following along throughout the year.

If you have any draft-related questions, you can send me a tweet to @BrettAndersonIF.

1. Essendon

Andrew McGRATH
Ht: 177.4cm | Wt: 76.7kg | Small Defender | Sandringham Dragons

Having weighed up both McCluggage and a bid on Setterfield, the Dons opt for McGrath's dynamic play-making ability.

2. Greater Western Sydney

Tim TARANTO
Ht: 185.6cm | Wt: 84.1kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons

Overlooking McCluggage and Ainsworth for another big midfielder who can also play forward. Logue was a smokey here too.

3. Brisbane Lions

Hugh McCLUGGAGE
Ht: 185.6cm | Wt: 75.9kg | Hybrid Midfielder | North Ballarat Rebels

Ainsworth would love to be a Lion and could still be, but it would be hard to see Brisbane overlooking the class of McCluggage.

4. Gold Coast

Ben AINSWORTH
Ht: 178.0cm | Wt: 76.2kg | Small Forward | Gippsland Power

Imagine Ainsworth at the feet of Lynch and Wright…he’d be a superb addition to a nicely developing attack.

5. Greater Western Sydney (matched CARL bid)

Will SETTERFIELD
Ht: 189.4cm | Wt: 79.7kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons/GWS Academy

GWS add another midfield star. Won't take them long to match the bid.

6. Carlton

Sam PETREVSKI-SETON
Ht: 179.7cm | Wt: 72.7kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Claremont

Petrevski-Seton gives the Blues something that they lack – an inside and outside threat.

7. Gold Coast

Griffin LOGUE
Ht: 191.0cm | Wt: 93.9kg | Key Defender | Swan Districts

This is where it becomes a raffles. The Suns could take Scrimshaw or Simpkin, but opt for the best key defender in the draft.

8. Fremantle

Jy SIMPKIN
Ht: 181.7cm | Wt: 74.7kg | Small Forward | Murray Bushrangers

Freo has made noises about wanting Scrimshaw, but it may be Simpkin that they privately covet. Adds class.

9. Gold Coast

4. Jack SCRIMSHAW
Ht: 193.1cm | Wt: 83.7kg | Utility | Sandringham Dragons

Could he end up being the pick of this year's crop in a few years? Gold Coast will hope that’s the case.

10. Gold Coast (matched SYD bid)

Jack BOWES
Ht: 187.0cm | Wt: 77.7kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Cairns Saints/Gold Coast Academy

Getting a player of Bowes' calibre here is akin to winning the lottery for Scott Clayton and co.

11. Sydney

Will BRODIE
Ht: 188.0cm | Wt: 82.4 | Inside Midfielder | Murray Bushrangers

Could easily wind up as one of the Suns picks, but if not, the Swans have their Tom Mitchell replacement. Will Hayward could be a wilcard here too.

12. North Melbourne

Oliver FLORENT
Ht: 182.0cm | Wt: 74.4kg | Outside Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons

The Roos want quality on the outside and they are getting that with a player who has immense upside.

13. West Coast

Jarrod BERRY
Ht: 191.0cm | Wt: 81.8kg | Utility | North Ballarat Rebels

West Coast could nab a slider, but if not Berry's character and versatility are strong match.

14. Greater Western Sydney (matched ADEL bid)

Harry PERRYMAN
Ht: 183.9cm | Wt: 79.4kg | Inside Midfielder | Collingullie-Glenfield Park/GWS Academy

North could bid a little earlier, but there isn't any chance that the Giants let Perryman slip through.

15. Adelaide

Will HAYWARD
Ht: 184.7cm | Wt: 76.6kg | Medium Forward | North Adelaide

This may depend on what the Eagles do. Hayward, Berry and even Cedric Cox will come into consideration. Crows could also bid for Cumming.

16. Port Adelaide

Todd MARSHALL
Ht: 196.6cm | Wt: 85.9kg | Key Forward | Murray Bushrangers

Port has plenty of options, but their lack of key forward depth sees them go for the talented Murray goalkicker.

17. Brisbane Lions

Daniel VENABLES
Ht: 185.2cm | Wt: 82.1kg | Medium Forward | Western Jets

Venables possesses many attributes that the Lions have lacked in recent years. He'll fit in very well under Chris Fagan.

18. Port Adelaide

Alex WITHERDEN
Ht: 186.2cm | Wt: 80.0kg | Hybrid Defender | Geelong Falcons

Despite missing most of the year with a broken leg, he'd give Port a very good ball-user with nice size and versatility.

19. Western Bulldogs

Tim ENGLISH
Ht: 204.7cm | Wt: 89.5kg | Ruckman | South Fremantle

The Dogs ruck division consists of Roughead and Campbell – and that is it. English is far too good to pass up here.

20. Sydney

Brennan COX
Ht: 192.6cm | Wt: 91.6kg | Key Defender | Woodville-West Torrens

Sydney could go in another direction entirely if Logue makes it to their first pick. Cox would provide good defensive cover.

21. Essendon

Jordan GALLUCCI
Ht: 180.0cm | Wt: 77.5kg | Small Defender | Eastern Ranges

Having the ability to mix and match the pace of Gallucci and McGrath in the back half and through midfield is intriguing.

22. Brisbane Lions

Jordan RIDLEY
Ht: 191.9cm | Wt: 79.7kg | Utility | Oakleigh Chargers

Ridley has been linked a bit to the Lions recently and would give them a versatile tall who uses the ball very well.

23. Brisbane Lions

Jack GRAHAM
Ht: 180.3cm | Wt: 81.1kg | Inside Midfielder | North Adelaide

The Larke Medallist’s name has come up with Brisbane often in recent times. He’d add some muscle to the midfield.

24. Greater Western Sydney (matched STK bid)

Isaac CUMMING
Ht: 184.2cm | Wt: 73.8kg | Medium Defender | North Adelaide/GWS Academy

There are a number of clubs that could bid for Cumming in this range – some possibly even earlier.

25. St Kilda

Sam POWELL-PEPPER
Ht: 186.5cm | Wt: 90.2kg | Medium Forward | East Perth

Powell-Pepper provides power and intensity in midfield and forward of centre. Aaron Hamill will love working with him.

26. Geelong

Cedric COX
Ht: 181.1cm | Wt: 78.6kg | Medium Defender | North Ballarat Rebels

Cox may well be gone by this point with the Bulldogs known to be big fans. He gives the Cats some speed and class on the outside.

27. Carlton

Willem DREW
Ht: 188.0cm | Wt: 79.3kg | Inside Midfielder | North Ballarat Rebels

Carlton could go tall, or small (with pace on the agenda), but Cripps needs help inside and Drew will provide that in time.

28. Western Bulldogs

__Ben LONG
Ht: 181.3cm | Wt: 72.9kg | Small Midfielder | St Marys/Footscray VFL

Long has been under the Dogs’ noses in their VFL team and if they want him, they will have to snap him up here as he won’t last.

29. Richmond

Elliot HIMMELBERG
Ht: 196.1cm | Wt: 89.2kg | Key Defender/Forward | Redland

If Powell-Pepper is available, he is likely to be the pick, but Himmelberg gives them a big raw body to play at either end.

30. Collingwood

Shai BOLTON
Ht: 174.7cm | Wt: 68.8kg | Small Forward | South Fremantle

On talent, Bolton should (and might) go much earlier. But if he were to slip through, the Pies would be hard-pressed to let him go.

The rest…

31. Essendon

Oscar McINERNEY
Ht: 204.0cm | Wt: 103.6kg | Ruckman | Casey Scorpions

32. Gold Coast (matched PA bid)

Brad SCHEER
Ht: 183.2cm | Wt: 83.7kg | Inside Midfielder | Palm Beach Currumbin/Gold Coast Academy

33. Port Adelaide

Dylan CLARKE
Ht: 185.7cm | Wt: 83.4kg | Inside Midfielder | Eastern Ranges

34. Port Adelaide

Kobe MUTCH
Ht: 186.1cm | Wt: 83.6kg | Outside Midfielder | Bendigo Pioneers/GWS Academy

35. Collingwood (matched NM bid)

Callum BROWN
Ht: 177.0cm | Wt: 72.2kg | Inside Midfielder | Eastern Ranges

36. North Melbourne

Luke RYAN
Ht: 185.7cm | Wt: 82.9kg | Hybrid Defender | Coburg

37. North Melbourne

Joe ATLEY
Ht: 185.6cm | Wt: 83.3kg | Inside Midfielder | Bendigo Pioneers

38. West Coast

Josh ROTHAM
Ht: 191.9cm | Wt: 77.4kg | Hybrid Defender | West Perth

39. Fremantle

Josh BEGLEY
Ht: 185.5cm | Wt: 96.1kg | Medium Forward | Eastern Ranges

40. St Kilda

Jack MAIBAUM
Ht: 191.9cm | Wt: 91.0kg | Key Defender | Eastern Ranges

41. Geelong

Tom STEWART
Ht: 187.7cm | Wt: 91.6kg | Medium Defender | Geelong VFL

42. Fremantle

Zac FISHER
Ht: 175.2cm | Wt: 70.3kg | Small Midfielder | Perth

43. Essendon

Josh BATTLE
Ht: 192.0cm | Wt: 88.5kg | Key Forward | Dandenong Stingrays

44. Geelong

Esava RATUGOLEA
Ht: 194.0cm | Wt: 93.6kg | Key Forward | Murray Bushrangers

45. Adelaide

Jonty SCHARENBERG
Ht: 183.2cm | Wt: 80.6kg | Inside Midfielder | Glenelg

46. Sydney

Jack HENRY
Ht: 191.0cm | Wt: 83.5kg | Hybrid Forward | Geelong Falcons

47. Collingwood (matched MELB bid)

Josh DAICOS
Ht: 177.8cm | Wt: 72.2kg | Small Forward | Oakleigh Chargers

48. Melbourne

Kym LEBOIS
Ht: 172.5cm | Wt: 67.5kg | Small Forward | North Adelaide

49. Greater Western Sydney (matched CARL bid)

Harrison MACREADIE
Ht: 195.5cm | Wt: 90.9kg | Utility | Henty/GWS Academy

50. Carlton

Patrick KERR
Ht: 193.4cm | Wt: 93.2kg | Key Forward | Oakleigh Chargers

51. Sydney

Harry MORRISON
Ht: 181.5cm | Wt: 77.6kg | Medium Defender | Murray Bushrangers

52. Western Bulldogs (bid not matched by GC)

Josh WILLIAMS
Ht: 188.7cm | Wt: 73.3 | Outside Midfielder | Hermit Park/Gold Coast Academy

53. Adelaide

Sam WALKER
Ht: 185.1cm | Wt: 79.2kg | Medium Defender | Glenelg

54. Brisbane Lions (matched WCE bid)

Declan WATSON
Ht: 191.4cm | Wt: 82.8 | Key Defender | Aspley

55. West Coast

Brandon PARFITT
Ht: 177.1cm | Wt: 78.8 | Small Midfielder | North Adelaide

56. West Coast (matched RICH bid)

Jake WATERMAN
Ht: 189.9cm | Wt: 93.7kg | Hybrid Forward | Claremont

57. Richmond

Corey LYONS
Ht: 180.5cm | Wt: 77.1kg | Hybrid Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons

58. Brisbane Lions (matched STK bid)

Jacob ALLISON
Ht: 193.4cm | Wt: 81.8kg | Utility | Aspley

59. St Kilda

Tom WILLIAMSON
Ht: 188.9cm | Wt: 78.5kg | Utility | North Ballarat Rebels

60. Collingwood

Sam McLARTY
Ht: 196.8cm | Wt: 90.9kg | Key Defender | Oakleigh Chargers

61. Carlton

Ben JARMAN
Ht: 172.5cm | Wt: 70.2kg | Small Forward | North Adelaide

62. Greater Western Sydney

Ben DAVIS
Ht: 185.8cm | Wt: 79.6kg | Medium Forward | UNSW

63. Geelong

Oliver HANRAHAN
Ht: 183.0cm | Wt: 74.0kg | Medium Forward | St Kevins

64. Carlton

Bailey MORRISH
Ht: 185.9cm | Wt: 80.7kg | Hybrid Defender | Dandenong Stingrays

65. Adelaide (bid not matched by GWS)

Zach SPROULE
Ht: 195.6cm | Wt: 88.5 | Key Forward/Defender | Murray Bushrangers

66. Essendon

Myles POHOLKE
Ht: 183.7cm | Wt: 81.9kg | Medium Forward | Dandenong Stingrays

67. Melbourne

Tim SMITH
Ht: 192.0cm Wt: 88.0kg | Key Forward | Casey Scorpions

68. Fremantle

Liam RYAN
Ht: 179.2cm | Wt: 70.4kg | Small Forward | Subiaco

69. Geelong

Oscar JUNKER
Ht: 190.7cm | Wt: 83.9kg | Hybrid Defender | Western Jets

70. Geelong

Cameron POLSON
Ht: 176.5cm | Wt: 77.2kg | Small Midfielder | Sandringham Dragons

71. Western Bulldogs

Kayle KIRBY
Ht: 181.1cm | Wt: 96.0kg | Medium Forward | Bendigo Pioneers

72. North Melbourne

Judah DUNDON
Ht: 185.0cm | Wt: 76.6kg | Outside Midfielder | Western Jets

73. Hawthorn

Louis CUNNINGHAM
Ht: 181.8cm | Wt: 76.6kg | Small Defender | Oakleigh Chargers

74. Hawthorn

Sam SIMPSON
Ht: 179.8cm | Wt: 64.5kg | Small Forward | Geelong Falcons

###Note:

• Deficits: Gold Coast – 418 (off 2017 2nd round), Brisbane Lions – 23 (off 2017 3rd round).

• Passes: All passes have been removed from the order, just as they are on the night.

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2016 Draft Big Boards...

5 May: Big Board 1.0 – Giants and Suns academy stars loom large

7th July: Big Board 2.0 – McCluggage moves into top spot

16th September: Big Board 3.0 – Four Dragons in the top eight

14th November: Top 50 prospects for 2016 AFL Draft – 26-50

17th November: Top 50 prospects for 2016 AFL Draft – 1-25

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