AFL.com.au draft expert Callum Twomey has tipped the Crows to take two local players in Tuesday night’s National Draft at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
In his 2015 Phantom Draft, Twomey has predicted that Adelaide will pounce on Central District half-forward/midfielder Wayne Milera with its first selection.
Twomey has forecast four academy players, Callum Mills (Sydney Swans), Jacob Hopper (GWS), Matthew Kennedy (GWS) and Eric Hipwood (Brisbane Lions), to receive bids in the top 12. This would push the Crows’ pick from No.9 to No.13. Twomey has backed the Crows to bid for both Kennedy and Hipwood – bids that he expects to be matched by the Giants and Lions, respectively.
Also read The Draft: some key questions
With Adelaide’s second and final ‘live’ pick, Twomey believes skilful North Adelaide forward Ryan Burton could be in contention. As a result of the academy bidding, this selection would slide a few places from No.13 to No.16 according to the draft guru.
The Club’s third selection will be used to confirm rookie Jake Kelly’s promotion to the senior list.
See Callum Twomey’s Phantom Draft of the top 30 picks in full
Twomey’s take …
No.13 – Adelaide
WAYNE MILERA
14/9/97, 185cm, 75kg
Central District
With a few shimmies and some very nice performances at senior level late in the season, Milera's stocks rocketed in the second half of the season. Some clubs see him as one of the most talented three or four players in the draft, such are his silky skills, smarts and evasiveness in traffic. He just doesn't get caught. Milera will start as a half-forward, but he can also move into the midfield and be used across half-back if required where his ball use sets up the play. He kicked three goals and starred in a senior SANFL final, and has real brilliance. The Crows have seen him develop his game this season and he would add a nice element of polish to their set-up.
If not him? It will be a big, big call for the Crows if Milera and Charlie Curnow are both still available. Fellow local Ryan Burton could be a shot here for the Crows, while key defender Kieran Collins might also be in contention at one of their choices.
No.16 – Adelaide
RYAN BURTON
31/1/97, 191cm, 90kg
North Adelaide
Burton is perhaps the hardest player in the pool to assess, purely because he hasn't played for 15 months since a severe leg and knee injury last year. But with enough club medicos believing he will be able to recapture his best form and fitness, he is in the mix as a first-round prospect. Burton is a marking and leaping half-forward who has natural footy instincts: he twists and turns and makes space, and manages to step up when his team needs him. In the future, he wants to play in the midfield, where his size and smarts would make him an imposing player in that area.
If not him? The Crows like Harley Balic and could go with him here, they've been linked to Callum Ah Chee and Kieran Collins, and one of Charlie Curnow or Harry McKay could surprisingly get through.
See the Herald Sun’s Phantom Draft
Champion Data’s draft rankings
