Academy watch

[707]

Just reading Champion Data's 2014 AFL Prospectus, this annual publication is an absolute bible.

Every edition they name 25 top draft prospects for the following years draft and even twelve months out they have historically been very accurate.

So that makes their top 25 for the 2014 National Draft interesting because Isaac Heeney is in their list. They say "A natural inside midfielder with a great attitude. Should go the next step in 2014. Plays like Steele Sidebottom". Heney will be subject to the Father-Son style bidding from other clubs prior to the trade period but hopefully we can get him without having to use our first draft pick.

In their comments on the 2013 National Draft they say about Lloyd Perris "The biggest steal of the draft".

[liz]

They say "A natural inside midfielder with a great attitude. Should go the next step in 2014. Plays like Steele Sidebottom".

That's a very odd description because I wouldn't describe Sidebottom as a natural inside midfielder. In fact, I'd say he's the ultimate hard working outside midfielder - hard working, great endurance, not great pace but knows how to accumulate. Stanton is similar.

[Ludwig]

We should have a good chance of snaring Heeney after the second round because with a strong draft for KPPs predicted, clubs may not want to commit on a midfielder with a second round pick.

One of the more likely clubs to be looking at Heeney, Melbourne, because of the Roos connection, may have to commit their own 2nd round pick to a their F/S selection in Billy Stretch, who may get bidders in the first round.

It would be great for the Swans to conserve their 1st 2 picks to use for KPPs, as we have such a strong list of young midfielders, which are likely to be added to by Heeney in this year's draft and perhaps Dunkley and Callum Mills the following year.

Add to those 3, Bird, the Jacks, Perris, Dan Robinson and Tom Mitchell, and you have the possibility of as many 9 FS and Academy midfielders that could be on our list 2 years out.

[707]

.......... One of the more likely clubs to be looking at Heeney, Melbourne, because of the Roos connection, may have to commit their own 2nd round pick to a their F/S selection in Billy Stretch, who may get bidders in the first round ........

Billy Stretch (midfielder) is in the 2014 Champion Data Top 25, as is Darcy Moore (KPF), Collingwood Peter's son, also Liam Griffiths a GWS Academy midfielder so looks like a bit of serious F/S and Academy bidding this year if they all hold or improve their ratings.

The ideal scenario is to get two highly rated players in the same year, that's when you get a bargain ala Wester Bulldogs in 2010 getting Wallis and Liberatore for picks 22 & 44.