WITH the 2021 trade period done and dusted, it is now time for clubs and fans alike to turn their attention to the draft. Between now and draft day (November 24/25), clubs have had the opportunity to exchange picks with the final order formed just over a week out. While the chaos settles, Rookie Me Central takes a look at how each club may approach the upcoming intake with the hand they formed at the close of trade period.

Next under the microscope is reigning premier, Melbourne, a club notorious for bolstering its first round stocks via trading which also has some club-tied talent to consider further down the order.

CURRENT PICKS: 17, 37, 49, 57

2022 PICKS: MEL Round 2, MEL Round 3, MEL Round 4

ACADEMY/FATHER-SON NOMINEES:

Mac Andrew (NGA), Andy Moniz-Wakefield (NGA), Taj Woewodin (F/S)

LIST NEEDS:

+ Outside run
+ Squad depth

FIRST PICK OPTIONS:
(Pick 17)

Having had great success moving up into the first round in recent drafts, Melbourne could look to package its first pick and move up the order, but is already well poised to nab a slider with pick 17. After bidding in the top five, the selection will inevitably move down to 19, but remains in a high-value and even range.

The Dees have recently shown their impartiality to high upside prospects and one looms as their talent of choice this time around. Blake Howes is the player in question, a forward marking target who also showed some of his best form up on a wing this year. At 190cm, he offers great range and athleticism to develop over time.

In a similar boat, Howes’ Sandringham Dragons teammate Mitch Owens is an option whose high ceiling has pushed his value upwards this year. The St Kilda NGA candidate has grown about 15cm since his Under 16 campaign, turning into a tall and hard running wingman who suits Melbourne’s needs, albeit right at the top of his range. The Saints would be unable to match a bid at pick 19.

Yet another Sandringham product, Campbell Chesser, would also suit the Dees’ need for speed on either side of midfield and is right in their hitting zone. Should Melbourne look for similar line-breaking dynamism elsewhere, Tom Brown and Darcy Wilmot offer exactly that across half-back, while Sam Butler is a clean and quick mid-forward in contention.

Of course, there is always a first round slider and Victorians Josh Sinn and Tyler Sonsie could serve as exactly that. Both were once considered top 10 talents and could prove many people wrong in the elite system. In terms of key position candidates, Jacob van Rooyen is a readymade swingman who could fill out Melbourne’s tall depth and continue the competitiveness come selection time in year one.

REMAINING CROP:

The Dees have some club-tied talent to consider at the national draft, and will hope any action comes after their third round pick (currently 49), giving them a haul consisting of around three live picks. With NGA product Mac Andrew set to land well within the top 20 and out of Melbourne’s reach, father-son nominee Taj Woewodin is the most likely to attract suitors with a bid in the third round. Andy Moniz Wakefield is the other NGA hopeful to consider, but looks more of a rookie prospect.

Down the order, Melbourne has the front-end talent to be able to target more developable and long-term prospects through the draft. They may look to further their stocks around the square and there is plenty of running power available.

With picks 37 and 49, they may hope the likes of Corey Warner, Sam Banks, and Cooper Murley are available. While respectively suited to different lines, they all carry the ball with intent and have strong athletic upside. Further to that, Kai Lohmann would be difficult to pass up if he gets that far, while Arthur Jones is another fast-improving wingman with a great speed-endurance mix.

In terms of key position targets, there are not too many which remain on the board, or would not be too much of a reach for Melbourne. If not for some mature-age depth in all posts, East Fremantle tall Jack Williams would be a handy slider to nab as apt ruck-forward cover for the future.

KEY QUESTIONS:

> Will Melbourne again make moves in the first round via live trading?
> How early will the Woewodin bid come in?
> Will Melbourne pick for needs, or select best available talent for pure squad depth?