2008 AFL Draft Review - Adelaide Crows

Adelaide went into the 2008 National Draft with five picks. Their first round pick was not until number 10 and it was expected that they would look at drafting a key position player. This rang true as the Crows took Phil Davis to go with their four other draftees at picks 28, 44, 60 and 72. Lets have a closer look at them.

Pick No. 10 – Phil Davis

Adelaide was always going to be in search of a quality key position prospect in this year’s draft. With Phil Davis still on the board at Pick 10 it was no surprise to see the Crows pick him. Davis has played both back and forward in his junior days so he brings that much needed versatility to Adelaide. He hasn’t played a heap of footy coming from Rugby background so he will no doubt be a work in progress for the Crows and someone you wouldn’t expect to play a hell of a lot of AFL football in 2009.

Davis also picked up a knee injury late in the preseason which looks likely to set back any chance he had of playing senior footy early in 2009.

Pick No. 28 – Shaun McKernan

McKernan was touted as a possible first round selection so many consider him to be the steal of the draft at Pick 28. McKernan is a very similar style of player to his brother Corey. He can play both in the ruck and up forward and has a great leap on him. Expect to see McKernan playing for Adelaide at some stage during the 2009 season.

Pick No. 44 – Rory Sloane

 

 
Rory Sloane is medium sized player who predominately plays in defense but has the ability to play in the midfield or even up forward if needed. He is very courageous and hard at the ball who relishes a contest. An area of his game that needs work is his kicking; it is usually pretty good however he does have the tendency to spray the odd one. His pace is acceptable but he’s is not the type who you could see breaking the lines running off half back.

Pick No. 60 – Thomas Lee

 

 
Thomas Lee is a tall forward from Claremont in the WAFL. He is quite athletic for his size and has good foot skills. Lee has played primarily school football for Scotch in WA. He still has quite of bit of growing to do as he is still fairly skinny. No doubt Lee will be a project player for Adelaide so don’t expect to see too much from him in 2009.

Pick No. 72 – William Young

 

 
William Young is a tall marking forward who played for North Ballarat in the TAC under 18 Championships. He has a very strong body for his age and was very effective in a one on one situation at his own age level. No doubt this won’t come as easy for him playing against men in the AFL. He also attacks the ball very hard.

Matt Rendell from Adelaide had the following to say after the Draft:

We rated them all pretty highly to tell you the truth. We’ve gone for a few tall blokes who are very competitive and versatile. The proof’s in the pudding in two or three years. Certainly in McKernan and Davis we feel that we’ve got a couple of bookends for the next 12 years.

It was no surprise to see Adelaide go after height in this draft with their lack of quality key forwards. Davis, McKernan, Lee and Young all have the ability to play as key forwards and are all over 190cm. Sloane was a handy pickup at 44 and gives them someone who can plug a hole and play a multitude of positions. The Crows will be very happy with the group of players they have come out of the draft with.

How do you think Adelaide fared at the draft? Do you think Phil Davis was the right choice for them at Pick 10? Leave us with your thoughts.