2008 AFL Draft Review – Collingwood Magpies

Like most other teams Collingwood went into the 2008 AFL Draft with five picks using them all. Their first pick was Pick 11 where they selected last years TAC Cup Grand Final hero Steele Sidebottom. Their other picks were at 29, 45, 46 and 73, surprising everyone with their final pick. Let’s have a closer look at their draftees.

Pick No. 11 – Steele Sidebottom

Collingwood would have been rapt when Steele Sidebottom was still available at Pick 11. Sidebottom is best known for his amazing TAC Cup Grand Final where he finished with 32 possessions, 14 marks, 11 inside 50’s, 10 goals and 3 behinds. Sidebottom is a very versatile player who can generally play in any area of the ground. He has great football smarts and don’t be surprised if he is in Collingwood’s best 22 come Round 1 2009.

Pick No. 29 – Dayne Beams

 

 
Dayne Beams is a medium sized player from Southport in Queensland. He is mainly used through the midfield but has also had stints playing up forward and in the back line. He is a very good ball winner which highlighted his strong National Under 18 championships. Beams foot skills are good and he is very hard at the ball, showing courage when needed. An area of his game that he may need to work on is his work when he doesn’t have the ball. But I’m sure as his fitness base grows and he gets to Collingwood this will no doubt improve.

Pick No. 45 – Jarrad Blight

 

 
Jarrad Blight is another versatile player that the Pies have drafted. He is 189cm so he is a good size and is very athletic (very good speed and agility). He was only 17 at the time of getting drafted so he is very much a project player for Collingwood and someone you wouldn’t expect to see too much of in 2009.

Pick No. 46 – Luke Rounds

 

 
Luke Rounds is a medium sized midfielder from the Geelong Falcons. He is another bottom ages player who is very quick and has the ability to win his own ball. He works very hard around the ground and is a good decision maker. He had very good results at the NAB AFL State Screening session.

Pick No. 73 – Leigh Brown

 
Leigh Brown is a former Fremantle and North Melbourne utility who has played 181 AFL games. Collingwood would have picked him up with the view to replacing Shane Wakelin and just giving them some extra depth in the back half.

Derek Hine from Collingwood had the following to say after the Draft:

It did (fall into place). Everyone comes out of the draft happy with what they’ve got. We’ve got four players who were in our first 30-odd selections of our ratings, and that was very needs orientated so we’re really pleased.

Collingwood really focused on improving its midfield in this draft and it has done so nicely. Sidebottom was a great get for them at Pick 11 and he looks as though he will be able to slot into the senior side in 2009. Beams is another that probably fell a bit later than was expected. Blight gives them a raw young player with plenty of potential to work with and Rounds will help to add depth to the midfield. Leigh Brown was the interesting selection but with Shane Wakelin retiring it probably gives them the extra experience down back to replace him and someone who they can throw up forward if need be.

How do you think Collingwood fared at the draft? Do you think Steele Sidebottom was a steal for them at Pick 11? Leave us with your thoughts.