2008 AFL Draft Review – North Melbourne Kangaroos

North Melbourne went into the 2008 National Draft with five picks including their top pick at 9. They came out with a group of predominately midfielders highlighted by Jack Ziebell at Pick 9. Along with Pick 9 the Kangaroos also had picks 27, 43, 59 and 71. Let’s have a closer look at them.

Pick No. 9 – Jack Ziebell

There was no surprise on Draft Day when North Melbourne selected Jack Ziebell with their first pick. Ziebell is a tough and hard player who can play in multiple positions, usually in defence or in the midfield. His kicking on both sides of his body is very good and he is great in close and around the clearances. The area of his game that meant he wasn’t in the elite bracket of youngsters was his lack of pace over 40 or 50 metres. Expect to see Ziebell figuring prominently in North Melbourne’s best 22 in Season 2009.

Pick No. 27 – Samuel Wright

 

 
Sam Wright is a medium sized half forward/midfielder from the Murray Bushrangers. He is very good over his head for his size and is clever around the goals. Wright played very well in the Under 18 Grand Final showing that he is not daunted on the big stage. The area of his game that he will need to work on is his consistency, as he can go missing in games on occasions. Looking at Wright he is a dead ringer for Dale Thomas.

Pick No. 43 – Liam Anthony

 

 
Liam Anthony is a medium sized midfielder drafted from East Fremantle in the WAFL. Anthony has very good ball winning ability and when he gets the ball he more often than not uses it effectively. Anthony has the added advantage of having played senior football against men in the WAFL so the physical step up to the AFL won’t be as greater leap for him as it is for many other players.

Pick No. 59 – Nathan O’Keefe

 

 
Nathan O’Keefe is a medium sized forward from the Eastern Ranges. O’Keefe is a very strong mark and kicked 5 goals playing on Number 5 draft pick Michael Hurley earlier in the season.

Pick No. 71 – Warren Benjamin

 

 
Warren Benjamin is a medium sized midfielder from Claremont in the WAFL. Benjamin is a very good athlete with exceptional pace and a great leap. He is very hard at the contest and will never take a backward step. He played most of 2008 in the Colts for Claremont so obviously needs to take the next step to make it as a league footballer.

Bryce Lewis from North Melbourne had the following to say after the Draft:

“All the way through we were in a position where we weren’t sure what was going to come to us. When Cameron Joyce came to the club he put forward an analysis of our list and the midfield was an area we needed to address. Coming into today our philosophy was [pick the] best player with those needs in mind.”

North Melbourne drafted predominately midfielders and would be happy with Ziebell at Pick 9. Wright, Anthony and Benjamin along with Ziebell booster North Melbourne’s midfield stocks, whilst O’Keefe gives them something to work with as key forward for the future. Personally, I feel the Kangaroos should have looked at another key position player but only time will tell if this is a correct assumption.

How do you think North Melbourne fared at the draft? Do you think it was the right move to draft predominately midfielders? Leave us a comment with your thoughts.