Draft Pick Upgrade.

[Kernal75]

Maybe pick 3-5 & Big Ben would get us Pick 1. We could also sweaten the deal by giving them a mid ranger like Ray.

[St Loxton]

i wouldnt want to loose big ben in a deal, hickey and rhys arent setting the world on fire. bens having his best season atm. would be looking for other ways to get it done.

[WinnersOnly]

It really depends on what our list managers see our current forward stocks developing into? Will White, Lee, Markworth & Sipposs be able to carry the load as we desperately need class midfielders which will be available at 3 or 4. To offer our only No 1 ruckman (McEvoy) is a big ask ! We have to remember we will be struggling for at least another 1-2 years so there will be other chances to get key forwards and Roo will play for a couple more years...

Remember Lockett was the best forward of all time and how many GF's did he win?

If it were my choice it would be true midfielders ....

[chook23]

Boyd best player simple.......

will be difficult to get that pick 1 though

He is a standout IMO

[Wayne42]

Don't understand why Boyd would not be our priority? We don't have a gun CHF unless I'm mistaken?!

We dont have any gun midfielders either

We don't have any guns....yet

[Jimmy O'Dea]

Emma Quayles article from The Age

If Boyd is really up for grabs, who will buy?

At a function on Monday, Matthew Lloyd told a group of teenage footballers how he ended up an Essendon player.

He remembered playing for the Western Jets in 1994, thinking he was too young to be drafted, when the Bombers traded Tony Delaney, Dale Kickett, Todd Ridley and Russell Williams to new club Fremantle for the rights to the best 16-year-old and No.4 pick in the draft.

Last month, Lloyd became an AFL Hall of Famer, after a 270-game, 926-goal career in which he played alongside that No.4 choice, Scott Lucas, for most of the time.
His reflections were interesting, given Greater Western Sydney's insistence this week it is willing to trade away this year's No.1 pick (read: Tom Boyd). Declarations like this can usually be taken with a lump, not a grain, of salt - high picks are worth a lot more than they were 20 years ago. But the Giants are a different case.

They really do need a couple of more mature players on their list: a ruckman and a key backman or two. They really do have one of everything when it comes to young talent. And they're one of just a few clubs that don't really need a strong, young marking forward around which to shape their team of the future.

They have a couple of them already, in Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton. They could well be slotting Lance Franklin in around them next year. But on the flip side, plenty of clubs could desperately do with Boyd.

Is he really up for grabs? Some clubs think there is no way at all. Others think there is a chance, but that it will cost them way too much, and therefore won't happen. Ask the Giants, and clubs weren't anywhere near realistic enough when they offered up players for the rights to Jaeger O'Meara two years ago. Ask the clubs who missed out on O'Meara, and the Giants just wanted more picks. The truth no doubt lies around the middle, but it will be interesting to see if clubs again baulk at the thought of losing an actual, established, very good player (or two), or if they become more bold.

Boyd has an injured ankle, meaning he won't play in today's final round of under-18 games. He is a natural, instinctive forward who can help out in the ruck, but has a bit to learn about playing in defence. He is an excellent mark, he reads the play well, he has all the physical attributes needed to play his position at a higher level and he is a dedicated, purposeful person. There is not another one like him in this year's draft.

What is he worth? The market will determine that. Could the Western Bulldogs, who will have a low pick, swap selections with the Giants and find a player to throw in? Could Carlton do something? Could Hawthorn, should it lose Buddy, find a way to replace him with Boyd? Could Collingwood get involved, to keep its list bubbling along?

Traditionally, there are just two reliable ways to get a star forward: with a high pick, or as a father-son. Someone should take this chance.

SIX TO WATCH

JOSH KELLY (Vic Metro)
Gets the ball. A lot. Reliable, hard working, hard running and skilful. Will play a lot of AFL games.

JAMES AISH (South Australia)
Composed, classy wingman who has already played in a SANFL grand final. Just back from shoulder surgery.

MATT SCHARENBERG (SA)
Put him to use anywhere: forward, back or anywhere else. Reads the play well, and is a competitor.

BEN LENNON (VM)
A natural, footy smart player who has spent most of his time playing as a half-forward but could move into the midfield.

JACK BILLINGS (VM)
Another half-forward: smart and sharp, capable of shaping games.

LEWIS TAYLOR (Vic Country)
One of the most dynamic players in the draft. Small, but keen to make things happen, and kicks with precision.

We wont get Boyd. Our recruiters must be all over Lewis Taylor. Gets the ball 30 times a game, super quick and is an elite kick. Wins his own footy and reads the play so well. A mid who kicks goals is also a bonus. Not sure why others have him behind Billings, Lennon, Aish, Kelly etc. Clubs who overlook his rare talent because of his size will regret it.