AFL hopefuls around the country are preparing for what could be the biggest day of their young lives with the 2017 NAB AFL Draft less than a month away.
It’s especially an exciting time for the Peel region, with Peel Thunder product Aaron Naughton largely considered the best West Australian in the talent pool.
Naughton has steadily climbed the ranks of this year’s crop throughout the season – an ascent that started with a blistering showing for WA at the national under 18s championships.
Shining for the Black Swans, the key defender earned a spot in the under 18s all-Australian side at centre-half-back before seamlessly transitioning to senior football with the Thunder.
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In seven league games at Peel, Naughton averaged 13.8 disposals and seven marks per game.
He is touted as a mid-first round talent in the draft, possibly cracking into the top 10, but he may appeal to teams with higher selections in need of a tall, athletic defender.
But which teams could make the most use of Naughton’s skill set? Here’s a look at some teams that might make the Rockingham junior an AFL player this November.
Fremantle
The Dockers threw water on the fire when asked about the possibility of taking Naughton before the trade period.
List manager Brad Lloyd told AFL.com.au’s Road to the Draft podcast that Fremantle was happy with their current key defender stocks, and wouldn’t look to draft Naughton with pick five.
However, that was before they pulled off the coup of the trade period and collected pick two from the Gold Coast in exchange for Lachie Weller.
Now the Dockers have the ability to use that second overall selection on the best available player, before focusing on home-grown talent and filling their needs with a genuine key position player at pick five, and Naughton fits the bill perfectly.
Fremantle have made the most of the “go-home factor” in today’s AFL, snaring players from other clubs like Brad Hill, Cam McCarthy, Joel Hamling and most recently, Mandurah lad Nathan Wilson.
Perhaps their focus on WA-raised talent will leak into the draft, in which case Naughton is their best bet.
Collingwood
The Magpies will pick directly after Fremantle’s second choice, with pick six their first selection, and they appear in dire need of quality key position players.
They have thrown up the idea of sending forward target Darcy Moore into defence in 2018, which highlights the juggling act they currently perform to get the right balance in their spine.
Outside of Moore, and the injury-prone Ben Reid, they start to slip in their tall stocks.
Naughton would certainly provide them with some much-needed rebound out of defence, and could slot straight into their best 22.
Western Bulldogs
The retirements of perennial stars Matthew Boyd and Robert Murphy could force the Bulldogs to sure-up their defence with their first draft choice, pick nine.
The loss of the duo is a huge blow to the Doggies’ rebounding ability off the half-back line, and Naughton’s strong marking and clean skills could help pick up the slack in their departure.
However, the Bulldogs do still boast names like Marcus Adams, Easton Wood and Matthew Suckling who all have played big roles in defence for several years, and adding an extra midfielder may be their top priority.
The Dogs also hold pick 16 in the draft.
Also in the mix
St Kilda boasts picks seven and eight, and while their midfield looms as a priority, Naughton would be a welcome addition to their defence. The Adelaide Crows lost Jake Lever in the trade period and may use pick 12 on the Peel Thunder boy.
Indicative first-round draft order
- Brisbane
- Fremantle
- Carlton
- North Melbourne
- Fremantle
- Collingwood
- St Kilda
- St Kilda
- Western Bulldogs
- Carlton
- Greater Western Sydney
- Adelaide
- West Coast
- Sydney
- Brisbane
- Western Bulldogs
- Richmond
The 2017 NAB AFL Draft will be held on Friday, November 24.