by Ben Waterworth (Twitter: @bjwaterworth)
LIVES will be changed tomorrow night when the AFL’s National Draft is held on the Gold Coast.
And four Eastern Ranges boys seem bound for a spot on an AFL club’s list.
We will have live coverage of the draft from 4pm on Thursday.
TOM BOYD
Born: 22/08/1995
Height: 200cm
Weight: 103kg
Clubs: Eastern Ranges/Norwood
Position: Forward
Attributes: Boyd has not been the preferred No. 1 pick for the entire year for no reason. He is so strong and imposing for a man with such an expansive skill set. Size wise, he is a readymade AFL player. His accurate kicking makes him one of the most damaging players in his age group.
Draft Range: No. 1 – guaranteed.
Interested Clubs: GWS – guaranteed.
MICHAEL APENESS
Born: 28/01/1995
Height: 200cm
Weight: 98kg
Clubs: Eastern Ranges/Donvale
Position: Forward/Ruck
Attributes: Apeness has developed significantly throughout the season, with many now considering him the second-best tall in the draft behind Boyd. He has played a lot of footy in the ruck this year, consistently providing his teammates first use of the footy with quality tap work. However Apeness has all the qualities to be a top-notch tall forward. He has fantastic hands and knows where the goals are.
Draft Range: 15 – 30
Interested Clubs: AFL.com.au has predicted Apeness will head to Port Adelaide with pick 21, as the Power are after a young tall forward. Yet the big man has been linked strongly to Sydney, but whether the Swans would take him at pick 15 remains a mystery. Fremantle, St Kilda and Adelaide may pick him up too.
DANIEL MCSTAY
Born: 24/06/1995
Height: 195cm
Weight: 87kg
Clubs: Eastern Ranges/Vermont
Position: Defense
Attributes: McStay is a lovely size to play a key role down in defence at an AFL club. For a man his size, he is agile, mobile, very strong above the head and has some terrific offensive weapons using his damaging left-foot. He is not afraid to take a big grab either, which he displayed in the TAC Cup preliminary final.
Draft Range: 25 – 40
Interested Clubs: AFL.com.au has predicted McStay will head to Brisbane with pick 28, however they may opt for another key defender in Jake Kolodjashnij from Tasmania. If that’s the case, he may head to Gold Coast or North Melbourne a few picks later.
MITCHELL HONEYCHURCH
Born: 02/03/1995
Height: 175cm
Weight: 67kg
Clubs: Eastern Ranges/Vermont
Position: Midfield/Forward
Attributes: Size will never stop Honeychurch, who has a competitive edge and a hunger for the contest. He wins plenty of the footy, as he’ll crash into the packs, extract the footy and distribute using clean disposal. He is the kind of player you would love to play alongside due to an infectious, in-your-face personality.
Draft Range: 40 – 60
Interested Clubs: Injuries to Honeychurch during the TAC Cup season might delay how early he is picked up in the draft. However Adelaide has shown some interest in the small midfielder and may pick him up with selection 46.
