AFL Draft: Did COLA take the fizz out of the Sydney Swans' draft record?

Mick Stirling

AFL Draft: Did COLA take the fizz out of the Sydney Swans' draft record? image

In the days leading up to the AFL draft Sporting News is taking a look at each club’s selections, needs, likely draftees and historical performance on draft day.

Do they like to load up on youth, or prefer to trade away early picks?

Will they lean towards home-grown talent or trust their systems to stop homesick kids leaving in a couple of years’ time?

MORE: The Sydney Swans' 2018 AFL season review

And what’s on this year’s shopping list: talls, midfielders or a creative small forward?

SYDNEY SWANS

Draft picks after the trade period: 26, 33, 38, 39, 40, 88

What Sydney needs

Sam Reid’s absence for the season highlighted the Swans’ dependence on Lance Franklin as a key forward and the need to find other options, especially considering Buddy’s age. Tom McCartin was handy but more help will be sought.

Sydney’s small forward stocks are healthy and, while the midfield has its share of veterans, Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills and Oliver Florent look ready to take over.

Running defenders will be prioritised as the Swans look to get support for Jake Lloyd, and bigger back men may also get a mention with Heath Grundy heading towards retirement and Alex Johnson officially no longer an option.

Sydney’s likely draftees

Academy gun Nick Blakey is the Swans’ first cab off the rank and he will no doubt be nominated inside the top 10 by another club. At 195cm Blakey can be the key forward Sydney needs, but he’s versatile enough to play as a tall midfielder, keeping their options open on later picks.

Nick Blakey

It will take a few points to get Blakey on board, but the Swans have stockpiled second-round picks and will still be active with some good talent available.

It’s possible they could go for Jacob Koschitzke, a strong-marking, big-bodied key defender and cousin of 200-game former Saint, Justin. He’s a NSW local and will be getting attention from clubs with selections around the late 20s, early 30s.

West Australian Damon Greaves is the running defender the Swans could do with and will be available in the late 30s.

Sydney’s draft history 1986 – 2017

Number of top-20 selections: 35

Average games played at the Swans by top-20 selections: 59.3

Most games played for the Swans by a top-20 selection
325 Jude Bolton (pick 8, 1998)
319 Jarrad McVeigh (pick 5, 2002)
223 Jarrad Crouch (pick 8, 1995)

Jude Bolton

Most games played for the Swans by later selections
372 Adam Goodes (pick 43, 1997)
303 Michael O’Loughlin (pick 40, 1994)
282 Ryan O’Keefe (pick 56, 1999)

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Most games played by rookie draft selections:
255 Heath Grundy (2005)
248 Kieren Jack (2007)
236 Brett Kirk (1999)

#Heath Grundy

In AFL draft history Sydney has …

… chosen to trade away a lot of early picks to bring in established stars, and it’s no surprise. While the Cost Of Living Allowance made it an easier option to take, the Swans’ poor record from first-round selections makes it a no-brainer, with the ‘average games played’ by top-20 selections the second worst in the league, only behind the recently-formed Gold Coast. 

#Tony Lockett

Mick Stirling