AFL talent experts have had their say on Port Adelaide’s draft haul with one claiming the club had a “huge” draft and was “one of the big winners”.
The Power scored four talented youngsters inside the first 25 picks, having negotiated a way to secure Sandringham Dragons midfielder Miles Bergman, Subiaco forward Mitch Georgiades and Oakleigh Chargers forward Dylan Williams before claiming father-son Jackson Mead after matching a bid from Sydney.
AFL National Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan said the club had a “pretty good” haul.
“Geez I’m happy with this group,” he said while analysing the haul on Fox Footy.
“You talk about the father-son (Jackson Mead) – a tough hard player so that’s wonderful for them and the two boys that have been injured Georgiades and Williams, they’ve got elite talent.
“They could have been top ten picks if this draft was a year ago in their 17th year, and Bergman has got the versatility, the size to play in a range of positions, he’s just turned 18, he could be a star of the game – so that’s a pretty good list that Port has been able to gather together.”
Another recruiting expert Gary Buckenara said getting Mead at pick 25 was a major win.
“All four boys taken in the national draft can really play but the big win was getting father-son Jackson Mead at pick No.25 because I really rate him and thought a bid would come in the first round – I had him rated as the 15th-best player in the draft,” Buckenara said in the Herald Sun.
“Instead, the Power were able to draft Miles Bergman, Mitch Georgiades and Dylan Williams before using their final pick on Mead. Huge win.
Buckenara said given Port Adelaide’s strategy since the end of 2017 to draft as much top-end talent as possible, there were “exciting times” ahead at Alberton.
“The Power have made an effort over the last two years to bring in more pure footballers and are building a good core of young players who play on instinct, have footy nous and take the game on.
“Dylan Williams has X-factor. All four are capable of playing next year and could have a similar impact as Connor Rozee and Zak Butters did this year.
“(It was a) huge draft for Port Adelaide, they’re definitely one of the big winners at this early stage.”
PORT ADELAIDE
DRAFT PICKS
Pick 14 - Miles Bergman: 186cm, 75kg, Mid/Fwd, Sandringham Dragons
Pick 18 - Mitch Georgiades: 191cm, 78kg, Forward, Subiaco
Pick 23 - Dylan Williams: 185cm, 79kg, Mid/Fwd, Oakleigh Chargers
Pick 25 - Jackson Mead (F/S): 184cm, 83kg, Mid/Fwd, Woodville West Torrens
ROOKIE PICKS
Pick 8 - Jake Pasini: 192cm, 81kg, Defender, Swan Districts
Pick 22 - Trent Burgoyne: 177cm, 70kg, Small forward, Woodville-West Torrens
Pick 32 - Boyd Woodcock: 174cm, 70kg, Small forward, Port Adelaide
Pick 38 - Riley Grundy: 194cm, 84kg, Defender, Port Adelaide
