Cats exit another win for Tigers

As the Tigers prepare for their first Grand Final since 1982, the club’s draft position improved thanks to Geelong’s preliminary final exit.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE 2017 NATIONAL DRAFT ORDER

The Tigers own Geelong’s first-round draft pick – via Carlton and GWS – meaning Richmond will have pick No.15 as well as 16 or 17 depending on Saturday’s result.

Greater Western Sydney also bowed out of the premiership race but will not have a first-round draft pick due to sanctions stemming from the Lachie Whitfield drug ban.

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The Giants were penalised 1000 draft points but do have two second-round picks.

Brisbane and St Kilda also have two first-round draft picks, the Lions owning Port Adelaide’s pick (No.12) while the Saints snared Hawthorn’s (No.7) in a controversial pick swap last year.

INDICATIVE AFL DRAFT FIRST-ROUND ORDER

1. Brisbane Lions

2. Gold Coast Suns

3. Carlton

4. North Melbourne

5. Fremantle

6. Collingwood

7. St Kilda (from Hawthorn)

8. St Kilda

9. Western Bulldogs

10. Melbourne

11. Essendon

12. Brisbane Lions (from Port Adelaide, via Gold Coast)

13. West Coast

14. Sydney Swans

15. Richmond (from Geelong, via Carlton and GWS)

16. Richmond

17. Adelaide

** GWSGiants have been docked 1000 draft points over the Lachie Whitfield drugs suspension and will lose their first-round draft pick as a result.

SECOND ROUND

18. Brisbane Lions

19. Gold Coast Suns

20. Geelong (from Carlton)

21. North Melbourne

22. Gold Coast (from Fremantle)

23. GWS Giants (from Collingwood)

24. Gold Coast (from Hawthorn)

25. GWS Giants (from St Kilda)

26. Western Bulldogs

27. Melbourne

28. Essendon

29. Port Adelaide

30. West Coast

31. Sydney Swans

32. Hawthorn (from GWS, via Carlton)

33. Geelong

34. Gold Coast (from Richmond)

35. Adelaide

2017’S TOP DRAFT PROSPECTS

CAMERON RAYNER (Vic Metro, Western Jets)

Comparisons to Dustin Martin can’t help but boost his draft value. At 187cm he’s the same height as Dusty, plays the same role as the Tigers superstar and has the haircut to match as well. Rayner kicked off his under-18 carnival for Vic Metro with 23 disposals against WA and destroyed SA with 16 possessions, seven marks and five goals.

LUKE DAVIES-UNIACKE (Vic Country, Dandenong Stingrays)

Seen as the outstanding midfielder in the 2017 draft class, the 187cm inside midfielder also has similar traits to Martin or Christian Petracca. While injuries have been an issue in the past, his draft season has been excellent with his stoppage work a highlight.

PADDY DOW (Vic Country, Bendigo Pioneers)

Midfielder with great character who cuts angles, kicks goals, can win clearances and marks overhead. Seven of the eight Victorians the Lions have drafted over the past two years have been country boys. Bagged two goals from 35 disposals on Sunday.

JARROD BRANDER (NSW/ACT, Bendigo Pioneers)

After losing his GWS Academy eligibility, Brander has been in the sights of every team. However, don’t expect him to last long on draft night as the top key forward prospect. At 195cm, the NSW product has the size but also the athleticism to make a mark in the AFL.

DARCY FOGARTY (South Australia, Glenelg)

Fogarty’s under-18 championships campaign was ruined by a knee injury and surgery in July brought his draft season is an early end. However, the South Australian started the year as a No. 1 contender due to his versatility. At 192cm, Fogarty can play forward, across half-back and in the midfield.

JAIDYN STEPHENSON (Vic Metro, Eastern Ranges)

The X-factor option in the 2017 draft, Stephenson has developed into a midfielder with Eastern Ranges this season. His 39-disposal performance against Sandringham certainly caught the eye. At 189cm, the youngster has plenty of upside and could be a surprise selection depending on the club.