Talent runs deep in AFL draft: Sheehan
Greater Western Sydney (GWS) can grab the likes of the latest versions of Matthew Kreuzer and Dyson Heppell in the November draft, according to AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan.
The 2012 debutants will find a wealth of potential star players at their fingertips when they have to decide on which teenagers to take with their draft choices, Sheehan says.
GWS have the top three picks and nine of the first 15.
Western Australian captain Stephen Coniglio and Vic Metro forward Jonathon Patton are just a couple of names expected to go very high in the draft.
The AFL under-18 championships conclude this week. Division one's Vic Metro play Vic Country and South Australia face Western Australia on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium.
In division two, Queensland play Tasmania and Northern Territory take on NSW/ACT on Thursday at Skilled Stadium.
Coniglio, who is yet to decide on football or cricket as a career, has been in great form according to Sheehan.
"He has stood out through the midfield with his performances and you would have expected that," Sheehan said on Monday.
Midfielder/forward Coniglio kicked four goals for Swan Districts in last year's WAFL grand final, aged 16.
"Billy Longer, he comes from the Northern Knights where (Carlton's) Matty Kreuzer comes from," Sheehan added.
"He's another ruckman and he looks certainly an early choice in the draft, a 202cm guy with his speed and agility.
"He has played very well.
"Devon Smith (Vic Country) is a rover who is a collector of the footy through the midfield and a goalkicker who has had two great years in the championship.
"Jonathon Patton, a 197cm key forward, he looks to be a very special player and has lived up to his reputation."
Sheehan also nominates South Australian captain Chad Wingard as an outstanding prospect.
"That's the exciting part. In the year to come, many of these lads will excite the fans like Dyson Heppell has," Sheehan said.
"DysonHeppell last year was the most valuable player for Vic County and has not missed a beat in his first year with the Bombers."
Heppell was the No.8 Pick in the 2010 draft while Kreuzer went No.1 in 2007.
"The midfield group is very very good (for this year's draft)," Sheehan said.
"If they (GWS) were putting a blanket over 20 that they might be considering right now, I'd think they'd be very pleased.
"There's a very good crop that will go to GWS, you would think, at the draft in November."
Vic Metro skipper Longer said he has no doubt Patton will go No.1 in the draft.
"He has kicked five or so goals in a couple of games. He has been a major key player for us and it's great to have a target up forward that we can just rely on," Longer said.
"He has just been super so far so I can't see clubs looking past (him)."
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