The AFL’s much publicised phantom draft was released on afl.com.au today.

With selections 13 and 57 at the clubs disposal, the phantom draft predicts the SUNS will recruit East Fremantle’s Josh Simpson with its prized first pick.

Josh Simpson
Height: 184cm
Weight: 72kg
DOB: 09/02/94
Club: East Fremantle
Draft range: 12-17
The SUNS have long been fans of Simpson and there was talk earlier this year that they might even be tempted to choose him if they had kept their pick two. They didn't, and got Jack Martin, Simpson's close friend from Western Australia, with that pick through the mini-draft. The SUNS have done a lot of work on Simpson, who moved from South Australia back to Perth at the end of last season to be closer to his family. He's very quick, takes on opponents, and zips through congestion.

Others players that have been closely linked to the SUNS include:

Sam Mayes
Height: 187cm
Weight: 78kg
DOB: 20/05/94
Club: North Adelaide
Draft range: 7-13
Although he might not have been at his best through the national championships, Mayes returned to form at the end of the season for SANFL club North Adelaide and reminded everyone of his talent. Perhaps one of the best kicks in the draft, Mayes is an athletic forward who can move through the midfield and do it with ease. He takes marks, he leads hard at the ball, and he is the perfect size for the modern player. He will inject all those traits into Port Adelaide, who rate him well within the best 10 or 12 players available this year. The fact he is a homegrown talent is also an important consideration for the Power, given the recent loss of homesick defender Ben Jacobs. In the mix: Brisbane Lions. They really like Mayes and have done a lot of work on him, but he could even get as far as the Gold Coast at 13.


Nathan Hrovat
Height: 175cm
Weight: 79kg
DOB: 07/07/94
Club: Northern Knights
Draft range: 15-22
There's a feeling at the Roos that they might need another midfielder to help bolster their ranks, and Hrovat is the guy to do it. If not for a few cm, Hrovat would be an outside chance to be a top-10 selection. Despite being one of the shorter midfielders, Hrovat has worked hard to be strong over the ball, and he is. He keeps his feet, sets up the play, and is a neat user of the ball. He was a standout for Vic Metro during the championships, winning its most valuable player award, and he just knows where to go and what to do to get the ball in his hands.

Tim Membrey
Height: 189cm
Weight: 88kg
DOB: 25/05/94
Club: Gippsland Power
Draft range: 14-26
Membrey is an interesting one, because most scouts think he's about an inch short of being a proper key position prospect. But the reality is, Membrey has some really good skills that make him a nice option for the Bulldogs. He reads the ball well, contests it in the air, and has a beautiful set-shot kick. He pushed himself up the order with a sensational TAC Cup finals series, including a dominant eight-goal haul in the preliminary final for Gippsland. The Bulldogs need a forward desperately, and Membrey is a good one at 22.

Jesse Lonergan
Height: 182cm
Weight: 91kg
DOB: 14/11/94
Club: Launceston
Draft range: 13-24
The Swans clearly have most bases covered on the back of their premiership, but they love inside midfielders and Lonergan's one of the best out there. The Tasmanian is a lot like his uncle Sam, former Bomber, but has a more explosive streak that helps him not only win the ball in a contest, but then burst away from it. He's physically ready, too, with a man's body and senior experience for Launceston, where he debuted as a 15-year-old.