There have been more twists and turns than a James Bond movie, with the Stephen Hill/Daniel Rich scenario at No.3, complicating the order immensely.
Jack Watts (No.1 – Melbourne) and Nicholas Naitanui (No.2 – West Coast) look locked in, with Hill now almost certain for Fremantle at No.3.
Now it appears, Essendon will shape the draft.
Michael Hurley, Steele Sidebottom and Daniel Rich are the most likely contenders for the Bombers pick No.5. The hot tip is Hurley or Sidebottom. It will be fascinating to see what eventuates.
From there, No.6 to No.11 will also be intriguing. Where does Daniel Rich fit? Could he land at Carlton at No. 6, or even filter through to Collingwood at No.11?
Chris Yarran (Carlton – No.6), Jack Ziebell (Brisbane Lions – No.7) and Tyrone Vickery (No.8) are now shaping as the most likely scenarios.
North Melbourne is in the position of waiting to see who slides through. It is understood to have Sidebottom as top priority, but will it be Rich if he gets through to the Roos’ pick No. 9?
It would be a huge surprise if Adelaide didn't take Jackson Trengove or Phil Davis with pick No. 10 although Shaun McKernan can't be discounted. But the late word on Davis is that the Hawks (pick No. 17) appear to be his club.
The Sydney Swans are also very interesting. One strong scenario has been that the Swans will take a player many believe will be a second-rounder with their first pick, No. 12. In recent days, the word has been they’ll go for Mitch Brown.
There is also plenty of interest to see which way St Kilda (No. 13) goes in the draft.
Tom Lynch has been strongly tipped as top-20 selection now and the word is the Saints could be the club for him.
Melbourne and West Coast will also be massive players in the backend of the top 20.
Expect Ryan Schoenmakers (although he has also been linked with the Swans in recent days) to be a 15-20 selection.
Lewis Johnston still seems a selection in the teens, although No.9 can't be discounted for North Melbourne, considering the Bombers are right into Sidebottom at No.5. Geelong and Melbourne will be eagerly-awaiting to see where Johnston fits into the equation.
Sam Blease also looms as a No.13-No.17 pick with Melbourne certain to have a look at him closely, if he is still available.
Dayne Beams, Jordan Roughead, James Strauss and Nick Suban seem the others most likely in Melbourne's mix.
David Zaharakis is right back in the mix for West Coast at No.18 or No.20 and don't expect to see him last longer than No.26.
The only certainty in this draft is Ayce Cordy at No.14 for the Western Bulldogs. He was confirmed in October via the father/son rule. His placing has been the only constant in arguably the most difficult draft to order in years.
But it looms as one of the most exciting to watch unfold.
Matt Burgan’s latest top 20
1 – MELBOURNE – Jack Watts
2 – WEST COAST EAGLES – Nicholas Naitanui
3 – FREMANTLE – Stephen Hill
4 – PORT ADELAIDE – Hamish Hartlett
5 – ESSENDON – Michael Hurley
6 – CARLTON – Chris Yarran
7 – BRISBANE LIONS – Jack Ziebell
8 – RICHMOND – Tyrone Vickery
9 – NORTH MELBOURNE – Steele Sidebottom
10 – ADELAIDE – Jackson Trengove
11 – COLLINGWOOD – Daniel Rich
12 – SYDNEY SWANS – Mitchell Brown
13 – ST KILDA – Tom Lynch
14 – WESTERN BULLDOGS – Ayce Cordy
15 – GEELONG – Lewis Johnston
16 – HAWTHORN – Phil Davis
17 – MELBOURNE – Sam Blease
18 – WEST COAST EAGLES – Tom Swift
19 – MELBOURNE – Ryan Schoenmakers
20 – WEST COAST EAGLES – David Zaharakis
