CTV> Hine previews the 2008 AFL national draft

The 2008 AFL National Draft will take place on Saturday 29 November at the Telstra Dome.

Collingwood’s national recruiting manager, Derek Hine, spoke with CTV ahead of the important day.

“It’s a really exciting time for the footy club,” Hine told CTV on Thursday.

“This year’s draft will be a culmination of two or three years work.”

Collingwood will go into the draft with picks 11, 29, 45, 46, and 73.

“I think this year’s draft is an exceptional first round so I think we are pretty fortunate that we are picking at pick 11.

"Although it is not right up near the nose of the draft it is certainly, I suppose in comparison to other years, the player that we will be bringing in will be comparative to pick five or six in previous years.”

Hine believes the club will take the best available player with pick 11 and then utilise the remaining picks to strengthen the areas where youth is needed.

“We need to really address our midfield and bolster our stocks and also a key position player, especially in defence.

“We are not only conscious that Shane (Wakelin) has gone out but also Scotty Burns going out and a few of our more prominent midfielders like Shane O’Bree getting to the ends of their careers.”

This will be Hine’s seventh draft campaign since he arrived at the club in 2002 (Hine was the development manager from 2002-2004 and took over as national recruiting manager in 2004).

“I think we are reasonably balanced in most areas and now it’s about looking at our needs and then addressing those needs where we possibly can.”

Stay tuned to Collingwoodfc.com.au on the morning of the draft to participate in a LIVE blog.  Have your questions answered and find out everything that is happening from a Collingwood perspective throughout the draft.