Afl.com.au’s resident draft expert Callum Twomey revealed his Phantom 2012 NAB AFL National Draft on Tuesday, sourced largely from the opinions of those from within the industry.

Twomey’s prediction has the Brisbane Lions snaring Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Jackson Macrae with their first selection (Pick No.8 overall).

His detailed rationale was as follows:

8. Brisbane Lions - Jackson Macrae
Height: 189cm
Weight: 76kg
DOB: 03/08/94
Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Draft range: 6-13

It's hard not to be impressed by Macrae's rise this year, which has seen him develop into one of the best midfielders of this crop. He finishes it as a top-10 pick, and as a Brisbane Lion. The Lions might look for a midfielder/wingman at this pick and Macrae will be the best available. He played every game for Vic Metro during the championships and then went back to the Oakleigh Chargers and averaged 28 disposals in the TAC Cup finals series. He has his own idiosyncrasies, like his baulking and sidestepping, and is working on a more polished kick, but he's creative and thinks through things when he has the ball. He would be able to step into an AFL midfield pretty comfortably.

View Jackson Macrae's video highlights
 
Twomey’s forecast, which was limited to the top 30 selections only, also had the Lions taking Gippsland Power midfielder Nick Graham with their second pick (No.24 overall).

24. Brisbane Lions - Nick Graham
Height: 183cm
Weight: 79kg
DOB: 12/06/94
Club: Gippsland Power
Draft range: 18-25

The Lions obviously need a tall but around this mark the best ones are probably gone, which leaves them taking the best player. It's Graham, an inside midfielder. This year's Morrish medallist is probably better at the moment when digging into contests, getting his hands on the ball and dishing it out. But he does have some offensive weapons and can make his disposals hurt when he finds some space. Averaged 18 disposals in four games for Vic Country.

View Nick Graham video highlights

The Phantom Draft also said the Lions were being heavily linked to the likes of Sam Mayes, Kristian Jaksch, and Tanner Smith.

History suggests that the AFL Phantom Drafts can be a bit hit and miss - particularly given the amount of unknowns that are associated with the event.

In the past five years, the AFL Phantom Draft has correctly guessed three of the Club’s first selections - Billy Longer (Pick No.8 in 2011), Callum Bartlett (Pick No.27 in 2009), and Lachlan Henderson (Pick No.8 in 2007).

However, they got it wrong in 2010 and 2008, when the Club selected Jared Polec and Daniel Rich respectively, instead of Dyson Heppell (Essendon) and Chris Yarran (Carlton).

So has Callum Twomey got it right this time?

All will be revealed this Thursday night, when the 2012 NAB AFL National Draft is held on the Gold Coast.

Keep posted to lions.com.au from 6:30pm this Thursday 22 November for all the latest news, videos and updates from the Draft.