COLLINGWOOD recruiting manager Derek Hine believes his club could get double the value with its first-round pick in Saturday’s NAB AFL Draft, such is the strength of the 2008 crop.

The Magpies have five selections in the draft, starting at pick 11, and Hine says they will focus on boosting their midfield straight-up.

In the lead-up to the draft, Collingwood has been linked with numerous high-calibre players including West Australian Tom Swift and Queenslander Dayne Beams.

However afl.com.au’s Matt Burgan – in his annual Phantom Draft – has deemed TAC Cup Grand Final hero Steele Sidebottom bound for Collingwood.

Whoever ends up landing at the Lexus Centre, Hine says the player would be snapped up inside the top 10 in any other year.

"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," Hine told CTV.

"Although it is not right up near the nose of the draft … in comparison to other years, the player that we will be bringing in will be comparative to pick five or six in previous years so we’re very fortunate in that [regard]."

Hine added that the midfield and defensive posts were key priorities heading into the draft.

"Our strategy in the first round will be to pick the best player," he said.

"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."

Collingwood, who took John McCarthy at No. 31 to open its 2007 selections, will continue at 29, 45, 46, and 73.