Game Day 2022 AFL National Draft Thread (North's current picks - Sheezel, Wardlaw, #23, #63)

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2022 REPLAYS

Metro v Young Guns: Colgate Young Guns v Victoria Metro - Round 1
Country v Young Guns: Colgate Young Guns v Vic Country - Round 2
Fitzroy Cubs v Carlton VFL: AFL Diversity Talent Programs
Match Replay: NAB AFL Academy v Collingwood
Match Replay: 2022 SA v Allies: 2022 NAB AFL National Championships - U18

AFL DRAFT COMBINE RESULTS 2022

Vertical Jump

75cm – Darcy Jones (WA)
75cm – James Van Es (VIC C)
72cm – Jack O’Sullivan (VIC M)
70cm – Olli Hotton (VIC M)
70cm – Reuben Ginbey (WA)
70cm – Elijah Hewett (WA)
69cm – Jacob Konstanty (VIC C)
68cm – Blake Drury (VIC M)
68cm – Tyrell Dewar (WA)
68cm – Josh Weddle (VIC M)
68cm – Edward Allan (WA)

Running Vertical Jump

98cm – James Van Es (VIC C)
90cm – Josh Weddle (VIC M)
90cm – Will Verrall (SA)
89cm – Jack O’Sullivan (VIC M)
87cm – Darcy Jones (WA)
87cm – Mattaes Phillipou (SA)
84cm – Toby McMullin (VIC M)
83cm – Mitch Szybkowski (VIC C)
83cm – Reuben Ginbey (WA)
83cm – Anthony Munkara (ALLIES)
83cm – Lachlan Cowan (ALLIES)

Agility

7.072sec – Darcy Jones (WA)
8.182sec – Jaxon Binns (VIC C)
8.217sec – Elijah Hewett (WA)
8.247sec – Steely Green (WA)
8.255sec – Edward Allan (WA)
8.267sec – Luke Teal (VIC M)
8.285sec – Toby McMullin (VIC M)
8.292sec – Jacob Konstanty (VIC C)
8.325sec – Harry Rowston (ALLIES)
8.343sec – Noah Long (VIC C)

20m Sprint

2.814sec – Edward Allan (WA)
2.880sec – Toby McMullin (VIC M)
2.883sec – Coby Burgiel (VIC C)
2.910sec – James Van Es (VIC C)
2.912sec – Darcy Jones (WA)
2.924sec – Olli Hotton (VIC M)
2.928sec – Reuben Ginbey (WA)
2.929sec – Cooper Vickery (VIC C)
2.937sec – Josh Weddle (VIC M)
2.951sec – Lloyd Johnston (ALLIES)

2km Time Trial

5min 54sec – Ollie Hollands (VIC C)
5min 54sec – Jason Gillbee (ALLIES)
6min 00sec – Jaxon Binns (VIC C)
6min 03sec – Josh Weddle (VIC M)
6min 15sec – Reuben Ginbey (WA)
6min 16sec – Jakob Ryan (SA)
6min 17sec – Steely Green (WA)
6min 21sec – Will Dowling (SA)
6min 25sec – Blake Drury (VIC M)
6min 25sec – Seth Campbell (ALLIES)
6min 25sec – Mattaes Phillipou (SA)
Player Profiles and Updated Top 50 - Post Championships & Combine.

Comment -
Not much changed in the top 5,but a fair bit has changed beyond that. Also added in half a dozen more profiles which mostly feature at the end.

1. Will Ashcroft 06/05/04 - Sandringham Dragons - 183cm Midfielder - Professional and balanced midfielder who accumulates the footy at will. Consistency at all levels has been seriously impressive. Has nominated Brisbane to be a F/S selection. Will no doubt be taken inside the top 2 picks. Unfortunately didn't test at the combine.

2. George Wardlaw 18/07/04 - Oakleigh Chargers - 182cm Midfielder - Tough, fast and explosive inside midfielder. Has the ability to take first possession and explode from the contest making him very damaging. Had a tough run over the past 3 months with re-occurring hamstring injuries. Has excellent defensive intent and pressure. Didn't test at the combine as a precaution.

3. Harry Sheezel 13/10/04 - Sandringham Dragons - 183cm Forward/Mid - Classy half forward/mid who can find space in a phone booth. Sums up situations quickly and can hit the hardest of kicks. Duel sided, smart, and excellent over head. Composure and overhead marking a real feature in his game. Question marks on his speed and ability to transition to the midfield at AFL level, but I think he has the footy IQ to overcome those deficiencies.

4. Aaron Cadman 03/03/04 – GWV Rebels – 194cm Forward - High work rate and elite leading CHF. Works up and down the ground and get involved in possession chains. Has dynamic movement for a big man and is a decent grab, particularly on the lead. Needs to improve his set shot goal kicking. Cadman is no doubt the premier key forward in this years draft class, but I still have concerns about his height and game style and whether that will translate to being a 50+ goal key forward at AFL level.

5. Elijah Tsatas 18/10/04 - Oakleigh Chargers - 184cm Midfielder - Powerful running midfielder who can play inside and outside. He is a true line breaker, with a combination of long running gait and long kicking. High footy IQ with positioning around the ground allowing him to always stay involved. Kicking can sometimes be a little bit hit and miss. Missed a big portion of the year due to a foot fracture.

6. Oliver Hollands 16/01/04Murray Bushrangers – 182cm Midfielder/Defender - Versatile midfielder who can play inside/outside, wing or across half back. Has an elite tank, and is arguable one of the best disposer in the draft. A long kick who can also provide some run and carry. Won the 2km time trial at the combine to highlight his elite running capacity. Have him ranked far higher than others mainly due to his kicking.

7. Bailey Humphrey 11/09/04 – Gippsland Power – 184cm Forward - A tough and a powerful athlete who loves the physical side of the game. A real game breaker with his overhead contested marking, goal kicking, physicality and ability to step up in pressure situations. Large scope of development due to his power and general footy IQ.

8. Mattaes Phillipou 27/12/04 – Woodville-West Torrens – 192cm Midfielder/Forward - Powerful left footer who can break the game open either in the midfield or across half forward. Strong overhead and has goal kicking ability when playing forward. Huge amount of upside, but no obvious best position at AFL level at this stage.

9. Jedd Busslinger 11/03/04 - East Perth - 195cm – Defender - Elite intercept defender who is good overhead but also has an excellent kick for a big man. Isn't afraid to take the game on, but also can lock down on the big tall forwards. Equally at home to playing that third tall interceptor role. Has a slight frame at this stage so will take some time to mature before playing AFL footy. While I think he is an elite intercept defender I do have concerns as to whether he will be big enough (physically) to play as a genuine KP at AFL level.

10. Cam Mackenzie 21/01/04 – Sandringham Dragons – 187cm Forward/Mid - Rarely plays a bad game and has benefitted from playing alongside Ashcroft. Can win the footy at the coal face but can also provide some run on the outside. Is crafty around goal when resting forward.

11. Jhye Clark 23/07/04 - Geelong Falcons - 180cm Midfielder - Consummate professional who rarely has a bad game. Fantastic balance between inside and outside game. Balanced, clean and always stays involved. Lacks an athletic point of difference to those rated above him, but in my opinion he is a sure bet to be a 200 gamer. Slips down the rankings due to a poor combine.

12. Elijah Hewett 27/05/04 - Swan Districts – 27/05/04 - 186cm Midfielder - Powerful, tough and physical goal kicking midfielder. Has a good turn of speed and is explosive off his first 3-4 steps allowing him to get separation from the contest.

13. Reuben Ginbey 10/10/04 – East Perth - 189cm Midfielder/Defender - A shift from half back to inside mid seen him thrive at the championships. Has a mature body, and is at home in the contest. Ball use by hand is really solid, but decision making and execution by foot is a big area of his game that needs to improve. Showed a lot of form in the WAFL playing as an intercept half back with his marking a real feature. Tested really well at the draft combine.

14. Lachlan Cowan 01/12/04 - Tasmania Devils - 187cm Defender - Arguably the best half back in the draft, Cowan provides a tonne of drive with his ability to intercept and kick long. Provides good run and carry but also has good balance between his offensive and defensive game. Sees the game well and has a damaging footskills that make him a serious weapon across half back. Rarely has a bad game.

15. Lewis Hayes 17/12/04 – Eastern Ranges – 195cm Key Defender - Rangy intercepting key defender who I rate a lot higher than most. Has all the attributes you could want in a defender; closing speed, long limbs, positioning and ability to intercept. Can accumulate the footy as well if allowed to play a loose role. Impressive decision making and has the foot skills to be damaging when exiting D50. Will take some time to mature physically.

16. Isaac Keeler 23/04/04 - North Adelaide - 197cm Ruck/Forward - Freakishly gifted tall forward, who has impressive movement below his knees and goal kicking ability. A special athlete, who has a good leap and speed. Bucket loads of potential but still very raw.

17. Oli Hotton 06/09/04 – Sandringham Dragons – 181cm Midfielder - Skillful midfielder who is at home both on the inside and out on a wing. Works hard both ways and is an attacking threat inside forward 50. Has a touch of class and his decision making is excellent.

18. Matthew Jefferson 08/03/04 – Oakleigh Chargers – 194cm Forward - Strong marking athletic key forward who kicked 7 goals against WA in the champs. Is slight, and will take some time. Doesn't seem to accumulate much footy around the ground at this stage and does his best work closer to goal.

19. Alwyn Davey Jr 26/02/04 – Oakleigh Chargers – 180cm Forward - Slick & quick is the best way to describe Davey. Slices through traffic with speed and agility. Has beautiful finishing skills and loves getting forward of centre to impact the scoreboard. F/S to Essendon.

20. Henry Hustwaite 20/07/04 – Dandenong Stingrays – 193cm Midfielder/Defender - Tall mid/key defender who has been consistent in the NAB League. Equally at home across half back or as an inside mid, he shows composure where ever he plays. When playing midfield he is a clearance machine who takes first posession and always manages to get his hands free. Across half back he sets up play with his good decision making and skill. Hard to see where his best position is at AFL level, too small to be a key back, and probably doesn't have much point of difference to be a mid. I think he ends up being a 3rd tall defender who can setup behind the play.

22. Billy Dowling 01/07/04 – North Adelaide – 187cm Midfielder - Putting up stupid numbers in the SANFL U 18's, averaging nearly 32 disposals and 1.5 goals per game. Also had a consistent champs where he was arguably SA's most consistent mid. Hard worker who impacts the contest with physicality. Has a mature body and isn't afraid to put it on the line. Works hard both ways and is often seen in D50 while playing in the midfield. His ability to accumulate is up there with the best in the draft and I feel he is underrated because he lacks a point of difference athletically. His ability to find the footy highlights his high footy IQ.

22. Charlie Clark 04/01/04 – Sandringham Dragons – 182cm Forward - Had him ranked far lower in previous rankings, but after watching a few of his previous games he has surged up my rankings. He is crafty, has a mean streak and has an appetite for the goals. Has an impressive side step and loves to carry the ball with aggression. He is the type of player that doesn't need a lot of the footy to generate scoring opportunities. Has kicked 23.15 in 12 games this year including a bag of 7.

23. Mitch Szybkowski 09/01/04 – Dandenong Stingrays – 186cm Midfielder - Big bodied inside mid who thrives at the coal face. He is strong, and uses his big frame to advantage when extracting the footy. Displays excellent hands and vision to release players on the outside. Most have him inside the top 15 but he is a little bit one paced and doesn't have much versatility, which is why I rank him lower than others.

24. Jaspa Fletcher 24/02/04 – Brisbane Academy – 184cm Midfielder - Hard running winger who has shown he can also play inside. Has a bit of pace that he likes to use to break the lines. Has good skills and already has a good tank. Brisbane will do all they can to ensure he is a F/S.

25. Harry Barnett 22/01/04 – West Adelaide – 202cm Ruck - Best tap ruckman in the draft. Not to dissimilar to our very own Todd Goldstein, with his ruck craft and follow up work. Good below his knees and a good kick for a big man. Decent mark, and already covers the ground well.

26. Jed Hagan 15/10/04 – East Fremantle – 175cm Midfielder/Defender - Tenacious, physical and well rounded footballer. Arguably one of my favourite players in the draft, simple because he always shows up to play. Despite his height, he can play as an inside mid, winger, lock down defender or as a small forward. Has recently kicked multiple goals in the seniors for East Freo in the WAFL. Has very neat skills, a bit of toe and absolutely thrives in the contest. I think whoever picks him up will get a gem.

27. Harry Lemmey 30/01/04 - West Adelaide - 199cm Forward - Was a sure bet to be a top 5 pick after his impressive under age year. Hasn't quite come in as well as many expected this year. At his best, he is a strong contested mark and smart footballer who has really good skills for a guy his size. His inconsistency and failure to really dominant any games this year is concerning.

28. Tom Scully 02/11/04 – West Adelaide – 204cm Forward - Tall forward who burst on to the scene earlier this year with bag after bag of goals in the SANFL under 18's. Tall, long and mobile for a guy his size, Scully has good lead up play and positioning. He has good agility and ground level game for a kid his size. Form has dropped away a bit over the last couple of months and he failed to have an impact in his one champs game.

29. Darcy Jones 03/04/04 Swan Districts – 173cm Wing - Small, zippy midfielder who has a number of attributes well suited to AFL. Quick, agile, evasive and courageous. Jones loves taking the game on using his speed and creativity. Has neat skills and composure in space. Had an excellent draft combine by breaking the agility record.

30. Brayden George 13/01/04 – Murray Bushrangers – 185cm Forward - Medium powerful forward who has a real dynamic presence when inside 50. The type of player who just makes things happen either at ground level or in the air. One of the better contested marks in this years draft class. Recently done his ACL, which is why he has fallen down my draft rankings. In all reality, due to his talent he will most likely go far earlier than this pick.

31. Jacob Konstanty 09/11/04 - Gippsland Power - 176cm Forward - Clever goal sneak who has a real evasiveness in his game. Is arguably the most consistent small forward in this years draft class, he plays the game with a real physical edge. Run down tackles and defensive intent are a real feature of his game. Can push up into the midfield and get involved too. Has a good centre of balance, and rarely goes to ground in the contest. In order to be a real premium small he just needs to sharpen up his goal kicking and skill level around the ground.

32. Adam D'Aloia 09/04/04 - Woodville-West Torrens - 184cm Midfielder - SA skipper, who is a grunt midfielder who loves the physical stuff. High footy IQ who runs to the right areas to be damaging. Loves a goal, but is also very accountable. One of the best tacklers and two way runners in this draft pool.

33. Jakob Ryan 20/09/2004 – Glenelg – 188cm Defender - Athletic defender who sees the game well. Long kicking half back who likes to take the game on, he has a nice leap and solid contested mark. Can play up the ground on a wing or even across half forward.

34. Jaxon Binns 29/10/04 - Dandenong Stingrays - 182cm Wing - Hard running wingman who has the ability to accumulate the footy at will. Doesn't have much of an inside game, but uses his elite tank to find space and break the game open. Despite his ability to find the football, his disposal is sometimes questionable. Due to his athleticism and ability to play as an outside runner, there is still plenty of scope for development. Tested really well at the draft combine for most athletic traits, which is why he has moved up my draft order.

35. Max Gruzewski 21/07/2004 - Oakleigh Chargers - 193cm Forward/Defender - Athletic key position player who is happy playing at either end of the ground. Has strong hands and good lateral movement for his size. Some draft watchers believe he is now shaping as a top 30 pick, while I like him as a prospect I'm still unsure as to his best position at AFL level.

36. Anthony Munkara 3/10/04 - West Adelaide – 190cm – Forward - Mercurial and freakishly talented, Munkara has an eye for goals and has the ability to win games off his own boot. Has beautiful vision in traffic and the skills to match. Was touted as potential top 10 pick at the start of the year but has only played one championship game and a couple of games at SANFL. Unsure if he is injured or simply not playing footy. On talent alone he deserves to be placed much higher.

37. Sam Gilbey 14/05/04 - Claremont - 185cm Defender - Another classy half back, who has strong rebounding ability. Reads the play well and uses his elite vision and kicking to setup across half back. Reads the play well and is solid in the air. He has slipped down my rankings due to a broken leg a few weeks ago.

38. James Van Es 07/08/04 – GWV Rebels – 196cm Defender - Dour and tough key defender who locks down on the oppositions best key forwards. Has decent closing speed and is an aerial threat with his intercept marking. The type of footballer you can just rely on to do the basics right all of the time. Surprised a fair few at the combine with the way he tested.

39. Kobe Ryan 17/02/04 – West Adelaide – 183cm Midfielder - Quick midfielder who is at home either inside or outside the contest. Has a long kick and clean hands inside the contest. Works hard both ways, but also likes to impact the scoreboard. Has played some league footy at SANFL level which highlights his potential, average 30+ disposals per game at under 18's level.

40. Josh Weddle 25/05/04 – Oakleigh Chargers – 191cm Defender - Intercepting defender who often made to play as genuine key position player. Has strong hands and is excellent one v one. He provides good skill off half back but also has a bit of run in his game. Has excellent closing speed. He is now a couple of cm's taller, but still not quite tall enough to be a genuine key defender, which is why I have him lower than most.

41. Cooper Harvey 12/07/04 – Northern Knights – 180cm Midfielder - Nuggety and tough midfielder who has come back two consecutive fractured arms to play a big role in the Knights resurgence. Has a real defensive edge in his game which results in him providing multiple efforts in the contest. His tank and foot skills need some work, but there is plenty to work with. F/S to North this year, it is a bit of an unknown as to where a bid will come.

42. Jonti Schuback 18/03/04 - Gippsland Power - 183cm Wing - Dashing half back/wingman who isn't afraid to take the game on. Has a bit of toe and good evasiveness. One of my favourites from this years draft, has he has good footy IQ and rarely plays a bad game. Has good balance between his offensive and defensive game.

43. Coby Burgiel 09/09/04 - Gippsland Power - 183cm Midfielder - Hard running, consistent midfielder who can play on every line. Has really neat skills and is very capable around goals. At home either inside or outside the contest. Has an excellent agility which allows him to find space in and around the contest.

44. Callum Verrell 22/04/04 – Eastern Rangers – 187cm Defender - Reliable defender who rarely gets beaten. Verrell has good balance between his offensive and defensive game. Can lock down on opponents, but also provide some run and carry. His composure and balance in the contest really stands out. Is capable of going with both talls and smalls.

45. Nick Sadler 08/01/04 – Sturt – 180cm Midfielder/Defender - Capable of playing on every line, Sadler is a reliable footballer who does all the team things. Tackling and defensive effort are features of his game. Has very neat skills and decision making and is capable both inside and outside the contest. Biggest question mark is to what role best suits him at AFL level.

46. Max Michalanney 26/02/04 – Norwood – 191cm Defender - Half back who can play a variety of roles and is suited to playing on both talls and smalls. Offers some rebound but can also lock down on his direct opposition. F/S to Adelaide.

47. Luke Teal 20/05/04 – Oakleigh Chargers – 188cm Wing - Attacking half back/wing who can win the footy in the air and on the ground. He is smart, balanced and composed. Was looking as a likely top 25 pick before the start of the season but has played less than 10 games due to a number of niggly injuries.

48. Blake Drury 11/01/04 – Oakleigh Chargers – 177cm Wing - Zippy half forward/mid who loves kicking a goal. Drury has leadership qualities, effort and competitiveness in spades. Works up and down the ground and can get involved in the inside and on the outside as a link up player. Probably ends up being a half forward at AFL level, but there are concerns as to whether he has enough tools to overcome his stature.

49. Lloyd Johnston 10/08/04 – NT Thunder - 184cm Defender - Dashing and evasive half back who loves the take the game on either by foot or by using his speed. Has excellent intercept marking for his size due to his athleticism and leap.

50. Jaiden Magor 16/02/04 - South Adelaide - 185cm Forward/midfielder - Talented midfielder forward who has some serious assets. Has natural forward craft, and can kick goals from anywhere. Is both an aerial threat and a threat at ground level. Very capable in the midfield as well where he uses his ball use and evasiveness to good affect.


Next 10 in no particular order:

Jason Gillbee
15/04/04 – Bendigo Pioneers – 190cm Midfielder - Tall, lean and hard running midfielder who can also play as a running half back. Likes to take the game on with his run. Has no worries finding the footy, but his disposal often lets him down.

Kane Bevan 25/4/2004 - West Perth - 192cm Midfielder - Big bodied, strong inside mid who can get forward and provide a marking target. Bevan is a clearance/contested machine who uses his clean hands around the contest. Loves the physical side of the game, but lacks in the outside game department.

Noah Long 23/08/04 – Bendigo Pioneers – 178cm Forward/Midfielder - Creative small mid/forward who uses his zip in and around the contest to create separation. Played more forward in the championships and had an impact on the scoreboard. Has natural goal sense and the skills/creativity to finish. Has had an injury interrupted year.

Harry Rowston 12/08/04 – GWS Academy – 181cm Midfielder - The Allies MVP, a hard two way midfielder who thrives in the contest. Covers the ground well and uses the ball well particularly by hands. He is really good overhead and isn't afraid to go back with the flight of the ball when pushing back into defence. Lacks a little of a point of difference which is why he is down my order. GWS will no doubt match a bid for him which could come as early as the top 30.

Tom McCallum 15/05/2004 - Tasmania Devils - 192cm Defender - Undersized key defender who uses his body and positioning to beat bigger opponents. Is slight, but has good core strength that allows him to compete. Has some speed that allows him to break the lines. He is let down by an awkward kicking style that sometimes results in poor kicks particularly when he is on the move. His intercept game is really impressive which will translate well to AFL level. However, he will take some time to get a mature body.

Finn Emile-Brennan 07/05/04 – Dandenong Stingrays – 181cm Defender - Skinny, slight but classy half back who has composure and a nice turn of foot. Uses his speed and agility to break the lines, and despite his smaller stature he is a long, powerful kick of the football. Linked to the Demons academy, but I wouldn't imagine he will receive a bid inside the top 40. Looks a long term prospect and will take time considering his weight.

Hugh Bond 25/09/04 – GWV Rebels – 184cm Midfielder - Physical and tough inside mid that likes to heap the pressure on his opponents when they don't have the footy. Tackling and defensive intent, along with his inside work are real features of his game. Has an elite tank which allows him to get from contest to contest. His hands in close are excellent, but can sometimes seem rushed when using the ball by foot. Lacks a bit of composure and can sometimes be slow to dispose of the ball.

Rye Penny 03/01/04 – Calder Cannons – 185cm Defender - Elite athlete who has a good leap, some speed and agility. Suited to playing across half back or on a wing where he can put his running capacity and speed to good use. Can break the lines with run and carry but is equally at home flying for marks and intercepting. His decision making particularly when under pressure is what lets him down, but there are plenty of athletic traits to work with.

Edward Allen 26/05/2004 - Claremont - 194cm Midfielder - Rangy outside midfielder who has come onto the scene late in the piece, after avg close to 25 disposals per game late in the season at WAFL colts level. Despite testing incredibly well for both speed and agility, he is one of those players that doesn't seem to use it during the game. Clubs would see a huge scope for potential considering his athleticism and height.

Harvey Gallagher 26/09/2003 - Bendigo Pioneers - 179cm Defender - Overage defender, who was incredible consistent this year for the pioneers. Provides run and carry off half back, but is equally at home defending one on one.

Late Draft or Rookie List Options:

Paul Pascu
20/08/2004 - Calder Cannons - 183cm Midfielder - Balanced midfielder who can also play across half back. Has a beautiful kicking action and can kick well on both sides of his body. Is equally at home inside or outside the contest. Attacks the contest with vigour, but has finishing skills outside the contest as well. Has had an injury interrupted which has impacted his consistency and draft standing. Earlier this year he was considered a top 30 prospect. Players like him don't lose their talent so it wouldn't surprise me if he was taken in the top 40.

Toby McMullin 06/0/2004 - Sandringham Dragons - 182cm Forward/Mid - Solid midfielder/forward who has some AFL capable qualities. Tested well for the 20m sprint with a 2.88, but also has good game sense and finishing. Some clubs may see some potential in him, despite only avergaing 11 disposals per game at NAB league level.

Jack O'Sullivan 22/10/2004 - Oakleigh Chargers - 177cm Midfielder - Physical small midfielder who has good balance between his inside and outside game. Has excellent vision and kicking to match often opening up the play with neat kicking. Has had some injury concerns this year. Question marks has to whether he has enough tools to overcome his height at AFL level.

Shadeau Brain 13/02/2004 - Brisbane Academy - 185cm Forward - Physical half forward who has some impressive athletic tools. Has a defensive edge to his game, often applying high amounts of pressure inside forward 50. Not only is he defensive, but he has some flair with his speed, leap and agility. Needs to work on his production and finishing skill, but does have some AFL qualities.

Darcy Edmends 28/04/2004 - Northern Knights - 183cm Midfielder - Classy ball user who doesn't need a heap of possessions to have an impact. Makes good decisions with ball in hand, and is particularly damaging when kicking inside forward 50. Avg'd 18.6 disposals and close 7 marks per game at NAB league level which highlights his work rate.

Oscar Murdoch 24/09/2004 - Geelong Falcons - 190cm Defender - No fuss defender who toils away doing his job. Only avg'd 11 disposals across 11 games for the Falcons, but will come under consideration to be drafted after he featured in the final championship game where he was one of VC's best players. Provided excellent intercepting marking and disposal while playing on the dangerous Harry Sheezel.

Archie Lovelock 19/12/2001 - Glenelg - 178cm Midfielder - Classy midfielder who seems to be somewhat underrated. Has played good footy at every level he has played at this year. Featured in the bests for SA for 2 out of his 3 games. Was also best afield in the SANFL u 18's grand final where he outshone much more fancied draftees in Will Dowling and Jakob Ryan. Avg'd 26.3 disposals per game in under 18's as well as 6 tackles and 3 clearances. Is a strong runner with good defensive application.

Angus Anderson 31/12/2003 - Sydney Academy - 189cm Midfielder - Overage midfielder from Northern NSW. Anderson had 2 covid impacted years during his development as a 17 and 18 year old. Tough inside mid, who thrives at the coal face. Wins the ball and distributes well by hand. Has a good tank so gets from contest to contest well. Has a mature body which he loves to throw around. Has played AFL most of his life, but has played some rubgy as well which results in him having an exceptional tackling technique. Biggest knock on him is that he struggles to have an impact when not playing as a clearance midfielder.

Seth Campbell 29/12/04 – Tasmania Devils – 182cm Forward - Zippy half forward/wing who loves getting on the scoreboard. Pushes up the ground to provide an option through the midfield, and then works back hard into inside 50. Plays with real flair and creativity. This is matched with good vision and a skillset that allows him to hit some lower % kicks. Defensive intent is solid too. Still very raw but plenty to work with.

Oliver Northam 28/07/2004 - Geelong Falcons - 195cm Forward/Ruck - Athletic player who has been playing as a genuine ruckman for the Falcons. Has a solid leap that allows him to ruck against opposition far taller than him. Has good follow up work and is solid below his knees. Can go forward and kick a goal. Will be more suited to playing as a key forward at AFL level. Still very raw.

Jack Cleaver 22/05/04 – East Fremantle – 188cm Defender - Tough and courageous half back who can also push into the midfield. Has good balance between his defensive and offensive work. Can lock down on an opponent, but can also provide some run and carry when playing a more loose role. Kicking can be a little bit hit and miss. Has played a couple of senior games in the WAFL.

Noah Bradshaw 01/01/2003 - Murray Bushrangers - 183cm Midfielder - Son of Brisbane champion Daniel Bradshaw, he is a uncompromising and tough overage inside midfielder who thrives in the contest. Likes to release teammates by hand but also works well around the ground to provide an option. Has good defensive application, averaging nearly 6 tackles per game. Lacks a bit of speed, but makes up for it with Footy IQ. Potential F/S to Brisbane.

Jackson Broadbent 2/12/2004 - Peel - 201cm Ruck - Excellent tap ruckman who provides some follow up at ground level. Was rated as an early first round choice prior to this year but he hasn't had much of a consistent impact at WAFL level or in the championships. He covers the ground well and has neat skills for a ruckman, but he isn't much of a threat aerially at this stage.

Phoenix Foster 12/9/2004 - Norwood - 196cm Forward - Key Forward who has kicked 26 goals from 11 games in the SANFL under 18's. He is an aerial threat with strong contested marking and a good leap. He attacks the footy with vigour and can provide an option up the ground. Also can pinch hit in the ruck. Plenty to work with if taken later in the draft or as a rookie.

Nick Madden 17/5/2004 - GWS Academy - 204cm Ruck - Monster lumbering ruckman in the Braydon Pruess mould. Physical type who isn't afraid to throw his weight around. Because of his huge frame he has solid contested marking and can be a threat up forward. Endurance and overall athleticism is below average which means he is a rookie at best. In the GWS academy.

Will Verrall 11/03/2004 – South Adelaide – 200cm Ruck - Mobile ruckman who works hard once the footy hits the deck. Wins clearances and finds the footy around the ground. Has good skills for a ruck and can be a threat in the forward line. Biggest question mark is is he tall enough to be a genuine ruck at AFL level?

Max Knobel 27/06/2004 - Gippsland Power - 204cm Ruck - Son of Trent Knobel. Raw, but has plenty of upside. Looks to have a good tank and has a nice deft touch when palming the ball. Has improved out of sight in the last two months, getting more involved around the ground and with clearances. Will be a slow burn as it will take him a fair while to fill out.

Tyrell Dewar 27/03/2004 - Subiaco - 185cm Forward - General forward who is a threat both aerially and at ground level. Has excellent lateral movement which allows him to get separation. When in range he has excellent goal sense. Lacks a bit of consistency and is still quite raw.

Taj Campbell-Farrell 29/06/04 – Dandenong Stingrays – 185cm Midfielder - Morrish Medal winner, who is the epitome of consistency. Tough inside mid, who uses his physicality on the inside to win the footy, Has clean hands around the contest, and he knows his limits with his kicking. At this stage he lacks a bit of versatility in his game and there are questions marks as to how much upside he has.

Cooper Vickery 16/12/04 - Gippsland Power - 180cm Defender - Neat small defender who does all the team things, while also providing some run and carry. His skills combined with his good decision making means he is always makes the most of is possessions. Lacks a little bit of a point of difference compared to other defenders in the draft pool.

Ted Clohesy 09/06/04 – Geelong Falcons – 184cm Midfielder - Prolific inside mid who does his best work at the coal face. Avg 24 disposals and 7 tackles per game for the Falcons this year, which highlights the balance between his ball winning and defensive application. Releases the ball well by hands, but is also a good option when kicking the ball inside 50. Has a neat short field (30m) particularly to leading targets. At this stage lacks some versatility in his game.

Steely Green 09/01/2004 - East Fremantle - 178cm Midfielder/Defender - No fuss footballer who does all the basics right. A real footballer's footballer who can play a variety of roles inside and outside the contest or in the back pocket. he has defensive intent, neat skills and composure with ball in hand. Has played WAFL seniors this year in a strong side, which highlights his footy IQ and ability to step up to any level.

Kelsey Rypstra 02/05/2004 - North Adelaide -172cm Forward - Zippy small forward who has a real energy about his game. Provides excellent pressure and defensive intent, but is also crafty around goals. He is tough, and has a low centre of gravity which makes him hard to tackle. Played more midfield at U 18's level but will be suited to a small forward role at AFL level. Unfortunately done his ACL just after mid year, which may impact his draft chances.

Jovan Petric 17/4/2004 - Western Jets - 196cm forward - Athletic key forward who works hard around the ground. Has good speed off the mark which allows him to get separation on his opponents. Decent at ground level and can also rotate through the ruck. Was consistent at Nab League level but didn't have much of an impact at championship level.

Will Splann 25/10/2003 - Tasmania Devils - 195cm Forward - Overage key forward who has a mature body. Very much a lead, mark and kick Full Forward. Doesn't offer a heap around the ground, but does the basics well. Leading patterns and multiple efforts repeat leads highlight his forward craft. Lacks a bit at ground level and overall athleticism which is why he is a rookie option.

Casey Voss 14/9/2000 - Sturt - 182cm Defender - Mature age intercepting half back who's game has gone from strength to strength over the last 2 years. He was looked at as a mature age option for the MSD but was overlooked. His pure weight of numbers in the SANFL is hard to ignore. Averaging 24 disposals, 9 marks, 6 rebound 50's. Voss is strong in the air, composed and very neat by foot. His overall athleticism is probably the only thing holding him back.

Mutaz El Nour 14/8/2001 - Northern Bullants - 192cm Defender - Athletic defender who has impressive skills, overhead marking and closing speed. After a solid first half of the year, El Nour was unlucky not to be drafted in the MSD. Unfortunately didn't play much in the 2nd half of this year due to a number of niggling injuries. In a draft that is lacking a bit of depth after the top 40. Development players like El Nour who have high potential may appeal in the rookie draft.

Ethan Phillips 17/7/1999 - Port Melbourne - 196cm Defender - The premier key defender in the VFL won the Fothergill medal for most talented player under 24 years old. Phillips has strong hands, and has elite positioning that allows him to cut off attacks. He has excellent one on one but lacks a little bit of top end speed which means he can be exposed on the lead against quicker opponents. With a lack of key position players in this draft he will appeal as a ready made option.

Another extended write up for a lesser known prospect who I really like:

Jaiden Magor 16/02/04 - South Adelaide - 185cm Forward/midfielder - Talented midfielder forward who has some serious AFL qualities. Prior to this year it was looking as though he could be a first round prospect, but he probably didn't come on as much as expected, especially as a genuine mid. He also didn't have as much impact as he would've been hoping for at the championships. Nonetheless, he still has stacks of natural potential. He has natural forward craft, and can kick goals from anywhere. It doesn't matter if they are snaps, on the run or from a set shot. Magor, is also both an aerial threat and a threat at ground level. Outside of Sheezel, he is probably the cleanest and most balanced ground level player in this draft. He has also shown that he is very capable in the midfield as well where he uses his ball use and evasiveness to good affect. For a 185cm player, his marking is impressive. The reason why his marking is so impressive is his ability to time the ball while also protecting the ball drop. He has natural footy IQ and goal sense but also has defensive tenacity, with solid tackling and pressure. He has performed consistently in the SANFL under 18's over the past two years and represented SA at both under 17 and under 18 level.

At championship level he played 2 of 4 games. He got squeezed out of the midfield due to the likes of Ryan, D'Aloia and Dowling dominating the centre square. Played mainly across half forward and showed small flashes of brilliance and vision. Featured in the bests against the Allies where he had 20+ disposals and kicked 2 goals.

At SANFL U18's level he played 10 games, avg'd 22.4 disposals, 6 marks and 3 tackles, 4 clearances and 2.3 goals per game. He only went goalless once, splitting his time between deep forward and the midfield. His best game came in round 8 against Glenelg where he was a level above the opposition. He stuffed the stat sheet with 41 disposals, 9 marks, kicked 2.1 and 4 tackles. Also kicked a bag of 6 and another bag of 5 in the last two games on the season. Was surprising he didn't get a chance in the reserves or seniors considering his consistent form.

 
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I’m glad you asked

Luke Teal I rate highly as that intercept defender, who can play on anyone
Drury - meh he’s a big body but he’s short, not overly quick, fairly vanilla
Weddle - will be a solid KPD for whoever gets

Like Ashwin - high energy player, dangerous with the ball, can play multiple positions

Nice. Contribute more of this sort of content instead of the same ol repetitive stuff about one or two players. Other posters would appreciate it.

Disagree about Drury’s speed though, he has some genuine zip.
 
Nice. Contribute more of this sort of content instead of the same ol repetitive stuff about one or two players. Other posters would appreciate it.

Disagree about Drury’s speed though, he has some genuine zip.
If we ended up with pick 22 would any decent kpfs be still around mate?
 

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Flawed Genius nailed it. Might be a slight chance that Jefferson is available there too. Most watchers think he’ll be top 15 but he is one who could slide.
Is it like other years in that any tall we pick in the second round will spend a year or 2 in the vfl to get up to pace?
It seems that way with second rounders historically. I just wonder if we may have too many vfl kpfs.
Edward's comben ccj for example.
 
If you're drafting with a late pick then you want to ignore all of the "wow" factors. Just cross them out completely.
Draft players who know how to play football.
SSP is for that. Get 2-3 state league guns to fight it out for our last couple of list spots. 1 year deals same as the rookie draft but we get to watch them train for 3 months before we make a decision.
They would also cover any LTIs we have over preseason.
 
I’m glad you asked

Luke Teal I rate highly as that intercept defender, who can play on anyone
Drury - meh he’s a big body but he’s short, not overly quick, fairly vanilla
Weddle - will be a solid KPD for whoever gets

Like Ashwin - high energy player, dangerous with the ball, can play multiple positions
Pretty underwhelming assessment overall. Given you've supposedly watched a shitload of Oakleigh games this year.
 
You do however pass over inside, outside accumulating mids that are quite poor defensively and don’t have damaging skills.

From what I’ve seen the kid is evasive enough to buy himself time and steady. It will come.

Defensive structures will be drummed into him under Clarke.


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A 187 cm inside/outside fast accumulating mid - who was compared to Danger - was taken at pick 3 in the 2017 draft.


Tipping the Blues wish they passed….

A 189cm inside/outside fast accumulating mid taken at pick 10 in the 2007 draft.

Bet the Crows were rapt they got him.

Not sure what your point is.


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Is it like other years in that any tall we pick in the second round will spend a year or 2 in the vfl to get up to pace?
It seems that way with second rounders historically. I just wonder if we may have too many vfl kpfs.
Edward's comben ccj for example.

Outside of Cadman, the majority of talls in this years draft are going to be 3+ year investments.

Jefferson, Keeler and Scully are at least 3 years away from being able to compete with mature bodies. All three of them are slight.

Lemmey has played seniors at SANFL senior level and has the body to compete from the get go (199cm & 93kg) but will need some time to work on his craft and his tank.

Imo we don’t have enough genuine key forwards on our list. I’d be happy if we took two in this years draft. One from the ND and one as a rookie (say Lemmy and Petric).

Of the players you mention only Comben is a key forward.

Edwards, at this has been playing as a ruck, but is as far away from senior footy as any draftee in this draft while CCJ is a ruckman, same as Xerri. We need more options.
 
Outside of Cadman, the majority of talls in this years draft are going to be 3+ year investments.

Jefferson, Keeler and Scully are at least 3 years away from being able to compete with mature bodies. All three of them are slight.

Lemmey has played seniors at SANFL senior level and has the body to compete from the get go (199cm & 93kg) but will need some time to work on his craft and his tank.

Imo we don’t have enough genuine key forwards on our list. I’d be happy if we took two in this years draft. One from the ND and one as a rookie (say Lemmy and Petric).

Of the players you mention only Comben is a key forward.

Edwards, at this has been playing as a ruck, but is as far away from senior footy as any draftee in this draft while CCJ is a ruckman, same as Xerri. We need more options.
Break glass in case of emergency option you can think of in the VFL?
 
Break glass in case of emergency option you can think of in the VFL?

Surely there's a random, mature, key forward floating around in the 2nds somewhere that we can bring in for a year.


I posted a similar response the other day…I just don’t see any decent options out there in the state leagues.

To be honest, not any obvious ones. Most key forwards that are dominating the state leagues at the moment are either known quantities (ex-afl) or they are too old to consider. Most of the leading goal kickers at state level are mid sized forwards (Ben Sokol WAFL, Dan Menzel SANFL)

Non AFL listed key Forwards this year that kicked 30+ goals in the state leagues:

SANFL - Keenan Ramsey & Liam McBean
WAFL - Jonathan Marsh & Tyler Kietel,
VFL - Hudson Garoni & Joel Ottavi

None of those guys are AFL level imo.
 
This is arguably our most important draft in recent history. Our first two selections vital. I’ll focus on the likely prospects only.

I’ll preface this post by saying that I’ve combed through recruitment vision from the prospects Under 16’s, 18’s and other Tier 2 footage. Outside of Wardlaw I’ve seen these prospects live, not unlike previous years.

Will Ashcroft will be a deserving number one pick and has been a model of consistency and professionalism. His game reminds me of Diesel Williams, and like his son Jake whom I played with, were all a bit one paced, but calm in a crisis, clean by hand, balanced and sure by foot. Lofty comparison, but Will is the most rounded midfielder in this class and should have a long career.


Aaron CADMAN –

Aaron has bolted into consideration this season, not too dissimilar to someone I saw a lot of as a junior in Marcus Bontempelli. Cadman has stamped himself as the best KPF in this draft quite comfortably. His second half of the NAB League season and Champs, was nothing short of dominant. From Round 10 vs Oakleigh, he averaged a dominant 149 Ranking Points.

Everything went up. His forward 50 tackles, score involvements, score assists, recorded ‘ground ball gets’ up the field, and importantly F50 marking and contested marking, rose. Seemed to me a result of supreme confidence in his ability to cover the ground, and impact in a duality of attacking half link-up and deep threat close to goal. This flowed into an impressive 18’s Champs, but he struggled with his kicking efficiency going at thirty-four percent.

Under 16’s – Looking back at the vision, he was underwhelming, looking somewhat lost as a KPF. A stark contrast to what he presents as now. At times, fumbling up the ground and you can tell he has grown into his body more since then.

17 – Aaron’s underage NAB League season saw him primarily utilised in defence and through the wing as a high-presenting forward. He didn’t impact the scoreboard at all in the 5 games he played and lacked highlight worthy moments.

18 - This season the Rebels utilised him as their primary KPF and he went from strength to strength. Dominant against the Jets in Round 13. He had 4 inside the first half, showcasing the ability to play small, snapping goals and converting truly from the set shot, without greatly impacting in the air. He set up teammates all day with over 13 score involvements.

In contrast two rounds later, he was dominant in different fashion, with a season high 10 marks, of which 3 were contested and 6 were inside 50, vs Gippsland. Followed that up with a strong performance against Geelong showing glimpses of improvement with his contested marking and taking it at its highest point, as he showcased in the 4th quarter at the 21 min mark.

Aaron utilises his endurance and running capabilities to burn opponents up the field. His marking is strong, but he lacks in contested marking prowess (especially at its highest point, or under duress), compared to the King’s and the likes of Daniher in recent time, at the same age. This is a weakness that can certainly be developed.

He is a relatively sound set shot. Fluid and shouldn’t have many issues moving forward.


Player Comparison - The comparison to Jezza is certainly generous, but their roles and styles are very similar, and overall it’s not a bad comparison. Just keep in mind, that Jezza had an amazing 17yo NAB League season in which he kicked 33.25. He was much more dominant than Cadman at the same age. He would have smashed his competition the following season. Furthermore, as an under-age, Jezza averaged more contested marks than Aaron this season.

His development at the back-end of the season has been very good, and our list profile suggests that a quality KPF prospect should be on the radar.


If you asked me the question, would I have used our #1 selection on him, I would say no. I’m comfortable with the list management perhaps overlooking him, and/or having him lower on the draft board, therefore allowing us to double up on two of our highest preferences regardless.

Sorry Kingy.


George WARDLAW -


I haven’t seen George live, and we have clearly been robbed of what would have been an impressive year of development from him, and he would have catapulted himself right into contention for the number one pick.

He is a very good prospect, who is powerful in tight, with sound fundamentals. Not as clean an assured as Will and relies on his dogged determination and power to correct his double clutching or mistakes in the contest. He uses his power to bound off the deck as an example and still create separation to set up his teammates, which in terms of his development, should see him excite when he becomes cleaner in 4-5 years.

16’s Champs – Showcased his midfield ability. In the 2nd quarter in a defensive half stoppage, he takes first possession from the Ruck and under tackling pressure, kicks the ball to himself out of mid-air, into his hands like a Gaelic footballer and wins the clearance.

Last disposal of the game, he wins a contested possession under immense pressure, and as he often does, tries to burst, and blind turns into trouble, and whilst being tackled finds Ashcroft with a handball over his shoulder, in which Will slots beautifully on the run from 45m out.


17 - I was watching vision from his NAB League matchup vs Dandenong, in 2021, where he looks undersized compared to some of his opponents. During the 3rd, donning the number 57, he lines up defensive side at a centre clearance, and has the ball palmed straight to him. He is immediately tackled and proceeds to swing his opponent 360, who is clutched at his hips. George absorbs and stands up in the tackle, breaks free and delivers inside 50, showcasing his strength through the hips.

Moments later he wins a contested ball on the defensive wing, and bursts from the pack leaving 8 or so in the contest absolutely flat-footed, then laconically feints a handball, cruising and still looking quicker than those around him.

All his other highlights are available to you on Youtube, so I provided the above due to a smaller sample size. However, as evidenced by his performance vs Collingwood, and the small sample size of NAB League appearances, he would have had a very strong season. Even Will Phillips as an under-age prospect had 10 games of strong performances at 22.1 a game, before missing a season of development. I would have loved to see Wardlaw get an extended run at it, as I feel he would have showcased a dominance that was expected by recruiters


I always find myself using Rowell as my benchmark for the best U18’s midfield prospects. Rowell is one of the most dominant I’ve seen in close, from a ferocious attack on the football in tight, hardness and balance between winning the ball and impacting defensively. He was a ****ing animal, and statistically he was off the charts. Whilst George does his best work in the furnace and is cut from a similar cloth, statistically Rowell’s contested possession rate, hardball gets, ground ball gets and clearance dominance are quite superior. I don't think George would have reached such heights, but due to available evidence, it's probably unfair to compare.


Regardless George is a super prospect for this draft class. He is powerful in the contest and bursts in possession, often setting up his teammates. It’s his greatest attribute. His decision making is sound, and he is quite efficient with ball in hand. He is strong defensively, and tackles with ferocity at times, displaying a comfortability with tackling head on. Although undersized, he can take a grab, as evidenced by his 4th quarter grab vs Calder, where he jumped early and hung in the air. Also, his grab against Collingwood in the second half.


There are weaknesses and areas of development that he’ll need to get cracking on, but there’s no reason he shouldn’t have a very good AFL career.

You can bookmark him coming into the club and working from day-dot, showing courage and leadership as a young man. He would embody the Shinboner Spirit.

George’s addition would continue to layer our midfield and he provides the replacement key for one of my all-time favourites in Cunnington moving forward.


Harry SHEEZEL -

I’ll say it from the top. He excites me and it’s not hard to see why he generates buzz for recruiters and fans alike.

Everything he touches turns to gold. He impacts at every level on the field. He nearly hit 120 score involvements in 14 NAB League games this year, whilst kicking 36.24. As a 16-year-old, he announced himself with his appearance vs Country where he kicked 3 in a win and hasn’t looked back.


Versatility, IQ, and Execution is what I constantly see from Harry.

Forward – Harry’s anticipation is his greatest asset. Great understanding of body-position and uses his hips well. Can mark strongly above his head for his size. Plays tall, plays small even better, impacting with anticipation on HBG’s and LBG’s and couples that with execution by turning half-chances into sure things, by either impacting the scoreboard or hitting a target inside 50m.

This is Harry’s wheelhouse. The F50, his playground. His goalkicking is an art. His set-shot is pure.

If someone asked, ‘show me one game only, that showcases Harry’, I would present his game vs Tassie. his 6 goals, showcases his ability to hit the scoreboard in every way possible, and is basically all you need to see. Uses his left slipper with confidence and highlights his ability to create time and space (see the goal where he sells out 50’s Candy Shop).


Highlight - His first goal vs GWS in Round 4 is the best piece of front and centre work you’re likely to see from an 18’s forward. If giantroo had access to and could pull up the vision, it’s an indicator of his ability to make things happen. Underpins exactly what I see from him, being IQ and Execution. He’s mercurial.


Defensive game - Half forward at AFL level, requires repeated efforts defensively, specifically the tackling. This is my worry with Harry. I went through all of his F50 tackles for his NAB League season. He likes to what I call wrap arms, without the intent to hit bodies and drop them to the ground. Doesn’t have the highlight defensive 50 chase either. His best effort was vs the Allies in the Champs, where he double up with a second effort.

It’s a big area for improvement, which may come with improved strength as he matures and trains within an AFL system. He is capable, because as a midfielder vs the Knights he tackled well in tight and showed intent, but again not comfortable. His last (7th) resulted in a holding the ball decision.

Versatility – As above, he can play midfield, he is sound in tight and shows poise. Wins the ball well on the move and understands the role. He unlocks defences by foot, not a penetrating one, but an accurate one, targeting riskier options. He’s smart.


I like the comparisons thrown up for him. Robbie Gray screams out to me. Comparatively Robbie slotted 58.31 in the NAB League from 18 outings. Robbie went at a higher contested possession clip and had a higher disposal efficiency. Moreover, their roles are very similar. He’d do well to develop in the mould of Robbie as inspiration, and he reminds me of him early on.

The deft touches when caught in possession or under pressure, where he handballs over his head, or kicks out of mid-air when under pressure (which I’ve seen him do a bit), is the flair right out of the Stevie Johnson playbook.

He plays with a joy and passion. I think he’d be a wonderful fit and I pray that he is developed properly, because the big question is, how will he go in a poor side, being blessed with dominant sides, strong forward entries, and support from quality team-mates as a junior.

We have been crying for class. He is it!


Elijah TSATAS -

Elijah has blossomed in the absence of George, and with the added pressure through the midfield, he has stood up.

He is an accumulating, burst midfielder which is a nice combination, and he gets it on the outside. Good size and athletically gifted.

His outside stoppage work is probably his strength, bursting with speed and a willingness to run. This is particularly evident when he sits offensive side of his opponent and there are no defensive sweepers at a stoppage, allowing him to penetrate a defence with his run and kick. Loves a handball receive, and he literally screeches for the ball when he knows he is in time and space.

He should also be praised for his performances around injury.


16/17 – His lone NAB League game against the Knights, he had 11 touches, but showed his line-breaking ability, and what was to come this year. Strong athletic frame for his age, against top-agers and alongside Daicos, had strong impact with minimal touches, including a beautiful hit-up of Darcy inside 50, in the 4th quarter.


16's Champs - vs Metro he was very impressive. Stood out with the cream of the crop with his outside run and dash, impacting as a wing/outlet, and used the ball well. Slotted a nice running goal, from 45m out, burning opponents from a stoppage.

Played as a wing and sat outside of the stoppage a good 5 metres more than most, not trying to get sucked into the vacuum. Found it 25 times, and disposal efficiency was as good as he has recorded.


18’s – Averaging a tick under 34 touches a game is impressive, particularly in the absence of Wardlaw, and he adapted to the role well.

For example, Elijah has a preference as above (re; vacuum), to sit outside the stoppage and rely on his midfield winning possession, hurting from the outside. This is consistent with his low contested possession differential. Without George, as evidenced by his games against the Knights, or Bendigo late in the season, he was forced more inside at the stoppage. He performed well.


However, I watched him live at Cramer Street this season, and whilst he found a lot of the ball, I was somewhat underwhelmed.

I can’t get past this feeling on him.

For me, I’m not sold on him at 2 or 3, and to be completely honest, I would have him in a group of prospects behind my two.

You’re always needing to split hairs at the top.

By foot, he is sometimes questionable and, in his decision making, I feel like he lacks elite football awareness. I don’t quite like him under pressure, and his disposal lacks when the heat is on, putting his teammates under the pump. His speed and power will assist him to get out of trouble, but I feel like he’ll frustrate at times.

He’ll find it more difficult to drop off packs, find time and space, and be given the freedoms he enjoys at the minute. He isn’t strong in the contest (certainly no Harley fend-off), lacks some versatility, favours the outside of his boot as opposed to his opposite under pressure. Lacks consistent scoreboard pressure.

Weaknesses that can be worked on and will have a good career. He doesn’t top my preferences.



TL;DR – ****, I don’t blame you.

Pick 2 – George WARDLAW

Pick 3 – Harry SHEEZEL.

It’s the way I would go, in a draft that is slightly underwhelming, where the top prospects are not miles ahead. 12 months of development into these two is very exciting.
 
Wardlaw seems to attack the footy like a mad-man in the clips. Does he have a bit of mongrel or is he mostly clean?
Does he talk and get involved in push and shove or is he more of a head-down worker?

I haven't seen anything overt.

He strikes me as having the mongrel in him.

I've seen him win free kicks, and get pushed by an opponent in anger. He simply laughs it off.

The game seems his focus.
 
No, and neither do you but a lot of posters seem to think you do (something you do little to discourage). Your 'itk' info in this particular case just happens to be the same as the 6 billion articles in the media speculating the exact same thing.

Just like when the media was saying we were likely to get a high pp that's what your info happened to also be saying, or how you were adamant we definitely 100% wouldn't ever trade pick one (the INSIDE WORD you said) but once it got out to the media we were open to offers your info magically changed :)

I'm not putting you on ignore, it's just bemusing the way you state the obvious and try to frame it as insider info, while other info you post is either flat out wrong or pure conjecture with no way to prove whatsoever. So no I'm not going to stop questioning it.

I think you're crazy
Want a second opinion
You're also lazy
Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zaius Oh, Dr. Zaius
 
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