- Sep 19, 2018
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- Adelaide
A few notes from the Round 1 SANFL U18's match between West Adelaide and Norwood on the weekend - SANFL U18s MOTR: Round 1 - West Adelaide vs. Norwood
I thought I'd add also kick-start the year with some notes on a few players too. I'll leave the VIC/Allies kids out for now until I can put a bit more time into them.
Harry Lemmey (West Adelaide)
I'll start with Harry Lemmey, who I view as the top South Australian prospect and a genuine chance to be the number 1 pick in the draft. He's quick off the mark and is consistently able to get separation on the lead. He's capable as the deepest forward, although I think he will play his best footy at the next level as a high centre half forward. I see him as a key forward who can lead up through the middle of the ground to receive the footy but then turn his opponent and work into the space behind him. His athleticism and speed for his size will make him a really tough match up.
At senior level he occasionally gets caught with the ball in open play, but that's not surprising at all for a key position player his age. When he's able to push off the mark with time and space his ball use is pretty special for a kid his size. He can hit a low, penetrating ball and gets plenty of length on it when he decides to kick long. He generally looks pretty comfortable in front of goal too. If Lemmey's contested marking can go to another level this year then I think he's going to be hard not to pick with the first selection.
Kobe Ryan (West Adelaide)
Lemmey's West Adelaide teammate, I think Kobe Ryan has a few fans on this board. I love how balanced he is as a prospect as a genuine inside/outside midfielder. He can play as a genuine first possession winner at stoppage where he has a real understanding of where the ball is going to be and the ability to beat his opponent to it. He's got a nice step and the spacial awareness to be able to get a bit of separation inside the contest, despite not being overly explosive. He's a contributor defensively through the midfield too and is more than capable of laying a big tackle to lock the ball in.
What I think separates Kobe from other midfielders is his ability to also have an impact on the outside. He's a player who genuinely wants the ball in his hands and really demands it from his teammates. His overlap run, his work to link up in the chain and repeat efforts to present in space, allow him to accumulate at a high rate. His work rate is a real strength to his game as he gets to a lot of contests and really works over the opposition. From what I saw on the weekend, he looks to have already improved his kicking and if he can continue to see growth in that area, then I think his game will go to another level. Further physical development will also be important for Kobe, especially as he's likely to get some opportunities at senior level this year.
Elijah Hewett (Swan District)
I absolutely love Hewett as a prospect and probably have him inside my top 5 to start the season. I think he has all the tools to be an elite midfielder at AFL level. He's a really nice size and has impressive power and explosiveness. He's also a more than capable user of the footy too and has the ability to hit the scoreboard. He's a presence around the contest and whilst his advanced physical development is certainly an advantage over his peers, I think it will translate to the next level. I'd like to see him get some senior WAFL footy under his belt, just to see how he adjusts to some bigger bodies. If he can hang inside the contest at that level, it would further validate his position in this draft.
Isaac Keeler (North Adelaide)
I find Keeler is a bit of a tease as a prospect. He's another forward that does a really good job of getting separation on the lead. He's a good size and has the athletic attributes that would allow him to compete at AFL level. His kicking action is quite smooth and he looks comfortable in front of the goals, though the end result is probably not as consistent as he would like. His size and athleticism should also allow him to relieve through the ruck at the next level too. I'm not quite prepared to declare Keeler as a top end prospect until I see a harder, more physical edge to his game. An increased willingness to compete and physically impose himself on the contest would give me more confidence that he can have a career at AFL level. I think he's a true high ceiling, low floor prospect.
Adam D'Aloia (Woodville West-Torrens)
D'Aloia is an elite first possession winner and one of the best in the clinches. He's relentless at stoppage, clean below his knees and uses quick, sharp hands to distribute to teammates on the outside. He seamlessly adjusted to every rise in competition last year and lead from the front in big games. He's already quite physically developed but seems to have a frame that will be able to continue to add more size. What limits D'Aloia's ceiling at this stage is his use by foot and ability to create separation at the contest. If he can add those two things and improve his outside game, I think he'll find himself picked pretty early on draft night.
What you get with D'Aloia is a first-class kid who is going to really work to get better and improve his game. I think he projects as that third/fourth/fifth midfielder at AFL level but is one who will accept whichever role is handed to him.
Nick Sadler (Sturt)
I really value Nick Sadler's game and love his skill-set. He hits the footy with pace, wins it cleanly below his knees and is a classy user by foot, even at top speed. He's another really well-balanced midfielder who is capable of winning the ball at stoppage and then getting to the outside of the contest to dispose of it. His defensive pressure around the contest is high quality and he consistently finishes tackles. His inside/outside ability creates opportunities for him to fill a number of different roles which will likely work in his favour at the next level. From a skill-set perspective, Sadler offers almost everything that you'd want from a junior prospect and he's one that I think will represent great value in the draft.
Harry Barnett (West Adelaide)
Barnett was West's lead ruck on the weekend and whilst that's probably his role moving forward, I also think he has the capacity to play at either end of the ground. As a ruck, he's influential at centre bounce, where he can get up and over his opponent and get first hand to the footy. His follow up is equally impressive as he can win it below his knees and just take off running. What's even more impressive is his ability to actually deliver the footy on the run for a player his size. He's not always consistent, but some of the kicks he executes on the run are pretty rare for a 200cm+ ruckman. He's a capable contested mark and that's where I think he has the scope to play as a genuine KPP. I think there will be opportunities at senior level for Barnett this year and it will be interesting to see how he develops against the bigger bodies, where his size and athleticism doesn't offer him the same advantage. He's a bit of a character too and someone who you can see is well liked by his teammates.
Max Michalanney (Norwood)
I didn't think I was that high on Michalanney but after seeing him on the weekend he alleviated a lot of the concerns that I had about him. He's not genuine key position height and I often worry about those in between, general defenders, but I think Michalanney's flexibility will be a weapon for him at the next level. I see him as someone who can lock down on the small/medium forwards and hang with the bigger forwards. I think I undervalued his offensive ability, as his willingness to run off his opponent and generate drive out of defence makes him really impactful.
A couple others that I'll keep tracking throughout this year:
Oscar Kregar (West Adelaide) caught my eye on the weekend as a tall winger, who moves really well and is a capable user. I haven't seen enough yet but I wonder if we could see a Brayden Cook type trajectory with him. Anthony Munkara (West Adelaide) is going to be a highlight package all year. He has genuine forward craft and is capable when engaged defensively. It's more just moments with him at this stage but it will be interesting to see how he develops as the season progresses. I really like Kane Bevan's (West Perth) size and aerial ability as a midfielder. I think he's got a well-rounded skill-set and expect him to elevate himself this year. I'm probably not as high on Jedd Busslinger (East Perth) as others and worry a little bit about how his speed/athleticism stacks up at AFL level. Jakob Ryan (Glenelg) is finding plenty of the footy across half back and has a nice blend of size and athleticism that makes him an interesting watch. I've always liked Jaiden Magor (South Adelaide) but I'm just waiting for him to get some time through the midfield and put it all together. Mattaes Phillipou (Woodville West Torrens) and Billy Dowling (North Adelaide) are two that have genuine upside as taller midfielders who can go forward and hit the scoreboard.
I thought I'd add also kick-start the year with some notes on a few players too. I'll leave the VIC/Allies kids out for now until I can put a bit more time into them.
Harry Lemmey (West Adelaide)
I'll start with Harry Lemmey, who I view as the top South Australian prospect and a genuine chance to be the number 1 pick in the draft. He's quick off the mark and is consistently able to get separation on the lead. He's capable as the deepest forward, although I think he will play his best footy at the next level as a high centre half forward. I see him as a key forward who can lead up through the middle of the ground to receive the footy but then turn his opponent and work into the space behind him. His athleticism and speed for his size will make him a really tough match up.
At senior level he occasionally gets caught with the ball in open play, but that's not surprising at all for a key position player his age. When he's able to push off the mark with time and space his ball use is pretty special for a kid his size. He can hit a low, penetrating ball and gets plenty of length on it when he decides to kick long. He generally looks pretty comfortable in front of goal too. If Lemmey's contested marking can go to another level this year then I think he's going to be hard not to pick with the first selection.
Kobe Ryan (West Adelaide)
Lemmey's West Adelaide teammate, I think Kobe Ryan has a few fans on this board. I love how balanced he is as a prospect as a genuine inside/outside midfielder. He can play as a genuine first possession winner at stoppage where he has a real understanding of where the ball is going to be and the ability to beat his opponent to it. He's got a nice step and the spacial awareness to be able to get a bit of separation inside the contest, despite not being overly explosive. He's a contributor defensively through the midfield too and is more than capable of laying a big tackle to lock the ball in.
What I think separates Kobe from other midfielders is his ability to also have an impact on the outside. He's a player who genuinely wants the ball in his hands and really demands it from his teammates. His overlap run, his work to link up in the chain and repeat efforts to present in space, allow him to accumulate at a high rate. His work rate is a real strength to his game as he gets to a lot of contests and really works over the opposition. From what I saw on the weekend, he looks to have already improved his kicking and if he can continue to see growth in that area, then I think his game will go to another level. Further physical development will also be important for Kobe, especially as he's likely to get some opportunities at senior level this year.
Elijah Hewett (Swan District)
I absolutely love Hewett as a prospect and probably have him inside my top 5 to start the season. I think he has all the tools to be an elite midfielder at AFL level. He's a really nice size and has impressive power and explosiveness. He's also a more than capable user of the footy too and has the ability to hit the scoreboard. He's a presence around the contest and whilst his advanced physical development is certainly an advantage over his peers, I think it will translate to the next level. I'd like to see him get some senior WAFL footy under his belt, just to see how he adjusts to some bigger bodies. If he can hang inside the contest at that level, it would further validate his position in this draft.
Isaac Keeler (North Adelaide)
I find Keeler is a bit of a tease as a prospect. He's another forward that does a really good job of getting separation on the lead. He's a good size and has the athletic attributes that would allow him to compete at AFL level. His kicking action is quite smooth and he looks comfortable in front of the goals, though the end result is probably not as consistent as he would like. His size and athleticism should also allow him to relieve through the ruck at the next level too. I'm not quite prepared to declare Keeler as a top end prospect until I see a harder, more physical edge to his game. An increased willingness to compete and physically impose himself on the contest would give me more confidence that he can have a career at AFL level. I think he's a true high ceiling, low floor prospect.
Adam D'Aloia (Woodville West-Torrens)
D'Aloia is an elite first possession winner and one of the best in the clinches. He's relentless at stoppage, clean below his knees and uses quick, sharp hands to distribute to teammates on the outside. He seamlessly adjusted to every rise in competition last year and lead from the front in big games. He's already quite physically developed but seems to have a frame that will be able to continue to add more size. What limits D'Aloia's ceiling at this stage is his use by foot and ability to create separation at the contest. If he can add those two things and improve his outside game, I think he'll find himself picked pretty early on draft night.
What you get with D'Aloia is a first-class kid who is going to really work to get better and improve his game. I think he projects as that third/fourth/fifth midfielder at AFL level but is one who will accept whichever role is handed to him.
Nick Sadler (Sturt)
I really value Nick Sadler's game and love his skill-set. He hits the footy with pace, wins it cleanly below his knees and is a classy user by foot, even at top speed. He's another really well-balanced midfielder who is capable of winning the ball at stoppage and then getting to the outside of the contest to dispose of it. His defensive pressure around the contest is high quality and he consistently finishes tackles. His inside/outside ability creates opportunities for him to fill a number of different roles which will likely work in his favour at the next level. From a skill-set perspective, Sadler offers almost everything that you'd want from a junior prospect and he's one that I think will represent great value in the draft.
Harry Barnett (West Adelaide)
Barnett was West's lead ruck on the weekend and whilst that's probably his role moving forward, I also think he has the capacity to play at either end of the ground. As a ruck, he's influential at centre bounce, where he can get up and over his opponent and get first hand to the footy. His follow up is equally impressive as he can win it below his knees and just take off running. What's even more impressive is his ability to actually deliver the footy on the run for a player his size. He's not always consistent, but some of the kicks he executes on the run are pretty rare for a 200cm+ ruckman. He's a capable contested mark and that's where I think he has the scope to play as a genuine KPP. I think there will be opportunities at senior level for Barnett this year and it will be interesting to see how he develops against the bigger bodies, where his size and athleticism doesn't offer him the same advantage. He's a bit of a character too and someone who you can see is well liked by his teammates.
Max Michalanney (Norwood)
I didn't think I was that high on Michalanney but after seeing him on the weekend he alleviated a lot of the concerns that I had about him. He's not genuine key position height and I often worry about those in between, general defenders, but I think Michalanney's flexibility will be a weapon for him at the next level. I see him as someone who can lock down on the small/medium forwards and hang with the bigger forwards. I think I undervalued his offensive ability, as his willingness to run off his opponent and generate drive out of defence makes him really impactful.
A couple others that I'll keep tracking throughout this year:
Oscar Kregar (West Adelaide) caught my eye on the weekend as a tall winger, who moves really well and is a capable user. I haven't seen enough yet but I wonder if we could see a Brayden Cook type trajectory with him. Anthony Munkara (West Adelaide) is going to be a highlight package all year. He has genuine forward craft and is capable when engaged defensively. It's more just moments with him at this stage but it will be interesting to see how he develops as the season progresses. I really like Kane Bevan's (West Perth) size and aerial ability as a midfielder. I think he's got a well-rounded skill-set and expect him to elevate himself this year. I'm probably not as high on Jedd Busslinger (East Perth) as others and worry a little bit about how his speed/athleticism stacks up at AFL level. Jakob Ryan (Glenelg) is finding plenty of the footy across half back and has a nice blend of size and athleticism that makes him an interesting watch. I've always liked Jaiden Magor (South Adelaide) but I'm just waiting for him to get some time through the midfield and put it all together. Mattaes Phillipou (Woodville West Torrens) and Billy Dowling (North Adelaide) are two that have genuine upside as taller midfielders who can go forward and hit the scoreboard.