Past #16: Aiden Bonar - drafted by GWS #11 '17 ND - traded to NM end '19 - 25 NM games - thx Bon

Welcome to North, Shin-Bonar!

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Trade paperwork lodged: GWS Giants trade Aiden Bonar and Future Round 4 2020 selection (tied to Melbourne) to North Melbourne for Future Round 3 2020 selection.

Aiden Bonar has a new home at Arden St, after North Melbourne concluded a deal with GWS for the talented midfielder.

The Roos receive Bonar and future fourth-round pick, in exchange for a future third-round selection.

The former pick 11 has only managed six games with the Giants in his two seasons of senior football, and is looking for more opportunities.

"We're delighted to snare a player of Aiden's talent," North coach Rhyce Shaw said.

"At 188cm, he can play as a mid, or go forward with great impact.

"Aiden is a dynamic and super athletic player and he offers us a lot of flexibility."

Explosive and powerfully built, Bonar’s athleticism is one of his standout traits, as he ranked second in the 20m sprint at the 2017 Draft Combine, and first in the vertical standing jump.

Due to a log-jam of midfielders at GWS, Bonar was unable to break into the senior side in 2019 but Shaw believes he will add to his games tally at North.

"There'll definitely be opportunities for Aiden to play, and we are really excited to see what he can bring to the table," Shaw added.

"You cannot pass up on bringing in someone of his skill level and talent, and we will be a better team with him on the list."
 
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Feb 1, 2008
12,308
15,120
Thailand
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Born March 8, 1999
DRAFT ANALYSIS: "One of the most exciting talents in the draft, Aidan Bonar has been a revelation coming off two knee reconstructions to be in serious contention for a first round selection. He still has plenty to work on, but oozes X-factor."
OVERVIEW
Aidan Bonar was always internally highly rated as a youngster, but after two knee reconstructions, became the forgotten man. Returning late in the season, the Dandenong Stingrays’ X-factor became an eye-catcher with his dash, vertical leap and ability to make magic happen when he had the football. He still has a long way to go in terms of playing AFL football after missing so much development with his injuries, but in terms of what he is capable of, many believe he is an untapped talent that could go far with the right coaching. There were very little expectation for the tall forward/inside midfielder coming back to the TAC Cup, but his glimpses certainly showed he had what it takes to become an AFL footballer.
STRENGTHS
  • Kicking
  • Acceleration
  • X-factor
  • Versatility
Bonar is a player that many have asked about in the recent months such has been his rise up the ranks since returning from injury. He oozes X-factor, has elite acceleration and topped the charts with his vertical leap at the National Combine. He has all the raw traits to becoming a sensation and cult hero at the next level. It was hard for football followers not to get excited when a 189cm player who plays taller than he is, can run and jump like Bonar can. His kicking despite efficiency being poor in the TAC Cup, is rated as high as they come over long distances. His short kicking can sometimes miss targets, but as a whole, his kicking is a strength.
Based on his athletic traits alone, it is hard seeing him slip out of the second round, and some rumours have St Kilda considering him with one of their top 10 picks – a remarkable transformation from forgotten man to potential top 10 draftee. The other strength of Bonar’s that is often forgotten is his versatility. He played at both ends and through the middle at times in the TAC Cup, but seems to have the most impact as a half-forward. In the All Stars game he impressed through the midfield and will be much better for the run. At AFL level, expect him to play up forward before progressing into the midfield with time. While he was okay in defence, he did not have the same influence as when he was further down the ground.
IMPROVEMENTS
  • Endurance
  • Consistency
The two knocks for me are his endurance and his consistency. For all his exciting factors, he has to build his consistency. This of course will come with time and once his endurance base grows. One can hardly blame him given he has spent two years out of the game, but despite the obvious appeal towards Bonar it is worth remembering he still has areas he needs to develop. The other improvement Bonar needs to make is building his tank. It is no surprise again given he has missed two years out of the game, but his endurance is quite poor as it stands, which is why he mostly stayed forward or back in his matches with the Stingrays. His endurance results at the National Combine were in the bottom 12 across both the 2km time trial and yo-yo test. Again, it is an improvement which will come with time, but a reason why he is unlikely to play AFL football in the near future.
 
Mar 23, 2001
15,177
48,353
Forever Death riding *
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Wildcats/Pacers/Chelsea/Scorchers
March 8, 1999
DRAFT ANALYSIS: "One of the most exciting talents in the draft, Aidan Bonar has been a revelation coming off two knee reconstructions to be in serious contention for a first round selection. He still has plenty to work on, but oozes X-factor."
Is this kid 40 years old?..
 
Sep 4, 2014
2,806
6,203
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
Golden State, SF 49ers
Very cheap deal for a pick 11 two years ago who has played senior footy. That's what happens when you sign a kid up to an extension of 2 * 400K soon after you draft him when you don't have the cash to play him.

Now Jason can come home. Thanks for the deal. Job well done.
 
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