Preview 2021 AFL National Draft | NM - #1, #20, #42, #47,#72, #77, #95

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Colbys Boots

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Oct 3, 2017
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For the umpteenth time he at least had to satisfy some arbitrary ethnic lines the AFL threw together.

The northern 'academies' are free hits on any poor soul who can get a kick wanders into their zone. No ethnic diversity checks required.

I might've half bought their PR tripe until the son of a 300 gamer found his way into their academy too.

With what the Tasmanian government is suggesting regarding the grim future of football in the state from a participation point of view if they are not given their own team, there surely should be as much money, time, effort and equally unlimited concessions for the southern-most academy as there is for the northern academies. There should be no ethnic limitations on the Tasmanian academy if the AFL wants to encourage elite talent in the state. The AFL is in danger of losing access to ALL talented young athletes from Tasmania, not just those of Indigenous heritage. Consequently, until Tasmania gets a team, North Melbourne should get first dibs on ALL Tasmanian juniors.
 

Moti

Brownlow Medallist
Mar 4, 2001
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Josh Rachele I could also see as the best in draft class
He’s up there with the Sonsie, Horne and Sinn trio

Only issue is height currently 178 but you’d assume he’s still growing

When are the under 18 champs this year?

Makes the decision on Logan McDonald all the more perplexing


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With what the Tasmanian government is suggesting regarding the grim future of football in the state from a participation point of view if they are not given their own team, there surely should be as much money, time, effort and equally unlimited concessions for the southern-most academy as there is for the northern academies. There should be no ethnic limitations on the Tasmanian academy if the AFL wants to encourage elite talent in the state. The AFL is in danger of losing access to ALL talented young athletes from Tasmania, not just those of Indigenous heritage. Consequently, until Tasmania gets a team, North Melbourne should get first dibs on ALL Tasmanian juniors.

Approved.
 
NAB League Boys 2021: Sandringham Dragons name strong list
In a recognised ‘hot spot’ for under-age talent, the Dragons say their 2021 squad is crammed with emerging players.


5 min read
March 29, 2021 - 11:30AM
Bayside Leader

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Josh Sinn at the NAB League Boys season photo call at Carlton.

Josh Sinn at the NAB League Boys season photo call at Carlton.

There is so-called “top-end’’ talent in the form of Josh Sinn, Blake Howes and Campbell Chesser.

But officials say there is much more to watch on the Sandringham Dragons’ list than the three Academy players already being talked up before a ball has been bounced in the NAB League boys season.

Coach Jackson Kornberg and region manager Mark Wheeler believe the Dragons have assembled an excellent squad and that a string of players is capable of going on to play at the national championships.

Fifty-three players have been listed.

With last season cut off by COVID-19, only 12 have played in the NAB League, all as bottom-agers.

With 2020 jettisoned, the competition has gone to Under 19s, and 22 Dragons are in the 19-year-old bracket.

There are two players even older, ruckman Felix Flockart and key position prospect Jesse Castan. Both are also fighting for a place on the Sandringham VFL list; the hope is that they can push up to the state league.

Josh Sinn of the Sandringham Dragons and Nick Daicos of the Oakleigh Chargers. The teams will kick off the season on Easter Monday.

Josh Sinn of the Sandringham Dragons and Nick Daicos of the Oakleigh Chargers. The teams will kick off the season on Easter Monday.


Newcomers include Hugo Hall-Kahan, Jack Peris (the son of former athlete Nova), Mitch Owens (the brother of Frankston VFL forward Kai), Marcus Windhager (who is returning from an ACL), Nick Salmon and Logan Young, who has come over from Perth.

He is the son of leading WA player agent Colin Young and was a prominent Colts player for Claremont.

“He’s come to Melbourne to chase the dream,’’ Wheeler said of Young, 190cm midfielder.

Peris is a half back and wingman, with his speed his biggest asset, reflecting his athletics background. The Melbourne Grammar boarder is also involved in St Kilda’s NGA, as are Owens, Windhager and Angus McLennan.

There are quiet wraps on Scotch College student McLennan.

“Defender, reads the ball as well as anyone in our team, to be able to roll off and intercept … strong one-on-one player as well,’’ Kornberg said.

Of the 19-year-olds, Luke Cleary, Charlie McKay (the son of former Carlton star Andrew), Darby Hipwell and Lachlan Riley (the son of “Bomber’’) trained at VFL level over summer.

McKay had a run with the Blues and the others at Sandy.

Midfielder Hipwell was named as captain last year and will be co-captain this season, sharing the role with Sinn.

Half back Cleary was shaping strongly for the 2020 season and has continued to press forward with his intercepting marking. He’ll be a vice-captain, along with McKay, Chesser and Liam Hayes.

The Dragons are rich in ruck stocks, with Max Heath returning and Jacob Edwards making eye-taking improvement.

Just as Heath, 204cm, emerged in the pre-season last year, Edwards, 202cm and a Mentone Grammar student, has risen fast.

“He’s pushed his way into contention for our Round 1 team, which is exciting,’’ Kornberg said. “He’s shown dramatic improvement … his ruck work is really good but what’s most impressed me is his around-the-ground work, his follow-up, his spread from marks and spread defensively.’’


Wheeler said the Dragons had five talls who would stand out at different times this year: Heath, Edwards, Flockart, Dante Visentini and Joe Nowell.
Visentini, 18, is 201cm and Wheeler is a fan.

“I believe he probably has the best footy brain as that big bloke. He kicks the ball really well. ‘Jacko’ has always been bullish about him but I’ve probably fallen in love with him in the last month or so,’’ he said. Kornberg added: “He’s strong overhead as a key forward. His footy IQ – know where to lead, where to take his man – is super. He’ll have a go in the ruck as well.’’

A roughie?

Wheeler always likes to spotlight a smoky ahead of the season and this year he likes Luke Nankervis, a half forward who had been playing basketball.

Nankervis will play at Southern league club Bentleigh when he isn’t selected by the Dragons.

In fact, all the 19-year-olds will be playing at their local clubs when they’re not in the NAB League, which Wheeler said was a good thing.

“That’s actually a positive of COVID, that a lot of these boys will get an opportunity to excel locally and at a higher level of footy than if we’d stayed with an Under 18 competition,’’ he said.

With less players involved in school football, there will be less chopping and changing at selection every week.

Wheeler said the Dragons had a strong list and it would create some headaches for the match committee.

“Picking the 22 each week is going to be hard, because there are so many boys with talent,’’ he said.

Kornberg said: “There will be more continuity than we’ve had in the past. We’re not going to have 12, 13 changes each week.’’

The Dragons open their season on Easter Monday, playing their great rival Oakleigh Chargers at Moorabbin.

DRAGONS COACH JACKSON KORNBERG

On Josh Sinn

“He’s tall, with a long left-foot and a damaging ball user across half back. Reads the game behind the ball, well enough to be able to intercept and then propel forwards. His weapons are his kicking and how he uses the ball, particularly from the back half. He’s got speed too and you see that when he gets the ball and starts taking ground. He’ll play half back and roll through the midfield. It will be great for him to show he can play multiple positions and develop versatility.’’

On Blake Howes
“Blake’s a St Bede’s College boy, a lead-up half forward who marks the ball strongly and has the agility to change direction. His aerial presence is terrific. And he’s quick too … sub-three for the 20m sprint.’’

On Campbell Chesser
“Campbell’s a boarder at Melbourne Grammar – he moved down from Albury Wodonga for athletics, which was his primary sport when he was growing up. He picked footy and he captained Vic Country in the Under 16s. Josh Sinn captained Vic Metro Under 16s, which is probably the first time players from the one NAB League club have captained Vic Metro and Vic Country in the same year in the Under 16 program. Campbell’s got the combination of speed and endurance and he’ll run through the wing and on the ball.’’

On Finn Callaghan
“From his intraclub performances, we were really happy he was able to package together what he does at training in games. With his agility and turn of foot, he challenges the player on the mark and accelerates at full speed, shifting angles late and kicking goals. He’ll be a wing and half forward. He’s 190cm, he’s put on a bit of size and he’s got the confidence to go and win his own footy.’’

DRAGONS 2012 SQUAD
Williams Sibly
Lachlan Brooks
Josh Sinn
Lachlan Benton
Blake Howes
Campbell Chesser
Luke De Gregorio
Angus McLennan
Jack Peris
Nicholas Salmon
Luca Macnab
Tom Blamires
Finn Callaghan
Will McCartney
Jasper Conquest
Ben Mansfield
Ned Crowe
Ollie Lowe
Jesse Castan
Jack Forer
Lewis Castle
Caleb Lewis
Archie Loughnan
Dante Visentini
Will Vesely
Ethan Plaza
Rex Kilburn
Leon Alao
Matthew Harms
Lukas Liakakos
Luke Cleary
Lachlan Riley
Marcus Windhager
Ben Andrews
Nicholas Grech
Lachlan Carrigan
Darby Hipwell
Luke Nankervis
Eren Soylemez
Angus Edgar
Jacob Gray
Joel Day
Mitch Owens
Joe Nowell
Max Heath
Ryan Pietsch
Hugo Hall-Kahan
Charlie McKay
Logan Young
William Skinner
Liam Hayes
Jacob Edwards
Kye Turner
Felix Flockart
Michael Lewis
 
NAB League 2021: Western Jets beat Calder Cannons as Cody Raak fires
Western Jets started their NAB League campaign with a thrilling win as defender Cody Raak produced a best-afield performance.


Western Jets survived a fightback from Calder Cannons to register a narrow victory in a tense NAB League season opener on Saturday with top prospect Cody Raak delivering a standout display.

The Jets led by 23 points at the main break after booting five goals to one in the first half at Craigieburn’s Highgate Reserve.

The visitors were restricted to one major in the second half, but prevailed by three points, 6.6 (42) to 5.9 (39) in the first official match since 2019 in the state’s elite underage competition.

“I thought our first half was terrific. The boys looked slick, looked on and put into practice a lot of things that they’d be training,” Jets talent manager Luke Williams said.

“I was really happy for them that they clicked from the start of the game.

“Obviously to Calder’s credit, they regrouped and made it the game we expected. There were no surprises there with their comeback.

“Still plenty of things to work on, but all in all it was a good day for the club and the league.”

Next Generation Academy member Raak, who trained with the Western Bulldogs this year, was best afield.

The 18-year-old Caroline Springs product racked up 31 disposals in defence, showcasing his ability to intercept mark and read the play.
“He was very reliable in defence,” Williams said.

“Cody and the defenders as a whole took it upon themselves to back themselves in, read the play and play with a bit more flair.

“He typified that with having that many disposals and intercept marks.

“It was a fantastic performance, and he used the ball really well by foot as well. It was great for him to show all of his attributes in the first game.”

Raak has relished his move to the backline as he looks to stake his claim for a spot at AFL level.

Williams said the 192cm Raak was earning the rewards of his hard labour.

“He played forward for Vic Metro as a 16-year-old and started as a forward with us,” he said.

“But that defensive post he’s playing now seems quite natural to him from when we moved him there in the middle of the 2019 season.”

Midfielders Harrison White and Liam Conway also impressed for the Jets after undertaking training with VFL clubs in recent months.

White, who has endured a wretched run of shoulder complaints, exhibited his pace and helped set the tone in the opening half alongside Conway.

“I think what we saw (from White on Saturday) is what we’ve been hoping for for a few years, and he’d be relieved to have put in a performance like that at this level. He just hasn’t had the chance for a few years due to injury,” Williams sad.

“He’s an elite runner, too, so that’s going to help him throughout the year.”

Geelong Category B rookie Paul Tsapatolis, who has been given the green light to play for the Jets this season, was an important contributor in the ruck.
Massimo D’Ambrosio also fired across half-back after overcoming back stress fractures.


Calder
Josh Goater 22 disposals
Sam Clohesy 20 disposals
Zac Taylor 18 disposals
Liam Podhajski 16 disposals
Jack Newitt 15 disposals
Josh Misiti 14 disposals
Cairan Wrigglesworth 13 disposals

Western
Liam Conway 31 disposals
Cody Raak 31 disposals
Billy Cootee 17 disposals
Paul Curtis 10 disposals
Paul Tsapatolis 8 disposals
 
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Shinboner1

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 13, 2020
8,887
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AFL Club
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Hey GR anyone available via the mid year draft or do we have to wait until october?
 
Hey GR anyone available via the mid year draft or do we have to wait until october?

I posted some names in the mid season draft thread that may be of interest. Walsh, Heath, Young, Papley, Callow, Raak, Kolar, Lane. Still early days. Once the NAB League, VFL, SANFL and WAFL leagues get going, we'll have a better idea of who's available.
 

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Aug 16, 2009
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I posted some names in the mid season draft thread that may be of interest. Walsh, Heath, Young, Papley, Callow, Raak, Kolar, Lane. Still early days. Once the NAB League, VFL, SANFL and WAFL leagues get going, we'll have a better idea of who's available.
Raak BOG over the weekend ....HBFer I think.
 
Jul 26, 2007
93,454
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The Tree
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Arsenal, Coney Island Warriors
I posted some names in the mid season draft thread that may be of interest. Walsh, Heath, Young, Papley, Callow, Raak, Kolar, Lane. Still early days. Once the NAB League, VFL, SANFL and WAFL leagues get going, we'll have a better idea of who's available.

Oh s**t, is Cody Raak available? I thought he was Dogs NGA for this year but clearly not. He's started well.

Zavier Maher another to keep an eye on.
 

Shinboner1

Norm Smith Medallist
Aug 13, 2020
8,887
16,776
AFL Club
North Melbourne
I posted some names in the mid season draft thread that may be of interest. Walsh, Heath, Young, Papley, Callow, Raak, Kolar, Lane. Still early days. Once the NAB League, VFL, SANFL and WAFL leagues get going, we'll have a better idea of who's available.
Man imagine if we picked up Raak, Heath and someone else mid year.
Would mean we could probably get away with spending some picks on trades and not dilute the young talent pool coming into the team.
I'm 100% for this btw
 
Raak sounds like a good replacement/insurance for Perez. Haven‘t seem him play, but sounds a likely type.
Was basically BOG in round 1 for the Jets. 31 disposals and took a lot of intercept marks. 9 marks, 3 tackles, 11 R50s.

Raak is listed as a Dogs NGA but can still be taken in the first two rounds without placing a bid if he's good enough.

Oh sh*t, is Cody Raak available? I thought he was Dogs NGA for this year but clearly not. He's started well.

Zavier Maher another to keep an eye on.
Ah yes, Maher as well.

Nash Reynolds will be another, overager this year but part of our NGA. He had 12 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles.
 
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Mods? Maybe sticky on the top under a spoiler tag

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can we sticky this in a seperate thread like we did last year ol’ mate?

just saves us searching for it as the season wears on 👊😉👍
 
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