GrommoT
Norm Smith Medallist
- Aug 7, 2015
- 8,256
- 12,895
- AFL Club
- Adelaide
This thread is for collecting together info/posts/etc in one place on players who we might look at with our first pick this year and concentrating on mids only as given we've drafted our big fish last year, I don't think it's a stretch we'll want a jet midfielder with our first pick this year.
I'll update this post as more info, interviews, videos, promising players come to light and shamelessly pinch other people's posts and bring it here. Will also add a poll as this upcoming season gets towards the pointy end.
UPDATES
20210301 - new Johnson comments
20210218 - added 7news Cheeser interview video (& extracted gifs)
So who do we want?
Someone like a Dusty, or that bloke from Cats Creek maybe? Yes please!
A big, fast, line breaking, skilful mid jet is what we need and the following players from further below might fit the bill:
* Horne (182cm)
* Draper (185cm)
* Chesser (185cm)
* Hobbs (182cm)
* Sinn (186cm)
* Johnson (192cm)
* Banks (184cm)
Who do they want?
According to the Wisdom Of The Crowd, posters on the 2021
thread 
seem to think the bottom 4 is going to be made up of North, us, Hawks and the Bumbers.
North BFers seem to rather like taking Horne if they can, and a point has also been made that North have a lot of midfield talent already so could they possibly go for a KPF like Jacob Van Rooyen? (194cm/88kg Claremont KPF [3])
Hawks board BFers seem to like players generally thought to be talents to look out for this year so far - ie. Horne, Rachele, Sonsie and Sinn.
Bumbers board BFers seem to like Sinn and Matthew Johnson - Matthew Johnson is the one to target. 192cm and 83kg in his u17s year as a mid, and is a clearance beast. He's Josh P. Kennedy 2.0 ... patrick cripps just elite by foot on both sides
The players...
South Australians
Jason Horne
South Adelaide Midfielder/forward
182cm/75kg 21/6/03
#1 Jason Horne - Life as a potential number 1 AFL Draft pick
giantroo's videos of Horne
Pykie's post video
Arlo Draper
South Adelaide Midfielder
185cm/71kg 30/1/03
Matthew Roberts
South Adelaide Midfielder
183cm/78kg 31/7/03
[link]
Cooper Murley
Norwood Small Midfielder/Forwar
177cm/66kg 20/06/03
[link]
Round 6 Torrens University Cup MVP - Cooper Murley (Norwood)
Into the FIre Ep. 120 Cooper Murley
James Willis
North Adelaide Midfielder (Crows Academy)
180cm 73kg
[link]
Vic Country
Campbell Chesser
Sandringham Dragons Defender
185cm/78kg 27/4/03
[link]
Rising footy star and Young Achiever Award finalist Campbell Chesser is using athletics to give him an edge over...
From above video:
...not sure which one is Chesser
... based on hair length, Chesser might be the ball extractor and dishing out to the goal kicker.
Josh Rachele
Murray Bushrangers Midfielder/forward
179cm/77kg 11/4/03
Ben Hobbs
GWV Rebels Inside Midfielder
182cm/76kg 15/09/03
Vic Metro
Josh Sinn
Sandringham Dragons Midfielder
186cm/72kg 28/1/03
Tyler Sonsie
Eastern Ranges Midfielder
181cm/73kg 27/1/03
[link]
[link]
... Bear Grylls anyone?
giantroo's video of Sonsie
COVID challenges keep hitting No.1 pick contender Tyler Sonsie
WA
Matthew Johnson
192cm/80kg 16/03/2003
Subiaco Inside Midfielder
Other
Sam Banks
Clarence Defender/Midfielder
184cm
Sauces
[01] My hopes for our 1st round pick [Mutineer]
[02] Shifter Sheahan's take on the 2019 AFL U16's [Mutineer]
[03] Draft: 10 to watch in 2021 [Cal Twomey]
[04] Ben Hobbs [Mutineer]
[05] just off the top of my head ... Josh Rentsch, ... Matthew Dsintriansky, Sam Breuer, ... Alex Lucic, Charlie Molan, Lewis Rayson, Isiaih Dudley, Blayne O'Loughlin, Judd McVee, Cooper Beecken, Isaac Birt, Youseph Dib etc etc. [Mutineer]
[06] Davo-27's 2021 u18 Draft Thread #1
[07] Draft Central - James willis
[08] Draft Central - Sam Banks
[09] Davo-27's 2021 u18 Draft Thread #64
[10] AFL scraps top-20 NGA picks, new mid-season draft plan [AFL, 20201104]
[11] Draft Central - Matthew Johnson
[12] The top AFL draft prospects to watch in 2021
[13] 2021 Draft General Discussion #576
Other relevant Bigfooty threads
2021 Draft picks: 1/20/29/56/62/74 (+ Melb 2nd, Freo 4th)
MAIN BOARDS
2021 Draft General Discussion
Davo-27's 2021 u18 Draft Thread
Bastyy's 2021 AFL Draft Watch
OTHER BOARDS
2021 Draft and Trade thread [Bris]
Draft Watch 2021 [Bums]
2021 Young Talent Time [Freo]
2021 AFL Draft [Geel]
2021 draft and trade period [GC]
2021 List ... Trading & Draft [GWS]
2021 AFL Draft [Haw]
giantroo's 2021 AFL National Draft [North]
2021 Draft Thread [Poos]
2021 draft pool [Rich]
I'll update this post as more info, interviews, videos, promising players come to light and shamelessly pinch other people's posts and bring it here. Will also add a poll as this upcoming season gets towards the pointy end.
UPDATES
20210301 - new Johnson comments
20210218 - added 7news Cheeser interview video (& extracted gifs)
20210217 - added AFL article on Sonsie
So who do we want?
Someone like a Dusty, or that bloke from Cats Creek maybe? Yes please!
A big, fast, line breaking, skilful mid jet is what we need and the following players from further below might fit the bill:
* Horne (182cm)
* Draper (185cm)
* Chesser (185cm)
* Hobbs (182cm)
* Sinn (186cm)
* Johnson (192cm)
* Banks (184cm)
Who do they want?
According to the Wisdom Of The Crowd, posters on the 2021
thread seem to think the bottom 4 is going to be made up of North, us, Hawks and the Bumbers.North BFers seem to rather like taking Horne if they can, and a point has also been made that North have a lot of midfield talent already so could they possibly go for a KPF like Jacob Van Rooyen? (194cm/88kg Claremont KPF [3])
Hawks board BFers seem to like players generally thought to be talents to look out for this year so far - ie. Horne, Rachele, Sonsie and Sinn.
Bumbers board BFers seem to like Sinn and Matthew Johnson - Matthew Johnson is the one to target. 192cm and 83kg in his u17s year as a mid, and is a clearance beast. He's Josh P. Kennedy 2.0 ... patrick cripps just elite by foot on both sides
The players...
South Australians
Jason Horne
South Adelaide Midfielder/forward
182cm/75kg 21/6/03
Medium forward/midfielder who captained South Australia and won their MVP award. Averaged 17.7 disposals (9 contested possessions), 4.3 marks, 6 tackles and 4 clearances across the championships. [02]
Horne is the most credentialed of any of the top prospects for next season and will start next season as perhaps the favourite for the first pick. The strongly built midfielder starred at under-18 level this season in South Australia before being blooded by South Adelaide's senior side. He didn't look out of place, continuing to fly for his marks and take the game on as a forward. Is good overhead, can dominate at the clearances and has set himself up for a big 2021. [03]
The South Adelaide star has it all and it’s why he’s the early favourite to be taken with the first pick of the 2021 draft. He’s strong on the inside, but also electrifying away from the contest and boasts a mix of speed, eye-catching evasiveness and terrific hands overhead. Horne was SA’s MVP at the under-16 national carnival and after a dominant start to 2020 in the under-18s, played the final nine games of the year in South’s league side. [12]
Horne seems comparable to Rowell, the other 3 (Rachele, Sonsie, Sinn) slightly behind that, but its so hard to tell because of the missing 2020 season, ... [Davo-27]
(Pity he's a Port supporter.)
Horne is the most credentialed of any of the top prospects for next season and will start next season as perhaps the favourite for the first pick. The strongly built midfielder starred at under-18 level this season in South Australia before being blooded by South Adelaide's senior side. He didn't look out of place, continuing to fly for his marks and take the game on as a forward. Is good overhead, can dominate at the clearances and has set himself up for a big 2021. [03]
The South Adelaide star has it all and it’s why he’s the early favourite to be taken with the first pick of the 2021 draft. He’s strong on the inside, but also electrifying away from the contest and boasts a mix of speed, eye-catching evasiveness and terrific hands overhead. Horne was SA’s MVP at the under-16 national carnival and after a dominant start to 2020 in the under-18s, played the final nine games of the year in South’s league side. [12]
Horne seems comparable to Rowell, the other 3 (Rachele, Sonsie, Sinn) slightly behind that, but its so hard to tell because of the missing 2020 season, ... [Davo-27]
(Pity he's a Port supporter.)
#1 Jason Horne - Life as a potential number 1 AFL Draft pick
giantroo's videos of Horne
Pykie's post video
Arlo Draper
South Adelaide Midfielder
185cm/71kg 30/1/03
One of a very exciting group of players at South Adelaide ahead of next year's draft. Draper is a midfielder who can find the ball, use it well and hit the scoreboard. He was named in South Australia's state Academy hub for 2020 so would have pushed to feature in the state's under-18 championships side had it gone ahead. [03]
Draper was another standout bottom-ager in the SANFL under-18s this year, showing off his versatility with a number of blistering performances through the midfield and as a marking target inside-50. The classy ball user had 21 contested possessions and 11 clearances in Round 9, before booting 4.1 in the semi-final loss to the Eagles. [12]
Draper was another standout bottom-ager in the SANFL under-18s this year, showing off his versatility with a number of blistering performances through the midfield and as a marking target inside-50. The classy ball user had 21 contested possessions and 11 clearances in Round 9, before booting 4.1 in the semi-final loss to the Eagles. [12]
Matthew Roberts
South Adelaide Midfielder
183cm/78kg 31/7/03
An accumulator of the ball who has already shown he can match it with other midfielders in his class. Roberts showed some exciting signs as a bottom-ager this season with South Adelaide's under-18 team and can make an impact as a first-possession player at the stoppages. [03]
The hardworking left-footer is a ball-magnet – and one of the most promising midfield prospects in the 2021 pool. He may not have as many weapons as his Panthers teammates Horne and Draper, but Roberts is tough, competitive, makes good decisions and is always in the right spot. Even inside-50, where he booted 12 goals in seven games this year. [12]
The hardworking left-footer is a ball-magnet – and one of the most promising midfield prospects in the 2021 pool. He may not have as many weapons as his Panthers teammates Horne and Draper, but Roberts is tough, competitive, makes good decisions and is always in the right spot. Even inside-50, where he booted 12 goals in seven games this year. [12]
Cooper Murley
Norwood Small Midfielder/Forwar
177cm/66kg 20/06/03
Speedster who can play in the midfield or forward. Has the capability to break from contested situations when he wins the ball and close space quickly when the opposition have the ball. During the championships he averaged 17.7 disposals (10 contested possessions), 4 tackles and 1 goal per game. [02]
Round 6 Torrens University Cup MVP - Cooper Murley (Norwood)
Into the FIre Ep. 120 Cooper Murley
James Willis
North Adelaide Midfielder (Crows Academy)
180cm 73kg
Was a stand out in the u17 SA game before the All-Stars game, speed, x-factor, flair, skill. [06]
While his outside game would be sound given his speed, Willis looks just as good on the inside where he uses his strength to fend off opponents and bring them down in desperate tackles. ... There were periods in the third term where Willis looked like tearing the game apart. The dynamic midfielder showed he can do it all in his on-ball role; accumulating around the ground early, winning his own ball, bursting away with strength, and adding deft agile movement in congestion. [07]
While his outside game would be sound given his speed, Willis looks just as good on the inside where he uses his strength to fend off opponents and bring them down in desperate tackles. ... There were periods in the third term where Willis looked like tearing the game apart. The dynamic midfielder showed he can do it all in his on-ball role; accumulating around the ground early, winning his own ball, bursting away with strength, and adding deft agile movement in congestion. [07]
Vic Country
Campbell Chesser
Sandringham Dragons Defender
185cm/78kg 27/4/03
Medium midfielder/defender with explosive pace and is a good ball-user. Reads the game very well and averaged 16.7 disposals, 5 marks and 5.3 tackles across the championships. [02]
Chesser showed his speed with a 2.97-second run earlier this year, highlighting a key weapon in his game. The rebounding defender likes to take the game on but has also had stints playing as an inside midfielder. Is tied to Sandringham despite hailing from country Victoria as he studies in Melbourne. [03]
Current number #1 on Bicks' wish list
Chesser showed his speed with a 2.97-second run earlier this year, highlighting a key weapon in his game. The rebounding defender likes to take the game on but has also had stints playing as an inside midfielder. Is tied to Sandringham despite hailing from country Victoria as he studies in Melbourne. [03]
Current number #1 on Bicks' wish list
Rising footy star and Young Achiever Award finalist Campbell Chesser is using athletics to give him an edge over...
From above video:
...not sure which one is Chesser
... based on hair length, Chesser might be the ball extractor and dishing out to the goal kicker.
Josh Rachele
Murray Bushrangers Midfielder/forward
179cm/77kg 11/4/03
Small midfielder/forward who was a prolific ball-winner throughout the championships, averaging 26 disposals, 4.3 marks, 2.3 clearances and 4 tackles. A clean ball-handler who is elusive and creative, he won Vic Country’s MVP award as well as the Kevin Sheehan Medal for the Best and Fairest player in Division One. [02]
A prime mover for Vic Country's under-16s side in 2019, Rachele placed himself among the players to watch when he claimed the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player in division one at the carnival last year. A powerful midfielder who has an explosive streak to get out of the stoppages and burst away, he got a taste of the NAB League last year with the Bushrangers. [03]
A prime mover for Vic Country's under-16s side in 2019, Rachele placed himself among the players to watch when he claimed the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player in division one at the carnival last year. A powerful midfielder who has an explosive streak to get out of the stoppages and burst away, he got a taste of the NAB League last year with the Bushrangers. [03]
Ben Hobbs
GWV Rebels Inside Midfielder
182cm/76kg 15/09/03
Strongly built hard as nails aggressive inside bull with a developing outside game, penetrating kick and loves to lay a bone crunching tackle. He was generally Josh Rachele's partner in crime in the midfield for Vic Country at the 2019 U16 Nationals...probably 2nd best throughout the Carnival behind Rachele [04]
Medium midfielder who has a good balance between winning his own ball and providing run on the outside. Was a prolific ball-winner in the championships, averaging 25.7 disposals (11 contested possessions), 6.7 tackles, 5 clearances and a goal a game. [02]
Hobbs is a ball magnet who wins the footy on the inside and gets it out cleanly to his teammates with his tidy skills. The Rebels midfielder produced a mammoth effort in Vic Country’s final game at the U16 carnival against South Australia, finishing with 25 disposals (18 kicks at 72 per cent), eight clearances, six inside 50s, two goals and 196 ranking points – trumping the exploits of Horne and Rachele. Hobbs was used at the coalface and across halfback in his five NAB League games for the Rebels in 2019. [12]
Medium midfielder who has a good balance between winning his own ball and providing run on the outside. Was a prolific ball-winner in the championships, averaging 25.7 disposals (11 contested possessions), 6.7 tackles, 5 clearances and a goal a game. [02]
Hobbs is a ball magnet who wins the footy on the inside and gets it out cleanly to his teammates with his tidy skills. The Rebels midfielder produced a mammoth effort in Vic Country’s final game at the U16 carnival against South Australia, finishing with 25 disposals (18 kicks at 72 per cent), eight clearances, six inside 50s, two goals and 196 ranking points – trumping the exploits of Horne and Rachele. Hobbs was used at the coalface and across halfback in his five NAB League games for the Rebels in 2019. [12]
Vic Metro
Josh Sinn
Sandringham Dragons Midfielder
186cm/72kg 28/1/03
Medium defender/midfielder who sets the play up with his line-breaking speed and use of the ball with his penetrating left foot. Excellent leader of the title-winning team averaging 17 disposals, 5.3 marks, 4.3 tackles and 3 clearances across the championships. [02]
Sinn has won comparisons to Greater Western Sydney star Josh Kelly for his brilliant run and ball use. The Dragons midfielder is already being spoken about as one of the leading No.1 pick contenders for 2021 given his ability to penetrate and break the lines. The classy youngster would likely have been given strong exposure this year at under-18 level. [03]
Best footballer I have seen pure talent is josh sinn ... kids a freak. Imagine putting Isaac and Luke hodge together But taller ... [->]
he is my favourite player in this draft! Super prospect. Has it all! Height, courage, leadership, skills, speed, versatility. [->]
Sinn has won comparisons to Greater Western Sydney star Josh Kelly for his brilliant run and ball use. The Dragons midfielder is already being spoken about as one of the leading No.1 pick contenders for 2021 given his ability to penetrate and break the lines. The classy youngster would likely have been given strong exposure this year at under-18 level. [03]
Best footballer I have seen pure talent is josh sinn ... kids a freak. Imagine putting Isaac and Luke hodge together But taller ... [->]
he is my favourite player in this draft! Super prospect. Has it all! Height, courage, leadership, skills, speed, versatility. [->]
Tyler Sonsie
Eastern Ranges Midfielder
181cm/73kg 27/1/03
Medium midfielder who had an outstanding championships, winning Vic Metro’s MVP award as he averaged 22.7 disposals, 3.3 clearances and 3.3 tackles. A prolific ball-winner with natural goal sense, he kicked 4 goals against Western Australia in the deciding game to help assure his team of the title. [02]
Sonsie is among the group of promising Vic Metro midfielders in the pool next year. The smooth mover impressed at under-16s level, claiming his side's MVP award at the championships, and also debuted last year at NAB League level for the Eastern Ranges. Uses the ball well and is prolific through that part of the ground. [03]
The MVP of a star-studded Vic Metro line-up at the under-16 carnival, Sonsie had a devastating impact in the final game, tallying 19 disposals and booting four majors – including three snaps from tight angles. Sonsie brings X-Factor, has a nice kick and is a prolific ball-winner. He featured in six NAB League last year for the Ranges and held his spot during all three of their finals. [12]
Sonsie is among the group of promising Vic Metro midfielders in the pool next year. The smooth mover impressed at under-16s level, claiming his side's MVP award at the championships, and also debuted last year at NAB League level for the Eastern Ranges. Uses the ball well and is prolific through that part of the ground. [03]
The MVP of a star-studded Vic Metro line-up at the under-16 carnival, Sonsie had a devastating impact in the final game, tallying 19 disposals and booting four majors – including three snaps from tight angles. Sonsie brings X-Factor, has a nice kick and is a prolific ball-winner. He featured in six NAB League last year for the Ranges and held his spot during all three of their finals. [12]
... Bear Grylls anyone?
giantroo's video of Sonsie
COVID challenges keep hitting No.1 pick contender Tyler Sonsie
WA
Matthew Johnson
192cm/80kg 16/03/2003
Subiaco Inside Midfielder
Inside Mid - SO SO SO UNDERRATED. I will be shocked if he doesn’t go top 10. Has the perfect build for the AFL has the best skills of any midfielder I’ve seen from WA in some some time. Has the potential to play league all season and be a number one pick candidate. [13]
Subiaco Colts premiership player, Johnson developed well in 2020 to become one of his state’s leading midfielders. He has a terrific balance of aggression and class, able to win his own ball and carve ways around his opponents on the exit. Has great upside as a raw, tall ball winner. [11]
The tall midfielder is one to watch in 2021. He was a standout in the WAFL Colts grand final in his bottom-age season, tallying 22 disposals, 10 contested possessions, eight score involvements, five clearances and 143 Champion Data rankings points. Johnson is tough, clean, clever in traffic and looks to have big scope for improvement. [12]
Subiaco Colts premiership player, Johnson developed well in 2020 to become one of his state’s leading midfielders. He has a terrific balance of aggression and class, able to win his own ball and carve ways around his opponents on the exit. Has great upside as a raw, tall ball winner. [11]
The tall midfielder is one to watch in 2021. He was a standout in the WAFL Colts grand final in his bottom-age season, tallying 22 disposals, 10 contested possessions, eight score involvements, five clearances and 143 Champion Data rankings points. Johnson is tough, clean, clever in traffic and looks to have big scope for improvement. [12]
Other
Sam Banks
Clarence Defender/Midfielder
184cm
Tasmania’s top prospect for 2021 had one of his better games for the year, racking up some big numbers across the ground and working into the game more and more as it went on. He continually showed clean hands and has the nice balance of skill and athleticism that sees him hard to match up on. [08]
Attacking inside mid, kicked a goal from the centre circle in the NAB League against Oakleigh, as a 16 year old looked a class prospect, good movement on the field, good use of the footy, goal kicking mid [09]
The Apple Isle’s leading 2021 draft prospect. Banks has brilliant skills by foot on both sides and strong hands overhead, displaying these strengths on repeat at the division two under-16 carnival last year, where he won a mountain of footy on the outside. The defender/wingman also stepped up into Tasmania’s NAB League side, playing eight matches and averaging 11.5 disposals. In 2020, he showed positive signs for Clarence in the Tasmania State League against senior bodies ahead of his draft year. [12]
Attacking inside mid, kicked a goal from the centre circle in the NAB League against Oakleigh, as a 16 year old looked a class prospect, good movement on the field, good use of the footy, goal kicking mid [09]
The Apple Isle’s leading 2021 draft prospect. Banks has brilliant skills by foot on both sides and strong hands overhead, displaying these strengths on repeat at the division two under-16 carnival last year, where he won a mountain of footy on the outside. The defender/wingman also stepped up into Tasmania’s NAB League side, playing eight matches and averaging 11.5 disposals. In 2020, he showed positive signs for Clarence in the Tasmania State League against senior bodies ahead of his draft year. [12]
Sauces
[01] My hopes for our 1st round pick [Mutineer]
[02] Shifter Sheahan's take on the 2019 AFL U16's [Mutineer]
[03] Draft: 10 to watch in 2021 [Cal Twomey]
[04] Ben Hobbs [Mutineer]
[05] just off the top of my head ... Josh Rentsch, ... Matthew Dsintriansky, Sam Breuer, ... Alex Lucic, Charlie Molan, Lewis Rayson, Isiaih Dudley, Blayne O'Loughlin, Judd McVee, Cooper Beecken, Isaac Birt, Youseph Dib etc etc. [Mutineer]
[06] Davo-27's 2021 u18 Draft Thread #1
[07] Draft Central - James willis
[08] Draft Central - Sam Banks
[09] Davo-27's 2021 u18 Draft Thread #64
[10] AFL scraps top-20 NGA picks, new mid-season draft plan [AFL, 20201104]
[11] Draft Central - Matthew Johnson
[12] The top AFL draft prospects to watch in 2021
[13] 2021 Draft General Discussion #576
Other relevant Bigfooty threads
2021 Draft picks: 1/20/29/56/62/74 (+ Melb 2nd, Freo 4th)
MAIN BOARDS
2021 Draft General Discussion
Davo-27's 2021 u18 Draft Thread
Bastyy's 2021 AFL Draft Watch
OTHER BOARDS
2021 Draft and Trade thread [Bris]
Draft Watch 2021 [Bums]
2021 Young Talent Time [Freo]
2021 AFL Draft [Geel]
2021 draft and trade period [GC]
2021 List ... Trading & Draft [GWS]
2021 AFL Draft [Haw]
giantroo's 2021 AFL National Draft [North]
2021 Draft Thread [Poos]
2021 draft pool [Rich]
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