Draft Expert Davo-27's 2024 Draft Thread

Remove this Banner Ad

In the usual Chargers squad mix manner, 4 of these 5 lads listed are APS footballers. Not sure on Liam C.
On top of their well discussed high draft prospects mids (O’Sullivan, Smith, Gross, etc) who also come from ‘the same cloth’.
Often this is a challenge during term 2 school footy season, when so many of their top liners are on school duty & Oakleigh drop what would otherwise be winnable games.
Sandy seem to manage this issue, NB won the flag last year, while contending with the same juggling act…
Jy Bond was the master of managing this at Oakleigh.
 
Jy Bond was the master of managing this at Oakleigh.
Seems Sandy last season perhaps batted deeper underneath their APS absentees, hence snagging the flag.
That said Chargers last season were said (by some) to be lighter on for top age depth, hence a so-so season (by their standards) while playing plenty of bottom agers, week to week, more than recent years…
 

Log in to remove this ad.

Just looking through the CTL squads to see the depth of possible Draft Talent, here's how it looks from my PoV, * = 2025 draft, ** = msd

VM

Calder - Harry O'Farrell, Nash King, Isaac Kako, Jayden Nguyen, Cooper Duff-Tytler*, Damon Hollow, Thomas Legudi (7 maybe Said?)

Eastern - Josh Smillie, Christian Moraes, Oliver Greeves*, Lachy Dovaston*, Ry Cantwell** , Iliro Smit** , Luke Wilson(inj) (7 maybe Anderson)

Northern - Jesse Dattoli, Zak Johnson, Liam Farrar, Lucas McInerney, Mitch Moate*, Tyson Gresham*, Ty Kitchell (7)

Oakleigh - Finn O'Sullivan, Jagga Smith, Patrick Retschko, Tom Gross, Louis Emmett*, Charlie Richardson, Doug Kerr, Tadgh McCarthy, Sam Grij*, Luke Quaynor (10 with a few that could lift like Yze, Leidler, Davey-Motlop, Alger and Allen*)

Sandringham - Levi Ashcroft, Nathan Sulzberger, Murphy Reid, Luke Trainor, Taj Hotton, Archie Ludowyke*, Jack Dalton*, Xavier Bamert*, Sam Marshall, Bailey McKenzie, Harry Armstrong, Zach Travers (12 with Hofmann and Fanning being chances)

Western - Luca Grego, Thomas McGuane* (2 maybe Raso and Snell a chance?)

‐----------------------------------------------------‐----------‐----------------------------------

VC

Bendigo - Archer Day-Wicks, Jobe Shanahan, Tobie Travaglia, Tom Evans, Archie Watt (5)

Dandenong - Harvey Langford, Cooper Hynes, Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves*, Tairon Ah-Mu*, Noah Mraz (5 maybe Peckett)

Geelong - Xavier Ivisic, Harry Morphet*, Giuseppe Posterino*, Angus Morrison, Lachie Jaques, Zac McInnes, Ben Rongdit* (7)

Gippsland - Xavier Lindsay, Ricky Mentha, Jobe Scapin*, Willem Duursma*, Zach O'Keefe*, Max Donahue, Max Stobie (7)

GWV - Jonty Faull, Sam Lalor, Flynn Penry, Rhys Unwin, Jack Ough, Oliver Hannaford (6)

Murray - Josh Murphy, Darby Wilson, Jack Whitlock, Matt Whitlock, Riley Onley*, Will McCarthy, Oliver Warburton (7)


(edit)Tasmania - Oliver Depaoli-Kubank, Georgie Payne** (2)

Similar to recent seasons Sandy seem favourites with Oakleigh one of the best challengers and Western having by far the least depth of high end talent, Calder and Eastern look like they could fill out the top 4?
 
Last edited:
Just looking through the CTL squads to see the depth of possible Draft Talent, here's how it looks from my PoV, * = 2025 draft, ** = msd

VM

Calder - Harry O'Farrell, Nash King, Isaac Kako, Jayden Nguyen, Cooper Duff-Tytler*, Damon Hollow, Thomas Legudi (7 maybe Said?)

Eastern - Josh Smillie, Christian Moraes, Oliver Greeves*, Lachy Dovaston*, Ry Cantwell**, Luke Wilson(inj) (6)

Northern - Jesse Dattoli, Zak Johnson, Liam Farrar, Lucas McInerney, Mitch Moate*, Tyson Gresham*, Ty Kitchell (7)

Oakleigh - Finn O'Sullivan, Jagga Smith, Patrick Retschko, Tom Gross, Louis Emmett*, Charlie Richardson, Doug Kerr, Tadgh McCarthy, Sam Grij*, Luke Quaynor (10 with a few that could lift like Yze, Leidler, Davey-Motlop, Alger and Allen*)

Sandringham - Levi Ashcroft, Nathan Sulzberger, Murphy Reid, Luke Trainor, Taj Hotton, Archie Ludowyke*, Jack Dalton*, Xavier Bamert*, Sam Marshall, Bailey McKenzie, Harry Armstrong, Zach Travers (12 with Hofmann and Fanning being chances)

Western - Luca Grego, Thomas McGuane* (2 maybe Raso and Snell a chance?)

‐----------------------------------------------------‐----------‐----------------------------------

VC

Bendigo - Archer Day-Wicks, Jobe Shanahan, Tobie Travaglia, Tom Evans, Archie Watt (5)

Dandenong - Harvey Langford, Cooper Hynes, Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves*, Taiwan Ah-Mu*, Noah Mraz (5 maybe Peckett)

Geelong - Xavier Ivisic, Harry Morphet*, Giuseppe Posterino*, Angus Morrison, Lachie Jaques, Zac McInnes, Ben Rongdit* (7)

Gippsland - Xavier Lindsay, Ricky Mentha, Jobe Scapin*, Willem Duursma*, Zach O'Keefe*, Max Donahue, Max Stobie (7)

GWV - Jonty Faull, Sam Lalor, Flynn Penry, Rhys Unwin, Jack Ough, Oliver Hannaford (6)

Murray - Josh Murphy, Darby Wilson, Jack Whitlock, Matt Whitlock, Riley Onley*, Will McCarthy, Oliver Warburton (7)



Similar to recent seasons Sandy seem favourites with Oakleigh one of the best challengers and Western having by far the least depth of high end talent, Calder and Eastern look like they could fill out the top 4?
Tasmania?
 
The 3 I have are.

Oliver Dean Ruck 16/10/06199cm/82kg South Launceston NTJFATasmania Devils/Allies
Oliver Depaoli-Kubank Utility 24/7/06177cm/64kgUlverstone NWFLTasmania Devils/Allies
Lenny Douglas3/7/06179cm/74kgDavenport NWFLTasmania Devils/Allies
 
The 3 I have are.

Oliver Dean Ruck 16/10/06199cm/82kg South Launceston NTJFATasmania Devils/Allies
Oliver Depaoli-KubankUtility24/7/06177cm/64kgUlverstone NWFLTasmania Devils/Allies
Lenny Douglas3/7/06179cm/74kgDavenport NWFLTasmania Devils/Allies

yea i like Oliver Depaoli-Kubank, but im not sold on the others, the Ling Brothers also play well, but are small and im not sure if they do enough, Georgie Payne is back as an overager as well, if he improves he might get a chance at the MSD?
 
2024 Top 30 Rankings, Pre-season



1. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh (VC) - 181cm - high marking, midfielder, with good centre clearances and general quality disposal of footy, i still think he is likely number 1 pick going into the season
2. Levi Ashcroft - Sandringham (Bris FS) - 179cm - quality small forw, who can also play as an accumulator midfielder, gathering over 30 disposals, good kick at goal, disposal and movement isnt as smooth as Brother Will, but has great flexibility of position
3. Leonardo Lombard - GCS A - 178cm - great movement and use of footy, moves around the ground well, looks elite at VFL level
4. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh - 181cm - accumulator mid with good accuracy at goal, can grass a few kicks, but works hard all over the ground to gather the ball and provide run
5. Sid Draper - Sth Adel - 180cm - another accumulator mid with amazing work rate, can kick the ball a bit flat and i would like to see more of him, but every time i've seen him i have rated him highly
6. Josh Smillie - Eastern - 194cm - he was the best player for VM at u16s as a mid and hbf, lacks a little speed, but just wins contests and is a good user of the footy, his height also gives him flexibility of roles
7. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo (NSW) - 192cm - vice like hands like Stewie Loewe, contested mark specialist, good in the contest, his hands are so good that i think he will have no trouble at the next level playing KPF
8. Harry O'Farrell - Calder - 196cm - strong KPD player who has taken a big step last year and could be the best KPD option in this years draft
9. Jonty Faull - GWV - 194cm - made a big impression late last year also coming from nowhere to stake a claim as 1 of the best KPF options
10. Tyler Welsh - WWT (Adel FS)- 191cm - showed his worth dominating for SA as a mobile FF who really gave SA some punch up forward, his height is a concern as he doesnt have the vice like grip that Jobe has, but his athleticism is very good and could make up for it? if he doesnt grow could be a valuable 3rd forward which lowers his value a little, but still a high end talent
11. Tobie Travaglia - Bendigo - 187cm - i have seen a lot of him play in defence and he is just a competitive and skillful player, moves so smoothly for a tallish player and gives his all
12. Christian Moraes - Eastern - 182cm - has had an amazing 2023 and i hear he is on track to have a great 2024 season
13. Phoenix Hargrave - Sth Adel - 182cm - had a huge u16s year, won sanfl u18s mvp last year, smooth moving midfielder
14. Nathaniel Sulzberger - Sandringham/Tas - 184cm - strong inside mid who can play on the outside, can win his own ball and deliver it well, another Tassie player like Sanders playing for Sandy and he looks great, going a bit early, but he has great potential
15. Patrick Retschko - Oakleigh - 186cm - hbf who is moving into the midfield this season, beautiful kick and movement
16. Nash King - Calder - 181cm - love his toughness on the inside and run, but his kicking has dropped him down the rankings a little
17. Zak Johnson - Northern - 185cm - beautiful kicking midfielder, impressed at u16s with his kicking at goal and in general and also had a good year last year, so im expecting more of the same.
18. Joe Harrison - Syd A 179cm - small sample, but he was amazing in a state game, will have to see more
19. Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland - 182cm - he has always been very good in every team he plays, i really like his character too, he seems to be very confident and capable
20. Ben Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 184cm - playing more midfield he has surpassed his brother in form
21. Lucas Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 182cm - was fantastic at the u16s champs and has great potential
22. Murphy Reid - Sandringham - 181cm - he was huge for Sandy in the pre-season, in bursts he is super clean and skillful
23. Kayle Gerryn - West Perth - 198cm - ruck/kpf from WA, very talented tall player, had a huge growth spurt so plays with the skills of a small
24. Benny Barrett - Sth Adel (Port NGA)- 174cm - similar player to Ky Pickett, a strong player from the dominant SA team in the u16s
25. Tom Gross - Oakleigh - 180cm - tough midfielder, was not at his best this preseason
26. Otis Harvey - Swan Dist - 182cm - good midfielder from WA, he has a big job to carry a weak WA team this year
27. Ricky Mentha - Gippsland/NT - 179cm - hff who is strong and a good kick, clever player who wins 1 on 1s
28. Luke Trainor - Sandringham - 193cm - he looks in great form in preseason, already looks ready for AFL, rising up my rankings, very good KPD potential
29. Sam Lalor - GWV - 187cm - strong midfielder for VC, lacks a little pace, but he has his fans
30. Isaac Kako - Calder (Ess NGA) - 175cm - quick goal kicking small forward, excitement machine
 
Last edited:
2024 Top 30 Rankings, Pre-season



1. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh (VC) - 181cm - high marking, midfielder, with good centre clearances and general quality disposal of footy, i still think he is likely number 1 pick going into the season
2. Levi Ashcroft - Sandringham (Bris FS) - 179cm - quality small forw, who can also play as an accumulator midfielder, gathering over 30 disposals, good kick at goal, disposal and movement isnt as smooth as Brother Will, but has great flexibility of position
3. Leonardo Lombard - GCS A - 178cm - great movement and use of footy, moves around the ground well, looks elite at VFL level
4. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh - 181cm - accumulator mid with good accuracy at goal, can grass a few kicks, but works hard all over the ground to gather the ball and provide run
5. Sid Draper - Sth Adel - 180cm - another accumulator mid with amazing work rate, can kick the ball a bit flat and i would like to see more of him, but every time i've seen him i have rated him highly
6. Josh Smillie - Eastern - 194cm - he was the best player for VM at u16s as a mid and hbf, lacks a little speed, but just wins contests and is a good user of the footy, his height also gives him flexibility of roles
7. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo (NSW) - 192cm - vice like hands like Stewie Loewe, contested mark specialist, good in the contest, his hands are so good that i think he will have no trouble at the next level playing KPF
8. Harry O'Farrell - Calder - 196cm - strong KPD player who has taken a big step last year and could be the best KPD option in this years draft
9. Jonty Faull - GWV - 194cm - made a big impression late last year also coming from nowhere to stake a claim as 1 of the best KPF options
10. Tyler Welsh - WWT (Adel FS)- 191cm - showed his worth dominating for SA as a mobile FF who really gave SA some punch up forward, his height is a concern as he doesnt have the vice like grip that Jobe has, but his athleticism is very good and could make up for it? if he doesnt grow could be a valuable 3rd forward which lowers his value a little, but still a high end talent
11. Tobie Travaglia - Bendigo - 187cm - i have seen a lot of him play in defence and he is just a competitive and skillful player, moves so smoothly for a tallish player and gives his all
12. Christian Moraes - Eastern - 182cm - has had an amazing 2023 and i hear he is on track to have a great 2024 season
13. Phoenix Hargrave - Sth Adel - 182cm - had a huge u16s year, won sanfl u18s mvp last year, smooth moving midfielder
14. Nathaniel Sulzberger - Sandringham/Tas - 184cm - strong inside mid who can play on the outside, can win his own ball and deliver it well, another Tassie player like Sanders playing for Sandy and he looks great, going a bit early, but he has great potential
15. Patrick Retschko - Oakleigh - 186cm - hbf who is moving into the midfield this season, beautiful kick and movement
16. Nash King - Calder - 181cm - love his toughness on the inside and run, but his kicking has dropped him down the rankings a little
17. Zak Johnson - Northern - 185cm - beautiful kicking midfielder, impressed at u16s with his kicking at goal and in general and also had a good year last year, so im expecting more of the same.
18. Joe Harrison - Syd A 179cm - small sample, but he was amazing in a state game, will have to see more
19. Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland - 182cm - he has always been very good in every team he plays, i really like his character too, he seems to be very confident and capable
20. Ben Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 184cm - playing more midfield he has surpassed his brother in form
21. Lucas Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 182cm - was fantastic at the u16s champs and has great potential
22. Murphy Reid - Sandringham - 181cm - he was huge for Sandy in the pre-season, in bursts he is super clean and skillful
23. Kayle Gerryn - West Perth - 198cm - ruck/kpf from WA, very talented tall player, had a huge growth spurt so plays with the skills of a small
24. Benny Barrett - Sth Adel (Port NGA)- 174cm - similar player to Ky Pickett, a strong player from the dominant SA team in the u16s
25. Tom Gross - Oakleigh - 180cm - tough midfielder, was not at his best this preseason
26. Otis Harvey - Swan Dist - 182cm - good midfielder from WA, he has a big job to carry a weak WA team this year
27. Ricky Mentha - Gippsland/NT - 179cm - hff who is strong and a good kick, clever player who wins 1 on 1s
28. Luke Trainor - Sandringham - 193cm - he looks in great form in preseason, already looks ready for AFL, rising up my rankings, very good KPD potential
29. Sam Lalor - GWV - 187cm - strong midfielder for VC, lacks a little pace, but he has his fans
30. Isaac Kako - Calder (Ess NGA) - 175cm - quick goal kicking small forward, excitement machine
Nice shout with Otis Harvey. He goes alright.
Tom Gross a slider.
 
Nice shout with Otis Harvey. He goes alright.
Tom Gross a slider.

I thought Deian Roberts - Peel and Otis Harvey were the best mids from the u16s from WA(and Chayse Martinson), but Deian Roberts had an ordinary wafl colts season in 2023 whereas Harvey was more consistent, as for Tom Gross he seemed less effective in the preseason games i saw and also seemed to drop off a little late last season from his manic style he showed early last season, i think he has come back to the pack a little bit from my PoV.
 
Some Players around the 30-40 mark atm...

Harvey Langford - Dandenong - 190cm - midfielder
Sam Marshall - Bris A/Sand - 185cm - midfielder
Archer Day-Wicks - Bendigo - 185cm - forw/mid
Kade Herbert - WWT - 183cm - hbf/mid
Jayden Nguyen - Calder - 177cm - wing
Jesse Dattoli - Northern - 179cm - forw
Xavier Ivisic - Geelong - 180cm - wing
Ned Atkinson - Sturt - 181cm - midfielder
Jacob Newton - Norwood - 176cm - midfielder
Flynn Penry - GWV - 201cm - ruck
 
Last edited:

(Log in to remove this ad.)

2024 Top 30 Rankings, Pre-season

1. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh (VC) - 181cm - high marking, midfielder, with good centre clearances and general quality disposal of footy, i still think he is likely number 1 pick going into the season
2. Levi Ashcroft - Sandringham (Bris FS) - 179cm - quality small forw, who can also play as an accumulator midfielder, gathering over 30 disposals, good kick at goal, disposal and movement isnt as smooth as Brother Will, but has great flexibility of position
3. Leonardo Lombard - GCS A - 178cm - great movement and use of footy, moves around the ground well, looks elite at VFL level
Wowza! Two Queenslanders in the top 3 picks. Exciting stuff for the growth of the game.
 
Just looking through the CTL squads to see the depth of possible Draft Talent, here's how it looks from my PoV, * = 2025 draft, ** = msd

VM

Calder - Harry O'Farrell, Nash King, Isaac Kako, Jayden Nguyen, Cooper Duff-Tytler*, Damon Hollow, Thomas Legudi (7 maybe Said?)

Eastern - Josh Smillie, Christian Moraes, Oliver Greeves*, Lachy Dovaston*, Ry Cantwell** , Iliro Smit** , Luke Wilson(inj) (7 maybe Anderson)

Northern - Jesse Dattoli, Zak Johnson, Liam Farrar, Lucas McInerney, Mitch Moate*, Tyson Gresham*, Ty Kitchell (7)

Oakleigh - Finn O'Sullivan, Jagga Smith, Patrick Retschko, Tom Gross, Louis Emmett*, Charlie Richardson, Doug Kerr, Tadgh McCarthy, Sam Grij*, Luke Quaynor (10 with a few that could lift like Yze, Leidler, Davey-Motlop, Alger and Allen*)

Sandringham - Levi Ashcroft, Nathan Sulzberger, Murphy Reid, Luke Trainor, Taj Hotton, Archie Ludowyke*, Jack Dalton*, Xavier Bamert*, Sam Marshall, Bailey McKenzie, Harry Armstrong, Zach Travers (12 with Hofmann and Fanning being chances)

Western - Luca Grego, Thomas McGuane* (2 maybe Raso and Snell a chance?)

‐----------------------------------------------------‐----------‐----------------------------------

VC

Bendigo - Archer Day-Wicks, Jobe Shanahan, Tobie Travaglia, Tom Evans, Archie Watt (5)

Dandenong - Harvey Langford, Cooper Hynes, Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves*, Tairon Ah-Mu*, Noah Mraz (5 maybe Peckett)

Geelong - Xavier Ivisic, Harry Morphet*, Giuseppe Posterino*, Angus Morrison, Lachie Jaques, Zac McInnes, Ben Rongdit* (7)

Gippsland - Xavier Lindsay, Ricky Mentha, Jobe Scapin*, Willem Duursma*, Zach O'Keefe*, Max Donahue, Max Stobie (7)

GWV - Jonty Faull, Sam Lalor, Flynn Penry, Rhys Unwin, Jack Ough, Oliver Hannaford (6)

Murray - Josh Murphy, Darby Wilson, Jack Whitlock, Matt Whitlock, Riley Onley*, Will McCarthy, Oliver Warburton (7)


(edit)Tasmania - Oliver Depaoli-Kubank, Georgie Payne** (2)

Similar to recent seasons Sandy seem favourites with Oakleigh one of the best challengers and Western having by far the least depth of high end talent, Calder and Eastern look like they could fill out the top 4?
I think Taj Bond might get a look as a late developer at 203cms from the Bendigo Pioneers
 
2024 Top 30 Rankings, Pre-season



1. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh (VC) - 181cm - high marking, midfielder, with good centre clearances and general quality disposal of footy, i still think he is likely number 1 pick going into the season
2. Levi Ashcroft - Sandringham (Bris FS) - 179cm - quality small forw, who can also play as an accumulator midfielder, gathering over 30 disposals, good kick at goal, disposal and movement isnt as smooth as Brother Will, but has great flexibility of position
3. Leonardo Lombard - GCS A - 178cm - great movement and use of footy, moves around the ground well, looks elite at VFL level
4. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh - 181cm - accumulator mid with good accuracy at goal, can grass a few kicks, but works hard all over the ground to gather the ball and provide run
5. Sid Draper - Sth Adel - 180cm - another accumulator mid with amazing work rate, can kick the ball a bit flat and i would like to see more of him, but every time i've seen him i have rated him highly
6. Josh Smillie - Eastern - 194cm - he was the best player for VM at u16s as a mid and hbf, lacks a little speed, but just wins contests and is a good user of the footy, his height also gives him flexibility of roles
7. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo (NSW) - 192cm - vice like hands like Stewie Loewe, contested mark specialist, good in the contest, his hands are so good that i think he will have no trouble at the next level playing KPF
8. Harry O'Farrell - Calder - 196cm - strong KPD player who has taken a big step last year and could be the best KPD option in this years draft
9. Jonty Faull - GWV - 194cm - made a big impression late last year also coming from nowhere to stake a claim as 1 of the best KPF options
10. Tyler Welsh - WWT (Adel FS)- 191cm - showed his worth dominating for SA as a mobile FF who really gave SA some punch up forward, his height is a concern as he doesnt have the vice like grip that Jobe has, but his athleticism is very good and could make up for it? if he doesnt grow could be a valuable 3rd forward which lowers his value a little, but still a high end talent
11. Tobie Travaglia - Bendigo - 187cm - i have seen a lot of him play in defence and he is just a competitive and skillful player, moves so smoothly for a tallish player and gives his all
12. Christian Moraes - Eastern - 182cm - has had an amazing 2023 and i hear he is on track to have a great 2024 season
13. Phoenix Hargrave - Sth Adel - 182cm - had a huge u16s year, won sanfl u18s mvp last year, smooth moving midfielder
14. Nathaniel Sulzberger - Sandringham/Tas - 184cm - strong inside mid who can play on the outside, can win his own ball and deliver it well, another Tassie player like Sanders playing for Sandy and he looks great, going a bit early, but he has great potential
15. Patrick Retschko - Oakleigh - 186cm - hbf who is moving into the midfield this season, beautiful kick and movement
16. Nash King - Calder - 181cm - love his toughness on the inside and run, but his kicking has dropped him down the rankings a little
17. Zak Johnson - Northern - 185cm - beautiful kicking midfielder, impressed at u16s with his kicking at goal and in general and also had a good year last year, so im expecting more of the same.
18. Joe Harrison - Syd A 179cm - small sample, but he was amazing in a state game, will have to see more
19. Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland - 182cm - he has always been very good in every team he plays, i really like his character too, he seems to be very confident and capable
20. Ben Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 184cm - playing more midfield he has surpassed his brother in form
21. Lucas Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 182cm - was fantastic at the u16s champs and has great potential
22. Murphy Reid - Sandringham - 181cm - he was huge for Sandy in the pre-season, in bursts he is super clean and skillful
23. Kayle Gerryn - West Perth - 198cm - ruck/kpf from WA, very talented tall player, had a huge growth spurt so plays with the skills of a small
24. Benny Barrett - Sth Adel (Port NGA)- 174cm - similar player to Ky Pickett, a strong player from the dominant SA team in the u16s
25. Tom Gross - Oakleigh - 180cm - tough midfielder, was not at his best this preseason
26. Otis Harvey - Swan Dist - 182cm - good midfielder from WA, he has a big job to carry a weak WA team this year
27. Ricky Mentha - Gippsland/NT - 179cm - hff who is strong and a good kick, clever player who wins 1 on 1s
28. Luke Trainor - Sandringham - 193cm - he looks in great form in preseason, already looks ready for AFL, rising up my rankings, very good KPD potential
29. Sam Lalor - GWV - 187cm - strong midfielder for VC, lacks a little pace, but he has his fans
30. Isaac Kako - Calder (Ess NGA) - 175cm - quick goal kicking small forward, excitement machine

Must be the shortest top 5 in a long time.
 
2024 Top 30 Rankings, Pre-season



1. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh (VC) - 181cm - high marking, midfielder, with good centre clearances and general quality disposal of footy, i still think he is likely number 1 pick going into the season
2. Levi Ashcroft - Sandringham (Bris FS) - 179cm - quality small forw, who can also play as an accumulator midfielder, gathering over 30 disposals, good kick at goal, disposal and movement isnt as smooth as Brother Will, but has great flexibility of position
3. Leonardo Lombard - GCS A - 178cm - great movement and use of footy, moves around the ground well, looks elite at VFL level
4. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh - 181cm - accumulator mid with good accuracy at goal, can grass a few kicks, but works hard all over the ground to gather the ball and provide run
5. Sid Draper - Sth Adel - 180cm - another accumulator mid with amazing work rate, can kick the ball a bit flat and i would like to see more of him, but every time i've seen him i have rated him highly
6. Josh Smillie - Eastern - 194cm - he was the best player for VM at u16s as a mid and hbf, lacks a little speed, but just wins contests and is a good user of the footy, his height also gives him flexibility of roles
7. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo (NSW) - 192cm - vice like hands like Stewie Loewe, contested mark specialist, good in the contest, his hands are so good that i think he will have no trouble at the next level playing KPF
8. Harry O'Farrell - Calder - 196cm - strong KPD player who has taken a big step last year and could be the best KPD option in this years draft
9. Jonty Faull - GWV - 194cm - made a big impression late last year also coming from nowhere to stake a claim as 1 of the best KPF options
10. Tyler Welsh - WWT (Adel FS)- 191cm - showed his worth dominating for SA as a mobile FF who really gave SA some punch up forward, his height is a concern as he doesnt have the vice like grip that Jobe has, but his athleticism is very good and could make up for it? if he doesnt grow could be a valuable 3rd forward which lowers his value a little, but still a high end talent
11. Tobie Travaglia - Bendigo - 187cm - i have seen a lot of him play in defence and he is just a competitive and skillful player, moves so smoothly for a tallish player and gives his all
12. Christian Moraes - Eastern - 182cm - has had an amazing 2023 and i hear he is on track to have a great 2024 season
13. Phoenix Hargrave - Sth Adel - 182cm - had a huge u16s year, won sanfl u18s mvp last year, smooth moving midfielder
14. Nathaniel Sulzberger - Sandringham/Tas - 184cm - strong inside mid who can play on the outside, can win his own ball and deliver it well, another Tassie player like Sanders playing for Sandy and he looks great, going a bit early, but he has great potential
15. Patrick Retschko - Oakleigh - 186cm - hbf who is moving into the midfield this season, beautiful kick and movement
16. Nash King - Calder - 181cm - love his toughness on the inside and run, but his kicking has dropped him down the rankings a little
17. Zak Johnson - Northern - 185cm - beautiful kicking midfielder, impressed at u16s with his kicking at goal and in general and also had a good year last year, so im expecting more of the same.
18. Joe Harrison - Syd A 179cm - small sample, but he was amazing in a state game, will have to see more
19. Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland - 182cm - he has always been very good in every team he plays, i really like his character too, he seems to be very confident and capable
20. Ben Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 184cm - playing more midfield he has surpassed his brother in form
21. Lucas Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 182cm - was fantastic at the u16s champs and has great potential
22. Murphy Reid - Sandringham - 181cm - he was huge for Sandy in the pre-season, in bursts he is super clean and skillful
23. Kayle Gerryn - West Perth - 198cm - ruck/kpf from WA, very talented tall player, had a huge growth spurt so plays with the skills of a small
24. Benny Barrett - Sth Adel (Port NGA)- 174cm - similar player to Ky Pickett, a strong player from the dominant SA team in the u16s
25. Tom Gross - Oakleigh - 180cm - tough midfielder, was not at his best this preseason
26. Otis Harvey - Swan Dist - 182cm - good midfielder from WA, he has a big job to carry a weak WA team this year
27. Ricky Mentha - Gippsland/NT - 179cm - hff who is strong and a good kick, clever player who wins 1 on 1s
28. Luke Trainor - Sandringham - 193cm - he looks in great form in preseason, already looks ready for AFL, rising up my rankings, very good KPD potential
29. Sam Lalor - GWV - 187cm - strong midfielder for VC, lacks a little pace, but he has his fans
30. Isaac Kako - Calder (Ess NGA) - 175cm - quick goal kicking small forward, excitement machine
Curious how the Camoreale twins are listed here side-by-side. Thought there's been various commentary from SA observers that 1 twin (Ben) is much more advanced than his brother. NB: no 2 is > top 40….
 
Curious how the Camoreale twins are listed here side-by-side. Thought there's been various commentary from SA observers that 1 twin (Ben) is much more advanced than his brother. NB: no 2 is > top 40….
Lucas was actually rated a lot higher than Ben was a year ago
 
I think Taj Bond might get a look as a late developer at 203cms from the Bendigo Pioneers
He is a name floating around, I'll keep an eye out for him this season.

Must be the shortest top 5 in a long time.
There is yet to be a KPP to stand out as elite, there's a few in the first round though.

Curious how the Camoreale twins are listed here side-by-side. Thought there's been various commentary from SA observers that 1 twin (Ben) is much more advanced than his brother. NB: no 2 is > top 40….
They are both talented, I think Lucas is more composed and Ben a bit more of a work rate type, both were a part of the dominant SA u16s team and both performed on gf day although the papers love disposal numbers and pumped up Ben, I thought they were both very good, Ben also has the better numbers at sanfl u18s last season, Lucas's was better for SA at the u16s, so it's pretty even between them imo.
 
Last edited:
i just rewatched the u17s Futures on GF Day and this time i analysed the game in my own way, giving them points for good play, here are the results, i was surprised at some performers that i had not rated highly because of previous performances, maybe they were unfit or injured during those times?, but they impressed in this high tier game, like Harvey Langford and Sam Marshall who had great games and Finn O'Sullivan not playing much midfield and still coming out on top...

14 - Finn O'Sullivan
13 - Harvey Langford, Sam Marshall
12 - Ben Camporeale, Leonardo Lombard, Zak Johnson, Josh Smillie
11 - Levi Ashcroft
9 - Lucas Camporeale, Jagga Smith, Sid Draper, Phoenix Hargrave, Tobie Travaglia, Isaac Kako, Xavier Lindsay, Sam Lalor
8 - Christian Moraes, Malakai Champion, Nash King
7 - Murphy Reid, Flynn Penry.....(kpp and rucks usually get 1.5x scaling, so this is good for a ruck)
6 - Kade Herbert, Josh Murphy, Luke Trainor, Taj Hotton, Tom Gross
5 - Austin Van Der Struyf, Jonty Faull, Mitch Woods, Lucca Grego, Harry O'Farrell
4 - Joe Harrison, Tom Luck, Bo Allan, Archer Day-Wicks, Joel Cochran, Jobe Shanahan
3 - Tyler Welsh, Tom Gillett
2 - Oliver Warburton, Clay Shadforth, Rome Burgoyne
1 - Noah Mraz, Ricky Mentha
0 - Oliver Dean

after seeing these results i wanted to put Sam Marshall, Flynn Penry and Harvey Langford back in my top 30 lol...

some might argue about Ben Camporeale winning the medal for most disposals, but i thought he didnt use the ball the best and overall had a few 3 touch chains ect, which devalued his influence per poss and inflated his perceived influence a bit, i still thought he was in the best hand full in the game, i just thought a few others were a bit better.
 
Last edited:
I thought Deian Roberts - Peel and Otis Harvey were the best mids from the u16s from WA(and Chayse Martinson), but Deian Roberts had an ordinary wafl colts season in 2023 whereas Harvey was more consistent, as for Tom Gross he seemed less effective in the preseason games i saw and also seemed to drop off a little late last season from his manic style he showed early last season, i think he has come back to the pack a little bit from my PoV.
Harvey’s family is quite tall so he’s got all the makings to be a big bodied mid.
 
Northern v Western (123-80) *=2025 draft

Northern
Lucas McInerney - 12 - 2 goals - good wing/outside player with some decent inside/contest ability
Zak Johnson - 10 - 1 goal - came off the field for a bit, was dominating prior to that, but came back on later and continued to play well
Jesse Dattoli - 10 - 1 goal - small forward who can also wins contests
Thomas Sims - 10 - 5 goals - big key forw
Riley Ormerod - 10 - solid midfielder
*Seb Murphy - 8 - 2 goals
Charlie Opie - 7 - 1 goal
*James Allison - 6
*Mitch Moate - 6 - 2 goals
Aaron Doyle - 5
Taj Logan - 5

Western
Lucca Grego - 9 - 1 goal - good honest inside mid
*Thomas McGuane - 9 - speedy talented inside/outside mid who can also play forward
*Kobe Williams - 6 - 1 goal
*Oskar Ainsworth - 6
Daniel Snell - 5
Jack Gerardi - 5 - 2 goals
 
Last edited:
interesting new players in the first 2 games


Thomas Sims - Northern - 199cm KPF/Ruck - that kicked 5 goals and looked like an interesting prospect
Max Mapley - Tasmania - 199cm KPF/Ruck - 19 yo that could be a MSD prospect
Riley Ormerod - Northern - 172cm midfielder - a bit small, puts in good effort
 
2024 Top 30 Rankings, Pre-season



1. Finn O'Sullivan - Oakleigh (VC) - 181cm - high marking, midfielder, with good centre clearances and general quality disposal of footy, i still think he is likely number 1 pick going into the season
2. Levi Ashcroft - Sandringham (Bris FS) - 179cm - quality small forw, who can also play as an accumulator midfielder, gathering over 30 disposals, good kick at goal, disposal and movement isnt as smooth as Brother Will, but has great flexibility of position
3. Leonardo Lombard - GCS A - 178cm - great movement and use of footy, moves around the ground well, looks elite at VFL level
4. Jagga Smith - Oakleigh - 181cm - accumulator mid with good accuracy at goal, can grass a few kicks, but works hard all over the ground to gather the ball and provide run
5. Sid Draper - Sth Adel - 180cm - another accumulator mid with amazing work rate, can kick the ball a bit flat and i would like to see more of him, but every time i've seen him i have rated him highly
6. Josh Smillie - Eastern - 194cm - he was the best player for VM at u16s as a mid and hbf, lacks a little speed, but just wins contests and is a good user of the footy, his height also gives him flexibility of roles
7. Jobe Shanahan - Bendigo (NSW) - 192cm - vice like hands like Stewie Loewe, contested mark specialist, good in the contest, his hands are so good that i think he will have no trouble at the next level playing KPF
8. Harry O'Farrell - Calder - 196cm - strong KPD player who has taken a big step last year and could be the best KPD option in this years draft
9. Jonty Faull - GWV - 194cm - made a big impression late last year also coming from nowhere to stake a claim as 1 of the best KPF options
10. Tyler Welsh - WWT (Adel FS)- 191cm - showed his worth dominating for SA as a mobile FF who really gave SA some punch up forward, his height is a concern as he doesnt have the vice like grip that Jobe has, but his athleticism is very good and could make up for it? if he doesnt grow could be a valuable 3rd forward which lowers his value a little, but still a high end talent
11. Tobie Travaglia - Bendigo - 187cm - i have seen a lot of him play in defence and he is just a competitive and skillful player, moves so smoothly for a tallish player and gives his all
12. Christian Moraes - Eastern - 182cm - has had an amazing 2023 and i hear he is on track to have a great 2024 season
13. Phoenix Hargrave - Sth Adel - 182cm - had a huge u16s year, won sanfl u18s mvp last year, smooth moving midfielder
14. Nathaniel Sulzberger - Sandringham/Tas - 184cm - strong inside mid who can play on the outside, can win his own ball and deliver it well, another Tassie player like Sanders playing for Sandy and he looks great, going a bit early, but he has great potential
15. Patrick Retschko - Oakleigh - 186cm - hbf who is moving into the midfield this season, beautiful kick and movement
16. Nash King - Calder - 181cm - love his toughness on the inside and run, but his kicking has dropped him down the rankings a little
17. Zak Johnson - Northern - 185cm - beautiful kicking midfielder, impressed at u16s with his kicking at goal and in general and also had a good year last year, so im expecting more of the same.
18. Joe Harrison - Syd A 179cm - small sample, but he was amazing in a state game, will have to see more
19. Xavier Lindsay - Gippsland - 182cm - he has always been very good in every team he plays, i really like his character too, he seems to be very confident and capable
20. Ben Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 184cm - playing more midfield he has surpassed his brother in form
21. Lucas Camporeale - Glenlg (Carl FS) - 182cm - was fantastic at the u16s champs and has great potential
22. Murphy Reid - Sandringham - 181cm - he was huge for Sandy in the pre-season, in bursts he is super clean and skillful
23. Kayle Gerryn - West Perth - 198cm - ruck/kpf from WA, very talented tall player, had a huge growth spurt so plays with the skills of a small
24. Benny Barrett - Sth Adel (Port NGA)- 174cm - similar player to Ky Pickett, a strong player from the dominant SA team in the u16s
25. Tom Gross - Oakleigh - 180cm - tough midfielder, was not at his best this preseason
26. Otis Harvey - Swan Dist - 182cm - good midfielder from WA, he has a big job to carry a weak WA team this year
27. Ricky Mentha - Gippsland/NT - 179cm - hff who is strong and a good kick, clever player who wins 1 on 1s
28. Luke Trainor - Sandringham - 193cm - he looks in great form in preseason, already looks ready for AFL, rising up my rankings, very good KPD potential
29. Sam Lalor - GWV - 187cm - strong midfielder for VC, lacks a little pace, but he has his fans
30. Isaac Kako - Calder (Ess NGA) - 175cm - quick goal kicking small forward, excitement machine
Sulzberger listed at 188cm in the age article. Not sure who's right.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top