List Mgmt. Draft Watch 2015

[LC40]

With Dangerfield gone the player I'm most interested in right at the is moment is Rhys Mathieson. It's time we got a couple of tough hard footballers into our team who won't go missing when the pressure is on. Hard as nails and courageous he finds the ball and we have just lost our best clearance player. Like his football brain and he goes and gets it flat out. Didn't think he would be there for our pick but how things change in a day.
Use our second, 1st round pick from the Dangerfield trade on someone a bit quicker.

 

[azza77]

Actually really like the look of this kid. Is he 18 and being drafted this year or a mature ager?

His pace might not translate as well to AFL level, but yeah looks like a quicker and definitely more skilled version of Sloaney. Great mark as well for someone his size. Looks comfortable of both feet.

Reminds me of Liam Shiels the way he moves.

Im certainly interested....

 

[Jeffcrowe]

are there any highlights reels of draftees up yet like last year? where do i find?

 

[Crowstar]

Actually really like the look of this kid. Is he 18 and being drafted this year or a mature ager?

His pace might not translate as well to AFL level, but yeah looks like a quicker and definitely more skilled version of Sloaney. Great mark as well for someone his size. Looks comfortable of both feet.

Reminds me of Liam Shiels the way he moves.

Im certainly interested....

I know right...I think he's 20 but still a good age

 

[Crowfoot]

With Dangerfield gone the player I'm most interested in right at the is moment is Rhys Mathieson. It's time we got a couple of tough hard footballers into our team who won't go missing when the pressure is on. Hard as nails and courageous he finds the ball and we have just lost our best clearance player. Like his football brain and he goes and gets it flat out. Didn't think he would be there for our pick but how things change in a day.
Use our second, 1st round pick from the Dangerfield trade on someone a bit quicker.

Yeah. We need more players from Geelong.

 

[Captain Furious]

Actually really like the look of this kid. Is he 18 and being drafted this year or a mature ager?

His pace might not translate as well to AFL level, but yeah looks like a quicker and definitely more skilled version of Sloaney. Great mark as well for someone his size. Looks comfortable of both feet.

Reminds me of Liam Shiels the way he moves.

Im certainly interested....

He's 20. Looks quick and skilled, great mark? Yeah, that's the Tassie league he's playing in. Most blokes playing SANFL reserves would look like stars out there. Keep in mind he's been overlooked in two drafts.

Seriously doubt he'd be more than a rookie pick up. Hopefully keeps improving.

 

[cammo6556]

Probably worthwhile popping in some fine observations on Mathieson from our own Skippos

9. Rhys Mathieson - Vic Country (185 cm, 79 kg inside midfielder)
Style/Comparison: Jordan Lewis

Rhys Mathieson is a natural footballer - someone who is not perhaps as smooth or athletic as most in the top end of the draft but makes up for that insmarts and courage. He is the kind of player that while he won't go top five because he is in the lower half for athleticism and has a mediocre kick, you can be sure that he's going to make the grade and play a lot of AFL football. He reminds me a lot of Jordan Lewis. He is not someone who is the prototypical wide framed and big bodied inside mid and doesn't win his own ball through pure strength, but through a natural read of the ruckman's tap combined with smart ground level play and decision making in congestion. He has got a natural feel for the inside that you cannot teach. Not only that, but he is a ferocious footballer and the first to put his head over the ball and attack it at full speed, pushing through anyone in his path. This translates to every part of his game - which is full of energy. At ground level he is clean and he distributes by hand well. He is a high level accumulator who while an inside midfielder is capable of linking up outside. There are two primary knocks on him - athleticism and kicking. As an athlete he is relatively slow without much agility or a good leap, however despite lacking agility he still moves well in traffic as he is very aware of his surroundings. By foot he is inconsistent and lacking creativity, often taking the safe option and rarely breaking open the game by foot. Despite that, his sheer will to win the ball and dominance inside should set him up for a high quality, albeit scrappy, career.

 

[hey shorty]

Don't think we want him based on that. We have enough slow players who can't kick that well.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

wouldn't add another inside mid like mathieson, we need precise kicks and guys that spread well on outside and he's not the one

 

[Captain Furious]

Probably worthwhile popping in some fine observations on Mathieson from our own Skippos

9. Rhys Mathieson - Vic Country (185 cm, 79 kg inside midfielder)
Style/Comparison: Jordan Lewis

Rhys Mathieson is a natural footballer - someone who is not perhaps as smooth or athletic as most in the top end of the draft but makes up for that insmarts and courage. He is the kind of player that while he won't go top five because he is in the lower half for athleticism and has a mediocre kick, you can be sure that he's going to make the grade and play a lot of AFL football. He reminds me a lot of Jordan Lewis. He is not someone who is the prototypical wide framed and big bodied inside mid and doesn't win his own ball through pure strength, but through a natural read of the ruckman's tap combined with smart ground level play and decision making in congestion. He has got a natural feel for the inside that you cannot teach. Not only that, but he is a ferocious footballer and the first to put his head over the ball and attack it at full speed, pushing through anyone in his path. This translates to every part of his game - which is full of energy. At ground level he is clean and he distributes by hand well. He is a high level accumulator who while an inside midfielder is capable of linking up outside. There are two primary knocks on him - athleticism and kicking. As an athlete he is relatively slow without much agility or a good leap, however despite lacking agility he still moves well in traffic as he is very aware of his surroundings. By foot he is inconsistent and lacking creativity, often taking the safe option and rarely breaking open the game by foot. Despite that, his sheer will to win the ball and dominance inside should set him up for a high quality, albeit scrappy, career.

Oh my life...whoever suggested him should be banned from this board.

Another slow inside mid with a dodgy kick?! We can't have all of them!

 

[DJ75]

Oh my life...whoever suggested him should be banned from this board.

Another slow inside mid with a dodgy kick?! We can't have all of them!

ah but we can chuck a party at the coaches house once we draft him right??

 

[1990crow]

ah but we can chuck a party at the coaches house once we draft him right??

M.Crouch isn't a bad kick, slow yes.

 

[Jinglebells32]

Yes please

 

[Stiffy_18]

can't be ****ed reading the whole thread so would someone be kind enough to fill me in on

- Strength of the Draft
- Potential start midfielders with pace and grunt (Danger's longer term replacement)
- KPP depth and quality.

In other words if we get Geelong's pick 9, who is the player we should be looking at and why?

 

[Captain Furious]

can't be stuffed reading the whole thread so would someone be kind enough to fill me in on

- Strength of the Draft
- Potential start midfielders with pace and grunt (Danger's longer term replacement)
- KPP depth and quality.

In other words if we get Geelong's pick 9, who is the player we should be looking at and why?

To be honest, it's a kind of shitty draft. Even more so, that there's not a lot of the type of player we need. Darcy Tucker has been mentioned a bit but hasn't improved on his last year. Players that do that in their u18 year generally don't kick on much. Best case around 9 are inside mids/small forwards that we already have. KPFs like Weidemann or McKay may be around there but both have some question marks. Some good SA boys like Milera, Bonner, Burton; but they're more likely mid-late teens.

Unless a Parish or Curnow looks like slipping, which is highly unlikely, we're actually better off using at least one of our 1st round picks to trade for Bennell/Mayes/Redden or whoever else pops up.

As we've seen though, so much can change over the next month or so...

 

[LC40]

Oh my life...whoever suggested him should be banned from this board.

That would be me!
Rhys Mathieson would be a nice fit for our team. Of course it all depends on how many first round picks we get and who gets traded out.
There's a lot of holes to fill in our squad but tough, uncompromising footballers are hard to come by, we just lost our best one!
This kid is a bona fide first round selection whom I like. Sure I'm keen on Bonner and Parish and to be honest the first player I would select is Jacob Weitering, I should have said him!

 

[morris086]

With potentially multiple first round picks, i wonder if we would chance one on Ryan Burton? although I'm not sure if he is even back training yet.

 

[Mismatched]

can't be stuffed reading the whole thread so would someone be kind enough to fill me in on

- Strength of the Draft
- Potential start midfielders with pace and grunt (Danger's longer term replacement)
- KPP depth and quality.

In other words if we get Geelong's pick 9, who is the player we should be looking at and why?

For mine sounds very similar to last year. There's a clear best 3, although this year the top 3 sound like they're a level above last years top 3. After the top 3 its very even until the late teens, but where last year there was reasonable talent stretching into the mid 30's, this year it sounds like it drops off a cliff after about pick 25.

 

[Mismatched]

With potentially multiple first round picks, i wonder if we would chance one on Ryan Burton? although I'm not sure if he is even back training yet.

I get the feeling we're a good chance of trading away most of our picks, we've already committed upgraded Kelly and O'Brien, I suspect we'll likely only take 1-2 live picks into this draft.

 

[Bicks]

wouldn't add another inside mid like mathieson, we need precise kicks and guys that spread well on outside and he's not the one

If by chance we end up with 2 first round picks I've been doing a bit of research and I reckon Ryan Clarke's worth some serious consideration as a player that could go some way towards replacing Dangerfield, ticks most boxes. I'd use the other on Tucker or Bonner with the hope of allowing their drafting to eventually allow Brodie Smith into the midfield?? I think it was you I saw ask about highlights of guys in this years draft?? Go here...https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIjRjvHFnVYm6OtdD1C9n2Q

Knightmare's bio.

Ryan Clarke (VIC – MID/FWD)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 17/06/1997
Recruited from: Eastern Ranges
Reminds me of: Stephen Hill
Best position/role: Midfielder (outside leaning) who can rotate forward.Strengths: Pace/athleticism/endurance – Clarke is an excellent athlete overall. He runs a 3 second 20m sprint. Has excellent agility and excellent endurance with this evidenced by his 15+ beep test score, and you can really see out on the field how easily and quickly he covers the ground.
Pace/ability to take on the game – Clarke has excellent pace but even more critically excellent ability to use that pace in game. When he has the ball in hand and some space in front of him he can really provide meaningful run at speed with ball in hand.
Evasiveness – Clarke has some nice evasive moves to him and can dodge and weave tackles easily. He has excellent anticipation, and is quick on his feet, but also quick of mind. He can both in general play avoid would-be tacklers, and also at high speeds he also has the ability to turn or stop on a dime or change direction to avoid tacklers.
Footskills/vision/decision making – Clarke has a nice 55m kick on him and displays some real hurt factor by foot. He is an excellent kick in general play when running at full speed, he can hit his targets in general play and also out of stoppages has the ability to find and hit long targets up the field.
Scoreboard impact – Clarke has through the TAC Cup averaged more than a goal a game this season. He is an excellent finisher on goal and can kick goals from as far as 55m. He can kick highlight reel goals running through the centre and kicking long on the run from outside 50m or from the impossible positions, but then also convert from set shots.
Tackling pressure – Clarke provides excellent tackling pressure and some real tackling energy around the ball. He also is an excellent chase-down tackler and can provide some highlight-reel type tackles that can really lift the energy of his team.
Marking ability – Clarke is a strong, clean and capable mark overhead. He is more someone who will take marks in space on the outside or in the forward 50 uncontested.
Production – Clarke has achieved some excellent numbers through the TAC Cup this season. And it’s unusual for such a damaging player with his running ability to find several 30+ disposal games, and manage to average more than a goal a game.
Improvement – Also incredibly impressive with Clarke has been his rate of improvement. This year he has from round one come back to the TAC Cup a dominant footballer after having only played the one game early last season in which he was quiet, with his testing numbers also reported also a substantial step up from where he was at back in 2014.
Questionmarks:Contested ball winning ability – Clarke is a good but not great contested ball winner. He is more at this stage a receiver who will get on the end of someone else’s hard work on the inside rather than be the guy who does the grunt work himself.
Summary:Clarke has the ability to be a 200 game player at the next level and provide meaningful run, production, class and hurt factor through a midfield. Clarke is good enough to receive some senior games in his first season but most likely in season two becomes a regular.

 

[hey shorty]

I get the feeling we're a good chance of trading away most of our picks, we've already committed upgraded Kelly and O'Brien, I suspect we'll likely only take 1-2 live picks into this draft.

If we end up with Geelongs next 2 first rounders Id say we won't have any "live" picks past round 2. Use 1 first rounder on a gun replacement and keep the other. Use round 2 pick on a KPD like Hartley and then upgrade ROB and Kelly.

Im of the opinion if we can get Menzel and Redden with a combination of next years picks and players thats the best go.

 

[Bicks]

Paige Cordona take on her top 25 in the 2015 National Draft.

Bolded the ones I think we are a realistic chance at securing?

http://footyprophet.com/paiges-draft-board-july-edition/

1: Joshua Schache
Height: 199cm, Weight: 96kg
Club: Murray Bushrangers
Position: Key Forward/Ruck

A terrific and consistent performance in the Championships netted the left-footed key forward the coveted Larke Medal as the carnival’s best player. Schache also took home Vic Country’s MVP award in a Championship that saw the country side remain undefeated. Schache has gone from strength to strength in his top-age year. Blessed with vice-like hands, a terrific vertical leap and efficiency in front of goal, Schache’s competitiveness at ground level is what scouts are raving about. With the ability to move into the ruck, the Murray Bushrangers product has terrific agility and athleticism, times his leads well, and is unbeatable in the air.

2: Jacob Weitering
Height: 195cm, Weight: 90kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Position: Defender

The love affair continues for Jacob Weitering within recruiting circles, and it’s with little wonder. At 195cm, the key position defender can do it all. Weitering is an elite ball user by foot and sets up play rapidly from defence, taking intercept marks at will across half-back. The defensive playmaker has shown he is super versatile in his position, in that he can play a lock down role – but also has a terrific athletic makeup that suggests a push to the midfield or a wing is not out of the question in terms of his development moving forward. He has the ability to debut early in his debut season, and serves as a ‘ready made’ player who can step into any team’s backline and have immediate impact.

3: Callum Mills
Height: 188cm, Weight: 78kg
Club: North Shore
Position: Midfielder

A busy midfielder who on the open market would be right in the frame, if not already the draft’s ‘best’ and ‘safest’ pick. Callum Mills is the ultimate professional on and off the track, and presents as the complete package as the modern day midfielder. Mills ticks all the boxes – speed, endurance, agility, he is a volume accumulator and tackler, impacts the scoreboard and is unselfish when in possession. Mills has been held back slightly this year due to a shin injury, however bids will come thick and fast for the Sydney Academy wonder kid who some believe is already ‘better than’ Isaac Heeney.

4: Aaron Francis
Height: 191cm, Weight: 88kg
Club: West Adelaide
Position: Defender/Utility

A super National Championships from the West Adelaide product has seen Aaron Francis shoot dramatically up draft boards, if he wasn’t at the pointy end already. The talented utility put on a masterclass for South Australia, proving his worth and impact up forward and down back. Francis ticks the boxes for competitiveness and courage, particularly in the air where he is more often than not unstoppable. With a neat skillset including an elite kick and a contested edge, Francis has good awareness in congestion and has shown he can find a target under pressure, possessing really good decision making attributes.

5: Jacob Hopper
Height: 186cm, Weight: 82kg
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Position: Midfielder

A wrecking ball in close that also possesses a great kick, quick hands and a hard-nosed approach that gives him a mean, ferocious streak – Jacob Hopper’s currency sky-rocketed during the National Championships with the likes of Mills and fellow GWS Academy member Matt Kennedy missing for the NSW/ACT Rams. Never one to take a backward step, Hopper’s competitiveness and attack on the ball makes him arguably the best contested-ball winner the draft has to offer. Tied to the Giants as part of their Academy, Hopper is every bit an extractor, who can often be found at the coal face, fishing the ball out or winning a free kick. Does the one-percenters coaches love; tackles, smothers, bumps and blocks, and isn’t one to shy away from a bit of a tussle, flying the flag for teammates. Gets a big tick for his transition running, a trait that isn’t talked up enough in talent spotting.

6: Darcy Parish
Height: 181cm, Weight: 72kg
Club: Geelong Falcons
Position: Midfielder

The smiling assassin – he looks like a choirboy, but plays like a junkyard dog and does it all with a smile on his face. Another top-end product from the Geelong Falcons, Darcy Parish put together a terrific performance on return after missing the opening two National Championship games with a busted thumb. He hit his straps immediately, registering 26 disposals and six marks in a polished display. Parish is known for his exploits on the outside of packs; he breaks lines and likes to get busy, setting things up forward of center, and applying scoreboard impact when in range. However his contested game is just as influential, he’s nimble, and bounces through congestion, slipping through would-be tacklers. With an elite disposal efficiency above 70 per cent, there is a reason his teammates look to get the ball into his hands, with Parish one of the top handball receive winners so far in the TAC cup season. Will be a top-5 talent in November’s draft.

7: Charlie Curnow
Height: 191cm, Weight: 95kg
Club: Geelong Falcons
Position: Key Utility

It’s hard to believe that only a few seasons ago Charlie Curnow was playing as a midfielder/flanker, before a massive growth spurt saw him develop into a key position utility. Curnow has a rare, yet exceptional athletic profile. Still, at 191cms, Curnow fits the modern ‘prototype’ of tall midfielders clubs are after, but in reality has shown he’s capable of holding down a position either up forward or down back. The Geelong Falcon is super-aggressive and physical, bodies up nicely to protect the ball drop, and has one-grab hands that allow him to clunk contested marks. Excelling down back, Curnow grabbed his opportunity as a forward last year with the likes of Paddy McCartin and Hugh Goddard missing most of the TAC Cup season owing to school football, and hasn’t taken a backward step in 2015, apart from an untimely dislocated knee that put his Championship aspirations on ice. Will be highly soughtafter come November.

8: Matthew Kennedy
Height: 187cm, Weight: 84kg
Club: Collingullie-Glenfield Park
Position: Midfielder

Another top-end talent to miss the carnival through injury, Matt Kennedy is yet another elite product from the GWS Academy System who clubs will be quickly placing bids for later in the year. The mature-bodied midfielder is incredibly well balanced on both sides of his body, finding targets short and deep with ease. Kennedy is a prime mover, another contested ball winner with grunt and ferocity, but has a smooth, classy outside game in space that gives him a point of difference. I’m a big fan of his work rate, his defensive game (volume tackler) and transition running. He’s no stranger to the ‘don’t argue’, and has a powerful core and strong legs that rarely see him brought to ground.

9: Rhys Mathieson
Height: 185cm, Weight: 79kg
Club: Geelong Falcons
Position: Midfielder

Another contested beast that makes a habit of ensuring his opponent eats dirt when thrown to the ground in a tackle, Geelong’s Rhys Mathieson is a competitor with a football character that coaches crave. A workhorse that loves the physical stuff – Mathieson has a tank that allows him cover huge territory, and remain on the park for long periods of time. A midfielder who’ll dominate the clearances and contested ball, Mathieson doesn’t have any breath-taking traits, however you’ll always know what you’ll get with the fierce midfielder; courage in spades, leadership by the bucket load and an unrelenting attack on the ball that inspires teammates. His disposal can be rushed and scrappy at times, but he’s worked hard on that, and it showed during the championships, averaging 68 per cent disposal efficiency, a tick off AFL-elite.

10: Eric Hipwood
Height: 200cm, Weight: 82kg
Club: Aspley
Position: Key Utility

There must be something in the water in Queensland, because the Lions have made a habit of listing 198cm+ beanpole prospects from their Academy in recent years. With a booming left foot that penetrates well beyond 50 metres, and athleticism that’ll measure off the Richter scale at this year’s combine, the Lions are licking their lips at the raw, exciting prospect that they’ll have exclusive access to thanks to their Academy system. I loved Hipwood’s four-goal performance against Tasmania in the Championships; he made smart leads, impressed with sure hands overhead, and looked ultra-cool and composed kicking for goal. Down back, he’s quick off the mark, competes well below his knees and gets front position, playing the percentages with a strong spoil. There’s a lot of Harris Andrews about Hipwood, it’s a scary prospect to think these two will be the pillars of Brisbane’s spine in the coming years.

11: Harry McKay
Height: 200cm, Weight: 85kg
Club: Gippsland Power
Position: Key Forward/Ruck

A powerful unit that strikes an imposing figure deep forward, Harry McKay burst onto the scene early in the TAC Cup season for the Power with a bag of four goals, and carried that form right through to the National Championships where his impact was seriously felt as the carnival went on. Does all the things a player of his size should do – he hits packs, throws his weight around and is deceptively agile and clean below his knees. Offers some versatility with the ability to be rolled through the ruck, but has an eye for goal and is a strong mark of the ball, both contested and uncontested, and on the lead, with marks above his head a feature. He does have a habit of playing higher up the ground, where he likes to really outwork his opponent, but understands how to lead back into space to put himself into dangerous positions.

12: Sam Weideman
Height: 196cm, Weight: 91kg
Club: Eastern Ranges
Position: Key Forward

A competitive beast blessed with terrific athleticism, agility and a strong leap, Sam Weideman has become somewhat of a hard man to place given his lack of football this year, thanks to a stress fracture in his foot. Weideman had a consistent year for the Ranges as a bottom-age prospect last year (albeit a minor hiccup midway through), getting better as the season progressed, but you only need to look back at his remarkable game for the Academy against the Northern Blues VFL to see what he’s capable of. Weideman has clean hands and is an elite contested mark. He doesn’t mind flying for a ball in a pack situation, just as much as he loves going one-on-one. An efficient power forward, and when you watch him next, check out his composure on either side of his body – something very rare for key forwards.

13: Kieran Collins
Height: 193, Weight: 94kgs
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Position: Key Defender

The development and improvement in 12 months from Kieran Collins is almost hard to fathom. The brute key defender has had a remarkable season to date, shutting down opposition key forwards and rarely having his colours lowered. Collins does everything demanded of a modern day defender. He takes intercept marks, is neat by foot, rebounds from 50 frequently, but is also tough to beat one-on-one in a contest when playing as a stopper. Collins is vanilla, but he does the small things right, and often. His ability in the air and at ground level is robust, he kills contests with big spoils, and doesn’t shy away from being dragged to the goal square, or putting his body on the line. Very much a heart-and-soul player, who could easily churn out 150+ games.

14: Ryan Burton
Height: 191cm, Weight: 83kg
Club: North Adelaide
Position: Medium Forward

You could be forgiven for forgetting who Ryan Burton is. A horrific leg break sustained late last year has seen Burton’s final junior year stalled at the moment, as he recovers from the sickening accident. The North Adelaide forward was touted as a top-five talent after a super-strong championship for South Australian as a bottom-aged player in 2014. Burton is a deadly medium forward who needs little of the ball to stamp his influence on the game. Burton plays exclusively as a specialist forward, and whilst some might knock his lack of versatility, it’s a position he owns and executes. Burton’s leads are quick, well-timed and precise. His marking rates elite, he is unbeatable when he gets front position, is a ripping overhead mark, and is so clean at ground level that he presents an awkward match up for opposition teams. He’ll kick goals from short or long range and from all angles. A very unique player who is still some chance to return to football before the year is out.

15: Riley Bonner
Height: 189cm, Weight: 76kg
Club: West Adelaide
Position: Defender

If you were tracking last year’s draft, Riley Bonner is like Harrison Wigg, but taller. Some recruiters believe that Bonner is the best kick of the 2015 Draft Class, and it’s not hard to see why. Bonner hits the ball hard, flat and gets serious penetration and purchase with a variety of kicks. He’s got speed, he’s got dare and dash, his lateral movements rate elite, and his sidestep through traffic coming out of the backline makes him a tantalizing prospect for a club that’s looking for a chief playmaker coming out of defence. The left-footer has a raking kick, but is super-efficient on his right – a very rare trait for ‘lefties’. He’s shown both at West Adelaide and at Championship level that there is scope for him to play minutes with the midfield, and with his attacking nature, he projects to be a wanted man for those in the 12-20 bracket for picks in November.

16: Darcy Tucker
Height: 184cm, Weight: 78kg
Club: North Ballarat Rebels
Position: Defender

Had a quiet carnival by his lofty standards, but there is no disputing that Darcy Tucker is an exceptionally well-credentialed prospect, and one that has been talked about extensively since being named All Australian in his bottom-age year in 2014. The pacey rebounding-defender is an elite intercept mark and user of the footy. He makes good decisions coming off half-back, and rolls through the midfield when required. Tucker has a sweet sidestep, and is the type of player who can spot a opening in congestion, and burst through it, opening up space for him to break the lines and become a dangerous ball carrier. He’s tough, uncompromising, leads by example and has a fierce streak that coaches love. A strong tackler and somebody who isn’t afraid of b-lining the ball with reckless abandon, Tucker is a favorite among draft watchers.

17: Callum Ah Chee
Height: 182cm, Weight: 71kg
Club: South Fremantle
Position: Midfielder/Forward

Capable of the impossible, and the type of player who’ll create something from nothing – Callum Ah Chee is exhilarating to watch when he’s on song, he’s got speed and acceleration, a natural leap that sees him float high over opponents to take big grabs, and is tidy and precise with the ball by foot. His run-and-carry is arguably the highlight of his game. His three-bounce escapades are that of legend in the WAFL, and conversely, he loves a chase-down tackle, a feature of his game that is adrenaline-charged. Struggled for consistency during the National Championships, but had moments of brilliance where onlookers shook their head in disbelief. He’s a special talent.

18: Harley Balic
Height: 187cm, Weight: 80kg
Club: Sandringham Dragons
Position: Midfielder

A former basketballer whose lateral movements, vision and awareness have made him a hot prospect for those with a pick within the first 15 selections, Harley Balic makes time stop around him. He sees things unfold before others, and understands space and time in thick congestion, finding a way to dish off a slick handball to release a player, or sidestep an opponent to get a kick away. He’s played mostly across half forward, but has really started to make inroads as an on-baller, a position he is projected to hold-down full time in years to come. He is an elite mark, a strong kick for goal and an important avenue to goal with goal assists and involvements.

19: Tom Cole
Height: 185cm, Weight: 76kg
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Position: Defender/Midifelder

An uncompromising defender who hates being beaten, there is a reason Tom Cole’s opponents become a little quieter when he is around. He is tough, physical and flat out aggressive, and I’ll still never forget the day I saw him run 100 metres out of his way to push another player over who had dropped his teammate behind play. That is just the type of player Cole is. The tough defender is a rudder in defence, he likes to control things and usually sets the tone early with his hardness at the ball. Not one to shirk a contest, Cole b-lines the ball and commits with his body, in the air he’s also courageous, and he’s not afraid to drop back into a hole whilst expecting contact. While he’s a little rough around the edges, he’s still got polish in the places he needs it the most. His kicking is tidy, his marking strong, his defensive ability one-on-one sees him often lower the colours of his opponent. Cole is hardly a shirking flower, and he’s become quite an accumulator through the midfielder, undoubtedly improving since his addition to the AFL Academy.

20: Wayne Milera
Height: 185cm, Weight: 75kg
Club: Central District
Position: Midfielder/Forward

Wow! The carnival that Wayne Milera put together was nothing short of extraordinary. He ticked all the ‘C’s for me during the championship; he was competitive, courageous, classy and cool under pressure. A deceptive ferocious edge that sees him attack the ball and the ball carrier with reckless abandon, Milera is shooting up draft boards very quickly. He was super-elite with his disposal, showed his marking prowess with some stellar overhead grabs, loomed large through the midfield and proved a very big headache when stationed across half forward. He’s already got consistent senior action under his belt in the SANFL, where he’s shown he can match and beat some of the stronger bodies, particularly in traffic where he barely caught with the ball. There are so many exciting attributes to his game, particularly when he runs with the ball. It’ll be interesting to see how he’s placed on draft boards as the year rolls on.

21: Ben Keays
Height: 183cm, Weight: 78kg
Club: Redland
Position: Midfielder/Forward

Is there another player in this draft crop that has more spunk and swagger than Ben Keays? Probably not; but the classy midfielder-cum-forward can talk the talk, and certainly walk the walk. He’s got some attitude in the way that he plays, he’s energetic, intoxicating, unforgiving and was born for the big time. I love how he hunts the ball, rather than kick chasing, but his disposal could still use a bit of polish at times. The Harrison Medalist has put two super impressive Championships in as many years together, and the Brisbane Lions Academy member looks more than capable of playing early in 2016.

22: Jade Gresham
Height: 177cm, Weight: 74kg
Club: Northern Knights
Position: Midfielder

A player who makes his teammates walk taller when he’s around, there is no denying Jade Gresham the ball when he wants it. The elite ball winner and TAC Cup superstar was a standout for Vic Metro in a sub-par year, the busy on-baller providing energy and courage in spades at the stoppages, while he proved he was also a handy option up forward. Universally admired by his peers, Gresham has fantastic leadership traits, he excels at the stoppages with his clearances and tackling rating elite, he is vocal and demanding of his teammates, and his efficiency by hand and by foot rounds him out as a very nice package.

23: Nick O’Kearney
Height: 181cm, Weight: 71kg
Club: Calder Cannons
Position: Midfielder

How many players win their club best and fairest in their bottom age year? Not many, but that’s what Nick O’Kearney did last year, and he’s continued that form in 2015, albeit in a very different looking Cannons lineup. Captaining basically every team he’s played for since he was a kid, O’Kearney has future club captain written all over him. He quietly goes about his business with minimal fuss. He collects the ball with ease, finds himself in the right places and is balanced with his inside and outside game. O’Kearney’s work rate needs to be seen to be believed. He is constantly getting to the right spots, and is a workhorse at the stoppages. The nimble midfielder could be compared to Steele Sidebottom in the way that he is so efficient by foot off either side of his body, it’s hard to tell which exactly is his preferred. Every sense an elite player who comes without the bells and whistles, he’ll be a bargain if he’s still around in the late teens or even early 20’s.

24: Luke Partington
Height: 182cm, Weight: 72kgs
Club: Norwood
Position: Midfielder

One of very few players who tests elite for both speed and endurance, Luke Partington is an outside-leaning midfielder who has really worked hard on his inside game to find the right balance between the two. He’s shown at Colts level he can be a damaging and effective by foot, whilst he is also a hard-runner whose link up work and ability to find space and create opportunities for forwards is why he’s so highly rated. Partington put together an impressive championship, leading the way for SA in disposals and clearances, and capped off the carnival with All Australian honors. The goal-kicking midfielder joined Norwood this year as part of the SANFL’s re-zoning, and isn’t far off a senior debut.

25: Ryan Clarke
Height: 180cm, Weight: 77kg
Club: Eastern Ranges
Position: Midfielder

I’m a very big fan of the way that Ryan Clarke plays his football. He’s got versatility in spades and strong leadership that allows him to play all over the park. Whilst he plays predominately as a balanced midfielder, who is as good as winning the contested ball, as he is with it on the outside of packs – Clarke also is a genuine goal-kicking midfielder. His stoppage work is good, and whilst he’s not overly pacey, he’s got a strong three or four-step burst away from a stoppage that gives him enough time to make good decisions by foot. He gets a big tick for his defensive pressure, his tackling is a highlight, and he’s the type of midfielder who’ll push into defence, and be good enough in his end-to-end running to follow the ball to the other end to present as an option.

 

[DJ75]

Bonner and Milera would be great gets

 

[Mckaye17]

Love how he constantly takes two, three blokes on to release team mates to then pass off to and get the 1,2 because of simple gut running. Reminds me a lot of Brodie Smith but this kid can at least take a contested grab by the looks. How olds he? Still an under 18 player this year and draft able in November I assume? 100% get him in!!!

 

[Crowstar]

Love how he constantly takes two, three blokes on to release team mates to then pass off to and get the 1,2 because of simple gut running. Reminds me a lot of Brodie Smith but this kid can at least take a contested grab by the looks. How olds he? Still an under 18 player this year and draft able in November I assume? 100% get him in!!!

That's what I liked too. Stayed in the play constantly. I think he's 20 but there's big interest in him. My wife employs his gf.