Resource Noob's 2025 Draft Prospect Video Thread

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This was NHH's first game back after an extended break with a shoulder injury and he put together a strong performance through three quarters before fading out in the fourth, clearly short of full match fitness. He played exclusively forward, and mostly out of the goal square as a marking target with only a couple of ventures outside of the 50. He kicked 4 goals through three quarters and looked lively whenever the footy was in his area, helping his team to a comfortable lead which they held all game.

 

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It seems only a matter of time before Archer May gets his opportunity on an AFL list. He had his supporters after a solid top age season for the Dragons in 2023, and then had his name mentioned as a possible pick up in last years MSD. This year, after a hot start with Subiaco in the WAFL he's again firmly in the MSD frame and seems likely to be taken.

Here we look back to last year at probably his best game playing for Richmond in the VFL tallying 17 disposals, 11 marks and 4 goals. Not the quickest key forward but a big powerful frame and soft hands, active and competitive, strong forward craft to position himself ahead of the play or find space inside the 50.

 

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McCarthy is another of the Richmond VFL linked players being discussed as potential mid season draft picks. He's a versatile type who can play a number of roles. In this game he was deployed primarily as a medium sized defender, working hard both ways and being effective at disrupting opposition moves as well as getting involved in attacking ball movement.

 

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After booting a bag for Vic Country in the Young Guns trial game a couple of weeks ago, Jesse Mellor backed up that performance by going big again on the weekend for the Falcons. He and his team struggled a little with the Devil's pressure in the first half, but they burst into life in the second half launching a ferocious comeback on the back of Mellor's 4 second half goals and fiery competitive spirit, ultimately falling just short of a come from behind win. Mellor was impactful in all the ways you want to see from a forward, taking marks on the lead and in contested situations, crumbing and even snapping a quick left foot goal from the middle of the pack at a forward 50 stoppage.

 

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Another strong performance from Byrne who's putting together a solid body of work through this first third of the season. Given his lack of size might make it difficult for him as a pure mid at AFL level it was encouraging to see him pop up with a couple of goals here and I'll be keen to see if we get more of him in different roles as the season progresses.

The broadcast had some major issues with lag spikes which affects this video a little.

 

[noobermensch]

Mid season draft fancy Michael Sellwood did his best work in this game through the middle two quarters where he was extremely influential as the WAFL built a big lead over their SANFL rivals. Sellwood has taken more marks than anyone in the WAFL this year and watching him play you can see why as his best attributes show up in that stat. He positions himself assertively and comes off his man to impact third up in the air, taking intercept marks or disrupting with spoils, and he works extremely hard in transition to find space and offer himself as an outlet for his teammates.

 

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On a day when the Geelong defence was under siege for much of the game and many of the Hawks forwards were running rampant, MSD prospect Charlie McCartin was one of few Cats players to leave with his reputation not just intact but enhanced. Looking like a copy of his brother Tom, he rarely gave his direct matchup anything and regularly came off his man to try and help out third up. His intercept marking was a feature and his disposal coming out of defence was tidy and constructive.

 

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El Nour is another who's been discussed in draft circles for a number of years, is back on the MSD radar this year and seems destined to get a crack at AFL footy eventually. After a shaky start to this game Mutaz showed his fine attributes for a versatile medium defender. He brings athleticism and intensity in his defensive actions and rebounding dash to break lines with the ball.

 

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Another in what seems like an endless supply of MSD candidates from the Richmond VFL program, Raso is a quintessential small forward who knows his role and performs it well. You'll find him buzzing around at the feet of the bigs inside F50 looking for a crumb or getting dangerous with dashing run as the ball transitions forward. One of the things I like most about Raso is that he's almost never caught flat footed, he times his run through dangerous space at the feet of a pack or through a stoppage. His defensive pressure is solid.

 

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Banch has been an important part of a very successful Werribee team for the last season and a half and has started attracting attention heading into the upcoming mid season draft. Zac is a quick and creative small forward with a low center of gravity who can turn on a dime and drive his legs through congestion, challenging opposition tacklers. He works hard up the ground and makes himself available for forward release disposals and can find creative ways to set up his teammates in transition.

 

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I haven't been able to confirm if Riley Mason has nominated for the MSD or not, but I've had this one ready for a couple of days so may as well post it.

Mason started the season on fire, kicking 9 goals across his first two games of the VFL season including this bag of 5. He's a strong aerialist who loves a launch at the footy and doesn't mind getting into a bit of verbal with his opponents. Rumours suggest that he's being tracked by the Pies as a potential move from their VFL to AFL list.

 

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Another solid game from Willem who helped Gippsland to another big win, the Power looking like they might be the team to beat from the Vic based clubs this year. Willem again struggled a little with his disposal but he wasn't alone with a strong wind playing havoc on the day.

 

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A real project pick with some elite traits, Rod Ali converted from basketball to give footy a serious go this season and is already on the radar of some AFL clubs with a shot at being taken in the MSD.

Here we see him playing Talent League for the Eastern Ranges, using his athleticism and reach to pick off intercept marks or disrupt his opponents with spoils. He didn't shy away from physical contact and showed some competitive intensity.

 

[noobermensch]

The powerful Charlie McKinnon put on quite a display for draft watchers on the weekend, kicking a big bag of 8 goals. His own goals were the headline but he did a number of other damaging things inside forward 50, directly assisting three other goals with his bullocking work at ground level. Charlie was a late starter this season after missing the preseason and first several round through injury, but if this performance is anything to go by he's hitting top form just in time for the Champs.

 

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Sharp turned in a quality display of inside midfield craft in this one as the NSW mids weren't able to stop him getting to the drop of the ball and extracting it to his team's advantage. His hands were super slick and clean in tight with a couple of 'bink and you miss it' moments. As always Sharp didn't shirk his defensive responsibilities, locking down on opposition mids when required a number of strong tackles. His numbers likely would have been even higher but for a shift into defense in the 4th quarter with SA well in control.

 

[noobermensch]

I've been intending to get something up for Cameron Nairn for a while now and this strong performance by him for SA on the weekend is the perfect opportunity. He's been super consistent this year, taking marks and banging in the goals for Central Districts. Here we saw him playing wing and high half forward, presenting super strongly as a connector around the ground and sliding down into the forward 50 to take a number of strong marks. He kicked three and could have had a couple more.

 

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Following up his BOG last week we have another strong performance from Cody Walker who seems to be taking over as one of the Pioneers prime movers through the middle. He struggled to control his kicking in the wind but was powerful inside the contest and slick with his hands.

 

[noobermensch]

The rumours suggest that a couple of clubs including Carlton are looking at Newton ahead of tomorrows mid season draft. While he went undrafted last year, Newton had his admirers and may have been a victim of the unusually deep draft pool. He had some exciting moments at the Champs for SA, and looks to have progressed nicely early this season with Norwood, already having a strong impact at SANFL level.

 

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Someone asked me to do Mackinlay a few days ago. I can't remember who or which board it was on, but as always anyone is welcome to link my videos wherever they like.

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A look at Ewan Mackinlay, a midfield or high half forward from North Adelaide who's been getting some talk in recent days about a possible MSD selection. He started slowly in this one, struggling a bit with his disposal efficiency, but grew into the game and finished strong in the second half, playing a significant role in a late surge for his team.

 

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A second look at one of the few sure things in tonights MSD. McCarthy seems almost certain to be picked by the Eagles at number 1 and has probably already packed his bags for the move across the Nullarbor.

 

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Picked by Carlton in tonights mid season draft, Young is a winger or half forward with running power on the outside, solid overhead and nice kicking skills. Part of a production line of mature talent coming out of the Werribee Tigers.

 

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CDT enters the champs phase of the season still as the presumptive pick 1 favourite for many, and this was s solid outing in his return to Talent League play. He was competitive in the ruck and his follow up work, but in the first half struggled to impact on the spread as much as he typically does with most of his disposals being scrappy and contested. He was more impactful in the second half as the pressure eased off, and had some impressive contested marks which were a highlight for a guy that hasn't always shown aerial dominance.

 

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Cumming enters the Champs on the back of some solid form across the two recent trial games. He's settled into a hybrid mid/fwd role for SA which suits his talents well as he's able to use his power and burst to influence the contest, and damage forward with his athleticism and forward craft. In this outing his defensive pressure and outside ball use were both features.

 

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A strong performance from Mitch Stevens who found plenty of the ball and used it well on day when conditions made efficient disposal difficult. Mitch has been tried in a number of roles by the Power and is turning into a utility, able to deliver consistently no matter where he's deployed. This time he played as a half back, rolling up to stoppage occasionally and then folding back to cover the dangerous space. He showed his ability to attack with run and carry on a number of occasions, chaining one twos to break the lines.

 

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Kellaway was named among the best for SA on the day, reward for his excellent work at the coalface. He was a big contributor to the dominance of the SA midfield, getting first hands on the ball at stoppage regularly or working hard to chain out as a receiver. He made excellent decisions, his hands were quick and slick, and he beamed a NSW player viciously from point blank range.