Sam McLarty
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Key Defender
Height: 195 cm Weight: 91 kg D.O.B: 11/5/98
The feel good story of next year's draft. Sam McLarty is a intercepting key defender who has faced great adversity. At 9 months Sam was found to be deaf and has had to wear a helmet to protect his bionic ear. Although this deafness may of hampered him at a young age, he is now primed and ready to make a name for himself in 2016. This year Sam McLarty was playing for the Oakleigh Chargers at TAC level. He averaged 12 disposals, five marks, two tackles at 74% efficiency. He was one of the dominant key defenders in the TAC and got a call up to the Vic Metro team. He played two games at the u18 carnival and he didn’t have influence he would have hoped for. He averaged five disposals, one mark, one tackle at 90% efficiency. He didn’t do much at the carnival but he proved he can play on some forwards down back. Then coming back into club level he carried his team into a grand final. He was intercepting everything coming into defensive 50 during the final series and was used at times as a linkup man. Then on grand final day he was one of the contributing factors leading to the win. He had ten disposals, four marks and stopped multiple attacks inside 50. This performance was one of many dominant performances he had at this level. Sam best skill is his ability to read the play. He sees everything just that half second before everyone else and reacts accordingly. This is allows him to become a quarterback and start plays for his team. It also helps him float forward at times and take marks inside 50. Sam also has a way with marking. He just clunks everything that comes close to him. This is visible from his marking numbers which are excellent by position. His only problem is that he doesn’t have many runs on the board against strong teams. Against strong teams in the TAC cup he can struggle with bigger opponents who demand attention like a Schache or a Harry McKay. This can be improved with time and with accountability being more emphasized by coaches he will have to. Sam McLarty is your intercept marking Key Defender who has overcome adversity to be a top draft prospect.