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https://www.afldraftcentral.com.au/tag/sam-mclarty/
Sam McLarty
Key Position Utility | Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
11/05/1998 | 197cm |91kg
Player Comparison: Dan McStay
Snapshot:
After winning a TAC cup premiership last year, Sam McLarty has had an injury interrupted year for the Chargers this year. Sam McLarty, a key position player at the Oakleigh Chargers, this year has had a tough year as injury has cruelled his top age year after being tipped by many as a high selection for the 2016 draft. But his story to become a draft prospect is one of pure inspiration.
When Sam was nine months old, he was diagnosed with profound deafness seeing him fitted with a bionic ear.
This year between the Oakleigh Chargers and Vic Metro, McLarty played a total of eight games and impressed as a key position utility. In his games this year he showed off his vise like hands and athleticism in air. In his eight games this year he averaged 13 disposals, five marks and kicked four goals as a swingman.
A shoulder injury has seen him miss a large chunk of games this season, after tearing his labrum in April. Surgery in September ruled him out of the draft combine, but the school captain of Yarra Valley Grammar is still hopefully of a chance to be drafted.
Strengths:
- Athleticism
- Marking
- Versatility
- Rebounding
- Decision making
One of McLarty’s biggest drawing points is his Athleticism. His speed and leaping ability is of the highest quality as a tall prospect. His speed is electric as a tall player which allows him unstoppable on the lead and allows him to take runs from defensive 50. His leaping allows him to take the ball at its highest point. This makes him a pack marking threat which in a draft that lacks height, might push him up the order.
Another trait that he has is his marking. McLarty has some of the strongest hands in the draft and it’s on show in contested situations. Whenever the ball is in his area you can see McLarty fly for marks fearlessly and usually pluck them in the air. McLarty in pack situations is very strong when he gets a run at the ball and can usually drag the ball down. On the lead, he is just as good as he takes the ball out in front and creates separation on his man. This marking ability keeps him in good stead as a key position prospect.
This year he has shown he can become quite an effective swingman when fit. After a good year as a key defender for the Oakleigh Chargers last year, he swung forward this year. This has allowed him to become a more effective player as he can be swung to the defensive end to have an impact if he’s struggling in the forward line or vise versa.
As a defender where he is most suited at this point has shown that he’s a threat on the rebound. This ability to grab the ball and go on runs makes him very effective key defender with ball in hand. Clubs would’ve taken notice of this and will be excited by the prospect of having a key defender who can run off like a halfback flanker.
Decision making is another thing that has impressed me – with ball in hand he is a calm decision maker as he often composes himself before dispose the ball to a teammate in a better position. This makes his possessions whether in defence or not worth more than most players as a key defender.
Improvements:
- Forward smarts
- Ground pressure
One thing he lacks despite being touted as a good forward is his forward smarts. As a forward, McLarty can look a bit lost as he tries to make leads to areas where he won’t get the footy. This really limits his impact as a forward despite him being a great mark of the footy. This can be fixed easily better coaching at the elite level.
McLarty despite being mobile struggles with creating pressure on the ground. This is something that will have to be improved as players despite getting taller are better on the ground then ever. This might have to do with committing in the air at every chance but it could do with a lack of work rate on the ground.
Highlights:
Summary:
A player Sam reminds me of is Brisbane lions swingman Daniel McStay. Both players have shown that they are adept at both ends of the ground and have great athleticism despite their size. McStay, like McLarty, doesn’t apply the best pressure on the ground and isn’t the smartest forward which overall limits their impact.
McLarty due to injuries looks like he will fall down the draft order and could be a valuable selection as a late pick or rookie, if clubs tick off his medical conditions. He has all of the raw talent for being a tall but will take time after showing that he will defy adversity to make it to the big time. He’s one of the few quality talls in the draft and could be a steal for a club who will be willing to take the raw tall prospect.