Draft Watcher 2018 (SA) Young Talent Time

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Oct 30, 2007
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West End Redbacks, Cleveland Browns
Draft Week Phantom

Round 1

1. Carlton - Sam Walsh (184cm, 74kg from Geelong Falcons)
2. Gold Coast - Izak Rankine (180cm, 76kg from West Adelaide)
3. Gold Coast - Jack Lukosius (194cm, 85kg from Woodville West Torrens)
4. Gold Coast (trade) - Connor Rozee (185cm, 71kg from North Adelaide)
5. Port Adelaide - Jye Caldwell (186cm, 71kg from Bendigo Pioneers)
6. St Kilda - Max King (202cm, 87kg from Sandringham Dragons)
7. Sydney (bid) - Nick Blakey (194cm, 77kg from Sydney Swans Academy)
8. Western Bulldogs - Bailey Smith (185cm, 82kg from Sandringham Dragons)
9. Adelaide - Ben King (202cm, 83kg from Sandringham Dragons)
10. GWS - Jordan Clark (182cm, 78kg from Claremont)
11. Port Adelaide - Chayce Jones (180cm, 74kg from Launceston)
12. Collingwood (bid) - Isaac Quaynor (182cm, 82kg from Oakleigh Chargers)
13. GWS - Zac Butters (181cm, 70kg from Western Jets)
14. Geelong - Riley Collier-Dawkins (193cm, 88kg from Oakleigh Chargers)
15. Adelaide - Jackson Hately (190cm, 81kg from Central District)
16. GWS (trade) - Sam Sturt (188cm, 78kg from Dandenong Stingrays)
17. North Melbourne (bid) - Tarryn Thomas (189cm, 76kg from North Launceston)
18. Port Adelaide - Xavier Duursma (185cm, 71kg from Gippsland Power)
19. GWS (bid) - Kieran Briggs (200cm, 98kg from Pennant Hills)
20. Adelaide - Ned McHenry (178cm, 71kg from Geelong Falcons)
21. Richmond - Liam Stocker (183cm, 83kg from Sandringham Dragons)
22. Brisbane - Luke Valente (186cm, 80kg from Norwood)
23. Fremantle (trade) - Ian Hill (174cm, 65kg from Perth)

Round 2
24. West Coast - Curtis Taylor (186cm, 79kg from Calder Cannons)
25. Adelaide - Bailey Williams (198cm, 95kg from Dandenong Stingrays)
26. West Coast - Jez McLennan (183cm, 81kg from Central District)
27. Melbourne - Tom McKenzie (184cm, 76kg from Northern Knights)
28. Western Bulldogs (bid) - Rhylee West (180cm, 80kg from Calder Cannons)
29. St Kilda (trade) - Ely Smith (188cm, 86kg from Murray Bushrangers)
30. North Melbourne (bid) - Bailey Scott (186cm, 74kg from Broadbeach)
31. Melbourne - Xavier O'Halloran (187cm, 83kg from Western Jets)
32. Gold Coast - Tom Joyce (180cm, 72kg from East Fremantle)
33. Brisbane - Fraser Turner (186cm, 75kg from Clarence)
34. Brisbane (bid) - Connor McFadyen (190cm, 88kg from Brisbane Academy)
35. Fremantle - Luke Foley (187cm, 75kg from Subiaco)
36. Western Bulldogs - Jacob Koschitzke (196cm, 94kg from Murray Bushrangers)
37. Essendon - Tom Sparrow (182cm, 81kg from South Adelaide)
38. St Kilda - Jacob Kennerley (184cm, 75kg from Norwood)
39. Richmond - Jack Bytel (189cm, 80kg from Calder Cannons)
40. Collingwood (bid) - Will Kelly (193cm, 83kg from Oakleigh Chargers)
40. Sydney - Riley Grundy (195cm, 79kg defender from Sturt)

Round 3
41. Sydney - Damon Greaves (186cm, 74kg from East Perth)
42. Fremantle - Tom Lewis (178cm, 80kg from Sturt)
43. Western Bulldogs - Hayden Sampson (177cm, 67kg from South Adelaide)
44. St Kilda - Hugo Munn (197cm, 93kg from Sturt)
45. Western Bulldogs (bid) - Buku Khamis (190cm, 81kg from Western Jets)
46. Geelong - Ben Jarvis (185cm, 77kg from Norwood)
47. Geelong - Riley Bowman (198cm, 82kg from Dandenong Stingrays)
48. GWS - Nick Hind (181cm, 72kg from Essendon VFL)
49. Hawthorn - Will Hamill (185cm, 70kg from Dandenong Stingrays)
50. Melbourne - Sydney Stack (177cm, 72kg from Perth)
51. Brisbane - Tom Berry (185cm, 76kg from GWV Rebels)
52. West Coast (bid) - Jarrod Cameron (180cm, 69kg from Claremont)
53. North Melbourne - Boyd Woodcock (174cm, 68kg from North Adelaide)

Round 4
54. Collingwood - James Blanck (195cm, 80kg from Eastern Ranges)
55. Melbourne - Toby Bedford (176cm, 65kg from Dandenong Stingrays)
56. Richmond - Kyle Reid (193cm, 85kg from Gippsland Power)
57. Fremantle - Jason Carter (182cm, 75kg from Peel Thunder)
58. Essendon - Zac Foot (180cm, 71kg from Dandenong Stingrays)
59. St Kilda - Marlion Pickett (183cm, 85kg from Swan Districts)
60. Richmond - Tyron Smallwood (177cm, 80kg from Claremont)
61. Carlton - Xavier O'Neill (183cm, 78kg from Oakleigh Chargers)
62. Geelong - Oscar Brownless (186cm, 76kg from Geelong Falcons)
63. Carlton - Mitch Grigg (182cm, 85kg from Norwood)
64. West Coast - Oliver Eastland (196cm, 86kg from Claremont)
65. Richmond - James Rowbottom (185cm, 78kg from Oakleigh Chargers)

Round 5
66. Carlton - Ben Silvagni (194cm, 84kg from Oakleigh Chargers)
67. Gold Coast - Will Hickmott (180cm, 76kg from Subiaco)
68. Essendon - Harry Reynolds (190cm, 75kg from Sandringham Dragons)
69. North Melbourne - Joel Crocker (191cm, 73kg from Sandringham Dragons)
70. Sydney - Luke English (180cm, 74kg from Perth)
71. Hawthorn - Irving Mosquito (175cm, 69kg from Gippsland Power)


National Top 50 Power Rankings - September/October

1. Izak Rankine (180cm, 76kg from West Adelaide)
2. Jack Lukosius (193cm, 84kg from Woodville West Torrens)
3. Sam Walsh (183cm, 74kg from Geelong Falcons)
4. Ben King (202cm, 85kg from Sandringham Dragons)
5. Bailey Smith (185cm, 82kg from Sandringham Dragons)
6. Nick Blakey (195cm, 80kg from UNSW)
7. Connor Rozee (185cm, 71kg from North Adelaide)
8. Jye Caldwell (184cm, 78kg from Bendigo Pioneers)
9. Max King (201cm, 86kg from Sandringham Dragons)
10. Jackson Hately (189cm, 80kg from Cental Districts)

11. Tarryn Thomas (189cm, 73kg from North Launceston)
12. Jordan Clark (182cm, 78kg from Claremont)
13. Chayce Jones (180cm, 74kg from Launceston)
14. Sam Sturt (188cm, 78kg from Dandenong Stingrays)
15. Ned McHenry (176cm, 71kg from Geelong Falcons)
16. Ian Hill (175cm, 76kg from Perth)
17. Curtis Taylor (186cm, 79kg from Calder Cannons)
18. Jez McLennan (183cm, 80kg from Central Districts)
19. Liam Stocker (184cm, 83kg from Sandringham Dragons)
20. Zak Butters (181cm, 70kg from Western Jets)

21. Luke Valente (186cm, 79kg from Norwood)
22. Tom Sparrow (182cm, 81kg from South Adelaide)
23. Connor McFadyen (190cm, 88kg from Wilston Grange)
24. Riley Collier-Dawkins (193cm, 88kg from Oakleigh Chargers)
25. Rhylee West (180cm, 80kg from Calder Cannons)
26. Kieran Briggs (200cm, 98kg from Pennant Hills)
27. Xavier Duursma (185cm, 71kg from Gippsland Power)
28. Bailey Scott (186cm, 74kg from Broadbeach)
29. Ely Smith (188cm, 86kg from Murray Bushrangers)
30. Tom Lewis (178cm, 80kg from Sturt)

31. Isaac Quaynor (179cm, 82kg from Oakleigh Chargers)
32. Damon Greaves (186cm, 74kg from East Perth)
33. Fraser Turner (186cm, 75kg from Clarence)
34. Bailey Williams (198cm, 95kg from Dandenong Stingrays)
35. Tom McKenzie (184cm, 76kg from Northern Knights)
36. Xavier O'Halloran (186cm, 82kg from Western Jets)
37. Will Kelly (193cm, 83kg from Oakleigh Chargers)
38. Luke Foley (187cm, 75kg from Subiaco)
39. Sydney Stack (177cm, 72kg from Perth)
40. Hayden Sampson (177cm, 67kg from South Adelaide)

41. Jacob Koschitzke (196cm, 94kg from Murray Bushrangers)
42. Jack Bytel (187cm, 81kg from Calder Cannons)
43. Jacob Kennerley (184cm, 75kg from Norwood)
44. Tyron Smallwood (177cm, 80kg from Claremont)
45. Tom Medhat (190cm, 79kg from West Perth)
46. Aaron Nietschke (184cm, 77kg from Central Districts)
47. Jarrod Cameron (180cm, 69kg from Swan Districts)
48. Tom Berry (185cm, 76kg from GWV Rebels)
49. Martin Frederick (178cm, 74kg from Woodville West Torrens)
50. Hugo Munn (197cm, 93kg from Sturt)
 
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I think I might take a step back from draft coverage this year, I'll save my phantom draft for later and won’t have a year long draft thread. Things have changed a lot since just a few years ago, when there were only a few of us talking draft. There are now plenty of other people to pick up the slack, and even the AFL is slowly improving their own coverage. But, I'll still be talking up the South Australian players of course...


Last year saw 8 players draft from the SA U18 Championships squad, another 2 as rookies and 4 mature aged players from the SANFL. An okay haul, but one that should be improved upon this year. Because whenever the South Australian team was mentioned last year, it was always because of the underaged players. The 2018 draft prospects.


So just for some useful links to start with, the SA U18 Academy list is here. While the team lists from the internal trial can be found here. That'll give an overview of some of the names and their measurements.


But the draft crop is undoubtedly led by Jack Lukosius (195.5cm, 83.5kg from Woodville West Torrens). If he isn't the #1 pick this year, I would be very surprised. I would have absolutely taken him first overall last year and suspect most clubs would have too. To suggest he could be the best underage player to come through the draft isn't exaggerating. He was given a run down back in the internal trial match, but that'll just be for his development. As a CHF, he's the closest thing you'll get to Nick Riewoldt. He's got all the athleticism, elite hands overhead and reads the play as well as anyone. I would never condone tanking, but Lukosius is a strong argument for it.


Although I think Lukosius is the clear #1 pick, he could still end up at #2 on my draft board. Thanks to Izak Rankine (180.0cm, 76.4kg from West Adelaide) and simply how much I love to watch him play. I think when it comes down to it, he'll be more in the top 10 range as opposed to top 3 but that doesn't change how great he is. I've said for the last couple of years that he's good enough to be playing AFL football, and he dominated seniors in the SANFL at 16 years of age. Outside midfielder with elite speed, he's a game changer with every one of his possessions. There have been plenty of similar players taken in the first round over the last few years - Petrevski Seton, Florent, Simpkin, Ah Chee, Milera, Rioli. And Rankine is better than all of them.


I expect those two to the be the first players from South Australia picked this year, but there are still a handful of other first round prospects. Connor Rozee (185.0cm, 71.0kg from North Adelaide) could easily end up in the top 10 mix too. He's a high quality midfielder that can really do it all - inside, outside, half forward. Comparable to a player like Robbie Gray or Shaun Higgins. He was the best player at the U16 Championships a couple of years ago and would be a solid bet to get the double this year at the U18s. The other first round chance at the moment is Jackson Hately (191.5cm, 79.5kg from Central Districts). He'll garner a lot of interest at his size, with potential to continue growing. He's a big bodied midfielder/half forward, a better behaved Jordan DeGoey. He's a strong player, good above his head. Picked up a casual 14 touches and 3 goals in the SA trial match. The only thing I'd want to see this year, is becoming more consistent with his disposal as he can be a bit rushed at times.


A few other midfielders to watch out for are Luke Valente (186cm, 80kg from Norwood), Tom Sparrow (183cm, 81kg from South Adelaide) and Tom Lewis (179cm, 77kg from Sturt). While two players I think could really improve their standing throughout the season are Kai Pudney (186cm, 78kg from Woodville West Torrens) and Mihail Lochowiak (184cm, 80kg from Sturt). Pudney is a hard running midfielder, and Lochowiak is a fast and powerful player likely to feature off half back for SA. He’s part of Adelaide’s NGA, along with his two brothers.


And if it’s a cult hero you’re looking for, then Malachai Ahmatt-Lovett (179.8cm, 88.7kg from Central Districts) is undoubtedly the guy. A medium forward, he has most of the tricks you’d be expecting to see. Also, a talented basketballer. He’s been working hard on body shape and fitness, but still has some way to go. Hopefully does enough to earn himself a spot in the Championships team.


In terms of talls outside of Lukosius, the next best is looking like Hugo Munn (197.5cm, 94.0kg from Sturt). At the moment, it’s difficult to say what role he’ll fill. Would likely be the top candidate to play full forward, pinch hitting in the ruck too. Filling that role that Coleman-Jones did last season. He’s a big powerful player and strong overhead, but not dominating. Often, he’ll end up with 2 or 3 goals, as opposed to bigger hauls. With a long term view in mind, he could play at the other end where he may be better suited. Otherwise it's harder to pick who will be played down back at the Championships, that's usually decided over the first couple of months of the season. But Riley Grundy (194.6cm, 79.2kg from Sturt) is a good chance to feature. The younger brother of Brodie, he led the sprint testing at the end of last year. Ruben Flinn (200cm, 103kg from Glenelg) is a highly rated young ruckman, but yet to feature this year. With a good start of the year, he should find himself leading the ruck after featuring as an underaged player last season. Needs to become more of a factor around the ground though, and work on his athleticism. Otherwise, Angus Rana (198cm, 81kg from West Adelaide) might displace him.


Other talls jostling for spots, be it up forward or down back, are likely to be Tynan Carney (194cm, 76kg from Glenelg), James Langley (194cm, 84kg from North Adelaide) and Sam Michael (193cm, 92kg from Woodville West Torrens). While there are a fair few medium sized defenders, and potentially an overaged player or two who could be a chance too.


I’ve got a rough outline for what a potential team would be looking like at the moment. But it’ll depend on the first month or so of the new season. Still plenty of spots up for grabs for KPPs, medium/small defenders and ruckmen. I'll look to keep this thread updated as the season progresses.
Not a bad haul there Chris. Exciting year ahead.
 

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I think I might take a step back from draft coverage this year, I'll save my phantom draft for later and won’t have a year long draft thread. Things have changed a lot since just a few years ago, when there were only a few of us talking draft. There are now plenty of other people to pick up the slack, and even the AFL is slowly improving their own coverage. But, I'll still be talking up the South Australian players of course...


Last year saw 8 players draft from the SA U18 Championships squad, another 2 as rookies and 4 mature aged players from the SANFL. An okay haul, but one that should be improved upon this year. Because whenever the South Australian team was mentioned last year, it was always because of the underaged players. The 2018 draft prospects.


So just for some useful links to start with, the SA U18 Academy list is here. While the team lists from the internal trial can be found here. That'll give an overview of some of the names and their measurements.


But the draft crop is undoubtedly led by Jack Lukosius (195.5cm, 83.5kg from Woodville West Torrens). If he isn't the #1 pick this year, I would be very surprised. I would have absolutely taken him first overall last year and suspect most clubs would have too. To suggest he could be the best underage player to come through the draft isn't exaggerating. He was given a run down back in the internal trial match, but that'll just be for his development. As a CHF, he's the closest thing you'll get to Nick Riewoldt. He's got all the athleticism, elite hands overhead and reads the play as well as anyone. I would never condone tanking, but Lukosius is a strong argument for it.


Although I think Lukosius is the clear #1 pick, he could still end up at #2 on my draft board. Thanks to Izak Rankine (180.0cm, 76.4kg from West Adelaide) and simply how much I love to watch him play. I think when it comes down to it, he'll be more in the top 10 range as opposed to top 3 but that doesn't change how great he is. I've said for the last couple of years that he's good enough to be playing AFL football, and he dominated seniors in the SANFL at 16 years of age. Outside midfielder with elite speed, he's a game changer with every one of his possessions. There have been plenty of similar players taken in the first round over the last few years - Petrevski Seton, Florent, Simpkin, Ah Chee, Milera, Rioli. And Rankine is better than all of them.


I expect those two to the be the first players from South Australia picked this year, but there are still a handful of other first round prospects. Connor Rozee (185.0cm, 71.0kg from North Adelaide) could easily end up in the top 10 mix too. He's a high quality midfielder that can really do it all - inside, outside, half forward. Comparable to a player like Robbie Gray or Shaun Higgins. He was the best player at the U16 Championships a couple of years ago and would be a solid bet to get the double this year at the U18s. The other first round chance at the moment is Jackson Hately (191.5cm, 79.5kg from Central Districts). He'll garner a lot of interest at his size, with potential to continue growing. He's a big bodied midfielder/half forward, a better behaved Jordan DeGoey. He's a strong player, good above his head. Picked up a casual 14 touches and 3 goals in the SA trial match. The only thing I'd want to see this year, is becoming more consistent with his disposal as he can be a bit rushed at times.


A few other midfielders to watch out for are Luke Valente (186cm, 80kg from Norwood), Tom Sparrow (183cm, 81kg from South Adelaide) and Tom Lewis (179cm, 77kg from Sturt). While two players I think could really improve their standing throughout the season are Kai Pudney (186cm, 78kg from Woodville West Torrens) and Mihail Lochowiak (184cm, 80kg from Sturt). Pudney is a hard running midfielder, and Lochowiak is a fast and powerful player likely to feature off half back for SA. He’s part of Adelaide’s NGA, along with his two brothers.


And if it’s a cult hero you’re looking for, then Malachai Ahmatt-Lovett (179.8cm, 88.7kg from Central Districts) is undoubtedly the guy. A medium forward, he has most of the tricks you’d be expecting to see. Also, a talented basketballer. He’s been working hard on body shape and fitness, but still has some way to go. Hopefully does enough to earn himself a spot in the Championships team.


In terms of talls outside of Lukosius, the next best is looking like Hugo Munn (197.5cm, 94.0kg from Sturt). At the moment, it’s difficult to say what role he’ll fill. Would likely be the top candidate to play full forward, pinch hitting in the ruck too. Filling that role that Coleman-Jones did last season. He’s a big powerful player and strong overhead, but not dominating. Often, he’ll end up with 2 or 3 goals, as opposed to bigger hauls. With a long term view in mind, he could play at the other end where he may be better suited. Otherwise it's harder to pick who will be played down back at the Championships, that's usually decided over the first couple of months of the season. But Riley Grundy (194.6cm, 79.2kg from Sturt) is a good chance to feature. The younger brother of Brodie, he led the sprint testing at the end of last year. Ruben Flinn (200cm, 103kg from Glenelg) is a highly rated young ruckman, but yet to feature this year. With a good start of the year, he should find himself leading the ruck after featuring as an underaged player last season. Needs to become more of a factor around the ground though, and work on his athleticism. Otherwise, Angus Rana (198cm, 81kg from West Adelaide) might displace him.


Other talls jostling for spots, be it up forward or down back, are likely to be Tynan Carney (194cm, 76kg from Glenelg), James Langley (194cm, 84kg from North Adelaide) and Sam Michael (193cm, 92kg from Woodville West Torrens). While there are a fair few medium sized defenders, and potentially an overaged player or two who could be a chance too.


I’ve got a rough outline for what a potential team would be looking like at the moment. But it’ll depend on the first month or so of the new season. Still plenty of spots up for grabs for KPPs, medium/small defenders and ruckmen. I'll look to keep this thread updated as the season progresses.

Chris, has anyone done a review of the WA boys who are expected to be the standouts for the u18 champs?
Really like the sound of Hugo Mann in write ups so far.
 
Fairly sure Pudney is part of our academy which means we would get first rights on him. Would be fantastic if he turned into a real player.
 
Pudney showed a lot in the trial but his disposal needs to be better than it was in that game.

Whitbread and Kennerley were others who impressed me in the trial.

I also can see Lewis going earlier in the draft.
 
I think Hately might suprise a few this year. At 192 cm, he's a tall midfielder and with the ability to play as an effective forward in his bow he could be a big chance for SAs MVP
 

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I’m a big fan of Tom Lewis would take a lot for me to fall out of my top 30. Reminds me a bit of Jack Viney

Lewis has a lot of fans, and will certainly have every opportunity to dominate the Championships. At the moment, I have him and Sparrow in the starting midfield. I expect Hately to play half forward/midfield, with Valente rotating through off half back. With Rozee potentially playing more of a running outside midfield role. So that leaves Lewis the chance to be the #1 ball winner and clearance player in the centre. A pretty good position for him to find himself in.

Chris, has anyone done a review of the WA boys who are expected to be the standouts for the u18 champs?
Really like the sound of Hugo Mann in write ups so far.

Nothing yet. I always end up doing previews for all the states prior to the Championships, once the squads are named.

Munn is shaping as a decent prospect, capable at either end. SA have had a few similar players - good strong forwards, but not quite dominating enough to be early picks. It's part of the reason I think he could be shifted down the other end. Similar to Luke Surman from a few years ago, or even Harry Petty last year. But alternatively, he could take the next step as a key forward in 2018. Something to watch for.
 
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Pudney showed a lot in the trial but his disposal needs to be better than it was in that game.

Whitbread and Kennerley were others who impressed me in the trial.

I also can see Lewis going earlier in the draft.

I have Kennerley around the 25 I'm expecting at the moment to feature at the Championships. One other guy I like that I didn't mention is Jez McClennan. There's a lot of competition this year for medium defenders and half backs, be interesting to see which way they go. I'd really like to see Lachlan Pascoe get a chance as an overaged player, after missing out in 2017.
 
Thanks for the insight Chis much appreciated. So much talent available in the 2018 draft we're truly spoiled for choice .
I've got fingers crossed and hoping the Baggers can snaffle Lukosiuos what a an amazing talent. Such a complete and competent player already.
Type of player one could build a Forward line around.
 
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Lukosius a lazy 5 goals in the league trial against Port Adelaide with AFL listed defenders.

Freak of a talent, the best to come out of SA since Pavlich for mine.

5 goals in 3 quarters of football. The kid is as good an underage player as there's been. Has the potential to be the very best in the league.

Tom Lewis, Hugo Munn, Mihail Lochwiak, Jackson Hately and Jez McLennan were others to impress in the trials.
 
5 goals in 3 quarters of football. The kid is as good an underage player as there's been. Has the potential to be the very best in the league.

Tom Lewis, Hugo Munn, Mihail Lochwiak, Jackson Hately and Jez McLennan were others to impress in the trials.
No Rankine?
 
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