Review 2019 AFL National Draft

[giantroo]

Onto 2019.


The next crop: 10 to watch in the 2019 NAB AFL Draft
Callum Twomey


Matt Rowell is prominent in the discussion for the likely No.1 draft pick next year

DID YOUR club miss out on some of the top talent available at this year's NAB AFL Draft? If so, maybe next year is the year.

With the 2018 draft now done, we've turned our attention to the 2019 crop. Here are 10 names to keep track of throughout next season.

Noah Anderson
Height/Weight: 189cm/84kg
Date of Birth: 17/2/01
Club: Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Midfielder

The son of former Hawthorn and St Kilda player Dean looks set to be one of the top picks at next year's draft. He is a big-bodied midfielder who can also push forward, which he showed when he booted four goals for Vic Metro earlier this year as a bottom-ager. Tough, strong, an elite runner and very good at the stoppages. He isn't eligible as a father-son for the Hawks or Saints as Dean didn't play 100 games for either club.

Luke Jackson
Height/Weight: 197cm/95kg
Date of Birth: 29/9/01
Club: Western Australia/East Fremantle
Position: Ruckman

Jackson gave up a very promising basketball career in July to pursue a place in the AFL, despite dominating for Australia at the under-17 basketball world cup. He finished the year playing in the under-18s side for East Fremantle and is an athletic ruck prospect with a great leap. He also has the capacity to be another midfielder at ground level, where his follow-up is excellent.

NAB AFL DRAFT HUB Latest news, video and more

Emerson Jeka
Height/Weight: 196cm/90kg
Date of Birth: 18/9/01
Club: Vic Metro/Western Jets
Position: Key forward

One of the leading tall forward prospects in next year's pool. Jeka is a big and strongly-built goalkicker who is also a long and booming kick. He will need to work on elements of his game next year but has the size and stature, plus the talent, to be able to stand out as a marking option in attack.

Emerson Jeka is one of the top forward prospects in next year's pool. Picture: AFL Photos

Matt Rowell
Height/Weight: 180cm/70kg
Date of Birth: 1/7/01
Club: Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Midfielder

Lock Rowell in to be one of the most talked about players of next year and a genuine No.1 pick candidate. The hardened midfielder had a brilliant end to his season, winning best afield honours in the TAC Cup Grand Final despite Oakleigh's loss, and followed it up with being named best on ground in the under-17s NAB All Stars game on Grand Final morning. Relentless, tough, skilled and drags his side with him.

WHO SMASHED IT? Your club's 2018 draft verdict

Caleb Serong
Height/Weight: 177cm/80kg
Date of Birth: 9/2/01
Club: Vic Country/Gippsland Power
Position: Half-forward/midfielder

Serong has some Robbie Gray-like traits. He's a powerful, smaller half-forward who doesn't waste his disposals. He's creative and classy, and when he has a dip through the midfield he makes an impact there, too. Serong was among the best players on Grand Final day in the NAB All Stars under-17s game and he will be talked about regularly as a possible top-10 choice next year.

Jeremy Sharp
Height/Weight: 185cm/72kg
Date of Birth: 13/8/01
Club: Western Australia/East Fremantle
Position: Defender/midfielder

Sharp was excellent in the under-17s All Stars game on Grand Final day, providing great run and carry from the half-back line and through the wing. Sharp is a good size, he's agile and likes to run with the ball and take the game with him. Will be one to take the eye next year playing for Western Australia.

West Australia's Jeremy Sharp starred on the MCG for the All Stars on Grand Final day. Picture: AFL Photos

Cameron Taheny
Height/Weight: 184cm/72kg
Date of Birth: 3/8/01
Club: South Australia/Norwood
Position: Forward/defender

Taheny might be the standout South Australian in next year's crop after having a quality batch in 2018. The left-footer is a strong mark and can play across half-forward or half-back, and next year will be keen to develop his strength and running capacity. He is a cousin of former North Melbourne player Brad McKenzie.

Dylan Williams
Height/Weight: 185cm/78kg
Date of Birth: 1/7/01
Club: Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers
Position: Forward

Perhaps the most talented player in the next year's pool, Williams starred at the end of the season for the Chargers, booting 14 goals in the finals series (to finish with 26 for the year from 16 games). He is a quick-footed, sharp and smart marking option in attack who judges the ball well in the air and is deadly at ground level. He's a very nice finisher and will excite recruiters throughout next year.

Josh Worrell
Height/Weight: 195cm/86kg
Date of Birth: 11/4/01
Club: Vic Metro/Sandringham
Position: Utility

Worrell has the height, shape and athleticism to play nearly everywhere on the ground. He competes in the air and is tall enough to take his grabs, but is also really good at ground level and generally plays across half-back or half-forward. Has good agility and is a part of the Haileybury College program that has produced early draft picks Max and Ben King this year.

HOW DID THE GURU GO? Callum Twomey's late mail

Hayden Young
Height/Weight: 186cm/70kg
Date of Birth: 11/4/01
Club: Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays
Position: Defender

An attacking half-back who can intercept well in defence and then start his charge up the ground. Played some strong footy for the Dandenong Stingrays last season and showed his balance in defence, where he enjoys taking the game on and hitting targets on his left foot. Likely to feature a little more in the midfield during his draft year.

Hayden Young is a lethal left-footer for the Stingrays. Picture: AFL Photos

 

[Firestarter]

I am 78% certain we don't have to worry about FS selections and bids this time.

 

[year of the roo]

C̶a̶m̶e̶r̶o̶n̶ ̶T̶a̶h̶e̶n̶y̶

 

[ferball]

Emerson Jeka = The lakeandparma

 

[Firestarter]

C̶a̶m̶e̶r̶o̶n̶ ̶T̶a̶h̶e̶n̶y̶

Don't let it get a rise out of you.

 

[The Nostradamus]

wont have a first rounder next year when we hopefully have Josh Kelly

reckon we take the minimum picks next year, our list is strong and we wont have that many high picks anyway

 

[shintemaster]

Took your sweet time about it.

 

[Heaps of fun]

Cheng-Burrows not a top ten prospect yet? Delist.

 

[giantroo]

https://taccup.com.au/tac-cup-players-in-afl-academy/

TAC Cup players in AFL Academy
The revamped NAB AFL Academy for 2019 will take in 62 of next year’s brightest bottom-age and top-age TAC Cup prospects, as announced on Wednesday.

Under the new system, 30 TAC Cup players each from Vic Country and Vic Metro (both containing six TAC Cup clubs) – as well as two from NSW (part of the Allies) – will receive high-performance guidance and training and attend camps over the 2019 pre-season.

Vic Country will come together for its first camp from December 9-14 under its new academy coach Leigh Brown (former Gippsland Power head coach), with Vic Metro to first meet during the and week under its new coach Brett Allison (former AFL Victoria Talent Pathways Manager – Metro).

The best players across both age groups in the Vic Country, Vic Metro and Allies academies – as well as players from the South Australia and Western Australia academies – will later have the opportunity to attend various national-level camps.

AFL Head of Talent Tristan Salter said it is an exciting time for the country’s best young talent.

“The new approach to the national Academy will ensure more of our most talented players have access to AFL facilities, while receiving the best quality coaching, high performance and wellbeing services in the country,” he said.

“Importantly these players will spend more time in their home state, with year-round first-class support that will enhance their opportunity to perform at an elite level through the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.”



VIC COUNTRY

NAME DOB HT WT TAC CUP REGION LOCAL CLUB SCHOOL
Aaron Gundry 17-Feb-01 199 78 Bendigo Pioneers South Bendigo Catholic College Bendigo
Brodie Kemp 01-May-01 193 76 Bendigo Pioneers Echuca Geelong Grammar School
James Schischka 24-Feb-01 190 79 Bendigo Pioneers Strathfieldsaye Bendigo Senior SC
Flynn Perez 25-Aug-01 183 71 Bendigo Pioneers Sandhurst Catholic College Bendigo
Thomson Dow 16-Oct-01 182 71 Bendigo Pioneers Swan Hill Geelong Grammar School
Sam Conforti 15-Mar-02 171 65 Bendigo Pioneers Sandhurst Catholic College Bendigo
Sam De Koning 26-Feb-01 196 78 Dandenong Stingrays Mornington Junior FC Padua College
Bigoa Nyuon 18-May-01 195 84 Dandenong Stingrays Rowville Junior FC Rowville SC
Hayden Young 11-Apr-01 186 79 Dandenong Stingrays Somerville Junior FC Mornington SC
Ned Cahill 11-Jan-01 177 77 Dandenong Stingrays Mt Eliza Senior FC Padua College
Henry Walsh 27-Jun-02 199 77 Geelong Falcons St Joseph’s St Joseph’s College
Cooper Stephens 17-Jan-01 187 70 Geelong Falcons Colac Trinity College
Jesse Clark 23-Feb-01 187 76 Geelong Falcons St Joseph’s St Joseph’s College
Noah Gadsby 12-Mar-02 180 70 Geelong Falcons Torquay Geelong Grammar School
Tanner Bruhn 27-May-02 180 71 Geelong Falcons Newtown & Chilwell Geelong Grammar School
Darcy Chirgwin 25-Jul-01 190 78 Geelong/Sandringham St Mary’s FC Melbourne Grammar
Zach Reid 02-Mar-02 196 68 Gippsland Power Leongatha Wonthaggi SC
Marcus Toussaint 14-Jun-01 199 84 Gippsland Power Inverloch-Kongwak Wonthaggi SC
Brock Smith 13-Mar-01 188 78 Gippsland Power Moe Lowanna SC
Fraser Phillips 15-May-01 184 66 Gippsland Power Warragul St Paul’s Anglican Grammar
Sam Flanders 24-Jul-01 183 81 Gippsland Power Moe Lowanna SC
Leo Connolly 07-Aug-01 180 70 Gippsland Power Moe Lowanna SC
Caleb Serong 09-Feb-01 179 82 Gippsland Power Warragul Geelong Grammar School
Riley Baldi 20-Feb-01 178 75 Gippsland Power Moe Lowanna SC
Nick Stevens 23-Mar-02 190 76 GWV Rebels East Point Geelong Grammar School
Isaac Wareham 24-Dec-01 185 76 GWV Rebels Terang-Mortlake St Patrick’s College
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan 04-Apr-02 193 80 GWV/Oakleigh South Warrnambool Scotch College
Ethan Baxter 31-Jan-02 192 77 Murray Bushrangers Shepparton Notre Notre Dame College
Elijah Hollands 25-Apr-02 187 71 Murray Bushrangers Wodonga Bulldogs Caulfield Grammar
Lachlan Ash 21-Jun-01 186 77 Murray Bushrangers Shepparton Bears Notre Dame College


VIC METRO

NAME DOB HT WT TAC CUP REGION LOCAL CLUB SCHOOL
Campbell Edwardes 07-Oct-02 193 77 Calder Cannons Keilor PEGS
Brodie Newman 14-Jan-01 191 88 Calder Cannons Aberfeldie St Bernard’s Grammar
Daniel Mott 01-May-01 182 73 Calder Cannons Brunswick Maribyrnong SC
Jamieson Rossiter 17-Nov-01 190 77 Eastern Ranges Rowville FC Rowville Sports Academy
Ben Major 11-Oct-02 192 87 Northern Knights Diamond Creek JFC Parade College
Ryan Sturgess 16-Nov-01 187 78 Northern Knights St Mary’s JFC Loyola College
Ryan Gardner 22-Mar-01 184 72 Northern Knights Montmorency JFC Montmorency SC
Lachlan Potter 26-Jan-01 184 70 Northern Knights South Morang JFC Mill Park SC
Adam Carafa 22-Feb-01 181 76 Northern Knights Banyule JFC Marcellin College
Samuel Tucker 07-Jan-02 196 84 Oakleigh Chargers Kew Rovers St Kevin’s College
Noah Anderson 17-Feb-01 188 86 Oakleigh Chargers Booroondara Hawks FC Carey Grammar
Dylan Williams 01-Jul-01 185 79 Oakleigh Chargers Whitefriars Old Boys Whitefriars Grammar
Will Phillips 22-May-02 181 76 Oakleigh Chargers Beverley Hills Caulfield Grammar
Finlay Macrae 13-Mar-02 181 64 Oakleigh Chargers Kew Rovers Xavier College
Trent Bianco 20-Jan-01 178 70 Oakleigh Chargers Doncaster Marcellin College
Matthew Rowell 01-Jul-01 178 74 Oakleigh Chargers Booroondara Hawks Carey Grammar
Jack Bell 26-Jan-01 200 73 Sandringham Dragons Old Haileybury FC Haileybury College
Andrew Courtney 06-Jun-01 199 81 Sandringham Dragons Beaumaris FC St Bede’s College
Fischer McAsey 08-Mar-01 195 86 Sandringham Dragons East Brighton FC Caulfield Grammar
Joshua Worrell 11-Apr-01 195 74 Sandringham Dragons Bentleigh FC Haileybury College
Charlie Dean 19-Jun-01 194 86 Sandringham Dragons Collegians FC Wesley College
Hugo Ralphsmith 09-Nov-01 186 70 Sandringham Dragons East Brighton FC Haileybury College
Miles Bergman 18-Oct-01 186 75 Sandringham Dragons Hampton Rovers FC St Bede’s College
Roman Anastasios 09-Jun-02 185 70 Sandringham Dragons Caulfield Grammar Caulfield Grammar
Jack Mahony 12-Nov-01 176 70 Sandringham Dragons St Kevin’s FC St Kevin’s College
Jake Bowey 12-Sep-02 175 60 Sandringham Dragons Cheltenham SC Cheltenham SC
Emerson Jeka 18-Sep-01 197 87 Western Jets Altona Maribyrnong SC
Eddie Ford 21-Jun-02 184 73 Western Jets Yarraville-Seddon Maribyrnong SC
Josh Honey 17-Oct-01 184 79 Western Jets Keilor Maribyrnong SC
Darcy Cassar 31-Jul-01 183 75 Western Jets Keilor Essendon Keilor College


ALLIES

NAME TAC CUP REGION LOCAL CLUB
Charlie Byrne Murray Bushrangers Albury
Will Chandler Murray Bushrangers Corowa-Rutherglen

 

[Pykie]

It’s funny we’ve almost come full circle.

If we don’t get Kelly and have our first round pick, I’d probably be looking at a 190+ inside mid to the view of taking over from Cunnington in 4 or so years.

 

[shintemaster]

It’s funny we’ve almost come full circle.

If we don’t get Kelly and have our first round pick, I’d probably be looking at a 190+ inside mid to the view of taking over from Cunnington in 4 or so years.

Possibly. Tyson isn't as good but with him, Ahern & LDU I think we'd be hoping to have that role covered in house although 4 years is a long way away. Ahern has a very similar skillset with ball in hand although obviously Cunnington is unique.

 

[ferball]

Possibly. Tyson isn't as good but with him, Ahern & LDU I think we'd be hoping to have that role covered in house although 4 years is a long way away. Ahern has a very similar skillset with ball in hand although obviously Cunnington is unique.

I think TT will be in line for those inside roles as well. Tho if he keeps growing he might be too tall.

 

[shintemaster]

I think TT will be in line for those inside roles as well. Tho if he keeps growing he might be too tall.

TT seems to be a height that he might turn into a bit of a tall mid / utility. Looks neater inside than JZ but maybe can play as a 3rd tall floating.

 

[rickety]

Emerson Jeka = The lakeandparma

Has quite the fanfare

 

[Pykie]

It will be interesting to see if there is a mid-season list lodgment now.

Also, weather there are even smaller contracts available, i.e 6 month contracts.

For example, one of Hayden, Durdin, Watson, Hrovat (i.e players in the last year of their contracts) weren't performing in the VFL in their last year, weather there is scope to delist them at the mid season list lodgement/draft, pay out their contract in the TPP and pickup a player for 6 months, with the view to re-sign them if they perform in the last half of the season.

 

[Snake_Baker]

Emerson Jeka = The lakeandparma

Emerson Jeka = The Jenkins

 

[Snake_Baker]

One of the track watchers I know reckons this is going to be a skinny draft.

He did tell me Anderson will be a gun.

 

[King Corey]

For those interested this was the modelling from afl.com.au on North Melbourne board sentiment.

Section -2π to -π suggests a slow build-up from the current post-draft-coital state to extreme optimism circa August 2019 as Josh Kelly, Adam Cerra and Harris Andrews are all linked to the club before a downturn upon all 3 extending their current contracts despite all loving the North Melbourne Football Club dearly during their respective primary school's 'wear your team colours' days.

From π to 0 the board unfortunately enters something of a cannibalistic state as all 3 re-signings are concluded to have been caused by acts of interference from the AFL, Puma, Gina Rinehart and the Illuminati.

Beyond 0 we saw a similar pattern repeated as sentiment recovers to reach a crescendo of relief and backslapping as every player drafted in 2019 just "feels" like a future champion as posts about "a really good feeling about this crop" abound.

Unfortunately the predictive cycle then sees a hard downturn in the early part of 2020 (π and beyond) as no 2019 draftee is able to debut and break 30 possessions in round 1 leading to mass hysteria and eventual declarations that "we should've picked up [player X]" who happened to rack up 27 touches for a bottom club playing loose in defence.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

For those interested this was the modelling from afl.com.au on North Melbourne board sentiment.

Section -2π to -π suggests a slow build-up from the current post-draft-coital state to extreme optimism circa August 2019 as Josh Kelly, Adam Cerra and Harris Andrews are all linked to the club before a downturn upon all 3 extending their current contracts despite all loving the North Melbourne Football Club dearly during their respective primary school's 'wear your team colours' days.

From π to 0 the board unfortunately enters something of a cannibalistic state as all 3 re-signings are concluded to have been caused by acts of interference from the AFL, Puma, Gina Rinehart and the Illuminati.

Beyond 0 we saw a similar pattern repeated as sentiment recovers to reach a crescendo of relief and backslapping as every player drafted in 2019 just "feels" like a future champion as posts about "a really good feeling about this crop" abound.

Unfortunately the predictive cycle then sees a hard downturn in the early part of 2020 (π and beyond) as no 2019 draftee is able to debut and break 30 possessions in round 1 leading to mass hysteria and eventual declarations that "we should've picked up [player X]" who happened to rack up 27 touches for a bottom club playing loose in defence.

Excellent.

 

[shinboner magic]

For those interested this was the modelling from afl.com.au on North Melbourne board sentiment.

Section -2π to -π suggests a slow build-up from the current post-draft-coital state to extreme optimism circa August 2019 as Josh Kelly, Adam Cerra and Harris Andrews are all linked to the club before a downturn upon all 3 extending their current contracts despite all loving the North Melbourne Football Club dearly during their respective primary school's 'wear your team colours' days.

From π to 0 the board unfortunately enters something of a cannibalistic state as all 3 re-signings are concluded to have been caused by acts of interference from the AFL, Puma, Gina Rinehart and the Illuminati.

Beyond 0 we saw a similar pattern repeated as sentiment recovers to reach a crescendo of relief and backslapping as every player drafted in 2019 just "feels" like a future champion as posts about "a really good feeling about this crop" abound.

Unfortunately the predictive cycle then sees a hard downturn in the early part of 2020 (π and beyond) as no 2019 draftee is able to debut and break 30 possessions in round 1 leading to mass hysteria and eventual declarations that "we should've picked up [player X]" who happened to rack up 27 touches for a bottom club playing loose in defence.

Very disappointing that a Graph isn’t called a steffi anymore

 

[Firestarter]

Very disappointing that a Graph isn’t called a steffi anymore

It would become awkward if certain accents enunciated that word.

 

[ferball]

One of the track watchers I know reckons this is going to be a skinny draft.

He did tell me Anderson will be a gun.

Apparently that gives whoever "drafts" him access to Jed Anderson under new AFL rules.

 

[giantroo]

As part of the new-look program for players in next year's under-18 Allies squad, prospects who are in that team will also spend time with their local clubs – Sydney, GWS, Brisbane and Gold Coast – while the Allies players from Tasmania will train with North Melbourne, who has a Next Generation Academy zone in that state.


North Melbourne: Mitch O'Neill, Will Peppin*, Jared Dakin*, Jackson Callow*, Sam Collins*, Oliver Davis*

 

[Firestarter]

I'm guessing Mitch is our only non academy trainee.

 

[Pykie]

I'm guessing Mitch is our only non academy trainee.

Which is unfortunate, because he might be a top 10 pick.

On the positive side of things, remembering Tasmania are in the new TAC Cup next year (TAC has relinquished it's sponsorship, so will be renamed)

Meaning our academy prospects are going to get the best level of competition to develop. I'm sure a couple might come out of nowhere.

Tasmania will have it own VFL license in 2021 as well, meaning a couple of the gun younger players might get more exposure ontop of the Tac Cup side, ala Jack Riewoldt during our alignment.