Draft Watcher eDPS Draft Watch 2018

Who wins this draft

  • Adelaide

    Votes: 5 7.1%
  • Brisbane

    Votes: 1 1.4%
  • Carlton

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Collingwood

    Votes: 1 1.4%
  • Essendon

    Votes: 3 4.3%
  • Fremantle

    Votes: 4 5.7%
  • Geelong

    Votes: 2 2.9%
  • Gold Coast

    Votes: 22 31.4%
  • GWS

    Votes: 4 5.7%
  • Hawthorn

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Melbourne

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • North Melbourne

    Votes: 4 5.7%
  • Port Adelaide

    Votes: 14 20.0%
  • Richmond

    Votes: 1 1.4%
  • St Kilda

    Votes: 4 5.7%
  • Sydney

    Votes: 1 1.4%
  • West Coast

    Votes: 3 4.3%
  • Western Bulldogs

    Votes: 1 1.4%

  • Total voters
    70
  • Poll closed .

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Whats his height , weight and DOB

I do realise they will probably have some growth in them but would need to be 196/197 now to get to ruck height in 12 months
He is 196 and Ryder is 197 so I’m not to worried about the height since he hasn’t a great leap and is a good athlete. He was born late September
 
Not a good quality pic but here are some of the draft possibilities in pic form.

The 2016 School Sports Australian Football All-Australian.

upload_2018-12-6_7-14-36.png

Warning: Caps lock.

BACK:

LIAM DELAHUNTY: NEW SOUTH WALES.
DANIEL SLADOJEVIC: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
WILLIAM GOULD: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
EMERSON JEKA: VICTORIA.
JEREMY O'SULLIVAN: VICTORIA.
NICHOLAS CRUMP: WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

MIDDLE:

BEN JOHNSON: WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
DYLAN WILLIAMS: VICTORIA.
JACKSON MEAD: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
CAMERON TAHENY: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
CALLUM PARK: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
JACK FITZGERALD: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
DEVEN ROBERTSON: WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
OLIVER BURROWS-CHENG: TASMANIA.

FRONT:

BEAU NUNAN: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
MITCHELL FITZPATRICK: QUEENSLAND.
RYAN ALLEN: NEW SOUTH WALES.
MATTHEW ROWELL: VICTORIA.
SAM RAMSAY: VICTORIA.
MAX CLAYTON: QUEENSLAND.
DANIEL MOTT: VICTORIA.
CALEB SERONG: VICTORIA.
 
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Another one of the Eastern mosquito fleet, not a bad little player but again will need to really impress every week to stand out.
Reasonable call DPS, Duffy has smarts but (lack of) size could challenge him. Blanck is training as an over ager, and McCormack played most of the games in 2018. Any thoughts on these two plus Hickleton came in late showed some good traits (last two games, but a reasonable wildcard game) and Gilbee?
 
Last edited:

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Not a good quality pic but here are some of the draft possibilities in pic form.

The 2016 School Sports Australian Football All-Australian.

View attachment 592874

Warning: Caps lock.

BACK:

LIAM DELAHUNTY: NEW SOUTH WALES.
DANIEL SLADOJEVIC: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
WILLIAM GOULD: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
EMERSON JEKA: VICTORIA.
JEREMY O'SULLIVAN: VICTORIA.
NICHOLAS CRUMP: WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

MIDDLE:

BEN JOHNSON: WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
DYLAN WILLIAMS: VICTORIA.
JACKSON MEAD: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
CAMERON TAHENY: VICTORIA.
CALLUM PARK: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
JACK FITZGERALD: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
DEVEN ROBERTSON: WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
OLIVER BURROWS-CHENG: TASMANIA.

FRONT:

BEAU NUNAN: SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
MITCHELL FITZPATRICK: QUEENSLAND.
RYAN ALLEN: NEW SOUTH WALES.
MATTHEW ROWELL: VICTORIA.
SAM RAMSAY: VICTORIA.
MAX CLAYTON: QUEENSLAND.
DANIEL MOTT: VICTORIA.
CALEB SERONG: VICTORIA.
Cam Taheny is a Croweater Norwood/Rostrevor College not a Vic.
 
Can anyone tell me what type of player Brodie Kemp is - being his height and described as a back/utility/midfielder is he similar to a young Brendon Goddard?
 
Can anyone tell me what type of player Brodie Kemp is - being his height and described as a back/utility/midfielder is he similar to a young Brendon Goddard?
A little bit, I’d say Kemp is better movement wise and a better contested mark where as Goddard is a better kick.

Kemp overall is more of a key position player that can play midfield where as Goddard was more of the 3rd tall
 
Riley Smith (Ruck) and Blanck are training as over agers ar Eastern Ranges and McCormack played most of the games in 2018. Any thoughts on these plus Hickleton came in late (last 2 games) and showed some good signs in the wildcard game and Gilbee?
 
Riley Smith (Ruck) and Blanck are training as over agers ar Eastern Ranges and McCormack played most of the games in 2018. Any thoughts on these plus Hickleton came in late (last 2 games) and showed some good signs in the wildcard game and Gilbee?
I’ve seen a bit of McCormack and don’t mind him, haven’t taken great note of Hickelton and Gilbee but will keep a closer eye on them next year.
 

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ICYMI, here are the names on training placement at each clubs:


Adelaide: Dylan Stephens, Will Gould, Karl Finlay

Brisbane Lions: Tom Griffiths*, Will Martyn, Bruce Reville*, Kobe Tozer, Saxon Crozier*, Samson Ryan*, Malcolm Rosas (NT), Joel Jeffrey* (NT)

Carlton: Caleb Serong, Brodie Kemp, Matt Rowell, Lachlan Potter

Collingwood: Trent Bianco, Brock Smith

Essendon: Andrew Courtney, Emerson Jeka, Ryan Gardner

Fremantle: Jeremy Sharp, Luke Jackson, Jack Buller, Trent Rivers

Geelong: Cooper Stephens, Darcy Chirgwin, Flynn Perez

Gold Coast: Connor Budarick, Ashton Crossley*, Hewago Paul-Oea, Alex Davies*, Jack Johnson*, Matt Conroy*, Ben Jungfer* (NT), Malcolm Rosas (NT), Joel Jeffrey* (NT)

GWS: Liam Delahunty, Tom Green, Matt McGrory, Charlie Byrne*

Hawthorn: Marcus Toussaint, Jamieson Rossiter, Dylan Williams

Melbourne: Noah Anderson, Fraser Phillips, Charlie Dean

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

Port Adelaide: Jackson Mead, Cameron Taheny, Kysaiah Pickett

Richmond: Jack Mahony, Lachlan Ash, Fischer McAsey

St Kilda: Bigoa Nyuon, Hayden Young, Sam Flanders

Sydney: Luke Parks*, Jackson Barling*, Hamish Ellem*, Josh Rayner, Braedon Campbell*, Errol Gulden*, Will Chandler

West Coast: Mitch Georgiades, Elijah Taylor, Rhai Arn Cox, Deven Robertson

Western Bulldogs: Jack Bell, Hugo Ralph-Smith, Josh Worrell, Darcy Cassar


Some possible first name first timers are:

Fischer.
Jamieson.
Saxon.
Samson.
Emerson.

While it's back to the future with Errol, Bruce and Malcolm.
 
ICYMI, here are the names on training placement at each clubs:


Adelaide: Dylan Stephens, Will Gould, Karl Finlay

Brisbane Lions: Tom Griffiths*, Will Martyn, Bruce Reville*, Kobe Tozer, Saxon Crozier*, Samson Ryan*, Malcolm Rosas (NT), Joel Jeffrey* (NT)

Carlton: Caleb Serong, Brodie Kemp, Matt Rowell, Lachlan Potter

Collingwood: Trent Bianco, Brock Smith

Essendon: Andrew Courtney, Emerson Jeka, Ryan Gardner

Fremantle: Jeremy Sharp, Luke Jackson, Jack Buller, Trent Rivers

Geelong: Cooper Stephens, Darcy Chirgwin, Flynn Perez

Gold Coast: Connor Budarick, Ashton Crossley*, Hewago Paul-Oea, Alex Davies*, Jack Johnson*, Matt Conroy*, Ben Jungfer* (NT), Malcolm Rosas (NT), Joel Jeffrey* (NT)

GWS: Liam Delahunty, Tom Green, Matt McGrory, Charlie Byrne*

Hawthorn: Marcus Toussaint, Jamieson Rossiter, Dylan Williams

Melbourne: Noah Anderson, Fraser Phillips, Charlie Dean

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

Port Adelaide: Jackson Mead, Cameron Taheny, Kysaiah Pickett

Richmond: Jack Mahony, Lachlan Ash, Fischer McAsey

St Kilda: Bigoa Nyuon, Hayden Young, Sam Flanders

Sydney: Luke Parks*, Jackson Barling*, Hamish Ellem*, Josh Rayner, Braedon Campbell*, Errol Gulden*, Will Chandler

West Coast: Mitch Georgiades, Elijah Taylor, Rhai Arn Cox, Deven Robertson

Western Bulldogs: Jack Bell, Hugo Ralph-Smith, Josh Worrell, Darcy Cassar


Some possible first name first timers are:

Fischer.
Jamieson.
Saxon.
Samson.
Emerson.

While it's back to the future with Errol, Bruce and Malcolm.
 

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Ive been slack compared to last years pre-season in watching old replays but i will try and start this week with the plan again to release an updated top 30 in March or early April. Ill be honest i felt a little burned out by the end of it and im sure Pie 4 Life would agree that a break from watching juniors has been refreshing haha.
 
Ive been slack compared to last years pre-season in watching old replays but i will try and start this week with the plan again to release an updated top 30 in March or early April. Ill be honest i felt a little burned out by the end of it and im sure Pie 4 Life would agree that a break from watching juniors has been refreshing haha.

I would take a break, there is no massive benefit getting information out at the moment. There will be a number of changes and only a handful of people reading the information.
 
Ok it’s been a while since I last posted but I had a last minute reprieve and went back into AFL system again so kept quiet whilst employed – but now definitely retired so want to share my thoughts again.
I would like to share some thoughts of how things work inside AFL land with regards recruiting and how that differs a little from what I sometimes read here.
When looking at a draft crop I think the one thing that sometimes is over looked by many here but absolutely is the most important issue for recruiters is a boy’s exposure and performance to top level footy at a young age. For many the AFL is the first exposure to ‘open age’ football so we are really interested in performances of boys against older peers. So that means National Championships (and to a lesser degree TAC finals) and school footy is really important in your bottom age years. If you look at last few drafts there have been high end picks who didn’t have great draft years but have shown earlier they can mix it against older bodies and that is what AFL is – look at Caldwell, McHenry & Butters from 2018 – all high picks). So if we look at 2019 draft crop what have AFL recruiters noted to this point?
Overall 2019 is a very strong draft – it’s way deeper than 2019 – but will be judged harsher purely on the lack of high end talls – there are basically none at this stage who are demanding a top 10 pick (although Luke Jackson you could make a case for). Vic Metro will be seriously strong in 2019 and will provide a large number of high picks.
Ok I just wanted to get this started before giving my opinions below. Please note my opinions are based on my first hand experience only at this stage – so I am only commenting about performances that I have witnessed live. So this is largely based on U16 Nationals, APS/AGSV footy (17-18), AFL Academy (NZ game), U18 Nationals and TAC.
I have deliberately left out the Futures GF game as whilst we watch it – most recruiters discount performances as it brings together a large number of boys who have not played for weeks and isn’t a level playing field. And if you watched closely this year the game was coached from a very different angle by both coaches. Tony Bamford coached Black team and played his best players in best positions all day – whilst Luke Power (White) gave priority to players not part of AFL Academy particularly in mid field and this impacted greatly on the game. So don’t read much into this game – that said Rowell and Serong were outstanding…

So for 2019 this is where most AFL recruiters have things at this stage - there are 9 standouts above all others at this time:
Vic Metro: Rowell, Anderson, Mahony & Williams
Allies: O’Neill & Green
WA: Sharp & Jackson
Vic Country: Serong

The tier below include Gould, Kemp, Gardner, Flanders & C Stephens (Vic Country).

And there are 5 at the moment who are clearly at the top end (in no particular order):

Matt Rowell (Nationals : 19.5 disposals per game (0 goals) & TAC Finals (22.6 disposals/0.6 goals):
Already been a lot written about him so I will not go on too much here – I first saw him at U15 Nationals and have seen him at U16 Nationals, APS and TAC many times. The boy is a star – ultra professional and one of best mid fielders of last few years. Has comprehensively beaten older boys almost every time he has played against them. Ignore his height – he is now 180cm but strong, fast and determined. Only possible criticism from AFL standpoint is his versatility in that he has had very little exposure forward or back over last few years – that said it doesn’t worry me at all he is going to be a star.

Noah Anderson: (NC: 18.0 disposals/2.0 goals & TAC Finals: 18.3 disposals/1.5 goals):
Again no surprise here – player of U16 Nationals, perfect size, elite endurance and a natural leader (was captain of AFL Academy team – voted by players). Big game player – his game against WA in Nationals was almost as good as Izak Rankine against Metro. It is important with Noah to realise how he was used in Nationals and with Chargers late in TAC year – everyone knows he can play in midfield but was predominately used forward only to develop his AFL versatility but his numbers and impact was outstanding – will most likely move to full time mid- field role in 2019 and expect him to dominate. I think most clubs see him as a logical pick 1 at this stage as his size and endurance would see him likely to play in round one 2020.

Jack Mahony: (NC: 17.0 disposals/1.5 goals & TAC Finals: 21.0 disposals/1.5 goals):
I think Jack is the one flying under radar in threads but certainly not with recruiters. I think this is largely due to him breaking his collarbone in first TAC game after Nationals and missing rest of school and TAC season. He returned in Dragons first final after 8 weeks out and had 25 touches in limited mid field time and then kicked 2 goals as predominant small forward against Stingrays in a depleted Dragons team in Prelim. Important here to recognise how Dragons use bottom agers – they rarely play them in influential roles and thus it seems always the Dragons is where draft bolters come from (think Mcgrath and Taranto in 2016, Brayshaw in 2017 and again Bailey Smith last year) – Mahony is that player in 2019. Was arguably best on ground in first half of WA Nationals game – changed the game with Rowell when moved to outside mid in SA game and was outstanding in NZ game (as were Rowell and Anderson). Can play mid and forward and has dominated school team since first playing as a 15 year old. Tied with Sam Walsh in Yo Yo test at 2018 TAC testing so speed/endurance is elite. Like Rowell people are concerned about his size – although I hear he is now 179cm and November born so size isn’t an issue.

Mitch O’Neill: (NC: 20.0 disposals/0.8 goals):
Like Mahony is a bit under the radar – which is hard to say about a boy who was All Australian as a bottom ager. He had an outstanding Nationals and that just backed up what we saw in NZ in AFL Academy game. This game is a bit of a joke from a results aspect but the NZ team are adults with big bodies and it has always been fascinating to watch young boys work the way through this problem. Mitch got added to Academy squad for this Trip and really impressed us both during the game and at training and interviews. On field he is an elite 2 way runner who never stops working and will definitely benefit from his exposure through 4 games of Nationals in 2018. The change to TAC for a Tassie based player will only help Mitch’s development further in 2019. I have only seen him live in Nationals, NZ and GF game so I personally have limited exposure but he is on this list because he is rated very highly by a large number of clubs.

Dylan Williams (NC: 12.0 disposals/4.0 goals & TAC Finals: 11.0 disposals/4.7 goals):
Dylan is the tricky one on this list. There are some who will say that he has to be in mix for pick 1 purely on what he did in 2018 – and then there are others who will say that Vic Metro rated him below Rowell, Anderson & Mahony as he only played one game in Nationals and not against SA in final game – and they will also highlight the nature of his goals – he gets an incredible amount of his goals from snaps and leading his defender under the ball and getting it out the back – the criticism here being he will not get away with this at AFL level. My view – whilst he is not a high possession winner, he is a very clever footballer who has performed extremely well both forward and back and that versatility will hold him in good stead. 2019 will define his draft position but in 2020 he will be playing AFL football.

Please note that I have only mentioned players who have has bottom age experience in 2018 Nationals because at this point clubs have them at the top of their lists. There are plenty of boys with promise who we will find out more shortly…
 
Ok it’s been a while since I last posted but I had a last minute reprieve and went back into AFL system again so kept quiet whilst employed – but now definitely retired so want to share my thoughts again.
I would like to share some thoughts of how things work inside AFL land with regards recruiting and how that differs a little from what I sometimes read here.
When looking at a draft crop I think the one thing that sometimes is over looked by many here but absolutely is the most important issue for recruiters is a boy’s exposure and performance to top level footy at a young age. For many the AFL is the first exposure to ‘open age’ football so we are really interested in performances of boys against older peers. So that means National Championships (and to a lesser degree TAC finals) and school footy is really important in your bottom age years. If you look at last few drafts there have been high end picks who didn’t have great draft years but have shown earlier they can mix it against older bodies and that is what AFL is – look at Caldwell, McHenry & Butters from 2018 – all high picks). So if we look at 2019 draft crop what have AFL recruiters noted to this point?
Overall 2019 is a very strong draft – it’s way deeper than 2019 – but will be judged harsher purely on the lack of high end talls – there are basically none at this stage who are demanding a top 10 pick (although Luke Jackson you could make a case for). Vic Metro will be seriously strong in 2019 and will provide a large number of high picks.
Ok I just wanted to get this started before giving my opinions below. Please note my opinions are based on my first hand experience only at this stage – so I am only commenting about performances that I have witnessed live. So this is largely based on U16 Nationals, APS/AGSV footy (17-18), AFL Academy (NZ game), U18 Nationals and TAC.
I have deliberately left out the Futures GF game as whilst we watch it – most recruiters discount performances as it brings together a large number of boys who have not played for weeks and isn’t a level playing field. And if you watched closely this year the game was coached from a very different angle by both coaches. Tony Bamford coached Black team and played his best players in best positions all day – whilst Luke Power (White) gave priority to players not part of AFL Academy particularly in mid field and this impacted greatly on the game. So don’t read much into this game – that said Rowell and Serong were outstanding…

So for 2019 this is where most AFL recruiters have things at this stage - there are 9 standouts above all others at this time:
Vic Metro: Rowell, Anderson, Mahony & Williams
Allies: O’Neill & Green
WA: Sharp & Jackson
Vic Country: Serong

The tier below include Gould, Kemp, Gardner, Flanders & C Stephens (Vic Country).

And there are 5 at the moment who are clearly at the top end (in no particular order):

Matt Rowell (Nationals : 19.5 disposals per game (0 goals) & TAC Finals (22.6 disposals/0.6 goals):
Already been a lot written about him so I will not go on too much here – I first saw him at U15 Nationals and have seen him at U16 Nationals, APS and TAC many times. The boy is a star – ultra professional and one of best mid fielders of last few years. Has comprehensively beaten older boys almost every time he has played against them. Ignore his height – he is now 180cm but strong, fast and determined. Only possible criticism from AFL standpoint is his versatility in that he has had very little exposure forward or back over last few years – that said it doesn’t worry me at all he is going to be a star.

Noah Anderson: (NC: 18.0 disposals/2.0 goals & TAC Finals: 18.3 disposals/1.5 goals):
Again no surprise here – player of U16 Nationals, perfect size, elite endurance and a natural leader (was captain of AFL Academy team – voted by players). Big game player – his game against WA in Nationals was almost as good as Izak Rankine against Metro. It is important with Noah to realise how he was used in Nationals and with Chargers late in TAC year – everyone knows he can play in midfield but was predominately used forward only to develop his AFL versatility but his numbers and impact was outstanding – will most likely move to full time mid- field role in 2019 and expect him to dominate. I think most clubs see him as a logical pick 1 at this stage as his size and endurance would see him likely to play in round one 2020.

Jack Mahony: (NC: 17.0 disposals/1.5 goals & TAC Finals: 21.0 disposals/1.5 goals):
I think Jack is the one flying under radar in threads but certainly not with recruiters. I think this is largely due to him breaking his collarbone in first TAC game after Nationals and missing rest of school and TAC season. He returned in Dragons first final after 8 weeks out and had 25 touches in limited mid field time and then kicked 2 goals as predominant small forward against Stingrays in a depleted Dragons team in Prelim. Important here to recognise how Dragons use bottom agers – they rarely play them in influential roles and thus it seems always the Dragons is where draft bolters come from (think Mcgrath and Taranto in 2016, Brayshaw in 2017 and again Bailey Smith last year) – Mahony is that player in 2019. Was arguably best on ground in first half of WA Nationals game – changed the game with Rowell when moved to outside mid in SA game and was outstanding in NZ game (as were Rowell and Anderson). Can play mid and forward and has dominated school team since first playing as a 15 year old. Tied with Sam Walsh in Yo Yo test at 2018 TAC testing so speed/endurance is elite. Like Rowell people are concerned about his size – although I hear he is now 179cm and November born so size isn’t an issue.

Mitch O’Neill: (NC: 20.0 disposals/0.8 goals):
Like Mahony is a bit under the radar – which is hard to say about a boy who was All Australian as a bottom ager. He had an outstanding Nationals and that just backed up what we saw in NZ in AFL Academy game. This game is a bit of a joke from a results aspect but the NZ team are adults with big bodies and it has always been fascinating to watch young boys work the way through this problem. Mitch got added to Academy squad for this Trip and really impressed us both during the game and at training and interviews. On field he is an elite 2 way runner who never stops working and will definitely benefit from his exposure through 4 games of Nationals in 2018. The change to TAC for a Tassie based player will only help Mitch’s development further in 2019. I have only seen him live in Nationals, NZ and GF game so I personally have limited exposure but he is on this list because he is rated very highly by a large number of clubs.

Dylan Williams (NC: 12.0 disposals/4.0 goals & TAC Finals: 11.0 disposals/4.7 goals):
Dylan is the tricky one on this list. There are some who will say that he has to be in mix for pick 1 purely on what he did in 2018 – and then there are others who will say that Vic Metro rated him below Rowell, Anderson & Mahony as he only played one game in Nationals and not against SA in final game – and they will also highlight the nature of his goals – he gets an incredible amount of his goals from snaps and leading his defender under the ball and getting it out the back – the criticism here being he will not get away with this at AFL level. My view – whilst he is not a high possession winner, he is a very clever footballer who has performed extremely well both forward and back and that versatility will hold him in good stead. 2019 will define his draft position but in 2020 he will be playing AFL football.

Please note that I have only mentioned players who have has bottom age experience in 2018 Nationals because at this point clubs have them at the top of their lists. There are plenty of boys with promise who we will find out more shortly…
This is fantastic mate really appreciate your thoughts here, noticed you included Kemp in that next tier down and wanted your opinion of him as a player and what role you think he is best suited to because he has shown to have an impact in all 3 areas of the ground so far.
 
I think he is a defender first. Really like him as excellent one on one and uses ball very well by foot. Watched at GGS, NZ, Nationals and i think this suits him best. Did see him play mid with Pioneers and he was very good - but DPS as you know Bendigo are poor and someone has to get ball in their midfield...
 
I think he is a defender first. Really like him as excellent one on one and uses ball very well by foot. Watched at GGS, NZ, Nationals and i think this suits him best. Did see him play mid with Pioneers and he was very good - but DPS as you know Bendigo are poor and someone has to get ball in their midfield...
Im hoping he gets some midfield time in the champs, id like to see how he goes there against the very best mids but knowing Vic Country they will just play him in key positions because he is "tall". He looked to have a good goal kicking routine to me aswell so he always has that up his sleeve.
 
Ok it’s been a while since I last posted but I had a last minute reprieve and went back into AFL system again so kept quiet whilst employed – but now definitely retired so want to share my thoughts again.
I would like to share some thoughts of how things work inside AFL land with regards recruiting and how that differs a little from what I sometimes read here.
When looking at a draft crop I think the one thing that sometimes is over looked by many here but absolutely is the most important issue for recruiters is a boy’s exposure and performance to top level footy at a young age. For many the AFL is the first exposure to ‘open age’ football so we are really interested in performances of boys against older peers. So that means National Championships (and to a lesser degree TAC finals) and school footy is really important in your bottom age years. If you look at last few drafts there have been high end picks who didn’t have great draft years but have shown earlier they can mix it against older bodies and that is what AFL is – look at Caldwell, McHenry & Butters from 2018 – all high picks). So if we look at 2019 draft crop what have AFL recruiters noted to this point?
Overall 2019 is a very strong draft – it’s way deeper than 2019 – but will be judged harsher purely on the lack of high end talls – there are basically none at this stage who are demanding a top 10 pick (although Luke Jackson you could make a case for). Vic Metro will be seriously strong in 2019 and will provide a large number of high picks.
Ok I just wanted to get this started before giving my opinions below. Please note my opinions are based on my first hand experience only at this stage – so I am only commenting about performances that I have witnessed live. So this is largely based on U16 Nationals, APS/AGSV footy (17-18), AFL Academy (NZ game), U18 Nationals and TAC.
I have deliberately left out the Futures GF game as whilst we watch it – most recruiters discount performances as it brings together a large number of boys who have not played for weeks and isn’t a level playing field. And if you watched closely this year the game was coached from a very different angle by both coaches. Tony Bamford coached Black team and played his best players in best positions all day – whilst Luke Power (White) gave priority to players not part of AFL Academy particularly in mid field and this impacted greatly on the game. So don’t read much into this game – that said Rowell and Serong were outstanding…

So for 2019 this is where most AFL recruiters have things at this stage - there are 9 standouts above all others at this time:
Vic Metro: Rowell, Anderson, Mahony & Williams
Allies: O’Neill & Green
WA: Sharp & Jackson
Vic Country: Serong

The tier below include Gould, Kemp, Gardner, Flanders & C Stephens (Vic Country).

And there are 5 at the moment who are clearly at the top end (in no particular order):

Matt Rowell (Nationals : 19.5 disposals per game (0 goals) & TAC Finals (22.6 disposals/0.6 goals):
Already been a lot written about him so I will not go on too much here – I first saw him at U15 Nationals and have seen him at U16 Nationals, APS and TAC many times. The boy is a star – ultra professional and one of best mid fielders of last few years. Has comprehensively beaten older boys almost every time he has played against them. Ignore his height – he is now 180cm but strong, fast and determined. Only possible criticism from AFL standpoint is his versatility in that he has had very little exposure forward or back over last few years – that said it doesn’t worry me at all he is going to be a star.

Noah Anderson: (NC: 18.0 disposals/2.0 goals & TAC Finals: 18.3 disposals/1.5 goals):
Again no surprise here – player of U16 Nationals, perfect size, elite endurance and a natural leader (was captain of AFL Academy team – voted by players). Big game player – his game against WA in Nationals was almost as good as Izak Rankine against Metro. It is important with Noah to realise how he was used in Nationals and with Chargers late in TAC year – everyone knows he can play in midfield but was predominately used forward only to develop his AFL versatility but his numbers and impact was outstanding – will most likely move to full time mid- field role in 2019 and expect him to dominate. I think most clubs see him as a logical pick 1 at this stage as his size and endurance would see him likely to play in round one 2020.

Jack Mahony: (NC: 17.0 disposals/1.5 goals & TAC Finals: 21.0 disposals/1.5 goals):
I think Jack is the one flying under radar in threads but certainly not with recruiters. I think this is largely due to him breaking his collarbone in first TAC game after Nationals and missing rest of school and TAC season. He returned in Dragons first final after 8 weeks out and had 25 touches in limited mid field time and then kicked 2 goals as predominant small forward against Stingrays in a depleted Dragons team in Prelim. Important here to recognise how Dragons use bottom agers – they rarely play them in influential roles and thus it seems always the Dragons is where draft bolters come from (think Mcgrath and Taranto in 2016, Brayshaw in 2017 and again Bailey Smith last year) – Mahony is that player in 2019. Was arguably best on ground in first half of WA Nationals game – changed the game with Rowell when moved to outside mid in SA game and was outstanding in NZ game (as were Rowell and Anderson). Can play mid and forward and has dominated school team since first playing as a 15 year old. Tied with Sam Walsh in Yo Yo test at 2018 TAC testing so speed/endurance is elite. Like Rowell people are concerned about his size – although I hear he is now 179cm and November born so size isn’t an issue.

Mitch O’Neill: (NC: 20.0 disposals/0.8 goals):
Like Mahony is a bit under the radar – which is hard to say about a boy who was All Australian as a bottom ager. He had an outstanding Nationals and that just backed up what we saw in NZ in AFL Academy game. This game is a bit of a joke from a results aspect but the NZ team are adults with big bodies and it has always been fascinating to watch young boys work the way through this problem. Mitch got added to Academy squad for this Trip and really impressed us both during the game and at training and interviews. On field he is an elite 2 way runner who never stops working and will definitely benefit from his exposure through 4 games of Nationals in 2018. The change to TAC for a Tassie based player will only help Mitch’s development further in 2019. I have only seen him live in Nationals, NZ and GF game so I personally have limited exposure but he is on this list because he is rated very highly by a large number of clubs.

Dylan Williams (NC: 12.0 disposals/4.0 goals & TAC Finals: 11.0 disposals/4.7 goals):
Dylan is the tricky one on this list. There are some who will say that he has to be in mix for pick 1 purely on what he did in 2018 – and then there are others who will say that Vic Metro rated him below Rowell, Anderson & Mahony as he only played one game in Nationals and not against SA in final game – and they will also highlight the nature of his goals – he gets an incredible amount of his goals from snaps and leading his defender under the ball and getting it out the back – the criticism here being he will not get away with this at AFL level. My view – whilst he is not a high possession winner, he is a very clever footballer who has performed extremely well both forward and back and that versatility will hold him in good stead. 2019 will define his draft position but in 2020 he will be playing AFL football.

Please note that I have only mentioned players who have has bottom age experience in 2018 Nationals because at this point clubs have them at the top of their lists. There are plenty of boys with promise who we will find out more shortly…
do you reckon Oneill will defiantly get drafted, what clubs would need a player like him
 
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