Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[Knightmare]

Loving Blakely to the saints. If this was to all go to plan do you think the saints have to pick up McKenzie at 22 or go for a cockatoo or another slider?

Cockatoo if there could be a consideration without definitely being the pick.

I know I'd be taking Blakely and R.McKenzie if available. Love their games and think they'll be among the late first round/2nd round bargains in this draft.

 

[nottenthagain]

Hugh Beasley is probably the closest thing to Gibson as an undersized but incredible key defender who is an excellent stopper (probably the best stopper in the TAC Cup) and improving rebounding. Probably not the 3rd man in type at this point.

Otherwise Josh McGuinness could play a similar third tall role down back and be a capable rebounder and 3rd man in but wouldn't be taking any key forwards as Gibson often does.

They're the two late/rookie draft who could play a variation of that role.

The more I read and see of Beasley the more I see him being the guy the Swans take at 37. Somewhat similar in stature to Alex Johnson (who is unfortunately a long shot to make it back - 4th knee reco due to happen in the next month or two) and stiffens up the depth in the KPD positions.

Don't see Oscar McDonald being available and Beasley is the next best shut down defender

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare’s 2014 Phantom Draft


#1 St Kilda – Patrick McCartin (VIC - KPF)
Height: 193.6cm, Weight: 95.95kg, DOB: 19/04/1996
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Range: 1-3
Profile: Dominant key forward.


#2 Melbourne – Angus Brayshaw (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 186.8cm, Weight: 90.55kg, DOB: 09/01/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Range: 1-3
Profile: Dominant midfielder.


#3 Melbourne - Christian Petracca (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 186.2cm, Weight: 94.65kg, DOB: 04/01/1996
Recruited from: Eastern Ranges
Range: 1-2
Profile: Powerful midfielder/forward.


#4 GWS – Jarrod Pickett (WA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 176.9cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 18/08/1996
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Range: 4-15
Profile: Electric outside linebreaker.


#5 Collingwood – Jordan De Goey (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 187.5cm, Weight: 84.7kg, DOB: 15/03/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 5-15
Profile: Strong marking midfielder/forward.


#6 GWS – Paul Ahern (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 181.8cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 01/08/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Range: 4-25
Profile: Damaging forward/midfielder.


#7 GWS – Caleb Marchbank (VIC – KPD)
Height: 191.7cm, Weight: 88.9kg, DOB: 07/12/1996
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Range: 6-25
Profile: Promising key defender.


#8 Gold Coast – Peter Wright (VIC - KPF/Ruck)
Height: 203.3cm, Weight: 100.1kg, DOB: 08/09/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Range: 3-20
Profile: Promising key forward/ruckman.


#9 Collingwood – Darcy Moore (Collingwood - F/S – VIC – KPF/KPD)
Height: 198.8cm, Weight: 91.4kg, DOB: 25/01/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 1st round.
Profile: Promising key position player.


#10 Geelong – Nakia Cockatoo (NT – Util)
Height: 186.2cm, Weight: 86.4kg, DOB: 23/10/1996
Recruited from: NT Thunder
Range: 10-30
Profile: Explosive midfielder.


#11 West Coast – Liam Duggan (VIC – Util)
Height: 183.8cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 11/12/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 5-25
Profile: Classy versatile type.


#12 Richmond – Corey Ellis (VIC – Util)
Height: 184.4cm, Weight: 74.3kg, DOB: 09/10/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 8-25
Profile: Skillful type.


#13 Fremantle - Hugh Goddard (VIC – KPD/KPF)
Height: 196.2cm, Weight: 94.1kg, DOB: 24/08/1996
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Range: 6-20
Profile: Promising key defender.


#14 Adelaide – Kyle Langford (VIC – Util)
Height: 190.1cm, Weight: 76.4kg, DOB: 01/12/1996
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Range: 5-20
Profile: Versatile tall.


#15 Gold Coast – Jarrod Garlett (WA –Mid)
Height: 180.1cm, Weight: 68.65kg, DOB: 18/08/1996
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Range: 8-25
Profile: Outside linebreaker.


#16 North Melbourne – Sam Durdin (SA – KPD/KPF)
Height: 197.5cm, Weight: 87.65kg, DOB: 06/06/1996
Recruited from: West Adelaide
Range: 6-25
Profile: Promising key position player.


#17 Essendon – Jayden Laverde (VIC – Util)
Height: 189.4cm, Weight: 79.95kg, DOB: 12/04/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 4-15
Profile: Damaging utility.


#18 Sydney – Isaac Heeney (Sydney academy- NSW/ACT - Mid/Def)
Height: 186.2cm, Weight: 84.1kg, DOB: 05/05/1996
Recruited from: Cardiff
Range: 1st round
Profile: Complete midfielder.


#19 Carlton – Jake Lever (VIC –KPD)
Height: 192.9cm, Weight: 83.95kg, DOB: 05/03/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Range: 3-25
Profile: Key defender who will go early despite missing 2014 through injury.


#20 Essendon – Lachlan Weller (QLD – Util)
Height: 181.6cm, Weight: 76.8kg, DOB: 23/02/1996
Recruited from: Broadbeach
Range: 5-20
Profile: Skilled outside type, brother of Maverick.


#21 St Kilda - Alex Neal-Bullen (SA – Mid)
Height: 181.5cm, Weight: 76.05kg, DOB: 09/01/1996
Recruited from: Glenelg
Range: 20-50
Profile: Contested ball winner.


#22 St Kilda – Oscar McDonald (VIC – KPD)
Height: 197.1cm, Weight: 93.5kg, DOB: 18/03/1996
Recruited from: North Ballarat
Range: 20-50
Profile: Key defender, brother of Melbourne’s Tom.


#23 GWS - Brayden Maynard (VIC – Util)
Height: 186.5cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 20/09/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Range: 15-45
Profile: Strong, contested ball winner.


#24 GWS – Jack Steele (GWS academy - NSW – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 188.4cm, Weight: 85.5kg, DOB: 13/12/1995
Recruited from: Belconnen
Range: 2nd round.
Profile: Overage midfielder/forward.


#25 North Melbourne - Daniel McKenzie (VIC – Def/Mid)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 78.3kg, DOB: 17/05/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 15-45
Profile: Damaging rebounding defender.


#26 Western Bulldogs – Connor Menadue (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 187.3cm, Weight: 69.05kg, DOB: 19/09/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 15-40
Profile: Explosive type with versatility.


#27 Western Bulldogs - Tom Lamb (VIC – Util)
Height: 193.3cm, Weight: 83.5kg, DOB: 19/10/1996
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Range: 6-25
Profile: Versatile, athletic tall.


#28 Carlton – Blaine Boekhorst (WA – Util)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 02/09/1993
Recruited from: Swan Districts
Range: 25-rookie
Profile: Mature age outside linebreaker.


#29 Gold Coast - Harrison Wigg (SA – Def/Mid)
Height: 178.1cm, Weight: 74.15kg, DOB: 14/10/1996
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Range: 25-rookie
Profile: High production, efficient kicking outside type.


#30 Collingwood – Connor Blakely (WA – Mid)
Height: 188.7cm, Weight: 84.45kg, DOB: 03/02/1996
Recruited from: Swan Districts
Range: 10-40
Profile: Well-rounded onballer.


#31 Hawthorn – Touk Miller (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 178.2cm, Weight: 82.6kg, DOB: 22/02/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Range: 20-45
Profile: Powerful inside midfielder.


#32 West Coast – Lukas Webb (VIC – Fwd/Def)
Height: 186.3cm, Weight: 79.6kg, DOB: 03/04/1996
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Range: 25-rookie
Profile: Versatile kicker.


#33 Richmond - Dillon Viojo-Rainbow (VIC – Def/Mid)
Height: 184.1cm, Weight: 81.75kg, DOB: 08/02/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 20-60
Profile: Versatile kicker.


#34 Fremantle – Edward Vickers-Willis (VIC – Util)
Height: 190.2cm, Weight: 82.6kg, DOB: 28/03/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Range: 15-35
Profile: Tall, versatile type.


#35 Adelaide – Declan Hamilton (SA – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 182.1cm, Weight: 68.2kg, DOB: 18/03/1996
Recruited from: Port Adelaide
Range: 20-60
Profile: Skillful forward.


#36 North Melbourne - Daniel Howe (VIC – Util)
Height: 192cm, Weight: 85.45kg, DOB: 04/12/1995
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Range: 25-55
Profile: Overage backman.


#37 Sydney - Ed Langdon (VIC – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 181.4cm, Weight: 73.55kg, DOB: 02/01/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Range: 30-70
Profile: Smart small forward, brother of Collingwood’s Tom.


#38 Sydney – Jack Hiscox (Syd – Academy - NSW – Util)
Height: 185.8cm, Weight: 75.9kg, DOB: 23/03/1995
Recruited from: Sydney Uni
Range: 2nd round
Profile: Endurance specialist.


#39 Western Bulldgos - Mitch McGovern (WA–KPF/KPD)
Height: 190.5cm, Weight: 82.2kg, DOB: 11/10/1994
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Range: 45-rookie
Profile: Mature age key position player.


#40 Melbourne - Toby McLean (VIC – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 180.2cm, Weight: 72.1kg, DOB: 31/01/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 20-55
Profile: Fast improving marking small forward.


#41 St Kilda – Jack Lonie (VIC – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 174cm, Weight: 68.85kg, DOB: 13/08/1996
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Range: 20-60
Profile: Lively small forward.


#42 Melbourne - Billy Stretch (Melbourne – F/S – SA – Mid/Fwd):
Height: 180cm, Weight: 70.55kg, DOB: 8/09/1996
Recruited from: Glenelg
Range: 3rd round
Profile: Quick, high production outside type.


#43 Adelaide – Keenan Ramsey (SA – Def)
Height: 191.8cm, Weight: 85.5kg, DOB: 23/08/1996
Recruited from: Port Adelaide
Range: 30-rookie
Profile: Tall rebounding defender.


#44 Brisbane - Liam Dawson (Brisbane academy - QLD – Util)
Height: 189.2cm, Weight: 83.3kg, DOB: 23/01/1996
Recruited from: Aspley
Range: 3rd round
Profile: Versatile type.


#45 Western Bulldogs - Jordan Cunico (VIC – Mid)
Height: 184.8cm, Weight: 73.7kg, DOB: 07/05/1996
Recruited from: Gippsland Power
Range: 30-rookie
Profile: Outside runner.


#46 Western Bulldogs - Tyler Keitel (WA – KPF/KPD)
Height: 193.9cm, Weight: 88.05kg, DOB: 07/02/1996
Recruited from: East Perth
Range: 30-60
Profile: Strong marking key position player.


#47 Geelong – Daniel Nielson (VIC – KPD)
Height: 193.9cm, Weight: 92.1kg, DOB: 09/05/1996
Recruited from: Eastern Ranges
Range: 35-rookie
Profile: Strong bodied stopper.


#48 Collingwood - Damien Cavka (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 184.9cm, Weight: 78.9kg, DOB: 03/07/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Range: 20-60
Profile: Endurance specialist.


#49 Hawthorn - Reece McKenzie (VIC – KPF/Ruck)
Height: 196.9cm, Weight: 106.9kg, DOB: 28/03/1996
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Range: 20-50
Profile: Big, contested marking key forward.


#50 Hawthorn – Billy Evans (VIC –Mid/Fwd)
Height: 188.8cm, Weight: 87.2kg, DOB: 19/10/1996
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Tall, big bodied midfielder.


#51 West Coast – Clem Smith (WA - Util)
Height: 177.2cm, Weight: 78.35kg, DOB: 03/02/1996
Recruited from: Perth
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: The next Byron Pickett.


#52 Richmond - Dean Gore (SA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 182.4cm, Weight: 86.3kg, DOB: 26/06/1996
Recruited from: Sturt
Range: 25-65
Profile: Powerful midfielder.


#53 Melbourne – Matt Goodyear (VIC – Mid)
Height: 185.6cm, Weight: 79.95kg, DOB: 20/07/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Hard, explosive midfielder.


#54 Fremantle - Daniel Capiron (VIC – Def/Mid)
Height: 189cm, Weight: 83.2kg, DOB: 14/06/1996
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Range: 25-rookie
Profile: Versatile kicker.


#55 Geelong - Peter Bampton (SA - Mid)
Height: 181.7cm, Weight: 82.9kg, DOB: 15/04/1996
Recruited from: Norwood
Range: 25-65
Profile: Strong bodied inside midfielder.


#56 Port Adelaide - Josh Glenn (SA – Mid/Def)
Height: 180.3cm, Weight: 78.2kg, DOB: 10/03/1994
Recruited from: Central Districts
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Classy midfielder/back flanker from the SANFL.


#57 Sydney – Sean McLaren (VIC – KPD/Ruck)
Height: 197.3cm, Weight: 92.3kg, DOB: 10/01/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Tall key defender.


#58 Adelaide – Bailey Dale (VIC – Fwd)
Height: 182.4cm, Weight: 70.4kg, DOB: 22/07/1996
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Range: 30-rookie
Profile: Lightly built forward.



#59 Geelong - Jackson Nelson (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 187.8cm, Weight: 80.25kg, DOB: 15/03/1996
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Range: 30-rookie
Profile: Promising midfielder/back flanker.


#60 Carlton - Jaden McGrath (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 179.9cm, Weight: 74.35kg, DOB: 15/06/1996
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Range: 35-rookie
Profile: Classy midfielder/forward who has missing time this year through injury.


#61 Brisbane - Harris Andrews (Brisbane Academy - QLD – KPF/KPD)
Height: 200.7cm, Weight: 95kg, DOB: 12/11/1996
Recruited from: Aspley
Range: 4th round.
Profile: Promising tall.


#62 Western Bulldogs - Zaine Cordy (WBD – F/S - VIC – KPD)
Height: 191.4cm, Weight: 83.2kg, DOB: 27/10/1996
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Range: 4th round.
Profile: Tall defender.


#63 Carlton - Matthew Hammelmann (Brisbane Academy - QLD – KPF/KPD)
Height: 198.1cm, Weight: 88.5kg, DOB: 08/03/1996
Recruited from: Morningside
Range: 45-rookie
Profile: Tall leading forward.


#64 Gold Coast - Oleg Markov (SA – Fwd)
Height: 187.1cm, Weight: 72.75kg, DOB: 08/05/1995
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Range: 45-rookie
Profile: Athletic forward.


#65 Brisbane - Josh Watts (TAS – KPD)
Height: 194.4cm, Weight: 74.8kg, DOB: 03/06/1996
Recruited from: Glenorchy
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Light bodied key defender.


#66 West Coast - Brenden Abbott (WA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 98.3kg, DOB: 01/01/1995
Recruited from: Claremont
Range: 50-rookie
Profile: Powerful, damaging and explosive utility.


#67 Richmond – Nathan Drummond (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 182.3cm, Weight: 84.35kg, DOB: 19/01/1995
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Range: 30-rookie
Profile: Hard, explosive midfielder.


#68 Fremantle - Nic Newman (VIC – Def)
Height: 186.7cm, Weight: 80.4kg, DOB: 15/01/1993
Recruited from: Frankston
Range: 30-rookie
Profile: Mature age defender.



#69 Port Adelaide - Marc Pittonet (VIC – Ruck)
Height: 201.2cm, Weight: 105.7kg, DOB: 06/03/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 35-rookie
Profile: Effective tap ruckman.


#70 Sydney - Abaina Davis (Sydney academy – NSW – KPF/KPD)
Height: 192.2cm, Weight: 97.6kg, DOB: 27/01/1996
Recruited from: UNSW-Easts
Range: 4th round
Profile: Strong bodied key position player.


#71 Carlton - Hugh Beasley (VIC – KPD)
Height: 190.1cm, Weight: 86.2kg, DOB: 11/12/1995
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 50-rookie
Profile: Overage key defender.


#72 GWS - Billy Gowers (VIC – Util)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 83.2kg, DOB: 10/06/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Versatile midfielder.


#73 Brisbane - Josh McGuinness (TAS – Def)
Height: 189.2cm, Weight: 71.8kg, DOB: 20/09/1995
Recruited from: Lauderdale
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Rebounding defender.


#74 Gold Coast - Jason Castagna (VIC – Def/Mid)
Height: 181.7cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 12/06/1996
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Lightning running defender.


#75 Collingwood - Taylor Grace (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 17/04/1995
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: High production overager.


#76 West Coast – Alec Waterman (WCE – F/S – WA - Mid)
Height: 182.5cm, Weight: 88.5kg, DOB: 19/08/1996
Recruited from: Claremont
Range: Last West Coast pick.
Profile: Strong bodied midfielder.


#77 Richmond – Cory Gregson (SA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 175.1cm, Weight: 72.85kg, DOB: 04/09/1996
Recruited from: Glenelg
Range: 50-rookie
Profile: Small inside midfielder.


#78 Port Adelaide – Will Fordham (VIC – Mid)
Height: 188.2cm, Weight: 78.6kg, DOB: 14/03/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Classy outside midfielder.


#79 Sydney - Sam Tagliabue (VIC – Ruck)
Height: 206cm, Weight: 101kg, DOB: 22/02/1991
Recruited from: Essendon
Range: 50-rookie
Profile: Mature age ruckman.


#80 GWS - Teia Miles (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 179.8cm, Weight: 68.35kg, DOB: 11/02/1996
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Quick, hard midfielder.


#81 Brisbane - Daniel Butler (VIC – Fwd/Def)
Height: 181.9cm, Weight: 78.05kg, DOB: 06/03/1996
Recruited from: North Ballarat
Range: 50-rookie
Profile: Speedy linebreaker.


#82 Carlton - Brett Eddy (SA – KPF)
Height: 191.2cm, Weight: 92.35kg, DOB: 26/08/1989
Recruited from: South Adelaide
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Best mature key forward outside the AFL.


#83 Richmond - Francis Watson (WA – Def/Fwd)
Height: 186.7cm, Weight: 76.75kg, DOB: 29/09/1995
Recruited from: Claremont
Range: 50-rookie
Profile: Damaging overage defender/forward.


#84 Port Adelaide – Cory Gregson (SA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 175.1cm, Weight: 72.9kg, DOB: 04/09/1996
Recruited from: Glenelg
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Small inside midfielder.


#85 GWS - Jeremy Finlayson (GWS - Academy - NSW – KPD/KPF)
Height: 196.7cm, Weight: 86.5kg, DOB: 02/09/1996
Recruited from: Hills Eage
Range: Last GWS pick.
Profile: Promising key position player.


#86 Brisbane - Josh Clayton (Bris – F/S - VIC – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 81.6kg, DOB: 17/01/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Range: Last Brisbane pick.
Profile: Tall leadup forward who has improved as the season progressed.


#87 Carlton - Brenton Payne (VIC – KPF/Fwd)
Height: 192.9cm, Weight: 80.25kg, DOB: 09/03/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Tall forward.
















Draft evaluation:

The draft has a feel very much like the 2006 draft and has a real depth of high level key position players but is a slightly worse version of 2006. Overall the draft depth is slightly below average and there are no glaringly obvious franchise quality players at the top end of the draft there is a strong 30-40 and then late and rookie draft there are sure to be some gems to be found with correct talent identification.

2014 draft power rankings:

-- Best few on list quality --

1. Christian Petracca (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

2. Angus Brayshaw (VIC – Mid)

3. Isaac Heeney (Syd – Academy - NSW – Mid)

4. Darcy Moore (Coll - F/S – VIC – KPF/KPD)

5. Patrick McCartin (VIC - KPF)

6. Reece McKenzie (VIC – KPF)

7. Connor Blakely (WA – Mid)

8. Peter Wright (VIC - KPF/Ruck)

9. Jarrod Pickett (WA – Mid/Fwd)

10. Jake Lever (VIC – KPD)

11. Jayden Laverde (VIC – Util)

12. Kyle Langford (VIC – Util)

-- High level difference makers --

13. Jack Steele (GWS - Academy - NSW – Mid/Fwd)

14. Jordan De Goey (VIC –Mid/Fwd)

15. Lachlan Weller (QLD – Util)

16. Hugh Goddard (VIC – KPD/KPF)

17. Nakia Cockatoo (NT – Util)

18. Sam Durdin (SA – KPD/KPF)

19. Jarrod Garlett (WA –Mid)

20. Liam Duggan (VIC – Util)

21. Caleb Marchbank (VIC – KPD)

-- Capable contributors --

22. Toby McLean (VIC – Fwd/Mid)

23. Oscar McDonald (VIC – KPD)

24. Connor Menadue (VIC – Mid/Def)

25. Corey Ellis (VIC – Util)

26. Dean Gore (SA – Mid/Fwd)

27. Alex Neal-Bullen (SA – Mid)

28. Paul Ahern (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

29. Billy Stretch (Melb – F/S - SA – Mid/Fwd)

30. Damien Cavka (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

31. Peter Bampton (SA – Mid)

--Best of the rest--

32. Brayden Maynard (VIC – Util)

33. Liam Dawson (Bris – Academy - QLD – Util)

34. Caleb Daniel (SA – Mid/Fwd)

35. Touk Miller (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

36. Daniel McKenzie (VIC – Def/Mid)

37. Josh Glenn (SA – Util)

38. Tom Lamb (VIC – Util)

39.Harris Andrews (Bris – Academy - QLD – KPD/KPF)

40. Jeremy Finlayson (GWS – Academy – NSW – KPD/KPF)

41. Jack Hiscox (Syd – Academy - NSW – Util)

42. Blaine Boekhurst (WA – Util)

43. Mason Cox (USA – Ruck/KPF)

44. Daniel Howe (VIC – Util)

45. Clem Smith (WA - Util)

46. Edward Vickers-Willis (VIC – Util)

47. Conor McKenna (IRE – Fwd)

48. Edward Langdon (VIC – Fwd/Mid)

49. Will Fordham (VIC – Mid)

50. Nic Newman (VIC – Def)

--The Next 10--

51. Brett Turner (SA – Mid/Fwd)

52. Pat McKenna (VIC – Fwd)

53. Billy Evans (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

54. Brett Eddy (SA – KPF)

55.Nathan Drummond (VIC –Mid/Def)

56.Brenden Abbott (WA – Util)

57. Garrett McDonagh (VIC – Def)

58. Billy Gowers (VIC – Util)

59. Jaden McGrath (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

60. Aidan Anderson (WA – Fwd)


*Updated measurements courtesy of BrianSpeaking


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[Knightmare]

1. Christian Petracca (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height:186cm, Weight: 92kg, DOB: 04/01/1996
Recruited from: Eastern Ranges
Draft range: 1-2
Best position/role: Rotational midfielder/forward.
Strengths:
Front half talent –Petracca can play both deep in the front half as a marking target and off a forward flank to a high standard when playing forward. Deep in the front half Petracca provides strong scoreboard impact and is an imposing marking presence with his 1v1 strength, overhead marking ability, marking on the lead and superior ability to read the drop of the ball. He can deep in the front half also win the ground ball. Petracca can also play off a forward flank and have a big impact, he can on a forward flank accumulate the footy in bunches, do damage with his footskills, present as a strong marking target, provide strong scoreboard impact and push up the field.
Midfield talent – Petracca is an improved midfielder this year having improved his endurance and decreased his skinfolds. He has a nice mix between inside and outside game. He is a very good contested ball winner and stoppage player and these areas of his game can continue to improve given his size and strength. He is a strong ground ball winner. He is a strong tackler. He also has a rare power to him not only with his strength to bully guys inside the contest but some real explosive power where he can burst through a contest, come up with the ball and break away from the contest at speed. He also has excellent evasiveness and can sidestep guys and burst away with some real explosiveness. Some of his work inside by hand finding targets also is impressive. Outside the contest Petracca shows that he can find the footy but also use it really well utilising his damaging footskills and vision allowing him to find damaging targets up the field.
Scoreboard impact – Forward or through the midfield Petracca provides strong scoreboard impact and is capable of kicking multiple goals and breaking games open with his scoreboard impact in any given game whether that be from set shots or in general play.
Strength and power – There are not many 92kg midfielders going around and even fewer with the explosiveness and power of Petracca. He wins his own ball and can either burst through the contest or run around you with ease. He stands up through tackles and has the strength through his core and hips, he can shrug tackles and give a strong don’t argue. In the 1v1 contests he can take advantage of anyone who is not key position sized making him a matchup nightmare.
Versatility – Petracca because he can play not only through the midfield but also on a forward flank or deep in the front half as a marking target gives you options and this versatility should also help him receive immediate senior games on any team.
Footskills – Has an excellent mix between footskills hitting his targets around the ground with consistency, vision allowing him to find some really damaging targets in great position but also he has the finishing ability and set shot goalkicking to allow him to make the most of his opportunities in front of goal. I have also enjoyed some of his kicks to target while tackled showing that even when tackled he can still execute and find his targets.
Marking ability – Few if any medium size types have the marking ability of Petracca. He has the 1v1 marking ability, contested marking ability and ability on the lead to take his marks and he has the strength overhead to take them consistently. He also reads the drop of the ball exceptionally well and uses his body well in the contest allowing him to effectively protect the drop zone making him incredibly hard to defend particularly if he can isolate a smaller player defender deep in defence.
Weaknesses:
Endurance – His endurance is building and has improved significantly this year to an extent where he can play the majority of game time through the midfield, and his endurance testing at the combine was good but if he hopes to eventually become a full time midfielder he will still need to put a further few seasons of work into building that endurance base.
Skinfolds – Like with his endurance his skinfolds have reduced but his skinfolds still appear relatively high and also need to decrease further.
Decision making ability – Petracca’s decision making ability while good most of the time can at times can leave something to be desired. Both by hand and foot Petracca with his touches generally looks to do as much meaningful damage as he can but at times as a result of this he can fail to recognise his limitations which can lead to a poor kick or handball and an overall lower disposal efficiency than he might otherwise have.
What I expect will improve:I expect Petracca to continue to improve his contested ball winning and stoppage work and take that area of his game from good to eventually excellent. I also expect his endurance and skinfolds to improve. I also imagine his disposal efficiency to increase as he improves his decision making ability and better learns when he can do damage and when he needs to go the safe option.
Who he can become?
I anticipate Petracca to develop into a player largely similar to Dustin Martin but without the personal issues. I see Petracca mostly playing as a damaging forward flanker at first who will at times push deeper into the front half splitting his minutes between playing through the front half and midfield with those midfield minutes increasing as he improves his ability up the ground.
When will he be ready to play?
Petracca is season one, round one ready to play. He I imagine will start off season one mostly playing in the front half and by season two or three likely play more a split between forward and midfield minutes.
How to best utilise him?
Petracca today is best utilised at the moment in the front half because he is just so damaging forward of centre. The hope will be that he becomes more a midfielder but I would look for him to split his minutes between the midfield and front half long term as he is a rare weapon forward of centre. Interpretation of his numbers:
Petracca well and truly has the performances on the board and is one of if not the best performed player in this draft class based on his form these past couple of seasons through the TAC Cup and U18 championships. He is finding the footy but also providing heavy scoreboard impact at both levels which such suggests he will provide both a strong immediate impact at AFL level but also that he will become one of the best to come out of this draft with those high production power midfielders who can provide heavy scoreboard impact of strong value to teams.



2. Angus Brayshaw (VIC – Mid)
Height: 187cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 09/01/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Draft range: 1-3
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.
Strengths:
Inside game – Brayshaw has shown dominant contested ball winning ability through both the TAC Cup and U18 Championships. His stoppage work is excellent and he is a strong clearance winner. He has clean hands and is clean below the knees and by hand. He stands up through and shrugs tackles well and has real strength over the ball. Brayshaw is a strong tackler and can really bury guys with aggression when he tackles. His inside game is at a level where he can play right away. He accumulates strong numbers through the midfield and excellent tackle numbers. He is also an excellent height and size for an inside player at 187cm, 87kg.
Footskills – Brayshaw is a very damaging user of the footy on both his right and left sides and is one of the rare few on-ballers who can use it cleanly and consistently on both sides by foot. He is an excellent decision maker with ball in hand and has the vision to find targets in dangerous positions making him a real playmaker through the midfield. He is capable of executing his kicks while getting tackled and still hit his targets. From the midfield both in space and in traffic he also has a rare ability to find and hit the leading forward 50 targets and get it to where they want it. He is also an excellent finisher around goal and can convert from his set shot opportunities.
Marking ability – He is a strong mark overhead. He has the size and strength to beat his opponent in the 1v1 contest but he also reads the flight of the ball exceptionally well and has shown that he can either push back behind the play to take an intercept mark or push forward and be a marking threat on the lead or 1v1.
Work ethic – Brayshaw is a hard worker and has put the time and effort into his game. He has developed the ability to use both sides of his body by hand and foot. He has developed his strength and inside game and this past offseason has put the work in athletically to improve his endurance and pace and I anticipate he will continue from year to year to put the work into his game to achieve that continued improvement and development of his game.
Leadership potential – Brayshaw in 2014 captained Sandringham Dragons demonstrating strong on field leadership and instruction. Given this it is within his capabilities to down the track become either a component of a team’s leadership group or possibly even captain a club.
Weaknesses:
Endurance – While Brayshaw’s endurance is improving it has been a slow build and still requires work before he has the endurance of a full time midfielder at AFL level. Even in the TAC Cup too often he will be out on his feet and unable to cover the ground an AFL level midfielder needs to cover and it will likely take a few preseasons to completely get his endurance up to where it needs to get to.
Athleticism – Overall Brayshaw is an only average athlete by position. To his credit he has an improved burst of speed which he uses reasonably well in game over 10-15m with ball in hand at times and he can also occasionally provide some run and carry but other than that occasional burst with ball in hand Brayshaw is only average athlete by position. He is not likely to do too many eye-popping things athletically and he is not going to run around or sidestep all that many players with not a great deal of agility, evasiveness or spring in his step but none the less I do not anticipate any significant problems with his athleticism still good enough by position.
What I expect will improve:
I expect continued improvement in Brayshaw’s endurance to allow him to cover more of the ground so that at AFL level he can be a full time midfielder. I also expect Brayshaw to continue to improve and expand his inside game and become a more dominant contested ball winner and clearance winner than he already is. Brayshaw I also see continuing to improve as a leader.
Who he can become?
Brayshaw with his dual sided kicking has a feel not completely unlike a taller, bigger bodied Sam Mitchell but I see Brayshaw becoming a slightly less dominant Oliver Wines. He is that similar tall, strong bodied midfielder who can do damage by foot and have an impact immediately and be a key pillar through the midfield long term but his production I feel in looking at his numbers will be slightly but not significantly lower than the production of Wines.
When will he be ready to play?
Brayshaw is round one, season one ready to play. He has the size and production to suggest he can have an impact right away. He can also be a starting midfielder right away but I can see him also receiving some minutes on either a forward or back flank during games as his endurance is not yet quite be up to a level that would allow him to sustain full games at AFL level through the midfield from the outset.
How to best utilise him?
Brayshaw is best utilised on the ball through the midfield.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Brayshaw is arguably the best performed midfielder in this draft class. He is finding the footy both inside and outside the contest. Providing good scoreboard impact. Good tackle numbers and is taking plenty of marks. Has performed strongly through both the TAC Cup and U18 championships. So the indicators are strong and suggest he will play right away and have a long, strong career in our game.



3. Isaac Heeney (Sydney - Academy- NSW/ACT - Mid)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 05/05/1996
Recruited from: Cardiff
Draft range: 1st round
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.
Strengths:
Rapid improvement/work ethic/leadership – Heeney this year is probably the big improver from this draft class and has gone from someone who coming into the season projected as more a second round pick to someone who you could make a case for as being the best midfielder and most complete in the draft class. He has been noted as a hard worker so I expect him to get the most out of his ability and with his rapid footballing growth over the years I expect Heeney the way he is tracking and improve rapidly to become one of if not the best and most complete midfielder in this draft class. He is also considered from what I understand to be an exceptional leader and I expect him to become a part of the leadership group for Sydney down the track.
Complete game – There is no area of the game I can identify where Heeney is clearly deficient. He is a high volume ball winner with an excellent balance between inside game and outside game with his ability to use it well by hand and foot as well as a good combination of strength and pace. He is a two way runner and also is a hard worker with strong leadership potential from everything I understand about him.
Competitive instincts – Heeney seems to have a real competitiveness around the ball and what most stands out for me with him is his tackling game with his attack on the man terrific and his attack on the ball also strong. He just plays with a real hard, competitive edge and want which will serve him well at the next level and potentially become a point of difference for him.
Inside game - Inside the contest Heeney has demonstrated a real toughness and competitiveness with the way he attacks the ball hard. He is an excellent volume tackler and his tackles stick. He can win his own ball. Can dish off by hand to a target. He can create some more time and space for himself in traffic at times. He can use his pace to burst away from the contest breaking open games. Also while using his burst of pace Heeney can execute by foot and hit the best targets. He also from his clearances is excellent by foot executing and hitting targets cleanly up the field and sometimes even executing some impressive kicks while under pressure or getting tackled. He is excellent at winning the ground balls. He is excellent at reading the ruck taps. Has clean hands in close and below the knees and does not fumble.
Outside game – Outside the contest Heeney is a genuine two way runner. He has shown outside the contest that he can work well into space, he will get involved in running chains forward and can link up well and find the footy outside the contest. He is an excellent user of the footy by both hand and foot hitting his targets while also showing excellent vision and decision making ability both in space as well as in congestion. He is a very capable playmaker with ball in hand hitting his targets at times lace out in front in the forward 50. He is also while a midfielder capable as required to push into the front half where he can provide an effective lead up target and with his leap he can also at times be a threat in the air. Heeney can finish around goal and hit the scoreboard but he is overall more a playmaker than finisher and seems to enjoy bringing others into the game and playing a really unselfish game and playing the percentages where if he sees someone inside 50 in better position he will go to them or if on the boundary in a bad position he will look to a central target in better position.
Weaknesses:
Lack of one trademark eye-popping trait - Heeney while he is in my view the best rounded midfielder in this draft does not have any one area of the game that he does to a level better than anyone else in the game. He does not have the rare explosiveness and power of Dangerfield from the stoppages or the rare evasive movement of Pendlebury in traffic. What I speculate will become Heeney’s point of difference will be his hardness and aggression at the contested and his tackling but while he is excellent in these areas he does not in any one category project as rare or a one of a kind.
What I expect will improve:
I expect continued sharp improvement across the board from Heeney but to identify an area likely I imagine his contested ball winning and stoppage work to be that area he will experience the greatest growth in relative to the other areas of his game.
Who he can become?
Heeney has the ability to become a similar quality talent to David Swallow as an on-baller with a complete game but with an even better tackling game.
When will he be ready to play?
Heeney has the ability to earn games from season one. It is unlikely given Sydney’s loaded midfield that he will start in round one but he has the ability and has proven what he can do with his strong play during the U18 championships and with his strong performances when he received senior opportunities through the NEAFL. I expect season two to be the season Heeney really establishes himself as a regular for Sydney where he proves that he is too good to keep out of the senior side.
How to best utilise him?
Heeney is best utilised on the ball through the midfield.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Best performed division two player through the U18 championships and has also showed in the TAC Cup for NSW/ACT Rams and in the NEAFL that he can find the footy in bunches. His numbers are on the sharp improve from last year and expect that sharp improvement to continue over coming seasons given the continued sharp improvement to this point that he has experienced from season to season. He has an excellent balance between contested and uncontested ball, his disposal efficiency is excellent for an inside midfielder, his clearance numbers and tackle numbers also are excellent.

 

[Knightmare]

4. Darcy Moore (VIC – KPF/KPD)
Height: 199cm, Weight: 91kg, DOB: 25/01/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Draft range: 1st round
Best position/role: Full forward.
Strengths:
Ability at ground level – Moore’s greatest point of difference is his ground level work for someone at his height. When the ball hits the deck he picks it up cleanly and without fumbling and does this consistently. When the ball hits the deck and he can pick it up cleanly and often accelerate away into an open goal or also up the field win the ground ball or contested ball cleanly then burst through the contest at speed.
Leadership – Moore is an excellent leader already and has the ability to be a part of the leadership group for a club. On the field he has visibly shown to me that he can give instruction to team mates, he leads by example demonstrating a real hardness and aggressive attack on the ball and a willingness to give the second and third efforts and really bury guys with his tackles and also absorb a hit when required. He has also shown that he can take guys aside and talk to them as required which you rarely see from players in the U18s.
Athleticism and strength – He moves like a midfielder and displays rare speed and agility for a tall and rare fluidity to his movement for a tall. Moore uses his burst of speed to effect in the front half after winning a ground ball or bouncing ball he can turn his guy around and at speed run into an open goal leaving guys in his trail looking exceptionally dangerous whenever he runs into an open goal. On the lead he has the ability to create separation. He has also got some real power to him and an excellent burst of acceleration which he can use to burst through traffic while winning his own ball. For a tall Moore is an excellent chase and tackle player who can give the second and third efforts and he shows the necessary commitment to the defensive side to the game, he has a real aggression to his tackles and enjoys really burying guys with his tackles. He is a good leaper and can use his leap to at times to take strong marks in the air. He has the core strength and strength through his hips to stand up while tackled and still get a handball off to a target while staying composed and keeping his feet in the tackle. He has a strong frame already and has to this point put on weight without losing his mobility which suggests his body will be able to handle what will be a 100kg+ frame a few years from now.
Versatility – Moore has the ability to play forward and back well. Moore I imagine at his height if required could pinch-hit through the ruck and I also speculate he could pinch-hit through the midfield given his ground level ability. As a forward Moore has the right mix of ground level ability, contested marking ability and ability on the lead to experience success and at his height and with his size and movement has a real opportunity to be a high level key forward. Moore this season despite his ability up forward has in the most part played as a dour key defender showing that he can effectively negate the influence of the opposition forward consistently. He has the right mix of speed, agility, leaping ability, strength and discipline to play an effective shutdown role.
Marking ability – Moore is a strong mark on the lead and presents strongly up at the footy. Strong contested mark and marks it at the highest point consistently and is a strong mark in the air with his leaping ability. He is also a capable pack mark and often comes up with it. He can improve as a 1v1 mark and become more of a dominant marking presence which will come as he puts on size as he has the right attack on the ball and aggression at the contest. But otherwise his marking ability is strong and has substantial scope to improve with some small inconsistency issues requiring ironing out at this point as he can on occasion drops some easy marks that he should be taking more consistently.
Weaknesses:
Limited offensive game as a key defender – As a key defender Moore is a stopper only and is not a threat to take many intercept marks, 1v1 marks, find the footy or provide meaningful rebound from the back half by foot. He can run and carry and linkup by hand well but that is the extent to his ability to provide any rebound.
Footskills – Moore’s footskills can lack consistency with his kicks to targets, shanking his kicks more frequently than is ideal, often just failing to connect as you would expect him to. In the front half Moore is unselfish and will look for the central option if there is someone better placed and does show at times the vision to find some good inside 50 targets. He is also an inconsistent finisher around goal both from field kicks and from set shots. In his last two performances of the season there was a real turnaround in Moore’s work by foot demonstrating excellent consistency with his execution by foot really using his vision well and converting the majority of his set shots so it is an area of his game that looks to be on the improve and capable of getting to a good standard.
Ability to read the flight of the ball – He is a very good marking tall but at this stage he seems to at times lack some ability to read the flight of the ball. He does not read the flight of the ball or get to the drop of the ball consistently enough and he is not always in best position to take the grab sometimes reading where the ball is going too late and that is something he will need to put some work into. He can up forward sometimes, particularly when playing at centre half forward get stuck in no man’s land and between the play which I noticed several times when played forward through the U18 championships which could in part relate to the lack of familiarity with the players he is playing alongside. With Oakleigh particularly late season when used up forward he anticipated and read the ball much better taking some marks off some really high balls, taking some relatively unexpected marks from clearances showing that at times he can read the flight well when completely locked in and mentally focused, showing that reading the flight of the ball is something he can do as an area of his game seemingly on the improve and within his capabilities to develop further. Down back Moore is not at all natural anticipating where the ball is going to drop and can be slow reacting which sometimes allows his opponent to get to best position to win the 1v1 contest or to at other times even on occasion take an uncontested mark in front of him. It seems with Moore to be as far as I can tell less because Moore is not paying attention but more so because he just cannot consistently read the flight of the ball to be in position to affect the contest. I also feel this relative lack of ability to read the flight of the ball impacts on his ability to take intercept marks in the back half and his ability to take 1v1 marks both forward and back.
What I expect will improve:
Contested marking ability – If drafted by Collingwood he will have the best in the business in Cloke to learn off in his formative years in club land. His contested marking ability is good but not dominant at this stage as it can be and I expect at his height and size he will continue to put time into his contested marking, the consistency of his marking and to put in work on his ability to read the flight and the drop of the ball which should aid him in becoming a stronger contested marking threat in addition to the further muscle he adds which should help him in the 1v1 contests to be more of a threat.
Kicking consistency – There were signs late season, particularly in that final v Sandringham where he hit every target and converted every shot on goal and backed that up in the Grand Final v Calder with a further demonstration of his improving footskills so I feel he can iron out the inconsistencies in his kick and become an overall good field kick and set shot goalkicker.
Ability to pinch-hit through the midfield – He has the right mix of traits to suggest he has got the ability to pinch-hit through the midfield in that role not unlike Jarryd Roughead as that occasional midfielder. Moore has the mobility and movement of a midfielder. He has rare ground ball ability for a tall. He can win the contested ball and has that hard edge in close and around the contest. He has the core strength and strength through the hips to stand up while tackled and has the composure to get it off by hand to a target. He is a strong tackler, really burying guys in his tackles and gives those second and third efforts. He has the acceleration to burst through guys with his power and acceleration. He also up the field links up well by hand and is composed with ball in hand. So having this combination of traits but then the extra extreme height and size by position it is a real point of difference and it is not out of the question that he could at times be utilised through the midfield as a way to get him involved in games if he is struggling to have an impact. He could also be used through the midfield to change the balance in the front half if his team want to go small or if his team are losing the clearance battle badly and want to give the opposition team a different look Moore could also then be used through the midfield. So it is something I would definitely like to see added to his game as it is something his mix of traits suggests should be within his capabilities.
Who he can become?
Moore’s play stylistically reminds me of a taller but less dominant Jarryd Roughead with his balance between his marking ability and ground level work.
As a key defender Moore is not unlike Collingwood’s Nathan Brown as an effective negating defender who will not provide any significant rebound.
When will he be ready to play?
As with most key forwards it will take time and Moore is not nearly a ready to go prospect. His first couple of seasons we will only see glimpses of what he can do inconsistently. Season three he is likely to start to put things together and start to play some regular games and season four we should see a more consistent picture of what he can do.
How to best utilise him?
Moore is utilised at full forward.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Overall Moore’s numbers have in the most part been pretty poor both through the TAC Cup and U18 championships. The reason for this is Moore in the most part has played as a backman and playing a negating style that is not a role conducive to big numbers. In the minutes he has played forward he has been productive, finding the footy, taking some marks and hitting the scoreboard to a strong standard so I would look less at his overall numbers as much as I would his numbers when played forward based around his performance during those minutes. Also encouraging was his ability to perform in big games and the increased numbers he experienced on the big stage.


5. Reece McKenzie (VIC – KPF/Ruck)
Height: 196cm, Weight: 106kg, DOB: 28/03/1996
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Draft range: 20-50
Best position/role: Full forward.
Strengths:
Go to guy talent – McKenzie with his size, presence and contested marking ability is a genuine go to guy in the front half. He has the performances on the board and proven production whereby from July onward in this role he absolutely dominated and looked like the dominant key forward in the TAC Cup. McKenzie can draw double and triple teams and is a handful for any key defender to contain, particularly deep in the forward 50 with his contested marking ability, ability in the air and ability on the lead.
Contested marking/marking ability – McKenzie has vice-like hands overhead and consistently takes the big contested grabs at the absolute highest point making him near on undefendable as someone who even with heavy contact will still take his marks overhead. His contested marking numbers are elite at TAC Cup level. He has a rare presence in the front half when he goes for his marks. He takes advantage of smaller opponents 1v1 with superior body work and can bully anyone physically at TAC Cup level in the contest just with the use of his body. He takes the big pack grabs and reads the flight better than opposition defenders. He crashes packs and will if anyone is in his way knock them over with force. He is an unstoppable mark in the air and is near impossible to stop when he launches at the ball due to his size, strength, power and an impressive vertical leap (72cm which was top 10 at the draft combine) which is staggering for such a big guy. He is also a significant threat on the lead as someone with rare acceleration on the lead and excellent ability to create separation (and we saw it at the draft combine with his 2.87 seconds over 20m which was equal second best) which also is ridiculous for someone his size. He also has nice variety on his leads and leads to good spots making him unpredictable on the lead.
Total athletic package – At 106kg McKenzie has excellent size and strength for his age and he has clearly put the time and effort in, in the gym. 1v1 McKenzie has rare strength in the contest and is a near immovable object with the strength through his legs and core strength. He has an excellent 72cm vertical leap making him impossible to stop in the air with his ability to consistently take it strongly at the highest point, regardless of contact. Then he also has a 2.87 second 20m sprint time which if not for an American project player would have been equal best at the draft combine and he uses that speed to breakaway on the lead as someone no key defender can stay with once he is up and moving, consistently creating separation on the lead regardless of who is defending him.
Scoreboard impact – McKenzie is one of leading goalkickers in the TAC Cup and has shown he can take over games and have a heavy impact on the scoreboard with 10, 7 and 6 goal games in the TAC Cup this season as well as a 16 goal game for Marcellin College.
Strong improvement as year has progressed suggesting significant upside – McKenzie from July onward made the shift from playing a mix of forward and ruck minutes to a full time key forward and since then he has significantly lifted his scoreboard impact and contested mark totals. His numbers over the second half of the season have been a significant improvement on what he was showing over the first half of the season and while the role change to permanent forward has definitely helped him in achieving this it is difficult to ignore the sharp improvement in his scoreboard impact and contested marking totals. Given this sharp improvement in production I evaluate McKenzie’s upside to be exceptionally high with his numbers evidence of the speed with which he is improving and I anticipate that sharp improvement to continue into the future. Additionally having spent last year playing basketball instead of football I cannot help but think the fact that he is putting up these numbers having not played TAC Cup last year suggests strong upside and substantial scope to improve further as he plays more inside an AFL system.
Weaknesses:
Ability to hit the scoreboard from general play – McKenzie is very much a mark and goal forward who will get a large volume of set shot attempts at goal but few if any shots at goal from general play. If you have a guy who can match McKenzie for size and strength at the next level it is likely that he will get shut out of games as his game is very much just going out there and marking everything. At ground level McKenzie is dexterous and can pick up the footy relatively cleanly off the deck but he is not a goal scoring threat when he wins it at ground level as he lacks the ability to turn opposition players around and run into an open goal or create adequate time and space for himself at ground level to get it onto his boot.
Does not have the same impact against better opponents – McKenzie has capitalised against weaker opponents in a big way but his impact has been less against the better teams with better key defenders such as Oakleigh Chargers as his only game where he did not kick multiple goals from July onward.
Slow change of direction/limited agility – As such a big guy while explosive on the lead he is not someone who changes direction quickly. He is not someone who will turn on a dime and changes direction, and as a result he is not someone who is a threat running back into an open goal. He also is not someone who makes, agile steps to create the time and space for himself after winning a ground ball as someone who in general play takes time to get the ball onto his boot for a shot at goal. As a result after winning a ground ball he will just be handballing it off to a team mate which is fine, but he is just not going to kick a whole lot of goals from general play throughout his career. He is also more a one lead only guy rather than someone capable of providing multiple leads given the sheer momentum he has with the speed and power behind his leads.
Set shot goalkicking – McKenzie’s kicked a very good 35 goals, 22 behinds, which is fine but his set shot conversation while it improved as the season progressed is an area that would benefit from further improvement.
What I expect will improve:
McKenzie I feel will continue in the most part make his strengths more dominant and take his dominant contested marking, marking in the air, marking on the lead and scoreboard impact to the next level where it eventually translates at AFL level.
Who he can become?
McKenzie has the scope to develop into a similar quality forward to Tom Hawkins as that similar style of dominant, deep full forward, but with greater athleticism and much stronger overhead marking ability as someone less reliant on his physical size to dominate.
When will he be ready to play?
McKenzie I anticipate will take three years before he establishes himself as a regular for a team and until season four before McKenzie really realises his potential and becomes a genuine go to guy. As a big marking forward he is not going to be able to take advantage of guys physically at AFL level right away so there will be an adjustment period getting accustomed to the bigger bodied but at his size and with his dominant marking ability, strength, ability in the air and ability on the lead his game can translate to AFL level.
How to best utilise him?
McKenzie is best used at full forward as the go to target in the front half. Play him anywhere else, and that includes even in a relief ruck role and it is a waste of his talent.
Interpretation of his numbers:
McKenzie has put forward some dominant performances forward through the TAC Cup and for his school. His numbers are clearly best when utilised as a full time key forward as evidenced by his much improved mark, contested mark and goal scoring totals over the second half of the season. His numbers are trending sharply upward as the season has progressed which suggests he will continue this trend over coming seasons. His scoreboard impact and marking over the second half of the season have been outstanding and after Patrick McCartin has been arguably the next most dominant key forward with his contested marking numbers the strongest in this draft class.


6. Patrick McCartin (VIC - KPF)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 95kg, DOB: 19/04/1996
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Draft range: 1-8
Best position/role: Full forward.
Strengths:
Go to forward talent – McCartin is one of a small number of key forwards who at AFL level has the scope to be a genuine go to forward. He has the proven performances on the board with dominant performances in the TAC Cup and U18 championships for the past couple of seasons but also has the strong marking ability both on the lead and 1v1 as well as excellent ground level ability.
Marking ability – McCartin has rare marking ability on the lead. His trademark mark is his rare ability to take the mark down low over his toes on the lead with cleanness like you have never seen. He has excellent acceleration on the lead allowing him to create separation and he has clean, strong heads overhead and when taking his marks and out in front and has a real power on his leads where he will knock you out of his way and really launch at the footy at full pace. McCartin is also an excellent 1v1 mark and has the strength, excellent bodywork and superior ability to read the drop of the ball and protect the drop zone which allows him to take advantage of his opponent in the 1v1 contests. He can take you into the goal square and take advantage of you there with his 1v1 ability. He is also a very capable pack mark and if he does not take it he will bring it to ground.
Ability below the knees – McCartin has rare ability below the knees. He takes his trademark mark on the lead over his toes. But he also has rare ability as a key forward to pick up the ground balls and bouncing balls clearly with consistency and without fumbling making him a real threat not only as a dominant marking threat but equally so with his ground level game. After picking up the ground ball McCartin can get it onto his boot quickly or sometimes turn you around and go into an open goal or at other times create enough time and space for himself to execute a shot at goal or a pass off to someone else by hand or foot as applicable.
Power and strength - On the lead McCartin has a real power to him and will knock anyone in his way out of his path with force, particularly when on the lead at full pace. When McCartin leads he goes on really explosive leads and uses his pace effectively to create separation and also really times his leads well, he leads well finding the best spaces to lead to often electing to lead down the middle when the opportunity is there really reading the play well up the field and anticipating what is going to happen perfectly to then determine where best to lead. He also has a real strength and presence to him in the marking contest to take advantage of his direct opponent. He has the strength through the hips and core to stand up strongly and execute a handball to a target while tackled.
Field kicking and vision – McCartin is a very good field kick and has shown that he can at times lace out hit leading targets in the forward 50. He displays rare vision and a real unselfishness in the front half for a key forward often looking for players in better position.
Weaknesses:
Diabetes – McCartin has diabetes which complicates the evaluation slightly. It is an unknown if it will limit him or if so then to what extent he will be limited whether that be with his training or ability to become better aerobically or whatever the case may be. Because he has diabetes it has meant he has needed to approach his footy and diet from a young age more professionally than everyone else which has created the right habits earlier on which is a positive but his diabetes is something that will have to constantly be managed throughout his playing career.
Excess weight – McCartin while he is strongly built and very explosive he visibly seems to be carrying more weight than you would like of an elite draft prospect. From everything I hear he is professional and approaches the game with a great attention to detail with his diet and training so it will be interesting to see whether he can decrease his skinfolds and how he goes about maintaining a healthy playing weight. Whether that has any link to his diabetes or management of it I cannot help but suspect it does and while weight loss with work is very achievable in the AFL system generally for almost all draft prospects I do have concerns as whether this is something McCartin can achieve with his skin folds to remain healthy possibly needing to remain relatively high.
Set shot goalkicking – McCartin’s conversion from set shots is below average. He is prone to shanking his set shot attempts and can lose confidence in his set shot goalkicking. It seems to be a really mental thing for him but something given his excellent field kicking I feel can improve to a strong standard. McCartin’s tendency when he starts to lose confidence in his set shot goalkicking is he often will either elect to find a target in better position or will play on or attempt a snap shot at goal, and while I have no issue with this tendency my hope would be that he can get his set shot goalkicking up to a standard where he does not experience that same waver in confidence he seems to experience at the present time and has experienced in years past.
Versatility – While McCartin has some traits to suggest he could play other positions and further up the field in the future at this stage he is very much a full forward only and until he greatly improves his endurance he will remain a full forward only.
What I expect will improve:
In the most part I expect natural progression in his areas of strength and continued upward growth but the deficiency I feel McCartin can address is his set shot goalkicking and given his generally very good footskills his set shot goalkicking with further work can get up to a strong level and with time develop.
If McCartin can improve his endurance and reduce his skinfolds I also would not rule out given his ground level ability, good overall skillset, size, strength and ability to stand up while tackled to become capable of pinch-hitting through the midfield as he does have that right mix of traits to spend periods on the ball.
Who he can become?
McCartin reminds me most of Brendan Fevola without the personal issues as a talented but dominant full forward who looks most dominant and best utilised close to goal.
When will he be ready to play?
McCartin may be ready to play some games from season one but expect him to start to receive regular games from season two and start to really establish himself as a go to guy in season three.
How to best utilise him?
McCartin is best used out of the goal square or as the go to target in the forward 50.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Best performed and most dominant key forward in this draft class based on his 2013/2014 TAC Cup and U18 championships stats. Scoreboard impact and marking numbers, both uncontested and contested strong.

 

[Knightmare]

7. Peter Wright (VIC – KPF/Ruck)
Height: 203cm, Weight: 102kg, DOB: 08/09/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Draft range: 3-15
Best position/role: Centre Half Forward
Strengths:
Key forward talent – Wright has extreme height at 203cm and already has a strong frame at 102kg which is a major point of difference by position but unlike most other 200cm+ types the key with Wright is he is one of the rare few with front half talent and the ability to take over games with his influence.
Athleticism/movement – Wright has excellent endurance. Repeat speed good allowing him to go on multiple leads. Has excellent acceleration on the lead and the ability to create separation on the lead. Good mobility for his size. Lift on his jump above average also. All terrific signs for a big already playing at near his AFL weight.
Marking ability – Wright most stands out from a marking perspective with his work on the lead where he shows he can lead explosively up at the ball, pushing off his man and go on a powerful lead. He leads to the right spots and open spaces. He reads the flight of the ball well extremely well, consistently getting to and protecting the drop zone better than his direct opponent or other opposition defenders. His marks are clean one grab marks and he has the ability to take it out in front or at the highest point as required. He is a capable mark in the air and can leap and grab his marks. Wright also in the contest will look to push off guys to create space for him to mark it cleanly overhead rather than look to get into wrestling matches to take marks which is something he does not like as someone who with a body on him or v contact will invariably drop the mark as more a clean overhead mark who succeeds because he is taller than everyone else and reads the flight and drop of the ball better than anyone else.
Footskills – Has penetration up to 60m and is a reliable set shot goalkicker. Damaging field kick over a variety of distances and would be among the best few kicks in the competition at his considerable height. At times Wright has demonstrated good vision and is capable of finding some damaging targets around the ground and over distance. He also has shown at times that he has the ability to execute his kicks and still hit his targets while getting tackled.
Tap ruck work – Effective tap ruckman who can hit it down to the advantage of his midfielders frequently both around the ground and at centre bounces. He has the size and strength to physically impose himself at centre bounces and ruck contests around the ground.
Ground level ability and followup work – Wright below the knees is dexterous and clean with his pickups for someone at his height. His followup work also is relatively good as someone who can follow-up and win his own footy from those centre bounces and get the clearance himself by getting it onto his boot to a target up the field or off to a running midfielder by hand.
Weaknesses:
In and out of games –He can look unstoppable for periods of games and have a dominant quarter where he is clearly best on ground but also has his quiet periods in games where he is not involved enough or imposing his influence on the game.
Strength of hands overhead – Wright while he has clean hands overhead does not have strong hands overhead and in the marking contest while he can uncontested take marks cleanly he does not have those strong hands to clunk his marks v contact which is the primary thing for me that is keeping Wright from being that dominant key forward he threatens to be at this stage and that primary thing stopping him from being a dominant 1v1 mark and dominant contested mark.
1v1 ability – Wright can struggle to take advantage of capable 1v1 defenders who can match him for strength. He has the size on his frame but needs to improve his body work and become stronger in those 1v1 contests because at this stage if you get a body on Wright and if they can keep their body on Wright in the marking contest, at this point he will rarely take the grab.
Struggles in big games – Wright has struggled in TAC Cup finals games to have his regular impact both in 2013 and 2014 and no suggestions can be made that this will change until he shows us he can elevate his game during finals.
Ability to find the footy around the ground – Wright’s numbers are sufficient when played through the ruck but I would argue that his numbers around the ground should be better than they are. Wright has excellent endurance by position and is a terrific user of the footy so he should be finding and attracting more of the footy than he does at present around the ground. I get the sense through the ruck that Wright does not know where best to be whether it be pushing forward, pushing back or being in position to link up and his running patterns and awareness of where he should be on the field in different situations will need to improve to get more involved in general play.
Aggression - Wright big as he is at this stage for me lacks some aggression. When he tackles at the moment it feels to me like he is gently rolling guys. I would like to see him start to bury guys into the ground with more venom rather than gently rolling them over as he mostly does at the present time almost looking like he wants to not give away free kicks. If he starts to eliminate that caution from his tackling I also feel like it will help to increase his tackle numbers as he will go for his tackles more. Additionally when packs forms Wright does not look to physically exert his presence on the contest as much as he could and I would like to see him hit packs harder and attack packs with greater force than he does at the present time, to at worst bring the ball to ground. With improved aggression I expect it will help Wright feel like he is impacting games more often and more consistently over the course of games.
What I expect will improve:
In the AFL system I expect given Wright’s excellent endurance by position to become a more consistent performer and to be less in and out of games as he better learns how to stay involved in the contest when things are not going his way. I also expect Wright becomes more dominant 1v1 than he is at present with his bodywork in the contest something clubs will work with him on given his significant height and size advantage and I also anticipate he improves the strength of his hands overhead given he is a sound technical mark overhead.
Who he can become?
I see Wright becoming something like Gold Coast’s Tom Lynch as a tall but athletic key forward who can be built around but a slightly less productive version.
If Wright develops into more a ruckman, while not yet established as still a developing player I see him as being of comparable talent to Billy Longer.
When will he be ready to play?
The first couple of seasons we will see glimpses but it will be season three that I anticipate he will start putting some strong performances together and season four when he establishes himself as a very good key forward at AFL level.
How to best utilise him?
I see Wright as being best utilised as a key forward and I would strongly recommend regardless of the vision of the club who draft him that in those first four seasons for Wright only to be played as a key forward. Historically we see those who are thrown into the ruck at AFL level from season one break down with injury and have shortened careers. It is a trend we have seen consistently with those ruckman who have been selected early draft over the years with Naitanui, Kreuzer and Leuenberger all having their issues dealing with injury most years and Josh Fraser also towards the end declining before the age of 30 after carrying the Collingwood ruck division from the get go. With key forwards and also those ruckmen who play as key forwards initially in their careers we see no such trend relating to injury or durability concerns and instead often a fast-track of their development. Paul Salmon and Simon Madden are two famous examples of ruckmen who started their careers forward and experienced great success and long careers in doing so. So for this reason regardless of the vision with Wright whether that be to develop him into a key forward or ruckman it is essential to his long term success and essential to maximising his talents that he starts his career as a key forward.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Well performed both as mostly a key forward in the TAC Cup playing with some relief ruck minutes and through the U18 Championships playing mostly through the ruck with varying minutes up forward. Contested and uncontested marking numbers strong when played forward. Scoreboard impact strong when played forward. Hitout numbers and hitout to advantage numbers strong. Statistically Wright is among the best performed key forwards and ruckmen overall in this draft class. The main statistical cause for concern is his relative lack of performance in big games and specifically the TAC Cup finals. Additionally while I do not have stats on this I imagine Wright would have lost a high percentage of the 1v1 contests he has been involved in which is worth noting.


8. Connor Blakely (WA – Mid)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 81kg, DOB: 03/02/1996
Recruited from: Swan Districts
Draft range: 10-30
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.
Strengths:
Ability to keep his feet – Blakely is exceptionally balanced. He has good strength through the legs and hips but mostly he just has excellent balance and because he is someone who maintains his balance and does not leave the ground he is as a result someone who will keep his feet in the contest, rarely if ever going to ground and in tackles also can be difficult to bring to ground.
Inside game – Showed through the U18 Championships excellent inside ability winning the contested ball, winning the clearances, reading the ruck taps well to get first hand on it, tackling strongly and moving evasively in traffic which has allowed him substantial time and space in traffic to use the ball efficiently. He gives the second and third efforts inside. Typically Blakely is someone who hits the ball at speed which gives him in traffic a really explosive feel, where he will burst away from congestion and make some evasive moves to avoid would be tacklers, then gets it away cleanly all on his own. Season one ready – Has performed and performed strongly against men at senior WAFL league level and has coped well against the stronger bodies which suggests that he can make the transition to playing from season one at AFL level.
Evasive movement in traffic – His real athletic gift that pops out at you is his explosive ability to sidestep that he uses in traffic. With his explosive sidestep he can effectively create significant time and space for himself to dispose of the ball effectively by hand and foot which particularly when playing on the ball greatly helps his disposal efficiency. He also uses quick, small steps brilliantly and frequently in traffic to also create time and space for himself as with those smaller steps he can change direction more quickly, allowing for that creation of space. He moves exceptionally quickly in traffic, just reading the drop of the ball first consistently, winning it and getting up to speed quicker than anyone else which gets him out of traffic with ball in hand, and on the move he also while accelerating and quickly change direction making him extra hard to lay a hand on.
Skillset – Blakely is an efficient user of the footy. By hand he inside the contest can work effectively as an inside extractor finding the outside runners or creating space to get a clear pass off by hand to a target in more space. By foot he will look in general play to work into space before kicking, executing his kicks to a target when he has the time and space to deliver. He has good vision finding the best the targets in best position, making good decisions and shows a willingness when he has time with ball in hand to lower his eyes and find the best targets. He also can at times use his opposite side as required. He also when tackled has the strength to release by hand to a target.
Outside game – Blakely while he played as an on-baller through the U18 Championships has relatively good outside ability for an inside player who can also outside the contest get involved in the play but also use it well.
Weaknesses:
Pace – Blakely while he has an incredible ability to create space in traffic and to sidestep guys he is not a linebreaker with only average pace and a relative lack of straightline speed.
Scoreboard impact – Blakely can on occasion hit the scoreboard through the midfield but at this stage he is not someone you would put in the forward 50 as someone who is neither a natural crumbing forward or a marking forward for him to be a real threat.
Marking ability – Blakely at this stage can take uncontested marks around the ground but is not a marking threat as some other tall midfielders are. He takes his marks cleanly and can take his marks out in front but he is not someone who generally takes his marks on the move, leaping up at the ball or taking it at the highest point which makes him slightly limited in this regard, mostly just waiting for the ball to come towards him when he is stationary. I would also categorise his hands overhead as clean but not strong or sticky hands. At this stage Blakely is relatively limited on the lead as someone who does not seem to read where the ball is going or read the drop of the ball to be a major threat on the lead. Additionally he is not a threat to take 1v1 marks or pack marks, limiting his potential to play in the front half. What I expect will improve:I expect Blakely will continue to improve his inside game which is where he has real scope to develop but also at the same time add some further strings to his bow.
Who he can become?
Blakely through the midfield has the scope to develop into something similar to Callan Ward.
When will he be ready to play?
Blakely in my view is round one ready to play and has the opportunity from season one to establish himself as a regular part of a best team if the opening is there for a midfielder given his exceptional WAFL League performance and strong play through the U18 Championships.
How to best utilise him?
Blakely is best utilised through the midfield on the ball.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Blakely’s numbers through the U18 Championships were excellent as WA’s best midfielder. His disposal numbers were excellent. His contested ball winning, tackle and clearance numbers were all excellent, as was his disposal efficiency by position. His numbers at WAFL league level have been excellent similarly demonstrating strong disposal and tackle numbers against men suggesting he is capable of playing at AFL level from season one.


9. Jarrod Pickett (WA – Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 18/08/1996
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Draft range: 5-15
Best position/role: Midfield - outside
Strengths:
Speed – No one in this draft has the speed of Pickett. He tests at 2.8 seconds over 20m but the critical thing with Pickett is he uses that speed in game and often with his ability to take on the game with ball in hand special as something he does frequently every game.
Linebreaking ability and tendency to take on the game every time the opportunity is there – With Pickett while he has the elite speed the critical thing is he uses it in game better than just about anyone in the country. He has a rare ability to take on and inject energy into the game and break the lines and do it frequently and he just has that natural sense for when he can take advantage of his linebreaking gift and use it in game. He is incredibly hard to tackle with his balance and agility allowing him to dodge and weave past guys and continue running. I really enjoy his tendency after a mark or whenever the opportunity is there to work out quickly that he has the opportunity and then he will take off generating some instant offense and meaningful drive through his meaningful ability to break the lines at speed rather than just going back behind the mark and moving the ball forward slowly which does not generate as many meaningful scoring opportunities as what Pickett does. Pickett really understands he can impact games with his linebreaking ability and he sums up the right opportunities to use it and he will break the lines for 20m, 30m, 40m, 50m, 60m and will go as long as you give him the space in front of him to run into.
Ability to hit the scoreboard and use the footy – Pickett as an outside type can really hit the scoreboard in bunches on a wing and is more than capable given his junior goal scoring totals in WA of averaging more than a goal a game at AFL level. He is a very good finisher around goal, knowing where the goals are and is a significant threat running into an open goal and on the run into the forward 50. As a ball user Pickett is very clean by both hand and foot and hits his targets consistently and overall is an above average ball user. He is also an excellent kick on the move at speed and even probably a slightly better ball user on the move than he is after a mark seeming to find some better targets while he is on the move. Pickett can at times make the occasional decision making error, mostly this seems to be after a mark and he can also similarly after a mark also lack the vision to find some better placed targets tending to go long down the line on most occasions but with ball in hand in general play is an excellent decision maker looking cool and composed with ball in hand and even when under pressure or getting tackled finds a way to dispose of the ball cleanly.
Ability to find and win the footy – Often with the most damaging outside types it is rare that they can find the footy in bunches and while Pickett is not an elite accumulator he is still a good accumulator for an outside type which is really critical and greatly adds to his value because he is someone where he will do great damage with his touches and through finding it a lot also will break the lines with frequency rather than only occasionally which is what makes him a real top quality prospect in my mind. He is also not allergic to winning the contested footy as many similar outside linebreakers are and while he will remain predominantly outside, winning the contested footy is something he can still at times do for an outside type. These two signs for me are the big factors when you add that to his offensive gifts and linebreaking ability which suggests to me he has a big future ahead of him at AFL level because you know he will find enough of it to be relevant and do damage and break games open often.
Ability at ground level – Pickett is very clean at ground level with his ability to pick up the footy, often on the move and just continue to go at speed without any need to pause. He can occasionally fumble slightly but overall he is clean and reads the bounce well, getting onto it at speed and winning the footy, reacting and reading the bounce quickly and consistently.
Senior WAFL league experience – Towards the end of the season Pickett received valuable senior WAFL league experience playing in the five league level games. Additionally Pickett also performed and looked at ease in the AIS v Collingwood game earlier in the season so he should be able to make the adjustment and continue to have an impact against bigger bodies.
Weaknesses:
Defensive running – At this stage Pickett is a one way offensive runner and while he will give maximum effort running and carrying the ball he seems to take it easier on the other side of the ball and to an extent seems to conserve his energy which is a habit he will have to break at the next level if he wants regular senior games. As a result of this Pickett will need to work to improve his work rate and build his endurance base to allow him to be as good running both ways, without losing any of his damaging offensive run.
Knowing where to run offensively – Pickett as an outside runner could benefit from improving his running patterns and learning where to run so that he is on the end of more offensive drives forward.
Marking ability – Pickett with his marking is someone who can takes marks cleanly overhead at times but mostly he will look to take marks on the chest which will make him easy to defend if he is to continue that habit.
What I expect will improve:
Pickett’s defensive running will surely improve and I expect his running patterns on the outside to continue to improve but otherwise I see Pickett largely improving on his strengths and transferring those strengths into an AFL setting and continuing in the most part to do what he does.
Who he can become?
I see Pickett developing into something similar to Lewis Jetta. Pickett does not have as much penetration on his kick but otherwise I feel Pickett’s numbers and ability to impact games with his line breaking ability to be similar.
When will he be ready to play?
Pickett has the ability to receive some senior games from season one. He is likely not a round one starter and will likely need to prove himself first in the 2s for a team but with the linebreaking ability and energy he can inject into games he is someone I imagine a team would feel compelled to give senior games to at some point. By season two or three I imagine Pickett will then establish himself in the best team and be a different maker pretty well right away.
How to best utilise him?
Pickett is best utilised on a wing as an outside linebreaker.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Pickett’s numbers have been strong through the U18 Championships for these past couple of seasons and he is also performed well in the WA colts, reserves and seniors. He is hitting the scoreboard regularly, collecting strong numbers and also showing he can win some of his own ball which are all strong indicators that his game can transfer to senior AFL level. His numbers are positive given the way he plays his footy as someone who will make his touches count with the damage he does with ball in hand. He has a real opportunity ahead of him and has the opportunity to be a real difference maker for a team.

 

[Knightmare]

10. Jake Lever (VIC –KPD)
Height:192cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 05/03/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Draft range: 3-15
Best position/role: Centre half back.
Strengths:
Terrific 2013 season – In 2013 Lever performed very strongly and was by position one of the standout performers in the TAC Cup. While he has not got the performances on the board this year his strong performances from 2013 are more than enough to suggest he should get drafted and drafted early draft.
Ability to read the flight of the ball – Lever does a terrific job of consistently reading the flight of the ball off the boot and knowing where it will go before it gets there. With this ability it helps Lever determine when he can or cannot leave his direct opponent and it helps Lever significantly as an intercept marking threat down back. With the ability to read the flight of the ball it also helps him in the 1v1 contests to protect the drop zone and take some 1v1 marks in the back half. Lever is also terrific in the air and can get the spoil in but is also a significant marking threat in the air and is willing to fly for it and aggressively go at the marking contested and attack it like a forward when the opportunity is there showing strong hands overhead and great timing of his jumps for the mark, more often than not coming down it with.
Rebounding ability – Lever is a significant intercept marking threat down back but he also gets very involved in the play out of the back half. Lever for a tall is a very good run and carry player and is willing to take on games with his run. He looks comfortable with ball in hand and he will get involved in linkup chains out of the back half and is willing to run both ways and be involved in transition. He is not afraid to take on the game and push up the field and be a part of linkup chains as essentially another running defender. Lever moves well with ball in hand and looks very much at ease when he has the ball, rarely getting caught and has excellent evasive movement and agility as well as using some nice ball fakes, often showing a player the ball and going past them. By hand Lever looks for the most damaging runner. By foot Lever demonstrates good vision finding some good targets and in the most part hitting his targets out in front for them to easily lead onto it.
Competitiveness – Lever is a strong bodied key defender who seems to enjoy and win the majority of his 1v1 contests. He has the core strength to hold his position in the contest and has a good feel for when he can take the mark and when he needs to get the spoil in. While Lever is a very good rebounder by position he is also a capable stopper and can as well as beat them 1v1 also stick with his opponents on the lead and in the air.
Leadership and work ethic – Captained VIC Metro in 2013 as an underager which is a significant endorsement of his leadership ability and suggests he is if not captain material in the future then certainly leadership group material. He is also considered a hardworking, high character guy so it is highly likely he will get the best out of himself. He is capable of giving on field direction in the back half. Lever this season while working diligently on getting his body right this season on the sidelines has also shown a commitment to the game by getting involved in the coaching side of the game which demonstrates his maturity and interest in furthering his knowledge about the game.
Midfield potential – I cannot help but think there could be some scope to possibly pinch-hit through the midfield down the track if a club wants him to. He seems to have the cleanness below the knees, aggression and attack on the ball and some real evasiveness. He can run and carry the footy and use it cleanly and offensively by hand, looking comfortable with ball in hand. So he ticks the boxes from a trait standpoint and at his height if he can put all those things together then he could have an impact.
Weaknesses:
No 2014 form to reflect on/evaluate – As Lever has missed the 2014 season with injury it is difficult to evaluate where he is at and what if any improvement he has made.
Stopping ability – Lever while he seems a competitive type who does not like to get beaten he is overall more a rebounder and at 192cm it will be a challenge for him coming up against the super tall and more dominant key forwards.
What I expect will improve:
Lever will continue to put size onto his frame and develop both down back as a rebounder and stopper. I also anticipate his leadership ability to continue to grow.
Who he can become?
Lever has the scope to become something like a stronger but less freakishly athlete Michael Johnson as a real rebounding key defender. When will he be ready to play?Lever likely will take a couple of years to develop but he has the talent to be ready to play regular senior AFL footy in season three.
How to best utilise him?
Lever is best utilised at centre half back.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Lever’s 2013 numbers were exceptional and demonstrate that by position he is an excellent rebounder and willing to get involved in the play down back. His strong contested and uncontested marking numbers suggesting that he is not only involved as a rebounder from the back half but one of the central reasons for the ball getting rebounded.


11. Hugh Goddard (VIC – KPD/KPF)
Height: 196cm, Weight: 93kg, DOB: 24/08/1996
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Draft range: 6-20
Best position/role: Centre Half Back
Strengths:
Versatility – Goddard has demonstrated that he can play both back and forward well. As a key defender Goddard has demonstrated that he can significantly limit the impact of his direct opponent and at times provide rebound through taking numerous intercept marks and providing run and carry or using it well by foot when he gets his hands on it.As a forward he has shown that he can hit the scoreboard consistently and be an effective mark on the lead, in the air, 1v1 and take the occasional pack mark.
Strength and athleticism – Goddard is well built at 93kg already and has clearly put the time in through the gym and as a result in the contest he is very hard to beat 1v1 and often in the 1v1 contest takes the intercept mark. He also has an excellent mix of pace, agility and has an excellent leap which suggests that he has the ability as a key defender to become an effective shutdown player.
Ability to read the flight – Goddard shows excellent ability to read the flight of the ball both as a forward and when played down back. Down back particularly this has been something he has been able to take advantage of where he has shown excellent ability to take frequent intercept marks and marks 1v1.
Shutdown ability – Goddard is an excellent shutdown defender and can greatly limit the influence of his direct opponent and there is a feeling that he has them under control with his ability physically to match his opponents 1v1 but then also the closing speed to go with them on the lead, the motor to go with them up the ground and the leap to go with them in the air.
Aggression – Goddard plays a hard brand of footy. He attacks the footy in the air, will tackle you into the ground with real intent and put his body on the line and go when it is his turn to go.
Leadership and work ethic – From everything I understand Goddard is a hard trainer and works hard to develop his game and puts the time and effort into the gym to build up his body. He also has visibly demonstrated strong leadership ability on the field giving instruction to his team mates and the ability to lead by example.
Long kick – Goddard has a 55m kick on him and is a mostly reliable kick to his targets by foot. He has relatively good vision and typically finds good targets coming out of the back half. Also is capable converting from his set shots attempts.
Weaknesses:
Ground level ability – Goddard at ground level can at times be fumbly and is not as clean as he needs to be. He just lacks that bit of co-ordination below the knees and that cleanness with his pickups, not taking the ball as fluently as he needs to. Also when the ball hits the deck Goddard often is slow to react, just struggling to read and react to the bounce of the ball which greatly limits him as a forward, in the back half Goddard also seems slow to react when the ball goes to ground.
Lack of point of difference when playing forward – Goddard while effective on the lead, capable in the air and able to take marks 1v1 and the occasional pack grab in the front half lacks he just lacks that feeling that he will have a big game as someone who can consistently kick two or three goals but never more than that. He lacks that dominant marking ability or freakish or even good ground level ability to be a go to forward or provide that heavy scoreboard impact but he could be a plausible second option up forward as more a leading forward if required.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Goddard to incrementally continue to improve from year to year and continue to get better both as a shutdown player and a rebounder.
Who he can become?
As a key defender Goddard has the ability to become develop into something similar to Eric Mackenzie as someone who can both beat his direct opponent and at times when the opportunity is there take an intercept mark and be involved as a rebounder.
As a forward Goddard’s play reminds me of Sam Day as that tall, athletic type who lacks that point of difference.
When will he be ready to play?
Goddard will likely start to push for senior games in season three but more likely takes till season four to establish himself as a part of a best team.
How to best utilise him?
Goddard is best utilised at centre half back.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Goddard particularly through the U18 championships struggled to perform to his 2013 standards to achieve his usual numbers and I imagine his offseason hip surgery played a big part in his largely poor start to 2014. As a key forward particularly through the U18 championships Goddard struggled to have his usual scoreboard impact but when played back both through the U18 championships and particularly late season through the TAC Cup he not only looked settled but he got involved in the play taking excellent contested and uncontested marking numbers by position while also limiting the impact of his direct opponent.


12. Jack Steele (GWS Academy - NSW – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 13/12/1995
Recruited from: Belconnen
Draft range: 2nd round.
Best position/role: Rotational midfielder/forward.
Strengths:
Strong overhead – Steele has strong, sticky hands overhead. He marks it consistently at the highest point. He is a strong mark on the lead but also a strong mark in the air and at times capable of taking 1v1 marks. In the marking contested Steele takes front position and shows excellent ability to read the flight of the ball. Even with body contact Steele remains strong overhead.
Tackling – Steele is a strong tackler, in his tackles he really buries guys into the turf. His tackle numbers are also elite whether played through the midfield or in the front half and it is a real feature of his game.
Contested ball winning ability – Steele is an excellent contested ball winner and his contested ball winning numbers in all three games during the U18 Championships were higher than his uncontested ball winning numbers. He is hard at the ball and attacks the contest with a real intent.
Inside game – Steele’s inside game is a highlight of his game. He wins the clearances, wins the contested ball and tackles strongly and is elite in all three categories. His ball use by hand and foot is good and he is even in traffic composed with his ball use. He also has excellent strength over the ball and the strength to stand up through tackles.
Improvement – Steele has improved significantly over the past 12 months going from missing out in last year’s draft to one of the very best performed players in this draft through his play during the U18 Championships and in his games through TAC Cup. Additionally over the course of the season we have seen a rise in Steele’s performance starting off with some lean performances through the NEAFL, playing some TAC Cup games and only playing reasonably, then from mid-year onward in his performances through the U18 Championships and his last three TAC Cup games were dominant and a significant step up from his early season form. And given this rate of improvement it can reasonably be assumed that Steele has significant improvement remaining with the way his form line is trending upward at such a rapid rate with continued match play.
Ball use and decision making – Steele by hand and foot is an excellent ball user. By hand he finds the outside runners. By foot he is a reliable kick to a target and demonstrates excellent vision and the ability to lower his eyes and hit the inside 50 targets. With ball in hand he takes his time, summing up his options and consistently making good decisions by hand and foot and choosing high percentage options as opposed to low percentage long kicks to no one. As a result of all this his disposal efficiency for a forward/midfielder is elite.
Scoreboard impact – Steele is a clean set shot goalkicker, reliable with his conversion and has a reliable set shot routine and sound technique. He is from general play also an excellent finisher around goal and capable of providing heavy scoreboard impact.
Weaknesses:
Athleticism and acceleration – Steele while mobile is not a threat to break the lines or do anything overly freakish athletically as an only average athlete with below average acceleration. His better athletic attributes are his strength and endurance which are both very good.
Injury prone? – Steele in seasons past has missed time with injury so it does prompt the question whether he will continue to have injury issues into the future.Ability to accumulate easy uncontested ball – At this stage Steele while he can play outside, take leadup marks and linkup, push into the forward 50 to take marks and hit the scoreboard he does not at this point find much easy uncontested ball. He is generally someone who will not get many handball receives given when on the move, he is not usually moving so quickly that his team mates feel inclined to use him.
What I expect will improve:
With Steele I anticipate strong he continues to improve at what he does and continue to improve his inside game and ability forward of centre in the most part.Who he can become?Steele has the scope to develop into something a poor man’s Luke Parker as a strong contested ball winning and strong marking midfielder/forward, capable of hitting the scoreboard.
When will he be ready to play?
Steele has the ability to play as soon as season one and should establish himself as part of a best team within his first two seasons.
How to best utilise him?
Steele is best utilised as an inside midfielder who rotates forward.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Steele’s contested ball winning, tackling and marking numbers are all elite. His clearance winning numbers when through the midfield are excellent and his scoreboard impact is also excellent. Critical with Steele has been his rate of improvement really lifting from the mid-season point elevating his game from a handy player to one of the best performed players in this draft class.

 

[Knightmare]

13. Jayden Laverde (VIC – Util)
Height: 189cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 12/04/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Draft range: 4-15
Best position/role: Rotational forward/midfielder.
Strengths:
Evasiveness – Laverde has rare ability to create time and space for himself with his well-timed evasive sidesteps, body movements, ball fakes among other moves with ball in hand that give him more time and space than anyone else out on the field. He avoids tacklers easily by anticipating what they’ll do before they do it making him look that class above with ball in hand.
Athleticism - Laverde in addition to his evasiveness has excellent explosiveness and athleticism. Laverde uses his pace effectively in game and can break the lines and take on the game with ball in hand and plays on when the opportunity is there and has some real breakaway pace and instant acceleration making him hard to catch. Laverde is a good leaper and is a strong mark in the air. He also has the strength and power to win the 1v1 contests and to win his own ball around the ground.
Ball use - Laverde is an excellent user of the footy with his vision allowing him to find the most damaging targets up the field and his ability to execute by both hand and foot also is excellent. When within range from goal Laverde is also an excellent finisher both from general play and set shots and has shown that he can provide heavy scoreboard impact. He can at times make some poor decisions with ball in hand and choose the wrong targets but that has improved as the year has progressed.
Versatility – Can play forward or back well and has the scope to develop the ability to play more through the midfield.
Front half talent – Laverde in the front half has the ability to do major damage and has that natural intuitive front half talent so few have. He is a capable finisher from his set shots and in general play will run around defenders and run into goal for an easy finish. He keeps his feet in the contest, has a real natural balance to him and can take advantage of guys 1v1 for marks and is also capable in the air and on the lead. He has excellent evasiveness and is hard to lay a finger on. He can win the ground balls and contested footy. He also has the vision to find targets in better position inside 50.
Marking ability – Laverde is a strong mark overhead. He will take marks 1v1, in the air and on the lead. On the lead he can create separation effectively for the easy marks. In the air he is strong and has a good leap making him hard to stop. He also has excellent 1v1 strength in the contest and will take advantage of his opponent’s 1v1 taking strong marks against them. When played down back he also shows that he can read it well and be an intercept marking threat.
Weaknesses:
Decision making ability - At times with ball in hand Laverde can try to do too much and can at times make the wrong decisions but when he can do what he does I would be giving him the benefit of the doubt on most occasions and let him just play his natural intuitive football, it is something I have seen him improve as the year has progressed so it is not something I am overly concerned by.
Ability through the midfield? - The next stage in Laverde’s development is playing more through the midfield and it is something with time given his attributes that he has the scope to develop. With his evasive movement, skillset, size, strength, explosiveness and his contested ball winning ability he has the right mix of traits to play through the midfield but until he becomes a regular midfielder he is not and the question will remain. What I expect will improve:Given Laverde’s traits I see him making the jump into the midfield and gradually with time increasing his minutes. I also expect his strong general improvement to continue over coming seasons.
Who he can become?
Laverde has a feel something like taller and more powerful Chad Wingard as a similarly freakish talent forward of centre but without being quite on that same level.
When will he be ready to play?
Laverde should get some opportunities in season one but season two is when I see him most likely establishing himself as a regular for a team.
How to best utilise him?
Laverde is best utilised in the front half given his talent and ability to do damage up forward but later on in his career I would like to see him increase his midfield minutes and split his time between the front half and midfield.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Laverde this year has shown strong improvement as the season has progressed improving his disposal efficiency, increasing his overall numbers and taking more marks and contested marks. With his numbers trending upward it is a positive indicator that he will continue his strong development over coming seasons. He also had a very strong and productive U18 Championships where he also displayed an excellent disposal efficiency which was an encouraging sign of progress.



14. Jordan De Goey (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 187cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 15/03/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Draft range: 5-20
Best position/role: Rotational forward/midfielder.
Strengths:
Marking ability – De Goey has vicelike hands overhead and consistently takes it strongly at the highest point and is one of the strongest marking medium size types in this draft. He is a very strong mark on the lead as someone who will frequently take leadup marks in the front half. He is excellent in the air. He can take marks 1v1 and has the strength to outbody opponents and superior ability to read and protect the drop of the ball for easy marks.
Ability to read the flight – De Goey reads the flight superbly. He reads the flight to get into best position to take the mark in the front half. He protects the drop of the ball for easy marks. He can also at times use his ability to read the flight to at times take intercept marks and marks off kickouts.
Footskills – De Goey by foot is a very damaging kick as a capable playmaker and finisher. He kicks it out in front of targets and hits his targets by foot consistently inside the forward 50. Has a good 55m kick. He can finish from anywhere within 55m and concert from his set shot opportunities. He has excellent vision and is very unselfish, constantly looking for options in better position inside 50 for easier shots at goal. He also consistently makes good decisions with the footy, taking his time with his touches and showing real class with each touch. Given this he is someone you want the ball in the hands of as often as possible.
Inside game and contested ball winner – De Goey reads the ruck taps well often taking first possession from the hitout. He has this year developed a strong contested side to his game and his contested ball numbers through the U18 Championships far outweighed his uncontested ball numbers. He also does some good work in close and is generally very good with his work by hand to the outside runners.
Workrate – De Goey’s workrate in game is a real highlight for me. He has shown at times up the field that he will kick it short to a target and continue to stream forward and get on the end of the next kick. He also gives the second and third efforts and will go from one contest, into the next, into the next with a real intent, demonstrating that he will not give up on the play. While only an average athlete he also at times will provide some run and carry with ball in hand. He also seems to work both ways well. He also is a good leaper and as a result is a marking threat in the air.
Scoreboard impact – As a rotational forward/midfielder his scoreboard impact has been strong through the TAC Cup with 14 goals from 9 games, while also being unselfish and setting up better goalscoring opportunities for others.
Weaknesses:
Production – At this stage De Goey’s numbers are not as high through the TAC Cup as they should for a rotational midfielder/forward and he will need to improve his numbers to become AFL relevant.
Ability to find easy outside ball – The primary reason De Goey’s numbers are low at this stage is the lack of outside ball he finds and it has been an issue not only through the U18 Championships but also through the TAC Cup. He works his butt off in game, so it is not a lack of effort but he rarely finds the easy outside ball and will need to more often learn to find and work into those open spaces for his numbers to improve.
What I expect will improve:
I anticipate De Goey will continue to improve at what he does but I also anticipate his production and ability to find the easy outside ball improve. He has a good in game work rate so it will just take some coaching with regards to some running patterns for him to get that inside/outside balance right.
Who he can become?
I see De Goey developing into something similar to Colin Sylvia as a damaging forward who can push into the midfield.
When will he be ready to play?
De Goey will likely take a season or two to adjust and improve his game but come season three I anticipate that De Goey becomes a part of a regular team.
How to best utilise him?
De Goey is best utilised in the front half, rotating into the midfield.
Interpretation of his numbers:
His disposal efficiency both through the U18 Championships and TAC Cup have been strong. His disposal per game numbers were strong through the U18 Championships due to higher midfield minutes than he normally plays but then by TAC Cup standards his numbers were below average by position. De Goey’s contested ball numbers in both competitions have been strong with his uncontested ball numbers below average. He has demonstrated strong scoreboard impact kicking 14 goals from 9 games in the TAC Cup, and if he was not so unselfish that figure would likely be higher. His most impressive statistic in the TAC Cup has been his marks per game numbers where by position he had excellent mark numbers also taking a number of contested marks.


15. Kyle Langford (VIC – Util)
Height: 190, Weight: 73kg, DOB: 01/12/1996
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Draft range: 5-20
Best position/role: Half forward flank.
Strengths:
Movement – Langford for a tall is an excellent mover. He covers the ground exceptionally well and quickly. He has rare agility for tall and has excellent acceleration with ball in hand and is willing to use his pace in game whenever the opportunity is there to break the lines.
Marking ability – Langford has strong, sticky hands overhead, marking just about anything and everything in his vicinity. Particularly when played in the front half Langford is a significant marking threat who will read the flight as soon as it leaves the boot, get in the area, get to the front of the contest for the mark and takes it. He reads the flight as well as just about anyone and reads and protects the drop zone and in the contest he consistently gets into best position to take the grab. As a marking threat Langford is most dominant on the lead and in the air but he is also a capable pack mark and as he gets stronger he will only become a greater threat. In the TAC Cup Langford has managed 10, 11 and 12 mark games which from a sample size of seven games is terrific and elite by position. When played in the back half Langford is also a very effective intercept mark and a real intercept marking threat.
Scoreboard impact – Langford when played in the front half is capable of providing heavy scoreboard impact. In the TAC Cup he had two five goal games which for someone who is not a forward 50 only player is very encouraging.
Versatility – Langford has the ability to play forward, back or on a wing. In the forward and back halves he offers significant versatility as someone who can play tall or small, higher up the field or deeper as required.
Skillset – Langford can use both sides by foot. He is an efficiency user of the ball, hitting his targets by hand and foot and he is also a capable finisher both in general play and from set shot attempts. Occasionally he will shank a kick when rushed but otherwise his work by foot is good.
Linkup ability – I have also been encouraged by Langford’s ability to linkup. In his running chains forward Langford is someone who can be used as an outside runner and linkup well and run in support of team mates on offensive plays as a genuine run and carry guy. He is also effective as a link player by foot as someone who will take the mark and run on if the opportunity is there, handball off to an outside runner or find the next target in the chain by foot.
Upside – Langford gives off the sense that he has significant scope to develop. He has a late year birthday, a very thin body that will surely get stronger as well as some unusual traits by position at his height that suggest he has the scope to develop into something special with rare marking ability, movement, versatility and scoreboard impact.
Clean at ground level – Langford is very good at ground level. He is clean with his pickups, rarely fumbles and can at times pick up the ball on the move.
Tackling ability - His tackling ability is excellent and he tackles with a real energy and will give those second and third efforts.
Weaknesses:
Light body – Langford at this stage has a very light body at only 73kg and he will need to put further size onto his frame and become stronger to compete at the next level against the more seasoned bodies.
Contested ball winning ability – Langford at this stage is very much an uncontested footballer. At this stage he is not someone who will often go in hard to win the contested footy and is more someone who will skirt around the edges of a contest and out the back of a contest in the hope of receiving a handball and getting involved in the play from there. His contested possession numbers throughout the season and through the U18 Championships were both poor and will need to improve if he wants to step into the midfield at some point. What I expect will improve:Langford I expect will improve rapidly in an AFL system and get stronger but also further enhance his strengths and take many of them to a more dominant level. I also expect him to eventually develop the ability to go through the midfield.
Who he can become?
Langford’s play feels like it will get to somewhere between Bontempelli and Gold Coast rookie Louis Herbert. Langford has the same type of game as Herbert as a versatile tall with a thin build and strong marking ability but looks a much more dominant and consistently damaging version, and like Bontempelli he is that same rare moving tall who can do damage and hit the scoreboard in bunches but without the same strength and contested side to his game.
When will he be ready to play?
Langford may get a taste for senior AFL footy in season one but given his slight build he is more likely to start to receive regular senior AFL games in season two and look in season three to establish himself as a regular part of a best team.
How to best utilise him?
Langford at first is best utilised as a forward flank but over time I would like to see Langford become more a midfielder who at times rotates or at least floats forward to take marks.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Langford’s numbers overall are encouraging. His mark per game numbers are elite by position. His tackles per game numbers are good. When playing in the front half his scoreboard impact is elite by position with his two five goal performances evidence of this. His disposal efficiency is good. The primary area of weakness is contested ball winning numbers which at this point are low as primarily an uncontested player.

 

[Knightmare]

16. Lachlan Weller (QLD – Util)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 71kg, DOB: 23/02/1996
Recruited from: Broadbeach
Draft range: 5-15
Best position/role: Midfield – outside
Strengths:
Skillset – Weller has a damaging 55m kick on him. He makes the right decisions with ball in hand and has excellent vision and the ability to pick out targets up the field or inside 50m at will. To a target he kicks it out in front for the leading player to run comfortably onto and has the precision kick to consistently get it those few meters out in front of the player. Weller is a good kick both over short, medium and long distance. He is a very capable finisher around goal when he has the opportunity and can finish from 55m and is also reliable with his set-shot conversion from various angles. He is also excellent in close with his clean hands and ability to distribute by hand also very good. His disposal efficiency at the various levels he has played at has also been impressive for someone who tends to do damage with his touches.
Speed and athleticism - Weller has an excellent burst of speed which he uses well in game to break the lines and take on the game. He can step through traffic and break away from stoppages with his speed. He has good agility and can at times evade tacklers. He also has some excellent leaping ability.
Versatility – Weller can play on a wing, as a playmaker off a back flank, in the front half as a playmaker or finisher or even on the ball through the midfield as required.
Production – Has performed strongly both through the U18 Championships, the TAC Cup and in the NEAFL, accumulating strong numbers for a damaging outside type.
Not a soft outside player - While Weller is unlikely to develop into an inside midfielder or a dominant contested ball winner, he is not completely limited to playing outside. Weller can win the contested ball to a good standard for an outside player and has a good contested to uncontested ball balance. His work by hand to target is excellent. He is a lively tackler and has excellent tackle per game numbers. He also at times has shown that he can hit the ball at speed and come out the other end with ball in hand, using his run to break away from the contest.
Weaknesses:
Light body – Weller at 71kg is lightly built at this stage and will need to put weight onto his frame at AFL level. As a light body it also prompts the question to what extent will he retain his speed as he puts weight onto his frame.
Best position? – Weller is a versatile player and as such I have questions as to where Weller will long term be best suited to playing. Is he best suited on a wing? Forward flank? Back flank? His versatility is a terrific strength but does leave that question in my mind.
Ability to take more easy marks – As an outside player what I find is missing from Weller’s game is the ability to take more easy marks around the ground. Playing alongside teammates with limited skillsets has not helped but it is something I still expect to see more of than I have. He generally seems to read the flight well and the drop of the ball reasonably well and is a relatively sound overhead mark so it is something he can develop but he just does not seem to work hard enough and find those open spaces he needs to at this stage to take as many easy marks around the ground as he could.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Weller puts on more weight onto his frame and continues to improve his all-round game over time.
Who he can become?
Weller has the scope to develop into something like a poor man’s James Aish.
When will he be ready to play?
Weller is ready to play from season one.
How to best utilise him?
Weller can be used all over the place and initially I would be inclined to play him on a forward or back flank with the vision to play him more up the field as he develops.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Weller’s numbers have been sound at all levels he has played at, accumulating strong numbers through the U18 Championships and also putting forward some strong numbers against more seasoned bodies in the NEAFL. His disposal per game numbers and tackle numbers by position were both very good, as has been his disposal efficiency. Given his performances on the board as a relatively damaging player Weller has the ability to play from season one.


17. Sam Durdin (SA – KPD/KPF)
Height: 197cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 06/06/1996
Recruited from: West Adelaide
Draft range: 6-15
Best position/role: Centre half back
Strengths:
Versatility – Can play both forward and back and probably this year looked best through the ruck, so he could plausibly also pinch-hit through the ruck at AFL level.
Strong overhead mark – Durdin marks at the highest point and has long arms making him incredibly hard to defend when played in the front half. Durdin is most threatening with his ability to mark the ball in the air and can just launch at the ball, elevate and take it one grab. He is capable of taking a pack marks. He can take front position and protect the drop zone well for the easy mark but is not so strong 1v1 that he will take advantage of his direct opponents frequently either forward or back.
Ability to read the flight of the ball – Durdin reads the flight well and uses this ability well both up forward and down back. As a forward this increases the threat of him taking his marks in the air because he knows before he jumps where the ball will land, he also uses this ability to protect the drop zone for easy marks. Down back because of how well he reads the flight of the ball and how well he reads the play he understands when he can leave his opponent for an easy intercept mark. He is also excellent getting the spoil in thanks to his ability to read the flight and is aided by his long arms. Good ball user - Durdin is a clean, efficient ball user and you can rely on him to hit his targets around the ground. He demonstrates good vision and has shown that out of the back half he can find and hit some meaningful targets up the ground.
Athleticism/mobility – Durdin moves incredibly well for a tall and has excellent mobility and agility to him and moves really fluidly around the ground. He also has good leaping ability which he uses to effect with his marking ability in the air. With his leaping ability and long arms he also has the scope to play some relief ruck minutes as required. He also has the pace to create separation on the lead and the closing speed to shut down an opponent’s lead in the back half.
Ground level ability – Durdin has good co-ordination below the knees and can pick up the ground ball and bouncing ball cleanly. He is also willing to at ground level give a contest and give the second and third efforts and tackle with good intent for a tall.
Hard edge – Durdin in the games I have seen of him has shown a real hard edge to him. He will bury guys with force with his tackles and will stand up to contact and not let anyone intimidate him and stand his ground which has impressed me.
Weaknesses:
Best position? – Durdin troublingly does not have a best position at this point. Going off this year he looked best and most productive through the ruck which is not a viable position for him at AFL level at 197cm. The hope likely would be that he develops into a key defender but until he does it, it remains to be seen whether he can find a suitable position to play at AFL level.
Production – This year Durdin has not put forward the numbers anticipated coming into the season. He seems to have struggled due to a hand injury and has not had the preparation he would have liked coming into the season which is likely the primary reason for his below expectation performances. He put forward some lean performances through the U18 Champions and has done the same this year back in SA, though showing improvement at the end of the season.
Leading patterns as a forward – Durdin due mostly to being unaccustomed to playing forward has when given the chance up forward looked at times lost with his leading patterns particularly a work in progress not knowing where or when to lead to be a target up the field and as a result at this stage looks better suited behind the ball with reading the ball from behind the play more what he is suited to and accustomed to at this point in time.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Durdin increases his production and if played forward I anticipate with good coaching improves his leading patterns. If he can get his improvement tracking in the right direction again next year I feel he can over time start to put all the pieces of the puzzle together and with time develop into a good key position player at either end.
Who he can become?
Durdin projects to become a similar level talent to Jake Carlisle as that tall, mobile type who can play forward or back well.
When will he be ready to play?
The first couple of seasons we will see glimpses but it will be season three that I anticipate that he will start putting some strong performances together and season four when he establishes himself as a high level key position player.
How to best utilise him?
Durdin has key forward talent and the right mix of attributes to experience strong success as a key forward if he fixes up his leading patterns but at this stage Durdin is better suited to developing into a key defender and is a safer bet to become a high level key defender than he is as a forward.
Interpretation of his numbers:
He has struggled to get his hands on the footy this year both when played forward and back. His numbers due to his hand injury have been poor this season so Durdin is someone you draft based on his 2012 performance and the mix of attributes he shows in game and how that mix of attributes can translate at the next level and come together over time.


18. Liam Duggan (VIC – Util)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 11/12/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Draft range: 5-20
Best position/role: Midfield – outside
Strengths:
High character guy – All the talk is Duggan aced the interviews and that he shows a strong commitment to his footy and he has demonstrated it this year whereby he has shown a willingness throughout the year to travel to and from school (in Ballarat) and to and from footy out in the Western suburbs. The expectation surrounding him is that he will get the most out of his footballing ability and that he will down the track become a part of a clubs leadership group.
Versatility – Duggan has excellent positional versatility. He can play through the midfield in an outside or inside role; he can also play off a back or forward flank.
Second and third efforts – Duggan around the ball gives excellent second and third efforts, really going after the ball and contest and will really put in the effort to keep going after it whether it be laying an extra tackle or two or going in to win the ball.
Intercept marking – Excellent intercept mark off a back flank. He reads the flight of the ball exceptionally well, often anticipating where it will go earlier than others and he gets to the drop of the ball well for easy intercept marks across a back flank.
Footskills – Duggan does at times kick on both sides and he is not hesitant to use his right foot when required but his right foot can at times be hit and miss and is not as reliable or damaging as his left foot. He is an excellent playmaker as someone who does an excellent job lowering his eyes and finding targets inside 50 and kicking it out in front of them to easily lead onto. Duggan by foot is most damaging when he has time and space on the outside with ball in hand where he can sum up his options well and find damaging targets up the field. With time and space Duggan will run his 15-20m and kick it 55m to a target. When pressured Duggan is more inclined to kick short and tends to look more rushed. His disposal efficiency overall and kicking efficiency is excellent. His kicks generally I find are high, long kicks, particularly from kickouts rather than low, quick through the air daggers but none the less the result is more often than not a good one when he goes long.
Scoreboard impact – Duggan has shown this season that through the midfield or when pushing forward that he can hit the scoreboard averaging more than a goal a game at TAC Cup level.
Movement with ball in hand – Duggan has only average acceleration. But to his credit he uses what he has well and is someone who can provide some limited run and carry with ball in hand. Duggan as a run and carry player is also useful with his linkup work by hand, Duggan routinely will run with ball in hand, give off by hand and continue running and provide support for the other outside runner, not giving up on the offensive play as someone who will provide support in numbers.
Weaknesses:
Speed – Duggan only has average pace and while he is a capable run and carry player he is not a linebreaker.
Needs time and space to operate – Duggan when under pressure can with his disposal look rushed and the hurt factor of his disposals are greatly reduced when Duggan is under pressure typically going for safe, short options particularly by foot. Struggles handling a tag – Duggan whether it is through the midfield or off a back flank struggles to impact games when playing on an accountable opponent with his influence able to be negated. When tagged Duggan’s numbers reduce significantly as does his influence on the outcome with fewer damaging touches.
In and out of games – Duggan has a tendency to be in and out of games. He can have a big quarter or period through the game but he is not someone who always feels like he is influencing the game and having an impact over the full four quarters at this stage.
Contested ball winning ability – While Duggan can play inside and win some contested ball he is not a dominant contested ball winner and more an energy ball winner as someone who through his hustling effort will at times win his own ball.
Ability to beat his man down back – At this stage in the back half Duggan is more an intercept player/rebounder first and when made to be accountable in the back half can at times get exposed in the 1v1 contests.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Duggan to over the coming seasons round out and complete his game and become a much more consistent footballer and a stronger ball winner than he is at the present time. I also anticipate that he steps up as a leader once he establishes himself.
Who he can become?
Duggan has the feel of a poor man’s Kade Simpson as a versatile, outside type who is best suited on a wing or back flank.
When will he be ready to play?
Duggan may receive some senior opportunities from season one but I tend to see him as more likely from season two to break into a team as a regular.
How to best utilise him?
Duggan I feel is best utilised on a wing.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Duggan has overall performed strongly through the U18 Championships and TAC Cup, he has had his inconsistencies with overall up and down numbers which have come due to the attention he receives in some games from his direct opponents. His disposal efficiency is excellent. His ability to hit the scoreboard by position is excellent averaging more than a goal a game through the TAC Cup. His tackle numbers are excellent. And his marks per game numbers are good. His numbers overall suggest that he has the opportunity to make the grade at AFL level.

 

[Knightmare]

19. Caleb Marchbank (VIC – KPD)
Height: 193cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 12/07/1996
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Draft range: 6-25
Best position/role: Centre Half Back.
Strengths:
Ability to read the flight - Marchbank is a very good intercept mark with his excellent ability to read the flight of the ball, get to the drop zone and take the intercept mark. He seems to read it earlier off the opposition’s boot. He has a good natural awareness for when he can and cannot leave his direct opponent.
Marking ability – Marchbank has strong hands overhead rarely dropping his marks. He attacks the ball in the air for marks and will go hard at the ball for the mark. He also is an excellent 1v1 mark, often outmuscling his opponents. He is also a very good mark on the lead when leading up from the front half.
1v1 ability - 1v1 Marchbank is excellent displaying strong ability in the contest and ability to hold his position. He has strong ability to read and protect the drop zone and is capable either marking 1v1 or getting the spoil in as appropriate.
Versatility – Marchbank down back is not limited only to playing key defence but also has the ability to play as a third tall or at times off a back flank. In addition to playing key defence Marchbank can also be used up forward and prove an effective marking target with his work on the lead particularly impressive, timing his leads well and read the flight of the ball well. He also has shown that he can play on a wing or through the midfield. And with that level of versatility there are lots of possible ways to develop Marchbank depending on the evaluation of his game.
Weaknesses:
Injury prone? - Marchbank while he played all six U18 Championships games this season has only played the four TAC Cup games this year and two in 2013 due to injury.
Athleticism – Marchbank is reasonably mobile and a reasonable leaper but is only an average athlete, he has below average explosiveness, a relative lack of closing speed and an average change of direction, and seems mostly to make up for that by reading the flight better and predicting where the ball is going early.
Footskills – Marchbank’s footskills are below average but not unworkable. His kicks are relatively imprecise and at times lack consistency. His kicks are not overly penetrating or damaging either. His vision is limited mostly failing to identify damaging options out of the back half by foot. His decision making ability also is lacking and he can pick the wrong and sometimes unsound options coming out of the back half.
Lack of x-factor – Not that it is a problem but Marchbank is not a highlight reel player who will do anything overly eye-catching offensively that will catch your eye.
What I expect will improve:
I anticipate Marchbank to become more a key defender and work to continue to improve both as a rebounder and as a stopper.
Who he can become?
Marchbank has the scope to develop into something like Sam Fisher.
When will he be ready to play?
Marchbank has the ability from season three to start to get a taste for it but by season four I see him pushing for regular senior selection.
How to best utilise him?
Marchbank is best used at centre half back.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Strong numbers for a key defender through the U18 Championships particularly where he did an excellent job limiting the impact of his direct opponents and keeping them from achieving their usual numbers while also achieving strong numbers himself. Disposal and mark numbers are very good by position suggesting he is also getting involved as a rebounder. The primary query statistically is his disposal efficiency and specifically kicking efficiency which should be higher given he is not overly damaging by foot.


20. Dean Gore (SA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 26/06/1996
Recruited from: Sturt
Draft range: 25-65
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.
Strengths:
Contested ball winning ability – Gore is a strong contested ball winner and attacks the ball at pace, more often than not coming out with it. He is strong over the ball and is clean with his pickups off the deck and can take it off the deck on the move. His contested ball winning numbers were strong both through the U18 Championships and at SANFL League level.
Strength and power – Gore has a strong body and uses it to his advantage. He seemingly never goes to ground. He uses his strength over the ball to firstly win the contested ball but then can also bully his way through the contest with his forward momentum. He hits the contest at pace and has the strength and low centre of gravity to stand up in the tackle and the forward momentum to keep moving forward with the ball even through the tackle, such is his strength through the hips or get a clean handball off to a target. He will bury guys in his tackles and do some real damage when he takes guys to ground. He has the strength in the 1v1 contest to beat his guy.
Pace and endurance - Gore also for such a big bodied midfielder has excellent explosiveness, really in traffic almost always moving at full pace and going on 10m to 15m high speed bursts, exploding through the contest. He seems to have very good pace over 20m and also overs the ground well and has good endurance which is pleasing for a big bodied midfielder.
Tackling – Gore has excellent tackle numbers but in addition to that he also attacks the man with real ferocity really burying guys in his tackles and knocking the stuffing out of them making it a real strength of his game.
Skillset – Gore has a very good skillset by position. He has a long 55m kick on him and can finish on goal from range. To a target Gore is very good over short and medium distances and can when he has time and space lower his eyes but over long distances he has shown a tendency too often to blast away to a contest. By hand Gore is reliable in finding his targets consistently and in delivering cleanly.
Marking ability – Gore is a strong mark overhead and has a real strength of hands overhead. He can take marks on the lead and is also a strong mark 1v1 and can out-body his opponent in the contest for the mark. He is also a strong mark in the air displaying an excellent vertical jump.
Versatility – Gore while a midfielder first can also play in the front half and present as a marking target, provide some tackling pressure and hit forward 50 targets or hit the scoreboard. It is also not out of the question that he could as required play in the back half as he has a strong body but then also athletically and from a skill standpoint is more than good enough to make that transition into the back half if required.
Weaknesses:
Kicking under pressure - Under pressure in the contest by foot he can rush it onto his boot and kick it forward without look more than he perhaps needs to when he stands up so strongly though the tackles of opposition players.
Ability to accumulate outside – At this stage Gore as with most inside players at this stage does not find much ball outside the contest and still needs to learn where to run outside the contest to get more involved in general play.
Ability to do damage outside – Gore while quick inside the contest is not a threat at this stage to break the lines on the outside or break games open with his kicking or do anything game changing outside the contest.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Gore to continue to improve his inside game and as he progresses, to become more of a weapon in the front half as well as also learn how to find more ball outside the contest.
Who he can become?
I see Gore developing into someone similar to Josh Caddy as that similar big bodied midfielder who can at times rotate forward.
When will he be ready to play?
Gore has the ability to play as soon as season one and fit in at AFL level given his proven performance at SANFL League level.
How to best utilise him?
Through the midfield on the ball with occasional stints in the front half.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Numbers through the U18 Championships were strong collecting excellent contested ball numbers and tackle numbers. He has also in his play at SANFL League level showed that he can play and play well against the older bodies collecting strong numbers and also with strong contested ball numbers, strong clearance numbers, excellent marking numbers, a very good disposal efficiency with both his work by hand and foot good, as well as the ability to hit the scoreboard most games. Going off his play at SANFL League level Gore is capable of playing in season one.


21. Alex Neal-Bullen (SA – Mid)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 09/01/1996
Recruited from: Glenelg
Draft range: 20-50
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.
Strengths:
Work by hand –What most stands out with Neal-Bullen is his awareness in traffic to find the best player by hand, he will at times gamble looking for the opening but he typically finds the most damaging target.
Inside game – In addition to what Neal-Bullen does by hand he at stoppages is consistently in close, in the best positions to either win his own contested ball or to receive the inside ball to win the clearances. He had the highest clearance winning total through the U18 Championships and has shown at SANFL League level that he can also win the clearances. He has excellent contested ball winning numbers and is a terrific contested ball winner showing hardness at the footy, and a real cleanness at ground level.
Endurance – Neal-Bullen has among the best endurance of the midfielders in this draft and it is obvious watching how much ground he covers in game and how many contests he gets to. He is someone who just never seems to stand still in game really showing in game a terrific work rate.
Season one ready – Neal-Bullen has played and played very well at SANFL League level showing that he can compete against men and find and win his own footy against men which suggests that he can from season one play senior games if the opportunity presents.
Versatility – Although he by far and away is best suited on the ball through the midfield he has also spent time in the back half this season so while he probably will be more a pure midfielder he can as required be played in the back half.
Pace - Neal-Bullen is not a plodder and can at times use his pace in game. He can provide some run and carry with ball in hand or break away from the contest and occasionally can get himself out of trouble in traffic to then get a handball off to a target or a quick kick away.
Weaknesses:
Footskills under pressure and decision making – Neal-Bullen in traffic by foot will often just get the ball onto his boot hoping it hits a target, really at this stage just lacking composure. Because he gets so much ball in close making it a reoccurring theme and a constant frustration with his game but at times he can hit a meaningful target from these situations so he is someone who will go for damage over efficiency and it will be a learning process to know when to hit the meaningful target and when to go safe. Give him time and space through and his footskills while still slightly inconsistent are on the most part generally good mostly hitting his targets over a variety of distances, making better decisions and occasionally doing damage and even at times lowering his eyes, but on the inside he just needs that bit more composure and needs to take more time on his kicks than he does at the present time.
Outside game – At this stage Neal-Bullen finds a high proportion of his ball inside the contest and surprisingly despite his endurance and work rate he finds limited outside ball as someone who is very much an inside midfielder first at the moment.
What I expect will improve:
I mostly with Neal-Bullen anticipate the natural and continued improvement in the areas that he performs strongly in and specifically his inside game.
Who he can become?
Through the midfield Neal-Bullen is of similar quality and production to Anthony Miles.
When will he be ready to play?
Neal-Bullen has the ability to play as soon as season one and fit in at AFL level given his strong SANFL League performance.
How to best utilise him?
Neal-Bullen is best utilised on the ball through the midfield.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Neal-Bullen’s numbers have been exceptional both through the U18 Championships and at SANFL League level this season and is among the best performed players in this draft class. Through the U18 Championships he led all participants in clearances and was also one of the dominant contested ball winners throughout. What was troubling was troubling through the U18 Championships his low disposal efficiency of 54%. Through the SANFL at league level Neal-Bullen has shown that he can not only play at the level but also find strong numbers suggesting that he will be able to make the adjustment to playing at AFL level and if opportunity presents from season one.

 

[Knightmare]

22. Peter Bampton (SA - Mid)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 15/04/1996
Recruited from: Norwood
Draft range: 25-60
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.
Strengths:
Inside game – Bampton’s point of difference is his inside game. He is a terrific inside extractor as someone who consistently wins the contested ball and then gives it off to outside runners by hand. He is clean by hand and has the composure inside to find his targets and the best targets inside the contest. He goes in harder than anyone else into the contest showing real aggression and a hard attack on the ball and will consistently win the ground balls. He does all the off the ball work delivering hard bumps and shepherding as applicable. When he tackles guys, he really tackles them with ferocity. He has the strength over the ball where he will not get knocked off it showing the strength to beat more mature competition to the contested ball.
Aggression – Bampton consistently demonstrates a hard edge inside the contest and really attacks every contest with a real hard intent to win the footy, he buries guys in his tackles and will deliver hard bumps around the contest.
Immediate impact – Having performed and performed exceptionally well against men at SANFL league level in 2013 and early 2014 it can reasonably be expected that Bampton can play regular senior AFL games from season one.
Strength – Has good strength in the contest really barrelling through at force and has good AFL weight already on his frame at 83kg.
Endurance – Runs all day and gets to every contest, runs a 15+ beep.
Off the ball work – Bampton frequently when involved inside the contest will give it off by hand and then look to put in a hard bump on opposition players to let them know that he is there. He is also willing to bump around the field and shepherd as appropriate.
Ability to draw free kicks - Bampton has shown a real knack for drawing free kicks as someone who can draw high tackles and by going in lower and harder than others into the contest.
Skillset – By hand Bampton is terrific and is an excellent inside extractor finding the outside runners and in congestion choosing the best option consistently, showing real composure with ball in hand and summing up his options well. By foot while not overly penetrating or damaging he is a mostly safe but efficient kick who shows a willingness to lower his eyes and find the best targets. By foot he is also a relatively good kick into the forward 50 as someone who for leading targets will kick it out in front of them to lead onto. By hand and foot whether in space or congestion Bampton makes the right decisions and it all shows with his excellent disposal efficiency at SANFL league level. Bampton also has clean hands and rarely fumbles.
Weaknesses:
Outside game – Bampton while an efficient user of the footy is not likely to do much damage outside the contest as not an overly penetrating kick or a threat to break the lines. He also does not find a whole lot of outside ball as a genuine inside player at this stage doing his best work and finding most of his footy inside at this point. He will need to learn where to run and more frequently find the open spaces to present as more of an option around the ground.
Athleticism – As an athlete while Bampton gets by and moves sufficiently well to adjust seamlessly to play at the next level he is not a threat to break the lines, sidestep guys or outleap anyone in game.
Ability forward of centre – Bampton can occasionally sneak forward and hit the scoreboard but at this stage it is not a feature of his game.
What I expect will improve:
I expect the natural improvement of Bampton’s inside game to continue and to become more and more dominant. I also anticipate Bampton makes going forward and having an impact a more prominent component to his game. While he likely never becomes overly proficient outside the contest I anticipate Bampton will with time begin to find more outside ball.
Who he can become?
I see Bampton developing into a poor man’s Tom Liberatore as that hard but high level contested ball winner.
When will he be ready to play?
Bampton is ready to play and play well from his first season and if healthy he is capable of debuting in round one if the opportunity is there given his proven performance over the past two seasons at SANFL League level.
How to best utilise him?
Bampton is best utilised on the ball through the midfield.
Interpretation of his numbers:
SANFL League numbers these past couple of seasons through the midfield have been outstanding. His contested ball winning numbers are excellent. His disposal efficiency is good. He has shown that he can draw free kicks to a high standard. And he has shown that he can consistently win the contested balls against strong competition and be among the dominant midfielders on the ground which are all signs suggesting he can play right away.


23. Paul Ahern (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 01/08/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Draft range: 4-15
Best position/role: Rotational forward/midfielder.
Strengths:
Pace - Ahern has excellent pace and linebreaking ability. He has excellent acceleration and picks his times to accelerate well having an excellent awareness of who is around him and whether he can take advantage of them or not. He can burst through the traffic and he also has the ability to run around opposition players.
Footskills – He is a damaging user of the ball by foot and can do damage with his vision and decision making both excellent allowing him to find dangerous targets around the ground and in the forward 50. He also has the finishing ability from general play to go with it.
Front half talent – He is a really clean and one touch with his groundball pickups and has a real knack when it comes to winning those ground balls. He is a very balanced player and keeps his feet.
He is a strong mark overhead at his size and can win his 1v1 contests. He works into space very well and just seems to know where those spaces are. He is a capable crumber. He also has the ability to provide strong scoreboard impact.
Improved contested ball winning ability - Before this year Ahern struggled winning his own ball but he has shown improvement playing more on the ball than he has in the past and showing that it is something that he has added to his arsenal demonstrating at times he can win his own ball through the U18 Championships. At AFL level Ahern still looks like he will remain more an outside player but one who rotates between playing forward and up the ground on a wing.
Strong U18 Championships - During the TAC Cup season Ahern’s numbers have been relatively lean and inconsistent but through the U18 champs in his four games he has performed to a higher standard achieving stronger than usual numbers while also giving stronger than usual scoreboard impact and having a significantly greater influence on the outcome.
Weaknesses:
Consistency – Ahern can have his big games where he has a significant influence on the outcome and some other games where he does not contribute enough and does not find enough of the footy to put his imprint on the outcome. Part of this is extra attention he can receive in game but none the less he needs to more consistently put forward strong performances.
Inconsistent with the hard stuff – Contested ball winning while through the U18 championships he showed that he can win his own ball it is something over the season he has not done consistently enough. His tackling has also left something to be desired as a low volume tackler who does not bring as much intent to the contest as he could.
Struggles when tagged – Ahern has struggled this year against the players who give him some attention and play a relatively more accountable brand of footy. Tag him and he gets tagged out of game. He will need to continue to improve his contested ball winning and running to help him improve his ability to find more of the footy when receiving attention.
What I expect will improve:Ahern likely will look to improve his endurance and continue to work on the contested side of his game in an attempt to improve his consistency. Otherwise in the most part I anticipate general overall improvement.
Who he can become?
Ahern I see as having the scope to develop into a similar type and quality of player to Richmond’s Shane Edwards as a quick forward who can push up into the midfield.
When will he be ready to play?
Ahern likely some time in year two starts to receive a taste for senior AFL footy and should in season three be pushing for regular senior AFL selection.
How to best utilise him?
Ahern is best utilised in the front half and pushing up the field onto a wing.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Strong numbers through the U18 championships demonstrating that he can play well against the best players in the country, also showing some promise with his contested ball winning numbers surprisingly strong. His TAC Cup numbers have in my view been underwhelming and inconsistent demonstrating strong fluctuations from game to game and also demonstrating that he struggles when getting some closer attention.


24. Billy Stretch (Melb – F/S – SA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 71kg, DOB: 8/09/1996
Recruited from: Glenelg
Draft range: 3rd round
Best position/role: Midfield – outside
Strengths:
Footskills – Stretch is an excellent user of the ball by foot and can find his targets over a variety of distances. What has also impressed me is his execution by foot while under pressure, showing that he can at times while getting tackles or when under pressure he can at times lace out hit his targets. With ball in hand Stretch makes good decisions quickly and has the vision to find good targets long up the field.
Pace and endurance – Stretch has excellent straight-line speed and an excellent line breaker, breaking the lines frequently each game. He also has excellent endurance as someone who gives many of those high speed efforts in game but then also covers substantial ground over the court of a game.
Evasiveness – Stretch is not so much someone who will sidestep guys but he uses his pace to run around opposition players and avoid tackles routinely.
Outside game – Stretch has the right mix of footskills, pace and endurance on the outside to experience success. On the outside he runs to the right positions and works hard to get into good positions to link up as well as be involved in running chains forward.
Versatility – Stretch while best suited on a wing does have the ability to play on a forward flank and given his pace and footskills could also likely as required play of a back flank.
Ready to play – Stretch while light bodied was one of SA’s best through the U18 Championships. At SANFL League level he played some excellent football and produced some excellent numbers. At both levels he has shown an excellent ability to accumulate the footy, use it well and at SANFL League level he has shown that he can still do what he does against stronger bodies and have a strong impact on games. Given his performance and already proven ability against more mature bodies Stretch light bodied as he is, is capable of playing at AFL level from season one.
Weaknesses:
Marking ability – I have found Stretch at times with his marks to be very two and three grab. He generally takes his marks but he just needs to become cleaner and more one grab. What I do like with his work overhead is his ability to read the flight and read the drop of the ball to consistently get to the right places to take the mark.
Inside game – Stretch while not a soft outside player and at times capable of winning his own ball is likely not going to become an inside player. He is a smallish, light body and his contested ball numbers are mild at best. He is not a particularly strong or aggressive tackler, not tackling all that often and is not someone who can forcefully win his own ball. What he can do is use his smarts to opportunistically be in the right place to get the ball but that is about the extent of his inside game.
Light body – At this stage Stretch only weighs 71kg and has a thin frame that suggests he will likely always remain relatively on the light side and remain an outside player.
What I expect will improve:
With Stretch I anticipate mostly natural and continued improvement of his outside game. I expect he puts on some weight but I still expect he remains a light bodied but very good and productive outside player.
Who he can become?
I see Billy Stretch developing into a lower level Bradley Hill as that outside type with elite endurance, pace, a high level skillset but then also the excellent numbers, just perhaps without the same level of flash and hurt-factor.
When will he be ready to play?
Stretch given his proven ability to play well at SANFL League level has the ability to play from season one.
How to best utilise him?
Stretch is best utilised on a wing.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Stretch’s numbers and more specifically his uncontested ball numbers have been excellent both through the U18 Championships as one of SA’s leading disposal getters, and using it well but then also at SANFL League level also showing that he can find the uncontested footy to a high level and use it well and take plenty of uncontested marks around the ground. Given this Stretch has the ability to play from season one and develop into a quality, high production outside midfielder.

 

[Knightmare]

25. Nakia Cockatoo (NT – Mid)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 23/10/1996
Recruited from: NT Thunder
Draft range: 10-30
Best position/role: Midfield – outside
Strengths:
Linebreaking ability – Cockatoo after Pickett is that next most outstanding linebreaker in this draft class. Like Pickett, Cockatoo similarly whenever the opportunity is there will use his acceleration to break the lines at top speed and provide meaningful, explosive run and carry. He can on his runs cover substantial ground and will run and carry it 50m or 60m if you let him. He can step through traffic superbly and also get around opposition players easily. Cockatoo v the U17s at one point got carried away with his run and carry and forget to bounce whereby he ran what seemed to be 50m or 55m without bouncing it but if he remembers to bounce the ball earlier every time then his linebreaking ability will be a significant weapon and point of difference at the next level. For pace Cockatoo tested in the top six for the 20m sprint and the top overall for repeat speed but more importantly he not only has that speed, he applies it in game as well as anyone bar Pickett in this draft.
Evasiveness –Cockatoo in addition to his acceleration also is excellent at evading tackles and has numerous tricks to help him deal with tacklers to stop them from getting their hands on him. He can spin out of trouble to avoid a tackler. He can shrug tackles and at times draw free kicks by doing this. He can at times sidestep players to go by them. Cockatoo can also run around guys. This evasiveness only makes him even more of a linebreaking threat.
Gamechanger – Cockatoo with his linebreaking ability can inject significant energy into games and can change the complexion of games and with his linebreaking ability. An example of Cockatoo’s gamechanging ability is from one centre bounce Cockatoo managed to read the ruck tap and take it cleanly and he individually took it from that centre bounce, ran it at full acceleration to 40m directly in front to then finished for the easy goal, and it will be explosive, gamechanging players like this that will become routine for Cockatoo.
Versatility – Cockatoo has the versatility to play through the midfield in outside or inside roles; he can play off a back flank as a linebreaker or even push into the forward half.
Work at ground level – Cockatoo is very clean at ground level and is excellent at winning the ground ball with his pickups clean, rarely fumbling.
Skillset – Cockatoo by hand and foot is a good ball user and is also a natural finisher when within range of goal.
Strong overhead – Cockatoo from a limited viewing sample seems a strong but not mark overhead and has shown that he can read the flight of the ball well and get to the drop of the ball.
Coachable – From reports Cockatoo is highly coachable and plays his football with a real enthusiasm.
Weaknesses:
Decision making ability – Cockatoo at times with ball in hand can try to do too much and go long at ill-advised times when sometimes lowing the eyes and finding the easier, shorter option is better, overlooking the higher percentage option in favour of going with what he thinks may generate a more meaningful drive forward. He also at times looks to have long shots at goal that are beyond his limitations.
Contested ball winning ability – Cockatoo while he can win some of his own ball still is not a high volume contested ball winner or such a high level contested ball winner that he would be a suitable player to play on the ball at AFL level for more than brief minutes.
Tackling ability – Cockatoo while he is among the quickest in this draft I have no seen lay many tackles or give a great deal of tackling effort at this point in time, albeit from a small sample size and it is something I would be looking for him to develop into a feature of his game.
Ability to find the easy outside ball – At this stage Cockatoo is more someone who in the most part will get his ball through receiving by hand and struggles at this point to all that much find easy, uncontested ball on the outside. Cockatoo is someone so damaging with ball in hand that you really want to see him have the ball in his hands more than he does at the present time.
Small sample size of games/limited exposed games – Cockatoo has missed most of the season with injury and there is a limited formline to go off with that game v the AIS underagers his only game in the past six months.
Best position? – At this stage Cockatoo lacks an easily identifiable best position and will over the coming years need to find out where he is best suited. I assume giving his linebreaking ability most likely on a wing or otherwise a back flank, though there is some intrigue about him through the midfield and that is the best case scenario that he develops a midfielders game.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Cockatoo to continue doing what he already does but also I expect he will add a dominant tackling energy game to his arsenal. I also expect he cleans up his decision making ability with time in the system.
Who he can become?
I see Cockatoo as something like Gary Rohan. Hopefully less injury prone but like Rohan, Cockatoo is a similar height but also possesses that same gamechanging acceleration with ball in hand and similar ability to influence games without finding a large volume of ball.
When will he be ready to play?
Cockatoo will take time to develop. It is not out of the question that he receives games from season one depending on whether his team needs an injection of pace but I see him as more likely to establish himself around season two or three.
How to best utilise him?
It is not completely clear where Nakia will be best utilised but I anticipate he will look best suited as an outside linebreaker on a wing.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Sample size of the stats I have access to are too small to make any solid conclusions but he is someone who is a quality of touches over quantity type.


26. Jarrod Garlett (WA – Mid)
Height: 177cm, Weight: 72kg, DOB: 18/08/1996
Recruited from: South Fremantle
Draft range: 8-25
Best position/role: Midfield – outside
Strengths:
Speed and endurance – He has excellent pace and can really break the lines at speed and has that real willingness to take games on with ball in hand but he also has the endurance to compliment that pace. Garlett’s endurance in game allows him to make many high pace efforts throughout games and it allows him to cover a lot of ground over the course of games. Garlett is not just someone who is quick on the track but he is someone who also critically uses his pace well in game. He also in game gives excellent second and third efforts as someone who when around the ball really exerts maximum effort, providing excellent tackling energy or going in to snatch the ground balls when there is the opportunity.
Skillset – Garlett by foot is duel sided and uses it relatively well on both sides. He has very clean hands, rarely fumbling it and can pick it up cleanly of the deck and often pick it up on the move, not breaking stride and continuing to accelerate as he picks it up. His work by hand is well directed to his intended targets. He is a good finisher when within range. His footskills are silky looking and technically sound but he tends to kick at his targets rather than out in front of his targets and too often he kicks long to a contest as opposed to, to a target, so he will need to learn more to lower his eyes and start finding more targets around the ground to round out his skillset.
Production – Garlett for a damaging outside runner accumulates well and it is that mix between ability to do damage when he has ball in hand with his run and the ability to find good numbers for a player of his type that will serve him well at the next level.
Scoreboard impact – Garlett does not provide heavy scoreboard impact but he has shown both through the U18 Championships and in the WA Colts, Reserves and League competitions that he is good for a goal a game and is a relatively good finisher.
Versatility – Garlett is best suited on a wing but has also shown that he can push into the front half and provide some scoreboard impact or as required push back across half back.
Ability to read the play and the flight of the ball – Garlett is an effective intercept mark and on a wing has a good feel for when to push back behind the ball as someone who has a good sense for when to go back and help out the other defenders. He then also shows very good ability to read the flight of the ball and get to the drop of the ball to take the easy intercept mark. Garlett also has a big leap on him and will fly for the ball, really attacking the ball in the air with purpose, so while he is excellent at ground level overhead he also has some ability.
Evasive ability – Garlett has a few tricks to avoid tackles. He is when on the run with ball in hand near on impossible to chase down. He can when on the move step around guys. He occasionally sidesteps guys. In addition to his running ability he also can evade tackles by doing the occasional spin move or by offering the occasional ball fake.
Weaknesses:
Inside game – Garlett at this stage is an outside only player. He has no inside game at this stage and is not a threat to win much of his own ball, with his ball coming primarily outside the contest.
Strength – Garlett at this stage is lightly built and can get pushed off the ball and will accordingly need to put on some further muscle without losing his running ability.
Linkup ability – Garlett on the outside does not take many marks in space and is also not a reliable kick to a target at this stage as someone who feels like he lacks predictability to his teammates and tends too often with his kicks to kick long to a contest rather than to a target up the field.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Garlett to largely improve at what he does and add some but not a whole lot of muscle to his frame as someone who most critically needs to remain a linebreaker first.
Who he can become?
Garlett has a feel not unlike Travis Varcoe as that similar outside linebreaker who can at times really tear games apart with his speed.
When will he be ready to play?
Garlett may receive a taste at AFL level in season one but I expect more likely in season two or three that he establishes himself as a regular.
How to best utilise him?
Garlett is best utilised as a linebreaker on a wing.
Interpretation of his numbers:
His numbers through the U18 Championships, WA Colts and WA Reserves competitions have been strong. At WAFL League level he has only found limited ball to this point. At all levels he averages a goal a game, finding other than at WAFL League level good numbers, his tackling numbers are good and his disposal efficiency while on the low side for an outside player, given the damage he looks to do with his touches is fine.


27. Connor Menadue (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 69kg, DOB: 19/09/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 15-50
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.
Strengths:
Explosive sidestep – Menadue probably has a more explosive sidestep than anyone else presently in the game. He has some evasiveness and avoids tacklers to a high level but it is less in that Pendlebury evasive style where he looks like he has more time and space than anyone else but more an explosive, leave you in my wake variation on that. It starts with his explosive first step that he uses to get around guys and avoid tackles, moving explosively sideways to create separation and exploding past you. It is his major point of difference and is something he can use frequently in game whether it is in general play or after a mark.
Acceleration – In addition to the explosive sidestep Menadue has elite acceleration. He has that explosive first step, gets up to top speed quickly and has a top speed few others possess. He can go on long, full exertion runs with ball in hand and break away from the contest or break the lines on the outside to a high level, typically with runs of 20m-40m until he is either in range to finish for a goal or hit a target inside 50 lace out.
Skillset – Menadue from a skillset standpoint has it all. He is a precision kick and hits his targets over a variety of distances. He is an excellent kick under pressure and when tackled has shown that he can even in these situations find long targets lace out. He has the vision to find the best targets and the most damaging long targets. He consistently makes the best decisions by foot, looking for open targets rather than going long down the line to a contest. He is also an excellent finisher when within range from goal in general play whether on the run or from a stationary position. His work by hand is also excellent and he also by hand has the vision to find targets over a variety of distances and has the vision to find the most damaging outside runners.
Gamechanging ability – Menadue is a real highlight reel player and on his day has the talent to change games with his influence with his mix of traits with his sidestep, acceleration and his footskills and he showed in his only final v Dandanong that he can put forward a game whereby he can really exert his influence on numerous plays across the four quarters. It is also possible given his performance in his one final that he is a big game specialist but a larger sample size of big games would be required to determine this. He also has during the season for Western Jets had his moments where he has lifted in critical moments, exerting his influence which I have also been encouraged by.
Goalkicking – Menadue is a genuine goalkicking midfielder and has managed multiple goals in a number of his games through the midfield this year with his finishing ability from general play excellent. Many of those goals come thanks to his explosive ability to burst through the midfield to around the 50m mark and then kick the 45-55m long goal and it is something I expect to see a lot of at AFL level. He can also when in the forward 50 sidestep guys to create space for the easy finish which is another of his ways from general play to hit the scoreboard.
Versatility – Menadue has shown that he can not only play through the midfield but also be utilised off a back flank as a rebounder with his explosive pace and footskills real weapons if you can get the ball into his hands on a back flank, so he is someone who while best utilised through the midfield can as required get thrown behind the ball.
Upside – Menadue given his mix of dominant traits with his pace, explosive sidestep and footskills gives off the sense that he has tremendous scope to develop. He had that breakout final performance and given he has a light body it can reasonably be assumed that he has significant footballing and physical growth remaining that could further help him elevate his game.
Weaknesses:
Light body – Still only 69kg and will need to put substantial weight onto his frame before he is ready to play at AFL level. As such a light body it also brings into question once he puts on the weight whether he will retain that explosiveness, with that an unknown until we see it.
Contested ball winning ability – Still a work in progress and not something he does enough when played through the midfield as more of a receiver at this stage but the hope would be that as he puts more size onto his frame and that the contested side to his game will improve. What he can do well is read the ruck taps to get first possession and then use his explosiveness to burst forward which is one positive sign that he can develop his inside game.
Ability to take easy marks around the ground – While Menadue is capable overhead and capable even of taking some strong contested marks at times he lacks on the outside the ability to be a linkup target in forward chains at this stage as someone who outside the contest does not find much of the ball all that easily and really needs to be fed the ball by hand to get his hands on it much of the time rather than being in position to take those easy marks outside the contest. Understanding this Menadue will need to improve his running patterns in general play and start to work more into space so that he can find more of the ball.
Relatively lean and inconsistent production – Menadue at this stage while a high impact player when he has the ball, does not accumulate big numbers every game. He can at this stage have his quiet games and more quiet games than you would ideally like. He can also get tagged out of games and with it struggle to find the footy.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Menadue to continue doing what he does but also put weight onto his frame, to find more of the footy more often and to improve his inside game as he has played much of the past couple of seasons in the back half and will with more time on the ball improve his inside game.
Who he can become?
I see Menadue as being a slightly less productive Jonathan O’Rourke as a similar tallish but lightly built dynamic midfielder with that same explosive pace and excellent footskills.
When will he be ready to play?
I see Menadue taking some time and likely looking to establish himself as a regular in season three once he has put some size onto his frame and improved his inside game.
How to best utilise him?
Menadue is more an outside type at this point but once he puts some size onto his frame I expect will be best utilised on the ball through the midfield as someone you want around the ball and consistently impacting games.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Menadue’s numbers both through the U18 Championships and at TAC Cup level have lacked some consistency and have been only moderate. He has over the second half of the season shown strong signs through the midfield and has hit the scoreboard with frequency which is something he did not do last year or in the first few games this season. His disposal efficiency is excellent both at TAC Cup level and particularly through the U18 Championships with his role primarily in the back half helping with that efficiency through the U18 Championships. His tackle numbers are also very good by position and are helped by his speed and agility. He finds a large proportion of his ball through handball receives and will need to start winning more of his own ball and taking more marks around the ground to take that next step towards becoming a high production player.

 

[Knightmare]

28. Corey Ellis (VIC – Util)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 76kg, DOB: 09/10/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Draft range: 8-25
Best position/role: Half forward flank.
Strengths:
Footskills – Ellis when given the time and space on the outside demonstrates excellent footskills on his left side and the consistent ability to hit his targets around the ground. He kicks are well weighted and out in front of his targets for them to lead onto.
Vision – Ellis demonstrates excellent vision and is a real playmaker with his ability to find the targets inside the forward 50. When he has the time and space he will lower his eyes and find the best target.
Versatility – Ellis has shown the versatility to play through the midfield in outside or inside roles, the ability to play forward and also the ability to play off a back flank.
Evasiveness – Ellis is not freakishly evasive or a sidestepping specialist but at times can great more time for himself with some ball fakes or by stopping on a dime and having opposition players run past him.
Not a soft outside player – Ellis is capable of winning some of his own ball inside the contest and has a nice balance between contested and uncontested ball winning numbers, he also is a lively tackler and around the ball gives relatively good tackling effort.
Scoreboard impact – While his goalkicking tally will not show it averaging less than a goal a game through the TAC Cup, his 6 goals, 11 behinds from 8 games suggests that he can get into position to have shots at goal.
Weaknesses:
Speed/athleticism – Ellis has only average pace and is not a threat to break the lines or take on the game with his pace as someone who is not overly quick.
Decision making under pressure – Under pressure Ellis often has a really rushed feel. He can get his handballs off to a target when the opportunity is there but when force to kick he can be prone to some poor kicks forward leading to turnovers.
Ability to cope with a tag – At this stage if anyone plays an even relatively accountable game on Ellis it seems to really rattle him and his impact on the game as a result becomes negligible.
Best position? – At this stage Ellis to me does not have a clear best position. I would be inclined to think he would be best suited on a forward flank given he can hit some meaningful inside 50 targets but there is still that question mark until he really looks settled somewhere.
Production – Ellis’s production throughout the year in the Tac Cup has been fairly mild as an only average accumulator.
What I expect will improve:
I anticipate Ellis works to add some pace and finds a best position but otherwise I expect he works to continue to improve upon his strengths.
Who he can become?
Ellis has some Didak to him but is less productive, less freakishly talented version.
When will he be ready to play?
Ellis will need to improve his game first at state league level but by season two he would be hoping to push for some senior opportunities and come season three will be hoping for regular senior games.
How to best utilise him?
Ellis at this stage looks like he would be utilised as a playmaker on a forward flank.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Ellis is not a high volume accumulator and while he had a couple of high production games early on through the U18 Championships that production died away over the latter games. Similarly through the TAC Cup while he had a big game v Northern Territory with 30+ disposals, 10+ marks and two goals there were no other games where he had 30 disposals or more than even five mark or more than one goal in any of his other games. His disposal efficiency also is only about average at just below 70% through the U18 Championships and his kicking efficiency through the TAC Cup below 50%. His conversion from shots at goal is also poor with nearly twice as many behinds as he had goals through the TAC Cup.


29. Oscar McDonald (VIC – KPD)
Height: 196cm, Weight: 88kg, DOB: 18/03/1996
Recruited from: North Ballarat
Draft range: 30-70
Best position/role: Centre half back.
Strengths:
1v1 ability – McDonald has the strength to hold his position in the contest and consistently win the 1v1 contests, often outbodying opponents in the contest and generally reading the flight of the ball better. He often takes 1v1 marks and makes the right choices as to whether he can take the mark or needs to get the spoil in.
Ability to read the flight of the ball – McDonald is excellent at reading the flight of the ball anticipating where the ball will go and getting there for the easy intercept mark. He makes good decisions as to when he can leave his direct opponent for the intercept mark or when he needs to stay with them. He also in the 1v1 contest reads it superbly, reading the drop of the ball and protecting the drop of the ball for the easy mark.
Movement and athleticism – McDonald for a tall moves very well. He is very mobile for his height and has very good agility. He has very good closing speed and can stay with opposition forwards. His endurance is excellent, staying with his opponents and covering the ground well over the course of games. He also has a good leap on him and is competitive and able to get stops in the air whether that be a spoil or mark.
Ability to limit the influence of direct opponent – He is a good height, has the strength to beat his opponents 1v1 in the contest, is good in the air and can shut down his opponents on the lead. The one knock defensively from a shutdown perspective is his second and third efforts can at times be slow and mean he can at times get exposed against if the ball goes to ground and his opponent is quicker following up the ball at ground level.
Rebounding from the back half – McDonald is generally a relatively efficient user of the ball from the back half. He can hit his targets up the ground and at times will kick low, long passes up the ground and be the one starting the offense himself with his drive out of the back half. He is also at times willing when the opportunity is there to provide some run and carry out of the back half.
TAC Cup form – McDonald has had a terrific season at TAC Cup level and was rightly awarded the TAC Cup coaches award. He had a consistent season and has the performances on the board as one of the best performed if not the best performed key defender this year between his ability to negate the influence of his direct opponents and to take intercept marks and provide rebound himself.
Versatility – While McDonald is best suited as a key defender he has also shown that he can go forward and as required kick a goal. He is relatively clean with his pickups at ground level, tackles strongly and reads it well coming into the front half so while it is not something I would necessarily want him to have to do regularly at AFL level it is something as required he can do.
Weaknesses:
Slow when it hits the deck and slow second and third efforts – The main time McDonald gets exposed is when the ball hits the deck, he can at times be slow reacting and if his opponent is a quicker ground level player he can get exposed. Also his second and third efforts are not up to the expected standard at this stage; as good as he moves he lacks that quickness reacting at times to get to that next ball and then move onto that next play quickly enough.
No U18 Championships games – McDonald as terrific as he has been through the TAC Cup has not received the opportunity to play through the U18 Championships and missed that opportunity to play against the better competition in the country and as a result his form may be less exposed compared to some other draft prospects.
What I expect will improve:
I expect McDonald largely will continue to improve his two way game as a stopper and rebounder and to continue his natural development.
Who he can become?
I see McDonald developing into something like a poor man’s Alex Rance as someone who can beat his direct opponent but also be involved as a rebounder from the back half.
When will he be ready to play?
McDonald could receive senior opportunities as early as season two but I anticipate in season three if the opportunity is there that he establishes himself as a regular best 22 player for a team.
How to best utilise him?
McDonald is best utilised at centre half back.
Interpretation of his numbers:
McDonald’s numbers have been excellent at TAC Cup level by position. He finds plenty of the ball. Takes his mark per game and contested mark per game numbers are excellent by position. His ball use has generally been relatively efficient. He has also done a terrific job limiting the influence of his direct opponents and stopping them from achieving their usual numbers and influence on games.


30. Toby McLean (VIC – Fwd/Mid)
Height: 179cm, Weight: 70kg, DOB: 31/01/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Draft range: 25-rookie
Best position/role: Small marking forward.
Strengths:
Marking ability – McLean’s point of difference is his marking ability. He has overhead genuine sticky hands, rarely dropping a mark. His aerial work is terrific, reading the flight of the ball consistently and he is capable of taking high flying marks frequently. He is a very strong mark on the lead and often finds space inside 50 or around the ground for easy uncontested marks. He can also take some strong contested marks at times.
Improving – His numbers over the second half of the season were a significant improvement over his numbers through the first half of the season while also keeping up his scoreboard impact.
Ability to push up into the midfield – As the year has progressed McLean has received more opportunities to push up the ground into the midfield.
Scoreboard impact – McLean in a rotational forward/midfield role this year averaged more than 1.5 goals per game to finish in the top five goal kickers in the TAC Cup.
Athleticism – McLean has an incredible leap for a small that allows him to play taller than his height but he also is an excellent mover as someone who can with his pace take on the game.
Evasiveness – McLean has excellent agility and lots of evasive tricks in his arsenal as someone who can run around opposition players, show the opponent the ball and go the other way, avoid tackles, use timely spin moves or just shrug tackles. He also draws lots of free kicks from high tackles.
Strength through the hips - When he does get tackled he has the strength through the hips to stand up through tackle and be able to deliver a clean handball to a target or get a clean kick away or sometimes when within range finish for the goal.
Skillset – McLean by hand and foot is a reliable user of the ball and demonstrates good vision and composure with ball in hand. He consistently makes good decisions and rarely wastes any of his possessions.
Big game player – A best on ground in the TAC Cup Grand Final is a good sign that he will be able to cope during big finals games at the next level.
Weaknesses:
Light body – At 70kg McLean is still some way away from building up an AFL body as someone who physically will early on get pushed around and pushed off the ball.
Tackling ability – McLean is a capable tackler and his tackle numbers are about average but he is not a high volume tackler, pressure specialist or chase down tackle specialist in the front half at this point.
Contested ball winning ability – McLean can win some of his own ball but at this stage but as a smaller bodied player he is not likely to become a dominant contested ball winner.
What I expect will improve:
I imagine McLean will put some further size onto his frame but otherwise I imagine he will continue to improve at what he does and look to continue to build upon his existing strengths so as to become an effective forward at AFL level.
Who he can become?
McLean has the ability to become something like a poor man’s Jamie Elliott.
When will he be ready to play?
McLean from season two I imagine will start to receive some senior AFL opportunities and season three I expect he will establish himself as part of a best team.
How to best utilise him?
McLean is best utilised in a forward pocket, occasionally rotating up the field as required.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Marking numbers by position are elite. Goalkicking numbers by position are excellent. His disposal per game numbers are excellent, as is his disposal efficiency by position. His numbers have also over the course of the season trended upward suggesting strong continued improvement which is an encouraging sign that he will continue over future seasons to continue his development.

 

[Knightmare]

31. Josh Glenn (SA – Util)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 78kg, DOB: 10/03/1994
Recruited from: Central Districts
Draft range: 40-rookie
Best position/role: Half back flank.
Strengths:
Versatility – Glenn has the versatility to play off a back flank, forward flank, on a wing or through the midfield on the ball.
Footskills – Glenn is an excellent kick of the footy. He has some real composure with ball in hand and he is an excellent left foot kick to a target demonstrating good vision and execution on his kicks. He makes good decisions consistently. He has penetration out to around 55m on his kick and is good over short, medium and long distance. He is a mostly a good finisher around goal both from general play and from set shots. He is also very efficient with his ball use as someone who knows when to look for someone damaging and when to go for the short, easy target. He is an excellent kick into the forward 50 and a real playmaker kicking it out in front of the forward 50 targets to run onto, really placing his kicks well. His work by hand is also consistent and reliable. He already has that AFL quality polish to his ball use.
Work rate – Glenn covers the ground well and has excellent endurance. He will often find a ball on a back flank and provide run or find a target and then continue to follow the ball up the field into the front half to remain involved in the offensive drive.
Inside/outside balance – Although as a smaller player who is damaging on the outside Glenn has a relatively good inside/outside balance to his game. He can find the ball on the outside but he also shown that he can win some of his own ball and win some clearances at times.
Scoreboard impact – Glenn this season in the SANFL at League level averaged nearly a goal a game which for someone who only occasionally played forward is very good.
Intercept marking ability – When utilised down back Glenn shows that he reads the flight of the ball well and has a good feel for when to leave his man for the intercept mark. He also demonstrates strong hands overhead.
Pace – Glenn has good pace and can at times take on the game and provide some good run and carry.
Weaknesses:
Maturity? - Glenn in his draft year had a falling out with his U18 coach and after the first few games of the season did not play again. Then last year the good sign was that he pushed from nowhere into the senior SANFL League side but then decided against nominating for the national draft which for a player in demand after a breakout season is highly unusual. This year he is nominating for the AFL draft and saying that he is ready, but this is a highly unusual pathway into the AFL system and you would want to know from interviewing his past coaches some further insight into his coachability and maturity.
Best position – Glenn with the success he has had in a number of different positions, it is difficult to peg him into a definite best position.
Defensive running – Glenn is someone who does significant damage offensively and while he has improved his defensive running this year it is not an area of strength at this stage as more a damaging offensive player than a two way player.
Tackling ability – Glenn is a below average tackler, his tackling numbers are below average and his tackles are not bone crunching. I find he does not always go as hard at the opposition player with the ball as he does at other times with his strength more when his team has possession.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Glenn to remain more an offensive minded player, perhaps he improves his defensive running and tackling slightly but overall I see him looking to continue to build on his strengths and translate them to AFL level.
Who he can become?
Josh Glenn has the scope to develop into something like a poor man’s Bachar Houli as that similar running back flanker who can offensively do some damage offensively.
When will he be ready to play?
Glenn is season one ready to play and will look from season one to receive a number of games and likely in season two look to establish himself as a regular for a team.
How to best utilise him?
Glenn with his versatility gives you options but I slightly prefer him at this point off a back flank with his run and carry and ability to find targets by foot up the field.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Glenn’s numbers through the SANFL at League level have been strong for a damaging player. His disposal per game numbers have been at times up and down but mostly very good, his disposal efficiency is excellent, his mark per game numbers were good, his scoreboard impact was excellent for a mostly midfielder, his clearance per game numbers were solid with his tackle per game numbers slightly below average for a midfielder.


32. Caleb Daniel (SA – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 167cm, Weight: 66kg, DOB: 07/07/1996
Recruited from: South Adelaide
Draft range: Late-rookie
Best position/role: Rotational forward/midfielder.
Strengths:
Disposal efficiency – Through the U18 Championships from his three games Daniel had a rare disposal efficiency of over 90% which is staggering given he averaged 20 disposals per game over three games and his disposal efficiency at SANFL League level similarly has been outstanding.
Footskills – By foot Daniel can do it all. He is the most efficient kicking midfielder/forward you will ever see but then he is also a very damaging kick. He is the best kick to a target in this draft as someone who over short and medium distances particularly seems to just about never miss a target. He also has penetration out to 50m which as required he can use. He executes to targets perfectly both when in space on the outside or under pressure in congestion. He is a terrific playmaker in that he consistently finds the inside 50 targets or targets around the ground better positioned to generate meaningful offensive drives. He is also a capable finisher when within range from goal, he can finish with drop punts, snaps or and kick required depending on the circumstance and is a reliable converter both from field kicks and set shots. When within range from goal he consistently displays a real unselfishness whereby if he is in a low percentage position and unlikely to kick the goal he will look to find a target in better position to finish for the goal.
Vision – Daniel has excellent vision and consistently finds the best targets up the field or around the ground, he consistently lowers his eyes and because of it consistently finds the highest percentage targets around the ground and inside 50.
Decision making ability – With ball in hand Daniel just about never makes a mistake, consistently identifying the highest percentage option and hitting them by hand and foot. He will rarely kick it long to a contest or just kick it long without purpose if it is not to a target, he will generally look to with every touch identify and find the best targets around the ground.
Ability to execute under pressure – Daniel regardless of how much pressure he is under by hand and foot continues to execute his skills and hit his targets and has a real cleanness with everything he does. He just has a real composure with ball in hand, seemingly never fumbling or looking rushed. It is not even using any special evasive tricks in traffic; he just quickly identifies a good option and executes his skill to a target, no dramas. He also in general play with ball in hand will continue running, draw some opposition tacklers then last second deliver a handball out to a target which I also really like, with his timing spot on.
Endurance – Daniel out on the field is constantly on the move and never seems to stop. He is constantly running and working his man over to get into space on the outside and in traffic he is constantly on the move and buzzing around. At the draft combine he scored an elite 16.1 so this should not come as a surprise.
Inside/outside balance – Daniel to his game has a nice inside/outside balance. He is not a dominant contested ball winner and will be an outside player at the next level but he can certainly win his own ball and has good contested ball winning numbers and uses the ball particularly well in congestion but then on the outside he also has the work rate to work into space and find lots of the footy and use his run and use the ball efficiently so he is the complete package.
Weaknesses:
Small – At 167cm Daniel is by AFL standards in the extreme category of small but in saying that Brent Harvey is the same height and has no issues so while ideally he would be 15cm or 20cm taller, he still even at 167cm has a real chance to make it, particularly given his ability with ball in hand.
Pace – Daniel because he is always on the move looks quick and he can at times run around guys and take on the game with some run and carry, but he is not all that explosive which as an extreme small will be a drawback given he is more an outside type.
Not suited as a crumbing forward – Daniel can do some of the things crumbing forwards can do, he finishes well around goal, can convert from his set shots, hit targets in better positions to finish and at ground level he is terrific and clean but it is not a role I see him or being overly dominant in at AFL level with no one thing he can do deep in the front half that makes him suited to playing a crumbing forward role. Daniel is overall more a high motor guy who is better suited up the ground finding targets and accumulating rather than being locked into playing permanently in the front half.
What I expect will improve:
I do not see Daniel’s game changing all that much other than adjusting to the AFL level game. He will continue to refine what he does but in the most part what you see is what you get.
Who he can become?
Daniel has the feel of a poor man’s Brent Harvey as a slightly less quick and less dominant version.
When will he be ready to play?
Daniel has the ability to play from season one, and I would be inclined to say as soon as round one depending on whether the opportunity is there. He is, short and small as he is an immediate player.
How to best utilise him?
Daniel is best utilised on a forward flank, rotating up onto a wing.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Daniel’s numbers at SANFL League level and through the U18 Championships have been outstanding. His ability to accumulate both the inside and outside ball are strong. His tackling numbers are fine. His disposal efficiency is through the roof, with a disposal efficiency of above 90% through his three games during the U18 Championships. He hits the scoreboard at a good rate. All the signs suggest that he can play from season one at AFL level and that he the size of the bodies will not be a problem given he has already proven he can play against men at SANFL League level and with his strengths skill and endurance related, his strengths will at the next level remain strengths.


33. Daniel McKenzie (VIC – Def/Mid)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 17/05/1996
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Draft range: 15-45
Best position/role: Half back flank.
Strengths:
Athleticism – McKenzie is one of the standout athletes in this draft testing in the top 10 for agility, running vertical jump, repeat sprints and the 3km time trial. McKenzie frequently uses his pace in game to break the lines and provide meaningful run and carry with ball in hand.
Defensive ability - He also uses his athleticism well defensively and it allows him to restrict the influence of his direct opponent by being able to stay with them not only for pace, in the air and also around the ground. He also runs back strongly in transition as one of the best transition runners in this draft.
Footskills – McKenzie is one of the elite kicks in this draft. He has a long penetrating kick and over a variety of distances can hit his targets lace out. He kicks it out in front of leading players, guiding them to where he wants them to lead to give them the easiest possible uncontested marks. He is capable at times of delivering low, hard daggers for kicks that can get to their destination quickly. He also is a highly efficient kick and while he is damaging, he also is a consistent kick, mostly connecting sweetly on his kicks.
Vision and decision making ability – McKenzie has elite vision and consistently finds the best targets up the ground. He can find targets inside 50 lace out consistently for easy marks but then also finds long targets up the ground and executes and hits them no problem.
Intercept marking – McKenzie reads the flight of the ball well and in the back half is a very good intercept mark, and makes good decisions as to when he can peel off his opponent to take the intercept mark.
Versatility – McKenzie while best suited on a back flank is also as required capable on a forward flank or through the midfield. He can also play a variety of different roles and down back he is not only effective as a rebounder but also can close down his direct opponents influence.
Weaknesses:
Offensive influence – McKenzie does not every week have as noticeable of an offensive influence on the outcome as he should as someone with his linebreaking ability and footskills with only some meaningful possessions each game, though as the season he has improved at this and become more damaging more often.
Easy outside ball – At this stage McKenzie does not find as much easy outside ball as he should and out of the back half and as a link man needs to find more space and find more ways to get his hands on it more as he is someone who can at times do damage with ball in hand.
Slow start to the season – Over the first half of the season McKenzie’s performances were mild at best but as the season progressed he worked his way into the season and started to find the ball more often as he played more in the back half.
What I expect will improve:
McKenzie I imagine will look to kick his hurt factor up a gear in the AFL system, look to find more of the ball and look to influence games offensively more often.
Who he can become?
McKenzie although slightly less damaging has the scope to develop into something like Aaron Mullett as a similarly damaging back flanker.
When will he be ready to play?
McKenzie from season two I imagine will start to push for some senior games and come season three I expect he will be looking to establish himself as a regular part of a best 22.
How to best utilise him?
McKenzie is best utilised across a back flank.
Interpretation of his numbers:
McKenzie’s numbers over the first half of the season were unimpressive but over the second half he started to find more of the ball. He would benefit from finding more uncontested ball with his uncontested ball numbers lower than they could be. His disposal efficiency and kicking efficiency is very good. His marks per game numbers of the second half of the season were very good. His tackles per game numbers are strong by position.

 

[Knightmare]

34. Tom Lamb (VIC – Util)
Height:192cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 19/10/1996
Recruited from: Dandenong Stingrays
Draft range: 6-25
Best position/role: Medium forward.
Strengths:
Endurance and athleticism – Lamb has excellent endurance finishing sub 10 minutes over 3km and scoring a 15+ beep score. In game Lamb at times shows his very good leaping ability and also shows in game some above average pace for someone his height. I also after marks like his tendency to play on and take the game on, as he often recognises when the man on the mark is tired and will go at the right times when he is confident he can get by the man on the mark.
Versatility – Lamb has at times played forward, back and through the midfield, getting opportunities in each area of the ground.
Ground level ability – Lamb is clean below the knees with his pickups. He has some natural crumbing ability and can be used at times as a front and centre option. His second and third efforts also are excellent and he will go from one contest onto the next contest.
Hits the ball at pace – Lamb has shown on many occasions that he can hit the ball at pace and win it and continue accelerating without any pause, such is his cleanness.
Offensive positioning – Lamb, particularly when played behind the ball will continually be running behind a player or behind the back of a pack giving his teammates an option to pass to as security and as a result he finds lots of easy uncontested ball through this method.
Ability to read the flight of the ball – Lamb reads the flight of the ball well and generally does a good job getting to the drop of the ball.
Scoreboard impact – When given regular opportunity in the front half while it might not happen every week Lamb can on his good days provide some heavy scoreboard impact and as he showed in round one v Gippsland Power with his six goals in that game.
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent – From game to game Lamb does not always bring the same effort and intent at the contest as a result from game to game has mixed and inconsistent results.
Intensity – Lamb often lacks intensity to his game and can at times lack that intent to go for and win the contested ball. He is capable of winning the contested ball and his contested ball winning numbers are reasonably good, but he can at times pick and choose when he goes and he does not always bring the physical presence around the contest that he at his height should.
Work by hand – Lamb by hand while he has improved as the season has progressed he is still very poor and sloppy with his work by hand, rarely connecting sweetly with the ball. He can often miss his targets by hand and when rushed or under pressure will often miss targets by hand altogether, just lacking that bit of composure.
Defensive smarts – Lamb when played in the back half too often loses his opponent and does not often enough sit between his opponent and the oppositions goals or pay enough attention to his direct opponent. He also too often protects the wrong spaces in defence and just needs to go through the learning of where he needs to be, when. At the moment the question of whether it is just laziness or lack of understanding whether to be springs to mind but his positioning is just that bad, that often at the moment I can only assume it is a lack of understanding where to be.
Marking ability – Lamb is a threat on the lead and in the air to take some marks, and is hard to defend as a result but overhead can at times lack consistency and drop some marks he should consistently take.
Decision making ability – Lamb with ball in hand is prone to making poor, rushed decisions by hand and foot lacking composure.
Footskills – Lamb’s footskills at the start of the year were poor with his field kicking to targets inconsistent and his set shot goalkicking inconsistent but as the season has progressed he has shown significant improvement, particularly in his ability to hit his targets over a variety of distances and also has shown improved vision finding some good targets at times up the ground when he has time and space with the ball which is encouraging. Next he will need to improve his work when he does not have as much time to dispose of the ball with that still seeming to be a challenge for Lamb.
Lack of a best position – At this stage given Lamb has been thrown around and played in so many different positions it is hard to say with certainty where his best position is.
Disposal efficiency – Lamb’s disposal efficiency is poor with a disposal efficiency through the U18 Championships of less than 60% and similarly poor through the TAC Cup. A lot of it has to do with his poor work by hand and his poor ability to dispose of the ball while under pressure.
What I expect will improve:
I think Lamb can continue to improve his footskills given the improvement he was showing us this season and he has an opportunity to find a best position with continued play in a set position or role I feel Lamb will remain a frustrating and inconsistent player throughout his career.
Who he can become?
I see Lamb as being similar to Mitch Morton. Terrific talent and like Morton I feel Lamb is best suited in the front half as someone who can at times do some real damage but I also expect similar frustrations and inconsistencies with Lamb.
When will he be ready to play?
Lamb I anticipate will take some time to develop and in season two I imagine he will be starting to push for some senior AFL opportunities and come season three I imagine he will be working towards regular senior AFL games.
How to best utilise him?
Lamb I feel is best utilised in the front half as a medium forward. He has the talent to on his day hit the scoreboard in bunches and given his endurance he is someone who I can see working over some opposition defenders with his ability to push up the ground.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Lamb’s numbers by position are good but not dominant and are up and down from game to game. His disposal efficiency is below average. His mark and tackle numbers per game are both fairly good. His scoreboard impact when forward while inconsistent is also relatively good.


35. Liam Dawson (Brisbane - Academy - QLD – Util)
Height:188m, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 23/01/1996
Recruited from: Aspley
Draft range: 3rd round
Best position/role: Half back flank
Strengths:
Ability to read the flight of the ball – What Dawson does best at this point is reading the flight of the ball. Particularly down back he reads it extremely well consistently getting in position to take intercept marks, and getting to the drop of the ball. He has an excellent awareness for when he can leave his direct opponent for the easy intercept mark.
Versatility – Dawson has the ability to play back, forward or through the midfield in outside or inside roles. He also can at times play taller than his height and matches up well on players of varied heights.
Ability overhead – Dawson is a very strong mark overhead. He has strong, clean hands and also in the 1v1 contest is a strong mark and also has strong contested marking ability. He is also a strong mark in the air.
Scoreboard impact – Dawson has shown at times when pushed forward he can hit the scoreboard. In two of his games representing Queensland in the TAC Cup he kicked four and three goals in those games. From general play he is a good finisher and can make the most of his opportunities.
Outside run and linkup ability – Dawson is while only an average to above average athlete is someone who is a smart outside runner and seems to run to the right spaces, really working hard to find the ball and run into the spaces to be used as a link in a chain up the field.
Production – Dawson is a well performed player who has through the U18 Championships in 2013 and in his first game this year performed strongly. His play for Queensland in the TAC Cup this year has also been strong. At both levels he has shown that he can find strong numbers and take lots of intercept marks, marks around the ground and contested marks.
1v1 ability – Dawson is a capable 1v1 player and forward or back in the contest has the strength to outbody and superior ability read the ball better than his direct opponent to more often than not beat them in the marking contest. He also in the back half has the ability to complete a shutdown role if required given his strength in the contest and ability to play on opponents of varied sizes and types.
Weaknesses:
Contested ball winning ability – While Dawson can win some of his own ball it is not a feature of his game at this point as someone who finds most of his ball on the outside or from marks.
Inside game – Dawson has at times played on the ball but of the positions he plays it is at this point his least natural. He can at times read the ruck taps and his tackling is sound but his hands in close and at ground level lack some cleanness and generally seem cleaner with time and space on the outside and with his contested ball winning also not dominant it is not a position he is likely to play at AFL level.
Ground level ability – At times at ground level Dawson can fumble and he lacks the cleanness of some of the really high end midfielders.
Footskills – Dawson can at times be a playmaker and do damage by foot with his long 55m kick but at other times can also lack some consistency and use it inefficiently, missing some targets. He has good vision and can find some dangerous targets up the field over long distance but at times his decision making is not up to the level it needs to be.
What I expect will improve:
With Dawson in the most part I anticipate that he will continue to improve at what he does but I think he has some ability to improve the contested side of his game and become cleaner and more consistent with his ball use.
Who he can become?
I see Dawson developing into something similar to Sam Gilbert in the back half as someone who likes to be released and given the freedom to at times play as a loose defender.
When will he be ready to play?
Dawson as good as his production has been I expect will take at least a year if not two to adjust to the pace at AFL level. He may receive some senior AFL opportunities from season one but I anticipate that it will be in season two or three that he establishes himself as a regular at AFL level.
How to best utilise him?
Dawson looks best utilised across a back flank but he also as required depending on team needs on the day has the ability to play other positions or other roles as required.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Dawson’s numbers through the U18 Championships in 2013 were terrific and then in game one this year similarly he again put forward a strong performance. In the TAC Cup for Queensland he has also performed strongly and put forward strong performances. His disposal per game numbers have been excellent whether played back, through the midfield or in the front half. His mark and contested mark per game numbers for a sub 190cm player are elite. When played in the front half he has shown that he can hit the scoreboard. His disposal efficiency and contested ball numbers are lower than would be ideal but otherwise he is a very well performed player.


36. Brayden Maynard (VIC – Util)
Height: 186cm, Weight: 88kg, DOB: 20/09/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Draft range: 15-55
Best position/role: Rotational midfielder – on the ball.
Strengths:
Versaility – Maynard has the ability to play in the back half, in the forward half and through the midfield.
1v1 ability – He has the strength to win the 1v1 contests both in the front and back half with his strength and he also can at both ends take some strong 1v1 marks by out-bodying his direct opponent in the contest.
Ability to read the flight – Maynard reads the flight of the ball particularly well and reads it earlier off the boot than others. As a result of this down back he knows when to peel off his man for the easy intercept marks. In the front half similarly reads the flight early which allows him to get to the drop of the ball, often for easy uncontested marks in the forward 50.
Marking ability – Maynard overhead is a reliable mark and is a strong mark both uncontested and 1v1. He is also willing to launch at the ball and attack it in the air and just throw the force of his body at the ball at the appropriate times.
Tackling ability – Maynard is a strong tackler and not only does he have strong tackle per game numbers but with his tackles he really buries guys into the ground and with his strength his tackles are exceptionally hard to break. His tackling pressure in the forward 50 is also excellent and he shows a real commitment to the pressuring side of the game.
Work off the ball – I have been impressed by the things Maynard does off the ball. Maynard will give hard bumps around the ball, handball off to someone in better position and give an opposition player a hard bump or protect his team mates who have ball in hand.
Work by hand – Maynard’s work by hand is excellent. He has good awareness of who is around him and his work by hand is reliable, consistently finding his targets. He also has the feel of a natural inside extractor on the rare few occasions he has played through the midfield with his work by hand in traffic excellent, finding the outside runners.
Contested ball winning ability – Maynard has the size and strength to win the contested ball and ground balls around the ground and has a real hard edge and a hard attack on the ball and competitiveness to go with it.
Scoreboard impact – Maynard provides solid scoreboard impact, averaging nearly a goal a game which for someone who is not a permanent forward as someone who spends time in the back half and occasionally through the midfield.
Movement – Maynard has only average pace but he is willing at times to take on the game with the pace he does have, he has good agility for someone his size and can change direction fairly well but then also pulls out the occasional ball fake or evasive trick.
Weaknesses:
No clear best position – At this stage it is hard to say with certainty where Maynard is best suited. He is good back, forward and for limited bursts through the midfield at this point and plays each position reasonably well but not to such a dominant standard that you can define a set position as being his best.
Endurance – Maynard at this stage needs to build his endurance, his relative lack of endurance has prevented him from playing regular midfield minutes to this point.
Footskills – Maynard has nice vision and can at times finds some meaningful targets up the field and do some damage over medium to long distance but at other times he can also make the wrong decisions by foot and at other times lack consistency with his execution to a target.
What I expect will improve:
Maynard likely stays much the same type of player and mostly will look to improve on his strengths but his endurance will be the area he has to, and should in an AFL environment improve.
Who he can become?
I see Maynard becoming something like Brent Macaffer as someone who has good size and can play a number of different roles without having a clearly defined best position that he will play throughout his career.
When will he be ready to play?
Maynard will take time to build up his endurance first, it is possible perhaps in the back half of season two that he could receive some opportunities and the hope would be that in season three he can establish himself as part of a best team.
How to best utilise him?
Maynard if he can improve his endurance I feel will be best utilised on the ball through the midfield as a rotational midfielder based on his mix of attributes. He is a strong tackler, does good work off the ball, is excellent with his work by hand and can win his own ball. Whether Maynard rotates forward or back could depend on where he is more needed as he can play both ends reasonable well.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Maynard’s numbers given he is mostly playing forward and back have been strong. His tackle and mark per game numbers are excellent. He is hitting the scoreboard for nearly a goal a game which given he is not a permanent forward is good. His disposal efficiency is about average through the TAC Cup and was below average through the U18 Championships. His numbers per game through the U18 Championships were strong and through the TAC Cup above average and probably with regular midfield minutes would have been better.

 

[Knightmare]

37. Harris Andrews (Bris – Academy - QLD – KPF/KPD)
Height: 198cm, Weight: 91kg, DOB: 12/11/1996
Recruited from: Aspley
Draft range: 4th round
Best position/role: Full back.
Strengths:
Versatility – Can play key forward, key defence or ruck well. As a forward he has shown that he can hit the scoreboard and provide strong scoreboard impact. As a key defender he has shown that he can shut down opponents. And as a ruckman while he more likely is a part time ruckman his tap work has also been very good.
Athleticism – Andrews is an excellent athlete by position. He is strong and looks like he will continue to add size to his frame and get much stronger but he also moves exceptionally well and has nice pace, agility, endurance and leaping ability for someone his size.
Late bloomer/upside – Andrews from what I understand grew later and has only over the past year or so really added weight to his frame and with that being the case often comes strong scope to further improve. He has as the season has progressed improved significantly which can be seen in his upward trending numbers through the TAC Cup and his other late season performances and with this the case it can reasonably be assumed that he will continue improving at a strong rate over coming seasons. Additionally the December birthday only increases this feeling with Andrews.
Shutdown game – In the back half Andrews is an effective shutdown key defender as someone who 1v1 has the strength to stay in the contest and get a spoil in. He also has good closing speed and can stick with his opponents on the lead.
Contested marking ability – A high proportion of Andrews’ marks are contested, particularly in the back half where he is in the most part reluctant to leave his opponent to take intercept marks instead sticking with them and taking the occasional 1v1 mark or pack grab. Also impressive with his marking ability is his ability to take the mark at the highest point, which as a guy as tall as Andrews is, is hard to defend. He can at times drop some marks and even some easy uncontested marks but in the most part his work overhead has been impressive. In the front half Andrews is mostly a marking forward as someone who can take pack marks, 1v1 marks, marks on the lead and at times some marks in the air.
Scoreboard impact – When played in the front half Andrews has shown in the past that he can provide strong scoreboard impact kicking big goal totals weekly at the lower levels in Queensland.
Skillset – Andrews for a tall has a relatively sound skillset. His disposal efficiency is excellent and by hand and foot he has the ability to hit his targets and he can convert from his set shot opportunities in front of goal.
Weaknesses:
Ability to find the footy – While he is finding more of the footy and getting more involved as the season has progressed Andrews at this stage forward, back and through the ruck is a relatively low production player.
Uncontested ball winning ability – At this stage Andrews collects an exceptionally high proportion of his ball from contested situations and at this stage struggles to find much easy, uncontested ball.
Unproven goalkicker against better competition – At this stage Andrews has only dominated in the front half against young Queensland competition and while he is against better competition capable of kicking the occasional goal we have not yet seen him out and out dominate against better competition. But then against he has received limited opportunities to do this playing much of the season as a key defender, and when he has played forward he has often also had to take on some ruck minutes which has limited his potential for heavy scoreboard impact.
Intercept marking ability – At this stage Andrews is a relatively unproven intercept mark as a low volume intercept mark at this stage, who in the most part sticks to his role of beating his direct opponent.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Andrews to continue to build his strength and continue to become a stronger 1v1 player. I anticipate he develops into more a key defender so I expect the negating aspects of his game improve and for the intercept marking side of his game to grow over time.
Who he can become?
Andrews has the scope to develop into something similar to Joel Tippett as a similar tall, strong, athletic type who can play a role in the back half.
When will he be ready to play?
Andrews will take time to develop and I imagine season three we will start to see him and season four will be the season he looks to establish himself as part of a best team.
How to best utilise him?
Andrews looks best utilised at full back as a tall key defender who has the body to develop the strength to go with the bigger key forwards in the game.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Andrews’ numbers are relatively lean overall but trending sharply upward. Most of his touches at this point come from contested possessions and a high proportion of his marks are contested marks. His disposal efficiency for a big is also excellent.


38. Jeremy Finlayson (GWS - Academy - NSW – KPD/KPF)
Height: 195cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 02/09/1996
Recruited from: Hills Eage
Draft range: Last GWS pick.
Best position/role: Centre half back.
Strengths:
Ability to find the footy – Finlayson is an unusually high volume accumulator who consistently pushes up the ground, getting involved whether that be taking a mark up the field on a wing or after making a lead and getting overlooked to then work to get involved in a handballing chain sequence to then push forward hard again. His numbers through the U18 Championships and TAC Cup have been solid but through the NEAFL for GWS he has in many of his games found more of the ball than GWS’ other young key position players which speaks volumes about his production with his season high coming in round 19 with a 27 disposal, 13 mark, two goal performance which is terrific performance against more mature bodies.
Endurance – Finlayson is an elite endurance athlete by position and he is constantly moving, working his opponent over, going on multiple leads or making a lead and pushing back hard towards goal. He can go all day up forward and down back has the ability to go with the quicker and high motor key forwards.
Athleticism – Finlayson in addition to his endurance also has excellent pace and can on the lead create excellent separation or in the back half use his closing speed to stop the oppositions leading forwards.
Leading patterns – Finlayson’s leading patterns are terrific, leading to the open spaces and continually working into space up the ground or at times open spaces in the forward 50. In addition to his elite running ability it allows him to take so many uncontested marks.
Versatility – Finlayson while he has mostly played forward has the ability to play at both ends well. He is best suited in more of a high role whether that is at centre half back or centre half forward but he can at times also be played closer to goal. He has also at times pinch-hit through the ruck and shown that he gets involved around the ground but given he is only 195cm he is not likely to play any minutes through the ruck at AFL level.
Ability to read the play – Finlayson is terrific at reading the play for intercept marks and he does it routinely both in the front and back halves. Behind the play his ability to read the play and peel off his man other than his ability to for pace and endurance stay with most forwards is that other point of difference and if given a stretch of games in the back half I imagine his intercept mark numbers would be excellent.
Ground level ability – Finlayson is not freakish at ground level but certainly very clean and one grab with his pickups off the deck.
Weaknesses:
Contested marking – While Finlayson has relatively clean hands overhead and is a very effective uncontested mark and mark on the lead he is not a threat to take contested marks. He lacks that strength in the marking contest and is someone who more so sits back and waits for the ball to come to him for the mark rather than actively attacking the ball in the air or looking to crash packs or take commanding pack marks. It is just not his game at this stage.
Lack of physical edge – Finlayson at this point lacks a physical edge to his game and does not give the sense that he will crash a pack, or impact on opposition bodies in any way. He does not attack the contest or win much contested footy as a tall primarily getting his ball in uncontested situations.
1v1 ability – Finlayson at this stage lacks the ability in the 1v1 contest to consistently beat his opponent.
Strength – Finlayson at this point still is developing his frame and he is starting to put some weight onto his frame but that is still at this point a work in progress.
Tackling ability – Finlayson as the season has progressed has improved his tackling but at this stage he is not laying as many tackles as someone with his motor and movement should be and he also could with his lacking as a big guy be doing some more damage and really looking to bury guys in his tackles more.
Scoreboard impact – In the front half Finlayson can at times kick two or three goals but at this point he does not give the sense that he will go off and kick a bag of goals.
Skillset – Finlayson by hand is reliable and finds his targets. By foot he has a nice long 55m kick on him and his set shot conversion is fairly good. He also at times shows that he can find some really good leading targets long up the field or inside 50. In saying that his kicking while good in some respects is not up to the level it needs to get to. He is not a natural finisher from general play around goal at this stage and his kicking efficiency is also lower than it needs to be, too often he kicks long to a contest rather than lowering his eyes and finding a higher percentage option. And he can at times also shank some of his kicks, lacking some consistency at times at this point.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Finlayson to become stronger and develop his body to some extent and I imagine his skillset will to some extent improve but otherwise I imagine he will continue to improve upon his areas of strength at the next level.
Who he can become?
As a forward Finlayson has a feel not unlike a poor man’s Adam Tomlinson as a high production centre half forward who will find a lot of his ball up the field.
As a backman I feel Finlayson can develop into something like a poor man’s Lachlan Hansen as a tall intercept marking threat in the back half.
When will he be ready to play?
Finlayson will take time and likely will be hoping in season four to become a regular at AFL level.
How to best utilise him?
Finlayson while he has not played all that much in the back half I sense that will be his best opportunity to make the grade. Key forwards at AFL level need to be dominant and special talents and I do not see that with Finlayson. Down back though given his speed and endurance I feel he has an opportunity to develop into a very good centre half back and given his ability to read the play I sense he would in the back half have the ability to develop into a very good intercept marking backman.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Finlayson is well performed and is an elite accumulator by position finding lots of the ball around the ground and taking elite uncontested mark numbers but he does not win much contested ball or take many contested marks. His disposal efficiency is lower than ideally would be the case and his goal per game numbers are only average.


39. Jack Hiscox (Syd – Academy - NSW – Util)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 23/03/1995
Recruited from: Sydney Uni
Draft range: 2nd round
Best position/role: Midfield – outside.
Strengths:
Endurance – Hiscox is one of if not the elite endurance runner in this draft. He is an aerobic freak with his 3km time trial, 800m times and beep test scores. He uses his aerobic running in game and has the ability to run guys off their feet with the ground he covers in game.
Acceleration – Hiscox with his endurance and has the ability to get out of himself great maximum effort runs and excellent repeat running efforts. He has an excellent top speed and if there is space in front of him, with ball in hand he can take on the game and provide meaningful run and carry over long distance and for as long as you let him run. He also always seems to be on the move and as a result he can quickly get up to full speed and take on the game or take on an opponent by running around them.
Evasiveness – When on the move Hiscox has some tricks that allow him to avoid getting tackled. He has the ability to sidestep guys at times, at other times contort his body to avoid tacklers making him difficult to tackle when on the move and other times he will slow down unexpectedly and let the would be tackler run past him, and then continue on his run.
Scoreboard impact – Hiscox particularly through the NEAFL but also through the U18 Championships has shown that he has the ability to hit the scoreboard for one or more goals most games as someone who has played much of his time in the front half this season with the occasional stints up the field.
Work ethic – Everything about Hiscox suggests that the work ethic is there. Just reading such elite levels with his running but then also his improvement he has demonstrated with his footy are all excellent signs that he will get the most out of his playing ability.
Ability to read the flight – Hiscox reads the flight of the ball very well, consistently getting to the drop of the ball. He has strong hands overhead and is a very good mark both on the lead but also when leaping up at the ball and has the ability to take his marks with full arm extension out in front.
Clean at ground level – He is very clean with his pickups off the deck and can at times pick it up off the deck on the move.
Versatility – Hiscox has the ability to play on a wing, forward flank or at times on the ball through the midfield.
Inside/outside balance –While not dominant inside or outside the contest as an accumulator he tends to find a reasonable balance of inside and outside ball as someone who can at times win his own ball but then also on the outside either via a handball receive or mark through linking up, up the field can find the footy.
Tackling ability – Although his tackling numbers are below average Hiscox for a light bodied guy is a strong tackler and he really puts everything into his tackles which is encouraging and despite his light build he consistently brings his guy to the ground.
Weaknesses:
On field performance – While Hiscox is an overager and plausibly even able if required from his first season to play an outside or forward role, he is still a developing player and a work in progress. He is improving which is terrific and what you expect but he is not at this stage as advanced as many of the other overagers and his numbers are overall relatively low.
Light body – Hiscox is lightly built at this stage and will need to add size onto his frame with time. The challenge will be to maintain and continue to build upon his current endurance and speed while also putting on further size to allow him to win at least some of his own ball at the next level, which at his present size will otherwise be a challenge.
Footskills – His footskills while not bad are not damaging either as someone who in the most part can hit his targets but not do a great deal of damage with any vision or penetration superiority over the next player. The one thing by foot that has not impressed me is a couple of his snaps at goal I have seen with the connection not as sweet as it needs to be when finishing around goal, just not connecting with the footy as he needs to.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Hiscox will add some size onto his frame, to increase his tackling frequency and iron out his skillset but otherwise the idea I imagine would be to increase his endurance superiority and make him more of an outside running threat.
Who he can become?
Hiscox has the scope to develop into something like a less explosive, less penetrating by foot Aaron Hall as that similar type of outside runner.
When will he be ready to play?
Hiscox may be ready to play from season one if needed but more likely from season two he starts to look for more regular senior opportunities and season three he looks to become a regular given the strength of this Sydney team.
How to best utilise him?
Hiscox is best suited as an outside runner on a wing. At times he can play off a forward flank but given his endurance superiority and ability to provide run and carry over distance I would like to see him more up the field to receive the opportunity to use that ability and to get involved in more plays.
Interpretation of his numbers:
His numbers are relatively low overall and low for an overager. In the NEAFL his numbers have been mild due to the nature of his role in the front half but he has at times shown that he can hit the scoreboard for a few goals. Similarly through the TAC Cup his numbers do not jump off the page. Through the U18 Championships Hiscox was among NSW/ACT’s better accumulators. Overall at the levels he played at his mark and tackle per game numbers were below average, as were his overall numbers. With his contested and uncontested possession numbers both only average. Just given the rate of improvement in his numbers and given the fact that his endurance and aerobic running is on such an elite level there is even as an overager some genuine scope to develop.

 

[Knightmare]

40. Clem Smith (WA - Util)
Height:177cm, Weight: 74kg, DOB: 03/02/1996
Recruited from: Perth
Draft range: 15-rookie
Best position/role: Forward pocket as a tackling specialist.
Strengths:
Does all the hard stuff – Smith is not a big guy and not tall either but he has a rare presence to him with the way he hits guys, bumps, tackles and hits the contests harder than anyone else on the field.
Acceleration – Smith has excellent linebreaking ability and enjoys taking on the game and proving meaningful run and carry which he does frequently in game.
Chasedown tackling - In addition to using his pace to take on the game Smith also uses his pace very well to chase down the opposition player with ball in hand and is someone who will find that extra gear to go even harder after the man whenever there is a chance to tackle them, just enjoying that side of the game to that extent.
Versatility – Smith has the ability to play in the back half as a linebreaker, in the front half and occasionally push into the midfield.
Bodywork in the contest – Smith uses his body well in the contest and has the ability to work into front position and protect the drop zone, reading the flight of the ball well.
Goalsense – Not that Smith has played forward much but in the small glimpse I have seen of him forward he has shown good goal sense and the quick ability to get the ball onto his boot.
Proven performer – Smith both in 2013 and 2014 has been among WA’s best performed players, really putting his stamp on games and finding strong numbers. He has also this year in WA played 10 games at League level and one game at reserves level, and in all games had 10 or more disposals which suggests to me that he will have no difficulty playing against bigger bodies at AFL level, even as a sub 180cm guy.
Weaknesses:
Footskills – Smith’s work by foot is a work in progress and at this point badly lacks consistency, often either over or underkicking the ball and also shanking it too frequently. He just seems to rush things all the time and also lacks composure and when under pressure will look to just get it onto his boot quickly and blast away to no one in particular.
Tackling – Hard and aggressive as he is with his tackling just burying guys in his tackles, he consistently goes in too high with his tackles and at too great a speed, hitting the man at full pace, without slowing up for that one step to bend the knees and get down low for the tackle. The result of this is he led all comers through the U18 Championships in free kicks against, with too many free kicks against given directly as a result of his poor tackling technique.
Lack of discipline – There is a difference between intent to win the ball and intent to injure guys and Smith is current on the intent to injure guy’s side of the spectrum. He has some real fight and aggression to him which is terrific but channelling that aggression and hard edge I expect will remain a challenge.
Endurance – Smith badly lacks endurance at this point, testing poorly for endurance at the draft combine. He visibly has high skinfolds and I imagine it would be a combination of poor diet and laziness contributing to this.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Smith while he can improve, I imagine he will remain much the same frustrating player he is today as a smaller type who has a feel where he will always be rough around the edges. I imagine he will continue into the future to frustrate with his footskills, lack of discipline, lack of endurance and his high tackling so he is someone you take based on whether you are happy with who he is today and feel he can play a role for your team.
Who he can become?
Clem Smith has long had Byron Pickett written all over him as that hard but undisciplined, talented sub 180cm indigenous footballer.
When will he be ready to play?
Smith is season one ready to play if looking for an injection of hardness and physical play given what he has already achieved through the U18 Championships and at WAFL League level.
How to best utilise him?
Smith’s best chance of making the grade and becoming a long term player I feel will be in the front half in a forward pocket as a small pressure forward who while he has mostly played up the field feels uniquely suited to this role as someone key forwards I imagine love to play alongside with his tackling intent.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Smith is an exceptionally well performed footballer accumulating excellent numbers through the U18 Championships for the past two seasons and also showing that he is capable of playing against more seasoned bodies at WAFL League level, finding 10+ disposals in each of his 10 games and averaging over 15 disposals per game. His free kicks against numbers both through the U18 Championships and at WAFL League level are concerning and far too high with his free kick against numbers the highest of all participants through the U18 Championships. His disposal efficiency is also is low and will need to improve.


41. Touk Miller (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 177cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 22/02/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Draft range: 15-45
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.
Strengths:
Strength - Miller is so strong through the legs and core that when he goes in to win the ball he almost always comes out with it, seemingly never getting knocked off the ball. He also has the strength to consistently win the 1v1 contests, out body his opponents for marks as well as easily disposing of the ball by hand or foot to a target, not seeming concerned by pressure and not going to ground when tackled.
Inside game – Miller has the strength to consistently win the contested and ground balls. His work by hand is excellent and he has the strength to really make an impact inside the contest. His tackling ability also is excellent as someone who has excellent tackle per game numbers and really buries guys in his tackles. He also has some evasiveness to him as someone who can use some evasive steps in game to create more time and space for himself or to get by opposition players.
Tackling ability – Miller is a strong tackler and around the ball or even chasing after guys he puts in the tackling effort and energy consistently. He buries guys in his tackles laying some hard tackles and has excellent tackle per game numbers.
Marking ability – Miller is a strong mark overhead and can mark on the lead or 1v1 to a high standard. He has strong hands overhead and constantly takes his marks out in front. With his size and strength 1v1 he plays like a taller player so if he pushes forward a small defender who is only average 1v1 will not do.
Leadership – Captained VIC Metro and Calder Cannons and uses his voice well out on the field to instruct teammates.
Endurance – Miller is an endurance runner and covers substantial ground every week through the midfield as someone who will get to every contest. With his endurance while not overly quick it allows Miller when the opportunity is there to take on the game and provide some run and carry.
Scoreboard impact – Miller in the TAC Cup averaged right on a goal a game which is an excellent return from a mostly midfielder showing that he also has the ability to push forward and kick a goal at times.
Weaknesses:
Outside game – Miller at this stage struggles to find much easy outside ball as more of an inside only player at this point. He does not often find himself in space on the outside as more of a contest to contest runner and he could work harder to present into space and provide an option on the outside. He is also a low damage player as his footskills are only average, which is the same story with his pace so as a result of this he is going to remain an inside player throughout his career.
Pace – Miller overall is not quick which as a sub 180cm mid is disappointing. At times he will provide some run and carry if he is given the time and space to do so but he does not have an incredible top speed or that burst of acceleration we see from many of the other smaller midfielders.
Footskills – His kicking efficiency while much improved from last year is still not as high as it ideally should be. Additionally he is a low damage guy as someone who can find targets over short or medium distances but he is not someone who has a super penetrating kick or does a whole lot of damage with his kicks generally speaking.
What I expect will improve:
I expect given Miller’s strength over the ball to look to become a more dominant midfielder, I also expect he will over time begin to find some more outside ball to compliment his inside game.
Who he can become?
Miller has the scope to develop into something like a poor man’s Dion Prestia as a short but immensely strong midfielder, but without the same level production or explosiveness.
When will he be ready to play?
Miller if required from season one could play senior games at AFL level but more likely in season two he would be looking to establish himself as a regular.
How to best utilise him?
Miller is best utilised on the ball through the midfield, occasionally rotating forward.
Interpretation of his numbers:
His disposal per game numbers are good. Contested ball per game numbers are excellent, his uncontested ball numbers are only average. His tackles per game numbers are excellent. His mark per game numbers for an inside midfielder are good. His scoreboard impact at a goal a game for a mostly midfielder is excellent. His disposal efficiency is only average but a strong improvement on where he was last year, particularly by foot which is encouraging.


42. Edward Vickers-Willis (VIC – Util)
Height: 190cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 28/03/1996
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Draft range: 15-35
Best position/role: Half back flank.
Strengths:
Disposal efficiency – Vickers-Willis is an efficient user of the ball by hand and foot using it efficiently both through the TAC Cup, but then also through the U18 Championships where he had a disposal efficiency of above 80%.
Skillset – Vickers-Willis is a clean user of the ball by hand and foot. He hits his targets and by foot has penetration out to 55m. He can occasionally both by hand and foot put a bit too much force behind his touches and slightly overkick/overhandball but otherwise his action is clean and the results typically good as someone generally has some time and space with the foot and has a good feel for who is around him. He consistently makes good decisions with ball in hand and shows good vision, at times finding good targets up the field.
Movement – Vickers-Willis has a real fluidity to his movement. He is not a freak athlete who will break the lines at pace or do anything freakish but he moves well and looks natural with ball in hand and covers the ground reasonably well and has good endurance.
Linkup ability – Vickers-Willis is a capable linkup player as someone who has good running patterns, can find some space on the outside at times and can take marks around the ground but then also uses it well by hand and foot.
Versatility – Given his well-rounded game Vickers-Willis has the versatility to play down back, through the midfield in inside or outside roles or in the front half.
Ability in the back half – Vickers-Willis in the back half is an effective rebounder as a very good intercept mark who reads it well in the back half and is a reliable mark. He provides good, reliable rebounding with his footskills to a target good. He also is capable of beating his direct opponent and limiting their influence as someone who can stay with his opponents 1v1 but also is quick enough to stay with them around the ground.
Upside – Vickers-Willis has shown strong continued improvement going from where he was at last year to continuing to improve this year, have a strong U18 Championships and close out the season well. He is also said to be a hard trainer and as a taller type who is on the improve it can reasonably be assumed that he has good scope to further improve his game.
Weaknesses:
Ability to influence matches – At this stage Vickers-Willis can sometimes have up to 25 disposals and you may not notice him once. His touches feel quiet and you do not necessarily notice any of them unless watching him closely. He just looks like another player out there and he just feels like another player participating in the game rather than someone who is actively influencing the outcome making any one game changing or meaningful play.
Scoreboard impact – To this point Vickers-Willis has not demonstrated heavy scoreboard impact, only kicking the one goal through the TAC Cup this season and no goals through the U18 Championships.
What I expect will improve:
Vickers-Willis has the ability to become a more damaging player and hit the scoreboard more frequently given his relatively long kick and as a taller type with a body that is developing well there is also the opportunity that he further improves the contested side of his game.
Who he can become?
Vickers-Willis has the scope to develop into something similar to Andy Otten as a similar quality player with similar versatility at his height.
When will he be ready to play?
Vickers-Willis may start to see game time at AFL level in season two and likely come season three will be looking to establish himself as a regular at AFL level.
How to best utilise him?
Vickers-Willis looks best utilised as a tall back flanker as someone who seems to have a good balance between defence and offense.
Interpretation of his numbers:
His disposal per game numbers are only average through the TAC Cup but trending upwards based on what he did last year and earlier in the season. He had excellent numbers through the U18 Championships and had a disposal efficiency of over 80% which is elite. He has a good balance between contested and uncontested ball winning numbers. His mark per game numbers are excellent and he is capable of both taking intercept marks and linking up. His scoreboard impact is poor and tackles per game numbers are below average.

 

[Knightmare]

43. Damien Cavka (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 184cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 03/07/1996
Recruited from: Calder Cannons
Draft range: 20-60
Best position/role: Rotational midfielder/forward.
Strengths:
Endurance – Cavka is one of the elite endurance runners in this draft and runs all day out on the field, covering significant ground and running his direct opponents off their feet weekly. He has a 16+ beep and he runs well both ways and plays very much a two way game.
Big game performer – Cavka in his two finals performances this year significantly lifted his performance managing what I would argue were his two best performances of the season with a 30 disposal, 13 mark and 5 goal performance and a 26 disposal, 9 mark and 3 goal final. He also performed strongly through the U18 Championships showing that against the best in the country that he also had the ability to perform strongly.
Scoreboard impact – Cavka from his 11 games at TAC Cup level this year kicked 17 goals which for a forward/midfielder is excellent. He has a habit of finding ways to hit the scoreboard and is capable both from set shots and from field kicks and snaps inside the forward 50. He is a capable crumber but also a volume mark inside the forward 50 due to superior workrate and smarts to find the vacant spaces for easy uncontested marks.
Improvement – Over the second half of the season and specifically from August onward through the TAC Cup Cavka significantly lifted his production going from averaging less than 20 disposals per game to averaging more than 25 disposals per game and also during that time improving his mark, tackle and goal per game numbers. Given this strong trend of late season improvement it can be reasonably assumed that Cavka will continue to improve strongly over future seasons.
Marking ability – Cavka is a sound overhead mark but it is his smarts and workrate to find those vacant spaces to get into for easy marks that makes him a high volume mark at over seven marks per game through the TAC Cup this season. He also does very well finding those spaces in the forward 50 for easy marks.
Tackling ability – Cavka is a volume tackler averaging just fewer than seven tackles per game through the U18 Championships and nearly five tackles per game in the TAC Cup. He is not someone who will bury guys into the turf with aggression but he is just a sound tackler who seems to anticipate the play well and get into position quickly to tackle guys.
Inside outside balance – Cavka has a good balance between inside and outside game. Inside the contest he has shown that he is capable of winning his own ball, tackling and dishing it off by hand and on the outside Cavka finds space to take easy uncontested marks and runs his guy off his feet.
Versatility – Cavka has shown the ability to play a wide variety of roles and has played through the midfield, forward, back, and sometimes even in run with roles so there are many ways to utilise Cavka and he gives you plenty of options.
Weaknesses:
Footskills – Cavka’s footskills can at times let him down, with some minor inconsistency issues. In addition to being inconsistent by foot he is not a damaging kick with special penetration or ability to do damage.
Pace – Cavka covers the ground well but is more an endurance beast than someone with the pace or ability to take on the game and break the lines.
Impact – Cavka can have his 25 disposals, seven tackles and seven marks but you do not generally feel the impact of his touches as a low flash, low impact guy.
What I expect will improve:
With his numbers trending upward I expect Cavka to continue to improve as an accumulator and continue to get his hands on the footy more as he continues to improve as he has the endurance but then also the balanced inside/outside game to be a big time accumulator.
Who he can become?
Cavka has the scope to develop into something like a poor man’s Nathan Van Berlo.
When will he be ready to play?
Cavka has the ability to play some games as soon as season one but he is more likely to establish himself as part of a best team in season two or three.
How to best utilise him?
Cavka is best utilised rotating between the front half and midfield.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Good balance between contested and uncontested ball winning ability. Tackling and mark per game numbers are excellent. Has an excellent mix between ability to accumulate and hit the scoreboard doing both to a high level. He can also as required negate the influence of opposition midfielders. Disposal efficiency below average but sufficient.


44. Daniel Howe (VIC – Util)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 04/12/1995
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Draft range: 25-55
Best position/role: Rotational midfielders/half back flanker.
Strengths:
Athleticism and movement – Howe is a very good athlete by position; he has some excellent leaping ability and has taken some impressive species and aerial marks this season. He also has good acceleration whereby he can at times take on the game with ball in hand off a back flank over short distances before moving it onto the next target. His endurance is very good. He also has very good agility and can at times use a nice evasive step or ball fake to avoid tackles. He also has the ability when tackled to release the handball and will often wait for the last moment, draw the opponent and then get the good handball off to a target. He also keeps his feet well, rarely going to ground and having a good natural balance to him.
Intercept marking ability – Howe is an excellent intercept mark in the back half and shows a willingness to leave his direct opponent and back himself to read the flight of the ball for the intercept mark. He has strong hands overhead and he uses his body well in the contest to protect the drop of the ball well and is excellent in the air just launching at the footy and generally taking it cleanly. He also shows the courage when required in the marking contested to back, back into the contest and get crunched, often backing back into packs or spaces where he could really get hit hard for marks.
Versatility – Howe has shown that not only can he play a number of different types of roles in the back half playing on talls and smalls but he is also capable as required through the midfield which we may see more of in the future or in the front half.
Tackling ability – Howe is a strong tackler and really buries guys into the turf with aggression with some of his tackles when the opportunity is there.
Skillset – Howe is a relatively reliable user of the ball by hand and foot and his disposal efficiency is overall high. He knows his limitations as a mostly safe and efficient ball user but he is not someone who will look to do damage or generate meaningful drive off his own boot often. By hand Howe is typically more willing to take risks and look to draw opponents before delivering it to a meaningful target by hand.
Contested ball winning ability – A high proportion of the ball Howe wins is contested ball. He is very much a see ball, win ball guy and someone who wins the contested ball around the ground, seemingly moving quicker towards the footy whenever it is in his vicinity. His work at ground level is very good and someone who is very clean with his pickups off the deck.
Weaknesses:
Hurt factor – Howe can generate some drive out of the back half and moves it on quickly which I like but he is not an overly penetrating kick or a linebreaker who will run and bounce it the length of the field.
Ability to find easy uncontested ball – Howe finds relatively limited uncontested ball numbers and does not find much easy ball around the ground at this stage.
What I expect will improve:
It is a speculative call but I expect Howe to improve his midfield game and become more a midfielder as while he has not spend much time though there the glimpse I have seen of it has intrigued me and at his height and with contested ball winning ability, skillset and particularly his work by hand, tackling ability and movement he has the right mix of traits to play through there.
Who he can become?
I see Howe following a similar developmental path to Jack Crisp. I see Howe starting out more as a back or forward and eventually working his way into someone who can play more through the midfield. Howe is not as explosive with his running or the same level tackler but is probably a more skilled version, but as a tallish type I see some similarities and an overall fairly similar quality player.
When will he be ready to play?
Howe may play as early as season one but more likely it will be season two that he looks to establish himself as a part of a best team.
How to best utilise him?
Howe at the moment is best utilised on a back flank but I like his midfield potential and I like his scope to develop into a rotational midfielder/back flanker.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Strong production through the U18 Championships and an overall very good disposal efficiency. Through the TAC Cup his production was overall very good by position with his disposal efficiency, mark per game and tackle per game numbers all very good. Based on the strength of his numbers and on field performance it is not out of the question for Howe to receive senior AFL opportunities from season one.


45. Garrett McDonagh (VIC – Def)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 19/06/1996
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Range: 40-rookie
Best position/role: Half back flank.
Strengths:
Footskills – McDonagh would be among if not the most damaging kick in this draft class. He has an exceptionally damaging 60m left foot kick on him that he can really kick low and hard consistently hitting his targets lace out. The critical aspect to McDonagh’s game is in the TAC Cup he has a top five overall kicking efficiency and yet is the second most frequent long kicker in the TAC Cup which speaks to the quality of kick McDonagh is. He hits his targets consistently over a variety of distances, he lowers his eyes and has the vision to find the best target consistently and the inside 50 targets delivering the ball to where he wants them to go. Over long distance similarly McDonagh kicks in out in front of players to easily lead onto. He is also an excellent finisher on goal as someone who can kick goals from 60m comfortably and as a result you always have to be mindful whenever he is forward even of the centre square. When he is under pressure he consistently makes the right decisions and consistently executes by foot hitting his intended target. He is also terrific kicking out as someone if you have him on your team, you want this guy kicking it out.
Scoreboard impact – McDonagh provides rare scoreboard impact for a back flanker, kicking 12 goals from his 17 games during the season. It speaks to the range of McDonagh’s kick as someone his teammates will look anywhere within 60m from goal.
Loose man potential – McDonagh as a kicking backman is an ideal loose man in defence option if ever that is required in game. Give him the freedom and he will rack up the touches in the back half and launch meaningful offensive drives from the back half.
Linkup ability – McDonagh is a very good linkup player and he can at time find space on the outside or push up the ground into space to provide an option and then will go on to find a meaningful option up the field himself.
Intercept marking ability – McDonagh is a very good intercept mark and has a good feel for when he can leave his direct opponent. He reads it well in the back half and reads the drop of the ball well.
Weaknesses:
Shutdown ability – McDonagh while he can stick with his opponents reasonably well he is not someone who in a shutdown role down back or against a dominant forward with his 1v1 strength and closing speed only average would experience a great deal of success as more a rebounding specialist. Athleticism – McDonagh can at times take on the game with his pace and break the lines but his pace is only average and he is overall only an average athlete. His endurance is good but not elite.
One trick pony – Other than his kicking, there is not any one other thing McDonagh does to a level where it is a distinguishable point of difference and if you pick him you pick him knowing that he is a kicking specialist.
No finals/state league/U18 champs form – McDonagh has not played against any opposition better than those performing in the TAC Cup which is unfortunate and makes it difficult to measure him against the best in the country, but his TAC Cup form and ability at that level to do damage has been outstanding.
What I expect will improve:
In the most part with McDonagh I expect continued general improvement as someone where I do not imagine his game will change a great deal and he likely at the next level will continue to do the same things as he has done this year in the TAC Cup.
Who he can become?
I see McDonagh as something like Josh Toy as a kicking specialist in a back half though without the health issues.
When will he be ready to play?
McDonagh from season two may start to come into the mix but season three is about when I imagine he will be pushing for regular senior opportunities.
How to best utilise him?
McDonagh is best utilised as a rebounding back flanker.
Interpretation of his numbers:
The aspect about his numbers given the frequency of his long kicking that is most worth noting is the sheer efficiency of his kicking. He is among the most efficient kicks in the TAC Cup despite the length and hurt factor of his kicks. His goals per game numbers also are excellent for a back flanker. His disposal, mark and tackle per game numbers by position are good by position. The one negative is his numbers read much the same as last year, though with the additional scoreboard impact, additionally surprisingly in none of his 17 games for Northern Knights has he finished in the bests which is to me anyway is puzzling as his impact by possession is as high as just about anyone in the TAC Cup competition.

 

[Knightmare]

46. Brenden Abbott (WA – Util)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 92kg, DOB: 01/01/1995
Recruited from: Claremont
Draft range: 50-rookie
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball/rotational forward.
Strengths:
Athleticism – Abbott for such a strongly built guy is a terrific athlete. He can take on the game and break the lines at pace and demonstrates a strong burst of explosive pace over 15-25m. He also has excellent agility and has the ability to make good evasive movements in traffic and create more space for himself and move around and past guys when he has possession of the ball. He also is a very good leaper and very capable in the air.
Strength – Abbott is a strong guy and at 92kg he has an AFL body already and is strong enough to win the ground balls and knock guys off the ball.
Ground level ability – Abbott is clean picking it up off the deck and rarely fumbles. He can on occasion slow down before taking the ground ball to ensure he is balanced to take it on the first attempt cleanly but none the less he achieves the desired outcome consistently.
Hardness around the ball – When there is a ball to be one in close Abbott shows real aggression going in hard at the contest to win the footy.
Versatility – Abbott has excellent versatility and has the ability to play forward, back or on the ball through the midfield.
Scoreboard impact/finishing ability – When played in the front half Abbott can hit the scoreboard in bunches and is a very good finisher from general play, having a real sense for where the goals are.
Marking ability – Reads the flight well and is an excellent intercept mark, getting to the drop of the ball. Also on the lead Abbott is a strong mark and can take it out in front.
Skillset – Mostly Abbott is a mostly efficient user of the ball hitting his targets by hand and foot reasonably consistently. He also has above average penetration on his kick as someone who can finish on goal from 55m. Occasionally he will rush and not connect on his kicks but otherwise he mostly uses it well.
Upside – Abbott has very intriguing upside. He has achieved much the same numbers this year at League level as he did at Colts level which is a terrific sign of progress. Additionally with his mix of attributes with his size and athleticism if he applies himself and improves his endurance he has the scope to develop into a very good footballer.
Weaknesses:
Endurance – At this stage Abbott’s endurance is not nearly at a level that will allow him to play through the midfield and it is something that will require several seasons of work to get up to the necessary level.
Inconsistency – Abbott has his up and down weeks and had his patches within the season where over that middle portion of the season he was really playing some strong footy but then early and late season he was quiet and failed to have as much of an impact or find his usual numbers.
Off-field – There are off-field questions that have been raised and it is up to AFL clubs to do their due diligence and evaluate whether he is going to be a problem player or not.
What I expect will improve:
His endurance will have to improve if he wants to survive at the next level and should with time in the system with work but otherwise I see him developing more a midfielders game and further adding to the contested side of his game.
Who he can become?
Abbott has the scope to develop into something like a poor man’s Marley Williams as a super powerful guy with similar strength.
When will he be ready to play?
Abbott has the opportunity to get a taste for senior footy from season two but more likely season three is when he will be looking to establish himself as a regular for a team.
How to best utilise him?
Abbott if he develops his endurance will be best utilised on the ball through the midfield rotating forward as a real impact player.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Abbott’s numbers given his forward and back roles have been good and importantly a progression from his colts numbers from 2013 where he managed pretty similar numbers but this year has done it against much older, more seasoned competition which is a great sign. His scoreboard impact in some games in the front half was heavy and both in roles up forward and down back he found for his solid disposal and marks per game numbers. Given his rate of improvement and given his mix of traits it is reasonable to assume that his progress will continue if he continues to put in the work.


47. Nathan Drummond (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 85kg, DOB: 19/01/1995
Recruited from: Murray Bushrangers
Draft range: 30-rookie
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball.
Strengths:
Acceleration – Drummond while he is a rare athlete he also critically uses his acceleration in game. He has a rare burst of acceleration and can really take on the game. Most noticeable is from stoppages he will get first possession and just take it and go, take on the other midfielders, run around and past them, run to 50m and kick a goal. He can also when positioned in the back half use his acceleration to break the lines and take on the game at full pace. He also often will look to hit the ball at pace and continue when collecting it to run on at full pace to run into an open goal or if up the ground look to take on the game.
Athleticism – Drummond was one of the stars at the draft combine finishing top 10 in every category except agility, which is not at all a problem for him as someone who can run around guys and move exceptionally well in general play. His testing demonstrated a rare speed/endurance combination and that elite endurance in game only allows him to use his acceleration with frequency in game. He also has excellent leaping ability.
Inside game – What most stands out with Drummond’s inside game is his ability to read the ruck taps and get into the right positions to get first possession. Drummond’s contested ball winning ability is also excellent as someone who consistently wins the ball in close. He is also an excellent tackler and has excellent tackle per game numbers. Some of his work by hand extracting on the inside finding outside runners is also very good but at times he can try to do too much by hand and turn it over.
Ground level ability – Drummond is extremely clean with his ground ball pickups, just taking it cleanly, rarely fumbling. He is so clean with his pickups that he can hit the ball at speed, and take it one grab cleanly on the move and continue accelerating.
Tackling ability – Drummond is an excellent tackler, he has excellent tackle per game numbers and is someone who at stoppages will give the tackling effort but then also is an excellent chase down tackler who will really go after guys and chase them down and drive them into the ground.
Marking ability – Drummond is a strong, clean mark overhead. He is at times capable as a linkup marking target, he can push behind the play for the intercept mark and he is also in the air capable of taking some high flying marks.
Scoreboard impact – Drummond kicks his goals through the midfield but 11 goals from 12 games is a terrific return and those are impactful goals with many of them coming directly as a result of his own work winning the ball and accelerating away from stoppages.
1v1 ability – When utilised in the back half Drummond has the strength in the 1v1 contests to hold his position and more often than not beat his man.
Weaknesses:
Kicking efficiency – Drummond is a low, hard kick. He has the ability to lower his eyes and hit inside 50 targets at times and finish from 50m, he can also at times deliver a kick to a target when getting tackled but he has an overall poor kicking efficiency, headlined by one game in the TAC Cup where he had only the two efficient kicks and 16 inefficient kicks! He can at times have a tendency to try to do too much with his kicks, sometimes missing his targets completely or at other times putting too much power behind his kicks to be easily marked by team mates. He could also improve his conversion in front of goal from his set shots and field kicks, finishing with more behinds than goals this season in the TAC Cup. He can also after marks struggle to find a good target often going down the line to a contest, not using the high percentage option as much as he needs to.
What I expect will improve:
Drummond I expect will continue to work to expand his inside game. He also with some coaching can learn when to deliver low hard dagger kicks and when to take a bit of power off his kicks which should help him at least iron out what he does by foot.
Who he can become?
Drummond has the scope to develop into something like a slightly less dominant, midfield version of Shaun Atley.
When will he be ready to play?
Drummond if required could possibly play as soon as season one but more likely he would be pushing for some senior games in season two and looking in season three to establish himself as a regular part of a best team.
How to best utilise him?
Drummond is best utilised on the ball through the midfield as a ball winner.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Drummond’s numbers are strong without being outstanding for an overager. His overall disposals per game numbers are overall above average though for an overage midfielder not outstanding. His mark and tackle per games numbers are excellent. His scoreboard impact is excellent for a midfielder. The area statistically where Drummond struggles is disposal and kicking efficiency, both of which are poor.


48. Brett Eddy (SA – KPF)
Height: 194cm, Weight: 94kg, DOB: 26/08/1989
Recruited from: South Adelaide
Draft range: 40-rookie
Best position/role: Full forward.
Strengths:
Ready to play – Eddy is a well performed state leaguer and the best immediate key forward outside the AFL with his play particularly through the first half of the season dominant with 50 goals from his first 12 games.
Scoreboard impact – Eddy kicked an excellent 67 goals from 21 games in the SANFL and does it in a variety of ways. He is a good finisher and capable of finishing both from set shots and general play and is not purely a mark and goal forward as someone who gets for a key forward an unusually good balance of goals from not only set shots but also general play.
Speed and agility – Eddy on the lead has excellent pace and the ability to create separation to take easy uncontested marks out in front. He also when running back into goal is exceedingly dangerous and if you let him goalside he will consistently take advantage of that opportunity for easy goals just running into goal. He for a key forward also has a rare ability to change direction, he can quickly go from leading at full pace up at the ball to changing direction and turning around and sprinting back into goal at pace which makes him so dangerous running back into goal. He can also be running at full pace and take a sidestep to lose his opponent. At Eddy’s height no one else has the ability to change direction as quickly as Eddy which allows him to easily run back into goal to get that separation to make him near unstoppable in those situations. He also is a capable pressure forward who will chase and tackle, his tackle numbers are not high but he is capable applying tackling pressure when used in the forward 50.
Marking ability – He is a strong mark overhead and take it at the highest point consistently. He reads the flight particularly well and generally better than opposition defenders which allows him to get to the drop of the ball consistently. He is an excellent mark on the lead, creating separation and taking it overhead or out in front consistently as appropriate. He can take his marks v opposition contact and has the strength to his marking overhead. In the 1v1 contest he uses his body exceptionally well to protect the drop of the ball, just nudging his opponent out of the contest and he also often will with one hand hold his opponent out of the contest and take it cleanly one handed.
Weaknesses:
Presence – Eddy while a strong mark overhead he is not a key forward with a monster presence who will crash the packs or take the monster pack marks consistently, while strong enough he is not as strong or big bodied as some of the bigger key forwards in the game.
Ground level ability – At ground level Eddy can at times lack cleanness and as a result he will often when the chance is there elect when he can to kick a soccer goal without picking it up, it works for him but ideally he would be pick it up more below his knees and make certain of it.
What I expect will improve:
The reality with Eddy at 25 years of age is you draft him for who he is today rather than who you hope he becomes as he other than perhaps some slight endurance gains and strength gains probably will continue to play much the same game.
Who he can become?
Eddy has the feel of something like a poor man’s Jay Schulz.
When will he be ready to play?
Eddy based on his strong SANFL League form is season one ready to play.
How to best utilise him?
Eddy is best utilised as a key forward.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Eddy’s number through 2014 were terrific and a big step up from his injury affected 2013 season. His total goals and goals per game numbers are excellent. His disposal and mark per game numbers particularly over the first half of the season were strong. He has a nice balance between uncontested and contested marking numbers. His goals came from a balance of set shots and goals from general play which is pleasing. The major issue from a numbers standpoint is the story of two halves this season for Eddy, with his second half to the season while still acceptable, not dominant like it was in the first half.

 

[Knightmare]

49. Billy Evans (VIC –Mid/Fwd)
Height: 189cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 19/10/1996
Recruited from: Bendigo Pioneers
Draft range: 40-rookie
Best position/role: Midfield – on the ball/rotational forward.
Strengths:
Work by hand – What most stands out with Evans is his work by hand. He uses it extremely well with both hands; he has rare penetration on his handballs often handballing it 25m and gets it out in front of guys to run onto, guiding them with the placement of his handballs to where he wants them to go. He also consistently finds the outside runners, just having excellent vision and finding those guys on the outside in space or on the move.
Inside game – Evans reads the ruck taps very well often getting first possession. His clearance and contested ball winning numbers are excellent. He is a strong tackler and can do damage with his tackles. He has the size and strength to win the contest footy and also is excellent at winning the ground ball, picking it up cleanly off the deck.
Scoreboard impact – Evans in the TAC Cup averages more than a goal a game. He often will go forward, take a mark and convert a set shot attempt or when he gets to 50m from goal he has shown that he has the ability to finish.
Marking ability – Evans is a capable lead up marking forward in the front half and has strong hands marking it out in front consistently as someone who is hard to spoil.
Footskills – Evans is a safe and efficient enough user of the footy. He hits his targets consistently over short and medium distances and can just finish from 50m as someone who knows his limitations. He is not a damaging kick but he does not need to be to be an effective kick.
Weaknesses:
Pace – Evans overall is not a quick midfielder. He moves sufficiently well but he is not a threat to break the lines or take on the game in a meaningful way at this point.
Endurance – Evans does not at this stage cover the ground as well as he needs to. He is someone who tends to run contest to contest but on the outside does not all that frequently find space to provide a linkup target.
Outside game – Evans is not a damaging player on the outside. He can find a target by foot over short and medium distances but is a very safe ball user and as someone who does not break the lines either.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Evans will continue to expand his inside game, continue to add a few tricks forward of centre and to also improve his endurance.
Who he can become?
Evans has the scope to develop into something like a poor man’s Will Langford as a tall midfielder with an excellent inside game and similar ability to go forward and have an impact and but without the hurt factor by foot or perhaps the same numbers as Langford late season achieved.
When will he be ready to play?
Evans may from season three start to enter the selection discussion but from season four is when he can start to look for a regular position on a team.
How to best utilise him?
Evans is best utilised on the ball and rotating forward for brief periods.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Evans’ numbers have been strong overall and a promising step-up from his 2013 season suggesting he will continue to improve over coming seasons. His scoreboard impact for a midfielder is excellent. His mark per game numbers are very good, as are his is contested ball and clearance numbers per game numbers. His tackle per game numbers are only average and his uncontested ball numbers also are only average.


50. Aidan Anderson (WA – Fwd)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 10/08/1996
Recruited from: Swan Districts
Draft range: 40-rookie
Best position/role: Forward pocket.
Strengths:
Ground level ability – When the ball hits the deck Anderson is clean and one take with his pickups. He seems to get to the ground ball quicker and just reacts when the ball is on the ground quicker than everyone else ultimately resulting in him winning the ground ball more often than not when it is in his area
Quick thinker and makes good, quick decision – Not only is Anderson a quick reactor when the ball hits the deck but in all situations, he also seems a quick thinker than most. After a mark he can decide immediately to take off and use his pace, and similarly around the ground he can make quick decisions and quickly dispose of the ball as required or quickly get it onto his boot for the finish on goal. He consistently makes the right decisions and does it quickly finding targets others generally will not see so quickly. He also has some evasive steps that he can use in the front half to create time and space for himself at times.
Footskills – Anderson has excellent footskills and ability to hit his targets. He has excellent vision and can find good targets inside 50m.
Marking ability - Anderson for a small forward is an excellent marking small. He is capable of taking a flying mark in the air. 1v1 mark he can mark it out in front while getting hit and also body on body he has the strength to outmuscle his opponent and hold his position better than his opponent more often than not for the mark. He is also a capable mark on the lead.
Goalsense – Anderson is a natural finisher from general play both with his ability to snap and kick the drop punt. He can at times be prone to taking a low percentage shot at goal but otherwise his finishing ability and ability to quickly get it onto his boot is good.
Strength to stand up through tackles – Anderson rarely goes to ground and has the strength to continue standing up through tackles and execute his skill by hand or foot.
Senior WAFL experience – Anderson has at WAFL League level played the 16 games this year and having played and played reasonably well against the more seasoned bodies it is evidence that he can do the same at the next level.
Tackling ability – Anderson is a solid tackler, he is not a chase down tackler but someone who quickly when the ball is in his area can take someone to ground, reacting to what is happening around him quicker than most.
Weaknesses:
Pace – Anderson while he gets to the ball quickly and can quickly make decisions and find a good target by hand and foot Anderson lacks that top end acceleration many of the better small forwards have. He willingly takes on the game and decides quickly to take on the game and also enjoys taking his guy on running back into goal but he does not have that top end pace to break the lines and is not someone who will torch defenders as a result of his pace as someone with only average speed.
Midfield ability – At this stage Anderson in the games I have seen has only proven himself in the front half, he may in the future be able to make the switch into the midfield given his mix of traits with his quick ability to win the ground ball and then dispose of the ball as well as his strength but it is something I have not seen to this point in time.
What I expect will improve:
I expect Anderson builds the ability to go into the midfield into his game and improves his endurance to allow that to happens. I also expect if he drops some weight he should be able to get quicker which would really help his game as someone who has a good sense for when he can or cannot take on opposition players.
Who he can become?
Anderson looks like he has the scope to become something like a slightly taller and slightly stronger Leroy Jetta as a good forward who can at times do damage and be a component to a front half.
When will he be ready to play?
Anderson could play as soon as season one but likely season two is when he looks to receive senior games and establish himself.
How to best utilise him?
Anderson is best utilised as a small forward inside the forward 50.
Interpretation of his numbers:
Anderson’s numbers through the U18 Championships were not fantastic but that can be attributed to the struggles of his team getting it into the forward 50 with frequency. More interesting are his WAFL League numbers where he played the 16 League games. Over the second half of the season his numbers fizzled away but none the less he still averaged just over a goal a game and just over 10 disposals a game which at that level for a small forward is solid. His tackle and mark per game numbers also only were average, but the fact that he is already against this level of competition performing to a solid standard suggests he is not far away from stepping up to the next level.

 

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