The end of the Under 18 National Championships calls for a revision of this year’s top draft prospects. Much has changed since version 1.0 of our 2016 Big Board in May.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not a mock draft, purely how I rate the prospects so far!
1. Hugh McCLUGGAGE (previous rank 3)
Ht: 184cm | Ht: 70kg | North Ballarat Rebels
The Rebels midfielder makes the leap to the top spot after a superb two months of footy that culminated in All-Australian selection. He averaged 21 disposals, three inside-50s and kicked seven goals from midfield and at half forward.
Scouting notes: Superb vision and hands. Makes tacklers miss in traffic. Sees game efficiently. Consistent goalkicker from midfield & half-forward.
2. Jack BOWES (1)
Ht: 188cm | Ht: 76kg | Surfers Paradise/Gold Coast Academy
Bowes didn’t have the same impact for the Allies (14 disposals, three clearances) as he did for Queensland (24 disposals, four clearances and seven goals), but his last game was more like what we had seen from him earlier in the season.
Scouting notes: Class. Great vision and touch. Good ball user. Goalkicking midfielder. Doesn’t have next-gear speed.
3. Will BRODIE (6)
Ht: 189cm | Ht: 82kg | Murray Bushrangers
The ability to play through knee pain made Brodie’s body of work (averaged 21 possessions and five clearances) in the championships all the more impressive. He looms as the safest bet of all the players near the top end.
Scouting notes: Worker. Consistent performer. Kicking OK but can be better. Professional. Slightly quicker Matt Priddis?
4. Ben AINSWORTH (4)
Ht: 179cm | Ht: 74kg | Gippsland Power
Ainsworth didn’t have the carnival many expected – he missed Vic Country’s first game through suspension – but his third quarter burst a week later and a move into the midfield against South Australia showcased his talent.
Scouting notes: Dynamic. Extremely strong overhead. Developing mid craft. Needs to build tank. Can he control aggression?
5. Andrew McGRATH (-)
Ht: 178cm | Ht: 73kg | Sandringham Dragons
McGrath’s match-winning form in the championships (24 disposals, four rebounds) saw him rocket up the charts, but his outings with the Dragons and Brighton Grammar in the weeks leading in were just as impressive.
Scouting notes: Can win own ball, dasher off half-back, but mid in spurts. Brave. Chooses when to leave opponent well. Kicking hot and cold.
6. Tim ENGLISH (14)
Ht: 203cm | Wt: 86kg | South Fremantle
The 19-year-old ruckman could wind up atop this list by year’s end, but his four matches for West Australia franked his early season form at South Fremantle. He averaged 10 disposals, four marks and 11 hit-outs in four carnival matches.
Scouting notes: Thin. Great kick. Tap-work good. Works back – transition excellent. Positions himself well. Dean Cox-like upside?
7. Daniel VENABLES (7)
Ht: 186cm | Wt: 81kg | Western Jets
His numbers weren’t eye-catching (13 disposals, three inside-50s and six goals), but not many players had the impact Venables had when the game was on the line. His ability to break tackles or kick vital goals led to an All-Australian spot.
Scouting notes: Powerful. Developing mid game. Big-time/moment player. Stands up in tackles well.
8. Harry PERRYMAN (10)
Ht: 184cm | Wt: 75kg | Collingullie-GP/GWS Academy
Perryman has now emerged as GWS’s leading academy fancy having put together a fine series for NSW/ACT then the Allies. Showing his versatility, he played a range of different roles all over the ground, displaying poise and footy smarts.
Scouting notes: Not quick, but very smart – a footballer. Great balance. Versatile. One-touch player. Leader.
9. Sam PETREVSKI-SETON (5)
Ht: 179cm | Wt: 70kg | Claremont
A niggling hamstring issue has kept us from seeing the best of Petrevski-Seton thus far in 2016, but he averaged 19 disposals and six tackles in two matches for WA, although he kicked the ball at just 39% effectiveness.
Scouting notes: Ambidextrous but goes on left side too often. Wins own ball. Excellent vision. Hamstring issue needs following up.
10. Jack SCRIMSHAW (-)
Ht: 193cm | Wt: 80kg | Sandringham Dragons
Feet problems kept Scrimshaw out of TAC Cup and school footy until just before the championships, but he performed very well in three matches across half-back. He possesses a lovely left boot and can play on talls, smalls and in midfield.
Scouting notes: Lovely left foot. Reads play well. Long arms. Can play midfield too. Similar to Grant Birchall?
11. Josh ROTHAM (9)
Ht: 192cm | Wt: 82kg | West Perth
Rotham was back to his best in the Sandgropers win over the Allies with his dash and rebound from defence. He moved up onto a wing at times and will likely spend more time up the ground as the year progresses.
Scouting notes: Composed at half back. Shows burst from defence. Reads play well. OK overhead. Can he go into midfield?
12. Will SETTERFIELD (8)
Ht: 190cm | Wt: 79kg | Sandringham Dragons/GWS Academy
The Dragons midfielder found the sledding much tougher for the Allies than he did for NSW/ACT where his numbers dropped from 21 disposals to just 12 and was hampered by a few niggles.
Scouting notes: Smooth. Great size and shape for mid but needs to get more ball. Work ethic at times can be better. Played champs with bad ankle.
13. Todd MARSHALL (15)
Ht: 197cm | Wt: 87kg | Murray Bushrangers
Marshall played from behind a bit too often, but when he was able to get on the lead, he showed good burst and agility for his size. He kicked 14 goals in seven matches for NSW/ACT and the Allies.
Scouting notes: Big upside – skinny but narrow shoulders. Great agility. Kicking technique is good. Reads ball well in flight. Plays from behind a bit too much.
14. Tim TARANTO (-)
Ht: 186cm | Wt: 82kg | Sandringham Dragons
Taranto enjoyed a strong championship campaign at half forward and through midfield for Vic Metro averaging 19 disposals, six marks and five tackles. He reads the ball extremely well and is clean with his hands.
Scouting notes: Clever mover. Reads ball well in air. Gets to dangerous spots. Good one-on-one. Clean when ball is on the ground.
15. Jy SIMPKIN (13)
Ht: 182cm | Wt: 72kg | Murray Bushrangers
A broken leg suffered playing for Scotch College in April ruled Simpkin out for the season and he recently underwent a second operation.
Scouting notes: Vision is very good. Creator, good kick. More forward than midfield. Broken leg required second surgery – follow up.
16. Jarrod BERRY (11)
Ht: 191cm | Wt: 80kg | North Ballarat Rebels
Berry was unable to replicate his form from 2015 that saw him named All-Australian as a bottom ager across half-back for Vic Country, but he did average 12 disposals and five tackles before missing the final game with a knee injury.
Scouting notes: Great character and size. Good overhead. Kicking needs to be cleaned up. Where does he play at next level?
17. Alex VILLIS (-)
Ht: 182cm | Ht: 70kg | Norwood
An elite decision maker and kick on both sides of his body, Villis enjoyed a consistent month of footy for South Australia having worked his way into Norwood’s league team on a wing and at half-back.
Scouting notes: Elite kick/decision maker. Holds width well – more outside than in. Very smart. Transitions well. Needs to build body size.
18. Patrick KERR (-)
Ht: 194cm | Wt: 93kg | Oakleigh Chargers
After being overlooked for the carnival opener, Kerr quickly emerged as potentially the best key forward prospect booting nine goals and averaging six marks (three contested) in the final three matches.
Scouting notes: Strong hands, good kick. OK below knees – clean enough. Good goal sense. Lower half needs work, can be one-paced.
19. Griffin LOGUE (-)
Ht: 193cm | Wt: 92kg | Swan Districts
The former rower was arguably the most impressive of the key defenders in the championships and was stiff not to be named All-Australian. He is quick, versatile and sees games well having already played senior WAFL footy.
Scouting notes: Former rower. Quick, left footer. Sees games well in defence. Can play multiple positions. Should develop into a big, strong frame.
20. Oliver FLORENT (-)
Ht: 183cm | Wt: 75kg | Sandringham Dragons
A neat, smart mover, Florent averaged 12 possessions and three inside-50s for Vic Metro as a half forward who can push into midfield. He is one to watch closely at TAC Cup level as the year progresses.
Scouting notes: Good skills both sides. Smart. Contested numbers a work in progress. Threatens to tear game apart at times, but doesn't. X-factor.
21. Shai BOLTON (19)
Ht: 177cm | Wt: 67kg | South Fremantle
Similarly to how he plays in the WAFL colts, Bolton burst in and out of games in the championships – particularly in first halves. He averaged 14 disposals, five inside-50s and kicked five goals in his four outings.
Scouting notes: Unbelievable side-step. Can jump off two feet. Forward/wing. Bombs ball too often without lowering eyes. Will take time.
22. Sam WALKER (-)
Ht: 187cm | Wt: 80kg | Glenelg
Walker established himself as one of the better rebounding defenders with a consistent championship display. He averaged 15 disposals and three rebound-50s per game and caught the eye with his composure and left foot.
Scouting notes: Nice left footer. Kicks with good depth. Long strider and keeps feet. Brave going back. Progressive player.
23. Harrison MACREADIE (2)
Ht: 195cm | Wt: 82kg | Henty/GWS Academy
Macreadie’s 2016 form couldn’t have been any more contrasting to that of 2015. His competitiveness was hot and cold and he didn’t show the same composure with ball in hand that he did a year ago, averaging 10 disposals and two rebounds with an efficiency of just 54%.
Scouting notes: Good composure as bottom ager. Pushed up onto wing at times. Inconsistent competitiveness. Form is pretty poor. Change of school the problem?
24. Jack GRAHAM (-)
Ht: 183cm | Wt: 83kg | North Adelaide
The South Australian skipper was rewarded for a strong championship campaign by being named the Larke Medallist for the best player in division one. He averaged 25 disposals, six clearances and four inside-50s.
Scouting notes: Heavy body entering champs. Decent kick, two-way worker. Positions well at stoppages. Leader. Gets by on physical size at this level?
25. Alex WITHERDEN (20)
Ht: 186cm | Wt: 80kg | Geelong Falcons
The Geelong Falcon utility missed the championships having broken his leg playing Geelong College in May, ruling him out for the season.
Scouting notes: Hybrid-back who can go into midfield. Vision, size…tick. Broken leg in May and out for the year.
Previous versions... 5 May: Big Board 1.0: Academy stars loom large