We profile more than 200 lads who took part in the AFL draft combines – and throw in the odd ‘smokey’ whose names are likely to be called out on draft night, November 24.
OUR RATINGS
Each score out of five is formulated using a combination of player match analysis, stats averages and test results. As a general guide:
5: Elite 4.5: Excellent 4: Above average 3-3.5: Competent 2.5: Below average 1-2: Needs to improve
Riley D’ARCY
28-Dec-99 | 190.4cm | 87.6kg | Dandenong Stingrays
“A genuine footballer. When he lost his appendix it didn’t help us, or him, it took him a while to get back. He kicked a few bags of goals and he’s got a really good kicking action for goal. He got a bit tired later in the year when we got him to come up and down the ground a bit more, but his GPS data is pretty good and he’s worked on his agility. He’s a baby (late December birthdate) and is one that may have benefited to come through the system for one more year, but he’s a bit like (St Kilda’s) Tim Membrey.” – Dandenong Stingrays talent manager Mark Wheeler.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Brent DANIELS
09-Mar-99 | 170.5cm | 70.4kg | Bendigo Pioneers
“Brent had a great year for us. He’s an exciting and dynamic player who can play as a small forward, midfield or across half back. Uses the ball well, has goal sense and likes to carry the ball. He has some tricks and should go in the draft. Played a little bit with Gee-long in the VFL this year and is a Geelong Grammar boy.” – Bendigo Pioneers coach Ricky Coburn.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4 | Third Round |
Aaron DARLING
24-Jan-99 | 177.8cm | 84.4kg | Dandenong Stingrays
“A disappointing story. We were at the draft and I got a text telling me Aaron had done his knee in our final training session. At that stage he would have been a chance to be captain. As a 17-year-old he didn’t have a great year, but we played him all year as an inside midfielder, but in hindsight we should have dropped him back to play as a small back for a bit. He’s tough as nails, is an elite kick and has good speed. His endurance was a knock and if he doesn’t get picked he’ll come back as a 19-year-old.” – Dandenong Stingrays talent manager Mark Wheeler.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | 2.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Sam DAVIDSON
06-May-99 | 181.1cm | 72.7kg | Gold Coast Academy
“Sammy has electric speed. We played him on a wing with the Allies as he’s got good chasing pressure and can take a mark. He’s got similar speed to Josh Williams (drafted by North Melbourne last year) and isn’t a bad kick. He just needs to build up his physical side.” – Queensland academy coach Adrian Fletcher.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 2 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | Late pick/Rookie |
Luke DAVIES-UNIACKE
08-Jun-99 | 187.2cm | 85.2kg | Dandenong Stingrays
“Getting up at 6am to get up to Haileybury from Safety Beach every day and getting home at 7pm knocked him around a bit in pre-season but his Round 1 game was the best opening game I’ve ever seen anyone play in the TAC Cup. There was a knock on him at 16 as he couldn’t hit the short kick, but you wouldn’t know it now, he’s just so well balanced. His body is ready to play straight away and his speed and power coming out of the pack is the difference. We played him forward a bit to look after him as he had a huge workload with school footy, nationals and the AFL academy. If he doesn’t go No.1 I’d be surprised and he’s got no issue going interstate.” – Dandenong Stingrays talent manager Mark Wheeler.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 | Top 10 |
Lewin DAVIS
11-Oct-99 | 182.6cm | 72.5kg | Bendigo Pioneers
“Lewin is a very elusive player who has a great step. He played mainly on a wing but can kick goals and has a neat left foot. And he can take an absolute screamer, which he did a few times and he played a VFL game with Essendon this year. Will need to work on his consistency but that will come as he was new to the program so hadn’t done a lot of training.” – Bendigo Pioneers coach Ricky Coburn.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | Rookie |
Sam DAVIS
05-Sep-99 | 192.0cm | 86.7kg | Glenelg
“Sam is a bit raw but was part of the state Under 18 program and was a private schoolboy. He played two or three games for the reserves. He’s an athletic type who has ability to play a variety of roles. By his own admission he probably hasn’t settled in a spot but he has excellent endurance, can kick a goal and can play tall on a wing or at half forward.” – Glenelg football manager Paul Sandercock.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | Rookie |
Jacob DAWSON
03-Nov-99 | 181.5cm | 80.1kg | Gold Coast Academy
“Jacob is just a pure ball-winner in midfield. He needs to work on his kicking still, but he has great vision and the ability to put a teammate into space. He’s a strong and willing tackler as well. I think he might get a shot as a rookie.” – Queensland academy coach Adrian Fletcher.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | Rookie |
Matthew DAY
01-Apr-99 | 189.2cm | 79.4kg | Oakleigh Chargers
“Matt was new to the program this year with limited exposure to footy. He’s a kid that probably doesn’t realise how good he could be. He’s still learning the caper, but has some elite traits – especially with his work inside. He needs to work on his defensive side with his running, but he has the ability to go forward and take a few grabs and hit the scoreboard. His possession count was heavily biased to contested ball, which is hard to develop – so that’s a real strength.” – Oakleigh Chargers talent manager Craig Notman.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | Late pick/Rookie |
Tom DE KONING
16-Jul-99 | 200.3cm | 89.7kg | Dandenong Stingrays
“Tom’s season ended prematurely with six lacerations of his kidney. He’s a 200cm bloke who has gotten a bit tougher. His nationals showed that he was a ruck/forward, but I think down the track he’s more of a forward at AFL level. All the De Konings are late developers and he played mostly as a midfielder in juniors, so his ground ball stuff is very good. He has continued to work on his marking (two broken thumbs in 2016 hampered him) and he loves to jump at the footy and bring the ball forward, which is a great trait. Clubs have raved about his interviews.” – Dandenong Stingrays talent manager Mark Wheeler.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | Late pick/Rookie |
Bryce DENHAM
17-Jan-99 | 193.4cm | 89.2kg | North Adelaide
“Bryce is a tall lad who is very athletic. Played one state game and his athleticism for his size is his greatest asset. Takes a very good mark and can play forward, back or ruck but is more of a key position player. Only came to us as an Under 16 and his improvement in the past 12 months has been rapid. Might go as a rookie.” – North Adelaide development manager Neil Sanders.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Liam DENTON
22-Jan-99 | 186.7cm | 79.2kg | Glenelg
“Liam is a country kid from Mount Gambier who played 70 per cent of his season in the Under 18s and a few games in the state carnival. More of an explosive half-back cum wingman who has great leg speed and pace off the mark. Makes good decisions and is adjusting to life in Adelaide but certainly has some attributes. Might be a rookie chance.” – Glenelg football manager Paul Sandercock.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | Rookie |
Hugh DIXON
26-Feb-99 | 195.1cm | 90.5kg | Kingborough Tigers
“Hugh has plenty of upside as a tall forward. His contested marking is a real strength and he covers the ground really well for a big fella – he’s a fair bit quicker and more agile than what most people think. He uses the ball nicely on his left side and worked very hard at the end of the year to drop some weight. We (Tasmania) used him in midfield at times and he was thrown down back in the All Stars game and didn’t look out of place. He’s a creative tall who can kick goals, but also bring others into the game.”
– Tasmania talent manager Matt Armstrong.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 2.5 | 4 | 2.5 | Third Round |
Aiden DOMIC
16-Jul-99 | 185.0cm | 78.8kg | GWV Rebels
“Aiden’s had a good year coming second in the best and fairest. He started the season quite slow which has been a bit of a trait of his. He’s extremely fit and his gut-running is a real feature. He kicked three or four goals in the last quarter against Murray to drag us back into the game. His disposal still needs a bit of work and at times he can be a bit fumbly, but he’s been working very hard on cleaning it up.” – GWV Rebels talent manager Phil Partington.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | Late pick/Rookie |
Paddy DOW
16-Oct-99 | 185.4cm | 78.2kg | Bendigo Pioneers
“Paddy is a ripper. He played only three games with us because of commitments with Geelong Grammar and the AFL Academy. He’s an inside midfielder who is a real contested ball bull and really impressive at stoppages. He went forward and kicked goals and did that for Vic Country. There was a knock on his kicking but that has improved.” – Bendigo Pioneers coach Ricky Coburn.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | Top 10 |
Max DREHER
12-Apr-99 | 184.6cm | 79.2kg | Northern Knights
“Max came into the program only last year having played school football. He’s really competitive, courageous and rarely loses one-on-one contests. He won our beep test in pre-season and his start to the year was amazing – he was leading the best and fairest by miles after the first month. He isn’t overly quick, but his repeat efforts are very good.” – Northern Knights talent manager Rhy Gieschen.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 2.5 | 3 | 4 | Rookie |
Jackson EDWARDS
11-Oct-99 | 184.5cm | 75.0kg | Glenelg
“Jackson is the son of Tyson. Did state screening and played the last four or five league games for us as well as playing for Adelaide in the scratch match they had against GWS. Great play reader, uses the ball well and while not an overly long kick he is effective by foot. Can play inside and outside midfield but at the moment he’s played mostly on a wing. Hasn’t been a lot of talk about him but he’s on the radar of the Crows.” – Glenelg football manager Paul Sandercock.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 3.5 | Late pick/Rookie |
Callan ENGLAND
15-Oct-99 | 180.1cm | 71.7kg | Claremont
“Callan is a fleet-footed player who runs and carries the footy. Spent the year at school and came in and played some Colts footy for us. Uses the ball well, takes the game on from half back. Very slight but lots of upside with him down the track. There’s a bit to like.” – Claremont football operations manager Darcy Coffey.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | Rookie |
Patrick FARRANT
01-Oct-99 | 184.8cm | 71.0kg | Swan Districts
“Patrick is an indigenous boy who lives in Bunbury. He did some development footy with the Swans but chose to stay and play in Bunbury. His team won a flag at senior level and he’s a highly skilled small forward who is still very skinny. Played four games for our Colts and kicked four goals on debut. Tested at the state screening and I’d say he’d be much more likely to be looked at in 2018 rather than this season. Has got more tricks to him that just the forward pocket but there is a knock on his pace.” – Swan Districts development manager Steve Thompson.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Kane FARRELL
17-Mar-99 | 182.1cm | 73.6kg | Bendigo Pioneers
“Kane is an AFL Academy player who is an outside sort but he has worked hard and improved his inside stuff this season. A left-footer who is a prodigious kick and can take a mark, he’s a typical half-back flanker but he did also play forward for us and was effective. Needs to work on his consistency.” – Bendigo Pioneers coach Ricky Coburn.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3 | Late pick/Rookie |
Alex FEDERICO
26-Sep-99 | 184.3cm | 80.6kg | Northern Knights
“Fed won our best and fairest in just 10 games and he had a really good school season as well (attends Marcellin). Last year his main strengths were his marking and endurance, but we didn’t realise how good he was inside the contest and he really came into his own when we put him in there this season. He is courageous, he doesn’t lose too many one-on-ones and he can get up and take a mark. He played a couple of games in the VFL for the Northern Blues, which was a good challenge for him mid-season.” – Northern Knights talent manager Rhy Gieschen.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 2.5 | 3 | 4 | Late pick/Rookie |
James FERRY
09-Nov-94 | 191.4cm | 87.4kg | Essendon VFL
“Has been with the Dons for four seasons and rose to state selection this year, slotting in at centre half back. With his athletic attributes he’s equipped to play on tall and small forwards. ‘He’s got elite speed and agility, and he’s a competitor; he hates losing,’ Bombers VFL GM Ash Brown said. ‘There is a lot of upside to his game if he was to be in a full-time AFL program.’ Ferry has had his injury problems, as he did at the Calder Cannons, but he’s up to 38 senior games.” – VFL expert Paul Amy.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 3.5 | Rookie |
Ethan FLOYD
15-Jul-99 | 180.0cm | 70.7kg | Geelong Falcons
“Ethan is a superb athlete with speed and endurance and has great skill with his kicking. Runs the wings, finds space and in the first final against Gippsland Power he had 36 disposals. Played some good footy at the right time of the year.” – Geelong Falcons coach Dan O’Keefe.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | Third Round |
Darcy FOGARTY
25-Sep-99 | 191.9cm | 94.5kg | Glenelg
“Darcy had an injury interrupted year but played four senior games for us early in the season and handled himself well playing across half forward and through the midfield. Was part of the state Under 18s program but after that he had a knee operation and didn’t play. He has all the attributes in terms of being a good size, a good kick, aggressive at the ball and can take a mark. He’s the real deal but endurance is an area he’ll need to work on.” – Glenelg football manager Paul Sandercock.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | First Round |
Lachlan FOGARTY
01-Apr-99 | 178.8cm | 75.5kg | Western Jets
“A determined young man who had a great year of footy playing as an inside midfielder with great tackling pressure. Intensity is elite and he’ll likely go in the first round. Was part of the AFL Academy, was best player at the Under 16 championships for Vic Metro, was All-Australian this year, runner-up in our best and fairest and only played seven games, so he’s performed well. He has all the tools to make it at the next level.” – Western Jets coach Torin Baker. |
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 5 | 3.5 | Second Round |
Jonathon FRAMPTON
27-Sep-99 | 196.0cm | 85.0kg | South Fremantle
“Johnny played mainly in the ruck and as a key forward for us. His brother is Billy who is on Port Adelaide’s list. He’s a very athletic big fella, has a big tank so can cover the ground and that allows him to win plenty of the ball as a ruckman or fourth midfielder. He works hard and showed he can go forward late in the year and kick goals. He has plenty of areas to improve, including his one-on-one work and contested marking.” – South Fremantle talent manager Jason Pedulla.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | Late pick/Rookie |
Tom FREEMAN
06-Apr-99 | 186.1cm | 78.6kg | Dandenong Stingrays
“The injury run that he’s had over the past two years hasn’t been great. He broke an eye-socket as a 16-year-old, he injured his knee and shoulder as a 17-year-old and then this year broke ribs, was ill and then got knocked out. I honestly think his skills and his kicking are elite. He only played five games with us but if he gets a chance at the next level he’ll work his butt off.” – Dandenong Stingrays talent manager Mark Wheeler.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Bayley FRITSCH
06-Dec-96 | 186.9cm | 80.1kg | Casey Demons
“After two years tailed by injury the left-foot forward from Coldstream enjoyed a full season and was so impressive he elevated himself more into a draft certainty than a hopeful. Often spectacular in the air, deceptively quick, a penetrating kick, and crafty at ground level, the 20-year-old represented the VFL, topped Casey’s goalkicking with 44, made the VFL team of the year and received the Fothergill Round Medal as the league’s best young player (always a reliable guide to a player’s AFL prospects). It won’t be a surprise to see him nabbed in the national draft.” – VFL expert Paul Amy.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | 4 | 3 | 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | Third Round |
Cooper GAFFNEY
07-Jan-99 | 178.5cm | 71.0kg | Woodville-West Torrens
“Cooper was involved in the Under 18 academy and is a courageous, left-footed midfielder who makes good decisions and has some speed. Played as a small defender at the nationals and picked up 25 touches in one game from the back pocket. Reads the game well.” – Woodville-West Torrens talent manager Darren Hams.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | Rookie |
Joel GARNER
21-May-99 | 184.2cm | 82.6kg | Eastern Ranges
“Joel is an elite character who was captain of the AIS, Vic Metro and the Ranges this sea-son so has leadership qualities to burn. Sees the game well, can play off half back or as a hit-up forward and he’s hard, tough, makes good decisions and kicks the ball well. Just needs to find some consistency on his game. Always been the No.1 kid in terms of being captain of everything he’s done but I reckon allowing him to get to a club and just be Joel Garner might be a really good thing for him.” – Eastern Ranges coach Darren Bewick.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | Second Round |
Michael GIBBONS
15-May-95 | 177.0cm | 75.0kg | Williamstown
“Towners coach Andy Collins insists no list of draft prospects is complete without mention of Gibbons, who he describes as ‘the elite young midfielder of VFL footy’. Gibbons had to back up a 2016 season in which he won the JJ Liston Trophy and the Frank Johnson Medal (as best in the state game) and he did it well. Averaged 26 possessions, improved his kicking efficiency and was runner-up in the Liston. In other words, he’s still thumping at recruiters’ doors.” – VFL expert Paul Amy.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3 | 4 | Late pick/Rookie |
Stefan GIRO
10-Mar-99 | 174.9cm | 71.6kg | Norwood
“Stefan is an elite decision maker who runs both ways all game. Moves through traffic very well and has very good disposal by foot. Constantly looking to improve and always leads by example on and off the field.” – Norwood talent manager Rick Shrowder.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 4 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | Late pick/Rookie |
Dominic GRANT
29-Jan-99 | 187.0cm | 76.6kg | Wanderers
“‘Junior’ had an injury interrupted year with foot stress fractures having come through the AFL academy, but he’s back running at the moment edging towards full fitness. He’s a competitive beast with a strong tackle. He has worked hard on his kicking to get it to an efficient level and at the next level he projects as a half forward or half back. He could return to NT Thunder as a 19-year-old if not selected.” – NT Thunder coach Andrew Hodges.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 2 | Rookie |
Bailey GRIFFITHS
01-Oct-99 | 200.9cm | 96.3kg | Oakleigh Chargers
“Bailey comes from good bloodlines with his mum (Michelle) playing for the Opals at the Olympics and his uncle (Dean Brogan) a premiership player with Port Adelaide and in the NBL. He’s a big brute of a kid who isn’t shy in throwing his weight around and has a real want to learn and be the best that he can be. He’ll be a project for a club, but he has the aggression and strength already, it’s just his footy IQ that he is continuing to learn.” – Oakleigh Chargers talent manager Craig Notman.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 2.5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2.5 | Late pick/Rookie |
Matt GUELFI
14-Aug-97 | 183.6cm | 78.8kg | Claremont
“Matt’s got a fair bit of class. He is another who missed out last year but played very game in the league team this season. He’s got super strong hands – he’s an inside midfielder by trade but can go forward and mark it. He’s a beautiful long kick, crashes in hard, tackles well, but because of the high-collision style he plays, he was often sore going into games, so he probably just needs to get stronger and his body a bit harder. They are easy things to do in an AFL program.” – Claremont football operations manager Darcy Coffey.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3.5 | Late pick/Rookie |
Harrison GUNTHER
13-May-99 | 188.3cm | 81.3kg | Glenorchy
“Harrison is a work-horse that played as a third-tall forward who comes up and down the ground – he’s very athletic and has a big engine. His marking and kicking are OK, but he needs to work on his ground level contested ball as he can’t just rely on getting the ball on the lead. Spent a few games in the TAC Cup with Western to expose him to a higher level of footy.” – Tasmania talent manager Matt Armstrong.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4 | Rookie |
David HANDLEY
01-Sep-99 | 182.6cm | 78.6kg | Geelong Falcons
“David is a realty smart footballer as a small forward and midfielder and his footy IQ is enormous. Has great body positioning in marking contests and wins the ball well. Will need to get better in terms of conditioning and running capacity as well as strength, which will allow him to get to more contests.” – Geelong Falcons coach Dan O’Keefe.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Late pick/Rookie |
Matt HANSON
26-May-95 | 187.0cm | 81.0kg | Werribee
“Last month the former Tasmanian onballer became the first Werribee player since club great Travis Robertson to win three consecutive best and fairests. He also made the VFL team of the year for the third year on the spin. ‘Under pressure, he lifts,’ Tigers coach John Lamont said. ‘He’s a real professional, continually striving to improve. I look at Sam Gibson, rookied at 25, then plays for seven years straight, doesn’t miss a game. Maybe Hanson can do that, with his running ability, his competitiveness, his team focus, his ball-winning ability. He’s tough and durable.’ Hanson topped the clearance count in the VFL this year, laid the most tackles, was second for inside 50s and had the third-highest tally for contested possessions.” – VFL expert Paul Amy.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Rookie |
__
Jake HARDMAN
02-Jun-98 | 174.2cm | 67.5kg | Sydney Swans Academy
“The flavour of the month due to the way Richmond went about winning the flag with their forwards. He’s a small, quick forward who has really good goal sense and can hurt you quickly, but he can improve his tackling pressure in the front half to take his game to the next level. He has lightning pace.” – NSW/ACT talent manager Darren Denneman.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 5 | 4 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Matthew HARMAN
02-Jun-98 | 202.5cm | 90.2kg | Northern Knights
“He’s just a ripper kid, Matt, and we think he’s the most improved player in the comp. He’s grown a bit this year but he’s still developing. His contested marking got better as the year wore on and he dominated the hit-outs in the second half of the season. His ball in hand stuff is pretty impressive for a big fella and we are hopeful that he gets taken at some point.” – Northern Knights talent manager Rhy Gieschen.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 2.5 | 4 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Lachlan HARRIS
17-Feb-99 | 170.7cm | 72.3kg | Sandringham Dragons
“A smart little player with a turn of foot and some x-factor. He did better at school level early in the year than he did in the TAC Cup, but then set himself for a big back half of the year and played some different roles well. He didn’t get the midfield time he would have liked, but what he did up forward was good and it’s where he probably plays at the next level if given the chance. He’s a Brisbane father-son prospect.” – Sandringham Dragons talent manager Ryan O’Connor.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4 | Rookie |
Kyron HAYDEN
07-Jun-99 | 185.7cm | 86.5kg | Subiaco
“Kyron was coming back from a groin issue and worked extremely hard to get back from that. Powerful unit who is a very strong inside midfielder and pleased the club with how he went about it. He tired mid-season but after modifying his program slightly he finished the year well. Wins his own ball, uses it well and is just strong in his attack.” – Subiaco football manager Daniel Vidovich.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 | Late pick/Rookie |
Sam HAYES
09-Jun-99 | 202.7cm | 92.6kg | Eastern Ranges
“Sam is interesting because in five years’ time he could be the best ruckman ever or some people think he might be on the scrapheap by then. His stats are extraordinary and he’s got that much upside it’s not funny but he’s just got to understand the requirements and actually put everything into place. Tap work is good, he’s improving around the ground and he’s just got to understand the game a bit more. Just a big kid and if he could get to a place where he has a good role model as a ruckman then that would really help him. Ability wise I think he’s a first-rounder but whether a club pulls the trigger on him that early is another thing.” – Eastern Ranges coach Darren Bewick.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 2.5 | First Round |
Bailey HENDERSON
20-Oct-99 | 187.8cm | 76.4kg | Bendigo Pioneers
“Bailey had a great year early but did get tired towards the end of the season. Mobile player who we played as a key forward and midfielder this season and was handy. Likes to carry the ball, kicks it well, can take a mark and moves well for a player who is 190cm.” – Bendigo Pioneers coach Ricky Coburn.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | Late pick/Rookie |
Jacob HERON
10-Dec-99 | 179.6cm | 75.5kg | Gold Coast Academy
“He’s a quick, nuggety type who originally comes from Cairns Saints and can play a range of positions or even apply pressure in the front half. The Suns like what he’s done this year at all levels; he was excellent in their NEAFL finals win over NT Thunder with 26 touches.” – Queensland academy coach Adrian Fletcher.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4 | Rookie |
Isaac HEWSON
02-Apr-99 | 182.4cm | 81.6kg | Norwood
“Isaac is a powerful inside/outside midfielder with elite speed who has the ability to play through the midfield or defence. He has a penetrating and damaging kick that can hurt the opposition.” – Norwood talent manager Rick Shrowder.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | Rookie |
Jack HIGGINS
19-Mar-99 | 177.8cm | 77.0kg | Oakleigh Chargers
“What’s been said about ‘Higgo’ is on the mark. He’s a really competitive little player who just gets the most out of himself. He’s a real leader with the way that he prepares for train-ing and games. He made some good inroads this year with his defensive work, especially his tackling. He’s shown a real ability to rise to whatever level he’s playing at. Up until late in the year when he hurt his shoulder he hasn’t tended to get injured and he backs up well each week. I see him as a small forward that can go into midfield initially.” – Oakleigh Chargers talent manager Craig Notman.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3.5 | First Round |
Jackson HILLE
05-Aug-99 | 187.8cm | 79.5kg | Sandringham Dragons
“Came in late after having a shoulder issue early in the year. Played well at school, but then came in and did well as a defender. Clubs like his size and athleticism, but he has had to work hard on his kick. He can play midfield, but settled well in defence as a third tall.” – Sandringham Dragons talent manager Ryan O’Connor.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 3 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Nick HIND
19-Aug-94 | 179.4cm | 70.1kg | Essendon VFL
“The pacy and classy flanker/wingman joined the Bombers midway through 2016 and has made a quick rise in the VFL. He played 15 games this year and was an emergency for the state side. Dons GM Ash Brown says Hind is a line-breaker’ who likes to carry the ball and ‘really open up games with his speed and vision’. ‘He could be a good asset for a team looking for some run and carry out of the back half or in a wing role,’ Brown said. Hind played at Clunes in 2015 and East Point the following year before heading to Windy Hill.” – VFL expert Paul Amy.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4 | 3 | Rookie |
Jake HINDS
07-May-99 | 185.1cm | 82.2kg | Launceston
“Jake is an elite left foot kick. He has the ability to move the ball out of defence into offence really quickly with his kicking. He played mostly as a quarterback playmaker with Tassie, but he can go into midfield if required. He’s got courage going back with the ball, but needs to build up his speed.” – Tasmania talent manager Matt Armstrong.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 3.5 | 2.5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | Rookie |
Austin HODGE
02-Apr-99 | 189.7cm | 84.0kg | Gippsland Power
“Austin comes from a basketball background and is a tall midfielder who sees the game really well and is a bit of a Scott Pendlebury type as he always seems to have time with the ball. Didn’t have a great pre-season as he was coming off hip surgery from last year. Has to work on his speed and consistency of impact and is probably a rookie chance.” – Gippsland Power coach Leigh Brown.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Nick HOGAN
02-Apr-99 | 175.8cm | 77.0kg | Gippsland Power
“Nick is a powerfully built midfielder who is a real contested ball player. He has some speed to his game and ability to break away from congestion, which is a real asset. Can play half forward at a pinch and type of player who just keeps on finding the ball. Kicking needs some work and is a late draft chance, if not a rookie possibility.” – Gippsland Power coach Leigh Brown.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 5 | Rookie |
Dane HOLLENKAMP
22-Oct-99 | 200.0cm | 86.4kg | Geelong Falcons
“Dane is really raw still. He’s a tall ruckman who played only a handful of games this year because he broke his collarbone twice and in a way that became a bonus for him as he came in fresh late and was our No. 1 ruckman and his finals series was really good. Tested well at the state combine. He has some good upside for a player of his size.” – Geelong Falcons coach Dan O’Keefe.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 2.5 | 4 | 4 | 2.5 | 2.5 | Rookie |
Marty HORE
05-Mar-96 | 189.5cm | 82.4kg | Collingwood VFL
“Recruited from the Bendigo Pioneers, the second-year Pie was a stand-out at half back, winning the best and fairest, taking his place in the VFL team of the year and testing well at the state combine. Intercept marking and precise kicking are the left-footer’s strengths. ‘He can play on a variety of opponents, he reads it very well in the air and he has the game sense to know when to peel off his opponent and intercept and when to defend,’ Maggies general manager Chris Dixon said. ‘He’s really neat with his ball use too. He’s one of our best kicks.’” – VFL expert Paul Amy.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Rookie |
Jordan HOULAHAN
19-Feb-99 | 185.7cm | 76.0kg | Sturt
“Jordan is a spectacular player who tested well at the draft camp. He has an outrageously good vertical jump and also reads the flight of the ball really well. Every week he will take a couple of Jeremy Howe-type hangers. So he has some x-factor about him but how that translates to AFL we’ll see. He might end up playing as a defender rather than a forward but he’s a nice shot at goal. More on the introverted, laid-back side than on the extroverted end of the spectrum.” – Sturt general manager David Oatey.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | Second Round |
Liam HUNT
03-Feb-95 | 187.0cm | 83.0kg | Coburg
“The cousin of Marcus Bontempelli was the Lions’ No. 1 midfielder this year, by reputation and by numbers. He was often tagged but averaged 26 disposals, was fifth in the league for contested possessions and fifth for clearances. It was enough to win Coburg’s best and fairest and earn a VFL team-of-the-year jumper. ‘He copped a lot of attention but was able to get through all of that and have a fantastic season,’ Coburg GM Seb Spagnuolo said. ‘He’s got a good balance now of inside and outside, and he uses the ball well.’” – VFL expert Paul Amy.
| Kicking | Marking | Accumulating | Cont. Ball | Speed | Agility | Endurance | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 2.5 | Rookie |