AFL.com.au draft guru Callum Twomey says talented Vic Country midfielder Sam Walsh will challenge young South Australian Jack Lukosius as the number one pick in this year’s draft.
Lukosius has been labelled by recruiters as a “once in a generation” type of key forward, with the Woodville-West Torrens prodigy tipped to be the first name called on draft night.
While he will need time to bulk up in order to meet the physical demands of AFL football, Twomey believes Walsh’s character and leadership will enable a prospective club to build their future around the Geelong Falcons prospect.
“It’s going to be a really tough conversation for those clubs at the top, because Walsh might not be the player that straight away he’s expected to be," he told SEN Afternoons.
"He’s quite skinny so he probably has a little bit to go in terms of his physical development, which will mean he will start more as an outside midfielder than an inside option.
"He’s another guy who has done nothing wrong – averaging 30 odd touches for the Geelong Falcons this year and will co-captain Vic Country this championships.
"Everyone who meets him, you can tell what a great character he is so there’s that stuff that comes into it as well.
"Could you build a club around a prospect and a character like that? I think he’s certainly one who will be a captain in the future.
"Walsh is going to be a big challenger for Jack Lukosius that’s for sure."
The Under 18 National Championships are currently underway with the Allies taking on Walsh's Vic Country at Spotless Stadium on Saturday morning.
Listen to Cal Twomey's chat on SEN Afternoons with Andy Maher in the player below