Melbourne could lose exciting prospect Mac Andrew following changes to the AFL’s Next Generation Academy system.
Andrew, who is tied to the Demons via their Next Generation Academy, could land at a rival club in this year’s draft if he falls inside the first 20 selections.
The AFL’s new NGA rules prohibits clubs from matching bids for Academy players inside the top 20, with Andrew expected to go early in the 2021 draft.
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey shed more light on the situation surrounding the Egyptian-born teenager.
“One of the guys that I’ve spoken about in previous weeks - and there will be a fair storyline as the year goes on around him – is Mac Andrew,” Twomey told SEN’s Flip.
“He’s a 200cm prospect from the Dandenong Stingrays. He plays ruck-key forward. Probably a bit more of a ruckman than a key forward. He’s tied to Melbourne’s Next Generation Academy.
“I don’t think they’re any chance to get him unfortunately for the Dees, even though they’ve done a lot of work with him dating back to the age of 13 when he first joined as part of their Next Generation Academy.
“Because the new rules under the Next Generation Academy means you don’t actually get access to match a bid inside the first 20 – he’s going to fit inside that range.
“He’s a really exciting player. Born in Egypt, his parents are from South Sudan. He’s a real multi-cultural talent.
“He’s one to watch.”
Tim Watson and Garry Lyon were both taken aback by Andrew’s highlights playing for the Stingrays in the NAB League.
“I’m watching the highlights – goodness me – how tall is he? His athleticism,” Watson told SEN Breakfast.
Lyon replied: “The way he handles the footy – it’s scary, isn’t it?
“I think he’ll go at pick No.21, which the Demons can then match.”
The Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide were able to match bids for Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (pick No.1) and Lachie Jones (pick No.16) in last year’s draft before the NGA rules were changed.