AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin ‘Shifter’ Sheehan has named his top small prospects available in the upcoming draft.
The National Draft will be held over two days on November 24 and 25, with the rookie and pre-season drafts to be completed the next day on November 26.
Sheehan believes this year could feature some of the best small prospects of recent years.
“My criteria for smalls is 180 cm and below … we’ve got 28 in this category, so we’ve got to break them up somehow as we profile the 126 that the clubs have nominated for testing,” he told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.
“These are the boys that are genuine contenders, we’ve got three or four here that are top 25 picks I reckon, even a couple that might be top 10.
“The smalls are back in vogue, if ever they were out of vogue they’re back in, I can tell you that.”
Josh Ward
Northern Knights, NAB League / Fitzroy FC / Melbourne Grammar State: Victoria (Metro) Height: 181cm Weight: 74kg Date of Birth: 17/08/03
Sheehan says: “He’s a real natural, in fact, he’s such a pro he’s been likened to Sam Walsh the way he goes about it.
“He’s a left-footed midfielder, he captained Vic Metro and the one representative match they had this year, he had 29 disposals in that game and was in the best handful on the ground.
“He’s such an accomplished player, cool with the ball in hand, great vision, great foot skills and hand skills.
“He’s a real pro as we suggest in the realms of a Sam Walsh, and ready to produce straight away.
“He’ll be one to watch, I think he’d be a top ten type.”
Josh Rachele
Murray Bushrangers, NAB League / Shepparton Swans / Caulfield Grammar State: Victoria (Country) Height: 179cm Weight: 81kg Date of Birth: 11/04/03
Sheehan says: “Gee he’s a talent as a forward, I like that bit of Jamie Elliot jack in the box about him.
“His ability to spring in front on the lead, all of a sudden you’ll go, ‘Crikey, where did that come from’.
“He takes a mark, he’s a wonderful strong kick, he kicked six in a game this year for the Murray Bushrangers.
“A critical year for all of these boys was their Under 16 year, well he was the MVP in Division One of the National Championships three years back, and that’s something referenced by the clubs a lot as they go back to see how they were unfolding at that stage.
“He ticks all of those boxes, he’s an exciting small forward that can push up into the midfield and gather the footy as well.”
Tyler Sonsie
Eastern Ranges, NAB League / Rowville FC State: Victoria (Metro) Height: 181cm Weight: 78kg Date of Birth: 27/01/03
Sheehan says: “You grab your opportunities when they bob up, he had half a dozen games and played really well for the Eastern Ranges, best on the ground in the first game of the year.
“He got a chance in the April period to push up and play at Box Hill in the VFL, and Sam Mitchell was coaching there at this point.
“He’s in the best few players on the ground in this game, kicks a couple of goals and 22 disposals, so all the Hawks wouldn’t have missed that.
“No one’s missed it in fact, all of the clubs talk about that as such an important performance for a boy when given his first chance to step up.”
Jesse Motlop
South Fremantle, WAFL / South Coogee JFC / Aquinas College State: Western Australia Height: 177cm Weight: 78kg Date of Birth: 23/11/03
Sheehan says: “If you want to pluck one with a well-known footy name … there's always been one and it’s the surname Motlop … Daniel’s boy, Jesse.
“He’s really interesting because he’s Next Generation Academy for Fremantle, he doesn’t qualify for father-son for either of Daniel’s two clubs North Melbourne or Port Adelaide.
“Should he not be taken in the top 40, Fremantle can match a bid after 40, so he’s in the draft up to 40.
“I think he’ll go in the 30s I think someone will have a nibble in the late 20s or the 30s.
“He’s got a few tricks, he’s like his uncle Steven I reckon, this way and that way, he dodges around them and makes quick decisions and had that sharp shot at goal that all the Motlops have got.”