AFL Media draft expert Cal Twomey has named two South Australian Under 18 players to keep an eye on ahead of this year’s draft.
South Australia have lost their last two games in the NAB League Championships, those defeats coming against Vic Country and Vic Metro.
Twomey, regarded as one of the league’s best when it comes to the draft, joined SEN SA Breakfast after watching the weekend’s game against Metro.
SA Breakfast co-host Andrew Hayes asked: “Can you name us one, maybe two South Australian blokes we should be keeping an eye on in terms of the Under 18s?”
Twomey replied: “Mattaes Phillipou is a star, he’s a top-10 pick I think, he’s a son of Sam Phillipou the former Footscray player… not father-son eligible there, but he's a left footer who can go through the midfield and half forward.
“To me, he's a forward half of a ground type, (similar to Crows star) Jordan Dawson. We see Dawson at half back and (on the) wing, I think Phillipou is that midfield and half forward type, same body shape, 192cms, kicks goals, I think he’s right in that top-10 frame for them.”
Phillipou started well but played out Sunday’s game sore, finishing with 14 touches and a goal.
Meanwhile, his captain, Adam D’Aloia, who Twomey also named as a player to follow, was among the best handful on the ground.
“Adam D’Aloia has been pretty solid as well for the South Australian side” he added.
“He’s their captain and midfielder, he was really good on the weekend with 11 clearances and 28 disposals against Vic Metro, he was probably their best player in that game in a loss of 12 goals for South Australia.
“He’s probably a bit further down the draft order in terms of the 30-40 (range), but certainly a consistent midfield option who clubs can pick up and know what he’s going to bring them.
“There have been a couple of key forwards who have been around the mark at times this year, we’ll keep an eye on them in the second half this season in terms of the South Australian teams.”
Meanwhile, another outcome out of that match was Will Ashcroft cementing himself as the favourite to go at Pick 1.
The son of Brisbane Star Marcus, Ashcroft was again best-on-ground in his demolition of South Australia, gathering 38 disposals, 10 clearances and 10 inside 50s.
Twomey wrote for AFL.com.au: “Ashcroft now looks to have elevated himself to be the clear top prospect in this year's pool.”
South Australia next plays Western Australia in Perth on Sunday in their final game of the championships.