AFL draft talent expert Kevin Sheehan has named South Australian prospect Harry Barnett as the best ruckman in this year’s draft pool.
The West Adelaide prospect won All-Australian selection through his performances for South Australia in the Under 18 National Championships. Barnett has also showcased plenty of strength and athleticism in the SANFL Under 18 competition.
Sheehan sees a bit of Brodie Grundy in Barnett and suggested the ruckman could be taken in the first round of the draft. Sheehan added that up to 12 of the first 16 picks could be midfielders.
“One boy certain to go is Harry Barnett. He’s the best ruckman, in my view, potentially in the pool,” he said on SEN SA’s Saturdays in SA.
“He’s the right size at about 202cm… won All-Australian selection based on his form in the Nationals and he’s a kid a bit like Brodie Grundy, so he might go about that point.
“He’d been a back-to-back All-Australian at underage level, Brodie Grundy, and slipped right through to (pick 18), so the first club that wants a ruckman, they’ll bid.
“He’s definitely an AFL prospect in the late first round or early second round, I would have thought.”
With his size and strength, at 202cms and over 90 kilograms, Barnett could be expected to push for senior selection in his first year, depending on the club he joins.
One club he has been linked to is Sydney. The Swans have a lack of top-end ruck talent and have two picks in the first round of the draft at 14 and 17.
Speaking on the Herald Sun Footy Podcast recently, Sydney national recruiting manager Simon Dalrymple confirmed the club had an interest in Barnett.
“(Barnett) is a pretty solid, well-developed player who has shown a real capability to impact aerially and has played some senior footy. He's not a ruckman that would need to put on a lot of weight,” he stated.
However, the Swans are also believed to be open to trading down the draft in order to improve their hand in next year’s draft.
Dalrymple confirmed the club would consider propositions on those picks, while 7 News’ Mitch Cleary reported on Friday the Swans want “strong assets” in the 2023 draft.