The Mid-Season Rookie Draft is fast approaching and there are a few interesting names in the mix.
May 31 is the date when those plying their trade in state leagues around the country will get their chance to be added to an AFL list.
Ryley Stoddart, who played six games for the Sydney Swans between 2018 and 2020, is averaging almost 30 touches per game in the VFL for Frankston across four games in 2023.
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey expects Stoddart to be on the radar of AFL clubs alongside Gippsland Power forward Ryan Maric and former Collingwood player Callum Brown, who is excelling with Box Hill in the VFL.
“I think it’s going to be an interesting mid-season group,” Twomey said on SEN Breakfast.
“We spoke about Ryan Maric a few weeks ago. He’s shaping as the potential number one pick, a tall forward from Gippsland.
“Ryley Stoddart has come through the system already for the Swans.
“He’s played some reasonable footy in the VFL so he’s a player that will get looked at.
“Another player to keep an eye on is Cal Brown.
“Josh Gabelich wrote today in Inside Trading that he’s got some interest while playing at Box Hill. The former Collingwood player of course. Nearly signed with Hawthorn as a pre-season pick too.
“There is a Young Guns game on the weekend. This is where Jai Culley and Massimo D’Ambrosio dominated last year and both got themselves drafted out of these Young Guns games.
“They’ll tell a bit of a story, but at this stage we’re expecting a smaller mid-season pool this year.”
We also took an early look at the 2023 AFL Draft.
Harley Reid is widely regarded as the no.1 draft pick, but there are plenty of names who will be in the mix behind him come November.
Twomey identified a handful of youngsters who are likely to be in the top range of this year’s draft.
“There’s a gap at the moment between Harley and the rest of the group. Just with how dominant he’s been over a couple of years,” Twomey said.
“Nick Watson, who we’ve spoken about a lot over the last few years. ‘The Wizard’, he’s right up there. He is 170cm but making a huge impact, kicked five on the weekend playing at school level.
“Zane Duursma played in the VFL last week for the Casey Demons and did quite well (12 disposals). He’s in that ragne.
“Daniel Curtin is a key defender from WA who would be around that point. Ashton Moir, kicks on both feet, really exciting forward from Glenelg in South Australia.
“These next guys are off limits but they’re going to be pretty close to the top of the pool - Jed Walter and Ethan Read from the Gold Coast (Academy).
“Walter is a big, bustling key forward who kicked eight goals last weekend.
“There’s some talent right at the top. It will be interesting after Harley.”
Listen to Twomey’s chat wth Garry and Tim below: