One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => View from the Outer => Lounder's Draft Resources => Topic started by: one-eyed on May 31, 2012, 12:07:39 PM
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Riolis' bravery
By Jason Phelan
Wed 30 May, 2012
BEN AND Willie Rioli jr carry one of the most famous names in football, and they did their family proud in a time of grief with starring roles in the Northern Territory's upset win against Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships on Saturday.
Sibby Rioli, father of Ben and uncle to Willie, was laid to rest in a traditional ceremony at Garden Point on the Tiwi Islands just two days after the emotion-charged 18-point win at Darwin's TIO Stadium.
"Both boys played particularly well under really tough circumstances," AIS-AFL high performance coach Michael O'Loughlin said.
"I sat with some recruiters to watch the game, everyone was aware of that situation, and I just thought it was a brilliant effort from both of them.
"I think Sibby would have been very proud of the way they performed for NT."
Click here for all your NAB AFL Under-18 news
Ben and Willie jr, cousins of Hawthorn's Cyril, were among the best players in the Territory's maiden win against traditional powerhouse Vic Metro.
Ben is an over-age player for NT this year, while 16-year-old Willie Jr will be eligible for the 2013 NAB AFL Draft. Greater Western Sydney has first call on both of them under its entry concessions.
O'Loughlin says the pair's natural talent is undoubted, but both have some work to do to be considered by any AFL recruiters.
"Both boys have obviously got the Rioli gene and they can really play the game," he said.
"I've known Willie now for a little bit, through indigenous programs, and he's always had the skill, but he just needs to work on his fitness. If he really sees himself as an AFL footballer then there's a few things he needs to work on.
"It's just a matter of these guys realising what's required and really knuckling down."
Ben, a late developer who is still slightly built at just 61kg, is a 179cm small defender who plays senior footy for NT Thunder in the NEAFL and has strength that belies his size, according to NT talent manager Wally Gallio.
"He's come along in leaps and bounds since last year - he's a year older and a bit more mature in a football sense," Gallio says.
"He likes to run and carry and his tackling for his size is really good.
"One his main attributes is that he's hard to shift off the line of the footy even though he's not big. He's a got a good ball sense and can stay on the line - he doesn't usually get pushed off and if he does he'll often take the footy with him.
"He's just got a knack of getting a hand in there or edging his opponent off the ball."
Willie jr, at 180cm and 80kg, is a clever small forward who has spent the past two years boarding at Melbourne's Xavier College.
That he is even participating at this year's championships is remarkable given he was placed in an induced coma in Darwin over the Christmas period after he came down with a mystery virus.
His performance against Vic Metro was a big step in the right direction and O'Loughlin is hopeful the pair can back up their good start over the rest of the carnival.
"The talent is absolutely there and now it's up to the want and the desire of these two to take it to the next level," O'Loughlin said.
"In Cyril they see what could happen, and now it's up to them to make sure that they get the Monday to Friday routine right to allow them to play well on the weekend.
"They've just got those things they need to fix up and the sky's the limit."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/137218/default.aspx
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Draft hope Brodie Grundy 'a matchwinner'
By Ben Guthrie
Sun 17 Jun, 2012
FORMER Adelaide recruiter Matthew Rendell says young South Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy will be ready to step up to AFL level next year.
Grundy is shaping as a likely top-10 pick in this year's draft on the back of stellar performances for his state in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Speaking on Channel 9's TAC Cup Future Stars program, Rendell, who has been mentoring the young ruckman in his role with the state team, called Grundy a matchwinner.
"He's a really competitive ruckman and as a bottom-ager last year I reckon he won two games for South Australia by himself," Rendell said.
"Someone's going to get a beauty there."
Grundy, who stands at 202cm and 100kg, has kicked six goals and has been a dominant force in the ruck in this year's carnival after being selected in the 2011 Under-18 All Australian team.
Rendell said the club which picked the SA big man could be reassured that he will play at AFL level next year.
"He makes stuff happen. He's a real competitive beast and virtually ready to go as a ruckman, which is unusual too," he said.
"If a club picks him I reckon they'll get some games out of him in the League next year."
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20F-J/brodiegrundy246.jpg)
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/138775/default.aspx
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Mayes still amazes
By Harry Thring
afl.com.au
Thu 21 Jun, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/MAYES-Sam-246AA.jpg)
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/139146/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/139146/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer)
DESPITE a less-than-prolific NAB AFL Under 18 Championships to date, South Australia's coach Brenton Phillips still expects vice-captain Sam Mayes to be taken early in this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Mayes has been described as potentially more explosive than Scott Pendlebury, with the outside skills of Dale Thomas and the versatility of Andrew Mackie, but has struggled to find form in this year's titles after gaining All Australian selection as an underage player in 2011.
The 18-year-old's situation bears similarities to that of West Coast gun Jack Darling, who was an underage All Australian player in 2009 but couldn't match that form in 2010.
Darling has gone on to become one of the emerging stars of the competition and Phillips said Mayes had showed enough over the last few years to warrant early selection.
"I still maintain that if you're a good footballer, you're a good footballer," Phillips said.
"At the end of the day you don't lose you talent - AFL clubs would back their ability to bring someone like Sam into their club and develop them."
Playing senior football in the SANFL and touted as a likely first-round selection in this year's NAB AFL Draft, the wraps on Mayes are big, but he knows there is plenty of work to be done before he can make it in the big league.
The building blocks are there.
At 187cm and having represented the state in basketball, the resemblance to Pendlebury is obvious.
Like the Collingwood superstar, Mayes possesses tremendous endurance and speed, a trait inherited from his father Leon, who was the Australian junior national 400m champion in 1981-82.
Port Adelaide development coach Daniel Healy made the Pendlebury, Thomas and Mackie comparisons.
As senior coach of North Adelaide in the SANFL, in 2009 he played a large role in luring Mayes to the Roosters from Port Pirie, a coastal town two hours' north of Adelaide on the Yorke Peninsula.
"He's probably got a bit of Dale Thomas' outside stuff as well, but he's certainly got real class like they have and his ability to use the ball is pretty exciting."
Healy had seen Mayes dominate the SANFL's Smartplay Cup, a competition now known as the SANFL Under 15 Intra State Championships, and was immediately impressed.
"He could do it all - mark, kick, he was good around stoppages or could go forward, and he could play anywhere really."
Power champion and now North Adelaide coach Josh Francou certainly thought so, describing him as "naturally just a very classy player".
"I think he's probably the perfect height and, potentially, the perfect build … he's almost like the perfect utility player," he said.
"One, his running ability's so good and secondly his height, but also his skill level - he's got very good skills.
"He'll develop into a very good footballer at [AFL] level."
Francou also praised Mayes' work rate for North Adelaide: "You tend to see some young guys come through that might have the skills but don't have the work ethic, and eventually those sort of players fall off the team.
"Nothing to me suggests he's one of those; everything I've seen suggests otherwise."
Mayes agreed that his work rate was one of his key strengths and said playing at levels higher than his age had helped nurture it.
At 14 he became one of the youngest A-Grade debutants in his local club's history and by 17 he had played his first senior SANFL game.
Appearing against mature-bodied players in the SANFL was something he hoped would give him a head start should he be drafted in November.
"My work rate's always been pretty high, but I still think I need to step it up a bit if I want to play at the elite level," he said.
"Work rate's a massive thing, because if you want to get the ball you've got to work pretty hard, and harder the higher level you play.
"I think playing some league footy's kind of good for the development if I do get the opportunity to play at the highest level."
At SANFL and Under-18 level Mayes has the height to play tall in the forward or back line, and he can also spend time in the middle of the ground, but he accepts that he won’t be able to hold down a key position in the AFL and at just 74kg he knows he has to bulk up.
"I'll have to put on a little bit. I've been doing a bit of gym with North but I like to keep pretty athletic because that's my game style," he said.
"I'd like to come up the ground and play as a midfielder, winger-type player.
"You've got to be pretty well rounded to be able to play whatever position is necessary."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/139146/default.aspx
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Worth bottling
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Sat 23 Jun, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20U-Z/wines246.jpg)
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/139314/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/139314/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer)
OLIVER Wines has become used to fitting a lot into his days.
The 17-year-old, considered one of the best midfielders available at this year's NAB AFL Draft, lives in Echuca, the Victorian town on the New South Wales border.
Each morning Wines wakes up at about 6.45 and by 7.30 is on the bus for a one-hour trip to Shepparton, where he's studying year 12 at Goulburn Valley Grammar School. When school's done and he has footy commitments, Wines' dad Tony, mum Jane or grandpa Leo Butler picks him up and drives him almost two hours to Bendigo Pioneers training.
At training, Wines gets ready in his corner of the changerooms, is intent on not missing a target by foot, and tries to run as hard as he can for as long as he can (GPS results suggest he is good at this). Then it's back on the road for another hour or so to return home about 9.30 at night.
"They're long days," Wines says. "On the drive I try to do some homework on the laptop. I do a lot of maths at school but it's hard to do much of that in a car bumping up and down, so I usually try to get a bit of English stuff done if I can."
As much as Wines' time management is worthy of praise - his former Pioneers and current Vic Country coach Mark Ellis says he "doesn't like wasting a minute" - recruiters are most enamoured with his football.
Wines is a strong-bodied midfielder who rips the ball out of packs, bustles through traffic and has enough time to find teammates with quick handballs or sharp right-foot kicks.
Two weeks ago in Vic Country's win over Tasmania, Wines had 31 disposals, of which 17 were contested. Last weekend, in Country's loss to Western Australia, he gathered another 24 disposals and also had seven clearances.
Wines enjoys a scrap, but there's nothing about him that's scrappy. He's classy and clean, but describes his main strength as his competitiveness. If the ball is there to be won, he wants to be the guy to do it.
"I do the in and under stuff, try to get the ball out to the runners, and try to be a big contributor," he told AFL.com.au.
He has an inkling how that streak might have developed. Wines grew up with Jack Viney, who moved to Echuca when Jack's father, former Melbourne captain Todd Viney, took on a coaching role with local side Moama.
Viney, who travelled to Europe in April with Wines as part of the AIS-AFL Academy, is a hard-nosed midfielder who will head to Melbourne as a father-son draftee at the end of the season. Wines admits they had their share of battles.
"He's one of my best mates and his competitive edge has rubbed off on me," he says, smiling.
"We've grown up fighting and throwing punches and spending time out in the bush so I think that's where part of my attitude might have come from."
Despite his travel challenges, Wines has followed a traditional path to this point: a member of state squads through school, a taste of TAC Cup footy as an under-16s player, and a general step-up in output in the last two years.
However, competing and distributing is only half of what Wines offers as a player. This season has proved him to be a more complete prospect.
Early last year, he was a stocky 'inside' midfielder at about 182cm. But in the past year he has grown around five centimetres and is now better placed doing some other things, like marking above his head, being a leading target in attack, and having more of a presence around the ground.
He's quick enough, and makes up for any lack of breakaway speed by knowing and reading the game.
"I'm starting to pick up a fair few more handball receives, so when I'm not trying to get it out I'm being involved outside and working it down," he says.
"You've got to be a three dimensional player these days. You can't just have one solid attribute. You've got to have a few parts to your game."
His fighting instincts, though, will always be the cornerstone of his game. Current Pioneers coach David Newett, who has seen Wines average 26 disposals a game in the TAC Cup this year, says he is able to work himself out of down patches.
"If he is having a quiet period, he's been able to show he can fight back into a game by doing all the grunt work around the stoppages and clearances," Newett says.
Wines' style helps drag others into games, too. Last month the Pioneers played Queensland and trailed by almost five goals at half-time. Wines, Bendigo's captain, kicked three third-quarter goals to get his side back in the game. "His teammates really follow him," says Leigh Byrne, the Pioneers' team manager.
Wines skippered Vic Country's win over Queensland, and he blossomed in elite company on the Academy trip. Even after landing late at night in London, Wines found his luggage, put it down, and then went back to help his teammates retrieve their own gear from the baggage carousel.
"He wasn't doing it to show off," says Michael Ablett, the Academy's development manager. "He was doing it just because that's how he is."
With two games of the championships left to play, and a few more after that in the TAC Cup, Wines knows his opportunity is now to impress. He's wondering and thinking about what might lay ahead, but won't be getting distracted.
"Like [Vic Country coach] Mark Ellis says, everything we do now is a job interview and we're being watched and scrutinised to the nth degree," Wines says. "There's a bit of anxiousness about what's to come but I'm excited."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/139314/default.aspx
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Garlett seeks a better state
Emma Quayle
The Age
July 3, 2012
DAYLE Garlett runs fast, kicks well and makes good things happen.
Hundreds of teenage footballers have lined up for their state sides in the under-18 championships, but the West Australian is in a smaller group that has asked people to watch him.
If the draft were held this weekend, Garlett's talent would see him in the top 10. Whether he will be chosen so early is a question the 18-year-old knows he hasn't yet answered, but he plans to make sure of it in the second half of the year.
These are days when ''character'' matters to recruiters as much as other qualities. Garlett was kicked out of the AIS-AFL Academy at the end of last year and, after moving out of home, had issues with off-field discipline. He knows he heads the list of players clubs want to find out more about and he's trying hard to do something genuine about it.
''What doesn't kill me makes me stronger,'' said Garlett of his removal from the AIS program. ''That set me to work harder through the preseason and I think it's gone well.''
Garlett has moved back home, he now has a girlfriend and he has started working for the David Wirrpanda Foundation, spending time in schoolrooms with kids. He has been hitting the gym five times a week and, as part of the Swan Districts senior team, trying to work on his chasing and tackling.
He can remember the first time he held a football, knowing then that he wanted to play in the AFL. He said he had begun to agree with the people who think a club away from home might be the best thing for him.
''Probably the time when I moved out of home wasn't a good time for me, but once I moved back in at home I got everything sorted, got back on track and it's been good since then,'' Garlett said.
''I did make some mistakes. That just makes me want to work harder to get to where I want to be.
''The recruiters ask me, how's my outside life doing - if I've picked it up a notch. I've given them a good result just by doing that well.
''I've been told by friends, family, coaches that it would be better if I go over east, and I think it would be good for me, so I could knuckle down and get the job done.''
(http://images.theage.com.au/2012/07/02/3423339/art-svGARLETT-420x0.jpg)
Top pick: Dayle Garlett hopes he's ready. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/garlett-seeks-a-better-state-20120702-21daf.html#ixzz1zUFiZDL5
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Lachie Plowman - Fit and able
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Wed 22 Aug, 2012
DEFENDER Lachie Plowman, considered a likely first round pick at this year's NAB AFL Draft, will return to football this weekend after more than three months out with an elbow injury.
After a brilliant start to the season, in which the 17-year-old firmed as one of the stars of this year's crop, Plowman landed awkwardly on his arms after flying for a mark in the Calder Cannons' loss to Geelong in May.
He had surgery on a dislocated elbow and damaged ligaments, and missed all of Vic Metro's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. However, he will line up for the Cannons against the Western Jets on Saturday at Highgate Recreation Reserve.
It is the last game of the TAC Cup home and away season, with the Cannons likely to play an elimination final after that.
"He's done a power of work and we've been really conservative with him," Cannons coach Martin Allison told AFL.com.au.
"For him it's now about getting back some confidence, and getting through a game. To have him back in the side across the backline really gives us some strength there."
Plowman played for Vic Metro at last year's under-18 carnival as a bottom-ager, and was selected in this year's AIS-AFL Academy squad. He's an athletic defender with excellent skills and decision-making who sets up the play from the back half.
In a draft scattered with midfield talent, Plowman is seen as one of the top key position players available.
His rehabilitation from the injury has been a long one, but even through this year's championships Plowman was at nearly every one of Metro's training sessions keeping up his conditioning as his arm recovered.
He was close to playing two weeks ago for the Cannons, but the club decided to be extra careful as it didn't have a game last weekend.
Allison said the focus had been to not rush Plowman's progress, instead making sure that when he is selected by an AFL club in late November, he is ready to train.
"That was at the front of our minds," Allison said.
"We can assume with a bit of confidence that he'll be picked, so wherever he lands come draft day, we want him to be arriving there fit and healthy.
"We've really taken a cautious approach but we're excited to have him back."
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/LachiePlowman316a2.jpg)
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/145363/default.aspx
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Taylor made
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Thu 06 Sep, 2012
Draft prospect Taylor Garner
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Garner1316a2.jpg)
He started playing footy when he was six, when his dad used to sneak him into the Rowville Football Club's under-9s side. And when he was 11, Garner won the under-12s best and fairest by 51 votes.
This year, having only made his TAC Cup debut with the Dandenong Stingrays in March, Garner has fast established himself as one of the most exciting players available at the NAB AFL Draft, and a likely first-round pick. "We just can't believe how quickly it's all happened," Lynne says.
Recruiters are also coming to terms with Garner's rise. That's what happens after relatively little exposed form, but a NAB AFL Under-18s Championship campaign with Vic Country that saw him finish with All Australian honours. So, where has he been?
In 2010, Mark Wheeler, the Stingrays' development manager at the time, noticed Garner playing in Rowville's under-18 side (as a 16-year-old). He saw him fight for the ball when it was on the ground, leap above opponents when it was in the air, and compete like crazy.
After running a 13-minute three-kilometre time trial in his first Stingrays pre-season, he was told to sharpen up by coach Graeme Yeats.
Instead of jogging around the streets of Endeavour Hills in Melbourne's outer east, each night after school Garner would run laps of his backyard, over and over again, to get fitter.
Joining a local gym for the first time this pre-season helped again, and he set his mind to train extra hard. But injuries throughout last season, and a three-week holiday to Thailand, cost him a chance to play last year for the Stingrays.
"The trip was planned way before I even knew about the Stingrays," Garner told AFL.com.au. "I missed my chance there, but I don't think Graeme thought that much of me then anyway."
Garner might not have thought much about himself then, either. He always knew he could play, but wasn't convinced he belonged at the Stingrays. With every game at the start of this year he grew more confident, arriving for training earlier, and becoming more involved.
Then he was picked for Vic Country's side, another step in his path he didn't see coming.
"I think he second-guessed himself a bit when he got picked there," says Wheeler, now the Stingrays regional manager.
"But our midfield coach Craig Black was an assistant coach with Country, and having him there was pretty comforting for Taylor. Once Taylor got in there he excelled. I think he was looking for that next level and he proved he's definitely up to it."
Garner showed at the championships that he can do things most players can't. As a medium forward (listed at 186cm and 76kg), Garner is a clean mark above his head and on the lead, and twists, turns and makes good things happen. Yeats says he has "unique qualities". Wheeler thinks he's "a bit freakish." His mum knows of a few other traits, too.
"He's definitely determined. I can see it," Lynne says. "If he makes a mistake, if he messes up a kick or doesn't get a mark, I can see his mind ticking over thinking 'That shouldn't have happened'. And then he'll get it back."
Garner is keen to get a bit taller and build up his light body - whatever Lynne makes for dinner Taylor has two serves - but he's already creative, mobile and brave.
In Country's first game of the championships, the 18-year-old dislocated his left shoulder. He woke up the day after in agony, and missed the next game, but returned for the round three clash with Western Australia.
It was his best game, collecting 20 disposals and kicking three goals. His shoulder again popped out, but Country's physios were able to strap it up tightly and he played the game out, and kept flying for marks however much it hurt.
The next game, against Vic Metro, he felt a whack over his shoulder in the second quarter, and knew it had subluxed again, when the shoulder slips out of its pocket. This time he didn't tell anyone and played on.
He knew if the coaches found out they probably wouldn't let him play the final game of the championships five days later against South Australia at Etihad Stadium, and he really wanted to play that game. So he hid the injury, and the pain.
He ended up playing against South Australia, and dislocated the shoulder for the fourth time in four games.
"I told them it was sore, but I didn't say it had been dislocated. I don't think it was as bad as it was made out to be anyway," Garner says, his relaxed smile belying a serious injury.
"I just had to take my mind off it as much as I could and push through it. It's that next contest that's the one you're most fearful of."
Four weeks ago Garner underwent a shoulder reconstruction, and he's in a sling for another two weeks, ruling him out of the TAC Cup finals and from testing at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/146891/default.aspx
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A new Darling
By Callum Twomey
Thu 04 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/TimMembrey316aDC316a2.jpg)
At 189cm Tim Membrey is not a traditional key forward
AS AN 18-year-old seven weeks away from knowing where his footy will take him, Tim Membrey stands as a big, mobile and physical full forward. He leads out of the goalsquare, takes contested marks and converts his shots on goal with a fluid and uncomplicated nine-step action. As an AFL player, he thinks he'll need to do a bit more.
Membrey finished the season as one of the most talked about hopefuls of this year's crop, after an excellent TAC Cup finals series. In the first qualifying final against the Dandenong Stingrays, he kicked four goals.
He followed it with eight goals and a commanding best-on-ground performance against the Sandringham Dragons in the preliminary final, and another four in Gippsland Power's one-point Grand Final loss to the Oakleigh Chargers.
But Membrey isn't a traditional size for a key position player. He's 189cm and at this week's NAB AFL Draft Combine has tested in the medium forwards category, alongside players who shift onto the wing, or spend time in the midfield. Recruiters are keen to see how he'd go doing the same.
"They know I can play forward but they'd like to see me push up the ground a bit more and play a bit more of a higher role, and on the ball. They'd like to see me get my fitness up," Membrey told AFL.com.au.
Membrey played some junior footy through the midfield, using his size advantage to overcome opponents. When they started catching up, he moved forward, where he has found his niche.
"Coming into an AFL club, I obviously wouldn't be a key tall, so I've got to learn that third tall role, where it's about leading into space, then getting out of it, or giving second and third leads," he said.
"I try to model my game on Jack Darling in that respect. He's not a key position player but sometimes you'd think that he is."
Membrey's end to the year didn't happen by chance.
A knee injury limited him to only three games for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, and a groin injury after that didn't help. People were telling him he needed to play more, and more consistently, to properly assert himself as a top 30, or so, pick, where many feel he belongs.
"I was feeling good at the end of the season. I knew there was a lot on the table and a lot of things I had to prove to get me really recognised by clubs," Membrey said. "That was just about stringing games together. Every recruiter, if they're interested in a player, wants to see him actually play. That's what I needed to do."
Making clubs more interested in Membrey are the things that can't be measured at this week's NAB AFL Draft Combine. He knows when a game's course needs to be changed, and tends to find a way to do it. He can lift his side with a bump, or a strong marking contest, and celebrates goals with a roar.
He's walked a different passage to a few of his contemporaries, too.
A late call-up to the AIS-AFL Academy squad this year, Membrey is an apprentice plumber, working five days a week, even when his legs are sore on a Monday morning after a game. Surfing most weekends takes his mind off things, as does the odd shot at hunting rabbits and foxes at a friend's property.
Membrey also comes complete with tattoo: a colourful anchor and palm tree that stretches from the top of his left shoulder to his elbow. It's another little point of difference to a player who, in an even draft, is setting himself apart.
"I've always been interested in the beach theme and one of my mates is a handy drawer so I got him to draw one up and the artist slapped it on," he said. "I'm happy with the half-sleeve at the moment."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149122/default.aspx
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Colquhoun had 22 possies, 6 marks and 4 inside 50s in the SANFL ressies Grand Final today.
Eyes on Sam Colquhoun
By Ben Guthrie
Sun 07 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/1_U18VCSA12MW%20484.jpg)
THERE's a good reason why Sam Colquhoun was largely missing in action at last week's NAB AFL Draft Combine.
During one of the most important weeks of his football life, Colquhoun understandably had more pressing things on his mind.
On Sunday afternoon, the South Australian teenager will line up for Central Districts in the SANFL reserves Grand Final at AAMI Stadium.
All eyes will be on the 17-year-old in the SANFL decider, much like they will be in November's NAB AFL Draft.
Colquhoun is considered a likely top 20 pick, but the talented youngster told AFL.com.au he just hoped a club would pick him up.
"I've got no expectations, just hoping for an opportunity," Colquhoun said.
As a junior, Colquhoun represented South Australia in cricket at under-15 and under-17 level.
But his focus is now firmly fixed on football this week, and in to the future.
While he was a notable absentee for much of the combine, Colquhoun flew in to Melbourne on Thursday and was interviewed by a number of AFL clubs.
"We didn't quite get to see the best of him test out here, but I'm sure there'll be plenty of eyes on him Sunday, that's for sure," AFL Academies Development Manager Michael Ablett told AFL.com.au.
Those same eyes would have marvelled at his consistent performances for South Australia right throughout the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships earlier in the year.
So much so, the rebounding defender was adjudged his state's MVP and earned All-Australian under-18 honours.
"He had a super championships and was probably the most consistent performer out of everyone in the five games," Ablett said.
Colquhoun was damaging off half-back, averaging 28.4 disposals and six marks for the carnival.
His overlap run was piercing and his unflappable nature engineered much confidence in South Australian teammates.
South Australian under-18 coach Brenton Phillips said Colquhoun has a rare sense of knowing, at all times, where the football is heading.
"His ability to be one and two steps in front of the contest and read it and get to the next play is quite amazing," Phillips told AFL.com.au.
Ablett agrees, saying Colquhoun is an outstanding talent with the necessary football nous.
"He's a little from the old school. He's grown up with a fantastic knowledge of the game and his ability to read it; that's why he finds it so well," Ablett said.
Central Districts is renowned for its one-on-one brand of football, but Phillips rang Colquhoun's reserves coach before the under-18 championships with the specific role for him to be the "drop off" player.
Importantly, Phillips said Colquhoun has successfully reverted back to the Bulldogs' accountable style of football during the SANFL finals series.
But it is his attacking flair and a knack of thinking through different scenarios on the football field that will appeal to prospective AFL clubs.
"You sort of always look at the guy who gets the most football at championship level and he's the one," Phillips said.
Colquhoun admits even he exceeded his own expectations during the season.
"My goal at the start of the year was to play state footy and senior footy at Centrals," he said.
And while he didn't manage a senior game for Centrals, you get the feeling a reserves premiership on Sunday and being drafted in November will make up for all of that.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149297/default.aspx
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Spencer White - The next Buddy?
By Ben Collins
Tue 16 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20U-Z/SW357q.jpg)
Spencer White in action for the Western Jets
A LEFT-FOOTED key forward who has been likened to Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin looms as a dark horse in this year's NAB AFL Draft.
Western Jets spearhead Spencer White - the runner-up in the TAC Cup goalkicking award this year after tallying 36.12 in 16 games - is regarded as a raw but rare athlete who can run like the wind, take skyscraping marks and slot brilliant goals.
White's highlights package is certain to cause excitement among fans and perhaps recruiters alike.
A minor health problem contributed to an inconsistent start to the season, but White's draft prospects have surged in recent months.
The 195cm/90kg power forward wasn't among the original list of 100-odd invitees for the NAB AFL Draft Combine earlier this month, but received a late call-up and posted some impressive results, winning the running vertical jump (coming within 2cm of the all-time record shared by Nic Naitanui and Jared Brennan) and finishing third in the standing vertical jump.
These efforts followed his strong finish to the TAC Cup season and also reinforced his much-sought-after capacity to be a back-up ruckman.
One of the draft's best-kept secrets was out. Eight clubs interviewed White at the combine.
Industry sources suggest White (who turned 18 just last month) could be snapped up as early as a pick in the 20s, and as late as the 70s. The latter would appear a genuine steal for a youngster who - according to his Jets coach, former Western Bulldogs defender Steve Kretiuk - has the potential to be a star.
"There were some really good forwards who played in the TAC Cup this year but Spence has got a lot more in his favour," Kretiuk told AFL.com.au.
"He's really dynamic, he's got genuine X factor, and he's got a lot of attributes that most players haven’t got.
"He'll take a couple of years to physically and mentally get up to AFL standard, but once he matures he's going to be a pretty exciting player. He certainly excited us this year.
"His highlights package would be unbelievable. Some of the things he did reminded me of Buddy Franklin. Tall, quick, left foot, take 'em on - very much like Buddy."
Kretiuk said White had kicked "three or four" goals like the brilliant double Franklin slotted from the boundary after bouncing runs against Essendon in round 13, 2010. And, Kretiuk added, White isn't burdened by the "Buddy (kicking) arc".
"Spence's speed, especially for his size, is a real asset, and he backs himself in a fair bit," he said. "He's also got a great natural leap. He took marks from four and five-deep in packs, sitting on blokes' shoulders.
"He's really hard to beat. He can create things out of nothing."
White admits the Franklin comparison - which he has heard several times - is daunting, but realises such talk is beyond his control.
"It doesn’t mean anything until I play in the AFL," he told AFL.com.au.
Of his eye-catching playing style, the Melbourne High School student said: "I try to run and create. I probably did it too much at times, and the coaches told me off when it didn’t work out. But they were happy when it worked."
In contrast with the excitement surrounding his football potential, White's story is also one of sadness.
His father Kerry Crouch - a good local footballer who also represented Victoria in hockey - died suddenly just four years ago.
"Dad had a real impact on my life and my football," he said. "It would be great to [get drafted] for him. It's not my only motivation, but it's a big driving factor."
An only child, the then 14-year-old White and his mother Debra moved from Melbourne's northern-eastern suburbs to Williamstown in the west for a fresh start.
Sport (football and basketball) became an even greater outlet.
After earlier stints with the Research and Macleod junior footy clubs, White was rejected by Williamstown Juniors (the same club as Western Jets teammate Lachie Hunter, who has joined the Bulldogs as a father-son selection) because they already had enough players. Instead, he played for Spotswood.
Last year White played 10 games (for 10 goals) with the Jets. But early this season an AFL career appeared little more than a pipedream. In five games he'd kicked just seven goals (including five in one match) and, by his own admission, was "really struggling". It was no surprise when he didn’t make the Vic Metro squad.
Kretiuk says White had two major issues at the time: he was severely lacking in endurance, and often chose the wrong time to jump for marks.
White appeared unable, or unwilling, to make multiple efforts. His excuse was that he couldn’t run because he couldn’t breathe. It was a source of frustration for both parties. Amazingly, tests revealed that White was using just 60 per cent of his lung capacity.
He has had asthma all his life but it had flared to such an extent that a specialist placed him on stronger medication to keep it under control. Consequently, his health, stamina and form improved dramatically.
"I'd often done things in patches but suddenly I started to string a few games together and became a lot more consistent," he said. "It changed everything for me."
His decision-making also became sharper when he heeded his coaches' urgings to simply focus on the basics. Ironically, the more he did this, the more the dashes, marks and goals flowed. In the last 10 rounds he kicked 29.8, including eight multiple-goal efforts.
Despite the rising expectations, White is doing his best to remain level-headed. He's "not too fussed" which club drafts him, or when, as long as he gets a chance.
But, "just in case it doesn’t work out", he has a contingency plan - a real estate course. However, many suspect that on draft day he'll be hot property.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149782/default.aspx
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Michael Close - Strong of mind
By Harry Thring
Wed 17 Oct, 2012
(http://cdn.fairfaxregional.com.au/silverstone-feed-data/0972c732-e46f-4b92-9fda-9d5afdffa9f1.jpg)
Michael Close (r) is a promising key forward with impressive determination
NORTH Ballarat Rebel Michael Close is an imposing physical specimen.
At 196cm and 84kg, the 18-year-old is a strong marking tall forward who represented Vic Country at this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
But while his physical attributes are exciting, they're hardly rare for young footballers yearning to be drafted.
However, his mental strength and determination set him apart from the pack.
With injury sidelining him from all but two games at the championships and rendering him unable to do any physical testing at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, Close needed to impress AFL clubs.
So he travelled almost 2000km to test at Adelaide's state combine last Saturday, having attended his grandmother's funeral on the Friday.
To test the day after saying goodbye to his "Nan", let alone combat the logistical nightmare of travelling from Ballarat to Hamilton, to Melbourne, to Adelaide, back to Melbourne and finally back to Ballarat in less than 48 hours, showcased the hunger needed to make it in the AFL.
"I had my Nan's funeral on the Friday, so after I left that I got to Melbourne around 11pm, then I flew out at a 7.15 the next morning to Adelaide," Close said.
"I flew back Saturday night - I was buggered.
"At least I can say now is, there's no if's' or but's; if I do or don't get drafted I can say I gave it my all and it was a positive thing to go over and show I want to be an AFL footballer."
Close admitted it was difficult to concentrate after the funeral, but said he tried to use the experience as motivation.
His parents, who had joined him in Hamilton from the family farm in Harrow in western Victoria, told him to go for it.
"It was a tough day, but it definitely gave me a bit of extra motivation to test the following day," he said.
"Mum and Dad were really supportive of it, they know that for me to get drafted I had to do everything I can and to put my best foot forward, so they thought it was a good idea.
"I just want to be an AFL footballer and want to do everything it takes to show recruiters and clubs I'm willing to do everything it takes to play at the elite level, and do everything in my power to be the best I can."
AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan said Close did exactly that by overcoming a host of obstacles and test with other draft hopefuls.
"That's the keenness you love to see," Sheehan said.
"The clubs look for intangibles and how guys carry themselves in lots of different circumstances ... that's a big plus in that intangible area of 'do blokes want to do this badly enough' because AFL level is pretty tough going.
"That's a terrific plus for Michael to have done that and clubs are always looking for those little clues appearing."
Admittedly, Close's numbers were down in Adelaide, which is understandable given his recent injury setbacks.
His beep test score of 14.1 was well off his best effort of 15.6, but he isn’t too concerned.
When running at full power, his engine offers him a huge advantage as a key forward.
"I did a 15.5 at the start of this year and ran my PB of 15.6 last year, so I'm pretty happy with how my endurance has been over the last couple of years," he said.
"Key forward is probably my spot and usually these days key forwards and key backs have big engines - you've got to be able to use it.
"It's definitely handy to have."
Close said that while he'd received a good amount of interest from clubs at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, he couldn't be sure how interested they really were until the draft on November 22.
There's one thing he is sure of though, as is everyone else; he's given himself the best shot at fulfilling his dream and making it into what he described as "the big league".
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149846/default.aspx
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Jonathan O'Rourke - Bouncing back
By Callum Twomey
Thu 18 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/jonathan-orourke-121018246a.jpg)
A bad hamstring injury almost derailed Jonathan O'Rourke's draft hopes
IT WAS September last year and every time Jonathan O'Rourke went to run, the same things were playing on his mind. He felt too slow, and worried if he actually got the ball he would be caught with it. He found himself out of position and off the pace, and just wasn't quite right.
It started nearly six months before that, when O'Rourke travelled to Europe as a member of the AIS-AFL Academy. During the academy's tour match in London, O'Rourke scooped a ball from the ground and took off, like he usually does seamlessly. This time, he stretched too sharply, and suffered a grade two tear of his left hamstring.
His trip was disrupted, and had to walk up and down Gallipoli's hills with the injury when the group visited Turkey. It had longer effects, too.
O'Rourke missed about three months of footy, including the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, where he was likely to play as a bottom-ager for winners Vic Metro.
He returned for his TAC Cup side the Calder Cannons in July, but pulled up sore in the same spot. It meant another couple of months on the sidelines, working at strengthening the muscle. When the Cannons got through to the finals, he made another comeback, playing two games.
But all he could think about while he was out there was the injury, the possibility of another setback, and what it would mean if it happened again. He was playing, but wasn't really, struggling to have an impact.
"We could see it as well," says Michelle O'Rourke, Jonathan's mum. "He just wanted to get back and play. That injury was probably his first big challenge."
He responded to it well. A year on from then, O'Rourke is likely to be one of the first 10 or so names read out at next month's NAB AFL Draft at the Gold Coast.
Where his confidence had been eroded at the end of 2011, little goals throughout the pre-season helped restore it. Summer training with the Cannons took up three nights a week, and on two others he would be at the Gisborne gym, getting his legs bigger and stronger.
When the club broke up for Christmas, O'Rourke saw it as his chance to get ahead again. Together with best friend Tom Sheridan - who was drafted from the Cannons to Fremantle last year -the pair ran lap after lap of the local footy oval, pushing each other to exhaustion. By the time the season started, he was ready to show what he had.
"After a few games under my belt I felt fine and definitely going into the national carnival I was fully confident in my body. I knew I could play how I wanted there," O'Rourke said.
O'Rourke managed that. After missing Metro's first game of the championships and "not getting near it" in the second against Tasmania, O'Rourke set up Metro's surprise win over South Australia, and was very good again against Vic Country and Western Australia.
Against SA, he had 21 disposals, six tackles, and kicked a goal. Selection in the under-18 All Australian team underlined his standing as near the top of this year's crop.
All the way through, O'Rourke was one of the first at Metro training so he could get a massage on his lower back and legs, making sure he was free of tightness, and apprehension. The routine continued on game day.
"It's a bit of a psychological thing. I do it just so I have that confidence in my own mind that they're warmed up and ready to go," he says.
O'Rourke is a composed midfielder who finds the ball himself and delivers it well. He'd like to kick more goals, but he plays well when games matter, and has the right dimensions to slot into an AFL team's midfield (183cm and 75kg).
He does most things well and with a minimum of fuss: he's good below his knees, good on either foot, and good at setting up the play. It gives the impression he does it easily. His Calder coach, Martin Allison, describes him as gliding across the field, appearing unrushed.
O'Rourke met with nine clubs at this month's NAB AFL Draft Combine, and many had picked up on the trait, wondering if it meant something else.
"I try to play to my strengths, which is reading the play and using a bit of smarts. It's been brought up a couple of times by recruiters whether I'm a hard worker or just relying on my smarts, and I definitely think it's a bit of both," O'Rourke said.
"From getting GPS results back, I think I work pretty hard as well."
It's not the only common question recruiters have had of O'Rourke. As well as the regulars - strengths, weaknesses, how he rated his season - clubs are keen to know more about his consistency, and why he drifted in and out of games at the end of the year. Mainly, they just want to know more about him, finding O'Rourke difficult to pin down.
"He's quiet. Almost like a card player, you really don't know what's swinging inside him," says Anton Grbac, AFL Victoria's metro talent manager.
That's generally been the way with O'Rourke, whose younger years were dominated by sport.
"All of his spare time was spent outside," says Michelle.
Some Saturdays he'd play cricket or tennis in the morning, before going to play basketball in the afternoon. Jonathan's father Stephen took him to try AusKick when he was five or six, but O'Rourke didn't like it because he could already do everything they were teaching. He stopped going and waited until he was nine until playing his first game for Gisborne.
In between, he was always kicking the footy at home, usually at the mini goal and point posts planted at one end of his backyard. They're still there, Michelle agreeing they used to look a lot bigger than they do now and O'Rourke kicking at them a lot less.
There's some football genes in the family that might explain O'Rourke's talent.
Stephen's dad (and Jonathan's grandfather) is Basil O'Rourke, who played four games for Richmond in 1951. Basil's brother, Jack, was a star for the Tigers in 44 games between 1949-53, kicking 134 goals.
Jack was a high-flying full forward, with charisma and an accurate kick. He would have had a much longer career, but chose to leave the club after it had sacked his favourite coach, Jack Dyer, at the end of 1952. O'Rourke played only a few games under Dyer's successor before giving the game away at 25. Jack's father Jack Snr. also played 63 games in the 1920s for St Kilda and Fitzroy.
Things are done a little differently now. For Jonathan, three or four days after a club recruits him, the 18-year-old will start training there. Sheridan has helped O'Rourke prepare for the possibility he will shift interstate (a good chance with Port Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions looming), but really, he's just waiting. And doing a little bit of work in between.
"It's dragging on," says Michelle with a smile, "I'd like to know what's going to happen now."
"Once footy finished, we just told him to go and have a good time, catch up with your mates, relax a bit. But he's still training and doing gym work, it hasn't really stopped."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149882/default.aspx
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Chalk, cheese - Nick Vlastuin & Matthew Haynes
By Ben Guthrie
afl.com.au
Sun 21 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20U-Z/1_U18VMWA12MW%20236.jpg)
Nick Vlastuin in action in 2012
FOR THE first three years Matthew Haynes was in the company of Nick Vlastuin, he had no idea what his actual name was.
After a couple of years in the junior talent pathway together, Haynes finally found out that the kid he had been calling 'Tigger', actually went by the name of Nick.
Haynes and Vlastuin came to TAC Cup club the Northern Knights as "shy and eager 14-year-olds" according to region manager Peter Kennedy, only just at the very beginning of their football journey.
The nickname 'Tigger', in reference to A.A. Milne's character in Winnie the Pooh, was given to Vlastuin by his mother who identified that her child was "bouncing all over the place" ever since he had started to walk. When the Knights' talent managers caught the drift, the name stuck.
Finding out Vlastuin's given name turned out to be pretty important, too, with the now 18-year-olds transitioning through the Knights' junior development program, working their way in to the Under-16 Victoria Metro team, earning spots in the AIS-AFL Academy and becoming teammates this year at the Knights and the victorious Under-18 Victoria Metro team.
They will part this year as much-improved footballers, and, significantly, fully rounded people.
Despite their almost parallel football journeys, they have distinctively different styles on the field and are poles apart off it.
Haynes' game is built on outside run where he can utilise his pace in the open spaces. As a precursor to that, Haynes turned his attention to football in 2009 after winning gold medals at national level in the 100m and long jump events as a 15-year-old.
While Vlastuin (pronounced floss-tone) thrives on the congested situations so that he can use his body strength to bullock his way through traffic.
Vlastuin finished VCE at Eltham College last year, deferred university and has been working as a lifeguard at his local gym. Haynes, on the other hand, is preparing himself for his end-of-year VCE exams at Carey Grammar.
Vlastuin is likely to feature late in the first or early in the second round in the upcoming NAB AFL Draft. Whereas, it is difficult to place where Haynes sits in the draft order with opinions amongst recruiters varied.
Regardless, both Vlastuin and Haynes know they've done everything possible to have their names called out at the Draft, which is staged on the Gold Coast on November 22.
During their stint at the AIS-AFL Academy, Vlastuin and Haynes were privileged to have former AFL stars Brett Kirk and Tom Harley as their mentors.
One thing both Kirk and Harley drilled in to the boys was to put in the work when no one else would be, all in the chase of gaining a "competitive edge".
So on Christmas and New Year's Day, Vlastuin and Haynes rose early to get ready for core strength sessions and then sweat it out on gruelling runs.
"If you line up on an opponent, you can think to yourself he probably didn't run on Christmas and New Year's day so you've got that mental edge on him," Vlastuin told AFL.com.au.
"It's just about knowing you've done the work."
They both took that mindset in to pre-season training this year and worked together to improve and refine each other's games.
Vlastuin helped Haynes focus on his contested ball work, while Haynes took Vlastuin through the finer points of where to run to find space.
"Tigger flattened me a couple of times and he showed me the standard of where I needed to be at," Haynes says.
Vlastuin says his and Haynes' relationship is fostered on keeping things competitive.
"I hate it when he beats me," Vlastuin says.
Anton Grbac, AFL Victoria's Metro talent manager, described Vlastuin as a quiet but deeply respected leader amongst his peers.
The Metro playing group nominated Vlastuin as their captain at the start of the Championships, while Haynes was selected as vice captain.
"Tigger ticks all the boxes in what we believe a competitive animal is," Grbac says.
"I keep saying this to recruiters, 'You take him to your club and every coach will fall in love with the way he plays footy.'"
Conversely, Haynes is much more outspoken and very popular amongst his circle of influence.
"Haynesy's very amiable. He's probably one of the really good characters to have in the changerooms," Grbac says.
Their contrasting styles of leadership complemented the other, as Vlastuin and Haynes took Metro to back-to-back division one under-18 titles.
Vlastuin was one of Metro's key players, earning an All-Australian guernsey, while Haynes' overlap run was pivotal to the team's success.
Grbac says Haynes has had the rare quality of being able to elevate his level of play the higher he has progressed with his football.
"It seems as though Matty feels more comfortable within himself when he's playing in good company," Grbac says.
Despite all their differences, Haynes and Vlastuin respect each other and people respect them.
"They've both got very different personalities, yet they're in pursuit of the same goal," Kennedy said.
Grbac agrees, saying: "It's just incredible how two players who are chalk and cheese in their football are still good teammates and get along. That's the thing about footy. It takes all types to play the game."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150003/default.aspx
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Jake Stringer stronger
By Callum Twomey
Mon 22 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/1_U18VCSA12MW%20260.jpg)
Jake Stringer is expected to defy his broken leg to be taken early in the NAB AFL Draft
JAKE Stringer keeps the scans of his broken leg in a special spot in his bedroom cupboard. He doesn't look at them much, but knows where to go if he needs a quick reminder of his last two years, where documentation of his progress and struggle is jammed inside 17 by 14 inch envelopes.
Stringer has so many x-rays, it takes a while to find what he calls the "most gruesome" one, taken shortly after the compound fracture of his left leg in the opening round of the TAC Cup in 2011.
Others tell the story of his path since then, some showing the bones stuck together with pins and a rod. There are more recent ones, too, since the metal was removed and the bone had healed itself.
For Donna Stringer, Jake's mum, it feels like a "distant memory". For Jake, however, getting almost daily questions and enquiries about the injury keeps it fresh. When Stringer had his medical evaluation at this month's NAB AFL Draft Combine, they all came at once.
"There wasn't too many people sitting down when I went up for my go, that's for sure," Stringer told AFL.com.au.
"I think just about every person got up to have a look and a touch and a feel. It was a bit weird, you've got 18 club doctors standing around you poking, feeling, asking questions, getting you to do movements. It's confronting."
Stringer understands why it's happening. Before the injury, which happened while playing for the Bendigo Pioneers, Stringer was considered a likely part of last year's Greater Western Sydney mini-draft. The break of his tibia and fibula ended any chance of that.
Now only a few weeks out from the NAB AFL Draft, clubs are still unsure what to make of him. On talent, Stringer is in the best handful of players available this year. He's strong and tough, can do a lot of brilliant things and play nearly every position on the ground.
But they are countering his potential with his risk, wondering whether to pick him with a top-end selection or hope he slides until a little bit later. "At the moment, he's a mystery," says Leon Harris, Vic Country talent manager.
It all started when Stringer got caught awkwardly in a tackle, and felt his leg collapse and crack as he went to kick the ball. The bones ripped through the front of his left shin, leaving his foot and ankle to wobble.
At first glance he wasn't sure what had happened. Then the pain hit.
"It literally felt like someone had a saw and was just hacking away at my leg," he says.
He clawed at the grass as medicos took him off the ground in agony, and didn't look at his leg during the next 90 minutes or so while he waited for an ambulance to arrive.
When he got back to his home in Bendigo after the surgery, the injury's impact started to make a little more sense. He found he needed help doing all the things he could normally do himself: get something to eat and drink, shower, go to the toilet. Stairs at the front door, and again inside, wasn't ideal, though his long-time girlfriend Abbey Gilmore was always on hand.
Stringer's rehabilitation was built on smaller goals, with bigger ones in mind. He had to learn to run again, then re-teach himself how to kick on his left foot.
He wanted to be back up and going by December for the AIS-AFL Academy's camp in Canberra and then to be fine to train with the Western Bulldogs for a week in January. After that, about 12 months following the original break, Stringer had pencilled in a return to footy for the academy against the Box Hill Hawks at the MCG late in March.
At times he pushed too hard. His competitiveness had to be managed.
"Before Christmas last year, when Jake shouldn't have been doing much running, there were cones set up and guys were doing sprint testing over 10 or 15 metres," says David Newett, the Pioneers coach. "And he just blew them all away. He was limping really badly and had hardly trained, but as soon as the competition arose, Jake just wanted to be involved."
It was a difficult balance. His dad, John, watched Jake make his own decisions in his rehabilitation and find it frustrating when things didn't quite work. John runs a dairy distribution company, where Jake helps deliver milk to clients.
Jake's designated truck sits in the driveway at home ready to go, although John has sheltered Jake from some of the more strenuous work during his recovery.
"You have to be pretty meticulous about it: making sure the muscles come back, making sure you're not overtraining, making sure you tick all the boxes," John says.
"At his age - he's not a professional sportsman at this stage - he had to take it on board himself. To make those decisions as a young boy is tough."
Stringer met each of his deadlines. After the week at the Bulldogs - who loved him, like Geelong had the year before - Stringer needed surgery at the start of this February to remove the rod and screws.
It meant two weeks off his feet. Another five weeks after that he played for the AIS, winning a bet with former Pioneers, and current Vic Country, coach Mark Ellis that he would play in that game (Stringer got a couple of brand new footballs from Ellis for playing. He risked mowing Ellis' lawn for the season if he didn't).
He returned from the Europe tour and in Bendigo's first game of the season booted nine goals. He played like he did pre-injury: too strong, too smart and too quick for opponents, and having the game on his terms.
"I wanted to make sure that everyone knew I was coming back and I meant business," he says.
"I wasn't coming back to fill up the numbers, I wanted to show it hadn't all gone away."
But the performance led to expectations, some he couldn't meet.
Stringer's leg continued to give him problems. Every time it got a knock it hurt, and he was apprehensive. For a natural sportsperson, nothing was simple. It hadn't been that way throughout his life.
"I think sometimes you're born with an ability, and it doesn't matter, you could be a music prodigy or whatever it is," John says. "For some people, it's just in you. It's in Jake."
Basketball was the first sport to come easily to Stringer. John remembers Jake, "a little ball of muscle", shooting at the 10ft hoop before he was two years old. He played his first A-Grade basketball game in Maryborough, near Bendigo, when he was six. He even played against John, and older brother Travis, in a basketball game once, filling in for another team. He shot nine three-pointers that day.
There were cricket games in the backyard with Travis and other brother Brad, while a young Jed Adcock used to live nearby and join in. Brad plays footy at Eaglehawk, Jake's local club, while Travis is an accountant living in Bermuda.
Football came later, where he could put his aggression and power to better use. There are still signs of basketball instincts in his footy, in his spring when he leaps for marks, and his quick decisions in tight spaces.
But after the early form, it took a while this year to see all of that again. It wasn't there at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, where Stringer battled for Vic Country. Some mismanagement didn't help his cause, either, despite best intentions.
"We backed off his running with about three weeks to go before the championships, and dropped off his workload so we could nurse him through," says Harris. "But in hindsight we didn't work him enough. He just needed more work. He was struggling."
After a quiet start to the championships, Stringer got a lift to Melbourne with Ellis ahead of the third-round meeting with Western Australia, in Perth. Ellis lives only five or six doors down from the Stringer family, at the other end of their hilly road, and has known him since he was 12. Ellis' advice carried weight. He broke his leg twice during his own career.
On the drive, he suggested Stringer try wearing a shin guard to protect the bone.
"I thought he was joking," Stringer says. "I thought there was no way known I was going to wear one, I'm not a ruckman."
But after another poor showing against Western Australia, where he got hit on the leg, Ellis urged Stringer to give it a go. A week or so later he visited the local SportsPower store, bought a shin guard and tucked it under his sock against the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup. He had 25 disposals.
"I felt like I had everything back again," he says. "Just having this little guard there covered it, so if it got hit it didn't hurt, I could keep going. I wasn't worrying about it and that was when I started to play better."
He played three more games for the Pioneers after that, and then three for Bendigo Gold in the VFL. Despite the occasional limp during games, Stringer impressed.
He gathered 25 touches against Box Hill, showing he could mix it with the bigger types (he is 191cm and 94kg). It also showed that playing as a strong and dynamic midfielder - where most think he'll end up - wasn't beyond him.
The limp has caused some consternation for clubs, although he didn't think he was the smoothest runner before the injury.
"They've been getting into me about my gait, but when you haven't been running too flash for 17 years and then you break your leg and you come back and they expect you to run perfectly ... I don't know," he says.
Stringer doesn't feel like he's achieved anything by getting back from the injury and being a likely first-round pick. Most around him have seen him change through the process, though. His dad thinks he's become more resilient, Newett recognises a level of empathy that's come out more, and although Harris still sees the strut and cheeky smile in Stringer, he knows there has been times he has questioned himself. Not anymore.
"It's an interesting one because so many people now are doubting me because of my leg," Stringer says.
"But for me I know come round one next year I'll be ready. And there'll be nothing that will stop me from doing that. My leg's fine, everything's fine. If I don't play round one, I'd be pretty disappointed."
Stringer knows the last two years will stay with him - the scar on his shin is still clear - but he doesn't want it to define him.
"I've tried to look at as a big story. And this injury was just a part of the story, not the whole thing," Stringer says.
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=150045
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RORY ATKINS
DOB: 12/07/1994
Height: 186cm
Weight: 80kg
Club: Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/roryatkinscountdown30316a2.jpg)
Click here to watch Rory Atkins in action: http://www.afl.com.au/Video/tabid/76/contentid/494757/Default.aspx
Bio: Rory Atkins is a medium forward/midfielder with very good agility and composure with the ball. Makes good decisions with his disposal either by hand or on his preferred left foot. Plays as a hit-up half-forward who is a good overhead mark as well as being clean at ground level. Played two games for Vic Metro and averaged more than 20 disposals a game at TAC Cup level. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.
Upside: Atkins has travelled a different path than most to get to this point. Was one of the standout performers in Victoria as a 16-year-old, which saw him picked in the AIS-AFL Academy. But after a 2011 season that didn't meet expectations, he was cut from the prestigious program for his draft year. He also endured disappointment when he played only two games for Vic Metro at the championships this season before failing to make the final squad. But, in a sign of his maturity, Atkins bounced back. The week after being dropped by Metro he had 37 disposals, kicked two goals and was best afield for the Calder Cannons in their win over the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup. The creative midfielder continued in the same vein, winning the club's best and fairest. Recruiters like his ability to shift forward and make an impact on the scoreboard (he kicked 12 goals in 15 games for the Cannons this year.)
Downside: There's some questions on his defensive running and work-rate, something Atkins acknowledges needs work. But he's improving that. He's not especially quick (his best time for the 20m sprint at the draft combine was 3.06 seconds), but he makes up for it with smarts and an uncanny ability to get around opponents.
Plays like: Sometimes Atkins can have his Steve Johnson moments, where he baulks his own shadow to find some space like the Geelong star. He's not at that level but he is unique, with his own style, and his own way of making an impact on games.
Draft range: Atkins is likely to be taken somewhere in the middle of the draft, and given its evenness, that could be anywhere from 25-40. Atkins could be a good fit for a club like Essendon, who will probably be on the lookout for a classy midfielder given it has already committed to key forward Joe Daniher with pick 10.
In his own words: "I just didn't have the year they would have liked me to have [when cut from the AIS-AFL Academy squad]. I didn't get any fitter that year, and I reckon I wasn't at the elite standard some of the other blokes were. Even some blokes who weren't in the academy had gone past me. It was tough at the time but I had to move on."
Stats from the NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
2 11 8 7 19 63.2% 11 2 0.1
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149953/default.aspx
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Dayle double
By Jason Phelan
Wed 24 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-29.jpg)
DAYLE GARLETT
DOB: 09/01/1994
Height: 180cm
Weight: 75kg
Club: Swan Districts/Western Australia
Bio: Left-footed medium forward/midfielder who can find space to win the ball and shows great evasiveness through traffic. Very smart goalkicker and stoppage player as well. Excelled for WA in the AFL Under-18 Championships averaging 19.2 possessions, 3.4 clearances and winning All Australian honours.
Upside: Garlett has the sort of natural skills that make recruiters sit up and take notice. He's got pace, can find the ball, moves instinctively in congestion and is a lovely left-foot kick. He excels on the bigger grounds and is a confident sort of character well suited to the big stage. That was evident when he shone in a WA team that struggled at the national carnival and in his ability to perform well consistently at senior level in 11 games for Swan Districts this year. He's certainly no late developer, having made his senior WAFL debut early last year, and has probably been waiting to be challenged to take his game to greater heights.
"I think Garlett's got a lot more to come. Once he gets his endurance up, gets the right nutrition base and is physically fit, I think the sky's the limit." - WA talent manager Raff Guadagnino.
Downside: Garlett is an exciting prospect, but there are some red flags in his past. He was removed from the AIS-AFL Academy in March for disciplinary reasons with questions raised about his commitment at the time. But people close to him maintain he has knuckled down since and will prove an excellent pick-up for the club willing to take a chance on him.
Plays like: Garlett is a big Cyril Rioli fan and there are facets of his game similar to that of the Hawks star. He possesses similar breakaway speed and is dangerous around goal, but by his own admission, needs to build significantly on his endurance base and the defensive aspects of his game if he is to come close to emulating the feats of his idol.
Draft range: Garlett is generally regarded as a 10-to-20 draft prospect, but it wouldn't be a reach for a team inside the top 10 to pounce if it's confident it can provide the right environment for him to flourish. Teams like GWS and Collingwood, who have multiple picks in that range, will look at him closely.
In his own words: "I understand why [my dismissal from the AIS] happened and it made me want to fight for my footy even harder. I really wanted to let everybody know that I was going to change. I'm doing much better now. I think I'm more switched on, which is good. I reckon I have been able to show recruiters that I'm a better person on the field and off it."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 84 12 31 96 61.5% 34 7 2.4
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149998/default.aspx
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Full marks - Taylor Garner
By Callum Twomey
Thu 25 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-28.jpg)
TAYLOR GARNER
DOB: 08/01/94
Height: 187cm
Weight: 77kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Bio: Garner is a medium forward who was a surprise packet in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships with his mobility and overhead marking features. Showed good footy nous as a forward averaging 3.5 tackles and 14.8 disposals. Was named at centre half-forward in the NAB AFL Under-18 All Australian team this year.
Upside: Garner is one of the most interesting and likeable characters in this draft, a player who has shot to prominence this season and established himself as a likely first-round selection. Garner hadn't played a TAC Cup game for his side, the Dandenong Stingrays, until this year. As the season unfolded he gained more confidence, and took that into the Under-18 championships, where he starred for Vic Country. His overhead marking, smarts in the forward line, and ability to do unique things caught the attention of scouts, particularly after his three-goal effort against Western Australia. He was named in the All Australian team even though he dislocated his left shoulder in every one of his four games during the carnival. It meant soon after the championships Garner had reconstructive surgery on the joint, ruling him out of the rest of Dandenong's season and preventing him from testing at the NAB AFL Draft Combine. Everything is pretty new for the relaxed 18-year-old, who is an apprentice plumber, but his exciting style will appeal to a lot of clubs.
"He loves the competitive side of things, he's very good over his head and he's not frightened to have a crack at flying for contested marks. He's certainly that medium to tall forward, but he can play as a defender as well. Through the championships we thought about playing him there, but he was just going too well forward." - Vic Country coach Mark Ellis
Downside: After only eight appearances for the Stingrays and four for Vic Country, there's no doubt Garner is an unexposed talent. This could work in his favour, as recruiters still might not have seen enough to get a gauge on his weaknesses. But it could also work against him, with others not ready to commit a high pick to a player they haven't been able to watch regularly all year.
Plays like: The beauty of Garner is that he is an individual talent, who plays in his own way. Sometimes he shows the same overhead marking skills as Fremantle's Nat Fyfe, but he is a different player to Fyfe. Really, Garner is a different player to most. He turns players inside out, is tough and determined, and can provide a spark for his team with a big mark, clever goal or crucial tackle. He could end up playing anywhere on the ground, too.
Draft range: Garner would suit a club that has the foundations of a good team already built, and needs an extra layer of class. That might be North Melbourne, who could do with another versatile forward. Garner should be in that range, from about pick 9-22. If still available at pick 22, the Bulldogs may swoop.
In his own words: "I play how I want to play and did it my way, I guess. It's a good feeling coming through a bit later and surprising a few people and showing what you've got."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
4 32 27 16 59 72.9% 39 14 4.4
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149971/default.aspx
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Mayes' day
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Fri 26 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-27%20copy.jpg)
SAM MAYES
DOB: 20/05/1994
Height: 187cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: North Adelaide/South Australia
Bio: Medium forward who has good speed and elite agility and is a good set shot for goal. Reads the game well as a lead-up forward and starred for SA at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships in 2011, winning All Australian honours. Played midfield roles also in U18s this year to continue his development which already sees him playing senior football for North Adelaide.
Upside: Mayes didn't quite reach the same heights with SA this year as he did as a bottom-age player when he was named at centre half-forward in the All Australian team, but he reminded recruiters of his class with a strong finish to the season with SANFL side North Adelaide. Mayes played regular senior footy for the Roosters this year after relocating from Port Pirie with his penetrating and accurate disposal by foot and strength overhead features of his game. He has a good tank, a strong work ethic, is generally poised under pressure and possesses a nice turn of speed.
"Sam is a naturally gifted lead-up forward at the moment, he has a very good aerobic fitness base, and in time I think he'll turn himself into a very good midfielder. He's pretty smart in the way that he goes about his football. There aren't too many 18-year-olds who can have an impact in the SANFL, but he was certainly [able to]. He's very professional and his preparation for games is always outstanding." - North Adelaide development manager Darryl Wintle.
Downside: While Mayes has a deadly right foot, he'll need to hone his disposal off his non-preferred left. He's managed to work his way onto his right side well for much of his junior career, but that won't always be the case at the elite level.
Plays like: Mayes has got about 10cm on Adelaide's Jason Porplyzia, but there are similarities between the two with the youngster possessing comparable strength overhead and is also a great kick for goal. There's also a bit of Dale Thomas about Mayes in that he adds a touch of class and a bit of x-factor to the mix as well. Like Thomas, Mayes isn't a huge possession accumulator, but he hurts you with the quality of his disposal.
Draft range: Mayes' draft stocks took a hit for a while there, but the cream has risen to the top once more and he is a strong chance to get taken somewhere between the fifth and 10th overall picks. The Western Bulldogs, who hold the fifth and sixth selections, will find it hard to pass up a player of his class.
In his own words: "My work-rate's always been pretty high, but I still think I need to step it up a bit if I want to play at the elite level. Work-rate's a massive thing because if you want to get the ball you've got to work pretty hard and harder the higher level you play. I think playing some league footy's kind of good for the development if I do get the opportunity to play at the highest level."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 55 37 28 92 67.4% 45 9 4.6
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150111/default.aspx
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Inked in - Tim Membrey
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Sat 27 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-26%20copy.jpg)
TIM MEMBREY
DOB: 25/05/1994
Height: 189cm
Weight: 88kg
Club: Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Bio: Powerful medium forward with strong hands on the lead and a long, accurate kick for goal. Has the ability to keep his feet and rarely fumbles, showing clean hands below the knees as well as overhead. Showed his capabilities at Etihad Stadium against SA, kicking four goals after being hampered by injury earlier. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.
Upside: Membrey brings a fierce physical presence to the forward half and can be counted on to fight his way to the footy in a pack-marking situation or with the ball on the ground. He is a superb long kick for goal, either on the run or from a set shot, and finished the TAC Cup season with an impressively accurate goal tally of 45.22. He is quick off the mark when leading and takes the ball with arms outstretched to minimise the defender's chance of spoiling.
"Some can handle being captain of a TAC Cup team and some can't, but Tim just got better and better as the year went on. He's really team-oriented - as many goals as he's kicked he's given probably twice as many. We think he'll play that high half-forward role [at AFL level] and could even venture into the midfield. He's just such a magnificent kick and has such good hands - he's just such a 'true' footballer. He has a really good footy brain and I think he'll be a terrific player wherever they want to play him." - Power region manager Peter Francis.
Downside: With his superior size Membrey has played predominantly as a key forward throughout his junior footy days. This hasn't allowed him to hone his skills as a midfielder or develop the endurance base he'll need at the next level although those close to him are confident he is capable of building on his tank.
Plays like: Membrey has been widely likened to West Coast's Jack Darling in that he played most of his junior footy as a key forward, but is a little undersized for that role at AFL level. He has the same booming kick and brute strength that could see him emulate his Eagles' role model.
Draft range: Membrey will likely be taken somewhere between picks 10 and 20 at the NAB AFL Draft. He is the sort of fierce competitor who could really add something to Carlton's forward mix with the Giants and North Melbourne also good fits.
In his own words: "[Recruiters] know I can play forward, but they'd like to see me push up the ground a bit more and play a bit more of a higher role and on the ball. They'd like to see me get my fitness up [too]. Coming into an AFL club, I obviously wouldn't be a key tall, so I've got to learn that third tall role, where it's about leading into space, then getting out of it, or giving second and third leads."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
2 9 9 7 18 77.8% 11 3 5.1
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149999/default.aspx
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Battle of Troy (Menzel)
By Jason Phelan
Sun 28 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-25%20copy.jpg)
TROY MENZEL
DOB: 22/09/1994
Height: 187cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: Central District/South Australia
Bio: Left-footed medium forward with exceptional goal sense both on the run and with set shots. Kicked nine goals against Tasmania and six goals against NT in sensational fashion in first two games of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year before a groin injury interrupted his season. He starred for the Australian U18 team on the European tour earlier this year. Brother of Geelong's Daniel.
Upside: Menzel is a highly versatile forward who can comfortably play off a wing, half-back or on the ball. He is exceptional overhead which, along with his agility, makes him a constant threat inside attacking 50. He is a willing, team-oriented worker who has a number of tricks in his bag. His nine-goal haul for SA at this year's national carnival was impressive for the variety of different ways he managed to hit the scoreboard. His kicking has improved a great deal over the past two years and he has been a regular contributor at senior level for SANFL powerhouse Central District.
"He had a few weeks off after he got injured, but he just right away knows where to find the footy and does a couple of special things. I think he'll start up forward and work into the middle at the next level. You don't like to label them, but Stevie Johnson does something similar and Troy's very similar in that he can play a number of roles really well." - SA coach Brenton Phillips.
Downside: The potential downside is an obvious one with Menzel given he had LARS surgery on the knee of his right (non-kicking) leg as a 16-year-old. He hasn't had any issue with the artificial ligament since and consulted with renowned knee specialist, Professor Julian Feller, in October and received a positive prognosis. However, the problems that other players like David Rodan and Nick Malceski have had will be taken into account by clubs when evaluating him.
Plays like: Phillips' comparison to Geelong's Steve Johnson is a good one in that Menzel is also a goalkicker with a knack for making things happen when the ball is in his area.
Draft range: Despite the positive outlook the queries over Menzel's LARS surgery still make him one of the harder prospects to place in the draft order. On talent alone he's probably worthy of a late top 10 pick, but he may last a bit further into the first round on the back of the issue with clubs that have multiple first-round picks like Greater Western Sydney and Collingwood more likely to pounce.
In his own words: "[The doctor] said that the LARS is looking really good, it's looking strong, so there were a lot of positives that came out of that - it was good news. He said if I did do it again then there is the possibility of having the traditional reconstruction or the LARS again. It obviously wouldn't be good to do it again, but it is good news that all the options would be open to me. I've had other doctors look at it and say that it's looking really strong, but it's nice to hear that from him. He said that it doesn't look like there are any issues or any need for any revisions or anything like that."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
2 28 6 16 34 79.4% 15 5 15.1
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150120/default.aspx
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Shane Nelson manages the need for speed
By Nathan Schmook
Sun 28 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/1_AA141012CAR%2054.jpg)
DRAFT hopeful Shane Nelson has a trait that AFL recruiters place a premium on - speed. But until this season the overlooked West Perth midfielder had struggled to harness it.
Heading into the 2011 NAB AFL Draft, where Nelson was expected to be snared in the second round, he could have been described as a 'vanilla' midfielder.
He'd rack up plenty of the ball and use it well with WA and the West Perth colts and reserves, but he lacked the x-factor scouts crave, and was overlooked.
It's not that he wasn't physically capable - at last year's NAB AFL Draft Combine his 20m sprint time of 2.87 seconds was ranked third overall. It's just the way he played.
This year, however, there's been a shift in the way Nelson approaches his football and it could be the difference between disappointment and fulfilment on draft day.
"Last year I was just running around getting high amounts of possessions, but this year I needed to become an impact player at WAFL level," he told AFL.com.au.
"I needed to break away and show everyone that I do have speed and can take the game on.
"My role wasn't to play a huge amount of game time, it was to play in bursts and go on and have an impact on the game, using my speed and taking the opposition on.
"You watch guys like Marc Murphy, Chris Judd and Dane Swan, they all have that breakaway speed.
"I've got speed so I need to use it a lot better than I have over the years and I thought this year was my breakout year of using that speed."
Nelson's pace was on display again this year at the WA 2012 NAB AFL Combine, with his 20m sprint time of 2.82 seconds the second quickest recorded around the country.
The 19-year-old also posted outstanding times in the agility test (7.85 seconds) and repeat sprints (24.31 seconds) to remind recruiters of his physical capabilities.
Recruiters have noted the change in Nelson's game this season and acknowledge it has been a positive shift. The popular teenager remains, however, a mid to lower end draft prospect.
After being overlooked in 2011, Nelson made the West Perth gym a second home and set about building his body to compete in the midfield with senior WAFL players.
The hard work paid off when he made his league debut in round seven and he went on to average 25 disposals across 14 games with the Falcons.
Nelson's form and his ability to present for this year's draft came despite a family tragedy, with his father passing away in June because of a heart attack.
The first game Nelson played for West Perth without his dad watching was emotional and tough, but from then on, he's played in tribute to his great football mentor.
"I've just approached it in a way that I'm going to do it for him," Nelson said. "It was his dream, not only mine, for me to make it to the top level."
The Falcons have got behind Nelson this season, but they aren't filling him with expectation after the draft disappointment of 2011.
Club chief executive Gerry O'Dea says Nelson's response to setbacks in his family life and football should fill AFL clubs with confidence if they take a punt on him this November.
"He had two ways to go," O'Dea said.
"He could throw his arms up and say it's all too hard, it's unfair, or he could knuckle down and listen to what people were telling him about the reasons why he didn't get drafted and then resolve to work on those areas and become a better player.
"That's exactly what he did. He chose the constructive way, the positive way."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150389/default.aspx
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Feeling hip - Jason Pongracic
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Mon 29 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-140x210-24.jpg)
JASON PONGRACIC
DOB: 21/04/94
Height: 183cm
Weight: 85kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150385/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Medium midfielder/forward who is super competitive and has a good understanding of the game. Has an unrelenting work ethic and presence around stoppages. Uses the ball well and attacks the footy. Played for Vic Country at Under-18s level in 2011 and 2012, but was restricted by injury this year. Member of the AIS-AFL Academy in 2011/12.
Click here to view AFL.com.au's 30-day draft countdown
Upside: Pongracic is a strong-bodied player who had his season interrupted by a nagging hip injury. After spending a week training at Collingwood in the pre-season through the AIS-AFL Academy program, Pongracic returned to the Dandenong Stingrays with the complaint and struggled with it for a lot of the year. When up and going, the half-forward can move into the midfield, where his solid body and physical presence is used to split packs and win contested possessions. Reads the play well and is a fierce tackler, too. He's also not without some class, showing clean hands in marking contests and on the lead, and an ability to kick goals. He booted 16 goals in 11 appearances this year.
"He's a very talented footballer inside the contest, and is clean over his head. Through his rehabilitation from the injury the idea was always about getting him through to the draft - we gradually worked up his game time in the second half of the year to get him there." - Dandenong Stingrays region manager Mark Wheeler
Downside: His shape has caused some concerns for recruiters, but Pongracic had worked hard last year to improve his fitness and become a bigger runner. The hip injury made it difficult for Pongracic to work on that again in 2012. He's not overly quick either, something that has recruiters digging a bit deeper.
Plays like: Pongracic is a little bit like Adelaide forward Jason Porplyzia in his ability to grab a ball in the air, and provide a marking target further up the ground. His versatility is also something that works in his favour, meaning he can add some physical presence around stoppages and bust through packs.
Draft range: Likely to fall somewhere in the second or third round, and that could be anywhere from pick 30-50. His competitive and aggressive streak would suit a club like the Western Bulldogs, while teams like Richmond and St Kilda might be on the search for another mid-sized forward to boost their ranks.
In his own words: "My season has been frustrating in a few ways [with the injury]. It wasn't something too serious but it was a bit of a niggle and it hampered me for a while. It was really good to get back out there in the second half of the year and play some consistent footy and put a few good games together."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
1 8 3 3 11 27.3% 3 2 0.0
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150385/default.aspx
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Jackson Macrae's bolt
By Callum Twomey
Mon 29 Oct, 2012
(http://www.afl.com.au/Portals/0/2012/JacksonMacraeplayingVer.jpg)
Jackson Macrae fires off a handball in the TAC Cup Grand Final. Picture: AFL Media
JACKSON Macrae twists, turns, baulks, spins, sidesteps and does normal things in slightly different ways. He chips and lobs kicks to teammates, dribbles and snaps goals, and gets away from tacklers even when it looks like he's about to be caught.
He searches for options others wouldn't consider, but he harasses and chases when he doesn't have the ball, and knows when to fly for an overhead mark and when to stand and wait for the spills.
And then there's the thing that makes all this possible: Macrae gets lots of the ball. Lots. When he doesn't have it, he's either calling for it, or working out how to get it next.
"I always stay alert," he tells AFL.com.au. "It can be 100 metres away but you can always set yourself up for the next contest and be ready for it."
It's the main, but not the only, trait that has made Macrae likely to be one of the first six, eight or 10 names read out at next month's NAB AFL Draft.
But it wasn't so long ago that Macrae was watching games wondering what it would take for him to actually be out there, let alone think about which of the 17 clubs to interview him will be the one he soon calls home.
Last year Macrae was a member of the Oakleigh Chargers' development squad. He trained there once a week throughout the season, but didn't get picked for a game. He felt a part of the Chargers but apart from them as well, frustrated at seeing some players get selected when he thought he was ahead of them.
When they made the Grand Final, only to be overrun in the final term by the Sandringham Dragons, Macrae was watching online while on holiday, thinking of how he could help and what he might have done in their position.
"Training with all the boys and seeing how pumped they were for all of the finals last year, there was just that thought that 'I want to be a part of it' and 'I want to play at Etihad as well'," Macrae said. "That really drove me this year."
The 18-year-old did a lot more playing than watching this year. In total he lined up for 33 games, split across his school team Carey Grammar, the Chargers, and Vic Metro at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Some other practice and representative fixtures were nestled in between regular duties, too.
His season finished with the final kick of the TAC Cup season, which wobbled through for the 'golden point' to hand the Chargers the premiership in overtime. A week after his younger brother Finlay won best-on-ground honours in his own under-10s Kew Rovers Grand Final, Macrae repeated the feat for the Chargers. "I think I've got him covered," Macrae said.
Although Macrae surprised many this season, including himself, his rise actually began at the start of last year at Carey. Then, under coach and two-time North Melbourne premiership player David King, Macrae was shifted to the half-back flank.
With every run down the wing, shimmy and left-foot pass, Macrae started catching the attention of people who mattered.
"To me," says his dad David Macrae, "that was Jack's real breakout year. It gave him the flexibility to back himself and it gave him a level of confidence he might not quite have had before."
Macrae had not been completely off the map before then. He had already played at state level as an under-12, alongside other likely top-10 picks Lachie Whitfield, Jonathan O'Rourke, Ollie Wines and Joe Daniher (he even stumbled across the team photo last week.) He made the squad of 50 in Vic Metro's under-15s and 16s programs before being cut as the teams were trimmed.
But he had a few areas to address. One was his kicking. Before this year, Macrae used to get a lot of the ball but wasn't too damaging. He worked at it, becoming a reliable kick.
"I think over short distances I'm pretty effective. Obviously over longer distance my kicking and penetration is an area I want to improve and really getting to that consistent 50-55 metre kicking," he says.
"I think with my run and carry I break open the game but I'd really like to add that extra string to my bow with my kicking distance, so it's something I'm working."
The other was his second and third efforts, a staple of his game now but not always a part of it. He improved them, and then when he heard Justin Wenke was named coach at Oakleigh this year, he knew an opportunity was there if he wanted it.
Wenke had coached Macrae as a 13-year-old in a Yarra Valley representative team, and followed his path through his teenage years.
"When Justin was appointed, Jack felt it would be good because Justin already knew him and rated him," David says. "It wasn't as much about impressing, but just playing good footy."
Macrae played without any inhibitions. He was one of only three players to play all five games for Vic Metro, and averaged nearly 20 disposals for them at 76 per cent efficiency. Against Tasmania, as a half-forward, he bobbed up with six goals. In Oakleigh's four-game finals series he averaged 28 disposals, steering them towards the flag.
Macrae isn't the type to get overexcited. His dad describes him as not the "gregarious, out-there guy", instead getting tight with a few friends, getting to know them well, and then coming out of himself a little bit more.
It's been the way with his football, too. Now he's got comfortable, things have clicked.
"The first goal this year was to make the Oakleigh squad and after I did that, it was to play round one. And then it was to make the Vic Metro team and the rest of it just came," Macrae said.
"On the way I've had to reset my goals but I've pretty much achieved all of them. I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150405/default.aspx
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'Slick mover'
By Jason Phelan
Tue 30 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-23%20copy.jpg)
JOSH SIMPSON
DOB: 09/02/1994
Height: 184cm
Weight: 73kg
Club: East Fremantle/Western Australia
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150406/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Exciting medium midfielder/forward with natural speed and agility. Dangerous player around goal and very capable overhead for a player of his size. Represented SA in 2011 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships before returning to his native WA in 2012 where he played four matches and averaged 14 disposals and three tackles a game.
Upside: Simpson moved from South Australia, where he was on a scholarship at Rostrevor College, back to Perth after last season to be closer to his family who hail from a small town near Geraldton. While the move, and a broken collarbone early in the season, disrupted the continuity of his development he is still a very enticing draft prospect. Simpson is a very quick and creative forward-winger who isn't afraid to take on the game. He's evasive in traffic, very hard to tackle and disposes of the ball well off his right boot as well as his non-preferred left.
"He's a very slick mover - he knows how to move and when to move in traffic. Put a bit of grass in front of Josh and he's off - he'll make the most of the smallest opening. He's a real professional too. He takes his football very seriously, he doesn't just rely on pure skill, and he's a real leader in his community as well." - WA talent manager Raff Guadagnino.
Downside: Simpson can light up a game with a freak goal or a dashing run, but recruiters would like to see him develop his ability to have more of an impact on the contest across four quarters. He has a decent tank, which will only get better, so learning a few tricks of the trade and improving his knowledge of how an AFL midfield ticks will help him in this regard.
Plays like: Simpson's favourite player is Swans star Lewis Jetta and there are some similarities between the two. Simpson is a bit taller than Jetta, but they share a similar build and a long-striding gait that propels them across the ground at a rate of knots.
Draft range: Some consider Simpson a possible top-10 draft pick, but its more realistic to expect he'll get taken somewhere in the 10-to-20 range. He has the pace and skills that would add something to most midfields, but Adelaide, Geelong and North Melbourne could really benefit from bringing him onboard.
In his own words: "I am a team player always and someone who people can rely on. My strengths are my ability to run and carry the ball, my kicking skills and my ability to create space."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
4 31 25 14 56 60.7% 22 12 4.2
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150406/default.aspx
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Sam Colquhoun's plan
By Jason Phelan
Wed 31 Oct, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-22.jpg)
SAM COLQUHOUN
DOB: 20/12/1994
Height: 180cm
Weight: 73kg
Club: Central District/South Australia
Bio: Small midfielder who is a brilliant reader of the play and rarely fumbles. Set up many rebounds for SA in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 28.4 disposals and six marks across the five matches. Won SA's Most Valuable Player and was rewarded with All Australian honours.
Upside: Colquhoun racked up big numbers for SA with the Croweaters keen to get the ball into his hands to make use of his good decision making and clean distribution by foot coming out of the back half. Playing that role probably inflated his numbers a bit, but it would be wrong to assume Colquhoun is a one-trick pony. He played predominantly as a winger in the reserves for SANFL club Central District and still got plenty of the ball in a consistent season for the Bulldogs who won the reserves flag. He was a leg spinner with the SA Under-17 state squad last year and has only turned his full attention to AFL this season.
"The thing with Sam is that he's just a genuine footballer and that's what a lot of clubs are looking for. His fitness base is fantastic [and] he can play as a wingman, very rarely does he get beaten - often if you look at his direct opponent Sam will either break even or beat him. Here at Centrals we play a very contested style of footy and that's something that he's developing quite well. He does run back hard to help in defence, but he is able to run forward as well. He gets into the right spots and knows where to run to get the footy." - Centrals development manager Scott Stevens.
Downside: Colquhoun will continue to develop the contested side of his game and his ability to win his own ball, which is not a huge knock given the roles that he plays, but it will help him become a more-rounded footballer.
Plays like: There was a bit of Luke Hodge in the way that Colquhoun marshalled the SA defence and used the ball well coming out of the back half during the national carnival. His ability to find a target by foot and launch counter-attacks across half-back was one of the highlights of the SA campaign.
Draft range: Colquhoun's draft stocks rose considerably after his excellent championships for SA and he is now considered a solid second-round draft pick with Port Adelaide, St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs a good fit.
In his own words: "I couldn't have been happier with my performance [at the championships]. It would have been even better if the team had more success instead of coming second overall. It was a great experience for my personal development. I definitely learned a lot about the faster speed at AFL level. The championship was a huge eye-opener for me." - The Messenger
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 92 50 31 142 77.5% 26 6 1.0
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150127/default.aspx
Prime numbers - Nathan Hrovat
By Callum Twomey
Thu 01 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-21.jpg)
NATHAN HROVAT
DOB: 07/06/94
Height: 175cm
Weight: 76kg
Club: Northern Knights/Vic Metro
Bio: Dynamic small midfielder who is a prolific ball winner and great user of the footy. Averaged 25.2 disposals (10 contested) and 4.4 clearances in winning Vic Metro's Most Valuable Player and All Australian honours this year.
Upside: It's hard to think of a game this year where Hrovat hasn't been one of the most prolific players on the ground, such is his ability to accumulate possessions. However, he's a lot more than just a ball-winner. He hurts opponents with his disposals, and is a very clean and effective user of it. He's done a lot of work on his fitness and strength to build his upper body, making him an inside midfielder who doesn't get pushed off the ball and one who can run to contest after contest. Hrovat's also a leader, a trait that was evident throughout the national carnival. As a member of Vic Metro's leadership group, the Northern Knights onballer was more vocal, instructive and encouraging than nearly any Metro player. Teammates love him, coaches know what they're getting from him, and he is driven to be a good player at the top level. He would appear ready to play senior AFL footy next season and it wouldn't surprise to see him slot in seamlessly.
"He was our captain this year and he did a terrific job at it. He embraces everybody and I've never seen him attend a training session down in the dumps or moody. He's been preparing himself for this opportunity for two or three years." - Northern Knights region manager Peter Kennedy
Downside: Hrovat has been well aware for most of his life that some might believe his size would work against him in his AFL ambitions. But, in reality, that won't hold him back. If he's good enough, then he's big enough, and Hrovat has shown enough to suggest he's at the standard to be an early pick.
Plays like: There are some similarities to Greater Western Sydney's Toby Greene in that both are smaller types, but manage to consistently rack up large numbers of disposals. Some players are blessed with the ability to just always get the ball, and Hrovat's got it. His skills on his non-preferred left side are also impressive.
Draft range: Expect Hrovat to be placed somewhere at the back end of the first round of the draft. Fremantle (pick 17) could be an interested suitor, and Collingwood, with three of the next four picks after Freo, might also be keen to boost its midfield stocks.
In his own words: "I've had a pretty consistent year. Coming into the season I was just hoping to maybe make the Vic Metro team and hopefully get a rookie spot if I got lucky and one popped up. I've been really happy with how it's gone."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 73 53 23 126 74.6% 50 12 2.2
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150187/default.aspx
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Game breaker - Ben Kennedy
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Fri 02 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-20.jpg)
BEN KENNEDY
DOB: 03/03/1994
Height: 174cm
Weight: 74kg
Club: Glenelg/South Australia
Bio: Left-footed small forward/midfielder with explosive pace and rare agility. Prolific ball winner who excels at stoppages and is extremely dangerous around goals with set shots or snaps. In 2011 won All Australian NAB AFL Under-18 Championship honours as a bottom-aged player and debuted at senior level. Backed it up this year with All Australian honours, averaging 26.2 disposals.
Upside: Kennedy is exceptional overhead and very powerful for a player of his size. He's moved into the midfield more this season and has shown himself to be an adept clearance winner as seen at the national carnival where managed 23 in five games. His value further away from goals was also illustrated by his championship-high 28 inside 50s. His big weapon is his kicking, he achieves excellent penetration of his left boot, and puts it a teammates advantage more often than not.
"He can be a game breaker - with three or four really good possessions he can hurt the opposition pretty quickly. He's got a pretty good engine and if given the opportunity in the midfield he can get high numbers. I think he'll be a very good small forward at AFL level with the ability to go into the midfield. With the penetration he gets on his kicks he'll give his forwards the best chance." - Glenelg football manager Ken Applegarth.
Downside: As much as Kennedy impresses, there will still be a few clubs with enough concerns over his height to pass him over with a pick at the top end of the draft. He's also struggled with persistent groin issues this year, but is confident he's on top of them and they won't hinder his progress.
Plays like: Kennedy is a bit like Bulldogs' livewire Luke Dahlhaus in that he adds some zip to the mix and has a nose for goal with some also likening him to another diminutive Glenelg left footer in Tony McGuiness.
Draft range: Kennedy will likely be selected somewhere between selections 10 and 20 at the draft. Adelaide had a good look at him when it was assessing its options ahead of last year's mini-draft and he would still be a good pick up for the Crows. North Melbourne and Geelong would also be a good fit.
In his own words: "I'm a quick player who can play as an inside and outside midfielder. I feel like I've developed a lot as a player this year. I've worked a lot on my inside game and positioning at stoppages so I can push up into the midfield more, which has always been an ambition of mine. You can get pigeon-holed as a forward, but I think this year was good for me to get more experience on the ball."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 79 52 21 131 70.2% 58 7 9.4
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150132/default.aspx
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Future plan - Jason Ashby
By Callum Twomey
Sat 03 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-19.jpg)
JASON ASHBY
DOB: 16/04/94
Height: 187cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150451/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Hard-running defender who links up well and provides terrific rebound for the Chargers. Ashby is a smart decision-maker, sound overhead and a quality defensive spoiler. Averaged 19.2 disposals in 14 TAC matches this year at 70.7 per cent efficiency.
Upside: Ashby isn't the type of player to have a massive highlights reel, but he doesn't do a lot wrong. The running defender could not force his way into Vic Metro's division-one winning team at this year's championships but finished his season well for the Oakleigh Chargers in their TAC Cup premiership campaign. Athletic and disciplined, Ashby was given the role to run with Lachie Whitfield in the Chargers' semi-final win over the Dandenong Stingrays. Ashby did a very solid job of limiting the likely No.1 pick's influence, keeping up with him all day and providing attack from his defensive role. It's often the case that because Ashby isn't a flashy player, he might not catch the attention of onlookers. But his role on Whitfield, who everyone was watching closely, was excellent. Given his size and shape, Ashby might end up as a midfielder or wingman depending on which club recruits him, and is seen as something of an AFL prototype. Has had a few knockbacks to get to this point, but has impressed with his ability to keep improving his craft.
"Jason's had a terrific season. He's predominantly played his junior footy as a midfielder, but we thought with his running ability, athleticism, kicking skills, and rebound, that he'd make a nice half-back flanker. We've developed him in that role this year and we think he's had a great season." - Oakleigh Chargers region manager Mark Smart
Downside: He doesn't possess some real weapons like other prospects, which might count against him. And, given his non-appearance at the championships, Ashby hasn't been exposed playing with and against the best talent in the country. Nevertheless, his overall package and scope for improvement will interest clubs.
Plays like: Although he's a little bit shorter than Sydney Swans defender Alex Johnson, Ashby is of the same mould. He runs and carries the ball out of the backline but knows when to shut down an opponent. Doesn't have blistering pace like Johnson but is quick and in control when he has possession.
Draft range: Ashby will probably need to add some muscle before being ready for senior action, so the club that picks him will have a longer-term view. He seems likely to get his name read out in the middle to back-end of the draft and could fit into St Kilda's needs as a new half-back and midfield option, especially after Jamie Cripps' departure. Carlton, too, could be a good fit in the 30-50 range.
Stats from 2012 TAC Cup:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
14 151 118 54 269 N/A N/A 56 0.0
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150451/default.aspx
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Top-10 type - Jackson Macrae
By Callum Twomey
Sun 04 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-18.jpg)
JACKSON MACRAE
DOB: 03/08/94
Height: 188cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Bio: Versatile medium midfielder who can also go back or forward. Big improver this year and is a long left-foot kick. Shows great courage in the air and at ground level in his attack on ball. Kicked six goals against Tasmania in an outstanding performance and averaged 19.4 disposals at 78.4 percent efficiency in the Under-18 Championships this year.
Upside: It didn't seem like Macrae was on the radar before his brilliant 2012 season where he improved markedly with more opportunities. The left-footer is a good size for an AFL midfielder and has the uncanny knack of just finding heaps of the ball every week. He reads the game better than most, seeing options appear before others and reacting quickly to them. In the finals series for the Oakleigh Chargers, Macrae averaged 28 disposals in four games and was best on ground in their Grand Final win. He even kicked the 'golden point' to secure them the premiership. Macrae is reserved off the field and quietly goes about his business but on it he is one of the loudest players out there, calling for the ball at every opportunity and hungry to stay involved in the game. Macrae has always been a natural ball-getter, and the AFL club that ends up with him will reasonably expect him to play a lot of senior footy next year.
"He always had that uncanny ability to find the ball. But probably last year his kicking skills let him down. He really focused on that. After not making our list as a bottom-age player, he went back and really worked hard at making his top age year go so well, which has happened." - Oakleigh Chargers coach Justin Wenke.
Downside: Macrae has worked hard at his kicking to be a very effective user of the ball over short distances. He isn't at that level yet with his longer kicking, an area he wants to improve. The sheer amount of ball he gets makes it a tiny flaw outweighed by a lot of positives.
Plays like: When Macrae takes control of a match, it's usually by finding space and taking several bounces down the wing before swinging onto his left foot and creating an option. In that regard, there are a few people who have watched Macrae play this year and likened his drive to that of West Coast's Andrew Gaff, who went to Carey Grammar in Melbourne where Macrae has also been educated.
Draft range: Macrae seems set to slot in somewhere from about pick six to nine. The Brisbane Lions, with pick eight, would appear his most likely destination and he is a little bit like Jared Polec, who the Lions drafted two years ago. Richmond has the next pick and has had a tendency to draft midfielders with its first-round selections in recent years. If Macrae is still there, the Tigers could swoop.
In his own words: "At the start of the year I didn't have very high expectations. I just wanted to set each goal as it came along. The first goal was to make the Oakleigh squad and after I did that, it was to play round one, and then to make the Vic Metro team. I'm pretty happy with how it's turned out."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 70 27 26 97 78.4% 39 11 8.5
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150501/default.aspx
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'Love child' - Nick Vlastuin
By Callum Twomey
Mon 05 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-17%20copy.jpg)
NICK VLASTUIN
DOB: 19/04/94
Height: 187cm
Weight: 84kg
Club: Northern Knights/Vic Metro
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150615/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Medium midfielder/defender who attacks the ball aggressively and rarely fumbles. Strong and courageous in the air, he also excels at the stoppages. Loves the physical pressure of the game, winning contested ball and tackles strongly. Captained Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and won All Australian honours for his work as a medium defender averaging 16.6 disposals and 4.6 marks. AIS-AFL Academy member.
Upside: Vlastuin has a lot of qualities that will hold him in good stead for an AFL career. The 18-year-old played mainly off half-back throughout the national carnival and performed well. His toughness and courage stood out, regularly intercepting marks and flying for spoils without fear. When he won the ball, he was composed and almost always made the right decision. Vlastuin has had a strong football grounding in the past two years with the AIS-AFL Academy, and was eligible for the Greater Western Sydney mini-draft last year. Although Vlastuin is relatively quiet off the field, his leadership shone through the championships and he sets a very high standard in his work ethic and training.
"[He] ticks all the boxes in what we believe a competitive animal is. I keep saying this to recruiters, 'You take him to your club and every coach will fall in love with the way he plays footy.'" - Vic Metro talent manager Anton Grbac
Downside: The defender doesn't possess great pace or breakaway speed. This might hurt his draft position a little, but it shouldn't push him down the order too much. He missed the first couple of days of the NAB AFL Draft Combine after attending a funeral, but tested at the Victorian state screening.
Plays like: Vlastuin's courage is similar to that of Richmond defender Steven Morris, who burst onto the scene this year for the Tigers. Vlastuin has no qualms about putting his body on the line for his team, evident during the championships when he went back with the flight of the ball against South Australia. He was crunched, but it set the tone for Vic Metro's campaign, which he led admirably.
Draft range: He is likely to be picked somewhere in the first round and should be within the top 20 selections. He could be a good choice for the Brisbane Lions, particularly given he is ready-made and will be able to hold down a position at half-back next year. He would add some aggression and poise to Port Adelaide's list as well.
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 47 36 23 83 74.7% 38 11 0.0
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150615/default.aspx
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Wright stuff
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Tue 06 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-16%20copy.jpg)
NATHAN WRIGHT
DOB: 07/10/94
Height: 183cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150629/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Medium midfielder/defender who attacks the ball aggressively and rarely fumbles. Strong and courageous in the air, he also excels at the stoppages. Loves the physical pressure of the game, winning contested ball and tackles strongly. Averaged 14.8 disposals and was impressive in his four matches for Vic Country in this year’s Under-18 championships. AIS-AFL Academy member.
Upside: Wright is a defender suited to the modern game. He's tough, he's really quick, he's a nice size, he's versatile, and he knows the game well. Wright was a late call-up to this year's AIS-AFL Academy squad and on the academy's tour of Europe he broke his hand. It disrupted his year a little, but he was fine for the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, where he played a strong role through Vic Country's campaign. Showing his ability to do the hard stuff as well as run and spread, half of his possessions were won in contested situations. He also proved he can do good things away from his most natural spot, occasionally being shifted to the midfield and half-forward with some success.
"He got a small break in his hand on the AIS trip in April, which was a bonus for him because he actually did four or five weeks of fitness work. His strength is his exit speed out of a pack, and his ability to run straight through a pack." - Dandenong Stingrays region manager Mark Wheeler.
Downside: There's a bit of a knock on his kick, and sometimes Wright's short kicking can let him down. Over longer distances it doesn't appear to be as much of an issue and it is something he is working very hard at fully correcting. In a professional system it wouldn't take too long to fix up.
Plays like: Although his foot disposal does need some work, sometimes Wright looks a little like West Coast's Shannon Hurn when he streams down the wing and sends the ball forward. Wright is a line-breaking player who loves to take the game on and use his speed. When he gets the ball at half-back and finds some space, it's exciting to watch.
Draft range: Fits somewhere at the back end of the first round of the draft. Likely to be taken between picks 18-26, and would suit a club with a need to bolster its half-backline depth. The Western Bulldogs, Brisbane Lions and St Kilda could use extra firepower down back.
In his own words: "It wasn't too bad of a year [for me] with the Stingrays. It was pretty interrupted with injuries, I had a broken hand at the start of the year so I missed a bit [of time] with that. My strengths would be my run and carry, and my competitiveness in one-on-one situations."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
4 46 13 15 59 57.6% 29 3 0.0
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150629/default.aspx
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Massive raps - Brodie Grundy
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Wed 07 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-15.jpg)
BRODIE GRUNDY
DOB: 15/04/1994
Height: 202cm
Weight: 100kg
Club: Sturt/South Australia
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150631/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Ruckman who imposes himself on games with his physical presence. Excels in directing the ball at stoppages and can be a dangerous marking target up forward. Won All Australian U18 honours in 2011 and has played senior football with Sturt. Backed it up this year becoming a dual All Australian averaging 15 disposals and 24.2 hit outs in 2012.
Upside: Grundy switched from basketball to football shortly before the national under-16 carnival and has shown enormous improvement in a relatively short period of time. He has a strong work ethic and all indications are that he will continue that rapid rate of improvement. He's quite physically advanced for a big guy his age and he's not afraid to throw that big frame about. He was the dominant ruckman at the under-18 carnival and impressed with his willingness to stay in the contest once the ball hits the deck at a stoppage. Grundy's mobility is also seen as one of his greatest assets. He's dangerous inside forward 50, but is also very adept below his knees and has neat finishing skills.
"He's clearly the best ruckman in the draft system at the moment. He's been really competitive playing against men in the SANFL after having a really good championships this year and last year as well. He virtually won two games for South Australia last year at the 18s as a bottom-ager and he was really good this year again as expected - he just influences games. I'd be surprised if he didn't make an appearance in his first year, which is unusual for a ruckman. Kreuzer did, Naitanui did and I would think he would too." - former Adelaide recruiter Matt Rendell.
Downside: Given his late arrival on the scene Grundy is still learning about his positioning around the ground. He wins plenty of hit-outs, but will continue to work on increasing his hit-out-to-advantage percentage.
Plays like: At 202cm Grundy is the same height as fellow Croweater Sam Jacobs and is just 5kg lighter despite the six-year age difference. He brings similar aggression to the contest as Jacobs does and is also a willing worker once the ball spills to the ground.
Draft range: A lot of the concerns club's can have with drafting a ruckman inside the top 10 don't apply to Grundy given his advanced physical development. He still has a large upside and it wouldn't surprise to see him taken inside the top five with the Giants a good fit.
In his own words: "I'm pretty aggressive, I thrive on the contest, and provide good second and third efforts after the hit-out. I'd say that I'm pretty honest and try to give 100 per cent all the time. I don't really liken myself to any AFL player, but I like the way Dean Cox goes about it and Nic Naitanui as well. If I can be half the player Dean Cox is I'll be happy with that."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 46 29 22 72 72% 38 8 9.2
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150631/default.aspx
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Nathan Hrovat - No short steps after King hit
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Wed 07 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Nathan%20Hrovat316a2.jpg)
A YELLOW Sherrin sits at the front porch of Nathan Hrovat's house, worn-in but still with enough life to bounce off the boot. Inside, in the living room, there's another footy, this one in a little better shape and with the midfielder's surname marked next to the laces.
At the top of the staircase hangs a signed and framed Collingwood jumper. In one corner of the poolroom stands a trophy cabinet, full of medals and photos from the midfielder's junior career.
When he opens the curtains, an outdoor gym on the verandah is revealed, where Hrovat has sweated through sessions since his 17th birthday last June. The extra light in the room directs more attention to a few other things inside, too.
Underneath Hrovat's under-12s Victorian jumper, itself framed, autographed and pinned to a wall, sits his bounty of trophies collected this season.
There's the Vic Metro most valuable player award, next to the Northern Knights best and fairest, which is nestled between Metro's best and fairest trophy, and a signed football from the APS representative team Hrovat captained near the end of the season.
His All Australian jumper, earned after an excellent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, is in the process of being framed, a new addition to a room already brimming with honours. It all makes for one thing.
"It's been a pretty good year for me, I've been pretty happy with it," Hrovat tells AFL.com.au with the big smile that defines him almost as much as his ball-winning ability.
There's a couple of key reasons behind Hrovat's season; one is that he's really talented.
Hrovat has always been a good footballer, capable of digging into packs, coming up with the ball then running off with it or finding a teammate. But he hasn't always had the discipline to match that ability.
The second major factor in his rise as a possible first-round selection at this year's NAB AFL Draft is a jolt that came at the start of 2011 from Carey Grammar coach, and two-time North Melbourne premiership player, David King.
King told Hrovat he needed to work harder, corners needed to stop being cut, he had to train more, for longer, and in a more professional way.
"We really challenged him. He always played comfortably and never trained overly hard," says King.
King worked Hrovat hard throughout 2011. At every meeting, he would speak to him and about his influence, and did the same every half-time break. Hrovat didn't enjoy his best year, but he learned a few things.
At the end of the season he had a plan. It revolved around getting fitter and stronger. As one of the shortest midfielders in the draft (listed at 176cm and 76kg), Hrovat recognised he needed to improve his strengths to the point his height was irrelevant.
Over Christmas he and his family went to the Gold Coast for a holiday. Hrovat paid for a week-long membership at a local gym, and ran along the beach regularly. Kris took him to Metricon Stadium for a run, but when the gates were locked they drove to Southport's home ground instead to make sure the session happened.
"It wasn't a relaxing summer, I can assure you of that," Hrovat says.
He also organised to meet with North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey, a player of similar stature to Hrovat. Harvey's father-in-law lives in the same street as Hrovat, and helped tee up the meeting. Several more catch-ups throughout the season, to talk about breakaway speed, fitness, kicking, and what to expect about the draft, broadened the relationship.
Hrovat saw the benefit during this year. He had a stronger body that didn't get pushed off the ball, and he could run out games better than before. During the national carnival, he played all five of Vic Metro's games and averaged 25 disposals.
Hrovat is a busy player: he's quick to shoot off handballs, spins out of trouble and hits targets on both feet. He takes lots of short quick steps when in the clear and keeps his feet when fighting for the ball.
"I've been told my whole life that I'm too short, I'm no good and I'm not going to make it. But I never let that really worry me," Hrovat says.
"I worked to my strengths and tried to work on them so I could separate myself from those other players. That's really helped me this year, my inside game has developed and my decision-making has developed as well. Those aspects I was able to work on to separate myself even though of my height."
At times, however, he has wondered if it was the reason behind things. When he missed out on a game with Vic Metro as a bottom-aged player last year, and didn't even get a chance during a trial game, he thought it could have been because of his height.
"But looking back on it, nothing's ever going to be about your size. It's about if you're good enough. That's what all these AFL clubs in the interviews are saying. Looking back at my mentality, it was a really negative one.
"But my personality didn't let it get me down. I just wanted to go again and again and keep going at it."
Hrovat hasn't really stopped since his season finished. Even last week, between studying for exams, he was training at the athletics track, making sure if he'll be ready for that happens next.
"He was our captain this year and he embraces everybody," says Northern Knights region manager Peter Kennedy.
"I've never seen him attend a training session down in the dumps or moody. He's always up. Nathan's having a good day every day, and he's been preparing for this opportunity for two years."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150799/default.aspx
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Fists of Clurey
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Thu 08 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-14%5B1%5D.jpg)
TOM CLUREY
DOB: 23/03/1994
Height: 192cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150635/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: A strong-bodied tall defender that reads the play very well. Can shut down opposition key forwards whilst also providing good rebound from defence. Displays excellent leadership qualities, very good endurance and strong hands in the marking contest. Played all five games for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 11.8 disposals and 3.8 Rebound 50s.
Upside: Clurey's big weapon is his elite endurance. He recorded the best beep test result (15.1) at this year's NAB AFL Draft Combine and also put up the second-best 3km time trial run of 10m 01s. He's pretty quick to boot - he ran under three seconds in the 20m sprint - which allows him to make up ground quickly to spoil the leading forward. He reads the play well, has the confidence to leave his opponent where necessary and disposes of it well off both sides. He has good hands and has also shown some potential as a forward. Like North Melbourne's Sam Wright he's from Katamatite, which is about an hour's drive north-west out of Wangaratta.
"He's got a really good base to launch from and, like a lot of country guys, once they're in that full-time system a lot of them can have a really big impact. We think Tom is a fantastic young man and he's had a really solid year as a key defender with us. He's certainly ticked a lot of boxes along his journey. He played for Vic Country in the under-16s and at the under-18s, usually on bigger-bodied opponents, but he competed really well. He's a good competitor, he reads the game pretty well and his foot skills are right up there. He's certainly above average in his kicking efficiency." - Murray Bushrangers region manager Andrew Carson.
Downside: Clurey doesn't get a lot of the ball at this point in his career and any prospective AFL team will work with him to make him a more damaging prospect off half-back. As his confidence grows he'll have the tank and the ability to launch longer attacking runs.
Plays like: There's a bit of Sam Fisher in Clurey's play. The youngster is 1cm taller than the star Saint and shares similar athletic traits along with the ability to play in a key post or on a smaller opponent.
Draft range: Clurey sits somewhere in the bottom half of the first round and could even last into the second. He'd slot nicely into the defensive mix at St Kilda, Port Adelaide or the Western Bulldogs.
In his own words: "I'm a mobile back man who can play on short or tall opponents. I'm not the biggest ball winner, but I'm efficient and a good runner who reads the play well from the back line. I'm not the tallest defender, but I'm mobile and can drop off an opponent to help out a teammate."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 46 13 19 59 69.5% 17 6 0.0
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150635/default.aspx
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Mr Versatile - Kristian Jaksch
By Callum Twomey
Fri 09 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/jaksch246b%20copy.jpg)
KRISTIAN JAKSCH
DOB: 07/10/1994
Height: 195cm
Weight: 87kg
Club: Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Bio: Tall forward/defender who is extremely strong overhead, averaging 5.6 marks and 13 disposals for Vic Metro in NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Kicked six goals against Tasmania in an outstanding performance and uses the ball well by foot when in defence. Makes good decisions with the ball, shows excellent vision and is a strong spoiler.
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150792/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Upside: There's a lot to like with Jaksch, particularly in a draft full of midfielders. He grew in confidence through the championships, and has become a more rounded prospect, refining his talent to use the ball more consistently. Clubs like Jaksch's skill level - he's a superb long kick on both feet - and his capacity to watch a game unfold and predict its next move. He's also agile and smart when the ball hits the ground. The 18-year-old's flexibility further increases his value as an early selection. During the TAC Cup finals series, Jaksch was regularly moved from attack to defence and vice versa, and managed to make an impact everywhere he went. He also kept Calder Cannons forward, and star father-son recruit, Joe Daniher, to three goals in the Chargers' elimination final win. It was an important job that Jaksch fulfilled in another sign of him maturing into a top prospect.
"He's been outstanding this year with his leadership, and willingness to change his game from a key forward. We made a conscious decision to develop him as a player down back and we have been absolutely rapt with his willingness to learn another position. It makes him more of a 'draftable' player and more of a commodity to AFL ranks." - Oakleigh Chargers region manager Mart Smart.
Downside: Sometimes Jaksch floats out of games, but that's a very minor slight that age and experience will correct in time. Already this season he has shown major improvement in that area, something that has impressed those who have been watching him for several years. Jaksch is a really talented key-position player with few significant flaws at this stage.
Plays like: Jaksch is versatile, a little like Hawthorn's Jarryd Roughead. Roughead is just as capable in attack as he is holding down a stopping role in defence, and has also been used in the ruck. Jaksch showed signs the ruck wasn't beyond him in the last quarter of Oakleigh's TAC Cup Grand Final win over Gippsland, winning some important hit-outs.
Draft range: Given his standing as one of the few key-position players available at the top end of the draft, Jaksch will have a lot of clubs clamouring to pick him. He's probably going to be taken in No.8-No.14 range. If the Lions don't take him, Carlton would seem best placed to recruit Jaksch with pick 11 given its need for some key-position talent. The Giants, with picks 12 and 14, could also be interested in adding to their pool of key-position players.
In his own words: "I think I'm pretty unique in that you can't narrow me down to one position. I think that's something clubs would find interesting. I can genuinely plays those two roles and have the ability to play either end."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 54 11 28 65 56.9% 41 11 8.4
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150792/default.aspx
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Plow anchor
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Sat 10 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-12.jpg)
LACHIE PLOWMAN
DOB: 11/09/1994
Height: 192cm
Weight: 84kg
Club: Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150797/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Tall defender with terrific ability to win the contested ball in the air and at ground level. Poised with the ball in his hands and makes smart decisions. Was in great form early in the year with the AIS-AFL Academy and Calder before elbow surgery ruled him out of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Made a strong return in latter stages of the season with Calder.
Upside: Plowman was in brilliant form in the TAC Cup before his elbow injury, forced to miss about three months. However, missing the U18 Champs didn't hinder his draft prospects much, especially after playing for Metro in 2011 as a bottom-ager. Plowman is a natural footballer with courage, excellent foot skills, and an ability to read the game and rebound from defence. He knows when to zone off his man, but is also a defensive general, organising the backline and has a calming presence. Importantly, he carries a positive attitude, something that helped him get through the disappointment of this season. Scouts who attended Metro training sessions were impressed by his work ethic when returning from injury, particularly when he was running laps at full tilt with his arm in a specially designed protective cast. It wouldn't surprise to see him slot into an AFL team in his debut season.
"I like the way he competes, I like the way he positions himself as a defender, and I especially like the way he wins the footy in the back half and is able to find space and attack. Once we've got control of the ball he's one of the first ones out, running into space." - Calder Cannons coach Martin Allison.
Downside: If there's anything recruiters are wondering about, it's Plowman's height. He's 192cm, considered a couple of cm short of being a true key-position player. But it hasn't held him back so far. Some believe he might end up as a midfielder or playing further up the field, something Plowman wanted to try this season before his elbow injury.
Plays like: Plowman is similar to Greater Western Sydney defender Matt Buntine, who was selected with pick five at last year's draft. They both take on bigger players, and have the versatility to move around the ground. Plowman is a bit taller than Buntine but their competitive instincts are about even.
Draft range: Expect Plowman to be one of the first 10 names read out at the draft. He could go as high as pick No.3 to the Giants if they are keen on picking a player outside of the midfield, but could as drop to the Tigers at pick nine or anywhere in between.
In his own words: "It was a pretty frustrating year because the championships are something you build up to and work towards, so when I found out I couldn't play I had to take a back seat a little. But I was reassured in knowing that towards the end of the year I'd be able to come back. It held me in good stead getting a few games in later in the year."
Stats from 2012 TAC Cup:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
6 54 38 19 92 N/A N/A 20 1.0
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150797/default.aspx
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Punch above - Tanner Smith
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Sun 11 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-11.jpg)
TANNER SMITH
DOB: 08/03/94
Height: 195cm
Weight: 88kg
Club: North Ballarat Rebels/Vic Country
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150805/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Tall defender who has good closing speed and reads the game extremely well coming into the opposition forward line. Makes good decisions on when to mark or spoil and provides good run from defence. Has shown ability to go forward and have an impact. Stood tall for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year matching up well on the opposition's best forward.
Upside: Smith stepped into North Ballarat's centre half-back position last year as a bottom-age player and established himself as a promising player. As a 17-year-old he took on some of the best forwards in the TAC Cup, including Jonathon Patton, the first player picked at last year's NAB AFL Draft. In 2012, Smith played most of the year in defence before the Rebels gave him some exposure as a key forward late in the season. He showed signs it could be a switch he makes more often in the future, although he will be drafted for his defensive and disciplined efforts. The 18-year-old is getting stronger, can run all day and is very good at shutting down an opponent and limiting their influence.
"Some boys show a bit of nervousness playing as 17-year-olds, but he did that last year with a lot of maturity and did it very well. We knew he could play down back, but we developed him in that forward role to expand his skills. His endurance base is excellent and he blew a lot of his opponents up with his work-rate." North Ballarat Rebels region manager Phil Partington
Downside: While Smith had a very good year in 2011, he hasn't stood out nearly as much this year. He's been solid without being sensational, making it harder for clubs to assess where he sits in this year's pool. But he did end the year with some excellent testing results at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, running 2.99 seconds in the 20m sprint and 10.18 in the 3km time-trial (top 10 per cent.)
Plays like: A bit like Adelaide's Daniel Talia, who won the NAB Rising Star this year, Smith is a defender who sticks at his task. He isn't overly flashy but he loves to jump and spoil, and thrives on keeping his opponents to as few shots at goal as possible. At the same stage of their development Talia was ahead of Smith, but they are players who share the same defend-at-all-costs mindset.
Draft range: Seems likely to be a second-round selection, picked somewhere in the 30-40 category. Would suit a club on the lookout for some extra key defensive depth. St Kilda would seem an obvious fit given its lack of talls, and Smith spent a week at the club earlier this year through the AIS-AFL Academy. Gold Coast, Fremantle and Collingwood might also be in the hunt for more depth.
In his own words: "I like to say I'm a team player. I think that one-on-one stuff is a strength of my game as well and something I do take seriously. I just love that one-on-one contest down back."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
4 23 15 12 38 71.1% 12 24 0.0
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150805/default.aspx
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Scary prospect - Tim O'Brien
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Mon 12 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-10.jpg)
TIM O'BRIEN
DOB: 23/03/1994
Height: 193cm
Weight: 80kg
Club: Glenelg/South Australia
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150826/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Tall, quick-moving forward whose x-factor is his overhead marking. Averaged five marks and 2.2 goals a game in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and is a reliable set shot for goal. His six goals against Tasmania in round one was a highlight."
Upside: O'Brien's draft stocks have risen over the course of his first full season in the SANFL and with SA at the national carnival. He moved to Adelaide to further his footy career after taking part in West Gambier's senior premiership in the Western Border Football League last year. He came from three deep to take an impressive pack mark to boot the first of his six goals in his standout performance against Tasmania at the national carnival and he is capable of taking some big grabs. He's a nice set shot for goal and has shown potential in other areas of the ground with the Tigers also playing him down back this year while giving him the opportunity to pinch hit in the ruck.
"The thing that really excites me about Tim is that he's a lovely height, he's got good speed and a good sound body - he's got enormous upside to him. He's AFL material with what he can offer a club with his all-round ability and is going to be a dangerous player and someone the opposition is going to have to be very much aware of up forward. Once the experience comes, the frame gets strong and the mind gets strong … it's frightening really. If he's got the will and the want and he gets into a good system I think they'll have a really good long-term player." - Glenelg football manager Ken Applegarth.
Downside: O'Brien is still quite a raw prospect and needs to further develop his knowledge of the game. He'll need to learn the tricks of the forward trade and how to deal with the attention of a close-checking defender. He gets himself to plenty of marking contests, but still drops a few marks that he should be taking.
Plays like: O'Brien has some of the athletic attributes of a young Adam Goodes. He ran a sub-three second 20m sprint at the NAB AFL Draft Combine and also managed the second-best agility rating at the Etihad Stadium event. Applegarth believes he even has the potential to play on a wing once he builds his tank.
Draft range: O'Brien will likely get taken somewhere late in the first round or in the top half of the second. Teams looking to bolster their tall stocks in that range include Adelaide, the Brisbane Lions and the Western Bulldogs.
In his own words: "I'm an athletic, versatile and agile player, who can play in a number of positions. Being an athletic yet taller player, which allows me to play a number of different roles [is one of my strengths]. I'd like to improve my tackling, chasing and work-rate."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 24 24 21 48 81.2% 32 3 11.4
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150826/default.aspx
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'Sleeping giant' - Marco Paparone
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Tue 13 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-9%20copy.jpg)
MARCO PAPARONE
DOB: 03/09/1994
Height: 194cm
Weight: 84kg
Club: East Fremantle/Western Australia
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150865/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Tall forward with elite endurance (15+ beep test result) which allows him to keep presenting up forward or to play midfield which he did in the final game of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Dangerous around goal and creative player who averaged 16 disposals, four marks and 1.5 goals a game for WA this year.
Upside: Paparone is a lead-up forward whose main weapon is his capacity to run all day and lead early and often. He reads the play well, is a good mark overhead on the lead and is a very consistent contributor. He kicked 45 goals in 17 games for East Fremantle colts this season and hit the scoreboard in all but one match. He has an excellent work-rate with a nice turn of speed and can be counted on to chase and tackle. Paparone was voted WA's best and fairest player after the Sandgropers' national championships campaign and East Fremantle's most dedicated player.
"I think Marco is a sleeping giant - he's capable of a lot more than we've seen so far. I think it's a bit about self-belief with Marco. Endurance-wise he's elite, but he's also quite agile for a guy of 194cm - he could potentially play on a wing at the next level. At the championships he was often able to out-run his opponents, so he really can be damaging toward the end of quarters. I think he can develop into a really dangerous player." - WA talent manager Raff Guadagnino.
Downside: Paparone isn't the greatest kick, which is a flaw he will need to address in order for him to get the proper rewards for his hard work. Contested marking isn't a strength either, so he'll need to get better in that area to become a more potent attacking weapon at AFL level. If he's to come up onto a wing on a regular basis he'll also need to work on being a bit cleaner below his knees.
Plays like: Paparone possesses an endurance base and work-rate, similar to Nick Riewoldt, that allows him to go on multiple searching leads and present good options to teammates further up the field and also serves to wear out defenders.
Draft range: Paparone is a second-round prospect who would add something to the forward mix at Port Adelaide, the Brisbane Lions and Fremantle.
In his own words: "I'm a very hard-running player. I have good endurance and like to run up the ground from the forward line. Other strengths are my ability to take a mark out in front on the lead and reading the play."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
4 48 16 17 64 54.9% 22 10 6.7
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150865/default.aspx
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(Aidan) Corr blimey
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Wed 14 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/1_CORR%20Aiden%202012.jpg)
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151058/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
AIDAN Corr might not be attracting too much attention in the lead-up to next week's NAB AFL Draft, but the key defender is quietly pushing as a possible top-15 selection.
While Corr is unlikely to break into the top 10 when names are read on the Gold Coast next Thursday night, the key defender could land at Carlton (pick 11) or Greater Western Sydney (picks 12 and 14), who hold selections in the vicinity Corr is set to be available.
Although the Giants are tipped to recruit Calder Cannons defender Lachie Plowman with pick three, they lost key back Jack Hombsch to Port Adelaide during Gillette AFL Trade Period, and Corr could be an immediate replacement at 194cm and 87kg.
The Northern Knights and Vic Metro defender is renowned for his speed, agility and aggression in defence, and is also an AIS-AFL Graduate.
It is considered unlikely he will be placed anywhere outside the top 20 picks, particularly given the lack of quality key position players in this year's crop.
But whether he takes the fancy of Gold Coast with its first pick is another question, with speculation the club has its eye on West Australian midfielder Josh Simpson.
Industry talk earlier this year suggested the Suns were even contemplating picking Simpson with selection two in the draft, had they not sent the pick to the Giants in return for 17-year-old West Australian star Jack Martin through the mini-draft.
The Suns, now with selection 13, could snare Simpson if he is still there at that stage.
Martin's arrival might have changed how the Suns rank Simpson, however some recruiters view them as different types of players.
"[Simpson] is a very slick mover - he knows how to move and when to move in traffic. Put a bit of grass in front of Josh and he's off - he'll make the most of the smallest opening," WA talent manager Raff Guadagnino told AFL.com.au.
"He's a real professional too. He takes his football very seriously, he doesn't just rely on pure skill, and he's a real leader in his community as well."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151058/default.aspx
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(Mason) Shaw thing
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Wed 14 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-8.jpg)
MASON SHAW
DOB: 15/01/1994
Height: 198cm
Weight: 87kg
Club: South Fremantle/Western Australia
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150912/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Tall forward who is very strong overhead and has smarts around goals. Kicked seven goals in the WAFL colts Grand Final in 2011. A reliable kick for goal from set shots as well as clever with his snap shots. Has excellent endurance for a tall with a beep score of 14-plus showing his potential to play across half-forward. Kicked four goals for WA against Vic Country this year. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.
Upside: Shaw is a powerful tall forward who excels in pressure situations - he followed up last year's seven-goal Grand Final haul for South Fremantle colts with another five goals in this year's premiership decider. He kicked 66 goals for the Bulldogs last year, but he suffered facial fractures early this season in an off-the-ball incident involving West Coast's Mitch Brown, which required surgery that put him out for more than three months. He's an accurate and long kick for goal from set shots, can also pinch-hit in the ruck, has a good tank and shows good leadership potential.
"He's a deep thinker, he thinks the game through, and anticipates how his midfielders are going then leads based on that. If they're under pressure and going to bomb it long then he'll hang back, but if they're having a good day out he'll lead more. We saw glimpses of what Mason can do throughout the championships (his return to footy after the long injury layoff) and if he'd had a bit more ball coming his way I think he would have improved out of sight." - WA talent manager Raff Guadagnino.
Downside: Shaw's confidence appeared to take a bit of a hit after he suffered his facial injury and a prospective AFL club will need to work with him to make sure he regains the swagger that most good power forwards play with. He'll also need to further develop his rucking if he's to relieve a lead ruckman at AFL level.
Plays like: Shaw is a big strapping forward in the mould of Collingwood's Travis Cloke. He's excellent overhead and very strong in a contesting marking like the big Pies' forward.
Draft range: Shaw didn't quite come on as many thought he would this year, which will give recruiters pause for thought. For that reason he probably slides to the back end of the first round or even into the second where St Kilda, Port Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions will be waiting to pounce.
In his own words: "I am a strong marking forward who has the ability to provide a target and kick goals. I can also play in the ruck if needed."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
5 26 11 15 37 62.2% 22 3 10.4
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150912/default.aspx
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Tough break - Jake Stringer
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Thu 15 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-7.jpg)
JAKE STRINGER
DOB: 25/04/94
Height: 191cm
Weight: 93kg
Club: Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150967/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Tall forward/defender who excels one-on-one with his marking and body positioning. His kicking is both penetrating and precise, whether forward or back, and he has good speed off the mark. Thrives on the contest and tackles strongly. Overcame serious leg injury last season to play some excellent football for Bendigo Pioneers this year and represent Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.
Upside: After a badly broken leg in the opening round of the TAC Cup in 2011, Stringer returned to footy this year. Almost a year to the day of the original injury - a compound fracture of his tibia and fibula - he returned for the AIS-AFL Academy and played on the MCG against the Box Hill Hawks. After the academy's tour of Europe he played for Bendigo, and kicked nine goals in round one. It led to expectations Stringer would easily be able to recapture his best, something he struggled with. He had a quiet NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was even dropped for Vic Country's match with Vic Metro. But not one to let it get to him, Stringer came back to play some much better footy at the backend of the season with the Pioneers and Bendigo Gold in the VFL. At his best, Stringer is a flexible, brilliant and tough player, capable of dominating games. His natural spring is excellent and he's strong in the air, while his ground work and physicality is also a plus.
"A lot of things come naturally to him. When he broke his leg he found it frustrating that he couldn't do the same things he could before the injury. He's always got people saying that he won't come back the same from his broken leg and all that. But I've got no doubt that given time he'll be fine." - Vic Country coach Mark Ellis.
Downside: The question on Stringer is obvious: will he be able to recapture his best form or will the broken leg always limit him? This is what makes Stringer a difficult prospect to measure, because where some clubs view his progress as encouraging, others are not so sure they'd take a punt on him with an early pick. The bone is still healing, and he's still limited with the amount of running he can do on it, but Stringer believes it will be no long-term hindrance.
Plays like: Stringer describes himself as a little like Brendon Goddard, and he has the same versatility. He's probably best through the midfield when up and going, and is an excellent user of the ball as well. When not in the midfield he tends to stay forward, but has been used in defence for the Pioneers and showed the ability to dictate a game from there as well.
Draft range: As Vic Country talent manager Leon Harris puts it, Stringer is the "mystery" of this year's crop. On talent he would be a top-10 selection, but after his injury nobody is quite sure where he fits or where he'll end up. Stringer will most likely be picked in the 10-20 range. Geelong is a big fan of his, but a number of other clubs are interested.
In his own words: "It's an interesting one because so many people now are doubting me because of my leg. But for me I know come round one next year I'll be ready. And there'll be nothing that will stop me from doing that. My leg's fine, everything's fine."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
3 10 13 3 23 56.5% 11 5 0.2
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150967/default.aspx
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Man of medal - Nick Graham
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Fri 16 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-6.jpg)
NICK GRAHAM
DOB: 12/06/1994
Height: 183cm
Weight: 79kg
Club: Gippsland Power/Vic Country
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150980/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Medium midfielder who is a terrific competitor with great lateral movement and evasive ability. Strong overhead and very good by foot, he has been a prolific ball winner for Gippsland Power this year averaging 25 disposals. Can also play role up forward presenting as a target and applying good defensive pressure.
Upside: Graham manages to straddle the line between inside and outside onballer very well - he's a ferocious tackler and clearance winner, but is also an excellent run and carry player. He has elite endurance, takes a good grab and is dangerous around goals when resting up forward, but is equally threatening with the ball in his hands when looking to pinpoint a target inside 50. The Morrish medallist suffered a knee injury before the TAC Cup Grand Final that would later require surgery, but was able to push through the pain barrier to be rated his side's best player in the over-time loss.
"We always really highly rated him here … we knew that he had an enormous amount of talent. He was probably more of an outside [mid] when he was younger, but Nick Stevens has had a huge impact on him and he's really built his game around defensive pursuits. He realised that if he wanted to be a good player he had to be more inside and make sure that he chased, tackled, smothered and harassed and did all those things that really good players do. He's gone out and done a lot of that himself, which is testament to how badly he wants to play AFL footy." - Power region manager Peter Francis.
Downside: Graham is not the quickest onballer, but it wasn't a handicap at TAC Cup level where he proved hard to pin down in traffic. He also had some minor knee issues, which kept him from playing a lot of footy for the Power before this year. He had a clean-up after the season, but it is not expected to hinder his ability to participate in an AFL pre-season.
Plays like: Graham is a willing tackler in the mould of North's Andrew Swallow. In addition to doing his bit for the team, he hunts the ball carrier as a means to get himself involved in the contest, which allows him to get his own hands on the ball.
Draft range: Graham is a late-first/early-second round draft prospect who could be capable of seeing some senior action in a younger midfield brigade at the Bulldogs, Gold Coast or Port Adelaide.
In his own words: "[Winning the Morrish Medal] is something I didn't expect, but I'm over the moon. Last year I was unlucky to get dropped for the finals. I wasn't really performing, so I worked really hard in pre-season and got a lot of feedback on parts of my game I needed to improve." - The Weekly Times.
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
4 39 33 17 72 62.5% 33 20 0.0
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150980/default.aspx
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Tassie tough - Jesse Lonergan
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Sat 17 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-5.jpg)
JESSE LONERGAN
DOB: 14/11/94
Height: 183cm
Weight: 87kg
Club: Launceston/Tasmania
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151091/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Tough medium midfielder who attacks the ball aggressively and is clean with his ball handling and distribution. Has explosive power and is very competitive, always showing great intensity around the contest and strong second efforts. The nephew of recently delisted Essendon midfielder Sam Lonergan and an AIS-AFL Academy graduate. Overcame injury to play the final three matches in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 16.3 disposals and laying 5.3 tackles a game.
Upside: The hard-bodied midfielder is the best player out of Tasmania, but endured an injury-interrupted season. At an AIS-AFL Academy camp earlier this year, Lonergan got caught in a tackle and suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Eager to get back into footy and impress, he returned a little too early and needed another few weeks off before playing three games at the championships. There, he had his best game with 19 disposals against Queensland, and against both NSW/ACT and Northern Territory he had 15 touches and kicked two goals. Lonergan has a solid body and is a prospect with senior experience. He played for Launceston in Tasmania's state league when he was 15, and in 2011 he played a big role in the club's premiership win.
"In terms of how we play we're very similar at the same age. Jesse is bigger and stronger than I was at that age and I think he's got a great future ahead of him. I'm quite happy to say I believe he's going to be a much better player than what I've become. But in saying that he's got a long way to go and a lot of hurdles to jump before getting to AFL level." - Sam Lonergan
Downside: Lonergan said mid-season that he believed his kicking was still an area of improvement, and by the NAB AFL Draft Combine, it appeared he had gone some way to fixing it up. In the new goalkicking test at the combine, Lonergan kicked a perfect score.
Plays like: It's no surprise that Lonergan shares the same hardness and tenacity as his uncle, Sam. The pair grew up living under the same roof and used to fight over the ball in the backyard. Lonergan is a little more explosive than Sam, and probably has a bit more breakaway speed and power, but there will be comparisons made at the start of Jesse's career.
Draft range: A club looking to boost its inside midfield stocks will jump at the chance to add Lonergan to its list. That could be anywhere from about pick 15-25, depending on who likes him best.
In his own words: "Every injury is frustrating. I love playing footy, I just love being a part of it. But it's been a learning experience as well. You're going to get injuries in a football career so it's about dealing with it the right way."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
3 27 22 8 49 57.1% 35 16 4.1
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151091/default.aspx
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Package deal - Jonathan O'Rourke
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Sun 18 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-4.jpg)
JONATHAN O'ROURKE
DOB: 21/04/1994
Height: 183cm
Weight: 75kg
Club: Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151230/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Medium midfielder who is a prolific ball winner and smart user of the ball. Runs all day and makes good decisions with the football in heavy traffic. Has good game sense and an excellent mix of speed and endurance. Classy type who averaged 18.5 disposals at 77 per cent efficiency for Vic Metro and was rewarded with All Australian honours following the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. An AIS-AFL Academy graduate.
Upside: O'Rourke is one of the most complete midfielders available at this year's draft, possessing all the traits needed at AFL level. He has a couple of intangibles about him, too, that push him even higher in this year's crop. One is that he plays well when games matter. Already seen as a top talent at the start of this year, he stamped himself with a brilliant effort against South Australia in the third round of the championships. Although SA was favourite, O'Rourke's hard work at the contests - and ability to burst away from them - helped set up Vic Metro's surprise win. He finished with 21 disposals. After missing last year's national championships with a hamstring tear, sitting out the first game of this year's carnival, and having a quiet day against Tasmania in round two, O'Rourke consolidated his spot near the top of the draft. Tested well early at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, including a 14.5 shuttle run in hot and sunny conditions. A sore back forced him out of the final day of testing, including the 3km time trial.
"A lot of the recruiters fancy him. He's got that ability to glide across the oval. His kicking is above average, and has really good height, size and shape. There's a lot to like about him." - Calder Cannons coach Martin Allison
Downside: It's hard to find one with O'Rourke given he's such a balanced prospect. Recruiters have asked him about his consistency, and the way he drifted in and out of games in the second half of the year. A long season had taken its toll by then, and most are confident it is just a lack of experience and he will be able to work out of it in time.
Plays like: Although we haven't seen much of Bomber Elliott Kavanagh at AFL level yet, O'Rourke has some similar attributes. O'Rourke can run and carry with the ball, and is classy whenever he has it, but is just as adept at winning his own possessions.
Draft range: O'Rourke's overall package makes him appear certain to be in the top 10 picks when the draft is held on the Gold Coast, and he could go a bit higher. He's a good chance to be a top-three selection for the Giants, and if not, it's more likely he gets to the Western Bulldogs (pick five and six), who will be keen to inject some class into their list. Port Adelaide (pick seven) and the Brisbane Lions (pick eight) would also be ready to add another quality midfielder to their ranks if he gets that far.
In his own words: "I think that's one of my biggest strengths: being able to win the ball inside and outside. I can be the ball-winner or try get on the end of it and use my skills. I definitely want to work on kicking more goals, though. As a midfielder I'd like to kick one or two goals a game throughout the year. That's something that I'm trying to get better at."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
4 33 41 14 74 77% 28 11 3.2
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151230/default.aspx
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Giant chance - Jimmy Toumpas
By Jason Phelan
afl.com.au
Mon 19 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-3.jpg)
JIMMY TOUMPAS
DOB: 02/01/1994
Height: 182cm
Weight: 78kg
Club: Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia
VIDEO:
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151247/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151247/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Energetic medium midfielder with outstanding work ethic and big aerobic capacity. Terrific ball winner and weights his kicks extremely well. Impressive for SA in the 2011 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and in the SANFL Grand Final, when he was among the best for 2011 Premiers, Woodville West Torrens. Won All Australian honours at the championships this year averaging 22.2 disposals. An AIS-AFL Academy Graduate.
Upside: Toumpas didn't make the SA side for the under-16 national carnival, but he has worked tirelessly over the past two years to turn himself into one of the most exciting prospects in this year's draft pool. He possesses a combination of speed, agility, endurance and foot skills that will put him in a strong position to play plenty of senior football in his first AFL season. The line-breaking midfielder captained South Australia at this year's Under-18 Championships and is highly regarded for his strong leadership qualities. He has played regular senior footy for SANFL club Woodville-West Torrens and stamped himself as a top prospect last year with a brilliant finals series for the Eagles who went on to win the flag. He made the All Australian team this year despite being troubled by a hip complaint that he has since had surgery to repair.
"After last year's Grand Final I had recruiters telling me he was a top-three pick and I don't think much has changed to be honest. The thing with having the time off is it's allowed him to get in the gym a lot more, so he actually put on a bit of size, which was probably the one thing he did need to improve. He works extremely hard and he's been a real leader for a lot of our younger guys. He's the benchmark for our under-18 program now. I use him as an example for our boys to show them how hard they need to work to achieve their goals." - Woodville-West Torrens development manager Shane Grimm.
Downside: Toumpas has very little downside, but he'll need to work on his overhead marking to become more dangerous inside attacking 50 as he strives to become an elite midfielder at AFL level.
Plays like: Toumpas' work-rate and willingness to run all day allows him to affect more contests in a similar fashion to St Kilda champion Lenny Hayes.
Draft range: Toumpas is a blue-chip prospect who will likely go inside the first three picks at the draft. The Giants hold all three of those selections and are unlikely to pass up the chance to add a player of his class to their midfield mix.
In his own words: "I'd love to stay at home in Adelaide, but to move away and be in a professional AFL environment would be amazing. I love footy, I watch a lot of it so I know all the teams backwards, and it would just be great to get an opportunity with any club. It's very humbling [to hear myself talked of as a potential top-5 pick]. This time last year I wouldn't have thought that would be the case, but I know I have a lot of work ahead of me. I'll just try and improve myself every day and we'll go from there."
Stats from NAB AFL U18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
4 60 29 24 89 82% 19 5 2.1
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151247/default.aspx
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Oliver Wines - A top drop
By Callum Twomey
afl.com.au
Wed 21 Nov, 2012
(http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/Draft-Count-Down-Players-246x316-1.jpg)
OLIVER WINES
DOB: 07/10/94
Height: 187cm
Weight: 89kg
Club: Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
VIDEO: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151310/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer
Bio: Strong medium midfielder with a distinct hard edge that wins him contested ball, including at the stoppages. Has elite endurance and can push forward and hit the scoreboard. Ferocious tackler who is a good overhead mark and prolific ball winner. Averaged 24.2 disposals for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year, winning All-Australian honours. AIS-AFL Academy Graduate.
Upside: The Bendigo Pioneers captain has enjoyed a terrific season that has seen him rise up the ranks to be a near certain top-10 selection. He was probably Vic Country's most consistent player at the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, and he carried that form through the TAC Cup season with the Pioneers as well. Wines is a tough, strong and physically developed midfielder who throws his size around and wins a lot of his own possessions. After growing several cm in 2011, he added a few more strings to his bow, starting to get on the outside of packs, use his skills to become more damaging and became an option in attack. He's already a clearance specialist, and seems likely to easily make the transition from junior football to the elite level without too many problems.
"A lot of people are a bit surprised at how big he is. He's certainly a really good height for a midfielder particularly with his body strength as well. If he is having a quiet period he's been able to show in games he can fight back into it by doing the grunt work around stoppages and clearances." - Bendigo Pioneers coach David Newett.
Downside: There's barely anything that would worry clubs too much about Wines. He's not a really athletic type but there are no concerns about his pace, and while his kicking might not always look classy, he is an effective user of the ball. Wines is very close to a complete prospect at this stage of his development.
Plays like: A little like Gold Coast turned Geelong midfielder Josh Caddy, Wines is a strong-bodied player who thrives on the contest. It's not unusual to see him dig into a pack and come out with the ball and distribute it to a teammate. The 18-year-old has that special awareness of knowing where the ball is and finding a way to make it his.
Draft range: There's little chance Wines will end up at Greater Western Sydney, despite the club holding the first three selections at the draft. It's more likely he'll land at Melbourne at pick four or the Western Bulldogs at pick five. Wines will add an immediate physical presence to the midfield of either side.
In his own words: "I do the in-and-under stuff, try to get the ball out to the runners, and try to be a big contributor. I'm starting to pick up a fair few more handball receives, so when I'm not trying to get it out I'm being involved outside and working it down."
Stats from 2012 Under-18 Championships:
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposals Disposal efficiency Contested possessions Tackles Goals
4 47 50 19 97 63.9 51 21 2.6
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151310/default.aspx