The top 25 U18 playersBy Paul Daffey
Wed 25 August, 2010JAKE Melksham was no star before last year’s TAC Cup finals. His performance in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships had been ordinary. His TAC Cup form with the Calder Cannons was so-so.
But he had a wonderful TAC Cup finals series, culminating in a best-on-ground performance in the Cannons’ victory in the grand final over the Dandenong Stingrays. His finals series shot him up the rankings. Essendon took him at No.10 in the 2009 national draft.
It’s worth revisiting Melksham’s story on the eve of finals series in all states. Here’s 25 of the best under-18 players to look out for in September. You never know who might re-enact Melksham’s effort and shoot up in the rankings.
David Swallow (19 November 1992, 186cm, 83kg, Western Australia): The brilliant midfielder has shown just why he’s the top-ranked teenager with several stellar performances with Gold Coast in the VFL. Moved to the Gold Coast a year early to prepare himself for his AFL journey and should be right to go for round one 2011.
Harley Bennell (2 October 1992, 180cm, 70kg, Western Australia): Another midfielder with truckloads of talent. Every time he gets the ball there’s a sense of anticipation about just what he’s going to do with it. His vision, the angles he sees, reminds you of Steve Johnson at his most creative.
Sam Day (6 September 1992, 195cm, 90kg, South Australia): Spring-heeled key-position player with the biggest upside of the under-18 crop. He runs and jumps and boots long goals. He just never does it for a full game. It’s expected that he’ll become more consistent when he dedicates himself to footy.
Jack Darling (16 June 1992, 190cm, 86kg, Western Australia): Bullocking forward whose competitive streak should override the fact that he’s too short to be a key forward. The recent trend towards asking half-forwards to lead up to the wing is in his favour. He’s capable of getting midfielder stats.
Andrew Gaff (16 June 1992, 183cm, 78kg, Vic Metro): Accumulative midfielder who’s more sensible than your grandmother’s shoes. The club that drafts him will be content in the knowledge that he’s unlikely to be distracted by anything. No fuss, effective with hands and feet … a sure-fire star.
Daniel Gorringe (2 June 1992, 198cm, 85kg, South Australia): A ruckman whose leap and quick thinking override the fact that he’s slightly short for the job. Head and shoulders above all other teenagers in terms of tap work. Another quiet, unfussed type with the capacity to learn.
Jared Polec (12 October 1992, 188cm, 77kg, South Australia): Wingman with the cherished ability to break out of a pack, run 20 metres and kick 60, more often than not with precision. Played well with Woodville-West Torrens seniors in the 2009 finals as a 16-year-old. No reason he can’t do it again.
Scott Lycett (26 September 1992, 202cm, 95kg, South Australia): Big-framed ruckman who’s prepared to run to space to provide linking options. Makes the odd mistake, but there’s no doubting his attitude. Playing regular seniors with Port Adelaide Magpies.
Shaun Atley (13 September 1992, 187cm, 82kg, Vic Country): Midfielder with the capacity to play inside and outside, with a touch of country hardness about him. His pace off the mark is superb. His kicking is good but not in the elite class.
Brodie Smith (14 January 1992, 188cm, 79kg, South Australia): Croweaters’ under-18 captain who excelled as a midfielder in the under-18 championships and has played some good games at half-back in the Woodville West Torrens seniors. Quick, hard, determined, a natural leader.
Kieran Harper (5 June 1992, 187cm, 78kg, Vic Metro): Midfielder and half-forward with the ability to turn games. His under-18 championships were disappointing before he kicked four classy goals in the final game. Hard to pin down because of school commitments but he’ll go in the first round.
Tom Lynch (31 October 1992, 196cm, 86kg, Vic Country): The bolter. A year ago he was playing in the Sorrento under-18s. In June he was taking marks and kicking goals in the national under-18 championships. Only Sam Day would top him for potential upside.
Reece Conca (12 August 1992, 179cm, 70kg, Western Australia): Understated midfielder who must have been disappointed after missing out on an All-Australian guernsey at the under-18 championships. Since then, he’s excelled in the Perth seniors, with one best-on-ground performance. Recruiters would note his intelligence; he’s studying law.
Ben Jacobs (9 January 1992, 186cm, 82kg, Vic Metro): Sweeping half-back who will be watched closely now that the school season is over and he can concentrate on playing with Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup. Lacks a yard of pace but knows how to find and distribute the ball.
Luke Parker (25 October 1992, 182cm, 82kg, Vic Country): Midfielder who was rated in the top few at the start of the year. His stocks have lowered slightly after performing below expectations at the under-18 championships. He’s a leader and it wouldn’t surprise if he performed well with the Dandenong Stingrays in the TAC Cup finals.
Jed Lamb (19 October 1992, 181cm, 77kg, Vic Country): Small forward with the smarts to move into the midfield. Confident, even brash. Kicked six for Gippsland Power in the TAC Cup at the weekend.
Patrick McCarthy (11 March 1992, 194cm, 79kg, South Australia): Tall, spindly defender who plays more as a flanker than a key-position player despite his height. Good leadership material. Loves to run downfield.
Josh Caddy (28 September 1992, 186cm, 81kg, Vic Metro): Top inside midfielder who lacks the pace to be as damaging on the outside. Good hands. Likes to mix it up. Can go unnoticed because he’s not flashy.
Sebastian Tape (6 August 1992, 189cm, 78kg, South Australia): Defender who’s more reliable than old boots. Clubs seeking a backman in the Dale Morris mould will look at him.
Pat Karnezis (23 April 1992, 191cm, 77kg, Vic Metro): Clever forward who leads up and doubles back in the mould of Ryan O’Keefe while showing some of the tricks of Steve Johnson. Only decided to concentrate on footy a year ago, having always played soccer. Good upside.
Billie Smedts (8 June 1992, 187cm, 77kg, Vic Country): Half-forward and half-back who runs straight. Strong, agile and versatile in the mould of Jarrad Waite, but seldom able to show his best this year because of injury and school commitments. Son of Footscray and St Kilda player Albie Smedts.
Lucas Cook (3 March 1992, 194cm, 82kg, Vic Country): Skinny key forward with a good pair of hands and plenty of upside. After spending time in defence with the North Ballarat Rebels this year, he kicked four from the forward line at the weekend, and was named the Rebels’ second-best player.
Viv Michie (23 February 1992, 185cm, 77kg, Vic Metro): Half-forward and half-back who drifts across the front of a pack in the manner of Royce Hart. Classy, clever, and able to keep his nerve, he strikes as a good man to have in a crisis.
Mitch Hallahan (23 August 1992, 182cm, 77kg, Vic Country): Runs hard and loves body contact - probably the hardest teenager in the country. Had a superb under-18 carnival, and he does everything well, but he has no outstanding traits other than his hardness.
Dion Prestia (12 October 1992, 175cm, 81kg, Vic Metro): Injuries let him down in the under-18 championships. He has breakaway pace and kicks with the force of a horse at the stable door. The only question is development. He’s like David Rodan in his dimensions and Jimmy Bartel in his attack on the ball.
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