Top prospectsBy Jason Phelan
Wed 13 Jul, 2011 * Denotes 17-year-old players available to be traded via the GWS trade incentive schemeVIC METRO Hayden Crozier, Eastern Ranges, 24 December 1993, 184cm, 68kg Sure, he took that screamer against Western Australia, but there's a lot more to the lightly-framed forward/midfielder's game than flashy marking. He kicked a nice goal against Vic Country in the final game of the championships, but the fact that he was involved at the start of that play on the half-back flank, and stayed with it, is what will impress recruiters.
Jonathon Patton, Eastern Ranges, 20 May 1993, 197cm, 95kg Big Jon's radar in front of goal was a bit off during the carnival - he kicked 18.16 - but he did more than enough to firm as the favourite to be taken first overall in the NAB AFL Draft by GWS. He's quick and agile for a player of his size, marks the ball with authority and can kick goals from long-distance set shots or snaps when the ball hits the deck. Selected in the All Australian team.
Dom Tyson, Northern Knights, 8 June 1993, 186cm, 82kg The ball-winning midfielder elevated his standing in the eyes of AFL recruiters perhaps more than any other player at the championships. He won't ever be the quickest player on the ground, but his ability to make the right decisions, find space and pinpoint teammates with his damaging left foot puts him in the elite bracket.
Billy Longer, Northern Knights, 12 May 1993, 202cm, 95kg The skipper of the Vic Metro team is highly regarded for his leadership skills and work ethic. Metro coach Rohan Welsh likens him to West Coast star Dean Cox. He runs all day and can take a big grab up forward. Moves well for a player his size and his strength at the stoppages saw him average 21.5 hitouts per game. Earned All Australian honours.
Liam Sumner, Sandringham Dragons, 16 August 1993, 182cm, 70kg Kicked six goals for Sandringham to earn himself a late call-up to the AIS-AFL Academy tour of Europe and hasn't looked back. Sumner lost the Dale Thomas-like locks before the champs, but the similar pace, agility and elusiveness remained. Exciting midfielder who can break away from packs, but isn't afraid to get his hands dirty either with 14 tackles in four games.
Will Hoskin-Elliot, Western Jets, 2 September 1993, 190cm, 76kg Hoskin-Elliot is a real line breaker with a thumping right foot kick. He bombed a goal from 60m against WA and went inside 50 seven times a game on average over the championships. Works well in close and runs hard to link up with teammates. Earned All Australian honours.
Brandon Ellis, Calder Cannons, 3 August 1993, 181cm, 81kg Ellis is a smart footballer who reads the ball very well and can put himself in the right positions as a result. He was named in the All Australian team after an impressive carnival that saw him average just over 18 possessions a game. In the match against WA he soccered a ball that was going out of bounds onto the chest of a teammate, ran on to take the mark, rode a bump and delivered a perfect long ball inside 50 for Jonathon Patton to run on to.
Toby Greene, Oakleigh Chargers, 15 September 1993, 180cm, 78kg Greene's ball-winning ability - he averaged 24.5 touches a game - saw him named Metro's MVP and earned him selection in the All Australian team. He's a tough, hard at it onballer with a big tank who excels at setting up a teammate from a pack situation by hand. He's not that quick, but buys himself time with the ball by keeping opposition players guessing with his ability to size up several options quickly and go one way before committing to another.
Michael Talia, Calder Cannons, 11 February 1993, 193cm, 87kg Talia can occasionally turn it over by foot, but he's a competitive beast who excels in one-on-one contests and runs hard from defence. He had an excellent game against Vic Country in the championship decider on the big stage at Etihad Stadium where he gathered 22 possessions and was credited with eight one percenters. Named in the All Australian team. Brother of Adelaide's Daniel.
Elliot Kavanagh, Western Jets, 19 May 1993, 187cm, 78kg The mystery man of this year's draft. Didn't play a minute of football at the championships due to hamstring issues, but is a very highly-rated, quick onballer. One to watch out for in the latter stages of the TAC Cup.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA Chad Wingard, Sturt, 29 July 1993, 181cm, 73kg The Rolls Royce of the SA midfield reinforced his standing as a prospective top-three pick before he had his carnival cut short when concussed in a Jack Viney tackle in the first quarter of the round four clash against Vic Metro. The courageous onballer showed poise and creativity in averaging 23 possessions over his three games with over half his disposals contested. Is capable of kicking spectacular goals, but is also a clinical finisher from set shots.
Brad McKenzie, Sturt, 29 May 1993, 188cm, 75kg McKenzie is another player who really moved up in recruiters' estimations with an excellent carnival. What he lacks in elite speed he makes up for with a penetrating left foot kick and his ability to read the play across half-back and through the middle.
Mitchell Grigg, Norwood, 2 January 1993, 183cm, 81kg Grigg, a mid who can play inside or out, was a key member of the SA team and deserved winner of his state's MVP award. He went inside 50 on 30 occasions in five games and his consistently accurate disposal - he averaged a disposal efficiency of 70.8 per cent across the carnival - saw him named in the All Australian team.
* Ben Kennedy, Glenelg, 3 March 1994, 174cm, 73kg Kennedy has already played senior football for the Tigers in the SANFL and it showed when he dropped back to his own age group. The poised left footer booted four goals in each of his first two games and impressed with the smooth, efficient manner in which he gets across the ground. Smart player with a thumping kick who gets after the ball carrier inside his own 50.
VIC COUNTRYMatthew Buntine, Dandenong, 19 October 1993, 188cm, 83kg Joined the likes of Jack Grimes and Jack Ziebell in winning the AIS-AFL Academy's Ben Mitchell Medal. Limited by shin splints leading into the championships, but the classy defender/midfielder was still able to impress with a cool head down back - particularly in Country's final game against Metro.
Devon Smith, Geelong Falcons, 20 May 1993, 175cm, 73kg Missed the first game of the champs, but burst onto the scene with 27 possessions and six goals against NT at Visy Park. An onballer that can go forward and find space, Smith is a busy player who excels in the contest. He went inside 50 17 times in four games and laid 17 tackles.
Andrew Boseley, Geelong Falcons, 4 September 1992, 194cm, 80kg Over-age key defender who has a lanky frame and red hair like Dustin Fletcher and moves a bit like him too. He played on Jonathon Patton in Country's final game of the carnival and kept him to two goals.
Clay Smith, Gippsland Power, 11 May 1993, 180cm, 78kg Smith is a courageous ball winner who was able to out-mark taller opponents on several occasions throughout the championships. He's a hard runner who can also kick goals. Averaged almost five clearances and four tackles per game throughout the carnival to earn All Australian honours.
Taylor Adams, Geelong Falcons, 30 September 1993, 181cm, 80kg There's a lot to like about Adams' game. He's a clean user of the ball, shows poise in close and doesn't mind throwing himself about in a pack situation. Averaged just under 19 touches a game throughout the carnival and earned All Australian honours.
* Brad Crouch, North Ballarat, 12 January 1994, 184cm, 83kg The hard-working midfielder ended the championships on crutches after suffering an ankle injury early in the fourth round clash against WA. The All Australian selectors had seen enough in three games to include him in the prestigious team thanks largely to his average disposal efficiency of 76 per cent a game.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAStephen Coniglio, Swan Districts, 15 December 1993, 182cm, 76kg The classy onballer will be snapped up by GWS with one of its first three picks at the draft on the evidence of his championship performances. He wins his own ball, shows explosive speed away from stoppages and is clean with his disposal by hand and foot. His positioning and sure hands came to the fore when he gathered a loose ball and slotted a great goal on the run in the second quarter against Vic Country. Coniglio received the Larke Medal as the best player in Division One and was also named his team's MVP.
Shane Nelson, West Perth, 11 May 1993, 178cm, 70kg A real prime mover in WA's midfield, Nelson is a prolific accumulator of possessions. He played every game at the carnival with his standout performance coming against Vic Country at Skilled Stadium. In a team that struggled on the day, Nelson gathered 35 disposals.
* Jaeger O'Meara, Perth, 23 February 1994, 182cm, 75kg The 17-year-old took big expectations into the championships and he didn't disappoint. His combination of electrifying pace and agility matched with his clean disposal by either foot makes him a tantalising prospect for clubs whose desire to secure his undoubted talent makes him the most likely player to be traded by GWS under the trade incentive scheme.
TASMANIABrody Mihocek, Burnie, 4 Feb 1993, 191cm, 86kg The Burnie Docker was cut down by a hip ailment last season, but the rangy utility made up for lost time during the champs. He was named in the defenders' group in the All Australian team, but displayed an excellent work rate when thrown forward against NT. He's good overhead and coach Matthew Armstrong loves his ability to quickly turn defence into attack when he's in the back half.
John McKenzie, South Launceston, 3 Jun 1993, 177cm, 80kg The Tassie skipper was his team's MVP and won the Harrison Medal as the best player in Division Two. A real backbone-type player who wins his own ball and has the skills to set up the play once he's in possession.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/118426/default.aspx
