AFL's top 30 prospects
5:55:55 PM Thu 16 November, 2006
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com
Jarryd Allen VIC, 14-Jan-88, Calder, Tall Forward, 193.2, 87.7
Versatile player who can play in the ruck or as a tall forward where his marking is a feature. Had outstanding NAB AFL U18 Championships winning All-Australian honours and returned to state league kicking eight and nine goals in consecutive weeks as a key forward. Runner-up in Calder Cannons Best and Fairest for 2006, kicking 46 goals. From Riddells Creek F.C.
David ArmitageQLD, 16-Jun-88, Morningside, Medium Defender, 183.5, 80
Left-footed ball winner who can play in the midfield or in defence. All-Australian at U18 level. Has quick hands, great courage and huge engine. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. Recorded the quickest time for the AFL agility test at the NAB AFL Draft Camp with 7.88sec. A beep test of 14.2 and a 3km time of 10.35sec saw a ranking in the top 15 per cent of players tested. Originally from Mackay in Queensland.
Travis Boak VIC, 01-Aug-88, Geelong Falcons, Medium Midfielder, 183.3, 76.4
Classy midfielder with good speed and ball winning ability. Well balanced player with ability to get through traffic. Vic Country representative and AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. A 2.96sec 20m sprint time at the NAB AFL Draft Camp saw Boak ranked in the top 15 per cent of players tested. From Torquay F.C.
Nathan BrownVIC, 17-Dec-88, Nth Ballarat, Tall Defender, 193.5, 87.2
Versatile key position player who kicks well on preferred left side. Impressive in NAB AFL U18 Championships at full back winning All-Australian honours. Sprint and repeat sprint ability were highlights at the NAB AFL Draft Camp with 20m sprint time of 2.91sec (top three per cent) and repeat sprint test time of 25.07sec (top eight per cent). From Ballarat F.C.
Mitchell Brown VIC, 17-Dec-88, Nth Ballarat, Tall Forward, 193.3, 89.8
Twin to Nathan who plays well at either end of the ground and is a right-footer. Like his brother has an elite basketball background. A beep test of 14.1 at the NAB AFL Draft Camp showed great aerobic capacity for a tall forward. Brave overhead and a good finisher near goal. From Ballarat F.C.
Nathan Djerrkura NT, 19-Sep-88, NT Thunder, Small Midfielder, 176.3, 77.1
Dashing midfielder or small forward with good evasive skills and great pace. Indigenous player from Gove in the Northern Territory attending Scotch College in Melbourne. Won All-Australian U18 honours this year. Averaged 22 possessions per match with the Northern Territory Thunder. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Draft Camp with results including 20m (2.90sec - top two per cent), agility (8.18 - top 11 per cent) beep test (14.3 - top 15 per cent). From Wanderers F.C.
Shane Edwards SA, 25-Oct-88, Nth Adelaide, Medium Forward, 179.6, 68.6
Classy, quick midfielder who is smart around goals and evasive. Played 10 games of senior football this year after progressing from the U19's and represented SA at U18 level. Has excellent skills under pressure. Ranked in the top four per cent of participants in the beep test and 3km time trial at the NAB AFL Draft Camp (15.4 beep test/10.00sec 3km). From Golden Grove F.C.
Andrejs EverittVIC, 13-Mar-89, Dandenong, Tall Defender, 193.4, 77.4
Quick and well balanced player who kicks the ball extremely well out of defence. Victoria Metro representative and AIS/AFL Academy graduate this year. Outstanding agility for a tall defender highlighted by an 8.06sec agility test at the NAB AFL Draft Camp ranking him in the top three per cent of players undertaking the test. From Somerville F.C and brother of Peter Everitt.
Bryce GibbsSA, 15-Mar-89, Glenelg, Medium Midfielder, 187.4, 77.6
Poised, well balanced and skilled playmaker who had outstanding year at Glenelg and with SA U18 team, winning All-Australian honours. Had excellent game against Vic Metro in NAB AFL U18 Championships, gaining 34 possessions, nine loose ball gets and nine clearances. Finished in top three in Glenelg Best and Fairest with his round 17 match against Port Adelaide outstanding, finishing with 33 possessions and kicking six goals. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. From Plympton F.C.
Scott Gumbleton WA, 03-Aug-88, Peel, Tall Forward, 197.1, 92.8
Strong marking, courageous and agile tall who can play either end. All-Australian at U18 level this year after representing WA in 2005 and 2006. Played 15 games at senior level for Peel this year with his contested marking a feature. His beep test of 14.2 showed his outstanding endurance at the NAB AFL Draft Camp this year. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate.
Lachlan HansenVIC, 17-Aug-88, Gippsland, Tall Defender, 196.7, 90.1
Agile and powerful player who can play either end. Strong overhead and aggressive in the contest. At TAC Cup level this year averaged 19 possessions and nine marks in his 13 matches, also kicking 16 goals. All-Australian at U18 level this year. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. 20m Sprint (3.03sec), beep test (14.3) and 10.43 sec 3km were highlights of testing undertaken at the NAB AFL Draft Camp. From Nar Nar Goon F.C.
Tom Hislop TAS, 07-Jun-88, Tas Devils, Medium Forward, 184.4, 85.9
Robust and powerful player who is strong overhead and a prolific ball winner. All-Australian at U18 level this year averaging 20 disposals and ranking no.1 for tackles. Has an excellent speed and endurance combination being sub 3.00sec for 20m and mid level 14 for the beep test. AIS/AFL Academy graduate.
Leroy JettaWA, 06-Jul-88, Sth Fremantle, Small Midfielder, 177.2, 75.5
Dual All-Australian U18 level who has excellent evasive skills and goal sense. Super quick indigenous graduate of the AIS/AFL Academy, recording 2.97sec for 20m at the NAB AFL Draft Camp. Averaged 24 possessions in the NAB AFL U18 Championships this year in a midfield/forward role. Played six games at senior level in the WAFL. From Clontarf College.
Nathan KrakouerWA, 03-Jun-88, Claremont, Small Midfielder, 182.1, 61
Speedy and skilful indigenous player who reads the game well and makes good decisions. Smart around goals kicking 36 goals at Colts level in WA this year. Only light at the moment but will develop. Member of the WA U18 team this year. Recorded fastest time over 20m (2.83sec) in testing conducted at the 2006 NAB AFL Draft Camp.
Matthew LeuenbergerWA, 07-Jun-88, East Perth, Ruckman, 203.2, 92.9
Exciting prospect with the height, agility and mobility to play on ball. Excels with his work at stoppages and can push forward and kick goals. Debuted in the WAFL this year playing six matches, and won All-Australian U18 honours. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. Tallest player attending the NAB AFL Draft Camp measuring in at 203.2cm. Showed fantastic speed for such a tall player with a 20m sprint time of 3.02sec.
Jarryd Morton WA, 05-Oct-88, Claremont, Medium Forward, 191, 80.7
Strong marking forward/defender who is smart around goal. Played at Colts level with Claremont, kicking 39 goals and was amongst their best in the Grand Final with 20 disposals. WA representative at U18 level this year. Brother Mitch is with the West Coast Eagles.
Garry Moss WA, 05-Jul-88, East Perth, Small Midfielder, 179.5, 69.9
Left-footed, smart midfielder who captained WA at U18 level and played senior football this year. Won All-Australian U18 honours showing poise, skill, footy smarts and averaging 20 disposals. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate.
Daniel O'KeefeVIC, 25-Oct-88, Geelong Falcons, Medium Midfielder, 183.7, 74.1
Prolific possession winner with very good evasive skills, strong overhead for his size and smart around goals. Uses ball very well and good in traffic. Vic Country U18 representative this year. Played 16 games for the Falcons this year averaging 22 disposals and kicking 32 goals. From Warrnambool FC.
Ricky PetterdQLD, 24-Jul-88, Broadbeach, Medium Defender, 185.3, 76.7
Classy and versatile player who attacks the ball strongly. Had outstanding NAB AFL U18 Championships winning Harrison Medal (Best and Fairest Div 2) and All-Australian honours, averaging 24 possessions per match in a dashing and creative carnival off half back. Injury prevented testing at the Draft Camp but has recorded 3.00sec for 20m and 14.3 Beep Test with the AIS/AFL Academy. From Broadbeach F.C.
Albert Proud QLD, 06-Sep-88, Mt Gravatt, Small Midfielder, 180 , 83
Goal-kicking midfielder who has a terrific attack on the ball, pace and tackling skills. Left-footer who uses the ball very well and was honoured with QLD U18 captaincy this year. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. From Mt Gravatt F.C.
Ben Reid VIC, 29-Apr-89, Murray, Tall Forward, 196.4, 82.3
Left-footed, versatile player who can go forward or back. Strong overhead and quick, his 2.93sec for 20m was in the top 10per cent at the NAB AFL Draft Camp, highlighting his terrific speed for his size. Vic Country U18 representative and AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. Father Bruce played with both Carlton and Western Bulldogs but not eligible for either under the father/son rule. From Wangaratta Rovers F.C.
Brent RenoufQLD, 03-May-88, Southport, Ruckman, 200.3, 92.5
Mobile key position player or ruckman who is strong overhead. QLD U18 representative in 2005/2006 and Graduate of the AIS/AFL Academy. His 93cm running vertical jump topped the Draft Camp with his 3km endurance test in the top 11 per cent. Topped off a very promising year by playing well in Southport's Senior Premiership side in AFL Queensland State League.
Jack RiewoldtTAS, 31-Oct-88, Tassie Mariners, Tall Forward, 192.3, 85.4
Goal-kicking forward who is extremely strong overhead. Impressive at VFL level in eight games for Tasmanian Devils including outstanding game versus Bendigo Bombers where he took 13 marks and kicked four goals. From Clarence F.C .
Chris Schmidt SA, 20-Mar-89, West Adelaide, Medium Defender, 188, 80.8
Composed defender/midfielder who had an excellent year progressing to senior level in 2006. Good decision maker, neat user of the ball and great endurance (14 plus Beep Test). Impressed for SA in NAB AFL U18 Championships averaging 18 possessions and ranking second for South Australia in hardball gets. From Robertstown F.C.
James Sellar SA, 24-Mar-89, Glenelg, Ruckman, 195, 90.1
Ruckman or key forward with a terrific vertical leap he uses to his advantage at stoppages and marking contests. Sheehan medal in 2005 NAB AFL U16 National Championships. Made his senior debut with Glenelg this year playing eight games. His standing vertical jump and agility were impressive at the 2006 NAB AFL Draft Camp. Graduate of the AIS/AFL Academy.
Joel Selwood VIC, 26-May-88, Bendigo, Medium Midfielder, 182.4, 80.2
Strong at the ball and skilful midfielder/defender who won All-Australian honours in 2005. Barassi Medallist versus Ireland last year at U17 level. Missed most of 2006 recovering from injury, playing only three games. Impressive leader at youth level. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. From Sandhurst F.C.
Lindsay ThomasSA, 28-Feb-88, Port Adelaide, Small Midfielder, 180.4, 76.4
Super quick left-footer who is a prolific ball winner and smart around goals. Reads play extremely well and hits targets. Played SA U18's and progressed to senior level in SANFL this year, playing six games. From Mallee Park F.C.
Mitchell Thorp TAS, 25-Dec-88, Tassie Devils, Tall Forward, 194.1, 86.4
Strong marking and mobile forward/defender who can play on ball. Showed great promise for Tasmania in VFL playing 10 games and also won All-Australian honours at U18 level. AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. From the Northern Bombers in Tasmania.
Kurt Tippett QLD, 08-May-87, Southport, Ruckman, 200.6, 95.9
Former QLD U18 basketballer with only two years in the game. Very impressive overhead, at ground level and around goals for QLD in NAB AFL U18 Championships this year. Played in Senior Premiership at Southport this year.
Gavin Urquhart QLD, 15-Aug-88, Morningside, Medium Defender, 181.1, 80.1
Utility player who can play midfield or defence. Long kick and capable of kicking long goals on the run. All-Australian at U18 level in 2005 and AIS/AFL Academy Graduate. Originally from Rockhampton in Queensland.
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