One of Blair Hartley's tasks presumably will be to find late developers in the state leagues who can make the transition successfully to AFL level...
Ready-made VFL players for the AFL draft Sam Landsberger
From: Herald Sun
July 19, 2011
SAM LANDSBERGER assesses the top 10 VFL prospects for the national draft.AHMED SAAD Northern Bullants
Position: Small forward; AGE: 21; HEIGHT: 180cm; WEIGHT: 75kg
Similar to: Eddie Betts
In 27 games Saad has become one of the VFL’s elite. With impeccable balance, burst of pace, strong hands and a knack of finding goals he is hot on Kevin Sheedy’s watch list.
Coach Darren Harris: “He’s one that has to be looked at because we’ve seen the effect of small forwards and every club needs them. He needed to improve getting outside 50 and applying pressure and he’s doing that.”
NATHAN BATSANIS Port Melbourne
Position: Wing; AGE: 23; HEIGHT: 181cm; WEIGHT: 79kg
Similar to: Courtenay Dempsey
The nephew of Collingwood great Peter Daicos spent a year at Port Adelaide but was curtailed by a leg injury. Batsanis has raised the bar this year and turned into a key link-up player.
Coach Gary Ayres: “He has improved his decision making and ball use, which is important when you get it 20-25 times, and he’s a two-way runner.”
SAM GIBSONBox Hill
Position: Midfielder; AGE: 25; HEIGHT: 184cm; WEIGHT: 82kg
Similar to: Farren Ray
The clock is ticking, but the Hawks captain tops the disposal chart each week and would slot into most AFL midfields as an old-fashioned tough onballer.
Coach Damian Carroll: “If a club wants a guy to go straight in, there wouldn’t be too many ahead of Sam. He’s so consistent with his workrate.”
BRAD MANGANWerribee
Position: Key position; AGE: 20; HEIGHT: 190cm; WEIGHT: 95kg
Similar to: Max Rooke
He’s played only 13 games, but AFL clubs are taking a shine to his bull-like aggression, pace off the mark and endurance.
Coach Paul Satterley says: “We think he’s going to appeal to clubs because he’s one of the quickest on our list and he’s starting to play with real physicality and he can play at either end.”
DAVID MIRRABox Hill
Position: Half-back; AGE: 20; HEIGHT: 186cm; WEIGHT: 86kg
Similar to: Sam Fisher
Won last year’s Box Hill reserves best-and-fairest. He can play on a range of forwards and offers good drive from half-back.
Coach Carroll says: “He’s done a good apprenticeship and hasn’t looked back this year. He can repel attacks, he’s done a good job on a powerful type like Lynden Dunn and he can play on smalls.”
TIM MOHRCasey Scorpions
Position: Key defender; AGE: 22; HEIGHT: 195cm; WEIGHT: 98kg
Similar to: Tom Williams
Mohr combines strength and size with a splash of speed. Can pinch-hit in the ruck and is renowned for demolishing opposition attacks and then taking the game on.
Coach Brad Gotch: “He can play on a medium-tall to a really tall. When he’s on, he marks the ball and then takes off and can pump it 60-70m.”
MATTHEW O'DWYERWerribee Tigers
Position: Half-back; AGE: 22; HEIGHT: 181cm; WEIGHT: 80kg
Similar to: Rhyce Shaw
Delisted after a lack of opportunities at Sydney last year, despite repeatedly racking up more than 50 possessions in the reserves. O’Dwyer is again proving too good for second-tier football with his pinpoint foot skills, dash and rebound from defence.
Coach Paul Satterley: “He’s got the ability to go at the same intensity from start to finish. He’s very creative and can find a lot of the footy.”
MICHAEL STOCKDALECasey Scorpions
Position: Back pocket; AGE: 20; HEIGHT: 178cm; WEIGHT: 77kg
Similar to: Jarrod Harbrow
The pint-sized defender’s ability to negate star forwards has risen this season. His dash and creativity are what excites clubs.
Coach Brad Gotch: “He’s done well to improve his one-on-ones, which were a query, because we already knew he's smart, he's quick, he reads the play well and is a good user of the ball.”
WILLIE WHEELERCoburg Tigers
Position: Midfielder; AGE: 19; HEIGHT: 176cm; WEIGHT: 75kg
Similar to: Kieren Jack into Sam Mitchell
The nephew of former Bulldog Terry Wheeler shared the Murray best-and-fairest with North Melbourne's Shaun Atley last year and was stiff to miss at the rookie draft. Wheeler has explosive pace off the mark, is a contested-footy king and kicks goals.
Coach Adam Potter: “He’s the best I’ve seen come in from the TAC Cup and make an impact in my six years involved (in the VFL). He average 25 possessions, wins clearances and tackles well.”
MALCOLM LYNCHPort Melbourne
Position: Midfielder; AGE: 23; HEIGHT: 178cm; WEIGHT: 70kg
Similar to: Stephen Hill
Injury cut short his AFL career at the Western Bulldogs. Finally fit, the silky playmaker has scintillating speed and has improved his clearance work.
Coach Ayres: “You tend to find the players with genuine leg speed are the ones getting drafted, so he’s on track.”
AND ONE MAKING A LATE RUN...
BRENDAN FEVOLACasey Scorpions
Position: Full-forward; AGE: 30; HEIGHT: 190cm; WEIGHT: 100kg
A bag of 11 goals on Sunday thrust Fev into the spotlight for the right reasons, but beating up on a weak opposition is unlikely to wow AFL clubs.
Coach Brad Gotch: “If he keeps improving, you just never know, but he’s got to keep improving. About a month ago he was improving and then he stagnated.”
THE OTHERSOllie Tate, Myles Sewell (both North Ballarat), Kris Pendlebury, Tom Sundberg (both Collingwood), Sean Tighe (Werribee), Myles Pitt, Shane Valenti (both Port Melbourne), Mark Baguley (Frankston), Ben Duscher and Tory Dickson (both Bendigo).
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ready-made-vfl-players-for-the-afl-draft/story-e6frf9jf-1226097161234
