2011 potential draftees thread

[one-eyed]

Sam Frost is another who'll be around at our first two picks. A CHB as well.

Frost warning
By Paul Daffey
Mon 24 Oct, 2011



SANDRINGHAM Dragons and Vic Metro ruckman/centre half-back Sam Frost made a name for himself in unusual circumstances during a NAB AFL Under-18 Championships game at Patersons Stadium in June.

It was during Vic Metro's match against Western Australia. The ball was shot out to Frost, who clasped his hands together and hit the ball up - as if he were playing volleyball.

In volleyball, such a movement is called a dig. Frost, who had played the sport at school for a few years, felt like digging himself a hole.

"I didn't mean to do it; it was completely reflex," he said.

Frost is a Year 12 student at Wesley College in Melbourne. Besides a short career in volleyball, he's been an emergency for a state under-16 squad in basketball.

He barracks for Richmond because his father David wore the black and gold at Glenelg. David also played for Sturt during his 100-game SANFL career, which was spent mainly at full-back.

One of the first things you notice about Frost is his confidence, a trait he recognises in himself. "I feel comfortable in most situations," he said.

His Dragons coach, Dale Tapping, agreed that Frost is confident, but added that he's not overbearing. "He certainly doesn't swagger."

At 194cm and supremely athletic, Frost has been a subject of interest for more reasons than his predilection for volleyball.

Having played as a ruckman in his bottom-age year at the Dragons, he began this year at centre half-back and shone in the early part of the season.

Tapping described those games as outstanding. "In the first four or five weeks he was almost impassable."

Frost's ability to read the ball at half-back leads you to think of Collingwood's Ben Reid, who took the most intercept marks in the AFL this year. Frost, for that matter, said he models his game on Essendon's athletic big man Paddy Ryder.

Frost was good rather than outstanding at the under-18 championships. His best game was against New South Wales, when he played at centre half-back, centre half-forward and in the ruck, and had almost 30 disposals.

Frost said the online chat after that game on sites such as bigfooty.com served to fuel his confidence that he could go on with his footy.

"It made me feel I can play at that level," he said. "I wasn't sure before that."

By the end of the championships, however, he was struggling with a groin injury. A packed fixture of playing school footy, TAC Cup and national championships had taken its toll, as it does with several elite juniors every year.

Tapping gave Frost six weeks off from playing with the Dragons. "Just to freshen him up," he said.

He came back for the final round, against the Western Jets, and then played in the Dragons' three finals. Tapping said he was solid rather than outstanding in the finals, before adding that he was crucial in the Grand Final.

The Dragons trailed the Oakleigh Chargers by 20 points at three-quarter time. Frost was moved into the ruck and paved the way for some important clearances as the Dragons surged to win by eight points.

"His most endearing quality is his competitiveness," Tapping said. "He's very, very fierce."

Frost's best mate in footy is Ben Darrou, who this year played with him in the Wesley, Dragons and Vic Metro teams. He and Darrou were also at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, for which Frost was unable to test in the physical events because of a hip injury.

Frost's main area for improvement is his kicking. To that end, he and Darrou often adjourn to their local part, the Wattle Grove Reserve in Ormond, to kick ball after ball at each other.

And not once is Frost inclined to revert to his volleyball instincts and dig.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/125400/default.aspx

[The Big Richo]

I attend every pre draft function, it is fun! I have never seen you there TBR, will this be your first?

You have probably always thought I am a club official because I spend so much time chatting with players.

I'm on really good terms with all of them. Great blokes.

[10 FLAGS]

Sam Frost was someone I rated well over the last couple of months. He was on the first line with Mitch Grigg. So a Frost or Grigg selection at 15 would be a good result IMHO. I also like Brett O'Hanlon as a selection at 26, also like Henry Schade from memory. Luke Brown who went to Adelaide in the trade period was also a player I  thought would do well and I had him in this group as well. Itll be interesting to see what happens on draft day.

[one-eyed]

Hayden Crozier will probably be gone before our first pick but here's an story about him anyway:

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/125394/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Here's the kid some phantom drafts have us linked to....

Daniel Markworth leaves it late to show his talent

    by: Jay Clark
    From: Herald Sun
    October 25, 2011



DANIEL Markworth is happy to admit he is not like most AFL hopefuls.

While his peers yearned to play in the TAC Cup, the lightning-quick lead-up forward has knocked back invites for several years.

Markworth, a 19-year-old who studies biomedicine at Melbourne University, is one of the most curious propositions in this year's draft.

Not only for his exciting mix of height (189cm) and speed, but also because a year ago he was an unknown in the AFL recruiting scene.

Growing up, the talented sportsman was a star on the tennis circuit, and played soccer and basketball, leaving football to his four brothers.

That was until four years ago, when he embarked on his first footy season at Macedon, and became an instant star.

Still, it was only last pre-season, after much encouragement, that Markworth finally accepted a long-standing offer to join the Calder Cannons.

Within weeks, he was turning AFL recruiters' heads, with his ability to put distance on his man in just a few steps, and mark cleanly.

Within months, he had became a legitimate first-round draft pick.

"It has come on very quickly, so it (AFL) hasn't been something I have been thinking about for a long time," Markworth said.

"But the more and more I do think about it, the more and more I want to get there."

In context, football comes across as much less complex than his thorough study of the human body and the medicines used to treat it.

For that reason, AFL is not the be-all-and-end-all for Markworth, and perhaps one of the reasons why he seems so relaxed discussing it.

Regardless, on the field, his creativity, cleanness and especially his speed, either on the lead or surging away from congestion, is what sets him apart. Like Fremantle's Nat Fyfe, he has the X-factor. Truckloads of it.

At the Draft Combine Markworth posted the equal sixth best time in the 20m sprint and in the repeat speed test. All on a sore knee.

"He has explosive speed, like a V8 against a Corolla," Calder regional manager Ian Kyte said.

"He can hit top speed in three steps, and at the same time, put in a few lateral ones as well."

Last season he notched the fifth most marks on the lead in the TAC Cup. He also showed potential swooping through the midfield.

Given his natural talent, recruiters have wondered why he didn't pursue football earlier.

"There was always going to be question marks why I didn't follow it straight away," Markworth said. "But I was enjoying what I was doing (I was) interested in a lot of sports and finding out as much as possible." Given his relative football inexperience, his upside thrills.

"Considering how green he is, really, there is a lot of improvement in him," Kyte said. "It's not frightening, but the possibilities are he could become a very, very good player."

Not surprisingly, he tries to learn from two of the most game-breaking forwards in the AFL.

"Going for Geelong I like watching Steve Johnson, I think he is very creative. I like the way he plays," he said.

"The other one would be Adam Goodes ... I just love the way he is a goalkicker, he attacks the footy, and just his pace out of the pack."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/daniel-markworth-leaves-it-late-to-show-his-talent/story-e6frf9jf-1226175575353

[mightytiges]

Sam Frost was someone I rated well over the last couple of months. He was on the first line with Mitch Grigg. So a Frost or Grigg selection at 15 would be a good result IMHO. I also like Brett O'Hanlon as a selection at 26, also like Henry Schade from memory. Luke Brown who went to Adelaide in the trade period was also a player I  thought would do well and I had him in this group as well. Itll be interesting to see what happens on draft day.

I'm guessing Frost and Talia would be on the radar if we are looking at tall key defenders. With two 'first' round picks there's a chance we may go for a midfielder with one pick and a key defender with the other if a quality kid of that type is still available at 26.

[one-eyed]

Taylor Adams
Club: Geelong Falcons, Victoria
Date of birth: 20/09/93
Height: 179cm
Weight: 80kg
Draft range: 8-18



NAB AFL Draft Combine: Adams showed off his impressive endurance with a 15.1 beep test and a 10:39 in the 3km time trial. His 20m sprint time was a touch over three seconds, which shows he has some speed to go with his big tank.

Jason Phelan says: Adams is a classy midfielder who also has a hard edge to his game that has seen him likened to Geelong's Jimmy Bartel. He averaged 28 possessions per match with the Falcons this year with 10 of those contested. He is a strong tackler who is tough to shake loose once he latches on. He disposes of the ball well by hand in traffic and is an elite kick off his right boot. Adams has strong leadership credentials. He was one of many Falcons to have a quiet game against Oakleigh in the last round of the TAC Cup, but he maintained a strong voice despite the lopsided nature of the contest that ended with a 130-point margin.

Kevin Sheahan says: Averaged 18.8 disposals and four tackles at NAB AFL U18 Championships. Exceptional leader, is clean and strong around contest. U18 All-Australian. From St Joseph's FC.

In his own words: "I'm a hard in-and-under midfielder that is good around contests. I can also play outside and am a consistent kick off my left and right foot."

https://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/123399/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Toby Greene a ball magnet

    by: Jay Clark
    From: Herald Sun
    October 26, 2011



TOBY Greene is still coming to terms with his rise as one of the country's elite underage midfielders.

It is probably because things have happened in such a hurry for the centreman, who was unable to cement his place at Oakleigh in the TAC Cup last year.

After overcoming some injury problems, Greene was invited back to train for the start of last pre-season, but initially, being more of a quiet, reserved character, he blended in rather than stood out.

However, as soon as the practice games began, the lightly-framed player with the big engine quickly stamped himself as a dominant ball winner.

Next month, he is likely to be in the first dozen or so picks in the national draft.

"During those early periods he probably flew under the radar," Chargers regional manager Mark Smart said.

"He is a quiet young man, a bit introverted, and you can get a bit lost in a squad of 75 players.

"But as the pre-season games began, his decision-making and spatial awareness really came to the fore.

"Then we could really see what he could do."

Greene has been described by scouts as "your meat and potatoes man", someone who thrives within the confines of stoppages, largely because of his agility and cleverness in tight spaces.

When it comes to reading a ruckman's tap, Greene has the acumen.

But there is nothing flashy about his style, just an ability to keep moving to the right spots, use the ball decisively by hand and push to the next contest.

AFL clubs are sizing up Greene as a workhorse around whom they could build a midfield.

The 180cm clearance specialist, who admires Western Bulldogs' hard-ball king Matthew Boyd, was called up to the Vic Metro squad as more of an afterthought. But he shone at the national championships, averaging 24 touches.

It earned him All-Australian honours before some outstanding late-season efforts leading into and during the TAC Cup finals for Oakleigh.

His consistency cemented his position at the top end of the draft order, something that still seems to surprise him.

"I obviously, at the start of the year, didn't expect it to turn out as it did. I was very pleased with how it did," Greene said.

"Being in that bracket, an elite midfielder, it definitely is a pretty big honour."

A former gun 800m runner, 18-year-old Greene said he admired Boyd's toughness at stoppages, and was learning to be more vocal.

"I pride myself on my inside game ... and being able to read the play and be where the ball is going to be and work really hard to find space," he said.

"But also I try to be as good as I can off field, training as hard as I can. I probably don't talk much, but it's something I will have to try and improve if I want to be in that elite bracket of midfielder."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/toby-greene-a-ball-magnet/story-e6frf9jf-1226176698992

[one-eyed]

Matthew Buntine
Club: Dandenong Stingrays, Victoria
Date of birth: 19/10/93
Height: 189cm
Weight: 84kg
Draft range: 3-7



NAB AFL Draft Combine: Buntine was restricted by injury at the combine and didn't participate in any endurance testing or the agility drill. However, he tested well in the vertical leaps and posted a time of 2.98s in the 20m sprint.

Jason Phelan says: Buntine is half-back flanker who is the best reader of the play in the draft. He won't go No.1, but at least one AFL recruiter believes he is worthy of that lofty consideration. His decision-making and creativity coming from the back half will be an asset to whichever club calls his name in November. He is very good overhead for his height. He played on likely No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton late in the TAC Cup season, impressing his coach with his ability to play in front of the 197cm monster and curb his influence despite the height difference. Shin splints meant he had a slow start to the year, but the silver lining there was that he spent his recovery time in the gym where he developed the core strength to acquit himself well in the AFL very quickly.

Kevin Sheahan says: AIS-AFL Academy member who won the Ben Mitchell Medal. Injury curtailed his impact at the U18 championships, but he impressed against Vic Metro. Good size, strong overhead, has a good game feel and uses the ball well.

In his own words: I'm a defensive half-back that can play on both talls and smalls. I also have rebounding ability.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/122454/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Sebastian Ross's impeccable red-and-black bloodlines

    by: Jay Clark
    From: Herald Sun
    October 26, 2011



Video: http://video.heraldsun.com.au/2159725483/2011-draft-pick-Sebastian-Ross

REGARDLESS of where Sebastian Ross lands in the national draft, he will always have a special connection with Essendon.

As the cousin of Jobe Watson, and nephew of club legend Tim, Ross has royal Bomber blood.

The 187cm midfield hard nut, much like the Essendon captain, is renowned for his stoppage work.

But, in another likeness to the young Jobe, the powerful left-footed onballer has been forced to lift his endurance.

So when the challenge came to increase his running capacity to help build his inside/outside game, Ross knew who to call.

"Maybe the endurance is a genetic thing," Ross laughed. "When he was drafted, Jobe wasn't the same player he is now.

"He has made a name for himself with how hard he has worked behind the scenes.

"Now he is one of the fittest guys at Essendon."

Inspired by his cousin, the 18-year-old has this year undertaken a punishing training regime. "At the start of the year I identified it as a part of my game to really work on," he said.

It meant weekly boxing sessions, torturous interval training, and running by himself on a nearby oval in hometown Horsham.

Having moved to Ballarat to further his footy, the teen who'd like to base his game on Tiger star Dustin Martin upped the ante upon returning home on school holidays.

He would sprint distances from 100 to 500m, then reverse the order, remembering "not to eat beforehand" in fear of it coming back up.

As a result, he was able to maintain his high workrate late in games, and recorded some pleasing results at the draft camp this month.

"I was over the moon with the tests, it probably reflected a little bit of the hard work I had put in," he said.

Ross, who represented Vic Country, was one of the Rebels' leading midfielders, averaging 25 touches.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/sebastian-rosss-impeccable-red-and-black-bloodlines/story-e6frf9jf-1226177708725

[one-eyed]

Another kid who will be around our first pick....

Sam Docherty
Club: Gippsland Power, Victoria
Date of birth: 17/10/93
Height: 185cm
Weight: 83kg
Draft range: 12-20



NAB AFL Draft Combine: Docherty picked up a hip injury late in the season playing for Gippsland and was unable to test at the combine.

Jason Phelan says: Docherty missed out on the initial Vic Country squad, but the creative half-back flanker overcame that disappointment to force his way back in with a string of excellent performances for the Power. He made the most of his opportunity when he was brought in for the fourth game of the carnival with an eye-catching display across half-back against WA at Skilled Stadium. He often handled the kick-ins for Gippsland, thanks to his ability to find a target, and his kicking under pressure is a feature of his game. He's strong overhead and knows when to go at the ball or throw a block to create space for a teammate. 

Kevin Sheahan says: Docherty was best on ground in the U18 championship game against WA. Reads the play well and dashes from defence. Is a good kick under pressure. From Phillip Island FC.

In his own words: I love to run and carry the footy and use my skills and decision making to create plays for the team. I also read the ball well off the opposition to intercept play.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/123411/default.aspx

[one-eyed]

Sam Docherty 's running a straight line to the top

    by: Jay Clark
    From: Sunday Herald Sun
    October 30, 2011

SAM Docherty is not one to stick to the safe options charging from defence.

The Gippsland Power defender is armed with arguably the most potent right-foot kick in this year's draft pool.

The man who models his game on Carlton's Chris Yarran has the power and precision in his right leg to unpick a forward press.

But it's not just the technique that makes Docherty, who has stormed up the under-age rankings, a tantalising first-round draft pick next month.

It's his aggressive mindset, and a coolness under pressure, that helps enable him to hit even the most cramped targets with a 60m pass, bursting from the back line.

"I love to carry the footy with my run and bounce and use my skills and usually take the option that is going to affect the team the best," Docherty said.

"Sometimes it doesn't pay off, sometimes it does. Most of the times it does because I usually make a good decision ... I love having the right foot as a weapon."

Docherty, 18, is one of the biggest surprise packets of the draft.

This time last year, the TAC Cup rebound king was playing local footy for Phillip Island. He had been overlooked for a berth in the Power's team because of a persistent back strain.

Docherty said it was in the local league, playing against men as a junior, that he built confidence in his disposal.

"I played two years of seniors, first as a 15-year-old then as 16-year-old, and that's where I learnt to use it (kicking skills)," he said.

"I just learnt to take on all the old blokes, and I've just carried it on to TAC Cup this year."

Docherty, who notched the second-most back-50m rebounds in the TAC Cup this year, made his biggest statement at the national championships.

The 183cm back flanker missed out on initial selection for Vic Country, but earned a call-up for the last two games, and starred with his swift movement.

Unflustered in tight situations, Docherty also showed himself to be more than capable defensively, standing strong in one-on-one contests and helping teammates.

sIn the minds of recruiters, his stocks were soaring.

"To go straight in and play as well as I did, I was astounded really," he said.

"I didn't think I was going to come in and make that much of a difference but I backed my own ability and kept going."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/sam-docherty-s-running-a-straight-line-to-the-top/story-e6frf9jf-1226180426377

[one-eyed]

Andrew Boseley overcomes shoulder injury to put himself in draft contention

    by: Jay Clark
    From: Herald Sun
    October 31, 2011



ANDREW Boseley was given a 10 per cent chance of lasting out the season.

The Geelong Falcons key defender suffered a tear in his right shoulder in Round 6 and was told he needed a reconstruction.

But his form in the early part of the season alone was not necessarily going to get him drafted.

If he could manage to play through to the national championships, and perform well on the big-name forwards, it would boost his chances.

So with his right shoulder heavily strapped, the gutsy full-back set about blunting the top spearheads in the country, sending his stocks soaring.

"The guys at the club said you might not get drafted if you pull the pin now, but if I could get through six more games, and just strap it up, it could help," Boseley said.

"Lucky enough I got through to the championships and just treated every game after that as a bonus, and by the end of the season I wasn't really worried about it (shoulder). My confidence grew."

The 19-year-old, who is commonly likened to a young Dustin Fletcher, enhanced his reputation significantly at the carnival, keeping Jonathon Patton, the likely No.1 draft pick, under wraps.

His closing speed, athleticism and ability to read the ball in the air makes him an expert spoiler, and one of the top key defenders in the draft.

Boseley, who starred up forward for South Barwon in last year's Geelong Football League under-18 grand final, also has the speed and nous to hurt the opposition on the rebound.

He put on 6kg in the off-season and focused on his defensive game and positioning in the aerial contests, under the tutelage of former Falcons coach Aaron Greaves.

"To have the season he did was a really good effort because he had the shoulder and we threw him some really big challenges," Falcons regional manager Michael Turner said.

"The challenges don't come much bigger than the likely No.1 pick in the draft, Jon Patton, who is bigger than Jon Brown at the same age. But he performed really well on him in the national championships. And he has still got a light frame so there is still a lot of development in him."

Boseley has now had the shoulder reconstruction in preparation for his selection, perhaps early in the second round of next month's draft.

Fremantle, with pick 29, seems to be in the box seat to secure the services of the 194cm stopper.

But Geelong has a penchant for picking red-heads from St Joseph's, (think Cameron Ling and Barry Stoneham) and could pounce if he slips through to pick 34.

At the Draft Combine, the tall's results put his running in the elite category for a big man. He ran 20m in 2.93sec, registered a 14.10 beep test and ran 3km in 10min 40sec. Boseley also spoke to officials from Sydney, Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/andrew-boseley-overcomes-shoulder-injury-to-put-himself-in-draft-contention/story-e6frf9jf-1226180833651

[The Big Richo]

Son of Tom?

[Penelope]

MR C?