Ten players to look out for in the rookie draftEmma Quayle
The Age
27 November 2015The 2015 draft season ends on Friday, with the rookie draft. Here are some players who might get their chance.
Reuben William (Zillmere)William was in the mix for a couple of clubs, but in the end no-one bid for the Lions Academy graduate and the club used its final selection on key back Sam Skinner. That means the Lions are free to pre-list the Sudan-born half-back – an enthusiastic, high-energy player who plays at pace – as a rookie.
Gach Nyuon (Dandenong Stingrays)Should probably have been drafted, but clubs have gone off recruiting developing ruckmen in the national draft. Only two were chosen on Tuesday night. At the start of the year Nyuon looked a long way off it, having missed the second half of 2014 with a knee injury. He only started playing the game in 2012 and even after a full season this year has played fewer than 45 games in his life. He's made huge improvement this year, and knuckled down off the field, although some would like to see him become even more professional. High potential, hugely athletic and ideal rookie material.
Nick O'Kearney (Calder Cannons)O'Kearney is a big ball-winner who does everything right off the field. Given that, some clubs probably wondered about how big his scope for improvement is compared to some others they had access to in the latter part of the draft. Their questions were about his size – he's a small midfielder – and whether he did enough with his disposals to hurt teams. But whoever takes him on will get someone absolutely committed to making it and determined to find a way.
Tom Glen (Dandenong Stingrays)Glen put together some good form in the last part of the season. Clubs had some questions about his attack on the ball, hence others who played the same role were preferred in the end. He's skinny, but at 187cm he's a good size to play off the half-back line on various-sized opponents. He has some speed, running a 2.90 second sprint at the combine and doing well in the repeat speed test. He can kick the ball beautifully but might need a bit more time.
James Parsons (Eastern Ranges)Parsons is a 189cm running player and his athletic attributes could get him a chance. He was one of Vic Metro's best players at under-16 level but this year had games where he struggled to get involved and stay there. He has some speed to go with his size and while inconsistent can be damaging with the ball when he gets it and can run.
Will Snelling (West Adelaide)Like O'Kearney, Snelling was one of the most reliable ball-winners throughout the national championships, averaging four clearances from his 21 possessions. He's small (173cm) but has some pace (2.95 seconds over 20 metres) and ran one of the better time trials at the combine. He captained SA at the nationals and his coach loved his passion for the contest and will to keep working. He's played senior level football already in Adelaide, and gets the most out of himself.
Callum Moore (Calder Cannons)Moore played for the Cannons as a 19-year-old this year and did some exciting things. He's a 193cm forward who ran a 2.91-second sprint at the combine and did pretty well in the repeat speed test before struggling in the time trial. He can be a little unpredictable and inconsistent and can kick the ball awkwardly, but he plays with a bit of bounce and can do some eye-catching things.
Davin Ferreira (Norwood)A club looking for a small forward might take a look at the 174cm Ferreira, who played some senior level footy this year. From the Northern Territory, he has been boarding at school in Adelaide. His athletic capacity to play his position at the next level is what clubs would have queried; he didn't test super quick and his endurance needs some work, though he has shown an ability to get to where the ball is and kick clever goals.
Jesse Glass-McCasker (Swan Districts)Clubs are looking here, there and everywhere for tall defenders. A number went for mature-age players in the national draft, preferring players a bit more ready to slot straight in if needed. Glass-McCasker played some good footy for the WA under-18s in, stuck to his role and while he's not super fast off the mark is quick and agile enough to be given a chance.
Stephen Tahana (North Adelaide)Tahana probably didn't come on as some would have hoped at the start of the season, or become as damaging a player as he threatened to become this time last year. He has some work to do on his endurance, and on putting his excellent speed to more use. But he has shown an ability to lock in on an opponent, stick to his task and defend. Those attributes speak to a reliability and work rate.
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/ten-players-to-look-out-for-in-the-afl-rookie-draft-20151126-gl90b4.html
