Pick 8: Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls
Details:
Club: East Perth
DOB: 9 Feb 88 Hgt: 186cm Wgt: 74kg
Position: Midfielder
Natural Foot: Right
Honours:
Under 16 WA 2004
Under 18’s WA 2005
WAFL Colts Team of Year 2005
2005 AFL Draft Camp Invitee
Statistics:
U18 Championships 2005: 3 games, 1 goal, average 7.3 PPG
Draft Camp Results:
Agility 7.97 sec (1st)
20m sprint 2.85 sec (2nd)
Background:
Oakley Nichols has got all the attributes that a recruiting officer would look for - pace, skill, agility, height, athleticism and dedication. After the WAFL 16s carnival he would have been one of the first picked for the 16s team as he dominated some games playing ruck, full forward, wing, rover and centre half forward. He looked a class above and proved to be one of the hardest players to match up on. In the National 16s carnival he had a good but not awesome carnival as he did in the 18s this year. He played very well in colts level footy and held his own in senior football. His stakes have risen through out the year as more people have seen him, he could develop into a player that people pay money to watch, he plays an exciting brand of football and could be compared to a Robert Murphy type player. Impressed in the agility and 20m sprint tests at draft camp.
Strengths:
- Versatile
- Plays tall and small
- Good Leadership skills and commitment
- Played Senior football which is good considering his light frame
Weaknesses:
- Still pretty skinny may need a year or two in the weights room
- Has not shown full potential in national carnivals
- Has had shoulder and collarbone injuries in past
Footydraft.com comment:
Oozes potential and obviously recruiters have seen it too judging on his growing popularity and draft camp invitation. Is a strong chance to go top 20.
