Snubbed draftees who deserve rookie lifelinesBen Waterworth,
FOX SPORTS
27 November 2016THERE were ample tears of joy and feel-good stories on Friday night as 77 players realised their AFL dreams.
But among the happy tales were just as many hardluck stories of disappointment.
Not every aspiring AFL player was able to find a way onto a club list during Friday night’s national draft in Sydney.
The good news, however, for those prospects left hanging is there are still two lifelines, with the annual pre-season and rookie drafts both taking place on Monday afternoon.
And plenty of players who missed out on Friday night could be part of recruiters’ plans.
We profile 16 aspiring AFL players who were overlooked at the national draft, yet could score an AFL lifeline during Monday’s pre-season or rookie drafts.
Jonty Scharenberg (Glenelg)The younger brother of Collingwood’s Matt was arguably the most unlucky to miss the national draft cut on Friday night. While there has been a question mark over his kicking — he believes it has improved dramatically this season — Scharenberg is a gun inside ball magnet who has already impressed at senior SANFL level. He won All-Australian honours after an excellent national carnival for South Australia, averaging 24 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five clearances and six tackles per game. Will definitely be picked up as a rookie, but really should’ve been drafted straight onto a senior list.
Jonty Scharenberg didn’t make the draft cut. Photo: Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images
Zach Sproule (Murray Bushrangers/GWS Academy prospect)
Ask this kid to play anywhere and he’ll do it — and do it well. A popular figure among all the teams he’s represented in 2016, Sproule has shown off his versatility throughout the season. He was excellent as a key back for the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup but just as impressive up forward in the two national carnivals, booting seven goals for NSW-ACT (Division 2) and six for the Allies (Division 2). Sproule bases his game off Nick Riewoldt and has a flawless set-shot routine. Was attached to the GWS Academy, but that won’t matter in the rookie draft.
Louis Cunningham (Oakleigh Chargers)An exciting runner with a beautiful left-foot kick, Cunningham deserves an opportunity to develop on an AFL club’s rookie list. He impressed throughout 2016, averaging 19 disposals 12 uncontested possessions and six marks per outing as an outside midfielder. Cunningham is a line-breaker and a game-breaker — and deserves a gig.
Bailey Morrish (Dandenong Stingrays)Any other year and Morrish probably would’ve been picked up on Friday night. But due to the wide array of mid-sized defenders in this year’s class, the Stingray missed out. In his first year in the TAC Cup, Morrish impressed in his 16 matches, averaging 13 disposals and 3.5 rebounds per game. After playing in the Under 18 All-Stars game, he further enhanced his prospects at the national draft combine, showing off his elite athleticism to finish among the top 10 in the repeat sprint, 20m sprint and the three vertical jump tests. Definitely deserves a rookie spot.
Bailey Morrish (centre) deserves a rookie spot. Photo: Josie Hayden
Luke Bunker (Northern Knights)Didn’t receive too much interest from AFL clubs ahead of the national draft but a strong chance to be rookied. Bunker is one of Champion Data’s favourites thanks to his ability to consistently rack up the footy. An inside midfielder with a knack for clearing the ball, Bunker was constantly at the top of the stats sheet for both Vic Metro (22 disposals, 10 contested possessions) and Northern Knights (28 disposals, 12 contested possessions and six clearances) in 2016. He has a ready-made AFL frame in the Matt Priddis mould and should be picked up on Monday.
Taylin Duman (Oakleigh Chargers)A big reason behind the Chargers’ deep push into the 2016 TAC Cup finals campaign, Duman is a creative and intelligent defender that provides great rebound. He was named in the competition’s team of the year after averaging 20 disposals, seven handball receives and five marks per game, while also playing a key role in Vic Metro’s successful national carnival campaign by averaging 15 touches.
Kym LeBois (North Adelaide)If you get a chance to catch a glimpse of LeBois’ 2016 highlight reel, you’ll be blown away. The nephew of Alwyn and Aaron Davey, LeBois is a quick, agile small forward with terrific footy nous and goal sense. He averaged 86 Champion Data ranking points for North Adelaide in the SANFL under 18s this year. LeBois uses the ball well, too, finishing among the top 10 in the kicking test at the national combine.
Mitch Hinge (Glenelg)Poised and polished off halfback, but Hinge has proven throughout the year that he can play anywhere on the field. He seems best suited to a defensive role thanks to his accurate kicking and intercept ability, however. Was one of South Australia’s most consistent national carnival performers, averaging 13.5 disposals per game, while he also played in the Under 18 All-Stars game on Grand Final eve.
Ben Jarman (North Adelaide)While many were surprised the son of Crows/Hawks great Darren wasn’t picked up on Friday night, Jarman looms as the perfect rookie pick for any AFL club ahead of the 2017 season. While he takes after his father in terms of his silky ball use, clean hands and footy nous, Jarman still needs plenty of physical development before making an impact at AFL level. Hence why two years on an AFL rookie list looms as an excellent option for a club. The Crows said late on Friday night that they were committed to picking up Jarman as a rookie, provided he wasn’t selected in the pre-season draft — which would be an excellent result for all parties.
Alex Villis (Norwood)He might be thinly built, but Villis’ ability to explode allows him to provide great run and carry out of defence. Villis won All-Australian honours earlier this year after averaging 15 disposals and 262 metres gained — the equal fourth-most of any defender — at the Under 18 champs.
Sam Walker (Glenelg)Certainly a surprise national draft omission, falling behind several other key defensive prospects. A mid-sized, rebounding defender that distributes cleanly, Walker had an excellent Under 18 carnival that earnt him All-Australian honours, averaging 15 touches at 83 per cent disposal efficiency. In particular, he starred against Vic Metro at Etihad Stadium with 21 disposals, seven rebounds and a kicking efficiency of 100 per cent. Just as good one-on-one defensively as he is with the ball in hand.
Jye Bolton (Claremont)A hard-running ball magnet that can either play as an inside or outside midfielder, Bolton couldn’t have done much more in 2016 to boost his draft hopes. His decision to cross over to the WAFL as a mature-age recruit in an attempt to boost his draft prospects paid dividends, finishing the season as the league’s standout player for the season. The 24-year-old won the Sandover Medal as the competition’s best and fairest player, as well as Claremont’s best and fairest, a spot in the WAFL team of the year and the Simpson medal after his two-goal, 46-disposal game in WA’s 134-point state game victory over Tasmania. Over the last 10 games of the WAFL season, Bolton averaged 35 touches and 10 clearances per game.
Liam Ryan (Subiaco)After beginning the season in the WAFL reserves, Ryan elevated to the seniors — and thrived, taking several high-flying marks and booting 40 goals from 16 games. The most impressive aspect about his scoreboard return was that he booted at least one goal in every match. The 20-year-old’s average of 2.5 goals per game was the second most of anyone in the WAFL. An exciting forward that plays the game on instinct but also makes great decisions in the clutch, especially by foot, Ryan would be an exciting pick-up.
Brett Eddy (South Adelaide)The mature-age mid-sized forward attracted the interest of Port Adelaide after three outstanding seasons with South Adelaide. The 27-year-old wasn’t picked up in the national draft, but is almost certain to go in the rookie draft, potentially to the Power but less likely after they snared Todd Marshall with their first selection on Friday night. A 193cm mobile forward, Eddy kicked 74 goals this year, backing up hauls of 61 and 42 majors in his first two years in the SANFL. He’s a good mark on the lead and is an accurate set-shot in front of goal.
Michael Gibbons (Williamstown VFL)A gun ball magnet that has run out of things to achieve, Gibbons was officially the best player in the VFL. He won the JJ Liston Trophy — the VFL’s equivalent of the Brownlow Medal — in September following a stunning individual season, where he accumulated more disposals, uncontested possessions and inside 50s than any other VFL player, while also ranking No. 3 for total clearances and No. 4 for total contested possessions. After averaging 30 touches and seven clearances per outing this season, Gibbons deserves a gig on an AFL list — senior or rookie — more than most VFL players.
Rowan Marshall (North Ballarat VFL)A 203cm big man from New Zealand with a rugby background, Marshall was one of the most versatile and unique VFL prospects ahead of November’s drafts. He missed out on selection in his draft year (2014), but has developed significantly in the VFL over the past two years. Marshall averaged 15.4 disposals — the second most of any ruckman in the VFL. He also averaged 11 hit-outs and five intercepts per match. He’s competitive in the ruck and an interceptor down back — a unique combination but one that potentially appeals to AFL recruiters.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-snubbed-afl-draftees-that-deserve-rookie-lifelines/news-story/14b46d21b738387d0e9f51b331045e1f
