Top shelf loaded…but cupboard bare belowBy Brett Anderson
SENThis year’s draft class lacks the depth of the 2016 edition — and potentially that of 2018 — but it still has quality at the top end.
In keeping with an even and unpredictable AFL season, how I rank the prospects right now [post U18 Champs] is quite different to how I projected them leading into the year.
Reminder: This is purely my rankings, not a mock draft – that will come in November.
17. Patrick NAISH – Northern Knights
DOB: 15/1/99 | Ht: 180.2cm | Wt: 69.1kg
Naish looms as Richmond’s best father-son prospect in many years, probably since David Bourke in the early 2000s. He is a bubbly outside midfielder who can also play at half back and break the lines, or across half forward where his nose for goal is akin to that shown by his dad, Chris, during his days at Tigerland.
He has booted a couple of big bags of goals for Ivanhoe in the AGS competition. He is a penetrating kick but at times can be a bit too adventurous with his decisions leading to bad turnovers.
His contested ball winning is a work in progress, but should improve with added body size and strength, but he needs to be a more committed tackler once he gets to the next level.
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2017/07/09/2017-big-board-1-0-or-top-shelf-loaded-but-cupboard-bare-below/
