cont.
17. NOAH BALTAKey defender, 194cm, 92kg, Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
Buckenara says: Balta is an exciting prospect at this stage of his development because he can come in and show something that really catches the eye, whether it be a booming long kick, an athletic grab or some nice movement for a player his size. He doesn’t have the consistency yet but there’s huge upside there to work with for a club willing to develop him and be patient. He can play as a key defender but as a bit of a project player, who knows where he might end up because he is so raw but I’m sure clubs will see his potential.
Plays like: Alex Rance or a more athletic Brian Lake
Clubs suited: Collingwood, Fremantle, West Coast, Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne, Hawthorn, Sydney, Geelong/All clubs would be interested
18. JOEL GARNERHalf back/midfielder, 183cm, 81kg, Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Buckenara says: From the Eastern Ranges, Garner is a nice left-footer who enjoyed an excellent carnival where he played the best football of his season so far. Settling into a position across half back, the Vic Metro captain was a general in defence and he competed well in the air and gave good rebound with his precise skills. I think he is one of the safer picks in this draft and although others have more potential to be elite players, I think with some luck, Garner will have a long AFL career. While he might not be a top five player on a list, he will definitely be a best 22 player — one of the first picked every week — who plays his role consistently week in, week out. All clubs need those dependable types.
Plays like: Grant Birchall
Clubs suited: Western Bulldogs, Brisbane, Collingwood, Gold Coast, Carlton
19. CONNOR BALLANDENKey forward/ruckman, 199cm, 95kg, Brisbane Lions Academy/Allies
Buckenara says: A Brisbane Lions Academy prospect, Ballanden can play both up forward and in the ruck. He has a lot going for him — he’s a terrific long and accurate kick and is a very good contested mark. At 95kgs he has a strong body already and could play senior footy next year. I’m sure the Lions will match any bid that comes for Ballanden and add to their already impressive young key position stocks. He’ll be too hard to ignore.
Plays like: Tom Boyd
Clubs suited: Brisbane Lions
20. ANDREW BRAYSHAWMidfielder, 183cm, 80kg, Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Buckenara says: The younger brother of Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw, Andrew is almost a clone as he looks and plays exactly like his brother. Brayshaw has great balance, runs hard and is a smart footballer who rarely makes poor decisions with ball in hand. He missed the early part of the U18 championships with an injury but returned with 20 disposals through the midfield for Vic Metro in its win over South Australia.
Plays like: Angus Brayshaw
Clubs suited: Carlton, North Melbourne, West Coast, Melbourne, Adelaide, Essendon
21. OSCAR ALLENKey forward, 191cm, 83kg, West Perth/Western Australia
Buckenara says: Allen was one of the most consistent players of the championships, which saw him win the Larke Medal as the best player after booting 11 goals in four games. He’s a nice kick for goal, has a good pair of hands and makes the most of his chances. He’s a good size and appears suited to the modern half forward role because he has a big engine and can run all day. I expect he’ll be a standout at the draft combine.
Plays like: Jake Stringer and Jack Darling
Clubs suited: Collingwood, Richmond, Fremantle, North Melbourne, West Coast, Port Adelaide, Gold Coast/All clubs would be interested
22. JAMES WORPELMidfielder, 185cm, 84kg, Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Buckenara says: All year Worpel has been a very good player and got better and better with every game he’s played. He is a very competitive player and recruiters will love his hardness and work ethic. He has good pace, wins the ball both on the inside and outside and uses it OK by foot. I feel his ranking has risen in recent weeks. Looks a nice prospect.
Plays like: Joel Selwood
Clubs suited: Essendon, Geelong, Gold Coast, West Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Carlton
23. HARRISON PETTYKey Defender, 194cm, 82kg, Norwood/South Australia
Buckenara says: Petty is a bit of a smoky but at 194cm he will end up being a key position player and clubs looking to bolster their stocks will definitely look at him. He reads the ball really well in flight and has good game sense and positioning as a defender. Don’t be surprised if a club in desperate need of key position players takes him earlier.
Plays like: Reads the play like Brian Lake and Jeremy McGovern
Clubs suited: Collingwood, Fremantle, North Melbourne, Sydney, Port Adelaide, Western Bulldogs/All clubs will be interested
24. GRYAN MIERSSmall forward/midfielder, 178cm, 72kg, Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Buckenara says: Miles is just a real footballer in that he’s a smart opportunist that works hard and has some genuine speed to be a dangerous small forward that pressures the defence to lock in the ball. He also has scope to play midfield and because of his footy smarts, clubs will like the ball in his hands. Forward pressure is critical in the modern game and any club looking for a clever small forward will spend plenty of time looking at Miles.
Plays like: Luke Dahlhaus
Clubs suited: Brisbane, West Coast, North Melbourne, Fremantle, Geelong
25. JACKSON EDWARDS (father-son opportunity for Adelaide)
Midfielder, 185cm, 77kg, Glenelg/South Australia
Buckenara says: The son of Adelaide champion Tyson Edwards, I expect Jackson will become the Crows’ second ever father-son selection after Ben Jarman was recruited to the club as a rookie last year. He players differently to his father, however, despite also being a midfielder. He has good skills and he makes good decisions because he is composed with the footy in hand. The Crows won’t let him slip through their fingers. He has really come on this year.
Plays like: Jordan De Goey
Clubs suited: Adelaide
26. TOM DE KONINGKey forward/ruckman, 200cm, 93kg, Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Buckenara says: De Koning is a genuine key position forward/ruckman. While he still has a lot to learn and is a bit inconsistent at the moment, his potential won’t be lost on clubs looking to bank this type of player for the future. At 200cm he is a beautiful left foot kick and should develop into a powerful tall forward that can help out in the ruck. Has a bit of x-factor about him.
Plays like: Hamish McIntosh
Clubs suited: Richmond, Collingwood, Carlton, Hawthorn, Fremantle, Essendon/All clubs will be interested
27. MATTHEW LINGMidfielder, 182cm, 74kg, Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Buckenara says: Ling is a quick outside midfielder who likes to take on his opponents when he gets the ball and while that can get him into trouble at times, clubs will love that run and carry creative side. His pace really makes him stand out and despite being a flashy type, he has been a consistent contributor for the Falcons this year. I think he has AFL traits — good kicking, decision-making and line-breaking ability — that once harnessed and developed, he could become a damaging player.
Plays like: James Parsons
Clubs suited: Geelong, Melbourne, St Kilda, Carlton, GWS, Sydney, North Melbourne
28. CALLUM COLEMAN-JONESRuckman/key forward, 201cm, 98kg, Sturt/South Australia
Buckenara says: Another ruck/key forward prospect in this year’s pool, clubs needing that type of player will look closely at Coleman-Jones. He is a good mark and has showed he can clunk it in contested situations, which is pivotal for a player of his size and has worked hard on his kicking. He played a great game during the U18’s carnival when he gathered 28 disposals and had 15 hit-outs that had a huge impact for South Australia against the Allies in Round 2. Will he be a ruckman at AFL level or more of a key forward? My gut feel is key forward who can go into the ruck once he improves his endurance.
Plays like: A taller Toby Nankervis
Clubs suited: Hawthorn, GWS, North Melbourne, Collingwood, Richmond, Geelong, Adelaide, Gold Coast/All clubs will be interested
29. JACK PETRUCCELLEHalf back/half forward, 184cm, 73kg, Northern Knights/Vic Metro
Buckenara says: Petruccelle is one of the most exciting prospects in this draft because of his potential. A former basketballer who took up footy in his mid-teens, he is a bit raw at the moment in terms of his footy knowledge but has some special traits clubs will love. He runs 20 metres over 2.82 seconds and that speed, plus his athleticism is certain to see him be the star of the draft combine. Petruccelle loves to take the game on from half back and half forward when he plays there — he tries to make things happen and can do that because he’s powerful and has great breakaway speed. He needs to find more of the football, tidy up his kicking and get more involved in games consistently because there are times he struggles to get into the action, which was the case during the championships. But when he kicked five goals for the Knights earlier this year, that showed exactly what he’s capable of with development in an AFL system. There is big upside.
Plays like: Nakia Cockatoo
Clubs suited: All clubs
30. BRENT DANIELSSmall forward, 173cm, 70kg, Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country
Buckenara says: Daniels is a very exciting and clever small forward that causes the opposition headaches with his football smarts and goal sense. He also puts a lot of pressure on the opposition by getting in their space. While he is very small at 173cm, I’m sure there is a niche for players of this size and ability because he is a natural footballer who has a lot to offer.
Plays like: Caleb Daniel and Hayden Ballantyne
Clubs suited: Brisbane, West Coast, Carlton, North Melbourne, Fremantle, Geelong
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/recruiter-gary-buckenara-names-his-top-30-draft-prospects-for-2017-afl-draft/news-story/195a8609ff40acb6e2277a69f0e27117
