continues ...
TOM GREEN188cm, 85kg, midfielder, Allies/GWS Academy
Green starred for the Allies in the U18 nationals, showing his ball-winning ability through the midfield. The Giants academy prospect shapes as a possible top-10 selection due to his status as a big and strong inside midfielder who can bullock through traffic like Patrick Cripps and set-up the game from the midfield. He lost quite a bit of weight over the pre-season and has improved his endurance this season, which has led to improved and more consistent numbers this year. Another nice player in the making for GWS.
HARRISON JONES194cm, 75kg, forward, Vic Metro/Calder Cannons
Jones has elevated himself into draft calculations with his strong performance as a key forward during the carnival. He is light at present at just 76kg but I feel he’s capable of putting on good size and clubs will identify him as a developing project player who has a good work ethic. He leads up well to the ball carrier, has a good pair of hands, is agile and looks comfortable in front of goal. There’s a lot to like about Jones and given these types of players are always hard to find, I expect there will be many clubs tracking him at the Cannons for the remainder of the season. He could be a top-30 pick.
BRODIE KEMP192cm, 82kg, utility, Vic Country/Bendigo Pioneers
Unfortunately Brodie ruptured his ACL in a school game, which could see him drift out to a late first or second-round selection. Clubs like Gold Coast, St Kilda and Carlton would find it hard to lose 12 months of development from a top draft pick, whereas the likes of Richmond, Collingwood and Geelong would be able to support a player of Kemp’s talent because their needs are less urgent right now, so he could be a bargain/bonus pick up for a club willing to be patient. Kemp is athletic, moves well for size and his overall ability means he can play in most positions on the ground — he’s been used as a marking forward, as a tall midfielder who can extract the ball and also across halfback where his vision stands out. Kemp hasn’t been a huge ball-winner, but his performances at the carnival would have pleased recruiters given he was able to find far more of the footy. He has plenty of upside and may have been a top-10 selection if not for his serious knee injury.
FINN MAGINNESS187cm, 80kg, midfielder, Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons
The son of my two-time Hawthorn premiership teammate Scott Maginness, Finn has enjoyed a really strong start to this season and had a very good carnival where his consistent performances should push him into contention to be a first-round selection. He’s a tall and athletic midfielder who uses his size to good effect, makes good decision and uses the ball well (better than dad did, sorry Scotty!). I’m sure the Hawks will be happy to have him.
JACKSON MEAD184cm, 83kg, midfielder, South Australia/Woodville-West Torrens
The son of Port Adelaide’s inaugural best-and-fairest winner Darren Mead, Jackson is a midfielder/utility type. His national championship form would have pleased the Port Adelaide recruiters, who will have first option to draft him as a father-son. His composure and decision-making are his best traits, while he needs to tidy up his foot skills to reduce the number of targets he misses.
DEVEN ROBERTSON
182cm, 80kg, midfielder/defender, Western Australia/Perth
Robertson played all four of WA’s games last year as a bottom-ager and has continued his development through the midfield this season where he’s improved his athleticism, which allows him to get to more contests. He captained WA’s under-16 side and was named its MVP at that championships, and this year completed the double by claiming those two titles again at U18 level. He’s the nephew of former West Coast skipper Darren Glass — some really good pedigree.
JAY RANTALL184cm, 82kg, midfielder/defender, Vic Country/GWV Rebels
Rantall was a consistent performer during the carnival. One of his best traits is his strong work ethic, which was definitely on show and recruiters would have also liked his no-nonsense style, where his trademark is his ability to just get the job done. He looks to be a real professional with the way he goes about his football and as a player who had a strong carnival, his finish to the season for GWV will be important, as will be his ability to cope with some expectation at the draft combine. I’m sure, however, we’ll see the same diligence from Rantall and he won’t be one to get ahead of himself.
JEREMY SHARP187cm, 79kg, midfielder/defender, Western Australia/East Fremantle
A slick prospect who performed well last year to be one of his state’s leading draft hopefuls, Sharp was named an U18 All-Australian last season and was then a standout in the NAB All-Stars game on Grand Final day across halfback. Sharp has good skills and dash and made his senior WAFL debut for East Fremantle in Round 1 this season. He will be monitored closely at WAFL level for the rest of the season — playing at a senior level will be really good for his development and clubs will be interested in how he fares.
HARRY SCHOENBERG180cm, 78kg, midfielder, South Australia/Woodville-West Torrens
Playing as a midfielder with occasional stints across half-forward, Schoenberg shows some terrific traits that recruiters like to see — competitiveness, decision-making and skill. In particular, his ability to compete inside, win the ball and then feed it to the outside runners is very good. His U18 nationals form was very good as he was one of South Australia’s shinning lights, which would have elevated his stock enormously to be one of the players heading up the charts with a rocket. Schoenberg looks to be a very nice player for the future and I’m sure clubs will have him fairly high on their talent flow lists.
CAMERON TAHENY185cm, 80kg, forward, South Australia/Norwood
Taheny is an exciting and dangerous forward who can produce something from nothing. He’s already played at senior level for Norwood in the SANFL and performed well, booting five goals from three games despite some injury niggles with his knee and quad. Taheny has really good speed and a nice leap and will be monitored closely by recruiters for the remainder of the year. Let’s hope he can get over those niggles so we can see his full talent as I suspect he might be a really good prospect when fully fit.
ELIJAH TAYLOR185cm, 75kg, forward/midfielder, Western Australia/Perth
Taylor is an extremely talented footballer who can hopefully fulfil his true potential as his speed, skills and football nous is there for all to see. At present, he tends to play in bursts and can drop out of games when he gets close attention from his defender. He doesn’t need much space to be dangerous and he can quickly impact a game. If he can work hard on his fitness, I see him as a very dangerous forward/midfielder because he has real brilliance and reflexes combined with pace, skill and football nous. Can he make the most of his talent?
CODY WEIGHTMAN177cm, 73kg, defender, Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays
The speedy small forward continues to impress following good early form for Dandenong Stingrays by topping the goalkicking in his four U18 national games. He finished with nine goals and has pushed himself up the rankings as a small forward with good pace — the type of player that has really come to the fore at AFL level in recent years, so there should be strong interest in him. How high up the pecking order he goes will depend on his form and testing at the combine.
DYLAN WILLIAMS185cm, 79kg, utility, Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers
Williams showed his talent last year for the Chargers when he booted 14 goals in the finals series as an underage player. His marking is a real strength, while he’s clean at ground level, is clever near goal and is a lovely left-foot kick. He can also be used across halfback, where his reading of the play comes to the fore, while he has the ability to occasionally have a run through the midfield. Williams will often find a way to impact a game as he has genuine X-factor and ability. He looks a very nice prospect as a utility and potential ‘Mr Fix It’.
JOSH WORRELL
195cm, 74kg, defender, Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons
The way Worrell is able to float into marking contests in the back half and make an impact in the air should bode well for his prospects as a third tall defender at AFL level. His leap, agility and his versatility should appeal to clubs, particularly given there’s a lack of taller types at the top end of this year’s draft. Worrell has been tried in the ruck at school level this year but is most comfortable setting things up in the backline. He’s a player that clubs will follow for the rest of the year and will be interested in his testing and interviews.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/gary-buckenara-names-his-top-30-performers-from-under18-championships-ahead-of-2019-draft/news-story/567998a10b2499bbaa0aa3c8f0790a9a
