Buckenara's Top 50 draft prospects for 2019
Every player ranked in order of talent.
1. MATT ROWELL
178cm, 74kg, Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers, midfielder
Buckenara says: Rowell is a tough and explosive midfielder who excels at stoppages and imposes himself on games. There isn’t much separating he and teammate Noah Anderson but what sets Rowell apart is his ability to play both as an inside and outside midfielder. If you’re an inside midfielder it gives you a big tick but if you show traits of being outside as well, which Rowell does, it elevates you. They’re the traits recruiters really like. He’s got a smart football brain, he’s competitive and is a real inside beast but he’ll equally hurt you by foot on the outside because he uses the ball to the advantage of his teammates, makes good decisions, his vision to assess options is excellent and he’s got good evasive skills. He can be a real playmaker – he makes things happen.
Plays like: Lachie Neale
Stats: Disposals 24.8, contested possessions 12.0, clearances 5.3, tackles 6.0, goals 0.8, score involvements 6.5, ranking points 133
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
2. NOAH ANDERSON
188cm, 86kg, Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers, midfielder
Buckenara says: The son of my premiership teammate Dean Anderson, Noah shows enormous talent and is a very creative and smart midfielder. At 188cm he’s a taller midfielder with a very strong endurance base and is good overhead. He regularly kicks goals, averaging two per game in the NAB League for Oakleigh this year, and can kick them from a range of positions, whether it be a long running goal, a mark on the lead or a snap around his body. I have Rowell just ahead of him but Anderson is a more athletic midfielder who sees the game very well.
Plays like: Scott Pendlebury
Stats: Disposals 23.5, contested possessions 10.8, clearances 5.3, tackles 2.8, score involvements 4.0, ranking points 107
3. SAM FLANDERS
182cm, 81kg, Vic Country/Gippsland Power, forward/midfielder
Buckenara says: Flanders has a strong body already and has shown his best football as a forward who can also have a run in the midfield. He has a big upside because he does things on talent – eye-catching things like taking big marks, kicking freakish goals and being very clean in plucking the ball off a pack. I suspect, however, he could get himself much fitter and being in a full-time AFL environment will see him improve sharply, which is why I rate him so highly.
Plays like: Jordan De Goey
Stats: Disposals 22.5, contested possessions 10.0, clearances 4.5, tackles 6.0, score involvements 4.8, ranking points 113
4. LACHLAN ASH
186cm, 80kg, Vic Country/Murray Bushrangers, defender
Buckenara says: Ash brings real speed to this year’s draft. He’s a line-breaker off halfback who likes to take them on and put the ball under his arm. He doesn’t run blindly – he’s composed with the ball and adds plenty of excitement. The is a lot to like about Ash as he has the modern-day traits coaches love – he can be that rebound defender with good skills and in the modern game the players who can execute that 20m sideways kick to open the game up and play on with leg speed are so valuable. He’s a beautiful kick of the footy.
Plays like: Andrew McGrath
Stats: Disposals 23.0, marks 5.0, intercepts marks 1.5, intercept possessions 4.8, tackles 1.3, score involvements 5.3, ranking points 102
5. TOM GREEN
188cm, 85kg, Allies/GWS Academy, midfielder
Buckenara says: Green starred for the Allies in the U18 championships where he showed his ball-winning ability through the midfield. A bid will definitely come early for the GWS Academy prospect, which the Giants will match because he’s a big and strong inside midfielder who can bullock through traffic in a similar style to Patrick Cripps. He sets up the game from midfield. He improved his endurance this season, which has led to better numbers more consistently.
Plays like: Patrick Cripps
Stats: Disposals 23.8, contested possessions 16.3, clearances 8.0, tackles 4.3, score involvements 4.3, ranking points 111
6. CALEB SERONG
178cm, 83kg, Vic Country/Gippsland Power, small forward/midfielder
Buckenara says: A powerful small forward/midfielder, Serong can influence a game in a number of ways. He’s sharp at ground level, neat by foot and is able to set up teammates with clever ball use. He is very clever around goal as well with his uncanny goal sense. When he has time and space in the midfield his burst of speed is really exciting. Serong, who co-captained Vic Country at the carnival, surely has impressed recruiters with his consistent performances during the year but he also has big upside to develop further. He’s a natural sportsman as he’s also a very talented junior cricketer.
Plays like: Robbie Gray
Stats: Disposals 23.5, contested possessions 10.0, clearances 5.3, tackles 8.5, goals 0.8, score involvements 5.8, pressure acts 23.3, ranking points 130
7. WILL GOULD
191cm, 98kg, South Australia/Glenelg, defender
Buckenara says: Gould stepped up to play well at SANFL level where he was part of Glenelg’s premiership side. His mature frame and booming kick are features of his game. He reads the play well, gives excellent rebound from defence and has been likened to West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn because of his powerful style. He will have many admirers.
Plays like: Shannon Hurn
Stats: Disposals 21.5, marks 4.5, intercepts marks 2.0, intercept possessions 6.3, tackles 2.5, score involvements 1.3, ranking points 99
8. HAYDEN YOUNG
188cm, 82kg, Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays, defender
Buckenara says: Young looks every bit the early pick. He played in the midfield at times this year but looks most comfortable and does most of his damage across halfback where his vision, poise and precise kicking stand out. Young, whose brother Lachie plays for the Bulldogs, is a good size at 188cm, will develop into a nice third tall defender at AFL level and has already shown good signs as a player who can take intercept marks. He brings some good traits and has upside to improve.
Plays like: Brad Sheppard
Stats: Disposals 22.0, marks 5.3, intercept marks 3.3, intercept possessions 8.3, tackles 2.3, score involvements 3.3, ranking points 107
9. FISCHER McASEY
195cm, 86kg, Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro, key defender
Buckenara says: A promising key defender who was a solid contributor throughout the under-18 championships, McAsey did some of his best work in the air by taking many contested and intercept marks. He’s very athletic for a young player of his size, has good foot skills and backs himself. He won’t be purely defensive — he’ll go for his marks when he can because he reads the ball in flight very well. When you’re looking at key position players, these are the traits recruiters love.
Plays like: Tom Barrass
Stats: Disposals 14.5, marks 6.5, tackles 3.0, intercept marks 3.8, intercept possessions 6.8, ranking points 97
10. DYLAN STEPHENS
183cm, 69kg, South Australia/Norwood, midfielder
Buckenara says: Stephens has a big engine coupled with pace and a precise left foot, which will make him one of the most talented and sought-after midfielders in this draft. He grew up in country Victoria before moving to South Australia for school and has already played for Norwood at senior level in the SANFL. His under-18 carnival form was consistent, averaging 23.5 disposals, and showed he has the traits that impress recruiters – clean hands, good skills and a big engine for today’s endurance requirements for outside runners.
Plays like: Isaac Smith
Stats: Disposals 23.5, uncontested possessions 16.0, marks 3.5, clearances 2.8, tackles 4.3, score involvements 2.5, ranking points 89
11. LIAM HENRY
179cm, 67kg, Western Australia/Claremont, small forward
Buckenara says: Fremantle will get first access to Henry as a member of its Next Generation Academy. The lightly-framed teenager is a lively small forward that has real x-factor. He had a minor knee injury that halted some of his progress but he’s shown enough already as a player who can create chaos up forward with his blistering speed. A top-10 bid is not out of the question because he’s got delightful skills and has the talent to be an excitement machine in years to come.
Plays like: Charlie Cameron
Stats: Disposals 17.5, marks 5.3, goals 0.8, score assists 2.0, score involvements 6.5, pressure acts 16.5, tackles 4.0, ranking points 93
12. JOSH WORRELL
195cm, 74kg, Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons, key defender
Buckenara says: The way Worrell is able to float into marking contests in defence and make an impact in the air should bode well at AFL level as a third tall defender. His leap and agility, plus his versatility – he played back, midfield and forward in the championships – will appeal to clubs, especially given there is a lack of taller players in this draft. Worrell is coming off a shoulder reconstruction, which will restrict his initial training and development, but he’s a nice prospect and, if well looked after, has the ability to develop into a very handy player.
Plays like: Jeremy Howe
Stats: Disposals 10.8, marks 3.8, tackles 1.8, intercept possessions 1.8, goals 1.8, score involvements 3.8, ranking points 76
13. BRODIE KEMP
192cm, 82kg, Vic Country/Bendigo Pioneers, utility
Buckenara says: Kemp ruptured his ACL late this year, which could see him be one of the sliders on draft night. If that does happen, he’d prove to be a bargain for the club that selects him. At 192cm, Kemp can play in most positions but has been used predominantly as a marking forward, as a tall midfielder who can extract the ball and across halfback where his vision stands out. He’s not a noted big ball winner, which is why his under-18 championships performances, where he averaged 20 disposals, stood out. He has plenty of upside and could have been a top-10 pick if not for his injury. He’s athletic and moves extremely well for his size.
Plays like: Marcus Bontempelli
Stats: Disposals 20.0, contested possessions 8.5, tackles 2.3, goals 0.8, score involvements 4.3, pressure acts 10.5, ranking points 102
14. FINN MAGINNESS
187cm, 80kg, Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons, midfielder
Buckenara says: The son of my two-time Hawthorn premiership teammate Scott Maginness, Finn enjoyed a really strong season that has seen him shoot up the draft order as a father-son prospect for the Hawks. He’s a tall and athletic midfielder who uses his size to good effect, makes good decisions and uses the ball well, unlike his dad who actually took out a patent on the helicopter drop punt during his playing days (sorry mate!). He continued to improve as the season progressed, with the hard work he’s been putting in to improve his kicking paying off (although he still has some work to do) and he was also able to get to more contests which meant he won more of the footy.
Plays like: Andrew Gaff
Stats: Disposals 18.3, contested possessions 9.5, clearances 3.8, tackles 7.5, score involvements 5.0, ranking points 94
15. JACKSON MEAD
184cm, 83kg, South Australia/Woodville-West Torrens, midfielder
Buckenara says: A father-son prospect for Port Adelaide, Mead is the son of the club’s inaugural best and fairest winner Darren Mead. A midfielder/utility, his performances in the championships would have pleased Power recruiters with his composure and decision-making — his best traits — on show. He does need to tidy up his foot skills to reduce the number of targets he misses but he has proven to be a damaging player who can hurt opposition on the scoreboard.
Plays like: Ben Cunnington
Stats: Disposals 21.3, uncontested possessions 13.8, clearances 3.0, tackles 5.0, score involvements 4.5, goals 1.0, ranking points 106
16. DEVEN ROBERTSON
182cm, 80kg, Western Australia/Perth, midfielder/defender
Buckenara says: Robertson captained Western Australia and won the Larke Medal as the best player in the under-18 championships. The nephew of former West Coast captain Darren Glass, Robertson has really improved his athletic ability and makes things happen when he gets the ball because he’s a smart player who makes really good decisions. If there’s a knock on him, it’s his pace but, over the years, we’ve seen players make up for that by using their footy smarts.
Plays like: Mitch Duncan
Stats: Disposals 30.0, contested possessions 11.8, marks 4.3, score involvements 4.0, tackles 6.8, pressure acts 18.5, ranking points 128
17. CODY WEIGHTMAN
177cm, 73kg, Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays, small forward
Buckenara says: The speedy small forward really impressed this season and topped the goal kicking in his four under-18 championships games after finishing with nine. Weightman likes to fly for his marks, a trait in small forwards which has come to the fore in recent years, so expect some strong interest from clubs looking for this type of player. While he does play a bit taller than his stature suggests, he’s very dangerous at ground level and will apply pressure. He brings excitement and is the pick of the small forwards in this draft outside Liam Henry, who Fremantle has first access to.
Plays like: Jamie Elliott
Stats: Disposals 11.0, marks 3.5, goals 2.3, score involvements 4.5, pressure acts 10.3, tackles 2.0, ranking points 80
18. LUKE JACKSON
198cm, 94kg, Western Australia/East Fremantle, ruck
Buckenara says: Jackson is clearly the best ruckman in this draft and, given the shortage of big men, he will likely be taken much earlier by a club desperate for a developing ruck. He had a really strong season, winning All-Australian selection as the best ruckman in the under-18 championships. But, at 198cm, Jackson is undersized as a No.1 ruckman at AFL level. The club that picks him will be hoping he grows a little bit more because to be a genuine ruckman in today’s game you need to be 200cm-plus. He has good aggression and competitiveness and loves to use his body strongly in contests, including at ground level. He’s athletic but isn’t noted for his ability to go forward and take a mark despite being more than capable of plucking them around the ground. This ability could develop in time but it’s why I hope he’ll have a growth spurt to push him over 200cm.
Plays like: Ben McEvoy
Stats: Disposals 14.5, marks 2.3, hit outs 36.8, hit outs to advantage 9.5, clearances 4.5, tackles 2.8, score involvements 3.3, ranking points 110
19. WILL DAY
187cm, 70kg, South Australia/West Adelaide, defender
Buckenara says: A rebounding defender/outside midfielder with a light body at present, Day doesn’t let that stop him from being a fierce competitor. He has good athleticism and provides great impetus off half back, where he was a consistent performer for South Australia and often set his team up with his running patterns to link up attacking moves. He’s an interesting player because I believe we haven’t yet seen the best of this potentially late developer. I think he has big upside, but time will tell.
Plays like: Brodie Smith
Stats: Disposals 18.8, marks 5.0, intercept marks 1.5, intercepts possessions 7.5, tackles 1.3, ranking points 89
20. HARRISON JONES
194cm, 75kg, Vic Metro/Calder Cannons, key forward
Buckenara says: Jones elevated himself into calculations with strong performances as a key forward during the carnival. He has a light frame at present but I believe he’s capable of putting on good size and clubs will identify him as a project key-position 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, so there is a lot to like. These types of players are hard to find, so expect strong interest in Jones, given the lack of his type in this draft.
Plays like: Tim O’Brien
Stats: Disposals 9.3, marks 3.3, tackles 2.8, goals 1.0, score involvements 4.8, ranking points 63
