Continued:31. SEAMUS MITCHELL181cm, 74kg, Bendigo/Robinvale Euson FC, midfielder
Mitchell will have plenty of admirers in this draft and it won’t surprise me if he goes earlier than this. He’s been likened to Zac Williams as he has lots of exciting traits with his speed, evasive skills, ball use and his love of taking the game on. He’s a bit of a wildcard but I’m sure he’ll find a spot on an AFL list for 2021.
32. NICK STEVENS191cm, 82kg, Greater Western Victoria Rebels/Geelong Grammar, midfielder/defender
Stevens is a really nice player who combined playing for Geelong Grammar with NAB League last year. He looks to be a very nice prospect as he reads the flight of the ball well, is disciplined, competitive, makes good decisions and from all reports is a good lad who’s very professional in preparing to get the best out of himself. He’ll be a nice rebound defender or midfielder.
33. CHARLIE HAM181cm, 74kg, Geelong Falcons/St Marys, defender/midfielder
Brother of Essendon midfielder Brayden Ham, Charlie is a potential midfielder or wingman. He has some exciting attributes that will be attractive to clubs – he likes to take the game on when he wins the ball, is a nice left foot kick and has genuine speed.
34. ZAVIER MAHER184cm, 82kg, Murray Bushrangers/Caulfield Grammar, midfielder
Maher played at the Bushrangers last year and also won the best and fairest for Caulfield Grammar. An inside midfielder with speed and strength, a slight knee injury limited his start to pre-season but the cancelled season would have given him the opportunity to get himself right. There’s a fair bit of interest in him from clubs.
35. JACK GINNIVAN182cm, 76kg, Bendigo Pioneers, forward/midfielder
Ginnivan has been likened to Toby Greene with his football nous and uncanny traits. He’s still very raw and will need time but he does look a nice prospect who’s already received a lot of interest from clubs. He might need to put on some size but there’s an x-factor about him and he has big upside as a forward or midfielder.
36. COREY DURDIN173cm, 72kg, Central District, forward/midfielder
Durdin has been playing senior SANFL footy since midway through 2019 and while he’s very small at just 173cm, he has displayed some quality football, particularly with his decision making and footy smarts. He’s not unlike Caleb Daniel in size and the way he plays – he’s quick, has good skills on both sides and is dangerous around goal. There is a need for this type of player on all lists and I’m sure clubs will give him a lot of consideration.
37. MANI LIDDY183cm, 77kg, Sturt, midfielder/forward
Liddy will be on the radar of several clubs after playing well in the under-18 competition in South Australia this year. He’s a smart player and as a goalkicking midfielder, he’ll have plenty of admirers as we know how valuable it is to have midfielders in your team who kick goals. He should develop a nice frame in time and from all reports is a very professional young man that leaves no stone unturned in his preparation to get the best out of himself and his teammates.
38. OLIVER DAVIS182cm, 75kg, Tasmania Devils/Clarence, midfielder
A strong and hard at it midfielder, Davis won the best and fairest for Tasmania in the NAB League last year and has impressed this season playing senior football for Clarence. He’s very competitive, has good skills and makes good decisions. He’s one of Tasmania’s best chances of getting an AFL opportunity this year.
39. JAMES ROWE173cm, 73kg, Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia, forward
Rowe is one of those clever small players who has missed out on being drafted for the past three years and his story is another one of persistence. He hasn’t given up on his dream despite being overlooked. He played very well this year and any club in the market for a young but mature small forward with great goalkicking ability – he’s a beautiful kick and accurate set shot – should take a good look at him.
40. HENRY WALSH202cm, 86kg, Geelong Falcons/St Joseph’s College/St Marys, ruckman
Walsh is the brother of Carlton’s Sam Walsh and at 202cm they’re obviously completely different players. Henry has developed well over the last year or so and was a member of the under-17 AFL Academy. Given his size and potential, clubs will definitely look at him closely as a developing young ruckman but he’ll take a bit of time as most young developing talls/rucks do. He has pretty good skills for a big lad, so I’m sure he’ll find a home.
41. JOSH TREACY193cm, 95kg, Bendigo Pioneers/Cohuna FC, key forward
Treacy is a real competitor who played as a key forward for Bendigo in the NAB League last year but I think he’ll be more of a third tall forward option at AFL level. A member of the under-17 AFL Academy, he brings real competitiveness to his game, is a nice kick and has very strong hands. He’s a likely type that will be on the radar of clubs looking for a competitive high half forward.
42. ZAC PHILLIPS200cm, 80kg, Woodville-West Torrens/South Australia, ruckman
Phillips is a project ruckman who might have a very big upside but will take a while to develop as he’s very raw at present. For his size he’s an incredible athlete and clubs looking for a developing ruckman will definitely be looking at him. He’s most likely going to go a lot earlier than my ranking as he did very well in the testing.
43. SAM BERRY180cm, 82kg, Gippsland Power/Melbourne Grammar, midfielder/forward
Berry is a good inside midfielder who distributes best by hand. He was very impressive as an under-age player last year for Gippsland in the NAB League but the area of concern is his kicking ability – if he wants to become an AFL player that’s the area he must improve. He’s similar to Ed Curnow, while hard at it his disposal in his early days let him down but he worked on it and has become a satisfactory kick. This is what Berry needs to work on.
44. BLAKE COLEMAN180cm, 78kg, Morningside/Brisbane Lions Academy, forward
Coleman is a very exciting prospect. He’s a really classy finisher and just looks like a natural footballer much like his brother, Lion Keidean Coleman. He’ll take some time to develop but as a Brisbane Academy player, the Lions will be excited by his talent and I’m sure will match a bid to have him join his brother at the club.
45. BAILEY LAURIE180cm, 75kg, Oakleigh Chargers/Beverley Hills/Caulfield Grammar, utility
Laurie could go much earlier than this. He developed into a very good utility for the Oakleigh Chargers last year and players who can play in a variety of positions are always highly sought after because having these types on your list provides so much flexibility. He needs to grow a bit and put on some size but as a mid-sized utility who’s very competitive and uses the ball well, clubs will be interested.
46. MAURICE RIOLI (JUNIOR)179cm, 75kg, St Marys/Scotch College, forward
Rioli is a small forward who has a bit of that Rioli magic but still has a lot of areas to improve on in his game. He has potential upside – speed, smarts, skill and x-factor – and as the son of Richmond and South Fremantle great Maurice Rioli, he was eligible at both the Tigers and Dockers under father-son rules. He’s chosen Richmond and I’m sure the Tigers will snap him up but it will be interesting to see where a bid comes.
47. CONOR STONE188cm, 82kg, Oakleigh Chargers/St Kevin’s, forward
Stone is a player that has really good athleticism and football ability that could be worth looking at as a developing project player who could eventually play as a third tall forward or defender. At 188cm and 82kg he has a nice frame that will get really strong once in an AFL environment, while his speed and leap are there for clubs to crystal ball on how he might look in 3-4 years. A smokey but there could be big upside.
48. DOMINIC BEDENDO188cm, 74kg, Murray Bushrangers/Myrtleford, midfielder
Bedendo is a wingman who has real x-factor with his athleticism. He had a good bottom age year with the Murray Bushrangers last year and was impressive at the Victorian National Combine where he showed his athletic ability. A project player who will need time to put weight on his frame but he’s got some class.
49. SAXON CROZIER190cm, 80kg, Morningside/Brisbane Lions Academy, midfielder
Another Brisbane Academy player, Crozier is a tall midfielder who shows good dash and likes to take on his opponents with his run and long kicking. He showed some nice athletic traits at the combine testing and I’m sure Brisbane will be looking closely at him.
50. CLAYTON GAY184cm, 78kg, Dandenong Stingrays/Hastings, midfielder/forward
Gay has a lovely penetrating kick and a very good pair of hands for his size. He has a bit of class and with his footy smarts, can be very dangerous as a forward. He’s a player I see as having genuine upside in a full-time football environment.
OTHER PLAYERS IN THE MIX TO BE DRAFTED OR ROOKIE LISTED (Listed in no particular order)ISIAH WINDER179cm, 79kg, Peel Thunder/Eaton Boomers, forward/midfielder
Winder has raw ability and exciting traits, particularly in the defensive side of his game with his speed to apply pressure and leap. He definitely has x-factor and if he gets himself fit, he might just be the real smokey of this draft. Played some WAFL footy this year.
BRODIE LAKE185cm, 79kg, Southern Districts/Central District, midfielder
Lake has done everything right in 2020. He played some good SANFL footy for Central Districts and was one of the best players in a trial game late in the year. He’s super quick with great agility, traits that will excite clubs. I expect some strong interest in him.
TARIEK NEWCHURCH185cm, 72kg, North Adelaide/Port Augusta, midfielder/forward
Newchurch is a very talented and exciting prospect who is eligible to be picked by Adelaide as part of their Next Generation Academy. He’s very raw at the moment but if he can dedicate himself to his football, the sky is the limit for him. His highlight package is very impressive but of course they’re “highlights” and it takes far more than a good highlights package to be successful in the AFL. If the Crows can nurture and develop him, they could have a star in the making.
CARTER MICHAEL188cm, 74kg, Maroochydore/Brisbane Lions Academy, midfielder
Michael is a nice left foot kick, has good pace, footy smarts and generally makes good decisions. He’s eligible to join Brisbane as an Academy player and I’d be surprised if the Lions passed on him. He’s the prototype midfielder with a body that should develop nicely in time.
SAM COLLINS187cm, 79kg, Tasmania Devils/North Hobart, defender
Collins is a potential third tall defender with really good kicking skills. His ability to read the ball in flight is one of his biggest strengths, so I believe he could be a good intercepting defender similar to Geelong’s Tom Stewart. He’d be a nice project player to have on your list as intercept defenders are worth their weight in gold.
JACKSON CALLOW194cm, 101kg, Tasmania/North Launceston, key forward
Callow played well for Tasmania during the under-18 Academy Series. He’s one of the stronger key forwards in this draft and is also clean at ground level. The question mark is on his repeat efforts and fitness to be able to play as a high half forward and cope with the stronger bodies at AFL level. While he was able to monster players of his own age due to his strength, it will be harder to do that at AFL level but he has some nice attributes to work with and it would be no surprise to see a club give him an opportunity.
JAKE BOWEY175cm, 66kg, Sandringham Dragons/Highett, forward/midfield
Bowey is an elite kick who has great awareness and even though he has a very light frame at present, I think he’s a nice longer-term project. He’s the son of former Saint Brett Bowey but does not qualify as a father-son selection. He’s a smart forward and a playmaker when in the midfield.
SHANNON NEALE202cm, 91kg, South Fremantle/Leeming SHS, ruck/forward
Neale is one of the ruck/forward options in this year’s draft. He’s a mobile type who’ll definitely be a project player but given the need for developing ruckman around the competition, I’m sure many clubs in the market for a developing ruckman with a long-term view will have him on their list as a potential recruit.
JOEL WESTERN171cm, 64kg, Claremont/Western Tigers, midfielder
Western is a potential Academy player for Fremantle who had a solid season this year playing at Claremont in the Colts competition and was one of the best afield in a losing team in the grand final. He’s a neat player but lightly framed, so I think he’s a rookie chance as it’ll take a while for him to put on size.
NOAH GRIBBLE180cm, 75kg, Geelong Falcons, midfielder/forward
Gribble is a small midfielder/forward who reads the game well and uses his running power and footy smarts to set up the play. He’s a ball magnet who unfortunately did his ACL during the pre-season but should be right to go by the start of the 2021 season. It will be interesting to see whether a club will take him or wait to see a full year of football from him.
EWAN MACHPERSON179cm, 82kg, Northern Knights/Diamond Creek, defender/midfielder
Macpherson is a small defender/midfielder who reads the flight of the ball very well and has the ability to intercept, defend his man and provide good rebound as I like his kicking skills. The son of former Western Bulldogs star Steve Macpherson and brother of Gold Coast’s Darcy, he’s eligible under father-son rules at the Bulldogs.
COREY PRESTON182cm, 77kg, Eastern Ranges/Ferntree Gully, forward/midfielder
Preston is a medium-sized forward/midfielder who is a smokey in this draft. He really showed some good traits in the trial matches for the Eastern Ranges this year before the COVID shutdown. He takes a strong mark and has very good kicking ability and goal sense.
MAX HOLMES189cm, 74kg, Sandringham Dragons/Melbourne Grammar, defender/midfielder
Holmes is the son of dual Olympian and Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Lee Naylor. He’s an elite athlete, which was his path early on before deciding to have a crack at footy where he’s shown enough talent to become a player who, given his athletic traits, could have big upside.
TAJ SCHOFIELD178cm, 72kg, Woodville-West Torrens/Henley, midfielder/forward
Schofield is a midfielder/forward who’s a clever player but will take some time to develop a body ready for AFL footy. The son of former West Coast and Port Adelaide player Jarrad Schofield, he’s eligible under father-son rules at the Power.
PHOENIX SPICER173cm, 64kg, South Adelaide/Morphettville Park, midfielder/forward
A small midfielder/forward who has elite pace and agility, Spicer has traits that could excite clubs. He’s a project player as he’s very slight at just 64kg, so will need time to adjust to playing against bigger bodies. He showed some nice traits in 2019 and is a smokey in this draft.
THOMAS GRAHAM192cm, 85kg, Oakleigh Chargers/Central Districts, utility
The son of former Hawthorn and Richmond player Mark Graham, Thomas is a very late developer who has flown under the radar as he’s only been playing footy seriously for a couple of years. He played a few games for Oakleigh last year and after the NAB League season was cancelled this year, he went over to Adelaide to play with John Platten’s Central Districts in the reserves. He has great athleticism and can play just about anywhere – he even played in the ruck as he has a great leap. Given he’s a late developer, he’s a project player at 20 years of age who’d definitely be a good rookie option. He’s gone up to Darwin to play NTFL with the Waratahs to get more game experience before Christmas.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/recruiter-gary-buckenara-names-his-top-50-prospects-for-the-2020-afl-draft/news-story/80f564a4e5c1efa9f037b83031bda197