Prospects, rankings, draft range, Tyler Sonsie, Matthew Roberts, Arlo Draper, Rhett BazzoBen Waterworth
Fox Sports
October 28th, 2021 Some might’ve slid from first-round contention, while some have bolted into the top-10 mix.
And then there’s the wildcard prospects.
Foxfooty.com.au profiles 10 players from this year’s AFL draft class that clubs believe have a wide draft range.
Tyler Sonsie (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)The 181cm on-baller possesses talent that warrants a top-five selection, but his inconsistency due to injury and lack of continuity this year has seen him slide down many club draft boards. A midfielder with a high footy IQ, strength at the contest, flair and class on the outside, Sonsie can swing the momentum of a match promptly. Some clubs, though, appear hesitant to use an early pick on him.
Draft Range: 10-30
Rhett Bazzo (Swan Districts/WA)There’s several gun key-position prospects out of WA this year – and Bazzo is one of them. However clubs and draft-watchers were perplexed this season as to why he played a lot of school footy and WAFL colts games earlier in the season as a key forward, despite being widely viewed as a tall defender that can intercept the ball. The 195cm prospect starred late in the year for his state, finishing with 18 disposals and 10 marks in a game against South Australia. There are some question marks on how he defends in one-on-one contests, but his ability to read the ball is unquestionable.
Draft Range: 20-40
Matthew Roberts (South Adelaide/SA)He was good enough to win a spot in his SANFL club’s league team late in the season, but there was a chasm between his league and Under 18s output. The 183cm midfielder, who has good endurance, disposal skills and a developing inside-outside balance, blitzed his first three Under 18s games, kicking five goals and averaging 32.0 disposals, 8.3 marks, 7.7 tackles, 7.7 inside 50s and 6.3 clearances. Roberts then managed seven league games, booting six goals – two of them in a preliminary final – and averaging 11.1 disposals. He has the potential to play senior footy in 2022 and would be a safe pick for most clubs, but ultimately what you see is what you get with Roberts and there’s a question mark over his athleticism.
Draft Range: 15-35
Arlo Draper (South Adelaide/SA)Draper has drawn comparisons to 2020 Essendon draftee Archie Perkins, not just for his on-field ability to win contested possessions and hit the scoreboard, but also for his laid-back approach to footy and life. After breaking into the SA side two years ago as a mid-sized backman, the 186cm prospect was pushed into the midfield and forward line and played across all three SANFL competitions this year. AFL draft guru Kevin Sheehan told SEN SA Draper has “some exciting attributes and mercurial type of ability”. But some clubs are wary of Draper’s aerobic capacity, hence they see him more as a half-forward or half-back rather than a midfielder.
Draft Range: 15-30
Mitch Knevitt (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)There’s a lot of upside in Knevitt, which has seen him become an outside chance to be taken in this year’s first round. A tall inside midfielder at 194cm with a strong appetite to win contested ball, Knevitt won the Geelong Falcons’ best and fairest this year after averaging 24.3 touches from his nine NAB League games. His final three games were particularly eye-catching, averaging 30.3 disposals, 6.6 tackles, 6.3 marks and 6.0 inside 50s. Knevitt does need to improve his kicking efficiency, though.
Draft Range: 20-35
Jacob Van Rooyen (Claremont/WA)A genuine utility at 193cm, Van Rooyen has been played at both ends of the field this season – and thrived. He starred at WAFL colts level, booting 34.14 from nine games – an average of nearly four goals per outing. But Van Rooyen was just as impressive when he was swung into defence, especially against South Australia at national championships level. Will be in the mix for selection in the first round.
Draft Range: 15-30
Josh Goater (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)An athletic and powerful 190cm on-baller with explosiveness and clean hands, Goater looms as a fan favourite at AFL level, no matter which club picks him up. Goater is strong at the contest yet just as capable on the outside, highlighted by his strong finish to the NAB League season where he played – and impressed – as an intercept defender, averaging 30.5 disposals, 4.0 intercept marks and 8.5 intercept possessions from his final two games. With so much upside, Goater is a player that could be on the cusp of the top 10 – the Dockers and Eagles might look at him, considering his dad David was from WA and played WAFL footy for East Perth – or the end of the first round come draft night.
Draft Range: 8-20
Matthew Johnson (Subiaco/WA)The tall midfielder (192cm) couldn’t have done much more across the final month of his 2021 campaign to boost his prospects. After averaging 25 disposals from his final three WAFL reserves games, Johnson was named WA’s best player in the AFL Grand Final curtain-raiser clash against SA. A few weeks later at the draft combine, he placed third nationally in the agility test, sixth in the standing vertical jump and seventh in the running vertical jump while also running the 20m sprint in under three seconds.
Draft Range: 8-20
Josh Sinn (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)Stealing is a sin, but Sinn could be the steal of this year’s draft, should he slip to the latter stages of the first round. A genuine line-breaker with explosive leg speed and run and carry ability, Sinn is one of the most exciting first-round prospects. But after entering the year as a top-five contender, he endured a frustrating, injury-interrupted season, averaging just 17.6 disposals at NAB League level. One aspect recruiters believe Sinn needs to work on is his ability to play at different tempos in-game. But once fit at AFL level, the 186cm prospect could become one of the most eye-catching players in the game.
Draft Range: 10-20
Zac Taylor (Calder Cannons/Vic Metro)
The 180cm midfielder is another first-round bolter following a terrific end to his 2021 campaign. After averaging 19.8 touches from his first four NAB League matches, Taylor upped the ante significantly in his final three games, finishing with 32, 34 and 37 disposals respectively. An efficient, clever distributor with a strong inside-outside balance, Taylor is one of the most well-rounded on-ballers in this year’s pool but could ultimately be a small forward at AFL level.
Draft Range: 20-30
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/draft/afl-draft-2021-news-prospects-rankings-draft-range-tyler-sonsie-matthew-roberts-arlo-draper-rhett-bazzo/news-story/af5a487fa0cebad15afd989373d22bcb
