VFL’s best prospects for the AFL’s mid-season draft, featuring young guns and mature-agersThe brother of a young Saint, a former Swan and a roughie from Richmond are among the VFL’s top mid-season draft hopes, writes PAUL AMY.
Paul Amy
HeraldSun
May 10, 2023 The AFL’s mid-season draft is three weeks away and recruiters are running an eye over the state-league players capable of joining lists.
Here are some hopefuls from the VFL.
Mutaz El Nour, RichmondThe tall defender was considered a mid-season draft hope last year as a Northern Bullant and was disappointed when he was overlooked.
But he’s presented again as a Tiger, negating with hard spoils or creating with his intercept marking, and there’s a touch of class to whatever he does.
James Trezise, RichmondThe Tigers have latched on to a good prospect in 21-year-old Trezise, who featured in West Gippsland club Tooradin-Dalmore’s premiership last season alongside former AFL Magpies Brent Macaffer and Adam Oxley.
“Needs to be on an AFL list,’’ Oxley declared on social media last month after Tigers VFL coach Steve Morris called the 20-year-old a “super exciting player’’.
Trezise is 188cm and versatile enough to play any position on the ground; he’s even done some ruck work for the Tigers this season.
Jye Chalcraft, GeelongThe 22-year-old won the Cats’ VFL best and fairest in 2022 as an inside midfielder and there’s a good chance he’s leading the count this year.
Coach Mark Corrigan has used Chalcraft at half forward at times “just to try to add another string to his bow and I guess add to the appeal from a draftable point of view’’.
“He’s a beautiful ball-user, he finishes his work, he’s clean, he’s tough and he’s got enough power, his tank is good enough … he’s a very good player,’’ Corrigan declares. “If you put him in a full-time program you’ll see him go to another level.’’
The midfielder is from Shepparton United, went through the Murray Bushrangers and became a VFL Cat in 2021.
Aaron Clarke, CoburgThere aren’t many tall forwards kicking around the VFL. The Lions have one in 23-year-old Clarke, 195cm and 100kg, who can take a contested mark and is a reliable kick.
He has a chance to see how he stacks up against Northern Bullant Brandon Ryan in this week’s Battle of Bell Street at Coburg City Oval.
Mitch Cox, WilliamstownThe powerful right-footer spent last year on Brisbane’s list as a selection in the pre-season supplemental period.
He hasn’t quite shown his best for the Towners as he makes the transition back to part-time footballer, but he’s a dynamic player and started May the right way, having 23 touches and kicking a goal against Collingwood.
Felix Flockhart, Port MelbourneThere were quiet raps on the young ruckman after his late rise at the Sandringham Dragons, and he’s back in the thoughts of clubs now that he’s overcome injuries (groin last year, ankle in the 2023 pre-season) and served as Sam Naismith’s back-up.
His athleticism is apparent with his ability to play forward and his skill at ground level.
“He’s turning himself into a competitive footballer,’’ Borough coach Adam Skrobalak says.
Marcus Herbert, GeelongThe Cats have a high opinion of the former Greater Western Victoria Rebel, who sat out a few games with concussion and has impressed since his return to the half back line.
“I look at him and I think he’s got attributes that could go to another level,’’ Geelong coach Mark Corrigan says. “Beautiful ball user, really clean, he changes the game when he gets the ball in his hands.
“But he also defends really well. He’s not just a purely offensive-minded player. He’s really good in the contest, he finds his way out of traffic quickly and he dilutes the pressure situations for us.’’
Herbert, 20, joined Geelong VFL in 2021.
Marty Hore, WilliamstownIt’s believed two AFL clubs have contacted Willy about the 14-game former Demon.
Hore, 27, joined the Seagulls this year from North Melbourne VFL and has averaged 21.7 disposals across six games.
Ben Jepson, Coburg
The Lions knew they were getting a good player when they recruited Jepson from Old Carey three years ago.
At 21 and with more confidence, his football has taken off this season; he’s the best decision-maker and kick in the Coburg team.
Jepson is averaging 23 possessions across his first six matches, boosted by 34 and 30-disposal hauls in his past two outings.
“His last fortnight has been awesome, and hopefully he can carry that all the way into the mid-season draft and be a realistic chance,’’ Coburg coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara says.
Sam Lowson, North MelbourneRoos coach Tom Lynch calls the small forward “the most dynamic player in the VFL’’.
Touted as the No.1 mid-season pick in 2019, only to pick up an injury before the draft, Lowson has kicked 16.10 for the Roos this season since crossing from Coburg.
Trent Mynott, FrankstonFew VFL midfielders are going as well as Frankston’s co-captain, who led his team to its first victory of the season with four goals and 23 possessions against Sandringham in Round 4.
Mynott was an Essendon rookie in 2018-19 but he’s still only 23 and there are Dolphins officials who will tell you he’s their most influential and important player.
Sam Naismith, Port MelbourneClubs needing to bolster their ruck divisions will look at the former Sydney 30-gamer, who has proved his fitness this year as a dominant big man in the VFL.
He’s averaging 43.2 hit-outs and 15.7 disposals per game, and his leadership has been exemplary.
“He’s been really solid in his performances. His ruck work has been outstanding and he’s building his around-the-ground game,’’ Borough coach Adam Skrobalak says.
“As a person and player, his buy-in at our club has been exceptional. He’s getting through week to week and he’s covering a lot of ground and he’s crashing and bashing. He’s doing all the things I would think an AFL club would want to see.’’
Kai Owens, FrankstonThe 23-year-old is the older brother of fast-rising Saint Mitch, and his move into the midfield this season has been the making of him.
Previously a forward lending an occasional hand in the ruck, Owens (192cm) has flourished as an onballer alongside Will Fordham and Trent Mynott, averaging 24 disposals and seven tackles.
“Kai’s got that bit of swerve and curve about him that comes from his basketball background and he’s also got hops – he can really jump. He’s in good nick because his game’s in good shape and he’s bubbling along off some of the buzz around his brother,’’ Dolphins coach Danny Ryan told CODE Sports last week.
Fraser Rosman, Port MelbourneDrafted during the Covid period and delisted after two years at Melbourne, the athletic and sure-handed Rosman is relishing his move to Port Melbourne.
With his spring and speed, the 194cm defender is capable of playing on opponents of all shapes and sizes.
Brandon Ryan, Northern BullantsNo VFL player has risen as quickly this year as 25-year-old Ryan, a 200cm forward who joined the Ants from Essendon District league club Maribyrnong Park.
The strong-marking left-footer caught the eye in the state-alone practice-match carnival in Craigieburn – “Who is No 12 for Bullants? He’s not on the team sheet?’’ a recruiter asked on the day – and has since kicked 17 goals from six matches, including five against Sydney.
Ryan is raw but has a lot of natural ability.
Ryley Stoddart, FrankstonIn his second year with the Dolphins, the 23-year-old former Sydney Swan will be some chance for a second AFL listing if he maintains his slashing start to the season.
His left-foot kicking has been on show from half back, spearing Frankston forward, and he’s displayed plenty of dash and aggression too.
He had 37 touches against Port Melbourne in round five and is averaging 29 disposals from five matches.
Shaun Mannagh, WerribeeThe dynamic Mannagh hurtled into the headlines with his round three performance for Werribee, when he stacked up 40 possessions and booted four goals against Southport.
“He’s a matchwinner. He’s special,’’ Sharks coach Steve Daniels declared after the game.
The 25-year-old had 31 touches against Essendon last Sunday and is averaging 27.6 disposals per outing as he pushes for the next level.
“He’s a jet,’’ a VFL coach says of the former Murray Bushranger.
Oscar McDonald, WilliamstownAt 27, McDonald appears set to join a third AFL club, with talk around that Sydney will seek to strengthen its defence with the former Demon and Blue.
His performances and professionalism have been everything Willy expected of him, and they’re resigned to going into the second half of the season without their No.1 backman.
Tom Phillips, EssendonThe former Magpie and Hawk is building towards his best after recovering from a minor knee injury. The left-footer had 20 touches on a wing in the round seven loss to Werribee.
“He’s good enough to play AFL again,’’ Bombers coach Leigh Tudor says. “He’s still really determined and doing everything right. He’s still got that belief.’’
Jack Sexton, SouthportSharks coach Steve Daniel says he’s taken calls from AFL clubs about his small forward, who joined the club this year after a stint with Richmond VFL.
“He’s quick, he’s tough, his tackle-pressure is through the roof, he uses the ball really well and he’s quite smart,’’ Daniel says of the 178cm, who came out of Finley Cats juniors and took some star turns for Yarrawonga last year in the strong Ovens and Murray league.
Ethan Stanley, Box Hill HawksThe 188cm, 81kg Stanley has been a surprise package this year for the Hawks.
Recruited from local club Frankston YCW, where he played some senior games last year but mostly in the Under 19s, he has made four appearances as a wing and flanker.
He also turned out in last Sunday’s Young Guns game at Sandringham, performing handily in tough conditions.
“We’ve been rapt with him,’’ says Box Hill Hawks coach Zane Littlejohn.
“There was no expectation on him when he came here – he’s never been a pathways kid, just played local footy with his local club – and he’s been a breath of fresh air, I guess.
“He’s excited, he wants to learn, he’s hungry. He’s played four games as the 23rd player, but we’re arguably missing him and he’s going to be a big chance to play regardless of the 23rd. He can play a variety of roles – wing, half back, half forward, inside – he’s got athleticism and running power, and he’s a beautiful user of the footy.’’
Lachie Sullivan, Footscray BulldogsThe Dogs’ VFL captain is one of the league’s most consistent players, rarely leaving the ground without having handled the ball 25 times. He won the Dogs’ best and fairest and was in the VFL team of the year in 2022.
Unheralded but not to be underestimated, Sullivan might appeal to a club keen to add another number to its midfield.
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