TOP 20 MID-SEASON DRAFT PROSPECTSChris Cavanagh
HeraldSun
May 28, 2023 Ryan MaricGippsland Power (Coates League)
H: 193cm, W: 83kg, DOB: 6/9/2004
Nominated Contract Term: 18 months
Widely considered to be the top talent in this mid-season draft pool, Maric is a mid-sized forward who possesses a beautiful kick. He also has good speed, works hard up the ground to provide an option for teammates and makes sound decisions. Maric was only brought in to the Gippsland Power squad in the middle of the year after playing some good senior football with local club Drouin. However, he quickly caught the attention of recruiters after kicking four goals in the opening round of the Coates Talent League season. Maric also impressed in the two Young Guns games, playing forward in the first match before being switched to defence in the second match. He kicked
Clay TuckerEastern Ranges (Coates League)
H: 204cm, W: 99kg, DOB: 9/8/2004
Nominated Contract Term: 18 months
A towering tall, Tucker covers the ground well with his mobility and agility and has good ruck craft. He has continued to develop as the year has progressed, both in the ruck and also with his ability to go forward and impact the scoreboard. Across his first five games for the Ranges, Tucker averaged 10.4 disposals, 3.4 marks, 21 hitouts and 0.8 goals. He featured in both Young Guns games earlier this month, particularly catching the eye in the second game against Vic Country at Ikon Park. In that match, Tucker gathered 13 disposals, 14 hitouts and kicked two goals. He has spent time training with Hawthorn in recent weeks.
Ethan StanleyBox Hill (VFL)
H: 188cm, W: 83kg, DOB: 13/11/2003
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A late bloomer, the wingman or half-forward was playing under-19s with his local club Frankston YCW last year. He hadn’t caught the eye of the Dandenong Stingrays as a junior, but was invited to train with Box Hill over summer and managed to win a spot on the club’s VFL list. Stanley’s versatility, powerful kick, explosive speed and great vertical leap are all strengths of his game. He has played five VFL games for Box Hill this year, averaging 13.2 disposals and 4.6 score involvements. Stanley also featured in the two Young Guns games earlier this month, gathering 15 disposals and kicking two goals in the second of those games.
Will ElliottOakleigh Chargers (Coates League)
H: 203cm, W: 94kg, DOB: 11/6/2004
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A promising tall forward, Elliott was earmarked as a top AFL prospect on the back of a strong bottom-age season before having most of his 18th year in 2022 wiped out with a knee injury. He returned to fitness to test at the state draft combine last October, but was ultimately overlooked in last year’s drafts. Elliott’s contested marking is a strength in attack and he also has the ability to spend time in the ruck. He logged nine disposals, took two contested marks, had two score assists and kicked one goal in the Young Guns’ second match against Vic Country earlier this month. Elliott is the son of former Australian cricketer Matthew Elliott.
Flynn RileyNorthern Knights (Coates League)
H: 206cm, W: 101kg, DOB: 5/4/2004
Nominated Contract Term: 18 months
A man mountain, Riley is a developing ruckman who has greatly improved his game as an over-age player with the Northern Knights this year. He attracted a little bit of interest from clubs before last year’s draft, but that has grown this season since a monster Round 4 performance against Gold Coast which saw Riley log 21 disposals, 37 hitouts, seven clearances, seven score involvements and a goal. Riley featured in both of the Young Guns games earlier this month, splitting ruck duties with Clay Tucker. His height would leave him as the equal-12th tallest player in the AFL if he were to be drafted.
Robert Hansen JnrSubiaco (WAFL)
H: 180cm, W: 70kg, DOB: 13/3/2004
Nominated Contract Term: 18 months
A wingman or small forward, Hansen Jr is lightning quick, agile, has a dynamic left foot and does things on the field that others can’t. An indigenous player from the Goldfields League 600 km North-East of Perth, he played a full season of under 18s last year but has progressed to play senior football with Subiaco in the WAFL this season. From his first five senior games, Hansen Jnr averaged 10.6 disposals, 4.4 score involvements and kicked three goals. He received approval to play for Western Australia as an overage player in the under-18 national championships this year but now looks set to be selected in the mid-season draft.
Rye PennyCalder Cannons (Coates League)
H: 186cm, W: 82kg, DOB: 1/3/2004
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
An athletic running defender or wingman, Penny’s speed and natural leap stood out during pre-season testing. He ran a 20m sprint time of 2.89 sec and recorded a running vertical jump result of 101cm to be among the best performers across all testing. He continues to improve with his decision making and ball use and his unique athletic abilities have continued to shine. During the Young Guns series he was among the better players in matches against Vic Metro and Country and logged 21 in the second of those matches.
James TreziseRichmond (VFL)
H: 188cm, W: 76kg, DOB: 15/6/2002
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
Signed by the Tigers’ VFL team this year as a smooth-moving half-forward, Trezise kicked 26 goals from 20 games for Tooradin-Dalmore in the West Gippsland Football League last year to help his side break a 25-year premiership drought. However, he has found a new home across halfback in the state league competition this year. Trezise has good speed and endurance, an exciting leap and is a booming kick. Across eight VFL games this year, he has averaged 16 disposals, 5.4 intercept possessions, 4.9 marks and 4.9 goals. Trezise has even done some ruck work for Richmond this year, despite being undersized.
Jack BullerClaremont (WAFL)
H: 199cm, W: 99kg, DOB: 16/5/2001
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A key defender and ruckman in his under-18 year in 2019, Buller has developed into a powerful key forward. He models his game on Port Adelaide’s Charlie Dixon and has worked hard on his fitness over the past 12 months to allow him to get to more contests. Buller is a fierce competitor and a physical presence in attack who can take plenty of contested marks. He has played four senior games for Claremont in the WAFL this year, including a breakout 22 disposal, 14 marks and 4 goal game against South Fremantle in Round 2. He had eight disposals, 11 hitouts and kicked a goal for Western Australia in a match against South Australia earlier this month.
Jaiden HunterPerth (WAFL)
H: 196cm, W: 93kg, DOB: 20/4/2002
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A goalkicking forward, Hunter was overlooked in his draft year in 2020 before having a horrid run with injury. An elbow injury prematurely ended his 2021 season and he went on to rupture his ACL during a practice match at the start of last year, wiping out his entire 2022 campaign. Hunter returned to the field for Perth’s reserves side in Round 1 this year and booted four goals, before earning a senior WAFL opportunity a month later. He kicked four goals in his first senior game of the year against West Coast, catching the eye of AFL recruiters. Hunter is a competitor, has good aerial ability and reads the play well. The apprentice electrician previously played as a defender and ruckman during 2020 and 2021, showing his versatility.
Brandon RyanNorthern Bullants (VFL)
H: 200cm, DOB: 7/11/1997
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A towering tall forward, Ryan previously spent two years on North Melbourne’s VFL list, signing on with the Kangaroos at the end of 2017. But he didn’t have a good run at that stint as he suffered knee and ankle injuries, which made for plenty of time in the rehabilitation group. Ryan got his body right over the past two years and was invited to train with the Northern Bullants after kicking 38 goals in 17 games for Maribyrnong Park in the Essendon District Football League last year. Ryan is athletic, a strong mark, has a nice left-foot kick and is good below his knees for a player of his size. The cousin of Fremantle defender Luke Ryan, he has averaged 14 disposals, 5 marks, 5.9 score involvements and 2.6 goals from seven VFL games this year.
Mutaz El NourRichmond (VFL)
H: 192cm, W: 83kg, DOB: 14/8/2001
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A mid-sized hybrid defender, El Nour was considered as a mid-season draft prospect when he was playing for the Northern Bullants last year but was ultimately overlooked. He moved to fellow VFL side Richmond this season, where he has again been solid. El Nour’s one-on-one contest work has been impressive, along with some of his intercepting. He also brings dare, athleticism and good foot skills. Across his first five VFL games this year, El Nour averaged 11.2 disposals, 3 marks and 4.4 spoils.
ALSO IN THE MIX...Oscar McDonaldWilliamstown (VFL)
H: 196cm, W: 98kg, DOB: 18/3/1996
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A key defender, McDonald was delisted by Carlton at the end of last year following two injury-interrupted seasons with a serious back injury. Before that he had played 81 AFL games across six seasons with Melbourne. McDonald joined VFL side Williamstown at the end of last year and has since got his body right. He has played all eight games this season, averaging 16.8 disposals and 8.3 marks. McDonald also rates elite in the competition for intercept marks (4 a game) and above average for intercept possessions (8.9 a game).
Sam NaismithPort Melbourne (VFL)
H: 205cm, W: 110kg, DOB: 16/7/1992
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
The former Sydney ruckman is in the mix for another AFL opportunity after a dominant start to the season with Port Melbourne in the VFL. The big man has been the best performed ruckman in the VFL this year, averaging 15.1 disposals and 40.9 hitouts a game for Port Melbourne. Naismith, who turns 31 in July, played 30 games across nine seasons for the Swans before being delisted at the end of last year. Naismith underwent a third knee reconstruction in 2021.
Caleb PoulterFootscray (VFL)
H: 194cm, W: 84kg, DOB: 12/10/2002
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
Delisted by Collingwood at the end of last season, Poulter has impressed on a wing for Footscray in the VFL this year. He played 12 games across two seasons for the Magpies, including 11 games in 2021, after being selected at pick 30 in the 2020 national draft. Across seven VFL games this season, Poulter has averaged 18.1 disposals, 6.3 marks and 0.7 goals.
Marty HoreWilliamstown (VFL)
H: 190cm, W: 84kg, DOB: 5/3/1996
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
The former Melbourne defender has been rock solid for Williamstown in the VFL this season, after making the switch from North Melbourne’s VFL side at the end of last season. Hore played 14 AFL games across three seasons with the Demons before being delisted at the end of the 2021 season. Hore has been the leading intercept player in the VFL this year, averaging 5.6 intercept marks and 10.4 intercept possessions.
Quinton NarkleEssendon (VFL)
H: 182cm, W: 83kg, DOB: 3/12/1997
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A former Geelong midfielder, Narkle wasn’t able to find another AFL opportunity after being delisted by the Cats at the end of last season following five seasons and 41 senior games for the club. Narkle trained with Richmond during pre-season, but the Tigers opted to instead fill their last list spot with forward Kaelan Bradtke during the Supplementary Selection Period. In eight VFL games for the Bombers this year, Narkle has averaged 20 disposals, 4.6 clearances, 4.4 tackles and a goal a game.
Jack CleaverEssendon (VFL)
H: 188cm, W: 87kg, DOB: 22/5/2004
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A left-footed medium defender, Cleaver was a consistent performer for Western Australia at under-18 level last year as well as playing seven matches at senior level with East Fremantle including finals. He is a really strong player in his attack on the ball and a clean ball handler. Cleaver trained with Essendon in search of an AFL list spot during the pre-season Supplemental Selection Period. He didn’t win that spot, but the Bombers signed him up to their VFL program and he relocated to Victoria permanently. In six VFL games this year, Cleaver has averaged 12.7 disposals, 5 marks, 5 intercept possessions and 2 spoils. He was also impressive in wet and slippery conditions in the Young Guns’ first game against Vic Metro, logging 18 disposals.
Noah CasaliniNorth Adelaide (SANFL)
H: 191cm, W: 88kg, DOB: 2/7/2001
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A mid-sized marking forward, Casalini caught the attention of clubs after booting six goals from 18 disposals and 10 marks in a best-on-ground performance against Norwood in the SANFL on Anzac Day. He is an athletic player with a good leap, speed and marks the ball well in the air. Casalini relocated to South Australia this year after playing for Greater Western Sydney in the VFL last season.
Luke TealRichmond (VFL)
H: 190cm, W: 82kg, DOB: 20/5/2004
Nominated Contract Term: 6 months
A defender or wingman, Teal had his under-18 year decimated by injury and illness in 2022. He first had an appendix operation and then suffered a broken collarbone, curtailing the majority of the season. However, he returned late in the campaign for the Chargers last year and showed good intercept ability and rebound off halfback in a handful of games. This season he impressed in three games with the Chargers, averaging 20 disposals in the Coates Talent League before earning some VFL opportunities with Richmond. In the second Young Guns game against Vic Country, Teal racked up a game-high 32 disposals in a new role in the midfield as he continues his development.
https://www.codesports.com.au/afl/afl-midseason-draft-2023-the-top-20-prospects-up-for-grabs/news-story/5e03969e66824f7fecfe3c36f8586e59
