2024 AFL draft

[Willy]

2019 draft.
Pick 21: Thomson Dow:
Pick 39: Chad Warner

Ouchies!

[Diocletian]

2019 draft.
Pick 21: Thomson Dow:
Pick 39: Chad Warner

Ouchies!

Jeremy Sharp @ 27 the only other half-decent player  in between....though Harrison Jones would be an upgrade on Kosi , Worrell would be upgrade on Young and McGuiness could at least stop the oppo mids from bringing their own footy every week......

[one-eyed]

U18 Champs starts this weekend.

NATIONAL CARNIVAL KICKS OFF

SID Draper's push to be an early pick in this year's draft pool will gather pace on Sunday as the South Australian captain begins his Marsh Under-18 Championships.

The first game of the carnival will take place at Thebarton Oval at 11am local time in Adelaide, with Draper recently returning from the shin stress fracture that delayed his start to his draft season.

The gun midfield prospect dominated his bottom-age year to be named an under-18 All-Australian and South Australia's most valuable player as well as winning the best-on-ground medal for South Adelaide in its under-18 Grand Final.

Ben and Lucas Camporeale, both father-son at Carlton, will also be a part of the SA squad, while rising forward/midfielder Ned Bowman has jumped into draft calculations.

Gold Coast Academy prospect Leo Lombard and Brisbane Academy midfielder Sam Marshall shape as the leading players in the Allies line-up tied to clubs, with forward Jobe Shanahan also impressing as a possible top-20 pick in the early stages of the season and Nathaniel Sulzberger's athleticism catching the eye of scouts as well

Every match of the 2024 Marsh Under-18 Championships will be live streamed on AFL.com.au and the AFL Live app.

– Callum Twomey

https://www.afl.com.au/news/1135429/marsh-u18-boys-national-championships-to-start-sunday

[Diocletian]

Sid Draper at the champs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kEDGnI2YZ4

Sid was solid but not spectacular in his first champs outing for 2024.  My guess is that he's still searching for match fitness and form after his long injury layoff - he had a strong opening half before fading out of the game and there was a lot of hands on head or knees sucking in the big ones in the second half.  His defensive efforts in particular we poor at times.

Phoenix Hargrave:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSRYVqqBXWc

Another solid performance from one of SA's deep contingent of midfielders.  Hargrave is coming off a promising bottom age campaign where he was named MVP of the SANFL U18s competition.  He's tough and strong in the contest as well as tidy and clever with his disposal.

[pmac21]

Jagga Smith had 50 disposals in the U18s league on the weekend.

[Diocletian]

Were they damaging possies or just Tom Mitchell/Lachie Neale stat padding nothingness?

[Francois Jackson]

there was a kid i read this morning somewhere who is underage, and who dominated a game. Eligible 2025. Could he be another Harley?

[Diocletian]

Not this kid?

Looking two drafts ahead Dyson Sharp already being touted as the #1 pick in '25 much like Reid was two years out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O7PpVAA_mI

...should be tanking hard next year if he is another "head & shoulders above everyone else" type like Reid....

[Diocletian]

Too bad Lombard is a GC Academy pick....assuming we finish 17th then surely we'll at least keep Halfstep honest and bid for him if Norf don't....this year's Reid...

[Diocletian]

Too bad Lombard is a GC Academy pick....assuming we finish 17th then surely we'll at least keep Halfstep honest and bid for him if Norf don't....this year's Reid...

Not that we're a chance but this is him:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc_vJN7u3e8

We have to start talking about Lombard as a legit top 5 pick if not a pick 1 contender.  No player has been better performed this season than Leo, no player is more dangerous and damaging with ball in hand.  He setup as more of an outside receiver in this game on the attacking side of the contest and consistently found space for linking chains, either setting up his teammates or finishing himself.

Footy Stuff Player Profile:
Leo Lombard - 178cm mid/fwd.
Lombard is a somewhat undersized but powerful and dynamic midfielder much in the mould of fellow Suns Academy graduate Jake Rogers.  He's a threat at stoppage with strong timing and low center of gravity allowing him to get first hands on the footy, and then he has the breakaway acceleration to get inside to out for a clear and damaging possession.  If he can add more goals to his repertoire then he'll push right into top 10 draft calculations.

Luke Urqhart:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSa-k7xCTvU

Luke Urquhart - 190cm mid/fwd

Urquhart was WA's best on the day, his size and competitiveness was influential at stoppage and he was typically damaging with his penetrating right boot.  He played 100% midfield in this game which is different to his typical role at Colts level where he rests in the forward line, and he did fade in the second half which coincided with the Allies getting on top of the territory battle.

[Diocletian]

Not sure I want Smith if this assesment from the bloke that puts up those youtube highlights is right:

Size is an obvious one. He's 181cm which isnt tiny but he has a thin frame that probably wont put on a lot of muscle. This isnt always a killer... he could end up being the next Zak Butters given his elite movement.

The two other criticisms are defensive actions and disposal. I mentioned the disposal above... I dont think its a huge deal but worth keeping an eye on. He might struggle with a tag at the next level if he can't maintain disposal accuracy under pressure.

Defensively, a couple of issues. I dont think its a problem with running hard defensively as he runs hard all the time. He's always there to create a +1, and does this just as often in the D50 as anywhere else on the ground. Its more that his tackle counts are often quite low considering how active he is in general. He tends to "arm tackle" a lot, which gets broken easily given his lack of bulk/muscle. You look at Butters and he drives into tackles with his shoulder/chest. I think that should be the model for Jagga to follow. But in general he needs to use his big footy brain to anticipate when the opposition is about to break free with the ball and get there to apply pressure more often. I'm pretty confident he can correct this.

Hmm small skinny frame unlikely to get much bigger, supposedly a great mover but shyte disposal and a poor one armed tackler......if wasn't for the high work rate I'd say that was Dow....should fit right in....

[Diocletian]

At last a KPF prospect, Jonty Faull:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98M-5AxxKaM

The top key forward prospect in this draft entering the season is finally back after missing the first two months of the season through injury, and he immediately shows everyone what they've been missing with a bag of five goals.

Cooper Hynes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpbdiHxRMyA

A prolific disposal game from Cooper Hynes who also hit the scoreboard at a pivotal moment in the 4th quarter to help his Stingrays get up in a tightly contested game.  He remains something of a polarizing prospect.  His numbers as a mid and a forward are excellent.  He has a large frame, excellent level of competitiveness and repeat efforts, but only average stoppage impact and raw skill level at times.

Article on some of the top prospects (comments from Shifter "every kid's a future star" Sheehan to be taken with a grain of salt)

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/a-50-disposal-gun-an-almost-flawless-prospect-and-cripps-2-0-afl-draft-hopefuls-to-watch-20240530-p5jhwz.html

A 50-disposal gun, an almost flawless prospect and Cripps 2.0: AFL draft hopefuls to watch​

ByMarc McGowan​

The time to shine has arrived.
There is no more important period for prospective AFL draftees than the national under-18 championships. The Allies have already played twice, against South Australia and Western Australia, while the Victorian teams start their campaign this weekend.

We spoke to club recruiters, who shared their thoughts anonymously on this year’s crop in order to speak more freely on their strengths and weaknesses.
The AFL’s talent ambassador, Kevin “Shifter” Sheehan, also gave his take on the select group below.

Among those to narrowly miss out were Isaac Kako, Joe Berry, Noah Mraz, Matt Whitlock, Jobe Shanahan, Harry O’Farrell, Lucas Camporeale, Sam Marshall and Harry Armstrong.
Here are the top prospects so far, in alphabetical order.

Bo Allan​

Peel Thunder/Western Australia, midfielder/defender, 191cm, 16/2/2006
Key WAFL Colts stats (averages): 21 disposals, 6.5 inside-50s, 3 tackles
Allan is Western Australia’s best draft prospect in 2024, and his versatility and size are a big part of his appeal. He has proven he can be effective as a rebounding defender and winger, and is developing his midfield craft as well. Allan is a good athlete with a neat left-foot kick who has good pace off the mark for his size. As with some others on this list, Allan’s stock largely depends on how well he plays at the championships.
Shifter says: “He’s a strongly built and powerful athlete who had a good game on Harley Reid last year, which should hold him in good stead.”


Levi Ashcroft​

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro, midfielder, 179cm, 18/12/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 27.3 disposals, 5 clearances, 9.7 score involvements
The son of triple premiership-winning ex-Lion Marcus, Ashcroft is an ultra-consistent and goalkicking midfielder who can join his brother Will at Brisbane as a father-son prospect. He is rated a top-three talent and could hardly do more, after being an under-18 All-Australian last year and starting this season superbly. Ashcroft does not have the sheer size of a player such as Josh Smillie, but his professionalism and on-field smarts have him well-positioned to be an impact player from the get-go at AFL level.
Shifter says: “He’s probably the most natural footballer in the pool. He does all the fundamentals at an elite level, gets to the right spots, distributes brilliantly, is super consistent, and hasn’t missed a beat.”
​
Ben Camporeale​

Glenelg/South Australia, midfielder/defender, 186cm, 21/7/2006
Key SANFL U18 stats (averages): 30 disposals, 5.8 clearances, 7.3 score involvements
The Carlton father-son prospect, whose dad Scott played 233 of his 252 games for the Blues, is poised to attract an opposition bid somewhere in the teens to early 20s. Camporeale, like his twin Lucas, who has a similar draft range, needs to tidy up his kicking, but can play an inside or outside midfield role, has no problem finding the Sherrin, is professional, runs harder than most and consistently performs.
Shifter says: “Ben’s the right-footer of the twins and your inside player, whereas his brother is better on the outside. Ben gets his nose over the ball, and has really grown in the last six months, including being best on ground on grand final day in the under-17s Futures game, which is always a good indicator of real talent.”

Sid Draper​

South Adelaide/South Australia, midfielder, 182cm, 5/7/2006
Key SANFL stats (averages): 31 disposals, 9 inside-50s, 14 score involvements
A shin stress fracture sidelined Draper for an extended period, but he played and gathered 19 disposals in South Australia’s win over the Allies then had a strong game for South Adelaide at the weekend. Performed outstandingly for his state as a bottom-ager last year – winning team MVP and under-18 All-Australian honours – and is on track to be a top-five pick. Draper’s ability to navigate and burst through traffic is one of his best traits.
Shifter says: “He returned in the trial matches to get some game time under his belt, then played quite well last week in his first real full hitout in the midfield [post-injury]. He has an elite ability to get through traffic with his step and agility, and his decision-making by hand and foot is excellent.”
​
Jonty Faull​

GWV Rebels/Vic Country, key forward, 195cm, 1/2/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 14 disposals, 4 marks, 5 goals
Faull returned from a long-term back injury for the Rebels on Saturday, kicking a game-high five goals after booting 13 in his final four matches of last season. There is an obsession with finding 200cm key-position players, and some recruiters point out that Faull is neither super tall nor quick, but others are enamoured with his athleticism, marking ability and goalkicking prowess. He could emerge as the best key forward in this class.
Shifter says: “It was an amazing return, given he hadn’t played for nine months. He’s kicked five lots of four goals or more in his past seven games going back to last year, which is a terrific effort. He’s a big, powerful kid, and his marking is his obvious strength. He reads the ball in the air so early … and is a good set shot. Whether he’s ready to play this week [for Vic Country] remains to be seen.”
​
Tom Gross​

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro, midfielder/forward, 181cm, 15/9/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 24.7 disposals, 4.7 tackles, 6.7 score involvements
Gross projects somewhere at the back end of this group, but is consistently likened to retired Crows star Rory Sloane, the type of player every club could do with. He might not be the most aesthetically pleasing player, but is tough, competitive, almost always gets the job done and can impact the game in the midfield and up forward. Recruiters would like him to finish his work in front of goal with greater efficiency, but he is tipped to have a long AFL career.
Shifter says: “Tommy is your hard-edged, competitive midfielder who has got explosive pace out of stoppage, which is a hell of an asset. He can play as a smaller forward as well. He’s had a consistent last 12 months, and his form has been very good and even dominant at times this year.”
​
Taj Hotton​

Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro, midfielder/forward, 180cm, 17/6/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 28.7 disposals, 7.3 marks, 1.7 goals
Hotton’s blistering start to the season had him poised to be one of the draft’s biggest risers until he suffered a season-ending ACL rupture at training last month. He is the son of ex-Blue and Magpie Trent – but not father-son eligible – and brother of St Kilda’s Olli. Hotton is competitive, an excellent athlete with great marking ability, and has performed at both ends and in the middle. Recruiters felt he could have been a top-10 pick if not for his setback.
Shifter says: “Probably the best-performed player in the first month or so of the year, and that earned him a call-up to play for the AFL Academy, where he was dominant again against Coburg. Him doing his knee at training was a football tragedy, but he’s got the score on the board.”

Sam Lalor​

GWV Rebels/Vic Country, midfielder/forward, 187cm, 30/8/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 20.3 disposals, 7.5 tackles, 4.5 clearances (2023 season)
Injuries have limited Lalor’s exposure this season, and there is significant interest in the sort of shape he will be in for the championships. He is a midfield bull who thrives in the contest with his hardness and competitiveness, which has drawn comparisons to Dustin Martin. There are durability concerns about Lalor, who is also a talented cricketer, and recruiters would like to see him involve himself more in transition.
Shifter says: “Sam’s played only a smidgen of school footy this year because of injuries to his foot then a quad. He’s a powerful beast, this boy, but we just need to see some performance, so hopefully that will unfold. He will be a bit underdone, but he looks an AFL type, and his best will come later in the year.”
​
Xavier Lindsay​

Gippsland Power/Vic Country, midfielder/defender, 183cm, 3/8/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 26.2 disposals, 7 inside-50s, 6.6 clearances
There are scouts who consider Lindsay a top-15 talent. The word that keeps coming up about him is “reliable” and he is one whose championships performance will play a big role in where he fits. There is still debate about Lindsay’s best position at AFL level, given he has played all over the field, but he consistently delivers, is competitive, boasts a splash of class and has leadership qualities.
Shifter says: “A natural footballer with a beautiful left-foot kick who is a prolific ball-winner, playing on the wing or at half-back. He’s an elite reader of the play, and has put together a very consistent two or so years in front of scouts’ eyes.”

Leonardo Lombard​

Gold Coast Suns Academy/Allies, midfielder, 178cm, 5/10/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 24.7 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 5.7 clearances
Back-to-back best-on-ground performance in the Allies’ first two championships games convinced the remaining doubters of Lombard’s bona fides. The Suns matched four first-round bids on academy prospects last year and will need to do so again with Lombard – potentially inside the top 10. He oozes energy and intensity, and his power, strength and relentless ball-hunting make for an impressive package. Lombard lacks polish at times, but has barely put a foot wrong.
Shifter says: “You can compare him to Touk Miller and Jake Rogers, from the same club. He’s a fall-of-the-ball player, very tough one-on-one, thrives in the contest, has clean hands and sets play up. He also plays with enormous spirit, and that travels right through your group.”
Christian Moraes​

Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro, midfielder, 182cm, 11/8/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 25.7 disposals, 11.7 contested possessions, 1.5 goals
Moraes, who has a high-level basketball background, has one of the widest range of potential draft outcomes, with the view that he needs to perform well at the championships to be a top-10 pick. He is one of the most gifted footballers in this year’s crop, and was a standout as a bottom-ager last year but has not quite lived up to expectations in 2024. Recruiters love Moraes’ offensive game and game-breaking ability but want to see him improve defensively. There is also a belief he will require the right environment to thrive.
Shifter says: “He got an injury in one of the academy games, and carried it into the second one, so you can put those two games aside. He’s a prolific ball-winner, an elite runner – the running man of this group – works deep into defence, and has added goalkicking to his kitbag from working hard offensively.”

Charlie Nicholls​

Central District/South Australia, key forward, 197cm, 8/6/2006
Key SANFL U18 stats (averages): 17 disposals, 8.3 marks, 2.2 goals
Nicholls is coming with a rush, and is now among this draft pool’s leading key forward prospects. He is an ideal size for his position and matches that with athleticism, great hands, and an ability to work hard up the ground and back. Nicholls’ excellent SANFL form has translated to national level, and recruiters noted how much more confidently he was playing in recent games and rave about his upside.
Shifter says: “We look forward to rating the key forwards in their 18th year. He reads the ball very early, which is a great advantage, and leads to him playing in front, and he has lovely soft hands. His marking is his best asset. He has not filled out yet, but he’s one of the more appealing tall forwards in the draft pool.”
​
Finn O’Sullivan​


Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country, midfielder, 182cm, 30/5/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 15 disposals, 5 clearances, 5 inside-50s
O’Sullivan’s had an interrupted season, firstly with a broken thumb and now a broken finger that will sideline him for the start of the championships. However, he remains a genuine contender to be the dux of this year’s class. Won the division one best and fairest award at under-16 level two years ago before earning under-18 All-Australian honours as a bottom-ager last year. Classy, clever, competitive and strong overhead, O’Sullivan is close to a flawless prospect. Something recruiters believe separates him is his willingness to defend.
Shifter says: “From the very first time we saw him at under-16 level – when he was best on ground – he showed an elite running ability, depth in his kicking, and his ball-winning ability stood out. He can mark the ball, has a good jump and step, and is a well-balanced individual as well.”
​


Josh Smillie​

Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro, midfielder, 194cm, 17/5/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 27 disposals, 5.6 clearances, 1.6 goals
The Patrick Cripps comparisons are inevitable, and recruiters are enamoured with Smillie’s size, brute ball-winning ability and the impact he has up forward. The expectation is Smillie would be a difference-maker from his debut season. One talent scout described him as a generational talent, and he is the popular choice to be the No.1 pick. There was a knock on his transition running, but the consensus is he has made strides in that part of his game.
Shifter says: “He had a taste of nationals last year, and dominated in the midfield, then had a game this year, Eastern v Brisbane Lions Academy, and if anyone needs to see what a league footballer looks like, [that game was it]. He made the game look easy, and that’s what elite kids do at his size. He was also appointed captain of the Australian side as well, which is great recognition.”
​
Jagga Smith​

Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro, midfielder, 181cm, 28/1/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 34.7 disposals, 14.7 contested possessions, 9.1 clearances
Smith has plenty of admirers, particularly with his rare ball-winning ability, which was highlighted in an extraordinary 50-disposal, 17-clearance feast against the Western Jets. His football IQ and lateral movement are among his strengths, but there are queries on his light frame, efficiency and lack of penetration with his kicking. Some recruiters think he might start his AFL career as a forward to protect him as his frame develops.
Shifter says: “He’s a rubber man; he’s so flexible, both winning the ball with his agility then with his ability to step out of a contested situation, bend his body, and find a teammate with a handpass. His performance chart has been super consistent – he rarely plays a poor game – he’s courageous, and has clean hands.”


Luke Trainor​
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro, key defender, 195cm, 4/10/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 20.5 disposals, 3 intercept marks, 5 rebound-50s
Trainor is the exception in a projected top 10 littered with on-ballers. His athleticism and toughness in aerial contests appeal to recruiters, along with how he boldly takes the game on with his kicking. Trainor is more of a Tom Stewart-type as a defender rather than someone who will be charged with playing on the opposition’s No.1 tall forward – but that is not a slight. That said, his one-on-one defending is an area he can improve in.
Shifter says: “He’s the biggest bolter in now being considered a very early prospect. He’s super athletic, has a wonderful, natural spring, then when he hits the deck, he runs quickly and kicks the ball well. After one of the academy games, a recruiter told me he could play next week in the AFL. I know it’s a throwaway line, but it indicates how ready this young man is.”
​
Jack Whitlock​

Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country, key forward/ruck, 200cm, 16/5/2006
Key Talent League stats (averages): 15 disposals, 2 goals, 8 score involvements
There are varied opinions on this year’s best key-position prospects, but Whitlock has positioned himself as a likely first-round selection. His brother Matt is also rated highly. A hand injury interrupted his season, but Whitlock is back playing for the Bushies and will be ready for the championships. His size, athleticism, marking ability and competitiveness are big ticks, and recruiters are excited about his upside, even if he is still a tad raw.
Shifter says: “Sometimes you get an early glimpse, and with this boy, it was his first game of the year against Tassie, when he kicked four goals. I was dying to see a 200cm boy [break out]. He grabbed that match by the scruff of the neck, and worked his way into the first of the AFL Academy games. He and his twin brother will be much talked about this year, and look to have the capabilities to play at both ends of the ground

[Simonator]

Would love to somehow get smilie

[crackertiger]

We need to keep pick 2 and possibly get another pick inside the top 10.

[Andyy]

Smiller and Faull or Nicholls sounds good.

Tank the season, shouldn't win any more games bar Dusty's 300th. Must lose to Norf.

Then trade all our other picks to get up the pecking order for Faull or Nicholls.