Mid-Season Rookie Draft: 50 players who could spark up your list

[Axe Man]

Mid-Season Rookie Draft: 50 players who could spark up your list

LESS than six weeks out from the return of the Mid-Season Rookie Draft, clubs are positioning themselves to find the next Tim Kelly, Kane Lambert or Luke Ryan.

The evening following round 10 - Monday, May 27 - marks the first Mid-Season Rookie Draft since 1993, with 14 positions currently available across the competition.

Every season-ending injury or early retirement that comes before midday on that day will provide one more position to be filled.

Already, 15 players received lifelines in the pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP), with the Mid-Season Rookie Draft opening the door for more second chances.

Players eligible to be taken in the Mid-Season Rookie Draft must nominate by May 3 and include any individual who nominated for the 2018 draft or has previously been on an AFL club list.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Mid-season availabilities: One (Liam Picken retirement)
What they need: Key defender
Filled to March 15: Nil

Aaron Naughton's move to attack is the ultimate 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' scenario. Naughton has shown signs as a promising key forward but his move, coupled with another knee injury to Dale Morris, leaves a gaping hole in defence. The Dogs moved Buku Khamis from a Category B to the primary list post-draft last year, so Liam Picken's retirement leaves one position available for a ready-made defender.

50 players in the frame
Rucks
Jack Blair – North Adelaide (SANFL)
26yo, 206cm, 108kg
Rugby convert who won a flag with AFL Sydney club UNSW-Eastern Bulldogs before training with the Swans leading up to last year's drafts.

Corey Gault – Swan Districts (WAFL)
26yo, 200cm, 100kg
Three years since he was last on Collingwood's AFL list, looms as a readymade forward/ruck option.

Jeremy Goddard – Claremont (WAFL)
21yo, 202cm, 95kg
Played alongside Tim English in WA's under-18 team three years ago and had 68 hitouts from his opening two WAFL matches this season.

Michael Knoll – South Adelaide (SANFL)
25yo, 205m, 100kg
Crossed from Box Hill. Former basketballer who replaced Keegan Brooksby and Hayden McLean on South Adelaide's list.

Midfielders
Frank Anderson – Northern Blues (VFL)
21yo, 186cm, 83kg
Attended a state screening in 2018 and has made the step up this year from Eastern Football League club South Croydon.

Josh Clayton – Werribee (VFL)
23yo, 191cm, 87kg
Tall midfielder who played two games for Brisbane before starring in the NEAFL for Southport last year then moving home to Victoria.

Jye Bolton – Claremont (WAFL)
27yo, 187cm, 84kg
Fresh off his second Sandover Medal as the WAFL's best and fairest, the former Pie has averaged 36 disposals to start 2019.

Josh Deluca – Subiaco (WAFL)
22yo, 179cm, 80kg
Former Docker starred in last year's Subiaco premiership with 29 disposals and has led the way for the Lions to start 2019.

Sam Fisher – Northern Blues (VFL)
21yo, 181cm, 78kg
Former Sydney rookie with some dash. Was invited to train with Carlton's AFL pre-season group ahead of last year's Rookie Draft.

Nathan Freeman – Frankston (VFL)
23yo, 183cm, 85kg
Delisted by St Kilda at the end of 2018, Freeman had interest from Gold Coast before moving to the VFL where he has dominated in his first two games.

Matt Hanson – Werribee (VFL)
23yo, 187cm, 81kg
A foot issue ruined his 2018 season, but this super-fit onballer is big and strong and in the mould of Geelong's Sam Menegola.

Mitch Hibberd – Williamstown (VFL)
22yo, 191cm, 90kg
The ex-Kangaroo boasts elite endurance and is showing promise in his new role as an inside midfielder after previously being used mostly as a defender or wingman.

Cody Hirst – Eastern Ranges (TAC Cup)
19yo, 180cm, 67kg
Given a second chance as an over-age player at the Ranges, the youngster with pace to burn was in conversations last season as a speculative rookie selection and has been named in this year's Vic Metro squad.

Tristan Hobley – Subiaco (WAFL)
18yo, 182cm, 74kg
This ball magnet was best afield in last year's WAFL Colts Grand Final and considered unlucky not to find an AFL home. Has admirers.

Campbell Hustwaite – Collingwood (VFL)
18yo, 184cm, 78kg
Co-captain of Dandenong's under-18 side last year, has crossed to Collingwood's VFL outfit after being overlooked as a rookie selection.

Marcus Lentini – Coburg (VFL)
19yo, 184cm, 79kg
Accumulates the ball at will in the VFL. Could he become a Ben Cavarra type that clubs just can't continue to ignore?

Mitch Maguire – Canberra (NEAFL)
20yo, 176cm, 80kg
The NEAFL's reigning Rising Star recipient may be small but packs a punch in the clinches. Trained with Sydney before last year's drafts.

Michael Manteit – Southport (NEAFL)
22yo, 189cm, 85kg
The former rookie-listed Magpie claimed the Sharks' best and fairest in their premiership-winning 2018 campaign and made the NEAFL Team of the Year.

Damian Mascitti – Box Hill (VFL)
26yo, 190cm, 86kg
His blistering elimination final for Port Melbourne against Box Hill last year, where he kicked four goals among 26 disposals, convinced the VFL Hawks to recruit him.

Luke Meadows – Box Hill (VFL)
24yo, 186cm, 85kg
Graduated in recent seasons from a half-back to a fully fledged midfielder, and showed in Hawthorn's intraclub match he can cut it with AFL players.

Marlion Pickett – South Fremantle (WAFL)
27yo, 184cm, 84kg
Genuine interest from Gold Coast last year before he was overlooked. Could a 10-week contract appeal for the WAFL's Tim Kelly 2.0?

Mitch Riordan – Dandenong (TAC Cup)
19yo, 187cm, 82kg
Speedy onballer has returned as an over-age player after testing at last year's State Combine despite a year ravaged by injury.

Mackenzie Willis – Southport (NEAFL)
23yo, 182cm, 82kg
Cut from Gold Coast after rupturing an ACL, but has made an outstanding start to the 2019 NEAFL season.

Tom Wilson – Northern Blues (VFL)
27yo, 176cm, 76kg
What the Blues skipper lacks in height, he makes up for in aggression at the contest. Claimed third club best and fairest last season.

Key forwards
Ryan Gardner – Footscray (VFL)
21yo, 197cm, 93kg
The defender-turned-forward has managed six goals from his opening two matches of 2019 after being cut by Geelong at the end of last season.

Will Kennedy – Western Jets (TAC Cup)
18yo, 198cm, 88kg
Moving from Sandringham to Western Jets as an over-age player, could provide an option for a club for a future key-position prospect.

Liam McBean – Glenelg (SANFL)
23yo, 202cm, 98kg
Made recruiters stand up and take notice with a bag of nine against Adelaide's SANFL side last week, just his second game back after a year travelling.

Nathan Mullenger-McHugh – Box Hill (VFL)
21yo, 196cm, 88kg
Straight from the Western Bulldogs to the Hawks' leadership group. Will continue to develop as a key position player.

Hugo Munn – Sturt (SANFL)
19yo, 197cm, 91kg
About a dozen AFL clubs spoke to the talented teenager last year and he is exactly the type of player who could thrive in an elite system.

Dillon O'Reilly – East Fremantle (WAFL)
18yo, 193cm, 79kg
Son of former Cat, Docker and Blue Stephen, Dillon presents as a third forward option after playing for WA's under-18 outfit last year.

Luke Surman – Norwood (SANFL)
21yo, 196cm, 111kg
Was on Hawthorn's list, but quit in May 2017 after losing his passion for footy. The Jon Patton-type has matured and wants another shot.

Key defenders
Aaron Black – Geelong (VFL)
28yo, 192cm, 85kg
Impressed as a key defender at AFL level last year before he was delisted following a ruptured ACL. First game back in the VFL last week and could be a smokey.

Sam McLarty – Williamstown (VFL)
20yo, 198cm, 96kg
Cut from the Pies after two seasons, trialled at Sydney on the eve of the SSP closure before being overlooked in favour of Hayden McLean.

Harry Nolan – Coburg (VFL)
19yo, 195cm, 94kg
Has garnered interest as an athletic key defender who has done the job on AFL-listed players in the VFL. Strong endurance.

Michael Talia – Norwood (SANFL)
26yo, 194cm, 93kg
Has matured after he was best remembered for off-field incidents in his last stint as an AFL player at Sydney. Still takes the No.1 forward at SANFL level.

General forwards
Cole Gerloff – Norwood (SANFL)
19yo, 185cm, 82kg
Has trimmed down in response to queries about his lack of pace and is showing promise in a high half-forward role.

Cory Gregson – Glenelg (SANFL)
22yo, 175cm, 78kg
Finally over the foot woes that hampered his four-year, 39-game stint at Geelong and has returned to his junior club ready for a second chance.

Ben Kennedy – Williamstown (VFL)
25yo, 176cm, 81kg
Played mostly as a midfielder for Collingwood and Melbourne, but has transformed into a goalsneak after Ben Cavarra and Lachie Schultz were drafted last year.

Sam Lowson – Coburg (VFL)
23yo, 182cm, 84kg
Is creating some AFL buzz thanks to his goalkicking nous and trademark defensive pressure after rising from the now-defunct VFL development league.

Corey Rich – Frankston (VFL)
22yo, 183cm, 83kg
Rich booted six goals in last year's Young Guns game and hasn't stopped impacting the scoreboard. Also getting some midfield minutes.

Hayden Sampson – South Adelaide (SANFL)
19yo, 177cm, 71kg
Playing as a high half-forward, the son of 1997 premiership Crow Clay tested at last year's National Draft Combine.

Tyron Smallwood – Claremont (WAFL)
19yo, 179cm, 77kg
Played WA under-18s last year at the National Championships before playing two of his three League matches as finals. Has four goals from two games this year.

Adam Tipungwuti – NT Thunder (NEAFL)
22yo, 175cm, 65kg
Amid interest from GWS last year, the cousin of Essendon's Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti trialled at the same Rookie Combine as AFL-listed pair Jay Lockhart and Ben Cavarra.

General defenders
Angus Baker – Canberra (NEAFL)
20yo, 191cm, 87kg
Already picked up a NEAFL Rising Star nomination this season and continues to win a mountain of possessions across half-back. Trained with the Swans last year.

Campbell Floyd – Geelong (VFL)
23yo, 187cm, 74kg
The half-back attracted interest from Sydney last year and despite an ankle surgery this summer, has started 2019 strongly.

Ryan Hebron – Werribee (VFL)
21yo, 186cm, 82kg
The one-time Swans Academy member is a versatile and quick left-footer who uses the ball well and is rarely beaten. Crossed from Sydney Uni.

Harry Marsh – Subiaco (WAFL)
25yo, 189cm, 86kg
Received interest ahead of last year's NAB AFL Draft following his delisting from the Swans. Subiaco's recent history of drafted players only helps his cause.

Declan Mountford – Claremont (WAFL)
Back on the AFL radar after spending time at Arden St. Can play down back, on the wing or in a run-with role and has a big motor.

Bailey Rogers – Claremont (WAFL)
22yo, 185cm, 82kg
Damaging half-back who draws comparisons to Adelaide interceptor Tom Doedee with his ability to read the ball.

Max Spencer – Werribee (VFL)
21yo, 186cm, 91kg
Departed Queensland after eight games for the Suns and is equally adept manning small and tall opponents.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Quick question- does anyone know the format of the draft? Does it go on ladder position at the time?

[Axe Man]

Quick question- does anyone know the format of the draft? Does it go on ladder position at the time?

Yes it does.

How is the draft order determined?
Like the NAB AFL Draft, the Mid-Season Rookie Draft will be selected in reverse ladder order.

The mid-season draft will be based on the ladder positions as they stand after round 10.

If all clubs have list slots available, the 18th-placed team will have pick one, the 17th-placed team pick two, and so on.

Mid-season draft: Your questions answered

[hujsh]

Can't imagine we'd pick Talia up from that list.

[Axe Man]

Can't imagine we'd pick Talia up from that list.

There's more chance of Ian Collins become our next club president than a Talia return I would suggest.

[DOG GOD]

Wouldn’t mind Adam Tipungwuti if he’s anything like his cousin

[bulldogtragic]

There's more chance of Ian Collins become our next club president than a Talia return I would suggest.

I'd invite Talia back. No dramas.

And offer Sweet a contract extension if he does his Sweet thing. And an elevation and pay rise if he taunts Talia that he'd stop the pain if he could just find his mobile phone to have Talia text for help... But can't find it.

Then we are nearly even.

[bulldogtragic]

On topic I'd look at (assuming Morris gets ruled out too) at both spots from:

Gardner (tall) - he might be too good for VFL, but maybe not afl level. If he keeps playing well, especially with Sweet out for three games. We might find out.
Neade (small forward) - adds something different to what we have. Perhaps half a season out of the afl focuses him on the speed and pressure to raise his game. A quick, high pressure small indigenous forward might appeal.
Caldwell (midfield depth) - I'd like to see if he can produce even more in an elite FT set up like ours. We can let him go, or see what happens. Worth a shot.

[GVGjr]

I guess there is a about 4 ways of looking at acquiring a player through the mid season draft:
1) A direct replacement for Picken
2) A needs based player
3) Someone who could likely settle in quickly
4) Taking a longer term view

I think we traded for Lloyd and took Hayes on the primary list because of doubts over Picken plus we also drafted Cavarra so from that perspective we have done a decent job at covering Picken.

Our needs should be around acquiring a KPP or ruckman but with Bevo clearly preferring a small ball line-up it's probably not a direction we will take

Based on the 50 options detailed above finding a ready made replacement shouldn't be too difficult given some of the options available

Hard to predict which way we will go

And finally, taking a longer term view by adding a player who might not contribute this season but who could be a good long term prospect might be decent option for us.

[Dry Rot]

How strong is the WAFL? Seems there's a few of interest there.

What types of player do we most need? KPF or KPD or small nippy forward?

[mjp]

How strong is the WAFL? Seems there's a few of interest there.

It's a strong state league - like the SANFL. But WAFL footy isn't a different league - it is a different SPORT. I have said it before but I will do so again - AFL footy is very different from state league footy. In some ways it is a vision of the way the game used to be played 20/30 years ago (but with the addition of an 18-man press).

There are countless state league players who would be solid AFL role players given the opportunity. But it is the top 10% of players in AFL clubs who are the 'stars' and decide the outcome of games...in contrast, the supposed top 10% of state league players are not genuine AFL prospects because the last thing most clubs need is another 25 possessions/game mid...what they need - as per this thread - is solid defenders who can take talls and smalls and goalkicking forwards...those types are thin on the ground.

[Twodogs]

It's a strong state league - like the SANFL. But WAFL footy isn't a different league - it is a different SPORT. I have said it before but I will do so again - AFL footy is very different from state league footy. In some ways it is a vision of the way the game used to be played 20/30 years ago (but with the addition of an 18-man press).

There are countless state league players who would be solid AFL role players given the opportunity. But it is the top 10% of players in AFL clubs who are the 'stars' and decide the outcome of games...in contrast, the supposed top 10% of state league players are not genuine AFL prospects because the last thing most clubs need is another 25 possessions/game mid...what they need - as per this thread - is solid defenders who can take talls and smalls and goalkicking forwards...those types are thin on the ground.

I'm still annoyed that we didn't do more to keep Joel Hamling and if we couldn't keep him that we didn't hold out for more.. That's exactly the type of defender he is.

[Twodogs]

I'd invite Talia back. No dramas.

And offer Sweet a contract extension if he does his Sweet thing. And an elevation and pay rise if he taunts Talia that he'd stop the pain if he could just find his mobile phone to have Talia text for help... But can't find it.

Then we are nearly even.

"welcome back Michael. Its training on monday and the last thing that Bevo said to me was to make sure that you bring your mouthguard with you. We've lost one of our tackle bags so we drafted you as a replacement."

[Bulldog4life]

In the Hun...no link...it said we are considering William

[GVGjr]

Western Bulldogs eyeing Footscray VFL defender Reuben William in mid-season draft

Western Bulldogs will consider replacing Liam Picken with a footballer who grew up in a Kenyan refugee camp at this month’s mid-season draft.

The Bulldogs have a pick courtesy of Picken’s retirement and have been watching Reuben William, who signed at Footscray after he was delisted by Brisbane Lions in 2017.

Picken will receive his full salary — around $1 million for 2018-19 — without playing a game in his final contract because of concussion issues.

William, 21, was born in South Sudan and arrived in Australia via the refugee camp. He is averaging 72 SuperCoach points and 14.3 disposals in the VFL this season.

The 183cm defender was in the Dogs mix for last year’s rookie draft although he is no certainty to receive a second AFL lifeline on May 27. His form has not drastically improved since last season.

William’s father, Deng, died during Sudan’s civil war and the family fled to Brisbane via Darwin in 2002, when he was four.

The footy-mad youngster quickly fell in love with Australian rules and played three games for the Lions in 2016.

William rebuffed several state-league offers, including one from SANFL giant Central Districts, to join the VFL Dogs last year.

Given William is at the aligned VFL team, he would not have to spend too much time learning coach Luke Beveridge’s game plan should the Dogs draft him.

Premiership hero Picken was re-signed early in 2017 — fresh off his blistering finals series — before a pre-season blow to the head last year ultimately ended his career.

“He’s unemployed to a sense that he doesn’t have to turn up to work, but we’re still paying Liam,” Dogs football boss Chris Grant said recently.

We’re very committed to him. Sometimes if a player is retiring, and they want to retire but you’re not necessarily totally in agreeance … you may come to a negotiation with that player.

“But for someone like Liam, in our eyes, that’s non-negotiable. We’re very keen to support Liam through the remainder of the year.”

Nominations for the mid-season draft closed on Friday with 312 players putting their hand up.

The AFL will now decide whether to fatten that pool with a raft of players who didn’t meet the eligibility criteria because they did not nominate for the 2018 national draft.

Player agent Adam Ramanauskas has urged the AFL to let them in.

“Just open it up. Whoever wants to nominate can nominate,” he said.

The Dogs are likely to have an early pick in the mid-season draft given it is ordered in reverse ladder positions after Round 10.