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Cal Twomey:
Pick 18: South Australian Will Hayward shot up the draft board late in the year with some great performances at under-18 level. The exciting half-forward kicked nine goals in a preliminary final and four goals the Grand Final, and is likely to be the first player from his state to be picked. The Dogs like natural footballers – their flag team was built on them – and Hayward has shown his instincts as a great overhead mark and a prospect with good goal sense.
Around the mark: Jy Simpkin, Jordan Gallucci, Jarrod Berry
Jy Simpkin is a player who could be a nice pick-up at this stage, having fallen off the radar a little with his broken leg. Simpkin is a creative half-forward/midfielder who showed great signs last year as a bottom-ager for Vic Country. If not for the injury, he would likely have been in regular discussions as a possible top-10 pick. He has been steadily recovering from the injury and should be right to go for the pre-season
Jarrod Berry - Some knocks and niggles have thrown around Berry's season but his best form of the year has come recently after returning from a knee injury. The Rebels captain has been playing in the midfield and up forward, and has shown his power, athleticism and overhead marking. He's also reminded clubs of his toughness and attack on the ball. Berry was an All Australian half-back last year as a bottom ager, but clubs are mixed on where he plays at the next level – some seeing him as a midfield option, others as a third tall defender who can rebound. His rough run with injuries continued on the weekend after going to hospital with a badly bruised kidney.
Jordan Gallucci wins plenty of contested ball and hunts it at the stoppages. He offers more than just an in-and-under type, however, with his breakaway speed and run often getting him into open space. He has shown an ability to kick goals – he booted five one week for the Eastern Ranges at TAC Cup level – and is a professional, steady character determined to do well. He was a co-captain of Vic Metro's division one winning team at the carnival
Pick 18: South Australian Will Hayward shot up the draft board late in the year with some great performances at under-18 level. The exciting half-forward kicked nine goals in a preliminary final and four goals the Grand Final, and is likely to be the first player from his state to be picked. The Dogs like natural footballers – their flag team was built on them – and Hayward has shown his instincts as a great overhead mark and a prospect with good goal sense.
Around the mark: Jy Simpkin, Jordan Gallucci, Jarrod Berry
Jy Simpkin is a player who could be a nice pick-up at this stage, having fallen off the radar a little with his broken leg. Simpkin is a creative half-forward/midfielder who showed great signs last year as a bottom-ager for Vic Country. If not for the injury, he would likely have been in regular discussions as a possible top-10 pick. He has been steadily recovering from the injury and should be right to go for the pre-season
Jarrod Berry - Some knocks and niggles have thrown around Berry's season but his best form of the year has come recently after returning from a knee injury. The Rebels captain has been playing in the midfield and up forward, and has shown his power, athleticism and overhead marking. He's also reminded clubs of his toughness and attack on the ball. Berry was an All Australian half-back last year as a bottom ager, but clubs are mixed on where he plays at the next level – some seeing him as a midfield option, others as a third tall defender who can rebound. His rough run with injuries continued on the weekend after going to hospital with a badly bruised kidney.
Jordan Gallucci wins plenty of contested ball and hunts it at the stoppages. He offers more than just an in-and-under type, however, with his breakaway speed and run often getting him into open space. He has shown an ability to kick goals – he booted five one week for the Eastern Ranges at TAC Cup level – and is a professional, steady character determined to do well. He was a co-captain of Vic Metro's division one winning team at the carnival
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