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Bucky's top 30
THE 2018 national draft is edging closer and clubs are now in the middle of finalising their talent flow lists in preparation.
There are a lot of expectations on this year’s draft class after being touted as the next “super draft”.
From what I’ve seen while tracking these players since they were 16-year-olds and now into their draft year in the TAC Cup and under-18 competitions around Australia as well as the under-18 championships earlier this year, the first round in particular is especially strong.
But the depth of talent set to be available into the second round and into later rounds is also very good.
There are some interesting academy and father-son decisions to be made, with clubs including Collingwood, North Melbourne and Sydney all having first access to highly-rated players this year.
Like any draft, clubs will form their talent-flow lists and rank each player in their own order after the completion of their under-18 seasons, the draft combine and then long interview processes.
This is where I rank the top 30 draft prospects at this stage.
1. JACK LUKOSIUS
Key forward, 194cm, 85kg, Woodville-West Torrens
Buckenara says: Lukosius has so much talent. He has a beautiful and relaxed kicking action, which is crucial as a goalkicker and is very athletic. He showed why he’s one of the favourites to be taken with the No.1 pick when he dominated the first game of the under-18 championships against Western Australia, highlighting his range of skills and versatility. I’ve rated Lukosius as my No.1 pick at this stage of the year because he’s one of the most exciting talls to come onto the scene for some time. He moves across the ground really well, reads the play and I believe he’s going to be a very good AFL player for a long time.
Plays like: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
2. SAM WALSH
Midfielder, 183cm, 74kg, Geelong Falcons
Buckenara says: A lightly framed outside midfielder at this stage, Walsh competes well in the contest and once he’s added more strength in an AFL system he’ll get even better. He’s got nice skills, is a good decision-maker and will no doubt be taken very early.
Plays like: Joel Selwood (Geelong)
3. IZAK RANKINE
Midfielder, 180cm, 76kg, West Adelaide
Buckenara says: Rankine is one of the most exciting players in this draft. He really stands out because he’s got pace and skill and uses that to great effect to hit-up teammates with his precise kicking and hits the scoreboard. He’s a gamebreaker. Rankine played senior SANFL footy last year and starred in the 2017 championships as an underage player, while he was also outstanding in this year’s carnival, particularly in the win over Vic Metro when he was best on ground after kicking five goals, including three in the first quarter. He’s a lock to be taken very early in this draft.
Plays like: Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn)
4. BEN KING
Key forward/defender, 202cm, 85kg, Sandringham Dragons
Buckenara says: The King twins are both outstanding prospects but I’d have Ben just ahead of his brother. He played mostly down back earlier this year until Max suffered a serious knee injury and was moved into a key forward role where he’s impressed. That move certainly hasn’t done any damage to his reputation as one of the best players in this draft and really, has only added to his appeal given he has excelled at both ends of the ground. Ben can also help out in the ruck, is a good kick, has great hands in the air and is very athletic for his size.
Plays like: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
5. BAILEY SMITH
Midfielder, 184cm, 79kg, Sandringham Dragons
Buckenara says: Smith is an elite decision-maker who reads the play really well and has a good outside game. His running ability is strong, which allows him to get on his bike, create space and be a dangerous option in transition. He’s a very smart footballer.
Plays like: Josh Kelly (GWS)
6. NICK BLAKEY
Forward/midfielder, 195cm, 85kg, NSW-ACT/Sydney Swans Academy
Buckenara says: The son of former Fitzroy and North Melbourne player John Blakey, Nick is versatile in that he can play all over the ground whether it be midfield, forward or defence. He’s a tremendous athlete and a very smart footballer and has chosen the Swans as his desired destination as an academy selection. He’s a potential star and it’s a huge bonus for Sydney.
Plays like: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
7. TARRYN THOMAS
Midfielder, 189cm, 73kg, North Launceston
Buckenara says: An exciting playmaker, Thomas looks to be a very good prospect. Watch him closely through the midfield – he’s a smart decision-maker and a very clever player. He’s available to North Melbourne as a Next Generation Academy player.
Plays like: Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn)
8. MAX KING
Key forward, 201cm, 84kg, Sandringham Dragons
Buckenara says: Despite undergoing a knee reconstruction earlier this year after tearing his ACL, Max, like his twin brother, is one of the top prospects in this draft. He’s got too much talent to be overlooked early because of his injury and I’ve got no doubt a club will swoop in the top-10. He’ll develop into a key forward/ruckman at AFL level, with his athleticism one of the key aspects of his game. He’s a nice kick, a good mark and is also pretty dangerous at ground level despite his size.
Plays like: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
9. JACKSON HATELY
Half-forward, 190cm, 81kg, Central District
Buckenara says: After a good under-18 carnival, Hately has continued his impressive form at SANFL level and pushed himself up the draft order. The big-bodied high half-forward should have a lot of admirers because he’s a bit of an all-rounder in that he finds the ball, uses it pretty well and can also hit the scoreboard.
Plays like: Tom Lynch (Adelaide)
10. BAILEY WILLIAMS
Key forward/ruckman, 198cm, 95kg, Dandenong Stingrays
Buckenara says: Williams is a big boy at 198cm and 95kg but also has great athleticism. At this stage he’s still a bit of a project player but my crystal ball tells me he will be a highly sought after forward/ruckman for the future.
Plays like: Patrick Ryder (Port Adelaide)
11. CONNOR ROZEE
Midfielder, 184cm, 72kg, North Adelaide
Buckenara says: Another South Australian who has really impressed, Rozee has footy smarts and is a good decision-maker with ball in hand. He shows great poise and is a really skilful player.
Plays like: Bryce Gibbs (Adelaide)
12. IAN HILL
Small forward, 175cm 76kg, Perth
Buckenara says: The cousin of Fremantle’s Stephen and Bradley Hill, Ian has a lot of tricks. He’s a quick and dangerous small forward who is really clever around the goals. He does need to work on his endurance but he has class, so it would be a surprise if he’s overlooked in the first round of this draft because he should continue to improve.
Plays like: Eddie Betts (Adelaide)
13. XAVIER DUURSMA
Midfielder/defender, 185cm, 71kg, Gippsland Power
Buckenara says: I really liked what Duursma produced in the under-18 carnival and I think a lot of AFL recruiters would be thinking the same. He’s a talented and versatile midfielder/half-back who attacks the ball hard and uses his skills to create. He’s captaining Gippsland Power this year, so he shows great leadership potential.
Plays like: Sam Docherty (Carlton)
14. CURTIS TAYLOR
Half-forward/midfielder, 186cm, 79kg, Calder Cannons
Buckenara says: Taylor has a touch of class about him. He shows genuine footy nous and a good goal sense, while he can also push up into the midfield. He’s got good speed, is a long kick and can influence a game without winning a heap of the ball.
Plays like: Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
15. LIAM STOCKER
Midfielder, 184cm, 83kg, Sandringham Dragons
Buckenara says: Stocker had an early injury setback this year so we didn’t get to see him play in the under-18 carnival but he’s really started to shine for the Dragons, which should see his draft stocks rise. He’s a bit of a bolter at this stage but I really like what he does around the stoppages. He’s not afraid to win the hard ball.
Plays like: Nathan Jones (Melbourne)
THE 2018 national draft is edging closer and clubs are now in the middle of finalising their talent flow lists in preparation.
There are a lot of expectations on this year’s draft class after being touted as the next “super draft”.
From what I’ve seen while tracking these players since they were 16-year-olds and now into their draft year in the TAC Cup and under-18 competitions around Australia as well as the under-18 championships earlier this year, the first round in particular is especially strong.
But the depth of talent set to be available into the second round and into later rounds is also very good.
There are some interesting academy and father-son decisions to be made, with clubs including Collingwood, North Melbourne and Sydney all having first access to highly-rated players this year.
Like any draft, clubs will form their talent-flow lists and rank each player in their own order after the completion of their under-18 seasons, the draft combine and then long interview processes.
This is where I rank the top 30 draft prospects at this stage.
1. JACK LUKOSIUS
Key forward, 194cm, 85kg, Woodville-West Torrens
Buckenara says: Lukosius has so much talent. He has a beautiful and relaxed kicking action, which is crucial as a goalkicker and is very athletic. He showed why he’s one of the favourites to be taken with the No.1 pick when he dominated the first game of the under-18 championships against Western Australia, highlighting his range of skills and versatility. I’ve rated Lukosius as my No.1 pick at this stage of the year because he’s one of the most exciting talls to come onto the scene for some time. He moves across the ground really well, reads the play and I believe he’s going to be a very good AFL player for a long time.
Plays like: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
2. SAM WALSH
Midfielder, 183cm, 74kg, Geelong Falcons
Buckenara says: A lightly framed outside midfielder at this stage, Walsh competes well in the contest and once he’s added more strength in an AFL system he’ll get even better. He’s got nice skills, is a good decision-maker and will no doubt be taken very early.
Plays like: Joel Selwood (Geelong)
3. IZAK RANKINE
Midfielder, 180cm, 76kg, West Adelaide
Buckenara says: Rankine is one of the most exciting players in this draft. He really stands out because he’s got pace and skill and uses that to great effect to hit-up teammates with his precise kicking and hits the scoreboard. He’s a gamebreaker. Rankine played senior SANFL footy last year and starred in the 2017 championships as an underage player, while he was also outstanding in this year’s carnival, particularly in the win over Vic Metro when he was best on ground after kicking five goals, including three in the first quarter. He’s a lock to be taken very early in this draft.
Plays like: Jaeger O’Meara (Hawthorn)
4. BEN KING
Key forward/defender, 202cm, 85kg, Sandringham Dragons
Buckenara says: The King twins are both outstanding prospects but I’d have Ben just ahead of his brother. He played mostly down back earlier this year until Max suffered a serious knee injury and was moved into a key forward role where he’s impressed. That move certainly hasn’t done any damage to his reputation as one of the best players in this draft and really, has only added to his appeal given he has excelled at both ends of the ground. Ben can also help out in the ruck, is a good kick, has great hands in the air and is very athletic for his size.
Plays like: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
5. BAILEY SMITH
Midfielder, 184cm, 79kg, Sandringham Dragons
Buckenara says: Smith is an elite decision-maker who reads the play really well and has a good outside game. His running ability is strong, which allows him to get on his bike, create space and be a dangerous option in transition. He’s a very smart footballer.
Plays like: Josh Kelly (GWS)
6. NICK BLAKEY
Forward/midfielder, 195cm, 85kg, NSW-ACT/Sydney Swans Academy
Buckenara says: The son of former Fitzroy and North Melbourne player John Blakey, Nick is versatile in that he can play all over the ground whether it be midfield, forward or defence. He’s a tremendous athlete and a very smart footballer and has chosen the Swans as his desired destination as an academy selection. He’s a potential star and it’s a huge bonus for Sydney.
Plays like: Patrick Cripps (Carlton)
7. TARRYN THOMAS
Midfielder, 189cm, 73kg, North Launceston
Buckenara says: An exciting playmaker, Thomas looks to be a very good prospect. Watch him closely through the midfield – he’s a smart decision-maker and a very clever player. He’s available to North Melbourne as a Next Generation Academy player.
Plays like: Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn)
8. MAX KING
Key forward, 201cm, 84kg, Sandringham Dragons
Buckenara says: Despite undergoing a knee reconstruction earlier this year after tearing his ACL, Max, like his twin brother, is one of the top prospects in this draft. He’s got too much talent to be overlooked early because of his injury and I’ve got no doubt a club will swoop in the top-10. He’ll develop into a key forward/ruckman at AFL level, with his athleticism one of the key aspects of his game. He’s a nice kick, a good mark and is also pretty dangerous at ground level despite his size.
Plays like: Tom Lynch (Gold Coast)
9. JACKSON HATELY
Half-forward, 190cm, 81kg, Central District
Buckenara says: After a good under-18 carnival, Hately has continued his impressive form at SANFL level and pushed himself up the draft order. The big-bodied high half-forward should have a lot of admirers because he’s a bit of an all-rounder in that he finds the ball, uses it pretty well and can also hit the scoreboard.
Plays like: Tom Lynch (Adelaide)
10. BAILEY WILLIAMS
Key forward/ruckman, 198cm, 95kg, Dandenong Stingrays
Buckenara says: Williams is a big boy at 198cm and 95kg but also has great athleticism. At this stage he’s still a bit of a project player but my crystal ball tells me he will be a highly sought after forward/ruckman for the future.
Plays like: Patrick Ryder (Port Adelaide)
11. CONNOR ROZEE
Midfielder, 184cm, 72kg, North Adelaide
Buckenara says: Another South Australian who has really impressed, Rozee has footy smarts and is a good decision-maker with ball in hand. He shows great poise and is a really skilful player.
Plays like: Bryce Gibbs (Adelaide)
12. IAN HILL
Small forward, 175cm 76kg, Perth
Buckenara says: The cousin of Fremantle’s Stephen and Bradley Hill, Ian has a lot of tricks. He’s a quick and dangerous small forward who is really clever around the goals. He does need to work on his endurance but he has class, so it would be a surprise if he’s overlooked in the first round of this draft because he should continue to improve.
Plays like: Eddie Betts (Adelaide)
13. XAVIER DUURSMA
Midfielder/defender, 185cm, 71kg, Gippsland Power
Buckenara says: I really liked what Duursma produced in the under-18 carnival and I think a lot of AFL recruiters would be thinking the same. He’s a talented and versatile midfielder/half-back who attacks the ball hard and uses his skills to create. He’s captaining Gippsland Power this year, so he shows great leadership potential.
Plays like: Sam Docherty (Carlton)
14. CURTIS TAYLOR
Half-forward/midfielder, 186cm, 79kg, Calder Cannons
Buckenara says: Taylor has a touch of class about him. He shows genuine footy nous and a good goal sense, while he can also push up into the midfield. He’s got good speed, is a long kick and can influence a game without winning a heap of the ball.
Plays like: Isaac Heeney (Sydney Swans)
15. LIAM STOCKER
Midfielder, 184cm, 83kg, Sandringham Dragons
Buckenara says: Stocker had an early injury setback this year so we didn’t get to see him play in the under-18 carnival but he’s really started to shine for the Dragons, which should see his draft stocks rise. He’s a bit of a bolter at this stage but I really like what he does around the stoppages. He’s not afraid to win the hard ball.
Plays like: Nathan Jones (Melbourne)
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