2022 Draft Watch
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Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023 -
Re: 2022 Draft Watch
LEFT ON THE BOARD
Mitch Szybkowski (Dandenong Stingrays/Calder Cannons)
Szybkowski was expected to drift but the inside midfielder’s slide was dramatic.
Billed as a potential top-20 prospect early on in the year, the AFL academy member shapes as a serious steal as a rookie.
The Stingrays prospect averaged 24 disposals and 102 ranking points for Vic Country at the national championships and is a serious steal as a rookie.
He may not have an elite athletic traits of other on-ballers in the pool, but he is consistent across the board as a strong bodied midfielder.
Geelong, Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne and among the clubs to show interest in the 186cm ball-winner.
Sam Gilbey (Claremont)
Gilbey is another talented prospect whose draft year was severely interrupted.
The smooth mover from WA struggled with a bout of glandular fever early in 2022 before a broken leg ended his season.
But he’s been on the radar for a while now and recruiters are aware of his class, composure and decision making across halfback – or through the midfield, where he’s played in spurts.
Some were surprised to see him overlooked on the first two nights.
Jed Hagan (East Fremantle/WA)
Hagan may be small but his form has stacked up against men in the WAFL.
The 175cm utility shone up forward for East Fremantle, averaging 13.4 disposals, a goal and 79 ranking points against senior bodies and was named in the All-Australian side in defence at the national champs.
Hagan can be used all over the ground, is a clever ball-user and is clean at ground level.
Ethan Phillips (Port Melbourne VFL)
A mature-age 196cm intercepting defender, Phillips said on Tuesday he had nominated for “six or seven” drafts but was again overlooked in the national draft.
The 23-year-old had attracted some interest, after being named in the VFL Team of the Year and winning the state league competition’s Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the competition’s most promising young player this year.
The past 15 winners of that medal have found their way onto AFL lists, which Phillips will be hoping is a good omen for him entering the rookie draft.
Blake Drury (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Another small overlooked in the national draft, Drury impressed at the national carnival for Vic Metro.
His eye-catching display against SA showed just what he is capable of in a high half forward role, tallying 21 disposals, 12 score involvements and slotting two goals.
The Chargers product is a creative ball-user, has a high workrate and always finds a way to impact the contest.
Jaiden Magor (South Adelaide/SA)
The 185cm prospect entered the national draft as one of the more intriguing prospects, given his best – as an explosive, marking forward or a tough, ball-winning midfielder – was up there with any in this year’s pool.
But an injury in the first half of the national under-18 carnival opener which sidelined him for a number of weeks, and some consistency issues, might have worked against him in the national draft.
The talent and interest is there, however, and Magor could still find a home as a rookie
Jason Gillbee (Bendigo Pioneers/Allies)
Gillbee brings versatility and an elite aerobic base to the table, finishing equal first at the national champs in the 2km time trial with an eye-catching 5:54.
The 191cm prospect has played all over the ground this year but the wing is arguably his best position, where he can roam around the ground and take marks.
He is also a fantastic character and mature beyond his years, renting in Bendigo for his draft year away from his hometown of Balranald in country New South Wales.
Seth Campbell (Tasmania Devils/Allies)
Campbell was a late call-up to the national combine after piling on a staggering 10.6 in the Tasmania State League.
The small forward showcased his strong endurance base at the combine, running a 6:25 2km time trial and he uses his running capacity to have an impact up the ground.
The Tasmanian averaged 19 disposals, four tackles and a goal per game in the NAB League, including a stunning six-goal haul against NT Thunder.
Adam D’Aloia (Eagles/SA)
The SA ball magnet couldn’t do much more.
He starred as a bottom-ager for South Australia and the Eagles at under-18 level, and put up more big numbers this year, with only Will Ashcroft averaging more ranking points at the national carnival.
Clubs have concerns about his ability to hurt the opposition, and his lack of speed, but D’Aloia is strong and clean around the ball and boasts exceptional leadership qualities.
The Bulldogs, Hawthorn, Essendon and Fremantle were in the mix for the SA teenager ahead of the national draft.
Luke Teal (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
A member of the NAB AFL Academy at the start of the year, Teal endured a rocky 2022 which included suffering a broken collarbone.
However, the 189cm rebounding defender or wingman put his best foot forward when he did get out on the field and showed his abilities one-on-one and that he has a penetrating kick when he wins the ball back.
He is the son of Robert Teal, who played 18 games for Sydney in 1989 and 1990.
Nick Sadler (Sturt)
Some view Sadler as one of the best kicks in this year’s crop.
Add to that a great combination of speed and endurance, versatility and the ability to hit the scoreboard, and there is a lot to like.
The goalkicking midfielder, who was invited to the national combine, has enough desirable traits to be in the mix to be taken as a rookie.
Will Verrall (South Adelaide)
The South Adelaide big man finished the year with a bang, averaging a huge 146 ranking points in the final six SANFL under-18 minor round matches and impressing at the national combine, where he recorded the second-highest running vertical jump.
His struggles in the 2km time trial didn’t go unnoticed, but given the lack of ruckman taken in the national draft, Verrall, who had an impressive bottom-age season too, is still a chance in the rookie draft.
Melbourne, who was unsuccessful in its attempt to trade up for another SA big man in Harry Barnett, Geelong and Collingwood are clubs believed to have some interest.
Olivier Northam (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)
A 197cm ruckman-forward, Northam has a strong leap and is a mobile and agile big man who follows up his work in the air well at ground level.
He is super competitive in the air when playing forward and impressed for the Falcons in the NAB League as well as playing all four games of the under-18 national championships for Vic Country.
Oscar Murdoch (Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)
The 190cm defender – who is quick off the mark, reads the play well and is strong defensively – was ranked first for intercept possessions at the national combine with 8.7 per game.
In his final championships game the Falcons product won 13 of his 15 possessions off the opposition, including three intercept marks.
Vic Country and Falcons coach Paul Corrigan believes he plays like Dane Rampe and he could appeal to clubs looking for a versatile defender.
Harry Cole (Claremont/WA)
A 187cm forward, Cole has clean hands and is a dangerous player around goals.
In one under-18 national championships game against Vic Metro this year, he kicked 2.3 from 10 disposals in what was an ‘almost’ day.
Cole captained his school team at Hale and tested well at the national draft combine.Comment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Plenty of options at Pick 11. Thanks Axe Man.Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
There are at least 20 players with AFL qualities that haven't been picked up and it's a shame clubs don't have an extra spot or two.
Szybkowski was rated in the top 25 mid season.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
What we're likely to do is take Sullivan (defensive mid) then Oskar Baker in the SSP.Western Bulldogs: 2016 PremiersComment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
ANOTHER 14 players have been drafted by clubs under Academy rules as category B rookies after they were overlooked in the national NAB AFL Draft.
Under AFL rules, clubs who are tied to northern Academy and Next Generation Academy players can automatically list players as category B rookies if they are not drafted in the national intake.
PRE-LISTED ROOKIE SELECTIONS
Lloyd Johnston (Gold Coast) – Northern Academy
Nick Madden (GWS) – Northern Academy
Will Edwards (Sydney) – Northern Academy
Anthony Munkara (Essendon) – NGA
Joshua Draper (Fremantle) – NGA
Conrad Williams (Fremantle) – NGA
Joshua Bennetts (Hawthorn) – NGA
Ted Clohesy (Geelong) – NGA
Nathan Barkla (Port Adelaide) – NGA
Angus McLennan (St Kilda) – NGA
Jordyn Baker (West Coast) – NGA
Tyrell Dewar (West Coast) – NGA
Shadeau Brain (Brisbane) – QLD zone
Jason Gillbee (GWS) – NSW zone
Osca Riccardi (Geelong) – father-sonFFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.Comment
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Re: 2022 Draft Watch
Two SSP?Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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