2022 Draft Watch

[The Doctor]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

cont..

Harry Rowston
State: NSW/ACT
State League Club: GWS Giants Academy/Calder Cannons
Community Club: Griffith Swans
Date of Birth: 12/08/04; Height: 182cm; Weight: 81kg

A midfielder-forward who had an outstanding year with the GWS Giants Academy and Calder Cannons in the NAB League, averaging 23 disposals in seven games. Also performed very well for Assumption College at school level and the Allies at the National Championships. He averaged 23 disposals (72% efficiency) with 10 contested to win the Allies’ MVP award and All-Australian honours. A stoppage star, he also showed the ability to kick important goals when his team needed them. Tested soundly at the Draft Combine for speed (3.03 seconds for the 20m sprint) and endurance (6:33 seconds for the 2km trial) and excellent for agility (8.3 seconds for the agility test).

Mitch Szybkowski
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Community Club: Beaconsfield
Date of Birth: 09/01/04; Height: 186cm; Weight: 86kg

A medium midfielder with a sharp competitive edge, he attacks the ball aggressively and lays strong tackles on the opposition. A good ball-winner with clean hands and great vision, he also creates for his team with smart ball use. Averaged 23 disposals in seven games for the Dandenong Stingrays in the NAB League and was among Victoria Country’s most consistent players at the National Championships, averaging 24 disposals and four tackles. Demonstrated his power at the Draft Combine with his running vertical jump of 83cm, which ranked eighth overall.

Elijah Tsatas
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Surrey Park
Date of Birth: 18/10/04; Height: 186cm; Weight: 79kg

A medium midfielder with elite ball-winning ability and a neat step through traffic. He started the NAB League season on fire, averaging 32 disposals across the opening four rounds. However, a persistent foot injury required rehabilitation after representing Australia as part of the AFL Academy in May. He returned for only a handful of college matches for Wesley and two games for the Oakleigh Chargers late in the year. However, this was enough to see him win the Chargers best and fairest, after averaging 34 disposals and 12 clearances in six matches. Finished his season on a high by being among Victoria Metro’s best players with 29 disposals in the National Championships title-deciding win over Victoria Country in September. Tested soundly at the Draft Combine, indicating he was fully recovered from the mid-season injury.

George Wardlaw
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: St Peter’s
Date of Birth 18/07/04; Height: 182cm; Weight: 80kg

A medium midfielder who is a real competitive beast, highlighted by his ferocious attack on the ball in the air and at ground level. He made a strong start to the NAB League season with the Oakleigh Chargers, averaging 20.7 disposals and 5.7 tackles from his first three games. Was then outstanding representing Australia as part of the AFL Academy in May, being awarded the medal as his side’s best player against Collingwood’s VFL team. He recorded 18 disposals in the tight defeat, with his overhead marking and bursts from stoppages features of his game on the day. However, that was the last time, outside of school level, he was to play this season after suffering a reoccurring hamstring injury that curtailed his progress. Although he didn’t test at the Draft Combine, his rehab is progressing extremely well and he looks set to begin full training shortly.

[The Doctor]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

STATE COMBINES

Yuyu Ashwin
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Doncaster
Date of Birth: 12/07/04; Height: 185cm; Weight: 77kg

Smooth-moving wingman who provides outside run and carry and is an efficient ball user. A team-oriented player with Japanese heritage, he is part of Collingwood’s NGA program and eligible for selection after selection 40 for the Magpies should another club make a bid. Played 13 matches for the Oakleigh Chargers, averaging 16 disposals, and got a taste of senior football in three matches at VFL level with Collingwood.

Charlie Barnett
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Community Club: Kyabram
Date of Birth: 24/08/04; Height: 186cm; Weight: 82kg

Midfielder who mixed his football between Xavier College and the Bendigo Pioneers this year. Played eight matches in the NAB League, averaging 16 disposals, as well as twice playing for Victoria Country in the National Championships. His time of 6:22 in the 2km time trial was very impressive and ranked third overall among those who tested at the State Draft Combines.

Kane Bevan
State: Western Australia
State League Club: West Perth
Community Club: Joondalup Kinross
Date of Birth: 25/04/04; Height: 191cm; Weight: 87kg

Strong-bodied inside midfielder who is both strong overhead and can push forward and kick goals. Dominated in the WAFL under-18s competition, winning the Jack Clarke Medal as the best and fairest player after averaging 26 disposals and seven clearances in 13 matches. Was also a solid performer for Western Australian at the National Championships, despite missing a couple of games with illness. Did not test at the Draft Combine due to injury.

Taj Campbell-Farrell
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Dandenong Stingrays
Community Club: Rye
Date of Birth: 29/06/04; Height: 185cm; Weight: 85kg

Strong-bodied midfielder who tied for the Morrish Medal as the NAB League’s best and fairest player. Averaged 27 disposals (12 contested) in 11 appearances for the Dandenong Stingrays. Has clean hands and good vision, as well as being a relentless tackler. A resilient type, he played most of the season with compartment syndrome which restricted his mobility before having corrective surgery later in the season. Did not test at the Draft Combine as he is still in rehab.

Ted Clohesy
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Geelong Falcons
Community Club: St Joseph’s
Date of Birth: 09/06/04; Height: 184cm; Weight: 76kg

Tough and competitive midfielder who excels at stoppages, wins his own ball and tackles aggressively. Had an excellent year, averaging 24 disposals and seven tackles from his 10 matches with the Falcons, as well as averaging 18 disposals in three matches for Victoria Country. With his mother born in South Africa, he is eligible under the AFL’s NGA rules to be selected by Geelong, with the Cats committed to taking him as a rookie if he is overlooked in the National Draft.

Darcy Edmends
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Northern Knights
Community Club: Heidelberg
Date of Birth: 28/05/04; Height: 183cm; Weight: 74kg

An outside midfielder who is a smooth mover on the wing. He covers the ground particularly well with a smart step through traffic. A creative player with his neat disposal by hand and foot, he averaged 19 disposals in seven NAB League matches for the Northern Knights, as well as impressing for Victoria Metro, where he averaged 16 disposals in the National Championships-winning team.

Michael Kiraly
Pronunciation: Ki-rye
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Community Club: Sandhurst
Date of Birth: 09/01/04; Height: 184cm; Weight: 76kg

Midfielder who is versatile and can also play at half back, where he uses his penetrating kicking to set up his team. Is a composed player with good vision and awareness, attributes he showed for the Bendigo Pioneers in the NAB League, averaging 20 disposals (nine contested), four marks and three tackles in 12 matches.

Bailey Macdonald
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Surrey Park
Date of Birth: 04/08/04; Height: 182cm; Weight: 74kg

Wingman or half back who can break the lines with his dazzling pace. Mixed his football between Wesley College and the Oakleigh Chargers. Played four games in the NAB League, averaging 11 disposals, before being promoted into the Victoria Metro team for the final match of the National Championships. Showed some of his trademark speed in the game against Victoria Country to contribute to the title-winning team.

Connor McDonald
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Perth
Community Club: Applecross Mount Pleasant
Date of Birth: 26/11/04; Height: 187cm; Weight: 75kg

Midfielder who dominated under-18s football for Perth, averaging 26 disposals in five matches. Also showed distinct potential at Aquinas College, before being promoted to Western Australia’s team for the final two matches of the National Championships. Acquitted himself well and averaged 15 disposals per match. Is the brother of Sydney Swans forward Logan McDonald.

Paul Pascu
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Calder Cannons
Community Club: Oak Park
Date of Birth: 20/08/04; Height: 183cm; Weight: 86kg

A tough as nails midfielder who can also play in defence. Wins his own ball and uses it effectively, particularly on his preferred left foot. Captained the Calder Cannons this year, playing 13 matches and averaging 17 disposals (seven contested), as well as getting a taste of the next levels playing with both Victoria Metro and Essendon in the VFL.

Baxter Philip
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Perth
Community Club: Rossmoyne
Date of Birth:15/06/04; Height: 181cm; Weight: 69kg

Wingman who was eye-catching in 12 games at under-18s level with his line-breaking speed and agility. Was promoted to play a couple of reserves games, before making his senior debut for Perth late in the year. Was invited to the State Draft Combine in Perth and grabbed the opportunity to showcase his weapons athletically, recording 7.87 seconds for the agility test and a 95cm running vertical jump. Looks to have tremendous upside.

Kobe Ryan
State: South Australia
State League Club: West Adelaide
Community Club: Plympton
Date of Birth: 17/02/04; Height: 183cm; Weight: 73kg

A versatile prospect who was the dominant player at SANFL under-18s level earlier this year, averaging 30 disposals before being promoted to West Adelaide’s senior sides. Made an impressive start to his senior career, averaging 18 disposals in four matches. His toughness in the contest, clean hands, creativity and ability to find space were all key features of his game when he represented South Australia in three matches at the National Championships, averaging 22 disposals.

Lachlan Scannell
State: South Australia
State League Club: Glenelg
Community Club: Brighton Districts & Old Scholars
Date of Birth: 16/08/04; Height: 186cm; Weight: 75kg

Wingman and half back who covers the ground smoothly with his efficient running style and uses the ball well by hand and foot. Looked set for an exciting Draft year before injury interrupted his season, limiting him to only three games for Glenelg’s under-18s. Reminded AFL clubs of his elite aerobic capacity with a time of 5:49 on the 2km time trial, which ranked first among all participants at this year’s State Draft Combines.

Kaleb Smith
State: Western Australia
State League Club: East Fremantle
Community Club: Melville
Date of Birth: 20/11/04; Height: 180cm; Weight: 77kg

Versatile and powerful player who shared his football talent between Wesley College and East Fremantle. Excelled in the WAFL under-18s competition, averaging 22 disposals (nine contested) in six matches. Is strong overhead for his size and very quick, with the ability to break the lines. Also a state-level junior cricketer, he was extremely impressive at Draft Combine testing. His time of 2.88 seconds for the 20m sprint ranked third overall for all State Draft Combine participants, while his 8.05 seconds in the agility test ranked fourth and confirmed his elite acceleration.

Conrad Williams
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Claremont
Community Club: Wembley Downs
Date of Birth: 30/11/04; Height: 182cm; Weight: 63kg

Wingman who provides exciting run and carry for his team on the outside. An Indigenous talent who is eligible for Fremantle under Next Generation Academy rules, he averaged 17 disposals in six under-18s games for Claremont. Also got a taste of the next level playing against Victoria Metro at the National Championships.

[The Doctor]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Joe Richards, the bolter from the bush. A small forward Cal Twomey thinks could go in the top 30. We are looking closely at small forwards (hooray) could he be on our radar?

https://www.afl.com.au/video/866352/draft-prospect-joe-richards?videoId=866352&modal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1665925200001&tagNames=ProgramCollection:Draft&tagNames=ProgramCollection:Draft

[GVGjr]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Joe Richards, the bolter from the bush. A small forward Cal Twomey thinks could go in the top 30. We are looking closely at small forwards (hooray) could he be on our radar?

https://www.afl.com.au/video/866352/...llection:Draft

His work in the midfield was quite impressive. I wonder if he has enough upside?

[The Doctor]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Brayden George article from The Age. I hope we are jostling for him!

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-ultimate-risk-v-reward-prospect-why-brayden-george-has-afl-recruiters-salivating-20221115-p5bye0.html

The ultimate risk v reward prospect: Why Brayden George has AFL recruiters salivating

By Marc McGowan

Brayden George is being compared to Jordan De Goey and Christian Petracca.
AFL recruiters are wary about prospects who have suffered serious injuries.
George is drawing rave reviews for his elite kicking and athleticism.

Every AFL draft is a high-stakes game of educated guessing and projection, mixed in with various risks and rewards. With that in mind, Brayden George is this year’s most-coveted mystery box.

Scouts know he’s a powerful athlete, a leader, highly skilled, disciplined, a good character and already compare him to big-name stars Jordan De Goey and Christian Petracca.

What is there not to like?

But The Age understands many recruiters have drawn a line through George’s name – at least with their first-round pick – based on him rupturing the ACL in his left knee in late August.

He was a surefire top-10 selection before his catastrophic landing from a trademark strong mark, and may even have been snapped up before pick six.

That is no longer the scenario for the talent-rich Murray Bushrangers forward, who plans to add a midfield string to his bow.

George was playing just his second game back when disaster struck, after already spending 10 weeks out recovering from surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee.

He will almost certainly sit out all of his debut AFL season and many recruiters, or their coaches, simply don’t want to wait – or can’t afford to.

The key figures at clubs have never faced more pressure to perform, meaning patience is increasingly in short supply.

Those same recruiters are willing to take the punt if George slides to round two, but that is considered unlikely. The GWS Giants and Sydney have four of the last five picks in the first round, meaning they are more willing to take a chance.

George also isn’t the flight risk some of his draft peers are – the Giants already hinted they can’t pick some of the top talents for this reason – another indicator he might be bound for the Harbour City.

“He’s got more athletic traits than anyone else we’ve had come through our program in the time I’ve been involved, in the last seven years,” Bushrangers talent manager Mick Wilson told The Age. “The way he kicks the footy – you know when you watch a good golfer, and it’s effortless, but their shot still goes further than everyone else and makes that nice sound?

“Him and (ex-Bushranger-turned-Crow) Josh Rachele kick the ball exceptionally well, just with timing and power.

“There’s no patience in footy nowadays … they want a ready-made player who can make an impact in his first season, especially in the first round.”

George is far from the first highly regarded teenager whose draft stock slumped on the back of a serious pre-draft injury.

Joel Selwood is possibly the most famous example after sliding to No.7 in 2006 because of a knee injury that ruined his draft season. He retired 16 years later after playing in his fourth premiership, to go with six All-Australian selections, 355 senior appearances and becoming the VFL/AFL’s longest-serving captain.

The promise was there: he was an AFL under-18 All-Australian who captained an AFL Academy squad that included the player, Marc Murphy, who went No.1 a year earlier. But six clubs passed on Selwood, at least partly because of concerns about his knee. They all regret it to varying degrees now.

Ryan Burton tumbled to No.19 nine years later because of a gruesome leg break, with accompanying ligament and joint damage.

Jake Lever fell to No.14 in 2014 after an ACL injury, while Jy Simpkin’s broken leg contributed to him still being up for grabs at pick 12 in 2016. Lever required a second knee reconstruction in his fourth AFL season but has developed into an All-Australian defender and played in Melbourne’s drought-busting flag.

In more recent years, Brodie Kemp and even Max King were first-round selections after ACL ruptures but relative bargains where they were taken.

Clubs can no longer compile their own medical data on draft prospects, with the AFL instead using a centralised system with league-appointed doctors and specialists. Medical representatives from each club then huddle around individual footballers on the draft combine’s medical assessment day.

A player’s medical background, convoluted or not, flashes onto a screen behind him or her for select members in a private room to analyse.

AFL national talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan, who was commentating the match where George suffered his football “tragedy”, is a massive fan of the young Bushrangers star. But Sheehan concedes talent is just one part of the sizable package scouts must consider before investing in a young footballer. There might even be more selfish factors.

“I think every recruiter has got to think about his personal situation,” Sheehan said.

“How long has he been at his club? Where does he sit in their staff structure? What’s his relationship with the coach and is it long term or brand new?

“Plus, the recruiter is just one of the people making the decision, especially when there is an injury involved.”

[Stevo]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

He has to be on the radar for a few clubs but the 12 month wait will also scare clubs. Our 2nd pick might be enough to get him.

[Sedat]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Why is his ACL such a factor? Petracca suffered an ACL in his draft year and was widely tipped to go #1 and ended up at #2 (lol Saints)

[GVGjr]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Why is his ACL such a factor? Petracca suffered an ACL in his draft year and was widely tipped to go #1 and ended up at #2 (lol Saints)

It might depend on what part of the season the player gets injured. George got the injury late in the season so it's unlikely he plays much next year. That might discourage some clubs and put him in the mix for us at pick 21 (24)
He could be worth the wait and with 2 first rounders next year having George coming through at the same time would be huge of us.

[chef]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

It shouldnt matter if he can play next year or not, we are drafting him for the next 10+

[MrMahatma]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

It shouldnt matter if he can play next year or not, we are drafting him for the next 10+

True, but not all players return the same after a big injury like that. So that'd be a factor also.

I guess we're all sitting here HOPING we could get him with our 2nd rounder and he becomes a gun - and we get a bargain in the end. Recruiters have a lot of pressure and no matter where you are on your build/rebuild spectrum, each early pick matters.

[Happy Days]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Why is his ACL such a factor? Petracca suffered an ACL in his draft year and was widely tipped to go #1 and ended up at #2 (lol Saints)

Didn’t Petracca tear his ACL after the draft?

Which only makes it funnier that the Saints still didn’t pick him. Teams really should look at trading into the pick straight after St Kilda each year.

[Grantysghost]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Didn’t Petracca tear his ACL after the draft?

Which only makes it funnier that the Saints still didn’t pick him. Teams really should look at trading into the pick straight after St Kilda each year.

Yes it was in his first pre-season in the February.

[Sedat]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

Didn’t Petracca tear his ACL after the draft?

Which only makes it funnier that the Saints still didn’t pick him. Teams really should look at trading into the pick straight after St Kilda each year.

Sorry, you're right. I thought it was late in his draft year but it was just after he was drafted.

[Mofra]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

https://twitter.com/jordan_mc12/status/1593145288533106689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1593145288533106689%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Allen to Geelong at (current pick) 7 certainly would shake things up

[GVGjr]

Re: 2022 Draft Watch

https://twitter.com/jordan_mc12/stat...5Es1_&ref_url=
Allen to Geelong at (current pick) 7 certainly would shake things up

That really would shake up the order