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The HUN has the following on some more mature aged players who clubs might consider
Mature-agers on the radar for end-of-year intake
A number of mature-age mid-season draftees have already made an impact at AFL level this season – and there are more ready to do the same.
From previously-listed players to late bloomers and surprise packets, Dan Batten, Jordan Pinto and Andrew Capel look at the mature-age names in the draft conversation around the country.
VFL
Corey Preston (Williamstown)
Midfielder/defender, 19, 182cm, 76kg
Ranking points average: 72 (VFL)
Interest is ramping up for Preston after the 19-year-old’s shift to a midfield role for Williamstown in the VFL six weeks ago. Preston, who was overlooked after being on the draft radar before last year’s mid-season and national draft intakes, has impressed with his agility, speed and footskills as an on-baller, having previously been used as a running defender at VFL level. More than 10 clubs have enquired about the former Eastern Ranges product and several have shown a keen interest, with recruiters in attendance at Seagulls matches each week to catch a glimpse of Preston. And he hasn’t disappointed over the past fortnight in particular, averaging 25 disposals, 15.5 kicks, 13 contested possessions and 120.5 ranking points.
Tyreece Leiu (Carlton VFL/Eastern Ranges)
Key defender, 19, 194cm, 93kg
Ranking points average: 58 (VFL), 108 (NAB League)
Leiu was right in the mix to nab a spot on Carlton’s list during the pre-season after being overlooked in his draft year, but the 194cm prospect suffered an untimely injury as the supplemental selection period came to a close. After spending time as an over-age player with the Eastern Ranges, Leiu has come back into the Blues fold for their VFL side and shone in the back-half of the year — like his former Ranges teammate Preston. Leiu’s speed, athleticism and strength as a key defender has seen him thrive in recent weeks, regularly outmuscling senior bodies and clunking intercept marks. He has been used as a taller midfielder and up forward at NAB League level, highlighted his versatility. With Carlton’s dearth of key defenders this year, could the Blues look to pluck Leiu straight from their VFL side?
Kaelan Bradtke (Sydney VFL)
Key forward, 20, 196cm
Ranking points average: 30 (VFL)
It’s been a meteoric rise for Bradtke, who has gone from the Ovens and Murray League – on the border of Victoria and New South Wales – to a state combine invite in a matter of months after playing just two VFL games. The intrigue surrounding the Corowa-Rutherglen product centres on his high-end athletic traits, which he is set to put on show at the combine, possessing explosive speed and agility for a 196cm tall. The highlight of his limited exposure at VFL level came in his second match against North Melbourne, where he gathered a ball off the ground at speed, burst away from an opponent and snapped at goal on the left in a way few key position prospects can.
Corey Wagner (Port Melbourne)
Defender/midfielder, 25, 180cm, 80kg
Ranking points average: 95 (VFL)
Wagner has had two cracks at senior level with North Melbourne (2016-17) and Melbourne (2019-20), but a switch to defence could make it third time lucky for the 25-year-old. Playing primarily through the midfield and as a forward previously at VFL and AFL level, Wagner has stood out with his precise ball-use and speed as a running defender, with coach Adam Skrobalak believing he is in the mould of Saints revelation Jack Sinclair. Wagner has attracted interest from several clubs since the role change and he has had no trouble finding the footy when he’s been thrown into the midfield, either. The Borough utility has had a blistering past month, averaging 27.8 disposals, eight intercepts, five tackles and 128.3 ranking points.
Mutaz El Nour
Medium defender, 21, 192cm, 83kg
Ranking points average: 87 (VFL)
El Nour was one of the surprise snubs from the mid-season draft after generating interest from a handful of clubs. An intercepting defender with pinpoint skills by foot, El Nour is a mature-age prospect with promising upside. The youngster, who turned 21 this week, has averaged 16.5 disposals, 12.9 kicks at 83.9 per cent cent efficiency, 7.4 intercepts and 2.4 intercept marks across 12 VFL matches for the bottom-placed Northern Bullants. El Nour’s reading of the play is one of his major strengths and his athleticism gives him the scope to match up on a variety of opponents.
Fergus Greene (Box Hill)
Forward, 25, 187cm, 75kg
Ranking points average: 95
Greene was let go from the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2020 after five games in four years, but he has established himself as one of the best VFL forwards in the competition this year. A medium sized forward, Greene is currently leading the Frosty Miller Medal in the VFL for Box Hill with 49.15 in 15 matches, booting three hauls of five or more in the past month. Box Hill coach Clint Proctor likens Greene to Melbourne goalkicker Bayley Fritsch and there are certainly similarities, with his pinpoint accuracy in front of goal, impressive overhead marking and ability to impact at ground level resembling the mature-age recruit. The opportunistic Greene averages 6.6 score involvements from 10.8 disposals and has been a remarkably consistent goalkicker, being held goalless just once this year. If a rival swoops on trade target Jack Gunston, could the Hawks call on Greene from their VFL program?
Boyd Woodcock (Southport Sharks)
20, 179cm, 78kg
Ranking points average: 111 (VFL)
Woodcock was perhaps unlucky to be cut from Port Adelaide’s list last year after two seasons at the club, but the eye-catching 20-year-old has put himself back on the radar after a strong season as a goalkicking midfielder for Southport. The 20-year-old has averaged 27 disposals, 11.7 contested possessions, 7.1 clearances and 111 ranking points while producing moments of brilliance. Woodcock has defied his small stature this season, taking two VFL mark of the year contenders, including an incredible hanger in the goalsquare against the Sydney Swans with the game on the line in the last quarter. He may not have the size to play as a midfielder at the top level, but he certainly has the x-factor in the air and at ground level to be given another shot.
Ethan Phillips (Port Melbourne)
Key defender, 23, 198cm
Ranking points: 112 (VFL)
Phillips has had a breakout campaign for Port Melbourne, where he leads the VFL for intercepts per game (11.5) and intercept marks per game (5.1). Earlier in the year against the Northern Bullants, the 198cm key defender racked up a staggering 24 intercept possessions and 12 intercept marks in a single game. Borough coach Adam Skrobalak said Phillips’ marking and reading of the play is as good as he has seen in the VFL, and he has been able to maintain his intercept game while playing on AFL-listed forwards. Phillips’ athleticism and kicking are areas for improvement but with intercepting such a crucial part of the game and key defenders in short supply, Phillips shapes as a mature-age option who can make an impact right away.
Jacob Dawson (Southport Sharks)
Midfielder, 22, 182cm, 80kg
Ranking points: 115 (VFL)
A Suns Academy graduate, Dawson spent two seasons on Gold Coast’s list for a total of nine games before being delisted at the end of 2019. Dawson has emerged as one of the VFL’s leading inside midfielders, winning more contested possessions (15.9 per game) and clearances (8.9) than any other player in the competition. There have been concerns over his kicking, but Dawson gathers the footy in high pressure situations more often than not, winning 54 per cent of his possessions in a contest — and he is held in high regard, currently leading the VFL coaches award. Dawson’s clearance winning, work in traffic and defensive pressure makes him a ready-made on-ball option – and he is still only 22.
Mature-agers on the radar for end-of-year intake
A number of mature-age mid-season draftees have already made an impact at AFL level this season – and there are more ready to do the same.
From previously-listed players to late bloomers and surprise packets, Dan Batten, Jordan Pinto and Andrew Capel look at the mature-age names in the draft conversation around the country.
VFL
Corey Preston (Williamstown)
Midfielder/defender, 19, 182cm, 76kg
Ranking points average: 72 (VFL)
Interest is ramping up for Preston after the 19-year-old’s shift to a midfield role for Williamstown in the VFL six weeks ago. Preston, who was overlooked after being on the draft radar before last year’s mid-season and national draft intakes, has impressed with his agility, speed and footskills as an on-baller, having previously been used as a running defender at VFL level. More than 10 clubs have enquired about the former Eastern Ranges product and several have shown a keen interest, with recruiters in attendance at Seagulls matches each week to catch a glimpse of Preston. And he hasn’t disappointed over the past fortnight in particular, averaging 25 disposals, 15.5 kicks, 13 contested possessions and 120.5 ranking points.
Tyreece Leiu (Carlton VFL/Eastern Ranges)
Key defender, 19, 194cm, 93kg
Ranking points average: 58 (VFL), 108 (NAB League)
Leiu was right in the mix to nab a spot on Carlton’s list during the pre-season after being overlooked in his draft year, but the 194cm prospect suffered an untimely injury as the supplemental selection period came to a close. After spending time as an over-age player with the Eastern Ranges, Leiu has come back into the Blues fold for their VFL side and shone in the back-half of the year — like his former Ranges teammate Preston. Leiu’s speed, athleticism and strength as a key defender has seen him thrive in recent weeks, regularly outmuscling senior bodies and clunking intercept marks. He has been used as a taller midfielder and up forward at NAB League level, highlighted his versatility. With Carlton’s dearth of key defenders this year, could the Blues look to pluck Leiu straight from their VFL side?
Kaelan Bradtke (Sydney VFL)
Key forward, 20, 196cm
Ranking points average: 30 (VFL)
It’s been a meteoric rise for Bradtke, who has gone from the Ovens and Murray League – on the border of Victoria and New South Wales – to a state combine invite in a matter of months after playing just two VFL games. The intrigue surrounding the Corowa-Rutherglen product centres on his high-end athletic traits, which he is set to put on show at the combine, possessing explosive speed and agility for a 196cm tall. The highlight of his limited exposure at VFL level came in his second match against North Melbourne, where he gathered a ball off the ground at speed, burst away from an opponent and snapped at goal on the left in a way few key position prospects can.
Corey Wagner (Port Melbourne)
Defender/midfielder, 25, 180cm, 80kg
Ranking points average: 95 (VFL)
Wagner has had two cracks at senior level with North Melbourne (2016-17) and Melbourne (2019-20), but a switch to defence could make it third time lucky for the 25-year-old. Playing primarily through the midfield and as a forward previously at VFL and AFL level, Wagner has stood out with his precise ball-use and speed as a running defender, with coach Adam Skrobalak believing he is in the mould of Saints revelation Jack Sinclair. Wagner has attracted interest from several clubs since the role change and he has had no trouble finding the footy when he’s been thrown into the midfield, either. The Borough utility has had a blistering past month, averaging 27.8 disposals, eight intercepts, five tackles and 128.3 ranking points.
Mutaz El Nour
Medium defender, 21, 192cm, 83kg
Ranking points average: 87 (VFL)
El Nour was one of the surprise snubs from the mid-season draft after generating interest from a handful of clubs. An intercepting defender with pinpoint skills by foot, El Nour is a mature-age prospect with promising upside. The youngster, who turned 21 this week, has averaged 16.5 disposals, 12.9 kicks at 83.9 per cent cent efficiency, 7.4 intercepts and 2.4 intercept marks across 12 VFL matches for the bottom-placed Northern Bullants. El Nour’s reading of the play is one of his major strengths and his athleticism gives him the scope to match up on a variety of opponents.
Fergus Greene (Box Hill)
Forward, 25, 187cm, 75kg
Ranking points average: 95
Greene was let go from the Western Bulldogs at the end of 2020 after five games in four years, but he has established himself as one of the best VFL forwards in the competition this year. A medium sized forward, Greene is currently leading the Frosty Miller Medal in the VFL for Box Hill with 49.15 in 15 matches, booting three hauls of five or more in the past month. Box Hill coach Clint Proctor likens Greene to Melbourne goalkicker Bayley Fritsch and there are certainly similarities, with his pinpoint accuracy in front of goal, impressive overhead marking and ability to impact at ground level resembling the mature-age recruit. The opportunistic Greene averages 6.6 score involvements from 10.8 disposals and has been a remarkably consistent goalkicker, being held goalless just once this year. If a rival swoops on trade target Jack Gunston, could the Hawks call on Greene from their VFL program?
Boyd Woodcock (Southport Sharks)
20, 179cm, 78kg
Ranking points average: 111 (VFL)
Woodcock was perhaps unlucky to be cut from Port Adelaide’s list last year after two seasons at the club, but the eye-catching 20-year-old has put himself back on the radar after a strong season as a goalkicking midfielder for Southport. The 20-year-old has averaged 27 disposals, 11.7 contested possessions, 7.1 clearances and 111 ranking points while producing moments of brilliance. Woodcock has defied his small stature this season, taking two VFL mark of the year contenders, including an incredible hanger in the goalsquare against the Sydney Swans with the game on the line in the last quarter. He may not have the size to play as a midfielder at the top level, but he certainly has the x-factor in the air and at ground level to be given another shot.
Ethan Phillips (Port Melbourne)
Key defender, 23, 198cm
Ranking points: 112 (VFL)
Phillips has had a breakout campaign for Port Melbourne, where he leads the VFL for intercepts per game (11.5) and intercept marks per game (5.1). Earlier in the year against the Northern Bullants, the 198cm key defender racked up a staggering 24 intercept possessions and 12 intercept marks in a single game. Borough coach Adam Skrobalak said Phillips’ marking and reading of the play is as good as he has seen in the VFL, and he has been able to maintain his intercept game while playing on AFL-listed forwards. Phillips’ athleticism and kicking are areas for improvement but with intercepting such a crucial part of the game and key defenders in short supply, Phillips shapes as a mature-age option who can make an impact right away.
Jacob Dawson (Southport Sharks)
Midfielder, 22, 182cm, 80kg
Ranking points: 115 (VFL)
A Suns Academy graduate, Dawson spent two seasons on Gold Coast’s list for a total of nine games before being delisted at the end of 2019. Dawson has emerged as one of the VFL’s leading inside midfielders, winning more contested possessions (15.9 per game) and clearances (8.9) than any other player in the competition. There have been concerns over his kicking, but Dawson gathers the footy in high pressure situations more often than not, winning 54 per cent of his possessions in a contest — and he is held in high regard, currently leading the VFL coaches award. Dawson’s clearance winning, work in traffic and defensive pressure makes him a ready-made on-ball option – and he is still only 22.
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