2023 Draft Watch

[The Doctor]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Cal Twomey reporting on Joel Freijah from GWV. 190cm winger who kicked 6 on the weekend. I saw 1/2 this game and he was amazing. Pace to burn, evasive, highly skilled. Saw him take several marks running into F50 playing on & weave through defenders to kick some of his goals & set up a couple as well. Similar to Isaac Smith. Hope we have an eye on him.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

AFL Draft 2023: Every player rated 1-10

Two of the leading prospects in the draft pool turned heads in front of a host of recruiters in the AFL Academy game. We rate and analyse all 30 prospects who took the field.

Top prospects Harley Reid and Nick Watson were the talents who shone brightest in dreary conditions for the AFL Academy in their showcase clash against Port Adelaide in Mount Barker on Saturday.

Thirty of the best AFL draft prospects from across the country came together for the clash along with a four-day camp in Adelaide.

Reid tore it up in the first half, while Watson was nearly the matchwinner for his side late as a gallant Academy line-up went down by just 13 points in the curtain-closer to the one-sided Brisbane win over North Melbourne

We rate and analyse every player.

TOP PERFORMERS

Harley Reid – 22 disposals, seven clearances, six marks, five inside 50s, one goal, 111 SuperCoach points

Nick Watson – 18 disposals, nine loose-ball gets, four rebound 50s, one goal, 109 SuperCoach points

Jake Rogers – 12 disposals, seven tackles, three clearances, 86 SuperCoach points

Ryley Sanders – 20 disposals, six tackles, four inside 50s and 93 SuperCoach points.

Caiden Cleary – 16 disposals, 12 tackles, 92 SuperCoach points

George Stevens – 19 disposals, six rebound 50s, 89 SuperCoach points

Darcy Wilson – 19 disposals, five marks, 65 SuperCoach points

EVERY AFL ACADEMY PROSPECT RATED


#1 Nick Watson — 9/10

Forward/defender, 170cm, Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro

The smallest man on the ground’s impact was arguably bigger than any. Watson was quiet by his standards in a forward role early, but the freakishly skilled youngster was thrown into defence in the second half and stood up with the game on the line. Watson slotted a classy goal and racked up eight disposals – taking off on a Tom Papley-esque celebration – in the nailbiting final term, with his dashing speed, reading of the play and clean hands standing out in the wet. Finished as the second-ranked player for the Academy with 18 disposals and nine loose-ball gets. The 170cm Ranges talent is proving he can be more than a dangerous forward at the next level.

#2 Jack Callinan 5/10

Forward, 179cm, Tasmania Devils/Allies

Got a lucky gift with a 50m penalty walking him to the square for a third-quarter goal. The son of Crows goalsneak Ian finished with nine touches and three tackles on a day where no Academy forward really starred.

#3 Caiden Cleary — 8/10

Midfielder, 180cm, Swans Academy/Allies

These conditions were made for the Swans Academy product. Cleary’s pressure was absolutely manic, applying a game-high 11 tackles – including four in the final quarter alone – and 11 of his 16 possessions were won in a contest. There is no doubting his competitiveness and inside grunt work – the next step will be improving his ball-use.

#4 Jack Delean — 4/10

Forward, 181cm, South Adelaide/SA

A soaring leap over a massive pack on the wing would have been the highlight of the match – only problem was he didn’t get near it … Nonetheless, it showcased the athleticism of the South Adelaide goalkicker. Had the seven touches and kicked two behinds. But was one of just two Academy players who didn’t lay a tackle for the match.

#5 Riley Hardeman — 6.5/10

Defender, 188cm, Swan Districts/WA

After getting a taste of senior action in his WAFL debut for Swan Districts the previous week, Hardeman showed good signs yet again against bigger bodies. Was generally clean by foot and laid a strong tackle to dispossess his opponent deep in his own defensive 50. Collected 14 disposals – including 11 in the first half – and four marks.

#6 Colby McKercher – 7/10

Midfielder, 181cm, Tasmania Devils/Allies

The Tasmanian talent was named among the best for the Academy in an impressive showing through the midfield. Won five clearances and was clean with his disposal in trying conditions, going at 75 per cent efficiency from his 15 touches.

Wins FK in middle of the ground and boots long

#7 Harley Reid – 9/10

Midfielder/forward, 185cm, Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was watching on in Mount Barker and Reid put on a show for him in the opening half. The No. 1 pick favourite was clearly best on to that point with 15 disposals, six clearances, five inside 50s and a goal to the main break, and his goal summed up his matchwinning ability. Reid leapt high to clunk a strong overhead mark under close defensive checking and converted the right banana set shot from 20m on the boundary. Reid, who turns 18 on Tuesday, lost his cool at times in the third term, conceding a goal by giving away a free kick and 50m penalty and getting into a scuffle on the deck on the boundary line after fending off a strong Port Adelaide opponent. The Tongala talisman faded a touch by his lofty standards, but still finished as the No. 1 ranked player for the Academy with 111 SuperCoach points, 22 disposals (18 of those effective), seven clearances, six marks and five inside 50s.

#8 Archie Roberts — 6/10

Defender, 184cm, Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro

Roberts’ precision by foot was on display out of defence, hitting the target with seven of his nine kicks. The Dragons product had 12 touches and five rebound 50s for the game and put on a handy spoil over the top on the wing late in the last.

#9 Jake Rogers — 8/10

Forward/midfielder, 172cm, Suns Academy/Allies

Rogers had been flying under the radar a touch – he didn’t have a manager until he was snapped up by Kapital Sports Group last week – but this performance is sure to get recruiters’ attention. The Suns Academy prospect turned heads with his defensive pressure and speed, with a rundown tackle in the second term along with a dummy handball and burst away from a Port tackler highlighting his x-factor. Rogers capped his night with a banana set shot goal tucked up in the pocket from 35m, set up by another defensive effort which forced a Port player to give away a free kick for insufficient intent. The speedy 172cm product finished with 12 disposals, seven tackles and three clearances, but his influence was far greater than that.

#10 Ryley Sanders — 8/10

Midfielder, 186cm, Sandringham Dragons/Allies

Sanders has started his draft year with a bang for the Sandringham Dragons and his strong form continued against Port Adelaide. The inside ball-winner, who is clean below his knees, won plenty of the footy in the last quarter in tight, finishing with 20 disposals, six tackles, four inside 50s and 93 SuperCoach points. It was a well-rounded display from the Tasmanian – who is boarding at Melbourne Grammar – and he got involved outside the contest as well with eight handball receives.

#11 Orlando Turner — 4/10

Forward, Northern Territory/Allies

Turner had a fantastic one-on-one win, paddling the ball along the deck under heavy pressure and managing to keep his feet before handing it off to a teammate on the wing. Had the six disposals and kicked two behinds, but the Northern Territory forward doesn’t need much of it to have an influence.

#12 Darcy Wilson – 7/10

Wingman/forward, 185cm, Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country

Like Sanders, Wilson’s hot start to the season continued in the Academy showcase. Was busy with 19 disposals and five marks on the outside and showed his speed with a dashing run up the wing in the second half. The wingman made a key intercept late in the last quarter, smartly cutting off a handball in the middle of the ground and getting the ball going his side’s away. Perhaps the only blip was his efficiency, going at less than 50 per cent.

#17 Lachie Cabor – 3/10

Midfielder, 181cm, Swans Academy/Allies

The Swans Academy product didn’t see much of it with four touches, but looked to be one of those impacted by the Academy’s 12-man bench.

#18 Nate Caddy – 4/10

Forward, 192cm, Northern Knights/Vic Metro

Kicked the first goal of the match but found the going tough from thereon, winning four possessions. Caddy, the nephew of former Tiger Josh, did manage to stay in the contest, though, laying a terrific rundown tackle in the last term to force a Port turnover.

#20 Will Lorenz – 5/10

Midfielder, 186cm, Oakleigh Chargers

A solid game for the smooth-moving Chargers midfielder, finishing with 10 disposals, but just four of them hit the target. Provided good link-up play with six handball receives.

#19 Zane Duursma – 4/10

Forward, 190cm, Gippsland Power

The potential top-five prospect was uncharacteristically quiet with three touches for the match in a forward role, but he produced a cracking goal in the third quarter. Duursma recovered from a dropped mark, gathered and launched a long bomb from outside 50 that bounced through – it was certainly worth the wait.

#21 Kane McAuliffe – 6.5/10

Midfielder, 187cm, North Adelaide/SA

The South Australian slotted the goal of the day in the third term, pouncing on a crumb beautifully and snapping it off his left at full tilt from 40m out. While McAuliffe had just the eight touches, he made them count, hitting the target with every disposal and getting his hands dirty defensively with five tackles. McAuliffe has been beating up on sides for North Adelaide in the SANFL under-18s and is a nice size at 187cm.

#22 Ashton Moir – 5/10

Forward, 186cm, Glenelg/SA

A tough day for the forwards and the highly-touted homegrown talent got limited opportunities to impress. Moir’s dribble snap on goal in the second term resulted in a tap-in from Jed Walter, and he nearly created something out of nothing in the same quarter by cleverly roving a ruck tap deep in the forward 50. Just one of his six kicks were effective, but he will get more chances to strut his stuff against senior bodies in the SANFL this season.

#23 Connor O’Sullivan – 6/10

Defender, 198cm, Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country

O’Sullivan, who has played all over the ground for the Bushrangers this season, settled in defence for the Academy and showed some good signs. Competed well in one-on-one contests, earning a free kick at one stage after getting himself in a better position than his opponent. A clean gather off the deck followed by a 1-2 handball chain and raking kick highlighted his athleticism and mobility for a prospect standing 198cm. Had 10 touches, three rebound 50s and two inside 50s.

#24 Will Patton – 6/10

Defender, 192cm, 79kg West Adelaide/SA

Patton is known for his intercepting and he zoned off nicely to clunk a Port Adelaide forward foray. The South Australian’s ball-use out of defence was tidy, finishing with 11 disposals, three marks and three inside 50s.

#25 Nathan Philactides – 7/10

Defender, 181cm, 78kg, Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro

He has had a modest start to the Coates Talent League season, but Philactides was arguably the Academy’s best in the third quarter where he stood up with some impressive one-on-one wins. The Oakleigh Chargers defender read the play nicely to take a chest mark, then minutes later he gathered, spun away from a tackler under heavy pressure and found an option. The distributor showed his usual polish with ball-in-hand, hitting the target with 12 of his 14 disposals.

#26 Cooper Simpson — 6/10

Midfielder, 182cm, Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country

Simpson had more centre-clearances than any player on the ground with three, surging the ball inside-50 with his penetrating kick and finishing with 11 touches. Didn’t have as much of the footy in the second half, but the Academy was running plenty of players through the midfield.

#27 George Stevens – 7.5/10

Defender/midfielder, 189cm, GWV Rebels/Vic Country

Was forced to play tall on Port Adelaide’s array of forwards and Ollie Lord – who he gave up eight centimetres to on Saturday – got on top of him early, kicking three first-quarter goals. But Stevens got better as the day on, showcasing his offensive traits out of defence, with his rebound, efficient ball-use and composure standing out. Had 19 disposals in total — 14 of those effective – and was the fifth-ranked Academy player on the ground. Not bad for a player’s fourth game back from an ACL blow.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Part 2

#28 Koltyn Tholstrup — 5/10

Forward, 188cm, Subiaco/WA

It was an almost day up forward for Tholstrup with nine disposals (three effective) and five contested possessions, but his competitive intent was there for all to see. In the first half Tholstrup managed to somehow neutralise a contest where he was outnumbered 1-on-2, and went in hard to lay a strong tackle in an earlier contest. However, West Australian prospect’s decision making was below par at times. This included turning the ball over opting for a low percentage short pass instead of going back to take a set shot, getting caught holding the ball trying to take on a tackler and a flying snap from 40m that fell straight in the lap of a Port defender 15m out. But he took a strong mark in front of his opponent in the last quarter and also came close to kicking a cracking late goal after crumbing a deep forward 50.

#29 Daniel Curtin — 4/10

Key defender/forward, 196cm, Claremont/WA

Curtin, who was best-on-ground in the U17 All Stars game last year, had just the two disposals to three-quarter-time in defence but lifted in the final term. The athletic swingman showcased his agility by shaking two tacklers with sidesteps before spotting up an option in the middle of the ground in wet conditions. However at one stage in the last he sagged off his opponent – overlooked 2022 draft prospect Jed Hagan – far too much, with the Port small able to take an open mark inside 50.

#30 Mitchell Edwards — 4/10

Ruck, 207cm, Dockers NGA/Peel Thunder/WA

Edwards clunked a towering contested mark in a big pack outside the 50m arc, showing his aerial ability and strong hands. Defied his size by switching a long kick into the middle of the ground which hit the target. The Dockers Next Generation Academy prospect had five hit-outs and five touches for the day, splitting the ruck duties with Ethan Read and Will Green.

#31 Will Green — 3/10

Ruck, 204cm, Northern Knights/Vic Metro

Showed some nice composure with a kick into the middle of the ground at one stage. Was fighting well out of his weight division against Port reserves ruck Sam Hayes, but managed to win three free kicks for the game to go with five hit-outs.

Nice composure with a kick into the middle

#32 Ethan Read – 6/10

Ruck, 202cm, Suns Academy/Allies

Was the most impressive of the three Academy ruckmen, covering the ground well and competed hard in the ruck. Started the match with a strong tackle on Hayes that was given holding the ball, and laid a desperate tackle deep in defence in the last quarter to force a stoppage. The Suns Academy talent finished with 59 SuperCoach points from five disposals and five hit-outs, illustrating his high-impact per possession.

#33 Archer Reid — 3/10

Key forward, 203cm, Gippsland Power/Vic Country

It wasn’t a day for a 203cm marking forward. Didn’t have a touch until the last quarter but managed to get his hands on it in the last, including a mark on the lead in front of his opponent as the rain poured down.

#34 Jed Walter — 5.5/10

Key forward, 195cm, Suns Academy/Allies

Walter kicked his side’s second goal of the match, running onto a dribble snap from Ashton Moir and soccering it off the deck from close range. Threw his weight around in one repeat effort in the second quarter, crunching an opponent and then following up with a sprint effort.

[Stevo]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

There was a link on the AFL website but I'm not sure if it is still there.

I couldnt find it

[Stevo]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Cal Twomey reporting on Joel Freijah from GWV. 190cm winger who kicked 6 on the weekend. I saw 1/2 this game and he was amazing. Pace to burn, evasive, highly skilled. Saw him take several marks running into F50 playing on & weave through defenders to kick some of his goals & set up a couple as well. Similar to Isaac Smith. Hope we have an eye on him.

Did he play as a winger because that is impressive?

[The Doctor]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Do you know it there is a link to still watch this? I had trouble trying to connect to it for some reason and gave up after about 20 minutes.

try this

https://www.afl.com.au/ondemand/highlights/907277/2023-national-boys-u18-championships?episode=1#academy

[The Doctor]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Did he play as a winger because that is impressive?

he played wing but also attended several centre square bounces & had a run in the forward line.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

This is a report on Jordan Croft from the Rookie Central website

#41 Jordan Croft

Forwards of every shape and size dined out on Sunday, and Croft was Calder’s dominant tall in attack. The Western Bulldogs father-son prospect got on the board straight away with a lead-up mark and set shot conversion, setting the tone for his five-goal performance. At 200cm, he troubled the NT aerially but also proved his mobility across the ground, showcasing excellent skills below his knees and even having the confidence to carry the ball. Most of his majors were kicked in open play, highlighting Croft’s dexterity.

[The Doctor]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Vic Metro & Country squads have been named for the upcoming trials albeit with some of the Academy boys not listed.

Jordan Croft is in. Likewise NGA Luamon Lual

One for GVG, Will Elliot has been named.

https://www.afl.com.au/ondemand/highlights/907277/2023-national-boys-u18-championships?episode=1#academy

[Mofra]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

I know nothing about him, but on name alone - Bill Hicks (he goes by Billy Hicks) played for Vic Metro in the Metro v Country Trial game A. 188cm runner.

[Mofra]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Vic Metro & Country squads have been named for the upcoming trials albeit with some of the Academy boys not listed.

Jordan Croft is in. Likewise NGA Luamon Lual

One for GVG, Will Elliot has been named.

https://www.afl.com.au/ondemand/high...sode=1#academy

Croft 51 SC points, Lual 72.

I'd still be very happy if we got Darcy Wilson, classy outside mid/wing who can play forward as well.

#4 Darcy Wilson (Murray Bushrangers)
18/08/2005 | 185cm | 73kg | Midfielder/Forward
Wilson is a player that has shown instant improvement from last season to this one in his first few games, increasing his productivity and showcasing his versatility along the way. Wilson started the trial match on a wing, utilising his evasiveness in close, along with his clean skills with ball in hand. There were times early on where he tried to do too much, but he figured out the pace of the game pretty quickly after that. A real standout attribute of Wilson’s game is how quickly he executes his skills, from ground ball gathers, to handballs out into space, Wilson does everything at such a speed that opponents rarely have time to react. Wilson took the opportunity to run with the footy when it presented itself, going on a couple of impressive forays that included running bounces and beautiful kicks inside 50. Wilson was moved into a more forward 50 focused role in the second half, slotting two goals for his efforts – one from an impressive contested mark.

[GVGjr]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Well worth having a quick listen to and look at Luamon Lual who trained with us for a couple of weeks over summer.

[Mofra]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

WA u18 squad:

Claremont: Daniel Curtin, Kai Dehavilland, Joe Matthews, Sam Van Rooyen
East Fremantle: Kobe Austin, Presley Campbell, Koen Sanchez
East Perth: Bailey Harbour, Lucas Kemp, Tyler Lindberg, Xavier Walsh
Peel Thunder: Bo Allan, Mitch Edwards, Clay Hall, Ethan Logan, Deian Roberts, Reece Torrent
Perth: Oscar Hine-Baston, Coen Livingstone, Aiden O’Driscoll, Elijah Scoble
South Fremantle: Ashton Ferriera, Jacob Whan
Subiaco: Lance Collard, Robert Hansen Jr, Luker Kentfield, Koltyn Tholstrup
Swan Districts: Riley Hardeman, Otis Harvey, Luke Kelly, Evan Smith
West Perth: Odin Jones

Commentators would have a field day if Harbour ended up at the Dockers

[Mofra]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

By rumour only, Robert Hansen Jr is linked to Freo as a potential MSD pick up

[mjp]

Re: 2023 Draft Watch

Commentators would have a field day if Harbour ended up at the Dockers

They would be lucky to get him.

Very talented defender.