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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
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Sam Lalor
GWV Rebels/Vic Country
Midfielder, 187cm
DOB: 30/08/06
A strong-bodied onballer who is a contest and clearance beast, Lalor is calm and clean in the thick of the action. He had been a promising junior cricket player, who was part of Cricket Victoria’s elite junior programs. However, he has sharpened his focus on making a career out of footy. Lalor has quick hands, makes good decisions and loves to lay a tackle. He averaged 7.5 tackles along with 20.3 disposals across eight games in the Coates Talent League this year. Lalor also impressed in the under-17 Futures game, amassing 19 disposals and three clearances.
Harvey Langford
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Midfielder, 188cm
DOB: 15/03/06
A powerful and hardworking left-foot midfielder, Langford won as much contested ball as he did uncontested ball for the Stingrays this year. He had an incredibly consistent bottom-age season, averaging 121 ranking points across 14 games to finish runner-up in the Singrays’ best and fairest count. Langford is also a strong overhead mark and can hit the scoreboard when he pushes forward.
Xavier Lindsay
Gippsland Power/Vic Country
Midfielder/Defender, 182cm
DOB: 03/08/06
The talented Lindsay started his bottom-age season with the Power as an outside midfielder or running halfback but finished the campaign having locked down a spot as an inside midfielder. Lindsay is excellent below his knees, is clean with his disposal by hand and foot, is a smooth mover when out in space and has great composure in traffic. He was the top-ranked player for Team Selwood in the under-17 Futures match this year, racking up 20 disposals and five rebound-50s off halfback.
Leonardo Lombard
Gold Coast Suns Academy/QLD
Midfielder, 178cm
DOB: 15/10/06
Lombard finished his bottom-age year with a bang. He was still 16 years old when he featured for Gold Coast in the VFL Grand Final in September, but did not look out of place as he collected 10 disposals and a goal. Lombard has a nice mix between his inside and outside game, loves the contest, works hard, brings pressure and has good speed. He also starred in the under-17 Futures match for Team Naitanui, gathering 24 disposals and three clearances.
Sam Marshall
Brisbane Lions Academy/Sandringham Dragons/QLD
Midfielder, 185cm
DOB: 19/01/06
Originally from Queensland, Marshall moved south to attend his final years of school at Melbourne Grammar and has therefore linked up with the Dragons in the Coates Talent League. The midfielder featured in two games for the Allies at the under-18 national championships this year as a bottom-age player, while he also had a taste of VFL football late in the year with the Lions. Marshall is an elite runner who works hard and regularly finds plenty of the footy both in the contest and on the outside.
Ricky Mentha
Northern Territory Academy/Gippsland Power/NT
Forward, 179cm
DOB: 04/09/06
Originally from Alice Springs, Mentha moved to Morwell this year and quickly linked up with the Power. He started the Coates Talent League season as a deep forward playing closer to goal, before working his way up the ground in the second half of the year. Mentha’s speed and pressure are his strengths, while he is a beautiful kick of the footy and has great goal sense. A versatile prospect, Mentha also impressed in three games for Northern Territory at the under-16 national championships this year as a rebounding defender.
Christian Moraes
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 182cm
DOB: 8/11/06
An attacking midfielder who moves well, Moraes had a huge second half of the season in the Coates Talent League to stamp himself as a top prospect for 2024. He averaged 29.4 disposals and 143 ranking points from his last 10 games for the Ranges, including racking up 24 touches and a goal in the Grand Final. Moraes is a strong clearance player, while his groundball work is also exceptional and he sets up goals when he’s not kicking them himself.
Noah Mraz
Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country
Ruck/Defender, 197cm
DOB: 20/02/06
A developing tall, Mraz predominantly played as a key defender for the Stingrays this year, where his one-on-one work, skills and intercept marking caught the eye. However, he also spent some time in the ruck in a number of games and performed well. Mraz was one of only four bottom-age players to be picked in the Vic Country squad this year and had a taste of the under-18 national championships when he played one game against Vic Metro.
Harry O’Farrell
Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
Defender, 196cm
DOB: 03/05/06
A versatile tall, O’Farrell impressed with his intercept marking down back for the Cannons in the Coates Talent League this year. However, he also had an impact playing forward at times in his school football at St Kevin’s College. An athletic and mobile player, O’Farrell reads the play well and took seven intercept marks in one game against Northern Territory Thunder this year – four of which were contested. He also featured in one match for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships.
Finn O’Sullivan
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
Midfielder, 181cm
DOB: 30/05/06
An early contender for the No. 1 draft pick in 2024, there is little that O’Sullivan cannot do. He’s a natural ball-winner who has a nice mix of inside and outside game, is a good overhead mark, has great vision and can impact in a number of positions. O’Sullivan won the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player of the under-16 national championships last year and backed that up by being named an All-Australian after playing for Vic Country in the under-18 national championships this year. Hailing from Koroit in Western Victoria, O’Sullivan is a cousin of Carlton young gun Sam Walsh.
Murphy Reid
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 181cm
DOB: 30/07/2006
A classy midfielder, Reid appears to have time when others don’t given his great composure and agility around the contest. He spent significant time in his bottom-age year playing forward, where he kicked 14 goals from 10 games for the Dragons. However, he was also damaging when playing onball, recording 30 disposals and nine clearances in one game against the Calder Cannons. Reid impressed in one appearance for Vic Metro at the national championships, racking up 18 disposals and five clearances.
Jobe Shanahan
Bendigo Pioneers/NSW-ACT
Forward/Defender, 192cm
DOB: 02/08/06
He spent significant time forward this year, but some would argue that Shanahan looks better as a backman after developing his defensive craft. The versatile tall is extremely athletic and quite quick and mobile for a big man. His marking ability is a clear strength, including contested marks. Shanahan hails from the NSW border town of Moama, putting him in the Allies catchment for the under-18 national championships.
Josh Smillie
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 194cm
DOB: 17/05/06
A tall and big-bodied midfielder, Smillie is a playmaker who is hard to contain. He has clean hands and brings great composure and decision making in the contest, while he can also work into space to find the footy on the outside. A hamstring injury cut short Smillie’s Coates Talent League season with the Ranges this year, but he returned for the under-17 Futures match in September where he was a solid contributor with 21 disposals and five marks. Smillie spent some time in that game playing in defence, but looks best as an onballer.
Jagga Smith
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Midfielder, 181cm
DOB: 28/01/06
A livewire midfielder or forward, Smith brings great energy, class, agility and speed to every game he plays. He consistently finds plenty of the ball, averaging 28.8 disposals in the Coates Talent League this year. His clearance and groundball work is impressive, while he kicks or sets up goals when he’s at the attacking end. Smith starred in two games for Vic Metro during the under-18 national championships this year, along with being one of the better players on the ground in the under-17 Futures game. He logged 21 disposals, five marks and one goal in that match at the MCG.
Luke Trainor
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Defender, 193cm
DOB: 10/04/06
A versatile tall, Trainor spent time both in defence and attack for the Dragons in the Coates Talent League this year. He also featured in one match for Vic Metro at the under-18 national championships. Trainor will train as a back over the off-season, but could develop into a forward or tall midfielder in time. He is a beautiful long kick and is a strong intercept mark when playing down back.
Tyler Welsh
Adelaide/SA
Forward, 191cm
DOB: 15/08/06
A powerful marking forward, Welsh announced himself during the under-18 national championships when he kicked five goals in a game against Vic Country as a bottom-age player. He also kicked 27 goals across 10 games for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL under-18s, before featuring in finals for the club’s reserves side. Welsh’s marking – including contested marking – is a clear strength, while he is generally an accurate shot on goal and works hard. Welsh is eligible to join the Crows as a father-son, with his dad Scott having played 129 AFL games for the club.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Grew up playing footy / tennis / cricket with Archers dad in regional vic. Would love to pick this kid up just for the fun of knowing the young fella since he was a tot. If he's anything like his dad he'd be ferociously competitive, vocal and a bit of a joker. His dad was a left footed ruck funnily enough, but got by more on athleticism than he did height.Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
AFL clubs circle young Victorian leg-spinner Wil Parker
At least two AFL clubs are interested in recruiting young Victorian leg-spinner Wil Parker as he weighs up a return to football from elite cricket.
At least two AFL clubs – Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs – are showing interest in young Victorian leg-spinner Wil Parker as he weighs up a return to football.
Parker, 21, has played four first-class matches for the Vics since making an exciting debut as a 17-year-old in 2019-20.
But his last Shield appearance was in November 2021 and he is out of contract at the end of the season.
Parker did not play Victorian Premier Cricket for Richmond last Saturday and was not selected in the Victorian Second XI team that began a four-day match against Queensland at Casey Fields in Cranbourne today.
The state selectors opted for young Melbourne offie Harkirat Bajwa, who was part of Australia’s Under 19 World Cup success in South Africa this month.
In his previous club outing, Parker collected 3-80 off 21 overs in a run-filled encounter against Melbourne at the Albert.
Parker did play for the Vic Second XI against Tasmania last November, taking 2-120 off 20 overs in Tassie’s second innings.
CODE Sports understands Collingwood and the Western Bulldogs have expressed interest in recruiting Parker as a Category B rookie.
Twelve months ago, the Dogs brought in another Premier cricketer, Essendon’s James O’Donnell, as a Category B and he had a stunning rise to play 12 AFL games.
The Dogs have since given him a two-year contract.
Parker, the son of former prominent Victorian Premier cricketer Cameron, was touted as a first-round draft hope after his performances for Eastern Ranges in 2019.
A defender, he had 27 possessions in the grand final against Oakleigh Chargers and averaged 18 disposals in 16 matches.
Parker was splitting his time between football and cricket when he was called up to debut for Victoria against NSW at the SCG in February, 2020.
He performed well, taking 3-54 off 25 overs and then 1-35 off 13.
A few months later, he signed a contract with the Vics.
Parker’s uncle, Geoff Parker, is Port Adelaide’s recruiting manager.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Next time we play the Storm in a T20 we are going to beat their arse so bad.- I'm a visionary - Only here to confirm my biases -Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
We have done okay with cricketers changing to footy, .. Keath and JOD.
Been a few that have been successful at both sports over the years.
Craig Bradley is one who comes to mind.
Back then you could play both sports, nowadays it’s one or the other you can’t play both.Bring back the biffComment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Damn, he could have been a terrific pick up.
Collingwood has secured former Victorian cricketer Wil Parker as a Category B rookie.
The 21-year-old was a highly-touted AFL draft prospect in 2020, a year he debuted for Vic in the Shield.
He’s since quit cricket, picking the reigning premiers as his new homeWestern Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
As soon as Collingwood was mentioned that seemed an easy decision. Good luck to him.Have you heard Butters wants to come to the Dogs?Comment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
Midfielders everywhere: Top 10 draft prospects to watch in 2024
1. Jagga Smith
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm, 68kg
Talent League: 10 games, 28.2 disposals, 4.0 marks, 0.8 goals
Smith is a midfield maestro with his clean hands, classy sidestep and beautiful skills exiting stoppage. The Charger was called up to Vic Metro's side for two games and delivered 24 disposals per game in the Big V to stamp his credentials amongst the leading prospects in his class. His ability to accumulate and explode from contest is a wonderful combination to watch.
2. Finn O'Sullivan
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country
MID, 181cm, 70kg
Talent League: 8 games, 22.1 disposals, 4.8 marks, 4.0 tackles
Beautifully balanced, classy off both feet and possessing the grit to complement his outside game, O'Sullivan has all the hallmarks of a top-tier midfielder. The cousin of Sam Walsh has had a terrific outside game but his stoppage ability came along in leaps and bounds last season for the Chargers. He can play above his size in the air, competes fiercely when the ball is up for grabs and works his opponents into the ground across four quarters.
3. Josh Smillie
Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
MID/DEF, 194cm, 92kg
Talent League: 8 games, 26.3 disposals, 4.4 marks, 0.5 goals
Smillie is the modern day midfield prototype at six-foot-four, impacting with his size and aggression in the contest. He's also a terrific athlete that hasn't filled out his frame, showing off elite endurance around the ground plus a penchant to intercept in the back half. The Ranges star missed their Grand Final through injury, but returned as a defender in the Rising Stars match before the AFL Grand Final. Smillie has the traits and athletic profile to become the No. 1 pick with a big 2024 campaign.
4. Sid Draper
South Adelaide/South Australia
MID, 180cm, 72kg
SANFL U18s: 14 games, 21.6 disposals, 4.2 clearances, 0.6 goals
If you watched a South Australian champs game last year, you would be forgiven for thinking this blonde haired dynamo was a certain top 10 pick in 2023. Draper collected 25 possessions per outing on his way to being named his state's MVP, but he has had to wait another year to be draft eligible. The ferocious competitor boasts the outside class to match his appetite for the contest and is this draft's best kick going inside 50.
5. Levi Ashcroft
Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
MID/FWD, 179cm, 75kg
Talent League: 11 games, 26.9, 3.4 marks, 1.2 goals
Ashcroft won Sandy's best and fairest in a premiership year, and entering his top-age year already has two Talent League flags to his name. Accolades don't come much better than that for the 17-year-old, who won't turn 18 until December. Ashcroft is a damaging forward-half midfielder that gets between contests well and racks up the ball by linking play together. He doesn't possess the same contested craft as his brother Will did at this age, but his ability to impact as a half forward and hit the scoreboard is ultra-impressive. Brisbane will expect Ashcroft to nominate as a father-son the closer we get to November.
6. Christian Moraes
Eastern Ranges
MID/FWD, 182cm, 74kg
Talent League: 16 games, 26.4 disposals, 4.1 marks, 0.6 goals
Choosing between footy and basketball has been a line-ball decision for Moraes, who starred in both throughout his junior years. With the Sherrin he's an evasive midfielder that can produce magic in the forward 50 with quick hands and a wicked sidestep. As he builds his body Moraes should become an elite inside ball-winner with his cleanliness and sharp instincts. He's the type of player that consistently makes something out of nothing.
7. Tyler Welsh
Adelaide SANFL/South Australia
FWD, 191cm, 83kg
SANFL U18s: 10 games, 9.1 disposals, 4.8 marks, 2.7 goals
The premier key position player heading into 2024 is Welsh, a Crows father-son goalkicker. He tore the champs apart for SA with seven goals across two games, and has found consistent success in the U18s as a traditional lead-up forward with a beautiful set shot routine. If Welsh grows two inches this year and becomes a modern day key forward size, clubs will consider bidding higher than this point.
8. Sam Lalor
GWV Rebels/Vic Country
MID, 187cm, 88kg
Talent League: 8 games, 20.3 disposals, 7.5 tackles, 0.8 goals
Lalor is a hulking figure in the contest, proficient at ripping the ball from stoppages and feeding outside runners. He's also a tackling machine and lays claim to having the best defensive intent amongst midfielders in the pool. Lalor spent stints forward and hit the scoreboard for the Rebels which further increased intrigue around his upside.
9. Leonardo Lombard
SUNS Academy/Allies
MID/FWD, 178cm, 76kg
Talent League: 5 games, 24.8 disposals, 3.8 marks, 0.8 goals
Lombard won a VFL premiership with Gold Coast as a 16-year-old in 2023. It's a remarkable feat, but reflects his epic rise this season which culminated with the flag and an exciting performance on the MCG before the AFL Grand Final. Lombard has a burst of pace and electrifying agility, ability to create time and space to either hit the scoreboard or pick out teammates. Lombard adds to the riches coming through the Gold Coast talent pathway.
10. Tom Gross
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
MID, 180cm, 70kg
Talent League: 10 games, 21.5 disposals, 4.3 marks, 0.8 goals
Gross plays like a bull to a red rag with incredible power and aggression at the coalface. His rough and tumble nature sees him amongst the contest at all times where he latches onto opponents and more often than not wins the battle. Gross is the third Charger midfielder in this group that was exposed to talent league on-ball time in 2023.FFC: 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: 2024 Draft Watch
Not sure we'd look at another KPD but there's a Zaydyn Lockwood running around for Bendigo. Good size at 198cm and one amazing first name. Seems to have quite the decent tank for a tall as well.Western Bulldogs: 2016 PremiersComment
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Re: 2024 Draft Watch
F/S article: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1095594
FWIW Brett Montgomery only played 78 total games for us so his kid is only FS eligible at Port.Western Bulldogs: 2016 PremiersComment
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