Players to watch

[Axel.]

Vic Metro

James Stewart, Sandringham Dragons, 4 March 1994, 197cm, 82kg
James is a tall, athletic key-position prospect with good kicking skills, who goes to school at Scotch College (and is the son of Collingwood's Craig). He has good agility and mobility. He's resumed football this year after a period of time dealing with a back complaint and has actually grown quite an enormous amount in the past 14 months. He's an AIS-AFL Academy member.

Nick Vlastuin, Northern Knights, 19 April 1994, 187cm, 83kgs
Nick is a quality inside midfielder who has developed an outside game. He's a good kick off his right foot, but he's sound on both sides. He's very competitive, makes good decisions and tends to take charge out on the ground and make things happen. He's a quality young man who leads by example - a real coach's player. AIS-AFL Academy member.

Liam McBean, Calder Cannons, 25 August 1994, 202cm, 84kg
Liam is athletic for his size and has a lot of developing to come in terms of body strength, but he really moves around the ground very well. He's a bit similar to Joe Daniher in that they both have good mobility for a tall, have good skills and know the game pretty well. He's been with the AIS-AFL Academy for the past two years.

Jonathan O'Rourke, Calder Cannons, 21 April 1994, 183cm, 75kg
He's in his second year in the AIS-AFL Academy and he's developing into a very rounded midfielder in terms of his inside and outside game and he has a very good tank. He's a very good decision maker with excellent kicking skills and good hands in close. He's not a big lad, but he's actually quite a good tackler for his size. He tends to lead by example, but is developing those leadership qualities.

- Vic Metro talent manager Anton Grbac

Vic Country

Lachie Whitfield, Dandenong Stingrays, 18 July 1994, 184cm, 74kg
Lachie's been in the AIS-AFL Academy for the last two years and won the player of the national carnival award for us as an under-age player last year. He's an outstanding, skilful player who has been touted as a very early draft pick. He played well in the Academy-Box Hill game before they went on tour. He's been playing most of his footy with his school this year.

Jake Stringer, Bendigo Pioneers, 25 April 1994, 191cm, 91kg
Jake is an interesting player because he's coming off missing 12 months with a broken leg. He's done all the hard work and is starting to play some sound TAC Cup footy, so it will be interesting to see how he plays against higher quality opposition. He's a forward [who kicked nine goals a few weeks back] and he's got his spring back, which is good.

Ollie Wines, Bendigo Pioneers, 7 October 1994, 185cm, 83kg
Ollie is a right-footed, inside midfielder and his form since he came back from the Academy tour has been exceptional, which is really encouraging. He's grown a fair bit in the last year and his finishing skills are pretty good.

Tim Membrey, Gippsland Power, 26 May 1994, 188cm, 87kg
Tim was added late to the AIS-AFL squad. He played predominantly as a key forward last year and is a real goalkicker. We're working with him to play a bit higher up the ground.

- Vic Country talent manager Leon Harris

South Australia

Jimmy Toumpas, Woodville-West Torrens, 2 January 1994, 183cm, 77kg
Jimmy played in last year's champs and he's a genuine chance to be a high draft pick. While everyone talks about his excellent Grand Final [for the Eagles' premiership team], I think his whole finals series was outstanding. It indicates to me that he's almost capable of playing senior AFL footy right now.

Brodie Grundy, Sturt, 15 April 1994, 202cm, 100kg
Brodie is the standout tall man in the competition at this stage. He played for us last year, continued to develop and recently made his league debut with Sturt. He has a number of impressive traits with his athleticism and jump at the ball and what I like about him is his competitive nature. He gets after the contest with a bit of vigour and that's something that coaches always like. He's also developing his ability to go forward and take really good marks.

Troy Menzel, Central Districts, 22 September 1994, 186cm, 77kg
Troy is the brother of Geelong's Daniel and he's a very cluey midfielder-forward who can really find the footy and use it pretty well. He's very evasive around a contest and can really find his way in and out of traffic very quickly. He's up and about and travelling pretty well with a very strong football club in Central Districts.

Sam Mayes, North Adelaide, 20 May 1994, 187cm, 78kg
Sam is a forward-midfielder who is really an elite kicker of the football, which is paramount these days. He's got a number of strings to his bow - we played him down back a bit in last year's champs and he did that successfully - and he brings a real energy to the team.

- SA talent manager/coach Brenton Phillips

Western Australia

Dayle Garlett, Swan Districts, 9 January 1994, 180cm, 75kg
Dayle is a slick, skilful midfielder with an excellent work rate. He has the ability to really turn a game on its head. We're really happy with his progress in our academy after a few setbacks early on. He's come back with a point to prove. He's been a regular senior player for Swan Districts.

Jesse Hogan, Claremont, 12 February 1995, 193cm, 91kg
Jesse is a powerful key forward/defender in the mould of Jonathan Brown. He's good overhead and very explosive off the mark for his size. We almost considered playing him in our under-18s team as a 16-year-old. He'd be in the top two or three players in the WAFL colts competition. He falls into the GWS mini-draft pool.

Marco Paparone, East Fremantle, 3 September 1994, 193cm, 84kg
Marco has elite endurance and has the ability to wear down opponents. He's a midfielder-forward who is strong overhead and can get outside well. For a boy of his size, he has excellent athletic attributes.

Mason Shaw, South Fremantle, 15 January 1994, 197cm, 82kg
Mason suffered a broken jaw early in the season, but in his first game back for the colts he kicked 8.4 and didn't look like he'd been away from the game at all. He's a clever power forward who is strong on the lead and can also pinch-hit in the ruck.

- WA talent manager Raff Guadagnino

Northern Territory

Jed Anderson, Darwin FC, 16 February 1994, 178cm, 75kg
Jed played with us last year as an under-age player and he also played in a senior NEAFL premiership side with the NT Thunder. He's already received two nominations for the best player in the NEAFL northern conference this year. He's been playing in the midfield and he was good against the Sydney Swans and GWS reserves sides. He's an NTIS scholarship holder.

Louis Egger, Federal FC, 5 June 1993, 184cm, 74kg
Louis played in a few of our games last year and got invited to the draft combine. He had a hand injury in the last three games of last year's nationals, but he's moved to Melbourne for university and has been playing with the Coburg Tigers. He's a super-competitive mid-sized utility and played in the NEAFL grand final last year and was one of the best players.

Damien Williams, Darwin FC, 21 November 1993, 180cm, 69kg
Damien has played with GWS for the last couple of years and wasn't taken as a priority pick, but he's really come on since he joined the Thunder. He's only 180cm, but we got stuck against the Brisbane Lions [reserves] and he rucked most of the day against [former Bulldogs ruckman] Ben Hudson and he performed pretty well.

- NT talent manager Wally Gallio

Tasmania

Jesse Lonergan, Launceston FC, 14 November 1994, 183cm, 86kg
Jesse is our only AIS-AFL Academy player this year and he played every game for us as an under-age player last year. He's an inside midfielder, who has played three seasons of senior footy now and was a premiership player at senior level with Launceston last year. He's the nephew of Essendon's Sam Lonergan and has a similar style of game. He possesses excellent speed and power for the inside game and has the physical presence to match.

Josh Grant, Glenorchy FC, 1 March 1994, 197cm, 89kg
Josh is from Glenorchy Football Club and is a key forward who is developing as a back man as well. He played games for us last year and, like a lot of tall players, he's still developing aspects of his game like competitiveness, but he has some excellent athletic attributes and is very agile. We'll really be looking for him to provide a target and plenty of competitive effort up forward.

Jackson Thurlow, Launceston FC, 28 March 1994, 189cm, 79kg
Jackson is a 189cm utility who can play forward, midfield and back. He can play anywhere on the ground and played almost every game with us at last year's champs. He was also part of Launceston's senior premiership team. He's a very good kick, is a good reader of the play and is excellent overhead.

- Tasmania talent manager Nick Probert

NSW/ACT Rams

Craig Moller, Sydney University, 22 August 1994, 203cm, 84kg
Craig is a 203cm ruckman who is capable of going forward, taking marks and kicking goals. He's very athletic, he tested as one of our quickest players over 20m, and is very agile as well. He's a Fremantle scholarship player. He's still very light and lean, but he has all the athletic attributes you'd want.

Liam Flaherty, Eastlake FC, 14 November 1993, 194cm, 87kg
Liam is from the ACT and he's one of our over-age kids. He was injured for a lot of last year so we'll give him an opportunity this year. He's a 194cm key forward with very good hands. He's a strong mark, but is also quite adept at ground level and has a nose for the goals. He's been playing senior footy for Eastlake in the NEAFL.

Tom Hargreave, Murray Bushrangers, 4 July 1994, 182cm, 77kg
Tom is a midfielder who can go forward. He has very good skills and is a ball winner. He has clean hands and is very good with that first possession. He's right-footed, but is skilful on both sides of his body. He'll potentially be one of leaders as well.

- NSW/ACT coach Jason Saddington

Queensland

Andrew Boston, Broadbeach FC, 23 March 1994, 180cm, 75kg
Andrew is a talented midfielder with very good disposal skills on both sides of his body. He's got good leadership skills, he was captain of the Gold Coast Suns academy, and has the ability to go forward and kick goals while either running through the midfield or as a small defensive forward. He's become a regular senior player for Broadbeach in the NEAFL competition and has a bag of six goals to his name. He has a NAB Rising Star nomination in NEAFL northern conference.

Tyler Jones, Redland FC, 3 February 1994, 182cm, 80kg
Tyler is a long-kicking, hard-running defender, originally from Mackay, who has forced his way into the senior side at Redland in the NEAFL. He played in last year's reserves premiership side. He has a very good temperament, great concentration and really loves a contest. He's also started to take on some midfield roles for the Scorpions.

James Ives, Aspley FC, 22 March 1994, 176cm, 77kg
James is a talented midfielder who reads the play well and is a very good clearance and stoppage player. He has outstanding leadership qualities, he was the captain of our under-16 team two years ago, and was also the captain of the Brisbane Lions under-18 academy side this year. He's very creative around the goals. He debuted at senior level with Aspley in the NEAFL competition late in 2011 after overcoming a broken collarbone he sustained in one of our trial games last year.

- Queensland talent manager Bob Batty

Players to watch - AFL.com.au

Ones to watch - AFL.com.au

[Gysberts]

As a Melbourne supporter I think I'll be posting in this board for the next few months

Do you have a view on the top 10 ATM Axel.

[Axel.]

Hard to tell atm, haven't watched much but..

Whitfield
Viney
Toumpas
Stringer
Shaw
Grundy
Kennedy
Garlett
Mayes
Vlastuin

[Jihad]

He's only 180cm, but we got stuck against the Brisbane Lions [reserves] and he rucked most of the day against [former Bulldogs ruckman] Ben Hudson and he performed pretty well.

[Axel.]

Keep out eye out for Ben Rioli and Willy Rioli. Key players in the NT win over Vic Metro.

[Gysberts]

Hard to tell atm, haven't watched much but..

Whitfield
Viney
Toumpas
Stringer
Shaw
Grundy
Kennedy
Garlett
Mayes
Vlastuin

[Axel.]

Good phantom draft here.

AFL Free Agency, Trade, Draft & Season News | Facebook

PICK NUMBER 1:
TEAM: GWS:
PLAYER: Lachie Whitfield

Seen as the complete player throughout this years championships, caping off a brilliant year with All Australian Honours and he also took home the coveted Larke Medal.

Whitfield was all an All Australia player as a bottom age player in last years championships. Due to illness, Whitfield undertook very little testing in the combine, and din't feature highly in any of the drills, but is in no doubt whatsoever to go anywhere but number 1 in this year's draft.

Whitfield possess elite kicking skills on both sides of his body, awareness in traffic, and is an endurance athlete, who could've cracked Brad Hill's 16.1 beep test score, given that Whitfield's personal best is 16.4.

Whitfield is a goal-kicking-midfielder, with a nous around goals. He is also very strong marker, and has a beautiful kicking technique from a set shot.

His low centre of gravity, and strength in his hips, means that he is a hard player to tackle, and has many similarities to that of Gary Ablett.

Draft Prospect: Lachie Whitfield - Watch Videos Online with BigPond Video | Sport Videos, AFL Videos

PICK NUMBER 2:
TEAM: GWS
PLAYER: Brody Grundy

Grundy has the body of an AFL ready player. The South Australian Product is widely regarded as the best big man in this years National Draft. Grundy was a very good basketballer as a young teen, however made the switch over to Australian Rules at 16 years old.

Grundy's big frame, and endurance, added with his basketball background means that he's a rare talent. He's agile, very aware of his surroundings, and a lot in the sense of a Dean Cox, he becomes another midfielder addition, as he is a very neat and tidy ball winner in his own right, and has a great kick either around the field, or on goal.

His tap work is sensational, he's a hard worker, and has quite a lot of confidence to get the ball to his supporting rovers. He is also a headache to opposition defenders, as he plays full forward very well and is also a noted goal kicker.

Grundy is super competitive, and like Whitfield, was given honours as an All Australian as a bottom age player, and backed that up again this year, becoming a dual All-Australian.

Draft Prospect: Brodie Grundy - Watch Videos Online with BigPond Video | Sport Videos, AFL Videos

[Axel.]

PICK NUMBER 3:
TEAM: GWS
PLAYER: Jimmy Toumpas

Jimmy is all class both on the field, and off it. He didn't take part in the draft combine, after having injury straight after the national carnival, but despite not testing, Toumpas is a lock for top 3, and will go no later than 5 in the draft unless circumstances change.

Toumpas is incredibly damaging and also a very versatile footballer, who can go head to head with the opposition best, or demand a tag given his high work rate around the stoppages.

A hard running, natural ball winner with poise and elite kicking ability on both sides of his body. He is also another midfielder who kicks goals, but his awareness in traffic, and his clean hands is what stands out to most.

Jimmy kicked a big goal in 2011 SANFL Grand Final for the eagles, and possessed poise, pace, and elite finishing abilities in a crucial moment, and was still then only a 17 year old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2IxC_SIGNI

PICK NUMBER 4:
TEAM: MELBOURNE
PLAYER: Oliver Wines
HEIGHT: 188cm
WEIGHT: 90kg

Jack Viney's best friend, these two have done a lot of growing up together and not surprisingly are similar types of players.

Wines a very much your hard-nosed, bull at a gate onballer, who's natural competitive streak, physicality, and contested possession are hallmarks of his game.

You'll often see Wines at the bottom of packs, extracting the ball to his team mates, and always cracking in hard, and never one to shirk a contest.

Wines also has an elite endurance, who will slot straight into Melbourne's best 22 in round 1 next season. He is a hungry player, he has leadership qualities, and will compliment Jack Viney beautifully in the midfield.

Already physically developed, Wines is very strong throughout his legs, and always stands up in a tackle. His strength through his hips makes him a hard player to tackle, but it's his upper body strength that has him likened to a player with already 3+ years in the AFL system.

He won All Australian honours after averaging 24 possessions in four games for Vic Country and was named in the Pioneers' best players in nine of his 10 games in the TAC Cup this year.

http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/496255/Draft%20Prospect:%20Oliver%20Wines/

PICK NUMBER 5:
TEAM: WESTERN BULLDOGS
PLAYER: Lachie Plowman
HEIGHT: 192cm,
WEIGHT: 84kg

Known as an athletic defender, Plowman is heavily likened to a Michael Hurley type player, in that he can play both ends of the ground.

He did miss a fair whack of the 2012 season, including the national carnival, after a horrid elbow injury but that will not hurt his prospects, given the enormity of his potential.

Plowman read's the play well, body's up even better, and is a very hard player to take a mark on. He's quick off the mark, has great closing speed, and also isn't afraid of taking a big contested mark in defence. He is strong overhead, an pin-point field kicker, and is a very vocal player down back.

What I love about Plowman is that he has confidence to run off his man, to spoil another contest, and also loves to play accountable football, demanding his forward match up run with him should he push further a field.

A great rebounder, and has been known to run and carry the ball, he makes excellent decisions, and always plays the percentages. The bulldogs believe his junior career spent in defence will make him an excellent forward, which is what they intend to with Plowman.

http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/496198/Draft%20Prospect:%20Lachie%20Plowman/

[Axel.]

PICK NUMBER 6:
TEAM: WESTERN BULLDOGS
PLAYER: Jonathan O'Rouke
HEIGHT: 184cm
WEIGHT: 73kg

Jonathan O'Rouke is another classy midfielder with excellent decision making abilities. He's a very smart player, and read's the play well, and is an exceptional kick around the ground, and has been known to kick goals, too.

Another endurance player, he's very well rounded, and although doesn't have break-neck pace, he does have a solid burst away from stoppages, and within his first few strides away from the pack, really gives him time to steady and hit up a target.

O'Rouke was one of the most interviewed players at the Combine, and was also given All Australian honours after a very consistant championships.

PICK NUMBER 7:
TEAM: Port Adelaide
PLAYER: Sam Mayes
HEIGHT: 187cm
WEIGHT: 78kg

The South Australian product was named at cetre half forward as a bottom aged player in 2011, and many believed he'd have a huge championships this year, however he was very quiet by his lofty standards.

Mayes is very much a forward flanker-come-midfielder, who has dash, class, added with a touch of flair. He's a freakish goal kicker, the type of player to make something out of nothing.

He's very much a Stevie J type of player, he speaks to the Sherrin in ways that not many footballers can. He's creative, he's hard to tackle, he loves to play games with defenders, and his break away pace means that if you give him an inch, he'll run a mile.

Mayes was a regular player for the Roosters in the SANFL this year, and was regarded as a consistant player, who if not was impacting the scoreboard, brought others into the game, and set up brilliantly for his team mates.

He's very much a team orientated player, however has a little big of "FIGJAM" about him, when he kicks those remarkable goals.

Put simply, he's an excitement machine, and will eventually push deep into the midfield once he gets his endurance up.

Port fans will see Mayes as a bit of a cult hero.

PICK 8:
TEAM: BRISBANE
PLAYER: Kristian Jaksch
HEIGHT: 194cm
WEIGHT: 83kg

Jacksch is my smokey to be a late draft bolter, and has quickly become the one of the most promising key postion players who is equally as good at either end of the ground, again like a Michael Hurley.

Jaksch spent his junior career as a forward, naturally bigger than most kids, it gave him an edge, and he played it brilliantly, proving to be a dead-eye-dick in front of the sticks.

In the national championships this year, Jaksch played predominately in defence, which has seem him develop in leaps and bounds again in 2012, further pushing his top 10 prospects.

Jaksch is known for his contested marking, he is strong overhead, is a good reader of the play and is blessed with a strong, penetrating kick that can force it's way through zones.

He plays as a lead up forward very well, he's got some speed off the mark, and know's the right spots to lead into.

At this stage in his development, he'll likely be that third string tall in attack, before eventually slotting into that dominate two forwards.

He does have that versatility to play back very well, which makes him a very attractive suitor to the lions.

http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/496190/Draft%20Prospect:%20Kristian%20Jaksch/

[Axel.]

PICK 9:
TEAM: RICHMOND
PLAYER: Jackson Macrae
HEIGHT: 189cm
WEIGHT: 76kg

Macrae has essentially come from nowhere this year to become a top ten prospect, especially after his impressive season in both the National Championships and the TAC Cup.

He's a very, very smart midfielder, a great runner, another good reader of the play with solid vision and awareness, mixed with exceptional skills, pace and work rate.

He's become a favourite of mine in 2012, and after kicking 6 goals as a midfielder against Tasmania in the national carnival, he got tongues wagging amongst recruiters, and was also another heavily interviewed player at the combine.

He won the game for the Chargers in the TAC Cup, famously kicking a point to seal the win; he was also named BOG in the TAC Grand Final, too.

Macrae is a lofty, creative left-footer who starred with 44 touches in a representative schools match later in the.

Macrae also finished equal second in the Brad Johnson kicking test at the combine, and is seen to be a bit of an excitement machine, that will provide many highlights for whichever team he is drafted to

PICK 10:
TEAM: ESSENDON
PLAYER: Joe Daniher (Father/Son)
HEIGHT: 201cm
WIGHT: 89kgs

Son on Anthony, Joe Daniher was always destined to play for the bombers, despite also being an eligible father/son selection for the Swans.

Daniher has been regarded as one of the best junior players to ever come through the system, and would have quite easily pushed his claims for a top 3 selection in this years draft, had he not have been picked up as a father/son recruit.

What stands out about Daniher is his elite contested marking, he's a high flying, big lead up forward, who is also clean below his knees at ground level, a trait that is very rare in players of his size.

Many believe that Daniher will take a little bit longer to develop, at this stage his goal kicking is slightly inconstant, and he is a little lightly built, given his size.

Once Daniher puts on a few kilograms, he will be an absolute force for the Bombers for the next decade, and given how many contested marks he's taken in a game at junior level, he has the potential to kick big bags, and rip games open.

Believed to be the best marking player in the draft, he will be a scary prospect for future defenders.

Daniher was eased through the championships and at TAC cup level this year, as he had nothing to prove given he was always Essendon bound. He also didn't test at the combine, for the same above reason.

Essendon supporters can expect to see Daniher managed throughout his first season next year, with Hird and Co looking to give him a taste, whilst also allow him time to grow into his big body, and finely tune some aspects of his game in the VFL.

He is very humble, well spoken, and very smart. He's still "one of the boys" but he is very well respected by his team mates and coaches.

PICK 11:
TEAM: CARLTON
PLAYER: Jake Stringer
HEIGHT: 191cm
WEIGHT: 94kgs

Jake Stringer is ready to step right up to the rigours of AFL football, and it's attack on the ball which has made him a big talking point. He suffered a bad leg break last year, but prior to this he was a very big and versatile player, who was noted for winning his own football.

This year, Stringer has played predominately forward, however in the past has had stints in the back half, too. He's a very good competitor, strong overhead, and body's up well and know's how to protect the football, as well as mark it at it's highest point.

Stringer isn't overly tall enough to play as a deep key position player, but it's his precise kicking, both around the field and in front of goal which is his most talked about trait.

He kicked a perfect score in the Brad Johnson kicking test at the combine, and also finished equal first in the clean hands test and was well interviewed by a multitude of clubs. His leg has been given the all clear from medical reports at the combine, which should give clubs the all clear.

Given his injury, he's becoming increasingly hard to place in this years draft, and could go anywhere between 10 - 20 in the draft. He's one player I'll be eagerly watching to see where he ends up on the day, but for know I see him with the blues.

http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/496208/Draft%20Prospect:%20Jake%20Stringer/

PICK 12:
TEAM: GWS GIANTS
PLAYER: Dayle Garlett

Garlett has been known for his off-field dramas, a bit in the sense of Jack Darling, which sore him slide into the second round and into the hands of the Eagles.

Garlett has electrifying pace, and is the text book definition of an outside midfielder. He has a silky left foot, and is noted for his goal kicking, but he's also handy a field, and can be quiet dangerous.

He's very elusive and doesn't mind the odd side step around the opposition, complete with a bit of candy selling.

Gartlett isn't an overly high possession getting player, however with every touch he gets, he is damaging. He's a very quick thinker, and his poise in tight situations makes him a very unique talent, and one that would be a welcome addition to any team.

Regarded as a top 10 for the most part of the year, his off field issues may come into play, which could see him taken between pick 8 - 18.

From all reports, he interviewed exceptionally well, and has put his previous misdemeanours behind him, which should see him go about middle range in the first round.

Dayle Garlett Highlights - YouTube

[Axel.]

PICK 13:
TEAM: GWS GIANTS
PLAYER: Tom Clurey
HEIGHT193cm
WEIGHT: 85kg

Tom Clurey is very much a "new age" footballer, in the sense that he is very much a shut down type of defender in the back half, but also has an uncanny explosiveness to rebound form the back half and set up further a field.

He's an exceptional reader of the play, is a very stronger kick from the back half, and is very vocal, providing leadership and direction.

He's noted for his intercept marking, and his decision making Clurey also has become somewhat of a draft bolter, especially after a very strong combine showing.

Clurely has an incredible tank, which was demonstrated in the beep test, coming first overall with 15.1 and rann 10.08 in the 3km time trial to finish second overall.

Although I have him at the Giants with pick 13, he'd be a welcome addition to back half. He could go a little higher than 13, with my prediction to be somewhere between 13-20 but on a "needs basis" I've got him going to the giants.

Tom Clurey Highlights - YouTube

PICK 14:
TEAM: NORTH MELBOURNE
PLAYER: Nick Vlastuin
HEIGHT: 187cm
WEIGHT: 83kg

Vlastuin, pronounced Va-lus-ten caught the eye of prospective teams with his incredible attack on the ball, with little to no regard for his own safety.

He is a very, very clean player, but foot or by hand, and his tenacity and ferocity at the man, and at the contest is what makes him such an incredible prospect.

Vlastuin made All Australian this year, and was Captain of Metro in the under 18 championships. He is a leader, "the general", he goes out of his way to get around his players, and is a very mature player, who does all the team things right.

He is solid, reliable and the kind of player you want on your team. He's very solid overhead, and despite his size is very strong in the air, and a great rover on the ground.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdCfj63-xpQ

[Axel.]

PICK 15:
TEAM: GEELONG
PLAYER: Troy Menzal
HEIGHT: 187cm
WEIGHT: 78kg

Brother of Geelong's Daniel, it's been no secret that Troy's knees have troubled him in the past, and after having LARS surgery on a torn ACL when he was 16, it's caused many recruiters to question his durability, like his brothers, moving forward.

There seems to be a bit of a history of dodgy knees in the Menzal family, but there is also a bucket load of skill just waiting to be unleashed.

Troy had another scare after hurting his knee a month ago, but scans revealed it was nothing but a jar.

After medical examinations took place at the draft camp, literally every team swarmed as soon as his results were posted. A world-leading knee surgeon also further enhanced Menzal's prospects, giving him the all clear, adding that his knee would be 100% up to the rigours of football.

Menzal, a gifted on baller, with an exceptional appetite for a goal, will be one of the most interesting prospects this draft. He was formally touted as a top 5 pick, but his knee injuries have caused some to depict him as a middle to late first round, with some believing he could blow out to around the 30 mark.

Key attributes to his game include his marking ability, his break away speed, and is another crafty midfielder-come-forward who kicks goals from all angels. He's one player opposition players tend to give a lot of attention to, given he is so creative.

Menzel famously kicked 9 goals for South Australia in the National Carnival against Tasmania, and also racked up a mountain of the ball.

We know how damaging his brother Daniel is when fit, and I'm tipping to see these brothers join up as AFL footballers for Geelong, in what would be a fairytale for both Geelong and of course the Menzel family.

Troy Menzel on Ten News - YouTube

PICK 16:
TEAM: FREMANTLE
PLAYER: Mason Shaw
HEIGHT: 197cm
WEIGHT: 82kg

Mason Shaw has flown somewhat under the radar. The forward/ruckmen is constantly praised for his exceptional leading ability out from the forward line. He has strong hands over head, and has a very sound and true kicking action on goal that is very fluent.

Shaw's versatility to pinch hit in the ruck further increases his stocks, and should he land ideally at the Dockers, he will help jouster "life after Pav".

Shaw really is a dead-eye-dick for goal, he's a smart footballer, very hard to stop, and when he's on, you can mark him down for a bag.

Regarded as one of the best key forward prospects, Shaw could go earlier than 16, and given St Kilda's compensation for losing Brendan Goddard - the Saints may snap him up with an earlier selection.

Shaw loves the big stage, he kicked 7 goals in a losing grand final, and he doesn't mind the pressure of finals football either.

Draft Prospect Mason Shaw - YouTube

[Rumblah]

Axel. is anything quality (eg. ready to stand up straight away) going to be around by pick 27?

Kinda worried about our midfield depth.

[Axel.]

Axel. is anything quality (eg. ready to stand up straight away) going to be around by pick 27?

Kinda worried about our midfield depth.

imo you can get a good midfielder with 27 (assuming no one slides) but they won't be ready straight away. Unless you draft a mature age player which there are a few this year who could have good impact.

[Rumblah]

imo you can get a good midfielder with 27 (assuming no one slides) but they won't be ready straight away. Unless you draft a mature age player which there are a few this year who could have good impact.

Really not liking it either way. If we go the mature option then sure we're safe now, but it doesn't really fix the issue. However if we draft a kid and he ain't ready we're cooked then.

Whitecross is done for most if not all of '13, Ellis, Hill, Woodward is the senior depth. Unless we fix it I'm guessing one or more of Duryea, Schneider and Wanganeen will play games, which I'm fine with, but it isn't ideal.