AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin Sheehan today announced his top 40 prospects ahead of the 2017 NAB AFL Draft to be held in Sydney on Friday, November 24.
List in alphabetical order, by surname.
1. Oscar Allen
West Perth/Whitfords
19.3.1999
Height: 191cm Weight: 83kg
Mobile tall forward who is strong overhead and has innate goal sense. Averaged 15.8 disposals, 6.2 marks and 2.8 goals for Western Australia providing a consistent target up forward. Capped off a very impressive NAB AFL Under-18 Championships by winning the Larke Medal as Division 1 best player overall and winning All-Australian Under-18 honours. Made senior debut with West Perth late in year.
2. Zac Bailey
Northern Territory/Southern Districts/Norwood
23.9.1999
Height: 181cm Weight: 81kg
Hard-edged medium midfielder with a good burst of speed away from the midfield and able to set up many opportunities for his forwards. Averaged 17.2 possessions (6.8 contested), 3.2 clearances and 4.8 tackles in an outstanding series for the Allies winning
All-Australian honours. Starred for Northern Territory earlier in the year in the Academy series. One of the big improvers at Under-18 level this season.
3. Connor Ballenden
Brisbane Lions Academy/West Juniors
29.3.1999
Height: 198cm Weight: 96kg
Graduate of NAB AFL Academy who is a tall forward/defender who can also pinch hit in the ruck. Strong overhead contested mark and excellent penetrating kick. Impressive for Brisbane Lions Academy as a key forward and switched to defence for the Allies and was particularly impressive against Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
4. Noah Balta
Calder Cannons/Essendon Doutta Stars/St Bernard’s
23.10.1999
Height: 195cm Weight: 95kg
A graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a super athletic tall defender with elite natural leap and line-breaking speed. Is still developing his game sense but can also play forward. Played three games for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships winning team and has big upside. Used his versatility to great effect for the Calder Cannons this year and finished fourth in the best and fairest.
5. Aiden Bonar
Dandenong Stingrays/ Haileybury College
8.3.1999
Height: 189cm Weight: 87kg
Powerfully built, versatile type who excels at stoppages and has a burst of speed away from congestion. Strong overhead and very competitive, he has overcome two ACL injuries to return to school and club football late in the year. All-Australian at Under-15 level in 2014 and has massive upside. Impressed in the All Stars game on Grand Final day to be among the best players. During the NAB
AFL Draft Combine he highlighted his speed with a time of 2.92 seconds for the 20-metre sprint.
6. Jarrod Brander
Bendigo Pioneers/Wentworth/Geelong Grammar
11.2.1999
Height: 195cm Weight: 92kg
Graduate of NAB AFL Academy who is a tall forward/defender and finished the Under-18 Championships with a dominant performance up forward in the Allies win over Vic Metro after excelling down back in game one against Vic Country. Strong overhead, agile and a good ball user. Averaged 15.8 disposals and 5.2 marks across the Under-18 Championships.
7. Andrew Brayshaw
Sandringham Dragons/Haileybury College
8.11.1999
Height: 184cm Weight: 82kg
Medium midfielder who has clean hands and uses the football well. Has good balance of inside and outside game and recovered from injury to play two games for Vic Metro. Averaged 21 disposals at 88 percent efficiency and four tackles. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Draft Combine, ranking first in the new Yo-Yo Test with a score of Level 22.4 then backed it up with a top three finish in the 2km with a time of six minutes and 14 seconds.
8. Adam Cerra
Eastern Ranges/Wesley Grammar
7.10.1999
Height: 186cm Weight: 80kg
Classy and prolific ball winner as a medium inside midfielder who uses the ball well by hand and foot. A playmaker, he also can be dangerous around goals. Impressed in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 18.2 disposals, 4.2 clearances and 5.5 tackles.
9. Hunter Clark
Dandenong Stingrays/Mornington
26.3.1999
Height: 186cm Weight: 80kg
A graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a poised and smooth-moving medium defender or midfielder who uses the ball well by hand and foot. An elite ball handler, he's strong overhead. Averaged 15.2 disposals, three marks and 4.2 tackles for Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Won the Stingrays’ best and fairest award to top off a great year.
10. Oscar Clavarino
Dandenong Stingrays/Berwick/Haileybury
22.5.1999
Height: 196cm Weight: 85kg
A graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a tall defender with excellent closing speed and strong hands overhead. Accountable and a strong performer in one-on-one contests. Uses the ball well, setting up his team from defence. Averaged 11.8 disposals and six intercept marks in an impressive NAB AFL Under-18 Championships performance winning All-Australian Under-18 honours.
11. Nicholas Coffield
Northern Knights/Eltham/Whitefriars
23.10.1999
Height: 191cm Weight: 82kg
Versatile player who can play in defence, through the midfield or up forward. Showed excellent breakaway speed from down back throughout the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Is good in one-on-one contests and is strong overhead. Averaged 22.2 disposals
at 74.2 percent efficiency and 4.2 marks in an impressive all-round Championships performance winning Under-18 All-Australian honours. His 2.91 seconds for the 20-metre sprint at the NAB AFL Draft Combine showcased his speed.
12. Callum Coleman-Jones
Sturt/Scotch College
13.6.1999
Height: 201cm Weight: 99kg
Graduate of the NAB AFL Academy and a developing ruckman/tall Forward who captained South Australia and is growing in confidence with his contested pack marking and ruck craft features of his play. Very good one-on-one player who averaged 17 possessions, 4.2 marks and 19.5 hitouts throughout the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, won All-Australian honours.
13. Charlie Constable
Sandringham Dragons/Haileybury College
18.5.1999
Height: 191cm Weight: 86kg
Versatile tall midfielder who can go back or forward and wins contested football on the inside. Distributes the ball well, particularly by hand, and is strong in one-on-one contests. Had a very consistent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 26.3 possessions at 72.2 percent efficiency and averaging 4.2 tackles winning Under-18 All-Australian honours.
14. Brayden Crossley
Gold Coast Suns Academy/Labrador Tigers
16.8.1999
Height: 198cm Weight: 101kg
Graduate of NAB AFL Academy who is aggressive, competitive and persistent ruckman who plays with skill and passion. His physical presence and ruck craft impressed for Allies averaging 16.7 disposals, 27.7 hitouts and 3.7 tackles. Won Allies MVP award as well as winning All Australian honours.
15. Luke Davies-Uniacke
Dandenong Stingrays/Rye/Haileybury
8.6.1999
Height: 187cm Weight: 85kg
A graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a strong-bodied medium midfielder with a good burst of speed from stoppages, he uses his excellent vision and decision-making to set up play. Is also good overhead and strong one-on-one. Very impressive again in the
All Stars game on Grand Final day with his 22 possessions.
16. Hugh Dixon
Kingborough Tigers/Guilford Young College
26.2.1999
Height: 195cm Weight: 90kg
Tall forward who is mobile, agile and strong overhead. Impressive for Tasmania in the AFL Academy series winning its MVP award and then a consistent target up forward for the Allies averaging 11 disposals, 3.5 marks and 2.2 goals in four matches.
17. Paddy Dow
Bendigo Pioneers/Swan Hill/Geelong Grammar
16.10.1999
Height: 185cm Weight: 78kg
A graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a hard-running medium midfielder and has good balance between contested and uncontested ball. A prolific ball winner, he's good in one-on-one contests and was a consistent performer for Vic Country, with an average of 18.5 possessions (11.8 contested) and 5.2 clearances. Won All-Australian honours.
18. Darcy Fogarty
Glenelg/Rostrevor College
25.9.1999
Height: 192cm Weight: 95kg
Graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a dynamic tall forward that can also go back or play through the midfield. Strong overhead and a fierce competitor. Hampered by knee injury during the Championships averaging 11.5 disposals and 3.5 marks.
19. Lachlan Fogarty
Western Jets/Spotswood/St Kevin’s College
1.4.1999
Height: 179cm Weight: 75kg
Graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a creative and courageous small midfielder who has good game sense in winning the ball and tackles aggressively. A good decision-maker and efficient user of the ball by hand and foot. Averaged 19 disposals at 68.4 percent efficiency and nine tackles in winning All Australian honours. Finished runner up in the Jets’ best and fairest award despite only playing seven matches.
20. Joel Garner
Eastern Ranges/Wandin/Scotch College
21.5.1999
Height: 184cm Weight: 83kg
Graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a medium defender who is composed with the ball in hand and distributes it well on his preferred left foot. Captained Vic Metro extremely well, winning the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for the second year running. Averaged 15.8 disposals at 74.8 percent efficiency, winning All Australian Under-18 honours.
21. Sam Hayes
Eastern Ranges/Ferntree Gully/Rowville Sports Academy
9.6.1999
Height: 203cm Weight: 93kg
A graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a mobile ruckman or tall forward who is strong overhead and effective with his ruck craft at stoppages. Now a back-to-back Under-18 All Australian after averaging 14.5 possessions, 3.5 marks and 16.8 hitouts across the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
22. Jack Higgins
Oakleigh Chargers/East Malvern
19.3.1999
Height: 178cm Weight: 77kg
Graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a prolific ball-winning small forward or midfielder who reads the game exceptionally well and is strong overhead for his size and dangerous around goals. A consistent performer throughout the Under-18 Championships, he averaged 27.2 possessions at 74.3 percent efficiency (average of 13 contested) and averaged 1.5 goals per game. Won the Vic Metro MVP and All- Australian Under-18 honours. Also won the TAC Cup Morrish Medal as the competition’s best and fairest.
23. Jordan Houlahan
Sturt/Mt Barker High School
19.2.1999
Height: 186cm Weight: 76kg
Medium forward who is extremely strong overhead and reliable set shot and snap for goal. Consistent performer for South Australia across the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 1.8 goals from his nine disposals and three marks. Progressed to Reserve level at Sturt having impressed during Round 16 where he kicked five goals against Glenelg.
24. Matthew Ling
Geelong Falcons/St Mary’s/St Joseph’s College
21.4.1999
Height: 183cm Weight: 75kg
Medium defender or midfielder with line-breaking speed and good vision and ball distribution. Represented Vic Country in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 14 disposals at 80 percent efficiency and averaging 2.8 tackles across the four matches.
25. Gryan Miers
Geelong Falcons/Grovedale/Grovedale College
30.3.1999
Height: 178cm Weight: 77kg
Livewire small forward with elite game sense and smarts around goals. A prolific ball winner, he also provides strong defensive pressure inside 50. Averaged 17.8 disposals and four tackles across the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for Vic Country. Had an outstanding year for the Falcons. kicking 50 goals, including seven goals in the TAC Cup Grand Final and being awarded Best on Ground.
26. Dylan Moore
Eastern Ranges/Rowville/Caulfield Grammar
4.8.1999
Height: 176cm Weight: 66kg
Prolific ball-winning small forward or midfielder with football smarts in reading the play. Positions himself well as a crumbing forward. Uses the ball well, averaging 23 possessions at 71.1 percent efficiency winning All-Australian Under-18 honours. Top performer in the 2km test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine with a time of six minutes and nine seconds.
27. Nathan Murphy
Sandringham Dragons/Brighton Grammar
15.12.1999
Height: 188cm Weight: 80kg
Medium forward with excellent natural leap for the ball, is strong overhead and is a clean mark out front. Agile and versatile type with good sense being a prolific goal scorer at Brighton Grammar before playing for the Dragons. Outstanding cricketer having represented Victoria at under-age level.
28. Patrick Naish
Northern Knights/Ivanhoe Grammar
15.1.1999
Height: 181cm Weight: 69kg
Graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a clever and creative midfielder with a good burst of speed and an innate ability around the goals. A good decision-maker and user of the football by hand and foot, and a neat step through traffic. Impressed throughout the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, with an average of 21.5 disposals at 65.1 percent efficiency and 4.2 inside 50s. winning All-Australian Under-18 honours.
29. Aaron Naughton
Peel Thunder/Rockingham
30.11.1999
Height: 194cm Weight: 84kg
Left-footed tall defender who showed dash from defence, strength overhead and a penetrating and accurate kick in winning Western Australia's MVP. Averaged 14.8 disposals, 5.2 marks and 2.8 rebound 50's during the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships winning All-Australian honours. Showed future potential with an outstanding start to his senior career with Peel Thunder in the back half of the year.
30. Lochie O’Brien
Bendigo Pioneers/South Mildura/Geelong Grammar
18.9.1999
Height: 184cm Weight: 77kg
A graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a fleet-of foot medium midfielder with a penetrating left foot. Strong overhead and dangerous around goals. Averaged 15.7 disposals at 66 percent efficiency in his three games for Vic Country across the NAB AFL
Under-18 Championships. Impressed in the NAB AFL Draft Combine with his six minutes and 12 seconds for the 2km, ranked second overall.
31. Ben Paton
Murray Bushrangers/North Albury
19.10.1998
Height: 186cm Weight: 77kg
Medium defender who provided great run from defence and uses the ball well by both hand and foot. Has an impressive natural leap, allowing him to play on a taller opponent when required. Averaged 18.5 disposals at 79.9 percent efficiency in a consistent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships performance for Vic Country winning All-Australian honours. Had a consistent year with the Bushrangers finishing runnerup in the best and fairest.
32. Harrison Petty
Norwood/Rostrevor College
12.11.1999
Height: 195cm Weight: 82kg
Tall defender who is strong overhead and provided strong rebound for South Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Averaged 12.2 disposals and 4.2 marks and won the South Australia MVP award as well as winning All-Australian honours.
33. Cameron Rayner
Western Jets/Essendon Doutta Stars/PEGS
21.10.1999
Height: 187cm Weight: 87kg
Graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a powerful medium forward or midfielder who excels with his speed and agility at stoppages. Is dangerous around the goals and strong in the air. Had an outstanding NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 18.2 possessions (11.2 contested) and three goals per match, winning All-Australian Under-18 honours.
34. Ed Richards
Oakleigh Chargers/Carey Grammar
3.7.1999
Height: 185cm Weight: 78kg
Left-footed medium defender who was a dominant player in APS football this year with his intercept marking and play making across half back features of his game. Also played seven matches for the Oakleigh Chargers. Grandson of the former Collingwood legend Ron Richards.
35. Nicholas Shipley
GWS Giants Academy/St George
25.6.1999
Height: 188cm Weight: 93kg
Powerful midfielder for the GWS Giants Academy who is a contested ball winner who excels at stoppages. Has good vision and clean hands with terrific work rate. Averaged 16.2 disposals at 75.4 percent efficiency for the Allies after impressing for the GWS Giants in the Academy series. Played some consistent football for the Giants in the NEAFL this year.
36 Charlie Spargo
Murray Bushrangers/Albury/Melbourne Grammar
25.11.1999
Height: 172cm Weight: 70kg
Graduate of NAB AFL Academy who is a small forward/midfielder who is a real playmaker in the mould of Brent Harvey. Only played one game in Division One of the NAB AFL Under-1 Championships for the Allies gathering 19 disposals against Vic Country before a shoulder injury curtailed his championship. Courageous and skilful player with great football intelligence and passion for the game.
37. Jaidyn Stephenson
Eastern Ranges/Ferntree Gully
15.1.1999
Height: 189cm Weight: 75kg
A graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a medium midfielder or forward with line-breaking speed who is strong overhead and a long accurate kick for goal. His 28 disposals and five goal performance against South Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships was a highlight. Topped off the year with the best on ground in the All Stars game played on Grand Final day as well as showcasing his ability, winning the Ranges’ best and fairest.
38. Sam Taylor
Swan Districts/Guildford Grammar
5.5.1999
Height: 196cm Weight: 85kg
Graduate of NAB AFL Academy who is a composed tall defender who is strong overhead and very composed when under pressure. Uses the ball well when setting up play from defence and is team oriented. Averaged 11 disposals and 3.5 marks, he consistently controlled the oppositions tall forwards, winning All-Australian honours.
39. Toby Wooller
Oakleigh Chargers/Old Scotch
16.3.1999
Height: 193cm Weight: 90kg
Tall forward or midfielder who is strong overhead and a dangerous player around goals. Played two games for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and was very impressive in the TAC Cup this year, winning the Charges’ best and fairest award. Grandson of former Geelong Cats Premiership captain Fred Wooller. Showcased his endurance at the NAB AFL Draft
Combine with his six minutes and 32 seconds for the 2km test, outstanding for a player of his size.
40. James Worpel
Geelong Falcons/Bell Park
24.1.1999
Height: 185cm Weight: 86kg
A graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a strong and powerful medium midfielder who wins contested balls and accelerates from stoppages. A strong, aggressive tackler, he led Vic Country as cocaptain. Averaged 19.8 possessions (9.8 contested), 4.2 clearances and eight tackles and won the Vic Country MVP award. Topped off an impressive year as a premiership player with the Geelong Falcons.
