This year’s crop of draft prospects have spent the past few years letting their football do the talking, and now we are approaching D-day with the draft just over a month away.
Saturday’s All Star clash was the last chance to impress scouts – and the likes of Jaidyn Stephenson and Luke Davies-Uniacke certainly did that, but there was also a number of highly rated prospects who missed the game due to injury or load management.
The NAB AFL Draft Combine has just been completed at Etihad Stadium with over 80 young men being poked, prodded and put through their paces – both physically and mentally – by the 18 clubs as they start to finalise their lists ahead of November’s draft.
It has been a few months since our last Big Board was released at the end of the 2017 under-18 championships, and a lot has changed in that time.
Some player’s performances have seen them rise dramatically, while others have dropped away.
Reminder: This list is purely how I rank the players; it is not a mock draft – that will come just before the draft in November.
1. Cameron RAYNER – Western Jets
DOB: 21/10/99 | Ht: 185.4cm | Wt: 88.5kg | Medium Forward
Rayner holds onto the top spot despite battling thumb and knee issues in the back half of the year that kept him out of the NAB All Stars game and prevented him from completing the physical assessments at the combine.
By his own admission his school footy form was a touch disappointing, but he still had some ‘wow’ moments with the Jets and he is still the genuine match-winner of the crop with his work in attack and through midfield.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 1
2. Luke DAVIES-UNIACKE – Dandenong Stingrays
DOB: 8/6/99 | Ht: 187.3cm | Wt: 85.5kg | Medium Midfielder
Some of Davies-Uniacke’s form at school level and with the Stingrays raised a few question marks, but the way he finished the year reminded us of his qualities as a pure midfielder.
The way he helped to drag Dandenong back from a 50-point half time deficit in the opening week of the TAC Cup finals, then his output in the All-Stars game put him right back in the mix as a potential No.1 pick.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 2
3. Jaidyn STEPHENSON – Eastern Ranges
DOB: 15/1/99 | Ht: 187.6cm | Wt: 76.0kg | Medium Midfielder
No player in the draft pool had a better last eight weeks than Stephenson. Maybe it was the haircut!
He became more and more confident in a new role in midfield, but was still able to be a threat on the scoreboard due to his ability to break the lines and get involved in scoring chains. His All-Stars outing was the icing on the cake as he was clearly the best player on the field.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 9
4. Paddy DOW – Bendigo Pioneers
DOB: 16/10/99 | Ht: 184.6cm | Wt: 80.4kg | Medium Midfielder
A shoulder injury sustained late in the season for the Pioneers prematurely ended Dow’s season, but his body of work both in the TAC Cup and in the APS school competition with Geelong Grammar put him firmly in the discussion to be the top overall selection in the draft.
He boasts that bit of power and burst away from congestion that clubs now crave and he has shown the ability to impact the scoreboard.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 10
5. Charlie CONSTABLE – Sandringham Dragons
DOB: 18/5/99 | Ht: 190.3cm | Wt: 83.5kg | Medium Midfielder
Constable isn’t going to wow with his athleticism, but when it comes to footy smarts, composure, competitiveness and production, there aren't too many (if any) better.
The nephew of Mick Malthouse has elite hands and vision in the contest and stands tall when tackled. He struggled with a groin injury late in the year but was still the top rated player in the TAC Cup Grand Final despite having his game time managed.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 4
6. Adam CERRA – Eastern Ranges
DOB: 7/10/99 | Ht: 185.9cm | Wt: 79.5kg | Medium Midfielder
Cerra is another who’s season was cut short by a shoulder injury, but his quality was there for all to see with the Ranges – and Wesley in school foot. He can win the ball inside and out and gets from contest to contest very well.
He is rated by Darren Bewick as the best kid he’s coached in his time at Eastern – some wrap considering the names that have preceded him.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 5
7. Nick COFFIELD – Northern Knights
DOB: 23/10/99 | Ht: 190.2cm | Wt: 82.6kg | Utility
The Northern Knights captain was a strong perfomer in the national championships and continued that level of consistency through to the end of the TAC Cup season.
He has played in all three zones, but looks most comfortable running off half back where his speed, decision making and kicking are a genuine threat. At the next level, some feel he’ll end up as an inside midfielder.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 8
8. Sam HAYES – Eastern Ranges
DOB: 9/6/99 | Ht: 202.3cm | Wt: 92.5kg | Ruck
Hayes finished the season in decent form but wasn’t at his absolute best with Eastern – his game against Sandringham where he took eight marks and had 20 possessions was probably his high point.
At 202cm, he projects as a ruck at the next level, but he can also play out of the goal square. Hayes needs to improve his running ability – he’s a bit of a young Sam Jacobs in that regard – but he’s smart and uses the ball well for a big man.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 7
9. Aaron NAUGHTON – Peel Thunder
DOB: 30/11/99 | Ht: 193.5cm | Wt: 84.0kg | Tall Defender
The intercepting tall defender made his senior WAFL debut in Round 17 and racked up nearly 30 marks and 60 disposals in his first three matches in defence.
He reads the play extremely well and chooses the right time to defend or attack. His kicking action isn’t going to win many style contests, but it generally gets the ball to where it needs to go.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: N/R
10. Darcy FOGARTY – Glenelg
DOB: 25/9/99 | Ht: 192.3cm | Wt: 88.8kg | Utility
After an underwhelming national championships, Fogarty struggled a bit back at SANFL with Glenelg and was sent in for knee surgery to repair a small meniscus tear, which put an end to his 2017 season.
Clubs are finding it tough to peg where Fogarty sits among this draft group and where he best projects to play at AFL level. He does though have just as much talent as any of those rated above him and if he can improve his running, he’ll be a bargain.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 11
11. Aiden BONAR – Dandenong Stingrays
DOB: 8/5/99 | Ht: 190.0cm | Wt: 89.0kg | Utility
The Stingrays eased him into things up forward and also in defence after he returned mid-season, and with each game he gained more confidence and touch. In the All Star game he spent time through midfield and was an eye-catcher – and that is where he sees his future at AFL level.
He is strong, powerful, quick and he good hands and vision. He also kicks the ball very well with genuine penetration and many feel he would have been a potential No.1 prior to his knee issues. He tested off the charts at the combine.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: N/R
12. Jack HIGGINS – Oakleigh Chargers
DOB: 19/3/99 | Ht: 178.2cm | Wt: 75.9kg | Small Forward
Towards the end of the year, the ultra-smart small forward/midfielder was spending most of his time deep in attack with short stints in the middle and he managed to boot 15 goals in his last four matches.
A shoulder issue hampered him in the finals and saw him miss the All-Stars game, but while he didn’t test as well as he’d like at the combine, his footy IQ is off the charts.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 15
13. Andrew BRAYSHAW – Sandringham Dragons
DOB: 8/11/99 | Ht: 183.4cm | Wt: 79.3kg | Medium Midfielder
Playing mainly through midfield, Brayshaw shares similar many traits to Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin with his ball winning ability, decision making, kicking and endurance.
He rarely plays a bad game and is possibly the most consistent player in this pool – especially in the back half of the season – where he was always among the best for the Dragons and Haileybury.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 19
14. Jarrod BRANDER – Bendigo Pioneers
DOB: 11/2/99 | Ht: 194.6cm | Wt: 88.9kg | Tall Defender/Forward
Back or forward? That is the $1 million question that scouts are asking themselves when it comes to where Brander best fits in the future. He has shown the capability to play at either end equally well, but it might be defence where he starts out.
Brander is talented, but needs to work harder at times and add a more consistent physical edge – like the one we saw in the last game of the championships.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 13
15. Hunter CLARK – Dandenong Stingrays
DOB: 26/3/99 | Ht: 185.9cm | Wt: 79.3kg | Medium Midfielder
Clark enjoyed a strong back half of the 2017 season and his move into midfield saw his game blossom. His work as an inside midfielder who can also burst from congestion and push forward to hit the scoreboard makes him an attractive prospect for clubs selecting in the mid-late first round.
A well balanced player on both sides of his body, if he can tidy up his kicking efficiency he’ll become an even more damaging player with ball in hand.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: N/R
16. Nathan MURPHY – Sandringham Dragons
DOB: 15/12/99 | Ht: 188.0cm | Wt: 84.0kg | Medium Defender
Cricket may have had a win by luring Will Sutherland, but football looks set to get one back with Murphy looming as a top 20 draft pick after re-joining the Dragons in the second half of the year.
Murphy has played most of his footy in defence, but a switch forward with Brighton Grammar showed that he has the ability to play at either end with good effect. He is a good decision maker and ball user with great awareness of what is happening around him.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: N/R
17. Oscar ALLEN – West Perth
DOB: 19/3/99 | Ht: 191.0cm | Wt: 83.2kg | Tall Forward
Allen enjoyed an ultra-consistent season at all levels with West Perth, Western Australia and in the All Stars game. After the championships he stepped up to reserves level, then earned a league debut where he averaged five marks in two outings.
He returned to the colts for the final home and away game and had 28 possessions, seven mark and 10 tackles. He is a hard-working forward that always gives 100 per cent effort.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 18
18. Patrick NAISH – Northern Knights
DOB: 15/1/99 | Ht: 180.2cm | Wt: 69.1kg | Small Forward
The Richmond father-son prospect’s form in the back half of the year was hot and cold with both Ivanhoe Grammar and the Knights. His best footy is played in the front half where his goal nous and ability to make things happen are as good as any in this draft pool.
He continues to be a somewhat polarising prospect among the recruiting fraternity with some see him being a 10-12 pick, while others feel his sits somewhere in the 20s. The Tigers won’t match a bid if it comes too high.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 17
19. Ed RICHARDS – Oakleigh Chargers
DOB: 3/7/99 | Ht: 183.9cm | Wt: 77.5kg | Medium Defender
Richards missed the national championships with a knee injury, but his ability to tuck the ball under his arm and break the lines with Carey Grammar and Oakleigh in the back half of the season has seen him emerge as a possible top 20 prospect.
He plays the game much quicker than he tested at the combine and is a good user on his left boot. His shock of red hair catches the eye and can play both as a rebounding half back or up on a wing.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: N/R
20. Noah BALTA – Calder Cannons
DOB: 23/10/99 | Ht: 194.6cm | Wt: 90.2kg | Tall Defender Balta continues to be somewhat of an enigma…and an extremely tough one to project at the next level. His best is good enough to become the pick of this draft crop, but his inconsistency also raises plenty of doubts.
Athletically there aren’t too many players ahead of him but he needs to impact games more no matter which position he is playing. Some see him as a defender with Alex Rance-like traits, while others want to see him up forward.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 20
21. Connor BALLENDEN – Brisbane Lions
DOB: 21/3/99 | Ht: 199.0cm | Wt: 95.7kg | Tall Forward
Ballenden was projected to be one of the top key forwards in this draft pool at the start of the season, but like Brander, his best footy has been played in defence. The question is, can he play back at AFL level, or is he more likely to return to attack and a forward/ruck? I think the latter is more likely.
He booted eight goals in five outings with the Lions NEAFL team post-championships, including a bag of four against Canberra.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: N/R
22. Matthew LING – Geelong Falcons
DOB: 21/4/99 | Ht: 181.9cm | Wt: 74.1kg | Medium Midfielder
Ling continues to loom as the TAC Cup premiers’ top draft hope in November, but his form in the back half of the season was up and down.
As a speedy, agile, left-footed running defender, Ling has some quality attributes than will translate well at AFL level, but he also needs to be more competitive and maintain consistent concentration. He is one with a great deal of upside.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 14
23. Joel GARNER – Eastern Ranges
DOB: 21/5/99 | Ht: 183.2cm | Wt: 80.8kg | Medium Defender
The highly-regarded left footer has had a disappointing second half of the season after doing well down back in the national championships with Vic Metro.
He has been thrown all over the field with both Scotch College and the Eastern Ranges and hasn’t been able to find any real consistency in finding the footy. He does though have plenty of talent and good attributes, but his ranking has slipped due to his form.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 6
24. Jordan HOULAHAN – Sturt
DOB: 19/2/99 | Ht: 185.0cm | Wt: 75.4kg | Medium Forward
Houlahan is a quick, agile, instinctive forward who looms as the South Australia’s second best prospect – ahead of the likes of Harrison Petty and Charlie Ballard.
His four goals in the first half of the SANFL under 18 grand final highlighted his ability to break games open in attack and his aerial work is one of his real strengths. He can sit on an opponent’s head to take a hanger, but also find space on a lead.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: N/R
25. Lochie O’BRIEN – Bendigo Pioneers
DOB: 18/9/99 | Ht: 184.0cm | Wt: 77.5kg | Medium Midfielder
O’Brien was another who had an up and down back half of the 2017 season – both at school level with Geelong Grammar and in a few appearances with Bendigo.
The knock is that he needs to add a harder edge to his game and be more competitive, but he possesses some excellent traits – he’s quick, has great endurance and a piercing left boot.
Big Board 1.0 Ranking: 12
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