2013 AFL Draft Preview

By Sam Canavan

It’s been a busy off-season for NSW and ACT already, with home-grown talents Dane Rampe, Brandon Jack, Will Langford, Mitch Clisby, and Zac Williams upgraded from their respective clubs’ rookie lists.

Trade-wise, five local lads found their way to new clubs: Kurt  Aylett to Essendon, Dylan Addison joined Sydney, Josh Bruce went to the Saints,  Tony Armstrong linked with Collingwood, and Aidan Riley was given a lifeline by Melbourne.

Attention now turns to Queensland for next week’s AFL National Draft, with a handful of youngsters from NSW and ACT hopeful of entering the professional football fray. Here are the top eight players you need to know about before October 21’s Gold Coast Convention Centre gala.

Jake Barrett. Club: Temora

Pos: MID Age: 18 H: 182cm W: 82kg

GWS GIANTS have committed to taking the inside midfielder with a zone selection in next week’s draft. Barrett, a Slater & Gordon GIANTS Academy product, had a strong year with the GIANTS’ NEAFL side, and caught recruiters’ eyes with a solid NAB Under 18 Carnival, followed by some impressive test results at October’s NAB AFL Draft combine. The 18-year-old’s success is made all the more impressive considering he played Rugby league until age 15, with his huge engine, bullishness around stoppages, and damaging left foot sure to make him a favourite with new coach Leon Cameron.

Lloyd Perris. Club: St George

Pos: MID Age: 18 H: 179cm W: 74kg

The NSW/ACT RAMS star and Sydney Swans scholarship holder was signed to the Swans’ rookie list on a two-year contract in early October. A part of the Swans’ Academy since age 14, Perris was tipped by many to be a first round draft pick, but concessional rules meant Sydney could lock away the youngster without using a draft pick (leaving the Swans with pick 15 in the first round of this year’s draft).  The accomplished midfielder was named All-Australian in this year’s national championships and was arguably the best AFL-AIS Academy player in the past two seasons.

Kieran Ellis. Club: Murray Bushrangers/Albury

Pos: MID Age: 18 H: 187cm W: 74kg

After swapping soccer ball for Sherrin just three years ago, Ellis’s progress has been astounding. The mid-sized midfielder/defender reads the play well, has clean hands, and makes good decisions with ball in hand. With recruiters increasingly looking for youngsters with skill and footy smarts rather than outstanding athleticism, Ellis is a chance of being picked up in the third round, or possibly rookie listed. At 6’2’’, he’s got enough height to drop back as a third tall defender, but he’ll need to bulk up considerably to compete in the guts at the highest level.

Michael Gibbons. Club: Murray Bushrangers/Lavington

Pos: MID Age: 18 H: 175cm W: 71kg

The success of Brisbane’s Dayne Zorko – a terrier-like ball-winner who stands at the same height as Gibbons – gives the Murray Bushrangers product hope of making his way onto an AFL list on November 21, or at the following week’s rookie draft. Unlike Zorko, who patrols the forward 50, 18-year-old Gibbons plays predominantly as an in-and-under midfielder, with a penchant for hard contests and a knack for winning mountains of the ball. Vice-captain of NSW/ACT RAMS, Gibbons averaged 26 touches and seven tackles at the National Championships, with his smart ball use on his preferred right foot a highlight.

Max King. Club: Murray Bushrangers/Wagga Tigers

Pos: RCK/FWD Age: 18 H: 200cm W: 90kg

King has been touted as a possible pick somewhere from 35 onwards, with his imposing frame the biggest boon to his draft prospects. Young big men typically take many years to refine their games, so if taken, King would be seen as a long-term project player. However, there’s plenty of upside to the former Wagga Tiger, with the recent trend of clubs favouring  goal-kicking ruckmen sure to weigh in his favour. King bagged 11 majors in an impressive National Championships, with his ability overhead and sound skills off either leg major weapons.

Nathan Gordon. Club: North Adelaide

Pos: MID Age: 23 H: 186cm W: 86kg

Delisted by the Swans at the end of 2012, this former Baulkham Hills/East Coast junior has impressed recruiters with North Adelaide in the SANFL in 2013. The former NSW/ACT RAMS representative takes the game on with his run and carry, and counter attack. Has neat skills by hand and foot and can play a variety of roles for his team. The 23-year-old has  a good feel for the game, and his experience and hardened body could work in his favour, with several clubs in the market for mature ready-made midfielders.

Jedd Clothier. Club: Calder Cannons/Belconnen

Pos: MID Age: 18 H: 190cm W: 84kg

Fantastic size for a midfielder, who, with a few more weights-intensive pre-seasons under his belt, will grow into a Jobe Watson or Nat Fyfe body type. His endurance is hard to fault, with a 14.7 beep test under his belt this year, and a reputation as one of the hardest runners at Calder. The Essendon NSW Scholarship holder knows how to win the footy too, averaging 16 possessions, five marks and three tackles per game at the National Championships.  A born leader, he’s the type of bloke who’ll thrive in an AFL environment if given an opportunity.

Jydon Neagle. Club: Murray Bushrangers/Walla Walla

Pos: FWD Age: 19 H: 186cm W: 85kg

Hard-bodied forward who plays well above his height, and can dominate games; as he showed in glimpses throughout the National Championships, highlighted by six majors against NT. His strong overhead marking, good vertical leap, and goal sense means he’s ideally suited as a third tall floating across half-forward, though he’s also spent time on a wing. The son of late Essendon star Merv has shown he can handle the next level, so don’t be surprised to hear his name read out on draft day.

*For highlights of the 2013 draft combine attendees, visit the NSW/ACT YouTube channel.

Main image of Michael Gibbons via AFL photos