Houlahan and Gown?
Yep Jake Riccardi won the VFL’s Rising Star award yesterday.
Worth a look at CHF or purely as utility. Had a very good year. Only 19. Local boy played at St bernards
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Still don’t understand the lack of interest in Haiden Scloithe.
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No one wants to call his name out.
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The guy is a gun at WAFL level. Worth the shot imo.
I can see Riccardi developing into a similar type of player as Mitch Brown, but he will be a stronger contested mark.
Anybody watch a bit of the WAFL and know anything about Jeremy Goddard? 21 year old ruckman from Claremont who’s put up some impressive numbers this season.
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The same WAFL ZClarke dominated?
I foresee this idea going down well on here lol
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Dominated is a subjective term. I posted on here at this time last year the first minute of the WAFL GF, with Clarke getting monstered physically. Clarke is good (as a state level player) at what he does, but has never been a physical presence at any level. His stats at WAFL level were good, but he wasn’t going to be a beast of a first ruck.
I have no idea how Goddard plays, but my memory is that he was first ruck at U18 level for WA, so maybe he’s grown into his body since then?
(Last year I was advocating Jordon Sweet as my preferred option based on his competitiveness at SANFL grand final level. No idea how he’s gone this year at the Dogs, but conceptually the 21 or 22yo ruck who all of a sudden realises that they are a big powerful unit and works out how to use that to their advantage can be a good option when looking for rucks)
What happened to Mitch Grigg?
I dont think he nominated for Mid Season draft. Said he isnt interested another shot at AFL even if it was offered or something along those lines.
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Correct. Has a landscaping business with his old man and is at peace with the fact his AFL dreams are over so he is happy playing at Norwood.
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He’s a butcher
Nope
Look at him kick. Look at his ball drop. Look where it goes.
Was the knock on him as a U18, was the knock on him as a Freo rookie, still the same 6-7 years later.
Not enough Jake Riccardi in this thread for me.
Instead we seem interested in has beens or the perennial broken down.
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KWAME MCHARG
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10 days to go
Any gems this year?
The VFL has been a happy hunting ground for AFL clubs. Who will be drafted this year?
The VFL is fertile recruiting territory for AFL clubs looking for ready-made players.
Last year, 14 players were taken in the national and rookie drafts and as supplementary picks, and another two were taken in the mid-season draft.
That’s up from just six in 2017.
TOP 30: CHAMPION DATA RATES THE BEST DRAFT PROSPECTS
GODDARD: WHICH TEAM HAS THE BEST MIDFIELD?
FIT: HOW YOUR CLUB’S RECRUITS HAVE STARTED PRE-SEASON
CLOCK: IS YOUR CLUB IN THE PREMIERSHIP WINDOW?
This year, a host of young players is pushing up after proving themselves at state level.
A bunch of players including Mitch Hibberd and Joel Ottavi advertised their ability at VFL runner-up Williamstown, and Sam Lowson and Lochie Dicksonemerged at Coburg.
Who will graduate to the elite level come November 27-28?
Mitchell Hibberd showed his class as a midfielder at Williamstown this season.
Mitch Hibberd: (Williamstown, 22): Delisted by North Melbourne 12 months ago, Hibberd rebooted with the Seagulls as a marking midfielder. Was named on a wing in the VFL Team of the Year after averaging 24.3 possessions. “He surprised the hell out of me. He’s a tackling beast. He just loves to hit blokes, loves the physical element of the game, whether it’s the contest or the running capacity,’’ coach Andy Collins said.
Nick Ebinger (Williamstown, 22): Caught a few eyes – and plenty of the ball – in the grand final against Richmond as he was named Willy’s best for his nine marks. The 183cm forward played 13 games for the Seagulls this year, whom he joined from Williamstown Amateurs in 2016. “He’s got a massive engine, can go up and down the ground, great hands, great kick, a raw talent and he’d really prosper in an AFL environment,’’ coach Andy Collins said.
Joel Ottavi (Williamstown, 23): The 23-year-old emerged from East Point in the Ballarat league and was on Essendon’s VFL list for two seasons before crossing to Williamstown this year and securing an invite to the state combine. “He reminds me of (St Kilda ruckman) Rowan Marshall at the same age,’’ Towners coach Andy Collins said. “Both Ballarat boys, both 200cm, both really athletic. Joel’s testing for a 200cm boy … a sub-three second for 20m and then a really big engine … is really impressive.’’
Your clubs’ draft picks
| Club | Picks |
|---|---|
| Adelaide | 6, 23, 28, 37, 45, 49 |
| Brisbane | 21, 29, 34, 48, 52, 55, 71, 72 |
| Carlton | 9, 43, 57, 70, 85 |
| Collingwood | 35, 62, 74 |
| Essendon | 31, 33, 61, 64, 65, 88 |
| Fremantle | 7, 10, 22, 58, 69, 79, 83 |
| Geelong | 14, 17, 24, 36, 93 |
| Gold Coast | 1, 2, 15, 20, 78, 90 |
| GWS Giants | 4, 40, 59, 60, 80, 94 |
| Hawthorn | 11, 30, 42, 54, 63, 87, 92 |
| Melbourne | 3, 8 |
| North Melbourne | 26, 27, 47, 50, 73, 84 |
| Port Adelaide | 12, 16, 18, 52, 55, 66, 67, 68, 86 |
| Richmond | 19, 38, 39, 41, 56, 75, 77, 95 |
| St Kilda | 51, 82 |
| Sydney | 5, 25, 32, 44, 76, 81 |
| West Coast | 46, 91 |
| Western Bulldogs | 13, 53, 89 |
Campbell Hustwaite (Collingwood, 19): The brick-hard left-footer joined the Pies this year after two honour-filled years with Dandenong Stingrays, and did well to play 15 matches. His stats didn’t exactly leap off the page, but the Pies like his work around the ball and his leadership. It won’t surprise if he pops up on their rookie list.
Sam Glover (Collingwood, 22): Was invited to the state combine, indicating interest from at least two AFL clubs. Put that down to his ability to play as a key backman and key forward, his marking power and his one-touch skills. Hurt his foot late in the season but is back running. Recruited from Nick Meese country – West Preston-Lakeside – and was on the Northern Blues’ books in 2016-17.
Sam Fisher (Northern Blues, 21) : The dashing midfielder spent a couple of years on Sydney’s list and has proved himself more than deserving of a second chance at the elite level. Fisher claimed VFL Team of the Year honours this year after averaging 23 touches and four tackles, finishing second in the club best-and-fairest for the second year in a row. Blues coach Josh Fraser said his charge still had plenty of “room to grow and improve”.
Frank Anderson (Northern Blues, 22) : Arguably the good news story of the AFL Draft if he is picked up, Anderson was playing local footy 12 months ago. A standout season with the Blues now has him firmly on the draft radar. Blues coach Josh Fraser believes there’s “plenty of scope for him to improve” and an elite environment would fast-track his development. Averaged 20 disposals, 4.3 clearances and 5.5 tackles in 12 games.
Frank Anderson celebrates a goal for Northern Blues.
Will Fordham on the burst for Frankston.
Will Fordham (Frankston, 22): Surprisingly overlooked for the VFL Team of the Year, the former Kangaroos-listed midfielder won the Dolphins’ best-and-fairest, reflecting his improvement in the past two years. “He’s a better player now than when he was at North, more rounded,’’ a recruiter said. Averaged 24.1 disposals and 5.7 tackles from 18 matches this season. “He’s the VFL version of Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps,’’ Frankston coach Danny Ryan said.
Mitch McCarthy (Frankston, 22): Like Fordham, McCarthy spent time on an AFL list (Collingwood rookie) before joining the Dolphins for their return year to the VFL in 2018. The former basketballer had some good moments in the ruck and forward as he took a decisive step towards turning potential into performance. Unfortunately for the Dolphins he’s signed at Port Melbourne for 2020.
Sam Lowson (Coburg, 24) : The dangerous small forward’s near-miss in the mid-season draft is well documented. An untimely ankle injury ruined his chances of being drafted but a solid finish to the VFL season has him back on track. In his first seven games before injury, Lowson kicked 16 goals and averaged 12 disposals and three tackles. A 10-disposal, 11-tackle, one-goal game in the final round against Footscray showed his class.
Marcus Lentini (Coburg, 20) : There’s no doubt the Lions’ midfielder can find the pill. Prolific is an understatement. Lentini led the VFL in disposals in 2018 and 2019 - his first two years in the competition - rating elite in disposals (30.1 per game), contested possessions (15.4) and clearances (8.0). The former Northern Knight does have to clean up his disposal but any club looking for a proven inside ball-winner should look no further.
Lochie Dickson (Coburg, 25) : At 190cm and 94kg, Dickson is physically equipped for the AFL The back-to-back Coburg best-and-fairest winner’s versatility will appeal to AFL clubs. Dickson claimed his first club championship as a damaging half-back before moving into the midfield this year as an inside ball-winner, averaging 22.5 disposals, 3.5 tackles and kicking 10 goals.
Lochie Dickson in action for Coburg.
Ryan Hebron juggles the mark for Werribee. Picture: Michael Klein
Ryan Hebron (Werribee, 22): Joined the Tigers this year after relocating from Sydney, where he was a NEAFL Team of the Year player and had been in the Sydney Swans Academy. Did well enough as a rebounding half-back to have his name thrown up as mid-season draft candidate. Has been training with the Swans in the hope of earning his shot at the AFL.
Bior Malual (Werribee, 23): Needs to pack some meat on his bones – the club lists him at 66kg and 188cm – but, in Tigers football manager Stu Balloch’s words, Malual is an “endurance beast with a few tricks who can win his own ball and put defensive pressure on’’. Had a stint with the Northern Blues after going through the Western Jets, and decided on another dash at the VFL after winning the best-afield medal for Airport West in 2018. Appeals as a rookie selection.
Jack Henderson (Werribee, 20): Jack is a jack in the box when he’s playing as a speedy small forward. But he’s also comfortable at the other end of the ground clamping down on goalkickers. Made the 2019 VFL Team of the Year and has played 38 games in his two seasons with the Tigers since coming out of the Geelong Falcons.
Jake Riccardi (Werribee, 20): No, he’s not the son of former top Cat, Peter, but he is one of the competition’s best draft prospects after kicking 38 goals in his first year of the VFL. There is even talk of him being taken in the top 50 of the national draft (a big fellow named Ben Brown was drafted out of Werribee as a key forward in 2013). Riccardi won the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the best under-23 player and selection in the VFL Team of the Year at centre half-forward.
Anthony Scott (Footscray, 24) : The star midfielder made an instant impact on his return to VFL level, taking out the Bulldogs best-and-fairest in his first season at the club. Scott missed the Dogs’ finals campaign but averaged 17 disposals and four tackles in 18 games. He also kicked 19 goals in a season in which he was nominated for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL’s best player under 23 and was named in the Team of the Year.
Reuben William (Footscray, 21) : The lightly-framed defender continues to impress at VFL level after spending two years on Brisbane’s list, playing three games. At 183cm, William plays tall for his height, famously playing on Hawthorn great Jarryd Roughead this season. Still only 21 – he turns 22 on New Year’s Eve – William averaged 11 touches and three marks in 20 games this season.
Tom O’Sullivan (Port Melbourne, 21): “Junior” has had injuries but played 21 games this year and showed a talent for kicking classy goals. A few weeks ago Willy coach Andy Collins tipped praise on the Kyneton product, calling him “aggressive and dynamic’’. His season ended with an ugly hit that forced him off the field in the preliminary final against Richmond.
Callum Searle (Port Melbourne, 20): The neat defender has made steady improvement since joining Port from the Oakleigh Chargers in 2018. Like teammate and fellow defender Harvey Hooper, the right-footer backs himself to take an intercept mark and ping out of defence. A leg injury kept him out of the finals series but he’s in the thoughts of a few AFL clubs.
Harvey Hooper (Port Melbourne, 21): An ace defender who can take intercept and contested marks and launch attacks from half-back. Has tidied up his kicking and preparation (he played every game this season). Was named in the VFL Team of the Year and finished third in the Borough’s best-and-fairest.
Harvey Hooper goes the defensive fist for Port Melbourne.
Jackson McLachlan at Geelong VFL training. Picture: Glenn Ferguson
Jackson McLachlan (Geelong, 21) : Geelong is renowned for rewarding strong VFL performances with a shot at AFL level. In his second season in the VFL, McLachlan stamped himself as one of the best small forwards in the competition and finished third in the Cats’ best-and-fairest. At AFL level, Geelong has recognised the importance of pressure forwards and McLachlan could add to the mix after averaging 17 disposals and four tackles in 17 games, kicking 11 goals.
Aaron Heppell (Essendon, 24) : Still only 24, Heppell continues to knock down the door at VFL level. Having claimed his third Bombers VFL best-and-fairest – in his first season as captain – he will again hope to join his brother Dyson at the highest level. Heppell averaged an elite 20 disposals and six tackles in 20 games this season and could not have done more to impress recruiters.
Daniel Robinson (North Melbourne, 24) : The former Sydney Swans dasher showed he’s still up to the level with a dominant first season at Arden St. Robinson finished second in the Kangaroos’ VFL best-and-fairest behind ruckman Tom Campbell, averaging 21 disposals and five marks in 18 games. Capable of playing across the ground, Robinson could be a handy depth utility at AFL level.
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Ottavi, Riccardi and Hepp are my picks of the VFL list.
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