2024 Draft Thread

[bengal tigers]

The Tigers have to use it's first rounder in this draft .

TOBIE TRAVAGLIA​

Club: Bendigo Pioneers/ Sandhurst FC/ Catherine McAuley College
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 72 kg
DOB: 26/10/06
A wingman or defender who is a really versatile type, Travaglia has made an impressive start to this season with the Pioneers after playing under-16s for Vic Country last year. He is a mobile and one-touch player, both overhead and at ground level. While he does not turn 17 until October, Travaglia averaged 15.8 disposals and 3.8 marks in the opening four rounds of the Coates Talent League this season, earning him a place in the under-18 Vic Country trials.

ARCHER DAY-WICKS​

Club: Bendigo Pioneers/ Sandhurst FC/ Catherine McAulay College
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 82 kg
DOB: 13/05/06
An exciting midfield prospect, Day-Wicks has had two eye-catching performances in the early part of this season. The first was against Tasmania in the Coates Talent League when he had 21 disposals, six marks and six tackles and the second was in the Victoria under-18 trials against Vic Metro when he was one of his team’s most impressive players on the day with 15 disposals, six marks and a goal. Capable of taking strong contested marks and kicking special goals, he has a real appetite for the contest and is a must watch over the next 18 months.

NASH KING​

Club: Calder Cannons/ Wallan FC/ Ivanhoe Grammar
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 79 kg
DOB: 05/01/06
A prolific ball-winning midfielder, King impressed last season with Victoria Metro in the under-16 national championships and has continued to shine this year. He averaged 24.3 disposals (13.8 contested) with the Cannons in the opening four rounds of the Coates Talent League. King was also one of the better players in the under-18 trial against Victoria Country with 21 disposals. His speed and agility are real weapons which allow him to win and distribute the football.

LEVI ASHCROFT​

Club: Sandringham Dragons/ Old Brighton Grammarians/ Brighton Grammar
Height: 179 cm
Weight: 75 kg
DOB: 18/12/06
A midfielder or forward who reads the game exceptionally well, Ashcroft has one-touch clean hands and the vision to create opportunities for his team. He was a star at the AFL under-16 national championships last year, averaging 24 disposals (nine contested) and winning All-Australian honours before playing an important role in the Dragons’ premiership-winning team in the Talent League. Ashcroft started this season in excellent form, averaging 25.3 disposals (at 84% efficiency), five clearances and 4.5 tackles. These performances have come despite him not turning 17 until December. He is the younger brother of Brisbane’s Will Ashcroft, who joined the Lions with pick 2 in last year’s national draft and has already earned an AFL Rising Star nomination. Like his older brother, Levi is eligible to join the Lions next year under AFL father-son rules, given his father Marcus played 318 games for the club, including featuring in three premierships.

FINN O’SULLIVAN​

Club: Oakleigh Chargers/ Koroit FC/ Xavier College
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 70 kg
DOB: 30/05/06
A midfielder who is a running machine, O’Sullivan works from contest to contest which enables him to accumulate plenty of the ball. He averaged 27 disposals for Victoria Country in last year’s under-16 national championships, not only winning his team’s MVP award but also getting his hands on the overall best-and-fairest award in Division 1 as well as All-Australian honours. O’Sullivan is clean with his ball handling and disposal and he has continued his form into this season. In the opening four rounds of the Coates Talent League he averaged 24.8 disposals (eight contested), three clearances and 3.5 tackles.

JAGGA SMITH​

Club: Oakleigh Chargers /Richmond JFC/ Scotch College
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 68 kg
DOB: 28/01/06
A creative midfielder with great vision, Smith has a neat step through traffic and is clean with his disposals by hand and foot. He accumulates the ball with his work ethic and aerobic capacity and won All-Australian honours last year after averaging 24.7 disposals for Vic Metro in the under-16 national championships. Smith has been very impressive in the first four rounds of the Coates Talent League this season, averaging 29 disposals (13 contested) to be one of the shining lights for the Chargers.

TYLER WELSH​

Club: WWT/ Henley FC/ Henley High School
Height: 191 cm
Weight: 90 kg
DOB: 15/08/06
A medium forward, Welsh is an exciting prospect whose overhead marking and goal kicking are features of his game. He showed his vice-like grip and natural leap in averaging 7.7 marks (3.3 contested) along with 13.7 disposals to win All-Australian under-16 honours in the national championships last year. He is the son of former North Melbourne, Adelaide and Western Bulldogs forward Scott Welsh but is only eligible as a father-son to the Crows, where his dad played 129 of his 205 AFL games.

LUCAS CAMPOREALE​

Club: Glenelg/ Brighton Bombers/ Sacred Heart College
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 64 kg
DOB: 21/07/06
A left-footed wingman, Camporeale caught the eye as a prospect with his form for South Australia in the under-16 national championships last year. There he averaged 17.3 disposals, providing great drive for his team and using the ball effectively by hand and foot. The performances saw him rewarded with All-Australian selection. He is the son of former Carlton star Scott Camporeale, who played 233 games for the Blues, making Lucas (and his twin brother Ben who is also a promising prospect) eligible under father-son rules in the 2024 national draft.

LUKE TRAINOR​

Club: Sandringham Dragons/ Old Brighton Grammarians FC/ Brighton Grammar
Height: 193 cm
Weight: 86 kg
DOB: 10/04/06
An athletic defender with an impressive natural leap and strong hands overhead, Trainor is another who announced himself as a prospect while playing for Vic Metro in the under-16 national championships last year. He looked very composed down back during those championships, using the ball well on either foot and averaging 17.5 disposals and four marks to earn All-Australian honours.

JOSH SMILLIE​

Club: Eastern Ranges/ Park Orchards FC/ Whitefriars College
Height: 194 cm
Weight: 90 kg
DOB: 17/05/06
An athletic and skilful player capable of plying his trade in defence, attack or midfield, Smillie was a dominant player for Vic Metro in last year’s under-16 national championships. He averaged 21.7 disposals (10.7 contested), four marks and 5.7 tackles to win his team’s MVP award, as well as All-Australian honours. Smillie had a taste of the Talent League at the end of last season and adapted well to the step up, which he has again demonstrated at the beginning of this year. From his first two matches for the Ranges this season, he averaged 25.5 disposals before injury struck.

XAVIER LINDSAY​

Club: Gippsland Power/ Leongatha FC/ Mary MacKillop College
Height: 182 cm
Weight: 72 kg
DOB: 03/08/06
A left-footed wingman or half back, Lindsay was a consistent player with Victoria Country in the under-16 national championships last year. His neat disposal and speed are features of his game and he averaged 21.7 disposals in the championships, showing a touch of class. He finished last year at under-18 level with the Power, including gaining some finals experience in the Talent League. Lindsay has also started solidly this season, averaging 19.5 disposals from his first two matches.

HARVEY LANGFORD​

Club: Dandenong Stingrays/ Mt Martha FC/ Mornington SC
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 85 kg
DOB: 15/03/06
A medium midfielder, Langford has a penetrating left-foot and is very strong overhead and put both attributes on display in an impressive under-18 trial match in April. He logged 17 disposals amongst some of the best top-age players in Victoria in that match. His numbers have also been impressive for the Stingrays in the Coates Talent League, averaging 19.3 disposals (10.5 contested), 4.8 marks and four tackles across his first four matches.

 

[bengal tigers]

BRADY HALL​

Club: Geelong Falcons/ Colac FC/ Trinity College
Height: 188 cm
Weight: 76 kg
DOB: 09/03/06
A medium defender, Hall’s ability to win one-on-one contests and take strong overhead marks were features of his performances for Vic Country in the under-16 national championships last year. He averaged 15.7 disposals and four marks in those championships, particularly excelling in the final game when he was selected as his team’s best player. Hall won All-Australian honours for his efforts. He reads the game well to intercept in defence and is a one-touch player.

TOM LUCK​

Club: Woodville-West Torrens/ Kadina Memorial FC
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 84 kg
DOB: 06/04/06
A developing ruckman or tall forward, Luck announced himself as a player to watch with his performances for South Australia in last year’s under-16 national championships, where he earned All-Australian honours. He has continued to show promise in the under-18s with the Eagles this year, averaging 16.6 disposals and 3.7 marks in the first seven rounds of the season. The strong early-season form has seen him added to the state under-18s squad to continue his development as a bottom-age player.

TOM EVANS​

Club: Bendigo Pioneers/ Echuca FC/Xavier College-Melbourne
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 71 kg
DOB: 22/02/06
A midfielder with a good understanding of the game, Evans sets up the play with his vision and creativity. He was among the Pioneers’ best players in each of their first three matches in the Coates Talent League this season and averaged 19.8 disposals (9.5 contested) across the opening month of the season. Evans also recorded a sharp time of 3.02 sec in the 20m sprint during Victorian pre-season testing, confirming the burst of speed you see from him in matches.

SAM LALOR​

Club: GWV Rebels/ Bacchus Marsh FC/ St Patrick’s College
Height: 187 cm
Weight: 88 kg
DOB: 30/08/06
A powerful midfielder or forward, Lalor excelled around stoppages for Vic Country in the under-16 national championships last year. He has great anticipation and clean hands, which are both assets for him in winning contested ball. He won All-Australian honours for his performances in the championships last year, when he averaged 16.7 disposals (8.3 contested), four clearances and four tackles

SID DRAPER​

Club: South Adelaide/ Willunga FC / Cardijn College
Height: 180 cm
Weight: 73 kg
DOB: 05/07/06
A midfielder, Draper looked an outstanding prospect with a best-on-ground performance in the opening game of the under-16 national championships last year before he was injured and went off the radar. But his ability to burst from stoppages and break up the play has again been on display at under-18 level with South Adelaide this year, where he averaged 22.3 disposals (12 contested) from his first seven matches. He is the younger brother of Arlo Draper, who was drafted to Collingwood with pick 45 in the 2021 national draft.

ROME BURGOYNE​

Club: Woodville West Torrens/ Port District FC / Prince Alfred College
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 75 kg
DOB: 29/06/06
A lightly-framed defender, Burgoyne reads the game extremely well, is clean with his hands and creates for his team with his run from defence. He is the son of Peter Burgoyne, who was a premiership star with Port Adelaide and played 240 games for the Power. Like his older brother Jase - who joined Port Adelaide in 2021 - Rome is eligible to be a father-son selection for the club in 2024.

ZAK JOHNSON​

Club: Northern Knights/St Marys FC/ Parade College
Height: 185 cm
Weight: 76 kg
DOB: 24/12/06
A midfielder or forward, Johnson caught the eye with his speed and lateral movement while playing for Vic Metro in the under-16 national championships last year. He also impressed later in the season when he got his first taste of the Talent League with the Knights. Johnson has continued to develop this year under Knights coach Anthony Rocca, averaging 17 disposals and 3.5 clearances in the opening four matches. He also had a good trial match for Vic Metro’s under-18s, despite not turning 17 until late December.

MALAKAI CHAMPION​

Club: Subiaco/ Mines Rovers FC-Goldfields League
Height: 170 cm
Weight: 64 kg
DOB: 17/05/06
An Indigenous small forward, Champion was both extremely quick and creative while playing for Western Australia in last year’s under-16 national championships. He averaged 13 disposals and was rewarded with All-Australian honours. Champion has continued to show promise in the opening six matches at under-18 level with Subiaco this year, averaging 13 disposals and kicking eight goals. He will train with the state under-18 squad to continue his development.

LUCCA GREGO​

Club: Western Jets/ Bacchus Marsh FC/ Maribyrnong SC
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 77 kg
DOB: 15/09/06
A midfielder, Grego has continued to show exciting progression after being noticed while playing for Vic Metro in last year’s under-16 national championships. He shows a good burst of speed and agility and has taken the step up to the Coates Talent League in his stride. Grego has averaged 17.3 disposals, 3.3 clearances and seven tackles across his first four matches with the Jets this season.

LEONARDO LOMBARD​

Club: Queensland/ Gold Coast Suns Academy
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 74 kg
DOB: 05/10/06
A prolific ball-winning midfielder, Lombard averaged 26.3 disposals and six tackles as he starred for the Suns in the under-16 national championships last year to win their MVP award as well as All-Australian honours. He has continued that form into the opening four rounds of the Coates Talent League this season, averaging 24.8 disposals. As a bottom-age player he appears capable of playing for the Allies this year.

 

[tigersnake]

No KPFs. A swingman and Ruck/fwd, but no specialist KPFs on that list. There's Tyler Welch, who'll go to the Crows as FS. Early days, but thats what I'm looking out for.

 

[King Kong]

Hopefully we retain that pick and don’t trade it away

 

[bengal tigers]

No KPFs. A swingman and Ruck/fwd, but no specialist KPFs on that list. There's Tyler Welch, who'll go to the Crows as FS. Early days, but thats what I'm looking out for.

Thats what Free agency ,and trade is for .
Cadman hasn't extended his contract yet ,might be worth a sniff at next years trade ,we can trade off 2025 first rounder for him ,and maybe a player.

Sam Lalor is a good mid,love him to get to Tigerland,hope he plays in the Vic Countries next game.

 

[bengal tigers]

Hopefully we retain that pick and don’t trade it away

We can't trade away 2024 first rounder unless we bring another in .

 

[bengal tigers]

Midfield madness: 2024's on-ball bonanza

It may be tall talent time in 2023, but next year's AFL Draft crop shapes as an on-ball bonanza. Get to know the next generation.

central.rookieme.com

 

[eZyT]

wrong thread?

 

[Ghost of 29]

Midfield madness: 2024's on-ball bonanza

It may be tall talent time in 2023, but next year's AFL Draft crop shapes as an on-ball bonanza. Get to know the next generation.

central.rookieme.com

A bit of a “Cat Sat on the Mat” with that article. They just recycled the main kids from 16’s last year who made 18’s. There is far more depth running around

 

[bengal tigers]

A bit of a “Cat Sat on the Mat” with that article. They just recycled the main kids from 16’s last year who made 18’s. There is far more depth running around

Agree Dr Seuss.
The Rebels have a very strong list for next year,Lalor,Hannaford,Harry Charleson who is a bit taller than his brother Lachie ,Rhys Unwin,and if Ned Renfree chooses Football over Basketball ,they have a very potent midfield .
They also have Penry who looks a very good ruck,and Will Rantall looks alright as a key back ,and they also have a decent CHF in Jonty Faull who has played some decent football this year ,and has played senior football in the Ballarat League and starred

 

[tigersnake]

Same as last year really, Reid, Walter, Watson, Rogers, Read all starred as underage players in last years champs, the first 2 glaringly so. It stands to reason, a lot of gold-standard, AAA blue-chip champions are ready to go, or are showing undeniable potential, at 16 going on 17.

 

[bengal tigers]

Same as last year really, Reid, Walter, Watson, Rogers, Read all starred as underage players in last years champs, the first 2 glaringly so. It stands to reason, a lot of gold-standard, AAA blue-chip champions are ready to go, or are showing undeniable potential, at 16 going on 17.

Much better midfielders in 2024,and l expect WA to improve there intake in the draft with them changing their system.

 

[tigersnake]

Much better midfielders in 2024,and l expect WA to improve there intake in the draft with them changing their system.

It would be an interesting exercise to track numbers of underage players in the AA side over time.

There are all sorts of questions I'd love to see answered objectively. For example the weak v strong draft question. It seems like its only ever a vague vibe. I'd love to see some actual research and analysis; Is there a consensus view for any given draft ? Or do some think its strong and some think its weak? If there is a consensus that a draft is strong or weak, does that get proven or disproven over time?

 

[bengal tigers]

It would be an interesting exercise to track numbers of underage players in the AA side over time.

There are all sorts of questions I'd love to see answered objectively. For example the weak v strong draft question. It seems like its only ever a vague vibe. I'd love to see some actual research and analysis; Is there a consensus view for any given draft ? Or do some think its strong and some think its weak? If there is a consensus that a draft is strong or weak, does that get proven or disproven over time?

If you are a watcher of the Coates league ,you can see a lot of sides playing more bottom age boys than usual,and they are doing well.
That say's to me the strength of the Coates league is going to be better next year.
It doesn't happen often,,every few years the bottom agers dominate .
Normal seasons of league, the best bottom age play in the main group,or play when the champs are on.

 

[tigersnake]

If you are a watcher of the Coates league ,you can see a lot of sides playing more bottom age boys than usual,and they are doing well.
That say's to me the strength of the Coates league is going to be better next year.
It doesn't happen often,,every few years the bottom agers dominate .
Normal seasons of league, the best bottom age play in the main group,or play when the champs are on.

I'd like to see some data, but I'll take your word for it. Does that then mean this year is weak or next year is strong?

I'm surprised/ not surprised that AFL doesn't do more number crunching and analysis. You'd think they would to see if junior development policies are working or not. Wouldn't be hard.

 

[tigertim]

FINN O’SULLIVAN​

Club: Oakleigh Chargers/ Koroit FC/ Xavier College
Height: 181 cm
Weight: 70 kg
DOB: 30/05/06
A midfielder who is a running machine, O’Sullivan works from contest to contest which enables him to accumulate plenty of the ball. He averaged 27 disposals for Victoria Country in last year’s under-16 national championships, not only winning his team’s MVP award but also getting his hands on the overall best-and-fairest award in Division 1 as well as All-Australian honours. O’Sullivan is clean with his ball handling and disposal and he has continued his form into this season. In the opening four rounds of the Coates Talent League he averaged 24.8 disposals (eight contested), three clearances and 3.5 tackles.

​

​

I like the cut of this kid’s jib , Muscles O’Sullivan.

 

[Willo]

I like the cut of this kid’s jib , Muscles O’Sullivan.

He’s built like a ….

 

[bengal tigers]

I'd like to see some data, but I'll take your word for it. Does that then mean this year is weak or next year is strong?

I'm surprised/ not surprised that AFL doesn't do more number crunching and analysis. You'd think they would to see if junior development policies are working or not. Wouldn't be hard.

I would think development is working,it's just one of those year's .
Thats not to say you won't pick up decent player's in 2023,it just appears the depth of quality is stronger in 2024

 

[DavidSSS]

Every year seems to start with the idea that this year's draft will be full of great players, but by the time we get to around August the comments seem to drift towards "next year" being a great draft.

I don't follow the junior levels of football but it does seem to be a bit of a pattern. All the comments earlier this year about how we were shooting ourselves in the foot by not having a first round pick fro this year's draft and now, are there decent players this year or is next year the great hope?

DS

 

[tigertim]

Every year seems to start with the idea that this year's draft will be full of great players, but by the time we get to around August the comments seem to drift towards "next year" being a great draft.

I don't follow the junior levels of football but it does seem to be a bit of a pattern. All the comments earlier this year about how we were shooting ourselves in the foot by not having a first round pick fro this year's draft and now, are there decent players this year or is next year the great hope?

DS

Yep, happens nearly every year now.