The AFL National Under-18 Championship, one of the biggest annual events for aspiring AFL players as part of their draft campaigns, is almost over, with a game between Vic Metro and Vic Country in September to decide the winner of the 2022 carnival.
There’s a lot to unpack from the nine games, with several players raising their prospects, while there are still more question marks about others.
Foxfooty.com.au assesses the draft landscape after the conclusion of most champion games.
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TOP OF THE CLASS
With three other matches of champions, Will AshcroftHe has undoubtedly established himself as the best player in this year’s draft class.
The absence of the pair Oakleigh Chargers George Wardlaw (hamstrings) i Elijah Tsatas (foot) might have helped his cause, but Ashcroft is now firm favorite to lift the Larke Medal for best player at the annual carnival, with Vic Metro still a game away.
Ashcroft kicked two goals and averaged 33.3 disposals, 15.0 contested possessions, 10.0 disposals, 6.7 tackles and 6.7 inside 50s in his three games for Vic Metro.
As the son of triple premiership Lion and 318-game player Marcus Ashcroft, he is eligible for Brisbane under the father-son rule. But for the Lions to have official rights to Ashcroft, he must designate them as his preferred destination ahead of the AFL’s national draft later this year. While Ashcroft, at least publicly, is unsure of his decision, the sense among club recruiters and draft followers is that Ashcroft will nominate the Lions.
Despite not playing in any of Vic Metro’s first three games due to injury, there haven’t been enough bolters to knock Wardlaw and Tsatas out of the top five. The pair are expected to return to the field from their injuries at some point in the next three weeks.
Will Ashcroft of Vic Metro. Image: Dylan BurnsFont: Getty Images
Jhye Clark has had an excellent campaign for Vic Country so far, averaging 24.7 disposals, 9.0 marks, 9.7 contested possessions and 2.0 assists to reconfirm his position as a top contender. The Geelong Falcons co-captain has a Joel Selwood-like presence on the field that attracts recruiters. He is hungry to win the ball inside, but is equally adept outside with his hand or foot.
Then there are a few at the top of the top five.
Cunning little face Harry Sheazel had a mixed carnival. He had a splendid debut against the Allies, scoring four goals from 16 disposals followed by a blistering start against WA that saw him score a classy opener and throw a couple of scintillating passes inside 50. But he dropped a little in the second half, then overall he wasn’t as influential in Metro’s third match against South Australia. He pushed several central rebounds to get involved in the game against SA, but recruiters believe he is at his best near goal.
Some scouts see Sheezel as a true top-five prospect. Others at this stage believe he is closer to the middle of the first round.
Depending on who you talk to, Metro de Vic Cam Mackenzie he was either already in the top 10 calculations before the draft or was looming as a late first round, or even early second round prospect. But recruiters agree now: Mackenzie is moving toward the top-five mix. The player averaged 26.3 disposals, 9.7 contested possessions and 4.7 per 50 in his three games. Mackenzie is linked to St Kilda through its Next Generation Academy, but the Saints are unable to match an offer for him within the first 40 picks of the draft following changes to the AFL NGA offer rule.
Goalkeeper GWV Rebels 194 cm Aaron Cadman He is arguably the best key forward now after his excellent national championship campaign, averaging 7.7 in his three games. Cadman, a left-footer who has been compared to Jeremy Cameron for his sense of goal, athleticism and ability to win the ball on the ground, cemented his place late in the draft.
And the WA defender Jedd Busslinger he projects as another early-to-mid first-round talent. Busslinger had 18 disposals and eight marks against Vic Metro before picking up 25 disposals and six marks against the Allies, with 70% on foot in both games. After the Allies game, Busslinger was booked for season-ending shoulder surgery, but recruiters believe they’ve seen enough.
Vic Country’s Aaron Cadman kicked seven goals. Image: Dylan BurnsFont: Getty Images
THE CHAMPS ‘BOLTERS’
Of all the players who raised their position during the champions, the key striker of Metro de Vic Matthew Jefferson he was, without a doubt, the great bolter. His numbers are hard to ignore, with 12.2 in three games, including a memorable package of seven against WA. Recruiters, targeting the champions, had some doubts about Jefferson’s competitiveness and laconic approach to the game. But the Oakleigh Chargers goalscorer put those doubts to bed, showing excellent overhead marking ability and shrewd body positioning.
Other Vic Metro players to boost their prospects among the champions, according to scouts, included key Eastern Ranges defender Lewis HayesSandringham Dragons half forward Ollie Hotton and the key defender for the Oakleigh Chargers Josh Weddle.
A wily interception defender at 197cm, Hayes played his best football of the year in the championships, averaging 15.7 disposals and 5.0 points while going 84% on foot.
Hotton, the son of Trent Hotton, who was a key member of the strong Blues side of the early 2000s, thrived in the absence of Wardlaw and Tsatas with extra time on the ball but also stepped up to hit the mark, scoring six goals and averaging 19.3 Provisions. He is quick, clean, has a great mark above and has a natural goal instinct.
Weddle was a huge improver, to the point where he is now in the first round. The 192cm key defender showed that he has a lovely defensive-offensive balance with the ability to provide a run off the backline.
Reuben Ginbey of Western Australia. Image: Dylan BurnsFont: Getty Images
Two other bolters were Rubén Ginbey i Harry Rowstonwho took out the Western Australian and Allies MVP awards respectively.
Recruiters believe Rowston rose from a mid-to-late draft prospect to an early standout. A crafty inside midfielder with an improving kick who can get forward to hit the mark, Rowston was the Allies’ leading ball-winner, averaging 23.0 disposals, 11.0 possessions contested, 5.8 inside 50 and 5.0 disposals, while scoring three goals.
Rowston is linked to the Giants through their northern academy, meaning the Giants can match any rival club’s bid for him. That offer could now come sooner than expected. Another perspective of the Giants Academy Nick Madden – a combative ruck a la Shane Mumford – elevated his position throughout the carnival, with recruiters believing he will also attract an offer from a rival club.
In what was a tough champions campaign for his state, Ginbey was WA’s standout player. The 189cm East Perth product, who had been playing defense at WAFL colt level, thrived in a midfield move, averaging 20.8 disposals and 9.8 contested possessions. Ginbey impressed recruiters with his consistency, attitude and grit in the contest. AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan told Fox Footy Ginbey was “the prototype of the AFL with his size, strength and power”.
WA’s other standouts were Darcy Jones – a 175cm midfielder who elevated his position, scoring four goals and averaging 19.7 disposals and 8.0 contested possessions – and Harry Cole, who kicked four goals.
for the Country of Vic, Oliver Holland’s i Mitch Szybkowski consolidated his hopes.
Hollands, the brother of recent Suns rookie Elijah Hollands, showed why he’s considered one of the most complete (and top two-way prospects) in this year’s draft, showing his ability to play in any third of the floor. Hollands’ best game came against WA, racking up 33 disposals, 11 contested possessions and six mark involvements while showing class with his hands and feet as well as inner grunt.
Mitch Szybkowski from the Country of Vic. Image: Dylan BurnsFont: Getty Images
Talked to recruiters foxfooty.com.au Szybkowski had mixed opinions about Szybkowski, but one thought he was a major first-round bolter and moved on to another level. The Stingrays midfielder was Vic Country’s leading ball-winner, averaging 27.3 disposals, 10.3 contested possessions and 4.3 inside 50. Recruiters love how consistent and professional Szybkowski is.
For South Australia, Jakob Ryan i Billy Dowling drew attention. Ryan’s first three games were excellent as he averaged 20.0 disposals out of defense for the tournament, while midfielder Dowling showed old reliable footballer traits to average 24 .0 depositions.
A pair of father-sons also climbed the draft boards, with Jasper Fletcher i Alwyn Davey Jr they are now considered top 25 opportunities.
The versatile Fletcher, who is the son of Adrian Fletcher, who played 231 games for four clubs, including 107 for Brisbane, entered the first-round draft calculations after an excellent carnival for the Allies . He improved with every game he played, kicking three goals and averaging 22.7 disposals and 9.7 possessions contested. It means Ashcroft may not be the only father-son the Lions will have to match a first-round bid. But, like Ashcroft, Fletcher would have to nominate the Lions as his preferred club in order for Brisbane to have bidding rights on him.
Alwyn Davey of Victoria Metro. Image: Dylan BurnsFont: Getty Images
Essendon fans should be excited about Davey, who was excellent in Vic Metro’s first two games. After scoring two goals against the Allies, the nimble and neat…