SANFL mature-age AFL draft prospects for 2019 include Luke Partington, Cole Gerloff and more
A clever forward, a fleet-footed defender, a Magarey Medallist and the league’s contested-marking machine are among the SANFL prospects on recruiters’ lists ahead of next week’s draft.
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The AFL draft is just one week away and – with 13 mature-age players selected from SA in the past year – the SANFL has a host of players past their under-18 draft years in contention.
Here are the state league players who have found themselves on the radar of AFL recruiters after eye-catching 2019 seasons.
HOT CHANCES
BRAD CLOSE (Glenelg)
Age: 21
Position: Forward
His teammates Luke Partington and young gun Will Gould have stolen much of the draft attention at Glenelg but Brad Close is another name to watch from the Bay.
The premiership Tiger and clever forward mirrored his side’s improvement in 2019 and now looms as a genuine draft chance.
Standing at 181cm, he isn’t a huge ball-winner but is a smart decision-maker, has poise under pressure and tested at the state combine.
SANFL talent manager Brenton Phillips described Close as “just a real class player”.
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ELLIOT DUNKIN (West Adelaide)
Age: 21
Position: Defender
Elliot Dunkin’s improvement this season has been rapid, from just two league games in 2018 to third in the Bloods’ best and fairest this season.
The late-developer is an elite kick, averaging 19 touches per game playing across half-back.
Dunkin, who also won the Bill Downs Memorial Trophy for most improved player at the club this season, drew AFL interest prior to the mid-season draft and continued to catch the attention of recruiters as the year wore on.
Full draft profile: Elliot Dunkin
LUKE PARTINGTON (Glenelg)
Age: 22
Position: Midfielder
He’s been there before and Luke Partington’s chances of another crack at AFL level look likely with multiple clubs interested in the Tigers’ Magarey Medallist.
The 22-year-old former West Coast Eagle is the blue chip mature-age prospect coming out of the SANFL this season and with good reason.
Partington averaged 29.1 disposals per game as he led Glenelg’s midfield in its push to the premiership.
He played six AFL games while on the Eagles list from 2016-2018.
COLE GERLOFF (Norwood)
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder
A big pre-season paid off in spades for Cole Gerloff in 2019 as he took home the SANFL’s rising star equivalent award.
The 20-year-old midfielder’s ability to not only win the ball but hit the scoreboard – he kicked 21 goals in 19 games this season – could be attractive to AFL clubs.
Gerloff averaged 19 touches and four marks per game while leading the Redlegs in tackling.
He had 10 league matches to his name coming into this year but put the hard work in over summer and returned to be a key part of Norwood’s engine room.
Full draft profile: Cole Gerloff
JAMES ROWE (Eagles)
Age: 20
Position: Forward
Could the son of former Adelaide and Norwood player Stephen Rowe step out of his dad’s shadow by landing on an AFL list?
After being overlooked in the 2017 and 2018 drafts, James Rowe has come a long way at Woodville-West Torrens this season.
He placed third in the Ken Farmer Medal behind Glenelg’s Liam McBean and Luke Reynolds – no mean feat for a small forward who stands at 173cm.
Had three four-goal hauls and a bag of five but, with forward pressure a key measure at AFL level, his average of just more than one tackle per game would be a concern.
Full draft profile: James Rowe
TOM HUTCHESSON (Adelaide – development list)
Age: 24
Position: Midfielder
It would be a great rags to riches story if carpenter turned Adelaide Crows SANFL top-up Tom Hutchesson found his way onto an AFL list.
The 24-year-old won a flag in the south-east with Millicent last year and played in the SA country team before making the eight-hour round trip to play 15 games with the Crows this season.
He has serious speed and X-factor and is another to have attended the state screening with genuine interest from AFL clubs.
Full draft profile: Tom Hutchesson
THE SMOKIES
HENRY CRAUFORD (Norwood)
Age: 22
Position: Ruckman
As far as smokies go, Henry Crauford would be right up there.
The raw big man spent the year in the Redlegs’ reserves but was invited to the state draft combine and – with ruckmen at a premium in recent years – a club could take a punt on the developing tall.
Crauford, who stands at 204cm and weighs 99kg, was recruited from Mount Burr in the south-east and spent the season stuck behind long-time Norwood ruckman Sam Baulderstone.
FRANK SZEKLEY (North Adelaide)
Age: 20
Position: Forward
With 11 league games and eight goals so far in his SANFL career, the name of Roosters forward Frank Szekely doesn’t exactly leap off the page.
But the 20-year-old has garnered attention from clubs, particularly following a four-goal performance in round 12 against Central District – just his fifth league appearance.
He also kicked three majors later in the season against Norwood and has shown flashes of brilliance.
JOSH PATULLO (Sturt)
Age: 22
Position: Key forward
Josh Patullo grew in confidence as the season went on and so did his performances for the Double Blues.
He ended the campaign with more contested marks than any other player in the league this season, a valuable trait at any level of football.
The 22-year-old was recruited from VFL side Footscray in the off-season.
He kicked just 21 goals in 19 games but performed well as a focal point in Sturt’s attack.
Scouts have kept an eye on Patullo in 2019 and, despite not receiving a combine invite, he remains a chance to be on the way out of Unley Oval next year.
Full draft profile: Josh Patullo
JY FARRAR (Adelaide – development list)
Age: 22
Position: Utility
Crows’ development-listed utility Jy Farrar has signed with Sturt for 2020 as he looks to have a full season in the SANFL, but don’t rule out the possibility of an AFL club firming interest in him late.
The 22-year-old earned an invitation to the SA draft combine in October, despite playing just two SANFL games as an Adelaide top-up.
He is the cousin of former Double Blue and current Crows forward Shane McAdam and spent most of the season starring for Scotch Old Collegians in division two of the Adelaide Footy League.
Full draft profile: Jy Farrar
PROVEN PERFORMERS
JORDAN FOOTE (Eagles)
Age: 23
Position: Midfielder
If any club is looking for a player ready made to step into an AFL side they would do well with Jordan Foote.
The former Sydney Swan was dynamic in his first SANFL season at Woodville-West Torrens, averaging 24.7 disposals per game at 84 per cent efficiency.
Foote was also No.1 in the league for inside 50s (5.8 per game) and second in tackles (6) while also winning almost five clearances each match.
It was no surprise he took out the Eagles’ club champion award.
He is physically capable and keen on another shot at the AFL after six appearances for the Swans across four seasons.
A torn ligament in his foot derailed his 2018 campaign and he was delisted.
LIAM McBEAN (Glenelg)
Age: 24
Position: Key forward
The 2019 Ken Farmer Medallist has been on an AFL list before, playing five games for Richmond from 2013-2016, and is keen for another crack at the top level.
His 46 goals this season led the SANFL and included an outstanding nine-goal haul against Adelaide in round two.
Was an integral part of Glenelg’s run to the flag.
LUKE REYNOLDS (Glenelg)
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Another Tiger who has had a taste of the AFL is former Carlton forward Luke Reynolds.
The Port Adelaide Magpies product failed to make his debut in his single season with the Blues and returned to play SANFL with Port in 2015 before crossing to Glenelg.
At 187cm he is unlikely to nail down a key position role in attack but is athletic, has a booming left foot and plays well as a third tall.