SANFL mature-age draft prospects for 2018 include Mitch Grigg, Callum Wilkie and Darcy Fort
A trio of big men are among a group of ready made SANFL prospects being considered by AFL clubs ahead of next week’s draft.
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A trio of big men are among a group of mature-age SANFL prospects being considered by AFL clubs ahead of next week’s draft.
Recruiters have not just been scouting the country’s elite under-18 talents to fill roles on their lists, but assessing ready made footballers as well.
The SANFL has been a happy hunting ground for clubs looking for mature-age talent, with Willie Rioli, Jarrod Lienert and Sam Gray some of the notable names taken in recent years.
Here are six of the top SA state league players who are a chance to be picked up by AFL clubs.
CALLUM WILKIE
21, North Adelaide
The flag-winning Roosters were the story of the 2018 SANFL season – and defender Callum Wilkie was the story of the Roosters.
Overlooked in his 2014 draft year, Wilkie elevated himself this season to become one of North’s key cogs and win the Barrie Robran club champion award.
The 191cm, 87kg backman’s draft stock rose as he shone in the Roosters’ fairytale premiership run.
Wilkie is capable of playing as a third tall with his ability to read the ball in the air and intercept mark. He averaged 20.2 touches a game in 2018.
DARCY FORT
25, Central District
Fort could be the answer to a problem for several AFL clubs as a ready made ruckman and has had draft interest after being invited to the state combine.
At 205cm he has the size but is also mobile enough to be damaging around the ground and has shown just that in his three seasons at the Dogs.
Fort, originally from Victoria, joined Central from Geelong Football League side South Barwon.
He has made 52 league appearances for Central and also represented the SANFL in this year’s state game against WA.
MITCH GRIGG
25, Norwood
Former Adelaide Crow Grigg was the most dominant player in the SANFL this season, winning both the Magarey Medal and the Jack Oatey Medal.
His 31 disposals and six goals in the Redlegs’ grand final loss to North Adelaide ensured his name was well and truly under the nose of recruiters.
Grigg appeared a prime candidate to be taken by Gold Coast or Carlton with one of their mature-age pre-draft selections but was overlooked.
Speed and running capacity remain the queries about the 20-game ex-Crow, which could deter clubs, but his damaging left boot and game-breaking ability are second to none in the SANFL.
MATTHEW NUNN
21, Norwood
Nunn made his debut for the Redlegs in 2014 as a 17-year-old but it was not until this season that he really made his mark at The Parade.
The 181cm midfielder and forward, who has always been a prolific ball-winner, added another element to his arsenal in 2018 – tackling.
Nunn ranked sixth in the league with six tackles per game to go along with an average of 24.1 touches a match.
He was also invited to the state draft combine and could interest AFL clubs as a pressure forward with the capability of running through the midfield.
KEEGAN BROOKSBY
28, South Adelaide
AFL clubs looking for a big man capable of stepping in right away could not do much better than dominant Panthers ruckman Brooksby.
His career at the top level appeared in the rearview mirror when he was delisted by Gold Coast at the end of last season.
But Brooksby could add to his 14 AFL games following another strong SANFL season.
The 197cm 28-year-old was often being deployed as a defender with the Suns, but is best suited as a ruckman with his mobility, workrate and competitiveness.
JORDON SWEET
20, North Adelaide
A genuine draft bolter, Sweet has risen late to find himself on the AFL radar after a strong finish to the season.
The 202cm ruckman would not have been in calculations at the beginning of 2018 and played the first 13 games of the campaign in the Roosters reserves.
Sweet then got the call up to the league side in August and held his spot right through until the grand final. His performances in the finals series have drawn interest.
A mobile big man, Sweet was a member of the AFL academy prior to his 2016 draft year, where he was overlooked.
The youngest player on this list is still developing, which could attract clubs willing to take him at a bargain basement pick.
SHANE MCADAM, NATHAN KREUGER, CHRIS BURGESS
This trio would have featured on here after impressive SANFL seasons in 2018 but found their way onto AFL lists before the draft.
Sturt forward McAdam and South spearhead Kreuger were taken by Carlton as mature-age pre-draft selections and then traded on to Adelaide and Geelong respectively.
West Adelaide defender Burgess was selected by the Gold Coast and will get a crack at the AFL with the Suns in 2019.
patrick.keam@news.com.au