AFL draft 2015: Fears South Australian talent could be left on the shelf

There are fears some top-end SA talent will be left on the shelf this year because of a tipped record low number of picks used in this month’s AFL draft.

2014 AFL draft on the Gold Coast Picture: Stephen Harman

SANFL high performance manager Brenton Phillips fears some top-end SA talent will be left on the draft shelf this year with clubs tipping there could be a record low number of prospects brought into the AFL system.

With some clubs saving roster spots for what is considered a stronger draft crop in 2016 and the northern clubs expected to cash in multiple picks to move up the draft order to pay for their academy selections there could be just 55-60 live selections at the November 24 draft in Adelaide.

This would be the lowest in draft history, eclipsing the 63 picked in 2013.

Phillips said SA has 15-18 “genuine’’ draft hopes, headlined by first-round prospects and possible top-10 picks Aaron Francis (West Adelaide), Wayne Milera (Central District) and Ryan Burton (North Adelaide) and likely second-round selections Riley Bonner (West) and Luke Partington (Norwood).

But Phillips believes there is another 10-13 SANFL players who deserve to find AFL homes, including Rooster Oleg Markov, Glenelg’s Mason Redman and Bailey Williams and Bloods premiership players Hugh Haysman and Tom Keough.

“The problem with the AFL draft this year is that most clubs are going to go with their minimum (three) picks which is going to make spots pretty hard to come by,’’ said Phillips.

“In terms of new talent coming through we might be down to around just 55 picks, which will make it extremely difficult to get on a list.’’

Last year there were 76 players taken by clubs at the national draft, including nine from the SANFL.

The total does not include rookie elevations, which are no longer called out on draft night.

Another eight SANFL players were picked in the rookie draft. Phillips said the quality of this year’s draft pool had been undersold.

Most AFL clubs have declared the 2015 draft crop to be thin, with an elite top 10, a quality group from 11-to-25 and then speculative picks all the way through to the rookie draft.

Phillips however believes up to 18 SANFL products have genuine claims to be on an AFL list and that some gold can be found all the way through to the rookie draft.

“In many ways I think people are underselling this draft,’’ he said.

“I look through our list in SA and I can find 15-18 genuine chances of getting onto an AFL list. “It’s a pretty strong group and when you’ve got talent like that I firmly believe that if these players are given an opportunity and put in a really good club environment that allows for development and encourages development then you’ll get some really good footballers.’’

This year’s draft will be held in Adelaide for the second time and first since 1997.

Today, The Advertiser launches a 10-day series which will feature South Australia’s top draft hopefuls.
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