September power rankings: South Australia’s 30 top AFL Draft prospects
A 20-year-old Eagles forward leads the SANFL goalkicking and a classy left-footer is starring for Glenelg across half-back. Here are the top mature-age AFL Draft prospects from SA, featuring profiles, stats and video highlights.
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The noise could be heard from Port Road.
When Woodville-West Torrens teenage sensation Lachlan Jones flew high above a pack of players, including two giant ruckmen, to haul down a spectacular SANFL mark of the year contender at Woodville Oval last Saturday, not only did the Eagles fans rise as one in appreciation but a big question was posed.
Is the power-packed key utility a better draft prospect than much-hyped West Adelaide tall Riley Thilthorpe, whose progress has been stalled by a nagging groin injury?
Once deemed to be unthinkable, Jones’ draft stock is rising daily while athletic 201cm key forward/ruckman Thilthorpe might not be seen on the field again this season.
He hasn’t played since pulling up sore against Central District in round nine and won’t feature in what might have been a tantalising match-up against Jones at Richmond Oval on Friday night.
The Bloods, sitting bottom, say they will not risk him in the final round against Norwood if he’s not 100 per cent fit.
“We want to do the right thing by Riley and make sure he gets himself right physically because he has a few big months coming up,’’ Bloods football manager Wayne Siekman said.
“He was close to playing last week but pulled up a bit sore from training, so we pulled him out and won’t play him until he is fully fit because he has too much at stake.’’
Thilthorpe has long been touted as a possible No. 1 draft pick and a contender to land at the rebuilding Adelaide Crows should they get the prized selection.
But his fellow SA AFL Hub squad member, also 18, is making a late charge to push him off the pedestal.
Jones has been in ripping form for the top of the table Eagles, playing all 12 games this season and not only beating more seasoned opponents in one-on-one contests but taking big marks and kicking the ball 60m.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE SA’S TOP 30 PROSPECTS
Veteran Eagles captain Luke Thompson said Jones – tied to Port Adelaide as a Next Generation Academy prospect, meaning they can match any bid for him – was the best teenage ready-made AFL player he had seen come through the system in his 10 years in the SANFL.
He compared Jones to West Coast premiership captain Shannon Hurn and said he would have no hesitation in making him the first player picked from SA this year.
“Jonesy has Shannon Hurn written all over him,’’ said Thompson, a former Crow.
“He is my No. 1 looking at young talented players coming through.
“He has a mature, ready to go body, he’s tough and a strong competitor, is deceptively quick, kicks the ball a long way and can crash packs to take a big mark. That’s a pretty complete package.’’
As debate rages about SA’s top prospect, Siekman said while Jones is an enticing prospect, Thilthorpe is the type of player you can build a team around.
“A 200cm key forward/ruckman who can run and move as well as he can, they don't fall off trees,’’ Siekman said.
“You’ve seen the impact young, tall marking forwards have had in the AFL this season, with the King boys (Max and Ben), and Riley has the same attributes.’’
Adelaide head of football Adam Kelly has publicly declared the club is chasing “future tall forwards, speed and midfield depth’’ with its plethora of top draft picks.
While Thilthorpe and Jones remain The Advertiser’s top two draft prospects from the SANFL, there are some big movers and shakers in the updated list.
SA’S TOP 30 AFL DRAFT PROSPECTS - SEPTEMBER RANKINGS
1. RILEY THILTHORPE (August ranking: 1)
(West Adelaide)
18, key forward/ruckman
201cm, 102kg
2020 Champion Data Ranking Points average: 85 (League)
Exciting tall – a contender to be taken No. 1 overall – has played nine league games for the Bloods this season, averaging 12 disposals, four marks, three tackles and 10 hit-outs while kicking five goals.
Prefers to play forward but has spent more time in the ruck than expected for team balance and showcased his versatility around the ground.
Thilthorpe hasn’t played since pulling up sore against Central District in Round 9.
West coach Gavin Colville says: “In my time in the SANFL there probably hasn’t been too many players who have come in at his age and been such solid contributors at league level. You’re talking Izak Rankine, Matthew Pavlich and Adam Cooney. I can only imagine what he's going to be like at 24, he’s going to be pretty hard to stop in the AFL.’’
2. LACHLAN JONES (2)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
18, defender
184cm, 87kg
Ranking Points: 61 (League)
(Power Next Generation Academy prospect)
Has been a mainstay of the top-of-the-table Eagles league team's backline, playing every game and beating some of the competition’s glamour forwards, including Central District’s Troy Menzel and West Adelaide’s Tom Keough.
Jones has been so good at senior level, he’s closing the gap on Thilhorpe.
The Yorke Peninsula product can play on talls and smalls, is powerful overhead, quick and possesses a booming right-foot kick.
And he has the versatility to eventually become a dynamic on-baller.
Eagles coach Jade Sheedy says: “Lachy’s a ripper, a special kid with elite attributes. He’s strong, quick, versatile, fearless and loves one-on-one contests. He’s shown why he will go high in the draft. Port’s going to have to give up what will amount to a first-round draft pick to get him but he’ll be worth it.’’
3. BRAYDEN COOK (8)
(South Adelaide)
18, wing/half-forward
188cm, 74kg
Ranking Points: 126 (U18)
Arguably this year’s biggest SA draft bolter, Cook has been a standout at under-18 level for the Panthers, pushing his way to the top of the list after a number of match-winning performances.
Has real x-factor, can take a strong mark – dropping back into packs to intercept and as a forward target – and is dangerous around goal.
Has grown about 7cm in a year and has really caught the eye of AFL clubs in the second half of the year, with a brilliant individual performance in Round 8 pushing his name further up draft boards.
A week after booting four goals from 16 disposals against Norwood, Cook single-handedly got side over the line against the Eagles.
South trailed by six goals early in the third term before Cook, who was too strong in the air and too clever on the ground, turned the game booting five second-half goals, four of them in the final quarter.
The 18-year-old finished with 22 disposals, five inside-50s, four contested marks, 5.5 and 198 Champion Data ranking points as he led his side to a one-point win.
Bamford says: “He’s a bolter who has come from nowhere. He has a lot of traits that will appeal to clubs, particularly his ability to run up and down the ground and take strong marks at both ends. His skills are good and he’s going to fill out to be a really nice size.’’
4. TOM POWELL (7)
(Sturt)
18, midfielder
180cm, 70kg
Ranking Points: 163 (U18)
The son of former Crow and Sturt Jack Oatey Medallist Matthew Powell is finally fit and firing after two injury-riddled years.
He is a ball magnet, averaging a league-leading 35 disposals in the under-18s this season, who is described as being “a real natural footballer’’ by Sturt centre of excellence manager Michael Higgs.
Powell, Tom Mitchell-like in his ability to win the ball, ranks second in the competition for Champion Data Ranking Points - after passing the 200-point mark twice this year - and has already been interviewed by all 18 AFL clubs.
Bamford said his hands in the contest are “elite’’ and that he “has been our most consistent high performer in the (SA AFL) Hub this year, along with Jones’’.
Sturt coach Nathan Grima says: “We considered playing him in our league side a few weeks ago but we’ve got this group of young guys who are in their 19th and 20th years who we want to give an opportunity to while we can. ‘Powelly’ definitely has the capabilities of coming in and playing good league footy now. He’s a ball magnet, clean and good in traffic. He's still pretty lean and needs to work on some contested stuff but we think we can get him to the next level in those areas.’’
5. LUKE EDWARDS (3)
(Glenelg)
18, midfielder/halfback
187cm, 78kg
Ranking Points: 110 (U18)
(Crows father-son prospect)
The son of Crows great Tyson Edwards made his league debut against Central District in round seven and did not look out of place, having 10 disposals and laying five tackles.
Edwards, who was a strong performer at the lower levels before making his league debut, is back in the reserves after missing two weeks with concussion.
The smooth mover and elite decision maker is yet to commit to the Crows as a father-son player.
Glenelg head of football Paul Sandercock says: “Luke has an exceptional ability to read the play and get in the right spots. His peripheral vision is such that he can see things that others don’t. He is well balanced, good in traffic and while he has played mostly as a playmaking defender, he’ll probably end up as a midfielder with the potential to go forward and kick goals.’’
6. CALEB POULTER (10)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
17, midfielder/utility
191cm, 74kg
Ranking Points: 137 (U18)
The attacking midfielder with a penetrating left-foot kick has continued his rise in the back half of the season, impressing at Reserves level for the Eagles and for Henley High in the All Schools Cup.
Poulter, whose size and versatility have caught the attention of recruiters, kickstarted his season with 34 disposals and a goal in under-18s and followed it up with 29 disposals and two goals.
And he has hardly put a foot wrong since, averaging 26 disposals at junior level and hurting the opposition with his possessions.
Bamford says: “He’s been playing as an inside mid and is a really nice, penetrating left-foot kick. Is really good in the air. He had to do a lot of work on his ground ball stuff last year but to his credit he’s much stronger in that area now. There’s going to be plenty of interest in him.’’
7. KAINE BALDWIN (4)
( Glenelg)
18, key forward
194cm, 93kg
Ranking Points: N/A
Star key forward prospect will miss his second consecutive season with knee injuries after cruelling breaking down in April.
Is so highly-rated that he would have challenged Thilthorpe and Jones as SA’s top selection had his body not let him down.
While some clubs are now questioning whether they will take a punt on Baldwin at all given his injury risk, Bamford is convinced he is still a high first-round talent.
Bamford says: “He’s a gun and an unbelievable character. He’s too good not to be at an AFL club next year. When he’s fit he’s as good as Thilthorpe and Jones. The only football recruiters have got to base his selection on is his under-16 year when he was SA’s captain and – at centre half-forward – the best key forward at the championships.’’
8. ZAC DUMESNY (6)
(South Adelaide)
18, midfielder/halfback
188cm, 80kg
Ranking Points: 62 (League)
A regular for South at league level before being dropped to the reserves for the round seven clash against Norwood “to find some confidence’’.
Suffered a nasty ankle injury in the final minute of that game after being best afield and only returned in Round 12.
Dumesny averaged 14 disposals and six marks at league level and looked very composed against bigger and more experienced opponents.
South coach Jarrad Wright says: “He’s a very composed, classy player. Eventually he’ll be a really good halfback because he just sees the game so well, He’s good in the air and a great kick, so we won’t be seeing him at South next year because he’ll be drafted.’’
9. COREY DURDIN (5)
(Central District)
18, small forward/midfielder
173cm, 72kg
Ranking Points: 55 (League)
Rose to prominence by winning the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player at the national under-16 championships two years ago and has been a regular member of the Bulldogs league team since late last year.
Averaged 11 disposals and three tackles while kicking seven goals in eight league matches this season before straining a hamstring against Sturt in Round 8.
Durdin returned against Norwood earlier this month but re-injured his hamstring and he may not feature again this year.
But he’s done more than enough to get his name called out on draft night.
Models his game on VFL-AFL games record holder Brent Harvey while State under-18 coach Tony Bamford compares him to fellow Croweater and Western Bulldogs premiership player Caleb Daniel, saying “he’s a really smart footballer who is as close to a Caleb Daniel as we’ve seen come out of our State’’.
Central chief executive Kris Grant says: “Corey is an excitement machine. He’s super-quick, tremendously skilful on both sides of his body and dangerous around goal. The knock on him is his size but that shouldn’t be a problem because we’ve seen what similar types in Eddie Betts and Caleb Daniel have done at AFL level and Corey has the same explosiveness.’’
10. LUKE PEDLAR (12)
(Glenelg)
18, forward/midfielder
182cm, 82kg
Ranking Points: 128 (U18)
Glenelg’s southeast product had a shoulder reconstruction last year, and a knee injury has interrupted his 2020, but he’s a tough, no-frills forward/on-baller.
The Prince Alfred College captain is a natural leader who goes about his football with a minimum of fuss.
There’s been plenty of fuss over Pedlar in recruiting circles, however.
Bamford says: “He’s a really tough forward/midfielder who reminds me of a young Jake Stringer (from Essendon). I love the way he goes about his football. He’s very aggressive and just knocks blokes over.’’
11. TARIEK NEWCHURCH (11)
(North Adelaide)
18, midfielder/forward
185cm, 72kg
Ranking Points: 84 (U18)
(Crows Next Generation Academy prospect)
Brilliant but raw talent models his game on former Crow and current Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron.
This year moved from Port Augusta to renowned football school Henley and has impressed football academy manager Ben Kane with his explosiveness, saying “when he gets the ball with some space in front of him he’s unstoppable.’’
Is lightning quick with terrific goal sense and has arguably the best highlights package of any SA draft prospect, with a bit of Izak Rankine about him.
Newchurch continues to showcase his immense talent but clubs would like to see the defensive side of his game and is consistency improve.
North coach Jacob Surjan says: “Tariek’s an excitement machine. He’s young and raw and still getting an understanding of the game but he has a lot of upside. The fact he’s a Crows NGA prospect is really exciting for them and they should take a punt on him. He’s quick, energetic, a smooth mover who has great evasive skills in traffic and he uses the ball well. He’s one of that rare breed of player who has the ability to make the game look very easy at times.’’
12. JAMES BORLASE (14)
(Sturt)
18, key defender
191cm, 88kg
Ranking Points: 70 (League)
(Crows Next Generation Academy prospect)
The nicely-built defender played eight reserves games for Sturt last year and made an impressive SANFL league debut in Round 10, finishing with 14 disposals, six marks and five rebound-50s to be named in the Double Blues’ best.
Impressed at the MCG in the Under-17 Futures game on grand final day last year, where his intercept marking was a highlight.
The son of four-times Port Adelaide SANFL premiership player Darryl Borlase, James is tied to Adelaide through its Next Generation Academy because he was born in Egypt.
Grima says: “He’s a great lad, is big and long and reads the game really well. He's not overly tall for a key defender but he has great wingspan and I hope Adelaide takes him. I look at the Crows’ key defensive stocks and I think he would be a really good addition.’’
13. TAJ SCHOFIELD (9)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
17, midfielder/forward
177cm, 74kg
Ranking Points: 90 (U18)
(Power father-son prospect)
The son of Power premiership player Jarrad Schofield is a smart midfielder, who is clever in traffic and precise by foot on the outside.
The 17-year-old, who showed off his clean hands and skills in last year’s AFL grand final curtain-raiser, isn’t a big accumulator of the footy but his efficiency and ability to go forward sets him apart.
He battled ankle injuries earlier in year but he’s returned to become one of the Eagles’ most-damaging players on a wing in the under-18s. Schofield tallied 32 disposals, seven inside-50s in his best game for the year in Round 12.
Bamford says: “Taj is an elite decision-maker and ball user.- a brilliant finisher. Injuries have hurt him this year but he is all class. He just needs an injury-free run at it to take his game to the next level.’’
14. JAMISON MURPHY (17)
(North Adelaide)
17, midfielder/defender
181cm, 82kg
Ranking points 2020: 117 (U18)
The former elite-level cricketer, who was captain of the Australian under-16 side, has impressed through the midfield and across halfback for North’s under-18 side, in between his college football commitments with PAC. Jamison, the Roosters’ skipper who only last year began concentrating on football full-time, makes great decisions in defence but it’s as a strong, ball-winning midfielder, with elite foot skills, where he shows huge potential. Murphy won’t play against this year due to a knee injury but that’s unlikely to have a significant impact on his draft chances.
15. RILEY HOLDER (29)
(Glenelg)
17, key forward
190cm, 84kg
Ranking points: 125 (U18)
The strong-marking forward booted four goals from 22 disposals and eight marks – four of them contested – to win the Round 2 MVP award but his performance two weeks later was just as impressive. The 190cm Holder, a member of SA’s 2020 AFL Academy Hub, highlighted his enormous ability to cover the ground, finishing with 26 disposals, 12 marks, six inside 50s and 2.4 against West Adelaide in Round 4. And Holder carried his hot start in the SANFL across to the college footy competition where he has starred for Sacred Heart.
16. JAMES ROWE (13)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
20, small forward
173cm, 73kg
Ranking Points: 94 (League)
Has been overlooked at the draft for the past three years and after kicking 35 goals at league level last season has taken his game to another level this year.
After a starring with five goals in the Eagles’ big win over West Adelaide on Friday night, Rowe leads the race for the Ken Farmer Medal as SANFL leading goalkicker with 37 after 13 rounds. He kicked a remarkable 18 goals without a miss from rounds four to nine.
A classy, clever player who could kick goals at the next level.
Sheedy says: “James is a special talent, a big-time player who likes the big moments in games. He’s an elite kick and a smart footballer who is very good at reading the play. He is able to get in the right positions and hurt the opposition on the scoreboard.’’
17. PHOENIX SPICER (-)
(South Adelaide)
18, wingman
173cm, 63kg
Ranking Points: 101 (U18)
Spicer, an exciting, but lightly-built, wingman/forward, who boasts elite speed, is the one to watch after shooting up the list in the second half of the season. He’s been playing reserves for South Adelaide after a standout start to the year at under-18 level, and has been invited to test at the state-based AFL Draft combine later this month. Spicer has booted four goals at reserves level and has been named in the Panthers’ best in two of his three matches.
18. NED CAREY (20)
(Norwood)
17, ruckman
198cm, 89kg
Ranking points 2020: 94 (U18 - 2019)
The talented Carey is a difficult prospect to assess given his battle with injury over the past 18 months.. The super-competitive big man, who loves to crash packs, only manged eight under-18 matches last year but still did enough to earn a place in SA’s 2020 AFL Academy Hub. Carey, a developing, mobile tall, who has shown the ability to play in the ruck and a key-position at either end of the ground, is back playing school footy for Rostrevor.
19. ZAC PHILLIPS (28)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
18, ruckman
200cm, 80kg
Ranking points: 85 (U18)
He’s raw but the Eagles’ under-18 skipper is a hardworking big man who has been dominant at times in 2020. The 18-year-old doesn’t only get his hands on the ball in the ruck, he has a great ability to follow-up, tallying 10 disposals or more in all but two matches this year and finishing with 14 or more four times. And he’s getting better as the season goes on, with his 20-disposal, two-goal performance against Glenelg on Saturday making it obvious why he is rated highly by some clubs.
20. JYE SINDERBERRY (18)
(West Adelaide)
18, defender
188cm, 82kg
Ranking points: 77 (U18)
The intercept star was West’s best in his return from injury in Round 9, tallying 23 disposals, six marks – three contested – and three inside-50s. And it was a similar story in the following two rounds, leading to the under-16 All-Australian’s recall to the reserves. Sinderberry, who played six reserves matches in 2019, has featured on a wing and as a leading forward for the Bloods and is well-and-truly on the draft radar after being invited to test at the Draft Combine later this month.
21. BAILEY CHAMBERLAIN (16)
(West Adelaide)
18, midfielder
179cm, 70kg
Ranking points: 111 (U18)
After a scintillating three games between Rounds 5 and 7, which saw the well-balanced midfielder average 35 disposals and eight clearances, the 18-year-old was back in West’s reserves side and straight into the best players. Chamberlain - who is on the cusp on League selection - is equally as strong in traffic as he is with the ball in hand on the outside and his form has drawn plenty of interest from recruiters, despite not receiving an invite to the draft combine.
West talent and development manager Paul Streatfield says: “The sky is the limit in a certain sense, given the way he’s improved in the past 12 months after breaking his arm in his under-16 year.”
22. CALLUM PARK (23)
(Glenelg)
19, wingman/halfback
190cm, 74kg
Ranking points 2020: 63 (League)
He was overlooked in 2019 but the tall, hard-running wingman is back on the draft radar after cementing a spot in Mark Stone’s senior team this year, following a standout pre-season. And he’s increased his standing among SA’s top prospects over the past month with some terrific performances across half-back, with Saturday’s game against Central – 27 disposals, 11 rebound-50s, eight marks and a goal – the best of his career. The versatile 190cm Park is still lightly-built but he boasts elite foot skills and can play in multiple positions.
23. HENRY NELLIGAN (19)
(Norwood)
18, midfielder/small forward
171cm, 70kg
Ranking points 2020: 165 (U18)
Norwood football boss Mark Ross describes Nelligan, who made his SANFL League debut in July, as “your old Sam Mitchell type” while St Peter’s coach Sam Elliot has compared him to former student – and now one of the AFL’s best midfielders – Lachie Neale. The 171cm midfielder isn’t quick but he’s smart and boasts terrific ball-winning ability. The ball magnet is back in the under-18s after an early taste of senior action and he’s shown, again, he’s far too good for the level. Nelligan had 47 disposals in Round 11 and, in what may be even more important for his development, booted three goals. And the 18-year-old, who leads the competition for Champion Data Ranking Points, kicked another three on Saturday.
24. MANI LIDDY (21)
(Sturt)
18, midfielder
183cm, 77kg
Ranking points: 131 (U18)
Liddy has been one of the dominant midfielder in the SANFL under-18 competition this year, establishing a formidable combination with Powell, averaging 26 disposals and 131 ranking points per game, while also booting nine goals.
Sturt talent manager Michael Higgs says: “He gives himself every opportunity, he’s the ultimate professional, he’s as good as I’ve seen in terms of dedication to his craft.”
25. TOM HIGHMORE (-)
(South Adelaide)
22, defender
193cm, 92kg.
Ranking points: 95 (League)
Canberra recruit and former GWS Academy player was starring in his first season for South before badly injuring an ankle in round seven. Was leading the SANFL in marks before his injury, with 56 in six games. Returned to the field last week.
South coach Jarrad Wright says: “Tom’s a good size, strong, athletic, very courageous in aerial contests and he can mark and kick the ball well. It’s package that has him pointing in the right direction.’’
26. RHYAN MANSELL (30)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
20, defender
182cm, 75kg
Ranking points: 78 (League)
Despite featuring for the Allies at the 2018 national under-18 carnival and earning a state draft combine invitation after impressing at senior level in Tasmania, Mansell has been overlooked in the past two drafts. But he’s brought his toughness and dash to the Eagles’ backline, playing a key role for Jade Sheedy’s top-of-the-table side in this year, putting himself in the eyes of recruiters once again.
27. JACOB WEHR (-)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
22, half-back
184cm, 71kg
Ranking points: 76 (League)
Playmaking half-back made his league debut in round one after three years in the reserves and has been a mainstay in the top-of-the-table Eagles side since. Is a sweet mover who possesses an elite left-foot kick - two eye-catching traits.
Eagles coach Jade Sheedy says: “Jacob’s a beautiful left-foot kick, the best kick at our club. His ability to hit a long, punch or advantage kick is outstanding. He has a terrific skill set and gives us a lot of drive from the back half.’’
28. LUKE PARKS (28)
(Glenelg)
19, defender
189cm, 83kg
Ranking points: 72 (League)
The 19-year-old, who played six games for the Swans’ NEAFL team last season, moved to the SANFL to improve his game in the hope of convincing AFL recruiters he’s worth taking a chance on. And the athletic, 189cm defender might be doing just that, competing strongly at senior level, where his intercept and contested marking has been a highlight.
29. DANIEL FAHEY-SPARKS (15)
(Sturt)
22, key forward/ruckman
196cm, 92kg
Ranking Points: 102 (League)
Late-blooming tall is very athletic and boasts terrific hands.
Is quick for his size, has a high leap and covers the ground extremely well.
Is capable in the ruck and has turned into a strong-leading, goalscoring forward for Sturt, kicking eight in the opening rounds of the season. But is form has tailed off with Fahey-Sparks failing to trouble the scorers in his past four matches.
Grima says: “Dan’s largely had to play as an undersized ruckman at our club and he’s only played 25 league games. He’s started to play more forward in recent weeks and his game against Glenelg (in round six) when he was on Max Proud and had Chris Curran in his space – they are high quality players – he took five contested marks. Against North (in round seven) he managed to kick two goals on a day we lost our forward structure. He has the ability and attitude to be an elite player in the SANFL and I think he has AFL attributes.’’
30. JAMES HIGGINS (-)
(Norwood)
18, midfielder
182, 78kg
Ranking points: 85 (U18)
The hard-working, tough midfielder has led from the front at St Peter’s this season, named in his side’s best players in nearly every match. And, despite his college commitments restricting him to just two SANFL under-18 games for Norwood earlier in the year, his form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with a number of AFL clubs inquiring about the 18-year-old.
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