Smooth mover Cameron Giles bounces into AFL draft picture
CAMERON Giles developed his love of having a run and a bounce on the massive expanses of Snowtown Oval.
CAMERON Giles developed his love of having a run and a bounce on the massive expanses of Snowtown Oval.
"I used to play in the midfield when I was a kid and I loved trying to get the ball and carry it and run," says the former Blythe-Snowtown Cat.
That love has never deserted Giles and it is his rebound and speed that now make him an attractive AFL draft proposition.
At 195cm, the Woodville-West Torrens defender has the height to go toe-to-toe with power-forwards, but he comes with the added bonus of being able to run off them.
Playing at full-back for SA during the nattioanl under-18 championships this year, Giles was generally able to keep some of the best key forwards in the carnival quiet.
But he also averaged nearly 13 possessions a game, kicked a goal, and turned heads with his ability to run the ball out of SA"s defensive 50.
"We played him as a defender but I think the advantage he has is that he has the mobility to swing forward or into the ruck,'' Croweaters under-18 coach Brenton Phillips said.
"His physique and his versatility suggests that he will get some AFL interest.''
Giles further enhanced his reputation as a rebounding defender with a 26 disposal game in the Eagles SANFL under-18 grand final win.
Also a strong mark and long kick, the 18-year-old's journey to November 21's AFL National Draft began on property in the tiny Clare Valley town of Armagh, population 250 people.
A stand out in his age group, Giles accepted a scholarship to study at Prince Alfred College (PAC) in 2012 and moved to Adelaide.
He is now one of the four former PAC boarding students - along with Jake Pitt, George Hewett and Campbell Combe - in contention for this year's draft and says the school played an important role in his progress.
"They have a really good program there, under Troy McKinnon,'' Giles says.
"I definitely think it was good for my development being part of that."
Still a work in progress, the youngster may have to wait until lower in this year's National Draft before his name is called.
But don't be surprised to see Giles bouncing the ball out of defence on AFL grounds around the country in the not-too-distant future.
CAMERON GILES
H eight: 195cm
Weight: 93kg
Club: Woodville-West Torrens
Position: Key defender/ruck/forward
Scouting report: At 195cm but quick and agile, Giles is the modern day AFL athlete and seems to possess all the traits clubs like. Loves to run and carry the football and can take a strong mark.
Draft tip: 50-70.
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