AFL draft 2021: Talent guru Kevin Sheehan identifies some of the unlucky players who missed out
These are the players your club will consider for a pre-season training spot after they were overlooked in the draft. AFL draft guru Kevin Sheehan rates the best still on offer.
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AFL draft guru Kevin Sheehan says Greg Clark is the role model for the youngsters unlucky to miss out on being selected this past week.
Clark was in the same boat as them in 2015 when he was overlooked as an 18-year-old after captaining WA.
But he kept improving and became a fairytale story on Thursday, as West Coast snared the WAFL star, now aged 24, with pick 62.
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Sheehan said about 25 per cent of draftees in history were taken after they were first eligible and 12 of this year’s crop were older than 18.
“There will be opportunity (for those overlooked), history says that,” Sheehan, the AFL’s talent ambassador, told News Corp.
“Clark is the role model for that.
“He’s 24, six years on from being in the national academy with (Carlton star Jacob) Weitering and (Essendon’s) Aaron Francis and that group of kids, but then he was lightly built and probably a wingman, rather than now where he’s a powerful inside midfielder.
“He’s matured in so many ways and not just been drafted, but he’ll play next year.”
Sheehan said there were many possibilities why talented prospects were not drafted, including injury, performance, clubs misjudging them or simply being unlucky.
Last year 12 players found homes during the supplemental selection period and then another 22 in the mid-season draft.
“We’ll see who can get harder, get stronger through the disappointment,” Sheehan said.
“Hope is far from lost.
“You might be part of that 25 per cent next year.”
Together with News Corp, Sheehan identified players whom he believed were among a group that were decent chance of being drafted.
* Listed in alphabetical order
■ Angus Anderson (Sydney Swans academy, midfielder)
The big-bodied on-baller captained the Swans’ academy and impressed with his workrate in two NAB League games.
■ Jamieson Ballantyne (GWV Rebels, midfielder)
The dashing line-breaker shot up draft estimations after significant improvement this year.
■ Josh Browne (East Fremantle, midfielder)
Won the Jack Clarke Medal as best player in the WA colts competition.
■ Sam Breuer (GWV Rebels, defender/midfielder)
The son of ex-Geelong and Port Adelaide player Shayne Breuer stood out as an aggressive tackler and composed ball user.
■ Sam Collins (North Hobart, defender)
A damaging intercept backman who was hoping to be drafted as a 19-year-old.
■ Josh Cripps (East Fremantle, ruck/forward)
The brother of Carlton skipper Patrick Cripps was eligible last year but sustained an ACL injury then returned and dominated for a patch late this past season.
■ Kade Dittmar (East Perth, midfielder)
The tough on-baller was linked to several clubs, including Port Adelaide.
■ Youseph Dib (Oakleigh Charger, utility)
Collingwood – and all other clubs – overlooked the tough, quick member of the Magpies’ Next Generation Academy.
■ Sam Frost (GWS academy, defender)
Was best on ground in three Giants matches and was the Allies’ skipper in a Covid-affected game against SA in Adelaide.
■ Josh Green (GWS academy, midfielder)
A tall, on-ball utility who is the brother of Giants bull Tom Green.
■ Shay Linke (Central District, tall midfielder)
A 190cm on-baller who impressed in SA’s last state under-19 game and was injured in a boating accident a fortnight ago.
■ Charlie Molan (GWV Rebels, defender/midfielder)
A consistent, versatile player who performed strongly in a variety of roles to win the Rebels’ best-and-fairest.
■ Blayne O’Loughlin (North Adelaide, small defender)
The nephew of Swans great Michael O’Loughlin won the medal for SA’s best in the AFL grand final curtain-raiser and had a blistering start to the year at under-18 SANFL level.
■ Lewis Rayson (Glenelg, half-back)
A clever ball user and SA vice-captain who may have been hurt by the high number of running, wing/half-back types in this year’s pool.
■ Josh Rentsch (GWV Rebels, key forward)
Likened to Tom Hawkins, 198cm, 100kg Rentsch was one of few power forwards in the draft and tied for the Morrish Medal.
■ Toby Triffett (Brisbane Lions academy, midfielder)
Was invited to the national combine after a brilliant performance for Queensland against Tasmania and also showed form in nine VFL games.
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