AFL Draft 2021: Blow for top Victorian prospects as NAB League and under-19 championships cancelled

Just days after the top draft prospects from SA and WA got their chance at national level, the hopes of Victoria’s best young footballers have taken another a big hit.

It’s season over for Victoria’s top junior footballers in another blow for the state’s draft prospects.

The remainder of the NAB League season for metropolitan teams has been cancelled and the AFL confirmed on Friday that Vic Country and Vic Metro will not compete at the national under-19 championships.

South Australia and Western Australia kicked off the carnival last weekend in Perth but, for the second consecutive season, Victoria’s top draft chances won’t get an opportunity on the national stage as a result of the state’s Covid situation.

“All levels of the game across Australia have been impacted by the health pandemic this year and it has been another challenging year for everyone connected to football,” AFL Talent Pathways boss Tristan Salter said.

“These players represent the future of Australian Football and like all footy fans, we’re disappointed we can’t host the best football talent in Melbourne this year.”

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Nick Daicos in action for Vic Metro in the under-19 challenge game against Vic Country in July. Picture: Michael Klein

Father-son prospects, and Oakleigh Chargers pair, Nick Daicos and Sam Darcy have confirmed their place at the top of the draft pool, while teammate Finn Callaghan and Northern Knights midfielder Josh Ward are right in the top-10 mix.

Greater Western Victoria Rebels midfielder Ben Hobbs, who tallied 32 disposals or more in three of his past four matches, is another to have risen up draft boards in the second half of the season.

But, while there’s a chance Vic Country NAB League clubs will be allowed to resume games if restrictions are eased next week, it puts many draft hopefuls at a big disadvantage with junior football in full swing across the border in SA and WA.

The AFL is also looking at holding a second under-19 championships clash between the two sides in Grand Final week.

Players from Queensland, Tasmania and the NT will also get their chance as the AFL focuses on staging as many national games as possible in the lead up to November’s draft.

RELATED: EVERY PLAYER INVITED TO THE DRAFT COMBINE

Ben Hobbs is one of Victoria’s top draft prospects. Picture: Michael Klein

“We share the disappointment with all players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans of the NAB AFL Championships and recognise the impact the interrupted seasons has had on boys and their families. We remain committed to supporting all players in the lead-up to the 2021 NAB AFL Draft and in their football journeys in 2022,” Salter said.

“We’ve seen some great talent this season across the NAB AFL Academy game, a handful of state representative games and 68 matches of NAB League. The talent pool is extremely strong and is a clear indicator that our game is strong, and our pathways continue to deliver the best Australian sporting talent,” Salter said.

Last year, despite the junior football blackout, 12 of the first 20 players drafted were from Victoria - the average over the previous five years was 13.

The Under-17 Futures game, normally held on Grand Final day will also not be played in 2021 but the state based draft combines will be held in Victoria on October 10 and a week later in South Australia and WA.

National standouts: SA, WA draft bolters make strong case

The national AFL under-19 championships finally kicked off on Saturday, with Western Australia too strong for the Croweaters in the first game of the carnival in Perth.

WA’s talls - Jacob van Rooyen and Rhett Bazzo in defence and Jye Amiss at the other end - led the reigning champions to a convincing 29-point victory over South Australia at Laithlan Park.

SA captain Jason Horne-Francis was quiet by his high standards against WA. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

SA captain, and No. 1 pick contender, Jason Horne-Francis was quiet by his standards but exciting Glenelg prospect Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera enhanced his draft standing with a classy display.

Here are the standouts and Champion Data ranking points for every player.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

- Jordan Pinto

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (Glenelg)

Wanganeen-Milera’s draft stocks are rising - and fast. After impressing at senior level for Glenelg, the athletically gifted 18-year-old was SA’s best on Saturday. Wanganeen-Milera had more time than most with the ball in hand, dancing around opponents on multiple occasions before finding a teammate with precision. The 187cm wingman, who also worked off half-back against WA, finished with 15 disposals and did his best work on the outside.

POWER RANKINGS: SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S TOP 30 DRAFT PROSPECTS

Arlo Draper impressed in the midfield and as a forward on Saturday. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Arlo Draper (South Adelaide)

The South Adelaide young gun proved why he is state coach Tony Bamford’s most-versatile weapon against WA. The classy 18-year-old had his moments in the midfield, where his clean hands and ability to work his way out of traffic and execute were on show. But the 186cm Draper, who finished with 14 disposals, was even more influential forward, taking two marks inside-50, booting 1.1 and handing off another. It was a performance, while not spectacular, that underlined the reasons he’s so highly rated.

Matthew Roberts (South Adelaide)

Roberts was everywhere in the second-term, tallying eight disposals and goal, leading SA’s fightback after Western Australia jumped out of the blocks. Typically, throughout the day, he was in all the right spots and made good decisions on his way to 20 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 10 ground ball-gets, seven intercepts and a game-high 108 ranking points. The 184cm Roberts, who was coming off a 20-disposal performance at senior level for South, was clean at ground level and did little to dispel the notion he has one of the highest footy IQs in the draft pool.

SA vice-captain finished with 21 disposals and five tackles. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Mani Liddy (Sturt)

The vice-captain, who started at the first bounce, was one of the Croweaters’ most-consistent midfielders on a tough afternoon. Liddy, who has impressed at SANFL League level for Sturt this year, finished with 21 disposals, nine contested possessions, six clearances and five tackles, highlighting his ability to win the ball at the contest and drive his side forward. He put teammates in a better position by hand, and worked into space to find the ball. But, as it has in the past, Liddy’s kicking let him down at times.

Lewis Rayson (Glenelg)

On a day when many of his teammates were rushed and turned the ball over, especially by foot, SA’s other vice-captain didn’t make many mistakes. Rayson was composed, often holding on to the ball in order to make the right decision, hitting the target with 21 of his 25 disposals. The 183cm defender stood tall amid multiple attacking onslaughts from WA and set up play from the back-half. Rayson finished with 10 marks, four intercept possessions and 102 ranking points - the third-most for the match.

Zac Becker impressed on a tough day for SA defenders. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Zac Becker (Sturt)

Bamford recently compared the Becker, an undersized key-defender, to Port Adelaide’s Trent McKenzie, given the 17-year-old’s penetrating kick. And he proved why on Saturday, taking a number of kick-ins and driving the Croweaters forward out of defence. WA gun Jye Amiss proved a handful, especially in the first half, but the 190cm Becker, who finished with 16 disposals and 10 rebound-50s, had his moments in the air and impressed with his ability to get involved when the ball was on the ground.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

- Dan Batten

Jye Amiss (East Perth)

Recruiters wondering whether the key forward’s stellar WAFL Colts form – kicking 49.12 in 12 matches – would stack up at the national championships got their answer. Amiss was best afield to half time, dominating in the air and on the lead with his strong hands and booting two goals. One of those was a cracking finish on the run from 40m on a tight angle, epitomising his deadly accuracy and athleticism at 195cm. Staking his claim as the second best tall forward in the pool behind Sam Darcy, and his performances suggest he is well entrenched in the first round.

Jye Amiss starred for WA in the opening game of the under-19 carnival. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Rhett Bazzo (Swan Districts)

Bazzo patrolled the defensive arc cutting off SA entries at will, clunking six intercept marks – two of those contested in a standout display down back. The 195cm defender reads the play well in the air and is a tidy user, going at 82 per cent, with 17 of his 18 disposals by foot. Bazzo has played a handful of games for Swan Districts’ senior side but injury has kept him to just eight matches at all levels this season.

Jacob Van Rooyen (Claremont)

Known as a talented key forward through the junior ranks, slotting 21 goals in five WAFL Colts matches this season, van Rooyen showcased his versatility with a rock-solid showing in defence. Van Rooyen was able to neutralise his 1-on-1 contests and win crucial intercepts, taking three intercept marks (two contested) among 12 disposals. The 194cm swingman has played five games at senior level this season in a campaign interrupted by a bout of glandular fever.

Kade Dittmar finished with 18 disposals and 12 contested possessions. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Kade Dittmar (East Perth)

While Dittmar is difficult to miss with his blonde mullet, the tough midfielder – who has featured at WAFL senior and reserves level for East Perth – also stood out with his ferocious attack on the footy and the man. His crunching tackle on strong opponent Matt Roberts in the second term was a statement, cooly slotting the goal after being awarded the free kick. Dittmar finished with 18 disposals, 12 contested possessions and four clearances in a promising display.

Matthew Johnson (Subiaco)

Johnson was impressive as WA’s linkman between the arcs with his composure and efficiency by foot helping create scoring opportunities. The 187cm wingman tallied 19 disposals (with 81 per cent efficiency by foot), nine score involvements and 93 ranking points, often cutting inboard and hitting targets with his reliable ball use. Johnson, who played three WAFL senior games earlier in the season, performed strongly at reserves level with 25 touches and 99 ranking points in his most recent outing for Subiaco.

Matthew Johnson was impressive on the wing for WA. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Jake South (Subiaco)

The scrapped national carnival last year meant unknown prospects were unable to burst onto the draft scene against the best in the country, which is exactly what South did on Saturday. The 197cm tall was used as WA’s number one ruckman and caught the eye with his athleticism and follow-up work at stoppages. While he had only 11 hitouts, he was able to win six clearances and 16 disposals, giving WA the edge at the coalface. More performances like this will see the Subiaco prospect improve his draft chances.

RANKING POINTS

Matty Roberts (SA) 108

Jase Burgoyne (SA) 106

Lewis Rayson (SA) 102

Jye Amiss (WA) 101

Rhett Bazzo (WA) 100

Kade Dittmar (WA) 98

Max Litster (SA) 98

Jed Hagan (WA) 96

Mani Liddy (SA) 96

Jake South (WA) 94

Matthew Johnson (WA) 93

Brady Hough (WA) 87

Oscar Adams (SA) 85

Max Chipper (WA) 85

Jacob van Rooyen (WA) 82

Arlo Draper (SA) 81

Jack Avery (WA) 80

Angus Sheldrick (WA) 79

Oscar Steene (SA) 78

Jack Williams (WA) 75

Jesse Motlop (WA) 74

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (SA) 74

Corey Warner (WA) 73

Zac Becker (SA) 72

Joshua Browne (WA) 72

Ethan Regan (WA) 68

Hugh Jackson (SA) 67

Cade Kennedy (SA) 67

Blayne O’Loughlin (SA) 66

Jason Horne-Francis (SA) 65

Judd McVee (WA) 64

Taj Woewodin (WA) 64

James Tunstill (WA) 63

Lochlan Paton (WA) 62

Isaac Birt (SA) 61

Morgan Ferres (SA) 54

Jacob Owens (SA) 54

Finn Gorringe (WA) 53

Cooper Beecken (SA) 49

Isaiah Dudley (SA) 44

Lachlan Grubb (SA) 42

Jordan Lukac (SA) 40

Hugh Stagg (SA) 35

Bryce Watson (WA) 35

Eric Benning (WA) 33

Lukas Cooke (SA) 27

Originally published as AFL Draft 2021: Blow for top Victorian prospects as NAB League and under-19 championships cancelled