AFL’s changes to Next Generation Academy draft rules could see Adelaide miss out on ruck prospect

The full force of the AFL’s Next Generation Academy draft concessions will hit clubs hard next season — with Adelaide set to be the unlucky test case.

The impact of an AFL draft change will be laid bare to Adelaide next year if it loses access to a promising prospect considered one of SA’s top 2022 talents.

North Adelaide forward/ruckman Isaac Keeler is viewed as a chance to be taken in the opening two rounds and is in the Crows’ Next Generation Academy, but he will be up for grabs inside the first 40 selections.

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The league scaled back its NGA concessions in November last year, preventing clubs from matching bids on their academy players until pick 21 in last month’s draft and 41 next season.

That change did not affect the Western Bulldogs landing NGA forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan first overall in 2020 and Port Adelaide matching a bid on defender Lachie Jones 15 spots later.

Keeler is likened to Paddy Ryder. Picture: Tom Huntley

But the tweak stopped Melbourne from having draft access last month to Egypt-born South Sudanese ruckman Mac Andrew, whom Gold Coast chose at No. 5.

Keeler, a member of the 2022 SA Talent Hub, is a smooth-moving, high-leaping, athletic, 197cm Indigenous prospect in the mould of St Kilda’s Paddy Ryder.

The Port Augusta product booted 25 goals and averaged 14.3 disposals, as well as 6.1 score involvements, from 15 under-18 games as a bottom-ager this year.

Keeler also kicked two majors and gathered 11 touches for SA against WA in an under-17 championship match.

Roosters coach Craig Brooks told News Corp Keeler had long shown plenty of potential.

Brooks did not expect Keeler would be available after pick 40 next year but said there was a long way to go and he needed to improve his ruck craft and workrate.

“His height and athleticism alone is going to make people look at him,” Brooks said.

“He is very much like a Paddy Ryder.

“His best position is probably in the ruck in the moment, even though he doesn’t do the rucking part the best, but around the ground he’s very good.

The Crows could lose access to Isaac Keeler. Picture: Tom Huntley

“From a forward perspective, he leads pretty well, takes a good mark – he took an absolute ripper to draw a game against the Eagles.

“I think if he works hard and realises how good he could be and buys into all the workrate stuff, he’s going to be a very good AFL prospect.”

SA under-18 coach Tony Bamford told the SANFL website Keeler was “an unbelievably naturally talented player”.

Although Keeler may slip out of its reach, Adelaide will have access to SA Talent Hub member Max Michalanney as a father-son candidate.

Michalanney, a Norwood defender, is the son of four-time Redlegs premiership player Jim Michalanney and considered a potential first-round prospect.

Adelaide could match bids on the 17-year-old because Jim lined up in his 211 games before the Crows’ AFL entry in 1991.

“He’s a really, really intelligent footballer,” Bamford said.

Originally published as AFL’s changes to Next Generation Academy draft rules could see Adelaide miss out on ruck prospect