DRAFT WATCH: Mature-age prospects from the QAFL
He left the Gold Coast Suns in dramatic circumstances but could this one-time AFL player be on the road back? READ THE FULL STORY
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THE watchful eyes of AFL recruiters is fixed on the QAFL like never before.
The cancellation of the NEAFL season and the lack of Academy football up until now means QAFL teams are stacked with talent.
Football is off in Victoria and many of the scouts looking for potential recruits are on the Gold Coast hoping to gauge who could make it in the AFL.
We have scoured the Gold Coast QAFL teams to discover the top mature-age draft prospects who should be on the radar of AFL clubs.
Many of them will be on show on Saturday as reigning premiers Surfers Paradise take on Broadbeach at Subaru Oval while Labrador will play Mt Gravatt at Cooke Murphy Oval.
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BLAIR RUBOCK:
Club: Labrador
Age: 20
Position: Medium size forward.
The Tasmanian got some interest as an 18-year-old and now has two years of senior football behind him. Rubock is the most likely Tiger to get the attention of recruiters with his combination of speed and power going nicely with his keen sense for goal. The under-18 Allies representative, who has kicked three goals from as many games this season, is strong in one-on-one contests, good in the air and at ground level.
MYLES JEWELL:
Club: Surfers Paradise
Age: 19
Position: Tall defender
A developing tall defender who is great at intercepting marks. Jewell has strong hands and a solid running ability after spending most his juniors playing on the wing or at forward. Jewell was shifted into the backline late last year and held his spot in the Demons grand final team, playing one of his best games of the season to help the club win the QAFL premiership. A player with sure hands who is getting better every game.
SAM JEWELL:
Club: Surfers Paradise
Age: 21
Position: Tall defender/forward
A man who already has experience at NEAFL level and can provide quality both down forward and back. Jewell spent time playing with NEAFL powerhouse Southport in recent years and proved he was up to the standard required. If there was a window of opportunity on a club’s list then Jewell, who can also pinch-hit in the ruck, would be a solid option.
KWABE BOAKYE:
Club: Broadbeach Cats
Age: 21
Position: Midfield-forward
A graduate of the Suns Academy who is being carefully watched by North Melbourne, Carlton, Essendon and the Western Bulldogs. Boakye originally moved from Melbourne to Rockhampton to pursue soccer but was quickly spotted by Gold Coast talent scouts. A player with enormous speed, power and skill who has matured both as a player and person over the past two years.
CONNOR NUTTING:
Club: Broadbeach Cats
Age: 20
Position: Forward
A former Gold Coast AFL-listed player who was an emergency for over five games in 2019 before being delisted. Nutting was one of the best most weeks for Gold Coast’s NEAFL team, is an accurate kick for goal and has a great engine. A hard working and consistent forward who is being looked at closely by multiple AFL clubs.
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RYAN GILMORE:
Club: Broadbeach Cats
Age: 19
Position: Half forward-back
Gilmore is one who has shot on to the radar of recruits this year. Gilmore worked closely with former AFL player and One On One Football creator Andrew Raines over the pre-season and he returned a different player. His body is in great condition and he showed good form throughout the pre-season for Southport before the NEAFL season was cancelled. Gilmore has exceptional hands and a great leap. He has been playing forward but also helped down back when the Cats had injuries recently. Gilmore managed to kick 3.4 in a wet game against Labrador at the end of July. The Townsville product was an Allies representative at under-18 level.
HARRISON ARNOLD:
Club: Broadbeach Cats
Age: 21
Position: Defender-ruckman.
Another Townsville product who has gone under the radar. Arnold has added around 8kg to his frame since last year and has been solid down back for Broadbeach between stints in the ruck. He wouldn’t look out of place at an AFL club. Arnold has a good engine and shined at centre half-back before matching the likes of Fraser Thurlow in the ruck.
BRAYDEN CROSSLEY:
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
Age: 20
Position: Forward-ruckman
A major focus of multiple AFL clubs who are searching for someone who can make an immediate impact. Crossley played 10 AFL games for the Gold Coast Suns in 2018 after a stellar junior career that included selection in the Allies. He went on to be named as an under-18 All-Australian ruckman and grew a colt following at AFL level because of his moustache, long hair and tough playing style. Crossley was delisted at the end of 2019 after being slapped with an anti-doping violation that he has finished serving. Crossley has shown glimpses of his best again since arriving at Palm Beach Currumbin this season and recruiters are eager to see if he can get his fitness to an elite level again.
THOMAS THYNNE:
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
Age: 24
Position: Midfield
One of the best players in the QAFL, Thynne is a midfielder boasting the complete package. Thynne certainly deserves a shot at a rookie position on an AFL list and is at the perfect age to make the transition. Thynne boasts an ability to win his own ball inside, explode out of congestion and at stoppages, has clean and quick hands and uses the ball incredibly well on the outside. He has one of the best side steps in the league and it’s hard to fault any area of his game. He could walk in to an AFL list and make an impact straight away.
JONATHAN CROAD:
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
Age: 28
Position: Ruckman
An undersized ruckman who could fill the void if stocks were thin at a club. Croad provides tremendous values for the Lions, essentially acting as another on-baller because of his skills with the Sherrin and his running capacity.
ASHTON CROSSLEY:
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
Age: 19. Turns 20 on August 10.
Position: Midfield
An on-baller who is getting better with every game. Crossley has exceptional hands in close, is hard in the contest and uses the ball well. A former Suns Academy player who was unlucky not to be drafted. Crossley needs to work on his fitness but he has all the tools needed to make it to the next level.
MAX SPENCER:
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin
Age: 22
Position: Tall defender
Spencer played eight AFL games between 2017-2018 at the Gold Coast Suns before being delisted. Timing is everything and Spencer was unfortunate to be at the club when it was smashed by injuries. It meant he was left to play most of his senior football playing as an undersized key defender against some of the game’s best while still developing. Spencer spent 2019 playing with VFL club Werribee before returning to the Gold Coast in 2020. Spencer has tremendous leadership.
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