Draft watch: The best chances coming through Queensland and the NSW Northern Rivers
Discover the best Australian rules talent from Queensland and the Northern Rivers who could find their way on to an AFL list through the draft. SEE THE FULL LIST
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THE Gold Coast Suns have restarted its academy and the best players from various parts of Queensland and the NSW Northern Rivers are eager to show their wares in the hope of being drafted.
The Bulletin has run the rule over the academy and come up with a list of the best players coming through the ranks.
Today, we reveal the best underage and over-age players who are on the club’s radar.
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AUSTIN HARRIS:
Age: 17.
From: Cairns.
Club: Broadbeach Cats.
An under-17 All-Australian last year, Harris is a Cairns product relocated 12 months ago and has been living with a host family on the Gold Coast. A midfielder who oozes class on the outside and on the wing. Over time Harris, a left footer who breaks lines, will put on more size and be able to shift into a more inside midfield-type role. Similar to 2019 draft pick and academy member Connor Budarick, who played a lot of underage football in the midfield before going down back, Harris will likely spend his early stages in an AFL team playing in a different position other than in the middle. Harris’s ability to use the ball well means he could make the shift into a small forward or defensive role.
WILL BELLA:
Age: 17
From: Mackay
Club: Palm Beach Currumbin.
The brother of Gold Coast Suns AFLW ruckman Lauren Bella, Will is also originally from Mackay. He made the shift with his family when Lauren came down to the Suns and is part of the Palm Beach Currumbin State High School excellence program. Bella is a key position player who played at centre half-forward during some trial games. He is a good overhead mark, has ample power in his legs, is quick off the mark and can take a strong pack mark. Add to that he has a penetrating kick and Bella is quite the package deal.
JED FOGGO:
Age: 17
From: Northern Rivers.
Club: Coolangatta Blues.
A player suited perfectly to playing a role as a third tall in defence. Foggo, standing at 190cm and weighing in at around 95kg, hails from the Northern Rivers and goes to school at Palm Beach Currumbin where he travels to daily to be part of their sports excellence program. Foggo has footy smarts, is good overhead and uses the ball well by foot.
JACKSON GRIFFITHS:
Age: 17
From: Logan
Club: Mt Gravatt
A player who has come on in leaps and bounds over the past 12 months. Griffiths lives right on the edge of Gold Coast’s academy region up the M1 and is a quality small defender who boasts some pace. Griffiths could develop into a midfielder over time, uses the ball well, is very clean below his knees and can take a good mark.
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JOSH FAHEY:
Age: 16
From: Gold Coast
Club: Broadbeach
Fahey provides one of the most intriguing subplots of the underage academy players at the Suns. He was originally part of the Greater Western Sydney academy while living in Canberra but moved up to the Gold Coast with his family, falling into the lap of the Suns. There is just one problem: under the current academy rules Fahey can’t be drafted with priority by either Gold Coast or GWS. The rules state if you leave your academy zone you forgo the opportunity to be picked up by that club. You also need to be in an academy zone for five years leading up to the draft, meaning the Suns can’t guarantee he will join their AFL system either. The 186cm talent, who weighs around 76kg, is part of the Allies squad and while he isn’t a walk up start just yet, he is progressing well. Fahey has good breakaway speed and a thumping left foot.
BODHI UWLAND:
Age: 17
From: Gold Coast
Club: Broadbeach. Burleigh junior.
A solid midfielder who is as tough as they come, super courageous in contests and has body built more than most his age. Gold Coast have an ample number of inside midfielders but he is be one the club is watching closely.
JOSH GORE:
Age: 19
From: Gold Coast
Club: Broadbeach
Gore was stiff to miss out on being drafted at the end of 2019, particularly given the extra rookie positions the Suns were given as part of the concessions granted to the club by the AFL. Gore trained with the Suns senior team throughout the last pre-season, has played for the Allies and went to the state combine.
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The small forward, who stands at 178cm and weighs around 76kg, has a very good goal sense, a strong left foot, can take a good mark overhead and has an exceptional work rate. Coaching staff and current Suns AFL listed players can’t speak highly enough of him.
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