Gold Coast’s top five draft prospects

THE AFL draft is nearly upon us and there are a host of young Gold Coast footy players hoping to achieve their dream of joining an AFL club’s list. We rank the top five draft prospects coming out of the Gold Coast ahead of next month’s event.

THE AFL draft is nearly upon us and there are a host of young Gold Coast footy players hoping to achieve their dream of joining an AFL club’s list.

The Suns increasingly have more talent coming through its academy and while not all will join Gold Coast, some may find themselves picked up by rival clubs.

We rank the top five draft prospects coming out of the Gold Coast ahead of next month’s two-day event, to be held on November 22 and 23 at Etihad Stadium. The rookie draft will also be held on November 23.

1. Bailey Scott:

Age: 18

Height: 186cm

Weight: 64kg

Position: Midfield

Club: Broadbeach

Bailey Scott (right) is the most highly rated draft prospect on the Gold Coast. Picture: Richard Gosling.

This gut-running midfielder leads the pack of potential Gold Coast draft picks. The Allies under-18 representative has a huge decision to make before the draft. He is son of former Cat and Kangaroos player Robert Scott, who played 132 games for Geelong and 111 for North Melbourne.

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It means Scott, who will attend the national combine, can opt to align with either Victorian club through the father-son rule or the Suns via his academy links. All three want the skilled on-baller who can play at half-forward and finish well in front of goal.

2. Dirk Koenen:

Age: 18

Height: 194cm

Weight: 87kg

Position: Key position

Club: Palm Beach Currumbin

Dirk Koenen (left) has proven to be a rising key position player. Picture: Richard Gosling

The second Suns academy player set to attend the national combine. Strong and tall for his age, Koenen is already developed physically and has proven to be adept at intercept marking while his skills are also impressive. Originally from the Magnetic Islands, Koenen started with the Suns through its Townsville academy before shifting south to play football and finish school at Palm Beach Currumbin State High. Koenen, who represent the Allies under-18 representative team this year, played five NEAFL games for the Suns in 2018, averaging 3.4 marks and 3.8 tackles.

3. Caleb Graham:

Age: 17

Height: 194cm

Weight: 84kg

Position: Tall defender/key position.

Club: Palm Beach Currumbin

Gold Coast Suns academy player Caleb Graham. Picture credit: NEAFL.

Likened to Brisbane Lions forward Eric Hipwood, Graham doesn’t hesitate to launch himself at the footy while he runs hard and competes harder.

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Graham, another Allies under-18 representative, can play at either end of the ground but it’s his versatility that probably left him a little unsettled in 2018 where he has been thrown in numerous different positions. He is quick, has good closing speed and his contested marking is among his best quality.

4. Brodie Foster:

Age: 19

Height: 178cm

Weight: 78kg

Position: Small midfielder/defender

Club: Surfers Paradise

Gold Coast Suns academy member Brodie Foster earned a NEAFL Rising Star nomination in Round 13 of the 2018 season. Photo: TJ Yelds/NEAFL

Foster has had an outstanding year for the Gold Coast Suns NEAFL team, playing in all of their 18 games throughout the season while averaging 22 disposals, 4 marks, 3 inside 50m entries, 4 tackles and 3 clearances. Foster was nominated for the NEAFL rising star award in Round 13 after impressing against Redland.

The Surfers Paradise junior has been part of Gold Coast’s academy for five years and is a gifted ball user with a reputation for his hand skills and accurate kicking.

5. Emmanuel Baru:

Age: 19

Height: 188cm

Weight: 81kg

Position: Forward

Club: Labrador

Gold Coast Suns academy player Emmanuel Baru (Suns) is one of multuple players hoping to secure a place on an AFL list this year. Picture: Richard Gosling

A small forward with enormous x-factor and elite speed. The Allies under-18 player benefited from spending time training with the Gold Coast Suns senior team this season, taking the lessons he learnt onto the field for the club’s NEAFL side where he kicked 16 goals in 14 games, including seven in two weeks.

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