‘Choco’ Williams names string of Werribee draft prospects

Werribee coach Mark Williams says his club has several AFL-ready players, including one who is as “smart a footballer as I’ve ever come across”.

Werribee's Jack Henderson on the go against Geelong in a practice match this year.

No VFL was played this year, but Werribee coach Mark Williams says AFL clubs should still be assessing a string of his players ahead of next month’s draft.

The Tigers sent their young forward Jake Riccardi to GWS 12 months ago and he broke through to earn five senior games and glowing notices.

Riccardi had won the 2019 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL’s most promising player.

Port Adelaide premiership coach Williams has become a strong advocate for the league since joining Werribee in 2019, and he said the club and the competition had more players capable of progressing to the next level.

Williams said Jack Henderson, a 21-year-old who was selected in the VFL team of the year in 2019, was the Tigers’ best prospect.

He also named Sudanese-born Bior Malual, Kye Declase, Max Spencer, Ryan Hebron, Nick Coughlan, Dom Brew and Matt Hanson as players worth considering.

And he said 2019 JJ Liston Trophy winner Tommy Gribble could also attract some interest.

Williams said of Henderson, a former Geelong Falcon: “He shows all the attributes to play as a small forward. Kicks goals, great pressure, can play on ball and has played a defensive role in the forward line as well as well as playing as a small back.

Bior Malual playing for Werribee last year.

“He’s very versatile and he’s tough, and he can take mark of the year.’’

Malual, 24, played 19 senior games for the Tigers last year and gained five mentions in the best.

It was the start of his second stint in the VFL – he played in the Development League for the Northern Blues in 2016-17. Malual was part of Airport West’s Division 1 premiership team in the Essendon District league in 2018.

Williams said he was an exciting and emerging player.

“He’s as smart a footballer as I’ve ever come across,’’ he declared.

“He has elite running ability, an elite kick and huge potential. A great work ethic also, and would flourish in an AFL system.’’

Williams said Declase, also 24, could fill a “niche position as a wingman’’.

“He knows all the running patterns and could slot in straight away,’’ he said.

“He knows how to help in defence, he hits the scoreboard and is a very slick user of the ball.’’

The 195cm Declase joined Werribee from the Northern Blues, and last year was judged most improved player and finished in the top 10 of the best and fairest.

Kye Declase “could slot in straight away’’.

Williams said Hebron was a rebounding defender who had plenty of interest from Sydney at the end of 2019 – “I’ll be interested to see what happens on draft day with him’’ – and Spencer was a similar backman and was pushing for a second chance after playing eight AFL matches for Gold Coast in 2017-18.

Williams said Spencer, 23, was outstanding in his first year with the Bees.

With the VFL season shut down he returned to Queensland to play with Palm Beach Currumbin in the QAFL this year.

Williams said versatile tall defender and former St Kilda rookie was Coughlan, 24, was “worth another chance’’; Brew, 23, and three-time best and fairest Hanson, 25, could play as “big-bodied midfielders who can win inside ball and bring toughness around the contest’’; and big Darcy Bennett, 23, was on the rise and had the Giants looking at him.

Tommy Gribble shoots out a handball. Pic: Michael Klein.

As for Gribble, he said the left-footer could “rack it up, play inside and outside’’.

“Being 26 years of age will be against him, but that would be the only thing. He’d bring great energy and life to a club. He’s done it the hard way, which is often the best way to go.’’

Williams said although the VFL season was shut down, its players had “more form’’ than many NAB League draft candidates.

“They’ve played longer. Their bodies are more mature, and you’ve seen them play against men,’’ he said.

“I’ve always said that age really doesn’t matter, because anyone under the age of 24 still has plenty of development in them. These guys are very hungry, having missed the draft for some time. There’s plenty of great talent out there. You just need to look.’’

Williams said he believed there was “a degree of anxiety’’ among recruiters in drafting players from the VFL and other state leagues.

He said there was an expectation they would play straight away and have an impact, whereas selections from the Under 18 competition were given more time to develop and gave scouts “breathing space’’.

“Those courageous enough, and those who want to back themselves in, can pick up some real gems,’’ Williams said.