2022 AFL Draft: The best Greater Western Rebels prospects of 2022
The Greater Western Rebels have the first number one pick in its history as two Ballarat Rebels gets selected on night two.
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Once again, Ballarat has produced talent that has headed to AFL lists.
Greater Western Rebels players and Ballarat duo James Van Es and Hugh Bond have been picked by St Kilda and Adelaide respectively on the second day of the AFL draft.
St Patrick’s College student Van Es was selected by the Saints at number 31.
Van Es starred at the recent draft combine and attracted the attention of the Saints who selected him.
He was a bolter with experts expecting him to be picked later in the draft.
Joining him in the AFL is Hugh Bond with the Ballarat Grammar student selected by Adelaide at pick 50.
Adelaide, trading picks with Brisbane, selected the midfielder with their third pick of the draft.
Capable of getting inside the contest and winning his own ball, Bond also knows how to tackle.
He led the NAB League in tackles this season.
Bond becomes the third Ballarat player to join the Crows after the Crouch brothers, Matt and Brad, were picked a few years ago.
The Ballarat duo joins Aaron Cadman who created history for the Rebels on the first night of the draft.
Cadman became the first player from the NAB League club to be selected with the number one pick after the GWS Giants made him the club’s newest star.
“Never in a million years did I think I would be here,” Cadman told Fox Footy just minutes after his name was read out.
“To share it with my family and friends and all of these people in the room it’s super special.”
Speaking to Brad Johnson, Cadman said Rebels coach David Loader had been a great support after changing his position at the start of the year.
He had previously played on a wing.
PRE-DRAFT COVERAGE
The Greater Western Victoria Rebels coaching staff are expecting a rollercoaster ride at the AFL Draft.
It looks set to be two days of joy but also potential heartbreak.
Aaron Cadman headlines the Rebels prospects heading towards the first round on November 28 with the key forward expected to join GWS with one of the first two picks.
If he goes with either of those selections he will be highest Rebels’ draft pick since Hugh McCluggage went at three in 2016.
Cadman dominated in the NAB League, averaging almost three goals a game, and was also being named in the All-Australian team for the national championships.
“He is one of the most relaxed young men you’ll meet and he’s just so excited that he’s potentially going to be on an AFL list,” Rebels talent manager Brooke Brown said.
“Aaron he is happy to go either one or 101 as long as he is on an AFL list.”
The Darley junior previously played on a wing before making the move forward.
Brown said his off field work, combined with his on field performance, made him a highly touted draft pick.
By day, he’s an electrician for his father's business and by night he’s training to be the next AFL star.
“The calibre of the young man has been nothing short of outstanding and he has given so much to our program this year, on and off the field,” Brown said.
“He gets up at 5.30am in the morning (to work) and then gets to training in Ballarat by 4.30 in the afternoon.
“He’s been the first there and last to leave and his leadership skills are outstanding.”
After Cadman’s selection there could be a wait for the next Rebel find their way to a new football home.
Brown revealed there are four players in contention to be drafted including Ballarat’s James Van Es, Hugh Bond, Felix Fogarty and Beau Tedcastle in the mix.
The most likely to be picked out of the four is key defender Van Es from St Patrick’s College.
Brown said he’s impressed in the past few months to be on the radar of several clubs.
“His national combine testing was excellent,” she said.
“In the (standing) vertical jump, he was second and he won the running vertical jump.
“He’s got athletic attributes that will help an AFL club, we just don’t know where he might sit in the draft.”
The same applies to Fogarty who is a ruckman who can push forward.
As for Bond, Brown described him as a tackling machine midfielder.
“He had over 100 tackles during the season and 25 more than any other NAB League player,” she said.
“He’s come in off the back of being an athlete in rowing at Ballarat Grammar.
“He’s just shown the ability to see ball and get ball and brought something fresh to our side on and off the field.”
Then there is speedy small forward Beau Tedcastle who goes to St Patrick’s College in Ballarat but hails from the Northern Territory.
He’s rated as among the Territory’s best possible prospects.
Brown said all players have a back up plan if they aren’t picked but hoped each would get a chance.
“They are all outstanding characters, fine young men and I know every club would be thankful and grateful to have them on the list,” she said.
“We’re just happy for them to be selected on a list, whether it be purely in the first two nights of the draft, or as a rookie.”
WE SELECT THE BEST EVER REBELS TO PLAY IN THE AFL — SEE THE LIST BELOW
1. Adam Goodes
Arguably the greatest GWV Rebel to play AFL. Goodes did it all. He played 372 games for Sydney and played everywhere, ruck, defence and in the forward line. He kicked 462 goals for the Swans, won two premierships and a Brownlow Medal. Goodes was part of the most famous day in Rebels history, kicking six goals and was named best on ground as they won the TAC Cup grand final in 1997.
2. Jeremy Cameron
In time he could be the greatest Rebel’s export. He’s kicked more than 530 goals in 210 games and been a best-and-fairest at two clubs, Geelong and GWS. Cameron has won the Coleman Medal, been an All-Australian three times and won a premiership with the Cats. Capable of being a leading forward, or a destructive running forward who gets up the ground, Cameron is one of the best in the game.
3. Drew Petrie
An All-Australian forward who is the sixth leading goalkicker in history at North Melbourne. Petrie for more than a decade led the Kangaroos in attack and at times single-handedly won games off his own boot including the famous 2014 elimination final win against Essendon. The forward and ruckman made the All-Australian team in 2011 and was North Melbourne’s leading goalkicker in five seasons. He also played for Australia in 2008.
4. James McDonald
Inside the top 10 for the Melbourne in most games played, McDonald was one of the leaders and best for the club in the early to mid-2000s. A tackling machine, McDonald broke the AFL record, at that time, for most tackles in a season in 2006. In the same year, he won Melbourne’s best-and-fairest and was also part of the All-Australian team. He won the best-and-fairest for Melbourne in 2007 as well and was captain at the club from 2008 to 2010. All up, McDonald played more than 260 games after joining GWS for one season in 2012.
5. Brad Sewell
A two-time premiership player for Hawthorn, Sewell made 200 appearances for the Hawks during their dominant years in the late 2000s and early 2010s. A midfielder who averaged more than 23 disposals a game for four seasons, Sewell won the premiership in 2008 and 2013 with the club. He was also won the 2007 best-and-fairest and represented Australia in 2008.
6. James Frawley
One of the best defenders in the game from the late 2000s to the mid-2010s. Frawley played more than 200 games for three clubs and won a premiership with Hawthorn in 2015. He kept West Coast player Josh Kennedy goalless during the grand final. Frawley was an All-Australian in 2010.
7. Shane O’Bree
Unlucky not to win a premiership during his time in the AFL. O’Bree was originally recruited by Brisbane in 1997 and left the club before they won three premierships in a row. He joined Collingwood in 2000 and subsequently made two grand finals, losing both to the Lions. O’Bree made 246 appearances during his career and was one of the leading midfielders at the Pies for more than a decade. O’Bree is one of only a handful of Pies players to have averaged more than 20 contested possessions in a game.
8. Jake Lloyd
Could be higher on the list when his career ends. Lloyd is one of the best rebound defenders in the game and has made over 200 appearances for the Sydney Swans. He’s a two-time best-and-fairest and has been in two AFL grand finals – 2016 and 2022. He’s also represented Victoria in a state game in 2020.
9. Daniel Rioli
Another player who might be higher on the list once his career is done. Rioli is only 25 and has already played in three premierships for Richmond. Starting his career as a small forward, Rioli has recently moved to halfback and this year had one of his best seasons in the game. He was named in the All-Australian team this year for the first time.
10. Tom McDonald
One of the leading players at the Demons and his injury late in the season hurt the club in winning back-to-back premierships in 2022. McDonald was the leading goalkicker for the club in 2018 and was part of the team’s premiership success last year. He has played more than 200 games and has finished inside the top 10 in the best and fairest in most seasons he’s played.
11. Hugh McCluggage
McCluggage has the honour of being the only Rebels player to go top three in a national draft when he was picked by Brisbane in 2016. By the time his career finishes, he could and will be higher in this list. In almost 140 games for the club, he’s been named in the All-Australian list of 40 for the past four years but hasn’t made the final team yet. He’s also been named in the best 22 under 22 team twice in 2019 and 2020. A winger who can kick a goal or two a game, McCluggage has been a major part in the resurgence of the Lions in the past few years.
12. David Astbury
One of the best defenders in the past few years who helped Richmond to three premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020. He only played 155 games in his career, which was at times hampered by injury. But when he got on to the park, as shown from 2017 to 2020, his influence led to success.
13. Shaun Grigg
Grigg played more than 200 games for Carlton and Richmond and is a premiership player as well. Rated as one of the smartest footballers at the Tigers by his coach Damien Hardwick, Grigg was one of the experienced leaders who helped the team to the premiership in 2017. The midfielder finished in the Richmond top five in the best-and-fairest twice.
14. Jacob Hopper
The 25-year-old could be higher on the list when his career ends. He has played more than 100 games in his career and joins Richmond after playing for GWS. A contested ball machine, Hopper is among the best midfielders in the game.
15. Tim Notting
Notting played more than 200 games for the Lions and was part of their 2001 and 2002 premiership success. He would have played in the 2003 premiership as well but missed with a knee injury. A winger, Notting was part of one of the best midfield groups to ever play the game. He retired in 2009.
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