NAB League 2019 kicks off with some of the best young football talent in Australia on show
The future stars of the AFL will be on display this weekend as the revamped NAB League season kicks off for 2019. Check out every club’s young guns on the AFL Draft radar.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The future stars of the AFL will be on display this weekend as the revamped NAB League - formerly the TAC Cup - season kicks off.
The Tasmania Devils are a new addition this year while the Victorian clubs will also face the northern academies from Brisbane, Gold Coast, GWS and Sydney throughout the season.
See which players are under the eyes of recruiters after making the new-look AFL Academy and our picks to be on the 2019 draft radar.
LEADER: GET ALL YOUR NAB LEAGUE NEWS HERE
CALDER: LONERGAN GUIDING NEXT GENERATION
DRAFT: CHARGERS PREDICT FIRST-ROUND BONANZA
BENDIGO PIONEERS
LAST SEASON: 12th (2-15)
COACH: Rick Coburn
CAPTAIN: TBA
ROUND 1: Geelong Falcons at Central Reserve, Colac
AFL ACADEMY: Sam Conforti, Thomson Dow, Aaron Gundry, Brodie Kemp, Flynn Perez, Sam Schischka
ON THE RADAR: Brodie Kemp (Echuca) 193cm, 76kg
Intercept-marking defenders are all the rage in the AFL right now and Kemp looms as the best in the 2019 draft class. However, he’s not a one-trick pony with an ability to provide drive off half-back and run and carry.
2018 DRAFTEES: Jye Caldwell (GWS)
LAST SEASON: Premiers (18-1)
COACH: Nick Cox
CAPTAIN: Hayden Young (Somerville)
ROUND 1: Dandenong Stingrays at MARS Stadium, Ballarat
AFL ACADEMY: Ned Cahill, Sam de Koning, Bigoa Nyuon, Hayden Young
ON THE RADAR: Hayden Young (Somerville) 186cm, 70kg
Doesn’t have to look far for AFL inspiration after brother Lachlan was drafted by the Western Bulldogs last year. However, Hayden has been touted as a possible No.1 pick after a strong NAB League season off half-back last year. Averaged 15 disposals in 2018 but is expected to play more midfield minutes in 2019.
2018 DRAFTEES: Sam Sturt (Frem)
LAST SEASON: 9th (7-1-9)
COACH: Ross Smith
CAPTAIN: Brodie Newman (Aberfeldie)
ROUND 1: Dandenong Stingrays at RSEA Park, Moorabbin
AFL ACADEMY: Daniel Mott, Campbell Edwardes, Brodie Newman
ON THE RADAR: Daniel Mott (Brunswick) 182cm, 73kg
The midfielder needs to work on his speed but has shown he can win the pill on the inside and outside. Mott makes up for his lack of pace with excellent skills on both sides of his body. Averaged 20 disposals in the NAB League last year.
2018 DRAFTEES: Rhylee West (WB F/S), Jack Bytel (StK), Curtis Taylor (NM), Lachlan Sholl (Adel)
LAST SEASON: 11th (2-16)
COACH: Darren Bewick
CAPTAIN: James Ross (Vermont)
ROUND 1: Oakleigh Chargers at RSEA Park, Moorabbin
AFL ACADEMY: Jamieson Rossiter
ON THE RADAR: Lachlan Stapleton (Rowville Hawks) 179cm, 67kg
A tackling machine last year, averaging 8.5 to top the NAB League stats sheet, despite being under-age. While Stapleton’s height could count against him, forward pressure and tackling are becoming more and more desired commodities in today’s game.
2018 DRAFTEES: -
LAST SEASON: 8th (6-12)
COACH: Luke Daffy
CAPTAIN: Cooper Stephens (Colac) and Jesse Clark (St Josephs)
ROUND 1: Bendigo Pioneers at Central Reserve, Colac
AFL ACADEMY: Tanner Bruhn, Darcy Chirgwin, Jesse Clark, Noah Gadsby, Cooper Stephens, Henry Walsh
ON THE RADAR: Cooper Stephens (Colac) 187cm, 70kg
Big-bodied midfielder - which are all the rage at the moment - that already has experience in the under-18 national championships with Vic Country. Played inside midfield with Falcons last year, allowing No.1 draft pick Sam Walsh to work outside.
2018 DRAFTEES: Sam Walsh (Carl), Edward McHenry (Adel), Connor Idun (GWS), Brayden Ham (Ess), Oscar Brownless (Geel F/S), Blake Schlensog (Geel)
GIPPSLAND POWER
LAST SEASON: 3rd (11-3)
COACH: Rhett McLennan
CAPTAIN: Brock Smith (Moe)
ROUND 1: Murray Bushrangers at RAMS Arena, Craigeburn
AFL ACADEMY: Riley Baldi, Leo Connolly, Sam Flanders, Fraser Phillips, Zach Reid, Caleb Serong, Brock Smith, Marcus Toussaint
ON THE RADAR: Caleb Serong (Warragul) 177cm, 80kg
The forward-midfielder has been awarded a scholarship to Geelong Grammar this year so will split his time between school and NAB League commitments with selection in Vic Country’s national championships squad also expected. Early predictions have him as a possible top-10 pick.
2018 DRAFTEES: Xavier Duursma (PtA), Irving Mosquito (Ess), Noah Gown (Ess)
GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS
LAST SEASON: 7th (6-1-11)
COACH: Marc Greig
CAPTAIN: Leadership group
ROUND 1: Dandenong Stingrays at MARS Stadium, Ballarat
AFL ACADEMY: Nick Stevens, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, Isaac Wareham
ON THE RADAR: Jay Rantall (South Warrnambool)
Looms as a late pick, project player after playing for Australia in the under-17 Basketball World Cup last year. The 190cm athletic tall returned to South Warrnambool late in 2018 but will concentrate solely on football this season with AFL scouts sure to take notice.
2018 DRAFTEES: Tom Berry (BL)
LAST SEASON: 10th (7-1-9)
COACH: Justin Wenke
CAPTAIN: Jackson Davies (St Mary’s)
ROUND 1: Western Jets at Ikon Park, Carlton
AFL ACADEMY: Adam Carafa, Ryan Gardner, Ben Major, Lachlan Potter, Ryan Sturgess
ON THE RADAR: Lachlan Potter (South Morang) 183cm, 70kg
Has speed to burn and is one of the best line-breaking defenders in the NAB League after averaging 14 disposals in 13 games last year. Showcased his skills in last year’s under-17 All-Stars game on Grand Final day.
2018 DRAFTEES: Justin McInerney (Syd), Tom McKenzie (NM)
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS
LAST SEASON: 5th (10-8)
COACH: Mark Brown
CAPTAIN: Cam Wilson (Rutherglen) and Lachlan Ash (Shepparton)
ROUND 1: Gippsland Power at RAMS Arena, Craigeburn
AFL ACADEMY: Lachlan Ash, Ethan Baxter, Elijah Hollands, Charlie Byrne, Will Chandler
ON THE RADAR: Lachlan Ash (Shepparton)
Already has experience against bigger bodies after playing in Shepparton’s Goulburn Valley senior premiership as a 17-year-old. Has good endurance and displays clean delivery off a half-back flank but should see more midfield time this year in an effort to impress recruiters.
2018 DRAFTEES: Ely Smith (BL), Laitham Vandermeer (WB), Jacob Koschitzke (Haw), Mathew Walker (Haw), Finbar O’Dwyer (Carl), Jordon Butts (Adel)
LAST SEASON: 2nd (12-1-6)
COACH: Leigh Clarke
CAPTAIN: TBA
ROUND 1: Eastern Ranges at RSEA Park, Moorabbin
AFL ACADEMY: Noah Anderson, Trent Bianco, Finlay Macrae, Will Phillips, Matthew Rowell, Sam Tucker, Dylan Williams
ON THE RADAR: Matthew Rowell (Boroondara) 180cm, 70kg
Finished off 2018 in hot form and enters 2019 as a No.1 draft pick contender. Rowell was named best-on-ground in last year’s NAB League grand final despite Oakleigh losing to Dandenong before a starring role in the under-17 All-Stars clash on AFL Grand Final day.
2018 DRAFTEES: Isaac Quaynor (Coll Acad), Riley Collier-Dawkins (Rich), James Rowbottom (Syd), Xavier O’Neill (WCE), Will Kelly (Coll F/S), James Jordon (Melb), Jack Ross (Rich), Noah Answerth (BL), Ben Silvagni (Carl F/S), Atu Bosenavulagi (Coll Acad), Will Golds (Haw)
LAST SEASON: 4th (11-7)
COACH: Josh Bourke
CAPTAIN: Ryan Byrnes (Cheltenham)
ROUND 1: Calder Cannons at RSEA Park, Moorabbin
AFL ACADEMY: Roman Anastasios, Jack Bell, Miles Bergman, Jack Bowey, Adam Courtney, Charlie Dean, Fischer McAsey, Hugo Ralpsmith, Josh Worrell
ON THE RADAR: Josh Worrell (Bentleigh) 195cm, 86kg
Follows in the footsteps of top-10 draft picks Ben and Max King at Haileybury and Dragons. Intercept-marking defender who took 12 contested grabs in 11 games as an under-age player last year and averaged 15 disposals and four marks.
2018 DRAFTEES: Max King (StK), Ben King (GCS), Bailey Smith (WB), Liam Stocker (Carl), Joel Crocker (NM F/S), Harry Reynolds (Syd)
TASMANIA DEVILS
LAST SEASON: N/A
COACH: Adrian Fletcher
CAPTAIN: TBA
ROUND 1: Bye
AFL ACADEMY: Jackson Callow, Sam Collins, Jared Dakin, Oliver Davis, Mitch O’Neill, Will Peppin
ON THE RADAR: Mitch O’Neill (North Hobart) 181cm, 69kg
Named on the bench in the under-18 national championships All-Australian team last year as a 17-year-old, O’Neill is a smart midfielder who can win the ball on the inside but also knows how to deliver when in space. Averaged 20 disposals in four games for the Allies in 2018.
2018 DRAFTEES: Tarryn Thomas (NM Acad), Chayce Jones (Adel), Fraser Turner (Rich)
WESTERN JETS
LAST SEASON: 6th (10-8)
COACH: Ryan O’Keefe
CAPTAIN: Lucas Rocci (Aberfeldie) and Spencer Johnson (Altona)
ROUND 1: Northern Knights at Ikon Park, Carlton
AFL ACADEMY: Darcy Cassar, Eddie Ford, Josh Honey, Emerson Jeka
ON THE RADAR: Emerson Jeka (Altona) 197cm, 87kg
On the top key forward prospects in 2019 after kicking 10 goals in 14 games for Western Jets last year as well as averaging 10 disposals, four marks and two tackles. Strongly built and a booming kick, Jeka could take some time to mature but has the attributes to be an AFL marking target.
2018 DRAFTEES: Zak Butters (PtA), Xavier O’Halloran (GWS), Buku Khamis (WB Acad)
‘Outstanding group’: Why this should be the WFNL’s most wanted job
A Western Football Netball League club with one of the most exciting lists in the competition will have a new coach next season. We analyse why it might be the most wanted job in the competition.
Old Paradians put one foot in 2026
Can Old Paradians start planning for NFNL Division 2 footy in 2026? A come-from-behind win over Panton Hill has given the club much-needed breathing space.