NAB League 2019: Nick Bryan added to Vic Metro squad
AFL draft bolter Nick Bryan has emerged as one of the top ruck prospects in this year’s draft pool after being named in Vic Metro’s 36-player squad for the under-18 national championships.
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A fifth name has been added to Oakleigh Chargers’ list of top prospects this year.
Draft bolter Nick Bryan has continued his rise through the talent pathway after being named in Vic Metro’s squad for the under-18 national championships.
The 202cm ruckman has elevated himself as one of the top rucks available in the 2019 draft pool.
The Glen Iris junior played the first three games of the NAB League season and was a late addition for the Vic Metro trials.
He was rushed into the Australian Under-18 side to face Casey Demons last month.
“His agility is around the ground is phenomenal for someone his size, his ball use is good and the way he covers the ground is exceptional,” Oakleigh talent manager Jy Bond said.
“He’s started to take some contested marks around the ground. His improvement is around taking more marks but he’s a tall developing player.”
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Bond said Oakleigh was “pretty confident” Bryan could emerge onto recruiters’ radar.
He has averaged 11 disposals and 25 hit outs in his three games at Oakleigh.
“We saw glimpses of him last year and over pre-season and I know the coaching staff and myself, we weren’t surprised,” he said.
“We put him up early as a kid they probably needed to bring into the squad and (AFL Academy coach) Luke Power and the coaches agreed for a few early practice match games and he hasn’t gone backwards since.”
Bryan is one of seven Oakleigh players named in the 36-player Vic Metro squad, with Noah Anderson, Matt Rowell, Dylan Williams and Trent Bianco also selected.
Anderson and Rowell are contenders to go as the No.1 pick, while Williams and Bianco are viewed as first-round prospects.
Anderson will captain the squad, while bottom-age pair Finlay Macrae (brother of Western Bulldogs’ Jackson) and Will Phillips have also been named.
“He’s got fantastic ball control and he’s a one-touch player,” Bond said of Macrae.
Vic Metro starts its campaign on Saturday against Vic Country at the MCG.
The match will be broadcast live on Fox Footy from 10.30am.
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