AFL draft: Oakleigh Chargers’ top prospects analysed
From top-five fancies, father-son prospects, bolters and more, the Chargers look set to feature heavily at this year’s AFL draft. Here are their prospects analysed.
NAB League
Don't miss out on the headlines from NAB League. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There’s been no shortage of gun names to come out of the Oakleigh Chargers across almost three decades.
And this year’s crop is no exception, which included nine names at the AFL draft combine – the most of any NAB League club.
We’ve listed their top prospects at this year’s AFL draft, with insights from Chargers talent manager, Jy Bond …
GEORGE WARDLAW
Height: 182cm
Weight: 81kg
DOB: 18/07/2004
The prolific midfielder is set to be selected early in the draft, and is likened to former Charger and current Gold Coast Sun, Matt Rowell. Took the best afield honours in the AFL Academy match against Collingwood’s VFL side and Bond believes he’s the best talent available of this year’s cohort.
Bond says: “George obviously had a really interrupted season with his hamstrings, so that’s probably why he hasn’t been spoken about in that No. 1 position – I think had he played a handful more games he would have most certainly been. I still believe he’s the No. 1 pick in the draft – I’m probably a little bit biased – but I liken him a little bit to ‘Rowelly’ (Matt Rowell) in the way he dominated every game that he played through Oakleigh … in the (AFL) Academy game he got best on ground against a VFL team. The traits are all there, the skills are, so he’ll be a steal for whoever gets him at potentially pick two or three.”
ELIJAH TSATAS (186cm; 79kg; 18/10/04) & MATTHEW JEFFERSON (194cm; 76kg; 08/03/2004)
Tsatas has garnered plenty of attention from scouts, building on previous years’ showings this season where he found plenty of the ball as a midfielder, averaging 33.8 disposals across his six Chargers matches. Showcasing an ability to win the ball on the inside and outside, his season was highlighted by a 42-disposal match against the Eastern Ranges. Also lauded for his pace and smarts.
Tall forward Jefferson kicked 13 goals from six matches, while also representing Wesley College and Vic Metro.
Bond says: “Elijah’s the same (as Wardlaw) – he’s pretty much played sensational footy all year for Oakleigh, Wesley, Vic Metro and then in the Academy game. They’re going to be really high draft picks, I’d say in the top five, and then ‘Jeffo’, can mark in the lead-up, can mark in the contest, he can score off the ground and he’s very dynamic and agile for his size. He’s very deceptive with height as well – he plays taller than he looks but he’s also still nudging six-foot-five, six-six, and he’s going to grow a lot. He’ll be a top-20 draft pick as well so we’re super fortunate with those young lads.”
JOSH WEDDLE
Height: 192cm
Weight: 89kg
DOB: 25/05/2004
The defender has all the tools to make it at the elite level according to Bond, with size one of many key attributes appealing to AFL clubs. Was named at full back in the All-Australian side, centre half-back in the NAB League Team of the Year and featured in four matches for Vic Metro at the national championships.
Bond says: “I would say he’s pretty high up on a lot of clubs’ draft boards for that reason (size), he’s physically strong, a powerful athlete and we’ve had him in our program for three or four years. He’s suffered a few injuries and he did grow a lot – he came in as a skinny wingman and he’s grown into the athlete that he is now. He’s super diligent, can play forward, back, mid, he’s certainly got attributes for the AFL that’s for sure. Attributes-wise, he’s probably the prototypical AFL player, with that dynamic body, speed, power, ability to impact the contest but also the ability to deliver the ball.”
MAX GRUZEWSKI
Height: 193cm
Weight: 84kg
DOB: 21/07/2004
Touted as a pick around the top 20, the versatile tall can play either end of the ground but plied his trade as a defender in most of his seven appearances for the Chargers this year, with his intercept marking a highlight. Represented Vic Metro and kicked two goals.
Bond says: “That (forward or back) is going to be decided by whoever takes him – he can play both. He was a young kid we had in the program as a 16-year-old and his competitive work back then was pretty high on the charts with the way he impacted aerially and willing to put his body on the line and compete. His intercept marking is certainly a part of his game that clubs would be looking at … it’s certainly one of the best I’ve seen in the last few years.”
LUKE TEAL
Height: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: 20/05/2004
The defender could be a steal for whoever takes a punt. Injuries haven’t been kind this year managing just four appearances for the Chargers, but Teal’s physical attributes led by his strength make for an attractive prospect for AFL clubs.
Bond says: “He’s unfortunately had a few injuries this year as well. He hasn’t had a really good run at it this year, but he’s been able to string some good performances together, so the upside for him is huge. No doubt someone will look at him – he’s not unlike Josh Weddle with his physical attributes for the next level. His endurance (and) body shape is an AFL body already – he’s just a very strong kid. He’ll find a home and be a very good AFL player. If he’d been able to play all year he might be a bit lower, but it’s tough when you miss a lot of footy. Someone can get him as a steal – late 20s or 30s maybe.”
BLAKE DRURY
Height: 176cm
Weight: 73kg
DOB: 11/01/2004
The versatile small forward represented Vic Metro in all matches while managing seven for the Chargers this season, where he averaged some 18 disposals. Tough to contain and should be snapped up by an AFL club according to Bond.
Bond says: “He can play as a small forward, lead-up forward and midfield as well so he’s also got a couple of strings to his bow. He played as a mid, high-half-forward for us and I think early on he was really damaging. He’s a tough match-up for his size – I think he’ll find his way onto an AFL list, not sure how early.”
FATHER-SON PROSPECTS
Alwyn Davey (181cm; 77kg; 26/02/2004) & Jayden Davey (179cm; 79kg; 26/02/2004)
The twins are the sons of former Essendon livewire Alwyn Davey, and are touted for their defensive work, ability to break lines and relentless pressure while proving damaging by foot as small forwards.
Bond says: “I’d love to see Essendon take (Alwyn) and obviously his brother Jayden … Jayden had two years with knee injuries but Alwyn’s been super for us. The twins have been in the program about three or four years as under-15s right through so they’re both very dynamic and exciting players.”
Jerome Lawrence (195cm; 82kg; 18/07/2003)
Bond says the son of former Hawthorn premiership big man Stephen has all the attributes to make it after entering the Chargers’ program as a 19-year-old this year. While he’s still raw and could take time to develop, his athleticism stood out across his 10 matches for the Chargers, kicking 15 goals. Aerial ability coupled with strong marking were also standouts.
AND A FEW MORE …
Angus Curry (176cm; 05/10/2004)
Bond holds hopes for Curry finding a place on an AFL list after featuring in the GWS Academy across the past two seasons.
“We’d love to see him go as a category B rookie at the very least. Inside mid, small forward and a contested ball-winner but also has great skills and knows how to hit the scoreboard,” Bond says.
Will Elliott (201cm; 88kg; 11/06/2004)
The son of former Australian Test cricketer Matthew missed all bar two matches with a knee injury, but managed to feature at the draft combine. Named captain of the Chargers this year, Elliott’s mobility is a key asset, particularly for a prospect of more than 200cm. He’s of high character, Bond says.
“He might go late (in the draft) and a club might want to pick him as a key forward prospect rather than waiting for him to come through next year and go mid-season. He’s another that could bob up.”
Bailey MacDonald (182cm; 74kg; 04/08/2004)
Could be one of this year’s bolters, entering the Chargers’ program mid-year following strong performances in school football for Wesley College. The defender/wingman made an immediate impression to earn a Big V guernsey, and played four matches averaging 11 disposals for the Chargers.
“Elite speed and some real attributes for the next level,” Bond says.
Hudson O’Keefe (202cm; 90kg; 16/12/2004)
Took the No. 1 mantle as ruckman for the Chargers and Vic Metro this year, carving out 10 matches for the NAB League outfit where he averaged 21.7 hit-outs. Speed and athleticism are key strengths.
Jack O’Sullivan (177cm; 70kg; 22/10/2004)
The Kyneton product has garnered the attention of “a couple of clubs” as a small forward and midfielder. Bond says O’Sullivan is competitive and strong overhead for his size, reads the play well and displays great diligence. Represented Vic Country last year in the under-17s before five appearances for the Chargers this year, averaging 15.6 disposals.
“If he’s there late, he could be a steal,” Bond says.
The AFL national draft will be run over two nights across November 28-29, before wrapping up with the rookie and pre-season drafts on November 30.
Analysed: Every Bendigo Pioneers boy’s season
After Harley Reid in 2023, the Bendigo Pioneers have another crop of talented youngsters available to AFL clubs at this year’s draft. We analyse every player’s season.
‘Punch out of our weight range’: Rebels chasing history
Already writing their own history, the GWV Rebels are ready for the team’s first grand final in 27 years and already have support from former AFL stars.