The young gun who reminds Northern Knights coach of Luke Power
Northern Knights young gun Josh Ward is one of the hottest players in the NAB League and is getting compared to Brisbane Lions legend Luke Power.
NAB League
Don't miss out on the headlines from NAB League. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ben de Bolfo and Sam Grant are the bolters in Vic Metro’s 30-man Under-19 National Championships squad named this week.
De Bolfo, a Lower Plenty junior, earned a spot in the squad after impressing in the recent trial matches against Vic Country with his ability to win one-on-one contests a feature.
Meanwhile, Grant wasn’t even on a NAB League list at the start of the season after missing out at Oakleigh Chargers.
The 200cm mobile ruck-forward earnt a second chance with the Knights and is now rocketing up AFL Draft boards after being named as an emergency.
Northern Knights coach Leigh Clarke said it was good reward for the pair’s dedication.
“Ben played himself into a spot – he caught the eye of a few people – he was probably a no pre-game but by the end Ross Smith spoke really highly about how he defended and the importance of having guys like that in the team,” Clarke said.
“He might be (a bolter) for those that aren’t as close to him but I know if I was coaching a team I’d like him in it, that’s for sure.
“He’s about 190cm and really solid, he can generate score sources but also really strong one-one. He’s super reliable, which isn’t a sexy word, but a great one for coaches and teammates.
“We talented ID’d Sam from Oakleigh’s program after they passed on him, we’ve taken him in and he’s gone from not being in a NAB League program to five or six weeks later being in the Metro squad.
“He’s 200cm tall but I really like his ability below his knees, he’s mobile, he’s not just an aerial and ruck contest player – a mobile mid role and hard-to-defend forward.
De Bolfo and Grant are two of six Northern Knights players to be selected for Vic Metro.
Josh Ward, Dominic Akuei and Darcy Wilmot are in the initial squad and Joel Fitzgerald is among the emergencies.
Ward has been dominant in his last three NAB League starts.
He racked up 34 disposals opposed to potential No.1 draft pick Josh Daicos and is second only to the Collingwood father-son prospect in average disposals per game (30.4).
The 181cm midfielder backed up his Vic Metro selection with another 35 disposals and nine marks – earning 154 SuperCoach points – in the loss to Murray Bushrangers.
The Fitzroy junior was named captain in the trial against Vic Country and is a chance to lead the team in the championships.
“He’s a really strong leader and a stand-up kid, it wouldn’t surprise me if he did offered the title when we do get to play,” Clarke said.
“He can do both (inside and outside), he’s very diligent with and without the ball.
“At AFL level he’d be best as a crafty small forward, smart decision-maker, he’s a left-footer so he reminds me quite a bit of Luke Power.”
Wilmot is regarded as one of the best attacking half-backs in this year’s draft class and is averaging 17 disposals.
He also showed he can play against mature bodies after making an impressive senior local footy debut earlier this season for Northern league club Montmorency.
“Darcy ended up on a wing at one stage, so he got to free his shoulders up a bit,” Clarke said.
“He showed some competency there, he’s got some really good running capacity and speed, so that might be a position he plays at higher levels.”
Akuei, a member of Carlton’s Next Generation Academy, has impressed as a key defender this season with an ability to move up the ground and pinch-hit in the ruck.
At 193cm, his athletic traits are sure to have recruiters watching closely.
“He showed his physical attributes, he’s footy traits were really strong again, his speed for someone so big is always going to stand out,” Clarke said.
Fitzgerald is averaging 28 disposals (sixth overall) and is No.1 at the Knights for kicks and rebound 50s.
He collected another 31 touches and 127 SuperCoach points against the Bushrangers.
METRO: “FREAKISH TALENT” MAKING STRONG DRAFT CASE
LEADER: GET YOUR NAB LEAGUE FOOTY NEWS HERE
NAB: KNIGHTS PAIR DOMINANT AFTER METRO SNUBS
The 186cm St Mary’s junior is still expected to see game time for Vic Metro despite being named as an emergency.
“Joel was really stiff, everyone is biased to their own regions but I kept pushing Joel and he was unlucky,” Clarke said.
“It’s a really fluid program, even more so with the virus affecting it, it won’t be a squad that sticks hard, Vic Metro exposes 35 players some years.”
Overagers Joel Trudgeon and Ewen Macpherson missed out on Vic Metro selection but are still considered draft prospects having made their VFL debuts this season.
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.