Draft hopefuls dealt blow as NAB League, Vic Metro, Country called off
Victoria’s draft hopefuls have been dealt a blow with the rest of the NAB League season as well as the Vic Metro and Country campaigns cancelled.
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Potential top draft picks such as Nick Daicos, Ben Hobbs and Josh Ward will not get a chance to play again this season.
The AFL announced on Friday the NAB League season and Vic Metro and Vic Country Under-19 National Championships campaigns had been cancelled for 2021, a major blow to Victoria’s draft hopefuls.
For the second straight season there will be no national championships for the state’s best young footballers to showcase their talents.
However, unlike 2020 there at least was some football played.
Most NAB League clubs had at least nine games this year and Vic Metro and Country played three warm-up games before Melbourne was plunged into a fifth and sixth lockdown.
Western Australia, South Australia and the Allies (except NSW) will still play national championship matches.
“All levels of the game across Australia have been impacted by the health pandemic this year and it has been another challenging year for everyone connected to football,” head of talent pathways and state league competitions Tristan Salter said.
“These players represent the future of Australian football and like all footy fans, we’re disappointed we can’t host the best football talent in Melbourne this year.
“We share the disappointment with all players, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans of the AFL Championships and recognise the impact the interrupted seasons has had on boys and their families.
“We remain committed to supporting all players in the lead-up to the 2021 AFL Draft and in their football journeys in 2022.”
With Victoria in lockdown until at least September 23 and the approaching high school exam period, it was determined a NAB League finals series was not viable.
Daicos showed why he’s regarded as a potential No.1 draft pick with a near-faultless season, averaging 35.8 disposals and kicking 10 goals in five games for Oakleigh.
The Collingwood father-son followed it up with 41 touches in Metro’s “Challenge” match against Country in July.
Northern Knights ball-winner Ward was the only other player to finish the NAB League season with an average of 30-plus disposals and collected 29 touches and eight clearances for Vic Metro.
Greater Western Victoria ace Hobbs appears Vic Country’s best prospect with a dominant second half of the season following an early ankle injury.
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The inside midfielder tallied 25 disposals, seven clearances and 11 tackles for Vic Country and had 34 and 32 disposals in his last two NAB League outings.
“The talent pool is extremely strong and is a clear indicator that our game is strong, and our pathways continue to deliver the best Australian sporting talent,” Salter said.
“Every player has built a strong talent profile ahead of the 2021 AFL Draft and we will continue to support them in permitted programs over the next few months.”
The 2021 AFL Futures game for under-17 boys normally held on AFL Grand Final day will also not be played in 2021.
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