Williamstown’s Charlie Dean called up to AFL draft combine
Towners coach Justin Plapp says his emerging defender is capable of going on to play in the AFL.
Victorian Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victorian Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Emerging Williamstown defender Charlie Dean’s strong season has been recognised with an AFL draft combine call-up.
Dean, 20, is the only player from the VFL to be invited to the testing.
He was among a bunch of players added to the combine list on September 2.
Dean played in the NAB League for the Sandringham Dragons, having a 19-year-old season in 2019, and joined Williamstown last year.
In his nine matches this year he averaged 14.8 possessions and 7.3 marks.
“I hadn’t had a lot to do with him before but I couldn’t have been more impressed with what he was able to do this year,’’ Seagulls coach Justin Plapp said of the 195cm Dean.
“His performances were at a really high quality.
“He’s a hardworking kid, his IQ is as good as I’ve seen in a young player, probably up there with Bayley Fritsch, and he’s a competitive bugger, doesn’t like to get beaten.
“His intercept marking, his ability to read the ball and mark it, particularly deep in defence at different times, was a real highlight for us.
“His kicking is good too. He kicks the ball as well as any big bloke you’ll see, kicks it hard and kicks it flat.’’
Plapp added: “I think he’s got a really bright future. I think Charlie can play at AFL level and play really good football, that’s how high I rate him.’’
Dean is among the favourites for the VFL’s Fothergill Round Mitchell Medal, awarded each year to a “likely player’’ (Fritsch won the award under Plapp’s coaching in 2017).
The past 14 recipients went on to play in the AFL.
Plapp said he could recall Dean training briefly at Melbourne ahead of the 2019 season and “being a really underdeveloped kid’’.
“Now he’s turned into a man and he’s physically ready to play. He’s put a lot of work into his footy and he deserves everything he gets,’’ he said.
Latest AFL draft combine selections
Victoria
Sam Breuer, GWV Rebels
Justin Davies, Dandenong Stingrays
Oscar Morrison, Geelong Falcons
Cooper Whyte, Geelong Falcons
Charlie Dean, Williamstown
Braden Andrews, Oakleigh Chargers
Luke Cleary, Sandringham Dragons
Ben De Bolfo, Northern Knights
Joel Fitzgerald, Northern Knights
Felix Flockart, Sandringham Dragons
Caleb Lewis, Sandringham Dragons
Luke Nankervis, Sandringham Dragons
Sam Paea, Calder Cannons
Jed Rule, Oakleigh Chargers
South Australia
Oscar Adams, Glenelg
Zac Becker, Sturt
Isaiah Dudley, Central District
Ronald Fejo Jnr, NT/SA/Northern Territory/West Adelaide
Harvey Harrison, North Adelaide
Alasatir Lord, Norwood
Jordan Lukac, Woodville West Torrens
Will Spain, Sturt
Western Australia
Josh Cripps, East Fremantle
Richard Farmer, Subiaco
Kaden Harbour, East Perth
Judd McVee, East Fremantle
Noah Pegoraro, West Perth
Luke Polson, Peel Thunder
Jake South, Subiaco
Taj Woewodin, East Fremantle