AFL draft watch: 21 young guns you should be watching when the NAB League kicks off
Which next generation young guns are already receiving attention from AFL clubs? Check out 21 of this year’s best draft prospects.
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This year’s AFL draft hopefuls are set to begin their campaigns this weekend, starting with the return of the NAB League in Victoria on Saturday.
Here’s 21 players to watch in 2021 and how their NAB AFL Academy coach Tarkyn Lockyer views them.
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Braden Andrews (Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers)
DOB: 23/2/2003 H: 188cm W: 88kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Mid-sized player who can play a range of roles. Good decision maker with clean hands.
Stats say: Played three games for Vic Metro at the under-16 championships in 2019, averaging 16.7 disposals, 2 inside-50s, 1.3 clearances and 80 SuperCoach points.
Sam Banks (Tasmania/Clarence)
DOB: 2/4/2003 H: 186cm W: 72kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Damaging ball user off half back. Takes the game on and is very effective by foot.
Stats say: Played three game for Tasmania at the under-16 championships in 2019, averaging 24 disposals, 3.7 rebound 50s, 8.3 marks and 143 SuperCoach points.
Rhett Bazzo (WA/Swan Districts)
DOB: 17/10/2003 H: 195cm W: 81kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Versatile defender who likes to take the game on in the air. Renowned for his intercept marking.
Stats say: Played three games for Swan Districts in the WAFL Colts in 2020, averaging 11.3 disposals, 5 marks, 1.7 spoils and 66 SuperCoach points.
Jace Burgoyne (SA/Woodville-West Torrens)
DOB: 15/7/2003 H: 185cm W: 64kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Classy mid/forward who finds plenty of the ball and use is damaging by foot. Father/Son prospect for Port Adelaide, being the son of Power premiership player Peter and brother of current Port-listed player Trent.
Stats say: Played 16 games for Woodville-West Torrens under-18s last year, averaging 28.5 disposals, 2.4 inside-50s, 4.2 clearances, 0.6 goals and 133 SuperCoach points.
Campbell Chesser (Vic Country/Sandringham Dragons)
DOB: 27/4/2003 H: 185cm W: 83kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Rebounding defender with genuine speed. May look to develop his game with more time through the midfield this year.
Stats say: Played three games for Vic Country in the under-16 championships in 2019, averaging 16.7 disposals, 3.7 rebound 50s, 5 marks, 5.3 intercept possessions and 91 SuperCoach points.
Josh Fahey (NSW/ACT/Giants Academy)
DOB: 11/11/2003 H: 186cm W: 76kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Damaging player with a booming left foot kick. Plays his best as a wing/half back with good speed and endurance.
Stats say: Played three games for NSW/ACT at the under-16 national championships in 2019, averaging 20.3 disposals, 7 rebound 50s, 5 marks and 118 SuperCoach points.
Cooper Hamilton (Vic Country/Bendigo Pioneers)
DOB: 24/9/2003 H: 182cm W: 86kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Hard-at-it defender with good endurance. Will look to take the game on with run and carry.
Stats say: Played two games for Vic Country in the under-16 national championships in 2019, averaging 13 disposals, 3.5 rebound 50s, 2.5 marks, 7.5 intercept possessions and 90 SuperCoach points.
Nick Daicos (Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers)
DOB: 3/1/2003 H: 183cm W: 72kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Versatile player who can mix between mid/forward with excellent kicking on both sides of his body. Father/Son prospect with Collingwood, being the son of premiership player Peter and bother of current Magpie Josh.
Stats say: Not available
Ben Hobbs (Vic Country/Greater Western Victoria Rebels)
DOB: 16/9/2003 H: 182cm W: 80kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Hard-at-it inside mid who thrives in the contest. Works hard and continually finds the ball.
Stats say: Played three games for Vic Country in the under-16 national championships in 2019, averaging 25.7 disposals, 3.7 inside-50s, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 1 goal and 147 SuperCoach points.
Jason Horne (SA/South Adelaide)
DOB: 21/6/2003 H: 183cm W: 77kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Inside mid/forward with a strong body and loves to fly for his marks. Played senior football in 2020 and adapted to the game well.
Stats say: Played nine games for South Adelaide in the SANFL under-18s in 2020, averaging 10.8 disposals, 3 inside-50s, 2.1 marks, 1.3 clearances, 0.6 goals and 59 SuperCoach points.
Austin Harris (QLD/Gold Coast Suns Academy)
DOB: 30/4/2003 H: 176cm W: 68kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Very clever player with speed and agility. Finds the ball well and has smooth skills by hand and foot.
Stats say: Played three games for Queensland in the under-16 national championships in 2019, averaging 21.7 disposals, 3 inside-50s, 8.7 marks, 3.3 clearances and 111 SuperCoach points.
Blake Howes (Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons)
DOB: 7/4/2003 H: 191cm W: 79kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Hard working forward who loves to take a mark and hits the scoreboard. Medium sized player with impressive work rate.
Stats say: Played three games for Vic Metro in the under-16 national championships in 2019, averaging 12.7 disposals, 3.7 marks, 1.7 goals, 4.3 score assists and 89 SuperCoach points.
Matthew Johnson (WA/Subiaco)
DOB: 16/3/2003 H: 190cm W: 78kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Classy midfielder who makes great decisions with ball in hand. A member of Subiaco’s Colts Premiership in 2020, has the ability to find time and space to use the ball well and puts his teammates into good positions.
Stats say: Played 10 games for Subiaco in the WAFL Colts in 2020, averaging 19 disposals, 3.3 inside-50s, 3.8 clearances, 0.7 goals and 113 SuperCoach points.
Cooper Murley (SA/Norwood)
DOB: 20/6/2003 H: 177cm W: 68kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Exciting player from South Australia. Plays as a mid/forward with excellent skills. Will be one to watch with his speed and repeat effort running.
Stats say: Played 16 games for Norwood in the SANFL under-18s in 2020, averaging 25.9 disposals, 5.1 inside-50s, 4.7 clearances, 1.2 goals and 128 SuperCoach points.
Josh Sinn (Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons)
DOB: 7/1/2003 H: 186cm W: 78kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Classy player who loves to run and carry the football. Versatile player who mixes his time between wing and half back. Was captain of Vic Metro’s U16 side in 2019.
Stats say: Played three games for Vic Metro in the under-16 national championships in 2019, averaging 17 disposals, 4.7 inside-50s, 3 clearances and 96 SuperCoach points.
Josh Rachele (Vic Country/Murray Bushrangers)
DOB: 11/4/2003 H: 177cm W: 68kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Won the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player in the U16 AFL National Championships (Div 1). A strong and powerful midfielder who pushes hard forward to hit the scoreboard.
Stats say: Played three games for Vic Country in the under-16 national championships in 2019, averaging 26 disposals, 3 inside-50s, 2.3 clearances, 6.3 score involvements and 124 SuperCoach points.
Matt Roberts (SA/South Adelaide)
DOB: 31/7/2003 H: 183cm W: 81kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Inside mid who keeps finding the footy. Uses his grunt to win the ball before putting his teammates in good positions.
Stats say: Played seven games South Adelaide in the SANFL under-18s in 2020, averaging 26.6 disposals, 4.3 clearances, 1.7 goals, 4.4 inside-50s and 143 SuperCoach points.
Tyler Sonsie (Vic Metro/Eastern Ranges)
DOB: 27/1/2003 H: 182cm W: 76kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Smooth mover with excellent foot skills. Another who runs hard to break the lines and finds plenty of the footy.
Stats say: Played three games for Vic Metro in the under-16 national championships in 2019, averaging 22.7 disposals, 4.3 inside-50s, 3.3 clearances, 1.7 goals and 127 SuperCoach points.
Ned Stevens (NT Waratah/Gold Coast Suns Academy)
DOB: 7/6/2003 H: 196cm W: 83kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Exciting tall out of the NT. Dual sport athlete with a basketball background. Played senior football in 2020 and showed his talent with a strong performance in the NT All-Stars game as a ruck/key fwd.
Stats say: Played three games for Northern Territory in the under-16 national championships in 2019, averaging 10.3 disposals, 18.3 hit-outs, 4 clearances, 0.3 goals and 94 SuperCoach points.
Jacob Van Rooyen (WA/Claremont)
DOB: 16/4/2003 H: 193cm W: 87kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Developing tall with good athletic attributes. Key position player that works hard and hits the scoreboard. Key player from Claremont in the WAFL Colts Grand Final.
Stats say: Played 10 games for Claremont in the WAFL Colts in 2020, averaging 13.3 disposals, 3.9 marks, 1.9 goals, 6 score involvements and 95 SuperCoach points.
Jack Williams (WA/East Fremantle)
DOB: 1/12/2003 H: 195cm W: 91kg
Tarkyn Lockyer says: Key position player that can play at either end of the ground. Explosive athlete that reads the ball well in the air and uses his body well.
Stats say: Played 10 games for East Fremantle in the WAFL Colts in 2020, averaging 9.6 disposals, 3.6 marks, 1.1 goals, 2.8 score involvements and 83 SuperCoach points.
HOW DAICOS PLANS TO HANDLE FATHER-SON HYPE
Potential No. 1 draft pick Nick Daicos says he feels like “just another player” and will not be burdened by the pressure of carrying on a famous name at Collingwood.
A father-son prospect for the Magpies, the 18-year-old son of Collingwood legend Peter Daicos again turned heads in a VFL practice match last Friday after an impressive six-week training stint with the Magpies at the Holden Centre.
Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley has said the enormously-talented Daicos is almost capable of playing AFL football straight away.
However, Daicos will continue to hone his skills with Oakleigh Chargers in the NAB League this season, with some more VFL outings also an option as he continues his development.
“It’s really nice of Bucks to say something like that, but I’m aware I’m a long way off it,” Daicos told the Herald Sun.
“But hopefully I can be there in a year’s time.”
Daicos trained at Collingwood alongside his older brother Josh over summer, after his underage NAB League season was wiped out last year due to COVID-19.
Standing 182cm, Daicos has primarily played on a halfback flank or on a wing to date, but is seen as a future star AFL midfielder.
Like his famous father – who kicked 549 goals at the top level – he also loves to celebrate a goal and thinks he has brother Josh covered in the goalkicking ranks.
“I think we’re pretty similar,” Daicos said when asked about comparisons to his brother.
“(But) hopefully I kick a few more goals than him, that’s all I’d say.”
The VFL scratch match last Friday was Daicos’ first competitive game in 21 months, but AFL recruiters noted he looked like a natural.
“The six weeks at Collingwood doing a bit of match sim, that really helped and even settled the nerves going into the VFL game,” Daicos said.
“I knew that I was pretty well prepared from the last six weeks training at the top level.”
Daicos dismissed suggestions that there was added pressure that came with carrying on a famous name at Collingwood.
“I’ve always just felt as another player,” he said.
“People always talk about it but as soon as I get out on the park I’m just another player and my surname’s not really relevant. As long as I can do what I know I can do – and that is play footy – I know the rest will take care of itself.”
Strangely, Daicos grew up a Carlton supporter but said his dream had always been to play alongside his brother Josh at AFL level, something that looks likely to happen next year.
“Wherever he is, I’d be happy to play,” Daicos said.
“But I’ve obviously loved Collingwood and I’d love to play my footy there. So hopefully everything pans out that way.”
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