Draft 2018: Gary Buckenara lists the top 10 players to watch in the U18s
IT’S being billed as a ‘super draft’, and the AFL’s next big things are currently on show. List guru and draft expert Gary Buckenara names the players to watch at the under-18 national titles.
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IT’S being billed as a ‘super draft’, and the AFL’s next big things are currently on show.
List guru and draft expert Gary Buckenara names the players to watch at the under-18 national titles.
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TOP 10 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN THE 2018 UNDER-18 CHAMPIONSHIPS
TARRYN THOMAS (Allies)
Midfield, 189cm, 73kg
A North Melbourne academy player who looks to be a very good prospect. Watch him closely through the midfield as he’s a smart playmaker with some exciting traits. It will be a real bonus for the Kangaroos to be able to add a potential star of the future to their list at the end of the year. He will cost them their first-round pick.
NICK BLAKEY (Allies)
Forward/midfielder, 195cm, 80kg
The son of former Kangaroo and Swan John Blakey, Nick can can play in the midfield, up forward and down back. He's a tremendous athlete and a very smart footballer and that versatility only adds to his appeal. He looks to be a very good player in the making. He’s eligible as a father-son for both North Melbourne and Sydney but has selected the Swans as his preferred club. Will most likely cost Sydney their first-round selection.
JACK LUKOSIUS (South Australia)
Tall forward, 193cm, 84kg
Lukosius certainly didn’t do his chances of being the No.1 draft pick in November any harm with a very polished display in game one of the under-18 championships, as well as his match-winning goal last weekend. The 196cm prospect is a beautiful kick of the ball and has showcased his range of skills and his versatility in his carnival matches so far. I really like him and I’m sure if he doesn’t end up going No.1, then he’ll be very close.
IZAK RANKINE (South Australia)
Midfielder, 180cm, 76kg
With a combination of speed and uncanny goal sense and just the way he moves around the ground, Rankine is one of the most exciting talents to emerge from South Australia in recent seasons. He’s been playing senior SANFL football for two years now and was an All- Australian as a bottom-age player last year. I expect he will be taken very early in the 2018 draft.
SAM WALSH (Vic Country)
Midfielder, 183cm, 74kg
Walsh is a lightly-framed player who will showcase some nice outside run and skill throughout the championships. In my opinion, he will develop into a very nice midfielder who will win his share of ball inside, when he gets a bigger and stronger body, and because of his athleticism and skill, he will be dangerous on the outside as well. I think he will be an early pick at this year’s draft.
BAILEY SMITH (Vic Metro)
Midfielder, 185cm, 82kg
Bailey is an elite decision-maker who reads the play well and has a good outside game. He’s a hard worker in games and I’m sure those who watch him will notice his work rate and hard transitional running to defence and in attack, which is so important in the modern game. I’m sure Bailey will have a lot of interest from clubs come November’s draft.
BEN KING and MAX KING (Vic Metro)
Forward/ruck, 202cm, 85kg
It’s not often twins with this amount of ability and size come onto the scene and while Max unfortunately tore his ACL earlier this year, he will still be a first-round pick. Ben is also going to provide spectators of the championships with a view of his talents (very similar to his brother’s), of which he has plenty. He is a great size and possesses athleticism, skill, clean hands and versatility. There’s no doubt Ben and Max will be highly sought-after players.
IAN HILL (Western Australia)
Forward/midfielder, 175cm, 76kg
Some nice bloodlines here as the Western Australian prospect is the cousin of Fremantle’s Stephen and Bradley Hill. Ian is a clever small forward/midfielder with speed and goal sense. He can flash in and out of games and probably needs to work on his endurance but Hill can be very exciting in bursts. I’m not sure where he sits in this year’s draft as yet, I’ll know more after the championships but he certainly has AFL traits clubs are looking for.
CONNOR ROZEE (South Australia)
Midfielder, 185cm, 71kg
Another South Australian prospect that is one to watch. Rozee is a clever player with a good combination of speed and endurance and has good skills to go with his sound decision- making. I like the way he goes about his football and he should be another South Australian called out reasonably early at the draft.
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