AFL Draft 2022: Player ratings, analysis from Vic Metro v Vic Country
A number of Victorian prospects boosted their draft standing, including the son of a great. Check out who starred, player ratings and who would suit your club.
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Brisbane father-son prospect Will Ashcroft has capped a brilliant final season of underage football by being crowned the best and fairest player of the AFL under-18 national championships.
Ashcroft was awarded the Larke Medal as the player of the tournament after starring for Vic Metro with a game-high 31 disposals and five clearances in the final match of the championships against Vic Country on Thursday.
SCROLL DOWN FOR RATINGS AND ANALYSIS ON 20 DRAFT GUNS
Previous winners of the award include Carlton’s Sam Walsh, Melbourne’s Christian Petracca and Greater Western Sydney’s Lachie Whitfield.
A potential No. 1 pick, Ashcroft has nominated to follow in the footsteps of his father Marcus and join the Lions in November’s national draft.
Ashcroft’s performance helped Vic Metro to a seven-point win in a seesawing affair against Vic Country at Marvel Stadium, the result seeing Vic Metro secure this year’s championship title.
The midfield led the way for Vic Metro, with fellow highly-rated draft prospects Elijah Tsatas (29 disposals) and Cam Mackenzie (21 disposals) joining Ashcroft in finding plenty of the footy.
In his first game of the championships, draft bolter Max Gruzewski excited with a first-quarter purple patch which saw the key forward take the mark of the day and boot two goals in the space of 122 seconds.
North Melbourne father-son prospect Cooper Harvey – the son of AFL games record holder Brent – kicked the sealing goal for Vic Metro in the dying minutes after an impressive second half.
Oliver Hollands – the brother of Gold Coast’s Elijah – was among Vic Country’s better players with 23 disposals, while key forward Aaron Cadman kicked three goals.
STANDOUTS
Will Ashcroft (Vic Metro)
Midfielder, Sandringham Dragons
H: 180cm, W: 76kg
Rating: 9/10
Draft Range: 1-5
Clubs who would suit: Brisbane
The prolific midfielder capped a super season with a best-on-ground performance for Vic Metro, gathering a game-high 31 disposals along with 10 inside 50s and five clearances. He was awarded the Larke Medal as the best player of the 2022 national championships, following the likes of Sam Walsh, Christian Petracca and Lachie Whitfield. Ashcroft gets contest-to-contest, is hard at it and uses the ball well. He is headed to Brisbane as a father-son, where his dad Marcus played in three premierships. Expect an early bid in this year’s draft, potentially at No.1.
Harley Reid is that guy 💫
— AFL (@AFL) September 22, 2022
Watch the Vic Metro v Vic Country game: https://t.co/YWgc6dPtb1pic.twitter.com/LSHVhcix4S
Harley Reid (Vic Country)
Utility, Bendigo Pioneers
H: 185cm W: 82kg
Rating: 9/10
Draft range (2023): 1-5
Clubs who would suit: North Melbourne, West Coast, GWS
The game-changer. You would be forgiven for thinking he was a top-five pick in this year’s draft, such is his devastating impact. The 2023 talent was doing it all; swerving out of congestion in the middle, taking intercept marks in defence, and kicking goals after clunking contested marks in the goalsquare – two in fact, to keep his side in the match. One of those marks started a brawl between the two sides and it’d be little surprise if some words from the fiery customer was the catalyst. This intent brought his downfall in the second term when he conceded a goal through a 50m penalty, but he only strengthened his claims as the likely No.1 pick in next year’s draft.
Aaron Cadman (VIC Country)
Key forward GWV Rebels
H: 194cm W: 88kg
Rating: 8.5
Draft range: 2-10
Clubs who would suit: GWS, North Melbourne, West Coast, Essendon, Hawthorn
Looked to be kept in check by Josh Weddle in a fascinating duel until the top forward stepped up to the plate to kick two last quarter goals – including a set shot to put his side in front – to finish with 3.3. His snapping goal in congestion after swooping on a stray Metro handball underlined his athleticism as a tall. Opened Vic Country’s account with a set shot goal after a free kick and clunked a strong contested mark in the second term. Has stamped himself as a top-five pick – and he has done enough to justify being called by North Melbourne right at the top after bidding on Ashcroft.
Elijah Tsatas (Vic Metro)
Midfielder, Oakleigh Chargers
H: 186cm, W: 79kg
Rating: 8/10
Draft Range: 1-5
Clubs who would suit: North Melbourne, West Coast, Greater Western Sydney
The hard-running midfielder made an impact in his first appearance for Vic Metro this year, having missed the first three matches of the national championships in June and July with a fractured foot. Playing on-ball, Tstas won 30 disposals and five clearances to finish off a big final month of the year since his return from injury. Tsatas has explosive breakaway speed, no surprise given he reached national level in the 100m and 400m hurdles as a junior.
Cameron Mackenzie (Vic Metro)
Midfielder, Sandringham Dragons
H: 187cm, W: 80kg
Rating: 8/10
Draft Range: 5-15
Clubs who would suit: Adelaide, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide, St Kilda
A consistent performer at all levels of football this year, the onballer knows how to find the footy and gathered another 21 touches for Vic Metro playing alongside Ashcroft and Tsatas. He is part of St Kilda’s Next Generation Academy, but won’t be low enough down the draft order for the Saints to snap him up under those rules given the top 40 picks are protected from having academy bids matched.
Oliver Hollands (Vic Country)
Midfielder, Murray Bushrangers
H: 183cm W: 73kg
Rating: 8.5/10
Draft range: 10-20
Clubs who would suit: Carlton, Fremantle Sydney, Collingwood
Hollands looks to be moving up the board closer to where his brother Elijah was picked at the Suns (pick seven), with his final display of 2023 capping a strong back-half of the season. The smooth-mover, who has been thrown all over the ground this year, was stationed in a full-time midfield role and led the way in the engine-room for Country, finishing with 23 disposals, seven marks, six inside 50s and six tackles. Was quiet in the final term but was everywhere early, racking up 11 first-quarter disposals and using the ball well on both sides of his body.
Harvey Gallagher (Vic Country)
Defender-forward, Bendigo Pioneers
H; 179cm W: 77kg
Rating: 8/10
Draft range: 30-60
Clubs who would suit: Gold Coast, West Coast, Richmond, St Kilda
Turning 19 next week, Gallagher has banged the door down with massive numbers in a Nick Daicos-like role late in the year for the Bendigo Pioneers and his form translated to the big stage. The classy user finished with an equal team-high 23 disposals, barely wasting any of his 20 kicks, and he managed to step up in a pulsating final term. After missing out in last year’s draft and again in the mid-season intake, it looks like being third-time lucky for the forward-turned defender.
Joshua Weddle (Vic Metro)
Key Defender, Oakleigh Chargers
H: 191cm, W: 87kg
Rating: 7/10
Draft Range: 15-25
Clubs who would suit: West Coast, Essendon, Adelaide, Gold Coast
The versatile backman had the job on dangerous Vic Country key forward Aaron Cadman and impressed. Cadman finished with three goals, but one came from a free kick in the first quarter and one was a stoppage goal in the final term. A composed player with a good kick, Vic Metro worked the ball through Weddle on the way out of defence. He had a game-high eight rebound 50s among his 16 disposals.
Jhye Clark
Midfielder, Geelong Falcons
H: 180cm W: 77kg
Rating: 7/10
Draft range: 3-10
Clubs who would suit: West Coast, GWS, Hawthorn, Port Adelaide
Didn’t reach the heights in possessions that we have become accustomed to – finishing with 16 touches - but the potential top five prospect’s trademark defensive pressure was there for all to see, laying a game-high eight tackles. Copped a big hit in a marking contest in the final term and got up straight away to set up a scoring opportunity, a play that epitomised his toughness. Flew for an enormous specky on the wing and nearly brought it down.
Noah Long (Vic Country)
Forward-midfielder, Bendigo Pioneers
H: 178cm, W: 74kg
Rating: 7/10
Draft range: 20-40
Clubs who would suit: Hawthorn, GWS, Carlton, Richmond
His first full game of the season came in the national championships mid-year after an early-season injury. And recruiters would have been impressed with what the clever forward-mid produced against Vic Metro with some more footy under his belt. Kicked a lovely goal on the run in the first term and delivered it nicely inside 50, pumping it in five times to go with 16 disposals. Another who has surged into top 25 contention.
Alwyn Davey (Vic Metro)
Forward/Midfielder, Oakleigh Chargers, Essendon father-son
H: 181cm, W: 74kg
Rating: 7/10
Draft Range: 15-30
Clubs who would suit: Essendon
It wasn’t Davey’s biggest game, but he showed some good signs as he found a bit of the ball with 15 disposals and five marks spending time between the wing and forward line. While some of his ball use wasn’t perfect, Davey applied some good forward pressure – which is one of his trademarks – and showed off his speed and agility at stages. The son of former Essendon forward Alwyn Davey Snr, the Bombers are expected to snap up the 18-year-old as a father-son selection and he is the type of player that Essendon’s list is lacking. He is viewed by recruiters as a late first-round or second-round draft pick.
Jacob Konstanty (Vic Country)
Forward, Gippsland Power
H: 176cm, W: 70kg
Rating: 7/10
Draft range: 15-40
Clubs who would suit: Brisbane, West Coast, Hawthorn, Gold Coast
More than just a tackling machine, as he proved with a handball nutmeg on his opponent followed by a dashing sidestep past another defender that wowed the crowd at Marvel Stadium. A late checkside on goal when he could have gone the drop punt was a slight blip on an otherwise impressive performance. Clubs in need of a pressure forward with speed to burn – look no further.
Cooper Harvey (Vic Metro)
Forward, Northern Knights, North Melbourne father-son
H: 180cm, W: 79kg
Rating: 7/10
Draft Range: 40-70
Clubs who would suit: North Melbourne
A strong back end of the year has seen the son-of-a-gun emerge and he only further boosted his hopes with an impressive first outing for Vic Metro. Harvey suffered two arm injuries during the middle part of the year, but finished the NAB League season in fine form for the Knights to be added to the Vic Metro squad for the final game of the national championships. After a slow start, Harvey finished with 14 disposals, five marks and a game-sealing goal in the final quarter at Marvel Stadium. He presented well as a small forward, took a couple of nice marks and showed a willingness to pressure and tackle. Harvey had good bloodlines as the son of AFL games record holder Brent Harvey and is eligible to join the Kangaroos under father-son rules.
Brent Harvey kicked 211 goals at Marvel Stadium.
— AFL (@AFL) September 22, 2022
His son Cooper kicked the sealer to crown Vic Metro the NAB AFL U18 Championship winners! pic.twitter.com/qm70JgwLEE
Jaxon Binns (Vic Country)
Wingman/forward, Dandenong Stingrays
H: 182cm, W: 72kg
Rating: 7/10
Draft Range: 20-50
Clubs who would suit: Carlton, Richmond, Fremantle
One of the most polarising prospects in this year’s draft, but he runs as hard as any. Another who rose to the challenge in the final term and this impressive final game coupled with his strong NAB League finals series should dispel some of the knocks over his contested game — and could see him rise up the board. Finished with 21 disposals, a goal and set up Konstanty with a beauty on the wing.
Matthew Jefferson (Vic Metro)
Key forward, Oakleigh Chargers
H: 194cm, W: 76kg
Rating: 7/10
Draft Range: 6-15
Clubs who would suit: Gold Coast, Fremantle, St Kilda
One of the best key forwards in this year’s draft pool alongside Aaron Cadman, Jefferson excited once again as he capped a strong national championships campaign with Vic Metro. He kicked 2.2 from 13 disposals and three marks after coming into the game on limited preparation following a recent small fracture in his leg. Jefferson continually presents well and competes strongly in the air. He showed his footy smarts and agility in the final term as he crumbed a goal off hands and snapped a very clever goal. Across four national championships games for Vic Metro this year he kicked 14.4, including 7.0 against Western Australia in the side’s second game.
Bailey Humphrey (Vic Country)
Midfielder-forward, Gippsland Power
H: 184cm W: 86kg
Rating: 6.5/10
Draft range: 4-12
Clubs who would suit: St Kilda, GWS, Essendon, Hawthorn
Played as a pure forward in his first championships game of the year and something happened whenever it went near him in the first half, but he was well held after that. Could have been a day out for the draft bolter but his goal from 40m on the run epitomised his X-Factor. Finished with 1.3 and a snap from a tight angle on the goal line sailed out on the full, but his display certainly didn’t hurt his top-10 claims. If can he tidy up his accuracy in front of goal, he could be anything. His feats this year while battling injury and illness can’t go unrecognised.
How much did Bailey Humphrey love that goal? pic.twitter.com/sY3NdxxsAK
— AFL (@AFL) September 22, 2022
Harry Sheezel (Vic Metro)
Forward/Midfielder, Sandringham Dragons
H: 184cm, W: 77kg
Rating: 6/10
Draft Range: 1-5
Clubs who would suit: North Melbourne, West Coast, Greater Western Sydney, Essendon
An excitement machine, Sheezel had an ‘almost’ game. He kicked two goals from 11 disposals and three marks, but could have easily finished with another major or two to his name. Playing forward, he missed two goals in the first half and unusually shanked a set shot in the third term which didn’t score. However, he showed off his talent with a lovely goal on the wrong side for a right footer in the third quarter and snapped a right-foot banana goal off one step while in traffic in the final term. There’s a bit of Adelaide’s Josh Rachele about this confident kid who has some serious X-Factor.
Nicholas Watson (Vic Metro)
Forward. Eastern Ranges
H: 169cm, W: 66kg
Rating: 6/10
Draft Range: N/A
Clubs who would suit: N/A
He is not eligible for this year’s draft, but Watson shapes as a top-five prospect for next year. The small forward works hard up the ground, loves the contest, applies good pressure and is a quality ball user by foot going inside 50. He made something out of nothing and crumbed an exciting goal in the third quarter, while he hit the post from another shot on goal from a tight angle in the third term. Watson, who turns 18 next February, finished with 14 disposals and 1.1.
This is just what Nick Watson does 💫
— AFL (@AFL) September 22, 2022
Watch the Vic Metro v Vic Country game: https://t.co/YWgc6dPtb1pic.twitter.com/ajKnGaievS
Henry Hustwaite (Vic Metro)
Midfielder-defender, Dandenong Stingrays
H: 194cm W: 84kg
Rating: 6/10
Draft range: 8-20
Clubs who would suit: Collingwood, Sydney, Essendon, Hawthorn
Worked his way into the contest with a high quality second term after a slow start. Always seems to have time when he has the ball in traffic and regularly found an option by hand, but his kicking was off at times. But we can cut him some slack, given the tall midfielder returned from an ankle injury for the NAB League grand final last week and had just a six-day break for this clash.
An outrageously fun game from Max Gruzewski 🤯
— AFL (@AFL) September 22, 2022
Watch the Vic Metro v Vic Country game: https://t.co/YWgc6dPtb1pic.twitter.com/2agqGMOvGw
Max Gruzewski (Vic Metro)
Forward/Defender, Oakleigh Chargers
H: 192cm, W: 84kg
Rating: 6/10
Draft Range: 20-35
Clubs who would suit: West Coast, Adelaide, Gold Coast, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs
A draft bolter, the versatile tall missed a large chunk of the season after going down with a PCL knee injury while playing for Caulfield Grammar.
The injury saw him miss Vic Metro’s first three games, but he showed some exciting signs in the final match and is in line to be a second-round draft pick.
Gruzewski took a huge contested mark in attack in the opening term and went back to kick the first goal of the game, before taking a second nice mark and slotting a second goal just two minutes later.
He was quieter from that point on and spent some time on the bench, but that first-quarter purple patch showed recruiters he has some X-Factor.
Gruzewski has also played as an intercept defender this year and has featured in a forward-ruck role for Caulfield.
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