Draft Intel: Latest AFL Draft news from around the country
Brothers Alwyn and Jayden Davey are on the cusp of becoming the first set of twins to be picked up as father-sons in this year’s draft.
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The countdown is on to this year’s AFL National Draft, with just a month to go.
Here is the latest news from around the traps.
DEES, SAINTS TARGET ‘NEXT PADDY RYDER’
Twin brothers Alwyn and Jayden Davey have officially nominated Essendon under the AFL’s father-son rules as they seek to follow in the footsteps of their father and pull on the red and black.
The decision to officially nominate as father-son prospects was made in consultation with Essendon in recent days, ahead of Wednesday’s nominations deadline.
The exciting pair — who are the sons of former Bombers small forward Alwyn Davey Snr — would become the first set of twins to be picked up as father-sons if they are both selected by the Bombers in this year’s draft.
Alwyn Jnr is rated a top-20 talent by some clubs as a quick and speedy forward or midfielder who likens his game to that of his uncle, former Melbourne midfielder Aaron Davey.
Jayden is considered to be a “replica” of his father Alwyn Snr, as a quick pressure forward with goalkicking ability.
Jayden suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this year but is slowly progressing with his running and is in good spirits as he works hard through his rehabilitation.
The Davey twins have both been part of the James Hird Academy at Essendon and have come through the Oakleigh Chargers talent program while boarding at Xavier College.
Alwyn Jnr told News Corp recently that he would be over the moon to join Essendon.
“I’d be proud but my dad would be very proud as well to see me go from watching from the change rooms growing up to playing for the same club as he did,” he said.
“I just can’t wait for that if it does actually happen and we pull it off.”
The Davey twins are both looked after by Hemisphere Management Group, which also manages the likes of fellow top draft prospects Will Ashcroft and Aaron Cadman.
The Davey brothers join Ashcroft (Brisbane) and Max Michalanney (Adelaide) in nominating as father-son selections, while Jaspa Fletcher will also find his way to the Lions as the son of former Brisbane midfielder Adrian Fletcher.
The national draft will be held across two nights on November 28 and 29, followed by the rookie draft on November 30.
‘I’M PRETTY CONFIDENT DOWN BACK’
One of the top key forwards in this year’s draft pool says he would be confident to play at either end of the ground at AFL level.
Oakleigh Chargers product Matthew Jefferson — who stands 195cm tall — said that before this year he had split his time “50-50” between being a forward and backman during his junior football career.
However, Jefferson settled as a forward this year and was one of the stars of the under-18 national championships for Vic Metro, including a stunning seven-goal haul in one game against Western Australia.
“This year I’ve predominantly played key forward,” Jefferson said.
“But if a club drafts me and asks me to play defence, I’d be more than happy to do it.
“I’m pretty confident down back. I feel like as a backman, I can read the ball in the air pretty well and I can read the play and use that ability to intercept.
“There’s a few clubs that have asked me if I’d go back.”
Jefferson is a Carlton supporter who looks up to Charlie Curnow but is believed to have attracted significant interest from Melbourne as a first-round selection.
“I’ve spoken to them (Carlton) a couple of times throughout the year,” Jefferson said.
“That would be a dream. But they’ve got a few good key forwards on the list, so who knows what will happen. All I can do is play some good footy like I’ve done.”
WHY TIGERS FANS NEED NOT WORRY
Richmond has one of the weakest hands heading into this year’s national draft, holding only picks 53 and 63.
At the end of the season, the Tigers had selections 12, 19, 31 and 38. However, those higher picks were moved on as part of the deals to lure GWS midfield pair Tim Taranto and Jacob Hopper to Punt Rd.
Richmond believes the additions of Taranto and Hopper will help ensure it remains a challenger next season, and the club’s recruiting team led by Blair Hartley and Matthew Clarke have history at finding draft gems with late picks.
The last time Richmond used pick 53, it landed midfielder Jack Graham.
Richmond secured five top-30 picks in last year’s national draft – Josh Gibcus, Tom Brown, Tyler Sonsie, Sam Banks and Judson Clarke – which meant the club did not need to invest heavily in this year’s draft as well.
While Gibcus made a major impression as a key defender this year, some at Richmond believe that Brown could prove to be the best player of the bunch.
The Tigers are keen to secure a key forward with at least one of their two draft picks this year, with South Australian pair Harry Lemmey and Tom Scully two players who could potentially still be available.
WHERE WILL EXCITING TALL LAND?
Athletic South Australian tall Isaac Keeler is expected to find an AFL home in this year’s national draft – but no one knows where.
Recruiters believe the Adelaide Next Generation Academy member could land anywhere between a pick in the late teens to a selection in the 40s.
“He’s far from perfect but he’s got a bit going for him,” one recruiter said.
“He’s got a lot of upside.”
A 198cm forward-ruckman from North Adelaide, Keeler has drawn comparisons to a young Paddy Ryder.
He trained with the Crows during pre-season and represented South Australia in the national championships, as well as averaging 17.9 disposals and kicking 19 goals from 15 SANFL under-18 games.
While athletic talls don’t grow on trees, Keeler’s competitiveness and endurance have been raised as potential concerns among some recruiters.
That said, St Kilda and Melbourne — who both have picks in the 30s — are believed to have some interest.
Adelaide may consider matching a bid on Keeler if he gets beyond pick 40, with the first 40 picks in this year’s draft being protected from NGA bids being matched.
THE WA FLYER
Interest continues to grow in West Australian draft bolter Kaleb Smith on the back of a big finish to the season and some impressive results at the state draft combine.
A utility who can play half-back, forward or through the midfield, Smith finished first in the 20m sprint at the WA draft combine earlier this month with a time of 2.881 seconds.
The East Fremantle product also placed third in the agility test in a time of 8.052 seconds.
Smith battled a knee injury earlier in the season which saw him miss selection in the state team for the under-18 national championships.
However, he returned to the WAFL Colts competition late in the year where his exciting athletic traits caught the eyes of recruiters.
Across the final three games of the regular season for East Fremantle, Smith averaged 23.3 disposals, 8.7 rebound 50s and 8.0 intercept possessions.
He also played some eye-catching school football for Wesley College late in the year, including kicking five goals against Christ Church.
Smith is a quality kick and uses his speed to break the lines.
TASMANIAN TEAM FACTOR
Clubs are weighing up what affect an incoming Tasmanian team might have on their selections in next month’s national draft.
Tasmania has two top-end draft prospects this year, with rebounding defender Lachlan Cowan being rated a first-round prospect and tall defender Tom McCullum shaping as a potential second-round selection.
Medium forward Seth Campbell was also invited to the national draft combine, after catching the attention of recruiters when he kicked 10 goals for North Launceston in his third Tasmanian State League appearance in August.
Rivals believe Hawthorn has cut its list deep to load up on picks in this year’s draft in anticipation of draft concessions being handed to a new Tasmanian team in coming years.
Picking Tasmanian’s through the draft in coming years could also pay off for clubs, who may be significantly compensated for those players if a new incoming team tries to lure back home-grown talent to the Apple Isle.
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