Gary Buckenara names state league players who should be on radar of AFL clubs for 2018 drafts

SAM Mitchell and Matt Priddis are prime examples of mature-age recruits forging successful AFL careers. Recruiting guru GARY BUCKENARA looks at the state league players who could get drafted in November.

Gary Buckenara names state league players who should be on AFL recruiter radar.

THERE has never been a more critical time for AFL clubs to think outside the square when it comes to recruiting and improving lists.

While most new talent will arrive via the TAC Cup and under-18 competitions around Australia, that isn’t the only competition recruiters should be focusing on in their preparations for the national and rookie drafts.

In an 18-team competition and with 44 players on every list (and in some cases category B rookies on top of that), there are more players than ever being given an opportunity to develop their game and play AFL football.

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But, the talent pool is stretched and finding enough players with the ability to play at AFL level is more difficult now than it has been in the past. That’s why it’s critical every AFL recruiter and list manager is looking for other pathways.

What I’m talking about are mature-age recruits from state leagues around the country.

There are mitigating circumstances sometimes, such as injuries or a player is a late developer, which prevents players from showing their full potential during their draft year at TAC Cup level and during the under-18 championships. That’s why it’s critical for clubs to look at players from every angle, regardless of their age.

Sam Mitchell was a mature-age recruit out of the VFL. Picture: Michael Klein

Matt Priddis was plucked out of the WAFL by West Coast. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

In the late 1990s and early 2000s AFL clubs were very reluctant to add mature-age or state league players to their lists in the drafts. The focus instead, was finding the next star 18-year-olds from Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia in particular, and a few from Tasmania, Northern Territory and New South Wales.

This was a flawed philosophy.

Sam Mitchell and Matt Priddis are prime examples. Both were overlooked as 18-year-olds but continued to work hard to develop their game and plied their trade in the VFL and WAFL respectively. They went on to have stellar AFL careers and won Brownlow Medals.

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To their credit, they never gave up on their dream and eventually Hawthorn and West Coast took a punt and it paid maximum dividends.

We’re now seeing more clubs willing to draft players in their 20s if a player suits a list need. The state leagues are largely an untapped resource when clubs are looking to add critical depth in a position, such as key position forward and back, if that need wasn’t able to be addressed via the trade and free agency period.

Tim Kelly has had an outstanding debut season for Geelong. Picture: Getty

The best examples in 2018 are clearly Cat Tim Kelly and Eagle Liam Ryan.

Both played in the WAFL last year and have translated their standout form into impressive football at the top level. Both Kelly and Ryan filled critical needs at their clubs — Geelong’s need for speed through the midfield and West Coast more X-factor and speed up forward.

There are other examples, including Collingwood rookie Brody Mihocek who was drafted from Port Melbourne in the VFL and has been a really handy pick-up given the club’s injury crisis. He filled a critical list need.

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Kangaroo Ben Brown was overlooked at three drafts. He suffered an ACL tear in his draft year in 2010 and so wasn’t given an opportunity but never gave up. Brown played in the Tasmania State League before moving to Victoria and playing in the VFL. Now, he’s one of the game’s dominant forwards and could win his first Coleman Medal this year.

And what about Cat Tom Stewart? He was drafted in 2016 after being identified by Geelong premiership defender Matthew Scarlett when he was playing for South Barwon and then for Geelong’s VFL side. He could be All-Australian this year.

Coleman Medal chance Ben Brown was recruited out of Tasmania and the VFL. Picture: Getty

This is a really important message to send to young players that miss out on being drafted as 18-year-olds — it’s never too late to realise your dream, so keep working as hard as you can because AFL clubs won’t ignore consistent performances in the major state leagues across Australia, especially if you’re a player that fills a critical list need.

I still look back and regret a decision I made in my early recruiting days at Hawthorn when I didn’t have the courage to recommend a 29-year-old playing in the WAFL for my old club Subiaco.

His name was Alistair Pickett. He was a really small player and his size, combined with his age, stopped me from recommending him to coach Alastair Clarkson and the rest of the recruiting team. To this day I still believe he was a player that had the ability to be an AFL sensation in the Cyril Rioli mould, only a smaller version.

So to Ali and all AFL fans, I apologise for not taking that risk and I’m sure, in hindsight, many other recruiters share my thoughts.

10 PLAYERS WHO COULD BE MATURE-AGE RECRUITS THIS YEAR

Gary Buckenara names the players that should be on the radar of AFL clubs.

SAM COLLINS (Werribee)

194cm, 98kg, 24 years, defender

The former Fremantle Docker was delisted at the end of 2017 but has shown great ability to read the play and defend well at VFL level this year. He also has the flexibility in his game to play forward as well, which only adds to his appeal. Collins is a very nice athletic tall utility that should be looked at closely. He deserves another chance.

Sam Collins takes front position against Jordan Lisle during a VFL clash this season. Picture: Getty

ANGUS LITHERLAND (Subiaco)

192cm, 88kg, 25 years, halfback

I have always liked Litherland’s athletic run and dash as a defender. He moved back to Perth after being delisted by the Hawks and has continued to work on his footy in the WAFL, where he’s put together a solid season so far. I believe he’d be a really good pick-up for either West Coast or Fremantle. Don’t forget he played 25 games for Hawthorn during the three-peat years and earning a spot in that team, and with such a strong list, shouldn’t be underestimated.

LACHLAN DELAHUNTY (Subiaco)

194cm, 91kg, 27 years, utility

A very athletic tall utility with a great pair of hands, the former Frankston player has thrived in the WAFL competition. At 194cm and 91kg, he has a ready-made body and given his size, to be averaging 23.8 disposals and a goal a game, is impressive. I’m sure he is on the radar of AFL clubs.

Lachlan Delahunty in action in the WAFL. Picture: Getty

LUKE MEADOWS (West Perth)

185cm, 86kg, 23 years, midfielder

Meadows is a mid-sized midfielder who finds a lot of the football. He’s been one of the best players in the WAFL so far this season and has been a model of consistency, averaging 26.2 disposals per game. I think he’d offer good midfield depth at an AFL club.

JYE BOLTON (Claremont)

187cm, 84kg, 26 years, utility

A former Collingwood rookie, Bolton is now in his prime at 26 years of age. He’s a mid-sized utility type averaging 30.9 disposals per game for Claremont in the WAFL and has been ultra consistent. He’s also proven himself to be a good tackler as much as a ball winner. His 30-disposal game against powerhouse Subiaco a few weeks back was impressive.

Could Jye Bolton get another opportunity at AFL level? Picture: Sarah Reed

HAIDEN SCHLOITHE (South Fremantle)

182cm, 85kg, 25 years, midfielder

Last year Haiden was the only player in my top 50 prospects list not to be drafted or rookie-listed and I was surprised he wasn’t given another chance at AFL level after dominating in the WAFL and winning the Sandover Medal. Considering Tim Kelly was a teammate in 2017 at South Fremantle, this goalkicking midfielder had a right to be disappointed but to his credit he has put his head down and is again having another good year. I hope an AFL club will reward his consistency.

MITCH GRIGG (Norwood)

182cm, 85kg, 25 years, midfielder

Grigg returned to Norwood last year after being delisted by Adelaide and hasn’t missed a beat. He won the Magarey Medal in 2017 after an outstanding campaign where he missed only one game. The 25-year-old has genuine toughness around the contest and his tackle pressure puts him up there with the best midfielders in the SANFL. Given AFL has become a very contested game with strong-bodied in and under ball winners in demand, he could be looked at again.

Mitch Grigg fires off a handpass. Picture: Sarah Reed

NICK HIND (Essendon)

180cm, 75kg, 23 years, midfielder

Hind has very good leg speed and looks to me (even though he is built like a pretzel, sorry Nick), like he has the makings of a good outside midfielder and ball carrier. His game against Box Hill, where he had 28 disposals and kicked a goal, was excellent. I’m sure he’ll have AFL clubs looking for outside speed closely tracking him.

WILL FORDHAM (Frankston)

190cm, 87kg, 22 years, midfielder

Fordham has really impressed at Frankston this year and has improved his inside game and field kicking. He has a strong body and has mixed it inside with the best VFL midfielders, while also being dangerous on the outside. He has also matured, given he has had to be a leader in a very young Frankston team. He was previously listed by North Melbourne but I hope he gets another chance at the AFL level as he’s worked very hard this year.

Jesse Palmer has had a good season for Northern Blues. Picture: Hamish Blair

JESSE PALMER (Northern Blues)

191cm, 86kg, 21 years, forward

An impressive mid-sized forward with very good footy smarts and kicking skills, the former Port Adelaide player has been a standout at VFL level with Carlton’s VFL affiliate. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him drafted at the end of the year.

OTHER VFL PLAYERS WHO COULD BE IN THE MIX

Corey Rich (Frankston)

183cm, 83kg, 21 years, half forward/midfielder

Shaun Mannagh (Richmond)

182cm, 76kg, 21 years, midfielder

Callan Wellings (Collingwood)

181cm, 76kg, 20 years, midfielder/defender

Josh Corbett (Werribee)

190cm, 90kg, 22 years, forward

Brett Bewley (Williamstown)

185cm, 87kg, 23 years, midfielder

Michael Gibbons (Williamstown)

175cm, 73kg, 23 years, midfielder

Marty Hore (Collingwood)

189cm, 81kg, 22 years, defender

Tom Atkins (Geelong)

180cm, 85kg, 22 years, midfielder

Marcus Lentini (Coburg)

184cm, 77kg, 19 years, midfielder

Harry Nolan (Coburg)

194cm, 93kg, 19 years, key defender

Ben Cavarra (Williamstown)

175cm, 72kg, 22 years, small forward

Kade Answerth (Sandringham)

181cm, 78kg, midfielder

Eli Templeton (Port Melbourne)

183cm, 75kg, 22 years, midfielder

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