Liam Henry rated the best small forward in AFL draft, likened to Michael Walters
Liam Henry grew up trying to play like Cyril Rioli and has Derek and Dale Kickett in the family tree. It’s no wonder he has been labelled the best small forward in this year’s AFL draft.
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Liam Henry grew up trying to play like Cyril Rioli and has Derek and Dale Kickett in the family tree.
It’s no wonder he has been labelled the best small forward in this year’s AFL national draft – which means Fremantle is sure to have some competition to secure its Next Generation Academy member.
Henry trained with the Dockers during the 2019 pre-season and has had academy coach Tendai Mzungu as a resource and mentor ever since.
The 18-year-old also struck up a friendship with Fremantle forward Michael Walters, who he has kept in regular contact with during his all-important draft year.
“When I was younger I played tennis, cricket, basketball, netball, whatever I could get my hands on,” Henry said.
“Growing up I played footy for fun but the past couple of years I have taken it pretty seriously.”
Being drafted to the Dockers is not the be-all and end-all for the 18-year-old indigenous talent, who is no stranger to living away from home.
He is completing boarding school in Perth, with his family far away in northern Western Australia.
Much-loved visits are few and far between.
“I like going home, and reconnecting with the culture and land is something I do with fishing and hunting and that sort of stuff,” Henry said.
“We go hunting for Roos or goanna, bush turkey, whatever. It’s pretty much what we live off, and the fish is nice as well.
“But I’ve had the capability to move away from family with boarding school so I’ve got the skills to be able to come to Melbourne or wherever that might be.”
Playing for Western Australia, Henry averaged the equal-most score involvements of any player at the under-18 national championships with 6.5 a game.
Possessing blistering speed, elite evasiveness and silky skills, he was named an All-Australian after averaging 93 ranking points in the tournament.
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“I grew up watching Cyril all my life and based my game off him,” Henry said.
Henry dislocated his left knee cap playing school football in early August but has since resumed running as he returns to full fitness.
Liam Henry
DOB: 28/8/2001
H: 179cm W: 67kg
Position: Small forward
Plays like: Michael Walters
U18 National Championships averages: 17.5 disposals, 3.3 inside-50s, 5.0 contested, 5.3 marks, 0.5 clearances, 3 goals total, 2.0 score assists, 6.5 score involve, 4.0 tackles, 93 SuperCoach points