Likely No 1 draft pick Matt Rowell hailed ‘better than Sam Walsh’ could end up at Sydney

He is the Paul Kelly clone who has all the tools to make an instant impact at the top level. But if one club in particular lands top draft prospect Matt Rowell, it would leave their rivals filthy.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 20: Matt Rowell of the NAB AFL Academy in action during the NAB AFL Academy v Casey match at the MCG on April 20, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

It would be a classic Sydney drafting manoeuvre - missing finals for the first time in a decade and snaring a No.1 overall draft pick reminiscent of club legend Paul Kelly.

Sydney’s slump to the bottom of the ladder after seven rounds has them in contention for a player who would instantly rebuild their midfield - Oakleigh Chargers star Matt Rowell.

Rowell’s Chargers coach Leigh Clarke described midfielder Rowell in one word: “complete”.

A man who has seen Jordan de Goey, Shaun Higgins and Darcy Moore come through at Oakleigh said he was consistently blown away by Rowell’s consistency and will to win.

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How No. 1 draft fancy Matthew Rowell announced himself as a future AFL player with five successive junior league medals

Sydney was able to steal Isaac Heeney for pick 18 in the 2014 national draft before securing Callum Mills and Nick Blakey as exceptional academy talent.

Rivals would be filthy if Sydney’s one trip down to the bottom of the ladder allowed them to secure a kid with such an extraordinary junior resume.

Matt Rowell of the NAB AFL Academy

“With his attributes and traits he is as complete as I have seen,” Clarke told the Herald sun.

“He just never gets beaten. As a coach you would never doubt him.

“The biggest comparison I make of him comes from having grown up watching Paul Kelly from the Swans. Speaking to Swans recruiters and other players who played against him, Kel would just say, “Come on mate, you are having a bad day I will do it for you”.

“He has been best-on-ground in every game at the highest level. He was best on in the Grand Final last year, then an Australian (academy) game on AFL Grand Final day, then best-on in an Australian game again (against Casey) last month.”

Rowell had 31 possessions in the TAC Cup final and has this year averaged 159 ranking points in the NAB league as well as 28 possessions, 10 tackles and seven clearances.

Leigh Montagna says Rowell and his best mate Noah Anderson, rated the draft’s No. 2 pick, are seen by AFL recruiters as superior talents to Sam Walsh

Clarke says the boys are inseparable, Rowell the stoppage beast and Anderson the explosive midfielder whose three games for Calder have seen him amass 202, 215 and 137 ranking points.

Matt Rowell of the NAB AFL Academy in action

Anderson has kicked eight goals and averaged 32 disposals in his three Calder games this year.

“They are the closest friends I have ever seen,” Clarke said.

“I have got older twin brothers and they have a real twin-type relationship. Anderson kicked 30 and had four goals and then 38 and kicked 2.2 so if you want someone to kick goals to win a game you might pick him but you could build a premiership off the back of someone like Rowell.”

Sydney could surge up the ladder when Lance Franklin returns but in a year where they won’t play finals securing Rowell would set up their next generation midfield.