October rankings: South Australia’s top 30 AFL Draft prospects
With the SANFL season over and combine testing complete, SA’s list of AFL Draft prospects is almost set. See video highlights, profiles and stats of the state’s best young talent in the October edition of our top 30 rankings.
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Kaine Baldwin concedes some AFL clubs might be “scared off’’ by his consecutive serious knee injuries which have seen him become one of the biggest mysteries of this year’s draft.
Once tipped as a certain top-10 selection, the Glenelg key forward has hardly played a game in two years after twice shredding his right knee.
While the rest of SA’s top draft talent were showing off their physical qualities to recruiters at the SA AFL Draft Combine two weeks ago, Baldwin was undergoing medical testing and hoping clubs would look favourably on his scans.
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SCROLL DOWN TO PROFILES AND VIDEOS OF SA’S TOP 30 PROSPECTS
“It’s a bit concerning for me,’’ the 18-year-old said.
“In terms of my durability, some clubs could be scared off.
“But I’m hoping the scans will look all right and that I’ll be given a chance to play somewhere.’’
Baldwin, a 194cm key forward who has been likened to Richmond premiership forward Tom Lynch, was named in the Australian under-17 team last year before breaking down.
Then, when he was on the comeback trail in a league internal trial match in March, he injured the same knee.
Baldwin initially thought his latest injury, which occurred when he planted his right foot to shepherd for a teammate as he braced for impact, was innocuous.
He continued playing for five minutes and kicked a goal, on his damaged leg, from 15 metres out, before realising something wasn’t right and leaving the field.
Scans revealed an 80 per cent tear of his rebuilt ACL and he underwent a second reconstruction.
Baldwin said his surgeon, former Adelaide Crows rover Matthew Liptak, was confident his knee would now hold together, although a second major surgery means he has a “five-to-10 per cent’’ greater chance of re-injuring the knee.
Baldwin, who missed the entire 2020 season when he was expected to play league football, is back running and lifting the same weights as he was prior to his latest injury.
He described his latest setback as “devastating’’ but after recovering from surgery he attacked his rehabilitation with the same work ethic and discipline as the first.
Highly regarded for his professionalism and leadership as much as his football, Baldwin expects to play again in April or May.
“I’m not giving my injury too much thought at the moment and am just trying to get through my Year 12 exams (at Westminster School) but I’ve still had some interest from clubs,’’ he said.
“I’m confident I’ll be okay moving forward, so I’m just continuing with my rehab and studies and we’ll see how things pan out.
“Clubs haven’t been able to see much of me in the past two years but hopefully they look at what I was able to do in my under-16s year and see the potential I have.’’
SA’S TOP PROSPECTS - OCTOBER RANKINGS
1. RILEY THILTHORPE (September ranking: 1)
(West Adelaide)
18, key forward/ruckman
201cm, 102kg
2020 Champion Data Ranking Points average: 85 (League)
Exciting tall – a contender to be taken No. 1 overall – played nine league games for the Bloods this season, averaging 12 disposals, four marks, three tackles and 10 hit-outs while kicking five goals.
Prefers to play forward but spent more time in the ruck than expected for team balance and showcased his versatility around the ground.
Thilthorpe hasn’t played since Round 9 because of groin soreness and didn’t test at last month’s draft combine but there is no long-term concern, he’s still the number one draft prospect from SA because of his size, athleticism, flexibility, class and professionalism.
It is likely Adelaide, armed with the No. 1 pick for the first time in the club’s history, will pick between Thilthorpe, WA forward Logan McDonald and star Vic Country midfielder Elijah Hollands.
West coach Gavin Colville says: “In my time in the SANFL there probably hasn’t been too many players who have come in at his age and been such solid contributors at league level. You’re talking Izak Rankine, Matthew Pavlich and Adam Cooney. I can only imagine what he’s going to be like at 24, he’s going to be pretty hard to stop in the AFL.’’
DRAFT PLANS: CROWS’ TOP TARGETS REVEALED
2. LACHLAN JONES (2)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
18, defender
184cm, 87kg
Ranking Points: 60 (League)
(Power Next Generation Academy prospect)
Jones has been a mainstay of the Eagles league team’s backline this year, playing all but one game and beating some of the competition’s glamour forwards, including Central District’s Troy Menzel and West Adelaide’s Tom Keough.
Jones has been so good at senior level, he’s closing the gap on Thilhorpe, especially after a standout SANFL finals series.
The tough Yorke Peninsula product can play on talls and smalls, is powerful overhead, quick and possesses a booming right-foot kick.
And he has the versatility to eventually become a dynamic on-baller.
Eagles coach Jade Sheedy says: “Lachy’s a ripper, a special kid with elite attributes. He’s strong, quick, versatile, fearless and loves one-on-one contests. He’s shown why he will go high in the draft. Port’s going to have to give up what will amount to a first-round draft pick to get him but he’ll be worth it.’’
3. BRAYDEN COOK (3)
(South Adelaide)
18, wing/half-forward
188cm, 74kg
Ranking Points: 125 (U18)
Arguably this year’s biggest SA draft bolter, Cook was a standout at under-18 level for the Panthers, pushing his way to the top of the list after a number of match-winning performances.
Has real x-factor, can take a strong mark – dropping back into packs to intercept and as a forward target – and is dangerous around goal.
Cook has grown about 7cm in a year and really caught the eye of AFL clubs in the second half of the season, with a brilliant individual performance in Round 8 pushing his name further up draft boards.
A week after booting four goals from 16 disposals against Norwood, Cook, who was too strong in the air and too clever on the ground, single-handedly got side over the line against the Eagles, booting five second-half goals and finishing with 198 Champion Data ranking points.
Cook tested well at the combine, recording the fifth-fastest 20m sprint and highlighting his exceptional vertical leap, and after another bag of five in Round 13, finished with 26 majors from 13 games.
Bamford says: “He’s a bolter who has come from nowhere. He has a lot of traits that will appeal to clubs, particularly his ability to run up and down the ground and take strong marks at both ends. His skills are good and he’s going to fill out to be a really nice size.’’
4. TOM POWELL (4)
(Sturt)
18, midfielder
180cm, 70kg
Ranking Points: 163 (U18)
The son of former Crow and Sturt Jack Oatey Medallist Matthew Powell is finally fit and firing after two injury-riddled years.
He is a ball magnet, averaging a league-leading 35 disposals and nine clearances in the under-18s this season, who is described as being “a real natural footballer’’ by Sturt centre of excellence manager Michael Higgs.
Powell, Tom Mitchell-like in his ability to win the ball, ranks second in the competition for Champion Data Ranking Points - he passed the 200-point mark twice this year - and has been interviewed by all 18 AFL clubs after claiming the McCallum Tomkins Medal as the league’s best player.
Bamford said his hands in the contest are “elite’’ and that he “has been our most consistent high performer in the (SA AFL) Hub this year, along with Jones’’.
Powell, who has featured in Sturt’s reserves and was close to league selection, missed the final minor round with a calf injury, which also affected his draft combine, but was at his prolific-best, tallying 29 disposals and 7 clearances in Sturt’s under-18 preliminary final. He followed it up with 25 touches and a goal in the grand final loss to Norwood on Saturday.
Sturt coach Nathan Grima says: “We considered playing him in our league side a few weeks ago but we’ve got this group of young guys who are in their 19th and 20th years who we want to give an opportunity to while we can. He’s a ball magnet, clean and good in traffic. He’s still pretty lean and needs to work on some contested stuff but we think we can get him to the next level in those areas.’’
5. CALEB POULTER (6)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
17, midfielder/utility
191cm, 74kg
Ranking Points: 137 (U18)
The attacking midfielder with a penetrating left-foot kick has continued his rise in the back half of the season, featuring at reserves level for the Eagles and starring for Henley High in the All Schools Cup.
Poulter, whose size and versatility have caught the attention of recruiters, kickstarted his year with 34 disposals and a goal in the under-18s and followed it up with 29 disposals and two goals.
And he has hardly put a foot wrong since, leading the Eagles charge to the under-18 preliminary final, with a number of dominant performances after returning to the side in Round 14.
The strong 17-year-old, who is brilliant in traffic, also showed his ability on the outside, featuring on a wing late in the season, and was a standout at the recent SA combine, recording the second-highest running vertical jump (right foot), the fourth-fastest time in the 20-metre sprint and finishing fifth in the 2km time trial.
Bamford says: “He’s been playing as an inside mid and is a really nice, penetrating left-foot kick. Is really good in the air. He had to do a lot of work on his ground ball stuff last year but to his credit he’s much stronger in that area now. There’s going to be plenty of interest in him.’’
FULL REPLAY: SEE POULTER IN ACTION FOR HENLEY HIGH
6. LUKE EDWARDS (5)
(Glenelg)
18, midfielder/halfback
187cm, 78kg
Ranking Points: 110 (U18)
(Crows father-son prospect)
The son of Crows great Tyson Edwards made his league debut against Central District in round seven and did not look out of place, having 10 disposals and laying five tackles.
Edwards, who was a strong performer at the lower levels before making his league debut, finished the year in the reserves after missing two weeks with concussion.
The smooth-mover and elite decision maker is yet to commit to the Crows as a father-son player and did not set last week’s draft combine alight.
Glenelg head of football Paul Sandercock says: “Luke has an exceptional ability to read the play and get in the right spots. His peripheral vision is such that he can see things that others don’t. He is well balanced, good in traffic and while he has played mostly as a playmaking defender, he’ll probably end up as a midfielder with the potential to go forward and kick goals.’’
7. KAINE BALDWIN (7)
(Glenelg)
18, key forward
194cm, 93kg
Ranking Points: N/A
Star key forward prospect missed his second consecutive season with knee injuries after cruelling breaking down in April.
Is so highly-rated that he would have challenged Thilthorpe and Jones as SA’s top selection had his body not let him down.
While some clubs are now questioning whether they will take a punt on Baldwin at all given his injury risk - and the uncertainty over list sizes - Bamford is convinced he is still a high first-round talent.
Bamford says: “He’s a gun and an unbelievable character. He’s too good not to be at an AFL club next year. When he’s fit he’s as good as Thilthorpe and Jones. The only football recruiters have got to base his selection on is his under-16 year when he was SA’s captain and – at centre half-forward – the best key forward at the championships.’’
8. ZAC DUMESNY (8)
(South Adelaide)
18, midfielder/halfback
188cm, 80kg
Ranking Points: 62 (League)
A regular for South at league level before being dropped to the reserves for the round seven clash against Norwood “to find some confidence’’.
Suffered a nasty ankle injury in the final minute of that game after being best afield and only returned in Round 12.
Dumesny, averaged 14 disposals and six marks at league level and looked very composed against bigger and more experienced opponents.
He finished with 30 touches in his under-18s return in the final minor round but failed to have a big impact in South’s semi-final loss to the Eagles, making a number errors in the back-half.
South coach Jarrad Wright says: “He’s a very composed, classy player. Eventually he’ll be a really good halfback because he just sees the game so well, He’s good in the air and a great kick, so we won’t be seeing him at South next year because he’ll be drafted.’’
9. JAMES BORLASE (12)
(Sturt)
18, key defender
191cm, 88kg
Ranking Points: 70 (League)
(Crows Next Generation Academy prospect)
The nicely-built defender played eight reserves games for Sturt last year and made an impressive SANFL league debut in Round 10, finishing with 14 disposals, six marks and five rebound-50s to be named in the Double Blues’ best.
Borlase starred at the MCG in the Under-17 Futures game on grand final day last year, where his intercept marking was a highlight, and capped off a strong season - which also saw him play forward for Sturt - with a dominant performace in the All Schoosl Cup final against Henley and a strong aerial display in the SANFL under-18s decider.
The son of four-times Port Adelaide SANFL premiership player Darryl Borlase, James is tied to Adelaide through its Next Generation Academy because he was born in Egypt.
Grima says: “He’s a great lad, is big and long and reads the game really well. He’s not overly tall for a key defender but he has great wingspan and I hope Adelaide takes him. I look at the Crows’ key defensive stocks and I think he would be a really good addition.’’
FULL REPLAY: WATCH BORLASE’S DOMINANT PERFORMANCE IN THE FINAL
10. TARIEK NEWCHURCH (11)
(North Adelaide)
18, midfielder/forward
185cm, 72kg
Ranking Points: 84 (U18)
(Crows Next Generation Academy prospect)
Brilliant but raw talent models his game on former Crow and current Brisbane Lions star Charlie Cameron.
This year moved from Port Augusta to renowned football school Henley and has impressed football academy manager Ben Kane with his explosiveness, saying “when he gets the ball with some space in front of him he’s unstoppable.’’
Is lightning quick with terrific goal sense and has arguably the best highlights package of any SA draft prospect, with a bit of Izak Rankine about him.
Newchurch showcased his immense talent with a strong finish to the season, kicking 10 goals in the final four matches and saving his best for last.
In Round 14 against the Panthers, Newchurch booted 4.1 from 17 disposals and impressed further up the ground, tallying five clearances in an impressive midfield stint.
But clubs would still like to see the defensive side of his game and is consistency improve.
North coach Jacob Surjan says: “Tariek’s an excitement machine. He’s young and raw and still getting an understanding of the game but he has a lot of upside. The fact he’s a Crows NGA prospect is really exciting for them and they should take a punt on him. He’s quick, energetic, a smooth mover who has great evasive skills in traffic and he uses the ball well. He’s one of that rare breed of player who has the ability to make the game look very easy at times.’’
11. COREY DURDIN (9)
(Central District)
18, small forward/midfielder
173cm, 72kg
Ranking Points: 55 (League)
Rose to prominence by winning the Kevin Sheehan Medal as the best player at the national under-16 championships two years ago and has been a regular member of the Bulldogs league team since late last year.
Averaged 11 disposals and three tackles while kicking seven goals in eight league matches this season before straining a hamstring against Sturt in Round 8.
Durdin re-injured his hamstring on return in September and, while he was close to playing in the Bulldogs’ semi-final loss to the Roosters, he hasn’t been seen since.
But he’s done more than enough to get his name called out on draft night.
Models his game on VFL-AFL games record holder Brent Harvey while State under-18 coach Tony Bamford compares him to fellow Croweater and Western Bulldogs premiership player Caleb Daniel, saying “he’s a really smart footballer who is as close to a Caleb Daniel as we’ve seen come out of our State’’.
Central chief executive Kris Grant says: “Corey is an excitement machine. He’s super-quick, tremendously skilful on both sides of his body and dangerous around goal. The knock on him is his size but that shouldn’t be a problem because we’ve seen what similar types in Eddie Betts and Caleb Daniel have done at AFL level and Corey has the same explosiveness.’’
12. Malachy Carruthers (-)
(Sturt)
18, half-back/utility
183cm, 69kg,
Ranking points: 123 (U18)
The running playmaker has been a standout for Sturt at under-18 level after returning from college football commitments at St Peter’s.
Carruthers has been named the Double Blues’ best in three of his past four matches, with his poise, class and ball-use on display throughout Sturt’s run to the grand final.
Ahead of the major round, following his dominant 34-disposal, 15-mark performance in Round 14, the 183cm utility, who reads the play better than most, impressed recruiters at the combine, finishing second in the 2km time trial and fourth in the agility test.
Sturt centre of excellence manager Michael Higgs says: “He’s been very consistent for us this year across half-back. Reading the play well and knowing when to drop off and help, or stay locked on and win his one-on-one. Offensively, his vision and skills by foot have been sublime.”
13. PHOENIX SPICER (17)
(South Adelaide)
18, wingman
173cm, 63kg
Ranking Points: 101 (U18)
Spicer, an exciting, but lightly-built, wingman/forward, who boasts elite speed, is the one to watch after shooting up the list in the second half of the season.
The 18-year-old from Henley High, who tested at the state-based draft combine, booted five goals at reserves level and was named in the Panthers’ best in two of his four matches, following a standout start to the year in the under-18s.
14. LUKE PEDLAR (10)
(Glenelg)
18, forward/midfielder
182cm, 82kg
Ranking Points: 128 (U18)
Glenelg’s southeast product had a shoulder reconstruction last year, and a knee injury has interrupted his 2020, but he’s a tough, no-frills forward/on-baller.
The Prince Alfred College captain is a natural leader who goes about his football with a minimum of fuss.
There’s been plenty of fuss over Pedlar in recruiting circles, however.
Bamford says: “He’s a really tough forward/midfielder who reminds me of a young Jake Stringer (from Essendon). I love the way he goes about his football. He’s very aggressive and just knocks blokes over.’’
15. JAMES ROWE (16)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
20, small forward
173cm, 73kg
Ranking Points: 94 (League)
Has been overlooked at the draft for the past three years and after kicking 35 goals at league level last season has taken his game to another level this year.
Rowe claimed the Ken Farmer Medal as SANFL leading goalkicker, booting 38 majors, including nine hauls of three or more.
He kicked a remarkable 18 goals without a miss from rounds four to nine.
And the 20-year-old has gone up a gear in recent weeks finishing with five goals from 22 disposals in the Eagles’ preliminary final win over South, a performance which followed an impressive midfield cameo in the opening round of the SANFL finals.
A classy, clever player who could kick goals at the next level.
Sheedy says: “James is a special talent, a big-time player who likes the big moments in games. He’s an elite kick and a smart footballer who is very good at reading the play. He is able to get in the right positions and hurt the opposition on the scoreboard.’’
16. TAJ SCHOFIELD (13)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
17, midfielder/forward
177cm, 74kg
Ranking Points: 90 (U18)
(Power father-son prospect)
The son of Power premiership player Jarrad Schofield is a smart midfielder, who is clever in traffic and precise by foot on the outside.
The 17-year-old, who showed off his clean hands and skills in last year’s AFL grand final curtain-raiser, isn’t a big accumulator of the footy but his efficiency and ability to go forward sets him apart.
He battled ankle injuries earlier in year but he returned to become one of the Eagles’ most-damaging players on a wing in the under-18s. Schofield tallied 32 disposals, seven inside-50s in Round 12 and another 25 disposals and eight inside-50s in Round 14 after a one-week stint in the reserves.
And he showed off his athletic traits at the combine, finishing first in the standing vertical jump (63cm), second in the 20m sprint (3.041sec) and third in the agility test (8.31sec).
Bamford says:“Taj is an elite decision-maker and ball user - a brilliant finisher. Injuries have hurt him this year but he is all class. He just needs an injury-free run at it to take his game to the next level.’’
17. RILEY HOLDER (15)
(Glenelg)
17, key forward
190cm, 84kg
Ranking points: 125 (U18)
The strong-marking forward booted four goals from 22 disposals and eight marks – four of them contested – to win the Round 2 MVP award but his performance two weeks later was just as impressive. The 190cm Holder, a member of SA’s 2020 AFL Academy Hub, highlighted his enormous ability to cover the ground, finishing with 26 disposals, 12 marks, six inside 50s and 2.4 against West Adelaide in Round 4.
Holder carried his hot start in the SANFL across to the college footy competition where he has starred for Sacred Heart.
He then capped off his year brilliantly with another dominant performance for Glenelg - 24 disposals and six contested marks - in Round 13, which saw him promoted to the reserves.
18. JAMISON MURPHY (14)
(North Adelaide)
17, midfielder/defender
181cm, 82kg
Ranking points 2020: 117 (U18)
The former elite-level cricketer, who was captain of the Australian under-16 side, has impressed through the midfield and across halfback for North’s under-18 side, in between his college football commitments with PAC. Jamison, the Roosters’ skipper who only last year began concentrating on football full-time, makes great decisions in defence but it’s as a strong, ball-winning midfielder, with elite foot skills, where he shows huge potential. Murphy hasn’t played much footy this year due to a knee injury but that’s unlikely to have a significant impact on his draft chances.
19. JACOB WEHR (27)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
22, half-back
184cm, 71kg
Ranking points: 71 (League)
Playmaking half-back made his league debut in round one after three years in the reserves and has been a mainstay in the top-of-the-table Eagles side since. Wehr is a sweet mover who possesses an elite left-foot kick - two eye-catching traits - and was one the Eagles’ best on the big stage in the preliminary win over South, before another impressive display in the grand final triumph, as he makes a late draft charge.
Eagles coach Jade Sheedy says: “Jacob’s a beautiful left-foot kick, the best kick at our club. His ability to hit a long, punch or advantage kick is outstanding. He has a terrific skill set and gives us a lot of drive from the back half.’’
20. BAILEY CHAMBERLAIN (22)
(West Adelaide)
18, midfielder
179cm, 70kg
Ranking points: 111 (U18)
After a scintillating three games between Rounds 5 and 7, which saw the well-balanced midfielder average 35 disposals and eight clearances, the 18-year-old was back in West’s reserves side and straight into the best players.
Chamberlain, who is equally as strong in traffic as he is with the ball in hand on the outside, maintained his form through the back-half of the season, culminating in a SANFL league debut in Round 14. It was an impressive one, too, with the 179cm Henley High student finishing with 17 touches and an eye-catching goal in a strong performance.
Despite not receiving an invite to the draft combine, Chamberlain’s form - and increased versatility - has drawn plenty of interest from recruiters
West talent and development manager Paul Streatfield says: “The sky is the limit in a certain sense, given the way he’s improved in the past 12 months after breaking his arm in his under-16 year.”
21. JYE SINDERBERRY (21)
(West Adelaide)
18, defender
188cm, 82kg
Ranking points: 77 (U18)
The intercept star was West’s best in his return from injury in Round 9, tallying 23 disposals, six marks – three contested – and three inside-50s. And it was a similar story in the following two rounds, leading to the under-16 All-Australian’s recall to the reserves.
Sinderberry, who played six reserves matches in 2019, has featured on a wing and as a leading forward, before joing Chamberlain in the senior side for the final minor round.
He well-and-truly on the draft radar after winning the 2km time trial at the Draft Combine and finishing in the top-five for each of the vertical jump tests.
22. NED CAREY (18)
(Norwood)
17, ruckman
198cm, 89kg
Ranking points 2020: 94 (U18 - 2019)
The talented Carey is a difficult prospect to assess given his battle with injury over the past 18 months. The super-competitive big man, who loves to crash packs, only manged eight under-18 matches last year but still did enough to earn a place in SA’s 2020 AFL Academy Hub.
Carey, a developing, mobile tall, who has shown the ability to play in the ruck and a key-position at either end of the ground, featured late in the year for Rostrevor, before being struck down, again - this time by an ankle injury.
But he’s a chance to return for Norwood’s clash with Sturt in the under-18 grand final on Saturday - and it could be make or break for his draft hopes.
23. XAVIER ROBINS (-)
(Glenelg)
18, half-back
182cm, 72kg
Ranking points: 114 (U18)
After a number of strong performances for Sacred Heart, the Glenelg speedster returned to the SANFL in style in Round 13, tallying 30 disposals and 10 rebound-50s in a performance which showcased all of his weapons - speed, ball-use, vison and composure.
The classy 18-year-old then impressed at the combine, recording the second-fastest 20m sprint time (2.978sec) and finishing fourth in the 2km time trial and fifth in standing vertical jump.
24. BEAU McCREERY (-)
(South Adelaide)
19, forward
186cm, 80kg
Ranking points: 70
With scores level late in the final term of the opening-round clash with the Eagles, McCreery, on debut, put the Panthers in front with his first league goal, after catching former AFL-listed player Jimmy Toumpas holding the ball. Minutes later, the 19-year-old speedster sealed the win with a crumbing goal deep inside-50. The clever and strong McCreery went goalless in Round 2 but he’s kicked 17 majors in his past 13 games. And in another big tick, the mid-size forward from Cove Football Club, who impressed in South’s finals campaign, is averaging four tackles per game.
25. ZAC PHILLIPS (19)
(Woodville-West Torrens)
18, ruckman
200cm, 80kg
Ranking points: 87 (U18)
He’s raw but the Eagles’ under-18 skipper is a hardworking big man who has been dominant at times in 2020. The 18-year-old doesn’t only get his hands on the ball in the ruck, he has a great ability to follow-up, tallying 10 disposals or more in all but two minor round matches this year and finishing with 14 or more four times. Phillips’ 20-disposal, two-goal performance against Glenelg in Round 13 showed why some clubs may consider taking a chance on the developing ruckman..
26. TOM HIGHMORE (25)
(South Adelaide)
22, defender
193cm, 92kg.
Ranking points: 96 (League)
Canberra recruit and former GWS Academy player has starred in his first season for South, despite badly hurting an ankle in round seven. Highmore led the SANFL in marks before his injury, with 56 in six games, and after missing a month, returned to the Panthers’ defence in September, further highlighting his strength in the air.
South coach Jarrad Wright says: “Tom’s a good size, strong, athletic, very courageous in aerial contests and he can mark and kick the ball well. It’s package that has him pointing in the right direction.’’
27. MITCH DUVAL (-)
(West Adelaide)
23, defender
188cm, 82kg
Ranking points: 79
It’s been a rapid rise for the late bloomer, who was playing amateur football in division two of the Adelaide Footy League last year. After joining the Bloods over summer, the strong-marking intercept defender started in the reserves, before making his league debut in Round 3 and becoming a key part of West Adelaide’s defence. Duval’s form was so impressive, he received an invite to the SA AFL Draft combine in September, where the athletically-gifted 23-year-old turned more heads, finished second in the agility test, fourth in the running vertical jump (right), equal-fifth in the standing vertical and recorded the sixth-fasted 20m sprint time.
28. MANI LIDDY (24)
(Sturt)
18, midfielder
183cm, 77kg
Ranking points: 128 (U18)
Liddy has been one of the standout midfielders in the SANFL under-18 competition this year, establishing a formidable combination with Powell, averaging 26 disposals and 128 ranking points per game, while also booting nine goals, in the minor round.
And the pair continued their dominance in Saturday’s preliminary final with Liddy tallying 29 disposals and eight clearances of his own.
Sturt talent manager Michael Higgs says: “He gives himself every opportunity, he’s the ultimate professional, he’s as good as I’ve seen in terms of dedication to his craft.”
29. CALLUM PARK (22)
(Glenelg)
19, wingman/halfback
190cm, 74kg
Ranking points 2020: 63 (League)
He was overlooked in 2019 but the tall, hard-running wingman is back on the radar after cementing a spot in Mark Stone’s senior team this year, following a standout pre-season. And he’s increased his standing among SA’s top prospects over the two month with some terrific performances across half-back, with the Round 13 performance against Central – 27 disposals, 11 rebound-50s, eight marks and a goal – the best of his career. The versatile 190cm Park is still lightly-built but he boasts elite foot skills and can play in multiple positions.
30. HENRY NELLIGAN (23)
(Norwood)
18, midfielder/small forward
171cm, 70kg
Ranking points 2020: 165 (U18)
Norwood football boss Mark Ross describes Nelligan, who made his SANFL League debut in July, as “your old Sam Mitchell type” while St Peter’s coach Sam Elliot has compared him to former student – and now one of the AFL’s best midfielders – Lachie Neale. The 171cm midfielder isn’t quick but he’s smart and boasts terrific ball-winning ability. The ball magnet is back in the under-18s after an early taste of senior action and he’s shown, again, he’s far too good for the level. Nelligan had 47 disposals in Round 11 and, in what may be even more important for his development, booted three goals. And the 18-year-old kicked another three the following week.
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Originally published as October rankings: South Australia’s top 30 AFL Draft prospects