The VFL’s top 2024 AFL draft prospects, headlined by Sam Davidson and Riley Bice
A medical student nicknamed ‘Doc’, a Shark called ‘Speedy’ and the son of a Test cricketer are among the VFL players pushing up for the AFL draft. PAUL AMY’S full scouting report.
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Cat Shaun Mannagh and Sun Sam Clohesy were two of the VFL players selected in last year’s AFL drafts.
Who will get their chance in 2024?
Here are 15 hopefuls, heading by Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal recipient Sam “Doc’’ Davidson.
RILEY BICE, 23, WERRIBEE
What a dreamy debut VFL season for the left-footer from Albury. He played in the Bees’ first premiership in 31 years, ran fourth in their best and fairest, was named in the VFL team of the year and attended the state combine (where he recorded 8.17 seconds in the agility test and 6:31 in the 2km time trial).
And he did it all with the dash of class that separates the best from the rest. Bice played mostly as a midfielder and half-forward in country football but Werribee used him off half-back, where he found a balance between man-minding and ball-finding.
Werribee coach Jimmy Allan on Bice: “He had a massive impact for a bloke having his first year at VFL level. He adjusted to a new role as well as anyone could have hoped for, and he was a real driver of our ball movement from the back half. He sees things that other guys don’t see, so he can really set the game up for you. Without him in our defence this year we might have struggled to move the ball at times. Hopefully he gets an opportunity, because he’ll keep growing in a full-time AFL environment.’’
DOM BREW, 27, WERRIBEE
The tenacious left-footer had a spectacular season, winning a premiership, the JJ Liston Trophy, the Coaches’ MVP, Werribee’s best and fairest, VFL team-of-the-year selection and the state captaincy. As one wag said, the only thing he didn’t win was the half-time meat raffle. Brew averaged 28.6 possessions from 21 matches, as well as 9.6 tackles (he laid 201 tackles for the season; Daniel Orgill’s 146 was next best).
If he was drafted at the age of 27, the midfielder would be one of the more mature players elevated to AFL ranks. But he’s got a slew of supporters pushing him up, including Campbell Brown, who last month called him “almost my favourite footballer of all-time’’.
Coburg coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara on Brew: “I just think guys like him are worth their weight in gold. He’s gone about it ‘the hard way’, so if he gets to an AFL environment you know he’s going to be doing 120 percent of whatever the prescribed work is. A club would need to have a list spot of course and I’d never presume to tell recruiters how to do their jobs, but from a coaching perspective he’d be so valuable. The passion that he would bring … I don’t think you could put a quantity or number on it.’’
BRAYDEN CROSSLEY, 24, SOUTHPORT
In the three-and-a-half seasons the Sharks have been in the VFL, the former Gold Coast Suns big man has established himself as the league’s leading ruckman and something of a competition cult figure.
This year he averaged 43.5 hit-outs and 14 disposals and polled 16 JJ Liston Trophy votes, leading his team into the grand final. It was no fault of his that Southport lost to Werribee; he ruled his position with 69 hit-outs and 12 possessions.
Crossley played 10 games for the Suns across the 2018-19 seasons but was delisted over a positive drug test (in 2020 he accepted a 12-month ban). He said a few months ago that it was a “dark year or so’’ but he had put it well behind him.
Former Southport coach Stevie Daniel on Crossley: “He’s unbelievable. He dominated games this year against quality ruckmen. Why can’t some club go, ‘Let’s take the punt and put him on the list as a back-up ruckman?’ He could walk out in any team at the moment and hold his own in the AFL in that ruck position, without a doubt.’’
SAM DAVIDSON, 22, RICHMOND
The past 17 winners of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL’s most promising player aged 24 or under have gone on to play in the AFL, a roll-call of state league graduates that includes AFL premiership players Kane Lambert, Michael Hibberd and Bayley Fritsch. Davidson is out to extend the run.
Nickname “Doc’’ because he’s studying medicine, Davidson had a rousing debut season for the Tigers, parading his ability to play in a number of positions and averaging 14 disposals, three marks and three tackles from his 17 matches. He also kicked 26 goals, including six against the Northern Bullants and four against Port Melbourne.
Outgoing Richmond VFL coach Steve Morris on Davidson: “He has got a year to go with his placements and he can’t complete his studies while he’s full-time AFL but he said he’s more than happy to put that on hold to chase his AFL dream. I would be hopeful that he gets his chance, I don’t care where he gets it. He is a great kid who comes from a beautiful family and deserves the opportunity to test himself at the highest level, whether in the national draft or rookie draft.’’
WILL ELLIOTT, 20, NORTHERN BULLANTS
After missing so much football with injury since 2021, the 202cm Elliott found some continuity this year, playing 15 games for the Ants as a forward and ruckman.
He showed glimpses of his ability, taking a couple of spectacular marks and using his athleticism around the ground. It was most apparent in a game against Port Melbourne when he had eight marks, 15 possessions and 11 hit-outs. But his best is yet to come, and it will come with more matches, strength and size.
Will is the son of Test cricketer Matthew.
Northern Bullants coach Rohan Welsh on Elliott: “He had an encouraging year for us. The best thing was, he played a year of footy for probably the first time in three years. He can develop his game in all areas. He’s really keen. He’s getting in the gym – he’s put on a couple of kilos already. He’s definitely got what it takes.’’
FLYNN GENTILE, 21, COBURG
It’s not quite right that Gentile had a breakthrough season. He was, afterall, the Burgers’ Phil Cleary Rising Star and finished fourth in the best and fairest in 2022. But the pacy midfielder went to another level this year, becoming club champion, gaining VFL team-of-the-year honours and being a finalist in the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal.
It was why a couple of AFL clubs had his name circled as a possible for the midseason draft. Gentile averaged 26.6 disposals from his 18 matches, seemingly taking his own ball to the Round 10 clash with Casey, when he had 43 touches.
Coburg coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara on Gentile: “I think he was one of the handful of top mids in the comp. He rounded out his game. He had score involvements and high impact in the front of the ground as well. He’s still probably got to put on a bit of size but I think he’s done enough to deserve an opportunity. It’s whether or not it comes now or later.’’
GEORGE GREY, 23, FRANKSTON
Grey’s transfer from the Melbourne-aligned Casey to the standalone Frankston brought him greater opportunities and recognition. The Dollies employed him as a half-back, where he used his dash and precise kicking to turn defence into attack.
The VFL selectors noticed him early, taking him to Adelaide for the state game, and at season’s end named him on a wing in the team of the year. Grey was also a finalist in the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal.
Frankston coach Jackson Kornberg on Grey: “He’s put himself on the map this year, hasn’t he? He’s gone from being a good player at Casey as a half-forward and in the leadership group to elevating his strengths across half-back, his running behind the ball, his kicking, his decision-making, his will to improve and work. I think he’d thrive at the higher level … give him a chance in that environment and he’d thrive.’’
JACK HENDERSON, 24, WERRIBEE
Henderson put a crown on a consistent season when he won the Norm Goss Medal as best-afield in the VFL grand final, reward for two vital goals and 23 possessions. A week later the versatile right-footer finished runner-up to Dom Brew in the club best and fairest. Selection in the VFL team of the year and the 100-game milestone were other accolades for Henderson, who from 21 matches this year averaged 22.3 disposals and slipped in with 15 goals.
“Five years. I’ve been talking about him for five years,’’ Werribee CEO Mark Penaluna bubbled after the grand final. “What should happen is the same as what happened last year with Shaun Mannagh. He (Henderson) is durable, can play multiple positions, he’s tough, fast, fit.’’
Werribee coach Jimmy Allan on Henderson: “He’s a classic footballer. He does everything really, really well. He’s hard, he’s tough, he covers more ground than anybody else, he has a football brain and he’s the ultimate professional. You know what you’re going to get from him every week.’’
JACOB HERON, 24, SOUTHPORT
The game becomes a bit of a blur when Heron gets the ball; he takes off with pace that thrills spectators. “Heron should be playing league, mate. Love him,’’ one VFL supporter messaged CODE Sports near the end of this year’s VFL grand final.
Heron was in the AFL, having 13 games for Gold Coast between 2018-20, and joined North Melbourne VFL in 2021. He returned to his home state 12 months later, joining the Sharks, for whom he played his 50th match this year. His nickname sums up his strength. They call him “Speedy’’.
Former Southport coach Stevie Daniel on Heron: “He’s a terrific player, easy to coach, and he should be back on an AFL list. His speed is elite. He just breaks lines. Super player.’’
WILL HOARE, 24, ESSENDON VFL
After playing five games in his first two seasons with the VFL Dons, Hoare shot up to play 16 this year and command the eye as a 197cm tall defender.
He averaged 13.5 disposals, 6.6 marks and 4.3 rebounds, and the Bombers nominated him for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal.
Hoare had given no thought to higher football until player managers began calling him this year. One AFL club has interviewed him and a string of VFL clubs are trying to lure him away from Windy Hill; he’s suddenly a young man in demand.
Pascoe Vale senior coach Leigh Tudor on Hoare: “He’s now one of the more experienced key backs in the VFL and I think he’s proved himself at that level now. He’s a good one-on-one player, he’s a good intercept mark and he’s getting better at everything all the time. He’s got that great mindset that he keeps trying to get better, he takes on information, he speaks to the coaches. He’s a pro. He’ll thrive in an AFL environment. To what he is now, to what he can be in an AFL program, he’s only going to get so much better.’’
BEN JEPSON, 23, SOUTHPORT
Jepson showed his talent at Coburg in 2023, when he won the best and fairest. He showed it again this year, when he finished runner-up to Boyd Woodcock in Southport’s top award.
Averaging 24.7 disposals from 22 matches also brought him a VFL team-of-the-year plaque. His Sharks teammates were impressed with him.
“We knew he was a good player but we didn’t realise how good until he came up,’’ one said late in the season. Jepson played 39 games with the Burgers before making a move to the Gold Coast.
Former Southport coach Stevie Daniel on Heron: “He could play in the AFL now. He’s class off the half-back flank. He uses the ball so well. He’s like a few AFL boys, he just needs that opportunity.’’
COOPER KEOGH, 25, COBURG
The former state-level basketballer joined Coburg this year after spending one season at North Melbourne VFL, where he was well regarded but often squeezed out of the side by AFL-listed players.
The 200cm Keogh had 11 outings for the Burgers, averaging 18.4 disposals and 37.2 hit-outs (a five-match suspension over a report that was never made public by the VFL ate into his season).
Coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara calls him a “very competitive ruckman’’ yet to hit his upper limits as a player. Keogh won a league medal with local club Coburg Districts in 2022, a year after deciding to drop basketball and pick up on his football.
Coburg GM Nick Byrne on Keogh: “He’s at an age where he’s ready, but also has significant scope to improve given he’s only two years into a VFL program. His post-hit out and clearance stuff are outstanding, as is his motor. That’s his point of difference.’’
LIAM McMAHON, 22, CARLTON VFL
After playing as a key defender in his previous two seasons in the VFL, the former Collingwood senior-lister went forward for the Blues this year, booting 45 goals from 16 games for a team that won four matches. Unsurprisingly, he won the best and fairest.
Having seen his progress in two years as a VFL Blue, there’s a good chance Carlton will give the 197cm right-footer a second shot at the AFL. McMahon says he’s ready for it.
“I’m a ten times better footballer now than when I was at the back-end of Collingwood,’’ he told CODE Sports last month. “I’m way more mature, I’m ready, I’m wanting to attack another opportunity with both hands. Hopefully a club will take a punt on someone who’s determined and so hungry.’’
Carlton VFL senior assistant Tom Langford on McMahon: “He’s had four years to develop his craft. I often talk about a three to four-year cycle for player development and how crucial that timeframe is. Very rarely do we see players bypass that. Those that do are often the elite of the elite, go straight in and get to work at a high level.
“Liam at 6’6 … the talls naturally take a bit longer … he’s got a taste of it in an AFL program at Collingwood and he’s progressed to be a standout player and develop as a leader in our VFL program. He’s got the maturity and the skill-set to play AFL footy in 2025.’’
TOM MURPHY, 26, FRANKSTON
Remember Murphy at North Melbourne? He played six AFL games as a defender after being drafted as a rookie in 2017. Murphy returned to Frankston this year after a season in local football, made the move into the midfield and won the Dollies’ best and fairest.
He was also the centreman in the VFL team of the year after averaging 22.2 disposals from 19 matches. Penetrating kicking and power out of contests lifted him to the fore and into the top bracket of VFL players.
Frankston coach Jackson Kornberg on Murphy: “I think he’s a good chance. A few clubs are interested in the mature-age element of him. Clubs are realising that he’s now a damaging midfielder, which is a great result for Tommy. We’ve seen his ability to burst away, his strength in and around the contest and his running from contest to contest and accumulate.’’
LUKE PARKS, 22, WILLIAMSTOWN
After transferring from Carlton’s VFL team, Parks gave the Towners an outstanding season as an intercepting defender, winning the best and fairest and being named in a back pocket in the team of the year.
The sight of him drifting in to mark or spoil across half-back was common at Willy matches and a reminder of Marty Hore’s timely interventions in previous seasons.
Parks averaged 15.8 possessions and 7.5 marks from his 19 matches, giving AFL clubs reason to take another look at a player who had eight matches for Carlton across 2021 and ’22.
Williamstown coach Justin Plapp on Parks: “He’s in the Marty Hore class. His numbers and his performance are so similar.
“He’s one of the most courageous and honest defenders in the competition. His ability to intercept the ball is very good. He had a fantastic season.
“I’ve had 10 to 12 clubs ring me about him, so he’s a chance.’’
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