AFL Draft 2020: South Australia’s top 30 prospects
A South Adelaide young gun is one of this year’s AFL Draft bolters after an extraordinary individual performance against the Eagles caused a frenzy among recruiters. SEE THE VIDEO, plus profiles and stats on the top 30 prospects from SA.
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It’s a good time to be a South Australian.
That’s the assessment of SA under-18 coach Tony Bamford as AFL clubs zero in on this year’s draft talent.
With COVID-19 playing havoc in leagues around the country and no football being played in Victoria, Croweaters are being given a rare chance to push themselves ahead of the draft pack.
“That’s something we’ve been talking to our players about, it’s a huge advantage,’’ said Bamford.
“All eyes are on our kids and those in WA because there is not much else to watch.
“If you are a young kid like Brayden Cook at South Adelaide and you are playing outstanding footy like he is, that’s going to really help him and quickly bring him up draft boards.
“Our kids are very lucky at the moment, they have the chance to play football every weekend, whether it’s in the SANFL or at school level.
“They can thank themselves lucky that they don’t have to deal with what the boys in Melbourne are dealing with.’’
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With AFL list sizes set to be reduced because of AFL cost-cutting measures due to coronavirus, fewer players might find a draft home this year.
But there is expected to be a higher percentage of South Australians taken because of their opportunities for greater development and exposed game form.
In a year where winless, bottom-placed Adelaide is at this stage armed with six picks in the first three rounds and has access to some quality father-son and Next Generation Academy prospects, being a South Australian might take on even greater significance.
Here’s our updated list of the top-30 SA prospects.
1. RILEY THILTHORPE
(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 – has played every league game 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 has spent more time in the ruck than expected for team balance and showcased his versatility around the ground.
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.’’
2. LACHLAN JONES
(Woodville-West Torrens)
18, defender
184cm, 87kg
Ranking Points: 64 (League)
(Power Next Generation Academy prospect)
Has been a mainstay of the top-of-the-table Eagles league team's backline, playing every game and beating some of the competition’s glamour forwards, including Central District’s Troy Menzel and West Adelaide’s Tom Keough.
The Yorke Peninsula product can play on talls and smalls, is powerful overhead, quick and possesses a booming right-foot kick.
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. LUKE EDWARDS
(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.
Missed the past two weeks with concussion and was a strong performer at under-18 and reserves level before making his league debut.
Averages 23 disposals, six tackles and five clearances in all grades this year and is a smooth mover and elite decision maker.
Is yet to commit to the Crows as a father-son player.
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.’’
4. KAINE BALDWIN
( Glenelg)
18, key forward
194cm, 93kg
Ranking Points: N/A
Star key forward prospect will miss 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, 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.’’
5. COREY DURDIN
(Central District)
18, small forward/midfielder
173cm, 72kg
Ranking Points: 61 (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 and missing last week’s drought-breaking win against West.
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.’’
6. ZAC DUMESNY
(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.
Has not played since because of the injury and is expected to miss another two games.
Averaged 14 disposals and six marks at league level and looked very composed against bigger and more experienced opponents.
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.’’
7. TOM POWELL
(Sturt)
18, midfielder
180cm, 70kg
Ranking Points: 162 (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 in the under-18s this season, who is described as being “a real natural footballer’’ by Sturt centre of excellence manager Michael Higgs.
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’’.
Has already been interviewed by all 18 AFL clubs.
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. ‘Powelly’ definitely has the capabilities of coming in and playing good league footy now. 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.’’
8. BRAYDEN COOK
(South Adelaide)
18, wing/half-forward
188cm, 74kg
Ranking Points: 133 (U18)
Arguably this year’s biggest SA draft bolter, Cooks has been a standout at under-18 level for the Panthers.
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.
Has grown about 7cm in a year and has really caught the eye of AFL clubs in recent weeks, 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 single-handedly got side over the line against the Eagles.
South trailed by six goals early in the third term before Cook, who was too strong in the air and too clever on the ground, turned the game booting five second-half goals, four of them in the final quarter.
The 18-year-old finished with 22 disposals, five inside-50s, four contested marks, 5.5 and 198 Champion Data ranking points as he led his side to a one-point win.
Bamford says: “He’s a bolter who has come form 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.’’
9. TAJ SCHOFIELD
(Woodville-West Torrens)
17, midfielder/forward
177cm, 74kg
Ranking Points: 81 (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.
Has battled ankle injuries this year but returned on the weekend and was a standout on the wing for the Eagles’ under-18s.
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.’’
10. CALEB POULTER
(Woodville-West Torrens)
17, midfielder/utility
191cm, 74kg
Ranking Points: 137 (U18)
Attacking midfielder with a penetrating left-foot kick. He kickstarted his season with 34 disposals and a goal in under-18s and followed it up with 29 disposals and two goals.
Has hardly put a foot wrong since.
Averages 26 disposals in under-18s and hurts the opposition with his possessions.
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.’’
11. TARIEK NEWCHURCH
(North Adelaide)
18, midfielder/forward
185cm, 72kg
Ranking Points: 64 (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. Needs to work on his defensive skills.
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.’’
12. LUKE PEDLAR
(Glenelg)
18, forward/midfielder
182cm, 82kg
Ranking Points: 128 (U18)
Glenelg’s southeast product had a shoulder reconstruction last year and has been sidelined with a knee injury but is 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.
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.’’
13. JAMES ROWE
(Woodville-West Torrens)
20, small forward
173cm, 73kg
Ranking Points: 103 (U18)
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.
Leads the race for the Ken Farmer Medal as SANFL leading goalkicker with 29 goals after nine rounds and has, remarkably, not missed with his past 18 shots.
Overall he has kicked 29.4 for the year.
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.’’
14. JAMES BORLASE
(Sturt)
18, key defender
191cm, 88kg
Ranking Points: 71 (2019 Reserves)
(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.
Impressed at the MCG in the Under-17 Futures game on grand final day last year, where his intercept marking was a highlight.
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.’’
15. DANIEL FAHEY-SPARKS
(Sturt)
22, key forward/ruckman
196cm, 92kg
Ranking Points: 102 (League)
Late-blooming tall is very athletic and boasts terrific hands.
Is quick for his size, has a high leap and covers the ground extremely well.
Is capable in the ruck and has turned into a strong-leading, goalscoring forward for Sturt, kicking eight for the season.
Grima says: “Dan’s largely had to play as an undersized ruckman at our club and he’s only played 25 league games. He’s started to play more forward in recent weeks and his game against Glenelg (in round six) when he was on Max Proud and had Chris Curran in his space – they are high quality players – he took five contested marks. Against North (in round seven) he managed to kick two goals on a day we lost our forward structure. He has the ability and attitude to be an elite player in the SANFL and I think he has AFL attributes.’’
16. BAILEY CHAMBERLAIN
(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 is equally as strong in traffic as he is with the ball in hand on the outside and his form 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.”
17. JAMISON MURPHY
(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.
18. JYE SINDERBERRY
(West Adelaide)
18, defender
188cm, 82kg
Ranking points: 63 (U18)
The intercept star was West’s best in his return from injury on Saturday, tallying 23 disposals, six marks – three contested – and three inside-50s. Sinderberry, an under-16 All-Australian who played six reserves matches in 2019, has featured on a wing and as a leading forward for the Bloods and is well-and-truly on the draft radar.
19. HENRY NELLIGAN
(Norwood)
18, midfielder/small forward
171cm, 70kg
Ranking points 2020: 159 (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. After playing two league games for the Redlegs this season, Nelligan was back at his dominant best in the under-18s in Round 9, tallying 34 disposals, eight inside-50s and five clearances.
20. NED CAREY
(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, played his first game for the year with Rostrevor on Saturday.
21. MANI LIDDY
(Sturt)
18, midfielder
183cm, 77kg
Ranking points: 127 (U18)
Liddy has been one of the dominant midfielder in the SANFL under-18 competition this year, establishing a formidable combination with Powell, averaging 28 disposals and 127 ranking points per game, while also booting six goals.
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.”
22. LACHLAN GRUBB
(Central District)
17, wingman/small forward
175cm, 70kg
Ranking points 2020: 39 (League)
The lightly-built teenager, who boasts blistering pace, made his senior debut for Central in Round 6 and was lively across half-forward. Grubb took out the last year’s grand final sprint and is a terrific athlete, complementing his neat skills and clean hands at ground level.
23. CALLUM PARK
(Glenelg)
19, wingman/halfback
190cm, 74kg
Ranking points 2020: 57 (League)
He was overlooked in 2019 but the tall, hard-running wingman is back on the draft radar after cementing a spot in Mark Stone’s senior team this year, following a standout pre-season. The versatile 190cm Park is still lightly-built but he boasts elite foot skills and can play in multiple positions.
24. BEAU McCREERY
(South Adelaide)
19, forward
186cm, 80kg
Ranking points: 73
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. McCreery went goalless in Round 2 but he’s kicked multiple majors in four of the past seven matches. And in another big tick, the mid-size forward from Cove Football Club, is averaging four tackles per game.
25. NICK KRAEMER
(South Adelaide)
18, midfielder
185cm, 86kg
Rankings points: 84 (U18)
The strongly-built inside bull, who models his game on Sydney’s Josh Kennedy, has failed to replicate his bottom-age form of last year, when he averaged 112 ranking points as South’s under-18 side marched into a grand final. But his ferociously tackling and work at the contest has again been on show at under-18 level and in an impressive reserves debut.
26. LACHLAN McNEIL
(Woodville-West Torrens)
18, midfielder
182cm, 78kg
Ranking points: 74 (League)
The 18-year-old ball-magnet was overlooked in the 2019 draft despite a consistent year, which saw him have an influence as an inside midfielder at every level of football he played, including all four of SA’s under-18 national carnival matches. But McNeil returned for pre-season training at the Eagles and was so impressive over summer, he’s played every senior game in 2020, averaging 18 disposals, four tackles and 74 ranking points. He’s tough with clean hands and has been named in the Eagles’ best four times in his debut season.
27. HENRY SMITH
(Woodville-West Torrens)
17, ruckman
202cm, 82kg
Ranking points: 84 (U18)
Zac Phillips may have taken over as the Eagles’ No. 1 ruckman this year but the 202cm big man has showcased his talent as a strong-marking key-forward this season. The 18-year-old is still very much a developing prospect but his ability at ground level is what sets him apart from others of his size.
Eagles talent manager Darren Hams says: “He’s actually one of the best players in our group for ground balls. For someone that tall, he’s really elite.”
28. LUKE PARKS
(Glenelg)
19, defender
189cm, 83kg
Ranking points: 73 (League)
The 19-year-old, who played six games for the Swans’ NEAFL team last season, moved to the SANFL to improve his game in the hope of convincing AFL recruiters he’s worth taking a chance on. And the athletic, 189cm defender might be doing just that, competing strongly at senior level, where his intercept and contested marking has been a highlight.
28. ZAC PHILLIPS
(Woodville-West Torrens)
18, ruckman
200cm, 80kg
Ranking points: 84 (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 one match this year and finishing with 14 or more three times.
29. RILEY HOLDER
(Glenelg)
17, key forward
190cm, 84kg
Ranking points: 125 (U18)
The strong-marking forward from Sacred Heart 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.
30. RHYAN MANSELL
(Woodville-West Torrens)
20, defender
182cm, 75kg
Ranking points: 79 (League)
Despite featuring for the Allies at the 2018 national under-18 carnival and earning a state draft combine invitation after impressing at senior level in Tasmania, Mansell has been overlooked in the past two drafts. But he’s brought his toughness and dash to the Eagles’ backline, playing a key role for Jade Sheedy’s top-of-the-table side in the opening nine rounds, putting himself in the eyes of recruiters once again.
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Originally published as AFL Draft 2020: South Australia’s top 30 prospects
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