Dale Thomas unlikely to push for AFL comeback in 2020 mini-draft
The prospect of an AFL mini-draft could reignite the careers of recently-retired players or give an opportunity to several state league gems. Would Dale Thomas be keen to play on in 2020? Jon Ralph rates his top-25 prospects.
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Recent retiree Dale Thomas says the league’s elder statesmen will be gutted to spend months in limbo after six months working towards the 2020 season.
But Thomas has played down any genuine interest in having his career resuscitated by the AFL’s mini-draft.
Thomas is one of the players who potentially could be secured in the AFL’s mini-draft to add up to five players to lists likely to play multiple games a week.
He says he would be surprised to receive a call, extremely reluctant to be seen to be profiting in such a dire time for AFL football.
But as a player to retire only last year he has a unique insight into the mind of veteran players.
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SCROLL DOWN TO SEE JON RALPH’S TOP-25 MINI-DRAFT CONTENDERS
He says spending months in limbo just when they are ready to explode into action will be a challenge for many of the AFL’s 800-plus players.
“You can quote me on this. I would be flat as as shitcarters hat, If I had just done a pre-season and now I was just on hold as a 31-year-old in my last year potentially. I would be pulling the retirement cord,” he joked.
“(The waiting) would be the worst thing. Players won’t be able to go out and say that but if you have done a full pre-season and are tuned to the minute like a race-horse to go for Thursday night and potentially if it doesn’t go ahead or only goes ahead for a week, imagine being in self isolation and you are not meant to leave your house.
“That is going to be the tough thing. No one knows when start date is. Do you stop training for a month or wait until Gill (McLachlan) calls you up in six weeks. “ Footy clubs are pretty clever and well-versed in weird situations so they will figure it out.”
Thomas could easily slot into an AFL club given as many as 90 players will be chosen in the mini-draft that sees clubs add players to their list.
But he says clubs will likely consider players still listed in state leagues across the country.
“Would I put my hand up if I was asked? I don’t really know, I would have to start running between now and then.
“I have been to a couple of footy trainings. I honestly don’t know. I don’t want to be seen to be making the best of a bad case and using it to my advantage.
“I don’t know if any club would want me to be honest.”
JON RALPH RATES HIS TOP-25 MINI-DRAFT CONTENDERS
1. Dale Thomas (unattached)
Played 20 mostly excellent games last year, is still training to play local football in 2020 and would instantly be able to slot in to a side and adapt to a game plan. What not to like about Daisy? In a year when we will need some razzle dazzle, his performances drag in the viewers as well.
2019 stats, AFL: Ranking points 82, Disposals 19.3, Marks 5.3, Tackles 3, Rebound 50s 4.5 (20 matches)
2019 stats, VFL: Ranking points 140, Disposals 32, Marks 9, Tackles 5, Rebound 50s 7 (One match)
2. Sam Murray (Williamstown, VFL)
Murray was in the Collingwood side when he took his provisional suspension from Collingwood and at least is saying all the right things after serving a suspension related to cocaine in his system. Surely clubs won’t have ongoing rights to the players they select in the mini-draft but could easily slot in at half back as a hard charger and has been training all summer for Williamstown.
2019 stats: N/A
3. Nick Robertson (East Perth, WAFL)
Can tag, play midfield or slot in as a backline lockdown player and after playing 21 games in each of 2017 and 2018 before only a handful due to Brisbane’s strong outfit last year. Now playing with East Perth.
2019 stats, AFL: Ranking points 62, Disposals 13.4, Marks 4.2, Tackles 3, Rebound 50s 2.6 (five matches)
2019 stats, NEAFL: Ranking points 95, Disposals 21.8, Marks 6.7, Tackles 2.9, Rebound 50s 1.4 (12 games)
4. Daniel Menzel (Central District, SANFL)
Now playing in the SANFL, he kicked only seven goals in seven games for Sydney last year but is just the kind of plug-and-play AFL player who could slot into a forward line resting a fatigued forward pocket.
2019 stats, AFL: Ranking points 46, Disposals 9.9, Marks 3.9, Tackles 1.3, Goals 1.0 (seven matches)
2019 stats, NEAFL: Ranking points 90, Disposals 13.7, Marks 5.2, Tackles 1.7, Goals 2.8 (six matches)
5. Connor Menadue (Werribee, VFL)
He only played 39 games in his five seasons at Richmond yet he had talent as a pacy winger or half back who is fit and ready to get another chance at only 23.
Just the kind of hard runner in a team that might have to play three games in 10 days.
2019 stats, AFL: Ranking points 63, Disposals 14.2, Marks 3.2, Tackles 2.2, Rebound 50s 2 (six matches)
2019 stats, VFL: Ranking points 94, Disposals 18.6, Marks 3.8, Tackles 3.3, Rebound 50s 2.3 (15 matches)
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6. Josh DeLuca (Box Hill Hawks, VFL)
Miffed to be shafted by Carlton after they made overtures they wanted him as a long-term player, he is a genuine state-league midfielder.
2019 stats, WAFL: Ranking points 122, Disposals 25.7, Marks 4.8, Tackles 5.3, Contested possessions 11.8 (six matches)
2019 stats, AFL: Ranking points 56, Disposals 11.8, Marks 2.2, Tackles 3.8, Contested possessions 5.8 (six matches)
2019 stats, VFL: Ranking points 98, Disposals 21, Marks 3.3, Tackles 5, Contested possessions 12.7 (three matches)
7. Chris Masten (Perth, WAFL)
Now playing with Perth, the former early pick is only 30 and still has plenty of miles left in the tank despite being surplus to requirements at West Coast. He is working in Perth so would be a likely target for his former club or Fremantle but he’s the perfect player for this type of mini-draft.
2019 stats, AFL: Ranking points 62, Disposals 16.6, Marks 5.5, Tackles 1.8, Contested possessions 4 (17 matches)
2019 stats, WAFL: Ranking points 112, Disposals 30, Marks 4.3, Tackles 3, Contested possessions 11.3 (three matches)
8. Fletcher Roberts (Essendon VFL)
No one could quite figure out why Roberts didn’t get more of a chance at the Dogs after playing his part in the premiership but having signed with Essendon’s VFL team he would b perfect at a club already with injury issues to its key forwards and defenders.
2019 stats, VFL: Ranking points 81, Disposals 15.8, Marks 4.2, Tackles 1.4, Spoils 5.4 (18 matches)
2019 stats, AFL: Ranking points 44, Disposals 9.0, Marks 2.0, Tackles 1.5, Spoils 5.0 (two matches)
9. Sam Lowson (Coburg, VFL)
The Coburg small forward would slot in perfectly at a club like North Melbourne that has had Kane Turner go down with a long-term foot injury. His former coach Leigh Adams would vouch for him given he is currently a Roos assistant coach.
2019 stats, VFL: Ranking points 70, Disposals 10, Marks 2.3, Tackles 3.7, Goals 1.6 (11 matches)
10. Richard Douglas (Norwood, SANFL)
Only nine games for Adelaide last year but a stalwart who amassed 246 of them over his career and was keen to play on. Why wouldn’t a South Australian based club add to his games tally as depth.
2019 stats, AFL: Ranking points 54, Disposals 15.1, Marks 3.0, Tackles 2.4, Goals 0.2 (Nine matches)
2019 stats, SANFL: Ranking points 104, Disposals 26.3, Marks 6.3, Tackles 1.8, Goals 1.3 (Four matches)
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11. Sam Fisher (Swan Districts, WAFL)
2019 stats, VFL: Ranking points 107, Disposals 23.9, Marks 3.4, Tackles 4.1, Clearances 8.2 (18 matches)
12. Will Fordham (Frankston, VFL)
2019 stats, VFL: Ranking points 113, Disposals 24.1, Marks 3.5, Tackles 5.7, Clearances 5.3 (18 matches)
13. Lachlan Delahunty (Subiaco, WAFL)
2019 stats, WAFL: Ranking points 130, Disposals 26.8, Marks 6.5, Hitouts 16.6, Clearances 5.2
14. Adam Tipungwuti (North Melbourne, VFL)
2019 stats, NEAFL: Ranking points 58, Disposals 11.2, Marks 3.6, Tackles 2.5, Goals 1.2 (11 matches)
15. Luke Partington (Glenelg, SANFL)
2019 stats, SANFL: Ranking points 120, Disposals 29.3, Marks 4.4, Tackles 5.6, Clearances 4.8 (19 matches)
16. Liam McBean (Glenelg, SANFL)
2019 stats, SANFL: Ranking points 94, Disposals 13.9, Marks 5.0, Tackles 1.9, Goals 2.6 (20 matches)
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17. Ben Sokol (Subiaco, WAFL)
2019 stats, WAFL: Ranking points 102, Disposals 14.6, Marks 8.3, Tackles 2.5, Goals 3.0 (20 matches)
18. Jordon Foote (Woodville West Torrens, SANFL)
2019 stats, SANFL: Ranking points 112, Disposals 24.8, Marks 4.6, Tackles 6.2, Clearances 4.5 (18 matches)
19. Jye Bolton (Claremont, WAFL)
2019 stats, WAFL: Ranking points 123, Disposals 29.6, Marks 5.2, Tackles 3.9, Clearances 8.4 (20 matches)
20. Tom Gribble (Werribee, VFL)
2019 stats, VFL: Ranking points 119, Disposals 29.5, Clearances 6.5, Tackles 4.8, Inside-50s 5.0
21. Nigel Lockyer (NT Thunder, NEAFL)
2019 stats, NEAFL: Ranking points 61, Disposals 10.0, Marks 3.5, Tackles 0.9, Rebound 50s 1.8 (10 matches)
22. Hayden Ballantyne (Peel Thunder, WAFL)
2019 stats, AFL: Ranking points 46, Disposals 11.0, Marks 2.7, Tackles 2.0, Goals 0.3 (Three matches)
2019 stats, WAFL: Ranking points 64, Disposals 10.8, Marks 2.9, Tackles 4.3, Goals 1.1 (10 matches)
23. Chad Pearson (South Fremantle, WAFL)
2019 stats, WAFL: Ranking points 78, Disposals 18.1, Marks 4.2, Tackles 1.7, Rebound 50s 6.3 (22 matches)
24. Marcus Lentini (Coburg, VFL)
2019 stats, VFL: Ranking points 116, Disposals 30.1, Marks 1.4, Tackles 4.3, Clearances 8.0 (18 matches)
25. Cole Gerloff (Norwood, SANFL)
2019 stats, SANFL: Ranking points 99, Disposals 19.1, Marks 3.8, Tackles 5.9, Clearances 2.8, Goals 1.1 (19 matches)
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