The Tackle: Young game breakers set to shape the AFL finals
They might be considered next-gen stars, but, here and now, they have the opportunity — and the ability — to make a significant impact on the shape of the AFL finals. Mark Robinson looks at every club’s young game breaker.
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Just because they are young doesn’t mean they can’t have a powerful impact in finals.
West Coast legend Peter Matera played five games in his first season, played in a Grand Final in his second season and won the Norm Smith Medal in his third season — in just his 54th game.
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Mark Robinson looks at eight young players who could leave a mark on the 2020 finals series.
PORT ADELAIDE POWER
Connor Rozee. Age: 20. Games 36.
The home and away season could have been a case of second-year blues for the young Port Adelaide player, but that doesn’t matter now finals have arrived. His best games of the season were in the first two rounds and in the Round 2 game against Adelaide he had a season-high eight score involvements and three score assists. There were lean games after that. Would like to see him kick more goals with the undeniable talent he has. Perhaps he needs to be more selfish because he likes to bring teammates into the game via his high handball numbers. He has the capability of being a “moments’’ player at half-forward, although six goals for the season is a low return. Big watch on him because several of his draft class have gone past him.
BRISBANE LIONS
Cam Rayner. Age: 20. Games: 61.
He’s the mini lightning bolt to Charlie Cameron’s lighting storm, although Rayner has taken his considerable talent higher up the ground in 2020. While Rozee has six goals for the season, Rayner has kicked six goals and averaged 10 disposals and five score involvements in the past month. He’s dangerous at ground level and ready to take on any player in the air, which can be a negative when he attempts to take hangers over Eric Hipwood and Big Oscar McInerney instead of staying on the deck and trying to win the ground ball. To say he has youthful exuberance is an understatement and he just might be the player to deliver the “moment’’.
RICHMOND TIGERS
Shai Bolton. Age: 21. Games: 43.
Gee, Richmond can identify and develop its talent. Taken at No.29 in the 2016 national draft, Bolton has emerged as a dynamic midfielder. He’s still growing into the role and occasionally wants to do too much with the ball — and is caught by the opposition at times — but his strengths outweigh his negatives. He started senior footy wanting to jump on heads in the forward line. From about Round 7 this year he was elevated into a midfield role. Since that round he ranks No.5 for inside-50s and No.6 for score involvements — not at his club, but for all midfielders. He’s a glider, is one-touch at ground level and spreads quickly. He’s a weapon at the Tigers.
GEELONG CATS
Brandon Parfitt. Age: 22. Games: 68.
He’s a player the Cats have invested in and it’s been a solid year, not a spectacular one. But that’s Parfitt’s game. He’s important in balancing the Cats midfield and ranks No.8 for pressure applied in the competition. That’s exactly what the Cats want from him. Averages 16 disposals and six tackles per game, although tallies of one and three tackles in his past two games need to be lifted. Parfitt’s moment will come, say, in a tight third quarter when he makes a huge tackle or wins an important centre square clearance. His game has been built for finals intensity and if the Cats are to win it, Parfitt’s contribution will be critical.
WEST COAST
Oscar Allen. Age: 21. Games: 37.
Fancy Collingwood meeting Allen again in the first final because I’m sure remember what he did to them in Round 8. It was his best game of the season. He kicked three goals and had 10 score involvements. The ideal key forward/second ruck, he’s also kicked five goals in his past two games. Let’s be frank, this young man could brain the opposition if the Eagles get it together over next month. With Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling beside him, Allen gets the third defender and there’s not many third defenders capable of matching him in the air. At Collingwood, there’s Darcy Moore, Jordan Roughead and probably Jack Madgen. Madgen v Allen could be huge to the outcome on Saturday night.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Aaron Naughton. Aged: 20. Games: 52.
What an interesting first final for Naughton. He’s coming off a fractured cheek bone and if he doesn’t get a kick there will be an excuse. If he takes marks and kick goals it will be regarded as a performance with conviction and courage. He’s a tantalising young player and unquestionably the pressure is upon him. He’s been inconsistent this season, kicking multiple goals in just three matches and having been held goalless in four games. The Dogs have lost just three times in the past two years when he kicks multiple goals. He is the golden boy in the forward line and needs to throw himself at every marking contest against St Kilda. Reckon we’ll learn a bit about Naughton this week. Let’s hope the cheek bone is sufficiently recovered and any mental hurdles are left in the locker room. It could be a game which defines him.
MORE AFL:
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AFL list changes: Retirements and delistings from every club in 2020
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ST KILDA SAINTS
Nick Coffield. Aged: 20. Games: 34.
Some young players resist the responsibility and others accept it as a necessity.
Coffield is the latter. In the Saints’ back half he probably started behind Hunter Clark this season but has probably finished the season in front of Clark. Both are 12-year players. Coffield is well-rounded as a defender. He can stand opponents and has the game awareness to leave his opponent and play the ball. He is St Kilda’s interceptor, taking 34 intercept marks for the season, which is No.1 at the club and No.12 in the competition. Great numbers for a 20-year-old. He will probably play on an array of mid-sized Bulldogs this week, leaving Dougal Howard and Callum Wilkie for Aaron Naughton and Josh Bruce. That shouldn’t pose a problem for Coffield as he plays tall and small.
COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES
Josh Daicos. Aged: 21. Games 33.
Daicos has been a revelation on the wing for the Pies. He’s kicked 10 goals this season, which is the third most of any wingman behind Geelong’s Sam Menegola and GWS Giant Harry Perryman, although he’ll have to kick 35 goals in the future to be considered for the All Australian team. But that’s another story. Daicos was a fascination when he joined Collingwood and is now a legitimate footballer in his own right. He has several sparkling qualities. He’s fit, he wins the ball, has terrific skills and is resilient. Time and again, he is crashed into and he’s always quickly on his feet to get involved in the next contest. He could be in line for a doozy of a battle on a wing against West Coast’s Andrew Gaff. Gaff is a star and will get him with experience and fitness, but let’s not be surprised if Daicos can hurt him in attack.
Originally published as The Tackle: Young game breakers set to shape the AFL finals