The ‘tweeners’: Impressive fringe players who may attract rival interest

A host of players are filling up the stats sheet in the reserves, yet are being starved of AFL opportunity. See the fringe guns at your club in danger of being poached.

Which fringe players are being starved of opportunity at your club?

Everyone wants to find the next Nick Hind.

The “tweener” who played only 10 games last season for St Kilda but turned from an ugly duckling into a glorious swan.

They are out there at every club, players between grades – too good for the VFL and not yet having shown they are regular AFL players.

Nine rounds into the AFL season AFL recruiters are assessing the state-league landscape for players on rival lists that can be repurposed or reprogrammed.

Here are the players too good for VFL, who might just get a chance at a rival club this year.

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Nick Hind has been a bargain recruit for the Bombers. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

ADELAIDE

Billy Frampton dominates at SANFL level but hasn’t been able to replicate that form at AFL level, having kicked seven goals at the lower level after being dropped after a chunk of top-level form.

Chayce Jones is finding a home at half back in the VFL after early struggles and as a high pick will be going nowhere.

The Crows have a blend of young kids not yet ready and blokes on the verge, but Elliott Himmelberg is another who almost seems to swap with Frampton in the senior side, unable to lock in a permanent spot but contracted until 2022.

BRISBANE

Connor Ballenden is stuck in the middle, coming into the senior team once this year when Oscar McInerney rolled his ankle but dominating at VFL level as a key defender with 103 ranking points, 8.3 intercept possessions and 3.8 intercept marks. He has only just turned 22, and with Harris Andrews the mainstay of the Lions defence and Jack Payne ahead of him (but injured right now) it might be challenging to get a long-term spot in the back six.

Connor Ballenden is unable to get a look in. Picture: Michael Klein

CARLTON

Matt Kennedy is now only a rookie on the Blues list and his best shows he can be a strong-bodied inside midfielder. He is averaging 22 possessions and five clearances a game. Is he worth another chance elsewhere? The Blues clearly have lost faith in him at senior level. Lochie O’Brien would likely be free to a good home but he’s averaging only 80 ranking points and kicking at 65 per cent efficiency in the AFL for a pick 10 recruited because of his laser of a left foot. As for Dow, he had 24 disposals at 35 per cent kicking efficiency in his last VFL game. It’s a worrying sign for the Blues.

COLLINGWOOD

Mason Cox is labouring in the VFL through form, with injuries also hampering his ability to prove his worth. Out of contract at year’s end, it’s hard to see anyone offering up much for the 211cm tall. But surely he has a role to fill as a pure ruck-forward somewhere. Even as ruck cover? The Pies have moved on so much of their depth so have a heap of kids in this team. Brayden Sier had a reputation as an emerging midfield bull but hasn’t set the world on fire since his 12-game 2018.

Could Mason Cox fill a hole elsewhere? Picture: Michael Klein

ESSENDON

Patrick Ambrose kicked six goals in the VFL against Frankston on the weekend, with the 29-year-old having battled a serious knee injury last year and still working his way back to full fitness. But surely it’s as a key defender that rivals would consider if he’s worthy as a player to give cover to their best defenders. His closing speed has always been spectacular, and if the likes of Michael Hartley and Kyle Hartigan can find a new home at Hawthorn, he is sure to be scouted. Ned Cahill looked impressive in the pre-season as a halfback and after only two senior games has been a level above in the VFL, averaging 21.5 touches, although he needs to tidy up his 51.9 per cent kicking efficiency.

Patrick Ambrose finished with a bag of six for Essendon’s VFL side. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/Getty Images

FREMANTLE

The cupboard is largely bare for Fremantle given their injury list means they have played everyone who vaguely deserves a game. Connor Blakely has had an even split of WAFL and AFL games but he was available for a trade last year and didn’t have many bidders.

GOLD COAST

Will Brodie is the prototypical tweener. He averaged 46 ranking points in three AFL games but brains them in the VFL. He’s averaging 33 possessions, 131 ranking points, 7.5 clearances and 6.5 tackles. Surely the 22-year-old No. 9 draft pick has a club which will actually give him serious midfield minutes. Alex Sexton is in the same boat, used as the medi-sub often this year and too talented to be playing regularly VFL.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

GWS is so ravaged by injury all their borderline types are playing AFL football and leading a youth-led resurgence. The club suddenly has a handful of rucks in Matt Flynn, Kieren Briggs, Braydon Preuss (back next week from injury) and Shane Mumford, but they will be desperate to hang on to them all.

Jordan Clark has been on the fringes of the Geelong side. Picture: Michael Klein

GEELONG

Jordan Clark is the perfect tweener, dominating at VFL level and yet not making the same fist of it at AFL level that he did in his highly encouraging debut season. His only VFL game this year was a 165-ranking point, 29-possession game as the Cats have used him multiple times as the medi-sub. But football boss Simon Lloyd told the Herald Sun this month he’s very aware of what he is attempting to improve and at Geelong long-term. Darcy Fort’s VFL form since returning from knee issues has been very sound – averaging 106 ranking points, 19.8 possessions, 14.5 contested possessions, although only 23.5 hit-outs-to-advantage of his 21 hit-outs per game.

HAWTHORN

The Hawks have gone back to playing only Ben McEvoy as a recognised ruck, which means Jon Ceglar hasn’t been seen at AFL level since Round 3. He is still contracted for next year on a three-year deal signed after Lions interest late in 2019. Daniel Howe had played two VFL games for the year – averaging 35 possessions, 140 ranking points, eight clearances and 5.5 tackles. He has played seven AFL games including last week’s role as the unused medi-sub. He has successfully tagged for the Hawks but is struggling to find a role in the senior side.

Where will Sam Weideman be in 2022? Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

MELBOURNE

Sam Weideman is the well publicised tweener who surely will have half a dozen clubs knocking down his door in addition to Collingwood. Majak Daw continues to prove he is too good for VFL level. He is averaging 105 ranking points, with his best exceptional in four VFL games. Against Richmond in Round 2 he amassed 172 ranking points with 18 possessions, six score involvements, 14 contested possessions and seven marks. And all while playing as a ruck-forward while believing his best position is still as an intercept defender.

NORTH MELBOURNE

North Melbourne’s cupboard is fairly bare. Ruckman Tristan Xerri is averaging 110 ranking points, 26 hit-outs, 12.4 contested possessions and 18 possessions but surely he sees the future ahead of him as Todd Goldstein’s successor. But then again Goldstein looks like he will go on forever. Restricted free agent Trent Dumont played two games coming back from injury in the VFL before returning against Hawthorn and will clearly have suitors.

Sam Hayes is stuck in the ruck queue. Picture: SANFL Image/David Mariuz

PORT ADELAIDE

Sam Hayes is stuck behind Scott Lycett and Peter Ladhams but averaging nine hit-outs to advantage in the SANFL as a 21-year up-and-coming ruckman.

Every club wants that kind of ruck depth and Hayes signed a two-year extension in January this year but clubs will clearly be asking the question. It’s all very well having a big tall bloke in the centre square who looks good, but that ruck-midfield connection has never been more important given the 6-6-6 rules, so hit-outs to advantage are even more critical than ever.

RICHMOND

Callum Coleman-Jones, Mabior Chol and Josh Caddy are all starved of opportunities.

As Damien Hardwick said multiple times last week, he wants CCJ in his team but can’t find a spot. A club like North Melbourne should offer him a can’t refuse deal – four years at $2 million – and attempt to get him through the pre-season draft. He is the perfect ruck-forward to eventually replace Todd Goldstein while also playing alongside Nick Larkey up forward.

Chol looks stuck behind Toby Nankervis, Ivan Soldo and part-time ruck Noah Balta. It’s hard to see how he gets a game at Richmond.

Callum Coleman-Jones competes with Ivan Soldo at training. Picture: AAP Image/Michael Dodge

ST KILDA

Luke Dunstan has played a solitary game in each of the 2020 and 2021 seasons but is braining them at VFL level. He is averaging 40 possessions, 11 clearances, 1.7 goals and nine score assists. He’s never been Darren Jarman by foot but he’s going at a respectable 63 per cent kicking efficiency. There are too many bad sides in the AFL for them not to consider a player who averages four clearances a game.

SYDNEY

There is no obvious contender for Sydney, who would love more out of injury-prone No. 14 draft pick Matthew Ling, who averaged only eight possessions in his three AFL games last year and was the unused sub in Round 2.

Lewis Melican showed enormous promise in his early years but has played only three games this year as a tight-checking defender. He is stuck on 49 games, with Dane Rampe and Tom McCartin doing great things as the club’s defensive duo.

Lewis Young looks well above VFL standard. Picture: Mike Owen/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Lewis Young has played three AFL games this season but looks better than the VFL, his most recent second-tier game seeing him thrive with 29 touches, 110 ranking points, 10 intercept possessions and seven spoils. In that Round 4 VFL contest Mitch Wallis had another 30 touches, seven score involvements, seven tackles and six clearances. If he wants to play regular football he will have to find a new home.

WEST COAST

Harry Edwards is contracted as a key defender but stuck behind Jeremy McGovern and Tom Barrass, and has multiple suitors assessing his WAFL progress. He is averaging 8.7 intercept possessions and 2.7 intercept marks in the WAFL so far. Luke Foley, the No. 31 selection in the 2018 national draft is out of contract and also has suitors, stuck behind the likes of Brad Sheppard and Tom Cole as a mid-sized defender. Look for rivals to try to drag one of that pair out of West Coast at year’s end.

TIGER TALL WOULD BE PLAYING AFL AT ANY OTHER CLUB

—Nick D’Urbano

Richmond VFL coach Xavier Clarke believes out of contract tall Callum Coleman-Jones would be “probably playing senior footy” if he was at any other team.

Despite excellent form in the VFL, the young ruck-forward has been unable to build on his single AFL game since returning from a ten-game suspension.

Due to Damien Hardwick only playing the one recognised ruckman and two key-forwards, it has meant Coleman-Jones has been stuck in limbo as rival teams circle the 21-year-old.

“We say it often and Dimma (Hardwick) says it as well, if he’s at another club he’s probably playing senior footy,” Clarke told the Herald Sun.

“We would have no concerns or no real issue with him playing AFL footy tomorrow for us if that was the case but he’s just got to wait for his opportunity.”

Coleman-Jones would be playing at any other club, in the eyes of Richmond VFL coach Xavier Clarke. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Clarke admitted that Coleman-Jones is frustrated with his form going unrewarded after booting five on the weekend and displaying exceptional form throughout the opening month.

However, Clarke believes playing his role in the system will continue to put him in the mix.

“There’s no doubt he gets frustrated every week … he kicked five on the weekend, he was pretty good the week before,” Clarke said.

“We love that because it shows that he’s driven and he cares so the message is for him to keep playing his role in our system.”

Sydney Stack has also played four games since returning from suspension but Clarke believes he needs more time to build up his fitness before he’s ready for an AFL return.

“You can see he’s benefiting from the games, every game he is beginning to look more and more dynamic,” Clarke said.

“He’s had a lot of challenges; he’s fully invested which is a credit to him and if he keeps doing what he’s doing I’ve got no doubt his opportunity will come around at some point this season.”

VFL ROUND SIX

THURSDAY

Geelong vs Coburg, GMHBA Stadium, 7:10pm

FRIDAY

Southport vs Gold Coast, Fankhauser Reserve, 7pm

Frankston vs Footscray, SkyBus Stadium, 7:30pm

SATURDAY

Brisbane vs Richmond, Gabba, 11:35am – Watch on Kayo

GWS vs Port Melbourne, Blacktown International Sportspark, 12:05pm – Watch on Kayo

Aspley vs Sandringham, Graham Rd, 1:30pm

Essendon vs North Melbourne, Windy Hill, 2:05pm

SUNDAY

Carlton vs Box Hill, Ikon Park, 12:05pm

Casey vs Sydney, Casey Fields, 1pm

Northern Bullants vs Werribee, Preston City Oval, 2:05pm

BYES – Collingwood and Williamstown

Originally published as The ‘tweeners’: Impressive fringe players who may attract rival interest