AFL Tasmania southern talent manager Mathew Armstrong quietly confident of at least two players being picked in AFL draft

Devils star Mitch O’Neill is widely tipped to be snapped up in the national draft but two of his under-18 teammates have generated plenty of interest in the past few weeks.

Mitch O’Neill breaks away from his opponent for the Devils this season Picture: GRANT WELLS

NORTH Hobart talent Mitch O’Neill appears all but a certainty to find himself on an AFL list next year but Mathew Armstrong is bullish the state will have at least two players selected at this week’s drafts.

AFL Tasmania’s southern talent manager expects O’Neill, a dual under-18 All-Australian who starred with the Devils this season, to be snapped up midway through the second round of the draft, which starts tomorrow night with the top 19 picks.

But with the talent pool not as deep as the 2018 draft, Armstrong believes Lauderdale utility Matt McGuinness could be a late round flyer tomorrow night or firmly in the mix alongside Launceston’s Jared Dakin for Friday’s rookie draft.

Matt McGuinness, right, is a chance to be taken late in the national draft or in the rookie draft. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

McGuinness caught the eye as an over-age player in the NAB League this year with his ability to play at both ends of the ground, while Dakin reminded recruiters of his talent in amassing 30 disposals in his only match having missed the majority of the season with injury.

“I believe three are the mix,” Armstrong said.

“They are the ones who have generated the most interest in the last month or so.

“I’m not quite sure if the draft is as strong [as last year], certainly last year’s was touted as a super draft and it was.

Jared Dakin missed most of 2019 through injury but is still on the radar of several AFL clubs. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“I think a lot of clubs are really doing their homework, especially after about pick 20 and what’s available and then what they need for their lists.

“Matty McGuinness had an outstanding year, for a 19-year-old he played the way a 19-year-old should play in the under-18 competition, which should hold him in good stead.

“Jared is a bit different, he was injured all year and played that last game where he got 30-odd touches but his first year in our program as the Devils was exceptional.

“He could be in the mix.

“Not only me but Darren Trevena and Craig Notman have answered a lot of phone calls on those two boys.”

Former North Melbourne defender Mitch Hibberd is also understood to have attracted attention from several clubs following an outstanding VFL campaign with Williamstown.