AFL National Draft: Albury star Riley Bice among hopefuls from country clubs

Their names don’t yet make headlines, but these country league players are at the top of their game, and are ones to watch in next week’s draft.

David Johnston

3 min read

November 16, 2023 - 9:26AM

The Weekly Times

They are the players flying under the radar in the lead-up to next week’s AFL National Draft.

While all the focus — deservedly so — is on Tongala star Harley Reid and others who have been dominating in the traditional talented pathway programs, or for their schools in the APS and AGSV competitions, there is another group of players harbouring the same dream of having their name called.

Tongala’s Harley Reid is expected to be the No. 1 pick in this year’s AFL National Draft. Picture: Morgan Hancock

They’ve been playing the majority of the season in country leagues across Victoria and southern NSW and have also nominated among nearly draft 900 hopefuls nationally.

It’s highly unlikely they will feature on Monday night when the first round of selections is revealed.

But they will come into contention the following day when remaining picks are revealed followed by the rookie and pre-season drafts.

Wangaratta’s Joe Richards had an injury-interrupted debut season for Collingwood after being drafted last year. Picture: Michael Willson

This time last year Wangaratta’s Joe Richards was drafted straight out of country football when premiers Collingwood took him with the 48th pick.

Richards didn’t play a senior match for the Magpies, with his season derailed by a long-term hamstring injury. But, importantly, he is still on Collingwood’s list for 2024.

DIAMONDS IN THE BUSH

RILEY BICE (Albury)

Albury’s Riley Bice won the club’s best and fairest this season. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Riley Bice starred in the same match Joe Richards did playing for the Ovens and Murray against Goulburn Valley last year.

He backed it up again with another eye-catching display for the O&M against GV in 2023 and helped Albury into the grand final it narrowly lost to Yarrawonga.

One of his Albury grand final teammates, Connor O’Sullivan, who played the majority of this year with the Murray Bushrangers, is considered a strong chance to be a first-round selection.

Bice won Albury’s best and fairest for the first time this season after two previous runner-up finishes.

His ability to hit the scoreboard at crucial stages is one of his big strengths.

BRETT BEWLEY (Darley)

Darley’s Brett Bewley had an unforgettable season that included captaining a premiership winning team and claiming back-to-back wins in the Henderson Medal. Picture: Hamish Blair

Brett Bewley has already had time on an AFL list with 25 games for Fremantle between 2009 and 2021.

Recruiters will know he is 28, but his past two seasons in the Ballarat league have been stunning and have put him in contention for a second shot at a spot on an AFL list.

Bewley claimed back-to-back Henderson Medal wins and a premiership this year when he averaged 38 possessions per match and booted 33 goals.

He was ranked No.2 behind Euroa’s Will Hayes in The Weekly Times’ Top 50 country footballers in 2023.

TOBY MURRAY (Wangaratta Rovers)

Toby Murray, left, took on some of the Ovens and Murray’s best players this season playing for Wangaratta Rovers. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Toby Murray played his first full season at senior level in 2023 and was one of the Rovers’ best players.

The up-and-coming ruckman finished runner-up to brother Sam, who coaches the Rovers, in the club’s best and fairest.

Murray previously represented the Allies in the under-18 national championships and has already made the call to move to Adelaide to play in the SANFL next year.

Another brother, Nick, plays for the Adelaide Crows.

NATHAN WARDIUS (Rand-Walbundrie-Walla)

Rand-Walbundrie-Walla’s Nathan Wardius kicked 55 goals in 2023 including 15 in the finals. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Nathan Wardius is the ultimate “diamond in the rough”.

Wardius, who would be a walk-up start in most Ovens and Murray league teams, is the hottest young talent in the neighbouring Hume league.

He played two matches for GWS Giants in the VFL this year and finished the year in a blaze of glory with three successive bags of five goals in three finals matches as the Giants bowed out in the preliminary final.

NELSON BOWEY (Wodonga Raiders)

Nelson Bowey was crowned the Ovens and Murray league’s Rising Star Award winner in 2023.

Playing 13 games and named in the best eight times, Bowey’s star is on the rise after graduating from the club’s under-18 team.

REUBEN RODE (Kyabram)

Reuben Rode made a big impression in his first season with Kyabram. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

A dynamic small forward who joined the Goulburn Valley league runner-up this season from Calder Cannons, Reuben Rode played 20 games including the grand final and booted 12 goals.