ALL the focus in recent weeks has been on the young players in Friday’s national draft, but look beyond that and there is plenty of talent playing in the VFL.
Here’s 25 AFL national and rookie draft prospects from the VFL who could easily find a home at an AFL club.
Kade Answerth (Sandringham, 20, 183cm, 82kg): having won the medal as best-afield for Oakleigh Chargers in the 2015 TAC Cup grand final, Answerth arrived at Sandy with a decent reputation. He enhanced it by finishing runner-up in the best and fairest for a team that featured 15 St Kilda players most weeks. Answerth initially played as the 23rd man but he needed no selection favours from there, commanding an onball role and setting the example with his tackling.
Brett Bewley (Williamstown, 21, 185cm, 81kg): “He’s coming big time,’’ Williamstown coach Andy Collins says of his wingman with the ground-gobbling left-foot. Bewley captained the Western Jets before joining the Seagulls and played in the 2014-15 Development League premierships. This year he was a senior regular, and opponents came to realise it was dangerous to concede him inside 50m kicks. His boot is a weapon and his endurance is elite, but Collins acknowledges the queries about his pace.
Ben Cavarra (Frankston, 20, 175cm, 72kg): hard to believe, but Cavarra has yet to blow out candles for his 21st birthday. And look at what he’s achieved: two VFL best and fairests and a second placing this year, to go with his 2013 Morrish Medal in the TAC Cup. Some recruiters whisper that he’s “too small’’. But he could be blindfolded and still find the ball, and he’s added forward play to his game in the past two years. His many admirers around the VFL have fingers and toes crossed for him.
James Ferry (Essendon, 21, 191cm, 87kg): the ex-Calder Cannon has had his injury problems over the years but there is no doubting his ability. When a reporter approached the Dons for an interview with Ferry early this year the word came back that club recruiter Adrian Dodoro would prefer to “keep him quiet’’ – a bit hard considering he’d already been named in the initial state squad. Strong in the air, has the closing speed to foil forwards’ leads and the skill to move the ball to safety.
Robbie Fox (Coburg, 22, 187cm, 87kg): the former Tasmanian got a few mentions at this time last year and he built on his reputation with a VFL team-of-the-year season after going from a roll-off defender to a midfield role. Was fifth in the best and fairest despite playing only 13 games. With his speed, endurance, vertical leap and power (seen when he bursts away from stoppages) Fox has more than enough attributes to interest an AFL club. Rookie hope.
Michael Gibbons (Williamstown, 22, 177cm, 77kg): the ex-Murray Bushranger is a 30-possessions-per-game player and has built a formidable body of achievement in the past two years: a premiership medal for Williamstown, the Norm Goss Medal as best-afield in the 2015 grand final, the Frank Johnson Medal as the VFL’s best player in the 2016 state game against the SANFL and, crowning all, this year’s JJ Liston Trophy. But questions persist. Is he quick enough? Does he kick the ball well enough? Coach Andy Collins says his midfielder’s efficiencies well outweigh any deficiencies and is adamant Gibbons would be a worthy AFL listing.
Tom Goodwin (Coburg, 25, 201cm, 105kg): the late-blossoming big man continued his improvement and landed the Lions’ best and fairest, a good win for Goodwin, you might say. Still has a few rough edges, but he’s a great character, strong and a fierce competitor, just like his old man, ex-Richmond and Melbourne defender Andy. Had stints at Port Adelaide SANFL and Box Hill Hawks before joining Coburg last year.
Mitch Hannan (Footscray, 22, 189cm, 84kg): the left-footer gained plenty of attention with a spectacular grab against Collingwood in Round 18. But a Moorcroft-like mark earlier in the season was even better. The mid-sized forward was best-afield for St Bernard’s in the VAFA grand final in 2015 and took his place in the Dogs’ VFL premiership 12 months later. He’d set Footscray on the road to Etihad Stadium by booting three goals in the final quarter of the semi-final against Essendon.
Matt Hanson (Werribee, 21, 187cm, 81kg): the former Tasmanian, described by Tigers football manager Mark Stone as a “competitive beast with a huge work ethic’’, has won Werribee’s past two best and fairests, playing through a leg injury this year. Has improved his kicking, is clean with his hands and bores into the contest. A VFL team-of-the-year selection in 2015-16.
Aaron Heppell (Essendon, 21, 181cm, 82kg): the disciplined and determined defender had to be counted as one of the VFL’s most improved players after having 20 games, winning the best and fairest and making the team of the year. Is without the brilliance of his brother Dyson, but he’s a great character and leader and might get a chance on a rookie list.
Timm House (Geelong, 21, 194cm, 95kg): “Can clunk it,’’ a recruiter was saying last week as he discussed the powerful Cat. He showed that in his VFL debut, when he kicked five goals against Sandringham. House joined Geelong this year from Newtown & Chilwell in the Geelong league but he calls WA home and played reserve grade and Colts football for Claremont. Although he showed up as a forward, Cats general manager Troy Selwood says House is capable of playing in defence. Selwood is a fan — and two Melbourne clubs are too.
Declan Keilty (Casey Scorpions, 21, 195cm, 88kg): the tall right-footer this year won Casey’s Rising Star award, came third in the best and fairest, made the VFL team of the year and generally announced himself as a player capable of going to the next level. The Gippsland Power product is strong in the air, certain with his skills and can play at both ends of the ground. One of his best outings came in the preliminary final against Williamstown, when he was used as a forward and marked courageously in wet conditions. The Scorpions used him as a defender in the grand final and he was among their best.
Hisham Kerbatieh (Northern Blues, 19, 177cm, 88kg): few TAC Cup graduates step into the VFL and play a whole season in the seniors, especially at aligned clubs. Former Calder Cannon Kerbatieh did just that for the Blues, and kicked 21 goals to boot. There were worries about his endurance when he came out of the Under 18s but he’s worked on that. There are no queries about his marking or his ability to make something out of nothing. More than once this year Blues GM Garry O’Sullivan noted Kerbatieh had “X factor’’. He’s a brilliant young player and prospect.
Ben Long (Footscray): “Is he any relation to Michael?’’ was an often-asked question after the lightly-built Long ghosted through the Collingwood defence to kick six goals in the preliminary final. Yes, he’s the nephew of the Essendon great. Long was the 23rd man in the Dogs’ premiership, capping a season in which he played for Melbourne Grammar and NT in the under-18 championships. Flashes into play with skill, speed and elusiveness.
Rowan Marshall (North Ballarat, 20, 201cm, 85kg): New Zealand-born and out of Portland Football Club, Marshall has made steady progress since having a 19-year-old season at the North Ballarat Rebels and going on to the Roosters in 2015. With the alignment with North Melbourne ending, and with Orren Stephenson striking injury problems, Marshall carried a heavy load this year and did it well. Coach Marc Greig also used him in defence and attack. The big fellow’s running ability was evident at the state combine when he did a 13.1 beep test and 3.11 seconds for the 20m sprint.
Oscar McInerney (Casey Scorpions, 22, 204cm, 100kg): has had people talking about him ever since he stepped out in the practice matches. Recruited from Eastern club Montrose, he spent the bulk of the year in the Development League — and won the A Todd Medal as its best and fairest — but he got some late senior games as a back-up to Jake Spencer and didn’t look out of a place. “Big Oscar’’ is as green as the grass under his feet. But he handles the ball surely and moves more like a ruck-rover. With few ruck prospects around McInerney might even bob up in the national draft.
Sam McLachlan (Geelong, 21, 187cm, 84kg): like Stewart, McLachlan made a seamless transition to the VFL, playing 17 matches as an inside midfielder and going to the state combine. He’s no speedster but he hits hard and uses his hands with the prowess of a pickpocket. From Colac but transferred to North Warrnambool, where he won the 2015 best and fairest.
Nick Meredith (Werribee, 23, 194cm, 82kg): the wiry defender from Lavington Panthers was recommended to the Tigers by their former midfield coach Michael Richards, and came through to play 14 senior games. He’s a bit like former Werribee defender Brody Mihocek in that he reads the ball and floats across to take intercepting marks. And he’s a bit like Coburg’s Luke Ryan in that he’s willing to attack. Versatility is another asset.
Brody Mihocek (Port Melbourne, 23, 192cm, 97kg): Collingwood and GWS are rumoured to be interested in the ex-Tasmanian and the son of 13-game Essendon player Jack. Key backman Mihocek had two seasons with Werribee, crossed to Port Melbourne this year and won the best and fairest, his marking a feature of his game. Captain Toby Pinwill was even moved to compare him to legendary Borough defender Sam Pleming. Mihocek more than held his own when standing Travis Cloke late in the season, but he also showed he could play as a forward.
Josh Newman (Frankston, 21, 182cm, 86kg): the brother of Sydney Swan Nic was tried as a forward in 2015, with moderate results. Returning to defence this year he turned his potential into performance, nudging out Ben Cavarra for the best and fairest and getting a push-up from coach Patrick Hill for the team of the year. There are whispers that an interstate club is interested in the Williamstown signing.
Luke Ryan (Coburg, 20, 185cm, 82kg): in Adam Saad the Lions had a crack defender drafted two years ago. In Luke Ryan they’ll have another taken this year. Essendon could not have known the rise Ryan would take when it cut him from its VFL squad late in the pre-season. “Surprised and disappointed’’, he took himself to Coburg. His season finished early due to a shoulder injury but in 10 games he did enough to catch the eye of every AFL club and win the Fothergill Round Medal as the VFL’s best under-23 player. The ex-Calder Cannon stood out with his kicking, his intercept marking and his sense of adventure.
Jackson Sketcher (Frankston, 25, 186cm, 86kg): the running defender bounced around like a rubber ball after splitting the 2010 Morrish Medal with Dyson Heppell, spending time at Box Hill Hawks, Frankston, Perth, Bendigo and his junior club, Noble Park. He returned to the Dolphins early this year after taking part in The Recruit, and it was apparent he’d found the dedication and desire to match his natural ability. Has a strong all-round game.
Tim Smith (Casey Scorpions, 25, 192cm, 88kg): at 25 it’s probably now or it’s never for the rugged plumber from Upper Ferntree Gully. That he’s in contention as a mature-age draftee comes down to an outstanding 2016 season in which he played more as a lead-up forward and became a tackling machine. But he still contributed 31 goals, including five against Richmond at Punt Rd. Played for the VFL team against the SANFL and was named at centre half forward in the VFL team of the year.
Tom Stewart (Geelong, 23, 190cm, 90kg): Cats GM Troy Selwood had high hopes for the South Barwon defender when he arrived on the VFL scene this year, but Stewart probably exceeded them, making the team of the year, finishing second in the best and fairest, and being invited to the state combine. A bit like North Melbourne’s Scott Thompson when he was with the VFL Cats, Stewart showed the versatility to play on forwards tall and small and the ability to mix disciplined defence with dash. With Coburg’s Luke Ryan, Stewart must be counted as the VFL’s best draft hope this year.
Sam Switkowski (Box Hill Hawks, 20, 178cm, 68kg): there isn’t a lot of the small forward and second-year Hawk, but you’d struggle to find a player with more desire. It shows in the speed with which he arrives at the contest, his tackling and the other means he uses to pressure his opponents. Won the Northern Knights best and fairest in 2014.
