 A disappointing year for the Knights, failing to make the finals despite having several promising players. A lot of 16 year olds were blooded throughout the year, I’d expect Northern to be much more competitive next season. With the Shaw boys already taken there isn’t too much left. Luke Maslin might be considered but I haven't seen enough of him to do a profile. Mungara Brown won the Morrish Medal, but is extremely small and would be very unlikely.
Ricky Dyson
Details:
Club: Epping
DOB: 28 Sep 85 Hgt: 181cm Wgt: 75kg
Position: Wing
Natural foot: Left
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
Victoria Metro 2002, 2003
All Australian 2003
Interchange in TAC Team of the Year
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 13 games, 3 goals, 15.1 PPG.
2003: 14 games, 11 goals, 23.3 PPG.
Profile:
Ricky Dyson first came to prominence at the 2002 carnival, where as a late call-up for Vic Metro he was extremely impressive on a wing gathering a lot of touches and kicking goals.
He is a very good prospect and looks likely to be drafted somewhere between 10 and 20. He is basically a left footed wingman who can really damage a side with his pace and pinpoint disposal by foot.
Ricky is perfect for an outside midfielder at AFL level, has good pace, agility, can take a grab and is a wonderful and long kick. Anything from 60 metres or closer is well within range, particularly on the run.
He is a good linkman and can provide good dash out of defence. No slouch at the stoppages either, is good at grabbing the footy and quickly slamming it forward. Disposal by hand is good as well, really handles the ball cleanly. Prefers to dispose by foot, consistent possession winner at TAC level.
Passing is a delight to behold, my main query is his lack of a right side. Got exposed a couple of times at the carnival, and I think he needs to work on it a bit. Had a good carnival, flashed in and out a bit but did enough to get All Australian selection. He doesn't tend to dominate a game over four quarters either.
His results at draft camp were outstanding, in the top 10 for agility, sprinting, vertical jump and the shuttle run. He is probably ranked slightly behind the likes of Tenace, Walker and Ray for outside midfielders, but has done everything you could ask of him so far.
Adam Jordan
Details:
Club: Old Paradians
DOB: 29 May 85 Hgt: 191cm Wgt: 91kg
Position: Ruckman
Natural foot: Left
Honours:
Ruckman in TAC Team of the Year
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 19 games, 8 goals, 13.8 PPG.
2003: 16 games, 9 goals, 13.6 PPG.
Profile:
Jordan had a fantastic season as first ruckman for the Knights, and was rewarded with the ruck position in the TAC Team of the Year. Once again, he is probably an inch or two too short to ruck at the next level, but he is extremely athletic and I think he is well worth a look.
He has a massive leap on him, and he used this to great advantage in ruck contests. Even taller opponents struggled against Jordan because he timed his leaps very well. He has good hands below his knees for a big bloke and works hard around the ground laying tackles. Pretty strong overhead, can take a good grab.
Can go forward and pinch hit to kick a goal or two if required. He might have to develop into this role further if he can make it at the next level. It's a shame he isn't an inch or two taller, else he would easily be the hottest ruck prospect in the draft. As it stands, I still think he has the leap to be worth a late selection.
Braydan Shaw
Details:
Club: Greensborough
DOB: 16 Sep 85 Hgt: 180cm Wgt: 84kg
Position: Onballer/Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Victoria Metro 2002, 2003
All Australian 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 13 games, 16 goals, 19.8 PPG.
2003: 11 games, 7 goals, 21.0 PPG.
Profile:
Won't waste too much time as he is already at Eddieland, but Brayden should end up being a very good player.
The son of Tony, Shaw is mostly an onballer who can also spend time in the forward line. He is a good size and already well built. The main thing about Brayden is his leadership qualities - some teams I had no idea who was captain but you can tell with Shaw - he is a born leader.
Missed part of the season with a shoulder injury, so he was a bit underdone at the carnival. Didn't star but showed patches of real class in every match. Is strong in the hips and has very good pick-up skills. Disposal is usually very good and damaging, but not always. Collingwood are probably getting a bargain even if you assume he is a late 2nd round pick.
Heath Shaw
Details:
Club: Diamond Creek
DOB: 27 Nov 85 Hgt: 181cm Wgt: 77kg
Position: Onballer/Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
TAC Stats:
2002: 9 games, 5 goals, 8.9 PPG.
2003: 14 games, 10 goals, 17.9 PPG.
Profile:
Yet another who is off to the Wobbles, the brother of Rhys and son of Ray is also an onballer who spent some time up forward during the year. He also suffered a few injuries, which made things tough for him during the year.
Heath is instantly recognisable with his bright red hair. He is very good at reading the play, just knows where the footy will end up. He is also very strong at the contest, doesn't mind the crash and bash and is desperate when near the footy. TAC Stats improved as the year went on, usually a good sign. Probably worth around what the Pies are 'paying' for him.
Brent Stanton
Details:
Club: Banyule
DOB: 1 May 86 Hgt: 180cm Wgt: 76kg
Position: Wing/Half Forward Flank
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
Victoria Metro 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 9 games, 11 goals, 16.8 PPG.
2003: 11 games, 14 goals, 18.2 PPG.
Profile:
Stanton is a pacy winger who absolutely loves a goal. He had a reasonable year for the Knights, but was pretty good for Vic Metro and excelled at draft camp. He was also hampered by both a back injury and osteitis pubis.
Brent is very quick and absolutely adores carrying the footy. I reckon I saw him take more bounces than any other player in the games he played. He is good overhead considering he is not super tall and has a good leap on him. Tends to prefer disposing by foot than hand (he is usually in space) and his kicking is usually very good.
Can kick very well on either foot, and is capable of that bit of extra class, such as a brilliant handball while on his knees, one-hand pick up or a goal from outside 50 after three bounces. Was ranked in the top 10 for the sprint, 3km run, vertical leap and shuttle run at draft camp.
Does tend to wear blinkers anytime he is within 70 metres of goal and can blaze away a bit - kicked 14.16 for the year. Can lose concentration at times, just silly things like a dropped mark or running through the mark. However, he is still very young and could turn into a good AFL wingman down the track. His excellent draft camp results should guarantee he gets picked up.
Chris Stewart
Details:
Club: North Heidelberg
DOB: 12 Feb 86 Hgt: 193cm Wgt: 80kg
Position: Centre Half Forward/Centre Half Back
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
Victoria Metro 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 6 games, 1 goals, 2.8 PPG.
2003: 12 games, 13 goals, 11.8 PPG.
Profile:
Now here is a kid with some serious talent. I'm still not sure where to place this guy, but I've seen him do a few things that simply amazed me.
Chris is basically a tall, athletic player who can player at either end of the ground as well as pinch hit in the ruck. I'm not sure where he will end up, perhaps a couple of years down back to get the rough edges out of his game might be a good idea.
Stewart is a brilliant, brilliant mark who can swing a game in a 10-minute stretch. He is capable of some tremendous pack marks, one-handed marks, the works. I've heard Ray Shaw query his disposal, but I find it's more his decision making rather than kicking that is a worry. He can be very clever at times, hitting targets and checking kicks when required.
His pick-up skills are freakish for a kid of his size. To steal a line off someone else, it's almost as though he has a bit of Aboriginal in him - Stewart is just capable of doing some amazing things. Is usually a very good set shot for goal, even from tight angles. Can kick miraculous goals, he kicked a left-footer on the run from 45 metres out one day, on the boundary line.
In defence he can be an excellent spoil, although he uses a round-arm action that might get him into trouble. However, there are a few things that worry me. Chris can look extremely laconic out on the football field - sometimes he doesn't seem to chase as hard as he could or gets pushed out of a marking contest far too easily.
Usually makes one very strange decision a game, things like handballing backwards to no one and trying to mark when he has no possible chance (which is rare). One of the more comical moments I saw this year was in the Vic Metro trial match. Stewart was alone near the boundary with the footy in front of him. Rather than pick it up he decided to try and flick it over his head with his boot!
There are also question marks over his fitness and attitude, according to his coach doesn't push himself that hard on the training track. I think he would take a lot of work and coaching to get the most out of him.
He might turn out to be the next superstar, or he might struggle. Based on the raw talent I've seen, I reckon he is worth a 1st round pick, but will probably go later due his inconsistencies. I certainly think he could be anything.
Rowan Williams
Details:
Club: Marcellin College
DOB: 2 Jan 85 Hgt: 194cm Wgt: 85kg
Position: Centre Half Back
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 15 games, 1 goal, 11.2 PPG.
2003: 18 games, 6 goals, 15.0 PPG.
Profile:
Before I start I must declare a conflict of interest - I know Rowan and will be hoping that he gets selected in the draft more than any other player.
Rowan is a conventional centre half back who just scraped in for another year of TAC football. He was much improved this year, narrowly missing out on selection for Vic Metro. He is a very good size and has real footy smarts, acted as a good leader on the backline for Northern.
He has an upright kicking style, a bit similar to Paul Salmon. It's usually fine but he be a bit dicey off a step. Much more suited on the right foot than the left. He is an excellent grab - reads the flight well and gets into position well.
Usually selects the right options, although he can blast long on occasions. Not sure of his pace off the mark, seems to rely more on his reading of the play than athleticism. I think he is definitely worth a look for a late pick or rookie listing due to his size and reading of the play.
Other Draftee Profiles can be viewed by clicking on the links below:
Dandenong Stingrays
Murray Bushrangers
NSW and Tasmania
Geelong Falcons
South Australia - Part 1
South Australia - Part 2
Oakleigh Chargers
Sandringham Dragons
Bendigo Pioneers
Eastern Ranges
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