 Calder is probably the best underage side I've seen. Their depth was extraordinary for a TAC Cup side - no passengers at all. They were also superbly coached by Rob Hyde (who should be at an AFL club). However, actual certainties for AFL are harder to pick.
The Cannons probably have two or three, plus another eight or nine who will be in the mix but no certainties to be picked up. Sorry this is a long one but such a great team naturally has a lot of good players.
Also going to state screening camp but not looked at are forward Jackson Barling (11 Apr 86, 188cm, 84kg) and ruckman Ivan Maric (4 Jan 86, 195cm, 86kg).
Adam Bentick
Details:
Club: St Bernards
DOB: 13 Jun 85 Hgt: 184cm Wgt: 79kg
Position: Centreman
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
Half Forward Flank in TAC Team of the Year
Neale Daniher Medal for BOG in Herald Sun Shield
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 20 games, 5 goals, 16.9 PPG.
2003: 17 games, 7 goals, 23.0 PPG.
Profile:
Bentick is a hard working inside midfielder who was the perfect foil for Brock McLean in helping Calder dominate the stoppages all year. He is very much a stoppage specialist - his favourite trick is to grab the ball at a stoppage and quickly slam it on the boot or around the corner ala Tony Woods.
Adam had a fantastic season on the ball, he was very consistent gathering over 20 possessions a game, most of them kicks. He didn't make the initial squad of 50 for Victoria Metro, but received a late call-up. He was then cut before being reinstated a week before the carnival. He was OK at the championships, played well against WA but wasn't brilliant in the other two games.
Bentick is a natural ball winner who knows where to run to, especially at stoppages. He has a very good left foot despite being a right footer, and his disposal by foot is excellent. He really spears his kicks and is great at hitting targets on the forward line.
He has clean hands and runs to receive well. I wouldn't say he is super quick, and that might be my only query over him. He did get in the top 12 for the shuttle run however at draft camp.
Bentick combined duties for Calder with his school St. Bernard's. He was best on ground in the Herald Sun final and spoke excellently after the TAC Cup Grand Final, very poised.
There aren't that many good inside midfielders in this draft, so I think Bentick should get picked up a bit later.
Ben Clifton
Details:
Club: Greenvale
DOB: 5 Apr 85 Hgt: 191cm Wgt: 84kg
Position: Centre Half Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 6 games, 10 goals, 9.0 PPG.
2003: 12 games, 14 goals, 13.5 PPG.
Profile:
The son of former 3DB racecaller Terry, Clifton is a centre half forward who has come on this year to be a real chance of getting picked up.
Ben played for Victoria Metro at under 16 level before contracting glandular fever and struggling for a year. Calder then dropped him on the eve of the finals last year. However, he was much more productive in 2003, mostly as a marking forward.
Clifton is easy to recognise with his blonde hair. His main strength is overhead, is very strong even in a contested situation. He has a good leap on him (top 10 at draft camp) and appears to be fairly athletic.
There are a few things that make me wary however. Clifton tends to drop his head at times and can be a bit lazy, such as not chasing and giving away silly free kicks. His field kicking is OK, usually passes the ball well. However, he can get the yips in front of goal, doesn't seem totally confident.
Has pretty good pace over 20 yards too. I think given his size and athleticism he will go around the middle of the draft, but I'm not totally sold yet.
Zac Dawson
Details:
Club: Doutta Stars
DOB: 22 Feb 86 Hgt: 194cm Wgt: 78kg
Position: Ruckman
Natural foot: Left
Honours:
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2003: 13 games, 6 goals, 9.1 PPG.
Profile:
From Essendon Grammar, Dawson is an athletic tall who spent most of his time in the ruck but can go forward if required.
Dawson made the initial Vic Metro squad but was cut after the Vic Country trial match. I'm still not totally sure where he could play at AFL level. I have a feeling he might be a bit short to ruck. I think he does have the athleticism, footy smarts and marking ability to possibly be a project player up forward.
Zac has a huge leap on him (top 10 in the draft camp) and excels and outjumping his opponent at the ruck contest and smashing the ball forward. However, he tended to struggle against the bulkier TAC ruckman because he is an absolute rake - would need 2-3 years in the gym before making any impact at senior level.
His skills are reasonable for a big man and he will cover territory and work hard at ground level. He can tend to be overzealous and give away a few clumsy free kicks, more out of enthusiasm than anything else.
I would think given talls are so thin on the ground he has to be looked at with a late selection - would be a punt but has shown enough promise to be worth a go.
Robert Douglas
Details:
Club: Kilmore
DOB: 25 Feb 85 Hgt: 184cm Wgt: 87kg
Position: Full back
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
Full Back in TAC Team of the Year
State Screening Camp Invitee
TAC Stats:
2002: 20 games, 16 goals, 10.4 PPG.
2003: 19 game, 13 goals, 12.3 PPG.
Profile:
Douglas is a conventional full back who was a key member of the much-underrated Cannons defence. He would do his job week in week out without any real fuss or fanfare, and I was pleased to see he was rewarded with a spot in the team of the year.
Douglas is not overly tall or athletic, but is very strong and is very good in a one-on-one contest. He did an excellent job on the dangerous Ben Cosgriff in the Grand Final, shutting him right out of the game whilst providing plenty of drive out of defence himself.
He was swung forward with some success a couple of times by the Cannons, kicking four goals on two occasions. Douglas was the designated kicker for both Calder and Vic Metro, although I don't think his kicking is that great myself. Can turn it over at times, especially when going short.
My other concern is his height, would have to as a small defender at AFL level, and I'm not sure if he has the pace to do that. However, he is disciplined and hard working, so might be worth a punt on a rookie list.
James Ezard
Details:
Club: Broadford
DOB: 24 Mar 86 Hgt: 176cm Wgt: 70kg
Position: Onballer/Forward pocket
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
State Screening Camp Invitee
TAC Stats:
2002: 5 games, 2 goals, 7.4 PPG.
2003: 22 games, 17 goals, 16.6 PPG.
Profile:
The nephew of former Essendon player Alan, James is a tiny goalsneak who also had some very good games on the ball for Calder. He has a couple of attributes that make you think he could be a chance, but probably not until next year.
Firstly Ezard has some of the best ball handling skills I've seen this year. His hands are incredibly clearn, even in the wet. I remember when he did actually fumble one I noticed it straight away because it was the first time I could recall him doing it. James is also super quick, and importantly will use it not only to swoop and kick goals but to chase and tackle as well. He really does work hard.
He has very good goal sense and is great at kicking goals when the ball spills loose on the forward line. Good footy brain and just knows what to do. He is balanced and evades tackles well, can really burst a pack open.
Given his size I think he may get another year to improve, although Sheedy may be keen. He is too young to be rookie listed so unless someone is really keen perhaps one to watch in 2004.
Chris Goullet
Details:
Club: St Bernards
DOB: 6 Sep 85 Hgt: 177cm Wgt: 77kg
Position: Half Back Flank/Onballer
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 13 games, 20 goals, 21.5 PPG.
2003: 14 games, 15 goals, 19.7 PPG.
Profile:
Goullet wasn't even invited to state screening camp so it seems pretty unlikely he will be picked up, but I think he has a bit to offer. The grandson of the great John Coleman, Goullet can play onball but did his best work sweeping across half-back, particularly in the finals.
He is a natural ball winner and doesn't mind a goal at all, especially on the run. He has very good disposal, particularly by foot and sets up a lot of attacks for Calder. Had a great Grand Final, kicking a magnificent 50 metre goal into the breeze after baulking his opponent. He is a very long kick, in the wet of the Grand Final he seemed to have 10 metres on anyone else on the ground.
Chris is probably a bit small, and the role he played tended to inflate his stats a little bit. Doubt he will be taken but you never know.
Brent Hartigan
Details:
Club: Tullamarine
DOB: 7 Apr 85 Hgt: 177cm Wgt: 73kg
Position: Defender/onballer
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Half Back Flank in TAC Team of the Year
State Screening Camp Invitee
TAC Stats:
2002: 16 games, 3 goals, 12.2 PPG.
2003: 22 games, 10 goals, 19.0 PPG.
Profile:
Hartigan is a defender who plays much taller than his 177cm and had an exceptional season for Calder. I'm a real fan of this guy - he probably isn't the right size to get picked up but I hope he at least gets a go on a rookie list.
Hartigan's old man Dean played 36 games for the Bombers in the 1970's. Hartigan's main assets are his pinpoint kicking and his discipline. He will do all the right things. At this level players can be unpredictable and do things that clearly seem wrong at the time, yet Hartigan is predictable because he will always do the thing that is required.
Brent missed out on state selection, but played on the red-hot Luke Herrington the week after the carnival and flogged him, keeping him goalless. He is a good spoil and mark, and will use the ball superbly out of defence. He rarely wastes a disposal and can kick goals and play onball if required.
In the Preliminary Final he was pitted against Herrington and again beat him. Was prepared to back his judgement and run off him, kicking a great goal after running down from the back pocket. He is balanced and poised. I'm not sure how quick he is and he might be a bit short to play anywhere but back pocket, but I think he is definitely worth a shot on a rookie list.
Adam Iacobucci
Details:
Club: St Bernards
DOB: 17 Jan 86 Hgt: 179cm Wgt: 77kg
Position: Onballer
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 10 games, 3 goals, 12.7 PPG.
2003: 17 games, 8 goals, 17.6 PPG.
Profile:
Yet another boy from St Bernards, Iacobucci looked very promising last year as a youngster in the Calder team, but struggled a little bit this season with injuries. He improved as the year wore on to be a solid contributor.
There is nothing outstanding about Adam's game, he is a smart onballer or winger who uses the footy well and is very fluid and balanced when playing. He gets a lot of inside 50's and is a lovely set shot.
His hands are also very good, particularly at stoppages. He is still pretty light on and can be buffeted off the ball too easily. He can still play TAC next year if he misses out, which is might happen. If he can stay injury free next year I reckon he has a real chance, a bit like Dean Cadel from Dandenong he just does a few things that make you think he has a bit of class about him.
Ben Jolley
Details:
Club: Strathmore
DOB: 12 Feb 86 Hgt: 183cm Wgt: 69kg
Position: Wing
Natural foot: Left
Honours:
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 3 games, 0 goals, 3.3 PPG.
2003: 17 games, 2 goals, 15.6 PPG.
Profile:
The first time I saw Jolley was against Tasmania at York Park. Despite suffering from a shocking hangover I couldn't help but be impressed, he was easily best on ground for mine. Jolley's tackling and smothering were brilliant, he just worked so hard for his team.
Ben was picked in the initial Vic Metro squad and cut after the Country trial match, but his form fell away as the year went on and he was less influential in the other games I saw him in.
The problem is standing out in a side as good as Calder, and perhaps Jolley was hidden a bit behind some of the other players. I haven't seen enough to suggest he will be picked up, but the good news is he can play TAC Cup again next year.
Dylan Kent
Details:
Club: West Brunswick
DOB: 7 Jan 85 Hgt: 189cm Wgt: 83kg
Position: Full Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 3 games, 1 goal, 6.7 PPG.
2003: 17 games, 45 goals, 8.9 PPG.
Profile:
Bustling full forward who had an excellent season and was a bit of a surprise packet. Kicked 45 goals for the year, including several big bags. I was lucky enough to see the game where he kicked 7.1 and it was a dominant display.
Kent is extremely physical and hard at it, can lay some huge bumps and crunching tackles. He is already built like a truck and really hurt some of the smaller players.
Dylan is also a very good mark on the lead, even low down he can take some excellent grabs. His set shot kicking looks a bit awkward but is very effective, about 75% accuracy for the year. Kent will use his body well in marking contests, easily working the likes of David Mundy out of position.
I guess my main concern is he is a man playing in a boys comp, and he runs very much in straight lines. His lateral movement is not that great and got shown up a few times. Very much a one-dimensional player too, I couldn't see him playing anywhere but full forward. He is also a year older than many of the other players, having just scraped into another year at TAC level. Possible rookie listing if a team is after another forward option.
Brock McLean
Details:
Club: Aberfeldie
DOB: 11 Mar 86 Hgt: 182cm Wgt: 86kg
Position: Onballer
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
Victoria Metro 2003
All Australian 2003
Ruck Rover in the TAC Team of the Year
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Medal for BOG in the TAC Cup Grand Final
TAC Stats:
2002: 14 games, 8 goals, 13.8 PPG.
2003: 14 games, 18 goals, 20.3 PPG.
Profile:
Hawthorn don't need inside midfielders, so this probably won't interest a lot of you much. But this kid should be a great player at AFL level. There are so many things about him that make you think he could really mix it with the best.
As you can see from the long list of honours McLean has had a sensational and decorated junior career, right from when he was captain of the Vic Metro under 16s. He is pretty much a hard centreman but the best thing is he also has the ability to go forward and play one-out.
The nephew of hardman Ricky McLean, Brock is also tough as they come and doesn't mind the physical side of the game. In fact, he thrives on it. In the Preliminary Final he laid a shirtfront off a step that was one of the hardest hits I saw all year - sent the poor bloke into next week.
Brock is extremely strong in the clinches and will win a lot of hard balls. He is also unbelievably strong in the hips - is quite prepared to take body contact so he has the extra second to find an option. His ability to swivel the hips and break a tackle is fantastic to watch. His disposal under pressure, particularly by hand, is close to the best I've seen this year.
One of the smartest footballers in the comp, always runs to the right spots, and at exactly the right time. Is not explosive, but covers a lot of ground (was in the top 10 for the 3km run and shuttle run at draft camp). His kicking is exceptional, saw him kick several goals on the run from outside 50 metres. One of the best bits of play I saw all year was in the Grand Final, with a waterlogged footy and kicking into the breeze McLean unleashed a 60 metre torpedo into the breeze that went straight through. It was an amazing goal.
Brock stands up when he has to. Was great in all three games for Vic Metro, kicking 7 goals and winning a lot of footy. He was incandescent in the Grand Final with 34 possessions in a game that showed real leadership.
Knows how to find the goals and can play one-out in the forward line, so isn't a one trick pony. The other thing I love about McLean is his super-competitive streak. He just loves winning. Can get into trouble with the umpires as he doesn't mind backchatting or sledging the opposition.
He is mature beyond his years and might not have the scope to improve of some of the others. He also tends to try and spear his kicks low, can be a bit cute at times. But he is one serious footballer who looks ready to play senior footy next year, despite not turning 18 until March. Definitely worth a top 10 pick in my eyes, might drift a little as not a tall or super quick, but he will make it.
Jarrod Silvester
Details:
Club: Rupertswood
DOB: 31 Jan 85 Hgt: 190cm Wgt: 82kg
Position: Centre Half Back
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 16 games, 3 goals, 7.2 PPG.
2003: 22 games, 7 goals, 11.0 PPG.
Profile:
Silvester is a key defender who spent nearly the entire season at centre half back for Calder. He appears to be a very good size for AFL football once he fills out a bit, but I'm not sure if he has that x factor required to take the extra step.
There is nothing particularly spectacular about the way Jarrod plays - he is a solid mark and reads the flight of the ball very well. He is better suited to CHB than full back as he is not afraid to back his judgement and lead his opponent to the ball. He did kick 4 goals against Gippsland at full forward so he might have the capacity to play either end if given the chance.
His ball handling and disposal is again reasonable, usually makes good decisions. Links well with his teammates out of defence, the understanding of the Calder boys was exceptional.
Silvester was only just eligible for another year of TAC Cup, and might not have done enough to get picked up. However, he is a good size and might be considered for a rookie list.
David Trotter
Details:
Club: Lockhart, NSW
DOB: 4 Mar 86 Hgt: 185cm Wgt: 77kg
Position: Forward/Defence
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
New South Wales 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2003: 2 games, 6 goals, 16.0 PPG.
Profile:
David Trotter's name hasn't been mentioned much in the press, but don't be surprised if he is the top 20 picks. He has flown under the radar a bit, as he has spent most of the season playing for Assumption in the AGS, and only managed a half in the carnival for NSW before doing his hamstring and missing the rest of the championships.
So I haven't really seen enough of him to make an informed opinion, but what I have seen has impressed me greatly. He is extremely versatile, possibly one of the most versatile in the draft. He was best afield in a warm-up game for NSW against South Australia kicking 5 goals up forward, but he is also very comfortable playing as a sweeper across half-back or even deep in defence.
Trotter had an excellent under 16s carnival in defence, and was one of Australia's best players in Ireland. He is not afraid to use his left foot and is very clever in his use of his body one-on-one. The other thing I liked about him immediately is his willingness to hit the contest hard, really attacks the footy.
He has good hands and is surprisingly quick on the lead. Works hard to keep the ball in the area with his tackling and work rate. Kicked one magnificent goal from 50 metres out against Tasmania that was all class.
Like I said, I haven't seen enough to say for certain where he could go, but I suspect he will be gone by the 2nd round. Trotter is still very young and his versatility, good disposal and footy smarts make him an attractive option.
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
Northern Knights
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