AFL National and International Talent Manager Kevin 'Shifter' Sheehan has announced his top 40 prospects ahead of the AFL Draft to be held in Sydney on Friday, November 25.
Sheehan’s top 40 is in alphabetical, rather than talent, order. He said the draft class of 2017 was one of considerable depth and talent, certain to produce high quality players in every round.
“Splitting this year’s draftees will be a difficult proposition for clubs with so much talent on offer,” he said.
“The draft is an exciting time for AFL supporters as their clubs select young men who will soon become fan favourites, team leaders and potentially premiership heroes.
“For the players and their families, and even for club recruiting staff, it is a nervous time and the culmination of so much hard work.
“Players have been preparing for this opportunity for years, while recruiters have been tracking their progress through the AFL talent pathway.”
Sheehan’s top 40 draft prospects:
1. Ben Ainsworth
Morwell/Gippsland Power (Victoria)
10/2/1998 Height: 178cm Weight: 76kg
Small forward/midfielder with elite power, clean hands and goal sense. Strong overhead for his size and very good one-on-one. Earned All-Australian Under-18 honours in 2015 and won an AFL Life Members Scholarship the same year. Recorded the second fastest 20m sprint time (2.90 seconds) at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
2. Jacob Allison
Aspley/Brisbane Lions Academy (Queensland)
16/4/1998 Height: 193cm Weight: 82kg
Smooth-moving tall midfielder who can also play a lead role up forward. Wins the ball well in the air and is a penetrating long kick. Won All-Australian Under-18 honours in 2015 and is a member of both the NAB AFL Academy and the Brisbane Lions Academy. Recorded the fastest 20m sprint time (2.87 seconds) at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
3. Joe Atley
Rochester/Bendigo Pioneers (Victoria)
4/8/1998 Height: 186cm Weight: 83kg
Strong-bodied medium midfielder who excels at stoppages with clean hands and excellent vision. A prolific ball-winner, he performed well throughout the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Impressed in two games with Geelong in VFL late in the season. Brother to Shaun at North Melbourne.
4. Josh Battle
Doveton/Haileybury/Dandenong Stingrays (Victoria)
1/9/1998 Height: 192cm Weight: 89kg
Tall forward with strong hands both overhead and on the lead. Has a huge tank and work ethic, which allows him to get to numerous contests as a lead up forward. Kicked 11 goals in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, winning All-Australian honours before kicking six goals in a TAC Cup final. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
5. Jarrod Berry
Horsham Saints/North Ballarat Rebels (Victoria)
5/2/1998 Height: 191cm Weight: 82kg
Versatile defender/midfielder with excellent athletic ability and game sense. A prolific ball-winner who won Vic Country's Most Valuable Player award in 2015 and All-Australian honours before injury interrupted his 2016 season. Member of the NAB AFL Academy who clocked a 15.1 beep test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
6. Shai Bolton
Forrestdale/South Fremantle (Western Australia)
8/12/1998 Height: 175cm Weight: 69kg
Indigenous midfielder with electric pace who takes the game on. Smart around goal and performed well for Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Was one of the standout performers at the NAB AFL All Stars Match on Grand Final.
7. Jack Bowes
Surfers Paradise/Cairns Saints (Queensland)
26/1/1998 Height: 187cm Weight: 78kg
Medium midfielder who is a good ball user with an excellent combination of speed and endurance. Composed under pressure and was a standout player for Queensland in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, winning the Most Valuable Player award and Harrison Medal honours, then progressing to the Allies to be named All-Australian at Under-18 level. Member of the NAB AFL Academy and Gold Coast Suns Academy.
8. Will Brodie
Shepparton/Murray Bushrangers (Victoria)
23/8/1998 Height: 188cm Weight: 82kg
Medium midfielder with excellent game sense and contested ball-winning ability. Has excellent step through traffic, creating time and space in congested situations. Was in great form in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, winning All-Australian honours. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
9. Callum Brown
Bulleen Templestowe/Marcellin/Eastern Ranges (Victoria)
27/4/1998 Height: 177cm Weight: 72kg
Tenacious small midfielder/forward who wins the ball at stoppages and is creative with his hands. Has good goal sense and is a team-orientated player who excelled for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, winning All-Australian honours. Son of former Collingwood champion Gavin Brown.
10. Brennan Cox
Woodville South/Woodville-West Torrens (South Australia)
13/8/1998 Height: 193cm Weight: 92kg
Tall defender who is strong overhead, mobile and a good decision maker under pressure. Strong in the one-on-one contests and was a very consistent performer for South Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships winning All-Australian honours.
11. Isaac Cumming
North Broken Hill (New South Wales)
11/8/1998 Height: 184cm Weight: 74kg
Medium defender with good closing speed and ball-winning ability. Represented NSW/ACT and the Allies in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, using the ball effectively by hand and foot. Also played Under-18s at North Adelaide this year and represented the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the NEAFL.
12. Timothy English
Brookton-Pingelly/South Fremantle (Western Australia)
10/8/1997 Height: 205cm Weight: 90kg
Developing ruckman/tall forward who is extremely mobile and agile. Strong overhead and a good distributor of the ball by hand and foot. Impressed for Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, winning All-Australian honours.
13. Zac Fisher
Guildford Grammar/Perth (Western Australia)
15/6/1998 Height: 175cm Weight: 70kg
Left-footed small forward who was a star for Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, winning its Most Valuable Player award and All-Australian honours.
14. Oliver Florent
Beaumaris/Mentone GS/Sandringham Dragons (Victoria)
22/7/1998 Height: 182cm Weight: 74kg
Very competitive smooth-moving medium midfielder with line-breaking speed. A talented junior tennis player, he's now focusing on AFL. Impressed for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and finished the year in great form with a best-on-ground performance in the NAB AFL All Stars Match.
15. Jordan Gallucci
Yarra Valley GS/Lilydale/Eastern Ranges (Victoria)
4/5/1998 Height: 180cm Weight: 78kg
Medium midfielder with elite speed and agility who can also play back or forward. Has an exceptional vertical jump as an X-factor in contests in the air. Co-captained Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, winning All-Australian honours. Member of the NAB AFL Academy who was a standout at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, recording the highest vertical jump (89cm) and the best repeat sprint time (24.36 seconds).
16. Jack Graham
Tea Tree Gully/North Adelaide (South Australia)
25/2/1998 Height: 180cm Weight: 81kg
Strong-bodied and hard-working midfielder/forward who wins contested ball and uses it well by hand and foot. Captained South Australia and was awarded his team's Most Valuable Player, as well as winning the Larke Medal (Division One Best and Fairest). Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
17. Will Hayward
Walkerville/North Adelaide (South Australia)
26/10/1998 Height: 185cm Weight: 77kg
Medium Forward who is extremely strong overhead and has great natural goal sense. Kicked eight goals in four matches for South Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships as well as 29 goals for North Adelaide at Under-18 level this year including nine goals in the Preliminary Final against the Eagles.
18. Pat Kerr
Glen Iris JFC/St Kevin’s/Oakleigh Chargers (Victoria)
31/7/1998 Height: 193cm Weight: 93kg
Tall forward with strong hands overhead. Has a long and accurate kick for goal and is also capable at ground level. His four goals in a quarter for Vic Metro vs South Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships was outstanding, contributing to him earning All-Australian honours.
19. Griffin Logue
Guildford Grammar/Swan Districts (Western Australia)
13/4/1998 Height: 191cm Weight: 94kg
Big bodied tall defender who showed dash, clean hands and ability one-on-one in a key defensive role for Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. A long kicking left footer, he has progressed through the grades to senior football at Swan Districts and acquitted himself well at that level. Was one of the standouts at the NAB AFL Draft Combine with a 15.1 in the beep test and a 9 min 58 sec 3km time-trial.
20. Todd Marshall
Deniliquin Rams/Murray Bushrangers (New South Wales)
8/10/1998 Height: 197cm Weight: 86kg
Emerging tall forward who played representative cricket in England last year before focusing on AFL this year. Showed real potential with his marking, agility and elite goal sense. Averaged 2.3 goals for NSW/ACT and 1.8 goals for the Allies in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
21. Hugh McCluggage
South Warrnambool/North Ballarat Rebels (Victoria)
3/3/1998 Height: 186cm Weight: 76kg
Medium midfielder who had an outstanding year at TAC Cup and NAB AFL Under-18 Championships level, winning All-Australian honours and the Most Valuable Player award for Vic Country. Illustrated his vision, creativity and goal sense by kicking four goals in the NAB All Stars Match. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
22. Andrew McGrath
Brighton/East Brighton/Sandringham Dragons (Victoria)
2/6/1998 Height: 177cm Weight: 77kg
Dashing defender/midfielder who is a prolific ball-winner and a great distributor. A tough competitor, strong in the air and provides terrific rebound. Winner of Vic Metro's Most Valuable Player award and was co-captain in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Recorded the second best repeat sprint time at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
23. Sam McLarty
Beverly Hills JFC/Yarra Valley GS/Oakleigh Chargers (Victoria)
11/5/1998 Height: 197cm Weight: 91kg
Tall defender/ forward who is mobile, agile and an excellent pack mark. Performed well for the Oakleigh Chargers and represented Vic Metro in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year. Wears a bionic ear after being diagnosed with profound deafness as an infant but it has not affected his ability to develop as a genuine AFL Draft prospect.
24. Kobe Mutch
Gol Gol/Bendigo Pioneers (New South Wales)
18/3/1998 Height: 186cm Weight: 84kg
Prolific ball-winning midfielder for NSW/ACT and then for the Allies in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, earning All-Australian honours. Skillful on his right and left sides and has footy smarts and courage. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
25. Brandan Parfitt
Nightcliff (South Australia)
27/4/1998 Height: 177cm Weight: 79kg
Small midfielder who is hard and courageous in his attack on the ball. Awarded All-Australian honours in 2015. Performed well for Northern Territory in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year before playing for the Allies. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
26. Harry Perryman
Collingullie-GP (New South Wales)
19/12/1998 Height: 184cm Weight: 79kg
Versatile medium defender/forward who had an outstanding representative year, winning Most Valuable Player awards for NSW/ACT (Division Two) and then the Allies (Division One) in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Super-competitive and strong overhead and a good user of the ball. Achieved Under-18 All-Australian honours.
27. Sam Petrevski-Seton
Halls Creek/Claremont (Western Australia)
19/2/1998 Height: 180cm Weight 73kg
Medium midfielder/forward who is an elite distributor of the ball by hand and foot on both the left and right sides. Tackles with intent and attacks the ball with purpose. Was an All-Australian at Under-18 level in 2015 and won the NAB AFL Under-16 Best and Fairest in 2014 playing for Western Australia in Division 1. In the previous year he won the Mark Browning Medal (Division 3 Best and fairest) playing for North West Western Australia. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
28. Myles Poholke
Sorrento/Dandenong Stingrays (Victoria)
10/7/1998 Height: 184cm Weight: 82kg
Medium midfielder who is strong overhead and has a good mix of inside and outside game. Performed well for Vic Country this year in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
29. Sam Powell-Pepper
Wesley College/East Perth (Western Australia)
8/1/1998 Height: 187cm Weight: 90kg
Strong-bodied medium midfielder with an appetite for the contest. Has a high endurance base and good speed, allowing him to burst from stoppages. NAB AFL Academy member, who was awarded the Cameron Ling Medal in 2015.
30. Josh Rotham
Whitfords/West Perth (Western Australia)
25/2/1998 Height: 192cm Weight: 77kg
Tall defender with elite pace and natural spring who provided great rebound from defence for Western Australia in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year. Strong overhead mark and distributes the ball well by hand and foot. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
31. Jonty Scharenberg
PHOS Camden/Glenelg (South Australia)
28/8/1998 Height: 183cm Weight: 81kg
Medium midfielder who excels one-on-one and at stoppages, using his footy smarts and clean hands to set up the play for his team. Prolific ball-winner in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, winning All-Australian honours. Brother to Collingwood’s Matt Scharenberg. Won the Alan Stewart Medal for Best on Ground in SANFL Under-18 Grand Final this year.
32. Brad Scheer
Palm Beach Currumbin (Queensland)
31/8/1998 Height: 183cm Weight: 84kg
Strong-bodied inside midfielder who excels at stoppages and can be a dangerous marking target up forward. Won the McLean Medal in the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships in 2014. Impressed for Queensland in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships this year before showing his potential with the Allies.
33. Jack Scrimshaw
Beaumaris/Haileybury/Sandringham Dragons (Victoria)
4/9/1998 Height: 193cm Weight: 84kg
Lightly built left footer who can play a variety of roles including in defence, midfield and forward. Shows poise and distributes the ball effectively particularly by hand. Strong overhead and is rangy, athletic type. Very impressive across half back in NAB All Stars match on Grand Final eve. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
34. Will Setterfield
Albury/Sandringham Dragons (New South Wales)
5/2/1998 Height: 189cm Weight: 80kg
A medium midfielder who can win the ball on the inside and outside, he had an injury-interrupted NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, with his 28 disposals vs Northern Territory his best performance for NSW/ACT. Also played two matches for the Allies. Member of the NAB AFL Academy and Greater Western Sydney Giants Academy.
35. Jy Simpkin
Mooroopna/Murray Bushrangers (Victoria)
5/3/1998 Height: 182cm Weight: 75kg
Medium forward/midfielder who is dangerous around goals, utilizing his pace and agility. A smart user of the ball through the midfield, he has a big tank. Missed the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships through injury but has made a full recovery. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
36. Zachary Sproule
Albury / Murray Bushrangers (New South Wales)
12/5/1998 Height: 196cm Weight: 89kg
Versatile tall forward or defender with a huge tank and an excellent long kick. Played mainly forward for NSW/ACT and Allies this year in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and played back for Murray Bushrangers in the TAC Cup. Member of the NAB AFL Academy and Greater Western Sydney Giants Academy.
37. Tim Taranto
St Kevin’s/Parkdale/Sandringham Dragons (Victoria)
28/1/1998 Height: 186cm Weight: 84kg
Medium midfielder/forward who has great natural speed and agility, which gives him separation from his opponent. Very good one-on-one and a strong aggressive tackler who had a great NAB AFL Under-18 Championship for Vic Metro, winning All-Australian honours. Kicked four goals in the NAB AFL Stars Match on Grand Final eve.
38. Daniel Venables
PEGS/Keilor/Western Jets (Victoria)
19/11/1998 Height: 185cm Weight: 82kg
Medium midfielder/forward who is super-competitive and very creative in setting up the play in congested situations. Strong overhead and dangerous around goals, he earned All-Australian honours following the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
39. Jake Waterman
Aquinas College/Perth (Western Australia)
6/5/1998 Height: 190cm Weight: 94kg
Lead up forward who is very strong with his hands, overhead and on the lead. A strong tackler and fierce competitor, he led Western Australia impressively in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Son of West Coast Eagles champion Chris Waterman and a member of the NAB AFL Academy.
40. Alex Witherden
St Joseph’s/Geelong Falcons (Victoria)
10/9/1998 Height: 186cm Weight: 80kg
Medium defender who is a long penetrating kick, has clean hands and wins his own ball. Has good speed and a neat step through traffic. Suffered a leg injury that disrupted his season but is making a full recovery. Member of the NAB AFL Academy.
