Everyone loves the players that sneak under opposition clubs noses to be snared late and develop into stars. Reasons behind falling down the order could be through a deficiency or the fact that they improve more rapidly than expected. Nonetheless, every year certain players can come out of nowhere and forge an AFL career. Champions of past and present such as James Hird, Chris Grant and Dane Swan weren’t considered super talented players in their respective draft years, but through hard work and the AFL system, they became champions in their own right. There are plenty of players in the TAC Cup that may not have their names up in lights, but have the talent to be develop into solid AFL players. Here’s a list of twelve players you won’t see at the Under 18s Championships but stake a strong claim to be on an AFL list next year.

Jacob Chisari (Bendigo Pioneers)

Jacob Chisari is arguably the unluckiest player to not get a Vic Country jumper this year. He is top ten in most stats, uses it reasonably well and loves the hard ball. AFL teams lacking a contested midfielder would love to have Chisari, who, despite being 176cm, finds the ball and drives it inside 50. He’s the type of player you’ll find buried at the bottom of a pack, not too dissimilar to a Luke Ball, but with more penetration. He would have to be in the top 20 midfielders in the TAC Cup so one would have to hope that recruiters look past his puzzling non-selection for Vic Country.

Aaron Christensen (Calder Cannons)

Aaron Christensen might share a similar name to his Geelong counterpart, but he’s a very different player who is often found off half back or along the wings. He’s the first player that opposition coaches put work into when facing Calder and although he doesn’t find a lot of the ball (14.33 disposals per game), he uses it damagingly while averaging almost four marks per game. At this stage Christensen looks like a project prospect who, if he puts on weight, could be an impact player. Main knock is his ability to find more of the footy which no doubt has been communicated to him.

Agape Patolo (Dandenong Stingrays)

Coming into the 2013 TAC Cup season, Agape Patolo was considered the standout Victorian ruck. While he doesn’t find much of the ball (8.8 disposals per game), he has the athleticism and ruck ability to put him right into consideration for selectors. Averaging the second most hitouts in the TAC Cup (22), Patolo continues to do his job without too much fuss. Unfortunately for him, statistics may work against him this year if clubs elect to go with mature-aged rucks. It would be a big surprise if Patolo couldn’t at least sneak onto a rookie list because the talent and potential is there, he just needs a club to harness it.

Andreas Roth (Eastern Ranges)

Andreas Roth is the most damaging small crumbing forward in the TAC Cup, but somehow couldn’t make his way into the Vic Country squad. Roth is leading the crumbing forwards for goals and is a constant danger in a forward line that contains Thomas Boyd and Christian Petracca. He’s a Brent Harvey type player who if you give him an inch, he’ll turn it into a mile. He’s a great kick for goal and clubs in need of a dangerous small forward would be remiss not to consider Roth.

Matthew Boag (Geelong Falcons)

Matthew Boag is arguably the most underrated players in the TAC Cup. In a lesser side, there’s a good chance he’d be the number one or two midfielder. Unfortunately for Boag, he has the likes of Lewis Taylor, James Tsitas and Nicholas Bourke around him so he was moved to a half forward flank where he immediately did damage booting five goals in his first game there. Boag is similar to Dustin Martin in many ways because of his ability to go forward and make a difference, but can also be a midfield rotation and give teammates relief. If Boag doesn’t get drafted, it will be a travesty because Boag, like Chisari, have immense talent and deserve to be given a spot.

Nathaniel Paredes (Gippsland Power)

Nathaniel Paredes is another nuggety midfielder who will aim to defy odds for his height. Ironically he’s one of the ‘taller’ smalls at 177cm but has the hardened body to be playing at state level. An inside midfielder likened to a Scott Selwood, Paredes leads the league in tackles, averaging eight per game. Just last week Paredes recorded a mammoth 14 tackles, an equaling season game high. By his own admission, like many inside midfielders, his kicking efficiency needs to improve. Being an integral part of the game, AFL recruiters will be wanting players who can deliver perfectly inside 50. However if you want the bloke who stops those guys before they get their kick away, Paredes is your man.

Jake Sharp (Murray Bushrangers)

Jake Sharp is almost a forgotten man for the Bushrangers. He is an integral part of their structures playing off a half back and floating into the midfield. Unlike others who have missed out, Sharp is of good height (187cm) and works well in tandem with Nathan Drummond from defense. Sharp could be one of those diamonds in the rough because he is a no fuss player who plays his role week in week out and doesn’t stand out particularly like some of his teammates. Sharp is one that could be drafted very late in the National Draft and supporters go ‘who?’. Fear not, he’s got some really likeable characteristics with plenty to still improve on.

Jake Kalanj (Northern Knights)

Jake Kalanj is arguably the most unlucky Vic Metro player not to make the squad, with the medium utility taking his game to another level this season. Kalanj is your typical utility being able to play off either flank or on a wing, with his best position in defense. He’s similar to Dyson Heppell in the sense he positions himself well, finds open space and can create chances from defense. Kalanj averages just under 20 disposals, 5.8 marks and four tackles per game, solid statistics for a defender. He’s another who might draw interest from recruiters and should land somewhere on an AFL list if recruiters like what they see for the rest of the season.

Lachlan Cassidy (North Ballarat Rebels)

Lachlan Cassidy is arguably one of the best over-agers in the TAC Cup. Like Tom Langdon, Cassidy is an accumulator, averaging 27.8 disposals, 4.8 marks and 7.3 tackles a game. Those statistics are in the top ten so statistically, Cassidy is a sound player who with work, could become a good AFL talent. His disposal efficiency could be improved, but it’s not the worst, hovering at around 60 per cent for an inside midfielder. Cassidy has the limelight off him while Matt Crouch is in the side, but he’s stood up when required the last few weeks. Any clubs looking for a ready made midfielder could definitely do worse than take a punt on him.

Hugh Beasley (Oakleigh Chargers)

Hugh Beasley is the only man to have managed to stop Thomas Boyd this season. His first few rounds were phenomenal and then due to APS schooling, he’s disappeared off the TAC Cup map. Seemingly rated behind Toohey and then Dickson later on, Beasley is potentially a forgotten man who may miss out due to unfortunate luck. He has good strength and speed while also being able to handle much taller opponents one-on-one while ensuring good accountability. Beasley is one to watch if anyone takes a punt on him very late or as a rookie.

Callum Cathcart (Sandringham Dragons)

It may seem like a broken record, but Callum Cathcart is another small player who is competing to defy odds and secure a spot on an AFL list. Cathcart is a forward who can pinch-hit in the midfield with great speed and evasiveness. He averages 15 disposals and two goals a game, so he’s one of your solid forwards who is reliable most weeks. He isn’t one to set the world on fire, but he has the x-factor look about him and like many in this list, is definitely worth a punt for a club seeking a live wire around the goals. Cathcart will be hoping he can impress through the midfield for Sandringham while the highly-touted midfielders are playing APS football.

Mark Orr (Western Jets)

He may seem like a Herald Sun headline waiting to happen, but Mark Orr is a talented key position player who has shown he can play at both ends. Orr is built like a German tank at 195cm, 97kg and is strong overhead and a reliable switch player. Like many talls, he could probably work on his endurance, but Orr has plenty of improvement in him. He’s most likely to be a project rookie pick given he hardly finds the football, but his defensive one-on-one attributes are a strength of his and recruiters looking for a mature-aged body with a late pick could see his name plucked out. Orr is an interesting one who is potentially someone to come in with very few accolades but continually do his job such as a Prestigiacomo. One to watch very late.

All of the above players have strengths and deficiencies, but they are twelve players who could offer something at AFL level. While they won’t come with the accolades of other players in the TAC Cup, they have very draftable characteristics which will catch the eye of recruiters.