Ben Cavarra (Eastern Ranges)

Height: 173 cm
Weight: 69 kg
Position: Midfielder
Player comparison: Dan Hannebery
Strengths: Speed, Ball-winning ability, leadership
Weaknesses: Size, kick penetration

Ben Cavarra is one of those players in this year’s draft pool who’s exact draft range is still a mystery to most people. He has the potential to be as selected as high as pick 30, but may also slip down to as low as pick 50, based on who is left on the board. Regardless of where Cavarra ends up, he’ll be a great addition to his new club.

What Cavarra lacks in size, he makes up for in almost every other aspect. He is an elite ball winner and very good when it comes to tight congested situations. He’s usually the player at the bottom of the pack, feeding it to the outside runners. Cavarra also has brilliant awareness, knowing exactly when he’s got space, or when he should get rid of the ball. He doesn’t have much weight on him, but he has very good core strength which often allows him to stand up in tackles, giving him that extra second of time to get the ball out to a teammate.

During the National Championships, Cavarra amassed 86 disposals, the third highest amount in the Vic Metro team. Easily his best performance of the Champs came against Queensland in Round 1, where Cavarra collected 35 touches, along with seven inside 50’s and two goals. Throughout the tournament, Cavarra went at 72% disposal efficiency, which is quite good for an inside player.

One thing Cavarra has in his favour over many others in this draft, is his speed. As an outside runner, Cavarra would have to be alongside some of the quickest players in the draft. As well as his speed, his low centre of gravity allows him to change direction quite quickly, meaning that he has the ability to weave around opposition players. However, Cavarra isn’t a player that would try and take on four or five players with the ball, he has a good head on his shoulders, and always does the team thing.

Another advantage that Cavarra has over other potential draftees, are his leadership abilities. At the start of the season, Cavarra was selected as captain of the Eastern Ranges, ahead of players such as Tom Boyd and Mitch Honeychurch. Cavarra has lead his team to second on the ladder, only weeks out from the finals. If he’s able to lead his team to a successful finals series, that may just increase his draft valve in the eyes of many recruiters.

In the Bound For Glory News Phantom Draft, Cavarra was selected by Richmond with its third-round pick. Richmond already has an elite midfield, so this pick may have been one for the future. It may take him a bit longer to develop then other players, but a midfield with the likes of Cotchin, Martin, Deledio, Foley as well as Vlastuin and Cavarra, seems like a very daunting prospect for opposition teams.

With Cavarra only currently sitting around the 70kg mark, 2014 may just be a year focused on developing his body, rather then playing senior games. If he’s able to add 10-15kg to his body over the next couple of seasons, Cavarra has the ability to be a 10 year midfielder in the AFL.