FATHER/SON PROSPECTS (Updated August 23rd by Matt Balmer)
Adelaide/Hawthorn:
Ben Jarman
Small Forward (North Adelaide/South Australia)
05/05/1998 | 175cm | 68kg
Likely bid: Late Pick (50+)/Rookie
Ben Jarman has the unique decision of being able to pick either Adelaide or Hawthorn should both clubs elect to nominate him. Father Darren played 109 games with the Hawks and 121 at the Crows. Jarman is a small forward by trade and burst onto the scene with a lively first half against Vic Country in the recent Under 18 Championships. Jarman looks to have good footy smarts and despite his size is willing to tackle hard and pressure the opposition. In that game, Jarman booted three goals and finished with 13 disposals. Back home in Adelaide, Jarman played three games earlier in the season for the North Adelaide League team, but has spent most the season in the SANFL Reserves averaging 20 disposals and five marks per game. Jarman has played a bit further up the ground at SANFL Reserves level, but looms likely to find himself as a forward at AFL level. Jarman is yet to decide which club he’d like to nominate for.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ek76eXMjzUM[/embedyt]
Carlton:
Jake Bradley
Outside Midfielder (Northern Knights)
04/10/1997 | 177cm | 69kg
Likely bid: Rookie/Undrafted
Bradley was overlooked last season by Carlton but has continued to battle hard at TAC Cup level to catch the Blues’ eyes. Bradley has trained with the Blues at stages and earlier in the year ran a 16.02 beep test at TAC Cup testing, the second best overall. Bradley has floated in and out of TAC Cup matches playing on the wing. Bradley has averaged 18 disposals throughout the season, but his poor kick has let him down going at 46%. He was impressive earlier in the season in the games at Ikon Park with a few dashes down the wing. Bradley also slotted in for a VFL Development game and it seems likely that he’ll find himself at the Northern Blues in 2017 if he’s overlooked.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO4UBNHqrh4[/embedyt]
Collingwood:
Callum Brown
Inside Midfielder (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)
27/04/1998 | 177cm | 69kg
Likely bid: 2nd-3rd rounder
Callum Brown had a superb national carnival for Vic Metro, gaining All Australia selection after averaging 18 disposals and four clearances in the championships. The son of Gavin, is an inside midfielder who spent time up forward for the Eastern Ranges in 2015. This season, most of his game time has been through the midfield, with his best game coming against Vic Country in the Under 18 Championships where he had 27 disposals and eight clearances. Brown continues to find the football (averaging 25 disposals in the TAC Cup) but his hurt factor is minimal, with most of his disposals short and not taking the game on. Brown does have smarts around goal and there is no reason why he can’t start his career up forward for the Pies.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=782_rUwuC9g[/embedyt]
Josh Daicos
Small Forward/Outside Midfielder (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
26/11/1998 | 178cm | 69kg
Likely bid: 2nd-3rd rounder
Electric forward Josh Daicos has had a strong season for the Oakleigh Chargers and for Vic Metro. Daicos is the son of Peter, who played 250 games in the black and white. Despite not being a big disposal winner, Daicos has a bit of spark with him when he plays, with a good set of speed and agility to go with his bright red boots. Daicos has averaged 16 disposals in the TAC Cup and has booted nine goals this season. He missed a large chunk of football earlier in the year with a wrist issue, but managed to fight back and play three games for Vic Metro. Despite his size, Daicos is a nice mark overhead and was important in Vic Metro’s victory over South Australia. Daicos has a similar set shot goal kicking technique to his father, with a short run up with not a lot of momentum- But it has proved to be effective so far. I rate him over Callum Brown and may warrant a bid in the 20s.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot-56Fhm2RY[/embedyt]
Geelong:
Sam Simpson
Outside Midfielder (Geelong Falcons)
14/06/1998 | 179cm | 64kg
Likely bid: Rookie/Undrafted
The wingman has had a strong season for the Geelong Falcons earning him a spot on the state combine list. Simpson’s father Sean, played 114 games for Geelong between 1991-1998. Simpson is a good runner and has improved week in week out after recovering from an injury in the offseason. He is averaging just under 20 disposals and provided good run against the Stingrays on the weekend with 23 disposals and 12 handball receives. If Simpson can perform well on the big stage in the TAC Cup finals he could well put his hand up to find himself on an AFL list come November.
Sydney:
Jesse Maxfield
Outside Midfielder (Ormond AFC)
28/08/1998 | 180cm | 74kg
Likely bid: Rookie/Undrafted
Some clubs say he’s been hidden away, some argue he’s not good enough- but rest assured clubs have been keeping an eye on Jesse Maxfield in season 2016. Maxfield quit the Sandringham Dragons earlier in the season and has been playing for his local club Ormond in the VAFA Under 19s competition. I’ve been told that Maxfield was one of East Brighton’s better junior footballers, in a side that included likely Top-10 pick Andrew McGrath. I saw Maxfield earlier in the season and he played mostly off the wing, not impacting the contest too much despite a few scouts looking on. Maxfield was also solid in the VAFA U19 match against Vic Country and for Ormond this season he’s booted 18 goals and been named in the best in eight of his 17 games.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL3ZV23McuA[/embedyt]
Western Bulldogs:
Michael Romero
Inside Midfielder (Calder Cannons)
09/10/1998 | 177cm | 70kg
Likely bid: Rookie
Michael Romero has spent most of the season playing school football for St Kevin’s College. The son of Jose who played 122 games for the Western Bulldogs is good in the contested situations despite his small frame. Romero was strong for St Kevin’s against APS Premiers Brighton Grammar, before backing up that performance with 22 disposals and nine clearances in the APS v AGSV school football clash. For the Calder Cannons, Romero has averaged 14 disposals but hasn’t played since April. During the school holidays Romero experienced playing at a higher level with two games for Footscray in the VFL, but didn’t find much of the football. I’d expect Romero to end up on the Western Bulldogs’ rookie list come November.
West Coast:
Jake Waterman
Medium Forward (Perth/Western Australia)
12/03/1998 | 191cm | 82kg
Likely bid: 3rd rounder/Late pick
Jake Waterman begun the Under 18 Championships well with 20 disposals against Vic Country. However, Waterman’s kicking was off that day booting 1.5. For the rest of the carnival, Waterman was reasonably quiet with many thinking he was probably destined for a rookie pick. However, a five goal haul on debut for Claremont in the WAFL seniors put him back on the radar. He also collected 22 disposals against West Perth two weeks ago and now seems likely to be a national draft pick. Waterman is more of a high half forward that can play further up the ground if required and has been apart of the AFL Academy.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A9U47NIhtw[/embedyt]
Other names who qualify for Father/Son selection but are unlikely to be considered include:
- Jett Bewick (Essendon)
- Harvey Daniher (Essendon)
- Jake Lovett (Melbourne)
- Jordan Matera (West Coast)
- Matthew Neagle (Essendon)
- Zane Sumich (West Coast)
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