WITH the announcement of the NAB AFL Under 17 All-Stars squads and the NAB AFL Academy Level Two squads imminent, we look at 12 Victorian players flying under the radar in their bottom age year.

Thomas Berry (GWV Rebels/Vic Country)

Berry was captain of the Vic Country Under 16 side last year and this year has been a strong contributor for the Rebels. Berry begun the year across half back, but has moved into a balanced midfielder position averaging 17 disposals and four tackles throughout the TAC Cup season. Berry’s running ability is a key asset to his game alongside his lightening speed, while he is a strong tackler – not afraid to throw his weight around in the contest. Is the younger brother of Brisbane Lions 2016 draftee Jarrod.

Zak Butters (Western Jets/Vic Metro)

Butters has been a key member of the Western Jets this season as a bottom-ager. Butters has zip on the outside and possesses clean hands in close. Despite his size at 177cm, he has shown he can win inside ball and combine it with his damaging speed on the outside. As one of the Jets’ most reliable players, Butters averaged 17 disposals and four marks in his 17 matches – and is set for a big 2018.

Patrik Della Rocca (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)

Della Rocca is an exciting forward who has some of the strongest hands in the 2018 draft pool as a medium forward, standing at 189cm. Della Rocca impressed up forward for Marcellin College and the Northern Knights this year – where his aggression and ability to fly for marks was on show. He has presence inside 50 and can lay some strong bone-crunching tackles at times. Booted 10 goals in seven TAC Cup appearances.

Xavier Duursma (Gippsland Power/Vic Country)

Duursma has been super consistent throughout 2017, averaging 15 disposals and four tackles coming into the TAC Cup finals. He has toughness and has been deployed at all ends throughout the season, but his X-Factor has been appealing when he has been played inside 50. His competitiveness is showing and on the weekend in the Power’s TAC Cup finals loss – Duursma had 17 disposals (8 contested) and seven marks.

Sam Elliott (Carey Grammar/Vic Metro)

The son of former Australian cricket Matthew Elliott has a big decision on his hand – similar to 2017s Will Sutherland, Nathan Murphy and Ed Newman. The tall and skinny 201cm Ruck/Forward has had little time to concentrate on the oval ball over the last few years, with cricket being a major focus – but the talented dual-sports star is likely to spend all year at TAC Cup level in 2018. The tall is still raw in his footballing ability, but has shown a good leap in the ruck and that he is agile up forward.

Zane Keighran (Bendigo Pioneers/Vic Country)

Midfielder Zane Keighran has had a breakout year for the Pios playing some really good footy, consistently across the season – bringing a touch of composure everytime he gets the ball. The Australian Under 16 cricketer averaged 15 disposals and three marks in his four games this season and showed some good signs in the Under 17 Futures match at Ikon Park last month – using his clean hands. Keighran collected 15 disposals, six marks, three inside 50s and booted two goals in an impressive showing against Vic Metro’s Under 17 Futures team.

Will Golds (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro) 

Golds was an exciting player coming into the year and many couldn’t wait to watch him play after a stellar preseason at Oakleigh, however he was sidelined a couple of games into the APS school season – tearing his ACL when playing for Xavier College. Golds was one of the Chargers’ best in their Round 2 win over Eastern Ranges, with 14 disposals and six marks – using his classy foot skills to effectiveness. Golds looks best suited to playing on the wing, but he is more than capable across half back.

Cooper Leon (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)

Leon was one of the many standouts in the talented Carey Grammar APS school team. He was one of the better players on the ground in their hard fought win over Scotch College, setting up the play across half back. Leon showed some glimpses for the Chargers during the Futures Rounds and his overhead marking is one of his strengths. Whilst his height will be a knock, Leon has shown he can win his own football in the contest and is a player to keep an eye on in 2018.

Tom McKenzie (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)

The half back/wingman has shown plenty to get excited about, averaging 15 disposals and five marks in his 10 games leading into the TAC Cup finals. McKenzie is quite slim, but is will to drop off his man and intercept the play in the defensive 50 – showing this on multiple occasions for Ivanhoe Grammar in the AGSV School boy football finals. He has a decent burst and is a good user of the ball by foot. He also had six marks and 13 disposals in the Vic Metro Under 17 Futures clash against Vic Country.

Mitch Riordan (Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country)

The Haileybury College student has had a number of roles for his school team, including tagging roles and playing a versatile role where his team needed him. He has been a consistent player throughout the year, averaging 14 disposals and four tackles for the Dandenong Stingrays during the regular TAC Cup season. On the weekend his good ball use was notable taking the ball inside 50 on six occasions and laying nine tackles in the Stingrays come from behind victory against Eastern Ranges.

Oliver Simpson (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro) 

The damaging Carey Grammar wingman has bursted into draft contentions for next year using his elite speed & agility and endurance as key aspects of his game. Simpson has had a very strong pre season with the Chargers, featuring in their top five in their 2km time trial. His performance for Carey against eventual APS premiers Haileybury was notable, where he was a classy performer on the grand stand wing. He also loves to fly for marks and notably plucked three against Wesley College – whilst he isn’t a huge ball winner, he can hurt teams getting the ball inside 50 on multiple occasions off his right foot.

Jai Taylor (Dandenong Stingrays/Vic Country) 

Taylor is a speedy wingman that likes to tackle hard and break the lines with ball in hand. On the outside, he can be the link up man – running from half back to half forward and has had some very impressive glimpses at school and TAC Cup level. His work in the Vic Country Under 17 Futures game was impressive, where he had 18 disposals, three rebound 50s and three inside 50s.