IN the build up to football eventually returning, Draft Central  takes a look at some of this year’s brightest names who have already represented their state at Under 17 or Under 18s level in 2019. While plenty can change between now and then, we will provide a bit of an insight into players, how they performed at pre-season testing, and some of our scouting notes on them from last year.

Next under the microscope in our AFL Draft watch is Central District product Corey Durdin, a diminutive midfielder/forward with plenty of quality. The 172cm prospect has already cracked SANFL League level, and ran out for three of South Australia’s Under 18 National Championship games last year as a bottom-ager. While his class as an inside midfielder is evident against opponents of his own age – see his SANFL Under 18 and State Under 16 form – Durdin is poised to make an impact at the next level as a zippy small forward with great ground level presence and goal sense.

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PLAYER PAGE:

Corey Durdin
Central District/South Australia

DOB: April 14, 2002

Height: 172.1cm
Weight: 74.1kg

Position: Small forward/inside midfielder

Strengths: Smarts, versatility, toughness, ball winning, evasion
Improvements: Size/strength

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PRESEASON TESTING RESULTS:

Standing Vertical Jump – 67cm
Running Vertical Jump (R/L) – 76cm/81cm
Speed (20m) – 3.15 seconds
Agility – 8.74 seconds
Endurance (Yo-yo) – 20.6

>> Full Testing Results:
Jumps
20m Sprint
Agility
Yo-yo

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2019 STATISTICS:

SANFL U18s: 6 games | 21.5 disposals (76% efficiency) | 4.2 marks | 4 tackles | 5.3 clearances | 6.7 inside 50s | 1 rebound 50 | 0.2 goals (1)

Under 18 National Championships: 3 games | 7.3 disposals | 0.7 marks | 4 tackles | 1.3 clearances | 1.6 inside 50s | 1.3 goals (4)

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2019 SCOUTING NOTES:

Under 17 Futures All Stars

By: Peter Williams

The pocket rocket had some highlight plays to suggest he can be a damaging player when he is on, and generally used it pretty well despite not racking up a heap of it. He has that great burst of speed that can burn off opponents and showed it early running down the middle but unfortunately only had a one-on-three option to kick to, which he did pretty well to put it to his teammate’s advantage to at least nullify the contest.

He almost kicked a dribbler goal late in the first term but just missed, then made up for it with a great outside-of-the-boot goal two minutes into the second term. Was quieter in the second half as Team Brown controlled possession in the front half, but the forward still had a lovely straight kick down the middle, and had a scoring chance in the final term but it hit the woodwork.

Under 18 National Championships vs. Allies

By: Michael Alvaro

Was by no means a big game from the bottom-ager in terms of his disposal output (just seven), but he continues to show little bursts of form in a forward role. There isn’t much of him at 173cm, but Durdin cracks in against bigger bodies and tackles hard – boding well for his inside midfield craft. He showed his class with a snapped goal from a forward stoppage in the first quarter, and caught the eye with a clean pick up and spin on defensive wing in the following term.

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>> Central District Team Page
>> Central District Season Preview
>> Get to know: Central District U18s

>> Marquee Matchup: Corey Durdin vs. Braeden Campbell

>> 2020 SA U18s Squad Prediction

>> CATCH UP ON OUR DRAFT WATCH SERIES

Allies:
Tahj Abberley
Jackson Callow
Braeden Campbell
Oliver Davis
Errol Gulden

South Australia:
Kaine Baldwin
Luke Edwards
Taj Schofield
Riley Thilthorpe

Vic Country:
Sam Berry
Jack Ginnivan
Nick Stevens
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

Vic Metro:
Jackson Cardillo
Nikolas Cox
Connor Downie
Reef McInnes
Archie Perkins

Western Australia:
Denver Grainger-Barras
Logan McDonald
Nathan O’Driscoll
Joel Western