IN the midst of football’s long-awaited return, Draft Central takes a look at some of this year’s brightest names who have already represented their state in some capacity leading into 2020. While plenty has changed 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 Northern Territory native Joel Jeffrey, an athletic utility with enormous upside. The son of former St Kilda and Brisbane player, Russell Jeffrey, Joel is tied to the Gold Coast SUNS through their access to the Darwin zone. The 192cm prospect has played senior football for Wanderers in the NTFL, and was set to move across to Queensland before the pandemic hit. Able to play either forward or in defence, Jeffrey is a magnificent reader of the ball in flight, and doubles his impact with some serious speed across the ground. He brings terrific x-factor to the table, as demonstrated during his appearances in the 2019 Under 18 National Championships, Under 17 Futures All Star game, and this year’s Northern Academy Series. He looms as a top 25 prospect and has been invited to this year’s National Combine.

—

PLAYER PAGE:

Joel Jeffrey
NT Thunder/Allies

DOB: March 12, 2002

Height: 192cm
Weight: 78kg

Position: Utility

Strengths: Athleticism, versatility, aerial marking, x-factor
Improvements: Consistency

2019 NAB League averages: 3 games | 21.7 disposals | 6.7 marks | 2.7 tackles | 1.0 clearances | 1.0 inside 50s | 7.0 rebound 50s | 0.3 goals (1)
2019 U18 National Championships averages: 3 games | 9.7 disposals | 3.0 marks | 1.7 tackles | 0.6 clearances | 0.6 inside 50s | 2.6 rebound 50s

—

PRESEASON TESTING RESULTS:

N/A.

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

—

SCOUTING NOTES:

2019 Under 17 Futures All Stars

By: Michael Alvaro

Jeffrey is an excitement machine up either end with his marking and running abilities, and proved as much in this game. He started down back and positioned well behind the ball to snap up much of what came his way. Jeffrey’s one-on-one marking was sound too, which is a handy addition to his eye-catching intercept play. While his forward run and long kicks helped him impact the play past the wing, Jeffrey was moved up the other end more permanently to good effect with two goals in the second half. The Wanderers product snuck out the back well on both occasions, marking inside 50 and slotting home with a lovely set shot action.

2019 Under 18 National Championships vs. Vic Metro

By: Michael Alvaro

The bottom-aged NT utility is capable of playing up either end, but looks really useful down back as a good reader of the ball in flight. Jeffrey leapt really well under high balls towards his own defensive 50 and stood strong as packs formed in his area, showing he wasn’t afraid of the inevitable contact. He looked better as the game went on and proved solid in the second half as Metro looked to charge with some one-on-one wins.

2019 NAB League Round 5 vs. GWV Rebels

By: Peter Williams

Definitely an eye-catching player at half-back. His kicking was hit or miss at times, with his vision and decision making good, but his execution just a bit iffy. His vertical leap one-on-one was outstanding and he is a terrific intercept mark. He does not panic when under pressure and seems to shrug off opponents with ease. He’s a long kick of the football and someone who found plenty of it coming out of defence. Jeffrey reads the ball in flight well and has a nice marking action. Took a huge intercept mark in the third term rising above all others to cleanly grab it in the third term, and then saved a goal with a great running mark back with the flight. Overall a super game in a defence that was under siege for the most part.

—

Featured Image: RF Photography

>> 2020 Allies U18s Squad Prediction
>> Positional Analysis: Utilities
>> August 2020 Power Rankings
>> July 2020 Power Rankings

>> CATCH UP ON OUR DRAFT WATCH SERIES

Allies:
Tahj Abberley
Charlie Byrne
Jackson Callow
Blake Coleman
Braeden Campbell
Alex Davies
Oliver Davis
Errol Gulden
Patrick Walker

South Australia:
Kaine Baldwin
Bailey Chamberlain
Zac Dumesny
Corey Durdin
Luke Edwards
Lachlan Jones
Tariek Newchurch
Caleb Poulter
Tom Powell
Taj Schofield
Riley Thilthorpe

Vic Country:
Sam Berry
Tanner Bruhn
Jack Ginnivan
Oliver Henry
Elijah Hollands
Zach Reid
Nick Stevens
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

Vic Metro:
Jake Bowey
Jackson Cardillo
Nikolas Cox
Connor Downie
Eddie Ford
Bailey Laurie
Finlay Macrae
Reef McInnes
Archie Perkins
Will Phillips

Western Australia:
Jack Carroll
Heath Chapman
Denver Grainger-Barras
Logan McDonald
Nathan O’Driscoll
Zane Trew
Brandon Walker
Joel Western
Isiah Winder