Gabriel Stumpf Draft Profile

Northern Knights

#23

Gabriel Stumpf

height: 196cm

weight:

D.O.B: 23-11-2006

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “A key forward whose unique athletic traits will appeal to a few clubs looking to invest in a long-term tall prospect with upside.” – Adrian Dixon

A late developer, Gabriel Stumpf is as a high half-forward who gets up the ground and makes an impact on the contest, then doubles back to provide an inside 50 option. One of the mainstays in the Northern Knights’ attack in 2024, Stumpf is a self-motivated youngster who can thrive in a professional environment, and recent results at the National Draft Combine prove that.

Playing his junior football in the strong Yarra Junior Football League (YJFL) competition with Park Orchards and Warrandyte, after starring in his Under 16s season where he managed 24 goals and interleague selection, Stumpf was noticed by the Knights and would be listed for the 2023 season. In his bottom-aged campaign he would only manage two games, however on his debut for the Under 18s he managed three goals against Murray Bushrangers. Meanwhile, he managed a respectable 18 goals from 11 games in the YJFL’s Youth Competition.

Heading into 2024, Stumpf decided to get himself a personal trainer to undertake some extra strength and conditioning sessions in order to improve his speed, athleticism and performance off the field, and prior to Round 1, his coach Anthony Rocca labelled him as a player to watch. Forming an efficient forward 50 partnership with Tom Sims, they combined for 50 goals for the season, Stumpf managed to lead the team’s goalkicking with 27 majors. He would also represent Vic Metro on two occasions, in games against the Allies and Western Australia.

However, Stumpf came to prominence in the recent National Draft Combine held a few weeks ago, where he managed to record elite results in the 20m sprint and the standing vertical jump, making him the top performed athlete overall. With his unusual speed for a key forward, Stumpf models his game on Geelong star Jeremy Cameron given his similar ability to venture up the ground then drop back, however he also draws comparison to Fremantle young gun Jye Amiss.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS:

STRENGTHS:

+ Athleticism
+ Leading patterns
+ Speed
+ Versatility
+ Vertical leap
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Contested work
- Set shot goalkicking
- Size

Stumpf's speed for a key forward who not only is hard and fast on a lead, but also fast when it comes to providing closing speed in defence - which could well and truly also become a nightmare for opposition key talls who don’t possess the pace he does. On numerous occasions throughout the season, Stumpf worked his way up the ground on numerous occasions to play a key role as a link man for the Knights going forward, while also presenting up the ground, making it hard for his opponents to keep up with him.

Stumpf's all-round athleticism is also elite, as highlighted with his standing vertical leap time at the draft combine. An occasion where this was highlighted was in the road win over the Bendigo Pioneers in Round 7, kicking three goals. While he was thrown in to the ruck during the game, he managed to play as a fourth midfielder, winning a few clearances. In a tough loss against Geelong in Torquay, he managed to show his agility to balk his opponents and provide goal assists and used it to his advantage on a lead.

While he has much promise with these elite athletic traits, Stumpf also has plenty to work on. This was highlighted in the Round 6 game against the Oakleigh Chargers. While it was a big win over a weakened Chargers outfit, Stumpf managed three goals from five marks and 13 disposals, however it also highlighted the fact he needed to work on the physical aspects of the game, which included better work when it came to contested moments, especially breaking off his opponents to get to the contest and holding onto marks with contact.

Another area of improvement can be consistency with his set shot goalkicking, especially from tight angles. While his total kicked for the season was 27.15, which is very good by most people’s standards and while distance wasn’t a problem with his kicking power, there were occasions where he could have kicked some gettable goals. This was shown in the narrow loss to the Western Jets at a Williamstown ground which is more often than not always played in difficult conditions, where he missed a few goals that should have been. He also sent a set shot out on the full which could have been the difference in the draw against Murray Bushrangers.

DRAFT RANGE: 40-60

SUMMARY:

The ability of Stumpf to be hard and fast on a lead along with his work rate up the ground and with his desire for self-improvement to his game will be an appeal to many clubs who will require key forward stocks, especially if a club doesn’t get its first preference up the order. Given his testing results at the combine and the fact he managed to record the leading 20-metre sprint time ahead of much smaller and lighter opponents speaks volumes of his dedication and professionalism.

Clubs such as Collingwood, Geelong, Melbourne or St Kilda could do worse when requiring a key forward prospect for the long-term and no doubt will come have him come under strong consideration. If Stumpf can work on his weaknesses in his game with good coaching and development, whilst also continuing his ‘extras’ that have thus far included his strength and conditioning work, it could be very well possible clubs could get a bargain in the long run.

AFL U18 Championships

Season	Team	K	HB	D	M	CP	UP	T	HO	CLR	I50	R50	GL	GM	K	H	D	M	HO	T	G	DC
2024	Vic Metro	8	4	12	5	7	5	5	0	0	3	0	1	2	4.0	2.0	6.0	2.5	0.0	2.5	0.5	30
Total	-	8	4	12	5	7	5	5	0	0	3	0	1	2	4.0	2.0	6.0	2.5	0.0	2.5	0.5	30

Coates Talent League Boys

Season	Team	K	HB	D	M	T	HO	I50	R50	GL	GM	K	H	D	M	HO	T	G	DC
2023	Northern Knights	10	6	15	5	5	0	5	0	3	2	5.0	3.0	7.5	2.5	0.0	2.5	1.5	43
2024	Northern Knights	112	56	168	59	25	44	31	1	27	17	6.6	3.3	9.9	3.5	2.6	1.5	1.6	53
Total	-	122	62	183	64	30	44	36	1	30	19	6.4	3.3	9.6	3.4	2.3	1.6	1.6	96