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 Western Jets’ Eddie Ford, a dynamic medium forward who had eyes on impacting through midfield in his top-age year. The leading Jets draft prospect has x-factor in spades; able to fly for highlight reel marks, boot long goals, and burst through traffic with rare speed and agility. Ford was a mainstay in Western’s NAB League lineup last year, running out for 16 games and providing a bit of spark in each. Consistency will be key for the medium-sized prospect, who battled a knee injury during preseason and will look to produce spurts like he did in last year’s Under 17 Futures All Star showcase, more often.
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PLAYER PAGE:
Eddie Ford
Western Jets/Vic Metro
DOB: June 21, 2002
Height: 188cm
Weight: 79kg
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Strengths: Vertical leap, clean hands, overhead marking, x-factor, impact
Improvements: Consistency/accumulation
2019 NAB League stats: 16 games | 14.1 disposals | 3.7 marks | 1.4 tackles | 1.5 clearances | 1.9 inside 50s | 0.4 goals (7)
>> Q&A: Eddie Ford
>> Marquee Matchup: Ford vs. Henry
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PRESEASON TESTING RESULTS:
Did not test.
>> Full Testing Results:
Jumps
20m Sprint
Agility
Yo-yo
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2019 SCOUTING NOTES:
By: Peter Williams
Started the game with a bang, picking up eight touches and booting two goals in an eye-opening first term. He had his hands on it early leading outside 50, then kicking a great running goal on the right from 40m out. His second goal came when Ford read the tap perfectly, pushed off his opponent in Errol Gulden and chucked it on his boot for it to sail through. It showed his high-level footy IQ and goal sense all in one play. He was still very busy throughout the game with some nice touches, though his first term was his standout. Had a shot from 45m on the run in the third term but it sprayed to the left. His best is very good.
NAB League Wildcard Round vs. GWV
By: Ed Pascoe
Ford won plenty of the ball playing as a leading option at half-forward. His ability to find the ball and provide an option was pivotal for the Jets, and despite a few errors and missed shots on goal, he should take confidence in his game. Ford missed a few marks early in the game which wasn’t like him, but he would take two very strong marks in the last term. Ford finished the game with 23 disposals and three behinds in what could have been a huge game if he kicked straight.
NAB League Round 16 vs. Oakleigh
By: Peter Williams
The bottom-age forward reads the play well and times his marks, almost providing another massive highlight as he had at the Victorian trials at Ikon Park, but could not quite bring it down. He wanted to keep the ball moving at every opportunity, playing on and getting it deep into attack. Ford set up a goal to Billy Cootee with a quick handball out of congestion to his teammate free in space for a great goal. He had a chance himself earlier in the game but was dragged down and his shot went to the right.
NAB League Round 12 vs. Calder
By: Ed Pascoe
Ford was the most dangerous forward for the Jets, proving a good option as a marking target and a player capable of creating something at ground level. Ford would only kick the one goal but how he kicked it was impressive – he lead up at the ball to take a mark and would win a free kick in that contest but he was quick to gather the loose ball and run to the 50 metre arc and slot a lovely running goal. Ford showed great aggression and agility throughout the game and finished with 21 disposals and the one goal.
NAB League Round 5 vs. Tasmania
By: Michael Alvaro
Ford seldom fails to catch the eye with his strong overhead marking, stylish use of the ball, and explosiveness. While he was quiet early on, Ford came into the game well after half time and had a purple patch in the third term where he kicked two goals. The first was a set shot conversion from 45 metres on the back of a strong one-on-one mark, and the second was a clever snap from the boundary, while he missed another chance in the final quarter on the run.
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>> 2020 Vic Metro U18s Squad Prediction
>> July 2020 Power Rankings
>> CATCH UP ON OUR DRAFT WATCH SERIES
Allies:
Tahj Abberley
Jackson Callow
Braeden Campbell
Alex Davies
Oliver Davis
Errol Gulden
South Australia:
Kaine Baldwin
Bailey Chamberlain
Corey Durdin
Luke Edwards
Taj Schofield
Riley Thilthorpe
Vic Country:
Sam Berry
Tanner Bruhn
Jack Ginnivan
Elijah Hollands
Zach Reid
Nick Stevens
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan
Vic Metro:
Jackson Cardillo
Nikolas Cox
Connor Downie
Finlay Macrae
Reef McInnes
Archie Perkins
Will Phillips
Western Australia:
Denver Grainger-Barras
Logan McDonald
Nathan O’Driscoll
Brandon Walker
Joel Western
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