WITH AFL Draft day, or days, fast approaching on November 24/25, Rookie Me Central takes a look at some of the prime prospects set to feature highly in this year’s intake. We break down the crop by position, continuing the series with an exciting group of defensive options. Among the 2021 crop are a few first round fancies and plenty of depth options. Below are the top bunch of talents, listed in alphabetical order.

Small-Medium Defenders

Sam Banks

A dashing rebounder with scope to play midfield, Banks is Tasmania’s top talent in 2021. His top-age campaign was curtailed by injury, but the 18-year-old still managed four NAB League outings and showed glimpses of the potential which saw him earn the Under 16 Division 2 MVP award in 2019. Banks’ speed and decision making make him a dangerous transitional player, able to break the lines and hurt the opposition with his foot skills. While he did not spend as much time up the ground this season as he may have wanted, there is potential for him to thrive on a wing or on the inside in time.

Draft Range: 40+

Tom Brown

One of the more athletic and versatile prospects on this list, Brown called upon an eye-catching arsenal of weapons across half-back in 2021. The Murray Bushrangers product is the son of 84-game former Geelong player Paul, and sister of current AFLW Cat Millie, but is ineligible for father-son nomination. In the open draft, he offers enormous intercept marking ability and plenty of speed to break forward with intent. Having spent time up forward and on a wing throughout the pathway, Brown is a developable talent with enough upside to be selected around the top 20 mark.

Draft Range: 20-35

Jase Burgoyne

A rare player whose future seems relatively certain in the lead-up to draft night, Burgoyne will land at Port Adelaide as a father-son candidate. The son of Peter lays claim to silky skills befitting of his pedigree, able to make good decisions with ball in hand and showcase a zippy turn of speed in tight spots. He is another whose versatility points towards high upside, with the skinny teenager capable of accumulating plenty of possessions in midfield, off half-back, or up forward. He has filling out to do and contested work to enhance, but Burgoyne is a classy prospect with senior experience under his belt.

Draft Range: 40+

Josh Fahey

The most highly rated Northern Academy talent among this year’s crop is Fahey, a rugby convert who has linked with a couple of academy programs across his journey. Tied to GWS, the Queanbeyan native moved back home this year after a venture north in 2020 where he turned out for the Gold Coast SUNS. Fahey prides himself on his kicking, with his raking left boot initiating plenty of driving rebounds out of the back 50 and proving penetrative at its best. He was best afield in April’s AFL Academy clash with Geelong VFL and gained experience at that level this season, making the best of limited opportunities.

Draft Range: 20-35

Lewis Rayson

A hard running outlet on the outside or off half-back, Rayson is the kind of player who gives his all for four quarters. The Glenelg product cracked Reserves level this year but looked best amongst his peers, averaging 26.7 disposals and 6.6 marks across 14 Under 18s outings. His form was also enough to earn representative honours, and the nifty small defender was even named in his state’s Under 19 leadership group. Able to crack in at ground level, break lines with his speed and kicking, and fare well for his size aerially, Rayson ticks plenty of boxes.

Draft Range: 40+

Josh Sinn

An elite sprinter who has transferred his explosive running to football, Sinn is an incredibly effective line-breaker. He endured a somewhat frustrating top-age campaign with injury seeing his best form prove just out of reach, but the Sandringham Dragons leader remains a first round talent. It did not take long for the half-back to shift into midfield and make an impact, with his driving runs and penetrative left-foot kicking making him a force on the attack. With decent size and promising versatility, Sinn was once considered a top five fancy.

Draft Range: 12-20

Darcy Wilmot

If his style of play is not eye-catching enough, you are certain to know each time Wilmot is near the play as he is always one of the more vocal players out there. Born on the final day of 2003, the Northern Knights prospect is only just eligible for this year’s draft but can match it with the best of them. His tenacious approach is combined with great flair in the form of daring dashes out of the back 50 as Wilmot takes the game on at every opportunity. While only 183cm, he is also a capable intercept marker.

Draft Range: 15-25

~