POSITION: Tall Forward

SNAPSHOT: "A mobile tall forward who shot on the scene this season, showcasing sound overhead marking and shrewd leading patterns.

The Northern Knights were stoked to bring Anthony Caminiti into their program this year, and it was easy to easy why after his five-goal NAB League debut in May. The athletic key forward slotted into Northern's front six when Carey Grammar had a bye during the APS season, and did enough over both competitions to that point to be a late inclusion in June's Victorian representative trials. With more promising form, he earned a draft combine invite and looms as a tall prospect with high upside among this year's cohort.

STRENGTHS:

+ Mobility
+ Leading Patterns
+ Overhead Marking
+ Clean Hands
+ Scoreboard Impact

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Strength
- Exposure

Caminiti was a difficult player to deny given his goalkicking record in the APS competition, and he took full toll once given an opportunity in the NAB League. His five-goal debut for Northern stamped his status as a consistent scoring option, having strung together several multiple-goal games for Carey Grammar. At APS season's end, he was named in the competition's Merit Team for 2021.

As a mobile type of tall talent, Caminiti is quick off the mark and constantly gets separation on the lead. His mix of athleticism and smarts makes for some really promising attacking play, as Caminiti reacts first to the flow of play and can begin moving into the right space before the kicker makes a decision. With good delivery, he can be really dangerous.

The other factor on the end of Caminiti's leading patterns is his overhead marking. He showed many times when operating as a lead-up option further afield for Northern, that he could reach higher than his opponents and cleanly clunk aerial balls. With a bit more strength and size on his 83kg frame, Caminiti could even clunk more contested marks while AFL-level defenders match him for athleticism and smarts.

Caminiti's clean hands extend further than his marking too. With good movement for his size, the 196cm talent is comfortable on the ball and looks to move it on quickly to runners passing by. He is able to contribute at ground level with composure and often proves quite unselfish inside 50, creating opportunities for others by hand and foot.

One question mark over Caminiti's ability to make the next step may be his exposure to high levels of football. He played six game's in Victoria's leading school football competition this year, but only three at NAB League level. Five of his six NAB League goals came in one game and he could not quite find the goals in his Victorian trial dig. His movement further afield may be a factor, but Caminiti certainly found his best goalkicking form in the APS.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Late/Rookie

SUMMARY:

In a draft crop dominated by midfielders, clubs may be more willing to take chances on developing talls a little higher up the order. In Caminiti's case, he'd be an ideal late-round or rookie option given his upside and rate of development, with exciting traits which can be enhanced at the next level. He is mobile and comfortable in possession, adding a bit of dynamism to go with his goalkicking and marking ability.