Blake Thredgold Draft Profile

SturtKey Defender

#32

Blake Thredgold

height: 194cm

weight:

D.O.B: 27-08-2007

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “An athletic key defender who thrives on shutting down dangerous forwards, but can also peel off to intercept.” – Michael Alvaro

Blake Thredgold made every post a winner in 2025, even despite an untimely setback. The key defender missed three National Championships games with a broken hand, but returned just in time to play game four and help South Australia take out the title undefeated. He also went on to win the SANFL Under 18 flag with Sturt, adjudged best on ground for his 14 disposals and 12 marks against West Adelaide.

While he looks a natural defender with his ability to shut down dangerous forwards, Thredgold originally hit the state scene as a ruck-forward at Under 16 level. He was thrown into every key position post for Sturt at times this season and proved a reliable team player along the way. His dynamism was further proven at the National Draft Combine, where he achieved three top-10 results across the event.

Thredgold is an Adelaide Crows supporter who watches the likes of Josh Worrell and Darcy Moore to improve his own game. He prides himself on his desperation and leaping ability, traits which both of the aforementioned players possess. Thredgold is now in line to be the top key defender taken with an open draft pick having mostly flown under the radar throughout his top-age campaign.

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STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Athleticism
+ Lockdown defence
+ One-on-ones
+ Reading the play
+ Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Decision making
- Production

At his core, Thredgold is a reliable lockdown defender who thrives on the big matchups. In three of his last four SANFL Under 18 appearances this year, he had the job of shutting down West Adelaide spearhead Mitchell Marsh, who is considered a first round prospect. Marsh booted three goals in Round 18 and the semi-final, but Thredgold kept him without a major from five touches in his best on ground Grand Final performance.

The team-oriented Sturt defender is a gutsy aerial competitor, able to either play the percentages with a timely spoil or clunk intercept marks at full stretch. He is difficult to beat one-on-one, but adjusted his game in the back-end of the year to become a little more daring. In doing so, he backed his play-reading ability to make early moves off his direct opponent and cut off opposition attacks.

What has allowed Thredgold to make such adjustments is his athleticism. He put it all on show with three top-10 finishes at the National Draft Combine, placing seventh in the 20m sprint (2.918 seconds), equal-eighth in the standing vertical jump (71cm), and equal-fourth in the running vertical jump (89cm). That translates to strong aerial ability and the speed to close in on contests, or keep up with leading opponents.

Thredgold's speed has also been handy as he continues to evolve on the attacking end. He is capable of getting ahead of the ball and becoming a link in the transitional chain, looking comfortable - albeit unorthodox at times - when carrying the ball through the middle. He also possesses a booming kick to help connect the lines. Not many key defenders can go end-to-end like that, and Sturt's high-possession style helped him enhance those traits.

Having played in every key position post over his junior career, the versatility within his role extends to adaptability all around the field. Thredgold was sighted early in the season switching into attack when the game was on the line, and he has also spent time rucking for Sturt. At Under 16 level in the state program, he was a ruck-forward before developing into a nailed-on key defender.

Where Thredgold can continue to improve is his decision making. He shows a great willingness to take off and attack with ball in hand, but can refine his end product in full flight. He wanted to enhance those instincts coming into the season to make better use of his kicking, which is sometimes technically erratic on the run. Further to that, lifting his production levels will help balance out his defensive and attacking contributions. In 14 SANFL Under 18 games, he landed single-digit disposals six times, although plays a role that is not always conducive to big numbers.

DRAFT RANGE: 25-40

SUMMARY:

The dearth of genuine key defensive options in this year’s draft means Thredgold’s stocks have been booming in the back-end of the year. So much so, he has a case for being the best in his position in an open draft. While he initially endeared himself to clubs with his defensive application, Thredgold has further unearthed his draftability with terrific results in the way of athletic testing, and a promising growth in attacking output. His well-roundedness could lead to late first round selection, but more likely finding a home in the second round.