#2
Brayden George
height: 186cm
weight: 87kg
D.O.B: 13-01-2004
Leagues: Coates Talent League Boys
-
Snapshot
-
Analysis
-
Summary
SNAPSHOT: “A damaging medium forward with explosive speed, clean hands, and the ability to kick goals from anywhere.”
One of the hard luck stories of the year has been that of Murray Bushrangers forward Brayden George. The mercurial medium forward was beginning to stake his claim as a nailed-on first round prospect, before repeat knee injuries struck him down and look set to interrupt his first AFL preseason.
The 18-year-old was highly touted coming into the year, showcasing his rare goalkicking talent and powerful attributes for Vic Country’s Under 17 side in 2021. He was unlucky to miss out of AFL Academy selection, but took it in his stride with a preseason that had him raring to go.
On the back of five bottom-age outings for the Bushies last season, George was in scintillating touch across his first handful of appearances as a top-ager. His five goals in Round 1 and six in Round 5 were particular highlights, until a knee injury ruled him out for several weeks. Upon a steady return, he unfortunately tore his ACL early into his second game back.
Despite the frustrations of being stuck on the sidelines for much of the year, George displayed glimpses of high-end talent which will likely be enough to see him feature within the first couple of rounds of the National Draft. There are few players who can do what he does inside attacking 50.
STRENGTHS:
+ Explosive speed
+ Finishing
+ Forward craft
+ Overhead marking
+ Power
+ Scoreboard impact
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Endurance
- Versatility
There are few players below key position size who command a forward 50 like Brayden George. In his outings with Murray this season, he freed up the likes of Toby Murray to play ruck, and Fletcher Hart to present further afield as he made opposition defenders sweat one-out close to goal.
His explosive speed off the mark is near-unstoppable. George has the ability to burn opponents in a flash, leaning on his high level forward craft to time leads perfectly and essentially act as a target above his 185cm standing. When the ball is delivered well, he rarely misses his marks but can butter up and manufacture scoring chances nonetheless.
Part of George's threat inside 50 is his aerial ability. With hops which landed him in the top 10 for both running and standing vertical jumps during NAB League preseason testing, his power is one of those athletic traits which is not only highly compatible to his game, but essential.
On the end of all his hard work presenting towards the kicker are goals, and bags of them. George started the season on fire, booting five of his side's seven majors in a 49-point loss to eventual minor premier, Gippsland, before snaring six in Round 5 against Greater Western Victoria.
Clearly a prolific goal kicker, George splits the big sticks in every which way, proving one of the current crop's deadliest converters. He seems to thrive on the challenge of testing himself from the boundary or outside 50, but is reliable from more straightforward positions too. Given his lead-mark style, many attempts also come from high-percentage set shots.
Injuries aside, one factor which may hold George back in a ranking sense is his versatility. The two listed improvements go hand-in-hand, with endurance something he had been working on to be rewarded with more midfield minutes. He hardly got to show that in 2022, but has the frame and foot skills to double as a damaging pinch-hitter at centre bounces.
Building his running capacity back up after such a long-term injury (ACL tear) will not come easily, but should also lift his defensive habits. George averaged just 1.3 tackles, and had three full games without one during this NAB League season. Working both ways will then lend to his claims for more development on-ball.
DRAFT RANGE: 15-30
SUMMARY:
Players who miss most of their top-age seasons are often hard to place in the draft order, but clubs willing to back George in off a long-term injury may be inclined to do so towards the end of the first round. If not, his more likely destination sits in the second round, where he could be a bargain for teams crying out for either a reliable goalkicker or some x-factor inside attacking 50. His main method of marking on the lead means he can ease pressure on tall forwards, but he may need to wait and work hard post-rehabilitation to push for midfield minutes. If not for the ACL tear, his strong frame and Christian Petracca-like power make him a readymade option.
Coates Talent League Boys
| Season | Team | K | HB | D | M | CP | UP | T | HO | CLR | I50 | R50 | GL | GM | K | H | D | M | HO | T | G | DC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Murray Bushrangers | 26 | 16 | 42 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 5.2 | 3.2 | 8.4 | 2.8 | 0.0 | 1.6 | 2.0 | 44 |
| 2022 | Murray Bushrangers | 58 | 12 | 70 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 18 | 8 | 7.3 | 1.5 | 8.8 | 3.1 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 2.3 | 52 |
| Total | - | 84 | 28 | 112 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 28 | 13 | 6.5 | 2.2 | 8.6 | 3.0 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 96 |
