STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Follow-up work
+ Leadership
+ Mobility
+ Production
+ Ruck craft

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Contested marking
- Forward craft

Herbert's main point of difference in the ruck is his follow-up work. He may not be as prolific in the initial contest, but beats all comers with his ability to mop up at ground level and act as a fourth midfielder. His handling is wickedly clean and he moves with genuine poise to help facilitate seamless stoppage exits.

Often times Herbert can be seen taking the ball from the ruck contest and dishing off to rovers. He also stays involved as his side moves the ball via chains of handballs, proving quite agile in tight spots and skilful by hand or foot. Few can claim to match his level of coordination and dexterity below his knees.

On top of being a clearance threat, Herbert possesses solid ruck craft. He leaps hard at centre ball-ups and can muscle his way to the ball in stoppage situations, providing several avenues to feed his midfielders. Although, having measured up at 199cm in preseason, doing so against genuine 205cm rucks may prove a challenge.

Being a touch undersized, Herbert has been made to round out his profile by spending plenty of time forward this year. He has a ways to go when it comes to timing his leaps and positioning ahead of the ball, with that forward nous still very much in a developmental stage. Still, he showed signs at club and school level that he can hit the scoreboard.

Another facet of Herbert's growing versatility is his contested marking game. That same craft plays a big part in how he can impose himself in other roles, particularly if he is to turn into a key forward or defender. Given he has quite comfortably played his best footy as a ruck, but may not be utilised there at AFL level, he has to find other ways to impose himself aerially.

Recruiters will often obsess or hold bias towards what a player can't do, rather than their superpowers. Even so, Herbert's superpower at junior level may not translate as well to AFL level - that's the query. He has proven his quality as a unique kind of ruck, one who influences in open play and around the ground rather than solely in the air. His production levels at Under 18 level have been astronomical over the last couple of seasons, which is difficult to ignore.

If any prospect is well positioned to iron out their deficiencies, it's Herbert. A diligent learner who thinks about the game and watches it closely, he clearly has the drive to improve. Given his attitudinal strengths, he's also a terrific leader who sets competitive standards and seems invested in getting the best out of himself.