OVERVIEW

Harry Petty really jumped as an AFL Draft prospect after starring performances throughout the National Under 18 Championships, seeing him earn All-Australian honours and win South Australia's MVP. The key defender averaged 12 disposals, four marks and three rebounds throughout the carnival, as one of the best defenders in the carnival. He returned to SANFL Reserves and Under 18s level, continuing his form with a standout game against Sturt - recording 26 disposals and 15 marks. Petty positions himself well and with ball in hand is reasonably well composed and can hit targets when rebounding the ball. His intercept work is strong and he often can fly back into packs to mark the ball.

STRENGTHS

• Positioning
• Composure
• Kicking
• Intercepting

Petty's positioning as a key defender is one of his best traits. He reads the flight of the ball well and in one-on-one battles he positions for the correct spot, often winning most battles. He is strong in the air, reaching up overhead and marking the ball and therefore comfortable in one-on-one situations. His intercept work is also very good, and at times he will drop off his man to get involved in the contest and win the ball. These areas are important traits for a key position defender, which is why Petty is one of the higher rated ones in the draft crop.

Furthermore, Petty is reasonably composed with ball in hand and does not rush his disposal. His kicking efficiency of 72.2 per cent in the National Under 18 Championships was pretty good and despite being under pressure in defensive 50, did not look rushed or flustered when trying to find a teammate by hand or foot.

IMPROVEMENTS

• Speed
• Strength

One area that Petty may be able to improve is his speed. Petty missed the testing at the National Combine, but at the State Combine he ran a time of 3.17 seconds. Whilst this score is not too bad, some of the more athletic forwards may be able to beat him on the lead and despite his good positioning - it is an area that needs to improve so he is not caught out against quicker opposition.

Like most key position players, they are mostly raw and lacking strength as 17 to 18 year olds - Petty is no different. The Norwood tall has a light frame and his 82 kilograms will mean that he'll be able to hit the gym hard during his first year on an AFL list and build his frame in order to be able to play on the stronger opposition key forwards.

DRAFT PROJECTION: 25-45

SUMMARY

Harrison Petty showed in the National Under 18 Championships that he is one of the best key position defenders in this draft pool. The All-Australian tall positions himself well in defensive 50 and is composed with ball in hand. If he can add some strength during the first few years on an AFL list, he will be able to play on the number one and number two talls at the next level and development into a vital key defender. He also needs to improve his strength, but his defensive attributes, particularly his intercepting and reading of the play in the defensive 50 are areas which will impress supporters at AFL level.