#6
Jack Ough
height: 194cm
weight:
D.O.B: 15-12-2006
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys
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Snapshot
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Analysis
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Summary
SNAPSHOT: “A versatile tall midfielder who can play on the inside or outside, laying claim to a clean set of hands and neat fundamental skills.” – Michael Alvaro
One of the rare players to have represented multiple Coates Talent League clubs, Jack Ough has come a long way over the journey. The Wentworth junior landed in the Bendigo Pioneers’ Mildura satellite, but moved to complete his schooling at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat. Having debuted for the Pios and represented Vic Country at the 2022 National Championships, he would go on to link up with Greater Western Victoria (GWV).
Ough played three CTL games as a 15-year-old before increasing that tally to nine with the Rebels in 2023. He continued to grow and made 16 appearances in 2024 as GWV qualified for its first Grand Final in 27 years. Ough also broke into the Vic Country Under 18 squad and was a regular during the national carnival, playing all four games. The 194cm midfielder draws comparisons to 2023 Rebels graduate, Joel Freijah.
PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS:
STRENGTHS:
+ Clean hands
+ Consistency
+ Disposal efficiency
+ Side-step
+ Size
+ Versatility
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Hurt factor
- Speed
Ough has impressed throughout the season with his ability to play the role required of him, whether on the inside or outside. He arguably played his best footy on-ball, especially late in the Coates Talent League season where he strung together an impressive run of form. His consistency shone through during that patch, dipping below 20 touches just once in his last eight games, while surpassing the 25-disposal mark five times.
Even when Ough plays inside, he showcases his ability to spread and accumulate around the ground, while on the outside he can still fold in on the contest and use his size to create space. Among Ough's best traits in either role are his clean hands and efficient ball use. He delivers the ball neatly by hand and foot, making quick decisions and executing sharply. Meanwhile, his handling is sound both at the contest and aerially.
During his late-season surge, Ough's utilised his size advantage at stoppages. He was able to stand in tackles and absorb pressure, while also being reasonably competitive at ground level and brave in the air. He boosted his defensive output too, averaging five tackles per his last eight appearances. Ough's agility was an added bonus to his play, allowing him to buy time in possession with lateral movement and deft feints.
While quite efficient with ball in hand, Ough could become a more damaging player. He racks up a lot of outside ball, contributing to slow play with uncontested marks and safe short kicks, though is certainly capable of hitting leading targets when exiting stoppages. Nailing such passes on the run and with physical pressure will elevate his game, especially considering he isn't blessed with natural, explosive pace.
Ough could enhance that explosive element with time in an elite environment. Boasting good composure and a deft step through traffic, he has shown an ability to take the game on when possible. There also remains scope to also be an effective resting forward given his size and ability overhead. Just where Ough fits in at the next level, though, remains to be seen as he is already quite versatile.
DRAFT RANGE: 30-50
SUMMARY:
There is still plenty of growth left in Ough, who has gotten plenty of milage into his legs across his junior career. 194cm midfielders, and versatile ones at that, don’t grow on trees, so he will likely attract attention around the mid-to-late range of the draft. His exposed form in a range of roles and the AFL emergence of a comparable player in Joel Freijah means he has good potential to not only adapt his skills to the next level, but further evolve.
AFL U18 Championships
Season | Team | K | HB | D | M | CP | UP | T | HO | CLR | I50 | R50 | GL | GM | K | H | D | M | HO | T | G | DC |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Vic Country | 30 | 24 | 54 | 18 | 15 | 41 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 7.5 | 6.0 | 13.5 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 53 |
Total | - | 30 | 24 | 54 | 18 | 15 | 41 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 7.5 | 6.0 | 13.5 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 53 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | Bendigo Pioneers | 14 | 17 | 31 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 10.3 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 36 |
2023 | GWV Rebels | 44 | 60 | 104 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 4.9 | 6.7 | 11.6 | 2.9 | 0.0 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 44 |
2024 | GWV Rebels | 187 | 140 | 360 | 72 | 0 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 53 | 32 | 6 | 16 | 11.7 | 8.8 | 22.5 | 4.5 | 0.0 | 3.8 | 0.4 | 77 |
Total | - | 245 | 217 | 495 | 107 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 0 | 0 | 74 | 34 | 11 | 28 | 8.8 | 7.8 | 17.7 | 3.8 | 0.0 | 3.1 | 0.4 | 157 |