STRENGTHS:

+ Intercept marking
+ Positioning
+ Rebounding
+ Strength
+ One-on-Ones

IMPROVEMENTS:

- In-game athleticism
- Ground balls

James Van Es is a potentially value selection lower down in the AFL Draft order, but is the type of player that could raise interest from certain clubs depending on what they are looking for. On face value, Van Es is just a strong key defender who reads the ball well, positions himself accordingly behind the play, and then holds onto big grabs with consistency. Though on-field he does not always look like being overly athletic, Van Es is a player who has the upside to impact more offensively as per his superb testing results at the National Draft Combine.

At the recent testing event, Van Es topped all-comers in the running vertical jump (98cm) and second in the standing vertical jump (75cm), while ranked second from the key defenders who tested in terms of his agility. Combine that with his 2.91-second 20m sprint, and Van Es on paper is a well-rounded athlete. When he is able to really start punishing teams more by using that on-field, he can take his game to another level. Right now he can leap consistently and easily beat his opponent in that area, but is often a one-on-one defender without a lot of freedom other than when receiving uncontested in the back pockets.

Van Es is a long kick, who will often look to put it down the line or to high percentage positions. He has seldom had stints up the other end of the field, but has been such a rock solid player in the back 50 for both the Rebels and Vic Country. A more readymade option than most to play in that defensive third, Van Es has some of the safest hands behind the ball and has the smarts to peel off his opponents when required.

Another area where Van Es could improve include is his ground balls, which is not a surprise for a player of his size who can impact so effectively in the air. Often most of his touches come from intercepting aerially, averaging the 1.8 tackles per game at NAB League level. It is not a major flaw for a player who has hands as safe as the Rebels defender does, but is a way to further enhance his game.

Though those areas are ways to improve, Van Es does have that rare balance of readymade strength, smarts and scope for athletic improvement. If it can all come together for him, then Van Es could prove a value selection. However it would not be a shock if the Rebels defender was taken earlier in the draft given his testing success and consistent year at an intercepting key defender.