STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Decision making
+ Evasiveness
+ Skills
+ Versatility
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Conditioning
- Speed

Having often plied his trade on either side of midfield, De La Rue found a niche during the Under 18 National Championships as a high half-forward. He demonstrated strong understanding of the role and how he can fit into a team system - something he has developed in his top-age year. Still, he remains a versatile mid-sized prospect with potential to pinch-hit wherever required.

Coming off an ACL tear in 2021, De La Rue piled on a good amount of size and got to work on his running capacity. While he takes on the look of a lightly framed runner, he's quite strong through the core and deceptively capable overhead. His clean hands also translate at ground level where De La Rue is a one-touch and nimble player. In both facets, he's gutsy for a player his size.

De La Rue applies himself defensively too, averaging over four tackles per his 11 Talent League games this year. He'll have a go once his name is called, either prizing the ball cleanly or bringing down opponents who do so first. On the flip-side, the 17-year-old has great creative nous and makes terrific decisions going inside 50. He kicks with both feet and uses his excellent vision to pick out slick passes.

With all his traits combined, De La Rue is the ideal kind of player to work up the ground, compete for possession, and hurt the opposition on the way back to goal. He's very elusive when stationed just outside the forward 50 arc, with good agility, but does not test quite as well for speed and can improve on that aspect. Still, he covers ground and manufactures time in possession in his own way.

Despite filling out his frame and showcasing strong work ethic, conditioning is another growth area. The kind of role which has endeared him to recruiters this year requires a heavy running base, and De La Rue will need to add even more strength to play the way he does against senior bodies. He doesn't tend to do too much wrong though, as a clever and well-skilled natural footballer.