STRENGTHS:

+ Clean hands
+ Scoreboard impact
+ Speed
+ Work rate

IMPROVEMENTS:

– Kick consistency
– Size

Sturt small forward Loch Rawlinson is the latest AFL Draft hopeful out of the Double Blues, having pieced together plenty of eye-catching moments this season. With a terrific speed-endurance combination, Rawlinson worked his way into a State Draft Combine invite off the back of a solid national carnival and SANFL Under 18s season. For the Croweaters, Rawlinson kicked a couple of goals from 11 disposals on average, and generally used his clean hands to advantage.

A nimble player in close, he is a classy talent with upside, and having the work rate to get from contest-to-contest helps. Standing at only 178cm and 72kg, Rawlinson is still only light, and therefore his contented work is an area of improvement, while his kicking consistency, particularly in full flight, is another way the South Australian can further improve. He proved a clutch player in Sturt’s run to the SANFL Under 18s Grand Final though, having a handy knack for kicking crucial goals.

In terms of interest at the next level, clubs would have been impressed by Rawlinson’s performance at the state combine. He tore up the 20m sprint with a top time of 2.894 seconds, which is elite by any standards. Rawlinson also adjusted nicely this year to becoming a much more permanent small forward, showing an understanding of where he is most likely to fit in at the next level and acquitting himself well. He can either be that crafty goalsneak or work as a hard-running high half-forward.

DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie

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Image Credit: Cory Sutton/SANFL