Luke Urquhart Draft Profile

East FremantleMidfielder

#2

Luke Urquhart

height: 184cm

weight:

D.O.B: 19-09-2006

Leagues: AFL U18 Championships

Snapshot
Analysis
Summary

SNAPSHOT: “A bullocking midfielder with a strong inside game and an eye for goal, Urquhart has emerged as a genuine draft prospect after an impressive season across different levels.” – Charlie McCormack

In a West Australian draft crop touted by some to be bereft of talent, East Fremantle’s Luke Urquhart is one of a number of Sandgropers to have enhanced their draft stocks in 2024, after putting together an excellent season across state, club and school levels.

Having made his Colts debut at age 15, Urquhart has long been regarded as a talented prospect in the East Fremantle system, but injuries had plagued the midfielder from establishing himself as a top-end talent in his under-age campaigns.

Off the back of a big pre-season, Urquhart hit the ground running at Colts level this year, averaging 24 disposals and two goals across his first two matches to clinch a place in the WA Under 18 Squad.

With the state’s brightest prospect in Bo Allan missing the start of the carnival, Urquhart led the side in its opening outing against the Allies and was one of the catalysts in helping Western Australia to a spirited showing across the championships.

He averaged 21 disposals from four matches, but left a mark with his bullish clearance work, and was arguably unlucky to miss out on All Australian honours in a lineup stacked with talented on-ballers.

The 18-year-old returned from state duties to captain Aquinas College to an Alcock Cup victory before finishing the year for East Fremantle at Colts level to round off a very consistent season.

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS:

STRENGTHS:

+ Clearance work
+ Defensive pressure
+ Explosive speed
+ Leadership
+ Power
+ Scoreboard impact

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Decision making
- Durability
- Kicking

A big-bodied midfielder, it comes as no surprise that Urquhart does his best work at the coalface. At 184cm, the 18-year-old is a robust size for an on-baller and he uses his strong frame to good effect at stoppages, hunting the ball with good intensity at ground level and proving effective as clearance player.

With a sub-three second 20m sprint to his name, Urquhart has also shown himself to be a ‘leg-driving’ midfielder, using his power to breakaway from congestion and provide quality clearances for his side. With a booming kick, it became customary to see Urquhart charging through a contest and providing deep entries for his side.

Urquhart’s game against a star-studded Vic Metro side demonstrated all his best attributes as an inside bull. With Metro boasting three potential top-five selections in their on-ball brigade, it was Urquhart who turned heads with a dominant first-half display, as he bound away from his opponents at stoppage in a commanding start to the game. While he faded out, he finished with 27 disposals, five clearances and eight score involvements to show he was capable of mixing it with the country’s top talents.

The East Fremantle product has also shown himself to be an effective player around goals. Having cut his teeth as a forward before moving on-ball, Urquhart has a happy knack of hitting the scoreboard and has shown himself to be a dangerous player when playing as a deep forward, booting multiple goals in three of his nine colts appearances.

In terms of improvement areas, Urquhart’s kicking is certainly an area he would look to tidy up if he gets an opportunity at the next level. While he is a penetrating kick out of stoppage and has good eye for goal, he often lacks polish by foot, particularly when trying to change angles or go short. His ball use seems at its best when he plays on instinct, and gains territory or uses the first option, rather than trying to finesse or be overly creative.

He has also had some injury concerns across his junior career, having had a hip reconstruction in his bottom-age year. Fortunately, the 18-year-old showed no lingering concerns from that surgery this season, playing with his trademark power and physicality.

DRAFT RANGE: 40-60

SUMMARY:

While he can certainly add polish to his game, Urquhart has enough physical attributes to have an impact at the next level. He shapes as a later pick, though it would not surprise to see a club be enamoured by his strong inside game and form at state level to select him as a ‘bolter’ in the earlier rounds. There is plenty of competition for spots when it comes to midfielders in this year’s draft, but Urquhart projects similarly to Sydney star Chad Warner, who plays with similar power and hailed from the same club and school.