#33
Mason McGroder
height: 195cm
weight:
D.O.B: 18-09-2008
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys
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Snapshot
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Analysis
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Summary
SNAPSHOT: “An athletic phenom with near-untapped potential and the unique opportunity to become elite in two different sports.”
For mere mortals, the dream of becoming professional in just one sport is often unattainable. For Mason McGroder, paths towards the upper echelon of two very different codes are awaiting his gifted footsteps.
The Swans Academy and Allies representative has some of the greatest upside of any draft prospect this year, but is also an Olympic long-jump hopeful. McGroder won bronze at the 2024 U20 World Championships as a 15-year-old, and backed it up with a silver medal in the same event this year. The allure of representing his country at a home Olympics in 2032, and college offers from the US, are front of mind.
In a footballing sense, McGroder remains a raw talent. The rugby league convert was quickly identified during Swans Academy trials and played two Under 16 championships with said program. He has consistently juggled his footy and athletics duties over the journey.
McGroder played half of the Swans’ Talent League games this year and snuck in an Allies appearance before heading off to the World Championships. He was invited to the National Draft Combine and lit it up, claiming three podium finishes including first place in the 20-metre sprint (2.827 seconds).
STRENGTHS:
+ Aerial ability
+ Athleticism
+ Power
+ Speed
+ Upside
+ Versatility
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Kicking
- Rawness
You cannot escape the mention of athleticism when describing McGroder's game. He's an all-round freak, as proven by his outstanding National Draft Combine results. The Swans-tied talent finished first in the 20-metre sprint (2.827 seconds), second in the running vertical jump (107cm), and equal-second in the standing jump (85cm).
Pleasingly, those results translate directly to how he plays football. McGroder's raw power and speed are weapons he uses to spark daring transitional forays. Often times he'll pick up the ball in the defensive half, take off with several running bounces and launch the ball inside attacking 50, leaving a trail of opponents in his wake.
His spring-heeled leap has seen him utilised in the ruck as a junior, but is just as useful while operating behind the ball. McGroder is a strong competitor who hates to be beaten, and can use his athletic gifts to shut down opponents. He closes in hard with his speed and has great aerial range thanks to his leap and frame.
Having been made to juggle his various sporting commitments, there is a sense that McGroder harbours untapped potential. He has been tried in a range of roles - even on the wing - and can exponentially develop his craft in a full-time elite environment. He's a crystal-ball type of selection who still has elements of rawness to his game.
While physically phenomenal and capable of breaking the game open at his best, McGroder can continue to work on his ball use. He can sometimes spray the ball while moving at full tilt and has an unconventional technique, but needless to say is measurably more assured off a standing start.
Currently a low-volume, high-impact type of player, another facet of McGroder's development will be to boost his production level and consistency. If he can become a more prominent interceptor and take possession in threatening areas more often, he has the potential to do serious damage to the opposition.
DRAFT RANGE: 35-60
After a bumper Academy crop last year, McGroder was the Swans’ only National Combine invitee in 2026 and they’ll have first dibs on him. His draft range may be wide, but there is clear interest in his athletic potential and the upside that entails. Clubs may even have different views on where he is best suited at the top level, although he has settled into a role at centre half-back. With a clean run at it and full-time contact hours, McGroder could truly be anything. That potential may see him considered as early as the second-third round, otherwise as a late-draft option.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Allies | 8 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 48 |
| Total | - | 8 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 12.0 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 48 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Swans Academy | 20 | 5 | 25 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 5.0 | 1.3 | 6.3 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 28 |
| 2026 | Swans Academy | 13 | 17 | 30 | 2 | 8 | 20 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4.3 | 5.7 | 10.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 32 |
| Total | - | 33 | 22 | 55 | 9 | 15 | 36 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 4.7 | 3.1 | 7.9 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 60 |
