STRENGTHS:

+ Accumulation
+ Endurance
+ Consistency
+ Leadership
+ Outside run
+ Speed

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Contested work
- Opposite foot

An athletic rebounding defender with good footy IQ and leadership qualities, Riley Hardeman shapes as a potential first round selection in this year's draft. He came into 2023 with plenty of experience, having played in a WAFL Colts premiership in 2021 and with the 2022 State 18s before getting a taste of senior footy with the Swan Districts' reserves.

Hardeman’s 2023 season began with a League debut for the Swans, featuring across the half-back flank with 10 disposals and six marks. The brief exposure held him in good stead for the National Championships, where he averaged 18.5 disposals, 5.8 marks and 6.3 rebound 50s in his usual role down back.

His defensive acumen has improved greatly across the year, most significantly in the way of intercepting. The wealth of experience Hardeman has gained playing senior footy was evident in the State 18’s this year in the way he read the play and defended with great composure and intelligence.

While he has added a greater impact with his defensive craft, his rebounding too has advanced to become more dangerous and effective. Possessing an enticing blend of pace and endurance, Hardeman can break away from his man and split the play open in seconds. Though he can be a bit one-dimensional, in the sense that he routinely breaks away on the left, his preferred side, and very rarely looks to take the game on through his right-side. Hardeman’s precision kicking is often the cherry on top of his threat from half-back.

In the WAFL Colts competition, Hardeman featured heavily as a midfielder in 2023. Averaging over 26 disposals in the five games he completed without injury or concussion, he showed promising glimpses for a future at the coalface. His contested work improved thoroughly, though there remains room for growth. He remained primarily as an outside runner available to dish the ball off with great accuracy and potency.

A true leader with maturity and intelligence, he is revered by his peers and his coaches. Remarkably consistent in whichever position he plays, Hardeman is going to be an asset to whichever club may take him both on and off the field.