STRENGTHS:

+ Aerial ability
+ Athleticism
+ Competitiveness
+ Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

- Endurance
- Production

After attracting mid-season interest, over-ager Rod Ali remains on the draft radar. The Eastern Ranges prospect turned to Coates Talent League football at the final time of asking having paved his way through the basketball system, and established himself with 14 appearances this year. It proved a shrewd decision as Eastern took out its first premiership since 2013 and Ali stepped up for two VFL games with Collingwood.

Ali's rate of development this year has been phenomenal. He remains a raw, low-production type but has begun to add weapons to his game on top of being a resolute lockdown defender. His athleticism is at the absolute top-end, particularly his jumping, which was showcased at the Victorian state draft combine. Ali registered a 109cm running vertical jump and 82cm standing vert, both of which would have placed first at the national combine.

Despite standing at 186cm, Ali has become renowned for competing well above his height against genuine tall opponents. He combines his closing speed and aerial gifts to do so, hardly being beaten and following up with intent at ground level. Ali has developed the offensive side of his game with a greater rate of intercept marks and more daring rebound run. He can continue to build his endurance tank to then become a higher-production type.

DRAFT RANGE: Late/Rookie