
#5
Sam Grlj
height: 182cm
weight:
D.O.B: 26-07-2007
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys
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Snapshot
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Analysis
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Summary
SNAPSHOT: “A tenacious, lightning-quick prospect who breaks the lines with flair and frequency.” – Michael Alvaro
Few players combine flair and substance like Sam Grlj. The Oakleigh Chargers speedster came on strongly as a top-ager to enter the top 10 conversation, catching the eye with his raw pace and dare. He came through the Chargers’ ranks as a dashing half-back last year, playing 10 Coates Talent League games to earn selection in the Vic Metro and National Under 17 Futures squads.
Grlj then elevated his game on the back of a strong preseason, lifting his disposal average from 13.8 to 20.3 with more midfield time in 2025. His scintillating performance in one of Vic Metro’s early trial games catapulted his stocks, though Grlj produced a relatively steady National Championships campaign in comparison. He even reverted back to his role across half-back by the end of it.
In the back-end of the year, Grlj was afforded opportunities with Richmond’s VFL side. He made two appearances in the yellow on black, acquitting himself well with his patented running game. After returning strongly for Oakleigh, he was named at half-back in the Coates Talent League Team of the Year, came second in the Chargers’ best and fairest, and clinched the club’s midfield award.
Most recently, Grlj starred at the National Draft Combine with a pair of top-10 results. He ranked second in the 2km time trial, stopping the clock at 5:59, while also placing ninth in the 20m sprint (2.926 seconds). The midfielder is a Carlton supporter, but models his game on the likes of Zak Butters and Nick Daicos – mainly for their ability to change gears moving from inside to out.
Click the ANALYSIS tab for more
STRENGTHS:
+ Competitiveness
+ Dare
+ Evasiveness
+ Line-breaking
+ Running power
+ Speed
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Accumulation
- Composure
Grlj's main weapon is his running power. He operates at full-throttle, accelerating through the gears like no other and leaving opponents in his wake. His daringness in every situation is quite unique, as Grlj backs his speed regardless of peril. What's more, he blends speed with a strong endurance base, producing repeat sprint efforts conducive to current day football. As much was evident at the National Draft Combine, where he achieved top-10 finishes in both the 20m sprint and 2km time trial.
With lightning-quick bursts, Grlj generates forward momentum in an instant. He takes off as soon as he collects the ball without compromise and consistently puts the opposition on the back foot. Particularly as a defender, he has the ability to spark end-to-end forays with repeat possessions in single passages, either linking up by hand or gut-running to track his kicks. Along the way, opponents struggle to lay a hand on him.
Grlj's evasiveness is part of what makes him so difficult to contain. He slips tackles and rolls them off his back, also riding the bumps well and possessing a wicked side-step. That's what allows him to take so many risks, even under enormous pressure, as he finds a way to get out of danger so prolifically. Such aggressive line-breaking ability is hard to come by, and can be extremely damaging when executing fast breaks through the corridor.
Complimenting his obvious flair is Grlj's competitive streak. He's a real goer, willing to lay fierce tackles and get in the face of the opposition. Often times you'll see him bury an opponent into the ground and let them know about it, playing at a high intensity and judging himself harshly for any rare errors or losses. An added benefit of his will to win has been a vastly improved midfield acumen. Grlj has become quite clean and tough around the ball, able to extract and distribute in fluent motion.
Being a high-impact type, Grlj is less of an accumulator than most in the half-back/midfielder mould. His greatest possession tally in the Coates Talent League this year was 24, though he proved consistent with hauls of 20-plus disposals in four of seven appearances, and a low of 15. Boosting his production level will only compound his ability to hurt the opposition, balancing out his damaging bursts with sustained energy.
Another area Grlj can look to develop is his composure. He tends to play to one very high gear, so being able to slow the play down when required and assess his options will be part of adjusting his decision making to the top level. You don't want to quell his natural instincts, but he'll get away with a lot less in the AFL in terms of breaking tackles and having as much time in possession. Otherwise, Grlj gets a tick for enhancing his midfield craft - as sited in preseason - and has seems to operate at highly professional standards.
DRAFT RANGE: 5-12
SUMMARY:
Clubs will be clamouring for a player like Grlj, who offers clear points of difference among a relatively shallow crop. His line-breaking speed and competitive nature are attributes suited to the quickly regenerating Richmond side, for example. The Tigers currently hold picks two and three, so after early bids on Academy-aligned talent, could be a club to pounce on Grlj’s traits. It would be somewhat of a jump in that range, but he appeals to several sides on a needs basis. His promising VFL form and rate of development in 2025 will be other factors which boost his value among the top 15. A strong National Combine showing was just the cherry on top – he’ll go early.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 | Vic Metro | 29 | 39 | 68 | 10 | 19 | 49 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 7.3 | 9.8 | 17.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 58 |
Total | - | 29 | 39 | 68 | 10 | 19 | 49 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 7.3 | 9.8 | 17.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 58 |
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | Oakleigh Chargers | 64 | 74 | 138 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 17 | 1 | 10 | 6.4 | 7.4 | 13.8 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 3.9 | 0.1 | 48 |
2025 | Oakleigh Chargers | 59 | 83 | 142 | 19 | 49 | 92 | 35 | 0 | 27 | 20 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 8.4 | 11.9 | 20.3 | 2.7 | 0.0 | 5.0 | 0.7 | 81 |
Total | - | 123 | 157 | 280 | 41 | 49 | 92 | 74 | 0 | 27 | 45 | 30 | 6 | 17 | 7.2 | 9.2 | 16.5 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 4.4 | 0.4 | 129 |