From Leader Newspapers
Reported by Paul Amy
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SCOUTS who cover the VFL say draft prospects are thinner on the ground this year.
But AFL Victoria VFL Academy coach/mentor Darren Flanigan expects up to 10 players to advance to AFL lists through the national and rookie drafts.
The state league produced nine draftees in 2012, most notably Western Bulldog Brett Goodes, Magpies Sam Dwyer and Kyle Martin and Demon Matt Jones.
Former Geelong ruckman Flanigan is confident a similar number will be taken this year, saying AFL clubs will look to the VFL to fill specific needs on their lists.
He believes Port Melbourne midfielder Chris Cain, Werribee big man Ben Brown and Northern Blues on-baller Kane Lambert are the best chances to go in the national draft.
Cain and Brown attended the national combine, as did jack-in-the-box Frankston forward Sam Lloyd.
"If there ends up being 90-odd picks, including the rookies, I think you're looking at eight to 10 boys out of the VFL, and a lot of them will go on a needs basis,'' Flanigan said.
"If a club needs a tall defender, Scott Simpson (Frankston) or Matt Sully (Geelong) or Jake Wilson (Werribee) might come in to play.
"You look at the way Collingwood used their rookie list last year.
"They wanted ready-to-play players to fill a niche.
"I think there's going to be a fair bit more of that.
"But you'd think in the national draft they'll pick the best players on offer, which they always do, but at the back end of their selections, they'll try to cover specific needs.
"So it certainly opens up opportunities for the state league players.''
Contacted last week, three recruiters who cover the VFL said there were fewer likely types than in 2012.
All praised Brown, saying they were certain he would be picked in the national draft.
"He might have even gone in the top 25 if he'd smashed it in the finals," one of the recruiters said.
"But he was only fair."
He said he submitted a list of 18 "draftable'' VFL players last year, but only nine this year.
The 2013 NAB AFL Draft will to be held on the Gold Coast this Thursday, November 21.
VFL PROSPECTS
Chris Cain (Port Melbourne, 26, 181cm, 83kg): has almost 130 VFL games behind him. But has much to look forward to after a season in which he gained more admirers with his class and poise through the midfield and across half forward. Won Port's best and fairest and the Frank Johnson Medal as the VFL's best player in the game against the WAFL.
Ben Brown (Werribee, 20, 199cm, 98kg): everyone was talking about him when he broke in to Werribee's team early in the season and it was all to do with his mop of hair. But the former Tasmanian's ability as an athletic and enthusiastic key forward/ruckman soon became apparent. Brown, the nephew of Collingwood premiership player James Manson, went to the national combine and has created great interest among AFL clubs.
Kane Lambert (Northern Blues, 21, 178cm, 78kg): drop his name to Denis Pagan and your ear will be chewed. Pagan coached the midfielder at the Northern Knights and likes to call him a "right-foot Anthony Stevens''. Finished runner-up in the JJ Liston Trophy, won the Fothergill Round Medal as the league's best Under 23 player and played for the state this year.
Matt Sully (Geelong, 20, 196cm, 95kg): Strong and dependable full-back who made encouraging progress with the VFL Cats over 19 games this year. One player manager thinks he can play 100 AFL games.
Sam Lloyd (Frankston, 23, 182cm, 82kg): an excitement package from top to toe: likes nothing better than submitting contenders for mark and goal of the year. Regularly succeeded on both counts. Kicked 38 goals from 17 games (and a century of goals for Deniliquin in 2010) in his first season swimming with the Dolphins.
Jake Best (Casey Scorpions, 24, 186cm, 84kg): cricket always came first for the South Gippslander (he was captain of Premier club Casey South Melbourne) but has switched his sporting focus. Kicked 70-odd goals for Leongatha in 2012 but had his brightest moments for Casey when used up the ground. Has pace and sure hands.
Scott Simpson (Frankston, 24, 198cm, 100kg): key position player who found another kick in his career after joining the Dolphins this year from his local club, Mt Eliza. Was with Geelong in 2008-09 but injuries held him back. Has matured in body and mind since then and will be considered by clubs needing to add depth down the middle.
David Mirra (Box Hill Hawks, 22, 186cm, 86kg): reliable and versatile mid-sized defender who, in the absence of Daniel Pratt, captained the Hawks to the premiership this year. Club general manager and former Hawk and Bomber Paul Barnard is pushing for him to get a listing.
Josh Scipione (Port Melbourne, 22, 180cm, 79kg): stylish left-footer who can go on match-shaping bursts. Found permanence in the Port team in his third season at the club, kicking 42 goals, and earned a Victorian jumper.
Myke Cooke (Sandringham, 24, 184cm, 83kg): pacy midfielder who has been a well-performed former Zebra for two seasons. Previously had 14 games for Adelaide. It's understood Collingwood fancies him as a rookie.
Ziggie Alwan (Frankston, 24, 186cm, 90kg): followed the path of Collingwood's Kyle Martin, who to the Dolphins from Noble Park 12 months earlier. Didn't have the influence Martin did, but played some good games at half forward, at his best when leading up and marking. Has "huge upside'', according to coach Simon Goosey.
Scott Sherlock (Werribee, 23, 173cm, 76kg): pacy right-footer who catches the eye when he takes the ball at half back, goes for a run and delivers it neatly. The former Western Jet has shown resilience by overcoming the knee injury that kept him out of football in 2011.
Jason Pongracic (Frankston, 19, 183cm, 88kg): robust midfielder whose omission from rookie lists last year confounded his Dandenong Stingrays coach Graeme Yeats. "Aww, mate, he was stiff,'' Yeats said. Pongracic didn't dominate the VFL but looked comfortable in open company.
Scott Clouston (Werribee, 25, 193cm, 91kg): former Brisbane Lion who arrived at the Tigers this year as a key forward, but did well when shifted to defence. Strong overhead and has the kick of a horse.
Jack Johnstone (Williamstown, 20, 185cm, 85kg): the Gippsland Power graduate flourished in run-with roles late in the season, knocking over players over the calibre of Xavier Ellis, Chris Cain and David Ellard. Nephew of former Collingwood utility Tarkyn Lockyer.
Peter Shakallis (Sandringham, 22, 183cm, 80kg): frustrated with a lack of opportunity, Shakallis almost left the Zebras before the start of the season. Just as well he stayed; he became a senior regular and an increasingly reassuring figure in the Sandy defence. Strong, spirited and a rookie smoky.
Jake Wilson (Werribee, 21, 193cm, 94kg): the determined full-back was putting together a nice season (he'd been picked in the AFL Victoria VFL Academy and played for the VFL rep team) before tearing his spleen in Round 17. Has made steady progress since coming out of Portland at age 17.
Mitch Gent (Casey Scorpions, 21, 182cm, 77kg): tough on-baller with a pickpocket's hands, allowing him to do good things in close. Lost only a little when his numbers and influence were compared to Demons rookies James Magner and Tommy Couch.
Alik Magin (Bendigo, 22, 180cm, 75kg): went to the Gold after eight appearances with the Gold Coast Suns and won the best and fairest by a Bendigo mile. Does things with an ease that suggests he belongs back in the best company.
Adam Marcon (Northern Blues, 21, 180cm, 80kg): bit of a forgotten man after missing a chunk of the season with a knee injury. But his 2012 was outstanding - he edged his great mate Kane Lambert for the best and fairest.
Jacob Ballard (Northern Blues, 19, 186cm, 85kg): 186cm midfielder who hogs the contested ball. Broke through for five senior games after crossing from the Northern Knights.
Ryan Exon (Box Hill Hawks, 19, 181cm, 72kg): played in the Hawks' premiership team and was handy with his hard running. Twelve months earlier he captained the Oakleigh Chargers to the flag and won their best and fairest.
Chris Michaliades (Sandringham, 21, 175cm, 71kg): speedy small forward renowned for his eagerness to tackle. Had a quiet finish to the season but finished with 18 games and 21 goals. Has crossed to Port Melbourne.
Darcy Fort (Werribee, 19, 203cm, 90kg): played four senior games for the Tigers after crossing from the Geelong Falcons and was judged their best first-year/Academy player. Raw but likely big man who has attracted the interest of the Footscray VFL hierarchy.
James Munro (Sandringham, 19, 182cm, 80kg): had a dazzling rise through the ranks this year after making the switch from hockey, where he was an elite junior. Won early games for the Sandringham Dragons and wound up in Sandy's team. Good runner and happy risk-taker.
