I have mentioned a couple of times that this year’s AFL draft is expected to be quite shallow – but if you are willing to look hard enough then you will find some hidden gems.
And you want to know whose those hidden gems are, don’t you?
So here are the hidden gems for the 2015 draft – the players not expected to go in the first or even second round. In my opinion these guys are the six biggest hidden gems that I could find for the 2015 draft;
Gach Nyuon – Dandenong Stingrays (Ruckman 202cm/83kgs)
The big man received All Australian honours and is already likened to West Coast Eagles star Nic Naitanui.
Expected to be picked up late Round 3, maybe even in Round 4, but I’m telling you this kid would be a bargain at pick 30. Tested fantastically at the combine having a 362cm absolute vertical jump, and a 94cm vertical jump.
Mabior Chol – Yeronga/Brisbane academy (Forward 198cm/79kgs)
Although in the Brisbane academy, if someone went for him at pick 30-35 then I don’t expect Brisbane to match the offer. Athletic Sudanese forward who is a bit of a work in progress. A left footer who can take some really strong marks. He is another of those diamonds in the rough. Will probably end up at Brisbane though.
Stephen Tahana – North Adelaide (Half back/Midfield 183cm/78kgs)
Has already played SANFL and is a great rebound player who reads the play and puts his body on the line. Good clean pair of hands and has speed. Can also play in the midfield.
Has been rumoured to go in the region of Pick 40. If someone picks him up at pick 40 then that would be a huge bargain. Was inconsistent at the championships but when he was on he was a line-breaking gun. Jumps 86cm, and boasted both speed and agility at the combine.
Mitchell Hibberd – Clarence (Half back 191cm/85kgs)
Has been compared to the Western Bulldogs star Marcus Bontempelli. Boasts skill, endurance and poise. He has had a wretched run with injuries first with a knee reconstruction, then a shoulder reconstruction. Can play on the wing and could be another hidden gem. Missed out on getting drafted last year but has come back from two surgeries better than ever. Ran the second best beep test at the combine in a 15.8.
Daniel Rioli – North Ballarat Rebels (Half Forward/Half Back 175cm/76kgs)
So you want to know if he’s related to Cyril? Yes! Cyril is Daniel’s uncle, and their game styles are very very similar. The kid is very raw, loves to take the game on and loves kicking goals – more suited playing half forward, but can play in all three zones of the ground like he did in the U18 championships.
A genuinely smart footballer who can turn a game on its head. Tested fantastically at the combine with a 2.89secs 20m sprint and a 24.15secs repeat sprints being the second and first fastest respectively.
Oleg Markov – South Australia (Forward/Key Forward 190cm/85kgs)
Oleg Markov was born in Belarus and is the son of a world champion pole vaulter. He is a beautiful athlete and missed out on being drafted last year but I think that this year he will be picked up by a club. Came seventh in the agility run which is extraordinary for someone that is 190cm.
Also kicked a perfect 30 in the goal kicking test – only one of four to do so and also ran a massive 14.8 in the beep test. An athletic beast.
Who have I missed Roarers?
TomC
Roar Guru
The Lions hold pick 2 in the draft, and are likely to use that on Schache, who is not an academy player. He is the son of a former Brisbane player, but is not father/son eligible. There are two players in the Lions academy that are considered among the top 20 draft prospects, Eric Hipwood and Ben Keays. After pick 2, the Lions' next picks are 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42. That will allow them to match bids of around 10 and 11 without going into deficit. Chances are at least one of those two won't attract a bid that high, so there's a good chance Brisbane will be left with pick 42, or that pick might need to be downgraded a few spots. The Lions have also nominated William, Wagner, Weller and Chol as potential academy picks. William, who like Chol is of Sudanese descent, is probably the most accomplished of those four. It's possible that he attracts a late bid, and that Brisbane match it. If the bids on Keays and Hipwood are high enough, Brisbane's picks might be wiped out and they don't get the chance to take any of the above four if another club bids. If any nominated player isn't drafted, then the Lions can select them at the beginning of the rookie draft. If Brisbane are keen on Chol, they're probably hoping that's how they get him. Chol is very raw, so you'd probably think most clubs would see him more as a rookie prospect than a senior listed player. That, believe it or not, is the simple explanation.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Actually, I only just realise (or have been reminded) that Chol is also in the Lions academy. I know the Lions are also looking at Schache as an early pick, but I can't recall whether that's a father-son, an academy pick, or whether they are just hoping to get him with their second pick. I just wonder whether the Lions are wanting to use another one of their early picks on someone like Chol, or is there another academy pick ahead of him in the queue?
TomC
Roar Guru
Yeah, he should have just made up stuff and pretended he had inside sources, like the pros.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
A nice selection nevertheless: - potential ruckman likened to NicNat - 198cm forward of Sudanese background - another Rioli - 191cm Bontempelli clone - and to cap it all off, the son of a champion pole vaulter, extremely athletic 190cm, scores 100% in kicking test - that one I hadn't heard of.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
None of these are hidden gems. They are all on the radar. I can't understand why you can't do your homework.
trenerry boy
Roar Rookie
They claim the draft is shallow every year, the truth is they have no real idea, for the most part it is an extremely inexact science
The Original Buzz
Roar Rookie
I would agree with your list, Tom. I have been following the draft this year and I don't think it is as shallow as many make it out to be. Rioli, Hibberd, Nyuon and Markov will be solid contributors if they get a good, injury free run. It will be a wait and see to really know how they will go but I think there are a few more in there that could be good pick ups. Davin Ferriera and Pat Levicki from Norwood in the SANFL are also in the mix and I can see both becoming AFL stars.
The Original Buzz
Roar Rookie
Over the years there have been a number of people with European origins playing. It is good to see more culturally diverse players coming into the system.
sticks
Roar Rookie
Looking at the hidden gems, it really hits home on the odd occasion that our home grown brand of football really does draw kids from across the demographic spectrum. Just in this list above there is a son of a Russian world pole vaulting champion, 2 Sudanese refuges, and a tiwi Islander and Stephen Tahana is of Islander background and was born in NZ
Tom Baulch
Roar Guru
I liked Tahana's games in the championships, loved taking the game on and playing with no fear. Markov has picked up his game dramatically this year and can't wait to see him at an AFL club - if he gets picked up!
Franko
Guest
Very difficult for Stephen Tahana and Oleg Markov to show a lot in an SANFL side that won just one game this year. Markov the new Blicavs?