We take a closer look at some of the potential first round draftees ahead of the National Draft to be held in Sydney on November 24.
The Club will enter the National Draft with live selections at pick 14, 33 and 51.
The following are four of the potential draft prospects predicted by experts to be selected in the first round.
Andrew Brayshaw – Sandringham Dragons / Vic Metro
Height: 183cm
Weight: 80kg
Position: Midfielder
Brayshaw is a medium midfielder who has clean hands and uses the football well. He has proven to have a good balance of inside and outside game and recovered from injury to play two games for Vic Metro in the NAB AFL U18 Championships. Had an outstanding Draft Combine, ranked No.1 in the new Yo-Yo test with a score of Level 22.4 then backed it up with a top-three finish in the 2km time trial with a time of 6:14.
Patrick Naish – Northern Knights / Vic Metro
Height: 83cm
Weight: 73kg
Position: Midfielder
Graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a clever and creative midfielder with a good burst of speed and an innate ability around the goals. A good decision-maker and user of the football by hand and foot, and a neat step through traffic. Impressed throughout the NAB AFL U18 Championships for Vic Metro winning All Australian U18 honours. Naish is the son of former Tigers forward Chris Naish, and Richmond has nominated him under the father-son rules so will have first call on him on draft night.
Connor Ballenden – Brisbane Lions Academy / Allies
Height: 199cm
Weight: 95kg
Position: Key forward
Graduate of the NAB AFL Academy who is a tall forward/defender who can also pinch-hit in the ruck. Strong overhead contested mark and excellent penetrating kick. Impressive for the Brisbane Lions academy up forward and very good down back for Allies in the NAB AFL U18 Championships.
Mathew Ling – Geelong Falcons / Vic Country
Height: 182cm
Weight: 74kg
Position: Medium defender
Ling is a medium defender or midfielder with line-breaking speed and good vision and ball distribution to set his teammates up. He represented Vic Country in the NAB AFL U18 Championships, using the ball very efficiently across the four matches of the carnival.
