Kinnear Beatson has spent more time watching AFL than most would spend in their lifetime, but it’s not the kind of viewing that involves a pie, sausage roll and beer.

Since 2006, Beatson has kept a close eye on almost every club across Australia in search of players that could fit the mould of a future Sydney Swans star, in the hopes of securing them in the NAB AFL Draft.

For Beatson and his recruiting team, the AFL Draft is his ‘Grand Final’. From the age of 16, players are on team’s radar, and prior to that they’re not far from his mind as Future Coordinator Ross Monoghan scouts talent in mini championships across States and Territories.

“From the age of 16 we’re tracking their development – we look at physically how they’re growing, and how their game knowledge and their skill development is all coming along. As we get closer to their draft year, which is 18 years of age, we look at their attitude in all aspects of life," Beatson said.

"We attend interviews with schools, teachers, coaches and learn about the way they apply themselves. How committed are they to their work, to their training etc.

"Most young players have a dream of playing AFL footy, but they don’t have the application to play elite sport, and that’s usually what determines whether or a not a talented young player goes on to make it or not.”

In a game of speculation, scouting AFL talent is tough at the best of times. Throw in a pandemic, and recruiters may as well start shining a crystal ball as they’re forced to trawl through hundreds of hours of game vision. 

“It’s fair to say when you’re not able to see players play live, it’s very hard to see what they’re doing off the ball. It has certainly made it difficult, but it’s been the case for all 18 clubs,” says Beatson. 

“How hard are they chasing? How hard are they working when they don’t have the ball in their hand? Do they walk a lot? Especially if you’re trying to assess key position players forward or defenders, because most of the vision we get is from a side-on angle. We don’t get any behind the goals vision unlike AFL vision where you’ve got it from just about every angle.

"To try to and assess key forwards or key defenders is really difficult, and that’s when we have to rely on our scouts that are based in the various States and Territories. Simon Dalrymple (National Recruiting Manager) will direct those guys in terms of what he’s looking for and what they need to report on. Things like their closing speed, their starting positions, their ability to anticipate the play and read the play, their ability to physically match up 1-on-1, all of those things will come into it. 

"It's been difficult to get in front of the interstate players, I haven’t been to Perth for 2 years, and I’ve been to South Australia twice. Fortunately, Simon and I are based in Victoria so we have been able to see the vast majority of players we’re considering from Victoria face-to-face this year.”

A week out from the 2021 Draft, Victoria’s lockdowns were lifted, allowing Beatson and his team to hit the road and chat to prospective draftees to determine if they’re ready for a career in professional football.

“Do they know someone playing professional footy? Do they understand the commitment and time that goes into preparation, and the dedication they must have to get their body in the best possible condition week in week out? Again, they’re all individuals so their knowledge varies, but that’s part of the jigsaw puzzle for us. We then go back to the investigations we’ve had with schools and coaches about their capacity to learn, their interest to learn, and start piecing it all together," Beatson said.

"Even though they may not have had the same education, you’ll get a feel for how much they’re into the sport. Do they really want to do this? That’s what we’re trying to evaluate, as well as whether or not they’re going to be a good fit for Sydney.

"It’s also important to know they can and cope with the relocation to Sydney, because a lot of them are young men who have never been away from home. They’ve finished year 12 and may have been away for a couple of school camps but that’s it.

"It’s a massive transition for them, but I’m really proud to say the club handles that extremely well.”

The first round of the 2021 NAB AFL Draft will begin at 7.00pm AEDT on Wednesday November 24 with the rest of the NAB AFL Draft to be completed the following night on Thursday November 25 from 7.00pm AEDT.

You can watch the draft live on AFL.com.au from 6.30pm and follow all the Swans selections on our social media channels, website and app.

This news is brought to you by ELMO Software, the club's official list and recruiting partner.