 Assessing the talent from SA is always tough as the only time I get to see them play is the National Carnival (with the exception of a few glimpses on Fox Footy). I only know a few players by their draft camp info, and no doubt there will be one or two who get picked up that I haven't heard of. As usual there are at least 15 players who are a good chance at being drafted in 2003.
Darren Brakenridge
Details:
Club: Peterborough/North Adelaide
DOB: 21 Jan 85 Hgt: 187cm Wgt: 81kg
Position: Defender
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
South Australia 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2002, 2003
Profile:
Darren is a very athletic player who can play either forward or defence, but was used down back with some success in the carnival. The most impressive outing I saw him have was against Victoria Metro, where I thought he took Fergus Watts right out of the game.
Brakenridge's main strength is his marking - you would swear he is taller than 187cm the way he plays, I think he could take a 3rd defender role OK. He is very disciplined from what I've seen, punches when required and doesn't stray too far from his man. His work ethic is excellent, laid some great tackles.
He was invited to the draft camp last year and finished 5th in the 3km time trial, and this year he was ranked in the top 10 for vertical leap. Based on what I've seen, I definitely think he is worth a look late in the draft, he is athletic, disciplined and a good mark. My only queries are his disposal and the fact he was eligible last year but was overlooked.
Sam Butler
Details:
Club: Williaston/Central District
DOB: 14 Jan 86 Hgt: 185cm Wgt: 75kg
Position: Onballer/Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
South Australia 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
Profile:
Butler is a player who swaps between the midfield and the forward line, but I'm not quite sure where he would end up at AFL level. I wasn't overly taken with his performances at the carnival, but he was very good against Vic Country, picking up a lot of touches.
He was disappointing against Vic Metro, made a couple of careless mistakes such as missing an easy shot on the run and getting caught right in front of the opposition goal. However, there are some very good traits about him - Butler is a beautiful set shot, a good pass by foot and rarely fumbles. He is one of those players that just looks like they know what they are doing.
Butler ended with 55 possessions for the carnival and was invited to draft camp. He is still very young (can play underage again next year). I'm not quite sure on his pace, can't recall him being slow or fast based on what I saw. Given his age and performances he must be worth a look late in the draft.
Adam Cooney
Details:
Club: Flagstaff Hill/West Adelaide
DOB: 30 Sep 85 Hgt: 186cm Wgt: 81kg
Position: Onballer/Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
South Australia 2002, 2003
All Australian 2002, 2003
2nd in Larke Medal (Best Player in Division 1)
McCallum Medal (Best player in SANFL Under 17's)
National Draft Camp Invitee 2002, 2003
Profile:
Yes. This kid is everything you dream of when going to watch an underage game of footy. I won't go on too long because there is no way Hawthorn will get him, but I'm quite comfortable in declaring he must be the number 1 pick.
With his mop of blonde hair Cooney is instantly recognisable. He usually plays on the ball but will have spells up forward, where he is just as dangerous. His list of achievements are massive, twice All-Australian, captain of the West Adelaide Under 17's to a premiership (he kicked 10 goals from the centre one game), twice invited to draft camp and brilliant for Australia against Ireland.
Cooney spent most of the year in the West Adelaide seniors under Shaun Rehn, missing draft camp to play in the Grand Final.
The kid is the complete package. I remember watching him play with a few others at Princes Park and he did a couple of things that literally made everyone just turn around, look at each other, and go "how good was that!"
His skills are superb, can kick off either foot, and his handballing is incredible. Even when under extreme pressure Cooney will take that extra split second to pick a target and nail it.
He is strong overhead and could rest in a forward pocket no problems. He has an uncanny goal sense - one goal on his left foot under pressure from the pocket was simply extraordinary.
The other thing about him is his pace - exhilarating. One of the highlights of the carnival was when Cooney just burst free of a pack and was running towards goal. Sensing he was about to be caught, he simply accelerated like the Road Runner leaving Wile E Coyote and then kicked a goal from 50 metres.
He makes the very difficult look ridiculously easy. He reads the play well, tackles hard and will win the hard ball. I can't think of any weaknesses, at least on-field. Will be a Bulldog - certain number 1.
Clint Dubieniecki
Details:
Club: Glenelg
DOB: 6 Jan 85 Hgt: 200cm Wgt: 90kg
Position: Ruckman
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
South Australia 2003
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
Profile:
Dubieniecki rucked for South Australia in the carnival along with Jason Whitehead. I actually thought his pure rucking ability was better, yet it was Whitehead and not him invited to draft camp.
Clint is easy to spot on the field as he is extremely tall and wears a couple of mattresses on his thighs. His tap work was very good at this level, seemed to know what he was doing at the ruck contests and positioned himself well.
However, he didn't seem very athletic, and his kicking style was awkward to say the least. He is also old for this age group. Given the complete lack of ruckman this year, might be given a shot via a rookie list.
Heath Grundy
Details:
Club: Redwood Park/Norwood
DOB: 2 Jun 86 Hgt: 189cm Wgt: 87kg
Position: Defender
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
South Australia 2003
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
Profile:
Grundy is a defender who was used mostly on the last line by South Australia in the carnival. He is a good size, and importantly still very young. A team may punt on him now rather than paying more next year.
Heath impressed me in his willingness to back his judgement and attack the footy hard. He wasn't afraid to leave his man if he believed it was the right thing to do. Was in charge of the kickouts for the Croweaters, usually a good sign. Was reasonably strong overhead and could use his left foot, but had a nice right.
Worked hard when the ball was on the ground as well laying tackles and the like. He didn't star but he was solid, and if he doesn’t get picked up is one to watch next year.
Adam Hartlett
Details:
Club: Edwardstown/West Adelaide
DOB: 22 Apr 86 Hgt: 192cm Wgt: 83kg
Position: Tall Forward
Natural foot: Unknown
Honours:
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
Profile:
Sorry, never seen him play, he wasn't in South Australia's squad. All I can give you is his draft camp description:
Tall, outside forward who is an excellent mark and sound kick for goal. Aggression and second efforts are strong. No idea where he will go, but any invitee to the draft camp has about an 80% chance of being drafted or rookie listed.
Shane Jordan
Details:
Club: North Pines/Port Adelaide Magpies
DOB: 10 May 85 Hgt: 185cm Wgt: 85kg
Position: Defender
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
South Australia 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
Profile:
Defender who played in a key position for a lot of the carnival, but once again I'm not so sure where he would play at the next level.
What Jordan does have is great athleticism, he has a big leap on him and is extremely quick over 5 yards. He spent some time up forward against Western Australia, and he was good on the lead simply because he was too quick for his opponent.
He also provided some really good rebound out of defence, he isn't just a negating defender. My concern is his size, sort of caught in between key position and midfield. But I thought he was pretty good and should be picked up mid to late in the draft.
David Kellett
Details:
Club: Central Districts
DOB: 16 Jan 85 Hgt: 177cm Wgt: 78kg
Position: Onballer
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
South Australia 2002, 2003
All Australian 2002, 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2002
Profile:
I'm sure a lot of you are already familiar with Kellett after Colin Wisbey wrote a detailed piece on him last year and Hawthorn were touted to select him at pick 10 by afl.com.au's Matt Burgan.
In the end Kellett was overlooked altogether, but he was again starred for SA, getting another All Australian selection. Despite this, I doubt very much that he will be picked up in November.
Kellett is an in and under centreman who accumulates possessions at will. He had 77 possessions at the 2002 carnival, and 78 this year. His best work is definitely done in close, some of his handballs have to be seen to be believed. Probably the best disposal by hand I've seen this year.
David is always poised and takes the right option. He always takes his time. Always. His party trick is to get the ball then wheel around and look for an open teammate, usually laterally. His kicking is pretty good, rarely misses a target and can kick well off either foot.
But a major, major concern is his pace. I would think Sam Mitchell would almost lap him in an 800m race. Kellett is very slow. Usually his footy smarts and quick hands keep him out of trouble, but he still got caught a couple of times. At AFL level his lack of pace would be badly exposed by his direct opponent. Also, you don't have time to size up three or four options like Kellett likes to do.
His style of play reminds me very much of Daniel Harford, slow but clever, and he could be valuable on his day. But with the game getting quicker and quicker I think he might be in trouble. Kellett did everything that you could ask for last year and wasn't taken, I'd be surprised if it's any different in 2003. Will be a gun at a lower level though.
Josh Krueger
Details:
Club: West Gambier/Glenelg
DOB: 27 Oct 83 Hgt: 195cm Wgt: 90kg
Position: Ruckman
Natural foot: Unknown
Honours:
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
Profile:
Once again, I haven't seen him as he didn't play for SA, here is his draft camp description: Tall, inside ruckman who is athletic and can take a strong contested mark. Excellent work rate. Must be a late bloomer as he will be 21 next year. Given the lack of talls must be a good chance of being taken.
Other Draftee Profiles can be viewed by clicking on the links below:
Dandenong Stingrays
Murray Bushrangers
NSW and Tasmania
Geelong Falcons
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