2 weeks Ago
It’s the time of the year where youngsters realise their footy dreams. A place on an AFL list is the reward for years of hard work, toiling away behind the scenes to give themselves the best chance of earning that opportunity. But sometimes it doesn’t happen so quickly.
Watch every game of the NAB AFL Women’s Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.
Foxfooty.com.au takes a look at this year’s best state league prospects who could find their way into the AFL system as mature-age recruits.
SAM DAVIDSON Richmond VFL star Sam Davidson was this year’s recipient of the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell medal as the league’s most promising young player. The past 17 winners of that award have graduated onto AFL lists. The 21-year-old had an eye-catching year for the Tigers, averaging 14 disposals, three marks and three tackles from 17 state league outings.
Davidson is an elite runner and strong ball-user who can play as a forward or through the midfield. He booted 26 goals for the Tigers, which also saw him finish the season as the club’s leading goalkicker. The Maffra product works hard, is clean with the footy and earned a State Combine invite, which is a good indication of the interest he has at AFL level.
AJANG KUOL MUN An exciting tall prospect, Kuol Mun could be anything at AFL level, although clearly he’ll take a bit of time to get there. Kuol Mun is a developing ruckman of South Sudanese descent who has excited recruiters with his natural leap and athleticism. He spent most of his year toiling away for Anakie but got a taste of VFL action with Geelong and showed glimpses of his potential.
Kuol Mun recorded a 90cm vertical jump which was the best result in the state Draft Combine. RILEY BICE A dashing rebound defender, Bice’s story is one of persistence. After coming through the Murray Bushrangers, Bice has put together a superb VFL campaign that has once again seen him put his name up in front of AFL recruiters.
A VFL Team of the Year member, Bice played in a premiership with Werribee this season and has traits that appeal to clubs at the highest level. In the grand final, the Albury product had 23 disposals, six marks and eight rebound 50s as one of the Bees’ best players. An elite ball user who can pick apart opposition sides, Bice was one of three mature-age players to receive a State Combine invite, which indicates he definitely has admirers.
ISIAH WINDER The former Eagle was a late call-up for the State Combine as he comes onto the radar of AFL clubs once more. Winder played with South Fremantle in the WAFL this season, averaging 25.4 disposals, 4.
8 marks and four tackles a match. The 22-year-old featured seven times for West Coast during his AFL career and was lively around goals, but he has worked hard on his fitness and conditioning and flourished as a midfielder at state league level. Winder possesses exciting pace, speed and agility and has plenty of football smarts that make him an intriguing prospect for AFL clubs at this year’s Telstra AFL draft.
DOM BREW A remarkable season from Werribee captain Dom Brew saw him win the JJ Liston Trophy as the VFL’s best and fairest and end a 31-year drought to deliver the Bees an elusive premiership. The captain of the VFL Team of the Year polled 31 votes for the season, finishing nine ahead of new Port Adelaide recruit Rory Atkins. Brew averaged 28.
8 disposals, 17.6 contested possessions, 9.9 clearances and 9.
4 tackles in a dominant campaign that saw him poll votes in 14 out of 18 matches. The 27-year-old is one of the hardest workers you’ll find and is so passionate about his teammates and club. He’d leave no stone unturned if given an AFL chance.
BRAYDEN CROSSLEY Remember this guy? The former Gold Coast Suns ruckman has a Merv Hughes-like moustache that made him a cult figure back in the day. Crossley played ten games for the Suns after being drafted back in 2017, but his career was put on hold after testing positive to cocaine in 2019. The former under 18 All-Australian ruckman is an imposing figure around the ground and is a co-captain at the Southport Sharks in the VFL.
Crossley had 12 disposals, 12 tackles and 69 hitouts in the decider, underlining his dominance in the competition this year. Ready-made rucks are tough to come by and Crossley would definitely grab any opportunity with both hands should an AFL lifeline present itself. LIAM MCMAHON Another familiar name, McMahon was drafted by Collingwood back in 2020.
McMahon has the ability to play at either end of the ground but has thrived as a forward this year for Carlton’s VFL side, booting 45 goals to win Carlton’s best and fairest. Does a second chance loom for the former Pie? Talls often take a little bit longer to develop and it seems as though McMahon has the skillset to make an impact at the top level. BOYD WOODCOCK Woodcock was delisted by Port Adelaide at the end of the 2021 season and has been successfully plying his trade in the VFL ever since.
A small forward at AFL level, Woodcock booted eight goals in 12 games for the Power. Woodcock led the Southport Sharks to the VFL grand final this season, averaging 28.5 disposals, 7.
2 clearances and five inside 50s a game. Woodcock is a human highlight reel, regularly taking high-flying hangers and kicking incredible goals. He’s far better equipped now than what he was when he was on an AFL list.
GEORGE GREY One of Frankston VFL’s finest, Grey has been a strong contributor at VFL level for quite some time. The former Sandringham Dragon made the move from half-forward to half back this year under new coach Jackson Kornberg and flourished, being named in the VFL Team of the Year squad. The dashing defender averaged 22 disposals, 5.
5 rebound 50s and 4.5 marks this campaign, utilising his pace and ball use to set up forays forward for the Dolphins. His career has been hampered by injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic and those close to him suggest he would thrive in an AFL environment if given an opportunity.
LIAM MCBEAN This one’s probably more of a long shot than the others on this list, but Liam McBean reminded everyone of his talents when he booted seven goals on SANFL grand final day. The Glenelg captain played five games for Richmond between 2015-2016 and spearheaded his state league side to back-to-back flags this year. The Jack Oatey Medallist is a force to be reckoned with, but his time at AFL level is probably up, unless a club decides they’re in need of a ready-made key forward replacement.
...
