AFL
Chris Doerre 6y

AFL Draft Wrap: Toby Bedford stands out against Sandringham

AFL

Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Chris Doerre casts his eye over the country's best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars.

As well as attending live games, Doerre pores through match vision, analyses the stats and talks to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful draft analysis.

Aside from the weekly wraps, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month and as we get closer to November's national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft.

Player Focus

Toby Bedford is one of this year's notable line breakers, and he played a key part in Dandenong's 42-point win against Sandringham. A Melbourne Next Generation Academy prospect, Bedford managed 13 disposals, six tackles, three goals and two score assists, and crucially hit the scoreboard in the second and third quarters when the game was there to be won.

Bedford's point of difference is his pace and agility with ball in hand; he can often be found running 30m at a time before disposing of the ball. He is in the conversation as one of this year's fastest and hardest to catch with ball in hand. His tackling is a strength also, racking up at least six tackles in each of his past four matches.

With clubs showing in last year's draft they'll pay a premium to acquire players with speed, Melbourne will need to nominate Bedford in the national draft with a bid likely to come in the second half. Bedford's game bares some likeness to Lewis Jetta with comparable speed, agility, slipperiness and desire to take on the game with his pace.

TAC Cup

Performing an important role in Dandenong's victory, Sam Sturt was difficult to stop up forward with his reading of the drop of the ball and marking both key features. His highlight of the week was a spoil from behind to prevent a mark from an opponent's kickout, before picking up the ball and after hearing a voice in the goal square, delivering a handball for an easy finish. Arguably the most precise left foot kick in the draft, Sturt secured 12 disposals, five marks (one contested), six tackles, two goals and three score assists.

Proving too strong in one-on-one marking contests and using his body effectively, Bailey Williams was too good for promising underager Corey Watts. Williams' mark running towards goal, keeping his eyes on the high ball in flight, was also noteworthy. He posted 11 disposals, three marks (two contested), 14 hitouts, three goals and two score assists.

Competing strongly for Sandringham, mobile ruckman James Rendell was a marking force around the ground, reading the drop of the ball well and taking important marks. The 198cm, 90kg, ruckman gathered 18 disposals, seven marks (two contested marks), 23 hitouts, five tackles, five clearances and four inside 50s.

Morrish medallist Liam Stocker was strong at stoppages, winning the ball, tackling and hitting targets. His efforts were not enough to help Sandringham get over the line, but he managed 18 disposals, 11 contested possessions, 10 tackles and four inside 50s.

Displaying x-factor with ball in hand, the acceleration and agility of Al Richards stood out. Breaking the lines and pressuring well, Richards produced nine disposals and 10 tackles.

Elevating his draft stocks, Jack Ross was named Oakleigh's best in their 93-point trouncing of Gippsland. Ross won the ball on the inside distributing by hand, used it effectively by foot and displayed an impressive work rate. The ball-winning midfielder collected 31 disposals, 15 contested possessions, six marks (one contested), eight clearances, four inside 50s and one goal.

Winning first possession at stoppages and bursting away frequently, Riley Collier-Dawkins put on a special display, taking over the game against Gippsland. It is rare for someone of 193cm to suddenly reach full speed from a standing start at stoppages and leave opponents in his wake. The talented midfielder produced 26 disposals, 17 contested possessions, four marks (one contested), five clearances, six inside 50s, one goal and two score assists. It will surely take a first-round choice to secure this talent.

Looking proppy from halfway through the first quarter and enduring another nasty hit to the knees late in the second, Xavier Duursma showed courage and leadership by continuing to compete despite Oakleigh's dominance. Duursma was by far and away his side's best, winning first possession at stoppages, tackling and displaying a high work rate throughout the match. The promising utility managed 18 disposals, 11 contested possessions, eight tackles, six clearances and four inside 50s.

Showing hints to suggest that he could develop into something like Jack Gunston or James Sicily, Noah Gown was impressive both marking on the lead and intercepting across half-forward. Gown's ground-level work was clean, and he kept his feet in the contest, displaying the attributes to suggest he could play close to goal, as a high forward or potentially as a defender with the way he reads the ball in flight. Considered in the top-30 mix, Gown gathered 11 disposals, eight contested possessions, four marks (two contested) and one goal.

SANFL

League

Helping North Adelaide to a five-point win against the Eagles, Connor Rozee did his top-10 chances no harm with 15 disposals and seven marks.

Reserves

Performing a pivotal role for Central Districts in their win against Glenelg, Jackson Hately amassed 27 disposals, six marks, nine tackles and one goal.

Providing rebound from defence for Central Districts, Jez McLennan for the second successive week was among his sides best with 23 disposals, six marks and six tackles.

Under-18s

Competing strongly for South Adelaide in their five-point loss to Eagles, Tom Sparrow continued his strong vein of form through the midfield with 25 disposals, five tackles, eight inside 50s and one goal.

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