AFL
Chris Doerre 6y

AFL Draft Wrap: Former Crow Mitch Grigg set to walk back into the AFL

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

Back to back Magarey Medallist (fairest and best SANFL League award), Mitch Grigg won the Jack Oatey Medal and was the first SANFL player to receive the award in a losing grand final performance.

After spending five years on Adelaide's list and playing 20 games, Grigg has developed into arguably the premier midfielder outside the AFL since being delisted. Notably, Grigg kicked 36 goals from 20 matches this year.

His grand final performance was every bit deserving of best on ground honours as he racked up 31 disposals, five marks, six inside 50s and kicked six goals. It was a performance so dominant it would be reasonable to suggest Grigg could walk into an AFL midfield and contribute immediately.

A nice comparison for Grigg would be Melbourne's Jordan Lewis. He is similarly powerful and  has proven to be a prolific ball winner with a damaging left foot.

With Carlton gaining special access to two state league players outside the draft and Gold Coast able to sign three, and with both clubs having midfield deficiencies, they would be wise to consider Grigg. If Grigg is not selected by either club, he is considered firmly in the mix in the latter portion of this year's draft.

TAC Cup

Dandenong

Continually beating highly touted Collingwood Next Generation Academy prospect Isaac Quaynor on the lead, Sam Sturt forced Oakleigh to look for an alternative matchup and find a way to involve Quaynor more in the game. Sturt's ball use was exceptional, setting up teammates for shots on goal. The likely top-30 selection managed 15 disposals, six marks (one contested), five inside 50s, two goals and three score assists in Dandenong's first TAC Cup grand final win.

In arguably his strongest performance to date, Riley Bowman provided a strong marking presence and laid several powerful tackles. Bowman was not only on top at centre bounces but around the ground. The mobile ruckman gathered 13 disposals, six marks (two contested), 22 hitouts, five inside 50s and kicked a goal.

Providing a presence up forward, Bailey Williams took numerous contested marks and proved difficult to stop. Whenever there was a high ball where he could either leap and mark or outstretch his arms, he could not be stopped. The promising key forward secured 12 disposals, 11 contested possessions, five marks (four contested) and booted two goals.

Oakleigh

Winning best on ground honours in the grand final loss, underage midfielder Matthew Rowell amassed 32 disposals, 11 marks (one contested), seven inside 50s and two score assists. Looking like a potential top-10 choice for 2019, Rowell ran hard throughout the match and hurt the opposition with his precise kicking.

Fellow underager, Dylan Williams was the most dangerous forward, continuing his strong vein of form with nine disposals, four goals and two score assists. The 185cm forward who had kicked 16 goals from his past three matches displayed ground level capabilities, powerful marking, strength in one-on-one contests and clever finishing around goal. Williams is a further Oakleigh Charger who will be in the mix to feature early on in the 2019 draft.

SANFL

League Grand Final

North Adelaide

Kicking three goals for the second successive week and playing an impressive standard of football throughout the finals series, Boyd Woodcock posted 15 disposals and three goals. The 174cm, midfielder and forward on the back of the finals series has elevated his draft stocks and is likely to receive late draft interest. Despite playing forward at League level, Woodcock possesses ball winning capabilities through the midfield and plays an aggressive brand of football.

Performing an integral role down back in North Adelaide's grand final win, Connor Rozee -- in an unfamiliar role -- made key plays in critical moments. His timely desperation spoils were masterful, preventing marks, setting up offence and cleverly preventing opposition marks without giving away free kicks in critical moments.

Rozee was also courageous in backing back for an important intercept mark. While Rozee managed just nine disposals, recruiters would be licking their lips at the way he contributed in an unfamiliar role, having played most of his football as a midfielder and forward.

SANFL Under-17 Futures

Blue

Taking a couple of impressive marks, Kysaiah Pickett's specie was a talking point. Pickett is a spark plug with ball in hand, with his pace and agility among the best in the 2019 draft pool. He is as exciting as anyone with ball in hand and helped the blue team to the win. To find the next level, Pickett will need to improve his tackling and ensure his tackles stick. Recruiters will also be expecting Pickett to take the ball one-touch off the deck every time, as he fumbled a couple of ground balls that a 171cm prospect would be expected to gather cleanly every time.

Laying five first quarter tackles, Jed McEntee was arguably the best midfielder on the ground. He tackled ferociously, chased, won the ball at stoppages and worked hard both ways.

Winning the ball at stoppages, standing up through tackles, using the ball effectively and reading the play before it happened, Anzac Lochowiak showed several key attributes to suggest he is a developing player.

Providing a dangerous marking target and hitting the scoreboard, Daniel Sladojevic was the most dangerous forward kicking three goals.

Yellow

Intercepting in defence and tackling with intent, key defender Dyson Hilder competed strongly throughout the contest.

WAFL

Colts

Luke Foley was a driving force through the midfield helping Subiaco to a two-point Grand Final win against Swan Districts. The potential top 30 choice secured 22 disposals, seven marks, six tackles and six inside 50s.

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