AFL Draft Watch: Dons academy star among top-15 bolters; ‘gifted’ Murphy Reid rising up the rankings

A gifted, smooth-moving Dragon is now at the pointy end of a stacked draft pool.

Plus an Essendon Next Generation Academy star has soared up boards.

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REID ALL ABOUT MURPHY

There’s another Reid in the upper echelon of an AFL draft class.

And while Murphy Reid is no relation to Harley – nor is he the standout No. 1 choice this year in a relatively even pool – he’s got scouts talking after a stunning Under 18 national championships to date.

The Sandringham Dragons on-baller is now arguably pushing the top-five mix after three excellent outings on the trot for Vic Metro, with his performance in the 52-point win over South Australia on Sunday his most eye-catching yet.

Reid kicked 3.1 from 31 disposals, 11 score involvements 10 contested possessions, a game-high eight clearances and six marks as he showed his wares both on the ball and inside the forward arc.

“It was good. I played a bit more forward today, which was nice and I got on the end of a couple because we won a lot of midfield contests,” Reid told Fox Footy post-match.

A 181cm on-baller, Reid is a genuine natural footballer. While he’s not the tallest or quickest midfielder in the draft class, he’s one of the cleanest and shrewdest.

“We’ve seen him dominate over the last couple of years through the midfield,” AFL National Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan told Fox Footy during Sunday’s SA-Metro game.

“He’s got no problems finding the ball, he’s gifted athletically, very clean with the hands. But he’s certainly adding that forward craft to his resume as well.”

Reid is among the array of high-quality Victorian midfielders who are set to dominate the top-end of this year’s draft.

Some believe 179cm Brisbane Lions father-son prospect Levi Ashcroft – a skilful, elite ball-winner and smart decision-maker who consistently at every level he plays at – is the best kid in it. He’d be close to the Larke Medal favourite at this stage, kicking three goals and averaging 29 disposals from three champs games so far.

Some believe 194cm Eastern Ranges bull Josh Smillie still should be the No. 1 pick. He has been exceptional in the Coates Talent League this year – and has the height and size advantage over other top 2024 midfield prospects – and shown glimpses of his powerful best for Metro across three games, averaging 19.7 disposals and 10.3 contested possessions.

Some would have 181cm Oakleigh Chargers ball magnet Jagga Smith right at the top. Blessed with footy smarts and a sickeningly good workrate that allows him to get to so many contests, Smith has averaged a champs-high 30.7 disposals, 13.0 contested possessions and 6.3 clearances. He 23 touches against SA on the weekend, but impressed recruiters with his cleanliness and inside-outside balance.

And then there’s 182cm star Koroit native Finn O’Sullivan, who’s had a luckless run with injury this year but could cement his spot as the top prospect with a strong finish to the year.

Reid, for many, still sits outside that midfield group – but he’s not far behind.

Sandringham Dragons 195cm defender Luke Trainor throughout the champs has also confirmed many scouts’ thinking that he’s the best key-position player in the pool, too.

While his kicking efficiency, rebounding and intercept ability were all well-known – he’s averaged 20.7 disposals and 5.7 marks across the first three games – AFL clubs have been impressed by Trainor’s competitiveness and willingness to defend. This was particularly evident on the weekend against SA, with Trainor taking the points against fellow AFL Academy member Tyler Welsh in an intriguing battle.

Fellow Vic Metro midfielders Tom Gross and Christian Moraes also arguably had their best champs games to date too.

Gross had 27 disposals – 11 during the defining third quarter – nine score involvements and nine marks against SA as he showed off his powerful aerobic capacity, while Moraes booted 2.1 from 22 disposals, 12 marks and 10 score involvements in an influential forward-midfield role.

“He’s added that goalkicking to his repertoire this year,” Sheehan said of Moraes. “He’s always been a great collector of the footy and hard worker form end-to-end, but he’s added that goalkicking dimension.

“He understands the game so well and has a preparedness to work hard to get over and support his teammates. He has elite running speed.”

Two forwards also stood out for Metro against SA.

Sandringham Dragons forward Harry Armstrong gave recruiters a glimpse of his potential, booting 3.2 from 10 disposals and seven marks (two contested). After missing lots of footy due to illness and injury, Armstrong has been eased into the Vic Metro program – and is starting to blossom as a strong one-on-one 193cm goalkicker.

“He’s a thumping kick but also a graceful mover, this boy,” Sheehan said of Armstrong. “Clubs will be desperate to get a line on him.

“I noticed him first at a camp earlier this year and was impressed by the way he moved for a player of his size. We’ve seen some glimpses now of some elite talent.

“He won’t be the prime target (at AFL level) – they’re now often over 200cm – but with his marking ability and mobility, he could be the perfect second tall forward.”

And then there’s Isaac Kako, who continues to show Izak Rankine-like mercurialness for Vic Metro.

Kako (175cm) was again a handful for the opposition defence on the weekend, booting two breathtaking crumbing goals from 17 disposals and 12 score involvements as he caused chaos in the front half.

Blessed with speed, agility and power, Kako has a terrific athletic profile. But he has incredible goal sense and footy smarts. He’s a high-impact player, personified by the fact that 28 of his 46 disposals so far in the champs have led to Vic Metro scores – a strike-rate of 61 per cent.

“He’s going to be a player this boy,” Sheehan said of Kako.

“He’s a hard-worker up the ground and can play through the midfield. But he’s got a wonderful evasive step as well, he anticipates when a tackle might come and he’s away. He uses a change of direction so well and he’s got that innate ability around goal – he knows exactly where the goal are when he’s in range.”

The only question mark some scouts have over Kako is his defensive pressure capabilities. But some reckon his off-ball work is fine.

Kako is tied to Essendon as he’s part of the club’s Next Generation Academy. Under current draft rules – which are being assessed by the AFL this year – the Bombers can only match a bid on Kako this year if it lands outside the first 40 picks.

As one recruiter said of Kako to foxfooty.com.au on Thursday: “He’s a top-12 pick at the moment.”

MIXED OUTINGS FOR SA FATHER-SONS

It’s looking more likely that Carlton will have to match a bid on father-son gun Ben Camporeale before its own natural first-round pick after the SA midfielder capped off a strong Under 18s carnival in fine style.

Midfielder Camporeale was his side’s best player on Sunday, finishing with a team-high 29 disposals, 10 contested possessions, seven marks and seven inside 50s. It meant he finished his four-game carnival averaging 26.8 disposals per outing.

“I’ve loved the way he’s worked hard to win his own ball but also receive it,” Sheehan said of Camporeale.

“He works over to outnumber the opposition, so his workrate his super elite. He can win the clearances when put in the centre of the ground.

“He’s been a very consistent player right throughout all four games and stood up.”

Most scouts spoken to by foxfooty.com.au in the 15 to 25 ranking range at this stage of the season. Carlton, as it stands, has Pick 17 in this year’s draft – a number that will almost certainly shift back with bids on Levi Ashcroft, Leo Lombard and possibly Sam Marshall to come in the first round.

Camporeale (185cm) is father-son eligible to Carlton as his dad is a Blues premiership player and All-Australian Scott Camporeale, who was in the Alberton Oval grandstand on Sunday and seen speaking to Carlton list boss Nick Austin and recruiting manager Mick Agresta pre-game.

His 186cm twin brother Lucas Camporeale – who averaged 20.8 disposals during the champs as a winger – is also a good chance to land at Carlton by year’s end, although recruiters at this stage are predicting a post-Round 1 bid for him.

Speaking to Fox Footy post-game, Ben Camporeale said it was hard to “shy away from” some of the external hype, but added his father had been a great sounding board during his footy journey.

“I’m pretty lucky to have someone like Dad. We obviously try and block it out as much as I can,” Camporeale told Fox Footy.

“When I get on the oval, it’s just another game. I’m just trying to do my own thing and find the footy as much as I can and look after my teammates.

“There is that added pressure in the back of your head that you can’t escape. Obviously the last name doesn’t help, but you just go out there and I do what I can.

“Come the end of the year, hopefully (it all works out). But just keep playing good footy is the main thing.

“I’m just grateful to come out here and try and do what I can. To experience it with Lucas is pretty special, so I don’t take it for granted.”

Camporeale would be the favourite to win SA’s MVP award, with the winner set to be confirmed at a presentation dinner in late August.

Though Camporeale is in the first-round mix, 182cm South Adelaide on-baller Sid Draper is widely considered SA’s top prospect, despite an injury-interrupted start to his draft year.

Draper had 20 disposals and 10 contested possessions against Vic Metro to average 21 touches across his four-game carnival campaign.

While Draper didn’t hit the same carnival heights as last year – he made the All-Australian team as a bottom-ager and won SA’s MVP award – he had some inspirational and jaw-dropping moments for SA, with his clean hands, nimble footwork and acceleration out of congestion a highlight.

“We expected a lot of this boy this year … but he’s had the injuries across the first part of the year,” Sheehan said of Draper on Sunday.

“But right from the opening bounce today he’s set the standard with his second efforts, athletic ability and selflessness to bring his teammates.

“There’s a bit of Chad Warner change of direction – it’s pretty special. Straight-line speed is one thing, but to be able to dance on your feet, get through the traffic and change lanes … it opens the game up.”

And the other SA prospect coming with a rush is 203cm Sturt ruck Alex Dodson, who’s arguably proven across his three games that he’s the best ruck in this year’s pool.

Dodson averaged 17.3 disposals, 9.7 contested possessions, 3.7 clearances and 19.7 hit-outs in his three outings. Against Vic Metro on Sunday, he snuck forward to take a strong contested mark and kick a goal in an encouraging sign.

Should he opt to pursue an AFL career – he’s also a star basketballer who’s represented Australia at junior level – he’ll be in hot demand.

“If you look at the Max Gawn’s and Brodie Grundy’s, you want a ruck who can get the hit-outs then follow up and influence the stoppage and win the ball around the ground – Dodson has done that,” Sheehan said.

“If he can get forward as a 203cm player and kick goals … his kicking technique is good and quire natural, but his ball-winning around the ground is exceptional for a year at that size.”

Central District 197cm prospect Charlie Nicholls was swung into defence with great effect against Vic Metro. After booting 2.5 from three games as a forward, Nicholls showed off his versatility by playing behind the ball and quickly adapted to the role, finishing with 10 disposals and six marks (four intercept). He looms as a second-round, potentially late first-round, draftee.

Glenelg 188cm defender Angus Clarke capped off his strong champs with a 21-disposal haul against Metro where he had a game-high 618m gained. Clarke has surprised scouts – and likely shot up a few draft boards – across the past month with his penetrating kicking, run and carry and improved defensive capabilities.

And keep an eye on high-flying 186cm Norwood forward Ned Bowman, who has a few fans at AFL club level after booting five goals from his four games for SA. More could jump on the bandwagon soon should he have a strong finish to the year.

As for Adelaide father-son prospect Tyler Welsh, it was a frustrating day against Vic Metro, booting 1.2 from eight disposals and receiving some poor delivery to him inside 50. But the 191cm forward’s competitiveness and intensity at the ball was unquestionable and encouraging.

VIC COUNTRY’S TOP-15 BOLTER AS POSSIBLE PICK 1 EYES RETURN

Bendigo Pioneers 187cm defender Tobie Travaglia is right in the first-round conversation now after his latest awesome performance for Vic Country.

After a 24-disposal, 13-intercept display against South Australia last month, Travaglia again starred for Vic Country on Saturday, finishing with 19 disposals and nine intercepts in his side’s 11-point win over Western Australia.

Travaglia has been a goalkicker at Coates Talent League level for Bendigo, but his speed, toughness and footy smarts in defence for Vic Country have been eye-catching.

Multiple recruiters spoken to by foxfooty.com.au believe he’s in the top-15 mix now.

So, too, is 190cm Dandenong Stingrays star Harvey Langford, who backed up his 25-disposal outing against SA with 28 touches, eight marks, seven score involvements, six tackles and five clearances against WA.

Langford has shown great consistency across all levels to date. But what scouts have been most impressed by in his two Vic Country games has been his damage forward of centre – something fellow 190cm Stingray Cooper Hynes is renowned for. The in-form Hynes booted 2.1 from 20 touches, nine score involvements and eight marks against WA to push his first-round prospects.

GWV Rebels’ Jack Ough (194cm) had another solid game with 21 touches, 200cm Murray Bushrangers forward Jack Whitlock showed his versatility by spending more time in the ruck and exciting forward duo Jasper Alger and Joe Berry booted two goals each.

Reliable 183cm Gippsland Power prospect Xavier Lindsay showed off his improved inside game against WA, finishing with 19 touches, nine contested possessions, a team-high eight clearances, seven tackles and seven score involvements.

Scouts are somewhat keen to see Lindsay play on a wing or half-back for Country as they believe that could be his best position at AFL level.

That wish could be granted over the next fortnight, with Country set to welcome back Pick 1 contender Finn O’Sullivan to face the Allies on Sunday, while top-10 prospect Sam Lalor could play more midfield minutes.

O’Sullivan – an explosive, ball-winning 182cm midfielder – is set to play his first game in nearly two months after being sidelined with a finger injury. It comes after an interrupted start to his 2024 campaign that saw him sidelined with a thumb issue.

Lalor, who’s also had an injury-interrupted 2024, returned to the Vic Country set-up for the WA game, finishing with nine disposals playing mainly inside 50. But he could spend more time on the ball against the Allies this weekend.

For WA, top prospect Bo Allan had a strong finish to his carnival, racking up 22 disposals, 11 contested possessions and seven tackles. A 191cm Peel Thunder prospect, Allan has shown signs he could play as either a midfielder or medium defender at AFL level.

South Fremantle defender Jaxon Artemis was named WA’s MVP and finished off strong with hauls of 20 and 19 disposals respectively from his last two games. Others to catch the eye for WA included Cody Angove, Hamish Davis and Kayle Gerreyn, while consistent ball-winner Luke Urquhart showed promising growth across his champs campaign to boost his draft prospects.

And here’s one WA name to track ahead of the 2025 draft: Subiaco small forward Wesley Walley. The bottom-ager came in for WA’s last game and turned heads, booting 2.1 from eight disposals and five marks.

He looms as an AFL commentator’s dream for 2026 onwards.