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2019 Phantom Form Guide: October
AFL.com.au's draft guru Callum Twomey ranks the best young footy talent in the land at this point in October.
AS CLUBS start to finalise their orders ahead of next month's NAB AFL Draft, so are afl.com.au.
This is the second-last update of the Phantom Form Guide for 2019 – the rankings of the best 30 players in the 2019 draft pool.
It comes after the completion of this month's Draft Combine, which was the prospects' final chance at impressing clubs before names are called on November 27-28.
A reminder that this is our view of the best players and doesn't take into account where bids for father-son and Academy players may come, or which clubs have which selections.
Richmond currently holds picks 19, 38, 39, 41, 56, 75, 77, 95 in next month's Draft.
1/7/01 180cm/78kg Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers Midfielder September ranking: 1
The best player of the season and a deserving No.1 choice. Rowell's season ended with another best-on-ground performance, this time an enormous 44-disposal display in Oakleigh's NAB League Grand Final win over the Eastern Ranges. Rowell also booted two goals that day, including one from the centre square. The determined 18-year-old didn't need a game like that to cap his season, but he produced it anyway. He then went on to test well at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, rating in the top 10 for the endurance tests. A ready-to-play gun.
17/2/01 191cm/87kg Vic Metro/Oakleigh Chargers Midfielder September ranking: 2
A tall, versatile midfielder who impacts games in a number of ways. At his core, Anderson is a ball-winner, hard runner and a game-changer. But what makes him even more valuable is his ability to go forward, and he averaged two goals a game in seven appearances for the Chargers this year. He's a natural goalkicker who is good above his head, and at his height, Anderson should be able to match it with senior opposition next year. The son of former Hawthorn and St Kilda player Dean, Anderson's running power was evident at the Combine, where he completed the 2km time trial in six minutes 17 seconds, and also recorded a three-second 20-metre sprint.
23/1/01 191cm/89kg NSW-ACT/GWS Academy Midfielder September ranking: 5
The thing with Green is that his performances stack up. As one recruiter said recently, if Green was playing in the NAB League and not tied to an Academy, he would have been spoken about more as a No.1 pick contender. His performances for the Allies, leading his side in the midfield against highly rated stars each game, and his consistency for the GWS Academy team, adds weight to his efforts. A tall, big-bodied, strong and hard-headed midfielder who goes and wins the footy and gets it out. Likely to attract a very early bid for the Giants to match.
9/2/01 179cm/88kg Vic Country/Gippsland Power Midfielder/forward September ranking: 3
A powerful midfielder who digs in and fights for the ball, and does it over and over. Serong is robust and physical for his size, happy to take the whacks if it means he'll deliver the ball to a teammate. Serong played most of his top-age year as a midfielder, but had shown last year as a 17-year-old he can also position himself across half-forward and be a dangerous goalkicking option. Serong doesn't have the ultra-class of some other top-end players but he's consistent, tough and reliable.
11/4/01 188cm/83kg Vic Country/Dandenong Stingrays Defender September ranking: 4
You know what you'll get from the sharp-kicking left-footer. There was minimal change in Young's performances across the season as he set himself off half-back, intercepted forward forays and delivered the ball sweetly down the field. Young also moved into the midfield, and occasionally spent time closer to goal later in the year for the Dandenong Stingrays. Young took out the agility test at the Draft Combine, running 7.94 seconds.
24/7/01 182cm/82kg Vic Country/Gippsland Power Forward/midfielder September ranking: 6
Flanders was one of the stars of the Combine, capping what was an impressive end to the season for the explosive Gippsland prospect. Flanders finished in the top 10 for the standing vertical jump, the running vertical jump, the agility and Yo-Yo test, where he reached level 21.3 to be among the best aerobic runners. He also ran the 20-metre sprint in three seconds, showing a turn of speed that is evident in the way he plays. Flanders pushed himself into top-five contention with his efforts late in the year for the Power, when he was a standout in the finals series.
Jackson is rocketing up the draft ranks and could break the long drought of ruckmen picked in the top 10. The West Australian big man had a strong season, winning the All Australian jumper as the best ruckman in the under-18 championships. Jackson plays with aggression and competitiveness and enjoys the bash-and-crash nature of his role, including when the ball's at ground level. Some clubs also think Jackson could be a forward in the future.
23/2/01 189cm/82kg Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons Midfielder August ranking: 16
The standout of the Combine. No player was able to show all their qualities at the testing like Maginness, who firmed as a top-20 pick. Maginness' ability to cover the ground is one of his strengths, and the midfielder showed that at the Combine, when he ran an amazing 5:51 for the 2km time trial. He also placed among the top performers in the Yo-Yo test (level 21.4), and then surprised some with a 2.96-second 20-metre sprint. Looks headed to the Hawks as a father-son.
28/8/01 180cm/68kg Claremont Forward September ranking: 15
The exciting indigenous talent is tied to Fremantle's Next Generation Academy and could attract a first-round bid on draft night. He's quick and classy, clever and elusive, smart and effective. All of that makes for a good package for the Dockers, who will be keen to nab the half-forward at next month's draft despite his kneecap injury which came late in the year.
18/10/01 189cm/83kg Vic Metro/Sandringham Dragons Midfielder/forward September ranking: 21
A jumper up the ranks late in the year despite managing shin splints. Bergman hasn't been a high-possession winner at under-18 level, but when he has the ball he makes things happen. He can play on the wing or as a forward – he was stationed deep late in Sandringham's season due to his soreness – and he generally provides some memorable moments, including a high mark or long bomb (he's among the biggest kicks in the pool). An exciting talent.
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