2005 Mock Draft - Player Bio

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A NUMBER OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DRAFT CHANCES
By Peter LW Argent

While there is expected to be less numbers from South Australia on AFL Draft day than there has been over the previous two years, the 2005 event will again throw up a number of exciting possibilities.

Two of the All-Australian’s from the under 18s national carnival Darren Pfeiffer and Shannon Hurn are believed to be top ten contenders. Pfeiffer being the first South Australian picked, closely followed by dual SANFL premiership player, Hurn.

“Darren’s (Pfeiffer) aerobic capacity and leg speed were in the higher mid range,” said SA Talent manager Darren Trevena. “He has courage, reads the play well and has a great ability to collect the ball of other peoples hands. “Shannon was the state captain this year, has excellent decision making skills, noted as a player with a real ‘football brain’ and is a prodigious kick.”

At the next level, as second or third round draft picks, as many as eight players with a local heritage could come into calculations. North Adelaide big man Luke McEntee has improved rapidly this year and has a strong vertical leap and pace over the first 20 metres. Hugh Minson is the young brother of Western Bulldogs player Will and won the state under 18s high jump titles in late October. Doggies reserves player, Alan Obst has proved his versatility, playing both in defence and attack, along with have a stint on the wing. Key forward Cleve Hughes has a good engine and could sneak into the top 20, especially if a club is looking this type of player. The major issue he has is addressing the defensive side of his game.

There are also another four mid-sized players who have taken the eye of a number of talent scouts. Jace Bode, the son of former Norwood and South Adelaide player Olaf, was the croweater’s fourth All-Australian at the nationals and went on to play SA league football before the season’s end. Travis Varcoe has missed most of the 2005 season because of a foot injury, which may hinder his chances. After coming back from AIS –AFL trip to Ireland with impressive performances, he got his opportunity in the Bulldogs league side, but couldn’t come up for the nationals in Melbourne, and didn’t play any more football this year.

Ryan Gamble, last year was a member of the South East side at the rural Zone Championships, showing some special qualities even then. He became one of the 13 Bays players to make their SANFL league debut this season, after some frustrations with injury early in the year. Norwood’s Nick Lower played well out of position at the national under 18s and is a left footer who creates space and has strong leg speed.

In the roughies category is an interesting assortment of players. Sturt player, Tom Rischbieth’s athletic ability is unquestioned, but whether he is regarded as a one-dimensional player will impact on his chances of being collected. Sam Elliott is a great little footballers, but there are a lot of young footballers his size going around currently. Ed Lower, (twin brother of Nick) is a good honest player, while Bloods Ryan Bennett has a great physical attributes and a long penetrating kick.

An interesting case is Daniel Roberts, son of former Woodville, North Adelaide and Swans player from the 1980’s John. “He tested very well at the State Screen which may have made a few clubs sit up and take notice,” Kym Ireland, Football Development Manager at the Woodville West Torrens Eagles. “During the season, he played under 19s, reserves and league footy.”

Players who are expected to have more chance of being picked up as rookies include West Adelaide’s talented forward, Braydn Fisher, indigenous utility player Cameron Miller, who is noted for his beautiful skill, another young Magpie who played good senior SANFL footy this year Kyle Jenner and the surprisingly tall Tom Redden from Glenelg.

A player who may surprise on draft day is North Adelaide key defender Jason Roe. Athletic and skilful, he is 191cm tall and weighs 87, having played 38 games since arriving in the city of churches. Playing under former Crows player Andrew Jarman, Roe has shown ability and flair at SANFL level and at 21 years of age is read made to more into higher ranks.

“We had 17 players drafted in 2003, including the number one draft pick Adam Cooney, another 15 last year, which were both exceptional years,” Trevena said. “I would expect that we will have eight or nine players picked up at his year draft day. “Considering the numbers in this age group, our yield is still well above the average.”

This is another strong year of supplying young football talent for our national code.

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