HOPEFULS NOMINATE FOR AFL DRAFT
Twenty players from across Melbourne’s west have nominated for the 2020 NAB AFL Draft.
One of the league’s top prospects is Yarraville Seddon Eagles young gun Eddie Ford, who has been touted as a potential draft selection for the past two years.
Ford has had a decorated junior career, having played in the Eagles’ Under 15 Division premiership three years ago. He also claimed the league’s Best and Fairest award in the same year.
Ford, who began is junior career with Point Cook, represented the league on two occasions in the Junior Metro Championships.
He also played 13 Division 2 Senior games with Yarraville Seddon in 2018 as a 16-year-old, including playing in the Grand Final.
The medium forward played 16 games for the Western Jets as a bottom ager last season, averaging 14.1 disposals and 3.7 marks. This culminated into an impressive performance on the MCG on Grand Final day in the AFL Futures match, where he recorded 20 possessions and two goals.
In last month’s combine, Ford ranked seventh nationally for his running vertical jump. He also showed his speed, running 20m over 2.95 seconds.
Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy prospect Cody Raak is also in contention.
The Caroline Springs youngster reads the play well and after a strong bottom-age campaign is also a chance on draft night.
Raak was involved in the NAB AFL Under 16’s championships in 2018 alongside Ford and has also represented the WRFL at Junior Interleague.
As well as playing games for the Jets last year, he also played four Division 1 matches, kicking eight goals.
Raak and Ford both spoke to KA & J on the Players Take Podcast, earlier this year. Click the link below to listen.
Morris Medal winner Lucas Rocci has also nominated for the Draft.
Rocci claimed the NAB League’s highest individual honour last year, averaging 18.9 possessions for the season.
Earlier this year, Werribee Districts announced Rocci will align with the club and play TIV Division 1 footy in the WRFL, when he isn’t required with Werribee’s VFL team.
Former Wyndhamvale junior Majak Daw is also hoping for another chance at the top level after North Melbourne delisted the forward in September.
Daw has played 54 AFL games in nine years.
Other players connected through the WRFL, who have nominated for the NAB AFL Draft include:
Western Region Football League
Majak Daw (Wyndhamvale)
Spencer Johnson (Altona)
Steven Kyriazis (Caroline Springs)
Aaron Law (Glen Orden)
Ethan Mantas (Caroline Springs)
William Mason (Werribee Districts)
Joel Radovanovic (Glen Orden)
Lucas Rocci (Werribee Districts)
Western Jets
Lucas Failli (Caroline Springs)
Eddie Ford (Yarraville Seddon)
Lachlan Green (Yarraville Seddon)
Cody Raak (Caroline Springs)
Calder Cannons
Ben Overman (St Bernards)
Werribee Football Club
Dominic Brew (Spotswood)
Bior Malual (Werribee Centrals, Glen Orden, Werribee Districts, Wyndhamvale)
Connor Menadue (Altona, Spotswood)
Edyn Sibbald (St Bernards)
Williamstown Football Club
Liam Conway (Williamstown Juniors)
Nicholas Ebinger (Williamstown Juniors)
Footscray Football Club
Jordan Boyd (Spotswood)
To view the full list of players who have nominated for the AFL Draft, click here.
The NAB AFL Draft will be held on Wednesday night.