SANFL News

10 of the top SANFL prospects for the AFL Mid-season Draft

With the AFL Mid-Season draft just around the corner, we take a look at some of the top prospects emerging from the SANFL.

Published by
Jordan Routley

From ex-AFL players looking for a second (or even third) chance, to young guns overlooked in the draft, these are the top 10 Mid-Season Draft prospects from the SANFL in 2024.

VIEW: CURRENT MID-SEASON DRAFT ORDER

Jez McLennan (Central District)

McLennan spent four years at the Gold Coast Suns without getting a crack at senior football before being delisted in 2022.

The rebounding defender returned to his junior club Central Districts and has been a key driver in the Bulldogs' rise up the ladder.

McLennan was named the Fos Williams Medalist as best on ground in both of South Australia's state games this year, putting his name up in lights on the big stage.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Jez McLennan of South Australia in possession during the 2024 AAMI State Game between SANFL West End State Team and Smithy's VFL State Team at Glenelg Oval, on April 06, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Maya Thompson/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

With an acute ability to read the play and compete in the air, McLennan can play on a variety of players and also provide attacking flair from half-back.

Still aged only 23, McLennan is entering the prime of his career and has plenty to offer at AFL level should he get the call-up.

James Rowe (Woodville-West Torrens)

Rowe played 36 AFL games for Adelaide across two seasons as a small forward before being delisted at the end of 2022.

He returned to his junior club Woodville-West Torrens where played in a premiership and won the Ken Farmer Medal in 2020 as a crafty goal sneak.

Upon his return to the Eagles he has moved into the midfield and announced himself as a star of the competition, winning a club best and fairest and the Fos Williams Medal for best on ground in the state game last year.

Geelong Mid-Season Draft recruit Mitch Hardie (middle right) with Woodville-West Torrens teammates (left to right) Joseph Sinor, James Rowe and Connor Ballenden after the 2023 SA vs WA State Game (Image: Instagram, @eagleswwtfc)

Rowe has played starring roles in both state games this year, showcasing his ability to find the ball and have silky skills when using it, finishing with 20 disposals and three goals against WA last weekend.

Kobe Ryan (West Adelaide)

Young gun Kobe Ryan has been a revelation at SANFL level across the past two seasons, defying his age of just 20 to take a leading role in the West Adelaide midfield.

Ryan finished seventh in the Magarey Medal last year in his first full season at league level in a team that finished last, and also took out the Breakthrough Player of the Year title.

At 185cm, Ryan is a hard-nosed player who is at ease in the coal face and can also break away from stoppages and set up scoring opportunities.

So far this season he is ranked 10th in the competition for disposals, second for tackles and fifth for clearances, showing his toughness and ball-winning ability at the contest.

Kobe Ryan of West Adelaide in the SANFL, 2024 (Image via Adelaide Sports Photography)

Averaging just over one goal per game, he can also push forward and hit the scoreboard, as he did last week against Glenelg when he kicked three goals in 10 minutes to break the game open.

Ryan recently won the Russell Ebert Medal as best on ground in the Russell Ebert tribute match against Port Adelaide after collecting 28 disposals and 10 clearances.

Noah Howes (South Adelaide)

Considered unlucky by some to miss out on selection at last year's AFL draft, Howes has put himself in the mix for Mid-Season Draft consideration with an excellent start to the year.

Still aged only 18, the 196cm key forward has played all six games at league level and looked comfortable against senior opposition.

His contested marking has been a constant feature, placing equal first across the league in this statistic, and has kicked two hauls of three goals in a team that is yet to register a win.

He also enjoyed a solid U18s season with South Adelaide in 2023, kicking 3.3 from 14 disposals to be a major contributor in the grand final win over Sturt.

Patrick Weckert (Woodville-West Torrens)

Another player who got overlooked at last year's draft, Weckert has had a strong start to the 2024 season, playing all six games at league level as a 19-year-old.

Standing at 194cm, the key forward can find the ball in the air and at ground level and can also be a lead-up option with his speed and agility.

Despite his age, Weckert has shown he is not intimidated by more seasoned opponents, taking on Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey in Round 3 and kicking three goals.

The Eagles' Round 6 clash against South Adelaide showcased his ability to play further up the ground, often playing as a link player in transition.

Possessing a wonderful field kick and steady composure, Weckert was able to deliver several quality inside 50 entries, displaying his versatility as a player.

Will Patton (West Adelaide)

Key defender Patton was one of the shock non-selections of last year's draft, with the SA U18 captain passed over following a season interrupted by injury.

Having seemingly overcome his injury concerns, Patton has played all six games at league level this year and has locked away a key defensive post for West Adelaide.

The 19-year-old is ranked fourth in the SANFL for rebound 50s this season, averaging nearly five per game across the first six weeks.

At 193cm, Patton has the ability to lock down on key forwards but still has the mobility and agility to work at ground level and cover the ground on more mobile opponents.

Will Snelling (Sturt)

Delisted by Essendon at the end of last season after 64 games with the club, Snelling has enjoyed one of the hottest starts to a SANFL season in recent memory.

Playing mostly as a small forward for Essendon, Snelling has slotted straight into the Double Blues' midfield and is leading the competition for both disposals and tackles and is ranked fourth for clearances.

Measuring in at just 175cm, some recruiters may consider him too small to play in an AFL midfield, but his cleanliness with ball in hand and defensive efforts are undeniable.

He has put in four best-on-ground performances in his first six games and been a dominant force to this point in the season, with opposition teams at a loss on how to stop him.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Will Snelling (left) and Andrew McGrath of the Bombers celebrate during the 2019 AFL round 20 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on August 03, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Snelling isn't unfamiliar with the Mid-Season Draft, having been recruited to the Bombers in 2019 after being cut from Port Adelaide the year prior.

Luke Beecken (Woodville-West Torrens)

A premiership winner in his first season at senior level, Beecken has long been admired at Woodville-West Torrens and is now getting his plaudits from the wider competition.

Possessing blistering pace and good decision-making skills with ball in hand, Beecken is a dangerous weapon playing off half-back, turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye.

Beecken was rewarded with state selection for the recent clash with Western Australia and stepped up to the occasion, finishing as one of the best players on the ground.

Now aged 23 and with more than 50 senior games under his belt, Beecken is a well-rounded player with a good balance of both defence and offence, making him a valuable commodity to any defensive unit.

Adam D'Aloia (Woodville-West Torrens)

Explosive midfielder D'Aloia was South Australia's under-18 captain in 2022 and named the state's MVP for that year's carnival, but was surprisingly passed over at the National Draft.

Since then he has continued to add to his game and has developed into one of the best contested midfielders in the SANFL in 2024.

Still only 20 years old, D'Aloia is currently ranked in the top for disposals, tackles, clearances and inside 50s, showing his desire both with and without the ball.

While his ball-winning ability has never been questioned, his damage from clearance has improved enormously over the past 12 months, elevating him to one of the premier midfielders in the league.

Riley Holder (Glenelg)

At just 21 years of age, Riley Holder has become an integral part of the Glenelg setup, playing all 20 games in the Tigers' premiership-winning season last year.

A 192cm utility that can play all over the ground, Holder has the height to compete in the ruck as he has been asked to this year in the absence of Cameron McGree, but also possesses the mobility to be a threat at ground level as well.

Selected to play his first state game against Western Australia last weekend, Holder held his own to record 13 disposals and push forward for a goal.

Proving he is not daunted by the big stage, Holder was influential in last year's SANFL grand final against Sturt, collecting 14 disposals and six clearances.

Published by
Jordan Routley