Bendigo Pioneers utility Harvey Gallagher is among the very few over-age prospects who could land a spot on an AFL list through the National Draft next week.
The 19-year-old was overlooked at last year's draft and again for the 2022 Mid-Season rookie intake, however Gallagher has reached new levels of stardom since missing out on a top-flight chance.
A positional switch to defence, having mostly plied his trade as an attacking midfielder, saw Gallagher flourish in the NAB League for the Pioneers as a rebounding half-back threat.
His final five games of the season would amass an average of 35 disposals per game, while the Sandhurst native also managed to continue to have an impact in the forward third of the ground.
The hot run of form saw Gallagher earn a spot in Vic Country's final game of the season, where he gained further attention of AFL scouts.
The outside run and carry he offers could also offer clubs an immediate injection to their defence, while Gallagher remains a more-than-formidable option for midfield and forward roles.
While Gallagher's chances of finding a home at the AFL level have certainly strengthened, it's unlikely he'll fall in the opening 30 or so selections, with his range perhaps at the back end of the second round and later.
That's not to say you can rule Gallagher's name out of the first round, but it'd be a tremendous story no matter where he lands.
His versatility and career-best form in defence gives Gallagher some likeness to Fremantle's Jordan Clark, while the likes of versatile SA pair Jordan Dawson and Ryan Burton may also have traits that Gallagher also possesses.
Position: Utility
State: Victoria Country
State League Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Community Club: Sandhurst
Date of Birth: 26/09/03
Height: 179cm
Weight: 77kg
Strengths
Versatility
Bal-Winning Ability
Run and Dash
Weaknesses
Goal Shooting
Draft Range
Late Second Round or Later
Potential Landing Spots
Port Adelaide (Pick 33), North Melbourne (Pick 40), Hawthorn (Pick 41), Gold Coast (Pick 45)
AFL Comparisons
Jordan Clark
Ryan Burton
Jordan Dawson
Expert Comments
"The numbers he put up were sort of (Nick) Daicos-like. Obviously playing a different position but he's kicking multiple goals from half-back, covering so much ground, his foot skills are great. So I think he's going to be a really good pickup and one who has a few different strings to his bow. He can still be a goalkicking midfielder as well or small forward." - Michael Alvaro
