Richmond VFL forward Sam Davidson looms as one of the more exciting mature-aged draft prospects for 2024, with the 22-year-old's campaign at the state league level seeing him come away with a list of accolades.

Davidson took the step up to the VFL after a year spent with both Maffra and South Mildura in regional Victoria in 2023, with his move to Punt Road proving to be worthwhile.

The medium-sized forward quickly made a name for himself in the yellow and black, kicking four goals in his first four games before entering a breakout run.

A Round 9 encounter with Essendon at the MCG saw Davidson boot three goals from 20 disposals and seven marks in a strong win over the Bombers. That vein of form continued through the middle of the season, with Davidson kicking four goals against Port Melbourne a fortnight later.

He would go on to enjoy an 11-goal spell across three games, headlined by a six-goal outing against the Northern Bullants in July, with Davidson ending his first campaign in the VFL with 26 goals from 17 games.

The emerging and crafty forward's stellar season would earn him the VFL's Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the competition's best young player, while he would also share Richmond's best and fairest.

Famously, the 17 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal winners before Davidson have gone on to debut in the AFL, a good indication that a chance to be drafted could come Davidson's way this off-season.

AFL clubs will be attracted to Davidson's attacking craft, balance of speed and endurance and his upside as a forward threat who has good leading patterns and can have an impact in the air as well as ground level.

Davidson showed his endurance and sprinting capabilities following the season, finishing fourth at the State Draft Combine in the 2km time trial and recording a time of 2.98 seconds for the 20m sprint.

A selection for Davidson would most likely come in the final stages of the National Draft or via the Rookie Draft, as clubs weigh up his value compared to teenagers first eligible to be recruited this year.

Richmond are sure to consider Davidson for an AFL list spot but are without a selection after the first round, with the Tigers potentially hoping to see Davidson slide to the Rookie Draft. Collingwood, Geelong and the Western Bulldogs could make a play for Davidson with their late draft selections.

Sam Davidson of Richmond's VFL side after claiming the 2024 Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal

Position:ย Forward
Height:ย 190cm
State:ย Victoria
Club:ย Richmond VFL

Strengths

Speed
Tackling
Goal Sense
Aerobic Capacity
Creativity

Draft Range

Pick 45 - Late/Rookie

Potential Landing Spots

Richmond
Geelong (Picks 45, 57 and 75)
Collingwood (Picks 52, 55 and 58)
Western Bulldogs (Pick 48)

AFL Comparison

Nic Martin
Ollie Dempsey

Expert Comments

"Exciting lead-up forward who has had an amazing journey to become a Draft contender after a breakout year for Richmond in the VFL. Showed a very impressive balance of high-level speed and endurance at the state Draft Combine in Melbourne." - Kevin Sheehan