State league stars from the SANFL, VFL and WAFL, as well as ex-AFL talent, have put their names forward for the 2023 AFL Draft as mature-age prospects for clubs to potentially consider.
Werribee midfield-forward Shaun Mannagh looms as the leading chance to earn an AFL Draft selection following his best-afield performance for the Tigers in their VFL Grand Final defeat to Gold Coast in September.
That Sunday display came in front of a packed Princes Park where AFL coaches and recruiters were closely watching on in the stands.
Mannagh recorded 27 disposals and kicked six goals to claim the Norm Goss Medal and become just the second player to do so in a losing side, with the 26-year-old's explosiveness and match-winning aura likely to have added to his list of potential suitors.
The Werribee star might not be alone in landing an AFL list spot after a strong year with the 'Bees, with the Forthergill-Round-Mitchell Medal being awarded to promising young defender Sam Clohesy.
Clohesy took out the award as the VFL's most promising young player - an honour that saw every winner between 2006-2021 go on to earn an AFL deal in the near future.
Last year's winner, Port Melbourne's Ethan Phillips, remains a live chance to be selected at next week's draft after another strong campaign with the Borough in 2023.
The 196cm defender is a promising key defender who could be viewed as a ready-made prospect at the age of 24, while Clohesy, whose younger brother Ted is listed with Geelong, has plenty of upside and is an aggressive defensive flanker.
The young Tiger averaged 16.8, disposals and 5.6 marks to take out the Fothergill-Round-Micthell Medal, with Clohesy joined by teammates Mannagh, Kye Declase, Sam Paea and Hudson Garoni in having nominated for next week's National Draft.
The former Demon Declase is among the suite of ex-AFL players who have also nominated, with ex-Port Adelaide small forward turned Southport star Boyd Woodcock, who has finished second in the J.J. Liston Trophy voting in each of the past two seasons.
One of Woodcock's newest teammates, Ben Jepson, is another who could be of interest to clubs at the draft after the defender's breakout year with Coburg.
Jepson was a final five finalist for the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal this year after averaging 25 disposals, five marks, seven rebound 50s and two tackles per game for the Lions, and has since signed with the Sharks for the 2024 season.
VFL stalwart and Footscray captain Lachie Sullivan is another ball-winner who could finally earn an AFL chance after dominating another state league campaign. The hard-nosed midfielder finished equal third in the Liston count this year after collecting 30 or more touches on a dozen occasions.Â
Sullivan's teammate Josh Chatfield was one of three mature-aged prospects invited to the Victorian State Draft Combine this year, leading to a consideration that he has some interest from AFL clubs.
The 23-year-old Bulldogs utility was joined by Richmond VFL talent Mutaz El Nour and Geelong reserves player Bailey Van De Heuvel, both of whom are key defensive options.Â
In the WAFL, South Fremantle's Tom Blechynden is among the crop from out west who have lodged their name for the National Draft.
The 23-year-old has previously trained with West Coast as a potential Supplemental Selection Period and was also part of the Eagles' COVID top-up list as one of the premier players out of the WAFL.
A strong 2023 campaign that saw him earn WA representative honours will have Blechynden viewed as one of the premier names out of WAFL, while former Carlton defender and East Perth's Angus Schumacher and East Fremantle star Milan Murdock are also viable options at the draft.
The SANFL has already seen Glenelg backman Toby Pink earn another chance in the top flight as a delisted free agency pickup for North Melbourne this off-season, with fellow Team of the Year member Tom Lewis another name out of SA who could entice clubs.
The Sturt midfielder was raised as a potential Mid-Season Draft chance this year and could gain rekindled interest this November after a stellar campaign that helped the Double Blues book a place in the grand final.
Lewis averaged 23.6 disposals, 6.4 clearances and a league-high 12.7 tackles per game - tallying 241 tackles for the year to amass almost 80 more than the next highest in the SANFL.
Part of the 2018 SA group that included the likes of Connor Rozee, Izak Rankine and Jack Lukosius, Lewis was flagged as a late selection chance at his respective draft count.
Nominations for the 2023 National Draft closed this week, with more than 900 draft hopefuls putting their name into the available pool of selections.
The AFL Draft will commence at Marvel Stadium on Monday with the first round of selections, with the remaining picks to be made the following night.
