As the AFL mid-season draft looms closer, a trio of former Adelaide Crows players in Tyson Stengle, Riley Knight and Jordan Gallucci have put their names on notice following some impressive form in the SANFL and VFL.
Both Stengle and Knight have been playing well for Woodville-West Torrens in the SANFL, with Knight averaging 27.7 disposals in the midfield, whilst Stengle is showing flashes of brilliance highlighted by a four goal and 21 disposal match against the Crows reserves in Round 3.
Stengle was let go by the Crows earlier in March, following three indiscretions in just eight months, involving being caught with illicit substances and drink driving.
AFL draft analytic Cal Twomey told SEN Breakfast about the impact that Tyson Stengle can have on an AFL list if he is given another chance.
โThereโs a view that he is the most talented player outside the AFL system right now," he said.
According to AFL Media, Richmond are understood to be keeping their sights on Stengle, who could make a shock return to Punt Road should the Tigers open up a spot on their list for the Mid-Season Draft.
The Tigers currently don't have a spare list spot available but could open up an opportunity should they need to move injured ruckman Ivan Soldo to the long-term injury list.
Twomey also praised Knight's dominance in the midfield since defecting to the SANFL.
"Does a club bring him in and just hope that over the next six months he can really help their premiership push?," he asked.
Embed from Getty ImagesGallucci is another former Crow who has flown under the radar, playing well for Williamstown in the VFL.
Gallucci has kicked seven goals in his first four games for Williamstown, after spending the pre-season training with Richmond, and could add great goal sense and pressure in any forward line in the AFL.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother former AFL player who has caused great talk amongst the AFL community is former St. Kilda and Collingwood midfielder Nathan Freeman, who has been dominating in the VFL for Frankston.
Freeman is averaging an impressive 40.5 disposals in the first four rounds of the season, and Twomey believes that AFL recruiters would be circling him as long as he can stay healthy.
โHeโd have some clubs looking at him, but itโs a matter of whether a club backs him. Heโs getting a great run at it fitness-wise for the first time in a long time," Twomey said.
Nathan Freeman has been BALLING in the VFL.
Name a team that should pick him up in the mid-season draft โฌ pic.twitter.com/0znpvGOvN4
โ 7AFL (@7AFL) May 10, 2021
It will be interesting viewing to see if AFL recruiters pick up these players following their outstanding form in their respective leagues.
The AFL Mid-Season Draft kicks off on June 2nd.
