Each season, a large handful of draftees are selected to represent and play for their new AFL clubs, showcasing their unique talents and abilities before the eyes of the footy world
Rookie Me Central draft analyst Michael Alvaro recently selected a small collective of this season's rookies that he believed had mad the jump from juniors to the big-time with aplomb.ย
Harry Sheezel
Alvaro noted that half-back, Sheezel's current position, is not his most familiar, praising the young gun for his ability to adapt to the change thrown at him and still be able to accumulate essential numbers for North.
"He's been super in that relatively new, unfamiliar role across half-back and could even be the best-performed player of the draft crop so far," Alvaro said.ย
"We know he can accumulate. He had some big, big games in the NAB League last year with over 30 touches and bags of four, five, six goals. We know he can rack up the numbers.
Sheezel's ability to adapt and play in numerous positions as well as his efficient movement and momentum has proven him to be a key asset to the club'sย vision in each game, which Alvaro noted.
"North Melbourne, you can tell how highly they rated him given they took him with their first pick with Pick 3, ahead of George Wardlaw who many thought was probably the number two prospect (in the entire draft class)," he said.ย
Oliver Hollands
The young midfielder was plucked with pick 11 in the 2022 AFL Draft, recruited from the Murray Bushrangers. Alvaro noted that Hollands has been "super impressive" throughout the season so far, with his running ability at an elite level.
"Hollands has been super impressive, he's the hardest runner almost in the competition. His GPS rating would be off the charts, constantly covering 15-16kms a game,
"There's a few Blues fans who say 'you just should give him a rest, he's just a young kid', but he just keeps doing his thing," Alvaro said.ย
The draft analyst commended Hollands' performance so far, with an average of 15 disposals per game, throughout his first season Alvaro suggested that he could join the newly implemented Tasmanian team if he continues to stand out during his early career.
"There have been some good signs from him recently, he's earnt that rest after his early season promise. He is going to have plenty more time to impress and could even be in the frame to get picked up when Tassie comes into the comp."
Will Ashcroft
Alvaro was quick to praise Ashcroft and his ability to look "comfortable" throughout each game whilst impressively contributing to each of the Lions' wins.
He noted that Ashcroft is probably one of the best performers that he has seen from this selection of draftees due to the young gun's ability to maintain a run of stunning statistics.
"I think most people thought he'd just roll in there and get games consistently and do his usual thing because his output at junior level was insane and insanely consistent too," Alvaro said.ย
"Talk about numbers, Will had over 50 touches in a NAB League game last year, and doing that in 25-flat-minute quarters is pretty ridiculous. He carried on that promise, that upside and deservingly was one of the top two players drafted last year. We knew it was going to happen really, like if you had seen him play before you wouldn't be too surprised by what he's doing now."
While each of Sheezel, Hollands and Ashcroft continue to carve their place at the AFL table, Alvaro claimed a pair that are yet to debut could soon make their own waves.
"I'll give you two names. So we're talking about teammates, two Oakleigh teammates from last year, Elijah Tsatas and George Wardlaw - Picks 5 and 4 respectively," he offered.
"Obviously, Wardlaw is returning through the VFL and has shown some good signs. It probably wouldn't be too hard to get a game with the Roos at the moment. He could be one that's unleashed pretty soon.
"But Elijah Tsatas is obviously a more long-term injury. Both are so talented with great athleticism. Wardlaw is a real brute on the inside, so powerful. I think he'll be a standout from the off.
"I'm looking forward to seeing those two,"ย
Essendon draftee, Tsatas underwent knee surgery earlier this season and still has not returned to the game at AFL level just yet, whilst North Melbourne's prized Wardlaw is set to make his debut this weekend against Sydney after suffering serious injury concerns prior to his debut.
