Pies, Bombers among six clubs reportedly interested in athletic SANFL forward

A handful of AFL clubs are understood to be lining up for a versatile forward’s services ahead of next week’s Mid-Season Draft.

Aidan O'Carroll

STAFF WRITER | May 25, 2022 - 12:00pm

North Adelaide forward Jacob Bauer is poised as a top prospect in the upcoming AFL Mid-Season Draft after impressing in the SANFL this season.

The 19-year old went undrafted last year, hailing from the Swans' Academy, but has put his best foot forward for North Adelaide this season, booting 15 goals from five games and showing capabilities can play at either end of the ground.

Bauer is one of 14 prospects to undergo medical testing ahead of the draft, and has requested an 18-month contract if he is selected next Wednesday.

As many as six AFL clubs including Sydney, GWS, Collingwood, Carlton, Richmond and Essendon are believed to be interested in the versatile forward, according to News Corp, with Bauer impressing with his marking ability as well as score involvements for the Roosters.

The 191cm utility played in defence in a trial match against the Adelaide Crows' reserve side, but then started the SANFL season down forward, and kicked consecutive bags of five goals in Rounds 2 and 2, exciting North Adelaide coach and ex-Port Adelaide player, Jacob Surjan.

"He has a great ability to mark the ball and read the flight of the ball in the air. He’s really competitive as well and he’s a beautiful set shot," Surjan told News.com.au.

"He knows the areas of the game that he needs to get better at, but he’s got a lot of things that AFL clubs need and like.

"I don’t think he needs to get bigger, but he just needs to get stronger in his body and with his contest, and if he gets into an AFL environment, he’s got plenty of time for that."

Surjan is excited for the opportunities available to Bauer as the AFL Mid-Season Draft looms.

"I’m going to be very excited if Jacob is potentially the first development kid drafted through the mid-season draft from North Adelaide," he said.

"Part of our job is obviously to win premierships at our club, but we still know that we’re a feeder competition to the AFL and we need to try to develop kids to try and get into the AFL as quickly as possible.

"Jacob’s development in the last little bit has been great. He’s very driven, he wants to get the best out of himself and he’s a really humble kid."

Collingwood, Essendon and GWS are likely to look toward key forwards for the upcoming recruitment windows, while the Tigers could look to find a successor for veteran sharpshooter Jack Riewoldt.

The AFL Mid-Season Draft will take place next Wednesday on June 1, with AFL clubs needing to have a spare rookie list position by 5pm AEST on May 31 in order to have a selection in the draft.