The full Gold Coast list so far
Piers Flanagan
Vic Country, Geelong/Geelong Amateurs
Born: March 31, 1992, Height: 188cm, Weight: 74kg
A tall, athletic winger/ruck-rover, Flanagan is a skillful prospect. He has been likened to versatile Bulldog Robert Murphy – a player drafted by Gold Coast list manager Scott Clayton. Flanagan is also a talented rower.
Jack Hutchins
Vic Metro, Sandringham/Haileybury
Born: February 20, 1992, Height: 191cm, Weight: 87kg
Predominantly a key defender, Hutchins was an AIS/AFL Academy member. Like a handful of contemporaries, he almost chose another sport, having almost made the Australian Olympic swim team for last year's Beijing games.
Hayden Jolly
South Australia, Glenelg/PHOS Camden
Born: April 2, 1992, Height: 182cm, Weight: 82kg
Regarded as one of South Australia's best prospects, Jolly is a clever and creative midfielder. He averaged 23.8 disposals at this year's under-18 champs – slightly better than the likely top-three draft prospect Jack Trengove.
Alex Keath
Vic Country, Murray/Shepparton
Born: January 20, 1992, Height: 196cm, Weight: 82kg
Keath would have been a first-round selection had he been eligible for this year's NAB AFL Draft. The key tall is also an outstanding cricketer, having led the Victorian under-17 team. He was also selected in the Australian World Cup under-19 squad.
Brandon Matera
Western Australia, South Fremantle/Corpus Christi
Born: March 11, 1992, Height: 174cm, Weight: 61kg
The son of Wally and nephew of Peter and Phil shone at this year's under-18 champs, averaging 3.2 goals per match as a small forward. He was duly rewarded with All-Australian selection in the forward pocket.
Trent McKenzie
Vic Metro, Western/Williamstown Juniors
Born: April 3, 1992, Height: 188cm, Weight: 78kg
A versatile type, although he predominantly plays as a backman. Like Jolly, he received a 2009 Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship – recognising football and academic excellence. A very good mark overhead, he is also an AIS/AFL Academy graduate.
Luke Mitchell
Vic Metro, Calder/St Bernards
Born: February 28, 1992, Height: 193cm, Weight: 91kg
Mitchell could be the smoky of the Gold Coast's dozen 17-year-olds. Didn't play in this year's U18 champ, although he has played for Vic Metro in the under-16s. A tall forward and highly regarded.
Matt Shaw
Vic Country, Dandenong/Chelsea
Born: February 5, 1992, Height: 182cm, Weight: 79kg
A very quick, athletic wingman, half-back or half-forward flanker. The type of player that fits the bill for list manager Scott Clayton.
Josh Toy
Vic Metro, Calder/PEGS
Born: April 18, 1992, Height: 185cm, Weight: 87kg
Talked up to the extent that some recruiters believe he would have been the No.1 draft pick, if eligible. A beautiful kick, the half-back was named All-Australian in the U18 champs and won the Ben Mitchell Medal in the AIS/AFL Academy.
Blayne Wilson
Western Australia, January 26, 1992
Born: January 26, 1992, Height: 187cm, Weight: 80kg
Was outstanding in defence for Western Australia in this year's U18 champs and was named full-back in the All-Australian team. Has first-class disposal skills, as highlighted by his 87 per cent efficiency during the carnival.
Also in the mix
Vic Metro's Kieran Harper, Ben Jacobs, Tom Nicholls and Cameron O'Shea and Vic Country's Lucas Cook. And don't be surprised if there are other smokies, as Clayton has an excellent record in left-field selections.
Seventeen-year-olds already signed
The full Gold Coast list so far
Maverick Weller
Signed July 28, 2009
Tasmania, Burnie Dockers
Born: February 13, 1992, Height: 182cm, Weight: 81kg
An outstanding midfielder, so highly rated that he was named AIS/AFL Academy captain without playing a match. Made his senior debut with Burnie as a 15-year-old in 2007 and won the Alan McLean Medal for the best division two player in the 2008 NAB AFL under-16 championships. Many recruiters say he would have been a first-round draftee.
Luke Russell
Signed July 28, 2009
Tasmania, Burnie Dockers
Born: January 24, 1992, Height: 185cm, Weight: 77kg
A 2008 AIS/AFL Academy member, he captained Tasmania in the 2009 NAB AFL under-18 championships and made his senior debut with Burnie as a 16-year-old last year. Another top midfielder, he was a standout junior basketball player, having been part of the Australian Emus development squad in 2007.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
