COLLINGWOOD will get first access to a talented rugby player at this year's NAB AFL Draft under the Next Generation Academy rules.
Atu Bosenavualagi is a small forward for the Oakleigh Chargers who was born in Fiji and last year played in the national rugby sevens under-19s side.
Bosenavualagi's form has built across the season and he has taken the eye of club scouts with his pace, hardness and tackling in the TAC Cup making him a late draft or rookie chance.
The Pies have first call on Bosenavualagi at the draft, but if he slips through the national intake, Collingwood can automatically list him as a category B rookie.
Chargers talent manager Craig Notman said the 17-year-old's progress had put him on club radars.
"With the rugby background you can see that his tackling is probably one of his real strengths, but his clean hands is the other thing that stands out. We think that's a throwback to his rugby background too," Notman said.
"If you fumble in rugby the game's over for you, so he's really exceptional with his hands and he has a really uncanny ability for the ball to stick in his hands."
The Magpies already look set to benefit from their NGA this year, with Chargers prospect Isaac Quaynor likely to attract a bid in the first round after an excellent season across half-back.
Versatile tall Bailey Wraith can also join the Pies through the NGA, while Collingwood father-son defender Will Kelly has also improved his stocks to be a potential top-30 pick at the draft.
Bosenavualagi is 179cm and 79kg and has played some local rugby games this season in between the Chargers' fixture.
"He benefited from the opportunity to spend a little bit of time at Collingwood and train there over the Christmas period, which was really good for him," Notman said.
"He's still dabbling with the rugby stuff. He's no slouch there and he has snuck in a couple of games of rugby this year on some weekends off. He enjoys that kind of thing. Some of the stuff he brings from rugby into his AFL footy has some real benefits to his game."
Another Next Generation Academy to emerge in the second half of the season has been Daniel Hanna, the nephew of Carlton premiership player Mil.
In a twist, the 200cm defender is tied to Essendon's NGA. Mil Hanna was involved in an infamous incident against the Bombers in the 1993 Grand Final, when Essendon defender Dean Wallis knocked Hanna unconscious in the first term.
Daniel Hanna, who plays for the Calder Cannons in the TAC Cup, was overlooked at last year's draft and has overcome injury to show his wares as a 200cm defender.
"His development this year has been clearly linked to him becoming a more durable player. He's got his body right finally and is now stringing together games," said Ian Kyte, the Cannons' talent manager.
"The past four or five weeks he would have been our best player across half-back, and even on the weekend he played in the ruck at times and showed he can do that if he has to."
Daniel Hanna could play against his uncle's old club Carlton if he gets drafted by Essendon. Picture: AFL Photos
Hanna shapes as a late national draft or rookie pick and, like Collingwood with Bosenavualagi, Essendon can list him as a category B rookie should he be not taken at the national draft.
Kyte said Essendon was close to listing Hanna last year, but he had benefited from coming back to the Cannons under the 19-year-old rule.
"For a guy who is 200cm his agility, ground-ball work and quick hands are elite. The area he's got to continue to work on is his kicking. It's reasonably effective but can be awkward in how it looks," Kyte said.
