Some of the most highly-touted and exciting 2024 draft prospects have been given the opportunity to play some VFL footy in recent weeks, yielding impressive individual results. Getting to test themselves against men and get their name out there as the draft nears are important benefits for the talented youngsters. The performances at this level definitely hold a greater weight in comparison to being dominant in the Coates Talent League, and there is no doubt that potential clubs will be watching on closely again this weekend as a number of top 10 prospects take the field for their respective teams.
Highly-touted midfield trio trialling at Tigers
Three midfielders in contention for the coveted No.1 pick in 2024 will have already pulled on the Richmond jumper by the time the draft rolls around later in the year. While Jagga Smith has already shown recruiters why he should be the first name called out on draft night, Finn O’Sullivan also caught the eye of a few recruiters on Saturday showing glimpses of brilliance. FOS kicked two goals for the Tigers in their loss to Sandringham but it was the fact that half of his touches were score involvements which had fans excited about him. He finished with 12 disposals, and two goals in a very handy first outing for the club, potentially the first of many. O’Sullivan has had a season plagued by injury and struggled for form at times but still remains firmly in the No.1 race. A bit of late season form could work wonders for the teenager who showcased his talent last year making the Under-18 Championships All-Australian team as a bottom-ager for Vic Country.
Both Smith and O’Sullivan are no stranger to playing alongside each other in the same midfield group and are both great leaders for Oakleigh Chargers. Smith has looked at home playing against the bigger bodies with his elite agility and inside-outside balance among his best qualities. The Oakleigh Chargers captain has put up some impressive numbers in his first three games at the level with 27, 31 and 22 disposals. His form will definitely have Richmond fans, coaches and players excited about his potential and increase his chances to be the number one man for the Tigers.
The third midfielder who has shot into the calculations is Harvey Langford who was approached by Richmond to play this weekend against Carlton at Ikon Park - that is if the Blues have any players left after their injury carnage at AFL level. Langford is one of the best big midfielders in the draft standing at 190cm, his season for Dandenong Stingrays can only be described with the word 'dominant'. He has jumped into first round calculations after a stellar U18 Champs series which saw him win the Larke Medal alongside Suns Academy prospect Leo Lombard, as well as the Vic Country MVP. A strong performance from the left-footed midfielder on Sunday could be enough to push him into the conversation for top three and an outside chance for the first pick of the draft.
Big man Shanahan in good touch for Bombers
Highly-touted 2024 draft prospect Jobe Shanahan has done his draft stocks no harm with two dominant performances for Essendon’s VFL side, kicking six goals across his two matches. His VFL debut was a good one as he booted four goals for the Dons in their 44 point win over the Northern Bullants, and then backed it up with two in the win over the Suns at the weekend. The 18-year-old was the 23rd man on debut but earned some valuable time in the forward line to capitalise on his opportunities. He combined seamlessly with twin tower and Bombers’ forward Peter Wright in the forward line as the pair combined for seven goals and 12 marks, troubling the Northern defenders. Shanahan finished with nine disposals, four marks, three tackles and three marks to go along with his four majors.
He was good again at the weekend kicking 2.3 against Gold Coast Suns to finish with 11 disposals, seven marks and three tackles. The Bendigo Pioneers product has boosted his draft stocks significantly following an impressive month of football and also trained with the Bombers earlier in the year. The 194cm forward showed potential clubs that he has no shortage of range when firing at the big sticks, launching two of his goals from beyond the 50m arc against the Bullants. He also earned selection into the AFL Academy earlier in the year kicking three goals across the two matches, before being rewarded with All-Australian honours after a stellar Under-18 Championships with the Allies. His best game came in Allies’ two point loss to Vic Country as he collected 16 disposals, nine marks and kicked three goals. Shanahan will likely line up for the side again this weekend for the final home and away match of the VFL season.
Ashcroft outstanding on Lions debut
Levi Ashcroft was a force to be reckoned with on debut for his future club and Lions fans would’ve loved everything they saw from father-son prospect. He oozes excellence and this occasion was no different as he put together a best on ground performance with 35 disposals, 11 clearances, five tackles, eight marks and a goal. He had a game-high 145 ranking points and helped his team run away to a cruisy 50-point victory over GWS Giants. All of this in his debut game at the level, Ashcroft is going to be a star and he is a tough match-up for any opponent with his elite running ability and ball-use particularly impressive. Ashcroft is the ultimate professional and had he not been tied to the Lions as a father-son prospect, it would be hard to go past him as the No.1 selection in the draft. Ashcroft will line-up for Brisbane again this weekend against Collingwood and you can expect another big outing for the well-rounded midfielder.
Other players in action
Some other prospects who played in the VFL on the weekend included Tobie Travaglia (15 disposals, five tackles) for Carlton playing off half-back where he does his best work. While Adrian Cole (10 disposals), Lennox Hofman (15 disposals) and Elwood Peckett (15 disposals) were solid performers in Sandringham’s win over the Tigers. Ollie Warburton (12 disposals) was another as he played for Collingwood last Friday against Sydney.
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