AFL NSW/ACT’s players to watch in 2020

The 2019 NAB AFL Draft has come and gone, and many clubs have already turned their attention to the 2020 pool.

This is AFL NSW/ACT’s early look at the 2020 draft, with 12 local names you’ll be hearing plenty about throughout next year.

Josh Green –

GWS GIANTS Academy
191cm/84kg
24/7/2002
Utility

Brother of GIANTS draftee Tom, Josh shares a lot of physical traits with his brother but is more of a key position type with his strong body and marking ability. The 17-year-old could find himself once again playing alongside his brother in 2021.

Jack Driscoll –

GWS GIANTS Academy
200cm/82kg
8/4/2002
Utility

Playing predominantly as a centre half-back while still rucking when required, Driscoll’s intercept marking and versatility for his size are his strengths and he could join Brisbane’s Harris Andrews, Docker Alex Pearce and St Kilda’s Jake Carlisle in the AFL’s 200cm-plus defensive ranks if drafted.

Errol Gulden –

Sydney Swans Academy
172cm/68kg
18/7/2002
Midfielder

Described as a hard working and smart midfielder capable of pushing forward and damaging the scoreboard. Gulden represented Australia’s under-17 side in an Anzac Day clash with New Zealand in April, and was the best and fairest player in Division Two of the NAB AFL Under-16 Championships in 2018. Gulden was also best afield for UNSW-Eastern Suburbs in last year’s AFL Sydney under-19s Grand Final before matching his older brother Adam’s effort in winning the senior equivalent, won the best-on-ground medal for UNSW-Eastern Suburbs in Saturday’s AFL Sydney Grand Final.

Braeden Campbell –

Sydney Swans Academy
179cm/71kg
4/2/2002
Midfielder

Sydney will get first call on Campbell, who has already been touted as the next first round draftee out of the Swans’ Academy. The 17-year-old was named best-afield in the NAB AFL All Stars ‘Futures’ game on Grand Final day. Campbell is a midfielder who can slide forward, as he did in that game when he booted three goals from 14 disposals. Finds the ball at the stoppages and is able to cover the ground and be penetrating with the ball. 

Marco Rossman –

Sydney Swans Academy
180cm/78kg
12/4/2002
Midfielder

A hard working forward midfield type who is diligent in his preparation, The 17-year-old has the ability to extract the ball from congestion, provide breakaway from stoppages and also hit the scoreboard.

Marc Sheather –

Sydney Swans Academy
185cm/84kg
11/6/2002
Utility

Played in all sorts of positions for the NSW/ACT Rams in 2019 and looked comfortable down back as an intercepting type. Sheather is capable of playing well above his 185cm height given his strong frame, and has clean hands overhead.

Kye Pfrengle –

Sydney Swans Academy
188cm/72kg
20/11/2002
Utility

A creative player who reads the game well, Pfrengle is capable of playing across the ground. The 17-year-old is extremely athletic for his size and is good with ball in hand.

Charlie Byrne –

Murray Bushrangers
181cm/75kg
26/10/2002
Defender

Playing predominantly as a rebounding defender, Byrne is also capable of playing in the midfield if required. Elite with the ball in hand, Byrne will no doubt be on the radar of AFL recruiters in 2020.

Angus Baker –

Canberra Demons
192cm/86kg
August 3, 1998
Defender

Canberra Demons defender Angus Baker was crowned the NEAFL’s Rising Star winner after taking the competition by storm in 2019. The 21-year-old was among the competition leaders all season for his match-winning ability, highlighted with being ranked No.1 in the league for Champion Data ranking points and second for disposals. Named among the Demons’ best 14 times from 17 games, Baker averaged 30 disposals, seven marks and five rebound 50s this season. A former Swans Academy member, the talented defender is a genuine chance to find himself on an AFL list come the mid-season draft next year.

Liam Delahunty –

GWS GIANTS Academy
192cm/90kg
Feb 13, 2001
Utility

Former GIANTS young gun Liam Delahunty is a talented 192cm utility with elite speed, great vertical leap and sticky hands who uses the ball well. The 18-year-old was overlooked in this years draft despite being identified as a top prospect since the Under-16 Championships when he took out the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award from the Division Two series in 2017. The Coolamon product has always been athletically gifted, good overhead and a reliable kick which makes him a promising prospect again next year.

Cooper Sharman –

Oakleigh Chargers
192cm/79kg
July 25, 2000
Forward

Relocating from Leeton to Melbourne earlier this year, Cooper Sharman finished with 20 disposals, five marks and a goal in his Oakleigh Chargers debut, announcing himself as a genuine draft prospect. The 19-year-old was one of only two overagers to receive a National Draft Combine invitation in 2019, and despite going undrafted will no doubt remain a genuine prospect next year.

Jake Bartholomaeus –

Sydney University
179cm/72kg
August 27, 1997
Midfielder

Sydney University midfielder Jake Bartholomaeus conquered all to be crowned the 2019 NEAFL Most Valuable Player. A former Sydney Swans Academy member, Bartholomaeus flourished as part of a new-look Students squad in 2019, transforming from a NEAFL Rising Star nominee in 2018 to earn the competition’s highest individual honour 12 months later. Despite training with the Sydney Swans in November, the 22-year-old was overlooked in this years draft pool, but will remain a genuine mature-aged prospect in 2020.

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