3 minute read
Western Bulldogs academy prospect Jamarra Ugle-Hagan headlines six players expected to be taken early in the AFL national draft.
* JAMARRA UGLE-HAGAN
Club: Oakleigh Chargers/South Warrnambool FC. Height: 195cm. Weight: 90kg
An athletic, exciting tall forward tied to the Western Bulldogs' academy, Ugle-Hagan is the player at the top of many clubs' draft boards. The Indigenous left-footer has a sensational leap, is a one-touch mark and is an instinctive goal kicker. Ugle-Hagan booted 24 goals in nine games for Oakleigh last season as a bottom-aged player.
* LOGAN MCDONALD
Club: Perth FC/Aquinas College. Height: 196cm. Weight: 86kg
A classic key forward known for his athleticism, endurance and overhead marking. McDonald impressed as a bottom-ager at last year's U18 championships then exploded at WAFL level this year - booting 21 goals in nine matches.
* RILEY THILTHORPE
Club: West Adelaide FC/Goodwood Saints FC. Height: 201cm. Weight: 100kg
A big, powerful tall forward/ruckman who has a genuine presence as a marking target in attack. Thilthorpe has already played 15 senior SANFL games but had his season curtailed due to a groin injury. He missed last year's U18 competition through injury.
* ELIJAH HOLLANDS
Club: Murray Bushrangers/Wodonga FC. Height: 189cm. Weight: 85kg
An explosive midfielder who can also push forward and hit the scoreboard, Hollands suffered a blow in February when he tore his ACL. But with Victorian football effectively wiped out by COVID-19 this season, Hollands' absence hasn't proved as detrimental to his draft position as it could have.
* DENVER GRAINGER-BARRAS
Club: Swan Districts/Kalamunda FC. Height: 194cm. Weight: 78kg
Arguably the best key back in this year's pool, Grainger-Barras has been widely tipped to head to Sydney at pick three. After starring as a bottom-ager in last year's U18 championships, Grainger-Barras' intercept marking and ability to read the play has stood out at WAFL level this year.
* WILL PHILLIPS
Club: Oakleigh Chargers/Beverley Hills JFC. Height: 180cm. Weight: 80kg
Arguably the best pure inside midfielder in the draft pool, Phillips is a prolific ballwinner with a good combination of breakaway speed and endurance. His clean hands and vision stood out as a bottom-aged player at Oakleigh last year.
