SCHARENBERG is a dependable, smart utility who can play almost anywhere on the ground. For most of this year, though, the South Australian has been stationed across half-back, where he tends to have the most influence. The 190cm prospect played his best footy of the year through the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, when he was a joint winner of the most valuable player award for his side.
Scharenberg was a former high-level baseballer through his teenage years before moving solely onto his footy. His SANFL season for Glenelg was cut short by a foot injury, which came about through overuse, and he was not able to test at the NAB AFL Draft Combine.
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STRENGTHS
Everything Scharenberg does comes with a level of class. He is an excellent kick (disposal efficiency of 75 per cent at state and local level this year), and loves to run out of defence, break a tackle and be creative with the ball. He's also prolific, and averaged 22 disposals throughout the championships while also shutting down an opposition forward. In the air Scharenberg is pretty good, and he's also quick, of mind and foot. He makes fast decisions, and has a bit of breakaway pace which means he's rarely caught with the ball. The versatility is a major factor, and he can be swung forward on occasions, which he did when he was playing with the AIS-AFL Academy side. He has a strong frame and his senior experience at Glenelg will be highly valued.
WEAKNESSES
Despite being the perfect size and quality to play in that midfield role, Scharenberg just hasn't done it much. So even though most think he can play there, not many have seen it on a consistent basis. Throughout the championships he only laid five tackles from his five appearances, so he could do a bit more of that. To be fair, it's hard to tackle when you're the one with the ball so much, as was the case.
STRENGTHS
Everything Scharenberg does comes with a level of class. He is an excellent kick (disposal efficiency of 75 per cent at state and local level this year), and loves to run out of defence, break a tackle and be creative with the ball. He's also prolific, and averaged 22 disposals throughout the championships while also shutting down an opposition forward. In the air Scharenberg is pretty good, and he's also quick, of mind and foot. He makes fast decisions, and has a bit of breakaway pace which means he's rarely caught with the ball. The versatility is a major factor, and he can be swung forward on occasions, which he did when he was playing with the AIS-AFL Academy side. He has a strong frame and his senior experience at Glenelg will be highly valued.
WEAKNESSES
Despite being the perfect size and quality to play in that midfield role, Scharenberg just hasn't done it much. So even though most think he can play there, not many have seen it on a consistent basis. Throughout the championships he only laid five tackles from his five appearances, so he could do a bit more of that. To be fair, it's hard to tackle when you're the one with the ball so much, as was the case.
PLAYS LIKE
There's a little bit of Bryce Gibbs in the way Scharenberg plays, with his flexibility, kicking skills, and propensity to move from one role to the next with little trouble.
DRAFT RANGE
A pick somewhere between three and 10 seems most likely for Scharenberg, who is a hard one to read.
BOTTOM LINE
Scharenberg is a player ready to go next year at AFL level. His height makes him an interesting prospect, because he is a little bit of an in-between size. Wherever he settles down, he will do it comfortably and every club will want the ball in his hands.
DRAFT RANGE
A pick somewhere between three and 10 seems most likely for Scharenberg, who is a hard one to read.
BOTTOM LINE
Scharenberg is a player ready to go next year at AFL level. His height makes him an interesting prospect, because he is a little bit of an in-between size. Wherever he settles down, he will do it comfortably and every club will want the ball in his hands.
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