Here's who afl.com.au's Matt Burgan saw as the standouts of the recent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Jack Watts (Vic Metro)
Born: 26 March 1991
194cm, 85kg
Sandringham Dragons/Brighton Grammar
The key forward took the championships by storm in Vic Metro's opening match, kicking four goals – including the match-winner. He ended the carnival in similar fashion, taking out the Larke Medal for the best player in division one. Watts' status has risen to the point that he is now being talked about as a potential No.1 draft selection.
Michael Hurley (Vic Metro)
Born: 1 June 1990
192cm, 92 kg
Northern Knights/Macleod
After winning All-Australian honours in last year's championships, Hurley backed up with another outstanding carnival. Vic Metro's co-captain, he was arguably the best key defender in the series and looms as a top 10 draft prospect come November.
Jack Ziebell (Vic Country)
Born: 28 February 1991
188cm, 84kg
Murray Bushrangers/Wodonga Bulldogs
After missing Vic Country's opening match through injury, Ziebell returned to show why he is a highly rated AFL prospect. He showed great leadership across the championships, and outstanding at the clearances, contesting the ball and tackling. He is a versatile player, either in the midfield or across half-forward.
Nicholas Naitanui (Western Australia)
Born: 4 May 1990
197cm, 95kg
Swan Districts/Midvale
The high-leaping athlete was tagged the 2008 No.1 draft pick even before last year's meeting, which meant he carried massive expectations into this year's U18 series. He responded well to be the most dominant ruckman in the champs, and one of the most exciting young talents to emerge in years.
Stephen Hill (Western Australia)
Born: 1 May 1990
182cm, 72kg
West Perth/Quinns Districts
A classy left-footer with great balance, the talented Sandgroper blossomed throughout the championships. His performances were consistent and his teammate Naitanui rated him the best player of the championships.
Mitch Robinson (Tasmania)
Born: 7 June 1989
188cm, 77kg
Lauderdale
Playing as an over-age player in the championships, Robinson, 19, produced an outstanding series and was far and away his state's most prominent player. The ball-winner won the Hunter Harrison Medal as the best second division player and was named Tasmania's Most Valuable Player.
Matthew DeBoer (Western Australia)
Born: 10 March 1990
187cm, 85kg
Claremont/Swanbourne
After opting not to nominate in last year's NAB AFL Draft – despite attracting strong interest from AFL clubs – the Western Australian vice-captain produced a first class carnival, winning plenty of the ball in midfield. Works hard and is exceptionally consistent.
Lewis Johnston (South Australia)
Born: 3 March 1991
192cm, 87kg
North Adelaide/Port Bulldogs
The key forward stood out with his lead-up work, contested marking and goal scoring. Kicked four against NSW/ACT, and took six contested grabs earlier in the tournament against WA on home soil.
Steele Sidebottom (Vic Country)
Born: 2 January 1991
182cm, 79kg
Murray Bushrangers/Congupna
Highly consistent and one of Vic Country's best performers, Sidebottom is a hard-at-it contributor either across half-back or in the midfield. Has an all-round game, built on his clearance work, ability to win contested possessions and lay tackles. There'll be no surprises if he's rated highly come November.
Tyrone Vickery (Vic Metro)
Born: 31 May 1990
200cm, 86kg
Sandringham Dragons/Haileybury College
Vickery's successful comeback from a full knee reconstruction was a testament to his character. In Vic Metro's title winning match against WA he kicked three goals and had 12 hit-outs as a ruckman/forward.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
