Wingard, 17, represented South Australia at the Under-18 championships last year, and was regarded as one of the best ‘bottom-aged’ players in the tournament.
However, unlike state teammates Jack Hombsch, Josh Growden and Jarrod Harding - who were all snapped up by Greater Western Sydney - Wingard’s birthday didn’t fall in the four-month window between January-April, 1993, meaning he was ineligible to be listed by the League’s 18th team.
Instead, the left-footer continued his development with SANFL club Sturt, where he’s played regular senior football this season.
He picked up 20 possessions and two goals in just his third league game against Woodville-West Torrens in round three, prompting Double Blues coach Luke Norman to label the Year 12 student as being in the "same class" as fellow Sturt product and Melbourne star Jack Trengove.
Weighing only 73kg, Wingard’s considerably leaner than the former No.2 draft pick, but he’s just as skilful and his courage is a hallmark of his game.
In an under-18 game against Norwood last season, Wingard ran back with the flight of the ball and launched himself into the air to take a chest mark that can only be described as Nick Riewoldt-esque.
The year 12 student has been touted as a top-10 pick in this year’s draft, with one recruiter suggesting Wingard could go as high as top-five.
SA under-18 coach Brenton Phillips said the lanky onballer had “fantastic attributes” .
"Chad has played a bit of league football and that's always a good barometer as to how a player is travelling,” Phillips told afl.com.au.
“His courage is unquestionable. He's skilful and he's got some good pace about him. Vertically, he can jump and take contested marks.”
Another 17-year-old expected to turn heads at this year’s national championship is Glenelg forward Ben Kennedy.
Kennedy, who only celebrated his 17th birthday last month, is too young to be drafted but can be pre-listed by GWS as one of four 17-year-olds, who can then be on-traded to a willing club.
The Sacred Heart College student has played all eight league matches for the Bays this season, and kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance against Sturt last weekend.
Kennedy is only 174cm tall - the same size as Fremantle goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne - but has good pace, a long kick and importantly excellent defensive skills.
Other players to look out for are Sturt forward Brad McKenzie, late-bloomer Jordan Murdoch, Glenelg goalkicker Lewis Hender and Port Magpies livewire Luke Wilson, who is a cousin of Power star Danyle Pearce.
The Croweaters finished runner-up to Victoria Country on percentage at the Under-18 Championships last year, and seven of their representatives - Sam Day, Jared Polec, Dan Gorringe, Seb Tape, Brodie Smith, Scott Lycett and Pat McCarthy - were snapped up in the first 35 picks in the draft.
This year’s squad has been weakened by the loss of Hombsch, Growden, Harding and also Jack Viney, who has agreed to join Melbourne via the father-son rule in the 2012 draft, but Phillips said he still expected his team to be competitive.
"We would've loved to have had those guys, but Greater Western Sydney takes priority and other states are in exactly the same situation,” he said.
“The squad is shaping up quite nicely. Between the under-16s and under-18s there are always a few boys that pop up who you haven't seen before and we're excited about some new talent that has come into the group."
South Australia will play its first game against Queensland at Blacktown Oval on Saturday, June 4.
