12 days to the draft: Meet gun prospect Mitch Harvey
Tall SA forward who could shine as a back-up ruckman
THE 197CM forward had a solid carnival for South Australia at under-18 level, playing all five games and kicking 10 goals. He had an important role as a back-up ruckman, and won a bit of the ball around the ground. The nephew of Collingwood recruiter Matt Rendell, Harvey's best game came against NSW-ACT, when he kicked four goals from 12 disposals and five marks.
Harvey made his under-18 debut for North Adelaide as an under-16 and has played regular games for the side over the past two seasons. This year he booted 23 goals at an average of better than three a game.
STRENGTHS The 18-year-old has the tendencies of a natural footballer. He has good game sense, positions himself well in marking contests, finds a metre or two on the lead, and has a nice, fluid run at goal. A basketballer in his youth, you can see those habits in Harvey's game when he competes at ruck contests around the ground. He has deft hands and uses his body well at the clearances, an advantage when the ball is stationed close to goal.
WEAKNESSES Harvey completed the worst 3km time trial at last month's NAB AFL Draft Combine, having nearly collapsed towards the end of the run. The next day he was diagnosed with glandular fever, going a fair way to explain the result. More generally, Harvey isn't a strong runner, and aerobically has room for improvement. He can work on his athleticism.
PLAYS LIKE
Because of his skill in the ruck, as well as close to goal, Harvey might be able to combine those two abilities more to suit the modern game. He could look at someone like Tom Bellchambers, who plays the role of ruck/forward effectively and is also an excellent user of the ball with quality skills.
DRAFT RANGE There are others ahead of him in the pecking order of talls, which pushes him into the 30-65 category.
BOTTOM LINE Has some deficiencies but also a big dose of natural talent. It's a good draft to be a big guy, and Harvey ticks a couple of key boxes in that he can kick, ruck and mark.
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