2025 Academy Games.

[dejavoodoo44]

Rookie Me scouting notes for the NSW v Vic Country game.

Scouting Notes: 2025 Under 17 Futures - Vic Country vs. NSW/ACT - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central https://share.google/uFwQf5Gid4xV72YmW

[imuninformedtwo]

If King had spent more time in the midfield, then I might be tempted to go for King, but he's spent most of this season playing forward. So, I'm not really sure if he's able to spend an extended amount of game time in the middle? When he is in there, he can do some brilliant things, but can also run himself into trouble. He sometimes had me thinking, that he's the answer to the question, "what would Leo Barry have been like, if we played him as an inside mid?"

Unless we trade our first pick, I doubt if we can get both King and Carmichael. If I had to choose, I'd go for Carmichael. Mainly because I'm big on players who I think see the game well. That is, they appear to process the available options quicker than other players and then select the best option. It appears to me that Carmichael sees the game very well. He constantly gets in good positions and almost all of his possessions go to advantage. I've no doubt, that if we could select him for our match on the weekend against Geelong, then he'd slot right in on the half back line. But it's an interesting choice, between the very efficient, and the sometimes brilliant, but often erratic.

Of the others, we probably should be able to pick them up late in the draft, or they could slip through to the rookie draft.

McCartney is in the 2026 draft. He could develop into a very strong KPF. Though if he does, I'm sure North would be keen to lure him away as a father/son. Which might happen, since we have other prospects, most notably, the very athletic McGroder and the tireless Jenkin twins.

My other reason for potentially leaning towards Carmichael - beyond the ones you’ve rightly articulated - is players who improve susbstantially in their draft years tend to be more successful. It’s a sign that they’ll flourish in an AFL environment. The Bont and Clayton Oliver are prime examples of coming with a rush, having been nowhere in the year prior. Whereas there is a fair history of blokes stagnating in their draft year after a stellar junior career, not really kicking on meaningfully. And in a year in which the draft is extremely weak, it’s likely an even greater indicator.

[liz]

My other reason for potentially leaning towards Carmichael - beyond the ones you’ve rightly articulated - is players who improve susbstantially in their draft years tend to be more successful. It’s a sign that they’ll flourish in an AFL environment. The Bont and Clayton Oliver are prime examples of coming with a rush, having been nowhere in the year prior. Whereas there is a fair history of blokes stagnating in their draft year after a stellar junior career, not really kicking on meaningfully. And in a year in which the draft is extremely weak, it’s likely an even greater indicator.

While I don't dispute your general premise, I'm not sure whether it applies to Carmichael. He hasn't really come with a rush in his draft year. He made the AA team at U16 level.

I see him as someone who has consistently been a solid contributor throughout his junior career and has continued on with that this year. He probably lacks the x-factor that gets fans (and maybe some recruiters) excited, but he seems like a solid, reliable player, not unlike Mills in many of his attributes, albeit a little shorter.

One of the things that I take note of when watching these young men is how easily they are able to step up to the next level. I was instantly sold on Gulden, for example, when I saw him play his first official U18 game (a few months short of his 17th birthday), and he was BOG, looking like he'd played many games at that level. He played a couple of VFL games later that same season (after he turned 17) and, while he didn't star, he instantly looked comfortable. Similarly, Heeney was very good on his NEAFL debut (towards the very end of his U17 year), kicking two goals. And Mills, of course, was a NEAFL regular throughout his U17 year and frequently one of the better performers.

I was similarly taken by how easily Carmichael slotted into our VFL team a few weeks ago. He was not the least bit overawed and made a valuable contribution to the team.

[crackedactor 01]

Carmichael, Chamberlain, Kyle and King have all been invited to the Draft Combine, which I believe means multiple clubs are interested in them.
I was surprised to see that Kaiden McNamara didn't even get an invite to the State Combine. I've only seen him play for our VFL side a couple of times, and he impressed me as a strong mark and a good kick for goal. Given he plays as a running defender at U18 his versatility is notable. I'd be delighted if we pick him as a rookie - I think we can put him straight on the rookie list if he isn't drafted (not sure if that is the rule now).

Just want to say I agree with McNamar comments. Though his efforts in the 2 VFL attempts were quite good as he is a strong mark and good kick and happy to put his body on the line if needed.