Oakleigh Chargers Talent Manager Alex Davey has given an insight into several names in the Coates Talent League side that could be on the radar of AFL clubs.
On SEN’s Future Stars Davey spoke about likely early first-round picks Jagga Smith and Finn O’Sullivan – who is the cousin of Carlton star Sam Walsh.
He also provided insight on Melbourne father-son prospect Noah Yze, Collingwood NGA product Luke Quaynor and a small forward called Waylon Davey-Motlop that has more than 700 games of AFL experience in his bloodlines.
Check out his thoughts on each of those players of interest below!
Finn O’Sullivan – Potential No.1 pick
Height: 182cm. Pos: Midfielder
“He’s a very exciting player, Finn, and probably hasn’t had the run this year that he would have liked having a fractured thumb in Round 2 for us and that was followed up by a broken finger in the AFL Academy game,” Davey told SEN’s Future Stars.
“He has had a couple of setbacks, but he’s been lucky enough to get the all-clear and he returned this week to Vic Country which is really exciting.
“He’s the cousin of Sam Walsh and to be honest is probably a pretty similar player to Sam.
“He’s a fantastic endurance runner, uses the ball really well by hand and foot and certainly makes some great decisions.”
Jagga Smith – Potential No.1 pick
Height: 181cm. Pos: Midfielder
“Jagga has certainly had a very impressive year,” he said of Smith.
“He’s the captain of our group this year I’ve been lucky enough to work with him for the last three years now.
“I reckon over that time I’ve seen him play 40 or 50 games of football and probably not one bad one in there. He just sort of finds his way to impose himself on the game.
“He reminds me a little bit of Nick Daicos at the same age, he’s very evasive and a great decision-maker. As you said, he certainly has no problem finding the footy.
“I know he’s had 50 touches in a game for us this year and averaging over 30 I think so far for the first three games with Vic Metro, which is pretty special.”
Luke Quaynor – Collingwood NGA prospect
Height: 179cm. Pos: Defender
“He’s absolutely another really exciting NGA prospect for Collingwood,” Davey said of the brother of premiership Pie Isaac.
“I guess he’s similar to his brother. He’s a really strong, competitive small defender that hardly loses one-on-one and then when he gets the ball in hand he seems to use it really well and makes great decisions.
“He’s been lucky enough to get a couple of opportunities with Collingwood’s VFL team this year, too, which has been great.
“Hopefully he’s an exciting prospect for the Pies over the next couple of years.”
Noah Yze – Melbourne father-son prospect
Height: 190cm. Pos: Forward
“Noah has certainly been playing some fantastic footy for us the last couple of weeks with the school holiday break in the APS,” Davey said of the son of Richmond coach and former Demons star Adem.
“He’s a really versatile player that can play as a forward, but also as a defender.
“He’s super competitive, has great skills, really clean hands.
“He’s just a really team-first player that just makes everyone else better around him.
“He’s a really exciting prospect that we’ve been loving to have the last few weeks.”
Waylon Davey-Motlop – Northern Territory forward
Height: 171cm. Pos: Forward
“Waylon is certainly very, very special,” Davey added of the cousin of Jesse Motlop and Essendon’s Davey brothers.
“Although they probably won’t admit it to the group, he’s probably one of the coach’s favourite players when he’s up and running.
“He’s just an excitement machine. We had him the other week playing for us against Sandringham, and he was lucky enough to kick five goals.
“His forward craft is second to none, he’s super clean, hits the scoreboard and is just super powerful.
“It’ll be very, very exciting to watch Waylon for the back end of the year.”