Essendon is poised for a bumper NAB AFL Draft night on December 9, armed with three top-10 selections for the first time in its history.
While picks can be traded during the draft, Essendon will head into it with picks Nos. 6, 7, 8, 44, 77, 85 and 87.
With key-position players tipped to fill the top-five selections, Essendon could have a bevy of talented midfielders to choose from when it enters the draft to complement fellow youngsters Andrew McGrath, Darcy Parish, Kyle Langford and Jye Caldwell in 2021 and beyond.
Here are the leading midfield prospects based on AFL.com.au's December Phantom Form Guide. Catch up on the defence and forward prospects.
Elijah Hollands
Position: Midfielder/forward
Team: Murray Bushrangers/Vic Country
Height: 189cm
Weight: 85kg
DOB: April 25, 2002
Key strengths: Goal sense, high impact, one-on-one contests
Key stat: Averaged 5.5 marks a game in 2019 NAB League
AFL.com.au’s Phantom Form Guide ranking: 3
Born on the day Essendon and Collingwood went head-to-head in the eighth Anzac Day clash in 2002, Hollands is the son of former Richmond, Sydney and West Adelaide player Ben Hollands. Splitting his time between midfield and forward to average 17 disposals in the NAB League last season, he was earmarked for more midfield time this year before rupturing his ACL in February. Despite the setback, Hollands has shown enough to be one of the hottest draft prospects. He’s a high impact-per-possession player with genuine x-factor, who can turn on a dime and thread a goal inside 50. His height, positioning and marking skills also make him hard to beat in aerial contests.
What they say: “This young man has been on the radar since we saw him play in his 15th year for Victoria. He was a star then, through 16s, and then last year as a 17-year-old he was best on ground in the two big games (Australia’s under-17 team’s match against New Zealand and the AFL Futures game at the MCG on Grand Final Day). He has all the tricks in the book. He’s a mercurial player.” - AFL talent ambassador Kevin Sheehan on the Road to the Draft podcast
Will Phillips
Position: Midfielder
Team: Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Height: 180cm
Weight: 80kg
DOB: May 22, 2002
Key strengths: Leadership, consistency, hard-edged approach
Key stat: Averaged 22 disposals a game in 2019 NAB League, with 41 per cent contested
AFL.com.au’s Phantom Form Guide ranking: 6
Tough, consistent, determined and disciplined are just some of the words to describe Phillips. Averaging 22 disposals and four tackles in 10 games at NAB League level as a bottom-ager last year, he looms as the most pure midfielder of the draft pool who could push for an early AFL debut with his strong body and power. While his contested work is his bread and butter, Phillips can also push forward and use his speed to burst from stoppages.
What they say: “I think Will Phillips is the perfect option for Essendon. The Bombers need more ball winners in their midfield. Jye Caldwell came in through the trade period and I think Will Phillips is the player who can sit there right next to him for a long time. He’s a genuine leader as well.” – Draft expert Callum Twomey on the Road to the Draft podcast
Archie Perkins
Position: Midfielder/forward
Team: Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro
Height: 188cm
Weight: 79kg
DOB: March 26, 2002
Key strengths: Explosiveness, agility, scoreboard impact
Key stat: Averaged 1.7 goals a game in the 2019 NAB League
AFL.com.au’s Phantom Form Guide ranking: 7
Like Hollands, Perkins isn’t an out-and-out midfielder. He split his time between midfield and forward in the NAB League last year, averaging 14 disposals and 1.7 goals and three score involvements in six games. Perkins exudes confidence and plays with spark, and when you combine that with his elite speed, agility and endurance, it’s little wonder the Sandringham Dragons product has attracted plenty of hype ahead of the draft.
What they say: “He’s a powerful medium forward who can get through the midfield. He’s got some real x-factor about him and does some unusual things quite often. I really loved the way he presented at the end of the year at the Combine testing day for the (Vic) Metro boys. He looked a million bucks and he’s done some work.” – Kevin Sheehan on the Road to the Draft podcast
Braeden Campbell
Position: Midfielder
Team: Sydney Academy/Allies
Height: 181cm
Weight: 75kg
DOB: February 4, 2002
Key strengths: Speed, vision, disposal efficiency
Key stat: Averaged seven tackles a game in the 2019 NAB League
AFL.com.au’s Phantom Form Guide ranking: 8
The Bombers could be tempted to make a bid for Campbell, who is tied to the Swans through their Academy. A lightning-quick midfielder who is equally damaging at half-forward, Campbell stands out as a natural footballer. He has exceptional vision, a piercing left boot and an eye for goal, and will continue to build his endurance as he transitions to a full-time midfielder.
What they say: “He plays with zip. The Bombers lose Fantasia, McKenna and Saad in one off-season and they look for run and gun. He’s a player who does that and he’s got that deadly left-foot kick, so he’s a good option there.” – Callum Twomey on the Road to the Draft podcast
Tanner Bruhn
Position: Midfielder
Team: Geelong Falcons/Vic Country
Height: 183cm
Weight: 74kg
DOB: May 27, 2002
Key strengths: Class, composure, stoppage work
Key stat: Averaged five clearances a game in the 2019 NAB League
AFL.com.au’s Phantom Form Guide ranking: 10
Bruhn is one of the more interesting prospects, having missed most of last year with a knee injury and not featuring in 2020 like all Victorians. In his two games for the Geelong Falcons in 2019, he averaged 17 disposals, four tackles, five clearances and booted three goals, while a whopping 72.7 per cent of his possessions came from stoppages. Despite his light frame, he won admirers for his ability to lay bone-crunching tackles. While his numbers point to those of an inside midfielder, he’s shown his equally adept at the outside game.
What they say: “I think Bruhn’s a little bit more outside as a player. I see him as a Jack Billings type of midfielder, who can play on the wing, kick it well on both feet and go above his head occasionally. He’s missed a lot of footy, so it’s going to be fascinating to see where he actually does end up on draft night.”- Callum Twomey on the Road to the Draft podcast
Finlay Macrae
Position: Midfielder
Team: Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
Height: 186cm
Weight: 78kg
DOB: March 13, 2002
Key strengths: Endurance, composure, decision making
Key stat: Ran the 2km time trial in 6:17 mins
AFL.com.au’s Phantom Form Guide ranking: 15
An endurance beast who finds the footy at will, Macrae shares obvious similarities with his older brother and Bulldogs star Jack. He spent most of the 2019 NAB League as a half-forward given the presence of Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson in the Oakleigh Chargers’ midfield, but still averaged 17 disposals and racked up 20 in the Chargers’ Grand Final win. While not one of the quickest midfielders, Macrae is a quick thinker who makes shrewd decisions.
What they say: “He can play as a medium forward, he can play on the wing, inside or outside. He kicks it well on both sides of the body. He’s a terrific endurance athlete, composed most of all and an unflustered type of man.” – Kevin Sheehan on the Road to the Draft podcast
