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So who are the players the Bombers should be considering drafting? Here’s some names you have heard of and perhaps a couple you haven’t.

After going to almost 30 u18 games this year from Ballarat to Craigieburn, and from Dingley to Bundoora, this is my top 30. With the exception of interstate lads such as Cochrane and Matthews, these are kids I’ve seen with my own eyes. I’ve not just seen their flashy bits of play. I’ve seen how hard they go when the ball has to be won, how much defensive running they do, and how much they sacrifice for the team. I also talk to people in and around the Talent League - players, parents and club officials - and take their insights on board when trying to assess a lad. As you may no doubt have heard, this is a deep draft. I could easily have put another 10 kids in my top 20. Then there’s a further 20 that wouldn’t surprise me if they get drafted. That means a total of 60 names who have a case to be picked. Good luck for the highly touted ones. But special mention to those on the fringe who don’t get talked about in rankings like this one. These kids want a chance just as desperately as the Arki Butlers and Ethan Drevers of the draft pool. They are the kids waiting for their agent to tell them there’s some interest. It is a particularly hard month for these lads. As I did last year, before the draft I’ll be doing some content on lesser-known kids. (Graphic made with Ai, writing my own)

Dyson Sharp and Sam Durham were two of 9 Bombers on the track this morning. The others were Jones, Langford, Kondogiannis, Reid, Bryan, Artemis and Martin. Official training starts next week. More footage on Patreon.

Good to see the new 65 metre shade covering at The Hangar. Will make it more comfortable for those watching training or games. More still needed for spectators at the ground. Seating right around the boundary fence would be useful.

Hope we do keep pick 21. Coleman is a very good talent when he’s up and running. But if we lose 21 we will be passing up some real class in that part of the draft. Guys like Wil Antrobus, a beautiful kicking, hard running and super competitive half back. (And no he’s not related)