Where they came from—2021 NAB AFL Draft (Medium Defenders)
In the lead up to the 2021 NAB AFL Draft, AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan is releasing a list of the drafts 'Top Prospects' every Thursday in different positional groups.
Part 1: Medium Forwards
Part 2: Medium Defenders
Part 3: Tall Forwards/Rucks
Part 4: Tall Defenders
Part 5: Small Forwards/Defenders/Mids
Part 6: Medium/Tall Midfielders
Sheehan will profile all 126 of the boys invited to the 2021 Nab AFL Draft Combine in the lead up to the event to be held on Wednesday November 24 and Thursday November 25.
To recognise the important role that community clubs play in developing our elite talent, AFL Victoria is releasing a Victorian focused list each week with accompanying photos of the prospects at their local clubs.
The NAB AFL Draft is part of the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program, which supports grassroots players and football communities and helps young Australians fulfil their dream of playing in the AFL.
All information on the 2021 NAB AFL Draft can be followed through the AFL Draft Hub at www.afl.com.au/draft.
Medium Defenders
Braden Andrews
Community Club: Boroondara Hawks JFC
State: Victoria Metro
Height: 189cm
Weight: 83kg
Date of Birth: 21/02/03
Medium defender who has had an injury interrupted year after playing consistently well for Victoria Metro at under-16s level in 2019 to earn All-Australian honours after averaging 16.7 disposals and showing he had the power to navigate through heavy traffic. Played just five games at NAB League level this year and missed the NAB AFL Academy game against Geelong’s VFL team due to injury.
Sam Breuer
Community Club: Horsham Saints FC
State: WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country
Height: 183cm
Weight: 81kg
Date of Birth: 26/06/03
Medium defender who also has gone into the midfield this year and shown his versatility on the inside. Wins his own ball in one-on-one situations and looks very composed with ball in hand he also applies consistent pressure on the opposition with his aggressive tackling. Son of former AFL star Shayne Breuer, who played for Geelong (71 games) and Port Adelaide (54 games), he doesn’t qualify for either club under the father-son rule so is in the open 2021 NAB AFL Draft. Represented Victoria Country at under-19s level this year as well as impressing in 10 matches for the Rebels, averaging 17.5 disposals and 5.1 tackles in defensive and midfield roles.
A young Sam Breuer lines up for the Horsham Saints
Tom Brown
Community Club: Mooroopna FC
State: WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country
Height: 186cm
Weight: 77kg
Date of Birth: 30/07/03
A line-breaking defender who loves to take the game on and step past the opposition using his elite agility. Composed and a great decision maker he can also go forward and impact the game. His father Paul played 84 games for Geelong but it wasn’t enough to qualify as a father-son so he’s eligible in the open 2021 NAB AFL Draft. Represented Victoria Country at under-19s level against Victoria Metro in 2021 and was among his team’s best as well as playing five matches for the Bushrangers, averaging 16.8 disposals at an impressive 75 per cent efficiency as he mixed his football between the Bushies and Geelong Grammar. Showed his speed over 20 metres with the second best time of 2.98 seconds at the Draft Combine for Victoria Country.
Tom Brown accepts an award for Mooroopna
Luke Cleary
Community Club: Beaumaris FC
State: Victoria Metro
Height: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
Date of Birth: 05/03/02
Invited to the NAB AFL Draft Combine last year but overlooked in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft, he has bounced back, taking every opportunity to impress including strong performances in the Victorian Young Guns match as well as representing Victoria Metro at under-19s level. This complemented his polished performances for the Sandringham Dragons, playing seven matches and averaging 20.1 disposals at 82 per cent efficiency (a strong indication of his composure with the ball in hand). A fine intercept mark and reader of the play across half-back, he finished runner-up in the Dragons' best-and-fairest award this year.
Ben De Bolfo
Community Club: Lower Plenty FC
State: Victoria Metro
Height: 189cm
Weight: 80kg
Date of Birth: 21/06/02
Medium defender capable of matching up on taller opponents using his anticipation and intercept marking to rebound for his team. Defends well one on one and sets up the play with his precise decision making and execution on his preferred left foot. Was one of the best for Victoria Metro in its NAB AFL Under-19s Challenge match against Victoria Country, and he played six matches for the Northern Knights for an average of 14.7 disposals and four marks.
Joel Fitzgerald
Community Club: St. Mary’s FC/Greensborough
State: Victoria Metro
Height: 187cm
Weight: 78kg
Date of Birth: 08/08/03
Prolific ball-winning defender whose intercept marking, decision making and ball use helps him set up the play for his team. Starred for the Northern Knights in the NAB League, averaging 28 disposals at 72 per cent efficiency in eight matches to finish third in their best-and-fairest award this season.
Cooper Hamilton
Community Club: Colbinabbin FC
State: WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country
Height: 184cm
Weight: 83kg
Date of Birth: 24/09/03
Medium defender/midfielder with elite endurance which enables him to get to multiple contests as well as outnumber the opposition. A very strong contested mark, he also uses the ball effectively by hand and foot. Represented both the Australian under-18s team and Victoria Country this year after being an All-Australian at under-16s level in 2019. He played four matches in the NAB League, averaging 13.2 disposals (7.5 contested) and 4.8 tackles. His time of 5:48 for the 2km time trial at the Victorian Country Draft Combine was the second-fastest ever. His twin brother Hugh is also a draft contender with both dividing their football between Caulfield Grammar and the Pioneers.
Cooper Hamilton in Colbinabbin colours. Photo Bendigo Advertiser
Corey Preston
Community Club: Ferntree Gully
State: Victoria Metro
Height: 182cm
Weight: 77kg
Date of Birth: 18/12/02
Medium defender/forward with exciting speed and a dynamic left foot. Developing into a versatile player who opened the season kicking four goals as a forward before having 29 disposals as a defender in a Victorian Metro trial game. Invited to the NAB AFL Draft Combine last year but overlooked in the 2020 NAB AFL Draft, he trained in the pre-season with the Western Bulldogs and was considered for a rookie spot but has benefited from the experience as he continues to develop his football craft. Played in the Victorian Young Guns game as well as representing Victoria Metro at under-19s level, he also played two games with Footscray in the VFL. Averaged 16 disposals in five matches for the Ranges this year and was selected in NAB League’s Team of the Year.
Josh Sinn
Community Club: East Brighton Vampires
State: Victoria Metro
Height: 186cm
Weight: 78kg
Date of Birth: 07/01/03
Dashing defender who breaks the lines with his acceleration and penetrating left foot. Had an injury-interrupted year, missing the Australian AFL Academy game with a hamstring injury before impressing for Victoria Metro in its match against Victoria Country but suffered an ankle injury late in the match. An All-Australian at under-16s level in 2019, he played five matches with the Dragons this year, averaging 17.6 disposals, and also making the NAB League’s Team of the Year. Recorded a sharp 2.98 seconds for 20 metres at Victorian NAB League testing earlier in the year, then a solid 6:41 in the 2km time trial.
Hamish Sinnott
Community Club: Camperdown
State: Victoria Country
Height: 186cm
Weight: 67kg
Date of Birth: 25/11/03
Medium defender with high footy IQ and is a neat user of the ball. Intercept marks are a feature of his game, using his anticipation in reading the play and clean hands to execute. A member of the Victoria under-19 team in its AFL Challenge match against Victoria Metro, he also played 10 matches for the Rebels and was resolute in defence, averaging 13.7 disposals at 67 per cent efficiency. His elite endurance was on display at the Victorian Country Draft Combine recording 5:58 (ranked second) for the 2km time trial.
Darcy Wilmot
Community Club: Montmorency FC
State: Victoria Metro
Height: 183cm
Weight: 75lg
Date of Birth: 16/05/03
Medium defender with natural power and agility whose intercept marking is a real feature of his game. Very strong contested ball winner who uses the ball well in rebounding for his team. Played seven games for the Northern Knights, averaging 15.1 disposals and often was involved in 60-metre plays. Another player to shine in Victoria Metro's impressive win over Victoria Country at under-19s level in July, and rewarded for his overall form with selection in the NAB League Team of the Year.
