Where they came from—2021 NAB AFL Draft (Medium Forwards)
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.
Sheehan released the first group—Medium forwards—on October 14.
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 Forwards
Miller Bergman
Community Club: Berwick FC
State: Victoria (WorkSafe AFL Vic Country)
Height: 188cm
Weight: 65kg
Date of Birth: 25/01/03
Medium forward who also plays on the wing or at half back. He’s the player his team loves to see with the ball in his hands being a great decision maker and user of the ball by hand and foot. Very lightly built now but has the repeatable skills and athletic traits to be a real AFL prospect as he develops physically. Showed his considerable potential in representing Victoria Country Under 19s in NAB AFL Draft Challenge match against Victoria Metro in July as well as impressing in seven matches for the Stingrays averaging 17.7 disposals at 79% efficiency.
Paul Curtis
Community Club: Melton South FC
State: Victoria (Metro)
Height: 183cm
Weight: 78kg
Date of Birth: 04/03/03
Medium forward with a sharp eye for a goal who burst onto the radar with four goals for the Western Jets in the NAB League early in the year before carrying that goalkicking form into Victorian Metro trials and then playing in the game against Victoria Country kicking a total of six goals in those two matches. A left footer who anticipates well as a forward and first to move, he has strong hands overhead and on the lead. Played seven matches for the Jets averaging 12.1 disposals and two goals with his overall performances in the NAB League and for Victoria Metro earning him “Team of the Year” honors. From a sporting family with his mother having represented her native country Tonga in netball.
Paul Curtis spoils for Melton South
Blake Howes
Community Club: Mordialloc-Braeside JFC
State: Victoria (Metro)
Height: 190cm
Weight: 79kg
Date of Birth: 07/04/03
Medium forward who also has shown the versatility to adapt well to playing on the wing this year using his lively speed and thrilling marking to great effect. An innate ability around goals adds to his armory he played for both the Australian Under 18s and Victorian Metro Under 19s in representative matches this year giving encouraging glimpses of his potential. Has Jack Gunston traits as a lead up forward and this year played seven matches for the Sandringham Dragons averaging 15.7 disposals and a goal a game earning “Team of the Year” honors for his overall performances.
Blake Howes reaches the 100 game milestone for Mordialloc-Braeside
Kai Lohmann
Community Club: Lake Wendouree FC
State: Victoria (Country)
Height: 185cm
Weight: 77kg
Date of Birth:06/05/03
Medium forward with mercurial ability in the air and around goals using his pace and agility to create opportunities. A competitive type he has some of the traits of Isaac Heeney with the ability to make something out of nothing up forward with that real X-factor in the air. Missed the Victoria Country Under 19s match with injury, he played nine matches for the Rebels this year averaging 15.3 disposals, 4.7 marks and almost a goal a game. His impressive combination of speed (2.99 seconds for 20 meters) and endurance (6 minutes 19 seconds for 2km) stood out at the Victorian Country Combine highlighting his athletic prowess.
Charlie Molan
Community Club: Mt Clear FC
State: Victoria (Country)
Height: 187cm
Weight: 86kg
Date of Birth: 23/01/03
Medium forward who can play wing or half back with his ability to link up using his running capacity then vision, awareness and neat disposal to set up his team. Went forward later this season for GWV Rebels adapting very well providing a mobile marking target for his side. Ultra-consistent player in the NAB League playing 10 matches averaging 17.7 disposals and 4.1 marks in a range of roles winning him the Rebels Best and fairest award as well as selection in the NAB League “Team of the Year.” A fierce competitor with the footy smarts he also showed his prowess for Victoria Country at Under 19 level with a brilliant goal on the run, a real highlight of his game.
Luke Nankervis
Community Club: Bentleigh FC
State: Victoria (Metro)
Height: 189cm
Weight: 76kg
Date of Birth: 25/05/03
Medium forward who can win his own ball using his speed and aerial ability to impact the game. Can push up and play on the wing or even on the inside through the midfield given his combative style. Played eight matches for the Dragons this year averaging 13.5 disposals along with 3.4 marks and .5 goals.
Luke Nankervis with brother, Joel
Mitch Owens
Community Club: Beaumaris FC
State: Victoria (Metro)
Height: 190cm
Weight: 85kg
Date of Birth:24/09/03
Medium forward who grabbed his chance when he received a last-minute call up to the Victoria Metro Under 19s team for its NAB AFL Challenge match against Victoria Country gathering 29 possessions, seven marks and kicking a goal to be one of his sides best. Can also play inside midfield and use his height at stoppages to great effect after growing over 10 cm in past 12 months. A strong overhead mark as well he has continued his impressive season with the Dragons averaging 18.6 disposals in five matches.
Lachie Rankin
Community Club: Beverley Hills JFC
State: Victoria (Metro)
Height: 182cm
Weight: 68kg
Date of Birth: 05/02/03
Medium forward who can also play as a defender using his footy smarts, vision and awareness to set up the play either end. Has a real innate ability around goals reading the cues to get to the fall of the ball and converting under pressure. Another to seize his opportunity when given a late call up to the Australian Under 18s team against Geelong’s VFL side in April after being in sparkling early season touch. A real competitor in one-on-one situations he mixed his football between Caulfield Grammar and the Chargers averaging 12 disposals and a goal a game in just four matches in the season shortened by lockdown.
Lachie Rankin takes home an award for Beverley Hills JFC
NAB has proudly supported footy for over a decade, providing boys and girls with a clear pathway from NAB AFL Auskick to the big time.
