Kevin Sheehan’s 2023 AFL Draft top prospects: WA Tall forwards and rucksFriday, November 10, 2023 - 10:46 AM

AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan has released profiles on the top tall forward and ruck prospects ahead of the 2023 AFL Draft.

The 2023 AFL Draft will be held on Monday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 21. The 2023 AFL Rookie Draft will follow on Wednesday, November 22.

Sheehan's player profiles have been released by positional group ahead of this year's Draft.

The players profiled attended the 2023 AFL Draft Combine or 2023 AFL State Draft Combine which were held during October.

TALL FORWARDS

NATIONAL COMBINE

Xavier Walsh
State: Western Australia
State League Club: East Perth
Community Club: Mt Lawley Inglewood
Date of Birth: 06/09/05
Height: 195cm

Left-footed tall forward who had an interrupted year with injury, but left a positive impression with his strong contested marking. Has shown he is capable of performing at both ends of the ground. Played eight games at under 18 level for East Perth averaging 10.3 disposals and 3.6 marks as well as kicking 13 goals. Represented his state against the Allies at the National Championships, where he took four marks and kicked a goal from his eight disposals. His natural leap was impressive at the national Draft Combine with a running vertical jump of 87cm.

STATE COMBINE

Luker Kentfield
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Subiaco
Community Club: Carine
Date of Birth: 10/09/05
Height: 194cm

A well-built and aggressive tall forward who progressed this year from the under 18s to play 10 matches at senior level for Subiaco. His physical presence and marking are both features of his play. Showed strength in the air and mobility as a target forward in three appearances for Western Australia at the National Championships. Kicked 22 goals across 20 matches this season at various levels in the talent pathway. His 8.42 seconds for the agility test at the state Draft Combine was a strong indicator of his mobility.

Sam van Rooyen
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Claremont
Community Club: Scarborough
Date of Birth: 24/02/05
Height: 193cm

Tall forward who had a breakout game early in the season where he booted five goals from 15 disposals and nine marks which saw him added to the Western Australian squad for the National Championships. Ended up kicking 22 goals in 14 matches for the season to appear on the scouts’ radar. Is a mobile and agile player with strong hands on the lead and overhead. He finished the year with a dazzling display of athleticism at the state Draft Combine with his 7.90 seconds for the agility test, a remarkable insight into his untapped potential.

RUCKS

NATIONAL COMBINE

Mitchell Edwards
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Peel Thunder
Community Club: South Mandurah
Date of Birth: 02/06/05
Height: 206cm

An exciting ruckman still growing into his body. Has the height and natural leap to give his team a distinct advantage at stoppages. Has continued to develop this year and shown glimpses of his aerial ability at state under 18 level and took several exciting marks during the National Championships. A mobile and competitive player still honing his ruck craft, he is a member of Fremantle’s NGA program with the Dockers able to match a rival club’s bid should it come after selection 40 in the Draft. Tested well at the national Draft Combine with his running vertical jump of 94cm ranked fifth overall, while his 3.07 seconds on the 20m sprint was impressive for a player of his size.

Evan Smith
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Swan Districts
Community Club: Aveley
Date of Birth: 11/08/05
Height: 201cm

A ruckman or forward, he was included in Western Australia’s squad for the National Championships after a breakout game at Colts level for Swan Districts against South Fremantle where he collected 18 disposals, six marks, 42 hitouts and kicked two goals. Played three games at the Championships and gave a thin slice of his potential against Victoria Country when he took four marks in attack. Missed the end of the season due to a back injury after playing nine games in the WAFL Colts where he averaged 13.1 disposals and 4.6 marks per game.

STATE COMBINE

Odin Jones
State: Western Australia
State League Club: West Perth
Community Club: Joondalup Kinross
Date of Birth: 20/09/05
Height: 199cm

Super competitive ruckman who has the potential to also develop into a tall defender with his athletic profile and skill set. Is strong in his attack on the ball in the air and follows up with real purpose at ground level. Had a consistent season at club under 18 level averaging 15.8 disposals and 3.6 marks and kicking seven goals in nine matches after missing the majority of 2022 with injury.

Coen Livingstone
State: Western Australia
State League Club: Perth
Community Club: York
Date of Birth: 25/05/05
Height: 199cm

Developing ruckman/forward who had an immediate impact when he came into the Western Australia team at the National Championships, amassing 16 disposals, 17 hitouts and a goal in the 26-point win over South Australia. Had an impressive at club under 18 level for Perth averaging 16 disposals, four marks and booting 20 goals to earn Team of the Year honours for the WAFL Colts. Is the nephew of former Hawthorn star Chance Bateman and a member of the West Coast Eagles’ Next Generation Academy, meaning they can match any bid from a rival club after pick 40.

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Midfielders
Small and medium forwards
Small and medium defenders
Tall defenders