WITH less than a month until the JLT Community Series kicks off, last year's draftees have had ample time to make their first impressions at their new clubs. Our writers cast an eye over every new draftee and assess those most likely to have an early impact.

Pace, pace and more pace. That's what Chayce Jones and Ned McHenry bring to the table. The speed of Jones is exactly what the Crows need in their midfield. McHenry's ability to produce repeat efforts and tackling pressure is elite. McHenry, a midfielder who will likely start his AFL career as a small forward, showcased his huge tank when he tied with Wayne Milera in a 2km time trial in January, with Jones third. Half-back flankers Will Hamill and Lachlan Sholl have slotted in nicely but will have to bide their time behind All Australian defenders Rory Laird and Brodie Smith. The same can be said for rookie-listed ruckman Kieran Strachan, who has only just returned to full training after ankle surgery last year, and fourth-year rookie Paul Hunter. Injuries to key defenders Daniel Talia and Kyle Hartigan has allowed rookie Jordon Butts to get more opportunities during training drills. Butts, 19, has impressed with his intercept marking and one-on-one defending. - Lee Gaskin

The standout

Winning a time trial at the first attempt is never easy, but Ned McHenry shared honours with Wayne Milera. McHenry's enthusiasm has been infectious among the group, but he needs to add a bit of size before he's ready for senior footy.

On track for round one

Jones is physically slightly readier to play senior football than McHenry, but both will probably start the season in the SANFL.

Most of the Lions' draftees came to the club under injury clouds and have spent much of their first two months in rehab. First-round pick Ely Smith has been the exception, training strongly and showing improvement against more mature midfielders in match simulation. Academy product Connor McFadyen is in a moon boot and recovering from foot surgery, while Tom Berry (knee) and Tom Joyce (hips) are on modified programs. Half-back Noah Answerth has contracted glandular fever. Of the rookies Ryan Bastinac is doing everything he can to impress, finishing in the top five in the 3km time trial and playing on the 'best' team in match practice, while Oscar McInerney has continued his improvement from 2018. Basketball convert Tom Fullarton has shown he has a future in the game with his strong hands and good mobility in the forward 50. - Michael Whiting

The standout

For the sheer surprise element, it's Fullarton. After leaving behind his promising basketball career seven months ago, the rangy forward has looked right at home.

On track for round one

Oscar McInerney

PLAY AFL FANTASY Make your team now

Unsurprisingly, Carlton players and officials alike have been mightily impressed by the work ethic and professionalism of top draft pick Sam Walsh. His class and composure out of the centre will add a new dimension to the club's midfield, making him a near-certainty to earn his debut in round one. His clearance work and disposal as an out-and-out midfielder in match simulation drills have been first-class. Liam Stocker has been building his fitness in an elite environment, and is often seen running additional laps away from the main group. Finbar O'Dwyer is coming off an injury-plagued junior season and, like Ben Silvagni, looks an incredibly raw prospect who will need a lot of time and patience before he's considered at AFL level. Category B rookie Matt Owies looks a natural footballer since making the switch from basketball. Having initially trained away from the main group, Owies has displayed that he is a neat kick and could have a future in the AFL. Fellow rookies Hugh Goddard and Tom Bugg will add valuable depth. - Riley Beveridge

The standout

It's hard to look beyond Walsh, who has displayed since arriving at Ikon Park exactly why he was a deserving No.1 pick.

On track for round one

Tom Bugg, Sam Walsh

Tom Bugg and Sam Walsh in action at Blues training. Picture: AFL Photos





The Pies could scarcely have asked much more from their draft newcomers. Defensive playmaker Isaac Quaynor, a Next Generation Academy product whom the Magpies snared at pick No.13, impressed from the outset with his talent, intensity, professionalism and general maturity beyond his years. Quaynor, who finished third in a time trial, is "readymade" for AFL football, according to teammate Tom Phillips. Key backman Will Kelly – a father-son pick at No.29 and the son of 1990 premiership defender and player agent Craig Kelly – underwent ankle surgery in October and has been gradually increasing his training loads while learning the Pies' defensive system. Another Next generation Academy prospect, lively forward/midfielder Atu Bosenavulagi, is also working towards building the required fitness level. Irish rookie duo in aggressive key defender Mark Keane and tall forward Anton Tohill are progressing well, showing good signs with their marking and kicking. - Ben Collins

CLUB LISTS COMPARED Oldest? Youngest? Most experienced?

The standout

It wouldn't surprise if man-child Quaynor established himself early on the way to a distinguished career.

On track for round one

Isaac Quaynor

Because of its aggressive quest to land Dylan Shiel from Greater Western Sydney, Essendon traded out of the early stages of last year's draft for the second straight year. It means their selections were deeper into the draft and are more likely to take some time to feature at senior level. Nippy forward Irving Mosquito has certainly created some interest and has shown a deal of spark with his pace around goal, but he will be given time to adapt to the AFL demands. Brayden Ham is an exceptional endurance athlete so has kept up well on that front, while Noah Gown's competitiveness has also taken the eye. From a rookie perspective, Tom Jok's athleticism has meant he has been able to impress from day one. He came second in the club's two-lap challenge earlier this month (behind perennial winner Patrick Ambrose) and he has versatility, too. - Callum Twomey

The standout

Jok's running capacity, plus his senior experience at VFL, has helped the 21-year-old catch the attention.

On track for round one

It's hard to see Essendon's first-year players breaking into the round one line-up.

The most talked-about draftee has been mature-age wingman Brett Bewley, who has drawn praise from coach Ross Lyon and several new teammates for his elite running power and readymade physique. Bewley spent time going head-to-head with triple-premiership player Bradley Hill during match simulation last week and impressed with his workrate and ability to find the footy in brief 10-minute halves. There is genuine excitement about No.17 pick Sam Sturt, who has been on a managed workload in his first football pre-season. The ex-cricketer is pencil-thin and could take some time to build an AFL body but has huge upside and been compared to housemate Nat Fyfe at the same age. Luke Valente has also been in and out of training, like most draftees, but has the maturity to make an impact early, while rookie defender Tobe Watson's cool head under pressure has been notable in match simulation. - Travis King

The standout

Hard to go past Bewley. Don't be surprised if the long-kicking 23-year-old from Williamstown is in the side to face North Melbourne in round one.

On track for round one

Brett Bewley

Brett Bewley has been pushing his case for inclusion in Fremantle's R1 team. Picture: AFL Photos





Most of Geelong's list have had front row seats to Tom Atkins' ball-winning ability as VFL captain and now he's pushing hard for an AFL debut. Added as a rookie in November, the 23-year-old has done everything asked of him in long sessions this pre-season and presents as a smokey for a round one debut. While much of his recent form has been as an inside midfielder, he provides a small forward option with his tackling and competitiveness. Fellow mature-ager Darcy Fort is applying pressure to Rhys Stanley for the No.1 ruck mantle. Captain Joel Selwood declared last week that the position remains wide open ahead of the JLT Community Series. Small forward Jake Tarca, selected at pick 68 in the NAB AFL Draft, took a hanger at training last week and isn't out of contention for a role in the front half. After a delayed start, defender Jordan Clark (pick 15) will hope to put his name up in lights inside the first month. - Mitch Cleary

The standout

He's played at three state league clubs – Werribee, Footscray and Central Districts – and now Darcy Fort doesn't want to waste any more time in the reserves in 2019.

On track for round one

Tom Atkins, Darcy Fort

Don't let the fact it's January stop you from trying to take Mark of the Year



Jake Tarca took flight at training this morning ✈️#StandProud #WeAreGeelong pic.twitter.com/c1M6UGRDvx — Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) January 23, 2019

All of the Suns' draftees have made strong impressions, both on and off the field. Izak Rankine has shown glimpses he can run better than he was given credit for prior to being drafted and looked lively in a match simulation on Friday. Rankine's fellow South Australian Jack Lukosius has made steady progress as a key forward, while Victorian Ben King has looked right at home as a key defender with his impressive closing speed and courage in the marking contest. Of the rookies Michael Rischitelli (yes, that still sounds odd) has trained as hard as ever in the backline, while 2018 surprise Nick Holman has nursed a niggly back problem but will be fine to play JLT Community Series games. Second-year midfielder Jacob Dawson was in the top five in the club's 2km time trial. - Michael Whiting

The standout

From the small snippets of match simulation, King has shown enough to suggest he'll play more than a few games in his first year.

On track for round one

Izak Rankine

FUTURE PICKS Who you should barrack against in 2019

The Giants were rapt with their 2018 haul and a month into the new year, they'd be even happier with how their draftees have performed. Jackson Hately's mature body has seen him adapt well to life in the AFL, and he doesn't look out of place alongside his older teammates. Kieren Briggs has reaped the benefits of spending last season training at GWS, with the powerful ruckman doing a power of work with Dawson Simpson and Matt Flynn, and while the electric Ian Hill has plenty of work to do on his tank, the West Australian's jets set him apart from anyone else in the Giants' squad. Like Hately, Jye Caldwell and Xavier O'Halloran look to be ready-made players but have spent a little less time on the track than the other first-year Giants. - Adam Curley

The standout

He's an Adam Tomlinson clone by the way he looks and moves, and just like his teammate always does, Hately has been a star over summer.

On track for round one Kieren Briggs, Jackson Hately

Jackson Hately has slotted into the Giants' pre-season mix with aplomb. Picture: AFL Photos





Hard-running midfielder Will Golds made a strong early impression when he stormed into third place in the Hawks' pre-Christmas time trial behind Isaac Smith and Conor Nash. His work ethic and want to learn has quickly endeared him to all at Waverley Park. Fellow rookie Damon Greaves is another who has hit the ground running, with his kicking skills off half-back catching the eye. The Hawks' two national draftees, ex-Murray Bushrangers Jacob Koschitzke and Mathew Walker, were restricted – particularly Walker – with respective niggles in their early time at the club, but are gradually increasing their workload. Former Giant Tim Mohr has also made a smooth transition. The other point of interest is 208cm ruckman Ned Reeves' training presence. The son of chief executive Justin Reeves is vying to fill retired premiership player Will Langford's place on the list. Langford has retired, so placing him on the inactive list enables Hawthorn to sign a replacement until March 15 in the new pre-season supplemental selection period. - Marc McGowan

The standout: Golds has swiftly become a favourite among the Hawks' coaching and development staff.

On track for round one: The Hawks are unlikely at this stage to select any of their draftees in the opening round.

Top pick Tom Sparrow (No.27) is already turning heads with his solid frame and power out of stoppages. James Jordon is training with the defenders and is developing a reputation is a good user of the footy. The same goes with Aaron Nietschke, who could develop into a midfielder as his career progresses. After recovering from post-season ankle surgery, Marty Hore is starting to press his claims for an early-season debut. Toby Bedford is a strong tackler and he pinned Max Gawn in a tackle at training on Thursday, while rookie Kade Chandler plays with energy and likes to fly for his marks despite his small stature. Corey Wagner is already one of the club's strongest runners and has done some nice things up forward. Category B rookies Guy Walker (who has been dealing with a shoulder injury) and Austin Bradtke are further behind than the others, and will spend the year learning their craft in the VFL. - Ben Guthrie

The standout

After winning back-to-back best and fairests for Collingwood's VFL side, Hore is a fast learner and could get an opportunity to play early.

On track for round one

Marty Hore, Tom Sparrow

Mature-age recruit Tom Wilkinson always loomed as the first-year Roo best positioned to impress in the pre-season and his noted running power was on display before Christmas. He placed equal-second in North's time trial and won the Yo-Yo test after reviving his AFL dream with a strong NEAFL campaign for Southport last year. Wilkinson will hope to unseat or play alongside Kayne Turner at the taller Kangaroo forwards' feet. Father-son selection Bailey Scott is slight, but demonstrated his endurance and football smarts as a wingman in match simulation. Top-10 pick Tarryn Thomas continues to track nicely and showed terrific intent with his tackling in the scratch game at Arden St on Friday. Curtis Taylor and rookie Tom McKenzie are also adjusting well to life as AFL footballers. It's been tougher going for the club's other father-son choice, Joel Crocker, who remains in the rehab group recovering from an ankle injury that plagued him last year. - Marc McGowan

The standout: Wilkinson's running prowess and nous around goal are sure to see him in selection calculations at some point.

On track for round one: None of the Roos' newcomers is likely to break in straight away.

Tarryn Thomas fires off a handball during a North training session. Picture: AFL Photos





The Power's top draft pick, and No.5 overall, Connor Rozee has turned plenty of heads with how he has seamlessly adapted to the elite level. Rozee has been training for a role across half-forward, but he's also capable of playing on a wing. A beautiful piece of play in which he applied a chase-down tackle on rookie-listed half-back Martin Frederick during match simulation was a sign of things to come. Tenacious midfielder Zak Butters also has lots of admirers with his willingness to win contested ball, although he's still yet to resume contact work after shoulder surgery last year. Fellow mid Xavier Duursma is developing nicely, key defender Riley Grundy will be given time to add size to his frame and small forward Boyd Woodcock looked dangerous in match sim. Category B rookie Kai Pudney is already the best runner at the Power, winning the club's 3x1km time trial in January. - Lee Gaskin

The standout

It's easy to predict Connor Rozee will be a 10-year player for the Power, based on his first couple of months at the club.

On track for round one

Connor Rozee

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Richmond had quite a small draft haul with just four additions to its list, all midfielders. Oakleigh Chargers pair Riley Collier-Dawkins (pick 20) and Jack Ross (pick 43) have been the most impressive of the quartet. At 190cm, Collier-Dawkins is only three centimetres shorter than key defender Dylan Grimes and has slotted in with ease, with teammate Nick Vlastuin naming him best-on in a recent match simulation. Former St Kilda forward Mav Weller is making the most of his rookie lifeline, with his intensity and aggression at training notable. Jacob Townsend had an eventful off-season, being delisted then re-drafted as a rookie, and he continues to recover from surgery on a fractured ankle. West Australian small forward Sydney Stack continues to train with the club (including attending the training camp on the Gold Coast last week) as he pushes to be signed as a rookie during the supplemental selection period, which ends on 15 March. - Sarah Black

The standout

Richmond has had an extremely settled line-up for the past 18 months, with the midfield in particular proving to be difficult to break into. However, Collier-Dawkins appears the most likely of the newbies to make his debut first.

On track for round one

Given Richmond's healthy and experienced list, it's unlikely the Tigers will have a draftee debutant against Carlton.

The club's first pick from last year, Max King, is recovering from a right knee reconstruction. He's running and is targeting a return to the field by mid-season after being injured last April, with the club treating him conservatively. Taking it even slower is midfielder Jack Bytel, who endured back stress fractures and a bulged disc in his draft year. Don't expect to see him anytime soon. Of the mature-age draftees, Nick Hind looks the most likely to play early. His speed and long kicking have excited coach Alan Richardson. Matthew Parker is an exciting prospect. Not many his height (187cm) have his pace. Robbie Young can provide hardness and speed up forward and is another who could debut reasonably quickly, and while Callum Wilkie has shown impressive signs in defence, the Saints are well stocked there and he could struggle to find a spot. - Dinny Navaratnam

The standout

All four mature-age players could play early if needed, but Hind looks the most likely.

On track for round one

Nick Hind, Matthew Parker, Robbie Young

Matthew Parker's pace and size have caught the eye during the Saints' pre-season. Picture: AFL Photos







Father/son arrival Nick Blakey has eased into his first pre-season beautifully, with the young forward looking nothing like a new draftee, especially in competitive situations. Blakey's cool head in modified match simulation drills and his disposal by foot has been impressive. Friday's scratch match saw the stocks of Zac Foot and Justin McInerney continue to rise, with both players exciting on opposite wings. Foot's leg speed is his major weapon and he showed it on several occasions. McInerney has quickly endeared himself to the Swans coaches with his competitiveness, as shown by a fierce tackle in match simulation he laid on Callum Mills before the Christmas break, that left Mills visibly frustrated with his younger teammate when he was caught holding the ball. - Adam Curley

The standout

He didn't come with the same hype as Blakey but McInerney gets the nod and will be a cult favourite with Sydney fans.

On track for round one

Nick Blakey

WHO MAKES FINALS? Do the 2019 Ladder Predictor

There's no doubt which draftee has made the biggest splash since arriving at West Coast, with former Collingwood defender Josh Smith dominating pre-season running testing. Smith broke the club's 2km time trial record after returning from the Christmas break and took out the Yo-Yo test. The 25-year-old was in Collingwood's round one line-up last year, but hamstring setbacks ruined his campaign. Energetic small forward Jarrod Cameron has been training with the group and will continue to build his workload after his toe was run over before the draft. Top picks Xavier O'Neill and Luke Foley have work to do building their bodies but seem to have been getting through the program, with draftees generally completing roughly 60 per cent of the full workload. - Travis King

The standout

Smith is hungry to reignite his career and his running power could be handy at Optus Stadium.

On track for round one

It's going to be a hard team to break into but Josh Smith is a chance.

Prized draft pick Bailey Smith is in the final stages of his recovery from an Achilles injury that he battled late last year. Smith will look to be in full training in early February and is hopeful he can push for an early debut. Rhylee West, son of club great Scott, is training strongly as he gets up to speed with playing at the elite level and he has already displayed impressive signs as a midfielder. Laitham Vandermeer has displayed some good upside but may take a few years to develop, while mature-age pick-ups Ben Cavarra and Will Hayes are pushing their claims for early season debuts. Rookies Jordon Sweet, Buku Khamis and Lachlan Young are also coming along nicely as they learn the gameplan and get used to the increased training loads. - Ben Guthrie

The standout

Having played for the Western Bulldogs' VFL team in recent seasons, Hayes has fitted in seamlessly to the AFL program.

On track for round one

Ben Cavarra, Will Hayes

Rhylee West takes on a challenge during the Dogs' Torquay training session. Picture: AFL Photos



