Where they came from—2021 NAB AFL Draft (Tall 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 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.
Tall Defenders
Justin Davies
Community Club: Mordialloc-Braeside
State: Victoria (Country)
Height: 194cm
Weight: 92kg
Date of Birth: 29/04/03
Left-footed tall defender who can play both ends of the ground, using his marking and penetrating kicking as his strengths. Mixed his football between Haileybury College and the NAB League where he played four matches for the Dandenong Stingrays, averaging 9.3 disposals but showed enough potential in trials to earn selection for Victoria Country in the NAB AFL Challenge match against Victoria Metro in July. A former national discus champion at youth level.
Justin Davies in Mordialloc-Braeside colours as a junior
Charlie Dean
Community Club: Williamstown, VFL/Collegians (VAFA)
State: Victoria (Metro)
Height: 195cm
Weight: 86kg
Date of Birth: 19/06/01
Tall defender who can also apply his craft up forward. Had an outstanding season at Williamstown in the VFL in his 20th year after being part of Victoria Metro/Sandringham Dragons program in his initial draft year of 2019. His marking is elite, along with his composure under pressure and ball use, which earnt him the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL’s most promising talent. Past winners include Kane Lambert (Northern Blues /Richmond), Luke Ryan (Coburg/Fremantle) and Bayley Fritsch (Casey Demons/Melbourne). He was also announced as a defender in the VFL’s Team of the Year for 2021 after averaging 15.1 disposals and 7.3 marks in his nine matches this year. His Draft Combine time of 6:11 for the 2km (Strava tested) gave an insight into his running capacity and work ethic.
Reigning Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medallist, Charlie Dean.
Josh Gibcus
Community Club: Eastpoint FC
State: Victoria (Country)
Height: 196cm
Weight: 87kg
Date of Birth: 04/04/03
Developing tall defender who has emerged this year to be included in the Australian U18 Academy team against Geelong (VFL) where he was one of his side’s best. He also showed his skill to be one of Victoria Country under-19s better performers in the NAB AFL Challenge game against Victoria Metro in July. Blessed with an elite vertical jump, his intercept marking and aggressive spoiling are both features of his rapidly developing game. With similar traits as Melbourne’s Jake Lever, he also played 10 matches with the Rebels, averaging 12.5 disposals and 4.4 marks to win selection in the NAB League Team of the Year. Reminded scouts of his athleticism with his impressive NAB AFL Draft Combine performances, including his 95cm running vertical jump, 3.04 seconds for 20 metres, and 6:38 for 2km at Victoria Country testing in Bendigo in September.
Tyreece Leiu
Community Club: South Belgrave FC
State: Victoria (Metro)
Height: 194cm
Weight: 93kg
Date of Birth: 14/04/03
Tall defender who first came on the radar with impressive performances for Victoria Metro at under-16s level in 2019. His switch from forward/midfield to defence this year has unearthed his exciting intercept marking ability. With his father being from Samoa and his mother from New Zealand, he was initially a rugby prospect but played six matches for the Eastern Ranges this year where he averaged 16.7 disposals and 5.3 marks as well as a game for North Melbourne in the VFL. Only injury prevented him representing Victoria Metro this year.
Tyreece Leiu debuts for South Belgrave Football Club
Caleb Lewis
Community Club: Parkdale Vultures
State: Victoria (Metro)
Height: 196cm
Weight: 84kg
Date of Birth: 29/09/03
Tall defender who has shown that both contested and intercept marking are his assets. Capable of using his endurance to great effect to be curtailing a repeat leading forward, he also looks composed with his decision making and execution coming out of defence. Played four matches this year for the Sandringham Dragons, combining his football with his Brighton Grammar schedule, and was in the Victorian Metro squad for representative football.
Oscar Morrison
Community Club: Geelong Falcons
State: Victoria (Country)
Height: 194cm
Weight: 91kg
Date of Birth: 21/08/03
Powerfully built tall defender who can play the intercept-marking role or stand one-on-one with his opponent to win or halve contests. A natural leader who captained St Joseph’s College this year, he never seems flustered down back with a good burst of speed to rebound from defence. With intercept skills like star Giant Nick Haynes, he performed strongly for Victoria Country in the NAB AFL Challenge match against Victoria Metro in July. Played 10 matches for the Geelong Falcons where he averaged 13.5 disposals and earned selection in the NAB League Team of the Year. His time of 6:33 for 2km at the NAB AFL Draft Combine in Bendigo gave an insight into his running capacity and competitiveness.
Jed Rule
Community Club: Boroondara FC
State: Victoria (Metro)
Height: 192cm
Weight: 79kg
Date of Birth: 10/06/03
Another tall defender prospect who showed thin slices of his potential when he represented Victoria Metro at under-16s level in 2019. Comes off his opponent to intercept and can also play tightly one-on-one, he has some traits of Essendon (and Oakleigh Chargers’) Jordan Ridley across half-back. A neat left-foot kick, he’s a talented sportsman overall, playing representative tennis and basketball and this year sharing his football between Carey Grammar and the Chargers where he averaged 11.7 disposals and 5.3 marks.
