IN the build up to football eventually returning, Draft Central takes a look at some of this year’s brightest names who have already represented their state in some capacity leading into 2020. While plenty can change between now and then, we will provide a bit of an insight into players, how they performed at pre-season testing, and some of our scouting notes on them from last year.

Next under the microscope in our AFL Draft watch is Brisbane Lions Academy hopeful Blake Coleman, a lively forward with wicked goal sense and terrific marking ability. Coleman is the brother of 2019 draftee, Keidean, and will look to blaze his own trail with inspiration from his older sibling, having represented the Lions Academy in all five of its NAB League outings last year. The 180cm prospect was also a standout in the Queensland Under 17 side, with his clean hands and ability to find the goals coming to the fore in difficult conditions.

The soon to be 18-year-old is now plying his trade for Morningside in the QAFL, and has booted three goals in his first two games upon the return of football in Queensland. He was set to again feature for the Lions Academy and break into the Allies squad as a top-ager, but still has the opportunity to impress in the lead up to a delayed 2020 AFL Draft.

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PLAYER PAGE:

Blake Coleman
Brisbane Lions Academy/Allies

DOB: August 6, 2002

Height: 180cm
Weight: 78kg

Position: Small-Medium Forward

Strengths: Speed, clean hands, goal sense, pressure, scoreboard impact
Improvements: Endurance, consistency

2019 NAB League stats: 5 games | 10.0 disposals | 1.4 marks | 2.0 tackles | 2.0 inside 50s | 1.0 goals (5)

>> Get to know: Blake Coleman

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PRESEASON TESTING RESULTS:

Standing Vertical Jump – 60cm
Running Vertical Jump (R/L) – 62cm/69cm
Speed (20m) – 3.04 seconds
Agility – 8.45 seconds
Endurance (Yo-yo) – 19.4

>> Full Testing Results:
Jumps
20m Sprint
Agility
Yo-yo

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2019 SCOUTING NOTES:

Under 17 Futures All Stars

By: Peter Williams

Lively to say the least. He is one of those players you would come to the football to see. Laid a terrific couple of tackles to set the tone early in the game, with his second being a big run-down tackle and win a free straight in front of goal. He converted that and continued to look dangerous, taking a mark outside 50 but his delivery inside was a scrubber kick to the pocket.

It was one of his only poor kicks going inside, because he seemed to hit-up targets well throughout, setting up Braeden Campbell for a goal with the one-two at half-forward and produced a very nice kick into Reef McInnes inside 50 in the third term. He was able to win the ball at a stoppage in the midfield to show his midfield potential, then finished the game on a high note by selling candy to Wil Parker in the goalsquare and booting it from point blank range.

Under 17 Futures vs. Vic Metro

By: Ed Pascoe

Coleman was one of Queensland’s most dangerous players up forward with his skill and composure a real standout in the wet conditions. Despite standing at 180cm, Coleman played more of a half-forward lead up role with his marking overhead a real feature with how clean it was, especially in the wet conditions later in the game. Coleman wad classy with ball in hand and rarely wasted a possession. His class around goal was also a feature kicking two goals with his best coming in the last quarter, going for a nice run before steadying himself to kick a classy goal. Coleman finished the game with 13 disposals, four marks, five tackles and two goals.

Under 17 Futures vs. NSW/ACT

By: Michael Alvaro

Coleman’s major point of difference was his cleanliness in the conditions and while others did well to make one-touch plays at ground level, Coleman also did it in the air. He scooped up a number of his possessions on the move and with opponents in tow, while taking a couple of juggled marks hitting up to at the ball at half-forward. Coleman was productive forward of centre, looking like creating something with ball in hand – shown by his crafty assist for Saxon Crozier in the second term and constant wheeling around to go inside 50. Did not find the goals on this occasion, seeing a set shot fall short just before his goal assist.

NAB League Round 4 vs. Eastern

By: Michael Alvaro

The crafty forward had a phenomenal third term where he booted three of his four-straight majors. His first goal came in the opening quarter with a good collect below his knees and quick snap to find the big sticks, and he almost found a second later on as his dribbled shot fell short. He kicked his second and third goals on the run with tidy finishes from Tom Wischnat assists, but his highlight of the game came with a big pack mark from the back deep inside forward 50, which he played on from to kick his fourth goal. An excitement machine and classy finisher, Coleman is certainly a natural footballer.

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>> MORE LIONS ACADEMY CONTENT
>> 2020 Allies U18s Squad Prediction
>> July 2020 Power Rankings

>> CATCH UP ON OUR DRAFT WATCH SERIES

Allies:
Tahj Abberley
Jackson Callow
Braeden Campbell
Alex Davies
Oliver Davis
Errol Gulden

South Australia:
Kaine Baldwin
Bailey Chamberlain
Corey Durdin
Luke Edwards
Lachlan Jones
Taj Schofield
Riley Thilthorpe

Vic Country:
Sam Berry
Tanner Bruhn
Jack Ginnivan
Elijah Hollands
Zach Reid
Nick Stevens
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan

Vic Metro:
Jackson Cardillo
Nikolas Cox
Connor Downie
Eddie Ford
Bailey Laurie
Finlay Macrae
Reef McInnes
Archie Perkins
Will Phillips

Western Australia:
Heath Chapman
Denver Grainger-Barras
Logan McDonald
Nathan O’Driscoll
Brandon Walker
Joel Western