AFL Draft Watch: Henry Smith (WWT Eagles/South Australia)

AFL Draft Watch September 15, 2020

Source: SANFL

IN the midst of football’s long-awaited return, 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, or are bolting into draft contention. While plenty has changed 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 Woodville-West Torrens (WWT) prospect Henry Smith, a raw tall with plenty of upside. Measuring up at 202cm, Smith is not only able to impact with his aerial marking, but also provides terrific follow-up efforts at the fall of the ball. Despite missing the first three games of this year’s SANFL Under 18s season, the 18-year-old ruck/forward impressed enough across nine outings since to earn his spot on the National Combine invitee list. Should he fill out and sharpen his conversion, Smith looms as a key position option who could prove difficult to stop in full flight.

—

PLAYER PAGE:

Henry Smith
WWT Eagles/South Australia

DOB: September 24, 2002

Height: 202cm
Weight: 82kg

Position: Key Position Forward/Ruck

Strengths: Contested marking, athleticism, follow-up/ground level efforts, upside
Improvements: Raw, finishing consistency

—

PRESEASON TESTING RESULTS:

N/A.

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

—

2019/20 SCOUTING NOTES:

2020 SANFL Under 18s Round 11 vs. North Adelaide

By: Michael Alvaro

Another of Woodville-West Torrens’ 200cm prospects, Smith rotated between the forwardline and ruck to good effect. He showed some of the upside which earned him a national combine invite, following up well at stoppages while also faring well aerially as expected. Smith was another to use his height to advantage, clunking some big pack marks both around the ground and inside forward 50 against multiple opponents. Remarkably, all five of his marks were contested. While perhaps more of a lead-up forward prospect, Smith’s ruck craft was reasonably sound as he finished the game with 15 disposals, 15 hitouts, and fourth-term a goal.

2020 SANFL Under 18s Round 10 vs. Norwood

By: Tom Wyman

The AFL Academy member produced arguably his best performance of the season to-date, dominating the airways up forward and providing a presence in the ruck in relief of teammate Zac Phillips. As usual, Smith was the Eagles’ number one target in attack. They looked to centre the ball for him inside 50, allowing him to run and jump at the ball and use his contested marking strength to advantage. A prime example of this came in the just minutes into the clash, when Smith took a strong grab then converted the resultant set-shot from close range.

However, aside from his strong aerial presence, Smith’s cleanliness at ground level, quick and effective distribution by hand, and willingness to crack in and tackle hard was impressive. He spent more time in the ruck against the Redlegs than in previous weeks and fought well against Nathan Hearing, combining particularly well with teammate Harrison Dawkins at stoppages. The key forward finished with 15 disposals, two goals, five marks (two contested), nine tackles, ten hit-outs and four inside 50s.

2020 SANFL Under 18s Round 5 vs. Glenelg

By: Michael Alvaro

Again starting as the Eagles’ primary target up forward, Smith showed nice glimpses of his best form with strong marks, taking the ball at its highest point. He looked ominous on the lead at times and is difficult to defend at the Under 18 level on account of his height and reach on the lead. With good delivery, he was granted goalkicking opportunities but failed to make the most of his set shots. By the fourth quarter, his confidence may have been a little shot as he opted to kick inboard from 20-metres out, which got him a goal assist nonetheless.

2020 SANFL Under 18s Round 4 vs. North Adelaide

By: Michael Alvaro

The second of WWT’s bigmen, Smith played as a permanent forward and looked the most likely aerial target afield. He started strongly with a nice contested mark in between two opponents, but went on to miss a couple of set shot opportunities in the first term. What was most impressive about Smith, contested marking aside, was his ability to impact the play after aerial contests, with solid tackling efforts and touches at ground level adding a handy dimension to his game. His return obviously did a lot for the Eagles side, despite only booting three behinds from his 10 disposals and five marks (three contested).

2019 Under 17 Futures All-Stars

By: Ed Pascoe

The other big Henry to ruck for Team Dal Santo – Smith actually showed more up forward with a strong contested mark and set shot goal in the first quarter. The Woodville-West Torrens prospect, as good as he looked overhead, also had a great pickup in the middle of the ground which was excellent for a 200-plus cm player and if he could improve his aggression in general he could prove to be a hard player to stop at the next level.

—

Featured Image: Henry Smith (centre) with Zac Dumesny and Luke Edwards after the 2019 Under 17s All-Star clash | Source: SANFL

—

>> 2020 AFL National Draft Combine List
>> 2020 South Australia U18s Squad Prediction

—

>> August 2020 Power Rankings
>> July 2020 Power Rankings
>> September 2020 Power Rankings

>> CATCH UP ON OUR DRAFT WATCH SERIES

Allies:
Tahj Abberley
Charlie Byrne
Jackson Callow
Blake Coleman
Braeden Campbell
Alex Davies
Oliver Davis
Errol Gulden
Joel Jeffrey
Patrick Walker

South Australia:
Kaine Baldwin
Bailey Chamberlain
Brayden Cook
Zac Dumesny
Corey Durdin
Luke Edwards
Lachlan Jones
Tariek Newchurch
Caleb Poulter
Tom Powell
Taj Schofield
Riley Thilthorpe

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

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

Western Australia:
Jack Carroll
Heath Chapman
Denver Grainger-Barras
Logan McDonald
Nathan O’Driscoll
Zane Trew
Brandon Walker
Joel Western
Isiah Winder

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

AFL Draft Watch 12 months ago

2023 AFLW Draft Watch: April

A NUMBER of top-age, over-age and mature-age prospects have put their names on the AFLW Draft radar across the country to start 2023, and we highlight a few players who have stood out throughout the month of April in their respective states. NSW-ACT: Ella Parker (UTS Bats) has made a very impressive start to the […]

AFL Draft 1 year ago

AFL Draft Watch: Riley Hardeman (Swan Districts/WA)

SWAN Districts draft prospect Riley Hardeman is one of four West Australians included in this year’s National Academy, and the first of the quartet to have earned a WAFL League debut. The hard running top-ager turned out at the top level today, ticking off another milestone in his storied junior career. He’s the player under […]

SANFL Women's 1 year ago

SANFLW 23 Under 23: Others to Watch

THE South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Women’s league has an abundance of young talent that goes far beyond just 23 players. In an additional piece to the countdown of 23 Under 23 Player to Watch, we name others who were in contention to make the list, and would not be undeserving to have made […]

SANFL Women's 1 year ago

SANFLW 23 Under 23 in 2023: Full list

OVER the past few weeks, Rookie Me Central has named 23 SANFL Women’s players aged Under 23 at the start of the 2023 calendar year to keep an eye on. Having completed that list, the 23 players – who range from being 16 up to 22 – are all able to be found below, with […]

AFL Draft 2 years ago

2021 AFL Draft: Night 1 – Pick-by-pick

THE first night of the 2021 AFL Draft has come to a close, with some eye-catching selections and draft bolters across the evening. In what was touted as an unpredictable draft year stacked with talent, clubs will be leaving happy with their respective hauls; in particular North Melbourne, who grabbed Jason Horne-Francis with the top […]

AFL 3 years ago

2020 AFL Draft Standouts: Melbourne and Western Bulldogs

AHEAD of the 2021 AFL National Draft, we cast our eyes back 12 months ago to when the newest draftees had their names read out, and what they have accomplished since at the elite level. In the fifth piece of 2020 AFL Draft standouts (first chance at AFL level), we look at the first and […]

AFL 3 years ago

Tasmania proves too strong for Queensland in Under 17s triumph

THE team from Australia’s southernmost state flexed its muscle on their most northern counterparts, with a commanding 37-point victory over Queensland earlier today. On a lovely morning in Yeronga, the two sides faced off, with the best Under 17 talents of both states ready to impress spectators. In the end, Tasmania’s midfield was too dominant, […]

AFL Draft Watch 3 years ago

TSL Player Watch: Bryce Alomes

OVER the weekend, the Clarence Roos were able to defeat the Launceston Blues in the Tasmanian State League (TSL) Development League grand final at UTAS Stadium. The Roos had plenty of standout performers, including forward Bryce Alomes, who starred up forward with five goals. His dominance forward of the ball allowed his team to gain […]

AFL Draft Watch 3 years ago

SANFL Player Focus: Lewis Rayson (Glenelg)

GLENELG AFL Draft prospect Lewis Rayson stepped up to the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Reserves competition following a consistent run of form in the first half of the season. Following 11 games averaging more than 27 disposals per match at the junior level, Rayson held his own against senior opposition during the Bays’ […]