A handful of club-tied draft prospects put forward promising performances over the weekend in the U18s Boys National Championships opener between the Allies and South Australia.
The Croweaters caused an upset with a seven-point victory in Blacktown over the Allies to get their carnival started on the right foot.
South Australia's tall forwards were among the standouts for the travelling state side, while the midfield unit under coach Tony Bamford doubled their opponent's clearance tally.
Ruckman Sam Ainsworth and Pick 1 hopeful Dyson Sharp led SA with six clearances each, while Richmond father-son prospect Louis Kellaway - the son of 18-game ex-Tiger Duncan - had four.
The performance of the Sturt product added to a promising run in the SANFL U18s to start his draft campaign, with Kellaway also amassing 19 disposals, 254 metres gained, four inside 50s, five score involvements and nine contested possessions while moving the ball at 84.2% efficiency - the best of any plyer on the ground who had at least 17 touches.
Able to play in midfield, across half-back or as an attacking asset with his smart decision-making and ball use, Kellaway looms as an exciting prospect for Richmond to have priority access to.
"A player who I think, assuming he goes to Punt Road, could be playing a fair bit of AFL football next year," Craft of the Draft host Mitch Keating said on this week's episode.
"Just given he's probably a good half-back option. We've seen Harry Sheezel, Nick Daicos and Colby McKercher slot into these looser defensive roles - a role he'll fit perfectly for them.
"He can do that and play midfield, and his SA opener was pretty exciting."
Speaking on the exciting Tigers-tied teenager,ย Craft of the Draft'sย Jonty Ralphsmith added that Kellaway's adaptability on the ground was exciting to see.
"It wasn't a best-on-ground performance by any means, but he still won some centre clearances and was really, really tough and combative at the contest," Ralphsmith said.
"He was quite clean as well with his composure in traffic. He can also push forward, so he's got that versatility and adaptability to play different roles. In the forward half of the ground, he is really dangerous with ball in hand.
"A great option for Richmond, should they match a bid in November."
Another AFL-linked talent is Swans Academy forward Noah Chamberlain, who comes in at 15th overall inย Craft of the Draft'sย June rankings.ย
The 194cm forward didn't have the biggest impact in the Allies' opener, but the signs of his potential were enough to excite.
"He's really good overhead, and he's one of those players who has so much there, it's just a matter of him putting it together. We will see it at some point, hopefully throughout the championships," Ralphsmith said of Chamberlain.
"That contested marking, that athleticism... It's not something you see very often. I think he's got all the tools to become a bona fide player at the next level.
"I'm looking forward to that game where he tears it open, because it feels like it's just around the corner."
The full episode of this week'sย Craft of the Draftย series can be viewed onย Zero Hanger'sย YouTube channel, or via the player below.
