Larke Medal winner Heath Mellody has emerged as the newest AFL Draft prospect to be firmly placed as a Pick 1 contender for November's count.
Mellody, a high-impact defender-midfield hybrid who looks to split the game open with his run and ball use, was instrumental for Western Australia at this year's U18s National Championships, a carnival that included a match-winning performance against Vic Country after moving into the engine room
Despite being crowned the championships' top performer, it has been Mellody's form back in WA with Claremont's senior side that has rubberstamped his prospects as a top 10 player in this year's draft class.
Mellody debuted with the Tigers' league side in Round 19 - his first game after the U18s carnival - and has looked more and more comfortable with each appearance at the level - including a 34-disposals display against West Coast's reserves.
Albeit slightly built, Mellody has looked at home against experienced bodies and now holds a key role in Claremont's pursuit of a WAFL premiership.
"I think if you look at his year holistically, he's had the most complete season of any of the Pick 1 prospects," Craft of the Draft's Jonty Ralphsmith said on this week's episode.
"Some of that has been through injury. Harry Van Hattum hasn't been at his best for that reason. Arki Butler has missed part of the season as well.
"Heath Mellody, to win a Larke Medal off half-back and also go into the midfield and be a difference maker for Western Australia at the National Champs, and then play senior footy like he has, has been absolutely outstanding.
"The query about him is that he's a little bit slightly built, so how is he going to go at senior level? Is he going to have that sturdiness to compete against the bigger bodies? He's shown he's got that ability. His competitive edge has been really impressive since going to senior level.
"To win his own footy, some of the contests he's been able to win and the highlights he's produced at senior level have certainly put him in Pick 1 contention.
"He's been ultra impressive, and I'm really bullish on what he's going to be at the next level now."
