Claremont's Jacob Van Rooyen is a versatile key-position prospect coming out of Western Australia.
The exciting tall did his draft stocks no harm with his finish to the season for Claremont in the WAFL Colts competition. Van Rooyen booted eleven goals in three finals for the Tigers, including four in a losing Grand Final.
His ability to play at both ends of the ground will be a major selling point for clubs in need of key position depth in the National Draft. This was on full display in the Western Australia vs South Australia Under 19s representative match where Van Rooyen impressed all day down back before sneaking forward in the dying stages to nail the game-winning major.
His draft range will be influenced by the dominoes that fall early in the first round, but he could find himself being selected in the latter half of the first round, or early into the second round based on his suitor.
Team:Â Claremont
Position:Â Forward/defender
Height:Â 194cm
Weight:Â 88kg
Strengths
Versatility
Competitiveness
Contested marking
Weaknesses
Fade outs in games
Endurance
Draft RangeÂ
15-25
Potential Landing Spots
Richmond (Pick 15), Brisbane (Pick 18), Fremantle (Pick 19), North Melbourne (Pick 20)
AFL Comparisons
Expert Comments
"van Rooyen kicked the winning goal for Western Australia against South Australia in the under-19s clash last weekend having drifted forward late after spending most of the game in defence. It is that versatility which has improved the Claremont product's stocks across the year. van Rooyen played at senior level earlier this season whilst battling glandular fever but his past two months have impressed with his work ethic and capacity to play in key positions." - Callum Twomey
