GEELONG, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 24: Tyler Sonsie of the NAB AFL Academy runs with the ball during the match between the NAB AFL Academy and the Geelong Cats VFL side at GMHBA Stadium on April 24, 2021 in Geelong, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Tyler Sonsie is a damaging midfielder whose two-sided kick is unmatched in this year's draft class.

The teenager's work at the contest is marked by an incredible decision-making ability, while he can also go forward and hit the scoreboard.

With a high footy IQ, Sonsie is a balanced midfielder and has the ability to both win the ball at the contest and use it on the outside.

His stoppage work is elite, using his clean hands and intelligent read of the play to advance the ball forward.

The Victorian continued toiling and adding to his craft for the Eastern Ranges, playing a solid 13-matches for the season. Given his form, Sonsie has been on clubs' radars since he was awarded Vic Metro’s Most Valuable Player at the under-16 level.

A sole, yet standout, VFL outing saw him collect 24-disposals, five tackles and two goals for Box Hill in May. That game sparked intense interest in the 18-year-old, as he proved he was more than adept at the next level.

While the AFL Academy name is expected to be taken in the latter stages of the first round, his talent warrants an earlier selection, however, an inconsistent and injury-ridden season has seen him fall down the ranks with recruiters.

Earlier in the year, he was touted as a top-five pick and still remains an outside chance to do so.

Team: Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro
Position: Midfielder
Height: 181cm
Weight: 77kg

Strengths

Scoreboard impact
Clean hands
Kicking
Clearances
Agility

Weaknesses

Consistent form
Two-way running

Draft range

Late First round (Pick 10-18)

Potential landing spots

GWS Giants (Pick 13), Brisbane Lions (Pick 14), Richmond (Pick 15), Melbourne (Pick 17)

AFL Comparisons 

Adam Cerra
Trent Cotchin

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 14: Trent Cotchin of the Tigers runs with the ball from Tim Taranto of the Giants during the round 17 AFL between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Wester Giants at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 14, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Expert Comments

“He’s in the best few players on the ground in this game (for Box Hill in the VFL), kicks a couple of goals and 24 disposals, so all the Hawks wouldn’t have missed that. No one’s missed it in fact, all of the clubs talk about that as such an important performance for a boy when given his first chance to step up." - AFL Talent Ambassador Kevin Sheehan.