Sandringham Dragons teenager Jacob Edwards has been touted as the likely No.1 selection for the 2021 Mid-Season Draft.
The ruck/forward hybrid has had a string start to his NAB League campaign this year and firms to be on the radar of several AFL clubs ahead of the June 2 draft.
At 202cm tall, Edwards offers plenty of height and strength with his versatility to move between key roles despite being overlooked in the national draft.
Speaking onย Sportsday,ย The Age reporter Sam McClure tipped Edwards to be taken with the first selection of this year's Mid-Season Draft.
โIf you havenโt heard the name Jacob Edwards, just write it down,โ McClure said.
โI think heโs going to be an interesting prospect and I reckon heโll be read out by whoever has the first pick in the upcoming mid-season draft.
Bit of buzz about Sandringham Dragons ruckman Jacob Edwards after his performance against Oakleigh Chargers yโday in the NAB League Boys. Athletic 200cm left-footer who was playing Div 3 junior football not long ago but heโs coming along quickly at the Dragons.
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) April 6, 2021
โHe actually nominated for last yearโs draft but like a lot of his Victorian teammates, didnโt play. So he wasnโt seen, therefore they (clubs) didnโt take the risk on a 202cm ruck/forward.
โHeโs been turning heads playing for Sandringham in the NAB League โฆ heโs only 78kg so heโs got a bit of weight to put on.
โHeโs been dominating and thereโs some clubs very excited about him.
โThis kidโs 18, heโs 19 in November, so whoever gets him in the mid-season draft is basically getting him ahead of time ahead of this yearโs National Draft."
In an interview between McClure and Sandringham talent manager Mark Wheeler, the latter praised Edwards' wide range skill set.
โHeโs big, heโs agile, and he kicks it as good as anybody. He wasnโt really on our radar for the 2020 draft, he always felt he would go in the 2021 draft," Wheeler said.
โHeโs a bit like the King boys, Max and Ben.
Sam McClure thinks North Melbourne, which is likely to have the first selection in this yearโs mid-season draft, might select the athletic ruck/forward Victorian โschoolboy giantโ Jacob Edwards. https://t.co/rteTYfyAE1
— @TheTruthNMFC (@TheTruthNMFC) April 20, 2021
โHeโs definitely a ruck because of his leap and hands on the ball, but they need to be able to play a secondary position. His hands on the ball are actually unbelievable.โ
Having nominated for the 2020 AFL Draft, Edwards is therefore eligible to enter the Mid-Season Draft, with North Melbourne currently holding the first pick as they sit 18th on the ladder.
