AFL Draft

The top Vic Metro prospects for the 2021 AFL Draft

With plenty of first-round features to come, we look at the top names hailing from Vic Metro.

Published by
Mitch Keating
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Often producing the upper echelon of prospects each year, Vic Metro's 2021 crop will be no different as several names look to lead the charge and land within the top 10 selections at the National Draft.

Headlined by father-son selections Sam Darcy and Nick Daicos, Vic Metro's extensive list of future stars are sure to be a key focus at this month's draft for both local and interstate sides.

Set to add a plethora of new names to the top flight for next year, we take a look at the best prospects who have culminated their young careers from the inner regions of the most populated state for football talent.

SEE ALSO: The top Vic Country prospects for the 2021 AFL Draft

Nick Daicos (Oakleigh Chargers)

Height: 183cm
Weight: 72kg

Will rival South Adelaide's Jason Horne-Francis as the top talent in his class, Collingwood fans will be salivating at the fact that Daicos will be linking up with his brother at the Holden Centre for at least four years, having already signed a contract with the club.

An explosive and damaging prospect, Daicos' numbers speak for themselves after the future Magpie recorded an average of 35.8 disposals, 5.8 marks, 3.4 tackles and two goals per game.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Nick Daicos of the Oakleigh Chargers poses at Ikon Park on March 23, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Like most from Victoria, Daicos' sample size has been limited across the past 18 months, although being able to train with Collingwood early into the year is sure to aid his progress as he firms as a future star of the game.

There's little doubt Daicos will be firing for Craig McRae as early as next year, with the swift and show-stopping midfielder sure to play a large role in the Magpies' rebuild phase.

Finn Callaghan (Sandringham Dragons)

Height: 189cm
Weight: 82kg

Finn Callaghan is sure to offer plenty of poise and prowess as an athletic, tall midfielder that will likely land within the top five selections of the National Draft.

The best Victorian onballer that will be on offer following Daicos' bid, Callaghan is an elite outside runner that has been likened to Greater Western Sydney star Josh Kelly given his accurate left foot and silky movement across the ground.

Following in Kelly's footsteps with a sensational campaign with the Dragons, Callaghan could even link up with the two-time Kevin Sheedy medallist should the Giants see the talented teenager as their best suitor at Pick 2.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Josh Kelly of the Giants kicks the ball during the round three AFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Blundstone Arena on April 8, 2017 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Was named on the wing in the Boys' NAB League Team of the Year after averaging 24.3 disposals, 4.5 marks and 3.2 tackles per game across his six appearances.

MORE: Finn Callaghan draft profile

Sam Darcy (Oakleigh Chargers)

Height: 197cm
Weight: 73kg

The Bulldogs father-son selection is seen as the best key-forward among his class, rocketing into top-five contention following a strong campaign under limited exposure in 2021.

Made just the three appearances for the Chargers, but was a key feature with Vic Metro and has emerged as a proven threat in front of goal with his ability overhead and posied goalkicking routine.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Sam Darcy of the Chargers kicks during the NAB League Boys match between the Eastern Ranges and the Oakleigh Chargers at Preston City Oval on April 10, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Grimes/AFL Photos)

Will walk to the Whitten Oval as a father-son selection and likely top-three pick in what will be another major draft coup for the Bulldogs.

Likened to former Sandringham Dragons duo Ben and Max King, Darcy could have an immediate impact at AFL level as he shares the Dogs' attacking strikeforce alongside the likes of Aaron Naughton, Josh Bruce and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan.

MORE: Sam Darcy draft profile

Josh Sinn (Sandringham Dragons)

Height: 186cm
Weight: 72kg

Arguably the best medium-sized defender in the draft, Sinn has shown an adept ability to break lines and offer plenty of attack out of his side's defensive third.

Has battled ongoing injury setbacks across the past year, however Sinn was a standout for Vic Metro in their showcase clash against Vic Country as a dashing half-back capable of having an impact further up the ground.

Played five matches this year to average close to 18 touches from defence, emerging as a first-round talent ahead of the National Draft despite the setbacks.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Josh Sinn of the Sandringham Dragons poses at Ikon Park on March 23, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

While he may not land as high as 2019's Pick 4 in Greater Western Sydney's Lachie Ash, the pair show plenty of similarities in being capable of having a large role in a smaller position.

MORE: Josh Sinn draft profile

Josh Ward (Northern Knights)

Height: 181.4cm
Weight: 79.1kg

Has seen a meteoric rise in 2021, emerging as one of the elite midfielders in his class and a likely top 10 selection as the Knights' top player this season.

Named as captain of the NAB League Boys' Team of the Year, Ward amassed an average of 25.2 disposals, 5.2 marks and 4.8 tackles as a dominant inside midfielder that boats a strong aerobic capacity.

Was another key figure in Vic Metro's clash against Vic Country, putting scouts on notice of his abilities to find the ball and utilise possession moving forward.

Darcy Wilmot (Northern Knights)

Height: 182.8cm
Weight: 75kg

Another Knight who has culminated his impressive stocks with a smaller range of exposure, Wilmot is a versatile defender that is able to pull strings from defence.

Holds a strong ability to read the ball in the air and then move the ball from the backline with power and poise.

Joins the aforementioned names in impressing in Vic Metro's win over Vic Country at the Under 19s championships, while also landing a place in the NAB League Boys' Team of the Year, being named in the back pocket.

Averaged 15.1 disposals and 2.7 marks across his seven appearances for the Knights this season.

Tyler Sonsie (Eastern Ranges)

Height: 181cm
Weight: 77kg

After impressing with Box Hill in the VFL and training with the Hawks this year, Sonsie could join the young ranks under newly-appointed Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell at Waverley at the National Draft.

While Sonsie may not slide into the Hawks' first selection at Pick 5, the prolific midfielder could see the brown and gold club look to improve their next pick to land the Eastern Ranges star's services.

averaged 23 touches, 2.6 marks and booted five goals this year as a standout feature as glimpses were limited due to injuries and COVID-19 complications.

Published by
Mitch Keating