THE Mandurah Mail profiled the 10 current local players making it in the AFL.
Forward
Age: 27
Drafted: 2008 National Draft #21; debut 2009
Games: 108
Goals: 183
BIO: Ballantyne has announced himself as one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition after being handed a maiden All-Australian guernsey in 2014 and was the leading goal kicker at the Fremantle Dockers.
After winning the Sandover Medal in 2008, Ballantyne was drafted into the AFL by the Dockers and has notched up 180 goals from 106 games since, including the 2011 goal of the year.
He has been one of the most consistent forwards since making his debut. Ballantyne has never kicked below 20 goals in a season, apart from his debut year.
The 27-year-old is considered to be a serial pest by most opponents, and is known for getting stuck into the opposition.
Ballantyne will be hoping for another consistent year this year and leading the Dockers to another grand final.
Midfielder
Age: 30
Drafted: 2002 National Draft #2; debut 2003
Games: 224
Goals: 145
BIO: Wells was destined for great things when he was runner-up in the Sandover Medal at 17 years old in 2002. He has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the competition, averaging 19.2 disposals per game and kicking 145 goals including the AFL goals of the year in 2004.
He won the 2011 and 2013 Syd Barker Medal as the Kangaroos’ best and fairest and was runner-up in 2006. Following his strong 2013 season, he was also named caption of the Australian International Rules series, which was made up of exclusively indigenous players.
Although Wells only played 10 games last year due to injury, he was one of the reasons why they climbed to fourth spot on the ladder, collecting 28 disposals and nine marks in a best-on-ground effort in the 12-point Elimination Final win against Essendon.
Midfielder
Age: 23
Drafted: 2009 National Draft #4; debut 2010
Games: 26
Goals: 14
BIO: One of the most unlucky footballers of the modern era, Anthony Morabito will be looking to get back in the Fremantle side after a year at Peel Thunder.
Morabito had a strong year in his debut season in 2010, playing 23 games for the Dockers and booting 13 goals. He received a NAB AFL Rising Star nomination in round 22.
However, he spent the next three years on the sidelines with various injuries and finally made it back in 2014. He played three games for the Dockers, but was dropped after the Dockers lost to St Kilda.
It looks as if the 23-year-old will have a delayed start to the 2015 AFL season after knee soreness has again hampered his ability to train.
Midfielder
Age: 18
Drafted: 2015 Rookie Draft #14; yet to debut
Games: 0
Goals: 0
BIO: Peel Thunder’s latest draftee, Brad Walsh, had to wait until the Rookie Draft before he had his name called.
The in-and-under midfielder is known for his strong leadership qualities and a determination to get the absolute best out of himself.
So much so that Walsh hired a sprint coach last year to increase his speed and improve his chances of being drafted.
He captained Western Australia in the under 18 championships and the AFL Australian Institute of Sport squad.
This season will be about development for Walsh with the rookie likely to spend the year building form in the VFL.
However, his dedication to improving will have him in a strong position in building a career in the AFL.
Richmond Tigers
Defender/wing
Age: 20
Drafted: 2012 National Draft #31; debut 2015
Games: 1
Goals: 1
BIO: Drafted as a mobile defender at 192 centimetres, McIntosh has faced many injury setbacks in his short career but looks set for a productive 2015.
With Richmond seeing McIntosh as a potential wingman due to his good endurance, that is where he spent time during Richmond’s NAB challenge match this month. Against Port Adelaide McIntosh collected 15 disposals and laid four tackles.
Against North Melbourne, McIntosh gathered 17 disposals to be named among their best.
His pre-season form was strong enough to see him named to take on Carlton in round one, where he was a star.
Greater Western Sydney Giants
Defender
Age: 22
Drafted: GWS Pre-selection, debut 2012
Games: 19
Goals: 7
BIO: Wilson started off as a small forward but has found a home in defence in the past two seasons.
Wilson was selected as part of the Greater Western Sydney underage pre-selection when they came into the AFL.
Although Wilson has yet to nail down a spot in the young GWS side, he showed great promise as a player over the last two seasons in the NEAFL and will look to break into the side full time with a big year ahead for the AFL newcomers.
Wilson had 14 disposals and three marks in NAB Challenge game one.
Gold Coast Suns
Midfielder/forward
Age: 22
Drafted: 2010 National Draft #2: debut 2011
Games: 66
Goals: 81
BIO: Bennell has quickly become one of the Gold Coast’s most important and damaging players since joining the club in 2010.
In 2012 Bennell was runner-up in the club’s best and fairest award and placed inside the top 10 in 2013 and 2014.
His speed and knack for finding space has seen him average close to 22 disposals per game across his short career.
Bennell showed just how good he was in round 14 last year against Geelong.
He colected 27 disposals and tied the record for most goals kicked by a Suns player in one game with six as he led his side to a momentous victory.
It won’t be long before Bennell cements himself as one of the genuine superstars of the game.
St Kilda Saints
Midfielder
Age: 28
Drafted: 2003 National Draft #4; debut 2004
Games: 197 (St Kilda 122, Western Bulldogs 75)
Goals: 58
BIO: Predominately playing on at half-back, Farren Ray enjoyed a solid 2014 playing 21 games and averaging more than 21 disposals a game.
After completing the pre-season Ray sustained a serious hamstring injury in St Kilda’s opening NAB Challenge match against Brisbane.
The injury has ruled Ray out of action for 12 weeks with round eight the likely return date.
It is a big blow for St Kilda with Ray one of the few experienced players on St Kilda’s young list. Ray’s importance is often overlooked.
He was ranked number three in the AFL last season for average intercept marks.
Essendon Bombers
Midfielder/forward
Age: 26
Drafted: 2010 Rookie Draft #30; debut 2010
Games: 97
Goals: 47
BIO: Drafted as a mature-aged recruit on the back of winning Peel Thunder’s best and fairest, Howlett was promoted to Essendon’s senior list in his first season, playing 15 games.
The midfielder is known for his hardness at the ball, leading Essendon in total tackles last season with 130.
Howlett showed his full potential in round 11 last year against the Western Bulldogs, gathering 25 disposals and kicking five goals to help lead his side to victory.
Howlett signed a two-year contract extension with the Bombers last year, tying him to the club to the end of 2016.
Forward
Age: 24
Drafted: 2009 National Draft #25; debut 2011
Games: 47
Goals: 63
BIO: With the addition of Jarrad Waite to North Melbourne’s list, Drew Petrie sticking around and the emergence of Ben Brown, 2015 shapes as an important year for Aaron Black.
If he doesn’t continue to kick goals and do his job, he could easily find himself on the outer with all the tall timber the Kangaroos have up front.
Black has had a solid career for a 24-year-old forward. He has kicked 67 career goals in 47 games with 33 of them coming in 2013.
He only booted 26 last year and was on the edge of the team, but his ability to take a strong mark and provided a target kept him in the side.
Black has had an interrupted pre-season with a shoulder injury and will look to be one of the key figures in this new-look North Melbourne forward line which includes Waite and former Western Bulldog Shaun Higgins.
