Drafted: James Sicily drafted by Hawthorn
James Sicily is the top Western Jets prospect for the 2013 AFL national draft.
Sicily is on the radar of AFL recruiters if calls to Jets coach Torin Baker are any indication.
“There have been quite a lot of inquiries about James and how he goes about his football,” Baker said.
“As has been the case with a number of other players, clubs do their due diligence … there’s certainly been a lot of clubs wanting to find out about how James carries himself away from the football field and what he’s like in the club.”
The phone calls have come on the back of Sicily’s impressive season with the Jets in the TAC Cup.
AFL Draft: Club-by-club guide
The 18-year-old was able to move seamlessly into different positions, depending on the team’s needs.
The starting point was a forward role, where he was comfortable on the lead across half-forward and strong in the air closer to goal. The Keilor product also developed as a midfielder.
“That’s one of his strengths; he’s got that versatility to his game,” Baker said.
“At the moment, he’s a forward who can play high and also be damaging in a marking contest close to goal. In the second half of the year, he showed he can play as an inside ‘mid’, and he played some damaging football for us.”
Sicily – a Vic Metro representative, in the top three in the Jets’ best and fairest and with 26 goals in 16 games this season – is not projected to be selected in the first round, but Baker is confident his name will be called out in Thursday’s draft.
Jake Greiser is considered an outside chance of landing on an AFL list.
The 18-year-old premier clearance and contested ball player in the TAC Cup last season was able to sustain a high level of play for the duration of a season.
“His main strength is the inside footy,” Baker said. “He was the number one clearance player, number one contested possession winner – so to have that stat to show you’re an outstanding inside footballer and with today’s football being so congested, I’m certain clubs will be looking at that.”
David Iaccarino, the club best-and-fairest, and Brett Bewley, could be the smokies of the draft for the Jets.
Iaccarino, a Williamstown juniors product who played under the 19-year-old rule, thrived in the midfield, displaying inside-outside attributes and lifting in big-game situations.
Bewley, out of Darley, was damaging on the wing and across half-back.
The AFL draft is at the Gold Coast tomorrow night. Those who miss out will have to wait until the November 27 pre-season and rookie drafts.
