RELATED: AFL draft: Western Jets prospects at high altitude
Junior Western Jets groomed for the top flight
Jayden Laverde
Age: 18
Height/weight: 189cm/82kg
Positions: Onballer/wingman/half-forward
Local club: Keilor
Jayden Laverde is the alpha dog of the Western Jets’ class of 2014. The hype surrounding the star midfielder has left others dwarfed in comparison.
The biggest reason is his stature, with taller midfielders in vogue in recent drafts.
“The 190-centimetre midfielder is becoming a really attractive asset in any football club,” said Jets coach Torin Baker. “Jayden’s got the versatility, he’s got the athleticism, he’s got the football smarts and he’s a great character.”
Laverde is as close to the full package as it gets for a teenager.
He alerted the clubs to his talents while playing for Vic Metro at the national championships and claiming All-Australian honours.
Liam Duggan
Age: 17
Height/weight: 184cm/76kg
Positions: Inside-outside midfielder/defender
Local club: Bacchus Marsh
Liam Duggan has been earmarked as a first-round selection – at just 17 years of age. Despite being one of the youngest players at the draft, he’s undoubtedly one of the most mature.
A member of the AIS-AFL Academy, Duggan was the recipient of the Ben Mitchell Medal – awarded to the academy player who most embodies the qualities of courage, commitment, trust and leadership.
Duggan’s main attributes point to him becoming an elite midfielder, both inside and outside the packs. He thrives on the contested ball, works hard in a defensive capacity and has elite kicking skills.
Corey Ellis
Age: 18
Height/weight: 185cm/76kg
Positions: Midfielder/half-back
Local club: Keilor
Corey Ellis turned heads at the Western Jets from the moment he set foot in the club.
“From day one, when he came into the program, the way he used the footy was a real standout in our club and in the competition,” Baker said.
Ellis is one who lets his football do the talking. He will develop into a midfielder in the longer long term but is also adept at a set-up role from defence thanks to his elite kicking skills. He also pinch-hit as a forward at times for the Jets.
Ellis is unlikely to hit the ground running at the start of preseason due to a lingering foot injury. Baker said the recruiters would be foolish to let a short-term injury change their assessment of Ellis.
Connor Menadue. Photo: Damian Visentini
Connor Menadue
Age: 18
Height/weight: 188cm/69kg
Positions: Onballer/half-back/half-forward
Local club: Spotswood
Connor Menadue is an intriguing prospect because of his unique skill set. Few others boast the lethal mix of speed and endurance that showed up in testing at the draft combine. He tested third in the 20-metre sprint and sixth in both the repeat sprint and three-kilometre time trial.
Baker is reluctant to compare his Jets players with pros already in the AFL system, but he couldn’t help himself in Menadue’s case.
“He doesn’t just test quick, he uses it on the football field,” Baker said.
“A lot have one or the other [speed or endurance] and some players are quite adept in both areas, but he’s elite in both categories and that makes him exciting.
“If you look at a Brad Hill or an Isaac Smith and the impact they’ve had on the AFL, I would say that Connor has similar running ability to those two guys.”
Menadue is the run-and-carry king at the Jets.
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow
Age:
18
Height/weight: 185cm/80kg
Positions: Rebounding defender/inside midfielder/wingman
Local club: Hoppers Crossing
Dillon Viojo-Rainbow lives, breathes and eats football.
“When footy is such a full-on environment, you’ve really got to want it at AFL level,” Baker said.
“I certainly think Dillon’s right up there in terms of kids who have come through the program.”
Viojo-Rainbow has translated his obsession with footy to the field by carving out an eye-catching TAC Cup career.
The lasting memories of his time at the Jets will be of his reading of the play to intercept marks under pressure and his ability to turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye with his precise foot
skills.
Brenton Payne
Age: 18
Height/weight: 193cm/76kg
Positions: Key forward/key defender
Local club: Bacchus Marsh
Brenton Payne was a late bloomer in the TAC Cup and not on the recruiters’ radar in his bottom-age year at the Jets.
The key position swingman certainly made up for it this season, earning Vic Metro honours.
Payne is explosive on the lead and has the ability to mark the ball with one grab.
He’s also a good finisher from set shots and has proven ability to kick goals from long range.
Payne was the leading goalkicker for Vic Metro, for which he held down a key forward role.
