Woodville-West Torrens are in danger of losing a trio of players in this year’s AFL Mid-Season Draft.
The reigning SANFL premiers again have a strong side evidenced by their 3-1 start to the season and the fact that no less than eight players have been named in the state team to play against the WAFL next month.
Eagles coach Jade Sheedy, who doubles as the SANFL head coach, has identified former Adelaide Crows duo Tyson Stengle and Riley Knight along with 24-year-old tall Jack Hayes as those putting themself into AFL calculations.
“I talk to the recruiters a bit and their names definitely come up,” he said on SEN SA Breakfast.
“I think potentially there’s three players we could lose in Jack Hayes, Tyson Stengle and Riley Knight. They’re the three that stick out in my head.
“There’s probably multiple clubs in that boat.”
SEN SA Breakfast co-host and four-time Central District premiership player Andrew Hayes is a big fan of his namesake, rating forward-turned-ruck Hayes as one of the most valuable players in the competition right now.
Sheedy concurred, further providing some insight on what the 194cm Hayes provides the Eagles.
“I agree but I’m biased, I coach him every week,” he added.
“I think the other coaches would say the same thing.
“He’s playing in the ruck for us at the moment, but ideally he plays forward. He’s having games where he kicks two or three goals and has 30 touches as a ruckman.
“I guess the knock, a little bit like (Adelaide’s James Rowe) ‘Rowey’, he was always too slow to play AFL before he got the opportunity. They think Jack is too small. I don’t think that way.
“We’ve got AFL players who have come back and are playing with us, like Kobe Mutch from Essendon, and after they watch him play and train they can’t believe he’s not on a list.
“It’s good to get that feedback because they’ve been in squads and seen (AFL) players. I’d love to see him get the opportunity, I think he’d do really well.”
The Mid-Season Draft has been criticised by some in SANFL circles as they feel it weakens the South Australian clubs, but Sheedy believes it is the perfect launching pad for an AFL career.
Woodville have had a handful of players get their chance at the elite level in recent times and Sheedy is keen for more of the same.
“I’m all for it, they’re the rules. The kids want to play at the highest level they can play,” he said.
“SANFL in many regards is a filtering competition and a stepping stone to the next level and if we can provide that and our kids can play AFL footy, I think it’s a great thing.
“I’ve really enjoyed watching Lachie McNeil playing for the Bulldogs and Rhyan Mansell play for Richmond and James Rowe play for Adelaide and Lachie Jones play for Port Adelaide.
“It’s actually given all our players at our footy club an interest. We always talk about how they go at AFL level.
“At the end of the day, the kids want to play at the highest level they can play and it’s our job to provide them with that opportunity.”
Delisted Crow Knight is averaging 27.5 disposals and seven clearances per game so far this season playing as a full-time midfielder.
Former Richmond small forward Stengle booted four goals against former club Adelaide a fortnight ago and Hayes is averaging seven marks, 22 disposals, 14 hitouts and has kicked six goals so far in 2021.
Sheedy’s SANFL side, with all three mentioned Eagles in tow, will take on the WAFL at the Adelaide Oval on May 15.
The AFL Mid-Season Draft is scheduled for Wednesday, June 2.