Central District assistant coach John Platten believes Isaiah Dudley is a serious talent.
The diminutive small forward, who stands at 168cm, is a member of Adelaide’s Next Generation Academy and is in the mix for the AFL Draft later this month.
Hawthorn great Platten has seen first-hand at the Bulldogs what Dudley is capable of and has tipped him to make it at AFL level provided he can improve his fitness levels.
Platten says he possesses similar skills to former Carlton and Crows star Eddie Betts.
“He’s a good little fella. Small forward who can play midfield if he gets a bit fitter. Great skills, he’s a little fella who just loves getting in and under,” is how Platten described Dudley on SEN SA Drive.
“He’s a bit like an Eddie Betts type of player. Kicks some wonderful goals, miracle plays, he shows the candy.
“I’m sure he’ll be looked at in the draft system.
“If he has a really good pre-season, if it’s with us or with an AFL club, I’m sure that will get him nice and fit and raring to go. Because his skills are unbelievable, he turns blokes inside out and he kicks fantastic goals.
“Very, very smart footballer.”
The 1987 Brownlow Medallist sees something special in Dudley, so much so that he believes he could be a “superstar” if the penny drops.
“We’ve just got to get his head set that he is good enough to play AFL football,” Platten added.
“If he wants to do that, he’s got to put his mind on the job, get out at training and work a bit harder, get himself super fit and he will be a superstar this kid.
“He’s got the talent there, it’s just his commitment.
“If an AFL club do pick him up, they’ve got to nurture him a bit. He loves his family back here as well, a very close-knit family.
“So if they can nurture him, get him comfortable and get him fit, he’s going to be a superstar.
“He’s a wizard, he tackles hard, he’s got a bit of quickness about him but it’s just his stamina. He’s got to get his fitness up.”
Dudley spent most of the 2021 season playing in the SANFL reserves for Centrals who went down to Glenelg in the Grand Final.
He also impressed for the South Australian under-19 side against Western Australia in September.
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