Collingwood recruit Josh Carmichael has the attributes to play at AFL level this year, says Magpies coach Craig McRae.
Carmichael was selected by Collingwood with the ninth pick overall in Wednesday night’s mid-season rookie draft.
The 22-year-old is a 189cm midfielder who averaged 24 disposals, five clearances and a goal a game for SANFL side West Adelaide this year.
AFL Media draft expert Cal Twomey thinks Carmichael is a chance to make his Magpies debut pretty soon.
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“Without seeing him in our environment, based on what I’ve seen him play like, I think he’s a chance to play this year,” McRae told SEN Drive.
“He’s got all the assets to play AFL footy, hence why we picked him up. He’s not a developing player.
“I wouldn’t say he’s readymade because he doesn’t know our game plan and has never played at this level, but certainly the attributes he brings to the table we’re excited by.
“He wanted to play this week in the VFL, I like setting players up to succeed, so I think he’ll probably miss this week.
“We’ll set him to play next week somewhere.”
Collingwood recruiting manager Derek Hine is excited to see how Carmichael will fare in an AFL environment.
“Going into the draft we had five names on the board – a mixture of talls and mids – and we were really fortunate to have Josh there,” Hine told the club’s website.
“We’re really excited by what he can do and how he can develop into our midfield mix.”
The Magpies passed on their second pick in the mid-season draft.