The number of VFL players selected in National Drafts has been declining in recent seasons.
After five were taken in 2018, the VFL has only produced two National Draft-selected players in the last three seasons.
AFL Media’s Cal Twomey believes that’s due to the addition of the mid-season draft, which so happened to commence in 2019.
While the number of VFL players taken in the draft proper has dropped off, Twomey believes there are at least two state-league guns that clubs are considering taking later this month.
The first of those is Port Melbourne’s Ethan Phillips, with the 23-year-old hoping to become the 16th consecutive Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medallist – the award handed to the competition’s most promising young talent - to make the jump to the big league.
“I don’t think there’s going to be as many (VFL players selected),” Twomey said on SEN Sportsday.
“The mid-season draft has probably ripped them out over the last couple of years.
“But there is a couple who have done well, Ethan Phillips is a defender who won the Rising Star in that competition.
“We know that’s sort of been a breeding ground, every one of the last 15 or so winners get drafted, so he’s one that’s been on the radar of clubs.”
While Phillips is the obvious candidate, Twomey also expects Footscray captain Lachie Sullivan to be on the radar of clubs, particularly as the Western Bulldogs often add players to their senior list from their VFL stocks.
“Also, Lachie Sullivan, who played with Footscray in the VFL,” Twomey said.
“They (the Western Bulldogs) are another club who like to bring through their Footscray graduates over time.
“Whether it’s the Dogs for him or another club, I think he’s one that clubs are having a look at.”
Phillips, Sullivan and other VFL prospects will hope to have their names read out at this month’s National Draft on November 28 and 29.
They’ll also be available to be picked up in the Rookie Draft on November 30 if they miss out on being selected in the nights prior.