Which player from the 2022 draft class has surprised the most so far in 2023?
That was the question asked of AFL Media draft guru Cal Twomey who watches the budding youngsters closer than anyone else each and every year.
Twomey admits no particular player has overly surprised him, but he has been taken by the ability of North Melbourne’s Harry Sheezel to flourish in an unfamiliar position.
The no.3 draft pick has played primarily off half-back so far this year and has been impressive, averaging more than 27 disposals (which ranks 14th in the AFL), as well as 4.9 rebound 50s per game.
Sheezel starred at junior level as a medium forward with a wicked goal sense who had the occasional burst through the middle, but is relishing a different role in the AFL for the Kangaroos.
“I loved Harry Sheezel, had him ranked at three or four all throughout last year,” Twomey said on SEN Breakfast when asked which 2022 draftee has surprised him the most.
“I never saw him being a half-back and to be honest I don’t think he did either. I spoke to him a little bit earlier in the season and he said I never played there, maybe a half in one game.
“So him being able to do what he’s done there has been sensational.
“I’m sure we’ll see him as a goal kicker soon enough, but he’s been terrific.”
Already we have seen a number of last year’s draft crop do well at AFL level this season including Brisbane’s Will Ashcroft, Hawthorn’s Cam Mackenzie, West Coast’s Reuben Ginbey, St Kilda’s Mattaes Phillipou, Carlton’s Ollie Hollands and Adelaide’s Max Michalanney, among others.
But there is one player who is only three full senior games into his career, having been involved as a sub thrice, who is set to capture the imagination.
Gold Coast’s Bailey Humphrey picked up 20 disposals and kicked a goal in his best AFL outing to date against West Coast last week which is a sign of things to come, according to Twomey.
“I think Bailey Humphrey is coming. I think he’s going to be the player that is really going to take the eye,” he said of last week’s Rising Star nominee.
“I’m rapt out how the second half of his last season unfolded. We sit here today on May 19 and Bailey Humphrey this time last year was injured, he was nursing a knee injury and didn’t play in the mid-year championships with Vic Country and still got picked at 6.”
Twomey added: “I think last year’s draft is going to shape up pretty well.”
David King is also a massive fan of the former Gippsland Power young gun, so much so that he feels he could end up being the best of the 2022 draft class.
“I reckon Bailey Humphrey could be the best of the lot of them,” King declared.
“In four years’ time, we’ll look back and say, ‘Wow, he’s like Christian Petracca this guy’.”
Humphrey and the suns will next suit up in the Q-Clash against Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.
Sheezel and North, with Brett Ratten stepping in to cover for Alastair Clarkson, will be searching for their third win of the season against Sydney at Marvel Stadium.