IN the build up to football eventually returning, Draft Central takes a look at some of this year’s brightest names who have already represented their state at Under 17 or Under 18s level in 2019. While plenty can change between now and then, we will provide a bit of an insight into players, how they performed at the NAB League Preseason Testing Day hosted by Rookie Me, and some of our scouting notes on them from last year.
Next under the microscope in our AFL Draft Watch is Gippsland Power’s Sam Berry, a powerful inside midfielder who can run all day. Hailing from Maffra in the Power’s region, Berry has grown accustomed to the elite standard not only through his local program, but also as part of the APS Football system at Melbourne Grammar. Having represented Vic Country at the Under 16 and 17 levels, Berry was also a mainstay in the talent-rich Gippsland side last year in between his school footballing commitments.
The 180cm prospect is well poised to become an integral part of Vic Country’s midfield should the National Championships go ahead, able to put into actions the learnings passed down by the likes of 2019 Gippsland graduates Caleb Serong and Sam Flanders. Berry thrives in the contest and is not afraid to get his hands dirty, able to consistently win his own ball and power his way through congestion.
